COLLECTION OF PURITAN AND ENGLISH THEOLOGICAL LITERATURE f LIBRARY OF THE THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY PRINCETON, NEW JERSEY Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2013 http://archive.org/details/sevenOOroge ta To the Qhnjlian Trader. Hat be the privileges and high favours of God A'imghtie3 wherewith he hath prc- fcrrcd this age, and in fycciall our Nati- on, above all bef re us, fi^ce thedaies of the holy Apoftlcs, necdeth more me- ditation to move our (lives to thinkful- ncflTe, than proofc to convince our ad- vcrfan, who though they fhould gaine-fay it, ("hall gn.fh their tch and pine away in gricfc to behold it. Among all (I may fnvith the Prophet and the ApcftU) th'iji i<= <-Hcfc, that God hh fo dec rely fhewedbk Word to ldcob* hu Statutes And hu laigemts t* ljr*el\ And hath committed to w his holj Ortdes : Whero Imcancnotonly that we have the Golpell fo pub- hkelyal plentifully preached, which (chough great) is com- mon to; with many: but withall5that ia fome ndrj^hie man- ner G Kiath revealed his fecrets unto us, fuch as wc inow no Cl'urch pon the earthen which in true fenfe of the Scriptures and foundoctrinc thereof, arc more Gnccrely embraced and profcflcdYea with what ftere of rare and excellent lights the Lord hatfurnifhed this our Churcb,he is blind that fcetli not, and malictus that will notactnowlcge it : whei ein though ge- nerally it illcth out by humane f ailtic and S uans fubtilcy, that there imore lightof judgement, than integrity ofconfei- ence$ yet Ircin God hath not lefthimfelfc without witnefle ^fmany wo:hy Chrifllms both Preachers and Profcffors of ^trutb, wo lively cxprcflc the forme of holy Doctrine into A a which \ * To The Reader which they arc caft,fuch as upon my nt termoft peri! I ctt pro- fv:iTc3thedevoiucftP^piftncithcrhath5norpofnbIy(intfcpro- f fTi)n) can att3inc unto,Iacking true faith,the right mojrr and nurfc of a godly life. And herein to give one inftancc incad of many, takeand ex miine ftreightly this one work, & if it ^athc not out more found godlineflc in one Icafe, than all thcirtifi- ciallcompofcdTreaufesof Refolution (which in their dima- tion are chiefe in this argument of a godly life) let me 6ee my defcrved blame. I leave the life of the writer of that^pfh booketofuch as fcetn-e upon better knowledge tohaveft out the famCo And for the Author of this Treatifc,rmay no\\ mo- defty fay what Iknow3 but could and doe defire thatis life were fo knowne to alls to whom his writing dial! comeps it is tofuchj who have heard the Define and feene rhe p&icc hereof in hjinftlfe thefc well ncerc thirty ycares. But fpare the perfon for his life time, and to foretell what you (Til finde fit his labours. In my fimplc opinion it might in one p kcipall refped be called the Anatomic of the foule3 wherein It only the great and principal! parts are laid open, but every vne and little nerve are fo discovered 5 that we may, as it wcrcjith the eye behold5 as the right conftitution of the whole af every- part of a trueChriftian 5 fo the manifold defers andnperfc- dions thereof. Whereto be added moll approved renjdies for the curing of all fpirituall difeafe?3 wich like prefer Jives to maintaineciirhealth, in fuch fort as may bee c*)joy| in this i contagious aire, and fo in a fecond refped may bee Jllcd the phy (idee of the foule. In both which how welcome /hall bee ro all that love their fou!cshealth3 I need notdoub/ oncly I 1 would defire the Chnftianpatient, not to be offend/ with the largeneflfc of the worke, (as too deere for the poo/, and too much to bercad over in long time) but confider wh me, that if the Art of bod ily phyficke be fo long^s the fathepf that Art leftificthj then is ir no marvell3that this fpirirusllpl'fickedoth a*much exceed thcorittrin length, as it doth in d^Vity; An-i yet for rhereleeftof fech as defirt to profit by his Ibour,grear care ^o The Reader. care hath becne taken fo to let out apart every feverall matter, that by the hclpe of the Table they may be dirc&ed to the par- ticularsjwhich I perfwadc my fclfc will be fo farre from glutting any, though never fovveake ftomackc, that it will rather pro- cure him a better appetite. For fimply to fey , as I fcele j I have not read in any mans writing a more favoury ftile and better reliflicd. All which I leave to every one to fpeake as they finde, and fo with my ftrongeft defircs doc commend the fruit of thefe labours to the bleffing of God. S^ediel CuhemeN. A? To To the Chriflian Reader. Hrijlhn R e.xder, I Am confirmed in cominendtnglhlx fpiriinAllUfjUno unto thee, to begtn with the excufe of a ocoddeed. For although ft be a good deed to com- mend this commendable worke, yet mu/l I plead the pardon of my defecitveneffe in doing it, by alleaging my calltng thereto, and implead the fulfomeneffe of the mAligners of fuch holy enter prifes, who for the mofi part difi a fie all things but adl Phil^.S, t0 account all things as du. g, in cmparifiin\ And their i\L*mi- mtion(howgrextfoever) is unfanclified, which Are not fo minded : Rom.rf.17. and if any man hvegodltncffe indeed And bee good metall, hee will blejfe the fire which is ordained to melt him, and the mould which is made to cafi him in : bnt they which nuke thefonnder to melt in vawe Jtr«tf,»5,3o. flail be called reprobate filver. It is part cfthe blcfitng of a werke to be wrought by a blejjedinfirument : And although it befacrilege to in- tervcrtthepraifieofGod^ jet it is of religion to take notice of Qods chofien vejjcls, and a tl men are mere officii cd by finch . This is tin ad- vantage of this Booke, 1 meant the long approved godlineffe of the^j Juthor, as he is a chrifiian; and his zealous paw fuheffc, as be is a Minifter, Andifitpleafe God that his pen may be as his tongue bath beene, a tree of life, the very leaves thereof will cure htm of the^j fiingof Serpents tongues. That which Stint Luke teftifieth */ Bar- nabas, 1047 (after Gods Admeafurement) bee Jpoken ofi him, and ho . MTsii.m. ped of bis labours, thathc wasa good man, and full of the holy Ghort and faith, and much people jnyncd thcmfelves to the Lord. Receive therefore (good Reader) this provifion which hee bath made for thee ofwholfiome meat, not caring for conceited cookery t but remember that godly hunger is the be ft fiance fior heavenly food. Thine in Chrtfl, F&Attxis MiK.Bvur, The The entrance into theBooke^r Preface to the Reader, which containcsthefe toure things : firll:, thcgcncrall (ummeofthc whole booke. Secondly, the rcafons why it was fet forth. Thirdly, thematter and argument of every particular Treatife. Fourthly, a directing of the Chriftiari Reader, how to reade it with mod profit. T?:Nfo great variety of all learning, as God hath | furnifhedthis age withall, it were not onely neidlefie, but arrogancy and folly, for me to put any in hope,that 1 goc about to teach thar, which hath not bin taught,and fct forth alrea- dy by godly and learned brethren. But yet, left any flbouldthinke my labour v.iine, m that which Icnterprife, I would aJI fuch might undeifrand, thathowfbevci "I {"hall bring no other .thing, thanforpe have in general), or in fomc pare heretofore published • yet they (ball nor be glutted with the fame thing in particular, whether they refp«& the Treatife and argument it felfe, or themanncrol following and profecucinf: the fame. At lcaftwifcj may fay,fhat there huh not come to my handany booke direftly tending to this end, which I propound herein the feven Trcatifcs following, to hclpethc frailty of Gods children, and namely, by fetting before their cyes,as in a glaiTl^hc infinicc,fec ret,and dcccitfull corruptions ofthc hear; Irom whence (without a gracious regarding of the fame) fore and dangerous evils doc arife and breake out in their life. Nei- ther have I fecne any Treatife,and dire&ion particulai ly drawn and gathered for mens lives to govcrne and order them, which ^icth them to daily ufc of the fame throughout their whole co\ixf: ; of both which my purDofe is moft chieflic;as well fauiv> fell The Preface >or entrance to the Booke. ' fully as lovingly, to intrcat and ro aid my pooic neighbours and brethren with 'hat which I have gathered by readme, and noted by experience, if by any meanes I may beJbJe hereby,- to make the Chriftian way any jbing more eafie and pleaftnt unto them, than many finde it : and to bring it iiuamore price, than the moft doc value it ar. Infewwords,thisisthatwhichIaimear, that fuch as btve taftcd how good the Lord is> and h Ave felt the power cj life to come, by any worke of faith and Chriftian life, whkh they h»ve obtai- ned by the preaching of the Gofpcll, may after that fee their infirmities, their corruptions, rcbellions,hftidrances,and other difcouragements from that blcfled eftatc wherehuo they are entrcd : and how they may every day in thebeft manner reme- dy, or at leaftwifc weaken and diminifh them, and that they may alfo behold their liberties and prerogatives which they have by Chrift : as the certainty of Gods love, deliverance from the feare of the great andcvillday, peace and comfort through faith, and the bleflednefle of fuch an eftate, and daily enjoy the fame. And thereforc3 not to be as men that have no fuch privileges, either caftdownc with needleffc feare, orpofc felled with an earthly or vainc re joycing,or deftitute of incou- rbcfrultand ragement to walks forward in an heavenly courfe: But that *f*€fitof"!° they may be merry in the Lord, and yet without lightncflc; fad ffaitf. and heavy in heart for their owne finnes, and the abominations of the land, andyetwithoutdjfcouragementordumpifhneffe: rcfting and bclccving in God, without bold prefumption, and fearing their owne weaknefie, but yet without drcadfull and N deadly defpairing. And that thus the Chriftian man, and hec who is faithful! indeed, may fo carry himfelfc in his courfe, as he may have no thought or purpofe to revolt and turne from this hope which i* fet before him, but be perfwaded that hec is infinitely incouraged to hold out conftantly therein, againft all vkttthfMntfd- that might come in his way to the contrary. And that the un- tf^myttv/iihj gOC]jy may fcc novv fucn arc bleffed in comparifon ofother,atu what they thcmfclvcs goc void of which they might enjoy, and The(Pre/acei or entrance to the Booh. and therefore may feeke how to become not almoft, but ai: gcther Chriftuns with them. 7 Butto thofc who have fctthcmfelvcsin a full and refolute rfc/i purpofc to paffc their daics godly in the midft of many ipcom- *£;eafimtf branccs, and to mike with the LordSo farrc as of fraile ticfh may f«t££ui*u. be obtained (how weakefocver in their owne pcrfwafions) to Tbofuf. thofe (Ifay)IdefircinthisTreatifeof mine to bee fomehelpe andafliftance, andtofpeake plainly, that fuch as would fainc doewclJ, and yctcannot tell how, may hereby bee cafed and rclccved. And if any (who as yet arc u\ fuperftuion, hypocri- JJ£i£* fc^prophanencfTe, or in darkneffc)d^fire to be partakers there- migbtprofitty ofalfo, and fo to like of that advice and inftru&ion. which is k written for the belcevcrs,that they be Willing todepart from the wicked, crooked, and cm fed way, which they have walked in : I fhould bee fo farre from envying them this blcfling, that (al- though this was not fet out d ire&ly for them) yet they may un- derstand, that with fuch willing mindc, as I have undertaken this worke for their good, who are inChnft alreadie; with the like, I am ready to further and helpe forward them, who thinkc and know themfelvrs as yet to bee grangers from cbrifi altoge- ther; and tor- Joyce, if I might undei (land that they have bin moved hereby with their brcthren^to become the true Difcip!es of Chrift. Indeed 1 have not laboured fo much, to perfwadc thefe to returne from tneir mifcrie3and to become penitent, he- 7hii n(rLs caufc many both examples and the like, and reafons to move (J}*tk!tj im- thcrrvireplentifullyjplainlyjand in good order, extant among enot before regard and take good by our preaching : and yet t!:cy fhall have my beft advice Jin the end. But as for fuch ash*ive already becne in rhctmth of their hearts converted uv to the Lord, and unfeinedly becne en batk? from the former 'lufts of their i^nora*ce% and the fafhion of *hcwo 1 *; after the w lichfoniuime thry ;ramcd thcmlelves: foifwch(If^y)Ikncwuisthec^»neftdciIftof their hearts/hat they The Preface, or entrance to the Booke. they may as well have a pathway togodhneflr, and ahn8. ji. objr&ed to me, that I'doe the Author of the book open wrong, in faying that be j >yneth not the Gofpell with the Law j for he that readcth if, may finde, that he fpeaketh of Iefus Chnfr, that he was given by his Father to the wor!d,tr at many might be fa- ved,ana of the promifc: and how fay 1 then that he teacheth the Law without the Gofpeli? I an(wcr,that he doth indeed menti- on bath the promifes of the Gofpcil,and alfo Chrif};and this he doth in that Chapter which is intituled (Diffidence in Gods- mercic:) but yet is that true that I fay : For the Gofpell is tha power ot God toLIvariontohim tint belccvcrh; and it is not R$dtt.i« the Gofpe!l,if it be not bclcevcd-for tha t is a part of the defc rip. tion of it. Now belceving or faith,hath ? ffurance going with rr , . as I Chewed out of the Epiftle to the Hibrewes^ which the Au- thor of that bookcjwith the reft ofhis religion doth flatlvdcnv^ and therefore k is ctecrc, that hce doth not teach the Gofpell., neither in that booke doth phinly and foundly guide the war- dring The Preface \or entrance to the Booke. dringfoulc which fccth it (life loft to findc rcmiffio.iofhisfin and cvcrlafting life ; and confequcntly, that he doth not dirc& bis Reader to live godly, as I faid, but holdeth him in darknefle and in the ftatc of damnation, and Co deceiveth him. And what reckoning he makerh of faith (which the Word of Godprcfcrreth before all other things, and faith, chatitovcr- ij-bnj.4« cornmeth all difficulties in tiicworlci) we may fee by hisownc word^inhis Preface/?/ 6.1 exhort the difcree: Reader (faith he) of wharfbever religion and fairh he be,to enter into the careful! ftudy and excrafc ofgood deeds, afTuring him, that this is the right way, to obtaine at Gods hands the light of true belccfr. And a little after he faitbjt is more eafic to beleevc as we ought, than to live aswefhould. Here we fee he prefers good deeds before faith : as if the fruit fliould be faid to bee more precious than the tree that beares if. And yet, as not marking what hec faid,he uttereth thefe words a little before, which cannot (land with the other: Our fathers received one uniforme faith from their mother the holy Catholikc Church, and did attend oncly to build upon that foundation good workes and vertuous life, as holy Scripture commandcth us to doe. Here he affirmcth, Cu3t good life commeth from faith.Thus while he fpcaketh fuch contraries, fometimc, that good workes muft bee built on the foundation of f iith ; and with another breath, that good life is the right way to bring faich, (ind yet all may fee he fpeaketh of one and the fclfe fame frith in both places) in whnfenfefoevcr hctaketh faith, muft he not needs by fo teaching, deceive the fimplc Reader, iiiltitc hee not being able to underftand what is taught, cannot poffihly pra6lfc that which he ought ? And it was not to be doubted (tofpeake even inchsritie, as inconfeience wt ought) tlnr the faid Author promifing in that his booke of reiolurinp, that he would adde two other parts to mtbcPrcface it,(as thereby c< nf fil fcg-fthatfr alone was an insufficient worke t\ Htm. ^ ^^ ^e icnorant) arifll y rt cannot in ci^htcene ycare^ fi \d a time to fulfill his piumifcj it was nut to be doubted (I fay) but that The Preface, or entrance to the So Ac. th.it hce «vas well content to deceive and trouble many that fhouldreadck: As if one (hould but preach the wrath of God for finne to n hundred pcrfons (whereas his bookc hath becne in the hands of rhoufands) and I'hould come no more in eigh- teene yeares, to helpc them out of feare and doubt, and how to live afrcrwardsjit would be condemned and that juft'y,and cried out of byalladvifcd people. And yet we may conclude, with- out any doubt, knowing his religion what it is, (ifevcrhehad any fuch meaning, to fct out two other parrs) that they Iliould have becne as furnd as this one is, that is to fiy unwhoIfomCj full of damnable errors, and uncomfortable : For can men ga- ther Grapes of thorncs, or Figs of thirties J No more can any found fruit be reaped or comfort gotten by falfc and unfa voury doe which I fet downc (as I (aid) that none may thinke me fan taftically to have gone about ro broach fbme novel y, bur rather to offc; that to thcpcopl 9J God, which hath with goodadvice bin gathered rhe(htntb fur their edifying. But now to return^ the la ft reafonmoving Mjffe me, to take this work in hand is,that they who have crpyed my mtwfauy t hep thirty yeares^mi^ht have me (as many of them hive oft defireJ) aftci ;* fort putting them in rejnembrance of that ThcfirftT.tM- The Preface, or entrance to the Booke. that which I have taught than in my life time, many yeres af. rcrl fhall be taken from among them. Ti is (h 11 fuffice tob.c ipoken of my intent and purpofc in this Trcatiie3 with the rea- sons thereof. Now it rcmaineth further roaccjinint the R adi-r with the or- dcr, which I fife in the fame, ind t<> give fome ii.ftruetxms, th.it he may rode it with the more profit • and that it may bee more the thWipb* plaineandeafietoundtiitand, (which I doecfpeciaily int. n< ) "ibcVrtiact, than orherwih: it liquid be.Firft therefore, becanf I have writ- ten ir for their fakes chi fly, which are truly called to bee Gods Children, and have an intercft in hfe promifcs, as being con- verted to him from the fiibj clion of thedcvill; firfthfay, my rbecmttmi, purpofc is in the formoft Trearifc to (h w,whoare his/nd #htt a*d particularly, they arc which in an holy and humble n anner may reft fatisficd J^lt' w*w» inhispromif-S,agtiinflalIdreadfuilfeai< & doubt which might jevirlu mat* difquietthcm;tha?f > neither the loofc livers may deceive them- f*- ielveswir> an opinion of thatwhich bclongcth not to them; u^t nor Gods Children bee deprived of thatwhich is their ownc; and the ignorant of both forts that hft/nay learne to know bet- ter and amend their cftar . In the fecond, 1 meane tofhew, TbifscondTw what courfe of hfcfucb perlonsmuft walkein rhorow< ut their /;^6 fates, and Iv w they are to carry thcmfelves both towards God nd men, which I rhinke txpeoicnt rola\ forth as cleerely as I can, and in fbmeample manner for the more fulifarisfying of the ignorant lorr. From thefctwo3ali the other points handled rhttbi'dTre** mrhisb.)(,ke Jocarifc* Therefore in the third,I ^ ill (hew what */* art the cranes wherry this life rrny be maintained, and how thebelcever fhillufc the fame, ro thec^d that thiswhoieand great ivoik- of worfhf'ppin»? andfcrv'ngG id,may not betaken for a Mre matter f>t knowledge, as the moll doc make it: or (which is little better) f >r a f rvi«£ot' God by halfcs, as too m-ny profcfTors of the G fpcll doe ufe ir : but for 4 faithful! re- garding of our waies, that they may befhaped outafrcr Gods w II. Now this pra&if.iig of rhc god'y ' fe U oerfr rmed by following fl*fi*r* £2 a daily na J<' m The Pre factor entrance to the Booke. a daily dircft ion to guide usf and whiles wc doc every day with confcicncc let our fclvcs to honor and obey God, as in our cal- lings, and by other occafions offered, we (hall be able, and not wandcringly and uncertainly, as wee have becne wont to doe. And this thall be fctdowne in the fourth Treatifc. Andthisis one ofthe points in thisbookc which requireth to be read a- gaincandagaine,as being neither commonly intrcated of, and of fingular ufc to fuch as defire to take good by ir,cfpccially not being able otherwife to guide thcmfclves.In the fiftb,I make the Reader acquainted with the lets which will hinder him (though he be willing to be direfted daily) from this courfe, except hec will be perfwaded to arme himfclfc with fuch helps, as whereby he may withftand them : and remedies againft thefc lets fhall in this fifth Treatifc be (ct downe3 as far as fhall be thought expe- rbefixthTre* dienu The fixth fhall fct before thee fundry privileges and blcf- fingSj which God doth peculiarly bequeath unto, & beftow up- on his beloved ones : befides fuch benefits as they have in com- mon with the men ofthe world. By the which, as by other rca- fons, the faithfull may fee themfclves perfwaded, with much more chcercfulncfie, and greater willingncfle to lead a Chrifti. anlifcdaily,and to fhineas lights in example to others. In the feventh and laft, fuch obje&ions as may be brought & allcagcd by any, cither weake Chriftians,or carnall cauillers, agiinft the pra&ifing ofthe daily direction,, fhall be fufficiently anfwered ; that thcrby the truth appearing more clcarcly,many fuch us de- fire vnfeinedly to doe well, and yet have not learned to guide thcmfelvcsbyanyplaine direction our ofthe Scriptures, may have this as an hclpe unto them to fee that which the Scripture hath revealed hereof. All vvhicb,though I dircd not this worke to the unrcformed, may be in ftead of an exhortation unto all loofcand carelcflc pevfons,(though more bricfly,feeing there is enough written of that argument) to move them toroufeup themfclves, and to awake out of their deadly flecpe, and not to caft away their foules for the love of their fi nes, (which they may be fure that God will finde out howfoevcr they hide them) but tbeftvemb Trcttift, Now. The Brsfoct, or entrance to-thcBookel but to fecke bctimcs.that they be unburdened of rhenvafi tr.cm upas a mod filthy gorge, and avoid the vengeance of Gocls wrath which willotherwdemoftfure'y come upon them for it: For though finne be fweec in the committing of ifjftt it will be bitter,whcn it comes to be rqpented of : and moft bitter., when without repentance it rnuft be accounted for. Now it rcmaincth to direct the Reader how to beftow his time profitably herein, and how he may rcade it to his benefit. For I doiibrnothing,buthcthaciha!bcconvcrrmtinit,dcfiringtobc directed in his courfe,(h ill think his time well fpenr, (o as he ! c helped tounderftand thefame.Firft3thcrcforeIetbim readc the contents of it briefly fetdowne in the Table before the Pk-ckc5 to helpc his memory,then the marginal! notes of the Chapters. And if he conceive and undcrftand the (hort fummc of it Co fee downe3 then let him rcade the bookc it felfe^-dll he be acquain- ted with,and underftand it : wherein if his capacity be the wea- ker andfhallower, hemuft defire the helpe of fbme which are more skilful (and better able to fee thednft,(copc5and meaning of it) than himfelfe, efpccially in fuch points of it, as arc more hard andidifli cult, either to underftand or to pra&ife. For al- though many (hall have no need ofthis directing of them to reade it with profit, becaufe they can eafily dire&themfelves whemhey once know thc-generall parrs and arguim nt of ir, as before is mentioned : yet becaufe my defire herein is as well to helpe and benefit the plainc and fimple, ((uch as many of them are, amongft whom I have preached the fame) as well, as to bring the wiier and more learned fort acquainted with the pra- ctice of it, therefore I know they fhal! have need thereof. Now when they (hill undcrfiand it in f >me good fort, let them Tbefmtbp$im weigh and coufidcr, how far forth theyhavehacf ufeof it here- 2^>"^ tofoxe, as, whether they have according to the firft parr of this A: booke,oy ciicjminiftery ofany found preacher oi theGofpcJ,ar- r'f* thu ; bAiecltotheafiurancejofthcirfilvarion^.indoftheforgivetieflre % ** *'°j:U of their iins,wr.ercin ifany will take it as granted, though falflv, vas they arc moft ready to doe fo,vvho have Icart left the burthen- B 3 of I be Preface ^ or entrance to the Booh. of their fins, 3nd therefore are indeed furtheft off from it) here- in, I fay, if any will needs deceive thcmfelvcs, I cannot hclpc ir but they are like to reade the reft vvithlcflc fruit and comfort' and to goe without the ufe of it in their lives, whatfoevcr they hope for. And therefore fuch I advife to take moft paine in the firft part : I meanc in the do&rine of it, and reading other Trea- ties concerning the matter, as Mafkr Mores and other Catc- chifmes; and Matter P*r£/*iworkes, namely, his bookc inti- tuled. The grame #/ Muftardfeed : And to raifc all the doubts they can to any experienced teacher or brother, and to lookc for, and fee thofe things worke upon them which arc taught there, both the do&rinc of humiliation, and alfo of j lftification and deliverance. . If this bee attained, let them confidcr for the better afTuring tbemfelvcs hereof, that they cannot butaffed, love, embrace, and delight in the do&rinc offan£hfkation,andr^»/4Jwyfo» dead yterkes. I meane they fhall defire to pra&ife the godly and Ghrifbaniife,whenthcyfeethatitisthccommandcmcr.tofhim who loveth them moftdcarcly, and what it is, and wherein it confifteth, which is the fummc of the fecond Treatifc of this Booke. And to this end, let them readc, and by marking fceke, (as fuch who would finde) that they may fee what finnc there is in them which they are not willing nor defirous to forfake, (if there be any) or among duties generally appertaining to all, or particularly touching themfclvcs, which they cannot fubmit themfelvesunto. If there be either of thefc found in them, as that they cannot leave nor be brought to renounce fomc parti- cu'ar fins, nor obtaine ofthemfelvcs to be fubjecYto force fpc- ciall duties,as thinking it too ftridt fo to doe, (as thus k may be Jim. ». 10. with many, and no doubt is) fuch mud know, that it is the Do- Hcb. i j. i3. drine of theScripturc3 that all the Gomraandemcnts of God be 1 ' had in account of us, and confcicncc made of one as well as of another: which if they fee and acknowledge accordiog to the Word of God,thcy cannot but fubmit themfelvcs thereunto, if :hey have rightly embraced the do&rine of the former Treat ife5 that s\ The Preface ', or entrwce to the Booke. that as in judgement and knowledge they yceld ; fo their heart and affc&ions may goe with the fame. And fo doing, Gcd will workcin them by little and little, (fecking it by prayer cf futh) even as he wrought the like in them before, and weakiud fucii rebellioufncflcin their hearts already. If therefore the teachable and ChriftianReader be thus farrc wrought upon by the fpirit of God,that he thus favor,appcovC;, and give ovcrhimfclfe to be made truly repentant, which is that that is required in the fecond Treatifc of this boote-,then is he fit to occupy himfelfe abour,and to be convei fant in the third and fourth part of it, that is to (ay, in the do&rinc which k retha daily walking inaChriftian courie, by the ufeof I helpesasarc appointed of God forthatpurpoft, and fomc of them alfo daily, as in the proper place fhall appearc. For every true Chriftian is to know,that the religion and worfhip of God muft be in ufe and pra6ticc among the embracers of it, as well one day as anothcr.But hew fhall any be able to keepc his heart in frame, and reforme his life daily by the meanes which God hath appointed, as in the third and fourth part of this Booke is required : except he be firft a liker,and an allower ofall knownc points of duty, and doe heartily renounce all cvill as is requi- red in the fecond part J Which being done, let him lookc to grow daily more flrong in faitb,whcrcby he may hold and keep faft the certainty of Gods favour daily and coaftanfly. And not as too many (and yet the people of God) doe, whoarcnorac- quaintcd with this,and therefore are not perfwaded, that their confidence fhould be maintained daily, oragoodconfeience in their particular adions regarded, and that on one day as another, but thinkc it enough at fomcrimes to have this care. Neither let any looke to repell this as too ftrift, under pretence of weighty affaires, and their owne infirmity. For this is but thcdelufionof the Devil!, asfhUlbc fhewed, who willeafily perfwadcittobcraorcthanneedctb. This is that which mult be learned out of the third and fourth part. And when this is undcrftood,approvcd,confentcd vnto, and B 4 Aimed The P rf face, or extremes to the Bcoke. ' atiftbd&j thcfifrhp.irtofthcBookcfhallbccIcareaadcaficta iv 'dcrfond, and whatufchclhouldmakcolit, namely, of the lets and hinderanccs which ti,e D:vill raifctb upto hold him backefrom this courfe of life, and thepra&iceof "the fame: of the which fomc I will fetdownc, and hclpe him the better to^ know many others thereby. And hec that fliallcndevour to di- rcclhishfr, and tAe heed to his-vvaics, as hec (hall by Gods Word be taught, fh ill breakc thorow many of the lets, which yet fliallftrongly hold backc and hinder other men, as the fifth part will (hew: and if heebce forafeafonwithdrawncfrom a godly courfe, yet he fhall there finde helpss and remedies ta recover againe ; and little cafe orhcrwite. And if there b: any difficulty inconforming amansfelfeaf rev tli is fore-mentioned do&rine, (as I -deny not but the flefh- will finde many)yet againft them all,let him proceed and rcade wi:h good regard the fixth Treatife, wherein are fer dovrne the manifold and goodly prerogatives and privileges, which God hath bequca thed ro his people to hearten them onr and incou- rage them to godlincfTe, and to make the Chriftian life eaficj and he fliall fee great lighr, and find exceeding force thcrcin,to ftirrc him up to goe forward mightily againft all fainting. And then he fhall not bee moved for all the objections, cdvils, and flefhly reafons which he fhall readc in the feventh parr. For the< comfort and experience which hce fhall partly en joy already, , ;md partly hope for and expect afterwards,fhall make them va- nifli away as fnoke, although othcrwife they are able to I urt arid fling as fire. And then when in the due confederation of rhe ivhok, he fhall fee what the blcflcdncfic and manifold good jhincsarc, whichhe in part hath already, and fhall afterwards •■• cr.jy both here and in thcltfetocomc;, hce fhall fee what infi- nite caiife he hath to praife God for his portion, that hce bath rather beautified and bk fifed him with his favour and graces* ;han many other, whereby he may walkefo comfortably, and? that in this vale of mifcries toward GodsKingdome. Arid chus ladvife thec (good Readcr,as 1 know it ihall be beft for The Preface ; or entrance to the Bookc. for thee) to befiow thy travcll about this Bookc : wherein I ap. poinrthce no ccruinc time, nor hourcs, feeing ail which would profit I vir3cannor fr»cnd their time a!i be faved. \oy ^ Of the hearty an A how i: fi.ozld bee clean fed and changed, and fo the whole matt, -which is iruefianHifi- c at ion, tending to repentance and a godly l/fe. 7 1 6 5 Of the renouncing of all finne; which U the fir ft cffeVe of a renewed heart inthetrue beleevc r, and th e third genera il head in this Trea- tifie, and, one fart of ' tr 'He repen- tance. 1 2p 6 Of divers kinds ofevittto be re- nounced, and namely of tliK C':rf~ ttr ofth&fi which are inwardly both again ft Cjod and. men. i j 6 j Of other inward evills andfinnes, moft properly concerning ourfilves, and that they with thefirc-mentio- . nedbee renounced of the beleever alfo. 144 8 How the minds and hearts of the bcleevcrs are taken up rf wall?, fee- ing they renounce inward tufts. 152 9 Ofthefecondkjvde of evils or firs to be renounced, namely, autward. 166 I o Of four e forts offuch as hope for falvation, and jet renounce not 0- pen fmncs, and outward offences. 168 I I Ofartaine objections rat fid from the firmer Doctrine, and a-fiwers thereto: 04why wee flon id pat dif- ferences betwixt msu: and n he* ther the godly nay fall reproachfi l„ h, and what infirmities they may have. tgo -I 2 Of the keeping of the heart once purged, sn the fame gofdp/ight af- terward.^ ' jg3 .1 3 Ofthefumme and manner of 'hand- ling thU fi con d part nf a godly life : and particularly of the rules to bee cbfirved for the effecting of it ; namely , knowledge and practice, and a vertue togoe. with both, which is upright nt 'fie. lgy 1 4 Of anfiv&ittg of fome objections about the former doctrine, and of the other two vtrtues which helpe to a godly life, diligence, and con- tinuance, both which muft be done in h urn titty an d meeknelfe. 206 1 5 Offome particular duties pertai- ning to Cjod dtretth in thefirft, fe- cond, third, and fourth Comman de- ments. 213 \6 Of certaine duties to men, in the ftft h fix; h .andfc venth Comman de- ments,the obeying whereof is apart of the godly life. 223 1 7 Of fome duties to *neu in the eighth, ninth, and tenth (fvmmtn- dements. 252 I 8 Of certaine reafons pcrfivs.dmgto the practice of a godly life: which is the fourth general! part of this 7 re.it fie. 1$"$ 19 Ofanfwers to certaine ob jell ions brought again ft the neceffty ofpra- It 1 ling th is godly life . 2$ 6 20 1 he la ft objection againftthe godly lifianfwered. 27 % The handled in tins Tfcatilc. u to a godly life. ^y$ fggg^^5^?TP>^g^^ 15 Of the extraordinary helps. 300 The third Trcatife laycth forth the | ?^1^\£<&%^^ mcancs whereby a godly life is holpcn up and continued. Chap, i. W Hat the meanesAre, and the kinds of 'them , And of the f*mme And order of this Treat ife. 2S0 2 Of the pnblikc he/pes to increafe godlineffe : andnamely, the UMini- ftcryoftheWord. 283 3 OfthefecondpubUke helpe : name- ly, the Sacraments. 287 4 0 fpub like pray ers : alfoof the pri- vate he/pes in generall. 294 5 Of the fir fi private help e^ which is wat chftilncffe* 300 6 Of meditation, the fecond private helpe. 3 1 1 7 Of rules and examples of medita- tion. 323 S Of the third private helpe, -which if the armour of a Chrtfitan: and of the three firfl points of it. 342 9 Ofthclaft point, which u the bene- fit ofth h tArmonr. 3^8 X 0 Ofonr owne experience, and what \ a fpeciall helpe it is to the leadng \ of a godly life : alfo of the uje of company and family -excrcifes. $66 II Of Prayer, and the parts thereof, thanks-giving and requeft, where- **to u added confeffion of finncs. 371 11 Of reading, and whatanhclpc tt The fourth Trcatife direð the belecver unto a daily pri&ice of aChriftian life. Chap. r. OF thefumme, order, andpartsof this 7reati\e. 3 94 2 Of the fir ft reafon why there ought to be a daily dircttiott to guide the beleever. 39S 3 Of 'the fecond reafon of a daily di- rtllion, conjifting of two branch esm 400 4 Of the third reafon of the daily di- rection. 40 J 5 Of the fourth reafon. 410 6 Of the fifth, fixth, fevtnth, and eighth reafon. 414 7 Of the description of the daily di- rection. 418 8 Of theneceffary parts of the datly dtretlion, be in? the fecond branch of the fecond p Art of thss Treatife. 421 2 Of the illuftration or mere fill de- claration 0 f 'the former p-trts of the direction. 427 10 Of the actions ar.d duties of life, mofi commonly to be done daily: but not ofrs ec effit y . 4 4 j 11 Of tie benefit and commendation of the direction. 44 S I 2 Of the d.claration of the fir ft dtt- t ie of awaking with (jod. 4 ^4 TheComents of the Chapters 13 Of the declaration of the fee ok d duty, of beginning the day with fr- er. 468 1 4 Of the declaration of the third du- ty about our callings. 469 1 5 Of the dec I rut ion of the fourth rule or dui y , aireHing its in comp.i- nie. 484 16 Of the dec I ar at ion oft h e fifth d» - tie, how wee Jhould behave our felvesinfohtarincfife. cpo 1 7 Of the declaration of the Kxtb dtt* tie * efu ling pro ferity well. 5 1 1 i 1 8 Of the declaration of it efieventh dftty : of bearing afflictions rtghi- lyyevery day they come, 522 Tp Of the declaration of the eighth drttte '■ namely > of ufng r eh gibus exerafes tn ourfimiltes^. 5 2 6 20 Of the declaration of the ninth and la ft duty : of viewing the day before our lying downc. 530 And here fo lloweth a pray cr containing thefumme of the lfe,which is to be daily led of a true flonftian . 537 aeaw ftth cm. The fifth Trcatife fhewcth the lets wUch hinder the finccre courfc of the Chriftian life before de- fer 1 bed. Ch A P. I. OF thefumme and order ef tins Ireatrfie, and how tr agreeth Well with tht former. 547 1 Of S«ra>- r properties and att< mpts 4ga mjf ** in g * net ad : and oht help 2 Of the dew Is troubling of the weal beleeverab$ut his faith : andifhee dee net prevatle againft htm one vtayy.hcfieeketh by another. 5 5 j 4 OfSataxs hindering the continu- ance of faith. -52 5 OfSatans hindering the beleever from living godly: and how many waics : andnamely, by keeping htm inawundring and unfitted courfe : andalfio of the remedy agai.ft %t : and fir ft by occafion of that > how he I: oldctli backs the wicked. 5 6 7 6 Of another ; andnamely, thefiecond let of the fir ft kjnde, that isjhe lea- vino of 0 sir fir ft love. 577 7 Ofi the third let tithe firftkinde: namely, the want of the or dm trie preaching 'of the Word ofCjod. 5 84 8 Ofith efecend kjnde of gen era 11 let s : namely y the urmortifed affellions w herewith he opprelf-ththe belee~ ver. *yfnd firftoffeare that they fhallnotp'rfevere : and of pride in their gifs. 590 (p Ofi orher unruly affetlions : tet- chtneJfe,peevifbneJfe}frowardncjfe9 &c. 599 I o Of worldly tufts : and namely, the love ofcarnallplcafiire, and the in- ordinate deftre of riches. 60 5 I I Ofitl e remedies <'(raw(l this kinde of worldly lufts : num'ly^ covet on f* nejfe, andexceffive love of rief'es. 6,y I 2 Of the third kjnde ofgenerall lets: whereby the beleever is hindered fir em going forward in a godly courfe. 6 2 7 15 i/t* handled InthisTrea^r-. t • Ah ex*mp?c of a covenant made by certain* godly brethren, decla- p h \legc : n4meh9tbdt Cods people v /( * k'pt fro* ' I -'cat fi Us. ( rh^what manifold let J' the faith- 6 Ofthefourt, privilege: T' full have in thu world (fir to iU godly may rife agatt.c, : . r . . , ty 'luflrate the former doUrine :) cor- j ATefy r-n. 694 tamed in the two next Chapter s\y Of t»e fifth pytvilegc: *id godlmeffe. 70 1 8 Of th tfix thpriv'rcr" ■ >..tm eij , of the rig!, t nfing off rojptrhjt 707 plaint mentioned m the former , 9 Of the feveMh privilege : .0 .tC.r C*rni Chapter, *53 The fixth Treatifc fettcth downe what privileges belong to every trucChriftian : and how hcerrtay haue his part in them. Mtng the afflict it ns e^the godly : ay; J namely, cf the firfi branch of the fime ; that is, how they may be free from man j ofthofe troubles, which doe light on, and meet with the un- iformed. 715 10 Of the fecond branch of this pri- vilege : concerning the afflictions of 'the faith full : namely, that God deliver eth them ont of many, when the wicked fiill remaine in theirs, 721 Of the ' ' ird branch of this privi- lege . -'that we have much good by onr .fffltel ions. 727 Of the fir fl privilege : that the'- 12 Of 'the eight I 'privilege : of grow - heleevtrs may h*iow$n this world, Ch A P. I GFthefummeefthis Treattfs:the reafons why it us fet ont : the af:cr he hath affuredthem §f his favour. 673 4 Ofthefirjl hranch of the thtrd pri- vilege, wherein (at in the reft ) it particularly appear eth how Cod is with lots, and namely, how hegi- veth grace to his children to live godly. 678 5 Of the fecond branch of the third in gin grace. 73 :» 13 Of the ninth privilege: that the belcevers fhall per fever c ur.to the end. 740 14 Of the tenth and laft privilege enjoy edi/n the hfe to come, and of the ce> tatrty that the godly may have ef them alt, and the comfort thereby, 753 15 Of the dreadful! efiate eftheun- be I e ever s And reprobate after thu life. 764 Tic The Contents of the Chapter.^ Sec. The feventh Treatife conta;neth the objections and cavils, whichmay be brought againft the Do&rinc before fet downe, and an anfvvcr to them. Ch A P, OF the fur/; me and order of this , Treatife. 771 2 Of the fir ft objection : that there needs no direction daily befides Gods Word, and therefore this u tieedleffe. 773 3 Of anfwer ing this objection: that no fuch direction can bet obferved daily* 770 4 Of anfwer to thu reafon again ft the practice of daily direction : that it is toilfome and inconvenient, taking away all pleafure from men, and hinders their labours* j$% 5 Of an anfwer to another reafon a- gainft daily directing ofm : that it would brcalee off aUfoc/ety andfeL lowfhtp amongil men, .788 pound, untiH they bee fortified : namely, bow they may attame to fuch direction daily, And anfwer thereto : and other l/^e, namely, that they count it hard, and what fuel: ought to doe. ~p0 7 Of other objections of- the weak/' as, that they cannot fee /*«> they fhouldwalke thus, while they liv, in fuch an ev/3 world: and of other like objections, with anfwtrs.hcre. tc, 8 OftheobjetiionofweakeChriflu an s who cannot reade : andjnotker of them that are troubled through fome Serif tures / and anfwer to holh- 800 o Of the objections, that thai belter counfeU is given bythcAnthor,than he h ftp. felfe will follow ,with anfwer to both, and a larger anfwer to thefirftobjei clion in thefecond Chapter. 804 10 The conclnfionbf the whole beoke, containing an exhortation to good and bad. g,j 1 1 Of our duties in ficfaefe and 6 Of the doubts and ebjeclitns whick ; Ukelihetpdof dtath\ andofvifiting weak* Chrijkia**. ought \ to fro- \ | thefick*. 82a . - - - Th end of the Contents, ' THE FIRST TREATISE, SHEWING WHO BE THE TRVB CHILDREN OF GOD. Chap. I. The Jumme and order of tbufirft Treatife. =5y Lthoughmychicfepurpofebetodire&thc Sji' trucChriiiian (who is already abclec- Ykfaxcftbt Author in tb* rbefmmeof tbufirfiTru* vcr) how to walkc daily thorow the courfc of this life, in fuch wife as he may finde a very fweet and erTec-Tuall taftc of ctcrnall happinelTe, even here (which few doe thinke can bee obtained) yet I have thoughtit meet : firft, to (hew who are true beleevcrs, and the children of tifi, God, and how men are brought unto this eftate, and thereby may know that they arc fo. Partly for them who defire to bcdhcctcd inaChrifrian Tmfirttwmp lift , that they may have this ready at hand by them, to fhc w them that tJks&l«U}!t. they are the Lords,notwithftanding many doubts be oft raifcd by Satan z againftthem, and thatothersmuy leameto knowit, who areyctigno- ^ 2 rantofit, as without the which, they fhould goc about a godly life in "J vaine and to no purpoie. Which as it is the wcighticft and chief! : pointofall others in Divinity, and the group.:1 of the red which Ihavc taken in hand to entreat of; fo it is with the grcateft regard cob. :ca. m, whether we refpeilthofe wnlch unfold and taj open (be C Mo? are dtct'i I Hi it. Thefttmme of this TreMifz^. thofc, which defirctobrc inftruitcdand pcrfvvadcd in the truth thereof. Foritcomestopaflc by our corrupt nature, and flownciTcof heart to bclceve, and through Satans fubtiltic many waies beguilingus, that we in nothing more deceive oui lcjvcs, than in, and about the affurance of falvJtion : (and no mar veil, For that foundation being loundly laid, the buildingup of the Christian life will follow) for proofc hereof, vvc may undcrfiand that fome, yea, many thoufands thinke that no man can know, whiles he liyeth I.cic, that he is the Lords, neither can have any aflu ranee of his favour till his death, unleiTe it be by fpeciall revelation. tpgpiflstbiii^e And th:s is the crrour of the Papifts. On the other fide, many thinkc that this is not to be madequcftion of, that any who profeiTctheGo- \CA'*?u ?L°1?' *~PC* mou^ doubt of their filvttion (notwithftand'ng our Sauiour Chrift faith, that hi* flo civets but[ma\l, and that in comparifon, but few flallhtefiived.) And this is the opinion of our common Procelhnrs, which fry j Lord, Lor '^, and yet are not prepared to doe the will of the Lord, and therefore are far from entring into the Kingdomc of Heaven. Befidcsboth thefc, manypoore ignorant foules thinke, whiles they doe well and ferveGod, they may be allured of th-ir tcdemption by Chrifr: butifthey be by anymeaneshindred from pleating of God, yea, though it be by mcerc frailty and corruption of nature, then they can have no held thereof. Which uncertainty, though it cleave unto many who are dearc unto the Lord, yet it is to bee counted their crrour and finne, and they muft be brought to a more flayed judgement than thus to thinke: that either there is changeableneflc with God, or to be io much their ovvne enemes, as by meanesof this crrour to fill chcir lives yru^cjipcrjwa- withfuch uncomfortablencfTe, and deprive themfclvcs hereby of this fitn]o true god- aiTurance of Gods love, which istheitrcngcftpcrfwafiontotruegodlN- neiTc, 2 (fir. 5. 14. Thefc are fome few ofa great many doubts and erronious opinions about this martcr,as after flul a.mcare. Forrefolution whereof,though many things fntift bcfiid3yetthe matter it fclfemay ckcicly and found* ly be fct downc in few words. Tothe end therefore, that thefe and fuch like may fee how farre diffe- ring Gods thoughts are fom mans, and (as I have {aid before') that all whtch have received this doctrine, may have it before their eyes daily in fome eaficand familiar manner to confirmethem; I will, as God hath made mc able, fet do^ncin thisTreatiie that which is expedient about bLdso'ra^of this point : and tins I have thought good to referre to thef- three heads. o/ibt firfTrm- Firft, to (hew how a man may attaifie to this, 10 know that hecisthe **• chilJcofGod, andhowGodvvorkcth it by his Spirit in the hearts of thefe Jta UStkmJttU Luk. II. §1. Matth 7^A- Lu'< 19. Ma;h 7.11. fttans/uUtf do* b ting. ^4 fur we of Gedslv(,tbe imfe. Luk, 16 Three gentraU Of wans tnifcric^. 3 thofe which arc his ; and this is (hewed in the 6rft feven Chapters. Sc- condly, how the weakc bclccvcrs may uphold thcmfelvcs in teipptatN on andVo be flayed ; as feeing they differ apparantly from thofc which arc' not the Lords,unto the tenth Chapter. And thirdly, how they may afterwards thorowout the whole courfeof their life more cafily prove that they have t rue faith; and be able to confirme and prefcrvc the fame; and (o may finde how much fuch an cftatc is to be defucd, to the end of the Trcatifc. And for the plaLie declaration ofthefiift point hereof, tkatis,howa Three kroner man may be ccrtaine of his ialvation,thefe three things muft be handled, tfihf'J1 heat Thefirft theclecre knowledge of mans mifery, in the next Chapter. Thefecond, of his redemption and deliverance out of the fame, in the third Chapter. And the third, how both thefe ought to workc upon tnens hearts, and what fruit they will bring forth by the operation of the holy Ghoft in fuch as fhall bee faved : That is to fay, that the one which is the knowledge of mifery ,will wound and humble their hearts', when they ilia ilfee thereby that they are but dead and damned people. The other will heale the fores of their hearts, and lift them up agame to the beholding ofthcir fins pardoned,and their woe removed fo,as if they had never bin preiTed downe with the fame, which are fct downe in the fourth Chapter. And to this fhall be adjoynedadifcourfeof the lets of faith,and what deiireit is from which it commeth,in the next three after. C h a P. II. Of m.tas mifcYic. TO begin therefore with their mifery ru-fr/md briefly to fpeakeof it, 7he firflbeaA. and then of the next branch , mmcly, ofthcir Redemption, (feeing they are of others largely handled) no man mult thinkethatit is the eitatc wherein God at the hrft created them, either Adam the father of Tbefitfipmi cf all the world, or his pofrcnty which was then in hi* loines. mutmifir].' Sure it is (Hay) that it was not thus with mankind in the beginning: for God then made all things good, and man amonglt other creatures he made holy and happy, the Lord of them all which were upon the Gen. t. 16. earth, little infenour to the Angels, endued with infinite bleffings, full Hcb. 1.7. of beauty and glory. So that when it might bee fcenc that nothing was wanting but this, that hec was not altogether free from lofing hi! bleflcd eftatc, yet even there t'ie Dcvill tooke an occafion againtf Revel 11.9. him, and deceived him and his pofterity, and caft them 60m chat G«* I C 2 happy Two psrts of fay: firftbisjinnc. Gca6.j. Hofeai.i. Colof I. 21. Mamfinnc What? iveryptftcor* rubied. Fnderfiandmg. i Cor. 2. 14. Ephcl'4.17. Confcicnce. Heb.10.21. H*iU. ftom. 8. 5,6. /if ^J« tgr-ofaliQih Of mans miferic^: happy condition which before they enjoyed. And yet if this had bcencall the harmc that Mankind, by the malice of thcDcvill fuftaincd, it had becne little in refpect of that which fell upon him. For behold, befules the Ioilc of his felicity, he was plunged in extreme mifery and defolation, which confiflcth of theie two bran- ches, that he doth alwaies, and in all things offend God, being able to doe nothing but that which diipleafcth him, as having his heart al- waies and only evill. And fecondly, that hec in all thiseftateis odi- ous to God} and mod juftly accurlcd of him. Mans (inne is not onely that tranfgrefTion of aAdum, in moft unnaturall and trccherous rebel- lion and dilbbedience, w hereof he is juflly guilty with Adam, and hath his part therein, (as being to (land or fall with him) but another which rilcth out of this, even that infection of all the powers and members both of the foule and body, which as poilbn put into acupof Wine doth make it deadly, difperfing it felfc thorowout the fame: in like manner his corruption or concupifcence, which by the firlt finne of u4dam is fpred over his pofterity, doth poifbn his whole nature : fo that no found part is found in him from the crownc of the head to the folcof the foot. And from hence it is, that the understanding, even the excellenteft power of the minde, is filled with blindncflc anddarke- neffc, and favoureth not thcthings which are of God. The confcicnce is wounded, feared, or defiled fome other way, and never foundly peaceable. The memory forgetting good things wholly, or remem- bnng neither good or evillaright, and as it ought, as experience for- ceth the belt to complaine. The will is captive, and of no ltrcngth to doe good, neither wamcch ability to that which is evill. And there- after is he carried of his affections, as a Chariot of her wheeles, onely to that which difpleafcth God. Whatfhould I fay more? For who can chufe but bewaile and lament fuch a diftreffed and wofull cftatc of the mindc of man, which ibmetimes having beene framed after the Image of God in true holincilc and righteoufneflc, is now empty of that grace, and filled with all filth ineiYe of finne and uncleannefTc ? But alas-, who belceveth this or confenteth to it, that it is true, that man (who hath fo good an opinion and high conceit of himfelfe) fhould yet bee indeed lo farre off from that which he drcameth of, and in fuch bon- dage and fiavery, as he wor.ld fecmc to be fartheft off from the leaft part thereof? But (to ooe forward) if hisconvcifation and couric of living', which is the untimely fiuit ofthis bitter root, were h\\ out in her colours (wh:ch Imuft onely very briefly touch) it vvc.c aide to make him, whothiokcchh.mfelie moil innocent, tcnaf|>pearc moft vile -and iaa'hfomc Of mans mferitz^. 5 loathfomc in his ownc cycs,afliamcd of hin id to hidehimfclf; 1 a dungeon that no other might behold him.For(toipcakc of the actions heminde) what are his cogitations about hcaucnly matters, butcr- Tlmi rors/alfliood/md lies? What are the vviflics and defircs of his heart,but Ocfi u. earthly and fleftily, in degree one above another, till he being led away £j£^" ,,tf of his concupifccn.ee is inticcd, and fo confenteth thereto, defendeth it, v:0k,t and is hardened ? What is the outward behaviour, but a ycclding up of the members of the body as instruments and weapons of finne, even the finne of the tongue, and\iinncof the life? inibniuch as he isalwaics,and m all things, and therefore out of mcafure finfull. As Paul, though hee lived after the moftflricr order of the Pharifccs, which was in flic vv far above many; yet when he was converted could fay, Iwatablajphenter, i TIm.i. i ;. Mnoppreffor,aperfecHtor : $o that it is molt truly verified which is writ- Roil. 8. 7- ten, that he neither i^notPcan bee obedient .to the L*w of Gad, and there- fore that he can doe nothing but finne. The finnes of man are as the haires of his head and fand of the Sea- AUmMaK:. foore, innumerable; and his be ft actions (as his prayers) arc no better onsahmmbli. than abominable before God, as Srf/^aw'fpeaketh, faying :He that tur~ ^' l*'9* neth h wear c from hcar'mg the Law, cvtn h:; prayer, jhali pe abominable. pfa| * \'6t Oh, it is not imagined of thoufands, that there is any fuch evidence to F.w/fo/ite be brought againft the inhabitants of the earth, even the unworthy fons 'tafc of men, which yet were fometimc by creation the ions of God. For the molt ungodly which can be heard of will have fome goodncfle to bee found 111 them : Kb farrc off is it that they will yecld to this cenfure, that all then* life- is finfuih And therefore it is no marvell though men account ofthanieiv)csastheyd*2K,every cmeflvinotothisfihclier,that hehopeth that he is not the worlt of others. For the cleerer laying open of thefe finnes particularly, fome view of Gods Law thorow every Commandc- ment is to betaken: which I wouldh creamy felfe have let downc, but that 1 iliail be occafioned in another f place to doe the fame. * 1* ihejitmli But.alkhis finne which thusruiethand raignerh in man, making him T'e*nI:'tJJ'** not much unlike the Devils themkives, is but one part of themiicry which he is in,,yea,3nd the lcait of the two in their eyes and judgement, who arc the greatelt number in the world. . The other part thereofis, that for this finne he is fubjjcttoall thole The - karcfuilandhorriblcplagu?s,whichGod hath thrcatned and executed 'jfaj- in the world u£on the committers thereof, and to that endlcffe pun: fli- ] fJi turfi u*u!) ment of condemnation in the world to comCj winch bthc principal] and maft jurt defm of every finne. The particular vexations and calamities v ii.chbdongtofinncrsinthislife are innumerable, and not to bee ex- igtbk C 3 prcflcd : To: creatuTtt feist9 Of mans mifericS. preffed : butfomc for the reft it fhall be fit to mention, and the rather for that many thoufinds never drcame of, and much lcflc are troubled with any Inch matter. And hrft,asthecurfc of God is upon all creatures of the earth for mans caufe, fo it iskfle to be doubted that it is call upon manhimiclfc : So that whatsoever lie doth, or whercfoever he becom- methjtlit wrath and ingerof God folio wcth and accompanieth him : Cur fed. it he 11 the fie U, and cur fed in the l;oufey cur fed in hu basket, and in his fore: and as Mofs fpeaketh of all thecrcatures,where;n he fhouki take his rep -ill and delight, faying : Curfed is the earth for thy fake, t homes and briars it fhall brina forth unto thee. From hence come all the dearths, famines, peiury, and poverty, which every where arccryed out of. Inhisbody, (kknefle, difcafes of many kinds, aches, gripings,fweU lings, burltings, and other paines intolerable. "In the fenfcSjdcafnefle, blindnefl'e,numnc(rc, and fuchlike, which fhould make any heart to quake and tremble to hcare them but named. As tor friends and kindred, wife and children, father and mother, or whatfoevcr may bee thought of, which men are wont to take grcatctt pleafuiein ; how can they de- light mans heart foundly, orbeplcafantunto him when they arc mixed with this fauie ? The Lord accurfeth them, he will bring him to judge- mentforthem, even for enjoying them whereto heehath norightnor lawfull liberty, as being not mticuled to them by Chrilt, who ishcirc and Lordofall.Ifthere were but afword hanging with the poirt down- ward over a mans head, which were fitting ata royall banquet, what plcafuie could he take in the variety of his dainties? But it is another manner of difquietirg and vexing the heart of man, when oft in one hourehc mull beconftrained with rear c to remember and thinkcon it, this moment will they take thy ioule from thee, and yet when he think- cth not on it, his danger isgrcatefr. But this goeth notTfb neerc mens hearts as it ought, whiles they have one objection or ovher (as it were water) to quench the force mi heat of it. For all men (they lay) arc notinthismiferableefratc, except fomc one or few, who be weary of their lives, and make all their other de- lights unp'cafantto them for the fame. This (asimwife) they obj?&, becaufe they arc moved withnothing but that which they fee with their outward eyes, the voice of God pierceth not their hearts, although it pronounceth as well to him chatcicapeth allthefe (if any inch could Lee found) as to him wno hath becne plagued withtbem all, even to one as to another, without refpect of peribr.s t Woe be toy the inhabitants of the earthy beewfe they have finned1. So long « this word fhall be true, no o..c mans cluueis better than another*, all are under the wrath of God .- Thcrefoie Ofmws mifcric-*. 7 Therefore ice no man deceive himfelfe, (jod is net mocked. How this GaiatMj. oU"ht to aft'ert the heart of him that hcarcth it, wee fhall fee here- after*: but hec that hardeneth his heart at the hearing of this, be- * thif** caufc hec feclcth not, neither fceth any fuch thing, iliailfu rely come Tebaitnthe •11 heart azai7i$it. toevill. ,. . I have not yet fpoken of the plagues and puniflimcnts which take J^!^^ Hold upon the foulc, which are yet more fearful I than thofc of the body, thf*'*. " if fo be they could as cafily be difcerned. A mm to be given up to his robegwtup ownevilclufts, like a bruit bcaftro wallow in fiithinefle, who might tuiklafU. have (Tuned as an Angell in goodncfle, is rhcrc any of judgement, which countcth it not amongftthc moft fearfull judgements > To be utterly Da)\«cd':*hu daikned and dcflitute of the true knowledge of God, and of the Life co undtipndmg. come, (the knowledge whereof is the beajtie of the w<^tld) and to be haftningtoendlelTe woe,and yetnottoundcrftand it: what part of mife- ry can be greater in this world ? To be fo hardncd in hearty as to be paft Hardneflcof all feeling and remorfe,to fall into utter defperation withoutrecovcryby ^f- any thing he can doe : to be poflcflcd of inch madnciTe,frenfie,and heaps nj^tnh&c, of the like ; can any thing be thought more full of horror ? And all thefe is vvofull man under. There is none which hath not brought himfelfe in- Note. to the depth of them all : which is all (I may fay truly) that he hath to Reme^fre glory of. So that, I thinke, it cannot be denied but that he is miferable: rtmu unto the which to addc (as the fhutting up of all) the rcmcdilefle fcares, and dcepedoubts, which oft bring anguifh here, the paines and torture of both foulc and body in the end or this life, when both mud take up their dwelling in hell ; who fo fhall hearcit, muft needs con fcfle, that there wanteth herein no pcccc ofmifcry. But feeing the Scripture itfclfe Hc!i fajruii ex* callcth ltpaine unfpeakaole, I will not goe about to defcribe it, left I &<**> **fdtfH fhould any way fecme to make itleffc than it is. It isfuhScicntfcrthis ''^t^fi'^i purpofe,that it is moft extreme, eafelclTc, andendleiTc. And whereas this appeareth not to be many mens cafe, (ibmc perhaps will objccl)nor icarccly any one mans, though the worftand wickcdcltofthoufands; to be thus loadenand preiTcd downe with all thefe kindes of rnifcry and woe : they arc t© be anfwercd ; that it is Gods unipcakable mercy to fparc thern,and to free them from fundric of the vexations which I have mentioned : which he doth, partly to uphold the focietics of men,both Civilland Ecclcfiafiicall, and partly alfo to bring them home to faith and repentance, when they fhall be called thereto by the wholcfomc means of the Gofpell preached,which they fhould never be able to par- take at all, much lelTe with any fruit orblclTmg, if they fhould beplun- gcd into the before-mentioned woes and miierics. This I have laid of C 4 the mew. 5 Of mtns miferleJ. the mifTy of man, and ofboththepartsofit, »Mid putpofe,and that in as few icntcnccs as well I might, and fewer indeed, than fuch a wcv tie matter would hive required, but that it is el k> where handled by o- thers. And I haVc determined to lay no more than I mult ncfrds of thole things which arc let forth at large, both plainly by many learned bre- thren, and in very good fort and order already. Tbtntctgih of Thcfe two points of mans mifcry arc to be knownc, as an tfpeciall ib < tyowLJgt part of Coda trvith,of him wAom the Lord will lavcUor he which know- tf *****&* cth not this, iwellcth, and' rtftifrcd uti,' and gocth on in deepe fecuritie, anrl cannot doe otherwifc, as long as he is ignorant of this point : there- fore the Lordfonngeth him, on whom he purpofeth to fhew mercy, ro ' the preaching of his Word, and namely his Law, which fheweth him his finne and damnation : fb that he fhall cleerdy underltand it^and that' he, as well a;s'^ny other, is under the power of ir. Jftbisfoftrint I Burnere I think it not unfeafonab-lc to adde this (Teeing ignorant pco- dlpMftMiji, pjc which He yet in their finnes,doe harden their hearts ar the hearingof lll'wfdus. tms) r^at nonc nave i1-^ cau^c to c^TrtflJ w*tn ^ ^orc^; f°r ifany thing fpokenof in'this argument difpleaie them, they may tharikcthemfelvcs. Buttohimthey arc Infinitely behold ihg, that he brings this hidden fe- cret to light ^mongthei'rijthat they feeing the plague which iscomm towards them, may avoid it,andmayberoufcd out of theprcfentdan- rbe Dofiune of Ser m which t4^ey are. Andlurther they may underftand, that God al- ibtGofbtU vuft lowcth not his Minifters, whopublifh this meffagc of mans woefull ye rvitb ib*. eftatc, to deliver it barely and nakedly, and to preach the Lawonly,but to joyne the glad tidings of the Gofpell with it in their Miniftery, and to preach remifTionof finnes, and repentance to new life, with thepric- king of the peoples hearts by terroiir and ib'rrow' for their finnes: as our Saviour, lohn #,'j>///?,and other his1 faithfull fervants did. And therefore, I having declared in the former point,how this know- ledge of hismiferablcclratcmurt be preached unto him that (MI be li- ved ; and now to fliew that God preparcth other docTrrinc moft fit for him that hath learned the former: namely; 'that he caufcthmoft jo; andglad tidings of a ful^nd iuffi'cient rerT^'ieagaii;!* ail fuch mjfci'y,;o be preached unto him., Without which/ frov? intolerable fhculd the c dition of fuch be ? Chaj. Of the knowledge o/Rcdewptk Ch k-p. in. Of t he knowledge of redemption, attd deliverance from the fur -.ed bo;di£eaxdmifcrj. THisrcmcdic therefore I wtllfirft lay forth „a ad then fhew bow God it muH 'r will have himtoundcrftand and know it, that when he is iniightned k*** tm to know the Will of God,both about them ilry ofman,nnd bis redemp- W'r tion ;hcmav(asGod hath appointed) have them both workc "kindly on him, and' lb know himfclfc the childc of God, and heircof falvation; feeing without fomc knowledge of both, no man is either rightly hum- bled or exalted. And although there be many which know both points, fo as fomc can teach them to others, and yet have ufc of neither : yet can none be laved without the knowledge of both. The {ummcofall/.vhicb is to be knowne of him, is contained in this fhort fcntcncc : Cl. rift lefts pwiched ( as he is revealed in the Gofpell ) is falvaiicnn;no alithat be- leeve : and more fully in this faying of S. fakn ' Cjod fo loved the world, I°hn .M7- that he '.crcr:aturc forus, is abletid%crtb iu(tainc the curfe, much lei'Fe to overcome it : or perfectly to ., Law, which is imporTiblc to fiefh. Whet chy is quite over. firoan foundation of Popcry,and all opinion ofmen^or of any to availeto his justification. i o Of the knowledge of Redemption, &c. * dyniomitu Buttogoc forward to the (ccond point, to fhcw by whom it is pur- m9*t)x, chafed : This remedic which could be had by no other, is appointed by the Fathcr,undeitakcn and wrought by Chrift,and fcalcd in mens hearts bythcholyGhoft. It is wrought (J fay) and found only and wholly in Icfus Chrift, God and man/who being perfect God, tooke our hu- mane nature on him ; and in both became a moft mccr,pcrfe& and mcr- cifull Mediatour betwixt hisFather and us, to reconcile us to him : and both fuftered the full wcightof Godscurfcducto ourfin, bythc power of his God-head overcomming the famc,as alfo fulfilled the Law for usf A&411. whereby he fully fatisfied the juftice of God. So that mofttrulyitis faid,thatfalvation is in no other, but that in him onely is the whole re- medieof themifcry of mankind to be found : There u given no other nAmc under heaven (as the holy Ghoftfpcaketh) whereby we mm ft be fa- 3 1.hn J.n. ved: So that whofocver kith the Sonne ( as Sain: lohn faith) for to re- deeme him, hath life, andhe that hath not the Sonne, hath not life. And to make up the whole matter : if any fhould aske how Chrifts redemp- tion is made mans, he is to know,that God his Father of his marvellous love gave him freely (even as he had long before promifed him) with all rom.5.8. his whole worke of redemption, as the Apoftlc faith: God declared his love to us, that when wewcreyet his enemies, heefent Chrifi to die for w, lohn 3. 16. that whofoever beleevcth in him,fhould not any longer lye under Gods wrath andperijh, but have everlafling life ; he being given tu of his Father, to be ourwifdome, right eoupieffc, fanclification, andrcdemption. t Cor, 1. 30. Now if by him alone God hath brought this moft fovcraignc remedic to niankinde,againft the intolerable woe, which by finnc is come into the world, and is (as hath beenefaid) gone over all men; thepopifh pra&ifers may blufh and be afhamed, who part (lakes betwixt him and creatures, andfo afcribenot the whole worke of ourfalvation to Chrift alone. g HiwitU it- The third thing^amclyjiovv this divine myfteric and fecret is brought xwded* to light, is (in the peaceable and flourifhing cftatc of Chrifts Church) the glorious Gofpcll : which becaule it containeth the mo(l worthy and acceptable meflage of mans full redemption by Jcfus Chrift, is called by l\om 1.16, Saint Paul, the power of ' Cjodtofalvattonto aflthat beleeve. The ufe of the which Gofpell is,to manifeft that 1 ightcoufneiTc in Chrift,w hereby the whole Law is fully facisfied, and falvation attained. The which being foundly and plainly published and preachedby thcfaithfull Miniftcrs and meiTengcrs of God, and namely rhis part of it, that mankind is ful- ly redeemed by the bloud of Chrift Jcfus, the only begotten Sonne of God,manifefledinthc ficfti; doth bring great and exceeding joy : and is Lu'.ci 10. Of the knowledge of Redemption, iffc. 1 1 is embraced of them which know the value and price of it, with all pof- Math, n.ia fiblc welccmmingcf ir. And this, though more darkly, as the times were, the Lord caufed to be taught under the Lav* in types oik! i dovves, prefiguring Chrilt to come,and to be exhibited ; eve n a^ he (kith in Ioh^.^6,^io\\swrsteofmcc: though indeed now under the Gofpell farrc more clccrcly and pla:nly,that it may now be verified, if ever ; that Chiilt by the preaching of him, hath becne crucified in our eyes.So that by this, is this tny ft eric of faivation ( which is purchafed by his death ) manifeftcd unto us. Now the fourth point rcmair,es,how this tidings of Chrifts delivering 4 Btwi mar. from the feareofthe wrath to come, is to be received in the world : btr who by ic ^li]I come to an a{^urcc* hoPc °^ **a ivation> wc nrc to ul'iytohwAifc. know, th^ifii rcmaineth not an idle and unprofitable hearer, as fomc- * time, and as many other ftill doe, but is fecrctlydrawne, he cannot tell Cclol i. *.« how, by theunfpcakable worke of the Spirit of God to be perfwaded, that the doitrinc taught doth concerne him ; the Lord giving him with his knowledge, wifdome, which is a gift of the Spirit, whereby he applycth generall tilings particularly to himfelfe .-.and that he there- by fpeakcth unto him, as well as he doth to any other, in the denoun- cing Htiw thu knowledgaobrkcth^c. i ? cing the threats of the Law, and cvcrlafting damnation : and ( his eyes Rom. 15 4, Joeing now opened to bcleevethis) hethinkcth hiixi(clfc the mtferableit 0fall other, who before nothing at all regarded the welfare of his foule, but thought himfclfc in as good cafe to God-ward, as any other. Hec now percciveth (I fay) himiclfc not only a loathibn.e creatine mGods fjoht, through the lcprofie of fwnc, but withall a molt curled and dam- ned pcribn, iubjccSl to all Gods plagues in this world, and to condemna- tion in the world to come. For although the world lye in darknciTe,and bcleeveth not the Law of God, left it ihoul-d be convicted by it, and therefore cannot belccve the promifesof the Gofpell, left it fhould be iaved ; yet God othcrwiicprovidcth for his, that they by feeing and feelin^ the deferc of their finncs, may have an appetite thereby to feckc Note. mercy and forgivenefle, which without it, is unfavourie to them : as our Saviour Ch rift fait-hj: The whole have no need of the Phjfiti.w, bxtthe /M^,Matth.p*i-.2. Neither let this deepe imprclTion ofthe doctrine of the Law preached (being no IcfTc fcnhblc to the party that feeles it,than the print of the feale is to our eye in the foft wax : ) let it not ( I fay ) be counted a meane and common mercie : Indeed it is meanely accoun- ted of, the doctrine of it being lb common and oft taught. For as it is faidof faith, L^^. 18. 8. that whentheSonneof tmncommcth,he fhall , . , findcitiarcin the world : fo in fome lort we may fay ot this, that it is deftrineof m't'c* rare^thatmen, who know that all are under the wrath of God, till the rie,tbfM^e'ut§ Sonne of God make them free, doe belecvc indeed, that it is fo with k their cvtru them, and even their owne cafe. cafe% Oh, men fhunnc this as de^th, (and yet without bekeving it, there is nolife;fbr did they belecvcit perfonally for their owne parts,thcy could not chufe, but lay it to heart: foasthe whole powers thereof fhould be Tkytbitfay taken up with the cogitation of it, (as it is with us at the faddenhcarinc **} frh\(d'm r\ ■ \ 11 l f 1 ■ i ! 1 t n& titrfjtattu or heavicnewes; yea, ail the powers or themmde and heart would be affected with it, even as a man is by the fti. got an Adder, or when hec ^ce« is pricked wi:h the point of a iword : fo (I fay) it is with him that doth \;nfainei!iy belceve his owiic mi fery, without exception caftirg a way all deluding conceits which might hinder it:fuch a hidden alteration it fhall worke in hi in, how far orf focver he was before that, from it. And that is lively fet forth in the example ofthe thiee tkoufand that were coil- Examr,!' verted at Peters Sermon : who foi thercftatc before, had bccr.eol them AA that crucified Chrift, am. even at thatprcfent time, fome of them were mockers and railerson the Apoftlcs, faying ; theyivcrcdrtfnkewitl. th rvtfte: yet when on the (udden,tlrc Lord arretted them by his Word nul challenge, aad with his fpimuali Avoid, by Peters skUfcili handling the Note. 1 4 Hon? this knowledge T»orketb> isfc. fame, had wounded and ttnekenthem, (fo as they- could not cfcape, nor refift the power and ftroke of it) they were pricked in their hearts, as if an arrow had pierced their liver, crying out immediately, that the painc which they felt within them was intolerable : which they cxprcf- fed in their words, when they made their moanc even unto them, whom they had fo lately railed upon; now fpcaking with new tongues,(which is admirable) Men axd brethren, what Jhallwe doe? Even thus in fome fort doth the Lord worke, when he maketh them to give credit to this his thundring voice ,by his Law arraigning men for their finnes: which is no leflfc fcarfull to them thaw the roaring of a Lion, when yet other men, whofe fmnes are as great, and who have as good caufe to feare, and to MoV are horde- faint under the burthen of them, are not a whit moved thereat : not mo- r.ed> and rr.a^ut vwj^ j fa^ tnrough the commonneife of it, any more than the fowles are afraid of the fc:ire-crow, after they have beenelong accultomcd to it, who in time dare fit upon the head of it, and pluckcftrawesoutof the very nofe thereof. And this I doe tlie more ftand upon,to make this point cleere^becaufe I have obferved by long experience, how groflely the people of our age doc fufTcr themfelves to be bewitched about this matter. For to bcwaiic them who are foone healed, if they be pricked at all, and them who fall deadly to raging at the Minifter, if their hearts be vexed by hearing their danger : I lay, to bewaile theeftatcof them; there is yet a third fort, (in number an hundred for one of the other) who were never trou- bled in coufcience for their finnc, or the woe that it hath purchafed them: neither doe once dreame that fuch a thing is needfull for them : but eat,drmk,and (leepe/omeplayjand fome worke j and,asthey did in Matth.14.17. the d ayes of AWs embrace this prcfentcviil world, and areprophane, lames*?, " merrie, yeaand light-hearted, when (as Saint lames faith) they iliould howle and mournc.and as though they feared no more than they would make men beleeve they do,arenever feared ,till the very time and houre of death, or deadly danger. But what doc they then? when they have called in luftily, as men at a banquet, Imeane, when they have ta ken their plcafurc and lived thcicin ? I lay, when they fee their reckoning, and day of accounts is neere, then what doe they ? Where is their TbekmiMtbe mirth btcomc? Oh, they dye as 7s(*^/, that is, asfooles^ixi areas he twicot death. was, when he heard he fhould die, as a (lone, and a blocker or cllc dc- fpairc,as Tufas did, and fome of them die as he died, that is, fooncr than Note. they needed, (as well as they loved their life.) And the beft fort of them pf. are but as they that are fpoken of by the Prophet, that is, they have 71 * no bands in their death : they dye quictlv, perhaps with a Lord have mercy Hoxt> thit knowledge yporketb, isfc. 1 5 mercy on vs : but they not legardingblctfing in their life, it is now ftrre Lufcij 3. fiom them at their death, and therefore they dying without repentance, let other be feared by them. And yet while the world is full of fucfe people, (as 1 have fakl) be- hold (as if they yet wanted fomcthing to make them miicrabic) how this unfivoury and dangerous ipecch isipred far and neere among fuch, by many Mtnilters as \\ ell as common pci ions : who cry out, that it is pity that fome arc fuffcred to preach the Law; and that fuch urging of rbclswiuobt mens confidences f r their finncs is enough to drive the people to defipe- p'taibed. rat'.on,-and fiuhlikc. When yet Saint P^«/ commands that the woid be a Tim. 4 S preached with all authority, which men may no: bee able to refill, and with convincing of the confidence. And S. Luke in the Acts commends I\&.% *. 37. the fruit of that doctrine fo highly, (even that they were pricked \p\ their hearts for their fins) that without it, they had neither repented nor ob- tained pardonof their fins. Indeed, ifany preach the Lawalone without But vivithom the glad tidings of the Gofpell, 6x urge repentance without ir courage- the Gofp.lL mentofGods mercy through Chrift,and furg.vcneiTcoffinncs, he were. ■ worthy to bee fharply reproved, and to bee retrained till hee fliould amend fo dangerous an errour and fo grievous a fault. But if a.iy hnde fault with the joyningof both together, when experiei.ee and Scrip* ture doc (Hew, that no other kinde of preaching can profit and doc good in the Church, they arc earneftly tobedefired (if they doe it of ignorance) to be taught; if of a worfe imr.de, to defift from it. But this fhallfufficc for anfv\cr to this fpeech, rafiily and un wifely caft forth to caufc many to fiumble at. I rcturne to that from which I went afide a little, to perfwade thofe which are teachable, that God doth ufc to make his Law calt downe fuch as heepurpoieth lo lift up agairie, as I have (aid. The Scripture yceldeth many complaints and cryings out, in and by BftB Gods fcrvdnts, vvho acknowledged as much : Some when they had d'H; *'»'* onceefcaped the darger of their former woe, as that of Fsxl to Time, fa"h. dothteftififj Iw^aLLifphcmcr^pcrficuor^iJa^offr ni* *luuut* inthctimeoTtheirdifttef&,asbythaitin/^jw;j Ih<*rdS?i rtiw^m-* fercm }1 nwgthut: Ctnvertmt, O Lord, crclfe 1 can ■ ot 'bee inverted : and Iu.lg.i4.' they in 1 Sam, \ 2. 20. with many other. And although there a re but a iSam.7 M» levvofiomany th >ufa. dsashavc lived iki former ages, whom the « did wound^yetb) t ufc and inch like ic appeareth (God bee thanked; that there w ere feme; and that fuch as steal cd at lair toetern.. were hrlt pricked in heart by the preaching or the Law,by the Prophets and Apoities.andGod hath wrought thcYun* in many of irmour nie o, 1 6 Horv this knowledge Toorketbj&c. mfome arc fallen aflccpc, and others rcmaine amoogft us y, who with bitter complaints, fait teares, and dolefull alfb,ofwhom unto this da groancs, no leflc fenfibly than Jacob forrowed (when he thought that a wildcbcalt had devoured his fonne lofeph, Gen. 37. 34.) have confciTcd the depth ofthcirwoe,fighing and feekingjf by any meancs they might finde eafc and deliverance ; although the mod arc hardned, and can bee brought to no filch abafement. j oftt And ifthatnvhichl have faid before ro this purpofe,pcrfwade not Mi ft men are men to thinke lo: but this which I fay is the leflc belecved and regarded vary and fare (eeing many, and thofcas^reat finners as mod others, arc as merry or nnd^-^r. at jcaft as ftrrcfrorn any wound or fling of confcicnce as any, which a Jvfn'cr ttM1 u'011^ thinkc were not liketo be, if they werein fuch depth of mi- Smbiii inigno- kry : Let them know, they have little to takecomforr in that; for (as I ranct and ttnbc- have faid) this is ib with fome, becaufe they neither know norbclecve tefc* that they arc m any fuch danger, but they lie in ignorance and unbe- lcefe, and therefore neither fulpeft norfeare any fuch thing, and fo it is with all the world, untillthcy have knowledge by the Law : and Paul (lie weth that it was To with him,till the Law revealed it to him,for fb he hnUyRom. 7.8. / 'once was alivcheforc the Law , that is, I thought my felfc in moil perfect iafcty : even through this ignorance, I fay, and un- beleefe it is, that this which I have faid, lyeth as it were dead, and not a FrsklfrUend man ofa thoufand dreameth of, or is feared with any fuch matter. And ;<- this is furthered by the unskilfuInefTc and carelefheflc of fome Miniftcrs, fitJitoi^ettan vvhoasthc Lords watchmen, fliould awake their people out of their Note? deepe and deadly flecpe, when they yet have oft times healed the hurt of the daughters of Gods people with fwect words, faying, Peace.when there is noyeaccJercm.6. 14. For with fuch as by the love and labour h'otfuw'/.ball. °fthcirfaithfullTcachers,have becne wifely plied and folio wed,it may fecnictobcotherwifc; and there ye may finde many (though all take not good thereby) which have knowledge of, and beleeve thefc things, which be wrayeth theblindncffeand bondage of the reft, almoft the whole world \ who would laugh out and mockcat this doctrine, and make all beleeve thai there is no fuch matter. But I have bcene long in this, I will now proceed to the next point, and Hie w further how God worketb in hirn whom hee will favc, when hee hath brought him thusfarre. Thefecondworke : hcco*fnlteth w this cafe what to doe. cr-r frstiim 'oc about it without due regard and confide ration? efpecially,he dea- ling by ordinary meancs, where they may be had and come by? But that Pmed. he cnt'reth into confutation what to doe, it is evident by that the Pro- cicau ' *7* phet Icremtc faith with a vehement complaint, when the people were called to repentance, and the Prophet waited to fee what fruit fhould follow, that thc;e was none that laid, What have I dor.e?. that is, none cntred into confutation about the matter. Therefore it is faid, that the Lukeif-ix* prodigall fonne, who rcfcmblcth moll rightly the fmncr, and in his re- turning home to his father, rcievnblcth the penitent finner, in turning to : that he did before that, come to himlelfe,and fay, How many hired Lukei^.j. fc-rvants in my fathers houfe have bread enouoh^ and I dteforhnnacrf Which, what other thing was it, then to confider and deliberate what he were bcit to doc ? And the Steward o^eftioning with himfelfc what to doe,whcn he was warned to give an account of his Stewardship, doth plainly reach this. Bcfides all that hath becnefaid, if the godly who had fallen, could not repent before they remembred andconfidcrcd their fall, and from whom they were fallen, as wereadeof the Church ofEphefiu^nd Peter Rcvci. before he wept bitterly, remembred the words of ]cfus,and how he had Mac:n.*> :f- tranfgrcifed agamft them : Upon all thefe confiderations, let us not doubt,but that God draweth his,to confult about their cftatc what they uioulddoc, being in anguifti and diftrcfle of mindc : and that they may k>okc tor huk good to come of their calling downc^and forrow/»\hic}i 18 i i t s, WpMtfr Ad.i.y. lohn4 20. TbttmtfU'mt finur. WhtA hii thjUjJ) i r.re. i . Ab mt his nwweflate. Note a Covccm'ng ihtThiUdtQf Note. ll( Ufctretly fromifc* Ibcy confult in tins cafe HR&tf to doe. by the Taw is conceived and wrought in them, if they doc not in the mod fcneus manner, astbey be able, and as the cafe requi ret h,thinkc and de- liberate about it. And therefore they whom God watchcth over, if the v he not able to courrtcll thcmfelvcs, yet the Lord guides them 'to aske col: cfcers,as the .'orc-.-ncntioncd example in the Acts, and of the woman of Samaria doth teach : And in what'manncr fuch an one doth this, and what thoughts lie hath about the fame, is not hard to conje- cture ; but even as other in the fame eihte, mentioned in the Scripture doe tefiihe : namely what he is to doe, and whcchcrthcrc he any hope how he was bewitched to come to that elhte ; whit he hath loll and deprived himfelfeof, in this hiscflrar.gcmcnt from God, by following and (ccking hisownc will, and foolifh iibertic : he fcctli an end is come of the curled race which he hathrunne; and that Ik tie time which hee hath yet remaining, will alio full foonc begcinc: His delights, jells mcrrie conceits, dreames, and vaine hope that he had of long life, of promotion, incrcafc of riches, of good chcarc with his companions, or fuch like, alas, they are as if they had never bccnel hee is a (named to tlrnkc what deceiveablc pleafures they were. And as for fafetie and found peace, he feeth how farrc off from them he is. He feeth that his former life will be called to an account, and is already. And although hethinketh of dclayes, excufes, or other vaine fruits, and deceiving of hinrfelfe; yet he feeth that thefc cannot put away the deadly remem- brance of his wofull eltate, especially when hee con fid ercth, that God will not be mocked, nor his word be huftrate, which hath bewrayed his mifci y. He will therefore neither commune, nor co^fnlt any longer withfl-fb andbhod,^s he hath done,butputteth away all flcfhiy and carnall fhifts and holds; and by Gods gracious direction taketh counfell by the knov\ ledge that he hath ; and confidcreth that no ms.ncan come to fflrtjf9 tfthc heavenly Father draw htm not by his Spirit. And therefore althouoh the forrow of hypocrites vamfheth away, and comnicth to nothing, yet by Gods mcrcifull working in him, it becommeth an o. cation of hum- bling and breaking of heart unto him , and of much other good, as here- after we (hall lie. Alio he confidcreth that God u flow to anger ,and re: to forgive Jinn-erf. being gracious and full of mercy : And though that thought be repelled through the remembrance of the g.rcatnefle of his finnc, and unacqiiair.tcdneiVc with the promifc; yet there is no doubt, but that he is fecrctly upholdcnby it from dreadfull defparrc. Thus while prcfent comfort faileth, hecforrowcrh fiill,andthe more deeply, for that he thinkcth verily that he hath no part in it : and therefore being cut Rom.7-i4' They arc broken hearted and humbled. 1 9 cut offthat way for the time, he cannot but rcturnc to tIv,n1KCof!iis defo- lationand wofull condition, which brecdeth deepe fghs and forrow cs afrcfli : and he breaking forth, as one full, which can hold no longer, it wrings out fuch ftrong cries from him, Oh mififaHe MM* that I am ! What (hall I doc? how (hall Iefcnpcthis fearefullvcrgcar.ee? In this heavinctfc, he accufeth himfclfe, and complaineth : but to avoid that mifcry,he(ecthitimpo(rib'.c; andtogoc underit (t?Il,hcf;clcs it .... tit- rable. And although he knovveth that there is a remedy, and wrhl it ii (which yet many in fuch hcavincflc and abafemcut, doc dimly 2nd weakly know, and therefore their forrow is the more) yet can hte :.ot apply it to himfclfc by any mcanes. In this extrcmitic tnereforeof his, and bci"g in this (height and diltrcltc, he crycth out with Pom!. O wretched rr,>in th.it I am ! who flail deliver m? ? And therefore the Lord guidcth him to fomc initructor, as hce did Paul to Anants.s, A cr.o. 1 7. or ftayeth him by the publike miniftcry, or by his own- k ;o kdge bringeth him, (as we veade of the prodigall childc,L;.% 1 5.17.) to counfcll himfclfc by that, which he hath heard- Andth'S confutation about his cftate, which isthefecond worke of Gods Spirit in him, whom God will bring to the aflurancc of his faluatior,,is well to be marked ,for though other have caufc as well as he, to enter into deliberation what to doe, when they feele the {ting 6f fintie fmarty,and their fearc to be great, ctthcy love not to enter into any cogitation about the matter, it is too arfhand unwelcome to them ■ for why? they have no defire that their former courle fhould be fifccd,and diflikcd of them, and therefore they haltc out of all thought thereof, fo that their forrow vanifheth,and com- mcth to no good effect; or die ifthcy cannot avoid a more dcepc think- ; on it, then it ovcr-whclmcth them, and raifeth bittcrnciTc and hard- ncfTcofhcart,andlcadcththcmto defperation. But I willgoc forward. The third worke : they are broken hearted and humbled. THe former confutation by Gods working, bringeth this refolution to him, that he will no more looke backc to his old Sodom, w hat hard conditions focver he goc under, and fo he fallcth to relenting, his heart is broken, and he humbled and abafcd,and in this fpirit of mcekc neffciaith, as Paul did after he was cafl downc, Ad.0.6. Lord, what wilt HM8WW thoH have me to doe f And now he ieeth that the Lord hath him at ad- vantage (as a man bound in chaincs) ready and attendant to whatfocver it pleaieth him, who bcfoie, for his frirrc-ncckcd fhibbornncflc was nei- ther to be intreated, commanded, nor feared ; Evc.iasthcy in the Acls, Aft. 1.37. Nvho having in an high and proud fpirit railed on the Apottlcs a little be- D 2 fore > I 20 They are broken hearted and bumbled. fore, dying : they were drunken with new wine, yet being once prick- ed in heart for their hnnes hy Tcters Sermon, did afterwards humbly hcwnteeJJ.r). and reverently call them brethren. This iinfaincd humbling of himlejfc beferc God, for all his wants, breaches, and wounds in confcicncc, is a . beginning of all goodncflc and grace, which man fcclcth inhimfclfe,and caltcth off pride, and the ftrcngthof anhigh mindc: and what know- ledge of religion, or any other goo I gifts focver a man hath without humilitic, he is but unreformed and unmortificd. And although this broken hcartcdncflcand abafingof him, be not void of fomc mcafurc of bclcevirg, in him that fhall be laved, and refilling of doubting and diftruft, as fhallappearc afterward : yet I muft diftindly fpcake of the divers workes of the fpirit, in the perfon now mentioned, as 1 have propounded to doe. And happy difciplinc (doubtlcfle) and nouiturc to be wondrcdat, that can lb foonc and fuddenly breaks the clods of {o hard an heart, and fo eafily windc him as atwigge or wand, who could not before, any more than the great tree in the lcaft manner, be bowed. Thus muft the Lord worke and (lie w his wifdomcand power upon this unframed and crooked perfon, before he can be made right and itraight. But what then (perhaps you will fay) and what is this man Vk&twcLi the neererto Godskingdome, and the light and knowlcdgeof hisre- fmit u bring. demption,out of his fore-mentioned mifcry ? I anfwer, Very much eve- ry m.innerofrvay. For being thus h-imblcd, he is now eafily to be pcr- fwaded : and being by thelame Spirit of God inlightned, whereby he was caft downc w'ith heavineffe and feare before, he is fit to thinke of, and to remember the fweet promifes of God, which before though he had heard, yetfaw, that hee had nothing to doe with them, and therefore durft not hearken afcer them: Now he can thinke of that, which by preaching hee fomctime heard, as one who may be in hope to be the betrerforit, namely, that God is of that nature, that he may be intreatcd, and reconciled to him: and though hee doe not yet bc- lecvethat hisfinnes are pardoned, yet he bcleeveth that they arc par- donable,and that they may be pardoncd,which is a great lightning and cailng of his heart. The fourth -worke U tfecret defire of for given effc> and confeffwg of his fnnes. „ by fuch confideration he raifcth up himfelfe, and the lord kindleth in him ancfpcciali defire of the forgWcneffc of finnes, and AND kmc A fecret dc(lre offorgiycmjfe. 1 1 and ofthe favour ofGod, which cannot be right and well ordered, if it ♦lid not proceed from fome hope, that God will be intrcatcd of him. Here therefore he fetteth before his eyes, more clcerely than he could beforCjthc Nature of God, how Uvingand kjndehe U ; and how rc<}.d) r> ■■ ■ ted tar don : and how great finners (who might more caf.Iy be difmnd than th*it *»■ he) have.found favour with him. Itisalib (by Gods duc&rngof him) much to the helping forward of him, that he remembreth none arc ex- empted from this benefit, but fuch as exempt themfclvcs : And that the v/ brut fed reed c(pccialljy fiall *• co be made partaker of him. In this hunger therefore and thirft of his after pardon, he omc thinke we fliall good tidings be now unto him? Such a man fo low TotbcbutrbUd brought, and fo abafed in his ownc eyes, and fo farre from all hope of fod^thtt: worldly remedy, cither in himfelfc or in other : if he might be (raved (L . with any word of comfortat that time, how acceptable were itlke ,;v# to bee unto bim ? Much more welcome (doubtleilc) than all the promifes o* the Golpcl have ever becne to him before , or than all things in the world be now to him belidcs. Then if he might have the courlcit diet, it would bee fwect and molt favoury, to^.rbom an ro„ , hony^combe before was not fleafant: nay, crnmrncs ur.dcr tht t.ibte ar M. comfortable rcfrefhings to him; who before was glutted with Re Luke 15.19 childrcns dainties. Oh, how glad fuch an one would be, if he might be received of his heavenly Father, to be but as an hired fervant, who D 2 could 2* Koie. I 1,13. 'loflaa f*. Ibctkfirttm Uemth itUibc *#4 .4 /?rr*J j/r/r* of forgiDtnclfe. cbutd not before be brought to like of the place of a ionnc? But he that Could bring him tiding* ofrigllCCOuftcfle, that xs^meffen^erfentofGoi to tell him, th.tt Cod will be mere i full t+his o?s>:res, andthinke *t^o» , es no mere ,this mould be unto him an oddc man,caje is not able toexpreflc hfs Meaning, yet if hee couLd utter that which he conceiYCth, hec would by3 A far tt defire offorgiloenejfe. 2 5 fty, that thcfc arc his vciy thoughts and confideraticms wtphtmfclfo In which cftateofhis, although I affirmc not that he is able to apply the remedy to himfclfc, yet this gencrall hope which he hath found by i*)*tn;Mdrk the promiics,tl,at God is kindc and mcrcifull to broken-hearted finners, l"">:* *»<#< doth caufc him to Hay himiclfc, that he may perhaps be fo to him : and rciblveth unfainedly and with full purpofc, togoc forward in locking forgiveneflc of his finncs at Gods hands, this way he will take, if hi pcrijh*th9heperifl>eth:yct fome hope he hath; he rcfoking with himfelfc, HifCl°'1^ J . . ..' J %i ; • . rl i n h i i i .1* nezei loir ■ that he will never walkcm his former deadly cftatc, but that nc will ^buftrmer confelTc and lay forth his long continued v kkcdr.cfle, unto the Lord, tfUte9i9dwtf? though it be againfl himiclfe : neither w ill he (pare himfclfc, wherein he hath moft pleafed hisowne heart: for why ? he feeth what and how vainc the dcfircs of it be; and therefore is rcfolutc ncrcrto rcturncto them any more : yet (he being well inftrUvfted) makcth not this purpofe of forlaking finnc, anymcancsbf his juftification, but in dctcltationof his former wickcdneflc, is moved and drawenby God fo to doe. This refolving therefore, is onr llcp or degree by which he palTcth unto the fuller ccrtaintic of that happinefle which hefecketh ; and he hath received a great mcafure of grace and ft vour,when he hath attained to it : therefore Satan who knoweth this, holdcth men by many ftrorg HcwSatMkt? cords from it, that although they belong about it, \ etas faint chapmen uJ^m^'rfm who arc bidding Hill, for the ware which they would have, but yet buy Ij;src' 4liiJlIt it not : even fo doc they. For when they have becne well counfcllcd to •^oiQt make haft in fecking the Lord, as that which is belt of all for them, yen profit or pleafurc, friends or fearc holdeth thembacke: who although in their heat and haftc, being fore driven by (kkneife, tempefts, fearc of death, orthc like occafions, they doc raflily purpofcand protelt, that they will never be the men, which they have becne ; yet doe out bow for a day (as it were) like the btillrufb, with the wind : and therefore they are farrc from the truth of it : Hut he of whom I here fpeake, who hath fo nccrely and deeply looked into his cltate, (which the other have not done) he(Ifay) cannot be drawnc backc, to his former loofcncflcajid licentiouihcflc, norholdcnand kept in it any longer by any torture, bc- caufc he well knoweth that none is like terrible to it. Now if it be askcd,w hat he is the better for his refolving thus to doe, The profit ih j* to the end it may more clecrcly appcarc ; I anfwer, that when this is '■■■** lf" wrought in him, his heart is mollified, humbled and foftned, as /><*»// was, who after he faw that God fet himiclfc againft his going to Da- mafcus to pcrfccutc his Saints,and threw him downeon the ground, fai J : Lord*) whAt wilt then have me to doe? And when he is brought to this AcY?.6; D 4 pointj \ 1 4 A fecret defire offorgilptneffe. point,his heart is both full of rclcnting/and forrow for difpleafingGod, though not in filch tort is afterward itiTnll be, (which from another Ezecb.3rf.1f. not having thus ' cf >lvcd, is farrc off) and is now anheart offiefi.^ not of fionc'm which, the faving grace of God being offered, may be planted and received. And all this is wrought in him by the marvellous and fecret operation of Gods holy Spirit ; who as he bcginncth,and finifh- eth the whole work'e of his receiving Chrilt ; fodoth he the middle part or the lame : for it is not in any othcr,thus to bow and bend mans heart. Neither doth Gods Spirit thar oncly, as with an hammer breaking 2nd bruifmg the clods of it, but alio doth lead him further. Theminncr cf For with thefc holy affections in this pooie finger, there is wrought (Mjejjio.j. an cncoungcmcnt, and fome more bold acccflc to God by the fame Spirit, to confefle his fmncstoGodjCvcnas particularly as hccan,efpc- cially thole in which he hath taken molt pleafure, and which have moil prevailed in him: and to fay with the prodigall child, I will goe unto my Luke 15.18. father j and conftjfc, father, I have finned a^atnft heaven and thce^&e. How much focver ic goeth ngiinit him : and as he confclTeth his finncs, fo hee powrcth out earnclt prayers to him for the pardon cf them through the mediation of Chnft. All which, howfoevcr they fecmeto him to be no great matters, (who is not as yet a competent and fufikient Eiwpeata judge in thiscaic) yet the Scripture commendeth them to be great, even ncutntu. t|lC fruit of ibme little and weakc faith,and him,who obtaineth thcm,to be in efpecinll favour with God,and to haveforgiveneflcofhis and to have embraced and kjjfcd htm, after that he was refolved in himfelfc, to goe and fceke to him for favour and pardon, and to acknowledge his faults unto him, &c. Now was there any thing (thinke v\e) in the natural! rather, winch is no: much more in the Father of mercy .? Who execedeth all the fathers of the earth in kind - nefle and ccmpaiTion. n&GM Thus the Lord by hteholy Spirit worketh inthe hcirts of hischil- tbitdAjtireik dren; neither ict this trouble any, that 1 let downe this as one wcrkc & fry**- of Gods Spirit, namely the confeflion of finne, and prayc r for pardon, irutibtntn. becaufe the Hypocrite may have .both : for I grant he nr.y, and yet this need not trouble him v\ hem I go about to a dure of Gods ravour,neithe* (Kail ihe ot^cr; that is, the Hypocrke receive any comrort there* y. For the!e *\o;kesof the Spirit tnuP. goe toge.hernnd notbc fet anted. An Hyrociue may dec both thefejanddoth (without queftion) confefle and askc They for fake all for it, &c. 1 5 askc pardon, but not from an humbled heart that is broken for offen- ding God, and without that, his confeffion and prayer are but words in the aire, and no better: but in this party contrite in heart, and unfai- nedly caft dovvne for his fin,thefc two duties areeffc£hiall,and wrought by the Spirit of God : For with the firlt, that is, confeffion of finoc (which alfo is made of thofc particular finnes, that lye moft heavy up his confciencc) there gocth (I fay) with that, an accuhVg, judging, and condemning of himfclfc, that he may not be judged and condemned of the Lord. The fecond which is deprecation, orprayer forremilfion, is made with groanes and defiresof his heart, in which he intreatech for nothing but pardon of finnes, and that for Chrilts fake, ti!! iiich time as the confciencc be pacified. And fuch confeffion and prayer can be in no Hypocrite. The fifth worke : heforfaketh all for it, attdhighlj frtz,cth it. BVt what then? (fome perhaps will fay) doe youaffirme that thefc Oh\tfl%i. things can doe any man good without faith? (for of this nothing almofr hath yet beene faid directly and of purpofe)and doe you affirmc a man to bee juftificd (for fuch an one is hec who is in favour with God) having no faith? or thac anything is accepted of God which hec doth (as his defire to be forgiven,his hungring after it,his humiliation, acccfie to God in prayer and confeffion of finnes) all thefc being without Obyft.t, faith? or ifnotfo, doe yec then fay that wee our felvcs, mini thus pre- pare our felves to receive faith ? but that is to attribute free-will unto man, being yetinthceftateof mifery and bondage, n\u\ unrefined, as being yet without faith. To the firlt I fay, that although none of thefc Aofacrtoibt be faith, yet I fay, that they are not Without it; as tuilli more fully Ml- /hew after ward: ncithcrthatGod isplcafcd with any man, neither he kimlelfc is juftificd, but onely by it: but wee cannot difecrne or fee No:c' dovvne the very moment when faith is wrought: but when the other fore-named graces of God arc effectually w rought in the heart, then is this of faith wrought alfo by the fame Spirit : neither can he (fat hath received this faith into his heart, io certainly and cafily judge of it art thefirft, as of i:\ofc other gifts which accompany it. *To the'lattcrob- A*fmi jectionl anfivrr,that Iamfarfrom afcribingtomanifnrenucd,my inhc > rent goodneffe whereby he may prepare himtclfc to receive frith: he is, I 6v,titftlciite of ail good e fie in his w i!l,and of pow er to doc P ih J : i'v.ch graces are giveri rrrm orGo*!!,as was fail before: "or God firft f • j A\\ mc>: ' '.hinefcamLvorehlo'id,^ the Prop ; uc\ .$< free whom he vouchfaftth to make hisMoYcd Spoufc (1 Church) t a They fa- fake all for /7,cV. flrch heraifuhout of the dud, waflicthand clcanftthhci from her hineffe wherein he found her, and then taketh her to hin) to delight ishisdcarcandonlySpoulc. It is the Lord therefore, which is the Wcbnik* ' pr,H>idf}t:ifhcrefbu frith, who fhall be faved : and he, as he hath aba fed iiiin and filled his heart with forrowes for the fame purpofc ; Co it is he that (baketh it hy little and little, and feafoncth it in time with bith, hope, and comfort: This is his only worke. And although it be d to determine, when faith is wrought (as I have laid) and how lon<* Jicadfullfcarccontinueth: yet by mcanesof the knowledge of his mi- iciy, mid redemption, God workcth them both in his heart, and that whcn,ar.din what manner it fecmeth beftto his w i (clonic j Co that it may fenhbly befcene that itisfo. And thus having anfwered thefe two ob- jections, I will now proceed, more fully to fhewhow heguideth and bringcth home this loft.fhccpe, as I had in fome fort proceeded to doe, before I wasoccafionedtodigrclTc a while, by rcafonofthc two former tjueftions now anfwered. To proceed therefore with tliispcrfon whom the Lord will favc,wherf he hath wroughtthus farrc in him,earneft]y to defire the remedy againft hismifcry, heeleavcth him not there, as many through ignorance and want of wife building up, arc held longer at this (lay: and although not Matty beldloM -lying in utter unbclcefe, yet not bolcTto apply Gods promifc to tkeir wli'P**' ^ules ; even as there are many, who have had compunction of heart, that never goc further ; but wavcringly are off and on; and rvhenthede^ fire i. not accom$l{[bcd,tke heart fatmcth,2iY\a\ they for all their defire that .they had ofthc rcmedic and pricke of confcicncc, yctbecaufc it vanifh- ethaway, and is notconftant, fall away altogether. But God gocth further with this pcrfon, as I have faid* Hehiibhp'ifetb For he having now with the skilfull Merchant, weighed the price of tkeptvle, and this pearle, namely,to have Chrift to become his,'hath it in fuch cHima- ftttcttall tobuy tion,thathecountcth meanly of all things, in comparison of this: and "• .fn^oodadvifedneffe fcllethallthathehath,tobuy it. Ifay, God doth MaakiM* w J^ ali ^ forc_mentioned graces which hegiveth him, draw him to value the benefit of rcdemptionfo highly, that he countcth all as dung, that he may win Chrift, and is carried with this minde ; that he will for- lakewbatioevermay hinder him from obtaining him. But what hath he (you will aske) ef his owne to purchafe or ccmc into the polTcffion of Luke i*.if. it ? As for his goods and nches,whatfocver he cnjoycth,thcy are no: his Efay f|!i: ownc,butanothers, and borrowed : ( yet many thoufand poorc foulcs htkabnttbiBg which (hall be faved, have little or no wealth at all) but this precious $fb*omtbut pcarie is not bought with money. What hath he then (jee will fay) to fiMt. r v procure They for fake all for it, isfc. 17 procure it? Verily, he hath nothing but wintered and hold in farufl plcafurcs, and worldly lu(ts. But alas (ibme man will fay) what doc yec naming of them, asthings any thing worth ? But I fay againe, I mutt mention that which hec hath of his owne, and that is his iinne : which j though every rcafonable man will fay, that it is not worth the mentio- ning, yet ic was fometimc more precious to him than filvcr, and in ac- count above the pured gold : and therefore to renounce it, is no cafic nor final 1 matter. And yet (fo well it fallcth out tor him) there is no other Ycihitiu n- thing required of him, to the attaining of the fore-mentioned pearlc, 9mmtlht$* than the calling away, and the forfaking of that hisfinnc. For lo the Lord plainly tcrtiticth : he that denieth himfclfc, bt (hall be my difci- Mauhjp.i pic : and wholbcvcr forfaketh any thing (that is, which God condem- ned) he (hall have an hundred fold more than heforgocth/fobountifull arcwardcristhc Lord of all that fcekc him) and afterward eternalllifc. ThercforCjwhcn this filly finner underitandeth,and giveth credit un- to that, as deare ancj plcafant as his finnes were unto him, that he could neither by fearc nor fhamc,neither byalluremcnts or perfwafions before that, be brought to abandon and wax weary of them; yet now, lie dif- claimesh and cricth out of thcur, and in an utter dctelhtion of them, faith: as Epbrtiimfcidof Idols (in which he had 1© much delighted) IVhmhfvs I to doe with tlx~*% ? A thing all may fee to be very admirable, A man to forgoe that, which he loved befl: of all, yea, better than life it B*< *i dipjHk fclfe, (for how many lole their lives for their flnfull plcafures ? ) yca,and ;/" that willingly and readily, oncly for the hope of that, which as yet hec Ho,:*-2* hath not, is it notadmirablc ? And muft not that hope (thinkc wee) be fure and certainc, though in him (6 wcakc as yet, that he cannot prolific it? Thus doth the Lord w^rkc in the heart of him, who fhall embrace TbisUA$reat> Chriftfor his Saviour, thatnothing.fliallfeparatcbctwixt them. But it wkeo/Gul. may wellbc h\d,^o ma* aommetY) to htyn, except the Fd$btr dr \iw hint* j ,jn $ by hisfpirit : for othcrwiie, we teadc,that it is as hard for a wicked man to become good,asfor the IMack-moore to changediivskin, or the Leo- Jcichu.jj-.*.- pard his fpots. And whereas icmay be faid,there*re many, when they arc pricked in conicicnce for their finnes, who doc thus eric out of them, for the time ; but it appcarcth afterwards to have becne but a bialt, .and js it may Hifni fcerne, a fudden palhon, which va-niiheth away and commcth to no* *h**atk thing: I anSrmothc fame, and grant it to be fo: but this is a fane other Wit^^ thing, and tins workeof grace to rorfakcall, for the nope of mercy and forgivenefle of finnc,ditTercth asmuch from that raih and fikldcn crack of-tcarfuli crying out ofiinncjvvhileonly tcnour opprcifah : as Cannou ot i 28 Et mpte<> Ahxh. i Kmg.1j.17. Joe] *.ij. I King 11.8,16, Zacbete, Luke 19.8,9. Thclficelites. 1 baro.7.3,4. Prov. 28.13, rfal.78.3*. cj'htzvrnly tbingi^vidt- fp [m^vf ctrik'y Note. rfej forfdh all fcr it, i?c. >Lot differed) from the (hot of paper : the one cafting out the Devill for bearing any more dominion in him, the other Teeming to fray him with bold and loud words, (Idcfietnc Devill, cVc.) but driving him away in- deed, noothcrwifc than the popifh holy-water doth : as may be leenc in comparing both forts together. For example: though tsfhuh gave iigncsthat he foilboke hisTinncs, by rending his cloathes, (but not his heart) putting fack-cloth upon him, and failing; when hec heard the mclTagc of£/rasy yet he (hewed by and by after, that all was but a cere- monie, by wilfull reiifting and diiobeying the meflage of God by the Prophet Olifcb.ua, and boldly affirming, that he hated him : Yet on the other (ide, Zachemdid farre othcrwifc,for how he received Chrifts do- ctrine, he dcclareth by the fruits following: revenging himfelfe for his ill gotten goods, with reltoringfouie-fold, and giving halfc the reft to thepoore; and Chriftalfotcltificd of hisforfakingandleavinghis gain- ful] unlawfull trade, by open affirming him to be the fonne of Abraham. Another example : the people,w horn ^;w#f/perfwadcd to forfake their firme, for the hope of the promife, did not only lament after God, but they did indeed forfake it : they did caft away Ba*ihm and *Afitarotht Idols, which they fo delighted in : declaring thereby, that they found by the Prophets minifterie, a farre greater treafure, tha t is, the mercy of God in forgiving them their (inncs, according to that, which is written fince, but true before, even hnce the firft mans repentance : He that c*n~ fejfetb andforfaketh hi* fin Jhali find mercy. But their fathers, who made as great profefll on all as they, returning to God and feeking him early, yet they did but flatter himrvttb their mouth , an ddijfcmble with their tongue, for they were not faithfull in his covenant. But thefe fhaii fufficc; like unto the which, there arc many more: Let it be granted theicfore, that this is a mightie and admirable workc of GodsSpirit, which thus perfwadeth this filly foule, which is travel- linghardtofindepeaceandrc(tuntohisheart,thus (I fay) tobid fare- well to his fweetefi delights, for the hope of the game that is fct before him, though the counterfeit hypocrite doe not fo. For thefe two goe to- gether ; highly to efteemc and prilc the promife of life and happinellc : and for the fame, to dcfpifc and fet light by the things which were belt beloved. And yet this, as impoffible as it is to any othcr,in thofc whom God chufcth out of the world, he workcth it as icnfibly as we may dif- ccrnc the wilde bcaft to be tamed ; and the eleerc and funfhine day 10 be ovcr-caftand darkned. For God kindled a fervent defire and longing afccrthatglad tidings (namely, that he will freely beftow it upon him that thirtieth after it) till he hold and enjoy it, ashis.ownc. And tnat which The applying ofChrifl cindhiipromife. 19 which Saint /W faith ofhimfcifc,that when he beganto f:c the beauty ofthisblcflcdmeflage, hecounteth thofethhgslofio, which had becne vantage to him, yea very dung for Chrifts fake, that he nvght Win him : Philips* the fame is verified in all'fuch as I now (peak of,even whofocver they be: and then they arc truly come home, no more to be call off, or forftken of the Lord. And this gracious affe£Hon is thus rivitcoi into him, of whom 1 ipeake, and as it aere written with an adamant pen, never to be rafed out any more, to the end itmay alwayes a:~ r remainc,and be found in him after experience, as it (tandeth with great reafon it fhould : even as it was with A/ofcs, when he was of aripe'age, full foitic ycares old, he did fhew the fruit of it, as many other wayes,fo this one; that herefn- Kcbr.i1.24. I the fen of? h arao h s daughter ;and to enjoy theplcafures^ of fin ..* fafo*. And when this worke is wrought in him, that he forlakcth all things (or this which he fecketh, and fohighly prizcth it, then he is fit to apply it ; as followeth : which is the latt worke. The fix: h and laft worke : he afplieth Chrift'iixdhu Jtromife. FOr by the doftrine of the promifes, which he hearcth,or hath heard publifhed and preached unto him, God draweth his heart to apply them to himfclfe, and to fatten upon them as his ownc, even as if tl had bcenc properly made to him : heperfwadethhim by that which he hcarcth, no lor.gcrro fearc God as a terrible Judge, and flavifhly toa- bideinhis former bondage, as one in dangei of damnation (till, and un- der the curfe, but fealrthup his falvation in his heait, and makcth it as G^d^aUtbu^ effectually his, as any bargaincismadc lure to us, when he, who fold it, h^po'.ifato hadfeaiedituntous, and let to his hand for the performing of it. And r*e*"WWh thcrctorcit is that the Scripture doth fo often ufc this phraicoffpccch, // e arefeaha vp by the Spirt? of promifc, and by the Spirit of oxr God : to give us to understand, that as nothing is with greater lecuritic afTurcd aCoM12» unto us, than a writing lealed ; fo there can be no iurcr way for a man to hold this redemption and falvation, than by having itfcalcd unto him by the Spirit of God : who only knowing the minde of the Father and of the Son, doth make the fame knownc unto his minde, and bearc wtt* Fcm.8.1*. ncJfetohuSp.ru that he u the Lords : and teach him thus torea [or : It Ti God will forgive him, who hath received grace to feekc forgiveneffe, rr-?-^rl^vb Without fainting and wearincflc, and who longethfor it inamek: •"* heart, (grieved lore for offending him) who defivcth it more than ail c arthiy pie a fur e and profit, and is willing to call aw ay all impediments that may hinder ;t; if he will forgive fuch, and he hath framed mce to be fuch an one \ then (doubtlcffe) he will forgive mc alfo. Thus } o The Applying ofCbrifi and bis promt fe. Thus God maketh him (of whom I fpeake) to fee cieercl y that he is Afts 1^.14. his, no more to be feparatcd from him, when he hath opened his heart, as heAidthe he*m of Lydis, and caufcth him to bcleeve that the Sonne of God, who was given to the unworthy world, is given to him bcirfe one of the fame. Forifcarthly fathers be kindc to their children cry ing to Lnk. x y. 20. them, how much more the Father of fathers ? For we muft thinkc that UeweifJKtk this afflicted perfon now mentioned, doth often and deeply weigh the tUth.ngibcrc- trllch, unchangeablcnciTc, and perpetuity of the precious promiies 0 *°*y *' which he heareth preached unto him ; yea, and that with more delight than he doth anything clfc ; he weigheth what may be like to hinder, and hold him from having his part in them : and when hee confidcrcth that God who willcth him nottofcare, is greater than all that Icttcth him; what he may he removethit, though never to precious to him; and conlidereth what doth give him greatcft encouragement, and fo embraccth the fame : we mult thinke when he once conccivcth the in- comprehenfiblc excellency of etcrnall life, and how it maketh the loulc alwaicschecrefull even here; we muft thinkc (I (ay) that he weighing what his mifery is without it, countcth it the molt fovcraignc medi- cine toheale his fore : and therefore hec is ready touleany mcanes, and beftow any diligence to come into the poiTcfTiou of it, and make it his o wne, cfpccially when hee feeth that it is freely and merci- fully offered. Thus letting his heart upon it, as that which hee feeth would mike Note. him more happy than all the world; though for a time hee hath not becncabletoattaincuntotheailuranccof it, (the Dcvill holding him backebymany lets and fubtilties, abufing his errour, weakneifc, and fimplicity thereto) yet the Lord fuffcrcth him not to give overtill hec hath waded thprow, and overcome all hindcranccs. And if this be too Btfeifabclfe hard to doe by himfclfe, he fecketh the hetpe of others, wherefoever ofotbers. they may bee come by, men of deeper infight, and greater judgement and experience in, and about the will and purpofc of God concerning falvation, by whofc loving travcll, counfcll, and labour, hec groweth more expert and rcfolute, and fofetlcthhis heart inbclccving, as hee lie gronethfet- fccth he hath good caufe, and ftrong encouragement, to his foil quiet kd m bcltiuvz. ancj comcntat}on ; The Lord himfeffe fpcaking thus: If any thtrjt, let I°h.7.i7. himcometomc,artdIwHlgivehimthcrMterof*life to drinke- So that as Jacobs heart failed when he bclecved not his formes report, that lofeph c lg was alive, and the chiefc Governour under Ph*r*§h ; yet when they 27 1%. told him the words of lofeph, and (hewed him the Chariots which hee. had fent to carry him, the fpirit of lacd revived, and he laid, / huve ' A cngagh ; The applying ofChriftandbupromifa 5 1 enough ; Iofeph myfonne is yet alive, cjc. So though the goodneffc ofthe meflagc (hall becfarre beyond the expedition of him to whom it is Kotc. brought, (as fearing the cleanc contrary:) yet when hec (hall Wfjgh and confidcr advifedly the truth of the matter, and certainty of the promifes, and therein behoU the depth of love which is in Cod, chat to the brokenhearted, though unworthy; it quickneth the Ionic, and refrefheth it above all that can be txprcfled. And fo hce be- holding his eftatc without thefc promifes, and what need hce hath of them, and who it is that offercth them, even hec who cannot bee gainefaid,thatis,thc Almighty; hecmbraceth them, and by little and Lttle, as heguhcreth moreiircngth by the infalliblcneiTeof them ; fo he bclccvcth tlicm, and taketh exceeding comfort by them, givcth God thankes, and (ashc hathgoodcaufe) he cannot fatisfic himfdfc there- with, nor (as he chinkcth) liavc enough ofthem. j And thus doth his foule (tay up it lclfc : for feeing God doth give it frcelv to him, and hcdchrcch it above all other things, as feeing that he cannot be fate w ithout it, who is he which ihali hinder it > Thu* are ail fvbattoiUf*>R',w tcires wiped array, the rags arc call off : the robes arc put on : thefpoufe °faininl [ is betrothed to thrift her husband, andfhe by faith made partaker of ail the good things which he bringeth with him : who is given unto his irch, r.ot poorely nor bare; but to bec her rvifdome, right eoxfnejfe* iCor. x.30. ■01. And hec that hath thus put on the Lord Jclus,God will know him for his, wherefocver hefindeth him, neither } any t ah^e him out of hu hands, (o faith our Saviour himfelfc : Olfy jhetpe (whom in theverfc before he calleth thofc which be-eevc in him) U'Syje-ecpe hcare my voice, and I know them, andthey follow w, and I give \c\u 10il7 ^f, n e: email /if-, and they fcall never perifi, neither \h all any pin eke them out 9/ my hands : for my F.i: her which gave them me is greater than ally.. :s able to tal^ them out of my Fathers hand. Like unto thcie arc they all who fhallgloritic God in this life.icparated from the world, though annoicd by the people ot it, as the filly fheepe arc by the goats, nverfation what it is, another * place ihall declare, and lay * The frond forth hereafter. And this is faith, which making them inwardly per- Tttaii i waded iniorhe fort by fo clcere evidence (as I have laid) caufcth them outwardly in time to profeifc the fame moj-c boldly, and without fcate, w&k?fi*k&* as occanon mould bee offered: and althorgh it bec for the time both iJ«rJMLr*»- weakc and faint, yet is i: found and hire ; and af - r experience in a god ly life(Imeanc thelifcthat islcd by f;iih) it (balj be (trengthened, better confirmed, and procure with ail rcll to their foulcs. For where the fore- mentioned graces arc, as true contrition, the heartbroken with forrow, Mat.i 1.1? and 5* Mac. f. 4,*/. It u rather if if. graces :; wubit.jb-nt>y A defcription of tbcfmdltfl mc&- fifciffiutbt Nore. 4 jtmile. Note. The applying of Cbrift and bu promt 'fe. andmeekeVicd, hur.gring and pining for mercy and grace, Conftifing and forfakjngthe fume, with accufation and deepe groanes for pardon^ there is Ionic true nicafure of laving faith ; for Gods graces arc nocfepa- rated, for our Saviour pronounccih tkemHefftdwhich havcthefe graces? but none are blcifcd without fith, thercforefekh is there aifo: becaufc the Spirit of Child dwcllcth in iuch, and hetdweUcth in his by f.ihh. therefore it mult needs be in them. Which thing I doe the rather (tand* upon to prove, feeing it is rather tried and difccrncd by thefe, than knowne by it Cclk without other holy affections going with it, and for that many of tender ?ge in Chrilt, and younglings, cannot becerca and throughly perfwaded that they have faith, and consequently, that their finncs arc forgiven them, and yet by infallible fgncsand tokens wee know that it is fb. I fpcake of the leaft meafure of it, for of the ftronger faith, the qucflion is eafcr. And the weaker! meafure of taich I call that, when an humbled ibule lorgeth, and alniort famtcth for Cods mercy in Chrilt ; and although he benotaitured of it, y?t he feeth fhat it cannot be denied, butthat God doth grant pardon to him a<*ain(t hisiinne, becaufc hefeeth himfelfc to have obtained many graces and workesoftheholyGhoft, which cannot be in a reprobate, as wasfaid before ; and fhereby he is holden from defpaire'and dreadfull fearc. And yet through weaknefTe and want of experience, hee cannot as yet call God Father, though he cannot fufter the contrary thoughttohavc any place in himfelfc : and therefore the thing that he moft laboureth to bee fatisficd in, and rcfolved of, is thathe may have fomc clcerer light, and lay better hold of it, that Chrift hath redeemed him indeed • yet is he as the childc firft taught to goe alone, who is wcakc in the joyncs, but in time canrunne about: fo fliallit be with the fouie, which thus longeth and lamentcth after God. This I have fpokenfor their fakes, who more hardly doe lay hold on Gods mercy, and doe with more difficulty apply the promife to them- Selves : the which to doe with all poffiblc care, and not to bee turned afide from examining themfclves found ly and throughly by any let, buttorcfift diftruft and doubting (as they may be bold to doc) is a grace of the greateft importance. And he uwfeuuiced, who willnot flay before he have iv ; which wifdomc God will teach them whom hee lo- vc'th : for though many very ignorant and carcleiTe hearts doe hardly, yea, never come to any refolution of faith ; yet ordinarily, where the people are foundly, cleerely, and wifely taught, it is other wife : for (to fpcake ofthem who fliall be faved) the Word fo preached, by littlcand kttie fokcth and diltilkth into the hearts of many of them. And though the.. The applying ofCbrifl and his promife. $ 3 they know not when this gracious workc of God was wrought ; for HcwGoJmr* the mod parr, as neither can wee difecme and fee the plants and herbs W^fi^ w hen they (hoot out, though in time we fee it is fo : yet fotne there are, whom God in fpcciall manner doth privilege at one time, and in one day Tkefpec'utipU to receive that grace and gift of ailurancc, which others arc long labou- vlt^ ". Tu- ring and travelling forbeforc they attaine it. As our Saviour Chrift pro- u %l* 9' nounccth of Zachew, This ds.y is this man become the fr.ne of Abra~ hzm-> and f a hat ion is come into hi* honfe. So Ljdiay and they in the Atlsz. 37. And this is the faith, whetherit be weakeor itrong, which F 'tih v*tctbti unitcthto Chrilt,and makcth them that have it (which is a mylkry and c u' ' riddle to the World) to have and enjoy their hearts defire ; yea, arid in- deed more than they couid dchre or thinke, namely, to bee truly the children of God, and thereby happy. Even the fame faith, for which Chrill pronounced Peter blefled: who when he faw him but in bale cftatc the Sonne of man, yet for the words which Chriit had fpoken, and his miracles, hadbelcevcd him tobcealfothe Sonne of God, the anointed ofthe Lord, and his Saviour, he pronounced this of him : Hlef Mattn.i * conccr' C ' mngyour cower frttionpaft >Jay afide that corrupt nature of * yours ; and fo the powers of your minde and body,which were infe&cd with deceive- able iufts : andbe rewcdwthefiirriofyourmwdes, (even where theforec of What is required to the leadingof a godly /. 1 07 of reafon fhould be grcatcfi) that fo you may put on the (which is to bcfanc-lifcd,) tint the power, of your bodies and mindes maybcrcm:cd,and changed alio ; (ofhall ycc be framed, to th righteemfceffe, and true hoiinefle, wherein ycc fhall carry fitinc refc. blanceof God. Chap. III. Tlh.t for the leading of a godly life, is recfHtred f.iith i* the Temporafi f mtfes of Go I nd credit to the C ments a/fot and i ;-r; tnthe word of Cod, as well u frith to l\ faved. NOw I have (hewed, that truejuftifying faith and a godly life, mutt of ntceflltic goe together, and that the one cannot be without the other : I will £>oe to the fecond point in this general! head orpart ; and prove that it is necifaryro the leadi' gof a godly life, to belecve and : credit to the whole doctrine of the word ofGod,tobe led and gui- ded thereby *as well as to have faith inthepromifesot ialvation,and tor- givenefle of finncs. Tins I fi; re, that hec which bclecvcth in [ . atiommuftnot ftayhimfeife and reft therein on! , • l r a> a ' % * l e' f:t 'J e ,2nd only to /.^yt - make for us away to eterr.aj] life : but he rnuft be perl waded that he is given to be our wrfdeme aWe, to make us Tfcifc ; om -' ^tonake J us holy; and zlfoourredemf.'i ce, to rid us in his good Nc*«. timefiom all calamities and mifertes, which here befall us. This, lie that belecveth3 muft be perfwaded of; and that all the fremifesoftbis i Tim ^8. tf the hfe'to come, which fervcto conhrmc him in obedience, ( (Vhetherche great and principally as of the graces of the Spirit, or the fmal!er,aso I prcfervation from dangers, fo far as they be good for hirn^ iguntoi '(, hecmu'r belecve, that both all the Common- Afitkttbretti dement which teach obedience earnings, becaufcthey re- *nd Ci itrainc the contrary, are fei • for him particularly.; as well as for "••*"•'• any other, to bir.de his confciencc thereunto: thefcaifo, I fay, mult he belecve, accr> \ that o f Saint Paul: Whatfnvm *f*retimet(zs either promi(cs,threSts,orcornmandeiiieiits)ffcetJfrr»»rfr- t*»'fi . as for theirs, ui whole time they were written) t d comfort of the Script* re. we. So '- lie is bound to depend upon this Word of God, written in the ca- flonkall Scriptures, and to build hi$faith;hercon;(infuch wifc, that I darcf i Cor. j. 5, 1 o 8 What u required to the leading of a godly life. dares jeopard his foulc upon rhc truth and do$rincofthcm) even is he is to lookc for falvation,onclyby our Lord JcfusChrift ; ever counting that for finne which fhall be found to jar or jangle with the fame, either in his heart or life. AUbckn en But though all, who have hope to be faved, fliould and ou^ht to doc 4*** *h*"- this ; yet it is manifeft that they doc not. They belceve not that God will guide them thorow their courfc, they lookc not to many promifes, they icarc not many threats : all which doc much teftiflc agamft them, that they be not fo well fenced as they might be, and by mcancs hereof they hold even the promife of fal vation it lclfe more weakly. Cmfii tv'y. And this commcth to palle the more commonly, that they be no bct- 1 ter cltablifhcd and rooted in the truth to bcleeve it, becaufe thefe things (as they be worthicft and moft cxcellent)fo they benot plainly ,lbundly, and throughly beaten into the people, and thatagainc andagainc, till they that are willing have them for their owne. 2 And another caufe is, for that the people, who have fomc taftc of this doctrine, namely, how they fhall joync good life with their faith ; take not paine when they have been well taught them, to call them to minde and digeft them : onely they have pceces and fragments of many good points, but rarely it fhall bee found, that one Cbriftian among many grovveth to fee this, which Inowfpcakcof, by teaching; much lcflc hath it in u(c and practice for his owne ; that is,to give crcd itto one part of the word as well as to another j and not every one for the moft part to take that which likcth him. Wdtttfihk And therefore when they have fomc workeof true faith in them, yet faitbwor^tb tnCy fce not novv to fct Upon repentance and a godly life, how to begin wmhmonvt- anj j1(nv t0procecj therein, but are off, and on, now forward, then backward, and fcarcely at any time fetled and ftayed : the which al- N0tCt though itbcfo, in great part th rough their owne wcaknelTe, yet it isalfo in refpc£t of their ignorance; I fpeakcofthc better fort of people, and fuchas have received the fir fl fruits of 'the fpirri. Whereas if they were perfwaded that they ought to make conlcicnce of all found Doctrine that they hcarc,and to give ailcntto every part ofthc Word of God.and fubmit themfclves thcreto,piomifes,thrcats, and commandements ; they fhould hold more firmely the pcrfwafion of their falvation, and alio be Heb,4.i. better prepared how to flic cvill, and how to doc duty, and how to truft Godinallkindsofhispromifes. Therefore it is faidtothcHebrewcs; Heb. 1 r. *. Tons was the Gojfell preached as alfo unto them : but the word that they Rom.14.i3. heard profited not them* becaufe it was not mixed with faith tnthofe that hard it. Ag&inc iWtthout faith, it is wpojftble to flcafe Cod. With the which Wbdi u nquircdto the leading of a godly life. J o 9 which agreeth, thai which is written by Saint Paul to the ^ irhutftcver is not of frith is finne : that i>, whatsoever we doc, not bcil pcrfwaded in our confcicuccs,that we plcafc God in doing of it, vvc fin againft him. *" Now then, when our judgements bee not fetlcd in this Doitrine and truth ; and confequently, wee follow no llich rule in our actions, mult we not needs wander upanddownc the more unprohtably and heavily; ©r when wee bee at the beir, mull wee not needs bee doubtful! and uu- ccrtainc whether we plcafc God or not ? whereas our chiefe care Giould be, left we doc any thing which might craze or cracke our faith, efpe- cially when it is tender and wcakc, and like the hmifed re: J., which is eafily broken. Therefore ifanybeleeve to be faved, let them bclecvea'fo that they Titbtkim fliail be ianctihed, (for with one and the lame faith wee bcieevc both; J^^JL and that they (hall receive grace from God to bring forth fruits of r^^J^ amendment of life, and that tncy fhall bee made able by him through the hearing of the holy Scriptures to call orfthcir old convci fation. This faith much availcthto the furthering of the dearc children of God in a godly courfe, even at but Chrift inme. Bu: hec complained, that. for all the hope ofhclpc that he had, vet the rebellion of hisflefh. and nature that was unreformed,did mightily refift him. And this hinderance he had, and we (hall have while we live. But what is that to this, thatbcfides this rebellion of the old man, they have this alio to hinder them, t they cannot tell whether they {Kail have llrcngth to make them able or no ; nor whether God hath given them any promifc, that their burthen /hall be made light , and that Chrift himfelfe will bcare the g cateft p of it for them, that fo it may be made ealic. This isthatkilleth the heart of right good Chriftians when the\ ignorant of it, and when they be not well grounded in it, andthorowly perfwaded of it, that God will make them able and fit for fo great a worke, as the leading of a godly life : even like the burthen of the lira- elites, whowcre in joy Hedtheh twig of brick* t!\*t they bad'm imes fjft, (which worke was hard enough) andyetihewfclvcs tpfeeke and pro- vide their ft raw. This lam fure hath troubled many, who yet were v. ling and ready to doe any duties required of them;and hath bir. the cau why HI Sot eft brat u,« on b) i i WitbtbtbtUat fcndofhcMtrf. I .1 . Ron-. 7.18. eAnfw. Philips '?» E\cd. 5 U. tr't.i: enfttbtc- d Mm tnmt.ui 19 m j ckti i ill I Vbat if required to the leading of a godly life. why they have gone about the fcvcrall a A faro of their life, the bearing thcoffringupofthci. prayc:s,thc more deadly and Lly^anji therefore the more aukly and wearifomly. And for the beoctic of many good Ionics, I will Fay that which hath itomcc by fund iy well approved Chnftians, lien i have in conference (ctdownc plainly to them the point which now I write of; namely, bo W ncccfLry it is to bcleevc in gcn-rall and tticular, what foe vcr other promifes or precepts in the Word of God -.veil as the proi .'feoffilvation by Chrift. Oh, have many laid, if we b ivc holpe up our fclvcs out of difhuit, fearc, and uncomfortable dumps, by applying the promifes of God concerning grace necclfary foi us, out w a id delta i ancc from dangers, and good fucccfle in our law- 'full dealings cf this lifc;v:c might with much cafe and peace have flayed up our fclvci : when for want tliereof, \vc were fore plunged and almoft Jaintcd, and with halfe the toile which we ufed for it, we might have up- holden our fclvcs m hope and with comfort. For many hourcs, yeaandfomctimedaies, we have beat our bra ines and realbned to and tro wrth heavy hearts, how to wade thorowfome afflictions, aiui how to be contented with fomc accidents which were Jikc to fail out and comctopafle; and this we did, bccaulc we milled of the right way of nulling to Gods providence, that he would turne all to the belt : without which reflation, who can quietly reft in any unccr- rainties here below? So effccluall and good a mcane it is to bee led by iaith,andtohavcit as a daily companion with us. By which we having Kom.fi.31. perf.vafion of the greatcft benefit of all other, namely Chrift; we might the more cafily havcaflurcd our felves (we fee now) of any fmaller, whether in any trouble opprefTing us, to have a good iflue out of it, or in any good thing defircd of us, (as it fhould have bcenc expedient for us) Mote. to enjoy it. And wee may fay truly, wee know nothing to have becne the caufc of fo much and fo long unprofitableneiTe, and dumpifh heavi- neflc, as hath held usdovvnethefe many yearcs, as this, that we have not becne rooted and grounded in faith, as wee have had a care to plcale God. For we being fubtilly undermined by Satan to hold in this error of unbclccfe (although wc fee manifeftly that the feed of faith was in us) it was the caufe why in all othergood things wc wentforward the more (lightly. So that wc fee great caufe to fcalon our hearts with bclcevinj; thorow our wholclifc, whatsoever labour it coit us. To this .purpofe was the fpeech of thofc Chriftians. And to goc forward, who doth not know that when fome certainty of falvation is attained of men, yet for all that, inasmuch as it is but wake. What u required to the leading of a godly life. : i j wake, they have many heart gricfes for this, that they fee they have a Ions wcarifornc pilgrimage to goc thorow ; and little knowledge and Antxhmtdti** periwafion of any great guiding of them thorow all the fearcs mj dirfi- Ulbt **§f6gt to have that your ownc, and effectually wrought in your felves, which wbittbtieatlh you teach the people ; for you know that the phyfitians, who practice ttb$tok by experience, arc belt able to deale with their patierfts. Efpeciallyin Note* this matter of faith, labour to be more cxcrcifcd; how you have uieof it, in beleeving for your owne parts, either precepts or promifes, and content not your felves with the bare letter which killcth, or the verball knowledge of the truth. And fo doing,yc fhall make good gaine of that which you fhall teach, if yourhearers fhould not : and yet fuch teach- ing, while ye be furc that it hath done your felves much good, fhall fet fuch an c^c on your doctrine by your more lively, chccrcfull and Note, powerfull delivering of it, that it fhall farrc morceafily procure an ap* petite in the people to receive it, as they .did in hhnBap tfis time with frcedinefTc, and as it were with violence; and fo that if they be not Macth.n.i»; rought to the true practice of Chriftianitic by it, they will not bee brought to it by any othertcaching. And this I wifh,thatycbcnot of the minde that forne have bcene of, (for it is no opinion fit for the Minifl er of God) that is to fay, that they Anfwtr tofal rhinke, though fomc preach by experience, yet no man is bound to doc *5 ^kt oii>ct~ fo : as though it were in fome mens choice to doc which they lift ; when we know, that the good Jhepherd doth goe before thefl>eepe, and they foL *°"n I0'*' low him. And if he goc before them in example of good life,thcn he can- not chufc but teach them by experience, that which hchimfelfc doth praclifc in his good example. And fo he that fhall thinkc that hee is not bound to teach by experience, as well as by the letter; concludeth that he is not bound to be a good man himfclfe, howfoever he be a teacher of others. Now I have faid what I purpofed, I will goc forward. In teaching; labour much in this matter, (which I have mentioned) to beat into the K people, H4 Ut faith tnd f§db*cf]tb words tocxfrejje that which we conceive ; as well to have matter in our mindes. And al- though the knowledge of this in gcncrall, doe bring men in liking with it : yet who fecth not, that the particular unfolding hereof, by lit cohe- rences What u required to the leading of a godly life. rcnccs knitting one joynt with another,is the way to make it underftood and conceived aright > By which the hearer is farre more cafily brought to have the ctfedtuall worke thereof in him. And thus to rcturne againc to that from whence I digrefTcd not unne- ccflTarily, and fo to draw to an end about this matter. Although people profit thus farrc,that they get feme true ta(te of falvation by preaching ; yet they fhall very much itaggcr and goc backc,and coldly let upon the practice of godlincfle. if they be not well grounded in bcleeving, that God will build them up more frronglyfrom day to day, and perfect the q^ood worke in them which he hath beattn, even to fill f.wchficatioi in the fcare of God. If a chiefc and maine poll in a building be wanting, v. ill not the whole houfe be foone fhaken ? Co if a Chriltian, who muft re- forme his life, goe about it.not bcleeving that God will make him able ; he may befurehe fhall want a maine helpehereto,even that which will goe nigk to pull downe all that is fet up. For if he have no faith to be- lecve that God will ftrengthen him; what ftrength hath he but his ownc > which is as fit for fuch a worke to bring it to paffe, as a childc is to build a great caftle by his skill, or (trcngth. But if he be well fetlcd in this confidence, (his heart alio being puri- fied and changed) which (as wefhill heare * afterwards) isncccfiarily required, he fhall goc about it with cheercfulneffe and rcadincfle ; hee fhall be incouraged to pray as his neceffities fhall give caufc ; he fhall be .kept from fainting and diimayedncffe, when his ftrength is not very great, and rife up againe when he is fallen : all which ill a 1 1 be great tneanes in fuch a cale to uphold him, and fct him forward to depend up- on God, withoutany great unfethngof him (and yet fhallhcnot forali this, be without fenfeand feeling or his infirmities:) which another as willing to obey God as he, fhall never be able to doe; but every while calx downe and difmayed, untill he get the fame furniture. And this mu(t here be marked, that there fhall be the bettcrprocccd- ing herein, of every wcakeChriftian, as his knowledge fhall be greater in the word of God : which before ?racc came, (as fire to the (tubble,to kindle and fet it a worke to burnc)although it were idle and unprofitable in him, andlay void and unoccupied, astimberlieth by,tillthe buildi: g goe forward : yet it fhall then helpc much to the leaving of cvill,and the doing of good, efpecially after experience in time, fhall be jovned to both. And when all thefe meet together in an upright hearted Chrifti- an, howweakefoevcr; ifheacquaint himiclfe familiarly with the pro- mifesof cternallhfe, and treanire up in a good confcicncctheccrtaintic oftheforgiveneflcoffinnes, from day today; then this is he who hath K 2 laid "5 H'autofthUl(ind of filthy rr^et theffidlylijt djjtcult. A (imili* Afimiie. Where it * ;*- jcj/.dy the pra- ctice of goMincj]}) becomes ufe, * Loc^furtbii m the next cbdj-tcr% Aft i ! 6 Oft be heart, and how it fhouid be clean fed and changed. laid a (bund foundation of a godly life, upon which it Hull be no hard matter to fetthe building of his hfc futablcand proportionable after- Matihj.if. wards; fo that, although the rai>c fa/Iyvitn many in thefc da yes , who therefore arc calt downe oft times from their good beginnings, becaufc they had not skill to make them more fubftantiali and lure. And I ^are not toafrnmc, (the Lord wit- nciTrng to that which I fiy) that the oftcnfivc lives of many, with many itartings afide from the good way wh'ch rhey have entrcd in- Note, to, and the crooked and halting ftcps that they make groflcly in the fight of men, who yet durft not fomctimc before quench the fpirit in themfclves, nor hurt their tender confcicncc? fecrctly in the light of God : thefe (I fay) are chiefly from hence, that they laid not ihc foundation aright, nor made nor their firit entrance into a Chriftian lift found and fure* Among other things, they have failed for the moft part in this, of which I doe moft: fpccially fpcake in this place,thit they have not becne builded up in this faith and perfwalion, that God will further their weake beginnings, and fortirlc their hearts againfl the (tumbling blockes and difcouragements, which fhall {land up in their way. I have now ©ncly fhewed that this faith fhouid be in a Chriihan, when heruftfet- tcth on a godly life: but how it fhouid accompany him after through- out his life, that fo he may live by it, being the fame to the whole life that the eye is to the body ; I fhall in place fit for it, if God will3dcclarc and {hew fo farrc as fhall be expedient. Chap. I ill. Of the heart, and how it fionld be c/eanftd and changed, andfothewheb U\r:ng forth good things t Yea, an admirable thing it is, that it mould ever be broupht to good. Buttogoe forward (now wc fee in iomefortthcfilthinciYcofit) let t?hattlcp~r~ uslTicw what this purgirg of the heart is, and how it fhould be pur- £•'»£*/ 'W&*r* gcd. Forthcfirli, wee mull know that it is a rcnuing in holincfTe and "' nghteoufncfYc, by little and little, of all trucbclecvers, they being firft delivered and freed from the tyranny of finnc, and fcare of damnation. For man is no fooncrfet at liberty from the fearc of evcrlafting death, ^cre. and the wrath of God, but he isalfofcnfiblydrawnc to lctgochis hold and intcielt in finn(;which before he had, and fecleth the fame to receive adcadly wound in hion,and the power thereof to be abated andcrucificd. K 4 And no Oftbe heart, and bow itfhenldlpcleanfed and changed. And (o} fmdeth that verified in him which the Apoftlc fetteth dewne to Rom. 4.1, the ^7w^.r,thati;tof:>y, How an fitch a< *re d~adto /?ine,/rvr any /on- frr therein f Andwtth*ll,he is quickned and fmfibly HirrcJ up to a love and earneftdenreofthings holy and heaw :n that hcma'yp!; ale F^hcf.4.i> God; a>id'heing renuedm the fttnt of ht< m->:J.< . doili ;irf:cl and 1. after rightcouf.icffc and true hoIhciTc. And herein COnfiftcth tins pin- ging and changing of the heart,whith I now foeakcofjand fiich n thing it if, fhewing it fclfeto be fo, especially by an hatred oi finnc, and : lighting in goodneiVc* Which no power nor will of in ic is an enemy thereto. And although this new change be not fiich, as th.it it is ablecb bcarc downc before it as a ftreame, all the old corruption that reigned in ic fomctime, and to cntcrtaine holy things onciy : vet it is a nvg ity a'tr- ntion,thatg oclncif: h uh any place in him in truth, which was brforr ibfarrcfrom him, and finne and cvillhunredourT-n \\ ill and de(ire,v h* h alone bare i way iomcinc without chcckc ardcomtoiment. For there IS (without qucftion) the tirlt fruit of the fpirit, which will afterward? HttkM di.tb in bring forth an incrcafc of the fame for continuance : which worl;c of tburvca^e cflale grace and fanetiheation (ifhe in whom it i$ v\roughtfhonld notlivetb is foxed. fhew forth any further fruit of it) is an infallible markc and love towards him, and can no more be in a reprobate, than light can be in the belly and bowels of the earth. Hoi) defies be But if any will demand what becommeth ofthisgraec intimo,becai!ic §fl fonts qktMr ;t is too cleeiCjthat it is not oncly dimmed, but even choked alioinmn- th:din;btbc. ^ inwhom it hroinnc to fliinc and give light? inch mult undedlmd, taer' that God doth ftrcngthen and continue this giacc of holinefli Htnvtoreiivc edification, as it isnourifhcd,e(tecmcd,and let by ; and as men tioc I ibtm. it up in themfclvcs by asking after if, when they nv.ile it, and pic.-okc themfelves topray fr -iujh good a free" ions, aid oinnot befatisflcd with- out them.. As ;D*wddn\ often, longtime one way, and (ometimc ano- Pfal. 4 j. ?. thcr, faying, fVh-y arc thou heavy, O myfoule, ar.dwhy art thou 1 ffai. u j. x. tcdrp'nhtn me ? Alio, Pr.nfe thou the Lord (O my fifffe ) and a \ within thee, tra/fihu holy tuim:- And thus, and by the like mcanes, wee frail chcrhTi Cur fparklcs, which (as the fire is blowneup with bdlows) fhall not ordinarily failcus,noi be extinguished in us,clpccially for any longtime, (except in time of temptation, or when melancholy opprcl- fcthus) unlclTe through our ownc default and folly. Thus underftanj what it is, to have the heart purged and changed, that thereby it maybe a meet hclpc unto us^tofctupon a godly life. • TiKiuxt thing is; ,ho\v th-is is done: and how itcommcth topaffe, * that Of the heartland how itjhouldbe clean fed and changed. 1 1 I thatmen after they have received the giace of juftifying faith, doe findc and perceive in themfelves fuch an alteration from that which was be- fore? Even as if a benummng cold fhouldbc on the fudden turned into allowing and burning h«t. 1 (ay, this is the proper and.wondcrfuil 3 kcof God ; who mortifying our worldly 1 lifts and cvill deiires in f* us by his holy fpirit, doth K forme us and create this holinctlc and fan- JJJ c ctification in us. Wei: is, Saint L»ks faith fhatfMifietboHr I carts : He Ae\ij;j! kindlcth good affections, an Ifubducth the contrary in us. There is no other belidcs him in Heaven, who can worke it,much leflc on earth that can let his hand to it. Which if that man of finne had duly conhdercd, he would not have arrogated to himlclfc a greater worke than it, (which aifois inleparablcfrom it) namelv, the authority of forgiving finnes. The Lord (I fay) by his holy fpirit, it is, who ftirrcth up in our hearts godly motions and good dcfircs; namely, of knowledge, good govern- ment, fcarc of him, communion with him and his -people, the defire of ipiriuialircjoycinc;, and ftrcngrh agamft infernal! foes, and inch like: which good affections when thevbc kindled in us, hce furfcreth not to vanifn away, buttcachethuatofccdand noui'ifh thcinby reading, mc- -ditat:on,0!id prayer. . And :hc ij hit of the Lord vyrticfi raifcth djfcand v\ orketh in us thcie holy affections, is therefoie defer ibed by thefc moQ excellent tr.lcs :for it is called the fpirit ofwifAome^offtn i Ibfth.tfaretftbc Lord^sc Efay i r. - I this he doth to hi: dearc children, whenchcy arc fitfl brought to r'' -l Jt tce happy change, (even in their firll cntringinto the eftatc of grace) to ' "',.' '* thccndtiicy may loath, as iimkingprments, the old cuftomCjin which A^mcrl° they had long hen ; I mcanc, the unfa v^ury drarYc ofthcirownc cogita- tions, dcf:cs_, and lulls of their hearts; the lcaft danger whereof was this, that they deceived them. Thefe wl.cntncy fee, Wh*I variety there A jmve. is or better matter roleaibn and oco.ipie their minds and hearts withail, they doc iliunand the from, as cne that ha i efisapcJ the loth fume piii~»n, doth cry out when he muft be brought back I deny nor, but th.at they muit hold and rctaire the favonr ami frnc sVe. thcirold filtbincfle and prophancneflc, widen in time J me*fy chaincs, did kecpethem incaptivity : yet i> that) to be counted meane.and little worth, becaufc they have; K<< deliverance trom it, but happy and highly tube judged or, in that:;.. have obtained it in Jo great part already, anddoc fcf how t^ey nuy 1 1 partakers of a farre better condition afterwards. Ifpcake now but of the beginning of aChriftianschang n hce oaridiitciacnomore in himlclfc than this, namely, that hce hath faith .;crc, darkly and con fir fed lyfcenc into and difecrncd. Andalthough itbebut asthe trrttne of M rft!t^r 'd- feed, in companion of the tree ltfclfe, to the full growth and perfect age in Chriit : yet itis in pofllbility, nay, in certaine and lure hope, even the fame, and already of the nature of it; and therefore hath part of the reward alfo. And now it tarricth but for father building up in knowledge and grace, that lb it may appcarc to other as it is in it felfc, the cftate of a regenerate pcrfbn, and new borne unto God. But for alhhis which Ihavcfaid of this matter, namely, both what this change of the heart is, and how it is wrought by Gods lpirit ; yet one thing is wanting, which the diligent Reader will defire to know. Thatis, why the Scupture faith, that although it be God which puri- ficth the heart, yet that it is afcribed to faith ; their heart were purified Aft. if. 57. ty faith, faith Stint Luke J and Saint lohn (which is the difference) artri- i lohn 3. 5. burcs it to hope, fay ing, he that hath this hopep'traeth himfelfe. To this I will fpeakc fomewhat at large, feeing it is a point of great moment Bern is fnvtfd and weight. It is true indeed, that our hearts arc made nc vv and purged by faith. by faith, wee knowing thereby our felvestobe made the beloved of God. For it is faith in the precious promifes of God which the holy 1 Pet. i. 4. Gnoft workcth in us j whereby we fit e the corruptions that are in t he world Aft. ij-?. d rough lu ft, and which pirgcth the heart, carting out thcdrafVc and Aft. z6. i9. filthineffc which was in us. And until! our minds bee thus inlightcncd thatwcfccclcerciy that our finr.es arc forgiven us, and wee united to Chrrft, and made one with him, and partakers rf the graces of his fpirit; wee never come out of our (elves, neither have any defire to heavenly limes 3. 1 «. things, but our wifdomc is earthly^devtllifh, andfenfualU For we being not yctaffurcd of the happincfle of Heaven, doe know no Ofibe heart \md how itfbouldbc ckmfedand changed. \ i \ h not kcepcihcm long) yetwee, whohavelcaft part in them, twill never forgoe the love of them, untill \vc fee how we imy certainly enjoy bet- ter: which may clecrcly be fecne in the poorer fort or people dcfUtiu N i - of grace, that aLhough they have no wealth, yet it doth their hearts good to talke of it, in token that it is the thing which i hey love belt of all. And hereof it is, that many thoufands, through ignorance, pafis their time in fport, play, paftime and plcafiire : accounting that the only life that is to be wifhed, to live delicioufly for a feafon. Others in quar- Inpctfcf* rclling, contention, murmuring, debates, futes, and accufing of their ne;ghbours. The moft tolerable and honeft courfc fecmeth to bee the fpendingofmensyeares, in and about the worldly goods. And thus art men occupied, although one fort diverfly from another, yet all to bee pitied, feeing they walkeamifTe : I fpcakeof fuchas know no better por* tiontobelongtothem.Notwithftanding,nooncofthefccanbc brought to miflike his courfc3 or to turne his heart and delight from it, untill hee be allured of a farre more excellent cftate which (hall endure and chan- geth not. No, although we bring tidings hereof unto them, fo as they bclecvethat is true, and have great liking of the lame; yet, till they fee thatit may be theirowne,they will not {o much asgocabout the difpof. felling of fuch unfavoury and fond lufts from their hearts. But when they bclecvc that Cod i* aplentifHilrewcrd^rofallthAtfceke htm,a>tdthcy Hcb. U C, who were or.ee nopeople, arc now freely made bupecp/e, andbclo vedofhin;, Ho^ '•*•* which were fometimes not beloved : then their heart* turne and askc after him, then they defirc to know more of his will and mndc, and repent that they were fo ignorant before, and that fo long time, and tha: they drunke up the draffc of unfavoury puddles, even deccitfull plea- fures, when they might have diunkc of the fa ect cifreines which were ableto refrcfh their foules with the water of life. And although there are many doubtings before they be fetled in this perfwafion3and allured of better delights; yet they arc no foonerrelblved of their faivation,and So-foenca^a^j whatliberticstheyhavcbyChrifr,wherebythcy arc made happy(which **4m**4 how it is attained, hath bin fhewed in the former Treatifc) bu: fo foone fff*** arethcirevill hearts and affc&ions changed, fo firre as the judgement is h^^fj- mlightcncd, and they contrarily affefted to that finne which they bell li- ^o:c. xed before : as feeing now caufc fufficient why they fhould doe fo ; for they receive from Chri ft by his fpirit both v, ill and power thereunto. For fiith yeorkethbj love, and foit caufingthciiuolove God, and for Gal.j.5, his j 2 4 Of the heart \<\nd 'bo» itfljouldbe clean fed and changed. his fake their brethren, it makcth them alfo ready to doe any thine for him whom they love ; and therefore to avoid and cart off all allurements to evill and hnnc, which he cannot abide. fjhhjiogctb So that it is faith winch puriheth and changeth the heart, noc as the uibcm- chicle and higheftcaufe, for that is the holy Ghoit, (as hath becne laid) which at the fame time, when it aflurcth us of our reconciliation with God,doth worke this change and fanclification alio: which is purging of us from the corruption of our ownc nature, and an iaduiae of u/witk a Col 3,$. ncwqualiticanddifpofitionofminde, whereby we begin to will vvcll andfinceiely to goe about the things which pleafe God; and both by- Rom. 6.4. the merits and power of Chrifts death and rcfurrection. Which I doc advifedly mention againc briefly for the weakes fake, who mail (the point being fomewhat hard to conceive) the better undcrftand the one by the other. And. thefc two, faith and a pure heart clccreandappcafc the confeience from accufation and checks, and workc moil fwect peace and holy fecurhy,'/^?. 5.1. For from faith & a pure heart arifeth a good confeience, that is, a quiet and cxcuiing confeience, even as true love i Tim. i.y. to God and to our brethren procecdeth from them all. And thefc doe fee on workc the will to hatcfinne, which before it loved, and contrariwifc isotc. caufc the affections, as feare, hope, love, joy, &c. to be well ordered, in fuchfbrt, as the whole man is carried thereby (even as the Chariot on the wheclcs) agreeably and in good proportion : and the heart being thus renucd, doth fend forth and canfc that glorious repentance in us (a, thing much in fpeech amonglt profeflbrs of the truth, but little in ufc or let by, as fo excellent a workc fhould bee) being both a purpofc of the Iiucreptxtancc. ^cart5 «^#* 11*23. an inclination in the \v'i\\,Pf.ilme 119. 44,5 7. and iThci; j. 13. " acontinuallcndevouring in the life, W&24. i6.tocaft orrallcvill, and % Cor. 7. 1. to obey God both inwardly and outwardly, according to the meafurc Col 3.0,10,15. of knowledge in every one. For when wee are fancHficd, wee arc deli- vered from the tyranny which finnc had oyer us, into the liberty of the Rom. 6. 1. fonncs of God, to walkc righteoufly and obediently, that we receiving iPct.a.14. ncw incrcafc of grace frorrTChrift daily, may hold fad the fimc liberty unto our end. This I havefaid, feeing it makcth way to the renouncing and forfa- king offinf nil life, and to the practifing of the contrary, (of the which more fhall bee faid anon) it 10 ncccilarily following the change of the heart; and for that the Reader may the better fee, that if hec can findc his heart togoe with this Doctrine,and that he hath a part in it; he may be allured, that all that I fliall fpeake of hereafter, being of the fame kindc^and ncccilarily depending upon it, Hull the more calily be rccci- ved Of the hem, and bow it (/mild be cletnfcd and changed. 1 1 5 red of him to his fingular comfort ; and that all men may know (what- trttnt tb$ ioevcr the wicked world doth glory of) that without this effectual! char'lc !<& ^ affirmc that they findc it fo, to their no fmaliccnfelation and content- chr^J? !>■ ment, if they ihould be asked. ,^,re J Now I have (hewed that the heart, andconfequently the whole man Frutfatbit muftneceilarily be changed and purged, before good life can come from tbkibaMgtk it, and wherein this change confiilcth, and how it is wrought : I will re- *[**&*}) turne to this laft point,from which a little I digreffed, and fpeake fomc- 'altbt whatmorclargely of it, namely, that by faith in Chrifispromifes, and by fpirituall union with him, this change is wrought. To this end (as I laid) S. Peter doth plainly lay forth this truth unto us , That the heart spurred by faith , when he faith, Ky the precious pro* l j f *• rntfes which we have from (fod (and they arc ours by faith) wee are made partakers of the dtvtne nature, ox the graces of the holy Ghcfl, by whole hea venl y po wcr, we are able to flie the corruption and naught ineffe bo:h of our hearts and lives, which is theprbcipall let of our obeying God. And Koc% therefore, that corruption being fubdued in us by a flronger power than it felfe, v\c Iiavc great liberty to goolncffc, whereas before we were in bondage : and notoncly fo, but the nature and qualities of our hearts being changed, we arc no more they who we were before, but are led contrary to our former courfe. The which ieife fame thing, though not in the fame words, S.Paul by a molt apt fimilitudc letteth do wne,faying, When we were in theflejh, ^om . the affcihons offtnne wL tch were by the Law, had force in our member /, to o^ned. ' ' bring forth fruit unto dc.it h : bat now we are delivered from the Law (hee being dead of whom we veere I: olden dowr.e) toferve in the newneffe of the (pint, not inrle oldvejfc of the let: er. Here hee delcribi;ig:hcfir(tcltatc of life, wherein all live, to be dc- vilifh, andunrenued, and letting as contrary to it, the regenerate and happy cltatc of Gods children after they bee changed, makcth this companion: That as our corrupt hearts like an husband, (tirrcd up evill defies in us, havingthc powers both of mindc and body as the wife, at commandernehtj and both theft together brought forth all forts ofevillworkes to our definition : fothefpirit, that is, the power of Chrifi being given us, itirringupholy affections in us, is as an hut band, and hath the powers both of m,ndc and body(a$ the wife)at com- mandement; John if.i>i. 1 1 6 Of the hem.andboxvit fbouldbe cleanfedand changed. mandement ; and both thcfc together, bring forth all forts of good \vorkcs(as children) to our falvation. Whereby it is manifeft, that al- though there be nothing in us, as of our felvesto doe the willof God, and to bring forth fruits of amendment ; yet God, who fargeth the ■tbyfdiJi, puttcth alto a new nature into it, and maketh uslove and delight in the good and hofy things which before wee loathed ; and to loath theevill which we once loved. And for this purpofc, to make more full thismattcr,which I havcen- trcd into, which of the fimple (I know) is hardly conceived ; that no ex- ception may be taken againft it ; conlider what our Saviour faith: hec compareth himfelfe/0 a vinc^nd his beloved to branches of "the fame. To teach us, that as the branch bcarcth no fruit, if it grow not in the vine, but being cutoff, withcrcth : foif we be not knit to him by faith, we can bearc no fruit. But as the branch abiding in the vine fucketh fap, and dravveth juyce from it, and is fruitful! : fo all the faithfull, and true belee- vers receive ftrcngth from him, and grace, by the which they crucifie their ownetkt ft s,xcf\^ their corrupt willjand fo bring forth fruit agreeable to the will of God. For from him the whole body gathereth increafefit for it: who in manner of the foule, quickncthallthe members. And to this end, Chrift wrought our falvation, and gave himfclfe for our finncs, tc deliver us from this prefent evill world. And from him wee have rc- ceiveda minds to knowGody an heart to love him, a will to plcafchim; and ftrcngth alfo in fome fenfible meafure to obey him,as he faith: Know yeethatyee are deadtojinne, that is,fo made partakers of the vertue and the belecverfcn- pOWCr cf Chrift,that naturall corruption hath loft her vigour and force, g* W//f*'w'6 to bring fotth moft bitter fruits : md*Ko,thatjeearealtveto god, that tm burner, is, have ftrcngth to liveholily through Jefus Chrift; which grace, al- though it be not perfect, yet it is fuch",andthatinthc weakeft bclccvcr, that there is apparant difference by it, from his former eftatc ; and fuch as whereby a godly life is not irkefome to him as before, but fwect and pleafant. That which moft troublcth the weake about this matter is, that this change ofthcheart,andrcnuingthercof,isfo hardly fecne, and lo mean- ly fek within them; that they cannot fatisficthemlclves in wiping and defiring to be more changed. And although before, their opengrofle Faults did not accufc them, yet now their Inward corruptions^ di(- quiet them ; now idle motions and vainc thoughts, and fantanes much trouble them ; in cheir pray ing,reading, and hearing, they cannot be rid o'/them ; now they fearc that they bclcevcnot,(cvcn after they have re- ceived to bclecvc with ftayedncfle of mindc and peace) and all becaufe ' they Ephcf4«7^. Note. Gal.1.4. Luke 1.74, 1 IohiiS»«3. Luke 7-47- Pfal.50.1J. Rom.6.<5,i 1 By this change Thewtaltttrou- Mote. Of the bc/irt>andbow it fcouldbe cleanfedand changed. 1 17 they want the feeling comfort ofthcir faith oftentimesrtheirunkindneiTc rettbuuanai alio to God much gnevcth them, and befulcs that, their unfruitfulncflc <»*t*\f§mm likcwifc;to be mort,thcy have many accufations againit thcmfclvcs. All 8 which duly confulcrcd,dcc tcftifie indeed another eltatcofthcir minds, than was before ; though thrcugh their wcaknciTc and the Devilsmalice,. they fearc hereby fomctimes, thatthev are not rcnucd and changed at all. But that is not to be marvelled at, for [o much as they were fo lately drowned in fm,and had no delight in goodneffc:it mult needs be ftrangc unto them to be peri waded, that they are in any better cafe, than they were ; feeing the motions of finnc doe trouble them now, which did not before, and they have not skillnorftrcngth enough to thinkc, that it is a good fignc of their welfare to be grieved for them, (as it is indeed) but they thinkc it a.iigne of their mifcry. that they have them at all . And yet in that they doe fo carneltly fcekc to be better flayed, even from idle and vainc wandrings,and labour to fee their fpirituall povertie, and their in- ward corruption of fclfe-Iovc,privie pride, diitruft, cVc. they may have cleerctcftimony, that they (though but in part) are truly reformed. And this change of the heartjthey have need tobcperlwadedof,who This thtnn of defneto live Chriftianly, (which fliall be no hard matter for them to tktkt*tmtbi prove,ifthcycomparcthcmfelves with that which Ihave faid aboutthis lau^lon V * matter, and findc it fo with them) forotherwife they fhall but coldly ^ ' ' ' goe about any fcrviceof God whatfoever: yea, this pure heart (I fay) comming fio raith uufaincd,muft be as a ftrong foundation laid in them, upon which only,a godly life can be builded,that they may not need to fearc, that they are of a double heart : for God abhorreth that in his fcr- vke ; and doth not accept the halfe-keait, nor to be iervedby halfes, as Saul did, but will have the whole to be given unto him. He will not be xSam. i?.3i loved a little, for that is neither bcfecminghisgreatneiYc, neither fit for them to offer, who receive lo qvcat good things at his lands. And as Ntte. none can doc this, but fuch as ili.i'lfce fufficient caufe hereof; namely, that they arc infinitely indebted to him for his bountifulnctTc towards them; fo willhc, that fuch {"hail make himthcirchiefelt delight and trea- fure, as other doe the world ; and therefore to account it no tcdiouihciTe, nortoileto labour for it, till they have obeyed the voice which faith. Give methtKc heart myfonr.e. And if all men did at the firlt embracing Pror.a oftheGofpell, thus give their hearts wholly to the Lord, (as all they tf""* doe, who u, faincdly belecvc in him) then ihould wee fee it a common {£L, thing to have God honoured in the world, his true religion and worfhip fi$utd 1 advanced, and there fhould be no fuch dilficuhic to pull men out of their Ubtt* filthic and finfuil lives, but they Should be as icady to fecke it, as the **■ godlieft Nit 4 pttc* if tbt heart. LevxcMj, Note. 1 1 S Of the heartland how itfbould be cleanfed and changed. godlieft Preacher is, in Cods name, to urge and require it. But feeing that will not be, let them, which fee better what the infinitcnefTcof Godsfavour is towards them, give him their hearts againe, as they are commanded, not a peccc of" their heart, but their whole heart; even as the burnt offering in facrifices, was not in part the Lords, another part the Pricfh, or his who did offer it, but it was wholly the Lords: fo God will havcthofc, whom he maketh reckoning of, toturnctohim with their whole heart, thatfo ( as farre as their knowledge lcadetli them) they may be at hiscommandement, not halting, nor flitting not giving him their ferviccfomctimc, and at othertimes refuting and holding backeby fuch occafions, as (hall fall out ; as for their owne pleafurc, profit,fbr mens friendfhip and favour, or fuch like : for fo do- ing, they (hall never be fit to renounce cither their will, or lufts, when they are indeed to evill by them, but mult yceld, and give place to them; which kindc of unfavouric and fickle fcrvice God abhorrcth. But if wee freely give over ourfclves wholly to God, and be refolvcd to be guided by him in all things, and to this end, wax brttcrfctled dai- ly in the aflured perfwafion of Gods favour, ( which is better than all things bcfidcs) fo that wee may alway fee caufc why wee doc fo; then, and not before, fhall wee have good evidence that our hearts arc changed from their old cuftome in hnne, andrcnucd. And although men will long halt, and drive off, before they will be brought to this, hoping that leflfc may ferve, and that they may plcafc God without all this adoe, (as accounting it too hard) yet mult they be brought to this, when all is done; orelfe they (hall fee that all is in vainc that they doc beftdes, what fairc fhewes and colours focver they fct upon their doings. For want of this foundneffc, and well purging of the heart, as the people of Ifracl made many turnings to God, when he punidicd them, but ever turned backe againc from their covenants, and proiv.j fes of a- mendment : even fo at this day, there arc many vowes to God of holy life, and purpofes of repcntancc, but none of them hold, nor take any good effeft, though fomc in longer, fbme in fhortcr time, doe vanifh a* way, and come to nothing ; becaufe men goc to workc in their mood, and haftily,not fuflficicntly considering how wcakc fuch foundations arc to bcare up fo great and wcightie buildings, as the whole courfc oftheir livcstobcholilypaiTed. Ihm his preaching and working of miracles, (who was companion with the other Apoftlcs;) lAkttbs haftic repen- tance in fack-cloth and afhes : yea, I elm his zeale for the Lord of hofts (with all other fuch flic\vcs,as for a time in the eyes of men fcemed to be great Many hardly brought tt givt ihitr whole biartjhcrefiu yvewtu Judg.Mi* Keu. Mattrui o. f,8. j King.11.17. 1 King. 9. J J & 10. it. 19. Renouncing ofaUjinne an effttt of a renued heart. 1 1 9 great godlincfTc,) together with Sauls fpcalic executing of Gods Com- mandcrnentsagainittheAmalekitcs; they had a time to be bewrayed, i Sam. 15 and broughtto light to the world, tohavebecne cither mccrc hypo- criheand fained godlinefTe,or Hidden and rafh attempts, or without Notc root from the heart, even the beft of them. Thercforc,inft let this be knownc of us,that before the evilllifc can be r«nounccd,God purgcth atid makcth cicane the hcart,and confequcntly, the whole man,that Co he may be fit for fo great a workc. But feeing the heart is falfc above meafurc, and they fooncft deceive thcmiclvcs who doc leaftlufpcctit^andfcaredangcrtherbyjletitthroughly be weighed, which hath before beencfet do wnc, that there is deadly hate of MUM and corruption, and that with much driving againft it, with gripes of gricfe when it prevaileth, and contraYily, grcatjoy, when it is iubdued ; this (I fay) isinhim, whofe heart is truly renued. *6,i7 Ezxch. \6si^9 C H A P. V. Of ther enouncing of allfnm ; which u the firfl effect of a renued heart in the true leieevcr, andthe third geHcr.iU head in thu Treat ife, and one part of true repentance. NOwthc heart being renued and changed, muftbc keptfo; but of that afecrwards, in more fit place. In the mcanc feafon, I will pafTe to the third generall head or part of this Trcatife,nameIy,to the effect of this cleaning and change of the heart ; and fhc w, what worke it bring- eth forth in him that is thus renued and changed. For I having fpoken of thccieanfi:igofit,asIpurpofed,namcly, that it mull, with the whole man, be changed and renucd,bcforc the life can be amended ; it follow- u'bjttkttifeef eth, that I fhould now further proceed to this, that is, to the defcripti- t-cvcltatru, on of the Chriftian life, whereby I mcane true repentance j or the life of the bclecver, as I propounded \ which is the building that mud be let on that foundation : and that convcrfation, which commcth from the fore- named change;and is a renouncing of all hn,and a care to walke in a new life, (to glorifie God thereby,even unto dcath)as was faid before. Con- cerning which, more particularly (as I promifedj this flrlt is to be mar- ked,that (the godly life ftanding in thefc two parts.that is, the renoun- cing of iin,and pra&ifing of godly duties) the order in mydivifionrc- ouireth, that I enter here into the former, anu after proceed with the lat- AfLuma'Mttii tcr.Thercforcknow we,that all ungodlinefTc,and not fome part or kinde net feme vtly u only^is renounced of the true beke Yer,and ofhi ro who will ibundlv pro- to be r&mcjj* L ftflc i : R knc uncing of allfinne m effeft of a venue d heart. they arc t to this power and grace, who tiultin • od, and godly,t! at th< ut of love fcrthewh uiry, which v\ i ronlydc- l re. They arc foi : •, Inch they igtaitcd of heaven imdh ; become thcbeloYcd Lord,) they freely and will hi farewell toall I follies of their former times, and thetinJa >crties, (with the ::iey aie deceived) at leaft inahVction and defire, as their frailtie doth pcrmitifor they know (who have fofar becne inftru&ed) that they cannot loath forr.e lin, and love ether, that were but halting, but as he I them tint they fliould not commit adultery , taught aUb they fhould not lye, nor ftcalc j in like manner they, who arc taught of him doelo judge, and therefore difclaimethe one and the other. For how: can fA fr/rife. tn*y loath one fin,and love another? Which were to doe contraiics.And lames 3. n. not comeftom one fount The believer therdoth the heart reformed, fend forth good andcvill.Sothatasonc in lol,b/!' b \jl" pri^00 hardly dieted, feedeth w ith greatf appetite mvS greedineffe upon NNxeT'' '€% ^"craPs anc^ parings, and is well a: cafe if he may till his belly with them; who yet when he is icz at liberty, and conversant with his friends, wl.erc he findcth variety and plcnty,canuotfalito his old fare agair.e; but won- dretli now, how he could find favour, in every mans leavings : even fo it is with' him who hath bciottcd,and made drunken himfelfc with the de- ccitfull baits of mine, who if like a twine he may fill himfelfc with that which his heart dehreth, and his eye luitcth after, he is fafe and hath what he would ; but when hec -fha lie, how fhamefulland dangerous it is, and hath buttaftedbf the heavenly pri- vileges and iibcrtiescf aChrhlian, hec caffcth out that formerdrafre as vomit, and by no meanescan be brought to be in love with it agar Behold fuch honour givcth God to his fcrva::ts, that their old 1 verfation whole:,', they hred fomctimes withthercitot the World, and could by nomeanesbe drawne from it, they have it innaoft vile account Bcrd}-?. and detciiation, and fo, they wbich.wrc of the jyhngognc of Satan doe come and wcr'hfp Godamono the faith fifth This is the power of fa'irh (which ha:h changed their heart) that it is able to make him who hathit,to overcome. I lay not, hinfelfe, but even the ipintuallcraftmeUe, whereby the Dcvilldcccivcth many thoufand*, and even r'icpoifoned baits and allujcments of the world al O power unconquerable, and not 00 be matched ! If there Were any Tmwr •ffatk, earthly (hyorflefhlyholdjn any fortcomparablctoit/which isimpof- wym tbpe- fibicN m what pricc and rc^oning^fhould it be had, thinkc wc ? If there were Renouncing ofaljinne an effiett of a renued heart. 1 3 1 were anything which at mens rcquefr could give the life of the encmie their hai hclptbehi with long life, or fatisfic their dciirc with abundance of wealth, and varietic of finfull pica fore, oh how welcome -Id that be ! But confidcr(OyecfcrvancsofGod) and behold it, yce mighticand Note, wife of the world ; here is a greater, and another manner of trcaiure,than all tlicfe, and brinoeth other delights, than thefe arc able. Thisfaffcreth i Sxr..i' you not to pine away with defire of your enemies death, but it will make 2I- you, as it did David,tot\unc your hearts towards your greateft encmie, (which is true manhood and wifdomc) and to prefcrve Ids life, wv you had him in your hands to kill him. And this iiiftcrcth you not to hunt about the world forvarietie of finfull pleafuocs, asthough there were no better ufe to be made of the time, which isfo precious; but this will make you (with ^Mofes ) to renounce them when yccmight have Hcbr.xi.14. them,and to finde greateft pleafure in doing fo;and yctinforgoingthcm, Wcbrai^ to thinkc your fclves plentifully rewarded. Finally, this will not fufter you to fret and to be unquiet in thinking upon the day of death, and to put the remembrance of i: far from you by wifhing long Iife,but it will vnzVc yen ft gh and groove to be out ofyonr life « 1 Cor^.i; and with Paul to account it aprifon to live inthe body ft ill, and as the Pica- EcdcC7.J. cner faith, to rcc'^onthc day of death, wiien you mutt live here no longer, better th. of 'birth , which is the beginning of life. O yee men of this World ! if ye can tell us of greater commodities, and tidings of bet- ter things than thefc ; and aiTiire us how we may come by them, we will ;rj;;;/> ofvnrld- fbrfake and leave ail, and rcjoyce with you. It ye cannot, but rather £(?!?" your bed things are thofe which I have fpoken of already, namely, great riche<,nleafures,your enemies death, and defire "of long life to your ielves,the vanitic,uncertainty,and danger of the which I have let downc already ; then renounce you all that ye cannot fafely keepe ; and rejoyce withusrdoe but tafte and fee how good theLordi-, and when you lee what is heft, embrace it, or ellc I will pronounce the faying of God by the Prophet againlt you, which in time fhall ir.od furely finde you out, and take hold of you, although you hide yourlelves from it. Behold and AcV;:, wonder and vanifl? avp*y , for I will vporl^e a vtorke in your (Ujes3tt}at if 4 m.mtetiytH the truth ,yec Jhall not beleevch. More might be faid of this point, but the Trectifc would be too lo now I vvillrcturne againc tofnew that the bclccving Christian doth re- uounccthe finfull courie, which allthc world bchdcs,lieth and wallow* 1 I*nt6f tbti ft tied denying $k)ftlves,di- •urs never at- tune trueg$d!i- nefe. WerflfortefPro. Kjlanisjvbe bite thiidottweand the tejebert thereof. ***<- mood only, neither crieth our of his old conversation, whenheefceth fhame or danger approach,hc doth not (I fay) then only fignifie hismif. like of it; but upon good deliberation, hemaketh protection no more to have to doe with it ; isEphrasm was counfcllcd to fay, being called to repentance, W h*t have In doe with Idols y which yet before hadbcenc her glory .?So, whatfocver others doe, he isrefolvcd to forfake it ; and caftcth off all fucli behaviour, as a loathfoinc and ragged garment. And this is it which our Saviour acquainted his Difciplcs and followers with, after they had tc(tiried,(/Vr*r aniwering for the reft) that they be- lecved in him unto falvation, He that will be my D/fctple.muft deny him- fitfiy which is as much as ungodlincffe, and worldly luits, for then one- ly indeed, and not till then, are men fit to heare of any fuch thing; but doe kcepc out of the found of fuch doctrine, as much as they can ; which is the caufc at this day, that many profefTing the Gofpcll, yet never know what this meaneth, namely, to abftainefrom the filthy lu ft s which fight A vain ft their fonlc. Others which doe, and muft needs heare fuch things taught, that all Gods fervants doe, and fhall difclaimc their lives palt, and beafhamed ofthem, it is pity to thinke how coldly they receive it. Some of them fcorne it and mocke.and fo turne it off that way ; fomc never conceive it ; fome are often accufed and made afraid to fee their lives fo farre orV from that which is taught them,but foone forget it, becaufe they fee the moft of the world to doc fo. Some are ever in learninghow to depart from evil], and to forfake their finnes,but the devill holdeth them at a ftay ,rhat they never obtainc it, becaufe they goe about it prcpolteroufl y , not yet beleeving affuredly that they mall befaved. Afew finde die way, the Lord directing them to beleeve,which othcrs,who will not be taught of God how theyfhoulc belceve,but by their ownc reafon, doc never reach unto. Butlhavcnotyctfpokcn of the wor It fort of all, who heare this do- ctrine : For they hate them who teach it,mofi deadly ,thcy raile on them and difrrace both them and it;and ifchey can,bring them into danger for teaching- of it. although their pretence mail be another thing. Yea. doubt- leffe, (Lfaymore)if by herMajeftics gracious authoritie and protection we did it not, (which more prevaileth with them, than the authority of God,from whomand in whole name we teach it)theirpoifoncd and ma- licious ftomacks would fuffcrnoncto walke peaceably, who plainly and found ly publifh it. Thefe therefore arc farre from ovcrcomnvng themfdves, and yet win- left many forts in the world are thus farre ofT (as I have fhewed) from viclory Renouncing ofallfinne an effeSl of a renucd heart. 1 3 j vi&ory getting over their wicked hearts, andconfequcntly their lives; in the meane while, the fcrvants of God, who know what the Lord hath Gedsjlmarr- done for their foules, renounce all inordinate defires,and wicked actions; ***** uucrde- that they have afterward no more fellow fcip with the trnfrnttfuU worses of £**«"*'>> Al darkneffe, howfocver they were fomctimcchiefe doers in committing of mr them. So that as the true repentant people of J uda, who had before offended God by Idolatry ; when they were brought captives into Ba- bylon, loathed the fight of falfc gods ; and as the good people, who re- pented by Ez,ra his preaching, did put away their flrange wives •, how Eera *••**• deare foever they had beenc unto them, and as Ephruim was heard com- ^ l,i9' plaining thus, I am afvamedand blbjh, that now I bear e the rtproiches of my youth ; ib lothfome and wcarifome it was unto her : So are they who have felt the fiivation of God, at utter defiance with the corrupti- Note, on of the world. And yet if this were done but for a time; or for company, or by con- Tbty leave n»t ftraint, and for feare, or any fuch like corrupt end, it were not worth the £**&**!!**• fpeaking of; for it is to be fecne that after thefe forts, iniquitie is left of ^/grcmuTt^ many : which kinde of renouncing evill is little to their rejoycing, and fcarei^. fhajlbcto their reproach, when itfhall appearc in how ill manner they have gone about it. I will not digreflc, but this I mull fay, we have had too much experience in our parts, and ( I doubt not) fo have others, of fund ry per fons, who once accounted their teachers burning lights, and for afeajenthey received, andrejoycedinthem, caiting off their old courfc in the f ght of men readily ; but foate for company of thofe, who per- fwaded them ; fome for feare of the woe which hung over them ; and o:hcrs for good report, as long as they could hold out : but thefe, be- Korc caufe they renounced them not, nc thcr upon good confederation abju- red them, they returned to them againe, as the dog to hit vo-mk. Whcrcasfuch, as truly belceving doeof conlcicnce renounce finne, Tbcrvswanl doe as they in TJjhemiah, come to the oath and the covenant, that they fe>f'm<- would never taitj againe their flrange wives , which they were commanded ^SjK °' ** to put away, norlooke backe to Sodome any more; nor (being wafted J °'H wallow againe in the mire. Which I (ay not, as though their word, pro- ;;,; /,, fair reflation, or oath, could alone by any (trcngth thereof, pcrrbrme fuch a m** flrcn^ls weighty vow; but becaufe therewith they ducly confulcrcd what caufe they lud to doe fo,ho w infinitely they were bound to God to difchar^e »t, and how firmely they w^re pcrfwaded, that God w9",ld make them Phil 4.13. fit, (who had made them willing already) and able alfotodoe r. IW.-7.1J. And therefore although theyfaw notthat helpc prefent, with eye; yet they hoped for that which they fa w not, and therefore waited pari- L 3 cntly 1J4 ripe it tMficd lyfj.tby rrxitcdfjt by lift. tfo difcourtge- ir.M. Matth.19.19- TaitbfkflahvijiS frtvmt *J. yetfiiatcim- jvrt. 1 Peter |.f. a Cor H.6. PLL11* 11,1a. aCor.7»,9. Renouncing ofallfinnc m effeft of a renued heart. ently for it, till it fhould be granted them. And thus both faith and hetye being nourished and ttrcngthened in them fromday to day, they who arc the Lords, doefinde both will to defire, and ftrength (though not perfccl) to accomplifh to the peace of their hearts, that which they have let upon and attempted; I meane a dcpaning,and that with willingncflc, from their former intemperance. Indeed it muO be granted, that this is not obtained without much (hiving againft the fame, and that it will cod many prayersto weaken luch corruption, and to hold fuch rebellion under; meditating upon Gods promifes alio, with much fighing, and iorrow to fee what unlikelihoods there are of fubduing fuch unruly paf- fions, through our owne manifold weakneflfes. But what then ? Is it much, iffo great a worke require our watching thereto, and diligence, when God is plcafed that it be beftowed that way, and without it no common worke willgoe forward ? Or is that any juftcaufeof difcou- ragement to us, to take painc forib great profit, when we are ilirc of it before we goe about it ? But it may be demanded, doe Gods fcrvants al wayes prevaile in [tri- vingapainftcvill?andobtainethat which they feeke thereby? for other- wile (lay fome) what deadly difcomfort and diimayedncifc will come thereby ? T f 1 y,that as God often helpeth them,that they doe overcome ; fothey are oft overcome themfclvcs of their attentions aoainit which they II rive : but yet they have learned not to be troubled at this, as any iirange thing which doth befal Gcxis pcop!c,as iftheir hope were either wholly or chiefly upholden hereby, and as though they held their hap. pinefTe by feeling oncly, when they are taught, that by grace they ft*r. j. Neither yet on the other fide, doe they make hghtofit, when they are foiled and prevailed agauift : but as they rcjoyced in meaiure, and gjve God the glory, when they felt ltrength of grace againit their temptati- ons : fo after they come to themfclvcs againc, they arc troubled, and fer- rowfull, chiefly for difpleafing God,, and they take better view of their owne frailtie, ignorance, and negligence, and confefTe the fame to God, and take foamc tothemfelves^ andcaft not away their confidence, but be incouraged, andheartned both to hope for pardon, and alfo to be more circumfpeel in looking to their wayes afterwards. Now tell me, if Gods childrentc thus brought low and abafcd,fome- tines to pull downeand affwagcthc ftrength of pndc in them, what fearefull matter is hereby fallen out? what rafing out of their faith is there hereby procured? or what great caufe of complaining is this? whenitismunfeft to all ,vho can jiJgc, that the thing which through ignorance and wcake faith/hcy feared would feparate them from God, ' doth Renouncing offinne an efftft of a renued heart. i \ 5 doth fallen them more nccrcly unto him, and through his working that -which they thinkc to bee caufc of great iono wing, is turned indeed Note into found rcjoycing, and that for this caufe cfpecially, that they doc better know them (elves hereby, and have experience of h;s grace wor- king in them, which othcrwifcthcy (hould not have had. 1 cannot more lively compare the malice of Satan in this cafe, than to Gswiofo:rr * one whothrufting his enemy, and purpofirg to kill him, doth thereby fdk topurgetu, let out the ulcer and corruption out of h is body, and fo prefcrve him. After the fame manner is it with Gods children; much privy pride re- rmineth ycc, and much fecret favouring of, and bearing with them- fcivcsisinthcm, which is like to vvorkc them great forrow and dan- ger : the Devill therefore fore tb rutting at them, aixi fecking to Note wound them with the fearc of Cods anger, becaufc of their mines, or fomecfpcciallfall, doth thereby purge that corruption out of them by their lecir.g, and confclfmg, and foifikingthc fame, preventing and watching againft it aftcrward,andrcfbrting unto God by prayer of faith Pr°v- xS.xj, for pardon thereof, and thatin carneftfort; fo thatthcydoe, or may thereupon obtainei:. And thus we ma y fee,that even then when Gods fervants are mattered of their affections, and in fighting agiinlt them are found the weaker: yet even thofe falls of theirs doc turne to their exceeding good after- wards. And therefore it is not their undoing, when any fuch thingfa!- kthout, asforwantof faith and experience many doc often fea.ic. But 7bishc*j?o yet let this (which I fay) be wifely received, that to the true bclcevers it tkckU^mt (hall thus come to paffc, and not clfc ; left any hearing this, (hould after he hath fallen, belittle carefull torifcupagamc in fuch manner as I have flic wed, and yet thinkc all fhould be well with him notwithstanding, which is not porTiblc. Thusbyoccafonof this objection I have beene longer than I had purpofed in this matter. By this it might appcarc, that how unskilfull ibevcr the Chriftianbelecvcr was, and as unable as he was unskilfull to Bcleeverscdh renounce his ignorance and finfulllufts before the Lord became his tea- 'wk«*J. chefr, yet fince that he taught him to fight, hce hath grownc expert in that fpirituall battell: whereas others "who have not belecvcd truly, ^^n fhall nndc it is as poffiblc for a blacks (Jlfcore to change his slqnne, or the canno ' Ctttamottrtatne her (pots, as for a man accuftomedto evillto leave it. As Chnft faidofthcrich man, It is a* eafiefora Cameilte goe thorovpthe eye Match. *?• H of a needle y as for a rich man to enter into the Ktngdomeaf Heaven : fo, no more can a wicked man renounce his courfe ; for the wifdome $fthe Rora. g, 7. flefk, that is, of man unrcnucd, is an enemy to Oody becAnfe it neither / , L 4 nor '3* D tiers kinds o fey ill to be renounced. nor can befubjett unto htm. If this were throughly fctlcd in mens hearts KojkaaafzMd- that there is nodramofgoodneffe in them, by which they mi^htheablc "J****1 to turnc from their former wicked waies, but that their carnal! wifdome and rcifon, to the which they moil cleave, doc hinder and hold them backc from it, whereby it commeth to parte that it isio hard for them to renounce all that which is cvill;would they not thinke it worth all la- bour and travcll to come by it, who now arc content to bee deceived in thinking that they have it, and yet arc utterly without it ? Neither can tins be othcrwifc with them whiieft their hearts arc untamcd,and remai- ning in their old eftatc;but when they be indued with new qualities, the v Mann. n. jo. Hull findc this both pofliblc and cafie, (as hath becne faid) to command their luftsand dcfircs, (which were ibmetimes unruly) and have them in iubjection by little and lictlc,bccaufc in fodoin<*,they take upon them thcyokcofCbrift, who himle.fc faith, it iscafic." 9k tn Vinds of ttiii te be rem xouuetd. fiifi inmrd Note. ncdfitrg. C H A p. V I. Of the divers kinds ofcvilito be renounced, andnamelyY in tin thofe which are inwardly both agatnft God>wdme». B Veto proceed, as wee have fcene in what manner rtnnc is to bee re- nounced; fo lec us now confider the divers kinds of cvill which arc to be renounced, before we lay forth the good fruits and duties which proceed from the fame. And thefc kinds of evil! arc of two forts, either inward or outward. And to fpeakedirtinctly of them- (that I may proceed) we are taught that in the godly life, in whomfocve: it be found, the luits and concupw fcenccs which reigne thorowout the world, and make them whom they rule to be as brute beafts,thefe corrupt luiWI fay) with all other iuch de- filements of our actions, are in the godly life renounced, according to the light which we have to difccrne. them ; yca,thcfaithfuikrcfire to ab- fiaine from them, as men who have received another manner of Ipirit than the men of the world, and therefore can take up their delight in bet- ter thi.igs; and as luch who know the hurt which thefc unruly evils g with them, whatiocver (hew of plcafurc they offer. And although all the godly have conflicts with them, and doc not hold them undent) i likemcaiure; yet of the v/cakeft of Gods children they arc hated and ftrived jvgainti,whcn tiiey are once feene a:*d perceived. But by thefc in- ward evils, I meane not the native infection of the heart, for of this I. have -fyok§n before, but ihc fruits hereof, namely, the wandri noyfome, Divers kinds ofelpill to be renounced, i \y noyfome, and blindc thong!its,flc(lily dcfires, and worldly hifts,which The tfeSscfm ariic from the heart fomfcSed, which arc contrary to the commando- J^^JJJ**- men: of God, and tend directly to thcdeitru&ion of them, who bring wtMU them f^rch. ' lamesi.t* Sothatasihehands,fcct,andcyesbethemembersof the body, and A pmtfc doc whatfoevcr the body hath need of ; even fo thefe are the members, CoJ $.y. and as the armes, feet and eyes of the heart, and execute and pcrformc whatibever it dcfircth. And although they arc fo many that no man can number them, (even p;jm. '9. ia, as the fountaine of the heart is to deepc that no man can gage it) yet Note. becaufe they arc much unknownc, I will give iomc hclpc in the under- lcM7-* {tanding of them, and fo much the rather, becaufe they being un- knownc, many never mifhkc their lives, neither arc afhamed nor wea- ry of them, though they be ftaincd fhamcfully with them, and lb be- come mod abominable. And firiltherootof all the reft is unbelcefc, !^Hv:'. when a man not giving found crcditto the Wordof God, and the holy r(JOtuf^ '"' Scriptures, darcch be bold to harbour the fame, whatibever is forbidden in them. From hence grow out, cveninthofe which profciTc, three armes or Tbretfirtstf bouqhes, of the \vhich every one fhootcth forth as branches, innumcra- toffs, blc worldly lufts : the firft, impious againit God : the fecond, injurious to men : and the third iort,moit properly concerning thcmfclvcs. Avk»t,f Touching thcMajcfty of God, as mens hearts are full of blindncffc.and " ' '' ts\ \ Di 1 1 rr r . 1 • t\ 1 1 1 > lour n e 0 covered With narkneiic ; 10 it goeth againit them to bee taught tic true q0j andno knowledge of the true God, it is death to them to be drawne out of their miqUu>i$ ignorance, they cannot abide to hcarc of his judgement day,they would • :°'1'- there were none, they rebeil aqainft the fpiritual! and true fcrving of . f*7V* 1*' God, andthat which they yecid him isa w'ill-worfhip, even that winch ^jdtc^ m?o. phantafie, cuftomc, orflcihly wifdomctcachcth them. And whereas he rcquircth that confidence fhould be put in him f^i- pijl.ul. cortinuall defence, deliverance and luccour in foulc and body, they are carried with a diltruit as with a whir'c-wiud, and therefore their hop.: is faint, or none at all, before they fee their defire accomplished. In their great dsnqers, when mcanes tocomeout doc f.ilcthcm, they are over- come with fcarc, and aimoit bciidc thcmfclvcs. In loiVes impatient and i; full of murmuring, receiving them as fromacrucll Judge, and forrdw- w>patleu jng for them deadly. And as fomc have their hcarrs thus boiling in their trials and affliction, fo others have them fwelling againft God in ol Me, itinacy and contempt for his afflicting them, and are loofe, carclcife, and defperate., whatfoevcr pine hcth them: yet in a fcoffing fpirit they fay i } 8 m *Di*ers kinds ofevill to be renounced. fay wrthuithemfclvesjethtrn dochisbe(t,yet will wee not turn* wmo him, nor fecke unto him; (oh horrible blafphcmy, fearefull to be once named!) thar I fay nothing ofthem whoa'cribe all toblindc fortune, in curing of the which, they curfcGod,orastl i€ Athcifts doe, Nature. t\oce. Arenotthcfc loathlbmcguefts to lodge in the hearts ofChriltians? I l->a:b,tM< docnotgocaboutto fet downe the poifoned corruptions, and lufts of Heathens, Turkes, and Athcifts, as they arc properly called, that is, fuch as deny God utterly, forfo fhould I never have done ; butto lay forth lbmc part of the corruption^ which dwell and abide in the heart offuchasgor for Chrithans : that many of them who can bcarc out matters boldly here among mcn,may fee what villany and trechery they commit againfl God. This is a titlcof a great deale of the dishonour which they offer to Gcd. inwrdcmuf. And as this declarcth,what rebellion is in men under the crofTeifo how mm m profit- they behave themielvcs tow 3rds him in the daicsofthcirprofpcrity,CK- xTtbrttom* Pcricncc tcachcth, and I could fhew at large, ifthc time would furrcr me to declare it. As for thankfulneflc there is little or none in them : I ap- pealc to their owne confeiences, what doe their hearts yechi to God tlic whole day thorow, for his manifold mercies; and if fome doe, yet is it done only in words for a fafhion, and from the very teeth outward ; and cvmlirAejcivt. yet many arc afhamed c ven at their table to doc that.They rejoyce in the Note. merry world, whilcit they have cafe and plenty; they look for no other, but wifh it alwaics foryet whatgrace doe they defire the mere,although they have their fill, but arc rather more hcadftrong and inordinate ? And lam 4. 3, 4. if they askc ought of God, it is to btftow it 0* their Ixtts, being made drun- Vrun{en>,tb ken with their plcafures ; fo thatr/^r *re lovers ofthem, more than lovers fltafurts, ofGod,znd become infcnfible thereby , and paft all feeling. If fome be not thus hardncd , nor their hearts fo groily difguifed,yet uSall they be found tohavcfmalldcfire tofurmfli their hearts wiih the bell gifts, when yet they Ice, that he which hath given the one, is as ready to give the other Vodcfig'ti* alfo. And as for the true wormippingof God,how firarethc moft from Gediiwjhip taking pleafure therein, when yet one day bellowed in it, isbctterthan lohn 4 ix. athouland in any delights bcfidc ? For fuperftition and bliude devotion loh«5.59, carry many to falic worfhip; affirming boldly, that they cannot red in Su'itrfiHisnand that manner which God prescribes in his Word, that is,to doc it tn(ptrtt tkndc deictic*. aM J :rst:h, though God iendcth us to the Scriptures to know his will and mindc ; but the wil-worfhip which they devife to themfelves, and which they take up by tradition or fancy,as to reprcientGod by an Imagc,and Chrift by a Crucifix, that only pleafcth them, and their devotion is fro- zen and cold, except it bee helped by .fuch counterfeit dclufions. And many Diners kinds ofeTpiUto be renounced. i j c, many #f them which embrace the truth, and retainctbe right manner of Det1r.1S.47s worftuppingGod according to his Word ,yct arc content to be deceived J^^^l? while they are willingly void of that which only nuketh the other well ^r^^Jj^ plcalingtoGod, and Uvoury to thcmfclves, that is, to doe it with their &l% heart and joyfully, without whi. h God tcllcth them phinly,w*t/»v4s»e they ivorjh/p htm. And as in their worfhipping of him, by the uic of rcli- Norc* oiousexcrcilbs, their hearts take no delight \ even loin his fcrvicc, tho- jowout the com fe of their private convcrfation, how vaine, prophane, and diflolute are their hearts, what plcafurc is it to them to plcafe him, though it fhould be their meat,diinkc, and paftimc ; and how lightly arc his judgements pafled over, how fcarcfull focver they be ? So farre is ic off, they can expcll their hypocrifie and other finnes. Moreover, they have no defire in peace to be taught the true ufeofit, namely, to have peace with God, and at much r how rare are thofc men, which take well, and in- terpret in the better part things done, or words fpoken doubt. Lilly, but rather fufpeft as foone as they heare them, that ail was done of malice, and therefore conceive hardly againft them by and by? Softrongarc their rebellious lufts, that they cannot be held in. What deepe con- ceits Divers kindes of eVill to be rcnoum ed. 14$ celts therefore doc anfe,and rafh furmifes of them, fas they did in 9*ul /and loKathsethSl fonnc)and all through mkia king oft hat ■ ba" ich wasrightly done, and honcftly meant and (poken? He ii hearts burne hereupon ( thinkc wc ) to ipcakc , rtotambi- ►uflyahd doubtfully againU them, but refolutc xvqrcom- th intothcirhead,as& tinft Dav * Sam.id.7. n by word or writing : yea, and if many yeares before t U, were any offence committed by them, of which they are privic, al- though they concealed it ti'l then, and made light or it before, yet now (if it'hanrvth them ) they arc fcton fire in their mad mood todifclofe Exod a j^ :ked Hebrew did abulc CMojcs. What inventing of libels, ; ; of new (landers j yea, agaiuft their Wfhe broil, tr and rr.o- J rsfoMnt: and with luch fhamclcile boldncflc and impudencie, that Iez,*bcl was not able to goe beyond them in that facultie ? And . rlxfc, itmay begheffed not doubtfully, whatfwarmes of outragiotis - doc luike lecrctly in their bofomes, who yet fee little or noth amiffcinthemfelvcs, and oftentimes ice as good a (hew upon their do- ings in the light of others, as the belt :-nay,l fay moie, who ("hall with a Note. /ju&phiskrfle embrace them, whom bchir.de their backethey thusa-. bull. icmcof thefe foule and ihamcfull faults would breakcout openly by mouth and life, ifth:. [ot nouri - erly int. c hear: before. But that 1 may ilv.it up all that I h. ft forts of worldly TbmbmtiL lufts, left many fhould object, thatah : tthat fomctime »Wj yci ibefc ■ dc led vvkhsheii ficnzics.yctchcy be net al.va yes lb bad, I fay than " is finally to their commend:.; I rejoycing: for as now they are too ofr and common, ic fhould they be commoner, if other cm. 10. »ot breaiccthem otT. But can they deny thisr, that whereas their dc. :'d tend to good ; and lesd them to God, yet, that they arc th.c mo(t ta- of their time taken up in wifriing fomewhat of their neighbours to their kc* "P w,th bun . by, bcfidcs their deceiving of their ownc hearts, and fnen- ' VMrU '? 1 111 r • bit. is tine in dreames aoout things winch come not to .; fothcy pkiniy fnew what they would have: whcrein,althoi ; lomecontaincthcmfelvesat one time, without conicntingtothat w I, they have foolifhly wiflicd, yet have they no m ncra o- their hearts, but to offend after the (j;nc fort at another time; a at a decciveablc, unprofitable, and weanfomc life ss this, (to fay nothing of the pemi which commeth to their loulcs hereby ) thus to become fcrvants to their ownc lufts, who arc cheated of Yea,and for allthis,oftentimes(that I fay nothing of them which runnc in debt for it) wringing and polling others, for the maintenance of it, joying beyond meaiurc in their children, though lit- tle caring for their good education, which is the very pride of life lo rna- nifehMy condemned. Uponthcfe, an;l fuchlike, their hearts arc fct, in Vndtoftifi. their abundance and plentie, andcontrariiy, fretting, murmuring, and vexing thcmlclves, when they fall into necclfitie : and although they hearc that Agoodn*mets better than «oti'y yctthcy .will follow the, r ap- petite fogrolfcly, untill ttafruitof itcaiUeth them tolofe credit, and good name, as if it were nothing vsorxi. What fhould I fay ofthcir priding in their wic,wcalth,bcauty,f Ircngrh, wifdomc, and other ^ifts? when.thcy are,whoknowcthnot what? yes, ir it were but by this dcicriptiorv, that they arc traniitory, and them- lelves unccrtame ho\ long they inall enjoy them. They account of to morrow what tl hey will doe, **id cannot tetiivJw r#ay fail out mo;iC tky.Thcir **"** + *h ligbiriffle^miietledneiTe, and wilfullfrow'a.rdncffc for every thing that &s doth ditpleafe them; their vaine, idle, and deccicfull dchrc of things, lJrov. 17.1. which become not the graviticoffuch as are borne to a better life ; their deadly pnngsofiullcnnellc, when nothing will plcafethcm j with their curious heads, which arc ever mediing intjungs not pertinent to them; WotCi and their fottilliiclfe-lovc, that fo much blind-roldcth them fiom hca- Sije-his. ring that any tiling in them is offenfivc, with innumerable other concu- piicences, that daily, .come from them; may cafily pcrfwadc them to confedc, that their hearts-arc burthencd, andloaden, though they had not outward hnncs 10 prc{lc t-hemdownc, and to fay, that it is only di- vine power anc) grace from above, that muit purge thefe and fuchlike uniavoury draffc out of them. And yet thefc, and many other fuch arc renounced as they come to be knowncofGods fervants, and arc refilled according to the wiidomc ■ich God hath given them, although in others they rule and raignc : And the obtaining of gcacc.tp Jo< this,isonc part of the Chrillian (iic, as a havelaid.Forthcymakingthc w^rdofGod their guide, have this be- TbaawdofGn nehtbyit, that they arc made wary and circumlpcct againft thcircvill m*ktf ' h» ML and noifomc corruptions, as tywdhifh inthcPialmc,whcrchcfcuing d'l7lrrar> * M downc W*r- 1 46 Of inward evils and Jim properly concerning our [c foes. Pfali?. u. downcmany ufes and benefits of the Law and word of God,asthat h 1 more to be de fired than fixe gold, and more five et than the hony combe ■ id- ProY.x.xo. cicth tliis; Moreover thereby is thy (erv*nt m*dc ctrcumsyecl and. warr% And Salomon faith the \\Vc,H>'henwtfdome dtlighteth thy heart >*jtd know- ledge entreth into thyfoule, then flyallcoun fell pnferve thee, andundcr '/lan- ding fhail kjepe thee from the ev til way. And what way is woife, than the devices and dcflres of our owne evill hearts > S. 'Paul likewife, to fhew t Cor.io 4. t]iat Qod hath given his grace to his faithfull ones, faith ; The weapons of §ur warfare, are not c.rrnatl, but mtehtie through .God to cafl dome holds : cafting downethe tmagi nations, and every hiehthingrhatid exalted aaa:,r(r the knowledge of <]od, and bringing into captivicic every thought to the obedience of Chrift rand to the Ephef.4.21. If wee hs.vclcirncdChrtft aright, wee have beene taught to cafi off, concer>una the converfttion tn ttmeyaft,the old man, which ft corrupt tl rough decetveablelstjh. AtyttUufA'tof Thus therefore I having laid open in this Chapter and the former^he agoeHy ifctejQ- packe of thefc lothibmc wares, I rneaneof flcfhly Uitxs. and proved mspiutbefc. that the Lord by the Scripture giveth greater grace to his, than to obey them, I will proceed now to /hew, that this is a (pceiallpccceofChri- lamcs+i. ftianitic, confeionably to hold under, and refill them : lb as in iomc Kom.6,1*. {qj.^ wcc nUy bec made able to overcome them. No vv»an ( I am lure j Note. will greatly deny thisyif hebeadvifed: for what - fhould hinder one, If he beunburchene'd of his paffions, and inordinate defires which bindc liim from dutic as cords, but that licnnv ge>c for ware] without lct,rea- U U net dm dily and roundly ? This being alwaycs nndeiitood,ehat he is not with- mtbtut dii'y out daily combat and (b;ivingto obtain* it,althoUgh he be clolcd aoout fi>hi»g. of infirmities R i H . It u the e^illhtart (fay men whatthey witt )r£*f CAM*. \^M[Unl> u all fct'n ^eYH :rr Wl *w' *y fiorn ^v ' v'"£ ^ f r% *T€ their flefbty Ujh wh ich ^ghtagait.'J} their fw.'cs.t hat both hinderthem horn walking with Godr iPet.i.n. ™d will bring deftrnclion in theend, even thcfclurts, as Saint / hmes 4.1, 1. faith, which fight in our members, 'they are, that carry us violently and fool -fiily after them from our fctrcd peace, to fret and rage, /as enemies ^otf< in warrc one aga'rnlt another) when. we ha vc' not our dc fires fatisfifd/ior obtaine what we would. Therefore there being weakened, and their force retrained, we may cleerely fee, that with eafc and cheerefulnciTe the Chriftian lifefhall be fct upon, and that the grearcrt toile about the pra£ticc of godiinciTe is over, where this hbertie is enjoyed. Fora&our Saviour Chrilt, becaufe he was void of all corruption and finfull dcfires ; therefore the Prince of this world attempting him, (fctfhfe doth other men) yet fond nothing in him which he fought, for his purpofc ; and as %4d*m in the time of h« iunoccncic Of inward cYrisand /improperly concerning our (elites. 1 47 innocencic ftood free For a feafon from falling, when as ycr his heart was not tainted : even la our hearts being cleanfed and purged from their uaturall corruption, although not wholly rid of it, and our troublefomc tf|2J£vl lulls and paiTions being appalled and weakened in us, and having rccci- font, ved a deadly wound; cannotibmaitcrus, as that wcfhall not love, de- l'hl 130.3. fire, long after, and doc the will of our God .in fome lort ; and although 1 lolui.v in refpect of that which wcought,weakly and unperfecUy ; yet in re- fpeft of that which otherwise without this grace we fhould'cioc, both foundly and in good fort. And this will God accept for holy fcr vice, and not look? ftrerohtly what is done Amt(Js\ but pardoKOur finxts be can fit of ohy Advocate: ibthat notwithftanuing ourobcdvcnccbe furc from that it fnould be ; yet we may reft therein, even fuch as it is, with found peace, void of fcare. And thus farrc, God ingreat mercy, hath made us partakers of zht llethto knowledge of his w ill,thath.iving our defires in this wife fubje<£Uo hint, nninfr.i tbift, as I have faid, we may poiYcfTcour foules after in peace and heavenly u&cc»pitdi0* manner.Thereforeif any man, whole heart is purified by fi.itth, doth ex- V' '**" crciic himfelfe in knowing thefc his foulc and n-iamefull lufts, and marke "^.jte. how he is led away of them, and deceived by them, and which of them doe mod trouble him* and oftett prevail c:agaiv>& him, and therefore b v the helps which God hath given him, (which "(hail be fctdowne in the next Trcatifc^dorh renft them; lcrnot liim doubt, butthathc isoccu- picd in the godly life, and that he is come out of the ft inkin^ Sodome, of his old linnc full courfe; and thus doth the godly man carry himfelfe, and at this marke doth hee chiefly aitne. For tketruewtfedome which is from above, of the which every qodly man hath his name, that is, hciscalled wiic; this wi'ldomc fhewcrh it felfe tn all manner ofi holy converf.u ton mmsclyne'fie, and liirFcreth not the contrary lulls to dwell and abide in the heart, (as buter envjiig, provo- ^ JES kiifgove another, fwclling, tumu'ts, and iTomltogsoncagainit another, *"****' with fuch like, ) as every one bath his mealure. Indeed all men have not overcome themfdves alike; no not even they, wl>o havefct themfclves tothisworkeof pluckingdowncthe- mines oftheir'old binding; for they who have grcatcfland clccrett kno Ucdgeof the will of God,' and Tbetetttrfirr, or the whole myltcric ofgodlincifc, joyncd with true affection, they bwfaretbq arc the moil forward, ABdcofpcakcpla!nlycr,thcy whomakefaith and i0 e>4*U> a godly life their trcafurc /rrded, finding and feeling that they are area- jf* '"'""' tcrnchcsandplcafurc to them, than gold or all fubftancc, andii/their * "*" account take them fo, as in their judgment they know and will fay, they oughtto be lb ; they are the men, who will take moit painc to withstand M 3 their 148 iAcfti fttt ^ , Numb. 11.3. VWgy Rom.4.5 . loftuhcQMnhi.i, Gcr.39.10. for the Lvd* Dan.i.b.St 6. 11. r&f woutan in Luke/* J •[ fafcLuk. 7.47. mtbmsMj wt77# fmk Therefore t>ey ruled tbarevti kurisftfvi the t*»;ra>) cw/*y - 7hiwa\cr are rut to dijtru[i fur not watching rfefcA Note, Of inward eyils and fins properly concerning ourfches, their lulls and dcfircs;they get moft victory over them ,-md arc leaftovc r- come of them, they (it mult needs be granted) bavegreaceft advantaoe over them, and know, beft what fruit in found peace, and many other wayes h reaped thereby. And fuchcxamples,God brcblelTcd, webave, and thofc not a few in the Scriptures, who have attained to this, I mean] to a great meafure * of fuch grace rand by their good example there are tnroughGodsgoodnelL*, 111 this age maity, who have enjoyed orcat li- bcrtiefrom God this way, that no man maythinkc this ( which Iain now about) to be a thing impoffiblc to attainc unto, neither denied to be granted us ot' God, as re mall be fought and caved for. Btitjil I laid, all Godsfcrvants have not one and the lame, therefore not this excellent meafure. To goc forward then, for the edifying and building up of thefe wea- ker ones, who, by d>ds grace, are many more rhan the former, who all deiire to leave and forfake their noyfome corruptions, and rebellions wils; yet have nothing the largcncifeof heart, and meafure of grace, which fome others have; I would willingly fay to them that which the Lord hath revealed into me. That they be'not troubled atthis,thntthcy be behind others of ( fervaotp m the ovcLCOmmineof thcmfelvcs, and for that they have noc gottervnullcry ever their arrectibns in fuch fort,as fome" have done : nei- ther doubt they, that fa ithand gbttlineiTeare utterly to fecke with them, becaufe of this, that fomc are before them therein* For all bclrc have not their pare in one and the lame mealurc of mortification and grace ; all men cannot reach and attainc to that which iomedo*; kno.w.nocalikc:; alW.ahJw not good nefle andhbertic from, ilefhly lu'ij, alike ; and therefore cannot take paihes for the famc,as fomc others doc: pme rccerve tkirtic foidyfome fixtit fold, and fame *in hundred f§/d, by : which \tht4pfe*re* It is commendable and meet, that we mould waike; as wc have the beft/or pur example and to* follow them, as they arc pat- tcrncs-of goocj-t-hingji unto us m but to ftay at this, that wc are not all it\ Chrift, becaufe wc a/c not in all points like unto fome other in fubduing our affections, that is in no lent to be yielded unto,ifthat which is in u*, be in us in truth. Which thing I fpcake for thciicaufe, who both thinkc, and oft ur- tcr the fame, faying, Oh lam not, as fuch of Gods children; they are happic,fgrtha; ihcy are noc.tfo.ubkd AMith frorwatdiicil"e,impaticncc, an- ger,wcarinciTc of good cxerci!es,nor with waod&mg thoughts in hearing ofSerniOTiS,ieadn)g and prayer,nor with fach other hkccarnail dehres, s.s I am yud yet the iame perftns, while they tinuscompU«ie;both havo had Of inward evils andfins properly concerning our f elves. 149 hadatrueufteofctemalllife, and have earned combats with their cor- ruptions; yea, and tcftifie their going forward in fubduingthem, (fane o- thcrwifc than they who are not fo troubled) and doc declare plainly Note. that they love the grace which they mourr.c for, and hate deadly the cor- ruption, which they complaine and cneout of. Therefore let no man meafure himfclfc by another; but in that little which he knowcth, let him be faithfull, renouncing flefhly lufts, as hce fceth what an excellent cftatc of life it is to be freed from them, I mcane,nottobe in bondage to them; for there is no libcrtic like this, which makcth Chrills yoke Mau.ii.j^o. eafic, and his burthen light. All other, whenwc feckcto fulfill our ownc defire, i* utter llavery and bondage^ All theie things being rightly considered, it may appcare,that in a god- Theft Uflntre ly life the inward lufts of rhe heart, and knownc corruptions of it, how rififl*4if aZbe- common foevcrthcy beinthe world, arc refitted and declined of all ""^'w'' ttueChrihHans in their meafurc, according to that which is allcagedby the Apoftle S. Peter : We having mvft precious promifes given m of God, i pcc.i 4. Are made thereby f>t)'t*\ers of the grace of the holy Cjhofl, by tbt which we Art able to fie the corruption that is in the world, and rAtgneth among fl the unfod/y. Whereupon it folio weth,that if they who embrace andbclecvc thepromifcs,and ib flying the lufts and corruptions which others delight in and embrace,are foundly and conftant'y fetlcd in a godly life, (as hath rhy^bohcefu- beeneproved) it folio weth then I fay on the contrary, that they, who Icdlqtbeit lufis, arc ruled and led by thefc furious lults and carnall dchrcs,canclaimc no taH 'J****** part in a godly life. For he that is fb minded cannot be but icnfuall, and f^1 :naiogt) carnall, cftranged from God, and a bondman of hell : which if it were weighed, would caufc many thoufands, who now thinkc thcmiclves good Chriftians.totakcfbrne painc to bridle their intemperate and unru- ly hearts, and to be wounded for the fame deeply, who contrarily give libcrtic to them in mod things that they defirc. Let inch weakcChnfli- Thtwca{cmjy ans(toomitthcic)rcft their hope in fomecertainccihte; and not over- flcyfor their em* reach themfclvcs with things which thev cannot compaflc. I mesne fvtt*tbf*d*u byrcfting in lbmc ccrtainc cftate, this: Fhit, tliat they have a cleerc ki€Ct3*Va*tu knowledge of their falvatior* Secondly, that they account it as their chicfc trealurc. And thirdly, be fct forward in fevnz plaine and good courfc of life, whereby they may grow in faith, and the obeying of * God,though with fomc driving. But if they walkc destitute of any of thefc three, they fhall be fiiarcd much with tea re, and unquictnefle, whilethey fcclc that ali is not well with them; oft (earing that they have not begun aright, ncr were ever truly called rand y:t(ifthcy fhould for- coc this hold)fecing there isiomc lively workeol the new birth in them, M 3 let I JO Camic.j.j. Note. 2»ka if. p. Tbcfetbret mufi beearatfl'y la- Luk.if.T,3,io. Luke 8 8, 24. Match. 13. 3*. Note. A cbi'fe end §f thtt b .^t , u u fit orrvjrd a ma{ttbi>fiiaa. Of inward evils and Jtns properly concerning ourfehes. let them not breakc off and faint utterly, as the wicked doe, but moane and feekehome againc, as a Bird wandring from her neft, left other- wife they walkc heavily many months, it may be yeares, before they findc deliverance. And untill they doe fo fct thcmfclvcs to nourifh their faith with great care and diligence, their godly life (with what labour and toile lbevcr it be) is but a building up and a pulling downc : for one day they (hall like, and another day miflike; fometime they may feelc themfelves well ftayed,and oft at other times without peace. Yea, and I fayagaine, when they are flayed, yet if they hold not this as their beft riches, to folace their ioulcs every while, (as they may well and eafily doe, having fo many good helpes among them) with this fweet favour of God, which may furmount all follies and delights, in their perfwafi- onand eftimation; they fhall not either abide long in that pofleffion of peace, or like the courfe of their life which they lead ; but the Devill who knoweth their weakr.eiTc,and envieth their godly and fweet cflate, will raife many occafions to unfettle and trouble them. Thefe three things therefore being of foefpeciall price, mutt be more regarded, and fought after of fuch as want them, more carefully than they have becne: and Preachers not only heard teaching thefe, but alio conferred with about the fame; that the peoples hungring after them, may whet on and encourage their teachers with all willingncflc and rea- dineiTc,to refolve and comfort them comming unto them, as the people in the Gofpe!,or rather as Chrifts difciples came oft to him to be taught, and have their questions anfvered. And although other doctrine is not to be neglected, yet I would have all to know,that nothing is fo necefTa- rily to be learned throughly, and retained conftantly, as thefe three are, of fuch as havcalreadie truly tailed of the knowledge of truchappi. nelTeby JcfusChrift, what other things foevcr be wanting. All gocth forward untowardly, without thefe,as I have faid. And as a man know- eth nothing profitably unto falvation before hcebeleeveth ; fo after hec beleeveth, he knoweth nothing profitably to grow on with comfort, in his Chriftian courfe,without thefe three faithfully and carefully looked unto and preferved. For my part, I doe thee to underftand, that it was the rnoft principall regard I had in fetting out this Book, to help and direct the weak Chri- ltian throughout from his firft entrance into the knowledge of Chrift Jefus, that nee understanding and bcleeving, what a rich portion God h th beftowed upon him thereby, he may make fuch account of it, as it dc fcrveth,that is,efteeme it far better than all that he hath ; and tl.cn en- joy the fruits of it in an holy life after, as God hath taught him to doe, and Of inward erils and fins property cenceming ourfehes. 151 tnd is willing he mould. Whofb travclleth faithfully in purchafing thcfe things, (and yet the purchafe is cafic and cheape enough,cvcn with- out money) mall goc forward readily, and with eafe, and make no toile of godlineffc but pleafire : neither have his teeth watering after the Utrwttna\t greateft mens dainties, but they after his. He (hall not be at the point of g°dlin((fes them, whom I defcribed a little before by their fpeech in the way of ob- foafurt. jeSion,who fometimes are driven to doubt of their calling ; but he fhali otCo be able to guide l.imfelfc, how to rife when he is fallen, and toreturne when he is (tept out of the way, and to walke in mod fweet fafetie under Gods protection all the day lorg, as (hall be fecne afterward. Thou wilt aske me, what thou fhalt have for thy portion : I fay not Dcut jj.u. this mcafure, nor that of heavenly peace, fullcontentation, and other Gtf/»#*//Mr graces ; neither as this man or that ; but fuch as for the beautie and w*rJft brightneffeor it, fhailcaufe thee to marvell, and to fay, as it is, even more than thou couldclt. have asked. If thou further demandeft, how thou fhalt attaine to this, that thou maift thus know, eRecme,and kcepe it; this prefent Treatifc (befides all helpe of publike Miniftery, and pri- vate conference) (hall teach thee, neither doe I doubt, but that in one part or other of it, the humble and teachable Reader mall finde it to his good contentment and comfort. But yet further to fatisfic thofe who cannot relt, becaufc of the want of fuch Graces as God affordcth to fome of his children ; they arc to un- derftand, that as we cannot,nor may not appoint the Lord his times,and meafures ; fo we can mew no rcafon, why we fhould not hope for that »ty G*imtk~ which he hath promifed, if we feekc it as he teacheth us, as hereafter holds fomt gract mall be mewed. And if the Lord, in this cafe, increafeth not our faith, /&■»**■ knowledge, experience, ftrcngth over our corruptions, our peace and comfort, and fuch like fruits of his fpirit; (as we have no caufe to feare it, while we fervently defire it) hcknoweth fufficicnt caufe why he doth not. And his holding backc is not, for that he is unwilling to beftow trrtm upon us, but becaufc he fceth that they might be to the hurt of us ; Note. as doubtkffc they would be if we fhould be unfit to ufe them well (even as many doe) by waxing proud of them; for the which caufe thcA- poftle himlclfc faith, That the Lord did deny to htm a gift, which he kid xQox.iu^ cfi, AHdearneftly prayed for : left he mould be lifted up above meafure. Even for this caufe, God may deny blelfirg to his owne faithfull fer- ▼ants; as alfo to trie them, whether they love them fo well, that when ftCy ^menottofinde thoCe graces which they feekc, they will feekc atter them (till; and yet this ought not to be taken hardly of them. But othcrwife, (thefc excepted) if they grcV not, it is m6ft juttly to be im- M 4 puted 15* Cdufesbiour i m frnt Slotb. Tavwfi Note; TwHTOufnejjt, lames 1.4. Ketntdyofour i nbtlsefc. !ohrt3.*3. Hew *£* m/a dfej rftfs unfavoury J fiuffe3 B belerters Are taken up uJiiaHy, &c. 155 ftuffe, ami what thoughts fuch have, ascxpcll thefc corruptions, and Horvtlt^i^'f. have them in hearty contempt, feeing the mindcis everbufic, andfcl- %!*£/"* dome unoccupied; Lanfwcr, that the perlbns are, as I have faid, finncrs "* as others be, but fanctified, and wcakc, but willing to be better; and that their thoughts and the dchrcs of their hcarts done, and the evill that he would not, that he did. And further I fay, that they count their grcatcft perfection to be im- perfec^iono. Yc will then fay unto mf, what is therr prcrogative,or mat- ter of rejoycing above other men ? To that I anfwer, for ill that I have faid of their infirmities, their prerogatives are very great : For firft, they arc much taken up of this confutation, how they may leffen and chafe v/ay their cvill thoughts and defircs-, which other men never goe about, Pfal.i?.i4- neithcrcan they diflike or findc fault with them; But befides this, they defire all, unfeinedly (with the Prophet) that the meditations of their hearts, as well as the words of their mouthes, may pleafc him, and that they may be heavenly minded, which grace according to their requefts, they doe obtainc in part : and herein alio they differ greatly from any other. But this matter, as not plainc and eleerc enough to the ChrifHan Rea- der, I will lay open more fully, that it may be lecne, not onely what arc the cogitations and defires of the godly in generall, but a lfo about what things, thefundry kindesof them have their mindes chiefly taken up. Ibretwf Now the fundry kinds of them are according to the divcrfe grounds and Go'scu'etcv. . ages of them inChriit, * which are three. Thefc I will rlrildefciibe, and * * OUqp. then (hew how theirmindesarediverfly taken up forthemoit partaker- |1ci'r,,i14, wards. The highert degree, is old age, or the experienced cltate, which H 2' > yet is not perfect age in Chrift, for that (hall not befall us untill the life to come, but. a firme, conftant, and fettled going forward unto that perfection. The fecond, is the middle age in Chi iftianitic,in which ,as youno men in wraftllng, we have courage againft our finfull lufts ; but yet likcurito l ^'u*lf< them, we have many fo les, and are often-times cooled in our courage, * ' "* '4' though we fometimes prcvaile. And in this efh tc, we are very fitly com- thk decree of ChxiftianitiCj is betwixt old age and infancy . - 1 5 4 How the mindes and hems of the The third is Child-hood or infancy, the loweft and the laft; the which is principally diiccrned by an earned defre of the facere tnilke ef the word; and namely of the promiieof the forgivencfle of finnes: which although fome of thefc dearc Children of Go.1 cannot with full aflurance lay hold of, yet this their hungring defire after it (which cannot be fatisficd without it) with a fenfible feare to offend God, is a true figne thereof. And this is the lowed degree of true belecvers ; which eftate is at firft, weake in refpect of the other two, as it is in the naturali Note. body : for the young babe is firft weake, and after groweth to greater ftrength, as it groweth in ycarcs : yea, and this is an excellent eftate, in refpect of the counterfeit, which have moftneerc refcmblance of it, in whom may be fecne fome flitting motions after good things,but in time, they vanifh and goe away, as they came. Thefc degrees of the fpiritu- all birth being thus defcribed, which by the Scriptures may eafily be difecrned, I will now fhew, about what things the thoughts of thefc Hcbr.f.t*. three arc chiefly occupied, or about what they d«(Tre at lcaft (unleffc Hphcf.4.14. tncv be diftempered) to have them occupied, though they doc not ever Note" l% a"ainc to that which they defire. Tbebfgbeflde- And to beginne with the firft, fome of Gods cleft, through longex- fteeofcbrijli* perience, and much acquaintance with the practice of a godly life^ «*'• have obtained grace to guide themfclves more conftantly than others : whereby they te> fervcGod, that theymay pleaichim with a reverent awe of his Majeftic, which holdeth them within bounds, and in holy and religious feare of offending him, while the other often breakcout more eafily. And this eftate, though it be to be aimed at of all god- ly people; yet it is not obtained, but of fuch as have through long practice cxercifed their wits to difcerne both good and evill,& accufto- raed their mindes to the heavenly courfc, and to whom good meditati- ons and thoughts to (hunne and avoid cvill, are become a pie lfure; and therefore as they are able to difcerne the fame by their underftandmg, and judgement; fo they have their will in good fort at commande- ment to follow the good, and fliunne the cvill, fuch as Saint lohn cal- ilohnx.ij. lexh fathers in his Epiftle (faying, / vrrite umo yen fathers) becaufe they had knownc the Lord, and his manner of dealing with hispeo- pic, and had experience of the discipline and government of his houfe in a godly life a long time. Now fuch as have becne trained up in the obedience,vvhich the Scrip- Hiw tbtm'mdci ture tcacheth, from their youth, are able upon their fo long triall of Gods tffucb are ufnal- directing them in that courfe, not onely to goe'forward cheercfullv and /; tiltm*}. readily thciafclvcs,but alfo to pcrfwadc and hearten on othcrs.And fuch therefore beleeTpers *re taken up ufually, &c. X55 lhCrefore,through this grace received at Gods bountiful hands,aremuch freed from this bondage, and feldome fo grofly holden under their cor- Hcb,ia»* rupt lults, as others, faving that God will make them fee their weaknefle from time to time, cfpccially to fubdue pride, which is foone kindled in Nore. them, and to hold them under : they have therefore their minds ufually fet upon tome one or other of the infinite heavenly inftru&ions, which from time to time they have treafured up in their hearts, both out of the Scriptures, and the fountaines of other holy men; whereby, although they are not quickned as they would, and defire to be, having many de- fects in memory andotherwife, yet they fee by looking backe to their former courfc,that they are held from much evill. The particulars which they ufe to meditate on, as of Gods unutterable kindnefTe, of mans mor- tality, the momentanyeftate of all things under the funne, the blelTed cftate of the elect, the endlelTe woe of the damned, &c. who can rec- kon ? They have much time taken up in the beholding and meditating of Gods Majefty as they can conceive of him, his power, his wifdome, his everlafting being: of his judgements, and how he is provoked, of his patience and long fuffering towards the world, his daily pulling of them from their pleafures, who thought ibmctime they fhould never be taken from them ; and their owne eltate, and ieveiall parts of their lives much occupic them, how they may keepe in their way ; For it ts the wifdome proT. ^f, of the prudent to underftand their way. Alio, how they may hold out conftantly the profefTion of' heir hope with joy unto the end : how they may refill all occafions of evill, (for they prefumc not without daily hclpe from God for all their (trcngth) they confider what lets they fhall finde from Satan,the World,and their owne hearts: and how they may order well their particular adions, in and thorow the day in their callings, giving to all men their due, that they mayorofper; and alfo, that the y-may make a good account at the end of the day, and lb at their laft end. They who have thefe, and the feverall particularities under allthefe contained, and fuch like, to bufie their minds about, is it doubted,what thoughts, dcfires, and what occupying of their heads and hearts they have, to keepe thenuhat they may r.enher be idle nor unprofitable .? The Prov.f.w. thought they take daily (unleiTc they be much blinded) is in the grcateft ' pcl»I«8^* part this, how they may have a good confaence m all thmgs, pleating y\ftsl l6 God : and how th^y may bee prepared for the CrolTc, and to keepe the C0I0C1.1©. fame mmdc under it, that being cxcrcifcd therein oft and much, they Note. may reape the fruit of righteoufneffe, even moft fweet peace : and as their falvation groweth neerer,than when theyfirft belcevea ; fo they may Hcb.i ». tx« be 1 5 * How the mindes and hearts of the be fitter, tad read icr to meet the Lord, their latter daies being far better Rem. t 3. ii. than their formcr,*nd to be merry whilcft they cannot but thinkehc lo- KcvcJ.i.i>. yeththem, and never at cafe, norto like thcmtclves well, but while they A S2.2j,i . are under his government. They arc not flitting off and on, cither in deep dreames of earthly fcli- citie, or prophanc occupying of their heads and hearts about vaincand tranfuory plcafure*s,as irthcy knew no better, ( unleflethcy befallen a fleepcforatime, and fo have forgotten thcmfclves) neither favour they good things by darts, as men of the world doc : and therefore even the ancient in yearcs,who alfo profeffe the Gofpcll, are farrc from fathers in the Church indced,though they be fathers in age, if with them who are fathers indeed -they be not occupied ordinari ly and ufually, as they have beene dcfcribcu to be. To thefc we may addc other cogitations, which alio doe much occupie and take them up ; ns that they doe much and oft bcwailcthe abominations of the land, Ezcl^ 9. And with our Saviour, they bewaile the ignorant, fcandalous and infolent miniftery, and the people who are difperfod, as fheepe not having fhepherds : andasfarre a* they fee the mighty and great ones, who might doc much good, if they were all liis. before other in giving good example, fofarrclfay, as they fee them loofe, earthly, prophanc, no friends to the Gofpcll, they are much can1 downcand heavy hearted. Thcfc with other cogitations doe much occupicthcm. For doc wethinkethat fuch as have acquaintance with God, and are experienced thereby, have no other things to doc,but that with the fcurn and orT-fcomings of the world, they mult aske how-to fpend the long Summersday, and the wcarifomc winter nights ? Although with others who are prophanc itisfo, yet withthefe wee may fee it is othcrwifc. Pfa1«.i.i. What dee mcrrtbinkc, becaufc the Dcvill hath filled the moft parts of ro,,I?'?7' the World with darkneiTe, fo that thcgrcatelt part fee -none of thefe things, and having no experience of, nor acquaintance with them, doe K not defireto be partakers ofthem ; doe men, I lay, therefore thinkc,thar there is no othcr,nor better wa y to take up the minds of Gois children, but that they fhould doc asthey doc? And like brute benfts, and wildc Irifh, to paflc their time as the prophanc and irreligious doc, or to jumpc with the world, and fo to be like others? Oh Land, oh People, infatuate and fottifh ! that under the Gofpcll, and the fame fo long in ' thec continued, yea, and that in many places fo fruitfully and faithfully preached, are yet to fecke of the true fruit of the Gofpcll; and arc not led to God by it, more than if there were none : Oh that men created of God tolnrc for ever, fhould be content to bec ignorant of it, or to take no belce^ers dre taken up ufualiy.iyc. i j 7 nop!c;fi:re in it: and without care or lore of the infinite pood things which are revealed to be knovvnc and delighted in of them : The Lord hath done great things for thec (O man) but they are not wonder full m Luk.i9. 4:. th we eyes, Luk^ 19.42. This blciTed tiMetstbedajoftbyvtJltatfo};, but it is hidden from thee. Buttorcturnc, I have fhewed thee how fome of Gods people have their m'nds cxcrcifcd, when they have chafed away the noiibmc drov? of fuch unclcane lulls,as were wont in times pall to po lie lie them as well as other; yet doc I not conclude that the fe are not at all troubled with Tbt be" ereim. cvill thoughts and vainc dclires, as though I would prefcrre them before I'M ffiwiet I am to farrc from faying fo, that I contrarily affirmc, that their holiclt actions arc mixed with corruption, and no better than pure and fwect water running thorow an uufivoury Vcllell • even their faith, love, up- iig!uneflc,mcrcy,S:c. Nowthen,if God fhould lookc upon their faults, though they may he kept from foulc and filthy uncleannciTc, howjhould they be able to abide 1;? No, if it were no more than untowardnclfe and unfitnefle to the duties of their callings, and to other good workes, and much wcanfomncflc therein. I doe not therefore forget my fclfc in fpea- king thus of lb roc of Godsfcrvants : for whatfoever I lay of them, Ice no man githcr that itis a making of them cquali with the fingularcit of the Apoltics. For we know what Paul could have faid of his ]oy in hfs Vetctmf* fiifferw^Si andtlwt oftentimes, and the /Iran fenefe twd vnrie'y thereof^ t:J[^'A}'oli:t and of his lifimguy into Paradifs, andihat hehadi.e.irdfucb things as a? c y.ot law full for a man to (pcal^e. . Thcfc and fuch others, I thinkc, God gave him as privileges, which wcremcere arrogancy and oflentation for any man among us to drenma **+tlb*1f of,or compare with him in: feeing.ourfufferings (to fpeakc ofthem who f':i/,» '<*''• have fufbincd the greater! afflictions for the Gotpeli in our age) have becneimall; and the other things mentioned tohavcbccnellicwcd him, arc more Cxrraordinary: but to have our minds and hearts fo clean led, and purged from the ftrcngthofcorruptlufts,as I have faid//; at we have 2at-n'v?> nofellov^hiptvih them ; and when they are kindled in us, to have grace and ftrength ordinarily and ufually againlt them, and to fecand know how to avoid them ; it is fofarreoff from arrogancy to thinke that it mould befo, that it is farrc unbefeeming the gravity and age of fathers inChrift, and ilrongChriftians, not to have it fo. So that as ancient nico who Iuyc toyed long, arc called fathers for their agc^skil^and expe- rt Note. r < 8 1 1 o:i the minds and bents of the N**«« rience: Sorhcfc lor tlicir time and Jong continuance inChfifij fclioolc arc called huhcrs,and therefore ought to have wifdomc and knowledge ¥}' how to walkc through the world (though a wildcrnefTc) in fafety;how 1 u : * ro withstand the Devill in his aflauits, how to bee fat! ernes of pood the younger fort. And thus they having their minds cftablifhed with grace, and unbtir- thened of Inch atfcclionsand thoughts, they may rightly, and in ^ood forr, goe about thcr workes and dealings ; as Labouring, Bargaining Journying, Companying, feivir.g their Prince, and doing any other Jawfullac-t ions; and yet not bedifrempcred by them : Which thing-. -want of fuch a well ordered minde, no other men can doc, as liy the complaints of the weaker fort of Chriftians may be fecr.e, and by expe- rience ofthc bad fort of people at this day is perceived, and daily found. And this for the highcit degree, and grcatclt mcafure of grace in Gods chi'drcn. TbeftumJ Thcfccond fort is compared to young men, who then arc in their' kaSu Hrcngth, rather than when they are either children or old men: fbfomc or Gods icrvants are as yet neither experienced nor thorowly acquain- ted in the Chviftian battell as the fathers,nor utterly ignorant of it,as the new borne Chriitian. Thefe are c/pec'i ally occupied in fighting againft temptations, and refitting and ovcrcomming their unruly defires, which iLtirpaclict hale and draw them violently to fulfill them. Therefore, as they who arcyou^gmen inagc, and in their lufty yeares, arc commonly of this i John i.i 4* rniddlciortofChriftians, (if they be truly religious :) lb Saint Iohnwz\- tins to them, doth fhew them what is their chiefc and principa'l worke, thatis,torefi(tthe Devill andhisftrong aflaults, which in them being lufty aixlftrong, arenoteafiiy fubdued ; and perfwadeth them to this combat, not oncly by telling them what a glorious victory it fhall be to them to vancjuifh fuch anenemy ; but alio that they may be fort of it,as iftlKy had got it already. Thefe knowing by the light ofthe Scriptures and the Commandetr-cnts, how corrupttheir hearts are, and how many linfull thoughts and dcfires doe fwarmc in them, doc watch their hearts, whereas before they knew of any danger, they little looked after them: they pray agatnft them now ofcen andearneitly, they have fome fcarc in company and alone by themfelves, (which is no part of cvill mens thought) left they fliould be overcome by any fifth affections, as they are in danger of, and yet they arc oft overcome. S'lnntiiodiotiAto They doc alio ofttimesconfider how they may avoid the occafions of tb$m9tb$*ib*tt f]njcrt thcreby they fWild be indeed, and lb difquictcd in their minds, n n n ttoi w oj an » fc ^ o^ ^ thc offenc€ 0fthcir bicthren,and the reproach of tlicir piofcfTicn bcleclpers are taken up ufiially&c. i 5 9 profeflion among the bad : anger, impatience, frowardncflc, fatting-. Note, fcnfiblc dcfiring their neighbours goods,wifc,fcrvant,or fuc :h likc,wh ich in times part were common matters with them and their delight ; their hcans have now fuch fmart and wound for the fame, that they grow to beware of them, are weary of them, and afhamed to thinkc that fuch vices fliould be found in them, and count it no nccdleflc nor loft labour to have their cai c thus fct on worke, that they may avoid them. There- fore fuch as know the ufe of failing joyncd with their prayers, doc ulc it as occafion fcrvcth, and as their need rcquircth, that they may the cafi- lycrpftrff out thdtfowrc /c*ive». They ^'cnuc their covenants with the Lord to plcafc him better, when they ice how they have flipped and fallen from chcir good purpofes,and yetarefoone unfetlcd againc. They are in very good caie this day or weeke to withltand any finne,and yet to morrow or next weeke unietlcd and fcnhbly diftempcred, though they would not bee fo ; in their pro- fperity foone forgcrfull of thcirVervent care which they had, and then as much mifliking themiel ves for it when they fee it : and to be fhort, they arc much grieved for their finncs, and yet oft overcome of them by im> ward fuggeftion.and outward occafions. And what rs fuch a life, but a combat and conflict ? Which although Kotc. it may fecmc miferablc, yet it is fafc : and the life that is void of this, is the life full of woe and dangers. Furthermore, whatfocver their earthly dealings are, although they neglect them not, yet they are not molt- deeply and carncltiy letting their hearts upon them (as farrc as they can efpy it iiuhcmiclvcs) but often looking to the principall, and that which is moft worth, that they may findc peace betwixt God and their hearts. Through ignorance and unacquaimancc in their Chriftian rhtfearebue- courfe, knowing what hat dnelTes and difficulties arc in their way, they timetbkmrsted* arc many times difcouraged ; but they who have bid their foundation ftrongly, rife up afterlbme heavincflc and difcomfort out of their ilcc- pincilc and iccurity, complaining tl.crcof, and come to thcmiclves againc. All good hclpcs that they can enjoy, they are glad of, publikc Cam. 3.2, j. or private, and thus (I mcanc by the ftrcngth hereof) they have oftand Gbdton[:aU much rcfrefhing of their minds, and put away much tcdioufneile.feare- HP"* full pangs, ami dangers of cvill: by all which, and luch like, it may be perceived what the thoughts of fuch are, and how their hearts in great part are occupied. And although they havenot,as the former fort -which J have fpoken of, ability and Ihength to occupic and excrcife their icn- ics and minds fo continually and constantly to be heavenly hearted, and iq have God their guide fo fcnfibly as they (for want of experience, and perhaps I \Sc Uowt be minds and bear ts of 1 1 : haps knowledge coo) vet arc they much delighted with the good mplcsof Inch as gee before them, and give them light : and to bee famed after them, as they arc a feer Chriir, is the thing winch tbey molt looke after and delire. Sef ';■ They having through GodsgoodnelTc prevailed fomewbat,efpechi!y ft*. Uirfi-i.es. 2Z fomccimes againfl their flrongeft corruptions, which were wont to ocarc too much I way in them ; they carncftly arefetagiimtrhc (miller, ' and fuch as fecme lefie dargcrous, as theidleand unprofitable roving of their brair.c : 'which doc not directly In much carry them after evil!, as hindcrthem from good, blindfoldirgtheii judgements firlt, and then poiibni'^rgthc will afterwards) and as the dreaming of outward peace, and profperity, of long life, of plcafurc and profit; vaine wifhings of that which other have, bcingthings precious in their eye*. Which they arc oft tickled with,till they come to better remembrance of themfclvcs; much like the Aportles (when they were yet weakc) dreaming of pro- motion, of an earthly kingdome, and who fhould bee greatclt among their fellowes: which toies,and other like building of Catties in the aire, the Dcvill had not only filled their heads, but alio their hearts with the delight of them fomctimes, and theirmouthes alio with the talke #f them, as their chicfeft plcafurc. So they having through cuftomc long lien in them, they cannot lb eafily and readily caft them off, though they fee the fhame and vanity of them. Their labour therefore (of their minds, Imeane) is in great part this, to kecpe themfelves from being taken up of them, feeing good me- ditations are hindred,yca,andcftrangcdfarrc from them hereby; forne- time prevailing, fomctime prevailed againft, w hereby their fori o w is the more ; but they doe not all the vrhtlejcethc happinejje of this their comktt, which feemcth their greateft mifery. IhtfebtbtM Bccaufe it k certaine,that for their greatgood they arc holdcn under of mniv ihii'iih their infirmiries,-even that they may be the more humble, when they fee frmiticif* thcmfclveslo unperfcel & corrupt, who yet had dreamed fomctime that ibeit g«l they were void ofthatcorruption(thoughthemorc was their ignorance) a long time before : and their fhort mourning fhall bring, after delive- rance" from that bondage, great mcafurc and continuance of rcjoycing. ^m« Whereas if they were not held downe after this manner, they fhould forget what they were in times paft, when they lived under the power of oarkneffe and the bondage of finne. By this which I have faid,it may appeare h ow-the minds of thefe are occupied, and that thisfecond age and growth in Chriftranity is a driving rather betwixt fcarc and hope, forro\vand joy, than a fuperiority over the unruly affections : and an cftatc beUcVers are taken up itfuaEy &c. 1 6 1 eftatt (landing in need of counfcil and hclpe,tathct *han fitted and expe- rienced to counfcil, dirett and fettle others. But chc more furc they be of their falvatioii, the more expert they mall wax and be in the batrcll. Now the third fort of the people of God are compared to litt'c chil- Tl i thhdfirt «f dren; of the which alfowc may fee, that there arc twokinds; forfomc ^ ody are as it were in the birth ,as the Apoftlc fpeaketh to the Gaiathians : Iffy ]™* H little Children, of whom I travel! in btrth *g*:ve> ttkChrtft he formed in yoff:\\ho though they as yet know it not,atc dcirctoGod^.ndhave fure Gal4^, 'tokensof it, as I have Chewed in the firil Treatife ; and they have many proper tokens ot the youi.g Ones and Babes m Chrilt, there mentioned. The other be fuch as are young, and hang upon rhe bread, even as in- fants which are new borne; for as fuch grow to I ? .-. the btherar.d mo- ther, when asyctthcy know nothing clfc, W fter them, and defoe the bread, whereby they are nourished, and j <> . *nd take their pleafurcm thefc : even fo it fareth with this third fort of Gods elect Children, if they be well grounded in the truth, and have rightly beene taught ; how weakefoever they be, except in temptation. For they (as the Apoftlc faith) k**w tht Father : fuch light and undemanding they have of the ilohu 1.14. Gofpell, that though they know not how to fervehim, which is the eftate of the molt in that cafe, yet they know, that bis favour is ail in all to them ; infomuch, as if foir.c of them have not full certainticthat he is tenderly affected towards them, theyfo long after it, that nothing can fatisfie them without it. About which their thoughts are chiefly occupied, and in the which About wbAt their delight is, after they know what it is worth ; and in the mcanesof ti iw thoughts their fpirituall nourifhment, which is the Word of God ; and noc lcaft of ****&} "**! all in this, that they may not in the (mailed thing offend or difpleafeGod ? in that which they know.This Saint Peter fettcth forth by the fame (imi- litudc of young Children, when he teacheth young Chnitians, how they mult lookc to grow up in their fpirituall life; Dtjircfoah \\t)tlut fmcere mtlhe of 1 he word, that ye m.ty orovp thereby. l ctl,i* And thefe are the cfpeciall things which are 1110(1 apparantiy to be icene in them, by others, and felt of themlclves ; who alio arc much troubled for want of ltrongcr faith, thirfting after, and joying in the fenfe andfceling of Gods loving kindncflc. True it is, they have little minde to the finne, which they were wont to offend in ; yet that is not fo much to be counted found practice of goo line lie, (for that they oft times liulemarlce and confiderhow they are tempted and inticed, having their minde taken up in that, wherein they moil defire;) butaremorc like to frefh and unexpert fouldicrs^ who ha\e not; as yet, becne feared Note* N in 1 ** Hon* the minds and hearts of the 2£?S£2 in, rhc ficlci : bl,t * hcrc t,,f y fte that thcy w offw^d <^od, thev ml. take it heavily. Their calling is chccrefully followed, whilft their frnall faith is upholdcn, by cleaving to the promifc: and as unchcercfully, when that tailcth, moaning and pining, if it be long wanting. There is great danger to be feared in both thcic their cihtcs, through Satans malice and fnbciltre ; which they yet arc ignorant of, and unacquainted Wkh, as they are with molt of the other hindcranccs of their eoinr* forward. 5 b sn i Tnconco^ncm's,lclUvhile(ltheircornfortcontinucth,theylliou!d incamL.Cr nCSlcd thc»rl™'™U buhnciTe, as thinking it to be thegrcatert let which Note. ' thcyhavc,lccingbymcancsthcrcof,thcy cannot attend to reading,pray- ing, and thinking ot Gods love, to the quickning of their hearts when they would I although when they have lcafure and opportunity to fuch duties, they have no fuch dcfirc for the mod part ; neither doe thcyufc it commonly to the molt and bed advantage oftheirfoules as they miaht. HercSatan appcarcth and iricweth himfeffe as av Awellof ligkr. rtt ficotidden- Thc ftcond danger ii, lc(t when they be voydof this comfort, they grr3r*be>i ibey fall into heavy dumpcs,diitruitfulncilc, and feare,that all was but a fha- fitk mm ef dow,and a drcamc : from hence may aiife defpaire for a time ; and aftcr,a mfkt* fleepy and fecure conference, a's fearing that thc Lord will no more re- doretothem the grace that they were wont in him tofindc: hcrc the Devillfhcwcth himfclfc^ MrtArjng Lhn. But before experience teach how to dealc herein, coimicll and help of other, who arc able to minidcr it, with calling upon God, (as well ordinary hearing of Sermons) is chiefly (when they arc fo wcakc that they cannot hclpc themfelvcs) to be fought ror, and regarded ; and thc rather, for that their child ifhncfTc doth require thc lame. }la*y dcfttli For many follies, and wcaknc(fcs,and grofTc ignorance arc in thc mod ertmtbeje. of them, and many deceivings of themfelvcs, many phantahcs,a m\ ovcr- Notc. fights are carried about of them: yca,and thefe not only long lien in, if they be troubled with melancholy, and nottcachablc, neither follow carefully thc light which God rcvcaleth :o thcm;but alio thc lufts which ruled them before, will hardly be maftcrcd, but keepc their hold, and a- bide in great ftrength to their difgrace and dilcouragement ; cfpccially when after that they havca while joyed in their falvation, they after- wards not well knowing how to occupic themfelvcs, neither being furrt- ciently grounded and indruCtcd, fhall wax idle and unprofitable, and fo grow to their old courfc againc, When they cannot get into a better, which Satan doth mightiiy labour to bring them tok. For we mud remember, that they arc compared to children, for that they beleclpers arc taken up ufuallyjlsfc. 1 6 5 they fliould daily grow out of childiflincflc ; and not lookc, as it were, TmgOrjfim to be alwayesfcton the lap. Which wifdomc God givcth, teaching JJEJ^11 even his wcakc ones to know themfclvcs better from day to day :.and to looke to bcarcibmc erodes, (which God fendeth for the cxercifing of Note, their faith and patience) becaufe he their Father doth fee itmcetctt for them to have it fo:; and to prepare them for greater by little and little. And as children grow to leave childifhneffc, fothcy fhould begin to miflike fuch faults as they efpic in themfclves, as being too childifh and unbefecmiug them, and' not thinkc, that they fliould be from time to time borne with, and their follies winked at in them. Therefore our Saviour comparcth thecltatcof his Church andpeo- rbefiwuflcrow. p!c inthefirftagcand beginning of it, to a grainc of 'mtiftard-ficd, which Matth.13.j1. being once rooted, how lmall focver it be, growcth forward from ap- pearing above the ground, to be a blade, and fo to branch. Teaching his thereby, that they fliould fo lookc to goc from one degree to another, that though they did not know what was to be done of them in this their Chrittian courfe, when they firfl enrred into it : yet now after they have bcene trained up in it for a feafon, and have tatted of the promifc of life, they fhould hatten thither, thorow all lets which might hinder them; and purge out, as they come toefpic them, many unbefceming qualities and oldcvill cuftomes, as excrements. And feeing their happi- neffe is not here below, therefore they may not dreame of any fuch thing, that is, to have their heaven here : not for their profciTions fake looke,that the ignorant and wicked world fliould commend and eftecmc of them ; but contrarily, yca,and pcrhaps^of their ownc Belli to be dc- pfaU^^. fpifed and hated for it. They arc to begin to know the multitude of flefhly lutts which fc- Their d;ti($> crctly lurkc within thcm,fccing they are now much fitter to difccrnc and findc them out in themfclves, than ever they were at any time, the Lord tenderly dealing w ith them,as not to flic w them all at oncc;\\ hich were enough to difmay them ; nor how many afflictions abide them, which Note, were like to confound them. Their religion mutt not be toclpic faults in other, (for that religion is foone learned) and to hold a vainc and dc- ceitfull hope of their owne righteoufnc{Vc,whcn it is but froth : tor that is ready enough to take hold on thcm,efpecially where they are not un- der good teaching. Neither let them thinkc much to hearc a rebuke, which favoureth in them of much pride and blindncflcmor to think eve- ry good thing rare and admirable in themfclves, when many evils arc within them, which they doc not yet efpic and finde out ; but reverence Gods graces in others, that they may the fooner be like chem. N 2 Thus 164 G«ds children arcindsn^r [ortcUoeitobt da^lcd and without fttk*l* Note. ret even in this 4U$t ib. j differ femby^Hiitci tzduz: (gene- rate. llcwk) differ* Note. How the mindes and hearts of the Tnus I have mewed in foiiut fort, what are the thoughts, afFeclhons and dehrcs tituaily, and tor the moftpart of the weaker fort of Gods children, (about matters of the loulc) this being added, thattheyarc grieved when they arc led of the contrary; and this is to be underftood ofrhar part of their cdatTj which is free from irrongand vchcmei.ttemp- tatiens :forothcrwifc,itmay heft he gathered out of rhe former Treatiie, hcr.v it is with them ; the which I have partly laid forth and defcribed plaincly, and parti" fet downc in the way of exhortation. For the fame things that I exhorrthem unto, are the verv anatomic and reprelcntation of their hcarts,c>:ccpt the Devill hath caft them into fome fpintuali fick- neifc,as lhavefaic), which bee doth to many of this wcake fort, asalfo hcemny doc, and doth where he can enter, with both the other forts al- io. My meaning is, that the children of God wcake or (trong,doe not on- ly ftep ahdc fomctimes from the peaceable cftatc, wherein they dchre to keepe : but a.Yo arc in danger(withoutcontinuall watch mlncflc, and ear- ned and oft praying to be fenfibly dazled, as men not knowing where they arc, and (tnpt ofg^acc utterly to their ownc feeling, as if there had never bcene any. Which I fay, that nor.c may be difmayed, (as they might eafily be) if they fhould hearc onely the belt of the itate and con- dition of the g^dly, and not undcritand fomcthing of the worft alf >s a:.d yet, even that worlt part God turneth to their good, as they in time by experience doe cafily perceive. But ifanythinketi-.at this lalt fort of Gods children (which indeed is the weakeft of the rcf *)or either of the other, be nothing differing from the unrcgencmcin their thoughts and defnes ;thcy mult know, that thfi fecrcteft hypocrite, which of all unrcformed ones, commcth cecreft. them, is yet farrc ditferi; g from the weaken* true ChriHian; asboriv may bee fecne by that when hath bcene faid of both, and as the fame hynocritc would confciTc, if hec might bee conveited, and 1 will in few words (hew as much as fhali be expedient". For when a godly man dimkeshimfele melt, yet even then hec is farrc before the beft of the ot-.cr, who have notthcir mindes occupied about heavenly mat- ters; nay the thought thereof is tedious unto them : they defire no ac- quaintance therewith ; ncitherdclightthey tothinkchow they may be better reformed ; neither canthey be brought to put thcmfclvcs in tkg *ftfcfc s $f the SarfbMfy t'^t is,to trie then* eitate by the word of Goi\ . Hut their thoughts and dehrcs arc about carnall liberty, pl?afure, profit, long life, rcverfae, &4c\ even as their fpeech is, that commcth from their hearts^VothieanWaineJdkandunfavouric^arthly and worldly. And when it is any better 5 it is either by conftraint of others, or to Ac w the pride beleelpers arc taken up ufually, &c. \6 $ pride of heart, or for vaine glory, or to fomc fuch end, or clfe they are fbone weary of it. So that, it may tiuly be faid, that the dcfircs and thoughts ot Gods people, even the wcakeft, differ much from others, who arc unrcnucd. And this may in fomc fort fliew the ufuall thoughts and defires of this third kindc of godly people, as of the two former. As for the divers mcafurcs of fpiritual growth in them,m degree one a- bovc another,as I have followed the Scripture in the fettingout thereof; fo I thought good in a word to put the Reader in mind of tnis,that every action mentioned in the three kindesof ourcltatc, rwuft not precifely be ^M* &<%*** Co appropriated to that kindc.in which it is reckoned, that it may not al- %%rf!*fJflM fo pcrtamc to one of the othcr;but forthe molt part,the aftechom which anmtr. arc reckoned to every one,arc moft proper to that,to the which they are referred. Neither is auy to thinkc, that thefc cogitations, which I have fetdowne to belong moft properly, to every kindc of age in Chriit, arc thconely meditations and thoughts of them; but that amonglt others (according to the divers occafionsof every one) they have oftentimes ehcfc,andmch like occupying their hcarts,but more oft defiring,thanen« joying them : whereas others which arc not partakers of thepromife of Note, life, have feldomc any good thoughts ; or if they have, they arc fleeting and momentany , and either caufed by fcare, or provoked of others, and as I may fay, violent, fo that they abide not; and not voluntary, feeing they have not the fpirit of Chrilt, which onely doth workc effectual- ly in them. And all this that I have faid of the three forts of Gods people, may Examples of cleerely be illuftrated and made cleere by the many examples out of the theft three fum holy Scriptures, who ofweake hcamcfirong : As Mofes,\\ho was fir (t a- *[Gof t*9&% fraidto lookc 'Pharao in the face, defiling that another might goc who *° *TI' was mecter than he, yet afterwards, he was not afraid to doc his meffage Exod.io.zy. boldly and throughly in the name of the Lord. And Peter, who in his middle cltatc,as I may fay, was lo faint and fcarcful,thathc was (tncken and flighted with the voyce of a Ally damfcll, yet after,whcn he grew to the degree of a Father, was not abafhed at the threat of the high Pricft, Ll*c ".J7« and yet both thele were weaker than in cither of thefc cflatcs, at their A^ ***** firft beginning. As the Plants, Cornc, and GralTc, arc firit tender, then Wronger, and at laft fctlcd, and at their full growth. And thus much of the cogitations and affections of the three forts of Gods children, that it may be ieenc that they arc not carried about of their lufts a s the unregencrate i but haye their hearts for all that occupied in farre better manner. N } Chap, \S6 Of outward eyils andfinnes to be renounced, Ottwirdw'cm { dMtflemKjik ttVUHKltd. i Sam.7.4, Vidrjudg :o. '4 Hofe. 141,1. a Cor .7.1. Trntl. ibiSiTiptkHS. iPtt.i.xov )aa>«si.i*. Rum.£.&. Chat. IX. Ofthefecord l^ndc of evils or panes to be renounced, namely o'ffward, ANd thus to returnc,and to joync this which followcth to the end of the feventh Chapter, for this former came in by way of a Parcn- thclis, to anfwera qucftbn propounded in the entrance into it. Now that I have fpoken of inward lufts and finncsof the heart, and fhewed how they arc difliked and renounced of all true bclccvers : it followcth, that the fame be proved, concerning the outward finneso' the life, that they abhorre and fhunnc themalfo; that all who lift may fee ,thcy have l'ttle caufe to plcafe themfelves,orto rcjoyce ci her about their falvation, or the goodneffe of tl»cir heart, if their behaviour be ftained with out- ward wickcdncflc, and their holy profcfTion blcmifhed with open and fhamcfull fumes; which is the more to be marked, feeing many boaft that they have good hearts to God, when their lives are wicked. When Samuel willed the people to trie their repentance :o be found, he willed thenars pat away Baalim and Ajltaroth, that is, their ftrange Gods, and /hamefuil Idolatrie which they had delighted in. And Pml tcllcch the Corinthians, that they muft cle.mfe themftlves from all filthineffe of the flefl?,*! well as vfthe tytrit. But the lefle fhall be needfull to be (aid of this, feeing the whole courfe of the Scriptures, both doctrine and examples, as alio common rc.iibn doc teftifie the fame, that none can prove their hearts upright, if their behaviour be offenfivc and cvill. For doitrine firft, that of S. Peter doth plaincly fhew it, where he faith, If a man *f:erhc h.uh prof-fled a Chrtfttan coisrfe by acknew/edgmg theforqiveneffe ofhuftmie, a#d the hope of ' ever/a f}t>.g life. Poallyet be 1 ii tanolcd Mramt in ht< old /ttmes, and overcome of them ; the latter end of that mm is worfc than the beginninq : for i had becne bet er never to have Acknowledged the way of rrohttoufneffe* than afterwards to tnme from the 'ommandemems given unto htm. And they that doc fo, aremoft fitly compared to dogs v.'htrhrcturncto their vomit, and to fioine which having been: wa/hed, doe wallow againc in the mire. S. Aaw/alfo is bold to fay, that if the tonqtte onely bee unbridled, (be the reR of the life reformed how it can) even that one difordcr in a man profeffing the Gofpcl, fhall be cnongh toteftifie rgiinft him, that his religion fc nothing worth but vtinc. If hh leligion be in vainc, he can neither have any part in falvati- on, nor in a godly life : How van we which are dradto fmne, (faith the A- poitle) live any longer therein ? The rcafon is, toeing they which arc dead to fiiine, arc fo made partakers of the po vYcr,vcrtuc, and grace of Chrift, that Of 'outward e^ils andfinnes to be uncunced. 1 6j ibatnaturall corruption hath loft her force to bring forth bitter fru'r. So (hat neither men can profcflTc religion without calling away their oil behaviour,but they muft bcdiffcmblcrs : neither can they be truly god- ::cf\e,ar.dfinne again ft God? Mofcs being a very mm of Cod, vcfufed when he might have enjoyed it, to be called andcotintcd the fon>;e of Pharaohs daughter an Idolater, and chofc ratherto lead an Hcbr.11.24, hard life with the people of God in thcWilderr.eflc, than to live in fin- full plcafures foraicaibn. Zachens one of the chief* Tole-gathcrers, Luke 19 ». an infamous man counted by the very multitude, (infomuch that they thought hardly or it, that our Saviour Chnft would goc into the houlc offobadaman) yet when Chrilt had converted him, while il he abode that day with him,and for proofc therccf,had pronounced of him open- ly, that he was that fame diy made the fount of Abraham •, \\ ho at his en- tringiniintohim,wasamaiiifc(topprcflbrand polcrofthcpcoplcjwhat did he ? a thing feldome fecne in Inch as have their hearts nailed to their rbefmstbat goods,and have their whole delight taken up in them: He revenged him- beUitdbeftare iclfc upon hiscovetousand miter-like m ndc, and his greedy devouring rcnouiucdiftbt of other mens goods; and as fwectas they had becne to him in times 0iitivift pall,) ct to flicw how this finnc was in account with Wwvjegiveth halfc ofthtmto thepoore • arid made reftutitton with the rejhfonrtfuldyx.o fuch a s he had wronged. Oh worthy example to all opprcllors, or Tjfurers ! with whom all Is fifh that commc* h to net; and which (whofocver tmartforit, bcg,cem- plainc, yca,aiul pine away for very ibrrow of that which they have lort) uillnotf Tgoc any pcecc of their appctitCjhcreincojrming behind Indas Note, the traitor. Oil happie Zachetts! w ho haddctt learned in fo fhort time, that which many of thy companions in finnc, (as gicedy as thou wcrt,as unmcrcifullto thepoore, as violent indrawirg from others, tothein- richingof thcmlelvcs) cm never lcarnc in all their life time. Full truly tiocthey verihethe Scripture, which faith, Jti* m c*fte for a Camell t9 N 4 £9* £ 6 S Of four e forts of fuch ort committed cvils,he is the further off from all little reverence, (which '/ j** tvu k yet he fhewedto them before) and hath Chriftian religion in meaner ''"">• account afterwards for their caufe. I will not deny, but (foch is his fhame) that if any walke fincercly indeed, and without jufl caufe of rebuke, yet he is little moved to be better reformed by their example, neither greatly revcrenccth them, or takes any good by them, butrc- proachcth them rather. But that is, becaulc he hath fcenc fo many, who bcfide forne outward appearance of zeale, were little more gracious in their lives, or better than himfdfc; and therefore hee is hardened to dftitike fo of all the reft- Which wilfull blindnctfc and hardnefle of heart, though it be too fearcfall a figjic of Gods vengeance to him, andthat God hath given him over unto hisownc hearts defire; yet in the meane while, this in great part maybe juftly attributed to the lives of thole, wboprofiflittp a Tim.* 3,7. ] godlinejfe, yet tr. then deeds denied the fame, and were nothing leffc than they went for. Whofc curled courfe of living, (1 mcanc them which have caufed others to fall moltdangcroufly) doth witnertc and l'pcake fore ag*inft them, and they arc enemies to their ownefoule,and nothing the men they %ot for. And fcldomc have I fcenefcch robe reclaimed fro :n their evill ci>- Sucbucfilimt dome and couric, when they have long lien in it, (if they had know IccVc nclaimii, that they did evil!)and to be brought to any fuch changc,that in charity, better hope might be conceived of them, but as they lived, fo they have died; that litCiC other good could eahly bereipedby ihcm, but th;i, that luch as knew them might beware of them. For when they be fo groifc in their lives, that for ail the appearance of religion, they be jultly ill ipoken of among the prophane, it had becne better they had never made any profetfionat all : As in that one example ot Sdul is to be fecne, who though he offered facrificesto the true God ; yet he did things odious in the eyes of the wicked world, and fuch as the worlt of his l'crvants could not be brought to approve,and joync with him in, lave thatone,I mca:>c curled Dbc^ the Edomitc. J Sam.iMS- But of luchas are notorious offenders, howfoeverthey have a fhew of godlincfTe, there is no queltion, but that their cftatc is damnable, the Lord himfcifc givcth fentenceon them fo plaineiy, faying; Know yenotj that the unrighteous fhall not inherit the Kingdomcof God > i Cot.c&xo. Be i -o Of four c forts offucb m 6r (.ihttion, Be pctdcccivcd : Neither fornicators, neither i lolaters,neradu/t:« ' pace, peace s>vhex there no peace Jeremy 8.11. Alanine Apoftlc miglu ill fiy, that hecto whom the Lord hath given a flu red hope of iaivation, mii't renounce u \r> >dii- nefleand worldly lurts of necclfity, if a man loaJen with liich a i)ur- il»cn, might yet, as one that runneth well^attainc to thc.crownc of -lory a a the Lords Kingdome. If 1 71 Of foure forts offuch cu hope for fthation, If any marvcll what I meanc to let downc this rabble of cvill quali- ties, it may pleafc him to underhand, that it is the thing which I am to prove, that no fuch life ituffcd with fuch gr&ffe iniquities can bee that life which God will accept of: and yet many thousands thinkc other- wife, and their opinions being mod welcome to chefewhom I havede. feribed, it was meft meet that I fhould by fo good occafion debar fuch ignorant men, haying no good confcicncc (as much as in me licth) from fuch boldnefle. M.jtjUuzhat Bcfidcs, I would wifo others (who doe not perhaps utter their minds the rude f&r &> rudely and plainly as thcfc,but are more fubtill to beguile thcmfclves) tbek Unjtly to take me as fpcaking to them, if their lives be corrupted, and defiled Q'ceil"**1f'oyn With thefe and the like offences, and yet will needs hope andtruft for qfJitfcs ^ m ^a^vat'on : f*or lt 's to be feared (and therefore I account this watch-word Note. ' not m vaine) that many a one will bee ready to laugh when they heare the homclinciTe oftheir (pecches, who had more need to wcepe for be- ing fo like them in qualities. A tbhdfert. But to proceed : ofthefc three laft kinds there is afecond fort, which Civ.U Trt- come yet more nccre (in the judgement of men) to the godly life, and fefns. may feeme to have great wrong offered them if they bee not fo taken. Thcfe arc hypocrites, but differing from the firft fort,fceing they fhunnc infamous abominations ; who bccaulc they kcepc within fome civill courfeof honefty, and are free (fome of them efpeciaUy) from grofle offences, thinkc themfclvcs to bee of the beft fort of good livers, and fcornc to be accufed, though their open faults are many, whom God doth fufficiently brand with the markc of infamic, when he faith, That Mauh. M. J l< Harlots [ball fooner enter into his Ktngdome than they. In this refpccl hec 5.10. fpcaketh fb, for that their finnc being manifeft, it may (boner and rafier be repented of. But becaufe they take no warning by his Word, he doth further be- wray them, and let them out indeed, to be knowne for fuch as he never 1 Cor.iaf. tookc plcafure in, bewraying their hypocrifie as it is to be fecne in ludas, and giving them over in the end, to their owncdcfircs to commit grie- vous fumes with grecdineffe ; that feeing they would needs offend (in a clofcr manner) other wife than God would, he lets them offend iomc- times,otherwifc than they thcmfclves would, even fliamcfully ; and iuf- fercth now and then, here and there in all ages, fomrof them to hang and drownc thcmiclvcs, or to die in defpaire, or in f >me other miferable manner, when their finnes arc brought to their remembrance power- fully, ifpoffibly he might bring fome of the reft to repentance by their examplc.ThcfcperfwadcthcmfelvcsthatthcydolivcgodIy,anciyetby apparant Note, yet renounce not openfinnes and outwjrd offences. 1 7 3 apparantproofcof Scripture, they may fee plainly, if they would exa- mine it, that they doc not fo : For of filch our Saviour fpeakcth, when he faith to his Difciplcs, Sxccft your rrghteoufnefc exceed the righte- yaal^.xo% oufneffe of the Scribes andPharifecs, yee dwiot erter into the King dome of Heaven. Thefc (it fcareth mc to uttct it, but that it is-Gods truth) as farre off as they be from Gods Kingdomc (to the fght of men) goc in fundry points, far re before the two former forts, who yet thinke their eltate to be good. Oh therefore how many (thinke wc) doe pcrifh ? And SomeefaU tbt/k yet fomeofalithcfc three forts are fometime pricked in conscience, and ti rpfirt$gn lore di (quieted in thcmfclves for their mines, (which is hardly procured ft******' fritty and wrought in the mod hearers, no not by oft and found teaching) but £«?P U9ttl yet indeed this is only a flavifh terrifying of them, fot fcare of thepu- Ku'pu.i7. nifhment : in which fearc they doc alfo confeiTe their finne, and that in Pialac 50.16. tea rc6 fometime; and yet though they take Gods Word and covenant in their mourhes. they hate to be reformed. And therefore doc the more harmc, according to the faying of Salomon in the Proverbs: A p 'arable prov. if.?. in the mouth ofafoole,is like themes in the hand of a drunkard,which frieze ihemfelzes, andthofe which are neere them. So fuch as be taikers of the Scriptures, and yet will not be guided by them, doc hurt themfelvcs and fuch as hcare them. There may be fecuc in them for the time, a leaving of fomc of their evill qualities, that a man would marvel! at them, as Iohn Bapti/rdwi, ■ »cfi\v the Ph an fees re fort to bio bapttjme. Howbeit this is but ex- Mark.tf.xo* ternall in fomc things, and for a feafon, as Herod, who did many things at Mm hut caching : and as Sphraim in Ofe, whofe goodneffe Wits as the mor- Hof.4. 4. «*£ dew. In their trouble theyfee^e the Lord, but they fecke him not as Micha.6.6, j hey who would fnde him: for then would they not icavcorf to feekc il they had found him, as the Church d'd \n the Canticles. Neither Cant 3.3,4. hey regard his waics when their trouble is ended ; (though they fought him early whi 1c itlafred) as /v;ii never fail from him anymore; but they flatter him ^^ ?8 1* ><• with their mouth, and dijfemble with their tongue, their heart is not uprro ht with him, neither are theyfdithfuli tie h%s covenant. They will lharply tell others of their faults, though they be but (mail, yca,though they be but io in their opinion ; as though they could not abide that God fhouid be dishonoured : but they thcmfclves will not take a rcproofc, but hate them 174 > '?• Sudden Jl fits Nocc Afmrtbftrtaf [prtftjfm, Of foure forts offuch cu hope for fahntion, them who give them admonition. They are zealous in fomethirgs,but it breaketh out many waics, not to have bcene true godlincfie, by their inconflant fervency md other paffions. They heart the Word of God willingly fometimes,and fome of them fpeakcofitwith joy, and wonder at the heavenly wrfdomc of it, butic vanifheth away and flccteth : whereas if it had bee.ic found, it would have increafed and continued, as the herbc that taketh root in good ground, becommeth fruitful!. So they attaine to many good gifts of God, whereby one would thinkc fometimes, that they were not farre from cternall life; but they cither bury them t»anay\tWj%\\& doe no good with them, orufe themamifle (stsludat did Chnfts communion with him) to their owne hurt, while they dare beholder by meanesof thefc gifts to oftend God, than if chey had them not. But if I fliould reckon up thebcdrolcs of open and apparant faults, though no: odious to the world, which they fuffer in thcmfelve* and nourifh, (yet under the name of infirmities) it fliould cafily appcareto fuch as have any judgement in the Scriptures,that they cannot be recko- ned among them who renounce their hnnc, or among the bcleevers and beloved of the Lord* For howibevcrhegather his Elect out of all thefc kinds, yet are none of them to bee accounted for his, while they abide and continue fo. From thefe faults therefore let the belecvcrs feparate themfclves. The third fort of thefc three laft kinds, and diverfc from the two for- mer now mentioned may be added; who being fore {tumbling blockes and offences to many, defcrve to be reproved with the former: ye fliall know them by the defcription which I let do wnc of them, by rehearling their particular properties; who if they repent not, will in the end (though 1 hope better of fome of them) prove no better than the reft. Thefc though their finne cannot properly be counted hypocrite as the former finne is, (for they doc not fo much fecke thcapplauic and praifc of men) yet it is cleere, that they are not faithfull in the covenant which they made with God, when they firft embraced and received thcGof- pell, that is, that they would let God before them, and walke with him continually, neither abide they m their integrity which they lecmed ibmctimestohave. Among whom they are to bee counted, who fcemingtobee of the forwarder fort, doc yet oftend dangeroufly, and fufrcr the fame blcmi- fhes before men, to brcake forth in countenance, fpeech, behaviour, (againft fuch as they miflikc, though far better than themfclves) which tcltifie that their hearts arc inwardly poifoncd in the fight of God : who for yet rencunce not openjinnes and outward offences. 1 71 forthcir zealethattheyhavctowardsthc worfhip of God, doc thinke fo well of thcmlclves, that they cannot brookc nor abide any other, who differ from them in judgement about fomc things, though they rbeya>>r »*t'i *d they be at variance with any, (how honcitand godly foevcr) yet they f^f^f^ cannot afford thema Chiift'ian and friendly countenance, nor fpeake a word to them, without taunting, g;rding,rating,or wounding thenynd in their abfencc deface and defame them very uncharitably for fome- what which they miilike in them, and yet oft times without anyjult ^.aJ cerjrur(fi cafe at all. Yca,ar.d fomc ofthem being thcmlelves but private men, (but 0(ol]t:% put the cafe ibmc ofthem be in the MiViillery) and men unlearned, doc make ita^reat pcece of their Religion, tocenfure flurply, and defcanc arrogantly of their betters and frptrioirs : fo that it is well knownc,that many of them have turned utterly to become Schifmaticks, and other have not beene farre from them. Which kind of zealous profeifors I doc the more boldly reprove, be- caufc icmc have thought mcc a favourerof fuch ; their rcadinefTcin re- ceiving the Gofpcll I have well liked, and as I have been able furtheied it : but this arrogant, bold, and uncharitable (pirit of theirs, bringing forth fuch fruit, as I have mentioned, (never taught them in any found Miniftcric) I utterly miflikc, and have done from time to time, hnce I "had any judgement. WTho havir.gbccnc content for fomc yeares fpacc Nore. to bee taught, (as feeing great need thereof) have in a few yeares, I Smntriptm may lay moneths,outgrowne their icachcrs, (in their ownc judgements) tbtirnm and have thought almoft none of them good and meet enough, or fuffi- CinCu" dent for them ; and therefore fomc of them have given thcmiclves (as they fay) to grow by their private reading, when they might have becne taught alio in the publikc aifcmbly : whieh fomc ofthem rcfufe to doc, eip ccialiy by the muiihVry of fuch as they arc exafperated againft j and io for the fcvvii ig of their ownc cankred humour, they iinnc againffc d God in breaking one of the greatcftComi-nandcmcncs. 1 give herein a tallcof the reft of their Qualities of like ibrt : Js this behaviour befec- ming-Chiiiti ana ? To whom may be referred thefe, who goc for zealous perions, and iThcfj.io, yet live iAWttimitfth without attending upon any hoi:clttradc, but arc n, iJle,unpiofuablc,bufie-bodics,and counting itgodlinclieto taikcofthe farJbrMttfom iaulcsof others ; yea, and oftentimes l'peakc to plcafefuchasarcmthc company, and this not by unawares, or fuddenly, at fomc one time, but oft, and without any hearty repentance, (for die they would amend :) vhich when ihey have donc^ how can they dcimc any fuch name of reverent I?« /frj* man who Rom i»»p. Tlh'fcrp'itbtb: former aie fir off from a godly Uft. Much nrtri Fj- pifhftwlijts, Ads 1 8. it. Keprubf*!! fir any :o rcjoyce in the n*Ktc of Cbrifims.and it be ftzmed wi. fa inwjid lufiS) ex Of fourc forts offucb cu hope for falvation. reverent Chriftians, or to be fo accounted ? when they, who will bee thought forwarder than other, ffrallnot lookealfo that they live more without offence than orher, but in the.: dealings c.ic with another (lull be worfc than fuch civill men as have no Religion ; what a reproach is it to them ? when there fhall be contending in words, bittcmeifc, open brawles^nfccmly crowings one over another, caiting one another in the teeth with their infirmities, reporting in all companies what wrongs they have Mated one by another, laughing tor j'oy when they arc fallen whom they miflike, when there fhall be fro ward and currilh an- swers, takjng tilth tngs intheworj} part, and fjr no pcrUvafion, remk- ting any thing of their uttcrmott due towards fuch as be in their dan- ger; what leckoning is to be made of their Religion? When men will be taken for cvrnett profeflbrs, and yet they (hail be found hollow and double in their dealings, one fpeccli to fomc, and at iomc time, but con- trary at othertimes to other pcrfons, and fo bee void of plaiuc dealing • fo that for commodity, they depart from manifeft duty, what arc they in refpeel of that which they doc pretend? When they dare yet feed their eyes with unchaftc lookes, thereby making way to the defiling of their bodies, when they will nourifh the occahons thereof, although not fo openly as others doe, by company, talkc, amorous lookes, lafci- vious and wanton ftage-playes : and to conclude, when they carry about them fuch other bad qualities, though more fobtilly covered and fecretly hidden in them ; let no fuch pleafc thcmfelvcs in their ferving of God, by praying, hearing the Word, or in the bcfl things that arc in their lives, for all their hope is but decci veable, they arc grolly guilty of great ungodlincfle, the which the true Chriitianhath ban.fhcd from his life and renounced. Now if this fort (partly mentioned alreadic, and partly to bee menti- oned) who (I mull needs fay, for fome religious du'ies which they doe) comemoftneere of all the three former to the godly life, (as no doubt they doc) doe yet faile of it, and have little part in it : I fhall not need to fhewhow farrc others (of what profeffion foeverithcy bee) are off from it, I meanePapifts, the family of love, which feci are no better than coloured Atheiits 5 or any other of the civillcr fort,who like Calii§, meddle little with Religion : fuch of whom, as a matter not douotfull or needlciTe, I will now be filent. For the benefit and good of the offenders whom I have bewrayed, and to gather into a fumme, that which I have faid of the renouncing of inward and outward evils, this I fay, if by anymeanes I may fet before their eycs3 and perfwade them how odious their eftatc is: (and / jet renounce not openfinnes and outward offences. 177 (and I fay it in companion of them) that neither the inward rebellious lufts.whiehlhaveipokenof, nor the outward behaviour which I have mentioned, is any way or in any manner befeeming the Chriftianman. But whileft the Lord urgcth this at his peoples hands, they have nofel- Ephcf.f.f b' Uwjhtp with fuck ttnfruttftill vporkes of darkenejje, but clcarfe themfelves »Cor,7.i. fromaltthat u cvHttboth offonle end body ; fo long fhall it be rcproachrull for all which rejoyce in the name ofChriftians, to be cither in their hearts ftaincd with fuch corruptions, or in their lives defiled with fuch blemi- shes. Which being fo, is itnotto be wondred at, efpeciaily, feeing the hfioulin&be will of God is fo clcerely revealed, that this fliould be ib harVh and unfa- counted barfly it vory a thing ;yea and foolifli, even among fuch as will be thought zca- Pffurf(h*t lous, thic we fhouldfo particularly hftourfelvcs fromthefc, when yet t^u^%^ the Lord by the Prophet rcquireth that this be done againe and againc, '* * faying, Fanne your felves.f+wne your fe Ives > O Nat ton not worthy to be lo- ved? Zephaniah 2.1. It is manifeft in the better fort of thofe fo renamed, that in their parti- cular actions, and daily courfe of their lives, there is finall moderation f^otCm of their afte&ions, and uibridled defires, or watcbfulncflc ovcrthem, fo that well ordered government is as farreoff : and therefore rafhand undifcrcet going about their matters is almolt every where to be fcenc, which, bchde offence to God and men, bringcth bitter repcntancc(if any)tothem(clvcs. Bearc with me(gentle Reader) though I goc farre, and abide long in them; it may be fomc fhall take more good at the hearing of them, and their hearts more relent, than ever they could be brought to doe, at the committing of them. Such frowardnelTe, heart-burning, and mo ft fore broiles there are Ctbvdrice of their right, (be their nccemtie never lb great) norany regard had of their diftreffed create; who can thinke of it with- out lamentation ? ^* Such giving mens felves the bridle in their merry makings, (I fpeake ldlcuUj. fiiiloffoch is favour the Gofpell) totalkc what they will, fo as it be not* O uKcrcty 1 7 & Of four e forts of fucb cu hope for fal^uion , mecrely. impious, how unprofitable focver it be to edifying, or huri to example; (when yet fur every idleword moifraUy it} when as alio fuch times of friendly meetings fhould bcufed for the ^aininqof M«uh.ii.i j, one another to God, ox confirming tneattzthcr w their wrf ' a/fo for thryravokingt 9 love . Vtfimtfc Such unquictncHc inthegovernersof families, fbrc^ery tiling that is not to their liking,ns pcttic loifcs, and di (commodities in bouic, or \\ Note, out, by neighbours oiiervants, when y«t their ownc unruly hearts and impatiencrvdoc make their lofles.farrc greater than' they are, and they iliould liavc learned co. be prepared in the day for the troubles thcicof: (I underftand this of piofcilcd Chriitians} letfuch as tUclc are, little rc- joyccinthemfclves. Such broilesand breach of duty betwixt husband and wife.; inch flrifc^andoft contentions, that every fouil occalion of ditlentingonc from another about any thing, mull bring pecviflnieilcJicarE-bLiruM*g| lirangencffe/owerncfVc ;yca, and oft times abfence from beet and boCP'd : fothat they mult commonly have a day of debating the cak before* is can be forgotten and digcllcd, who can chiuke how common jt-is, with* out dcepe bewailing-it ? •And where more agreement is betwixt .couples, yet totmskchowlic* tlconeisthc betterfor thcother, to Godward in knowledge, faith"-, a* merhimenr, mcckncffc, patience, by reading, praying, communing tc* gcthcr, and watching ovcrxjp.c another for their mutuall good, (which yet they iliould doc toothers) and therein be hdpes each to other, as VVC-lJ.-as in things of this life : tomaake^I fa ) tdc good is J.oae- f> n 1 18. twimhern, is it not worthily to'be complained of ?■ And yet of ciicft TThcfT.j.J* two tlungSjthelJtter is thought ncedjetlceo be urged, as though weigh- tier matters were in hand alwaies'j t,hc former is defended, that ibmetime janes rnufi needs-b^ ^iHvitcaniiQ|.bc.othc.rvvife3 and therefore not to bec ipokenagaiolr. , -...v. Jrftcflifi. -Aga^in ftichwrcccivstfifiGft^ i.owdoththc pride of lift (Iripjqa.nejMlrhty inefwhty things) beftre fway' irt them* the fitted baneof^TTany othci copoiion them^ VVkacrclling of thcmfclvcs is there i« the commodities , pieaftir.e^, prefeinlcnM of this life,.( which ycr,- thcy may lofe cr' lo mojcrow^injCafeaiidiPHfoiperitie, ia\yifc, Children Fficnds, (great benefit no doi^OanJ^that, which thfy have \? And u the fumptuous apparelling t-hcg$ielS'CSo; thinking themieives thereby to be others than they arc ; and therein not only to imjjoverifii tbcrnfclvcs,, • M l*ut in all outlancUfu and monftrotts manner touifguifc thcmlcJves, l)jiftkinjthatythersAdmii^,thcma(S greatly,, as they doc ihcmfclvcs* C how' jet i ' not ofcnjimes >mduutwardvffwce>t ij? teir henVttfwiththcfc and picafc thcmiclvcs thereto; ^tdlthoydifplcrikGod, but till thcyarc eaten up oftlu-: en, and their religion fo quailed and cooled in thcm,thnc ye may .:. that they love dr.rhjr. r be his Difciples. What mould I fpeakof thcm,who although they will boldly a ffirmc, lUdtcMting that they will not bearc with the finnc of any, (110 not their ownc-chil- tkarchitfr:** drcnjto offend God for their fakes ; yet will take part wmhthem having done wickedly, and boMtcrthcm up, when they iliould becpunifhed, though it be to the offence of many? What grievous eye-fores arc they to many, whofuffcr Rich as arc under their government, not only to runnc afcer their pleafures at fuch times as they fhould fervcGod, and neither teachthem their IcIycs, nor bring them where rhcymaybe taught, but alio are privie to their itealing oftheir neighbours commodities; yea, bcaTCthcirfiucincflc,rtoutncfle,andmalcpaitncffc,aiid annoy other with fuch intolerable burthens, untill they be check-mate with the moft an- cient Elders ; and at laft come to a fcaicfull end thcmfelvcs, and kill their parents with their forrow and gricfc ? J But alas, what end is there of complaining,^ fay Ggaine, not of irreli- gious, prophanc andblockifh men, but of iuch as lookc verily to be fa - vcd)if I mould not pluckcmy pen from paper? Fori have fa id nothing of die hollowncfle in friendfhip among Chritfians, as they are accoun- ted ; how their love is mixed with much diffwmUtion,.tn word oacly. Note. hot in heart and m deed: and how hardly credit may be given to their hut *J?*wr/rK*rf« words, or countenances ? But as for tafhion they were Slewed ; lb accor- J ding to the fafhion of the world, they arechanged into another affecti- <>n,thanthcy promifed. I have not mentioned inanyofthc Itrongcor- Rom. 11.9. ruptions andrankc rebellions breaking out in fomcChri(tiani,and thofc 1 loha j.'jfl., or no common hope amon^ their brethren. 1)cuV- 10?« IhavcfcaicclymcBtioucdthis^vhatdcadly fufpitions and hard con- y/' * ccivings 1 80 Certain* ob\e&ions rai fed of the former doClrme anfoered. ccivings they have of many better men than thcmfclves; howirnperi- cufly they judge, and matter-like they cenfurc them, whom, they arc" lames 3.1. not worthy to live with : when yet it is given us in charge, that rve be not ntAiynuiftLTs: yea, and thefe faults are committed many times, when no occafion is given; which makcth their finnc the greater rand if there icany,yctmeekneflrandlcnitie, which fhould be in all reprovers N«uv might eafiiy remove them ; whereas freward and uncharitable condenJ nin^doth nosood. A poyfon which dwelleth, as I have faid, moft principally in the Schifmatickesof our time, and inch as have learned that way : who if they had not deceived themfelvcs , in thinking thcmfclves the moft zea- lous of others, they mould have allayd the bitternefTe of their ftomacks with humilitie and love, which would have becne a more comely orna- ment than the other, whatfoever they thinke of thcmfclves. But here an end of the fc things. That which hath becne laid, doth coo clcerely prove, that ail thefc xindes, though they hope for falvation, yet renounce not open finnes and outward offences-, and therefore arc fane from it.. ■ C H A P. XI. Of certain Ob\etyiow$ raffed from tbefor-.nsr dotkrine,twd anfwers thereto! as rvhyweejhdu/d fut differences bemrxt men: end whether ike noMy- majjfkli reproachfully, andwhdtinfirmities they may have. Object. T) Vt methinkes 1 hcare fome objecting thus: What ? arc all damned, AteaUiiub £j and cut of theefhtc of grace, which commit any of thefe finnes?- And may not many of thefc offenders, nocwichftandingthcirfaults, be %/fnfw* the children of (Jod ? And if men comma fuch faults, doc they not (thinke wee) repeat afterwards ? I fay, if they doc, ( to anfwer all NMi three in one word) thefc objections are fooneanfwered. Alfothcy fay, they canoot abide that fuch ciifrcrence&(houki be made of men*And have the godly, whom yeeilioalc out of others, nofaults, but are they with- out infirmities? Are they fo pure, that they live not as otner men? And doc not their lives gather up the common finnes of the time, as holy as •'they be? Anddaerhcynociyein themalfofbrafeafon, as well as they G d (ho ' ' 0 W^° arc IK?; thought k> holy ? Whkhif-it be fb, why Should we have frntfrtm others. ^aGn differences of men ? Why fhould one be fixraled from the orher t ? gfaii.i.jQtitf. I.anfwcx, as for differences of men they are putbythcLord himfclfe, both , Itjtrmitks m all. 31 Certaine ob]eSiions rdfed of the farmer doSlrine anfvered. 1 8 i both in name, conversion, and reward : to the Theffalonians, he faith, The Lord p.\ill recommence tribulation to them which trouble hti : but to i ThciT.t. f ,f. thefewhicf>4rciroiibUdfeacTd*dreft:zndttectd Johni«.i. flioalc Gods elect and beloved ones from the world, and to bring them tohisfheep-fold. As concerning infirmities, it is defended by no Chrifiian,that.mcfort,and for a timc,to be carried after the ftrcame ofthe cvill exam- immf\im* pic of fo many, which are in the world fo common and almoft univcr- lall : for the beft live where Satans throve w,that is, among the children of dilbbcdicnccjwho are ruled by him,(evcn as the Ifraclitcs and the j£- gyptians dwelt together) whole unfavoury and ftinking breath, what marvell were it, if the whole and found fhould be infected with it ? And further,as they may poiTibly have their part in the fins ofthe ungodly ;fo I deny not, (if God Scare not the greater authority with them,and if his Avord be not the more regarded of them) but that they may alio lie ftill in the fame lothfomencfle for a feafon, though finally to their comfort. This to be true, both lamentable examples of the Scripture doc flicw in Noah, Lot, Davidytind Peter: and wofull experience among us in all ages docteftific. But what then ? are they therefore given over ofthe Lord to lye and abide in them, and being wafhed to wallow againc inthc mire ? And as I deny not but that it may be poin*blc,and is too clcere by wo- full experience, that the beft may be {harcd with the finnes of others j fo yet, I fay, that when they fall, it appcavcth plainly, that it was the fub- till malice ofthe Devill, watching his opportunitie lb narrovvly,that he deceived them ; rather than that they were given over like wicked men, to lie therein, and to addc finnc to hnne without combat and conflict, as though they bad made aleagucveith fin^andivere-withoHt Godintbeworld, as the other be. And the rather I fiythis,becaufe when they have bcenc awaked , and come to themfclvcs againc, they arc fo ftrangely amazed at Cantic.y.a. their oftcncc,and fo tremble to think what they have donc,and can have N0^ no peace within themfelves untill they returne : and that after they have got out, they aremade more wary and vigilant agaioft the like another time •, the which ofthe wicked cannot be faid^in any oftheir repenting?, O 3 till Note. Diftrentebe- tirecretbeftlt eftbe godly i*d tbem.iciL 1 81 Cert nine objections raifed of the former dottrine anfvered. Canric.3.4,?. till God change their hearts indeed; although in fudden and rafh fcirc they may be flighted* till it vanifh away againc like fmokc, and fo come to nothing. The godly fill Lait of all, when have they fallen dangcroufly, who had fo well bc- n^butrvhcH gun ? Hath it becne while and when they have held on in their courlc of &d 'tckful** ^nn^un dutie ? ^avc they becne violently carried from the platformc lf>«. Mil a»id direction ofa godly life, whether they would or no, as not know- ing what they did ; or how they were brought to it? Yea rather, have they not at iuch times given thcmiclvcs the bridle, and furfcrcd their minds to run too fai re, after that which they tookcplcafure in, and of- fended by ? And have they wifely avoided the occafions of inch mif- chicre ani danger ac fuch times, as they ufually were wont ? Neither object here, that a man cannot be at all times watchfull, and tlic \\ ifeft fhall or may be fomctimes overcome. I anfwer: were they waric, but as they have bceneufually,whcnthcy were preicrved from fuch rcproach- full fais ? For if it were lo with them, they could not thus offend : but if they have becne weary of Gods governing of then?, and have thought long tdl they have gotten more hbertie to the ficfh ; and to be at their Prov.9 17. ownc hand with the world, and to count ft alien waters freer , it is no mar- veil though they have fmartcd with Dinah, for ranging and feck ing to have their will amifTe : for if his ownc children provoke him, he imiftp*- PfaU? 3T3 3 1. nifb even their finncs with the rod, and then offences- with thefcoptrae, till they returne and fay, we have finnecL Pkl.91.1r. God hath promifedro^f^ us in*IUmrw*yeSi wherein he appointcth Horv xve mayjc us to ^ai^ arkj whileft our rrundes arc leading us thither, wc are in no * ' ° danger, and he hath promifcd us ftrength to walkc in them. But if wc aChron. 16$. will runne out of cur bounds, with Shimt't, where our owne hearts tell us that weareindangcr; is it any wonder, if afterwards ittakcholdof us ? and was it not thus with that deare fcrvant of God,whom the Scrip- Afk.T3.21. turc commendeth by this title// at he was aman accordingto Gods mind ? aSam.n.4. tnat when that onetime bcfel,more to his reproach than aiother,hc was found to give himfcife the bridle of unlawful liberty ,and to fhake off the fecret rcine of holy feare, mote than ufually he did ? And who denieth, but that in fuch a cafe,ifthcy refufe to Hand upon their watch, they may • become like other men? but yet for all that, is there great difference be- twixt the one and the othcr,as hath beenc faid,thc one offending in that fort, feldome, neither then long lying therein: the other making it his practice to brcake OLt one way or other. And therefore we mult know, that when we have obtained once to bclccvc, and thereby to have our poy foned hearts purged and made clcanc, as it is the greateft of all other benefits: Certaine ob]ettions raifed of the former dottrine anfacred. i s $ benefits ; fo it is and may be kept fo, by fuch mcancs as God hath provi- Prov 4 ij* ded, and not loft any more, but confirmed and continued in the fcarc of God. But then, as we be one with Chrifr, and partakers of him, and as blanches ofa vine, which fuck ourfappc and draw our fpirituall ftrcngth and nourishment from him; fo it is required of us (and we willingly yeeld to it) that we hold fafithe beginning of our abiding in him, that ts, Hcbr.j. 12,14. our fai. h unto the cnd„wd that we take heed that there be not at any time in m an evill and corrupt heart, which will make us fall from the living God, to our owne deceitful! imaginations and defues,and fo to fall dangerouf- ly, and to purchafc hcavincfle thereby, our bellies full. And this let every one endevour to doc, and he fhall fee himfelfe fo ftrongly fenced, that through Gods blcfling, (which faileth not in fuch a cafe,) he (hall be free from the diet of the carelcfle livers, (who arc every while fhaken) becaufcthey who walk? uprightly, walkefafdy: but rroY.ro^; he tha: perverteth his wayes, God willfinde him out. For whereas many of NcIC* Gods beloved ones procure fore wounds in their lives,and anguifh there- by, it is but the fruit of their owne labours, who will not be held within holy compaffe, but plead for fome unlaw! till libeitic, and count it ftrict- nefle more than nccdeth, (by hcarkningtoo much to the unruly flefh,) to tiethemfelves to anycertaine directing of themfelvesin hisfcrvice; ( when yet his lervicc is perfect frecdomc) whofc evils I defend not : but yet I fay,aslhavefaid,ifthey behis,they fhall rife and repent with Te.er, if they have fallen with him, when yet the wicked (hall lie (till l Tira.j.ij. and wax vvorfe. But ye demand, and would needs have me anfwcr,whether I can war- Howmantof rant fuch as fcare God, that they fhall never fall into fome rcproachfuil "^fffl"^** and dangerous evill, as other men doe, as well as they may breakeout m' iome other waycs.Ifl might anfwera wile and foberdcmandcr,I would not refufe to fpeake my minde ; although it may in part be gathered by that which I have laid already : unto fuch a one therefore I fay ( for if any other lee his owne practice not to agree with my aniw cr Jet him im- pute it to his owne iinne rather than to my rafhncfle.) I lay therefore, feeing rare and deare fervants of God have fallen thus into fhamcfull ncwaybtpn- finnes, it may fecme fcarcc polfiblc for the beft in thefe latter times, be- (ewtifym^ ing farre inferiour to fome of them in gracc,to be free from the like fcare- t^i% full falls. But yet wemuftknow, that fome other of his good people, God hath preferved from that kindc of fhamcfull linncs and Haines, Enoch, Abraham, Caleb, Iofu.ih, with many others: and therefore it may of us be hoped for, that we may doefo, cfpccially feeing it isnq other thing than we are commanded to have lpeciall regard and care of; O 4 that 184 Certaine ob] eft ions raifed of the former doSlrine anfwered. that is, to live without juj? reproach in the middefr of a crooked genera? ton* and unftained. S. TeTerfakh, If) theft things ,je fall never fall; that is, dangcroufly, to take any great hurt thereby. Therefore by thefe, and fuch other pcrfwafions, vvc ought tobcin- couraged; for to us there is good hope to obtaine grace hereunto. But feeing all Cods children cannot alike bepcrfwaded, thatthey ought to give all diligence hereunto; even that they maybe unrcbukablcamongft mcn,as iW/did,and fo taught others to doc ; but thinkc it impoffible to lire lb conftantly, but that they fliall fometimc brcake out dangcroufly : Therefore fuch muft be taught wifdome by experience, and fome of them being more proud than others, mutt have their pride abated, and their hearts humbled, and healed by fuch medicines, (for grievous falls are phy ficke for pride ; ) and many who have iomc grace, but not the grace which is fuffrcient for them, arc dangcroufly proud, bcciufc they have not fallen fhamcfully, that is, into fomc odious crime, and yet they have fallen fhamefully (if they could fecit) in that they arc dangc- roufly proud : if God therefore feeth it meet to abate their pridcthcre- by, they may poflibly fall after fuch a manner, and this is oneway, whereby a godly man may fall reproachfully. Another way, if it be for the more manifeltingof Gods glory in for- giving them fo great a trcfpaiTe, they may alio fall dangeroufly, and to the offence of others : For God our mcrcifull Father feeth this expedient oftentimes, as both in Peter and 'David it came to pafTc, as alfo in many others : Who doubtleiTc loved the Lord more than fome others of his faithfull people, which never fell in that manner, (as Peters anfwer, and Davtds Pfalmes doc clccrely reftific) yea, and fuch loved him the more, even for that very caufe, feeing they obtained mercy againft fo great finnes of theirs, and fearcfull iniquitie. But yet they fell gricvoufly,(as their ftories doe teftifie) when others, notfb renowned as they, with neere acquaintance with God, arc not reported to have broken out ib openly and dangcroufly. And why hath this beenc fo, but to the end, that it may be feene, that God hath fhewed great mercy towards fuch, and got himfelfe a name thereby,as that he is (low to wrath,and of great kindneffe, as the Scripture reportcth of him. And from hence aiifeth a third end, why God fuffcreth fomc of his dearc children fometimc to fallorTer-fively, that is, for thefhyingand upholding of many wcake fcrvants of his, from tei ror and defpaire,aftcr fome fore and heavy fall. For when they know and fee this,that he hath forgiven fo great offences, to fuch as have fallen gricvoufly, they alfo conceive hopetofindc like mercy ; who other VN'iic beholding the hea- venly 2 Peter if. Colofi.11. lam 1.17. 1 Peter 1.1c. 1 Cor. 4.3, 4- A6tt 16.1I, jo. The fir (t end why Cydfujfersfome to full fo that tbey tr.aybcbumblcd bytbtirJaUs* Note. The ftcn:l end, to iMJin'ifk bis mercy mf or • pvmi treat finuers. Iuhflii.i5« Luke 7 47. Tocl 2*11,13. A third end why the fuibfull faU, tn regard of $tbcs. What infirmities the godly maj have. 1 8 5 venly courfc of fuch excellent fcrvar.ts of his, hew holy and finecre it was, (lave in ibme fuch offence) Should have bcenc utterly dilcouraged, yea, and like to have defpaired of their owne good cftatc : and the rather for the high opinion that they conceived of them, if they had not fecne or heard of thefc their falls. For thefc caufes therefore the Lord may,and often hath let fome of his deare fervants fall dangcroufly : firft, for the humbling of them; andfccondly, for that they may fee his exceeding bountifulneiTc in pardoning fo great ilnnes, that they may love him the more; and thirdly, that others farrc weaker than they, yet fairhfull, may be incouraged to belecvc, that their finnes fhall be pardoned, and their weakc fcrvicc accepted of him ; forallnuch as they have fcene that God hath pardoned great offences in fome, othcrwife farrc more excel- lent than they : which if they were not perfwaded of, they fhould be i Tim.i.itf. difcouragedmuch, becauicof the^reat graces and gifts in them, farre cxcecdingthofc which arcinthcmfelves,asl havefaid. Oihcrw-fer.9 And otherwife, or in other rcfpe&s, they need not fcare, that God A tender »;]Je wants, and deliver them from fuch dangers as they feare, ib farre as it is 0lrhiS- expedient; or clfc make them able to bcare them. For proofc whereof, cut33»1*- thcymay remember, how he kept them, when they had iinall skill or abilitie to kcepethemfelves, after that they firH embraced his promifes : will he not much more keepe them fafe, now they have experience of his kindncflc, and the power of Chrift working in them? Nay, that Rom.f.ro. which is more, when they were his enemies > he oavehis fonne to die for them : and now they are reconciled unto him, and approved of him, as his beloved ones, fhall they not much more beprefcrved by his living in glory, from the frarcfull judgements, which in his wrath he executeth againit the ungodly ofthc world ? Colof i.ij. Therefore if thou beeft prtmiU iHJtjimkliJhfdimjkUk, and holdefi Sma "»/""• Ui\ the beginning of thine ingrafting into Chrift, be of good comfort, ' etv>a^ thy grcatclt danger is paft : for can he that loveththec dcarciy meane hardly againft thee ? 7s therewith him yea mutmay^witb vrhom there is no Note* Jbadow of ch.tnot ? The Lord witnciTing to that which I fay, with reve- rence and thankriilncffe b< leeve it, cither thou (halt net fall reproachful, ly, or if thoudocft, it fhall be thus as I have laid; evenfo as it fhall turne to thy good : and it had need to be to thy great good, which can- -ot be without the great offence of fo many as (hall know it.For though fuch 1 8 6 What infirmities the godly may bat>e . fuch as (hall pcrifh may turnc this which I fay, to their ownc great hurt Rnm8.ji. ** they doe the Scripture alfo, (feeing to the uncleaneaH things are un- tPetcrj.i*. cUane,) fet'iS th§* fi?9*Ueft fltde, the Lord will hold: heettp, and make Titus 1.15, tjKC ^anj morc co.ifhntlyafccr. The world fecth no whit of this, but countech it all arrogancy, boating, and faifhood, becaufc indeed they belecvc do more than they fee, or than their reafon and fiefhly wifdome can pric into, which is an utter enemic to this heavenly truth : But O Canr.1.14. faith, what precious fecrcts art thou able to rcvealc to us of Gods minde and will? And how fafe is he, (yea, in this dangerous wildcrncffc of the 1 [obi j. 4. world) in whom thou dwelled, feeing the Lord hath laid 5 Thk u victory that overcommeth the world, even oar faith f What infinities And this for anlwcrto thefc objections. Now as I have promifed, I tb -sadly be wjllfhut up this part of Chrittianitic, concerning the renouncing inward fmjmu. an it mufl be keptfo afterward. they perfwadc it ? who neither watch againft it,ncither have their hearts out of love with it. Nay, they arc fo farre from ftriving againft it, that tSey are fet on rue to commit it; and would hate hirndeadly, which fhould carncftly diffwadc, much more with-hold them from the com- mitting of it : or doe they after the commntjing of it, bewaile it for that God was offended thereby ,and for their unkindncs againft his Majcftie, and for his diflionour thereby ? .It may be for fcarc of hell, and damna- tion, if they be nccrely urged, and left it fhould come to light, and fo Thiirfrnwii bring reproach and punifhment upon them; They may bowthemfelvet carrak f'kf abnlrup? for a fcafon. Which kindc of mcn'(that I may prove it to Note. be true, which I fay of them) when that pang and qualmc is over, arc not oncly merry and quiet againc, when yet they have no word of com- fort from God, but are read y to the like nnnc againc ; yea, and many of them commit it againe indeed a little while after. But will any call this wholfomc and godly fbrrow which br'tngeth reft** tavce? Alas 1 it is as farre from it, as the Eaft is from the Weft. Neither have they any ftrifc or combat before, or after the committing of finnc, as being cither diftradrcd inthcmfclvesforthat, which they have done, or fearefull, left they fliould commit the cvill which they goe about; further than this, that their confeience may fecretly tell them it is evil!, but they repell that warning of confeience and will in no wife hcaie the fame. And therefore they nnnc not, as children doc ; that is, by infirmi- tie. And thus much for anfwer to the former queftions. Chap. XII. Of the keeping of the he Art once purged in the fame good flight after* ward* Tbibeafpur- \T°w l having (hewed how God maketh the heart new, and chang- gcdrxuPfsbt IN cthit, before it be fit to be imploycd in well doing,and inbring- ??'• ing forth fruits of amendment ; and alfo how it being changed, renoun- ced cvill both inward and outward : we muft know how to kcepc it in good plight afterward ; that wc may be able from time to time, to con- tinue that courfe which by the firft change was begunne, and fo doc any fuch duties as wc arc bound toperformc, which othcrwifc cannot be. A fmile. For as vciTcls, which have becne unfavoury,arc not oncly once leafoncd, butkeptfweet afterwards, that they may be fit for ufc : andasmenufe to purge their fprings from that which might ftop them; fo arc our hearts to be preierved in the fame fort, that they become not bitter and corrupt The heart once purged, bow it muflbe kept fo afterward. . \i9 corrupt, as ofthcmfeWes naturally they arc prone to be. And the beft have need of this help* whiles they carry flefh about them, therefore much more young beginners. It isthe Lords Commandemcnt, that when our hearts areonce clean- Prov^.ij. (cd,we/bo*ld keepethemfi with all dilt general is,watch,try,and purge Him t) t li*i them from all defilements^ whereby they are wont to betainted and ^g poifoncd. We muft watch them, left we (hould for want thereof be de- ceived with the baits of linne: We mud examine and try them, feeing no man can watch fo carefully, but that much cvill will crcepein: and we mult purge out that filthy drolTe of concupifcencc which we findc by examining, that it let not our will on fire, to fatisfie and pcrforme the defires thereof. And the man of God, who was beft acquainted with the heart PfiU*** among many thoufands, both howevill it is, and how it is in the beft manner to bee looked unto and preierved, hee hath taught the fame: Thatthefcrvantof God, who hath by his mercy his former life pur- ged by the forgiveneffe ©f his hnnes3 muft kcepe it from new in- fections hereafter: Bf takwg heed, and looking to the fame, according to Gods Word. Thisisplaine to them that have experience in the Chriftian life, that vb.ucUwm men walking among fo many fnares of the Devill, baits of the World, g^wis mhen and meeting with fb infinite rebellions, and lufts of their ovvne hearts, as :behci7tlA(-i cannot.be cxprcflcd,- but a: w c "ndcthem out by.obferving them, arc ' not without contimia rand hurt if they be not acquainted with this holy watc - J ward: ,iu:byrhc helpeofthis, their knowledge may be as a lig .: to them in this daike World, and their provident care as aprefervativc from the infection of finne, which otherwife in all their dealings will meet with them. Yea, and (that I fay nothingof them who are without Chriit} even the bcleevcrs themfclves doc findc much annoiance,anddi(comfott in their lives for want of this, which neither Lul£c ,2 >*• they needed to feare, neither clboxt> it mufi befcptfo afterward. Now thefc and fuch like outftrayingsin them, till God by chaftifc- mcntscall them backe tgainc/.vill any fay that they bee nottbc fruits of an ill ordered heart? Even as I faid before, it is the ill governing of the heart that caufeth fuch excrements to come from it, and fiich dilguifing of the perfon,in whom it breakcth out fo oflfenfively ; this therefore had need to be looked unto with all holy and religious care, which is the point now in hand. And although it be the exceeding favour of God to correct fuch faults in his children,and to purge them out and amend them by fome fatherly afflictions, rather than they fhould remainc to the utter mine of the perfbns* yet had it not beene much better that they (Tiould never have given occafion thereof? And that they had beene carefull to kcepc themfelves within compalTc, as fome other of their brethren doe ? Who though they be not (no not the beft of others)excmpt from the common frailties of Gods Elect, yet doe they fo labour to efpy, hinder, and hold their corruptions tinder, in fecret lifting them, and fuing unto God with groanes and requcfts againft them, fo that they breakc not forth openly tothejuft offence of others, atleaft rarely, fo that it may beefecne, they keepe their hearts with all obfervation and dtttgence, more than the other doe. And yet for all that hath beene faid, I deny not but that thedcareft children ofGod may poflibly, nay eafily , as we have feene,be and are at fome time holdcn under this bondage by Satans fubtihy, fome more than others: fo that for a time they fhall bee drowned in the love of earthly things, or bee carried away by thofc which are finfull, rather than obtain a delight in heavenly. But by the fpirituall Armour of Chri- (rians, if they be once well exercifed in it, they may and doe thus farre prcvaile, that they recover themfelves againc, and get fupcriority oyer their hearts, and nndeandfeele that God is chiefe and all in all with thcm,to delight and joy in him, (as I doe not fee why it fliould be other- wile with any fuch as have truly tafted how good the Lord is :) andalfo they cut off numbers of thofe earthly and noy fome pleafurcs which they were wont to folace themfelves with amifle, before they confidcred more advifedly of it. But will any gather, that I doe make fo light a matter of finne, (whiles I thus fpeake) as though I thought it might be fhaken offas a burrc hanging on our garments, which the hoi y Ghoft faith, cleavethfaft to Ht% as things glued together, and is ever about us ? For I know finnc is ragii g^ and the Dcvill is (rrong as a Lion in his fug- ge(*ionsanda{faults3and hardly gain fa id, fhe wing him fclfc an Angell oriightj and wee filly to difewne, and weakc to rcfift : yet thislmuft fay, JbtfahkWi* partthtulppt Slnneurnt fa- tten tfj * a our. Mote. The heart oticepurged> bow it mufi be keptfo afterward. 1 9 j fay, thatthc rnightie Lion vftht tribe of Iu Even as wc feeit isapecceof ftub.ui;>(p.bca hell, to dwell with them that are of the contrary difpohtion. As if Ucoir p'^/j ' muft have bcenc contained to abide with £/*#, and as Gods people in Note. y ' their captivity, did finde, in dwelling with the Edomitcs.Godof his lingular love, I confcfle}reltraineth many from the cxcefTcof evill, that chey would cifc doc: iecing otherwifc, none could bcableto live by them. But whereas fome arc thus bridled by goodlawes, andfomefor fhamc and vain-glory, doe depart from much iniquitie ; and thus patch up a kindcof life among men, yet know they, that without religion, (that is,afcarc ofbreakingoutofChrilhan bounds, which only is to be found in an heart well governed) they fhall never pleafe God, nor have iw.ibovt'ii »*- favour nor approbation, nonotcvenofcommonmen.Butofthis we may tbtni fa\*u*). complaineand crie out, till wee have worne ourtongucs to the*Aumpe, without redrrflc: Forthefoule ltaines, and (hamefull blots which are contrary to the forementioned vcrtues,arc (till ufuall(as they have beenr) almoft every where ; both in many of the Minilteric and people, and fo Note, will be; as though godlinofTc were tycd to the Church walks, and to the Pulpit. fruit efartxU But for all this, we may fee that the heart beirg well ordered, will nei- mdtttdbisrt. t-hcrfuffer the affections to (tray tarre,nor willingly harboureviil lulls, as hath been faid, and though they may creep in by ttcalth ; yet by exami- nation, we fhall finde out many of them, and fhall be leady, when they are found,to purge them out, and cxpell them alfo, before they fhall^be- ing fo nettled in us)be able to poifon our lives. Oh gaine unvaluable ! for who can fay lefle of it ? That by the benefit of a well ordered heart, wee may conquer many dangerous finncs, which othcrs(for want or it) doc Note. ufually commit,\vith fhamc and much forro w accompanying them .Now when we fee the fruit of this well feafoning and keeping of our hearts in frame,w hat fhould be in more account with us ? yca,what fhould hinder us from being fo fenced and fafcly kep: ? or what fhould wc thinke more necdfull to bee done, than the labouring for it, when wee fee it fo great a CieafuiCj and fuch fearcfull bondage for want of it, to come upon us? But, The heart once purged \ how it mufl be kept fo afterward. Butalas,this!ooki"gtoourhcartsby fits, now and then, when the good mood takcthus,as it is too common, fo it is rnol* dangerous; and fufYercth not Chriflians to fce,much lefle to enjoy one halfe of the fweet- r.clYc, which God bequeathed! to thcm.Imcanc,ifwe governe and look to them but as men in the world commonly lookc to their outward fcr- vingof God ; that is, to pray when night commeth, goe to the Church when the Sabbath commech> to fall when Lent commeth, and repent when death commeth. And fo the yvifdume of the flcfli counfcllcth us to look to our hearts ibmerimc:but that wc rcfolvc and armc our fclvcs that the heart be thus looked to in all that we doe,(as fa ilty will pcrmit)ard carchadovcrit,thatit follow the light of knowledge going before it; Oh, that is thought too hcavic a burthen,and an elbte u J uucoc.V.'Tta- blc ! To re joyce in the Lord, alwAjcs, to fray continually ; in all thingi to be tbankcfi.tt: as the-Apoftle commandcch,and day and main to hemedit^ fi»ginthert'ordofG'ed,zndihcwir\ciy of t.ic infinite good things contai- ned in \t,an A aiming At irta5 At a* marine J: ow we mAy waJkjzfcer it ; Oh,that is cou'Mcdtedioufietre, and bondage intolerable ! And yet noucofall thefe precepts can be undcrllood of the outward actions of ourlifc, the care, and tongue cannot doe thefc things alwayes : but the heart may meditate, rejoyce, ptaifc and pray at all leafons, and upon ali occasions, if once it hath gotten a plcafure in thcm,for it (hall never want occafioo. And if wc can obtaine to have God in our remembrance more ulually than wc were wont,or than others defire to doc,and fpend our thoughts and 1c: our delight on him; Hull we think any thing too good forhini ? Should we nor conllantl y take up our hearts in heavenly cogitations, as wc arc willed, when we fee that all other are but vanitie and vexation of fpirit ? if it plcaicth him to aske our hearts, as he doth, when he faith, My fo»ne give me thi*e he*rt , (hould we nor think our fclvcs happy that he will take any thing at our hands, when David being a King, wished that he had any thing that would plcafc him ? This taking up of our delight in the lookingtoour hearts as wc arca- blc, fliould the more be fought after of us, if it were but for this caufc, that if we have not rule over them in our common actions thorow our life, wc cannot have them at commandement in the chiefc ferviccsof God. And from hence it is, that Chriilians of good hope doe complainc, and that oftentimes withbittcmefle, that their hearts aicfo fwarming ulually with vaine thoughts, even whilett they ire in hearing and pray- ing : the reafon is, becaufc at other cimes they arc ufualiyio occupied throughout the day, feeding upon their delights, that God isalmoft wholly out of their remembrance, cfpccialiy to direct and lead their P a hearts i 195 tb but i* £ diM£crom. Koic. f Thclf. 1.\4, PfaUi. Pltl.uj. if. Heart may ai- xvayei be t*kt (ft Note. CoIoJTj.i. Prov.»| i$. Pial.xirf.ia, Another e**fe why tbi bitrt Should be ln{t tOyO'birwi'til VP.';*QtbtTC to *ny dki t. Note. i«>5 »4 * fit to ff.ry aid Widttjte. Trt om!) Mwy tt (Mrbto^rlMfls, istol0*fa,$vitr Mil*4, this JmaUfrHit ri Matth. 19.29. Mauh M>*« Not*. fhuili4»fagif ibi heart is rut The heart once pur ^edj)0^ it mufl be keptfo nftenoard. hearts ;ind therefore alfd their Actions, tm fpecches arc much offbnfiye in ime^rafhnfffc and imrcvcrencc. The which being common with ycourfc ofrhcir lire-, they cannot polTiMy have them o- thcrwife at ncirftjor praying. All which yet are contrarily done, when the rtrength of the concupiicencc, I mcane, the corruption of the heart fwk hemt mcbfiiVi evfiljis mortified and ailwaged firft j zm\ then f x ill tiibducd after ,and retrained, and the heart daily feafoned with good meditations, and watched ovcr,that rt may be kept cleanc,and fit to duty. And thus I conclude j that the only way to curbe up and hold in our intemperate lufts, and cvill defies, that they breake not out into further ungodlinefTe, is, that our hearts be firft purified through bclccving,that our funics arc forgiven us, and we made partakers of Chriit his gracc;and fo our confcicnccs appcafed; and that they be continued in the. fame good order afterwards. And they, who wi'lnotfee and follow after this, but thinketoab- (raine from finfull temptations, and ferve God in an honeft and godly life, howfocver the heart be little looked after ; fhall reap a flight fruit o{ theirtravell; neither lejd thelife Which is approved of God, (as hath beene faid)nor finde the comfort which they imagine they fhall have, at leaftwifc which they hearc to be grantedby the Lord. Butit corameth to pafTe, as it is written that as they ierve him,fo he ferveth them : for as ihcy ferve not God in heart and decd,but in word,- lb their peace is not in heart and deed, but in word ; their joy, not in fouje, but in countenance; afalfc comfort, (and that appeareth in time of need) as they gave to himafalfe werfhip. It is profitable for us to weigh th's-: For inch a? crie out of us, as of Prccifians^fbr teaching and urging this, doc prove, tothcir coftandfhame oftentimes, that dvey had beene happy if the^ could have received this our Do&nuc, howfocver they reproach arid fpcake ill of our living /who fhou Id not have branded thcmielves with finnes ; that they could never after weare out the flaine of them anv more, if they had beene as the ikiilcft Precihans intheir behaviour before. Jt hath bin flic wed, how the heart being kept mire and cleanc,thc un- ruly defircsand appetites which ariie from thence, fhallbe kept under in us, and the power ofthem fhaken and wcakned. This is thus to be un- dcritood ; that even as, if out hearts were altogether pure, all our thoughts anddefircs fhoiild be altogether holy, ***i none or them un* dearie; fo ourhcarts being purified and clcanfc'd, but unperfec^ys-artd in pest ;our denresthe'reforcxannotbe(in the perfecklt and beftChrif^ians) .slcogethcr good and pleaftng to Cod^but unpcrfcclj that is to fay, many cf R ules to be obferlvcdfor the cffc^ling of a godly life. i pj of them evill,and many which arc holy, ycr mixed with finneand cor- ruption. Whereby it commcth to paiTc,that the holieft fcrvants of God, both carry about them the t.oyfome remnants of finne whilcitthey live, asloathfomc ragges, (for they cleave fajl/tntothcm) and alfo they com- Hebr.iz i. plaine and gronnc under them as heavic burthens, faying, O wretched Rom 7 menthatwe are, who /ball deliver test 'And aga\neJftbot*,0 Lordfiottldeft p|aj 130.3. lookeftr eight ly what v done amijfcr who fhould be able to abtdc in it 7. This (Hay) is the perfection of the beft: that they who charge us to chal- lenge a purine toourfclvcs,may bcafhamed.. But yet lelt wicked and ungodly men iliould thinke this is a final 1 gift 7^ tlunftm and privilcgc,thatGodsfervantshathinthis,thattheybcinpaitrcnucd, tbJkibwca^ua and fobe brought to ihinke that there isno great difference betwixt the %*** fwwfcj* godly^£?J themfelves, they arc to know, that to have our hearts chan- Notc* gcd but in meafurc, fo as it be in truth, is a benefit of greater value, than the whole world, and whatmarveil if the overcomming of malice and revenge, ( but one affection) be of greater value than the winning of a Ci- Prov. 1^.3*. tte r And whereas they thinke there is no difference betwixt the one and the ocher,they may underhand, that the mcanefr perion having a clcanc heart, though not pcrfe it, is by infinite degrees more holy, andcon'e- quently more happic, than the mort glofing profeflbur which wantcth it ; the one being faved, the other damned ; as we readeof the poore Pub~ Luke **• 9> x°« If can, and the vaine-glorious "Than fie. • Chap. XIII. Of the fummc and manner of handling this fecond part of a godly Itfe « and part teularlj of the rules to be obftrvedfor the e feeling ofit%amelj,kn them, who know it not, neither can judge of it according to the truth. Kottortfim And fecondly, that they, who reft in it, and can fay they hopeyec fee no great evil in them, may know, that if they be not alfo given unto good workes, thecrcatcfr perfection that they can rejoyce in, is this, that they are but halfe Chriftians. But the matter is much and large, which muft needs be handled in the laying forth ofthis point, to fhew fully and cleerely for the fimplc hear- ted Chriftian, what this part of a godly life is : therefore I will make no longer flay in any thing (as neerc as I can) than I muft needs. Three branches Firfl: then, I will fet downe fome generall rules to direct thee how to tJtrfthitrr - Prac^k a^ d{]tics commanded, which otherwifctnight be gone about to tifcandwhttb foall purpofc ; then I will more particularly fhew, wherein this part of they are. godIinclTc,or of doing good, doth confift; that U to fay, in duties ofho- lincfleto God, and in righteous dealing tov<>ardsmen, and fobrictyin the ufe of our ownc lawfull liberties, with reafons ; la(tly,I will anfwer fome objections brought againft the godly life. Xueflity of rules And where I fay, I will give thee rules which fliall help thee to pra- to live mil bj. clifc the godly life, markethem well: for becaufc this point is not well Notc- learned, therefore many which would gladly live well, attainetoitin no good fort to bring it in credit with others, but meet with many un- fctlings, difcour3gements,and coolings of their zcale,yca ofc-times dan- gerous out-itrayings,neitherfindc the going about it fopleafant,as toile- fomc and tedious. And it is Co in great part,brcauic it is a work wherunto they have not beenc traincd,nor foundly indruded about it. But as they partly fee by the examples of othcrs,and partly alfo doe ghefle by them- felvcs, fo they goc to workc, but not able to direct their vvayes as Gods word tcachctji. Now R ules to be obfertedfor the eft Cling of a godly life. i p o. Now the gcncrall rules arc thefe : Firft,kno wlcdgc of duty with a de- lighting therein. Secondly, practice of that which we know ; the which practice and endevouring to follow that which wcknow is, tUif living by }\; faith : ff know/edge once enter into thine heart, andivif Pro* :.io. dtmedelight thy fifth, then ]haUnnder!}a>id:Kgpreftrvethee, andcounfell #itkm\ frrtlkecpe and direct thee. And they whohaue not this knowledge in tiihi gfencft account, and delight not in it, whatfocver learning or wifdomc &** iigf* ' have,thcy ? re as farre from pra&ice of it, or bringing forth the fru:t thereof in their lives, (otherwise than civilly) as if they were blinde and P 4 ignorant xoo ${u\cstobc obferlpedfor the effecting of a godly life. Wtfl ;.io. ignorant like the common fort •, which in Ntcodemus, * great man in If- rael, and other ot the Pharifics and Scribes, is eafic to be (eene. And this is the caufewhymany which arc learned, and ofthcMini- ftery,or othcrwile witty, and acquainted with the Scriptures, arc farrc from a godly life indeed, for that they have not their hearts led by Gods ipiritto love and delight in this knowledge of Gods facred will, (un- lciTc it be for fomc earthly advantage, which they hope forthcrebj^or for vaine-glory)morc than allothcrthingsbciide rnorfpirituall wifdome to fquare their actions thereby, to the end they may follow it as their guide in their whole courfe, as (ccingit worthy tofct their de- light therein ; but to account that a foolifh thing, and cafie to be at- tained (when yet it is the moll precious, and the hardeft of all other) yea, a farrc more hard and difficult matter, than the getting of all their learningby labour and ltudy. What then doe I fay ? that their lear- ning and great knowledge :s nothing ? or doe I goe about to deface titiowkdgean and make both odious ? No, I am farrc fromit: but rather I fay frcc- txt'Jkmjfr \yy that they are great and excellent gifts of God, and by many de- grees, they may bee neerertoan happic eftate who havcthcrn, than iuch as want them. But yet this I fay, thatmany which have them, have not therewith Butvritktut the that which givcth an edge to them, and which maketh them profitable, fAuf tract H*~ fwect,and precious both ro themfelves and othcrs:thcy have not the falc i Corn x of grace, which onely maketh them favoury, nor the love which onely maketh them fit toed/fie, (whereas knowledge without it, puffetb up, and the tongues of Angels to cxprciTc it, arc but a* a tittcklmg Cymball :J nei- ther have they eye-falve to fee, that cxeept in humility they be content, yea, glad to be led in their daily converfation by the light and hclpe of Note. the fame, they have no other fruit of it than earthly and traniuory : in ottentation,and comparing with others,todifgraccthcm,and to be coun- ted great ma(tcrs,whcn they attainc to great applaufe ; when yet indeed many of them have not the fweet fruit of it themfelves,ncither flic w that amiable ule of it to others, as fjmc meane country-men doe, which la- bourfAithfullytomakcconfcienceofthatwhichtheyknow. And Ifay with the Pfalmift, that he who hath fewer gifts ofundcrftandingjbas he live afterthem which he hath, is wifcr than they: for thus he faith : Pfal U)9). Thou haft m/fdeme wtferthan my teachers, than the ancient, ovmen of ex- perience, becaufe I have kef t thy Commandements. Therefore with the Wife-man I conclude, that the delighting in this fpirituall knowledge, which I have fpoken of, is one fpeciall thing, ncccflary to the leading of ProT.19.1. a godly and upright life ; without the which tht mind is notgood,znd con- fequently fylcs to be obferlpedfor the effecting of a godly life. 20 1 fcqucntly the life cannot be approved : fo that they, who care but little for knowledge to guide them, have as final! pleaiurc in the godly life, whatfocver they think of thcmfclvcs : (to the fhamc of fuch 1 fpeakc it,) who fay in their hearts, they know enough for their parts, for if they knew more, (they fay) they muft follow more. Therefore condemning both bare literall knowledge, without the The ficmdmle. love of it, and delighting in it, as inefficient to guide to godlineffc, and much more, the loathing and contempt of it, I proceed tcf flic vv, that with fuch a well affected heart, wee muft practifc that whrch is commanded us, that is, Jm^ to walks worthy the Lord, and pfcafc him-, ColofT.i.ro. in all things. And this practice is thefecond rulctodiredt us to the life of the bekevcr, and is both inward and outward: inward, wheninre- Pfcl-ifio. folution of our mindes, and defire and purpofc of heart wee doc it; JS.u?1 outward, when in our lives wee cxprclfc and declare the fame in our walking. But to begin with the mil. We muft have our hearts prepared and rea- prcaktufit(i die fo be fet on worke,and imployed in any good fervicc to God, or our man bear tie £, brethren, as I (hewed at large before in the renouncing of cvill,and there- fri, fore the.lclTe (hall be fpoken of it. And this well ordering of the heart, is a moft precious grace of God ; as without the which, no good can be well done. But when we have fuch awe over our affections, as to choofe, de- lire and delight in that which we know to be good : and as occafion fliall be offered, yea, and to be vehemently grieved with that which hindrcth us therein, themembcrs and powers of our mindes lhall be rcadic to put in ure and prachccthc fame. Therefore this inward readinelTe of the minde,and fervent defire of the heart (we fee) muftbeblownc up in us, and nourished as a fparkleor coale of fire : that (as it may be obtained)thcre may be fome abilitie and ftrength thereunto. For the which caufcthe Lordrcquircth,r/^r we love htm rvith all our heart, funic and mi obt. CWt* ' •" This rtrcngth although where it is not knowne, there is felc no want o f it ; yet fuch as fee it requititc in their actions, doe (bone feelc it to be mif- fing, and a great pcece of the beauty of thofc works which arc done with- out it, to be wanting: as when they arcgonc about coldly and in dcad- nclTe of ipixit. And io likewife, they can beft tell, how well it befcemeth their actions, who have obtained it cf God and tcftifie it throughout the courfe of their lives. For when men undcrftand, that God hath io ap- pointcd,that they (hould be zealous in doing their dutics,as remembring that of him they (hall receive their rc ward, < W that hts bfifinejfe ought to i^iimti%,\^ be gone about fervent lj3 and with conscience • though they have no great example i o 2. R u!fs to be olfer that we ieccive^ l^ich grace, vhenwekrfl beleeved in Chrift; vpherebjoxr hearts were purified, Jndetrtnfcd from the firemtb of o:*r old corruption-^ which (if we remember) doth warrant us not only, that our Lord J cfusCh rift hath taken away the guilt, and punifhment of our finne, and imparted and given freely to us his obedience; but alio grace and will to love pietie, and goodncfici andpowcr, as ts^flfime, Jo : o qkri'bt n k* to ftewneffe of life, Kom.f.4,5. So that if vvefcele it not ufually, and ordinarily, wehavc loft and forgone it, either through our owne forgctfulneftc, ftoth or carclefle negligence : or if it be through any other infirmitic weakrrd in us, Norc. we ought to ftirre up our felvcs with cheercfull confidence, to the reco- vering of it againe, and not to.be content to be fpoiled of fo great a trcaliire. But if this ear ne ft defire after goodneffc, and vehement 7calc of honouring God by that which we know, be quenched : whether it be overwhelmed with forrow, fearc, or fiich like paflions, or dulled and made blunt in us through lightneflc, and in following the defire of* our hearts amiflfc, we are in no wife fit to honour God in any fcrvicc, untill we be importunate with himtorcftorc to us the grace which we were wont to hndc and enjoy. Thus much of the firft part of practice, namely that which is inward. Aiwttdtfic ft I will now goe forward with the fecond part, which is a branch of the wujim aide- ftcond rule, and helpeth forward to the leading of a godly life ; that the \**r a dv ipod. beleeversmay, by it be able to guide thcmfelves aright, and with much cafe, tytks to be ob[ert>edfor the effecting of a godly life, 20 j cafc/m rcfpea of thofc,who be not acquainted therewith. And this it i?, that in well doing, we (by not in our good defucs, and in the rcadiueflc of the heart to doc good, but procure, accomplim andperforme the Ui* ll1' fc> fame duties outwardly, that we endevourat lead, even where we can- NolCt notpcrformc, asoccaiion {hall be offered, and that in one commande- ment as well as in another, fo farrc as it may be obtained. So that in all parts of fan&itic and holineffc, which (hall be wrought in us, and by us, this ought to be as a pcrpctuall law, that all the members of our bodies, and particular actions, may all become moft fit inftruments and helps to (hew forth, and cxprcflc the fame. And that is it, which the Apoftlc to the Romans meaneth, when he faith : Let not finner eigne ttyonr Mortal! p^ro.^|1|f.. bodus, thjt yee f:onld obey it in the tufts thereof \ neither give ycc yo'tv members as weapons of nxrighteoufneffe to finite ■ but give yonrfelvcs unto god, as they which are alive pom the dead* and qjvejonr f elves as tveaftns cfrtghteoufpefje unto God, Bythis we fee, that not only the heart with hermembcrs, thatisthe AUparttdftur cogitations and defires in thofe which are juitiflcd by faith, muR be con- **&*£!«»« fecratedto the honour andferviccof God, butalfothc body with the fcricG<"1- parts thereof; the earc in hearing, the tongue in fpeaking, the eye in fefr- in^,&c.thatfo we (hould be his wholly ; and in one part of our life, as well as another, doc that which pleafcth him. Nomandoubtcth, but that we (hould doc goodworkes, as well as ^f %'*'** haveourmindesand hearts inwardly purged; but that we (hould be di- ^t^.'j.xo. ligently oiventtnto every goo divorce, and make a trade of godlincffc, to apply and follow it ; fo that while we doe one good duty, we (hould not neglect another, (which in good husbandrie about things of this life is much regarded) that few will grant, or he ready to yeeld there- ^otc# to: yea, and that onr co^ver fit ion f hould be in heaven, that is, that our common courfeofthis life (hould be heavenly whilclt we live here up- on earth, and that we fhouldnot only gtveno occafonof offence many » Cor.tf.j, thing, butalfo in all things feckcto approve our fclves asthc faithful! fervantsof God, that (I fay) few doc joyne with us in, orconfentthat it (hould be fo ; and yet to fpeakc the truth, what can plcaie God in the actions of our life, without it? Thus much of the Rules: The vertucs which further us herein follow, which arc, UpnghtnciTc, in this Chap- ter fpoken of; and diligence and conftancieorperfeverancc, mentioned in the next. The ftrft then of thefc vertucs, which Ihould make our practice both Tkifirfvtr&i inward and outward more pure and perfect, is UprightneiTc, and that is, m Vfri#Hm§U when in a fmglc and true heart wee love, chuie and defire, and doc any good Note 204 R ules to be obfernjed forth e effcEimg of a godly life. Dcur. lS.ij. good thing, fpccially becaufc God commandcth, and for that end. This §£?*"* 14! vertuc was commended by our Saviour in Nsthmielt when hefaid,2?#- ,,47# hold a trn;lfrAehtc,mwlom there is no guile . Many actions, othcrwiic fervent enough, for want of. his fmccritic, arc. but froth, (as were the hoc enterprilcs of Iehu againttldolaters) and caufc them who have Ionrr pleafcd thcmfelvcs therein, at length to cry out of their doings, (though admirable in the eyes ofot hers/and to lay, they were but hypocrifie : or if not lo, vet not done in finceritic. Wmmmk There arc many farting holes in the den of our hearts, and many ipgd&mt. wayeswe can deceive our felves, that the good which wedoc is n< itfecmeth : but as :t is not all gold thardorh gliftcr, fothe touchffoneof Gods Word doth findemuch drolTe therein : y:a, the Lords weights of Note. the Sanctuary doe prove them light and windic, which in our judge- ments and pcrfwalions were weighty and fubftanriall. We arc brought oft times to becarneft in good caufes, and to further them, as for friendfhip of othcvs,ond for companies fake ; ib for malice, forourcommoditie, vainc glory, and rbrfcareof tome fore punifhment or danger, if wc fhoulddoc other wife: wPcn our pretence in all thclc is,thatitisgood,and commanded ;yea, and we meanc well many times, and are ferventina good tiling without theft cvill refpeds; and that partly for the commandement of God ; but not only, nor refolutcly for that, but more for other considerations, than that : Therefore in fuch cafes and trialls, wee arc found to bee others, if wc examine it*, than wee would. Although I would no: be taken, as though I fnould meanc, that there were no uprightnefle, if any feare,or ether rlefhly refpeds fhould nJ uo 3. ^c ir']XCd therewith : (fo as we be not ruled by them) for othcrwjfc our beft anions are mixed with corruptions. And thus I conclude this point as the former, and fay with the Apo- 1C0M 11. *^c : Thisfljallbc ourr:]oycing,(\£\NC have any worthy the fpcakmgof) that ixjimpl/crtie, andgodlyfurenesrve have our converfatontn theivorld *mongmen.'Th\s vertuc thcrefore(I meanc faithfulncfle,and uprightneiTc) going with our practice, in performing the duties which wc know, fliall "Nott, both let our felves about them with more round nciTc,and (as farre as they canbedifecrned) fliall caufc them to fhewmore beauty toothers, and raife more admiration in them. Now if this fhould be thought ncedlefle of fomc which fhall.rcadeit, that I fpeaking of the true Chriftian, doe urge and require uprightnefle andiinglcncficof heart in pracTifing godlincfTe, feeing I have faid as much before, in the Chapter of renouncing fin : I anfw cr, that it is alike rcquifitc in benh,and that as well we fhew integritie in the practice of good fyles tobe obfenedfirtbt effcBlng of <\ godly life. 105 cood duties, as in the forfaking of cvill. And thus with the rules, I have ownc one of the vertues, namely, uprightneffe : which is ncccffanl y to be learned and kept of all fuch as, having obtained the gift of true faith,doe fctthcmfelvesto lead a godly life : I fejj iuch as have true feith, becaufe no other have any poflibilitie to enter and let upon it. Whatfoevcr fairc (he wes they make in their doings,thcy doe but dawbc with untempcred morter. And ifthou thinkeft to let upon the godly life without it, thou fhalt offer to God a broken pecce of workc, no better thaiitheofFerinoofC7.il**; although it ftiallfeemc to thy felfe, to be as b'cuffiw tf thof€Ynlii(LMd v An dcor.timmncc, bo:h which m»ft be done tn bumtUtie*nd meehtejje. Obiech A S firfl this; whereas tliefe rules have bee ne fa id to be able to carry H'fcannlt dlt/u -tA. Ae Chriltian bclccver, in a well ordered courfc of living, fome ob- wi i ire. jeel chu$ : It fallcth out oftentimes, that wc have a very good defire to docthat, which wc knowplcafcth Cod; but wee find c noftrength to performc. And further, they fay, we doc not fo much marvcll that wee attainc not that which wc feckc, when the ApofUt himiclfc makcth the fame complaint, where lie faith ; To will is prefent with me, but I findc no way to accomplidi that which I defire. I will not anfwcf this as the dcvoute^Jcfuits doc, namely, that God givethhisgrace, and we may receive it if weliit,alchough wc have no affurance of his favour by faith: which is a rnecrc mocking of poore people, whiicft they arc warned to Note. feckc that with'unfavoury and uncomfortable wearying of thcmfclvcs, which they can never polfibly findc: But this I fay, ir this be oft and t/fnf».i. earneftly defircdof thee, fas it vvas o£P*ulJ Gods grace fnall be furrl- cient for thee. 1 The bc'defrc And further, if thou haft never fo fervent a defire to overcome evill, without mJ[u- and to doc that which thou knoweft to be good, and yet haft nOtthy mnctofOadi heart polTclTcdof the favour of God, and taken up thcrewith,but ftan- btlpcuvaiHc. deft wavcringlyarleclcd about that matter, thydefire is not that defire which I have ipokenof; neither therefore able to hclpe thee in that x Iohaj.4* which thou woukieft, it being no fruit of faith. For this it is that ovcri- commcth all lets ui the world, and no other thing,cven this faith lmeane, whilcft by it wc arc pcrfwaded that Chrift Jefus fo loveth us, that he is readictodoc any thing which is expedient for us: becaufe of the great Phi!ip.4ij. favour that he bcarcth us, whereby yvc are made able alfo,and in whom wc can doc all things, as fhall be expedient for us. For as nothing can fcparatcit from us, fo hce thinkcth nothing too good, ottoo precious for us. So that hce, into whole heart his love is fhed plentifully, is pcrfwaded, that as he hath faved him from the grca- tcft danger of hell; fo he will much more fave him from the (mailer, or being overcome of his corrupt lufts: andthathec, who hath beftowed by free grant and furcpromifc, the greatcft benefit upon him, namely, Neti the kingdome of heaven by allured hope, will not deny him the fmal- ler, that is, grace to live Chriftianly here on earth. For hec that hath OtVf» Objections about the farmer doEirine anfwered. 1 07 given us Chrifl, by whom ;vc have the Former, how frail he not wkh hrm ft m.% 10. otvetv other tkwsalfo f And if not as wc would, yet that is befl which &S'3»- I he civctn Now for the other part of theobjeflion, that Paul himfelfc did not *h) Paul or er. finde grace to overcome the rebellion of the old man, that is, hiscorrupt [J^***'*" nature; Hay, it is true, that fully and perfectly he did not, to the end, that hcmi^ntalwaioshavc a markc of his un worth intffe, and finne re- maining in him, and thereby remember, that it wasof only mercy that he was pardoned, and the graceof God, that kept him from rallingaway from him. And further, wc mutt know, that for two other caufes he ob- tained not the thing which he asked ofGod, fir It that he might be aba- icd,ancVkcpt hnmbfc underfo great grace as he had received ; in regard whereof, he confefleth himfclfe, that the mcflcnger of Satan \vas fent to butfet him,(cft he fhould have becne exalted and lifted up above meafure,. through the abundance ofUevelations:andfecondly,that he might frem time to time finde fweetnefTe frill in the forgiveneffc of his fmnes. But al- though he was not perfect here, as an Angell • yet was he not carried of his lults into goflc iniquitic, as ibmedreamc, becanfc he cried out and jS**1"7' complained, I *mc*r*All foU under fane- O wretked manrlat I ami ,^*rJ*J*Pl And it wasneceffary that he fhould miflikcand be grieved with the grijjt intuitu* fmalfeft rebellion or refiftance of goodneflc, and with lbme unfitneiTeto his call n^ which he felt fometimes, and to other good duties : but yet Gcos grace was iufficient to keepchim, that he fell net into that depth that he might other wife eafily have done. But I hive in effect anfwered thisalready by another occafion. Now *'f*yi*k'f'r to apolv this to our fc!vcs.& nottobenluttcd with it a* manv are, I lay, [,e ;?&"' , . i 11 -r I 1 l r b • n i j l tfotPwl'-adyM that we like wife through the lame grace in our mcauire,may looke with 0Mi »,.(i!jure. good cheere to be delivered from thcyeeldmg to our wicked lufts, which mott dangeroufiy incumber us, as he was from his : wee bein^ rcfolvcd, that ourrnolt loving Father (for the tender care hee hath over us) is a 1- \^2ycsUokj/'gdov.>nefromheAve>i,andbekcldinarc>l.oisuprtjithe^rtedto~ aCJhron f * w^rds him, (how wcakcfocvcr in his ownc lenfeand ptrfwafion) that he may [hew htmfrlfe ftroxg towards hiwy and thereby fupply his weaknefie. And thus the defire to keepea godly courfc being found ly planted in us, and the fame proceeding from faith alfo, who doubteth but that it may have Itrength to doc fuch outward duties as arc required ,though w cake- Note. ly , yet fourdly and in truth of heart : to endevour at leaft, (which God *Chro.a8 7. will accept) though we doc not alway prevaile over fuch ltrong corrup- tions, as oftentimes for want of fuch grace doe matter us? But in thus fpeaktngjl fhew^that Gods children may confidently look for,not what eyery ioS 'Ejections an ;/ing from the former dottrineanfoercd. Ron Note. M^.yrvea^dif- c our aged for rvsvlof ibuvi' Mary \rurx not ibtirlibotie. Er-hcf.j.8. It* tw$ next vertues, dili- gence end c$n- jiancit. Note. every one obtaineth. And except the ilnnc of incontinentia' pgaj ^"h God hath provided a lawful remed ieyivc have both prOmife fr God, and WC by the power of our faith, doc enjoy fuch victory over o- thers finOM, as whereby wc may vvalkc without jult reproofe amonqrt men, and kcepc our pcac£ toward him alio : this being added, that when we .uc craftily deceived by the uiKcdant mnliccof the Dcvil,(although not without our ownc floth, flecpinelYc and kcutkic ) we have accede, as in time pair, and rccourictoGodby themcancs of our Advocatc^and doe recover cur hope and hold agame. Thus I have flievvcd , how the/ who have a will and good dcfirc,may lookc for ftrcngth alio to performc, in fomegood fort, the duties which fectne ib difficult and impolTiblc to thcm,lo that they need not b/r crrCnt- ly troubled with that oojection. But becaufc many of Gods deare icr- vantshndc it not thus oft-times, neither arc able to fay, that theyfcelc this, but contrarily doc complaine that their life is full of difquietnefic, for that they cannot overcome the force of anger, impatience, raging, frowardneife, and fuch like, neither live godly to their contentation, aU though they delire it : becaufc, I fay, thefc may be difcouraged by this doclrine, I would have them underftand, that I have not in the former anfwer to the la ft objection, fctdovvne what every godly Chriitian doth or fhall feelc, (as I laid before) but what God of his bountifull liberali- se hath provided, that they may feele and finde, and how their cftate may be bettered, and their fpiritualilibertieinlargcd. Bcfides,many good people doe not know this in along time, what God hath bequeathed them ; nay, many of them never know one of the many fwcet liberties and privileges of Gods children;but only receive fo much light from the Father of light,(and therefore are rightly called the children of Iight)as wherby they ice the way to his kingdom:and accor- d ing to the knowledge they have of his wil,thcraftcr they declare & fhew it forth in their livcs-,but nothing as they might, and as iomc others doe. Now to proceed to the other vertues which further our practice of a godly lifc,fuch as receive and defire toattaine to the grace which I have Ipokenof, that is, to be more found and better fetled in an holycourfe, they are and muft be glad with all their heart to be diligent and painfull in this work of the Lord,and to abide conftant thcrein,that they may by thefc two vertues ad joy ned, nourish all good defires,and holy endevors, after they be once planted in them : and hold out the contrary, whileft they be not yet greatly troubled with themjand feton work their know- ledge thorow every part of the Chriitian lifc,in fuch practice, as it may welA befcene whqft imams they arc. This Of diligence and conflancy^hich further a godly life. 109 This diligence and conftancy, in whatfbever they be ufcd,thcy bring D Inn-tan* grcatthingsto paiTc, whether it be in any trade, orinthefcarchingout "ff^*"* oftlmvvsobiaire and hard to be found out, even where oncly the light f,.^, of rcaforf is followed : and whodoubtcth then, but that in holy duties, ^otc. wherein men are guided by the Spirit of God, moft excellent cfrc&s arc brought forth by them? Neither is any duty indeed well performed without them, for which caufe Saint Peter fpeaking of the godly life, tcachcththat all diligence muft bee added thereto, Give alidtliger.ee tP«.i.f. (faith he) to joyne with your faith verlue* as if hec fhould fay, that all is loft without it : and /^rfwyiaith,that/^ u enrfed that doth Gods bufi- Iclcro 4 ' "* ncfie negligently. And of co'nftancy, what faith Saint lames ? Hethatloo- l*mcs l- *f* keth in the f erf ell larvof hherty, andabideth therein \ if he be not a forget- fullhearer, but a doer of the workeff;aUbe blejfedin his deedy that u, in Co behaving himfclfe. Therefore by the firft of thefc two, namely diligence, let thcrn #to&Htn"* becrcady to takcall occafions and opportunities to the doing of fome good, and to fhunne idlencflc and unprofitablencfTe, that fo they may iPcr.c. 8. bring forth much fruit, redeeming the time wifely while they may, Eph. f.iy,tf« and that with a thouland times more gaine than others doe: and not Rom*1 **" as flothfull and unthrifty pcrions, pafrc it over idly and unprofua- ^otCm bly for the plcafing and fatisfying of their foolifh appetite for the pre - fent time. Bythcfecond, namely, conftancy and continuance, let them not on- c»nfid*cy. ly kcepc their hearts and lives in the fame good cftate, whereunto by lohng.jc. diligence they have already brought themfelves, but alfo wax more ar'fi him in Col. 1 . io,c 1 all things J and be fruitful in all good worlds, and incrc fc m the acknewlejL otnp of God. yee mufi bee freshened wish all might through his ghriou,; 1 Pet. I. *. power unto alif.it i exec and longfxjj. ranee w :th yoyfulr.c'fe. And Saint Iohn fpcakcthto the fame purpofc thus, Grea.cruhe that tsinyou, (that is, * I«bn 4 4. the Spirit of God) than Lev that is tn theworld, that is, the Devil!. The fruit of fuch a conrfe is both an happy end hcie(asitis written, Mari^thc PW»-J7« \7* end of the upright a;td yifl fur the er. d of that mm i< peace) and happinefie for ever after. As we readc where 7yW faith, / h.tvcfoxgl.t a good fight, *Tun.4.l. J ' hiivefinijhedmy conrfe, and kept the faith : from henceforth us laid up forme the Crowne of rightesttfnefe, which the Lord the right eons In dge jhallgive me at that dayy andnoi to mco dy, bnt to a'ithefe that love his ap- pearing. But I have bcene loftg in the former points, and by occaf on have (hewed thorowoutthc whole difcourfeof the godly life, chat it mull be continued to the end : I ceafe now to lay any more. Thus having fet downe thefc vcrtues which mult guide us to practife the godly life cnorowout our whole courfe, it mav eafily be iecne how every man who is come thus farrc, may prove himfelfe a repentant pcr- ibn, and be apt and tic to bring forth the fruits of amendment in his par- ticular actions, and hew his whole converfation may be fuch as may befecme a man of God, fo farre as humane frailty will iliffcr : wherein, becaufc we follow Chrift Jcfus himfelfe, we mult know that all our du . tu(s /,„//;;r"L" ties muft be praclifed in humility and mccknciTc : for fo he faith, in fob- g9/„ teipt]lt> mrttingyonr felvestomy Docirme, and in leading the godly hfe, learne of Mattb.ll. 1* me to be humble and me eke. As if he fhould fay,if ye be haughty and high minded, fo as yc defpile the fimphcity of my docftrine, and think it too bale a thing for you to be fubjectto, orfrowardacul untraceable, that infomc points yc will hold N<*«« backc, though in fome other yc be obedient ; yc can never live godly, as God rcquireth of you. Thefc therefore muft have no place in Chriflians, either Minifters or private perfons, but the contrary vertucs, as I have faid, which arc oft times in the Scriptures (a downe together, as well as in this placet that wC may know how necdfull it is that they fhould al- Waies goe together, and that although there bee many goodly gifts in a Ephci: 4. v. man, yet if he hath not thefc, they ihall lofe their credit ard beauty a- C°J- 3' ; *• mong(t thofe which behold them ;and with-hold their commodity from him who wanteth them. Q^i • And 1 1 1 Of diligence and conftancy^ ^ohich further a godly life. «Wj ei And^thefc two are not partial -ar vermes, which fometime only may ■'> have life, but fuch fruits of the fpint as nccctVariiy are required in all ani- ons : io th at at no ti nc, humblencfie or' mindc, "anil mcckneflc of fpiric may bee Wanting. All thefevertues{l confefle) arc common, as well to the forfaking of cviH as to the doing of good • and fo undcrtrand >t though it be put out of place. But I let them do wnc here, feeing the for- mer part ofthisTrcatilc was fo large. l-enh^iAn And that which I have laid of this matter I wifhtobc well obfcivcd, urttUtdbfe? ^atthelifcof the belcevcr is a continual] procccdmgin thedepartirg Note. " rromcvill, and endevouring after duties, in inch manner as hath becne laid : and a itcled courier in repentance, and a conftanc walking with God ; and not an idle, or uncertainc {tumbling upon feme good actions (whiles a great part of his lite is neglected and not looked after) hec mult not bee fomctimc at command, and ready to offer his fcrvicc to God in fome good mood, and alter take his ownc liberty to doc what he liftcrh. The Lords fervicc is not like the difordcrcd fervicc of many unifor- med Gentlemen, where befidesthe actenonrt&at table and on horfeback, thcattendcrsmay runne where they w;i! : but it is like to a well gover- ned famiiy, where all are appointed dicirolT.ee and place, in one rhino after another to be well occupied ana kept from idleneiTcj.ar.d yet not Luit^ 7 ^charged thereby to doc what they will after. So our Saviour tcach- cth it fnould bee with his fervants, as with a fervant in a family, who when he hath wrought in the field, is not by ?:id by have done but their duty. The end Tone So that the end of one worke is the beginning of another ; and pet all >t>#r^ tbt U- without toi'c and tedioufnclTe. For fo hath God provided, that I i»fcr- £m:Jir,g§fa»o- vants may be merry at their worke, yea, whatsoever they ihaii put their ibar,yetwithmt hand unto,; and the more duties they doe, (redeeming the time from lu*'i- idleneiTe and unprofitahlenefle) the merrier. There ii much wcrke in Mat:h.n.-o. tnc I-°tds family,as there arc many places to fcrve in: And thcfiothfull Dcut.i**i*< and idle ones, howfoevcrthey can have place fonactimes in earthly g> - Nucc fcmrrieiit, yet are they expelled from thence. And this is that which Saint Peter wamcth vs, that we be neither idle, nor barren, which wee fhall avoid, if wee be filled and furnifned with the tramc of heavenly loliBM 8. vcrtucs, as knowledge, fairh,love, patience, godlineffe. And" herein is our heavenly Father glorified, if wc bung forth much fruit* To this end, we muft know that Chriftianity is fitly compared to a • trade^ Offotnc particular duties pertaining to God dirc£lly$$c. 1 1 } trade, wherein men goc from one vvorke to another; and a Chriftian Note, hath many fmnesto weed out, and to labour againft, and therefore is notcarclcfly to marre all his workc in an houre, that he hath well fol- lowed limdry dayes ; as he that loieth all that he hath bya call at Dice. Hchath aifomany duties to iooke unto, towards God, his neighbour, and himfelfc : wherein it (hall be found requifitc for him to be carefull, K^etlw^eiM after the doing or one, to goc to another: and not to admit anything wdHtie. againlt.thc peace of his confcicnce, no not in his recreations, nor in his ■wcigbticft worldly dealings, feaftings, company, &c But to fee the urtitre of the fpirit kept in the bond of peace. And as the Phy iitians doe Ephef 4.J. well direct, that for the prcicrving of bodily health, it is good to rife from our meat with an appetite, and not to overcharge the (tomackc : fo it is none of the mcaneit rules for the maintaining of our fogies health,to keepe alwayes an appetite to lbme new dutie, when we have performed the old, and not to befo wearied in the doingof one, that we be utterly unfit to goe about another. This one thing being thus from time to time carefully regarded, fliall make all the reft well and rightly uled, and the whole life thereby kept in frame and good order. For thus to be fctled in our Chiiflian couife,*that with full refolution we bee willingly weaned from our cvill lufts, and corruptions, or readily difpofedto one good dutie or tju other, and not weary, but when wefinde any inclining thereto, it be forthwith difliked; (as there is good caufe, wefcrving fo bountifull a matter as we doc, who have God the commanderof our workc, and apromilcr of bicfling unto it:) Thus (I fay) to be fctled, who can fay, but that it is a fingular ecltimonieof their fpirituall well-fare to ail # that practileit, and the bcit and grcatcnV furtherance of a godly and .well-ordered life? ^________ < ! '■ — Chap. XV. Of 'fame p*rriek/*r duties pcrtaattxff to God dtreftlj w the firft, fectftd. tb/rdy and fourth Common dements. NOw the rules and vcrtues having bcene fct downc, which helpe to Thefeccniph-.X the practice of a godly ltfe,I wiilfhcw :n what pomes this life con- r th*f«**4 ■fifleth, and let downe a fumme of it I but more bricily I will doc it, be- ^'fSSkSt caufe itmay in fomc fort be gathered by the defcripcion of thcungodly ^n.n^fJLd life : and alio for that-no man can let downc all the particulate* it, but dMtkimk they muft be learned and knowne of the true Chnftian, out of ^ood "*fifi> Q^3 CatcchifmcSj 1 1 4 Off otoe particular duties pertaining to God direSly, Catcchifmcs,and by daily and attentive hearing ofhisordinary Teacher, v, ho is able to inllrucl him herein,and by a diligent learch into hisowne life by the Commandcments. But yet to-helpe the wcakc,thnt they may fee how to draw out of this whole trcailiry,and rich hoard of the Commandemcnts,fbr the better or- dering of their wayes, thorow their whole courfc, thatwhxh (hall be ncceflary, (iecing they frail not alwayes have other helps at hand) I wrU fee downe lbmc of the chicfefr, throughout them all. And firft thole duties which dirc&ly pertainc to God, (Following the order, which I did in fetting downe the hnnes before:) according to that whkhiiin the Apoftle, where he kith, that the knowledge offalvation teachcth ws to livcholily, righteoufly, andfoberly,&c. and to give unoo God the things which arc Gods. Qutitunw&s And firitofall, to begin with the duties of the firft Commandcmenr, G'dspufcx. (the life and light of ail the reft) it is firft required, that we (eekc and dc- Notc* lire to knovv God, though not perfectly, (which we cannot doc) yctas G^?' ^ «T he may be khowneof us, ashisWorddothrevcalchimtousrthatinhis nature and properties, he is fpirituall, infinitc,purc, holy, righteous,one- ly wife, conftant, omnipotent, oncly good, one incflencc,threeinper- fon • and in his workes, as li is conftant decree,and execution of the fame vt in creation and government; in all, molt admirable; as we fee in the earth with hci furniture, wherewith we are bell acquainted; although that be but as his fbotftoole, to conceive of his glory in heaven, which is as his Throne. But alas,this knowledge of God is weakceven in many a trueChrilfian beleevcr : but that everyone is then fit tolcarne ita~ ^ right, when he is once a true Chrift lan. Atlpew'tdgt- Furthcrmorc/AC mutt acknowledge, that is, allow,and in heart yceid mtnL and confent unto the truth of thole things which we know of him : that then we may lafclv and boldly bcleevc in him, and cleave to him. For thisknowle igeof hisMajeftie caufeth all hisfaithfull ones to be truly knit unto him, and to fix their whole delight in him, fbthat, they fay PCdmc - j-xj. with the Pfalmift : Whom have I tn hrtven (O Lord) but thee ? Ahk who is he on earth, whim I defirc /"* comqarifort of thee ( So that none is,as the Lord, unto them. Tr*(l. We thus cleaving untohim, and knowing our fclves to be fafe uoAr hop' his wings, grow to put our confidence in him, that he wiliheipc us mill our neceffuies and tribula:ions. And from thisconfid?nce> ari/cmany other Chnftian duties ; as to hope and looke for that hclpc which in con- fidence we a(Turc our felvcs of, frorn the Lord : yea, although mearfes be wanting, yet we giyc glory unto God > as the three Children which b*- irg in thcfirftjecond, third, and fourth Commmdcments. 1 1 5 ing caft into the burning fornace, committed themfelvcsunto his pro- Dan y\*MjM tettion, although at that time they fa w no likelihood of hclpe at all. Notc' Againe, through this confidence, vac arc notafraid^ionotin greatcft Patience. Hangers, but arc patient, and without murmuring hold our peace, be- caulc we know the Lord hath done it : and that which is more,we count Ffajcac 3 ^,7« it good for us that wc are afflicted, and receiving all as from a Father, doc rejoyce foundly, and heartily in them, tiirough hope at leaft. And Philip' 4«io. through the fame confidence, wc rejoyce in every condition of life un- J^Jj?1 lt' fpeakably, yet no othcrvvife, than as we be afraid to doe any thing, ^ which may difplcafc God, as I (hall fay afterwards : becaufe we know, philip.4.4. that although this is weariiomnelTe to the wicked, yet there iscaufc Plainer* continually offered us to be carefuli, that in all things we may be ap- proved of him. • And feeing wc behold, how all good things doc flow to us from God, Yhanktfulntfit. therefore wc offer unto his Ma jell ie this other dutie, in all things to be tTbifo'C thankful! ; namely, with a kindc heart terrifying, that all our welfare commcth from him: andfo doe wc in our wants and ncccfTiticslirtup our hearts unto him by prayer, for the obtaining of the things which wc want. And when he thus bountifully impartcth to us all good things, which yet are but the fmallcr fruits of his favour, (and yet, if they were Jtqvijt. not enough, he would fend us more and greater) who doubteth but that with all our hearts and ftrcngth, we are affected to love him, more than wife, children, houfe , land, or whatfoever is of greateft price in the world befide ? yea, that in comparifon thereof, the be(t things of pi ice, Urn, arc reckoned but as dung ? And in token of this true love to GocJ^ wc Philip $.8. give our fclvcs to folacc ouribules in him, as*Z)rfW,cven when he was C*m-M»*« in danger of his life, did comfort himfclfc in his God, becaufe it isfo l fvveet and beautifull, to thinke and meditate oft times upon the infinite good things that doc flow from him unto us : but moft of all dcr.ring to oefireefCtdi enjoy his prefence m heaven, which (hall be with fulnciTeof plcafurcs frcfincc* for evermore. And farther, becaufe all which know God, and put their confidence in him, and love him, are overwhelmed as it were, with the infinitencfic and excellency of his glorious Majcilie, therefore they arcdrawnc to behave thcmfclvcs more reverently, and uprightly before him, than be- fore the grcateft potentates in the world : and therefore arc prepared to Retertmg. walke before him continually In an holy and child-like fearc, dcfiring **£*• that he will teach them by his wifdome, direct them by his providence, '!|tcr1,17, and bleflc their whole courfir,fo as they may comfortably feclc the fame, thorow their life. 0*4 Now t t 6 Of fome particular duties pertaining to God dirrtt/y, <•*>- Now befidcsthefc duties of holir.cffe which we owe directly cothc w*de peribn of God, mcerclylpirituall and inward, there arc other whereby we worln.phim outwardly, which alio are parts of this holineflc to, wards God ; it followqth therefore nowt> mention (omc of the chicfc points of this cxtcrnall worfhip of God both publikcnnd private; rtnd Co..irwJ?%. jn wj)at manncr jt flipuW.be uied : but before ; it »< to be knowne, that he will allow of no otiicr meancs of worfhipp.no him outwardly,' than he hath appointed andprcfenbed himtclfcin rril'worrfJ And therefore - the office of the Miniitcry itlelfe, (by which God is trucly worfhrpped Efay r.ta. publikely) mull not be an chScctofacrifice and fay Mafic for thi finnes £ ofthequickeand Jead, (which Gods word plaincly condemneth) nei- Mm'fi rit. ther mu,ft k beany other than that which Godv acknowledgcth for his : R'mi.i.i*. t'nat jSja publishing md preaching oftheGofpcl and glid Cidirfgl nfhU vation by Jcfus Cnriii to penitent tinners and belecvers,and a rrnmmSing* rf the Sacraments, which he bath ordained to beufed for the comfort and ifrengthnmgof them. Such Minivers they muftbe at the lead, which fcrvc him, whatib- ever graces they have-bcfide, if they would thai: God fhould acknow- ledge and take them for his : and after fuch outward manncr muff they worfhip him in all . dutifuineflc of heart, both Ma gift rate and- private pcrfoi^ who wiil worfhip him aright. And amongff the publike fcr- vices of God,'thcfc are fome and the principally with prayer of faith ?ubl;\* prayer, by voice exprclTcd, thankfgiving, confeffions of finnes, and tifrgirig of Pfalmes, the fruit of the lips; with the cenfurcs of admonition, and ex- tmftnu communication, as caufe dorh require : which 1 knit together for bre- ritie fake, feeing I have onely taken in hand, to let downe (hortly, wvhatthc parts of Gods outward worfhip arc, (r.ot largely to handle them) that all may fee the better hereafter^ v. hen I Oiall come to it, how the daily direction for a Christian life, may fitly bedrawncout, and made up of the whole body of godlincffe laid together in the Commandements. *PM\tfaflL To thefe may be added pubiike faffs, when the people of God by fomcefpecialcalamit es cither hangingoverthem,or already upon them; or forgnevoustranfgrerfionsagainltGod, doeabafe and humbkthem- fclves more eameftly and fervently, to intreat God againlf then!. Alfo loci ».ia. pubiike thankfgiving for fome rare benefit or deliverance lent upon the jLxtraordinmj Church. In ail which publike actions the Lord requireth ffreightly, ibv^s, befides, that we fhould love,dcfirc and procure them by all mctnes that Htftcr?,i7. we can ; fo,that we fhew all reverence in the ufe of them i as by bowing our knees m making our prayers, lifting up of our handsyor eyes, as occafien in the fir ft, fccond^ third, and fourth Qomnutndemerits. i ly occftfion is.oftcrcd ; Co cafting downc or Lfringup the countenance with Lulc 1H.1v chccrcf;ilncile< as thcnVaitenrcquirci'i. w Ioh:' : '••» Anoricxpanof Gods^rorfhiplisi whenthemoiiofch liwtoi of,arcuicd privately of us". All") dhcjrajking "xicoufcrn ofGod,inm:}tu^llin(lrucbrc;,aiimbn]i}i:ii^.e-:h'')rn^!P;, comf *ri.*~ jr any way c!fc which biitfbr edifying as ringing of P.ahncs a;ui ikt il.-f- "ivirgsinChriliian tanui.es, Uofcb )oyt.v and k-veraiJiy, accordirg to their particular orations a id ov porvun tt iff is' ami namely at me* reft. Andto conclude, \v* mint allyboth Mngi(tratc,Mi -nicr. a-- , ' co- ple carefully avoid, and watch againlt all occai'ons of ihperlf ronattfc idolatry : and be zealous againft the lame, to the roor: rg qat and abo- lifhing of them as much as in us lycth, and carefully ret line nd hold our company and familiarity with the true profcflbrs and \vori~hippers- of God, and continue daily our frequcnti: g or' the places or pubhkc aflcmbJics or" Gods people, and nor 'brcakc orr our fellowship, as the manner offome is. Neither give or take occahon, one or other of us., in our fcvcrallcftatcs or places, of hindring or cooling our holy and com- fortable proceedings in the Lord 5 pure worfhip and lcrvicc. ButfeeingtheScriptureteachcth that he is not a Jcw,which is fa only/ MkmrQki* in the eyes of men, neither fs the drawing .neerc with the lips and body iHA^% onl v fpiritucll ; therefore the manner of doing thclc duties in Gods out- ward werfhip is alio to be learned, (as in a word I have touched before) that as-in thcmfclvcsthcy are good and gndlyjfo they may, a* the) conic % from the beiccvers, bee alfj fwect anaaavoury m the Lords noltrils, namely, that as they proceed from faith, io they maybe feaibned with holy arteciions as oft as they are offered to him. So that we are to know this, that when we fball fet upon any part of his worfhip, which now haih becnefpoken of, it is highly difp:caiing tohjmjtog^cahoucthcfamc-irg'ntlyjrafiilyjfalflyjhypocriticaiiy^and unprolitably : for that were abominablctohim, as a deidiacrirkc. But contrarily, wemtht ule.tlicm with ail high reverence, being, prepared Xote. rightly before, well affrCtcd inihe ufing or them, and a iming at the mod profitable end which he hath appointed, that io we may be approved and allowed of him. Now if I fhouid particularly declare how and after wtiat manner, every part of the outward worfhipping or God fhouid beuicd, as I hayefhewed in general!, I fhouid tarry too long in this nutter: but in ioriK few of trie pnncipallclt particulars I will ihew it, that thereby Ftw Gods »»;. may be feene what is required in the rciL Jn theprcaeViingof the word, P*P»l*H*jj/k being tlK way to inhgnten us, fitft. with faith; an«£. 1 eclef 4. 17. Aftsa.37. iThcfjv Note. Hai/ifg fc«L Ads 17. Note. n. How conference tadrtadiitz jbouldh* fed How 'to iWi Sapptrfauld bertHWd. Marth.ll.t3, Note. eftabliihu* mhc truth, we fhould come prepared to the hearing of k after this manner; laying afide all filthincife of the heart and hands which might hold otu wiftome, we being ready and defrous to receive it with a meckc and hangry foule, and therefore not raftily, and tittle regarding what we goe about, neither comming with a captious and malicious purpofc to hcarc. In the a cl ion it felre we (hould be thus affe- cted, with our whole foule to markcand weigh the matter, that fo wee maybetouched with it accordingly: that is to fay, with hcaiing our faults, \\c fliould be pricked and relent ; with hearing promifcs, bclceve and receive comfort by them; by doctrine of duty, to be fully rcfolved topractifcit, and therefore not to have our heads full of other matters running upon our profits and plcafures,orin hypocrific ; andthouMi we take fome delight in that which wehearcforthetimc prefent, yer not to be contented to reft therein, without the feeling of the true workc of it in us. After we have heard, we (houldgivc all diligence tomufcand conferreof the things which we have beard, examining them by the Scriptures with the good men of Bert*, and finding agreement betwixt both, with more boldncflc to fet our felves forward in every good way by the hclpe thereof. This is the right manner of hearing the Word of God preached, which the Lord hath taught his people to endevour after i as whereby he warranteth them Angular fruit and bleiTing. And if we were alike di- rected in all the reft, how greatly (thinke we) might a Chriftian be hol- pen and enabled to the true worshipping of God by the fame ? which now being not knowne of many, and therefore not rightly and reve- rently pra&ifed, is a thingmoft unfavoury and irkefome unto them. Not much unlike to this is the true manner of the private cxercife of Gods Word in reading and conferring upon it, that with high reverence in hope to get profit thereby, and praying earneftly for the fame, wee fhould goc about it : whilcft wee are at it, withdraw our' minds from alj other things, and after apply it profitably and readily, touleitto thofc good ends for which it is appointed. To the Lords Supper, if we dchi c to findc it (as it is in it felfc a hea- venly banquet) weefliould fte that we come in our wedding garment, meet guefts for fuch a table, apparelled with the robe of faith and repen- tance; without which, the Lord of the feaft willneitherlookcuponus, nor welcome us, but expeUu* rather. In the time of our receiving, wee fhould be heavenly minded, much comforted and made glad, as feeding upon fuch dainties, whereby our foulcs and bodies may live happily for evtr.And after wattb/o be thankful to the giver of fo great good things, and in thcfirftfccond) tbird^andfourtb Cotnmandemcnts. and a long time after to retainc the itrcngth we received by them, to the end vvc may feele our felvcs ready to teltihe the fame by all uutifull obedience for the time to come. OfPraycralfo, which fhall be more fully fpoken of in another place, there is an holy and reverent ulc to be made, (though many arc little ac- quainted with it) namcly,that we fhould icrioufly weigh Cods almigh- ty power, and how fatherly hee is affected to us, uhich two things fhould be our pillars to icane unto, fothat wee may bo the better prepa- red thereto: that whilcft wee arc in powring out of our prayers unto him, we may through this confidence feele our felvcs effectually moved to lift up purs hearts and bands unto him with checrcfulnclTe and pati- ence, and after blcfling received, be made more readily difpofed to pray often with thankfgiving. And thefe are fome of the chiefe duties t© God, and in fuch manner as is before mentioned , they arc to be perfbr- medunto him. Now further we are commanded not onely in his worfliip,but alfo in our whole life, every where to feeke his glory : forbefohath willed us, that we mould frame the whole courfc thereof holily thorowout the fix daies, that fo we may glorifie him therein. And who doth not fee that this fhould be fo? Namely, that in our life and behaviour we {hould as well rrti Ike worthy the Lord tn ad things y as in the warfhipping of him both publikely and privately, as we have becne directed before } That fo thcrcmay be in thefe two Cornmandcmcuts, fuliylaid forth untous, a fummeofall outward duties, rvhich in the (rxdaics wee ought toper- forme unto him : and in the due .practice of both, wee may fhew forth the fruit of that knowledge, acknowledgement, faith, fearc, and love of God, and all other inward graces, which we have becne taught to ho- noui him with in our hearts, by the firft Commandemcnt. Therefore, as 1 faid,the duties injoyned us irv this third, doe mod fitly goc with thofcoithc two former: that not only in the time of preaching and prayer, anci fuch likecxcrcifcsof religion, but alfo inourcommon and uiuall {pecch and actions, we declare what a worthy and reverent eftimattonuc have of the Lord : as by fpcaking all good of his name, word, and works; and in our lawfull callings by ordering and beha- ving our ielvcs wifely and gracioufly, that all which live with us, may fee that our Religion is joyned with tbe power of godlinetfe. Ano this ought to be done of us in ail eftates and condition or our life, both in profperity and advcrfity •, and as many as weecanprevaile with (cur owne family and charge cfyccially) we mult labour topcriwade unto the fame j yea, and if >vcany time fail by infirmity, yet that vtcackno % • ledge 119 P>ohLi U tf.cd: Mauh.l.y. I Tirrvx 8. Pfal.ii#.xj. Tbt third Com. Luke 1. 7 J. N«*c x i o Of font: particular duties pertaining to Ood direftly, ledge the fame, as caufc rcquircth, and To returne to the Lord againc, as i t. t*. loji.u.: exhorted Achat; to doe. To be fhort : Whether wee eat crdrtxkc, i ( or i . >. \ i . n wh.trfofver nc doe elfe, all is to be dor.t t* the glory of hi* N*mn And ; t0 in mentioning the comrnoneft of our actions, as our eating and drinking, hccxccptcthnonc, to the end chat wee may carry our lclvcs in allayed and well ordered :courfc continually, whilclt wc fliew that in the fmal- Col 4. 4- ^ matters, apefan pur action*, which feemc lealt weighty, wc be afraid Pui. us.?, n. rooriend:a^tir©ad(^nmontaike^c!iar/r^ff/4^^rr<^^/c^^j^/>^. And iceing webfcthcNameof God very orr> both in our common intnutb. fpcech, and particularly in an oath ; his mercy, juitice,\vifdome, and power are to move our hearcs,ias oft as wc have cauictofpeakeofhim, with ail high reverence to ufc the lame. But more efpccially, vvhenjuft .. vj^calkjQo&Jvriringbyhim is ofrcred,-\ve friould diligently conhcicrthc fieriiinoi"tbc Lordy -howhecis a revenger of all luch as take his holy Name in vainc : and the matter it fclfc about which wc 1 "wcare, that wee i Truth. ^oc '; tn trtftk> tn righteottficjfeAnd judgement. In truth, fo that whatfo- Icrcjo 4 l- ever be affirmed or deny cd, may truly and for certainty bee affirmed or denial : and whatfocver tec vowed or promifed, bee promifed and i Rigbtuufneffc. y.orcd without fraud, and fimpiy. In rt^rteouihc{fe,that there be a juit caufc of our 1 wearing, and that which is agreeable to the will of God. 3 ludymmu Injmigcrrentj that it be done advifedly, not lightly, or rafhly, but that wc may take comfort in performing that ^reat duty aright, riamcly,that .wehaYcmadeknownc the truth, whtch being made knownc by us,hath •cue orffotnc great doubt -and controverfie. Inbt'-oMir- '"-' ^IYC* even ib lbould wee behold the workes of God, (as the Firma- Gdsmkct* menc, Wltn tnc Sunnc,Moonc,and Starres : the Earth with her furniture, astbe.Corne, GtaiYe, Trees,. and her large profpeer) take fwect feeling of Gods Ma>crty and beauty which fhineth in them, rejoycing with re- ference, that lie hath given us this cleercglafle to behold his face in: (al- though this wornuft know,that in all thefc inferiour creatures and works Note. . of ti/s, wc fee not any part of his throne, but onely ibmc pait or his foot- -ftoole:) which fnouid move us therefore, in all our actions to bo ware of hypocrifie. Seeing -hcreforc we have daily ufe of thefc, I thought good to make .mention of them, (yet in as few words as I could fo large matters) how we ought to ufe them P let the riiuiuc bee learned by ordinary hearing thdfe, who being furniibed with girrsrlt for this purpofc, arc appointed of God to make his people found andskilfuliinthcm, that they may {hew to the world, that the honouring of God as it is fct forth in his Word, is another manner of life than the world is acquainted wich; and fo in thefirfljcccnd, third, and fourth Ccmmandcments. 11 1 fobrimjcth another manner of honour tohim,. and comfort to men, than the embracers and lovers of the world can be partakers or. Thus I have fpoken of the behaviour which inwardly and out- wardly, both in Gods holy worfhip, and in our whole conversion towards God directly, we are to flic w inthc whole fix daics thorowout our life. That winch followcth next, is that part of holincfTe and obedience fj,t f,url'n Cm, which is to be given to the Lord, one day in icven. Nothing differing mmuUtrtnt* from all the three former, having that all our own works^though lawfull Htyktepmi&f on other daies, arc on this day as much as is polfiblc to belaidafulc, ^J^*? ** that is, except in cnieofneccillry : and the whole day to-be beftowed in his worfhip and fcrvice*, and in things directly -tending to the fame. So Nuc. that by verttic of this part of Gods honour, wee arc not retrained from our hnnc oncly, (which wee are forbidden every day) but from com- mon hi" cur alio, which is an hindcrancc from the confccratir.g of ire whole day unto God. And therefore lawfull workes being forbidden, we may a flu rc our fclvcs that much more he condemned) the intcrmix- ino of vaincandfoolifh Entcrludcsand Plaics, with fuch likcmif-jpen- dingof the time : and the filling of mens mouthes as well as their heads wuh world y cares and dealings, too too common on that day,altheugh nor tolerable on other. But becaufc the Lord Ictiowcth how prone and ready wc arc to wea- •rincfle in well doing, therefore he hath not oncly appointed fome part Vancty%{boh of this day to be parted in publike, and other fome in private excrciies of txtrtifit. godlincilCjbut ajfohc hath given us greatvaricty of both forts, thacfb the whole rime maybe bcltowcd'wmout icdioufnciVc and toile, even from our preparing our fclvcs to the la notifying of it, at our up-rifing, unro the lair duties at our lying downc : which mercifull and wife re- Norc. gard of his over us, if it cannot move us to give our fclvcs to praclilc this part of holinetfe, (whatfocver our cxcjfes. bee) woe plainly mew that PMIpafm. cur minds a:e earthly and c.i mail, anil that wc cioe but favour our felves **"'• in wortdlineilo, or prophanenciTc, ulknciic, and cafe, when wee reaion againfl it, as bung too preciie. The publikc duties arc the reverent aiTembhcs of Chriflhns in the Privauexoci- pi caching of the Word, in Prayer, and adminifhing of the Sacraments /•* on that day, cfpccially tobec ufed, howioevcr on other daics byoc- l *9HT ' cafionsoft intermitted. Ail of them arc moll blcflcd helps for thcefta- bliming of us in an holy life. Of the private, fome doc particularly con- cerne our lcTvcs alone, lome are as well for the benefit of others, as for ourownc comfort : for our felves vvec ait to r,jcfitt*,>rc»tJ:(wrkcj of PfaJ.pi 4,5. Col ah Offome particular duties pertaining to God direttly,1sfc. GaA> evemtpM his rs**dr?fnll worses f which he hat^ done for the forme: of me>iy that (o wcc may fcolc hisgoodneffc many waics; n.id from the fwcctncfTc which we perceive in the creatures, wcc may be lifted up to .behold the beauty and favour of the Creator. We arc alfo to thinke of the doctrine which we have heard, chat it may the cafllycrbc imprinted in us. And on this day we arc more freely to consider ofoureftatc, how wcc proceed in the >us keeping of ourcovenant with God : and how wcc grow in theaiiuranccofGods mercie, and our redemption, or whether wegoc notbackc, or (land not ataftay. And every way as our need fliall moft require, wee arc to tifc our cxaminings ot our fclves, meditations and thanklgivmgs on this Kotc. day, not only for our prcfent comfort,but for out more fruitful! walking all the wecke following. & wiik other*. Conference of good things tendeth as well to the edifying of others as our lelvcs. Befide the which there arc other duties to bee done to them, as to doe the workesof mercy to them, as well in vifiting them in their fickneffe, rclccving thcrr nccdTities, breaking off their ditagrcc- ments, and reconciling them who were at variance, as in fpirituall com- fbitingsof them, as God doth inablc us. And thefe all laid together arc as a continuall dirc&ion for the holy ufe of the Sabbath to us, (even as the daily direction which I fliall adde afterwards, is tofervc a Chriftian daily as long as he fliall live : ) for the profitable and hea- Nocc. venly fpending of the Sabbath is the market of the foule, in the which hee who is wife, will provide and (tore himfclfc for all the other dayes of the weekc, wherein it is like he (hall have little helpc, but much difcouragement, as in the world may bee feenc. And this holy parting of the Sabbath muft bee religioufly regarded of all the Chri- ftian family, as the charge given to thegovcrnour thereof doth iliew : and of the ftrangcr alfo who fliall come under his roofc. This is a furnmc of the holineffe which wee are to fliew towards God, both on the Sab- bath,and on the fixdaics : hcthatdefircth tohcare more fully of this nutter, which Imay not handle atlarge, lethimrcade fuch Trcatifcs as arc written of that argument. Chap* Ofcertaine duties to men, isfc. 1 1 j Chap. XVI. Ofrertaine duties to yyie*> in the fifth, fxth,tindfever.tk Comm*ndemer.tst the obcymv whereof ii aptrt of the ortsofmcn, it is here as in rhc fitted place to be taught, whLh cannot be afterward fo conveniently added: That we have this mindc inus,that V cc be„.rc Ic rdiau men, evt* our greAtrji enemies ; from which £C:,£ ^w t0 rg ground and root of love wee may be ready to performc all the Juries which we (hall know to bclongto them from us, required particularly in the Command em ems following, And iccorully that wc joyne with it another general! vertue, which is brotherly kmdncfle to Chriftians, which are brethren with us, which is an holy andcfpccialilovcofone lfull brother towards another. And thefc two arc thofc which Saint rf fpeaketh of when heciaith, loynervtth hother/) kj»dneJ]eyIove : Smbtrirkmi- re this vet tue is, they have learned to giveto every one of the faith - 7i{^19 ' ' full their brethren, (according to the knowledge wherewith God hath ;p inligh- 114 Zh'.ffihCom- m.vtJemcnt. Ma»y Juliet to D*V ci i ft* ft- riews. c.mmontooM inter imrt. R0OI.I3. I« trvtrmt. loSji.4. Of cert nine duties to meny inlightened them) the fevcrall duties required in the fecond Table. A rare and fiogular gift of God, which if we could fee the practice of it, what light of good example it givech,and what profit, it would inflame us wonderfully to the practifmg of it. Now follow the fcverall parts ofrighteoufnefle to men, as they arc di- ftinctly let downe in the fix Commandements following, to be perfor- med of Chrifti.^ns, and which hclpc to make up the fecond part of a god- ly life. In all which, although there arc many more particular duties to be mentioned than were in the former part, (becaufe wc hare fo many dealings, and that with infinite pcrfons) yet I will fet them downe with the like brevity as nccre as I can, that I have done the duties of holincfle to God,leaving the Reader to lcarnc the other (as I have faid before) by other ordinary meancs. And firit the duty which men owe, as they arc inferiours to others, and the fiiperiours to them againe, come here to be confidcrcd both ge- nerally, and the one particularly towards another. Where this is requi- red of all inferiours, that they fo carry themfclyes in their whole courfc to them, which by Gods appointment are above them orexcell them, thatthey may (hew In all parts of their lives that they honour them. For fo the will of God is, not to require any one efpeciall action or duty of them, but that their whole conversation be fuch towards them, that the pcrfon which they take upon them, and the place wherein they are, miy have more credit and eftimation among men, and bee upholden and maintained in fuch fort, that they may weigh downe all wicked pra- ctices of men againlt the lame. The duties in gcnerall, which belong to all inferiours doe arifc from this one as from a fountainc,thatis to (ay, fubjc&ion r^which is a volun- tary acknowledging, thatthey arc fet under thofe which are their fupc- rioursby Gods ordinance and appointment. The which when men are perfwaded of.they will readily goc under any duty that appertained to them. And from hence iiTueth inward reverence towards them, as to thinke highly of them for that pcrfon, which God hath put upon them : and therefore alfo to give them that outward reverence which is due to them, zstortfr and bor*t9 them, to give them the higher place, liberty to fpctikr before tu , and to give them reverent titles, and fubmitting our Selves to them every way as it is meet : which if in love it be not regar- ded ,and the benefit "which God hath appointed thereby to come to their inferiours confidcrcd, that fo there may beaprefcrving of the dignity andworthinciTeoffuchperfonsand places amongft men, all confufion and barbarouihefle muft needs enfuc and follow. And in the fifth ^fixth^ mdfeientb Commandements. And forthis caufe the fuperiours againc for their parts rnuft fee, thtt they carry themfelvcs towards them at l> ret! r en in all courtefie, faying their authority : and further alto that they goc before them, both in all innocency and example of good life. And becaufe there are fome fupe- riours to us by civill authority, as Princes and other Magiftrates; and fomeEcclefiafticall, as Church -officers; fome by nature, as Parents; fome by age, as the Gray-headed ; and ibme by gifts, as of knowledge, experience, and other graces: therefore both their inferiours to them, and they to their inferiours (befides the former duties in genera 11 fct downe) havefomewhat feverally to looke to, one towards the other. To fuch as have authority over them, inferiours muft fubmitthemfelves in bearingthcir rebukes, and receiving their corrections willingly and without refiftancc, by not anfiveri ng againe ,by ftomackc or countenance; yea,though they fu ffer wrongfully : which Commandcmcit Sainr Peter giving to iervants toward their matters, who are not fuperiours of the higheft power, or of greatcft authority, doth much tturcbindc other inferiours to be fubjec? thereto. And further befides this, fuch inferiours are charge \ by God to be obe- dient oncly to their Uwfntt commandements , fo that God be not thereby deprived of his due: for this caufc {ubjcCts pay tribute totheirPrincet, and hold both their goods and lives fo, as they be at their commandc- rncnt. And fervants which will teltifie and fhew, that they counttheir majlerrworthy aH honour , doe frame themfelvcs to fcrvc them whhfiith- fulnejje dud diligence, not with eyefervice : by the one fecking their pro- fit and good truftily ; by the other, doing their duties with care and fain- fulnejfe3 even as to the Lord htmfclfe. So all high Magistrates, both Kings, and fuch as arc in authoritie under them, owe this particularly to the people over whom they are, to regard that theGofpell of Jcfus Chrift be publifhcd freely and purely by the Ministers thereof thorow their whole dominion, to bring the people to God : and the fame dominion to bee well governed by the right executing of wholfomc and good lawes, that the fe flemaylive an I orteft and quiet life un&r them. S ) alfo Matters for recommence to their fervants, are charged by the Lord to fhew themfelvcs, *s well good and bonnttfull towards them in recompencing their labour and travclltothefull, as befides it to due that which u juftand eaua!! unto them, the which they for their parts doe owe to them againc : which is to provide that they may bee taught in the congregation, and at home, as alfb to fee that noncceffaries, in meat, drinkc, worke, and honcft intcftniffion in due time bee wanting; neither that they with R whom Superimn dmij Overs k^d* *f lupcr*ouri. Tit.i.?. I Pet. I. If. Rom. tj.f. Oocuicut. Tit. i.f. Ephcf.rf. f. Col. $. 1 1. All in outkrity, as Princa, Pf.l 78 two la ft to fe*. *Ku£ II. .7. I Tim t. 1. Mailers. Col. 4. f . 116. Cbittrcm d:t$fm I :b i. #. Uu x. 51. Ccn.: v whom they have fo covenanted, bee kept ignorant and uncxpert in their trade. Another kincic offuperiours are kindred by nature, and parents in the flciM, to whom their inferiours and children for the lingular benefits which they receive from them (except they degenerate far re from their duties^ doc acknowledge much to bedue to them agiinc. Among which- this is not the leait, thai they flicvv themfclves forward in the embracing of holy inllruc-lionaccoruirgto the ripcncfTc of their ycares. Tint their reverence and obedience continue (of children I fpeake) even unto their eod,alrhough with morehberty when they fnall be of more ripe ycares, thoir parents themfclves contenting thereto. Alio that they make no marriages without their content. That in token of thankhjlnclfc they be ready to helpe their ucccmVics. And that thoy bee carefull alio to doe their duties, even to thole which fl-vall succeed their parents, byway of fecond marriage : Tor their parentsarc bound to teach them from their youth (as was laid of.ervams) to keape them from idlen:lt' great unrightcoufnefTe committed againft it, and therebv fct our felvc* uwc camcftly to grow found in the duties of it. Thispointof humil .ty R * \* X2.8 khnij 14- ovr. rvc.M* P111J.4 17. ThifhdbCtMm mantUmcnt. todiiy life 2nd health. To hurt none. Exod.xi.J». Note* My r\\&cc lambe andthelionor wolf ejh all feed together) whereby we are made able and lit to live even with bad persons. Which mildneffe tcacbethusto bearc much' and fufrcrfarre, rather than to be angry in our o vnccaufe; which how weighty foever itfecmcth to us, is no better than follyand madmflc : and therefore nottodcfircorfeekc revenge at their hands, but to wifhltill their good and welfare. - And for our ownc parts, wifely and carefully, both in words and in deeds to avoid aid cutoffalloccafionsofdifcord, yca,though itbc with the forgoing of lbmepart of our right, as Abraham did to Lot, and to procure peace, lb far as it may be without offence to God, or the hinde- ring or our owne falvation: ^ndt^gallthmgs in good part, fofarreas pombly wc may. Oh, how much doth he comfort the life and glad the heart of his ncighbour,whofc caracft endevour it is,to live thus with all men! though it be a g& of God, which flaoukl fliine even in the rich thcmfelvcs,asthc Apoftie (licwcth, faying ; Charge themwhich are rich tn tku worldjbat they be no: high-mnded, but eajj* to fa lived wtthall. But in the fifth Jxtb,andfeT>entb Commandttncnts. But yet is it further required at our hands, that befides the hurting of no man (as hath becne faid) we fhould doc them good. And indeed/uch fhould our whole courfcbetoward> others, that we might make eafie as many mens burthens as wee can, feeing God in the riches of his mercy, hath un'ourthened us of fo intolerable weight as preficd us by our fin : even as he hath loved us therefore, fo from hence it is that we have love one to another, as to have a care of their life and welfare, to maintains it as their nccclFityfhall require, and our ability can pcrfoimc. To m:- nifeft it in their mifcries by pitying them, and having a fcllow-fccii-.g of the fame with them, and fo to tcitifie it both by words and deeds ; js our Saviour by doing the fame in pitying the people, who were difperfed a* fhecpe without a jhephcrd, gave us example to doe the like. Andasthcir troubles and calamities fhali be the greater, (o the more fpeediiy to lead our hclpc to them, to eafc them as much as in us licth. That this may the better be conceived and pracliledcf us,we may take two examples for ail the reft to fhew it in : for this being fo ncedfuil,and that oftentimes (I mcane to (hew mercy) and fo much complained of to be wanting,! will flay a while in it.The one is in the diltreffed cafe of fer- vants, who if all hard meafure being offered them, they muft yet not be fuffcred to anfwer for their innocency, their burthen fhould bee great : loh therefore fheweth himfelfc to have learned this companion ettccru- ally, when as he faith, // 7 did contemn e the judgement of my ferv.inr,a>id of my mat d, when they didcontendrvith me> what then fhall I anfwer > when Godfiandeth up againfl me .? For he that made me in the wombe* hath hee not made him7. This (all men mu ft needs fay) is mercy to the life of our neighbour indeed, when we fhall fhew compaflion to them whom wee might opprclTe, as being not able to refill us. The fecond example is of fuch as our Saviour fpcaketh of, whovifi- ted him in his members, (though many othcr,who faw their mifery,did notfo) faying, When I wot hungry fee gave me meat. Hereby hisownc words we may fee, that true companion will fhew it fcifc by releevinrr intimeof need, and fhutteth notup it felfe with an unfwouric anfwer, as Limes fpeakcth, God provide for you. And as wee fhould fhew our helpc, chiefly to the needy and poore, fc ought we ever to be ready to helpc all other with whom we live as they fhall (land in nead of it by counfcll,travcll,or the like : even as Simeon did his brother Iudih agiinrt the Canaamtcs, and the reft or the tribes did Gedeon againft Midi** and the *Amale kites. But I will with adding a little morenowmake an end of this duty towards the life of our neighbour. That which I have faid thereof, ma y R 3 teach lip Dicyndlt tit'.* 1 I0hn4.Il. Note. In b r mifena ; 1 1 1 cs.. Much. 9. 36. Ptov. j.i7,it. Shew merry. IobjI.IJ,!* Mauh ay jf, lames 1. 16. IuJg.r.;.' z J o Of cert dine duties to men> teach howhclpfulncfle and pitie is to bee fliewed to the bodily necefli- ties.astothc whole life of the needy and aftliCTcd ; and likewilehow we multbcrcadytohclpeall forts that arcdiltrcfled ; and therefore much Ht!prukefe and more to bee harmlcflc and innocent towards them. Vertues they are hMrmlfnfc (the fe two, Imcanc, hclpful'ictfc and harmlcfncfle) of Angular price, vtrtuesofjwz*. though little (et by in this cvill world : and yet he that is void of them, **"*' "Were better be out of the world. For both of them arc accompanyed Wbaftb'.T vtr- with other vertues, which doc fctout the worth and bcautic of them; tun§cc9mpAny even as achaincof gold, rings and bracelets doc bcautificand adorne J***** a comely peribn. For the latter, that is, innocencie and harmlcfncfle, it is accompanyed with mecknrflc, patience and Iongfiiffcring, with- out Handing (iifly r.pon an offence, or hotly purfuingit, buteafily paf. fing by it. Alfo hee that is harmlcflc, is gentle, tradable, and foone in- treated to forgive a trefpafle, though fome can never be brought to it : he is alfo peaceable and communicable, and fit to be lived w ith ; which vertue is rare to bee found. Therefore the innocent and harmlcflc man is much to bee fet by : as being profitable to him who liveth with him, even as hec is commendable among all that know him. And this is to bee joyned with the other vertue, which in this place I be- fore commended, namely, helpfulncflc: the which hath adjoynedto it, mercy and tender companion to fuccour them that bee in mtfery; and kind heartcdneflc and goodncfik, as the Scripture called) it, to pre- vent cvill and dancer from our neighbour before it take hold of him. And thus much of the duty which we owe to the body and life of our neighbours. Ft'etotbt That which remaincrh,is of rhe regard and compaflion which is to be r0lr had over their foulcs parr. cularly. T»hat feeing the multitude or bad cx- Qe*lt*A»$U* amplesis one efpcciall imboldningof the world in cvill, wee who are marked moic than others, how we live after the Gofpcll which we have Mitth.i.itf. in ^° great price, ought both t<§ rva/^crv/trUj towards fuel) as are jtt in i Pec 3. 1. tf/i^/f^jaswTllasunblair.cablcamongft ourbrcthicn, that (6 vvcmty xFcti.u. hope that one time or other it may plea fc God to call them ho:re, as the Apofliefpcakethjbothtothc bclceving wives of the r husbands which obeyed not the Word,and alfo toothers. And w lioietfti not,thatgood cxamplcand innocent life, doth more move the ignorant andunftayed pcrfons at the firrr, than the Doctrine ; becaufc though they hearc it, yet they underftand not the power and air.honty of ir, neither are able to Weigh the foundncfleof it, u .till they Jce the beauty of it appcare in Note. practice. And riicrefore he faith, Let ) wr ccKvcrf.it ion befure, thatthej Tpbic /:.,.■ c li ord mayber- W. With in the fifth Jxtb^nd fey enth Commandements. z j 1 With this holy example of life, another dutie is required, that all oc- cafions be taken,and the opportunities ufed of winning men to God,and of confirming them who arc in Chritt already, and peace-making, and « Cor.10.3^ reconciling (uch as be at variance, and obfervmg one another, andprovo- #i*a*dtu k^xg to love , and good worses, and the fruits thereof, by inftruction, by exhortation, admonition, confoiation and inch like. If the defire of the falvation of our brethren were fuch when opportunitic ferveth , and Hcbr.10.x4* efpecially in company, as that for the fame, wc could neg'e6t ourownc eafe, andvaine liberties in idlcncllc, and unprofitable taikc; there is no doubt, but by kinde and wife dealing with them, we fhould prevaile with fome, efpecially this one thing being added, (a thing of a!i other Note* moft looked after) that with eodly counfeli, we pitied the ueceifitics of ' ; ^'j'4',, thofcthatbein wants, as their cafe rcquireth, and that with the bowels R0ai.i»at! of companion, whereby both their hearts are comforted, and they better Philcm.7. prepared, ro take good by our counfeli and in(tru£tions,cvcn as Boan did Kuui.».«j. to R»th in botl»,when his kinde and fwect words to her with his friend- ly dealing, cauicdhertofay, Oh my Lord, thou haft comforted me, thou haft (pollen to the heart of thine hand-maid, Thcfe two former duties being rightly obferved and ducly regarded, Tbcfevntb that is, that wc honour the Image of God in our neighbour's it fliall ap- wmandtrntui* pearero us, and that with this humilitie we joyne tender love to his life and perfon, as now hath bcene faid : we cannot reit there, but wc muft declare the fame love in not hurting, or grieving him in any good thing that he hath, and fetteth by ; neither can wc in truth fay, we love him, when we can be content for all that, to dee the tuing which wc know, will oftend and vex him. * And therefore every ChrifUan which hath this love in him, will be N°tc» ready ro gtvehis neighbour hisdue inth:s commandement, nottoat- Noitoaitemft tempt his honcttie and chaftitie, which is principally forbidden in this /^^ W" precepr. So that through this love to our neighbour, and all chat is his, we mult live fo innocently and chaftly, that none may have caufcto complaine, thatthey be hurt or annoyed by us this way: and that wc our felves doe warily fliunneand avoid all occafions, whereby wc know we be in danger thereof. Therefore for the better obtaining of this at our hands,God rcquireth Ourmindesixd this of us, that both our mindes and bodies be chafk : the one pare from bdesnmjlh uncleane lufts, defire, and thoughts tending to unchaftneflc : the other ^t% kept in honour, (Tor fo the Apoltle calleth it) that is to fay, free from all executing ofiuch uncleane dcfiresby any ltrangc plcalures, which hec condcrancth. And therefore that all the parts of our bodies bee R 4 kept VnmirrUd. 131 - Ofcertainc duties to meny kept continent, as well as the face, eyes, earcs, tongue, hands, and feet be turned away from fuch occafions as may lead thereunto. And this is commanded both to the unmarried, and to thofc which arc married, but yet with fomc confederation and regard had by both. The unmarried, that they fee, that through ancfpeciall gift of God, their abftaininjg from marriage bee according to the rules before fet do .vne. And foi this caufc, that they be very wary and circumfped in the ufc of all lawfidl liberties, as of meats, drinke, apparcll, flcepc, re- creations : and that they give themfclvcs devoutly to all exercifes of godlineflc , and amonglt the reft to fafting with prayer , as they in wifdomc lliall fee caufe, alwaies remembring that the unmarried arc I Cor. 7. |i. they who may befl cayc for the things of the Lord • how they may pfeafe him. By the which meanes notwithstanding, if they fhall feelc and perceive that they cannot ferve God with peace as in time paft, but that their minds and bodies are haled and diftradtcd, the one by ftrong lufts carrying them, the other by burnings ; they muft know that they arc called to the ufe of the remedy, which God hath in this cafe provi- ded for their behoefe and relecfe, that is,thc change of their eftate,mar- ryinginthe Lord. The married couples being cut off (as I have (aid) from all other fa ve themfelycs, muft know that their ftnne is ten-fold greater than the others, if they fhall bee found either fecretly attempting, or openly defiling themfclves, whereby it may be fecne that they doe not regard, and conicionably feeke to preferve the chaftitie of their neighbour, a thing provided for by the Lord moft principally in this Precept; but rather let them know how to ufe their libcrtie rightly, which God hath in this behalfe granted them: That is to lay, that they marrying in the Lord, may alfo live in the Lord together: and (to fpeake more plainly) as they have married with hope, that they fhall finde more helpe thereby unto godlinefle than they could have enjoyed alone without it : ( feeing marriage was ordained by God himfelfe, Ccn.i it. an-helpfull cftatcmany waies) fo that they dwell together according to 1 Pet. 3. 7. knowledge, to pcrrorvne the more eafily all duties one to the other for their mutuall helpe and comfort in the communion of their goods, gra- ces, and perfons. But though God accounteth the marriage bed un defied, and the ufc ©fit Urfnll, fortheincreafeof pofterityandthe fubduing of concupi- scence: yet to the end that Gods people may remove from them much unfeemely prophaneneffe therein, which the irreligious fort invent to themfclvcs, who never ufc to looke further into their liberties, if they underftand Hm'xl Noic in the eighth, ninth, and tenth Commandements. 1 3 } underhand once that they be lawfulljand to the end that they may hare the right ufe thereof, God hath taught them to fanctifie the mariage bed with prayer and thank giving, and that nothing be done betwixt them- Note, fclves to the wound of confcicncc, or the breaking of their peace. And that is the true ufe of it, when they are made the more fit and checrefull thereby to all duties of holinerTe,or at leaft wife never the unfutcr,which n to live in marriaae, even 06 tfthey were rot married, and Co live more * Cor. 7. 19. happily ; whereas to live otherwise is a great abufe thereof. And as for the Papifts malicious railing on married pcrfons,that they Tbi Vapifl rvbs live in the flefh, and fervenot God, asPope5/r/c/w : totheirfhamebc d; f jute tie *ar- it ipoken, that God hath made knowne his will in thisCommande- r? *!?**** raent as cleerely as in the reft : and given grace to them which fcare him to obey him in the fame, either Minifter or private perfon, more than to them, whoinpndcand hypocrifie, or in blinde intention have vowed againitit. If they had complained, that the married eflate is through the ignorance and prophancneffe of the world much blemifhcd and (for fo honourable an ordinance of God) defaced, the molt being careleiTeintheufc of their liberties, and in following the rules which fhould guide them therein, they had fpoken to good purpofe, and might have had many to confirme their faying: But to challenge holi- neffe as proper to themfelves in their vowing againft marriage, is rather arrogancy and folly than found reafon, which requireth a iubftantiall anfwer, efpeciaily except they could fhew us more glorious proofes of holineiTe in their profefted Votaries^and convince the beft of the married perfons of unavoidable iniquities. Chap. XVII. Offome duties to men in the eighth, ninth, and tenth Commandements. A Noiher part of righteous dealing with our brethren is,that they be Jhteigbtb c»w- not injuried by us in their goods, which God hath given them, for mmdmmt, their nccciTaiy ufe and comfort in this life. And therefore, as we would defirc our felves to enjoy with fafety, and without fcare, the portion Nottoinjuryany •which by Gods goodncfle is fallen unto us, even (6 fhould our neigh- ■ b*l°ods. bour live by us withoutdanger or jultcaufe of complaining, that hee is any way annoyed by us. Loe, this is the order which God hath taken and ftrongly provided for it, that if he be rcg.i rded amongft us, we fhall not dare be bold to injuric one another in the (malic!! peecc of his com« nu>ditics; but give him his owne, as the Commandement chargcth us, faying, rVm 13.8. tiihitvph.cba anoikir rx&ns. IneonVTutrfc. Gen. 13.8,0. Tofo'gocpartsf our right. 1 Cor.tf.5. Match.5.40, V'tverftjlalts. Luke 3.1©,". Tbedutiiif tbcmwbcbvt 8) alms. I Sam.i.7. tcrnUKuawn. OfceYtaine duties to men, )g, Thi*J%4!tkdtfit4lti and as another Scripture faith : Otoe nothing can wc grieve him, in withholding that from him, (as was laid before) which is dcarc unto him ? So that, where the cafe is plaine, that any thing is another mans, wc cannot fo much as lay claimc to it, but God is defpil'ed of us. But fccin<* it is doubrfuil oft times whofcthe right is; and the mod contentions, and unchanrablenefle arifc from hence, that it cannot ealily nor clccre- ly be fecne into, whofc it is indeed : here therefore, although men with- out Chrift, will not eafily be advifed, yet the Lord hath provided, that his fcrvants fhali be ordered, for the 'retaining of love and righteous dealing. That partly they ftullforgoefomewhat ofthcir owne nght,as aAbruham did to Lot, (if it (hall be thought expedient) rather than to bicakcthcbondoflovc; partly,ifit be in fuch a matter as ismadc doubt- full by the f;ibtiltic,negligcnce,or other defaultof either party, (as when a bargamcis made, and yet left uncertainc in ibme point, which after breedcth contention) the damage ought to fail on him, through whom it came, and if it be otherwife io difficult, that it cannot betwixt them- felvcs be determined, let other men of wifdome take it in hand, that if it be pofllble, fuite oflaw may be avoided ; and yet if that cannot bc,lct iC inlovebeprofecuted. Thus much £cnerally,to (he w^that Cod will have equitic maintained in the comming by,and enjoying of our commodities,and no man wron- ged in the leaft part of his goods by us. But for the more clcere behold- ing of our duties in this branch of obedience, orrighteoufnefle, (feeing they arc many) it is very cxpedient,to lay them forth more particularly, according to the divcrfe dates of men. Therefore, as fomc are mcerely poorc mcn,and by Gods appointment and ordinance,doe live by almes : other can in fome fort partly maintaine themfel ves, but not without the helpe of their neighbours, by borrowing of them : and the third fort is able to lend, or to give, or to doe both : therefore according to thefc diverfe forts of men,the fcvcrail points of righteous dealing one with an- other, muft be fpoken of: and thofe which arc bcruic thcm,(hall be con- fidercd afterwards by themfelves apart. They who have no other way to live, or »o be maintained, but by re- ceiving mens benevolence, have their proper dutie afligned them by God,about their neighbours goods,firft to know,that their poore eftatc is allotted them of God,as the rich mans is alfo : according to the Scrip- tures which faith, The Lor dmaketh poor e^ndhemA.keth rich; and there- fore they are to live in ic with contcntation. As alfo they may doe, if they in the eighth > ninths and tenth Qommandments. they know God to be their Father through Chrifl their Redeemer : for there is incouragement enough from thence, to live contentedly and comfortably in any condition, in the which God (hall let them. For want of the which it is, that neither poore nor rich are contented witli- ouc hunting after that which is another mans. Now, as it is the poore mans dutic, to be contented with his portion : fo it is in no fort tole- rable in him, to grudge at other mens abundance ; for frail his eye be evilly feeing God is oood? Neither ought he fo much as to wifli the fame, andfo toinjurie his neighbour: but to receive thankcfully that which befallcth him, acknowledging fuch to be Gods instruments, and as it were his hands, whereby he miniftrcth to his ncceiTicies. And becaufe the people of God, which either fent rclcefc to the poore of other Churches, as they of Macedonia and Corinth to Jcrufalem; who pro- vided for their owne poore, as they in thcAc/ts; they did it to incou- rage them, to remaine and abide conltant in the dodtrine of the Gofpcl : therefore the poore which live with us, mult know this, and looke to pcrformcthisdutiealfo, that having fuch incouragement, they make it their chiefe worke to live godly and obediently. That is to fay, to glad their hearts, who refrefh their bodies, when they may fee their in- nocent converfation, and zeale to God-ward according to their found knowledge. But 1 lament the eftatc of the pcore, even as I doc many thoufands of others, to thinke how few of them are fit to hcare this their dutie with any hope to be the better for it : and what an univerfallblindnelTcand fecuntie is amongit them ; feeing they are as farre from the dtfiring of true knowledge, as they arc from polTibilitie of obtaining it, (yea, though there be offered unto them a plaineand eade manner of teach- ing.them:) which linne of irrcligioufneiTc, as it is at this day for the moft part, to be feme in that ellate, fo it feemcth to have becne ufuall among fuch, long ?.goc ; that the poore lived for the molt part without care of religion, as by Uremic his words doth appc.ue : Who when he had, after inquiric, found that there were few that fought the truth, he fa id, Surely they are poore ; for they know not t he l.iiv uf the Lord : / will get me to the great men, fir tcejf have k^ owne the way of the Lord: but theje have altogether broke the yvks> and bur (I the bovels. God move the hearts of them, in whom it lieth, toredreffe it, to pitie the one and the other; and to hive a g> cater care of their good (by providirj; that they may be taught the fdvauon, and happincflc of Christian*) than they (being yet ignorant) have care of themlclvcs. Even to bemeancs to bring light to fome of them who hayclong fate in darkneile, and cfpecially **5 x Tirn.f .S. Nettogritdge. Match. 20.x j, Rom.i£.j,4. Rorr.iy.i6. iCor.y i. A& 4.34,3 J- Ike $pdty% lufi cur f bint rf»nrpovTC. Iercmie j.4. Mtts6.it, 1 3 7 Of certains duties to men , efpccially foi the obtaining of the forgivencfle of their finnes, and the change of their lives. But I mud remember, that I am in fetting downcthe duties of all Chriftitasibouc the goods of their neighbours, and therefore muftbe breefer in it, although intirc picie hath moved me to make this fhort di- MmdMbejft. grcfllon. The laft dittic therefore cf this fort ofpoorc people is,with the former, that as much as they be able, and their bodily infirmities of age, bhndncile, lamencflc,and fuch others ill (uffcrthem,thatthey rcdeeme their time from idlencilc-, and confequcntly from other evillpafTmpof the fimc, to doe any profitable vvorkc which they are fit for, ever tying their hearts, eyes, and hands from pulling to them, or defiring that which isanothcrs. Thefecond fort that I am todcale with here, are they, who cannot live by their labcur alone, but (land in need of the helpe of others by borrowing fome thing of them, that fo they may the better provide for themfclvcs, and theirs. Their dutic is, carefully and faithfully to pur- poie the rcttoring of that, which they borrowed, at the day appointed, and that with thankes. And therefore in no wife to abulc their creditor, byadifhonc(tdcnyingofit,or unwillingneflc to repay it ; thereby,and by other delaycs, fceking to defraud him, and thinke hardly of him, if he requ'u eth it ; which to doe, is as if they counted it their owne, and a kindc of theft, and (o they (hut up (as much as in them iicth) mens com- panion from this dutic of lending. For a chiefe caufe of little lending, is evill paying backe againc that which was borrowed. It is further requi- red otthem, that they borrow not without need, as many doc, to main- tainethemfelvcsinplay and idlcnefle: for by that meancs they deprive him who hath need ind«ed to borrow, feeing the lender cannot plea- furcboth. And although they findc favour to borrow for their neceffi- tie, yet they muftnot looke to borrow that which they arc not like to pay againe, by taking more dealings into their hands than their ability will fervc unto, for many undoe themfclves and others by that me anes : much lcflfc may they borrow to lend to another for their owne commo- dity, and as we call it, for ufui y. Laftly, if their fnnple meaning in pur- pofing to repay it at the due time be difappoiuted, yet their care mull be to fatisfie their Creditor and content him, with promifing new day, and paying part, and every way that they can, (except it bee forgiven them altogether) to fhew that they were not faulty nor negligent in this matter. And this for the borrower: Now as concerning fuch as are able to give and to lend, I will f« downc their duties in thofc refpefts, and how TbcJuticoftlx hrrowtr. Repay truly. Piameif.4' dtrc*n*t without need. ;f bycanntt keepthy ytt fbiVfthtircaxt, in the eighth, ninth, and tenth Qommandements. i j 7 how they (hould ufe their goods,to the end they may continue this dut.'e of lending and giving ftill; after, I will fhew what rules of righteous dealing they muftufc in the getting and increafingof their goods with all men^and in all kindes of their dealings, (as I promifed before) thatfo they may be free from this common c vill of wronging any, in and about theircommodities. They who give, muft give freely, not by compulsion, and cheerefully Thed.iU of dcfiring thereby to releeve and comfort them who receive it,forcharitic tbigwtr. and confciencc fake ; as the neceflitie of the poore body rcquireth, and MauM.41. their abilitie will give leave : and fo, as they may give to one, as well as pj°^7*' to another, and continue the fame dutie from day to day, and in grcatcit Notc# neceflitie to ftrctch out their hand the more largely, without the which Iamci x.tf. neceflitie, if they be not hindred thereby, they may continue their patri- * C01.&. j. mony and inheritanceto their pofteritie. *fti 4 .$ j. The lender is bound to help hisncighbour,fuch an one (I meane) as I r^^f% have delcribed the borrower to be, if he be able to forgoc it, and before tlmkSu the appointed time that he hath lent it, nottorequiicit againc; and to receive it at the due time without any commoditic ; much lefTe to com- pound or agree with him for any : for whileft he pretendeth to fcekc his poore neighbours commoditie, and yet thereby laboureth to fcekehis owne advantage, with the others hurt; he doth that which is intole- rable. But yet it is lawfull for htm to take a pledge of him,if he doubt of ExocUx.**, his credit, fo that it be not his bed, or£ich aneccfiary thing as he can- Macth.1a.j7, not well fparc. And yet for all that, if he fee that it cannot bcrepayed without hazard of his undoing, he mult bcare with him, and fhew com- panion either for a time,or forgiving it wholy unto him. Thefe things considered, and wifely regarded, what fhould it grieve them, whom God hath indued with riches, and the commodities of this life, more than they need, (to the end he may prove them, what liberali- se they will ("hew to their poore flefh,) to reach out their hand, as they fee moil need both In giving and lending, and there efpecially, where God hath placed them, and to their owne kindred ? And for this caufe, Mtntucbt >v men 01 ght to know, that they fhould be more moderate in (pending bevc^atein wattfully upon others, (wiicrc they need not, neither doth any charitie ^ndtK^tk^ bind them) or upon themiclvcs in dict,apparell,or fuch like : confidcring tv**^ HHi*- that he which hath made them able to givc^might and could have made them Itand in need to receive; and therefore we have the poore alwayes Dcut.15.x1. Amongst w, that we may doe good to them. But all is too little for mens fclves, bymeanes either of a licentious waiting ; as excefle and needleflc fumptuouthefle of clothing, and pro- viding Kuvr. Tnofir: etcHrucliurt. 7 be covttctti floib notfod nh'.c kt hvttb. Nt>cc. The Atz/Jhhtg fptndtn wttfi 'fuch.is tbt) fljJU.d t'.Lt Ecdcfrj.ii. tmdmg*tdf*L Exbut by diminifhing of their inheritance, or by im- payring their tfockc and trade, in fuch a cafe for a prefent ncccflitic (hall not offend ^ if they require and fceke hclpe by borrowing for iomc fliorc time, fo as they be ready to afford the like hclpe againc in the like need. But to doc this ufually,for the increafing of their patrimony, or for any long time, and any great fummc ; othcrwiic than by agreement betwixt both partics,that the like gratifying of his part may be performed, if he will require it, there is no bond in Chriltianitic fo (height, that it ticth the in the eighth^ ninth > mid tenth Commimdemcnts. 1 3 9 the one partic tolenri It ; nor nny liberticthcrcin fo large, tha.t it giveth leave to the other to challenge or rcqucft it. l>oth which, I draw from the gcncralllaw, which all mutt bee fubje&to, namely; Whatforter ' yt would that wen Jhould doe tmo jqh, the feme doe ye umo dcm> and Mattkr.rx* con t rati wife. Now concerning (uTCtifTnp,this briefly M to be fa id, (feeing it is of the 0 \y. j like nature unto lending.) Although it iliould pitie us to ice a man fatten into danger to his creditor through any default; yet nodutic bindcth us to take upon us for him, to meddle where wc have nothing to doe, ex- cept it were in a matter of (b fmall value, that by beneficing him we fhould not hurt our (elves greatly. Butothcrwilc, weh'avecommande- mcr.toftcn-times to beware of it: As where it is laid ; lltpit then of them lv'c To;''* who Are furet its [or debt. And againe ; If thou haft flrichen hand \ and to- trrdintofi-rettjhtp, thou art f tared. And fo by nccdlcflc dealing in other mensbuiinefle, they bring upon themfelves ncedlcflc troubles, and are alfo-oft rHjidred from followingtheirownecalling. But yet left we fhould thinke that in no cafc,this dutic were to be per- Howfm$ wt formed, wc muft k'now,tha:for luch asareknowne ofus to be approved m9bef*,*tl* Chiiftians, or our brethren, with good advice wc may, that is, Jo fine as wc are able to bearcthc burthen : as '^r^did oiler a pledge to his Ota 4a. $7. father, for the fate bringing bzeke ot BeM}iHnin\\\$ younger brother. But- if any filch weight iliould lie upon it, asthat our undoing or im ">ov«rU iliing iliould thereby be procured, I iay with Salo&cx* Why fbmtldefh thoh cdufc thy bed to be tariff fom vn.Ur ihce> when thou -haft tiothkn t Pi ov --17. jtny? Forofthceit fhaH be required. Now the duties of rightcoiilheile which follow, arcfuch, as we arc bound to performe towards a4 in our common dealing?, whereby incrcafc our commodities, chat in none of them, wc be juilly chafed to doc them any wrong. Firfl therefore let every man fee, that his vocation and tradc,by which hegetteth Ivs living, be approved of God5 and profitable to men, as the UmfuU Apoflic willcth: And therefore, that tiicy be no idle Pcrfons,Pjrahccs, /£/7- • jefiers, Juglcrs^ fturdy Rogues, Players, or other Gamc/lcrs, Dicer;, l ]'acr:,,IO> Carders, ind frchlikfC Th.cn, they tint deale lawfully m every part of Dc-'r!*nfiL'j. their lawfull calling, that rightcoiiincflc may be maintained and pcacTi- fed therein by them : In buying and Idling, that the one gtVc hlspcnr.ic (at his penni worth, fully fatisfyrngalfo the travcll of the other, and cofi v that he hath becneat; and that the feller pci forme hi* pmivfarth as DeM.»f.r< good as is agreed for, and faithfully : and therefore dcceitfull Wares, Lcvit.»i 14. liojuil Weights, uncquall Mcafurcs., delay 1a Time wherein it iliould Aiu ^-5« be 1 40 Of certain* duties to men, be performed, and fiich like ought to fee ft rre off from the practice of t Pi'Mnoe 1 J.4. found Chriftian ; for herein promtfe u to be kept, though to the nuns hin- drance that nude ::. The fame I fay of hiring and letting, that neither partic alone be re- gardcd,but mJirrcrencic ufed,(as much as may be) for the mutuall good Patmpi* of both, untill the time agreed upon betnixt them be expired. Partner- ship and fcllowfhip in bargaining, when both are at the like cod, or the ones labour and travcll gocth with the others money, by their mutuall agreement, this kindeof contract ( I fay) giveth no lioertic to the one to provide for himfelfc, without regarding the other i but faithfully and truly to deale, that they may both be partners in ioffes, and in game, neither ofboth juftly openeth the mouth of others, to condemnc it. Thefe being the mod ufuall kindcsofcontra&jjdocfhcw the nature of V yu%Lx*r»K. the reft, which are inufc amongftmen, and doe leave no place to that oppreffion in the world, called ufury,orany other fuch feekingofmens private profit in their dealings, without regard of the common benefit ofboth : that is, when both parties arc not provided for,to theirconten- tation and fatisfying according to cquicie, arid to the meaning and pro- vision made by God in that behalfe : Which is, that the one without the Regard bad of other fliould not be benefited nor inriched ; but the one to have care and botbpiriiu u confederation of the other, and the Common-wealth ofboth (as I have nvkfttrj. kjd) reipc&ed. Which if it were regarded betwixt both parties, could in no wife be juftly complained of; neither is fuch dealing of the nature and kinde of ufury, whether it be in hiring and letting, or in any other kindc of contract whatfocver. Butthat common dealing for tenncin the hundred, or nine, or eight, or any fuch like, which is without due confideration of the Common- wealth and uphold ing of both, is utter- ly to be condemned. And yet the making a trade of letting money to live thereby, though it be with keeping the former conditions is net to be allowed. Which if it be well and ducly confidered, will fooneanfweralfcon- M«tk.7.n. fcionabie men, about the qucftion of ufury being oppreftion, that there Vfrnryadop- can be no ufc of them in the Church of God, nor the Chriftian Com- irefitnbivtno mon- wealth : the Law-maker having faid ofboth, as of Witchcraft ftjttam9*i and 0f Idolatry, there ftail benore fuch ir IfrMel* that is, among Gods thtiUmi. people. And as for teaching others their dutie, (efpecially in money matters) who have not given themfelves in full resolution to be guided by Gods word in all things. Preachers may (boner wearc their tongues to the ftumpe, than they may prevaile with them therein. But there is another thing,of which fomc profeffing the Gofpel,dcfuc to be rcfolvcd, and in the eighth, ninth, and tenth Qommmdmcnts. x 4 1 and that is about the buying and felling of Annuities,and whether they be not unlawful). Ofthis therefore by fo good occafion, as is here offered, Ithinkeit OfAwmltitt. convenient, tofetdownc the will of God and our duties: and the ra- ther for the ignorance of many about this point, and for the fatisfying andanfweringoftiicwelldiipofcdChriftian. For this purpofe, we arc wbmbcfkt, to know, that by Annuities are meant ccrtainc ycarcly rcms or reve- nues commingin, for fomc ycaresfpacc : and that the owner may fell them quite away for his ownc behoof c, there is no more doubt, than there is of felling his patrimony or inheritance ic felfe, ( if it be expedi- ent) which is (as we call it) perpetual!. Now rurthcr,thcre arc two forts of Annuities bought and fold among Twoifjndts ff men. Theoncis,aycarcly fummc of money for yearcs, when the fcl- '*"»• icr hath no fuch Annuitic, but as he hopeth to make it of his labour and commodities. The other is, a ccrtainc revenue, rent, or part of rent, which he cnjoyeth,and is willing to forgot it. The firit fort is full of dangcr,and cauicth much wTangling,diftgrce- Jb*fi>flk*• out nothing in any large manner, (which was not my purpoictodoe further than need rcquireth) yet hce that confidcrcth how many duties here are to be performed, fhall foe it the more needfull to have a briefc rchcarfallofthem, being fo many j to the which, as toaglaflc, he may repaire when he will, rather than to defire fome few of them, handled more largely, with omiiVion of the rcll. In thefe duties performing, v. ho Note. fofettethhimfclfe to delight, and makcthit his plcafure to walkc after thefc rules ; and when he can rindc by due obfervirg himfclfe, (that he hath taken any thing v\ rongfully) to turnc backc unlav\fullgair.e : as his liberty fhall be great with the Lord ,and his confidence ftrong,when hefceth that for his caufc,and forthc hope ofthe reward promifed him, hce can be willing to denic himfelfe, and hisowne will 3 fo his example fhall bee highly commended, and doc much good amongftmen; and yet this fliould not be to fceke with fuch as goe for Gods iervants, as it is written : // is ]oy to the ]uftto doe judgement. And let it be remembred, Pro? 11. if, that I here teach them, who profefle that they arc willing to lcarne, not the fcorner. To conclude : let not only the for-ementioned fmnes a- gaifift this Commandcment beavoyded, and the contrarie duties pra. coifed ; but let us every way fo ulc our goods,that wee may becthcreby more fruttfutl in every goodwsrke, than we cculd be, if we wanted them ; for this is the right and proper end why we enjoy them, clfc how fhall W'c be able to give a good account to our Lord and Mailer, and to fay, Beheld, Lord, here are thy five, ortwotalen;sf Ikavegawedvpith thitn maxy more. Luke 19. 18/ The next dutie wherein we are to ferve our neighbour through love, rbtnUihCem and to dealc rightcoufly with him, is about his name. Herein our Ioyc m %iuft fhew it iclfc to [lie fuch, that wee be affraid to vex or grieve him S z this 144 TiftJyce \nowr Wlitjmtmctf a Iohr> 4. Calath f . 16. jThcir.5.14. Sirrcrw fortbiif ixfrmuui. Hope the bet1. tjhcf.i.j. lC0r.rf.11. Matth.7.1. Titus 3.*. Km 7tuver faults. irxi$J7. lane* J.X3, fcM<« Ofcjrtair.s duties to mstt, this < .11 is in his perfon or goods. The fumes havcbcenc men- tioned more at large* which arc committed a<;iinii this commandc- ment,thc duties Hull be put in a narrower roomc. One of the which is torcjoyce inthe good report of as many as we can hcarc,and be per- led of: as the Apoftlc did for the good name of ' thecicc: £♦?iji8rcp*ts. Doeg, nor all fuch reports to bee rejected, or coldly reproved, left wee {^Hf**** fliould imboldcn the of?ender,and the committer of them, as Ely did , s^Lij." his fonncs, but fofarreas they may be proved ; that the guilty may bee x Cor.i.xx. ducly cenfured, as Paul did the Corinthians : but not without proofe, left the flandcrer mould be flefhed : forthc which caufc David faid to SanI'm this very cafe, why doth the King give an earc to them which faLy^Avidfeefob to l^Hthcc? It is moreover required of us, that wc up- i S^n.14.10, hold the good name of our neighbour, when wc be in place, where hec is unchrillianly and reprochfuily fpoken of, that ib wee may caufe flander and envic to ceaic: and not to deliver him being innocent in prov.14.ifr fuchacafc, when weemay, is little differing from defaming him, our Titfmim fclvcs* Which was the finnc of thofecrucll Jews mentioned in the Acls, **&u who when Taul was accufed as an evill doer, flood by, allowing the Aft•2*•*• fame againfl him, who knew that thoic things were not fo; and ifthcy had rightly Jcarncd topractilc this part of dutic, would have anfwered in his dcfcnce.But the neglect of this dutic is the greater, if it be done in apublikccafc before many, as that was againiUbcApoftlc, when the S } Judge x 4$ Ofccrttinc duties to men, Judge Will not give fentcnce, the deponent will not fpeakethe truth on the fide of him, who is falfly and (injufHy broughtinqucflion, and j^ore# the accufcr will not let his fifit fiH ; as they fee they ought, and fltould doe, but indirectly at ler< ft, doe purine him,cithcr miking a finall crime in him to be an odious o fierce; or when hceis innocent andclccrc,yct charge him as atrcfpniTcr. Ti int :$Tm$» It is our untie alto, by our hand-writing, or any other credit brivg- ri;§ ingunto him, whofc good convefferion is approved of us, to free his name from unjuft reproach: yea, and ifthccafcbc weightic and urgent , fo farrc as \vc be priv:e to his innoccncie, not to be unwilling to free him by our oath. There is yet another thing about this Con mandemenr, wherein our love fhould fffc'wit ic!fe towards ourncghbour, asneccf- l"irilyas:nanyofthcrc(t:and that is by uprightnefle in hcarr/md kinu- Tukealliftbti ncflcro interpret all Inch ofhis dyings and doings, as may bee well n- jvt. ken, in thebcit paiT;&nd not fbrfofnc little blcmifh, and as it werchalre a fault, to deface the whole courlc and life of the perfoTTs, and to bee ficcfrom furmizir.g and conccitcdnciTe abnit that which canro- bee Mattk.i.ij. proved, and brought to light : As godly Tifyfh is commended to have becne injudging c\ ninths and tenth Canimandements. we begin to ceafurc our fel ves fharply for kno wne offences whieh lurke in us : Wherein, when we fhall fee how flenderly and coldly we fct up- on them, we fhall be inrorced co confeitc, that our rigour was too fevcre againft others, efpccially for bare furmizes of faults, which hadnofuf- ficicnt ground. As for thofc,of whom we through charity think the beft, when yet wc fometime fee them prove othcrwile, and our (elves decei- ved in them, I&y itmakethnomatter: wc have donebutourdutie,to bee charitably minded towards them. And as for them, their finnc is their ownc,and mall double their punimment, in as much as they have deceived our hope, which wc had of them : for if there were any fparkc ofgoodncfTc in them,our good hope of them, would make them afhi- med to deceive our expectation. Yet let us not be foolcs in judging well of them,whofc mind sand purpofes wc know to be evil by their words, convcrfarion, and long knowledge of them, or by fuch like tcftimonies of their prophancneffc and boldnelTe in finne ; for that were unfavoury and filly foolifhneiTe, and (whilcft wee would goe about to be chari- table) to (hew our felvcs ungodly tn calling evill good: and to forget the Commandemcnt of our Saviour,who faith ,b err treef me* yznd there- fore much more beware how yee commend them. Of fuch wc fhould nuke no fcruplc nor doubt to know, and thinkeof them to be wicked as they be, and to give warning of them toothers, who are fimplc and innocent;and therefore might eafily be deceived, and mocked by them; as Teterdid to them who wercconvertcd,whenhcfaidtothem; Stive yonr [elves from thsrfrowirdgeKeratiort, meaning thofe who had bcene their companions, to withdraw them from embracing the dodtrine ofChrrit. Thus it behoveth to examine our dealings with our neighbours credit, and good name^that as wc have learned to thinke and conceive, fo we teach our tongues to fpeake the beft of all men, and ill of none, whole doings have not in an obltinatc and ftilfe-ncckcd mannerfpoken worfc of thcmfelves: fo that they have caft away their good name thcmfclves, (although more precious than gold) and not wee, who give that due co them, (in making this account of them) which they them- felvcs feemc to defire, and doe molt truly defervc. So wc fhall in this part of rightcoufneffc alfo, as in the former, make our rcjoycing found. But above all that hath becne faid of this argument, let our chicfeft care be, that wee ftainc not our ownc good name and credit any way, but maintainc and prefcrve it. The laft part of dutie to our neighbours to acquaint our hearts with the thoughts, and defircs of his good : and to bring ©uj fclvesto this S 4 cuttomc M7 [kft ttrfdvu. Note. X*ltHCftdM4 torn* Match, i o.i f« Tomum tmU mem Aft 1.40. Tirui|.». Prov.aa.it Noic. Prefcrve $vr $w*t £ood name* Tbct(itbCt*t> 148 Of cert aine duties to mcn\ Tattquaint oar euftome and practice, that whatfoercr in thefc five former precepts and iv4^:r.7k tnat tnus tnc contrarie luftings after that which is his,may (as the moft untarouric vomit)be calt up, and avowicd ofus. But this dutie of defiring that ourneighbour may profper, which fhould be felt to dwell in us,asadailyguclt, and which fhould rile up Tbkagguat an^ ^'K downe with us, and thorowout our courfe accompanie us, be- fira*£cr4 hold it is at this day. fuch a ftranger to the molt, even of tiich as qoe for Note. good Chriftians, that itisalmoft buried amongftmen,iavc that God of his goodnefTc hath fome few, who keep it in remembrance, that the reft may know, that fuch practice hec looketh for of all hisfcruants. For ftm fxtmfltt. though it be written in the bookc of God, never to be raced out by the Serpents fubtiltic, yet except fome lively pattcrne of it may befeene in mens lives,thc practice of it, as of many other excellent truths befide, doth grow into unaccu(tomedneflc}evcn as the manifeft and clcere path being not ufuallytrodden,isfoone covered with weeds and graffc. jisMushthi t$ And this part o/rightcoufnefle mult find e more care in us for the pcr- iUibirtf. formanceof it, becaufcthe well rcgardingof this dutie makcth as the better able to ferve cur neighbour in all the former. And ought we not to weane our hearts from dreaming after any thing that is his, when we can in no wife abide that the likemeafure ihould be offered us ? And al- io becaufe we have confccratect out hearts to the Lords utc, to betaken up in the delighting in thofc things which pleale him ? And if we love him, we /hould confider, that love tkwketh nor.e evill of our neighbour \ aorintendeth any hurt againft him: yet when hispiofits,and lawrull li- berties, and delights arc wifhed to be ours. I deny not but wee can and doeperfrwade ourfeIvcs,that for all this we love him; but the Scripture Ifcttta.lA "Which faith, atye would that men fl;ould dee untoyoH^evenfo doe ye tint* •them* {hall condemne us for it. Alas, doc we not (cc, that all the incou- ragementsand heIps,whichwchaveinthislirc(through the exceeding RaughtincfTe of our hearts) are all little enough to carry us thorowafi hinderances?And (hall we then addeforrow upon forrow to fuch as we our felves are ? Or repine, that they may more cahly goe on to cternail r^uH> lirc,by fuch helps as God givefch them? And therefore defire that which is precious to thcm,that io they may be holden backe,if not utterly op. preiTcd, through the want ef them with heavineffe ? It was farre from ^^ him, who faid, Jwouldthon wen altogether as J am, (chat i$,unfaiaedly aChriftian) but yet without the bands which I have. Therefore let us.knoyv3 and reft in this, that themarke that we muft aims in the eighth, ninth, md tenth Commandemcnts. 149 aime at, if this, that in living with our neighbour, we defire neither his hurt in perfon, goodsor name; but count it the grcatcft joy that wee have by ©urfellowfhipnnd acquaintance wwh him, when wee can rc- joycein his welfare and profperitieboth outward and inward rand thcr- R^cyctin l< rote heartily defire andwifh it from time to time, and in one thing as &ffl*A well as in another, and give thofc thoughts or lulls fmall reft in us, which llirrc us to the contrary. That fo we may declare, that weebave the lame fpirit which was in the Apoftle,which taught him to hyy!wtj% that thou prosferedfl even as thy foule froffereth.Xnd this he faid of the lo^n 3 •*• duties ofiighteoufneflfc to our neighbour. And here to fhut up this matter ofgodlineflc with a word or two of bought iolvt fbbrictic, being the third thing wherein it confifteth, (which is aver- *** rue more properly concerning our felves rather than the pcrfon of God or our neighbour, confifting in the moderating of our afrc£tions in the ufc of things la wfull)this I lay in few words : that wee muft have fpcci*. all care to ufc all our lawfull liberties, both in the works of our calling-, and in buying, felling, moderately and aright- And the fame I fay of eating, drinking, marriage, recreation, profperitie, youth, age, beau* tie, friends, (trength ; becaufe I would briefly conclude with the Apo- ftle in this wife: This I fay (brethren) becaufe the time is Jhort, here'- > Cor.7^304 after that they which have wives, be as though they had none • Andthcy 3 ' • that weepe, as though they wept not ) and they that re Joyce, as though they rejoiced not ; and they that buy, as though they fofft (fed not 5 and they that ufethe ivor/d, as though theyufeditnst: Forthefafhton of this world goeth srway. Hec therefore that lookcth to thefe things fo, that hee live in the life of his lawfull liberties, to make them ferve him, (that he rrfay bet- ter ferveGod) and not hee them • that man may be faid to be fober in- deed, and hee fhall have great rcjoycing, whatiocver the world thinkc ofhim. Thcfc duties I have thought goodto fet downe togcthe r,as it were in one view, before the eyes of the Reader, that he may fetch item hence, light to (hew him the way, and matter to feafon his heart and life; when he (hall- wax emptic, barren and forgctfull. And for the more large and Note* full handling of them, or the exad letting downe of all particulars, it was not my purpofe,and it would have becne too large: feeing in One Catcchifmeorothcr,andinlvtndrieTreatiR*s,asalfoby ordinary teach- ing, fuch as enjoy the lame may bctatisficd in that thiwg ; which parti- culars, all true Chriftians mutt be very carefull to know, after that they be willing to be directed. Now after what rfttnCf wc may draw a daily direction out of the whole ircalury ofgodlineflc, it fhall infit place here*- 1 5 o Of certains dutits to mcn% hereafter appearc, when I come to fhew what way God hath taught us to vvalkc in, throughout every day. And now I having finifhed that which I purpofed about the finnei Tbntnokn'tni to be renounced, and the duties to be pra6rifcd in a godly life; hcrcun- tf rr*iff, and the dcrftatvi that this renouncing of cvill and turningfvom i:, andthecon- ''^jSSClSfc ttaryprac-tiiingofdutie, is nothing clfe but repentance, andchefclfc- ummmi** ' ^aract^ing-AnJ the bringing forth of the fruits of amcndmcnc,or of re- pentance, is all one with that living by faith, which the Scripture cal- lcth the life of the righteous,or a Chriftian convcrfation.The which I make mentioriof, that none may thinkc, that the godly life, the living by faith, and the repentant life, are divers things the one from the o- ther : which might raifc much trouble in many to thinkc fo : for that when they have laboured much,and travelled painfully in oncofthem, theyfhould be new to begin in the other. Butlccingthc holy Ghoft in the Scriptures doth lay forth thclife of the bclecvcr in fundry manners jof fpecch, (every one fcttmg out the nature and propcrtic thereof, for the more full and clccrc undcrftandingof it) it is meet wee fliould not be ignorant of tt. And as I laid, that this godly life which I have written of, is all one with the bringing forth fruits of amendment or of repentance, and li- ving by faith, and noftrange, nor Acw or divers thing from it, thus in A&irf.xS. few words I fhew. Concerning the one, I meane the bringing forth the fruits of repentance, what is itelfe, but for the perfon who is atfuredof falvationrar.d of the forgiveneffe of his l1nncs,toturnc to the Lord,and to come uader his government,from the power of Satan and fmne ? and in full purpofe of heart to labour to be reformed from day to day more andmorc? And what other thing infubltancc, hath becne fpoken by tneinthedefcriptionofagodly life ? And thofc things about it I have chiefly handled ; which may cfpechlly inftrud the bcleever, what true I'tvmgbjfakby god lincfTe is, and how he may be able to pra&ife it. Now for the other, tndUvmi iUj, 0f liyjpg by faith, what is it a Ifo* but a relying upon the word of God, m* with full purpofe to be guided by it, cither by rcfting upon his promi* fes, ( I underhand not here the promife of falvation owly,) or obeying his Coinmandemcnts ? And agodly convcrfation is even the fame ; that is, an endevouring to live after the word of God which teachcthusto belceYe,that he will inable us thereto, andblcilc us therein. So that he thathveth not godly, liveth not by faith, nor he liveth not by faith, who doth not live godly. Only one thing I will addc, as I promifed in the beginning of thii Treatifc, where I fhewedthtt this faith to bekcyc the fpirituall and tcmporall in the eighth, ninth, and tenth Qomm.mdcmcnts. 1 5 1 tcmporall promifcsof this life, mud be conceited and wrought in as before we can live by it. And this it is : we arc to know, that after the Lord hath given this ntftotyiith: (fir ft u the gift efG ed^hcrcquvcth, Philip.i 19. that wc fhouldhvc by the lame faith, and that is, nor oncly to Dclccvc lhci'dt)u'**'iy throughout our life, that we (hall befaved in the lite to come, but alio, ' that wcfhall have whatfocver is expedient tobring.us fafcly thither, given u» freely by the Lord in this life. I fay,faich reachcth to, and lay- cth hold of the promifes of both, even as God hath given us both. So that to live by faith, is a molt glorious and rich prerogative, as wemay 1 Tim. 4 P. lee; and (hould be able by good proofc and experience to lay, if wee Soic. would bepcrfvvaded, butto'takci tafieof the benefit and hveetnede that it btfblgttb : for ifwc did buctaltc of it, w$ would never furfcr our felvcsto be withdrawne and plucked from it any more, as farrc as in us lierh* For by this fa;th, wee arc confident, and reA quietly about our TbefimH ialvationfrom timeto time; whereas others, wholivc not by it, doc a^c* waver and arc oft unfetied, even the bffl ; and therefore much diiquic- ted. By this, we walkc ■ newncfle of lifc,-and all die parts of it : and by k, wc may bcafiurcd in our prayers to be heard, a^ainfl karfull finnes Co be prefer ved •, to hove the rage of our (tror.gluics weakned ; and to have grace zgainfl them, a though not alwaycstoprcvaile, (which were noccxp. u ) yet arleail to be in combar with them, which is ever^g * mo ic. f ouriifcty ; for thereby, wc prove that wc be indeed ofthc.mil -rant Church of Chiilt. Yea, and togue h:rther;by this, if wc live by it, we have deliverance Nc f.ommany fhnpeand bitter affl ictsons,and bcarcthofc which we mult ^oc under, more meekly ami patiently, becsuie it roakcth us to depend ftti Gods promifes, and nor to ftmi or tvehim to any tcuimc,manncr of deliverance, or meafwrcoi airlift ion. A .d by it we w aikc in our callings morcchccrcfuhy,and with leile toile and vexation. than the v that have all fhifts,and cunning flights and devices ro qaineby. I lay that which isincred blcto the Worldling*, Polmkcs, and Hypocrites j but that is a hcavic judgement ofGod,that though they be told the t;urh,ycx they Oisll notbclccveir. For when wcarc perf.vadcd, thatoiircallings arc A&.r 44. approved of God, and profitable to men, by helping to maintainc the Irate of the Church, or Common-wealth, and that tiey arcthofc, in Fsitbma\etk vhichGod willbcfcrved of us ; then wc take them in hand, not like (grt^1) '' drudges and droi!cs,who doe their workers r fea re of the whip;noi like \ :iirdings,\vho wcrkeonly for wages, and fothey :nuilibrvc,ir "they did not work : but wc confidcr,\vc ferve rhc L<>rd,who is a bountiful! pay- fTvaflcr^and hath promifed a large blciuug unto w. : anr :• cj . . c doc Cods 1 5 * Of Ycpingby faith }fvitb the power thereof. N m* Gods workcand buiinefle, therefore we arc aflured chat he will *&& amf further us therein, that both wc may goe about it more willingly, m that it may the better goe forward. And therefore wee disburden' our fclves of much need lefle and troublcfomc care and thought taking, Hcbr.ij.f. feeing he hath faid, Cafl yonr CATcon mcjor I vHllctreforyox. Neither doe we make reckoning of our eommoditie what it dial bc,bcforc God doe flic w us; but when wee have ferved Gods providence by lawful! labour and travelled ufed the mcanes,wc commit the fncccfic to him; and the fruit of our paincs, wc receive with thankrulncflfc, (whatibevet rtbe) and that we take $ox our cUtly bread. TMmshak ^nd ^'vvc DCcrofTcd in the good things which wc goe about,(asevc- 9*rcro§estM>c rycallingand travell,fincefinne came into the world, hath affliction and tafijUtfiib forrow adjoyned to it) wc doc here by faith, conhder ; that this is by ^fec himfclfc therein. Now hrare fome reafbps whj Aiklnrft,I \m ch that which dcfervcth the firfl p!acc,andof JfJJJ right, ought wprcvailcwithuf, rlucfccingchisChriftian couriedoch u^tbjtG$dm4y io highly honour God, it ought without all exception, to be fought out bc^Urifudky *nd attained of us. And how highly God isglorifidd in it, every one may ice, when even finfull and contemptible pcifons, who much difhonou* ied him by theirbad convention, yctaftcr being reformed, arcmadc fittoglorihc him. And if this he in their new birth, and regeneration at their rirftcommingtoGod,how much more (thinkc wee, fhall it be in their life after ward? A mifcrablc caytirTe ro be made aKingsfonne, is admirable; butbchold, here is more : forh Chriftianitie, wcflndc, Note. l'm 'lc wnicn was tnc bond-man of the Dcvill, and of the family of hell, is advanced ro the honour of the Sonne of God, and made hcirc and inhcritourof the Kingdomc of Heaven. And if this behonourto Princes, that they can give great gifts, what is the Lords honour,in and by them, whom hee indueth with other gifts, than all Princes have tog:vc? m at I voir It was a great part of 'Salomon hisRoyaltic, that/vr pave filvcr,as guuso; bx. pones ; and goodly Leaars, ai thewudepg-trees ; the Lord giveth graces and pofTefTions, that neither filvcr nor gold canpurchafe; and an habi- tation that no Cedar-tree can make rcfcmblancc of. It is qrcat honour to God, that he hath made and fafhioncd man fo excellent a creature of flimc: But it is a greater honour,thathchathof a rude, unbridled, and unclcane Dcvill,madc a well ordered, fobcr,and mccke Chriftian : yea, Iohn*7c. a fanttifiedperfon, as the Scripture callcth him ; for by his holy Spirit through the workc of the Gofpcll, he hath made of an extortioner and tfay 1 i,6. oppteilbur, a hberall and bountifull giver, as Zuchetu : of an adultc- leiTc, a penitent woman, reclaimed from the couric of uncleanc life, as Luke 15 7,& 8. the wbman in Lx^e ; and of a pcrfecutour, a Preacher ; yea, himfclfe a Iu'rce7.»8. persecuted man, as was T*.*/ the Apodlc. And how doth fich a change )oh.4.»8.&2^. (thinkc we) whenit is fceneof men, and the report of it heard among Au 9.1 j. fjch as knew them before, caufe them to fay, The Lord hath dove great thrnvs? And fach grace doth God give to them (Imeanc) that fearc him, that he caufeth by their light which jbineth among men, even their Maith j.itf. very cncmictobc atone with them: Yea, to jpeakewellof them, *nd to glortfiethe.r Father which is in heaven* Prou J9-7; ^n(j yet their bcautic isftofpeake as the truth is)chiefly within, and tfXiodffftvMH notleene witheie. As ail was not heard or Salomon ararreorr, which a.cwubut.Qi.. wastobclccncathomc : and yet not alhfccne^ that might be knjwrte to to i be pr attic e of pcr folding. mikcth tolcrib!e> and /oyfull ; and(whcn our wcakncflc can fee fo fV. the greateft advancement. Ifthcfc gifts of God with other fiich,doe not greatly honour ne Lore! in the congregation of the righteous, and if they which enjoy them, being gracious and of high eftimation therby,doe not mod high- ly commend the giver, which is God; where will men fay, thacOod is honoured at all? And Co doth the ApoO.Ie require, that itfliouldbe i Pcm.ti. with Gods people, Have your conversation hontft timon^ the Cjc*liles, that thej which freake ill of you 44 of eviU dorrs, may by your good wtrlees TbtpmeaU which yefialifee,gfonfie Godtn the day of their vi/tration. And yet I h 3 vc fooftbtffd). faid nothing particularly of their peace of conference, which Salomon lWi* if fait:niw * CBntinualibanqnettingto them : S. Paul (aith, ''f ajfet hallux - I«toi4.*t7*. dtrfl-Aftdwgicvcn in this one thing, which the ungodly (becaufethey rhijip.4.7. have not)thciefore know not i (for the (trangcr is not partaker of the Prov.14 10. chiIdrensjoy)know not, (I meane)as it is felt and known of them which have it: In this one thing (I fay) doth God gethimfelfe great glory; For they beleeving tn their hearts ; cannot choofe but utter with their moxthes,thc\r deliverances and the wondcrfull things that he hath done for them. And though they be for the moft part contemptible perfons PraU4.11. in the World, yet is the mcancft of them more happy, chanthegrcateft of the world. And if thefe things be well weighed, which have beencfaid of this matter, it fliall not be marvelled at, that the Prophet thus fpeaketh in Pfal 87. j. tne Pfolme : G lor tow things are Spoken of thee, O thou City oftjod ! Yea, glorious indeed, as wee may here enjoy them, (though wee have but a lmall part ofour glory in this life)and fo glorious, that if they could be (cenc with eye, they would fo enflamc men with the beautic of them, js,'0tc that they would force them to fct all their love upon them. And thus by the graces, which are in the life of- Gods fervants, and which are not to be found inothei mcn,itmaybefccne, how God is honoured ofthem; the contrary whereof is done moft apparently by the ungodly, as much aslicth in them*. Therefore to conclude this firft reafon,exccpt we can like to fee Gods name ill fpoken of, his Gofpell lightly accounted of, and his pcrfon dii- honcurcd, and that by ourielves, (the rccompcnce whereof cannot be borne or abidden of us) let us not oncly come out from the uncleanc x TiraY. 1 1. convei fatten of the unbe!ecvcrs,but/rr /// lay hold on e tenia II life; th it we preijl hard unto the marke, for theprice thattsfet before hs, and let the Ecclcf.ia.1 1. words of the wife be as ooades tofricke w forward, out of our flothful- fcphef 3. i j. ncfTc^and a* natles to fijhn Hs\oyntly audclofely to Chritt our head with- out to the pr aft ice of a godly life. 1 5 7 outhypocrific, that we faint not, Zenker fall away, but grow up ur.tothe perfect age of Chrtftians ; that fo wee may give good tellimony that God is truly honoured of us, when our convention in our purpofc and endevour (hall be fuch as his Word layeth forth to us. Anothcrreafon,why men fhould with full refolution addreffc them- fclves 10 faff c the time of their dwelling here in reverence and ft are, is,bc- caufe it is the onlyeftatc wherein they can profper, and bee in fafety : and when they arc dripped of this heavenly robe, they are naked and c*pofed to infinite falls, fhamefull reproaches and dangers, out of the which they fhall finde it no cafic matter to deliver and free themfclves againe. For this point,markc what the Pfalmift faith in the firft Pialrne, when he will fhew v\hois ablefledman, and he that fhall profper, he faith thus, Bleffcd u the man that doth not wal^e in thccounfcll eftht wicked t nor fts.nd in the way of [inner 7, nor ft in the feat of the fcornfuUt but his deliqht is in the Law of the Lord, and tn his Law doth he mediate both day and night, Heft:all be like a treeplanted by the rivers of water /, that willbringfcrth her fruit in duefeafon, andwhatfecver he fhall doe, it ftiallprofferf&c. But at for the wicked, it fhall be nothing fo with them. And further confider what Salomon faith, When wtfdome once-entreth into thy heart, and knowledge delighteth thy foule, then fhatl under ft a*t~ dtngkeepe thee, and counfell fhall preferve thee from every evtllway, and from theftrange woman, and from thofe which leave the way of rigtteouf- neffe,to walke in the waies ofdarkneffe. When a man fetteth himfelfcto fceke the Lord, and is willingly wea- The) which J* ned from his unlawfullliberties,and hath made it his paftime to be well I'^-tinGodt occupied,he fhall not feare the accufationsof his adverfarics; forhee ft-w^P™***? hath made innocency his defence, neither fhall he fall jultly into the >*a ^ *' reproach that others doe. For why? hchathfededhimiclfengainftit, iobjx.jf, }Vhenthonfands ft:aU fallen every fide, yet ft-aRhe ftandandnot bercmo- Pfal 71.7. ved. Yea, the longer he is acquainted with his e(tate,thc better Ik fhall like it (howfoever to the worldly man it becmoft irkefome and unfa- vouric) and be much grieved, when through naturall corruption and untowardncflfc, hee fhall fcclc and perceive himfelfcto bee any whit weakned or cooled. And how much fuch ancftate is tobedchrcd, (as they can beft tell rkynfobJi*] w hichhavc any time enjoyed it, though fuch as know itnotfindeno experience ^(fi want of it) it fhall better appeare hereafter in place more conveni- k"owiu^ c nt, when I fhallfpcakeof the privileges of true Chri(1ians : yea, and though he be drawne by his calling and ncccfTary occa lions, to affaires and dealings in the World, where no provocations to breakc off this T cou:ic 2 j 8 OfccrtMn? reafmsj ferfoading Note. courfc fhall be v , and bec occupied amongft men of all forts which fhall be haw him after them; yet fhall he bec the more eftranged (rem them, and loath them, by as much as they arc differing from that uprightncflc which hec hath purpofedto walkcin. Mttunte *iu*e J^m\ if he be unfc led and broken offat anytime, yet fhall hce never mmL *A thtokc himfelfew'cll, nor where he fhould be, but as tlic bird which is wand ring from hcrnelt, and as a (hanger heavy in heart from his ownc Country, untill he returnc to his place againc. And if any fhall thnkc this little and of fmall account which I have fpoken, and among the reft, a man to live Hnrchnkahh tathem diftvfkfrowardtflA werattM, (for I rcfervc to a further place, tem'i\ ' *asl havefaid, to let downc the manifold prerogatives that accompa* rh C - - nJ *"cn a ^^ ^Lt ^uc^ comParc ll w*tn tnc hvesofthofc which count it JOl'-* tvl?,;/. over-much itricflnefie to lookc carefully to their waics, and they, fhall Ji8-r> many tins r . . r . J » f i r . tvbkb»tlh.rsJ'aU nnc*c rt by infinite degrees more worthy to bee wifhed and preferred ; $»/#. for what is there in the lives of luch men, as have but this world in pof- fcffion, to draw one to bee in love with it who looketh for a better? I will not ftickc to goe further, that notoncly common profefibrs cf the JfpkcCi.i. Gofpell (who yet lie dead in their jinne) maybe constrained to com- mend and reverence themthat have attained to it, as knowing how in- finitely they be blcflcd above themfclves, but even fuel] alio as have received fome likelihood of grace from God, yet flendcrly going about to nourifh tV.c fame, ftiail lee many dangerous out-ftrayings and offen- ces in their lives, which the other fhall bedifcharged of. Ttrwnt $f au Foritis no: enough that we purpofeno wickednefle norevill,but we mng,mar.y fall mult be (hongly armed al waics with full purpofc againft it ; efpecially ivberetbcyft*- that whereto we be molt prone, and wherein wee have had by. wofull ttdliuli, trials experience of our weakneflc. Forwhilc wee doecornnvtnoncr *HOlc* yet we make a way for it to enter into us afrcfh, while wc become fe- r- .-.> . r curcand improvident, This which Ifay ismanifcftly tobc fecnein KPc~ this Ptur. ter> whom no man will judge lo uncharitably of-, that he came into the Matth. i€. 7». Hall of the bighPricft wkruany minde or purpofc to deny his Mailer : yet his Height regarding of his M afters lo weighty admonition and LuU i*, 31. watch-word a little before., that is, (Satan hath defiredtofiftjou : ') and thatrafiinelTeofhis, neither cafting with himfelfe whatdangcrmigh: rile by occafionof the place and pcrfons there, (as godly wifdome would have moved him) neither weighing his owncwcaknelTc, how eafily he might be fnaied, having no commandement to be there ; inta what lamentable woe and bitter anguifh did it bring him, by hisfcarc- fulldenyingandfwearingthath'ckncw him not? And to the prdtticc of a godly life. j 9 And can wc,i:i charity,judge any lefle of the old Prophet thai he hearing of the man of God that came from ludtto cv out aaainftfhe idolatrous Altar of hroboam, did coutteou fly invite * him to his houfc,as he faw his duty did require ? But being anfwered , that he was commanded to eat no bread in that place, at that word begantoiftomackeit, that he being a Prophet of God fhou'd not bee bclccvcd,anddid haftily reply upon him againc, hying, TbatanAn- . Of art. line Yeafons.perfwading of it. But oh happy they, who have thofen this w.ty of Gods 1 1 ft 1 monies to 1 f ■~Jtttesp>alll*e bound up tn th e If mm Ale of life, and they i •rem m the f;s"r, and f iff en their ro§ts a* ■f I.ehvion. Their branches P>allff>rcad, And their beauty Jla'l be .:. the Olive tree ,andtheirfmeli a< Lebanon. And thus much of the fecond rcafon. And what flnll we fay further? fornoexcrcifc ofRcligion,nor*od- ly mcancs of the belt fort can doe them any good, who will not refol ve thcmfclvcs to coTic to this faithful] practice of true Religion and obe- dience to God his Commandemcnts i nothing fhall be found more true than this,if wc wiil furfer it to come under triall.For to begin with the Scripture; whatd:d all the privileges of the rtirYc-nccked Jewes proft them, the Law, Circumcifion, the Covenant, and Sacrifices? There were no greater prerogatives to any people or nation under the Sunne. And they alio did in the outward practice of Religion joync# with the beft of their brethren, both in keeping the appointed dayes and places in the worshipping of God, and alio in being ready to offer their cxtraordinarie fervices to him, and that voluntarily : yet what faith the Scripture from their firrt commiug out of yEgypt, both in the wilderneffe and after vard ? In mxny of them God had no delight, but flew them. Many rhoufands of them at fundry times perilled for their falf J eartcdnelTc, that when they had becne delivered out of their dangvrs, they did not cleave fift unto the Lord, as in their affli- ctions and anguifhes they promifed to doe, but flirted afidc like a broken bow. And therefore, how doth the Lord take up this complaint tgainfl then?, Oh that there werefiich an heart in them, that they would feare me andkeepc aflmy Commandemcnts aiwaics? And in the Pfalme, IVhenhee flew them they fought him, yea, they turned and fought Godcarly, theyre- membredtha: Cjcd was their firength, and the moft.high Cjodthcir redee- mer: fat they flatt ere dhim with their mouth, and dtffemblcdwith tit tongue : for thttr heart was net upright with him, neither were theyfaith- fullrrrth him tn his covenant. And afrer that he faith of other generati- ons : O/^Ephram, hew (hall I i at re at thee? 0/;Iudah, what jl: all I doe tint oihee, which 1 have not dvne?And againc,0/> that my people hadhear- kened unto me, and Iff act had walhrd in my ws.tcs ! Iwouldfoone have humbled their enemies, and turned my 'hand again/} their .tdverfaries. Thus wee fee becaufe they did not fcckchiin daily, in the upright- neffe of their hearts, nil the hclpes of Religion did them no good, brought them no wjicioroe, experience, nor comfort : all which, on the to tbcpratticc of a godly life. 1 6 1 the contrary, Gods faithfull fcrvants enjoy. For D*t td the man of Cod uttcrcth this fwect fpeech, and the like through the Bookc of Pfalmes : 7'hon haftr»*demee (O Lord) mere wife than my teacher \ Pfaj. 119.90. rider J, and men of experience, becanfe I haue k?pt *bj CummAnde- <. Before I w.u afflicted, f went ajrraj ; but fate, J have brought rial 119*7. r/.y feet ir.to the way of thy t eft monies. The religious women of Lukrt. 1,3. whom \vc rcadc in the Gofpell, after that they faw the power of the Scriptures, and had their hearts humbled and mcckenen1 by the wif- Matth JM5- dome of them, how did they grow in holy affections and Chriftian duties, painfully labouring to attaine more knowledge by hearing Jcfus his Sermons from day to day, ami left him not to the day of hii refurrcction. For when the word is received into a pood and hone/} heart, both ft Luke 8. 15. and all other holy exercifes with it, become profitable to fmgularufcs. Co'-3- l6t But where men propound not this with themfelves, to be catt into the mould of holy doctrine, and to be fa fhioncd after it in their Hues, it is farre othcrwilc. For to lay nothing of them who from the beginning of the wcekc to the latter end, askenot after God, (lb little favour they findcinthc Scriptures. or fwectneffe in him) yet this is worthy ourcon- fideration, that there arc choulands which come to Church, andhearc The tmecaufi Prayers and Sermons, who for all this arc never the better to thrmfelvcs; *>byfo*tc}rrft and the molt of them doe more hurt to others by their orrcnfivclife,no- ml oy *>0$ . thing fafhioning rhemfelves after the doctrine of faith and amendment. Qjbers j^ Of whole lamentable condition, what other caufe can bee (hewed but Norc. this, that their hearts are hardnedrvtth the deceit fulnejfc of jinn c ; fo that Hcb.3.13. they walke afterwards inthciroldwaicsftill,and they fcenofuch beau- ty in the truth which fhineth amongft th^.that they will be fubject to it, chough Chrift reigneth or**tly by the power thereof in the hearts of his. For feeing they have not belecved and reverenced that which they Iohn 18.37. law and knew, the Lord hath kept backc his grace from them, w hich Rom.i.»V«»i he did not owe thcm,and to given them into Sa tans hand j to make them bondmen inevillat his plcafure. The which people being no: renucd and changed in the«r minds, and fo brought to a having and delighting in good things,thciriip-!abour in their icrving orGod,and time which they give to it, commcth to nothing, neither conmcndcch them any whit to him, neither leavcth any fruit thereof to thcmfelvcs. And yet we mutt know, that there arc others of the fame company , at the fame time, and ufing the fame mtanc^ with much biffing of God upon their lives, who alfj declare, as 1 have (aid, that they have cffc&uaily received into their hearts the heavenly do6trine3\vhich ha:h T 3 founded i 6 1 Ofcntaine reafons, perfwading todcd amonglt them: for why? rhcy have fct themfelves to fecke Prov. %. 11 . the Lord. By whole game in godlinefle the greater it is, (as there is no *Solc* companion betwixt all the plcafures of the world and it) ib much wee &c may lee the other to have loft. And is it not lamentable to fee, that any. fliould take filch a courfe ? that they mould bellow all their prayers, confellionof iinncs, and hearing of Sermon? in vainc? I might more* itly lay, to their juft condemnation in the day of the Lord: Men will not be made fooles in any thing faving in this, though foolifhnciTe in all other things is not to be compared with this. What manis-thcrc to be found, who being deeply in debt and near- ly behinde hand when he hath ibwne his helcf, will be contented to rcapc no fruit of it, or being in fuit of Law, will lend his money to his Note, adverfary to hold plea againft him ? Butfuch men are amonglt us, (I lay not) who take much paine to come to etcrnall life, and yet are well • Tim. 3.4. enough content to goc without it, ( For being lovers offleafures more than lovers of God, they know that they cannot have it :) but as though the Dcvill were not ftrong enough to accuie and inchant them, they doe negligently, yea, willingly offer him advantage by keeping in a a Tim. 3.1$. bad courfe, (though they know how to come out ofit) orgrowworfc and worfc to their lpccdy confufion. Or who is it, which being warned out or hi> boufe,yca,and that in earned manner, will yet delay and neg- led to feekc and provide for hrmfelfe,till he be cad into the frrcct ? Grcatxvotly But concerning the matter which I dealein, if mensprophane lives jropkanc Ljc, and flothfulnelTe, driving off their repentance from day to day, were but pcrpetuall beggcry, anigoing about all the daies of their lives from doorc todoore, I would havefaid nothing, (though it were piti- fulltoiee any caftthemielv^^itQ fuchmifoy :) but they icll them- Lukcitf. $. fclves bond-men to hell without recovery and arc oiflubbU before the Lords wrath 1 which U * ^ * * thcr doe I doubt, but that liiv: cin time to their area: comforts *?'- that it is ni tinvame to -watt pwemty o» tee Lira* {or a DicHimupon ^ hisowr.c ordinance. Buttmslia; -thattney yci doe as much as they need, while they joy .cs to th&cxerci*- n>hvtc cafe u i;qp. lesof Religion, and reft contented therein, and fee not that they are £* enemies to God, under his currc, and w. th, and therefore wish- kjluXi.j*. ch(G\d/» thcwtrld, neither fee their wants and emptincfle of grac , T mA 164 » Cor. f. t. j 17. Acts if. 9. Mst.u it,ij. Oods children g'owirt»c*rC' lefi'c, kpt the J run ofgudcx- crcifct. PfaL 89.31, Note. Ko:ct linab. JBktrtain: rcafons \pcr [wading to the prt>£}icey&c. and ttow they arc fraught with many finnes uncontrolled, and ftrong ions not retrained : let not fuch lookc to glory in their meanes uhng, their rtyejeingis net void, thcireitate is wofull, and that in no mcanc degree. They may be faid unto, as the people of Laodicea were in the Revelation by the Holy Ghoft ; Thettpiifi thou .irr rtchandnee-. deft nothing, and l^nowefi mt the* thou art mifirable and blind poore, and nailed: J conrfclirheeto buy ef me c void tried in the fire, and e;e-fa/ve,crc. And marvelInot,that I -have faui ,chat fuch ,whofc hearts are not pur- gedby faith, receive no profit by the excrcifes of Religion, as might fur- ther be (hewed by many more examples of Capernaum, Cerax,t*t and Bethfaida* For even the dcarc children of God, when they wax tvan- tonapainjl the Lord, and grow ilothfuil in performing their duties ro God, or doc them in a fleightcr manner than they fomctimehad done ; as hepunifheth their tranlgreffions other waics, (o dorh hec this one way chaftifc them, that they fhallfeelc no fwcctncifc, norfindc nofa- vourinthe bell things they fhall doc, or excrcifes of Religion which they (lull goe about. And this it is that we heare many, even good people complaincof, that they cannot profit at a Sermon, their hearts arc roving clfe where all the timc(almoft) of Prayer, reading is irkefome to them, and they withdraw themfelvcs even from good company. All which, with me- ditating about their eftatc, were wont to bee the things wherein they tookegrcateft delight and comfort : what is thecaufc (chinkc wc) that they are now become fo contrarily minded? Surely this, they hare waxen weary of their reverent attending upon God, (as all good things doth the Mem foonc tunic into wearineflc) and beginne after the man- ner of men with whom they live, to fcekc their unlawfull liberty fome way, not being circumfpect enough about the keeping of the bell things in price and citimation : and when the Lord feeth this, he takcth from them the privileges which they enjoyed before; he dimmeth the light of their minds, that they fee not fo cieerely ; and fhuttcth up their hearts, that they delight not in the matters which were wont to bee of grcatcft account and reckoning with them. With wharjoy (may it be thought) did I^Wperformc the duties of Religion after his heinous finnc in the mntctofBethfreba and Vriab? when it is clccre that heflept in it (as it were) all the time before Nd- than the Prophet was (cnt to awake him, and bring him to repentance. Or what comfort (is it to be thought) had Iok>is in thinking of his hap- pineffc, or upon any part of the true worfhip of God, which yet had ufually Ofanfacrs to cert dine oljcclions, t?c. < 165 ufually bccnc his whole delight, after hce fled away from the prefence of the Lord? Who labouring to forget his finnc (as^ay be gathered by his hafty paying the hire of the Ship-mailer before-hand, that hce mioht be furc to be carried away from the fulfilling of the Lords Coir. mandement; fuch a palpable blockifhneflc was caii upon him, That he lonas i . $t lj% Uidhimfelfc downetojlecfe in molt great danger, in which the Heathen Marriners fell tof ray er, and came to htm to awake him: And after, be- ing urged to examine himfclfc by them, did not very haftilycomc to thcconfcfTmgof it. • loom t others, the daily experience ftat Gods children have of Datiyexpritm. their many complainings, unquiecneflcs, difcomforts.and fuch like te- dioufncflc, (which need nottoprcflcthem, but for the confcicnceand remembrance of ibmc treachery againft God, and too unkindeand undutifull dealing with him) docfufficicntiy prove, that God takcth away even the heart and life (as I may fay) of prayer, knowledge, and other meanes of Religion, and leaycth his children w ithout comfort in the uic of them, when they dare tempt God through an evill confei- Note. ence, and finncagainfthisMajelty, and keepe not holy compaflc, as they have experience, that both they may , and have done, and as he in his Word hath taught them to doe. By all which it may appeare,thac Tu.i.ir, much more they who wordiip him with unclcane hearts never wafhed nor purged, cannot receive into them the fweet and wholfome liquor of his grace, by what outward exercife foever they prcfent thcmfelvcs be- fore him. Thus much of the reafons, why the belccver fliould labour with all diligence topra&ife this godly life. Chap. XIX. Ofanfwtrs to ccrtaine objetttons brought again fi the ncceffity cfpr.tttfjing this godly life* ANd now that I have added thefe reafons to the defcription of the Chriftian which belcCYCth in God, I would ceafc to fay any more of this matter, if Ididthinkc that men who have received the Gofpell among them, wrcre perfwaded and rcfolved to yecld to this Dodtrinc, and to caft away all clogs and cloakes of fhame, fearc, and other lets, and heartily to goe about to pra&ifc the fame willingly, r„ Srmbi when they have heard it. But I know there are few fuch. For they cekifcnottafo who doe thus, doe not onely themfclves vvalke after the rule which I yctldtii* have 1 66 Ofanfwers to certatne objections, brought have fct downe, arming thereat as at a markc, but alfo defire that many other were as they be in fo doing. But the multitude offuch, as have cither no faith,nor gracc,but only hcare our Doctrine, who yet profciTc that they lookc for falvation by Chrift doethinkc that this which I have drawn outof Gods Word,and let downc for their edifying, is more than they need to lookc after, or trouble thc«klves with : which kinde ofperions feeing they fwanncc- vcry where, I doc oft fay and profeiYc,that I oppofe my fclfc chore wout this my book againft that rJacir damnable opinion and practice, and do bend the force of Scripture & found rcafon Againft them. For while thefe thoughts prevaile with them cV poflc-ifc thcm,thcy do but rcafon againft. their owne benefit, comfort, and happincfle : Yea, and evenmany of thofc who have further tafted of the Golpcll, of whom it becommcth us to hope well, yet arc, for the moil part, ignorant of the courfc which I have dcllribcd, arid content thcmfelvcs with this, that they have fome good affections at lbmctimcs,and flitting defucs 10 livchoneftly. And therefore, 1 would meet with fome of the objections which thcyalicage, why they mould be no further dealt withal!, butfuhSercd togoe on as they doc in a fruitlctTc, dead, and dull manner. Some of thefe fay, *hcy hope their dcfircisnopleafe God; although they not doe it as fome doc : And namely, as fuch who endevourto fo. tills Dodrine which inthisbooke I propound. For my per:, I doe not marvell, that they fhould as it were fhrinkc and hold backe from fuch a courfc, though they would feeme religious, as having not yet fcer.c how great incouragement God hath given them to waike in it ; neither what great caufcthcy Lave to lay hold of fuch ir.cou*agemcnt< many things to hinder them. Thefe pcrfons therefore, fo many of them as willbe:teac!i&blc t refift the truth wilfully, I will aniwer, and give them fome worthy examples of fuch as have gone before them herein : that they may not thlnHc they arc prciTcd too faire, and 10 d more than they need j ifpoffibly they may fee their error, andfofinde greater liberty and dclightin welldoing. The which being done,ihey ihall fee what. difference is betwixt the ctfatc they arc in,.ana£hat which they arc fliiTcd up and called unto. And that which hath perAvaded and naoved mc tothis,is,(a3 1 partly faid in the ftr ft entrance) for that I fee many of good hope, and fome jtian}'ani\t:i ^o^ without a right and uue beginning in this holy courfc, to/oekepc atajty. . at a ftay, or driven backe, and feeme not to know what; the Chriftian ■Jtytc. life is, r.or in many ycares to come thus far re, as tobec periwaded oyt plcafant and profitable it is, and by how many degrees to be pre- ferred Tyjto'AiHitn again {l 'the godly tif:tbxl.fc cann$t be U.L Note agmfi the necefiity ofpra&ifing the godly life. x6j fcrred without all comparifon,bcfore any other courfe.For manyofthe forwarder fort, though they would not willingly forfakc it, yet com- plaine that they find much tedious hcavinefTc, (Trong difcouragements, CtmpUmt i and many rclapfes which breed doubtfulncflc and rcarc. Some which m*kiri*f' arc weaker arc under deadly dumps, Grange qucftionings, whether ^biof^0 they Hiall goe forward or no, and fuch fmall comfort they hndc in their fomaret. * profefllon, that they declare plainly that they arc fane from the ftay- cdncflc which I fpeake of,and this not at the firit only, but many ycares after they have liked well of the Gofpcl!.^ Divers others account the ChriftianlifemopilTi, folitary, and inch Account ihi an eftate the which they hold great wifdomc to avoid; that I fay no- cbfiftUntift thiu^of the Atheifts, whom Ivowchbfe no anfwer. Now therefore Wfl* except thefe can bee othcrwifc perfwaded, that thegoklly life is nei- ther irkefome in it fclfe, nor full of deadly difcouragements, except to the fleCo., wherets th ey arexvtdcfocrs, neither without great comfort, Rom.3. xt» yea, even in tribulation (through hope which deccivcth not) but fuch Notc an eitatc, as hath caufed many for the delight they have found in it, to Rora'ii. n. rcfufe all other which could not Itand with it, except (I fay) they can bethusperfwaded, what likelihood is there that they Hull ever bee Phil. 3. 8. brought acquainted with it? For anf.ver to all, let fuch undcrftand and know, that this Chriftian chriflhniijiit life is not to be peeccd up with fome good actions in the which we may no^in f°w B&4 reft, neither confiftcth of good intents, and in chopping and changing f??*^ our courfe from good to cvill, and contrarily: but it isthe fame which iir' ' °" I have fa id, even the keeping of our hearts finccrcand upright^ and un* faincdly bentto walke with the Lord after all his Commandemcnrs Bktafttkd thorowout our wholecourfe, according to our knowledge ; and that courfa&c, in fuch wife, and with fuch delight, that he who hath experience of it Notc- would not change itforany other; for why? It yecldcth an hundred fold for one, in all carnall liberties or delights which we forfakc, loh. 6, CMatth. 1 p. 2 p. And that it mult be thus with the people of God, and may poflibly Pr$ofe$fthe bcalfo, that-ofthc Prophet doth plainly declare, that the man which /««wr. may rcjoyce and hpeake of his cftate with comfort indeed, is he which V&LuptftsP* doth not by fits and at odde times lift up his heart to God, but who andthy Word I v. HI not for get, for more foe et it u unto my mouth th.w the honj or heny-combe. And further he faith, No longer will I abide within the gates of va- nity, I will put oft my fhoocs becaufc I meauc to tread within thy San- ctuary, and my feet being warned, fhall be defiled no more. Cleanfc me therefore, 6 Lord, that I may walkc undefiled in thy fight, and thouuntyingmy lips, 1 fhall fliew forth thy praife : lb fhall thy Name bee glorified. The Prophet doth not mcanc that v>cc who will bee happy, muft be occupied in prayer, hearing, or reading only both day and night ; neither yet doth he mcanc, that in ibmc pang, or when wc thinkegooci, vvc mould be occupied thus, and well arfeded, and have our lives well framed ; but tins he mcaneth, that he who is godly and happy indeed endevoureth to this, that his mindc may delight in, and bee polTefled ofgood matters, or rightly ufing lawfully or carefully rc- fiftng thole which are finful'. And it is the fame which the Apoftlc meant, when he faid, our con- version is in Heaven, though wc arc on earth : teaching therein him- felfe and all other Christians, that their whole courlc (fo farrc as mans frailty would permit) (and how farrc it may permit, let this Trcatife out of Gods Word teftifie) ought to bee a fctlcd and conftant carrying of themfelves (as I faid before) thorovvout their lives, in fuch fort as they might fhew and approve thcmfelvestobemenof God. If we defireto fee examples of thefc things, the Scripture fcttcth out many unto us, and namely the life of our father Enoch, that in his time, which foone after the creation of the world was corrupted, he did yet walke with the Lord: as if he fhould fay, he did folivc in the world amongft men, that hee had yet through his life an heavenly and moft happy communion with God. t/tbrdxtm againfl the necefitj ofprattijing the godly life. 1 19 ^Abraham, though he be not exempted from infirmities, yet from dbrOmm the firfl time of his calling unto his death, what a rare pattcrnc did hec Gcn« l~- T* fet before the eyes of men in his example, of a man confecratcd to God* and not earthly-minded ? For whereibever he came, he fctupan Altar unto the Lord : declaring thereby, that no change of placc,timc, or company, could with-hold him from following the Lord, but as he firft left Country and Kindred athiscommandement, when he knew not as yet whether hec fhould goc, or what fhould become of him, SoTvhc* hee had lefifxreafttr to return, yet hee refufed, bee ah ft bet Hleb.ii.ifi fought a better Cmtfsfrf, namely, an heavenly, witncfTmg flili more and more, that his obedience was found andfaithfull by looking to Gen. 11.4. another inheritance, untill an hundred yeares were fully complcat in cJ»iar^™** an holy courfc. And of lob, how clcarely doth the holy Ghoft witnefle this Iobn. •whereof 1 fpeake? Infomuch that hec not oncly withdrew himfelfc, and dcpaitcd from the corrupt examples of the people of his time, but al/o had a particular regard of the actions of his life both to- Note, watds God and men. For proofc whereof, his ftrong faith, with pa- lob 31*4 tiencc, prayers, and facriflces, doc tcftific the one : his juft dealing with all men, and mercifulncffe to thepoorc, with rare wifdomc in governing his owne family, and in carrying himfclfe toward all, doe ihew molt clcarely the other. All which were not at times,but ufually and ordinarily performed, and thorowhis courfc of life looked unto and continued. And yet another thing I mull needs addc (as I am perfwaded) very admirable; that he did ufe to acquaint himfelfe in the mtddefl of his lob^.:^. profberity with the lookjw fur a chaftfe, and did lcarnc in his created T , - . i_ j j l • • r t l 1 1 cr 1 lob fdrcotnr hi; abundance to want: and being into nigh a place, yet he was not purred t0cdirvibout up,becaufehc confidcrcd how fleeting and howmomentany all things any great were; and that his prosperity was lent him oncly for a fliort time, and diden^ytbem was not a patrimony or inheritance to him for ever. So that when he »be*Ubjd was afterward tried v\ithloiTc of all (which was exceeding much) it tlf*m*Mk*t might appcarc that he was but little moved with it, becauie he had lo- 1 fort fore lrv'e ved it but a little when he did enjoy it. The which gracious man thus tlojtiemld ufmg the world, as hath beenc faid, holding all lb itrangcr-likc w hile bttlrubilt tbo* he had it,and fo willingly forgoing it when God would require it,how Jj$ "> Joti»u couldhedocit without a diligent looking to his waies, nndthedire- 1^ */ /* fi»L cling of the thoughts of his heart in a very particular manner, and that .Ha ;L in and about worldly goods, in which cafe men thinke no bounds Note /hould be prefenbed them ? As i70 Of lions >brough\ As \yi CMeJtSy although it was a rare grace, when hec was of full ■* N*4« and ripe yean - >l>r maintained a> t ht 'font /Pharaohs daugh- ter, and to enjoy the ■ of Jinnefor afeafox; vet it 1 5 more marvel- lous, ho. he went before the rc/1, in the things that God y more and more, as the Snnnc till the noon- tide; not weary of his lcrvicc, as many arc, but liking bettcrofit, the longer experience hechadofit, lb chat there was nogiodheing clfe whereto him ; and ib accomplished eighty ycares in that righteous and holy couiic. - +6. tl As tor DrfWj practice, behdes the Lords commendation of him, i r. ax hew* 0 man after bit owne heart, fo that we may fee more partita- »• lady how he palled his time, that ene place of his Pfalmcs doth clccre- ly mew, where he (aith, ihit it the courfeofmy life, after the which I mi myfelfe,ai the blc\]edofthe Lord alfo doe-, with my whole heart I PftLilc.ia. iceKe tbt'c* O Lord, as thy Hordteacheth me ; the which fo far at I have received, I lay it up, and hide it in my heart as a treafvrc, that I may not Jinncagainft thee ; andfofarre at I doe not under ft and it, I defirc to bee further taught of thee. I ufe to fp cake of thy wondrous works s, and ofth y jv.'fdome; I take more flea fur e in thy tefttmonies, than in all manner of riches, a>id I daily meditate andmufe thereon. By thefe, with many, other fuch properties ofa godly man mentioned in the lame Pfalmc,wc may conclude without doubting, that a mindc thusexcrcifed was not rfal.tf.17. vo^ ofa life full of aniwcrablc fruits. Andthreetimcsadsy hedidufc to refort to God ordinarily in prayer and thankfgivmg, after aiblcmne 1 King , , , manner, behdes other occafions which oft moved him : That, five only t* that one matter of V nab the Htttitc, we icldomc readc ofa man more taken up of an heavenly heart than he was. I make mention of thefe holy fervants of God, the more particularly letting downc their courfe of living, their properties, and their whole eftate, rather than ibmc of their actions and holy workes ; to this end, that they who love to have fhort workc made of this matter, and con- tent themfclves with this as a fufficicnt warrant of godhncflc, if they can reckon up ibmc commendable workes in their lives (whereas the baddclt have fomewhat in them that is commendable) may not judge fo ofa godly life, deceiving themfclves, but may make it their whole conversation to be godly, not favouring themfclves in any knownc fins Lam j. 40. or actions doubted ofto be finncs, but -fitting themfe Ives daily tofearcb and finde them out : neither with-holding themfclves from new duties, which they have not becne wont to pradiie, but teachable and ready to hcarc whatibever the Lord hath to require of them. And my naet- 1 ; *7X cigah: ueefiby ofpractipg t be godly life. nin« iSj that after we have made an entrance into a godly lifc,wc fliould not-hold on by fits now and then ,(as I faid) and be oft and on, as many arc: but conltantly goc forward, as our ycares grow upou us, and carefully endevour, that in one thing as well as in another, wee may pleafe God in reverence and in fcare. Neither is it my purpofe in all this, topcrf.vadc that betecvers may Wtmuffftim reft in that mcafure of faith and grace which they have attained, but lookc upon fuch to follow them, who in the Scriptures arc let before them, as the forwardeft ChrifVians and holiefl examples, that they may grew and be like to them. Fo that they acquainting thcmfclves dill with their ownc wants, weaknefles, and corruptions which they beare p^ about them, may daily gather itrcngth agaidttthem, and pfofper as the Lords plants, in every part ofthcir life to become fruitful!. So fhallthcy know by experience what thismeancth which I fpeake of, namely , to walke with God continually, and after a ccrtainc man- ner, (although wandringonthe earth, wrapped in with infirmities) to have their convcrfation in Heaven with him. And fo fliall they more Dn clecrely and fully behold the benefit ofChrifts death, that it was fy cbrifis dwk notoncly to five them from ctcrnall de?th, and to bring them to evcr- lalting life, but alio to worke the death of finnc our moft deadly ene- my, and to mortific it, and to purchafc for them a comfortable pal thither alfo, through the enjoying cfmany goodly bit-flings in this life, as pledges of the fame, though it bee otherwife but a vale of mifer^ toaiifuch asfindc not this fortheir portion. For this to bceknovvwe, that as every one excclleth another in the graces of the Spirit, thereaf- ter is his meafure greater in the privileges of a Christian, more than others, and with more found and continual! comfort doth hcpafTc his Sj znd free his life from reproach full and rearefbll evils. And the Note* more that any godly man increafcth in goodneffe, and goeth beyond tiiat eitate wherein he hath fometimc becne, in knowledge and in an high eiteeming of it, and the right ufe of the fame ; the more fhall his life be rilled with matter of found and pure rcjoycing. Therefore to conclude this matter, feeing the nd Chnfiian courfeof not a fcrvin^of God when wee thinkc cood, but from time to time, nor a looking to fomc of our actions when others arc not regarded, nor an cdatc uhpleafant to the ipirituall man^ whom holy Gholtdirccteth, butcahc, fweet, a-xi comfortable 5 feeing vc have heard by many examples of godly men, (otherwife no: without their infirmities any more than we) that this life hath becne icd in ali ages; I conclude^ that the Elc<3 and beloved of the Lc * 7 1 Oftrifxvers to certainc o!jettions> brought Lord Hull yccld to the embracing of it, and muff talc up the fame •K<- tbrtihVthajokfitothccoTTupt lufts nocyetfubdued, end that fuch as fee notcaufc tofubmit themfelrcs to GodsCommandcmcnts, one as well as another, but will take their liberty in fomc cyiII after the de- firc oftheir hearts, cannot glory with any found peace of a godly life. 7. f'i'\ com. And confequcntly, that the life of the common Protcftant which von Vrotejlnt countcth it prccifcnciTc to be abridged of any liberty that he hath been mpalyfy. wonttoufc, oryctlikcth to enjoy, (how unlawfull or oflenfivefocver it be) is nothing leffc than a godly and Chriftian life: for fucha w lohn j. ax. wiJLcmmefthi High , that whatfoevens not as it ought to be, may bee made knownc, and ib removed. But he that will not be touched, nor. Note. fuffcr his actions to be cenfured nor reproved, though he be farrcfrom this practice, but fleafeth htmfelfe inthe things which he doth , is (with- out all que(Uon) fraught and filled with infinite evils, and a bondman to his ownc lufts, whatfoever opinion he hath of himfelfe, and let fuch a one know, that hi* damnation fleefeth not, /ino:h.r ib]cili- But many of thefc with whom I have to deale, even fuch as goc for oHdgair.fltbU good Chriftians, and who in fiindryof their doings arc of us we! toMftife. be liked, (though God judgeth the heart) many fuch (I fay) doc kc at a (tay, or content thcmfclves with this, that they doc no great ev:;i (although they doe little good) becaufe they fee few live better, by KencnoroiM whom they might take any great light to amend. To fpeake plainly, fa they thinkc there arc none in thefc daics who doc follow the ftcps of the holy fathers, whole lives I commend ; which kindeofperfonsmay bceafily convinced, but I will fay no more than 1 needs muft. Th« truth is, that the generall ftateof thofe men who embrace the Gofpell jinfw. is much to be bewailed. For although they arc infinitely the worfe, by rhe gtwaliflati reafon of the fwarmes of Athcifts,Papi(ts, Families, and others, both ofprofcfasu Hcretikes and Machiavilhans, which with their (linking breath doe Ifkl poifon many thoufand inhabitants which dwell in the land amongft them: yet befides this, the abomination is great without refpccl of them, through ignorance, little reverence to the Word, curtome in evill, and Height executing of fundry good Lawes among us ; but this Note ought to be no offence to any. For who would lookc for any other thanloathfome life in the grcateft number, as it hathalwaics bcenc? Chrift himfelfc affirming, thuhuflockc u iutfmall, Luke 12.32. and faying by his beloved Apoftle to the Church, I k*ow where thou dwcL left, even where Sat am throne is. But not with ftanding this, in fome places, and thofc many, thorow- out his Majcflies dominions, where the Gofpell hath bcenc foundly preached a&inft the neccfitj ofpratttfn* the redly lift. 175 pret«hed and painfully, cfpccially in an ordinary Minifttry continued, J^Wf fitch particular parts of this Rcalmc will tefl ific ; that there have becne, £■*■* and arc many, not ofthc Ntyiiftcry oneiy, but of the people aifo, who : becne lights unto thofe which have ' A lived a- inonefUhem, and whofc names have found juftly,-*- farrc off, where they thcmlclvcs have never come : My fclft have ^^tfT knowncixiany,andyctdoc, (the Lord multiply the number oi: them, a^f^^i^, and the "race which he hath given thcm,a thoufand fold,an : be highly praifed ror them) with whom to hive lived, and becne converJant,hatk oecne the next choice unto Heaven it fclfe, and to the communion of Gods Saints there, which fomc of them doe already enjoy. Their names lfparc for fund rycaufes; but tuch they were, whileft they here remained, and fuch they are of whom I ipeake, who yet re- maine, (though T know but few of thofe many, (I hope) whom Gcd iiach beautified his Church withall) as mayjuftly take awiy this of- fence from any, who fhouldthinke that we have none which may bee patternes and lightsto others of this Christian, innocent, and frutfull life : yea rather, it may pcrfwadc them , that there are many fuch, as by good and long experience canteitific that which is elfewherc written, that i» ferving God there if great reward, and that godltneffereceiveth Pfekn.i9.it. many blcjfmgs, as the fruits ofCjodsyrom'-fcs, even in thu Life. x Tun* ■ * And they doc not as many, that is, give over and faint, as though chc Chriftian life grew wcanfomc and tedious to them, (becaufc it is in dilgrace with fome who arc afhamed of it) but the longer they have continued therein, fo much the more feticd and conltant they have beene in the fame, incrcafing daily in faith and other graces, and hddon Phil. 1. u their fellowfhif commenJ.ably> facet hey k^ewfrfl the power of the Goftell. Yea,mjny there are at this day, (to Godsglory be it fpoken) who have fo efrcitually tafie dhow good andfweetthc Lordis, that they have becne incouraged to adde to the times and to their travell in the fcrviceof God, as prayer, reading, for one hourc in the wcekc many ; and fora jittlc labour in looking to their waies, watching their hearts, and fear- * wen^grm- ching out their finnes much and oft; for the profit and fwectneffe which ***• they have found thereby. And whereas they have fbmetime gone about thefe fpirituall duties N0?*? untowardly,while(t.their minds (though renued) were weakly feafo- ,"*?" Tjjj, ned with grace and knowledge, yet afterward, they have with much fi'fiux^ri* checrcfulnefic and delight gone about the fame, when they have had uejft bt Otdt more acquaintance with, and experience of the benefit of the Chriftian ftrvUt^ couife. Thercmcmbringofth* houresof holy affemblies, by keeping ***& *74 Ofmfxvcrs to certain? oljcciions, brought^ V. holy day on Lords Sabbaths in the Word and prayer, and other pri. vatchouresofcallingonGod, and rcadingofhis Word, howpleafant andfweer ia-ic unto them before they com^o it' And yccifthey Tbtirgrowb reft in thcic, 1 would not thinkc them worthy fogrcji comm Ibt ftinan on, not adjoyning thet^with other duties to men. But when t)icy have (Lui u men,* found fiich delight in the former worfluppin g , they have walked more roundly and fruitfully in their particular callings, in tftcrt families and other companies,and for their worldly matters, (in which moil men dec highly offend God, and thinkc they may dcalcin them as they thinkc good) they, carefully endevour to bee directed in them byfuch rules as his Word tcachcih them. And fuch asthefc are, God hath fee amongft others who arc wcakcr,that they may learne of them Match. 13.31. and befhadowed, as it were, under the wings of their good example! The while wtrld And this is the pattern? of the life which God would have us to lead wdl-n'ubaYc from the which the whole world well-nigh arc ftrangcrs ; (though lit* dt*bfSt°i ^C ^t'lc*rrci°ycnlg * ) ant^ principally they, who fcornfuliy refufe all fcakeeviUof ^ucn inftru&ions, as require more than they doc, or be willing to pra- sbtgodl.efK .cttifc. Indeed it mull bee granted, that thefc being few in refpect of Note. them, who fct thcmfelves to uphold the corrupt cftatc that the world hath ever lien in, they have not therefore many to commend their t^ood examples as the other have; but rather areillfpokenof, becaufethcy will not follow the fame exceffeofriot that others doe, andefpecially where they dweil, for the Devillenvicth their credit and good report. 1 Pet. 4,4. And yet the worft fore of men in their con:rovrrfics and needs, when 7tyj'tirbt£ls they aic driven to trull ionic, will fooncftchooic them to bee compri- f C mittcrs for them, as knowing them to bee men of good and upright confcienccs, rather than others : as wee rcade Saul did fo account of gjDavidy(jTi\\zn he fpake according to found rcafon) Andmjdebtmfwe.irc 1 5am. 14. i». t9 ^^ t^at foe wou[(i ye fydwdfritttd/f to hufoftcrity .nfcer A/>*,thoi!gh he did ufually purfue him as his deadly enemy. And fuch bgnmrhwc the Lords peefU. And therefore 10 tutne a little to thcic objectors-: let them not thinke that our age affordcth none which arc fit to be examples to them ; but b^tf fDJifCh lctthemrathcr be wife todifcerne them, (atleaft, that which is plea- nadt. U * fog to God in them) which is not hard to ice, for thofc which aic wiU FK>T.i4,tf, ling to underitand, hut e a fie to be found out of fuch as defere tt. Let them W*U*r». reverence, And be in love with fuch at excttl inptety andvertuey and with the precious things which are in fuch : let them aime at this alio, that they may be like them, and not lie ftill in the darknciVc to the which the y aic accuftoracd. And fuch of (hem, as God hath bleflcd with The lafi oh) t tt ion agtimfl the godly life nnfvercd. 1 7 5 with fome better liking of knowledge, let them love and frequent the Mow. company of fuch as defire neither tetttdte, nor unprofitable, icrii: hath let fuch amongft them, to farrcmore great and fingular purpofef, than they cai by carnall cyesfceor difcernc. Let them labour to fee their ownc wants, which fhould caufe them to make much of thofe who may hclpc to fupply them, and of whom they may learne to come by thofe graces, which they friould without the hclpc of fuch, never have attained unto. And if they carry thcmfelvcs in fuch humility, and reverent accounr- making of their betters, in whom there is agreatcrmcifurcof Gods gifts, they fhall be no longer led with their former doubts, whether anv arc before them in the Chiiftian life, but they (hall praile God highly for letting fuch lights and examples before their eyes, by whom they may be directed ; and when they are fo farrc inlightned,thcy fhall (bone alter their language, znd Jbeake with new tongues, as they in the tA:tt (Chap.2.13. compared with *«37.) who in their prophane- neffe, railed on the Apoftics, and CiidfThej nvre drunken, with new wine Aftit. ij. in the fore part of the day ; but being converted by Peters Sermon, they Ac"*-17f had learned to come in humility to them, with reverent titles of men and brethren, asking counfell of them, whom they had fo abufed, ra- ther than ofany other, what theyJhoHtd dee to bee fayed. And this for ar.fwcr to the fecond objection. Chap. XX. The Lift objeftiot; .igainft the godly life anfivcred. THcrc is yet another objection that I will anfwer, and it might be a great wcakning of the holy courage of the fervants of God, if they fhould not be well fenced againft it. And this it is: Seeing wee teach rbetbirdoMt- publikcly the fame, which 1 have before fee downc of the cftatc of the fiion, ayxmp. godly, and profefle without fcare, that thus the people of God rnuft tbeyitjt^u walke, andweafrtrme that God is not pleafed with this darkc and dead life, which is led by mens good intents, without any certaine rule toguidcthom, much leflc with that which is contrary togodlineflc; divers take great offence hercat, and rife up againft us in this manner, faying, Ycgoe too farre, and brag of that which is not in you : and ngainc, Remember how many have fallen, which were more like to have flood than you, as David, Peter, and others. It is therefore good iy they) for all men to profeffe no more than others doe; that V 2 (km ij6 The laflol :inji the godly life anfwered. there may be no great wondring, when any grievous offence and ttef- paflc (lull be committed by chcm.To which kind of men/or the better letliog and quiet c children, I anfwer: Anfiv. By the grace of God, bragging is farre off from us, as CiJr. i Vet. 1.14,17. tilydefireitmaybe: nckhcrdoe we gtfe too farre, hs Word being out * 4 f. rrar.t. But we are roc afraid to utur thm^htcb u^> It****, nqy «f ^e xordoeorhv.vifc, though it beagainlt our fclvcs as much as others, if we (Hill fee light by it at any time : neither fearc wc,that ilnmelul fails fhall any thing the fooner take hold of us, for fpeaking the truth bold- ly, but removed more farre from us,whilcft we arcnothing more afraid Norc. than to offend thereby. And if either ourpridcor bol hicflTc fhould Prov.i9.1j. breakc out ib farre, as that it fhould caufc the Lord t6 chaitifeus, or . . . that we fhould be lb carclciTc and improvident over our fclves,that Sa- Aitn-n"' ' Wttfliouldagaincbciutch Biw h thcdeccitfulncffcoi* funic, \%elookc for none other, but to Inure e:.r burtha: of an unquiet minde, And \ Mich 7. 9. reproach due to us thereby, and our punifhment which iliali befall us becaufc of our offence : butihough we mould lb be overtaken, WtJbArt(9vtr. we rife s.q. line, and chough many of Ui mould fall from our fledraft- nefle, yet for all that this is true, namely, that God will have the holy and ChriiHanlifc, which I have fctdowne, praftiicd of others; and howlbcver we fh -u'd 1 e turned out of the way for a leafon, and wh focver migft become cfus ; yet he that is able of floras :o ra:fe up tk drcntofe-re him,.\\i\l provide true worihippers-of him, wharfcevcr become ofus, and the truth of God remaineth, that iuch r.s wiilbce vTim.z 10. wormippcrsofhim,w*y?^ptfrf_/r0>» / Fakef David. *^s ^or David, by the great wifdome and goodneite of God, his fail was a glafleto behold Gods mercy in, not to imbolden any t 0 finue 1 Tim.i,i6; thereby : and that like trefpaffers who poffibly might defpairc mould not call away hope of forgiveneffe. The finnc ir fclfcarolcfro.T, jSamii.i. nouriming, and giving place fccretly to his heart in fuchuniawfull dc- fires, (as by his eyes were occahoncd) fuch as in this Trcatiie 1 labour to call men from, as appcareth by his owne confefllon in the Pfalme, Fwlm.ji.4. where hec faith, n/fg*;inft thee, O Lord, Againjr theci:sve I doKethu evill: as if he fhould have faid, Though my offence be horrible before men, yet from hence it came, feeing 1 feared not before God fecredy, whileit yet the offence came not forth openly. And this I lay, that we may learnc to beware of inward temptations^ and outward ouafions of finnc, and boldly profeffe to doe both. And thus I having anfwercd this doubt, of and concerning David, that no wife body need to take hurt by it 3 yet becaufe 1 know how 1001c The Ufi oby&ion Againft the godly life anfaered. 177 feme doc draw fuch examples to libcrtic in finning, and even tmsonc as much as any other, turning it agaiiiCl themfclvcs, which they fhouid takc<*ood by; I will addechis one thing, which I would other wife have omitted, ice in g I have made mention of it before; That T)j- iKirgi - *id did that which wot right in the fight of the Lord, and turned *#ay pom nothing that he commanded htm, all the dayes of hit life, fine only w the matter of Frith the Hit the. As therefore it wis no ufuali thing with him, neither did he ofcthu* offend in cafes fo well knownc uito him fo it is no caufe why \vc iTiould be difcouraged from a found couifc forfeare, left wee fhould fall after the like manner, but watch ia all things, that we may be the further from fuch fearc and darker. Piter (to fay fomewhat ofhirn) before Chiifts afccntion,howfoever fturitt he wasfaithfull, and in many parts of his life commendable, yet had he no fuch great Itrength and growth in grace, that wee ought to bee content to be as he was: but rather lookc to be lights and good exam- ples in all good workes, left we (houLl fall away dangeroufly, when fuchanoneashc was did deny his Matter. I know God can correct the deareft of his fervants in as rearcfull a manner. But ("bleflcd be his Name) we know thus much of his minde, that he takjtn Nopleafure m Lam. t.j|, their troubles, neither deligkteth he in their fufferings, much leffe doth he take advantage of their infirmities. Hedraweththcm out of deepc dangers, when they have plunged if^eprmj^enH themfelvcs into them. And if we provoke him not, there is no fearc of Goa,»ofurff rcproachfullcvilstobefcntuponus by him : and thercfore,if we count f^ultfiHs. itplcafuretopieafe him, and to be watchfull againft the occafions of N*** finne, this givcth us holy boldncfTc and confidence, that wefh^Ube kjft % pct,i, to, from fearcrull rails, rather than that we fhould be afraid of them, by being too godly. Neither was Peter thus armed when he io offended, but as we may eafily fee, therefore hec fell becaufc hec was naked and unarmed. And fo it is with all others in this cafe, that fodifhonour Cod as he did. Now ifhedidfall,and we mayalfo fall, whiles wc arc yet not without confidence in God, what is to be thought of our beft actions, if wee ftiould doc as many would have us, namely, to mew and proreffc no more than others doe, and fo make common profcilors examples to be rules for our lives : whatfhould our lives then be, but a very dunghillfraught with unfavoury filthineffe, and not only anof- fcnding of God lightly now and then ? Neither let men fay, they can live no othcrwifc than they have done, *T] nor difcontcntcdly (ay, wee would have them take no delight in any thing; but husband and wife muft fit and lookc heavily one upon V j another^ 17 1 The hfi ob'yttion againfl the godly life anfwcred. Afifw. i ♦ another, neither may ncighbout s be merry together. For fuch may ur> dcrfiand,tothe h*r(t point of their objection, where they fay, they can- not leave the courfc in the which they have lived (that is, in imall knowledge of God and his will, following the world with greater pkaijtirc : an the Word of God, and hiding their other rcjoycingsin things here below, aid nfing rhcir labour but evenasteile, cxc.)thcy may (I fay) underhand, that if they cannot change fuch courfes, their o wnc mouthes fhall be their accufers : for fuch cannot be in good Irate. For I urge no crher change upon them, than they themfelvcs fhall bee forced to confefle to be required byGod of them,and that fortheir bc/r. Grtstfotynot And beirg fo, I would askc this of them, who is he, which having li- mfcbn L"IUr VCC^ *°nS 'na cotca^c full of penury and wants, cannot frame himiclfe to a more wealthy cfratc, if it befall him, and to enjoy greater abun- dance of all good things meet for this life, and that becaufc he hath of longtime beencaccuftomcd to a meaner and poorer condition ? Is any ib dcititutc of common rcafon, or fo wilfull, that when his diet may be wholfome and fweet, his apparcll cleanly and feemely, his habitation commodious, and well fenced againft annoyance of wind and wea- ther, hec will yet refufe all thefe being offered him, for a portion in poverty, where h is wants cannot be fupplied ? And yet what compa- rifon is there betwixt thefe things, and the high degree of felicity, which is in the ChrilHan courfc that I propound ? For this is found and durable, but they deceiveable, vaine, and the pleafurc painfull, (for fo I Note* may mo ft juftiycallit) which they enjoy, who follow their old cu~ ftome,and lu(t of their ignorance. Therefore they mult needs confefie, that their blindncflc is to be be- wailed, alfothchardncflcof thcrr heart, and decpe unbeleefe which holdeth them at this ftay, that howfoever we can bringthem tidings of a better; yet having bccnclorg bewitched with their darkneffe and finne, as the people were with Simon ^lagits his forceries ; they can- not change their old courfc.. To the fecond part of their objeclicn> where they wth mifliking fay, we would havcthem to delight innothingthatthcy havc,as wife, Afl*S. ii. children, goods, neighbours, if 1 would have them live after fuch rules jinfw* 2.. as I prefer ibe them ; I anfwer, That their whole converfi it ton mnf} be put AUcarndSd*- ojfindeed, wherein they have lived after the manner of the world, and if liltonljM' any be m Chr/fi, let him be anew crts.ture. That ought to be no (trange Kr 4 "' thing to them, which is io common a truth in the Scriptures, even all $ I- ' that they hold of their owne, both in heart and life, as farrc as can be, *Cor, j. 17. nauft bec avoided ; and therefore their lightnefic, rejoy.cing in evill, taking The Lift otyction cxg.xinft the godly life anfoered. 1 79 taking pleafure in the creatures more than in the Creator, and the ma- Rom. u.i. kmg or thclc things their chiefe delight : all thefe with corrupt merry- makings, mult bee pruned otr from them (even as wee would pare off Matfh. 16.14. the undcr-boughs which fucke up the fip and juyce from the good Vine-branches : ) which, if they were fit to fee it, have troubled tncm- felvcs and others, more than all their fond liberties have plcafiircd them, and therefore both they and others fhould be the more glad of fuch change. And what account is to be made of Inch rejoyc'r.gs with wife and other friends which mnlt be repented ? But if it be according to knowledge, whoforbiddeth it ? When it is well knowne,thstl>oth the marriage and other fell-owfhips, which true Religion hath made among't people, is of all other fv\cctelt and mod comfortable. As for ocher^lcc them be broken off. For what have they lo(t, (tofpeakcofthebeft) who doc fo, but that which may be fpared as well as the paring of their nailcs ? If any will fpeakc better of it, it is only he whom God hath not taught to fpcakc. Therefore to conclude, as thefe and Cuc\\ other objections are too fri- volous, to jurtlc out a godly life from the practice of true Chriftansand bclecvcrs: fo when it (hall bee gone about, as I have taught and fee downc in this Ticatife, then they fhall lead the life of faith, even the life which pleafeth God; and confequcntly, than they fhall live hap- pily in every cftatc and lawfull calling whatfoevcr ; For hewdlkethfife pr0v.io.9» AndfurcwhowAl^th uprightly. And he that doth otherwife, and pcr- vc/teth his waies, (as I have fhewed how, by going from the truth which he knowcth) God will Slide him out, and he fhall meet with plagues and forrow enough. And thus.to male an end of this Trcatife, if befides the beauty and benefit of the godly life deicribed^thc fore-mentioned rcafons have any force in them to prcv^ile with us, and the anfwe: ing of the objections brought againft the practice of the fame, have any ftrcngui to perfwade us,let us rciblvc never to be withholden from it, feeing wee forfake but our finne for that, which Match, if » * yet fliall plcntcoufly bee rewarded. 4 THE iSo THETHIRDTREA- TISE O F THIS BOOKE, NAMELY, OF THE MEANES whereby a godly life is holpcn and continued. Chap, L Wh*t tbr mednes are, andthe kjnds of them, and of the fummc And order of this Tre*ttfe. Havcfcrdownea defcription of rhelifc of the bclccvcr i by the which all, who defire to bec acquainted with it, after they have obtained the gift of faith, m3y walke godly and lately thorow their pilgrimage, even fo many ar have at any time in truth bejninnc and gone about the fame. Now feeing this Chn- ftianlife isupholdcn and continued by mcanes, and every one which fhall fex upon it, will be dcfirous to know them, tsheftatbgood cr.ufe, and how to ufc them aright, becaufe the hindc- ranees and difcouragements from the fame are many and great; Iwill therefore (as it is meet I (hould) fliew what I undcrftand by the hclpe* andmcancs,and which they are; alfo the kinds of them, their nature, and What the meanes arc&fc.ftitb the order ojthu Trcar. i g i and how they ought to be ufed, feeing tint God hath promifed by the right and reverent ufe of them, and the fame copflftntly continued to give fuch grace, even to w cake ones, whereby they fhal! bee able in truth (as hard as it . jc they have (God working thereby) to uphold the wei t godly life. Thatal] who lift t vilely miy fee it, and ibminy as will lift thcic meanes, may pro-.c and linac it tbem- KnA firft I will beginac with cue pablike; and afterwards fpe of- the private. And I will io handle and fpeakc of every one, (according to the skill which God hath given me) as miy make moft for this pre- fcut purpofe, that is; moft largely of thoie meanes which with their u:c,arc Icileknownc ; and more briefly of thofc, with which men arc moft acquainted. Neither let this trouble the Rcader,that I have made mention or'fo-ne ofthem by other occasions in fjmc other places. For whereas icmay jc objected, that thcic meanes called helpes, arefpoken of in othcrTrca- CUr'i/ihndMtki tifesofthisbook,as parts of a Chriftians duty : Ianfwer, it is true : for I w.yslfobccilM have fpokcnof uprig;une{Te,one pecce of the armour, and of watchfui- bz'.fu. ncfl~e antj prayCI-} in the former Treatife, and (o of the rcll. And there I fpcake ofthem as of common duties and parts ofgodlineflfc, as the love and feareof God be, but here 1 fpcake ofthem as of fpcciall helpes to godlinefTe : for though I deny not, but that all the duties of a Chriitian man, are alfo helpes to live happily ; yet who doth not fee, that thefe here mentioned ,as the Word and the Sacraments, watching and prayer with the other, arc more properly lb called, as more fpeciahy fitting us for the right performing of all duties ? Bcfides, in other places, 1 fpcake ofthem by occaiion, and therefore more briefly : but here of purpofe, and therefore more largely. But let itfuffice, that I underftand thc(c ich I mention in this Treat. fe, to be helpesandmeancscfpecially. And more particularly of the armour and of the parts thereof, this I fay : becaufe othcrwifc,I mull have given a watch, word lbout it after- wards, when 1 come to fpcake of it in due place : that though I fpcake of all the parts of it by occaQon in one Treatife or other, yet there I fpcake of them for the moft part, as particular duties to be done in our fevcrall actions : but here I fpcake of them, as of fuch duties as muft al- v.aics abide, and be lodged in our hearts : and that wc may have them, as a Lardcr-houfe, al waics full of good and wholfomc victuall, and not asonedifhto fervefor ibmcoccafion; where wee mayobferve, that ■though the one is not without the other, yet there is a maaifeft diffe- rence Of the publike belfes to increafe gcdlin i 8 3 rcnce betwixt them, (o that the one is not the other. And f< it, the Apofilc meant in the Epiftlc to the Ef he fans, where when he ha named divers dutics,as McrcyaLovc,Kindncfle, £>£ttto tth:u. jMtnrafttbk fruit, if the fault btmiintbtm. ftlua. Nocc. Hevfthqari bmdred. Of the publike belpes to incrcafe gbdlineffe. Betides this which I have faid, the true Chriftian by his ordinary hearing is taught,togivc fome part and time ofhis life to reading ofrhe •rures, and other good writers, as is faid in another place ; and that with good fnnr, undemanding, and comfort : whereas without it, hec were like to ncglcd and be weary of that labour, and in (read thereof, ■•c himfclfc to idJenefle, and to be vainly occupied ; or though bee /hould ufe u, yet to doe it with little knowlcdge,comfort,or anyothcr :. ^nd when a minis framed thus by the Miniftcryofthe Word, Ijc becommeth a light and an example unco others, in token that hec hath found great hilpc by it himfclfc. Therefore if he may by the preaching of the Word ordinarily, bee -'.oalltrHth neccfTary for him to know, and bee delivered from error in Religion and manners ; if hec may bee eftab/tfied and confirmed inthc knowledge of the wtiofCjod; if he may be reformed in his affecti- ons and life daily , more and more increafing thcrein,and overcommin<* himfclfc better thereby, ifhee may botii be brought to beftow fome time of his life (as his calling will permit) in reading, and fo as that he may finde profit thereby ; and finally, if he may tr.ttme become an ex* ample of a godly life unto others: I may boldly affirme and conclude, that the ordinary preaching of the Word is a lingular mcancs where- by God hath provided that his people fhould grow and incrcafe in a godly life. Now then, they foufingit, as they have elfc where beenc taught, namely, in the handling of the (econd Commandcmcnt, that is, comming to heart with meekneffe and hungry hearts, and being at- tentive in hearing, and applying it to thcmlclves, they rcapc the fruit which I have faid. And if that which I have faid beeafily granted and yccldcd unto, I fay no more but this : I would to God that they who are in great ac- count for their Religion, and doc oft and commonly hcare the Word, did finde it fo, and did rcapc this fruit by it, and were holpen all thefc waies unto godlinciTc, which (God doth know) is fcldomefo. And therefore where this found and plaine teaching is wanting, how much more muft the people needs be out of frame? But where the diligence, skill, love, and plainenefTe in a good order of teaching cannotbe found fault within the Miniftcr, itiscertaine that the fault is in the hearers. That they, though othcrwifcthey may belong to the Lord, yet arc not reverent and attentive in hearing, arc not prepared before to hcare, or clfe doc not digeft willingly that which they have heard; but arc furfcitcd of fomc dangerous qualities in their lives, or corrupti- ons in their hearts: among which this is a fpcciallone, that asrhey thinkc Of the publike bclpes : namely, the Sacraments. 1 87 thinkcofthe pcrfon whotcachcth, fo doc they of his doctrine, and not other wife. Now if in this one mcans,fb great helpe may be gotten, what maybe Exrrtilimu thought, when this and others goc together ? But I conclude v\ith this Mnlfitn. exhortation, Fee i isibekevehtch depended) n and in- in- * IJcc. ;.*• % infeafon and out offea(6n> O ye Mimfters of the Lord. AV 1 y * *»»« 1 • »• of your vifitauon,*nd the things which belong to your peace by preaching. z ",*{?' O yc people who live under the Minihkry ofthcW 0 yourharveff againft thctimcof your neceflity ; and this be yc perl wa- ded of, thatyefhall have need of all that you gather. Seekc to enjoy this liberty ofthcMinillcry of the Word, yecihat want it; and ifyco may enjoy it as eafii v and with as little painc, as you doe your market, thinkcit worth your labour, if ye can no eahlier come by it, and buy wtfdome. wlmfbever it coftyou, bntfeU it not, whatsoever yc may get for y^^% %k it: prs.y the Lordof the h.trveft to thru ft firth labourers plentifully into lohn* jy. the harveft, yc thatare white unto the harveft to be laboured amongft, and dchrous to be brought into the Lords barne, among whom faith- full and painfull labourers arc wanting. Laftly,all yc that have the ovcrfight of the Lords Miniftry,fce chem 3 Governuru teach foundly,plainly,faithful'y. and diligently, who are called to it;and roc before them your felves painfully,** lights andgood examples : chao many th&.krs may be given , undprayers made to God by the people for you, when you fhall give chem fo good occafion to remember you, and for warming their hearts, and comforting them with fuch good diet for their (pules and liberail provilion, and that in the day of accounts yee may have many to witrcfle the godly care that yc had over them. And thus much ofthcrlrft publike helpe for the increafmgand nou» rifhirg of a godly and Chnliian life, in aiiiuch as have truly entred in to it,that is to fay, the Word preached. Chap. III. Of the fecdndpubltlre helpe, namely, the Sacraments. THc next mcaneot hclpepublike,are the Sacraments, which (ofthe two) arc more darkly fecne and found to- bee helps to godlinellc; namely then the Word, among the moft part of thofe who are parta- kers of them; both becaufc men have fcldomcr uic of them than of otlier doctrine, and alfo for that they bee not fb fully iirftruclcd in the lime* And of the two Sacramcnw which God hath left to his Church* tM ThtSicrAmcvts confirmttbat vfbub the Ward toukttb. total), t. Note. Rom, 4. ii. What Gotland tb: faii'tfuU doc liTMUAM eacb:o libit in tbi Si- vamt*ts. Rom. it. x. iPct.4 I. Of the publike belpcs : namely , tbe Sacraments. luccragetobe enjoyed, Baptifmc is icflc fecne and perceived Co be an helpc, than the Lords Supper. In fpeaking whereof, I purpofc - ich I have taken in hand, namely, to (hew iirilrian Reader how the Sacraments arc raeanesaml hclpcs to let him forward in a godly lite (as too few doc finde to bee) and to leave him for other knowledge about the Sacraments (which is exceeding large) to thole v\ ho have written of them at large, as U.Tctcr CM«r- tjrt M. Csivmt M. Bcz.*y and to ordinary teaching. And this alio I will doc with as much orevity as I can. Therefore feeing che Sacraments are hclpcs ncceiTarily adjoyned unto the pre ing of the Word, and doe vitibly confirmc and racific that which the Wor.i doth teach, and the Covenant betwixt God and thebelccvcr made, is mod firely (ealcd up, and erfectuall on both parts by them; thereby it may appeare what hclpcs they are, both to the flrcn^thc- ningof faith, and incouragemcutto a godly life : which that it^may more plainly appeare, let this which I have laid be thus unfolded to the Chrillian Reader. God hath freely granted to every faithfuilpcrfon, Chat he will never call hu finnes tod reckoning : bnt wtH bee ha God> *k& love him to the endthrongh Chrifl ; for the making good of his promife, he hath put to his Seale, and hath caufed the fame his promife and will to be cftablifhed in the Sacrament, by fo evident and infallible a fignc as cannot deceive. Now therefore doth not this Sacrament alwaics re- mainc to the faichfull receiver, to whom it is made out and granted ; a clearc witnctle, that whatfoc ver benefit is promifed, is his ? and as ofc as any doubt hereof might through weakneiTc arifc to the party, it is not hereby furficiently removed? and therefore they are called of the Apo(Ue, Scales of the rtghteoufneffc of faith. And as God hath thus covenanted for his part, fo hath every belee- veragaincinhis ovvnebchalfc covenanted to trult in God alwaics, to endevour to rvalue before him continually in Hfrightneffe of hean y and in- nocency of hands. Now of the truth of his heart the Sacrament is a figne, which he having received, hath openly profeffed thereby that he hath given and confecrated himfclfe unto the Lord, and is now no more his ownc, to live ascarnall will would defire. Is not therefore the Sacrament, though it be not alwaies received, yet is it not alwaies before his eyes, as it were, to-tell him what he hath done; ye3, and that not rarfilynorby constraint, but with good advice, as knowing thathefhallneYerhavccaufcto repent him fo doing; feeing he belce- veth that ftrcngth in meafure (hall be given him of God, to performc that which he hath promifed and icaied ? Of the fecond publike bclpe, namely the Sacrament r. 2, 89 T;not then the Sacrament a continual fpurrcr forward of him to per- Ron 4. %. forme his covenant? Is he not by the frefliicmembrar.ee of it,incoura- 3 'c S?[gKtmi gcdagainft temptations, wear incite of doing his dutic, and fuch other *k*i&/c«Jrj liinderanccs? Doth knotcaufchimto fayagainftchem all, Howc;nI fotmtfot* fbt tb*r trrtdead to Jinne, Itve tiny longer in It? So chat although to others feulfttt, trie Sacramentsbe a myfreric, and hidden things and as a boo^e vprt;tcnin Hebrew or Grccke, which a fimplc man opening findcth nothing profi- table for him, but faith Icannotrcadcit, (and yet the bonke container trioft fruitful 1 matter, if a skilfull Reader cake it in hand :) although I fay, he who is ignorant, findes no helpe nor benefit by the Sacraments; yet the true belccycr having bcenefoundly inftructcd therein, bchol- dcth much inthem,toincouiageard let him forward in the g odly life, having as lure hold of Gods favour, and helpc by them alio, as the fame Godtwho cannot Ije, is to be bclcevcd. This may for the edifying of the fimplc, bee fecne particularly in Bm'ifmc bmil the two Sacraments of our Church at this day , Baptiimc and the « J*bc!pc Lords Supper. For every faithfull Chriftian which h th becne bap- tized, may as long ashccliveth, have thisbencfit thereby, that as by his ingrafting into'Chrift,^ i* one with him, and therefore iccth that while Chriftlivcth, he mud and (hall hvealfo; fo he having thereby pcrpetuall union a*nd fellowfhip with him, doth draw ftrcngth and grace from him, even as the branch doth from the vine, that fo he may live the life of a Chriftian.If then he have that power of renewing him, (which is fignificd and lealed by Baptifmc) namely, the power of Chrifts death mortifying finne, and the venue of his refurrc£tion in railing him up to a new life ^ is not Baptilmc throughout his life a for- cible meanesto hclpe him forward ina Chriftian courfe, asoftas hec Note, doth duly confider it? So in the Lords Supper, the faithfull communicant, in the oft rc-cci- The LwdsSup- vingof it, is nor only by the bread and wine aflurcd that his ibule may fcrhojvuuM be comforted by Chrift, and fo enjoyeth the fame ; but alio is fpiritu- ^' ally ftrcngthncd to all good duties ; k> that he findeth amoft fovcraignc helpe by it, to grow up unto a perfect a^e in Chrift lefus. And this (Kali more appeare,if\ve confider how manifoldly the faithfull Chriftian is furthered, and fet forward in the well framing and amending his life wherm nmis\ thereby, both in preparing himfelfe to it before he come; in the action ttcmii and prefent ufe of it, when he doth come thereto >• and after the enjoy- > \ ing of, and departing frcm it. Of which three, feeing they may fcrvc as well for a pcrpetuall rule to examine himfelfe by, and to direct him in the right ufe alwayes after, as well as to prove the matter which I have X m i $o Of the fccond publike belpe, namely the Sacraments. inner rf y pvgour JeUes to the Lords Supper. Note. What it to he donty when rot eannot prepare mrfd„tj. in hand ('namely, that the Sacraments arc great helpcs to godlincfle) I will flay a little while to fay iomcthingofthem. Andfbr the preparing or making him fit to receive with profit, this is the manner how it ought to be clone, namely : Firlt,that he prove and trie himlelfe in theft things,whctherhchavc the knowledge of mans milcnc, of his redemption, of his renewing, and of the re furred ion, and cternall life, and of the nature and be* ncfit cf that Sacrament ; with the knowledge of other principall points : All which it is meet that hec fhould have, who looketh for comfort by it. Secondly, that hee hold fafthis faith in thepromifes offalvation, which God hath wrought in him before, by the preaching of the Gok pell: the which at this time may not be wanting, but holdcn faft, and after particular fals, recovered. The third is, that hec keete hit heart diligently, to the renouncing, and fubduing of all finnc, andready toany duticthat hec il la 1 1 be cal- led unto. Fourthly, and more particularly, that hee have no fwclling, norri- firg of heart againft any man or woman, no although they be hit utter enemies, bnt be resonciledto them, and at peace with them, as he defi- rcth to be with the Lord.. And fifthly, that he being thus qualified, defire(as he fhall have op- portunitie) robe partaker of this Sacrament, and to receive the benefit which God orfcrcth by it. And this is the manner of examining a mans felfc ; unto the which, rules hee that is lutable, hec is a welcome gueft to the Lords table. But becauil much floth, forget fulncflc, darkneiTe, corruption and weaknefTe doe foo: e gather togcther,and fogrow up even in good men, to the choaking of thefe fore-named gifts of God, that fuch as have fometime found all thefe in themfelves, yet at the time of receiving can- not findc then) ; therefore at the comming to the Lords Supper, God givethcfpcciall charge, that if in any of his people thefe graces (houid by their owne negligence and default, be wcakned, dimmed, and de- cayed, that they doc not rafhly put themfelves forward to it in that cafe ; but fpcedily feekc to recover themfelves againe,by a due exami- nation of their eftate according to the fore-mentioned rules. Which if they doe then more hardly and difficultly obtaine, and going about it, cannot fee clccrly that they arc thus furn>fhcd,as they were fometimcs ; they may clu ke thrmlelvcs. 5 the fault is their owne, for that they did folong.icgkx' * md didnotlabour, whciuhry were well, to keepc Of the fecond publike helpe> namely the Sacraments. z y c'.ic words < I himfclfc, the maker of the ban- tbt quct, v crh him welcome and robe merry, faring; hisbodc fwbkh is me*t indeed; and hisb olfome and Iohntf.5?. iavoury drink:} Arc prepared for bi be much heart- ncd and icr Pdfward in 9 irtc, when he ihiii uc chad rcv;ved and quickned in hisfbuk with the fm ritual dainties which by true faith hce fecdeth upon, and tint no kflft icnlibly, than hec catcth the bread aiuidrinkcth the wine? And yet thin much T will lay,tlnn it 'this merric making at the Lordi board, were'ekhcr w. hollo wnclfc on the bchalfcof font that biddeth (as it is with 'many men who ;:w,te others to then- tablc)oronlya tem- porary and earthly bcneflr, on thebchalfe ofthc receiver ; i: wctc not Co much to be accounted oh but it being far re othcrw ifc, namely, both in goodncflc ^nd pcrperuiric,a hencht that hath no companion,*^.*:,* $ tintt*llfeaft ; ic hath cher^bfPgfCQt r'ovccio fhr tip rht' payrjetn honour Noie. God. And from hence it U, rhatthc communicant, as ancatimjru^ the goodncflc and kindncifcofGod, there declared to him, and of himfclfc fclt and enjoyed ; breakcth forth into prailcs., and faith,, us is figured in Cantic.i 4. Salomon his long, O Lr.-d, thou (raft m uie we dnfa'ke mn thy Tkl II 6. 1 1. fclUr ! hovrfxtc" is /7« y fatk, a>/d thy iswdncffcv tjt finding am . I fender to the Lord I m&'riei • Is it hard now to fee, 'is it hard now to judge Jtow this heavenly ban- quet doth for theprcfenttimr, and in- the receiving thereof, or ma-. feaftwifc inlarge the heart qfthefaithfull Irrvant otGbd^ndnu-ita l fit for dutie, and fill his heart with comfort, while he rommumcateth in the fuppcr with thereftofthc faithhilh ffo Uftllcarric toific i,ou\\ who- invited him to it? For there, he may and ought to mediate on;iic dain~ tineffeef the banquet ;on the love of him that ordained it; on thecom- Kfit*« munion helnth with Chri(t,and his graces, and on the outward figncs, what they aiTurc him of; and on the word preached, which fhevveth him all this. All thefc things, with fuch like, he may- think con and *p- plie to himf lfe. For although theflejhftnveth aaawfhhe jfrnt, as well herein, as in other works and actions, yet the faithfull communicant n hismeafu;c,fn leth his-heart ready to yceld up to the Lord m this hea- venly banquet, no Ieflc,than I have fi id, even the facrihec ofpraifc and thanks, though all doe it not in a like mea lure. Jfler Ytceh'wg, And even fo to comcto the third point, itis of the fame force, after ti f'^flam he h„th received the Sicramcnt, and e: ' .rbecht thcrin beftow- 1 M Jl ed upon htm to bcon.cii him on, a.,u tfrc: erhen him to every good * J yvorKc; Of the fee on d publike belpc, namely the Sacraments. 1 9 j worke; even as a man well refrefhed with meat, is made firongtoLi- bour :thisSacramcnt(I fayjdoth aftcrthe receiving of it, (where right ufe is made of ic, according to Gods appointment) through the remem- brance and due coL-fideianonof the kindenefieof God therein offered and reaped, eafily carric on the fervant of God in a fervent dcf.re of all well-doing. In all that I fay ofthc Sacramentjthe wife Reader (I doubt o not) undcritandeth me, not that this alone, without other meancs and rjed^ctltru, helpcsdoth this ; but as the Lord in great favour to his Church, hath *«***fc«uitcf; pirc without the benefit which God hath joyned with them ; that is, (fftmff^s* inccrcmonie o;eiy, and not to edification. And this wholefomc or right ufing of them, becaufc it is little fecne or enjoyed; therefore is there iuch negligence in repairing to them; and unrcvercncc, diibrdcr, yca,andprophanc behaviour in the adminiitnng and receiving ofthem, which is the principal! matter that is to be regarded and confidered about the Sacrament, and to be looked unto, both of the Miniltcr and Note, people. But it is not my purpofc to enter into this argument more largely : I conclude this point therefore, that feeing the Sacraments doe fealc up the promilcs of God to the faithfull rccewer,under a vifiblc and infalli- ble tignc, and againc, binde him (in rcvcicncc be it fpoken) to the per- forming of his covenant; and feeing particularly the rirft Sa:ramcntof baptifme doth ingrafre him into Chriit, and that other of the Lords Supper doth(by io holy preparation before he come, with Inch comfort miniftring, in and at his rccciving,and fuch iircngthening of him after,) worke upon him, as hath beene laid ; that therefore the Sacraments arc hngularhelpcsforalltruebelecvcrstogrow in a godly.life. Andconfc- qucutly, I fay of the receivers of them, as of them which ufe the other Wpesjthathecwhois nocmade more abk- toconoucr his lufts, and weaken the ftrength of fin, and is not more heartned to the life of god- lincfle thereby, doth abuic them, and feeth not Gods purpole in ordai- ning them. Which finne how feverely God will punifh, the Corinthi- ans example doth teftific and prove, 1 Cor. 11730. X 3 Chap, Matth.i3.io, ip4 Of publike Prayers : nnd of private belpesingenerall. C H A P. IV. Of : rtyers : alfo of the private bclfes in 0 erera/L THctwblike prayers folemnly offered to God in theconqrep and praifing of God with Pfalmes, is another of theft publike hclpcs. In the which, if thatminde be in us, with the which we have beenc taught ro come to all holy cxcrcifcs,and Co be prepared for them ■ who doubtcth but that we may receive much hclpc by them ? Yea and the better a man is, the more he fliall profic by them. For when the faithfull,from God himlclfc, have a pvoimic, that they fhall be heard in all things that are good forth, m>even themoft cxcellcnteft, and doc then emptie their hearts by confe fling their finncs, and with the reft of the godly, lift up their fpirits and voyecs rogcther in praifing him, 1$ there any doubt, but that they arc afterward in private morechcercfully bent tofervehim? And in that the ignorant ('which in the beft congregations is commonly the greiteit number ) take no more profit by them, iris not Iongof the exercifes rhemfelves, which are good ordinances, but for that they arc unfit to receive benefit by them : even as a prejudicatc opinion in otherfomc, that they cannot be the better thereby, is the c a ufc thereof : and therefore partly of ignorance, partly of rafli zealc, they give themfclvcs to (light and negligent hearing of, and attending to them. The dircc/t remedie to redrcifc both faults, as farre as in manlycth, vvcrcan ordinary able miniftcry : whereby both the igno- rant might (befides other good things; Icarnc rightly how to ufc them, and theprcjudicue ones (which conceive the worfe of them, for that they fee (mail fruit to follow of them without the Word preached,) fhould be filent and have nothing to fay agamft them if both went to- gether, except with thcBrowivih, they would defpife thcpublikcaf- icmblics of the Church altogether. But whatfoevcr the one or the other doe profit by them, the chil- dren of God may finde cfpeciallgood rcficfhing thereby,which is that thing that I have to prove and perfwadc, and therefore they fhould hcarc them as vvellas the Sermon. For when befides ourowne private fupplications and thankfgivings, wehavethefe alfobythe Lord him- felfc appointed for us in publike ; and that in fofoJcmnc a manner, the whole aiT:mbly contenting with us in the fame,and Cjodprtfcntamongtt tts to 2 ff\i\ us, as he hathpromifcd ; the very ordinance of God, (who Tbt betttr a wanHj the more bt fall profit by publico Pr.ycs. Note, Men doe not profit by tbtm^ btcaufeef I Ignorance % Vrepdicati $pinion. Kemtdie for both. How wefiauld (omt to prayer. is the Author of them) doth promifc a blcfling thereto, as oft as wc arc partakers of them. So that if wc come with reverence, and a feeling of our Of publike Prayers : and of private belpes in genera!!. x 9 5 our wants, with an earncftdcnre and confidence toobtainethe things which we pray for, in true repentance, \\ec Oiall receive fruit of them accordingly. Indeed by realbn of this, that the Minifrers have becne what I » for the molt part dilbrdered pcribns, and ignorant, and too many re- /••'' maine 10 dill; and thereby have brought thcmfclvcs , by Gods juft ik:l}Vt/' judgement, and their owncdeferts, as the formes of £frdid into disho- nour and difcrcdit, it hath come to paffc, that through rafli and prepo- ftcrous judgement, many have had an eviil opinion ofthat,which have becnedone by them, and of the ferving of God which they have ufed ; and therefore have thought that they have had good caufe to fequcfler themfclrcs from being prdenttC the ferviccof God winch is perfor- med by them ; and thus they object againA it. Another fort have-thought all let formes of prayer are to be difliked, r.dvesitm sre and fuch only to be allowed and offered up to God, as by extemporie w> ° c*' gift are conceived and uttered accordingto every ones r.ccefTitie, which opinion i> alfo to be reformed. Of both which I will lay fome what being objections, though othcrwifc, it be befidesmy purpofe todif- courieofthem at large. This I fay, as I have taken in hand, that pub- like Prayer, as hath becne faid of Preaching and Sacrament?, is a great helpctogodlincffc, toallfuchas have any meafure of godlinefle : or clfe it is long of thcmfclvcs, who, through the ignorance and darkncfTe that is in them, doe not kno w,that they thought fa />r>t; alwayeswtth all manner frtpp Ucations and giving ofthanj^es ; and therefore publikely (as well as privately) when many hearts are powred out to God rather than few, or one alone; or if they know this, their finnc is the greater, in that they rcfiit and fpurneagainfr it. For to fortific this that Kay, to the firtt objection I anfwer;although 4nj"a u tl* it be not to be denyed, but that the example of ignorant and unrcfor- "T**9rL mcd,cfpecially notorious peifons in the mmiitcry have done, and doc much harme ; yet if either they cannot be convicted, or if their crimes r befuch, as cannot remove them out of their places j there is juft caufe ofgriefe, that fuch fhould have any tiling to doe in Gods matters, Note, which are fo wcightic, and to be dealt in with all high reverence. Yet, if this burden muft be borne, I aske, if among many fwect liberties which we enjoy, we may not joyne in prayer with them, if wc can pray in faith, feeing their unworthincflc cannot withhold the fruit of Gods promife from us, which is to one kindc of prayer as well as to another, a^eandyeefballreccive, that your joy may be full. And as it is farre from Io^ **'H» me to be a patron of fuch, or to juftifie them, as the true MiniUers of God, fo yet, while wc may enjoy the minifkric of better, I would not X 4 refufc z $6 Ofpubhkc Prayers jutdtrffrilpate belpcs in general}. refute to be partakcrof the prayers which arc offered up by thcm.Who car ireth to pray with better than they be? And wt bn i them fomctimc, than to leave the alicmblics pub- Jikc a!tc gethcr. ■ !9tbt Concerning the next ob jeft ion, that tl ie Mimflcrsbcno, feconU. fenhve as the former, yet they iliouh: , iyer, but as they are moved by Gods Spirit. Ianfwcr,it is a fond crrourlo to think. AfHfcupfotmt For as there beneccifary things to be prayed for ofall mcn,and alway ycru law- anc} t|10fe arc tjlc mofr things which we arc to pray to the Lord for : io '"*' there may be pi clcript formes ofpraycr made concerning allfuchthinps. Which being fo, wliat letterh that in the reading of fiuh formcs,citlicr ts fifth ofcohfelTionoffiniiCS, rcqueft, orthankfgiving; whatlettcth (J fay) that the hearers hearts may not profitably goe with thefame, both to humble, to quicken, and to comfort? For is the reading it fclfe unpure when the Miniilcr in hisowncbchalfc and the peoples, uttcrcth them to God ? I fpcakcnot(yeefcc) of the matter of praye , but of reading it : for if the matter be erroniousand naught, the pionouncin^ of it ma- keth it not good, any more than the reading doth : if it be good and pure, being uttered or pronounced, the reading cannot hurt it or make it cvill. And as the Church in the Scripture did and doth now ling Pialmcs upon a bookc to God, and yet though i: utter a prefcrip: forme of words, I hope none will lay, that it isalinne to doc fo, the heart be- ing prepared, in like manner, to follow a prefcript forme of words m praying, is no finnc ; and therefore ought not to be offensive to any. If it be (aid, how can men repeat the fame forme of words daily , as they doc in the reading of publike Prayer, but it muft needs be coldly donc,and fo abominable to God ? I aniwer, it ;s not the oft praying for zhc fame things,that maketh it odious to God, but when it is clone wi.h an unreverent,unpreparcd,and corrupt hcart;for cuftomc5not fervently and in faith. For doe notthc belt pray daily for faith, mccknciYc,humi- litie,peace,and fuch like, as we have daily need of them, and yet with- out wearinclTc ? And further to fatisfie-thcm,thcymay know that in all Churches, and the beil reformed, there is a prefcript forme of prayer nicd : and therefore they who are ofminde, that it ought not to be,muft fcparatcthemfelves from al Churches. Alio if a let forme of prayer were unlawfull,then neither were the Lords Prayer (which is a fct forme of praycrprcfcribcdby ourSaviour himfclr)tobcufcd.Whichyct though jt be ibmetime to be ufed in the forme wherein it is fct downe : yet fpca- king of it by this occafion, I thinkc it notamiflc to acldc this one thing. That though our Saviour tied us to the matter of this prayer, as being perflct ; Of pub like Prayers, and of private be /pes in genet i9y perfect and full : yet he tied us not to the words thcmfclvcs,fccing wee cmnot either thinkconarcmembcr,ordefirc at one inHaiUjall the pai ti- lars contained in the fame. And befides, wc by craving particulaily the things which we Hand in need of, arc more ftirrcd up and moi But thefc thus anfwcredj will proceed^perfwading all good ChriftU ans to lay a fide contention, and cndleiTc,and (many ofthem alio) nced- Icffccjceftions about this oiatter rami to rcfolvc with thcmfelvcs, feeing it mu{tofall,who arc well adviicd, be granted, diatthc publikc prayers arc an hclpctoiiirrc up Gods graces in us, and toconvcy to us the ma- ny good blcdingsofGod which wc want,bcfide other notable effedb; therefore, to lookc to thcmfclvcs every way ib carefully, that they may ever keepe themfclyes fit to be helped and benefited by them, and with the fame well ordered hearts and mindes to attend unto, and apply to thcmfclvcs tlicprayers/.vhich either before and after the Sermon are ut- tered, or the other, which thorovv the whole action of Gods worfhip are read in their hearing. And not to be led by opinion, that they can take no profit by them : nor as the common lbrt doe, who after long goingto Church, doc prove too truly, that they have taken no good by them, being not indeed able to mew how they mould pray,or to be- have thcmielvcs in that action. But feeing they havclibcrtie to hcarc Gods word preached, where they may moll comvnodioufly enjoy it, ' (for lb they are willed not only thcmfclvcs, but to call upon their chil- ! '.'' p'fJ° drentoheare Sermons, and the Minifters arc uiged as well by ihcij preaching, as by their living, to give good example) therefore to take after B*p their part in both, with chcercfuInelTcandthankfgiving. And in finging Singing of ofP(almes;fuchas cannot rcadc,fhould attend to them who arencereft "Kes* them in the congregation', that they may joync withtbemand confent to the action ofpraihng of God with the roll of the affembly; and not to g3zc,and toilc vah.e imaginations and phantalics, where they fliould I'ft tifynrc harts and ha fids to God .And as for fuch as rcfufc to come to l Tiro, i rake part in the worfnip of God, altogether, as the Brownifts and fuel. likc,ltt them beare their fhamc before men, and their peace flulbc imali to God-ward, while they fit at home with their ownc bare reading for their dicc,whofcorne the bcR liberties of the Word preached, Prayer and the Sacraments in the publike aflemblics. For fo I underftand they doe as well other waycs,as by thcconfcflion of thcmfclves,and that be- fore the Magmrate, examining what they did, wiii'e,by the whole mo- ncth and quarter,thcy abfented themfclvcs from the publike u anfwer was made by the cxaminatc, they fate at home and tea.. themfeJvcs. Let all judge by what fpirit fuch arc led and guided. Np 198 Ofpublike Prayers: andofpriVMe be\p:s ingenerall. >'i- Now having lefaibcd and fhcwcdthe nature and uii of the publikc ZuteL mcanes, I thinkc it ncedfull before I doc more particularly enter into thediicourfeof the private, to fay lbmewhatof the necrfTitieofthcm, Tb prhate as 'A ell is of the publikc Forthat thoulandsof the profrifors, and of bicny ly^tfi \ mvkofjV. Andtliar Inny7- .^enkcanlurd^'tKCar.tc I fpc. ike others ifc than mo'hucris . '. •• ' -<>th approve, view ft Scriptures; and thou flulffce thrstruth moreclccielv. h'or I niiftmake this foundation Itw^; feeing there c weight I upon if. In the third to the Hi WfrVft Hcbr.j.n. axyofio'i- ■■ ' ' Vt'arrt tins triarhec flit!) at any t-iri.?, wl, mcanelcifc, "fhanthat from time to time, the heart, and the inani atf\Ttions and dciires thereof fliouid he looked- unro, and taken heed of, left thereby the Lord ffiaiHd be dtfeir'cd \ dec ? This taking-heed cheVcfbrFtt :! y il!fe ; arid r-othy heart eipeelally^ ^b'ccaulc frorr, ;hcncc thcwvonteand anions do> niill^he thy companion nomtinK to, nrnc, ■aiYdthhrrnruiit fct 'ttifr*kJMt+0filb the qe'rrt'y co thy ■o sAud this I may bohNy fay, is the caufc why many- ami-thole , coc n;nk'emrmy jarred in their lives, and breake often into . many tlflmS agghwfcW holy ptof^on, edver v ith thegc title name oflttftr ■ hen (ftftcydie rJtl.'cr wilfully Fulfh'rhcde'iics of their MJlrtSJ and Airily aiYqjnrcmpcrarcIy give them fc!ves the bnd e,Vaftifing utterly in thofc catc-Sjthis holy watchfuInciTc : y~a,nnc it-icke riot to CbUm itben- dage,a:.da depriving- Chriilians of their/I'bcrtiCjand coo fKaitanhoU "Vein in : wfrefeas, v.* ho* feet h not, that wau * iiatcothe Note life, which the eye-lid iscothecyc, and that which the eye it lelteis to the whole body > And ansofthcday,as Ihavcfaid. Bccaufc(as itfollowcth)ncithcriti htbtpBUc*!* cv-mpanicwith others, noraloneby thy felfc, canft thou plcale God, ■»j mr lif$. nosinprofperity noradverfay ; except thou becit waric and waxchfuli to be led by Cods word therein. SonecclTary to a Chnttianisthis vcr- tuc, that the ApoiHc S. r/W/tothcnphcfians givcth this warning; Ephcf.f . r j. When y H on the whole armour and with Jl 'W the enemy by it ; yet a Iter, t*k$ heed rh.ir jeeftundfaft ; left by the fubtile and continuall at- tendance of the enemie, your fall be the greater. Which may eaiily be, if wee coniider amongft how many occafions and provocations wee vvalkc,and how fhifclelfe wc arc to avoid them : yea rather,ho\v ready of our fel ves to like well of them, and give place unto them. tity m oitghiti Our evill lu(ts,wbcrewith wc befullfraught,doe carry us headlong much. into fund tie iniquities, infomuch that wee can goe about nothing, but wee may fecie,(ifweecan difecrne) that fomeonc or other of them is in our way to hurt us,and at hand no molcir and difquiet us ; or if wc can- not efpic it for the prcfent time, yet it may be perceived afterward, that it was lb. Note. If wee be occupiedin holy and fpirituall duties, wc have flume and hypocrific on the one fide to hinder us : dulncfle, wcarineifc, unto- vvardncfTc, and many fuch like poyfoncd corruptions on the other tide to breakcus off. Ifwc have to doe in things lawfull, and indifrcrcnt,and of their ownc nature not evill, as recreation, or earthly bufincflc, wee arc iecurc and carcle(Te how we doc them: we have boldnclTe to defend our felvcs, be the manner of doing them, and our end and purpofe ne- ar ver lb vai.ic and cy ill. If wc goc about any evill thing, we have reafon and (trengthof perfvvafion from the pleafurc and profit ro goc through with it ami to fee no danger that accompanieth it, but to extenuate it, Ecc!cf.7.ic. andnottolooketothe end, as wee ought to doc : but all -bund reafon todilTwadeus is weake, the Devill fbewing himfclfc at fuch tiroes as ^ot^ a tempter, who yet will afterward come to us as an acculer, when wc ihould repent* Therefore if wc be nor skilfull to know thefc difordcred lufts^diligcnt to Of the fir jl private belpe, tt hicb t .- o j to cfpie, prevent ah..! avoid them, and foh&vc this rbfi neffe ovcrour lives, as a helphill companion wit.'i us; it cannot I wile be, but rfiae v^cc commit *iwny things unhcfecming us ry to the holy doctrine which wee profc lie co things thorow the whole couple or our lives. Now When a nvih is thus earned of his intemperate affections, and bringetbforth the nc fruit thereof, what comfort can I rTord him? Even all inch, to 10m it is a (ad matter to abridge themiclvcs of their f iJJj and vainc defres; and a death to with- n that which they long afler, or to plucke backc their eye from that which Vcth in, all fiich ( I fay) m.;ll feed upo\] Loth, and take com- : ni lolly : but as for the found and conflant joy of them who have dc a watchful! life their gicatcftouict, ( who have therefore liber- tic and fee leceflc to iolacc their iouies in thevarictie of heavenly ■ lures', tins joy ( I i"a y } they are ihargcrs unto, neither can they be partakers thereof. For hereby the Lord hath freely granted in to find and enjoy another 1:"')fn^e^ manner of living here in this worl Yhan the moll doe know or belecvc, ^ur^ltm'Tc h even a peaceable life to God ward, iafc and f,\cct, I mcanc, fofarrc as of many^ finners in a vale of mifery may be enjoyed ; which whofoever be void u ^lthounjuiiev have variety ofcarthlv pleafures and deliobcs.yet one Tv.mti t vexation commit" g among tncmjihall make all comrortsunlavoury and iikcfomc un:othcm. As may appearc in P '.:>irs oh, when but lb me one E^cd-J. of the plagues of.£gypt was upon him; iit-7\(fJ .r, when he Dan. a.t. h.\d his fearful! drccmc; and in P>dltha^.rr, when :n thcmiddcltof his Dan»j $■ j>lli:icthat fcarfull and unwelcome hand-writing on the wall at mid- night wasfeencofhim : and among alithefe there is none in whom this doth more lively appearc, than in tLim»>:, who for all h.s wealth, ho- nour and promotion, could not latisfic himfelfe, while cue mcanc man, yea a ftrangcr, Mordecat, refused to bow to him. And to come neercr to fuch of whom the true God was more heard of, or knownc, (for this point is worthy our marking) the lame may be laid of SjhI; who although he were a King, yet when the Lord anlwe- r:d him nomorc, his heavincflc was deadly; ot >{_f tr*--fgrejjl;n unto her husband,andconfcqucntly of the univcrfall mi- fery of her poftcritic.The like we may fee by the example of King Da- vid, whom though the Scripture doth rcnovvne with as great commen- dation for his meditating in the Law of God, as any man, yet for that i Sam.i i .t. he was not armed with a watchfull heart at that one time,*?/?*/* he wal- ked on the rs9fe ef hi* Palace ; behold how the Dcvill had laid a bait for him, (which he, as wife as he was,couid not difecme) and by his fubtill and lecret handling of the matter,caught him in his fnare.So that he re- ceived fuch recompencc for the letting loofe of his heart at that time, both in outward reproach and inward angu'fhand bitterncfTc of foule, that by good ri^ht fhould make other men cleave faft to waichfulnefle, and be faithfull unto the Lord; yea, and to be wire with alldihgcnre, that they dally not with the baits of finnc at any time, nor give their hearts the bridle, untill they be gone fo farrc that they cannot, ( berorc great offence be committed) be called backc again**. The experience that I have gathered, f ice I be -an to l^okemoread- vifedly into this thi ^g,I meanc into the neccdlty and dcik f t ora watch- full couilc, which hath been long enough totcch and advifeboth my felfe and others upon fo long a tr.all, (I mean" above thirtic yearesin fome manner as I have becne able) this experience (1 f y doth nakeme the bolder andcarneltcrin it, to perfwadefu h, as have cn.'ly embraced theGofpell, thatthey would adjoyne heiewith, this godly watch, a fpeciall nourifher and ftiengchcnerof thtir faith, to fettle themfclves therein what(ocvcr they goc about, or taken hand :as that their talkc CoJo{T.4.5. be not j(j[Cj ancj frothie, but favonrte andfowdrcd .nth fob ; that their actions be fuch as they may defend with peace of conference againft fob 3 i$r,j& their accufers;and that they labour to fufpreffcand to bring into fab jetlun even E itr'.enceofa u>Jtckrullc9ktfc* Note. Of the fir ft private helpey which u Watchfulncffe. 3 o 7 tvcn their wtcked thoughts axddefires, and weaken even the body of 2 Cor. 10.4,7. finne it fclfc, I meane the old man with his htfts. For behold, and this know, that even amonglt thofc who rcjoyce in thctcftimonic of a good confeience, fuch doc alwayes honourthc Co- fpellmod; mod flop the mouth of the gain-fa ycr,and doc carrie them- Otbcrgiflsmmk fclves mofl conlbntly and continually in an even and good courfe, fo frf**#^ by firrc as they have knowledge, who have becne wife this way, and who ***§******' have determined with themfelves to Hand upon their %\ ate h from time to time. And on the other fidc,fuch as in whom many good things ma y befecne, (I fpeakeboth of Teachers and Hearers) and arc for lundric Note. caufesmuch to bee accounted of; yet being noted for rafh and un- ftayed in their actions, and not fo much looking to themfelves, by wife government of themfelves ; have done the lefle good to others by their cxample,and have aufed the othergifts which they havc,to be the leiTc regarded. God be glorified for the good that is done by this in many : but if it were more commonly embraced and taken up of many moe, who for knowledge are able to feafon and give light to numbers, they fhould not be mo(l in difgracc who have lead deferved it, nor many plcafe themfelves in a lcofe and unprofitable courfe, which, befide that it withholdeth from them much found comfort, is a fore blcmifhin theirlivcs. Yet this I thought good to addc, forafmuch as thcRomifh Church, 1'hewatcbfltU efpecially they who will feeme more devout than the red, dandmuch 9Ven'Hef uponthcirdibgent keeping of the cudomes of their mother Church, ^1^11° frf** and the precepts of the fame,who might therefore feeme to themfelves, tkU. and be thought of others to be before the mod, in godlmcflc : let all know, that this which I have faid ofwatchfulnciTc,leavcthnotthe lead peece of commendation to them. For they watch to keepe the obfer- vances of men ; but watchfulneflc mud be ufed for the obeying of the Commandemcnrs of God : they fuperditioufly watch to oblervc lome hourcs,and daycs,and times, wherin if they performc anything in out- ward working, they thinke themfelves more holy than others, thouqh the mod part of their lives befides, cither in duties to God or men, he little regarded : but the watch ftilneiTc which plcaieth God, tendeth to every houre, day and time, as well one as another, to fee duly well and confeionably to be performed in them. And tofpeake of their bed watch which they keepe over their lives, yet from their owne words I conclude, that it cannot be allowed of God; becaulcit commethnot of /*'fA, that is, of atVuranceof the favour of God, andconfequently hec will not bleflejt, (for this judifying faith, which they call the Pro- Y 2 tedants 3 o 8 Oj the fir ft private helpc, Tfibicb u I \ 'atcbfulne[[e. Hcbr.u.tf. tcthuts faith, they utterly renounce) \vitliout which ycc,/f is tntfojfi^< topi. r*tt helpe, T*hicb u XVatchfulneffc. } o 9 they were fo loth to weane themfclves. As hfephs brethren, fortheir crucltic towards him, did findc, and had proofe of it many ycares af- ter, faying, when they were in deepe affli&ion, ffc verily finned Again ft Gcn^i* 9hv brother, in that weefaw the anguifh ofhisfoule^ -when hee be fought us, and we would not heare him. Therefore u this trouble come upon w. And that which I fay of this one, I may as truly fay of the reft, if they hare beene harboured in us and entertained. Tothispurpofe is that complaint of the people of Ifracl in their re- pentance and turning to God, wherein they declare that one finnedid more trouble them, than (bine other. For thus they fay in their con re i- (ion ; Wee have fwned agamfi thee, O Lord, but efbecuxliy in asking w a i Sa^i kif . Kingtbefides all our od>er fins. And asittroubled them moft when they asked pardon of God ; io it appearcth in the ftorie that of all other tins they were moft drawne by that, to offend God. For when they would needs have a King againft the will of God, and Samuel was fentfrom i Sam.?*!?. God ro tell them what a manner of one hee fhould be, ifthey would needs have one contrary to Gods minde ;it is rxprefly faid, that thepeo* pie would not heart the~voice of Samuel, but anfwered, Nay3b'ut there fhall be a King over us y and we will be lil^c alUther nations. Therefore as their finnc,whercby they did moft offend God,put them to grcatcft trouble : fo muftthofccfpccialliinncs, which have prevailed againftGods chil- dren, bernoft watched againft anda-voided,unlciTe they long for their owncwoc. And is there notgreatreafoninrt,forafmuch as they have moft di£- quieted thcmfelves by fuch kinde of finning, that they fhould bend the moft force of their ftrength againft the fame ? Even as if fomc trouble- fomeperfbn ina:ownefrioulddifcjuictthe\\hole, all would lay their An illkllrattxg hclpe together to remove and keepc him out ; and as in an houfe which yfil byfm'iHt^ hath many and great commodities, and yet fome one fore annoyance, ^olc« (asa principallchimncy cafting imoke) with great fpced that fhall be redrefled, more than other things, which yet are to be regarded like- wife :fo in the life of found Chriftians, wherein many good bleflings of God may be reaped and cnjoycd,the chiefe mines are to be chiefly loo- ked unto,although the meaner are not to be neglected. And great labour muftbc taken about it, and watching againft thatfinne, which moft prcvailcthin us; and much more, than againft fome other, by which t there i s le flc danger to be fea red . And this helpe(as I have declared How)if it be ufed, and the meanes xbtfi wtefiltb faithfully pra&ifed from time to time ; let no doubt be made, (feeing tmtkuty God hathproimfcdiiiccefle thcrcby^eyen greater grace in the uiecherc- V 3 of 3 1 o Of the fir ft private helps, which is Watchfulneffe. of, than the hnnc Hull be able to refill) let no doubt (I fay) be made but that they lha!l mailer it, fo fane, as it lliall bring peace ; unlcilc it be the cafe of un nancd pcrfons, to whom God hath appointed map- riagefor a lawful) remedic, when by none of the f< rc-inciHk>ncd, or the ! ikemcanes, the gift c\ contincncic can any longer be enjoyed. Th s advice how unfavoury and unwelcome focvet it be to fuch as are wedded to their lufl>, and will offer no violence to them : vet fuch . as know the (mart that is raifed by this hnnc, and that fomctimc the cicarcfcrvantsofGod have beenc deceived by it, will be glad to be di- rected and helped egainn* it. And that which I havefaid of this, I may fay of pride, worUiincifc, anger, malice, revenge, unjult dealing and lying, that as every man is morccafdy overcome of, 01 hurt by them more than by other hnncs ; fo he fhould have a more continuail rcarc of Note. them, ufc greater watchfulncffc againft them, and bellow more time in fecking the rooting out of them : that lo the wealth and iafety ofthe whole lite maybe prcferved, when fuch noyfomc fores, as did moftof allimpaircthc (ante, be cured. But if men be either ignorant of this dutic,or cannot bepcrfwaded to fetthemfelycsto the entertaining of it, and to get acquaintance with it, they mu(t lookc tolivadcltitute of a chiefe part of godlincfle, or if it be but now and then in icmcefpeciall actions and parts of their life, peg ded and locked unto ; (as it is done of them who are not greatly experi- enced in the practice ofChriitianitv)it will make the godly lite in great part to be bereaved both ofhergaincand bcautie. Ifwbtbuttur- Otfr hearts muft not range where they lift, nor our delights be fifte- Xidwtcf tk$. nC(i where wepleafc; butour eyes, our tongues, our cares, hands, fee:, A^jT'T an(^ z^c 'A ^°^c P0vvcrs°f 9ur mindes, and members of our bodies inuft "fbil.i.ix. " -beholden within compafic. Infomuch, that if we fee, we have but bro- ProT.it. 14. ken out ofourconirant com fe a little, and that our confcicnces begin to Note, checkc us$ wee fhould tremble tothinke what wee have done, and/^r* dwAyes for the time to come, left wee fhould offend. Wee mull watch when v;c a. r well, to kecpe well, and when we have beenc deceived, ro Kturnefpeedily againe: wee mull watch in trouble, agimfi treefnefTe and impatience ; inprofperity, againft wantonneiTc and lightneflc. If kbjr.i. wecould frame to this, we fhould doc well enough, ashctnatlookcti* to his foot m a flippery place, fhall not be hurt. Thtyore wirtbj And if we may by watchingover our fclves, have our whole life in upBAri>tbit f3fety, and welfare ; are wee not worthy to fmart, if w ec cannot doe fo mln§tu\th-ti much for fo great a benefit ? Therefore, moft worthily doe fuch fufrcr ut tirmju. j^neffe in& forrovv, who will in no wife be brought to take heed to their Of the fecond private heJpe, Tvkicb u Medium j 1 1 their wayes ; but eric our, that it is prccifenciTc and a kincte of death un- to them, to be restrained fi on i their noyfomc and dangerous liberties. From whence arifcth boldncffc and wilrulneffc, which cannot want much fume. But this wntchfulnefic doth God require to be in us, and to be accounted no tedioufneffe, but had in high price : and hce that with an honcft heart and good confciencc fubmittcch himfclfc hereunto, he fhail be able to prove by good cxpcrience,that watchfulneiYc is a great meane to maintain* a godly lifc.Thus much tor the more plaine ana full handling of this private helpc, called watchfulncflc, the more, (I con- fcfTeX-cirgit is not fo much intreated of, as fomc other points or "Chri- Mimdutie. Chap. V I. Of (JWed union, thefecond private helpe. 4 NO w followcth the fecond, which is Meditation. And that is when \ihaia*. wedoeof purpofc, feparate our felves from all other things, and confideras wee are able, and thinke offome points of inftru&ion neccf- faric to lead us forward to the kingdomeof heaven, and the better ftrengthningofusagainit theDevill, and this preientevill world, and to the well ordering ofourlives. I lay of purpofc, feeing we both muft mmdefuch things in good advifednefte, andfet our felves about them rcfolutcly when wee take them in hand ; that they may be done with more reverenceand profit:and aifo,fccing it falleth cut for the moft part, that wee fcldomc enter into meditation of heavenly things, when wee doe not intend the fame, but are led by the objects of our mindes, eyes or cares, a hundred waies amide, or if any good thought arife, it is re- pelled by and by, andgoethno further. To proceed, I fay, that when wee meditate, wee ought to feparateour felves from all company and troublcfomc occafions, as our Saviour commanded! us to doc, when wc Mattfwtf.6 prypnvate/j^thcCe two being companions^ as in our chamber private- ly, or in the field, or fome commodious place, that wee may the better pcrforme it : the fmalleit occafions ioone breaking us off from fuch fer- viceofGod,and therefore we cannot too warily avoid them. And I fay laiily, that wee mud there fet our mindes on workc about the cogitation ofthings heavcnly,by calling to remembrance fomc one or other of them which wc know : and fo debate and rcafon about the fame, that our affes^ ions may thereby be moved to love and delight in, or to hate and fcare,according to that which we meditate on;fo that we Y 4 • may 3 1 1 Of the fee end private belpc, which u Meditation. it ptuth life may make fomc good ufc of it to our fclves. And this fpirituall cxercifc tjdfiun.ibti of meditation is even that which puttcth life and ftrcngth into all other. durics,and parts ofGods worfhip. And this the holy Ghoftreportcth Gen. 14.^3. of /jCur the Patriarkc,f< ■ : out i> :o:>ye field tcvtdrAthe eif£*lPl&\ meditate. Which had not becne fo commendable, if kc had not ufed lb todoc, (feeing it is the right kinde of |uch holy duties to bcoft mufc) being taught of his father jUhJuub* v\ ho woj the fiend of Cjod, and ve- ry familiar With him, and thcrefore(wc may be fure)had much commu- nion and talkc with him. As alio our father -k.-pr^du^ whoforproofc hereof, is (aid in his whole life.** hare rr*i/heeivr/t/j Cjod.. And this arc all fuch as deiire to take any good by it, to know ; that thev mud be acquainted throughly with this fweet and heavenly com- muning with the Lord and thcmfclvcs, which was called of the Fathers Horn* »*f ancient time, their Soliloquic, that is, thetrdke which they ufed to have with the Lord, or alone by thcmfclvcs.Tliat-as men wearied ,defi re reft i fo we by the variety and multiplicity of bufnefle in this world, being troubled and diftra&cd, may fecke cafe to our mindes by meditation. WgHkfulmffuL For other wife we may mufc and thinkc upon many good thing$,and< fak sfff't'da^ ponder our words and actions which wee doe,to fee tlum done aright : fa* which yet is not this kinde of meditation that I now fpcakcof,butthat watchfulnelfc mentioned before; which is a wane regarding, and ta- king heed to our wayes, in one thing afcer -another. Which yet the Pro- Pf3I.n5.97. pldcallcth meditation alio: as where he &\x\\^A:lihcd.iylo»gdoe I mc~ Io&uai.$. ditntc onthyrvord. And in I of ha ; Thou jhalt medttstte clay «,rd night on u.eboolie oftljeLa>v : which we know coukl not be understood of me- ditation by intermiffion of companic, or other actions, and bumaefVc, I in their whole courfe of a circumfpcct care and regard that they Thi natter of might be done after the word which is whiten. And the matter of midjHUiuh this our meditation, may be of any part of Gods word ; of God him- fclfe, his wiidomc, power; his meicic;cr of the infinite varictic of good things whkh wee receive of his free bountie;alfo of his workes. and judgements ; or 011 our citato, as our finnes, and the yforiQffcof our corruption, t'tatwee yet carry abou:t:s ; or of our m^mlitie, of the charts in tii.s world, of our delivcr-ancc from fin no, and death ; of* the manifold arfli&ipas of this life, and how wee may ;n befr man- ner bcarc and goethorovv them,, and the benefit thereof, and ihc mam— fold, and great privilege, which wee. enjoy daily ft* ilk. mablc kindneffe of God towards us; but ipcciahy of thole tilings which . we have mofl fpcciall ncqd of. Thefc Of the fecond private hejpey ypbicb u Meditation: 3 1 3 Thcfcand fuch like are the matter of our meditation , and as ore a* wecgoe afule to thinke with purpofe and defire of heart upon thefc tilings, or any of them,for the better calling of our mindesoutofthe world, then weearc faid tomeditate : 10 whcivin or about any ofthefe, we tfgh, moanc, complaine to God, or rejoyce,and are quickned in our hearts by fucboccafions, even that alfois meditation; andmotkom* monly joyned with praycT. Of which two holy exerciics the booke oi thcPlalmcsisfull, namely that 1 19. PfafJme, where the man of Cod fettcrhdownc his meditations, which he had in every (tatcofhis : as ei- ther lamcntacion, complaints, or liipplications in his affliction; or joy and thankes for deliverances and proipcritie. By thisundcrftancr, what manner of exercife meditation is: Even fuch anexercifeitis, which is required of thee from time to time, (as may be convenient) thoro w thy life, that by recording holy and divine things jCfpcciallytncfc which may make thee found in the matter of thy falvation, a little time (when thou maift beft) maybe bellowed of thee codric up thy flefhly snd bad humours of carthly-mindcdnerTeand worldlinefle, &c. or to-quicken thy dull heart, lelt after thy flcepe in finnc, the Devill make trrcc forget thy former well ordredncfTe; And be- JNotc caufe I am too fure, that few are acquainted with it, though it bean belpc moft profitable to god hneiTc,Iwilliome what more at large fpeak of rt, that the practice of it may be more common, and that they which ulc it with the other helpes, may much more chccrefully goc thorow theircourie. How necefTary this heavenly exercife and recourfetoGod is, may 7^ mtfitk ff eafdy be conceived, for that the hearts even of good Chriftians are Co tr.tdaation, feafoned with uniavourythoughts^efyreSjanddclig.hts of folly, vanity^ and much other naughtinelTe., (feeing the belt are changed and refor- med but in part) that they^thinke it utterly impofiiblc to bring them to ^ctCi any better point ; and therefore mxm.y bv this'errour doe not gTeatly goe about ir: yet if fich noyibmc poyions bec fnifted to hirire and remarnc in them, wee know, they doc not orcely, as iowrc weeds, choke the plants of grace in them, but alfo grow up, and bring forth mofl noyfbmc and dangerous fruity as by wofiill experience men feele and trie. And for the weedingthefc out oft tic ground of the'rr hearts 4 there is Wl • * t RO-rtofcanrsfoavailcablc, asthis'eon.iccrv gnr:, and dcepeifaeditatmg J on them : namely, what f.varmcs of wicked agitations and luitsv dot 0J ' tur - lodge in the heart, and torindethrrnour, aifo to bring them into a vile account, tobc weary and afhaaicdlof them, and fo to cmertame better i'\ }*4 Hcbr t r. Meditation pu> yuk out f> tint. Iercw.17.9. 0*r hearts an it utfull. Rem 1.18. /ach.:i.*i. tur private «|- ()f the (econd private btlpr&bicb u Meditation. m their roome. I fay, there is no hclpc more availcable to hunt and purge them our, becauie although by the Word wee know them, by conference we dftC revive the remembrance of them, and by reading we doe both ; yet all the ft runne out »f our riven beads ,and abide mean- ly w jcIi us to fjpprcflcour corruptton,ind to tame our hearts, until! we bring our IcIycs to often and much mufmg and debating of the good things which we hcareand rcadc, that fo we may digeft them; and ef the. evils which wee doc by occalion fall into, that wee may abandon them; even as worldly men ponder deeply their affaires which arc weigh tic Now when we fee fo farrc into the danger of them, and be wearied with the noyfomenefle of them, that we will trie our feives oft to <*agc thefe hearts of ours, to lift our thoughts, to accufe and condemne tbcra, as wefindecauie by the filthinetTeand (hameof them, and herein will dealc truly, as wee love our foulcs : then doc wee begin to brcakc the knot of fuch curled fwarmes, and to chafe away the lurking litter of prophane thoughts and defires outofour hearts; then wee wax more watchrullagainltthcm after, and make more confcicncc of them, ad- joyning thereto inward and carneftrequeftsto God forafTiltanceand biciTing. Then alio we fliali furnimour hearts morcgraciouily with heauenly cogitations and holy defires, ail which make greatly for the well palTing of our dayes. Therefore no man that will weigh how great things arc wrought in our hearts, by holy meditating upon our cltatc, and upon Gods bountifulncfTe towards us, namely, even a fra- ming of us after the Image of God, (hall need to doubt Low ncceffa- rie it is. And fo much the more wc are to thinkc it, becaufe it is well knownc by»Scripture,and tried by cxpci\cncc,th2t our hearts are deceit fnH above meafnrc : and thereby wc bearcour fclves in hand, that if we doc once obtaincthus much of them, that wc can commend that which is goo(\9 and fpcake againft evill, wee are readic to th inke our eftate to be right marvellous good, when yet in the mearic while, if we doe not fimlcirt our fecret meditations (and when we fcarch our thoughts alone by our fclves, how they ftand arTe&cd) that we can feele ur.fained hatred of cvilltobccinthem, and love togoodnefic, wee doe but deceive our felyes. And in every little triail, wee rtaall findc it othcrwifc than wee wouldthinke,.I meanc, that iinne (ittcth ncercr, and is falser glued to us, than wc did imagine. For as he which gocth to warre,is firft trained and made fit to ufe his weapon at home ; and the fchollcr tricth maftcries privately, before he come ^n.v//w^f »'w" ~~*£~y -7 ' J ■ ) > difputc openly : fo a good Chriftian will trie what he i .'r*rr ^ lis atfettions and fin.alone by himfcifc in his folitary medi- ■ ■{blveagainfl the fame, (accordingly as hef cththe dim- Of the fecond private btlpe, vmco u Meditation. 3 1 $ come forth to doe againft hi ration, and rcfbl' eultte thereof to require) before he can ip hisctMnmon dealings w<: ibrts and companies, he (trongfrom temptations and falsr.ndf.e: offence giving in his words and deeds. And therefore on the contrary, this is the caufe, why Co many bewray themfelves :o be hypocrites be- fore mcn;for that they have no trail cfthe truth and fimplicitic bfthfil hearts alone by themfelves, in judging and proving the uprightnefle of them before God, and therefore have not fought (trcngth of him a- ^°b,-»-iS- aainft their infirmitfcs. Oh, how doth this ccrft'tnut/tn^vcith tie Lordinfecrer, and debating The fmet here with our felves about our mortality and corruption,and ofhis favour in f*°J ^citutm vanquiftii^gthcm; how (I fay) doth this, as oyntment mollific our Isotc# hard hearts, and make them to relent;and relceve and affect them plea- irmtly with the fvectr.efle of it ; How doth thisefuanging of our felves from worldly impediments, draw usintoncereand heavenly commu- nifon with our God? How doth it make us acquainted with the mani- fold rebellions of our nature ? with our blindnctVc,iecumy,earthlincuV and infinite other loath fame filthinc{Te,u hich neither we our felves wil take knowledge of while we carry our felves in many things as good Chnftiansamongft men ; neither any other (but inch as doe know it) would ever thinke, that fo much poyfon could be inclofed in lb narrow a roome, as within the compaffe of one filly man or woman ? Oh,thefiuitandbcnefit,whichbyourmeditation,and private prayer we rcapc, is fo great, (the Spin: of God changing our hearts thereby, Note* from tneir daily courfe and cuftome more and more, and bringing the heavenly life into more liking with us, and making it more ealic and fwect, which with the men of the world is fo irkefrtneandunfavoury) the fruit of it (I fay) is f; c^reat, that none can wrll cxprcfle or conceive it,but he which hath fcl: the fame. For by it, God bringeth topaiTc, that the fugred baits of cuthly delights and uanfuory pleasures of the world, ( though Satan kindictn anexccfTivc and an inordinate love of them in us) become not deadly poyfon unto us, at they doe to many, , the Lord teaching us to fee the pamrcd yiZOff and dccciveablc picture of them by looking into them throughly, that w c may beware of them. And as the Scripture noteth how the men of God, who are molt com- mended thcrc/or their piety, as Afpfij, David, Paul, and others, weic much taken up of this cxcrcifc;fo I dareboldly aPfirme, that the mod godly cfourtimc-jinay thank God much for their acquaintance with it, and } 1 6 Of the fecond private bclpe> yvhicb u Meditation. and much ufcofit rand othcrsthatare ftrangcrs to it,how wife and for- ward ibever they be in otherpradice of Chriitian dtity,fTiould be much more purged and cleanfed from cvill,if with their other fcrviccs of God they were coiwcrfant in this meditation joyned with their private prayers, and this fecrct talking with God, and with their owne hearts. And therefore although Ilookc not by thisfpeech to perfwade pro- phanemcn,and fuch as are add idled, and given over to the full enjoy- ing of their hearts defire in the things of this prefent world, to regard this practice of rnufing and meditating; yet my hope is,that I fliali cafi- % TneU.3.4« ]y prevaile with thole ; who have bcene reddie and willing long *Qonc> if they might have had any plaine direction to teach them how to ufcit; to prevaile (I fay) with them, to have it in greatcit reckoning, for the necrc and inward acquaintance which they may have with God by it, frrt&t?* as by littlc and ,ittlc th7 Aal1 bc in*bIccl- But thc truch ,s inoft trouble them, (hall be removed, or at Ieaft wcakned fo thathowibever foinc take no profit by it, they Hull have thc way fhewed them in a few leaves, which theyalfo may Icaine in a few weqkes,to make good benefit of it, which othcrwife they may (with- out helpc) bc kept void of for many ycares. The Ictt tfmd't- Jo fay fomewhat therefore of the impediments fir(t,which hold ta:kn,bmdtT qq j5 pCopic (dangers from thcufc of meditation with profit, they are 2^^ of two forts : For cither they arc fuch as hinder them altogether from fruit efii' going about, orcntting into it; orelfc they keepcthem from taking any good thereby, although they fetapart all other things ofpurpofe, that Of the fee end private hclpe, which u Meditation. j j 7 pcrfwadc if it ma y bc)or at any other convenient time, but hec hath no matter inrcadiacflc to meditate upon, but hcisempcy, baircn, and tcrly to fcekc about what to beftow the time, and his cogitations : ror although hec hath heard many things in Sermons, and war.tcthmany graces, which might drive him the rather to meditation, and to take oc- casion thereby, the better to come by the fupply of his wants, and ; though he carricth about h im many corruptions,and hath received ma- ny bicilings and mercies from God ; yet the Devili hoidcrh huv were blind ,forgetfull,and his mind confounded, (it being occupied a; ..! taken trp ufually other waicsamillc) fo that he can find nothing to mule or conlidcr upon, whereby he might lea (on his heart. Which when heefccth,and that thereby, hec cannot proceed in the dutie which hec hath beene taught to performe, and yctcicfircth todoc the fame; he is exceedingly difecuraged, made licavie hearted, and ther- by the more hardly perfwaded to goe about it any more, but rather un- able to askethewayto rcdrcflc the lame. For they who are loiharcd and overmatched by the Devili, can hardly feckc remedic, if any thing bcamiflc with them, butlcavcorT altogether from doing the good, in the which they perceive thcmfclves to be flopped: which is clcanc con- . , £ ^ trary to the practice of the children of this world, who are lb wife in " ' their kinde, that if they be dilappointed and broken off,from their pur- pofeone way, they will feckc the accomplishment of their defire many othcrwayes,rathcrthantobefruflrated. Now againft this lct,I have fct downe hereafter in this Treatifc a way Remedies agahfi torcmedicit, unto the which 1 rcferrc the Reader; that is to fay, ccr- ^ttimuthhik taine rules co hclpc him to meditate, and examples alfo to fee him on V£ >'(***. workc : yet left every weake Chriflian fhould not be able fufficicntly u]ln * to direct himfcife,this I addc further and more particularly ; that it fhall be expedient for him, principally to propound to himfelfe,as he is able, thefc fourc things, (till he (hall be better able to wade further) to helpc himfe!fc,to mule of them : Firft,of hisunworthincflc,vilcneiTe, and o- i«#* f»r»i .'ei- ther his feverall corruptions, and finnes Secondly, of the greatneffeof "onh)n*f** Gods bountie in forgiving fo many, and fubduing daily more and more *'%' J*M the dominion of hnne and Satan in him. thirdly, he is to think how he ».how b may be guided thorow the prefent day, after the rules of this daily di- g*kkd ibat dap rection, cfpecially thofc that feeme hardeft to bee followed, both the well ordering of the heart and framing his life, iota; as they agree with Gods ttb.rekily h:fpu ThtftconA Ut is **fituetfc ib.rc" tomtditaic»jbu fnfcnt unfit- Jit[jt,t9aeckfc b'wfelfc, &c. Hcbr.13.18. Of the feeond private bilpe&bicb u Meditation. Gods word. Fourthly, let him meditate on the fe vera 11 parts of the Chriflian armour, and confider how God hath appointed to (rrengthen him thereby, and by the othei helps, which I let downe to be ufed dai- ly, for his better going forward, and how fweet his lire friall bee by thefe helpcs in many refpefts, more than other wife it can pofilbjy be ; nndlaltMy, lcthimreiblvc to watch againft all lets which mayarifcto hinder him from thi scour fc. Thefe ,orfo many of them as hcemay conveniently, when hceroeth about it, if he hath no other thing more nccciTary, and in the beft man- ner that hce can bee directed, (through the counfell of any who is able) thcfe(I fay) are ancfpeciall remedy to helpc him, who for want of mat- ter to meditate on, fhould neglect: or omit it; and for variety; thofe me- ditations which I mall fee downe, fhall helpc him forward much more. For there is notrue beleever, (how weake foever hec be) but hec is fit(if he be wiHing)tb follow this direction, and counfell. Trie next impediment of the firft fort that hindrcrh a Christian from meditating, is an unfit minde unto fpirituall and hcavenlv duties, as when it being carried after other dcfires,is flow and unwilling to be oc- cupied in cogitation or confederation of any holy matters : and there- fore Iccteth parte this meditation, as finding himfelfe utterly unable to enter into the fame. Hec that knowcth, it fhould be pcrformed,(it may be)is fomctimc grieved for the omitting of it : but if the minde be impo- tent, as hiring loll her former ftrength and confrancie' 1 good things forthctime, itis conltrained to omit and letpaiTe the iamc. Nowfor theredrefie of this, I anfwer, if hec who omitteth it thus, through the u.itowardneffe of his heart, and unfitnefTe to good duties,be fuch an one as hath learned and refolved tofcrveGod every day, he can the more hardly beare this difordrednefle of the heart, and therefore he will of- fermore violence to thefamc,and willfeeke moreipccdily to have it remedied.But if he hath not yet obtained any fuch government of him- felfe, but doth duty to God more generally, feldome, and uncertainly ; it mutt needs be the more hardly redreflcd : for it is manifclt, that fuch an one hath given his minde more libertie to wander in the world from theChriftiancourfe. Theremedietoboth, as they can receive it, is one and the fame, al- though not to both a like eafieryct feeing they arc both the Lords, let them bringtheir mindes to thefe confederations, and fay with then - felves, I have received a mwdetcfleafe Gody to be teachable and ready to any dutie. 1 have oppofed my felfe againft mine owne will, and the Devilsfecretandmalitioustouniell^hotighfvvccttothcflefK/^wwtfr^ debter Of the fecond private belpe, Tvhicb u Meditation. j t 9 Aebtemnto it ; how can I then yccld co this untowarducflc of my heart, ColoiT.i.io. and fo finncagainft my God? Where arc the manifold and comfortable R°™-8- »* privileges, which he hath given mec, that I might be faithful! to him > Am I weary of my peace,and doc I hafte after mine own forrov? Lord therefore bring backe this ranging heart of mine from the deceitful! drcamesor fcares, ordoubts that it hath beenc fnarcd in; and reflorett Pklii.ii. to the Itbcrtic which it n>a,i wont to enjoy y that is, to folacc ic fclfc in thy fa- vour, and communion with thee, and to count it my grcateft happi- neflfe to commune with thee, when I may. And this gift being decayed, through mine owne fault,and Satans cruelty and fubtilty,reftore againc unto me, and forgive my cold and weake love of thee, who have pro- voked thy Majeftie, (if thou wouldeitbec provoked) tofrowneand Iooke amiable on me no more. Thou Lord chat geft me thus to [eel^e thy f*tce,<:veri thy fwcet prefencc, which 1 have gone from, and for a time becne blinded, as having no ability to mule of any good thing,and have notfeenethatl was feduced, till I perceived that I had loft thisfweet liberty : now therefore (O Lord) fhew thy loving kindncfTe in my di- (treiTc and wcakneiTe, and reltore to me this libertie of my heart, which many ofthy children doe finde, and enjoy. Thus fall into confederation with thy fclfc, and be not difcouraged when thou feeft thine infirmities, who haft learned to ufc all thy wants to humble thee, and to bring thee neercr to God,rathcr thantogoe fur- ther from him by meane* of them. So that I conclude, that the remedy tofuch aone,is through an unfetlcd heart cannot meditate of any parts of Chriltianitieand godlincfle, having otherwife knowledge ; yea, the belt remedy is to meditate of hispreient unfunciTc, loolencflc of heart Note and earthly-mindcdnefie to count it as an heavy burthen, to accufe his heart,and fo to bring ic to relenting,by considering how farolf it is pre- *• fently from thatmildneffe, humbleivflc, hcavenlinciTc, and readmelTc unto dutie,which have been in htm rtfomc other times. Due let no man give any libertie in any fou to his cvtll heart, (when it is turned away from chercfulneflc and vvilliugnefle in any part of Gods fervicetogoc forward therein) for that were to bring him into utter bondage. And this for re Jade of the feco id let. TlctbirJtet, 1 he third followeth, and that is want of opportunity, andleafure, wMntfl^fm^ by reafon ofnecefiary bufniehr taking up the time; unto the which may f1!1*^*?^ be added this, that there is no convenient place to fome, wherein they may goe apart from company, as the fei-men, or luch as muft goc rarrc from their dwellings, when chcy fhould ufc it, as having neither choice ©froomc,and yet the fame taken up with children, and ftirringupani downc 94t) Q/ / :*, T.vVV/; // Mediation. ifled round with other houfes a(i Wth©ut,asin frmll and poovc families, in great towncs it is to be fecne 1sm$£ttbt Tothcm ychkh arc hind red by ncccfTaiy bufmefle, Specially ro- ' to Weigh' ovcth ai! hich to whom this belor at lor all tl .*h- Luke 1041. tie arfaires, **, and that thcordiniry workes of their 0 d i callings are not to pu: this dutieout of pi e,<:ixbytbc unski-lfulncifc, 6t \\ mo- ;c of them whocommir th but fatu'o?' ''■■[ r'ie one b^erYi ^ - ppointcd of God to goc with the other, and I mnt txtratrdii ****" t0 ^art^ together to the upholding ofthetr inward peace. > , they fay, that their hi .iderance is not thereby, but by works more than a*"' crdinanc, ] further befcech them by the mcrcifulncite ofGod,thrit they fmb, ieekenotcloakesfor their floeh ; neither hold thcmiclvcs back.* from "To profitable duties, by occaliotft of no great weight, or importancc,btit rather for yecldirgto the flefh. I fcsoccaiionsofgrcac tirig of them, altho igh they be but hottftv >vOiMfy affaires, vu may trouble them more at that time, thai the mittingof their meditation, which maybe performed another time .rbdfinefTcs cannot. As it commcthoftto pafle, that the ncolc- ( 'fne^ed'ciry workc, through w:«nt ofdifcretion, and heed taking, i one,' although in the mcane while, prayer. reading, rneetka:iori,or Li-::.- like be gone about' troubleth the mind; .-. ith fo deepegriefe, through lomc greatdifcommodity fu flamed thereby, that in long fpace it is not quiet and at libcrtic toiervc God any wry ?g*Jnc. And ieeirgG. d lerju.rcth ro bee honoured of us in all things even In thefe earthly Si s well as fpiricuall, therefore we muft not rhinke, ftoc it pleafah him when any man ilia 11 through 2eale without knowledge, doethat at onetime, which fhallquench zcale for want of wile heed King, for manytimes after; but if any man will hereby let loofethe bridle any thing the more to worldlincfTc, let him know., that hee hath from? bci.ee no luch libcrtic. Now to rcturne, if any through ncccflary rnnderanccs,fhall becon- (trained to let pafTc this dutie of meditation, when other wife hec would have fet upon it, hereby let it appeare to have beenc ncceffarily palled by, and without bis fault ; if hec fupply this dutie after his neceflary la- bour ended, and take heed that in no wife it be'omitted altogether, un- lcflehcccan be allured with peace, that God in the omitting of it hath bcenercmcmbrcd anfwerably fome other way. And fo I fay of the hirv- I drancc, which comincth by wane of convenient place, thac muft bee i ■ done Ofthcfccondpriy.'itc btlpt, Tobicb is Ml • .«. ui JC wl'uch may mott conveniently ; feeing there is nothing gained by neglefting that dutie,ia the doing w hereof Itandcth cur peace and wcl- \ And thus much of the lets which hinder altogether from siedi rating about our cftatc, whereby wc may be the fitter unto prayer and • >od!ite« The other lets arc luch as hinder Us fromthe good and pro'itablc ufc Tm of it, when webrcakcthorow the three for.ncr, and thefc may richtly be called abufes or it: and arctwo, which in tew woraslTetdownc * m, aP/f0i9 thus. The firit is commonnciVcor cuttomafinefTe in it, when wc through vul$Accrtmc») pcrfwafion that it mult be continued., doe it homely and (lightly, and ofn% lb make a ccremonic of ir, not fo much looking how our hcai ts arc well afiected in and by it, as that wemay no: be jultly charged for omitting Note it* Which linncis caf.Iy and foone committed in private prayer alfo, Tbenaed:ci\vc and tuch' like good exerciffcs, when ournv.ndcs arc not holdcn with a J*? **pe*Jm* taking dehghrin them : and hereof it fcj that all the (crying and wor- tnftht$bcdkm fhipping of God is with the moll, but only for fafhion, of all Which it Irhudi*. is laid by God in the Prophet ; In z\tt;?* doe th?ywor(Lip ?nc , hixy 10.15. The fecond is, whcn,akhough we be dcfirous to ufc ir,and that for our ihficmtitivhtn help & edifyinii.yct our heads are lb full ofcrifline and wandrinjzphan- XVCQb^ ilsiSjd tahes, or worldly matters, that we cannot mtr.de thojc betvcnlj things mtkfbm* u wjjich arc fo contrary to them. And from hence anfetha wcarincflc ***U0e*\ of it, and an haftning to more liberty, thatour hearts may range where they lift, which is the thing that they molt of all delue. And although through the very corruption of nature, the bell of Gods children doc complainc,that they doe not the good they would,and therforc not this good fomtimes, (notwithstanding they mdlikc that it fhould be To, and refitt it :) yet the lpcciall caufe of this unfavoury, wearifomc, and un- Tbg (pdalcs-Jt toward taiing in hand, or f:tting upon (0 holy and heavenly a part of hrcef, iiUttutg Gods worfliip, if another bcikles this: that is to fay, the letting loofe "yeiKrbmti e 1- c • • • t 1 / tl l j r r P tteibtri;-: or ourhcarrsort-timcsinthcday (^as I havchadoccalionto lay in ano- ther phce)difordredly, without watching over them, and calling them backefrom fuch endleflc rovings, that they might not forget God, but be held within holy compalfc, wherclbever we become, or whatlbcyer we goe about; for there muft not be in us tit art) time am cv ill hc.irt. Hcbi.j.u. Even this (I fay) is the caufe why we cannot have our hearts at com- mandement in meditation and prayer to attend upon God reverently, when wc would. For when we have at our plcafurc given them fcopc thorowtheday to fatten their liking where they dehre, rt hath beene hard forus to weancthem frornit,when wc would. And whilctt wc will Note be ac this point, it will never be better with us in our meditation ; No, Z ahhou| 3ii Of the fecond priyate helpe } Tohicb is Meditation. Tbt'emiehftwe although God hath appointed the fame to be an efpcciall helpe to the m.flcfircfajfe wc.jj (xanainffpf our lives, and that our mindes be brounht into an hca- oitrfc-xti: 1 /: l I l ;• 11/- i I ** r tk:twr*ptmif venly dtatc thereby, ir we would frequent it,yca,akhough we appoint m-b.AUs, Tome cfpeciall time thereunto, yetffoall wee be turned from nullum on good things to wandring, and iliall hardly farten on any good matter having yet ccrtainc principal] points concerning our cftatc to fetus on wovkc therein ; lo many trifling phantafics and dreames iliallfwim in ourbraincto hold outbettcr. And till thefc by little and little be dried up with the flame of hea- venly and fervent affections, ufually pofleffing our hearts in Head of them, it will never be other wife with us but worfcand worfc. And it is a thing to be wond red at, that feeing nunc of our actions any day can be well done when our hearts are not good, and Co prefcrved and kept, (which without circumlpcit care and watch over them cannot be) it maybe wondicd at,( J fay) that we fhould yet be fee u re and negligent about the keeping of them from fuch danger to our fclvcs and others as wcknow will thereby infuc. PfaJ49-n,i2, Therefore as the Lord by his Prophets hath cried out againfi thepeo- 33j'4- pic in f T cni°y not thc tenth Parc ofthc PriviIcgcs> and l,bcrtics which JitMuon. God hath provided for them-in this tfatfif pilgrimage. Neither can any Mote. thing (if it be weighed) be lefle tolerable in thc fight of almighty God, than whereas he hath given us his Scriptures, which tell ushismindc, and therefore tcachus how we may comiminc with his MajcfUc, and for Of rules and examples of Meditation. j i $ forourbehoofe, hath given us an earncft charger* ponder them in our ItkHtrlfkwk* heart, to have them in mt»d0to mike them the m.itter of our cegitationfte- ^"JJK**1 \i e light,' alke an dpr all tce\ yetthatChriftiansof good hope fliould not be g^A^JJi " better acquainted with this heaver.ly courfc, noi be occupied thus, but Jltjulj regarded. by fits, very fcldome and coldly, as if God had beene earncft with us about a trifle, or as though hechad offered us great injuric tomoYC us thereunto. So that although I cannot fay, it is no part of their thought, which •Should feafonallrheir thoughts, (as I may fay of many lying Prote- ctants, who doe fhiinnc and n ye all consideration of heavenly matters, left they mould trouble and difquict them : ) yet it is too manifeft that they favour too flendcrly of Gods pretence and company j whofhunnc it, by being Grangers to this meditation, whereby they may have fel- lowship and company with him. Therefore to remedic this trifling out the time when wegoe about to Tkefomcrre* meditate and pray privately, and toobtaine that wc may be fit to per- ■*** n.mfufy forme this dutie,and not be carried at that time after wandrirg, we muft **«"***!!& remove that which hindreth us from it: I mean wc muft tie up our loofe hearts thorowout the day from their deadly cuftomcofranging after vaine,fond, and decciveablc thoughts, dreames and delights: wc muft weigh howlittle worth this is,tohavcour cogitation fafineduponthings tran(icorywithdclight,muchleflcaboutthofe,whicharefilthy and evil, No'.r but rather bring them to be taken up in thofe which arc heavenly.This we arc called unto,and untill we can lcarnc to doe thus,th3t how weigh- tic focyer our dealings be, yet we count this the chicfeft to keepe peace with God, and ever fearc to offend him, it will bee an hard matter to bring our felves to meditate, and pray with chcerefulneffe andfruit. C m a p. V 1 1. Of rules and examples of ^Meditation. ANd thus having fct downc the ncccfline and profitof Meditation, f>u.t» the fame . 3 This bcii-gobfeivcd,lcthim (if lie be able) draw matter of medita- tion and prayer from his ownc wants and infirmities ; from Gods be fits; from the changes and mortahtic cf-this life. I have before fc: downe,whathcfn.ouid chiefly meditate upon: oflovc^humility^meek*. neiTe, peace of coniciencc, the glory of Gods kingdomc, his love, anci the contrary • but especially of that which for the prcfc\ t time fhall be» moft available. 4 If he cannot thus doc, let him reacje before, fame part of the hundred Iohni4.i5,i£, and nineteenth Pf.imc, fomcof the Epiilies of the Apoillcs, Chr: J7j*S. Sermons, or fome part of this direclion,or fome meditations, which fol- low, fo many as conveniently hce may, or any good matter fit for this purpofc to fcafon and well arYcil his minde : that fo he may learne how to performe this dutic, and quicken up himfclfc to it oft, and from time totimc, when he once knowerh how. If he cannot reade, he muft defuc more hclpe ofothers,ar:d for want of heLc,he mult needfc looke ro goi Mote. the more flowlyforward,eithcrin the right,a,nd kind ufe of meditation, or in any part of found godlincfls and Cluifliaivty: feeing we cannot be ignorant of this, that the old fubtill Fowler lets his mares ana nets fo thicke in our way,that we have no fcWz3 but to f?M into them, and i- upon them, except with the wings of meditar ion and prayer we mount up on high above them, and flye over them, which to them that can- net rcadc, vtull (for the molt part) be found more hard and chf: w'ulr. Now Of rules and examples of Meditation. 3*5 Now follow the examples or particular mcditations,vrhich T thought ^ood to adjoyne to that which hathbecnefaid of this matter, tc the ignorant ; and to hclpc even the ftrongT Chriftians, when they be not To fit to hclpc themfclvcs ; and never out of fcafon or unprofitable to either of both. I fctfome of them downe more bricfly,thattuey may give occafion to the perfons when they are fitted for brcvitie, to dif- courfcofthc matters contained in them, (feeing they beefuch as fhall ever concerne them) and apply them to their ownc eftatcmore at large to move their hearts to pra&ife them. I fet downe fome of them more largely and fully, that fuch asfeelethcmfelvcs more barren and unable to call tominde fuch good things as they would be glad fometimc to chinkc on, may with lefle trouble be fitisficd, while they (hail need no iuore but to read them, (fo many of them ax one time as may bee fit to move their affections) and then to confider of them, and examine them- fclvcs by them, whether they bee with them, or againft them, that the end thereof may be peace to them by their readineffealwaies to yeeld to that which they ought. I have not let downe too fc w,Ieft they fliould foone grow too common ; nor too many, left they fhould be too tedi- ous, feeing the booke it felfc is large, and they ferve not onely for medi- tation, but alfo to helpe the pra&icc of the whole booke. This I thought good to lay about this thing. Butconfiderand be rcfolyed of this one thing, thatthoumuft nou- rifh and hold faft a love and liking of this duty: fothat when thou art barren md unprofitable in thine owne fenfc and feeling, yetthcu maift ';™ ^Itfropt then bee willing to bee well feafoncd by it,andrc(tored to thy former pi0.17 7# grace againc. For if thou becit not fo arreted, thou fhalt findc no fa- vour in it, as neither in any other good helpe whatfoevcr ; feeing to htm, that is fallen hony-combe u not fweet.\nd though Ifct downe the points that thou fhouldclt meditate on, in fentences not applied to thee : thou mult apply that which is fet downe (generally to all ChriQians,) 19 thy felfc, as ifit were fpoken only to thee. As thus for example, if thou wouldeftmeditate on this point (The Lordis ailinailto me ,my portion, •ParticuUrsti and who is Iil^e unto him? JTUink after this, or the like manner,in apply- mfi on. ing it to thy icife. O Lord, whom have I tn heaven but thee f andvrhom Pkiui- 7J- *f« doe I de fire on earth in eomp.tr if on of thee r For thou art my portion and my )°7y of™!™™ I make my fongs even in the night fcafon; I fioh to be unburdened, and defer e te be dtffolvcd, and be with thee : Oh when fh alt I come into thy glorious prefence'f&c. And fo draw all other holy fentences to thy bchoofe and ufe. If thou wouldelt med itatc on this point,namc- ly, of mens wtrulring and inconfttnt profefTion of the Gofpcll without Z 3 fruit i Note. HoldfajitbclGVt cfthisdul'ttif 316* Of rules and examples of Meditation. lifoc'mg. fruit; it is both wifdomc and our happincfTcto rcjoyce inourowne QtbAj 4. going forward, not in other mens: andtnprovin^dv.r [elves-* e majre* J07CC in our [elves } not in other : lift up thwe I enrt to Cjod, and pray ht?n_jy U it m*y be [0 ruth thee. And fo proceed in the reft, as they fol- low ,thus : I No man fliall be fit to roverne himfclfc aright before men, if he doc Jntibrr para™- not ufually acquaint himfclfc with, and frame himiclfe after that Chri- Ur- itiancourfe,firfl before God. {pun tje, ^jo matt can rc^ -^ ys pr-VJte mediations and prayers before God, if a well ordered life, as a fruit thereof, appcarc not before men. 1 When a man looketh fo diligently to the fevcrall parts of his life >raichfulM(fc. and calling, that he may have peace thereby, it is well. * It is a point of Chrifhan wifdomc, to be moft ciixumfpccl and beft armed where we be weakeft. Of ft'- It js no way tolerable to lie (Vill,if a man be fallen,but to have recourfe E ^T V. to ^oc* ag*inc3 & wee be overtaken j though with much adoc wee ob- rthdititrf* uinc ir- foatyit/eifitTQH- Although in a well ordered courfe, all crolTcs and incumbrances be kk» not utterly removed - yet many by it are avoided, and others profita- bly fuftained, Prov.ig.27,* 1 Itisfomegracctoufeprofpcritie well, that is,thata man may checre- &ty}:**l' fully and fruitfully paiTe his time : but if we be void of this grace under the crofie, we may gather, that the temporall benefits of God make us merry, and not our red mg in his favour. 2 It is a good thing to rejoyce in our Sabbaths3 and communion with Ffal.119.574 Gods people : butlo, as wc reft not even in them, (for wee may be dc- »Cor.5.itf. privcdofthem)butlctour rejoycingbeinthis ; that God is our portion inalleftatesand places, for none can take that from us. CroJJes, When many earthly troubles take hold of us at once, we muft carrie our fclvcs very fober ly and gracioufly, if wee be not unfetlcd from un- wilhngneflc to dutie oy fome of them ; Frowardnclle, Impatience and forgetting our feives being foreadie, by the fmalleitoccalions,to break out of us. I We feldome enjoy commoditie, when wc doubt of the lawfulnefle tf#H&tejj9m orconveniencicofkeepingorcommingby it,but the Lord maketh it as fowre and difcommodious in the end. z We feldome have in great price, and high account, any thing below, ashoufe,land, &c* butthe Lord croiTcth us fomewayinir, even that which we love beft ; that we may learne to love it with meafure. To*iqc\n& Rcjoycc not acthefirit hearing of heavenly things only> but more foundly Of rules and examples of Meditation. 3 17 foundly continue it, when thou knoweft them more found ly and better by experience, and proofc ofthc good thou had got by them. Prepare and Iookc for affliction before it come, left thou be befotted f with thy peace and profperity, fo that thou canft not abide to hcarc of Afttinnt. any change ; and alfo, that the burden of trouble may be caficr when it commcth. Inthcmiddcftoftnbulation (becaufc thatcafdy opprcfTcth)thinkc 2 ofthc beft privileges which chou haft, that is, Chrift with all that * Sara- J* 6. commeth with him, knowing, that a fmali crofTc laid toonecrc thy praWMi4, U heart, hindrcth thee from the beholding of great bleflings. The greater thy troubles are, the greater mult thy (irength be, and 3 the more godly mud thou be, thatthou maieft bearc them aright. When thy heart can reft in God, and the pleafures which come there- SMak. by, take in hand all thineafTaires fobcrly, that thy joy be not quenched thereby. It would make one wonder to fee, how by inch occafions the heart is unfctlcd contrary to that which is written, Rcjoycc in the Lord Phiiip.4.4, alwayes. DeadnefTe of fpirit^oggifh unprofitablenclTe(if not wound)take hold j of a man when he doth not faithfully make up any breaches of his found Of frit, peace, and of a good confeience, by true returning to God. The Lord is not farre off from us, nor hard to be intreated, when af- ter any fall orefcape, we turnc to him in humility and repentance. Of rhe manifold vexationsthat fall into our lives, wee may obferve, 2 that the mod of them doe become annoyances to us, through our owne 1 Pfalm.7. 10, fault : that we either prevent them not when we may,or beare them not and ll- "• as we ought, or make not ufc ofthem as we might doe. Tf§nmu The talking of the commodities of this life is Co favourvand fwcet rubtof rid' to flcfh, that being in it, wee hardly get out ofit, no nut when better tbmiu things are in fpeech before. While the godlieft couples labour to love one another heartily ,they Lovtln Mai muft alio labour to leave one another willingly, rhge. Whenourcallingsbccomeapleafuretous, to cifchargc them faith- PW.iij$ i fully for the Lords fake, what outward hclpcs of bkiVing focverGod ^cc* fendcth us, they ftiall make our lives lb much the more eafc and com- fbrtablc: butthcle without the other arc but dcccivablc vanities. C0I.3.1?. The place wherein Chriit ufed to pray often, and had found much I )it, in the fame he was taken and betrayed ; but yet hec continued J &&**»' his godly cuftome even till he was led away; ib muft we lookc to have j"1^* Y***' our beft places of prayer and walkes, made traps for U3, and our beft rjau,c,icii fcrving of God, mactexof accufation againrt us, as Daniel found it : for Z 4 the 3i8 Hcbr. f. 13,14. Note. Matth.6 1 3. Lovtc"G'd. aO i.c.2. C0M.3.1, Csfl'/j/./f. ProY.j.14. Noic. OfdtAb. 1 PrtXM* 1 Cor. 7,19. 1 lohn 1. 1 J. Note. 1 Cor. 10 ,-ij, W At*}) and pay. Of rules and examples of Meditation. the fubtill of the world know our haunt, and where to finde us. But let us pcricTett, chat if wc betaken even there, wcmayrcjoycc, as beircr found well occupied when the Lord fhall come. Although ft>C want of proofc,wc count all afflictions hard;yct when we have experience and have becne cxerciicd in hearing them, and fee tkdttbefean is more than the thing ttf.Ife ; our confidence in God will make themcahc, when our caufc is good. But yet by decrees, that is when we can firfr bcare fharpc words and firic countenances of men* after, ftripes, imprilonment,and fo death it fclfc. As Af°fes,Exod.7.n% compared with Chap. to. 25, 26. and the Apofties, ^cr.5.41. YVhen matters of more importance than our faivation is, fall into our hinds, let usHeorcupicd in them with more fervencie,than in that : but if thcrcbenofuch, why fhould wee more earnestly looke after them ? and why mould notthat.be with greateft delight wrouqhton, locked after,and regarded, which in the judgement of all, is moft precious ? How can we lay, we love the Lord, when we be not ever willing t© goc home to him,and in the mcanc while to be as Deere him in all com- munion as we may ? Chrifliamtic and practice of godlincffc is compared to a rich and gainful! trade:, \\ herein little profit commeth in, except it-be, well fol» lowed, and diligence ufed in it, and one thing not letted norflackcd for another. To have a willing minje to be well occupied,and matter about which wee may, and time to befiow therein, and frcedorr.e from lets there* from, is an eihtc much to be made of, and yet for the molt part, they who have all manner of outward encouragements, cannoc tell what to doe with them. Whereas the very name of death is fcarfull. when men heare that they mufr bereadictofurTcrfor the Gofpell, (and therefore many are dilmayed) wemuft know, that we are the more unwilling to heare of it,bccauic we accultome our felvcs tolovc this Wor:d,anc our life here too well; which muft bclciTefct by. And God, by difeafes, and the miferablcelhte of things in this world, and by many other meanes/an make our lives loathfome and death welcome : Which if we would thinke much of, the hearing of it would be more welcome. But begin in time, IclHt be too late, when weean fray here no longer. Andfearc not the paines of death, for God hath many mcancs to make tl.emcafie or tolerable. It is needfull,be(idcs our fet times ofpraycrinthcc!ay,tohaveoftre- courfetoGodby watchfulneffc, and prayer, in all ou: dealings; left wc goc Of rules and examples of Meditation. 3 1 v goe too far in furfccting our Ivcarts with them, (and as vvc can) to iookc to God iccrctly, though not lb folemnly as at other times, praying him Nth.**. tokcepeus. Whatfoevertalleof good things we have gotten ic- Privijgjt* cvei they fecmej yet it is ccrtainc, that God hath iliil HTHcfc rnorc in (lore for us, than wc can thinkc of, if they be the matters which wee have in grcatcit price: but being fct light by,anci the mcancs r.c-.cctcd, which prefer vc them, wclolcthat whiehwconcc had. That efhte is to be made much of, wherein vvr arc not only deligh- Az»dt$*tu ted in fervtng Godbythe duties wc doc prcfe^t.'y.L ■ £ V[&ll9-i*» of tl.cm which are to come, and [he more, tl:e better thej be. It is a (Jugular mercic, that we take comfort and delight in the good Py*?*te« things which wee hope for, and in the fcrviceof God, which to die world arc molt irkciome and tedious. The more hue of Gods favour thou art by faith, the more humble iU Faitb. fo thou art in hearr. ^ ' MwfciJ Thcyarc w'orthy of great punimment, who fet light by the ■ plentic FiJnfo. of that grace, the enrms whereof Gods hungr.c fervants doc fct great iloreby, and count them their dainties. What ;s more beautiful! in our eyes, if it be duly con. 'Id c red, than the heavenly and fpirituallccuir.c of a Chn/tian,botli in comrortandgod- lincflV, as it islet forth thorowout trie Scriptures ; and what is more un- like it, than the lives of men ? Onccfpeciall point of profiting is, to know our owne vilencfle and Stgbufour m- mifery better daily, that fo wee may come to know the ineftimabic ferit* boumieof God thebcttcr,and what weare beholding to hirn/or recei- ving incrcafc from him in pardon and other graces. As cxceiTe of eating and drinking doc bnng (loth and fieepe; fo for- feiting cur faults in plea!, ires, cares, 2cc. roekcth us afleepe, and ma- Luke n.|4. keth us unwilling and unfit to fee what is amide. In Read whereof, fo- Im\*» j.j, brietic,ihat is, a ruling of our palTions, and watchfulneticirc to be cur 1 IV.T.7. daily companions. . Pfal.5-^- Wemuftnot flatter and deceive our iclvcs with the calling to minde Philip.; r*,i4» of the forwardncfle,and care that hath becne in u^ in times pa[t,hereby Htm wudfu&ii to gather iloth unto the tlefh, which is ready to take the irnallcit occa* flops that may be to favour it felfe.and to make us grow cold and flackc in duties :but .we ate to look to continue and incrcafe any good and for- wardnclTe(w hich hath beene) for hereafter ; as to delight more in wal- king with Gcui in a Chndian cour(e,and to hold fait our faith a. d comfort even in troublc,anduot to thinkc our ftatc the wcric for it. B with • Jjo tj.15. Note. Dcu%3j.i8. rcrfei trance. lames 1. 11. A3* 14. 1. P:al.:i.3.z. No:c Z'omngdaij. Note, Of rules and examples of Meditation. with our Siviour to desfife the/bametf the fr*fr, although it be eren ca the tfiruftingof us out of the world j and therefore much more in pro- lperitic, to be fruitful im all pood worses. Seeing it p'eafcth the Lord to let us know, that wee hare this preci- ous and blciTcdlibcrtie, all the day longto bee with him, to enjoy his prefence by faith, to folaceourfelvesin bold affiance in him, and that [1 good things; and to bee free from thefcare, tcrrourand in^uifh which huptecb the ungodly- It were pittie that we fhould,forfomcdc- ccivable folly, deprive our felves of fuch found happinefle and peace, as he alio weth us, even here, to be paitakers of. When men receive net the wordwtth meeknefe , that it may be inqraf- fltd im [hem, and doe not Co heare, that they may beleeve,but take a talte and a liking at the moft ; I denic not, but for fomc caufc, one may hold cutlongerthan another: but if they goe not forward, ye ftiallfcc them fall unto nothing ; for a momentany and weakc define is not enough to hold up a godly life, but a conftant delight in it, which faith worketh. When wee are afflicted, and the wicked fpared, our ftatefcemeth to them moft vile. When wc are both in profperitic, they fceme farrc more happy than wee. When they and wee be both afflicted, they count our (tare happier than their ownc : But efpccially when they are afflicted, and wc fpared. Wee may not affigne the Lord in what place, ftate, condition, or in what company we would live, but as (hangers wait on him, even as the hand-m nd on hermiftrejferfoz whatfoever he will alio w us. And when great afflictions come, yet nottobec dilcomfor:ed, nor unquiet, but cheerfull (till through hope, as may be obtained of us, as wee were in proipcritie, left wee fhoiild declare, that wee ferve God for our bellie and eafe, and feeing our God is never changed in any fort, therefore wc not to change for any caufc, but to thinkc our prefent cftate ever beft for us. Wc are ready inoft commonly tobc called a way by death,before wc be fie, or have learned how toleadourlife. Lcokc what care, confcicnce, and zeale thouhaddeft, when thou firft embracedft the Gofpel,what reverent admiration at the excellency ofit, and what love towards it; the famcatieaft retaine, andbeefurc thoukcepeft (till afterwards. And lookc how thy heart was weaned from the inordinate love of the world, and vaine dclights,which might quench thole which arc holy and fpirituall ; To the longer thou livcft in this vale ofmifcry, fee that thvcourfe bcfutable, and thatrhoudocft not Of rules and examples of Meditation. 3 $ 1 not drinke up the draffc of it, and fafhion thy fclfe after the iniquitic of the time, nor the more knowledge thou haft, that thcu bectf not the more fecure: For thus it is with many at this day, who therefore doe fmartforit. If a man be a diligentobfetver of his eoiufe oflifc,hcc fnaiifcldomc 0Ht frn,,y findc himfelfc free from all kindes of offences, but one (hail trouble him other common'; much, ifanothcrbe weakned, yen, and without ■niuchfairhfulnclie and tro.blum. itrength ofgracc (hall prcvaile a^ainft him. But if thy care be, that tncy weich not down* thy affections m being too much mattered ortaken up of them, it is well : for the Chrifliiii mans life is a continuall bartcil, and whenitceafeth, wee are readic on the left hand, or on the right to fall to evill and danger. As wc arc fubtill to beguile our felves, fo wee doe it efpecially in this Subtilijem cur one thing ; that where wc cither are perceived cafiiy, when wee be out It^ingdotb mofi of the way, or be afraid of ill report ; there wee can frame our felves to «e(elve0Hr fobriety, and to *hc keeping of meafurc in our lives : which is no furc token of peace and fafetic to our hearts,, though for the prefent time we avoid offence. But where wee arc daily converfant, and therefore (hall have more occasions to run into fomc offence and trefpafTe,(efpecially with our in- feriours, before whom wee rhinkc wee fhould not regard howloofcly wc behave cur felves)thcre wc look not fo carefully to our felves, which yet if it were well confidereu, fhould mo ft chic£y be done o{ us. lob!*-1 !* By this,that we fee, grace isgiven to a Chriltianat his tuft convert!- roloojcliMt. on,to have victo:*ic,and co get ftrength over great finncs,long delighted in; it appeaieih how they abufe grace, who have long bcene counted the Lords people ; when yet they many ycarcs after,doe yeeld and give over thcmiclves to the fame or the like temptations, and arc cafilier overcome of them, though they have lcflc force in them, and might more cailly be repelled. Learne to know which arethy precioufeft liberties, though there be i]teTi\ci> many lawfully and in the beft, delight moft. It is wondcrfull, tbataman knowing thathee mall not enjoy the Xjtpaanfin* grace now, that he had twentic ycaicsagonCjCacepthe bcascawfuli to crtafe c/«»i. lrccpcit,ashewasthcntocomcby it, yet that men fhallbe fo loth to Not* ilrivcfont by fuch holy endevour of hearty prayer, when they wax weakc: and though they bee rcfolved never to offend in the rcproach- fullcftfort, yet that they love to linger after the fame in affection and cicfire, which neither they can have without unutterable woe, neither dare fet their mindes to enjoy, though they might* -JUcpe- C^f for table life. It. l. O'dftge. sarnie 1.7. Serve God duly, Pfal.90.1*. Godly life fvfcttcfL. Norc. VfeoftyhW- Udp, race. Wait WitbpAt'h we* Of rules And examples of Meditation. :pc dowtc carnall libertie, and ttiy fpirituail liberty fliall bee gttit : and fell on God, and it fhallniakc thee overcome the hardeft gr. No man can livelong and comfortably, unlcfle he flic from evill and doc good, and that betimes; and why not ? feeing heathen men <>ot learning and friends in fuperioritie over their lufts in their youth, that the way ward neflc and tedioufneffe of their old age might be the better mitigated. Seeing in age wee are awaked by the leaft voyceofa bird, and yet cake no pleafure in the lwcetcft noifeof thcmulicallinfrrumcnts ; By the firit we Icarne to be partakers of that reft and Sabbath which belon- ged) to the people of God ; from the which, God commandeth in the Canticles, chat we be not awaked. By the other wee are to Iearnc, that being wafhed and well refrefned with the wine of the holy Ghoft, we may (ing to God cheerefully, and when wee cannot hcare others fing, wemayheareourfelvcs,and be delighted therein. Thatwcemuft remember God, walke withhim, andferve himby dayes and not by weekes, and moneths oneiy, that proveth Pfalmc 90. -1 2. Teach mc to number mj/ dtics ; where he fets himfelfc to it by dayes and daily. The godly may doc that with delight, which is tedious and weari- fome to the wicked ; that is,to walke with God at large and at libertie, and take pleafure in good things, whereby they may avoid many trou- bles utterly, which would oppre(fc them : feeing the greatcft fins brina the greatelt forrowes; and fuch afflictions as God fliall fend,may be ea- rlier borne of them,when the other (hall rage and turmoyle thcmfelvcs in them. Such Yarietic of good things is in Gods word that wee may have by the meditation thereof, good provifiontokecpeour lives from fhame- full evils : arid though by Satan wc fhould be turned away, yet by our knowledge nnd experience wee may returne,(\vhoclfc can ?Jand when wc cannot doe good , yet we may kecpe from evill. While wee have peace in the land, wee are at variance in our to wnes and hoMics: and when wee have all, wee arc oft-tiracs not at peace vv;thGod. Husbandmen long for their fruits, and yet wait patiently, but wee doe not fo, for that which wee pray for : whereas wee fhould waitfor berth, 1. j.*y, but are ever difcontentedly gaping after new: but wiicn they beta- - ken from them, then they lee what they once had. himm*. 1.7. \Vc are never in any found manner, bettcrlikingin health and bodily Hcncnljmir.de. welfare, than when we are mod heavenly minded. In this time of hardncfTc of heart which is in the greateft numbered Ttnmumt* thisfpiritof flumbring, thisis to be moJt lamented ; that there a re few to layit to heart and mourne for it ;bu^fcnfele$e, or taking part with rheminthem. Seeing the moft finde no favour in prayer,and yet the Scripture char- Pry often. gcth us nevtrto bee weary of it, know that there is precious fruit of it ; Lu^c ,a- h and that is, when wee praying in faith and repentance, arc anfwered from God that wee arc heard, either by adunngusof iomebenehr/or helping usagninftfinne:both which when after praycrwc be icevc mare/ °,#I (rrorrgly, we are well fatisfied, and comforted , thereforrpray often. Many profeiiors doe not onely drowne themielves in the World-; '^>^»#« but aifo when they come in company, they poifon others, wrth-caftmg the (moke of their naughty hearts iccvdl talkc, and bad example, up- on others; fofarrc offare they from checking themlHvcSjforady.af their finncs. .^nii ( There istio jutt caufe of doubting of Godsfavo-r, by ourcnuward aiiiictions,or our inward infirmities, (both which yec cUc often cauir r.s - 0 to doubt) but by finnc which we willingly commit, and lie in, and it is LukosiFa, with God-, to hive it io; asm Trer. .pA Lutas*! ** When wcarc well humbled, God will ceaferoaftlict, "M*th ti. :*;. Let the dehre of them, who thinke they have it aright, be i3und,th a r icma.y begin well; fecondly,fcrvent,that it may grow; and laltly,cc* Ihit.t, tharitmav continue; then it (hall and boldly may feck forrecon-- • i]iat:o'.i with God frill, and hold it, whicli in a toucheq^and humbled heart is a fignc of faith ; and will after grow to greater {ttcngtb; fcr 1] hungry debre after grace is a fincAificvt affechon ; yet hath the wrcXtd no whit to thinke his flate good, or to be ilefhed for ail this.,for Lehath . only Pitting dcfires to doc good , which come to not hi the fitbff rcformacionof life with thern» £H m yft *; 'if- S/*». 0 rift* 4 vpjx- Iohnr j. 17. i U reft. Stlmeflbytbc tfear'mefe of vctli dc'vtg. Hof.4.3. Caat.3*. Fruit of faith andgodlmeffe, Ro'n.f.i,<5. lCor.i.iz. »Cor.5.io. Atf.9.31. Lamc.ncj.a7. Mattb.24.39. Note. Seeking of toft. Cbrfian fiate. Bitter fruit of vamt Uhrtist, Of rules and examples of Meditation* Ler outward afflictions the greater they be, as lodes, anddifgrace, diminish the infirmities which are inward of the mind, (as impatience, and rcbcllioulheilc of the heart)noc increafe thcm:for that were to make our afflictions double. Before finnc be committed, we extenuate it, as Efim ; after it is com- mitted, wee contrarily aggravate it, as Iud*. For the Dcvill comes firtt as a tempter, and after as an accufer. We fhall never want lbmcwhat to exercifc us, finnc, ortrouble : nei- ther were \i profitable for us,to the end we may be ever in the combate for our life is a warfare. Though wee doc a good thing, yet if it bee not in knowledge, it is finnc. No good thing abideth long with us in his ftrength, and beautie, without new quickning: yea, quailing and deadneflefbmctimegrow- crh uponus,what mcancs foever wee ufc, bccaufcGod will have us fee our weaknedc. Wee cannot reft to full contentment, inanyeftate, how profperous foever, except we fee the Lord goe with us to guide us. Wecfliould not furfer our leivcs, to be carried from the beft things, whaxlbcver wcightic dealings ormatters be in hand ; and having becne imployed in Godsbufincfle, in living fruitfully and cheercfully among men, we fhould be loth no w to faint and change our courfc. When wee fcelc any wcarincfle in a godly courfc, by what occasion foever it be, the Dcvill hath met with us. Complaine therefore and re- lent wee, for our un kind neiTc, and wandringfromGod,andhc will be found, and returne right foonc to us againe. It is wellproYed, that faith and god lineiTe are the upholders of out joy and peace, and that they make an hard cftate eafic ; and a profpe- rous, fruitful!. Among many reaCbns to move us to goennder afflictions rneekely, thefc arc two. Thinkc wee that God will exercifc and frame us for hard times, and perhaps an end of ourdaies is at hand* God is not only the fame to us in afflictions, that lice hath beenc, but will be felt more fwect, when the world becemmcth more bitter. That fecking ofcafe, profit or plcafureyought to be rcltiained^ which holdeth from Seeking the common good of others. We may obfervc, that when our Chriftiau ftatc is atthc beft, it is no better than it had need to be: but when wee consider, how many waics wee might decline, we may thankc God it is no worfe. Hardly is a good Chriftian brought togiYe over many yainc liber- ties. Of rules and examples of Meditation. 3 3 j tics, fome hcc will, but not others : but after his excurfions rrrm Cod, hee hath much adoe to rcturneintoa good courfcagaine.This cauicth much unchccrefulnefTc in the life;and till wc cleave to him wkh delight 10 fcrvc him, it will never be otherw ifc. A great difference there i>, betwixt the continuall obicrving and Tru'itofJirt- viewing ofour life from day to day, and the doing of it by ins now and Am. then: in the one wcarefafc, chcercfull, andfruitfull; in the other, rafh, oftenfive, and after unquiet for it, walking in feare and with little comfort. If thou wilt findc Chrift fwcet, thou mud ever finde finnc fowre* If thou wouldcft forgoe thy riches willingly, and readily ; ufc and &*biu enjoy them feberly and moderately : let little by them, and lofc little. It is to be feared, that many profeffmg the Gofycll with fome liking, mm of din- doc oncly generally aimc at godlincffe, and therefore they have many n% unfctlings and rangings out : but they doc not particularly looke to theinfclvcs; therefore they gather not experience, nornnde any great fruit of it. Feare ever to offend God, and thou necdeft feare no other perill; as Ftarttooffend. ill tidings, for he kecpeth thee, Pfiit. ;2. 7. and 01. 11. Pni.ni.7. It is Itrangc, that we having no good part in our life, but thrc ugh the j:xod z°'10' wxll framing ofour hearts; yet that we (hould thinke it much to kcepc p^4. **, them within compafie, as we are commanded, Th*y who cann.glc^, and let mcanely by a lirtle vainc glory and r^in^y. credit with men, may gainc and enjoy much peace with God. A man by Godsfpirit (houkidoca thing well, which another with- Mh 6-*t- Cof*- out it (hall doe very ill. p&rcdvuih Looke not to tic God to dice in thy need, who renardeft not him in \ ?"*" 4*: d/« * J D I 03(11. 4-5* lyeafe. They are rare men, who arenot lead by their paffions into cxtrcm':- PtjjUnu tics, feeing they are rare, who ib looke to themfclves, that they may keepe from extremities. 1 Saw.^.) 5, 6. Many at their death hold that they ought to be godly, but let them G^7 i:fe* feckcitinthcirlifcrforit isnotgood at onetime, which is at another. He is a blcifcd perfon, who is in favour with God, when he afflitfeth, 4fiMk*\ and he oftaffi/tUth; becaufe wcjhotild beicevc that he rvi/i deliver us. rULh.it. It is folly, yea madneife, to be hcavie to death for any earthly thin?, Heav.r when yet a mandefircs nothing more than life. All our li re ought to be a providing for a good end, and keeping away r- 1 of woe by finnc, which few will doc : (for they will net lofc an inch of their libcrtie)and yet but for this.what were the life of Gods people > When if? .89.11 II T id J.ln. HcmtvtfmKt dftHft±6. tfi ft Noic. Hebr.j.ii, I Cor.lo .. mji e live due, John 13.13. PgiaftiftU I /. aSam.7.3,10. WilfuB \n fnuc. Oodlinefe. PC1L87.J. P.aJ 84.10. H ever thin fa thy feie too flipped in go'JLrttjje* }'eiretbyvre^ Troubles. HCK13.5. 6: 11.4. Of rules (tndex4mfk$ of Meditation. When the Scripture telieth us of the happineifcof the Church in thii liic, wee may think wee come iliort very much, when wee find itnotfo, -and citecmc not our cftatc better than the bc(r of the world. if wee would ever through the day be a: peace with God, md know wee are pardoned, wee mutt be ever ready to lemove our Gone*, v, raifc a coutroverfic betwixt us and him. Wee would willingly plcaicour lcivcsin fame«uiawfkilhben wncn wcharepicaicdGod in fomeduties. But a wife man wiHlceepC well, while he is well, and not trouble himfelfc with an ill conference, when God doth not trouble him with hard afflictions; feeing it is ten, Let there not be at any timcanevill heart, whether we cat, &:. . Wee ice m my fall fearfully and oifend, but few returne agjinc:r.herc- t is to be feared, that many pcriih, or at leali arc in great danger. The more^race we perceive m any mm and confraacie,and the more lie is like to God, the better wee ought to Ioyc him, as Chriltdid/tfi:*, and contrariwife, Pfzl. 1 5.4. This is a worthy thing, when in fcarc of, or by great afflictions, our innocencie and repentance is Co found, that wee nave bold confidence with reverence, to claime Gods promife ofhclpeinthc time of need, and arc upholdcn by it from the ftrcngth of fcare, till wee fee an ifluc, as Ifraeldid infearc. Where there is wilfulnefle in finning, there is great dihScultic to re- lent, as alfo no power nor boldncfTc to belccve. As for fuch as count rt more than necdeth, to fecke and to make chiefe reckoning of godlinefie, let them lea me what thefc Scriptures mcane : arc they not for ufe ? One day in thy houfs(0 Godjts better then a thou find elfe-vhcrc i And 7 frfmc 4. 8. Trie out therefore the truth oft hem. When wee be come to the higheit degree of fcrving God with much trayell, yet we abide hardly and a fhort time therein J at leaft much un- profitableneiTeandbarrcnneflc will meet with us againc after, even by mcanes of our corrupt hearts ; which being fo, we need not thinke that we be too forward, when we be at the belt. Man y beginning well in godlnefle, have fainted and quai!cd,orbccnc juftly reproached before their end, through boldncfleinfeekinghbcr- tic amide, that others may the more fearc their ownc weakncfTe. When petty troubles arife in families and other waics, wee fhould (lay our felvcs thus : Theie are fmall in companion, and I mult lookc for greater. The carcfull obfervacion of our hearts and waies, is ah cfpcciall rneane to Of rules and examples of Meditation. 5 } 7 tokeepcusfromevill, and to fee our infirmities better, that wee* may bow to God and obtaine pardon ofthem. Where new knowledge is not fought, there is the lcfle favour in,and Setktk***. ufc of the old : and when men make not good ufc of the old, the fccking M&* of new is but novelty. Seeing the conference is fo tcndcr,and fo foonc pricked,a man would Bread of cwfc marvell how they doe, who make many breaches therein, and folder tncu them up flendcrly and cafily. Men having experience of Satans malice and continual! dogging Armtur. them to evil! , it ftiould teach them to truft better to their armour, and leflctothcmlelves. Difpofc thy outward affaires with wifdomc, and lo asthoufpend Lct*etv»rki:y not overmuch time about the fame, when thou maift doe it in a little; ^Sairti^tuf whether it be in company by talking thereof, (for commonly when we M m*' w^ enter talkc thereof once,we cannot tell when to make an end : ) or whe- ther it be alone by our felves in confuking ; for thoughts of the world doe tickle us : and that may be determined in a few fentenccs, and in a partofanhoure, which may (if we take not heed) hold us vvorkcthc molt part of a day, yea many. If any of Gods children will wax bold againft the Lord,and breake Stmubrmgi forth to feeke liberty amifle, hefhallfurely ihiart for it. If mine owe f™'*' children breake my lawes and l^eepe net my Comman dements, Iivillpunifh ' *' *°* their finnesiv'tth the rod.andtheir off enccsvoith the fconrge. And if they finnc openly againft their confcicnce, they fhall one time or other, and one way or other, come to fmart for it openly, as fofiah. i Chron.3 j. God amitftcth fometimeto correct pride, left we fhould be lifted up **>XJ« above meafure, and fometimeto inftru&us and make us wife in our JftyGodaifil: courfe, andconftant, as we were no; before, and fo to be wifcr and a- ?f^ fraid to offend. iCfcr.iv* Men have never fo much wealth, but more is ever welcome. Why Pfrl 119.67, fhould not v/cdoe the like in fpirituall things, even whofocver hath p^-i'9 7»« moft and greater* part therein? according to the fa vino- of the Apoftlc, Cn;eC fr"^'^ Covet frtrtnMthwgs. ° * '*»££ Fort while, wefinde fwcet favour in an holyeftatc oft-times, but utitfpMuijfci the ftrength of fervent defirc is foone cooled many waics, namely, by feare of outward troubles and lofTcs, cVc. for if that take hold once, it cateth deeply. It is too cleerc,that many profeflbrs doc butaime at a godly life,and rhctfattofeuf therefore they arc foonc unfetlcd when they be at ihc belt : and gather "/profefa*. not experience fo; the time to come to be directed. A a Whc*: J J 8 Of rules and examples ofMiditation. Mmm. WLaewcc fufpcct that conceits grow, if vfee goc not about to pull them up, they will be too deeply fattened in a fhort time. Might prayer Though a man pray and racditate,and keepe a better courfe in his life VdmmutHW. thnn fomc doc; yet if he doc it but (lightly, that the fleffi prcvailcth much in hindring rhc well performing of it, all will fuonc come to naught, it may be perceived by the (way it bearcth in other parts of life, and then let it be fpeciily amended. Note. ^ is good lb to taske our fclves with duties, one or other, at all times and in all places, that Co doing wee may cut off occanons of much finne. Sinvtanhtwy Let no finne be (lightly paifcd over or boldly committed : For when burthen, it commcth to remembrance in trouble, it will bee an heavy burthen ^ ^Qlc- and pinch us to the heart. htvetorr.^e Seeing .in age our company wi!lbctedious,and we fhallbclcft alone cidjgcLjje:c- without company, let us lcarnc in our youth, to joync the Lord to our ?'?"• company, and to have him our familiar, that lc> wc may be never lefle John 14. «• riit 1 Rev L * --o. lohtary than when we arc alone. TT . ... Hcthatcan (Line freely, and give it no vent outaoainc by repen- He 1b.1t Ucs m . . , ... y & ,. . » t J J, fi>we thrives *?/ tancc> though he will not ice nor remove it; yet leeinghc knoweth hce mgrtce. muft, he (hall not thrive nor prolpcr in Gods family, nor taftc of his Lam. 3.4a dainties by faith. Sundry ttecejfitry cbfervxtions for a Chr;jliAn,fit alfo to me Ait ate upon, »iPet. 1.15. 1 *T*Hat we lecepe a narrow *wa:ch over cm hearts, words, and Pf4Jta.ff.i-. J^ deeds continually. % hcf." ^U 2 That wil^ aI1 carc tncL'timc bc rcdccmcd,which hath b:cne idle- CoU- f. ' ty> carelcdy, and unprofitably fpent. ■ Col. 4. i. 3 That once in the day at the kaft, private1 prayer and meditation iLuk.14.15,1* (ifitmay)bcufed. Hcb.10.14. J ^ Thatcare be had * to doc and receive good in company. M3euu4.o. ^ Thac our farmly bee .with diligence and regard, e inflrucled, Gen. i3. 1 9. f watched over and governed. * Pro.3i.17>*?* 6 That no more time or care be beftovved in S mattersof the world, lu01*'1' than mull needs. Gal 6 ii ' 7 That wc ftirrc UP our fclvcs to h llbcrality to G°ds Saints* »Co'l3. j, 3 That wee give not the leaft bridle to wandnng » lufts and af* J^cfj.j^. (oftiOflS. o That Ofruks and examples of Meditation. j j 9 9 That w'e prepare our fclves to kbearc the crolTe, by what meancs kMat.i*i4; focvti it (hall plcafc God to cxcrcifc us. io That wee beflow fome time not onely in l mourning for 'Dan. 9. $,4. our owne fumes, but alfoforthcfwncsof the time and age wherein * M* ^ ;y wee live. 11 That wee m looke daily for the commingof our Lord Jcfus •* Lor.1.7. Chrift, for our full deliverance out ofthis life. IC* * l$' 12 Thatwcufe (as we iliall have opportunity, at leaft aswecfhall niam, 5.1^. have necelTity) to n acquaint our fclvcs with fome godly and faithful! perfon, with whom we may conferreofourChriftian eftatc, and open our doubts, to the quickningup of Gods graces in us. 13 That wee °obferve the departure of men out ofthis life, their oEccicf.7.4, mortality, the vanity and alteration of things below, the more to con- Phil. 1 . x$. cemne the world, and to continue our longing afterthc life to come. ^cvcl.ia.i?. And that we meditate and mufe often of our owne death and going out of this life, how we muft lie in the grave, all our glory put off", which will fcrve to beat downc the pride of life that is in us. 14 That we P re ade fome what daily of the holy Scriptures, for the pDcu. 17.19,10 further incrcafc of our knowledge, if it may be. Iofli. 1.8. 1$ That wee Center into covenant with the Lord to ftrrveagainft j^-11* all finne, and efpecially againft the fpcciall finnes and corruptions of q NcjJ' ' g our hearts and lives, wherein we havemoft difhonoured the Lord, and ichro. 34. j:, haveraifedup moft guiltinefle toourowneconfeiences, that we care- fully fee our covenant with God be kept and continued. 16 That wee r marke how finne diech and is weakned in us, and r*Pct. 1. 14, that wee tumc not to our old finnes againc, but wifely f avoid all occa- 2 I,cr* z' lo» fions to finne. J l>£ j ( g 17 That we* fall not From our firft love, but continue ftillouraffe- iThcf j.11". c^ions to the liking of Gods Word, and all the holy excrc'ifes ofRcli- *JUvtl.».4. gion,u diligently hearing it, and * faithfully pra&ifing the fame in our u Iam- '• *f « lives and conventions : that wee y prepare our fclves before we come, *Iam-I-2l« and meditate and conferreofthat we hcare,cither by our fclvcs or with y g^lcfi ^ other, and lb marke our daily profiting in Religion. 1 8 That we be oftenoccupied in z meditanngon Gods benefits and x Ephcf. f.20. workes, and found forth his praifes for the fame. Pftl 1 i*.u,i 1 10 That wee *exercifeour faith by taking comfort and delight in **'*•• *5* the great benefit of our Redemption by Clu.fi, and the fruition of **-^l%%*\ Gods pretence, in his glorious and blefled Kingdome. z ilU4*7» ■ 20 Laftly, that we make not thclc holy meditations, and fuch like pra&iccs ofrcpcBtancc common intime,ncithcr ufe them for cowrie. A a 2 Th 3 4° Of rules and examples of Meditation. Thc/c I have fee downe to helpethee to mediate, gentle Reader. And who ices not now, by that which hath bcenefaid, that a good* heart may be able to meditate ? That as the excrcife it fclfc is both very Ttrfmtfmu ncedfull fpr all Chriltians, and many waics gaincfull; Co none may itwen. havejufrcaufctocomplainc, that they cannot tell how to makcufcof it. But let us remember, that bchdes the benefit and <*aine of it, it is one of the private hclpcs that God in his wife and mercifull providence ordained for his dcarc children to make their life iwect aavl comforta- ble here, which othcrwifc would bec irkefome and painfully even to them who arc beft able topafYcit well. And therefore to neglect it fliall not only becgrofte unthankfulneiTc,buta charging of the Lord Nocc with a workc mcercly nccdlcflc. Let us alfo, for the better hcarcnino of ourfelvcs hereunto, confidcr the uncertainty and fliortncflc of our life, and the warnings which God hath given us of our mortality, not onely by the doctrine of his Word and common experience, but more JujlciKfctoccm* clpccially within thefc few ycarcs, Ejttil^;:a fiom us fa m*i:y worthy />•. f bine ef the fir foments of his glory, at I muft r.eedsfay, if it be iveMweighed, v*> ill work? 7 mk i Iffoi*^ in iis * hjfe defirs to live, feting they live not with w. And this, amono- ir'vtn. all the reft of the vexations and moleftnions of this life, fhould whet lfai. i+ r, and flnrpen us to meditation, that wee rmght the more fhake off the Luk, 33. xS. burthen and weight of the inordinate dpfuc of living hcre3as bolts frora ourhecles. But as it Is too tiUCjthdt therighteowperifhetbidulno man almcftcor* fidereth tt: that they are taken away from the evils which fy a 11 meet with fxch Ai rcrx*i>ie bckinde \ ib, who is meet to heare our Saviours words, V/ccpeforyvnr ftlv:syand for your child; tn7. and. therefore to mufc and thinke deeply of it, that he may doe it ? So rhat meditation fhould be one with us, whatfoever mould bee the other. That it might not bee Iccia.3.tf. verified fci us, which was complained of by the Prophet /ere/ny; Ifiood iindb earthed when Cjod nproved the peoples fc entity, to fee if any would retxwe, b. -it then was none th.it faid/rVbat have I d>ne ? As if he fhoulul fay, there was none that potidied in his heart how God was offended. j TioM-1? ^AH^ Willed Timnhy to meditate and througf-ly excrcife bis minds with the doVirint which redelivered to the people, even to be taken up of ir, that both he himfelfc might bec thorowly fcafoned with the doctrine for every part of hislifc, and that hec might feed. his hearers the mere plentifully. But alas, how fleightly is theApofHes admonition regarded of a ifbtciaUj intbi »umbcr even in the Miniftcry? Who, though fome of them readc Mwfltr, mucbj and teach good things in their Sermons when they doe preach ; rjCj Of rules and exJmpks of Meditation. J 4 « yethave fmallufe of their knowledge, neither deliver any tKingVy chcirownc meditation, more than they findc in their Commentaries; whereas ifthcydid, they (hould draw abundant matter outof their priTatc readings. Bcfidesthat, many receive whatfoerer they findc in thcirbookes, feeing they meditate not upon it ; and Co, as they can the lefle fpcake pnvatly.of the fame things (winch they deliver publikely) ro the edifying and confolation of him, who demandeth a queftionof :hcm, feeing they ("pcake only out of the booke : evenfo, they arc the tfgtc. meanlicr and more weakly furnifhed wi h the doctrine which they teach , to make their lives fruitful), becaufc they doc not weigh the ufe, benefit, and neceiliey of the doctrine in their hearts ; and th;5, befide other "rcat inconveniences, camcch fome to nil their Sermons with au- thorities ofmen, to prove the truth of God ; which is all one, at to fer up a candlcto give light at noone ride, znd to prop and hold up a great and weighty building with a weake and (lender pillar. So that this is juftly to be complained of in the Minifteror people, ifthey be not ac- quainted with this medication. As for the objection of the one or other, that they have the world Ob\e£L to looke after and to care for, (for this is the profitable!* defence thac they have for the omitting and neglecting of it) they fnould know it to be their finnc, that they will thus let God againit himfclfe, as though he {hould command them to doe that which hindreth them from ano- ther duty commanded. Nay rather, they fhould thinke, that following of the World to bee tA»f**» too oilich, which is not moderated and ordered by the due eonfidcring, how farrc, and in what manner they {hould dcale in the world : that is, nottobehir.drcdtromholineflc by it, but even in their earthly arfaircs to practite it. If they bee rich, they have the leffe caufe to bee holden from it by worldly care. Ifthey be poore, they hate the mere need of Note. this meditation to moderate their care, that it exceed not, nor carry them to unbelcefe. For it muft be rcmembrcd, that I fpcake of fuch as fay, theyeftccme moit precioufly of the grcatcft riches, which is god- linefle.And what example focverthcy have of the contrary in thermal- n'efi+ldmtbt titude of worldlings, among whom they live; yet they muft know, kbfr§* m^ though others will not,that they are not let here in their places and cal- ^^afSku lings, to doe as loofc and wretchlcfle fenrants when they goc to mar- ket; who when they fhould buy provifion for their malters family, neglect that which they fhould chiefly intend, and fall to drinking, play, and other ill rule with their companions. Neither fhould they be like bad husbands, who reckon what they A a 3 have j 41 Of the third private helpc, havccommingin, but not whir muft goe out of their handi, who are not like to uphold their occupy ing long. But they muft be like the wife Luke 1 4 $*• builder ^ who looketh whether he be able to mahe an end when he hath be- f;//;. So fhouldthcy every while, bee looking and wifely coniidering, whether they take thecourfcto finifli the building of their Chriftian life, even to the full perfecting of it, which is another manner of buil- Smetfruitsf ding,than any made with hands. And hcthat will fneditateon thisfe- W4d>taix%. rioully, and f.ich other good things as further this ; he fhall not need to fearcthc fall of his building, but that it fhall Itand in all weathers, till » Cor. u 1. nc inhertt A building made without hands ,whtch to tmmortalL Notf, And he that lovcth to fmell on the fwect favours, more fragrant than ^*rif this meditation be Hied on the Sabbath, when the whole day is appointed of God toit,and the like fpirituallfcrviccs,(thc Word preached giving fo gracious occafions : ) that man dial] be able to fay, that meditation is a woiulcifu'l hclpc to faith and a godly life. Chap. VIIL Ofthethirdp'i7/*tehe!p:, which u tke armour of a Chrifiian : and of : he firft three points »f*;. He third private hcipe is the Armour, which was next mentioned among the reft. This being not fo clccrcly undcrftood,nor the ufc of it fo well fecne into, required) a more full handling, than I purpofc to ufc In the meft of the reft. And this Armour God in his mercy hath appointed tofurnifh the ChrilHan fouldicr withail m his war. fare>againft all his fpirituall enemies, that by the hclpe thereof, and the other meanes in this Trcarifc mentioned, he maybe able to be di- re eled aright from time to time, and kcepc a good courfc in his lite, LSttai anc* Dcat oackethc [trongand CubuUtfiwltscfthe DevtH, that hec bee not led by, nor overcome of them, njrof the manifold bad pafTions and cvill defircsof hisownc heart, which othcrwifc will draw him continually after them. But before 1 proceed any further, I will fee downein generall the points worthy to bee learned and praftifed 111 and about this Armour, that the Reader may ice better howtomakc ritfht ufc ©fit. V w>bic b u the Cbriflians armour. 3 4 3 Fifft therefore, I will foe w what this Armour is, and the chicfc part3 fw £*»« » of it. Secondly, that a Chriftian life cannot (land without it, nor bee btl''"ff™£ practifed of any except hebe armed, asGodhath taught and appoin- chrifimAu ted him to be. Thirdly, how it is gotten and come by, and how wee w#-r- fhouldputiton. Fourthly, how we may, by thchelpcof it, praclifc godlineflc from tune to time, and be able to (land fait in our Chriftian courfe, zntltchfoii the time of danger. By all which, God will make usablctoliveChriftianly, which is, to h^wc our converfation in Hea- ven withhim,asherequircth. The whole compleat armour z}\?ve£orc is the fpirituall furniture of the Thefirfl punt gifts and graccsof the holyGhoft, by which, God doth deliver his fhtmtbmhgt from all adverfary power, and bring them to the obedience of his will. tbe/4rm9ur44t I fpeake nochcrc or thole who are 10 be called, but who arc cfteCtuaJly called already : and they by the helpc of this Armour, doc not onely cafl downe ftrong holds of temptation, and overthrew imaginations, and 1 Cor. 10. 4. every high thingwhich exalt eth it felfe (in the opinion of him that is tempted) againft the knowledge of God, but alfo bring tntofubjecl/on tvery evill thought in htm, to the obedience of Cbrijh And this Armour is that which is fetdowne to the Ephejians, the parts whereof arc thefe: Truth or Jincertty ; right eoufnejfe ; the fhooes of peace, or preparation to EphcCtf.14. hare the crojfe ; faith, the helmet of fahation, which in another place he calleth hope, and the IVordef God : This is the Rill furniture of a Chri- Th< parts of fa ftian, by the which the Lord hath taught him to fight againft the De- Am9,*r\ vill and hit instruments, and thereby to prevaile, til and through his Captainc and hcad,Chri(t Jclus. And although there arc other points of Armour (et downe in other places of the Scripture, yetaretheybut parcels of this, or the fame in other words exprcflfed. Neither fhall there need any other, for he who is attired and armed with this, (lull not in any point bee unprovided, or to feckc of itrcngth in the time of need. But yet doth not every man fee by and by, how thefe may bee accounted Armour, therefore I wiH dclcribethem feverally. Sincerity or uprightnefTc is that weapon or part of the fpirituall Ar- nba faeritjfr mour,and that fruit ofthe Spirit, which fhould accompany the whole convcrfation (not fomc few actions of a Chrirtian) by the which hec is jCot. 1. 11. fimplc, and without fraud and hypocrific bearing f.vay in him, both towards God and his neighbour : and it may the more clecrcly be dif- i0ha i. 47. cerned by confidcring the pcrfoninwhom it is found, namely, an up- PfaL 11. >. right man, whom (in the dcicription of Nathanie I) our Saviour Chrift Ma«h.j,8. calleth a trtti Ifraelttc>i* whom then is nogutle ; which rertuc^although Aa4 it J44 Of the third private bclpe, it be a part of chc Chrirtian Armour, yet that it is rarest oniy the beft doc Tec, but even the bad fort doc complainc, according to the words- Tzot.to.t. ofSt/awon; re(fey ymt wbg ;s»finde dfuitkfu&manl That is SO fc y,\vho will prove himfclrc t» ****• be fuch anoncindccdvashe willfcemc to be, byword andfhew ? For to iaythc truth,. men arc fo infected wirh holJownefVe and glozing,and through cultorae and continuaacc therein, fo confirmed irtit, tliat until! God change the heart, leremies words arc true of this one, as of other Icnm. i|. 23, evils, ft is mc whgprofeflc great friendf]^ to thcGofpcll,whoyetmaintaineftrJnoe opinions not according to the truth cfit ! as that the Law ought not to be pleached in any w ifc,and that there fPiould no differences of men be *&*•*' U*' made/.vhen yet the Scripturcputtcth difference betwixt good and bad, both in their lifeand in rewards. Tne holdingof fuch opinions there- fore, ftandeth net with fincerity: which freely admittcth, nay,requi- reth all opinions to be rneafured and cenfured by the Word- Now there fore ,.if this be fincerity and uprightnefle, to be free, not- only from double hcartcdncflc and halting, but alfo, to bee ready to vccld a frankc afTcnrand pra&ifc to the truth ; and furthcr,if:his vertuc be one part of the Chrifiian Armour, he who is void of this,nnift needs '»c open to great danger, both by error in opinion, and by corrupti- on in lite: 1 or he wanteth that which fhould defend him-. And contra- nly, he who fecketh to plcafc God unfaincdly, hiscoufciente bearing him record, that he hath fomc true meafure of this fincerity, and ftill labourcth after ir,^ that is, to be firnple and plaine (though polujkc)jn, ^is words, a ftions,.and meaning, he.hath th.'spartofthc Armour* the \ilc whereof how great and gainful! it is, fliall appeare hereafter. And inch a thing is verity or fincerity. But let thisbee added, that ifany, will purpoie this m-fomc things, yet not refolvc to fhc w it :n all, even this is the man, who isfarrc from fincerity v Whsi rrgbittof- Rightcoufr.efTe is that part of the Armor, and fuch a gift of the Spirit. aji*. Whereby our hearts arc bent to all manner of goodnciTc, and righteous dcaiing,approvingofitasmoftcnccilcnt,dcfiring fervently and delight yng ui::,and that becaufc it isgood,and disking and hating allnaugh- rov.*$4?. uneifcand cviil. And hccwholookethto bee prcferved in manifold CKjptauoni to fy) , uul to keep in obed vencc to all kind of duties, both toward* ■ 7.4. -tobic b u the Qmfluins armour. $ 4 5 towards God and men whileshcliveth, had need to hart liolcifcthar. this firmenciTc and conftancy of a righteous hcart,and to be Co thorow- ly pcrfAaded of the beauty and price of this one part of Chrillianity, namely, innocent and righteous dealing, that though infinite occasions Note. fliallariJc to diminifli the credit ofit,*yct he may cloflth himiclfc with it, as with a garment, and vvcare it as an ornament, that fuch an otic he nwy fccw himiclfc thereby to be in his actions, that hce may cauic o- VW1 i. in thers to lie in love with it a'fo. Which vertuc lb fliined in lofeph, that Gen. 45. 3,4 funchytimes, when he might have wrought cvill without rcarcof re- & 50.19. venge to his brethren, who had given him great occanon, he would not : Nay, when he might have beenc preferred by heavkning to his- whoriili Miftrcffe, He refilled it with detection, (though thereby hec procured to himfelfc no imall danger) faying, How c.w I d«e this great Ccn. gp. ?. wickednefft andfo Jums again fl Cjodt- He that fceth into this vertuc, and likcth it fo, that hee will be wary that he commit no unrighteous thing againlt God nor man, as farre as his knowldge guideth him, but ietlcth himfelfe to doe that which is &toc pleafmg both in the fight of God and before men ; he hath this part of Armour, and is fenced with the brcfl-plate of Rightcoufneflc. Such ilial! {a y with lob, If mine adverfary nnte u inkg agamfi mty I wfflfHt IoJ 5 1 3 f« ttbehhtdrnjbacke, (reade it who will) and glory in mine accufatious. The beauty of this grace and vertue is fuch, (as may appeare in the ex- amples of thofe who were found innocem when they were charged and accufed, as in AthmtUk** Ivtatbax, and 'David, towards Saul) 1 Sam. u.8,»}, that if i: could be fcene with eye, it would exceedingly piovokcmcn x i5afln-14.I7. to be mlove with it. And let all markc how fitly thefc two, fincerity and right coufnciTe, or innocent y, doc goc ttgether. To be prepared with the flioocs cf peace by die Golpcll, is this, that Sbwiefttax* we having received forgiveneile of our fnncs, and alYnranccof cur falvation through faith by the GofpclJ, and thereby found morefweet peace to our conference, we ayenowby thisGofpcil, as they whoarc Rom j.i.. ready to take a long journey, fhod, prepared, and ready to denyoiu* felvcs,and to take up our croffe, and fallow Chrift, rhorowout this our pilgrimage. This part of Armour did our merciful! Father lee- meet for us, his wcake children, feeing wee are fodilmaicd at the beholchug cr j^Ve ix. whocanbee Rom. 8. |i« *g*'mft me ? I'he Lord U myjalvation and light ,whom then fhould i fount PiaJ. 17. 1 • The Lord u theftrenvth of my life, of whom thenjhall I be afraid? But to proceed,to have this fhield of faith,is to build our perfwaflon faith. on Gods faithful promifes,that Chrift Jefus is ours : and that God hath given him to us, to obtaine forgivencflc of our finncs and falvation by him ; yea, and all other good things alfo, meet forthis prcfent life. As Kom.S. it. the Apoftle faith, He that -hath given tu his Chrtft, how canhebut with I: im give us all things alfo t So that, he which hath embraced thefc pre*- Note cious promifes, and refteth upon them, as certaine and not doubtful], no more to be removed and unfctlcd, as (if it be well weighed) there is no caufc he fhould ; he hath this part of the Armour, and therefore (hall not be overcome by thofe fearefull temptations of Satan, to ftrong di- Col i.ij. ftruftfulneffe, which as fiery darts bee deadly to all which are not thus armed with a true and found faith : and fuch an one may be rightly faid to^wr on the Lord lefw, which cannot be done but by faith. rrhit hope it. This hope is a joyfull longing, and ftedfaft deflre, (as we may fee in Luk. i.50. old father Simeon) and looking for the performing and accomplifhing of all thofe mercies tcmporall andcternall, which God hathpromi- fed,and wc by faith are allured of. For this the Lord would have us to know, that he hath made no one promife to us, but he mcaneth to ful- fill it,that we may fee it and glorific him,for fuch loving kindnes of his towards us : and therefore would have us alfo in reverence to hope fer- iFct.x.ii. /d lo guard him in tins life? And though this man had noothcr thing to make him unhr. j>ic, yet who doth not fee, that even this is enough to make all Ki pjeafiircfe i 5 o Of the third private belpe, pleafuresunfavoury, if he ftiould cither feelc the one, or might be per- lwadedofthe other? Bcfidcs, what is his life, (even at the beft) when he hath no truft in Gods manifold promifes ? and although thefe things being not fecne with eyc,be as little thought upon ofthemoft part in the world, yet the Ifj.43.11. Scripture hath concluded, thzt there u no found peace to any juch : yea rather that the Dcvill hath,** a raging Lion, his paw upon their throat ready every houre to take away their foules, as the ApoftlcfTiewcth, (though this fcemc lciTe,fecing it is not known nor felt) whereas if they were fhielded by this faith, and that in their need, it friould not bee io 1 Pet. 5.8. with them ; but thereby they refifiirtg him, he fiottld flic from them. Jam. 4. 7. Againc,to fhew how impoiTiblc it is to be in fafety without the other yfiMc of pans 0f tjlC Chrirtian armour, how can any man walke innocent and i*ov! z!\3. ' barmclcflc among his neighbours, though others fliould walke fo to- wardshim, except he hath put on the brefiplate of right eoufiejfe, and armed himfelfe with this cogitation, to doc no man any wrong ? and not oncly fo, butalfo to doc no other iniquity or evill which might offend any, or wound hisownc foule? How many waies fliallhec bee carried to hnne againft God and his neighbour ? 1 fpeake not of an un- belecvcr, who can doc nothing but finne, but even of a Chriftian, who hath an heart which hateth finne : yet even he, if he indent not from time to time afrefh with his heart againft all unrighteoulncflfe, and the parts of unholy life^he fhall bee disfigured with many blemimcs, and drfgracc himfelfe and his holy profelTIon alio by his many unlawfull actions ; (o farrc is it off, that innocency is in his heart, and in his hands, and that he liveth unrcbtikcable, and without blame amongft men. And therefore it is that Saint <7W teaching theC^r/'W'/'^/hovv t Cor ^ . they (hould be apparelled with the parts of Chrtflian armour, a* purity £C# ' and;iprightncffe^owledgeoftheyVordofGod,andwithpaticnce and long Offering, which hops ingendrcth, doth among the reft commend to them this one by his o wnc example, namely, The armour ofrighteouf- nejfe, both cnthertghthandandon the left, that is, in profperity and ad- verfity,that (o they fhould give no occafion of ofrence in any thing,but in allthwgs approve themfclves as thefcrvants of God. Tlafiwdvf The fame may be faid of the other parts of the Chriftian armour,tkat tkcJJHrit. I have faid of the friooes of peace,©f the (hield of faith,and of the breft- plate of ripjiteonlheffe. For if there be not fornccleerc and found know- ledgeoftru v'* rdofGod, (which as a Sword may cutthc bands of finne afunde* like a cord) how (hall a Chriftian be able to difcerne the ^w///«/*^^ as with a bait? lobich u the Qbriflians amour. 3 5 1 How can he clioofc, although he be zealous and defirous ro doc well, but to be led into many errors, and fogoc without the fwect lifc,which in Chritfianity is to be found, if he have not well learned and drafted No:?t this in the depth of his heart (u u wrkum) to the contrary ? So if he be not girded, as it were, with fineerity, that hec may be adorned with it rhe^ktf wherefoevcr he become, and all other good gifts of God in him bee truth. bound together by that , that he hath them n truth, that he ddighteth in them indeed ; how dull he be infc&cd with hollowncffeand'hypo- Prov.xo.tf. crifie, what (new of holincffe foevcr appcarc in him ? To conclude, what can there bee in his life daily, but fainting, un- Tbebdvttof comfortablcnciTc, and iundry difcouragements, whiicft he is weaned JJJfc from the foolifh and vainc delights of this world, and fecth not the pleafurcs of Heaven with mortall cyes,what can there elfe be to him,(I lay) if the hope of falvation be not as an helmet to keepe life in his foule; and witluhis hope of falration, which cannot deceive him, a cheercfull hope of well palling the courfe of thefc conflicting daies al- fo, under the wings of Gods protection, till he come thither? As for other hope, who knowcth not, that all other hope ofearthly peace, or long\\?c, is liltf to a.6rofyn;oo;h, axd a fiidwg foot ? But by this hope, tediouihefle is removed, ar, i chccrcfulnefle to wait contentedly in tnis pilgrimage for a full deliverance, is obtained. Therefore how truly may this bef?id,th:«t the Chiiuia.] life, without the armour of God, cannot be continued ? For if every part of it bee fo need full thorowout our life, (ashath becne faid) who fecth not, that even fueh an one as hath received grace Note, from above, by the preaching of the Gofpcll,to be borne anew, and to he begotten to a Lively hofe j yet for all this, fhall-not thrive nor profper, without diligent and ufuali nouridvng of this new birth in him, nor grew *pto a psrfctt t%ge in fort]}, delivered from the hmderanccsby the World and the Devill, except hec bee ftrongiy armed, as God hath taught him to be? This is fo truly verified in all G°ds children, that even they who are ->/v not the forwarded ofothcrs,yet ifthey have any (trength againftcvill but mptwyk at any time, thry have it from God thus, even by the meanesof the ***** armour. If they were not iomtimes armed, they mould make?? great cr,yt,nr breaches, and fall as dangerouily one day as another : and yet \\ they mn§w were acquainted with this armour thorowly, they fhould make their : word and mod uncomfortable day in the w'cckc, cquall with the bed andthchappicd, (which they fomctime enjoyed) in heavenly pafling ot their timc,and in fwcet comfort. And for want of this armor, (either fos • 5 5 i Of the third private hclpc, for that men know it not, or for not having ufc of it) the infinite irkc- CmmcflCj hcavincflc, diitraction, dumpifnncilc, doubting, and rearc doc vex them, and fuch like deadly poifons doe ocoupic the hearts even of Chriftians, as alio light rejojewg in a jhp>h manner, vaiuc hope, phantafticalldrcamcs of peace andiafcty, where none is. And for want of this, their lives alio before men arc kept from ftiewing forth light and good example in one thing, as well as in another: yea rather, they are harbourers of fundry cvill qualities, infomuch that icw arc incouraged to wax better by them, nor to fufpec*l that any thing is amide in them, but arc hardned to goc forward in their old courlcdill. And ifitbethus with fuch, as have fome good and found begin- nings in Chriftianity, let no man marvell, though they who arc ut- terly deftitutc of faith, and of other parts oftheChiifUan armour, bee ibfarrc oft from good life as they be, feeing they renounce this arming of thcmfelvesj which I have proved, that a Chriftian life cannot bee without. And now by this which hath beenc faid of the Armour hithcrto,it is the eafier to understand what it is,and what the parts of it are,and how 'ihcth'irdp'mt the Chrifti3n life cannot ftand without it. Now I will proceed (asl & hfla!heidh' navcProm^c^) to tnc third point inthis matterconccrningthe Armor, M.orpik tt namejy^ how it fhould be put on, and be worne, that fo we may better f fee how to take that good by it which Godoffcreth us. For which cndaudpurpofcitisLobcmarkcd, that every true beleeverinhis firft » Pet. 1. 3, 4 convcrlionto God, is thereby made partaker of all things pertaining to ticry ntrvbome life and godlmefe ; and therefore is not deftitutc of any common grace CbhjtUuhitbiA ofatrueChriltian: havingthen, as a child lately borne, all the parts tbcpvtivpt im an j facuitics 0f foule and Body, though weakc in all, amongft which, Note. thcic that arc here compared to Armour, arcprincipall. This being fo, a faithfull Christian need not wondcr,whcn he is wil- led to have this gracc,and parts of this holy Armour in a rcadineiTc ; he need not wonder (1 fay) where he fliall have it, or doubt how to come by it. For we fec,he hath it already, and as our Saviour Chrift faid,T£* Uk. 17. «• Kingdom of Heaven (that is, the glorious reigning of his in the Ele&) commeth not by obfervation,Keithcr}hallmenfajJoe here Joe there] for the Kingdom of ^Heaven is inyou. So(I fay)this Armor,which God hath ap- pointed to defend his militant Church withall from infcrnall llavery, it isnottobefecne, norto be gazed upon with the eye, bMt it is in the faithfull, and poffeffeth their foules, even now, when many will (per- haps) askc how (lull wc come by it ? Or, where is it to bee had? For vhicb u the Cbriftians Armour. 3 5 j if any fheuld imagine, that hec hath it not after believing, (as through ignorance hce mutt needs) can fuch an one choofe, but be exceedingly troubled about this, how he fhould come by it, and put n on P for fuch a C****1 i'Ti4' chargctheApotUegiveth. ? C" I3'14* Let us know therefore, that this armour is not ahvay to bee in fee- king, (which had not need to be, when it fhould bee in occupying} but the Lord according to the neccflitie of it, which he fecth ro bee in e vei y one of his children, zgaiftft the infinite dangers of the world , doth pro- L ,otc* vide it for every one of them, and furnifheth them with the fame. Every one of them hath fomc mcaf» ireof true faith and hope, though they be vveake in them. Euery onchateth iniquitic, and is ready ro woikc rw>- tcoufnefle, according to his skill: and the mo(r feeble Chriitian hath an upright heart, and fomc fpirituail wifdome todifcerne good from evill, (which yet a man of greater knowledge, if hce bee not inlightneci with the fpirit of regeneration, cannot have) although one move than another. And the fame I lay ofthe red. But yc willobject, why doth the Apoftlc will us to put it on, if wee Hs mufl fa that ■ have it already ? And ye will fay, this doubt is not yet anfwcred,nci- ^J,athJbe/itm thercanye tell what he meaucth by that, when hefpeakcth thus;Puto» £^uth°puL the whole armour. To this I aniwer, that his charge isthat Chriftians t'pigofiton. (hould not have this fpirituail armour, as men in time of peace have bo- dily armour hanging by,and ruity,and utterly unfit for ufe; but as Soul- diers have theirs in battcll, that \<, girded to them,«}id put upon thet?r,and this alfo whilert the battel! conrinueth. So he commandeth us that wee Kocci let not the parts of this armour fo to be unoccupied in us, that we have no feeling of ir, and fo,no benefit by it,but be fure continually that wee have it on, and read ie for ufe ; that weelicdownc with it, and rifcup with it, and bee well advifed, that through the day in all places, and whatfocver we goc about,wc have it with us,asfarre as we can be able. This is his meaning When hce faith, put or, the whole Armour : and in Ephedra, another placc,^** on tender mercy,Hndkwdneffe, tithe elect of God: that CoJofciH ia] is, binde them u. .to you and wearc them, thattheymay warmeyo ibulcs, and make you feemely, as yoHrapparell. For our battcll laiteth Not* all our life long, and our enemies bee deadly, and all ourftrength is by our armour. Therefore who feeth not now, that a Chnftiancanfafcly be no time without this armour? If this bee darkc and hard to any, even they may knowthemfclvcsto bcthofe, who have not skill to put on this armour,and who bave beene ignorant ofthe ufe and power of it: they have not well learned the will or God about the nccefluy and be- nefit of it. And therefore even fuch, though they may bee the Lords, B b yet 3J4 Of the third private belpe, yetdoubtleflTctbc Dcvillholdcththcm in ftrong chaines of darknefle and ignorance ; and theicfore alio in great flarcry and bondage, which God for his part hath fhewed them the way to come out of, if they cculd once come to ice the fame, and bee perfwaded that they hayc a pare in it. For through the iinskilfulncflfe of men in the right ufc ofthc armour and unacquaintancc with every part of it,thc lives even of the dcare fcr- vantsof God, arc much bicmifhed, and ungloriousamongft men, and to themlclvcs (bcfidcs the idlcncflc, and unprofitablcneflc of tliem) cx- Neic cccdinglyuncheeref[]lI.Thercfore,fceing God hath given them all helps needful! for their defence from this prcfcntcvill world, from fub;e£fcion to Satan,and their ownc damnable lu(ts,fccing alfo he hath taught them to know this their libcrtie and privilege, to have the daily aid and be- nefit of their armour, for the itrengchning of them in all good duties I know nothing to l-emaine doubtfull, which fhould need to trouble them hereafter, no not the wcakcit,fave this one thing, namely, how thisar- inour fhould be put on. Ystbitndbte Now to have the feeling of every part of this armour, (faith againft J2 mti* M* diftiuftat anytime, hope againft fainting, uprightnefle againft hypo- "^' crifie, knowledge againft the dcceitfulnefle of fin,righteoufneiTc againft allkindofiniquitie,and the preparation ofthe Goipcllofpcace againft erodes) to have (I fay) this armour in areadineffc to fafe-conducfc and keepe us throughout our life in the practice of our Chriftian direction, Mitth.atf.41. this is to be done : fVatchfnlnefft cominuali, and prayer heartte and oft is to be ufed of us, which alfo is prefcribed of the Apoftlc himfelfe, when EpheCtf.18. he faith, (after hee willeth theEphefians to take to them tins, whole ar- mour) fraj alivaj with all tnarnev of prayer, and v.Kitch thereunto wtth dtt ferfeverance.&z. We fee God will have us pcrlwadcd, that this whole armour may be had and puton,and therefore to pray tohimforit.Uutinany wife,thcfe Xamcj 1.6. prayers he will have to be rmdewttheHr dotibtwg and wavering, with- out which manner of praying, wee cannot looke to receive any thing. Font hath pleafed our good God, feeing wee arc fopronc to doubting, to give Hi a moft fare word of promt fe> of all fuch things as we have need of,thatifwcthinke God to be credited, wc may looke for them with- out fearc or wavering. Vrtqtr tffiUk Hcthathartily cravetht,his,fls a thing which he cannot be without, §b-a viih. (feeir g hee askeih accord^rg to the will of God) and that which God E,hc 6 14 commandcthhim,aswefce, he hath and obtaincth the fame which he Qsft-.u,i*,i7. defirctb, \lohn yi6.Mmh. j.j.a4ke4Kdjf(h4nr0ccivt$Qr\£H*g*r praying ^cbich is the Ch'iftidns Armour. 5 5 5 praying in herdiftrcflc was heard, when flic fa w not how, and 'four Saviourdid fay unto the woman of Samaria, if thou haddefi but a*kcdt Iolir^.fa. J would have given thee waiter ofiifi; is it to be doubted of, that Gods dearefcrvantsfhall bee denied their rcqucfts ? If a natural) father will give that which is meet to his child, whoyctneithcrknoweth alwayes what is belt, neither is at all times fo kind asheought,flnli we call th: rcadincfTcofour heavenly father into qucftion, cfpecially about fiich a gift, as both he hath bidden us askc, yea, and alfotake ? yca,and fuch a N«:c gifc,as without the which, we cannot honour nor fcrve himaright? Ephcf.tf.r*. This I fpeakc to hearten and incourage all, to pray oft and earncftly (which is in fo little requeft in the world) for this gift, that they may know that by thismeanes they fhall put on this holy armour of God, cfpecially when they fhall herewithall, watch, that they doe receive (trength by theirpraycrs, indeed fo to doe. And if this be not found and obtained by fuch as ye: doc pray for it, let them know, that they pray faintly and coldly, orflacklyand negli- gent!y:(unlefleGod doe try them, as fometime he doth even when they prayfervcntly)forotherwife,thisisthe way to put upon us the whole «r- * K»ng?.f« thotr; as Davids dealing with Cjoliah doth prefigure, and the example Pla'-* *• ■*• & of the Saints of God for the particular parts of it, as by their cfpeciall 77 neceflities they have bcene provoked. As Salcmot for wifdome,and Da- Wd id thus ufually ftirre up his faith, which was the putting on of it, which before lay,as it were, unoccupicd;and Co I may fay of the reft. As toget wiftome, whereby to bee prepared for the croiTc ; and to bearc it meekly, the Apofllc wWlcthtopray without doubting, Iamci \JL Wi h our prayer, holy meditation is to be ufed, and that upon every WWb payer parr of our armour, when we have bcene taught it, till we know the ufc )^ntmzd:\uimt and benefit of it. And untill the matter of it be more familiarto us, con- &c' ferre about it with ficfo as have knowledge and experience thcrcin,that whatfoeveris hard to bee underftood or pra&ifcd,may bee made eafie. Thislfpeake, for the benefit of the wcakc, feeing every thing is moft hard to them, before they have attained to it, although it bee never fo plainely fet downe to them. And read cither this which I have for thy fake written of this argument, or any found Trcatifc concerning this matter.Stirrc up,and periwade thy lclfc hereto,by this rcafon,thatthou walkeft naked, except thou beccloathcd with it; and as an unarmed man fighting with many ftrong enemies throughly furnifhed; fo art thou in this world without it. And when bv reading, hearing or conference, thou (halt fee what Not^ helpc ccmracth by thine armour to the well framing of thine hcajt and Bb 2 life, w :io:r. Fhi]ip.^.4. Provif. i J. x Theft' 51^17 Ephcf.6.14. a Pet. 1. 1,6. iPet.i 10. Mauh. iM- Evtntbnvca- l^t(i Chriii'xn ai Will 04 tit Of the third private bclpe, life, andbv meditation fometime on the fever ail parts ofit,(asI have dy weighed and muled upon the fame, to afFccl 1 r therewith, and by prayer hail with confidence tic- fired of God, that even thou particularly maift finde, as thou fhalt fee cauie,thy fclrc (ircngthned with every part ofthisarmour:whcn(ilay) thou iiiil done tins, then halt thou put it on. This is the way ofputting itnn;that when thou knowclt every part of it,and whereto it fcrvcs,and eanil be willing to walke n this fpiricuall attire, thou madt be keptfafe tbey fay] froru yvindc and wcaihcr, even from world and Dcvnh For thenflult thou, having this grace of bclccving, hoping, righte- ous living, upright meaning, ccc. bring forth the fruit of ir,as thou (halt have occa/ion through the day,thnt i> to iay,to give credit to Gods pro- .1 time to time, to hope at onetime, as well as another, to be upright and without fraud in one thing as '.veil as in another, (and yet rcxru mber, clue I can fpeake to thee, when thou art at the bcft,but as to ;t to infirmities) anil laftly, to give duties to God as well as tomcn? and to one man, and in one action, as well as in another, which to doe, is to flic w forth die fruit of the armour of righteoufneflc. And the fame I fay of the reft. But with a»l this, it is to be knowncand rrgardcd,that as it is thus to be put on, fo it is afcerthe fame manner to be kept on. For example : for the retaining,, or recovering of this onepccccof ihc whole armour, I meanc peace or rtjoycing, which we fhould not be void of at any time, continuall prayer is required : for he having faid, rcjoyce eucrmore,hcc addcth.p/'-.y ct ty. And as S/A^/ faith, that by this putting on of the whole armour, a Chrrftiaia may .7 rf temptati- on, wl r>€ hardeft time : S6$t.rPefirr fa::ii, t:i^c if wee give dilddi- jre. ce her, to, that ive yfyfie y}Ub our faith* "uerr^e'J^igwL oUrc,t.i:ierice^&c. which whoknpwcth uotjthat.it is chicOy do;>c,by watching and pray- cr?) vtefij Un\ verfa'l, that is, da ngeroufly, to take any great hurt, or annoyance thereby. Whereby he fhcwetluhat hcagrceth •\ithS./>.W, namely, that for thefurnifhingof our felvcs with the graces ofrJ)c fpi- rit, which are the fcvcrall parts of the armour, continuall caieand dili- gence muft beuicd by prayer and watchfulncfFe, which is the only way to put andkecpeiton. Bat here let the Reader remember and confidcr, to whom the Lord f^cakethj when lie willcth to put ox, and to have in a readintilc this ar- mo iragiinrt all fpirituaM craftinefTc.Foras lie,, who is not yet refolvcd fully to be a Chriftian, and to lead a godly life, is utterly unfit for this 3 1 mom, and hath neither miudc noi.defirc tQ.it/icithcr can polTibJ y put it 1 4 1 fpbicb u the Cbriflians Armour. 5 5 y icon: ib on the contrary, notoncly theftrorgcrChriftian, butaHbffo new hsrr>c babe* and even the weakclt youngling in Godi family, who hath never fo fmall abilitie to refill finnc,and withstand the fame, God hath bidden him to cake it to him, and to gird himfclfe with it, and 19 pvr ttoi. It is munition appointed to him of God ,to fave him from dan- ger, even the grcatcfl that canbccraifcd againll him : who therefore frial withhold him from it?ft kcepcth his foule and his lifc,what (Lould thcrcrbrc make him fo Qavifh tofcarc, and full ofddli ultfull phantafics, and difcouragcments,as to caft away his weapons, and wittingly to of- fer Iiiinfelfc into the Lions mouth ? Every fuch therefore mud put forth, himfclfe to be more bold with reverence, to take unto him th:s armour, (which none can want with fafety, ) when hec fceth who incouragcth Note. him, even hec that is able to fticngthen him, to the obtaining of that (whatfoevcrit be) which he fectcth htm about, namely, God*u-fhjjici- ent : Hec mull be more bold chanhe hath bccnc,toksept his crowxeand RcvcJ. f.it. honour ,z\rzv\ this whole armour, which is more precious to him than life it fclfe ; and furTcr none to take it from him. Tliis I fpeake for their fakes,who defire as much as I exhort them to, t Theft.} 4. and yet, doe but weakly know, that there it fuch .irmour,or chat it hath any fuch ufetomakc aChriftian ftrongagainft iinnc and Satan: much ieflc doc rhemfdves receive any inch benefit by it, to thcirknowlcdge, and yet are not without it, that they may fee their cafe better than they have thought it,and that God hath provided for them farrebctter,than they were perfvvaded. Therefore let them, for whom God hath done this, notoncly not be ignorant of it hereafter; but neithcrlct them bee flochfulljor backward to get a part in it by putting and keeping it on. And therefore let them urge themfclvcs, (if they wax cold or unto- ward)to ufe the mcanes before mentioned, whcieby this armour is put on, and held in a readmeifc. And if the meancsthcmfelvesgrow unfa- vouric with them, ordinary prayer(I mcanc)and watchfulneife, as they inayean'lydoc, if the heart bee difcouraged or fee in evill delights; let them drive out that Dcvill withfaftivgAr.dprAycr, and give no reft to their eyes y nor cafe to their hearts, untill they have in fomc comfortable manner, recovered their firft love and ftrength, w h ich they had once by this armour ; I fay, let them not reft till they have recovered it againc. ^'ote. And let them pcrfwadc thcrnfelves, thatfearfull danger isnotfarrc efTfromthem, if they awake not, and that fpcedily.For although it be at the firft, with a weakcChriftian in the putting on of thisfpirituall ar- mour, as with a frefh ibuldicr, in putting on his bodily armour, namely, to account it ftrangc and wcarifomc, as not being acquainted therwith, Bb 3 aojj 5 5 8 Oftbs benefit of the Cbriflians Armour. and therefore to wifh to be unburthene J of it : yet weighing with him. iclfe that God hath given it him for his fwgular benefit, he will be ad« roonifhcd,and take counfcll to thinkc and doc otherwifc. Sa tn is i ntij rtfijUdindfui to flight. lCor.10.4. Note. The benefit of faith. 1 John f.4, iPct.j.9. Majkc^.13^ Of uprigktoifc' ZtUuh.f 8« Chap. I X. Of the Lift pointy which is the benefit of this ArmBur. ANd thus to come to the laft point in hand about this doctrine of the armour, hee which will lcarne to put on this armour, and to goe doathed with it thorow the day, fhall finde every thing true which God hath fpoken, and I have here Ictdovvnc unto him, that is, that by refislingthe Devill 'thereby, heftpattflye fom him : and having thefc parts of it fait tied to hisfoule, the depth and fubtilticof hell fhall not pre- vaileagainfthim, v\hich is the fruit and ufc of it, as no man fhould need to doubt, if he could take delight in being watchfull to be thus occupied. For as Saint TW/writcth to the Corimhizrii ,The weapons of our warfare are net carmillor bodily. but might it through (fodjo caft down holds ; even imaginations , and every high thing that is exalted again ft the kingdome of Cjod, and bringing into captivitte every thought to the obedi- ence of Chnft. So that, whether the Devil land his inftruments doc af- fault by craft and deceit, or by force and might, the Chriflian being ar- med, as hath beene laid, and furnifived with that Urength, fhall migh- tily pre vai)c aga'mll them, and prcfervc himfclfe. Such is :he power ofthisarmour,thatcvenofonc part of it,thc Scrip- ture gjveth vvondcrfull commendation, afcribig to faith alone victoru overtime w^r//V,and allthedeceiisoficS./^/rr iikevvifefaith,thathe w/o is ftedfaft in faith jreftfttth the JJevillhirxflfc. So our Saviour faith, silt things arepcjTible to himtha^ beleeveth. For all things are not only poffi- WCjbut ajfocafic which wcdoedefirc,having a promifeofGod,forthe performing thereof, upon which wcnrmely rcll. Asthcbcnefit of this one part of our armour, faith, is Angular great, and the power ofk inightie, Co it may be faid of the reft, and namely of a pure heart. For evenchisone is able to carry usthorow ftrong temptations, that wcfriallnothalt, and dealc hollowly, as men of the world doe, but fimply and in a good meaning, yea, it kcepeth us merry and joy full, as the Apottlc faith, when fuch as want it,muft hold do wne the head : and that 1 lay-no more, itmakcth oureftatc happie,according tothat which is written ; B I effed are the fure and upright irtlooart. Now therefore, if fomc one pa:; of this heavenly attire and aimour be Of the benefit of the Cfmftians Amour. 55^ be Co hclpml^and of fo great ufc, what think we the whole to he > Yea, is I faid,to be clothed with rhe whole complcat armour of aChrifmo, N*o. is fich a fafc walking againft the fubtilties of the Dcvill,the allurements of the woi!d,andthcdcccitfuliKflcof finne, that a Christian may be unwounded, whiles he gocth thorow many dangerous attempts, yea, and enjoy moltfwcct communion with God thoro wont the day there- by, and yet without flattering of himfelfc, and dangerous fecurinc. As in particulars, he being rcfolved to put on, and to cloath himfclfc Ififfnmfiufk with rightcoufnc(Tc,and preparation for thecroflfe, by the defence and f £**%*** fheitcrofthe do&rinc of the Gofpell, whiles he is to warrc here in this Jot c""e' life, he fhall be brought hereby, to mecknefle, patience, and long-fuf- ferancc with joyfrulnefle, (when God afflicleth him) by the one, and to Note. love thofe which are his enemies, and to be innocent towards all, (be- cause thefe arc branches of rightcoufneffe) by the other : and not to be led after the contrary evils ; for all thefc duties, and many more ( fuch arc the fru its ofthe tree of rightcoufneflc,which God hath planted and watrcd, in the fruitfull ground of his heart) all thefe, I fay, fhall hec bring forth, and many more abundantly. Likcwife,he who hath let himfclfe to feeler? if dome as gold > and to lay Tbimrdef ftp twdcrftandirtg a& trcafure whhtnhtm, he fliall be taught the good and Ocd. perfect way, when other fhall ever icele and fall : yea, when they \hali pr0v.i4.f. yp.ilkeinbr-vfuycs^ and be wandring (although feeking the way) and that for ever, he (Tiall fee the way before him, as the Kings high way, broad and plainc, and know the will of God, which fhall be his guide ; and therefore his ftcps fhall be pleafanf, as in the plainc and knowne way, in refpedt of the rough, and that which is uncertaine. And the like fruit I would fct downc ofthc reft, but that 1 have done it alreadie, and wouldnot grow tedious, feeing much matter to arifc. If therefore wee can like to be accompanied with this holy traine, and love togoc armed with thefe weapons, with that mcafmc of know- ledge which God hath taught us, and to enjoy new i.ereafe daily, ar- med with righteoufnclfe and godlinefle which wee can reach and at- tainc, upholdcn in that hope, which he hath put into us, ftrengthencd Note, with that faith in all his promifes, which, at our fir/ft embracing them, Pfaiiij.ir,!*, we received, and prepared and flayed in our affli&ions,witli peaceable and quiet hearts by the Gofpell, as he hath incouragedus; then fliall wee be able to live in all cftates which God fhall fct usin, and in all places which he fhall bring us to, with good confeiences, and change by no occasions, feeing he hath lengthened us, untill wc fee an end of all difficulties arid uncertainties. Bb 4 And }6o Of the benefit of the Chrifliins Armour. ** And all fuch as conceive the matter which is prefently handled, ihityourfcvcs friouldthhke tins advice andcounfell Co needful! for them, of goirg H'Mru'wckt" ^n" armc^ llloro'-v Ac battel! of this life, thai they fhould not thinkc armed. themfclvcs icadie any day, till they b*vef*tontk c Lordlcfm with his wtfdome^rtg '■t?ouptejfe,pinciiflcMio»* **or tnat c'lOU ^a^i':c a continual! ufc of it, and no eftatc to be kvtrvtibit. comparable to it. Neither makcth it any matter, how ignorant thou art, (for that per- haps may difcourage iome) if thou halt knowledge enough to fee this Note. to be the belt of ail other waves; nor how wcakechou art, if thou bceft ftrong enough to be perfwaded to walkc in it: and ghciTc what thou fhalt want of ihat which 1 havciaid,when God fhall give thee an heart thus inclined, as bidding farewell to all courfes whkh hee approvcth not, to fettle thee in this, which he commendcth to thee. C/taicdufewhy And when thou (ecll that thou art acquainted with this armour, and bip)0nUl(ht[6. howithelpcth thee to live innocently and Chriitianiy, then confidcr what thou ha(t, how rich it maketh thce,and what oreat privileges the 1 Sam. i j 3i. Lord hath given thee thcrcby,and then as Abigail laid to Dav/d^mben thoufhal; reafe fuck fruit of it, tl$ufhah not recent that thou tooj^fifueh ctunfcll: begladof them, be highly thankful! for them, more thanif thouhaddeft found great treafurc, weigh what protection againftthc Dcvill thou haft thereby, what fafc conduit fromfals, what fearc and doubts thou art delivered from, what mi 'Is of ignorancc,as fcales from thine Of the benefit of the Cbriflians Armour. 3 61 thine cyes,arcph:ckt from thine hcart,what ftrcngtb againft thy ftron. Note. geft infirmities thowfine'eft, howcafily thou maitf curr.c into the way againc, if atany time by wcakncflc thou haft (lipped, yea, c* moreover what peaec to thy conference thou halt, and n(\ totbj foulc; when thou iced, not oncly more clccrcly than before thou wcrt thus armed, t\\2i there u H+cwndemxdtipntothc?* but alfo that God now hghteth for thee, and makesh thee fit to refill the dcccitfulncflc of ftroi g temptations, who wert before fo faint and impotent in refitting them. In few words to fpcake what I thinke meet, concerning this matter, thou canft never funScicntlycfieemeofthisbleflcdcftatc,although thou art not free from ail temporal! arflic3 ions thereby. Oft times fhalt thou Note. be thinking, it is too good to continue, till thou rcmembreft,thatf£*r* u y.ojh.xdow of chavgwg vctth God. Oft times- thou (halt wonder to fee, what a liberal! portion God hath given thee, to have fuchfweet com- munion with him, and to have confidence and boldncflc before him, in all difficulties ; when the moft partofthe World iscver fubjeil to molt dreadfullfcarc of his vengeance, as oft as he fhallfhew them the dan- ger wherein they lye. And when thou fhalt fee and feclc all this, how much it is worth, to be thus fenced in from daily vexations, w-hich moft men are turmoiled vvithall ; then thou fhalt not need to doubt, whether thou fhalt be willing to keepe on this armour it ill, for thou fhalt fee that thou canft not fcele thy felfc well without it. Now whereas it may be objected, who, or where is the man, which Obieil. hndeth this libertie in his life ? Or what arming of a man is able to let him in fafety from the manifold evils, which moft men complaincof daily ? I afmmc ofmy knovvlcdge(m all reverence giving the praifc and glorieofit to God,)that there arc many fuch, who to the peace of their ^Kr confeience enjoy it, and I as little doubt, that there are many more whom I know not. And yet lam pcrlwadcd, that thoufands even cf J; ^ . . Godsdearc fcivants arc holden backc from this bleffing through the 't^yb.] malice of our common enemic, w ho arc kept at a ftay by his fubtutiej tbuUefiu. eithcrignorantofthis libertie, and thinking that God doth not honour Note. anyofhisfcrvants with fuch privileges while they live here, and ther- furc count it prcfumptionto looke for any fuch thing; or if the V know it, yet doe favour themfelvcs in their prcfent wants and infirmities, and doc ufc imall violence againft the fame, and fo they arc holder, backc from enjoying this comfort and blcflldnciTe in their iives^, which : rvght otherwise be partakers of. For let all kno w this, that the fuffcrng of their hearts to take th c i \n the delights of this world^and little paincs taken in muting upon this heavenly \6% Note, NoLC if'eovncwenot wtb utmutb (irn;rtg. Note. err fated oft* untu Of the benefit of the Cbriftians Armour. heavenly eftatt, and their flight praying for it; is the principal! caufc, feeing God hath pronvfed to workc by meanes) why Chriftians have not further acquaintance with this armed life, and thcbJcfied fruits thereof: and many other attainc not hereto, feeing they never Under- Ihnd (although they arc not utterly without faith) that God hath ap- pointed chem to live 3fccr any ccrtainc direction throughout their courfc,andto be armed thereunto, but in a generall manner only fervc God without any great watchfulncffe over their particular actions. Now if they countthis burthenfome, they mu(t bee content to bee brought to fhame lomcrimc for their doings, and iometimestoterrour and torment of conference, for their fhppery walking, and (ma'l re^ud of honouring God, as well in oncdurieas in another, feeing thefcarc properties otnnne, which cannot bee fcparated from it, that howfoever they oft fcarc nofuch tiling, yet one time or other it will rind them out. Thisdict, I fay jheynnitt oftentimes lookc to be kept at,(who fettle not themfclves foundly in the Chriftian life)even to finde hcrcmuch fhame and forrow, which othcrofGodsfervantsfrullbcvoyd of. And if it be lb with them, judge what is the cftatc ofthe hypocrite, and prophanc fort ? But that none may be troubled at that which Ihavefctdowneofthc power and ufe of the armour, as thinking that which I have faid,but a rnccre fancieand untruth; feeing the enemies which wee fight aoainft, arc [trong and raging, and many good fervants of God have beenc fub- ducd ofthem in tcmptation,whercas I have not fpoken much (fay they) ofthe conflicts and combats, which they have with the allurements of finne, as though they refitted and overcame them witheale, without any great driving : To fatisfie fuch, I anfvver, that the (peaking of con- flicts bebngcth to anotherTrcatife,namcly thefifth,wnere lhandlethe doctrine ofthe lets ; here I onely fpeak ofthe armour, according to the parts ofthe divifion lctdo wnc ; and yet none can underhand me,(if hee marke}thatlthinkchnncand our lufts to be catily overcome, which I call furious and raging, or Satans fuggeftions by objects or without, to be lb one refitted, which I fay, arc both flily wrought to deceive us,and to have mighty force to draw and allure us; but rather every difcrccr. Reader ma y gather that I count it the moti hard and difficult of all other things to fubduc, and conquer them, becaufe I (hew fuchneceiTitieof walking armed continually againll them. For what can I fay lefle, than that we muft (hive manfully and ftand upon our watch ,and that we cax- not he crowned except rvecftrive /rf»/K#Mhatis,ttcdfaitly,yea,and th3t for all our armour, wee being yet unskilfuil, or faint and timorous in ufing Of the benefit of the Christians Armour. j 6 3 ufmg it; not oncly we may be, but alio arcoft-titr.es foiled, as if hope of vi&orie and of prevailing againft them were pail? All chisl fay : and yet in the wcakeft cftatc, wc* aie not *cf iCor.4.f. Qody though in feme dtstrefefir a time ; nor fw allowed up, tho, j ff forrowi nor in defy aire, when we be in Come dtfcomfort\ but when we are at 0 the loweft ebbe, that in feme temptation we yccld and be overcome or m^m it,yetcvcn in that we are not fomiierablc as others who itrivcnct atall, atibcyibu but are for a while left toourfclvcs to ice our wcakneffc, that after- JlrivtmitetilL wards wee may gather more fticngth, and 'as it wcre)rcrchourbrcath, that we may take better ho!d,and refill more valiantly ,cfpeaaily when through any of ourowncdcfaults, we were overcome. And yetwhen- ibeveritis fo with us, who can deny, but that itiocamcto-parTc,bc- caufc we were no better armed ? and for that wc were either unskilfuil and unexpert, or flothfull and flack in ufmg it? So that, I fay (till, as I N°rc- faid before, that whatibevcr our temptations and aflaultsbee, by the ^l™mf0lm helpeofour armour, as Chrift our Captainc hath, taught us to wcare and keepeit on, we prevaile and thereby rcjoyce,evcn as contrarily.wc muft ncedsforrow whiles webe naked and unarmed in the battel!. But wee may for juft caufe bee upholdcn, and warre chcerefully againft all kindes of enemies, when (as lofita) wee have promt fe of the vtttorj, the Io1^ *•* weapons of our warfare being mighty. 2 or* 1 °**# And thus I have fhc wed how the third helpe, namely, the Chriftian armour is an efpeciall furthering of us in a godly life. But becaufc I t™*,**''**'' know, that this which I fay, will fee me to fomc very doubttulJ, and fcarce like to bee true, that for want of putting on, and keeping on this Chriftian armour their eftatc is both unglorious and uncomfortable, (who yet are of this mindc, that they may be Qui HaF.s good enough, though they know it not) I will therefore fatisne fuch as I can in few words. Otherfome rhinke, that although it is fit andimet forfirorg The fecwdlt* Chriftians,yc: that wcake ones ought not to be troubled with the fee- jetfwi. king for it, but may content thcmfelvcs to fcrvcG^d as chcycan, with- out if : their reafon is this, left v\hiles wclay fuch (irong load and bur- thens on them, being yet but weake,wedifvOQragcaiu; drive them out of heart altogether. Thefc two objections indeed, the wit ofman after the hearing of this preicnt Doctrine of the Armour, will be ready to put forth , and he thatis paft both thefe doubts, and troubled witl. neither of them, i thinkc(nay, I know) that he hath overcome mucii, :;ud hath well profi- ted. For tncfatisfyingofthoie who arc weaker, I will anfwer a little Note. to both. To thefcrmorr, why (houldany thinkc, that tlicy may bee TbeftJdjeMk good ■»#"»* 5*4 Hi efliUto be Tki feconJob- M vfacrcd. Note. 'Iknarwj'.trtino buribin, but a btlpe much dtil- ;. en of the rvc\.[:cbn- Una. » * x. .. i art bcjtavdi.ani out it, are thereby brought into luipition or baitarcue, and that they W|/w. a re not the Lords, though Tome things worthy commendation maybe i^o:c. inthem, more than in many others. Neither oughtthis, which I lay, icemeftrange, for both inScriprure, and in experience, many have llu- ned as lights tor a lcufon, and in.ft.cw of zeale and godly life, have beene (both or the Miniftcrsand people) in account above the molt; who for all this, have fhamcfuily fallen from their Hi ft love, fuch as it fecmed fometime to be. And therefore romarvcll, though this urging of the Chritlian armour doc not ilwour grcacly to them, which yet is favoury to the new borne in Gods houfhoJd. But concerning tlu ie men which have fecmed forwarder than they arc, 1 have here no fit place to dcale further with them: only let them confidcr what danger it carriech with it, to have beene in likelihood of goodneflc.anci now nottobc, and whether this be with the righttottt Prcv.4 i3. tojbmedatly more and mere, as the Itghr doth, unto theperfdi day. I con- clude tha: vvhich I propounded to aniwer, that the putting on thcar- mour 3 \ i Ofcwr ffwne experience > and what afieciall mour of a Chriftian, is not tooftrong meat for the youngeft thacii nouriflied up inGods houfe, nor tooweightic a burthen to lay upon them; but the very fame, which of all other things they moftdefirc as they can difceroc it,that they may more fruitfully and chccrcfully fcrre God thereby. And fo I conclude likewifc the whole Chapter; and therefore of the armour of a Christian this be fa id. Chap. X. Of our owne experience, and wh*t a freciallhelpe it iito the le.tdma »f 4 gtdlj life : and eternAHltfe t infomuch, as our fife islittlcworthifitbc not helped by this. Foi : till wee begin to marke how true every part of Gods word is3 andthjtGod doth dxily exe- cute that in the world, whiciihce faith in his Word hec will bring to pafl'e; we reverence it not, neither regard it, but only infpeech and in lhew,and till wc marke and obfervc,howGod punilhcth the hollow- hearted, and the workers of irnqnttte, wc fcarc not to doc ill i and io on ' the contrary ,611 we flnde how fwcet and pleafant a thirg it is, to be fa- thered undrr the Lords wings, and what a fhcltcr and defence he is to his hithfuli fcrvants, wc make no reckoning of his fervice, but it is un - favouiy and unwelcome to us. But the experience of Gods dealing to- war/- 367 I Literal*. Note. 1 Expcrimi*- Note, Our life lit tit wo tbyif "ttbt 7ioibJp(dbje\' * r 3 Of our owne experience > and lohat a/peciall wards in ,andofthccariagcofour fclves toward him, in whatcourie we bcftprofpci tndhndc moft reft to our foules, this bringcth the true fcarc Prov.r.rf. of God, which is the Only wifdomc. For the due consideration and re- membrance of the time pjft, and Gods workc therein, is a forcible* V'; meane, through his bicifmg, to make us goc forward better and better r.| inthcChriftian way. For when we can fay, upon good proofe and tri- ****. -all, that we have fecne that it haih alveayes gonewclivpiih fuel? as are up- right in heart ,and innocent in their lives, and with our fclves, when we have walked after the fame rule, and that when we have kept our fclves from the defilements of the world, we have fcene good d.iyes , and lived comfortably; thiseftablifheth us in the famccourfe moft firmclyand conftantly afterwards : and when we have obicrved,that God hath pu- Note. nifhed fecuritie, an ill confcicnce,rafhncffe,and wilfull finning, (as they arc very blinde that markenot that) this experimental! knowledge bringcth great wifdomc in the choice of our wayes, and caufcth us to take J:ecdtoQHrfclutSy that it may g$e vtell with ns, Experience how So when we arc able to fay, we have in our troubles humbled our afflthn^tb felvcs to God,confcfled our finnes,and fought pardon in faith, and had bej tndy ui ra e \l0^Q t0 £e a good end of them, and patience to bcarc them, and have (though it iceined very unlike for the ume)found and obtained it,this is a cleere demonstration to us, that therefore in the like trouble, we fliall findc the like bleltingby thelike mcanes ufing. And this experience nc- P&lakiio.i. ycrrau,cth,ifwc rightly ground ic, that is, if that which we have rift- i Sara'. 17.34/ kc^ to be wrought by God, hath bcene agreeable to that which in his Word hath becne fpoken by him. This we findc to have often ftirred Pfal.77.10.11. upthedcarefcrvantof God, David, both to be comforted in hisafHi- Ctions^becaufc before he had fo bcene ; and alio to be conftant in a god- pfaj 3.7.37. ly life, becaufc that he had marked that it everbringeth a peaceable end. And what marvcll fhould this be to any, who arc trained up in the Lords houfe? Forthiswcknow, thaws in all trades or feiences the be- ginnings are hardeft and fulleft of difcouragernents; fo it fareth with Chriftians, namely, that their firftentrings are moft doubtfull,and ful- kft of weaknefle : yet who cannot remember that even then, God wrought moft lovingly for them, and dealt moft tenderly with them, when their faith was yet fo weakc and young, that they could not well Note. • difecme it > For how hath he kept many of them from fore fals,hol«lcn them from manifold and great afflictions, and not brought many of their fins to light atoncc,lcft they fhould have bcene difcouraged with thcodioufnefte and great number of them, (even as he hath prornifed-/* regardthetr weakneftc) whereas otherwise they aiuft needs have becne driven to <:rcat cxcrcmitic ? Thcfc help? it if to the leading of a godly Uft} &c. } 6 9 Thefe and many other fuch like, why hath the Lord done them,but that his children fhould nurke and obferve them, to learne experience by them a^a'nft the times which fhall come after? And that they might lately and boldly promite untothcmfelves, greater proofe of his aifi- Itancc and fatherly kindncflc towards them ? And why hath he given a good end of the. r former chafrifements when they penitently defircd it? Even to this end, that their hope may be (hengthened for the time* that fhall come after : As the Apoille fpeakcth of hirnfeife and ofother •fiddly people : Co a hath delivered tu, God deth deliver m^ and we trpffi * GmM.1 ^ * im that yefhereaf:er he will deliver tis. Aifo why preferred he them from fearefull falls when they earnettly craved it, or madethevvayof Note, .^odlincilc more cafic than they could have hoped for ? But to hearten thewi on to looke more confidently for the like grace and blc{fing,whcn they have now received longer proofe ofGodskindneffe toward them, and of hi? keeping promife with them, if they fhail feeke him in the fame dutifull manner that they were wont to doc ? For the Lords hand Era ^ r# .is not punned that ht cannot he/pe, but is neercr to them, as they are Kom.j.4. better acquainted with him to beleevc it. So that as men who have found out the way to bring rn proht,cannot be diiTwadcd from it : even ib it fareth with thefe, when they by good proofc hive found the •fwectneffe ofthe Chriftian lire. But wofullit is, that where fo great benefit and gaine might berca- w^ tbacmn pec\ by fo fmall era veil, even by marking Gods manner of dealing with *(2rHe not exf*m his fervants : yet that lb few fhould bee brought to this' wildomc, and Nocc" perfwaded to feeke ontthebeft andhappiefiway> which for all that, is Pro.iA*. notrnrdto them that would gladly rinde it. For I muft fpeakcthc truth, end God he knowcth it,that few let thcmfclves about this workc t^get this experience, when yet they have oft in - arte d for their foo- lifhnciTc: but for all that they love to lie in it ftill, (more fooiilli than Children, who cannot bee made to come nigh the water,* when they have once beene in perill of drowning ; ) and fo they verihe the words ofChrilt, O ye foo/es, howlongwilt jelovefoolifbnefie? Which is the pf0,x tx# caufc, why not only the mod part of hearers are dead and cold prach- rkMuda fers, but even many of theteachers, though they doc boldly utter that cvftoffak which they have read,yet are faint followers of that which they teach: cM**B*i*i9** or concealc much of that which they fhould. dcliver,becaufc they flnde if the contrary to bee done of themlelves, which they fee they fhould ^wc teach others, and would fhun the reproach of the Provcrbe, Fhyfitidm, ke*!e thing ownedifeafe. And here, feeing fo fit occafion is orTcrcd, I thinkc it nothing out C c of 3 7° Of our owe experien ce% and what a ^eciaO.isfc. offcatontoaddc one thing concerning this matter. I remember Well and have thought upon it, fincc I have better obferved thecourfc of mens livcs,and thoic alfonot of the word fort,that when I wis a young man, and then firfl begannc to Iookc after the life to come, I was con- vcrfant with one who brganuc to preach, (I am not afhamed (I thankc God) to acknowledge that I loved and liked fuch company $ 8. ycares agone) and the Text tint lie mould handle at a ccrtainc time, gave ne- tdlary occafiontohim ofrcprovir.ga fmne which he fawcJcciely him. *c ire to commit ufual.y, but never obferved it fo much till that time in which he mult fpeake againft it. Whenhe faw and better confide red of it, he was fore pricked ni conlcicnccto fee fuch a blemifh in him- felfc,and as much troubled, for that he mult inveigh againft that fmne openly before the hearers, which he was gu.Ity of in the fight of God, andofhisowncconfcicnce. He brake off his ftudy, being in providing to preach the next day. He could notrefolvc to rebuke that in othc? being himlelfe an offender in the fame kindc ; i\u\ fo to lay burdens on others, and himlelfe to fceme innocent. But humbled himfeife to God confeffed hisfinne, and profeffed the forfakingof it, cravinp forgive- nelle of it, before he durli proceed in his ftudy tor his Sermon^ And af- ter that, he was wary to doc the like in his preaching, namely, that hee might cleerc himfeife of that funic which he muft condemne in others. Jbkwijjmng Which thing even then, I thought to be a vcrtuc in him;but hnce J have fte"^**** noted how rare it is in men of his calling, 1 have counted it an oma* faiultiptto nient, cfpecially then, in hisfuft beginning. And fo they whoturne ftt^t txpirxruc. their thoughts as he did, and their consideration, wifdome, and ftudy to this, namely, to make confcicncethemfcives before they urge others todocfo, andmarkc what is thebleftcd courfcof life, and how it is at- tained unto, and that thcmfelvcs cannot be quiet without it, as they {hall declare that they arc wife, io fhalithey befureto ftndc a fingular he^pe togodiinclfc, vvliich they (hall never repent ot travclli g for. Tkt fifth private it folio A«th in the next place, that we fee how God hath provided oft C f no leffehelpc for us in company, than by our Lives alone : which be. twpulj \nfx- cauk wc nave mwch ufe of, and occafion to be often in it, both in our mitf-Lxtraft, owne family, and aifo with others, therefoic left we might potfibly re- mtiitbtrwifc turne outfiom it, worfc than wc went into it, and otfend much therein, 44 byunjt. £as tjlc moft companies arc fuch as doc make men more corrupt than rjmti&t^ tfay vvcrc before) therefore the Lord hath taught his people how to orrythcmfelves in all their meetings with others in fuch wife, as not only they may (hunne the harmc which is eafily gotten therein, but alio have much hclpc and furtherance thereby, to goc better forward in Oftbcfixtbprrttte helpe&bich *V prayer ,and the, i?c. $71 jft Chriftian duties. But this point is handled at large in the next Trca- rifc : therefore I rercrre the Reader thither. H r ' — Chap. XT. Ofpryer and the farts thereof, Th^sgtvJngnnd T{eqvcjrtwhcreteMo is aided Confcflion offir.net. Aving now made mention of the two firft kinds of the private Thefixihfri, hclpes,thc third followcth, containing the helps which may be vatebtift. ufed byoncsfelfc alone, or with others alto: as Pray a- and Reading* Prayer U a calling upon God according to his will, and hath thefc two partSjThaRkfgiving and Requail,whcreunto i$ a 'ded theConfcffion of linnes. Thankfgiving is that part of Prayer, in which, we being com- Thxlcsgivrng, toned by fomc benefit, which in favour God bcitoweth upon us, are drawnetolovc and praifehim, and fhew forth the fr a its thereof. In chc which defcription wc fee three duties to be required of us, and three thru pnfwjf- motivesorperfwafionstodrawustopcrformethem. I will fir(t men- mtomoyen tionthefe latter, and then proceed to the duties. The firft motive is ^"fyJF'**'' knowledge and remembrance of fome benefit received or promifed us. *^** Which may be lcencinthcthankfgivings of all Gods fervants, as in D.ivid after that he had received the favoury and fcafonablccounfell by i Sam. if. J*# Abigail, and in Abrahams fervant, when God had blclTed him in his Gen. 14.17. journey to Aram, The fame may bee faid of the Leper, whenhecfaw Luk.17. xf. that he was cleanled, after hec had made requcft for it to Chriit. And where there is no knowledge and due consideration of lomc particular mercy, how can there bee any true and hearty thankfgiving, howlb. ever in words there be a protcftation for fafnion fake? As in them who fay, wc mull thankc God for all, when yet they cbnfider of nothing that moves them thereto. The fccond motive to Thankfgiving, is joy and gladnciTc of heart for TycrectMjt the benefit which wc tbmkc of, or call 10 minde. As appeai eth by the Pfalmc, in them which returned out of the captivity, laying, When the pfij, \}t, \% \x Lord brought agasue (that is, turned away) thecafttvttyofSien, (his Church) we became like them that dreamt: then was onr month filled with laughter Chrifi, which is the orcatcft dctn much more of favour givcr/v/* nilopforthyigs, which arcoficlTc account, winch both rejoyce their hearis when they remember any of thele his blelfmgs, and itirrcth them up to a much more hearty per- forming of rhh uuty. And as tlicle three former things muit beer in us to move us to true thankfulneiVe ; -lb to make it effectual!, three duties are required : Fir{t,a continuance ofourlovcto Goc. Secondly, adefue to fct forth his glory, and in words to profeffe and confeiTehis goodncile. Thirdly, a further proceeding in obedience, and walking worthy ins kind neffe. For how can wee choofe but iove and fet our hearts upon him, when wee may lee the fruits of his favour oneyery fide,, w ivcthcr foever we turne our (elves, andjth* fa.ms every m* rtxfieu'r Hvcu ^ s e ! j e Prophet h\z\\yl love the L*rcibtcill In.- bene-* fits ? As if hee fhould fay , Oh that I knew and could fatisfie my felfc herein. And wheve this affection and dclue is, can it otherwiie be, but that I». parts thereof thank/giving* and requcfl, ifc. $75 that by all good opportunicics, there fftouldbce an exprcflfing and ac- knowledging of this his goodnefle? E* tn as the fame pcrlon fctteth faimfclfcdowne to us for an example, I wtllpr>itfct')c Lird, a»dca!!*p- Pf.l.ui.r tnhtmwtth thanksgiving, and cifc where in the conrrcgition in heart and tongue, and with inftruments well tuned,and or many kinds. Ani that which hec doth himfelfc, hee exhorteth others to doe alio fourc times in one Pfalmc, faying, Oh th*tme*wo*ld before the LerJccvftfe K4.i«f • hu loving kjindnejfe ,and h is wonderfu 11 'worsts before thefonves of men. % \ J1' Now with theie two before mentioned, iftrmlat! property be ad- J A further pro- joyncd, that we faithfully endeveurto walk* worthy Ins k^rttbicfje, and to fr«&g »••*■»- kecpeour leivcs within holy com pa fie, which isodoe the will of our tKCt' heavenly Father ; then doc we rightly performe this duty of thankfgi- ving. The which one, ifit be wanting from the reft, maketli them til lame and maimed,and as odious to God,as the mortlings and untimely firft borne of the beafts, which were offered to him in fi orifice. And how with our thankfgiving reformation of our lives (hou Id goe, Mo- fet fticwcth, by fctting downc the danger of the contrary, faying. When the Lord tli j God hath bronght thee into the land which he [ware to Deut.o\l#,ii| thy fathers, ^Abraham, Ifaac, andlACob, to give thee, with great and lt' goodly Cities which thou btiildedft not, and Honfes fall of all manner of goods wktch thou file dft ■ o^, and Welt digged which thou diggedft not. Vineyards and Oltve trees which thou flan tedft not , andwhenthouhafi eaten and artfull, beware left thon forget the Lord, (in Head of remem- bringhiskindnefleand bounty) butfeareandfervehim. So the Pfal- mift laith, W/wf deft thou taking my word in thy mouth, either in thanks, Ffal.fo.if « prayer,orfpeakingofit, and hat cfi to be reformed by it ? And theft are the three duties necelTarily required to be in true thankfulneffc. Thus I have fhewed what thankfgiving is, and what properties are How tba*\efg>- required in it, to the end it may rightly bee performed to God. Now viM^uahlfiH then, if this duty be thus performed of us, in adverfity as in prosperity, tfdlmtfu (for lb God will have them doe,who worfhip him arrght) and alone by our felves, as well as in company with others, that fo we may bee free io^ 1T# IO* frornhypocrihein offering it; muft it not needs becafingularhelpe, with the reft, unto godlinefTc? Ifay, when wee fhall many times from N*1** day to day thinke upon Gods loving kindncrTe,how great it is, & hath bin towards us, and finde fweetneflfc in his benctits,as being perfwaded that we have them in Gods favour, when for them wee (hall have our hearts inlarged to love the giver, declare his goodnefle to others, vwth a defire to honour him, and be more ready to our particular duties, and ■ Tfccfff.ili when we /halframc our (elves in all cftates 10 this thankfulness* it not a Cc 3 wighryr j 74 Oftbefixtbprrtate helpe&bicb u prayer, and the mighty and forcible mcanes to mollifie the hard heart, and to hold un- der the (turdy corruptions of it, as impatience, difconrcntment, wrath and unquietncs for our afflictions, fo that it may thcrby become fiibje& to God, yca,cvcn when ftrong provocations doc d ra w to the contrary. Then we cannot bee ignorant that ThankfuincfYc u one helpe, and that not the lcaft,to the continuance of a godly life : whether we under- hand it of that folcmnc Thanklgiving, which wee adjoync ordinarily Onrrfimc?°&>u, to our fi»pplicatioDS, or that which now and then we doe ufe in a more *M*tbtrbiif*e ' bricfe manner by any occahon offcred.And this of Thankfgiving.With tCiiriflualifc. this wc are toaddc implications, which alfocontainc confciTion of our (in : All which three indeed but one a&ion generally, but particularly have every one of them an efpcciall and fcvcrall ufe. Therefore it fol- lowed* to fhc w,in what fort we mould make confeflion of our fins,and our private requeues to God, that they may much more be helpcs to -godlincflc altogether, when one part, cvenThaiikfgrving, is* lb great an helpe alone. And firft, ofConfciTion of fins, as in order it is to be ufed, next unto thankfulncflc : and afterwards of the making or offering up of our re- quells and fuits unto God, and namely, for the rcrniffion of fmnes, and xlcjhox.3,9. for; other favours, with the which it is ordinarily to be joyned. Now, PfaJ. jm3*. this is an acknowledging ofourfclvcs to be guilty ,and worthily to have WcAtuii, deicrved Gods wraLh, and manifold ptmifhmcnts, for our grievous faults and offences, and an acknowledging of them alfo, with a free Note. apd humble bewailing of them before the Lord,iuchasare unknownc , to us in a oencralj manner j -but thefe which wc doc know (according Wmrttb:TJw\m to. the nature of rhem) particularly. And this duty is rightly done and ;*«ffun. praftifed of us, ririt,v> hen wc fecle our (ins odiousand burdenfome to us. Secondly, when wcaccufc : our lclves of them to God, Thirdly, when wecontcfTc themtohim (having examined our life) and that we fraud at his mercy, . deferring to be condemned. Anil fourthly, when wee abafe bur Jelvjcs thereby, and fo are mcckned, and our pride aba- ted. In all the confeilions ofthe fcrvants of God, thefe fourc are to be foundjthat I may (hew it at oncc,and not ftand long about every one of k5-am.ii. ij. them. Asm D*?/^ confeflion, after i^itNathan the Prophet had ac- cufed him,faying, Then art-them*»9 that is, this great oftender ; he an- fwcred ,/ kavt jinxed : in which ope word,he found & Hie wed all things thatarc required in a true and penitent confcfTfon yttat is-,ibatlic both had his fin inadctcftaWcexcCFation,accufcdhimfelfctoGodofit,con- . fc&d tjiat he had juftly provoked God againft bim, and was greatly flU. 51. * 5. humbled by iu In the ?falrac, if any doubt of this, hec may fee them particularly parts thereof, tbankf giving* and re queft ] &c. 57$ particularly defcribcd^ The fame may belaid of Dan'ul> hlsconfeflton Dan9. f. in the ninth Chapter, and iiithePubhcans, when hce knocking on his b reft, and looking downc to the ground., pgafhamed 10 lookcup, faid, Goilemercifullufitome a finned All thefe arc likew'ife in the confvffion X-^k. t8. i ;. of the prodigall fonne. The fir ft in thefe word %Jht crfw.& «, What manner of confeflion therefore we fhould nnke ordinarily in our Prayers to Cod, by this may be fcene : (if it be othcrwiic framed, that is out of our owne braine, God will reject it) and then Chair wc not (as many doe, to their little comfort) coldly confrilc our finncs in ge- * Sam u.io. ncrall, nor for fafhion,but in particular, and thofc cfpecially,by which H*"'l "***'/' we have moft offended God. Now this co/ifcflion being from time to J^£ * ' time oft made unto God, (hall not fuffcr ustogoefarreandlielong in any finne, but hunt it out before it bee warme andnefrled in us. And when we fee every while in comming to confefle our finnes, how wee have burthen enough of our finne, which by negligence and infirmities is committed of us, although we finne not wilfully ; who feeth not,but that wefhallbe much prclervcd even byconfcjfingthemin this man- ner that I hive fet downe, from dangerous falls and reproachfnll offen- ces ? So that the very confeffing of our finnes, which is but one branch of our prayer, is of great force to ftrengthen us in a godly life- And as for the objection of them which lay, that the oft comming to Objctf. performc this duty,will make it common, and without force to kill our finne*; I anfwer them thus: God having promifed by this and fuch %/fmfw* other helpes, to chaineup the unrulinefle of our nature, doth grant grace and liberty to his lervants (for all the rebellion that rcmaineth in ihem) much to prevailc againft it, fo that ordinarily they may finde cafe and peace by thefe helpes, and a cheercfull readinefie to the ufing of them, (which will put a way tcioufnefle) and that much more than' they, who by cuftome in earthly matters finde hard tlrngs eafie. Thus I having fhewed how thanksgiving and confe(Tion of fin ftiould beufcd,and being foufcd,what helpes they arc to godlinefTe; itrernai- %LmUtfiAubt neth that I fpeake to the fame end ,of requeft making to God : how that btlpt tt fiw ought to be done, that the like fruit maybe reaped thereby. Of the fc/J. which the leflc (hall need to be faid/ccing this point is afterward hand- Cc4 led; 3 7 '6 O/tlefixt private belpe, lebicb u prayer, and the frbdl)t1*tfii. t Sam. I. if. The fi 'ft thing h Luk. 18.1 j. Note. Matrh. •»§. PfaLi4'.iy. Matth.ij. if. Luk. it. I. Tbtficirul thing i* reqwft. i Iohnj. 14. lohn 14.13. & lf.7&l*. fbttbnd thing m requtjl. km.M. led ; and more is written of it by many, than of the former tww. Re^ qucft rs that part of prayer in which firft, we earneftly powreourour fuits unto God in contrition of !;cart ; fecondly, according to hit will ; thirdly, with a comfortable hope that through Chrift wee mall bee' heard; and therefore, fourthly, tbrfaking the finne which might hin- der our bit ; fatly, we wait patiently. Wherein briefly note thefe fat things ,nece(lary to bejoyncd with this duty whenfocver we goabout it. Thefirfl is, that we fhew this contrition of heart, by bein<* prefled with feeling our wants, unworthinetTc,mifcrablccitate, and manifold nccefiltics, earneftly dcfiring to bee pardoned and cafed, which fhall not be found hard, if our confcflion of amies be hearty, and according to the rules before mentioned. For he can moft freely make requcft to God, who can moft heartily accufe and complaine of himfelfe. And our praying to God is but cold and counterfeit, when wee be not tou- ched with our o wnc vilenciTc, and fo confequcntly , the better feelc our neceltitics, which we dcfire to have releevcd. But if this be, wee (hall neither pray in lip-labour, which God abhorreth,nor thinkc our felves to© good to wait Godsleafure,(ifacfirft he grant not our rcque/ts) but continue them as he commandceh. Thcfecond is,that we askcofGod no other things than by his Word he allowcth us to pray for,& therefore fuch as are agreeable to his wil], andfuch as we hare a promife to obcaine, and that in fuch fort as hce hath promifcd then); and fo doing, we fhall not pray in vaine. There- fore the Apoftle faith , Thi* ajfurattce vpehave of him. that ifvee atke any thiKgaccordt»gtowtliy/:ewsIIheareH*.\VW\chTu\e,2sh{ufticihi]$noitQ hunt after our owne dcfire and will ; foit isnofma;ibcnefit,that whau fbever we Hand in need of, asking it according to his will, it fhall bee given us. And who would defire to have that, which our loving and moft provident Father doth not fee good for us? Which if it content not fome,marke what they net thereby. For they m^c, but they obtatne not, btcattje they take *mt(l< : and further, they lofe all their labour in praying, thinking thcmfclvcs good Chnftians, if their lips bee going, when God in the meanefcafon countcth their fuppofed devotion ro bc« but much babling, and curfeth ity being done in ignorance of his will. From this fecond arifeth the third,thatfceing we have fo great incou- ragemenr/o precious promifesof fo many & great good things,as God hath bequeathed to us, therefore we (hould quicken our felves to come infaith and coufidence,and oft times ,andchccrefully to this duty. Even aa men doe come chccrefuliy, and with good hope to their approved trufty neighbours in their neccflities to borrow, when they have often before pronufed them to lend.. And parts thereof, tba*k[gfting> and rtqutft, &*. j 77 And no marvel! it it, though there be both fcldome praying, and 9ft* coward going about it, where faith is wasting to let them forward, and a(llirinceofobtaining,tobringthenion with comfort. And ingrcat w lidomc and lore, hath God given us leave to rejoyce in making our Note, prayers to him by this bclceving, that wee (hall receive fomewhat thereby, (according to that which he faith in Saint lohnt Asketa»dyee Iohn i* ft* frail receive, thatyottr]oy may bee full) borh becaufc wee have many thecnc£/?rris tobefeene, who being timo- rous (as we may gather) bcrore prayers made to God was mightily in- couraged and ftrt ngthned after praycr,and that in a moll weighty mat- ter, and unlikely to bee obtained. The third effect, of prayer is, that it llxibnii reachcthout to us in c u grcatcft need^the good things and gifts of God which our fouIesdcfuc,asilis written, tsfskryandir frail be ^ivenyou : Maith.7. % yea fuch things as we thought fometimc had not becne to be lookc fur, m )9j inheavirjejfe> light -in d.trkr.e/fe , and hope for defpaire. as by the Coi\gofsf»K*t l S*m. i. 2. after her cffcchiall prayer, i Sam. i. to. 1 S?r. i io. but J will proceed to the fourth properry of prayer, that when vvee ittf trtk .bnn pray,we bring not with us the finnes which will turnc away the cares of w Ttik ?• the Lord from hearing us. And thclc fins are any which be not repented of,but lien in,or nouriihed in us fecretly at the lca{t,and not renounced, This^^^wconiSrmeth in chcfc&w words, when hec faith, ivhofo ■ } 7 H Oftbcfixth private belpe^hich is prayer >andtbe^ &c. Prov. iS.p. turneth awajhu eare frtmhetri.ifthe Law, (and foany part of it, be- ingof like ami equal! authority) even hu prtyer P>*ll be *bomi*AbU. Ami 7)*c//^3^rccth with him, frying, even as hccpow.cd out his re- quells unto God, tf there bee **jvrtckednejfe tnmj k*nds, (for all my Pfalm. 7 J, 4* prayer) jhall f/.'*f excufe me ? /7^/r w^r //;**, 0 LpriO' ther, 1 meanc Thankfgiving,Confeffion of finnes,and Requeft, (which i Sara 7.7,8. ordinarily in our prayer? oughttogoe one with the other) they have M** htf n £rcat *orcc anc* Povvcr H1 tncm to uphold * got% l^c> na,r)Cly and efpe- t9Azed>ilife. cially, feeing by confclfionof hnnes, amanacknowledgeth himfelfca guilty perfon, and debtor to God, thatfb he may be the flower to run further in debt with him. By making his fuits, he declarcth that he is abeggar, and»ftandeth in need of all things, as having nothing of his o wne, (if he know himfelfc well) biit fin and filthineffc \ and by giving thankes O/tbefe^enth private belpe, Tvhicb u Reading. j 79 thankcsheconfe{Teth,tlut whatfoeyerhebath, orenjoyeth, herecei- Ecue^.^. ?eth it of Gods mccrc mercy and bounty. All of them make him to fee himfclfcinhnitly indebted unto the Lord, his pride to be abated, his heart ftirrcd up to iceke unto him, and iilargcdto love and obey him. And \fb*4tfrMe$k, this pr.iyer of htth vtitwfe him uf\ if he be heavy, Note, this will comfort him ; if he be dull, this will quicken him. Oh, who can reckon up the infinite and marvellous commodities that come of prayer, if it be accompanied of the fore-mentioned properties. Therefore I conclude,that feeing it is a prefent remedy to the oppref- ic.i heart, a preferver of the godly minde, a giver of ftrength to the weake,an eipeciall meancs to make a man ht to live in every eftate, wherein God hath fet him,&c. I conclude (I fay) that it is a ftrong and mighty helpc to the godly life. For pray well, and live well, and keepe Not-, thy felfc in cafe fit to performcthisduty,as thou haft beea directed, and thou fhalt not need to feare in thy life any great annoyance. But how tins, with tome other ofthchclps,are to be brought into ufc everyday, that the fruit of it may be more ccrtaine, fhall be fet downe in the next Trcatife of the daily direction, which is the place fit for it. Chap. XII. Of'RjAdingy and what an helpc it is t§ a godly life. T He next hclpe to godlineiTc is Reading. The which cxercife and duty that the Chriftian (whom I goe about to informe) may findc it an helpe and furtherance, together with the other mcanes to a godly life, fomc direction I will give him about the fame. And although much might be ftid to very good purpofe to bene- fit the leameder fort about this intreaty of Reading : yet I having ap- plied my fcifc thorowout my whole bookc, to further and hclr>c eve ry Chriftian bcleever to walkc on the way to Heaven, with more eafe, rruic, and comfort; therefore I purpofe in this Argument to doe the tame. And to this end, I w.ll dnw that which I rmctofay hereof t'tut^mfim to five points, and in five qucitions and aniwers to them, includcmy *6**jh*4»c. whole minde and meaning about it. Thcfirit is, What fnould be read. Thefecond, Who they arc which (hould rcade. Thirdly, When they Cnould readc. The fourth, How and in what manner. The fifth, Why and to what end. 7 T^thcfirftqucftio^whatniouldbcrcadjthcanfvvcrisifir^thebook ,,= ,, l ^ht ctGod, whuhisthebookeof bookes, even the canonicall Scripture nrt. ' of j go Oftbffc vcntbpri Vata help*, lvhicb u Reading. of the old aid new Testament, and then other found and godly books (for ill bookes out in print, arc not to be read : no, although the argu- ment and matter be good : For the reading of many bookes, which t^n bring little profit, or much hurt to the Reader, arc to bee avoided, a* being wearifornc to the flefh.) And of thole which aretobcread lbmc are fitted to informc the judgement and the underttandin*, to make wife and skilfull the Reader in knowledge of divine thing;, as Calvir.s InftiimioHS, Trier LMartjrs fimmonfUcts, Bex^es C°"ffJfi~ ins, &c. womc helpe more fpecially to pra£tifc knowledge, by confir- ming faith, and endeveuring to keepe a good confciencc. Of which lbrtthofc which direct aChriftiantoagodly life, arc and I tmy notbc afhamedtofay, that this booke in which I hare travailed and takc»! fomc paincs,is one tending to that end. And fome helpe to both, as the worthy labors of Mr. Pcrj^ins arc herein the principall of our time, con- taining the fummc of many learned Authors, in a plainer manner about the matter of Chriftianity. From hence it followeth, that feeing fuch bookes ought to be read as have beene mentioned, that therefore men fhould, as their ability will permit, hare fuch bookes in their houfes: and fuch as cannot purchafe them, they fhould provide the beft that may behadofmeancrprice,ky the helpe of their faithfull and learned Teachers, and namely found and pltine Catechifmcs, godly Sermons and Treaties, ofand concerning faith and repentance, counting them other manner of houfhold-implcments, than Cards, and Tables, and fuch like ftufFc,as the houfc is thought to be naked that is without them. And further, when they have thefc bookes, their care muft bee to fee that they bee not caft into bench holes, nor fuffercd to lie unoccupied Kotc. a»d covered with cobwebs. For let the beft know this, that if they ufc not reading, they fhallfinde much more incurabranccin their life, un- fa vourincflcalfo, unquictnciTe, unfruitfulnclTc, and unchccrerulneffe, with fuch like, yea though they ufe other hclpes. It is further to be re- garded of them, that feeing bookes which are fit for the build ing up of them in godlinefle, muft be read of them, therefore they muft not bc- ftow their time in reading filthy, ieud, and wanton bookes; no, nei- ther needlefle and unprofitable, neither fuperftitious Pamphlets, nor Machiavels blafphemics, (which is a (hamc fhould be fuftered to come into mens hands) nor the fubtill devices and dcceitruU drcames and er- rors of the Church of Rome, except they be able for their (bund judge- ment tod ifcerne them, that fo they muy be the better able to dctcft, and give others warning of them. And this bee (aid for anfwer to the firft quefhon, namely, what is to be read, Tke jSftrii i ch.Urtn. OjtbejeDcntbfrmtchdlpe^ Tvb/cb u Reading. j 8 t The next queftionis/VVhoiluould reade. Andthey arcall fach as for ,g**/f. 2. whom good bookes arc written. Bttt they arc written for all forts, as *>l»Jh$uld Saint ilhn faith, I /*/>» 2. 14. /wr//r H*toyo* little cktL-lrct.tjoitnrMtrt, rc< c ' >s: therefore all ought to rcadc. ] hisanfwer, feeing the A pottle writes to all, ana yet iorew of all AHJ^f!?' is doe regard, but r\uherddhttc die reading of goodbookes, I will therefore (hi id a little lipdn it. Saint Io'k (to begin with them in whole behalfemany fpcake, that there is little icafon why they rt.ould bec urgedtateade, I mcanc children) requiting this duty of them, doth rHjuoQ-iamcfachascoxintitnccklledc and almolt ridiculous tomovc them to reading.;. -For thu* UQizwXxJwriiiioyoHlsttlptljrUren, becfirfc yt have fyowxe the father. Whereby hcgivcsustarmrkc,that children who are in ycarcs a degree uiuici young men, arc capable of the true and faring knowledge of God, and that inch were of them m hiinimc, as knew God tober.hcir Father thro !g!i:Chri(i their Mcdiatorr Andr Note. may notfuch rcadc good books with favour and fwcetnclfe^ who have hcene trained up by their godly parents -to hearc the fame Doctrine preached to them, till they have either attained to the grace of bclcc- vine, or at lea tf doe fee fo much into the beauty of it> that they doc earreitlyandunfaincdly dciirc and long after the fame? Such as 7V-- motly w/e, who was brought up. in the Scfiptu^s/rorw his chiid-ho^d. Andthechildrcnofthc Elect Lady, for they walked in.theUriuJi. And if they could favour Faith3they were alio ht to be framed to a Chrifiian life. Now then, if children bee capable of thefe great and precious things, as tak . )\v God, and to walkc after his will, is it not a fhame to fitch as aitirme, that crnklven fhouid not be drawn*? to rcadc, disputing! vrich she Aportle, that he was not well ndvilcd, .when he wrote to fuchy tothc end that they nrght rcadc the fame ? Tiicrcforc, howfocver the prophane andhrel gious people, who love reading little ihemfclvcs, be led with error, yet let the wcll-advifed Chrifiian know, thauhf- drc.nare tobc cxcit ed m reading good bopkes. - . -.The fcco-id fort c/thafc who fnoujd rcadc good boqkes, arc yQi\n<> 1 : men, who if they K .inch as they fhouid be, and yet no othcrf:haiu. Appftlc wrote unto; then they fhouid fight againft the Do ill andbis inflrumcnts with their fpintuall wcapons,and prevaile againlt them by thejrholycouragc and manhood, li f«r»,(iaiili he) pvfe fe huve ui^acjmc tk c cvtil o,\c. And; yvho doubtcibjbut that ihch Giould make the Word of God, which they hear, and icade, as it is called the Sword of the Spirit,a principall hcipc and mcanc to vancyi(h Satan, and OYCicomc their unruly lulls, \\hi*h \yaic them a mifchit fr, and j U OftL-ftV mtb private helpe, T»hich u fading. and. wilt, if ie IxrpofiTibJe, bringthem to utter definition ? Thtt fo they •n.iy well prove, that, it they be unmarried, they care for the things or* the Lord, and if they be nor, yet chat they are fubjc£t to the Apoftles prtcept to Tttm, thar they be fobcr, that is, well governed ; for fo hee , { faith therein one word, Let youttg men be fober. Now therefore, feeing youir^nenhavcfomanyandfTrongcncrnicstofightagiinrl^fallthc^ corruptions arc ; and thofe (as it were) fet on fire by hell ; good rcafon that they among other fliould be diligent in fcarching the Scriptures, and in daily reading of other good bookes, to cftablilliandftrengthen themfclvcsagainft thorn, and tocdifle and build upthemfelvcs in their moil holy faith ,thatfo they may prorc,that young men of Gods nour- N ceringfhall profper and thriva far better, thaniuch as waikeafter their ownc hearts deftr^, fcotning good bookes, and the reading of them. } Oldmen. Antias for old men, to whom he writeth, unlefTe they be fuch as be a.rcproach to jftefe grav haifes, they know the great workesof God, having not only rcadofthem in hiftories of Gods Word, but alio ha- ving marked them, artdobfe*rvcd them in their ownc experience. They have iecne how God hath threatned and purfued his enemies, thcdil- obedient, and how he hath bcene good and gracious to his beloved fcr- vants. Arul therefore they fliould be eafily perfwaded to rcadc, ha- Notc. yinS ^° g°°^ encouragement by the times pail. And they who can take no pleasure therein, having patted fo many daies of their life here, but 3ffc6l the delights of the common fort of aged perfbns, that is, to hearc and tell tales, to laugh and be merry in a nine and ptophane manner, they are not fuch as the Apottlc wrote to, but fuch as arc to be bewai- led, as being unfavoury to others, and fuch as may bee afhamed of thcrofclvcSjifthcybe not utterly blindcand brutifh. But the old men that he wrote unto, were fathers, ( as he faith , I write unf yon fakers) that they might bee examples in gravity, integrity, wifdome, and in other good things, and therefore might ftill continue their courfc in reading, belidcs other meancsufing, to bring their gray haircs with peace unto their graves. And thefe among others fliould give them- fclvcs to reading, and not as the moll of them doe,to prating,idlencfle, and worldiineflc. A nd this be faid for anfwer to the fecond qucftion : Who fhould readc ? jktf/f. 1. The third qucftion is, When they fhould reade. Which qucftion WbmibtfBmid cmnot be fo fooncnor cafily determined as the former. For though it rvde* bcexptefly commanded to Minirtcrs, that they (hould attend to rea- ding, that is, givethcmfelvcstoit with all diligence daily, as one part oftneir particular calling, unlefle (brae fpeciall occafion doe hinder at fomc Oftbeftvsnth private belpe^ which u Readmg. j h \ fome time, and that a!fo of more neceffry for the time: yet of other men, who have thcirfevcrall callings to follow ami attend upon, this way and another that ; we mull nor lay burthens upon them, fuel) as God hath not hul, and therefore too heavy for them to beare; by ir.jovmng them other duties which cannot Uand with them, neither thcreforethis of reading. Which faying yet muft wifely be received ; not to lay pillow es under then elbo wes, to nourifh them in (loch , who are too back ward already and too untoward to reader of which fort there arc too many. For doe we think c that the holy Ghoftexemptcth Rcvcl- ' * any from it? why then doth he move all thereunto (as we have heard) and pronounccth them bleftcd, who joy nc reading wirh the doing and Norc' pradlifw* the things which they rende > What is then to be done (yce will askc) betwixt both, feeing none are to be exempt from it, neither yctanytobetycduntoic,asrhcMini(kris? 1 aniwer, As every man hath more frcedomc and liberty in his calling than other, alio fewer lets,morc incouragements and helpe, by wealth and ability ; th,e more time he is to ycelcf thereto: and they who come behind inthefe, they muft be content (in refpecl of the other) with lciTc ufc and cxcrcilc herein, andthcymay reft with peace, although they cannot enjoy the benefit fo liberally and amply as fomc other. For asfomeof them, who receive the Word into a good and honeft heart,fome (I fay) bring forth thirty fold, forne fixty fold, fome an hundred fold : even fo, fome cannot ufe the mcanes lb many nor fo oft as fomc other ; neither therefore attend fo much to reading, which is one of them. But let all Note, that looke for fruit of it, keepe and (hew an honeft and goodconfei- ence in doing that which they may, and ftirre up themfeives earneftly hereto, as knowing how much untowardncife there is in our rlefh, as iiulntfle,coldneffc,unwilIingncfle, yea, and rebeliiouinclTc againft it. For if men give place hereunto, they fhall hardly beginne, and more hardly goe forward. And if they be unfit to rcadc one good thing, (for it is with men in this, as with fickc folke to their meat, that they have techic ftomacks,) then let them rcade another. And oft fet before them the benefit thereof, how many waiesthcy may take good thereby, as fhail be faewed afterward : and let them againe confider why they intermit their course of reading at any time, and whether it bee for weightier occafions, and not rather to fecke liberty to the fiefh, a-.d to rove after their owncphancafies one way or other. Andalthough fomc Nvt«. muft reade when they ma y5 who cannot keepe any ordinary courfe reading ; yet feeing other fomc have ieafurc and liberty thereto,let fuch be cartfulho keepe their couite corrftantly, cf^ccially at the firft cr> trance 3 1 4 Oftbcfeycnth 'piyate help, Tpbttb u fyadin*. ™" it; artci when they breake it offbyany neceflary occafion diem hipplv it at fome other time Befnles, let them not in keeping a Miifc in reading, io much looke to the obfcrving of their ta>kecerc-- m:j ' for taihfen (as ib.-nctilc todoc) as heartily delircto profit thereby, much lefle let them doe it ft!pttftirioufly,is putting ho- rn the deed done, and as thinki; g that the very atfion plcufeth God,whatfocvcr the intent and end offhe party be therein. Bnt'what- iocver rules be given about reading, I cannot furficicnrly bewaile the ltarcof them which reade feldomc, even when they mutt needs, for fcare or fhamc, or curious novclric. Both thefe faults arc too common- ly committed even of Chriftians, and that becauic foihc of them for roll owing the world one way or other, can findc no lcafure thereunto : other foinc taking their full fcope in play and plcafures, cannot attend to Inch fad matters as they count them , whiles the other arc fo welcome to them. Orhcrs through idlenefle, (loth, and fwarmes of vaine cogi- tations, or dangCfouslulWcarrying thcm,or through groile ignorance, Ixo:c. nccdlefle and idle talke, negJeit fo good a worke and neceflary duty : whereas, if they had learned to make confciencc of it,they might fluke ©ffniuchnoyiomneiTe by watching their opportunities, whereby they fhould not need to fearc,but that their labour therein fhould be plenti- fully rewarded. As for tying any to reade fome what daily, though it be a good helpetothem who can, and doe fo ; yet In no wile it is to be impofed upon any ofnccefTity, neither doth God injoync the fame, but as every one may yecld moft time thereto, fo hec may befurc he mall lofe nothing thereby, but gaine greatly in rcfpecXor others. And this for anfwer to the third qnettion, O ft a. *" r^c ^ol,rtn P^cc !t 's demanded how they fhould reade, and by Hmfbn Ihjlld wnatmeanes they fhould be directed therein. Which is a point of great .mde. weight to be learned and obferved about this matter: For wemaynot thinkc, that every one which taketh a booke to reade upon when he is dtfpofed, or now and then readeth for novelties, may looke to profit byhis reading; but as it giveth great hope'of benefit, if it bee well regarded, Co lbmc good heed muft bee taken in going about and uf.ng it. And although for the learned fort and ftudents in Divinity, the un- derftandirtgof the Arts and tongues, and the knowledge of the Scrip- ruresfhrafc, and iu'ch like, be great helpes, whicii private perfons at- tainenot unto: yet there are many he1 pes for fnem alfo, by the which they may atrairtc that knowledge which is meet to guide, e]uicken,and comfort them while they live here. And fir(t,i:rs requifitc, that hec vho defireth to make good ufc of his reading, be foundly catechized, and Oftbs' (rptntb private helpc^hicb u R eading. j tf 5 and well ihftftlAd in the principles of Chrirtian Religion, that being Tiuic I found Chriftianby the aiTurancc of his falvation,and ins fan&t- ation,he may grow therein as byothcr hclpcs, fo by bis leading- For othcrwifc, though he haveboch wit and will,torcadeand hcarcmr other <*ood things, yet fhaM he never havethc right ufc of them, but b: like tln-m who riave much houfhold ftisffe, and many implements for filch ufc, but no houfc to place chem in. So he may have many fragments andbiokcn pceces of knowledge and skill which may ocable to doc fomc good to others,bur he (hall goc without the chicfc good himiclfc, becaufchcwaructh that, for which all thefc iliould fervc ashelpcs,a~ havefaid. And this isfo true, that not only the common hearer isnat the better after many ycarcs bellowed therein, yca,thongh he have h part in reading forr.ctime ; but even he that is affected and well moved, byhis hearing and reading, joying and lorrowingas occafion iso.'rcred. yet is not helped to heayen nor holineflethcrebyjbut his good motiops a!*.d a flections (bone fall, as they iboncrife,and vanifh asthefparklesof the furnace in the ayre, becaufethe heart is not well feafoned with fa- ying knowledge, which is theft" rft beginning of any thingthat is good. If he be thus grounded, hemufrin h:s reading, underitand that which he rcadetli, fo as hee hold it to be agreeable to thefundamcntall points of the Catechifme. Which fhall be a mcanc to keep from many errours. It will bcalfo a good he!pc,to Undcrftand clccrcly, tnc famine and con- tents of the fevcrall Chapters which he fhall rcade, with the drift and ^ - feopc of the whole booke ,• and v\ ithall^the things that goe before, and ^kitind, thole which follow any difricultplacc. And he may be the more inlight- ned and helped thereby, if itcould be, to digeft his reading by medita- ting on it afterwards. To all which, he that can addc the reading of (bund Interpreters, and take opportunitie to conferrc with the learned, j'rvttndiU is like to findc much fruit and profit by his reading. rw'mg. Now followeth the fifth and laft queftion, t© what end men fhould readc. And though in generalise anfwermay be truly made thus,cven T. to know and practife the fame ; yet feeing the Scripture doth more par- l i:r"l'16, ticularlyfet downc the ends thereof, they (hall more cleerelyappearc to us,if we hcarc them as they are fct downc to us in the fame. Now the lame ends for which the Scripture is written, arc the ends why wee iTiould ufc thcm,both in our rcadingjbearmgj&c.but thofc are fpccially five,thcrefore fo many and the fame ends there arc of reading them. The rirfrfourc arc mentioned in the fecond Epiftleof S. PauI to Jtmoihie, Chapter the third, the hxteenth vcrfe, where he faith, The whole Serif ~ ture u given by wifirdtiwfiom \ott» And for all the deceiving of themfclves that way, manycomc to little better ftarcandend,cfpceially if they know that fuch undcr(landi.)g,as I have fpokcnof, be to be had in this life, and is alfo enjoyed of fomc, and yet they thcmfelves have it not. So that to be without fiich crTcCtu- all and fa vug knowledge, is both brutifh and mifcrable, as Sd/jmsti,, TunMj.A. though fome what covertly, dedareth, when he faith, Withem k*orr*- ledge the heart u net rood. Where he condemneth all fiich as ( though they have fomeliterallknowledge^cOliveftiamefullv and offcnfively,- as they muft needs doe, their hearts jcing hlthy and evill. : Thefccondcnd of reading, is the refuting ofcrrors and filfe doctrine, as Popery, Iudaiime,Turciimc,and the reft. Which nocwithftandingit bercquhed of the Miniftcr chiefly to cut them off by the i word of the Spirit,as it belongeth unto him chiefly to teach, corre£t,and comfort,to the end that he may be furnimed every wa y to guide the people aright; yet doth it alfo appcrtaine to all private Chri(lians,as they (lull be able to attainc it,to difcernc faifc doctrine by the true mete-yard of the word of God,and Co to take heed that they be not perverted and lpoilcd by it, but abhorrc, and, as from a Serpent, flyc from it. And they, who arc Tzhicb u Redding. j g 7 living under a found and profitable ordinary Miniftcry, fhall by their reading be able todifecrne many dangerous crrours, that they may avoid them. Therefore Saint /^willeth the Chiiftiansto vvhomhec ilobn^i. wrote, as wcllasthcirtcachcrs,to trie the fpirits, (which breathed out *i ocliine among them,) whether they were of (JoJ or no. And err Sa- viour wiJlcth to beware offalfs Prophets. And the men of IjCrea, and Match 7. tf. Thc(T.\lonica are commended for trying the Apoltlcs doctrine by the Act17.11. Scriptures : whereby ic appcarcth, that they were able to doc it,tKough they had knownc the Scriptures but a while. Which was no fmall bene- fit to them,as all other alfo may findc t/vho having attained found and faving knowledge of the truth, arc able to finglcout crrours, asthcy did, in their readings. And this is the fecond end of Reading. The third and fourth end of reading, is this: (for feeing both may 5 a3d 4 fitly and well be handled together, I will joyne them together, for brc- viticfakc.)Fir(t,that all vices, finncs and faults that they rcadc in the Scriptures, or any other found Author, they condemnc them for their ovvne parts, as odious things, which God cannot abide. And therefore in themfelves e(pccially,irany fuch lye lurking either fecretly within them, or cleave to them in their bchaviour,and outward actions. And all fuch reproofes of finncs as they fliall meet with in their read ings,that they apply them to themfelves, as forbidden to them, and condemned in them ; or if any of that fort fhall hereafter winde m with them and deceive them,rhat they cenfure them in like manner. And then fecondly, that whatfoeverduties or gracious actions they fnallreade to be com- manded of God, thofe they take to be commanded to themfelves, to flicw forth in their lives, and to give good example thereby. Thus the Lord hath appointed their reading to be, with other good helpes, the mcancs to flic cvill, and doe good, and in a word, to live well. Both which arc effected by him, w hi!c they who arc made fuch, have honcft and good hearts, into the which they receive the Word and good in- struction. And this is a lingular end ofreading,to help forward in Gods people this reformation. But of this the whole bookealmoitentrca- tcth, therefore I will with more brevitie pafll* it over. The fifth and laft end of reading, is comfort by all the fourc former. $ Forthey,whorcape that ftuitby thcirrcading, which they doeby their hcaring,to know the way to happineile,tod'fccrnethcby-wayes, and to follow their knowledge in practifing that which is good, and decli- ning the other, may for goodcaufe be comforted, yea,and that comfort fliall abicie,without which there isno other that is found,and will (land by a man in his greatxft need. And (to fay no more of this) if the end ^ Dda of 3 8 8 Of the ftVcntb private bc!pt} vbicb is Reading. of the Scriptures, and foby confequent of the rending tliem,bc to com- fort us,how arc they deceived, yen, and grotVcly bewitchcd,who think, that no found comfoit can come from thence, but rather, that they (if they fhould excrcifcthemlclvcs therein) would take all delight and comfort from them? And thus, faying no more of thefc five ends of reading, than of ncccfluic I mult, with a few obfervation* and watch- words, I will end. And firft this is to be obferved, that in rending the Scriptures, they readc not hcrcand there a Chapter, ( except upon fomc good occafion) but the Bible in order thorowour, and as oft as they can, that foby lit- tle and littlc,thcy may be acquainted with thcHi(torics,and the whole courfcofthc Scriptures, having before the grounds of Chriftian Re- ligion laid i and lb may have the more comfortable and liberall ufe of them. And furthcr,that which I have faid of laying the grounds of Chriiti- an Religion, is well to be nmked, feeing they being by apt and fit co- herences laid together if! the mi:ulc,and working upon the heart of the belcevingChriltian,aic able to make the reading ofothergood books, and especially the Bookc of bookes, which is the Bookc of God,clecre in many refpe^ls, and profitable, which to others Hull fecme as a cla- fped bookc, or full of hard difficulticsand obfeuritic. And in reading of othcrgood bookes, they arc to be counfclled ra- ther to readc fomc one or two well penned,cichcrofthc whole Christi- an Religion, or any pauicular argument, and matter, and them often ; rather than a Icafcof one, and a chapter of another, as idle Readers uie to doe for novelties ftke. Often, I fay,becnufc a good book is of the moft part ofChriftians little fecne into, at once or twice reading over, much Icfie the ufe of the tioclrinc of it reaped and enjoyed of dull heads,flip- pcry memories, and wcake prac-likrs, fuch as it is too well knownc, that the rr.ofr Chrifliansnrc. And therefore the grcateft part not having Icafurc to readc many Noic. bookes, fhail findc molt profit by diligent going over of the fame often, making their choyce of thebeft and ncccifariell, by thchcl^cof their faithfull Teachers. XuUs »:ore f*r- Now as conccrninqthc manner of rcading,bcfidcs that which I have f.cklvly abmt faid before; itmuftbc with an heartie good will to learnc and profit thereby, definng God to prepare us with reverence, to lighten our un- clctftandings, thn we may conceive that which we readc, and fctling our fclvcs for the time of our reading to be attentive, and ib to abandon the waiidring of the heart, as much as may be ', the which will be the a filicr &i minnv cf r tiding. I Of thefeyentb priratc hdpcy ytbicb if R eading. j 89 eahlicr done' in reading, if it be well watched ovcr(as hathbecne fa yd befo'*c)in our courfe of living. Like wife, that all the gencrall promifesmade to thcfaithfull in tlic 3 Scriptures, we apply to our felvcs, and thatnll exhortations and admo- nitions quicken and ftirre us up fromcoldnciTc, deadnede, and droufi- ncfTc, and all reprchenfions checke us for our faults efcaped, and ail threatsfeareoijrbo!dneiTc,andappalcourfccurity, which istoocafily No ,f' kedout, and a>i1iccpe appointed by Unmans fubtiltieand crucll ma- lice,to be llainc; did yctby prayer and falling obtain dclivcrancc,\\ l.cn to mans judgement, all hope was pad, not that oncly, bnt alfo their hearts defire againft their adverfirics, with great favour of the King /'whom God had made of an heavy enemy a mighty friend) and much wealth and profperity : whereupon they caufed a diy anci time to bee appointed, in the which the Lord might bee prailcd ; zi\d thatthcy might exprctfe their zcjoyc'mgyaJidfc^dporttonsoHeteaxofher, to icihfic Efth.a.il.i». their love unto them. And this is that folemncthankfgiving, which! call one of the extra- Vutobtuf'du* ordinary helps to fcts us forward in godlinciTc : which ot'ail Gods peo- lor** t0 ibc pic by the like occaiion is to be offcicd up to God, dirforing(as ye fee) °^'0f apparantly from the fame dutic daily performed, .s in fervcncicofchc fpirit, io in other folemnities, befidc a longer time of continuing the famc.This dutie(w hen the occanon of it,bclonging to a whole Church, is pubiikcly performed) ought to bee accompanied w ith the preaching P*£%^ of the word, to quicken the aift mbly to the more lively profcifing of their thankfulneitcj accordingly as their fclcmnc fealls under the Law, were with an holy convocation. And if the caufcof thisextraordinary helpcbec private, concerning fome one pcrion alone, or a family, or fome few, then it is to bee offered inpiivateof them (v\ horn this great Orprkatelj. benefit concerneth) with Pfalmcs, and praiilngsofhisnamc, lpcaking ofhis workes,and reading Scriptures tending to that end; as Pfal. 105. PfaJ.ie*. aU I06. 107. SinptkTU fit And becaufc I finde noplace very fit for this purpofe, which tea- forlU cheth a molt right manner of the practice of this dutic, whether wee /hall be occaGoncd publikely or privately to performc it, I thought it very expedient heie to put in the fame : which manner of praifinp^God wasappointcd by the manof God, Davtd, at the fctting up of the Arkc of God in the Tabernacle. Some of the words are thtfe : Pratfe the ,chron \6t, Lcrd> and callnpon hh name, declare hts worlds among the people, fiuq us- to 1 9 . 8c xp.io* to htm,fiti£ pratfe unto him* talke of all his wcndejfuU worlds. Kejeyce in to 1 j. bu holy name, let the hearts of ; hem thttfeek? the Lord, rejojee. And this of folcmne thankfgiuing. The otheT extraordinary hclpc is fafling, joyncd with tnoft fervent TU Qand tx- prayer. And this is a moficarncft profcflTon of deepe humbling our "«"»4»«7M/f felYesinabftincncc>vvithconfcnrionoffinncs and fupplications(forthc "(*f'*^ grcateft part of the day at #*!«#) to God, to tmnc away fome fore D d 4 calamine } 0 Of thf cxtrtwrdiMric helpss. calamit:cfromu$,or1t)robtatningoffofTieclpcciall blcffing. This de- scription in lay open for their caufe, who perhaps I not read nor hear J mudhofthiscxertifc of fa fting, neither hayc boo at hand tohelpetnem t'othc rght life of it. Ifay, wemuftbedec hinubled,and make earned proreflfi >n of itjUrtorcrhan in the ordinanc , abafingof our fclvcs. For though as oft as weed. ind conrlfie our h'nncs, we ouohtto docthem heartily and deeply; yet neither in the like contimianccoftimc, not in the fame meafure of fei can they alwayes be, as at, and in this cxcrcifc, they ouqht to be. Secondly, I adde, that with this profciTionof our humiliation, abfti- nencicmuft be adjoyned ; I means thereby, that wee muft deprive our ieives herein of rhe law full pleafuresand liberties of (his life, as meats, drinkes, (more than tor ncccftitic ) coftly apparell, earthly dealings, (which yet at ochcr times are free for us to enjoy) thereby declaring, * that wchavc by our (ins made our (elves unworthy ofthcm.And third- ly, in that I lay it muft be done the moft part of the day, that is, to the end thr.tby this long time of our humiliation and abafemcnt,our he - miybcm>rc caft downc, and throughly touched with our dilfrcficd eftate,than in a fliortcrtime they arc like tobc. Fourthly, fupplicati- ^ ons, whichcontaincourfuits and confcllion of finncs, are added, to tc ch us, that the chiefepart of this cxercifc confi'ieth therein. Fiftly, in that this is done for the removing of fome creat calamine, that is to . beundcrftood, either of fome fore arrlidt ion outwardly hanging over *Chro.2-\6. us> or l^c w^ole Church, or alreadic upon us,or for fome grievous linne committed, or long lien in of us. The which when weaker meancs re- move not from us, thefe are enjoy ncd us of the Lord, to deliver us from Dan.3 18. them, wholly or in part, or clle to Hay us, that we may reft, our fclvcs I Cor.i i p. on God , that his grace m-ij be efficient for HSi And here we muft know, that to be required, which T fa id to be in thankes, whether private crpubl.kc, thattoenableustothisdutiethe Note rather, we muft in the one, ufc the benefit of Scrmons,and fit Scriptures to ftirre us up hereunto, and in the other to meditate of the like Scrip- tures privately , for the well carrying of our felves through that Co weightie a bufmefle : but in both, let this be regarded, that wee take them not in hand, except wee come in true and unfained repentance, which as finely as wc bring thirher,fo furc we may bc,tlv»tCod will be with us there, and he:. re us, whicii will make the whole action more ftvoury,a!idthc end of it to be with comfort, which is the right man- ner of tak'r.g it in hand : Thar as vfeb^gan our fall with pcnfivcncfTe, and hanging jo,vnc of the hcad,as veiaw»wc had good caufc,the Lord having Of the extraordinme beJpes. k 9 3 having humbled u$,and therby fending us to tcftify our unfaincd gricfe, fucn kindcofabalcment; ib wee having fought an:! fucd to his Ma- Joel 2 n. jelly in fuch unfa met! repentance, to the winch he promiftth his acccp- *k>f. x* *,3. ling of tint our facrifkc molt gracioufly, v\ec may lift up our (elves agajne, and be comforted at the heart For the fame. Now therefore the Hovth(fe lrv9 nature and quality ofihis cxerciie being in fome fort laid out unto us, as trebrlpti t-j^d- the former was, if wee duly wcigrftlYc force and life of the m both in tmefe, thcirproperH.ide,oanu:ly,how tbconeraiiethu> w,foi v>ur vile- rcill-jinorccfpecially rcmerriorcd ; both of them doc < xece dingly d our hearts in more love and obedience to God*: \Vho can deny, chat they both, in the time, wherein they arc tooe ufed, even as a longtime after, are mod crlc6tuaHmeancs to let us forward in' the goly life > Tofavmorcofthcmeanes andhelpcs, 1 have not thought itcxpedi- Camions UntQ cnt, Therefore to end this whole Trcatifc of thehelpes,thefcfcw cau- iffitbtktlfu tions 1 would wifli to beclia4of*hccjcKligent reader, (to the end thou ^!^k! maieft have the right ufc of them)namcly to undcittand them well, and yndnfiaitbm confidcr throughly of them, and of the commodity which they may r»M. bring :and fo with a quiet and meekc heart let upon them, in that man- ner thatthou halt them let dqyvne vntoxhee. And incouragc thy felfe hereunto by this reaion, that feeing fome one of them hath fo great force, to the well framing of the heart and life 3 (each in his kindc) then much more, ail ofthcmtogcthcr,being-fo ufed mull needs bring a more large and liberal! blcfTing that way. But as they are precious and have Note, an excellent end, fo hold (till that account and estimation of them, and Hweihmm ufc them with all high reverence, as thy frailty will permit, and not * ai(0Mnt% forfafhion, (as the counfellofflcfh v\ ill bee) which vwllmakc the be(t vile and common in a fhorttime. Neither giueplaceto wearineflc and vfethmnctfit ilacknefTe in ufrng of them, either in thc'firit entrance, or after long con- f(h»». tinuancc: yet if by unawares, or any other way, thefc faults efcupc, be Wr ' &**•*- dihgent and ready to efpv them, and hide them not, but checking thy "an"^ corrupt hcart,conteffe them to the Lord infecrcr,and he will heare thee if tbijym Un- and forgive thee, and then lit upon the ufe of the forcmenzioncd helpes, /. vomj, pnn§ frcmly and favourily againe asthoudidd before. ?>** lofucuee* There rcmaineth onely this, at what time, fo farre as we may know " r\J**JJ"?* Jt,vrcc(Kowld uie them, and which of them ("hould be ufed every day, fy * ^%]" and which/nherwifc ; which is a point molt necdfullto be knownc.But this requiring another place, cannot conveniently bee fet downchcrc, but Hull follow in the next Treatife of the daily direction, THE 3 94 @Mi:MMI&M%iM&€M THE FOVRTH TREA- TISE, DIRECTING THE BELEEVER VNTO A DAILY PRACTICE OF THE CHRI- Chap. I. Of thcfnmmcy order, *ndf*rts ofthv Treatift. Ow that I haveftiewed who is a true bclccvcr, and ncxt,dcfcribcd the godly life, in ihc fecond partof this book-, and have fetdowne laft of all,thchelpcsandmcancsby whichaChriftian growcth inthefame : It might fceme that any lcrvantof God having thefc three before him, fhould need no other dire&ion to heipe to the practicing of this godly lifc,but might cafily fet upon tiic fame. And fofliould I thinke, (having beene once of that mindc) but that I have perceived by diligent mar- king and experience, that it is fcldomc fcenc and hardly found fo. Ge- nerally ( 1 confeffe ) ic is obtained, but particularly it is with them, as *"/(' f il with the Surgeon, who having learned what is a good medicine for a ^ dangerous fore,can lay it to,but having not particular skill how to pre- pare the fore, how to diet the partie, and when and how to apply the medicine, doth longkecpc him at one (lay, or fometirnc better, iome- timeworfc; but healed* him not, neither doth by degrees bring it to Note. any good cftate: So the Chriftian who hath only fomc knowledge how TbkTrtatlft u ncct§aritytobc j yncdivitbibc former Oftbefumme, order, aud parts of thu Trent} fe. j 9 j how and by what mcancs he muft grow in god I incite./^ r* i7fi %k% Dc- x til, and overcome Ins finrc, fhall Hndc it hard and awkc in partiarars, and on one day as well as another doc it with peace, except he have full rcfolutionas well as knowledge and skill, howtoufc and apply the meanes every day to the diligent observing of his waycs,buth at home and abroad, that he may have the tcftimony of a good contciencc, and rejoycingthcreby. And this is it, which T meanc in this Treatife,to acquaint the Reader The ytraU with, namely, that the godly life, which is to be continued by the ma- fummeffiku ny helpcs before fet dovvnc •, is neither left to men foinctime to be pra- Ttafcrjir, drifed, andatothertimes may bee neglected ; nor generally, (which is fane offfrom Gods meaning and- wili)but particularly in all theirac)i- ons, and every day, and throughout the day, to be looked unto and re- farded.Thisismy meaning, ai:d that which Iaimeat, in ihisprefcnt reatiie. Which is thought of many to be too ftridtatyingofmento Note, duty, who arc fo ^ivenro icekcamall ;ibertie,and it is counted ftrangc, that they fhould bee holdcn within bonds every day and houre,who are not wont to call themfelves to any great account through the whole wecke or more : who if they be reproved never ib jurtly now and then, (for it is to be reared, that few reproofes will bee admitted or borne, to iuch a point the World is come) they count them nice and too holy which rebuke them, they arc fo little ufed to it. Will thev not(thinkc wee) rtrainchard to cart orf this yoke of watching and obfervingrhefr tyves,and(as they (hall fee caufe)to find fault with themfelves through- out every day ? I have had experience, how hardly fuch have beenc able to hcare a kinde and friendly rebuke for fool i fh je Ring, fwearing, unfeemely tal- king, &c. But they have counted it prccifenefte : there is no doubt., but *, they will impatiently bcare it, to have their whole bad courfe control- led and brought within compafle. . It is out ofo1uellionthercfore(I fay)that both fuch as I have here Cp^- Swcwotl Ckri> ken of, and m.my better then they, and which have the Chriftianlifcin Pm*"Mf more reverence, then many fuch, having civen themfelves much liber- [:ra*Zc'°. * ty in their lives, will thinke it (uangc that every day care mould bee ^, had over their hearts and waies. But why thinke they fo, but for that partly through ignorance, and fecurity, and partly through cuitome in both, they have long beenee(trangcarc ready tocaft any milts of flcfldy objections before the c yes ol the (implc,and moll of all zo pu: out their ownc light, that thereby they may bec hindered from feeing the path-way offhis Qiriltiaq direction, to the end they may not walke in it; fuch(I(ay)i - hoi t co hctrc me patiently. To who, as to ail otner who Hull regard it, I offer a clccrcr knowledge of the will of God, which hath long becne notheredby the bold contempt of lbme; and afafcr wav of "thcirownc happinefle,thenitiscpmmonly found of the molt Chriftians; that is, that (as I laid) they multevery day looketo their waics and lives, and lectio themselves conltantl'y therein, and not thinkc they doc well, till they doe lb, but hold it tor a great offence to God, and a bold temp- ting of him, (howfbever they oft'jr him fome manner of icrvicc -f and therefore rh all pay dcareror ir,) when they dare let any one day in the weeke palTe by them without good regard had of pleating God in, and through it. Tbtcrdrpb) ti.ii This wastheprincipallcndofmy writing,cvcnto liclpc to bring the TftJtiftwM Chriliian life in practice, andconicquently, into price and estimation wnttcu. \\u\\ profctlbrs, yea, with fome good pcrions and people, more than it is. For though in word many profciVethcmfclvcs followers of Chrilt, Titus 1. 16. and that they ought fo to doc >yet with their deeds they deny J:imtat:d the ppwer of 'godtinej] calf*. And like wife though the Chriliian life be in feme account with others, yet it commethto pafle,that it is not the chiefeft Note. reckoning with them above other things, without the which it is never .practifed to anypurpoic. Which is one great caufe, why both many wcakcClniftiansarcnot better then they be, and why the bad and un- iformed peribns plcafc rhcmfclves inthcir ignorance and looiecftatc, and make fo ilo w hattc(as they doe) to amend and be changed. Few dee rt[>'re For they fee in many our prcfcA'ors, that there is no eyen and conftant ivUuegdjLVL' *ouric kept in the practice ofgodlincffe one time aswellasanother,and ij. ay. in one thing as in another. Generajly we fay all,(as I fctdowue bcfoic) wee mult live godly ; but in particular, the godly life is feldome and hardly found, even amonglt thofe who lay lb. And as for any ccrtainc time, when this .iliould bee practifed, (as no time fhould bccficcfioni lomc part of it)tkpugl< we affirmc, that it fhould be ib to the end of our )a&j yet it is lb lictic confidcrcd, that it is molt clcerc, that fundnccven good men doc ttnnc but dimly, and arc too oftentimes, yea, and too grofly , out of the way. And as there arc many which doe not honour God by a good conucriation,(as they know they might) if they would Prou 8.9. ^end ihcmlclvcs to it,(for this point ofrvifdome is eafie to htm that would under ft *nd,) fo a great number (who gladly would) cannot tell how to goc about it. Vot Qfthefummt) order > and parts of this Treatife. 3 97 For many a one may approve of a ChriQian life, and give good pre- cepts to another, finding them in the word ; which hec never followed nor pra&ifcd in hisownc life. And thus, whiles it is ikh found nor fecne by experience, w hat is the beautic,fruit and comfort of a Chrillian life, imom'ft few, and they for the molt part not of credit with the men Note, ol the woridjtopcrfwadc that which they know; it licch dead in a man- ner, and fo, Godsexcec Jing kindneffe in appointing us fuch an happy andfweet way to his kingdom?, is not onely not enjoyed, but of the mod, com ted wcarifomc and tedious. I fay more, it is vile and in no reckoning nor account with many, without which they forgoc a great part of their happinedc. It is not mi(Tcd among men, nor asked artcr, though it be the heft of all other. It might worthily grieve him who knowcth the gair.c, beauty, fwect- neffe, and honour of it ; to fee lb many hunt after all thefe, even beauty, gainc,and honour, where they cannot be come by ; and ifoffew they be attained, yet as a flower they foone fade and are gone: and to bcltow no labour for them, where they may all bee had truly and indeed, and conlhntly kept and enjoyed. And whereasit is granted, that one day in Y'^l^^.c. the godly life is better th.tn *t i hot* find clfewhere : yer.what curtefie is Prov£.U4fc amongft men, who fliould beqin to make proofc of it ? And what ho U ding backc is there, lcll they mould doc too much ? And therefore that this Chritianlifc may be brought into fomemore cftimation and reckoning with men, than for a longtime it hath becne vttth themoit, I have taken fome little painc to unfold and lay out this happy cltatc, and ;o teach a more found uft of it, than the molt that profciTc.haTC acquaintance with ; by (hewing, how it is to be made an every dayes workc, and to be brought into daily practice, that fo the Kore. a hoh- being fecne in her parrs, every thine in it may be better percei- ved and difecrned, with the man-fold privileges and benefits thereof* *yf finite* as a great honfc, when the tcvcral! roowes of it, arc w .:'.. their t urn iture ~>:aticularly viewed, and not confuiedly beheld. For the faithfull obfcrv'mg of our hvcs,tbrough the day ; and takrng need thereto, by the hclpe of fuch rules, as C.v od la*cfh out to us in his jys^d'inUmg Word, we fhall lecourfelrcs carried through the diver and manifold r>«» / vi a&ions of the day, fifely and peaceably, feeing the following of a well f » Gt'~ ordrcd courfc brin^cth nrcatefl peace and fafcty : >>na thereby we fhall hwgs* I- 1 j ° 1 1 1 J \ \ • 1 ' - 1 r P<* tnbli (//all ■ karnc whatto avoid, and what to embrace, and that with tuch eale nhich is ir, that I contend for, andfecke to ^orc' draw Gods people unto, and would thinke,I had obtained a great rna:- ter at their hands, if we agreed and confented herein For it istoomanifeft ofmany who are yet to the Sabbath be patted in religious exerofes, irisno: for rear a matter, ^^t*#w/^ iftneotherdaies be parted bctwixtGod and chem. Tmeane,thcy looke KOrk : not to bee called to lb narrow* reckoning> as to fee their words and workes, efpccially the thoughts of their hearts, to be framed after the wil of God. Nay the Sabbath it fclfc is farehougri off from bcinr had IK due regard, even of the moft which go for Cnri$iiris,Wit is fpCnt idlely and unprofitably;ifnot in worldlincflc or vanitv,eipecially a great pare of <*oo Of th fccov.lr fa daily dircCaon. couffiing^ otit,evenaimoltasmuch of it, as is free from piu>Iikcexercilcs;and ycr I wo-ildcvcnthacpartofthc Jay were not jm'tly to be complained of, bfacthatroendid pre lent thcm(cl vet reverently before die Lord to th I t.7. Tjfmhiwhtnxkcjcome together , and chat they had found and plamc tea- ching in ill places among them for that purpofe. But what m.-vc be looked, for of fcch upon other daies ? A/*j fttU Jt is too manifeft, that ic is not fomuch as foiled in the judgement of *£ many, which arc of the for-.v .udcr tort, that every day our grcatctt care [LLak) moulci be, how God isplcafcdand fcrvedinit, and that it ought to he dr£ °ur chiefeil vvorkc; and yet where men thinke fo,hovv many nuke co»i- fcienceof it, or flic w, that they dare doe no other, but hold fait ami nourifh their good dciircs tofcrvcGod, day by day,nnd one day as Korc. another; ib that there might be felt and found fomeagrccablenciTcbc- becwixt every daies (crvicc, the one and other, except it bee to make them all alike in fecuritie ?. For then there mould not be in many, thar profeile with the he$i inch bold taking of libcrtic, on fome daies to be iccure and licentious 5 and others, whobcarc anoutwarU Hiew abox many, fhould not have ib many apparant and foulcblcmiflics, and yet mixed with iundrie good actions (which jarrc witneiTcth,that no even nor conftatit courfc is fought after of them) that i fay nothing of their Kctc. many fecret wounds of conicicncc. All thefc and fujilike pattcrnes in Chriitians(qsrl»ey;irc hoped tobc)doc prorc, that few arc acquainted with this, to iookc to bec guided in the whole courfc of tiicir Jives by the word of God, one day as well as another; and therefore that ibey goc aitray dangcroufly, feeing Gods word dircð us how to live everyday. _ . . j | 6 ^__ C H A P. III. Of the fcctndrtAfon of a dailjf direction, conftftjng of two branch cs. ft* i«.f, T) Vt let us proceed to other rcafons. .Therefore, for further proofc Cajaih.*.i*. JQ thereof, I fay, rJutfccing it is commanded us, in the Scriptures tnat rUI.u?.$. \veckcepeaccrtainecourfeinfervingGod,and walke inacertainc and plainc beaten wav, namely after the word ; and the fame couric is com- manded there alfo, to bee daily and every day : it followeth therefore, win/ it meat thattheChriftianlifcisaccrtaine, daily, and every dayes directing of byibudaiijA- us in our way, and not an unccrtainc, general!, and confufed living ac- fitlioiK cording to knowledge when we thinke good. By a ccrtainc direction I Note* rncane, not that the fclfc feme particular actions and duties fhould bee every Of the fccondreafon of a daily dire£tion>confiflmg&%c. a o i every day, but yet all cvill avoided everyday, and fuch good do. in our calling and life fhall be occafioned. And feeim* itisib,ifwcdifpcncewkhourfelvestolayafidctIii< c:r^ any day/as though it were allowable before God, andlawfullt fo to doc/cven that libertic raking is ©ur hnne, and that intcrmittin di.tyany tuch day is a breaking offof our com fc, and a going onto ' way, even into croflc paths and by-wayes, wherein the leaf I danger is to rcturncbackeagainc : which if it were but thfc lotfc or one d airs jour- ney in a long and tedious travcll/efpecially, when wee goc about any mattcrcf weight) would bee no fmallgricfe, efpecially whenourbuii- ncflc is weighty and rcquireth (peed, and therefore much more intj is Chrimancourfc, being the high way to heaven,fiom whence when we hayc Grayed willingly, weccannot e a hi y come intorhc wayagaine, but rather goe further out,to our exceeding hurt and dangcr.This,witli much inconvenience bcfidcs, will follow, if the word ofGodrcquin; »g a daily walking with him after fuch rules as he giveth u«, we notwith- itanding fhall not regard them, butwalke atrandomc,"and fomc day ^ frame our felves thereunto, and fomeday not at all, or oncdaykeepe compaflc, and another day nonc,or be well occupied in fomc part cf it, and in the other, doe what we lift. But for proofe of both points of this rcafon fomc what is to bee faid, that lb wcightic a matter, and fo hardly pet i waded to many, (namely, that every day we are to follow fome ccrtainc direction for the well or- dering of our lives throughout the fame^may not depend upon my bare report and credit. For the rirtt point therefore, that a Chriftian muft be directed in his TU pr$afc §f tk whole life, and therefore may not bee left to his ownc difcreticn and fi'fip*'1 6f fJ* '■ ■ lyingofthe whole Church, faying : ByjvhatmeAnes may a )otsn ilt doe neither, nor rndevour after the fame conftantly from day to day, then renounce Gods word, and doe what thou luftetb. And why fhould not mens hearts be daily given to the Lord, who is moft worthy of them?What have we to doe in theday more neceflary, asufhallappearcone day ro all, who now will take no knowledge of it Ith'itohwkatlfay, a?id the L$rd give thee under ft an din g^ that m thy heart and life thou maift every day fervc him : Doth the holy ( ,h< ft, W hen he faith, Keefe thy heart with all diligence ; and againe, let it k /•» prov 4 ^ thefenreoftbc Lordcoftiinnally^doih hc(I fay)meanc any scruiuc time, Pi#f^j^ Ec 2 c# 404 Of the fecondrcafon of a daily dtrettion&e. Note. ©rone day, and not every day ? So when rules for praying are given, arc they not to direct us in all our prayers for ever ? WlfAkMr'm ]f thou faicll, why is this then fo ftrange tomcn?Ifay, firft natural- bfiPr**& ''o Jy men dcfircto fttisftc God with a little, and foonc to have done with Kfjcc him,and toferve him in ceremonicandfor fafluon, and few v.ili weigh particularly and daily, what they ought to be, and how to walkc one flay as well as anothcr,but are content togoethecaheft way to worke, (as they think)and (lubber up then (times : And are thcrforc never I°' a h rv mvtUk Againe, ifycefay, why are wee troubled with thefe novelties now, **Jbm£9b)cfl. more than in times pa ft ? I fay, men arc content to have fuch things to be novelties unto them, v\ich which they defire not to be acquainted : for elfe, thefe are not novelties in the Scriptures; and that isfeene, fccin»> there arc divers, who, as they have learned it to bec the will of God, that all good duties, as they may, (hould every day becpradifed. So ^>tc» they dec carefully and confeionably prune off that behaviour in the day, which amid not well be thought upon and rcmembrcd at the eve - ning, without a;iy unwelcomcd wound and accufition. For what can lefle be gathered out of the Scriptures before aileaged, than that Chn* ftians fhould be dail y gtven to e very gocd IVorke, thzz is, to aimc thereat , though when they have done all, they may huidc thcmiclvcs to be much bchinde hand, *nd**fr*ft*bU fcrvaats ? And what meaning clfc hath this Scripture? Herein I cxercffcanicc- ^" c upie my felfe , t hat 1 m*iy have a good Conference both before (jodand men alwayesy that is, (I take it) onetime as well as another : and therefore, much more one day as well as another, feeing it reacheth further, that iseventothconepartoftheday as wellastheother.Thc which if it can be done, except a m in doe tie himfclfe to take heed to one, as well as to another, 1 know not what to make of it. Atui if hee had meant herein, * but a gcnerall looking tohisconicience, hee could ascafily have laid, andlcftoutthe wot c$( before Cjodandmen) which include both inward and outward anions : like wife, the word (alwayes) and to havcrcttrai- jjcdittofomctimcs. The like frying is in another Chapter: To the which thing hoped/or,- *rto thewJitch prtmife made to onr Fathers, our twelve Trtbes ferving Cjodday and night alwnyes, doe trttft to come. Hee faith not barely that tocy fctTcd God, (which all yvill grant ought to be) but that they loo- ked Of the third reAfon of the daily direction, &c. 405 ked to it, daj*ndnigbt% even early and late, yea, ana alwayes,thatisto Aa.irf.7. fay,conihn:ly and with continuance. And as chefe and fuch like Scriptures doe prove that a godly life fhould bcalwaycsard everyday: fo in other places of the Word, the fame thing is fet dovvnc In another manncr,as by tliatinthePfalmetmy be gathered : where the Prophet expreffeth it oy the nicancs and helps whereby fuch a life is led, that is, by prayer and praifes, faying thus; everyday, or according to the Hebrew words, Bee*/ Iom : on every ph^t^.*, tLy I willbleffe thee twdprstfc thy tiAtnc for ever and ever. So that how- foevcrfcwayincat it,that they may by their owne experience have the proofe of it, yet it is evident by the Scriptures, that it ought to be thus, which is the thing that I have taken in hand to prove,that there may be more confciencc made of it among the godly hereaftcr.Thereforc,if the Scriptures commend unto us a ccrtaine courfeto walkc in with God, and a particular directing of our lives, (of what cftatc or calling focver wee be) according to his Word, and further requircth the fame to be daily kept and followed of us, (as hath becne (hewed) thcnChritlians \. muft be guided by fome daily direction in die leading of their lives. C h a p. IV. Of the third reafonof thx daily direction, FVrthexrnorc, if fo many partsof a daily d ire cl io», as will fuflfici- Sewguypartt ef cntly direct a man, be injoyned in the word of God, to be daily aaaity dmRiam ufcdjthena ccrtainc and daily direition is commanded of God : but ^yuf"ff^cnt* the firftis manifeft and clecrc: therefore the latter cannot be denied, /**:'"«***■ Now rorproorc of/this, that io many partsof direction, as may well the wrd cj God, guidcaChriftianrhorowthcday,arcietdowncin the word of Gothic tsbiuftidub. is clccre,for we are directed there, how to begin the day, how to pro- ceed in the fcvcrall actions of the fame, and how to end it. I exclude not any one : For we are directed how to carry our felves in company,how alone, how at home, how abroad, how to bcare troubles when they come, and to prepare our lelvcs ferthem before they come : and how toufe profpentie, as health, friends, peace, libcrtic,goods,and whatfo~ ever blcflings befides God (hall any day beftow upon us. In alUhele (I fay) with other fuch, wee arc directed in the Word of God, and how wee may every day, as well as fome one, fcrvc God in them, asoccafion fhall be offered, which /hall more clccrcly be iccne -afterwards in fundrk particulars. Which if it be fo, .what ord marie Ec 3 actions 40* Of the third reafon of the daily direttion&c. anions in any law full calling arc to be done of a Chriftian thorow the day,butGod hath in his Word guided him how to doc them, in fuch wife, as he by the hclpe thereof, may with peace and comfort bring the day to an end? And contrariwife, fe that l^oiveihht.oHldbe Ahvajesbo%ndto onr hearts ,that l^had in Coninu\i\\remembr2nccyandtiedaboMt our neckjxhit is,as jewels had in Note. fpeciall account, he addeth//\*f fit our awakwgjhcy fl?*llta.lkjvith tu,and token we ■#.rll^1theyjhalllead w. As if he fhould fay, if the word of God be carefully kept in mind,and held in precious etiimation,it fhall guide us from the morning to the evening, even from our uprifing to our lying downe: fo that God hath not left the governing of our lives in our owne hands, as though he had taken no order for them, bufhath ap- pointed in his word how the whole day fhould be paflcd. And further where I faid more particularly, that the Chriftian life, which we are daily to lead, confiftcth inacarefull declining from all evttlyznd contrariwife in well living,*^ bringing forth the fruits of faith *nd amendment of hfe, and alfo in the ufe of fuch htlpesand mcanes, by which this faith and holy life are nourifhed, and preferved, it is very Tbipmii fft lruc •' Pot there are no meanej nccrfiarily to be ufed every day, nor any Ifidtytifetobt parts of godly life, which wee arc bound to performc daily, but the paftiftd &.). Scripture doth particularly require them tolx ufed daily. That which I fay of the helpes fhall be proved afterwards. And for the parts of good Of the third reafon of the daily direction, isfc. 407 good life, which we mutt needs practifc daily, they arc, that we fhouM be daily occupied in chofc good wot kes, which in our place and calling, we canicc to he required of us : as brotherly kinducfle, love, (obrictic, patience, jultdcalingtowards all, rncrcifulneffc, mcckncdc, and fuch like. And thefc be like neceffary allthedaycs of our life, as in any one, Co that it is our fume, when we doc the contrary. Furthermore, the workes which multof nccclfitiebc done daily, are to carry our fclvcs both in profpericic, a-nd under all blcmYgs rightly, tliacis, chccrcfully, thankfully, and fruitfully : and in our afflictions patiently, meekly and with contentation. And who doth not know, that thefc both fhould bcdaiJy > For, fir(r thatpraifes and thankfgi- lnpr$$er'u'H. vin^ in our profperitic are required to be daily, as long as that cllatc a- bideth, confider what the Pialmift faith, C^Cy tongue J)?a 11 tdl^e of thy PfaJ.71.x4, right eon f re jfe daily ; and in the eighth verfe of the fame Pfaime,hc faith : Let my month befiilcdvpith tbypraife, and with thy glory every day. Like- v/ife in the Pial.3 5.28. he faith : , yet who doubtcth that he can Philip.4.4. me me any le(fc than this, by faying, '* allthings .? For thereby he mea- neth, even fuch, as come topafle daily and every day > And yet evert this word (duly) is in other Scripture uCed in the like cafe. For, /u the Lircent f.ij. mercies ofCjodars renewed daily nponhti : Co Gods people are in the ex- ample of the man of God ( whofepraife is fo great in the Scriptures) taught, that as they enjoy them everyday, Co they are every day to fiund forth his praile thankfully and chcerefully, as iuch who fccle and acknowledge thereby the exceeding fweetnefle of Gods loving kind- neffe and benefits, and that is to make the true and right uCc of them* And as daily praifes are to be offered for benefits, Co mull the patient tuajlft'*xtt and right bearing of afflictions be daily alio, and carncfr prayers to God made for the removing of them, as we readc the Prophet Darnel Dan.*, to. diddaily^andt. 'ree times in the day. But about afflictions God requireth Tmthiugtr£ thefc two things of us: the one, that we fbould prepare and make rea- ^mrcdakom $[- dieourfelvcstobcarethemasfrom him, in fuch quiet manner, as that fi^"*1- we be not unfetled nor troubled at the heart by them, when weheareof /^h*^'. 4 them : theother,that when they comc,wefhcw our fclvcs to be fuch in- Lamem-j^f. ' deed,and through the incouragement which we have from him,fubmit ?faL$i.ij. ©ur felvcs(cvcn a* ©ur neck unto the yoke) wdlingly to goc under them. »Sa».ij.if, E c 4 Novj 40S frepsrc out fihmfkr thtm befvre ibty wne. Note. PiO.30.8. Setcnilyy that wt heart tbcm r^fcr/jr, wbt» luk.j.13. Maivh.xMi< N««i 0/ thi Ion of the daily dirtBion^c Nov eiiwn doubts, but that Gods meaning is, thatwt fhouldb c in one as well as anorhcr, yet that it y ph'miy be feer.c/it isi 10 vvnc, that both thcle arc given til comma: every day. F01 d hath taught us in the fourth petition (ghtem o:ir duly bread fo ro pray for all things noedrull to thii prefent life, as his mo(V wife providence Teeth mccteltanri belt for us; and therefore if heinwifdomc doc lee afflictions fit for us, though wee arc not to pray for them, \vc oficr our (elves ready to receive them, and take them as a part of our daily far4^,orc)(e we undcrltand not what God tcachcth us topray for, nor what we offer to him in making that prayer. For wee dchreor God in it; bleiTmgfit for the time, wherein we arcevcrv day : and therefore net only in peace and profperitie, the blcrang of thankes, &c. But under a ft] i6tion, patience, contcntation, and fuchhkegraces^ tSt\\lhetbi*gof the d.iymthe day, as '•y^wr faith, that is, every thing in his time, and as the timerequireth. For in pro lperitic, the time requi- rcth one bkMfing, in air;iw"tion another; that lb wemay hang, c * God every moment. . By this it may be fecne, that Chriftians ought every day to prepare for troublcs,and that is a ipccial part of their dutic in the da y.Thc other thing about afflictions iSjthat we bcarctbem willingly when they come everyday. And this is that which our Saviour Chnff teacheth, wi heiaitb, He that will come after me mu(t dexybimfeife, and take up i erojTc daily ; md this is another part of our outie imheday, forced1 to be looked un:o, as none more. So that God hath caught his, thatwhetber theiriifebe iacumbrcd with arfliCl ions, cr whether it be palled in the ufc of commodities and benefits, they fhall in both e(ta: es learnc or him how to be directed daily. Yea, and to fhut up this point, and make it more full, notoncly every day he hath directed us how to-live in both eltates, but even tho- row the day alk, according to that which is written by Mofes in Dcu- teronomic : Tbrbclovcdof the Lord (hall dwell in fafctte under bis pro- teUian allthe dzy long. When Guilt faith, Watch and pray } left yee fill m;o temptation, whac day, or part of the day, doth he warrant us to be free from danger, without thefemcanes, as experience aifofheweth ? By thefc things which I have nowfpoken of,namely,that wc fhould daily be given coevcry good workc, and Iookc to our fclves, that both in profpenty and adverfny wee bee daily well ordered, wee fee that a Chriftianmay bee able to govcrnchimfclfc fafely thorow the day, al- though he had no further dire&ion. But yet more particularly the word of Of the third ren[on, there ought to be a daily dire ft ionise. 409 ofGoadothdiicdhifphowtopniVcthcdayiniiiscallir.p^incr-r.psny, alone by himicU'c.ami conlcqucjulyuialUiit' ; actions i-fthcday.Wi.kli becauL 1 have ^ppoifltod afterwards to prove it, &\\& wouh. avo.yd tc- diouliiciTe 111 not icpcating itagainc, I will dcfet*cif, tdl I C( me UJ the more particular handling of the daily diiecHpn. ftut yet themcancs andhclpcs, thereby a godly life is preserved UelfitU eyty daily, (as I promiicd before,, nnd Id* I liquid not fo particularly nan- J/j w*44 die chimin the direction follpUfcg)! w.ll in fc v wofyU tetdownc:a:..i lhcw,howGodlu:hmjoined lb liuny ot'tnem, as doc ncfjeftaiily help- to the practice of godlmcillviaiiy to be u Jed, and though not the fame, yet one or other, as prayer, meditation, exhort r,jo one nxoilnr, praifc and thanks, with attending to the publikcmeancs of the word daily, as oft as wee may cnjSy it. Thelcmeancs God doth not onelyinjoine daily cobec.ufed, but alfoin iuch wile, as hec who weighcth how the commanding ofthem daily to be ufcd,gocth with the commanding of the godly life daily to be continued by the helpc of them, mall clcerely fee, that God meant no: cold! v and cercmonioufly to have themper- tbrmed of us, but that of them both, a true and holy.fcrving of him dai- ly,fhould be framed : that lb wc might be one day, as another,and no: nckle and changing al way eV, a sCtherwilc we mult needs be. For prayer and praifesthat they fhould be daily, may bee gathered Vraycraid by that which hath becne laid out of the Plalmes, yea, and by Davids pr^jes. i -ample we are taught to offer them thrice in the day fblemnely,bcfidcs Pr°M$-l7« & p "caf.ons at other times of the day, which a man that looketh well to b££ji%u nis wayes -fhailfindc to be many.. Watchfulnefle, which is a due conil- Wjubfubiiflc. dering of ourwayes, and a taking heed to them, is required to bee Mal.n9.57. •tow the day, and all the day long, net 011 f^me more than other. Our exhorting one another is commanded to bee darij, as wee fhall have £ *hirtat'um. c;ca(ion, howfocvertrie practice of it bee (trange, andoutof ufewitl Hcbr.|.ij, - ianyChriftians,(wbo yet arc they .vhichou^httouleit,ifar,y bc,)and this when wee have opportunity, is to bee done to fupply the roome of othcrhclpcs which cannot then bee well enjoycd^g\s for reading the tee&in bookeofhislaw,and (peaking of the infinite wifdomc of God revealed i°flw« *•••■ in the fame, howfocver that place of Ig[ha, doth not ioprccifcly and ftriclly tyc them to it every day, as other Scriptures doe to prayer, ehankigiyingj &c. (becaufe the day may polTibly be patted intheicr- vicc and worshipping of God aright without that, but not without thcfe,andagoodChnftianmay nccclTuily bee hindred from that, by r. , other duties tor a time more ncccitaryjyet who doubteth,that even that hjJstbcm Was commanded by the Lord to be ufuall and oft, that is, (b farrc daily da-.'j. ttfettj 4 r 3 Of the fourth reafon, there ought to be a daily dircttionjje. ufcJ, is when more ncceitary things in the way doc not occupicus? The lame publike hearing the word of God, as may be gathe- red by that inthc Proverbs, in thcic \^or6stBle(fed/* the mAn that watch- cth dntly .it my £./.'tv, andoiveth attg'iAxnce at thefofts of my doores. And the like is the laying of S. Luke of the godly who were inlerufalcm, th.it tkey continued daily tn the Temple* hearing the Apoltlcs doftrinc. I goenot about to rye any (as Ifaid) to the ufc of all the fame particulars every clay, which cannot poffibly beufed ercty day,but oncly ofiholc that may i and of t Ik reft, but fome one or other, as we fhall have op- portunity, that we may be well able to anfvvcr forthc Chriflianpafli, g ofeveryday. The fummc thereof is this, that God hath commanded, and in his word let downe fo many parts of a daily direction for a Chri- ftian,as by the which he may be guided holily,and fifely thorow eve- ryday: and therefore that one day as well as another, is to bee conic - crated unto God , and not left free to our felves, to palfe it, as we thinke good, and as too many (in a very unprofitable manner) doe, and yet fuch as profcfTc thcGofpel!. The dsnger that foUtrw tbsneg- Icclirgnf it. Match.) £41. Hcbr.3.13. t Tira.4 f . Prov.i8.r4. Pfalji.^r- rfiJm.91.11. 2 Sam.7,14. xChron. 16,9, Pror.10.9. PfalS^x.ji. No:c. Chap. V. Of the fourth reafor. ANothcrrcafonforthcpcrfwading of ustolooketo the daily gui- d ing of our felves in fome certaine manncr,is,for that hc,who will lctloofe his heart any day or time of the day to any intemperance, or unlawfull liberty, doth fall into fome of Satans fares, and is caught with the dec e it fulnejje of fan eimmedhtcly fome way or other, if hec be not hardned alfo : yea, though hee be the bell ofmany, hec fhall findc to his coll, how necdfull the cour.fellof the Apoftle is}watch in ali thi»gs,2t\d therefore at all times ; fo that there fhall be no time where- in he may calt off fcarc of evill, that fo he may be the man that is Ipoken of, Blejfed is he thatfeareth alwayes. Yea, he fhall findc that hec is more weakned and inAigercd by one daies negligence in little regarding his foule and his anions, (whiles other things of lcfTc value are carefully looked to) than in an hundred, wherein his care and confcicnce were continued, bcfides that hee fhall not eafily recover himfelfc againe.For although (jod keep* his children from many evils, whiles they dejtre '>;ycc iftheybefecurc,helcavcththemto thcmfelves, and doth puuifh their finnes, as he doth other mens. And who would bee willing to have his life filled with many fcares, difquiets, reproaches, and fuch other ciot fings, when he might be free and merry ? Of the fourth reafonjbere ought to bt a daily dircttion&c. 4 1 1 But bcfidcs, nothing is better proved to us than this, tha t the tnviom Mauh 13. ay, w«i« watchcth all opportunities, yea, when mcnlcaft fufpeel it, 10 for} tarcs.vmh the good feed, to unfcttlc them, to (kale away thcirhearr, and love from God, to give it unto creatures. And there tore much more, when wcchavcrcmirtcd our carc; and left offour watch, (whcicby hec knowerh and iccth,that wee arc now,*.' an bonfcjweft Arid trimmed Hf Mauh. u.44, ready f receive fuch ague ft) much more (I fay) doth hec then take his opportunity to enter and ks, to confi- dcr the fhortnefle of our life by the dayes of iiy)that ivee m.ty apply our Note. hearts towifdome: that is, in thofe few dayes thereof. And as thcStc- TbcJccHd, ward offomc Noble-mans houle doch not make a gencrall reckoning and account of much money laid out, but writcth rhe particulars, daily an, I hourcly as hegiveth ontand rcceiveth,that he may not be de- ceived: fo and much more (as the Chriftianlifcis more precious than all earthly trcafurc), doth the wife man looke daily to his waves, and thorow the day, tftathis account may the Ielfe trouble him at his 3 jingdowhe^and confequcntly at the day of his death. Yea, and more \m than '4 Ofthefjurtb rcafonjhere ought to be a daily dircCuon&c. 4 1 5 than that/o will he even fct downc many parts of his life in writing al- fo,fuch as are principally to be kept in rccord,(as Gods bcnefits,and his o wne fins) as he is ablc^and ail to helpc him to be better directed in it. To the fame purpofe of daily looking to our wayes, ourChriftian Tic tbtrd. life is compared toacourfc tr race : that they which runne, keepe their bounds and coutfe, and goc notafidcout of the way; fo fhould they who runne in the Chtiftianiacc, lookc before them, and fee that they keepe in their way, and not runne on uncertainly, or wandringthcy know not w here, whiibcr, nor how, by perverting their wayes. It is alio compared to an high way ,m the which, if wc guide and keep The fourth* ourbeaii, although it be loden, it commcth lately to the market with the ciriagc or burden; but if w e differ it to go;out of the plain way into cart-rakes, and toclimbc upto thebrowesand rough wayes, itiscaft and wearied : fo if wc keepe in the knowne and beaten way, wc goe on Nate, our Chri(tiancourfefafely,a!though with fome difficulty, and with ma- ny incumbrances ; but if wc pervert our way, and goc out of it, by and by fall into danger, wc know not how great, ax by wofull experience Prov.io.f. many fearing God have found ir to be with them, who then wifhcd Pral.89.31. they had beenc circumfpeft, when it was too late. So it is compared to arute, to guide us, that as well in our talke with rb: Nl)u other,as alone by our {elves in ourcarthlybufinciTc,asourfpirituallfcr- viccofGod : in our affaires abroad, as-well as in our dealings aihome, and in one thingaswellas another, wccftiould have ccrtaine directi- on for every part of it. and the very fame thing did the faithfull iervant otc< of God Saint Paulteach Timcthte, hu beloved and;: Murtll fonnc in the ilim^.jo. f$ith ,by his owne example when he faid : Thou haft l^oiv^e my ccurfe andmanner of living, &C. As if he fhould lay, what hath becne my dai- ly carriage of my fclfe, (for clfehecould not have fpokenfoj and par- ticularly,that it hath beenc beautified witii faith, lovc,paticnce in great afflictions and perfections, with gentlcneilc to all, and long differing, and bearing much at the handsor unworthy peifjns, thou hail kno wne. alfomy mindc and purpofe, what I have dcfircd yet further. The fame is to be faid of other faithfull fcrvants of God, as Enoch C en.? 11,24; walked with Qod, Noah wo* a )ujl and upright man, and. walked with Gcncf.7.1. God : And Mo[esT»jufaiihfnllin the houfc ofCjod. Which fpecches ur- ^cbr. 5.1. ceredofthe holy people of God mthoie times, wherein things were "t downc more darkly, what can they tcftihe of thciilctTe, than this. Inch I fay ? ^o that it is manifeft, both bythc doftrine of the word of God, and alio by the examples thcrcofyhat not only there ought to be a general I guiduH a t 4 Of %th$ fifth Kfixtl\fel>entb and eighth reafon&c. guiding of Gods people by the Wor J ; but tlfo particularly tryin«of their waves thereby, and a framing of them thereto: and that this ou^lu to r>c as a trade, to be followed in one point as in anoihcr, accor- ding to the knowtedgcrof every one; andthcrefurc tolcmidc an ordi- nary courier of them every day, to feckc to have direction in all (hiegfc C h a p. V I. Ofthi fifth rc*fai:,fi.xrk, f.ve*th andetgl Tlifirjjbu T^Vrthcrmorc, if a ccrtaine direction daily to guide u;, doth bed rftty dnu.bmi J/kccpcus well, when vscbe well, and when we Hep afide or wander clvld^'b OUt ottnc wa? k)' an)" occafion, if this be fitteft to bring us backc moft wtU:a*dioru(c can^y to conhderation of our iclvcs; and hold u>fiom going funhcr m^fkmtfdm. from God: if( I fay) it be the belt and fitted eftate thus to order well, and fettle our lives, in companion of any other; then who doubtech, but that it is chiefly to be laboured for, and looked after, and bolden as tfore. m0& nccelTary ? But that it is lb, who can deny ? Who will fry, but that he which refolveth with himfelfc every morning, to looke to his wayes all the day following, aad to keepe a good confcicnce towards God and men, and for that purpofe iefeth himfelfc to follow fuch fpc- ciall and particularrules,as by the which this may be bell cfre&ed,fhall in farre better fort performe this, (bringing the day to a good end) thin they, who though they be in Chrift alio, yet arc not fo prepared and well fumifhed ? I meane fuch as have only amindetodoe wellingenerall, but doc not particularly fctthemfelvcs to obferve their wayes, but as it falleth out, (which is the cafe of many) much leflc doe they one day as well as another, keepe an even courfe : For they omitting their care any enc day,are the cafilier broughtto the like fecurity many daics after/Which mcn,although I deny not,but in fome of their iclions,and at fome time, doc honourGod highly, and perrormc many duties well, (and that is for the moft part when they have becne quickned by the preachirgof N**' the Word, or their ownc meditationand prayer, or reading, &c.) yet ihey being ufually ca#ied,by {uch libcrtie taking to themfelves, far out of the \szy,doefHR downiAgainethat.whtch they had (>» tided, andedttfe their heljprofetfiovte be ill frozen of and their tb^mer commendation be^ commcth ridiculous, and they are themfelves foone unfetled by ever^ light occafion, dulled by worldly deabngs, unquiet by provocations, incenfedto revenge by injurks, and much eftranged from the life of (1h Of the fiftb)fixthje-ptntk and eighth rcafon, &c. 41 j godlheffc in many points, w hcrcas fbme proportion and futable agree- ment (hould be in the whole courfe of Chriftians. And yet thus it will be, as I have laid, ( which is bad enough, if it be well weighed ) with fuch Christians, as doe not learne how, and feeke with all diligence, to be able to prevent fuch dangers. Fortkey being fubjeft to the fame infirmitics,occa[ions of offending, AUiocdcWifc* and provocations inward and outward, unto the which the beft armed **tt>ei*g al^c people of God arc; and yet not fo afraid and fufpitious of them, not Wjj j?ftS daily making it the chicfeft matter to walkc well fenced againft them, ^'^J^; (as the other doc) which without a daily and continuall watch(as farrc as frailtic will permit)cannot be : they muft needs findc difcontentment in their lives, and difcomfort, as alfb farrc more loofcnefTc and diftem- perature, than the other doc. Befides this, they not accuftoming them- fclvescoany ccrtainccourfeof walking with God, nor following any diic&ion to order their wayes,they doc bring this burthen upon them- ielves/hat when they arc fallcn,they lye long,and hardly rife up again, and make it alfo an harder matter for them to fcrvc God, as they were wont to doe, unletTc (which is worft of all ) they make a light matter of finnc, andfo returne too hafrily for mercy to God, before they have well weighed and considered their fals and offences. And by this,con- ^oic. fider on thecontrary , what the fafctic of the other is, who count Gods fcrvice perfect frecdome, and therefore will not be drawne from it a: any time, or if they fall, yet lycnot (till, becaufe they have fctlcd them- selves to be well guided daily* Befides all that hath beencfaid, this appearcth clcercly, that God ***&&***/* looketh for it, that Chriftians fliould every day be directed, as well as J^^SSlfc^ fomconcdny,by chcordcrtharhc hath fct in the ten Commandements. pl/XlT^ For whereas all dutic to be performed of us, is either to be flic wed to- pctudU wardsGodormen : he, to teach us in whatlort and manner this is to be done, hath thus fctdowne his will unto us, faying, Concerning my rht Gmmmd* fe{fe, for the fix dayes thorovvout the weeke, or ycere, for your whole ******* * /'r- lifc,wormipandfcrvc mec, both inwardly, and outwardly, asinthc ^Cl^GsdL three firft Commandements I have bound you.and on thcicventhday, Z-:^ J as the fourth Commaniiementinjoyneth : And tins is your direction in Noce. all dutie tome forever. Conccrnin^men, without any reipeel of any ****&* with day or particular timeframe your ielvcs daily and jhvayes, as the fix mmt^(b laft Commandements doc require. Who dot'h not fee, that the Lord, letting dovnc his minde in the Commandements after this manner hath of purpoft let downc a perpctuall direction for his people tho- jowout their pilgrimage ? For. 4 1 6 0 f the fifth, fixth,fcyc:ith and eighth xtafonjstc. For although all fee it not, neither confider it, what then? Shall the -pftttofGodbeof no*c *?e:f,bccauic of the ignorance of men ? but they who fee the will and meaning of God fright in them, ice nolcflc than this, that I have (aid. Neither let any obicd here ,that there is no other direction given us, than generally to follow the Commandementsfor our guide, feeing every Commandcmcnt is to be undcrftood fpiritual- Jy : and therefore rcachcth to all particulars of that kindc, yea, even thole which arc inward. For he fetteth downe more than that, namely, that both on the fix dayes, and every of them, one even couifc of wor- flapping and fervinghimbeufcd and aimed at in our particular 3c\ion$, and on the feventh day, another perpetually to be obfeivcd on the Sab- bath for ever, divcrlc from the former. And becaufc the duties that we owe to men are in the fix laft Ccmmandements indifferently on the one, as w/U as ou the other, (and notatourpleafurc when wee lift, or as wc thinkc good) our care topractiie and faithfully endevour after them, is to be continued, and fo the contrary finncs in like fort arc to be renounced. Now in that many of Gods people fee it not to be thus, nor make any liich ufe of it, it is by reafon of their ignorance of Gods will in the Commandcmcnrs, and unwillingnerfetotakc painc about the fame, and acquaintance with a daily endevouringandfettingthem- fclves to the particular pracfifing of dutie in every Commandement, according to their knowledge, as everyone hath heard the fame laid open unto him. Tbeftvcntbred- But further, that we fhould thus be fully rcfolved every day to live jfc», bjLneffi rcligioufly, and that in particular, and not fervc God by the groffc, it fi9u!dbcetiMll is plainly declared inthcEpiftle totheGalathians ; namely, that wee Gahth jhoMldnotefieeme one fay above another ', neither attribute holinefleto Obiet}.' onc> niorc thanto another, and fo neglect one in regard of another. And although it may be faid,that they in (o putting difference in daies, did therein flic w themfelvcs fuperftitious, but wee arc not fo to be jud- ged of,though we doe not as carefully worfliip and obey God one day *r asanother: Ianfwer,thatboth inthatplaccand to the Coloffians, he Coloftl'i*. rebuking thatfinne of putting difference in dayes, dothcondemne as well our fecuritic,who fcekc not to gloriflc God as fincercly and holily, on one day asanother, as their fuperftition, whogrolfely thought one dayholyerthananother. Andconfcquently, lookc whatcertaine and cleere rules the Scripture giveth us, for directing our lives one day, the iamemuftconfcionablybeapplycdto everyday. And in this refpeel the Sabbath it (clfe, though appointed by God to holy exercifes more than other, yet is neither in it fclfeholycr than other, nor we to think, that bfthcdtfeription of the daily direSlion^ &c. 417 that we miy be leflc holy on other dayes, than on that : but Co to tookc to our hearts and our wayes, that although every day cannot b. as the Sabbath, through want of the helps, which on that day we may enjoy, and by reafon of many hinderances, which fall out on other dayci ra- Note. therthanonit,yct wc fhouldendcvourto walkc inthcfan£tificatiOfiof our hearts, and tnnocencie of life on the other daycs,as well as on that. And to conclude, if onr converfation wnjf be ui heaven, cvenvhileft Tbet.retforr. we live hertotsetrth, that is, if our whole practice and courfc, not fome cMvUixen * part of it ought to be fquared out after the heavenly p:tterneof the phft«.io, word of God, then who fecth not, that wc muffc be idled alter fome PhiL i.af« godly diretStion one day as another, toglorifio God in our converfati- on? Neither let any object, that becaufc the fevcrall aclioiis of our life Obievt* are many and infinite, therefore no ccrtaine rules can be propounded to be followed of us : for as many as they are, both throughout the day, and the yeare, yea our whole life, yet may they all be brought under, t/fnfa; and fitly referred to a few rules; which will (hew when webe wdilgo** vcrncd, and when it isotherwifc with us. And if it were not thus, that wc both may and ought to be daily guided by fome certaine and good direction, and have our hearts alfo readily difpofed, ordinarily and for the mod part , throughout the day, HMo every good*? *r\^e, then in vaine ftiould that be written, which being fpokcnof Davtd, mult be pra&ifed of all the faithfull :. I beheld the Lord alrvayes before me (that is, I lived by faith) that I might not bt Jhal^en, Ad. 2. 2 5. Or if wc will fay, we need not that conftant heed- Note, taking, it muft needs follow, that our hearts would be ranging out fo many wayes amifle, thatwc fliould be driven to exceeding toile to bring them backc agahe,and yet (hould not alwayes obtaine it neither, .though we laboured for it carncftly. And fo we (hould make a deadly and endlefTc toile of godlinefTe, and yet be farrc from the power of it, andfallfoortandfodangcroufly, that it would breed fore diicourage- ment from feeking to rife up, and recover our felvesagaine, much leffc (hould we perf vade other by our example to feare God : and we muft of necclTitic leave undone many duties which ought to be done, and thereby breed moft miferable diftra&ions, fo that the Ufe of god tn w (hould weakly and little be difcerncd. Loe, fuch effects would follow this loofenefle and libertic-taking, when according to that -which we Rona.T,*ji k»ow of Gody.wejhcfild not honour him as God. As I am my felfcprivic to it,that it is the cafe of many weakc brethren,who yet (it is to be hoped) feare God : and'for that they will offtake libertie which God alloweth them not, (fioltnwttirshwgfwecttothim) they purchafc for an inch Pwf-j.iy* Ff of 4 l S Oft be defcription oftbe daily dirt&wn, &c. ofvaine plealurcartcJlof ibrrow, and when they would after com* Noic. backc againe to in hoJy courie, cither they dare not, or know not how todocit,or be afhamed, as the idle Schoilcr is togoeto his bookca- gainc, when ('through his negligence) his fcllowcsarc got before him. And by this which hath bcenc fa-idj it may eafily appcare, that the Lord doth require inhis Word, that inch as bcleere unto falvation fhall renucthcircare to glorific him in their Chriftian convcrfation and therefore every day to be conftanc therein, and fet themfclvcscarl ncftly thereto, and if they fail by infirmity, not to lie (till, but fpecdil y feeke to recover. He will alfo have them to know, that it is a fore bit. mifh in them to be loofc and unfrable in a godly life, fumetime having their hearts in awe, and fomctime not, and fo their tougues and lives Note. a^cr tnc lame manner, which ferviccGod abhorrcth. And therefore we may be fure,that much more the difordercd life of lftany profctlbis and civill pcrfon>, whole irreligious lives are covered with feme out- ward cxcrciies of Religion, ate nothing lelTc than pleading to God, but utterly abominable. Now feeing all duties cannot bee prac"tifc ,; ■ according to the Will of pd.uyduc* God, with found peace : and therefore ch" following of inch direction {ltJ% is; a faithfuil and conftant endevour to plcafc God in all things every day, as long as welive here to the pence of our conference, and to the F'tvrtbm&h glorifying of him. Let thisdefcriptionbe opened more plainly, and tb" s firft called an endevour toplcafe Gcd, to teach usthai neither full per- fection is required by God, nor to be looked for in the belt Chriiliar. ;, nor to be thought that it is intended ofmec to feare any wcakc confer- ence with it,orthrufVituponhim, but only to fbew, that the will and defire of the heart, and the endevour ofthc life in the bciecver,is accep- ted of him through Chi ift, and as well pleafir.g to him, as our actions *Cor«3.i* thcmfelves fhould be, when they cannot be pcrfomicd. Andifit were not fo, what comfort could wee have, who fee daily chat we are holdcnbacke from many duties, which yet becaufc wee know we defire with all our hearts, and ftrivetoperformcthem, wee have pcaceto God-ward? And thus are the places tobcunderitood, which make mention of keeping thcCommandemcnts, that they are hlejfcdwhtch keepe them ; B/eJfed are they which heare the fVordof God P^ ll9 *• a»dksepe the fume : As it is to befecne by conference of other places, as l%'1 " I Chron.2%. 7. If Salomon thy fonne jhali ends vonr to keepe my fimmJJi- dement /, IrvtHeftal/lfi his Kitgciome for ever. And in Hofc* 6. 5. Then j) dllweendevonr our felvesto knave the Lord. In which p!accs,the know- ing and keeping of Gods Commandcments is interpreted by the holy Ghoft in theScripturcs,to be an endevouring to know and keepe them. And this endevour is every day necctTarily to becfoundinustoplcafe God, even as ever we did any day, neither can it be negleded of usac sny time, but God is offended. For it is a neere companion to the feare of God, even a fruit of it, which muft bcin our hearts continually. Which is to be marked rhc ra- ther, for that we fee how commonly it is neglected many dayes of Prov, s;.i7- F f a ChritUans, 4XO Oftb e fifth yjixtb}[eVenth> and eighth rcafon, &c. Chtiftians,and how they thinke it metre bondage to be tied to this care of looking to their wayes, without which yet they he open to all the Match.1tf.41. craft and malice of the dcvill, bemgt.ikenof limat huwtll. And there- fore it is, that when the Apoftlc hath charged the Epheiiansto takcun- Ephcfc.14. to thcrniclves the whole armour of God, he addcth, that thejmttft fiand •fcphef.*.*;. faftmtt, And give * no place to the Devill. So that as we mull not be prclTcd with practice of that which is out of our power, but reft with peace in this,that we en devour and goe about it i fo neither can there be Icffc offered to God of us than this, but we fhall be juftly charged to be fecure and carelcflc. And this meant the holy Apoftlc,whcn he had laid: AGs 14. \&. I endevour ahvayes to hive* goodconfaenct both before Godandmen. But we mult remember that this endevour mult be heartic and con- 1. This tndc- ftant : hcartie, and not constrained or hollow, that our beginning may iwMMflbe be good as well as our proceeding; and con(tant,that we faint not but biirtitanuce*- ^old out therein. For many make faire fhewes, but they arc not found y^c and true from the heart, and therefore foonc vanifh : ether meane well in pra&ifing that which they have becne taught, but feeing they doe not (trongly renue their covenant from day today, and that with as good courage and dehre as they began fiat, andnourifh andpreiervc integritic, they therefore brcake off, and wax faint and wcaric, before they have brought their worke to an end,that isibefore death. Where- as we fhould kuow, that foraimuch as the Devils attempts will ever begreat, with new devices and by occasions in every part of our life, to breake off our care ; (and yet we can never grow cold in it,but it fhall be to our colt, feeing whenibevcr it fh ill be ib,k will be our great finnc) therefore we fhould gps as chccrefuily abemt it, as at the firit we began ir,(Irr»cajicto contiauc our care) that fo wc may prove eurkJvcs to be conftant, and not ju(t!y charged (as they in thePfal. 78.37.) tobcun- fy.it hf n II in our covenant, iJtmkfitcnd . The third thing in tiv.sdcfcription is,whercto our endevour fhali tend; iotksp!eafni*f even to tlvs, that we may pleafe Cjod infill things, for God wili not admit fmmaUibingt. anyinxohisfexvicetodoeitby h*lscs:nehhQ.r c*»wc frrve two contrary Co! iV©'*' ma/rers. Th'iSis Saint Tauls prayer for the Co\oiUms}That they might H«t>.i3.i*8. walks worthiethe Lord, even that they might pleafe htm in all thing/; and in the Lpifl le to the Hcbre wes, Tray for m, for we are ajfured that we PCd II?.*. have a eood co^fctence in all things, dt 'firing to live honeftly. Now, who doth not fcc,that this is a vvorkc of grcu weight, and requiietjathetak* ing up our hearts wholly from other hind ranees, that we racy attend to this? And therefore this excellent point ofGods will much condemneth the backwardneffeand rcbcUioufhcfle of fuch, aslgpkc not after this oitckj Of the mctljary parts oft be daily dirctiiou&s. 41 1 duty, to defirc unfainedly to walkc with Goci \\sz\\ parts of their life, but arc ofFand on, foonc hoc. fjonc cold, and in many things holding backc altogether. All that hath beencfaid in this defcription, is fully included by the Apoftlc in thi> one fentencc, when he faith, ±A&$ 24. 16. Herein I d»t exerctfe my fclfey that I m>ij have A good cstfccxcc both before God and m.w a/waies : chat is, endevour after it both thorow all the daiesofmy life, and to the end. And hereto agrccth that of Salomon, Trov. 4. 26. Pender the p'ith of thy feet, and let all thy wayesbe ordered aright. If all our waies mull bec ordered aright, then no day can hec excepted, but every daies actions and waics mult be ordered aright. co Paul, Acts 26. 7. when hee would note the conftant and continual! courfc of the Fathers in a godly life, faith thus, The twelve Tribes tnfifintly ftrved Cod day andm^ht. And this daily walking with God, is rhclifc which honourcth God, I Cor. 10. 31. And that only which workcth our joy 4.T*bubmmr> and peace, 2 Cor.i. 1 2. as the laftpartof the defcription of the daily d i region dedareth. By this which hathbeene faid, though it may in feme fort bee ga- tOun thercd, and that of the moll of Gods children, how the day ought to f**f« bcpalTedofthcm; yet for the fimplerfort, whom I doe chiefly rcfpe& and regard thorow this my whole labour, for their fakes, I fay, I will addcunto this direction ibmewhat more particularly a bricfc fumrae of fuch rules as of neceffity muft guide us, and which doc bindcthe confcicncc to a daily practice of them, which I may call the ncccflary parts of it, and they (among. others) arc thefe following in the next Chapter. Chap. VIII. Oft he ttecejfary farts of the daily dire ft ion, be'tn^ the fecund branch •ftke fee ond fart of this Treat ifc. FIrft, that every day wee fhould bee humbled for our linnet, at through due examination of our lives by the Law of Go 4 we (hall fee them. a That every day we berated up in affurcd hope of the forgivencflc of them by the promifes of God in Chrift. 3 That every day wc prepare our hearts te-feekethiLerdftill, and kcepe them fit and willing thereto. Tft 4 That 4 1 2. Of the ntctffvy parts oft be daily direttion, isf< Oljdt. *o».7.*3 UiBthtkkt- Vtrfl»kidt>c i/ubkd I* keep tixruliiifdf TtfiiVt. Note 4 Thtcevc rftronglyandrefolutclyarmeourfclvesagainft allevilland nnnc,fearmg rnoitofalltootfertdGod. 5 That every day we nourifh our tearc and lore of him, and joy in him more than in any thing, and endeYourtoplcafe him in all duties as occafion fhall be offered, lookjugfor hu commmg, i Thef. $. j. 6 That every day our thankesbec continued for benefits received, and (till certainly hoped for. 7 That every fay we watch and fray for ftcdfafincflc and conftancy inallthefc. 8 That every day wee hoki and keepe our peace with God, and (6 liedowne with it. And this is the direction which every Chrifiian muft pra6tife every day in his life, and thefe are theneceflary parts of it, which may not be omitted any day at all without finnc rnorcarclefly and wittingly with- out great fin. To the which, if it fhould be faid, that they are darkeand hard to bee under -flood, much more to bee put in practice, yea, and al- though they could, yet doc they not fufficiently nor thorowly guide a Chrifiian : I anfwer, he that underltandeth fo much in the Scriptures, as that he knoweth thereby himfelfe reconciled to Gj|od, and io hath furehopetobefavcd,and to be one of them whom God hathchofen out of the world from the reft which fhallpcrifh, he caneafily under- hand the meaning of this direction, and the points and parts thereof, ami is fit to be directed by it (as for any other, who make not that the chiefcit, I know he can findc no favour in it, neither in the Scripture it felfc) although through the law of hu members, which rebeU agamfl the law ofhumwde, 2nd through ignorance, and the malice and fuWtilty ofthcDcvill, he be much detracted on the other fide, and hundred from that which he teeth he ought to doe, untill experience hath made him better acquainted \\ itli it. But this is the battell which hemuft feclc and have with his lu(ts,and which cveric true beleevcrmuft be cxcrcifcd with daily : and yet this refifiance and rebellion againft Gods grace, which he feeleth by\his corruption and finnc daily, is a moft fit whetftone to fharpen him the more to embrace and follow thefe rules inthisdreclionfetdowne,bc- caufe he fhail fee that by them he is made ftrong againft thefe his rebel- lions by little and little, whereas without fomc fuch direction, he could ia no wife be able to refift. Now whereas it is objected that although it fliould be pra coifed, yet kisnotifufficient directing of him, forandthorowouttheday, feeing every rule and point hath not his certtinrtimefet doyvnc, in which it (hould Of the neceflary parts of the daily dirctlion, dfc. 4 1 $ foould ferve,and in the which itfhould bec required; to this I fay, Anfw. that we mud not imagine that there is any fuch direction, as though thereby we might kcepe from all finne any hotire of the day ; but this direction teachcth, how by the wifdomc of Gods Spirit, according to the meafure of our knowledge, we may bec led thorow every partof the day in peace and fafety,?nd doe all the outward actions of theday, as by occafion wcfhallbcc called thereto, more purely and dutifully, and with more eafc and chcerefulncfle, than other wife might be looked for, cfpecially after wee have by longer experience becne excrcifed therein. For God doth teach his children wifiome, when and how t& ufc thanks, and when to make rcquefts, what finne to oppofc them- fclvcsagsinft, as their weaknefie fhall require, what duties to follow, how to watch over their heart* and life, and by all, to finde and obtaine refl tothetrjonles. And although through infirmity, which is the beft, they fhall never Although fully rcape the fruic which the rules doe lead unto, for they faile through infirm- through over- fight, rafhneife, and by other naturall corruption arc tywecomeflnrt> much fceblcd, and therefore muft needs come fliort in performing duty ffi? pc. . as tney ought: yet through the grace that God giveta his, they hndc ftTvmiOodb} and (till may obtaine by the helpe hereof, fuch cafe in the&rving of foUowmgdir^ God thorow the day, as they thought before irnpoffiblc, and never #wi. looked to enjoy,that they may truly fay^otwithfiandingthc/w^fW cleavethtothem, that they have oftmoft fvvect communion with God, Nocc, and hold their finne in great fubjc<5tion to their admiration, which was wont full fore to imbondage them. Neither (hall this fecme ftrange or doubtfull which 1 fay, if it be well confidcrod. For hath not the Lord promifed to make his child rcn^w^r/ *//■£* » Pet. 1.4, divine natnre, even the grace of his holy Spirit, whereby they jhak fly e the corruption that is in the world through lufl .? Hath he not laid, that if they watch and pray, they fhull not fall into temptation* but bee delivered Match. 1*. 41, fromevill? Andthat ff they refifl the devtllM /hall fiye from them? And $££'?* by the Armour of a Chrtftian they fhall (land ft ft again/I ad wfernattfub- Ephof. 6. 14 tiltie ? And hath he not faid,that The weapons n four war fire aremighty, t Cor. 10.4. caftmgdowneflrong holds, which feemed imporfibic tobecaftdowne ? Notc* Hath hec not taught us that He ks greater which xj in w, than hee that u 1 Iohn 4. 4. *»the world? Hath hec not promifed them his Spirit the eomforter, lohn 14.17. which the world cannot have* that they might not be here** Orphans and defolate f And that hewillUy no more upon htf, than hee rill make them 1 C^r. ia jj. able to beare ? And whatfliouldlfay more? Hath hee not given them Angular ^'SS^ Ff4 prerogatives ' ii4 Of the ntcaifarypirts of the daily direttion£?c. prerogatives, that they being upholder* by them, may parte by the deceivcable baits of the world, that they may not poifon them? Ai.d by this little which I fay, of a great dealc which might be faid out of tiic Scriptures co the like purpofc, doth not God hearten and mcou- tCcr.ii.o. r.^chisto truft in him for tltAt firenvth and^rAccivhtclfrull bef*ffitt- cn: rm ■ And hath hce not taught them daily to thinkemuchof thcil- things } Mowimm, when his poorc fervants come to know his mhidcand will in them, and how he is atfected to them, yea, which is more, when they fluil be further inftrucled, that his will is, that they fhould daily occupy their minds in thinking of thelc and fuch like things, is it any great marvcll, if they grow more heavenly minded, and be more conitantly fctled in an holy courfe ? and fo become ac- quainted with the practice of duty morcr.fuaily and continually than they were went, when cither they knew not that any fuch thing was required of them daily, or how to bring their hearts daily to like ofit ? And when they fhall be well and thorowly perf.vaded, (whatfocver the wandi ing and incon'-Jant coui fe of the mofl be) that God requireth of them, that everyday they fhall warily fhunnc cvill, wait to honour him in the proper duties and fcrvice which they owe to him, and count it their chicfc worke to doc fo daily ,to pray oft,and to fpcake to htm in thankfgivmg, da- ly renew their fiith and hopeoffalvation, and other temporall favours of his; when, I lay, they fhall fee that God commcth thus nccrc to them , whiles they are abfent from him here on earth, and orlereth them this familiarity at kufrtcr.ds, and not tiling xhcm^Mfif- ykut. vanrs, is it to be marvelled at, that they accept of it daily ? and when they have tailed once, that this may be their ufuall and ordinary diet, (thisfweet communion with God, I meane, which was wont to be but their fealtir.g now and then)is it to be thought ftrange,that they fhould reach out their hand to this their welfare? No, no : if God once perfwade his,that they may walkc in his favour every day, and with more acceptation and better welcome than when they could have but a linall glimpfc ofit, once in a wcekc, moneth, or Note. quarter,they will not fhrve when they may banquet, they willnotcat loh m l3* Acorncs with fwine, when they may be fed with j4ngtIsfofid,ihey will eve .3.10. nozJQy iuhc company of wicked men, when they may haverommu- PfJ * n*on W1C^ c^eGod of glory,and with his dcare fervants departed out of ' *" this life by the good memorial! which they have left behind them,an«l vviththofe which remainc here Mil, being fach , a* ir.rvkom the Prophet had allhn dt light. Neither will they want or any day forgoc the liber- tkrof the children of God, namely, cinfidcnfr? fcnc* And ]ej in thi hcly Of the tieeejfary parts of the daily direction. (s?c. 4x5 holy Ghofi, to folacc thcmfelves in earthly things (which bring grcut bondage) with the prophane fort of the fornesofmen. Indeed I deny not,but whilcsGods people arc tied fhort of thecleere M.*)\nd knowing their liberties, and are holden in bli? cir.cflc ard ignorai ce ct cir:; lkUoj( thefc things, as many are, but that they are a!fo Vrpt in unbelccfc, r.rt J; ^J^a bcii^pcrfwaded, that C»od aftordcth huh bbertio to them : and then it>ij\nmibim moreover the penuric of good examples to goe before them herein, r,y. doth much hinder and hold rhem backc from enjoying their part in them. But who doubts, if they knew rhcfcthings,ar.d v\cic pcriwaded of them,but that they would be as joyfull to heare of this heavenly and happie newes, as they were to havethetidingsof ialvation at rhcirfirft ^^Ct callings 'pccfallyjfecirg they be now better able to difcernethe beauty and benefit of heavenly things, than when they lirft belcevcd ? ThcfeandUich like,w!ich God doth admit his deare Children unto, fhould be taught them oft, plaincly, and wifely, and fitly applied to them. Mincers yW//;!1 dwell tn thim\ and know by themfelves, who Mwjlertpjikld have in a long time grovvnc but in fenall inward acquaintance with t«"kth*tcjc them, that the people doc not in two or three teachings ofthem, no nor an*FatKtiJ* fo many ycarcs teaching, reach co thecleere underitanding, much lciTe the ufc and fnnt of rhem : not onely becaufe they require practice, but daily and continuall praclicc^ar.d that of them, who were wont to have thcr hearts and their heads taken up and poiTcflcd of worldly cares, and worldly Jutts, which with no fmall,butmuchlabour and love of the Note. MiniHer in teaching, as well as the peoples liking, reverence and dili- gence in hearing and praying, muft be beat out againc. And yet (which is -molt pitiful! to thinke) through this, that few are ltun*ibt«be by diligent and fincere preaching brought to Chntt at all by true con- k*«firf,llrf/i ▼erfion, it commcrh to patlc, that there are vtry few,forthc'mort part, /'**">' '» in one congregation who are fit to heare or be taught this doct: ine. And ^drr lbtm% thofc that arc, doc fcldonic meet with it, and therefore partly tor want ° ** thereof,artti partly forthatthey fee how hard it is to get ncccflary helps and maintenance £>r this life; and that care, to be in greateft requcft a- fno: g men in the World ; even they a Ho grow fickcof the fame difcafe, ind while the chiefe thought is how to hvc in this World, and to be provided for, and their helpe frnall to live daily to God, they have icancfoulcs, andnow and chen onely are in a well ordered courie, and that with much adoe,fo (arre is it oft, that they have any daily taflc and favour of hrav«rvin this life.: Which cfhtc how cowimon!y ibevcr k \$ to be found almoft in eve- *iM) lt'i «• ;ic place, where Godruuii any Church, yet we mult not thinke, that ir fit******** can 4^ 6 Of the necejfary parts of the daily diretti$n> &c. can be no otherwifc, as though Chriftians and the people to whom the Gofpcl is preached, were not able to reach and attaine to any daily fcr- ving of God joyfully, if diligence were ufed in beating things into them oft: (forbothwemay findc here and thcre,fomc few, who doe happily enjoy that care and hbertic daily, and alfo many moinc and long for it even at the firft hearing, when they have butadimmc fight and fmall Note, taftcof it) but they arc not trained to it, nor furthered in it, to whom otherwifc it fhould be mod welcome. And though menthinke that Chriitians have other things to lookc after, than the worfhippingand (crvingofGod : yet I fay, lngoodadvifcdnerTc, that if they could oh- tainc this, to give God his due daily with all good confcicnce,cven this were the ncerelt way for them, to come by all thngs which they have Macth.^jj. need of in this world, as our Saviour faith ; Ftrjifceketha ktngdomeof God And hu rtfJptcoKpteJfff and ether things fhatlbc cajl Hfonpn. Fortbdrfe^ti And therefore I have written this Trcatife particularly of the daily ibuwMmiut*. directing of the people of God, who have alrcadic confecrated and given over themfclvcs unto his fervicc, that it may put them in minde, that this their covenant with God is to be renewed daily, and their beft care to plcafc him, that ever they had, even their firlt love, to be ftill Tchn if.io. continued, and that they mud daily Abide in hpsleve. And in a word, the rules which I have before fee do wne for the keeping of the heart in good plight and order, one day as well as another, and fo confequently the life, muft from day to day be above all other things looked to and regarded: whereas othcrwile there are things innumerable, astraines and fhares laid by the Devill,to dcceivc,di(tra<5t,and unfcttle thcm,and Note. tumc them out of the way, and fo they fhall finde it a hard and woari- fome worke to retujnc againe. And if any tec ought in this which I fay; fit to benefit him, let him bccarcfull topcrfwade and helpe on others to enjoy the fame. But I will returne to that, from which by occafion I digreffed : that is Telive after di- tofjy, that <*c fhould inure and acquaint our felves with thefe rules rtQmaftbt which arc before fee do yync for the well icafdning aril ordering of our 7yfarb.l0UV€ ncarls> that thereby we may be fit togoverocour lives every day, and HabacM, &at by thchelpe of them both, we may befenced from great dangeis, and waikc with God all the dayes of the life of our pilgrimage ,and this is that living by faith, which the Scripture maketh mention of, when it (aujfi, The i^jhadil^ph hitf.ath, nod which is laid to have becne the life of our fit here, (who ye: were much more darkly led and guided than we) aSrisjf be iceofc in th« Epiftk t6thc Hcbrewes, where it is laid Hcbr.i i.ij. Qt4bcJ,*(oc,4br«ham,& many atbtr, A Hikfi dted in frith** thewhscb they Of the illuflration or more full declaration, &c. 417 they had hvedand continued unto their end. And Paul fpakc it of him- fclfc vvho was an example to all Gods people, / hve no longer, but Cr4.ii.io. Chr'tft ^ we, and the life that I lead, is by faith m the Sonne of God. This forme of direction, thatwc ought to be guided by every day, or any other agreeable to the Scriptures, is both by good reafon,and the tciii- mony thereof, proved unto us to be that which we mull follow, that fo we m>n live by frith* as I have faid. For (to fpeake in a word for the in- ftrinaion of the fimpie) feeing every day is one part of our whole lite, wherein we are by great likelihood in danger to offend and provoke God,yea,cvcn then when we have fevveft flops in our way to hinderus, and moft helps to further us ; it ftandeth with moil found rcafon accor- Note. ding to the word of God, that we be fenced and prepared to pafTe one day as well as anothcr,if we make account wel to pafle and goc thoro w our whole courfe. And therefore to ice how this forme ofdaily directi- on is dra wnc out of the word of God, let every part of the whole prove and teftific unto us, Chap, IX, Of the iiluftratien or more full declaration of the former parts of the direction. F Or the firft point, that we mud bedifpleafed with our klves, and ^fj^/^1 humbled for our finnes every day, as ignorance,deadneflc of heart, r(fim. rafhnefle, uncharitablenefTe and wrath, or any other, that (hall give us Humiliai,tn occailon,yea,evcn the body of finne it felfe ; that vcrfc of the Pfal. 5 1 . 3 . ferfxne. doth prove: where cDavid fecking pardon of his finne, acknowledged it to God, faying: I know mine ini quit te, and my fnnets ever before me ; and then no day to be forgotten we know : So the Apoftle faith, The Sunne muft not goc downe upon our rvrath, meaning thereby, that we Ephcf.4.**. mud foonc forget and forgive, and compound our controvci lies, and bieakc off our itrifc, and not lie therein till the evening : therefore daily confclTc, and be humbled for them, whichcannotbedonc (we know) to the pleafing of God, except our hearts be broken wich rclencing and melting for them. And if the Sunnc m.iy not goe down? upon our wr>ithy neither (by the like reafon) any other finnc may be furfered to lurkc or abide any time in us ; who doth not lee, that it fhould be a good part of our care throughout the day, both to cart out fuchdraffe, (as we have drunkcin) by lamenting our eftate, even as it ought to be ano- ther pan of it, to hold and keepe fo ? And if lob when hit finnes And iob 1. j. daughters 4 1 8 Of the illnfl ration or more full declaration, i?c. dufgrntn dtdfeafi together for the preferring of love every day in their co:: rfe, i t he ( 1 i a y ) did command them tofan:ttjie and cleanfe thtmfclvet every &aj, and did in like manner, offer burnt offer ings for ihemhtmfelfe evert morning becaufc he thought they had fome way utfpleafed Cjod, would he (chinlce we) on o:her dayes, when they were like more to offend, count it a nccoicifc matter for himfclfc or them to doc the like > Which clccrcly tcachcth us, that wc fhould cleanfe & purge our hearts from all ftich ilnnc, as might infed them; even evcricday wc fhould cocthif (I fay) as Acllas upon any one, feeing there is caufc and need evcricday, and when wegoe thorowtheday in the belt mannerthat it nny.be paiTed, new guilt by finnc arifcth again!} vs. And if David Got TQ 6, i. his great and grievous hnnes, did every day irajb bis bed, andrra\cr hi< esHchvHtb tear ex, for a fpacc, (as he tcftificthj can we thinkc, but that he kept fome proportion on the other dayes, (although he had not ever the fame particular caufc) in lamenting, bewailing, and acknowledg- ing his finne? Efpccially feeing wcrcadeof him, that three times in a Pf.il. 7i. 8. ^.fyhisufuall manner and eultome vv as to pr.ttfe and fray unto God. And if the wicked arc laid not to be up and readic any day, as the Prophet fpeaketh, until! they have wrought fome mrfcbtefe, (To naturalland or- dinaric a matter it is with them : ) fhould any doubt,but that wc fhould hold it for one pecce of our chiefc worke, daily to caft downcour fclves before the Lord, and to humble ourfelvcs, in the h:arciecon- fcirmg ofour (innes > And it was one of the principall things that God meant to teach us, by the Morning and Evening facriftcc, and prayer daily in the Law of ceremonies. But I would all good Christians did as duly and confeionably pcrformc thisdutie to God evcricday, and bindc thcrnfclvcs rcfolutciy thereto, as the Word of God doth clccrcly prove that they ought to doe fo : as for them who maypleafc them- ielvcs in outward humbling of the bodie, and confeffion of the mouth ; in a word they inuft know , that tnc chiefc gloric of it is inward, though to be expreffed in words, and outward gelture of the bodie, when it (lull be meet to be fo, anckhiis is the houfc of our hearts to be fvvept evcricday. The fecond point followeth, namely, that every day wcoughtto Tbii*r**ft be raifed unto a chccrcfull and lively beleeving, that our finncsthus FirgitflMpt? bewailed, confeffed and repented of, arc forgiven, and freely remitted "v1 u»ito us, for and through the oncly and full fatisfa&ion of Jcfus Chrift. And for the proofe of this, it is fufficient, that thele two arc never A&s i 38. parted, but goc together, as Peter faith : Repent, andye /bait receive the forgivenejfe efyonrfinnes: and in Hefes the people were thus taught to iccke Of the Oluft ration or more full declaration , &c. 419 fcckc and coaic by it : RttHrtte *nt9 the Ltd frim your iniquities, **d Hai'cj 14,1 j. then fin to htm, T*k? way *# onr iniquities, **d recctve tu graciottfly* MtidhewttiheAUyonrrebelitoft, and love you freely, fir hts an^cr u turned awMY fromyoH. And our Saviour commanded his Apoftlcs ttdfalem bu John if 10. love, even as they had tailed how fvvect it was. Now then, if every day we ought to turnc from our finncs, we ought alfo everyday to embrace the promiie of mcrcic. Befidcs, in that the Church or Cod is taught this for an Article of her faith, to bclecvc her fumes to be for- tiven; and the Articles are firmcly and conltantly to be holden and elecved, and all unbelecfc is finnc at any time, therefore as we arc to be railed up by faith in Chrilts merits, that our finnes are pardoned now/even fo we arc at other times, and one day as well as another to bee upholden. For as the body without the foule is dead : So is that dead to God, if it live not by faith for the forgivencfle of i Peter 4.7. finne. Againe, as in our common prayer which is called the Lords, which fcrveth for ever to fquarc out our prayers by, and therefore for every day, the word (thu dcobc/.vc77/r*u/ vrtbt ready \vitb»f6* dfcettfnlnejfe §f any t}nne> but kept wtth ali dthger.ee fojfible, to^ocd. from the love and liking thereof, thatfo our outward actions, may be wcllordcred. Therefore is that charge given intheEpiftle tothcHe- Hcbf^j.n. brewes, that §nr hearts be not made namght anA rebellions at any time, and therefore by confequcnt on any day, whiles we furfcr them to be hardened with the deceit fulnejfc of finne. And agreeable to this, the Lord in DcHterowmie, arriwenng Mofes (when he brought him word, that the people would willingly be ruled by him, although before they refufed (o to bee) laid ; This people hath f aid well aH. that they *Dcut.j.i$. have fat d: but * Oh that there were fifth an heart in them, that they weald fear erne, and keepe aft my commandemems alwayes, then it fhould goe well with them. So that we muft fee Cuch necefTitic of holding mafterie over our hearts, and keeping them in feare of offending, that we may make a daily practice of it, and fo keepe them for continuance : neither can we Other wife (hew our fclvcs to regard thatweightic charge of the Lord Mattb.n.37. givenuntous, Thou frali love 'the Lord with all thy heart and fettle. For they who arc every while off and on, and unfetled m their hearts, can TroY.4lJ. never be long well ordered in their lives : therefore the Lord rcquireth this conftar.cie, that we muft every while be looking to them, even al- wayes, thatfo we may be out of danger. Behold how necdfull a thing this is,' to keepe and hold this mafterie over our hearts daily, when no- thing gocth well forward, where thev with the affections of them be notwell ruled. Buvthis fhall be Chewed in the next Section following. Neither let men objret their ncceiTaric bufmefle, (though they will not plead for carnall libcrtie, they fay) and multitudes thereof, which will diftracl their hearts. I anlwer, of multiplicity ofcarthly dealings, which will hinder hoi /peace, let wife Chriftians beware : and lo do- ing, if(asfarrc as they are able) thcyfetthemfelves to have care of all parwofChriftianobcdience,they (hall ingood manner provide therl^r, Of the iUufl ration or more full declaration :&c. 431 for the well ordering of their earthly bufmefle alio, which is one put of it, and none of the mcancl*. Now from this heart well governed, the next two points fas two amies ofa tree, from the body or tfocke) doe illue and come. The H :(*-, The a Flceml that we fliouid ever keepe from cvill: which Qrt!l not be hard, if al- 1>tot(nv pod. wavesand eyerie day we be held in fenreef offending, as v\c arc di- rected before. The fecond, that we alwayes endevour to f?c*f< God, ?nd therefore in ul things; and as was faid 'm'De.-itcronomie, tokypc Dcut. f *?. alihu commmcLcmcnts : which we may fee cannot be, if we have not our hearts fo prepared to ieckc the Lord, that we may be ready in one dutic as well as in another, to fhew our felvcs obedient. All which three, namely, I . to have a heart to fearcGod ; 2. to flic cvill ; q.and to labour toplcafc him in all tilings, as by that one Scripture before mentioned they arc required daily to be found in'us,ib there is no man, but may cahly ice realon, why it mould be thus. For feeing the one cannot be without theo.ther : Secondly, the keeping of fuch agrceablc- neiTc betwixt our hearts and lives is our beautie and honour. And on the contrary, it is moil harm and ortenhve, when they which bearc a Note* fiire QnoMJami are content foir.e times to bcgovcrncd,mali yet at other tirwes be nothing fo. Iwili fry fomewhat the more of theic two, feeing \c is one of the chiefeir cauies, w hy I cntred into this p refyntTrcatile, a? may appeire by that which I have alreadic laid ; n..mcly,both th.at the Chriitian mould bceverieday free fiom all rcproacbfull cvill, (luibmuch as if by any occadon he be turned out of the way, yet he iiiould fpeediiyrc- turnc :) and alfo that he mould be daily given unto every soodworke, * Tim.?, io, watching!):* opT'Uitunitic thereto, that fo he may have a good con- ference in all thing?, and may bring forth much fruit, that God may be glorified. Yet I mcanc not that he iiiould fpend the whole clay in John 15.8. readrg, prayer, hearing of Sermons, or other religious exercifes, ("ex- ^yM>i*4&+ cepiingthc Sabbath) but in one lavs full thingor Ichcrabout hiscal- ft'fwf'M' , ling.or any other in ftcau thereof, which may oc as wcii defcuJed,and |#,$£^ as pieafing to God as the duties thereof. Morcpaiticularly to appoint or prefeibe is hard, and this is plainc enough for every truebclccvertoundcrliand,and apply unto himfclfc: H>*9 ^nf fori. exclude not thccommoneit andmeancft ferviccsand workes, £9 ti^jZT" as they be fuch gs Godallowcth, and without vitious affections gene ]J..V . aboutofhim. As in the man ; Plough and Cart, Sowingand Reaping, I^ijmjm and allworke thereto belonging, if he be called to it; or other workc in the map of occupation, aahehath becne uaincd up and fitted for it ; Ki 4jr 7 be m hrs. aTctcr 1.8. Thjmufibe eLaeby faith. Note. K»r[orcamaU nfrtils. Ctmmitting the fncceffctoGtd. Avoiding the tommnpnni* that propixnc eves joy jewiib tbsm. Mend [tract and h.arrctbi-trUm- [u'lcaUingiby tbeirf'tittih O/t be iDu/Iration or wore full declaration, &c. As alioallprovinonoftliingsncccflarytothcmaintcnanceofhiffimily by la wfull skill and honcftmcancs, and praying, and receiving of chat which is due. In the woman, to have care, that all be frugally and thriftily done Within the houfc and without, which isunder her hand ; that (he be di- ligent co lee her children Chriftianly brought up according to their age, her houfhold to hive all that is meet in dnefeafon and more particular- ly among the reft, (pinning, fowing, knitting,bcing done as to the Lord, and being thole workes which he appoiueth them, and fuch like, arc commendable, chat rhey may be neither tdle nor unprofitable. And thcic I name in lbme parcicularmanner left any fhould thinke, that I goca- bout any new-found-out holinelTc to tic Chriftians unto, as fome will be ready enough to imagine and chinlce, when they (hall- fee and undcr- itand, that they muft every day well be occupied, (whiclvfcw will be tied to) and doing of one good dutic or other. And yet this 1 adde, that as thefe and fuch like muft be done, and in one or other of them the lixdayes muft bebeftowed, yet (I fay) this muft be added, that all thefe lawfull workes muft be done of them in faith, that is, they muft know that God commandcth fuch workes to be done of them,and therefore they doe them readily and willingly,noc fornecerTiticonely, or for fc a re of punifhment, or (name of the world, or becaufe they would bet ich : all which arccarnall,fenfuall and dcYil- lifh refpects,as I faid beforc,in forbidding all vicious affections in mens la wrull actions • neither doc they pleafc God which thus goc to worke. And further,thcy muft doe thefe lawfull workes in perflation and con- fidence that God will bleffe them therein,and give them good fucccflc, and take that for their daily bread and blefling, which God iu their thug going to worke, doth beftow upon them. And laftly, they muft doe thefe without adding the common finncs, which wicked perfbns doc ufe at their worke, as fwearing, lying, negli- gence, idlcncfle, falfhood and deceiving, curling, cmarrclling, impati- ence, and contention, &c. Thefe and fuch other oftneirowne deviling, the wicked doe bring in, among the lawfull workes which God com- mandcth them to doc, and mix fuch evils with the doing of the workes, which ofthcmfclves are good, that they utterly marrc,and deface them thereby, deprive thcmfelvcs of Gods bleiTing, and it emfeth their cal- lings and trades to bemeanely accounted of, and in d/credit with fuch as are not able to judge, as though none could ufc them better : where- as others as poore as they, and as much put to their flufts, yet taking better ajrc&ion, and depending on God, and carefully abftaining from fuch Of the Uluflration or more full declaration , ife. 4 j j fuch finnes, as arc wont in the moft to accompany their la wf ill workes and dealings, doc live in them contentedly, peaceably, and f-olily,and doe in that manner put honour and bcautc upon rheir callings, 2nd tclriiic that God hath to lingular ends and purpofes appointed an J given chem unto us. And thus would God have Chriflians goc to their worke, and doc all their lawfull buhncfTe, not as hirelings, oncly m regard of their bci- Jies. And this were a goodly and moft bcautifull fight to behold in ail forts, mailers, fcrvants, buyers, fcllcrs,and even in the poore labourers ; yea, cutters of wood, and drawers of water : and they that are of mcancft place in families may live godly in them, white religion rule* their acti- ons, and while they dchrc to doc them as they are taught in the Word of God. And they, who goe to worke afcer this manner, may be merric rbe tfue &*$** at their worke, and mcrrie at their meat : and yet I meanenotas the *"'* J*7/**** 1 it \ r • 1 l 1 0: (pi ts b^ met" prophanc ana carth-wormes,whoiomctime arc mcrrie when they have rtcMii^v9aku morecaufeto beheavie, feeing neither they, nor their worke are plea- ting to him; but the other may rejoyecand be glad by Gods allow- Note, ing, yea, commanding it them, where he faith ; 'l\c]oyce the* atdthitee, Dcuut.iJ. before the Lord thy God, in all that thou putt eft thine hiinauxto. And a- gaine : Serve the Lord thy God (that is, in that thou art appointed by him to doe) in )0}f,ilnejfe, smireith 4 good heart for the abundance of ail Dcur.18.47. things. And this is the mirth and joy of heart, which the Apoftlc wii- Icth us to take our part in, faying ; fyeake to jour fclvesin Pfalmcs, and Ephcff.i* Hym*es, And fpirituali Jongs ; finding, andm*kz>ig melody to the Lord in your he irjs, with thaukes for all things through I ejus Chrrft. In this fort hath God allowed his fcrvants, who have learned and refolvcd to obey him inaIlchings,torcjoycc; and goc about their worldly arTaiics; and in like manner, doth he allow them toufc all their lawfull liberties in this life : all which he knowcth they hayc need of,to allay the tartnefle, and aflwage the painfulnefTe and griefe which through their afflictions andcrolfcs arc infinite wayes readic in all places to meet with them. And not to doc lawfull buhneflc and workesthus, and with the three N«kc. former rules fet downc, but ab the unruled and difordcrcd people of the w orld doc thcm,is to make the lawfullcft and cxccllcntcli callings, bale and mcane,and to the perfonsthemfel ycs rnoft hurtfull, while they rtand forth againft them as accufations, for that they have ufed them unlaw- fully, which in diemfelves arc very honclt and lawfull : which I fay, that Imayanfwcrthcbrutifhand irreligious fort, who fay, they know no difference betwixt thofc who arc counted godly, and thcmiclves ; iccing they arc faine (fay they) to worke for their living as well as we, G g thcii 434 Of the iilufl ration or More full declaration, &c. their godlineflc will not feed them, and we fee no difference betwixt their lives and ours. The difference let them who are willing, Jcarr.c fronuhat which I have fa id. I have alio fpokenchis byoccafion, for the fatisfyir.gof the fi.-nrle hearted, that they may not thinkc, that in requiring that wc fhould h vc everyday in a godly manner, I doc urge any to leave off, and lay afide their callings and bufincffc : and yet this I fhew to be required by the Lord; how, and in what manner thole lawfuil workes ou<>!.t to be done of them, that he therein may be p leafed. And fo I conclude, that the bcleever ought every day toarme and frame himfcifcto a godly life, and to call off all thac favourcth not thereof, (as in iome which are niofhiiuall actions I have flicwed) feeing his whale c jn^jj x bejeeme the Cjofpel; remembiing what the wife man faith ; %s. EukU.iol ^'me har2dp:~'ilfwde to doe, doe :; with all thy power, fir there ts no wor^c in the grave whither thou rot Which if it werepcrfwaded throughly to mcn,that it ought to befo, and that it is as ncctiVarily to be looked after, as:hcir maintenance, healrh, yea, or their life it fclfc, (winch none well advifed will ccr.y :) then fhould there not be this polling it off from one to another, which now there is: nor this re ruling to bcfjbje&to God in this maincand great Commandementof doing all to his glory, which they thacrerufc, 2 o c re fu fc godlkicflc it fc i fe. And there fhould no; be uvs parting of (lakes betwixt God and our felvcs, that fometime we will be forward, and fometimc backward, in iome things obedient, but in others denying our obedience, which lCoi.xo.31. cauieth Inch patching ard peccing of duties, as is farrc from Loli>ieJfe% Note. without which yet, we Jhali never fee thf Lords fee , whereas yet by con- HcU. 12.14* itancy indntie, and keeping of a daily courier therein; muchduinelTe, deadnefle, barrenncfle, (loth, idlencife , and the fruits thereof , lewd lulls, and many fuch dangerous evils fhould be avoided, with which even many good Chriftians (to their great hcart-fnart afterwards) 3rc annoyed, bccaufcthcy know not how to doc better. 7he6 f*kt: Tnc fixth pent of our daily direction isthankfuhiclTe: I'meane, are- 2U»k?fiilHtj[f. uewing of this dutic to the Lord every day, that fb we may Hill fee and acknowledge our felvcs indebted unto him, and be the fitter to goc un- der any of his fatherly ch«Uiifcments,which he (hall lay upon us, which without :r, will preife usdowne,and raifc bitterneffcinour hearts, and alfothatby it wcniay theofener calltomindc Gods many kind rieffes, to chcere our hearts, which arc too foonc forgotten of us. The Prophet UacB.j.aj, Jcremic forccth thisdaily ducie to be continued of us, wbcnhe iaitb, Oft be fSufiratfon or more full declaration, isfc. 4 j 5 the mercies of God*re rc/mred uponm daily : and what followeth upon that, bmthis, thp.t our hearts fhould conceive, ar.-d our mouthc* fliould frtfdith & dcclarchispraifc accordingly? For if webc comman- ded^ the Pfaimt(tteacheth,to continue this duty long after his benefit* be reccived/as he faith, L^r lfrael 'now fay , that the Lord is gractow^on^ after his bountifulncift had bcene declared unto thcm)ho\v much more ought we to praife the Lord for his mercies daily renewed upontis? Therefore did 1)*vid the faithfull (crvantof God force himlclfe to performc this dutie, as bcirg too llothfull in his ownc judgemenr, though we rcade of none more continually occupied in it, f/i/.IO}.}. (lying. Praife t host the Lord O myfox/e, atsdallthat u within thee praife M**1 *'.«• hi, I. oh name: and further he faith, that hersiU be ever fating forth bit eoodneffe^andpra'fe his nam: alwtjes* And yet thaL none may hinder this dutie in us by faying, we are not bound to fo! low, no not good examples in all things, let us well weigh theCommandcmcnt of God by the Apodlc, faying; In all things be xThcf.j.iS. thtutkefitll: as if he rtiould fay, that our whole life ought to be a thankf- giving; and therefore it is no life, when we cannot bcthankfull. And what the thanktulncflc is, w hich Qiould daily be in us,lookc in the for- mer Trcatife. The next dutie to be daily performed of us, is watchfulncffe and Thti.pomi prayer : of which two, as the firft ought to be continuall, even to over- Wcbandp.Tf. fee our whole workc in and thorow the day, and tolookc before us , that all may be done to the glory of God ; (for as the eye-lids prcfervc the tender eyes rrom annoyance, fo doth this our life from offence, and wr feet from fatting: ) So this latter, namely prayer, is to be as anhcjpc and hand-maid unto that. And although I prefcribe no certainctime, norfct hourc to tbcfo- lemne performing of this dutie, becaufc we arc taught to pray ahrajes, x Thef.f.ir- that is, at any time, as we (lull have fitopportunitie, yet ought our hearts both to be lifted up to God often, (thongh in few words tome- time) having ever occafion : and fometimc fo!annely,and by fct prayer, inpowringout our complaints, and making our rcqucfts more largely unto him. Both of them are fo farrc to be in ufe w ith us, as we are defi- rous to rctaine found peace and quiet mindes towards God,& to be free from, or at leaft, not to be overcome of temptations ; which feeing we are fubjccSt unto every day, it cannot be doubted of us, but as the one fhould not cca(e,I meanc watchfulne(Te,but be working in us continual- ly, and keepc us waking out of fpirituall (lumber throughout the day j io the other which is praytr,(hould quicken and (harpen it,and both of Cg 2 them 4 3 6 Of the iliuflration or more full declaration^ cV. them ftrcngthen us, being oft and uiuall w itb us, againft all occasion*, which mght elfc overmatch us. And can any b - ignorant, when our Saviour taught us to pra y everie day foxonr d.ttly bread, but that we fliould pray everic day for grace co be guided aright and comforted, there being as great need ot it, and more than of the other? The fame tiling he meant, when lie uttered a parable to them to this end, that they ought to pray always;, and not to wax faint, but ever willing, though not ever able. So that the life of a Chriflian is no day well palled, when prayer (as it hath becne before defcribed) is not ©nc member and part of it, with watchfulncflc adjoy- ncd, as an infcparable companion of it. The laft point of our direction is, that we by meancs of all thcfc,as Thii.Fuct. our faith, and-fcare of difplcafmgGod,&c. may kcepcand hold faftour holy and molt fwcet peace with God, and our rej0ya;:g, which is the a Cor. 1. 1 1. fruit of tins Chriflian walking, and an unfeparablc companion unto the fame. I have taught this in generall before roncly now I llicw,thatit is daily to be kept and maintained of us, i:i fuch wife, that as we regard our bodily maintenance while we live here, fo fliould we provide'that Born. 5;i. this our peace^which ftjfeih allandcrflandirg, be not broken orf betwixt God and us» If it be asked how tins fhall be; the Apoftle faith, If we be ]uftified by faith in our Lord lefas Chrifi, we have/W doe eft joy ft.. And we have heard, that the Lord hath both given libcrtie, yea, and comm.indementtohis children that they fliould daily beleevc, and lay hold on etemaR life, and reft themf. Ives in the aiTuranceofhis love : and how can this neace which we fpcake of, be abicnt, where that faith is prefent? Nay,our re joycing in the Lord , which is rather a degree beyond this peace, we arc commanded toentrrtaineand rctainc alwayes, that is, at p. ., all times, that none may imagine, that I meane, we fliould oncly fome one time in the day or other poffeffe and enjoy it. Neither indeed is any part of ourlifeany day picafant unto us without it. Therefore the Apoftle doth vcric fitly meet with an objection of ours in the fore- named Scripture, thus : that ifany of us dare not picfumc fo farre, as to take our pare in continualirejoycing in the Lord,or if we fliould thmkc, that the Apoftle was not well ^dwi^d in offringfo great Iibertic unto us, he repeateth his words thus (agai/tc, J fay ,rc Joyce :) as if he fliould fay, you whoarecarcfull over your fclves, and over others, (tortofuchhc i Tbcffj.itf. fpeaketh) be ye merrie andjeyftttl tnthe Lord from time to time, yca,and k> as no worldly forrowes doe brcake your rejoycing otf. Noyvlhaye (hewed, what are the ncccflary graces which fliould accompany Of the ill u/1 ration or more full declaration, &c. 4 4 1 accompany thclire of the bc!ceverdaily,T wifh him to viewthem allot one fight together; to fee, if he may be well without any of them : « without certaintic of the forgivenclTc of his finncs, without fcarcot offending God, a lhankfull heart, and checrefull wacching and praying againft cvill, &c. And as he cannot walke vsid of any of them, Co yet he mult notthinke, but that there are other particular a&ions befides thefc, but they be all to be well ordered and governed by thefe. And now ibme what I will ictdownc about thcm,not unprofitable and need- leffc. I have briefly proved, thatfome certainc manner of dirc6tr g a ChniVum daily, is required in the word of God, and that it is no fancie of mans braine, thusncercly and narrowly tolookc tohirrfclfc : and have ictdownc a draught thereof out of the Scripture, and therefore ^^ettife- men mult know ,that it is their fume, when they arc not guided by thefe *mi9t e rules in the daily courfecr their living: Hay, when tbeic accompany &tfatelm. them not, whatsoever their calling is, or the actions which they are oc- cupied about; it is their finnc, whether it be of ignorance, that they know them not, (which is the leffc, if they be willing to learner) or carelefncfle, or wilfulnefle, that they doc not, or will not regard them ; and being finnc, it is to be refitted, feeing no finnc is to be borne with- all, or relied in. And that it maybe thought more neceiTarie to be daily guided in this manner, we mult know, that thefe graces which I have fpoken of, arc n^tatfomc one time or other of the day to be thought or fpoken of, (thinkc not this to be my meaning, in faying we rauft have them evene day) forfo, we might poffibly be little the better for them, (as if once in a day a man fhould pray, give thankes, looke to his wayes, toliis peace, &c.) a man might doe all thefe and the like,and yet not of neccf- ***f & kk(- iitic well guided for all that, thorow the day: but this Imeane, that JJJ^ff" this holy furniture fhould cloath and bcautific ourfoulcs throughout %#; J^ the day, and have their lctled abode in us; andnotebbe and flow as j^c, the tide doth, nor goe and come as paiTengcrs that tary not ; but homc- dwcllcrs: as for example, that our peace fliould not be broken off by Hcb.io.jf. any occafion, our watching fhould nor ccafc, wc fhould keepc our l^*"^** ielvcsfrorn cvill the whole day, and ib like wile be ready to one dutic or facU*. other, and wc fliould cherifh our weakc faith from time to time, and call not away our confidence, retaining mindes thankful!, and walking in the ftrength of our prayers, though we be not ever uttering and cx- preflingin words cither prayers or thankes. So that our hearts may be well fealoncd with thefe, as thechicfe things, which wc Should regard and looke after, and yet neglecting no G g 3 nccdfull 44* Of the 01 ujl ration or more full declaration, l?c. ncc orkcthat muft be done, but doing it much the better by meanc - ; and Ga the froth of ourownc braincs, ascndleflcand nccdlcfTc wanlri!!£s,vaincco^it3tions,and foolilli andnoifomedefucs Note, n i cr 1 1 be much retrained and allayed in us. This is it (nil wife men Log Ttturruly know) that molt tronMcth us, and of the which, webe evericday in *2Kfef*^ grc«c«Kiangcr ; I mcanc,thc loofcncffcS: difordercdncfTeof our hearts: 'mnbMb*** *?' CW as cncy ^c ncvcr unoccupied, bu: prone tocvill a thoufand wnyes; lo if they be not bridled, holdcn under, and iupprcffcd,thcy arc fo foone fixed upon fomc object that commcth in the way, that they carric us headlong afcer it, we being then impotent for the time and unable to rcfift, when we have let them loofc, and given them (cope. And from thence arifc (\ fpcake of the better fort of us) great hcavi- Smt fruit of it. ncfTc and unquietnciYe,to fee fuch changes wrought in us : and this is the belt that commcth thereof,untill we recover oui -fclvesagainc,ifa worie thing follow not, that we fill not into fome further unictlcdnefTcand Viil) faction diftemperaturc, which will caufe no fmall annoyance. Now what is a tbtihUftrtmtdy like remedic a^ainH this, and all other baits of this cleccitfull World HF&T** which theDevili laycth in our way, as to have our hearts daily fenced thus with watch and ward againft them, as I ha vc laid, to hold fuch fin execrable al waycs,to keepc in \ovz with pietic and goodneiTe,to rctaine hope and confidence, that God will make us (rrongagainft them,tolive in his favour frill that we may want nothing that is good, and to enjoy mod fwect and found peace to comfort us fo to our hking, that we may not need to hade grearly or gape after fuch allurements, which arc no better than deadly poifon ? What (1 fay) is like this precious remedy to t.cepe us in fafctic cverie day ? Which God hath therefore given us, that we may bepuefcrved from infinite fcarefuli dangers, which are in this world,and that we may alio live with much comfort; yea, he that Pfak19.11. gixeth his heart to the Lord, that it may be taugiit all thefe rules of tne daily directing ofaChriflian, can tell how true thisis,and v\ hat reward is found and enjoyed daily of fuch as take delight in them. But many Chriftians, whobeare good affection to the GofpcJ, and SmeChifturs generally meane well, yet will not particularly trouble thcmfelves (as if*y»bumAj thCv count it) to be brought (in their whole courfe) within a narrower oefaiajvLUfft compaflc,and to a m0rc nccrc acquaintance with the Lord,no althourh fttSiiu •frelm- tncy ncare tnat it is to be come oy,and m3y be attained : but would rainc on, than thij beare thcmfelves in hand,that they are well enough ; when yet they are fairidixi}. oft contained to fearc, yea and to fcele the contrary : for what doe they findc but much wearineffc and gricfc,checkcs and aecufations,yea, and arc ibmctimc alfo noted of others, to be but cold and barren pro- Of tbs illuflration or more full dtclirAtion&c. 44 J fctfbrs, when they have followed fo much and fo fane the devices and dcfires of their ownc hearts ? And befidcs this, how much detract they Mote. from the bcautic and excellence of the godly Iifc3and What injuric oftcr they unto it, when they are able no farther to commend it thtil as they finde, (for as they finde, fo they will fpeakc of it) whereas it cannot fut- ficientlybccftccmcd and accounted of, neither can the frrvantsof God, who have experience of the benefit of it, fatisftethemfelves infecting out the exccllcncie thereof. I deny not, but there arc many, who for want of know ledge, doe not fee that which fundrie others of their brethren doc, and yet are faithtuljl H\ that which they know : but they red not fatisfied with their prefer* eftatc, but long much to fee the will of God more clcerdy, and defire N01^ fervently to attainc to greater meafure of grace. And to all fuch I know, how welcome it will be to have more clccrc direction, than as yet they have found : and fuch I would have to know,that for their caufes,! was perfwaded ro uitev that, which God hath revealed tome fofarre as concemeth them. But as for fuch as like fo of their prefent eftateof Serving God, that they haftc not to be acquainted with any better, (feeing there is ever in Gods children a defire to grow, and a longing to be better) whatfocver they thinke of it,and how highly fo ever they ac- count of themit Ives in it, they fhall goc forward every one his way, till they fhall be as blind as the Moale, as deafc m the tAdder, as dumbe as he that openeth not his mouth, and as unprofitable as the fait that hath Rf y6".?!1 JVm loft kt6 favour* and ts rood for nothing- , but t$ be troden under foot, and i m\ * caft upon the dunghtll. iuco»raLcm*t Neither let the people of God count this any burthen to be thus di- to tk tatffcMfc rented : but it is their flcfh and corrupt wifdome which burtheneth them, whereto they are not debters. And what doc I pcrfwade unto,but Note, the ufc of, and continuance in that holy condition, which every true bclcever hath ta(tcdof,ancl hath his part in,bucthatmany fuch,through ignorance and unacquainrcdneiTe with it, have not attained unto ftcd- raft continuance in it ? But to rcturnc a little to the other : O people, I AbtM£i*i*[ bcttaid that if they were wi(e and well advifed, though they might live as their heart defireth here, and fhould never be called to their account for the fame,yet they would flic from a licentious life being but a fwcet poifon, and would chufe to fpendone day godly, (even for the fruit and plea- untnefle of it) r*$hcr th*n * thousand d*-ycs othcrvvile : which many pfrl.S4.iaJ G g 4 beathens Note. 440 Of the UluftrAtim or more full declaration, &cm heathen* in their kind,& according to the light & knowledge they hid, as CdtOyScipJySc others did, that is,in morall yertuc & honeftic • to the pcrpetualllhamc and juft reproach of many which gocfor Chrifti3ns. And this is that which I goc about, that in this ilufcingand godlcflc world, Tome, who are vcrie wiiling alicadicto be guided well, biitare unable to direct thcmfelves, may have ibmc hclpc by this which I have written: who ifthey fhould be hindered thus,namcly,thatthcy thinke, for all that can be faid, yet there will be wandrings out of the way, carrhlineiTc of mindc, rrowardncflcj and much rebellion, and therefore to imall purpofc it ought fecmeto bc>to take great paincs for little pro- fit: lfay (by the grace of God) thcifprofit fhall be great, and their paines (mail, for the benefit which they fhall rcapc by ir, yea, m time it "will become pleafure to them, after tlicy Hull accultome thcmfelves daily to fecke i\\c Lord in fuch manner, as I have here tai)ght,and as his Word prcicnbcch, and they fhnli iec therrjtrongeft rebellions much \veakned,and cvuldcf.rcsmuch abated md aiiwaged m them, and they themielvcs prepared and made fit by this well fc atoning of cheir hearts, to make the actions of their lives correspondent. PxlyAiretti** And to uphold our films in i.olmtjjc thus as it is required of us, no miefiry. IciTe helpe is need full than the daily keeping of ourhearts in this cllate, 1 lhcfl.4.5, which! have fctdownc. For although while the heart is thus looked unto, (as it would be of us, if wc counted it the ncccflaricfr worke that' we have to doe throughout the day) while the heart (I fay) isthus looked unto, every thing doth well rollcw our hands, and much good Ntie; is done in our lives : fo yet, except we make great provifion, that this workemay be daily and conihnt, wccannoi chufc, nonotthc heft of us, but wc fhall commit many th ngs in our livesunbefecming our pro- fefTion, and dually to our owne comfort. And howlbcver the rebelli- ous world cannot away with it, yet (as I faid before) all the godly, if they knew it would, and fo farrc as they doe know ic, doe aimc at it, and would thinke thcmfelves happic, ifthey .could be partakers of this libcrtie. 1 meane, when they can and doc advifedly, and with good confideration keepe ftedfaft daily in this holy and fwcet courfc,and are not perverted and turned out of it, as fomctimc they have becne. IconfciTc,all are not in alike mcafure inlarged^cicher by knowledge to fee the cxccllencie of it, (as I have faid) or in heart to defire it, feeing they arc not acquainted with ic : but yet when they doc fee, how God of his abundant kindneffe, hach fhewed them a way to make their lives more plcafant,- and his fcrvice more cafie, then chey have thought or . re are ccrtainc duties of the life befide, more common and ufaall than fome other j and they are fitcb as doc conccrnc all true people of God, and for the moll part fall out every day, at leaf! one or other o( ri.cm, if not all. Thcfc therefore which (lull bee of fo great ufc among Gods Norc- fervants, 1 thinke not amifTe to fct downe, and to (atisfic their demand fofarrc as Gods Word givcth leave: r.otof nccciTity to tie any to the praclifing of them all every day, (which I would have w oil to be mar- ked) but as everyone fceth that he is bound : yet ibmc one or other of them muft be done every day, as we fhall fee afterwards. And for the other, which doc not bindc the confeience every day, (which I doc fct downe now immcdiatly following) and yet are profitable and help- Noie. full to live well and happily, let a Chriftian ufc them, and fomany and and as oft as he may, and as hec hath occafion ©ffcrcd him, and as hee gaincth thereby in godlincffe, and winncth peace to his heart, and knoweth not how to doe better, feeing it is an hard thing for the moll: Chriflians to lee particularly how to palTcthe day in the divcrsparts of jt from one houre to another, (cfpccially when they mult intermit the workes of their calling) but it (lull be in an idle and very unprofitable manr.cr without fome fuch helpe and furtherance. A bricfc furrrme therefore of thefc I will let do wne,with fome lliort explication thereof, and utter my minde more fully of them afterwards. And they are never done aright, nor in their kinde, except they proceed from the heart well ordered, as I have faid before, and from a perfon that hath the in- ward furniture mentioned in the feventh Chapter of thisTreatife. And they are in number nine, and they arc fct downe in the next Chapter following. Chap. X. Of iheaUions nnddntiesof l*fe-> mofi commonly to be done di;lj, but net cf r.ecejfitjf. THc firlr, that wc awake with God. rbc f f d r, \ That is to fay, that as feonc as wee have broken otf our flccpe r° • r every morning, wc bend and rcfolvc with our {elves to give unto the fffl Lord the fiift fruits of the day : and that either dircclly, by thankf- }$[?*"* giving, ; 4 44 Of outward duties of life, Iffc. £si;*g, eonfeflion of our finnes, and rcqucft making for our fclves an J Gods people, we lift up our hearts to God in a briefc manner; or ir.d:rectly, that is, though wee tic not our fclves to this manner and forme, yet that we m^ke it our firlt workc after our awaking, to com- mune with andlooke up to God, drawing our hearts to the Ioyc of and rejoycing in him ; that he being firft in account with us, may bee alfo thorovvouc thedaychiefe with us, and prefent to guide, blcfle, and comfort us : Thefirit a$ion (Hay) of the day is, that wc doe this, till in a more fblemnc manner wc fct our fclves apart from other things to prayer. TUfc cnddticai4. ». \ j -> j lit/-- i j u r rcqucits made to God, with tnankfgiving,M^/*£f0W words, as Hojet ~. r fpeakech, that is, with our mouthes uttering them, preparing our felvcs Tbefme more i r j • • i 5 r r D futtl. ^y medication hereunto. Holcai44. That is, before wc enter into the affaires and dealings in the world, P/aJ. 1 1 .• . ec (if it be poiTiblc) wemake this our firft workc of the day: and in our nf.i. eonfeflion, let our fpeciall things becmentioned, by which wee have molt difplcafcd God : in our thankes, let fomc particular favours of God bcrcrncmbrcd : inourrcqueits,letuscravc pardon of our finnes with faith to obtaincit, and all other ncceffaries; and namely, that wc may well gocthorow the day, and have Gods blefTing in all that we (hall fee our hand unto in the fame. To proceed the better in all thefc, Ictus meditate cither on fomc of Gods mercies, or our'owne finncs, or on fome other things profitable; that by meditation and prayer before we enter into our affaires, wee may be the better prepa- red to paflc the whole day after, in much better fort than othcrwifc we might be like to doe. T*c thai: 3 That (if it (hall then be mod expedient) we, with our minds (till Ou> culling. kept well ordered, betake our fclves to our calling and vocation. cjime* j jiac .^ t^at vvcc willingly and diligently fct our fclves to pcrformc duty in that workc or fcrvicc for the which wee arc fitted, *»d te the which rve are called : andthcrem abide as we arc ab!e,cxccpt any weigh- tier matter draw us from it : affuring our fclves that we plcafc God no Note. Icffc thcrcin,than in obeying hisothcr Commandemcnts. And that wc be therefore chcerfull therein, (it being the bufineffc diat God hath fee us about) and confident that wc Gull hnde good fucccfle, feeing wee have a promifc of blefTing from him ; and fo doing that wc take heed, that we mind not our proht in fuch wife,that wc coolc any grace there- by, or quench hpLy affections in us : but that wc be fit to goc from it to fuch Of outward duties of Ufif &c. 445 fuch other duties as (hall be meet, that fo wc may doc cur earthly bu- finefle with heavenly minds, which is an high point of god line flc, and make the duties of our callings & holy excrcifes helps one to the other. 4 That in all companies wc behave our iclves, as we are caught of Thfartbi . and as it becommeth us, efpecially io as we leave no ill favour by 7 * "*N UJ< 4 bid example behinde us. ' That is,fecing forne part of the day is ufually befioved in company, Tbtftmr therefore in what company foever wee Hull bee, either of our ownc fa- mily or (IrargcrSjfupei io'.irs or infeiiours, and how oft foevcr, that wee have fpcciall regard to be harmlrlfc, and free from giving any ill exam- ple, carefully marking and flnmning the occasions thereof, and provo- cations thereto. And that wc be ready by all opportunities to take any good that 'ac may,cithcr by example or communication fromothers,or doc good our felvcs by offc ring both. And that in any of our dealings with men,abouror in thethings ofth is life,wc neither hurt or do wiopg to any, but rather fuffer it, knowing how wee arc given to love our feives, and in matters of profit cfpecially, with the ncglc& of others: whichamong Christians is a fore blemifh. 5 That wee doc not ill fpend the time inourfohtarincfTe, or when Tie fifth: we be alone. SoUumtfc. 1 rncanc^ that at fuch times, as wherein we fhali be free from com- rkeCame. pany, we have the like care of our hearts a^d bchavi ?ur being alone, that wc were taught io have them both, and of our talke in company. For example, that in our behaviour we attempt or goc about noevill, as Healing, whoring,or committing any unlaw fid! thing, cxc. and con- cerning our hearts, that wee fuffcr them not to wander af.er need leflc and vainc things, but hold them within this compafic, that either our thoughts be of thole things whicharc lawfull, as the well ordcrirgof our bufincfTe, and yet that alfo with moderation : or of things holy and fp»rituail,asthc glory ofthe life to come, or Gods love to us, and care over us in this world, and fuch like; confidcringand remembring thsU we muft redeemu the timcto the bed ufes wc can, and in confcicnce mod approve of; or ifourthoughts be ac any timeof things cvill, that it be only to bring us into further hatred and dctcita: ions of them, and not to ir.gcndcr and raife up a liking thereof in our hearts, which Sa- tan ever intendeth, though we had no fuch meaning, nay rather pur- pofed agatnft it, when we firtt cntrcd into thought of them. 6 That wcufc our profperity, and all the lawful! liberties of this rbtfixibt life fobcrly, and fo as wc fceke to be the bct:cr by them. ' u) Forafmuch as our mcrcifull Father beftoweth upon us many great Tbtfamt, ble flings, 44* i Tiip.4 8. Ncxc. T A\ a i *.8. I King 5 11,11, If- • Pfal J7 3*- Luk.u.l8,u>. Tbefivcmb: Vmu Thtfamt. Lan&cnr. j. $J. i Cor.1r.3t. lames 1. 1. iPcc.x.rf. Rom. f. 4« 1 hefamt. Of ou'wirc duties of life, #fc b!e(fings, cvcil h:r r (rfrr.wrcrs, both in token that he cen af. ford us thciln ; and to fhc w, {the fear e of Gb d are not without t \o: />//•.> /;/> : therefore it bchoveth us to bee circumfpeA and wary, chat vvc hvel! not, neither be infoIcnt,becaufc ofourprolpc- ncirher idle and loofc m our lives, and lb abufe the lime to carnall liberty; bu: to bee more rich and (ruiifull in all good duties both to God and men, becauf: we know, ThAt he which hath received rftnch, of bim(h*Mm*ch iercyured; Amos j.ii And chat herein is our heavenly Father glorified, t hat we fain* forth math ft uit \ And fo wee have the right ulc of Gods benefits, which is a greater trca'uie than the benefits thcmfclvcs, as we may fee by the fcarefull ends of fuch as had many great Meltings, but regarded not how to ulc them \ 7 That wc be read y to receive our am1 id ions meekly and patiently, and lobe tound indeed when wee arc tried with them, t!)*it our patient pimds may be hrtovrne to alt. Our lives are fubjcCt to many calamities, and everyday to fj'.idry : yet doth not the Lsrd chafttfe hs, for that hee taketh any pUafttre ir. our foffcrings, but of very love fendeth them for oxr benefit \ namely, to wcancusfromthecxccfTiveloveof the world, and to purge out our droiTc thereby, thatvremt^ht not perijh with the world, but havepreofe of our faith and patience, which caufech the great eft yyy of all other. Therefore wemuft not fret and be impatient in them, but confciTc that they are neccflary and meet, as oft as God fendeth them, and there- fore wait to fcc a good end of them, that fo wc may have experience of great good by them, which may make us hope for the like after, and that without fainting. 8 That wee conilantly keepe and ufc the csercife of prayer and thankf^iving in our families, and fuch other hclpes to maintains the knowledge and true worfliip of God, and oftrue happines amongftus. For, feeing we arc forgctrull of our duties, and cafily drawnc away by the world, wc have need to have daily and oft acceifc to God, and our fcrvants efpecially, who have little other private hclpe. Thcie ex- creifes of Religion are, Prayer, Reading, Catcchifing and Conference, with ringing of ?falmes,cxc. A nd that thefc or fuch of them as arc com- mon to the whole family, becufed at the moft convenient times when the family may come together : and that wc endevour to doc the fame together twice in the day at leaft, if it may bee, providing to pcrformc the duty of it with chccrcfulnetVc and reverence, knowing that wchavc therein communion with our God, and molt fwece refrefhing of our IbuLes thereby, alwaics rcmem(?ring that this feallnot befoawkely gone Of outward duties oflift&c 447 gone about, nor G> hard and harfh>th much wandringofthc mind as nianvfindcit. ifothcrdutics before mentioned be carcrully look.uro. o That before we he downe at ttjgbfc vyclookc backc to the workes Ti t nmth: oft" e day, how v,c have parted it, that, here » e have had blcffings Jl« v,emavbethankfull, and proceed in the like comic alter : where wee ^w^ havc.rVulccd and tailed, we may reconcile our fclvcs to God, and lohc dowuc.iupeacc. For feeing we have fomc fpcciall infirmities to make mention of, and ? asfimc* fomc particular benefits to give thankes for, and to powre out our complaints in fpcciall manner, it is nicer (as we fhall be able) that wee fliould thus view, and goe thorow the icverall a£ts ot our life in the day, calling them to remembrance as we can: that where we fhall lec that v\ce have received hclpe and llrcngth to live well, and to kcepC peace with God by the rulcsand duties prefenbed, otherwifethan we were wont before we did fo particularly obferveour waies; wee may with nraiie to God rcpyce and take comfort inourgaine, and more Norc. conftantly hold out in the fame courfe, and where we have failed, wee maybe willing to fee and acknowledge our faults, laying hold of par- don, and lookc better to our felves after; and fo making agreement with the Lord , as being reconciled to him, and leaving no accufations nor checks to our conferences, wee may lie downc in peace, and fall aflecpe in that Hate, (even as w?e awoke wirh it in the morning) ready to make our bed our gravc,and [often? our [elves to be pilgrims .ind ftrax- Heb.n.iJ. gcrs A6 our fathers-were. And thelcare the duties of our lives failing out ordinarily, andmoft commonly to be clone every day , at icaft fomc ofthem, and none more ufually than thefc which I have added. That thus, while thelcare well Norc. looked to, thedaiiydircction, which doth (as we heard before) con- ceive thofe duties which may on no day bee omitted ; may not want mattcrto occupy and fet on worke the life in thole which I have now mentioned, fo as it may neither bee idle nor unprofitable : and alio to the end that every Chnitian may learnc and fee more cleercly, what mancrofthinga godly hfc,for many aic ignorant of it, and many who gladly would, for want of clccre understanding of God* Will herein, cannot tell how to goc about it. Numbers think it to be a doing of fomc one or few duties, whatsoever the courfe of their lives be be fides : nei- ther yet to be tied every day unto that. Somethinke it is but to goe to Church on theSabbath:and one thinketh oncthing,& another another. To whom,and to all othcr,I fay ,that it is no lefie than a daily and cart- Ad] looking co-our hearts and livcs; as I have fee downe^though I tie no mas 448 Oftbj benefit >:nd commendation , &c. mu\ upon ucrcfScy co any ccrtainc outward workc orduty ditty, (*£ ha and a returning againc to this holy courfc,if by any occarkui wc bate departed from it,yca,though it hath bin but fora ftiorc fcafco. v^>^ bctMuic vn c arc not,ncithcr can be ai waics iccicd to abide at home i.» 0 irowac houfes, where it wcrccaficrto kcepc ibmc even and equal! courlc in our m cs,as wc arc directed by Gods Word,yca,and formime wc be farced to be taken up both in the travell of the mindc and body, ino.e fpccially about fomc weighty nutter*, in which cafe we lhall bee rcady.muchmorccafily to forget our fclves, and fo become unfctled ; therefore let thi> watch- word be remembred and regarded : that ir'any lucli thing fall out, as by hairy and long journeyes, attendance uoon great luitsor great pcrfons, change of dwelling place, or change ot our cilate horn Iinglcncffc to marriage, from poverty to wealth,or the con- trary, (as unufuall matters doc more cafily unfcttlc) thac in theic, 1 dyt and fuch l:kc, when any fhali fail out,wc be more carcfull at fuch dmct to be fenced agiinft all fuch occafions, than when wc be void of chem ; and that wc doc this, as wc Ioyc our peace and communion with Cod. Chap. XI. Of the benefit Andc&mmcr.dttion of the diretttox. The third part if VjOw I will proceed to the third point, namely, of the ncccfficy, itthfwtb irea- y\ profit, and comfort of the daily direction : and then more largely I'* fpcake of thefc nine duties, feeing a Chriltian fhall findefo great ulc of them, that he may (having the lame at large before him,) be in fomc fort helped thereby daily. Of this thud part I fliall not need to fay much, if that be well marked and confuicrcd, which I have let downc Note of the two former. For if it be grantcd,that God direeleth us daily how Ibediilydirt- to goc thorow the whole courlc of our lives, and that hec tcacheth us HmgQJo^rfilics what manner of guiding us this daily direction is, (both which have agnngmcu bcenc proved uuto us :) who can doubt, but that it muftneedsbee a ** thing of great account and reckoning,and of lingular uie,andgainfull > Efpccially to all fuch as being of an upright heart, are yet not fo cxer- •eifed in the Scriptures, nor fo experienced, (by meanes of the darkneflc and blindpcflcthat yet is in them, and of fundry other lets and difcou- ragements) that they arc able by their ownc private hclpc to draw out ofall their readings, hcarings,and knowledge which they have gotten, any indifferent forme or direction to govcrnc thcrrXclvc*. 7 D - Bcfidcs, Of the benefit and commendation, Itfc. a 49 Beftdes,many fuch enjoy not the Miniftcrie of the Gcrfpc!! ordir*MiJt\ but if they get it by their painful! travell abroad; and many Preach'- f (chc more is the pitic)docnnt tic Micmfclvcsconfcionabiy to preach thr rnoft neceflary doclrine to their p coplejca^I may fay with gricfe) arc altogether unfit to doc it : and the d iiigcntc(t and bed able(for themoft part; carte not long to feafoa the hearers thorowly with fuch matter; cut by death, or other oceafions, are quickly removed, or fo mightily difcouraged by their people and the divers kindes of crabbed, techic, M&j th>>*t r« fcomfull,hoilow,proud,nrophane,and the like ill qualities of them,or binder from 4& fotnc other wayes^hat rarely it may be found, (what an admirable and J*"6 -*"**• lamentable thing doc I utter in this golden time of weLl nccrc fiftic wares peace, fcarcely to be hoped forhalfcfolongagaincl ) yea,rarcly ( [fay) it may be found, that in all this time, there arc growne ma< ■able to guide thcmftlycs with fweet peace, thorowout their trouble- fome lives. And we who know, that men without direction by Goch Not* word wander and walkc in uncomfortable darkneflc, what can we bet- ter doe for the eafing and helping of them to their 1 carts dclicc, and fa«- tisfying of their neceflTuics, than/Aeif Vkeik tkce.ificft -axdfUiHeft way to 1C0r.1i.17* cicapc and come out ofit, as C^bd hath -Hie wed us? And therefore for mine ownc part, I have endevoured in this worke to doc the fame : and although neither fully nor perfectly to let downe ma little roomc that will of God which is difpeTfed thorowout the Canor.icall Scriptures ; yet, fo far as God hath revealed unto me ; that, which I count the befttreafure and commoditie, that God hath be- ftowed upon rnc in this tranfitoriclife; and that which how' fmall fo* ever it may fecrncin the eyes of any, yet of whomfoevcr it becmbra- ced andeftccmed, fhallbenolcflc than Jhavcfaid,that is,rnoft ncccf- fary , ga infull, a nd comfortable. The reafon is great : for that,whilcs we walked before without forrie certaine direction, wc were never long fetled, efpecially with religious mindes,how to be/tow the day nor the pares of it; in the anions of ^otc# their livcs,neither how to bcgin,nor how to end it ; and therefore were much wearied anddiftracled withforgetfulncfTe and rifhnefte, (1 fpeak irkatbttttftk ofgoori people) and unfetlcd oft, and yet knew not by what occafron, brt^db. neither how to returnc aga-inc. But finer wt have bcene guided more clecrcly and particularly, wee havefcene much better how one thing commeth to be done after anothcr,and one duty not neglected for ano- ther,and(b have beene delivered from much toile and tedioulhefle, be- hdes that^by it we have learned how to rife out of our fals, and alfo to keepc vvcll while w c arc well .It is profitable for all forts in what lawfull H h trade 454 Of the benefit mi cgmmcndmon, iff<. critic of life focver cjicy live, haying alrcatlie begun to change their lives, ami thcrehy bcir.g fit :nd meet to praclifeit. And fuch are ail, tliar by faith in the Sonne of God arc let free from their finnc, and a | red ofhisfiYour. * tfh:crtfitt«u[t No other can v. el! fct themfclves about -italic fluke itorfjasthcy doc is. all vhich I thought meet to-put the Reader inmiml of, that although he fliall nor fcethis doctrine commonly pi a tho world, yet hecmaynot chinkeitfor all that, any novcitie which Gods word doth not warrantor therefore nccdlefTe for himfclfc rogoe Kctt. about. For fomc (no doubt) will bereadictocount it over-fir i.ct and more than needcrh, to be tied to any fuch trting, and.ro perf \ atic them- fcves, that they may with fomc tew duties ddjyig, pie afe God aftvcll a* ;lrtcy, whofpend their whole life in_f- arching out the infinire points o{ J.U.CI j.14. Gods wilito practtfc thciamc :anci they count that ancafic.Mpff 1 1 j- yert,w corner tfon of the other, which the) thiifa Iokj andtteliotu ; but not »fid<.ritig faHm*} fee } that which i> wr/trcx; namely, that-many fiaaiJ Jceke to enter in> and Hull not be able., feeing they tU ntcr ^atthcjlrait gatC} when tbey migh But let (u h tindcrfland, that they are not fit to make their ufe of it, They -mutt be other manner of pcrfons wt'om I fpcaketo, or got about to pcrfv\adc,forthcy;.\ho will weigh things advifcdly,(ha!lcon(cnt (I 4ioubtnot) tothat^bich I fay ; and fhall fee fiuther the danger or thefc men, whoconrenttheroielvesto Itandar a flay, rather than to be led' 1U}1 for v ard m a fruitful! and holy courfc ;, and fo being much idle and jwpro^table, imagine and conclude by and by, that it can benoothcr- wifejf^th men, than they themfclvcs finde it, whiles thej htreoncurth beabfc*tfrom.God) and ib like vvifc that theChridian life is not fuch, or fo pleafant as the Scripture every where affirmeth it to bc-,(which is no- llfingjelfe thanto charge it with faifhood and lyes ; ) when yet many pf Godsdeare fcrvantsdoc know it,. and rinde by experience, that this Ghrirtian life hath no match, abounding in delights 5 yea, and thofe molt found permanent, *\\d unfpcakablc. To rcturne therefore to them, whom God in mercy hath called to afluia^ccofthcirfalvation,for they by fuch direction as I fpeak of,(hall '&c the Chriftian life more cafic by many degrees, than ever they fouod it whiles they walked after no ccrtainc direction before : fuch (I fay,; both poore and rich, Miniftcrandpeople,oncand another,may leame, and that every day thorow their life,how to kcepc company, and hew Tdrtkiltr *ft *° ^c fohtary,how to be occupied in their labours, how to ceafe from 4Kibtinfitn, and a godly mimic, Co may the other a l(b : and as rhcyfpeakc and heare the Word well, fo Nf*c. they may have their thoughts goovl a)f<>, anc. cheir hearts purged, frbm? whence both thefc doc conic. And as in tiicii prayers to be Holity affcV C*ed, loin their husbandrie, hufwifcrte, f a(irig, jounrcyirgr buying* eafing,andotherdcaling:thatibeveiypakl. of thedayUithcdivcrs acti- ons of it,may have the proper due thereof, which if it may be obtained, is not meanly to be accounted of, if we cruller how many thoufandi never carte of thisdaintieshorow the yeare; wnich wc rnay ;cw|oy eve- ryday, yea,ra>hcrfoi the want of it, 'have a wof ill and a deociyeable pafllngof the time, and for the moftpart wcariiomc and tedious. Befidcs, wee may by the benefit of it, ib be occupied in our earthly' Othtr Irmjk and common bu(ineflc,as from the fame wc may come readily and wil- *f *« lingly to heavenly excrcifes, ( whereas the moft come untowardly :) andalibinthefamcbufinefie wee may have oukroiuides heavenly, and therefore oura&ious which are done thereby to bei hereafter; And w'hercts many even ofgood hope arc worn to cornplaiae and fay, A third fortieth that longer thah they be in praying,rcading,or fuch like eicrcifcs, they ^r UJ*. **"****? cannot keepe in a wellordcred course, any longtime in the diy togc- * ' ' * *>*M chcr, but arcdiltra&ed like other of the world which life neither rca- Jiug,nor prayer atall: yet weby the helpe which God giveth usthercb *■ * " by, wiien weneccffarily intermit both, and ceafe from them for a timen (being occupied in oufealHng or other profitable -duties') vice ( I fay f)* may hold 1 good and well ordered couric in our other actions and bufc neftc in and thorowthc day notwithstanding. And more thiftthis, when we can brine our hcarts-to lookcarefiiJly to this as to our harveft I we flial get fuch a dittaftc in e villain refpeft of that which we had fore- time, that we fhall have great Ubertie to forfake and carAtetnnc lr. And here for the better incouragement of the Reader to iookc pore JBtxmfU *f carefully into this matter, and not to be difmayed by the ftranp-'neffe ^htdl^m^ andunaccuftomcdneflcof the thing to the which I perfwade I will ^wXi;r#jf*/i faithfully report unto hkmhefpeecho bj'a. andofthebeft fort of fuch as had profited by thcprcachjnp-'frheQo- fpell(a«farrc aslcooW judge) in thofe parts. When they irft heard of any forme of ddrly dire&ing them,whctei?y men are tau/*t to be every day kept in the fame hply compafft,that they flwuld * *ny dayrfome Hh2 conceived 45 l Of the benefit and commendation^ c. connived It no; atthchirft hearing, feeing they had noebcene acqutirr- ted with it ; tome lmiledatit^ as thinking it impotftblc to be brought into pra&icc ; ibine confefted that their hearts did rife againft it,as far* '.eivmg, that it was a certainc rebuking in great part of their former lives, which was \ thing unwelcome to ilcfli. i But it appeared to be a fjult in all three forts, .by this that they a/*erwacd correct themfdves. For when they, faw further into it, and WJj»lyJdthclacnefit,ofit more deeply, they wese of another judgement, audita* a fourth fore did fay- when it came fir ft to their hands ; tint they did highly approve of ic, and chat it ought to be fo, and that for want of fuch helpe and direction, they had bcene much confounded and troubled in their courfe, and that they would bavt thought them - felvcs happie, if they. could poflibly have attained to the practice of u \ wxfhing that they had beenc acquainted with it long before. For they faw in. pcrufing the parts of this daily direction, which I have here fot downe, that their hearts and lives fhould be freed from many incum- .» brancei hercby> wherewith they were before annoyed : and u:at they (hould fcrve ( ,od and five with men. much mote chcerefully than they did before. And t hi S'ischc famine of their ftrftfpce£>< dirttl.e* (ingof it,accordmgto cfeeievcrall points thereof, afccj the right and t&i.* H cletrennderitisndingani due conndcringof it ; andco fhew faithfully, how they .fdn :jc - to htlpe them forward .iu Wcl* fumV'g the day, rootCi thatt^hen they walked without itimrw.worldftand whUhpouiifrofir, they found hand to be obferved> and how they .were letted, or what li- berty they found more byic,inthc governing of the^r lives, than when theyiooked not after it.Thus they were counfcjled to make triall of it • *«*he.moncth,and fbby thequaccerof the yearie,and to fignific% whe- ther any fuch daily courfe might poflibly;he fattened upon Chriflian*, *lia vith fruitjTwiiich^cloubtlcfl^fewftreacquaintfdwiih. And after >fctt. lriaH nade privately by. themfeives,they enjoy iog.aMb the publike Mi- nittery'oljie further inlightnirigof them ab^utchc fame,they confejlcd freely^tt^iiepratfcofGod, that they foetid and obtained mere aft $>f k thefrkiibviedgc, moteconflaanie in tHci'r courfe, ancUw W dcjjglu ui ft'v*ng°f^:4^3attever they looked fQr,<>r Qnt(J$QykUave asked of Godjbeforeti-y^ in lush partitular manner, looke to their- wayes, though thcyha\ fetth^r Intra U fc^ %ln bird fim vbitt.hfirt. Fox Of the benefit and comm endation% iifc. 457 Forthcy laid, when they did conhder, that God ought as well ( to have his due at our hands ai another, ( which they had not t'n< upon (b thorowly ; but now by the helpe of this, they be;: : it decrcly : and that it was nothing befecmirg the greatneile and goodnclTc of God,that he fhould be fcrved by fits,& uncertainly; Co: day a little, fomc day nothingat all) they confcilcd, that they drew their mindes of confcicncc to lookc to their w ayes more Conftandy and carefully, and that in one part of the day as another : and more cipeu- ally, that they did ufually confuierof, and call to mindc Gods lovcand kindnefle in his many mercies much more often, than in tiroes pad when they thought of them but fcidome. And hereby, they (aw fuch blcfllng of God upon tbeif labours and **d fim tktfl -rdevours,that they were able withcheercfulnefic and without tediouf- m/VCJfe(i.fy neffetopafletheday in their calling, ar.d in the performance of other rc^/^'9* ' ncceflary Jutics^eithcr at home or abroad as occaiion was ohVed, which they could never doc before, for any long time together ; they were not unfetled by matters about famil y,nor fo cafily and readily pafFing cheir bounds, and over-fhootingthcmlclves, in dealing about their worldly affaires^ they were not foibone provoked to unquictneffe by IolTcs or Note* other of Gods chaftifements, nor to brcike cut into heart-burning, frruingand uncharitablcnclTc againft fuch as offered them hard mea- iiircin fpeeeh or othcrwifc: they did now more narrowly view their dciiresand arfcitions,which way they carried them, and what deccit- fuJnclTc was in them; which yet formany ofthem,thcy had not before fufpec-lcd,orat leait, little laboured again!} them; remembrirghowoft they had fmartcd for giving libertic to them, when they had not tills re- gard daily. They faw they could willingly doc one good thing or other in the da y, for the mod part,or at 'call kecoc thcn.fclves from ev ill, and were not mattered ofidlcnciTc,or bufy irg thcmfclvcs necdlcfly in other mensmatters.-they were not ufually Co untoward when they went to prayer, nor walked in many of their aclionsfolcofcly,as they wellrc- rncmbredthey had done before ;thcy now could tindc matter to joy in, and make their fongs of,(cvcnthc manykindncfles of God, which have no end) whereas their joy was wont to be in thinking of that whicli they had, or dcfirinc that which was other mens, or dreaming of lone hrc,c\:c. And above the reft,this did exceedingly comfort thcm,that whereas they had oft-times before that,bccnc much rhaken with fcare,that they Not* ihould not wirhany peace perfeverc to the end; now theircxperience in iubduing their unruly atfcdUons, and letting thcmfclvcs to frame H h 3 thcii 4 j 8 Oftlx benefit and comm ifccir lives t© Gods will as they >vcrc able, and that for ionic continu- ance ore Jay Or anotlici that they ilioulit much more earl id were perfwaded that if I ns,thant hadasyetfuftaincd^harhc v u neinjanj xCcr.i.u. itJUthe) lCy flii made able to beare them. Sothatt:. t tying of then. klvcs to record and thinkc up -J} in that he had both made them hippie here, and alio had given them hue hope of happiacflc for hereafter, and the fobmrtting thcmielvcs to be 2 lided daily ; did greatly amend them (as wc ice by their owne con- feffion^ in their whole coi Grett dfcr.r.c: And what marvcll though it was thus with them? For is there not bunixt adai'y (thinkc u c) a great difference bctv\ ixt a daily, and a fchfome or unccr- * J £!»** tair.c^, ; - BctWMK a particular obfervr g our wa\ and agencrall couric in Chrtfhanitie ? For although men may h wichoutfoch like hclpea:ui direction, oftentimes their hearts well r.f- fcrdcrto be followed, as the reading of certaine tastes, nothing lcftethan proper to duvet their lives : \ct hthis, which I here prop ound,namcly, that wc fnould bed rily directed in cur whole Courfc, I have followed nofancic and drcamcofman, but have in all rood conf.icncc fpoken fom God, and dtawnc it from the Scripture barf] ibi the learned and limple,high ami hnv/jnc and other, and is ne- ver in vame to the right ufcr of it; although 1 deny not,bu: that a Skil- ful! handler of it, might have fct Ltdownc far more cxquilltcly. But from whence is the dimcultic,that it is no more in practicc,bcinq a trcafurc of lo infinite value, and that Co many pray, and fomc of them ^ctc* often, to lead a god! v life, yet when and where they fhould not, there W%UM4 fctUM they favour then fives, and fay, they arc wcakcand unable? FrOtn l4*d,r*H(c j>$m vvhence 1 fay is this, but from hence, that they will put no diligence u,i*gd.uir d,rt- thereunto, toobferve their wayes in which they pro fp^r, and conrraii- wifc? Alio there isnoaiifwcrablctravcll,nor labour for skill and expe- rience in this Chriltian courfc, to that which is in all ether, but every little is tedious to them and wearifomc. They arcfeven ycaresat other trades to learnc them, though they he apt to them, and forward in them, before they are thought tit to occu- pic by thcmfclvcs. But yet * ithout feven ycaresor feven monerhsdili- Kct*. gent cxercifing of the rules of Chriftian life, ( for before they be con- verted to the obedience of God, what reckoning istobe made oftheir profcffing ? ) they will be thought fit to doc as the belt in this trade of Chriftian living, although it be clcanc againit their nature. Nay, I fay more, he is a rare man, who can be peri waded to be guided by religion and thcruLstheicof, but feven wcckesconftar.tly, lmay truly fay, fe- vendayes: For ifl.ee would but (o long give over himiclfr coliveby fjith,and walkc with God, he would never fcckc.tobc loofcncd* and fct at libertic nga'nc to his old life, but would renounce it utterly, \o Jsctc great fhould his advantage be in this com fe and trade. And as 1 know, that thHs the mainc and greatelt caufc, why fo few are lights and examples toothers, lo when people arc taught the truth ciecrcly concerning this matter, (for 1 am lure that it is negleded of many through ignorance) ktthem ci:hcr refolveto bee governed tnro ighthc day, and from day to day, or let them lookcrojftndermall rcjoycmgin the Chriltian lite, but much uncomfbrtablencfTc, which rthcr,\ iic need not be, And thcifore in the fearc of God^lct men thinke and Of the benefit and commendation ,i? V. 461 andjudgtof themfclvcsas Gods word teacheth them: yea, let them profefle as tliey bee, or let them looke to findc as they bee, and not as rna/cflc. liut as the rnofl doc handle the matter, they mall findc it cr to praclifca Chriftian life after feven ycares twice told, than the hardeft trade after Inlfc i'^cn daics. And as it is with many of them \rho never learned their occupation well, that they are never skilfull ^otf> in it, nor thrive by it as others doe: io one ci'pcciall caufc why many nc* Yerpra&ifeqoxUiricflcro the welfare of their foulcs, neither prolpcc DOrW well ti king therein, is, bccaulc they never loundly learned not tcfolvcd withthcmfelvcs,howto livcgodiy for continuance, and con- (lan:ly oncdiy as another, but pecccd and patched up the fame with here a t;ood deed, and there anothcr,and in beinq fomctimc devout and zealous, but the moft of their actions unrcgardcd,and of many of them it may truly be bid , the power of ' godlwejfe was never thorowly rooicd and ietled in their hearts. Thcfe rules and the like for the daily directing ofaChriftian,are to be well conceived and approved in our confcicnceto bee fuch as are very fit and profitable toguide us, (the which, wholocvcrhath the Spirit of God, doth or may diiccrnejbecaufc they are according to the Word of God, and practice ofhis children, and lb to be yccldcdto, and duly to be regarded, fofarrc as God giveth us to conceive of'and fee into them. And thisendevouring to pra&ifc them will bring a man increafe daily of lound bbcrtic and hecdome from bondage to hisboiftcrous pafTions and unruly life, and rccompence an hundred fold in i.vect peace all his lofic inearthly and value delights, which hec was wont to make the flower of his garland* And feeing they will work upon the fiinpleft whole heart is upright, An txwtat'm 2nd which the Lord hath opened to conceive them, therefore when toujclt^nia- thoufceftthat thou art fuch a one, and that thou hart felt them (thcfe IfW^kwd. rules ofdircclion Imeanc) to pe-rf.vade and draw thee on to follow tmM'tcmm them, forgoe not this hbcitic,ucithci fill from this holy beginning, nci- therquench thou this (lame ofgracc : But chcriili it in thee daily, »nd ti lift not the flcfhly wifdomc of thine hotrt, (whereby thou mightcflbc difcouraged from it)(ecing thou hall often proved and found it decci:- iull, but inquire into it ilill every day, left fomc poifon fhould lurkc k- cretly in any corner of it, to wait thee a mifchicfe, and to give oppor- tunities th;nc encmic to make thy hurt yet greater, andtbtrfbre it up as vomit ! and if, after thou halt had lomc good ufc ofthis,or fuch like direction, thou malt feclc it to wax common, and unfivouric to dice, (unlcfic thou art fure, that thou changed for the better} take cou- 462. Of the benefit and commendation^ c^ i •c that thou iv. nd happy (haft thoube both here i hereafter : and it thou thinke thisbc litt'c that I (ay, tcllmec ho,w thou flr.lt fpecd bcttei inke not upon the many yearesintri rhouartrocont- it, todifcouragc thy Ulfc thereby, a thou tookeftin hand i Pfal.S^i. thingurpolTiblc,ortoilcforne; for a day in t! is couifrii better than a thoufandin any ud the beginning isthchardeir : andasyoi children ace to bee led here a frcpandthcrc another, till they caivgoc alone ; !o goc thou about it hr(t by weeks, and fo by moncths,tUI thou hail gotten experience for a whole yeare or more.After winch timc,thy Note. difficulty will be well over, and thou fhalt findc it a more eape yoke And light burthen to thee by many degreeSjthan thon wcrt v ont. And while I exhort thee to the diligent regarding of this daily direction, I doe not ctll thee cither from fecking knowledge, or from the praclifing *f any ncccflary duty which might bee required at thy hand, but I incouragc thee to both: as that thou fhouldcit fo (tore and (turrcthy fclfeby all mcanesasthoucan{t,thatoi.tofthis(torc and trca fune thou maiit fetch matter daily to furnifh thy life wirhall, and bemadejfr un:o every good rvorkemihe day. This is fuch a guide as is able to carry thee fafcly, as I have faidjhow- beJt,if it (hall plcaic God to bring to light a plair.er and founder, bee ready to embrace it : but reft thankfu'l to God in the meanc icafbn for thchtlpc thou maiit have by this- But fi-rmy wcakc brethrens fake, whom(whilc I gee about toheipc and let forward,) I would be loth to hinder and difcourage, this I thinke good roadde rthatthey, who can- not yet apprehend the whole, neither fee itpofllblcto bee guided by every ofthele rules, which I have fctdownc, lctthembe ready to doc better than they have done, as they fhall be taught; let them be willing toaddefomewhattotheir hearing, rcading,and prayersboth in time to doe them oftr.er, and in fcrvcncic, to quicken them to endevourmorc carefully to practifc that which they fhall bee able. I know all cannot be partakers of the fame meafure of grace, and yet one and the fame di- rection is fit for the ftrong,and the weakc ; and he is in good way, who is willing to bee directed : oncly, this is the caveat which I give to my Note, brethren : Let not that bee defpifed in a fcorncfull manner, which men well underftand not, nor upon ftomack refilled or mifliked, which they fufficicntly weigh not, and allbecaufcit cuttcth off many parts of bad behaviour, which they cannot readily caft off, and deprivcth ofvainc liberties, which they were wonttoufe when they knew no better. Hce that Of the km d comwfndation&c. 46 3 thatframcthhimfclfcfaithfu'ly to be led by any oncof the fore-men- tioned 1 u!c$ conftantIy,will defire and fhall obtainc a part in the reft,; 1 have fiul ; although thercbee not prefent ftrcngth to accomplifh that which hccdcllreth, feeing faith in him is wcake, whereby hec fhould nc by and attainc it. And to fueh I fpeak, not doubting to aflurc even them that God will give them a blcflcd fruit of this tra veil, how ferrc focver they fcelc thcinfelv.es off from poiubility of taking good by Object* the fame. And as I defire to hclpc thefc, io I would be glad to fatisfic others,as muchasIcan,thoughthcybceas yet further off from cternall life than . And therefore if any filch (hall demand, (when they have fecne and confidcred thefc rules for their daily direction :) What fhall men doc thorow the day bchdes the looking to their waies and hearts, as is before let downc ? For nothing (they will perhaps alleage,) hath becne fiid of the fundne actions and the particular kindesofthe dealings of nun, which goc thorow their hands in the day, which arc things in* different, and may either be done, or left undone, and it would be loo- ked for Yav they)that in a direction for the day it fhould be picferibed, very thing, yea, the doubtfullcir anions fhould bee done, and ibmewhat (aid thereof, that men may fee what to goc forward with, lArJyt \ hat to lay afide. To fuch as would aske this qucflion, not much differing from another before propounded, 1 anfwer : that none may imagine, that I goe about any fuch thing as to prefcribe what particular actions, compa- nies, or dealings every Chrifiian fhould uic and beconvevfancin every- day, (that were no leiTc abfird than unpoiTiblc to dieame of ) or of igs indifferent, which ofthemhec fhould doe, and which arc to bee undone : but this I fay, whatsoever behaviour, actions, wo.ds or com- pany will not llnnd thorowoutthe day \\ith thefc, ( I mcanc withtht ruleofChriilianity,nameLy,rfl//^y6'^r/y, i i.u% them avoid them : and whatfocver goingabc or manner of do- ing them, will not fuffcr then iorts thorow theday, let it bec fane oit from them, -s in ti cirta^ke, ■ »g, (coifing, quarrelling, . ind all other unbridlcdneiTc .tongue: In their behaviour, lightneil .ffr, {u'.lcnneile, melancholy, fovvrcneile neile, and all ufneffe, let them be Grangers unto them ; and whatfoevcrclfe ill report, let them have nothing to doc with it any day. Which, they who arc carcfull toliveundcran ordinary miniftcrie, fhall ia umc more particularly be acquainted v, i: mo4 464 OftU faforathm of the firfl duth^s their feats, ami have their lift multipl true crmfort. For they (nalllcarnc how to g the relt of chc dayes oftheir pdgrimJgc that yet remaine,and have a fwert remem. * hich they have weilpailcdalrcady.Thcyil bee ibleto wcej c .15 though they wept not, that is, not penfivefy a unprofitably : a:ul to rejoyce, asifthey rtjoyced r.ot, Imcane,noc lightly andvainely; and to buy as if they po (Veiled not, that is, with- out glorying therein, or thinking highly of them (clvcf, for that thek hand hath got much,as worldly men doe,induic the world,asnot ibu- lingit, that is, r.ot dangerotrfly. And to conclude :thcy lhall well ten 1- fie hereby, that they live by faith, which is the right lot and portionof the blelled of the Lord, and fhall therefore be fit to live, as becemmeth Chriflians, whiles they here continue, and fit to die, when God dull call them hence, in which two contillcth that happir.ciTc which is here to bee enjoyed, and which is the readicil and dircclcil path- way to eternal] happineiTc hereafter. And if they thinkc this hard, as though they fhould fuilainefome great IofVe hereby, in tying and curbing up their affections thus fliort ; what doe they lofe,but that which they arc well rid of,cven that which is more vile than the parings of their nailcs, if no other gair.e were to be gotten hereby, (which yet is great and precious) and that which onely is; ilohn t.16. XPCL2.1I. M troubled them, namely, the tuft of the heart, the txft of the eye,;)ii e > thinke of Gods kindnefle and lore towards them, and thatthey abuc (till in hi^avour,asatany time before, the remembrance whereof at our firfl breaking offour fleepc, as it is to bee notmthed, Co what can bee like f veer and comfortable? Even as on the contrary, apiifoncr condem- ned but to tcrrrporall death, doth at his awaking out of fleepc, fa!! in- to moft dreadfull thoughts and feare by remembrmgof it. They are alio to chinke how they have becne refrefhed by their reft, and kept from the manifold dangers of chcriigr t, cVc. by the which many have milcaried. And all thefe and fuch like meditations fhould falatc them, when they i firlt awake, to this end, to revive that foundnefle of heart, where with they lay downc the night before (ifthey lay downc as became them,) and alio thafno root of bitternefTe may breake out of them to ftaine theiradHons at their firft cntring into the day : Which were very like to 2 bee, ifit fhould not bee pre vented , and -held out by fome fuch gracious thoughts. Alfoby this meanes, they pro-vide well for the better kee- 3 ping of their lives in fr.ime all the day after : without the which regard 1 j» " {*<>«' f>*)t> had, in purpofeto pcrforrae it as fooneand as well as they can, they are ^'^Z * * ib ready to rangrand gocattray 0:1c way or ocher, that although they did lie downe the night before in peace, and with quiet and meckc hearts; yet, theDevill (as wcknow it well) Winching his opportunity, they may cafily becunfctlcd ; and lb runnc into fundricerils, which Note, cannorbe avoided. All which being confidered, who doth' not fee, how great a meane This msy but* this kindcof a waking with God is, and how worthily itmaybecrec- tumd^twtrf- koncd for one of our duties, to endevortotakeup fome time thus, when '""CM;Ai- fleepedeparterh ? Neither let any object, that thisis more than poore umcvJk1'' ChrHHanscanattaincto,(fbrall fitch would fnneattaine to that grace, :r they were taug'n ho ,v, and direftcJ)the Lord having framed and fit- ted them for it,evcn by this,-, that hee hath made thcinChridians, and therewithal) hath given them hearts, which are willing thereunto, but yet every man in hismeafure, and as hee hath received of God, which givtth to no ma* niggardly >w\\o fecketh heartily. And if thisfatisfie no: fome, whodcfircto begin the day aright after their fivft perfect fha- king off of flee pe and awaking ; iet fuch for their better direction, break their rriindes to thofc w.hothorow longer experience arc better excrci- lodinc&ewayesofthe Lord than themfelves. Onely this caveat and watch-word Igwc, that if through barren - atflcingoodthingnhouarc not able to let thine hcan a worke (when flcepe \6 S ' t #/ it » anit Vjj be, t$ yve i'f'47. ftrvixg 6:d found tbertby : *nd cmtrmly. Note. Ofthi declaration of the firft dutitjs'c. fleepe is gone from chec) to faftcn upon fome what trn : is profitable to thy ibule,orto thy companion, if thou hall any with :hec; arifc, if ic be convenient; if not, and t hat thou fcclcft thy heart *-> be carried u^ido prophanneflc, or to caufc thy mouth to finneany way, chcckc thy fclfe, rebuke thine heart, and fo take occifion,evcn by thy evill, to doe goo j. And remember him, who at his firft awakings in the morning, did thus give unto the Lord the fuft fruits of the day, is I have taught thee to doc ; as in the Pfalmc, where he faith : Hearemyvoyce early fn the mor^ "tig* O Lord. Early in the morning will I dhreEl my words unto theey and ivtll'ookjtp. And in the Proverbs S.iz.vifdomeJbaHgnide thee whenthou Vtdllyfl : it/ha/i watch for theet when thou fleef eft : and when thou wa« kcj}t ttfiali talks with thee. The words ofthe Pialme,al though they be not to be underftood on- ly of the time of our awaking, yet they include that time ,as. well as arty other in the day : but that place of Salomon doth plaincly flie w, that ic ought to bee as ufuall and ordinary, to fct our hearts on worke about fome holy and heavenly thing when we firft awake, as it fhould bee, to looke to be guided by Gods Word all the day thorow. And there is no doubt, but if this Scripture and fuch like were belceved, and well weighed, tiircdtly tending to this end, to teach Chriftiansto take up their hearts in holy cogitations and heavenly defires, before the Dc- vill hath poyfoncd them, and evilly imployed them; and further, if they would be willing to fee this firft letting loofc their hearts to fun- dric finnes(as jefting, vaine laughter, light and loolc talkc jarring, con- tention,depth ofwQridlincnreJandfuchlike)tobeonechicfccau(eofan unprofitable, yea, an offcnfwe life in die day afterwards ; it fhould bee farre better with them than it is. I meanc, ifthey would thus doe, they fhould finde much more ea(e in fervingof God and fruit therein, and comfort thereby, both in the morning and all the day after : whereas I fee with mine eyes, and hearc it with mine cares, that many paflc the day very unbrleeming Ghrifti- ans, who have long fought the Lord, (though oncly in a gcnerail man- ner indeed,) and others fee, that it is not with them fowell as both it might, and they thcmfclves kao w it fhould be ; who doe perhaps fome onetime in the day now and then goe to prayer, but othcrwife they have little regard of many their anions: And yet their prayers which they make, are not, for the moft part, powrcd out to God; till their' heads and hearts both are fo filled and fraught with the world and cthermatters,thattheyhavcmadcthemfelYesinamanncrimfitt6prayv And as for fuch as fay, they have other mactcxs to thinkc on,a$ ioone at Of the declaration of the fir ft dutl 457 as they be awake,and they cannot beftow their time after tlr.: it rmyplcafe them to know, that as for the time/iftheh heart wc: ready, anddid know how to dec this duty) itm;ghtvcry furlicicrttly and welt-nigh bee performed in Co much time (for a needy as the Lorus prayerdifrinctlyutccad might be laid over in. For in fuc hafpaceir a OiriOrian lift up his heart toGod, and falutc him with an boly re- membring of his fatherly kindentflc, and namely, forprcfent prefenra- tioninfoule and body, andconfirmc himfclfc in his former (bund hcar- tcdneile : w hich, if he did no more, were a true and right aw a king With God, and rheoncly nghr, way to thinkc of other things as they ought. Therefore with thine heart thus feafoned, (if it may be) addreiTc thy Hamit^fh fclfctobeready to any duties which thou haft to doc, andbeftrongly **' perfwadedand confident, that God, who loveth thecfodearcly,(as in thy prayer thou belccvedft, and in thy thanklgivingthou didft ac« knowlcdge)that he (I fay) will be with thee., toguard thee from all ad- verfary power of Satan and his inftruments, which might rife up againft thee,and bythecomfoit of his holy Spirit kcepe thee from evill; tor he which hath all power in Iv.s hand , hofyth downefrom h e avert, and if eh oL T0hn 14. if. deth all the earth, to (hew hirr.felfe fho-r^ with them, which are of .in up- 1 Theii 3.3. rtgl.t heart towards htm, how wcakj focver they feAe themft/ves. And *Chron. i*.$. therefore be incouraged thereby, with confidence to fct upon any du- tie,and withfta-nd any evil!. And further remember that thou art armed by God with all furni- ture meet for thefrvantofGod, with faith to beieeve all Gods*promi- fes, with hope to bee kept from fainting, with righteoufheftc to pcr- forme alidutie, with fmceritie to doc it with a fingle hcarr, with knowledge of the word of God to direct thee arght, and withr/;*prfth: declaration of thefecond dutie&fc* open of chisfirftdutie, as with any convenience it mi? bee done, to teach us. -ow co awake with God. DiM.lO. Ifhmaybt, bt- gmtbcdt) vnth filtBtfic}f3}er. And ha en Jndan txiri- wngsnd lonfef- J$*l ofjlr.xcs. AadreiMtJI. C H A P. XIII. Of the dtc/aratw $fthefec$nd dune, of brgmm*g theUy wtth pr.j f NOw when thy heart (hall after thy firft making off thy fleepe bee lifted up tothyGod, fctthyfelre to the next part of thy duty ; prayer,confc(Tton of funics and thankfgiving in folcmne manner upo^ th y knees ; or ta fuch gefture as may belt fit chce for prayer ; carting off and renouncing fuch fooliOi and fruitlcfle thoughts and fantafics as were wont and ftillmay hold thee from this d uric rand (ctuponic as foone as thou canft conveniently, yea, if it may fo be, let it be the firft workcthat thou fhalt take in hind in the morning, (except in time of ficknefle, when thou keepeft thy bed, and then joyncic with the for- mer rule, and make of bech one : and pray fliortly whenpainegiveth thee no further libertie, but yet fervently and more often. But if it can- not be thy firit worke, yet let not thy deferring of it be a breaking it off if thoumaiftpcrforme it: neither let a light occafion caulcthcctodc- ferrc it, for fuch (hall never bee wanting, efpecially thine ownc unwii- lingne(Te,orfloth : but when for fomcefpeciaU and wcightic caufethou doeft defcrrcit, returne (if it may be) after thy neccflarybuiineflc en- ded, to. the performing of it, and therewith renew thy covenant of amendment of life. And cocxprefle my meaning about this more plaincly, remember and acknowledge the kin inelTc of thy God in benefits daily and houre- ly received, and fometimc particularly mention them, and his promi- fesofnew, thru fo thou maift bee more neerely knit unto him thereby, and delight in him, For daily and oft thankfu'neflc to God is of great force to meeken thine heart, and fubdue thee unto God, andtokcepe thankrulneiTc in thee all the day following. And let another part of this morning worfhip of God, adjoyned to this, be an hearty recording and viewing of thy hnncs,a bewailing and confefling of them to God, and accufingof thy fcifc, with an efpcciall reniorfe for tho(e which have moft troubled thee, and be humbled un- der the burthen of them : that (b thou maift fee thy felfe a wretched perfon, and infinitely indebted to God, and fowith-hold thy heart from infolenck and fecuritie, and bee broken-hearted, that thou maift the better abide fo after. And with both thefc fend up loud cryesunxo the Of the declaration ofthefrcond dutitjtfe. 4 6 5 the Lord, throagh Jcfus Chrifr, confidently looking for pardon of them, that thus thou maicft findc the death ot ChriO daily frefli, fwee t and favouric to thee, which the rnoft dec make too common and unfa, voury unto chemfelves. And pray alfo in fairhfor grace and power ro mortific thy finnc, and co direct thy wayes, and for all earthly bltffirtgs ; and by thine ownc ncccfltties bee moved with compaflion towards thy brethren, even the whole comnanic of the militant Church, who have the like need of Gods bleffing as thou hail, and ( withal!) that tkofe which *rc yet wtthont, and flr angers fr*m the common- CoU.W- wealth of Ifracly may bee brought home: that thus thou maiftbotlt teriiftc thy love to them, and daily remember and confidcr, howthy felfc and all other doc depend upon him for whatlbcYtrisgood and neccflfary. And co helpe forward this dutie the better, fome meditation or mu- fing upon fueh thing? asmay aiVwa^ethc bittencfl'e and corruption of the heart, and feafon it with grace, were a thing molt reciuifice, as every one may bee brought to it. As forcxjmnlc: fometimc,o- our mortalitie; of the unccrtaintie and ilippcric eifitc of all things under the Sunne ; of the change of pcrfons, times, effaces; of the glo- ry of thckingdoiiiC of heaven : fometime of our owne falvation,co make it more lure, of the duties wee are to doe in the day, and how y^c wcemaykcepeourfelves from the defilements andfmncs, which wee are in danger to fall into ; of theoccafions by which wee are mod like to bee led to evdl ; and of the hclpes and mcancs, with the fimdrie pri- vileges of a Christian, which wc have to with-druvusfromthe fame; andiometimeof fome particular branch of any of thefe, and the cor- ruptions of the heait, and of theChrifiian armour : of thefe ot the !i'*c marters, let meditation bec railed before prayer bee entredintd, if it may be. And becaufe meditation Is much oHt of uft even among ChtiftU luTre*iife}m ans, and therefore it will be found the harder mutter to goe about and <-*.« 7 °i rkcy be once weii under- bid how they fhoiud bepradried) in one haiie quarter of an home, andlcffcifnccdbe. And by this thou mayeft fee, what this part of duric ten ieth to, and what it rcquircth of thee, and how thou fhouldc t performed. And as for them, which tliinkc that the doing of this ordinarily, is more than is nccdfull, of whom every little dutic done to God, mors TtfimtofthU t^antncy havcalreadicordocufually pcrforme, is thought too much : bvui. ' Ictthcm know that the gaii;c is7cry great. And as concerning them, which make a liglu matter of it, laying: thatthey arc not now to beginne thiscxercifc in the morning, but dec and hare continued it, and yet they fee no fuch fruit to come of it: To fucli I anfwer, that I 2?it0vm$ti ftarethatto ufc it as I have lee it downc, is not fo common in pradic?, tbwgtouft as divers doc take it to be : or clfcthcy fhould not fay, that little pro- fr qtr ang U fc commcth by it. For a!) fuch objee'rers arr undoubtedly farre from the right ufe of it, and one of thefc wayesthcy fwarve from it: that cither they come no: unto it with an humble and well ordered heart, or they know not how to be occupied h it, or elfe fomc fpeciall iinne i» in the way to cat~f; that it cannot $u I»ce»fe, afcendup to God. The leaftcfthefe faults may e a hi y hinder the profit and darkenthe beau- tic of it. J doubt nothinr, but that at iorne time, divers Chriftians in an ho- ly and rightmann-.r iioe difchargeit: but reverently, confidently, and conftaxitly to doe it, laying all other things afidc which hinder it, that ibit\mrfth(s j darcnot affirmcof ma..y ; which caufcth the benefit of it, the lelie fcr»». toappcaretothem. Wmchkinceor men, if they cannot in tlus mari- ner rye thcmfclvcs to it, and that with del ght, when yet they mayvc- rie well, they fhould fiiamc and put thcmLlvcsto rebuke, for omit- ting it through iloth and uuwillingneflc, if by no other reaibn, yet by the practice of fome of the devouter fort in Popciy : who al- though they IcrvcGod fupcrftirioully, yet they obferve their hourci appointed to them after their blinde manner, ( having only a con- futed and dcccivcablchopcto be heard, I fpeake of the belt of them. to the (hamc of fuch as who knowing better how to worfhip Goa aright, thinkc it too much totyethemMvcs to any thing more than they ufc to doe: and that is, when they intake g-iod, or be driven lo it in ficknelTc, fcare, &c or in any other manner, all which art void Now. Of the declaration oftbefecond dutiejbfc. 46"? void of ricrht and true properties of it , and then fometitwe I grant, and that in the morning (perhaps) they betake themfelvei to it. Bat howfoevcr it bee with fuch, the holy Ghoft hath greatly ieafonvuvbtati helped the frailtic of Chrirtians hereby, who arc by naturall cor- cndmnttctmit ruption, (cleaving fait to then^) provoked in the morning a^oonc 2%'"*™% as they are up, to bee ranging abroad in the world, and accor- tJnctdfat ding to their delights, dealings, and occafions to bee carried af- faVour§&fijt ter them , cither in vanitie ot mindc, and lightnelTc, or unquiet- djsfccr* neffe, contention, quarrelling, and WorldKneflc : minding UttU for N0*"- the moftpart, but things cArthly : and cntnng after this manner in- to the day, doe for the moft part goc furiher froin Got! all the day after. For this caufe the holy Ghoft hath taught them, that they ftiould prevent thefe daily inconveniences, by taking up their minds and hearts tofarre better ufes : that is to fay, that after their awa- king with God, they mould (if it may bee) repaiie to God more fb-. lemncly, which is done by meditation of Gods power, mercy, &ct by thaRkfulncne for benefits received and promifed, by freeing them- felves from guiltinelfc of Gods wrath, byconfefling their finnes, and praying for the benefit of forgivencfle, and for grace in the day againft the evils thereof, and for good government thorowout the fame : that being wellfeafoned thus in the morning, they may retainc the favour, and hold the ftrengthof fuch a gracious beginning (as I have faid) all theday after. And (to fpeake more plainely)that they being thus well fenced with Kote. this fpirituall reviving of their miBdes, and heartning of themfelvcs a- gainft all afTaults, before they enter into the field with their encrni?; they may be well armed againft the batteric of temptations and provo- cations, which will undoubtedly meet with them : and fo keepc their ! i ves from the force of thcm,and from hurt by t he m in farrc better man- ner, than fuch can doe, who being naked and deflitute of this furni- ture, doe lie open unto them, whatfoevcr conceit they have of their «wne wifdomc and ftrength. And this which I have faid being well confidcred, I doe not fee Tbetimst What exception can bee brought againit this part of dutic, unleffe ^Hh any will further cavill about the time, which I faid, need not bee much, after wee have well learned hosv to beftow the fame. To the which I tye no man, having Shewed whit time the performance of fuch adutie doth require: and otherwifc, I leave it to alltoconfider, whether their willingncfle, fufficiency in gifts, and their leafurc will I i % yeeld 4 6 8 Ofths Js:iarMion of the freottd dutt.% c yccldm^rctime, or norfo much ; (b ts there be afarthftul difcK: ©f the duiie, in iaich Tort, :is they rmy reft therein v ith peace, and !*>:c. may feclc then o walkc warily; and ftre J a- gaioAchc danger which fail out in die day, ihcyn no >vilr fnould doubt of, if they '.o- it hntercly. Aid now I have laid of this iecond dutic,v\hac lhavc thought convenient to him which dcfrctl life ic to hi>p:crc members of the Church, but wechavcalfofccncmany carrying good fhew of zeale, and having many good parts in them, where- of fomc became prophanc and vaine in trjeir lives; others held ftrange opinions, and feparatcd themfclvcs from the Church of God, amongft whom they had lived familiarly before; neither were they to bee blamed Of lie jccLn-ation of the third dutie&c ^\ blamed by men with any reproachfull crime, which mightjbc like bring them thereunto, favc oncly this, that they cxcrcifcd no cj line, but went about from place to place, and fctled themfel ves in ncne, neither could beperiwaded by thedearcft of their friends Co to dor. But although a man could affure himfelfc, thathec fhould never fall AUfl.ild *Lb*r to fuch a depth of linne, through the neglect of a vocation and follow- *b* tnmg n ing of a lawfull trade of life, (as there fcldomecommcth any bet- •******■* tcr fruit thereof: ) yet, what man would but fo much as live unpro- fitably,(if hee may bee well imployed) when God hath made him for a fari!C more excellent end ? and bring difcrcdit and ill report, and that jultly upon himfclfe, having bcene had in good account before, of his godly neighbours and brethren; or live inordinately, and fo voyd of comfort, and that for neglecting the ordinance of God? But to (ay no more of this firft point: the next aid the nigheftdc- Tbefec&dpvn*. gree hereunto, thatmay bec,is; that many walke loofely and care- Mynwutfllalxar leiTeiv in their calling, and arc flothfull and negligent in the pcrfor- a*-lL**t'}i*crM. mancc of the duties thereof, ( whereas they fhould faithfully and dili- gently bee .nken up in their houcft and lawfull vocation :) which commi g either of the igi oraicc of their dutic, or of a minde too m rch gi n rrtfc, or of both ; cannot be without r what fhould the multitude of Chri- Note. earCjif they fhould not every one walke tod bedajlyocc e certainc efbte, fome at home, fomc a- broad, and therein have mail of their faith, patience, and obedience ? not that they might thereby wax worldly minded and the further from God , but get encouragement to fcrve him better, as fhall bee faid afterwards. For God in appointing but one Sabbath of Mm Mikttobt ail the feven dayes , hath fufficiently declared, that they cannot <&'&** tber tin, attend oncly to fpirtuall actions, as prayer, meditation, reading and fym£ V # luchlike: and therefore hath for themoft part of the weeke appoin- intbemefdxd «ed them to fhev forth their knowle gq and religious keeping of a bkto"tSM*+* good confcicnce, in being occupied about things of this life in their honcft calling , wherein they may have workc enough to bee im- ployed and taken up. Of the which matter, as the Scripture fpeaketh B*any thing j to great purpofe, fo the Apoftlc chargeth every man to iCtr.7.1* abtde w that fame vocation, vfheretn hee via* called, ; and commandeth Xbtm in the name of the Lordlefw, to withdraw thenfclves from every 2 Thcfl"? 4> brother that wallet h without labour tic, that fo hee might be afhamtd. And that one place of Salomon is worthy our confideracion, totheper- Ii 4 fwading 4 7 * O/Vj* declaration of the third dutic&c. fwading of us to fnthfulncffe and diligence in our calling, and to Prov.13.4.11. loath doth r\\d idlencflTc, where bee faith : ihe fluggard /nsleth, but hkfi*hh*tk*9thtt - ... iUigcm jhaHhave p/enrts. Prov.14. And aglinc : 7 he riches of vmm but he that Viithtretb thtmwith the hand* then /«, ■ 'our, Jb*H increafhthemu* L.P.ov 18.9.& And againe: 77^ fltthfutlm** wiii *etflewhccwmfe of Winter, the c1p.i4.30, c ^oYc fog p^n yeg(re tn Summer h:st hav? fiothww .• yet a wmeutu that hath a diligent hand, iuildethemdttfholdethher honfz ; with many o- ther fuch like. In which hee doth no: onely fliew, what commoditic a mans labour and diligence in his calling bringeth , and contrari- wifc : but efpccially commciuieth painfulncitcand travel!, how good, Note. 2nd befecming Chriftiatw they bee. Hcc alloweth not ( wee ice ) flcth, idlcncik', and over-reaching heads, in the fervants of God ; but fticwcih that it agreeth well with the beft of them, to be dili- gent and well occupied ; and that it is not too bafe and unbefeemin" the honour of their profeifion, to labour and take paines; which the Dcvill too rcadi.iy pcrf.vadcth many : yea, and therefore hee faith in another place, (feeing a meane and poorc cftate might bee Prov.i 5.1^,17- thought reproachfull) ihzibettens a little, even a dijh of greene herbs L.ProY.17.1. Wftb pcace and love , than a flailed oxe with an ur; quiet cenfetenceand It is the more lamentable to fee, how numbers degenerate in this point to their own? great hurt, and drawing others after them. Some not Co well advifed and flayed as were meet for them, are ever medling in oiher mens matters, and leaving off their owne calling, Cpcnd much time in prying and fearching into other mens living, titles of their lands and ieafes : and bufying thcmlclves needleffcly, yes, and oft-times to the great hurt, offence, and juft complaint of them, with whom they live and lecke to havctodoe. Ochcrs, as lufit-bodirs , and as though Religion confifted therein, doe as it were make a trade of obferving other mens faults, negle* &rng roo much their owne: and fow diifention, and fee debate be- twixt neighbours, and with their cvill tongues, bite and reproach IS parts m fuch, as are better than themfelvcs. Others trifle out their precious /wy>i>ius, bin- times in feeking of acquaintance, not fuch whereby they may take mm^nituU*** g00^ or ^oc good 5 but fpend it in play, jetting and merry-making „ ,. amiffe and prophanely, cYc. Others occupic themfelvcs in dealings Mm Should ml . 1 £ u c 1 deakcinvt their ap-d merchandize, not appertaining unto them, but farre above their dtiiuc, abilitie , yea, and skill alfo many times, ufing their trades with other mens goods? And whiles they keepe within no bounds, by • ayming Of the declaration of the third duiie&c. 47 3 lyminc at great matters without any warrant; doegninc IcfTc than nothing for their labour, and difablc themfclves to their ov.nc cal- ling: befide* this, that their tin wife dealings that way ad departing from that bti fine fle, which they were more fit for, and appointed un- ^ote< to, doth injuric, yea, andundoe others oft-times, as well asfpoile themfclves, till they come to this : that i,!:cy cannot dtgge, andto begge they are afhamed. There arc many other wa yes befide thefc, (drawing men from their callings,) which fceme plcaiant, but the ifluc tliere- of provcih fane otherwise : whereby many, and thofcalfo of good hope, have given themfclves to fcekc their lifcertic, and to be unbur- thened from their callings wherein whiles they remained they thought themfclves to bee in a kinde of prifon; and therefore till fool ifh ex- perience had raught them how they had beene deceived, could in no wifebeperfwaded toferveGod in them, as had beene moft meet for them to have done : Thefc men and fuch like, of which fort there arc many in the world, might have kept both peace to their confcicnces, and good report, and beene freed from many evils, if they would have hearkened untothe voice of God, which (kith: Hee thatUbou- iThcfl^-io. reth not, let lim not eat. And againe: that m.w is borne to Ubonr ' at the bird to flying. But they depart from the ordinance of God, and flievvthat (howfocver they prolcflcchemfelvcs to be religious) they fell to thefc indirect courfes from diligence in their callings, for want of religion, which only doth rightly direct men how to follow them, as it doth, to order all other things aright. But it may well be a du- tic of fome account commanded of God, to make confeience of di- ligence in our particular callings, it is fo few mens cafes to per- formed. But whiles I commend fmhfulneffc in mens calling, and finde Everyeocdh* fault with negligence therein. I attribute no godlincflc to the very b$»ermHta adl of labouring; neither defend, that they ate good Ch rift ians all, goidCbrijttM. who are diligent work-men, and painfull labourers in any calling; Magiftracie, Miniftcrie, or any other, lhaveftid Other wife to them winch markc well my words : onely this I fay, that to a faithfull Chriftian, who rcformcth and liudieth daily more and more to a- mend his life, to him (I lay) diligence in his outward calling is no fmallhelpe to live well and godly, and tokcepchim from many evils: butotherwife, if there bee not good government over the heart and life daily, hee may finde forrow and mifery enough, notwith- Note, ftandmg his labour, feeing he will not take his direction from God in ether things alfo. But Of the declaration of the third dutiej&c. Bjc the right following of our calling(to enter into the third branch,) Tl*t*am ,- is in iuch manner and fort to ufeandwalke in it, thatitmay bee nolet nor ntndcrance to us from exercifcs or religion, and growmg in grace thereby: fornofuch labour doth God approve of. Butcontrariwife, wee mu (r lb play the good husbands, that wee become not worldlings, p» and fuch as findc more iwectneffe and pieafure in our earthly dealings, mdS'u'S^ anc* tnccomm'ng in of our profits, than in our heavenly trafficke tho- row the practice of Chriftianitie : wee rauft fo follow our owne bufi- 1Cor.io.24. nefle,and fliunncmedling in other mens matters unncccfTanly,that we Kocci be not (hut up in ourownc, without regard of our brethren, and care for their matters, when caufc fball require? For that were great tinkind- ncflc, and want of charitic towards them, joined with too much felfc- love towards our felves. To bee fhort wee muit Co ufe the world, as though we u fed it not: not lifting up our hearts when wceprofper, nor cafting them downc with deadly f'orrow, when wecfuftaine IofTcs and difcommoditieSjbut fo carry our felves thorowout,that we m? y be pat- terncs and examples to orherof righr ufingthc world; for fo hath the Lord appointed men to live ii», ancr k thcii vocations. And thiskindeof walking* 1 :v cm isHig ly pic a fog and acceptable to him. For they who thus fci upc neon ;and worldly bu- fincfle, arc not carried after the r^yviieeart,hly m ndes, a* men of the world ; but fet the Lord before 1 , what hee will have done : and they bridle their defire*, v\ hich would elfccarric them after &&*.*£« thcm.So^?/*/ wasfaithfullinallGods houfe; and lofua in his place; and hb who had much to doe in matters of profit and commoditie, yet was a rare pattcrne toall men of ufingthc world aright; even earthly things with an heavenly minde: that they may have the more to accufe them(and that ju! 11 y) who will not in farrc meaner affaires take him for theirexamplc. This regard muft bee had of allChriftians, and of all forts, both of rich and poore,one and another, in thcirearthly dealings, (though it be a leffon mod hardly learned) that whiles wee avoid (loth andidleneffe on the one i\de, yet walking in our callings wee bee not worldly minded on the other fide: that lb it may come to paiTc, that our calling being one part of Chriftian obedience and dutic to God, may not oncly for the time while wee arc occupied in it, witnefle well to us, that we plcafe him ; but alfo make us more fit to other Chriftian duties after. And that wee feeing this maimer of parting our time to bec injoyncd of God,(who hath prornifed blclTing thereto, and fceth what is good for every one)and confidcring duly with our felves the infinite fruit that commcth thereof, \vc may more willingly, and of conlcience be- Of the declaration of the third dutie^fc 4-}^ betake our fclves thereunto ; that fo wee may findc in this faithfull walking in our calling, apeaceable courfcof living here, which may bring happincie with it in the end. The nccfffick and benefit of this in ProY.9.17. aChriitian, few doe fufficicntly know orconfidcr. For all arc natural- I* given to fecke libertie amitTe,and ftolnc waters (as it is in the Pro- vcrbc) arefwect: and many who zcaloufly profefle a godly life, not paineftilly following fome lawfull colling, doc by wofull practice prove this to bee true, and fofhall findc much forrow in their dayes which other? fhall be free from. Now to the end wmiay thus chccrcfully goe about them, as know- ing dl at God allow. th fuch workesofours, and lb thereby bcdifpofcd more readily ceotbci pan ;ofdutie, (which wee fee to bee no common IoAwai.8. igjn the weri l:)fii ir.t'iis mult be confidered,that it is the Lord that fettcih us in our callings, and hath promifed to be with us, and to give us good fucccflc in them, and to hclpc us beare all tcdioufhefle therein ; and further, that bee hath willed us to doc all fuch duties for his fake, in fuch manner as if we du' them unto him, and from him to lookc for a reward. Now what true Chriitian is there, who, if hecbclccvc this, is not incouraged to doe his buhnclTc readily and willingly ? who would B yt frtmtt notbeqlad to doc any thing which might plcafeGod?and whofe heart outtalLngimty ihouldnotbcjoyfulltogoc about the Lords workc, whereby tediotif- further turn ncircjunquictneffc ana manifold unfetiingsare removed? And fo fhould goMirnffe. wee not grow out of frame, but have our mindes readily prepared to C°l°fl3*M. other duties. And molt lure it is, that mens callings and labours are fo wcarifomc and burthenfome unto them, even tor this caufc,as very ma- ny by wofull experience doc finde, feeing they doc not thusthinkcof them. Neither are fuch checrcfull at their worke,but only for the gainc, that movcth them,or for that they mult needs ; and being fo unwilling- ly and corruptly occupied therein, neither are they fit for any good thing orduticafter. TheMinificr whois confccratcd by the Lord even N°:c- to divine ftudies^v.d pallinpsof his time, and hath it injoyncd himfor V*' *???* , niscallingthathcattend daily to reading privately, and to doclnne and inH.cn» 04 exhortation publikcly; how hardly ootaincth hce it ofnimfclfe, (as b:mx*f)iu± heavenly and fwect a calling as it is)to abide and hold out therein ? yea, Img.u bcun. and how few doe it, (I fpeake even of fuch as have received good gifts or God ; not of the worier forts oncly,)but trifle out their precious time as many j:her private perfonsdoe? As though it were little to bee re- garded which is written ; He that w inn cth joules u ynje : and they that Djiu i.y have tnftrHtied others, fi?a ll jl? in e as tbeft/trs.Novt if they cannot attend diligently and conftantly in their worke, of others whofe calling is not to 47 J Of the declaration of the third dutie, {?c. to be occupied thorowthe day in that heavenly manner, HOwwercic to be locked for, todoe fo if they (hould not ofconfeience tic them- uhcreco.and walkechcercfully and faithfully thecein > There gre 9u -j Bu: icii ihall know, and may be bold to remember and COofr- **:o itthey arc appointed by God to bcltow the molt part ofthc time M ittmmrctl' : callings, (though they benotmcercly fpirtuall actionskothc ■ *»' end that tlieyilULy with better 3ppctitercturnc to cxcrciicsor tehgion Tht fit p. tgaine after ; and that they have a promileof blcilingthcrcin: Oh, with Note, whit peace may they be occupied uulvcm, and overcome that tedioul- ■effc and wcaritbmncifc, which would otherwise cleave unto them? Thus I could wi In, that Chrittian men tooke their callings to be infuch lortinjoincd them of God, that they neither durft neglect tucm, nor yet findc them burdensome and wearifome to them: but that they could wifely fee, how, when, and why to intermit them, that is to fay, forne- eclhry and profitable caufes and confiderati ->ns ; as for chc miniitcry of the word, the vifuuig of friends j moderate, bwfuil and ncccfTaricre- frefhingsof thcmfclves, and in good foit to returnc to them againc Tin ftconJ. more fitly. Furthermore, we fliall not be unfctled by the workes of our callings, nor wearifomly caft them off, when wee (hall bee able to fee, that wee have pracliceof molt duties in Chrillianitic thercin,as of dili- gence, obedience, faith, patience, truth, &c. and thereby learnccxpc- ricncc,that God, who hath given us wifdomc, chccrfulnclTc, patience and the reft heretofore, tobearcthe burthen of them contentedly and willingly, when in the prayer of faith wee asked it of him; will doc the like for us ttill, and minilter the fame grace to us, for the time to come. Tbei'ohd. Thirdly, wee (hall not bee hindered fromduticby our labours, but furthered thereby in the waicsof godlincffe, when wee confidcrthat the Lord hath made them the chicfe meanes of our maintenance, allu- ring us, that we fhallbcfcd : that fo we may put away diitruft, and de- pend upon God joyfully, and not be driven to depend upon unconici- Tb: fa.rtk onabic men for ncccffancs.Laftly, Gods people, by afaithfulland di- ligent walking m their calling, have proofc how God kcepech them in the way toeternalllifc,and in the way of peace, and free th them from many dangers and finncs, (which fret as a canker: ) for whiles they bee diligent in their callings, chey commit themfelvcs and the courfc of their dealings to God, who hath promifed to keepe them in all their w aics;and thcrfore to free them from the evils whichmcet with others, and fo to hold them on in their courfe. Their good fucccflc they afcribe ts God ; therefore it is a double comfort to them : their croflcs which arifc, they kaovv arc fentupomhem by his providence for their good; therefore Of the derivation of the third duxic, I 47 7 |fo**fot¥* re thfl -in i- luitj and dayes, which the molt of that cftaxfi fiend iml Note. Hcb.I^.14. 47 & Of the declaratim of the third dutie^c. *i\<$ paftimes ; to other more profit iblc and neceflary ufes. Letchemai- To be the fuft who (hali provide and take order for the maintenance of the poore,to fee good order in thcirtowne, hclpc to beat downc linne and pur.idi cviil doers, and fetatonc fuch as are at variance, and have their hand reached out ofener and more liberally than all mall behold, and yet for example fake, goc before others in doing good according to their abilitie, not refusing to exhort andftirreup, asoccafionfliali bee offered, to love and to good * things. Thefe, one or other of them, are the workes of their calling, wherein they fliall bee lights to other, render a good fruit of their wealth to God, and caufemany tobleiTc God for their love and labour. And what can they leflc doe than this ,it they doc but confidcr, that of them moft {hall required, who have re- ceived * moll ? And for the better and more happie effecting of that which I have faid, letthem labourby all mcanesto provide, that good tcachingmay be enjoicd and well u(cd while they rnay,and put in practice that whicn is |0 the Trov. 23.23 .Buy wifdeme whatsoever it coft: bnt fell it not&har- focveryeemay have for it. And if they bee wife, let them enjoy the more libertie in the reading daily of the Scriptures and other good bookes : which is, with other fuch like cxcrcifcs of ftudic, the chicfeit and principallcftcommoditic, which theyrcapc by their riches. I fpeakc wifdome to them, which arc found hearted to receive it. But if they thinke, that God hath made their portion greater than other mens, to the end they may runnc the further out of order, and that they may fpend their precious time idlely, vainely, and at their plcafurc, without rendring account thereof; I am furc they provide worit forthemfclvcs, and (hail wifli they had beene pooremen, who would have made no fuch quefhons about the beftowingor their time, but would willing- ly in that mcanc cftatc have ferved God without reafoning. As for their lawfull and honcft recreations, which arconelyin good fort and manner to bee ufed, as I (hall fay in the next chapter ; they not meting the fame an occupation, northemfelves (laves ro their lufrs and plea- fures,this which 1 fay,with-holdcth them not from the right u(e there- of.But of this enough, feeing my purpofc is nor to make Trcatifes of eve- ?£;>#. 2, ry matter I touch.l will proceed to another obje#ion:The poorc Chri- ftians would (they lay) take paines willingly in their callings, but they can by no mcancs maintaine their chargerwhat therforc (hal they doe > s/fff/jr. Jo whom, as I can fay no lciTc,but that they muit for all this,ca(t away their confidence, but bclecve that God hath many waies to deliver and provide for his3 and that it hath not becne lightly fecae chat God hath becne Amos j. 1. Pro v. 13.13, a Coz.t.6. Note. Ofth. declaration of the third dutiefje. 479 bcenc wanting to his,no not in their outward need; and therforc though tiieir triall mould be untodcath, yet to trull by IawfuII meanes to findc hclpc: To I muft further fay to others, who(neglc6tinr their dutie)doc Tleftorervbo nirrcrthcm to want and might relccve them j thatGodwill yniV.y bring cMroiJ.Ao*>a jtigtinftrhert), and lay it to their charge : fuch (I meane; as both by f*lfaf*m*t b$ that good and Chriflian law ofthis land (worthy with all care and con- feUlei- kience ever to be executed) are made orer-fcersofthepoorc; and fuch E lb: W!rtCAH alio a* having fupcrflu tie, and much more than ncccflary rood and ap- (j \bedipftb*. paicll, yet arc not rich in good workes, neitlerdoe.goed to the poore, tv>orovcrfcai> which arcarnongfl thcmfl>r that purpofc. Judgement (hall bee to fuch Ueu'.if n. without mercy, becaufe the y (hew no mercy : who if rhcy bee livinc Atidty4, -r 1 cr 1 n 1 1 1 1 . 1 ^>< L t\ ■ i_ u iD who ha\-i mri members or Chriits body, which is tne Cnurcn,multpitty the bowels, ,^,,.^7^ and glad the hearts of their poore brethren. But r3rc arc they, who doe Uoi. ijj. any more this way than they needs muft; though mens left hand fhould not know what their right hand doth : but they ftrive and fall out one \Airhano;hcr,even for that they are injoynedby aMthoritietogivc,cvcn the little wh.ch they doe. And for the poore themfelvcs,asthey may \i[Vtii,9t make their moane to fuch as are fitted and resdiettto rclecvc them^fc they muft bearc their burrhen the more eahlv, becaufe they have hope jnChriiT, and arc by him exalted higher than molt of their bcucrs(I fpeak of the godly iort oft hcir.^confidcringthat all Gods ft rvants have their fcverallcrofics, to make them meet for him. J am fory to fpeake it, but it is too true, that of fuch as need the be Ipe of otheisro the maintaining of them, there arc too few who have cares to heare that which 1 have to fay to them bom the Lord,foribi-y Are frt\fk> as tbc.Prophet faith, *»dk?or* not tht waits ofibeLcrd^narrr.t ' Km1-+' judgements of tberr God. But foT the few that doe fcare God Jfay-let y^r^.f.^nto them fogor to their workc, as I have taught alJ true Chnftianstodoe, tbcpv&n to ten- that is, that they make it not an uncomfortable toiic, but waif for the mir.tnt, promifc, that they {hall bee ' fed ; and thy up i hemic' ves by the e*am- pltof the poore widow, and thy word rJiat faith, ^Hinhvewnot by PW^H-'f" bread onsly ? and againe, Tkt Ltotisffrittbethu^ ;, et; ibtfth** ^iJJJ" ' ' feart Cjodjl.AUno: vtmt : and agzine, The Lord /.ath m ny waiesto deli- , King 17! i4. *cr his : and know they thereby, that Jo oner fhal. the itones be turned rfaJia 34. 10. into loaves ot bread, than they (hall bee forgotten, and ftarvt for hun- ger; or clfe he will provide better for them. Hut to leave this, I may not omit one other objection, which is q'.j muchanmng(trncn;that whereas I havetaught, that if anion becne- ^ ; y' verio good a labourer, and diligent husband, and ib walke painc- fully m his calling, ytt none or ail this comroeiuleth ham to God, if he 43o Of the declaration of the third dutid L he bec no: religious alio ; men reply and fay, that fucH of all ocher arc w.Jkne mult negligent in their bufioeffe ;astciYantsby name, who (they Ijv ) »>Ui nhgp their mincicslnould bee upon their workc, arc found oftentimes >c. at their bookc and atprayer; other or thcin fitting idlcly, and little regarding their maltcrs acrantage : whereas they *ho occupic int themfcives about religion, but are held in byfc*rc,or rirawnc on by hope of re ward, arc for their rualrcrs profit, and goc to their workc lu- ftiiy. Whereupon tome have goi.c lo farre, that they have ufuallv ut- tered this fpeech ; that whcnlccvcr they make choice of fervants, they will nevcrchoofc any which are religious. Which latter fpeech (I an- is-infi*^ fvYcr) if it were not added, the former part might more charitably bec interpreted. y^hycrvantt For it is not to bee denied, but that as in other ftatcs, fo there are iua. yi' U^arc many hypocrites among fervants, who make profeifion of religion, k\9 nU$' , as flWAfWi and many did, whom wee rcadeof : againit whom I de- nounce by the word of the Lord, that they {hall bcarcthcpunifhmcnt of their miquitic. But to grow to this abliiri* 5:0m thence, that all religious fervants arcfuch, and that they wc id not chufc inch to bee their fervants ; the lcalthnnc that it can bee made, is, that it is a rafh and a carnail fpeech ,and fomuch the more faulty, by how much he that urtcreth it, gocth for the better Protcflan:. For fuch declare thatfo their bunncuc be done, they can bcarc any rudcncllc, brutifiinetre, and difordcr in their fervants, and confequcntly, thcdifhonour.ng orGod thereby : for all fuch behaviour mull be looked for, more or lc{ic,in fuch as arc not religious. Butcominonly filch Matters are jiiftly met with by the fervarrts, whom they foprefcrre before thole which arc religi- ous; fo* one time or other, they play them fuch parts by derilingtheir houicsby whoiedomc, Healing from them, or lomc other way, that they are forced to eat chcir word, and fay, that the religious arethe belt fervancs. Againc, whereas they in that fpeech condemnc all which pvorcfTc, it is well kiiowne, that there are many fervants who in their particu- lar calling, in that they arc fervants ; as well as in their gcncrall, that they Ire Chniiians; doc gloriric God highly, and fninc as lights in their places to the fhamc'of their accuicrs. And yet fuch Ma- iler- might judge 01 their fervants religious and Chi lftian practice by their ownc'; that all tfuac is not by and by :o bcclooked for at their Note" hmds, winch have fomc love and liking of the Golpcll. Arc they thcmfclvcs io uiiblamcablc in their whole courfc, that others may not lie as great wants and faults in them, as they fee in (crvants ? Of the declaration of the third duty, tyc. 4 8 1 lento bee feared, that fuch (who will Co fpenkeas I have fhewed) doc not «ivc them alwayes the belt example : b y doc, let them Catcchife them alio, befuic the publike teaching which they rnjoyf, whobcingalready willing to live Chriftianly , yet if they be not di- li"ciuly and lovingly taught, cannot Co foonc be brought to any great pcrrection. And this being done, let them prove, whether religious or profane be the beft fcrvants. And yet this I addc : Oh that fervants profelTing Religion, were not high minded, nor aniwering agMne, but liumble,cVc. Laitly,ofmensvocationthis I ndde ; that I have notfb urged the A device fir fab neccfTicy of labouring in it, butthat if foiue through extreme pover- <**b'-*r&Jslltm tyand want or Itocke, be inrorced to give over occupying, as ha- f0ii8Wi[cw vingnootherrcmedy , (through the hardncfte of their hearts, who XrUtu will forgoc nothing to the relcefc and letting up of Inch, and the mul- Note* titudcof other poorefolke,) if itbe thus (Ifay) tharthey have no o- thcr remedy, nor be ableto labour in any law full calling, they may with the peace of their conscience receive almcs, and live thereby, and plcafe God therein, keepe their confidence in him, and grow forward in the further knowledge and practice of their duty., as other Chrifti- ans doc, though this which I fay, ought to be no fheltcr for the floth- fuliand idle. Which thing if many were perfwaded of, (asitispitty that any fhould doubt of it) they fliould bcare their poore cftatc more indifferently ; and the fhame that many have of it, more con- tentedly than now they doe. Porthatis now their calling ; to truit in Cod, and to hope for that releefc which fhall be fufTicient for them, as they did before their decay, hope that God by their labour, would raaintainc and provide for them. Furthermore, neither would I have any to thinke, that this which Amn mayaltff hath beene fpoken, doth fimply deny a Chriliian man liberty to al- hit c&lmifvr ter and change his calling : which although it ought not haftily fiMtcaqft* nor lightly be done, fleeing it is very probable, that a man may bee beft ableto deale in that, wherein he hath beene trained up and experi- enced) yet upon necclTity and the decay of his former trade, * and *Luk.itf. j« upon other fufficient and weightic considerations, ( of which fore there may fall out many) hec may enjoy liberty fotodoe; which to fctdownein this place, were too farrc a departing from the point in hand. And thus much bee faid of this matter concerning mens outward caSingamlet vocation: whereby among other things this may bee feenc, that al- ^X"'/'r thougluhc nagftdoc cornplainc that they arc much hindered from a i'L^rid! K k fruitful * 4*1 fiote. uk.8.18. yhtj thai bavt m$rt mcants map be tn$rt ftuhfuU. TbtMuiJUr mtrt than apr i- % are matt. iTiDQ.4- >J- Note. f # ibt wealthy, rather iba tb< Of the declaration of the third duty \ &c. fruitfall walking with God by their earthly callings; yet that is their crrour, or fomc way their great finnc : for a mm fearing God may prefcrve fa;th and godlincflc by a waric and Chriftian walking in them, and pra&ifc many Chriftian duties in the fame ; as patience andtruftinGod, &c. and confequcntly mayplcafc him therein to rhc great contentment of his owne heart. And therefore, if any man nude his calling to bee a let unto him from ferving God rcligioufly, and well (pending of the day, let him know, that the hindcrance of him from this is in himfclfe : even fomc untowardnefle, intempc- rancy, and rebellion of his heart, cither becaufc he knovvcthnot how to ufc his calling aright, or clfe, becaufc hec hath given himfclfe too much liberty to depart from following and practifing that which hec feeth clccrcly to be injoyncd him. But othcrwife, if he endevour to incourage himfclfe by the aforementioned pcrfwafions, to ufc it aright, hee fhallfce everyday more clcercly much caufc to praifc God for the proofeof his love to him, and blefTmg fo many wayes therein; (fofarreoff fhall it bee from being an incumbrance unto him, asmoft complainethat they findeit :) yea, I dare be bold to affurc him, and that by the Lords owne tcftimony, (for to him that hath fhall bee given, and he fhall have abundance) that he (hall flndc by a confeio- nablcdifchargingof duty in it, much liberty and holy boldneflc with God. So that, this third rule of a religious walking in our calling, reaching to fo great a part of ourlife, though it may fometimc be omit- ted, is (wc fee) much to bee regarded, and other duties of equall nc- ceflity, (when that muft wholly or in part bee intermitted) muft bec performed. But this is to be understood according to the hclpesand incourage - ments, that every man hath one more than another, for thereafter hec muft be more fru:tfull : thatnoncmay be difcouragedon the one fide, when hec cannot doe as hce would ; or made flothfiili and negligent (when hce might doc much more) on the other. The re after (I fay) ought every man both in his particular vocation,and in all otherpoinrs of Chriftianitie, bring forth more fruit, as the Miniftcr inrefpetf of his calling, which is to bee occupied in reading privatclyand teaching publikely, whofe labour is a mcane to helpe him forward in a godly life,becaufe it is an acquainting of him with theScnpturcs,and the mind ofGodfo properly, as cannot be faid of other mens labours : the Mi- niftcr (I fay) in fuch refpefts, oweth more duty to God (which hec mayalfobeabletoperformc) than the private man. So the wealthy man, in that he ncedeth not bee carcfull or pcnfirc about ncccffarics, (but Of the declaration oft\m third duty, &c. (Imt it is his great finne if he be) hath more liberty to remember Got?, tq fct upon duty with chccicfulneifc, more than the poore; who u through mecre neceflltie conftrained to his great gricfe, to cut off many rimes of reading, conference, and ofptiblikc hearing, (which for the moft part the other need not :) and yethec is not thereby dif- char^cd from fcanngto offend God, and from praclifing other Chri- stian duties in his life. And whereas men nlleagc, that the rich is letted by realbn of his wealth, and therefore cannot fo cafily apply himfclfe to walke in a found courfc : not what he doth, but what he ought and iruydocjs to beconfidercd. For as lice iliall llicw himfclfe unth.mkfull to God in grofl'emanncr,who fliall thusgoe about to make Gods blcffings tum- bling blockcs and hindcrances from hearty love and obedience to him, and from liberty in his fervice more than others can have : (o hec (hili never doc it but to his great coft. In like manner they which dwell among many good neighbours, who arc as watchmen to them, and have an ordinary teaching Minittcry that can build them up, arc to Chew themfclves more rich and plcntifull both in the cxercifes of Religion, and in the particular duties which belong to Chri'Uans than they can doe, which want either the molt, or all of the meancs which others enjoy. And according te this equity, the ancient Chriftian, who through long experience is better acquainted with the loving kindneffe of the Lord, ought in better fort difcharge himfclfe of the fore-mentioned and other duties, than he who is a Novice, and a young Souldier in this fpirituall warfare. Therefore Saint Iohn writing to the elder Chrifti- ans to put them inminde, argeth them by the fame reafon, faying,/ write unto ytt fathers > becanfeye have k^ovpfte him whteh is from the bc* giming* As if hec fhould fay, Yc have experience, that it is no labour lofttofcrvc him: but yc having had acquaintance with the godly life, and the blcfTed fruit of it from your youth, yce are able upon fogood and long triall, both to proceed conftantly your iclves in your courfe, and alfo to hearten on the younger. And the fame Hay of all others, whofepart hath becne greater in peacc,hcalth,frcedomcfrom difca(es,in holy fellowfhip,(efpeciallvof marriage) or in whatfocver other blcffings of God : they (Ifayj who have enjoyed more than other of theirgood brethren, ought by good right to goe farre bctorc them as fhining lights, both in varictic of du- ties, and in more gracious performance of the fame; and fooncr re- turnc when they perceive thcmfelvcs to have wandred, and more Kk 2 firmely 48} Me* rhjtare Ictlcd J7 weaUh abJcut$tbm Note* Th€M*CXKt ibtnthtXnkt* 1 Iohn ». 1 4 Thqibithm mere ft act , buKb.&u Note. 4 84 Of the declaration of the fourth duty, Csfc. nrmely t© fettle thcmfclvw to hold out in their good courfc. !' otherwife, what ufe fhould they make of that Scripture, Mat. I 3. 24. though feme bring forth hut thirty, yet fomc doc fixty, and fomc an hundred fold? And therefore it bchoveththem to game all occafions :cli others neglect, to the redeeming of the time from idlerehV wandring drenmes of earthly happineffe, and nccdh He and filthy fpccchj and inch other like: alfo to pray ofencrthan atfet and appoiift, ted times; toftirup their faith in the manifold and rich promiies of God, taking comfort thereby ufually ; and while they may, and while Godgiveth them opportunity, to refrefh and doc good to many by compafiTon, love, counfcll,relcefe; and with all thclc to keepe a pro- portion in their particular vocation, fo as they may have itanhelpe and not a let t© them, that fo the Lord may fay to them, Well, oood indfaithfullfcrvants, becaufc yec have becne 'faithful!, &c. enter into your Matters joy. Muck. 1?, 2 j Chap. XV. Of the declaration of the fourth rtile or diitj , direfting us in comp*tnre+ NOw followcth another duty for the guiding of us in compc^ nic : that is to fay, when by any occasion wee bee in place v/ith others, that with the fame well ordered hearts, with the which wee have beene taught to difchargc other duties in the day, wee carry our felves in conpanie; becaufe it is a part of our life in the paiTingof the day, very divcrfcand diftinCt from chat wherein wee are fohtarie,and deale with our felves. And although aman*may be bo:K in his calling and incompanieat once; yet as 1 have flic wed howevevy one ought to bee converfant in his calling, without refpetf had o£ company : fo now 1 flrcw particularly, how companie fhould be ufed without refpc6t of mens callings. Now as the companies bee of ma- ny fcrts, with which we arc occafioued to be occupied, and the mat- ters infinite, which fall out to bee debated of in the fame ; focan there Dot therefore any certainc and particular rules bee given to direct our felves in them : but yec fomc qenerall obfervations may hclpe us much ; the rather, iceing they to whom Idircdt my fpeech, andwho^ may take profit by tms, have attained to the hearty defirc of kec- king a good coafcicacc aire ad ic, and have (for a great part of them) i >: fomc Of the declaration oft be fourth duty, tf fi 485 fome meafure ofibitnd knowledge of the will of God, which will greatly further them in the fame. And became all companies among men arc not for and concerning Company metti* trafHckc itttarthly dealings, and matters about this prcfent life, as dhtnrefithi inings and covenants; but iome arc among neighbours and friends, partly for the increasing of love, and partly to make merry ; and othcribinc by other occafions, and fome by accident without any purpofc thereof before ; in all which kinds we often take much bur and bee til farrc worfc cafe by them for want of good d:recV;oii and ifyitaZ)tw> hecd-takinir, than we were before wee entered into them : Firtt,thcrc- fore I will fpeakc of thofc companies, wherein wee have more liberty to benefit our lelvcs one by another to God-ward, as ha- ving no weighty dealings to hinder us, and then of the other which belong to the affaires and a&ions about this prcfent life, how to ule chem. In both which generally, this is a rule to bee obferved in ail AgonraUruk companies, that wee fcare danger, and bee harnilcfTc in them with- i*b*d>» out offence, leaving no ill favour by example behinde us : but more particularly, the marke which weearc to aimcat in.dl our familiar ^otc- companies is this; that wee fliould not nifli unadvifcdly into them as . ! moil men doe, but determine bcroie, to doc good in them to others as wee bee able, and to helpc them forward unto ctcmall life by all good opportunitics,or purpofc to take go«d of others,as occafion (hall be offered. This rule (to make no doubt ofthe former, Ul-uttt!-. 18. 7,S.)isac- Match. i$.7,$. cording to the Scripture, that as we fliould draw undcrftandingoutof Pror.io. *. ehom, whom God hath plentifully enriched with it, Co we fliould bee moved with pitie and compaffion towards them, who are ignorant and carelciic; or though they were neither of both, yet many wants and infirmities at leafl they have, as we our felves have ; and therefore have need, befide the preventing of oriacr dangers to bee exhorted, CoJ. 3.11,13* ftirred up, called upon, and instructed ; thatfj,bcth they and we might ! Thef 7.13,14- be edified and built up inour molt holy faith, and have our loyc and ^otc' mutual! peace confirmed betwixt us : that & our lips may feed many, pUr0y ^ ^ and through Gods goodncfic we may bee mcancs to tiirne fome from lames 5.10. going aftray out of their way ; and wee may have alibcaufcto thankc iSana.ij.i^ God for the iikc by others, and rejoyce in our Chriftian fcllowfhip to- gether. All which ufes, Ionathan and David enjoyed in their meetings, the one by the other. And to what great purpofc (hall it bee to jnjoyne watch fulnefle K k 3 over 4«6 lUDCt) tjS. Note. The dingers tb.t art by ctm- Hofca 4. \ Vttt - t cbripans lefeilptBfrt- Of th? declaration of the fourth duty, &c. ovrr the other parts of our life, if in company we have not anefpeciall regard of ir, thereby rotakc ali good opportunity to make ourcom^n- ■let profhable,orat the lcalt.noi. hurtful! ? For daily experience teach- tth, he 'a iccahousofol ; of God, and of troubling our iclvcs arc offered herein: and were v\c not better bee abfent one from another, than in fuch fotf meet together? Bchdes, what an unru'y member the tongue is, though itbcfmall, t!ic Apoltlcdcdareth uj.cn he faith, Thm it ferret h or. fire then-bile lnd)% andu it felfiefiet en fire by HA And as for the heart which fetteth it 0,1 worke, who is ig- norant, how ready that is every way as the company fhall bee, c fend, either by fuv.vaidnciTc, tcchinefl'c, conceits, rnif-conitruing of the fpecches of others : or by loofenetle of tongue, and lightnefle of behaviour, and fuch like? And both theft being well con hdcred how many companies fna 11 be found, where one is not fomeway the vo:/e foranothci ? yea, where one corrupteth not the other? or where there are not tailings out, quarrels and debate, or prophaoc and cndlefTe talkeofthc World, jetting, Taint and idle fpecch, ifnothlthy commu* ricarion and ribaldry; or where there is not buying and fcliinc of thofe which axc:abfcnc ? And as for lying,fwearing (as Hefii* fpcaketh) with fuch other abomination, it goetn thorow the land : and where thefe faile, what other fpeech is in (lead ofthemmoft commonly, but telling oftales, needlefle nevves, and fich like foolifh and heathenifb talke,even in fuch as p! ofciTc ; which were bad euough for them whkh have not he3rd ofthe Gcfpeil ? The mofl tolerable communication among tie rctf, which is ufed, (as I have fold) to bee decpe in and about the World and matters of comwioditie; whercin,asl e'eny not,butthatthcr is a lawful] ufe per- mitted tomen,fparingly,loberly,anu wifeiy,when,and fofarreas tneic iscaufc: even ioasitismoft commonly ufed, it is made v\c'--ugh£$ bad as the other ; that it hindrcth and holdeth away all other matte;$ profitable, anddrowneth the perfonsover head andeares in it. Now feeing we know it isthus,fhould not this common and dangerous cor- ruption, prevailing and continuing thus in moft companies, caufe the fervants of God to bewaile ir, iceke to flay and to hinder it ; and every one for his owne part, borh paftor and people, as much as in him lyeth, labour earnestly to rcdrcflc it ? And therefore what is more needful 1 about our company, t ha* to have it ever inpurpofc tolearne and gctfouiewhat where we may in fompany : and to hclpc forward others, which \\ e may doe any good auto, a> wc axe able, or to make fome other good ufe of it? That wee may Of the declaration of the fourth duty, &c. 487 may havetcftimony within our felves, that wc had made better ufc of our companies, than the moft fceke to doe, or than we Ml times paft had done our fclves. And whadocver exceptions may in probabili- Ourcmymtt tiebeebroughtagainftthe performance of this duty, which after (as 0"Z,iloh'e(i- convenient place fhall require) I willanfwer; yctforthofc who re- srta\r'u% joyce in the hope of the life to come, when they meet together, it fhould notbecounted hard amongft them, to meet with thisrnindc; Note • that they might make the beft ufc of their company in fonle good talke about fuch things as might bee profitable, and for the mutuall edi- Heb. 10.14, fying ofthem ; provoking one anorher thereby to gtcater love, as fee- Hcb.3. 1 j. ing and feeling caufes thereof, and what decay of it there is ; for (o hath the Lord commanded, faying, Exhort one another fatty w-.ilc it us called today. And if among Heathen men, friendfhip was increafedby advifing ThKejtbe*t or.eanother, and by good turnes done and received mucually one of Pr* *t«" tern* another; fhou!d not Chriftians much more binde them/elves one to J_H? m? another, as by other pledges of love, (o by this one; that there bee drawing on to duty, to grow in the knowledge of the Gofpell, and t« avoid the dangers which might othcrwife bee fallen into > That fo there might bee more mindfuineflc one of another in abfence, when there was reaped fo great good fruit of the one by the other ia pre fence. By reafonofmens callings and diftance of places, there is feldomc See'agCbrip. meeting amongft good men : if therefore when they mcct,they fhould afti CAn mea b"* not be the better one for another, they might repent for good caufe, ^f°Tf* tteJ that they had loft their gaine, which in that time they might have had t,tuer fa tbLr in thcircalling at home : beiide that, it would accuse them after their mirth*, departure, that they had neglected fo good opportunities, which when Note. they would,cannot be enjoyed. I know there is caufe why this fhould be looked unto^cven amongft good people, feeing through thecorrup- tion of nature, theDevill iayeth ftops enow in the way of the beft, whereby although hec cannot bring them to the common cvill courfc of other men, to walke in the exceflc of riot as they doc • yet he keeps them from the good which might be done bet wixt them, as may juftly be complained of, where I have acquaintance. So that Chriftians wheofoever they meet, cither of purpofc and byconfent, either for Neighbour-bood, and (as wc fay) tomakemer- ric, or by any other providence of God, and yet not about traftSckc or earthly dealings; Chriftians (I fay) fhould have alwaicsthismindc that] have mentioned. And therefore, the one fcekc to benefit and K k 4 cdific 4?8 Oft be declaration of the fourth duty, &c. Iftethe* goodfpeech, waiting tor, and taking the bertocct* fions thereof and opportunities thereto ftney beginning, who for their gifts are fi: to bring on the rcit, not cnrring beyond their skill and reachmcithcr the one crofting the other : but through love bearing one with anothcr,and one helping another (for Jove is their greatelt up- holder:) and therefore cither conferring of the thing* which they nJlubuUv havclcarnet*>or,tirringl,Ptnc^ mJlfi^iUr. ro,t]iiigcncc in goir»g forward, to inoftcnfivc walking, and alio fingiug of Pialmes together; and if there bee any occafion of reproviiv'cx- horting,ad:r.o nfh ng,or comforting one the other, to doc it privately fftl \ and betwixt fo many as it conccmcth, in the meekneflet n<\ in athankh ::1 receiving of I ics, and that they that offer the Qme bee ready to fjbniic thcmfelvcs.iofc«niBti« pgii-'Ct >!creivrrhevordsc)fcvhorta- ion, ni they tlirounh their weak- ne ife fHa oceil i o n ti 1 ereof. MtfirfgiM The simplicity of the times hath becne fuch, as men Iiavc met Jo- u&ttobu* vingly together in this manner, provoking one another thereunto : but ftmiittu it is j. idled out with a proud conceit of' their o vnc wifdomc who count it too bale no v to converge together after iitcli a manner. But Note, as this ducic is to bee mu:ual!y imparted among Neighbours; fo much more it ought to be in ufe and force in particular Families, be- sides the ordinary worfliip of God in Prayer and familiar inflruction : >\ here even the icrvant, who is themcancfr member thereof, hath li- berty fo as it be in humility and wifdomc) to make his complaint, as kb 31.13. j0h permitted hu> fervants to doe, that thus peace and godly unity may be maintained, and all may grow up and be ed. c end more. Which duties \> care net to doubt, to havebecne performed in the fa- !o(h.i4- • ?. mines of the noble Govcrnour hfu% and of CorntliM a valiant Cap- Afls 10.1. -nejofarre as there was k 10 .vle-igc of the fame amongfech em, feein^ it 1$ laid, That the feire of "God wis mi thole families ; and fuch living together in one houfc,do:h give good cefti .at Cod hath a little Church there indeed. But or this in another place. Mroba»''.\t ike ^'Jt kcirg there ought to bee no kite u!e of all thefe fruits of com- ftfm pany betwixt the godly Paltor and his people, than among r thofc whom I have mentioned, therefore let .lie former rulcsmoft eipecialiy, beeohferved or then, and fomewhat more; t h .: t is to lay, a mutuall confer: betwixt them, when they may doe it conveniently, that their conference bee of the thine* which aicmolt fit for the eltate of thepcrfons, which by good wairan; from God, (whorcquireth fuch wifdome, laboured love) and approved experience ofinen,{hould be after Oftbedeclrrr.ica of the fourth :Jr. 489 manner". That (tich as are ignorant, and yet willing to be No c. mid be taught (qucftion-wifc) the grounds of Chridian rc- md the vvav how to be laved, and to amend their lives. They me knowledge hereof, fhoitld belaboured with, to make u(c ot it : njmrl y,to be humbled by the law,co,nfci ted by faith in Chrift,and >c reformed in their lives. They « vi lip are flaidin thcfcchiefc mat- »uld be taught how ro grow by the helps, and avoid all imped i- ts,thatfo theirlifc maybe mil of fruitsand comfort. And they who have profited thus fane, fhould have bbcrtic given them to demand qucftions of their Pa(}or$ for their edifying, even as to be queftioned with by them for their inltmition, about any particular doubts in trie whole religion and true wovfhip of God ; and in confuting the contra- ric, or about any point touching conlcicncc in the practice of dutie. I w ill not fay, what gainc the teacher himfclfc might rcapc hereby,bcfidc thepoorc people, neither (asfarrc as I lee) arc many haity to prove. But oh times! Ohdayes! Yea, oh people to be lamented : fo happy by Note. the long raignc of thy Prince and continued peace, as thou mighrcit havebcenc; and fo little of this fruit ought to be enjoyed, or Chriftian dutie practifcd 1 The belt thing, even the pcarlcand tidings of the kingdornc, to lye as wares out of ieqtidt, not asked after, and that through vanitie and folly ! Thcieand inch like (as God hath given wil- dometo both parties) fhould be endevoured after, betwixt the paftor and people, when no other nccciTary things doe hinder, which manner of meeting were (no doubt) like to be as a ftrong band to tic them m leveand thriitian peace together. And this I haye fecne,and that not in oneni 'cc or two : but I muft fay, as it bringcth a fweet life, fotdc (kvuilayeth many blockcsiu the way to hinder it, that \\h le they live ftrargcr-likc and conceited one with another, orloofc, worldly, and * unprohtably, they may be as others be, who have no acquaintance with the Gofpel. ForleJ menthinkc and fay what they will, there is not one halfc erftbe benefit that might be enjoye J,no not of many pro- fciforsthemielves, by the preaching of it. But to proceed, i: is an harder thing for a mm which fearcth God, R&dtomif! vc uic of this rule before fctdowne, that is, the hberticof good i^j'fi talkein the company, when he fiialiby occahon light among fuch as "' arc not of his owne mimic; and the worfer t! c pcrlonsbe, the harder. It will be counted harih, if not ridiculous, among fnch whole tongues (asthcy fpeake) are their ownc to ufe them as they lit!; though the beit. way be taken for entrine into it. to taikc of things heavenly, or tending to cdiiication. Here 4*3 Haw wefl) vtld Afts 16.13,19, Note. M* to fir tup tbtn ourftlvn tkcnto* WtiVfhtnctto bettfcMTMged from tdifymi ialhelya/iy 0 c»fitn. Note. Of the dechir.ttion of the fourth dutic^e. Here therefore another confidcration is to be hadof us for the ma- king of beft ufc of the time; namely, that we wait for fomcfhoccafi- on to be offered by fomeof the company ; which (though theypur- poicno fuch thing) will from their talke arifc, if we 3ttcnd upon it as Taut did before ^Agrippn: ifnct,thenfpeake we of the workes, judge- ments or blcfllngs of God which arc among them,orfrefh in memory, by the which vvemay in as wife a manner as we can utter fomewhat to the holding out of evill at the leal} ; and further it fliall be expedient to like and commend that which is well ipoken by them, the rather :o fatten upon it, fo farrc as it may be done without fufpition or flattery, and hurting of them. By which manner of dealing, 1 have oft feene the evill which began among men, ami appeared to be ftayed and fuppref- fed; and atcendancc given to better communication, being wifely and kindly offered. But here, love towards them mutt (hew it fclfe, which will make our labour fceme fmall to us, while we ieekc all opportunities to win them, and whi'cs we arc content to forgoe our ownc pleafures and liberties in other talke, that we may doc good to them. To this purpofe it were meet, that when we fhould refortto any fucb company, yea, or any other, we fhould bethinke us of fomewhat before; as of fome good queftions among them ,of whom we might learne,and fome othergood matter fit for edifying, as the company (hould require, it being fuch as we might doe any good unto : efpecially feeing godly communication isfo feldomein place, but banifhed utterly from mod companies. This may bethoughtofmany, whogoe for good Chrittians, fomewhat too much, to have fuch regard of others, but it is (indeed) flothfulneflc and wantof love, not to lcekc the good of our brethren ; and fclfe-love, to fecke that which pleafeth the flefh, in trifling out the time, with the neg- lect of the good ofochers and our felvcs. The which if Preachers of the Gofpcl firtt and efpecially, and then other Chrittians would duly coniider, I know it would be fai re better with the people, and much more good done in many places, than there is now for want of it, and they themfelvcs fhould have no caufc to re- pent it. And though there fhould be no great likelihood of any good done thereby for the prclcnt time, yet ought we not for all chat to be difcouraqcd, forafmuch as we arc commanded to ufe edifying talke: and we lee, that good things take not alwayes effect by and by, but afterwards in time, as the Lord feeth bett, it may prevaile with them; as alfo we may fecit appcare in many in fome par: of their life, and in others (many times) as the day of their death : and yet if no good fhould Of the declaration of the fourth dutie, He. 4 o 1 fhould be done, is it not to be liked, that cvill is removed thereby, and flopped ? But if men which feareGod, be not rcfolved tofecke fuch profita- ble andChriti:an ufc$ of their meetings, inlbmc fore when they may be enjoyed ; I would wifh them tothmke, that it fu ill be better foi BtttcrtobtJt them to attend upon the r family and their afraircaand charge at home, bmrnrnmrtd* rathcrthan freqnent company much abroad, feeing in much common l*,!?.A-an*b o.d taikc there is much fume, ami for idle words men fttall give an account. l* °* "»*'*■ ] grant that neighbour hood and love amonglt Chniiianmcn, is noun- Mattb.ia.i4 flicd by meetings, as fcahVmgs together and fuca like; but thefc arc Nckc. not hindicd, but much helped, whiles our tables after we are refrefhed and have fhev\cd tokens of Jove therein, bcfealbned with good com- munication, and a careful] regard had to kecpeout that which is cvill and nccdicflc : and if there bee any to whom this adricc is unwel- come, who perhaps will not be thus directed in the ufc of company- keeping, let him let downe a better, and I fhall be well pleafed m his refuting 01 this advice and direction, and with all my heart leamc ofhim. And ar. for them which object, that they have notbeene acquainted with inch communication when they meet, and therefore looke not af- ter ir ; they fhouid rather blufh 3 1 their ignorance, and wantofexperi- CoIoC^d. tnce in fo manircftadutie r forourtalke fhouid he tothe edifying ofthe °i'.1 8* intuitu 1 • 7 b I lim.^.'a, company,and ail outfit to roliowtncir teachers in it,wno arc comman- ded to be examples to their fiocke in the fame, as S. /W/ faith : Be fin txtmpU mc*mmH*icAtto*. Neither let any pieafc thcmfclves in this, tiiatthcy will not looke after fuch prccifenciTe : It were more to be com- mended ami be:t?r to be liked, if they had fvid, They were lorry, that they had not their part and benefit in filch a fv\ cet libcrtic, as God hath vouch fafed us. It was the f-ecch of a learned r^odly man : I never de- AvStend^ part out of company,v -.here I have wholly omitccd good fpeech, having wjipi^hof opportunitic, but 1 am checked and accukd. j timid m^ji But togae a little further, if it fhill fallout that we be to our giefe in company, asbefet with fcorr.cfull, prophane and brurifh pcrib.is, io that we fee no opportunitie nor place for any good, it fhali becui wifdomc to keepe our illvcs from having any fellow (hip with their Uufiuitfullworl.es of d;.rkneife, uhng Sdmffi** wifdome, (when we teareany fuch thing) by fivoury riddles or fuch like, tobreake them ©ft, and to giveapparant tokens of our tniflikc if wee can goe no far- ther to the fupprcifi.ig of it , fearing otherwise, left while wee arc filcnt when Cod fliould be hououred, vbc ftonci in the lticct fo< fpeake 49- Oft dutie ^c. : let all be done vi : peaceably, and regard had how and w ben to l'pcakc. And tins is ro be done, untill we can convei icntly depart from them, and be careful I afcer, chat we fall not into the like comp.v • w» ccunfcll, Trzv. 14. 7. rDc rrov.f47. film the ctMpAKj oj not in him s of vrfdornc. I fpeakc ol fuch company as one fpakc of Rome : If he goe thither, atthefirft time he fhall lie an ill man; if he like lb well that he goe the iccond time, lice Hull know him': but if he will needs goe the third time, he will iurely bring him home with him. But in other companies wc mult be careful!, (as hath beenc flic wed us) that we baniflievill, and endevour after fomegood, both for our ovmic benefit and other mens ; the which as it ("hall be the discharge of a good part of our dutie, (who are commanded that our talkefhouM be gracious and pouldrcd with fait:) foit promifeth great blcfTr all fuch as are carcfull in looking to the fame ; as they havefcene, who for thefc twentie or thirtic yearcs have had experience, that it hath pro- fited them greatly who have carefully ufed it, in companion of thnfc who have not regarded it. So that not oncly the firft beginners in tlic prac-liccof Chriftianitic, have beenc well fi irred up to care and con- feience, and have learned many good points of Chuitian religion and dutie by it; but even they of longer continuance in Chrifls khoole,have beenc much comforted and perfected byufing all opportunities this way for their edifying. It may be a fhamc for us in the going about a dutie which hath great promifcof blcfling, to be flacker than Here- tickcSjPapiib and Sectaries arc, in that which is but the device of their ownebrainc, who by oft talking of their religion and opinions, have drawne many into their errors. Ctrudne oh\tti- As for thole who object againft ic3 that it is more than nccdeth, and ouianfocrcd. they fee not that men arc tied to it, and they meet to bemcrric : I fay to the firft part of the objection, that they who like it not in friendly and familiar meetings, butthinkeit more thannccdeth, mult needs looke little after it amongft Grangers and ill-willersto goodncflc, where it will be fo much the more unwillingly gone about, becaufe they know not how the company is affected. And fo amongft fuch as bring th s objedion, there fhall never be time for it, nor ufc of it; but the words BphcC4 ip. of the Apoftlc fhall lye dead. That our communication fhould miniftcr grace to the hearers. For anf wcrirg the fecond part of their objection, I have proved as much as I have laid, out of other Scripture : lb that none fhould accountthatanimbondagingand tyingof him, which God xcquireth, wiiofc&zvi^e isperfeft frccdome, and let them looke who have Coicir. 4.^. 7!-c)rvhobdvt kfedipodfi'iiib lo/igclt, tan bc(i report the fruit ofit:betbto joutigbcgiMicrs intbeGofpd, end afito jir$u. gtribnpatis. Of the declaration of the fourth dune, &c% 495 luve a comma ndement from God to ufc it, what defence they luve by the corrupt example of men which neglect it, for then fo doii g. Forthelall point of their commmg to bemcrric, I aofwer ; that if Colof.j.if. they be mcrrie in honclt and fccmelv mirth, they will not be againft j^*1*'4, good communication, which feafoncth their lawiuli mirth that itmay * *' not pafle bounds. And let them fufpect, that it favoureth too much oi the flcfli, which they account honeft mirth, if for it, the other become irkclbme unto them : neither doc I feckc to deprive men of the one ; nc:- thcir above that they are able,to tie them onely or alwayes to the other, but to ende vour to make beftufc of our company, becaufe it is with us inth'rsonc duties s in the reft, that he which commcthrnoft forward in it, is yet much bchinde. And yet this I would fay further of their mer- Note rietalke, though communication of things lavvfull and indifferent, be to be alio wed, 'yet I would, if I might chute, (when there is libertie for bothalike) alwayesto prcferrcthat which is holy and toedifying, if I might enjoy it, before that which ii but indifferent to be ufed though lawfull. And (to conclude) fo I would be taken, in that which I have uttered concerning this matter, that how meet and profitable focver I afrirme this communing of good things in company to be ; yet if we light upon iuch, who have fome liking of the truth, and have not felt filch favour in it, nor found foch fruit by it, but that they count it an over-char- ging, and too fore aprelTlngof them, to be much holden to it : I fay, we lighting upon fuch, ought to have regard of their wcaknc{Tc,andto a cautisn tkm bring them on as we fee they may in belt fort be prevailed with : and &*fy taOyufm^ let this be well regarded of us, for it is fjrrc from me to beat any fuch thing into their heads, as to make them thinke, that our religion aliow- eth no ralkebut the Scriptures ; when both it alloweth, and wedeny not, but (any thing which hath bccncfaid notwithstanding) thatch?- learned may have their taike of learning, the Magidrates of gouerning, and the common people of their Sciences ard trades, how they may come to more skill, and attainc to further perfedtion in them, or of any other lawfull thing to a good end. Eutthisis to be obferved generally, as hath becnefaid, that in all thefc kindes of meetings, whatsoever the perlons be, v. c leave no ill ex- ample ami-ng them, which as an illlavour, may caft fuch arankc imc'l in the company, that it procure as well fhamc and forrow to us, as hurt and offence to thofc which arcprcfent, and reproach ro our profeifion, asalfo an imboldnwg of the bad to bee worfe. And thus much for the v&of our company in the which wc have no neceffary dealings about ifai Of the declaration of the fourth dutic, iffc. of this life. To the which I will ad'le the duties of our re- proving, exhorting, and comforting one another, feeingthefc are re- 13 anions practifed in company, though there be but two that MMMVWt, meet together. And firfl for reprovirg or admonifhir.g of aChriftian, who hath B ven offence, and juflly deferveth to be rebuked, we muft be Cure that rror.iSrj. t|K fau't 1S committed by him, whom we reprove, and not charge him 5 'XXAX- upon bare report, much lefie for that which is no (inne, (thougrunour HjwttjhoMld conceit it be fo) butathing indifferent. And vvc muft beware that we be not juitly to be charged our felves with the like offence ; for then wc take away the grace and force of our reprchenfion,unleffc it be knowne Matth-rj. tna: vvc (|oc warily decline fuch finnes our fclvcs : and with a minde to reclaimc him and turnehim from his finnc in love though it pneke, fee- finde more favour at length than he that flattcreth. And for a private offence, privatly, though if it be open and well knowne, it may be in the company of many and morefharply, as the offence is greater and the pciibn, one that may be more offenfive, as a Mbiftcr; alwayes la- 1 Tim.y.r. bouring that it may appeare, that God flndeth the fault and rcprovctk, and not vvc who are but his instruments to doc his will. But this age MWWL*1*" ^ath m°ft boldly, yca> fcorncfully defpifed this ordinance of God : Lerit.i0.i'\ which troubleth the confcicnccs of many good Chriitians; fo that when God commandeth it fo ftraightly on the one fide, and men rejeel it fo infolcntly and rcfolutely (that I fpeake no further) on the other fide, they cannot tell what to doc betwixt both. Of exhorting. And as for exhortation, which is a ftirringup of the dull and back- ^s l \'x*' ward to proceed in the wayes of the Lord, as Barnxhas did the people Mcbr.Vi ; \. ' in cne b°°ke °f tnc Aclsj and as Paul doth of: require it to be ufed a- mong Chriftians : lb doubtlelTe he that laboureth in fuch a worke,doth difchargc an excellent dutie. But he muft be a man fo free from world- ly incumbrances, and fo looking to the ncceffitic of the performing of it, (through thccoldncflc that is in men) and to the good thatcommcth AJo?c. by it, that he may iVirrc up this gift in nimfelfc, whofoever he be, that hath any fuch ; and not to be difmayed, if fucccfle follow not by and by, as he would vvifh. I have feenc much good done by it, even in the mouth of private men. And if it were kindly ufed of Chri(tians,as they .. . fhallhaYcoccalion, and much more by the Miniftcr, there would much good blcffing follow it: but if men take not heed, thedcvill doth fo craftily hinder it, that it will take fmall effect, even where it is ufed, but rather be fruftrate and broken off. That will he doc clpecially thus: Of the declaration of the fourth dutie^ &c. 4 95 thus : if he who is occupied in this fervice to God, be a loofc liver him- felfc for fuch an one (hall doe no good by it to othcrs,and he fhall foonc wax'weary of it ; and further, if hec be not very watchfull in his earth- ly dealings, that there grow no unkindncfTc, conceits, ftrangenefle, and other diflikes, by mcanes of them, betwixt him and others, for they will ibonc hinder it. But here I cannot omit to be waile the unfeafonablc fpeeches of /bme, Anob\t{l'** as alfo uncharitable, anddifcouraging; that (as though they faw no *nI^^ ufc of thefe duties, namely of exhorting, admonifhing and reproving ; nor ofthcApoftlcs commanding, that they fhould be continued) aske, YVhatPapilts any fuch convert from their Popcrie hereby : whereas it is well kno vvnc, that the common fort of them adroit (mail talkc about religion, their common anfwer being this : They meane not to reafon ; except the learncder fort of them,who of a wilfull and malitious minde aeaiaft religion and Prince, maintaining it, doe of fet purpofc abufc their gifts to the perverting of the truth. But God be thanked, this charge of exhorting and rebuking one another, was given before Popcrie was hitched ; and there flnould have beenc need enough of it, though that had never beenc bred, and fo it fhall be aChriltiaa dutie much pleafing the Lord, (without any regard of them who fcorneit) wherefoever it be wifely and religioufly ufed ; and (without controverfic ) much blcffcd; this being regarded of them towards whom it is ufed, which is written ; / lefetch joh brethren ftejfer the Hcbr.13.aa, words of exhort a: ion. For confolation alio and rainiftring comfort, it is another worthie dutie : when in mens bodily fkkneffe or trouble of minde ; or other- Of emitting wife in their wants, we doe cafe the if forrowfull hearts, with fweet tbebe^u words from God, wifely and fitly applied to them, and comfort them barnd. as he hath comforted us. When a penitent (bule counting that his grcatcftmiferie, which is a token of hisgrcatctt happincifc, ( I meane the feeling of the burthen of his (inne, dehring nothing more than to be cafed) (hall be brought to bepcrfwaded fo, and that hisiinne is for- given him, what can be like comfortable to him ? For he fhall be one of Nctc. a thoufand to him that can doc it, by bringing glad tidings from God A&S8.39. as we read in lob. So when another in caleof bodily diitreCTe orne- lob 35.11. ceflitic, (hall in like fort be fpoken to, as the woman of Canaan was by our Saviour, faying ; O woman great is thy faith, be it to thee as thou Mauh.15 *fr, defirefi : what a reviving of her was it (thinkc \vc ? ) Not much unlike to the dealing of Boazj With Ruth, a defolate andpoore widow, and a Kuih.uj. ftranger; which caufed her to brcake forth and fay : O my Lord, thou haft 4J* • 7. Xvsvf.iA* Ctvillcompiny bervtibeufcd. U6X9 rtcrtatw. Rubs. thtmnh Wtftfii btjucb as Gxiswad frtjLi.bcib. Of the declaration of the fourth dntie&c. haft comforted me, and fpoken to the heart of thine handmaid. For if the difcafed perlbn be much cheered b y phy fickc bodily, what marveU thougli ipirituall comfort vvorkc upon the foule mightily ? It fhould be inrcqueft therefore, above all other private matters, even as it is the weightier*, that there fhould be not Miuiftcrs onely , (who yet chiefly fhould doc it) but even private Chriftiansalfo, who fhould be able in fome mcafurc to comfort one another in their heavinefle ; but this alfo is rarc,and for the moil part to fecke with men. Few of many can fpcake to the purpoie to a ficke body to comfort him, but uniavourily, that which may more incrcafc his hcavine(Te,:han fiicncc or laying nothing ; by telling him they are much grieved for his hckncfle,and they hope to be merric againc togcther,.cxc. when (who fceth not) they had need of other comfort. As for other companies,thcy are of another kindc : fome about honcft refrefhing, ibme about bargainings, covenants-making, and other a- grccments ; and fome about.luits,debates, controversies, and fuch like ; and although there cannot ccrtaine rules be given concerning them all yet they muft be all gone about and done in fuch wife, as that they may be futable and correlpondentto the other parts of Chriltian life, that there be no breaking off our comfort with God by loofc andcarelcflc doing of them, but that wc hold the unitie of the Spirit in the bond of peace. Neither that there be a following of the fafhion of other men in rhenv, but that we being armed with fuch grace as is fit for thofc occafi- ons, may fhew, that wc are attired with the furniture of Chriftians, which wc ought continually (as with fcemcly apparell) to be clothed with, to make our whole conversation comely* For example, to fpeakc of recreation, wherein a part of company keeping is taken up among many, which is an cxercife not feparatc fromgodlineiTc, of fome thing that is indifferent for the ncccflary re- freshing of the mindcorbody, or both: whodoubtcth, butthatGod hath taught his fcrvants how to ufe it, although others will never come under any rule or government? For they who will not be fubjedt in other parts of their lives to Godscoinmandements, muchlcflc will be controlled or directed by them in this : whereinthey imagine they have free libcrtie to ufe it as they hit. Such therefore as doc claimc the bene- fit of it, muft be as carcfull to ufe it aright, as to looke to enjoy the li- bcrtie of it,not as they, who if they once get this by the end , That it is lawful 1, never inquire further of thclawfull manner of ufing it. The time \\ hen it may be ufed, is not when we lift, but when we have need of it through wcaiiaqffc and other undtneffc ; for t© that end the Lord appointed Of the declaration of the fourth duiie, &c. 4 97 appointed fuch intcrmiflion for us. And though fome dcfirc it not great- Note. ly to drive away from thcmfclves annoianccsof mindeor body there- - by ; yet to othcrfome it is not to be denied in either of both chc(e rc- Ipeds, they being carefull to ufe it as God doth allow rand in going a- bout ir, becaufe through the corruption of our heat ts v. c become eafily imfctlcdby fuch actions, it dial! be very expedient to fkengthen our fclves by fome looking up to God in our ufc thereof, that wc may take no hurt co our foulcs whiles we refrefh our fclves ; feeing all the crea* turcs of God are good, to the futhfull ufer of them, if they be received $ with prayer and thankes, by which they are fandificd. And he who counteth it too harm and fad a matter to dcfirc grace of God to uie it a- right, may well fcarc that he fliall offend in it. For the kindcofour recreation, it muft behoneft and of good report, 4 that fo we giveoccafion to none by our liberties taking unfeafonably to imboldcn others againit confcicnce. Our behaviour in it (riould be c in moderation of our affc&ions; without anger, choler, contention, Cqiwh*Lig< ftrife, coveting that which is our neighbours, and fuch like: and for continuance therein, how long it fhould be, wemurt remember chat it is a refrefhing to beufed tancjham fomno cdtcrifaue qtftettbw, as he faith ; that is,as a man that is wearied,doth defire reft,and to give him- felfc tolleepe, that he maybe refrefhed by it, and it mutt not bean overlaying of our felves, or a toile unto us, or wearying of us, fo that nccelfary duties of the day be omitted by it- neither get iuch an inte- rc/t in us, or make us fuch icrvants unto it,that wc cannot leave it when wc fhould. Our companions therein fhould not be men of evill name, for cor- £ rupt life and notorious offences, but fuch as be ready to hcarc of it, if they bcoverfhot. Our end, to be the fitter to the duties of our calling, 7 not to covet to our ufe that which is our neighbours, contrary to the tenth Commandement, nor feekingour gainc thereby, nor to increafc our liking of fuch pa (Ting of our time, and fo to draw us after the fame oftner than might fecme expedient for us,or from one kindc to another, fpending out our precious time therein, as though we were to yccld no account of it; when (yet) we are commanded to redeemeir, that we may not be fcrvants to our evill luffs. And as this may fomewhat di- rect us in companies where we meet to refrefh our fclves ; fo he that is not willing thus to ufc recreation, {hall wifli in time, that he had never becne acquainted with it ; bcfidcs that, it is not laid in vainc, He that lovcth paftsmc/ball be a foore man. ProT.u.l7a Now for other companies in which we meet about our earthly affaires, LI Cod 4J»8 Jnbjr-: Note. Jnfuittsand tmtr$verfkM km In all other our dealing with mn< * O/fta declaration of the fourth dutie.iyc. Co I bath taught us v» t to uphold and carry us rhoro w them, as all other n.utsot i c and in good loit : whereas without them, full :s might < >ldofus therein/ by fitfh meanes as wc little fiiipect. Thcretorcto particularly of our and othc lants, they ought robe without h ne(I< dcrmining, r.n 1 fuch otii . !e deoffitti*; that fo v >c (imp!e,and our meaning good, our words ■ .' . agreements rca(bnab!e. our pennies kept, our covenants • • d, except confent on both fides to the control v : hut where tru oq fhould fill out again ft the poorc and nccdic, as in fore-hand bargaines, thcrrmcrVryandcom'palilon would be required. 1 1 Elites and controversies great charitie is to be flic wed, and namely in trVj$,trfat although nocomprimilccan be made (which if it may with (rerency be obtained, is in no-wife co be neglected :) yet that the quettion or cafe betwixt us about words, goods, or other matters^ may not turneus from the purfulng of the thing to luingof'the perfons, nor to bieake off our Chfiltian love wc receive hatred and deadly mMicc for our good meai Strong patience alfo muft be laboured for to beirethccofr, the tri- vell, the toile and tariancc, with all other griefes and m< : s, which fall out thcicby, or may noflmly be ottered us, untill we fee the end- and iflTue. Bus especially, If it fhould thud with the anfwerirg for our felvcs in accufations of any crime before the Magiliratc"; with tl patience, would wiidomc and Chrillian courage, with mode/lie and meckneffc be nccefTirily adjoyned. And by the hclpc of chcfe,thc Lord hath brought to pafle, that the frowning lookes, and erucll faces of ty- rants and perfecutors have not bcene feared y their i ive iiot daunted the people of (Jod, much lcffehave they turned them from their molt holy faith and proreffioa*, but rhcy thcmiclvc, who have vexed them, have appeared to be more tormented in their conicicnce atthe beholding of the graces of God in them, than I ve bcene bedily tor ncntcd by them. And this be laid for the ufc of com- pany, aiulour acTions and dealings which fallout in it, as in luch brevi- ticlcould, which adveic and direction the Reader muft receive for all companies, one day as another to guide him therein. And to (hut up this fourth dune, let this be added, that not onely in our companies we bcharmleflc a id give good example, but every way and in all our dealing, with men, whether they beprivicto it or no, we be innocent and juft to all, and merciful 1 and pitiful! to the needy and oppiclfcd : and the rather, for that wc ajc fo naturally given to Of the declaration oftbejottrtb dutie, i 499 ro regard and lecke our ownc profit, whomever ihftr.ir.c lofK thereby tod therefore that we be alwayes thus rcfolvcd, that rather than any >uld have juftoccafion to complainc of our injuric or hard dealing, \vc arc ready to depart from femepeece of our ownc right. I bam G?n. :?!,&$, dj^/^ did, who as he prayed God that the words of his mouth might be alwayes acceptable in his fight, in what company focver he (houid be : fo did he like wile, that the medita- tions of his heart might pleafc him, wherefocver he fhould become. And fo in another Plalmc he teftiheth what his practice was : namely that he did hide his Word within his heart, that he might not at any time either in company or alone, finneagainft him. And let all know, that it commcth from a mod dangerous cuftomc of giving their hearts Jibertie, when they are by thcmfelvcs alone, that they range after what fancies and folly they lift in company, and that they arc lb untoward and unwilling to betake thcmfelves to better duties. And fuch muft doe as they, who in eating and drinking have (turfed themielvcs fo full, as that they are provoked to vomit. And molt lamentable it is, that after fo long enjoying of the Gofpel, there is Co little acquaintance with, or government over the manifold diibrders and unrulineffc of the heart, when God hath given us understanding, to iookc after and thinke upon things which are excellent. . But this complaint is made in another place. That which remaineth to befaid of this point (of ufing our foli- tarinelTe aright) is, that as I have fct downe the rules, by which we ought to be guided herein ; fo I give a fhort caveat, or watch-word a- bout the fame. As firll, whereas I have faid, that when we be free from the workes of our calling, and out of company after wee have cntred into the affaires of the day, oneufcofour folitarineiTcis, that we may deale about things lawfull, and bethinkc us how we may belt difpofc them. Manythii gsare to be confidered, about this for the a- voyding of danger: as, that wee beatc notour brainesto fearch cu- rioufly into others, to judge and cenfure them, neither buf.c our feives in their matters necdlcffely, (asT**/ fpeakcth of women) tliat is, fur- ther forth, than we arc called hereto, and fo may become hclpcfull co them; which thing whiles many neglect, they fpend much time in thinking of thofc matters which doc nothing appertainc to them ; and in Of the declaration of the fifth dutie, tfc. 5 o $ in the meanc while, make themfelvcs the unfitter for their owncne- ceffary duties • Furthermore, we mud take heed, that while we dcale in ourownc i Cor. to 24. matters, we drownc notour felves in tne cogitation of earthly things l] >o .e.9 to. over-long, that is, further than need is, and fo we begin to take fvcet- *• •' ' '< »< */* nciTc, and feele our hearts brought in love with the creature and the ™*l*U*™ commodities of this life; and thereby to have our love weaknedto- $naimatltrSt wards the Creator. For this is not C hriltian wifdome, (though it be the wifdome of the World) toincreafe our love toward the things of the World ; but by all mcanes polTiblc to diminifh it, and fo the lcifc to fet by them, Agahe, whereas another ufeof our folitarineflfeis, thatwefhould Note. bend our mindes to holy and heavenly things when we are alone ; this M«*r.6^>7,8. is afpeciall cautio.i herein, that we doe not forall our oft recourfcto MaMfJafi thisdutie, goc about them with the leffe reverence, whether weegoc ^h^eniy "# to prayer, or fet our felves to reading, or enter into any meditation, thing* x»:ih aS The which admonition I know to be very necdfull, for that I fee ma- revercc*. ny to fet Icflc by, and lighter to cflecme the molt holy exercifes of Pietic, even for the commonncfle of them : who yet, when they firft enjoyed them, could never futficicntly commend, efteeme, or have their full of them. For as our Saviour Chrift futh of Iohn Bapt/ft, John 5.5^ hhn was a burning light, and for a feafon ycc delighted in him; and G»-f«7« as the GtUthtAKs raimc well for a time, but were letted : fo I may fiy of this, that divers for a while take pleafurc in the ufeof private helps Matth.2<»T*. to godlineffe ; but they arc foone broken off, their hot zeale is quickly cooled. And this (if they v\ ere well rooted in the beginning) is, for th; t they doc not daily nourifh the eftimation and love of them, nor fee daily the neccfllticof them : but many dayes fuffer them to be omit- Note ted, which they would not doe, if they did not begin to be glutted with them. Therefore refolvc thy felfe of this, that thou halt daily need of fuch holy exercifes, and to have lbmetimc in the day by thy felfe alone to call thine affections home from wanJring in the World, and to have thy fecret and fwcettalkc betwixt God and thy foule; that thou maycit thereby unburchen thy felfe of the load of worldly cares and dcfircs, which by too earned dealings have grownc upon thee. And what daydoth pa{Tc,whcrein thou halt not as great need, as thou haft had upon any other, oF meditating upon Gods unchange- able love to thee, and of the concinuall and daily benefit of Chnfts death to hcale the fore of thy foule through fume ? What day geeth over thy head, in which thou hall not need to confeflc thy fmncs, to ice j o 7 Of the declaration of the fifth dutie^ &e. ice them better, and to bcthinkc thy fclfc how thou mighteft grovf moreconftantin godlinelTc ? ^ I wmiji ri Another thing to be taken heed of here is; that thou thinkc not over- , mtfmrmm well ofthy felfe, forthatthou fhaltdoe fomewhat more in thefervice /, iv^lujt. of God, than others, by ineancs of this confcionablc palling the time of thy folitarinefle, and for that caufclookc tobc borne with infomeof tiiy faults. We arc herein too like Peter (though in other parrs of god- ly fervency we come fhortin following him) that whiles welooketo one thing, what grace wc have received, wehalfe triumph before the victory , little or nothing marking how many good things we ate with- out: when (yet) the Apotlleccafcth not in his owne example to teach us, thit wc fheuld forget the things which are behindc us, (that we fhould not be fiefhed and made any thing the more (low and carclcflc by them) but wcfliould lookctothc things which are before us, and which yet temainc to be done of us, and be canied to the markc, even rhil.3.14. to the reward ofout heavenly calling. i.ub;nwtth)nJi Finally, for the ufeof folitarinefle in renouncing things unlawful], §;finncthcrr.ort thou art to beware, if at anytime when thou art alone, thoucntrcft to I9 lib it, t^e into the confederation ofthc manifold (innes which raigne in the world, rdlithis*0 anc* ^omc °^ t^lcm ^UC^ as<^oc fonietiroe much fnarc and take hold of ArSt tncc> tnat tnou ^c not kcretly allured and drawnc to like of fome of Note. them, whiles thou gocll about to refrainc and weane thy fclfc from xCoi.u 14. them by mufing on them. For the Dcvill can change himfclfc iuto an Angell of light, and caufe that to fecme the greatcft plcafurc unto thee, which is rankc poyfon; Nay, (which is more) when thou gocft about tod ifgrace it to thy fclfe, even then to be brought to like, and 1 Tin j.i. be fn a red with it. And as Saint Pdttl hath given charge to Timotkit, and in him to all true Minifters of the Gofpcll, that when they ftiould execute this one part of their Miniftery, namely, to exhort young women, (which was a good thing) they (hould beware they mixed it not with cvill, by unchaflc thoughts arifing in their hearts; and therefore hec faith, Exhort the younger vcomen with all pure- neffe and ehafle mmde : fo I -fay, in thy folitary mufwgs of thy finnes (which is alfo a good thing) let the like regard be had : that is to fay, that whiles thou intended to grow further out of love with them, the Dcvill tickle thee not with new defire of them, orfbmeo- thcr. For thou art blind through thine owne fclfe-love and corrup- tion, but cfpccially when the Devill goeth about any fuch mat- ter, hce will blind-fold thee more ftrongly, that thou (halt fee &ut whichjikech thce^ inllnne^ but not that which will flay thee: and Of the declaration of the fifth dtttie&fc. 507 •and the (trength of thine arrceYions, being ft on fire by a deepe impreffion of that which they like, will more forcibly hale thee for- ward , than a bare weake defire to avoid the finite, fhall bee able to hold rhecbacke. And if thou belccvcit notihis, thcuhaft (I dare warrant thee) found it fo already, an.l howfocver thou thinkcit that thou hatcft finne, thou (halt bee drawne unto it againc, untill thou pcrcciveft that thou art wounded, unleilc (which is worfc) thou be hardened. To this end remember, how Tnda going forth about a lawfull and Note. honeft thing, namely, to fee his fhecp-fheerers, intending no evill ; yet Gcn3?-' *• becaufc he went not armed, he defiled himfclfcby the way with an f^'l^^ Hailot. Tothclikeend many more examplcsmay be brought. And fimlfat it* h:rcofitis (to illuftratcthat which I fay,by aninthnccorcxample) that rfvived. fbmetimc liich as have lived in malice with their ad verily doe (upon better confederation, by their meditation, or when they goetopray) purpofc to agree with him, and pray that they may no longer bearc hatred : but even then (a thing worthy to be marked) the manifold in- juries, tnkindncfles and indignities arc lo amplified by the devill, which their corrupt heart alio iikcth full well to aggravate, that they rather depart after their pttrcf wi:h triumphing over their advcrfa'ry, than over their finne ; and being it-.ongly incenfed againlthim,they become very (laves to their finne. So have many Chriftians of good hope, oft- times by themfelves reafoned and debated in their hearts, how they have becne haled 2nd drawne to uncleanc defires, till they have beene checked for their frnnc, mhlikedit, andaccufed themfelves for it, &c. and yet at the fame time, (lb covertly Satan workcth) 01 at the leaf! foone after, have either fct forward and revived fuch unruly defires, or (which is worfe) havenourifhed them and (brunne further. So I may hy of all other iniquities that which I have faidof thefc, that while' rhcy purpofc alone by thcmfclvcs to thinke how fhamefull and odious their finne is, yet for want of good experience and due confideration^ they fufpccling.no fuch danger as the devill intendeth againft them, he fendeth thcrrraway many times cither as ill armed to refiitit as they were before, or clfe fo handlcth the matter that they grow to a further liking and entertaining of it. And is it any marvell? For when they are thus over- matched by Them .-. Satan, (that while they goe about to thinke of the renouncing of thcirfinnc, they are brought contranly to like of it) thisdifidvanta- grth them much more afterwards, and holdcth them more flropgly Ml fcarcand pcrfwafion, that they (hall ilill live in bondage and fubt rcftioa 5 o 3 0/ the declaration of the fifth dutic, ipV. AfimiUm je cYion to it, than if they had never at all gone about to refift it. As he who makethafray, when he hath proved the ftrength of hisenemie, and hath felt and perceived his ownc weaknefle to be farre greater than hec looked for, is much difcoura^cd from attempting the like another time. And many of thefc Heights ire in our common adver- fary theDevill, which divert true hearted (yet unexperienced) Chri- stians not knowing nor being acquainted with, arc much aftonifried when they firft prove it to be (b,and arc difcouraged for long time afcer, Kotc. when they fee what hard fuccefTc they have had. And it raiift teach us all to come better armed than that vvc fliould thinkc, with a bare defire to overcome our finnc, 01 in having onely a cold miflikeof it : thefc weapons fray not fo mightic and fubtill an encmic. But we will take no knowledge of it, and that wee have need to walkc infcarc zU wayes, and therefore wee muft of neceiTitie fmart, for that we would not be warned, till we fay as many have faid; Oh that we had beene wifer. Therefore both at fuch times when we enter by our fclvcs in- to the confideration of our finne, to the end wee may grow further out of liking with it, and at all other times, let usendevour to follow that which hath bcene faid concerning this point, namely, that wee deale wifely in ourowne bchalfc, as by the former cautions we have bcene aduifed. Thus in fome fort I have (hewed how wee fhould loolce to our {elves, when we arc alone, and how wee fhould be occupied in that time of the day, wherein we are free from the workes of our calling and from company, that is to fay : In keeping our fclvcs from idle- neffe and vaine wandrings, and if itimay be, in doing fome good, at leaft wife ready and prepared thcrcto,that we may alwayescven alone, as in company, fufpe& ourfelves, and paflc our time infcarc, and be mindfull of Satans enterprifes. Alfo fuch caveats or cautions as I have thought necdfull, I have added, whether we be occupied about things lawfull, or things which are holy, in our folitarinefle, or in a. voiding things which areevill: and if for all that which I have faid of directing us to the well fpendingof the time alone, it (hall not be able to perfwade fome; I thinkc it the belt way to (hamcthem with the examples of the Heathen Philofophcrs , and to fend them to learnc of them, who refufc to be'taught of the Scriptures. And a- tttubmttx- mongft the reft C^farcw Tnllius Ctcero may be one, who although Jh/mcCbrtflians nc knew not Chrift nor his Doctrine, yet hec had fuch a continuall wthekfeof love to learning and vcrtue, that as his Writings docteftifie how he {olitarmttfc. was occupied in the eyes of others 9 fo this one of his fayings flicweth, how Of the declaration of the fifth dutie, life. 50 j how he paflcd his time alone : I being weary (faith he) of living a- innpn ft wicked men, wirh whom all places in a manner doc fwarme, I betake my fclfeunco folitarine{Tc,asmuch as lean; yet that none may thinkc mc to trifle out my time idlcly, (that I fay no more) let my Bookcs (which were many Volumes) fpeake, how in my folitarir.cflc I have becne occupied. But let us hearc another which was before T;//^, whofc example is recorded of him, and of that wife man Cato, expreflcd in his owrc words, thus : ThIUhs Scrp o ^Africa*, the firft of that name, was wont to lay, That he was never lefle idle or unoccupied, than when he was free from bufincfie ; and that he was never lefle folitaiy, than when he was alone. Which fpcech manifeftly dcclarcth , that hce did ufe to thinkc of wcightic matters, when he had laid the doingof them afidc for a fcafon ; and that he was wont to commune with himfdfc, when be was alone. So that, ncitherhc was idle at any time, and yet that he had no need of company to findc him occupied. And whereas mod men cannot tell what to doc, when they have not fome worke tofetthemfelves about, but become utterly idle, except their heads bee running after fome evill ; he was both profitably excrcifed, and the better quickned and dnrpned by fuch intermifTion, to rcturne to publike affaires and buf]- neflc againe. Therefore (as hath bcenc faid) hce by the keeping of his mindc occupied, and by fcarching out thofe things, which by mu- ling and contemplation he attained unto, was never either alone or unoccupied. This was reported of Sctpio a Heathen, who could (wc know) occupic himfelfe in no better things than memenrany and earthly, as morall venues, government of Common- wealths, and the fearching out of naturall caufes of things, which all are done by mans rca ton. But 6 wofull people we, that the like cannot be faid or truly repor- Note* led of us, who have fuch Yarictie of heavenly things concerning the immortalitic of our lou.'es, the glorious rifing againc of our bodies, and the incomprehensible and cverlafiing happmefle, w hich God hath bequeathed and freely befto w cd upon us to be enjoyed cf us, ibme here and force hereafter in the world to come, and ye: wc are foone glutted with them! That in our lolitary rcfrefhings and recreations of our mindes, we can feldomclooke up above that which we may fee with our eyes; as though fuch heavenly matters had no favour with us, bur ucrc wcarifomc and tedious! This Sapw, when he had beenc much taken up in civili affaires and dealings amongft men,couid v> ith plcafure and < io Of :UyAi\on of the fifth duiie, L » Stable, of wifdome .. i little pamc <:\\q our ( r k tflter million an kpofthfcc matters to I not meddle with them, bur I rCa$ he end of allour-kno -p:- carts man heave :r.!yr. «i to our God from time to time) we have farre greater need of wed tarion and keeping J -1517. ofourmi;idcsinframe,thaii this&'f/f, or fuchlikcin t Jc.How rare arc :ho!c men, and yet ridiculous/cr their labour, who acquaint iji. >f meditating of the Law of God, and ofthc ii4uiite : ofKcy thihgf therein, although-thc man of God, whole praifc ^J : Scupture, could make it his worke both jn the day and the i (on? .crefv re feeing I caw no othcrwife hclpc to redrcfTc this wret- ched c^ftorn? of neglecting this benefit and liJcrticof oft incdita: and profitable ufmg of tohtarncfle in them, whfo might well w(e it : 1 will fay no more, but pray for fuch as kno y - cxperi hpvygood and giincfuli it is, in (read of all-idle and vafint ,ngj and fantafics, wherewith they fyvarme for the mpft pa: t when they arcalo, e. 'Andtlxrebre And I will not ccafc to bewayle the unhappinciTc of ihc men of our tftvHikguttbt dayes, who in the ufuall and d lily trifling 0 cck>us time, fnafftL declare that they arc jg-oran: of chcir belt p rt: I to have trhclj.i*. daily communion with God; but - :s in forgoing it for folly and fhne. And rj*ei of many wile and learned, yet there ar. c an heavenly fwectnctTb in their owne lives, an.! arc nr to R then therewith, becaufe they are not ort and with the Lon in Soliloquies, that is, in t! cir communing betwixt God *od tl. felvcs in their Prayer and Meditation; aiuWn having reeouric to Etod.rj.io.il. k;rn> frqucilred from the company of men, as Cl^fes the man of &alfov.?,io. God had. Which part of ChriAian comfort 1 oth might an 1 ought to he 1 generally enjoyed of the fcrvants of God, without either the lea ft fa- vouring of Mockery, much IciTe without the cftal.-! ndthebri ing ii! of itagainc, which fomc prophage Protcltants little the ul'e of, will be ready (I doubt not) to imagine and fay : as they pervert ill other things to their o am huic. Ailbough I could yyifli that they had Of the detlmtkn ofiheftxtb et< :>c. .511 1 no carthhcr iIIofrtKtf jin0 1 - World' v.tovxc p,r. epo(>ifhPr geme, v ho would bv **, ipifh imitati* i ' -om it, kit to re- . : thus be linden ood, that fuch as are troubled with melancholy, liy :; i whereof they are- much u:\ablctofcioveTnethcmfclves, and the i$thtr through ftroi-oa-.d vehement temptations, when they arc onptrf- &'d with them; that fuch (I'%) llintiVi htfc be pfetftd urcrpd to it, tob'e Ion*? or much alone, for rcarc of cafl in:o further and more dangerous dumps and extreme hcavincfle, etience hach taught, t'dithcy bcltrongcr, and fo with Jeffc driver may be permitted to the libcrtie cficr I mcanc of being alone, as o:; Chriftiansarc , , _ . .., , — t . . , — , ■ ■ ' ' ■ ■ ■ '■ ■ ■• • .' — - G M A P. XV II. Of the Acchration of thejixth datie : oY#fifigffbJfiHtie r. \ . THc next dutic to bee oblrrved is; that with the farrif! and found hearr, we enj :y all our lawful) liberties an a c"prfc modi- ties of this lifV, Byrne whiv.ii \Xz have bcene taught to doc the formi duties; that is to fay, rightly and foberly, from day to day, widlcs the Lord grarrccth tntrtf uVto'our ufes. And wIra:foevcr cvoilos and is befall us irvthcd.iy, (c s both the fe aredifhncl parts of our : former) that we goc under them patiently, meekly and .kfully. Thcfe two parts of dutic are required, not at forne< e in the day, (as the fiifft and fccorcl ru'cs have their certainc rime, which they arc to be, performed) but (as fome of the ether p: daily dil rowout the day : becaufc t ire of our life in the day, but it is cither c:;ercifed with ComQ crofic, or with likelihood and fcarc of it ; or ;t is free from botii, and c> fundry benefits of the Lords; or (that which is the mod uftfall and common cafe of CodsTcrvant?) ft is mixed and c< npot th. Which of all thefc ibrvet bee our c!h:e, wee are in gie -vec bee unprovided for if: I fneaiTC , it" wee bee in cither of them to carry our fclvcs up 01 both, if wee pray not fervently witlffuli rcfolutfou to doc Aod $ : i Oftbe declaration oftbepxth divithall,(The g'ory and wealth of the World, I meane :) to teach us this among many other things, that if the other two, I meane, the temptation todefpaire and prcfumption bec overcome, yet the Devil] lookcth Of the dedxraifan ofi he fail) duty , tya < \ 5 IClhtO prcvaile.miMigmcnby this. What fnould 1 loin- V r,*«, n icrablc hurls which cvcngooiiwcn ijihir.c by thefc hciicrus and h* ''> *•'*• ;sof God, abtiut they hate one another, contcud with, and e one another, and nuke tjiciwfclvci ftrangen OIK to t' a thereby? and (which is none of the leaft evils among otlu t) that their hearts arc fb knit to them, that they confidemo;. howihcj eiu hand their worldly bufincflc, nor how they vex andtroublc their poorc Brethren, (if any fail into thcirltfpds) Lutgocto workc agiinilthcm cruelly, or at lea I in raftincflc, with, which nothing is well done. If wee fhould but confider how cUcy beat tluir braittcs about them every way, who aw yet wealthy already, bellowing all l&n* *7- their wildomc in devirme how to incrcafcand bring them in, when it " f *• 1,11 *? i i t h" /r\/i. mi 1 i ill.. 6. 6. were to be looked lor, that the great riches ^godhncllej fhoulp bee much more (ought after: If, 1 lay, we inouid confuier this, we fhould enter into a very Maze. By which, and many fuck like, it may with bitter complaint be lamented, ( of the w hich wee have becne long id- monifhed :) t!nc Religion in thefe many yearcs of our peace, hath brought forth much wealth to the Church, but the. Daughter hath de- voured and cat up the Mother. And that this which 1 fay may not bee understood oncly of riches, know we, uut alllawfuU liberties doc workc the fame crtcc-ts, namc- lv, that men, for the melt part, become worfc by them, as in the Pfaimc the Prophet dcclarcth, faying, Ihfirc I wot affliued I went PSkii^^i aftray> that is, w hen I had my hbcrtie : and therefore this (lull fcrvc to (new, with how much adoc they which have them walkc daily in aChrilliancourfc; and the rather, the more variety of earthly de- lights they enjoy with them. Now therefore it being thus, what caulc Xoic have all fuch as are lovers of the truth (whom God furrcrcth to live in peace, health, and profperity) to bee wile and wary againil lb many dangers, and warned by the hurt of Co many, who have gone before them ? and to lcarnc how they may not bee hindrcd nor holdcn backc any way by their prgfpcrity \ but let forward rather in the feryicc of God, and that many waics, as it is moll convenient ? The watch- word is not in vainc and nccdlcftc, which was given to our Fathers': H'ben thoH baft eat and art fnHy beware left t box fir vet the Lord thy *Dcuc.£.n,tt Q*d* But I will proceed. Therefore as I have now declared the one <>t thefc two points, that is, how hard it is to ufc profperity aright; lb IwiUgoc forward with the other, namely, to fhew how this may bee, that wee may well ufc it, that it may bccnoiharcnorhindcrancc to us. Mm 2 And 5 1 6 Of the decUrttiM oftbefxth duty, &c. And to this end wee mutt confidcr, how nccrcly wee arc knit urto Wr- tshavc hccncfiid, how naturally wee dcfirc to have a!] that •?/"!.' ;!,",, our! carts doc [one after, without regard, whether it bee c>od or /n* f* ^> cv'^ 'or us : which cauicth u> tocltccmeor all luch thing* more high- tbir., ly than becommeth us , and therefoie to fct our grciteil care upon m+iedmm them, an I to fecke to enjoy them, whaifoever bOter things wcelofc and deprive ourfclvcsof for them. This inordinate love which v Tefirifars bcare to any lawful] liberty or blcmV.gs pertaining to this life mutt lobl.tkit cc- beeby illmcancs poffiblc weakned and abated in US) which we have too much through our owne folly {lengthened and incrcafed. And toobtainethis, as wee Ouilbecable, lbmc pcrlwahons I will brief)/ i Thjarctran- ictdowne. Firft, therefore, this fpirituali dnmkennefle is tobccxpel- A*7« led, and the inordinate love of earthly things to bee weakned and abated by diligent and earned viewing and weighing, how momenta- Ecclcf. i.». ny and Bitting all things of the grcateA reckoning under the Sunne arc,a$ pompe, wealth, and plcafure;and how uncertainc hold wc have o'them, ever, when wee thinkeour fclves mod certainc and furc of them. And further, by valuing and prizing them thereafter^ the I Cor. 7.19, Lord himfclfc-teachcth us to doe, faying, The f.ifhton orfoadoivofthis 50, &c World pajfeth arvjy. And a g line, Havptnejfe doth not conftft in the luk.u if. things wlr.ch * man pojfejfah ; And of riches, which is counted the chicfeit of all the reft, he faith, Why dot ft thon weary thy fifft to grew rich ? ces.fefrom thy tvifdome : why doe ft thou caft thine eyes wfm them ? for they are nothing* We fee it daily verified, that to bee one mans ro day, the which was another mans ycfterday,as£*';;/W..'«thc boaftcr faid to %Ah*yyi/f9khy r:ck es andple.ifint t htr.gs which thou new ex]oyeft sire mine: the other ycckiing to ir, and grantingto it, (thou?h God in a fpcciall manner joyntcd him) // ijtrue (O Ktngj indeed, all that I have ii thine, xtbtjvtdw- £ut :o proceed further^ tofhew how our profperitie may bee en- ',ww' joyed of us aright, and our wealth may bee no fnare to us, wee fhall by little and little breake off this nccrc knot of amity betwixt our hearts and earthly wealth, peace and profperitie, (as well as wee love them) if wc will (lifter our ieives to be perl waded, how many wayes wee bee in danger of fore plunges by mcanes thereof: and that the Note. Sciipturcgivcthrhem many titles and names drawne from thccrrec"T which they workc in molt men, as that they arc {hares, thorncj, Mauri .13.11. choakes, becaufe they entangle us, prickc, and hold iri andfmother the many graces of GO Din us, that they bud not out and fructi- iTim.*.io. fie. And io faith Saint 7W/, that they pierce tu thorow with many forrowc; Piov. 13.4, Of the declaration oftbejixtb duty, isfe. 3 1 7 formes, being meerc vexation and affliction of fpirit, when men have given themfclves (after the courfe of the World,) M fecke what is the fweetneffc of them. Few lobs now adayes to know and finde out the deccitfulneffc of riches until! after they have proved it, No;c« they com plaine too late, and in vaine they beginnc to repent and fry, We are deceived. Bcfides, it is anefpeciall good helpc to weaken the love of thefe ^y^treust earthly thugs, if wee often record that they are notour ownc, but oirovne.but borrowed, and therefore, as no wife man rejoyceth for the (tockc of harrowed. &oney which he hath borrowed of another man, (which hec muft re- Lu*' l6, li' turnelumcagaine) as if it were his owne : fo it is .final I wifdomcror us, who are appointed to falvation by JciusChriit, to dcl^ht in, and fct our hearts upon thcthingsofchis life, which arc but lcn:us,and may every day becrequired againeof us. But our owne riches which (hall 7"™*r*"**» never be taken from us,as the knowledge of God, the lave of our Bre- thren, jiy and peace of the holy Ghotl, t'nefciTiouldfomakeusin love with them, that the love of other may becover-fhadowed thereby. That if wee can thinkc of all outward commodities of this life, and having this judgement of them, will daily meditate one time or other of the momentany condition of them, with unfeined Prayerto God to ncrand fbrfakeour old love and acquaintance with them, wee llialihndc this knot more and more to bee broken, and our thoughts not to be carried after them withfuch earncftnefle and continuance as they have becne. And if we could poflibiy thinkc what hurt they have done us, even 4 Tbinkcwbat our felves already, (for what unfetlings from a Christian courfe doe y,rtile^avJ we (in a manner) luttaine, but they are one caufc of it, ifnottheonc- *emA iaf* ly?) I ampcrfwadcd,if we could rightly thinkc but of this one thing, wee would abate our greedinelTc , an >d put the Knife to our throaty as Prov.*$ i. the wife man wifrieth m like cafe ; that is,to reftrainc our appetite. But ascxperiencc hath taught, that mens larterthoughtsare for themo^ part bettCT than the former, (as they may well bee, iecing they come with morcmaturc deliberation :) fo yet, it may bee fM with gricrc, that when wee have played the foolcs, by letting loofc our former thoughts to worldly lufts, and chcrifhing of them, wee fcldome have thenraccto light upon the latter, that is, to dig and weed them our, unlefle (perhaps) upon our death-beds we complaine, when yet oft- times it is too late. Furthermore, it would not a little helpc us forward toafleightand fj^jj*^ meanccftimationofallcarthlyprofpcrity, if wee would daily accu- ^j fn'm?U, M in 5 ftoroe 5 1 8 Of the declaration oftbcfixth dut% Ifc. ftorne our fclves to mufc upon the examples of fuch as have enjoyed the fundry commodities as plentifully ai any of us doe, and yet they have beene taken from them, andfomc ofthem in their flourifhinga«*e un- timely, as leaving to the reft of us, who yet remainc, a manifcit lpcdU- cle of our mortalitie, and a warning of us to a moderate ufe of them, that wc might not juftific the Worlds practice. (ttnbjkbh And *c *s another fpeciall meanc to the contemning of the World ("though itgoe againft nature) to ufe to vifitfuch, as others alfo in their licknetfe (fofarreas we fhallbeable) and there to markc how baiely they then fpcakeof them; yea, with what diflike of their worldly minds, that lb we may fee, how little good their commodities can doc them, incomparifonofthat good whi.h they have kept from them, Note. how greedily foever they have beene fought after of them: for one would looke that things ib fought as they arc of fuch, fliouid have more cxccl'cncy in them than every one fecth. jThm^tofokr But befides that, by- going into the houfe of mourning, wee may ftmmMk fee and fo bee put in mindcof our ownc death and departure, which cannot too oft bee thought upon, and which is the end of ailflefh ; that thereby wc may fomewhat more like Grangers, lcarne to uicthc World after; and that wee mulVone day give an account,. how wee have gotten 2nd ufed the goods and commodities which God hath given us. Thus I have in fome fort flic wed how and by w hat meanrs the love of all earthly things (hall be weakned in us, without the which we can never ufe the law full plcafurcs and profits of this life moderately and rightly : this one thing being added, that this advice be the more carc~ fully and conflantiy regarded, feeing, the danger is likc.t;> be great by thcncgieclingofit. And now upon this which hath beene laid, it clcerely and ncccfia- rily followcth, that if wee thus get fupcrioritic and dominion over )/mi have our hearjs and arTc£tion$ in the uic of cart! ly things, then our ac~ri«- iatMy things ons ajid dealings about thefe lawfull liberties, (hall bee well ordered m mt*ne *- in.thef.ght of God and men, to the great quietneflt and peace of our toTcaWffi/id conkiencc ; for the Righteous is bold as a Lion. For who doth not fytbtu* know, that as the heart is affected either well or ill, even fo it draw* ethrhc words andworkes after it, tqbelikeandfutablc? which is the Luke 6.tf. &tft why I labour to pcrfwadc Chrilxians, to the fubduing of the Note* lufts and intemperate rebellions of the heart, and to have in mcane, reckoning and pi iccall things here below, that they may bee the lefic offensive iiuhc whokcom/c . of their liYCs^and of their earthly dealings cfpccially. ■ Of the declaration oftbef.xth duty, isfc. 5 1 9 efpccially. For when wee bee thus icfolved in our hearts conftanely, witching therm, th« we (as God hath caught us) willfofirrc forfakc ail, as we Hull not thereby bchindred from following our Lord Jcujs Chrilt in any point of his holy Commandcments, wee are flayed from manifold abufings of our liberties, as wealth, peace, preferment, and fuch like. And when we can containc and keepc our hearts from coveting and defiring any way to ufe qur proiperitie unlawfully, wee fhall neither injury others in any thing that is theirs, nor have our commodities at fnarcs,thornc$, andchoakes, to Itranglc and hurt our felvcs; but in the enjoying of all bleflings of this life, fhall bee ibber and fruit full in good workcs,and more fervently longing after the trcafurcs of the Pa- radifeofGod. Which fruits of proipcrity fcwdocrcapc, but runnc into exceffe and paiTc their bounds one way or other, (o truly it is laid, That as it was in the daiesof'^f, fo it will be in and untill the com* Matth.Hfr ming of the Sonne of man : They did eat, they drankc, married wives, and were married, cVc. that is, they chiefly regarded thcie things rather than the manner how, or the end why, and more than the.y did consi- der, wherefore the Lord fet them in this World. And this befaidof the firft branch of this duty; that is, of the uhng ofprofperity, and the lawfull liberties of this life rightly : and how God tcacheth his children daily as their (tire fhall require, to doc the fame accordingly, as it is one cf the duties which is of necefllty to be obferved daily of all thatdefire wclito bedovv theday, and to give a good account of itat the evening and end thereof. Yet to fuch as object and aske, If I will debarrc them of their mirth ObicCt* and plealures, which in their profperity and through the benefit of their wealth they may enjoy, I will addc this briefe anfwer : I wifh tsfnfo* they profpered in health, ftrength, earthly commodities, and peace, fo j loba ». as their foules might a'foprofper. AndlthankcGod, I am not fo en- viousagainft the welfare of any of my good brethren, but that with the Apoftle I can and doe pray, that they might with outward profpe- riticbealtogethcrChriilianSjthatis^rueand faithfull lervantsofGod withoutthc bands or other hardneiTc,which fome other of Gods peo- ple doc fuftaine and goe under. But feeing profperitic is a flippery way, it is meet that all fuch as defire to be free from dangerous falls, fhould looke diligently to their Heps : and feeing that our Saviour himfelfe hath taught us, that it is an cftate full of danger, they fhould not thinke much tobcadmonifhrd and put in minde daily, to take heed that they ftand fuic and in fafcty. i Pet lAajj Mm 4 Is 3io Note. What U k to live luflrartgcrs here. Ncrc icrtm.9 13. laakc tf. if. X.ukeil.2?. 7bt gift muft giver, that be mqbttUtnaU &4HU Of the declaration oftbefixtb duty, &c. Is it not enough 'thtnkc wee) and a great favour of God, that hepive us llbertie to enjoy his earthly benefits, uulcflc wee abufcthem to the fulfilling of our flcflily deftrcs ? doth Chriit allow usanyothcrwife to take our plcafurc on the earth, than thac it may not hinder us from fol- lowing him by temperance and fobcrnciTe, by humblci eflc and meek- neflc the way to Heaven ? or doth he bellow more on fomc than upon others,that they who hive much/nould fct onedge the teeth ofothcrs by liecntioufhcffe? YVccaicc.i'led (and that moft fitly) flrangers; to teach us, that wee fhould not bcmedling, norintangleour lelvcs here fo, as wee fhould be unready and unwilling to goc home. And that is a right ftrangct- like living in the world, and enjoyinathelawfull liberties of it, as wee ought when v\ec be midc more fittnercby for the heavenly life, and doe not linger after any thing here, or cling about it lb, that wc Seine tied to any earthly pleasure or profit, wee cannot, as free Citizens of Heaven, be brought to be dsi'y fomewhat ncerer it, and readier to goe to it. And doe wc thinkc that they arc fuch Grangers, who plead for fiich a liberty and rejoycing here, that their ownc conferences doe tell them, thar they arc not willing and ready to die? Are they fuch Gran- gers, who are privie in their ownc hearts, that their rejoycing is moft forthe commodities and delights of this world, eating, drinking, pa- flime, marriage, game and fucceffe in their dealings, &c. who if death fhould come upon them, whilesthey areinthemiddeftof then), muft needs cry out and lay, O death, how unwelcome artthou unto us,who have our pleafure in thefe ? It is the Lord that faith by his Prophet, Let not the rich nyjee i» his riches, nor the ftrovg in his fir et.gth, nor -the wife in his wifdome, but heethat willre Joyce, let htm rejoyce in this, that heeknoweth mee. Aftd it is our Saviour which faith, Woe be to them which now I an g-j, for they fhaUhowle and weepe : wee bee to them which are fell, for they [hall bee hungry. And againe, Sonne ^thou in thy left time receive dfl thy flea fur e> therefore now art thou tormented. Lafily, lob that was dcarc to the Lord,faid, If J have re joyced fir that my hands have go: ten much, and for that my riches are great , even this were to de*y the *sf /mighty. Therefore know we, that our rejoycing ought not to bee earthly : and as a godly man may not be glad for that he hath much, going no fur- ther,fccing that were but to be tied to the creature, and to reft in a bro- ken and dcccitfull ftay : fo neither may he rejoyce in any other earthly thing whatfoevcr,but he fecteth it as well as riches, in the Lordsplace, from which it ought to bcbaniQicd, which wcraay be cafily perfwa- ded Of the declaration oftbefixtb dutj\ &fc 5 * ) dcd of, feeing our Saviour Chrift himfclfefaid to tM*ty* wl.omhce loved dca:ely,whcn he faw herding about him, Touch mec "*T>/"[ [ !<*" *o-!7« 4W votafcendedto my Father ; fignifying, that there (Ikc fhouldicekc him. Now the heart of a Chriftian is the Lords Temple and d welling place, and he it is that mud poflcflc that, as he himfelfc hath (aid, I methtxe he.trt,my fowe. *~V Thrtmuft bee where the treilurc is: it mud have no other t re a lure Pro^.iC in Heaven but hi n, nor any on the earth in companion of htm. So that Pfal.73.if. itmaybefecneofallfuch r.sddirc tobee fitisfied, that God hath not given to his faithfull fervants earthly profperity to naile their hcarcsto k, but to prove them, whether any thing occ fwecter to them than hec himfelfc who hath given it, that is, whether the gift or the giver bee in greateft rcqucft with them, and that all which hec giveth them might be an occafion to knit them ncerer unto him ; who will yet give much more to them which depend upon him : to this end ( I lay ) all Gods benefits doc fcivc. And I have not denyed in all that I have faid, but that it becommeth Sttlptvth'y ^ thebeftof Gods fervants to labour for earthly maintenance, thatthey th***fy * '"*' maybe able to give rather than to receive, and that without anyjuft oftence they may doc it: and that they ought to acknowledge it for a great mercy of God, that he rcacheth out his hand to helpe them with neceiTarics,cven here where they be frrangers,and to provide for their bodily necclTuies ; and therefore to bee thankfull, yea, andjoyfull in this refpect, that they are freed from much care and diltrult, and have the way made more cafie thereby to the heavenly life, for want where- of many of their dcare brethren are in much penfivenefle and fbrrow. But yet may they not in any wife take fuch fwectneiTc in thole things, that they forget or neglect, better, but alwaics remember, that they frrve to a further end, that is, to feckc better, and are not themfclvcs the end of their hope in which they fhould reft. Andfo to conclude, it remainethth.it we in no wiferejoyce, nor put our delight in any tranhtory thing, but with mod great diligence wee life all earthly benefits of God daily and thorowout our life mode ratify. And this is to enjoy our profperity aright, and to make that part of our life fweet and favourie to us indeed which is patted therein. And this is that which I have thought convenient to be faid of this fixch rule, namely, that it is a great part of godlincffc, every day to lookc to this with due regard, that we moderately and fruitfully ufc our lawful 1 liberties, and all the commodities earthly of thisprcfent life. Chap. 5 1 1 OftJ)c4ich*, X VIII. Of the d;c!,irnthn ofthefeventh ditty : Of Oc.tr inr affliftions rhhth every dn tl\-y ctfre. ' ■ l. rci.) i*,uh *p,He next part of our life net yet mentioned, is that which is under »fw.\joyfuU. 3 Furthermore, to this end that weemay bee ready to wait upon the lob 1^. Lord patently inour chaftiferncnts; vvee mutt confidcr that every day Satan Of the declaration ofthefe^entb duty, i?c* 5 1 3 Sawn intendeth mifchiefcagainft us, and heck now ah our weakricflc tobe arcaxclt in bearing the croflc, and therefore will not leave ys un- Note, alfaicd as much asm himlyeth : and not fo only, butalfowili terrific u* with rl lis porfvaa lion, thacrhey be greater than they are, and feare ns with the oft and much thinking of them, that our lorrow ma7 bee iiKierffdi There is nothing fitter: to cxtinguiih and cxpell the clcere light ofthcWordofGod m us, (which onely is abrc to guide us to bcarc our afflictions aright,) than th c ca rna 1 Ice gi tat ions and rea-fo^ nings ngainftGods correcting of ns, which ciimmceur faith, even as fmoke and vapours doe dimme the light ofthe Suiine, while wee give place to fuch thoughts as thelc : Why doth God alflid us thus? Can this be for good unto us > Oh, none could be more unwelcome. Which fault Chriit reproved in the Apoliles, their hearts being troubled with fuch reafonirgs, faying, why doe readings and doubts artfe in your Luke 14. ij. hearts to trouble you, both 7. c edit [ft and bnrtfulll Againtr all which, andSa^ansairfrd undermining ofus by them, wee havingib great eu- conragement from the Lord, ought to be thus ftayed : theft as wc can, wee may avoid them, and the troubles which-wc cannot auoid, wee may goc under contentedly, waitingfora good i Hue, even as in faith wee pray font; feeing ourGod will hare u* perlwaded, that of very Ioyc and faithfulnciTe he corrrctcrh lis whenfoever wc be corrected of RCTel. 3. 1 9, him. But becaufewe fade many times in obferving thefc rules, and Noic. therefore, findenot grace then to bearc them aright, whiles they 3re upon us,nor afterwards get any wifdomc,expcricncc;or comfort there- by; we mtiitdiligcntly.andfaithfully markc, how web^arredted un^ derthem ; that ifwecfhould be opprefTed with confined and unprori- MmfMmh table heavincfie, dithurr, or any other dangerous paflfions, wee might t(nvlvcthl W* lcarncbcforc,thattheybecnofit companions for us in our afflictions, f^*j!r*" and the tboncr get out of them-aftcr we cfpy them in usy and fo bctak« " ^ our felves to better government. And.thatthis labour be thought no moicthan necefTary wee mufr know, th.it by troubles wee doe not oneiymeanc great and unwonted ioffcs,long ikk.icfTes, perfecunons,and fuch like ; but thole alfo which * '"$$[ * tfi fall out very oft and commonly, as unk indue fTc and difcourtefie ,r> tbofi iicighbounjUiuhriftmelic.unrulinciTcanddifobedience in children, un- (on faithrulnciTe and negligcnccin fervants, difcommodirics and harmes ,11 L "* m family-matters, wichtuch like: all which to bcarc withour unquiet- Ncrc' nclfe, impatience, and unfctling our fclvcsout of the Chrifi>an course, rr.uftbcc thought no meanc nor frnall gift cfGod, nor withour daily andcomimuli watchfuuicfie^ana.wift regndto be attained unto, A:id j 5 1 4 Of the declaration oftbefCteuth duty&c And I dorthe rather make mention of thefc troubles, which for the moft pmaiift in our Families as well as other waics, becaufe many Chnftifis dacthink through ignorance,that we are not to be directed in. thelc common things, rtocjp bee railed to our reckoning and ac- count for otrertding by iir^patiencc^ anecr, backdating, and heart- burning agninft any man, and for luck hkcpafTions : which declarerh that as it isan hardthirjg for Chriftians to walke in the uprighcr.cfle r.OLioi.a. ofthcir hearts, by performing other duties in the mid ft of tkcir'houfes- io it is no lefle hard, and rare in this bearing ok difcomaioditrcc and sxher troubles, tomewthcmfclves lights and examples to the reft of their family: But thbfe unquietnedes which arc counted fmall, arc not Noie. to be admitted at any time in our lives, feeing they unfetele and draw usoutofour courfc. Therefore that neither one nor other -kindc of affliction become unierlingsof us, thiscounfcll we mull take from the Lord, which I hare now ictdowne ; that everyday we arme oarfelve* Luke 9 13. againftthefcareof fuch as may-come,- andagamft impatience " by fuch Iauu j.10. 11. as already are come upon us. Let us th inke kno ootle to watch and lookc to our ielvts thus, if wee mayby thisn>eancs bee rid of that which jstoile indeed, yea greater toijc; and cafe our 1 elves on the Contrario an hundred fold. For wee (hall not cnely provide" well hereby. agamftchofewliach -are prefent; butascxperiencc-andproofco^ Gods-hcipcbringcthhopc which ma- Rom. 5. 5. kethnot afhamed ; io by our experience wee (halLfindcthchkchelpe Pfal.110. 1. in our troubles to come. What ftrengtb ^ptlofnaby this, that he had E.xpencttceua Qct cjmcs bclcevcd Gods promiie,a:id found that hec never failed fr m, fraM dulling in his Word which hchad lpokcn concerning victory ^over rm enemies, or deliverance from them? Infomuch that after fbrrcprobfc of Gods keeping promifc with him, in bringing him over the Riycr Jordan, In giving Jericho and the City Ay into his hands, and in hel- ping him againfi the five Kings or Canaan; he triumphcth inhishope of conquering -all the land, (the Lord having promifed ittohim) and thcrcforeToith to his fouldiers and men of warre, before bee overcame lof.10. \j, the inhabitants, The Lord hath delivered them tmo your hands > And therefore be of good courage. And w -hatothcr thing made the Apoltlc "Tanl in great afflictions to ftay himfclfc upon God, and to catt His carcon higi,but this experience and lore? proofc which he had of Gods tender care over him? It was (Tfay) that which made him expreffe the fame in thefc words: God hath delivered out of great tribulations, and doth deliver daily, and I aCor. 1 . 10. am lure alio, that he will deliver, in all time to come. This experience it Of the declaration of the [ttenth duromifcs,and lie cMb to them as an Anchor : and thus v\ e being armed, wc fhall fee the Lords deliverance for us,asclccicly as wc may diiccinc the Arrow to flic in the ayre. It is a great point of wifdome, tolcarnc of God thus to benrc our ukwmpfrm trials and troubles, that firfl wc commit the ordering and difpofing of ubetgttdeAb} them to him, as HeftercVvJi, by fatting and prayer of faith : fecondly, 6$di1^'mt that we ufe ill lawful 1 mcancs whereby wee may have a good fuccefle J£££ ":ei* and ciu\t as fhecdid in going to the King for hclpc againfr Humans Heft. 4.15, dcvillim devices ; and then the third will follow, that God will turne them to the belt. Thcfc three in one fhort verfe the Prophet fettcth PraL37.fi downc together, faying, Commit thy way to God, and be thou doing 3 good, and verily he will bring it topaffc. B^c if wee will not bee dire&ed by the Lord m bearing our afflicti- ons, { as the rebellious heart will be foonc ready to caft off this yoke) but will take councell of fiefn and blood, as Saul and many fuch have 1 Sam. 28.5. done, yea and David at that one time mentioned in the Plalmc, LT?:*0*** (though rmally to his comfort,) then this fhall follow cither for ;'ji want of preparing our fclves meekly forthem before they come, or for not thankfully receiuing them when they are come, they (hal! fore flaigh: and aitonifh us,and raife in our hearts fuch pafllons and diftcm- perature, as will unfett'c our wholecourfe and bring us out -of frame. In which ellate a* wee fhall bee utterly unfit to any fervice of God ; Co Norc. fhall wee bee alfo unmeet for any ChnhYianfociety with men, we be- ing Co confounded in our felves for our unwelcome troubles , and Co di'guifed in ourfpeech , countenance and behaviour, by yeeldingand giving place to the frowardneflc and unbridlednefie of our hearts 0 which cannot abideto h are of them. Bvall which, who doth not fee, that we doc both adde new troubles unto the former, and make them which God fendeth upon us, farre more grievous than other wiie ^fV]M they mould have beene ? For ail who have experience can tell that rcxinubu the intemperance of our hearts, and the impatience which is fuffcrcd t* s'etid. tobeaie (way in us, doe rayfe many diftraftions and vexations in our ^lc« lives, which wee might elfe have becne voyd of : and the Lord? trials and fatherly chaitifcmcnts are thereby made farrc more jrkibme unto us. Aj 3 - <> Of the declaration of the eighth duty, Cc. And of this fcventhduticrluti much. Whereby wee may fee, how flary KM for us daily, befuiethe well beginning of the day, and c i re tor right ufmg our prosperity moderately; that wc bee alio very u htu.l, thato iralmcrions breed no dilbruci in us, buc bccruictly borne; tli.it lo all pivt^ of our live* thoiowout the day, and tiie whole .courlcofl our wayes may bee ordered commcndably and aright: aiul that in the daies of health and peace, wee looking for our change, and N we. labouring to bring our hearts to more humility through continual! watching, and ore and earnclr prayers, wc may not oneiy not count it ilrangc, w lien even fharpe vjlications (lull take hold of us; but in re- fpec I pi die end thereof, -vhichis to doc us much good] wemay with Lanxi.. 33j. willing lctlc receive and goc under them ; especially, lecing (a* hath bcencfaid) our mo(t loving Father hath fully cert ificd us, that he hath no other meaning in lending them. And here marke, that as poorc and rich arc both taught their duty in common together, lb there is iomewhat to bee learned of them both lcvcrally : the one to bee more lpecially armed with contentation under his poverty; the other with humihtic and fobcrnciic for the right and wch ufing of his wealth and plenty. Chap. XI X. Of the declaration of the ehhth duty, namely, Qf*fi** religious fXCT- afes tn our Families. V: Nto all the former duties which wee muft labour toperforme, this is to bee added, (to the end wee may enjoy as many li- berties as wee can: ) that with the fame wcll-govcrncd heart, winch *vcc have beenc taught to the performing of them, wee Iooke that both in the morning and at even, as it llub lland belt with the well performing of other duties, wee and our families doc reverently worfhip GOD together, that is to fay, that wee folcmnly upon our knees make confellion of our linncs, and rcquclb to him with Ocn.ib.ip. rhankfgiving. And becauie it is required, that the Word of God Jlniild bee taught by us to our children and charge; therefore, that when wee may conveniently, wee inliruct them as they bee lit to conceive, in thole things which arc molt neceilary for them, trai- ning them up to anfwer to the fame; and that they bee incoura- ComI.iI' gct' t° iia>'c acquaintance with the Scriptures, and to bec excrci- icd Oftfo (Uchmionoftbe eighth duty, I > 7 in then from their child-hood, that Cn the Word o! (! ^r]\ in them plentifully , and to cdiiic thcmfelvc* in hi 'mes to t^ic praif: oKi O D, and the putting of th- in mindc ryi'tbc heavenly mclodi? and rqoycing, w Inch th< v (h the Lord and hisSaintsin his KingJcmo. Even tn anotluror thniediurs, which is asoft?s it may, to b*< in otir Families ; I by as oft as may bee, becaiife no mans coWck ence fhould bee accufed for the Omitting of it on fomcdiycs Ijpfth nccciiitic wlvchmay fell out: but yet nomanfora'l that may feir,0. t. :ng this commendation in the Scripture, that hec feared God wirh Ctndm* all his houfliold, and bciides, that hec was gwen much to prayer; hath left fufTicicntteftimonic, that both he prayed with his houfliold as well as privately by himfelre alone, and alio that hec laboured andufedthe mcancs of inft meting the fame, whereby hecrnig' t bring them to that fcarcofGod which was in them. Therefore feeing fiich worthy fervauts of God have gone before us in the performance of the fe duties in their families; and fo have continued them, (as there is no doubt) as tney have feene their daily necefTitie to require, and that they reaped fiugu- lar fruit thereby : therfore it fhall be ncceffary for us} oft and ufualiy co meet together for the private worfhipping of God in our ramily,cven the whole together, be it fmall or grc:.t. For this may all fceandejfily know, that God hath commanded that Parents and Fathers of Families fhould rehcarfc his Laws continu- ally unto their children, and(as it were) whet their memories with them £>cut^ _ by talking of them in their houfe, and when they lie downe, and when they rife up, and to bring the word of God into familiar acquaintance with them ; which is no more than hefawneceflary for them. By the which Commandement wee may fee, how this latter age of Tbm^ptfmn ours is degenerated from the holy cuftomc of religious excrcifes in our muLbd^cncru Families, which were in uie fomany thoufand yeercs agonc. Forrherc can be no time found thorowout the day, nay, nor the whole weekc,in many ChrUtianshoufis, to be occupied about fiioh matters; and yet (which makcth their finnc the greater)how arc they letted from them ? by more weightie occafions? No: but partly through ignorance, fo c* that they could not ; through the trifling out of the time in idle and un- ncccflarie talk or folly : and partly through continual! taking up of it in one worldly thing or other, or nourifliingtechineffe andfuch like; by whichtheir Prayers (as well as all other good things) arc broken off. Whereas they fliould doe fuch duties by thcmfelvcs alone alio, rather i Pet. 5.7, than neglect them with their houfliold, the Lord fo requiring ofus the one, that wee fhould doe the other alfo; and yet not fo tying us to one time, for the performing of them, that we fhould lookc after it at no other, (for it fhould bee oft-times,as wee heard in rDeutsronotnie :) but thereby teacheth us in wifdome to appoint toourfclvcs fomeonccer- tainc time in the day, or other, for that his fervicc, left wee fhould ob- ferve no time, but omit it altogether. N n And 5 3 o Of t he declaration of the ninth dutie&e. 7hefruto[i\M And as for the fruit of this dutic, if it be performed with reverence *'■*• of us, as the Lord hiir.fclfe hath taught us, it is an opening of the doore lohmtf.24, °f histrctfiiric unto us j as we, who have any experience, can truly fay, That by it,\vc have notbeene mcancly inriched. So that fikh prayer and holy exerc tic ia rotable and anf.scrablc to the other parts of Chi i- ftian dutic, w Inch arc to be done thorowout rhc day , as by the fame be- fore ment oned may appcare. And lo our prayer (as I laid before of the life of it in die morning) Pnallbcanhclpcto godly life, to make us live better and our good lite an hclpc co our prayer, that wc may pray more fervently. Therefore 1 to fay no more of this point) becaufc I have before fct downe after what manner v\c ought to pray, and prcfent our felvcs be- fore God in every Chriflsan cxcrcifc, if wr purpoieandendevourcon- ftantly to continue th.c lame about evening and morning; there remai- neth no more but this, rhaewe take heed to our covenant indeed, and that vvebrcake it not off, by every light occalion : neither give place to fuch lets as Satan will raifc up in our way ; as, by the untowardncflcof our heart, by flcepc and flothfulncflc, the commmgin of ftrar-gers, indeccafion of ordinary bulineflc; neither ufc it for falTiion ; yea, and this let usknow, .that if the ruler of the family performenot this dutie, yctisthcChriftianfamilifttoperformcit byhimfclfc.Andofthc cightn rule, thiu much. Chap. XX. Of the tied trathn of the r.'mh and lafi dutic- : Of viewing the day bt» fureoptr lying dvwne. wkita&r'ifliin VTOwthclaft dutie rcmaineth : that thou mud with the fame wcll- Jhulddoector i\l ordered heart, whereby thou haftbecne taught to gocthorow all before bu tying the actions of the day, lookebacke before thy lyirg downe, how thou d$xrti< )^i\ p2iTed it, how farrc forth thou hall walked with God in it, as thou art directed and taught; and wherein (asthouart able to remember) thou haft offended, whether thou hall remitted thy care and watch, and how thou hafl wandred thereby after the defirc of thine owne heart. Thus (I fay) and in this manner, lookc backe, before thou lyeft downc to rcft,that thy foulc may rejoyce in the bleffing which thou haft found, (lb farre as thou haft becne guided aright) and thou mayeft by this ex- perience hope more confidently, that thou fhaltwith moreeafekeepc the fame courfc hereafter : and for thy ftrayings and infirmities be for* rowfull Of the declaration of the ninth dutlejsfc. 5 j 1 rowfull and difplcafcd with thy fclfe,that fo thou mayeft both humble thy fclfe, and crave pardon for thy finnc, and be the more carefuil to lolm ?.'4 linnc no more in that manner. This I am Cure every tbund-hcartcd Chriftian muft needs approve of, andtliinkchim in good cafe, who thus licth downe to his reft. For this is indeed to lye downe in peace and fafetie, that it may be futablc to his awaking andentring intothedayin thc-morning,and tothecourfe of his life, ail the day following. And the benefit and fruit of this travell, w ho would not begladto TbtfruitcftbU -reapc and enjoy, which is, continuall fafetie and a profperous citate, friftkt% whiles he thus icttcth himfclfeto paflechedayes of his pilgrimage, and one of them as another, his heart looking after his actions in'and tho- rowthcday,thatGod may bcpleafed?This were to lead a (hangerlike life indeed, and a very walking with God : which (yet)is no moic than lLould be aymed at by every good Christian, and the ncceflariell work which he hath to doc. And fuch an one fhall well prove that he fcekcth Kocc. akingdomcelfewherc,and looketh not for his heaven here. And if it be asked, whether we looke hereby to be void of fmne : I fay, no. But yet, if there ha ve(notwithftanding the care ofpleaiing God in the day) ibtnethingcfcaped,and fbmc finnc palled us, which ought worthily to trouble us, (as by Satans malice and vigilaneie, and our owne corrup- tion it may cafily come to pafTc;) yet (I fay) by this order taking with our felvcs that hath beene mentioned, it (hill notflcepe with us; and wc having fo farre prevailed with our fclves, as thus to hunt and purfue it, and to expel! and banim it, and fo to reconcile our felvcs to our God (as it is.faid; If any man finnc* we have ax Advocate, &c.) before our ly- ing dovvnc, what a qnietand fwectefxatc is this like to be? But it is (will fome fay) an offering of great violence to our felvcs to Obyflhrt, doe thusdaily, and more than Gods word lrnpofeth upon us : therefore except it be proved to us by authorise of Scripture, we will leave it to fuch as lift to be fubject to it. To whom I anfwer; that the violence Anfacr* which is offered, is but to the flefh, to the which wee are notdebters; and therefore wc arc not to take thought to fulfill the lufls of it, but to Rom.S.n. hinder them rather : which mull be granted of ncccffitic.ifit be proved, that God cornmandeth us to offer fuch violence to our felvcs, and that heftratghdvehargcthusthat wclyenotdownc in our finncs, neither be bold to flcepc in them ; the which, what other thing is it, than that wefoconfidcrand look back unto our actions done in the day, that we may have peace when wc lye downe at even ? Now for proofc of this, the words of the Lord, which I allcage to Nn 2 this 5Jt Of the declaration of the ninth dutie^ i?c. thispurpofe arcthefc ; free rfwr'Xi but finncwt •, let r.tt the Sk Epbor^.U. downe upon yo:n pl*cef the Devill, In die which ana 17. words there is more required, thin in this place I urge: but yet, even that alio. For the Apoitlcteacheth,thacif 'anger bee kindled in us for want of heed-taking, yet that wee lhould fwonc allay the feme : but if through the hardnciVe of the heart, after finis committed, it be not by and by acknowledged and repented of, but it rcmaineth and boilcih in us ; yet wc mull force our (elves to relent and crave pardon of it before the Sunncgoe downe, and fo before wc dare give our i'clves toieit, lefr. the Dcvill prevailing fa fane with us, wee Hnde it hardcraficrwards 10 remove it. jiReay Now, we know that other finnes are in a likcdeteiTation with God that anger is ;and theiKne that they mult be no more flittered to abide widun us than it : an(i consequently, if wee bee pri vie in our felvcsto jsjotc- any like hnnc,that wee have offended by, wee mould cxpcll anddrive outthefamcaspoyfon, that it lodge not, nortcmaine with u«. And to doe this, it is ncceilary that wee take foine convenient time to us, both to iearch and inquire what wee have done, and withallto purqeour fclves from it accordingly ; and what time is fitter for this* than when Hebr.j.ia. the day is ended ? Another Butheie, if ajiy thinkc that this was not intended of the Apofllc Rgafen. that we lhould before we fall aflccpc,confidcrhow wc havcpafTcd the day; neither will I piccifcly urge thehourc or time fo particularly : (for indeed hercqu;rcth it to be done fo^ner, rather than that it mould be deferred :)fo I uy.iikewile, that ifthiscare becconiciouably keprat fome ether time of the day, that there bee peace maintained betweenc God and us, it is well; but if that be not performed before, at leaft be- fore our lying do wnei' ought to be: which alio, is the time very fit to commend our loulcs into the handsof God, not knowing whether v, e /hall rife agnne in the morning. Befides, if it bee required by the hoiy Ghoft intheEpifileto the Hebrcwes, that wee take heed that there be not at any time, and fo any part ofthe day, in us an evill heart, wc being forgctfull and {low to ©b- fcrvefuch a charge; can any deny, but that hce doth there as well re- quire,that wc fhuuld fometimc looke backe to ice how wc have regar- ded rhecharge that is given us? And is any time ordinarily and for the moll part fitter for that buhnefTe, than when wee have ended the day, (as was faid } ) except fome fpeciall ftnnc committed in the day doe re- kbit j, quire a more fpcedy examining of our lelves before. And if M (as wc readccfhim)dicj every day of his childrciisbaixjucttiug together, offer i Of the dtcUraiion of the ninth dutic&c. 5 } $ offer facrifice to God, and pray for them, and command them ta clcanfc theii hearts and lancSVific thcmfclvcs, (for fo it is did that lab did every day)adding this rcafon, Left they might therein offend God: Notf' is it anymarvell, if wee in ourownepcifon doc retains this care every day, and uie this practice ? For even as men who are ingrcat occupy- ^ qm;ie ings, doc not only writcthcir takings and their layings one, butdocaU And'nwcudi 0 at even confer them together, Ie(t any delay of time mould caufefor- tfoutkmfit* ctfulncfii/and yet this labour they thinkc need full about things that (hall pcrffh :)fo is it much more ncccfTary in the accounts of our foules, that wee fhould doc the fame, that is, daily lookc what wee e^aineor Pioy.j,»i.23. lofe, that wee may procure to our felvcsthereby moll found tafcty,and provide alfo the better for the time to come to doe the like, and that with more eafc. There is nothing againft this dutic fo much, as the pro- phanccuftomc of the world, to whom all goodncfle and controlling of their licentious courfes is unfavoury , and therefore unwelcome and ridiculous. Butlctfuch goe: know wee, that if wee dcfire to give an eafie reckoning to God at our latter end, it is our wifdomearxt the beft provifion we can make for our (elves, to yceld with all confeiona- blcncfFe, a reckoning to the Lord at the end of every day : and fo much the rather, becaufc wee love no after-reckonings to be brought againft us; which yet may juftly bee feared, when wee have not endevoured faithfully to doe the fame from day to day,but are accufed by our con- feiences, that wee have dealt too (lightly ; yea, hollowly fomctime, and too much favoring our.fclves in palling by many particulars, which wc were willing to be forgotten and buried, That which we may readc in heathen Poets,as I'ythag^M.irA other r*;- >tiU- concerning this matter, may and ought worthily to put to fhamea P**1**^?* number or Chriftians. They wrote, th?.ta manfhould looke backeat the end oftheday ; how, and in what manner it hath becnefpentand paflcd : which cogitation (it is to bee feared) hath not once encred in- tothc heart of many, which prolific to know God inChnil. But or fuch as fcj~ any caufc of c;oing about it, this I will lay to hclpe them forward: that the more circumlpeit they havebcenein obicrvineof their wayes, and the moredihgently the govcrmngofthc hcai t andlifc hath becne kept thorowout the day; the more readily and willingly fnall they goe about this view of the d:y-fpcnciing, at their lying cowne. Neither fhall they leave off, or neglect and untowardlytakc in hand the view of it at night, but when they have bee >c tooiccurc and flight in doing the duties of the day. Neither would Hay. upon a- ny a burtn:n, which they bee not able to bearc, calling God to record N113 that 5 } 4 Of the declaration of the ninth dutieJUe. it I icckc in this as in the reft which I have laid, only the g!ory of God, and the further peace anJ comfort tea 11 the faithful! , and the hig .-nation of a godly lire, which will be much fet by, ere the life is fa looked to in the day as I have wifhed, and at • .,c, called to mindc, and viewed, and confcionably redrdTcd 2\v.\ fol \\\(\\ every onc,accordirg to the light and grace which he hath .civcd,to coniu;er; whether he can fay any lcfle, but that tuey walkc moft confident, who goe about (asthcy fhail be able) to make an end of the day in this manner. And the rcaibn why this is required, as the iafr wor1KC behde prayer in the family, is, becaufc a Chriftian hath fomewhatto mcr.non and dealc about, and complaincof particularly concerning himlclfe, which he cannctfo well befatished in, when hec Ntlft prayeth in company* And he chat hath moft warily looked co himfclfe hthcday,*ind joyned with the family la duties or humiliation^ ni«*ht /hall fee cauie enough toaddc this dutie to both : as wcrcadeit written of Mailer Bradford* (who had much inward communion with God ) that hec was never fatisfied in the duties hce did thorowtheday, and namcly,inpraying at the Chappell,(whcn he was Fellow of a College) and in his chamber with his pupils, untill hec had alfo powred out his heart to the Lord by himfclfe alone. neffxftmMflbc But yet notwithstanding this which I have faid, fpeciall regard lodcf bodily in- ought to be had of the many bodily infirmities, difeafcs and ficknef- pmivist&t. £cs^ ^1^ t^c feeblencfle of minde, ignorance, and other incumbrances which many of Gods dcarc children (hall be aflfli&cd with: for they cannot doe as other may, neither fpendfo much time thereabout, and nerefore as everyone fhallbe more opprefTed than other, with any of thefe, fohee muft needs be the more rcfpecled. For in iTich cafes of ficknefle and painc, the bare lifting up of the heart to God fincercly, though in a fhorter manner, is as much ; and mercy ( I know) is better thaniacrifice : butwithall, this muft be granted, that the more god- ly every one is, the more he will bewaile his wants, for that he cannot doc herein, as others doc who feareGod, and fo this among the reft; which doth no IciTe in a well ordered heart, than a kinde purgation, clifchargc the foulc of allluch droftc asremaineth to wait him a mif- chiefe. Thus I have more la-gely, as I have thought it expedient, gone over thefe partsof the life of a Chnftian, which for the moft part are every day to bee done, the better to direct him therein: and fo like wife I have faid that which I intended of this whole Trea- tife. ItTcmaincth now to (cc how the practice of it js by Satan and ©uxielvcs broken off and hindcied ; which is in the next Trcatiic to Note. Of the declaration of the ninth dutic&c. 5 J 5 be fct downe and handled. Butfirft, I thinke good to addcthefe two thincs: The one, that as I have fct downe Rules for daily direction, lb for the helping of the weaker fort, fome example alfo be flic wed unto them thereof. The other, what ufc is to be made of the whole Treatife. lAftcr what manner a Chriflianpjould view hit y*ffmg of the day at night, A S concerning the firft , this I have thought expedient to fay; HmA cbrijlian r\\Vhcn thou gocft alone by thy felfc for this purpofc to view fijouldviewtbt how thou haft patfed the day, before thy lying downe at night, firft, ,*#»£•/* «fre calltomindethe feverall actions (as thou canft) fromehyhrft iwa- ^> king, how thou diddelt awake. Whether with any remembrance of t God ; and as foone as thou weit rcadic, how thou diddeft take order z about necelTarics which mult be done, and then wenteft to Prayer, af- 3 ' ter to thy calling. Then how thou haddeft occafion to be in fome com- 4 pany, and how thou diddeft looke to thy felfc therein : if at another 5- time in the day thou waft alone, or at exercifc of Prayer in Family or 6 at meat ; in another part of the day, if thou haddeft fome crolTe befall 7 thee, and fome illnewcs brought unto thee : or if God blelTed thee 8 with health and peace; and if thou dealtft and communedft about 9 worldly atfaires, buying or ftlling ; how thou diddeft it, and what care thou haddeft therein, not to paiTe thy bounds, but to be fober minded. Thefeorany other like unto thefc, whatfocver actions or the manner , of them, or whatfocver the cogitations and defires of thine heart have becne, whether they were good or bad, call to mindc as many of them as thou canft. Thus lookebacke, (as thou art able ro remember) how chou fpenrft the day from one thing to another, and from one place where chou wcrr, to another : which though at the firft it fhall fecme ftrangc and hard to doe, yet in time will be more ca/ic. When thou haft thus done, thou fhalt fee how thou haft had ufe of any of the nine duties fet downe, which are the common and ordinary actions of the day : and how the eight inward graces, which ought to be companions to us every day, have accompanied thec ; and then, fofarre asthou mayeft truly doe it, givr, how to order :hy fclfc in the reft. ts'f forme or tximpU of vitvri*g Wf«$ng of the duy , when create reacUe 10 Ijedc m, giving light to a Chifts.m, I or: to view , his owne faffing of tie d.iy, Jmewmfk T Thinfe thee, O Lorc^ for my awaking with thec, and that with a . th.H'f. x willing and rcadic mindc I oitrcd into ihc day after, with calling onthee^ir thoud.ddcft fo^) and for that I hadlibertieand opporti:- mtlC thereto i and that afterward I went chccrc fully to the duties of my ^ caUingi.bc fupplycd the omitting thereof, fomc other way with a good ccnfcicncc; and that I was wary in company and in folitarineiTe,and in my profperitie; and under my chaftHemcnts that I might not orrend; but that I did ibmc good as I could : and that I had my part in -Family* cxcrc;fcs,and had care iamy earthly dcalings^hatl might not be made worldly by them; that I. have taken any benefit by meditation and reading, (it thou haft done fo) and now at the end of the day, that 1 looke backc how I have paffed the day. Thus, asthefcoranyof them have beene done of ther, call them t# mindcras-thoticanir,and how theyA\crc done : and as they and fuch like are the chiefe actions to be done in the day ; Co proceed in giving thankes for doing them (or fofarrc astho«hait) with thy aoindefcafo- ned with the graces, which fhould direct all the actions of thy life thorow theday : even the fore-mentioned eight, thus; I alfo tbankethce (OLord) that in thefe actions and parrs of my life, I hiYenot done them in opinion of any ^oodnCiTe in mec, but by thy grace: and have thereby humbled my fclfc for my finncs, and em- braced pardon by faith : and by the fame faith, have beene holden from my finnes, and kept in doing many duties, as Love, Mcrcic, Upright- neflc, and the workes of my calling ; and have had fomc confederation of my mortalitie, and looked for thy comming ; (on the Sabbath,) that 1 have attended to fanctific it in pubJike*aiid private exercifes. and that I have held the peace which paflcth understanding •, and had thy kind- neflc in remembrance thankfully, with fome ufeof watching and pray- ing ; and now viewed thcpafllngof this day in this poore manner (let experience bring hope of better doing this from d ay to day : and if thin* heart goe with the mentioning of thcie, thou ft) alt findc great favour in them.; Butfeeing I have faulted and failed many wayesbothingood doing, and the right manner of it, and in following the devices and dc- fuci Of the declaration of the ninth dutitjsfc. j j 7 fires of my heart too much ; ( here if any particular action or corrupt}, onbercmembredof chcc,bcwailc it, accufc and judge thy fclfcand re. nouncc it, that thou maveft finde mcrcieinthatthy need :) I confclTe and renounce the lame praying for Chtiits fake to be pardoned ; that I may -Iycdowne in peace. And this of the firft point ; namely, an ex- ample of daily direction. The ufc of the rrfn/r Treat fj Ji THe fecond thing which I faid, I would adde, was the ufeofthis 'Ibtufeoftb: Doctrine. For the ufc of the Doctrine of this Treadle, Of daily difrimiftkk guiding thy foule and life, it may be gathered out of that which hath ircinfi' £>cenc laid of it; and out of this lail; pattcrne or example fo farreas thou fceft nothing in ft, which God approveth not. And that is in few words; that every day and thorow the day, thoumaift walke with God,having thy converfationin Heaven, and fo goc homeward cheer- fully^that part oftby journcy,as may poflibly be enjoyed of thcejorg- ing for thy dehrcd falvation, and fo that thou maieft every day, weanc and with-draw thine heart from any fuch noyibme bait or provocati- on, as fufYereththcc not to aril e in the morning, ro walke thorow the ** day, and to lye downc at night in peace and fafety under Gods prote- ction : And every day^ 1 Hill fay ; wifliing thee to remember, that if thou bceft negligent and carelciTeburoncday ; that may fall on thee to tcx thee long after, which fhould not elfe fallout in thy whole life. Ajid thatpatt of life which will not (tand with this, let it,, as deadly poyfon;bccarefullyavoyded and rejefted of thee. Here follow e th a Prayer, containing thefumrKc of the life whtch utoie daily led of a trptg Chriftian, %s4 forme or patterne to teach and direct a Chrtftian, how to begin the day with Af eat tat ion and Prayer, and confeffion offwr.e, andtbankes, after he hath firfi awaked with the Lord ^containing in it the matter of this Treatif, necefjaryfor him topractife thorowout the day following, and for every dap Thefitmme may be drawne cnt of it more briefly, of every •ne^asjhallbcfittcft for him. OLord God moft mightie, and mercifull through Jcfus Chrift, k* 7t< **trans(t that mindc bec in mcc which is in thy taithfull people, and with tlic 5 3 8 Of the declaration of the ninth dutn\ life. the which thou delightcft to be fought unto, even found and without .hypocrifie, humble, mcckc, teachable toevcry good thing, fitly and readily difpofed unto every good wcrkc : Ictmce bee framed this mor- ning to the likmgof the Chriftian courfc, as I havelcarned it out of thy Word, and have tried that it is the onrly happy eftatc which herccan bee enjoyed. And with thismindclctm.ee enter into my Meditation ■lUtiuim. Thankfgiving, ConfcfTionof fmnes and Prayer. For whom have I in Heaven (OLord)but thee? or whom doe I defire on earth incompari- fonofthec? whodoeft whatfocver it pleafeth thee, and haftallcrca- tures,cven the Devils ifubject to thee:who,as thou haft filled the whole earth with thy goodncfTc; fo particularly thy mercies arc wondcrfull to me, and that my foulc knowcth right well. And as in thy favour is life and happincfTc, fo thou as one abounding in love and compafTion haft couniclled, yea, and commanded us for our owne good tofcekeir that wee might be happy by it. And yet, left wee (houid bee deceived with the delufions and baits of this World,and fet our delight on them, thou ibundeft thisalarmc inoutearesdaily,that al things in this world arc tranfitory, vaine and foonc flitting away, and wee our fclvcs with them daily drawing unto our end. Thou haft caufed this to bee pub- lifhed in our hearing, that all flefh isgraflfe, and the glory and bcautic of it, as the flower of the field that fadeth : and that all things below, the more they have becne delighted in, the more deeply they fhajl fting and vex us when they forfakc us. And left wee fhould judge and hope of ourcftate after the dcccitfull dresmes cf our owne braine, as weeare moft eafily inclined to doc, thou haft lively fet out our whole fhapc as in a glaffe, to be full of miferic and curfcdnclfc, if wee have not yet attained to know that wee are thy Sonnes and Daughters, and that our names are written in the Booke of Life. Thcfe all and fuch like while I meditate upon, as alio, that thou wouldcft have us every day make our falvation more fure, and to be perfwaded of thine unchange- able love ; I wonder at them, and mod of all to eonfidcr thine ineftima- ble and unutterrable kindneflc in them all. This draweth from mee(as Ttoi/rjvfcf. tncrc^s exceeding great caufc) unfeined thankes, with joy unfpeake, able and glorious, cfpeciaily for that I ice. thou haft done all this for mec, even the unworthieft of other ; that for my fake thou gaveft thy dcare Sonne to death, that hce might bring mec tocverlaftinglifc i that to mec amongothcr, thou wouldcft have the glad tidings of it to bec brought and preached, to the end that I may know my fclfe as furcly to be one of thinc,as it I were gathered up to my Fathers to enjoy thy prc- fence moil glorious alxcady : that of nae among the reft of thy chofen ones. Of the declaration of the ninth duric^ fyf. 5 3 9