all fears and doubts objections and temptations But Sixthly and lastly Consider there is a great deal of grace and mercy in Scripture peradventures Exod. 32.30 1 Sam. 9.6 1 Kings 20.31 1 Tim. 2.25 as you may easily see by comparing the Scriptures in the Margent together Scripture peradventures ought to keep down despair and raise our hopes and our hearts to know that God is favourable and that sin is pardonable and that mercy is attainable and that Hell is avoidable is no small comfort to a poor doubting trembling Christian And as there is a great deal of grace and mercy in Scripture peradventures so there is a great deal of grace and favour in Scripture may-be's as you may see by comparing these Scriptures in the Margent together Now if Scripture-peradventures 1 Sam. 14 6. 2 Sam. 16.12 2 Kings 19.4 Isa 37 4. Ezek. 14 11. Amos 5 15. Zeph. 2 3. Dan. 4.27 and Scripture may-be's afford so much support relief and comfort to your souls as indeed they do then doubtless probabilities of grace of an interest in Christ of going to Heaven and of being saved ought very much to support relieve cheer and comfort the hearts of all those that have such probabilities A gracious soul may say when he is lowest and weakest Well though I dare not say that I have Grace yet I have a peradventure for it and though I dare not I cannot say I have an interest in Christ yet if I have a may-be for it I ought to bear up bravely and comfortably against all fears and doubts yea and to take the comfort and the sweet of all those blessed probabilities of grace of an interest in Christ and of being saved and of all the peradventures and may-be's that are scattered up and down in the Book of God and with Hannah to walk up and down without a sad countenance 1 Sam. 1.18 The Twelfth Maxim or Consideration TWelfthly Consider that t is a Christians greatest Wisdom and highest concernment to take the most commodious time for the casting up of his spiritual accounts If I would know what I am worth for another World and what I have to shew for the inheritance of the Saints in light then I am to take my heart when t is at best and when I am most divinely prepared and fitted for this great service then to enter upon it T is no wisdom for a man to go to see his face in troubled waters or to look for a Pearl in a puddle There are some particular times and seasons in which t is no way safe nor convenient for a Christian to enter upon the tryal of his Spiritual estate Times of desertion and temptation are rather times and seasons for mourning watching restling and seeking of God than for judging and determining of our conditions As first when the body is greatly distempered 2. When the Soul is greatly tempted by Satan or sadly deserted by God 3. When the Conscience is so deeply wounded by some great falls as that the Soul is filled with exceeding great fear terror and horror it is with many poor Christians in this case as it hath been with some who have been so struck with the fear and horror of death before the Judg that though they were good Schollars and able to read any thing yet fear and horror hath so surprised them that when their lives have been at stake and the Book hath been given them to read they have not been able to read one line one word So many of the precious servants of Christ when they have been under wounds of Conscience and when they have been filled with fears terrors and horrors they have not been able to look up to Heaven nor read their evidences nor turn to the breasts of the Promises Psal 40.12 Psal 77. Psal 88. Job 23.8 9. nor call to mind their former experiences nor behold the least glimpse of Heavens glories No man in his wits if he were to weigh gold would weigh it in the midst of high winds great storms and horrible tempests which would so hurry the ballance up and down this way and that that it would be impossible for him to weigh his gold exactly Now the tryal of our spiritual estates is like the weighing of gold Job 31.6 Dan. 5.27 for we are all to weigh our selves by the ballance of the Sanctuary God himself will one day weigh us by that ballance and if we hold weight when he comes to weigh us we are safe and happy for ever But when he comes to weigh us in the ballance of the Sanctuary if we shall then be found too light it had been good for us we had never been born when Belshazzar saw the hand-writing upon the wall his countenance was changed Verses 5 6. and his thoughts troubled and the joynts of his loyns were loosed and his knees smote one against another but what was all this to an everlasting separation from God and to those endless easless and remediless torments that such must endure 2 Thess 1.7 8 9 10. who when they are weighed in the ballance shall be found too light A man that would weigh gold to a grain The candle will never burn clear whilst there is a thief in it sin indulged in the conscience is like Jonah in the ship which causeth such a tempest that the Conscience is like a troubled Sea whose waters cannot rest or it is like a more in the eye which causeth a perpetual trouble while it is there must weigh it in a quiet still place And so a man that would make an exact tryal of his spiritual estate he must take his Soul when t is most serious quiet still and composed he must take his heart when it is in the best frame and most disposed to solemn and weighty work There are some times which are very unapt for a gracious person to sit as Judg upon his Spiritual estate and to pass sentence upon his own Soul The best Christians under Heaven do meet with divers inward and outward changes sometimes the light shines so clear that they can see things as they are but at other times all is dark and cloudy and tempestuous and then they are apt to judg themselves by feeling and new representations and not according to the truth O Sirs remember this once for all that times of inward or outward distresses are best for Praying and worst for judging If a man will at such times pass sentence on himself or his estate as a Judg he will certainly judg unrighteous judgment for then the Soul is not it self and is very apt and prone to take Satans work for his own and to side with him against it self yea and then usually it will see nothing it will think of nothing it will dwell upon nothing but what makes against it self 4. When God exercises a man with some exceeding severe and unusual Providences when God steps out of his ordinary way
of spiritual life 2 Cor. 7.1 1 Thes 5.13 c. and runs invisibly through all the body Fountains were to be kept pure by the Roman Laws of the twelve Tables and the heart that is the spring and fountain of all actions is to be kept pure by the Laws of the great God Men keep the heart principally from hurt because every wound there is mortal O that men were as wise for their souls God's eye is mainly upon the heart The heart well guarded and watcht keeps all in security Alexander was safe while Antipater kept the watch so all within that little world Man will be safe while the heart is strongly guarded The heart is the fountain the root the store-house the primum mobile the great wheel that sets all a going and therefore above all keepings keep your hearts 'T is a foolish thing to watch the out-works and leave the Fort-Royal without a guard so 't is a foolish thing to watch the out-works the eye the ear the tongue the hand the feet though these must all be watcht and to leave the heart which is a Christians Fort-Royal without a guard Omnia si perdas animam servare memento If all things else must needs be lost Yet save thy soul what e're it cost He that makes it his business to watch and weep and sigh and groan most over his own heart he doubtless is in a gracious estate he that makes it his work his daily work his greatest work 3 John 2. his work of works to keep a continual guard upon his heart he certainly is in a blessed estate he that lamentingly cryes out O that my soul did but prosper as my body O that my inward man were but in as good a frame as my outward man O that this proud heart were but more humble O that this hard heart were but more softned O that this carnal heart were but more spiritual O that this earthly heart were but more heavenly O that this unbelieving heart were but more believing O that this passionate heart were but more meek O that this slight heart were but more sericus O that this blind heart were but more enlightned O that this dull heart were but more quickned O my heart my heart when wilt thou be better O my God my God! when shall my heart be better O bring it into a gracious frame and for ever keep it in a gracious frame He that thus lamentingly cryes out of his heart he certainly has an honest heart and will be happy for ever O Lord my memory is weak and my utterance is bad and my understanding is dark and my gifts are low and my affections are flat and my temptations are strong Psa 39 22 23 24 and my corruptions are prevalent but thou who art the great heart searcher thou knowest that I would fain have my heart in a better temper I had rather have my heart brought into a gracious frame and kept in a gracious frame than to have all the riches of the Indies than to be an Emperor yea than to be King over all the earth If it be indeed thus with thee thou art blest and shalt be blest for ever 2 Cor. 8.12 For if there be first a willing mind it is accepted according to that a man hath and not according to that he hath not I know the Apostle speaks this in point of alms but 't is applicable to the case in hand and to a hundred other cases God measures his people not by their works but by their wills if their wills be to be more holy humble heavenly and to have their hearts alwayes in a most gracious frame then they are accepted of God for every good man is as good in the eye of God in the judgment of God and in the account of God as he would be Not long before famous Mr. Banes died some friends that were with him in his Library which was an excellent one fell a commending of it I saith he there stand my books but the Lord knows that for many years lost past I have studied my heart more than Books O no Minister to him no Scholar to him who studies his heart more than his books nor no Christian to him who studies his heart more than his day-day-books or more than his shop-Shop-books or that studies his heart more than his counting-house or that studies his heart more than a good bargain c. That man is for heaven and heaven is for that man who makes it his greatest business in this world to watch his heart to guard his heart the hypopocrite looks most to externals but the sincere Christian looks most to internals the hypocrites main watch is about his lips but a sincere Christians main watch is about his heart the hypocrites main work lyes without doors but the sincere Christians main work lyes within doors All know that know any thing that both nature and grace begin at the heart but art begins at the face A painter doth not begin a picture at the heart a picture hath but a face but an outside And as nature begins at the heart but art at the face so grace begins at the heart but hypocrisie at the face at the outside of Religion Every man is that really that he is inwardly Rom. 2.28 29. He is not a Jew which is one outwardly neither is that circumcision which is outward in the flesh but he is a Jew which is one inwardly and circumcision is that of the heart in the spirit and not in the letter whose praise is not of men but of God Certainly that man that makes it his great business to watch his heart and to keep his heart alwayes in a gracious frame that man is a gracious man 'T is true our hearts are like our watches seldom got to go well and when they do go well how hard a work is it to keep them going well The motions of our watches are not constant sometimes they go faster and sometimes they go slower and often they stand in need of mending Though in these and many other respects our hearts are like our watches yet if we make it our grand work to keep a constant guard upon our hearts and our main design in this world to have our hearts brought and kept in a gracious frame our spiritual estate is good and we shall be happy for ever c. In my other Writings there are variety of special evidences which the Christian Reader if he please and if need require may make use of in order to the further clearing up of his gracious estate and therefore let these twenty suffice at this time And thus much for this Chapter c. CHAP. III. Now in this Chapter I shall treat of sound saving repentance of repentance unto Life yea of that Evangelical repentance that hath the precious Promises of remission of sin and salvation running out unto it My purpose at this time is not to handle
of Dispensations in his dealings with a man When God sets a man up before all the world as a mark to shoot at as he did Job Now a poor Christian is ready to doubt and conclude Job 7.20 c. 16.12 Surely the Lord has no regard of me he has no entire love for me his heart is not certainly towards me seeing all these sore tryals make so much against me but here the poor Christian is mistaken as Jacob once was Gen 42.36 And Jacob their Father said unto them Me have ye bereaved of my children Joseph is not and Simeon is not and ye will take Benjamin away all these things are against me Gen. 45.5 6 7 8 9. But Jacob was out for all those things made for him and for the preservation of the visible Church of God in the World Certainly all the afflictions that befall the people of God Rev. 3.19 Heb. 12.5 6. are but his love-tokens As many as I love I rebuke and chasten and therefore those Christians are miserably mistaken that take them for testimonies of his wrath and effects of his disfavour O Sirs what can be more absurd displeasing and provoking than for a Christian to make that an Argument of Gods hatred that he intends for an instance of his love and yeâ— Christians are apt thus to act It is observable the Apostle reckons affliction amongst Gods honoraries and tokens of respect Judg. 6.12 13. Exod. 17.7 Phil. 1.29 For to you t is given saith he not only to believe but also to suffer Which saith Father Latymer is the greatest promotion that God gives in this world Job 7.17 18. Job when he was himself could not but admire at it that God should make such an account of man and that he should so magnify him and dignify him as to think him worthy of a rod a whiping as to think him worth a melting Prov. 1.32 Psal 73.5 Eccles 9.1 2. and trying every morning yea every moment T is certain that great prosperity and worldly glory are no sure tokens of Gods love and t is as certain that great troubles and afflictions are no sure marks of Gods hatred and yet many poor Christians when the waters of affliction rise high and are ready to overflow them O how apt are they to conclude that God hates them and will revenge himself upon them and that they have nothing of God or Christ or the Spirit or Grace in them Or 5. Lam. 1.16 When the Spirit the Comforter stands afar off and witholds those special influences without which in a common ordinary way a Christian cannot divinely candidly clearly and impartially transact with God in order to his own peace comfort and settlement Or 6. When either a Christians evidences are not at hand or else they are so soiled darkned blotted and obscured as that he is not able to read them Psal 88. Job 33.10 It is an old saying that Melancholia est vehiculum Daemonum In the German proverb Luther sayes it goes for currant Caput Melancholicum diaboli Balneum The melancholy head is the Devils bathing place Or 7. When a Christian is extreamly opprest with melancholy Melancholy is a dark and dusky humor which disturbs both Soul and body and the cure of it belongs rather to the Physitian than to the Divine It is a most pestilent humor where it abounds one calls it Balneum Diaboli the Devils Bath t is a humor that unfits a man for all sorts of services but especially those that concern his soul his spiritual estate his everlasting condition The Melancholy person tyres the Physitian grieves the Minister wounds Relations and makes sport for the Devil There are 5 sorts of persons that the Devil makes his Ass to ride in triumph upon viz. the ignorant person the unbelieving person the proud person the hypocritical person and the Melancholy person Melancholy is a disease that works strange passions strange imaginations and strange conclusions It unmans a man it makes a man call good evil and evil good sweet bitter and bitter sweet light darkness and darkness light The distemper of the body oftentimes causeth distemper of soul for the Soul followeth the temper of the body A Melancholy spirit is a dumb spirit you can get nothing out of him Mat. 9.28 29. It is no more wonder to see a Melancholy man doubt and question his spiritual condition than it is to see a child cry when he is beaten or to hear a sick man groan or to hear a drowning man call out for a boat You may silence a Melancholy man when you are not able to comfort him Whilest Nebuchadnezzar was under the power of a deep Melancholy he could not tell whether he was a man or a Beast Melancholy is the mother of fears doubts disputes and discomforts and a deaf spirit you can get nothing into him Now of all the evil spirits we read of in the Gospel the dumb and the deaf were the worst darkness sadness solitariness heaviness mourning c. are the only sweet desirable and delightful companions of melancholy persons Melancholy makes every sweet bitter and every bitter seven times more bitter the melancholy person is marvellously prone to bid sleep farewel and joy farewel and meat farewel and friends farewel and Ordinances farewel and duties farewel and Promises farewel and Ministers farewel and his Calling farewel and t is well if he be not even ready to bid God farewel too Melancholy persons are like Idols that have eyes but see not and tongues but speak not and ears but hear not Melancholy turns truths into Fables and fables into truths it turns fancies into realities and realities into fancies Melancholy is a fire that burns inwards and is hard to quench Now if a Christian be under the power of natural or accidental Melancholy his work is not now to be a trying his estate or a casting up of his accounts to see what he is worth for another world but to use all such wayes and means as God hath prepared in a natural way for the cure of Melancholy for as the Soul is not cured by natural causes so the body is not cured by spiritual Remedies Now in the seven cases last mentioned a Christians work lyes rather in mourning self-judging self-loathing self-abhorring and in repenting and reforming and in fresh and frequent exercises of Faith on the Lord Jesus on his Blood on his Promises and on his free rich sovereign and glorious Grace â—hat is displayed and offered in the Gospel and in a patient waiting upon the Lord in the use of all holy and heavenly helps for deliverance out of his present straits tâ—yals and exercises then in falling upon that great work of casting up his spiritual accounts and of searching into the Records of glory to see whether his name be Registred in the Book of Life or no. O Sirs when poor Christians are bewildered their proper work is to cast themselves upon the
Promises to trust in the name of the Lord Isa 50.10 Job 13.15 and to stay themselves upon their God Job in a cloudy stormy day resolves to trust â—n the Lord though he should slay him and so must you And O that this rule were more seriously minded and effectually observed by all doubting trembling and staggering Christians But The Thirteenth Maxim or Consideration THirteenthly Consider you must never judg your selves unsound The grand Rule by which we must try and judg of our spiritual and eternal estates is the word of God Isa 8.20 in this Scripture the Prophet plainly shews whither we must go with our doubts fears scruples questions and with whom we must consult and of whom we must take advice and that is the Law and the testimony or Hypocrites by those things which the Scripture never makes a Character of an unsound Christian or of an Hypocrite or of Hypocrisy Mark as you are to receive no comfort but what is backt with clear Scripture nor no evidences for the goodness and happiness of your spiritual estate and condition but such as are backt with clear Scriptures so you are to receive you are to admit of no Arguments nor pleas nor reasonings to prove your self an Hypocrite or unsound or that you have no Grace or that your spiritual estate and condition is not good but such Arguments pleas and reasonings as are backt with clear Scriptures Now tell me O thou weak doubting staggering trembling Christian if thou canst where are those clear Scriptures that proves wandring thoughts in Duty or that proves narrowness or straitness of Spirit in a duty to be characters of an Hypocrite or of hypocrisy or of one that is unsound tell me O thou sighing Christian if thou canst where are those clear Scriptures that proves the want of a good memory for the best things or the want of those gifts or abilities that many Christians have to Pray to speak to discourse to open Scripture or to dispute for the concernments of Christ and his Kingdom to be characters of an Hypocrite or of hypocrisy or of one that is unsound Tell me O thou distressed Christian if thou canst where are those clear Scriptures that will justify thee to conclude that thou art an Hypocrite because thou art without the present evidence of thy sincerity Are there not many of the precious sons and daughters of Zion comparable to fine gold Isa 50.10 1 John 5.13 Gen. 44. Lam. 4.2 who have true Grace and sincerity in their hearts though for the present it be hid from their eyes Josephs Brethren had their mony in their sacks though they did not see it nor know it till they came to their Inn and opened them So many of the dear children of God have sincerity in their hearts though for the present they do not see it nor know it O Sirs t is Christs work not Graces to evidence it self so clearly and fully to our eyes as to enable us to own it t is one thing for the Spirit of God to work Grace in the Soul and another thing for the Spirit to shine upon his own work now till the Spirit shines upon his own work the Soul is in the dark 1 Cor. 2.12 the Graces of the Spirit are best seen in the light of the Spirit as we see the Sun best by his own light T is good for doubting Christians when they are in the dark to hold fast this conclusion viz. that they may be upright though at present they are not able to see their uprightness Now though this will not bring in a full Tyde of comfort into their Souls yet it will keep them from despair and it will support and uphold their hearts till the Spirit who is a Messenger of a thousand shall shew them their uprightness Tell me O thou mourning Christian if thou canst where are those clear Scriptures that proves deadness dulness and indisposedness in duty though it be sadly lamented bewailed and mourned over and much striven against yea though it be the great grief and burden of the Soul to be characters of Hypocrites or of hypocrisy or of one that is unsound Tell me O thou disquieted Christian if thou canst where are those clear Scriptures that proves the want of those enlargements ravishments joyes comforts In all Soul cases God expects we should consult his word and cleave to his word without warping or turning aside either to the right hand or to the left John 12.48 That book that shall try you at last and that shall save you or damn you in the great day is the only book by which you must make a judgment of your present and future estates Clemens of Alexandria speaking of the Word saith it is the touchstone of truth and falshood peace or assurance that some others have to be characters of Hypocrites or hypocrisy or of one that is unsound and yet upon the account of the above mentioned things on the one hand and under a sensible want of the things last cited on the other hand how exceeding apt and prone are many poor weak doubting trembling Christians confidently and peremptorily to conclude themselves to be Hypocrites and to be unsound and that they have not a dram of Grace nor no saving interest in Christ at all O Sirs remember this once for all that as you must never admit of any Arguments Pleas or Reasonings for the comfort peace and refreshment of your souls but such as are attended with the evidence of clear Scripture but such as are backt with pregnant Scriptures So you must never admit of any Pleas Arguments or Reasonings to trouble vex perplex and disquiet the peace of your souls but such as are attended with clear Scripture evidence but such as are well backt with Canonical Scripture Now if this choice Rule were but wisely observed and carefully frequently and conscientiously practised by many weak doubting trembling Christians how would it set them at liberty from their fears doubts and misgivings of heart how would it knock off all their chains and wipe all tears from their eyes and remove that sadness that lyes like a load upon their hearts and how soon would it bring them into a condition of peace comfort quietness and settlement O Sirs every working and appearance of hypocrisy doth not presently prove the person in whom it is to be an Hypocrite A man may be hypocritical either 1. Really Or 2. In Opinion and fancy many of the dear children of God are very apt and prone many times both to suspect and falsly charge the true estate of their souls A child in a distemper may question the inheritance which is entailed on him c. But remember this if thy heart be upright all comfort is thy portion for as our distrustful fears do not prejudice the reality of the estate of grace So our frequent suspitions that we are hypocrites does not cut us off from the title and right of promised
despair endeavouring to be her own executioner but was comforted by that blessed promise Isa 57.15 For thus saith the high and lofty one that inhabiteth eternity whose name is holy I dwell in the high and holy place with him also that is of an humble and contrite spirit to revive the spirit of the humble and to revive the heart of the contrite ones And I have read of another man who being ready to dye Lord saith he I challenge thee by that promise Mat. 11.28 Come unto me all ye that labour and are heavy laden and I will give you rest and so was comforted And I have read of some others that were comforted with that promise â—â—rsin and Beza John 10.29 None shall pluck them out of my fathers hand And I have read of another who having deeply wounded his conscience by subscribing to Popish errors was much comforted by that blessed Scripture 1 Tim. 1.15 This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation that Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners of whom I am chief And I have read of another Mr. Bilney the Martyr Psal 51.17 A broken and a contrite heart O God thou thou wilt not despise This promise was a cordial to Bernard on his dying bed he dyed with this promise in his mouth And Austin found so much sweetness in the same promise that he caused it to be written on the wall over against his bed where he lay sick and dyed who was much comforted under sore distresses by that promise Isa 26.3 Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace or as the Hebrew runs Shalom Shalom peace peace whose mind is stayed on thee because he trusteth in thee And many have gone to heaven triumphantly by the refreshing and comfort that they have found in these following Scriptures John 6.37 All that the father giveth me shall come to me and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out Isa 55.1 Ho every one that thirsteth come ye to the waters and he that hath no money come ye buy and eat yea come buy wine and milk without money and without price Ver. 3. Incline your ear and come unto me hear and your soul shall live and I will make an everlasting Covenant with you even the sure mercies of David And so Rev. 22.17 And the Spirit and the Bride say come and let him that heareth say come and let him that is athirst come and whosoever will let him take the water of life freely So Hos 14.4 I will heal their back-slidings and love them freely So Isa 43.25 I even I am he that blotteth out thy trangressions for mine own sake and will not remember thy sins Isa 57.18 I have seen his wayes and will heal him I will lead him also and restore comforts unto him and to his mourners Ver. 19. I create the fruit of the lips peace peace to him that is far off and to him that is near saith the Lord and I will heal him O these have been comforting promises and upholding promises and refreshing promises The promises are pabulum fidei c. anima fidei the food of faith and the soul of faith to many doubting drooping souls 'T is impossible that such a soul should ever drop into hell that can cling fast to any of these promises that can hang upon any of these promises that can rest and lay the weight of their souls upon Christ in any of these promises Doubtless relyance upon Christ in these precious promises hath ferried many poor doubting trembling souls to heaven The promise is the golden Cabinet and Christ is the costly jewel that is laid up in it The promise is the field and Christ is the pearl of price that is hid in it all the promises they point to Christ they lead to Christ they hang upon Christ 2 Cor. 1.20 All the promises of God in him are yea and in him Amen In the new Covenant God neither makes any promises nor fulfils any promises of salvation but in Christ and through Christ Now when any fears or darkness or doubts or disputes arises in your souls about your spiritual estates Oh! then run to Christ in the promise and plead the promise and hang upon the breasts of the promise and let your souls cleave closs to the promise for this is the way of wayes to have your evidences cleared your comforts restored your peace maintained your graces strengthned and your assurance raised and confirmed FINIS Books Printed and are to be sold by John Hankock at his Shop over against Gresham Colledge in Bishopsgate-street next to the White Lyon at Great St. Hellins Gate and at the first Shop in Popes-head-Alley next to Cornhil at the Sign of the Three Bibles ELeven Books lately published by Mr. Thomas Brooks late Preacher of the Gospel at Margarets New-Fish-Street 1 Precious Remedies against Satans Devices Or Salve for Believers and Unbelievers sores being a companion for those that are in Christ or out of Christ that slight or neglect Ordinances under a pretence of living above them that are growing in spirituals or decaying that are tempted or deserted afflicted or opposed that have assurance or want it on 2 Cor. 2.11 2 Heaven on Earth Or A serious Discourse touching a well grounded Assurance of mans everlasting happiness and blesseâ—â—ess discovering the nature of assurance the possibility of attaining it the Causes Springs and Degrees of it with the resolution of several weighty Questions on the 8. of the Romans 32 33 34. verses 3 The unsearchable Riches of Christ Or Meat for strong Men and Milk for Babes held forth in two and twenty Sermons from Ephes 3.8 Preached on his Lecture-nights at Fish-street-hill 4 His Apples of Gold for young Men and and Women And A Crown of Glory for Old men and Women Or the Happiness of being Good betimes and the Honour of being an Old Disciple clearly and fully discovered and closely and faithfully applyed With the young mans objections answered and the old mans doubts resolved 5 A String of Pearls Or The best things reserved till last delivered in a Sermon Preached in London June 8. 1657. at the Funeral of that Triumphant Saint Mrs. Mary Blake late Wife to his worthy Friend Mr. Nicholas Blake Merchant 6 The Mute Christian with Soveraign Antidotes against the most miserable Exigents Or A Christian with an Olive-leaf in his mouth when he is under the greatest afflictions the sharpest and sorest trials and troubles the saddest and darkest providences and changes with Answers to divers Questions and Objections that are of great importance all tending to win and work souls to be still quiet calm and silent under all changes that have or that may pass upon them in â—his world c. Lately printed and dedicated to all afflicted distressed dissatisfied disquieted and discomposed Christians throughout the world 7 An Ark for all Gods Noahs in a stormy day Wherein is shewed the transcendent excellency of a Believers portion on Lament 3.24 8 The Crown and Glory of Christianity Or Holiness the only way to Happiness discovered in 48. Sermons on Heb. 12.14 9 The Privy Key of Heaven Or A Discourse of Closet-Prayer Twenty Arguments for it with the resolution of several Questions c. 10. A Heavenly Cordial for all that have had or have escaped the Plague c. 11 Newly published A Cabinet of choice Jewels or a Box of precious Ointment Being a plain Discovery of what men are worth for Eternity and how 't is like to go with them in another World There is now in the Press a New Treatise written by Mr. Thomas Brooks called Londons Lamentations Or A sober serious discourse concerning the late fiery dispensation wherein the procuring causes and the final causes of that dreadful dispensation are laid open with the duties that are incumbent both upon those who have been burnt up and upon those who have escaped those consuming flames with thirteen supports to bear up the hearts of such as have been sufferers Here are many great Objections answered and many weighty Questions resolved and variety of Arguments to prove that a little that the righteous man hath is better than the riches of the wicked with several other points of grand importance all tending to the cooling quieting setling refreshing upholding and comforting of all that have been sufferers by the late fiery calamity The Godly Mans Ark Or City of Refuge in the day of his distress discovered in divers Sermons The first of which was Preached at the Funeral of Mrs. Elizabeth Moor. Whereunto are annexed Mrs. Moors Evidences for Heaven composed and collected by her in the time of her health for her comfort in the time of sickness By Edmund Calamy B. D. and Pastor of the Church at Aldermanbury A Book of Short-Writing the most easie exact lineal and speedy method fitted to the meanest capacity composed by Master Theophilus Metcalf Professor of the said Art Also a School-master explaining the Rules of the said Book with many new additions very useful Another Book of Short-hand by Tho. Cross A Copy-book of the newest and most useful Hands with Rules whereby those that can read may quickly learn to write To which is added brief directions for true spelling and Cyphering and making divers sorts of Ink. There is now in the Press ready to be published an excellent new Book of Mr. Ralph Vennings entituled Sin the Plague of Plagues or Sinful â—on the worst â—f Evils All Printed for and are to be sold by John Hancock at the first Shop in Popes-Head-Alley in Cornhil at the sign of the three Bibles or at his Shop in Bishops-Gate-Street near great St. Hellins over against Gresham-Colledge 1669. FINIS