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ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A96372	A treatise of the power of godlinesse: consisting of three parts. 1 wherein it consists. 2 cautions against, and discoveries of, several mistakes and hinderances, most common to the people of God. 3 several means and helps for attaining of it. / By Thomas White, preacher of Gods Word in London.	White, Thomas, Presbyterian minister in London.	1658 (1658)	Wing W1848; Thomason E1848_1; ESTC R209711	168,479	438

what book soever you read or Minister you hear when you do understand what they mean you are to examine whether it be a truth or no which they teach but as for the Scripture you are not to say How can this be but whether this bee the meaning of the words for the sense of the Scripture when once known is not to bee examined any further since there is no truth more evident by which the Scripture it being taken for the Word of God can bee tryed for since it is Gods Word it is as true as that God is true for since truth is essential unto God it is all one to deny that God is true as to deny that God is as since roundness is essential to a circle it is all one to say it is not round as to say it is not a circle 7. Wee are to read it applyingly Indeed divers commands were personal divers are in respect of their Office as to Ministers Magistrates divers were typical those that were personal as the command to Abraham to offer his Son so is not to bee applyed to any other save only to the equivalency of it viz. that nothing should bee so dear unto us but though in case God do require it wee should bee willing to part with it As for those commands that are typical they are ceased those that belong to any one as having such an Office are not to bee applied to any but of that office but as for the promises wee must not think that they were made to those to whom they were made because they were such or such but because they were so qualified viz. the promises were not made to Abraham as Abraham but to Abraham as believing Abraham and that promise which was made personally to him and confirmed with an oath was not made or confirmed by an oath that Abraham should have strong consolation only but that all the heirs of promise should have strong consolation also Heb. 6.14 17. compared together 8. Thou must read it frequently But because I have spoken more largely in that little Treatise viz. Directions to Christian Perfection I shall proceed to nominate what other books I would advise you to read CHAP. V. Wherein is set down a Catalogue of several books for the ignorant and poorer sort who in respect of their poverty cannot buy and of their ignorance cannot understand books of greater value and depth AFter my commending of the constant daily serious understanding reverent applying believing and conscionable reading of the holy Scriptures to all persons whatsoever 1. Bee they never so learned since the very Angels themselves desire to look into those mysteries though they despise the learnedst book that ever were writ by men as wonderfully below them 2. Though they bee the holiest knowingest and most experienc'd Saints since the Prophets and Apostles who themselves were pen-men of Scripture did read and meditate on and admire and study the Word of God as David Daniel Peter c. and did account it not less sure than the Revelations that God gave them Wee have a surer word of Prophecy 2 Pet. 1.19 and the more experience wee have of Gods goodnesse should not make us abate at all of our earnest desires of the Word of God for if wee have tasted how good the Lord is wee should still as much desire the sincere milk of the Word that wee may grow thereby delighting and being affected with it as wee were with that Sermon or that truth of Gods Word by which wee were converted as wee were the first day that wee were born of God 1 Peter 2.2 3. I say after such reading of the Scripture that the truths therein contain'd may be better understood and the commands thereof better practis'd to those specified in the title of this Chapter I commend these books following 1. The Plain-mans Path-way to heaven a book which partly because it goes by way of Dialogue as also because it answers the common objections of simple people against Religion as also because it writes very plain and stoops to the capacitie of the meanest I do highly commend it to such people to read The next is The Practice of Piety These two books I think next to the Scripture have done as much good as any two books in the Christian world The next book I shall commend is Mr. Balls Catechisme a book of great use and much solidity The next which is of super-eminency in its kinde is The Confession of Faith the larger and shorter Catechismes of the Assembly of Divines Another book of small price and bulk which after you are wel grounded in the principles of Religion set down in the former is a book called The fiery Pillar which hath very much in a little You may add to these for the better stirring you up to holiness and discovering of your spiritual condition Mr. Wheatleys New birth and his Sermon of the Redemption of time and Fenner of final impenitence and Mr. Shepherds sincere convert and sound believer Mr. Scudders daily walk is also a solid and very useful book Mr. Perkins his six principles and Mr. Dod upon the Commandments I am not willing to omit For those that are of a troubled conscience Doctor Sibbs his Bruised Reed and Souls Conflict As also Simmons his Deserted Souls case and cure are very good of which the two former are the plainest Mr. Baxter of the same subject 2. For those who in respect of their estates and capacities are able to buy books of greater price and understand books of higher knowledge FOr those that desire to encrease further in knowledge let them read Amesius his Medulla and Cases of Conscience and Calvins Institutions which are all translated into English for those that have large families especially of children I shall commend B●ards Theatre of Gods Judgments as also Clerks Martyrology not but these two last books as well as the rest are fit for men of riper Judgements to read but because they are most fit for children and others of weak capacity for examples are easily remembred and understood and take deeper impression generally than precepts The Theatre of Gods Judgements sets down the Judgements of God upon blasphemers murderers swearers drunkards Sabbath-breakers disobedient children and therest of the sins against the ten Commandments and the Martyrology setting down the innocence holiness constancy of the Martyrs as also the mighty supports comforts that God gave unto them in their sufferings it will exceedingly provoke them up to an holy resolution to suffer for his sake who never leaves his comfortless nor forsaken and that which I very much intend in the reading of Martyrology is that they may bee brought to an utter hatred and detestation of Popery for they shall finde that there have been more massacred and butchered and greater cruelties and breaches of oaths vowes covenants by the Papists than ever were used since the world began by all the enemies of God and for a further

commend this only upon that account not as a thing of absolute necessity but if any better way can bee found for the performance of those duties mentioned in this Chapter or a better model for keeping a Diary as I doubt not but many may be use them but in the mean time neglect not the using of any because you cannot have the best 5. I understand not this question it is somewhat like a question once proposed to me I pressing one of my Parishioners some years since to minde holiness make it his business and to spend one hour a day reading and praying c. and giving more particular directions for the daily time set apart for Gods service after by many evasions and excuses hee endeavoured to shift off this exhortation all which by Gods assistance I having taken off and answered hee at last in some discontent asked mee why I should offer to press him to spend an hour a day in the immediate service of God c. Had I prest any of the neighbours to it or did I ever press it to any other before Why should hee be the first that I should speak to So it is for you to ask Why should I bee the first that should keep a Diary Though let mee tell you thou art not the first as I suppose of thousands yet because Scripture is the soundation of all matters of Piety therefore I shall shew many places where the year the moneth the day of the moneth is set down when such and such things were done when the waters abated and the tops of the mountains first appeared when the Ark rested when the earth was quite dry the very day when Moses spake to the people such and such things the very moneth day and year of Solomons Reign and from the children of Israels coming out of Egypt is set down when the Temple began to bee built and the very day when it was finished the very year and moneth and day when Nebuchadnezzar came up against Jerusalem and when the famine began c. Gen. 8.4 5 13 14. Exod. 19.1 Deut. 1.3 1 Kings 6.1 38. 2 Kings 25.1 3 8 2 Kings 25.27 And as for the Prophet Ezekiel hee hath kept a perfect Diary of several times when the Word of the Lord came unto him and divers other circumstances added also besides the year moneth and day as of place where and persons with whom hee was as by these places following plainly appears Ezekiel 1.1 2. Ezek. 8.1 Ezek. 20.1 Ezek. 24.1 Ezek. 26.1 Ezek. 29.1.31.1.32.1.40.1 Why should the Spirit of God write down so particularly the year the moneth and the day surely it is for our instruction there may bee some spiritual advantage got by knowing the very day when the Lord did bestow such or such a mercy c. then only to know that God did bestow it on us but not know when This was not only the practise of Ezekiel but of other Prophets also as Jer. 29.1 2 Hagg. 1.1 Hagg. 2.1 10 20. so if you observe the book of Psalmes there are 99. that are ascribed to David 74. have his name prefixt 25. of them have no name prefixt yet some of them the Scripture it self entitles David to Acts 4.29 Heb. 4.7 and Ainsworth supposeth the rest of the 25. to bee his also Now you shall finde in those Psalmes as it were a Diary of the most remarkable passages of Davids life nay you shall finde in many of the Psalmes the very prayers and meditations that David had upon several particular occasions as in these Psalmes following 51.52.54.56.57.59.60 so Psal 3. and many others as by their several titles do appear How often do you finde mention of Nathan the Prophet Gad the Seer Ahijah the Shilonite Jaddai Shemmajah Iddo c. these were private Records or Diaries kept by them of remarkable passages that concern'd the Church of God and that expression is not this written in the book of Jasher Joshua 10.13 and 2 Sam. 1.18 cannot bee meant of any particular person for the same person could not live from Joshua till the time of David but the meaning is Is it not written in the book of the Just for holy men in those times and since used to keep Records of the special mercies and judgements of God as Grotius observes and the very title of the book of Chronicles signifies the words of daies Now it is evident that in civil matters also not only the Kings of Israel and the Kings of Judah did keep Diaries for where you read Is it not written in the book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Israel and in the book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Judah those are meant but even Heathen Emperours as Julius Caesar writ his own Commentary that is Diary so the word signifies Tyberius Caesar and Augustus Caesar had their Diurnos Commentarios as Gasper Sanctius in his Prolegomena to the Kings observes So Ahasuerus and the Kings of Persia had Secretaries by them continually to write down all that they did and said and all that befel them as Diodate upon Hester 2.23 observes I have been a little larger in this business because people think it is a new thing and that there are no Scripture proofes at all for it to prove it either a profitable or an ancient practise among the people of God but doubtless as I have said if there were no spiritual advantage to be got to know the particular times of matters the Scripture would never have been so punctual and particularly in setting of them down But to prosecute this a little further do but consider that whether you keep a Diary or no God doth Revel 20.12 and in his Diary are all your sins and all your good works set down surely if it were possible for us to see it every minute wee should see something written either in the black Register of our sins or in the Records of our good works and it would startle us if an Angel should be by us and we should see him write down every idle word as wee speak it and tell us this you must answer for at the day of Judgement it would make us more watchfull yet though wee cannot see this done nor read what is written in those books yet wee may do something towards it by keeping a Diary of our own and by judging and condemning our selves out of our own wee may prevent our being judged and condemned out of Gods Diary nor was David ignorant of this truth that God doth keep several books of Records to speak after the manner of men some where our sins are written down Psalm 51.9 for blotting out supposeth writing down and other where the members of our bodies are set down Psalm 139.16 A third book that David observes that God keeps is of the afflictions and tears of his people of their several wanderings when they are driven from place to place and as for their tears hee bottles them up and writes

detestation of Popery against which we need now especially more than ever to arm our selves You may read Mr. Squires Lectures or Sermons upon the 2. of Thes 2. I shall also commend to those who have a larger purse Mr. Hildersham upon the 51. Psalm and fourth of John books that are written as the oracles of God who is the fullest of Scripture and the best Text-man that ever I read or as I think is extant in the world and is so singularly eminent a book so plain and so profitable that it may bee understood by the lowest capacities and admired by the greatest Divines that was famous through the Christian world for learning and for piety and humility of those that were acquainted with him The Arch Bishop of Armaugh did exceedingly prize Hildersham Doctor Prestons works are singularly good the best of them is his Tract of Gods Attributes Mr. Baxters Saints everlasting rest is a book for piety and working upon the affections so eminent that I do not know any beyond it I must not forget to commend that solid Orthodox spiritual book Anthony Burgesse his spiritual Refines There is also a small rational spiritual searching and very eminent book called Pinks Tryal of our sincere love to Christ Memorandum that through ignorance not knowing the books or through inanimadvertency or for want of judgment or because I would not multiply Authors it may bee I have not named many Authors which are better than those which are here nominated but these are very good and the best that I think I know in their kinde and for those persons and that end for which I have given these directions CHAP. VI. The next great help for the attaining of holiness is communion with Saints and first of solemn conferences and how to mannage them THere are many rare spiritual advantages that are to bee gain'd by our communion with Saints by conferences and combinations with them by their example gifts graces c. of which I shall speak in order Now conferences are either occasional or solemn As for occasional conferences I shall say little onely I shall advise that you should improve your acquaintance with every Saint according to your intimacy with them mark what grace they are most eminent in as suppose it bee humility observe their carriage especially as to that grace for their example will bee much more eminent in that than in other graces so that from their carriage you will understand that which I have spoke of in the beginning of this Treatise wherein the power of Godliness consists as to humility If their eminency lies in their ability to confute errours then enquire of them what are the best arguments against such and such an errour if they are most able for the resolving of spiritual doubts or cases of conscience direct your discourse that way as Scholars use to discourse with other Scholars of that wherein they are most eminent But I shall especially treat concerning solemn and set conferences and those may bee mannaged several wayes to much advantage some of them I shall mention The first way is for a number of understanding and experienced Saints to meet 1. at a prefixt hour for else it will occasion the loss of much time if that be not observ'd 2. Let the question they intend to speak to bee given the week or meeting before for their discourses will bee much more mature solid and deliberate 3. Let every one speak to the question succinctly pertinently orderly and when all the rest have spoken let the Minister for I judge it convenient hee should bee one give his judgement and resolution of the point This hath been one way that I have known of mannaging Christian conferences another hath been this some select experienced prudent Saints of a long standing met together they begin with a short but fervent prayer for a blessing upon their conference the subject of their conferences was only spiritual experiences viz. every one told the manner and method of their conversion which took up several meetings they communicated their answers of prayers those that have been in desertions if they remember how they fell into them what their doubts were and how resolv'd and how afterwards they were delivered at other times to communicate their experiences as to joyes and as to the manifestations and discoveries that God made of himself unto them what promise or other place of Scripture was the golden pipe that conveyed these cordials to them for the Spouse desires to bee kist with the kisses of his mouth for joyes that spring not from the Word of God are to bee suspected They told also what were the effects of those joyes Another subject of their discourse was to tell what they knew of other Saints and their experiences concerning the former matters Another was to tell what their life and conversation was and the rules they walked by as to eating drinking sleeping c. At another time they have brought forth the chief places of Scripture which they have written down wherein they have found most relish most support best directions in matters concerning their conversation or those that they accounted most eminent upon any spiritual account especially in those cases for which it is hard to finde out places of Scripture to direct us in As for example What example what place of Scripture have you to prove that the thoughts that Christ had of his own excellencie makes him more ready to give an example of love and humility to his people methinks that is a singular place John 13.3 4. that Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands and that hee was come from God and went to God hee riseth from Supper c. What place doth set forth the superexcellencie of God most Nehemiah 9.5 Blessed bee thy glorious Name that is exalted above all blessing and above all praise And so Exod. 15.11 Who is like unto thee O Lord among the Gods Who is like thee glorious in holinesse fearful in praises doing wonders And when all was done one repeated the substance of what was spoke and this they did one by one in their course one one day and another the next Another way was this divers Christians being met together and the subject being proposed the meeting before every one brought their answers in writing confining themselves to half a quarter of a sheet of paper which papers that no one might know whose papers they were that were to bee read were put into a book by them that writ them that whatsoever was amiss in any paper they that own'd it might not have the shame of their errour or ignorance it not being known whose it was then all the papers being read what was amiss was corrected and what was wanting was added what was doubted of was resolved by the Ministers that were present when all was done the papers were committed to one who wrote all of them into a book where they did not speak

day of Fasting and Prayer put F in the margent and so in other things common prudence will direct Thus you see that I have shown you how easie a thing it is to keep a Diary and how little time it takes up yet notwithstanding I could wish you would write your Diary somewhat larger as when your affections are raised in reading the Scripture to set down the verse which most affects you so when you hear a Sermon when you come home to write down those passages that most affect you and most concern you So when you make any vow to write down what was the especial occasion of making that vow so when you finde your heart somewhat dead in duties to set down what the cause was of that deadness if you can finde it out whether it was for want of preparation or some sin the day before which caused God to withdraw himself So if God comes in with any special comforts write down that place of Scripture which was the golden pipe that convey'd them for generally as I have elsewhere said his comforts are the kisses of his mouth that is something that the mouth of the Lord hath spoken some passage in the Word of God brings our comforts This was that which quickened David in his afflictions Psalm 119.50 This is that which David did especially praise God for Psa 56.4 and 10. for this it seems was that which convey'd to him all his comforts Or if God doth any other way satisfie thy fears and doubts as I remember it is related in the life of Mr. Murcate that when hee was once in great doubts of Gods love towards him this was darred into his soul with a great deal of evidence and power If I am not thy father am I thine enemy And at another time upon the like occasion If I am not thy father why doest thou follow after mee This is set down with many other singular passages in a Diary hee kept which was found in his Study after his death But for all particular directions it is almost impossible to set them down but either God will direct you if you set to consider what is to bee done in the case or consult with some experienced friend that keeps a Diary only I shall add this because it concernes most Christians as Scholars may set St to signifie studying because that is the work of their particular calling so others whose particular callings are trades or Merchandise c. they may set down a great E to signifie Employment c. The next objection is I have not skill I know not how to keep a Diary For that I think I have already in some considerable measure answered by setting down several directions and have also told you that for other particulars that may occur you must have recourse to some experienced Christian only I shall add this that I would have you leave about four leaves at the beginning of your book you intend for a Diary each leaf divided into five parts thus and thus super-scribed Vowes Prayers Manifestations and deliverances Answers Sinnes Septemb 3. November 6. January 10. March 9. April 2. November 10. December 10. March 11. April 13. May 7 March 16. February 16. August 8. July 3. June 9 The reason of doing this which will bee very little trouble since all these heads do seldome occur is that you may speedily finde out what vowes you have made and so know whether you have performed them what prayers you have made and whether they have been answer'd what extraordinary manifestations you have had like that of Mr. Murcate or of like nature and whether you have given special thanks and praise to God for them so you may easily see what grosser failings you have been guilty of and whether you have particularly humbled your soul before God for them As soon as ever you made any vow prayer or received any deliverance c. you are to enter the day under the respective head and when you have performed the vow or your prayer bee heard or given thanks for the mercy or particularly repented of the sin you are to draw a line under the respective day of the moneth under that head But you will object by this means all my doings shall bee made publike to all the world when I die which may be very scandalous to Religion in several cases and to make ones graces and comforts known though after death may bee an occasion or act of pride while wee live To this I answer 1. If thy sin bee publikely known thou shouldst do something to make thy repentance as publikely known as David did Psalm 51. but if it bee secret thou mayest have a secret mark in thy Diary to signifie it which none can know but thy self and as for Gods manifestations and mercies of that nature towards thee as answers of prayers comforts c. thou shouldst not bee too willing to conceal them but willing to make them known to some of Gods people Psal 66.16 But if thou canst write Short hand all this is answered or else it is probable God may give thee so long time before thy death to dispose of matters as to give thy Diary into the hand of some Christian friend Object 2 is Why do you press this as a duty though not absolutely necessary to all yet of great spiritual advantage How comes it then that so many eminent Saints do not have not kept a Diary I answer 1. Suppose through ignorance they have neglected this duty will you therefore conclude that it is unprofitable to them that know it Eminent Saints may live all their lives in a sin of omission and commission as for instance in Poligamy though our Saviour proves it to bee a sin from the beginning Mat. 19.5 6. So also for meditation I suppose it hath been very much neglected amongst Christians I mean as to the making of it a solemn particular duty and yet solemn meditation is of singular use 2. How do you know what eminent Saints have done or what they do for such things as these are kept so secret communicated it may bee not to the most bosome friends 3. Some you say do not keep Diaries and others do keep Diaries and I suppose I shall sufficiently shown you the footsteps of keeping a Diary in the practises of the Saints in Scripture 4. Suppose no such thing hath been done doth that argue that it 's not convenient to bee done now Printing hath not been many years shall wee therefore decry it as not expedient so the Scripture hath not been long distinguished into verses nor alwayes into Chapters Do wee rather chuse Bibles not so distinguished and account such distinctions and divisions useless doubtless though as to Ordinances wee ought not by our humane prudence to invent any that are new and not commanded in Scripture yet as for the decent orderly mannaging of them as may be most to edification Christian prudence is very useful and wee