but what hee said was not understood raising himself towards morning as Jacob did upon his staff hee ended his blessed life with these blessed words O what a happy change shall I make from night to day from darkness to light from death to life from sorrow to solace from a factious world to a heavenly being Oh my dear brethren sisters and friends it pittieth mee to leave you behinde yet remember my death when I am gone and what I now feel I hope you shall feel e're you die that God doth and will deal familiarly with man and now thou fiery Chariot that camest down to fetch up Elijah carry mee to my happy hold and all you blessed Angels that attended the Soul of Lazarus to bring it to heaven bear mee O bear mee into the bosome of my best beloved Amen Amen Come Lord Jesus come quickly and so hee fell asleep FINIS A Table of the Chapters contained in this Book PART I. Shewing wherein the Power of GODLINESSE consists viz. CHAPTER I. IN inward Admirings and Adorings of God page 1. Chap. 2. In our high prizings of Christ p. 4. Chap. 3. In living contrary to Providences page 13. Chap. 4. In mortifying Temptations p. 15. Chap. 5. In the manner of conquering of Temptations page 21. Chap. 6. In inward Mortifications p. 27. Chap. 7. In having dominion over our thoughts page 31. Chap. 8. Wherein the Perfection of Holinesse consists as to several graces page 33. Chap. 9. In high Acts of Hope page 37. Chap. 10. In the love of God in four particulars page 40. Chap. 11. Wherein the Power of Godlinesse consists as to Knowledge or the high acts and effects of Knowledge page 46. Chap. 12. Wherein the Power of Godlinesse consists as to Humility or wherein Christian Humility chiefly consists pag. 50. Chap. 13. Wherein the Power of Godlinesse consists as to Patience or several special signs and acts of Patience page 61. Chap. 14. Of projecting and contriving how wee may glorifie God most page 63. PART II. Wherein is set down Cautions and Discoveries of several mistakes most common to the people of God CHAPTER I. THe first Caution viz. That wee should not judge our selves by the degrees of Grace page 67. Chap. 2. The second Caution That wee should take heed that the works of our General Calling justle not out the works of our particular calling page 71. Chap. 3. The third Caution which is that wee should take heed of degenerating into will-worship page 75. Chap. 4. The fourth Caution which is that especially new Converts take heed of over-burdening themselves with over-difficult or multitude of duties page 77. Chap. 5. The fifth Caution against several mistakes of the people of God in spiritual joyes and sorrowes page 79. Chap. 6. Of letting the Truths of God lie loose upon us page 89. Chap. 7. The next impediment is want of consideration page 93. Chap. 8. The next impediment is putting off God with solemn duties page 96. Chap. 9. The next impediment is carnally to think that God will bee contented with any thing page 97. Chap. 10. How not watching over our thoughts is a great hinderance to the power of Godlinesse page 107. Chap. 11. The next great impediment is endeavouring impossibilities page 109. Chap. 12. The next impediment of Holiness is our not taking heed of occasions temptations and beginnings of sin page 111. Chap. 13. The next impediment is to neglect the smaller acts either of Holinesse or sinne page 113. Chap. 14. The next impediment is our ignorance and senslesness of the sins of Omission page 117. Chap. 15. The next impediment is not to come fully off for God page 118. Chap. 16. The next great impediment is worldly company page 122. Chap. 17. The next impediment is abundance of worldly imployment page 124. Chap. 18. The next great impediment is to have a carnal opinion that it is easie to bee religious page 127. Chap. 19. The next great impediment is not to do what wee can because wee cannot do what wee would or should page 139. Chap. 20. The next impediment is that wee are not convinced of and affected with the vanity of the things of the world pa. 155. PART III. Wherein are set down several meanes and helps for attaining the Power of GODLINESSE CHAPTER I. THe first thing that is necessary for a godly life is faith page 161. Chap. 2. The second means to a godly life is to discover and mortifie our Master corruption or sin page 176. Chap. 3. The next help for the attainment of the Power of Godliness are Ejaculatory Prayers page 198. Chap. 4. The next great help and direction for attaining of Holiness is reading of holy books page 221. Chap. 5. 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 and for others page 232. Chap. 6. The next great help for the attaining of Holinesse is communion with Saints and first of solemn conferences and how to mannage them page 238. Chap. 7. Of the second great advantage that we may gain from our converse with the people of God in reference to temptations page 245. Chap. 8. Another great advantage that wee receive from our acquaintance with the people of God is in reference to their prayers page 250. Chap. 9. Of watching over one another and divers other great advantages that wee gain for the encrease of holinesse from the acquaintance with Gods people page 267. Chap. 10. Of the sixth help to a godly life which is the getting and observing of rules to guide us in indifferent actions p. 287. Chap. 11. The seventh direction for the attaining of the Power of Godlinesse viz. the choice of some grace wherein wee desire to bee most eminent in and several rules to direct our choice page 296. Chap. 12. The eighth and ninth Directions for the attaining the Power of Godliness viz. Wee ought not without just cause to leave off any duty before that effect bee wrought for which wee use it as also concerning frequent examination page 300. Chap. 13. The tenth help for the attainment and progress in holiness which is the choice of a faithful prudent director in the things of God page 312. Chap. 14. The eleventh help for the perfecting of Holiness viz. keeping of a Diary page 324. Chap. 15. The last help to a godly life wherein are set down several stories of Gods Providences examples of graces c. page 354. Books printed for Joseph Crâ—nford at the King Head in St. Pauls Church-Yards 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or the Sum of Practical Divinity practised in the Wildernesse and delivered by our Saviour in his Sermon on the Mount being observations on the fourth fifth sixth and seventh Chapters of St. Matthew to which is prefixed Prolegomena or Preface by way of Dialogue wherein the perfection and perspicuity of the Scripture is vindicated from the Calumnies of Anabaptists and Papist's by Thomas White Minister of Gods Word at Anne Aldersgate London Animadversions or the Rabinical Talmud of Rabbi John Rogers wherein is examined his Doctrine as of the Matter of a Church The duty of separation Form of a Church The subjects of Church Power c. By Zach. Crofton Minister of Gods Word at James Garlick Hythe London A Vindication of the Answer to M. Brabourn concerning the Civil Magistrates Power as to changing Church-Government wherein the Reverend M. Perkins and some Truths of God are vindicated from the lyes and scurrilous expressions cast upon them by John Collings Minister of Gods Word in Norwich The Pattern of Patience in the example of holy Job a Paraphrase upon the whole Book being an expedient to sweeten the miseries of these never enough to bee lamented times The Husbands Authority Unvailed wherein is moderately discussed whether it bee fit or lawful for a good man to beat his bad Wife A Method and instructions for the Art of Divine meditation with instances of the several kindes of solemn Meditation by Thomas White Minister of Gods Word in London Enchiridion Medicum containing the causes signes and cures of all those diseases that do chiefly affect the body of man divided into three books with Alphabetical Tables of such matters as are therein contained Whereunto is added a Treatise De facultatibus medicamentorum compositorum dosibus By Robert Bayfield Doctor of Physick in the City of Norwich The Crown of Righteousness by Thomas Watson Minister of Stephen Walbrook London The Golden Mean being some serious considerations together with some Cases of Conscience Resolved for a more full and frequent Administration of yet not free Admission unto the Sacrament of the Lords Supper by Stephen Geree Minister of Gods Word and Pastor of the Church of Abinger in the County of Surrey
is for their sakes that are simple Prov. 1.4 Psalm 19.7 Psalm 119.130 3. The way that they would have simple people take is far more intricate for they would have them believe the Church but the marks whereby the Church is to bee known as Antiquity visibility c. one cannot know except one reads over the Fathers Centuries c. which requires more time and learning a thousand-fold than that which they pretend is too difficult for them viz. reading the Scriptures They take away the Scriptures which is the Word of Truth and give them images which they call Lay-mens books which God himself faith are Teachers of lies and for their saying that hence all our errours and heresies come that every one is suffered to read the Scripture they speak contrary to that of Christ Mat. 22.29 And for this reason learned men should rather bee forbidden to read the Scripture than others since generally all Hereticks have been learned men dare they blaspheme God and say as they must if this were true Lord thou hast commanded us to read the Scriptures and hast said that they are able to make us wise to Salvation and that the cause of errour is the ignorance of the Scripture yet we finde that it is the cause of all errours and heresies and therefore though thou hast strictly commanded it wee do as strictly forbid it But I must crave pardon that I mix any thing of controversie in a Treatise that I intended to bee purely devotionary therefore I must crave pardon also that I have handled this controversie rather in a popular than Scholastical way since my main end of publishing this Treatise is not for the wise and prudent but for babes in our Saviours sense Mat. 11.25 therefore I shall now return to my former way of more practical matter and shall set down some spiritual directions for reading the Word of God with profit Directions how to read the Scripture 1. REad it as the word of God there is abundance in this very direction for if wee consider the incomprehensible Attributes of God they would all inflame us with fervent desires to read it and infallible demonstrations to believe it and strong endeavours to obey it and indeed would inable us in all other respects to read it as wee ought to read it for did we believe it to bee the Word of God as John his Revelation or Daniel his wee should doubtless read it according to these several following directions For though it is true Daniel and other of the Prophets and Apostles were more sure that their Revelations were the Word of God than wee are that the Scripture is yet not then they were that the Scripture was and is 2 Pet. 1.17 18. and indeed wee ought to take heed that is read mark and consider it until the Spirit of Christ shall arise in our hearts and make us as certain of the divine truth of it as they were therefore the first great thing is to confirm our selves of this truth that the Scripture is the Word of God But this caution I must give that wee must take heed to go about this work meerly by the strength of humane reason without craving the assistance and light of the Spirit of God not but that there are such invincible arguments and demonstrations that except one bee resolved to finde out cavils wee cannot but yeeld to this truth yet God is such an enemy to the pride of humane reason that God doth hide his truths from those that come to discover them with a carnal eye Mat. 11.25 Therefore the second direction is to read the Word of God prayingly and thou art to pray not only that God would convince thee that this is his Word but that thou mayest read it with these several following qualifications 3. Thou art to read it reverently not as other books not as books of Phylosophy and History c. but there ought to bee upon thy Spirit the awe and fear of God I do not mean that this reverence that I speak of should bee shown to the paper on which the Word of God is printed though these also as the dead bodies of Saints are not to bee used with dishonour and despight but this reverence is to bee shown to the truths promises and commands c. the sense of the Scripture do not account them as light and trivial things but read them with fear and trembling as both the matter and author of the Scripture require 4. Read the Scriptures attentively exceedingly observing and marking what is writ in them as a man that is try'd for his life diligently observes the witnesses and sentence of the Judge because his life lieth at stake so do thou mark and observe the Word of God for it is thy life Deut. 32.47 5. Read the Word of God understandingly for to read and not to understand is like looking on a sealed book therefore when thou readest mark those places verses of whose truth or meaning thou doubtest and enquire the next opportunity thou hast of some faithful Minister and enquire the meaning of them what passages thou dost not understand at the first reading upon further examination or enquiry thou mayest understand it The Virgin Mary what shee did not understand but wonder at when shee first heard shee laid up and pondered in her heart that shee might afterward understand So the vision that was shown to Peter Acts 10. though hee understood not what it meant at the present yet hee did seriously consider what God meant by it It were an excellent work if there were a clear Comment upon the Bible that might only fill up an ordinary margent and yet explain the Text so fully that wee might have a competent understanding of it I commend the Annotations commonly called The Assemblies Annotations on the Bible Dixon and Hutcheson what they have done this way and those that shall think it too great a labour to read the Scripture over with these Comments may make use of them only for the understanding of those places that are difficult to them but it is a great pity and shame that several of the Gentry spend their time either in vain and sinful recreations or in such studies as Histories Mathematicks c. and let the Bible lie by as a book not worthy to bee understood by them especially since they profess themselves to bee Christians and confess that it is the Word of God As if a Lawyer by profession should spend his whole time in other studies and understand nothing or very little of the Laws of the Land People generally think that it belongs onely to a Minister as a Minister to study and understand the Scripture but it generally proceeds from their undervaluing of the mysteries and their distasting the holiness of its commands 6. You are to read it believingly for when once you understand it the next thing is to believe which is not so in any other writing in the world for
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 Bâ—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
the same thing which was read the next meeting before the question that was then to bee discust was spoke to The questions were all practical and devotionary controversies being forbidden as being more subject to engender strife such as these what are to bee accounted vain thoughts how to bee supprest what are to bee accounted idle words and what means wee must use to avoid them how far and in what case conscience is to guide us and when not how wee are to conceive of God in our prayers whether wee are in every particular action actually to minde and intend the glory of God what it is to live by Faith c. Another way is this some select Christians agree to read such a Chapter against the next meeting and give an account of what things they take special notice of in it At another time they propose that each of them shall read some small part of a several devotionary book and give an account of the most remarkable things in it Another time they were injoyn'd that every one of them should before the next meeting chuse out some of their acquaintance that were wicked and should set to the work with all their might by prayer and conference with him with all meeknesse and long-suffering to convert him and to give an account how far they had proceeded and to receive instructions how to proceed further but the names of the persons with whom they thus dealt were to bee conceal'd Thus I have given you several instances but have omitted many circumstantials which are to bee left to and varied by Christian prudence I have been willing to particularize that if it might bee I may bee helpful to those that shall bee willing to use this excellent help of Christian set conferences and I doubt not but God will assist those that shall desire to improve them with abundance of other subjects for their discourse for if wee will poure out God will poure in One way to furnish them with profitable questions is that the question to bee diâ—cussed should not bee left to one to propose but all should bee desired to bring in writing those things that they desire satisfaction in and if they observe their readings occasional conferences and meditations they will meet with many practical devotionary subjects which will afford profitable matter for these solemn conferences and I suppose you do easily discern that there is a greater or lesse latitude as to the prudence and piety of the persons that meet according as the conference is mannaged CHAP. VII Of the second great advantage that wee may gain from our converse with the people of God in reference to temptations THe next great advantage that wee get from our acquaintance with Christians though wee cannot enjoy these solemn conferences with them is in reference to temptations and four advantages wee may gain as to them 1. Wee may know how to judge of our selves under temptations 2. Wee may learn the cure of temptations 3. How to improve them 4. How to discover divers things to bee temptations which otherwise wee should take to bee motions of the holy Spirit 1. For the judging of our condition under temptations for weak Christians that are not acquainted with the Wiles of Satan nor know how active and fruitful their own hearts are in evil think that if they are much tempted they are none of Gods children nay if they are much afflicted they have no interest in God and that they have no faith if troubled with doubtings There are very few but when they were first troubled with blasphemous thoughts have been fill'd with such horrour that they have judg'd themselves Reprobates because these thoughts have been injected by Satan for they have laid them wholly to their own charge and so have even sunk under the burthen and guilt of them but when once they come to bee acquainted with the Saints they will finde that it is the spot of Gods people And in many other kindes of temptations they will finde that as face answereth face in a glass so heart answers heart 2. For the cure of temptations As for example these blasphemous thoughts they will tell them what they do in this case viz. that these temptations have more horrour in them than guilt and it is Satans sin and not theirs since they abhor such thoughts as they do heâ—l as a chaste woman that 's ravisht it is look'd upon as her affliction and not her crime and that they use when blasphemous thoughts assault them to do as a chaste matron doth when a base wretch speaks filthy things to her shee will take no notice of his words as neer as shee can and get her out of his company so divert thy thoughts and think not over those thoughts again though to abhor them and many other such directions they will give thee from their own experience that poor soul is in a sad condition that hath no Christian acquaintance to communicate its doubts and temptations to but those that have Christian friends to communicate with as those that have chearful company and discourse in their journey that know the way their journey to heaven will bee with far fewer mistakes fears and far more delightful 3. By our Christian acquaintance wee shall learn how to improve temptations and how to bee gainers by them As for example we may bee gainers by blasphemous thoughts for one way of cure is the way to get advantage by them viz. when Satan casts in these blasphemous thoughts into thee do as they did Acts 19.34 when they thought that Alexander would speak against Diana they cried out for the space of two hours Great is Diana of the Ephesians so when Satan blasphemes God by casting in these blasphemous thoughts for it is Satan that blasphemes God and not thou break forth in the praises of God and read or sing Psalm 103.116 14â— 148. or some other Psalm that is filled with the praises of God and as if Alexander had spoken against Diana that general out-cry would have kept him from being heard so shalt thou by this means drownd the noyse of these temptations and bee a gainer by them since thy praises of God shall bee far more than those blasphemous thoughts amount to and have more holiness in them than they have guilt as to thee and when Satan sees hee is a loser by his temptations hee will bee weary of tempting of thee I remember there is a story of one that made an advantage of a temptation that assaulted him a poor man ask'd an almes of him and hee gave him something but his heart grudging that hee had given so much hee called the poor man and gave him as much more I will teach thee saith hee to his heart to bee so wicked and hee took an holy revenge of himself and Satan 4. By our acquaintance with Gods people wee shall bee able to discover divers things to bee temptations which otherwise wee should have thought
not mean that one sinnes if one leaves off a duty before wee have a sense of that frame of heart wrought in us that is suitable to the duty for wee may have such a frame of heart and not bee sensible of it So that if you desire and endeavour to get that frame and mourn under the sense of the want of it when after much fervency and wrestling with God you prevail not God will not lay it to your charge as a sin nay further it argues that you have that grace that you so earnestly desire and mourn for the want of for fervent desires after any grace are either actings or signes of that grace or both 4. Nor do I mean that as soon as ones heart is in such a frame one should leave off nay but rather should continue for a while if just occasions hinder not nayâ— indeed wee should have a suitable frame of heart before wee begin the duty and that which is most to bee wisht is that all our duties should come from our hearts or if that bee not that they should go to our hearts as thus that wee should have a broken frame of heart before wee begin our confession and that if it might bee that all our praises should be flames ascending from a heart already kindled with the love of God The next great help to a godly life is frequent examination This frequent examination may bee made several wayes 1. Wee are to examine our state and condition as to the work of grace in us as the Apostle bids us try our selves c. 2 Cor. 1.5 yet though this kinde of examination bee of singular use to awaken us and stir us up to sincerity and repentance in case wee finde our selves not to bee in the Faith as also of more holiness by way of joy and thankfulness in case we finde that wee have an interest in God yet this is not that which is to bee so frequent as other kindes of examination but having had assurance from Scripture grounds upon due and strict examination wee ought not easily to question our condition for Christ doth not take it well for us alwayes to bee questioning his love for as when our Saviour asked Peter three times Simon son of Jonas lovest thou mee Peter was grieved so wee do but grieve the Spirit of Christ when the Spirit hath witnessed with our spirits that wee are the sons of God and Christ hath manifested his love to us and yet upon every slight occasion wee say Lord Jesus lovest thou mee 2. The second kinde of examination as to our inward frame of heart is to examine the growth of our graces which is profitably at least to bee done once every year as tradesmen cast up their accounts and make up their books yearly that they may see what loosers or gainers they are at the years end and to this purpose it is profitable to keep a Diary that thereby thou mayest bee able to cast up thy account for it is impossible otherwise to remember the passages of a whole year But indeed it is convenient that the examination of the growth of our grace should bee as often as we go to the Lords Supper for to do it daily is very inconvenient nor indeed can we perceive whether wee are grown or no As when wee look upon the shadâ—w on a Sun Dial except we stay some considerable while though it hath moved the distance is so small it cannot be perceived but if wee stay a quarter of an hour wee may easily perceive that it hath moved So from Sacrament to Sacrament is a considerable distance but yearly examination concerning this matter is as long a distance as may bee allowed if it bee not too much 3. But the main thing here intended is to examine our actions and there are three particulars in that 1. Wee must consider in the morning what wee have to do that day and what temptations are incident to our several actions and imployments and how wee may mannage all our businesses and affairs most for the glory of God the edification of our brethren and the salvation of our own souls As for the considering how to mannage our imployments most prudently for our temporal lawful advantage is a duty in its season being rightly qualified but it is a sin when thoughts of that nature steal away any portion of that time which wee set apart for the immediate service of God By this daily morning pre-examination wee may bee in a competent measure fore-armed and provided for all ordinary fore-known business 2. But there are many actions and businesses that are occasional that one could not foresee at any considerable distance yet even those wee should pre-examine and fore-think what wee are to do before wee do it And as Polititians do nothing without considering how far it may bee for their interest and how far not so we should think when any one comes to speak with us c. what advantages Satan may get and how far that action may bee improved to the glory of God and then do as Nehemiah did make thy prayers to the God of heaven to direct thee to do what thou hast to do for if thou doest any thing without this examination four great inconveniences come of it 1. You will fall into many sins which you might have easily seen and avoided 2. Though thou doest that which is right or doest not fall into those sinnes that are incident to such actions yet it is little thanks to thee no more than it is to a sleeping Watchman that the City is not taken 3. Many opportunities of doing good pals by thee unobserved 4. For want of this watchfulnesse and consideration which is all one or at least includes examination wee do not what wee do in the service of God with an actual intention of honouring of him and an actual intention of honouring God doth much add to the holiness of the action and Gods acceptance of it 3. Another kinde of examination should bee post-examination that is to consider and examine our actions discourses duties c. after they are ended for many passages will not seem to bee sinful or not so sinful when we look upon them before our doing of them as they will do after for the temptations of pleasure profit c. which intice us to the committing of a sin do either altogether cease or very much abate of their vigour when the sin is committed so that thou wilt by post-examination discover many sinnes which by pre-examination thou couldst not What was one of the great causes of the wickedness of the Jewes but that no man considered with himself and said what have I done Jer. 8.6 So that there bee three questions What have I to do that 's pre-examination What do I that 's co-examination and what have I done that 's post-examination The first is to bee performed in the morning The second when any unforeseen imployment or business comes
upon us and the last to bee done at night when wee take a review of all the passages of the day CHAP. XIII The tenth help for the attainment and progress in holiness which is the choice of a faithful prudent director in the things of God IT is evident that onely in the things of God we are negligent in such things we account that a burthen and disgrace which we do not so account in any thing else nay wee pray and wait and pay for that in the matters of the world which in the things of God though we bee entreated to receive freely we refuse and if forced by any Church constitution wee call it imposing and tyranny I shall instance in some few things For our Children wee seek out the ablest most experienced and strictest Schoole-masters so they be milde withall and such as are most careful and frequent in hearing examining and directing our Children wee like them best we are at great charges for theiâ— education and indeed one can hardly bee prodigall in that case alwaies provided it bee not in teaching of them vanities as in dancing travelling to see fashions c. and if in many years they attain to exactnesse in the tongues and arts we think their time and our money well bestowed and make much of their School-Masters and Tutors and they deserve it and their whole time they spend in the attainment of these things but as for the matters of God we think wee can attain it without any Tutor to direct us in them without spending any considerable time attention or money therein as if our souls onely were the things that wee need not care for or could without any help furnish with piety and knowledge Physitians and Lawyers how are their Houses and Chambers frequented but for Ministers wee think it enough if we hear them preach without desiring any personal directions or instructions in spiritual matters Which are notwithstanding as necessary and profitable for our progress in holinesse as the former are in matters of this World And the Papists do press auricular confession and blind obedience to all the commands of their Priests and so have mixed the advantages that wee ought to endeavour to have from Ministers with so many superstitions and so much will worship that it hath made people neglect those benefits that they may reap that way and indeed peoples unwillingness to give that due honour and subjection that they owe to Ministers makes them so much decry the superstitions of Popery that they neglect their own duty When any one goes to learn arts or Languages hee that teacheth them first by speaking with them understands how farre they have proceeded and by that is enabled to give them suitable directions he directs them what lessons and books they shall read and takes a strict and frequent account of them and they are very exact in following their method and directions so that though other books or lessons may seem more pleasing to them yet they deny themselves as for Example in Musick there is a method in teaching First the plain notes and longer time after that shorter time and so giving them lessons as they are capable of them but those that rather chuse the pleasantest than the best way will rather learn some tunes they know than to go on methodically and so never attain any perfection in the Art so in Arithmetick Mathematicks if the directions of the Tutor bee not followed they will finde far more difficulty and uncertainty Doubtless there are many inconveniences that come for want of directions in the matters of knowledge and practise of Religion some from open profaneness and ignorance fall upon the study and disputes of the highest points of Divinity at first and before they are in any measure grounded in the Fundamentals of Religion they fall upon points that are so knotty that Ministers of the greatest abilities are not able to untye and new beginners being received with such doubtful and difficult disputations it is no marvel that they turn either Athiests or Hereticks It is true that those that are grounded and established Christians do less want but I suppose are more desirous of further directions and instructions in the matters of God but surely for beginners there is a kinde of necessity or great conveniency this way for Sermons are somewhat too general and cannot meet with the personal particular cases of every one but this way will but pride ignorance and profanenesse makes people loath to come to the light because their deeds are evil and Ministers have lost that honour and authority that God hath and people ought to give them and this is the peoples loss more than theirs for what care we for honour or dishonour if the work of God might go on as well with the one as with the other yet many cautions ought to bee observed concerning this matter 1. As concerning the person whom we are to chuse to bee our spiritual tutor for great care need to be had whom we chuse especially for grown Christians for as for others that are new beginners those that are of lesser knowledge and experience and prudence may serve and by a simile I shall set down most of the rules that concern this matter as those that cannot so much as read need not to go to School to the eminentest Scholars to teach them but those of inferiour gifts will serve the turn so those that are very ignorant of the things of God may bee instructed until they make a further progress by private Christians which that Minister whom they shall chuse for their Director shall commend them to And this I would also have every one take special care of what Minister it is whom they chuse for their Tutor let him bee one of good report of great prudence experience and leisure if it may be and one that is ready to teach and to instruct Now as it was with Moses it must be with Ministers they are to chuse out of their Congregation some that are so qualified viz. prudent experienced Christians c. to whom they are to commit the more ignorant sort that they might hear cases of lesser importance and instruct Christians of weaker abilities and those cases that are of greater weight and difficulty are to be decided by themselves and those Elders like Ushers are to fit them for the Ministers further instruction of them So that as when Scholars come to a School if the School-Master findes them not to have learned so far as to fit them for those Formes that are under his immediate teaching he refers them to the teaching of his Usher till they bee made fit for himself So a Minister should have divers to whom he may commend those who have made little progress in the knowledge of spiritual truths who may build them up until they bee made fit for himselfe for if all should bee under his immediate inspection the burthen would be too great for him to
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