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ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A17397	The marrovv of the oracles of God. Or, diuers treatises containing directions about sixe of the waightiest things can concerne a Christian in this life. by N. Bifield, late preacher of Gods Word at Isleworth in Middlesex.	Byfield, Nicholas, 1579-1622.; Byfield, Nicholas, 1579-1622. Beginning of the doctrine of Christ. aut; Byfield, Nicholas, 1579-1622. Spirituall touchstone. aut; Byfield, Nicholas, 1579-1622. Signes of the wicked man. aut; Byfield, Nicholas, 1579-1622. Promises. aut; Rules of a holy life. aut; Byfield, Nicholas, 1579-1622. Cure of the feare of death. aut	1630 (1630)	STC 4222; ESTC S120511	234,877	800

can men draw neere vnto God in the full assurance of faith if they will not be at the paines to examine themselues Heb. 10. 22. Or how shall we euer know that wee are of God or attaine vnto any confidence of faith as we ought to doe 1 Ioh. 5. 19. Eph. 3. 12. How fearefully this point of sound triall is neglected and how miserably most men are deceiued for want of it may appeare by this obseruation which may vsually be made of men in the most places viz. that many that are carnall men say they are godly and many that are godly men say they are but carnall Besides that a multitude of men both good and bad liue in securitie the one not caring to get out of so wofull an estate and the other not regarding the riches of Assurance The causes of this miserable securitie may be obserued and noted both in wicked and in godly men In wicked men these things may be easily discerned 1 A lothnesse to examine themselues and try their estates exactly for feare lest they should finde that they are not in a good estate Their hearts secretly condemne them and they thinke if they should take particular notice of their owne condition it would be found that they haue indeed no true grace in them and therefore they rather chuse to liue in that doubtfull estate then to be put out of doubt and made to know that they haue yet no right to the Kingdome of heauen neuer considering that the knowledge of our misery may be one degree to get out of it 2. In such as see all is not well with them the cause is slothfulnesse mingled with horrible presumption they had rather weare out their dayes in danger then be at the paines to vse the means for their owne repentance and reformation they will wretchlesly put it to the venture 3. Others will aduenture vpon their common hope of mercy they haue certaine generall confused apprehensions of mercy in God vpō which they wilfully engage their hopes without care of reformation or the particular warrant of their hopes from the Word of God and so miserably perish their hopes prouing but as the house of the Spider and the imaginarie mercy failing them they die either as stockes without sense or as Iudas in horrible despaire 4. Others rest themselues vpon their outward profession of Religion and some general things wrought in them and the good opinion others haue of them so being somewhat neare the kingdome of God they are content to rest there as the Israelites did neare Canaan though they neuer possessed it We see many think there needsno more to be sure they are in a good cōdition then to heare Sermons abstaine from grosse outward prophannesse and to be well reputed of among the godly c. pleasing themselues with the shew of godlinesse though as yet they deny the power of it as hauing attained to other righteousnesse then the righteousnesse of the S●…ribs and Pharises 5. In multitudes of men there are seated euill opinions about assurance They thinke either it is impossible to bee had or it is needlesse or it is presumption to seeke it 6. All wicked men are hindered by their beloued sinnes which they are not willing to part with but of purpose forbeare the care of heauen that they may the more securely liue in sinne Thus of wicked men It is true also that many godly Christians haue beene and are extreamly faulty in neglecting the triall of their estates and their assurance and the causes of this negligence in them are diuerse as 1. Some are so much mis-led by the surmises of their owne hearts that they think that assurance would breed security and that it is a better way to keepe their owne hearts humble to be somewhat doubtfull not knowing that vnbeliefe is the chiefe cause of slothfulnesse and securitie and that the assurance of faith is the chiefe meanes to purge the heart and quiet the soule and works effectually in all the duties of loue 2. In the most Ignorance of their owne gifts and Gods promises is the cause for if Christians did see distinctly how far the Lord hath brought them by his grace and withall did behold the euidences of their faith and hope in Gods promises they should not faile of comfort and establishment of heart 3. Smothering of doubts and temptations is a great let in many diuers Christians are secretly and daily assaulted with certaine strange doubts which if they did propound get sound answer vnto their hearts would heale within them and the worke of faith prosper 4. Some Christians are kept without assurance through the ouermuch viewing of their owne daily infirmities in all parts of Gods seruice They are wicked ouermuch wheras if they would study those Scriptures that shew how graciously the Lord stands inclined toward his people notwithstanding their daily wants their hearts would be much eased and their minds cleerely resolued to trust vpon the euerlasting mercies of their God 5. In some the cause is found in the disease of their bodies Melancholy when it is growne to a disease is a most stiffe and pertinacious aduersary to Comfort and Assurance it doth fill the heart with so many sad conceits and fancies and is an humour so vnteachable that comfort for the most part is as water spilt vpon the ground And the more difficult it is to remoue this let because vsually the parties possest by this humour are so far from seeking help that they will not be perswaded that they are troubled with any such disease 6. Some Christians are hindred by their owne Passions they are so froward and vnquiet in their dispositions that their hearts are daily lifted off from the benefit of setled assurance by their own habituall discont●…nts Frowardnes is a mischieuous distemp●…r that weakens both body and minde and assurance and strength of faith seldome dwels in an vnquiet minde 7. Others want assurance because they neglect the meanes of assurance they doe not try all things and keepe that which is good or they call not vpon God daily feruently and constantly to giue them the spirit of reuelation to shew them the hope of their calling and their glorious inheritance Eph. 1. 18 19. 8. A barren life is an vncomfortable life and contrariwise to abound in good workes hath stedfastnesse and a secret rest of heart as an vnseparable companion of it 9. The loue of earthly things is another great impediment Many professours haue their thoughts and cares so eaten vp with worldlinesse that they cannot seriously seeke Gods Kingdome nor constantly hold out in any course for the attainement of assurance This degree of faith requires some degree of the contempt of the world 10. In some there lodgeth some secret sin which they know and do not purge themselues for and doth daily preuaile in them and

his heart 7. Seuenthly if wee consider the issue out of all troubles Many may be the troubles of the righteous but God will deliuer them out of them all Psalme 34. 19. If God make vs sore he will make whole if he wound hee will binde vs vp againe In sixe troubl●…s he shall deliuer them and in seuen there shall no euill touch them I●…b 5. 18 19. God will giue his people rest from the daies of aduersity till the pit be digged for the wicked Ps. 94. 13. Light is sowne for the righteous and gladnes for the vpright in heart Psa. 67. 11. It is wel said It is sowne for though God doe not presently giue vs ease and comfort yet the haruest will come if with patience wee rest vpon God and be truely sincere and keepe his way God will settle his people as in the former daies and it may bee doe better vnto them then at the beginning Ezech 36. 11. For Gods thoughts towards his people are thoughts of peace and not of euill to giue an expected end Ier. 29. 11. so as Gods seruants shall sing for ioy of heart when wicked men howle for vexation of spirit Esay 65. 14. 8. Eightly if we consider the wond●…rfull care of God about the measure of our crosses For God will not lay vpon man more then right that he should enter into iudgement with God Iob 34. 23. Therefore Iacob should not feare because God will not make a full and finall end of him as he will of the Nations but will correct him in measure not leauing him wholly vnpunished Ieremie 46. 28. God doth waite to be gracious to his people hee is a God of iudgement and doth not consider what sinne they haue committed to deserue affliction but what strength they haue to beare it After hee hath giuen them the bread of affliction and the water of aduersity he will not restraine his mercies from them Esa. 30. 18 20. There is great difference betwixt Gods dealing with wicked men that are enemies to the Church and his dealing with the godly From hence the Prophet asketh Hath hee smitten them as hee smot them that smot him And resolueth that God smites in measure and but in the branches hee will not cut them vp by the rootes Esay 27. 7 8. 9. Ninthly If we consider the short time of these afflictions Heauinesse may bee in the euening but ioy will come in the morning For Gods anger endureth but a moment but in his fauour is life Psal. 30. 5. The rod of the wicked shall not rest on the lot of the righteous Psa. 125. 3. For the Lord will not cast off for euer but though he cause griefe yet will he haue compassion according to the multitude of his tender mercies Lam. 3. 31 32. For a small moment God may forsake but with great mercy will he gather vs. In a little wrath hide I my face but with euerlasting kindnesse will I haue mercy on thee saith the Lord thy Redeemer Esay 54. 7 8. Hence Christ saith A l●…le while and ye shall not see mee And againe A little while and yee shall see me Ioh. 16. 16. The godly may be in heauinesse if need require but it is but for a short season 1 Peter 〈◊〉 6. And Paul saith The afflictions of this life are but light and for a moment 2 Cor. 4. 17. 10. Lastly If we consider the good we get by these afflictions For God will make all worke together for the best vnto them that loue him Rom. 8. 28. The godly may be troubled on euery side and yet not be distressed They may bee perplexed and yet haue no cause to despaire c. 2 Cor. 4. 8. The godly in affliction may bee like the burning bush which Moses saw which was not consumed And there are many particulars of the good they get by their crosses For affliction is as the fire onely to refine them and trie them and make them more bright Zach. 13. vlt. they lose nothing but their drosse and this is all fruite euen the taking away of their sinnes Esay 27. 9. Besides they meete with many consolations in affliction which otherwise they had not experience of 2 Cor. 1. 7. and therefore we should count it all ioy to fall into many temptations as knowing that the tryall of our faith worketh patience and if patience haue her perfect worke wee shall bee entire wanting nothing Iam. 1. 3 4. Lastly the tryall of our faith which is more precious then gold that perisheth will bee found vnto praise and honour and glory in the reuelation of Iesus Christ 1 Pet. 1. 7. and our light and short afflictions will worke vnto vs an eternall weight of glory 2 Cor. 4. 17. and if wee endure temptation we shall receiue the crowne of life Iames 1. 12. Lo thus wee haue searched it and thus it is heare it and know thou it for thy good Iob 5. vlt. Learne thou therefore in nothing to bee carefull but in all things to make thy request knowne vnto God with giuing of thankes Phil. 46. And if any man lacke wisedome to know what to doe in affliction let him aske it of God who giueth liberally and reproacheth no man Iam. 1. 5. CHAP. V. How the godly may comfort themselues against reproaches HItherto of the comforts against all outward afflictions in general Now it followeth that I instance in reproaches and aduersaries For reproaches it is euident there is neede of consolations more specially against them because naturall men stumble at it when they see Religion censured and scorned and it hardens many men when their hearts are infected with this preiudice that they heare this way euery were ill spoken of Sometimes men are dismaied at the disgrace of sincerity in the generall Sometimes they are troubled for what they themselues doe suffer or may bee in danger to suffer Sometimes the weak are scandalized when they heare or see what others suffer And it is manifest that the best men haue beene put to a great plunge when they haue beene laden with reproaches This makes Ieremy so vnquiet Ier. 18. 18 ●…1 Now there are many wayes by which a Christian may establish his owne heart against all the scornes and reproaches of the men of this world First If they consider that God takes notice of all the wrongs of that kind done vnto them Thus Dauid O Lord thou hast knowne my reproch and my shame and my dishonour mine aduersaries are all before thee Ps. 69. 19. It easeth his heart but to talke with God and tell him that he knowes his dishonour Secondly It is an increase of the comfort if wee further consider that God fauours vs and accounts vs deare and honourablt whatsoeuer the wicked thinke of vs And in this argument the Lord himselfe pleades withall Esay 43. 4 5. If Gods Face shine vpon his Seruants what cares Dauid for all the reproches of all sorts of

innocencie as the light Psal. 37. 7 Zeph. 3. 18 19. God will finde a time to get thee praise in euery place where thou hast beene put to shame 4 Ob. But I am almost buried with the almost infinitenesse of scorne and reproaches Sol. That was no more then was in Dauids case Hee was so buried in disgrace that he was as a dead man forgotten and out of mind Ps. 32. 12 13. He was a reproach of men Psal. 22. 12. A by-word Ps. 44. 14 c. A prouerbe Ps 69. 11. A wonder to many Ps. 71. 7. And the Apostles were a gazing stock to men and Angels 1 Cor. 4. 9. 2. Cor. 6. 8. 5 Ob. But great men set against me Sol. That was Dauids case Feare was on euery side he heard the raylings of great men which consulted together against him Ps. 31. 13. 6 Ob. But I am sentenced and accused as an euill doer most vniustly and that publikely Sol. So was our Sauiour Christ and that by a whole Councill of men Math. 27. 1 Iohn 11. 47 48. And so was Stephen Acts 6. 12. And so were the Apostles Act. 4. 6 15. and 5. 27. And so was Paul Acts 23. 1. The most righteous may suffer as euill doers 2 Tim. 2. 9. The wicked so compasse about the righteous that many times wrong iudgement proceeded but this is his comfort The Lord will not leaue him in the hand of the wicked nor condemne him when he is iudged Psal. 37. 32 33. If God condeme vs not it matters not for the sentences of vniust men And the rather because God hath further promised the godly man that he will stand at his right hand to saue him from the iudges of his soule Psa. 109. 31. 7. Ob. But I am by slander cast out of the Church with great pretence of the glory of God Sol. The Lord in the Prophet Esay's time had obserued such a thing as this For the Prophet tels the godly that their brethren had hast cast them out and said Let the Lord be glorified But he assures them from the Lord that God would appeare to their ioy and their brethren that cast them out should be ashamed Esay 66. 5. 8. Ob. But they which haue thus grieuously wronged mee liue in all prosperitie no iudgement lighteth vpon them God doth not plead my cause against them Sol. Thou knowest not how God dealeth with them God can iudge them secretly and consume them insensibly so as the world shall take no notice of it as the moth eateth vp the garment without making any great rent Esay 51. 8. And for this reason they are exhorted in that place not to feare the reproach Secondly What knowest thou what God will yet doe with them For God hath pleaded the cause of his seruants many times by bringing strange iudgements vpon the wicked This Pashur shall be made Magor-missabib that is a terrour round about and all that heare it shall tremble Ier. 20. 3. God can cloathe thy aduersaries with shame and couer them with their owne confusion as with a mantle Psa. 109. 29. 9. Ob. But I am censured by good men with much bitternesse as if I were guiltie and there is none to comfort or pittie mee Sol. So was Iob deepely censured by his godly friends And so was Paul of his owne hearers 1 Cor. 4. 4 10. Thus Dauid was forsaken in his wrongs so as none would comfort him Psalme 69. 20. 10. Ob. But yet one thing much troubles me that is that since these slanders the hand of God hath been vpon me in diuers particular iudgements and this makes people to thinke sure I am guiltie Sol. So they thought of Paul when the Viper fell on his hand being a man that was before accused and now sent as it were a prisoner Acts 28. So they iudged of Dauid when he was sicke that some euill disease did cleaue to him Psa. 41. 8. Yea this was our Lord Iesus Christs case For they iudged him as plagued and smitten of God Esay 53. 4. 11. Ob. But the things obiected against me are so foule that when I here those things spoken of publikely or priuatly I blush and that may cause mee to bee thought to be guilty Sol. This was Dauids case being innocent he saith Shame couered his face when he bore reproch Psal. 69. 7. And his confusion was continually before him and the shame of his face couered him for the voice of him that reproacheth and blasphemeth by reason of the enemie Psa. 44. 15. CHAP. VII Directions in the case of Reproaches I Conclude this point cōcerning reproaches with certaine directions There be diuers things to be done of vs if wee would be rightly ordered in the case of reproaches 1. We should shun the company of such as are giuen to slander as it is said of Paul when diuers were hardened and spake euil of the way he departed from them and separated the Disciples Acts 19. 9. 2. The daily refuge against the scornes of reproaches must be to get to God hide thy selfe with him by prayer When Dauid is thus encountred if you aske what he did he saith when they railed but I betooke my selfe to prayer Psa. 109. 4. and Psal. 31. 13. 3. Looke to thy tongue be silent see thou render not reuiling for reuiling but rather trust in God and blesse them that curse thee Psalme 37. 7. 1 Peter 3. 9. Psalme 31. 14. 1 Cor. 4. 12. Ier. 18. 20. 4. Liue inoffensiuely and bee sure thou keepe Gods way For if any thing will medicine their tongues that must be it 2 Cor. 6. 3 8. 1 Peter 2. 12. and 4. 14 15. Psalme 37. 34. For it may bee at length the same mouth that cursed thee will blesse thee and glorifie God for thee CHAP. VIII Shewing how the godly may comfort themselues against their aduersaries HItherto of the consolations against reproaches Now it followeth that I should shew how a Christian may comfort himselfe against his aduersaries that oppose him in his course of godlinesse and so there are many arguments of consolation The first may be taken from his condition therin as it is common to all the godly For this may stay a mans heart to know for certaine that euery man that will liue godly shall bee opposed and must suffer persecution 2 Tim. 〈◊〉 12. The second may bee taken from the appointment of God herein And this stands of two Branches First That God from all eternity hath decreed euery mans sufferings this way Thus Paul leffeneth the thought of the crosse by pleading that God had appointed them thereunto meaning by his eternall Decree 1 Thes. 3. 3. Secondly That God hath likewise appointed the end and measure and deliuerance out of the affliction Thus the Church is comforted Reuel 2. 10. If it were grieuous to them to know that the Diuell should raise vp wicked men that should

neglect or forget to doe them Deut. 6. 17. and 32. 46. and 8. 11. 1 Cor. 16. 13. Prou. 4. 26. We must follow after righteousnesse 1 Tim. 6. 11. and binde directions as signes vpon our hands c. Deut. 6. 8. If wee could bee thus awakened this rule would breed vs vnspeakable good in our conuersation Fifthly he must endeauour to settle his head and his estate in respect of his worldly affaires It is a singular helpe to godlinesse to reduce our outward callings in order and euery dayes experience shewes that confusions in worldly businesse breed miserable neglect in Gods seruice And therefore hee that would profite in an orderly course of life must prouide to vse the world so as hee may serue the Lord without distraction He that would runne a race abstaineth from all things that might encomber him No man that warreth intangleth himselfe with the affaires of life that hee may please him who hath chosen him to bee a soùldür And therefore we may not think it much if in our spiritual course God lay some restraint vpon vs in respect of the cares and encombrances in our outward callings 1 Cor. 7. 29 35 c. 2 Tim. 2. 4. 1 Cor. 9. 25. Sixtly hee must walke in the way of good men both setting before him their practice as patternes of imitation as also by conuersing with them that thereby hee may gather encouragement and helpe in well-doing Hee is deceiued that thinkes to go alone and yet go prosperously in the course of a godly life He may profit and learne by many things he heareth receiueth and seeth among the godly Prou. 2. 20. Phil. 4. 8 9. Seuenthly hee must not be the seruāt of men 1. Cor. 7. 23. Other mens humours must not be the directiō of his practice H●… must so depēd vpon persons by hopes to get any thing by in this world as he be not thereby hindered in workes of Religion knowing that he is Christs freeman He must haste to and looke for the comming of Iesus Christ 2. Pet. 3. 12. Hee must often remember his latter end and daily set before his eyes the comming of Christ striuing to stirre vp in his heart the desire after Christ praying for it and dispatching those workes that may prepare him therevnto The remembrance of our accounts in the day of Christ will wonderfully quicken men to the care of well-doing and the cause of viciousnesse and miserable neglect and procrastinations of many is their forgetting of their latter end A great reason why the directions about godlinesse are not entertained is because men put far away from them the Day of the Lord whereas the remembrance of the reuelation of Iesus Christ would put spirit and life into vs. He dares not say from the heart Come Lord Iesus come quickly that is not resolued diligently to worke the works of Christ. 9. He must not stay for company but rather choose to runne alone or with a few then hazard the losse of the Crowne Our life is a race and as in a race men stay not for company but striue who may runne formost so it is in the race of godlinesse He must so runne as he may obtain hee must set out with the first and runne as it were for his life As hee must make vse of the societie of the godly so hee must not stay till his carnall friends and acquaintance will set out with him He must be of Ioshua's minde that if the whole world will liue in wickednesse and prophanenesse yet hee and his house will serue the Lord 1. Cor. 9. 24. and 14. 12. Ioshua 24. 15. Tenthly hee must in all things giue thankes when God giues him successe in any thing or prospers the meanes to him and helpes him with victory ouer any sin or strength to performe any duty or bestowes vpon him any spirituall blessing hee must remember to praise God in the name of Iesus Christ. This will quicken him Daily thankefulnesse will breede daily alacritie in well doing He that will not be thankfull for beginnings of successe in the practice of holy duties will not hold out This is the speciall will of God in Christ that we should in all things giue thankes 1. Thess. 5. 18. 11. He must studie to be quiet and follow peace with all men medling with his owne businesse and auoiding all occasion of contention that might distract him in his owne course A busie bodie is as good as no body in respect of sound progresse in sanctification It is an excellent skill to be able to auoide the intanglements of discord especially he must prouide to haue perfect peace with the godly Though God be able to sanctifie the oppositions of vnreasonable men yet wee must take heed of drawing needlesse troubles vpon our selues for that makes vs neither to be nor to be accounted the more holy but contrariwise The Apostle could not speake vnto the Corinthians as vnto spirituall men but as vnto carnall at the best but Babes in Christ and the reason was because there was strife and enuie and diuision amongst them Heb. 12. 14. Mark 6. vlt. 1 Cor. 3. 3. 12. His eyes must looke straight and his eye-lids right before him Prou. 4. 25. He must take heed of going about and fetching of compasse in religion Ier. 31. 22. Hee must bee still amy●… at the marke of the high price of his calling being sure that the things he employeth himselfe in tend directly to the furtherance of his saluation not lose his time in vnprofitable studies or practices proceeding frō one degree to another till he come to a ripe age in Christ. 13. He must be conuersant in the Scriptures and be familiarly acquaint●…d with them that they may dwell plenteously in him For those good words of God haue not onely light in them to direct vs but power also to assist vs to do what they require and by the daily reading and h●…ring of them wee shall bee excited to more care of wel-doing we must excercise our selues ●…n the Word day and night and neuer let them depart out of our hearts but keepe our hearts still warme with the heate that comes from them neuer suffering the warmth to goe out through our long forbearance of the vse of them Col. 3. 16. Psal. 1. 2. Iosh. 8. Esay 8. 16 20. 14. He must carefully 〈◊〉 in 〈◊〉 first lo●…e Reuel 2. 4. The Lord is wont at some times or other about the first conuersion of a sinner to shew himself with such power in his ordinances and to reueale vnto him such glories in the merits and gifts of Iesus Christ and the happinesse of his estate in him that his heart is thereby fired to a cheerefull liking of the means of saluation and of godly persons and to a wonderfull desire of God and care to please God Now he that would prosper in a Christian course must be wonderfull carefull to

being of one mind And certainely this earnestnesse in requiring this duty imports that some peruerse Christians will smoake one day for th●…ir presumption and waywardnesse and pride of opinions 2. Wee must follow the things which may make for outward peace and to this end we must labour to shew all meekenesse in our carriage and long-suffering in forbearing one another and forgiuing one another Ephesians 4. 2 3 4. 3. Wee must striue to heare our affection to such a degree as that it may be able to couer the infirmities of others He must get a couering loue that will liue constantly in the loue of the godly A loue that will couer a multitude of faults 1 Pet. 4. 8. Prou. 10. 10. 4. We must confesse our faults one to another Iames 5. 16. It doth exceedingly preserue loue if men when they haue offended or wronged others would quickly and easily and heartily acknowledge their offences Nor doth this rule hold in case of trespasse onely but when wee haue not wronged others yet discrcetly to complaine of the corruption of nature that cleaues to vs and the infirmities which daily trouble vs. This doth worke not onely compassion but great increase of affection in others towards vs For acknowledgement preuents their secret loathing of vs for such frailties if they should discerne them And besides it makes them the willinger to giue vs leaue to reprooue their faults when they see we are as willing to reprooue our owne besides the ease it brings to our own hearts many times to make our moane to others when our consciences are troubled CHAP. XVII What we must auoide that our loue may be preserued THus what wee must doe to preserue loue Now further that loue may bee preserued amongst the godly these things following are to be auoided First Suits in Law A Christian must haue many considerations of his cause before it can be lawfull for him to goe to law with his brother These kinds of contentions are most vnnaturall amongst Christians and proue not onely scandalous in respect of others but extremely grieuous and poisonous to themselues 1 Cor. 6. 1 4. Secondly Dissimulation our loue must bee without faining in deede and in truth not in shew or in words Rom. 12. 9. 1 Iohn 3. 18. Thirdly Conceitednesse This is a vice that extremely vexeth others and alienateth affection we must not be wise in our selues but rather in lowlinesse of minde esteeme another better then our selues shew it both by making our selues equall to them of the lower sort and by going before others in giuing Honour and Praise Rom. 12. 10 16. Phil. 2. 3 4. Pro. 12. 15. Fourthly reioycing in iniquity Our loue must be holy and pure if we would haue it preserued It must haue nothing in it that is vnseemly nor must it be an affection that will take pleasure in the vices or faults of those with whom we cōuerse 1 Cor. 13. 5 6. Fifthly the minding of our owne things we must not study for our selues and our owne ends onely in conuersing 1 Cor. 13. 5. The meaning is not that we should leaue our callings and our houses to spend the greatest part of our time in our neighbors houses but he prohibits 1. Worldlinesse and excessiue cares about our businesse and the things of this life which hinders needfull society with the godly and secondly hee forbids selfe-loue in conuersing when men in all things aime at their owne profit or pleasure or credit and doe not as well seeke the good of others we may minde our owne things but not onely 6. Sixthly Ficklenesse and Vnconstancy we must looke to it that brotherly loue continue Heb. 13. 1. and to this end wee must looke to the leuity of our owne natures and striue to make good by continuance the affection we haue conceiued and professed to others Some are of such vnconstant dispositions that they will loue vehemently for a fit and suddenly fall off without reason but not without singular shame and blemishing of their reputations For such tempers are hardly fit for any societie Now this must be repented of and reformed Seuenthly we must take heed of vaine-glory and ouer eager desire of credit and estimation aboue others For this is the cause of much vnrest in our own hearts and of much interruption in brotherly loue And why wouldst thou be so highly esteemed of Thou considerest not the hard taske thou layest vpon thy selfe to be euer carefull to answer that great praise or estimation thou desirest Nor markest thou how thereby thou art made to offend against thy brother by enuying him by backbiting or other wayes of prouocation nor yet how little this commends thee to God Gal. 5. 26. Eighthly take heed of iudging thy brethren not but that thou mayst say that sinne is sinne but looke to thy selfe in two things First that thou censure not thy brother about things indifferent or doubtfull such as ceremonies were and are This is flatly forbidden Rom. 14. 3 13. Secondly that thy suspitions transport thee not to condemne thy brother for hidden things the things of darkenesse and counsels of the heart till thou be sure of the fault or offence thou maist not iudge or censure 1 Cor. 4. 5. Ninthly if there be any occasion of grieuance that loue may be renewed or preserued looke to two things First that thou render not reuiling for reuiling 1 Pet. 3. 9. Secondly that thou grudge not against thy brother or by whispering depraue his actions or back-bite him or complaine against him to his disgrace in things where the right is not apparently discouered Iam. 5. 9. Lastly if thou wouldest preserue thy selfe in the loue of the godly then thou must take heed of forsaking the assembling together of the Saints Thou must preserue all wayes of exercising the Communion of Saints and hold fellowship with them in Gods House and in your owne dwelling Prophanenesse must not draw thee from the Temple nor worldlinesse from society and louing and profitable conuersation with thy godly friends and acquaintance Heb. 10. 25. CHAP. XXVIII How we must carry our selues towards such as are fallen HItherto of such rules of conuersation as direct vs in our carriage towards the godly considered in generall Now there are other rules which concerne onely some of the godly namely 1. Such as are fallen 2. Such as are weake 3. Such as are strong 4. Such as are especially knit vnto vs in friendship For the first those that are fallen are either fallen from God or fallen from thee Such as are fallen from God are either fallen grosly and of habit or by infirmity and suddenly Those that are fallen grosly are either guilty of soule vices or else of extreme omissions such as that which the Apostle instanceth in of idlenesse and the generall neglect of their callings Now towards both these thou must be thus ordered First warne

minde and conscience liue shut vp with darknesse and horror The Diuels haue within thee strong holds and liue intrenched in thy thoughts Ephes. 4. 17. 2. Cor. 10. 5. Thy heart is spiritually dead and like a stone within thee Ephes. 2. 1. Ezech. ●…6 26. 4. Thy body is wretched through deformities and infirmities diuersly noisome to thee with paines that grieue thee either in respect of labour or diseases vnto which thou art so prone and there is no part or ioynt of thee but is lyable to many kinds of diseases Deut. 28. 31 22. Gen. 3. 19. And of the labours of thy life which is but the least part of thy bodily miseries Salomon saith All things are full of labour who can vtter it and for that reason life is but a vanity and vexation Eccles. 1. 8. 5. If thou looke vpon thy outward estate in the world with wh●…t fearefull frights may thy h●…art bee griped If thou consider 1. The common or gen●…rall or publike plagues with which God fights against the world as wars famines earthquakes pestilence and yeerely diseases inundations of waters and infinite such like 2. The particular crosses with which hee vexeth thee in particular either with losses of thy estate or the troubles of thy family Deut. 28. 15 16. c. 3. The preterition of God restraining many good things from thee so as thou wantst manie of those blessings of all sorts which yet God doth bestow vpon others Esay 56. 1 2. Ieremie 5. 25. 4 The cursings of thy blessings when God blasts the gifts of thy minde that thou canst not vse them for any contentment of thy life or makes thy prosperity to be the occasion of thy ruine Malach. 2. 3. Eccles. 5. 13. This is a sore euill Lastly consider yet further what may fall vpon thee in respect of which thou art in daily danger There are seas of wrath which hang ouer thy head Iohn 3. 36. and God may plague thee with the terrors of conscience like Cain Gen. 4. 14. or with a reprobate sense or the spirit of slumber Rom. 1. 28. Rom. 11. 8. strong illusions 2 Thess. 2. 11. or such other like dreadfull spirituall iudgements besides many other fearfull iudgements which thy h●…art is not able to cōceiue of as painefull diseases in the body or an vtter ruine in thy estate or good name but aboue all other things the remembrance of the fearefull iudgement of Christ and the euerlasting paines of hell with a miserable death should compell thee to cry out O men and brethren what shall I doe to bee saued and get out of this estate But because it is my purpose here chiefly to perswade with godly men and not with naturall men and because death it selfe is no ease vnto such men as liue in their sins without repentance who haue reason to loath life and yet haue no cause to loue death I passe from them and come to the life of godly men and say they haue great reason to loath life and desire the day of death CHAP. VI. Shewing the miseries of godly men in life NOw the miseries of the godly mans life are of two sorts for either hee may consider what he wants or what he hath in life for which he would be weary of it I will giue but a touch of the first consider of it in this life there are sixe things among the rest we want and can neuer attaine while wee liue here The first is the glorious presence of God while the body is present the Lord is absent 2. Cor. 5. 8. And is not this enough to make vs loath life Shall we●… more esteeme this wretched car●…asse then our glorious God whose onely presence in glory shall fill vs with eternall delight O the vision of God! If we had but once seene God face to face we would abhorre that absence that should hinder the fruition of such vnspeakable beauties as would enamour the most secure heart to an vnquenchable loue The second thing wee want in life is the sweete fellowship with our best friends A fellowship matchlesse if we either consider the perfection of the creatures whose communion we shall enioy or the perfect manner of enioying it Who would be withheld from the congregation of the first borne from the societie with innumerable Angels and the spirits of iust men Alas the most of vs haue not so much as one entire and perfect friend in all the world and yet wee make such friends as we haue the ground of a great part of the contentment of our liues Who could liue here if he were not beloued Oh what can an earthly friendship bee vnto that in heauen when so many thousand Angels Saints shall be glad of vs and ●…ntertaine vs with vnwearied delight If we had but the eyes of faith to consider of this we would thinke euery houre a yeere till we were with them Thirdly in this world we want the perfection of our owne natures we are but maimed deformed creatures here we shall neuer haue the sound vnderstanding of men in vs till we bee in heauen our holinesse of nature and gifts will neuer be consummate till we be dead Fourthly in this world wee want libertie Our glorious liberty will not ●…e had here a thing which the spirits of the best men haue with much sighing longed after Rom. 8. 21 22. Oh who would liue in a prison a dungeon rather then a palace of royall freedom It hath been impliedly shewed before that wee are many waies in bondage here Fiftly we shall euer want here fulnesse of contentment If a man liue many yeeres so that the dayes of his yeeres be many if his soule bee not filled with good Salomon saith an vntimely birth is better then bee And it is certaine if a man liue a thousand yeeres twise told he shall neuer see solid good to fill his heart his appetite will neuer be filled Eccle. 9. 3 6 7. There is nothing in this life can giue a man solid and durable contentment but a man findes by experience vanitie and vexation of spirit in what hee admires or loues most and shall wee be so ottish as to forget those riuers of pleasures that are at Gods right hand Psal. 16. vlt. 6. The sixth thing we want in this world is our Crown and the immortall and incorruptible inheritance bought for vs with the ●…loud of Christ and shall not ●…ur hearts burne within vs in ●…onging after possession Can we ●…sire still to liue in wants and to be vnder age What shall moue vs if such an incomparable crowne cannot moue vs Wee that sweate with so much sore labor for the possession of some small portion of earth shall we I say be so sluggish as not to desire that this kingdome which our Father hath giuen vs might come quickly vpon vs or are we so transported with spirituall madnesse as to be afraid