matter seem it never so much precisenesse especially of such duties to which thou art most indisposed or in which thou hast been most carelesse or the which stesh and blood thinketh least necessary for the Lord will have sincere and seasonable obedience in every particular 4 Think it not enough to doe one good thing and then to follow some other evill as to make conscience of sanctifying the Sabath and yet to take leave to take Gods Name in vaine or to apply thy selfe diligently to Gods publike worship yet not to stick to lye sweare deceive forsweare extort in thy particular calling or to be strict in thy outward conversation and yet dare to harbour discontent envy hatred malice discord revenge or to seeme friendly abroad or yet be currish at home or to be temperate in some places and companies and yet to tipple drink healths and be drunk in some other or to be modest in behaviour and yet abound in filthy conceits or to seem religious and yet want government of the tongue or to be just in outward dealings and yet be uncharitable and the like as also on the contrary for every sinne as well as any sinne must be conscionably avoided or none is sincerely eschewed 5 Neither rest contented in straining at a Gnat if thou darest to swallow a Camell or though thou escapest grosse and open sinnes if thou allowest thy selfe in some lesser and secret evils these are most deceitfull dangerous devillish and without repentance damnable conceits and are sure signes of an huge hypocrite and must unsound soule But O my soule who is sufficient for these things well endeavour uprightly watchfully constantly in every particular that the Lord hath revealed to thee and it is in Gods estimation perfect obedience onely give not thy selfe the least freedome in the least matter against conscience to transgresse then beleeve and thou mayest be assured the Lord Jesus Christ his alsufficient satisfaction both in his absolute obedience and infinite sufferings is imputed unto thee and thou in him hast fully obeyed and suffered all that the Lord can in his exactest justice require of thee we may keep all though we cannot fulfill any one of Gods Commandements we may often break and yet not forsake his holy Covenant Thus farre of this His Verses on the Bible P leasure and profit piety and peace H ealth for the soule all happinesse encrease I n each estate within this golden Mine L yes couched close yet of pe to all mens eyne L ets then delves search and curiously pry I nto the same and mark what we can spy P repare good instruments the ground is hard P romise is made we shall find rich reward S oare first in faith with prayer above the Sunne K eep constant courses carelesnesse still shunne I oyne with your reading reverence be attent P ractice with knowledge from on high are sent P ray more and more such graces to attaine O n Sacred Writ to meditate take paine N eglect not application of the same N o doubt so striving we shall win the Game His Verses on his Hour-Glasse AS this Glasse runs so runs thy Glasse of life Each houre one houre neerer thy lives end Ere sand be out Death with his fatall knife Cats short thy dayes perhaps repent amend Delay no time see how away he hyes Once past past calling backe with loudest cryes Behold this Glasse and then take heedfull view What 's thy estate more brittle then the same Soon broke as sand in wind in hast oh rue Thy sinnes forepast with sorrow and with shame Henceforth aye runne of godlinesse the race While thy Glasse runs and daies fleet hence apace Let thy oft turning of this running Glasse Cause in thy mind to run that thou still turne To great Jehovah let no houre passe While God vouchsafe thou in this world sojourne Without some worke of grace oh spend no time In plotting following any sinfull crime So though this Glasse and life at once run out Time past mispent bewaild to come redeemd Of dying well thou needst not stand in doubt Ill having hated done what best beseemd Were every houre the latest of thy breath The happiest houre shall be the houre of death Morning Thoughts BEthink performe each morning thou survivest Thy duty to thy God while here thou livest Arake with him in humble chearfull wise Open thine heart as early as thine eyes Who holy thoughts his Majesty salute Of a true godly life what is the fruit Of rising from thy sinnes to wayes of grace The resurrection set before thy face Eke unto judgement thy most sure arising By light of day be with thy self devising Of that most glorious armour of pure light And of thy naturall darknesse take in sight And works of darknesse labour off to cast Bidding thy God good morrow thus make hast Upon his holy Name to invocate Confessing and bewailing thine estate By nature actuall offendings too Labour for feeling though with much adoe Weigh to thy sinnes all judgement are most due Thy just desert whereof take paines to rue With deprecation then will fervency To thy good God in Christ for pardon cry Resolving by his grace which beg henceforth In heart word deed to esteem of highest worth His holy feare and service every way Beleeve for these in faith will reeling pray In and from danger preservation Strength to resist Satans temptation Comfort in griefe help in adversity Reliefe in any kind of misery For deaths preparing dying to the world That it's and flesh his lusts may be controld Heaven hungred after in each thing content To please the Lord in all that heart be bent To walke uprightly in thy lawfull calling In others matters not thy selfe inthralling For companies and privaties right use Against thoughts words deeds behaviours abuse Concerning all in each alwaies to watch That thou nor others harme thereby to catch Briefly to thy most blessed God commend Whatsoever any way thou dost intend That better and not worse they still mayest grow By all thou hearest seest or else doest know Labouring to keep sweet peace with thy sweet God Which being even no maner what is odde In every thing submitting to his will Then from thy heart thy mouth with praises fill For all his blessings great and manifold Past present and to come both new and old In speciall for protection in the night Judgements prevented now with morning light Sweet motions grant every gift firme fading For this or better life thy selfe perswading Thy Gods rich mercy is the ground of all Thou didst before doest now or ever shall Enjoy and entire thanks to manifest Let soule and body all thou hast be prest To doe his will in all his Word requireth That thou mayest be such as his heart desireth To live and dye in happy state of grace And so in mercy aye behold his face Thus as thine owne thinke on the Churches peace To attend thy prayers with practice doe not cease And thou wilt
4 To sing out of the Psalms 5 To imbrace all occasions for Gods publike worship In each of these to seek the Lord conscionably 1 Labouring for preparation revetence sincerity feeling chearfulnesse and faith 2 Striving against carelesnesse coldnesse drousinesse hypocrisie and customary service 3 When any urgent businesse of my calling causeth the deferring any of these duties to take a more convenient time yea to redeem the time for the performance thereof Thirdly concerning the duties of my particular calling 1 In generall to walk faithfully diligently and wisely 2 In particular towards Supenours in all things lawfull obediently towards those I command gravely towards equals friendly 3 When I am commanded to pursue my businesse earnestly and chearfully till the same be effected 4 In commanding others to doe all distinctly throughly plainly and impartially to seâ— the same effected accordingly to check and punish neglect sharply 5 If joyned with other in command to seek and follow the best counsell and commendablest course 6 Not to despise the good advice of any though never so meane but by all good meanes to grow more fit for service 7 For better furnishing himselfe with ability to listen to others discourses to observe what others doe commendably in this or that occasion to consider the use of things with silent application Fourthly what company to avoid viz. of swearers drunkards quarrellers gamsters whore-masters filthy talkers scoffers at goodnesse c. to imbrace the society of honest men though meane Fiftly what places to avoid as of uncleannesse excesse playing c. though inticed or provoked thereto and to frequent such places where good is to be gotten Sixtly what especiall sinnes to strive against 1 In heart unadvised anger remembring injuries desire of revenge hatred envy impure lusts 2 In words brawling railing reviling scoffing indiscreet superfluous obscene boasting unnecessary selfconceited censuring ungracious familiar blasphemous speeches 3 In behaviour lightnesse lumpishnesse pride familiarnesse 4 In looks wandrings wantonnesse lustfulnesse 5 In action hard dealing impurity secret or open intemperance all sinne folly and disorder Seventhly to entertaine these contrary vertues 1 In heart watchfulnesse sobriety putting up wrongâ— forgetting injuries passing by offences without taking notice of them if God be not dishonoured or my selfe disabled else to use all good meanes to stand for the truth and cleare my innocency and quietnesse 2 In words that they be wise few seasonable to the purpost charitable true meek gracious 3 In behaviour gravity modesty humility curtesie seemlinesse to make a covenant with mine eyes not to behold vanity with delight 4 In action to shew tenderlie artednesse to live chastly temperately thriftily and to deale justly Eightly in case of justice and judgement 1 Not to condemne the innocent or justifie the offender 2 Nor to accept persons for any respect 3 To examine the cause throughly 4 To heare both parties deliberately 5 To hate bribes unfainedly 6 To helpe the afflicted against the rich and mighty 7 To execute justice rightly 8 To pronounce sentence according to warrant gravely boldly briefly impartially substantially how many who whatsoever opposeth Ninthly for convenient maintainance according to place and calling 1 To live within compasse 2 To weare plaine serviceable and decent apparrell 3 To avoyd running into debt and to pay debts by all good meanes possible 4 Not to live at anothers Table 5. Not to lay out on thinâ— superfluous 6 To allow what is fitting for my Family 7. In weldoing to depend â—â— God 's providence Tenthly in more espeâ—â— imployments in my plate To propound in each Goâ— glory to have respect to hiâ— Cause to be affected to hiâ— Church to order all affaires â—â— judgement where my calling requires though never 〈…〉 gerous to be willing forward couragious bould industrioâ—â— fearelesse to the death â—â—â—mending my self into the 〈◊〉 of God wholly for helpe 〈◊〉 and good successe To avoyd and strive agaâ—â—â—â— rash adventures without a warrantable calling foolish cuâ—osity ostentation unwillingnesse sloathfulnesse backwardnesse frivolous excuses cowardlinesse fear flying distrust of Gods help for sufficiency and protection for safety and blessing for a good issue Eleventhly and lastly concerning lawfull recreation 1 To take such time for them that things of more consequence â—â— the same time be not hindered by them 2 To use such exercises as are manly comely and fittest for my calling place and age 3 With nien most free from offence and of a good report 4 All with moderation not spending too much time labour or cost therein 5 Especially to spend some spare time in reading in some good morrall Author as Plutarks Lives Caesars Coâ—â—entaries c. and to ride abroad to view the Trench Works c. both for better enabling him to doe service To endeavour all in a conscinable manner seeking in all Gods glory chiefly by the help of his holy Spirit onely spite of all oppositions trusting through his grace in sincerity to testifie obedience and in all unwilling failings not to doubt of his most mercifull forgivenesse gracious acceptation and favourable blessing in the face of Christ Jesus in whose name my Father I beg a disposition and ability to discharge each part of my duty seasonably wisely uprightly and constantly according to what I have purposed and expressed before thee that thou in mercy â—ccording to thy truth in him â—â—ayest please at all times in 〈◊〉 things to be with me for â—â—â—d Amen How to stirre up and embrace right Christian resolutions for the Cause of God and against his enemies FIrst be fully assured it is the Cause of God else it is sinful and shall not be blessed but undoubtedly it is the Cause of God because his pure worship accooding to his Word is stood for because we have been and are grievously persecuted by tyrannous Idolaters for the same and that neverthelesse the Lord for his great names sake according to his truth in great mercy hath many and miraculously delivered and preserved us and still doth as at this day Secondly therfore as all good Christians are strictly bound so I my self must endeavour to doe my best to maintaine this his Cause and that because 1 The Lord requires it 2 And curseth bitterly such as helpe him not against the mighty 3 And hath plagued such for their neglect 4 Because I have the warrantable examples of Gods children who willingly ventured their lives for this Cause 5 The commendations in Scripture of such is also a spur hereunto 6 And the blessings of the Lord upon them both which we may look for 7 We are Fellow-helpers with the Lord in his Worke against his enemies an acceptable work Thirdly the manner how to performe this commanded warrantable commendable blessed and acceptable work 1 Zealously and that 1 Because the glory of the great name of the eternall God of which he is so jealous is the thing we fight for the Cause being his 2 The preservation of his holy Word and pure worship among
The Christian CENTURIAN Observations Advices and Resolutions Containing Matters DIVINE and MORALL Collected according to his owne experience By PHILIP SKIPPON Serjeant-major-generall c. In all things I have said unto you be circumspect Exod. 23.13 Finally brethren whatsoever things are true whatsoever things are honest whatsoever things are just whatsoever things are pure whatsoever things are lovely whatsoever things are of good report c. Phi. 4.9 Those things which ye have both learned and received and heard and seen according to Gods warrant Isa 20.8 doe Phil. 4.10 London printed by T. B. for Samuel Enderby at the Starre in Popes-head Alley 1645. To all Souldiers of what degree soever that desire to walk Christianly and Circumspectly Fellow souldiers and friends TO the two former Treatises of Gods promises of good things to us and of our Vowes of obedience to him which by his alone help I have published I adde these few fragments following and because I will be as little tedious as I can I shall only commend them to your carefull consideration observation and practice as you may find them agreeable to sound doctrine and good manners and usefull to your occasions and them and you to the especiall blessing of our God in the Lord Jesus The Contents RIght rules to live by page 4. A sure Stay in extremity p. 8 The right way to goe to worke p. 46. Briefe Prayers upon divers occasions p. 53 Short Ejaculations p. 69 Comforts against the Nick-name of Puritane p. 81 Many divine and morall Observations p. 98 Renewed Resolutions p. 115 Some marks of a malicious man and the contrary p. 131 The former Observations continued p. 133 Resolutions in an especiall businesse p. 142 Christian carriage in a great calamity p. 145 Commendable carriage in his place p. 148 More Observations added p. 155 Sufficiency of Gods grace p. 171 How to urge the Lord to preserve us from sinne p. 173 Concerning governing the tongue p. 175 Concerning walking vvith God p. 181 Briefe Rules for particular practice p. 191 Examples of godly Souldiers p. 19â— Rules of Justice p. 19â— Undeniable proofe of the truth â—â— God 's Word p. 22â— A few plaine and pleasing in structions for all times p. 23â— An Advertisement about the sâ—â— of our Calling p. 23â— Concerning generall Obedience p. 272 Five sorts of Verses p. 277 The Observations continued p. 290 More of vvalking vvith God p. 292 More holy Resolutions p. 296 Of mourning for the sinnes among us p. 299 His acknowledgement of God p. 301 How to carry himselfe conscionably and commendably in the Leaguer p. 305 How to stirre up right Christian Resolutions for Gods Cause and against his Enemies p. Of Mortification p. 332 Helpes to an holy Life p. 337 Motives to Watchfulnesse p. p. 342 More Christian Resolutions p. 343 Decay in Prayer p. 346 Serious Admonitions to his Family when they are to worship God p. 379 Thus farre of the Contents briefly and acording to these numbers God willing you shall find the severall matters marked A Prayer O Lord God of all wisdome goodnesse grace power truth my reconciled God most gracious Father and onely helper in Jesus Christ I the most ignorant sinfull unworthy weake wretched of all other doe most humbly unfainedly instantly entirely and uncessantly befeech and urge thee of thy infinite mercy through thy unsearchable wisdome by thy unresistable working according to thy infallible promises notwithstanding my dark ignorance unmeasurable sinfulnesse great weaknesse and most extreame wretchednesse yea notwithstanding all my unworthniesse and all other impediments speedily seasonably effectually constantly through the assistance of thy most holy Spirit to stirre up my heart diligently to fearch to enlighten my understanding clearly to discerne to strengthen my memory constantly to retaine to sanctifie my affections feelingly to apply to inable me in my practice conscionably to make use of every particular of the following observations advices and resolutions as may be most to thy great glory the good of thy Church the gracing my Christian profeision the stopping the mouth of prophanenesse and injury the preventing distasting others and other advantage against me the benefit of my Family my outward credite and comfort in thy feare with thy favour and blessing my poore soules present peace everlasting happinesse all as 〈…〉 best in thy sight onely through the al-sufficient merits and peâ—petuall mediation of thy most deare and onely Son my alone sweet Saviour and intercessor Christ Jesus through whom as I have infinite cause beyond all I can conceive remember or expresse for all thy mercies for this and a better life afforded and assured to me especially for the understanding life health time opportunity and grace thou hast pleased to vouchsafe unto me to collect and write these observations advices and resolutions for my better government greater setting and further edification to thy most glorious Name be all honour ascribed by all meanes for evermore Amen even so be it Amen Amen Some short and streight solid and sound Rules to levell his life by 1. WHen thou risest let thy thoughts ascend that grace may descend let thy Sacrifice be an inocent heart offer it daily with that devotion that it may shew thou both knowest and acknowledgest his holinesse and greatnesse with whom thou hast to doe 2. Where thou owest pay duty where thou findest return curtifie where thou art known deserve love desire the best disdaine none but evill company take heed of proud peevish prating passionate dissembling distastfull jeering malicious lying contentious tipling filthy fellowes 3. Grieve but be not angry at discurtesies redresse but revenge no wrongs doe good to them that use thee unkindly yet so remember pitty that thou forget not decency 4. Let thy attire be such as may shew a sober mind frame thy selfe with such modesty as may silence the untemperate tongue 5. Be mindfull of things past carefull of things present and provident of things to come 6. Goe as thou wouldest be met sit as thou wouldest be found speake as thou wouldest be heard and doe as thou wouldest be seen 7. Beare affliction patiently converst cheerfully order thy businesse secretly wisely surely avoid freenesse and familiarity discover no affection hastily speak not thine owne suspitions suddenly meddle not in others matters needlesly trust God most in greatest extremity forget not how he hath helped formerly commend all in wel-doing unto him continually 8. Demeane thy selfe in all things as in the sight of God conâ—â—â—ually who is acquainted with all thy wayes throughly who though thou beest never so secret seeth thee who doubtlesse will have a strict account of thee therefore deceive not thy selfe for he will not be mocked by thee 9. Take heed of sinne and the occasions thereof watchfully having sinned lye not therein impenitently neither sooth thy self therein foolishly for sinne will bring sorrow and shame undoubtedly 10. Repent break off beg pardon grace and peace speedily and soundly watch to doe
expect all mercy grace peace comfort strength health safety succour help deliverance and salvation onely from thee oh grant each seasonably and effectually unto me Lord work all thy works iâ— me that I may serve thee as â— ought and work all my work for me that I may prosper a thou hast promised Lord make me as thou would dest have me and require whâ—â— thou wilt of me give me which thou seest best for me and dâ—â— what thou wilt with me Lord be my strength refuge and ready help at hand mâ— sufficiency safety and good successe and when where and how thou pleasest imploy me Lord cleare my innocency stop the mouth of injury faithfully worthily and in-offensively make me to discharge each part of my duty Lord make me wise warned watchfull and well governed by my former folly rashnesse weaknesse and misgovernment Lord let me no more be conformable to the sinfull and unseemly fashions of the world but reforme my whole man according to thy will Lord forgive and keep me from those sinnes whereby I have most dishonoured thee disgraced my Christian profession injured others clog'd my conscience terrified my souse or any way procured my selfe shame or harme Lord make me to make and let me find each part of thy Word my guide and comfort Lord direct governe restore comfort support establish inable protect provide for and blesse me as every one of my especiall occasions doe or may require of thee Lord at one time or other by one meanes or other ere we do part hence work for the effectuall conversion and everlasting salvation of every one of mine and I desire no more for them of thee Lord prepare me to meet the ere thy wrath come upon me in the day of calamity hide me under thine hand till thy indignation be over past Lord in wisdome love and faithfulnesse visit me and deale as thou pleasest with me Lord when all is past hope thou canst most easily help my case is fully knowne and wholy commended to thee thou hast helped remarkably thy hand is not shortned thy mercy never faileth thy truth endureth for ever towards me Lord let not my hope deceive nor thy help faile me oh cause me to make and let me find thy providence my portion continually so shall I be supplied seasonably and never want any thing thou seest good for me Lord prepare me to suffer to dye let every thing draw me neerer to thee let death bring me to life eternall with thee doe then what thou wilt with me call then when where and how thou pleasest for me Lord from sin shame harme in thy feare in a good repute and peace preserve me Lord how shall I behave my selfe in my present distressed estate and how wilt thou therein deale with me oh that thou wouldest dispose and dispatch all my businesse for me Lord all help faileth me none cares for me every thing seemâ— to crosse me yet help thou and all shall goe well with me Lord cause me to goe the right way to work and to submit to thy disposing wholy Lord let it appeare the right way is the best way never of never faile forsake or forget me let them that now for wel-doing scorn me see thou fovourest and releevest me Lord cause me secretly and sensibly to sorrow for my owne sinnes and to mourne for the abominations of the times and this uncessantly Lord affect me with the affections of Joseph rightly dispose me to pray for the peace of Zion seriously in all reforme and pardon me Lord give me feeling feeling feeling of all the good things I know and utter before thee thou knowest and I acknowledge the same to be extreamly wanting in me Lord let no thought of my heart nor word of my mouth be in vain for me but thou that art my strength and my Redeemer accept all my Meditations and expressions continually Lord carry me with wisdome patience comfort and good successe through all my great occasions Lord change my disposition reform my conversation speedily and powerfully wherein I am most averse from good and prone to evill especially Lord that thou wouldest instruct and inable me sincerely and circumspectly to order my lawfull affaires substantially whatsoever others may thinke speake or worke against me and that thine owne seasonablâ— and effectuall working to afforâ—â—n happy issue might according to thy mercy and truth appeare towards me Lord put me not off with outward mercies but vouchsafe me a portion of thy best blessings From sloath lust and carelesnesse from tatling tipling and trifling away time from putting off my private devotions from discontent and discord Good Lord deliver me Grounds of comfort against the nick-name of Puritane and Round-head It is nothing in respect of what hath been objected against Christ and the godly for there hath been objected against them grieuous things (a) Acts 25.7 gluttony (b) Mat. 11.18.19 madnesse (c) Joh. 10.20 blasphemy (d) Mat. 26.65 Mark 9.3 Acts 6.11 13 14. murder (e) Acts 28.4 deceiving (f) Joh. 7.12 2 Cor. 6.8 rebellion (g) Acts 17.6 7. rayling (h) Acts 23.4 babling idolatry (i) Acts 17.18 bringers of strange things (k) Acts 17.20 scisme (l) Acts 28.22 wickednesse of life (m) 1 Pet. 2.12 the abjects abused them (n) Psa 35.15 drankards sang of them (o) Psal 69.12 the basest derided them (p) Job 30.1 they were a reproach of men (q) Psal 22.12 a by-word (r) Psal 44.14 a proverbe (s) Psal 69.11 a wonder (t) Psal 17.7 Isa 8.18 gazing-stocks (u) 1 Cor. 4.9 fools (w) 1 Cor. 4.10 insufficient despised (x) Idem defamed made as filth and off-scowring (y) 1 Cor. 4.13 great men rayle at them (z) Psa 31.13 godly men censure them (a) Jobs friends 1 Cor. 4.4.10 and by slander excommunicate them (b) Isa 66.5 are most fouly scandalized (c) Ps 69.7 44.15 condemned by a whole Counsell (d) Mat. 27.1 Joh. 11.47 48. Acts 6.12 4.6.15 5.27 23.1 yea to suffer as evill doers (e) 2 Tim. 2.9 Psal 37.32 33. Psal 41.8 Isa 53.4 well if God condemnes us not what matters the censures and reproachfull nick-names of others (f) 1 Pet. 3.16 If good bad men both should judge amisse Keep conscience cleare tâ—ou needst not care I wisse Alas this is not to resist unto blood h Heb. 12.4 my Saviour sayes Blessed are ye when men shall revile you and shall say all manner of evill falsly for my sake reioyce and be exceeding glad for great is your reward in heaven for so persecuted they the Prophets that were before you i Mat. 5.11 12. yea my most blessed Redeemer so have they abused thee and all thy dearest Servants oh then why should I that am not worthy the name of a Servant or Disciple think to be above my Lord and Master and better
regard or have spoken slightly of thee beleeve me it will work strangely in gaining much affection respect credit and contentment to thee whereas a sowre countenance harsh carriage bitter language and distastfull dealing will but encrease their hatred and contempt and thy disgrace and disquiet make tryall and take my word another time I may truly say experientiâ docet Hold it unchristian cowardly and uncomely needlesse eaflesse and foolish to perplex thy selfe with that thou canst neither prevent nor help and avoid it in all good conscience with an holy carelesnesse cast all thy care on God who taketh care for thee and hath promised never never to faile forsake or forget thee It is a worthy part and well done neither slavishly to feare nor wilfully to distest any converse cheerfully and with comlinesse carelesly but as thou lovest to keepe thy friends respect and thine owne peace reservedly Let not thine owne words countenance or doings discover and who can contemne or have advantage against thee By and by thou art absent from those whom now thou accompaniest with let thy desire to please for the present procure no future inward discontent therefore hold thee close to those godly and morall Maximes which may best governe thee now and most satisfie thee afterward to this end forget not former good or misgovernment and thereupon peace or vexation So to regard as to strive to satisfie every ones humour shews a foolishly flattering disposition questions worth and gets scorne to keep gravity to discourse sparingly and solidly though it humour not forces them at least in acknowledgement secretly to say there is wisdome honesty and good government and so it ought to be It is a most miserable mistake and arises from Ignorance floath or prophanenesse when we think it is an hinderance to our outward proceedings if we first ply our private devotions whereas to begin with them is the right way to prosper otherwise though we imagine we have made all sure the Lord many times by one meanes or other crosses our courses sends us losses and makes us smart for such foolishnesse Lord grant me first to seek thy Kingdome and I shall have share in the rest assuredly as thou seest best for me In a certaine case of disserence he advised either to suppresse or help them throughly so either to oblige them to help or else disable them to hurt you but by no meanes trust their discretion or good nature who dare say if they had they would use their advantage against you even now when they cannot harme you espec Ily when ingratitude pride ambition and conceited cause of revenge transports them thus as a polititian But as a Christian he adviseth to assist them seasonably and competently yet warily against their common enemy that themselves may have no leasure nor pretence nor the other no time nor power to trouble you and as a Christian polititian in the same case he thus speaks his mind plainly and freely be provided to prevent the worst their might can or their malice may attempt against you for some speake strangely of you and their present usage declares the affection and respect they beare you this for that To be malicious scornfull and injurious is unchristian uncivill and unseemly and commonly comes from a high conceited villifying quarelling disposition in ones selfe and from a soft suffering and therefore from a supposed cowardly disposition of another yet often it fals out the man unwilling to contend escapes with credite and the shame and mischief fals on his head that sought it Maintaine your owne right but doe another no wrong and suffer stilly what you can by no good meanes remedy If thou doest well speak not thine owne praises if it be nor with thee as thou wouldest say nothing for I have observed the good is concealed and the rest lightly revealed By making ohers as wise as thy selfe in matters wherein they before were ignorant will get them credite by thy lufficiency and then they will slight thee answer civilly out answer not fully I meane hear worldly affaires onely keep somewhat in till afterward so shall respect be preserved deny out of judgement and reason not out of pride and selfe conceit hold thine owne and give no distaste His God his Conscience his Country his owne honour the memory of his dead and reputation of his living friend he would not should nor can he suffer them to be wronged He held it more for a wishing that it were so then holy feare it should be so in some who say England must have its turne too so much can passion more then piety doe O poore England so extreamly envied for the peace thy God grants thee be thou humbly thankfull truly penitent and trust thy God unfainedly so shalt thou still prosper by his mercy and thy malicers shall nor harme thee nor rejoyce in thy misery O England England lay to heart the long and lamentable calamities of Gods Church in Germany goe to Shiloh see what the Lord hath done there and he will spare thee else woe woe woe unto thee Why should blest England be blamed that preferres a warrantable peace before a bloody war those therein ingaged would if they knew how as thou art be gladly freed but not knowing how to be released would have thee as themselves intangled and for their owne advantage would laugh if thou wert ruined feare serve trust thy God be wary oh for ever mayest thou be secured This was written before the bloody Warres Lord pardon our sinnes and heale the Land for thy Christs for thy mercie sake Warre-wishers never felt nor know the miseries therof or only seek to please their own ambitious and covetous humours I am sure such as desire or rejoyce therein long after and are glad of the greatest plague upon earth and I say God send them sorrow that love it if it made them smart in their owne persons wives children friends houses or goods they would soon be weary of it for doubtlesse none but fools or mad men or those that are farre enough from it can take delight in it Give peace in our time O Lord. True the calling is lawfull honourable and necessary when the causes urging are just and the ends good and he that then declines it is base in extremity but not to be attempted rashly out of passion or to please common fancy fondly for the wise man sayes With good advice make warre The haire-braind foole cryes peace with thee Lord and war with all the world the sober Christian prayes peace with thee Lord and with all men as farre as is possible Caussesse suspitions troubles a mans mind and blemish his vertues Let not too much confidence darken foresight Things openly slighted may be seriously intended Where conscience is not informed clearly and reformed throughly men are misled with by-respects and blinded with humane policy He is a good counsellour and a true friend who as he seconds tempers our humour Be
us which is an especiall token of his favour to us being the meanes to save our soules 3 And that if the enemy should prevaile we should not onely lose these blessings but they should be scofft at prophaned and trodden under foot by them and their abominations set up to the exceeding greeat dishonour of our blessed God and the Losse of innumerable soules 2 Couragiously and that 1 Because it is the Cause of God Almighty who is able to defend and deliver us in the middest of the greatest perils and if none apparent were nigh unto us 2 Who governeth all things in all places that no bullet can fly or any other instrument of warre move but according to his especiall disposing nor doe any hurt to me but by his expresse commission and according to his good pleasure 3 That he who is most faithfull in remembring and keeping his word hath abundantly promised he will preserve and deliver me as he sees best for me 4 That he hath preserved and delivered others even prophane persons who have shewed little care to obey seek or trust him and that in extreamest dangers 5 That he hath often and most remarkably done the like to others of his and to me the most helplesse and unworthy formerly 6 That many through feare seeking to avoyd danger have the sooner hurt and slaine and others who have been warrantably and worthily valiant have by Gods protection escaped 7 That divers have been slain in a Tent hut or house or in other places where they thought themselves secure have been hurt or slaine when others in the trench or battell have been safe 8 That if the Lord please I shall be safe be the perils never so many and great for he can preserve from the greatest as well as the least from many as well as any 9 If he please I end my dayes in fight against his foes I dye a Martyr and the very instrument of my death is a meanes to send me Heaven 10 If we be fearfull and insufficient in our selves to doe our duty valiantly let us seek courage and ability from the Lord he will in some good measure undoubtedly grant it because he hath expresly promised it 3 Faithfully because the Lord hateth eye service and all unfaithfulnesse and loveth a faithfull carriage in our callings 4 Diligently and vigilantly because 1 By sloathfulnesse negligence and backwardnesse much time is lost much evill may ensue to the businesse and much shame disfavour scorne and harme may come upon our selves 2 Because time is redeemed the Cause advanced and we shall be commended and be the better trusted with imployment 5 Circumspectly that is to pursue all lawfull imployments of our calling seasonably for time place and manner with good advice worthily weighing all circumstances throughly 6 Conscionably propounding Gods glory chiefly the goodnes of the Cause seriously and our sincere obedience to his Majesty and to testifie we are Christians indeed that lay his Cause to heart deeply 7 In faith resting fully perswaded that our good God of his great mercy for the worthinesse of the Lord Jesus will graclously accept our endeavours though never so full of unworthinesse and will assuredly blesse us 8 Wiâ—h humble instant and earnest prayer especially 1 That the Lord will supply with fitting gifts for his service 2 That our endeavours may be blessed for the maintainance of the Cause 3 That he will please by all meanes in all places continually to maintaine the same and oppose the contrary Thirdly divers motives to stirre up by all meanes to help to our uttermost to maintaine the Cause of God 1 Such as have respect to the Lord most blessed for evermore as he is our God in foure respects among many more 1 That he is our Creator and hath made us for his own glory and that we cannot any way better answer the end of our creation then by offering our service yea to the death if he thinks sit for his names sake 2 That he is our Father therfore it were an unnaturall cowardly and shamefull part to stand still and look on when other of our Christian brethren are abused smitten and slaine 3 That he is our Lord then were it a base uncivill hatefull part in us to be quiet when others of our deare and loving fellow-servants are wronged and persecuted 4 That he is our chiefe good from whom we have received and doe expect all good therefore we are bound to testifie our thankfulnesse in this respect especially 2 Such as have respect to the Lord Jesus Christ our Redeemer as 1 As he is our Redeemer and dyed for us we should not suffer his Crosse to be defaced his blood to be trodden under foot as is done by Idolaters against whom we must in this case contend to the uttermost 2 Because he is persecuted and fought against in his Church should we not take his part who hath done and suffered so much for us that were his enemies and with holy wrath and indignation and deep desire of godly revenge for the wrongs done to him fight and doe all we can 3 Because he saith he that seeketh to save his life and that not for him loseth it and he that loseth his life for his sake shall find it 4 And because he protesteth if we be ashamed of him here he will be ashamed of us before his heavenly Father and what greater shame for us then not to take his part against the subtle cruell mighty wicked enemies of his and our fellow-members 3 Such as have respect to God the holy Ghost our Sanctifier and Comforter 1 He sanctifying us how should we not help them whom he hath sanctified together with us also 2 And labour to maintaine the meanes of our sanctification even his Ordinances which these his enemies would bereave us of 3 As he is our comforter would we be comforted by him and should we not be a meanes as well as we and all we may to comfort others comfortlesse and afflicted 4 Because he worketh in us all that are his one faith one hope one way alike desires and affections and sealeth unto us the assurance of that onely and eternall happinesse and that to this end chiefly the more to oblidge us to love and help one another which can no way be better manifested then in this manner 4 Such motives hereunto as may be drawne from the consideration of the disposition and demeanour of those his and our enemies as 1 They blaspheme the name of our God by their abominable idolatries 2 They rob him of his honour and give that to their idolatries 3. They mock our prayers too and serving of God 4 They deride our trust in his name 5 They reproach and revile our holy profession 6 They have defiled do and will defile the places of Gods worship where they have the upper hand 7 They banish imprison torment and kill the sevants of God and will serve us so if they prevaile 2 They ravish