and brotherly compassion to the poor with an humble heart looking to God only for a reward of his bounty according to his gratious and free promise Luk 6.38 2 Cor 9. v. 6. to the end also 1 Tim. 6.17 18 19. Remember the poor widow that gave two mites all that she had by her and was highly commended for it by the Lord himself Mar. 12.42 43 44. Mat. 10.42.43 12. In prosperity as in health strength ease peace liberty plenty courteous respects from others good success in lawful undertakings and the like 1. Labour to see the good hand of God in all outward good things for God is the God of all mercies 2 Cor. 1.3 Every good gift is from above and cometh down from the Father of Lights Jam. 1.17 1 Chron. 29.11 12. It is God that giveth power to get wealth Deut. 8.18 even when men are most industrious and instrumental Promotion cometh neither from the East nor from the West but God putteth down one and setteth up another Psal 75.6 2. Thankfully acknowledge Gods goodness in every thing and give him the praise Psal 103.1 2. 3. Use all his benefits in those ways and to those ends and uses to which God hath appointed and serve him more cheerfully with them and for them It is a great abuse of Gods benefits and dishonour to God to hoard them up covetously to look on or delight in excess of eating drinking apparel lavish idle expences gaming to bribe some to oppress others or to be proud of them and Lord it over others or to slight and neglect them 4. In abundance labour to keep thy heart humble and be courteous towards all even to the meanest Take heed of being proud or domineering over the poor or slighting them as rich men are apt to do for who made thee to differ from the meanest and poorest 5. Even in abundance take heed of trusting in any worldly things but labour to live in the world above the world trusting and relying on God alone Psal 62.10 If riches increase set not your hearts upon them 1 Tim. 6.17 18. Take heed of being ensnared by them Deut. 8.10 11 12 13 14. 6. Use the world with weaned affections Sit loose to all worldly things as friends children worldly goods that you may be ready to part with them whensoever or howsoever God shall please to take them from you or you from them 1 Cor. 7.29 30 31. If outward things stick to us or we to them as our skin on our back as a right hand or right eye they will very hardly be parted with but if they fit loose in our affections as a loose garment on us or as a wooden legg or arm or glass-eye then it will be easie to part with them To this end consider how vain empty uncertain and unsatisfying all worldly things are especially to give us any true comfort peace ease of Conscience or of outward pain many times to procure Gods favour pardon of sin freedom from wrath and the like also how many cares and troubles do usually accompany worldly estates consider Judas his case his money then would not comfort him and Hamans Esth. 5.9 11 12 13 and 7.7 8 9 10. 13 In adversity viz. in sickness weakness pain reproaches poverty in juries losses crosses and the like 1. Labour to see Gods hand in all these things for God hath a righteous wise and gratious providence in all these things and for good to all his Amos 3.6 Is there any evil in the City namely of punishment or suffering and the Lord hath not done it Isa 45.7 I form the light and create darkness I make peace and create evil I the Lord do all these things Afflictions come not out of the dust Job 5.6 Therefore own acknowledge and justifie God in all his dealings though never so sharp and grievous to flesh and blood 2. Labour if it may be to find out the particular cause the sin that is the cause of your suffering ingeniously confess your sins bewail them and resolve to amend what is amiss 1 Cor. 11.30 31. If we would judge our selves we should not be condemned with the world c. 3. Be patient humble and quietly submit to the good pleasure of God Be willing to be what God would have you to be he knows best what is fittest for us take heed of murmuring repining fretting at his hand distrusting God much more of using any unlawful or unwarrantable means to be freed Above all take heed of seeking unto cunning men or women for help or ease that is in plain terms to go to the devil for help when God afflicts a hainous crime for what or whosoever is the instrument yet God is the Author of afflictions and troubles therefore Job though his sufrings were exceeding great from the Chaldeans the Sabeans and the Devil that set them all on did not say the Chaldeans or Sabeans or the Devil but the Lord hath given and the Lord hath taken and blessed be the Name of the Lord he looked at Gods hand in all and justified God God lays afflictions on his people either to correct them for sin humble and bring them home to himself or to exercise and discover the truth and strength of their faith and other graces as patience c. and to brighten them and make them more illustrious Also consider that out greatest and sharpest sufferings are much less than we deserve and we suffer most justly but Jesus Christ most unjustly and yet bore it most patiently 4. Look on the Examples of the Godly and how patiently they suffered Heb. 10.34 and Heb. Chap. 11. especially ver 37. to the end Jam. 5.7 8 9 10. yea the Lord Christ himself though most innocent and made it his whole work to go about to do good 1 Pet. 3.18 and 4.12 13 14. Heb. 12.1 2 3 4. 5. Consider how many good things you have which many others want be thankful and contented consider also that many others suffer as well as you yea in the same kind and others in some kind or other as much as large and some much more grievously even such as are dear unto God as Job David Paul and many others even unto the death 6. Consider also the many promises God hath made As 1. That he will lay no more on his Servants than they shall be able to bear 1 Cor. 10.13 And if he lay on more burden he will give them more strength 2 Cor. 1.4 5. And so a very great burden or suffering will be no more troublesome than a small matter with little strength 2. That he will be present with you in afflictions and troubles Read Isa 41 12 13. and 43.2 3. 3. That all afflictions and seeming cross-Providences are out of his love in mercy and faithfulness for their good Psal 25.10 4. That he will deliver his out of all troubles and sufferings make a way for them to escape in the best time 1 Cor. 10.13 5. That he will
Christ or blessed Trinity 7. and have one God and Father Rom. 16.17 Now I beseech you Brethren mark them which cause divisions among you and avoid them He that separateth from a true Christian a child of God or any one whom Christ ewneth and receiveth though never so weak and mean doth so far separate and disown Christ himself who is the Head of that Member Consider Titus 3.2 Speak evil of no man also Jude ver 19. 2. Endeavour what in you lieth the peace of the Church and Common-wealth Mark 9.50 Have peace one with another Rom. 14.19 Follow after the things which make for peace and wherein one may edifie another Heb. 12.14 Follow after peace and holiness without which no man shall see God 2 Cor. 13.11 Finally Brethren be of one mind live in peace and the God of love and peace shall be with you The Gospel is the Gospel of peace Rom. 10.15 Peace is the frequent wish and prayer of the Apostle in every Epistle one end of our calling 1 Cor. 7.15 God is the God of peace Rom. 15.33 Christ is the Prince of Peace Ephes 2.14 Our peace and peace-maker Col. 1.10 It is one of the last Legacies Christ gave to his Church John 14.27 A fruit of the Spirit Gal. 5.22 Therefore let the peace of God rule in your hearts Col. 3.15 For blessed are the peace-makers Mat. 5.9 Labour therefore for a peaceable disposition avoid contentions study to be quiet and mind your own business 1 Thes 4.11 Many and great are the benefits of peace but woful are the fruits of contentions and divisions especially of War 3. Also love one another yea all men godly persons for Godliness sake civil and moral men for their civility and morality temperance justice truth civilities and the like Yea also evil men and enemies love their persons pity them pray for them exercise civility and Christian carriage towards them but shun their evil courses and wicked opinions and ways 1 Pet. 3.8 Love as Brethren be pitiful be courteous 1 Pet. 1.22 See that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently It is Christs command Mat. 5.44 Love your enemies bless them that curse you pray for them that despitefully use you and persecute you and do good to them that hate you that you may be the children of your Father which is in Heaven for he maketh his Sun to shine on the good and on the bad c. 1 John 4.7 8. Beloved let us love one another every one that loveth i. e. truly heartily for God's and Christs sake is born of God He that loveth not knoweth not God 1 Joh. 3.14 15. We know that we are passed from death to life because we love the Brethren He that hateth his brother abideth in death whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer and you know that no murtherer hath eternal life abiding in him See before 16. Endeavour to be and alwayes walk in the fear of the Lord I mean an holy fear of offending God any way out of love to God Prov. 23.17 Be thou in the fear of the Lord all the day long for happy is he that feareth always Prov. 28 14. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom Prov. 1.7 and 9.10 A good understanding have all they that do thereafter Psalm 111.10 The fear of the Lord is to depart from evil Prov. 3.7 and 8.13 and 16.6 It prolongeth life Pro. 19.27 Tendeth to life Prov. 19.23 And a little with the fear of the Lord is better than great treasure without it Consider I pray that you are always in his presence and that he takes notice of all your deeds words and thoughts and that we must give an account of our selves and all our ways unto God Eccles 12.13 14. Fear God and keep his Commandments for this is the whole duty of man For God will bring every work into judgment c. So 2 Cor. 5.10 Rom. 14.10 And therefore as much as in you lieth endeavour to live every day as if it were the last To this end mind two things First be careful to avoid and shun all evil and occasions of sin 1. All sin as much as may be in deed word or thought Sin is the transgression of the Law of God 1 Joh. 3.4 any swerving from the Law of God in the matter manner order time measure or end And sin and nothing but sin is evil in it self or own nature forbidden of God hated of him and severely punished by him is filthy defiles the Soul dangerous and damnable the only meritorious cause of all evil of suffering and sorrow whatsoever in body estate name liberty Soul mind here and both in Soul and body hereafter for ever in Hell Therefore be always afraid of sinning against God out of love of God and holiness which are so transcendently good and out of hatred of sin that is so exceedingly evil and will bring nothing but shame and sorrow most intolerable misery for ever How pleasing soever sin seems to sinners now it will be extreme bitter in the end And especially 2. Shun all occasions of sin As first Evil company there is a great danger of being ensnared and brought into sin by evil company at least of being grieved by them consider Dinahs case Gen. 34.1 2. Also Gen. 39.9 10 c. Prov. 13.2 He that walketh with wise men shall be wise but a companion of fools shall be destroyed Observe not the fool only but he also that accompanies with him therefore saith Solomon Prov. 4.14 15. Enter not into the path of the wicked avoid it pass by it turn away from it Very many hopeful persons have been utterly undone every way in their name estates bodies and souls by evil companions In any company where you have not a necessary obligation to be with them where you have no hope of doing good nor receiving good so soon as with civility you may leave them Pro. 5.8 7.22 23 27. 1 Cor. 16.13 and 15 33 1 Cor. 5.9 10 11. And especially take heed of being tainted with the foul errors corrupt opinions and the sins and abominations of the times wherein you live The fuller the world is of defilements the greater must your care be to keep your selves unspotted of the world Jam. 1.27 As Noah kept himself clear from the corruptions of the old World Lot preserved himself pure from the pollutions of Sodom Daniel was not defiled with the idolatries of Babylon Thus the fish retains his freshness in the salt Sea the rose its sweetness amongst the noysome weeds and the Diamond its brightness though it lie in the dust Keep your selves pure from foul errors and sins as you would have God preserve you safe in dangerous times as he did Noah in the Ark Daniel and the three Nobles in Babylon Ezekiels mourners Jeremiah and many others Secondly avoid evil places places of evil resort and of evil report for uncleanness drinking gaming or any other vice or ungodliness Thirdly
2 Thes 1.7 8 9 10. The Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty Angels in flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God and that obey not the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ who shall be punished with everlasting destruction And so on to v. 11. And this knowledge must not be an idle meer notional knowledg swimming in the brain but an operative practical powerful transforming knowledge such as workes on the heart and puts on to believe and practice what a man knoweth and doth transforme change and make a man to endeavour to be like unto God himself loving merciful good gratious holy just true and spiritual Many wicked men yea enemies and persecutors of the true Religion and godly men have do know much as to a speculative and notional knowledge and can speak well when they please but make no conscience to practice what they know Secondly Faith is necessary to the right participation of the Lords Supper also to live and die comfortably and happily A particular distinct Faith which is a recieving and resting on Christ alone for salvation as he is offered to us in the Gospel More largely and generally Faith is a resting and relying on God the Father for all good things both for soul and body this life and that to come only for the alone mercy of God and merit of Christ the Mediatour John 1.12 and 3.16 God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son that whose believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life Mark 16.16 He that believeth shall be saved but he that believeth not shall be damned Heb. 11.6 Without Faith it is impossible to please God Thirdly Repentance is also necessary to live and die well and happily Luke 13.3.5 Said our Saviour Except ye repent ye shall all likewise perish Therefore it is called Repentance unto life Acts 11.18 Now repentance is a conversion or turning of the heart and whole man from sin all sin in affection and endeavour unto God Therefore it is so often expressed in the Scripture by turning as Deut. 4.30 and 30.10 1 Kings 8.35 Nehem. 1.9 Psal 7.12 and very often elsewhere There are two parts of Repentance Humiliation and Reformation 1. Humiliation and sorrow for sin past and present because sin a transgression of the holy just and good law of God Rom. 7.12 and because offensive and hateful to God a filthy thing defiling and dangerous to our selves yea damnable if continued in 2. Reformation or amendment of life an unfained leaving of all sin in affection and also in practice in respect of sincere desires purpose and endeavour daily to amend whatsoever is amiss and to lead a life according to the command of God without which sorrow for sin and humiliation availes little Fourthly sincere love true hearty Christian love is another necessary grace both love to God the Father Jesus Christ and to our Neighbour 1 Love to God even the whole blessed Trinity in unity who is the only chief and all-sufficient good most lovely in respect of his most excellent wisdome love goodness holiness mercy truth faithfulness justice and all other his transcendent perfections Also for what he hath done for us and is still most ready to do for his people Deut. 6.5 Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart with all thy soul and with all thy might So Deut. 10.12 Mat. 23.37 2. We must love our Neighbour also Mat. 22.37 Thou shalt love thy Neighbour as thy self that is truly heartily and really making it appear by the fruits and effects of it as occasion requireth and opportunity serveth and as we are able and that both to good and bad men 1. Good men with a love of complacency and delight because of the Image of God in them Psal 16.2 3. 2. Bad men evil yea wicked men yea enemies with a love of benevolence that is so as to pity them wish them good pray for them counsel instruct admonish and reprove also when there is just cause occasion opportunity and we may do it with any hopes of doing good Levit. 19.17 Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thy heart but thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy neighbour not suffer sin upon him or not bear sin for him as the margin hath it Mat. 5 44. I say unto you said the Lord Jesus Love your enemies bless them that curse you do good to them that hate you and pray for them which despitefully use you and persecute you that you may be the children of your Father which is in heaven Not rendring evil for evil 1 Pet. 3.9 Yet hate and shun their sins and have no fellowship in the unfruitful workes of darkness Eph. 5.11 Sixthly sincere obedience an hearty desire purpose and endeavour to observe the whole will of God and obey him in all his commands both of piety and holiness towards God and of justice equity and mercy towards men sobriety towards ones self Tit. 2.11 12. This I mention particularly though it might have been included in the former because Christ will be a Saviour to none but to them that do sincerely obey him Heb. 5.9 Christ Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty Angels in flaming fire rendring vengeance on them that know not God and that obey not the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ 2 Thes 1.7 8 9 10. And because I would have it particularly minded and observed Now consider I beseech you for the Lord Jesus Christ his sake and that seriously 1. Whether you have these such a knowledge of God and of your selves whether you do in some measure see your misery by sin the remedy thereof by Christ know the doctrine of the Sacraments and that not with a bare notional knowledg but a working and practical knowledg And have you a true living faith in God through Jesus Christ whom he hath sent such a faith as applies the righteousness of Christ for justification and draws virtue from him for sanctification and holy conversation Do you truly repent of your sins and heartily endeavour to amend what is amiss are you new creatures and endeavour to live in newness of life Do you mak conscience of obeying Gods commands of living holily and dealing truly faithfully and justly with all men Do you truly love God for himself and above all things and your neighbour truly and heartily for Gods and Christs sake wishing his good and be ready to do any Christian neighbourly office of love for him or any of them forgiving private wrongs and injuries as you would that God for Christs sake should forgive you or do you heartily desire and truly endeavour after these things if so in truth then happy are you blessed be God for this great mercy and goodness to you he has done more for you then if he had given you very many thousands and made you great the greatest persons in the world yea then if he had given
satisfie the vast and boundless desires of the Soul which cause is God for the Soul could not make it self and its admirable faculties 5. The practices of Satan prove as much for the devil labours by all means to move men to deny God to draw them to sin and all ungodliness to extinguish the light of the word and to keep men in ignorance bring them into errours prophaness and all wickedness as our present times and all Ages prove by woful experience and so to bring men to eternal destruction which plainly shews that there is a God who is most holy just good and that gives eternal life to his children servants that desire faithfully to serve him keep his law and obey his commandments John 10.27 28. Heb. 5.9 6. The consent of all Nations in the world prove clearly that there is a God no Nation was ever so barbarous as not to acknowledge and worship a God as the Heathen Orator Cicero observed although they could not by the light of nature know the true God yet they had and worshipped many Gods or Idols rather yea some unknown as Acts 17.23 To the unknown God that they might be sure amongst them all to worship the true God a plain sure argument that they knew there is a God to whom divine worship is due 7. The defence protection and increase of the Church and people of God who were very few at the first notwithstanding all the malice fury power and policy of the Devil and all worldly men his instruments who were very many to one Christian and those many of them of great Authority malice power and policy and laboured with all their might by all means possible that the Devil and worldly men could invent utterly to root out all that did own and profess Jesus Christ and the Christian Religion as Psal 83.2 3 4 5 6. Notwithstanding the Christians have been wonderfully preserved defended supported and strengthned to indure contempt disgrace poverty imprisonment and the most exquisite torments that could be invented even to the death with invincible courage and admirable patience comfort and cheerfulness also many of them were much increased by the very same means the Enemies used to root them out and the Enemies were plagued with dreadful judgements and horrors of conscience so that many of them out of anguish and despair of attaining their ends the destruction of the Church made away themselves others did leave their places of great Authority power wealth and honour which is an evident demonstration that there is a God of infinite power wisdom goodness and justice that did so defend protect support comfort and multiply his suffering people and disappoint plague and severely punish their Enemies that they might easily see their sin in their punishment 8. Lastly to name no more it is an evident and undeniable argument that there is a God that such as have studied to become Atheists could never blot this truth out of their consciences but at some times were forced to confess that there is a God at least to fear and tremble at the thoughts of his Majesty and wonderful workes as thunder and such like 2. That there is but one God is evident to common reason because there can be but one infinite omnipotent eternal and most perfect being but one first cause of all things for all things are referred to one first cause Dan. 4.35 Rom. 11.36 Revel 1.8 and 4.11 3. That there are three distinct persons or manners of subsisting in that one God-head That there is a plurality of divine persons more then one is evident from the Hebrew forms of speaking of God Gen. 1.1 In the original word for word Gods he created a Noun plural to a Verb singular Isai 54.5 Thy makers is thy husbands Eccles. 12.1 Remember thy Creators So Psalm 149.2 Also Genes 19.24 Jehovah rained upon Sodom and Gomorrha brimstone and fire from Jehovah out of heaven likewise Gen. 1.26 Let us make man Job 35.10 These and divers other Hebrew forms and expressions prove that there is a plurality of persons of divine persons in the God-head That there is a Trinity three distinct divine persons in the God-head is clearly evidenced and so as cannot with any colour of reason be denyed from those words of our Saviour Matth. 28.19 Go and teach all Nations baptizing them in the name of the Father of the Son and of the holy Ghost Also from 1 John 5.7 There are three that beare record in Heaven the Father the Word and the holy Ghost and these three are one namely one God See likewise Mat. 3.16 17. Which three divine persons in that one undivided essence nature or God-head are these the Father the Son and the Holy-Ghost or Spirit and are all co-equal co-essential and co-eternal of a most pure and spiritual nature infinite in understanding wisdom power goodness mercy most holy and most righteous That God is the creator maker preserver and governour of the whole world and of all persons and things in it with all their actions and events that he made man after his own Image in knowledge righteousness and true holiness who by eating of the forbidden fruit lost the Image of God in which he was created and all his peace and happiness and all mankind in him and became very sinful and miserable of himself and by nature altogether unable to do any thing that is truly and spiritually good and pleasing unto God or not to do evil which brings guilt and condemnation That Jesus Christ the eternal Son of God the second Person in the blessed Trinity took on him the nature of man and was made in all things like unto us sin only excepted was born of the Virgin Mary suffered under Pontius Pilate and so on as it is in the Creed and this that in our nature name and stead he might fulfil the law satisfie Gods justice and purchase for all his righteousness and life eternal Also that Jesus Christ is the Prophet Priest and King of his Church 1. A Prophet to reveal unto us the way to everlasting life what we are to know believe and do that we might be eternally saved Deut. 18.18 19. John 6.14 Luke 4.18 19. 2. That he is a Priest and our great high Priest to offer up himself a sacrifice once for all Heb. 5.1 and 9.26 Which he did by his suffering death and rising again to satisfie the justice and law of God for mans sins in transgressing his law and thereby purchasing for all his eternal redemption reconciliation forgiveness of sins justification acceptation of our persons and services and eternal life Rom. 4.25 and all good things needful for this life and that to come and also to make intercession to the Father for us Heb. 7.25 3. That Christ is also a King to bridle and subdue all his Enemies Col. 2.15 1 Cor. 15.28 Psal 110.1 2. and so gather govern his Elect and chosen powerfully to save them out of
are those that having by their labour gotten a little money either lavish it out in some finery or dainty fare and strong drink above their ability in a moderate way at some special time is not to be blamed And so feasting as it were one day and then are forced to fait or go with an empty belly two or three days after whereas a wise husbanding that little they get might supply their wants at all times something comfortably Thus living and walking according to these and the former rules and directions none need to fear either want or death but may comfortably say with David The Lord is my shepherd I shall not want Psal 23.1 and apply that of Isaiah Isa 57.2 He shall enter into peace they shall rest in their beds None need to fear want that hath an All-sufficient God and a most tender Father to provide for them nor need to fear death seeing to die to a Godly man is to enter into peace and rest in his bed none fear to go to bed when they know they shall rest Object Thus to live perhaps some will say or at least think were to banish all joy and comfort and to live an heavy mopish melancholy life Ans 1. The world is much mistaken and deceived The Godly man is forbidden or debarred no joy natural or worldly that is lawful and convenient for matter and other circumstances but only meer carnal sensual delights and others when and so far as they are evil in respect of circumstances which worldly delights so far worldly and voluptuous men must and will repent of when they shall give an account of themselves and their sinful pleasures and delights unto God 2. None under Heaven have so much true joy delight and content as the truly Godly man hath or may have even the most strict and most religious of them But indeed their joy and delights are not carnal but spiritual not outward in the face voice and lungs but inward in the heart a true sound solid joy but the joy of worldlings is a slight superficial underling joy of the bo y not of the soul like the flash of a bavin in the fire or straw it will make a great flame and noise but yeeld little hear it doth scorch rather than heat kindly and is quickly gone and out but the Godly mans joy is in his soul Luk. 1.46 47. Psal 13.5 and 33.21 a substantial hearty and lasting joy What greater joy can there be What greater comfort and cause of rejoycing than to know and be assured or have some comfortable grounds of hope that they are freed from the reigning and condemning power of sin from the destroying power of the devil death and hell have their sins pardoned God reconciled Christ to be their Saviour God to be their Father the Holy Ghost to be their sanctifier instructer guide and comforter and Heaven to be their everlasting inheritance and that in the mean time all things even the worst shall work together for their spiritual and everlasting good comfort and happiness the all wise and over-ruling gratious Providence of God Rom. 8.28 Psal 25.10 Therefore says the Apostle Phil. 4.4 Rejoyce in the Lord always and again I say Rejoyce Such a joy as the world can neither give nor take away nor understand Isa 9.3 Prov. 14.10 John 16.22 Object 2. Yet again p ssibly some may think this seems to be too much preciseness and niceness more than needs What shall none go to Heaven but such as live very precisely and strictly Answ I cannot deny but many shall go to Heaven yea all that are truly Godly and live holily though they are not of so strict a life as some are But 2. I never heard or read of so much as one in all my life that was truly Godly that thought himself too holy and strict but of many no doubt truly Godly strict who have complained and were troubled that they were no more holy and conformable to the will and Law of God and to Jesus Christ Read and consider David Psal 119.5.14 15 16 33 34. and many other places Paul also Rom. 7.18 19 c. and Phil. 3.9 10 12 13 14. 3. I say also that even wicked loose prophane persons when themselves come to die if the eyes of their understandings be truly open and conscience awaked they will justifie the most holy strict Christians and heartily wish that themselves had lived so I have heard and seen some do so on their sick beds when they had dying thoughts 4. Consider what Christ saith and commandeth us and all men Mat. 5.48 Be ye perfect even as your heavenly Father is perfect and what the Apostle saith and enjoyns in the name of God 1 Pet. 1.15 16. As he which has called you is holy so be ye holy in all manner of conversation Because it is written Be ye holy for I that is God or Christ am holy Now who can be perfect in this life for degree as God our Father in Heaven is Holy And who can be so holy in all manner of conversation while in the state of mortality as Jesus Christ is holy yet this we are all commanded to endeavour after here And now dear Friends and Christians give me leave to add only a few choice places of Scripture to be always ready at hand and before your eyes Ephes 4.22 23 c. Put off concerning the former conversation the old man which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts And be you renewed in the spirit of your mind and that ye put on the new man which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness Wherefore putting away lying speak every man truth with his neighbour for we are members one of another Be angry namely when there is a just cause but sin not let not the Sun go down upon your wrath neither give place to the Devil Let him that stole steal no more but labour with his own hands the thing which is good that he may have to give to him that needeth Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouths but that which is good for edifying that it may minister grace to the hearers And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God whereby you are souled up unto the day of redemption Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamour and evil speaking be put away from you with all malice And be ye kind to one another tender hearted forgiving one another even as God for Christ sake hath or as you desire God should forgive you Phil. 2.1 2 to 7. If there be any consolation in Christ if any comfort of love if any fellowship in the Spirit if any bowels of mercy fulfil ye my joy that ye be like minded having the same love being of one accord of one mind Let nothing be done through strife and vain-glory but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than themselves Look not every man on his own things but every man also on the things of another Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Rom. 12.1 2 I beseech you by the mercies of God Brethren that ye present your selves a living sacrifice holy and acceptable unto God which is your reasonable service and be not conformed to the world but be ye transformed in the renewing of your minds Phil. 4.8 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 if there be any vertue if there be any praise think on these things 1 Pet. 3.8 9 10 11. Be all of one mind having compassion one of another love as Brethren be pitiful be courteous not rendring evil for evil or railing for railing but contrariwise blessing knowing that ye are thereunto called that ye should inherit a blessing For he that will love life and see good days let him refrain his tongue from evil and his lips that they speak no guile For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous and his ears are open unto their prayers but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil Colos 3.12 13. Put on therefore as the elect of God holy and beloved bowels of mercies kindness humbleness of minde meekness long-suffering forbearing one another and forgiving one another if any man have a quarrel one against another even as Christ forgave you so also do ye And above all things put on charity which is the bond of perfectness And let the peace of God rule in your hearts to the which ye are called in one body and be ye thankful Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another in Psalms and hymns and spiritual songs singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatsoever ye do in word or deed do all in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ giving thanks unto God and the Father by him Act. 20.32 And now Brethren I commend you to God and the word of his Grace which is able to build you up and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified 2 Cor. 13.11 Finally Brethren farewel be perfect be of good comfort be of one mind live in peace and the God of peace and love shall be with you Heb. 13.18 20 21. Pray for us for we trust we have a good conscience in all things willing to live honestly Now the God of peace that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus Christ that great Shepherd of the sheep through the blood of the everlasting covenant make you perfect in every good work to do his will working in you that which is well-pleasing in his sight through Jesus Christ 1 Pet. 5.10 11. And the God of all Grace who hath called us to his eternal Glory by or in Jesus Christ after that ye have suffered a while make you perfect stablish strengthen settle you To whom be glory and dominion for ever and ever Amen Now dear Christians Brethren and friends consider what I have written and the Lord give you understanding in all things and forget not to pray for him and his who is April 1670. Your very affectionate kinsman and friend to love and serve your Souls good while he is T. M.