in vs. 8 To separate vs from the wicked in this life 9 And so to conforme vs to Christ Rom. 8.25 2. Tim 3.5 10 Prouoking vs to a daily iudging of our selues that wee bee not condemned with the world 1. Cor. 11.30.31 11 To weane vs from the loue of this life and cause vs to long and sigh for our deliuerance Apoc. 6.10 Apoc. 22.20 Secondly that we may vse afflictions rightly wee must bee able rightly to discerne of them As 1 That of all those of the conscience are most fearfull and dangerous and yet in the issue proue most comfortable 2 That in the greatest wee are to looke for greatest assistance 3 Such as proceede from Sathan may be discerned by their violēce and suddennesse and shortnesse 4 Those from the flesh by their sutablenesse to the complexion and diseases 5 Those from the world by their sorting with our quality calling outward occasions c. Thirdly that wee may vse them aright we must be alwayes prepared to them 1. Pet. 4.12 and that 1 By submitting our wils simply in all things to the prouidence of our gracious father Math 26.39 2 By considering that wee were predestinated and ordained vnto them Rom. 8.22 3 We must in the purpose of our hearts make choyce of this ordinance Math. 7. and bee ready to vndergoe it Heb. 11.25 4 That this is the narrow way and straight gate that leades to heauen Act. 14. 5 That all the Saints of God haue haue traced this way before vs. Heb. 1. 6 That this yoake is easie and the burthen passing light as hauing the sting thereof taken away by Iesus Christ and yet that hee beares the burthen now with vs. Esay 53 and indeed wholly takes it vpon him Math. 10. 7 Feare we alwayes our selues in regard of sin and what in this respect may come vpon vs. 8 That these troubles are enemies to the flesh and therfore the rather to be vndergone to subdue so treacherous an enemy 2. Cor. 12. 9 By imposing voluntary troubles vpon our selues that so wee may better digest such as God shall necessarily inflict vpon vs 1. Cor. 9.27 And these are 9 Let vs enter into the house of mourning and obserue the chastisements of the Lord vpon others labouring to stirre vp our bowels towardes them and to weepe with them that weep Rom. 12. 10 And at no hand presume we of our strength before the time but feare wee our selues and cast wee our selues wholly on GOD. Mat. 26.33 11 Discerne wee wisely our fitnesse for troubles and auoyd wee all vnnecessary and vnseasonable afflictions Iohn 18.8 Matth. 10.23 2. Cor. 11.33 12 Iudge we wisely of the troubles of others and take heed wee adde not affliction to their affliction Psa. 41. 13 Meditate we often of the former ends and benefites of troubles which are manifold Psa. 119.67 14 Vse wee an holy moderation in the time of our prosperity in our dyet apparrell liberty c. 1. Pet. 5.8 And let vs now cut off all heady affections as anger griefe and so in troubles they shall not preuaile against vs. 15 Maintaine wee especially tendernesse of conscience and soundnesse of heart by daily examination and iudging our selues so shall we be fit for any affliction Cor. 1.12 16 If our estate seeme to diminish outwardly let vs be contented with it and so shall we by degrees be prepared to further emptying 2. Cor. 4.16 Especially let vs deny our selues and our owne wisedome so shall no crosse bee strange vnto vs. 17 Consider wee that wee haue our Captaine Christ Iesus to bee our Companion in all troubles 1. Pet. 4.13 Yea hee hath already trode the wine presse alone and taken away the sting of our troubles yea conquered for vs that so we may not be weary nor faint in our mindes 18 And that wee haue the strength of the holy Ghost to lead vs through them Phil. 4.13 19 And bee wee assured of the protection of Angels to defend vs in the same Psal. 34. 20 And let vs be thinking of the shortnesse of life and so of troubles and preparing to death and so no afflictions shall bee vnwelcome to vs. Phil. 1.20 21 Forget wee not to meditate often on the ioyes of heauen that so when afflictions come wee may bee encouraged the rather to vndergoe them in respect of the inestimable reward which is set before vs. 2. Cor. 4.16.17 And thus shall we be happily prepared to afflictions and so make a comfortable vse of them when they are vpon vs. To this end consider further 1 Not what God hath laid vpon vs but what wee haue deserued Rom. 6.23 Dan. 9.7 Psa. 119.75 Psa. 103.9.10 2 In all our troubles looke wee not vppon the Instrument that doth chastice vs as on the Lord that directs and turnes about to good 2. Chr. 20. Ps. 142. renouncing chance and trusting onely in the Lord as the guider of our troubles all vse discerning the cause and reforming it and seeing light in darknesse 15 Bee wee thankfull vnto God for them and reioyce wee vnder the crosse 16 If we be buffeted vnder the crosse with impatiency or such like tentations let it comfort vs that feeling these corruptions and acknowledging yea striuing against them it is a certaine token of a future victory 17 Consider we the euils that are prepared for sinners that so wee may the better endure light afflictions 2. Thess. 1. 18 Forget wee not to compare the present profit in troubles with the sensible losse that sin is hereby lessened and the matter of sin weakened 2. Cor. 4. And rather blesse wee GOD that wee suffer not more troubles then bee grieued for such as are vpon vs. 19 Liue wee especially by Faith and not by Sense beleeuing the things we see not and hoping the things that are desperate 2. Corin. 1. Heb. 11. 20 That Gods power is more seene in the issues out of trouble then in keeping vs out of them altogether and therefore this serues to the magnifying of Gods power Psal. 98.1 Which wee must meditate on remembring when wee suffer most yet wee suffer as the children of God 1. Pet. 5.9 21 Hereby Satan also is most confounded that whereby he labours most to ouerthrow the Cburch and Gods children they are by the same confirmed and profited Phil. 1.12 In our particular troubles reioyce wee for the prosperitie of the Church and Christians elsewhere 22 Promise we to further others in the waies of God Psal. 51. 23 Vow wee the praises of God in the great congregations Ps. 35 24 Moue we the Lord from the insolency of our enemies Ps. 119.126 Psa. 41. 25 As also by testifying our zeale to his glory that it may not bee blasphemed of the wicked Num. 14. Exod. 12. Psal. 74. Psal. 80. 26 Labour we especially to comfort our heart with the testimony of our innocency and that good cause for which we suffer 1. Sam. 24.12 That the seruant is not aboue the maister
Law 2 In the Gospell 3 By iudging sinne Chap. 6. Of growth in grace a sixt dutie daily to be practised What it is How furthered How tried How discerned Chap. 7. A seauenth dutie dayly to be performed is thankefulnesse Here 1 Of the vse How to be practised What to be auoyded Helpes hereunto The benefit therof Chap. 8. Eightly wee are dayly bound to constancy and perseuerance The necessitie hereof Helpes hereunto Remoueall of hinderances As The fall of the elect How farre Difference herein betweene them and the wicked herein The vse hereof chap. 9. A ninth duty of this dayly sacrifice is watchfulnesse The vse hereof How performed The helpes thereto chap. 10. A tenth duty constancy to bee performed euery day is Prayer both Publicke and priuate Hereof 1. in generall It conditions The benefit of the same Chap. 11. The last dutie dayly to be practised is to maintaine peace with God to rise vppe and lie downe with it Here of lying downe with this peace It necessitie How obtained How performed Chap. 12. And so by way of Conclusion Is propounded how we may profit by this direction Helpes heereunto Triall hereof and The benefit of the same Chap. 13. The third Booke containeth a direction how to entertaine each seuerall occasion of the Day where 1 Of preparation to each seuerall occasion Chap. 1. 2 Of arising with God and beginning the day with him The necessity hereof How performed How furthered Chap. 2. 3 Of Family and Priuate Prayer It necessitie How performed and by whom What to be auoyded herein Direction for the same The benefit thereof Chap. 3. 4 Of Callings and following thereof heere 1 That it is Gods ordinance And To be expected by ordinary meanes The right vse especially to be aymed at And How to vse them aright How to leaue them How to intermit them The benefite thereof The triall of the right vse Chap. 4. Of the right vse of the creatures for food The benefite and Triall thereof Chap. 5. Of Apparell How to iudge aright thereof How to vse the same The benefite thereof Helpes hereunto Chap. 6. Of Company and it vse necessity 1 Here first of the profite hereof 2 How to discerne of good and bad company What company to bee chosen How to be refused How to carry our selues in good company how to sort with euill ones The benefite of them Differences of good societies 1 Of Saboth societies and Rules for it and benefite of priuate exercises 2 Of Publick Thankesgiuings and Rules for them 3 Of Publicke Fast. The authoritie of them The occasions Manner of performance Time Ends. 4 Of priuate spirituall societies In Generall In particular betweene minister and people Inferiour and superiour Betweene Equals Rules generally for all Triall of the right vse The benefit thereof 5 Of accessorie meetings for religion as Councels Synods and their appurtenances as Sâ—â—â—hooles and Religious Feasts Contributions for the poore 6 Of ciuill societie 1 In state Assemblies 2 Corporations and brotherhoods 3 Contracts and Bargaines 4 Suites and controuersies 5 Recreations 6 Feastings and with Rules for all in generall And triall of the right vse Of occasionall meetings How to sort with wicked men The vse of euill company Rules hereunto Chap. 7. Of solitarinesse Rules hereunto and Cautions Triall of the right vse Chap. 8. Of prosperitie and it vse Danger thereof in the best How to vse it aright Considerations to the end Triall of the right vse Helpes hereunto Chap. 9. Benefit hereof Of aduersitie and 1. The necessitie of direction herein Causes of afflictions How to discerne betweene them That we must be prepared to them Of voluntarie afflictions And rules for the same Helpes hereunto Triall of the right vse How to auoyd necessary troubles How to foresee and auoyd a plague How to discerne a iudgement standing at the doore and escape The benefits of afflictions Of familie exercises The manner of performance and benefit thereof Chap. 11. Of the dayly account Why to be performed Motiues hereunto How practised The benefit hereof and Trial of the same Chap. 12. Conclusion of the whole with a preparation to such other Treaties as are incident hereunto Chap. 13. Errata Page 19. line 3. reade of whom pa. 24. dele and. pag. 26. l. 25. r. they p. 83 l. 21. r. emplied for implied p. 87. l. 10. r. rest one for restore pag 108. l 23. r. immortall for mortall p. 152. l. 12. r. deserue for defer p. 172. r. exhibited for inhibited p. 194. l. 14. r. affectioÌ„ for affliction p. 239. l. 5. r. haue for hearer p. 367. l. 8. r. enoying for enioying pag 411. l. 4. r. place for play p. 415. l. 25. r. stocke for flesh p. 455. l. 21. sudden quame p. 447. l. 24. r. ruine for runne p. 510. l. 28. r. for we they Thirdly that Hee is to bee worshipped CHAP. I. That there is a GOD is manifest FIRST By the Light of Nature And that by the goodly frame and beautifull order that is held in the world not possibly to bee begunne or continued in it constant course but by a most wise and omnipotent Nature Psal. 81.9 Act. 1. Rom. 1. Secondly The excellency of the minde of man euinceth no lesse both in that being so excellent it must needs proceed from a more excellent cause then it selfe which must bee GOD and seeing no earthly thing can satisfie the same what other center can it haue to rest in then it blessed Creator Iob. 32.8 Psal. 94. Act. 17. Thirdly And whence can the notions of good and euill and differences betweene them proceed if not by chance or from sense or vse then surely by some intelligent Nature and perfect Good Rom. 2.15 Fourthly Nay haue not all Nations concur'd in this Principle that there is a GOD 1 Both by experience in the conscience 2 By publicke confession and 3 Generall consent Rom. 1.19 so that what may be knowne of GOD is manifest to them and why euen because GOD hath reuealed it vnto them Fiftly whence shall the terrors of conscience arise in men that in regard of their places neede not feare man if not from a superior Iudge that both beholdeth the inward man and smiteth it with this plague Esay 66.24 Deut. 4.24 Rom. 2.15 Sixthly And are not the Mighty mightily tormented and singled out in this life to most exquisite and fearefull torments from an immediate Hand which can bee yet they would not worship Ninthly And can wee imagine that the wise and constant Gouernement of Common Wealthes could otherwise bee established and preserued then by some Diuine Power seeing Sathan the author of confusion hath alwaies oppugned mankind especially laboured the dissoluing of such Societies Prou. 8.15 Tenthly What shall wee conceiue of those Heroicall Instincts wherby with extraordinary wisedome and courage great businesses haue beene vndertaken and accomplished exceeding the common capacity as namely 1 The inuention and polishing of Arts and Sciences by Plato Aristotle c. 2
cannot be done by any but an omnipotent nature Isa. 44.7 Psa. 86.8 2 He alone raigneth ouer all alone gouerneth all things hauing sole and supreme Maiesty and therefore can bee but one Esay 42.8 1. Tim. 1.17 Reuel 4.11 3 He hath greatest perfection as hauing the whole and all alone and therefore must needes be but one Psal. 89.7 4 Hee is onely Omnipotent therefore one Dan. 4.3 Because were there many they should haue power to hinder each other 5 Multitude of Gods either implies that each would be imperfect to rule all or else if one will suffice as being perfect the rest are superfluous 6 There can bee but one Infinite 7 Neither but one First cause 8 Neither but one Chiefe good And therefore 1 As this condemneth the vanity of the Gentiles and Papists that haue multiplied their Gods according to their Citties yea Houses yea Necessities yea Sinnes 2 So it reproueth our confusion and diuisions in diuine worship seeing as he is one God so must he haue one forme of diuine worship for substance though for outward manner and circumstance wee may vary according to difference of times places occasions necessities 3 As also it condemneth all hypocrisie in diuine worship when either the man is diuided seruing God with the body and keeping the heart to it lusts or it is presumed that we may serue God sufficiently with the heart alone though wee serue the Diuel and the time with the outward man Or else the heart is diuided in the seruice of God one part intending Religion and yet with the other the World is aymed at And 4 This instructeth to vnity vniformity in Religion according to the truth and to maintaine the vnity of the spirit in the bond of peace submitting variety of opinions to the rule of the word Gal. 6. And by variety of circumstance commending aduancing the vnity of the Church 5 As also it iustifieth the vnity in mariage that so there might be an holy seed Mal. 2.7 And so cōdemneth Poligamy howsoeuer it might be tolerated in the Church of the Iewes for some priuate respects which now are ceased our God more easily and freely Especially seeing this God loueth truth in the inward parts therefore he will accept the purpose of our hearts not imputing our failings Yea seeing he is one therefore he will not onely sanctifie the diuisions and differences of the members for the good of the whole but further also will heale euery member and cure euery infirmity that so wee may serue this one God wholly and perfectly And as this one God hath but one people as one faith and one baptisme yea one Sauiour for them and therefore will not giue his glorie to another so will hee shew himselfe still wonderfull in the preseruation of this his one Doue his loue and vndefiled gathering his stil frō out the cōtagions of the world bridling the world that it shall not roote his out yea ripening the world to it iust condemnation that so he may be all in all in his Saints and his Saints may bee possessed wholly of their full inheritance CHAP. V. Of the knowledge of God in Trinity WEll thus may wee knowe God by his Attributes and so it appeareth that there is but one God Now the second meanes to know him and whereby hee reueales himselfe vnto vs is the Distinction of Persons Now a Person is a thing Subsisting no accident or cogitation decree vanishing sound created quality or motion Indiuiduall not any generall but a particular One indiuideable Liuing not inanimate without life and vnderstanding not onely hauing sence Incommunicable not the Diuine Essence which is common to the three not the substance of mans nature or any other thing created which is communicated to the thing begotten therof or thence deriued Not sustained in another And so it is neither the humane nature of Christ because though this be Subsisting Indiuiduall Vnderstanding and Incommunicable yet is it no Person because it is personally sustained in the word so that it together with the Word is the substance of one Christ except it were subsisting in the word should not at all be Neither part of another therefore not the soule of man is a person because it is part of man though otherwise it be subsisting by it selfe intelligent and not sustained by another And therefore Hence first appeareth the difference btweene the Essence of God and the Persons of the Diuine Essence As 1 By the Essence we vnderstand whatsoeuer is common to the three persons in regard of their nature and absolute being considered seuerally by themselues and in themselues 2 By Person we must vnderstand that relation which is betweene them being compared together and the maner of their existence therein Briefly thus The Essence signifies that God is or rather that there is one and that eternall Deity The person is the manner by which that diuine Essence subsisteth in each seuerally As The Father is that Essence which is of himselfe and not of another The Sonne is the same Essence but not of himselfe but of the Father The Holy Ghost is the same Essence not of himself but of the Father and of the Sonne so that The diuine Essence is one the same to and in these three but To be of it selfe or of another to bee either of One or of two that is to haue that one diuine essence either of it selfe or communicated from another either of one or two this is the manner of subsisting which is three-fold 1 To be of it selfe 2 To be generated 3 To proceede And by this Are those three persons which are signified by the name of Trinity 3. The essence is absolute and communicable but the person is relatiue incommunicable And this differēce is to be maintained 1 That the vnity of the true God be not distracted or that The distinction of persons bee not confounded or that Any other thing be foisted into our beliefe vnder the name of person then what the truth of the word doth allow And therfore here first we must beware 1 That by the person wee vnderstand not simply either a bare Relation or Office as Sabellius dreamed 2 Much lesse as Seruetus did a forme or visible representation of anothers shape and gesture But by Person 1 Must bee vnderstood a thing subsisting from others to which it is referred distinguished truely from them by an incōmunicable propriety as 1 begetting 2 begotten or proceeding not the office or dignity or degree of begetting begotten or proceeding 2 The person is not a thing abstracted or separated from the essence which is common to them neither is the essence a fourth thing separated from the persons but euery person is the same entire essence of the Deity onely the persons are distinguished from each other the essence is common to the three 3 The diuine essence hath not that respect vnto the persons as the 1 Matter
of his profession calling c. Ge. 34. Act. 26. 3 That we auoide such blessing and charitable speeches as we account them when the cause is not necessary as in neesing c. 4 Whereas it is common with the Popish and ignorant to inuocate the name of God ouer their cattle so often as they speak therof this is to bee moderated and refrained And that 1 Because the ground thereof was sorcery 2 They vse it more often for their cattle then themselues 3 It maintaines that Popish customary abusing of such holy names 4 It shewes our infidelity for if we were perswaded that God hath receiued vs into grace then surely also all ours and therfore what neede such often inuocations This meeknes of speech is seen in soft answering Prouerbes 15.25 And that Secondly not a foole according to his foolishnesse Prouerbes 26.3 Thirdly in a iust defence of our selues 1. Sam. 1.15 Anna. Fourthly commending our cause to God Psal. 26. Secondly this grace of speech is especially seene in reprouing of sin Here obserue these Rules 1 We must try all other gentle meanes before we reproue 1 We must performe it generally that so the party may willingly acknowledge the particular 2. Sam. 12. 3 Wee must doe it in a parable 4 By way of exhortation insinuating an oblique reproofe 1. Tim. 5.1 5 Wrapping vp the reproofe in some sweet protestations of loue and griefe Gal. 5.9 Rom. 9. 6 Yeelding vnto them their due that so they may acknowledge their wants Act. 25. reprouing in the person of another 6 Ioyning our selues with them and in our own person reprouing their sinne 1. Corinth 4.6 Genes 43. 7 By preuention as Though Israel play the Harlot yet let not Iudah sinne Hos. 4.15 8 Wishing that such things bee not found among them 2. Cor. 12.20 9 Speaking to them as considering our selues Gal. 6.1 That we are in danger of the same tentations 10 Framing the reproofe out of the word that the party may see himselfe rather reproued of God then of vs. 11 Adioyning to our reproofe holy example of our conscience in the thing which we reproue in another And 12 Commending the reproofe to the blessing of God And thus farre of the fourth grace of speech which is meeknes modesty A fifth grace of speech is cheerfulnes and ioy when we vse delightfull speech for recreation Eccles. 3.4 Here is to be obserued 1 That it must be seasoned with Gods feare Eccles. 2.2 2 It must bee with compassion for those that are in affliction Amos 6.6 3 It must be sparing and moderate 2. Tim. 3. 4 It most not be mixt with sin Heb. 11.25 5 It must tend to edification 1. Cor. 10. 6 It must bee sutable to the time 7 It must also bee fitted to the place which is either the boord or bed For the boord obserue 1 The intent the which is to hinder other idle and prophane talke 2 To season the company with better 3 To preuent gluttony 4 A desire to catch spiritually 5 To sanctifie the creatures 2 Consider the matter of Table-talke Which 1 Especially must bee of religion Luk. 11.35 2 That which is incident herevnto As 1 Of our vnion with God As the meate is made one substance with vs so we after an vnspeakeable manner are made one with God 2 Of our liberty in Christ that all is ours and that we may safely and freely partake thereof 3 Of our miserable condition for were wee not sinfull we need not eate nor finde such loathsomnesse or want of content thereby 4 Of our estate in glory where this Manna shall cease 3 Of sobriety and such examples 4 Gods speciall prouidence and bounty in making a dead creature meanes to preserue life Ioel. 2.26 Haggai 1.6 5 Contentation in our estate with praier for other that haue fulnesse or want 1 Tim. 6. 6 Death how that we shall be wormes meate 7 Of the heauenly food Ioh. 4. 8 Misery of the poore which want in our fulnesse 9 Of our life by faith because both these vnlikely doe nourish and we weake vnthankfull riotous are nourished 10 Change of things and states but within our bounds Iob. 1. 11 The punishment of sin the case of Diues c. Luk. 16. For the bed let these bee the rules of holy mirth 1 Wee must conferre of the graue Act. 7. 2 Of the occasions passed in the day Cant. 3.1 3 Of the security of the Church 2. Cant. 4 And watchfulnesse in the night 3. Cant. 5 Of the ignorance of the land And 6 The continuall night in hell 7 Of the Resurrection 8 Of worldly occasions so farre as to humble vs. 9 In our comforts of our sweete fellowship with Christ. 10 Generally not to prouoke but to mortifie the flesh Gal. 5.13 Here is to be auoided generally 1 All offence to the weake 2 All occasion to the wicked As in First Iesting which is a quipping of some to delight others wherein a man had rather loose his friend then his iest offend God rather then not please man This is vtterly vnlawfull vnlesse 1 The matter be indifferent 2 The measure modest 3 The season conuenient 4 Offence remoued 5 Our selues and others benefited 6 We thereby when other reproofes will not preuaile in an holy maner do deride and scorne sinners 1. Reg. 19. Eccles. 11. giuing them vp to their own councels Secondly laughter which though in it selfe it be not simply vnlawfull yet it is moderately to be be vsed and seldome but sorrow more often and more plentifully Eccles. 7.4.5 The sixth grace of speech is Care of our neighbours good name Pro. 22. This is performed as before and farther 1 By being not suspicious in vnlikely or vncertaine occasions Ier. 40. 2 By priuate reprouing him 4 Publiquely answering for him if he be slandered Here is to be auoided 1 Secret whispering abrode of what we suspect or know behind his backe Psal. 50.20 2 Adding to or changing the thing said or done Mat. 26.60.61 3 Open traducing and reuiling to his face 2. Sam. 16. 4 Telling that was neuer done Ier. 37.13 5 Colouring their reports with pretences of griefe or necessity or publicke profit inioyning secresie by the party to whom hee telles it c. 6 Rash censuring before euident knowledge Therefore here we are 1 To interrupt such talke 2 To giue no heed to it 3 Not to beleeue it 4 To reproue it The seuenth and last grace of speech is Slownesse and Briefenesse Slownesse is seene either in First prouoking or Secondly answering Herein obserue 1 That it is better to bee prouoked to speech then prouoke especially if wee bee inferiour 2 Not to take a Tale out of ones mouth but to heare it throughly 3 To consider whether it be to be answered or no. 4 To ponder on it before wee answere what answere is to bee made thereto 5 To answere to the poynts omitting partiall respects 6 To
to be ordered in the same manner as before 2 The more partiâ—â—â—â—â— Ecclesiasticall gouernments and Consistories of the Ministery for the correcting of manners and due execution of the discipline of the Church Hitherto appertaine 1 The Schooles of the Prophets as being the nurseries of religion and Seminaries of the Church and commonwealth Ie. 1. Amos 7.14 Act. 6.9 2. Reg. 2.15 2 Religious Feasts tending to nourish the societie of the Saints Iud. 12. 3 Contributions and collections for the poore 1. Cor 16.1 1 To bee performed on the Sabaoth 2 And distributed according to the necessitie of the Churches Thus farre of the vse of spirituall societie The Ciuill followeth and it is manifold 1 State assemblies to determine for the good of the body politick among which the highest and most authenticall are the Parliaments Next to these the Councell Table Thirdly the Starre-Camber Fourthly the Exchequer and Kings Bench. 2 Corporations and Brotherhoods Cities and Towns concerning the right vse of trades and mysteries 3 Thirdly Contracts and Bargains which must bee with these conditions 1 That we vse no deceit either in word or deede to entrap or ouer-rate 2 That promise be kept vnlesse with consent on each side 3 That we sell not time making more profit in regard thereof 4 That we sell what is good and saleable Amos. 8. 5 Mercy is to be shewed if wee haue our brother at an aduantage Fourthly Ciuill societie may fall out in suits and controuersies Here obserue 1 That these hinder not our spirituall societie in the worship of God 2 Neither impeach other ordinary kindnesses which ought to passe betweene neighbours 3 Yet rather wee should suffer wrong then fall into these suites 1. Cor. 6. 4 Seeke wee all meanes of priuate agreement before wee goe to law 5 Delay we not suits to weary out a brother 6 Much lesse by bribery seek to ouerthrow a good cause 7 But to ouercome euill with good seeking peace and ensuing it Rom. 12. Psal. 34. A fifth vse of societie is for Recreation Here obserue 1 That we be as carefull to vse recreation a right as to haue liberty in it 2 That we make choyce of a fit time when we haue need by reason of wearisomnesse in our callings 3 That wee make no ocupation of it neither labour so much for skill therein as rather to make vs more skilfull to moderate the same 4 Looke we vp still to God for continency in the vse of our libertie 5 Our kinds of recreation must be honest and of good report 6 We must vse great moderation of our affections therein 3 Neither enrage them by vnseasonable ouer bitter reproofs vnlesse the glory of God presently lie in the ballance Mat. 7.6 4 Take wee heed lest by labouring in simplicitie to approue our selues vnto them wee expose our selues as a prey But that wee may benefit them we are 1 To conuerse grauely but yet humbly with them Neh. 2.12 12 To wait some good occasion from their speech and so to worke vpon it Act. 16. 3 To call to mind some present blessing or iudgement that so we may put by idle talke Amos 6.6 Esa. 5.12 4 Commend wee what is likely spoken of them yet with an holy drawing them on to better by graue exhortations 2. Tim. 2.24.25 5 In all our speech let it appeare that loue is the ground and the soules good the principall end Math. 5.44 6 Contrary we them not always in their weakenesse but expound it to the best vnlesse wee see apparent contempt and desperate scorning Iudges 22.23 Ro. 14.1 7 If we cannot benefit by conference then let vs take heede that we do not communicate with them in euill but rather wisely breake it we off as Sampson did by some riddle or such like as neâ—â—â—e as may be leaue we them with peace that so afterward there may bee hope to win them 2. Thess. 3.15 Rom. 12.18 Thus are we to behaue our selues in euill company if by occasion they light vpon vs c. But purposely wee are not to make choyse of them Either in holy duties concerning the worship of God Here learne 1 That wee are to pray for the communion of Saints and perfection thereof 1. Cor. 15. 2 Not to ioyne any otherwise with 〈…〉 in charity partly by our owne experience we hope guesse their fitnes to our felowship 3 If we know otherwise we are after priuate admonition to make knowne the offence and our dislike thereof that we bee not partaker of other mens sins 1. Tim. 5. 4 If the partie will not refraine or by the lamenesse of discipline is not repelled wee are not to refuse our comfort because he turns his into poyson 5 Yet are we to eate with sowre herbes euen to mourne and sigh for further puritie 2 Wee are not to admit the wicked to our priuate tables Psal. 101. and families 3 Nor to assume them as partners in our priuate recreations 4 Neither to employ them in our ciuill and domesticall affaires Gen. 14. 5 Especially not to acquaint them with our secrets Iudg. 10. 6 Generally wherein it stands with our libertie and their saftie we are not purposely to sort with them The vse of euill company is 1 That wee make more of the better sort 2 And labour to make the bad better 3 That wee long after heauen where wee shall finde none but good company Phil. 1. Heb. 12. 4 That wee grow more priuate and learne to bee a part with our God Gen. 5.21 CHAP. VIII Of solitarinesse ANd this is the next occasion of the day wisely to be entertained of vs. Namely To order wisely solitarinesse And that because First now we lie naked and open to spirituall tentations which are most dangerous as Pride c. Secondly and may with best aduantage least hinderance pursue the best things and so are capable of the greatest good or subiect to the greatest euill Here therefore obserue these Rules 1 That though we be from the presence and company of men yet we haue the presence and fellowship of the Almighty and the ministery of his holy Angels and therefore that now especially we reioyce in this fellowship Psal. 16. 2 Yet so as that wee neglect not our callings but be sure that wee be kept from idlenesse 2. Thess. 3. 3 That we especially call to mind those ill neighbours which we shall neuer be rid of so long as we liue namely our sinnes and in our greatest freedome of solitarinesse forget not our bondage vnder this tyranny to prâ—â—â—uent spirituall pride and securitie Rom. 7.24.25 4 That we take heed of idle and curious speculations feeding thereby our melancholy and vaine thoughts lest Satan take aduantage of our curiositie and so prouoke vs to schismes and heresies or else breede fearefull distractions and defections of the mind Heb. 10.23 5 Prouoking hereby to singularity and so forsaking of the
ordering sinnes And the vse Sect. 5. How sinne to be auoyded And first how preueÌ„ted 1. generally How to bee imployed in our callings generally How to vse Christian liberty aright 2 How in particular we may resist sinne Sect. 6 How to recouer out of sinne 1 By viewing sin and that first in the Law 2 In the Gospel 2 By iudgeing Resons and motiues hereto Meanes of growing Desire how quickned Carnall and false rules Knowledge how to bee rooted How to moâ—â—â—erate in 〈◊〉 Christiâ—â—â—n liberty Heb. 11. 1 Thess. 2. To inferiors Manner of spirituall groweh Measure of growth Meanes Helpes to grow Triall of growth Sect. 2. It vse and benefit Sect. 3. How to speake of Gods mercies 3 Thankefulnes must be performed in life Sect. 3. What euils to be auoided Sect. 6. Helpes to thankfulnes Sect. 7. Benefit thereof Sect. 1. It is most necessary Sect. 2. Grounds of perseueraÌ„ce Sect. 3. Remouing the hinderances here 1 of the fall of Gods children and the cause thereof 2 The benefite thereof 3 How far the regenerate fall 4 Danger of the falles of the Elect. Sect. 5. Of the difference betweene theÌ„ and the wicked in their falles Sect. 5. Vse hereof Sect. 6. Helpes to perseueraÌ„ce And how 1. It vse 2 How performed 3 Helpes to it 1 It vse How performed Note 3 The benefit of prayer 3 How performed Helpes thereto Triall hereof Benefit hereof 1 The necessity thereof 2 How performed 3 How furthered Sect. 1. It necessity Sect. 2. Often to be performed by whom Sect. 3. The maner how Sect. 4. Sect. 4. What to bee auoyded therein Sect. 5. Directions for prayer and triall thereof Sect. 6. The benefit hereof Sect. 1. That it is Gods ordinance to walke in a calling Vse Sect. 2. Callings to be expected by ordinary meanes And why Vse Sect. 3 The right vse of a calling sanctâ—â—â—fies the same Vse Sect. 4. Callings how to be vsed aright Vse Vse Vse Vse Vse Sect. 5. Callings how performed a right Sect. 8. Benefit of callings Sect. 9. Triall Sect. 1. Rules herin Sect. 1. Rules herein Sect. 3. Of the renuing of our right in the creature Sect. 4. The benefit hereof Sect. 1. How to bee informed in iudgement Sect. 2. How in practise Sect. 3. It benefit Sect. 4. Helpes Sect. 1. 1 Necessary Sect. 2. How to bee vsed aright Sect. 5. Who bad Sect. 6. To choose good Sect. 7. Wicked how to be sorted with Sect. 9. Sect. 10. Benefite of good company Sect. 11. Kindes of good company Sect. 12. Of Sabboth societie and the Rules thereof 1 For Preparation 2 Practise of they day 3 It benefit Sect. 13 Of thankesgiuings Fasting Sect. 14. Publique fasts 1 What it is The vse 2 Kindes of Fasting â—â—â— Causes of â—â—â—astâ—â—â—ng 4. Manner of fasting 5. Ends of Fasting 6. Benefits of fasting Sect. 15. Of priuate Sociceie Priuate Fasts c. 3. Holy conferences 1. Betweene minister people Sect. 16. Triall of right vse Sect. 17. Of accessory meetings 1. More generall 2. Rules 2. Lesse generall 3. Their appurtenances 2. Feasts 3. Contributions Sect. 18. Of ciuill societie 1. State assemblies 2. Corporations 3. Contracts 4. Suites 5. Society in Recreation 2. Cautions herein 3. Vse herof Sect. 1. why Sect. 2. Rules therof Sect. 3. Benefit â—â—â—ereof Sect. 4. Cautions to be obserued Sect. 1 Necessary to be knowne Sect. 2. How to vse prosperity aright Sect. 3 Vse thereof Sect. 4. Considerations to this purpose that we ouer-rate them not Sect. 5. How to dispense them aright Sect. 6. How to moderate our selues in the vse of them Sect. 7. To know when we haue vsed prosperity aright Sect. 8. Helpes hereto Sect. 9. Benefite hereof Sect. 1. How necessary Sect. 2. How to bee vsed well Sect. 3. Causes of Afflictions Sect. 4. How to disâ—â—â—erne affliâ—â—â—tions Sect. 5. Of preparaâ—â—â—tion Sect. 6. Of voluntary afflictioÌ„s rules for the same Sect. 7. Directions and helpes hereto Sect. 2. Motiues hereto Sect. 3. Rules herein Note