of all that 's done before us or upon us 12. Acquiescence in him as our God in Christ Ps 116.7 our God in Covenant our All in All resting our selves in our relation to him Ps 73.25 enjoyment of him whatever else we want and whatever our condition be Ps 17. ult Ps 16. ult 'till we come to glory to see him as he is to be perfectly like unto him and for ever with him Read Mr. Strong of Communion with God and Dr. Owen of Communion with God Brinsly SECT VI. Of Assurance THat you may not want any needfull directions for the hightning of your Comfort peace of conscience and joy in the holy Ghost excuse the brevity and take these notes of Assurance 1. It is the ordinary as the desireable priviledge of holy persons mortifying corruptions exercising graces 1 Pet. 1.8 Ps 36.7 Rom. 5.5 walking daily before the Lord and in communion with him to have comfortable assurance of the love of God interest in Christ 1 Pet 1.3 4 5 6. pardon of sins state in grace title to the promises and their inheritance in the Kingdome 2. If it be otherwise with any 't is probable Ps 51. Cant. 5.2 there are some unmortified corruptions neglected graces disordered conversations estrangements from God or something extraordinary in the way of God's dispensation Is 50.10 the prevalency of temptation distemper in constitution which are to be enquired after However it be 1. 2 Pet. 1.5 Practise the methods in the former Directions with care and diligence in truth and in sincerity 2. Ps 51. Rom. 16.16 Eph. 1.17 18. Beg the spirit of Adoption to enlighten our understandings shine upon our graces and make the application 3. Reflect upon your selves your state and your exercise Rom. 16.16 1 John 3.19 20. Gal. 2.20 and comparing them with the word in the light of the spirit your consciences bearing witnesse in the holy Ghost of sincerity upon the tryall accordingly passe the sentence for your Assurance and make the application cast off your doubts give glory to grace and make progresse to glory 4. Where things are doubtfull upon enquiry Hab. 2. Is 50.10 Cant. 5. the best way is to put it out of doubt by practice in the actings of the graces and performance of the duties waiting God's time and keeping his way and trusting in his mercy through Christ Jesus till he be pleased to answer your doubts to rebuke your temptations to give his spirit and to cause the light of his countenance to shine upon you 5. Learne moreover not to question the goodnesse of the father the merits of the son the power of the spirit 1 Joh. 5.11 12. the truth of the promises the probability of your interest if any way likely much lesse the hopes of arriving safe to glory being found in the sincere discharge of duty Cant. 8.7 leaving the wildernesse of the world and sin in our affection and conversation and leaning on our Beloved 6. Expect not considerable measures of comfort but in proportions of Duty Ps 84.7 and some progresse made in practicall Christianity 7. 2 Cor. 1. beg 1 Pet. 1.5 6 7 8. There are speciall seasons for speciall Assurances as entrance upon of discharge of some great undertakings in the life of Religion or some great tryall and exercise suppose of suffering and the best is alwaies reserved for the needfull and proper season 8. Having gotten it keep it and that with humility thankfulnesse and diligence Jude 20 21. Cant. 5.2 with progresse in the way where in you got it Take heed of abusing it by security wantonesse or worldlinesse 9. Look and long for heaven Rev. 22.20 there all is perfected Most Sermons have somewhat towards this in their Vses of Examination and Consolation and some more especially on this subject search out your Notes and study them Besides these there are diverse Treatises aâ— Baxter's Directions Bolton's Instructions Sibbes his Soules Conflict Symonds desertâ—â— Soules case and cure Roberts Evidences Ambrose middle things Ford of Adoption Cripplegate Exercise SECT VII The Life of Faith 1. IN the life of Faith are considerable 1. the purposes 2. the object and 3. the actings of Faith 1. The purposes of it are usually for justification mortification sanctification consolation and salvation 2. The Objects are God's love truth power c. Christ's person relations offices life death resurrection and ascension c. 3. The Acts of faith are apprehension of the object assent to the truth consent to the gift application of the whole with affyance and working in love and obedience as at first in closing with Christ 2. Rom. 4.20 The life of faith is highly acceptable with God comfortable honourable and necessary to the Christian 1. Gal. 2.10 Phil. 3.9 Act. 3.19 To live the life of faith for justification 1. Renew thy repentance daily for commissions of sin and omissions of duty in sorrow confession and supplication to God in Christ 2. Rom. 3.25.26 Rom. 5.12 c. Let Faith first apprehend the grace of God and look on Christ as thy Second Adam Head Surety and Sacrifice meditate his perfect obedience and his death therein Gal. 3.13 the pacification of wrath the satisfaction of Justice the removall of the curse Dan. 9.24 Heb. 10.16 Heb. 9.24 1 Joh. 2.2 Luk 22. Rom. 3.25 Gal. 2.20 Joh. 3.3 sin taken away in its guilt everlasting righteousnesse brought in and a Covenant of Grace established see this pleaded in his intercession and tendered in the Gospell sealed in the Sacraments and to be applied by faith 2. Apply it 3. Assent unto it 4. Rest upon it 5. Speak peace to thy conscience 6. If the sence of it make thee thankfull cheerfull and fruitfull to God and Christ Rom. 5.1 Heb 10.2 Psal 103.1 2. 2 Cor. 5.14 c. Ram. 8.34 c. 1 Cor. 15.55 56. Acts 3.19 Rom. 7.13.14 7. Reject the temptations of Sathan to unbeliefe silence the accusations and condemnations of thy conscience lay aside the slavisn feares of the wrath of God the terrors of death and judgment And 8. Long for the publick and solemne declaration of all in the last day 2. Live the life of faith for Mertification of sin 1. Set home upon thine heart the sinfullnesse of sin Rom. 7.13 14. and the necessity of its destruction Be willing to it and resolved for it 2. Be sensible of thine own weaknesse and inability to performe it Rom. 7.24 Rom. 7.25 Rom. 6. beg 3. Act faith on Christ for it 1. Let faith bâ—hold Christ Jesus upon the Cross procuring and purchasing thy freedome Rom. 7. Ezek. 36.26 from the dominion power and presence of sin in Gods time and Gods way 2. Let faith see the promises of Mortifying and cleansing grace in the blood of Christ established Rom. 6.9 10. Psal 51.7 Rom. 6.12 Rom. 8.34 Gal. 5.25.26 3. Let faith apply them 4. Let Prayer
Crums of Bread FOR The DOVE in the Clefts of the Rock and the secret places of the Stairs Cant. 2.14 Or HELPS to MEDITATION On Conversion Mortification Sanctification the Christians daily walke Communion with God c. With Directions for profitable Reading the Scriptures and good practicall Books For a Friend By J. T. My Friend ACcording to your deserts and desires I here present to you some broken Thoughts directions remembrances references for the better improvement of your Solitudes and retirements for Meditation and Reading I have ranked them under severall heads given you but briefe hints leaving the enlargements to your own thoughts what more might be required you may supply from the Scriptures your Sermon-Notes and those good books to which I have referred you Each SECTION after that you have perused the whole affords you matter enough for one Solitary season at the least and when you have done with this you may have more as God gives opportunity I begin with the subject of Conversion Regeneration and the first work if it suit not your concition you may commend it to such as you love and know may need it I leave it with you as a token of my respects for you and your Spirituall concernments God give his blessing to it and if it any way help you in your Meditation and Reading I shall desire no more then your remembrances of me at the throne of Grace J. T. SECT I. Of Conversion Regeneration c. IT is to be presupposed in order to the improvement of the following Sections that as you have been under the meanes of Grace so you are indeed in a state of Grace if you are not Consider 1. That Conversion Regeneration Obs a state of Grace and interest in Christ by faith are of absolute necessity unto salvation The Scriptures do abundantly prove it Proof turne to read and take these few for a triall John 3.3 c. Heb. 12.14 Mat. 18.3 Joh. 3.16 c. All good Reason is for it 1. Reas Without an interest in Christ thou hast no title to salvation 2. Without regeneration thou hast no fitnesse for it And 3ly Eph. 2.12 Heb. 12.14 Pro. 3.3 Hab. 1.13 Without such termes God is resolved that he will not 4. His nature is such in Wisedome Holinesse and righteousnesse Appl. that he cannot give it resolve then for it and set about it speedily seriously and to the purpose sue and seek to God for the grace and apply thy selfe to the use of the meanes with hungrings and thirstings after righteousnesse with humility faith prayer and diligence Prov. 1.7 In order to it take these Directions Direct 1. Math. 16.26 Heb. 1.13 Rom. 10. Rom. 7. Joh. 5.28.29 Rom 3.23 Gal. 3.10 Eph. 2.1 2.3 Eph. 2.12 Pro. 15. 2 Cor. 5.18 1 Tim. 1.15 Rom. 3.25 Heb. 10.15 16 17. John 3.16 Mark 1.15 Consider Thou hast a precious and an immortall soule there is a God that is Holy Just and Good he hath given thee his Law and Gospell Heaven and Hell in endlesse eternity are before thee death and judgment hasten a pace a world of sin both of nature and of life may be charged upon thee the law is against thee the curse and wrath of God is over thee thou hast no hope nor helpe in thy selfe nor in all the creatures and without a Christ and Grace and a changed state thou wilt be undone for ever For thy encouragement to thy duty understand and believe That God is in a way of grace and mercy Christ Jesus came into the World to seek and save sinners as a surety and sacrifice he hath died satisfied Gods law and Justice established a Covenant of Grace and salvation on termes of faith repentance and new obedience Heb. 5.9 Prov. 12. makes the tenders of grace and reconciliation in the ministry of the Gospell to thee hath along time been calling upon thee 2 Cor. 5.18 19 20 21. Prov. 1.23 is still waiting woing and beseeching thee to accept of him and grace his spirit is ready to help thee there is nothing wanting but thy free and full consent Heb. 3.8.12.15 ô continue not as too long thou hast done already in a state of sinne and enmity unbeliefe and unregeneracy to the disappointments of Grace 2 Cor. 6.1 the abuse of the Gospell Heb. 2.3 Heb. 10.29 Mark 16.16 2 Thes 1.8 the griefe of the spirit the reproach of the blood of Christ and the remedilesse destruction and damnation of thine own soule Repent and believe the Gospell receive Christ and Grace apply thy selfe unto thy duty in faith repentance and new obedience and thou shalt not miscarry Pro. 3.16 Rom. 8.1 2 3. thy sinnes shall be pardoned thy person shall be justified thy nature shall be changed thy soule shall be saved John 3.36 2. Understand what is required of thee and expected from thee in the termes of the Gospell faith repentance and new obedience in short 't is thus John 17.3 Pro. 3.33 Rom. 10.10 11. Rom. 1.5 1. By faith thou art 1. To apprehend 2. To assent unto 3. To apply unto thy selfe and 4. To improve the discoveries made unto thee 1. Of sinne and wrath in the Law of God 2. Of Grace and mercy through Christ in the Gospell of Salvation 2. Lam. 3.40 By Repentance thou art 1. To search and find out the sinfulnesse in some good measure of thy nature and of thy life Rom. 7.13 2. Through the consideration of the sinfulnesse of sinne which is the greatest evill in it selfe as against God and the greatest good Eph. 2.2 3. the consideration of thy sad condition because of sin according to the Law of God the greatest judgment in this life and that to come Ezek 16.60 61. Jer. 3. and the consideration of the abundant grace and mercy set before thee in the good will of God to thy salvation 1. The death of Christ the blessings and promises of life and of salvation tendered to thee Ps 51. to Humble thy soule with griefe of heart and brokennesse of spirit Dâ—rt 9 3. To cast thy selfe at Gods feet before the throne of grace in free and full confession in earnest prayer and supplication for grace and mercy through Jesus Christ 4. Rom. 7. Ezck 33.11 Is 1.16 Ezek. 18.31 To set thine heart against all manner of sin whatsoever to hate it and abhorre it in the strength of God to resolve the utter destruction of it in thy nature the avoidance of it in thy life and Conversation Rom. 7. together with all the temptations and occasions that lead thee to sin from without and all the corrupt motions dispositions workings of it that are within according to the prohibitions in the word the convictions of the spirit and the checks of thy conscience and this both in thought word and deed 5. Thou must be sure to give proofe of all in the course of thy life and conversation Matth. 3.8
the sinfulnesse of sin and that especially in its own nature as most contrary to God his nature his will his works his designes his glory For this see at large Burroughes treatise of the Evill of Evils or the sinfulnesse of Sin Dr. Reynolds of the Sinfulness of sin c. 3. Set before you the evill effects and fruits of sin upon the fallen Angels Mankind thine own person Rom. 6.22 and those either already felt or that hereafter may be feared 4. Set before you the Bloud of Christ 1 Pet. 1.19 Rom. 6.1 2 Psal Rom. 7.24 that pretious bloud which is the price of your Redemption from the least of sins 5. Set before you the sad complaints of the Saints and servants of God because of sin and against their sin 6. 2 Cor. 7.1 Set before you the gracious promises for your encouragement in the mortification of your corruption Ezek. 36 26 27. together with the promises in the covenant of Grace for your assistance in this undertaking 7. Set before you your own resolutions and vowes against it in your first conviction and conversion Rom. 6.3 Ps 119.106 renewed in times of affliction and in Sacraments and in Prayers put up to God for peace and pardon Practicall and operative Directions 1. Ps 4.4 Lam. 3.39 Acquaint your selves as with the generall corruption so with the particular corruption in your nature search and find them out Examine your hearts and lives your dispositions and conversations by the rule of the Word and Law of God in its purity and perfection and by the light of the spirit of God in its teachings and convictions Job 34.32 pray to God to discover you unto your selves improve all ordinances and providences also to that purpose consider your Constitution Education Calling Company and Condition in this present world make use of the wholsome admonitions of others skilfull and faithfull and acquainted with you and their observations on you the daily motions and workings of your hearts upon carnall and sensuall objects and upon the approaches of temptations will discover much unto you if but well observed the failings and the falls of others read or heard and discerned by you may give you occasion of reflection on your self and strict enquiry may find out more then otherwise might have been suspected 2. Be much at work about the root of sin and digging it up Rom. 6.6 Jer. 4.14 Content not your selves with the particular branches the lopping them off or cutting down the trunk it self the root will be every day new sprouting 3. Spare not at all your beloved sin of which Divines speak much It 's found Ps 18.23 they say and known by our speciall respects unto it and favour for it our impatiency of reproof from Minister or private Christian on that particular we most wish and desire that it were not accounted a sin and are apt to find out reasonings for it to defend it or at least to lessen our apprehensions of its sinfulnesse it returns most often upon us with observation above any other in particular but not without frequent checks of conscience and convictions of the Spirit it much follows us in our retirements and when alone the mind will work upon it though perhaps we are not willing to be found in the actings of it some say it lies down with us in our beds converses with us in our dreams and rises with us in the morning if it distract us not in our holy duties we owe the more to Grace restraining severall others depend upon it to feed or serve it O down with this 4. Neglect not the little creepers they may grow bigger Rom. 7. Ps 19.12 their number may prove not only formidable but fatall the least is sin in its nature evill and according to Gods law without repentance and faith in the bloud of Christ is damnable They will certainly make way for greater and if not destroy yet disturb your soules c. 5. Ps 19.13 Infirmities Incursions Imperfections must be bewailed c. but scandalous evils and presumptuous sins may not so much as be thought upon without an horrour how much lesse in their temptations entertained and least of all committed The smallest tincture of them must be speedily washt away in the bloud of Christ otherwise your soules and consciences will not dare to come into God's presence 6. 1 Cor. 5. Contract not upon your Souls the guilt of nationall transgressions either past or present by not mourning for them much lesse by commission of them and communion in them it would staine our Paper once to name them 7. Find out and destroy the Achans Job 34.31 c. the sins for which in an especiall manner God now or at any time may strike and enter into judgment with you the Lord direct you in that Enquiry and assist you in that Undertaking 8 Let spirituall sins 2 Cor. 7.1 though least discerned and enquired after have their discovery humiliation repentance and crucifixion as spirituall pride self love Ps 77.10 Heb. 3.12 wordly mindednesse estrangement from God and more especially your Gospell sins as Unbeliefe Impenitency hardnesse of heart unthankfulnesse c. 9. Whatever they be intend not only the knowledge of them humiliation under them restraint upon them correction Rom. 8.13 or suppose some signall punishment but compleat destruction and abolition And for this purpose 1. Ps 119. get deep impressions made upon your spirits by the foregoing considerations 2. Ps 119.11 Especially let the word of God be hid in your hearts and written upon them 3. Walk in the Spirit and ye shall not fulfill the lusts of the flesh Gal. 5.16 4. 1 Cor. 9.27 Make no provision for the flesh to fulfill the lusts thereof but rather keep it in subjection 5. Jer. 17.9 Job Be alwaies jealous of your deceitfull hearts 6. Keep a tender conscience 7. A narrow watch over your sences 8. Take heed in things lawfull lest you be unlawfully insnared 9. Improve affliction to the mortification of corruption and 10. call in the influences of the Covenant of Grace and of the bloud of Christ by faith and prayer 11. Improve every Ordinance according to its nature and tendency to mortification Eph. 6.12 12. Stand out stifly and resolutely in the hour of Temptation and the stirring of corruption then call in all your strength about you then urge your considerations from reason and Scripture Law and Gospell Set your selves under the eye and sight of God let God's terrors make you afraid to sin against him suppose that Death and Judgment were at your heels and that you heard the shreekings of the Damned for those very transgressions Behold Christ Jesus upon the Crosse as bleeding dying for those very sins Urge home the grace of God and the love of Christ your holy Profession your Baptismall vowes your Sacrament-renewed-ingagements the mercies received the Glory expected and
sue out Mortifying influences from the death of Christ 5. Let faith set thee in the way wherein those virtues are to be experienced as before in the Section of Mortification 6 Let faith consider the guilt removed the dominion broken Heb. 12.14 2 Cor. 3.5 the power restrained the rest not imputed where not allowed strength against sin vouchsafed and in conclusion the destruction of it 3. Gal. 3.13 14. Let faith for perfect sanctification 1. Affect thine heart with the consideration of the necessity Eph. 2.5 excellency and beauty of it Rom. 6.4.5 2. With the sence of thine own in sufficiency for the acting continuing evereasing of it Eph. 4.7.8 Eph. 1.22.23 3. Act faith on Christ 1. Let faith look upon Christ in his word prescribing in his life directions in his death procuting whatever might be needfull for it Gal. 3.13 14. Eph. 2.5 Rom. 6.4 5 Eph. 4.7 8 Eph. 1.22.23 1 Cor. 1.30 in his resurrection arising as your head to quicken your soules to newnesse of life in Heaven possessing all gifts and graces and having the fulnesse of the spirit with power to dispence it 2. Apply it 3. Assent unto it 4. Make it your choice 5. Sue it out by Prayer 6. Look up to him by faith for virtue 7. In the expectation of his influences apply your selves unto the exercising of your graces 4. Live the life of faith in Temptations 1. Let faith look upon Christ as having been tempted though without sin and knowing how to compassionate 2. Heb. 2.18 Look on Christ in his death taking away the foundation of your temptations Heb. 2.14 and breaking the serpents head purchasing your redemption from his dominion though not disturbance establishing the promises for your reliefe Gen. 3.15 In Heaven look on him as interceding for you and exalted in power to help you Phil. 2.9 2. Apply it 3. Assent to it 4. 2 Cor. 12.8 Rest upon it 5. Eph. 6.12 13 c. Sue out the virtues of Christ by Prayer 6. In his strength resist your temptation in the way of his direction and putting on the spirituall armour using it in its place and season 7. So doing doubt nothing of your acceptance assistance deliverance Rom. 16.20 reward and triumphs 5. For Worldly troubles do the like 1. John 16.33 1 Joh. 5.4 Gal. 1.4 Let faith see Christ in his death removing the evill which is the sting of trouble as the guilt of sinne the curse of the law and the wrath of God procuring the graces and comforts in the promises providence and spirit of God Eph. 1.19 20 21 22. in his resurrection and ascension look upon him above all trouble as your head assuring you of conformity to him in his exaltation hereafter Hos 6. beg as you have with him in his humiliation here To this ad the comforts from the same 1 Cor. 15.55 Heb. 2.14 Is 26.19 Zach. 1.12 Phil. 2.9 Is 54.5 1 Pet. 1.5 in Christ against death and the terrors of it mutatis mutandis the like for the Church of God in her distresses Follow it to his intercession and his government of the world by his power and providence having a care of his spouse in all troubles intending only probation Ps 73.23 Ps 28. ult Gal. 6.14 c. at most correction not at all destruction 2. Let faith Apply this and the like 3. Assent 4. Rely 5. Performe the duties of such conditions 6. Confidently from Christ expect acceptance assistance and deliverance 6. Live the life of faith for eternall life 1. G. l. 3.13 Look on Christ in his state of Humiliation as removing the hindrances sinne law curse and wrath death and Hell 1. Purchasing the title and all advantages Heb. 9.15 establishing the covenants and all the conveyances in his exaltation advancing towards it entering into it Joh. 14.1 Heb. 6.18 Col. 3.1 and taking possession of it not only for himselfe but for all believers as their forerunner keeping it for them appointing their mansions securing their title Gal. 4.4 and taking order for their Adoption qualification preservation Joh. 17.24 Rev. 22.20 Heb. 11.1 Heb. 10.34 comfort here and at last their assumption that according to his desire Prayer and promise they may be for ever with him c. 2. Let faith apply it 3. Assent unto it 4. Rely upon it And 5. Carry out to duty and waies of Holinesse And 6. 1 Pet. 1.3 4 5 6 7 8 Resolvedly passe through your trials difficulties dangers and deaths according to the will of God Committing your soules unto him nothing doubting but in the end you shall receive the end of the faith 2 Cor. 4. ult 2 Cor. 5.1 c. the salvation of your soules 7. Live much upon it and the fore-thoughts of it it is Glorious it is yours it is certaine it is safe it will be Eternall Christ hath procured it Christ doth possesse it 2 Cor. 5.5 Eph. 1.14 Phil. 1.23 the promises assure it the sacrament seale it the spirit is the earnest your graces are the evidences for it and all your dangers and deaths do but prepare you for it or enter you into it 7. Live the life of faith on Christ Jesus for faith it selfe Heb. 12.2 2 Thes 1.14 take his directions follow his example bottom on his his undertaking depend upon his fulnesse yeild to his methods and expect his influences This life of faith is necessary comfortable sure practicable influentiall honourable Study it use it and for further directions I commend you besides your own meditations and sermon notes on Gal. 2.20 or other Scriptures to the reading of these Books Balls Life of faith Lawrence life of faith Cuiverwell Life of faith Ward life of faith Ambrose his Middle things about the life of faith Psal 9.10 More particularly acquaint your selves with the Attributes of God the offices of Christ the relations wherein he standeth his severall states of Humiliation and exaltation 1 Cor. 2.3 with the intentions of all and their improvements for this I referre you to Sermons on Gods Attributes and providence and to good Books as Preston Of Gods Attributes and particularly his All-sufficiency Stocke Of Gods Attributes Wilkins on Providence Gearing of Providence Obad. Sedgwick on Psal 23. and Providence Dike on Gods Name c. and for that of Christ to T. Goodwins Works Especially Christ exalted as the object of Faith Study it throughly with the peece of Christs heart in heaven c. Ambrose his looking unto Jesus Robinsons Similitudes your Sermon Notes on Christ c. the Lectures on the four Evangelists in harmony on Christ 2 Sam. 23.5 Study likewise in order to this life of faith the Covenant of Grace the nature of it the contents of it the foundation of it in the blood of Christ Heb. 9.15 16 17. the confirmation by the oath of God and by sacraments the severall
5.43 and 4. keep then a good courage Math. 10.28 SECT XI Of Spirituall Retirements REtirements are sometimes from necessity through the providence of God Cant. 2.14 Is 26. ult the rage of Sathan and the malice of the World Rev. 12.6 14. and sometime from choice for privacy in duty and freedome from distraction Math. 6.5 6. Improve such for meditation prayers reading and maintaining communion with God Leave the world behind you desire God's presence and believe his promise SECT XII Of Meditation MEditation is necessary comfortable but difficult Take these Directions for it 1. Make conscience of the duty Ps 1. Ps 119. not only occasionally but solemnly and frequently 2. Take the fit and freest times for it 3. Lay aside for that time worldly occasions and thoughts 4. Set your self in God's presence 5. Begin with Prayer to God for direction presence and blessing 6. Pitch your thoughts on some suitable and seasonable heart-affecting subject as the excellency and use of the Scriptures the Attributes of God the state of Innocency Sin state of nature covenant of grace Christ his Offices excellencies c. death satisfaction c. the love of God the love of Christ faith and other particular graces c. Meditate often of the sinfulness of sin the vanity of the creature the love of God the excellency of Christ death the resurrection judgment heaven and helâ— sometimes When you would meditate on these understand first the doctrine of them and what is considerable in them for that purpose read in some doctrinall book on such a subject and after that by meditation consider and work upon your hearts to affect them without this help you will be able to do little on most subjects For subjects and books on those subjects Dr Wilkin's Ecclesiastes may direct you for this use as others for another 7. Observe if you can a good method for which see directions in books If you cannot follow their methods follow Davids in the Psalms Ps 116.5 Ps 42. Sometimes let it be prayerwise sometime by way of Soliloquie or discourse with your selves or take some good bock and work what you read upon your heart 'till you have discerned the truth tasted the sweetnesse and felt the power of it The briefe Notes in these Sections are intended for your help on those heads and are left to your inlargements on purpose or take the Scriptures and meditate on what you read 8. Keep your hearts to the work quicken them when dull 9. Intend heart-work especially in this exercise the quickning of grace strengthning of faith and stirring of affections 10. Close up with prayer and as opportunity is afforded solemne and with respect to the subject of your meditation Read Bp Hall's directions for meditation and Baxter in his Everlasting Rest and Whites and Ambrose in his Middle things SECT XIII Of Prayer I Need not set before you its necessity and excellenny Rom. 8.15 16. the spirit of Adoption will reach you to cry Abba Father Gal. 4 6. 1. 1 Thes 5.17 Be frequent in prayer often in solemne and even constantly in ejaculatory and occasionall 2. Be fervent and spirituall Rom. 8.26 Rom. 15.30 3. Be humble and lowly Gen. 18.27 Ezr. 9.6 4. Believing 5. Importunate Luk. 18. More particularly 1. Keep your hearts in a praying frame Eph. 6.18 Ps 5.3 Math. 6.9 2. Mind the occasions and opportunities 3. Prepare your selfe to it by meditation 2 Sam. 7.27 4. Take right apprehensions of God as your father in heaven as a spirit great and glorious but your God and Father in Christ take up suitable apprehensions to your occasion as God shall direct 5. Humble your soules in sence of sin to be confessed 6. Affect your hearts with the mercies to be desired 7. Jacob. Hos 12.3 4. Wrestle with God with Arguments proper 8. Content not your selfe with the bare performance without affection of heart and enjoyment of God 9. Keep close to the duty as near as you can without distraction Math. 6.7 Eccl. 5.2 Rom. 8.26 Phil. 4.6 Math. 6. Eph. 6.19 10. Affect not words nor length 11. Joyn praises with praiers 12. Be not private spirited in prayer but remember others especially the Church of God 13. Take delight in this duty 14. rest not in prayer but in Christ Eph. 3.12 John 14.13 through whom present your person and prayers unto God with faith 15. Look after your prayers Ps 5.3 and God's answers to them Read Cobbet of Prayer Gee of Prayer Ambrose his Directions ia his middle things T. Goodwins return of prayer Ford of Adoption Cripplegate exercise 14.17.19 SECT XIV Of Sanctification of the Lords day 1 BE setled in the doctrine of the Morality of the Sabbath 4th Comm For this purpose read Sermon Notes and books especially Cawdry and Palmer Shepheard and Whites appendix to his directions for reading the Scripture 2. Prepare for it desiring the day Exod. 20. composing your worldly affaires and laying them aside in the evening before set your heart in order towards a Sabbath and desire God's presence and blessing for the day approaching 3. In the morning awake with God proceed to private and family duties be more large and solemne in them then at other times spend intervals in meditation holy conference reading and prayer 4. Is 2.3 Ps 122.1 Ps 100. Hasten to publique ordinances lay aside prejudices and take care to give God your hearts See Burroughes of Gospell worship and other treatises of that Nature 5. Lev. 26.42 If you want publique opportunity enquire into the cause if sin be in it humble your soules justify God and accept of the punishment of your sin pray for pardon act repentance with faith in the bloud of Christ lament after the Lord. 1 Sam. 3. Ps 42.84.63 6. Rev. 12.14 Ps 42. Make up your want in private worship 1. Begin with prayer confession of sin and supplication for a blessing with praise to God 2. Read much of the Scripture Psalmes Old and New Testament Meditate upon it draw your observations and worke them on your hearts observe Gods teachings and impart them to any with you 3. Pour out your hearts more largely in prayer 4 Take some good Sermon Notes or some choice book and spend a Sermon time in it and suppose you were hearing it in the publick congregation 5. Close up with prayer and praises desiring a blessing In intervals of time take refreshments naturall with spirituall affections thoughts discourses Let the rest of the time be spent as in the morning in meditation reading Is 56.6 Is 58.13 conference and prayer In the afternoon at the solemn time do again as in the morning After that as in the intervals reflecting on what you read observed and were taught of God that day renew your family and your closet duties as in the morning and be much in Thanksgiving Let the day be improved for God and with him Keep out the
world Get some speciall acquaintance with God with Christ and Heaven Do good to the soules and bodies of others as you have opportunity especially in your family Blesse God much for Christ and the worke of Redemption and look and long for Heaven See Goodwin of sanctifying the Sabbath Expos or 4th Comm. Shepheard c. SECT XV. Of Fasting and Humiliation 1. AS necessity requireth and opportunity is offered be often in the duty of self-examination soul-humiliation with fasting and prayer 2. Improve publick daies for that purpose 3. Keep some private in your family and in your Closet because of family and personall necessities Zach 12.12 And for direction in it having considered your necessities set a fit and free time apart put your heart into a posture and sought God's presence set about the work 1. Jach 12.12 Dan. 9. Lam. 3.39 Let your private and family duties of daily course look towards it 2. Sit down and examine your hearts and lives and find out your speciall sins and transgressions in every age in every relation place c. 3. Dan. 9. Having found them out set them home upon your hearts in the consideration of their nature number and aggravations 4. Draw up against your selves the sentence of the law of God Gal. 3.10 5. 1 Joh. 1.9 Put your selves into the presence of God and make large free and ingenuous confessions of sins both of nature and life Ps 51.17 6. Get your hearts humbled under them in God's sight and desire him to work you to it 7. Dan. 9.7 11. Acknowledge your deserts of death and damnation and of your particular affliction 8. 2 Cor. 7.11 Worke your hearts to hatred and abhorrency of your sin and expresse it sincerely 9. Look upon God in Christ as gracious Exod. 34.6 and mercifull willing to pardon sin 10. Dan. 9.19 Plead hard for pardon in the bloud of Christ 11. Present Christ Jesus as your sacrifice Levit. Rom. 3.25 once offered upon the crosse ever presented in Heaven let faith apprehend it apply it and present it unto God 12. Ps 51.7 Beg God's cleansing and sanctifying grace 13. Ps 51.13 Renew your covenant for better obedience in the bloud of Christ with a sincere heart and desire God's acceptance and grace 14. Pray for the removall of the judgment with submission to Gods will Dan. 9.16 effectually pray for the sanctification of it and for support under it with patience to bear it pray then too for the blessings to be desired as it may be for your good and God's glory 15. Remember then your family relations friends those that have desired your prayers the needy sad tempted and afflicted servants of Christ 16. Ps 51.18 Dan. 9. Ezek. 9. Enlarge in your prayers for the whole Church for the Land King Magistrate Ministers and People Confesse Nationall sins considering your share in them mourn for them strive with God for mercy c. wrestling with God in Christ 17. Towards the close confesse your failings in the present duty John 14.13 14. beg acceptance through Christ and conclude with blessings If it may be continue in this order while strength lasteth but be sincere fervent and affectionate in all 18. Then read some portion of Scripture to the purpose Ezra or as God shall direct spend some considerable time in so doing with reflection and meditation upon what you have read 19. Proceed again to Prayer bewailing your defects in the duty of the day looking over your confessions and making them up in renewed acknowledgments The like in the other parts of the duty Ex. 33.4 5 6. Jona 3.6 Joel 2.15 16. 20. Abstaine from ornaments accomodations and refreshments as long as you are able to help you in Humiliation or to expresse it and to quicken you to prayer 21. Is 58.7 10 In the close devote your selves to God and give something as you are able to the poor 22. Be often in such duties Dan. 10.2 3. as occasion requireth and while God is afflicting you or his people walke humbly and lay aside your ornaments and abate your refreshments and be much in prayer SECT XVI Of Spirituall feasting on Christ CHrist Jesus his body broken and his bloud shed affords spirituall nourishment with plenty life and sweetnesse to the soule that is interested in him Joh. 6.51 to 63. and lives upon him There is a Spirituall and a Sacramentall feeding on Christ For the Spirituall see Joh 6.54 for the Sacramentall see 1 Cor. 11.23 1. As often as you can receive and improve the Sacrament There are many good and Books to direct as Roberts Dike Bolton Pemble Bradshaw c. 2. When you cannot Sacramentally see that spiritually you feed on this body and bloud of Christ For Directions take these 1. Rom. 3.2 3. Consider your necessities sins wants and weaknesses to sharpen Hunger and Thirst for Christ Joh. 17.3 2. Call forth at solemne times for that purpose your know ledge of Christ especially in his death Zach. 12.10 Is 53. tot Ps 22. Math. 27. 1 Cor. 2.3 3. Let â—aith set a dying Christ before you in your thoughts and meditations with your sins and God's wrath upon him 4. Put in practice by godly sorrow what is set before you Zach. 12.10 Zach. 12. while you look on him whom you have pierced let sin then appear exceeding sinfull because besmeared with the bloud of Christ 5. Apprehend and apply by faith the love of God and the love of Christ in dying for you Gal. 2.20 Rom 5.6 Gal. 2.2 and John 3.16 and 1 Joh. 3.16 6. Look upon Christ in dying as your surety Heb. 7.22 Eph. 5.2 and as your sacrifice in your name and steed Rom. 6 7. Gal. 3.13 Rom. 3.25 Dan. 9.24 Look on Christ in his death as answering the Law satisfying justice taking away sin bringing in everlasting righteousnesse establishing the covenant of Grace and making a purchase of grace and glory Heb. 9.15 Eph. 1.14 Rom. 6.6 giving a deadly stroke to sin and breaking the Serpent's head c. Heb. 2.14 8. Draw by faith all manner of virtues from him to mortify sin to quicken grace to strengthen faith and refresh your souls 9. Eph. 1.3 4. Be much in thansgiving to God for his Son and adore the Love 10. 2 Cor. 5.14 Improve all to Argument against corruption temptation and the world See Rom. 6.3 Titus 2.14 2 Cor. 15.14 11. 1 Cor. 6.20 Give up your selves again in an everlasting Covenant to be the Lords to live to him and if need be to dy for him 12. Depend upon the satisfaction of Christ Heb. 9. ult and expect the vertues of his Death till he come again in glory and take you up with himselfe that you may be for ever with him Long for his immediatee presence and hasten to it See Bp Taylor Rev. 22.20 latter end of his
Mat. 3.8 and if through weaknesse and infirmity thou beest at any time overtaken to reflect upon thy selfe Ps 51. and renew these actings of repentance with particular application to that transgression And 7. Every day whether sin be known or not known to be searching humbling confessing praying resolving labouring to root out and destroy the remainders of thy Corruption Ps 19.12 3. New obedience calls thee 1. To Consider the obligation that lies upon thee by nature and grace to know and to doe the will of God 2. Rem 12.1 Rom. 14.9 To acquaint thy selfe with the mind and will of God revealed in his word as the rule of thy dury 3. Ps 1. Psal 119. Acts 9.6 Deut. 39 Is 56.8 To give up thy selfe in the sence of thy duty and Gods mercy through Christ in a Covenant of sincere free full universall and constant obedience 4. Making Christ thy strength and the Word thy rule Gods Glory and thine own salvation thine end and the spirit thy guide and a good conscience thy principle to apply thy selfe to the exercise of every grace Psal 50.4 Rom. 6.12 and the performance of every duty which God requireth of thee towards himselfe thine own soule and others in thy place condition Phil. 3.8 1 Pet. 2.5 and capacity 5. Making up thy defects when sensible of them by presenting thy person and thy duty to Gods Gracious acceptance according to the Covenant of of Grace through the mediation of Jesus Christ In so doing Com. for thy Comfort understand that God will accept and Christ will help grace shall be thy state God Christ promises pardon peace priviledg shall be thy portion whilest thou art here death judgment hell curse wrath and reall evils shall not come nigh to hurt thee Heaven blessednesse and glory eternall life and joy shall be thine inheritance and possession to all eternity And if thou wouldest not miscarry in this great work Caut. Luk. 19.42 Mat. 11.6 take heed 1 of delaies demurres put offs 2. of taking offence at the strictnesse of duty at the low condition of Christ and Christians and the scandalous lives and actions of Hypocrites and professors who shall beare their burden Acts 2.40 3. of evill company 4. Of discouragements from carnall friends 5. Heb. 3.12 Of an evill heart of impenitency and unbeliefe 6. Of Temptations from Sathan 7. Acts 26.28.29 Of being but almost a Christian resting in convictions confessions humiliations vowes and promises profession partiall change and reformation good esteem with others till the work be perfectly done and thine heart subdued unto God in Christ in faith repentance and new obedience according to the Gospell and the directions now set before you 8. Rom. 14.1 Of troubling your selves with needlesse disputes and questions about things of small moment in Religion or above your reach 9. Of Spirituall pride upon the one hand or unnecessary calling in question your condition upon the other where this work is sincerely done or Gods Grace and mercy for your pardon and acceptance in Jesus Christ 10. Take heed of Apostacy and backsliding in whole or part to corrupt opinions and errours upon the one hand or to sinfull practises and courses upon the other When this work is done Coun. give grace the glory 1 Tim. 1.14 Mat. 18.3 adore its freedome and magnifie its power believe its constancy and live upon its fulnesse till brought to glory 2. Be daily practising and perfecting this blessed work and think not that all is done till thou getst to Heaven 3. For further direction and thy better progresse be much in Holy exercises Acts 9.11 praying hearing meditating conferring with good Christians reading the Scriptures and Sermon notes and good books especially about Conversion and Regeneration Some Sermons I have purposely preached on this Subject in Abington on the severall instances of conversion in the new Testament in Exeter on Joh. 3. at Petrocks on Acts 26.18 at Mary-steps and Edmonds on Matth. 18.3 at Mary-moores c. besides collaterall applications had I been more in this work and method successe would have been through grace proportionable These following are choice Books though not all that may be read upon this subject get and read what you can of them Baxters Call to the unconverted Baxter Of Conversion Baxters Directions to prevent miscarrying in conversion His Saint or a Brute His Sermons on Death and Judgment His Everlasting Rest Whately of Regeneration Hooker's Soules preparation for Christ Soule 's Humiliation with severall other Treatises of his contracted in Ambrose his prima or first things Dike of Repentance morning Exercise at Giles London Morning exercise at Cripplegate the Sermons in them on this Subject Ob Sedgwick on Rev. 3.20 his treatise of faith c. SECT II. Of Mortification HAving seen the Conversion of the Sinner let us proceed to the worke and exercise of the Saint and the first thing that presents it self to our consideration for the improvement of his conversion is the Mortification of his corruption and therein note 1. That there is an indwelling Body of sin and corruption that remaineth in the converted and regenerated person It is perfectly pardoned but not perfectly purged out and destroyed while in this body of flesh See Romanes 7th per tot 2. It is the duty and property of every truly converted and regenerated person to proceed in the mortification of corruption and to endeavour through grace the compleat destruction of that body of sin that is about him and every branch and member of it See Rom. 6. 7. 8. Col. 3. Gal. 5 c. throughout R. 1. Remaining sin is remaining enmity to God and to the Christian himselfe Rom. 8.7 1 Pet. 2.11 Gen. 17.1 and must not be let alone 2. Conversion and true Repentance is only sincere and true as it intends perfection 3. It must be perfectly done by Grace upon us 1 Cor. 15.50 ere we can be fit subjects of the Kingdome of Heaven Rom. 6.6 4. The Death of Christ intends our perfect freedome and deliverance by degrees and in due time as from the guilt of sin and the punishment of sin so from the dominion of sin in our conversion Rom. 6.12 Rom. 7.25 Gul. 5.26 the abiding power of sin in our progressive mortification and at last the presence and being of sin in our dissolution what Christs death intends in its Merit Example Argument and Influence the same should we intend in our purpose and progresse for communion with him and conformity to him in his death and crucifixion Take these Directions for it 1. by way of COnsideration 2. by way of Operation and Practise 1. Ps 16.8 Ps 119.11 Gen. 39.9 Ps 18.21 22. Rom. 7.13 Set before thine eyes continually especially upon the motions of sin and temptations unto sin the Holinesse of God in his Name Nature Word and Will his Holy Eye his Holy Law 2. Set before thine eyes
all to shame you from it if there be any thing of holy ingenuity to be found upon you at least what sin hath cost you in repentance and affliction and that you may farther suffer though Hell be not your finall portion Then call in by saith and prayer the help of God and all the vertues of the bloud of Christ maintaine your ground against its first assaults and you have more then overcome 13. If at any time it have surpriz'd you Ps 51. play an aftergame of Repentance recruit your strength improve your skill and strength and deliver your souls O lie not under it much lesse subject your selves unto it and renounce thereby as by an after-free and full consent your Soveraign and Saviour Jesus Christ 14. Watch the more against it and fortifie your selves for the time to come 15. When one corruption or temptation is over and disappointed conclude not your work is done there are innumerable more behind and while life lasteth there will be no end of this warfare 16. Roâ— 7.24 Be alwaies groaning under the invincible remainders of the body of death and long for your deliverance 17. Take heed of Apostacy and backsliding a sin not altogether unpardonable but dangerous Hos 14. and that may cost you dear e're you recover 18. Rom. 7.25 Give all the glory of your Conquests to Jesus Christ and to the power of grace 19. Enjoy the comfort of Believers that keep their ground and conquer Rom. 8.1 For 1. you are in a state of pardon and salvation 2. Rom. 7.20 No corruption of nature no transgression in your life is imputed to you to your particular condemnation when disowned resisted repented of and carried by saith to the bloud of Christ 3. The old dominion of Sin Rom. 6.14 once truly broken shall never be recovered you are not under the Law but under Grace 1 Tim. 4.8 4. Your particular Conflicts shall be rewarded if through Grace they proceed to Conquest Eph. 5.26 5. At length the body of Sin and Death shall be destroyed 1 Cor. 12 1â— 6. In the mean time the grace and strength of Christ is sufficient for you and when sought by faith humility and prayer 1 Cor. 15.50 c. it shall not be denyed 7. In Heaven there will be no sin no sorrow but perfect holinesse and purity with everlasting songs of Joy and Triumph Rev. 22.20 Therefore 20 pray believe and look and long for the comming of Christ even so come Lord Jesus come quickly Much of this was preached at Mary Arches on Rom. 6 6. Read more in Dr. Owen of Mortification Burroughes Evill of Sin Love of Mort. Morning Exercise at Giles and Crypplegate Ambrose Media Goodwins works c. Reyners rules c. SECT III. Of the Exercise of Grace Spirituall activity growth progresse and perseverance in sanctification and holy conversation WE have seen the Convert in his exercise and progresse of Mortification in the next place it is meet to consider him in his exercise progresse and perseverance in Sanctification and holy conversation For in that also the Word which is accordng to Godlinesse doth represent him to us See Gen. 17.1 Eph. 2.10 Eph. 4.20 21 22. c. Eph. 5.8 9. c. Phil. 1.27 2 Pet. 3. 1 Cor. 15. Rom. 2.7 Heb. 12.14 Rev. 22.14 and reason good Eph. 1.4 Titus 2.14 Eph. 2.10 Gal 5.15 Rem 8.1 1 Pet. 1. Rev. 22.14 c. Eph. 1.4 Heb. 8.10 Eph. 5.25 for to this he is elected redeemed called anew created and made partaker of the spirit of holinesse This is the evidence of his Justification the quality of his Adoption his way and walke towards the Kingdome and Salvation This is the designe of the methods of Grace towards him the covenant of Grace established with him the means of Grace bestowed upon him the word of grace without him the principle of grace within him Gal. 5.15 1 Pet. 1.14 Eph. 5.1 Rom. 6. 1 Cor. 5.7 8. Rom. 12.1 Heb. 12 10 Gal. 4.19 2 Cor. 5.14 2 Cor. 6.17 Ps 119. 1 Joh. 3.3 1 Joh. 1.5 6. This the Relations whereinto he is entred the Profession he hath made the sacraments of which he hath been partaker the mercies he hath received the miseries that he hath felt the pangs of the new Birth which he hath past through the tokens of Divine Love vouchsafed the separation of his soule from Sin and Sinners the dedication of his person and all to God and Godlinesse the hopes and promises of everlasting life and blessednesse the tenor of the Gospell all his priviledges and particularly his union and communion with Jesus Christ by faith do call for all at his hands Is 6.3 Besides Holinesse is no lesse lovely then necessary It is in its originall the glory and perfection of all the Divine Attributes essentiall in each person of the holy Trinity Father Son and Holy Ghost the Character of the name Gen. 1. Eph. 4. Psal 15. Rev. 21. 2 Cor. 1.12 1 Joh. 4. 1 Joh. 1. begin Is 56. nature will word and works of God the beauty of mans first Creation the intention of the second the delight of God the state of Heaven Adde the blessed fruits effects and comforts of it are no lesse desireable as the evidence of the love of God the grace of Christ and the communion of the holy Ghost How doth it fit us through Christ for accesse to God converses with him Ps 50. uâ—â— c. Joh. 14.21 Rev. 2. more abundant tokens and testimonies of love and favour from him the peace of conscience the joy in the holy Ghost and the foretasts of blessednesse and glory that do attend it who is able to expresse them but we may not enlarge in such discourses on it It is to be supposed that our Regenerate person is abundantly convinced of its necessity Ps 110.3 Cant. 1.4 and that he hath felt its powers and tasted its sweetnesses and been attracted by its beauties and is resolved for its exercises here and full enjoyments hereafter and needs only some directions for it Accordingly these that follow may be improved in generall and in particular 1 Get the Habit of Grace and Sanctification infused in regeneration 1 Pet. 2.2 Ps 42. 84. 63. the new creature to be fed nourished and preserved by the use and blessing of God on the use of the meanes of grace by removing out of the heart whatsoever might afflict or hinder it weaken it or disturb it 1 Pet. 2. Math. 13. Rev. 12. much more what hath immediate tendency to murther it and destroy it and that is Sin the World and Sathan Adde faith and earnest prayer to the God of all grace for the renewed influences of the spirit of grace Ps 119. the accomplishment of the promises in the covenant of Grace Is 35. Ezek. 36.26 Joh. 1.18 and a liberall communication from Christ Jesus the fulness and