which hath shined so gratiously vnto me then to conceale my iudgement though it may condemne my practise Fourthly May it please thee to consider with me Can a man walk in the Sunne and not bee warme and where two lie together will there not be heate and can the light be hidden nay ought it to be hidden Ought we not being conuerted conuert our brethren doth not the light shine vnto vs and can we hold our peace Is not the night coming fast on vs when none can worke 5 Can wee doe lesse in these dayes then conuince a prophane world 6 Can we do better then strengthen that which is ready to die purging and triall And is it not more then high time that wee should gather our selues before the decree come forth Is it not certain that our master wil not loÌ„g deferre his comming and shall not that seruant be blessed whom his master comming shall finde so doing euen freeing himselfe and departing from euill Shal not the wise man see the plague and hide himselfe the foole run on be punished Shall not the wise virgins prepare oyle in their lampes to meete the Bridegrome whiles stripes are preparing for the back of the scorner Behold then the oyle that thou must bee furnished withall Shall not this be thy store house dayly to furnish thee with meanes whereby thou must walke fruitfully with thy God in ech dutie of thy calling whereby thou maist entertaine each seuerall occasion chearefully that so while thou hast the light thou maist walke in it that so thou maist bee found in peace at thy masters comming Doe the times require in regard of the continuance of plentifull meanes that by this time thou shouldest haue bin a teacher of others and yet art thou to learne the grounds of thy faith Behold here then the grounds of Sanctification propounded and opened vnto thee that thou maist be soundly entred into the schoole of Christ Iesus that thou maist trie thy selfe whether thou hast laide a good foundation or no hast thou built hay and stubble vpon the foundation hast thou gone a stray from that perfect rule and therefore hadst need to returne backe againe Behold The doctrine of repentance to sustaine thy iudgement aright here maist thou trie thy selfe whether thou hast repented or no hereby maist thou approue thine interest in Iesus Christ. And to this purpose is the doctrine of repentance proposed before the doctrine of faith Not that it is or can be in nature before it for how can the fruite be before the tree can we loue God vnlesse hee loue vs first can wee forsake our sinnes vnles the loue of Christ constrain vs must we not beleeue sinne pardonable before we can forsake it Is not our sufficiencie of God through Iesus Christ to subdue iniquitie Is not Iesus Christ aswel-the authour and finisher of our faith And is it not sinne before God though it seeme neuer so glorious among men whatsoeuer is not of faith And without faith is it possible to please God Must we not first be in Christ before we can be new creatures and do we not liue by faith in the Sonne of God And doth not the death of Christ daily kill sinne in vs doe wee not dayly rise vp in him to newnesse of life And do wee not approue our selues hereby liuing members of his body Is it any more wee but Christ that now liueth in vs Is not this to liue by faith in the Sonne of God Loe here our repentance being a fruit of our faith in Iesus Christ is also an euidence vnto our soules that we are in the faith and so our faith which in nature is before repentance hath yet repentaÌ„ce in order accoÌ„panying the same and by this liuely fruit is discerned of vs and thus hast thou in the next place a gratious direction how to discerne and reuiue thy most pretious faith that so thou maist bee sure that thou hast not laboured in vaine Now seeing the work of Sanctification is begun in weaknes rather in the purpose of the heart then any constancie of outward practise and hypocrisie wil be sure to mingle it selfe with our best endeauours if it be possible to blast the the verie blade Therefore art thou informed in the next place how to prepare thy heart in the seruice of God how to comfort thy selfe in the testimony thereof notwithstanding thy dayly failings in the practise of weldoing And seeing the heart of man is deceitful aboue al things the cause of all thy failings ariseth from the not guiding of thy heart Therfore art thou taught how to arme thy heart with that complete armor of a Christian souldier And so thou art instructed in the vse of each seuerall peece therof that so thou maist be ready at all assayes To this end in the next place are propounded vnto thee those two maner occasions and imployments of thy whole life namely to prosecute good and forsake euill and so thou art instructed how to performe the one and leaue the other how to discerne sinceritie in either And because the true Christian life is a continuall growth therefore art thou further informed how to discerne this growth in grace thou art furnished with meanes wherby thou maist grow and thou art comforted in the weakenesse and hinderances of thy growth And seeing thankefulnesse is a special badge of our loue vnto Christ a principal means to renue our right in him that so from him we may renue strength and supply of grace to grow forward perfection therefore art thou taught also how to bee thankefull thou art informed in the truth and right vse of this dutie And as by these meanes thou art hastning to perfection so art thou further prouoked to constancie perseuerance And gratiously informed how thou maist continue to the end not onely confirmed in thy greatest fayling that thou shalt recouer but instructed also gratiously how thou maist hold out Namely By holy watchfulnesse and iealousie ouer thy heart and wayes that so thou maist preuent securitie and presumption and gratiously goe on and perseuere in weldoing And that thou maist not bee ouercome with the cares of the world not be to seeke at any time of the present assistance of thy God therefore thou art enformed aboue all things to make thy requests manifest vnto God and directed so to aske that thou maist receiue And so thou art informed how to maintaine thy peace with God and to repose thy selfe sweetly in the bosome thereof And mâ—â—â—ist thou not also learne hereby how to beginne the day with God Art thou not instructed how to sanctifie thy family by holy exercises how to sanctifie the occasioÌ„s by holy and feruent prayer Art thou not directed how to walke in thy calling art thou not comforted in the issue there of Art thou not further informed in the right vse of thy diet that so thou maist eat to liue and â—â—â—e to the glory of thy maister Art thou instructed
the most vnlikely contemptible meanes for our good seeing the Lord made vs of such 3 Neither to seeke after great matters in the world seeing our originall was so meane 4 Neither to set vp our hearts in this life but rather to prepare to death seeing to the earth we must 5 Comforting our selues that our misery in this life is not eternall seeing we are of the earth 6 And seeing this corruption must put on incorruption therefore learne we to follow hard after the marke if by any meanes we may attaine to the resurrection of the dead looking by faith a farre off for the changing of these vile bodies And comforting our selues in our better part that the soule is immortall and therefore labouring to haue our conuersation in heauen and to be made meete for that glorious inheritance Thirdly that man was made a liuing soule immediatly breathed from the Lord eternally to liue with him This teacheth 1 That the soule is immediatly subiect vnto God ought onely to bee bound by him principally must depend on his blessed will 2 That it must be exercised in heauenly things agreeable to the nature and end thereof 3 That it is subiect to eternall punishment for sinne and therefore ought to saue it selfe from that fearefull vengeance Matth. 3. 4 That eternall hapinesse is due thereto for wel-doing and therefore should not faint nor be weary thereof 5 That as the creation is immediate from God though the body be from man so also is the Recreation and Renuing of the soule immediatly from his meere mercy in Christ without any help or concurrence from man 6 And therefore we are not to rest in any naturall faculties of the soule as if they were sufficient to saluation or could further thereto but rather discerne wee wisely That the wisedome of the flesh is enmity against God 7 And so let vs deny our selues that we may be found in Christ not hauing our owne righteousnesse Phil. 3.8.9 Yet so 8 As that seeing we haue free-will in naturall and morall actions concerning the outward act though not for the truth or manner or end of well-doing therefore do we what is ours in entertaining the meanes of saluation As come wee to the word and though we cannot discerne it naturally neither propose the right end therein least if wee forsake God in not doing so farre as wee may he may iustly forsake vs in denying a blessing to the means that so our condemnation may be iust and inexcusable 9 That the soule was breathed into the nostrels not into the eares or mouth or eyes this argueth the imbecillity and frailty of our life as if it depended on our nostrels Esay 2 22. Thus of the matter Fourthly consider we the manner of our creation and therein the Excellencie and ends thereof For the manner we were created in Gods Image not that either wee were made of the Essence of God or that God must bee like to vs hauing humane shape although if we respect the second person in Trinity it might wel be that as he was to take flesh in the fulnesse of time so euen at the present when man was made hee assumed extraordinarily an human forme and so also after that forme and Archetype made man But we were created after the Image of God in holinesse and righteousnesse that is The soule being breathed into the body from the Lord was indued with diuine and heauenly qualities As 1 Immortality 2 Excellent light of reason and vnderstanding acknowledging God and his will discerning the nature and essence of things 3 True righteousnesse of the minde and heart and all the faculties thereof in which was inflamed true loue and feare and confidence in God 4 Most absolute consent of the will obeying the iudgement of right and reason from compulsion bondage and misery 5 Excellent strength and vigor of body free from all infirmitie diseases troubles death And 6 Admirable glory and maiesty 7 Destinated to eternall life in heauen 8 Which should haue propagated an immortall kinde according to the Image of God 9 Yet all this mutably 1 That so if Man had ouercome the Tempter his glory had beene the greater 2 That way might bee made hereby to the reuelation of the eternall mercy of God to his elect in Iesus Christ as also of his Iustice in the condemnation of the wicked for the refusall of the Messiah and in him of their saluation And hence ariseth the excellency of Man 1 By the consideration of his creation especially that in respect of the mutability thereof hee was to be interessed in the Messiah so to be restored preserued by him vnto saluation Hence also arise the ends of mans creation 1 To aduance the goodnesse and bounty of the Lord in ordaining saluation for him by his sonne 2 That the Lord hereby might haue the onely glory of all his mercies 3 That Man might haue the dominion ouer all the Creatures 4 That also he might bee as it were a sweet Companion with the Lord in eternall glory and happinesse And 5 That hee might bee made meete hereunto by the knowledge of his Creator and Redeemer Ioh. 17. And by spirituall and bodily worship according to his knowledge 1. Cor. 6. Whence we may learne 1 To admire and conceiue worthily of this loue of God in making vs thus like vnto himselfe and so to expresse our loue vnto him in striuing to bee like vnto him 1. Ioh. 4. 2 To magnifie his admirable wisedome in making our estate such as in regard of our free-will to be subiect to change and so to rest content with the will of God in things more contrary to nature and vnlikely for our God seeing the Lord out of this mutable estate raised so much good euen to aduance his holy sonne Iesus and in him to renue and establish our formerly mutable condition 3 And seeing the Lord did ordaine this condition to be therefore mutable that so man being left to himselfe might bee the chooser and author of his owne fall therefore learne we to iustifie God and to condemne our selues that so we may not be iudged of the Lord. Lastly seeing the Lord as hee ordained the fall of man mutable so hee ordained a Redeemer before the fall to recouer the same Therefore let this comfort vs in all our troubles whether vpon vs or expected that vndoubtedly we may expect a good issue therein seeing we were first apointed to glory so to deliuerance from thē and so appoynted to afflictions to make vs sit for glory And we are here taught to loue the person of man as bearing Gods Image though we may hate the sinne Thus of the Creation CHAP. IX Of the fall of Man WHerein man continued not as being left to himselfe and so fell away from God in obeying the suggestion of the Serpent and so fell away from his former estate of Innocencie and happinesse through disobedience of the Commandement plunged himselfe and
his whole posterity as hauing receiued en estate for it into a most fearefull bondage of sinne and Satan and to all such punishments as were due to the breach of the Commandement The occasion hereto was the righteous law of God which the more indifferent it was and easie to be obeyed did 1 The more discouer the malice of Sathan against the Commandements And 2 the more conuince the breach of man and so 3 aduanceth the more the mercy of God in prouiding a redeemer The instrument of this fall and manner therof was the suggestion of Satan enuying mans happines working in him distrust of the word tickling him with the outward obiect the Apple but especially with a conceit of a more excellent estate And setting vppon the weaker vessell when she was alone Breeding discontent of the present estate and hatred of God as if he did enuy their happinesse did not therfore loue thē so being distracted in their iudgment to redeeme vs Math. 4. Luk. 2.49 2 In taking our nature vpon him Mat. 2 Luk. 1. 3 To the Law in fulfilling it perfectly which we had broken Esay 53. 4 In vndergoing the punishment when hee had fulfilled the Law Rom. 5.19 10.4 And by these his sufferings our redemption was secondly wrought out These sufferings of Christ were First either in the humility of his Natiuity or his whole life such miseries as sin had drawne vpon vs that hee might sanctifie them vnto vs as in the body Hunger Cold Pouerty c. Heb. 2.18 Heb. 4.15 2 In the soule 1 Ignorance Mat. 11.13 Mar. 13.32 2 Tentations Matth. 22.35 Matth. 4.1 3 Sadnesse Ioh. 12. 4 Ignominies Mat. 12. Secondly or at his Death such paines as we had deserued and here he suffered First in his body as 1 Preparations to death 1 Accused of Blasphemy 2 Buffetings by the Souldiers Mat. 27. 28. 3 Whipping and scourging 4 Crowning with Thornes 5 Carrying of his Crosse. 6 Nayling to his Crosse. Ioh. 19. Secondly death it selfe heere consider 1 The ignominious manner vpon the Cursed Tree Gal. 3. 2 The cruelty vsed vpon his dead body as being pierced to the heart by that mercilesse Souldier Ioh. 10.34 3 His ignominious buriall and detaining for 3 daies in the graue These were his sufferings in body Secondly he also suffered for vs in his soule that 1. In his whole life 1 Griefe for the sin of the world especially of his own countrymen who refused him Ioh. 1. 2 The mockings of the wicked 7 That by his death hee might ratifie the eternall Testament of grace Heb. 9. 8 That hereby sinne and death might be destroyed and the Diuell that had the rule of death Heb. 2.14.15 Rom. 6.20 9 As also taking away the feare of death 10 That sinne might not rule ouer vs but 11 That we might die thereto 12 That we might liue onely to Christ. 13 And liue for euer with him 14 And lay downe our liues for him Now because it was not possible that the Sonne of God should be holden of the sorrowes of death for then had he not been iustified and acquitted from our sins therfore by the power of his God-head he raised vp himselfe so accomplished yet further the work of our redemption Rom. 4.25 Act. 2.24 And so Christ Iesus our redeemer obtained a glorious conquest by his resurrection from the dead that First ouer the law in abolishing the curse dominion rigor therof Secondly ouer Satan hel chaining vp Satan destroying for euer the powers of hell 1. Cor. 15.57 Thirdly ouer sinne and that 1 In taking away the sting and guiltinesse thereof 2 Abating the rage fury of the same Rom. 7.24.25 3 Healing in some measure the corrupt fountaine of the same 4 Weakning the force and daily eating out the very corruption thereof Rom. 6.12.13 Fourthly death is also conquered and subdued and that 1 By taking away the sting therof 2 By destroying the dominion of the same Rom. 5.14 3 Sanctifying it to the Godly to whom it is the gate to euerlasting life 1. Thess. 4. 4 Raising vp our flesh from the graue 1. Cor. 15. And thus by this glorious conquest of our captaine Iesus Christ is recouered vnto vs Heb. 12 2· First the fauour of God our Father whose children we are now become in Iesus Christ 2. Cor. 5.18 1 Ioh. 3.1 Col 1.20 Secondly the fruits of this fauour which are 1 Faith in the Sonne of God whereby being iustified before God we haue 2 Peace of Conscience with God and man Rom. 5.1 Rom. 7.4 3 Ioy vnspeakeble in the Holy Ghost 1. Pet. 1.8 4 We become fruitfull in all good works and so therby become meet partakers of saluation Col. 1.12 The earnest whereof we haue in this life first by the inward testimony of the spirit 2. Cor. 1. Eph. 4. Secondly by our outward similitude conformity to our head Christ Iesus being changed into the same Image from glory to glory as by the spirit of the Lord 2. Cor. 3.18 And wee shall fully enioy it in the life to come where shall be 1 Ceasing of all sinne infirmities sorrow Reu. 7.17 2 Perfect knowledge of God 3 Perfect righteousnesse and holinesse not to be changed Eph. 5.27 4 Fulnesse of ioy Psa. 16. 5 Excellent glory 6 Immediate fruition of and coniunction with God 1. Cor. 13.12 7 Continuall praising of God 8 God shall be all in all 1. Cor. 15. 9 Perfect loue to each other though in diuersity of glory 10 Knowledge spirituall of each other as they haue had fellowship in this life in good 11 Triumph ouer all enemies 12 Eternall happinesse and blisse for euermore 1. Pet. 1.4 All these hath the sonne of God purchased for vs CHAP. XI Of the Appliclication of this benefit by faith how it wrought in vs. THe meanes whereby all these are made ours This faith is wrought in vs by the preaching of the word Rom. 10.17 And that first of the Law First discouering our misery vnto vs in particular both From what a blessed estate wee are fallen Rom. 3. Rom. 7. as also Into what a woful and desperate condition we are now plunged not onely by reason of our sinne Being able to do nothing but displease God Gen. 6.5 And that in regard 1 Of the trangression of Adam which lies vpon vs Rom. 5. 2 The fruit of this transgression euen a generall infection corruption of all the powers and faculties of soule and body As First the substance of the soule 1 before being simple is now become double through hypocrisie 2 Before being mortall naturally and spiritually is now spiritually dead Eph. 2. Secondly the gifts of the soule As 1 the minde through ignorance become vaine in it discourses Eph. 4. Rom. 2.21 2 Of the vnderstanding filled with blindnesse and darknesse and not sauouring the things of God Eph. 4.17 3 The Conscience wounded seared defiled
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
and strengthen vs in the worke of grace Therefore hauing now laide downe the true Patterne of Holinesse and liuelie practise thereof my purpose is GOD willing shortly to furnish thee with such variety of helpes as may serue both to vphold and encrease this blessed condition And seeing wee shall not want many Lettes and Hinderances to interrupt and so to linger vs in if not quite to breake off this holy course Therefore by GODS grace I doe intend in the third place to discouer those seuerall Rubbes and impediments and withall to instruct how wee may encounter and subdue the same And withall As GOD shall lend health and liberty to adde such motiues and encouragements both from the present benefites of this constant walking as also from the future recompence which waits the same as may throughly settle vs in the practise thereof Meane while let vs in the name of GOD bee faithfull in a little that so wee may bee fitted to further blessings being thankfull for the meanes wee enioy to this end and labouring thereby to serue one another in loue praying for the peace of Ierusalem and seeking the same aboue our chiefest ioy that so in the peace thereof wee may haue peace euen a gracious liberty to walk with our God in constant obedience to whom in Iesus Christ through the blessed Spirit bee praise and Dominion in all the Churches Amen FINIS * Greenham Perkins Rogers Downam and Arthur Dent c. Reasons of â—â—â—he Deity Alexander Vse Natures vse for the knowledge of GOD. Vse Intelliâ—â—â—ent Vse Eternall Vse Vse Vse Vse Vse Vse Vse Vse Vse Rom. 1. Psalm 81.1 Vse Note Ephes. 4. Eph. 4.1.2 Sect. 1. What a person is Vse Trinitie what Persons how they differ Order of Persons Order of workes Vse Vse Note Ends of Creation Vse Time 1. Cor. 2. Vse Body Soule in regard of the Analogy betweene the Creaation and Regeneration 2. Cor. 12.11 Vse Sect. 6. 2. By sufferings where what they were 1 In whole life 2 In death 3 In body 4 In soule Sect. 7. Conquering and how Vse of his death Sect. 8. The benefit of our Redemption 1 By sence of our misery fall from our first estate The greatnes therof 1 By sinne 2 By fruite of sin what they are 1 In this life 2 In the life to come 3 Particulars of hell torments Sect. 1. The word the guide of this direction Sect. 2. Vse Sect. 1. Sect. 1. Vse Sect. 1. Sect. 2. This course to be known though impossible to be kept Sect. 3. It is not impossible Sect. 4. It is necessary 3 To encrease in righteous 4 To recouer out of euil 5 To further our callings Sect. 5. It is most conuenient for all sorts 1 For Babes 2 For strong men 3 For men in prosperity 4 For the time of offliction Sect. 6. And profitable Sect. 7. And pleasant where The benefite of constant godlines there in the priuiledge of Christians Sect. 2. Repentance how performed 1 By knowledge 2 Sorrow 3 By confession In generall In particular 4 By iudging 5 By flying to Christ. 5 Forsaking sin how Section 3. Helpes to repentance Sect. 4. Markes of Repentance Vse of Repentance Note Sect. 7. Trial hereof Ahab Rom. 2. Sect. 2. The degrees of this worke Sect. 3. The markes of particular assurance Sect. 4. The degrees thereof Weakenesse of Faith How knowne The grounds hereof Sect. 1. The heart a sleepe and by what meanes Sect. 2· The heart to be awakened and how Sect. 3. The heart awakened must be examined And how 1 By a true rule 2. An holy manner 3. To a right end Sect. 4. The heart examined must be established in the worship of God And how How to know the beloued sin How to conquer it Sect. 7. Trial hereof Sect. 1. The parts of the spirituall armour and first of the girdle of Truth Its parts are Sect. 2. 1 A rectified Iudgement The benefit thereof Sect. 3. The sanctified conscience and how discerned How put on The benefit thereof Sect. 4. The sinceri-of the will It markes It measure The benefit hereof Sect. 5. The well ordering of the affections how discerned The benefit thereof Sect. 6. The sinceritie of the Tongue Wherein it is seene Sect. 7. Of speech and 1 Of the preparation to it 2 And bee hath promised to blesse this meanes to this end 3 And the Saints haue practised this duty profitably Sect. 8. The matter of speech Sect. 9. How to speake of God Sect. 4. How to speake of our neighbour Sect. 15. What heere to be auoyded How to speake in dispraise of our selues Sect. 14 Of things to be spoken How to speake of what wee know Sect. 15. The maner of speech 1 It must be gratious Sect. 16.2 Our speech must be true Sect. 17. Of the bonds of truth 1 Euidences How to affirme in doubtfull cases 3 The matter 4 The manner 5 He that may sweare 6 The ende and causes of an oath 6 Before whom we must sweare 7 When 8 How an oath binds 9 The abuses of an oth Sect. 21. Of flattery Sest 22. Concealing of truth Sect. 23. The third grace of speech Reuerence and that 1. In respect of God 2. Of man Sect. 24. To giue holy names to to our children Sect. 25. Reuerence to our superiour Here forbidden 1. Blasphemie 2. All abuse of scripture 2. Abuse of our selues Sect. 26. A fourth grace of speech Sobrietie and Modestie And where in Sect. 27. Of saluatioÌ„s Popish blessing to bee moderated Sect. 28. Of soft ananswering Sect. 28. Of reproofe of sinne Sect. 30. A fit grace of speech is cheerfulnes and ioy It conditions How fitted to the boord How for bed Here to bee auoyded 1 Iesting with it bounds 2 Laughter Sect. 31. A sixt grace of speech care of our neighbours good name 1 How performed 2 What auoyded Sect. 32. The seuenth grace of speech slownesse briefnes Rules herein Sect. 33 Of silence and the right vse thereof Things to be conceald And first wherein silence is to be vsed 1 Concerning God 2 Concerning our selues 3 What to be conceald Aug. lib. ad conser 4 Before whom we must keepe silence Sect. 34 Last part of the Girdle Conformiâ—â—â—ie of outward actions The end what 1 Gods glory 2 Edification how accomplished How applied Benefite of this part of the Girdle Sect. 35. The Breast-plate of righteousnesse 1. What it is 2. The vse of this part How to bee attained and preserued Sect. 37. A fourth part of the Armour the shield of faith It vse Sect. 38. The fifth part the helmet of hope Sect. 39. The last part the sword of the Spirit 1. It vse 2 How obtained 3 Triall â—â—â—ereof 4. How kept on Sect. 40. The general benefit of the whole armie Sest 1. Difference of euill Sect. 2. What the euill of sin is Sect. 3. The vse of this knowledge Sect. 4 How farre sinne hath taken hold on man The benefit of this knowledge Sect. 4. Gods
committed 3 How wee haue sinned of Ignorance Psa. 73.22 4 How of Knowledge wee haue transgressed 2. Sam. 24. Luk. 12.48 Especially and more particularly we must confesse 1 The sinnes we haue beene subiect vnto Psa. 51.14 2 Those which for the present we grone vnder 3 Those which wee feare most Psalm 19.13 4 The sinnes of our Fathers Nehem 9. 5 The sinnes of the Land and state where wee liue Dan. 9. 6 Those which accompany wel-doing Math. 8. 7 Yea such as in particular we know not wee are notwithstanding to yeeld vp to bee searched by the Lord and by his mercie either to be brought to our remembrance or to be graciously passed ouer Psa. 19.12 Fourthly wee must proceede to iudgement against sinne And that 1 Remembring and producing the law that conuinceth our sin Esr. 9.11.12 2 Pleading guilty therto Esr. 9.10 3 By abhorring of our selues Iob. 42 4 Stripping our selues of all comforts 5 Imposing volunatry afflictions vpon our selues Ioel. 2. 6 Acknowledging our selues worthy to be cut off Eze. 20. 7 Yeelding to temporal chasticements 2. Sam. 16. 8 Iustifying Gods iustice in his former chasticements vpon our fathers for sin Esr. 9.7 9 Feeling our sinne a burthen which we are not able to beare Act. 12.37 Psa. 38.4 Hereupon Fiftly By faith we flye unto Christ. 1 Hungring after the least drop of mercy 2 Preferring it before all earthly comforts 3 Begging it boldly and constantly 4 Waiting patiently till the Lord answere 5 Meditating on Gods former mercies Esr. 9.8 6 In Christ we gaine strength to forsake sin And that 1 In heart wee throughly purpose neuer to commit the like againe Esr. 10.3 2 To this end we are Fearfull of the occasions and wisely decline from them 3 We bend our strength especially against our beloued sin 4 We complaine of our Inability and labour to be strengthned by the Word Conference c. 5 Hereupon we finde our loue encreased to all Gods Commaâ—â—â—â—â—â—dements and so more conscionably intend the performance of â—â—â—hem 6 Especially wee endeauour to bee found in CHRIST and to feele the power of his death and resurrection in the subduing of sinne and so exercise our meditations more often and seriously thereon 7 And so wee endeuour that the life of Christ may appeare in our mortall bodies and that not wee but Christ may liue wholly in vs Galat. 2.19 c. 8 To this end labour wee the practise of some one speciall vertue to which we find our selues most auerse and which we see that we haue especiall need of 9 And so by Gods mercy we attaine such conquest ouer our most grieuous tentations and former euils as hatred of the word and the Saints c. as that wee neuer fall into them againe 10 And though wee finde aptnesse to fall into some former sinnes yet wee earnestly striue against them and grone vnder the burthen of our corruptions 11 And so do hunger and sigh for our dissolution Rom. 7. 12 Submitting our selues to the power of the word to haue corruption discouered and purged out 13 Auoiding all occasions that entice to sin Now that wee may the bettter performe this duty of Repentance consider wee in the third place these preparatiues and helpes thereto 1 That Repentance is the gift of God and therefore if we want it let vs aske it of him in faith Iam. 1.6 2 That by nature wee cannot repent and therefore wee had more need to renounce our selues and flye vnto God 3 That the time of repentance is this life and therfore while we may let vs set vpon it 4 The longer we deferre it the harder and more doubtfull it will proue 5 That the fittest time is immediatly after sinne committed Psal. 95.8 6 To this end meditate we on the shortnesse of life Psalm 91.12 And withall 7 Weigh wee the greatnesse of our sinne how infinite in number how dangerous and deadly to our own soules how offensiue to Gods children c. 8 And submit wee our selues willingly to such rebukes and chasticements as are laid vpon vs to the humbling of the flesh Iam. 4.9.10 Iob. 33.17.18 Leuit. 26.41 9 Yea intreat we the Lord to correct vs Psa. 61. and that the righteous may smite vs Psalm 141.5 Psa. 6.1 Hitherto serueth further 1 The due contemplation of the Maiesty of God whom we haue so highly offended Psalm 51.4 Gen. 39.9 2 The vilenesse and abiectnesse of Man that durst commit such wickednesse against God 3 How fearefull by reason of sinne our condition is vnder Sathan 4 The dangers we haue incurred hereby euen all the plagues that are written in Gods Booke Deut. 29.27 5 The riches of Gods mercy in prouiding so excellent a remedy against sin as the pretious blood of his onely and deerely beloued sonne when nothing else in the world was available thereunto 1. Pet. 1.12 6 The effectualnesse of this Sacrifice daily preuenting sinne and furthering yea sanctifying our repentance and leading to perfection 1. Ioh. 1.7 Eph. 5.22.23 7 The excellency of our estate in Iesus Christ with the manifold benefites and priuiledges thereof and so meditate we on his Death Resurrection Ascention c. 8 Consider wee the end of our Creation Redemption Iustification c. All which doe call for repentance 9 And on the other side impartially discerne wee our Vnthankfulnesse against the blood of the Couenant in not walking worthy of the same Ephes. 4.1 yea in as much as lieth in vs. 10 Making the same of none effect vnto vs. Heb. 10. 11 Adde we hereunto How we haue grieued the spirit of God Ephes 4.30 1 And dulled if not quenched the graces of God in vs 1. Thess. 5.19 13 Consider what dishonour we haue done vnto our God all this while that we haue liued in sinne 14 And wonder at the patience of the Almighty that hath spared so long such notorious rebels Lament 3.23 Rom. 2.4 15 Consider wee the small number of those that shall bee saued And 16 That many shall striue to enter in and shall not be able Luk. 13.23 17 Treasure we vp the Word in our hearts which daily prouokes to repentance Matth. 3. 18 And meditate wee on Gods Iudgements inflicted on the world for sinne Psal. 119. 19 Consider we how hardly euen the righteous shall bee saued 1. Pet. 4.13.14 20 Sort wee with the Godly that so wee may learne their waies 21 Enter wee into the house of Mourning and this will bring sin to remembrance 22 And thinke wee often of our ends and of the day of iudgement so shall sinne haue little rest with vs. And that wee bee not deceiued in the iudgement of Repentance obserue wee wisely these Markes and true Tokens thereof 1 Care not to sinne againe 2. Cor. 7.11 Luk. 9. 2 Clearing and approuing of our selues to the Church of God 3 In the euidence of the pardon of our sinne being able to make our defence against sin and Satan 2. Cor. 7. And so 4
suspecting especially the shew and colour watching ouer our naturall corruption and the sinnes of our Calling 12 Also labouring to discouer and conquer the contrary tentation as in affliction impatiency and distrust Helpes hereunto are 1 Consider wee that the best doe faile in watching as they should 2 That it is no bondage but a blessed liberty thus to looke to our selues 3 Looke we our selues dâ—â—â—ily in the glasse of the word Psalm 119. Heb. 11 6. 4 Suspect wee also our selues and feare we alwayes Pro. 28.14 5 Let the feare of God be continually before our eies 1. Cor. 7.1 6 Vse we sobriety in our knowledge and vse of outward things 1. Pet. 4. Rom. 12.3 7 Prouoke we each other cheerfully to holy duties Psal. 122. 8 Consider wee how watchfull worldlings are to obey the precepts of men 9 If we haue slipped let vs returne againe in feare and trembling 10 Obserue we the checkes of conscience for euery action 11 And let not the motions of the spirit be vnrespected 12 Extraordinary and speciall mercies of God be we catefull to record 13 And tremble we at his iudgments wisely laying them to our heart 14 Let the day of our death be alwayes in our eye 15 And make we full account to come to iudgement 2. Cor. 5. CHAP. X. Of Prayer A Further helpe to Constancy is Earnest and constant Prayer vnto GOD to vphold vs by his mighty hand Ephes. 6.14 15. And that 1 Publicke in the Congregation Psa. 92. Psa. 122. Mat 6. 2 In priuate as well with our families as in our closets and secret recourse Mat. 6. Psa. 4.6 And this is necessary 1 Because the Lord hath commanded it Psalm 50.15 Matth. 6. Luk. 11. to oppose against our vnworthinesse 2 Hereby wee approue our selues to bee louing membes of Christs body and the truely adopted sonnes of God Rom. 8.13 Psa. 14.22 3 We performe a speciall part of worship vnto the Almighty Psa. 50.15.23 4 We vse the especiall meanes whereby all Gods blessings are enioyed and sanctified Luke 11.13 1. Tim. 4.5 5 And though the Lord know what we haue need of before wee aske yet hereby wee acknowledge and discerne the same Isa. 65.24 6 Hereby we are also humbled vnder the mighty hand of God 7 Wee do also performe thankefulnesse vnto God for al his mercies 8 As also we giue vnto God this prerogatiue that he is the searcher of our hearts and also 9 We acknowledg his speciall prouidence that he careth for vs. Psal. 34 10 Heerby our faith and patience is gratiously exercised and confirmed Now that we may pray aright 1 Our prayer must bee in faith without doubting Iam. 1.6 to God not to Saints or Angels Rom. 10. 2 In loue forgiuing one another and praying for each other Luk. 1. Math. 6. yea for our enemies 3 In wisdome praying first for the fauor of God wheÌ„ we would haue blessing and when we would haue any euill remoued praying for the forgiuenesse of sinne which is the cause thereof As also 2. diuiding the times wisely for prayer and our callings 4 In zeale and feruency 1. from the heart and affections principally aiming at Gods glory c. 1. Cor. 14. Iacob 5.16 5 In constancie and patience waiting the Lords good leasure Psa. 40.1 Psal. 135. Psal. 147. 6 In sinceritie from our right in Christ Iesus and out of the holy purpose of our heart denying our selues 7 In an holy order 1. for those that concerne Gods glory 2. such as concerne saluation 3. such as respect this life And so on the contrary we are to pray against such as crosse these things in their order 8 Our minds must be free from all worldly and carnal respects 9 In humilitie abasing our selues before the Lord Dan. 9. Gen. 32. 10 With thankesgiuing vnto God for all his mercies Psal. 116.12 11 As also with true repentance renuing our vowes to the Lord. Psal. 26.6 Isa. 1.15 1. Ioh. 3.22 Thus must our prayers bee made vnto the Lord and by them we shall be First Much strengthened in the grace of perseuerance Luke 22.32 as also 2 Kept in the vigor and power of our Christian life Ephes. 6. 3 Experienced in our sweet fellowshippe with God Rom. 8.15 4 Our spirituall armour always fitted and exercised Eph 6. 5 Our dayly wants supplyed or recompensed Iames 1.5 2. Cor. 12. 6 Tentations conquered and happily diminished Mat. 4. 7 All our occasions well seasoned and turned to our good 1. Tim. 4. 8 Our whole life sanctified and wee prepared comfortably to a better Phil. 1.19 To this end also serueth another omitted or sleightly performed any of these 6 Be sure so to performe these as that thou doest not neglect thy calling 2. Thess. 3.12 7 If thou hast performed them in some poore measure yet rest not in it but labor more earnestly with God for a further grace Phil. 3.13 8 And yet bee thankefull vnto God for these small grapes and fruits acknowledging that it is his great mercie that thou canst doe any thing and giuing him all the glory thereof 1. Corinth 15.10 And thus shalt thou be sure to obtaine this peace of God And hauing obtained it thou must lie downe therewith and carie it with thee to thy bed 1 Because thou knowest not whether thy bed shal be thy graue 1. Pet. 1.24 2 Thy sleepe hereby shall bee much sweeter and dreames more comfortable Psal. 4.8 3 Thou shalt auoyd nocturnall pollutions and vncleanesses 4 Thy reines shall teach thee in the night season and the darknesse shall bee as the noone day Psal. 16.7 And this is performed 1 By resigning vp our selues into the hands of God 2 Ascribing vnto him the glory of all the good wee haue performed Psal. 115.1 Esay 26.12 3 Acknowledging our selues to bee vnprofitable seruants if God should enter into iudgement with vs Luke 17.10 4 Crauing earnest pardon of our imperfections in Iesus Christ and laying our selues a sleepe in his bosome 1. Iohn 1.9 5 Comforting our selues if sense of faith bee not present yet with former experience and inward habit thereof Psal. 22.10 6 Yeelding vp our selues in a willingnesse to death in ful expectation of the life to come Phil. 1.20.23 And thus guiding our selues by these former rules we shall lie downe in peace and so shall wee comfortably performe the dayly sacrifice And thus farre concerning such necessarie duties as wee are bound in some measure dayly to performe CHAP. XII How to profit in this direction FOR our better encouragement and furtherance heerein obserue these rules 1 That being conuinced in conscience with the necessity of these dueties we purpose and solemnly vow vnto the Lord the attempting and prosecuting thereof Psal. 119.206 Psal. 119.7 2 That God principally respects the purpose of the heart if there be a willing minde accepts according to what wee haue and requires not what wee haue not 2. Cor. 8.12 3 That wee giue not eare to the flesh
appoynted to manifest his more admirable power and wisedome and to try our faith and patience our industry and wisedome in encountring our courage in conquering the same 4 And so bee daily ready to yeeld vp our selues vnto our blessed God both resigning our wayes and liues vnto his holy hands And 5 Preparing our selues vnto our ends so shall nothing be strange or vnwelcome vnto vs. Thus shall we bee prepared to each occasion And that we be not distracted and discouraged with the multiplicity contradictions herein know we that as it were infinite to lay downe direction for each particular so shall it be needlesse to descend thereto because what is laid downe for the well-managing of some principall will giue light to the better ordering of the rest And therefore my purpose is onely to stand vpon some principals and the Lord giue a blessing hereunto CHAP. II. Of rising with God and awaking in his peace And these Principals are FIrst to arise with God and as wee laid our selues downe in peace so to awake with the comfort thereof Psa. 23.6 Lam. 3.23 Psa. 139.18 Psa. 119.147 The reason whereof is Because 1 Wee maintaine hereby constancy in wel-doing 2 Wee renue that soundnesse wherewith we lay downe 3 Wee preuent that no roote of bitternesse breake out at the first 4 Wee prouide for our more setled courses all the day after and so beginne a new to liue the daily life of grace 5 We make our hearts merry in the Lord 6 Wee are made principally more apt to prayer which is the next occasion to be entertained of vs. This is performed 1 By meditating of the true life of God and day of the resurrection 1. Cor. 1. and so our arising to iudgement 2 By magnifying our sweete repose and resting in the bosome of Gods protection Psalm 3.5 3 Taking occasion by the light that appeareth to consider of the Armour of light or by the outward darknesse that compasseth to blesse God for the inward light and to mourne for the ignorance and blindnesse that is yet in vs and others yea to resolue the casting away of the workes of darknesse c. Roman 13 12. 4 Praising the mercie and patience of the Lord that yet wee liue to praise him and are spared to make our Election more sure and thereto especially meditating on the constancie of Gods loue towards vs. Iohn 13.1 Psalm 19.2 Psalm 102.27 Ieremie Lament 3.23 as being renued euery morning And this is furthered if we perceiue dulnesse 1 By striuing euen in the night when we awake to sigh for sinne and hunger after mercy Psal. 16.7 Cant. 3.1 2 By opening our hearts if occasion serue to our Chamber-fellow if such fellowship bee enioyed and so shaming of our selues Iam. 5 3 By auoiding ouermuch sleep yea scanting stinting our selues thereof and rowsing vp our selues from drowsinesse by checking our hearts and complaining of them to our blessed God Pro. 24 32.33 4 Taking occasion by our dreames or nocturnall infirmities to magnifie Gods mercy that it is not so as we dreamed or to checke our infidelity in relying superstitiously vpon dreames or to condemne our security and prophanesse in neglecting them vtterly And if we haue beene assaulted with terrors and corruptions yet either they haue not preuailed or shal not be imputed vnto vs. 5 Calling to minde some place of the word for our better stirring vp as Rom. 13.11.12.13.14 Eph. 5.14 1. Thess. 5.4.5 c. And prouoking our selues by the examples of the Saints who haue risen early to praise the Lord Psa. 5.34 c. To this end cut we off all idle worldly and contentious speeches 1 By conferring of the sweete conferences and accidents that haue befallen in the night with our blessed God 2 Meditating and reioycing together in those gratious victories that wee haue had ouer our secret lusts and corruptions in the night 3 Strengthning our faith in the speciall prouidence of our gratious father in giuing vs such sweet and satisfying rest c. 4 Stirre wee vp each other to the payment of our vowes And 5 Put wee each other in minde of our particular corruptions to helpe each other by prayer and to maister them And 6 Faile we not to record and so communicate to posterity such extraordinary feelings and accidents of tentations or deliuerance as haue befallen vs in priuate 7 Examining our true contentment in God and labouring to confirme the same 8 Trying our affection to death euen now our life is renued that so wee may beginne to dye daily 1. Cor. 15. 9 And faile wee not to satisfie each other in whatsoeuer doubts may distract or not encrease sound peace to the Conscience And so rising with the Lord wee shall bee fitted to entertaine the next speciall occasion of the day which is Prayer CHAP. III. Of Family and priuate Prayer THe necessity and right vse thereof you haue before Onely here obserue these poynts for direction herein As First that howsoeuer this duty of prayer in Families bee neglected and not esteemed necessary yet the not vse thereof at all argueth irreligion and contempt of God Psal. 14.4 Secondly that not once but oftentimes in the dâ—â—â—y wee must performe the same Daniel 6·10 Thirdly And that not onely in priuate in our Closets c. but publickly with our Families Gen. 18.19 Iob. 1.5 Fourthly that the Maister of the Familie is fittest to bee the mouth of God for his people as beeing therein their Priest and Prophet Reu. 1.6 Fiftly that to this end set times are to be appointed kept constantly vnlesse by sicknesse or other more inuincible occasions we be interrupted Sixthly And that with the soonest taking the opportunity of the morning our reuiuing and quickning ioyes in our conferences with our God and each other concerning former comforts in the night Seuenthly that wee keepe our selues in an holy temper peace of minde by a constant course in all occurrents and so prepare our selues to praier 1 Fixing our hearts on God and meditating of his Power and Maiesty to worke reuerence in vs. 2 Looking vnto Iesus the author and finisher of our faith to breed affiance Heb. 12.2 3 Considering examining our wants to breed humility and patience Psa. 39. Psa. 4.6 4 Labouring not so much about the matter of our prayer how wee are illightned with knowledge as how we are affected 1 With the Maiesty of God 2 The sence of our wants 3 Benefite by Christ. 4 Assistance of the spirit 5 Excluding worldly cares which may hinder deuotion Luk. 8. Mat. 6. 6 Not fretting at the prosperity of the wicked Psa. 37.1 7 In Patience bearing the wrongs of enemies and leauing reuenge to God Rom. 12. 8 Doing all things as in Gods presence 9 Auoiding euill for conscience sake 10 Meditating stil on the day of iudgment least we be vnfitted or interrupted in prayer 2. Pet. 3. 2. Cor. 5.11 7 Codsider wee the manifold
cloath and comfort others Iob. 30. so 7 Pride exceedingly mastered and subdued 8 Offence of our brother and scorne of the wicked preuented 9 Natures shame couered 10 Sinne also dayly set before vs Ps. 55. and so wee prouoked to repentance 11 And thereby prepared happily to our ends In that with apparell we resuming sin are so prouoked to groane vnder it and sigh for deliuery therefrom Helpes hereunto are 1 Consideration of our inward nakednes filthines of the soule whicâ—â—â— will withdraw our mindes from vaine tricking of the body 2 Meditation of the inward clothing of Christ his righteousnes Rom. 13. Gal. 3. As also 3 Of that heauenly clothing wherewith we shall be fully inuested in heauen 2. Cor. 5.1 Cor. 15. 4 Meditation of the graue when all this glory c. shall bee laid in the dust c. CHAP. VII Of Company TOuching Company we are to obserue these poynts First that society is most necessary and profitable for vs. As in that 1 By Nature wee are inclined thereto 2 So created of God as that we haue neede one of another 1. Cor. 12. Gen. 2. 3 So disposed in the world as that wee must needs sort together by reason of our particular wants and diuersity of gifts 4 So vnited in Christ as that wee are bound to help each other 1. Cor. 12 5 So interressed in happinesse as that wee ioyntly labour together 6 Hereby we communicate of the good that God bestoweth on vs 1. Tim. 6.17 7 As also are relieued and comforted in the euill that is laid vpon vs. 8 We maintaine our right and pursuite of the heauenly fellowship 9 And haue daily experience of our vnion and fellowship with our blessed God And 10 Exercise loue with each other 11 As also haue experience of his admirable power and wisedome in keeping vs vntainted and making vs profitable in all company 12 Hereby we discerne the vse of the tongue and attaine to an holy ordering thereof 13 Hereby also wee effect the conuersion of others and so encrease our endlesse glory and confirme our present estate Iam. 5 20· 14 As also we quicken and kindle the graces of God in each other Pro. 10.20 15 Wee preuent hardnesse of heart and the deceitfulnesse of sinne as gaining a more excellent knowledge of our selues 16 As also are prouoked to remember them absent by whom we haue receiued good in company And this serueth 1 To condemne that monstrousnesse of nature which endures no society 2 As also that voluntary deuotion which excludes from society 3 To instruct vs to imploy our selues for the publicke and common good 4 To prepare our selues and so to be armed against all company whatsoeuer 5 To content vs whatsoeuer company the Lord shall cast vs vpon 6 And also to assure vs of good successe therein Secondly that we may the better profite by all companies obserue wee 1 That wee must feare danger from all from the euill by being defiled with them from the good by being puffed vp with them 2 That wee leaue no ill sauour behinde vs but walke harmlesly before them and with them 3 That we rush not vnaduisedly into any company But 1 Determine before hand to doe them good Or else 2 To receiue good of them as occasion shall require and so prepare to question with them accordingly 4 Be we resolued that company is not simply necessary to saluation we are to vse them if God cast vs vpon them If otherwise by infirmity or some outward affliction we are debarred know we that in stead of men we haue the society of our blessed God and his Angels yea we can neuer bee depriued of the company of a good conscience Pro. 15.15 5 Especially prepare wee the the heart by a serious examination And 6 Set wee a watch before the doore of our lips that our tongues may not betray vs. 7 Remember that God is president in each company to iudge of our speech Rom. 11.36 and therefore let all bee done of him through him and for him let him be accounted the best therin 8 And consider we that the Diuill will be one in despite of vs to write what we say and therefore entertaine we not him by vanity worldlinesse c. Iob. 1.2 9 Aime we at spirituall peace and auoyd we brawling contentions c. 10 And remember we that here 's no liberty for Idle talke Thirdly obserue we The kinds of company which are Good Bad. Here learne First to discerne good and euill company As thus First they are to be esteemed good which 1 Are of the same profession with vs Eph 5.11 Psa. 15.4 2 Who speake with sound iudgment and power of true knowledge Col. 1. Phil. 1. 3 Who labour to holinesse and sincerity of life Ephes. 5. In all things continually 4 Who haue a sight of their inward corruptions and mourne for them 5 Labour to do good to others Gal. 6.10 6 Who suffer with vs for the same profession Phil. 1.27 7 Who loue the word and Gods children Psa. 16.2 8 Long for the appearance of Iesus Christ 1 Corinth 1. 2 Thess. 3.14 2 Cor. 5.1.2 c. 9 Which can endure to bee reproued 10 And goe the straight way contrary to the world thereto Mat. 7. Luk. 13. Rom. 12.2.3 Secondly they are to be accounted euill that 1 Speake euill of the power of profession Iud. 8. 2 Pet. 2.3.4 2 Despise the word and meanes of holinesse 2. Pet. 3.5.6 3 Disgrace profession with a prophane life Ephes. 5.6 4 Resolue that we may bee too holy and religious 5 Separate themselues from the society of the Saints Hebr. 10. Esay 65.5 6 Runne the broad way following 1 Examples 2 Multitude 3 Time 4 Custome 5 Opinion c. 7 Who hate to be reproued and continue obstinate in their sinne Iohn 2. 8 Which decay in sincerity and grow worse and worse 2. Tim. 3.13 9 Who notwithstanding the outward forme of godlinesse retaine the fashion of the world and sauour thereof Rom. 12. 10 Who giue occasion of griefe to the Saints and reioycing to the wicked Psal. 110. 11 Which betray and persecute the Saints of God Matth. 10. Iohn 16.1 12 Who cannot endure reprofe 13 Who refuse the crosse and make choise of the pleasures of sinne for a season 2. Tâ—â—â—m 4. Demas Hebr. 11.25.26 14 Who are afraid of death and set vp their rest in this life Luk. 12.20 Amos 6.3.4 Fourthly learne we Principally to make choyce of good Company As 1 Best agreeing with our qualities 2 Those who are knit with vs in the holy and constant bond of loue and religion Eph. 4.1 3 Those of whom wee shall receiue most good and least hurt 4 Those whom wee are most bound to doe good vnto Galath 6.10 5 As also with whom wâ—â—â—e shall enioy most constant and perpetuall society 1. Thess. 4.17 Heb. 12. And this condemneth 1 Those that are indifferent for all companies 2 Instructs vs whom especially
to the vtmost Luke 17.10 And for our better direction herein learne we 1 First that the fittest time for performance hereof is after the euening prayer Secondly For the manner hereof begin we 1 From the cogitations of the first awaking from sleepe 2 So proceede we to consider of our morning actions how wee haue conferred with our God in priuat how sanctified our families 3 Meditate wee on Gods patience in sparing vs hitherto 4 How wee haue bene humbled in the sence of our own others sinnes 5 Especially how we haue bene employed in the sence of Gods graces 27 If thou shalt find the testimony of a good conscience peace so reioyce and praise thy God If thou findest thy failings so bee humbled and cast thy selfe vppon Iesus Christ in prayer 28 Recounting vnto God as neare as thou mayest thy particular slips and so acknowledging thy self an vnprofitable seruant seeke thy peace in the merits of thy Sauiour and so lie downe in his bosome and so thou shalt find rest for thy soule The benefite hereof is 1 We obey Gods commandment and so are kept within his protection for the night comming 2 We attaine to the certainty true mesure of our estate in grace and so thereby preuent securitie which carnall rest might cause prouoke an hungring after perfection 3 Wee are better prepared to death and so to iudgement 4 Wee gaine much encrease to the assurance of saluation and so 5 Obtain in this life a more sweet and heauenly conuersation Ph. 3.20 And by these rules wee may try whether wee haue performed this dutie conscionably or no. 1 If this casting vp of our account hath cast vs out of our selues and cast vs wholly vpon Christ. 2 And herein Christ hath sent vs home againe to our selues not to riot in sinne because the score is cleared but to weaken and diminish sinne that the new score may be lessened 3 And therefore if now we shal bee more fearefull to offend our blessed God and 4 More fearefull of our selues euen when wee stand most firmelie 5 And yet can take faster hold on Christ when wee fall that so we may rise againe and yet 6 If our rising shall bee more constant and our falles more seldome And 7 If wee shall bee more carefull to cleere the score with others by seeking peace and maintaining the fellowship And also 8 Shall further helpe others to wipe off the score both by example and councell prouoking to repentance 9 And still from looking abroade shall returne home againe beeing humbled not so much because we can do no man good as when we haue done our best 10 And yet being comforted that our labour shall not be in vaine in the Lord and therefore 11 Shall not measure our payment by what is present but rather by that which is promised 12 And so shall liue by faith in the expectation thereof 13 And so shall follow hard after the marke for the high price of our Calling in IESVS CHRIST 14 Waiting with patience the accomplishment of the promise And 15 Suffering afflictions as the good Souldiers of Iesus Christ that our patience may be perfited and our faith tried 16 And so patience shall bring forth the perfect worke still to humble vs that we may bee fitted for glory 17 And our humility shall bee throughly tryed by our perseuerance in well-doing in our obedience to our blessed GOD and thankfulnesse to his Maiesty 18 As considering that doe wee what wee can it can neuer bee sufficient to returne thankefulnesse vnto our God for what he hath done 19 And therfore not chalenging what hee will doe for any thing what we haue or can do 20 But rather accounting our selues when wee haue done our best to bee but vnprofitable seruants Luk. 17.10 21 And so esteeming our selues rather much more bounden vnto our God for accepting that poore and poluted seruice we haue done vnto him then that our GOD should bee bound vnto vs to recompence our finite seruice with so infinite a reward Rom. 8. And yet 22 Still liuing by Faith in the apprehension of the promise And so 23 Giuing glory vnto our God in beleeuing his Word And so 24 Preparing our selues to the enioying of those pretious promises by hauing our conuersation in heauen 25 And so looking for our Redeemer to change these our vile bodies Phil. 3.20 26 And so cleering the eye of our Faith by casting away euery thing that may obscure or presse downe that wee may more sensibly discerne the brightnesse of that Glory and may runne with more ioy and patience the Race that is set before vs. Hebr. 12.1 27 Looking still vnto IESVS the Author and finisher of our faith Hebrewes 12. still returning thankefulnesse vnto him as the Author and hoping in him as the finisher of his owne worke And so 28 Still resting vpon his Word for our daily direction and encouragement therein And 29 Maintaining the fellowship by encouraging each other in publique duties 30 And yet still labouring especially to preuaile with our gracious GOD in priuate dueties of Prayer Meditation c. Sanctifying and trying the publique by these priuate 31 And yet sanctifying both by labouring to bee found in Christ. And 32 Still seeking Christ in the things which are aboue Coloss. 3. 33 And yet still labouring to haue our life hid with CHRIST in GOD more resting on the acceptance of our persons and endeuours of the hidden man in the heart And yet 34 Still liuing by Faith in the Sonne of GOD aboue all present feeling that neither present sence of ioy may puffe vp and so coole and interrupt the current of our faith nor absence of present comfort may quench in vs zeale of obedience And yet 35 Still quenching all strange fire and carnall mattter which may neither accompany our obedience or kindle the same by bounding our selues within our Callings and CHRISTIAN liberty and aiming at the right end the glory of our GOD and our owne saluation subordinate thereto that so possessing our soules in sobriety and meekenesse wee may both auoyd vnnecessary troubles and better wade through such as necessarily will oppose vs. 36 And being hereby enabled to be more fruitfull in doing and receiuing good 37 Hereby wee shall make sure our Election with more comfort 38 And so bee more ready to giue vp our general account CHAP. XIIII Containing a Conclusion of the present and promise of future light AND thus shall wee make Triall of our daily Reckonâ—â—â—ngs and so performing conscionably this Daily Sacrifice wee shall approue our selues right NATHANAELS and true Israelites And so by the mercie of God walking after this Rule growe in grace and abound in euery good worke perseuering with all patience through the mightie power of GOD that so hee may perfect the worke which hee hath begun in vs. To this end seeing according to our necessitie the Lord hath supplyed vs with many gracious helpes and furtherances to informe