on more then God himself but pray to him for the prosperous use of them 134. Love all things for Gods sake and God only for his own and look you make him your friend whosoever be your enemy for 〈◊〉 this you shall do if as an obedient Child you always live in the eye of your heavenly Father 135. Give no offence to any man justly whether within or without for wo to them by whom offences come 136. Carry your self unto all so as the weak may be won the strong may be comforted and the wicked be ashamed 137. Delight to do all the good you can to Gods Children and to receive all the good you can from them 138. Think it the greatest work in the world to die well which to do you must inure your self to die before hand 1. By dying to your sins 2. Learning the word of affection before it actually leave you 3. In your last learning of if do it willingly yea joyfully whensoever wheresoever or howsoever God shall call you 139. Greive for nothing so much in the world as for your own sins and in them for nothing so much as for offending so loving a God 140. Let your meat apparel and recreation be lawful needful and moderate 141. Labour alwaies to learn to die defie the world deny the Devil despise the flesh and delight your self in the Lord be penitent for your sins past and present and yet despair not be strong in Faith and yet presume not Desire with the great Apostle to be dissolved and to be with Christ with whom even in death there is life 142. Use your life and keep it with as much quietness as you can so that you offend not God that ease that cometh with his displeasure turneth at length to an unspeakable pain and the gain of the world with the loss of his favourâ— is extream beggary and wretchedness 143. The greatest honour that man can give to God is to confess his truth truly and faithfully in time of trouble and affliction 144. It is but a folly for any one that truly professeth Christ crucified to look for the love of the world 145. Infidelity is the cause of all our misery which causeth us to fear man more then God and to esteem things present more than things to come 146. Love is that flower which shall never fade but shall flourish more and more till it be made perfect in that place where Faith and Hope shall have no office but shall then fully possess that which they have so long patiently waited for in this world 147. After the Lord hath made a Christian to know what he is in himself he will doubtless shew him comfort and declare to him what he is in Jesus Christ his Son 148. The mind of man cannot be contented patiently to bear the troubles either of Soul or body until it be regenerated and possessed by Gods spirit 149. Why should we Christians fear death can death deprive us of Christ who is all our comfort our joy and our life 150. Let us tarry with Christ one hour in Tribulation and affliction and doubtless he will keep us for ever with him in joys everlasting 151. Patience and Perseverance under great tryals are the proper notes whereby Gods children are known from counterfeits they that persevere not were alwaies but Hypocrites 152. If Christ be our Captain we must follow him as good Souldiers if we keep company with him in afflictions we shall be â—â—re of his society in Glory if we forsake not him he will never forsake us if we confess him he will confess us if we be ashamed of him he will be ashamed of us Therefore as he forsook Father Heaven and all things to come to us so let us forsake all things to come to him being most sure and certain that we shall not lose thereby 153. Afflictions are in separable but not infallible notes of Salvation for none shall be saved but he must suffer afflictions but all that are afflicted shall not be saved 154. Wealth is not the way to heaven but the Contrary let all our care be how to live well and then to be sure we shall never dye poor 155. Afflictions and sufferings are sometimes the way to Glory in this world Joseph had never been a Courtier had he not first been a prisoner 156. Gods children are ever the better for being miserable It is good for me that I was afflicted let God use us how he will on Earth so that we may have what he hath promised to those that love him in Heaven who would not be a Lazarus for a day that he might sit in Abrahams bosome for ever Some Heavenly Meditations Exhortations and Consolations of that blessed Martyr Mr. John Bradford and other Martyrs written out of prison to several Friends To Mr. J.H. COnsider what this life is Consider what death is Consider what is prepared for you after death 1. Concerning this life know it is full of misery vanity and wo it is a plain banishment and hath nothing in it that hath continuance it is therefore compared to a vapour to smoak to a shaddow yea to a warfare to a vail of misery wherein we are compassed about on every side with most fierce and fearful Enemies and should we desire to dwell there should we be fond to live in this toylsome and laborious world should we wish to continue in this wretched estate should we take pleasure to remain in this dangerous condition Daniels den was not so dreadful as is this Dungeon we dwell in 2. Concerning death to Gods dear children what other thing is it then the dispatcher of all displeasure the end of Travil the door of desires the gate of gladness the port of Paradise the heaven of Heaven the entiance into rest and quietness the path-way into Felicity and the beginning of all blessedness It is a very bed of Down and therefore compared to a sleep for the bodies of Gods people to rest out of which they shall arise and awake most fresh and flourishing to everlasting life It is a passage to the Father a chariot to Heaven the Lords messenger a leader unto Christ a going to our home a deliverance from prison and bondage a dismission from war a security from all sorrow and a freedom from all misery Should we be dismay'd at it should we be afraid of it should we trouble to hear of it should such a freind as this is be unwelcome should the foulness of his face fear us from his good conditions should the hardness of his husk hinder us from his sweet kernel should the roughness of the Tyde tye us to the bank and shore should the hardness of the saddle set us on our feet to perish by the way rather then leap up and endure the same a little and so to be where we would be 3. Concerning that which is prepared for you after death if I should go about to express it the more
to thee Prov. 8.30 Psa 88.16 102.10 9. When thou wast an enemy and stranger to God my Father I made peace between him and thee and reconciled thee to him by my death and sufferings Rom. 5.10 Col. 1.20.21 Eph. 2.12 13. 10. When thou wert a slave to the Devil and a fire-brand of Hell I did rescue thee from the power of the one and redeem thee from the plague and punnishment of the other 2 Tim. 2.25 Amos. 4.11 Heb. 2.14 1 Thes 1.10 P. Oh Lord I did not deserve any of this from thee J. True thou didst not deserve it but yet I did it freely and out of my love to thee Rom. 3.24 Eph. 5.2 P. Are all my sins Lord satisfied for and done a way by thy death J. Yes they are perfectly satisfied for and absolutely done away out of my fathers sight never to be imputed again to thee 2 Cor. 5.19 P. And is there nothing now in the way that hinders me to be saved J. No there is nothing for I have taken all things out of the way that hindred thee to be saved Col. 2.14 P. And am I to do nothing to be saved J. No nothing at all towards thy own salvation for I have bought thee from death and purchased thee life and salvation 1 Cor. 6.20 1 Pet. 1.18 19. Eph. 1.14 P. Shall I then be saved Lord J. Yes if thou wilt believe and trust wholly and only upon me and upon my righteousness and merits thou shalt be saved Joh. 3.36 Rom. 9.33 and Rom. 10.9.11 P. Lord I would believe but I partly am afraid to believe and partly I am so weak I cannot believe J. Thou poor fearful heart fear not but be strong Esa 35.4 But tell me why thou are afaid P. Least I should presume or least I should believe and have no ground for my faith J. It is not presumption for thee to do what I command thee but it is obedience and is not my word of promise a sufficient ground for thy faith 1 Joh. 3.23 Joh. 5.24 P. Doest thou then Lord command me to believe J. Yes fear not believe on me and thou shalt be saved Lu. 8.50 with Act. 16.31 P. But Lord though thou commandest me yet I have no power to believe J. I will write my Laws in thy heart and will inable and give thee power to believe Heb. 8.10 Mat. 12.21 P. Lord if thou wilt also give me power to believe I will acknowledg I am nothing but what I am in thee and that I have nothing but what I have received from thee J. Doest thou not believe P. Oh yes now Lord I do believe Joh. 9.38 J. This is the work and gift of God that thou doest believe for flesh and blood hath not wrought this in thee Joh. 6.29 Eph. 2.8 P. Oh Lord I do acknowledg it to be thy work but I am afraid I shall loose this faith again J. I that am the Authour of thy faith will also finish it be therefore of good chear for thou art one of my Fathers children and of my Saints and my spirit shall abide in thee for ever Heb. 12.2 Joh. 1.12 Joh. 4.14 John 7.38 39. P. Lord I have sinned against thy Father and against thee and I am unworthy to be called either his Son or thy Servant Luk. 15.21 J. Son thy sins are forgiven thee sin no more Luk. 5.23 John 8.11 P. Lord I am afraid I shall sin again though I desire and resolve never to do it But what Lord if I should sin against my will J. Thou canst not sin willingly and wilfully for my seed of grace will remain in thee and if thou sinnest through weakeness and frailty I will be an Advocate propitiation for thy sins 1 Joh. 3.9 1 Joh. 2.12 P. Is it then thy will Lord that I should have forgiveness of my sins and doubt no more J. Yes sure for these things have I spoken that thou shouldest have a full assurance and doubt no more P. But what if Sathan when he sees me sin will tempt me to doubt again J. Say unto him that I am faithful and just to forgive thee thy sins and that my blood cleanseth thee from all sin 1 Joh. 17. P. But Lord wilt not thou have me to confess my sins J. Yes I will have thee confess them and forsake them 1 Joh. 1.9 Prov. 28.13 P. But Lord is it thy mind that I should always be sorrowful J. No but it is my mind rather that thou shouldest always rejoyce and have strong consolation Phil. 4.4 Heb. 6.18 P. Oh Lord I cannot chuse but cry and mourn and be ashamed and hate my self for all my former wickedness and ungodliness Ezek. 16.61 J. Thou maiest do that and yet hold fast thy confidence for the spirit of mourning and the spirit of grace and adoption may be in thy heart at once and the one not destroy the other Zac. 12.10 P. Lord how is that J. Thou maist mourn at the sight of thy sins as they were committed against me and for thy denying felling and crucifying me and yet thou maiest believe because I have said so that they are all pardoned As Josephs brethren cryed and complained for their guiltiness in selling him yet they were glad that he was alive and could help them in their distress Gen. 42.21 22. P. Now Lord thou hast taught me what I should do in respect of my self but now Lord I would do something for thee J. Come then and follow me Mat. 9 9. And be arose and followed him The second Conference between Christ and a Pharisee Pharisee THen one of the Pharisees came to him and asked him what shall I do to work the work of God John 6.28 Jesus This is the work of God that thou believe in him viz. me whom he hath sent Joh. 6.29 Ph. But Master what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life Mat. 19.16 J. If thou wilt be saved by doing then keep the Commandements Ph. I have kept them all from my youth Mat. 19 20. J. Then thou art no sinner Ph. Yes we are all sinners but I thank God I am not as other men are Extortioners Unjust Adulterers or even as this Publican Luke 18.11 J. Why what doest thou more than this Publican Ph. I fast twice in the week and give tithes of all that I possess and concerning the Law I live blameless Luk. 18.12 Phil. 3.6 J. Hast thou never read that they which followed after the Law of Righteousness have not attained to the Law of Righteousness Rom. 9.31 Ph. No I never observed that but I remember another text where God saith I gave them my Satutes and shewed them my Judgments which if a man do he shall live in them Ezek. 20.11 J. Daest thou think to go to heaven by doing Ph. Not by doing only but by doing good and departing from evil J. But doth not the Law say cursed is he that observeth not all things that are written in the words
of the Law to do them Deut. 27.26 Ph. Yes that is whosoever breaks the Law is accursed unless he repents for it J. The Law doth not say unless men repent for breaking it they are accursed but it says absolutely they are cursed and I say whosoever keepeth the whole law and yet offendeth in one point he is guilty of all Gal. 3.10 Jam. 2.10 Mat. 5.19 Ph. I say so too that except men keep the Law of Moses they a cannot be saved and whosoever b know not and keep not the Law they are accursed Acts 15.1.24 Joh. 7.49 J. Doest thou know the Law Ph. Yes I know the Law for I am instructed daily out of the Law by our c Doctors of the Law and holy Priests c Zeph. 3.4 J. The Priests have done violence to the Law and they that d handle the Law know not the Lord d Jer. 2.8 Ph. Jehovah hath said that the Law shall not perish from the Priests for the Priests lips is to keep knowledg and we are to seek the Law at his mouth Jer. 18 18. Mal. 2.7 J God hath said also that the Law shall c perish from the Priests and that they f shall not every man teach his neighbour any more for all shall know the Lord from the least to the greatest Jer. 31.4 Ph. I perceive thou goest about to destroy the Law J. Think not so for I am not come to destroy the Law but to fulfil it Mat. 5.17 Luke 16.17 Ph. I Sir I like that that we should fulfil the Law that we should perform it J. Yes Moses gave you the Law but a none of you keepeth it but b you have been partial in the Law c Ye pay tithe of Mint Annis and Cumming and have omitted the weightier matters of the Law Judgment Mercy and Faith Joh. 7.19 Mal. 2.9 Mat. 23.23 P. It is true we may come shore in some things but he that keepeth the Law happy is he J. Thou that d restest in the Law and makest thy boast of the Law through breaking the Law thou doest dishonour God and causest many to f stumble at the Law verily I say unto thee thou g shalt be judged by the Law Rom. 2.17 ver 23. Mal. 2.8 Rom. 2.12 Ph. No I hope rather to be justified then to be judged by the Law J. Verily verily I say unto thee by the deeds of the Law there shall no flesh be justified in God sight Rom. 3 20â— Gal. 3.11 Ph. How then shall I be justified J. The righteousness of God without the Law is manifest being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets Rom. 3.21 Ph. What Righteousness is that J. Not a mans h own righteousness which is called the i righteousness of the Law but the k righteousness which is of God by faith h Phil. 3.9 i Ro. 2.26 k Ro. 4.13 Ph. What difference is there between the righteousness of the Law and the righteousness of faith J. Moses describeth the righteousness of the Law thus that the man which doth those things which the Law requireth shall live by them but the righteousness of faith saith whosoever believeth on me shall be saved Rom. 10.5.6 11. Ph. How can men be saved by believing in thee for thou art but one J. As by one l mans offence death reigned by one mucâ— mâ—â—â— they which receive abundance of grace and of the giâ—◠〈◊〉 righteousness shall reign in life by me Who am the m Son of righteousness n and made by God my Father to be righteousness unto men l Rom. 5.7 m Mal. 4.2 n 1 Cor. 1.30 Ph. Thou bearest record of thy self Joh. 8.13 J. o Though I bear record of my self yet my record is true p My Father also beareth witness of me and this is his witness that he hath given life and this life is in me his Son o Joh. 8.14 p 1 Joh. 5.11 Ph. But what say'st thou how was our Father Abraham and his seed who lived before thee justified and saved J. q Your Father Abraham rejoyced to see my day and he saw it and was glad for l I was before Abraham and he and his spiritual seed were justified and saved by faith in me r Rom. 4.3.11 13 16. Gal. 3.14.18.20 Ph. But was not Abraham justified by works J. If Abraham were justified by works be hath whereof to glory but not before God for what saith the Scripture It is true Abrahams faith was accompanied with works Abraham believed God and it was accounted to him for Righteousness Rom. 4.2.3 Ph. If I be not justified by my good works to what end should I perform them J. Though thy good works cannot justifie thee before God yet they may glorifie God and be prafitable unto men Mat. 5.16 Tit. 3.8 Ph. Well then I am glad my good works be good for something J. Yes thy good works would be good for something if thy faith like Abrahams did work with thy works but thou doest not believe and all thy good works thou doest to be seen of men Jam. 2.22 Mat. 23.5 Ph. No I do not do my good works to be seen of men but to please God J. I tell thee that without faith it is impossible to please God Heb. 11.6 Ph. But God hath said if a man do well he shall be accepted J. It is not for their well-doing that men are accepted with my Father but they are made acceptable in me and their works are accepted for my sake Eph. 1.6 1 Pet. 2.6 Ph. But am I no nearer Heaven that perform good works than this finfull and ungodly Publican J. Thou Hypocrite that justifiest thy self and judgest another I tell thee that Publicans and Harlots shall enter into the Kingdom of Heaven before such as thou art Mat. 7.5 and 21 31. Ph. Oh untrue and false doctrine to say that those cursed men who know not the Law should be saved before us who are the children of Abraham Joh. 7.49 8.33 J. Thou blind and self-conceited Pharisee understandest thou not the Scripture I will have mercy and not sacrifice for I am not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance And I say unto thee unless thou doest believe in mee thou art not the child of Abraham Mat. 9.13 Gal. 3.26 Ph. I believe in the God of Abraham the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob whose child and servant I am J. If thou didst believe in God thou wouldest also believe in me but thou art the child of the Devil and in bondage to this day Joh. 8.44 Gal. 4.25 Ph. How am I in bondage J. Thou art under the curse of the Law and under the power of sin and Sathan and canst never be made free unless I make thee free Joh. 8.34 35 36. Ph. How doest thou free men J. By my a death and sufferings I satisfie the Law by the b power of my resurrection I overcome death and by my Spirit I m cast out Sathan and n subdue sin a Gal. 3.13 b 1 Cor. 15.55.57 m Mat 12.28
cam'st thou to believe this Christian Lord it is by thy gift and work that I do believe it Eph. 2.8 Heb. 12.2 Ch. Well now thou dost believe what wilt thou do Christian Lord what wilt thou have me to do Act. 9.6 Ch. If thou love me keep my words Joh. 14.23 Christian What are those words of thine Ch. Search the Scriptures for they are able to make thee perfect and wise unto salvation and to furnish thee for every good work Joh. 5.39 2 Tim. 3.16.17 Christian But Lord how shall I understand thy word C. I will make known my words unto thee Pro. 1.23 Christian But Lord is there no danger of my departing and falling away from thee now I do believe Ch. No the Mountains shall depart and the Hills be removed but my loving kindness shall not depart from thee Esa 54.10 Jer. 32.40 Christian Lord I will keep thy precepts with my whole heart Phil. 1.19.69 Ch. I have redeemed thee that thou should'st serve me without fear in Holiness and Righteousness all the days of thy life Luk. 1.69 Christian Come ye Children and I will declare what my Lord have done for my soul My SOVL shall make her boasts of the LORD the humble shall hear this and be glad and magnifie the LORD with me and let us Exalt his Name together Psal 34.11.2 3. FINIS The Threefold State OF A CHRISTIAN DISCOVERED viz. By Nature By Grace And in Glory With the Character of a Christian A Miscellany of Divine Contemplations Obserservations and Directions to a holy Life and Conversation By V. P. Thy Threefold State here Thou may'st see What thou hast been art And shall be Printed for N. C. 1677. The Threefold State of a Christian Discover'd 1. BY Nature I was born of the flesh Joh. 3.6 By Grace I am born of the Spirit Joh. 3.6 In Glory I shall have all Spiritual priviledges Joh. 1.12 2. By Nature I was all flesh Joh. 3.6 Gen. 6.5 8.21 By Grace I am flesh and spirit Rom. 7.20.23.25 Gal. 5.17 In Glory I shall be all spiritual 1 Cor. 15.44.50 3. By Nature I walked after the flesh 2 Cor. 10.3 Rom. 8.4 By Grace I walk in the spirit Gal 5.16 Rom. 8.4 In Glory I shall be quickned by the spirit Rom. 8.11 4. By Nature I did mind wholy the things of the flesh Rom. 8.5 By Grace I do mind chiefly the things of the spirit Rom. 8.4 In Glory I shall mind only things spiritual 5. By Nature I was dead in sin Eph. 2.1 1 Tim. 5.6 By Grace I am quickened from sin Eph. 2.5 In Glory I shall be quite freed from sin 6. By Nature I did lie in Iniquity 1 Joh. 5.19 By Grace I do live in all piety Tit. 2.12 2 Tim. 3.12 In Glory I shall enjoy perfect purity Rev. 21.4 7. By Nature I was under the Law of sin and death Rom. 8.2 By Grace I am made free by the Law of the Spirit of life Rom. 8.2 In Glory I shall triumph over sin and death 1 Cor. 15.55 56 57. 8. By Nature I did hate God and his Law Psal 15.21 and 18.15 and 2.3 Rom. 1.30 By Grace I do love God and his Law Psal 116.1 and 11.19.22 1 Joh. 4.59 In Glory I shall for ever delight in God and do his Law 9. By Nature I despised all Instruction Prov. 1.7 By Grace I desire all Information Pro. 11.25 Psa 86.11 In Glory I shall attain clear apprehension 2 Cor. 3.6 10. By Nature I communicated with the vilest sinners Psal 1.1 Mat. 24.49 By Grace I kept company with the best Christians Cant. 1.7 Act. 9.26 1 Joh. 1.3 In Glory I shall know all Saints and live with them Luke 13.28 Mat. 27. 53 and 15.28 1 Thes 3.15 11. By Nature I persecuted Godliness Act. 26.14 15. By Grace I profess it in power 1 Tim. 6.12 In Glory I shall have the price Phil 3.14 12. By Nature I was one of the world Joh. 15.18 19. By Grace I am chosen out of the world Joh. 15.19 In Glory I shall be separated from the world Mat. 13.49 and 25.3.33 13. By Nature I was in darkness 1 Pet. 2.9 Eph. 5.8 By Grace I walk in the Light Joh. 8.12 1 Thes 5.4 In Glory I shall dwell with the Light 1 Tim. 6.16 14. By Nature I was naked and bloody Jer. 6.15 Ezek. 16.7 By Grace I am array'd with the robe of Innocency Rev 29.8 In Glory I shall be cloathed with Immortallity 2 Cor. 5.3 15. By Nature I was a stranger Eph. 2.12 By Grace I am Gods freind Isa 41.8 Joh. 15.10 In Glory I shall be his favourite for ever Pro. 3.4 and 8.25 16. By Nature I was an Enemy Rom. 5.10 By Grace I am Reconciled Col. 1.21 In Glory I shall be saved Rom. 5.10 17. By Nature I was condemned Joh. 3.18 By Grace I am justified Act. 13.39 Rom. 3.24 In Glory I shall judg 1 Cor. 6.2 Mat. 19.28 18. By Nature I departed from God Jer. 17.5 By Grace I draw near tâ— God Heb. 7.19 In Glory I shall abide with God Joh. 8.34 19. By Nature I was Sathaâ— slave 1 Tim. 2.26 By Grace I am the Lorâ— Free-man 1 Cor. 7 2â— Gal. 4.31 1 Tet. 2 2â— In Glory I shall be a Citizâ—â— of Zion Eph. 2.19 20. By Nature I was free from righteousness Rom. 6.20 By Grace I am free through righteousness Rom. 3.25 2 Pet. 1.1 In Glory I shall raign in righteousness Rom. 5.21 21. By Nature I lived in fear Heb. 2.15 Gal. 4.15 Rom. 8.15 By Grace I live by faith Gal. 2.20 2 Cor. 5.7 In Glory I attain the end of my faith 2 Pet. 1.9 22. By Nature I was without hope Eph. 2.12 By Grace I rejoyce in hope Rom. 5.2 In Glory I shall need no hope 1 Cor. 13.13 23. By Nature I was without all the promises Eph. 2.13 By Grace I am under all the promises 2 Cor. 1.20 In Glory I shall partake of all things promised 24. By Nature I was the child of the Devil and of Hell 1 John 3.10 Mat. 23.15 By Grace I am a child of God and a stranger in the world Gal. 3.26.29 In Glory I shall be an heir of God and of heaven Rom. 8.17 Heb. 11.7 25. By Nature I was in constant danger Mat 5.22 By Grace I am in continual safety Psal 4.8 Joh. 10.28.29 In Glory I shall be in an Impregnable sanctuary Isa 45.17 26. By Nature I sought to go to Heaven by my own righteousness Rom. 10.3 By Grace I seek to go to Heaven without my own righteousness Phil. 3.9 In Glory I shall be in Heaven absolutely righteous Eph. 5.27 Jud. 8.14 27. By Nature I sought my self only Phil. 2.21 2 Tim. 3.5 By Grace I seek Gods glory chiefly Phil. 1.11 1 Cor. 10.31 In Glory I shall give it to him wholly Rev. 5.12 13. 28. By Nature I was lost Luk. 19.10 1 Pet. 2.25 By Grace I am found Luk. 15.24 In Glory I shall be at home 1 Cor. 2. 29. By Nature I knew
nothing 1 Cor. 8.2 Rom. 3.11 By Grace I know in part 1 Cor. 13.12 In Glory I shall know even as I am known 1 Cor. 12. 30. By Nature My services were abominable Pro. 15.8 By Grace My services are acceptable 1 Pet. 2.5 In Glory My services shall be rewarded Mat. 6.4 and 10.41 31. By Nature I was like a beast Psal 73.22 and 45.12 By Grace I am like a Prince Gen. 23.6 Rev. 1.6 In Glory I shall be like an Angel Luke 20.36 32. By Nature My body was the Temple of sin Rom. 6.12 By Grace My body is the Temple of the holy spirit 1 Cor. 6.19 In Glory My body shall be raised spiritual 1 Cor. 15.44 33. By Nature I did glory in my shame Phil. 3.19 By Grace I am ashamed of my sin Rom. 6.21 In Glory I shall be without sin and shame Heb. 9.28 34. By Nature I was like the dirt and mire most filthy Isa 57.20 and 10.6 By Grace I am like the Moon in beauty Cant. 6.10 In Glory I shall be like the Sun in Glory Mat. 10.43 35. By Nature I sate in the shaddow of death Luk. 1.79 By Grace I do sit virtually in the Kingdom of Life Eph. 2.6 In Glory I shall sit on his Throne Eternally Mat. 19.40 Rev. 3.21 The Character of a true Christian with some Divine Contemplations Observations and Directions to a Holy Life 1. A True Christian is one that hath had clear convictions of sin especially his Master sin unbelief and of Christ that is the want and worth of him and of Judgment that is of punishment as the due desert of sin Joh. 16.8 2. He is unbottomed and broken off from himself he hath no confidence in himself his Birth Education Parts Performances and best works are impure and imperfect in his own sight Phil. 3.3 Isa 64.6 3. He is hardly brought to believe he hardly believes that he doth believe and hardly casts away his confidence when he doth once truly believe 4. Upon selfe suspition he doth greatly desire to be searched and doth earnestly search himself Psal 139.1 and last and Psal 77.6 5. He doth resolve never to go on in any sin or to neglect any duty 6. He prays to God most against his dearest and Master sin and praises God most when he hath power against it 7. He never repents for any sin he hath forsaken for any good he hath done or for any affliction he hath suffered for Christ 8. He hath Love to all Christians and seeks Unity among all and makes Union and Godliness the ground of his fellowship and Communion Phil. 1.5 1 Pet. 2.17 Rom. 14.4 1 Cor. 1.9 10. 9. In reading the Scripture he observes what helps on his holiness and teacheth self-denial as well as what increaseth knowledg 10. He cares not what he hath whether he goes nor what he suffers with Christ and for him without sin 11. His faith helps on his holiness and his holiness helps up his faith 12. Though he alwaies resolves to follow Christ through every condition yet he much suspects and fears that he shall not be able to hold out 13. He seeks and prizes holiness to serve God here as much as happiness hereafter 14. He fears God and sin more then men and suffering Gen. 39.9 Dan. 3.17.18 15. He neglects not his duty though he knows there is great danger in doing of it Deut. 6.10 16. He is one that is careful to lay in and to get true grace in his heart as well as in his profession as the wise Scribe Mat. 13. and wise Virgin Mat. 25. 17. He can and dare do nothing against the Truth 2 Cor. 13.8 especially if he knows it 18. He cleaves to the Lord and follows after the Lord fully in the worst times and when others forsake him Num. 14.24 Joh. 6.68 19. He respects all and rejects none of Gods commandments Psal 119.6 2 Sam. 22.23 20. He takes patiently and thankfully the harshest words and the hardest dealings of God 1 Sam. 3.18 2 Kings 20.19 Job 1.14 to the end 21. He is much affected with and afflicted for the sufferings of the Godly and the sins of the wicked as David Jeremiah Lot Paul c. 22. He is one that when he is recovered from his former backsliding remembers his former good condition and prizes it and praises God and hates his sin more then he did before Hos 2.7 and 14.2.3.8 23. He seeks and esteems sincerity more then any garnishing gifts prizes plain and poor Christians that are honest and upright more then they that have parts and wealth if they be less sincere 24. He is one that exerciseth a good conscience in all things 25. He is one that fears God and his name and desires Grace for Grace sake Neh. 1.11 26. He is one that prays at his first conversion Acts 9.11 God hath no still-born Children 27. He beholds Christ in the deepest affliction as well as in the most spiritual ordinance 28. He believes he shall sooner overcome his outward Enemies by praying for them then by praying against them 29. He prefers Christ before self and suffering before sinning 30. He desires to live so holy that we may keep Christ in heaven undispleased the spirit within him ungreived his conscience undefiled unwounded and unseared his profession unstained his brethren unoffended and poor sinners unstumbled 31. His care is to wait on God to walk with God to work all his works in and for God to bring his will to submit to the will of God in all things to glorifie God and to gain good to himself by all he doth and suffereth to do what good he can to others and receive what good he can from other Christians to deny himself and to be found in Christs righteousness without his own Phil. 3.9 32. A true Christian will desire to be freed from 1. Doubts of his Eternal condition 2. From the power of corruption 3. From the fire of the Law in his conscience 4. From the fierce Temptations of Sathan 5. From scruples in matters of opinion 6. From wicked places and persons where he can neither do nor receive good nor be without danger of Evil 7. From a bad frame of heart as hardness straightness Lukewarmness 8. From the fear of Death 33. A true Christian desires 1. To know God in Christ 2. To know himself in Christ 3. To know Christ in him 4. To know himself as he was without Christ Eph. 2.12 1 Tim. 1.13 Wicked and wretched in respect of sin unwilling to good and weak in respect of good Rom. 3.9.10 11. and 8.7 and 5.6 A Miscellany of Divine Contemplations Observations and Directions to a Holy Life 1. A Christian is to put forth his faith in prayer and afterwards to follow his prayer with faith 2. Reading of the Scripture helps Meditation Meditation Prayer and Prayer every good work 3. Man may come too late to God when the door is shut but God never comes too late to men Luk.
13.26 Mat. 20.6 4. Pray that thy last days and last works may be best and that when thou comest to die thou maist have nothing else to do but to die 5. 'T is very hard to behold our own gifts without pride and the gifts of others if they excel ours without envy 6. Do not commend thy friend nor discommend thy soe too much least thou be judged to be partial 7. Oh my Soul will neither great Love great Mercy great Forbearance great Intreaty great Patience great Promises nor great Wages prevail with thee to serve Christ free better and more constant and self-denying 8. A deep sence of sin begets deep sorrow for sin and true sorrow for sin leads to well-grounded faith and from hence flows inward Peace Joy and Holiness 9. A Passionate and troubled spirit is like a little Rill of water which every shower of rain changeth the colour of it and makes it muddy 10. The fear of death is ingrafted in the common Nature of all men but faith works it out of Christians 11. Nothing will be terrible where the love of God is apprehended and nothing grievous where love to Christ is excercised 12. Careless hearing makes carnal hearts and carnal hearts makes cursed lives 13. Oh my Soul look for death hourly long for it greatly prepare for it carefully meet and welcome it joyfully for it is Christs servant to direct his spouse the Soul to him and thy friend that comes to set thee at liberty from thy sins It will discharge thee from thy prison dismist thee from thy sorrows and bring thee at once to enjoy all thy desires 14. Christians though disagrecing in opinion should agree in affection and though differing in controversie yet should agree in charity 15. He that cannot pitty the sinner and hate sin doth not reprove out of love to Christ nor from a gracious spirit 16. God makes Christians feel him or his hand that he may hear them strokes makes crys and whippings mournful complaints to him 17. My Soul bear up with Christ bear off from Sathan and the world bear down thy corruptions and bear forth thy Testimony 18. Clear knowledge of Christ in the understanding begets fervent love in the heart and both godliness in the life 19. He that would live for himselfe only or cheifly in the world is not worthy to live a day in it 20. I would be glad to be out of the world when I have no service to do for God in it 21. God hath set the tongue between the brains and heart that it may advise with both and guarded it with Teeth to keep it in and yet how unruly it is 22. A Christians security and safety is in doing his duty and he should always Study his duty more then his safety for if he will take care to please God God will take care to preserve him 23. The love of the Master the sweetness of the service and the greatness of the reward are sufficient encouragements to serve Christ 24. The heaviest afflictions on earth are but light in comparison of Christs sufferings sins desert or the punnishment of the wicked in Hell 25. Lay in lay up lay out for Christ and remember that you will shortly reach immortallity but never Eternity 26. Oh Christian why should not he please thee who art but finite that pleases God who is infinite even Jesus Christ 27. A Christian should desire to dye that he may be fully freed from sin and have a full fruition of Christ that he may be above all fears and doubts and may be able to serve the Lord incessantly and unweariedly 28. A true Christian when he goes from hence changes neither his work nor company but his place and condition only 29. Be still imployed in doing good and you shall not be much tempted or troubled with evil for the Devil hath great advantage both against those that are idle or ill-imployed David was found guilty of the first 2 Sam. 11.2 and Jehosophat in the last 2 Chron. 10.31 30. Sence of Misery must precede sence of Mercy and the more we feel and fear Misery the more we desire seek for and prize Mercy 31. It is the least of afflictions to be afflicted by men for they can afflict but the outward man only and of all Eâ—emies man is the â—â—akeâ—t Eâ—â—my But God 〈…〉 yea Satan and 〈…〉 do afflict the 〈…〉 is more intollerable 32. That Christian is most in prayer that hath most sence of his own wants and is most comfortable ordinarily that is most penitent and the same word in the Greek signifies to want and to pray and the same word in Hebrew to repent and to comfort 33. Be more thoughtful and careful how to use what you have to Gods glory then to gain more 34. Take heed of being humbled and yet unhumbled that is of being brought outwardly Low and yet the heart continue still high 35. Sometimes Ejaculations or short and suddain pantings and breathings out of desires to God may be more acceptable to him and more prevailing with him then long prayers 36. Never reckon what thou hast of outward worldly things unless it be to praise God for them or to serve God better with them 37. It is the property of a true Christian to justifie God and to judg himself under the greatest afflictions 38. Learn to know sin to disallow of it to dispise it to overcome it inwardly and to put it from thee to fear its return and to be more estranged toward it more watchful to avoid Temptations and wise to shun occasions that lead to it 39. To dye should be no more to a Christian then to breath or to pass over a great River on a sure Bridge or in a safe Boat or to return from a field where a man hath been working to his own house to take his rest 40. Make hast to do thy work Christian and God will make hast to give thee thy wages 41. The hardest dutys in Christianity are to deny self and to destroy sin 42. A heart unconverted is contented with nothing but what is helping it on to Hell and it hath never enough of that to wit sin and a heart converted is never satisfied but with what helps it toward heaven and yet thinks he hath never enough thereof to wit Christ and Grace 43. To take pains about unnecessary and unprofitable things is laboriously to mispend time 44. Get Christ O Christian to bind thy conscience to the peace and thy affections and flesh to the good behaviour 45. Be not ambitious of love and greatness and thou shalt not be so soon an object of Envy 46. He that converts a sinner covers a world or multitude of sins and gains more then a world to wit a Soul Jam. 5.20 Pro. 11.30 47. Take heed of covering any mans good with his evil but let the one plead for him as well as the other against him 48. One of the chiefest works of the soul is selfe
soul should redeem some special time for secret and private duties 85. It is the will of Christ that Christians should rejoyce more in what Christ hath done for them then in what they have done or can do for him 86. Christ kept the Law legally Christians kept it evangellically He kept it perfectly they kept it with full purpose and endeavour 87. Ask thy soul O Christian whether he be willing to receive Christ upon his own Terms and for his own sake and to accept of pardon and life through him freely without looking at all upon thy own righteousness Art thou contented that Christ should be honoured in and by thee and that thou shouldst be despised and dishonoured for his sake 88. God doth never out-speak or out-promise his Power Truth and Faithfulness 89. He is a strong Christian that seeks Gods Glory more then his own salvation but he is no Christian that seeks neither 90. It is a great ease to and an unburtherning of the to confess sin sensibly humbly brokenly and with hatred to it 91. Christ and sin are most magnified in the eyes of believers in their affliction but in a very different manner and to a different end For Christ appears as the greatest good and sin as the greatest evil and then Christ will be most desired and sin most despised 92. It is the duty of a Christian to suspect and search himself when he doth not know evil by himself 93. Account the least spiritual thing better then the greatest and best of outward and temporal things 94. Keeking from sin is Soul-preservative Physick but repentance for sin is Soul-Restorative Physick 95. Strive greatly to have and excercise a good conscience toward God and men to commit thy Soul Life and condition to the Lord and then expect the worst of men and the steb of Christ 96. Thou must die once whether thou suffer or no and thou canst but die once if thou suffer 97. The sins of Christians are new sufferings to Christ and the sufferings of Christians are wounds of Christ Eph. 1.30 Ezek. 6.9 98. Labour to act those Graces chiefly that are most contrary to your Master-sins 99. A Christian may know the weight of sin by the sufferings of Christ for if that strong Bar of Steel did bend under the weight of our sins what shall poor weak man do who is but a reed or rush 100. Sathan accuses God to men and men to God but Christ excuses and answers all his accusations against his people 101. He that will not take example from others shall make an example himself 102. O Lord as a sign that I shall be able to die for thee let me find my corruptions dying in me by power from thee 103. He that loves not Christ more then his life is like to lose Christ and his life but he that loves Christ more than his life will be sure to save and keep both Mark 10.49 Luke 14.26 104. Christians should account restraints from sin great mercys to them but Recoveries out of sin with spiritual advantage greater 105. Sin hath no Mother but a mans heart nor Father but Satan 106. Satan draws the Soul into it either by Power or Policy by Force or by Fraud 107. A Christian should desire to have his heart tyed to the Lord and to be strong in faith upon Christ in Love to Christ and in Resolution for him 108. The reason why men do not more magnifie Gods grace is because they do not behold their own vileness and the reason why men do not see their own vileness more is because they do not apprehend Gods goodness more clearly and fully 109. When a Christian comes to be as weary of his sins as of his afflictions God will certainly put an end to them 110. There will be a reviving of old sins if there be not effectual repentance for them and a care by faith through all duties and ordinances to get new strength against them and a constant watch kept over them 111. A Christian comes not to know the weakness of his grace till the spirit ceases to work in and by it nor the power of his corruption till Satan works therein by his Temptations 112. It should trouble a Christian much to have such Graces as he receives from God beget so little good in him 113. The Lord would soon turn from his wrath if men were turned from their wickedness 114. He commands most and best that commands in love humility and self-denyal 115. The world is a great nothing deluding the bad and disturbing and distracting the good 116. The Holy Law of God teaches a man to see his own deformity and requires from a man Conformity to it self 117. Sathan works more upon men by slight then by might avoid therefore his cunning and thou wilt avoid his cruelty 118. He hath not learned to rule well that hath not learned to obey well 119. An even through-paced self-fearing heart-melting Christian is always best 120. Rusling opinion-souring and Church-renting persons and professors have commonly more self then grace if any at all 121. The less a man strives for himself the more will Christ strive for him 122. Thoughts of our own death will much tend to deaden sin 123. Prayer is a good preparative to suffering when Christ had prayed he went out to meet Judas Joh. 18.4 124. Be never at peace with sin Satan or Christs implacable Enemies 125. In two cases 't is hard to act Faith 1. When there is nothing sensible or visible to second and support it 2. When there is very much of these outward things to fill and take the senses withal 126. As Christ was saved from death though he died Heb. 5.7 So are true Christians when they overcome death by their resurrection through Christ 127. Learn by lighter crosses to look and prepare for heavier 128. As our good works and â—â—rformances should have an operation upon our souls and hearts to strengthen faith so should our weaknesses and sins to work Repentance 129. No power can keep him in Bond whom truth and innocency acquits 130. If thou hast faln into sin through violent temptations seek speedily for Repentance for it recovery out of it and Reformation under it If God hath kept thee from falling still fear watch pray and live by faith in Christ 131. Prepare your self for death and pull out its sting 1. By bewailing sins past 2. Turning to God in time to come 3. Purposing a new life none can dy ill that hath had a care of living well perswade your self if you live well you shall die well and if you die well doubt not but you shall have Eternal Happiness 132. Wish not for a long life so much as for a good life he hath lived long who hath lived well a short life in grace endeth in an everlasting life of Glory 133. Distrust not Gods providence in any matter although you see the means wanting neither when you have them let them be reâ—â—ed
certain godly persons LEt us prav unto God so to furnish us with Faith and Patience that we may rather dye ten times then to deny him once it is very requisite that the Members of Christ comfort one another make prayers together confer one with another so shall you be stronger and Gods spirit shall not be absent from you but be in the midst of you to teach you to comfort you to make you wise in all godliness patient in tribulation and strong in persecution Ye see how the congregation of the wicked by helping one another make their wicked Religion and themselves strong against God his truth and his people If any smart Gods people shall be the first if any suffer shame they begin if any be subject to slander it is those that he loveth so that Christ sheweth no face nor favour nor love almost in this world outwardly to them but doth as it were lay clay upon the sore eyes of those that are sorrowful yet the patient man seeth as St. Paul saith life hid under these miseries and adversities and light and sight hid under this foul clay The will of our Father be done in all things if he will life life be it if he will death death be it It is a trouble to loose the treasures of this life but yet a very great pain if they be kept with offence to God cry call pray and in Christ daily require help succour mercy wisdome grace and defence that the wickedness of this world prevail not against us We began well God preserve us to the end This life is short and miserable happy are they that can spend it to the glory of God We may be tempted of the world the flesh and the Devil but yet although these things pinch yet they do not pierce and although they work sin in us yet in Christ no condemnation to them that are grafted in him Mr. Richard Rooth In a Letter to certain Martyrs condemned at Colchester OH dear hearts in Christ what a Crown of glory shall ye receive with Christ in the Kingdome of God Oh that it had been the good will of God that I had been ready to have gone with you for I lie in the Bishops little ease in the day and in the night I lie in the coal-house and we look every day when we shall be condemned for they say I shall be burned within ten days before Easter but I lie still at the pools brink and every one stepeth in before me but we abide patiently the Lords leisure in many bonds in fetters and stocks by which we have received great joy in the Lord. Oh my dear hearts now shall you be cloathed with long white garments upon mount Sion with the multitude of Saints and with Jesus Christ our Saviour who will never forsake us Oh blessed Virgins you have played the wise Virgins part because you have taken oyl into your lamps that you may enter with the Bridegroom when he cometh into everlasting joy But as for the foolish they shall be shut out because they made not themselves ready to suffer with Christ nor venture to take up his Cross O how precious shall your death be in the sight of the Lord dear and precious in his sight is he detah of all his Saints Farewell mine own dear Hearts and pray the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all Amen Pray pray pray By me Richard Rooth written with my own blood Mr. John Philpot In a Letter to Mr. R.H.R.G.M.H. and J.C. GLorious is the course of the Martyrs at this day Never had the Elect of God a better time for their glory then this is Now may they be assured under the Cross that they are Christs Disciples for ever Many go on well till they come to the Pikes and then they turn their backs and give over in the plain field to the shame of Christ and his Church that hath so faint hearted Souldiers in his camp at the time of need in that wherein his glory ought most manfully to be shewed Be content to have your Faith tryed every day by some Cross or other as it pleaseth God to put it upon you and if God put no grievous Cross upon you let your brethrens Cross be your Cross which is a certain token of true brotherly love Hitherto we have not resisted unto blood-shedding our blood must not be too dear for the Lord and then his Kingdome shall not be too dear for us We have taken our Press-mony a great while let us now learn to serve him faithfully and not to fly out of the Lords camp into the world as many do Mr. John Careless To several Martyrs condemned to die for the truth in New-Gate SO great honour is not permitted to the highest Angel in Heaven as to suffer for the name of Christ Full glad may you be that ever God gave you a life to lose for his sake A weak Faith hath ever a cold charity annexed unto it which is quenched with every unkind word Nothing can anger the malicious mind and cankered heart of Satan more then the mirth gladness and hearty rejoycing of Gods Children in their good Christ Only Christs true Disciples do mourn for his absence therefore they shall doubtless rejoyce in his presence which will be so much the more joyful by how much the more his absence is sorrowful According to your Faith and as you believe so shall it be unto you and as you think God to be unto you such a one you shall find him to be think therefore ever sweetly of the Lord and of his goodness Mr. John Careless In a Letter to Mr. John Bradford NOw with a merry heart and joyful tears I take my farewel of you mine own dear brother in the Lord begging him to send us shortly a joyful meeting in his kingdome that we may both sing praises together unto him with his holy Angels and blessed spirits for ever and ever Farewel thou blessed of the Lord farewel in Christ depart unto thy rest and pray for me for Gods sake Well I will hope in God and pray all night that God would send me some comfort to morrow and if the Lord give you leasure to morrow let me hear four words of comfort from you for Gods sake Oh that my life and a thousand such wretched lives more might go for yours Oh why doth God suffer me and such other poor worms to live that can do nothing but consume the Alms of the Church and yet take you away so worthy a work-man and Labourer in the Lords vineyard But wo be to our sins and great unthankfulness which is the cause of taking away of such instruments of the Lord as should set forth his glory and instruct his people if we had been thankful to God for the good Ministers of his word we had not been so soon deprived of them The Lord forgive our great ingratitude and his and give us true repentance and