Crums of Bread FOR The DOVE in the Clefts of the Rock and the secret places of the Stairs Cant. 2.14 Or HELPS to MEDITATION On Conversion Mortification Sanctification the Christians daily walke Communion with God c. With Directions for profitable Reading the Scriptures and good practicall Books For a Friend By J. T. My Friend ACcording to your deserts and desires I here present to you some broken Thoughts directions remembrances references for the better improvement of your Solitudes and retirements for Meditation and Reading I have ranked them under severall heads given you but briefe hints leaving the enlargements to your own thoughts what more might be required you may supply from the Scriptures your Sermon-Notes and those good books to which I have referred you Each SECTION after that you have perused the whole affords you matter enough for one Solitary season at the least and when you have done with this you may have more as God gives opportunity I begin with the subject of Conversion Regeneration and the first work if it suit not your concition you may commend it to such as you love and know may need it I leave it with you as a token of my respects for you and your Spirituall concernments God give his blessing to it and if it any way help you in your Meditation and Reading I shall desire no more then your remembrances of me at the throne of Grace J. T. SECT I. Of Conversion Regeneration c. IT is to be presupposed in order to the improvement of the following Sections that as you have been under the meanes of Grace so you are indeed in a state of Grace if you are not Consider 1. That Conversion Regeneration Obs a state of Grace and interest in Christ by faith are of absolute necessity unto salvation The Scriptures do abundantly prove it Proof turne to read and take these few for a triall John 3.3 c. Heb. 12.14 Mat. 18.3 Joh. 3.16 c. All good Reason is for it 1. Reas Without an interest in Christ thou hast no title to salvation 2. Without regeneration thou hast no fitnesse for it And 3ly Eph. 2.12 Heb. 12.14 Pro. 3.3 Hab. 1.13 Without such termes God is resolved that he will not 4. His nature is such in Wisedome Holinesse and righteousnesse Appl. that he cannot give it resolve then for it and set about it speedily seriously and to the purpose sue and seek to God for the grace and apply thy selfe to the use of the meanes with hungrings and thirstings after righteousnesse with humility faith prayer and diligence Prov. 1.7 In order to it take these Directions Direct 1. Math. 16.26 Heb. 1.13 Rom. 10. Rom. 7. Joh. 5.28.29 Rom 3.23 Gal. 3.10 Eph. 2.1 2.3 Eph. 2.12 Pro. 15. 2 Cor. 5.18 1 Tim. 1.15 Rom. 3.25 Heb. 10.15 16 17. John 3.16 Mark 1.15 Consider Thou hast a precious and an immortall soule there is a God that is Holy Just and Good he hath given thee his Law and Gospell Heaven and Hell in endlesse eternity are before thee death and judgment hasten a pace a world of sin both of nature and of life may be charged upon thee the law is against thee the curse and wrath of God is over thee thou hast no hope nor helpe in thy selfe nor in all the creatures and without a Christ and Grace and a changed state thou wilt be undone for ever For thy encouragement to thy duty understand and believe That God is in a way of grace and mercy Christ Jesus came into the World to seek and save sinners as a surety and sacrifice he hath died satisfied Gods law and Justice established a Covenant of Grace and salvation on termes of faith repentance and new obedience Heb. 5.9 Prov. 12. makes the tenders of grace and reconciliation in the ministry of the Gospell to thee hath along time been calling upon thee 2 Cor. 5.18 19 20 21. Prov. 1.23 is still waiting woing and beseeching thee to accept of him and grace his spirit is ready to help thee there is nothing wanting but thy free and full consent Heb. 3.8.12.15 ô continue not as too long thou hast done already in a state of sinne and enmity unbeliefe and unregeneracy to the disappointments of Grace 2 Cor. 6.1 the abuse of the Gospell Heb. 2.3 Heb. 10.29 Mark 16.16 2 Thes 1.8 the griefe of the spirit the reproach of the blood of Christ and the remedilesse destruction and damnation of thine own soule Repent and believe the Gospell receive Christ and Grace apply thy selfe unto thy duty in faith repentance and new obedience and thou shalt not miscarry Pro. 3.16 Rom. 8.1 2 3. thy sinnes shall be pardoned thy person shall be justified thy nature shall be changed thy soule shall be saved John 3.36 2. Understand what is required of thee and expected from thee in the termes of the Gospell faith repentance and new obedience in short 't is thus John 17.3 Pro. 3.33 Rom. 10.10 11. Rom. 1.5 1. By faith thou art 1. To apprehend 2. To assent unto 3. To apply unto thy selfe and 4. To improve the discoveries made unto thee 1. Of sinne and wrath in the Law of God 2. Of Grace and mercy through Christ in the Gospell of Salvation 2. Lam. 3.40 By Repentance thou art 1. To search and find out the sinfulnesse in some good measure of thy nature and of thy life Rom. 7.13 2. Through the consideration of the sinfulnesse of sinne which is the greatest evill in it selfe as against God and the greatest good Eph. 2.2 3. the consideration of thy sad condition because of sin according to the Law of God the greatest judgment in this life and that to come Ezek 16.60 61. Jer. 3. and the consideration of the abundant grace and mercy set before thee in the good will of God to thy salvation 1. The death of Christ the blessings and promises of life and of salvation tendered to thee Ps 51. to Humble thy soule with griefe of heart and brokennesse of spirit Dâ—rt 9 3. To cast thy selfe at Gods feet before the throne of grace in free and full confession in earnest prayer and supplication for grace and mercy through Jesus Christ 4. Rom. 7. Ezck 33.11 Is 1.16 Ezek. 18.31 To set thine heart against all manner of sin whatsoever to hate it and abhorre it in the strength of God to resolve the utter destruction of it in thy nature the avoidance of it in thy life and Conversation Rom. 7. together with all the temptations and occasions that lead thee to sin from without and all the corrupt motions dispositions workings of it that are within according to the prohibitions in the word the convictions of the spirit and the checks of thy conscience and this both in thought word and deed 5. Thou must be sure to give proofe of all in the course of thy life and conversation Matth. 3.8
all to shame you from it if there be any thing of holy ingenuity to be found upon you at least what sin hath cost you in repentance and affliction and that you may farther suffer though Hell be not your finall portion Then call in by saith and prayer the help of God and all the vertues of the bloud of Christ maintaine your ground against its first assaults and you have more then overcome 13. If at any time it have surpriz'd you Ps 51. play an aftergame of Repentance recruit your strength improve your skill and strength and deliver your souls O lie not under it much lesse subject your selves unto it and renounce thereby as by an after-free and full consent your Soveraign and Saviour Jesus Christ 14. Watch the more against it and fortifie your selves for the time to come 15. When one corruption or temptation is over and disappointed conclude not your work is done there are innumerable more behind and while life lasteth there will be no end of this warfare 16. Roâ— 7.24 Be alwaies groaning under the invincible remainders of the body of death and long for your deliverance 17. Take heed of Apostacy and backsliding a sin not altogether unpardonable but dangerous Hos 14. and that may cost you dear e're you recover 18. Rom. 7.25 Give all the glory of your Conquests to Jesus Christ and to the power of grace 19. Enjoy the comfort of Believers that keep their ground and conquer Rom. 8.1 For 1. you are in a state of pardon and salvation 2. Rom. 7.20 No corruption of nature no transgression in your life is imputed to you to your particular condemnation when disowned resisted repented of and carried by saith to the bloud of Christ 3. The old dominion of Sin Rom. 6.14 once truly broken shall never be recovered you are not under the Law but under Grace 1 Tim. 4.8 4. Your particular Conflicts shall be rewarded if through Grace they proceed to Conquest Eph. 5.26 5. At length the body of Sin and Death shall be destroyed 1 Cor. 12 1â— 6. In the mean time the grace and strength of Christ is sufficient for you and when sought by faith humility and prayer 1 Cor. 15.50 c. it shall not be denyed 7. In Heaven there will be no sin no sorrow but perfect holinesse and purity with everlasting songs of Joy and Triumph Rev. 22.20 Therefore 20 pray believe and look and long for the comming of Christ even so come Lord Jesus come quickly Much of this was preached at Mary Arches on Rom. 6 6. Read more in Dr. Owen of Mortification Burroughes Evill of Sin Love of Mort. Morning Exercise at Giles and Crypplegate Ambrose Media Goodwins works c. Reyners rules c. SECT III. Of the Exercise of Grace Spirituall activity growth progresse and perseverance in sanctification and holy conversation WE have seen the Convert in his exercise and progresse of Mortification in the next place it is meet to consider him in his exercise progresse and perseverance in Sanctification and holy conversation For in that also the Word which is accordng to Godlinesse doth represent him to us See Gen. 17.1 Eph. 2.10 Eph. 4.20 21 22. c. Eph. 5.8 9. c. Phil. 1.27 2 Pet. 3. 1 Cor. 15. Rom. 2.7 Heb. 12.14 Rev. 22.14 and reason good Eph. 1.4 Titus 2.14 Eph. 2.10 Gal 5.15 Rem 8.1 1 Pet. 1. Rev. 22.14 c. Eph. 1.4 Heb. 8.10 Eph. 5.25 for to this he is elected redeemed called anew created and made partaker of the spirit of holinesse This is the evidence of his Justification the quality of his Adoption his way and walke towards the Kingdome and Salvation This is the designe of the methods of Grace towards him the covenant of Grace established with him the means of Grace bestowed upon him the word of grace without him the principle of grace within him Gal. 5.15 1 Pet. 1.14 Eph. 5.1 Rom. 6. 1 Cor. 5.7 8. Rom. 12.1 Heb. 12 10 Gal. 4.19 2 Cor. 5.14 2 Cor. 6.17 Ps 119. 1 Joh. 3.3 1 Joh. 1.5 6. This the Relations whereinto he is entred the Profession he hath made the sacraments of which he hath been partaker the mercies he hath received the miseries that he hath felt the pangs of the new Birth which he hath past through the tokens of Divine Love vouchsafed the separation of his soule from Sin and Sinners the dedication of his person and all to God and Godlinesse the hopes and promises of everlasting life and blessednesse the tenor of the Gospell all his priviledges and particularly his union and communion with Jesus Christ by faith do call for all at his hands Is 6.3 Besides Holinesse is no lesse lovely then necessary It is in its originall the glory and perfection of all the Divine Attributes essentiall in each person of the holy Trinity Father Son and Holy Ghost the Character of the name Gen. 1. Eph. 4. Psal 15. Rev. 21. 2 Cor. 1.12 1 Joh. 4. 1 Joh. 1. begin Is 56. nature will word and works of God the beauty of mans first Creation the intention of the second the delight of God the state of Heaven Adde the blessed fruits effects and comforts of it are no lesse desireable as the evidence of the love of God the grace of Christ and the communion of the holy Ghost How doth it fit us through Christ for accesse to God converses with him Ps 50. uâ—â— c. Joh. 14.21 Rev. 2. more abundant tokens and testimonies of love and favour from him the peace of conscience the joy in the holy Ghost and the foretasts of blessednesse and glory that do attend it who is able to expresse them but we may not enlarge in such discourses on it It is to be supposed that our Regenerate person is abundantly convinced of its necessity Ps 110.3 Cant. 1.4 and that he hath felt its powers and tasted its sweetnesses and been attracted by its beauties and is resolved for its exercises here and full enjoyments hereafter and needs only some directions for it Accordingly these that follow may be improved in generall and in particular 1 Get the Habit of Grace and Sanctification infused in regeneration 1 Pet. 2.2 Ps 42. 84. 63. the new creature to be fed nourished and preserved by the use and blessing of God on the use of the meanes of grace by removing out of the heart whatsoever might afflict or hinder it weaken it or disturb it 1 Pet. 2. Math. 13. Rev. 12. much more what hath immediate tendency to murther it and destroy it and that is Sin the World and Sathan Adde faith and earnest prayer to the God of all grace for the renewed influences of the spirit of grace Ps 119. the accomplishment of the promises in the covenant of Grace Is 35. Ezek. 36.26 Joh. 1.18 and a liberall communication from Christ Jesus the fulness and
world Get some speciall acquaintance with God with Christ and Heaven Do good to the soules and bodies of others as you have opportunity especially in your family Blesse God much for Christ and the worke of Redemption and look and long for Heaven See Goodwin of sanctifying the Sabbath Expos or 4th Comm. Shepheard c. SECT XV. Of Fasting and Humiliation 1. AS necessity requireth and opportunity is offered be often in the duty of self-examination soul-humiliation with fasting and prayer 2. Improve publick daies for that purpose 3. Keep some private in your family and in your Closet because of family and personall necessities Zach 12.12 And for direction in it having considered your necessities set a fit and free time apart put your heart into a posture and sought God's presence set about the work 1. Jach 12.12 Dan. 9. Lam. 3.39 Let your private and family duties of daily course look towards it 2. Sit down and examine your hearts and lives and find out your speciall sins and transgressions in every age in every relation place c. 3. Dan. 9. Having found them out set them home upon your hearts in the consideration of their nature number and aggravations 4. Draw up against your selves the sentence of the law of God Gal. 3.10 5. 1 Joh. 1.9 Put your selves into the presence of God and make large free and ingenuous confessions of sins both of nature and life Ps 51.17 6. Get your hearts humbled under them in God's sight and desire him to work you to it 7. Dan. 9.7 11. Acknowledge your deserts of death and damnation and of your particular affliction 8. 2 Cor. 7.11 Worke your hearts to hatred and abhorrency of your sin and expresse it sincerely 9. Look upon God in Christ as gracious Exod. 34.6 and mercifull willing to pardon sin 10. Dan. 9.19 Plead hard for pardon in the bloud of Christ 11. Present Christ Jesus as your sacrifice Levit. Rom. 3.25 once offered upon the crosse ever presented in Heaven let faith apprehend it apply it and present it unto God 12. Ps 51.7 Beg God's cleansing and sanctifying grace 13. Ps 51.13 Renew your covenant for better obedience in the bloud of Christ with a sincere heart and desire God's acceptance and grace 14. Pray for the removall of the judgment with submission to Gods will Dan. 9.16 effectually pray for the sanctification of it and for support under it with patience to bear it pray then too for the blessings to be desired as it may be for your good and God's glory 15. Remember then your family relations friends those that have desired your prayers the needy sad tempted and afflicted servants of Christ 16. Ps 51.18 Dan. 9. Ezek. 9. Enlarge in your prayers for the whole Church for the Land King Magistrate Ministers and People Confesse Nationall sins considering your share in them mourn for them strive with God for mercy c. wrestling with God in Christ 17. Towards the close confesse your failings in the present duty John 14.13 14. beg acceptance through Christ and conclude with blessings If it may be continue in this order while strength lasteth but be sincere fervent and affectionate in all 18. Then read some portion of Scripture to the purpose Ezra or as God shall direct spend some considerable time in so doing with reflection and meditation upon what you have read 19. Proceed again to Prayer bewailing your defects in the duty of the day looking over your confessions and making them up in renewed acknowledgments The like in the other parts of the duty Ex. 33.4 5 6. Jona 3.6 Joel 2.15 16. 20. Abstaine from ornaments accomodations and refreshments as long as you are able to help you in Humiliation or to expresse it and to quicken you to prayer 21. Is 58.7 10 In the close devote your selves to God and give something as you are able to the poor 22. Be often in such duties Dan. 10.2 3. as occasion requireth and while God is afflicting you or his people walke humbly and lay aside your ornaments and abate your refreshments and be much in prayer SECT XVI Of Spirituall feasting on Christ CHrist Jesus his body broken and his bloud shed affords spirituall nourishment with plenty life and sweetnesse to the soule that is interested in him Joh. 6.51 to 63. and lives upon him There is a Spirituall and a Sacramentall feeding on Christ For the Spirituall see Joh 6.54 for the Sacramentall see 1 Cor. 11.23 1. As often as you can receive and improve the Sacrament There are many good and Books to direct as Roberts Dike Bolton Pemble Bradshaw c. 2. When you cannot Sacramentally see that spiritually you feed on this body and bloud of Christ For Directions take these 1. Rom. 3.2 3. Consider your necessities sins wants and weaknesses to sharpen Hunger and Thirst for Christ Joh. 17.3 2. Call forth at solemne times for that purpose your know ledge of Christ especially in his death Zach. 12.10 Is 53. tot Ps 22. Math. 27. 1 Cor. 2.3 3. Let â—aith set a dying Christ before you in your thoughts and meditations with your sins and God's wrath upon him 4. Put in practice by godly sorrow what is set before you Zach. 12.10 Zach. 12. while you look on him whom you have pierced let sin then appear exceeding sinfull because besmeared with the bloud of Christ 5. Apprehend and apply by faith the love of God and the love of Christ in dying for you Gal. 2.20 Rom 5.6 Gal. 2.2 and John 3.16 and 1 Joh. 3.16 6. Look upon Christ in dying as your surety Heb. 7.22 Eph. 5.2 and as your sacrifice in your name and steed Rom. 6 7. Gal. 3.13 Rom. 3.25 Dan. 9.24 Look on Christ in his death as answering the Law satisfying justice taking away sin bringing in everlasting righteousnesse establishing the covenant of Grace and making a purchase of grace and glory Heb. 9.15 Eph. 1.14 Rom. 6.6 giving a deadly stroke to sin and breaking the Serpent's head c. Heb. 2.14 8. Draw by faith all manner of virtues from him to mortify sin to quicken grace to strengthen faith and refresh your souls 9. Eph. 1.3 4. Be much in thansgiving to God for his Son and adore the Love 10. 2 Cor. 5.14 Improve all to Argument against corruption temptation and the world See Rom. 6.3 Titus 2.14 2 Cor. 15.14 11. 1 Cor. 6.20 Give up your selves again in an everlasting Covenant to be the Lords to live to him and if need be to dy for him 12. Depend upon the satisfaction of Christ Heb. 9. ult and expect the vertues of his Death till he come again in glory and take you up with himselfe that you may be for ever with him Long for his immediatee presence and hasten to it See Bp Taylor Rev. 22.20 latter end of his
sue out Mortifying influences from the death of Christ 5. Let faith set thee in the way wherein those virtues are to be experienced as before in the Section of Mortification 6 Let faith consider the guilt removed the dominion broken Heb. 12.14 2 Cor. 3.5 the power restrained the rest not imputed where not allowed strength against sin vouchsafed and in conclusion the destruction of it 3. Gal. 3.13 14. Let faith for perfect sanctification 1. Affect thine heart with the consideration of the necessity Eph. 2.5 excellency and beauty of it Rom. 6.4.5 2. With the sence of thine own in sufficiency for the acting continuing evereasing of it Eph. 4.7.8 Eph. 1.22.23 3. Act faith on Christ 1. Let faith look upon Christ in his word prescribing in his life directions in his death procuting whatever might be needfull for it Gal. 3.13 14. Eph. 2.5 Rom. 6.4 5 Eph. 4.7 8 Eph. 1.22.23 1 Cor. 1.30 in his resurrection arising as your head to quicken your soules to newnesse of life in Heaven possessing all gifts and graces and having the fulnesse of the spirit with power to dispence it 2. Apply it 3. Assent unto it 4. Make it your choice 5. Sue it out by Prayer 6. Look up to him by faith for virtue 7. In the expectation of his influences apply your selves unto the exercising of your graces 4. Live the life of faith in Temptations 1. Let faith look upon Christ as having been tempted though without sin and knowing how to compassionate 2. Heb. 2.18 Look on Christ in his death taking away the foundation of your temptations Heb. 2.14 and breaking the serpents head purchasing your redemption from his dominion though not disturbance establishing the promises for your reliefe Gen. 3.15 In Heaven look on him as interceding for you and exalted in power to help you Phil. 2.9 2. Apply it 3. Assent to it 4. 2 Cor. 12.8 Rest upon it 5. Eph. 6.12 13 c. Sue out the virtues of Christ by Prayer 6. In his strength resist your temptation in the way of his direction and putting on the spirituall armour using it in its place and season 7. So doing doubt nothing of your acceptance assistance deliverance Rom. 16.20 reward and triumphs 5. For Worldly troubles do the like 1. John 16.33 1 Joh. 5.4 Gal. 1.4 Let faith see Christ in his death removing the evill which is the sting of trouble as the guilt of sinne the curse of the law and the wrath of God procuring the graces and comforts in the promises providence and spirit of God Eph. 1.19 20 21 22. in his resurrection and ascension look upon him above all trouble as your head assuring you of conformity to him in his exaltation hereafter Hos 6. beg as you have with him in his humiliation here To this ad the comforts from the same 1 Cor. 15.55 Heb. 2.14 Is 26.19 Zach. 1.12 Phil. 2.9 Is 54.5 1 Pet. 1.5 in Christ against death and the terrors of it mutatis mutandis the like for the Church of God in her distresses Follow it to his intercession and his government of the world by his power and providence having a care of his spouse in all troubles intending only probation Ps 73.23 Ps 28. ult Gal. 6.14 c. at most correction not at all destruction 2. Let faith Apply this and the like 3. Assent 4. Rely 5. Performe the duties of such conditions 6. Confidently from Christ expect acceptance assistance and deliverance 6. Live the life of faith for eternall life 1. G. l. 3.13 Look on Christ in his state of Humiliation as removing the hindrances sinne law curse and wrath death and Hell 1. Purchasing the title and all advantages Heb. 9.15 establishing the covenants and all the conveyances in his exaltation advancing towards it entering into it Joh. 14.1 Heb. 6.18 Col. 3.1 and taking possession of it not only for himselfe but for all believers as their forerunner keeping it for them appointing their mansions securing their title Gal. 4.4 and taking order for their Adoption qualification preservation Joh. 17.24 Rev. 22.20 Heb. 11.1 Heb. 10.34 comfort here and at last their assumption that according to his desire Prayer and promise they may be for ever with him c. 2. Let faith apply it 3. Assent unto it 4. Rely upon it And 5. Carry out to duty and waies of Holinesse And 6. 1 Pet. 1.3 4 5 6 7 8 Resolvedly passe through your trials difficulties dangers and deaths according to the will of God Committing your soules unto him nothing doubting but in the end you shall receive the end of the faith 2 Cor. 4. ult 2 Cor. 5.1 c. the salvation of your soules 7. Live much upon it and the fore-thoughts of it it is Glorious it is yours it is certaine it is safe it will be Eternall Christ hath procured it Christ doth possesse it 2 Cor. 5.5 Eph. 1.14 Phil. 1.23 the promises assure it the sacrament seale it the spirit is the earnest your graces are the evidences for it and all your dangers and deaths do but prepare you for it or enter you into it 7. Live the life of faith on Christ Jesus for faith it selfe Heb. 12.2 2 Thes 1.14 take his directions follow his example bottom on his his undertaking depend upon his fulnesse yeild to his methods and expect his influences This life of faith is necessary comfortable sure practicable influentiall honourable Study it use it and for further directions I commend you besides your own meditations and sermon notes on Gal. 2.20 or other Scriptures to the reading of these Books Balls Life of faith Lawrence life of faith Cuiverwell Life of faith Ward life of faith Ambrose his Middle things about the life of faith Psal 9.10 More particularly acquaint your selves with the Attributes of God the offices of Christ the relations wherein he standeth his severall states of Humiliation and exaltation 1 Cor. 2.3 with the intentions of all and their improvements for this I referre you to Sermons on Gods Attributes and providence and to good Books as Preston Of Gods Attributes and particularly his All-sufficiency Stocke Of Gods Attributes Wilkins on Providence Gearing of Providence Obad. Sedgwick on Psal 23. and Providence Dike on Gods Name c. and for that of Christ to T. Goodwins Works Especially Christ exalted as the object of Faith Study it throughly with the peece of Christs heart in heaven c. Ambrose his looking unto Jesus Robinsons Similitudes your Sermon Notes on Christ c. the Lectures on the four Evangelists in harmony on Christ 2 Sam. 23.5 Study likewise in order to this life of faith the Covenant of Grace the nature of it the contents of it the foundation of it in the blood of Christ Heb. 9.15 16 17. the confirmation by the oath of God and by sacraments the severall
treatise on the Sacrament SECT XVII Of reading the Scriptures 1. SEttle your faith in the Divinity 2 Pet. 1.19 Authority and Verity of the Scriptures And for that consider 1. that God is 2. that God in his name 2 Tim. 3.16 Joh. 1.1 c nature and will cannot be known without revelation of himselfe 3. such is his goodnesse not to say his justice that he will not expect that we should know him believe in him worship and serve him not having given the world a sufficient discovery of himselfe 4. there is no other Act. 4.12 but this of the Scriptures sufficient for that purpose Heb. 1.1 2 Tim. 3.15 16 17. 5. This hath been delivered from God from time to time and 6. is a sufficient discovery of God and of his will 1. The Scriptures affirm it 2. Nothing rationall can be objected against it 3. The Contents prove it it carries selfe-evidence with it and all divine characters necessary to it Heb. 2.4 4. It hath been sealed from heaven by a continued series of Providence by miracles by the powers of the Holy Ghost upon the first writers and publishers Heb. 4.12 by spirituall and divine operations on Hearers some to Conversion and Consolation on others to Conviction and Confusion 5. It hath been confirmed and sealed by the bloud of Christ and many thousand Martyrs Heb. 9.15 6. It is wonderfully preserved in the world 1 Tim. 3.15 and handed in the Church from one generation to another and is still the same notwithstanding all attempts to deface it 7. 1 Joh. 5.10 Every true Believer hath the witnesse to it within himselfe lives upon it Rev. 12.11 and would dye many a death rather then deny it loose it or the comforts of it 2. Be conversant with it Psal 1.1 2. and much in reading it hearing it and meditating upon it Ioh. 5.45 Ps 1. 19. 119. 2 Pet. 1.19 2 Tim. 3.15 Rev. 1.4 c with faith love humility diligence obedience constancy 3. Read sometime occasionally Act. 8.28 29. for your instruction and consolation as you shall be guided to it by God's spirit and providence and your best understanding but often solemnely have your set times for it in your retirements besides the family and publick opportunities sit close at it be not long absent from it Read for spirituall refreshment as God shall direct you be much acquainted with the Psalmes Esay the N Test Read for particular purposes on speciall places Read for the generall knowledge of the Scripture the Bible in order and for quantity at a time as your opportunity will give leave 4. when you are to read solemnly 1 Pet. 2.1 lay aside sinfull lust and worldly thoughts quicken your affections to the duty set your self in Gods presence beg his spirit take the Book in hand with reverence read with faith fear diligence and understanding and that you may the better understand it Act. 8.30 31. use such helps as God hath afforded 1 Consider the connexion and scope comparing it with other places 2. Refer it to an enquiry when you meet with a good Annotator or an able Minister 3. Passe on to what you may more easily understand and remember that places concerning salvation and the necessaries to it for saith and life are generally plaine and easy to be understood What you understand consider Ps 119. that it may affect your heart and take place in your memory and give you such obvious observations as it naturally affordeth for instruction or consolation take speciall notice of what may increase your spirituall knowledge rebuke your corruption direct and quicken you to duty answer temptations and refresh your soules and more especially of what the spirit of God in reading sets home upon your hearts with evidence and power If you would not willingly loose the observations set a note upon the place and if need be refer it to your Note-book for that purpose When you have done reflect upon the whole by meditation and commend it to God in prayer bringing forth the fruits of it in an holy life and conversation Helpes to the understanding of the Scriptures may be such as these 1. Read books directing you about the Scriptures as Ambrose Middle things Whites Directions for Reading Roberts Key to the Bible 2. When you meet with a difficult place Note it referre it for an enquiry when you meet with an able Minister or a good Expositor 3. Have some choice Annotations on the whole Bible and on particular books if the English Annotations in Folio be costly Get Bishop Halls Paraphrase or Deodates Annotations For the perticular books there are severall as Caryll on Jobe Burroughes on Hosea Greenhill on some part of Ezekiel Hutchenson on the lesser Prophets Dickson on the Psalmes 1. Dixon on Matthew and Hebrewes and all the Epistles Hutchenson on St Johns Gospell Manton on James and Jude Jenkins on Jude Sclater on Thessalonians Baine on Ephesians Bifield on Collossions c. Ainsworth on Pentatench Psalmes and Canticles with many others if you cannot get all get such as you can 4. Acquaint your selves with the Generall Contents of the severall books In Scritpure the Five Books of Moses shew the Creation of the World and the foundation of the Church at length setling it on Abrahams family with Gods proceeding with them in Egypt and the wildernesse under the conduct of Moses c. Joshua and other Historicall Books shew the progresse of God and his providence towards the Church in severall waies and persons and times The Psalmes are full of spirituall Meditations Proverbs full of instructions for Holy Wisdome Ecclesiastes shewes the vanity of the creature Canticles communion between Christ and his Church and that as some think Prophetically The Prophets containe not only Prophecies that concerned the Jewes and other Nations but many promises of Christ and Grace c. The Evangelists give you the History of Christ his person doctrine miracles life death resurrection and ascension The Acts shew the foundations of the Christian Church among Jewes and Gentiles The Epistles are for the edification of those Churches and our instruction occasioned mostly by Heresies and persecutions The Revelations Prophetically set forth the state of the world in generall and the Church in speciall from St Iohns daies till the end of the World Be most conversant in plaine and practicall Scripturess neglect not others Doctrinall or Historicall For the propheticall especially Daniell and the Revelations they are beyond the reach of famous Divines much more common Christians Providence is the best expositor on Prophecies and to a good understanding in them there needs much knowledg of History and Chronology yea the most profound and abstrusest parts of learning only somethings in generall may be easily understood as that such and such places concerne the description and condition of the Church in her pure or degenerate in her prosperous or suffering condition and such and such the enemies of God and of his people and so may be read with profit In summe believe the truth of the Scripture Adore the Majesty of God in them acquaint your selves with their matter make them the ground of your faith and the rule of your life and practise blesse God for them and wait till Heaven give an absolute and perfect understanding of the whole SECT XVIII Of Reading good Books IT hath been Gods wonderfull care of his people to provide as the Scriptures so good books for them there are many such both doctrinall and practicall Get and read the best but in a good method and with diligence 1. For Books Scripturall they are such as these 1. Expositors as before Sermons of them make choice Concordances Newmans and Cottons are large but usefull Downhams are briefe and it may be may serve a private Christian A Book of Scripture references perhaps in English may be wanting the Catechisme in quarto with the Scripture references may be a present supply till a larger may be had Directive for reading of the Scriptures you had in the former Section as Ambrose and Bifield c. And for the reading of expositors some as the briefe Annotations must be consulted on difficulties others as larger expositors may be read in order throughout as other choice books Doctrinall Bishop Ushers Body of Divinity Downhams sum Leighs Body of Divinity The morning exercise at Giles and the Assemblies larg Catechismes with other Catechismes will be a good introduction to them you may referre your other reading From some good Catechisme understand the principles of Religion and then having gotten a knowledg of the heads in Divinity proceed to other books observing the point of doctrine with its proofe from Scripture and sound reason It 's severall branches for Amplification and it's uses in Application For sentences and illustrations you may look upon them as profitable or pleasant but not so necessary For Controversall you need not trouble your selfe with most of that nature get advice for such from an able minister For practicall there are many on particular subjects I have referred you to not a few Others are on mixed subjects get and read the best Such as these I would commend besides others you may meet with and at present I may let slip Shepheards sound convert and believer and others of his Hookers works Baxters Gurnhalls Loves Preston Sibbes Perkins Downham Harris Tomas Goodwins VVorks Reynolds Symonds Morâ—i Exercises both Ball. Read well Ambroâ—â— looking unto Iesus c. In reading practicall books observe these directions 1. Acquaint your self with 〈◊〉 best books 2. With the generall conteâ— of the book 3. Then read it over in â—â—der for time as opportunity gives leaâ—â— 4. Observe the principall heads more 〈◊〉 enlargements 5. Incorproate the maâ—â—ter into your understanding And 6 theâ—â— get it wrought into your hearts and upon your affections by meditation 7. take speciall notice of what particularly concernes you especially what is set home upon your hearts by the spirit of God in your reading either by way of conviction instruction or consolation 8. make an end with one good book before you begin with another in your ordinary course Let your books be few choice sufficient and read them well Get a well chosen and composed closet of books A faire Bible Deodates Annotations a Concordancâ—â— Ushers Body of Divinity and for practicâ—â—â— Books as you can procure them FINIS