given to admire the Giver and to love things given so far as you may honour the Giver Prov. 3.9 Honour the Lord with thy Substance and there is promised an Increase O Soul if the Streams be sweet what is the Fountain And if the Creature be sweet what is the Creator O Souls serve God with all labour to love God above all and be content to be at his dispose in all 1 Chron. 29.14 Mat. 10.37 Isa 39.7 8. Job 1.21 Consider in great Prosperity you live upon Alms have nothing but what the great God gives you and live daily on his bountiful Benevolence and as he descends with Favours to you so do you ascend with Thankfulness to him Give us this Day our daily Bread our Lord teacheth us to pray and cannot we live well one Day without Bread then let 's ask it every Day and be thankful for it David rose at Midnight to praise God but it 's hardly some Mens Mid-day Work Hide not your Face from your own Flesh While some poor Relations are in Want if thou hast Prosperity look not with a scornful but with a pitiful Eye upon them Thy own Friend and thy Father's Friend do not forget Isa 58.7 Prov. 27.10 Job in his Prosperity caused the Widow to sing and pulled the Poor out of the Jaw-teeth of the Wicked And the Blessings of them that were ready to perish came upon him read the 31st Chapter of Job O how hath the Abuse of Prosperity and growing Proud overturned Sodom Ezek. 16.49 brought down that great Monarch Nebuchadnezzar overturned Belshazzar smote Herod with Worms for taking the popular Applause of the People who died immediately Acts 12.23 Those that slight Christ's Work and Way for the love of these worldly things shall never taste of his Supper Luke 14. 18-24 How have some for the love of this World and the things therein forsook the Assembly of the true Church and the divine Institutions and fallen in with a false Church a false Ministry and countenanced a company of vain Traditions in the pretended Worship of God and for fear of humane Fury fell under the Fury of divine everlasting Vengeance and are in danger without true Repentance for rejecting Light to be cast into utter Darkness O Souls tremble at that Word that saith They shall drink of the Lord's Wrath poured out without Mixture Rev. 14.9 10. Consider Moses Heb. 11.24 the three Children Dan. 3. Daniel's Case Peter and John's Case Acts 4.5 Antipas his Case and the Church's Courage in that Day Rev. 2.13 The Case of Stephen and all the blessed Martyrs Some were in great Prosperity outwardly but did not neglect what God commanded nor cowardly comply sinfully but hazarded all even Life it self Watch and pray in these things that Prosperity be not your Ruine by complying with sinful Temptations while you shall dare to put a Blot upon God's Not Touch not taste not handle not after the Commands and Doctrines of Men Col. 2.21 VIII As to Adversity or being in a poor low Condition in this World remember these things 1. That Godliness with Contentment is great Gain As it is not the bigness of the Cage that makes the Bird to sing without a secret Instinct so it is not having little of this World that should cast thee down since commanded by the Lord to be content with such things as ye have Heb. 13.5 2. Consider A little with the Fear of God is better than the Riches of many Wicked Psal 37.16 Consider Eccles 4.6 Prov. 16.8 Consider dear Souls it 's better to be in the meanest Condition in this World that possible may be with the Enjoyment of Christ and Truth than in the highest Condition without him and it In a word it 's better to suffer with him than reign without him Consider it 's better to be with a Lazarus in his Rags and Sores keeping Integrity than to be with a Dives in his Riches and Robes in a State of Wickedness and Sensuality Psal 73.12 Luke 15.19 20 21 22. Have some their Beds of Ivory stately Places of Rest O but poor Believer hast thou Rest from the damning Guilt of Sin Rest from the Curse of the Law Rest from an accusing Conscience through Faith in Christ Mat. 11.28 O wouldst thou part with this for theirs Surely no. Have they the Fat of the Flock and their curious Dainties And what if thou hast mean Food and coarse Bread but art partaker of Christ by Faith as the true Bread of Life and art nourished by him up to Eternal Life John 6.51 54. O dost thou enjoy the Fulness of God's House Christ as held forth in his Word and Ordinances Surely poor Soul thou couldest not part with him for all the Epicurean's Dainties Have they their Wine in Bowls and thou the Water of Affliction yet art refreshed with his Love that is better than Wine yea better than Life Cant. 4.10 O how hath the Wine of his Love cheared thy wounded Spirit when nothing else would avail Psal 63.3 Do Men in their Pomp chant to the Sound of the Viol and have their melodious Sounds O but poor Soul hast thou heard the joyful Sound of Remission of Sins and Everlasting Life through a dear Redeemer and art framing thy Soul and Body to the teaching of this joyful Sound O be content thy Enjoyments are far beyond theirs Consider Psal 89.15 O the blessed sound of the Gospel in the Benefits of his Death Resurrection Ascension and Intercession may make thee exceeding joyful Poor Soul have they their choice Ointments and Perfumes and thou hast thy smoaky House and poor Enjoyments Yet Soul consider if thou hast the Anointings of God's Spirit this is far beyond what they enjoy 1 John 2.27 The Spirit quickens the Spirit comforts the Spirit leads into Truth Take heed of that Spirit that leads from Gospel-Institutions and Commands that 's a Cheat of the Devil The holy Apostles say He that is of God heareth us and hereby know we the Spirit of Truth from the Spirit of Error 1 John 4.6 The Spirit witnesseth with our Spirits that we are the Sons of God and sealeth us to the Day of Redemption And Soul is not this far beyond all the pleasant Artificial Savours in the World Well be content Soul if you have your Hell here and your Heaven hereafter it 's well enough Rejoice in hope of the Glory of God Rom. 5.2 Though poor in this World yet if rich in Faith thou art happy Jam. 2.5 And now I beseech you take heed of those things that bring some into a low poor Estate in this World I shall give some Hints at some of them 1. Beware of Slothfulness this brings Poverty like an armed Man on some Prov. 6.11 2. Beware of Suretyship Why should thy Bed be taken from under thee Prov. 6.1 22.27 3. Take heed of lustful sinful Desires of strange Women though their Lips drop as an Hony-comb such have been a Snare to many A Dart hath
your own Hearts What am I what do I whither go I O Souls as it is the Wisdom of Men to set their House in order and to make their Wills in disposing of what they have so let it be thy Work to set thy Heart in order that thou mayest have nothing to do but to die when thou comest to struggle with thy last Enemy and Time must be here no longer O remember the golden Sands of Time are running out apace and the Glass of Time will never be turned till it be turned in eternal Weal or Wo. XI Consider of Judgment to come O Soul if Death take thee Secure Carnal Hypocritical Murmuring unfaithful to thy Light Disobedient or Lukewarm or a Backslider or Covetous or a Complier with some secret Sins as Death takes you so Judgment will find you and all the Manifestations of God to you shall be discovered when the Books shall be opened And no sooner the Judg shall speak but Conscience shall say True Lord and God himself will be a swift Witness against thy secret Sins not repented of Act. 3.19 Mal. 3.5 Remember this was one great Doctrine that the Apostles of our Lord were to preach and testify That it was he that was ordained of God to be the Judg of Quick and Dead Acts 10.42 O young Man remember for the Desire of thine Eyes and the Way of thine Heart for these things God will bring thee into Judgment Eccles 11.9 O Christians grudg not one against another yea behold the Judg stands at the Door Jam. 5.9 Have fervent Charity one to another that is the Bond of Perfectness and be diligent that ye may be found of him in Peace without spot and blameless 2 Pet. 3.14 Mat. 18.34 35. O do not hide your Talents but improve your Measures given and remember it will be sad to have that Sentence pass Take that unprofitable Servant cast him into utter Darkness there shall be weeping and gnashing of Teeth Mat. 25.30 O forget not to think of his appearing that will certainly render to every one according to his Works Mat. 16.27 Rev. 22.12 O Soul think oft of that Jesus that died for you will shortly come to judg you the last Trump sounding the Judg descending holy Angels attending Graves opening the Dead rising Hypocrites Unbelievers disobedient Persons weeping wailing secret Counsels of all Hearts shall be discovered Therefore live in this present Day with a holy preparation for that Day in taking heed to thy Thoughts 1 Cor. 4.5 Eccles 12.14 Take heed to thy Words Mat. 12.36 O take heed of idle Words Swear not at all it 's forbidden Mat. 5.34 Jam. 5.12 Take heed of Lying Cursing Backbiting Railing Grievous Words stir up Wrath Prov. 15.1 Look to your Actions and do not omit what God commands nor dare to commit what he forbids Eternal Judgment is a Christian Principle Heb. 6.2 And now that ye may be helped to mind these things I come to the last thing propounded and that is Prayer XII O poor young Man hast thou cause to flee youthful Lusts to follow after Righteousness Faith Charity Peace and keep such Company as call on God out of a pure Heart 1 Tim. 2.11 Hast thou poor Soul a Devil to resist a World to over come some Corruptions to mortify a deceitful Heart to watch over a Gospel to obey a Kingdom to obtain O Souls watch and pray make Conscience of secret Prayer and be earnest for those things Jabez begged of God 1 Chron. 4.10 For your encouragement remember He that seeks God early shall find him O a blessed Promise Prov. 8.17 Pray earnestly for the divine Operations of the holy Spirit with the blessed Fruits of it Christ hath promised if they that are evil know how to give good things to their Children how much more shall your heavenly Father give his Spirit to them that ask it Luke 11.13 O pray for Wisdom as Servants to discharge your Duty in your Places that the Name and Doctrine of God be not blasphemed O pray for Wisdom as Freemen that you may always be concerned in serving God in true Holiness and Righteousness all your Days O pray for a Faith of a right kind and say as the Apostles Lord increase our Faith mind what Christ hath done is a doing and will do As to a married State pray for Wisdom to discharge your relative Duties Husband to Wife and Wife to Husband living in the Fear of God As to your State unmarried devote your selves so much the more to wait on and serve the Lord if Virgin Disciples as John the beloved Disciple is said by some Authors to be and holy Paul If in a prosperous Condition beg a humble thankful charitable Heart remembring you are Stewards for God And as to your State in meeting with Adversity beg Patience Contentment admire the least Mercy under the greatest Misery Lam. 3.22 As to your State if persecuted beg Wisdom Courage Constancy of him that gives Strength to them that have no Might As to your Duty in preparing for Death O pray that you may have your Light shining your Lamps burning and you like Men waiting for the coming of the Lord and be filled with his Spirit waiting praying for the blessed Influences of the Spirit of God upon your Souls using all the means you can to obtain it And if Messengers hearing that you have received the Word pray for you that you may receive the Holy Ghost join heartily with them and in laying gentle Hands on you if you receive more of the Spirit you will be more for the Honour of God the Comfort of your Brethren and walk as Lights in the World and be as Salt in the Earth O labour to have Salt in your selves and Peace one with another Mark 9.50 I shall close up this little Matter with those words 1 Pet. 1.17 If you call on the Father who without respect of Persons judgeth according to every Man's Work pass the time of your sojourning here in fear Yea give all diligence to those seven things that lead to the Kingdom 2 Pet. 1. consider 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 verses And labour to live so as you may wish when your Eyes come to be closed and when you come to Judgment Eccles 11.9 12.14 And pray for the Lord's Labourers and I will beg that Truth may live in your Souls when I am dead and may shortly meet those that fear God and keep his Commandments in never-ending Glory FINIS
struck through the Liver and their Wealth hath been in the House of Strangers Prov. 5.3 10. 4. Beware of rejecting of Instruction or sober Reproof this brings Poverty Prov. 13.18 5. Beware of loving costly Superfluities Wine and Oil when there is no need of them Prov. 23.21 21.17 6. Take heed of covetously with-holding more than is meet in point of Charity to Objects of great Misery this tends to Poverty Prov. 11.24 7. Beware of giving to the Rich and withholding from the Poor Prov. 22.16 8. Take heed of delighting in the Company of vain Persons such shall have Poverty enough Prov. 28.19 9. Take heed of Oppression though thou be poor of oppressing the Poor Prov. 28.3 It is like a sweeping Rain that leaves no Food Now I beseech you consider of these Cautions that Men oft-times make themselves poor by such things as ought to be avoided IX Something briefly offered in case it shall be your State to be persecuted which all that will live godly in this World must and may expect until that glorious Day come that God will make a new Heaven and a new Earth And as to your being persecuted for Righteousness-sake either for doing what God Commands or for not doing what he Forbids 1. Commit your Souls to God in well-doing fear him trust in him let him be your Fear and Dread Isa 8.13 2. Rather in the fore-mentioned Cases chuse to suffer than to sin 3. Keep a good Conscience for that will bear you up under all hard Trials Integrity will afford daily Joy Acts 24.16 4. Be purely suffering in a principle of Love to God and Christ if ever you would be owned by God and Christ if otherwise all Suffering may be nothing 1 Cor. 13.3 My Friends give me leave that have been five times in Prison for my Lord's Cause and sometimes beaten and often fined to beseech you to avoid these things in suffering if God permit Trials to come upon you 1. Take heed of unbelief of Promises O that Promise If ye be reproached for the Name of Christ happy are ye 1 Pet. 4.14 They that suffer for Righteousness sake happy are they great is their Reward in Heaven Mat. 5.10 11. They shall have in what they lose an hundred fold in this present time and in the World to come Eternal Life Mat. 10.30 Surely a faithful Sufferer experiences sweet Comforts from God in the enjoyment of his Spirit comfort of his Promises Providences waiting great Grace attending O the sweet Comfort and Discoveries when John was banished into the Isle of Patmus or a place of Death he never met with the like Discoveries before in order to a manifesting in his four-fold Visions what should shortly come to pass never the like Discoveries before Rev. 1.9 The three Children had a glorious Presence in the fiery Furnace they were preserved and those that cast them in were destroyed their Enemies convinced no God was like their God Dan. 3.29 6.26 Daniel in the Lion's Den an Angel guarding of him Lions restrained from hurting of him the Informers destroyed before they came to the bottom of the Den Dan. 6.24 Paul and Silas in the Dungeon their Backs bleeding their Feet in the Stocks they at Midnight praising God and praying the Prison shaking the enraged Jaylor trembling and he and his after the Word was preached to him and all that were in his House believing and to Christ in holy Baptism conforming Thus you see there may be an hundred-fold more than formerly was enjoyed of divine Comfort and Strength Acts 16.24 to 34. Discoveries Preservation some out of weakness have been made strong O consult Soul that little Book of Martyrs Heb. 11. Besides what shall be accomplished when the Saints shall possess the Kingdom yea the greatness of it under the whole Heavens shall be given to them Dan. 7.27 Rev. 5.10 Psal 45.16 Rev. 20.4 5 6. 2. Souls take heed in a suffering Day of Self-confidence When Self-denial will help thee to be a faithful Martyr Self-confidence will make thee but an unfaithful Souldier an impatient Sufferer and a sinful Complier much of this I have seen in the Days of our late Trials He that trusts his own Heart is a Fool Prov. 28.26 Peter promised much out of a Temptation but fell foully under the Temptation O stay on him that gives Strength to them that have no Might Isa 40. ult 3. Take heed of carnal Counsel in a suffering State There are many will say Save your selves by complying and leave off bearing their Testimony and comply contrary to their Light cowardly God disowned Conscience wounded Comforts clowded and in saving themselves here without infinite Mercy may lose Eternal Life hereafter Luke 9.24 25. 4. Take heed of over-loving Self or the World more than Christ and Truth it will bring you to a dreadful Day in which you shall not be worthy of Christ Remember you are not your own but were bought with his precious Blood when you deserved nothing but Wrath and think not much to hazard your All for him Consider the Cross is interlaid with the Crown Love not the World nor the things 1 John 2.15 that are in the World neither equal with God nor above God it will declare if you so do that the Love of the Father is not in you Mat. 11.37 Rev. 1.10 X. O consider something as relating to the irresistable Decree of God even Death and Judgment Heb. 9.27 O consider it will not be long e're thou must be strugling with thy last Enemy O restless Death when Weakness will be attending Strength failing natural Spirits expiring Death-Sobs attending Friends weeping and you departing from the World Friends and Relations O happy then yea fully blessed if dying in the Lord Rev. 14.13 where John is commanded to write it O presume not upon a long Life it is a great hinderance to a good Life O for God's sake and for your eternal Welfare-sake do not forget your dying Hour nor your latter End lest you come down wonderfully and there be none to help you Lam. 1.9 1. God doth affectionately wish it Deut. 32.29 2. God doth graciously direct you to hear Counsel and receive Instruction that ye may be wise in your latter End Prov. 19.20 3. Labour to live so as you would wish when your Eyes come to be closed Prov. 5.11 Numb 23.10 4. Whatever your Hand findeth to do that is agreeable to the Lord 's holy Will do it with all your Might knowing there is no Work to be done in the Grave Eccles 9.10 5. Remember you must die but the Time when the Place where the Manner how you know not Evil falls out to Man and he knoweth it not Eccles 9.12 1. In order to your dying Hour let Time and Duty go together Mat. 24.46 2. Let a holy Reverence of God attend you in all Actions Places and Conditions 1 Pet. 1.17 3. Let the Contemplations of God's Love in Christ to you engage you to say daily to