indeed from hence it comes that the secret wayes of the Lord are not knowne nor sought after but so it is for the most part that if a man have any grace more then is in the common multitude he is highly reckoned of though he come more short of the true Christian course which he should attaine to and some carefull Christians doe then he goes beyond the multitude and to such a passe is our Christian profession come that if any should step beyond this common coldnesse and backwardnesse he is thought worse of as if in godly griefe too melancholique if in zeale too heady and undiscreet if in humilitie too sillie and foolish if in love and liberalitie too carelesse of his estate and so in other particulars 2. Christianitie seemes a bondage that a man may not doe what he list but is forced yet indeede its the onely liberty to the re generate who would not doe otherwise to whom onely sinne is a bondage Those having within them a good conscience which is a continuall feast doe finde here even in this life no small pleasure in the service of God Besides their joy in the assurance of the reward to come which is unspeakable Contrarily there is no peace to the wicked though to outward appearance they live pleasantly yet are they Satans bondslaves and after this life shall bee tormented with him and his angels world without end A civill life Many living a civill honest life as it s termed and yet lying in some secret sinnes doe at or before their death often detest the same and shame themselves which is Gods goodnesse to shew the truth of his threatning to stop the rage of the wicked and keepe his from securitie Comforts 1. It s much to bee lamented that God having provided that his children might live merily in him few finde this more then in prosperitie as worldlings doe which comes by our ignorance or light regard or want of faith of obtaining those sweet cōforts the Lord hath provided for us 2. They bee few that have good assurance they be in Christ which comes by our meere negligence in making sure our calling and Election no marvell though such feele small comfort in their professiō contrarily who so hath this assurance it must needs be great ignorance or sloath which deprives them of the same 3. To an afflicted conscience this is comfortable that although it come to passe after some travell in the new birth Gods graces be not so sweet nor sinne so grievous as it was at our first entrance into regeneration but wee are now weaker in the lesse assaults then at the beginning in our stronger temptations yet are we not to despaire considering that gratiousproceeding comes from God who shewed himselfe more favourable in our first beginning lest he should discourage us and for that we wholly rested on him even in our least temptations denying our selves and now hides himselfe for a season to make and give us try all of our strength when as we lesse forsake and suspect our selves no not in greater temptations that wee taking the foile might bee humbled and acknowledge the continuance of our health to come onely from him 4. Many hinder themselves from true comfort in feeking it from their owne worthinesse which they doe in being without hope because of their unworthinesse when as all true comfort comes from Gods rich mercie with whom is plentifull redemption 5. As its dangerous to perswade our selves of comfort when there is no feeling of inward corruptions so it is perilous to refufe all comfort when our sincere purposes are defiled with many corruptions in our practises and therefore they from whō Satan laboureth to steale away the sincerity of their hearts must take heed they be not still complaining and grieving for their corruptions as that they obscure the worke of Gods spirit which must encourage us against our manifold faintings and make them to walke uncheerfully in their callings seeing that the glorious bloodshed of Christ is not so impotent as being of force to save the greatest sins and sinners it should not bee able to purge the smaller infirmities of the Saints and if any thinke their prayers and obedience all but in fashion this sense with griefe sheweth that it is not altogether in fashion and the sense of this imperfection doth more please the Lord then the imperfection doth displease him Gods children often see no comfort in their life though they have had true comfort and have forgotten it or suspect it who though they should die without that sense of comfort they desire yet their salvation is not to bee doubted of seeing they shall not be judged according to the instant of their death but the course of their life Wee are not therefore to mistrust Gods mercie in death bee wee never so uncomfortable if so be it hath beene before sealed in our vocation and sanctification Communion 1. For sitting or kneeling at the communion its good to seeke the peace of the Church lest the remedie of evill be worse then the evill it selfe 2. A good minister will take great care to prepare his people for the Communion both privately and publiquely marking their proceeding thereafter 3. These promises are fit to bee taken of them who first are received to the communion and that in the sight of God and presence of some faithfull witnesses that they would labour 1. To grow in knowledge of the word 2. To depart from their former sinnes and to lead an holy life 3. To keepe the Sabbaths in godly exercises as much as may be and come to be instructed publiquely and privately 4. If they fall into any sin to abide the censure of the Church yea not profiting in knowledge to bee suspended from the Sacrament 4. After wee have partaked of the holy communion wee are to examine our selves whether wee received the same worthily and that whether wee had Christ the tryall whereof is by our comfort of all good from him and our conscience to yeeld our selves wholly to bee his and to serve him Oh the happinesse of such as have received him they watch and pray lest they enter into temptation The Communion of Saints It s a principall part of the communion of Saints to be most carefull either to bee doing or receiving good therefore when we joy to see our friends this must humble us that wee want this Communion Compassion Wee must learne to pittie them that beeing grieved with themselves and finde no peace with God are grieved with others and impatient for this was in David and others of Gods deare servants Complaint 1. Wee complaine of many things amisse but see not nor search for the cause much lesse labour to remove it and so make little use of our complaints 2. It cannot bee but a most dangerous estate to bee ever complaining of
not profiting so much by Gods wayes are reclaimed by his corrections Godlinesse 1. Whereas every thing hath his time of growing and his growing in time it s most unreasonable that any godlinesse should bee so straitned that no growing is to be looked for in it yea also it s a grosse errour that in knowledge of the truth there may be a stay and rest in true zeale too great a fervencie in holinesse of life too great precisenesse when as our knowledge shall alwayes be in part our zeale too cold our conversation too much corrupted be we never so precise 2. This is a good comfort to any Christian heart never to be quiet or liking his state when hee feeles not some readinesse and cheerefulnesse in the practises of godlinesse 3. That we may be furthered in the practise of pietie consider wee these particulars 1. That the enjoying of earthly treasures is uncertaine and dangerous the dealing with them great hinderances the great delight most hurtfull 2. That the unchangeable purpose of a godly life is a continuall consolation 3. That the bold reprehension of sin in others is a notable bridle to our selves 4. That the daily use of all holy exercises prayer meditation reading conference are the onely nurses of a Christian life and of much comfort and assurance of Gods favour to our salvation 5. That seeing the Lord is at hand wee must not be weary of this course but labour so to hold out to the end that we may be found thus occupied 6. That the daily consideration and use of these will make our battell against sinne more easie and fruitfull for our very hearts will be better kept in order then otherwise 7. That if we well behold what exceeding comfort and joy through the assurance of salvation we finde in this godly life and what heavinesse in the neglect thereof its reason sufficient to perswade us to hold on to the end yea this present sense and further hope of the unspeakable reward to come makes Christs yoke easie 4. He hath most profited who spends most time in this practise of godlinesse denying himselfe and taking no thought to satisfie his carnall minde 5. Except we keepe this in the purpose of our hearts and resolutely bind our selves hereto it cannot bee wee should stand fast but many things as the rarenesse of this course in others and our owne dulnesse will beat us from it and sore shake us 6. We have great need to take heed of leaving off seeing so many fearefull examples who harkening to the world seeking themselves and waxing weary of this strait way and practise of repentance have given over their diligence in teaching fervencie in exhorting zeale in prayer painfulnesse in private instructing and readinesse in conference for the edifying of others in meetings and daily meditation lamenting their owne and other mens sins earnest desire of forgivenesse daily purpose of amendment meeknesse patience liberalitie great rejoycing in God with earnest thanksgiving and the like The oft perusing of those will awaken us when we are fallen asleep Gospell 1. The letter of the Gospell that is the bare historie thereof being received without the Spirit thereof that is the true use thereof applyed unto us by faith doth no lesse kill then the Law for what comfort can it bring to a wounded conscience to know Christ dyed c. nay it woundeth them more if by faith they apply it not to themselves 2. Nothing more strange to reason then the Gospell of salvation by Christ Grace with the growth therein 1. This may be justly complained of by many good ministers and people of our times that exceeding much more grace of wisedome and strength to every duty and experience for guiding others might have beene obtained under so long peace and many helpes had they not trifled out much time unprofitably and beene as sloathfull in paines taking as affraid to bee ill occupied 2. It s our shame and ought to bee our griefe that we having had so many helps above others are so farre behinde them that hardly we can follow them whom we should have gone before for what is it but our owne sin that we are not as patterns for others to follow A principall cause hereof is this our too great respect of all earthly things which must needs hinder this godly proceeding as also that wee are not capable of such a lifting up being too much conceited for the little grace we have and not humbled sufficiently with our many wants 3. Considering with my selfe what the cause should be why almost all Christians doe very little grow since their first calling though they use ordinarily the exercises of religion and many of them dwell under a profitable ministerie mee thinkes this may be said that either they use not a full but an halfe dyet or else by some ill meanes hinder the same There is no Christian who useth not some meanes whereby he maintaines life and by Gods blessing on his ordinance all holy meanes have their profit therefore the more is our sinne in not using all whereby we might bee fat and flourishing in Christianitie But as it fareth with crasie bodies they must have a dyet prescribed and rules to order their whole life else can they not long hold out but weaknesse and diseases will oppresse them whereas otherwise by precise keeping their dyet in all points they be much preserved and freed from much griefe and paine So for all the world it is with our soules the best whereof is so crasie that without a good direction precisely followed long health and peace cannot bee held but our lives will be filled with many griefes and troubles And if these be not felt at first the longer they fester inward they will cost the more paine and griefe before they bee cured It shall be our wisedome therefore never to rest till we have a good direction fit to preserve our soules in peace and good estate and then precisely to keep it in all parts lest the neglect of one marre another and so wee much hinder our selves At least this care must be had that wee doe not as men sold to their appetite who to please their tast will leave that which is wholesome and take that which is poyson to their nature who therein for a short pleasure bring long and tedious paine which makes repent too late when this yet is more that some bee so farre spent that they having once or twice broken their dyet and finding no present paine doe wilfully proceede saying As good bee sicke for something as for nothing and in the end cast off utterly all care and so bring upon themselves incurable diseases horrible paines and certaine death That this former advice may be the more profitable that is that wee may see what good cause wee who bee Gods children have to seeke after
he is not to proceede 4. Whether they purpose to solemnize their marriage in the congregation These being granted before the parents or their vicegerent to proceede to prayer and exhortation to some generall duties of men and women and so to contract according to the common Liturgie in the sight of God with prayer The exhortation after the defence of this duty belonging to the Minister may be briefly a discourse of the doctrine of the law and faith applyed to their estate of marriage and so their speciall callings and most neede 2. They which contract themselves without their governours or parents consent if they be alive are to confesse their fault publiquely before they be marryed that others may heare and feare Corruption 1. Such is the corruption of our nature that though wee bee wonderfully delighted with Gods graces yet when wee abound with them we lesse esteeme them then when wee begunne to enjoy them 2. Our corruption is like to the wantonnesse of children who either will doe as they list or else leave all undone 3. It s a common corruption so to grieve at evills present that unthankfully wee forget former mercies 4. It s too common a corruption that wee can disclose many of our infirmities and keepe the greatest close Good Counsells Beleeve to be saved as a Publican live as a Justiciarie Pray as idle beggars who live by begging Labour for grace as worldlings toil for wealth Provide for thy soule as thou doest for thy bodie rest food apparell and such like necessaries feede to be fitter to labour so labour as to get a stomack to thy food Holy Dayes IN those wee must redeeme the time in resting from our callings Death 1. This amongst others ought often to be thought on to have all things in a readinesse against our departure out of this wretched world and therefore not onely to set our outward estate in order which naturall wise men doe for the good and peace of our posteritie but especially to set our spirituall state in such a readinesse that wee may with continuall care and comfort waite for our change and our Saviours second comming and withall to leave to our posteritie some testimonie of Gods satherly dealing with us and fidelitie in performing his promise to us the seede of faithfull parents that our posterity may be hereby stirred up to serve the Lord God of their fathers 2. Wee can better away to meditate on death which Sathan covereth with eternitie following then on the day of judgement where wee all must make our accounts 3. The bare meditation of death doth so farre move us from suffering with delight to dwell on earthly things as reason disswadeth us to make any cost about a tenement where wee know we shall dwell but a while yet such imaginations of death build up in the meane time the kingdome of pride in us Wherefore it shall bee more availeable when wee meditate of putting off this Tabernacle wee thinke also of putting on the Tabernacle of Righteousnesse and how without that we shall never stand with comfort before Christ in his Kingdome 4. As wee are so to thinke of life that wee bee content to die so wee are to thinke of death that wee be contented to live The feare of death is no more to be disliked then not to feare for both may be with good conscience and in faith if they exceed not for it s allowed by grace and nature to feare Gods judgements 5. To call to minde old sinnes of them which are a dying is necessary to bee done of those which visite them for if they have truly repented them then are they not guilty of them and others may profit thereby If they bee guilty the trouble of their minde shall turne to their good in that they finde their judgement in this world and escape the everlasting judgement to come Decay in grace 1. A most grievous judgement of God it is though secret and therefore not to us so sensible that having many excellent helps for our spirituall nourishment yet Gods curse seemeth to be thereon in that wee thrive so little thereby wherein notwithstanding the Lord is to be cleered who giving his grace ordinarily by meanes doth most justly keepe it from us partly for our unworthinesse either for some olde sinne unrepented of or some present corruption not resisted and partly for our contempt of it in that we setting so little by it have so sleightly sought it and having received it in any measure were no more charie and carefull in keeping it but through our carelessenesse lost it and through our pride and presumption provoked the Lord to take it from us let our earnest purpose and prayer bee for the better obtaining of it to avoide the letts and to use more carefully and constantly all good helps and particularly holy conference which by experience wee shall finde to be exceeding profitable 2. The causes why many decrease in godlinesse be divers as namely the neglect of those meanes which before they used especially of the private dealings with themselves and brotherly conferences in such strict manner as before whereof wee be soon wearie in that by nature wee seeke our ease and through custome grow cold and through security and pride waxe blinde and see not our neede thereof So also that wee by Satans suggestion and our owne corruption doe privily fall into a good liking of our estate in regard of former grace received wherby it comes to passe that wee feeling our selves to bee freed from the danger of sinne and condemnation doe not so feare it neither are terrified with the sight of it in us but through a privie presumption of our safety we easily pardon our selves and deale not so straitly with our selves as before and thus sinne creepes sore upon us to our great hurt Some there be though the fewer who more then they ought torment themselves for their little growth Others and those the greater sort who have and doe continue in a carelesse peace whom indeed it much cōcerneth to be humbled for their little growing in grace The meane wherin a man may with some comfort stay himselfe must partly arise from a wise judgeing of himselfe by comparing his former and present estate both in the use and profit received by the meanes wherein this may fitly be considered that a young plant doth more sensibly shew his growth then an olde tree but the olde tree brings forth more sound fruit in his season the decay or want whereof wee must thus remedie even by calling our selves to a strait account to see upon what warrant wee enjoy our peace and so to feare our hearts with such testimonies of Scripture as doe tell us that this life is not the life of a Christian who must bee a new creature and must walke in the
and precisely keepe an holy dyet and direction for our lives these things are most needfull to be thought on 1. How crasie and feeble soules we have how seldome in any good temper how soon distempered how hardly recovered to any good plight all which may be seene by looking backe into our lives and considering how our lives have beene much out of frame seldome a good stomack ever weake unto any good duty and ever some diseases breaking out upon us some sores ever running never long without paine without some deadly palsies benumming our senses ever in feare of death and such like 2. How unpleasant an estate this is and little to be desired is duely to be weighed that hereby wee may be much more quickened to seeke the remdie aforesaid 4. How empty of Gods grace we be and how full of noysome thoughts and lusts how negligent and unprofitable in all heavenly exercises may wee our selves perceive as in like manner our barrennesse in all good workes that few are moved to blesse us and God for us doth appeare unto others as likewise our many and strong corruptions no lesse to be seen in our profession then spots in our face such as our apparant negligence and drowsinesse in all holy duties our overmuch lightnesse and mirth our vaine talke pride covetousnesse frowardnesse hastinesse impatience and such like 5. A principall cause of the little growth of most Christians doe I finde to be this that whereas all the strength of a Christian commeth from his food Christ and this food is received by faith only insuch sort that the morestrongly we beleeve the more wee receive Christ be nourished by him and so on the contrary yet few they be who so much as know how to edifie themselves in their most holy faith more then to heare and pray which are found insufficient as if a man in a ditch should cry for helpe and use no other meanes or pray for meate and seek none and how then can they resume the shield of faith as the Christian Soldier is exhorted yet many take a wrong way which brings little helpe namely to encrease their faith by repentance whereas there is no sound repentance which comes not from faith and therefore rather we must by our faith encrease our repentance which as the fruit shall justifie the tree good The onely right way that I can conceive of to encrease faith is to remember and duely weigh all Gods promises generall and particular that beholding what the God of truth in the word of truth doth say unto us we may give credit unto it and so be assured of receiving whatsoever he hath promised which cannot but singularly comfort a Christian and so encourage him to all cheerefull obedience This being so the chiefe cause I speake of of our little growth in Christianitie is this that of all matters in the Scriptures Gods promises are least remembred and regarded in our private meditations or conferences yea I may say in our publique ministerie whereas these above all other as the nurses of our faith and so of all Christianity are daily to be meditated on and dealt with and for this cause I doe commend it to every true Christian as a singular meanes of bettering his whole course that hee labour by all meanes to have in memory store of Gods promises generall and particular that whatsoever he take in hand to heare read pray conferre fast give almes admonish correct exhort and the like yea also in all his outward and earthly affaires that I say before he set on any of these to lay before him Gods promises that so he may doe all in faith and therefore with comfort of Gods blessing therin the practise whereof what change it will bring let experience shew sure I am it will be great 6. Forasmuch as wee know but in part and beleeve in part and therefore even they who are regenerate must grow up in Christ therefore it is a duty belonging to them also as well as to the unregenerate daily to desire more and more to be partakers of Christ that they may be more cured 7. That which even the best are to strive against be vaine wandrings of the minde about needlesse matters and a sloathfull neglect of good meditations and other private exercises the nourishers of all grace 8. The earnest panting and desire after grace is fitly compared unto the breath of the naturall bodie which is alwayes in him that hath life though weaker at one time then another yea sometimes in a swoune seeming quite gone 9. All graces are like to tender plants whereof many will so goe into the ground that all their life is in the roote which in time will spring out again and others if they be not cherished and have the sunne to shine on them wither 10. We pray oft for many graces but either know not or use not the fit meanes to obtaine and encrease the same as 1. For knowledge to read heare studie and conferre 2. For having God in due remembrance to stirre up our mindes often to think of him in all things 3. To meditate on Gods greatnesse and glory for reverence 4. On his promises for faith 5. On his power and truth for trust and hope 6. On his Wisedome and Righteousnesse for patience 7. On his love to us for love 8. On his glory for zeale 9. On his truth and justice for feare 11. Our growth in grace doth in nothing more shew it selfe then in our continuall care to please God in all things for they that seldomest looke to their wayes how they please God shew they least love God and they be forwardest and may have most rejoycing who most care to please him wherein as many be ignorant how to please God so even of them the fewer have such regard as were meet 12. A great enemy of our growth in grace is a light regard of our disease as in the bodily if wee thinke it small we looke not for helpe but if wee feare it is deadly wee use all meanes for recoverie 13. There can be small joy to any of their life if they gaine not grace yet nothing harder It s so contrary to nature and hath so many hinderances yet there be meanes which well used wee shall surely grow else not but indeed either wee use the meanes too seldome or too slightly a speciall gift of God it is to keepe a constant delight in them 14. It s not enough for the comfort of a Christian that he is perswaded he is new borne but he must see that hee grow up in Christ and be encreased in grace for its a sore token he is not in Christ who growes not but is well contented for they that have tasted how sweet the Lord is cannot but desire more howbeit this is very hard and rarely seen
for our soules Note The use of holy dayes We are to be in readinesse against our departure out of this vvorld daily preparing for the same To meditate on death or judgemeÌ„t vvhich best liked Hovv to meditate on death profitably Hovv to thinke of life and death The feare of death not to be disliked The use to be made of dying people A great judgement it is not to thrive by the many helps vvee have of our spirituall nourishment The causes hereof 1. 2. The Râ—medie The causes vvhy many decrease in godlinesse 1. 2. 3. 4. The Remedies Why the Lord often delayeth comfort Who the Lord delighteth in A description of the devills or evill spirits Of olde men vvere more affraid of the devill then novv Note The protection of the good angels comforteth in vvell doing as the evill spirits being about us humbleth in evill doing Man seeth not as God seeth Wisedome and charitie requisit Three notes vvhereby to try those vvith vvhom vve vvould converse Gods vvisdome in affording no stricter discipline A good order of discipline Hovv the devill driveth to despaire Satan tempteth at sometimes to desperation as at other to presumption Hovv capitall a sin distrust is Wee are prone to it Hovv vvee fall therein Hovv to remedie it Gods former liberalitie doth not prejudice his future mercies Note Hard to discerne vvhat doubting stands vvith faith Gods children doubt and vvaver oftentimes vvhich the Lord disposeth to good To doubt is a sinne and to bee vvithstood Hovv to remove the same Causes of Salvation The assurance of our nevv birth a remedie against doubting Sense of our vveaknesse and infirmities no breeder of security Faith and an holy life goe together Comfort to a tender conscience The hypocrite disproved Having fallen into sinne to doubt of Gods favour vvill not raise up They vvho most suspect their ovvne vveaknesse prove strongest in the time of tryall The saints looke too much on the effects too little on the causes of justification Many seeing much corruption in themselves vveaken their faith that they might by feare be made more carefull in life vvho should indeed increase their faith that they might be more quickened thereby to an holy life A principall means of vveakning faith The removall thereof It s no presumption to give credit to God in his Word Unbeleefe an horrible sinne Causes of distrust Our unvvorthines must not let us from beleeving Hovv to remove doubts of Gods favour The use to be made of dreames vvhether evill terrible or good Dulnesse vvhen chiefely found The causes thereof to be searched The remedie to bee used Gods help to be vvaited for Note Why the godly are sometimes more dull vvith the publique meanes then vvithout The omission of a duty for infirmities sake hovv dangerous In earnestnesse the heart is to be searched Long ease hovv dangerous Difference betvveene the faith of the elect and of the reprobate What it is to come to Christ Tvvo dangerous evills Unvvillingnesse to do good to be striven against Particular examples vvhen to be made generall instructions The variety of heavenly exercises tedious to our nature What use is to bee made of our failings A proofe of a vveake faith What benefits vvee enjoy by faith Hovv to encrease faith Mâ—anes vvhereby to be encouraged unto all godlinesse 1. 2. 3. Difference betvveene knowledge and faith The true doctrine and practise of faith a stranger Fevv knovv or doe every thing in faith Foure things to be laboured for of him that vvould doe any thing 〈…〉 1. 2. 3. 4. Note True faith never throughly quenched An holy life shevveth in vvhat sort vve beleev as iniquity vvho beleeve not Hinderances of faith 1. Security occasioned thorough ignorance neglect or contempt 2. Presumption or discouragements Remedies hereof 1. 2. 3. Faith likened to fire How dangerous not to be armed vvith faith Whether this speech I vvill goe to my father be of faith or before it Whence it is that being persvvaded that God is true in all that he saith vvee should yet not beleeve some things vvhich hee saith Faith coÌ„pared to a noble princesse Graces preceding and succeeding faith By the temper of the heart faith may be best tried Note Many deceived in thinking they have faith and have not Chiefe lets of faith or causes vvhy so fevv beleeve 1. Simil. 2. Wee more easily beleeve vvhat God hath said shall be though it be above nature then things coÌ„cerning our selves if they bee contrary to nature Faith like unto fire in sundrie particulars How it s to be kept The vvay to get faith 1. 2. 3. 4. The surest proofe of faith is by the causes and effects thereof The causes The tryall of our humiliation The tryall of our desire of Christ The try all of dravving to Christ The effects Comfortable notes of a sound heart 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. A speciall point of Gods mercie Hovv to prove vve have saith A reverend estimation of Gods mercies to be-retained A svveet comfort In affliction of minde vvhat is to be done The greatest faith is vvhere there is least feeling No man but may fall they soonest that think least of it What use to make of the falls of others He that standeth is to take heed lest he fall Even the best have some slips the vvorse some goodnesse The elect hardly fall tvvice into one grosse sinne Familiaritie vvith sinne hovv dangerous Fellovvship vvith the ungodly hovv fearefull With vvhat sort of persons and hovv farre vve are to converse Hypocrisie is to be avoided in fasting Benefits by fasting Difference betvveene feare and presumption How profitable to feare even those things vvhich never come to passe Those feares vvhich have not their events not to be accounted triviall We are to feare though not immoderately What use to be made of feasts Want of feeling to be prayed against Note Where and why the ungodly love or hate Affinitie vvith the vvicked dangerous The friendship of the vvicked deceitfull The flesh is to bee beaten dovvne the motions of the spirit to bee entertained The dutie of ministers tovvards their flocks A fault in friends meeting Hovv to have comfort of our friends What gift may bee received Upon the event of spirituall blessings upon any hovv to behave our selves Whence it commeth to passe that vvee are more affected vvith mans favour then Gods To meditate on Gods goodnesse how profitable it is Christians are to bee humbled for their light esteeme of Gods glorie In glorifiing God vve seeke our ovvne glory Gods glory still to be aimed at Hovv to knovv when God is glorified An encouragement to glorifie God God in shewing mercie is farre unlike unto man The use to be made of Gods long-suffering Hovv dangerous it is to play vvith our affections Serò sed seriò Gods providence in every thing is duely to be vveighed Gods providence to be observed in the speeches of our enemies Secret things are for the Lord the revealed for us Wherein the godly are