faith or beleefe in Christ is good wheÌ„ it works in us by love to God and our neighbour Gal 5.6 and is shewed by good workes Tit 3.8 Iam 2.18 and when it stirres us up to sincere obedience to Gods commandements Hebr 11.8 4. Our feare of God is right when we feare him as much for his mercy as for his justice Psal 130.2 and feare more to sinne against him than to be punished by him Psal 4.4 Gen 39.9 5. Our love of God is good when it stirres us up to keepe his Commandements Iohn 14.15.23 when wee love him for those excellent perfections of wisedome and goodnesse that are in him as well as for the benefits that come from him and when it stirres us up to hate evill and sinne Psal 97.9 10. 6. Our hope in God namely for the resurrection to eternall life and for Christs second comming is right when being grounded on the Scriptures Rom 15.4 wee comfort our selves in our afflictions with it 1 Thess 4.13.18 when wee patiently waite Gods leisure for the obtaining of things promised 1 Thess 1.3 Rom 8.23 and when it purifies our hearts 1 Iohn 3.3 and makes us deny all ungodlinesse and worldly lusts and to live righteously and godlily and soberly in this present world Titus 2.12 13. P. Good Sir I humbly acknowledge my selfe beholden to you for your care over me and paines with mee I hope I shall never forget it but endeavour to shew my selfe thankefull The Lord requite your labour of love to me in private by a greater blessing upon your ministery in publike and by prolonging your life health and strength for Gods glorie and the good of his Church in Iesus Christ. The Lord bee with you Sir and with your studies FINIS A PRAYER FOR GRACE TO Seeke to serve God and bee saved MOst glorious Lord God and heavenly Father Reu 4 11 who art worthy of all honour and service Iam 4 12 and who art able to save and destroy Luk 17 10 Thy unprofitable servant unworthy of salvation Acts 13 46 doth desire to humble himselfe before thee freely acknowledging that howsoever I am convinced in my judgement that nothing in this world doth so neerely concerne me to looke unto as thy service and mine owne salvation yet my heart tells and smites me that I have minded nothing lesse then these and that I have with much greedinesse sought after health and wealth worldly pleasures and treasures which only belong to the body this present life as if they only were worth my seeking and were more able to afford me true content than thy service and my salvation Thou hast brought me into the world and made me a member of thy Christian Church chiefly for to get grace into my heart that I might serve thee and live in thy feare and also to get peace into my conscience that I might dye in thy favour and be eternally saved 2 Cor 6 2 for now is the accepted time now is the day of salvation But I have neglected the prerogative of thy service Rom 9 2 Hebr 2 4 and so great salvation and have spent my precious time and thoughts in the pursuite of carthly things which I should have counted but as losse and dung Phil 3 8 in comparison of winning Christ and with him salvation as if I had beene borne to no other end but to serve the world sinne and Satan and to make provision fâ—r the flesh Rom 13 14 to fulfill the lusts thereof O Lord God when I call to minde and consider my vanity and folly yea ungracious wickednesse in trampling under my feete such precious pearles as are thy service Hebr 10 29 and my salvation I am confounded in my selfe wondcring at thy patiencc that couldst so long endure such an ungratefull wretch to live in thy Church yea I am ashamed and blush to lift up my face to thee because this mine iniquity is increased over my head Ezra 9 6 and my wickednesse is growne up unto heaven crying for vengeance upon such contempt of thy grace Iohn 3 19 it being condemnation to love darknesse more than light earth more than heaven and the world more than thee or mine owne soule But thy mercy O Lord God is over all thy workes Psal 145 9 138 8. and endures for ever It is as great as thy Majesty and thy goodnesse is as much as thy greatnesse and the blood of Iesus Christ is able to wash mee so cleane from my sinnes Reuel 1 5 that I shall be holy Eph 5 27 and without blemish before thee therefore there is hope in Israel concerning this thing Ezra 10 2 And therefore upon the bended knees of my heavy laden soule I most humbly cry thee mercy most mercifull Father for this and all other my sinnes originall and actuall committed against the Law and the Gospell and with all the powers of my soule most earnestly beseech thee for the Lords sake Dan 9 17 Isay 53 11 Acts 3 14. Mat 3 17 thy righteous servant the holy One and the just in whom thou art well pleased to forgive me to be reconciled unto me and to shed thy love into my heart by thy holy Spirit Rom 5 5 which may beare witnesse to my Spirit c. 8 16. that I am thy Childe beloved in thy holy Childe Iesus Acts 4 27 Let thy mercy move thee to looke upon his righteousnesse to justify me when thy justice would make thee looke upon my sinnes to condemne me Accept of him for my surety Hebr. 7.22 and of the price of his blood for my ransome 1 Pet 1 23 Thou hast said O blessed God that whosoever comes Mat 11 28 unto thy Sonne Iesus Christ Ioh 6 35. and beleeves in him with an heavie laden soule wearie of their former wickednesse thou wilt ease and forgive them 1 Iohn 1 9 Oh be just and faithfull to make good this promise unto me to ease and to save me I desire to honour thy infinite mercy and thy Sonnes unvaluable merits by seeking to them onely and trusting in them alone for salvation O be thou pleased also to magnifie them upon me for I have as much need of them as any 1 Tim 1 â—5 being the chiefe of sinners and the saving vertues of them shall be magnified in the cure of my soule as well as of any other It hath pleased thee heavenly Father to give unto me in some measure a sight and sense of my sins particularly of my neglect and contempt of thy service and my salvation Oh be pleased I beseech thee yet more and more to discover unto me the folly and foulnesse of this and all my sinnes that my heart may be so broken with godly remorse and sorrow for them that I may leave them and live no longer in them but cleave unto thee to serve thee in new obedience for what will it profit
seeking not our owne profit and good onely and to be all for our selves but the benefit of others Phil 2.4 1 Cor 10.33 6. Sincerity in performing the duties of our callings not as before men onely and to be seene of them but as unto God to approve our selves to him Col 3.22 23. 7. Piety in going about them not in confidence of our owne wisedome Prov. 3.5 but with praier to God in affiance of his blessing Genes 24.42.48 1 Cor 3.6 P. Oh good Sir this is abundantly enough to teach mee to know what Gods service is wherein it doth consist now I pray you affect mee with Gods service and teach me how to be affected and in love with it M. I will Seeking to be affected with Gods service for what good will it doe you to know what Gods service is except you desire to serve God For this end therefore you must know beleeve consider and lay to heart certaine motives concerning his service that may stirre you up to desire love and affect it and they are these five 1. the possibility of serving God 2. the necessity of it 3. the excellency of it 4. the equity of it and 5. the reward of it P. How may the possibility of Gods service appeare and that it is possible for us to serve God here in this world M. Two wayes 1. by the promise of the Spirit to be given to them that seek it wherby hee will put Gods lawes in their hearts and write them in their inner parts for his obedience and service Luke 11.13 Ezek 11.19 Ier. 31.33 2. By the many examples of godly men who have beene called by God himselfe his Servants as Moses Iosh 1.1 Ioshuah ch 24.29 Iob ch 1.8 David Psal 18.1 Isaiah ch 20.3 Zerubbabel Hag 2.23 and others P. How may the necessity of the service of God bee made plaine unto me M. By considering 1. the commandement of God which enjoyns it often and earnestly in his word Deut 10.12.20 6.13 13.4 Iosh 24.24 2. The danger of not serving God for they who neglect it are guiltie of great sinnes Iudg. 10.6 Nehem 9.35 and are lyable to greater punishments Deut 28.47 Rom. 2.8 and 6.21 P. How may the excellency of the service of God be proved M. By knowing and laying to heart 1 That it is no base or meane thing to be Gods servant but that it is an honour and a great favour Rom. 9.4 Iosu 1.2 2. That Gods service is not a bondage but a libertie 1 Cor. 7.22 3. That God is the best Lord and Master to serve and that his wages is the best reward â—â—st pay Deu 10.20 〈◊〉 Col. 3.24 P. How may the equity of Gods service appeare M. It will easily appeare that it is equall just you should serue God if you consider 1. That God deserues it of you by his many benefits bestowed vpon you as namely your creation Psa 100 2. and your preservatioÌ„ Ios 24 17 but specially your salvation Luk. 1.74.75 2. That before your conversion unto him you haue made God to serue with your sinnes Isai 43.24 3. That before your coÌ„version you served the world the Devill and your owne lusts for the greatest part of your life too long and that now you know not how little tyme you haue to serve him 1 Pet. 4.4 Ezech. 44.6 P. What is the reward of Gods service M. It is this God will not onely graciously accept of our service Ezech. 40.41 passing by the failings of it 2 Chron. 30.18 But will also bestowe upon his faithfull servants 1 Temporall things as long life health wealth children and a good name Iob. 1.9 42.10 Deut 28. Psal 112. and 128. 2. Spiritual as increase of grace and peace joy and comfort of a good conscience Prov 15.15 Ps 119 Isai 56.6 7. 2 Cor. 1.21 Gal. 6.16 3 Eternall which is deliverance from all eternall misery and participation of all like happinesse and glory Rom. 2.7 Math 25.34 P. These are indeede powerfull mot ves to perswade Christians to be affected with Gods service and I blesse God I am much moved therewith but one thing is yet wanting whereof you told meâ— which is the third and last th ng in seeking to serve God namely Seeking to performe and practise it I pray you instruct mee therein also M. I will and indeed there is good reason you should learne this lesson too Seeking to practise the service of God because the end of your desire of Gods service is to practise it and it had beene better for you never to have beene affected with the love and liking of Gods service if you do not performe it to God accordingly Now then in the performance and practise of Gods service these foure things are to be considered and handled 1 the manner how 2 the measure wherein 3 the end whereunto and 4 the meanes whereby it is to bee done P. Sir I thanke you and I pray you further instruct mee in each of them for they are materiall points indeed and first tell mee in what manner the service of God is to be performed M. The manner of performing service and obedience to God consists in these sixe particulars chiefly 1. Vnderstandingly with knowledge and judgement 1 Chron 28.9 Psal 47.7 1 Cor 14.15 2. Humbly in regard of our unability and unworthinesse to serve him Act. 20.19 3. Faithfully with affiance and trust in Gods mercy through Christs merits for acceptation laying holde on the covenant of grace Col 1.17 Isay 56.6 4. Conscionably in obedience to God who in his word wills and commands us to serve him Acts 23.1 Iam 2.11 5. Holily with a religious godly and heavenly mind in newnesse of spirit and life Rom 12.1 chap 7.6 6. Sincerely and with an upright and honest heart 1 Chron 28.9 Iosh 24.14 Gen. 17.1 P. In what measure is our service to God to bee performed M. The measure in which the service of God is to bee performed may thus be laid downe on this manner 1. Generally wee must serve God with all our might that is with all the parts and members of our bodies with al the powers faculties of our soules Deut 6.5 10.12 Iosh 14.8 Num. 14.24 2. And more specially wee must serve God as touching the measure 1. Cheerfully with a willing mind Isay 58.13 1 Chron 28.9 Psal 40.7 8. 2. Ioyfully and with a glad heart Psal 100. 2. 119.132 3. Zealously and with earnest affection and devotion Acts 21.20 Tit. 2.14 Acts 10.2 4. Constantly continually and with perseverance unto the end Luke 1.74 75. 1 Chron 28.7 P. Oh this constancy and perseverance is a rare grace indeed but I feele my heart very fleeting and unsetled I pray you how may I get to continue in the serving and obeying of God M. For this purpose you must do these things 1. You must give consecrate your selfe to Gods service Rom 6.19 12.1 Set your heart
and soule to seeke God Deut 32.46 and to obey his Commandements Deut 32.46 Yeeld your selfe to the Lord 2 Chron 30.8 and subscribe unto him Isay 44.5 2. You must be rooted and grounded in the knowledge love of Gods service Deut 10.11 11.13 Isay 56.6 Eph 3.17 2 Thes 2.10 3. You must often renew your promise and purpose vowe covenant and oath of serving God Psal 119.106 39.1 17.3 61.8 Ezra 10.3 2 Chron 15.32 4. You must not be formall and ceremoniall onely in Gods service to doe it publikely in the Church onely or privately in the family onely where others may see you but secretly in your closet where none is present but God and you must serve God with the intention of your minde and affection of your heart carefully conscionably 2 Tim 3.5 Tit 1.16 Acts 23.1 26.7 5. You must be jealous and suspicious of your selfe lest there be in you a deceitfull and an vnfaithfull heart to withdraw you from Gods service Hebr 3.13 6. You must seriously consider the danger of apostacy and the benefit of perseverance in Gods service 1 Pet 2.20 21. Heb 6. 10. chapters Matth 10.22 Revel 2.10 7. You must pray to God to keepe you in his name Ioh. 17.11 Iude 24 2 Cor 12.8 9. P. I pray you good Sir now shew me the end why I must serve God M. Not to be justified and saved thereby for this is to worke for wages as a base servant and not as a good sonne nor yet out of any carnall worldly ends or respects as vaine glory and the good opinion of men or worldly profit but for a threefold end 1. In respect of God that hee may be glorified thereby whose service it is by appointment and to whom it is to bee performed Matth 5.16 1 Cor. 10.31 2. In respect of others that they may be either wonne to the same service with us or confirmed in it 1 Pet 3.5 3. In respect of our selves that wee may make good proofe of the truth of our faith and thereby make sure unto our selves the good will of God towards us and that hee meanes to save us Rom 12.1 2. P Now in the last place I pray you shew me the meanes whereby I may come to practise this service of God M That you may indeede practise Gods service which you knowe and affect you must doe these things 1. You must put away renounce and wholly leave shake off your former service of sin the world and Satan 1 SaÌ„ 7 3 else you cannot serue God Iosua 24 19 You must be purged from dead works Heb 9 14. you must dye to sinne 1 Pet. 2.24 Put off the old man Eph. 4.22.23 2 You must seeke to God for grace to enable you to serve him Heb 12.28 3. You must stirre up the grace of God in you when you have received it you must use it well 2. Tâ—m 1.6 Matth. 25.20.22 P. How may we bee moved to leave the service of sinne Satan the world M. By beleeving and laying to heart remembring and considering the sinnefulnesse and damnablenesse of that service together with the excellency of Gods service remedy whereof wee have heard before in the motives to Gods service P. How may I be moved to seek to God for grace to enable me to his service M. 1. By knowing and feeling your neede of grace and that without it you are unable to serve God Luke 17.10 2 Cor 3.5 2. By beleeving and considering the sufficiency and essicacie of grace to enable you to serve God and to abide in you and to keepe you in his service 2 Cor 12.9 I Ioh 2.27 Ioh 4.14 P. How may I be stirred up well to use the grace of God when I have received it M. By considering 1. that the grace of God is given to you for this end namely that you might serve God with it Heb. 12.28 Luk. 19.13 2. that God is worthy to be served with the grace which himselfe hath given for without him we can doe nothing that good is Revel 4. 3. That if you will use a little measure of grace and stirre vp your selfe to serue God with it then shall your talent hereof increase Mat. 25.20.21 P. Sir I humbly thanke you for your paynes with me and patience towards me I am loth to be over-bold with you at once and to interrupt your studies too long I hope it will not bee offensiue to you if when I haue suffâ—ciently thought vpon these your instructions touching seeking to serue God which is the first thing you propounded unto me if at another time I repaire unto you in the second which is seeking to be saved M. You shall bee welcome if you come at the beginning of the weeke at which time I haue most leasure In the meane time the Lord be with you and blesse my labours for the furtherance of you the rest of my people in the service of God unto salvation by Iesus Christ Amen SEEKING to bee saved when we dye Minister VVEll met good Neighbour how have you done since you were with me last and how doth your family Parishioner The beter for you Sir I praise God and for your good â—nstructions you gaue me M. Much good may they doe you I desire that God may haue the praise of them and you the profit I hope that at least you remember what was the summe of our conference then P. I were much to blame if I should forget that being a point that so neerely concerned me and which you handled so largely By your favour it was this that I ought to seeke to serve God while I live in this world But good Sir you mentioned there another duty like unto this which I greatly desire you would instruct mee in at your convenient leisure If I should not be too tedious I would resort unto you at the beginning of the weeke for further instruction in that also M. You shall not bee troublesome but welcome I would I had in my Parish more of your minde for then should I conceive hope that they minded good things seeing they inquired after them and repaired unto mee for private information over and above my publike Ministery If you will Neighbour goe home with mee now and wee will conferre together about it But can you tell mee what that second point of Christian duty was P. Yes that I can I thanke God though my memory be bad enough It was this I take it I must seeke to be saved when I die Me thinkes it is a necessary duty and it is good reason I should practise it but I would faine have some good arguments to binde mee to the practise of it that I might not faile to doe it being so needfull M. I will satisfie your desire and the reasons that I shall propound unto you to perswade you to the practise of this duty shall be drawne into some heads for the helpe of your memory The
51. Isai 63.10 not to quench or grieve it 1 Thess 5.19 Eph. 4.30 but to be led thereby and to walke after the direction and guidance thereof for such are sealed to the day of Redemption Eph 4.30 They are Gods children Rom. 8.14 and unto such there is no condemnation for they are in Christ Iesus Rom. 8.1 and in them the righteousnes of the Law is fulfilled Rom. 8.4 namely sincerely in Gods favorable acceptation P. What actions that concerne our neighbour must Christians doe to assure them of salvation M. Loving him which is manifested chiefely in giving Heb. 13 16. and 9 10. and forgiving Eph 4.32 is exercised toward all men but specially toward the houshold of faith and all sincere Christians Gal. 6 10. For these loving affections and actions accompany salvation Heb 6 9. and they which are exercised therein with diligence unto the end doe attaine the full assurance of hope Heb 6.11 Hereby Christians that love in deed and in truth doe know that they are translated from death to life 1 Iohn 3.14 and that they are of the truth and shall assure their heartes before God 1 Ioh. 3.19 and unto such God wil one day say Come yee blessed of my Father receive the kingdome prepared from the beginning of the world because when I was hungry yee fed mee when I was naked yee clothed me and when I was sicke and in prison ye visited me in my members Math. 25.34.35.36 P. What actions bee they that concerne our selves the doing whereof will assure us of salvation M. They are these Nyne chiefely P. Which is the first M. Daily repenting of our daily sinnes with purpose and practise of amendment and crying God mercy in Christ For such godly sorrow for sinne causing amendment is unto salvation 2 Cor. 7 10. Such departing from iniquitie is a seale unto them that the Lord knoweth they are his belong unto him 2 Tim 2 19 and such purging of themselves from sinne is an assurance unto them that they are vessels of honour 2. 2 Tim 2.21 and vessels of honour are vessells of mercy prepared unto glory Rom 9.23 P. Which is the second M. Giving and consecrating our selves to the service of God with an upright heart 1 Chron 28.9 For such prove what is that good that acceptable and perfect will of God Rom 12.1 that is they understand thereby that it is Gods will and purpose to save them and no marvell seeing Gods servants have the fruit of their service in holinesse here and the end eternall life hereafter Rom 6.19.22 P. Which is the third M. Mortifying the old man that is subduing and weakening the power of our corrupt nature by the word prayer and fasting and by denying to our selves the occasions and opportunities of sinne specially of those sinnes to which wee are most inclined by nature or custome Col 3.5 For such shall live in heaven Rom 8.13 such may with rejoycing looke for that blessed hope and the glorious appearing of that great God and of our Saviour Iesus Christ Tit 2.12.13 And no marvell seeing such are Christs and members of him Gal 5.24 P. Which is the fourth M. Strengthening the new man or the inner man by the word prayer and Sacraments 2 Cor 4.16 1 Pet 2.2 And thereby growing in the number measure of their Christian vertues and graces for thereby they shall make their calling and election sure and an entrance shall bee ministred unto them abundantly into the everlasting Kingdome of our Lord and Saviour Iesus Christ 2 Pet 5. to 12. And such shall bee able to comprehend with all Saints what is the breadth and length and depth and height of the love of God toward them in Iesus Christ Eph 3.16.18 Yea God will establish their hearts unblameable in holinesse before God even the Father at the comming of our Lord Iesus Christ with all Saints 2 Thess 3.12 13. P. Which is the fifth M. Moderating our desires to the pleasures profits and honours of this world 1 Cor 7.29 30 31 and setting our affections upon holy and heavenly things Col 3.1 For such have their conversation in heaven and that their end is salvation Phil 3.19 20 Yea it is a signe that such as be thus sober 1 Thess 5.5.8 and are not besotted and drunke with the things of this life they have not their portion in this life as the wicked have Psal 17.14 but that God hath appointed them to obtaine salvation by our Lord Iesus Christ 1 Thess 5.8 9. P. Which is the sixth M. Professing Christianity the Gospell and godlinesse before men zealously and sincerely discreetly devoutly Rom 14.11 For Christ will confesse and acknowledge such before the Angels of God Luke 12.8 such lay hold on eternall life 1 Tim 6.12 Yea such confesse unto salvation and shall bee saved Rom 10.9 10. P. Which is the seventh M. Getting and keeping a good conscience being in all things desirous and endeavorous to please God Hebr 13.18 Acts 23.1 For such may draw neere unto God with full assurance of faith Hebr 10.22 such have hope toward God of a ioyfull resurrection to eternall life Acts 24.15 16 and may have considence toward God and assure their hearts before him 1 Iohn 3.19 21. P. Which is the eighth M. Striving and endeavoring to persevere in right beleeving well doing and patient suffering 1 Cor 15.1 Gal 5.1 Hebr 4. 10.22 For such shall be saved Matth 10.22 shall have the crowne of life Rev 2.11 When Christ shall appeare they shall have confidence and not be ashamed before him at his comming 1 Iohn 2.28 And they may assure themselves that there is laid up for them a crowne of righteousnes which the righteous Iudge will give unto them at that day 2 Tim 4.8 P. Which is the last action whereby Christians may assure themselves of salvation M. The proving and trying approving and warranting of our Christian vertues and graces 2 Cor. 13.5 For by the proofe of them namely works of faith labour of loue and patience of hope by these effectes S. Paule knew that the Thessalonians were elected of God and that consequently they should be saved 1 Thes 1.3 and what he knew of thē by this meanes they might also know of themselves by the same P. How may wee try and prove our graces so as to approve of them for good M. On this manner 1 Our faith or beleefe of the Gospell is good when in our judgement we do not joyne the workes of the Law with faith in Christ for salvation but stand fast in this beleefe Gal 5.2 1 Cor 15.1 2. Acts 15.5 to 24. 2. Our repentance is good when wee are sorry for sinne not onely as it is dangerous to our soules but as it offends God by breaking his Law Psal 51.4 and when being rooted in the heart it shewes it selfe in the actions of the life by leaving former sinne and amending our lives 1 Sam 7.3 Matth 3.8 Acts 26.18 3. Our
of the law Rom. 3.20 4.11 2. They must also beleeve the Gospell that is consent in their opinion judgement that there is salvation to be had and that this is a truth of God that it is possible for men to get salvation and this is wrought by the Gospell Marke 1.15 Acts 4.4 3. They must heartily be sorry for their past sinnes and unfeinedly purpose to leave them which is Repentance begun in the roote Matth 21.32 4. They must hunger and earnestly desire to be saved Matth 5.6 Isay 55.1 5. They must consult what to doe and enquire further into and after the way and the meanes of salvation with a minde to follow those directions accordingly Act. 2.37 16.30 And these three last actions are wrought by the Law and Gospell whereby they are both drawne and driven to seeke and get salvation P What be the actions of men which give them title and interest unto salvation to claime and receive it of God M. Actions that gâ—ue title to claime and receiue saluation They are beleeving or trusting in Iesus Christ Rom 10 9. Eph. 1 13. whereby weary and heavy laden sinners come to Christ for salvation Math 11 28. Iohn 6 35 and rest onely upon the merits of the righteousnes of his life and death for salvation in all the severall degrees thereof For by this faith they get and lay hold upon the Saviour himselfe even the Lord Iesus Christ and are engrasfed and united to him Rom 11 19.20 for by faith Christ is in true beleevers 2 Cor 13 5. he liues in them Gal 2 20 and dwells in them Eph. 3.17 P. What reasons may be brought from the Scripture to prooue this which you say concerning the action of beleeving in Christ M. These 1 Beleeving in Christ is the action appointed by God to be performed by man for receiving salvation because it is requyred of him as the condition to obtaine forgivenes of sinnes Act 10 43. reconciliation and peace with God Rom 5 1. 3 25. justification Act 13 29. adoption Iohn 1.12 blessednes Gal. 3 9 eternall life Iohn 3 16. ease from the burden of sinne Matth 11 28. quenching all Satans fiery darts Eph 6 16. not being confounded of our sinnes Rom. 10.11 and of pleasing God Heb. 11.6 2 Beleeving in Christ is the action requyred by God to be performed on mans part for receiving salvation because by this meanes salvation comes to him by the free grace and mercy loue favour of God Rom 4 16. Eph 2 8. 3 Beleeving in Christ is the action and condition required on mans part for obtaining salvation because hereby the promise of salvation will be sure to the faithfull Rom 4.16 which by the action of obeying the Law it could not bee because hee could not performe it Acts 13.39 Rom 8.3 4. Beleeving in Christ is the action and condition required to be performed by man for the getting of salvation because it makes a man renounce his own righteousnesse and to goe out of himselfe to another for it namely to Iesus Christ to be saved by his righteousnesse Matth 11.28 Ioh 6.35 Phil 3.9 Gal 2.19 P. What are the actions which Christians must performe to make their salvation sure unto themselves M. They are divers Actions that assure saluation for they concerne either 1. God or 2. our brethren or 3. our selves P. What actions concerne God M. They are such as belong either 1. to God the Father or 2. to God the Sonne or 3. to God the holy Ghost P. What actions belong to God the Father M. They are three principally 1. Fearing to offend God and caring to please him 1 Pet. 1.17 1 Cor 7.32 For unto such and for their comfort is the word of salvation sent Acts 13.26 and such may worke out their salvation that is the assuming not the procuring of it unto themselves Phil 2.12 And no marvell seeing Gods mercy is on them that feare him for ever Luke 1.50 Such know that they are redeemed with the precious blood of Christ 1 Pet 1.17 18 and such are blessed Psal 128.1 2. Loving God and setting our hearts and delight upon him for such may know that they are of the truth and shall assure their hearts before him 1 Iohn 3.18 19 And that they may have boldnesse in the day of judgement 1 Iohn 4.16 17. And no marvell seeing their love to God will assure them that they are borne of God 1 Iohn 4.7 that they dwell in God and God in them 1 Iohn 4.19 that they are knowne and acknowledged and approoved of God The first to the Corinthians the 8 chapter 3 verse that all things shall worke to their good that is to the furtherance of their sanctification and salvation Rom. 8.28 And that the crowne of life eternall and the Inheritance of the kingdome of heaven is promised to such as love God Iam 1.12 2.5 3. Christians must hope in God that is assuredly expect looke for yea patiently abide and waite for the accomplishment of all Gods promises specially that of the resurrection of the body and of eternall life for they are saved by hope Rom. 8.24 And Hope is a helmet of salvation to them 1 Thess 5.8 And an anker to the soule both sure and stedfast and which entreth into heaven whither the forerunner is for us entred even Iesus Heb 6.19 20. And no marvell seeing their hope will not deceive nor make them ashamed Rom 5.5 Because into the hearts of such as hope in God the love of God is shed abroad by the holy Ghost Rom 5.5 And they rejoyce in the hope of the glory of God Rom 5.3 P. What actions of Christians concerne Iesus Christ that will assure them of their salvation M. They are these two principally 1. They must obey him in all his Evangelicall precepts and commandements which belong to the hearing and beleeving of the Gospell preached and to the administring and receiving the Sacraments in remembrance of him Matth 28.20 Marke 1.15 Luke 10.16 Matth. 26.26 27. 1 Cor 11.24 25. For unto such as obey him herein Iesus Christ is become author of eternall salvation Heb 5.9 no marvell seeing they are blessed of God Luk 11.28 Revel 1.3 they are of God that is chosen beloved of him Iohn 8 4.7 and they are the sheepe of Christ to whome hee will give eternall life Iohn 10 27.28 2 They must love long for looke and waite for the second appearing or coming of Christ For such beleeve that there is layd up for them a crowne of righteousnes which the Lord the righteous judge shall give them at that day 2 Tim. 4.8 Titus 2.13.14 Such the Lord Christ will deliver from the wrath to come 1 Thess 1.10 and to such he will appeare the second time unto salvation Hebr. 9.28 P. What actions of Christians concerne the holy Spirit that will assure them of salvation M. These Not to resist or vexe the holy Spirit Act 7
me to winne the whole world Mat. 16.26 and to lose thy favour and mine owne soule Oh 1 Pet 4.3 it is enough and too much that I have already spent so much time of my life past in worldly vanities and I cannot tell how little I have to spend hereafter and therefore I beseech thee give me conscience to redeeme it Eph 5.16 and to spend the remainder in thy service and in the assuring to my selfe my calling 2 Pet 1.10 Phil 2.12 election and salvation that I may yet at length before it be too late seeke thy kingdome Mat 6.33 and righteousnesse Luk 13.24 Hebr 4.11 Iohn 6.27 strive to enter into thy strait gate and labour to enter into that rest and for the meate that endures to life eternall I beseech thee enlighten my minde more and more with the knowledge of those chiefe points of thy service and my salvation which doe most neerely concerne me and which are revealed in thy holy word Inflame my heart with the love of them that I may set it upon them and quicken up my conscience to endeavour in the use of all holy meanes afforded for this end to practise thy service in such a manner and measure of sinceritie and constancy that in the end I may attaine the salvation of my soule For this end I most humbly beseech thee to give me power wholly to renounce the service of sin Satan and the world that I may give my selfe to thy service to moderate my desires to earthly things using the world 1 Cor 7 31 Col 3 1. as not abusing it that I may set my affections on things above because I see I cannot serve God and Mammon Mat 6.24 Yet give me I pray thee a sufficiencie of Necessaries for this life without which I cannot well serve thee in my place and with my charge 1 Tim 6 8. Prov 30.8 even foode and apparrell convenient and a sanctified use of them or a holy want of them in being content that I enjoy thee as my portion though I had nothing else besides Good Lord I beseech thee strengthen my faith in Christ daily and renew my repentance for my daily sinnes Confirme my hope of a joyfull resurrection to eternall life and increase my patience under all afflictions learning daily to take up my Crosse Luke 9.23 and to follow Christ Make me watchfull over my deceitfull heart Ier 17.10 Prov 4. to keepe it with all diligence that it let not sin either in or out and give me wisedome to cut from the senses and members of my bodie Mat 5 29 all occasions and opportunities of doing ill Worke in me conscience to be diligent and faithfull in my place and calling wherein I live to doe all the duties thereof as unto thee Col 3 22 Rom 14 12 Deutr. 32 29 Psal 90 12 to whom I must give an accompt And for that end give me wisedome to consider my latter end to number my dayes and to remember that one day I know not how soone I must die Eccle 11 9 and come to judgement Remember in mercy O heavenly Father I beseech thee with me thy whole Church to settle peace and the Gospell therein Continue thy blessings of thy pure worship and safety to our Land and the other Kingdomes and for that end governe all our Governours specially our Soveraigne Lord King CHARLES and our Royall Queene MARY with that wisedome of thy Spirit Psal 111 10 2 Tim 3.15 the beginning whereof is thy feare and the end their owne salvation Be comfortable oh Father of mercie to all thy children in affliction ease the pained cure the diseased relieve the distressed visit the sicke and either deliver Israel out of her troubles Psa 25 22 or sanctifie their severall crosses to their humiliation and conversion consolation and salvation in Iesus Christ Forget not to blesse my kindred allies and friends with a long holy and prosperous life if it be thy will in this world with a comfortable departure in peace out of the same Luke 2 29 and with an eternall and happy life in the world to come and for that end make them deare unto thee in Iesus Christ and by thy holy Spirit as they are neare unto me in any bond of nature or grace of law or love and of neighbourhood or friendship Lastly oh heavenly Father according to my bounden dutie I 〈…〉 give thee thankes 〈…〉 thy mercies bestowe◠〈…〉 me mine and all thine 〈◊〉 things temporall spiritual and eternall for this prosent life and a better that is to come upon our bodies and soules Of them all I acknowledge thee the bountifull giver and blesser and of them all I confesse my selfe to be a most unworthy receiver by reason of my sinnes specially my great unthank fulnesse Notwithstanding I doe desire unfeignedly and by thy grace will earnestly endeavour that thou maist have more sincere and constant service with and for all the good benefits which I have received from thee And therefore unto the King immortall 1 Tim 1 17 invisible and onely wise God and mercifull Father be given with all the parts and powers of my soule and body in Iesus Christ by the holy Spirit all glory and thanks with obedience service from this present time and from henceforth for evermore Amen THE TABLE A. ATtributes of God what they be Pag. 19 Of Greatnesse Pag. 20 The duties belonging to them Pag. 28 Of Goodnesse Pag. 24 Duties to them Pag. 29 The Almightinesse of God Pag. 23 Adoption Pag. 138 B. Duties of Christians in respect of Baptisme Pag. 59 Duties of Christians to their bodies Pag. 87 C. Duties belonging to our Christian Calling Pag. 88 The Commandements of the word and duties to them Pag. 48.49 D. The two chiefe duties of all Christians Pag. 5 E. The Eternity of God Pag. 21 Holy Exercises Pag. 34 Duties before wee come to them Pag. 36 2. At the time of them Pag. 37 3. After them Pag. 38 Examples of the word Pag. 53 Duties in respect of them Pag. 54 F. Faith Pag. 29 Faculties in God Pag. 20 G. What GOD is Pag. 19 What generall duties belong to him Pag. 17 What speciall duties Pag. 18 How wee may bee moved to seeke grace Pag. 114 To use grace Pag. 115 The regenerate fall not from grace Pag. 181 H. The Holinesse of God Pag. 24 What the hearing of the word is Pag. 44 Duties in respect of it Pag. 45 I. The Immensity of God Pag. 22 Infinitenesse of GOD. Pag. 21 Iustice of GOD. Pag. 25 Iustification Pag. 137 K. What things we must know of God Pag. 17 L. The love of GOD to us Pag. 26 Our love to GOD. To our Neighbour M. The Mercy of GOD. Pag. 25 N. Duties to our Neighbour 1. Generall Pag. 81 2. Speciall Pag. 82 Common to all Peculiar to some Pag. 83 O. What GODS holy Ordinances are Pag. 31 Of what kindes they are Pag. 32 Duties belonging to them Duties to our selves Pag. 86 P. Promises of the word What they be Pag. 50 Duties to them Pag. 51 Praying to GOD what it is Pag. 61 Duties about it Pag. 62 Praising GOD what it is Pag. 67 Duties about it Pag. 68 Preservation of the holy Spirit Pag. 181 Perfections in GOD. Pag. 19 R. The Resurrection proved Pag. 144 That it is a blessing to the faithfull Pag. 148 The difference betwixt the raising of the godly and wicked Pag. 153 Reconciliation with God Pag. 137 Regeneration of the Spirit Pag. 174 Whereunto Pag. 176 Whereby Pag. 180 S. Christians must seeke to be saved Pag. 124 Why. Pag. 125 By what meanes Pag. 132 What salvation is Pag. 133 The degrees of it In this life Pag. 137 At the end of it Pag. 139 At the end of the world Pag. 143 The meanes to effect salvation Pag. 159 Actions of GOD the Father Pag. 160 The Sonne Pag. 161 The holy Ghost Pag. 174 Seeking to be affected with salvation Pag. 202 The possibility of salvation Pag. 203 The necessity of it Pag. 205 Excellency of it Pag. 207 Certainty of it Pag. 209 Seeking to get salvation Pag. 218 Actions of men that prepare them to salvation Pag. 223 To claime and receive it Pag. 226 To assure it Pag. 231 That we must serve Pag. 8 Why we must Pag. 9 The manner how to seeke to serve GOD. Pag. 11 The measure Pag. 12 The workes of them that seeke to serve GOD. Pag. 13 What GODS service is Pag. 15 Why wee must seeke to serve GOD while we live Pag. 14 Service to GOD immediately in respect of himselfe Pag. 17 Duties to our soules Pag. 87 Seeking to be affected with his service Pag. 94 The Necessity of it Pag. 96 Excellency Pag. 97 Equity Pag. 98 Reward Pag. 99 Duties in respect of the holy Scriptures Pag. 32 Seeking to practise GODS service Pag. 101 The manner of practise Pag. 102 Measure Pag. 104 End why Pag. 110 Meanes whereby Pag. 112 How wee may seeke grace to serve GOD. Pag. 114 The Simplenesse of GOD. Pag. 21 Duties about receiving the Sacraments Pag. 55 T. Threatnings of GOD what they be Pag. 52 Duties about them Pag. 53 V. Vertues in GOD. Pag. 24 W. The Wisedome of GOD. Pag. 22 What it is to worship GOD. Pag. 39 Difference betwixt service and worship Pag. 40 The workes sf GOD. Pag. 72 Duties about them Pag. 73 GODS workes of mercy Pag. 74 Iustice Pag. 75 Faults escaped Page 10. line 2. after them reade that seeke him p. 30 in the margent for immediately r. mediately and put out as his ordinances p. 52. l. 13. for and r. or p. 97. l. 1. for greater r. great p. 114. l. 5. for remedy r. reward thereof p. 116. l. last after unto you r. for instruction p. 131. l. 4. after dye r. and not till then p. 135. l. 8. after is r. also p. 187. l. 18. after end r. through faith p 220 l 19 for by faith r. by his faith p 221 l last for their r. them p 232 l 9 for assuming r. assuring p 247 l 11. put out that