can men draw neere vnto God in the full assurance of faith if they will not be at the paines to examine themselues Heb. 10. 22. Or how shall we euer know that wee are of God or attaine vnto any confidence of faith as we ought to doe 1 Ioh. 5. 19. Eph. 3. 12. How fearefully this point of sound triall is neglected and how miserably most men are deceiued for want of it may appeare by this obseruation which may vsually be made of men in the most places viz. that many that are carnall men say they are godly and many that are godly men say they are but carnall Besides that a multitude of men both good and bad liue in securitie the one not caring to get out of so wofull an estate and the other not regarding the riches of Assurance The causes of this miserable securitie may be obserued and noted both in wicked and in godly men In wicked men these things may be easily discerned 1 A lothnesse to examine themselues and try their estates exactly for feare lest they should finde that they are not in a good estate Their hearts secretly condemne them and they thinke if they should take particular notice of their owne condition it would be found that they haue indeed no true grace in them and therefore they rather chuse to liue in that doubtfull estate then to be put out of doubt and made to know that they haue yet no right to the Kingdome of heauen neuer considering that the knowledge of our misery may be one degree to get out of it 2. In such as see all is not well with them the cause is slothfulnesse mingled with horrible presumption they had rather weare out their dayes in danger then be at the paines to vse the means for their owne repentance and reformation they will wretchlesly put it to the venture 3. Others will aduenture vpon their common hope of mercy they haue certaine generall confused apprehensions of mercy in God vpō which they wilfully engage their hopes without care of reformation or the particular warrant of their hopes from the Word of God and so miserably perish their hopes prouing but as the house of the Spider and the imaginarie mercy failing them they die either as stockes without sense or as Iudas in horrible despaire 4. Others rest themselues vpon their outward profession of Religion and some general things wrought in them and the good opinion others haue of them so being somewhat neare the kingdome of God they are content to rest there as the Israelites did neare Canaan though they neuer possessed it We see many think there needsno more to be sure they are in a good cōdition then to heare Sermons abstaine from grosse outward prophannesse and to be well reputed of among the godly c. pleasing themselues with the shew of godlinesse though as yet they deny the power of it as hauing attained to other righteousnesse then the righteousnesse of the S◅ribs and Pharises 5. In multitudes of men there are seated euill opinions about assurance They thinke either it is impossible to bee had or it is needlesse or it is presumption to seeke it 6. All wicked men are hindered by their beloued sinnes which they are not willing to part with but of purpose forbeare the care of heauen that they may the more securely liue in sinne Thus of wicked men It is true also that many godly Christians haue beene and are extreamly faulty in neglecting the triall of their estates and their assurance and the causes of this negligence in them are diuerse as 1. Some are so much mis-led by the surmises of their owne hearts that they think that assurance would breed security and that it is a better way to keepe their owne hearts humble to be somewhat doubtfull not knowing that vnbeliefe is the chiefe cause of slothfulnesse and securitie and that the assurance of faith is the chiefe meanes to purge the heart and quiet the soule and works effectually in all the duties of loue 2. In the most Ignorance of their owne gifts and Gods promises is the cause for if Christians did see distinctly how far the Lord hath brought them by his grace and withall did behold the euidences of their faith and hope in Gods promises they should not faile of comfort and establishment of heart 3. Smothering of doubts and temptations is a great let in many diuers Christians are secretly and daily assaulted with certaine strange doubts which if they did propound get sound answer vnto their hearts would heale within them and the worke of faith prosper 4. Some Christians are kept without assurance through the ouermuch viewing of their owne daily infirmities in all parts of Gods seruice They are wicked ouermuch wheras if they would study those Scriptures that shew how graciously the Lord stands inclined toward his people notwithstanding their daily wants their hearts would be much eased and their minds cleerely resolued to trust vpon the euerlasting mercies of their God 5. In some the cause is found in the disease of their bodies Melancholy when it is growne to a disease is a most stiffe and pertinacious aduersary to Comfort and Assurance it doth fill the heart with so many sad conceits and fancies and is an humour so vnteachable that comfort for the most part is as water spilt vpon the ground And the more difficult it is to remoue this let because vsually the parties possest by this humour are so far from seeking help that they will not be perswaded that they are troubled with any such disease 6. Some Christians are hindred by their owne Passions they are so froward and vnquiet in their dispositions that their hearts are daily lifted off from the benefit of setled assurance by their own habituall discont◅nts Frowardnes is a mischieuous distemp◅r that weakens both body and minde and assurance and strength of faith seldome dwels in an vnquiet minde 7. Others want assurance because they neglect the meanes of assurance they doe not try all things and keepe that which is good or they call not vpon God daily feruently and constantly to giue them the spirit of reuelation to shew them the hope of their calling and their glorious inheritance Eph. 1. 18 19. 8. A barren life is an vncomfortable life and contrariwise to abound in good workes hath stedfastnesse and a secret rest of heart as an vnseparable companion of it 9. The loue of earthly things is another great impediment Many professours haue their thoughts and cares so eaten vp with worldlinesse that they cannot seriously seeke Gods Kingdome nor constantly hold out in any course for the attainement of assurance This degree of faith requires some degree of the contempt of the world 10. In some there lodgeth some secret sin which they know and do not purge themselues for and doth daily preuaile in them and
the tryall without despaire for the signes doe not shew them that they cannot be saued but onely that for the present they are not in the estate of saluation actually which though it may and ought to be grieuous vnto them to consider in what fearefull misery and sinne they liue in yet they haue reason to know and beleeue that they may bee saued as well as others yea the acknowledgemeÌ„t of their misery is one step to saluation Now that wicked men may not die but take a course to bee saued two things are by them to be attained first the arguments of hope that proue they may bee saued and that there is remediâ—… for their miserie Secondly the rules that shew them what they must doe which being done they may be certaine of their saluation For the first that they may be saued these things may hopefully assureâ—… 1. That God hath sworne that he desires not that the wicked should die but rather that he should turne from his â—…uill 〈◊〉 â—…d liue Ezâ—…k 18. 31. 2. That God hath with singular patience borne with him all this while and hath not laid him beneath for all his sinnes wâ—…o long since deserued hell and the Lord hath taught it too that he is patience that men might repent and be saued Rom. 2. 4. 2 Peter 3. 9. 3. That God offers his grace to all and hath made no exception against any particular man and therefore why shouldest thou except thy selfe from saluation when Gods grace is tendred to thee as well as others God sends his Gospell to euery creature euen to all Nations Marke Chap. 16. ver 15. 4. That God hath sent his owne Sonne to bee a sufficient sacrifice and propitiation for the sinnes of men He is the Lambe of God that taketh away the sins of the world Iohn 1. Romanes 3. 25. 1 Iohn 2. 1. and in him God is well pleased and would haue all men know that hee is content to take satisfaction from Christ Math. 3. 17. 5. That God hath placed them in the visible Church and doth yet continue the meanâ—…s that is able to saue their soules Acts 20. 32. Iam. 1. 21. 6. That God hath declared himselfe concerning sinne that there is one onely sinne that in it selfe is simply vnpardonable all the rest may be forgiuen 7. That God hath saued as great sinners as they such as were Manasses Mary Magdalen Dauid Paul Many amongst the Corinthians were fornicators drunkards raylers and the like yet were iustified sanctified and saued 1 Cor. 6. 10 11. And these haue obtained mercy that in them Iesus Christ might shew forth all long-suffering for a patterne to them which should afterwards belâ—…eue to euerlasting life 1 Tim. 1. 13 16. CHAP. V. Shewes how faith may be gotten THE rules of directions follow This then is the question What should a man doe that he may be sure of his saluation the man I say that for the present doth not finde the grace of Christ in his heart I answer That his principall care must be to vse all meanes to get the graces of the godly Christian formed in his heart And herein the Lord hath shewed vnto men singular mercy that as hee hath shewed wayes in his Word how his seruants may discerne the graces that are so many signes and pledges of Gods loue and their owne saluation so hath he in the same word laid downe cleere directions that shew how euery grace may be attained and formed and nourished in the hearts of men And first I will begin with Faith And the question is What should a man doe that hee might attaine Faith Hee that would beleeue must obserue these rules 1. Hee must in the first place betake himselfe to Gods promises For without the promise of grace it is impossible Faith should euer bee formed aright in a man hee must labour to see what the Lord saith distinctly vnto sinners I will instance in that one promise Ioh. 3. 16. God so loued the world that hee gaue his onely begotten Sonne that whosoeuer beleeued in him should not perish but haue life euerlasting Now his care must bee seriously to marke and cleerly to vnderstand Gods meaning which in this promise is to assure saluation to any in the world that wil beleeue in Christ. 2. He must then consider Gods commandement concerning faith that God doth require him to beleeue and is so farre from being displeased with him for beleeuing in Christ that for this cause hee will damne him in hell if hee beleeue not Iohn 3. 18. 1. Iohn 3. 23. Hee doth as exactly require vs to relye vpon this course of saluation by Iesus Christ as hee doth require any thing of vs in the morall Law and as we ought not to sweare or commit adultery or steale so ought wee not to dare to liue without beleefe in Iesus Christ. 3. Hee must pray heartily to God to giue him a heart to beleeue and to forme faith in him for faith is the gift of God Eph. 2. 8. Hee should pray ouer the promises and beseech God to incline his heart to rest vpon them as the best treasures in the world cry vnto the Lord Lord helpe my vnbeleefe 4. Hee must absolutely lay aside all thought of his owne righteousnesse by the workes of the Law and looke onely to Iesus Christ and the righteousnesse in him else he will faile of the righteousnesse of God Rom. 10. 3. 5. Hee must waite vpon the powerfull preaching of the Gospell as the onely outward ordinarie meanes to beget faith offering his soule daily vnto God and attending to the Word of God ready to obey the motions of the Spirit knocking at the doore of his heart in the ministerie of the Word knowing that from this ordinance of God he is to expect the gift of faith he should betake himselfe to it with resolution to waite with daily expectation till the Lord bee pleased to send the Holy Ghost into his heart And this is a generall rule for this and all other graces of the Spirit as men loue their owne soules so they must prouide to liue where the Word of God is preached constantly in the power of it for from thence they shall receiue vnspeakeable helpe and furtherance in all the wayes of God Rom. 10. 14. CHAP. VI. Shewing how true humiliation may be attained THus of Faith In the next place he must labour for true and sound humiliation for his sins and to this end he must distinctly striue to get formed in him two things 1. pouerty of spirit 2. godly sorrow for to these two belong all the branches of true humiliation For the attaining of spirituall pouerty these rules are of great vse First make a Catalogue of thy sinnes which thou mâ—…yest â—…o either by memory or by booke By memory thus Goe aside set thy soule before the Lord as if thou werest presently to be
iudged of him call to minde particularly whatsoeuer thou canst remember by thy selfe consider thy want thy omissions and commissions of euill in youth or riper age in heart or life in things that concorne God or man or thy owne soule and disposition thoughts affections words or deeds Thou mayest then see an armie of rebellious euils thou hast beene guilty of By booke thus Procure thee the labour of some reuerend Diuine that hath briefly gathered the sins of euery commandement from thence gather out so many sins as thou knowest by thy selfe that thou hast beene guilty of lay those sins daily before thy conscience and consider how many wayes thou hast made thy selfe guilty Secondly consider then the iustice of God how he hateth all sinne which thou maiest be assured of if thou remember how he plagued our first parents the old world Sodom and Gomorrha how fearefully he neglected the Gentiles cast off the Iewes yea how he spared not his owne Sonne Iesus Christ when he became a surety for other mens sinnes Thirdly thinke of the terrible woes and threatnings and curses which are denounced euery where in Scripture against such offences as thou art guilty of Fourthly force vpon thy selfe the remembrance of thy latter end and thy appearance before the tribunall seat of Christ to receiue according to all that thou hast done in thy flesh Fifthly obserue with what iudgement the Lord euery day fights against wicked men in all parts of the world sometimes by common plagues sometimes by speciall particular calamities Sixtly aboue all things marke with all thy heart Gods goodnesse to thee in particular in enduring all this at thy hands his blessings of all sorts daily bestowed vpon thee chiefely his mercy offered to thee in Iesus Christ that can be content to forgiue thee all thy debts so thou bee sorry and weary of offending Nothing can more breake thy heart then to obserue how God dealeth with thee euen with thee in particular that hast deserued so much euill at his hands Seuenthly Try thy selfe by a particular examination of thine owne estate by euery particular of the signes of Gods children and then thou mayest see what a poore creature thou art what shew soeuer thou makest in the world and what naturall gifts or prayses soeuer thou hast for then thou shalt find how exceeding emptie thy heart is of solid gifts and the best graces and that many a poore creature that maketh little shew in the world hath an heart better graced by farre then thine Eightly thou must beg hartily an humble heart of God and a greater discerning of thine owne vilenesse The Lord wil be sought vnto and he is ready to be found if thou seeke him constantly and diligently It is not a small worke to breake the pride and stoninesse of thy heart it needs power from aboue Ninthly Pruoide to liue if it may bee vnder a forceable ministery where thou mayest heare such doctrine daily as will search thy heart and ransacke thy life where thou maist feele the Word of God go downe into thy heart and reynes Tenthly Marke what things they are which by nature thou art proud of and labour seriously both by arguments and restraint to alienate thy affection from them In particular take heed of the snare that is in gay Clothes delicious fare worldly titles and the like Eleuenthly Shun and auoide with detestation the flatterer and seeke vnto thee a righteous companion that may smite thee for thy fallings and reproue thee and not hate thee in his heart Twelfthly Labour to keepe in thy memory and thoughts six or eight or more or fewer of thy faults that thou wouldest be more ashamed of and hast more offended in and compell thy selfe daily to remember them this will wonderfully doe thee good and tame thy pride make thee more meeke and more tractable and mercifull all the day after thou hast duly thought of them Thus of the way how to get thy spirit to bee truly poore and humble The next question is What a man should do to get a soft heart and true godly sorrow that hee might be able to mourne for his sinnes before God 1 Hee must first consider of Gods promises who hath bound himselfe by couenant to take away the stony heart and giue an heart of flesh vnto them that seeke vnto him for it Ezech. 36. 16. 2 Hee must daily in the best words hee can keepe a constant course in the confession of his sinnes before God begging of God with all importunitie this mercie that hee would melt and soften his heart and resolue that hee would neuer stand before the Lord but hee would remember this petition alwayes iudging himselfe giuing glory to God It may bee the Lord will heare at the first or second time of prayer but if he doe not thou must resolue to watch and pray still without limiting God to the time of effecting thy desire as knowing that it ought not to seeme grieuous vnto thee that the Lord doth not presently worke what thou prayest for considering how long the Lord hath called vpon thee and thou didst not answere and withall the Lord is well pleased with these preparations in thy heart and excepts thy endeauour to mourne because thou canst not mourne 3 Hee must obserue how the Lord deales with him in prayer and be sure with all thankfulnesse to acknowledge any mercy God shewes him in prayer as if hee make him willing to pray or giue him words in prayer or let him feele any ioy in the time of prayer or that hee find his heart in any degree to melt he should be wonderfull thankfull if he can get but one teare in prayer or that hee find his heart in any degree to melt and this obseruation of Gods goodnesse letting him know that hee regards his particular requests will melt his heart indeed further and perhapâ—… set him all on a flame in desires to praise God and to abase himselfe euen to the dust before thâ—… Lord Hos. 14. 3. 1. Thes. 5. 18. 4. That rule of the Apostle Iames is sometimes of singular vse in this case of breeding softnesse of heart and that is acknowledging your sinnes one to another when in secret wee make our moanes to wise and mercifull Christians and shame ourselues for our speciall offences it many times hath melting of heart ioyned with it so as that heart that before seemed hardned and dry now easily dissolues into teares Iam. 5. 16. 5. To goe into the house of mourning may bee in this case profitable resort to such as be in sorrow for the hand of God vpon them especialy such as mourn through the affliction of their spirits conuerse with humble tender-hearted Christians Ecc. 7 2. 6. â—…n all the seruices of God be sure to draw neare to God and keepe thy mind from distraction and hypocrisie The Sun
THE MARROVV OF THE ORACLES OF GOD. OR Diuers Treatises containing Directions about sixe of the waightiest things can concerne a Christian in this life By N. BIFIELD late Preacher of Gods Word at Isleworth in Middlesex The seuenth Edition LONDON Printed by Iohn Legatt and are to bee sold by P. Stephens and C. Meredith at the golden Lyon in Pauls Church-yard 1630. TO THE RIGHT HONOVRABLE AND most Noble Ladie the Ladie Lucie Countesse of Bedford MADAM THESE ensuing Treatises hauing receiued their birth at seuerall times being but little Ones sought them seuerall Guardians to protect them being now all ioyntly to goe into the world together to seeke entertain ment they humbly present themselues vnto your Honour beseeching your generall protection and your noble admission to doe you and your Noble Family their first ioynt-seruice and from thence they are contented to beare their aduenture for their entertainment abroad in the world And the rather am I emboldned thus to end them with this Petition to your Honour because in the first conception of them in the publike Doctrine you were pleased to conceiue so good hope of them as to desire the profit of their seruice as they should be 〈◊〉 and fitted thereunto As they are mine they are worthy of little respect but as they haue receiued spirit and life from the heauenly Word and will of God so they are meete to attend your most retired presence and to be trusted with the charge of your greatest treasure not doubting of your Honours noble and religious respect herein I desire to remaine Your Honours Chaplaine in the things of Iesus Christ â—…o serue you euer N. BIFIELD THE BEGINNING OF THE DOCTRINE OF CHRIST OR A Catalogue of sinnes Shewing how a Christian may finde out the euils he must take notice of in his Repentance With Rules that shew a course how any Christian may be deliuered from the guilt and power of all his sinnes By N. BIFIELD late Preacher of Gods Word at Isleworth in MIDDLESEX Lament 3. 40. Let vs search and try our wayes and turne againe vnto the Lord. LONDON Printed by Iohn Legatt and are to bee sold by P. Stephens and C. Meredith at the golden Lyon in Pauls Church-yard 1630. THe Contents of all the six Treatises thou shalt finde in the first Chapter of the first Booke TO THE MVCH HONORED LADIES the Ladie ANNE CLEERE and the Ladie ANNE PINCH and the Ladie IONE HERICKE N. Bifield wisheth all increase of the true grace of Christ and the blessed fruition of the glory of God in heauen Worthie Ladies LAmentable are â—…he ruines into which the natures of men are generally fallen by their sinnes which appeares especially by the waies men take in the businesse of their soule The most men are cleane out of the way to heauen and walke in by wayes of their owne which are called in Scripture The waies of the wicked The waies of their owne hearts Peruerse waies Darke and slipperie wayes The way of iniquity All meeting in that broad way that leadeth to destruction being wholly ignorant of the way of life and peace yea the most of them speake euill of the good way of God and persecute it Some there are that are so farre enlightned as not to like the common roade way of the multitude and after some enquirie haue found them out wayes that seeme good in their owne eyes and they are wonderfully well pleased with their course but the issues of these wayes are death too as well as the former And the more is this danger increased vpon men because the way of life is but one and it is a narrow way and hard to find and may be sought by many and yet not found Yet this hope is left vnto forlorn men that there is a way to heauen and happines A way of righteousnesse and peace a way of mercy and truth a way of wisedome A way that men may securely and safely walke in a way in which Christ will guide theÌ„ God the Father will keepe them and the holy Ghost leade them by the hand and direct them in all the passages thereof Onely it concerneth vs to aske the way with all importunitie of God and to attend vnto the directions of the Word of God apply our hearts and suffer our selues to bee disposed aright that our eyes may see the saluation of God And in particular wee must looke to three things First that if the Lord shew vs that mercy to direct vs in the way we must take heede that wee neglect not or despise notthe care of walking in the way Second ly that with all diligence we auoide going about and make straight stops to our feet And thirdly with all feare watch our selues that we fal not off with the errors of the wicked from the good way of God and so our latter end be worse then our beginning I haue vndertaken by the assistance of God and the direction of this blessed word to single out the choisest things I could finde in the Scriptures concerning the entrance into the way of God and those first path which are called Holy Thâ—… substance of these directions I haue digested into the Treatise following which I dedicate vnto your Ladiships as a testimonie of my thankfulnesse for the respect you haue shewed vnto my Ministerie both in your constant resort vnto it in the weeke dayes while you liued in a neighbour Parish and in that two of you are pleased to come to liue amongst vs and so are become a part of my charge As also to manifest to the world my obseruance of your Ladiships for the good report you haue amongst the godly for the grace of Iesus Christ and your vnfeigned loue of the truth Beseeching your Acceptation Perusall and Patronage of these I take my leaue and commend your Ladiships to the God of Mercie and Truth who guide comfort deliuer sanctifie and preserue you all vnto the day of Iesus Christ. Your Ladiships to be commanded in Iesus Christ N. BIFIELD Febr. 12. 1619. The chiefest things contained in the first Booke CHAP. I. THE Contents of all the sixe Treatises briefely set downe pag. 1. to the 7. The persons whom those Treatises doe concerne p. 8 Encouragement to the studie of these things p. 8. to 11 Generall directions by way of preparation p. 11. 14. CHAP. II. THe Rules that shew distinctly what men must doe about their sinnes p. 14. to 36 Motiues to perswade to the care of these Rules p. 15 Three Rules of preparation pag. 16. 17 Foure things deliuer vs from all sinnes past p. 17 About the gathering of the Catalogue of sinnes p. 17 About the confession of our sinnes p. 22. to 24 About sorrow for our sinnes and how â—…t may be attained p. 24. to â—…7 About the application of the promises and how it may bee done p. 27. to 3â—… The speciall promise made to such as have-confessed and sorrowed for their sinnes p. 29. 30 How men may know
sinnes are forgiuen thee 1 Ioh 1. 7 9. Zach. 12. 10. and so forward to the 2. verse of the 13. Chapter Fourthly that God is at peace and reconciled and that thou hast a free right vnto his word and shalt finde his presence in his word Isaiah 57. 15 16 17 18. Fiftly that God will now henceforth heale the nature of thy sinfulnesse Hos. 14. 3 4. I do but instance in these few particulars but I could wish thee to make thee a full Catalogue and write out the words verbatim and learne them without booke or at least study them soundly to vnderstand them And for thy ease I haue set downe the chiefe places of Scripturâ—… as they lye in order Leuit. 26. 41 42 44. 2 Kings 22. 19 20. Iob 33. 27 28. Psal. 32. 5. and 51. 17. Prou. 28. 13. Isaiah 57. 15 16 17 18. and 61. 1 2 3. Ierem. 31. 18 19 20. Zach. 12. 10. and so forward to the second verse of Chap. 13. Hos. 14. 3 4 5 6. Math. 5. 6. 1 Cor. 11. 31 â—…2 Iam. 4. 9 10. Now when thou hast written oâ—…t thâ—…se Promises and dost vnderstand the meaning of thâ—…m then carrie them into Gods presence as thou diddest the Catalogue of sinnes and now beseech God for Iesus Christs sake to incline thy heart to beleeue these promises of Grace and to this end pray vnto God from time to time till the Lord bee pleased to let thee feele life in the Promises or a cleare perswasion and withall beseech GOD by the Spirit of Promise from heauen to seale vp thy interest herein and if thou feele the ioyes of the holy Ghost fall vpon thee in any of these promises O happy man that euer thou wast borne to such a rich estate I say the same of this sensible life in the promises that I did before of godly sorrow It may bee the Lord will heare thee at the first if not persist thou to begge this grace till thou obtainest it Thou seest forgiuenesse of all thy sins which thou hast confâ—…ssed is promised thee vrge the Lord with most humble deprâ—…cation to hâ—…are thee for the pardon and forgiuenesse of them fâ—…r the mediation sake of Iesus Christ and his merits that sits at his right hand to make request for poore sinners that seeke mercy Now when thou hast felt the Promises to bee any of them spirit and life to thee then hast thou done this most glorious exercise and thou hast cause to praise God all the dayes of thy life and what thou shouldest afterwards doe the Treatises following wil shew thee but for thy more cleare satisfaction I will answer a question Quest. Thou wilt say I could take comfort in this course hauing done these things but that I doubt whether my consession or sorrow bee right or no. For I finde that wicked men in Scripture haue confessed their sinnes and mourned too Answ. Thou maist euidently try thy confession and sorrow by these signes of difference First wicked men haue confessed their sinnes and sorrowed but both were compelled whereas thine is voluntarily and so a freâ—…will-offering Secondly Cain and Iudas confâ—…ssed sin but it was not all sorts of sinne but onely the capitall crimes knowne by them by which they had shamed and vndone themselues Thirdly the sorrowes of wicked men were more for the punishment then for the sinne nor did they sorrow for all sorts of sinnes but for the sinnes before described Fourthly their confession and sorrowes were not ioyned with an vnfained desire to forsake sinne whereas this is an infallible signe of true repentance when a man can as heartily desire that he might neuer commit sinne as heartily I say desire it as he would that God should neuer impute it When a man can say before the Lord that there is no sinne but hee doth as vnfainedly desire God to giue him strength to leaue it and forsake it as hee doth desire that God should forgiue him ' and not plague him for it I say this is such a signe as was neuer found in a wicked man in any age of the world Fifthly the confession and sorrowes of the wicked were not ioyned with any perswasion of Gods goodnesse or any constant desire to finde mercy with God in Iesus Christ. Thus haue I sheweâ—… thee the directions which concerne this first and most weighty businesse that can concerne thee There are three sorts of men whom this direction concernes First such as neuer repented Secondly such as though they haue repented yet haue not the comfort and assurance of their repentance who by following these directions may make all out of doubt Thirdly such as after calling fall into grâ—…sse sinâ—… These haue nâ—…ed to recouer themselues by the helpe of these directions The Catalogue following may serue for other vses besides this of a mans practice in his repentance at his first conuersion or after apostacie For 1. As in a small Map a man may here see the sorts of sinne and so may get knowledge quickly what euill to auoyde which hitherto he hath not taken nâ—…tice of 2. It may serue before the Communion for such as would make a generall suruey of their sinâ—…es in discharge of that examination which the Apostle mentionâ—…th 1 Cor. 11. For howsoeuer this large Catalogue be not of necessitie requisite to that examination yet vnto such as haue leasure and fitnessâ—… it is profitable for their more abundant satisfaction To conclude if any man that reades these presâ—…nts and is guiltie to himselfe that hee hath hitherto taken no sound course about his sinnes and yet will not bee perswaded to practise these directions lâ—…t him consider that so long as his sinnes be vnrâ—…pented on his part and vnremitted on Godspart the pollution of all the sins he euer committed still clâ—…aues vnto him so as he may iustly with the Lâ—…per cry Vncleane vnclâ—…ane yâ—…a all his sinnes are written as it were with a pen of iron in Gods booke of remembrance and that hee is a meere strangâ—…r from all Gods promises â—…nd liues without God and without Christ in the world and that all he doth euen his best workes are aboâ—…inable to God and that seas of wrath hang ouer his head and vnspeakable woe will bee to him in the appearing of Iesus Christ if he preuent it not by sound and speedie repentance CHAP. III. The diuision of Sinnes and the Catalogue of sinnes against the whole Law ALl the sinnes mentioned and condemned in the Bible may be cast into foure ranks For they are Either sinnes against the whole Law that is such as may be committed against any of the Commandements Or sins against the first Table of the Law Or sins against the second Table of the Law Or sinnes against the Gospell The first sort of sinnes are sins against the whole Law and thus hee sinneth that is conceiued in sinne Psal. 51. 5. That
12. 16. By fretting with enuy at the gifts and respects of others Num. 1â—… 2 8 9. By being ouer-confident of our owne innocency Iob 34. 5 6. By desire to prie into the secret things of God being not content with things reuealed Deut. 29. vlt Rom. 12. 3. 4. Pride in sinning and so he is guilty That dares commit great euils against his knowledge That seemes wise in maintaining sinne Prou. 3. 7. Psal. 52. 7. That hardens his heart against repentance 1. Sam. 15. 22 23. Numb 15. 30 31. Ierem. 16. 12. Iob 34. 37. That sinnes with affectation that glories in it as he that takes a pride in drunkennesse Isai. 28. 1 3. That frets because he is croâ—… in sinne Prou. 19. 3. And thus 〈◊〉 Pride The sixt sinne is the neglect 〈◊〉 Gods mercy and this is the morâ—… grieuous offence because mercâ—… is the most eminent attribute 〈◊〉 God For the sinnes of this kind worlds of men are damned iâ—… hell Iohn 3. 19. And against Gods mercy hee offends That askes wherein God hath loued him Mal. 1. 2. That abuseth Gods blessings Hos. 10. 1. 11. 3 4. That obserues not the mercy of God in his prouidence Hosea 2. 8. That in aduersitie saith God cares not for him or hath passed ouer his iudgements or hath forsaken him Isaiah 40. 28. and 49. 14. That enquireth not after God Zeph. 1. 6. That beleeues not Gods premises through neglect or despaire That blesseth his heart against Gods threatnings Deut. 29. 19. That forsakes his owne mercy by trusting to lying vanities Ionah 2. 8. That scoffes at the signes of Gods mercy Isai. 7. 12 13. That sacrificeth to his owne net ascribing the praise to himselfe Hab. 1. 16. That seekes not to God in his distresse 2 Chron. 16. 12. That sayes God cannot deliuer 2 Kings 6. 33. and 7. 2. That answers not when God calls Isai. 50. 2. That limits God Psal. 78. 41. That hath a spirit of bitternesse through discontent Hosea 12. 14. That dishonours God by his euill life Rom. 2. 24. Thus of the sins against Gods mercie The seuenth sinne is resorting to witches Isai. 8. 19 20. Leuit. 20. 6. Deut. 18. 11. Eightly hee offends that disregards Gods Workes Isaiah 5. 12. Ninthly that lies against God hauing professed to haue God to be his God Isai. 29. 13. And so he doth That opposeth the truth and objects against it That performes not what hee promised in his sicknesse or aduersity or at the Sacraments That falleth away from the truth Tenthly that feares not God or not in a right manner and so he sinneth That feares God onely for reward Iob 1. 9. That feareth God onely because of punishment Hos. 3. 5. That is not afraid of Gods presence or threatnings Psal. 36. 1 2. Isaiah 66. 1. Ierem. 6. 10. That comforts not men in misery Iob 6. 14. That meddles with changers or the seditious Prou. 24. 21. That in matter of sinne is wise in his owne eyes and will not depart from iniquitie Prou. 3. 7. That sins because God doth forbeare to punish Eccles. 8. 13. Psal. 50. 19 21. That feares the signes of Heauen Ierem. 10. 2. That finds an hardnesse of heart against Gods feare Isaiah 63. 17. Thus of the sinnes against the feare of God Eleuenthly That trusts not in God and so he offends That asketh not counsell of God Isaiah 31. 1. and 30. 1 2. but vseth carnall helpes That saith there is no hope Ierem. 3. 23. That trusts in man and makes flesh his arme Ierem. 17. 5. That puts his confidence in his wealth Prou. 10. 15. Iob 31. 24. That leanes to his owne vnderstanding Prou. 3. 5. That drawes not neere vnto God in aduersitie Zeph. 3. 2. That impatiently desireth death Iob 7. 15. Thus of the sinnes against trust in God Twelfthly That neglects communion with the godly he hath not God for his God that is noâ—… ioyned to Gods people and this is aggrauated against him That in contempt of godlinessâ—… goeth in the company of the wicked Iob 34. 8 9. That reprocheth Gods people Psal. 74. 10 18. Esay 57. 3 4. That accounts the godly as signes and wonders Esay 8. 18. That reioyces in their disgraces Ezechiel 25. 6. That forsakes their fellowship either through carelesnesse and aposâ—…y Heb. 10. 25. or through â—…hisine Esay 65. 2 5. That for malice persecutes them or casts them out of the Church Esay 66. 5. And thus of the sinnes against the nature of God CHAP. V. Shewing how men offend against the meanes of Gods worship THe sins against the meanes of Gods worship follow and these are of three sorts 1. Not worshipping 2. Will-worshipping 3. Idoll worshipping For the first he offends in generall That worships not God Zac. 14. 17. That calls not vpon the Name of the Lord Ps. 14. 4. Esay 64. 7. That comes not to the Church 2. Chron. 29. 6 7. That prayes not in his family Ier. 10. 25. That receiueth not the Preachers of the Gospel Mattheâ—… 10. 14. The aggrauations are when a man is so far from worshipping atight That hee offers the blind and the lame for the maintenance 〈◊〉 Gods seruice Mal. 1. 8 14. That he deuoures things sanctified that should be employeâ—… for the furtherance of Gods seruice Prou. 20. 25. That forbids Gods faithful Ministers to preach in the Name of Christ Acts. 4. 17. 1. Thes. 2. 16 That disswades men from Gods worship vpon pretenâ—… that it is either polluted Malâ—… 7 12 13. or vaine Mal. 3. 14. That is wayward or neueâ—… pleased with all or any part 〈◊〉 Gods worship or the meanâ—… thereof Math. 1â—… 16. Thus of sinnes of irreligiousnesse or not worshipping Will-worship followes and so he offends 1. That deuiseth any thing of himselfe to the intent to serue God by it Numb 15. 38 39. 2. That serues God for custome or after the old manner making the example of Fathers or fore fathers the rule of his seruice 2 Kings 17. 34. Ier. 9. 13 14 Amos 2. 4. 1. Pet. 1. 18. 3. That feares God after the precepts of men Esay 29. 13. 4. That being not a Minister doth the worke of a Minister vpon pretence of necessity or deuotion 2 Chron. 26. 16. 5. That vrgeth the lesser things of the Law and neglects the greater Math. 23. 23. The aggrauations are To vrge menstraditions with opinion of necessity and with neglect of Gods Law Matthew 15. 2 3 9. To desire to bee taught vaine things Esay 30. 9 10 11. To borrow rites and obseruations from the professed enemies of God to adde them as parts of Gods worship 2 Kings 17. 34. Deut. 12. 3 4 13. Ezech. 11. 12. Idoll worship followes and so men offend either first inwardly or second outwardly Inwardly he offends that conceiues of God in the likenesse of any thing created and manifests his offence If he direct his worship to that likenes Comman 2. Acts 17.
is eased if he speed well in prayer Psalme 116. 1 6. 14. Hee daily keepes an assise vpon his owne soule hee iudgeth himselfe for his sinnes before God arresting accusing and condemning his sinnes Hee confesseth his sinnes particularly to God without hiding any sinne that is without forbearing to pray against any sinne hee knowes by himself out of any desire he hath still to continue in it and by this signe he may be sure he hath the Spirit of God and that his sinnes are forgiuen him Esay 4. 4. Psal. 32. 5. 1 Iohn 1. 7 9. 1 Cor. 11. 32. 15 His requests are daily powred out vnto God Hee cryes vnto God with affection and confidence though it be with much weakenesse and many defects as the little child doth vnto the father and thereby hee discouers the Spirit of adaption in him Rom. 8. 15. Zacha. 12. 10. Ephesians 3. 12. 16 Hee is vnfainedly desirous to be rid of all sinnes as well as one There is no sin he knowes by himselfe but he doth desire as heartily that he might neuer commit it as he doth that God should neuer impute it This is a neuer failing signe a fundamentall one 2 Tim. 2. 19. 17. Hee is content to receiue euill at the hand of God as well as good without murmuring or letting go his integrity as beeing sensible of his owne deserts and desirous to approue himselfe to God without respect of reward This proued that Iob was an holy and vpright man Iob 1. 1. and 2 3 10. 18. Hee dislikes sinne in all euen in those that are neere and deare vnto him in other respects 1 King 25. 12 13 14. 19. Hee is innocent from the great transgressions and keepes himselfe from his owne iniquity He is not subiect to the damnation of sinne Sin doth not reigne in him Psal. 19. 13. 2. Sam. 22. 24. 20 He finds a desire to be rid of sinne and to humble himselfe for it in prosperitie as well as aduersitie He leaues sinne before sinne would leaue him He forsakes it then when hee could commit it without apparent danger Iob 8. 5 6. 22 Or if he be in aduersity his heart is vpright without lying or dissimulation Hee so seeketh the pardon of his sinnes then and so promiseth amendment as that he is also carefull to practise it when he is deliuered He is not like the Israelites mentioned Psal. 78. 36. 37. 22. Hee makes a supernaturall valuation of spirituall things accounting them as pearles of the best price not too deare bought if he purchased them with all the worldly things he hath and contrariwise accounting himselfe exceeding poore if hee want them or the means of them Mat. 13. 45 46. Ps. 42. 63. 1 3. 23. Hee hath lost his wonted taste in earthly things his heart is not transported with the admiration of them or the inordinate desire after worldly things He loues not the world and this life as he was wont to doe Though he vse the world yet he easily confesseth himselfe to be a stranger and pilgrim here He giues ouer the vnnecessary pleasures and profits of this life Heb. 11. 13. 1 Ioh. 2. 14 15. Rom. 8. 5. He is wearie of the world and willing to forgo societie with the men of this world the workers of iniquitie Psal. 6. 8 9. and 36. 12. and 26. 1 2 3 4. 24. If the Lord be silent and answer not his desires but hides his face his spirit faileth and he is as one that goeth downe into the pit it troubles him as a sore crosse and so contrariwise Psal. 26. 1. and 88. 13 14 15. and 143. 7. Iohn 16 23 28. 25. If hee hath beene a man subiect to boisterous violent and hurtfull affections he is now become tame Of a Lyon hee is become a Lambe and a little child may lead him Esay 11. 6. 24. Hee hath a spirit without guile Psalme 32. 2. Hee is more desirous to be good then to bee thought to be so and more seeks the power of godlinesse then the shew of it Iob 1. 1. Prou. 20. 6 7. His praise is of God and not of men Rom. 2. 29. And thus much of the triall of his humiliation The signes of his faith follow CHAP. IIII. The tryall of a godly man by his Faith FAith is the next thing to bee tryed in a child of God And in as much as there are diuers kindes of faith and experience shewes in many that giue no signes of repentance that they will not bee beaten from a confident presumption that Christ dyed for them euen for them in particular it stands vs in hand to try our perswasion by true rules of Scripture that so if it will abide the trial of the touchstone we may lay it vp as a hid treasure and a wonderfull grace of God and if otherwise wee may repent vs of presumption as a deceiueable sinne But before I open the signes of this sinne the Reader must be admonished of three things First that I intend not by these signes to shew how faith may be bred or begotten in vs but how faith may be proued and declared to be in vs. For it is the promises of God in the Scripture that breed faith nor can humane reason beleeue such great things from God for any thing that is in vs but onely because wee see the Word of God assuring such happinesse vnto such as lay hold vpon them So that that which breeds faith is the reuelation of Gods promises by his Word and Spirit Yet notwithstanding the assurance of faith is much increased and confirmed by the sight of those signes of the truth of our faith and other graces of God in vs. Secondly that I stand not precisely vpon the order of these graces of God in vs nor determine that question which graces are wrought first in the heart of a man but that which I haue specially aimed at in the order of setting them downe is to begin at those that either first appeare in a Christian or are easiest as I conceiue to bee discerned in him Thirdly that I intend especially the tryall of such Christians as agree in this that they a re perswaded that Christ died fo r them that so the true Christian may see reason to comfort himselfe that his perswasion is no presumption as is the perswasion of the most It is true that diuers of the signes of faith here to be handled will shew faith in the weakest Christian though he will not yet be brought to acknowledge any perswasion For this perswasion may bee secretly wrought vpon the heart as it is when it relieth vpon the merits of Christ onely for saluation though the iudgement of the Christian be not resolued against his doubts The question then is how a Christian may trie his perswasiō of Gods mercy and his interest of Christs mer◅ts whether it be right or no. For
answer hereunto I say that the true Christian doth proue his faith and petswasion to bee right by these signes following First His faith or perswasion was wrought by the hearing of the Word preached And therefore thou must first aske thy selfe how thou commest by thy perswasion For if thou say thou wast alwayes so perswaded or didst attaine it by meere naturall meanes or helpes thou are deceiued For faith is first wrought by the Holy Ghost in the preaching of the Gospel as it is most cleare by the words of the Apostle How shall they beleeue in him of whom they haue not heard and how shall they heare without a Preacher Romans 10. 14. And whereas it may bee that many Christians haue not obserued the workings of their faith and haue forgotten the time of their conuersion haue not iudgement to discerne how the Lord by the ministery of his seruants did change their hearts and leade them to Christ therefore when this first signe cannot comfort they must try themselues by the rest that follow Secondly Hee hath an high estimation of Iesus Christ. For the man that hath true Faith accounts all things most base in comparison of the knowledge of Christ and the loue of God in him He had rather be sure of Christ then to gaine the whole world Christ is more precious then all the world Yea is the onely thing in request in the desires of the Christian. Now Christ is precious onely to them that beleeue 1 Peter 2. 6. and by this signe Paul knew that he was growne farre beyond himselfe in his former life and beyond all the Pharises in the world Phil. 3. 9. Thirdly Hee readily receiues the testimony of Gods Ministers speaking out of the Word and stickes to it against all the contradictions of the World The Apostle Paul 2 Thess. 1. 10. shewes that this signe will bee pleaded and acknowledged in the day of Christ Christ saith hee will be made admirable in them that beleeue Now some may say But how shall wee know that wee doe beleeue Why saith hee you are true beleeuers because yee receiued our testimonie and this shall bee to your praise in that day Fourthly Hee cannot abide counterfetting and hypocrisie If it bee a right perswasion it is a faith vnfained Vnfained I say as in other respects so in effect because it cannot abide fainting but with speciall hatred purgeth out hypocrisie which the perswasion of hypocrits neuer doth 2 Tim. 1. 5. Fifthly This perswasion is permanent it will endure triall it will hold out in the euill day it inclines the heart to cleaue to Iesus Christ euen in the fire of tribulation in the midst of manifold afflictions and disgraces and temptations It is like the Gold in the Fornace that perisheth not nor will it barely hold out but a Christian by his faith comforts and supports himselfe in affliction so as his faith becomes to him both a brest-plate and an helmet whereas the best faith that is not the faith of Gods Elect will proue but drosse if it be cast into the Fornace of temptation further then it is supported by carnall meanes and helpes 1 Peter 1. 6 7. 2 Tim. 1. 12. 1 Thess. 5. 8. Epho 6. Luke 8. 13. Sixthly Hee will beleeue all things I say all things that he apprehēdeth to be required threatned or promised in the word To beleeue some things only may be in any other kind of faith especially when they are such things as stand with their own reasons or wils or affections or the common opinion of other men But this is the glory of a liuely iustifying faith it will giue glory to God in all things What can God speake it can beleeue so soone as it knowes it is spoken of God though it bee neuer so contrarie to the iudgement of flesh and blood Acts 24. 14. Seuenthly Hee will not make haste This was the signe giuen in the Prophet Esayes time He that beleeueth will not make haste He had prophesied of hard times to fall vpon all the people now this would shew amongst them who were true beleeuers For those that trusted in God would not make haste to vse ill meanes to helpe themselues they would stay their hearts in ◅est and quietnesse and they would stay their feet too from running to Aegypt or to Ashur which God had forbidden Esay 28. 16. If faith be right and thy perswasion a sound perswasion and well grounded there are ioyned with it these things following Eighthly His perswasion is ioyned with a good and pure conscience a conscience I say that makes him carefull to auoid sinne and doe good duties and to serue God in sinceritie whereas the perswasion that is in wicked men is not accompanied with a good conscience they doe not make conscience of their wayes Now this is a cleare rule of difference 1 Tim. 1. 5 19. and 3. 9. Hebr. 10. 22. Ninthly He hath a spirit of discerning There is a great deale of light comes into the heart with faith A man cannot beleeue and bee ignorant still The Christian that is endued with faith from aboue is endued with wisedome from aboue so as he can conceiue of the things of God that concerne saluation which the naturall man perceiueth not Though he may want still in many knoledges yet he hath skill in some measure to learne how to be saued The doctrine of saluation hee can now vnderstand which is taught in the ministery of the Word and hee now can make some good vse of reading the Scriptures that before discerned little or nothing in them The veile that lyeth vpon the hearts of all flesh is now taken from his eyes yea the very entrance into Gods Word giueth light to the simplest beleeuer He that was stupid and vnteachable before doth now heare as the learned with an holy kind of in-sight and iudgement 2 Tim. 3. 15. Psalme 119. 130. Prou. 1. 4 8. and 9. 4 5. Tenthly Hee hath a witnesse within himselfe He that beleeueth hath a witnesse in himselfe 1 Iohn 5. 10. For hee hath the Spirit of adoptiō to certifie him infallibly of Gods loue to him and that he is the child of God Rom. 8. 15 16. thus the beleeuers are said to be sealed by the Spirit of promise Eph. 1. 13 14. God leaues a pawne a pledge with euery Christian that shall bee saued to be as the earnest of his saluation and this pledge and earnest is Gods spirit And the Spirit testifies to the beleeuer partly by reuealing vnto him the certainty and truth of Gods promises in his Word and partly by printing vpon his heart these sauing graces which distinguish him from all others and partly by powring vpon him the ioyes which are called the ioyes of the Holy Ghost in the vse of Gods Ordinances as the inward ratification of the assurance of Gods loue and goodnesse to the beleeuer Of which after Lastly Faith may
sincere because it is constant hee desires the Word at all times and as his appointed foode daily as it is in the bodily appetite though after feeding the stomack may seeme to bee full and satisfied yet the hunger reuiues againe euery day so is it with the heart of a Child of God whereas wicked men regard the Word but by fits and in a passion and then at length fall cleane away from the affection to it Psal. 119. 20. Iob 23. 12. 3. By his loue to them that loue the Word 4. By his sorrow because other men keepe not the Word Psal. 119. 136. 5. By his vnfained estimation of the Word aboue all worldly things accounting it to bee an happy portion to enioy the word in the power and profit of it Psa. 119. 14 72 111. 6. By his desire and delight to exercise himself in it day and night that is constantly Psa. 1. 2. 7. By his griefe either for the want of the m◅ans by which the Word might be taught vnto him with power accounting such want of the meanes to be a sore famine or for want of successe in the vse of the meanes when he doth enioy it Psalm 42. 3. Amos 8. 12. 8. By the extent of his loue to all the Word of God euen the Law that with threatning shews him his sin and searcheth out his most secret corruptions being most affected with that ministery that doth most sharply rebuke sinne 9. By his resolution to labour as hard for the food of his soule as men doe or he would doe for the food of his body Iohn 6. 27. Amos 8. 12. 10. By the cōstant sweet taste he finds in it especially when it is powerfully preached Psal. 19. 10 2 Cor. 2. 15. 11. By the end hee propounds vnto himselfe in the vse of the word which is that hee might not sin and that his wayes might be pleasing to God hiding the word in his heart to this purpose Psal. 119. 11. 12. By his willingnesse and resolution to deny his owne reason and affections his credit his carnall friends his profites or his pleasures in anything when God should so require it of him and vpon any occasion to shew his heartie respect of the Gospell Marke 10. 29. 1 Cor. 1. 18. 13. By the effects of it as 1. When for the loue he bears to the Word hee will seperate himselfe from the wicked that might any way with-draw his heart or endanger his disobedience Ps. 119. 115. 2. When he accounts the Word to be his chiefe comfort in affliction and finds it to be the maine stay and solace of his heart Psal. 119. 23 24 50 51 54 143. 3. When it workes in him effectually the redresse of his wayes and freedome from the dominion of sinne Iohn 8. 32. Psalme 119. 45 9 59 1 Thessalonians 2. 13. 4. When it workes in him certaine and sensible assurance of heart before God This assurance is an infallible signe of the right vse of the Word 1 Thessalonians 1. 5. And thus of the second gift The third gift is the spirit of praier or supplication as the Prophet Zachary cals it Zach. 12. 10. and this gift hee hath aboue all wicked men which hee shewes many wayes as 1. Hee askes according to Gods will 1 Iohn 5. 14. 2. He prayes with perswasion that God will heare him Hee beleeueth in some measure that hee shall haue what hee prayes for Hee prayes in faith Marke 11. 24. Iames 1. 6 7. Psalme 6. 9. 1 Iohn 3. 22. 3. He prayes in the Name of Christ and is affected with the sense of his owne vilenesse and relies vpon the merits and mediation of Iesus Christ Iohn 14 13. Psa. 86. 1 2. and 143. 1 2. 4. He will pray at all times Iob 27. 9. Psal. 106. 3. 5. He is feruent in prayer his heart praieth he hath the affections of prayer Iames 5. 16. Psalm 6. 8. 6. Praier makes him exceeding weary of the world it giues him such a taste of his owne sinfulnesse and of Gods goodnesse and of the glory of Heauen that he is vehemently carried with desire to bee absent from the body that hee might be present with the Lord Psa. 39. 12. 7. When he knowes not how to pray as hee ought the Spirit prepares his heart excites in him holy desires supplyes him sometime with words sometime with affections and sometimes worketh inward vnexpressable groanes which yet it presents to God as effectuall prayers Romans 8. 26 27. 8. Hee findes an holy rest and quietnesse in his conscience and heart with spirituall boldnesse and confidence of trust in God if he heare him graciously and answer him in mercy Psalme 3. 4 5 6. and 116. 17. and 91. 15. Ieremiah 33. 3. 9. He loues the Lord exceedingly for hearing his prayer and desires to keepe himselfe in the loue of God Psalme 116. 1. Iude 20. 21. 10. His prayers proceed from an heart that loues no sinne but desires to depart from iniquitie and to doe that which is pleasing in Gods sight 2 Tim. 2. 19. 1 Ioh. 3. 22. 11. He loues prayer in others 2 Tim. 1. 21. 12. Hee striues against deadnesse of spirit and distractions as an heauie burthen Psalme 86. 3. 4. 13 He makes praier his chiefe refuge and he will pray though prayer bee in neuer so much disgrace Psalme 69. 10 13. and 142. 25. And thus of the third gift The fourth gift is the loue of his enemies Any Christian may loue such as loue him but to loue his enemies is onely to be found in the true Christian which he proues by these tokens of the sinceritie of his loue 1. He can pray heartily for them yea in some cases he can mourne and humble his soule before God for them in their distresses Psal. 35. 13 14. 2. Hee desires their conuersion so vnfainedly that hee is sure if they were conuered hee could reioyce in them as heartily as in those hee now much delights in 3 Hee can likewise forgiue them their particular trespasses against him being more grieued for their sinnes against God then for the wrongs they doe him Math. 6. 14. 4 He can freely acknowledge their iust praises 5 He cannot onely patiently endure their reuilings but can forbeare when he could bee reuenged by bringing shame or miserie vpon them 1. Peter 3. 9. Rom. 12. 14. 1 Sam. 24. 18 19. yea he doth as he hath occasion striue to ouercome their euill with goodnesse being willing to helpe them or relieue them in their miserie and doe th◅m any good for soule or body The last gift which is found in the true Ch◅istian while he is in the way in this life is His loue of the appearing of Christ which hee shewes 1 By the longing after the time of Christs comming whether by death or iudgement 2 By his gladnesse at the promises or signes of his particular or generall commings 3 By his often meditations of that day and his hearty prayers for the
tryall by the Sacraments THe sixt and last way of triall of the estate of a Christian is by the Sacraments and in particular by the Sacrament of the Lords Supper For God hath appointed the two Sacraments to bee his broad Scales to assure his fauour vnto his people and because none but worthy receiuers can bee partakers of so great a priuiledge as the Couenant of Gods grace and the Gospel of Iesus Christ therefore hereby doth the true Christian distinguish himselfe from all men For in becomming a worthy receiuer hee doth diuers things not onely required in communicants but such as none but godly men can attaine vnto As 1. He doth forgiue his enemies as heartily as hee desires God to forgiue him his trespasses 2. Hee examines himselfe and vpon examination he both eateth with sowre herbes that is comes with some measure of griefe for his offences and withall finds as vnfained a desire that he might neuer offend God in anything as that God should there assure him of the forgiuenesse of his sinnes and that he will neuer punish him for any of them 1 Cor. 11. 3. The couenant of his heart is to cleaue to God and the care of godlinesse all the daies of his life 1 Cor. 5. 8. 4. He is in some measure perswaded of Gods loue to him in Christ and discernes the Lords Body so as he is secretly in some degree perswaded of the spirituall presence of Iesus Christ and of the operation of God so as he beleeueth that Christ will as certainly nourish his soule as the outward elements can any way be fit to nourish his body Marke 16. 16. Col. 2. 12. 1 Cor. 11. 5. He somtimes feeles the Holy Ghost inwardly setting to Gods Priuie Seale by sudden refreshings falling like the dew vpon his heart and establishing his soule before the Lord Eph. 1. 13. 2 Cor. 1. 12. 6. His heart is knit vnto the godly more and more and increaseth in his resolution to cleaue to them onely and forsake all other professions of men in the world louing them vnfainedly and desiring it for euer to a partaker of their lot 1 Cor. 10. 16 17. CHAP. X. The directions that shew him how to get assurance by the helpes of those signes HItherto of the signes of the godly man Now followes the course that the weak Christian should take by the vse of the former signes of tryall to establish his heart in the assurance of Gods fauour and his owne eternall saluation My aduice is therefore that the weake Christian that findes want of establishment and cleare assurance should take the former signes of tryall and goe apart and set himselfe in Gods presence emptying his heart of worldly distractions and seriously consider of euery rule of tryall apart and gather out into some little paper-booke so much as in euery signe hee can clearely find to be in himselfe and that which hee durst through Gods mercy resolutely auouch to bee wrought in him by the grace of God And this I would haue him to doe with deliberation trying himselfe by one or two of the chiefe heads at most in a day spending no more time about it then he may well allow without wearinesse or dulnesse Now because he may be perhaps discouraged with the obseruation of diuers things which he may find wanting in himselfe in euery signe hee must therefore take sound notice of the distinction of Christians made by the Apostle Iohn 1 Iohn 2. who casts al true Christians into three sorts Some are Infants and either new borne or but weakely qualified with the graces of Christ yet are right and haue true grace in some measure Others are strong men that is such as haue the gifts of the Spirit liuely and in their power in them Others are Fathers that is such as haue had long experience in the powerful practice of godlinesse and haue beene long exercised in all kinds of well-doing Now all these three sorts may be supposed to come to these signes The weake Christian onely takes to a few of the plainest markes in the explication of each signe The strong Christian he takes to the most of the markes The Fathers they in a manner discerne all the particulars of Gods graces and the seuerall workings of them Each of these euen the weake Christian may see so much as may stay his heart in assurance and so settle his faith and ioy When there are many signes of one and the selfe-same thing it is sufficient if it can be demonstrated though it be but a few wayes seeing euery particular marke being warranted by Scripture hath force to conclude for assurance and to proue that wee differ from all the wicked men in the world Though at the first in reading but a signe or two thou get but a few things may comfort thee yet hold out till thou come to the end of all the signes and then thou shalt see a faire armie as it were of arguments to prooue thy election and saluation For whereas the most and best of vs if wee be asked this question By what markes doe we know that we are the true children of God and not wicked men If we answer on a sudden and by present memory we can scarce giue two sound reasons to prooue the infallibilitie of our happy estate which shewes that the most of â—…s liue at a great vncertaintie Now he that hath gone through the signes shall finde perhaps twenty or thirty or fortie seueral and distinct arguments or markes which when he hath collected them all together may serue to answer all the obiections of all the Diuels in Hell The gates of hell cannot preuale against his faith which I declare thus If the Diuell say Thou art a wicked man and an hypocrite thou mayest readily answer that by the grace of God in Iesus Christ thou art none such and mayest put the Diuel to proue by the Word of God that euer any wicked man did attaine to all those signes thou hast collected Which because it cannot bee done thou mayest with much rest and full assurance commit thy selfe to God and bind thy selfe by Couenant neuer more to dishonour him by such vnbeâ—…efe as to call his loue and his saluation into question If a three-fold cord cannot bee broken how weake then should thy heart be if thou shouldst feare thy estate vnto which God hath so sealed and so many wayes marked thee out for himselfe And for thy further satisfaction after thou hast collected thy signes together thou mayest carrie them to thy godly Pastor and desire him to peruse them and accordingly giue thee his ministeriall testimonie concerning them in the name of Iesus Christ and this may adde much satisfaction and rest to thy conscience If in reading any of the signes thou finde any speciall doubts at any hand suppresse them not but seeke resolution from doubt to doubt and from signe to signe Thou mayst gaine much profitable knowledge by propounding these cases
of thy particular conscience The least gaine that can bee imagined by this course is that whereas before thou hadst few euidences or none for thy estate thou shalt now haue many of all sorts and it must needes bee thy owne way wardnesse if assurance follow not For these signes will ransacke thee and try thy very heart and reignes and all thy secretest desire and practices Yea this benefit thou maiest reape by the signes that they wil tell thee all the dayes of thy life how it is with thee whether thou goe forward or backward For if by examination now thou gather out all thou canst finde by thy selfe these will not onely lie by thee to helpe thee against any temptation at any time but besides if thou try thy selfe againe either against the next Sacrament or the next yeere thou mayest discerne what ground thou hast gotten or lost If thou prosper thou wilt discerne it by taking in diuers things in each signe which before thou durst not acknowledge and besides it will exceedingly shew thee what thou wantest in each grace of God and so what thou shouldest set thy selfe about and get thy wants supplyed It will at all times make a true Anatomie of thy estate which to the well aduised Christian ought to bee accounted a matter of great moment The God of peace giue thee all peace and ioy in beleeuing If thou receiue any good by this Treatise praise God and pray for me FINIS THE SIGNES OF THE WICKED MAN TOGETHER WITH Directions that shew how the seuerall Gifts and Graces of Gods Spirit may be maintained NEEDFVLL FOR SVCH AS want those Graces and for such as desire to increase in them By N. BIFIELD late Preacher of Gods Word at Isleworth in MIDDLESEX LONDON Printed by Iohn Legatt and are to bee sold by P. Stephens and C. Meredith at the golden Lyon in Pauls Church-yard 1630. TO THE MVCH HONORED LADIE the Ladie Bridget Tracie Nicholas Bifield wisheth all prosperity in the things of the Kingdome of CHRIST MADAM BEing destitute of a better gift to bestow vpon your Ladiship to testifie my thankefulnesse or obseruance I present this little Treatise vnto you It may haue more vse then it shewes for For if things shine more cleerly when their contraries are set by them then may this description of the estate of a wicked man by Signes serue much to establish the godly in the point of Assurance when he seeth himselfe freed from those fearefull forlorne markes And if men vse to make much of all those directions by which any gaine or treasure may be certainely compassed then ought the Directions not to bee despised that shew how the Spirit of God and the Graces thereof may bee attained For by these directions both those that want the true graces of Christ may here learne how to get them and such as haue them but in weake measure may by the same Rules learne how to increase them I haue beene induced to thinke of your Ladiship in this Dedication partly in acknowledgement of the great respect due to the Family out of which you came as it hath beene a principall meanes of causing the light of the Gospel for many yeeres to shine in those places where the people had sitten in darkenesse and in the shaddow of death And partly drawne by the many praises I haue obserued in your Ladiships since the time of your noble soiourning in the noble Familie you now liue in Your great respect of my Ministery and your constant paines to employ your selfe about religious duties deserue from mee more acknowledgment then so meane a gift as this can discharge Madam you are happy aboue many that God hath inclined your heart to beare the yoke of Christ in your youth and discerne the glory of the spirituall kingdome of Iesus Christ. Your meeknesse assures me libertie to beseech you to goe on in the good way of God and to cleane fast with all heartie affection vnto the Truth as you haue learned Iesus Christ. It shall bee a great increase of your glory to increase in the knowledge and grace of Christ and in sound deniall of your selfe and contempt of the world to fashion your selfe to all the courses by which you may bee pleasing in the eyes of God whiles multitudes in the Gentri◅ of the land of both sexes by following foolish vanities forsake their owne mercie Now the God of peace sanctifie you throughout so prosper his owne worke in you that your whole spirit and soule and body may bee preserued blamelesse vnto the comming of our Lord Iesus Christ March 9. 1618. Your Ladiships to bee commanded in Christ Iesus N. BIFIELD THE CONTENTS THE Preface shewing the necessitie of the tryall of mans estate and the causes why wicked men will not try themselues and also why diuers godly persons are negligent herein Page 119. to 209. CHAP. I. THirtie signes of an open wicked man pag. 209. to 218. CHAP. II. THirteene signes of an hypocrite pag. 218. to 222. CHAP. III. SIxteene signes of such Professors as are likely to fall away page 222. to 226. CHAP. IV. SEuen arguments of hope that shew a wicked man that he may bee saued if hee will bee directed page 226. to 230. CHAP. V. HOw hee may get faith page 230. to 234. CHAP. VI. HOw he may get to be poore in spirit pag. 234. to 239. How hee may attaine godly sorrow page 239. to 245. CHAP. VII HOw the Spirit of Adoption may be had pag. 245. to 247. How hee may get alone to the Word pag. 247. to 250. How hee may get the gift of prayer pag. 250. to 255. How he may attaine to the feare of God pag. 255. to 256. How he may be made to loue his enemies page 256. to 258. CHAP. VIII HOw sauing knowledge may be gotten and increased pag. 238. to 260. How the loue of God may bee wrought in vs. pag. 260. to 262. How the loue of the godly may be attained and how it may bee preserued pag. 262. to 366. CHAP. IX HOw vprightnesse and sound sincerity of conuersation may be attained pag. 266. to the end THE PREFACE TO THE CHRISTIAN and carefull Reader HOw necessary it is for all sorts of men in the visible Church to trie their estates whetherthey be true Christians or no may appeare by the expresse charge giuenin the Scriptures concerning it The Apostle Paul chargeth men to examine themselues whether they be in the faith and whether Christ Iesus be in them vnlesse they be reprobates 2. Cor. 13. 5. And the Apostle Peter would haue all Christians diligently to make their calling and election sure 2. Pet. 1. 10. And the like commandemēt lay vpon them in the Church of the Iewes in the old Testament as may appeare by that exhortation Lam. 3. 40. Let vs search and try our wayes and turne againe vnto the Lord and the Prophet Dauid in this case chargeth men to commune with their owne hearts Psal. 4. 4. How
preserue affection this spirituall loue in his heart and watch against and resist the first beginnings of decay or coldnesse or declining in his heart and take heede of suffering his heart to be drawne away by the deceitfulnesse of sinne or the enticements of the world 15. He must couet earnestly the best gifts 1 Cor. 12. vlt. There are some duties in piety or Mercie or Righteousnesse which in respect of our places doe most concerne vs would in a more speciall manner adorne our particular profession so are there some gifts which do aduance our communion with God and doe make vs more profitable amongst men Now these things we should study and earnestly labour to frame our selues to to expresse them more effectually in our conuersation This no doubt is the reason why the holy Ghost doth in the Scripture make Catalogues of certaine speciall duties or graces singled out from the rest and sitted to the cōditions of the people who are written to and this would be a singular aduantage to vs if we also would single out to our vse some few of the chiefest vertues or duties which we would daily set before vs an◅ striue by prayer and all holy endeauour to fashion them to the life in our hearts a◅d liues 16. He must renew often his mortification mans heart is like fallow ground which is not fit to receiue seed till it be broken vp and at best it is like a garden which will often need weeding If wee doe not at some times in speciall manner humble our soules before God worldly cares or carnall delights will ouer-grow our desires and our practice and choake the seed of the Word receiued by vs wee must keepe vnder our bodies and bring them in subiection and be often dragging our lusts to the crosse of Christ there to crucifie them Our practice is like to sowing which presupposeth plowing before Ier. 4. 3 4. Hosh. 10. 12. 1. Cor. 9. 27. 17. We must watch for the opportunities of well-doing and take heed of procrastination he must seeke righteous◅esse and haste to it he must not put it off till to morrow Esay 6. 8. Prou. 3. 28. and 2. 4. Amos. 5. 14. 18. Hee must remember the Sabbath Day to sanctifie it The commandement concerning the keeping of the Sabbath to sanctifie it is placed in the midst betweene the two Tabels of purpose to shew that the keeping of the Sabbath is a singular helpe to all piety and righteousnesse and God hath promised a speciall blessing to the obseruers of the Sabbath and giues strength by the rest of that day ◅he better to performe holy duties all the weeke after Commandement 4. Esay 38. 1◅ 19. Hee must meditate much on the example of the godly of all ages and striue diligently to learne their wayes and to quicken himselfe by the thought of their care zeale and sinceritie And thus hee may also profitably set before him the examples of such of his owne acquaintance as excell in the gifts of Christ and fruits of weldoing The example of good men should be as forcible to draw vs to good as the example of euill men is to incline others to euill wee haue beene compassed about with a cloud of witnesses who haue liued in all ages of the Church wee must therefore stand in the wayes see and aske for the old way to walke in it and with all gladnesse follow any that are fit to bee guides to vs therein Hebr. 12. 1. Ier. 12. 19. 6. 16. 20. He must go daily to him that teacheth to profit begging of God to shew him a way and to leade him by his Spirit vnto the right practice of euery holy duty euen to guide him in the plaine path Esay 48. 17. ◅sal 27. 11. Thus I haue s◅t downe those rules which are generall helpes vnto godlinesse and must be attended by a Godly Christian. CHAP. III. Shewing the things that are to bee auoided by such as would order their conuersation aright NOw before I proceed vnto the rules that concerne the manner of weldoing I will adde to the former directions nine Cautions or nine things which a Christian must take heed of in his practice of holy duties As First hee must take heed of wretchlesnesse or a scornefull carelesnesse of his owne wayes he must not despise his wayes as if he cared not how hee liued or rested satisfied to bee still as he was this carelesnesse proues the bane of many a soule whereas Hee that keepeth his soule keepeth his way Prou. 19. 16. and 2◅ 8. 2. He must take heed of precipitation or rashnesse or too much haste this is the ground of much false zeale and the cause of strange euils in the presence of some Christian but the godly Christian must learne of Salomon to prepare his worke in the field and then build his house he must get sound knowledge of the warrant of his actions guide his affaires by aduice and with serious preparation fit himselfe to the doing of what hee is sure is good Hee that hasteth with his feete sinneth what is done rashly cannot be done well Prou. 19. 2. As procrastination is a great vice so precipitation is no vertue Prou. 24. 27. 28. 26. 3. Hee must haue no confidence in the flesh he must not rely vpon his own wit memory reason desires vertues praises or power but all his comfort and affiance must be in the merits intercession vertue and assistance of Iesus Christ his Sauiour Phil. 3. 3. 4. He must not haste to be rich for the desire of money is the roote of all euill and they cannot be at leasure for good duties that are so eager to compasse great things in the world Pro. 23. 4. 28. 20. 5. Hee must take heed of the snares that rise from distrustfull feares There is a snare in feare Pro. 29. 25. There are many feares will assault a man that resolues to liue well as the feare that he cannot doe good duties the feare that God will not accept what he doth the feare lest men should scorne him or contemne him or lest he should lose the fauour of his friends or such like Now against all these must the godly minde be armed and take heede that those feares proue not great hinderances to him and especially take heed of that vnbeliefe or counterfeit humilitie by disabling himselfe or mistrusting God contrary to his nature and prom◅ 6. Hee must take heed of adding to or detracting from the word of God Hee must not imagine more sins then God hath made that is not trouble himselfe with feare of offending in such things as God hath not in his Word forbidden and so likewise hee must not impose vpon his owne conscience or other mens the necessitie of obseruing such rules of practice as God neuer prescribed This caution would ease the hearts of many Christians if it were
or prouocation but wee must also carry our selues discreetly and to this end there are these excellent Rules First thou must consider to speake what is acceptable and auoid what may irritate there is singular vse of this rule if it were followed Prou 10. 31 1â—… and 13. 3. Secondly thou must marke those that cause diuision and offâ—…nces and auoide them and shun the society of such Rom. 16. 17 18. This will breed thee much peace and deliuer thee from much suspition in others Thirdly thou must make no friendship with the angry man for either by much conuersing with him thou maist learne his waies or else it will be a snare to thee that thou shalt neither know how to keepe his fauour nor yet how to breake off from him without much vnrest and inconuenience Prou. 22. 24 25. Fourthly it is a great discretion in euill time to bee silent In things wherein thou mayest endanger thy selfe and not profit others it is thy best way and a wise course to forbeare speech of such things Amos 5. 13. Fiftly so likewise it is thy discretion in matters of dangers to forbeare the communicating of thy secret to any though thou mightest be tempted to a perswasion of trust in those to whom thou wouldest reueale them It may often repent thee to haue spoken but seldome to haue held thy peace Mica 7. 5. Sixthly withdraw thy feet from thy neighbours house lest he be wearie of thee and hate thee this is an excellent rule giuen by Saloman Prou. 25. 17. If thou wouldest conuerse with reputation take heed of idle gadding from house to house when thou hast no occasion or employment thou mayest draw hereby much secret contempt and loathing of thee when thy emptinesse and vanity shall be thereby discouered An empty conuersation that hath in it no exercise of pierie or vertue if it bee frequent occasioneth secret and vnutterable scorne 7. Restraine thine owne passions in conuersing There are none so wise but if they shew their passions of immoderate anger feare griefe yea or ioy they discouer much weaknes in their disposition which would bee couered if they did bridle the excesse of their passions A wise man couereth shame when a foole is presently knowne It is the best praise not to haue such weaknesses but the next to this is by discretion to bridle our selues so as we may hide our weaknesses from breaking out Lastly thou maist make good vse of that direction of Salomon about thy friend Blesse not thy friend with a loud voice rising early in the morning for it may bee accounted a curse to thee Take heede of flattery which in stead of effecting thine owne ends may bring thee out of all respect He doth not forbid the iust praise and encouragement of friends but the intending of praise of purpose to the vttermost notice of thy friend this is to praise him with a loud voice and the affectation of preuenting others in praising and of doing it in such things as are not yet suâ—…iently knowne to be praise-worthy and to set ones selfe so to praise as if he studied to doe nothing else but humour his friend especially if it be but once perceiued that thou doest it but for thy owne ends It is a great part of wisedome to know how to speake of the praise of others so as neither sinister ends be intended nor the humouring of those we praise to doe it sparingly and seasonably is a great discretion And thus of the Rules that make our conuersation amiable in respect of discretion Thirdly that our conuersation may not be hurtfull offensiue we must looke to the purity of it and so these rules following are of singular vse First in generall Refraine thy tongue from euill and thy lips that they speake no guile Psal. 34. 13. For he that keepeth his mouth keepeth his soule Prou. 21. 23. Take heed of the vsuall vices of the tongue for thereout may come much mischiefe and discontent to thy selfe and others Secondly in particular looke to thy selfe carefully that thou auoide those three euils mentioned by the Apostle Ephes. 5. 4. viz. filthy speaking foolish talking and iesting By iesting he meanes those biting iests that vnder pretence of shewing wittines or conceit doe secretly leaue disgrace vpon the persons whom they concerne Thirdly auoid with detestation the excesse in drinking and reuelling and suffer thy selfe vpon no pretence to bee drawne to giue way to thine owne practice in them 1 Pet. 4. 3. CHAP. XXII How we must carry our selues out of company THus of thy carriage in generall in company Now out of company thou must looke to these things First thou must fashion thy heart by the vse of all good meanes to the loue all sorts of men This 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 loue of men is a vertue little thought on yet greatly necessary as a foundation of all practice in conuersing with others and we should labour to abound in loue towards all men 1 Thess. 3. 12. Secondly remember to pray for all sorts of men This is a precept giuen vs in charge by the Apostle 1 Tim. 2. 1. and belongs to this place and we ought to make conscience of it according to the occasions of our callings or acquaintance with other men wee should euen in secret seeke to profit our neighbours by praying for them Thirdly we should prouide euen out of company to order our affaires so as that we may liue 1. Honestly without scandall 1 Cor. 10. 32. Phil. 1. 10. 2. Iustly without deceit or fraudulent dealing Leuit. 19. 35 36. 1 Thess. 4. 6. 3. Peaceably without strife with any if it be possible Prou. 3. 29 30. Zach. 7. 10. Heb. 12. 14. CHAP. XXIII Rules about worke of Mercy HItherto of the Rules that concerne Righteousnesse Mercy followeth Now in shewing mercy diuers things are charged vpon vâ—… First willingnesse We must giue cheerefully For the Lord loueth a cheerefull giuer We must loue mercy as well as shew mercy Our hearts should be euer answerable to our power We must bee readie and prepared to shew mercy abhorring delayes and putting off of time or seeking excuses Our eares should be open to the cryes of the poore Yea rather then be behind hand we should sel that we might giue almes Mich. 6. 8. 1 Tim. 6. 18. 2 Cor. 9. 4 5 6 7. Prou. 22. 22 23. Luke 12. 33. Prou. 3. 27 28. Secondly Labour and Diligence We should take paines and worke hard according to all the occasions of mercy This is the Apostles phrase God will not forget your worke and labour of loue Heb. 6. 10. We must be forward to doe those workes of mercy that require our paines and trauell about them as well as those we may doe and sit still 2 Cor. 8. 16 22. Thirdly Liberalitie We must open our hands wide Deut. 15. 8. we must be rich in good workes 1 Tim. 6. 18. We must not giue sparingly 2 Cor. 9.
6. we must giue to our power and sometimes beyond our power 2 Cor. 8. 2. we should desire to answer the expectation had of our bounty especially the expectation of our teachers that know vs and our estates 2 Cor. 8. 24. we should striue to abound in this grace also as well as in other graces of the Spirit 2 Cor. 8. 6. we should giue to seuen and also to eight Eccl. 11. 2. we must giue good measure yea and pressed downe Luke 6. 30. Fourthly Humility There is great vse of humility in shewing mercy Now we should shew our humility diuers waies about mercy As First in helping others without exalting our selues and domineering ouer them The rich must not thinke to rule the poore and to command them as if they were their vassals we should so shew mercy as not to stand vpon termes of their beholdingnesse to whom we shew mercy Prou. 22. 7. Secondly in not despising the poore wee must not thinke of them meanely and contemptuously because they stand in need of our helpe whether it bee in body or minde Prouerbs 14. 21. Thirdly in accepting exhortation shewing our selues willing to bee called vpon and stirred vp to mercie 2 Corinthians 8. 17. 4. By our penitencie when we goe to God after we haue done our best and confesse the corruption that cleaues vnto vs euen when we haue shewed our best desires to communicate to others and withall striuing to plow vp the fallow ground of our hard hearts that wee may bee more fit to expresse the bowels of mercie Hos. 10. 12. Fiftly the Macedonians shewed their humilitie in this that they prayed the Apostle to accept their gift giuing themselues also to bee disposed of to the Lord and vnto them by the will of God 2. Cor. 8. 5. Thus of the Humilitie to bee shewed in doing works of mercie A fifth thing required in shewing mercie is Faith and faith is needfull in two respects First to beleeue Gods acceptation of the mercy shewed For a godly Christian that is not vaine-glorious hath so meane an opinion of his best workes that hee finds neede to flie to Gods promises and da◅es not trust vpon his owne goodnesse Now God hath promised to accept of that we doe if there be a willing minde The will is accepted for the deed 2 Cor. 8. 12. Secondly to beleeue the successe and reward from God and that wee shall not lose by what is so expended Though the persons to whom we shew mercie should be so vngratefull that it were as bread cast on the waters yet we ought to beleeue that our seed cast on the waters shall bring vs a plentifull haruest Eccles. 11. 1. And it is certaine whatsoeuer the persons be yet what is giuen is sowed And if the Husbandman doe not thinke his corne spoiled that hee casts vpon his land no more ought a Christian to think that to be lost that is giuen to the poor Nature may disappoint the hope of the Husbandman but in workes of mercy there is no venture but a sure increase from the Lord 2. Cor. 9. 9 10. and therefore our faith should make vs get bags to put vp the certaine treasure wee shall gaine by mercy from the Lord Luk. 12. 33. A sixt thing required in shewing mercie is discretion and discretion should shew it selfe First by distributing our almes in the fittest course wee can hauing a principall respect to godly poore He that sheweth mercy ought to haue a good eye Prouerbs 22. 9. Secondly by obseruing our owne abilitie so to ease others that wee burden not our selues 1. Cor. 9. 14 15. Thirdly by taking heede that wee spend not vpon the rich by needlesse entertainments what oughtto be bestowed vpon the poore Prou. 2◅ 16. Luk. ◅4 13. Fourthly by auoiding scandall or giuing offence that no◅ blame vs in our abundance but prouiding things honest in the sight of God and men 2. Cor. 8. 20 21. yet so as we endeuour in an holy life and discreet manner to prouoke others by o◅zeale 2 Cor. 9. 2. A seuenth thing required in shewing mercy is Sympathie Pitty a Fellow-feeling of the distresses of others being like affectioned and laying their miseries to heart Heb. 13. 3. Col. 3. 1◅ Romans 12. 16. Iob. 30. 25. There should bee bowels in our mercie The last thing is Sinceritie Now this sinceritie should bee shewed diuers wayes As 1. In the matter of our almes It must be of goods well gottē For God hateth robbery though it were for burnt offrings Esa. 61. 8. 2. In the manner wee must shew mercie without wicked thoughts or griefe of heart Deut. 15. 7 8. to 12. and without hiding our selues from the poore Esay 58. 7. and without excuse to shift off the doing of it Prou. 24. 11 12. 3. In the ends That we doe not our workes to be seene of men or to merit of God but with an vnfained desire to glorifie God and make our profession to be well spoken of and shew the true loue and pitty wee beare to the creature in distresse Matth. 6. 2 Cor. 9. 19. 4. In continuing our mercy not forgetting to distribute but still remembring the poore Heb. 13. 16. Galath 2. soundly performing the◅ mercie with constancie which we haue purposed wil'd or promised It were an excellēt order if Christians would follow the Apostles rule Euery weeke as God hath prospered them to lay aside for the poore 1. Cor. 16. 2. 2 Cor. 8. 11. 5. In the kinds of mercy that we be ready to shew spirituall mercy as well as corporall and in corporall mercy to doe good all the waies wee can as well as one way As by lending protecting releasing visiting and giuing thus to the poore to such as are fallen into decay and to the strangers also as many Scriptures require CHAP. XXIIII Rules that shew vs how to carry our selues towards wicked men HItherto of the Rules that concerne all men now the particular rules direct our carriage either towards wicked men or towards godly men Our conuersation towards wicked men may bee ordered by these rules First we must auoid all needlesse societie with them and shunne their infectious fellowship especially wee must take heed of any speciall familiarity with them or vnequall yoaking our selues with them by marriage friendship or leagues of amitie Psalme 1. 1. 1 Cor. 6. 17. Ephes. 5. 7 11. Prou. 23. 20. 4. 14 c. Secondly when wee haue occasion to cōuerse with them we must studie how to walke wisely towards them so as we may be so farre from giuing scandall as if it be possible wee may winne them to glorifie God and his truth in our profession It requires much skill to order our selues aright in those things that are to be done in the presence of wicked men or in such things as must come by report vnto them and their scanning Now there are diuers things of admirable vse in our carriage to put
age or absence in a place so far remote for my earnest trust is that God will adde yet many yeres to your happy life on earth and besides I haue had heretofore occasion to know how little you were afraid to dye when the Lord did seeme to summon you by sicknes That GOD which hath ennobled your heart with heauenly gifts and so made you an instrument of so much good and contentment vnto that most excellent Princesse with whom you now liue and towards whom you haue shewed so much faithfull obseruance and dearenesse of affection and carefulnesse of attendance euen the Father of mercie and God of all consolations encrease in you all spirituall blessings and multiply the ioy of your heart and make you still to grow in acceptation and all well-doing Humbly crauing pardon for my boldnesse herein I commit your Honor to God and to the Word of his Grace which will build you vp to eternall life resting Your Honors in all humble obseruance N. BIFIELD Isleworth July 14. 1618. The chiefe Contents of this Booke THE drift is to shew how wee may be freed from the feare of Death pag. 6. 35 First it is prooued by eight apparent Arguments that it may be attained to pag. 655. to 660 Secondly it is shewed by fifteene Considerations how shamefull and vncomely a thing it is for a Christian to be afraid to die pag. 660. to 670. Thirdly the way how this feare may be remooued is shewed where may be noted An exhortation to regard the directions p. 670 671 Two wayes of Cure the one by Meditation the other by Practice p. 671. 1. The Contemplations either serue to make vs to like Death or else to bee lesse in loue with life pag. 672. Seuenteene Priuiledges of a Christian in death pag. 670. to 685. The contemplations that shew vs the misery of life are of two sorts for either they shew vs the miseries of the life of nature or else the miseries that doe vnauoidably accompanie the very life of grace p. 685. c. The miseries of the life of nature from p. 8â—… to 693. The miâ—…eries of a godly mans life are two-fold which appeares both in the things he wants and in the things hee hath while he lives pag. 693. c. Sixe things which euery godly man wants while he liues p. 694. to 698. What should make a godly man wearie of life in respect of God pag. 698. to 704. And what in respect of euill angels p. 704. c. And what in respect of the World p. 706. c. And what in respect of himselfe p. 721. c. Eight aggrauations of Gods corrections in this life p. 702. Eight apparent miseries from the world p. 706. c. Fifteene manifest defects and blemishes in the greatest seeming felicities of the world p. 712. to 721. Many aggrauations of our miserie in respect of corruption of nature in this life p. 721. c. The remainders of the first punishments yet vpon vs. p. 725. The remoouall of the Obiections men make about death from whence their feare ariseth and these Obiections are answered p. 7â—…7 1. About the paine of dying where are ten answers p. 721. c. 2. About the condition of the body in death p. 733. 3. About the desire to liue longer yet p. 736. 4. About the pretence of desire to liue long to doe good p. 740. 5. About casting away of ones selfe p. 472. 6. About parting with friends p. 745. c. 7. About parting with wife and children p. 747. 8. About leauing the pleasures of life p. 748. 9. About leauing their honours of life p. 750. 10. About leauing their riches p. 753. c. 11. About the kind of death p. 756. The second way of curing the feare of death is by practice where seuen directions are giuen from p. 757. to the end THE CVRE OF THE FEARE OF DEATH CHAP. I. Shewing the Scope and parts of this Treatise THat which I intend in this Treatise is to shew how a godly man might order himselfe against the feare of Death or what course hee should take to liue so as not to be afraid to die This is a maine point and exceeding necessary Life is throughly sweet when death is not feared A mans heart is then like Mount Sion that cannot be moued He can feare no enemie that doth not feare death As death is the last enemy so it workes the longest and last feares and to dye happily is to dye willingly The maine worke of preparation is effected when our hearts are perswaded to be willing to dye Now in the explication of this point I would distinctly handle three things First I will proue that to liue without feare of death is a thing may bee obtained one may be deliuered from it as certainly as a sicke man may be cured of an ordinary disease Sâ—…condly I will shew how vncomely a thing it is for a Christian to be afraid of death that so wee may be stirred vp the more to seeke the cure for this disease Thirdly I will shew by what mâ—…anes wee may bee deliuered from the feare of death if we vse them Of the two first more briefly and of the last at large CHAP. II. Prouing that we may be cured of the feare of Death FOr the first That the feare of death may be remoued and that we may attaine to that resolution to be willing to dye without lothnesse is apparent diuers wayes First it is euident Christ dyed to deliuer vs not onely from the hurt of death and from the diuell as the executioner but also from the feare of death too Now Christ may attaine to the end of his death vnlesse we will deny the vertue of Christ and his death and thinke that notwithstanding it cannot be obtained Heb. 2. 14 15. And the more apparent in this because in that place he shews that there is vertue in the death of Christ to cure this feare of death in any of the Elect if they wil vse the meanes For as our sins will not be mortified though there be power in the death of Christ to kill them vnlesse we vse the meanes to extract this vertue out of the death of Christ so is it true that the feare of death may be in some of Gods elect but it is not because Christ cannot deliuer them but because they are sluggish and will not take the course to bee rid of those feares The Physician is able to cure them and vsually doth cure the same disease but they will not take his Receipts Secondly the Apostle intreating of the desire of death saith That God hath wrought vs vnto the selfe same thing 2 Cor. 5. 5. We are againe created of God that we might in our selues aspire vnto immortality and are set in such an estate as if we answered the end of his workmanship we should neuer be well till we be possessed of the happinesse in another world which hee
to passe through the gate of death to attaine such a life What Prince would liue vncrowned if hee could helpe it and might possesse it without wrong or danger and what great heire would be grieued at the tydings that all his lands were fallen vnto him CHAP. VII The miseries of a Christian in respect of God in this life THus of what hee wants in this life Secondly he ought to be as much troubled to think what hee hath and cannot auoide while he liâ—…es and thus his life is distressed and made vnlouely either if he respect God or the euill angels or the world or himselfe For first if he respect God there are two things should marre the taste of life and make it out of liking The first is the danger of displeasing of God who would liue to offend God or grieue his H. Spirit or any way to make hiâ—… angry Thâ—…gh this reason will mooue little in the hearts of wicked men yet it is of singular force in the heart of an humble Christian who as he accounts Gods louing kindnesse better then life so he findes nothing more bitter then that he should displease God that God I say who is so great in maiestie and hath shewed himselfe so abounâ—…nt in mercy to him It would lie as an heauy load vpon our hearts to 〈◊〉 of the displeasing of our best friend specially if hee were a 〈◊〉 person or a Prince How much more should wee desiâ—… to bee 〈◊〉 of thaâ—… condition 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 may displease our good God and to be there where wee are sure neuer to anger him more Thâ—… second thing â—…hat should 〈◊〉 looke with 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 vpon life 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 God â—…oth conâ—…ally 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the things of this life The Lord doth of purpose so watch vs that when hee sees vs settle any contentment in life he drops in some thing that makes all extremely bitter And those correctioÌ„s of God should be the more noted if we consider but diuers aggrauations about them as 1. That God will correct euery sonne whom he loueth none can escape Heb. 12. 7. 2. That a man is vsually most opposed and crossed in that â—…ee loues best 3. That a man shall euer want what he wisheth euen in such things as other men doe not wâ—… There is a secret vexatioÌ„ cleaues vnto mans estate that their hearts runne vpon such thingâ—… which cannot be had but in the callings of other men The countryman praiseth the Citizens life and the Citizen is full of the praises of the Countrey and so is there in all men a liking of the callings of other men with a dislike of their owne Eccles. 6. 4. That there is no discharge in that warre but that a man must euery day looke for crosses Euery day hath his griefe Eccles. 8. 8. Luke 9. 24. Maâ—… 6. vlt. 5. That God will not lâ—…t vs know the times of our corrections but executeth them according to the vnchangeable purpose of his owne counsell so as they come vpon vs as a snare vpâ—…n a bird For this reason Salomon saith That the misery of man is great vpon him because there is 〈◊〉 time for euery purpose which cannot be auoided nor can man know before haâ—…d that which shall bee for who can tell him when it shall bee Eccles. 8. 6 7 8. and 9. 12. 6. That no man knoweth either loue or hatred by all that is before him A godly man can haue no such blessings outwardly but a wicked man may haue them in as great abundance as hee nor doth there any misery fall vpon the wicked in outward crosses but the like may beâ—…all the godly All things come alike to all there is one euent to the righteous and to the wicked to the cleane and vncleanâ—… to him that sweâ—…eth and to him that 〈◊〉 an â—…ath as is the good so is the 〈◊〉 This saith Salomon is an euill among all things that â—…e done vnder the Sunne that there is one â—…uent vnto all Eccles. 9. 1 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 7. This bitternesse is increased because God will not dispose of things according to the meanes or likelihoods of mans estate The race is not to the swiâ—… nor the battell to the strong nor yet brâ—…ad to the wise nor riches to men of vnderstanding nor yet â—…our to men of skill but time and chance hapneth to them all Eccles. 9. 11. 8. That besides the present miseries there are many miseries to come so as it is an argument to proue the happines of the dead that they are Esayâ—…57 â—…57 1 2. Which should likewise mooue vs to loue life the lesse because we know not what fearefull alterations may come either in our outward estate 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ters of Religion What 〈◊〉 were we in if war should come vpon vs with all the desolationâ—… and terrors that accompany it What if the 〈◊〉 should come againe or wee be lâ—…t in the hands of the violent or God fight against our estates by 〈◊〉 or inundations or the like Who can tell what fearefull alterations may beeâ—…in Religion And is it noâ—… best to bee in heauen and then are we safe Besides the miseries may fall vpon our owne bodies or our children or friends c. And these things should 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 life as we â—…espect God CHAP. VIII The miseries of life in respect of euill angels NOw secondly let vs turne our eyes to the euill angels and then these things may affright vs. 1. That they are euery where vp and downe the world in the earth ayre seas no place free Those fiery serpents are euery where in the wildernesse of the world Wee lead our liues here in the midst of innumerable dragons yea they are in the most heauenly places in this life the Church is not free from them A man can stand no where before the Lord but one diuell or other is at his right hand Eph. 2. 2. and 6. 12. Zac. 3. 1. Iob 1. And sure it should make vs like the place the worse where such foule spirits are the earth is a kind of hell in that very respect Secondly it should more trouble vs that we must of necessity enter into the Conflict with the diuels and their temptations and to bee buffeted and gored by them A man that knew he must goe into the field to answer a challenge will be at no great rest in himselfe But alas it is more easie a thousand fold to wrestâ—… with flesh and blood then with these Principalities and Powers and spirituall wickednesses and great Rulers of the world Ephes. 6. 12. Thirdly besides it addes vnto the distresse of life to consider of the subtiltie and cruelty of these diuels who are therefore like the crooked Serpent and Leuiathan and Dragons and roaring Lyons seeking whom they may deuoâ—…re Though these things will little moue the hearts of wicked men yet vnto the godly minde the temptations of life are a grieuous burthen Thus much of euill angels CHAP.
all sinne Note this 17 And is willing to suffer affliction 18 He dislikes sinne in all 19 Sinne reignes not in him 20 Hee humbles himselfe for sin euen in his prosperitie 21 And in aduersitie his heart is vpright 2â—… He accouâ—…ts of spirituall things as thy best things 23. He doth not fauour the things of the slesh and the world 24. He is much grieued if God hide himselfe 25. Of a Lyon hee becomes a Lambe 26. His spirit is without guile Why wee should try out faith The drift is to shâ—…w how faith may bee proued not how it may bâ—…e bred A second câ—…ueat Theâ—… note by way of preface The true fâ—…ith 1. Was wrought by the Word preached 2. Esteems Christ aboue all things 3. Receiues the testimony of Gods Ministers before all the world 4 Casts out by pocrisie 5. Will abide triall 6. It beleeues all things 7 Will not make hast 8. Is accompanied with a pure conscience 9. And a spirit of discerning 10. And the witnesse of the Spirit of adoptioÌ„ 11. Beareth those fruits following 1. Loue 2. Purity of heart 3. Victory ouer the World 4 Humility 5 Confession 6 Application of Christs righteousnesse 7 A very spring of grace Two sorts of graces in a Christian The holy thirst that is in the godly Christian tryed by foure signes His tryall by his loue to the Word 13. Signes to try his affection to the Word by His triall by his gift of prayer 13. Rules of tryall His loueto his enemies tried His tryall by the loue to the appâ—…aring of Christ. The triall of his knowledge And so he differs from wicked men In the things hee knowes 2. In the cause of his knowledge 3. In the effects of his knowledge 4 In the properties of his knowledge His loue to God tried by nine signes His loue to the godly tried by ten signes 5. Six fauours God bestowes vpon him which the wicked neuer feele 1. Election in time 2. The baptisme by fire 3. Much assurance 4. Ioy vnspeakeable 7. The sanctification of his afflictions 6 The answer of his prayers Sixe Rules of his trial about the Sacrament Note Why wicked men neglect the triall of their estates 〈◊〉 Because they are afraid all is noâ—… well 2. They are slothfull 3. They rest vpon the common hope Or 4 vpon their outward profession of Religion Or 5. they 〈◊〉 euâ—…l opinions 〈◊〉 assurancâ—… 6. They are lettâ—…d by their beloued sins Why soâ—…e that are godly neglect the triall of their estates 1. Euill opinions 2. Ignorance 3. Smothering of doubts and temptatioÌ„s They are wicked o uermâ—…ch 5. Melancholy 6. Passions 7. Neglect of the meanes 8. A barren life 1 Cor. 15. 58 9. Too much loue of earthly things 10. Secret sin 1 He is a wicked â—…an 1 That liues without God 〈◊〉 That auoids the societie of the godly 3. That sauours oâ—…ly earthly things 4. That iâ—… discernes not the things of God 5. That sorts with wicked men 6 Thaâ—… of malice persecuteth the truth 7. That allowes himselfe in Atheisticall thoughts 8 That cals not vpon God 9 That is not chastened of God 10 That neuer examines himselfe â—…n knowne sinnes 11 That applaudes himselfe in knowne sinne 12. That lothes the Word of God constantly 13. That allowes himselfe in hypocrisie 14. That refuseth knowledge 15. That in great distresses humbles not himselfe 16. That care not for the afflictions of the godly 17. That will not vnderstand to do good 18. That is â—…esensible of spiritual iudgemeÌ„ts 19. That is an ordinary swearer 20. That is carelesse of Gods Sabbath 21. That is a worker of iniquity 22. That beleeues not in Christ. 23. That hates to be reformed 24. That hath not the Spirit of Christ. 25. That cannot forgiue his enemies 26. That loues not God 27. That â—…ares not God â—…8 That is dead in sin 29. That is guiltie of any of his sinnes in the Apostles Catalogue 30. That cannot repent Two sorts of these signes 〈◊〉 Signes of hypocrisie 16 Signes of an vnsound Professor Note Arguments of hope 1 Gods oath 2 Gods Patience 3. The offer of grace to al 4. Suffiâ—…ient satisfaction made by Câ—…st 5. The meanes continued 6. One only sin vnpardonable 7. As grâ—…t sinners saued Quest. Answ. 1. He must consider of Gods promises 2. He must take notice of Gods commandement to beleeue 3. Hee must pray for faith 3. He must renounce his owne righteousnesse 5. He must waite vpon the Word preached 1 Gather a Catalogue of thy sins either by memory Or by booke 2. Consider Gods iustice 3 Think of his threatnings 4 Remember thy latter end 5. Obserue Gods iudg ments vpon the wicked 6. Especially Gods goodnesse to thee 7. Try thy selfe by the signes 8. Beg an humble heart of God 9. Liue vnder 〈◊〉 searching ministery 10. Wâ—…tch against the things â—…hou art naturally proud of 11 Auoide the flatterer 12 Thinke still of some of thy worst fruits Quest. Answ. 1 Consider Gods promise about a soft heart 2 Daily confesse thy sinnes to God and beg sorrow 3 Bee thankefull for euery mercie in prayer 4 Acknowledge thy faults to otheâ—… 5 Go into the house of mourning 6 â—…e heed of distraction in Godâ—… seruice 7 Study the tenth commanment 8 Remember the sorrowes of Christ for thy sinne 9. Get others to pray for thee 10. Vse fasting Quest. How the Spirit of Adoption may be had Answ. 1 He must pray for it 2 Waite vpon preaching 3 Cherish the motions of the Spirit Quest. How wee may get a loue to the Word Answ. 1 Sâ—…ttle vâ—…der a powerfull mi isterie 2 Pray God to quicken thee 3 Take heed of worldly cares 4 And of personall discord with such as feare God 5 And of vngodly companie 6. And of neglect of the increase thereof Or excesse 7. Practise what thou hearest To attaine the gift of prayer 1. Pray God to teach thee 〈◊〉 Ioyne wâ—…h such as can pray 3 How he â—…y 〈◊〉 himsâ—…lfe in euerâ—… part of prayer Three Questions How the feare of God may bâ—…â—…gotten in vs. How loue to our enemies may be excited How to increase sauing knowledge 1 He must be wise for himselfe 2 He must study only profitable things 3. He must redeeme the time 4. He must propoundâ—… his doubts 5 He must not consult with flesh and blood How the loue of God may bewrought in thee 1. Thou must auoid forgetfulnesse of God and the loue of the world 2. Thou must study Gods praises 3 Thou must frequent his house 4 Thou must study Gods mercies 5Thou must obserue thy daily infirmities 6 Thou must pray much 7 Thou must râ—…sort to experienced Christians 8 Thou must behaue thy selfe louingly towards the godly What wee must do to get the loue of the godly 1 Auoide the company of the wicked 1. Meditate much of Gods loue to vs. 3. Consider Gods Commandemét For the preseruatlon of our loue three things must bee looked to How sound sincerity of
loue 15 He must couet the best gifts 16. He must often humble his soule be fore God 17 He must watch for the oppor tunities of wâ—…-doing 18 Hee must be 〈◊〉 of sanctifying the Sâ—…bbath 19. Hee must often thinke of â—…he example of the godly that haâ—…e excâ—…lled 20. He must daily seek 〈◊〉 way of God He must â—…oide 1. Carelesnessâ—… Rashnes 3. Carnall confidence 4. Hast to be rich 5. Distrustfull 〈◊〉 6 Adding to or ta king from the Word of God 7 Coâ—…teÌ„p of reproof 8. Beholding vanity 9. The be ginning of sinne There are 5 things to be still remembred which concerne the manner of wel-doing Zeale with continual willingnes and feruen cie 1. Sinceritie which hath in it fiue things 1 Truth 2 Respect to al Gods commandements 3 Right end 4. Obedience with out expostulation 5. Obedience in all places The third thing required in the maner of well-doing is constancie And hee is constant that doth good duties 〈◊〉 Without discouragement 3. Notwithstanding impediments 4 Without wauering 5. Without declining 4. Feare Simplicitie which is 1 To rest vpon the Word for the formes of holines and happines 2 To bee harmelesse 3 To bee simple concerning euill 4 To loue goodnesse for it selfe 5. To 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 6. Feare God and not enuie the wicked The sixth is circumspection which hath fiue things in it The 7 is growth or increase Which hath three things in it 1 Abounding in goodnes 2. Perfecting of holinesse 3. Progresse 〈◊〉 Tâ—…m 4. 2. 1 8. Faith The last is moderation The place in Eccles. 7. 16. expounded The diuision of the particular rules The subdiuision The rules that con cerne the right knowledge of God of 〈◊〉 sorts That wâ—…e â—…ay conceiue â—…right of Gods nature 1 Wee must cast 〈◊〉 all likenesses 6. Wee must conceiue of him according to his prayses 3. Wee must beleeue the Trinity of Persons 4. Thou maist conceiue of God in the Humane Nature of Christ. 5. Thou must resist Atheistical thoughts 2. Of acquaintance with God That thou maiest bee aquainted with God 1. Thou must prepare thy heart 2 Thou must beg it by prayer 2. We must beleeue the Trinitie of Persons 3. 4. Thou must giue thy selfe to God Other things about our knowledge of God Rules about the exercise of our loue to God Sâ—…en wayes to manifest our loue to God 1. By auouching him to be our God 2 By prouiding him a place to dwel where wee dwell 3. By shewing our loue to Iesus Christ. 4. By walking with God Men walke with 5. wayes 6. By honouring God to waies of honoring God Rules about the praise of God When wee commend God diuers things are to be obserued 6 By trusting in him How wee must shew it that wee â—…rust God How wee may proue that wee trust God in distresse In relying vpon God in affliction We must auoid fiue things 7 By obeying him 2 Things in the manner of shewing our loue to God 1. Feruencie 2. Feare Eighâ—… wayes by which wee shew our feare of God About reioycing in God What it is to reioyce or delight our selues in God What wee must doe that wee might bee able to ioy in God Ruleâ—… about the seruice of God 9. Things to bee remembred in euâ—…ry part of Gods worship Rules about the publike worship of God 1. All must come 2. With all possible reuerence 3. And zeale And this zeale wee shâ—…uld shew sixe wayes 4. With one consent Three other rules gathered out of the Ps. 52. 8 9. Rules that order vs in hearing the Word of God 1 Before we come 1. In the time of hearing Noâ—… 3. After we haue heard Rules about Baptisme 1. Abouâ—… our children 2. About our selues In 〈◊〉 thingâ—… How Baptisme may help vs against sin 3. In respect of oâ—…hers Rules about the Lords Supper 1. We must examine our selues 2. We must discerne the Lords Supper 3. We must shew forth Christs death 4. We vow to cleaue to the godly 5. We must be reconciled 6. We vow an holy life Rules about prayer Thy words must be few 2. The heart must bee listed vp 3. Vse all manner of prayer 4 Thou must perseuere in prayer 5. Thou must be instant without fain ting or discourage â—…tat 6. With supplication for all Saints 7 In all things giue thankes Rules about reading the Scripture 1 Reade daily 2 Meditate of what thou readest 3. Confer vpon it 4. Resolue to obey Rules about singing of Psalmes The rules about vowing Rules about swea ring The rules about a religious fast Rules about the Sabbath 1. The preparation to it 2. Of the celebration of the Sabbath Rules that direct our carriage towards men Towards all men And so 1 in company Wâ—…th due râ—…spect of Religion Auoiding vaine ianglings in three thingâ—… How wee must behaue our selues in company concerning the faults of others Note Reproue but hate not Passe by mâ—…re frailties Rules that concerne the inoffensiuenesse of our carriage in company An humble behauiour hath three things in it 1. 2. 3. Note 8 Rules that concerne discretion in our behauiour Three rules that concerne the purity of our conuersation 1. The rules that order vs out of company 8. Things required in shewing mercy 1. Willingnesse 〈◊〉 Labour 3. Liberalâ—… ty 4. Humility Humility shewed fiue waies in doing workes of mercy 5. Faith in two respects 6. Discretion in 4. things 7. Sympa thy 8. Sinceritie in fiue things Needlesse socretie with them must bee auoyded Great wisdome required in conuersing with them Diuers things that affect the hearts euen of the worst men are 1. A mortified life 2. Reuerend speech of Religion 3. Meekenes of wisdome 4. Reseruednesse in foure things 5. Mercy 6. Vndauntednesse in a good cause 7. Patience in affliction Sixe waies of manifesting our loue to the godly 1 By courtesie 2. By receiuing them 3. By bearing their bur thens Note 4. By prouoking them to good duties 5. By faithfulnesse in all their businesse 6 By enioying our gifts for their good What wee must do to prâ—…serue our loue to the godly We must labour to be of one iudgement with them 2. We must 〈◊〉 peace 〈◊〉 We must couer their weakenesse 4. We must confesseour faults one to another 10. Things to be auoided 1. Suits in Law 2. Dissimulation 〈◊〉 Conceitednesse 4. Reioycing in iniquitie 5. Worldlinesse and selfe-loue 6. Ficklenesse 7. Vaine-glory 8. Iudging 9. Euill words and complaining 10. Forsake not their assembly How we must carry our selues towards such as are fallen from God How wee must carry our selues towards such as trespasse against vs. How wee must carry our selues towards weake Christians How wee must carry our selues towards the strong How wee must carry our selues towards our special friend How we must carry our selues in our â—…enerall calling 1 In matters of faith 2 About thy repentance 3 About thy hope 7. Things to be auoi ded in our particular calling 〈◊〉 Vnfaithfulnâ—…sse 3. Rashnes 4
cannot haue such force to melt the waxe as the beames of Gods presence haue to melt the heart Iames 4. 6 7 3. 7. The Apostle Paul being a sturdy Pharisee had his heart beaten to power with the feare of the tenth Commandement that told him Hee must not lust The knowledge and consideration of the abundance of sinne-guiltinesse he hath drawne vpon himselfe by the inward fruits of his euill nature kil'd him outright brake his pride and mortified him as hee at large repeates Rom. 7. 8 Remember the passion of thy Sauiour the pouerty banishmēt ignominie temptations the apprehension forsaking arraignment condemning and cruell death which hee suffered for thy sinnes Looke vpon him that was pierced for thy sake Zach. 12. 10. 9. If of thy selfe thou canst not yet attaine vnto sorrow for thy sins get some godly Christian that is endued with the gift of prayer to ioyne with thee in priuate that so the Lord may bee pleased to grant in Heauen what we of him doe aske on earth 10. Lastly If all other meanes faile then set a day a part by fasting for the day of a fast was called the day of afflicting or humbling the soule Leu. 16. 29. both because it was the maine duty to bee driuen after on that day and besides because the Lord vsually did blesse his owne ordinance so as hee gaue an humbled heart to those that sought it of him CHAP. VII Shewing how the Spirit of adoption may bee attained and also how the seuerall gifts of the Spirit may bee framed in vs. THus of humiliation If followeth that I shew how he may attaine to the other sacred gifts which are markes of a godly man as in the first sort of gifts how he may attaine to the loue of the Word the gift of Prayer the f◅are of God the loue of his enemies and the desire of the comming of Christ But before I enter vponthese it is necessary to shew him how he may attain the Spirit of Adoption which is necessary for these al other graces And concerning the Spirit of Adoption if any aske how it may bee attained Or rather how it may bee stirred vp in vs that we may feele his working in vs I answer That hee is had and stirred vp by inuocation God is pleased to declare himselfe willing and ready to bestow his Holy Spirit vpon men If they aske him of him by hearty praier Hee that hath giuen vs his Sonne will not deny vs the Spirit of his Sonne to be giuen into our hearts Gal. 4. 6. And this our Sauiour Christ assures vnto vs in the Parable Luke 11. 9. And I say vnto you Aske and it shall bee giuen you Seeke and ye shall find Knocke and it shall be opened vnto you 10. For euery one that ask◅th receiueth and hee that seeketh find◅th and to him that knocketh it shall be opened 11. If a Sonne shall aske Bread of any of you that is a Father will he giue him a Stone Or if he aske a Fish will he for a Fish giue him a Serpent 12. Or if hee aske an Egge will he giue him a Scorpion 13 If yee then which are euill can giue good gifts vnto your children how much more shall your heauenly Father giue the Holy Ghost to them that desire him 2 Wee must waite vpon the preaching of the Gospel where the Holy Ghost vsually falls vpon the hearts of men 3 When we feele the motions of the Spirit knocking at our hearts or any way surprising vs we must with all readinesse open the doores of our hearts that the King of Glory by hi◅ Spirit may enter into vs. The next question is then What wee should doe to get and preserue in vs the constant loue to the Word 1 The answer is First That we should seeke to settle our selues vnder the powerful preaching of the Word euen such a ministerie as doth set out the glory of the truth and of the Kingdome of Iesus Christ. 2 Wee must make conscience of it to pray vnto God to quicken vs and inflame our hearts to the loue of his Lawes as Dauid often did Psa. 119. 3 Take heed of excessiue cares and the ouer-reaching of desires in the emploiments of the world or the immoderate vse of worldly delights for those choake the seed of the Word and alienate the affections from it and so doth any grosse or beloued sin Heb. 3. Math. 13. 4 Take heed also of personall discord with such as feare God especially with thy Teachers for this doth by secret degrees make the heart carelesse and negligent and in some things wilfull and if it be not looked to in time will bring men from the liking of the Word as they haue been drawne from the liking of such as loue the Word 5 Take heed of vngodly companie For in such companie is quenched the sparkles of liking when they are kindled yea and the flames of affection are much dulled in whom they are best excited Psal. 119. 115. 6. Such as find some beginnings of desire after the Word and liking to it must take heed that they estrange not themselues from the exercises thereof For if they heare or reade but now and then either the heart will neuer bee throughly heated or if it bee it will easily waxe cold againe and yet herein some are to bee warned to take heed of disordered excesse for that will breed dulnesse as well as neglect As when they will reade daily for diuers houres or when they prouide vnto themselues an heape of Teachers as some that liue in great Cities thinke it Religion to heare all sorts of men and all the Sermons can bee come vnto As if the power of godlinesse lay onely in the vse of the meanes of godlinesse 7. We must practise what we heare and labour to shew foorth the fruit of the doctrine He that would bee in loue with husbandry must sow his seed in his ground and then the gaine of the Haruest will still allure him to like the Trade If wee be fruitlesse hearers of the Word wee cannot loue it or if we doe it will be but for a flash or small time Thus of the loue to the Word He that would learne to pray must follow these directions 1. He must goe to God in the Name of Christ and beseech him to giue him words and by his Spirit teach him to pray It is God onely can make a man speake a pure Language For hee onely can instruct the heart of man and endue it with this heauenly gift Romans 8. 26 Ephesians 6. 18. 2 It will much helpe him to ioyne himselfe to such as call vpon the N◅me of the Lord with a pure heart ◅specially in the dayes of their humiliation 2 Timothy 2. 22. 3 There are three distinct things which a man may with singular profit propound vnto himselfe in his prayers
Confâ—…ssion of sinnes Petition for grace and thanks-giuing for mercies receiued Nâ—…w the weakest Christian may be through Gods blâ—…ssing comfortably furnished for his owne particular if hee take such a coâ—…e as this to goe aside and with all sâ—…cie and attention of heart before the Lord aske himselfe these three Questions 1 What sinnes haue I committed which either now do trouble me or if I were to dye would make mee afraid Let him set them downe in a paper or in his memory distinctly till hee can can bethinke himselfe of no more It is no great matter for the order how hee sets them downe so hee be sure he haue the chiefe sinnes in which hee daily offends or hath offended 2 What would I haue the Lord doe for me if I might haue what I wish let him set the particulars downe till he can remember no more As for example I would haue him forgiue mee my sinnes and I would haue him giue mee strength against such and such sins and I would haue him giue mee faith and assurance and I would haue him giue me Heauen when I dye and so goe on with all the things he feeles a desire in his heart to seeke of God till he can remember no more and if at any other time hee remember some speciall thing which hee would further haue which hee hath not in his Catalogue let him set it downe as from time to time he sees cause 3 What speciall fauours hath God shewed to mee which I see I ought to take special notice of Let him set them downe distinctly whether they be deliuerances or such and such spirituall or outward mercis preseruing the memorie principally of the chiefest of them Now when hee hath thus furnished these three heads with things that in particular concerne himselfe they being all matters of weight hee must now carry these things or the chiefe of them in his mind and frame his heart to speake to God in the best words he can get to signifie his detestation of those sinnes his humble requests for those graces and his vnfained thankefulnesse for those blessings Howsoeuer hee may be rude or vnperfect in his Language about these at the first yet exercise will bring him to a ripenesse and by this course hee shall be sure to speake of things that concerne himselfe neerely and that God which hath taught Parents to regard the vnperfect language of their little Children when they begin to speak vnto them will himselfe much more delight to heare the desires of his Seruants that are grieued that they cannot speake in a better sort vnto him The profit and comfort of this course will appeare by experience to be exceeding great besides it is an easie way where there is in any a true desire to bee at the paines to learne this Language of speaking to God by prayer and Gods Spirit will helpe and teach the poore Christian and draw his petitions for him and prompt him both with words and affections And the Christian must know this that when hee hath confessed his sinnes and shewed what hee should haue God doe for him with the best words hee could in the truth of his heart he hath made a most effectuall prayer to God Thus of prayer The awefull of God and the reuerent dreading of God may bee begotten and increased in vs if we throughly remember and deepely ponder vpon 1. The surpassing glory and transcendent excelleÌ„cie and perfection of his Nature his absolute purity and exact lustice and Holinesse 2. The wonderfull workes of God especially those standing miracles shewed in the hanging of this mighty earth and those huge heapes of water in the cloudes and the bounding of these mighty Seas and such like 3. His fearefull threatnings of all sorts of woes against the transgressions of men 4. The terrour of the last day and the dreadfulnesse of death and Iudgement 5. The fearefull and sudden iudgements which haue fallen vpon wicked men either recorded in Scripture or reported in Histories or obserued in experience 6. Especially if wee thinke much and seriously of the great goodnesse of God to vs how hee hath striuen with vs to ouercome vs with his mercies Thus of the feare of God We should striue to stirre vp in vs affection and loue to our very enemies by such considerations as these 1. Because Christ to whom we are infinitely bound hath expresly charged vs to look to this That we doe loue our enemies and therefore for his sake wee should deny our selues and our owne corrupt desires and affections and striue to shew the truth of our loue euen towards them that hate and persecute vs. 2. There is none so wicked but they haue something good in them and worthy to be respected 3. Our enemies doe vs good though they intend it not wee ought to like the very rod that mends vs and regard the water that washeth vs white and make much of the stone that tries vs and the glasse that shewes vs our spots and not mislike the tents that search our wounds 4. If euer God turne their hearts they will be effectuall instruments of our praise Gods glory in the day of their visitation they will not willingly beare the shame of their owne sinfull oppositions I forbeare to set downe the directions for the attainement of the loue of the appearing of Christ because I haue at large handled that point in the Treatise of the Cure of the feare of Death CHAP. VIII Thus of the directions that concerne the first sort of gifts concerning the attainement of the other graces the directions now follow AND first for the attainment of sauing knowledge and the increase ofâ—… these directions are of excellent vse 1. In hearing or reading the Scriptures hee must bee wise for himselfe that is marke distinctly what he heareth or readeth that may especially concerne himself Prou. 〈◊〉 12. 2 He must study those things exactly which most concerne him auoiding vaine questions and fruitlesse contemplations and vaine ianglings and controuersies he must especially labour to know Gods Nature aright and the distinct manner of Gods true worship how he may serue him he must studie to know his owne particular offences and Christ crucified as his Sauiour with the benefits of his mediation and the necessary things that concerne his owne Iustification Sanctification and finall Saluation 3. He must redeeme the time and by forecast and order prouide so that some time may be daily allowed for holy studies to recouer his former time lost 4. Hee must enquire and take counsell hee must take heed of smothering his doubts but must carefully seeke satisfaction to his conscience as occasion ariseth There is more profit in this rule then many Christians are aware of 5. Hee must take heede of consulting with flesh and blood he must not regard other mens opinions or his owne carnall reason but resolue to giue the glory to Gods Word so