14 15 16 17 18 Instead of which thou feelest darkness hardness of heart and the thoughts oâ— God are terrible to thee Psal. 77. 3 now God never visits thee or if hâ— doth it is but as a wayfaring-man thâ— tarryeth but for a night Jer. 14 8 9. This also brings to mind how the case 〈◊〉 altered with thee touching thy confidence in God for thy future happiness â—ow uncertain thou now art of thy hopes for Heaven how much this life doth â—ang in doubt before thee Deut. 28. 65 66. 2. Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen and repent These are words well put together for a solid considering of what I have lost in my declining will provoke in my heart a sorrow and godly heaviness whereby I shall be forced to bemoan my condition and say I will go and return to my first Husband for then it was better with me than now Hos. 2. 7. And beleive it the reason of God's standing off from giving thee comfortable communion with himself it is that thou mightest first see the difference between sticking close to God and forsaking of him and next that thou mightest indeed acknowledge thy offence and seek his face Hos. 5. 15. he taketh no pleasure in thy forlorn condition he had rather thou shouldst have Him in thy bosome only he will have it iâ— his own Way He looketh down upon men and if any say I have sinned and perverted that which is right and iâ— profiteth me not then he will deliver his soul from going down into the Pit and his life shall see the Light Job 33. 27 28. 3. Remember from whence thou art fallen and repent and do thy first Works As there should be a remembring and a repenting so there should be a hearty doing our first Works a believing as before a laying hold of the things of Heaven and Glory as at the first for now is God returned to thee as before Zech. 1. 16. and though thou mayest through the loss of thy locks with Sampson be weak at the first yet in short time thy hair will grow again that is thy former experience will in short space be as long large and strong as in the former times indeed at the first thou wilt find all the wheels of thy soul rusty and all the strings of thy heart out 〈◊〉 tune as also when thou first beginnest to stir the dust and filth of thy â—art will like smoak trouble thee â—m that clear beholding the Grace of thy God and his Love to thy Soul â—t yet wait and go on and though you findest thy self as unable to do â—y thing as thou formerly couldst â—t I say up and be doing and the â—ord will be with thee for he hath â—t despised the day of thy small things 〈◊〉 Chron. 22. 16. Zech. 4. 10. I know thou wilt be afflicted with a thousand temptations to drive thee to despair that thy Faith may be faint c. â—t against all them set thou the Word 〈◊〉 God the Promise of Grace the blood of Christ and the Examples of God's Goodness to the great Backâ—â—ders that are for thy encouragement â—corded in the Scriptures of Truth â—d remember that turning to God â—er back-sliding is the greatest piece 〈◊〉 service thou canst do for him and 〈◊〉 greatest honour thou canst bring to 〈◊〉 Blood of Christ and know further that God to shew his willing reâ—ception of so unworthy a creature saith There shall be joy in Heaven at thy Coâ—â—version to him again Luke 15. 7 10. To Conclude If thou yet notwistanding whâ— hath been said dost remain a Bacâ—â—slider First Then remember that thoâ— must die and remember also thâ— when the Terrours of God â— Death and a Backslidden hearâ— meet together there will be sâ— work in that Soul this is the mâ— who hangeth tilting over the mouâ— of Hell while Death is cutting tâ— thred of his life Secondly Remember that thouâ— God doth sometimes yea ofteâ— receive Backsliders yet it is nâ— alwayes so Some draw back 〈◊〉 â—erdition for because they have â—ung up God and would none of â—im he in Justice flings up them â—nd their Souls for ever Prov. 1. 24 â—5 26 27 28. I have observed that sometimes God as it were in revenge for inâ—ry done him doth snatch away â—oules in the very nick of their â—acksliding as he served Lot's â—ife when he turned her into a Pilâ—r of Salt even while she was â—oking over her shoulder to Soâ—om Gen. 19. 26. an example that â—very Backslider should remember â—ith astonishment Luke 17. 32. Thus have I in few words writâ—en to you before I die a word 〈◊〉 provoke you to Faith and Holiâ—ess because I desire that you may â—ave the Life that is laid up for all them that believe in the Lord Jesus and love one anotheâ— when I am deceased though therâ— I shall rest from my labours anâ— be in Paradise as through Gracâ— I comfortably believe yet it is noâ— there but here I must do yoâ— good wherefore I not knowinâ— the shortness of my life nor thâ— hinderance that hereafter I maâ— have of serving my God and youâ— I have taken this opportunity tâ— present these few lines unto you foâ— your edification Farewel From my place of Confinemeâ— in Bedford this 17th the 4th Month 1663. THE END Prison-Meditations Directed to the Heart of SUFFERING SAINTS And REIGNING SINNERS By JOHN BUNYAN a Prisoner 〈◊〉 FRiends I salute you in the Lord and wish you may abound 〈◊〉 faith and love that you may ward your selves from Satans wound 〈◊〉 Friends write to me that I would hold my Head above the Flood â—nd I do wish you also bold in holding fast the good 〈◊〉 I am indeed in Prison now in Body but my Mind 〈◊〉 free to study Christ and how unto me he is kind 4. For though men keep my outward man within their locks and bars Yet by the Faith of Christ I can mount higher than the 〈◊〉 5. Their Fetters cannot Spirits tame nor tie up God from me My Faith and Hope they cannot lame above them I shall be 6. I here am very much refresht to think when I was out I preached Life and Peace and Rest to Sinners round about 7. My business then was souls to save by preaching Grace and Faith Of which the comfort now I have and have it shall till death 8. They were no Fables that I taught devil'd by cunning men But God's own Word by which were caught some sinners how and then 9. Whose souls by it were made to see the evil of their sin And need of Christ to make them free from death which they were in 10. And now those very hearts that then were foes unto the Lord Embrace his Christ and Truth like men conquered by his Word 11. I hear them sigh and groan and cry for grace to God above They loath their sin and to it die t is holiness they love 12. This was the work I was about when hands on me
Works be Good Thirdly That every Believer should not only be careful that their Works be good and for the present do them but should also be careful to maintain them that is They should carefully study to keep in a constant course of Good Works And lastly That the best way to provoke both our selves and others to this Work It is to be often affirming to others the Doctrine of Justification by Grace and to believe it our selves This is a faithful Saying and these things I will saith Paul that thou affirm constantly that they who have believed in God might be careful to maintain Good Works I begin with the first That Good Works do flow from Faith This is evident divers wayes First from the impossibility of their flowing from any other thing they must either flow from Faith or not at all For whatsoever is not of Faith is sin And again without Faith it is impossible to please Him Rom. 14. 23. Heb. 11. 6. Every man by nature before Faith is an evil and a corrupt tree And a corrupt tree cannot bring forth good fruit Do men gather grapes of thorns or figs of thistles Mat. 7. 16 17. Now a man is made good by Faith and by that bringeth forth the Fruits that are acceptable to God Heb. 11. 4. Col. 1. 4 5 6. Wherefore sinners before faith are compared to the Wilderness whose fruits are briers and thornes and whose hearts are the habitation of Dragons that is of Devils Isa. 35. 6 7. Heb. 6. 7 8. And hence again it is that they are said to be Godless Christless Spiritless Faithless Hopeless without the Covenant of Grace without Strength enemies in their minds by wicked works and possessed by the Spirit of wickedness as a Castle by a Conqueror Ephes. 2. 12. Jude 19. 2 Thes. 3. 2. Col. 1. 21. Luke 11. 21. Now these things being thus it is impossible that all the men under heaven that are unconverted should be able to bring forth one work rightly good even as impossible as for all the Briers and Thrones under Heaven to bring forth one cluster of Grapes or one bunch of Figs for indeed they want the qualification A Thorn bringeth not forth Figs because it wanteth the nature of the Fig-tree and so doth the Bramble the nature of the Vine Good Works must come from a good heart Now this the unbeliever wanteth because he wanteth Faith For 't is that which purifieth the heart Luk. 6. 45. Acts 15. 9. Good Works must come from love to the Lord Jesus but this the unbeliever wanteth also Because he wanteth Faith for Faith worketh by love and by that means doth good as Gal. 5. 6. And hence again it is That though the carnal man doth never so much which he calleth good yet it is rejected slighted and turned as dirt in his face again his prayers are abominable his plowing is sin and all his righteousness as menstruous rags Prov. 15. 8. Prov. 21. 4. Isa. 60. 4. Thus you see that without Faith there is no Good Works Now then to shew you that they flow from Faith And that For that Faith is a principle of Life by which a Christian lives Gal. 2. 20 21. a principle of Motion by which it walks towards Heaven in the Way of Holiness Rom. 4. 12. 2 Cor. 5. 7. It is also a principle of strength by which the soul opposeth its lust the Devil and this World and over-comes them This is your victory even your Faith 1 John 5. 4 5. Faith in the heart of a Christian is like the Salt that was thrown into the corrupt Fountain that made the naughty waters good and the Land fruitful 2 Kings 2. 19 20 21. Faith when it is wrought in the heart it is like leaven hid in the meal Mat. 13. 33. or like perfume that lighteth upon stinking leather turning the smell of the leather the savour of the perfume it being theâ— planted in the heart and having its natural inclination to holiness Hence it iâ— that there followeth an alteration of the life and conversation and so bringeth forth fruit accordingly A good man ouâ— of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth good fruit Luk. 6. 45. Which treasure I say is this Faith Jam. 2. 5. 1 Pet. 1. 7. And therefore it is that Faith is called The Faith according to Godliness and the most holy Faith Tit. 1. 1. Jude 20. 2. Good Works must needs flow from Faith or no way Because that alone carrieth in it an argument sufficiently prevalent to win upon our natures to make them comply with holiness Faith sheweth us that God loveth us that he forgiveth us our sins that he counteth us for his Children having freely justified us through the Blood of his Son Rom. 3. 24 25. Rom. 4. Heb. 11. 13. 1 Pet. 1. 8. Faith receiveth the Promise imbraceth it and comforteth the Soul unspeakably with it Faith is so great an Artist in arguing and reasoning with the soul that it will bring over the hardest heart that it hath to deal with It will bring to my remembrance at once both my vileness against God and his goodness towards me it will shew me that though I deserve not to breath in the Air yet that God will have me an Heir of Glory Now there is no argument greater than this this will make a man run thorow ten thousand difficulties to answer God though it never can for the Grace that he hath bestowed on it Further Faith will shew me how distinguishingly this Love of God hath set it self upon me It will shew me that though Esan was Jacobs Brother yet he loved Jacob Mal. 1. 2. that though there were thousands more besids me that were as good as me yet I must be the man that must be chosen Now this I say is a marvellous argument and unspeakably prevaileth with the sinner as saith the Apostle For the Love of Christ constrains us because we thâ—â— judge That if one dyed for all then are all dead and that he died for all that they which live that is by Faith should not henceforth live unto themselves but to Hiâ—â— that died for them and rose again 2 Cor. 5. 14. Love saith the Wise man is strong as Death many waters cannot quench Love neither can the floods drown it If a man would give all the substance of his house for Love it would be utterly contemned Song 8. 6 7. Oh! when the broken dying condemned sinner can but see by Faith the Love of a tender-hearted Saviour and also see what he underwent to deliver it from under that Death Guilt and Hell that now he feels and fears which also it knoweth it hath most justly and highly deserved Then bless the Lord O my soul and what shall I render unto the Lord for all his benefits Psal. 103. 1 2 3. Psal. 116. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 10 11 12 13 14. Thus is Faith a prevailing argument to the sinner whereby he is fetched
now to its outward Touching the outward state of thy â—â—mily thou art to consider these thâ— things First That it lyeth upon thee to câ—â—â— for them that they have a convenieâ—â— livelyhood If any man provide not for 〈◊〉 own and especially for those of his own houâ—â— he hath denied the Faith and is worse thâ— an infidel 1 Tim. 5. 8. But mark whâ—â— the Word saith thou art to provide 〈◊〉 thy house it giveth thee no license 〈◊〉 distracting carefulness neither doth 〈◊〉 allow thee to strive to grasp the World 〈◊〉 thy heart or Coffers nor to take care fâ—â— years or dayes to come but so to prâ—â—vide for them that they may have foâ—â— and raiment and if either they or thoâ— be not content with that you lanch oâ— beyond the Rule of God 1 Tim. 6. 〈◊〉 Mat. 6. 34. This is to labour that you 〈◊〉 have wherewith to maintain good Works 〈◊〉 necessary uses Tit. 3. 14. And never object that unless you reaâ— further it will never do for that is 〈◊〉 unbelief The Word saith That Gâ—â— â—â—edeth Ravens careth for Sparrows and loatheth the Grass in which three to feed loath and care for is as much as heart an wish Luke 12. 6 24 27 28. Secondly Therefore though thou shouldst â—rovide for thy Family yet let all thy â—abour be mixed with moderation Let our moderation be known to all men Phil. â— 5. Take heed of driving so hard after his World as to hinder thy self and faâ—ily from those Duties towards God which thou art by Grace obliged to as â—rivate Prayer reading the Scriptures â—nd Christian Conference It is a base â—hing for men so to spend themselves and â—amilies after this World as that they â—isingage their hearts to God's Worship 〈◊〉 Christians The time is short It remainâ—th then that they that have Wives be as â—hose that have none and they that weep 〈◊〉 though they wept not and they that reâ—yce as though they rejoyced not and they â—hat use this world as not abusing it for â—â—e fashion of this world passeth away 1 Cor. â—â— 29 30 31. Many Christians live and do in this world as if Religion were but a by-biâ—ness and this World the one thing neceâ—sary when indeed all the things of 〈◊〉 world are but things by the by and Râ—â—ligion only the one thing needful Lukâ— 10. 40 41. 42. Thirdly If thou wouldst be such a Mâ—ster of a Family as becomes thee thâ— must see that there be that Christiâ— Harmony among those under thee as bâ—comes that house where one ruleth thâ— feareth God 1. Thou must look that tâ— Children Servants be under subjectâ— on to the Word of God for though it of God only to rule the heart yet he eâ—â—pecteth that thou shouldst rule their ouâ— ward man which if thou dost not he mâ— in short time cut off all of thy stock that pâ—â—seth against the wall 1 Sam. 3. 11 12 1â— 14. See therefore that thou keep the temperate in all things in Apparrel 〈◊〉 Language that they be not Gluttenoâ— nor Drunkards not suffering either tâ—â— Children vainly to domineer over tâ—â— Servants nor they again to carry theâ—â—selves foolishly towards each other 2. Learn to distinguish between that injury that in thy Family is done to thee and that which is done to God and though thou oughtest to be very zealous for the Lord and to bear nothing that is open transgression to Him yet here will be thy wisdom to pass by personal injuries and to bury them in oblivion Love covereth the multitude of sins Be not then like those that will rage and stare like mad-men when they are injured and yet either laugh or at least not soberly rebuke and warn when God is dishonoured Rule thy own house well having thy Children with others in thy Family in subjection with all gravity 1 Tim. 3. 4. Solomon was so excellent sometimes this way that he made the eyes of his beholders to dazzle 2 Chron. 9. 3 4. But to break off from this general and to come to particulars First Hast thou a Wife thou muâ—â— consider how thou oughtest to behave thâ— self under that relation And to do this â— right thou must consider the condition 〈◊〉 thy wife whether she be one that indeeâ— believeth or not â— she believeth Theâ— First Thou art engâ—â—ged to bless God foâ— her For her price is far above Rubies anâ— she is the Gift of God unto thee and is fâ—â— thy adorning and glory Prov. 12. 4. Provâ— 31. 10. 1 Cor. 11. 7. Favour is deceiâ—ful and beauty is vain but a Woman thâ— feareth the Lord she shall be praised Provâ— 31. 30. Secondly Thou oughtest to love he under a double consideration 1. As shâ— is thy flesh and thy bone For â—evâ—â— Man yet hated his own flesh Ephes. 5â— 29. 2. As she is together with thee aâ— heir of the Grace of Life 1 Pet. 3. â— This I say should engage thee to lovâ— her with Christian Love to love her as believing you both are dearly belovâ— of God and the Lord Jesus Christ anâ— as those that must be together with him in Eternal happiness Thirdly Thou oughtest so to carry thy self to and before her as doth Christ to and before his Church as saith the Apostle So ought men to love their wives even as Christ loved the Church and gave himself for it Ephes. 5. 25. When husbands behave themselves like husbands indeed then will they be not only husbands but such an Ordinance of God to the wife as will preach to her the carriage of Christ to his Spouse There is a sweet scent wrapped up in the relations of husbands and wives Ephes. 5. 32. that believe The wife I say signifying the Church and the husband the head and saviour thereof Ephes. 5. 23. For the husband is the head of the wife even a Christ is the head of the Church and He is the Saviour of the body This is one of God's chief ends in instituting Marriage that Christ and his Church under a figure might be where-ever there is a couple that believe through Grace Wherefore that husband that carrieth it undiscreetly toward his wife he doth not only behave himself contrary to the Rule but also maketh his Wife lose the benefit of such an Ordinance and crosseth the mystery of this Relation Therefore I say So ought men to love their Wives as their own bodies He that loveth his Wife loveth himself for no man ever yet hated his own flesh but nourisheth and cherisheth it even as the Lord the Church Ephes. 5. 28 29. Solomon and Pharaoh's Daughter had the art of thus doing as you may see in the Book of Canticles Wherefore bear with their weaknesses help their infirmities and honor them as the weaker vessels and as being of a frailer constitution 1 Pet. 3. 7. In a word be such a Husband to thy believing Wife that she may say God hath not only given me a husband but such a Husband as
shal hear of all these statutâ— and say This great Nation is a wise 〈◊〉 understanding People Deut. 4. 6. The Third Observation Every Believer should not only take â—â—ed that their works be good and so for 〈◊〉 present do them but should carefulâ—â— study to maintain them that is to â—â—ep in a continual exercise of them It is an easier matter to begin to do â—od than it is to continue therein and 〈◊〉 reason is there is not so much of 〈◊〉 Christians cross in the beginning of a â—ork as there is in a continual hearty â—â—nscientious practice thereof Thereâ—â—â—e Christians have need as to be presâ—â—â— to do good so to continue the work â—an by nature is rather a hearer than a â—er Athenian like continually listing after some new thing seeing maâ—y things but observing nothing Acts 〈◊〉 20 Isa. 42. 20. It is observable that â—er Christ had divided his hearers into â—â—u parts he condemned three of them 〈◊〉 fruitless hearers Luke 8. 5 6 7 8. â—h it is hard continuing believing conâ—â—nuing loving continuing resisting all that opposeth we are subject to be weâ—ry of well-doing Gal. 6. 9. to pluck oâ— right eyes to cut of right hands 〈◊〉 right feet is no pleasant thing to fleâ—â— and blood and yet none but these shâ—â— have the Promise of Life because noâ— but these will be found to have the effectual work of God's Grace in their soulâ— If ye continue in my Word then are you 〈◊〉 Disciples indeed Mat. 18. 8 9. 24. 〈◊〉 John 8. 31. And hence it is that you 〈◊〉 so many ifs in the Scripture about meâ— happiness as if you be Sons then Heâ—â— and if you continue in the Faith and we hold the beginning of our confidenâ— stedfast to the end Rom. 8. 17. Col. 1. 2â— Heb. 3. 14. not that their continuing the way of God is the cause of the 〈◊〉 being right but the work being right caâ—seth the continuance therein As 〈◊〉 saith in another place They went out 〈◊〉 us because they were not of us for had 〈◊〉 been of us no doubt saith he they 〈◊〉 have continued with us 1 John 2. 19. But I say where the work of God 〈◊〉 deed is savingly begun even there 〈◊〉 corruption and the body of death â—oppose it Therefore should Christiâ—â—s take heed and look that against these â—â—posites they maintain a continual â—â—urse of Good Works among men Besides as there is that in our own â—â—wels that opposeth goodness so there is 〈◊〉 Tempter the wicked one both to â—â—imate these lusts and to joyn with â—â—em in every assault against every apâ—â—rance of God in our souls And hence â—is that he is called the Devil the Eneâ—â— the Destroyer and him that seeks conâ—â—nually to devour us 1 Pet. 5. 8. I need say no more but this He that â—ill walk like a Christian indeed as he â—all find it is requisit that he continue 〈◊〉 Good Works so his continuing thereâ—â— will be opposed if therefore he will â—â—ntinue therein he must make it his â—â—finess to study how to oppose those â—at oppose such a life that he may conâ—â—nue therein Now then to help in this here fitly â—â—mes in the last Observation to wit 〈◊〉 That the best way both to provoke our selves and others to Good Works it 〈◊〉 be often affirming to others The Docâ—â—â— of Justification by Grace and to believâ— our selves This is a faithful Saying 〈◊〉 these things I will that thou affirm constâ—â—â—ly that those which have believed in 〈◊〉 might be careful to maintain Good Workâ—â— I told you before that Good Works 〈◊〉 flow from Faith and now I tell 〈◊〉 that the best way to be fruitful in thâ—â— is to be much in the exercise of the â—â—â—ctrine of Justification by Grace and 〈◊〉 both agree for as Faith animateâ— Good Works so the Doctrine of Grace â—â—â—mates Faith Wherefore the way tâ— rich in Good Works it is to be ricâ— Faith and the way to be rich in Faâ—â— is to be conscientiously affirming the â—â—â—ctrine of Grace to others and believing 〈◊〉 our selves First To be constantly affirming iâ— others Thus Paul tells Timothy thâ—â— he put the Brethren in mind of the Trâ—â— of the Gospel he himself should not â—â—â—ly be a good Minister of Christ but shâ—â—â— be nourished up in the words of Faith 〈◊〉 of good Doctrine 1 Tim. 4. 6. It is the Ordinance of God that Chriâ—â—â—ans should be often asserting the things 〈◊〉 God each to others and that by their 〈◊〉 doing they should edifie one anoâ—â—â—r Heb. 10. 24 25. 1 Thes. 5. 11. The Doctrine of the Gospel is like the 〈◊〉 and the small Rain that distilleth â—n the tender grass wherewith it doth â—rish and is kept green Deut. 32. 1â— Christians are like the several flowers 〈◊〉 Garden that have upon each of them 〈◊〉 Dew of Heaven which being shaâ—â— with the Wind they let fall their 〈◊〉 at each others roots whereby they 〈◊〉 joyntly nourished and become nouâ—ers of one another For Christians to commune savorily of 〈◊〉 's matters one with another it is as â—hey opened to each others Nostrils â—â—es of perfume Saith Paul to the â—â—rch at Rome I long to see you that I 〈◊〉 impart unto you some spiritual Gift to â—nd you may be established that is that 〈◊〉 be comforted together with you by the â—â—al Faith both of you and me Rom 1. â—â—2 Christians should be often affirmâ—â—â— the Doctrine of Grace and Justification 〈◊〉 it one to another Secondly As they should be thus doâ—ing so they should live in the power of iâ— themselves they should by Faith sucâ— and drink in this Doctrine as the gooâ— ground receiveth the Rain which beinâ— done forthwith there is proclaimed Gâ—â— Works Paul to the Colossians saith thâ—â— We give thanks to God and the Father our Lord Jesus Christ praying alwayes fâ—â— you since we heard of your Faith in the Lâ—â— Jesus and love to all the Saints 〈◊〉 the hope which is laid up in Heaven for yâ—â— whereof ye heard before in the Word of 〈◊〉 Truth of the Gospel which is come unâ—â— you as it is also in all the World and brinâ—â—eth forth fruit as it doth also in you 〈◊〉 how long ago Why since the day ye hâ—â— it saith he and knew the Grace of God Truth Col. 1. 3 4 5 6. Aples and Flowers are not made the Gardner but are an effect of 〈◊〉 planting and watering plant in the â—â—â—ner good Doctrine and let it be waâ—â—â—d with the Word of Grace and as the effect of that there is the fruits of Holiness and the end everlasting Life Rom. 6. 22. Good Doctrine is the Doctrine of the Gospel which sheweth to men that God cloatheth them with the * Righteousness of his Son freely and maketh him with â—ll his benefits over to them by which free gift the sinner is made righteous beâ—ore God and because he is so thereâ—ore there is infused a principle of Grace * â—nto the heart whereby
it is both quickâ—ed and bringeth forth fruit * Rom. 3. â—1 22 23 24 25. 1 Cor. 1. 30. 2 Cor. 5. â—1 * John 1. 16. Now then seeing Good Works do flow â—om Faith and seeing Faith is nourished 〈◊〉 an affirming of the Doctrine of the â—ospel c. take here these few Consiâ—rations from the Doctrine of the Gosâ—â—l for the support of thy Faith that â—ou mayest be indeed fruitful and rich 〈◊〉 Good Works First The whole Bible was given for 〈◊〉 very end that thou shouldst both believe this Doctrine and live in thâ— comfort and sweetness of it For whaâ— soever things was written afore-time wâ—â— written for our learning that we through patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope Rom. 15. 4. John 20. 31. Secondly That therefore every Promise in the Bible is thine to strengthen quicken and incourage thy heart in believing Thirdly Consider that there is nothing that thou dost can so please God as believing The Lord takes pleasure in thoâ— that fear him in them that hope in his meâ—cy Psal. 147. 11. They please him because they imbracâ— his Righteousness c. Fourthly Consider that all the with drawings of God from thee are not fâ—â— the weakening but for the tryal of thâ— faith and also that what-ever he suâ—fereth Satan or thy own heart to do 〈◊〉 is not to weaken Faith Job 23. 8 9 â— 1 Pet. 1. 7. Fifthly Consider that believingâ— that which will keep in thy view 〈◊〉 things of Heaven and Glory and that â—t which the Devil wil be discouraged sin weakned and thy heart quickned and sweetned Heb. 11. 27. Jam. 4. 7. 1 Pet. 5. 9. Ephes. 6. 16. Rom. 15. 13. Lastly By believing the Love of God is kept with warmth upon the heart and that this will provoke thee continually to bless God for Christ for Grace for Faith Hope and for all these things either in God or thee that doth accompany Salvation 2 Cor. 2. 14. Psal. 103. 1 2 3 4. The Doctrine of the forgiveness of sins received by Faith will make notable work in the heart of a sinner to bring forth Good Works But secondly For as much as there is body of Death and Sin in every one that hath the Grace of God in this world and because this body of death will be even opposing that which is good as the â—postle saith Rom. 7. 21. therefore take these few particulars further for the suppoâ—sing that which will hinder a fruitful life â— Keep a continual waâ—th over the wretchedness of thy own heart not to be discouraged at the sight of thy vileness but to prevent its wickedness for that will labour either to hinder thee from doing Good Works or else will hinder thee in the doing thereof for evil is present with thee for both these puâ—poses take heed then that thou do not â—â—sten to that at any time but deny though with much strugling the workings of 〈◊〉 to the contrary 2. Let this be continually before thy heart that God's eye is upon thee and seeth every secret turning of thy heart either to or from him All things are â—â—ked and bare before the eyes of Him wâ—â— whom we have to do Heb. 4. 13. 3. If thou deny to do that good whicâ— thou oughtest with what thy God 〈◊〉 given thee then consider that though◠〈◊〉 love thy soul yet he can chastise 〈◊〉 thyâ—inward man with such troubles 〈◊〉 thy life shall be restless and comfortâ—â— 2dly And can also so blow upon thy 〈◊〉 ward man that all thou gettest shâ—â— put in a Bag with holes Psal. 89. 31 â—â— 33. Hag. 1. 6. And set the case he should license but one Theef among thy Substance or one spark of Fire among thy Barns how quickly might that be spent ill and against thy will which thou shouldst have spent to God's glory and with thy will and I tell thee further that if thou want a heart to do good when thou hast about thee thou mayest want comfort in such things thy self from others when thine is taken from thee See Judg. 1. 6 7. 4. Consider that a life full of Good Works is the only way on thy part to answer the Mercy of God extended to thee God hath had mercy on thee and hath saved thee from all thy distresses God hath not stuck to give thee his Son his Spirit and the Kingdom of Heaven saith Paul I beseech you therefore by the Mercies of God that you present your bodies a living Sacrifice to God holy acceptable which is your reasonable service Rom. 12. 1. See Mat. 18. 32 33. 5. Consider that this is the way to convince all men that the Power of God's things hath taken hold of thy heart I speak to them that hold the head and say what thou wilt if thy faith be not accompanied with a holy Life thou shalt be judged a withered branch a wording professor salt without savour and as lifeless as a sounding Brass and a tinckling Cymbal Joh. 15. Mat. 5. 13. 1 Cor. 13. 1 2. For say they shew us your faith by your works for we cannot see your hearts Jam. 2. 18. But I say on the contrary if thou walk as becomes thee who art saved by Grace then thou wilt witness in every mans Conscience that thou art a good Tree now thou leavest guilt on the heart of the wicked 1 Sam. 24. 16 17. now thou takest off occasion from them that desire occasion and now thou art clear from the blood of all men 2 Cor. 11. 12. Acts 20. 26 31 32 33 34. This is the Man also that provoketh others to Good Works The ear that heareth such a man shall bless him and the eye that seeth him shall bear witness to him Surely saith David he shall never 〈◊〉 moved The Righteous shall be had in eveâ— lasting remembrance Heb. 10. 24. Job 29. 11. Psal. 112. 6. 6. Again the heart that is fullest of Good Works hath in it least room for Satans temptations and this is the meaning of Peter where he saith Be sober be vigilant that is be busying thy self in Faith and Holiness for the Devil your adversary goeth about like a roaring Lyon seeking whom he may devour 1 Pet. 5. 8. He that walketh uprightly walketh safely and they that add to Faith Vertue to Vertue Knowledge to Knowledge Temperance to Temperance Brotherly-kindness and to â—hese Charity and that abounds therein he shall neither be barren nor unfruitful he shall never fall but so an entrance shall be ministred to him abundantly into the everlasting Kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ 2 Pet. 1. 5 6 7 8 9 10. Prov. 10. 9. 7. The Man who is fullest of Good Works he is fittest to live and fittest to die I am now at any time ready to be offered up saith fruitful Paul 2 Tim. 4. 6. Whereas he that is barren he is neither fit to live nor fit to dye to dye he himself is convinced he is not fit and to live
of God alloweth it neither should we give it less Mint Anise and Cummin are not so weighty matters as Faith and the Love of God as in Mat. 23. 23. For a Pastor to be exercising the office of a Deacon instead of the office of a Pastor it is misplacing of works Acts 6. 2. For Martha to be making outward provision for Christ when she should have sate at his feet to hear his Word was the mis-placing a work and for her sister to have done it at her request though the thing in it self was good had been her sin also Luke 10. 39 40 41 42. Now to prevent the misplacing of Good Works observe First They misplace them that set them in the room of Christ Rom. 10. 1 2 3. Secondly They also misplace them that make them co-partners with Him Rom. 9. 31 32. Acts 15. 1. This is setting up our posts by God's posts and man's righteousness by the righteousness of Christ Ezek. 43. 7 8. these are said to be teachers of the Law not knowing what they say nor whereof they affirm 1 Tim. 1. 7. Thirdly They also misplace works who ascribe to a work of less moment that honour that belongeth to a work more noble and such are 1. Those who count the ceremonial part of an Ordinance as good as the doctrine and signification of it 2. Such who count the dictates and impulses of a meer natural conscience as good as high and divine as the leadings and movings of the Spirit of Christ. 3. Those also who count it enough to do something of what God hath commanded and that something possibly the least instead of all and the things more necessary and weighty Fourthly They also much misplacâ— them who count things indifferent aâ— high as those that are absolutely necessary in the Worship of God 5ly But they grosser who place men traditions above them 6ly And they greatest of all who puâ— bitter for sweet and darkness for light Alâ— these things we must shun and avoid aâ— things absolutly obstructive to Good Works Wherefore touching Good Works Obedience is better than Sacrifice that is to do things according to the Word of God is better than to do them according to my fancy conceit 1 Sam. 15. 22. Wherefore let all things be done decently and in order 1 Cor. 14. 40. Again as Good Works should be ordered and qualified as afore is touched so they should be done from the heart willingly chearfully with simplicity and charity according to what a man hath 1 Johâ— 5. 3. 2 Cor. 9. 7. Rom. 12. 8. Col. 3. 20. 1 Cor. 10. 14. 1 Cor. 8. 12. Further There are three things that a man should have in his eye in every work he doth 1. The honour of God 1 Cor. 6. 20. 2. The edification of his Neighbour 1 Cor. 14. 26. 3. The expediency or inexpediency of what I am to do 1 Cor. 6. 12. And alwayes observe it that the honour of God is wrapped up in the edification of thy neighbour and the edification of thy neighbour in the expediency of what thou dost Again if thou wouldst walk to the edification of thy neighbour and so to God's honour in the midst of thy observers Beware 1. That thou in thy words and carriages dost so demean thy self that Christ in his precious benefits may be with clearness spoken forth by thee and take heed that thou dost not enter into doubtful points with them that are weak Rom. 15. 1. but deal chiefly lovingly and wisely with their Consciences about those matters that tend to their better establishment in the Faith of their Justification and deliverance from Death and Hell Comfort the feeble-minded confirm the weak 1 Thes. 5. 14. 2. If thou be stronger than thy brother take heed that thou do not that before him that may offend his weak conscience I mean things that in themselves may be lawful All that is lawful is not expedient all that is lawful edifieth not 1 Cor. 6. 12. Wherefore here is thy wisdom and love that thou in some things deny thy self for thy brothers sake 1 Cor. 8. 13. I will not eat meat while the world standeth saith Paul lest I make my Brother to offend Wherefore have this Faith to thy self before God Rom. 14. 22. but if thou walk otherwise know thou walkest not charitably and so not to edification and so not to Christ's honour but dost sin against Christ and wound thy weak brother for whom Christ died Rom. 14. 15. 1 Cor. 8. 12. But I say all this while keep thy eye upon the Word take heed of going contrary to that under any pretence whatâ—ver for without the Word there is noâ—hing to God's glory nor thy brothers edification Wherefore walk wisely in a perfect way Psal. 101. 2 3. Having thus in few words shewed you what are works rightly Good I beseech you in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ that you put your selves into a consciencious performance of them that you may while you live here be Vessels of Honour and fit for the Masters use and prepared to every Good Work 1 Tim. 6. 17. Study to approve things that are excellent that you may be sincere and without offence until the Day of Christ Phil. 1. 10. Covet communion with God covet earnestly the best gifts 1 Cor. 12. 31. Ah! we that are redeemed from among men Rev. 14. 4. and that rejoyce in hope of the Glory of God Rom. 5. 2. we that look I say for the blessed hope and the glorious appearing of the Great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ Tit. 2. 13. What manner of persons should we be in all holy Conversation and Godliness 2 Pet. 3. 11. To conclude For your further edificâ—tion take a plain rehearsal of your sevâ—ral general Duties and Works to whiâ—â— God ingageth you in his Word accorâ—ing to your places callings and relatâ—ons in this World Touching the Master of a Family If thou have under thee a Family then thou art to consider the several reâ—lations thou standest under and art tâ— know that thou in each of them hastâ— work to do for God and that he expectâ—eth thy faithful Deportment under eveâ—ry one of them As First then in general He that is thâ— Master of a Family he hath as undeâ— that relation a work to do for God tâ— wit The right governing of his own Faâ—mily and his work is twofold 1. Touching the spiritual State thereâ—of 2. Touching the outward As touching the spiritual State of hiâ— Family He ought to be very diligenâ— and circumspect doing his utmost indeavour both to increase Faith where it is begun and to begin it where it is not Wherefore to this end he ought diligently and frequently to lay before his houshold such things of God out of his Word as are sutable for each particular and let no man question his Rule in the Word of God for such a practice for if the thing it self were but of good report and a thing tending
to their Servants And first If possible they can to get them that fear God He that worketh deceit saith David shall not dwell within my House and he that telleth lies shall not tarry in my sight Psal. 101. 7. Secondly But if none at the present but unbelievers can be got to do thy labour Then 1. Know that it is thy duty so to behave thy self to thy Servant that thy service may not only be for thy good but for the good of thy Servant and that both in body and soul Wherefore deal with him as to admonition as with thy Children give him the same Bread of God thou givest to them who knows but that if thou with spiritual Dilicates bringest up thy Servant but he may become thy spiritual Son in the end Prov. 29. 21. 2. Take heed thou do not turn thy Servants into slaves by over-charging them in thy work thorow thy greediness To make men serve with rigor is more like to Israels enemies than Christian Masters Exod. 1. 14. 3. Take heed thou carry not thy self to thy Servant as he of whom it is said he is such a Son of Belial that his Servants could not speak to him 1 Sam. 25. 14 15 16 17. And the Apostle bids you forbear to threaten them because you also have a Master in Heaven Ephes. 6. 9. as who should say your Servants cannot be guilty of so many miscariages against you as you are guilty of against Christ wherefore do wiâ—h and to your Servants as you would have your Master do with you 4. Take heed that thou neither circumvent him at his coming into thy service â—oâ— at his going out 1. Servants at their going into service may be beguised two wayes First By their Masters lying unto them saying their work is so small and so easie when it is indeed if not too burdensome yet far beyond what at first was said of it This is beguiling of them Secondly The other way is wheâ— Masters greedily seek to wier-draw their Servants to such wages as indeed is too little and inconsiderable for such work and labour Both these the Apostle opposeth where he saith Masters give unto your Servants that which is just just labour and just wages knowing that you also have a Master in Heaven Col. 4. 1. 2. As Servants may be circumvented at their coming into their labour so also they may be at their going out Which 〈◊〉 done by Masters that either change â—â—eir wages like heathenish Laban Gen 31. 7. or by keeping it back like thosâ— against whom God will be a swift Witâ—ess Mal. 3. 5. 3. Take heed that thou make not a gain of thy place because thou art gracious or livest conveniently for the means of Grace Servants that are truly godly they care not how cheap they serve their Masters provided they may get into godly Families or where they may be convenient for the Word But now if a Master or Mistris should take this opportunity to make a prey of their Servant this is abominable this is making a gain of Godliness and merchandize of the things of God 1 Tim. 6. 5. and of the soul of thy Brother I have heard some poor Servants say That in some carnal families they have had more liberty to God's things and more fairness of dealing than among Professors But this stinketh and as Jacob said concerning the cruelty of his two Sons so may I say of such Masters they make Religion stink before the inhabitants of the Land Gen. 34. 30. In a word learn of the Lord Jesus to carry your selves well to your Servants that your Servants also may learn something of the kindness of Christ by your deportment to them Servants are gâ—ers aswel as comers take heed that thou give them no occasion to scandal the Gospel when they are gone for what they observed thee unrighteously to do when they were with thee Then Masters carry it rightly toward their Servants when they labour both in word and life to convince them that the things of God are the One thing necessary That which Servants are commanded to do touching their fear their singleness of heart their doing what they dâ— as to the Lord and not to men the Master is commanded to do the same things unto them Ephes. 5. 6 7 8 9. The Duty of Wives But passing the Master of the Family I shall speak a Word or two to those that are under him And first to the Wife The Wife iâ— bound by the Law to her Husband so long as her Husband liveth Rom. 7. 2. Wherefore she also hath her work and place in the family as well as the rest Now there are these things considerable in the carriage of a Wife toward her Husband which she ought conscientiously to observe First That she look upon him as her head and lord The head of the woman is the man And so Sara called Abraham Lord 1 Cor. 11. 3. 1 Pet. 3. 6. Secondly She should therefore be subject to him as is fit in the Lord. The Apostle saith That the Wife should submit her self to her Husband as to the Lord 1 Pet. 3. 1. Col. 3. 18. Ephes. 5. 22. I told you before that if the husband doth walk towards his wife as becomes him he will therein be such an ordinance of God to her besides the relation of an husband that shall preach to her the carriage of Christ to his Church And now I say also that the wife if she walk with her husband as becomes her she shall preach the Obedience of the Church to her husband Therefore as the Church is subject to Christ so let the wives be to their own husbands iâ— every thing Ephes. 5. 24. Now for thy performing of this work thou must first shun these evils 1. The evil of a wandering and a goâ—soping spirit this is evil in the Church and is evil also in a wife who is the figurâ— of a Church Christ loveth to have hiâ— Spouse keep at home that is to be witâ— him in the Faith and practice of hiâ— things not ranging and medling witâ— the things of Satan no more should wives be given to wander and gossop a broad You know that Prov. 7. 11. saith She is loud and stubborn her feet abide nâ— in her house Wives should be about their own husbands business at home As the Apostlâ— saith Let them be discreet chaste keepers a home good obedient to their own husbands And why because otherwise the Word 〈◊〉 God will be blasphemed Tit. 2. 5. 2. Take heed of an idle talking oâ— brangling tongue This also is odious either in maids or wives to be like Paâ—raâ—s not bridling their tongue where 〈◊〉 the wife should know as I said before â—â—at her husband is her lord and is over â—â—r as Christ is over the Church Do you â—â—ink it is seemly for the Church to parâ—t it against her Husband is she not 〈◊〉 be silent before him and to look to his â—aws rather than
this account Every miscarriage of thine goeth to their heart for fear God should take an occasion thereat to shut thee up in hardness for ever How did Abraham groan for Ishmael O saith he to God That Ishmael might live before thee Gen. 17. 18. How was Isâ—ac and Rebekah grieved for the miscarriage of Esau Gen. 26. 34 35. And how bitterly did David mourn for his Son who died in his wickedness 2 Sam. 18. 32 33. Lastly And can any imagin but that all these carriages of thy godly Parents will be to thee the increase of thy torments in Hell if thou die in thy sins notwithstanding Again if thy Parents and thou also be godly how happy a thing is this how shouldst thou rejoyce that the same Faith should dwell both in thy Parents and thee thy conversion possibly is the fruits of thy Parents groans and prayers for thy soul and they cannot chose but rejoyce do thou rejoyce with them 'T is true in the Salvation of a natural Son which is mentioned in the Parable This my Son was dead and is alive again was lost and is found and they began to be merry Luke 15. 24. Let therefore the consideration of this that thy Parents have Grace aswell as thee ingage thy heart so much the more to honour reverence and obey them Thou art better able now to consider the pains and care that thy friends have been at both for thy body and soul wherfore strive to requite them Thou hast strength to answer in some measure the Command wherefore do not neglect it It is a double Sin in a gracious Son not to remember the Commandment yea the first Commandment with promise Ephes. 6. 1 2. Take heed of giving thy sweet Parents one snappish word or one unseemly carriage Love them because they are thy Parents because they are godly and because thou must be in Glory with them Again if thou be godly and thy Parents wicked as often it sadly falls out Then first let thy bowels yearn towards them 't is thy parents that are going to Hell Secondly As I said before to the wife touching her unbelieving husband so now I say to thee Take heed of a parrating tongue speak to them wisely meekly and humbly do for them faithfully without repining and bear with all child-like modesty their reproaches their railing and evil speaking Watch fit opportunities to lay their condition before them O! how happy a thing would it be if God should use a Child to beget his Father to the Faith Then indeed might the Father say With the fruit of my own bowels hath God converted my soul. The Lord if it be his will convert our poor Parents that they with us may be the Children of God Concerning Servants Servants also they have a work to do for God in their place and station among men The Apostles assert Masters under a threefold consideration 1. The believing Master 2. The unbelieving Master 3. The froward Master For all which Servants are furnished with counsel and advice in the Word for the demeaning of themselves under each of them But before I speak in particular to any of these I will in general shew you the duty of Servants First Thou art to look upon thy self as thou art that is as a Servant not a Child nor a Wife thou art inferior to these wherefore count thy self under them and be content with that station For three things the Earth is disquieted and for four which it cannot bear one is a Servant when he reigneth Prov. 30. 21 22. It is out of thy place either to talk or do as one that reigneth Secondly Consider that thou being a Servant what is under thy hand is not thy own but thy Masters Now because it is not thy own thou oughtest not to dispose of it but because it is thy Masters thou oughtest to be faithful Thus it was with Joseph Gen. 39. 7 8 9. but if thou do otherwise know that thou shalt receive of God for the wrong that thou doest and there is with God no respect of persons Col. 3. 25. Wherefore Thirdly Touching thy work and imployment thou art to do it as unto the Lord and not for man and indeed then servants do their business as becomes them when they do all in obedience to the Lord as knowing that the place in which they now are it is the place where Christ hath put them and in which he expecteth they should be faithful Servants saith Paul be obedient to them that are your Masters with fear trembling in singleness of heart as unto Christ not with eye service as men-pleasers but as the Servants of Christ doing the Will of God from the heart Ephes. 6. 5 6. Observe a little the Word of God to Servants 1. Servants must be obedient 〈◊〉 2. Not with that obedience that 〈◊〉 serve man only servants must have theâ— eye on the Lord in the work they do 〈◊〉 their Masters 3. That their work in their service 〈◊〉 the Will and Ordinance of God From which I conclude that thy woâ—â— in thy place and station as thou art a serâ—vant is as really God's Ordinance anâ— as acceptable to Him in its kind as 〈◊〉 Preaching or any other work for God and that thou art as sure to receive a reâ—ward for thy labour as he that hangs 〈◊〉 is burnt for the Gospel Wherefore saiâ— the Apostle to servants Whatsoever 〈◊〉 do do it heartily as to the Lord and not 〈◊〉 men knowing that of the Lord you shall reâ—ceive the reward of inheritance for ye servâ—â— the Lord Christ Col. 3. 22 23 24. And now touching the three sorts 〈◊〉 Masters mentioned before First For the believing Master Saiâ—â— Paul They that have believing Masterâ—â— let them not despise them because they 〈◊〉 brethren but rather do them service becâ—â—â— they are faithful and beloved and partakers with the Servants of the heavenâ—â— Benefits 1 Tim. 6. 2. Servants if they have not a care of their hearts will be so much in the consideration of the relation that is betwixt their Masters and they as brethren that they will forget the relation that is between them as Masters and Servants now though they â—ought to remember the one yet let them take heed of forgetting the other Know thy place as a Servant while thou considerest that thy Master and thee are Brethren and do thy work for him faithfully humbly and with meekness because he is a Master faithful and beloved and partaker of the heavenly Benefit If any man teach otherwise saith the Apostle Paul and consent not to wholsome Words even the Words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the Doctrine which is according to godliness he is proud knowing nothing but doting about questions and strife of words whereof cometh envy strife railings evil surmisings perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds and destitute of the Truth supposing that gain is godliness from such withdraw thy selâ— 1. Tim. 6. 3 4 5. Secondly
was Israels Idolatry of old and the original of all her idolatrous practices Hos. 2. 5. For their Mother hath played the Harlot that is committed idolatry she that conceived them hath done shamefully for she said I will go after my lovers that gave me my bread and my waters my wool and my flax my oyl and my drink 3. It disalloweth of God's way of disposing his Creatures and would have them ordered and disposed of otherwise then his heavenly Wisdom seeth meet and hence ariseth all those discontents about God's dealing with us Covetousness never yet said It is the lord let him do what he pleaseth but is ever objecting like God against every thing that goeth against it and it is that which like a god draweth away the heart and soul from the true God and his Son Jesus Christ And he went away sorrowful for he had great possessions Mat. 19. 16 17 18 19 20 21 22. Now then that which engageth the heart that rejecteth the providence of God and that is for ordering and disposing of things contrary to God and for breaking with God upon these terms is Idolatry and all these do Covetousness The wicked boasteth of his hearts desire and blesseth the covetous whom the Lord abhorreth Psal. 10. 3. Now the way to remedy this disease it is to learn the lesson which Paul had got by heart to wit In whatsoever state you are therewith to be content Phil. 4. 11 12 13. I come in the second place to speak a word of Pride and loftiness of heart and life Of Pride 1. Pride in general it is That which causeth a man to think of man and his things above what is written 1 Cor. 4. 6. 2. It hath its seat in the heart among these inormities Fornications Adulteries Lasciviousness Murders Deceit c. Mark 7. 21 22 23. and sheweth it self in these following particulars First When you slight this or that person though gracious that is look over them and shun them for their poverty in this world and chuse rather to have converse with others that possibly are less gracious because of their greatness in this World This the Apostle James writes against Jam. 2. 1 2 3. under the name of partiality for indeed the fruits of a puffed-up heart is to deal in this manner with Christians 1 Cor. 4. 6 7. Now this branch of Pride floweth from ignorance of the vanity of the creature and of the worth of a gracious heart Wherefore get more of the knowledge of these two and this sprig will be nipt in the head and you will learn to condescend to men of low degree Rom. 12. 16. Secondly It argueth pride of heart when men will not deny themselves in things that they may for the good and profit of their Neighbours And it argueth now that pride is got so much up into self-love and self-pleasing that they little care who they grieve or offend so they may have their way Obad. 12. 13 14 15. Thirdly It argueth pride of heart when sober reproofs for sin and unbeseeming carriages will not down with thee but that rather thou snuffest and givest way to thy spirit to be peevish and to retain prejudice against those that thus reprove thee Saith the Prophet hear ye and give ear be not proud for the Lord hath spoken that is hear the reproofs of God for your sins and break them off by repentance But if ye will not hear my soul shall weep in secret for your Pride c. Jer. 13. 15 16 17. So also in Hosea They will not frame their doing to turn unto their God for the spirit of whoredoms is in the midst of them they have not known the Lord and the pride of Israel doth testifie to his face c. Hos. 5. 4 5. This argueth great senslesness of God and a heart greatly out of frame Fourthly It argueth Pride also when a reproof or admonition will not down aswell from the poorest Saint as from the greatest Doctor and it argueth a glorying in men 1 Cor. 3. 21. and that they would that their faith should stand in their wisdom and not in the Power of God that is of naked Truth 1 Cor. 2. 5. Fifthly It argueth pride of heart when a man that hath this or that in his heart to do in reference to God but yet will slight a sober asking counsel and direction of God in this matter The wicked through the pride of his countenance will not seek after God saith David Psal. 10. 4. Sixthly It argueth pride of heart when persons are tickled with the thoughts of their own praise and that secretly lust after it that think of themselves and others above what is written which those do who do not acknowledge that man in his best estate is altogether vanity But such kind of people have forgot the Exhortation Be not high minded but fear Rom. 11. 20. And also that there is a knowledge that puffeth up and edifieth neither themselves nor others 1 Cor. 8. 1 2. Wherefore to such the Apostle saith Be not desirous of vain glory but in holiness of mind let each esteem others better than themselves Phil. 2. 3. Gal. 5. 26. Pride also there is in the outward carriage behaviour and Gesture which is odious for Christians to be tainted with and this pride is discovered by mincing words a made carriage and an affecting the toyes and baubles that Satan and every light-headed fool bringeth into the world As God speaketh of the Daughters of Zion They walk with stretched-out necks wanton eyes mincing as they go and making a tinckling with their feet Isa. 3. 16. A very unhansome carriage for a people that profess Godliness and that use to come before God to confess their sins and to bemove themselves for what they have done How can a sence of thy own baseness of the vileness of thy heart and of the holiness of God stand with such a carriage dost thou see the vileness of thy heart the fruit of sin and art thou afflicted with that disagreement that is between God and thy heart that layest the reins on the neck of thy lusts and letest them run whither they will Be not deceived Pride ariseth from ignorance of these things 1 Tim. 6. 3 4. A sense of my vileness of what I have deserved and of what continually in my heart opposeth God cannot stand with a foolish light and wanton carriage thou wilt then see there is other things to mind than to imitate the Butter-fly alas all these kind of things are but a painting the Devil and a setting a carnal gloss upon a Castle of his thou art but making gay the spider is thy heart ever the sounder for thy fine gate thy mincing words and thy lofty looks nay doth not this argue that thy heart is a rotten cankered and besotted heart Oh! that God would but let thee see a little of thy own inside as thou hast others to behold thy outside thou painted Sepulchre thou