The Christian CENTURIAN Observations Advices and Resolutions Containing Matters DIVINE and MORALL Collected according to his owne experience By PHILIP SKIPPON Serjeant-major-generall c. In all things I have said unto you be circumspect Exod. 23.13 Finally brethren whatsoever things are true whatsoever things are honest whatsoever things are just whatsoever things are pure whatsoever things are lovely whatsoever things are of good report c. Phi. 4.9 Those things which ye have both learned and received and heard and seen according to Gods warrant Isa 20.8 doe Phil. 4.10 London printed by T. B. for Samuel Enderby at the Starre in Popes-head Alley 1645. To all Souldiers of what degree soever that desire to walk Christianly and Circumspectly Fellow souldiers and friends TO the two former Treatises of Gods promises of good things to us and of our Vowes of obedience to him which by his alone help I have published I adde these few fragments following and because I will be as little tedious as I can I shall only commend them to your carefull consideration observation and practice as you may find them agreeable to sound doctrine and good manners and usefull to your occasions and them and you to the especiall blessing of our God in the Lord Jesus The Contents RIght rules to live by page 4. A sure Stay in extremity p. 8 The right way to goe to worke p. 46. Briefe Prayers upon divers occasions p. 53 Short Ejaculations p. 69 Comforts against the Nick-name of Puritane p. 81 Many divine and morall Observations p. 98 Renewed Resolutions p. 115 Some marks of a malicious man and the contrary p. 131 The former Observations continued p. 133 Resolutions in an especiall businesse p. 142 Christian carriage in a great calamity p. 145 Commendable carriage in his place p. 148 More Observations added p. 155 Sufficiency of Gods grace p. 171 How to urge the Lord to preserve us from sinne p. 173 Concerning governing the tongue p. 175 Concerning walking vvith God p. 181 Briefe Rules for particular practice p. 191 Examples of godly Souldiers p. 19â— Rules of Justice p. 19â— Undeniable proofe of the truth â—â— God 's Word p. 22â— A few plaine and pleasing in structions for all times p. 23â— An Advertisement about the sâ—â— of our Calling p. 23â— Concerning generall Obedience p. 272 Five sorts of Verses p. 277 The Observations continued p. 290 More of vvalking vvith God p. 292 More holy Resolutions p. 296 Of mourning for the sinnes among us p. 299 His acknowledgement of God p. 301 How to carry himselfe conscionably and commendably in the Leaguer p. 305 How to stirre up right Christian Resolutions for Gods Cause and against his Enemies p. Of Mortification p. 332 Helpes to an holy Life p. 337 Motives to Watchfulnesse p. p. 342 More Christian Resolutions p. 343 Decay in Prayer p. 346 Serious Admonitions to his Family when they are to worship God p. 379 Thus farre of the Contents briefly and acording to these numbers God willing you shall find the severall matters marked A Prayer O Lord God of all wisdome goodnesse grace power truth my reconciled God most gracious Father and onely helper in Jesus Christ I the most ignorant sinfull unworthy weake wretched of all other doe most humbly unfainedly instantly entirely and uncessantly befeech and urge thee of thy infinite mercy through thy unsearchable wisdome by thy unresistable working according to thy infallible promises notwithstanding my dark ignorance unmeasurable sinfulnesse great weaknesse and most extreame wretchednesse yea notwithstanding all my unworthniesse and all other impediments speedily seasonably effectually constantly through the assistance of thy most holy Spirit to stirre up my heart diligently to fearch to enlighten my understanding clearly to discerne to strengthen my memory constantly to retaine to sanctifie my affections feelingly to apply to inable me in my practice conscionably to make use of every particular of the following observations advices and resolutions as may be most to thy great glory the good of thy Church the gracing my Christian profeision the stopping the mouth of prophanenesse and injury the preventing distasting others and other advantage against me the benefit of my Family my outward credite and comfort in thy feare with thy favour and blessing my poore soules present peace everlasting happinesse all as 〈…〉 best in thy sight onely through the al-sufficient merits and peâ—petuall mediation of thy most deare and onely Son my alone sweet Saviour and intercessor Christ Jesus through whom as I have infinite cause beyond all I can conceive remember or expresse for all thy mercies for this and a better life afforded and assured to me especially for the understanding life health time opportunity and grace thou hast pleased to vouchsafe unto me to collect and write these observations advices and resolutions for my better government greater setting and further edification to thy most glorious Name be all honour ascribed by all meanes for evermore Amen even so be it Amen Amen Some short and streight solid and sound Rules to levell his life by 1. WHen thou risest let thy thoughts ascend that grace may descend let thy Sacrifice be an inocent heart offer it daily with that devotion that it may shew thou both knowest and acknowledgest his holinesse and greatnesse with whom thou hast to doe 2. Where thou owest pay duty where thou findest return curtifie where thou art known deserve love desire the best disdaine none but evill company take heed of proud peevish prating passionate dissembling distastfull jeering malicious lying contentious tipling filthy fellowes 3. Grieve but be not angry at discurtesies redresse but revenge no wrongs doe good to them that use thee unkindly yet so remember pitty that thou forget not decency 4. Let thy attire be such as may shew a sober mind frame thy selfe with such modesty as may silence the untemperate tongue 5. Be mindfull of things past carefull of things present and provident of things to come 6. Goe as thou wouldest be met sit as thou wouldest be found speake as thou wouldest be heard and doe as thou wouldest be seen 7. Beare affliction patiently converst cheerfully order thy businesse secretly wisely surely avoid freenesse and familiarity discover no affection hastily speak not thine owne suspitions suddenly meddle not in others matters needlesly trust God most in greatest extremity forget not how he hath helped formerly commend all in wel-doing unto him continually 8. Demeane thy selfe in all things as in the sight of God conâ—â—â—ually who is acquainted with all thy wayes throughly who though thou beest never so secret seeth thee who doubtlesse will have a strict account of thee therefore deceive not thy selfe for he will not be mocked by thee 9. Take heed of sinne and the occasions thereof watchfully having sinned lye not therein impenitently neither sooth thy self therein foolishly for sinne will bring sorrow and shame undoubtedly 10. Repent break off beg pardon grace and peace speedily and soundly watch to doe
regard or have spoken slightly of thee beleeve me it will work strangely in gaining much affection respect credit and contentment to thee whereas a sowre countenance harsh carriage bitter language and distastfull dealing will but encrease their hatred and contempt and thy disgrace and disquiet make tryall and take my word another time I may truly say experientiâ docet Hold it unchristian cowardly and uncomely needlesse eaflesse and foolish to perplex thy selfe with that thou canst neither prevent nor help and avoid it in all good conscience with an holy carelesnesse cast all thy care on God who taketh care for thee and hath promised never never to faile forsake or forget thee It is a worthy part and well done neither slavishly to feare nor wilfully to distest any converse cheerfully and with comlinesse carelesly but as thou lovest to keepe thy friends respect and thine owne peace reservedly Let not thine owne words countenance or doings discover and who can contemne or have advantage against thee By and by thou art absent from those whom now thou accompaniest with let thy desire to please for the present procure no future inward discontent therefore hold thee close to those godly and morall Maximes which may best governe thee now and most satisfie thee afterward to this end forget not former good or misgovernment and thereupon peace or vexation So to regard as to strive to satisfie every ones humour shews a foolishly flattering disposition questions worth and gets scorne to keep gravity to discourse sparingly and solidly though it humour not forces them at least in acknowledgement secretly to say there is wisdome honesty and good government and so it ought to be It is a most miserable mistake and arises from Ignorance floath or prophanenesse when we think it is an hinderance to our outward proceedings if we first ply our private devotions whereas to begin with them is the right way to prosper otherwise though we imagine we have made all sure the Lord many times by one meanes or other crosses our courses sends us losses and makes us smart for such foolishnesse Lord grant me first to seek thy Kingdome and I shall have share in the rest assuredly as thou seest best for me In a certaine case of disserence he advised either to suppresse or help them throughly so either to oblige them to help or else disable them to hurt you but by no meanes trust their discretion or good nature who dare say if they had they would use their advantage against you even now when they cannot harme you espec Ily when ingratitude pride ambition and conceited cause of revenge transports them thus as a polititian But as a Christian he adviseth to assist them seasonably and competently yet warily against their common enemy that themselves may have no leasure nor pretence nor the other no time nor power to trouble you and as a Christian polititian in the same case he thus speaks his mind plainly and freely be provided to prevent the worst their might can or their malice may attempt against you for some speake strangely of you and their present usage declares the affection and respect they beare you this for that To be malicious scornfull and injurious is unchristian uncivill and unseemly and commonly comes from a high conceited villifying quarelling disposition in ones selfe and from a soft suffering and therefore from a supposed cowardly disposition of another yet often it fals out the man unwilling to contend escapes with credite and the shame and mischief fals on his head that sought it Maintaine your owne right but doe another no wrong and suffer stilly what you can by no good meanes remedy If thou doest well speak not thine owne praises if it be nor with thee as thou wouldest say nothing for I have observed the good is concealed and the rest lightly revealed By making ohers as wise as thy selfe in matters wherein they before were ignorant will get them credite by thy lufficiency and then they will slight thee answer civilly out answer not fully I meane hear worldly affaires onely keep somewhat in till afterward so shall respect be preserved deny out of judgement and reason not out of pride and selfe conceit hold thine owne and give no distaste His God his Conscience his Country his owne honour the memory of his dead and reputation of his living friend he would not should nor can he suffer them to be wronged He held it more for a wishing that it were so then holy feare it should be so in some who say England must have its turne too so much can passion more then piety doe O poore England so extreamly envied for the peace thy God grants thee be thou humbly thankfull truly penitent and trust thy God unfainedly so shalt thou still prosper by his mercy and thy malicers shall nor harme thee nor rejoyce in thy misery O England England lay to heart the long and lamentable calamities of Gods Church in Germany goe to Shiloh see what the Lord hath done there and he will spare thee else woe woe woe unto thee Why should blest England be blamed that preferres a warrantable peace before a bloody war those therein ingaged would if they knew how as thou art be gladly freed but not knowing how to be released would have thee as themselves intangled and for their owne advantage would laugh if thou wert ruined feare serve trust thy God be wary oh for ever mayest thou be secured This was written before the bloody Warres Lord pardon our sinnes and heale the Land for thy Christs for thy mercie sake Warre-wishers never felt nor know the miseries therof or only seek to please their own ambitious and covetous humours I am sure such as desire or rejoyce therein long after and are glad of the greatest plague upon earth and I say God send them sorrow that love it if it made them smart in their owne persons wives children friends houses or goods they would soon be weary of it for doubtlesse none but fools or mad men or those that are farre enough from it can take delight in it Give peace in our time O Lord. True the calling is lawfull honourable and necessary when the causes urging are just and the ends good and he that then declines it is base in extremity but not to be attempted rashly out of passion or to please common fancy fondly for the wise man sayes With good advice make warre The haire-braind foole cryes peace with thee Lord and war with all the world the sober Christian prayes peace with thee Lord and with all men as farre as is possible Caussesse suspitions troubles a mans mind and blemish his vertues Let not too much confidence darken foresight Things openly slighted may be seriously intended Where conscience is not informed clearly and reformed throughly men are misled with by-respects and blinded with humane policy He is a good counsellour and a true friend who as he seconds tempers our humour Be
thy most holy Spirit through the alone al-sufficient merits and mediation of thy most deare and onely Sonne my alone most sweet Saviour and perpetuall intercessor Christ Jesus even so be it Amen Amen Thus farre here for governing the Tongue now to God onely wise my onely helper be all the glory Concerning walking with God with some Meditations for Prayer according to the plain and powerfull word of God to be the better enabled thereunto 1 GOD commands it He hath shewed thee O man what is good and what doth the Lord require of thee but to doe justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with thy God Micah 6.8 Thus saith the Lord stand yee in the wayes and see aske for the old paths where is the good way and walk therein Jer. 6.16 2. Examples of Obedience And Enoch walked with God Noah was a just man and Noah walked with God Ge. 5.24 6.9 3 Neglect hereof must be acknowledged Neither have we obeyed the voyce of the Lord our God to walk in his lawes c. Dan. 9.10 4 And our ignorance indisposition and insufficiency hereunto O Lord I know that the way of man is not in himselfe it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps Jer. 10.23 Not that we are sufficient of our selves to think any thing as of our selves but our sufficiency is of God 2 Cor. 3.5 Without me ye can doe nothing John 15.5 5 We must crave pardon for all these And now Lord what wait I for my hope is in thee deliver me from all my transgressions and forgive all my sinnes Psal 39.7 8. 25 18. 6 We must ask a way of God in generall Thus saith the Lord stand ye in the wayes and see and ask for the old paths where is the good way Jer. 6 16. 7 Yea this by solemne humiliation Then I proclaimed a Fast that we might afflict our selves before our God to seek of him a right way for us Ezra 8.21 We must beseech him to grant us these particulars 1 Knowledge of the good way Shew me thy paths O Lord teach me thy Statutes make me understand the way of thy precepts Psal 25.4 119 27. Cause me to know the way wherein I should walk for I lift up my soule to thee Psal 143 8. 2 An heart disposed to walke therein Incline my heart unto thy testimonies Psa 119.36 He will teach us his wayes and we will walk in his paths Isa 2 3. 3 Ability thereto Make me to goe in the path of thy Commandements Psal 119 35. 4 Restauration out of former errors relapsed into Renew a right spirit within me restore unto me the joy of thy sal-vation Psal 11 10 12. 5 To be sincere herein I am God al-sufficient walk before me and be thou perfect Gen. 17 1. Let integrity and uprightnesse preserve me Psal 25 21. Let my heart be sound in thy statutes Psal 19 80. 6 To be watchfull hereto Hold thou me up and I shall be safe and I will have respect unto thy Statutes continually Psal 119 117. Keep thy heart with all diligence ponder the path of thy feet and let all thy wayes be established turne not to the right hand nor to the left Prov. 4 23 26 27. 7 That we may encrease in all these Being fruitfull in every good work and encreasing in the knowledge of God Col. 1 â—0 8 And be established Uphold me with thy free spirit Psal 51 12. Uphold me according to thy Word that I may live and let me not be ashamed of my hope Psal 119 116. 9 And to persevere Teach me O Lord the way of thy Statutes and I will keep it unto the end Psal 119 33. I have inclined my heart to performe thy Statutes alway unto the end Psal 119 112. 10 We must pray to be freed and preferved from every evill way in opinion and practice The man that wandereth out of the way of understanding shall remain in the Congregation of the dead Prov. 21 16. The wicked have laid a snare for me yet I erred not from thy precepts Psal 119 110. Remove from me the way of lying I have refrained my feet from every evill way Ps 119.29.101 Incline not my heart to any evill thing to practice wicked works Psal 14 4. We must lay to heart rely upon urge God to reforme await his leasure till he please to make good his word unto us in every particular we have thus sought him for in generall Thy Word have I hid in my heart Psal 119.11 I will meditate in thy precepts and have respect unto thy wayes I will not forget thy Word v. 15 16. In God will I prayes his Word in the Lord will I prayse his Word Psal 56.10 Remember thy word unto thy servant on which thou hast caused me to hope this is my comfort in my affliction for thy Word hath quickned me Psal 119 49 50. Let I pray thee thy mercifull kindnesse be for my comfort according to thy Word unto thy servant Psal 119 76. Therefore I will look unto the Lord I will wait for the God of my salvation my God will heare me Micah 7 7. O my Father neverthelesse not as I will but as thou wilt Mat. 26 39. In the particulars following 1 In that we have acknowldged our neglects and defects The Lord saith he that confesseth and forsaketh his sinnes shall have mercy Prov. 28 13. If we acknowledge our sinnes he is faithfull and just to forgive us our sinnes and to cleanst as from all unrigteousnesse 1 John 1 9. 2 In that we have craved pardon The Lord saith I will save you from all your uncleannesses c. yet will I for this be enquired of to doe it Ezek. 36 29 37. 3 In that we have asked a my of God He sayes Ask and it shall be given you Mat. 7.7 We besought our God for this and he was intreated of us Ezr. 8 23 I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way that thou shalt go and I will guide thee with mine eye Psal 32 8. 4 To the desire of knowledge the Lord saith If thou callest after knowledge and cryest for understanding thou shalt find the knowledge of God Prov. 2 3 5. 5 To the desire of a good disposition Thus a new heart also will I give you and a new spirit will I put within you Ezek. 36 2â— 6 And of ability to walk with God He promiseth thus I will put my spirit within you and cause you to walke in my Statutes and yee shall keep my judgements and doe them Ezel 36 2â— For it is he that worketh in you both to will and to doe of his good pleasure Phil. 2 13. 7 If we desire restauration He restoreth my soule and leadeth me into the paths of righteousnesse Psal 23 3. 8 If we desire herein sanctity Yee shall keep my Statutes and doe them I am the Lord which sanctifieth you Levit 20 8 24. 9 Watchfulnesse I will hearken what the
In particular 1 Taking all in the best part 2 Passing by offences 3 Rejoycing at others weifare 4 Contentation with his estate 5 Humility 6 Trust in God according to his nature and promises 7 To cast his care on God 8 Inward peace joy and assurance 2 In his house to avoid 1 In words 1 In generall all prophane talke 2 In particular 1 Hastinesse to mine 2 Medling in others matters In his house 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 1 In words 1 In generall all edifying talk 2 In particular 1 Sobernesse to mine 2 Speaking the best of others 2 To eschew in behaviour 1 All loosnesse 2 Unseemlinesse 3 Filthinesse 2 To imbrace in behaviour 1 Stayednesse 2 Comlinesse 3 Purity 3 In company to eschew 1 In heart 1 Evill surmises of the words or carriage of others towards him 2 Partiality 3 Self-conceitednesse 2 In words 1 Unadvisednesse 2 Superfluousnesse 3 Unseasonablenesse 4 Uncharitablenesse 5 Contentiousnesse 3 In carriage 1 Lightnesse or familiatity 2 Strangenesse 3 Loftinesse 4 Uncomlinesse 4 In actions 1 Society with prophane persons 2 Excesse or tipling 3 Giving any evill example to any 4 Shewing any liking of sin 5 Seeking to humour men in ill In company to embrace 1 In heart 1 Taking all in good part 2 Directnesse 3 Lowlinesse 2 In words 1 Pre-consideration 2 Paucity 3 To the purpose 4 Charitablenesse 5 Friendlinesse 3 In behaviour 1 Gravity or reservednesse 2 Affability 3 Humility 4 Seemlinesse 4 In action 1 Good company 2 Following good example 3 Giving good example 4 Wisely reproving sinne 5 By all meanes honouring God 4 Concerning Gods publike family or private worship 1 To eschew 1 All will worship 2 Superstition 3 Unpreparednesse 4 Negligence 5 Customarinesse 6 Habituall distractions 7 Relying too much on the meanes And to embrace 1 The warrant of Gods word for the duties 2 For the manner of performing them 3 Preparation 4 Attention 5 Conscionablenesse 6 Setlednesse 7 Resting on Gods blessing Amen Amen Considerations to move to Christian watchfulnesse 1 In seeking thus Gods glory he will honour us againe 1 Sam. 2.30 2 That we are every where in the sight of God who knoweth the heart Jeremiah 17.9 10. heareth our words Ps 139.4 beholdeth all our wayes ver 1 2 3. to reward every one according to their doings Jerem. 17.10 3 We shall hereby enjoy sweet communion with our God in Christ John 14.21 Rev. 3.20 4 And be most blessed here and for evermore in every thing Ps 144.15 84.11 Rom. 8.28 For the moouth of the Lord hath spoken it therefore it shall be performed and nothing shall let it Amens All by Gods grace onely From henceforth constantly Every day seasonably With Christian conveniency In the Morning To awake with God To shake off sloath To arise timely To pray for himselfe solemnly To read in Gods Word reverendly To call to mind some of his Vowes seriously And some of the promises deliberately To sing part of a Psalme understandingly In the Afternoon To pray for his Family affectionately To read in Gods Word advisedly And in his holy Advices observantly And somewhat in the Oracles of God distinctly In the Evening To pray for Gods Church humbly To read in Gods Word holily And somewhat in the Practice of Piety carefully And in the true watch for Examination impartially To lye downe to rest with prayer to avoyd all occasions of impurity And so to sleep securely Every Sabbath Besides accustomed publike Family and private duties on that day Three severall times to caâ—â— to mind some of Gods especiall and recorded mercies By the Lords most seasonable mercifull powerfull faithfully promised constant assistance which to this end I crave rest on and look for onely without which instead of doing better I shall doe worse then formerly yea every way most hainously I resolve and shall endeavour watchfully and constantly to avoyd all intemperance immoderate taking Tobacco vaine talking unseemly carriage pride lust passion and discord and all occasions of each and to embrace the contrary graces and all meanes thereto As thou art a God of mercy power and truth show it herein unto me and let thy grace my God in Christ be alwales sufficient for me Concerning decay in Prayer A Lwayes when he found himselfe so decay in zeale and care to pray his conscience checkt him for unthankfulnesse for former assistance in praying or for depending too much upon his prayers whereupon he felt a deadnesse to all other good duties a yeelding to the motions and occasions of sinne an inward puffing up a carelesnesse and self-presuming yea a miserable distemper in all things and then he conceived himselfe to be neare some sore temptation foule fall grievous inward dejection or great outward calamity therefore he held it his instantly to fall to prayer that the Lord would please to restore unto him the spirit of prayer to work in him a willingnesse to all other holy exercises to give him strength to resist and overcome the provocations to evill to humble him deeply in the sense of his former faults and present corruptions to make him truly thankfull and watchfull and in the strength of the Almighty onely out of conscience to doe his duty to bring all into good order and to keep all so constantly and most graciously powerfull and faithfully to prevent the sinnes perplexities and troubles he feares merits and hath cause to expect to be left unto and which he else by no means can escape so awaiting the Lords leasure and submitting to his good pleasure goe all how it will all shall goe well Amen my Father in Christ of thine owne meere mercy be I never so unworthy as thou hast promised whatsoever opposeth Amen Amen even so be it Amen Some most especiall choice places of sacred Scripture that concerne my self in most especiall manner reduced to these heads 1 COncerning government of the mind page 349 2 Of the tongue p. 351 3 Of the conversation page 361 4 Of passion and sobriety p. 368 5 Of pride and humility p. 374 6 Of strise and peace 7 Of envy and charity 8 Of discontent and quiet 9 Of medling and reservednesse 10 Of sullennesse and chearfulnesse 1 Concerning government of the mind In the hearts of all that are wise hearted I have put wisdom Exod 31.6 Give therefore thy servant an under standing heart that I may discerne between good and bad 1 King 3.9 Keepe thy heart with all diligence for out of it are the issues of life Pro. 4 23. The preparations of the heart in man is from the Lord Pro. 16.1 The wise in heart shall be called prudent Pro. 16.21 A wise mans heart discerneth both time and iudgement Eccl. 8.5 A wise mans heart is at his right hand but a fools heart is at his left Eccl. 10.2 How weak is thine heart saith the Lord God seeing thou doest all these things Ezek. 16.30 Set thine heart upon all that I shall shew thee Ezek. 40.4 If our heart condemnes us God is
be humbled to confesse 〈◊〉 waile beg pardon for 〈◊〉 strength against them resolving and endeavouring to 〈◊〉 sake them t Jâ—â— 4.16 Psal 3 â— 51.3.1 Pâ—â— 21.13 Jam. 4.9 Psal 86.16 Psal 17.3 119.28 106. ver 2 Cor. 5.9 Pro. 28.14 be to be c. If to crave especiall assistance against especiall faults and more fitnesse to serve God wherein I have most failed u Psal 19.13 51.10 14. Psal 71.9 Rom. 12.21 Psal 85.8 be to be c. If to resolve to suffer any shame or harme rather then to sinne wilfully w Heb. 11.25 1 Pet. 3.14 16. 1 Pet. 4.15 19. be to be c. If speedily and seriously to dispatch those businesses that concernes my eternall peace and to slight whatsoever can afford no solid comfort in the time of visitation or at the hour of death x Mat. 6.33 Luke 10.42 Pro. 10.2 11.4 1 Cor. 15.58 1 Thes 4.18 be to be c. If in the sense of any sinne or affliction not to be too much dejected if not to despaire of Gods mercies nor to distrust his promises nor to doubt of his providence or not to question Christs al-sufficient merits and perpetuall mediation y Rom. 8 37. 2 Cor. 4.8 9 Psal 77.7 8 9 10. 42.11.6 43.5 Psal 56.3 4 10 11 13 1 Tim 2.8 Acts 27.25 Gen. 11.8 Job 38.41 Mat. 6.25 to the end 1 Tim. 1.15 Heb. 7.25 2 Tim. 2.5 be to be c. If when I think I stand to taâ—â— heed least I fall if to labour a renew my first love if to string to increase inward grace and outward practice if to recover from former fals and bewail of future back slidings if moâ—â— to feare secret sinne then opâ—â— shame if in things doubtfull â—â— take he surest course if to peâ—severe in godlinesse and liveâ— hope if to dye in the feare aâ— favour of my God in Christ z 1 Cor. 10.12 Rom. 11.20 Rev. 2.4 5. Col. 1 10â— 2 Pet. 1.5 6 7 8. Psal 23.3 51.8 10. 2 Pet. 2.20 21 21. be to be c. If by true lively and stedfast faith at least in unsained desire and endeavour to seeke all wisdome righteousnesse sanctification redemption all mercy grace peace consolation and happinesse according to the free plain plentifull and faithfull promises of our reconciled God most gracious Father and alone almighty helper in covenant with us onely through the al-sufficient satisfaction and never failing intercession of his most deare and onely Sonne our alone Saviour and Mediator notwithstanding our most hainous sinfulnesse in nature and by life notwithstanding our daily many and great wants failings doubts and discomforts notwithstanding our unmeasurable grievous ingratitude unworthinesse insufficiencies and all other though never so many and great impediments and impossibilities be to be a Puritane or Round-head Lord in all these make and ever continue me to be a Puritane and Round-head I most humbly unfainedly and uncestantly beg pray beseech and urge let then the devill and all his instruments let then who that will and how they will miscall nick-name scorne and abuse me with the name of Puritane with a fulâ— mouth never so fouly Lord governe and help me Mark â—â— 22. Rom. 3.28 4.19 20. Câ—â— 5.1 1 Cor. 16.13 2 Cor 5. â— Gal. 3.22 Eph. 3.12 6 1â— Col. 2.5.7 1 Tim. 1.5 â—â— Heb. 10.22 11. Chapt. 1 Cor. 1.30 Mat. 15.22 1 Tim. 1. â—â— Gal. 6.16 2 Cor. 1.3 4 5 6 2 Thes 2.16 17. Heb. 6.17 18 Acts 4.12 Ezek. 36.22 Gal. 3 12. Hos 14.4 Psal 86.5 130 7. 1 Cor. 1.9 10.13 1 Thes 5 24. 2.3 3 Heb. 2.17 10 23. 2 Cor. 1.20 Rom. 5.10 2 Cor 5.18 20. Col. 1.21 Psal 86 15 111.4 145.8 2 Cor. 1.3 Dan. 3.17 2 Tim. 1.12 Heb. 2 18 7 25 Rom. 4 21 Psal 46 1 Jer 31 33 Heb 8 10 Col 3 11 1 Cor 3 21 22 23 Isa 53 chap Rom 4 25 3 24 25 1 John 2 1 Rom 8 34 Gal 3 19 Heb 8 6 9 15 12 24 Mat. 3 17 John 3 16 Heb. 11 17 Hos 13 4 2 Tim 2 5 Ezek 36 22 23 Hos 14 4 Isa 58 11 Psal 73 24 A commendable Course tending to contentment of divers necessary as well Divine as Morall Observations and Counsels gathered by experience IN regard of Gods worship because every holy duty cannot wel be every day performed with out great hast and hinderance so with little power profit I conceive it most convenient and comfortable no day to neglect the most necessary as prayer and reading the Scriptures and for the rest to redeem the time to performe them as we may also howsoever let every holy duty be performed with solemne preparation and sensible affection at least with an holy bewailing the want of the same and that the Lord will please to work the same in us In his ordinary course at home and abroad upon all occasions in all his words behaviour and actions out of conscience to God and by his government to demeane himselfe circumspectly plainly faithfully freely soberly and friendly without any by-respect or troubling himself with trifles or with what he cannot thereby prevent or remedy in his greatest perplexities and troubles using onely the lawfull meanes to serve Gods providence to commend all to hiâ— dispossing and blessing wholy and so to rest content with his good pleasure who in wisdome love and faithfulnesse will assuredly cause all to goe well goe all how it will Amen my heavenly Father in Christ Jesus in mercy as thou hast promised be I never so ugworthy and whatsoever opposeth Amen Be Pious and Patient Be Just and Quiet Be Temperate and Peaceable Be Direct and Sober Be True and Provident Be Faithfull and Contented Be Chaste and Wary Be Modest and Grave Be Watchfull and Reserved Be Retired and Compassionate Be Secret and Charitable Be Silent and Liberall Be Humble and Inoffensive Be Meeke and Teachable Be Friendly and Constant be not Prophane nor Impatient be not Unjust nor Captious be not Excessive nor Contentious be not Double nor Passionate be not False nor Prodigall be not Faithlesse nor Male-content be not Filthy nor Rash be not Wanton nor Light be not Carelesse nor Loose be not Gadding nor Cruell be not Open. nor Mercilesse be not Lavish nor Covetous be not Proud nor Oftensive be not Highminded nor Wilfull be not Surly nor Wavering Every one that shewes a smooth face or gives faire words is not a faithfull friend therefore take heed what you say and whom you trust Trust no man with that which if it ever be discovered may any way prejudice you for he that is now for you may hereafter faile discover or oppose you neither speake ill of him that doth not now befriend thee his mind may change towards thee and then it will repent thee Be friendly to and speak well of those that have wronged or doe not
4 To sing out of the Psalms 5 To imbrace all occasions for Gods publike worship In each of these to seek the Lord conscionably 1 Labouring for preparation revetence sincerity feeling chearfulnesse and faith 2 Striving against carelesnesse coldnesse drousinesse hypocrisie and customary service 3 When any urgent businesse of my calling causeth the deferring any of these duties to take a more convenient time yea to redeem the time for the performance thereof Thirdly concerning the duties of my particular calling 1 In generall to walk faithfully diligently and wisely 2 In particular towards Supenours in all things lawfull obediently towards those I command gravely towards equals friendly 3 When I am commanded to pursue my businesse earnestly and chearfully till the same be effected 4 In commanding others to doe all distinctly throughly plainly and impartially to seâ— the same effected accordingly to check and punish neglect sharply 5 If joyned with other in command to seek and follow the best counsell and commendablest course 6 Not to despise the good advice of any though never so meane but by all good meanes to grow more fit for service 7 For better furnishing himselfe with ability to listen to others discourses to observe what others doe commendably in this or that occasion to consider the use of things with silent application Fourthly what company to avoid viz. of swearers drunkards quarrellers gamsters whore-masters filthy talkers scoffers at goodnesse c. to imbrace the society of honest men though meane Fiftly what places to avoid as of uncleannesse excesse playing c. though inticed or provoked thereto and to frequent such places where good is to be gotten Sixtly what especiall sinnes to strive against 1 In heart unadvised anger remembring injuries desire of revenge hatred envy impure lusts 2 In words brawling railing reviling scoffing indiscreet superfluous obscene boasting unnecessary selfconceited censuring ungracious familiar blasphemous speeches 3 In behaviour lightnesse lumpishnesse pride familiarnesse 4 In looks wandrings wantonnesse lustfulnesse 5 In action hard dealing impurity secret or open intemperance all sinne folly and disorder Seventhly to entertaine these contrary vertues 1 In heart watchfulnesse sobriety putting up wrongâ— forgetting injuries passing by offences without taking notice of them if God be not dishonoured or my selfe disabled else to use all good meanes to stand for the truth and cleare my innocency and quietnesse 2 In words that they be wise few seasonable to the purpost charitable true meek gracious 3 In behaviour gravity modesty humility curtesie seemlinesse to make a covenant with mine eyes not to behold vanity with delight 4 In action to shew tenderlie artednesse to live chastly temperately thriftily and to deale justly Eightly in case of justice and judgement 1 Not to condemne the innocent or justifie the offender 2 Nor to accept persons for any respect 3 To examine the cause throughly 4 To heare both parties deliberately 5 To hate bribes unfainedly 6 To helpe the afflicted against the rich and mighty 7 To execute justice rightly 8 To pronounce sentence according to warrant gravely boldly briefly impartially substantially how many who whatsoever opposeth Ninthly for convenient maintainance according to place and calling 1 To live within compasse 2 To weare plaine serviceable and decent apparrell 3 To avoyd running into debt and to pay debts by all good meanes possible 4 Not to live at anothers Table 5. Not to lay out on thinâ— superfluous 6 To allow what is fitting for my Family 7. In weldoing to depend â—â— God 's providence Tenthly in more espeâ—â— imployments in my plate To propound in each Goâ— glory to have respect to hiâ— Cause to be affected to hiâ— Church to order all affaires â—â— judgement where my calling requires though never 〈…〉 gerous to be willing forward couragious bould industrioâ—â— fearelesse to the death â—â—â—mending my self into the 〈◊〉 of God wholly for helpe 〈◊〉 and good successe To avoyd and strive agaâ—â—â—â— rash adventures without a warrantable calling foolish cuâ—osity ostentation unwillingnesse sloathfulnesse backwardnesse frivolous excuses cowardlinesse fear flying distrust of Gods help for sufficiency and protection for safety and blessing for a good issue Eleventhly and lastly concerning lawfull recreation 1 To take such time for them that things of more consequence â—â— the same time be not hindered by them 2 To use such exercises as are manly comely and fittest for my calling place and age 3 With nien most free from offence and of a good report 4 All with moderation not spending too much time labour or cost therein 5 Especially to spend some spare time in reading in some good morrall Author as Plutarks Lives Caesars Coâ—â—entaries c. and to ride abroad to view the Trench Works c. both for better enabling him to doe service To endeavour all in a conscinable manner seeking in all Gods glory chiefly by the help of his holy Spirit onely spite of all oppositions trusting through his grace in sincerity to testifie obedience and in all unwilling failings not to doubt of his most mercifull forgivenesse gracious acceptation and favourable blessing in the face of Christ Jesus in whose name my Father I beg a disposition and ability to discharge each part of my duty seasonably wisely uprightly and constantly according to what I have purposed and expressed before thee that thou in mercy â—ccording to thy truth in him â—â—ayest please at all times in 〈◊〉 things to be with me for â—â—â—d Amen How to stirre up and embrace right Christian resolutions for the Cause of God and against his enemies FIrst be fully assured it is the Cause of God else it is sinful and shall not be blessed but undoubtedly it is the Cause of God because his pure worship accooding to his Word is stood for because we have been and are grievously persecuted by tyrannous Idolaters for the same and that neverthelesse the Lord for his great names sake according to his truth in great mercy hath many and miraculously delivered and preserved us and still doth as at this day Secondly therfore as all good Christians are strictly bound so I my self must endeavour to doe my best to maintaine this his Cause and that because 1 The Lord requires it 2 And curseth bitterly such as helpe him not against the mighty 3 And hath plagued such for their neglect 4 Because I have the warrantable examples of Gods children who willingly ventured their lives for this Cause 5 The commendations in Scripture of such is also a spur hereunto 6 And the blessings of the Lord upon them both which we may look for 7 We are Fellow-helpers with the Lord in his Worke against his enemies an acceptable work Thirdly the manner how to performe this commanded warrantable commendable blessed and acceptable work 1 Zealously and that 1 Because the glory of the great name of the eternall God of which he is so jealous is the thing we fight for the Cause being his 2 The preservation of his holy Word and pure worship among