quarrels but keep the peace without a Bond. It is the base and vile bramble the fruit of the earths curse that teareth and renteth what is next it Plutarch reports of a falling out between two famous Philosophers Aristippus and AEschines and how after some time Aristippus went to AEschines saying Shall we not be friends before we be a Table-talk to all the town Yea with all my heart saith AEschines Remember then saith Aristippus that thrugh I am your Elder yet I sued for peace True replieth the other I acknowledge you the better and worthier man for I began the strife but you the peace In this Pagan glass many Christians may see their own deformities for even Heathen agree with Scripture in this first particular That they are most wise and prudent who are most meek and peaceable 2. The other which floweth from the forementioned verse is That the Christians meekness must be mixt with wisdom The Apostle calls it meekness of wisdom meekness opposeth fury in our own quarrel not zeal in Gods cause The same Spirit that appeared in the forme of a Dove appeared also in the form of fiery tongues It may be my duty to be silent when I am wronged but its sinful not to speak when God is reproached Though I may compound for my own debts yet I have no power to compound for anothers It s a singular mark of a Saint to be wet Tinder when men strike fire at himself and touch-wood when men strike at God The meekest man upon the face of the earth was the fullest of fury in the cause of Heaven Numb 12. 2. Exod. 32. A skilful Musitian knoweth when to strike a string of a lower sound when of an higher A wise Christian knoweth when to abate when to increase his heats Naturalists observe of Bees that they will ordinarily suffer any prejudice when they are far from their Hives and their own particular is onely concerned but when they are neer their Hives that their Common wealth is engaged in their combats they are furious and will lose their lives or conquer Thy work O Christian is not to abate the least of Gods due but to pocket up many private injuries and to forgive thy personal debts Be not like some as cold in Gods cause as if they had neither sense nor life and as hot in their own as if their work were to make good the opinion of Democritus that the soul is of the nature of fire nothing else but an hot subtle body dispersing it self into fiery atomes Excess of fury is a spiritual frenzy and its ill for them who come within the biting of such mad beasts I have reast of Themistocles that having an House to let he pasted on the Door Here is an House to be hired that hath a good Neighbour It s a great comfort to dwell by a pious and meek person but no small cross to live neer the peevish and passionate A meek man is a good Neighbour in these respects For 1. He is so far from wronging others that he will forgive those that wrong him He is not onely contrary to them who like furious Curs fall upon every one that passeth by without the least cause but also if he be wronged he never studieth revenge though he may seek sometimes for Iustice. The world hath learned of the Divel to offer injuries and he hath learned of God to suffer injuries He dares not usurpe Gods Throne but leaves his cause to the Judge of all men Lev. 19. 18. He knoweth also that good men must have their grains of allowance and Children of the same Father are too prone to quarrel therefore he beareth both with the bad and the good with the former for Christs sake with the latter because they are Christs seed Now such a one is a good Neighbour Calvin said though Luther should call him Satan yet he would honour Luther as a faithful servant of God It s reported of Cato that when a rash bold fellow struck him in the Bath and some time after came to ask him pardon he had forgot that he had been injured Melius putavit non agnoscere quam ignoscere saith Seneca He scorned to approach so neer revenge as acknowledge that he had been wronged It s below a generous Moralist to take notice of petty affronts He kils such slimy wormes by trampling on them The Christian upon a better consideration destroyeth those vermine with the foot of contempt He hath experience what millions of pounds are forgiven him by God and therefore out of gratitude cannot but pardon some few pence to man Forgiving one another as God for Christs sake hath forgiven you Ephes. 4. 32. He knoweth that he needeth favour from others for his offences against them he doth not always walk so carefully but some time or other he hath bespattered those that went neer him and it s but just that he should allow that pardon which he expecteth Eccles. 7.21,22 Tit. 3. 2 3. Shewing all meekness towards all men for we our selves were sometimes foolish living in malice and envy hateful and hating one another The Lacedemonians were wont to pray in their publique service that the Gods would enable them to bear private wrongs with patience 2. A meek person will part with much of his right to buy his peace Where he may not wrong his family too much nor dishonour his God he will yeild far to preserve or purchase a friend Though his priviledge be superior yet he can be contented to hold the stirrup to others and give them place Abraham was the Elder and the Nobler man yet he offereth Lot his choice of the Country and was willing to take what he would leave SECT VI. SEcondly If thou wouldst exercise thy self to godliness in thy dealings with all men look not onely to the manner of thy dealing but also to the principle Thy righteous courteous and meek carriage must proceed from obedience to Gods command Many of the Heathen as thou hast heard were just in their contracts they would as soon die as deceive Now how wouldst thou know whether thou exceedest them but by a principle of Conscience from which thou actest If Pagans and Christians be found travelling in the same path the onely way to difference them iâ— to enquire whence they both sat out and whither they are going what is the principle from which they act and what is the end of their journey According to the principle of a man such is his end If the Barrel of the Musquet be crooked it will never carry the Bullet right therefore thy principle must especially be minded There be many things that move orderly and yet their motion is not from a principle of life as a Mill moveth by reason of the water yet is no living creature An outward principle of custome or fashion or glory may make a man just and patient in his actings many do the things commanded not because they are
when they were sick he fasted so when they sinned he prayed and mourned Hasten out of evil company if thou hast no hopes of doing good That Company may well be to thee as the torrid Zone where wickedness sits in the chair and Religion is made a foot-stool Though thou mayst pass through such a Climate as thy occasions require yet it s not safe to dwell in so unwholsom an air Men that are forced to walk by unsavoury carcasses hold their breath and hasten away as soon as they can It s ill being an Inhabitant in any place where God is an Exile A little before the destruction of Ierusalem there was a voâ—ce heard in the Temple very terrible Migremus hinc let us go hence That were a good Motto for Christians in ill-company Let us go hence Let such men know as Manlius Torquatus told the Romans that as they cannot bear thy strictness so thou canst not endure their looseness sake heed of staying in any place needlesly out of which thy God is gone before thee Go from the presence of a foolish man when thou perceivest not in him the lips of knowledge Prov. 14. 7. Running away was the means Ioseph used against the wicked allurements of his Mistriss It s not cowardise but true courage to turn the back upon sin and sinners It doth often reflect upon our credits to be amongst wicked men AEschinus in the Comaedian blusht when he saw his Father knock at the door of an infamous woman but it will reflect upon our consciences to continue amongst them when our business with them is done The Apostle Peter with many words did exhort and testifie saying save your selves from this untoward generation Act. 2. 40. It appears to be a business of no small concernment and weight that the Apostle should use so many words about it Wise men will not spend their time or breath in vain they do not send more messengers about any work then the consequence and worth of it requireth Besides as Beza observeth upon the place he interposeth Gods authority and chargeth them in his name to save or guard themselves from such ill Companions What hast thou to do with them that scorn to have any thing to do with God The King may well frown on those and deny to converse with them that converse with Traytours in no relation to his service Rebeccah must leave her Fathers and Brothers House if she will be joyned to Isaac Hearken O Daughter and consider aâ—d encline thine ear forget also thine own people and thy Fathers House so shall the King greatly desire thy beauty Psal. 45. 10 11. A Good Wish concerning a Christians carriage in evil Company Wherein the former heads are applied THe Mighty Possessour of Heaven and Earth who governeth the World with infinite wisdom and allotteth to all the Children of men their several Callings and Habitations having permitted the chaff to continue amongst the Corn and appointed the tares to remain amongst the wheat till the great Harvest day and calling me sometimes by his providence to deal with prophane and vicious persons I Wish I may be so sensible how difficult it is to be safe amongst such defilers and destroyers of souls that I may walk with the more caution when ever I walk in such company and make them my fear not my familiarâ— and rather my care then my Companions I know that I must go out of the world if I will go away from the wicked Ill humours will be amongst good in the body Sins will be amongst graces in the soul and sinners will be amongst Saints on this Earth I am but a stranger here they are men of the world I must therefore expect as Lot in Sodom to be both vexed with their unclean conversations and tempted to their violent corruptions my God calleth them Foxes for their craft Lions for their cruelty and a generation of Vipers for their rage and venome In what danger therefore is my soul of being deceived and devoured by them How certainly will these ravenous beasts tear me in peices unless I stand upon my guard and the Keeper of Israel undertake my protection Lord since it is not thy pleasure to free me from their Company grant me such help from thy good spirit that I may be free from their contagion Though I may sit at the same table with them as my occasions or relations require let me never eat of their dish nor feed on their dainties I pray not that thou shouldst take me out of the world but that thou shouldst keep me from the evil keep me from the snares which they lay for me and from the gins of the workers of iniquity Let the wicked rather fall into their own Nets whilst that I withal escape I Wish that the sense of my danger may keep me from being secure and make me the more sedulous in the discharge of my duty Sound eyes are apt to fall a watering by beholding and looking on sore eyes Dry Flax is not more apt to take fire then my vicious nature to be inflamed the wet sheet of watchfulness is a good preservative He had need to have much grace who would not learn others vice It s hard to touch pitch and not be defiled Vngodly men are Satans blood-hounds with which he hunteth my soul. How many hath he drawn into the pit of perdition by such Cart-ropeâ— They are his strongest chains wherewith he binds men now to his own work and at last as their wages hales them to Hell Fruits of hotter Countries transplanted into colder Climates do not seldom die through the chilling nips of the air and the unsutableness of the soyl wherein they are planted there may be grace in my soul ready to flame heavenward which may be soon quenched by the putrid fogs of evil companions I know my God can keep mee as he did the three Children in the fiery furnace amongst them that are set on fire of Hell from being sienged or so much as having the sent of the fire on me but I know also that then I must keep his way and be watchful O that I might keep my heart with such diligence that as the Christal I may touch those Toads and not be poisoned yea that as a true Diamond in a ditch I may sparkle with holiness and shine brightly amongst defiled persons How natural is it to resemble their faults whose faces I am wholly unlike I am apt like a Snow-ball to carry away the dirt I am rolled upon and as an Ape to imitate those amongst whom I am in their folly and to sin for company rather then to be singular But though the Loadstone can draw Iron yet it cannot draw gold Lightning may smite the dead Oak but not the green and fresh Laurel though corrupt nature follow a multitude to do evil yet grace through the help of the Spirit is invincible Why may not my soul like Moses bush in the midst
of fire be kept from consuming and as Gideons fleece be moyst when all the earth about it is dry O that I might as Fish retain my freshness in the saltest waters and never savour others vices or follow their steps who depart from the Commandements of my God Lord whose promise is to thy Disciples They shall take up Serpents and if they drink any deadly thing it shall not hurt them Mark 16. 18. Is it not thine own hand writing and canst thou fail of fulfilling it O let thy powerful presence accompany me whithersoever thy providence calleth me Let thy preventing grace preserve me from receiving harm and thy quickening mercy enable me to do good that whereas thine enemies are apt to speak evil of me as an evil doer they may be ashamed who falsly accuse my good conversation in Christ 1 Pet. 3. 16. I Wish that I may be so far from receiving prejudice that I may be profited by the worst of those with whom I associate As my God created nothing in vain so he permits nothing but to some good purpose T is true wicked men are Dogs Mat. 7. 12. prone to faun on me that they may defile me but even of Dogs there may be a good use The Flock is the more safe from Wolves and the House from Theives through their watchfulness They are dust apt to breed vermine but some creatures live upon it as their Aliment and in it as their Element and the basest rubbish may be serviceable about the foundation of a building The Guts and Garbage of some beasts are food to others Doth not experience teach us that many Fowls draw nourishment from unclean and filthy Carcasses Why may not my stomach be so good and my spiritual constitution so strong as to concoct such unwholsom food Lycurgus taught the Lacedemonians vertue not onely by the pattern of their Sober Ephori but also of the drunken Helots their slaves Poisons are as necessary as the best diet if they be in the hands of him who is able to improve and prepare them Beer is the better the more lively and brisk for the grouns that are in the same vessel with it O that my graces might be the more quick and active for the lees of others vices that their sins might increase my sanctity both in making me more thankful to him who maketh me to differ and more watchful over my self lest I fall from my own stedfastness The Mariners are directed in their sailings by Rocks and Shelves as well as by the Northern star My God instructeth Jonah by the shadow of a Weed Go to the Pismire thou sluggard consider her provident ways and be wise to follow them Observe the men of this world O my soul consider their wicked ways and be wise to avoid them Ask these beasts of the earth and they will teach thee nay shame thee How unwearied are they in the pursuit of the world how diligent about their works of darkness how often do they lose their sleep to do mischief and neglect their food and callings to indulge their fleshly lusts whilst thou whose Master is the Lord of Glory whose service is the onely freedom and whose recompence will be infinite art loytering and lazing upon the bed of security O that thou mayst learn industry about the concernments of heaven and eternity from others industry about the affairs of this earth for a few days and take shame to thy self that Satans Servants should be more forward to gratifie their Soul-destroyer then thou art to please the blessed Saviour Lord it is thy prerogative to cause light out of darkness and to bring good out of evil teach thy servant to gather figs from these thistles and to be the better because others are so bad Because the wicked forsake thy law therâ—fore let me love thy commandements above gold yea above much fine gold I Wish that though in pursuance of my calling I do afford my â—ompany to sinners I may never bear them company in their sins True Gold will not change its colour or nature for the hottest fire The Rock keeps its place and is immoveable notwithstanding the continual dashing of the water The earth is not hurt either by the heat of Summer or cold of Winter Though much dirt be flung at a post well oyled it will not stick My God hath enjoyned me Have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness Whence I learn these three things 1. That sin is a work of darkness The Prince of darkness is its Father It s his natural off-spring therefore called the work of the Devil Iohn 8. 44. A dark heart is its Mother there it s conceived thence it s brought forth In dark holes these vermine breed and swarm Ephes. 4. 18. Hos. 4. 1 2 3. 2 Cor. 4. 4. It s portion is utter darkness blackness of darkness for ever all its inheritance lieth in darkness and the shadow of death 2. I learn that the works of darkness are unfruitful The sinner makes a sad market of all his wicked wares He soweth vice and reapeth vanity promiseth himself much pleasure and sindeth it wholly unprofitable What fruit had ye in those things whereof ye are now ashamed for the end of those things is death O what a frightful monster is this miscreant It hath fruitlesness in the beginning shame in the middle and death in the conclusion 3. I learn that I onght not to have fellowship with these unfruitful works of darkness Indeed I have little reason if I consider the two former particulars yet how prone am I to it either by my silence when they sin or by my secret complyance with them in their sin My corrupted heart is like Touch-wood ready to take fire by the least spark When others are bold to blaspheme God I am apt through an ungodly bashfulness to hold my peace little considering that I must one day answer as well for my sinful silence as for every idle word It s my duty to hold the jewel of my faith fast lest Satan steal it from me to hold my profession to the end lest by leaving my Colours I lose my Crown but not to hold my peace in the quarrel of truth lest by suffering sin in others I wrong my own soul Where is my love to others if I stand still whilst they destroy themselves It may well break the strings of my tongue as of the Son of Cyrus when sin like the Persian is ready to kill my Father or Brother or Neighbour Evil men are like Traytours with whom if we act or conceal we are guilty Where is my love to my self if I take others intolerable burthens on my own back Sin is a load too heavy for the stoutest for the strongest to carry Should I by my silence give consent to others Oaths or Lyes or Ieers at godliness and godly men I become a party in their bonds and liable to make satisfaction for their debts and may