by cruelty not of God 264 Remission of sins followeth a sound purpose of confession of sins 4. reasons 159 Remission followeth not confession of sins ex opere operato against Popish doctrine 163 Sound Remembrance includeth four things 270 Repentance of Gods children in respect of outward afflictions may come too late 232 Righteousnesse Legal and Euangelicall 398 Romish Religion accursed of God for the cruelty of it 205 Rules to vphold a weak Christian not feeling his reconciliation with God foure 38 Rules of limitation of godly sorrow six 86 Rules of discerning the same godly sorrow six 83 Rules to know if we haue the Spirit of God foure 131 Rules of direction what to doe in our falls foure 335 S HOw to be Safe in dangers fiue rules 251 God begins our Safety in remission of sins and so must we 255 To be Safe be syncere 265 Saints departed not to be inuocated why 215 Scriptures most wickedly taken from the Layty by the Church of Rome 187 Security may cast a godly heart asleepe till God awake it 6. reas 70 Selah what it meaneth 109 Sence of misery must go before sence of mercy 5. reas 110 Seruice of God only acceptable from mercifull men 4. reas 199 Sin a most intolerable burden fiue reasons 6 Sin a most odious thing in 3. respects 15 Sin is an infinite debt 4. reas 23 Sin Sin is only forgiuen by God 29 Sin pardoned makes an happy man 31 Sin before it be committed how it insinuates it selfe 46 God worketh a serious sight of Sin in his children for 3. causes 136 Sins against many meanes very sinfull 157 To see Sin in a true glasse 4. things 375 Songs of praise be seem seasons of ioy ' 5. reasons 287 Matter of Godlies Songs must be spirituall six reasons 302 Songs and wanton tunes mistuning the heart condemned 306 Euery godly mans sorrow is not godly sorrow 4. reas 82 Wicked mans sorrow for sin most helplesse and why 89 Sorrowes of the godly compared to the sorrowes of a woman in trauaile in 5. respects 283 Sorrowes of wicked men in this life of many kindes 370 Sorrowes of the wicked after this life in six things 371 Sorts of by-wayes beaten by many six in number condemned 330 Stayres to rise vp to happinesse three 21 Spirit of God at length preuaileth against the corruptions of flesh 4. reasons 125 We must Speake of our experience of God to euery godly man 191 State of an obstinate sinner most accursed 5. reasons 367. 372 State of Gods children not vncomfortable in their sorrowes sundry reasons 409 Summers fruits are not to be condemned for Winter-stormes 278 Syncerity of heart vrged at large 57 T THe best Teachers are they who teach out of their owne experience 5. reasons 175 Teachers must make people to vnderstand the word and their owne way two reasons 337 Testimonies of Thankefulnesse for deliuerances foure 378 Thankefulnesse is as much and as little as we can return to the Lord for all his mercies 287. Many faile in Thankefulnes many wayes 299 There is a Time when God will not be found though he be sought 4. reasons 228 Time is when God will be found of euery godly man seeking him fiue reasons 237 Times of ioy euer succeed times of sorrow to godly men 5. reas 280 No Torment in the world like torment of conscience 3. reasons 77 In Trials godly must set 3. things before them 278 Troubles of the godly are already ouercome by Christ. 281 Trusting in God hath abundant mercie 4. reasons 380 V VErtues and Vices of the Saints recorded the former for imitation the latter for our instruction 185 True Vnderstanding hath foure things 339 Vnmercifulnesse hindereth both the preferring of our prayers and preuailing of them 200 Vnthankefulnes vnbeseemeth a reasonable man and much more a Christian. 288 Uprightnes what 398 Vprightnes discerned by 5. notes or marks 404 W VVArre with thy fins brings peace by the word 140 Way of God preferred before all other in foure respects 327 Wicked men seeke not God till too late 229 Wicked men cannot be happy two reasons 376 Wicked haue temporall mercies but no true right before God 4. reasons 382 Wicked haue often some ioy but no cause 4. reasons 414 Wicked how they are heard of God or rather not heard in six particulars 196 Wicked in trouble how he seeks God fiue things 219 Willing and free subiection to God vrged by 3. reasons 365 Word of God limiteth our ioy for matter 419  manner   measure  Good Works cannot merit or iustifie 33 Works of Gods iustice recorded in Scripture for our instruction 185 Word of God must be specially applied 4. reasons 321 FINIS Errata Pag. 19. l. 26. adde Christ teacheth Pag. 24. l. 28. for seat of a debtor reade state of a debtor Pag. 25. l. 12. for are able read are not able to pay Pag. 57. l. 32. for darting reade darling sinnes Pag. 300. l. 3. put out yes Pag. 369. l. 22. for Secondly reade First the very course Elephas or elephantiosis 2. King 15. Rules of inquisition 1. 2. 3. Rules of preuention Rules of cure Verse 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 2. 3. Gal. 1. 6. 1. Proposition Mandatū dei est 1. Probationis  2 Praestationis Prius datū non vt illud facto ipso exequamur sed vt obsequiū probet posterius vt facto ipso illud impleamus Exod. 32. 2. Assumption Pro quibus Christus passus est pro ijs interpellat etiam Spiritus Ambros. li. 5 epist. 23. A communione naturae ad 〈…〉 Obserue All vse of Psalmes must edific Obseru 2. No learning to Dauids learning Vse Doctrine Sinne is an intolerable burden Isay 1. Reasons Vse 1. Vse 2. Quest. Answ. Why men feele not such an heauy burden as sin is Vse 3. Meanes to be disburdened of sinne Obiect Answ. Vse 4. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Obiect Answ. Vse 5. 1. Thess. 5. 14. Vse 6. Quest. Answ. Quest. Answ. Tum tecta peccata dicuntur cum Deus nolit punire August Isa 44. 22. Doctrine Sinne a most odious thing Exod. 32. Rom. 6. 21. Vse 1. Act. 15. Vse 2. Ier. 3. 3. Ier. 2. 26. Vse 3. Doctrin 2. Euery one must get a couer for his sin 2. Vse 1. Vse 2. Obiect Answ. Reuel 3. 18. Meane to get sinne couered Quest. Answ. Quest. Answ. Obiect Answ. Obiect Answ. Obiect Answ. Obiect Answ. Doctrin Sinne an infinite debt 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Reasons 1. 2. 3. 4. Obiect Answ. Obiect Answ. Obiect Answ. Use 1. Vse 2. Vse 3. Vse 3. Reasons Obiect Answ. Doct. 1. Pardon of sin maketh an happie man Reasons 1. 2. 3. 4. Use 1. Sequuntur iustificatum non praecedunt iustificandum Obiect Answ. Obiect 2. Answ. Obiect 3. Answ. Obiect 4. Answ. Obiect 5. Answ. Vse 2. Obie ct 1. Answ. Obiect 2. Answ. Obiect 3. Answ. Obiect 4. Answ. Use 3. Vse 4. Answ. Rules to
and wishes of the wicked 2 3. Vse 3. Meanes to be heard in prayer Doct. 2. All acceptable seruice must bee from mercifull men Reas. 1. 2. 3. 4. Quest. Answ. Vse 1. Motiues to mercy Rom. 12. 18. Use 2. Romish religion accursed because so cruell Obiect Answ. Iesuitisme the rebels Catechisme Obiect Answ. 1. 2. 3. Doctr. The true God must onely be inuocated in trouble Reas. 1. 2. 3. Vse 1. Obiect Answ. Obiect Answ. Vse 2. Obiect Answ. Biel in Can. Miss Lect. 8. Obiect Answ. Obiect Answ. Obiect Answ. Obiect Answ. Use 3. Vse 4. Obiect Answ. Doct. Praier is a seeking of God Quest. Answ. God is sought in his presence not in his essence Obiect Answ. Quest. Answ. 1. Conditions in seeking God 2. 3. Obiect Answ. 4. 5. Vse 1. Obiect Answ. Use 2. Doct. 2. There is a time wen God will not be found although he be sought Reasons When God is found Obiect Answ. Why the godly themselues alwaies find not God Quest. Answ. Gods delayes to be distinguished from denyalls Vse 1. Peccato grauescit oratio Vse 2. Vse 3. Obiect Answ. Doct. 3. There is a time wherein God will be found of euery godly man seeking him Reason 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Obiect Answ. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Use 3. Vse 2. Obiect Answ. Obiect Answ. Obiect Answ. Obiect Answ. Vse 3. Quest. Answ. Certain times when God will be found Motiues to seeke the Lord. Obiect Answ. Obiect Answ. Obiect Answ. Doct. The greatest iudgement cannot do the godly the least harme Reas. 1. 2. 3. 4. Obiect Answ. Sundry wayes of Gods deliuering of his seruants Psal. 125. 3. Obiect Answ. 1. Difference between the deliuerances of the godly and the wicked in three things 2 3. Vse 1. Vse 2. Vse 3. How to be safe in dangers Psal. 18. 24. Doctr. Assurance of deliuerance in trouble from remission of sinnes Reason 1. 2. 3. 4. Obiect Answ. Vse 1. Use 2. Nothing is a mercy but what proceeds from mercy Use 3. Difference betweene the hiding place of the godly man and of other creatures Doctr. God himselfe is the godly mans hiding place Quest. Answ. How God is so Vse 1. Use 2. Quest. Answ. 1. Sam. 23. 11 12. Note Quest. Answ. 1. How to make God our hiding place 2. 3. Quest. Answ. 1. How to know that God is our hiding place 2. 3. 4. Folly of many in danger who run from their hiding places 5. Quest. Answ. Doct. Experience the best teacher Reas. 1. 2. 3. 4. Obiect Answ. Vse Quest. Answ. Three things concurring to make vp experience 1. Knowledge Speciall grounds to be knowne for Christian experience 2. Obseruation 3. Memory Helpes of memorie Motiues to get experience of God Quest. Answ. Why none are more troubled then the godly Doctr. Godly not exempted from trouble but preserued in it Reas. 1. 2. 3. 4 Obiect Answ. How the Church is euer preserued in trouble yea from trouble Vse 2. Summers fruits not condemned for Winters stormes Use 3. Doct. 10 Times of ioy succeed times of sorrow to godly men Reason 1. 2. 4. Sorrowes of the godly like the sorrow of a woman in trauell why 5. Difference betweene Gods smiting of his children and his enemies Vse I. Vse 2. Doct. 2. Songs of praise beseeme seasons of ioy Reas. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Use 1. 1. Meanes and helps to thankfulnesse 2. 3. How to prize Gods mercies Meanes to recall Gods mercies into memorie Use 2. Obiect Answ. Obiect Answ. Motiues to thankfulnesse Many faile in not doing this dutie Enemies to thankfulnesse 1. Carelesnes 2. Slight regard 3. Discontentment 4. Abuse of mercies Others faile in doing it Failings in our best performance of this dutie 1. Thess. 5. 18. Doct. 3. The matter of the godly mans songs must bee spirituall Reasons 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Vse 1. Vse 2. Vse 3. Quest. Answ. Doct. True grace is cōmunicatiue Reasons I. 2. 3. Use 1. Motiues to forward one another in grace Prou. 10. 21. Prou. 31. 26. Use. 2. Doct. 1. No man naturally vnderstandeth the things of God without a Teacher See Psal. 14. 3. Reasons 1. 2. Vse 1. Use 2. Use 3. Vse 4. Doct. 2. Gods Word must bee applyed in speciall Reasons 1. 2. Tim. 3. 16. 2. 3. 4. Vse 1. Use 2. Vse 3. Why the godly course is called a way Doctr. Godlinesse is a going in Gods way Reasons 1. 2. 3. Gods way compared with all other waies 4. Use 1. Many by-waies beaten by many Use 2. Quest. Answ. Meanes to know the markes of Gods way Psal. 119. 33. The markes themselues Use 3. Directions how to go in the way of God What to bee done in our falls Doctr. 1. Teachers must make the people to vnderstand the Word and their owne way Vse 1. Use 2. Vse 3. Doctr. 2. A Minister must be a leader by his life and example Vse Doctr. 3. A Pastor must haue his eye vpon his flock to guide them Reasons 1. 2. 3. 4. Use. Quest. 1. Answ. Quest. 2. Answ. Quest. 3. Answ. Doctr. A brutish propertie not to learne by Gods Word Reasons 1. 2. 3. Use 1. Use 2. Vse 3. Meanes to get vnderstanding Motiues to get vnderstanding Doct. Euery man naturally is obstinate against God and his Word Reasons 1. Ephes. 2. Vse 1. Obiect Answ. Use 2. Motiues to lay aside obstinacy in sinne Obiect Answ. Notes of a man gotten out of obstinacie Doctr. God hath a bridle for vntractable sinners Quest. Answ. Gods bridles what Reason 1. Vse 1. Vse 2. Doctr. The state of an obstinate sinner is accursed Obiect Answ. 1. Difference between the godly and wickeds misery 2. 3. The kinds of the wickeds sorrowes 1. In this life 2. After this life Reasons of all these sorrowes of wicked men 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Vse 1. Vse 2. Quoad reatum omnia peccata sunt paria nisi fiat reconciliatio Luther A true glasse to see thy sinne in Vse 3. Why no wicked man can be happy Quest. Answ. Why God giueth outward things to wicked men Vse 4. Doctr. Hee that trusteth in God shall haue abundant mercie Reasons 1. 2. 3. 4. Mercies intayled to the godly 1. Temporal Obiect Answ. 2. Spirituall Obiect Answ. Godly neuer more compassed with mercy then when cōpassed with miserie God offreth to teach vs many things by the troubles of his seruants Mercies meeting vs in the life to come 1. Priuatiue 2. Positiue Similes non pares The absolute sufficiencie of future happinesse Reu. 21. 6. Use 1. Obiect Answ. Vse 2. Vse 3. Quest. Answ. How we reioice in the Lord. Doctr. Euery godly man is an vpright man Reasons 1. 2. 3. 4. Use. Reasons to looke to the vprightnesse of our hearts 1. 2. 3. Quest. Answ. Notes of vprightnesse Doct. Only the godly can soundly reioyce Reasons 1. 2. 1. True causes of sound ioy only among godly men 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. Vse 1. Obiect 1. Answ. Obiect Answ. 2. 3. Godly in sorrow want not cause of ioy Why the godly haue lesse ioy in their estate then they neede Use 2. Wicked men haue often some ioy but neuer any sound cause Doct. All the reioycing of godly men ought to be in the Lord. Quest. Answ. How Gods wil limiteth our ioy 1. For the matter 2. Manner 3. Measure 1. 2. 3. Exod. 18. 9. Rom. 1. 8. Philem. 4. 5. Col. 1. 3. Phil. 1. 4. Use. Quest. Answ. Markes of spirituall ioy
vphold the weak Christian not feeling his reconciliation Ionah 2. 4. Psalm 116. 11. Vse 5. 1. Pet. 1. 5. Description of guile of spirit 1. Guile of spirit in respect of God 1. Rom. 7. 9. 2. 3. 2. Guile of spirit in respect of sinne Before sinne 1. 2. Psal. 14. 1. Zepha 1. 12. 3. 4. Reuel 2. 21. After sinne 1. 2. 3. 3 Guile of spirit in respect of grace 1 Out ward 2. Inward 1. 2. 3. 4. 4. Guile of spirit in respect of the worke of the Word  Spirit Obiect Answ. 1 Notes of grace restraining not renewing 2. 3 4 Vnfailing marks of fained loue Vse 1. Vse 2. Vse 3. 2. Kings 8. 13. Vse 4. 1. Notes of a sincere heart 1. Thes. 2. 4. 2. Obiect Answ. 3 1 2 3 4 1 Benefits of sinceritie 2 3 Motiues to sinceritie 1. 2. 3. 4. 5 6 7 Vse 5. 1 Motiues to a diligent custodie of the heart 2. 3. 4. 5. Quest. Answ. Meanes of keeping the heart in good order Doct. 1. A Christian must haue experience of Gods Word in his owne person 2. Doct. 1. A godly heart cares not to shame it selfe so as God may be glorified Doct. 2. Guilefull security may cast a godly heart on a slumber till God awaken it Reasons 1. 2. 3. 4. Pudor conuersionis confusionis 5. 6. Vse 1. Vse 2. Vse 3. Doctrin 3. Gods child may hold some outward parts of godlinesse and yet not see and confesse his sinnes for a time Use. Note The end of afflictions is to shake the godly out of their securitie Obiect Answ. Vse 1. Vse 2. Vse 3. Vse 4. Doct. No torment in the world like the torment of conscience Reas. 1. 2. 3. Quest. 1. Why wicked men feele no such burthen of sinne vnpardoned as the godly of sinne pardoned Answ. Quest. 2. Answ. 1. How the body commeth to be troubled by the mind 2. Quest. 3. Why all the godly are not a little terrified with their sinnes Answ. Vse 1. Vse 2. Use 3. Vse 4. Doct. 1. Euery godly mans sorrow is not godly sorrow 2. 3. 4. Use 1. Quest. Answ. Rule 1. Infallible rules to discerne godly sorrow by Rule 2. Quest. Answ. Rule 3. Rule 4. Obiect Answ. Reasons why Christian ioy and sorrow may and must stand together Rule 5. Rule 6. Vse 2. Vse 3. Vse 4. Doct. 1. Reas. 1 2. 3. Obiect Answ. Obiect How afflictions can bee Gods hand when the deuils hand or wicked mens be in them Vse 1. Quest. Answ. John 19. 11. Vse 2. Vse 3. Obiect Answ. Vse 4. Doct. 2. Gods hand is often heauie vpon his owne children Quest. Answ. Reas. 1. 2. 3. 4 5 Heb. 6. 2. 6 Vse 1. Vse 2. Gods heauy hand no signe of hatred to his children Why. Vse 3. Vse 4. 1 2 3 4 Vse 5. Differences betweene Gods heauie hand on the godly and on the wicked 2. 3 4. Doct. 3. God laies an heauie hand a long time vpon his owne children Reas. 1. 2. 3. 4 5 6 Obiect Answ. 1. How long afflictions are but short and momentany 2 3 4. 5 Vse 1. Vse 2. Vse 3. Vse 4. Maximè Tremell Attollere Vatabl. Doct. Sense of miserie must goe before sense of mercy Reas. 1. 2. 3 4 5 Use 1. Use 2. Markes of that sense of misery which shall finde mercy Acts 2. 37. Vse 3. Vse 4. Motiues to get a sent of our spirituall miserie Doct. 1. Sound consideration brings forth sound resolution Reas. 1. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Eccles. 11. 1. Vse Motiues to consider of our waies and estates 1 2 3 4 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 1 Sundrie godly directions to helpe vs in our consideration of our selues 2. 3. Choise matter of consideration 2. 3 4 5 Doct. 2. Gods Spirit at length preuailes against corruptions of flesh Reas. 1. 2. 3 4. Use 1. Vse 2. Doctr. Sound confession reacheth vnto all sinne Obiect Answ. How to know whether euer a man haue had the Spirit of God Obiect Answ. Obiect Answ. Meanes of the Spirits preuailing Reason 1. 2. 3. Use 1. Use 2. Vse 3. Danger of hiding or lessening sinne Use 4. Doctr. All sound confession of sin must be made vnto God Reas. 1. 2. 3. 4. Quest. 1. Answ. Quest. 2. Answ. 1. 2. 3. Quest. 3. Answ. Non dico confitearis conseruo tuo qui exprobret sed dicito Deo qui sanat Chrysost. in Psalm 50. Obiect Answ. 1. Cases of publike Confession to men 2. Benefits of publike confession to men foure 2. 1. Gen. 20 7. Iob 41. 8. Iam. 5. 16. 1. Difference of Christian confession from Popish and Auricular 2. 3. 4. Use 1. Vse 2. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Vse 3. Necessary attendants of Confession Rom. 6. 21. Doctr. A true confessor must be his owne vtter enemy Reason 1. 2. 3. 4. Use 1. Use 2. 2. 3. Vse 3. Vse 4. Quest. Answ. 1 Meanes of sound hatred of our owne sinnes 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Arist. l. 1. de anim c. vlt. 2. 3. 4. 5. Wherein the danger of sin consists sixe things 2. 3. 4. 5. 6 Sinnes against many meanes Doct. Remission of sinne followeth a sound purpose of confession Reas. 1. 1. Iohn 1. 9. 2 3. 4. Obiect 1. Ans. 1. 2. Obiect 2. Ans. Vnsound confession discouered Obiect Answ. Obiect Answ. Est quaedam derelictio vbi nulla fuit tanta in necessitate virtutis exhibitio nulla Maiestatis ostensio Berâ— Vse 1. Vse 2. Vse 3. Isa. 22. 12 13 14 Doct. No mans sinne pardoned but the true penitent confessors Quest. Ans. Deut. 29. 29. Orig. in Libro 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Est tamen quaedam Specialis Vniuersalitas Ambros. Qui iam viuit proùt vult viuet aliquando proùt non vult Quest. Ans. Fides iustificat non nisicorrelatiuè Use 1. Obiect Ans. Totus mundus de toto mundo exemptus redemptus Amb. Use 2. 1. Notes of a man discharged of his sins 2. 3. Fruites of remission of sins 1. 2 Iohn 13. 8. 3. Vse 3. Vse 4. Obiect Answ. Doctr. Those are the best teachers that can teach from their owne experience Reason 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Ad hoc opus quò quis sanctior est eò tardior est Quest. Answ. 1. 2 3. Obiect Answ. 4. Doctor Ecclesiae benè docendo malè viuendo instruit Deum quomodò eum debeat condemnare Chrysost. Obiect Answ. Obiect Answ. Obiect Answ. Nequicquam sapi â— qui â—â— non sapit Use 1. Vse 2. Vse 3. Doct. 2. Euery godly man must make vse of Gods mercy manifested to any one Obiect Answ. Obiect Answ. Instruunt PatriarchaetaÌ„ errantes quà m docentes Reason 1. 2. 3. 4. Use 1. 2. Tim. 3. 16. Vse 2. Obiect Ans. 1. Obiect Ans. Obiect Ans. Obiect Sol. Use 3. Vse 4. Doct. Onely he that hath grace can pray for grace Reason 1. 2. Obiect Answ. Obiect Answ. 3. 4. 5. 6. Vse 1. Obiect Answ. Obiect Answ. How God heareth wicked men or rather heareth them not Prou. 1. 28 29. Use 2. Difference betweene prayers of the godly
heart onely giueth a rellish to this of our Prophet Blessed is the man whose sinne is forgiuen And in whose Spirit there is no guile HEere is an inseparable fruite of a iustified person and a note of a blessed man First by spirit referred to man is sometime meant the mindes or vnderstanding part of the soule with the most inward cogitations of it so 1. Thes. 5. 23. that your whole spirit soule and body c. and in all places where spirit and soule are mentioned together Secondly sometimes for the heart and inward affections Rom. 1. 9. whom I serue in my spirit Thirdly sometimes for the soule it selfe God inspired into Adam a liuing spirt Genes 2. Luk. 23. Father into thy hands I commend my spirit 1. Pet. 3. 19. He preached to the spirits in prison that is soules So here it is to be taken with the vnderstanding heart will conscience affections and the rest of the faculties and the soule is called by this name to shew the nature of it that it is a spirit as the Angels nay God himselfe is farre more excellent then the body and yet much more neglected Secondly by guile is meant three things in the Scripture First in words and promises deceit and false-hood when one thing is spoken another meant 1. Pet. 2. 22. in whose mouth was found no guile Secondly in actions and practice when one thing is done another pretended 1. Pet. 2. 1. Lay aside all guile and dissimulation Thirdly in thoughts and purposes when the reasonings and inward frame of the heart is vnfound and deceitfull This last is here meant for the better vnderstanding of which we must enquire First what it is secondly some seuerall practice of it thirdly the vses First the guile of the spirit is an inward corruption in the soule of man whereby he dealeth deceitfully vvith himselfe before God in the matter of saluation I say it is an inward corruption in the soule which sheweth both the kinde and seate of it First for the kinde it is a spirituall deceit and opposite to inward sinceritie and vprightnesse Secondly the seate of it is the soule and heart which since the fall is deceitfull and wicked aboue all things Iere. 17. 9. hence Iames calleth sinners double-minded chap. 4. 8. and hypocrites are described by two hearts And this may sufficiently cast downe proud flesh seeing this guile hath taken the chiefe holds euery mans soule hath in it the seeds of all sinne against the first and second Table none excepted Whosoeuer comes of Adam hath all Adams corruptions whereof this guile is compact so that if a man looke onely at himselfe hee that is to day a Protestant may to morrow be a Papist to day a Christian to morrow a Diuell were it not for the promise and power of God that preferues his to saluation And in that this deceit lyeth at the roote of the heart it is more fearefull both in that it hath chosen a secret hold and scarcely can be discerned as also is in place secretly to infect and poyson whatsoeuer can proceede from that roote as indeede it doth Yet few or none complaine of this deadly disease or will bee knowne to bee annoyed with it the nature of which is that the more raging and killing it is the lesse it is felt Further I say by this guile a man dealeth deceitfully with himfelfe in the matter of saluation For there is a guile betweene man and man but this is more sinfull and dangerous both because it is a deceiuing of himselfe by the lying and slattering of his owne heart as also that it is before God as if hee would deceiue him too as also in regard of the subiects in the matter of saluation To deceiue one selfe of his goods lands or outward profit is an ouer-sight but nothing to the losse of his soule heauen and happinesse and this is that our Text aimeth at if these words looke to the former hee is a blessed man that hath pardon of sinne and is not deceiued by the guile of his heart in this point plainely implying that there is such guile in a mans heart about this perswasion of the pardon of sinne that not onely others but himselfe also may bee deceiued in his owne estate and so kept from feeling or seeking his blessednesse in Gods fauour Many are pittifully beguiled and thinke surely to be saued and cry Lord Lord but are sent away with workers of iniquitie GOD knowes them not The Church of Laodicea beguiles her selfe with conceit and confidence in her owne sufficiencie being but poore naked and miserable and such is the power of this corruption in the heart of a naturall man that when his sin is found hatefull hee flattereth himselfe in his owne eyes and hath pretences and colours to turne off vprightnesse Psal. 36. 2. The particular practices hereof wee will referre to foure heads the first in respect of a mans estate before God secondly in respect of sinne thirdly of vertue and grace and fourthly in respect of the worke of the word and Spirit That wee may better know the nature hereof we will cast eye vpon some notable parts of this deceit which in all this regard it sendeth out in the most from the which in some degree the best are not exempted First when a man is a vile and wicked person in Gods eyes this guile makes him thinke himselfe highly in fauour with God Iohn 8. The Iewes bragged they vvere the sonnes of Abraham when Christ told them they were of their father the Diuell The Pharise could say Lord I am not as this Publicane when hee was a limbe of the Diuell And this guile is fed by sundry other delusions As first by a conceit of righteousnesse while men measure themselues with themselues or with some great sinners so did the Pharise or by the crooked rule of ciuill righteousnesse he looked at extortioners vniust adulterers and the Publicane the common speech is now I am no swearer no theefe no drunkard no I would not for all the world bee so bad as some of these professors so couetous contentious such a dissembler So for outward righteousnesse as the Pharise looked at the Law hee paid tithe of all and dealt iustly these pay tithes and dues truely giue euery man his owne keep their words are good to their neighbors and good to the poore keepe good hospitalitie but all this while are aliue as Paul saith without the Law not considering what righteousnesse God there requires and not seeing the corruptions of their hearts neglect inward lusts rising vp against God and his Law Whence onely it is that poore men who liue in the breach of all Gods Lawes despise the Word neglect Prayer prophane the Sabboth sweare without sense or touch and serue their lusts yet can carry all with this conceit they meane no harme whereas if God euer open their eyes to see their faces in a true glasse they shall see how sinne
thankesgiuing for graces bestowed vpon beleeuers that their faith was published abroad their loue abounded c. 1. Thes. 1. 3 4. and the Apostle Iohn reioiced greatly to see the elect Ladies children walking in the trueth 2. Ioh. 4. If a man thus bestow his ioy for matter manner and measure hee shall finde little roume left for carnall and vaine ioyes which are not more short in holding then bitter in forgoing them All this admonisheth vs to rectifie our ioy and thus to order it by which onely wee put difference betweene our selues and the brute beasts who reioyce in fulfilling their appetite but can reioyce in nothing higher then themselues Accursed is all that ioy in the creature which is not begun continued and ended in the Lord and for the Lord. Diues enioyed wealth and pleasure went in Purple and fared deliciously euery day but he is now in hell and his tongue that called for nothing but pleasure calleth now for a drop of cold water but cannot haue it By what markes may I try my ioy whether it be spirituall and in the Lord or no Know it by these rules First thy person must bee in Christ thou must bee a beleeuer if thy name bee written in heauen thy ioy is godly ioy no part in Christ no part in this ioy Secondly thou gettest and holdest it by the right hand of faith and therefore it is called the ioy of faith Phil. 1. 25. Christ for the confirming of his Disciples ioy commaunded them to beleeue in him Ioh. 14. 1. and 1. Pet. 1. 8. After yee beleeued ye reioyced with ioy vnspeakable and glorious more faith more ioy no faith no ioy small faith or desire to beleeue small ioy Thirdly diligent study in Gods word for faith finds not ioy euery where but onely in the Word Iohn 15. These things haue I said that my ioy may abide in you The two Disciples going to Emmaus and Christ conferring with them said afterward one to another Did not our hearts burne within vs while he talked with vs Heere then is a plaine difference betweene Gods word and the writings of men all the words of Philosophers are legall and knew no Euangelicall ioy for which of them euer taught concerning remission of sinne or saluation by Christ Therefore accursed are such blasphemous hell-hounds as hold the word of God as a policy and say there are as good sentences in Poets and Philosophers as in it Fourthly examine what thy conuersation is Righteous and vpright men must reioyce for sinne grieues the Spirit and extinguisheth ioy but piety and care of good conscience not onely cheareth him but also is a sweet feast within and that continuall Fistly and lastly examine thy proceeding in mortification for as it is 1. Cor. 15. 31. By our reioycing which I haue in Christ Iesus I die daily the ioy of faith makes a man labour and long to bee disburdened of sinne the cause of sorrow and willing to goe to God at whose right hand is fulnesse of ioy for euermore Thus haue wee by Gods grace finished this worthy Psalme which begun with sorrow but ends in solace we went foorth mourning carrying out our seede but now we bring in our sheaues with reioycing wee haue sowed in teares now wee reape in ioy For which blessed fruit the forerunner of our full haruest of ioyes at Gods right hand for euermore and for all other comforts accompanying the same To God the Father and Fountaine and to Iesus Christ the Meriter and restorer and to the holy Spirit of consolation the immediat applyer and sealer of it to the hearts of the Elect be all praise and honour in all Churches for euer and euer Amen FINIS THE ALPHABETICALL TABLE OF THE CHIEFE things contained in this Booke A ALl accusers of Gods Child put together cannot obiect halfe so much against him as he can against himselfe 150 Absolute sufficiencie of Eternall life set forth in seuen particulars 390 Afflictions serue to shake the godly out of securitie 74 Afflictions how said to be good 75 Afflictions are no temporall punishments nor satisfactions for sin three reasons 75 Afflictions are all Gods hand ordeining 92  inflicting   ordering  Sundry considerations why the godly must not be discouraged by Afflictions 103 Afflictions in themselues long are short and momentany in fiue respects 107 Afflictions concurring in a person rightly disposed to prayer 194 Angels not to be inuocated for sundry reasons 213 Arke many wayes gaue testimonie of Gods speciall presence 222 Assurance of deliuerance from trouble is from assurance of remission of sinne foure reasons 252 B THe meanest Beleeuer is an happie man 40 Benefit of syncerity in three heads 59 Benefits of open confession of sinne to man foure 143 Benefits of right vsing the Scriptures three 191 Benefit of experience in diuine things 267 Benefits of calling other forward in Grace foure 314 Bridles in Gods hand to hamper vntractable sinners three sorts 360 Brother must bee helped from vnder his burden and how 12 A Brutish property not to learne by Gods word for three reasons 347 C CAses of open confession three 70 Cases of publike confession to men two 143 Christ tooke not away the lingring but the malignitie of crosses 106 Choice of matter for consideration in fiue heads 123 Chearfulnesse must bee doubled towards the end of our way for three reasons 337 Euery Christian must benefit the whole Church by his experience 4. reas 183 Church and members euer preserued in trouble yea from trouble 276 Colours set vpon sinnes to hide them three sorts 152 Compassion towards the sicke consciences 80 Comforts and directions to such as haue long sought neuer found that they sought for in sixe grounds 239 Comforts against sence of weakenesse after many experiences of God 268 Comforts for godly men in trials three grounds 108 Comforts and directions for such as haue long repented yet find no assurance of remission of sin 174 Conditions in seeking God fiue 222 234 All sound Confession must be made vnto God for foure reasons 141 Sound Confession reacheth to all sinne 129 Slubberd Confession of sinne 137 Confession of sinne priuate of man to man in two cases 144 Confession must bee syncere because to God 146 A true Confessor must bee his owne vtter enemie for foure reasons 148 Vnsound Confessiō described by foure properties 161 Sound Consideration brings sound resolution three reasons 118 Benefits of Consideration 122 How to Consider of a mans latter end foure directions 124 True Conuersion worketh against all sinne alike 3. reas 135 Continuance in trouble letteth the godly see the greatnes of their sin 231 Euery man must get a Couer for his sinne 16 Many sorts of men Couer themselues with fig-leaues 18 Couers of sinne too short and thinne 90 D DAnger of hiding and lessening sinne in foure things 138 Danger of sinne in sixe things 156 Delayes of God whet vp godly desires 233