a godly life can be builded that they may not neede to feare that they are of a double heart for God abhorreth that in his seruice and doth not accept the heart by halues nor to be serued by halues as Saul did 1. Sam. 15.3 but will haue the whole to be giuen vnto him He will not be loued a little for that is neither beseeming his greatnes neither fit for them to offer who receiue so great good things at his hands And as none can doe this but such as shall see sufficient cause hereof namely that they are infinitely indebted to him for his bountifulnes towards them so will he that such shall make him their chiefest delight and treasure as other doe the world and therefore to account it no tediousnesse nor toile to labour for it till they haue obeyed the voice which saith Giue me thine heart my sonne And if all men did at the first imbracing of the Gospell thus giue their hearts wholy to the Lord as all they doe who vnfainedly beleeue in him then should we see it a common thing to haue God honoured in the world his true religion and worship aduaunced and there should be no such difficultie to pull men out of their filthie and sinfull liues but they should be as readie to seeke it as the godliest Preacher is in Gods name to vrge and require it But seeing that will not be let them which see better what the infinitnes of Gods fauour is towards them giue him their hearts againe as they are commaunded not a peece of their heart but their whole heart Euen as the burnt offering in sacrifices was not in part the Lords another part the Priests or his who did offer it but it was wholy the Lords so God will haue those whom he maketh reckoning of to turne to him with their whole heart that so as farre as their knowledge leadeth them they may be at his commaundement not halting not flitting not giuing him their seruice sometime and at other times refusing and holding backe by such occasions as shall fall out as for their owne pleasure profit for mens friendship and fauour or such like for so doing they shall neuer be fit to renounce either their will or lusts when they are inticed to euill by them but must yeeld and giue place to them which kind of vnsauorie and fickle seruice God abhorreth But if we freely giue ouer our selues wholy to God and be resolued to be guided by him in all things and to this end waxe better setled daily in the assured perswasion of Gods fauour which is better then all things besides so that we may alway see cause why we doe so then and not before shall we haue good euidence that our hearts are changed from their old custome in sinne and renued And although men will long halt and driue off before they will be brought to this hoping that lesse may serue and that they may please God without all this adoe as accounting it too hard yet must they be brought to this when all is done or else they shall see that all is in vaine that they doe besides what faire shewes and colours soeuer they set vpon their doings For want of this soundnes and through purging of the heart as the people of Israel made many turnings to God when he punished them but euer turned backe againe from their couenants and promises of amendment euen so at this day there are many vowes to God of holy life and purposes of repentance but none of them hold nor take any good effect though some in longer some in shorter time doe vanish away and come to nothing because men goe to worke in their moode and hastilie not sufficiently considering how weake such foundations are to beare vp so great and weightie buildings as the whole course of their liues to be holilie passed Iudas his preaching and working of miracles who was companion with the other Apostles Ahabs hastie repentance in haire cloth and ashes yea Iehu his zeale for the Lord of hoasts with all other such shewes as for a time in the eyes of men seemed to be great godlines together with Sauls speedie executing of Gods commaundements against the Amalekites they had a time to be bewraied and brought to light to the world to haue been either meere hypocrisie and fained godlines or suddaine and rash attempts or without roote from the heart euen the best of them Therefore first let this be knowne of vs that before the euill life can be renounced God purgeth and maketh cleane the heart that so it may be fit for so great a worke But seeing the heart is false aboue measure and they soonest deceiue themselues who doe least suspect and feare danger let it thoroughly be weighed which hath before been set downe that there is deadly hate of sinne and corruption and that with much striuing against it with gripes of griefe when it preuaileth and contrarilie great ioy when it is subdued this I say is in him whose heart is truly renued CHAP. 5. Of the renouncing of all sinne which is the first effect of a renued heart in the true beleeuer NOw the heart being renued and changed must be kept so but of that afterwards in more fit place In the meane season I will passe to the effect of this clensing and change of the heart and shew what worke it bringeth forth in him that is thus renued and changed For I hauing spoken of the clensing of it as I purposed namely that it must with the whole man be changed and renued before the life can be amended it followeth that I should now further proceede to this that is to the description of the christian life whereby I meane true repentance or the life of the beleeuer as I propounded which is the building that must be set on that foundation and that conuersation which commeth from the forenamed change and is a renouncing of all sinne and a care to walke in a new life to glorifie God thereby euen vnto death as was said before Concerning which more particularlie as I promised this first is to be marked that the godly life standing in these two parts that is the renouncing of sinne and practising of godly duties all vngodlines and not some part or kinde only is renounced of the true beleeuer and of him who will soundly professe to liue godly and they are brought to this power and grace who trust in the liuing God and are indeede godly that they are out of loue and fauour with the whole course of iniquitie which was their only delight and pleasure before They are so changed from that which they were that now they hauing tasted of heauen and happines being become the beloued of the Lord they freely and willingly bid farewell to all the follies of their former times and the vnlawfull liberties with the which they were deceiued at least in affection
receiued I lay it vp and hide it in my heart as treasure and so farre as I doe not vnderstand it I desire to be further taught of thee I vse to speake of thy wonderous workes and of thy wisedome I take more pleasure in thy testimonies then in all manner of riches and I daily meditate and muse thereon By these with many other such properties of a godly man mentioned in the same Psalme we may conclude without doubting that a minde thus exercised was not voyde of a life full of answerable fruites And three times a day he did vse to refort to God ordinarily in prayer and thanksgiuing after a solemne manner besides other occasions oft moouing him that saue onely in that one matter of Vriah the Hittite we seldome reade of a man more taken vp of an heauenly heart then he was I make mention of these holy seruants of God the more particularly setting downe their course of liuing their properties and their whole estate rather then some of their actions and holy works to this end That they who loue to haue short worke made of this matter and content themselues with this as a sufficient warrant of godlines if they can reckon vp some commendable workes in their liues whereas the baddest haue somewhat in them that is commendable may not iudge so of a godly life deceiuing themselues but may make it their whole conuersation to be godly not fauouring themselues in any knowne sinnes or actions doubted of to be sinnes but sifting themselues daily to search and finde them out neither withholding themselues from new duties which they haue not been wont to practise but teachable and readie to heare whatsoeuer the Lord hath to require of them And my meaning is that after we haue made an entrance into a godly life we should not hold on by fittes now and then as I said and be off and on as many are but constantly goe forward as our yeeres growe vpon vs and carefully to indeuour that in one thing as well as in an other we may please God in reuerence and in feare Neither is it my purpose in all this to perswade that beleeuers must haue some godlines for that must be attained to alreadie of all such as I direct my speech to neither that they should rest in that which they haue but looke vpon such to follow them who in the Scriptures are set before them as the forwardest Christians and holiest examples So that they acquainting themselues still with their owne wants weaknesses and corruptions which they beare about them may daily gather strength against them and prosper as the Lords plants in euery part of their life to become fruitfull So shall they know by experience what this meaneth which I speake of namely to walke with God continually and after a certaine manner although wandering on the earth wrapped in with infirmities to haue their conuersation in heauen with him And so shall they more cleerely and fully behold the benefit of Christs death that it was not onely to saue them from eternall death and to bring them to euerlasting life but also to worke the death of sinne our most deadly enemie and to mortifie it and to purchase for them a comfortable passage thither also through the inioying of many goodly blessings in this life as pledges of the same though it be otherwise but a vale of miserie to all such as finde not this for their portion For this is to be knowne that as euery one excelleth another in the graces of the spirit thereafter is his measure greater in the priuiledges of a Christian more then others and with more sound and continuall comfort doth he passe his daies and free his life from reprochfull and fearefull euils And the more that any godly man increaseth in goodnes and goeth beyond that estate wherein he hath sometime been in knowledge and in an high esteeming of it and the right vse of the same the more shall his life be filled with matter of sound and pure reioycing Therefore to conclude this matter seeing the godly and Christian course of liuing is not a seruing of God when we thinke good but from time to time nor a looking to some of our actions when others are not regarded nor an estate vnpleasant to the spirituall man whom the holy Ghost directeth but easie sweete and comfortable seeing also we haue heard by many examples of godly men otherwise not without their infirmities any more then we that this life hath been practised in al ages I conclude that the elect and beloued of the Lord shall yeeld to the imbracing of it and must take vp the same though it be a yoke to the corrupt lusts not yet subdued and that such as see not cause to submit themselues to Gods commandements one as well as another but will take their libertie in some euill after the desire of their hearts cannot glorie with any sound peace of a godly life And consequently that the life of the common Protestant which counteth it precisenes to be abridged of any libertie that he hath been wont to vse or yet liketh to inioy how vnlawful or offensiue soeuer it be is nothing lesse then a godly and Christian life for such a one will come to the light that whatsoeuer is not as it ought to be may be made knowne and so remoued But he that will not be touched nor suffer his actions to be censured nor reprooued though he be farre from this practise but pleaseth himselfe in the things which he doth is without all question fraught and filled with infinit euils and a bondman to his own lusts whatsoeuer opinion he hath of himselfe and let such a one know that his damnation sleepeth not But many of these with whō I haue to deale such as goe for good Christians and who in sundrie of their doings are of vs well to be liked though God iudgeth the heart many such I say doe keepe at a stay or content themselues with this that they doe no great euill although they doe little good because they see few liue better by whom they might take any great light to amend To speake plainly they thinke there are none in these daies who doe follow the steps of the holy fathers whose liues I commend which kind of persons may be easily conuinced and I will say no more then I needes must The truth is that the generall state of those men who imbrace the Gospell is much to be bewailed For although they are infinitly the worse by reason of the swarmes of Atheists Papists Familists and others both Heretikes and Machiuilians which with their stinking breath doe poyson many thousand inhabitants which dwell in the land amongst them yet besides this the abomination is great without respect of them through ignorance little reuerence to the word custome in euill and sleight executing of sundrie good lawes among vs but this ought
is one with him and therefore seeth that while Christ liueth he must and shall liue also so he hauing thereby perpetuall vnion and fellowship with him doth drawe strength and grace from him euen as the branch doth from the vine that so he may liue the life of a Christian If then he haue that power of renewing him which is signified and sealed by baptisme namely the power of Christs death mortifying sinne and the vertue of his resurrection in raising him vp to new life is not baptisme throughout his life a forcible meanes to helpe him forward in a Christian course as oft as he doth duely consider it So in the Lords supper the faithfull communicant by the oft receiuing of it is not onely by the bread and wine assured that his soule may be comforted by Christ and so inioyeth the same but also is spiritually strengthened to all good duties so that he findeth a most soueraigne helpe by it to growe vp vnto a perfect age in Christ Iesus And this shall more appeare if we consider how manifoldly the faithfull Christian is furthered and set forward in the well framing and amending his life thereby both in preparing himselfe to it before it come in the action and present vse of it when he doth come thereto and after the inioying of and departing from it Of which three seeing they may serue as well for a perpetuall rule to examine himselfe by and to direct him in the right vse of it alwayes after as well as to proue the matter which I haue in hand namely that the Sacraments are great helpes to godlines I will stay a little while about them And for the preparing or making him fit to receiue with profit this is the manner how it ought to be done namely First that he proue and trie himselfe in these things whether he haue the knowledge of mans miserie of his redemption of his renewing and of the nature and benefit of that Sacrament with the knowledge of other principall points all which it is meete that he should haue who looketh for comfort by it Secondly that he hold fast his faith in the promises of saluation which God hath wrought in him before by the preaching of the Gospell the which at this time may not be wanting but holden fast and after particular falles recouered The third is that he keepe his heart diligently to the renouncing and subduing of all sinne and readie to any dutie that he shall be called vnto Fourthly and more particularly that he haue no swelling nor rising of heart against any man or woman no although they be his vtter enemies but be reconciled to them and at peace with them as he desireth to be with the Lord. And fiftly that he being thus qualified desire as he shall haue opportunitie to be partaker of this Sacrament and to receiue the benefit which God offereth by it And this is the manner of examining a mans selfe vnto the which rules he that is sutable he is a welcome guest to the Lords table But because much slouth forgetfulnes darkenes corruption and weaknes do soone gather together and so grow vp euen in good men to the choaking of these forenamed gifts of God that such as haue sometime found all these in themselues yet at the time of receiuing cannot finde them therefore at the comming to the Lords supper God giueth especiall charge that if in any of his people these graces should by their owne negligence and default be weakned dimmed and decayed that they doe not rashly put themselues forward to it in that case but speedily seeke to recouer themselues againe by a due examination of their estate according to the forementioned rules Which if they do then more hardly and difficultly obtaine and going about it cannot see cleerely that they are thus furnished as they were sometimes they may thanke themselues the fault is their owne for that they did so long neglect the same and did not labour when they were well to keepe well constantly Let them not cease therefore till they recouer which of them that knowe how being sanctified shall be obtained Now the recouering of themselues is on this manner Let them goe apart by themselues and laying all other things aside seriously enter into due consideration what accuseth them and troubleth their conscience which in no wise may be omitted then whatsoeuer bee found amisse be it slouth carelesnes worldlines distrust vncharitablenes or any other like sinne let it be sensibly and heartily bewailed acknowledged renounced Prou. 28.13 and lastly a recouering of their faith by apprehending Gods mercy Prou. 28.13 and their wants therein and in their repentance supplyed againe by renuing their couenant with God This manner of behauiour in Christians before they offer themselues to the Lords supper is necessarie after they haue fallen as I haue said before and herein standeth their preparation to receiue the Lords supper Which preparation is one of the three things necessarily required of them who shall with profit come vnto the Lords supper And can this preparation be any lesse then a great helpe to all which shall inioy it He who was before snared in the world who had been filled with strong corruption as with poyson fallen into some particular sinnes who had neglected the nourishing of his faith been at some bitter variance with his neighbour or had done any such other like thing now by this preparation calling himselfe home repenting and returning as this examination teacheth doth he not finde thereby a singular helpe thinke we to the recouering of his strength and the doing of his former workes againe And if he haue done none of all these offences and therefore shall not neede to offer such violence to himselfe but hath kept a Christian course in his life and followed a good direction to the peace of his conscience as I doubt not but many doe yet as oft as he shall repaire to this Sacrament in this estate shall he not be much confirmed and more strongly setled in the duties of Christianitie when he shall by examination finde and see that he though fraile is a meete guest for the Lords table and therefore welcome and not thrust out of the companie for want of his wedding garment Shall it not be a great comfort at many other times as oft as hee shall remember and thinke vpon it and that it hath been thus with him alreadie when he receiued and thus may be also as oft as he shall repaire vnto it againe So that euen the preparation to the Lords supper is a great meane to goe forward in godlines Now to come to the action itselfe when a man rightly prepared inioyeth the present benefit of the Sacrament and there is comforted and made glad by the words of Christ himselfe the maker of the banquet who biddeth him welcome and to be merry saying his body which is meate indeede and his bloud which is the onely
exercise vs sinne or trouble neither were it profitable for vs to the end we may be euer in combate Though we doe a good thing yet if it be not in knowledge it is sinne Ioh. 13.17 No good thing abideth long with vs in his strength and beautie without new quickning yea quailing and deadnes sometime groweth vpon vs what meanes soeuer we vse We cannot rest in any estate how prosperous soeuer except we see the Lord goe with vs to guide vs. We should not suffer our selues to be carried from the best things whatsoeuer weightie dealings or matters be in hand and hauing been imployed in Gods businesse in liuing fruitfully and cheerefully among men we should be loath now to faint and chaunge our course When wee feele any wearines in a godly course by what occasion soeuer it be the diuell hath met with vs. Complaine therefore and relent wee for our vnkindnes and wandring from God and he will be found and returne right soone Hos 4.3 Cant. 3.3 It is well prooued that faith and godlines are the vpholders of our ioy and peace Rom. 5.1.6 and 2. Cor. 1.12 and that they make an hard estate easie and a prosperous fruitfull 2. Cor. 6.10 Act. 9.31 Among many reasons to moue vs to goe vnder afflictions meekly these are two Thinke that God will exercise and frame vs for hard times Lam. 3.27 and perhaps an end of our daies is at hand Matth. 24.39 God is not only the same to vs in afflictions that he hath been but will be felt more sweete when the world becommeth more bitter That seeking of ease profit or pleasure ought to be restrained which holdeth from seeking the common good of others We may obserue that when our Christian state is at the best it is no better then it had neede to be but when wee consider how many waies wee might decline we may thanke God it is no worse Hardly is a good Christian brought to giue ouer many vaine liberties some hee will but not others but after his excursions from God hee hath much adoe to returne into a good course againe This causeth much vncheerefulnes in the life and till we cleaue to him with delight to serue him it will neuer be otherwise A great difference there is betwixt the continuall obseruing and viewing of our life from day to day and the doing of it by fits now and then in the one we are safe cheerefull and fruitfull in the other rash offensiue and after vnquiet for it walking in feare and with little comfort If thou wilt finde Christ sweete thou must euer finde sinne sowre If thou wouldest forgoe thy riches willingly and readily vse and enioy them soberly and moderatly set little by them and lose little It is to be feared that many professing the Gospell with some liking doe onely generally aime at godlines and therefore they haue many vnsetlings and rangings out but they doe not particularly looke to themselues therefore they gather not experience nor finde any great fruit of it Feare euer to offend God and thou needest feare no other perill as ill tidings Psal 112.7 Exod. 20.20 for he keepeth thee Psal 32.7 and 91.11 It is strange that we hauing no good part in our life but through the well framing of our hearts yet that wee should thinke it much to keepe them in compasse Prou. 4.23 They who can neglect and set meanely by a little vaine glorie and credit with men may gaine and enioy much peace with God A man by Gods spirit shall doe a thing well which another without it shall doe very ill Iosh 6.4 compared with 1. Sam. 4.4 Looke not to tie God to thee in thy neede who regardest not him in thy ease 1. Sam. 4.5 They are rare men who are not led by their passions into extremities seeing they are rare who so looke to themselues that they may keepe from extremities 1. Sam. 4.5.6 Many at their death hold that they ought to be godly but is it not good at one time which is at another He is a rare person who is in fauour with God when he afflicteth Psal 2. vers 12. and he oft afflicteth because wee should beleeue that he will deliuer vs. It is follie yea madnes to be heauie to death for any earthly thing when yet a man desires nothing more then life All our life ought to be a prouiding for a good end and a keeping away of woe by sinne which few will doe for they will not lose an inch of their libertie and yet but for this what were the life of Gods people When the Scripture telleth vs of the happinesse of the Church as Psalm 89.11 and 87.3 we may thinke we come short very much when we esteeme not our estate better then the best of the world If wee would euer through the day be at peace with God and know wee are pardoned wee must be euer readie to remoue our sinnes which raise a controuersie betwixt vs. We would willingly please our selues in some vnlawfull liberties when we haue pleased God in some duties But a wise man will keepe well while he is well and not trouble himselfe with an ill conscience when God doth not trouble him with hard afflictions seeing it is written Hebr. 3.12 and 1. Cor. 10.31 whether we eate we see many fall fearefully and offend but few returne againe therefore it is to be feared that many perish or at least are in great daunger The more grace we perceiue in any man and constancie and the more he is like to God the better we ought to loue him as Christ did Iohn and contrariwise Ioh. 13.23 Psal 15.4 This is a worthie thing when in feare of or by great afflictions our innocencie and repentance is so sound that wee haue bold confidence to claime Gods promise of helpe in the time of neede and are vpholden by it from the strength of feare till wee see an issue as Israel did in feare reade 1. Sam. 7.8.10.11 Where there is wilfulnes in sinning there is great difficultie in relenting as also no power nor boldnes in beleeuing As for such as count it more then needeth to seeke and to make chiefe reckoning of godlines let them learne what these Scriptures meane are they not for vse Psalm 87.3 and 84.11.12 One day in thy house O God is better then a thousand elsewhere And Psalm 4.8 Trie out therefore the truth of them When we become to the highest degree of seruing God with much trauaile yet wee abide hardly and a short time therein at least much vnprofitablenes and barrennes will meete with vs againe after euen by meanes of our corrupt hearts which being so we neede not thinke that we be too forward when we be at the best Many beginning well in godlines haue fainted and quailed or been iustly reproched before their end that others may the more feare their owne weaknes When pettie troubles arise in families and other waies we should stay our selues thus These are small
in comparison and I must looke for greater Heb. 13.5 and 12.4 The carefull obseruation of our hearts and waies is an especiall meane to keep vs from euill and to see our infirmities better that we may bow to God and obtaine pardon of them Where new knowledge is not sought there is the lesse sauour in and vse of the old and when men make not good vse of the old the seeking of new is but noueltie Seeing the conscience is so tender and so soone pricked a man would meruaile how they do who make many breaches therein and solder them vp slenderly and easily Men hauing experience of Sathans malice and continuall dogging them to euill it should teach them to trust better to their armour and lesse to themselues Dispose thy outward affaires with wisedome and so as thou spend not ouermuch time about the same when thou maist doe it in a little whether it bee in companie by talking thereof for commonly when wee enter talke thereof once wee cannot tell when to make an end or whether it be alone by our selues in consulting for thoughts of the world doe tickle vs and that may be determined in a few sentences and in a part of an houre which may hold vs worke the most part of a day yea many If any of Gods children will waxe bold against the Lord and break forth to seeke libertie amisse he shall surely smart for it Psal 89.31 If mine owne children breake my lawes and keepe not my commandements I will punish their sinnes with the rodde and their offences with the scourge And if they sinne openly against their conscience they shall one time or other and one way or other come to smart for it openly As Iosiah 2. Chron. 35.22 23. God afflicteth sometime to correct pride least wee should be lifted vp aboue measure 2. Cor. 12.7 and sometime to instruct vs and make vs wise in our course and constant as we were not before Psal 119. and so to bee wiser and afraid to offend Psal 119. Men haue neuer too much wealth but the more is euer welcome Why should not wee doe the like in spirituall things euen whosoeuer hath most 1. Cor. 14.1 and greatest part therein For a while we finde sweete sauour in an holie estate oft times but the strength of feruent desire is soone cooled many waies namely by feare of outward troubles and losses c. for if that take hold once it eateth deeply It is too cleere that many professors doe but aime at a godly life and therfore they are soone vnsetled when they be at the best and gather not experience for the time to come to be directed Where we suspect that conceits grow if wee goe not about to pull them vp they will be too deeply fastened in a short time Though a man pray and meditate and keepe a better course in his life then some doe yet if he doe it but sleightly that the flesh preuaileth much in hindring the well performing of it all will soone come to naught it may be perceiued by the sway it beareth in other parts of life and then let it be speedily amended It is good so to taske our selues with duties one or other at all times and in all places that so doing we may cut off occasions of much sinne Let no sin be sleightly passed ouer or committed For when it commeth to remembrance in trouble it will be an heauie burthen and pinch vs to the heart Seeing in age our company will be tedious and we shall be left alone without company let vs learne in our youth to ioyne the Lord to our companie and to haue him our familiar that we may be neuer lesse solitarie then when we are alone He that can sinne freely and giue it no vent out againe by repentance though he will not see nor remoue it yet seeing he knoweth he must Lam. 3.40 he shall not thriue nor prosper in Gods familie nor taste of his dainties by faith Sundry necessarie obseruations for a Christian fit also to meditate vpon 1. THat we keepe a narrow watch ouer our hearts words and deeds continually 2. That with all care the time be redeemed which hath bin idly carelesly and vnprofitably spent 3. That once in the day at the least priuate prayer and meditation bee vsed 4. That care be had to doe and receiue good in companie 5. That our familie be with diligence and regard instructed watched ouer and gouerned 6. That no more time or care be bestowed in matters of the world then must needes 7. That we stirre vp our selues to liberalitie to Gods Saints 8. That we giue not the least bridle to wandring lusts and affections 9. That we prepare our selues to beare the crosse by what meanes it shal please God to exercise vs. 10. That we bestow sometime not onely in mourning for our owne sinnes but also for the sinnes of the time and age wherein we liue 11. That we looke daily for the comming of our Lord Iesus Christ for our full deliuerance out of this life 12. That we vse as we shall haue opportunitie at least as we shall haue necessitie to acquaint our selues with some godly and faithfull person with whom we may conferre of our Christian estate and open our doubts to the quickning vp of Gods graces in vs. 13. That we obserue the departure of men our of this life their mortalitie the vanitie and alteration of things below the more to contemne the world and to continue our longing after the life to come And that we meditate and muse often of our owne death and going out of this life how we must lie in the graue all our glory put off which will serue to beate downe the pride of life that is in vs. 14. That we reade somewhat daily of the holy Scriptures for the further increase of our knowledge if it may be 15. That we enter into couenant with the Lord to striue against all sinne and especially against the speciall sinnes and corruptions of our hearts and liues wherein we haue most dishonoured the Lord and haue raised vp most guiltines to our owne consciences and that we carefully see our couenant be kept and continued 16. That we marke how sinne dieth and is weakned in vs and that we turne not to our olde sinnes againe but wisely auoyde all occasions to sinne 17. That we fall not from our first loue but continue still our affections to the liking of Gods word and all the holy exercises of religion diligently hearing it and faithfully practising the same in our liues and conuersations that we prepare our selues before we come and meditate and confer of that we heare either by our selues or with other and so marke our daily profiting in religion 18. That we be often occupied in meditating on Gods benefits and workes and sound forth his praises for
shall turne to the swifter damnation of them which doe it Men may say I denie not that it is hard to haue that rule ouer their hearts but it will not serue them to the reiecting of the truth which God hath brought to light to them and made manifest to their consciences but that they must for all that grant that it is a dutie to be yeelded vnto of them and therefore to bee set vpon and gone about rather then resisted assuring themselues that an honest endeuour shall not be in vaine And if we see this in common reason that a man which hath a long iourney to trauaile as an hundred or two hundred miles will not count this sufficient directiō to go on Eastward or Westward as his way shal lie or by a generall rule only but will take a particular note by what townes he must goe euery day and how hee must passe from one to another what marueile should it be that they who are to trauaile this great and long voyage to the kingdome of heauen yea and that through this large and wearisome wildernes of the world doe not reckon their way generally by the yeere but particularly by euery day and through the day consider the diuers kindes of dutie which they are to performe as a part of the way by which they should goe that at night they may reioyce that they are so much neerer their iourneys end and that in safetie and quiet then they were in the morning at their setting foorth and haue not with the greatest part lost their labour by going out of their way Euen as Moses teacheth vs by his owne example in the Psalme where hee saith Teach vs O Lord to number our daies that is to consider the shortnes of our life by the daies of it that we may applie our hearts to wisedome that is in those few daies thereof And as the Steward of some Noble mans house doth not make a generall reckoning and account of much money laid out but writeth the particulars daily and hourely as he giueth out and receiueth that hee may not bee deceiued so and much more as the Christian life is more precious then all earthly treasure doth the wise man looke daily to his waies and through the day that his account may the lesse trouble him at his lying downe and consequently at the day of his death Yea and more then that so will hee euen set downe many parts of his life in writing also such as are principally to be kept in record as Gods benefits and his owne sinnes as he is able and all to helpe him to be better directed in it To the same purpose of daily looking to our waies our Christian life is compared to a course or race that as they which runne keepe their bounds and course and goe not aside out of the way so should they who runne in the Christian race looke before them and see that they keepe in their way and not runne on vncertainly or wandring they know not where whither nor how by peruerting their waies It is also compared to an high way in the which if we guide and keep our beast although it be loden it commeth safely to the market with the cariage or burden but if we suffer it to goe out of the plaine way into cartrakes and to climbe vp to the browes and rough waies it is cast and wearied so if we keepe in the knowne and beaten way we goe on our Christian course safely although with some difficultie and with many incombrances but if wee peruert our way and goe out of it by and by we fall into daunger we know not how great as by wofull experience many fearing God haue found it with them who then wished they had been circumspect when it is too late So it is compared to a rule to guide vs that as well in our talke with other as alone by our selues in our earthly busines as our spirituall seruice of God in our affaires abroad as well as our dealings at home and in one thing as well as another we should haue certaine direction for euery part of it And the very same thing did the faithfull seruant of God S. Paul teach Timothie his beloued and naturall sonne in the faith by his owne example when he said Thou hast knowne my course and manner of liuing c. as if hee should say what hath been my daily carriage of my selfe for else hee could not haue spoken so and particularly that it hath been beautified with faith loue patience in great afflictions and persecutions with gentlenes to all and long suffering and bearing much at the hands of vnworthie persons thou hast knowne also my minde and purpose what I haue desired yet further The same is to be said of other faithfull seruants of God as Enoch walked with God Noah was a iust and vpright man and walked with God And Moses was faithfull in the house of God Which speeches vttered of the holie people of God in those times wherein things were set downe more darkly what can they testifie of them lesse then this which I say So that it is manifest both by the doctrine of the word of God and also by the examples thereof that not onely there ought to be a generall guiding of Gods people by the word but also a particular trying of their waies therby and a framing of them thereto and that this ought to be as a trade to be followed in one point as in another according to the knowledge of euerie one and therefore to be made an ordinarie course of them euery day to seeke to haue direction in all things CHAP. 6. Of the fift reason sixe seuen and eight FVrthermore if a certaine direction daily to guide vs doth best keep vs well when we be wel and when we step aside or wander out of the way by any occasion if this be fittest to bring vs easily to consideration of our selues and hold vs from going further from God if I say it be the best and fittest estate thus to order well and settle our liues in comparison of any other then who doubteth but that it is chiefly to be laboured for and looked after and holden as most necessarie But that it is so who can denie who will say but that he which resolueth with himselfe euerie morning to looke to his waies all the daie following and to keepe a good conscience towards God and men and for that purpose setteth himselfe to follow such speciall and particular rules as by the which this may be best effected shall in farre better sort performe this bringing the daie to a good end then they who though they be in Christ also yet are not so prepared and well furnished I meane such as haue onely a minde to doe well in generall but doe not particularly set themselues to obserue their waies but as it falleth out which is the
the like which they committed were freed from But I shall not need to say much of this matter which is cleere in all mens eies and yet I must say that which I doe in this place because it is the ground of this discourse For if this be true that troubles and punishments are the fruite of sinne and that they who decline and goe aside from the way of sinners shall not tast of them it followeth that the children of God who doe so haue a singular prerogatiue aboue others may be free from many sore vexations Neither should this seeme strange or admirable forasmuch as they forsake many vnlawfull liberties and vaine pleasures which others hunt after But as I haue said in handling the former priuiledges so I must say in this that the seruants of God may inioy this liberty but not that all doe so For experience prooueth the contrary namely that sundry of Gods people doe draw vpon themselues many troubles through their owne default which they might haue beene voide of and doe trouble themselues when God doth not trouble them and it is one cause why I did enter into this worke to teach such how they may liue more at ease and in safety and without many incumbrances in this world then they doe or many thinke they may possibly doe For a great number euen of Gods children do perswade themselues through ignorance of the scriptures Math. 22.29 that forasmuch as they heare that we must goe through many tribulations to the kingdome of heauen therefore it can be no otherwise with vs but that we must of necessity smart and be afflicted as oft and as many waies as we are which is nothing so for many troubles and dangers we might shun and avoide by taking heed to our selues as Gods word teacheth vs yea and as his spirit inableth vs also to doe which yet through our folly security slougth and such other faults of ours too often doe vexe and disquiet vs and make our liues vtterly vnsavory and vnpleasant vnto vs. For who can deny this that many honest Christians as well as worse persons doe cause a great part of their liues to be filled with vnquietnesse anguish and irkesomnesse then the which what can be reckoned greater troubles and that through impatience anger fretting rashly medling in other mens matters and intemperately folowing and dealing in their owne which vnbridled affections others of their brethren wisely and carefully seeking and labouring to resist preuent and gouerne are not molested nor troubled with Or who seeth not this that euen men who deserue to be well thought of for many causes yet in some particular things refusing to be directed aright and following their owne will and caried by their euill affections take libertie to themselues to misspende the time in foolish iesting idle and harmefull talking in lightnesse in wantonnesse of the eie euill companionship c. for the which sweet meat they haue afterwards soure sauce and by those meanes onely raise vp in their hearts secret accusations checks of conscience horrour and feare of death and the iudgement day quenching of the spirit of God and such like and the better men they be the sooner and certainlier they are thus rewarded Are not these troubles which if they had beene carefull to auoide they might haue liued merily and with good contentation as other good seruants of God haue done and doe who haue set more by true peace and quietnesse with holinesse without which no man shall see the Lord then to loose it for a little peece of their will and for the inioying of the pleasures of sinne for a season But these troubles because they are inward are not of so many nor so easily seene and discerned as were to be wished although too many both godly and wicked doe oft both finde and feele them I will therefore shew this in outward troubles how many Christians doe as well through their sinne trouble and incomber their liues with them as with the other kinde For by their sinne as wilfull blindnesse carelesnesse and vnbrideled affections euen they as well as men vtterly vnreformed doe bring vpon themselues shame sutes in law pouerty debt diseases imprisonment losses ill report wicked posteritie c. These such like I am sure the ignorantest and worst sort of people doe count troubles and miseries and crie out of them till they doe ofttimes depriue themselues of life to the end they may be ridde of them But to prooue that they trouble themselues with all these by their sinnes is it not a shame to them when they be found to haue beene deceiuers liers boasters slaunderers and in such other behauiour offensiue and scandalous and doth not the same bring ill report with them also doth not rashnesse hot and hasty speeches prouoking one another cause sutes and controuersies which need neuer haue beene and rendering like hard measure againe as hath beene offered doe not debt and pouertie arise of needlesse and excessiue spendings going aboue our abilitie in diet apparell purchasing and building and doth not he which loueth pastime prooue a poore man So by surfeiting come diseases and ill posterity by ill education with too much conniuencie and libertie giuing and by rash and vnequall marriages as hastie repentings for their conceiued griefes if not departings one from the other and an haughty minde causeth him that nourisheth it oft times to take vp his abode within the prison walles These are a few of a great many which might as well be reckoned vp but that I would say no more then I must needs And what are the troubles of the world if these be not and yet who seeth not that all these and their like are drawne vpon many Christians by their sin as sore corrections from God seeing they do may easily through want of care and watchfulnesse oft offend thus And true it is that they might be well auoided if sinne were taken heed of and resisted and by labour and watchfulnesse the vnruly heart subdued Neither let any answer me that this cannot be attained for I affirme that God giueth such grace vnto fraile men whereby it may be atteined to and teacheth how and many there are God haue the glory thereof which comfortably finde it who because they hate to be seruants to any sinne although they cannot walke without sinne receiue no such wages of sinne and iniquitie as others doe And by this which I say let it be considered what ease and peace and freedome from many troubles this sort of men inioy in their liues which others goe without and what sorrow and calamities some fill their daies with which both they themselues and many others might be voide of So that it is not as many haue ignorantly thought that their troubles cannot be auoided but as I haue said many of them might be shunned and their liues might be many waies and in
out of the way againe Therefore not onely these which are euill of themselues must grow loathsome to them but they must also be sober and moderate themselues euen in their lawfull liberties and dealings so as that one thing be thought needfull of them whatsoeuer they goe about euen this to nourish their faith and to hold fast their hope of eternall life and Gods fauour seeing God who giueth it doth neuer change his minde nor repent him And that they may doe this the better which is too slacklie performed of many who yet haue felt some sweetnes in the promises they are further to be directed that daily and oft which few will be brought vnto they send vp strong prayers to God for it and that they doe of set purpose separate themselues from all other things in the most conuenient manner that they can to call to remembrance the manifold and gracious promises of God that they meditate and consider deepely of them of the nature and truth of them of the vnchangeablenes and perpetuitie of them how louing also and kind God is that thus their faith may be confirmed in them and so bring their hearts by little and little to a new course and custome that they may haue more neere acquaintance with Gods nature his mind and purpose towards them how louingly he is affected to them how little they neede to feare his anger and displeasure and how free they may be from doubting and wauering For it must be well considered and oft thought vpon that weake bleeuers who are priuie to themselues of their many doubtings doe soone let slip out of their memorie and so out of their hearts such grounds of their faith as they haue sometime holden and imbraced after hearing publikely or any such like meanes inioyed of them they doe soone I say let them slip vnlesse they can bring themselues to reuiew and call them to mind vsuallie Yea and further vnles they do prouide to helpe their feeblenes of heart and memorie as they shall be able with some pithie and cleere prooues of their saluation and safetie such as they haue before rested on and found comfort by as this Come to me all ye that are heauie laden and I will ease you and let them reason thus from it If Christ call them that are loden and promiseth to ease them and therefore they may come boldly that is beleeue his promise and claspe about it and inioy it as their owne then may I being such an one doe so and take it as spoken to me as well as Peter Paul or any other Thus should the weake applie it Another If any thirst let him come to me and I will giue him the water of life to drinke And many other such as in the margine Some of these and such like are oft to be thought on and applied as I haue said if wee desire to keepe in the safe estate which I haue spoken of that is to come to God in prayer when we will with boldnes and confidence and yet when we doe not pray not to be afraid of him but to walke in any of our actions without slauish feare before him And if we doe not thus we shall by and by wauer wander either on the left hand or on the right go out of the royall way euen that way of which the Prophet speaketh when he saith Thou vpholdest me in mine integritie settest me before thy face continually As if he should say thou wilt see that I take no hurt being euer in thine eye as y e child in the mothers eye that it may haue no daunger I say in this royall way wee shall not keepe safe and sound except we doe as men dimme of sight vse of spectacles helpe our spirituall eye sight with oft looking in the glasse of Gods word and promises which I say not as though God did change his minde so oft seeing there be so many doubts in vs who is euer one and constant but for that wee haue riuen memories wandring affections and deceitfull hearts in all which respects we haue neede of such helpe and remedie And if it trouble any at the hearing of this asking what shall the weake doe who cannot doe thus I answere they that know not this cannot doe it but yet is not their estate therefore to be rested in no although they feare God only let them follow that which they know and they who know this which I now teach will neglect nothing willingly of that which I say though they be weake for it is their owne gaine and aduantage which they would not lose yet I meane not that they should neglect their particular calling for all this seeing both may well yea and ought stand together Thus therefore let Gods children keepe themselues from feare and doubting when they are in greatest daunger of both by an oft and serious weighing how gracious and good the Lord is vnto them that it may comfort them euen at the heart And for a testimonie hereof let them vse to trie in smaller benefits how they can beleeue that God will keepe couenant with them for thereby shall they haue further proofe with the former to their consciences that they grow to beleeue him in greater For although there must be some measure of true iustifying faith before wee can doe any thing acceptable to God Hebr. 11.6 yet for the confirming of it wee must obserue how Gods word is performed in other things also And to this purpose they are also to helpe their weakenes in faith by ordinarie and reuerent hearing the glad tidings of reconciliation publikly preached vnto them for that is one speciall end thereof as the Apostle saith and therefore are the Sacraments also giuen by God which seale vp this truth in their hearts which they haue begun to taste of Doe this as oft as ye doe it in remembrance of me With these two they must carefully retaine a viewing of their sinnes which by examination they haue found out They must I say be daily kept within that compasse and keepe vnder their hearts by a meane and base thinking of themselues from fulnes and loathing of Christs death as it is made too common a reckoning of Neither can it be felt sweete and pleasant of any except their sins be felt bitter and tart And besides all this their former experience is not the least helpe to establish and settle them in this perswasion that for as much as they cannot denie but that they haue beleeued with ioy and receiued much ease to their heauie hearts thereby therefore much more now they ought and lawfully may rest and perswade themselues so againe And therefore to say with themselues it is but their own weaknes when they are pierced thorough with such doubts from God there is not the least occasion offered who is euer one and chaungeth not for all this might
it and after And according to the prouerbe like tree like fruite for a good man out of the good treasurie of his heart bringeth forth good things and the wicked man out of the ill treasurie of his heart bringeth forth euill things This heart of man therefore must be good and holy and pure it must be brought to yeeld and submit it selfe willinglie to better instruction then naturallie it hath been acquainted with that so it may bring forth fruite of amendment of life and be readilie disposed vnto euery good worke But as I sayd that men may not deceiue themselues who for the most part being ignorant about the heart and the nature and properties of it doe thinke that they may liue godlie whatsoeuer corruption doth infect the heart it shall be requisite to know it better and how all godlinesse is but fantasie or hypocrisie vnto the heart be reformed and changed We must haue it clensed and well seasoned and afterwards kept so that it may be no longer an enemie to vs or an hinderer of vs in any of our good actions but contrarilie that by the helpe of it we may dailie goe forward in well doing at least by striuing or after a repulse to returne againe For this we are to know that the heart of man before it be emptied is a dungeon of iniquitie before it be inlightened a denne of darkenes before it be clensed a puddle of filthinesse and that which Saint Iames speaketh of the tongue may much more be said of the heart that before it be tamed it is an vnruly euill If then such an heart be the guide of our life how monstrous and loathsome must that life needes be Hereby therefore it is cleere that the heart must be purged of this corruption as I haue said it must be changed from this nature and custome that when any departing from sinne should be or any dutie to God offered this may not be a pulbacke and hinderer but ready to giue consent thereunto and a furtherer thereof in subduing the corruption of the same from time to time For who seeth not that this were otherwise a toile most tedious yea a thing altogether impossible as oft as we should goe about any good dutie then to haue our heart to seeke as they say and to be set in frame as if an husbandman should alwaies be driuen to mend and sharpen his plough share when and as oft as he tilleth the ground or a Carpenter to grinde his tooles so oft as he goeth to worke but much more seeing the heart is backward and not willing and ready to any good thing yea rather rebellious against it must not all of necessitie the more preposterouslie goe forward But to proceede more particularlie to anatomize and describe the heart and in few words to say much of it we must know that it is ouerspread with vnbeleefe deceitfull vnruly loose hardned wilfull vaine idle blockish cold in goodnes and without sauour and soone wearie of it high big proude disdainefull selfe-louing vncharitable vnkind conceited impatient angry fierce enuious reuenging vnmercifull froward and tuchie churlish sullen medling worldly filthie and vncleane louing pleasure more than godlinesse vnprofitable repining earthlie greedie or couetous idolatrous superstitious vnreuerent hypocriticall disobedient to betters iudging rashlie hardlie reconciled and in a word prone to all euill is it not then hardlie tamed Which must needes be graunted when the most part of people vnder the Gospell doe either not know nor suspect this and therefore are farre from abilitie to hunt these corruptions out and they who know it doe yet loue them as their owne flesh and therefore be neuer the neerer to the purging out or remouing of them It is not without cause therefore that Salomon saith there are seuen abominations in the heart that is many And Ieremy in like manner affirmeth that the heart of man is deceitfull and deepe aboue all things who can gage or search it out Euen I the Lord saith God am the searcher or finder out of it Therefore also our Sauiour to set out the nature of the heart saith Out of the heart come euill thoughts murders adulteries fornications thefts false testimonies slaunders Must it not then needes be a filthie sinkehole out of which so vnsauorie stinkes doe arise So that it may truly be said the heart of man is euill aboue measure and in the kindes thereof in number as the sparkles that come out of the furnace and as the sand of the sea shore which is innumerâ—â—le And what should I say more The time would be too short to proceed further and I shall haue occasion in another place to speake of the same But by the way this is worthilie to be lamented that where the Scripture is so plentifull in describing and setting out of the manifold and foule defilements of the heart that men are so blind in vnderstanding them and see so little when the holy Ghost bewraieth so much And hereof it is that they feare so little danger and suspect so little hurt to be comming towards them thereby in the middest of so great and iust cause to feare and suspect both For who is merrier or more secure than he that hath most sinne in his heart to witnes against him Which being so who doth not see that such a draft-house is to be emptied and that much grace and water of life had neede to be poured in to sweeten and season it before it be fit to be imployed to good vse and to be made a temple for the holy Ghost to dwell in and a good treasurie that out of it a good man may bring forth good things Yea an admirable thing it is that it should euer be brought to good But to go forward now to shew what this purging of the heart is and how it should be purged For the first we must know that it is a renuing in holines and righteousnes by little and little of all true beleeuers they being first deliuered and freed from the tyranie of sinne and feare of damnation for a man is no sooner set at libertie from the feare of euerlasting death and the wrath of God but he is also sensiblie drawne to let goe his holde and interest in sinne which before he had and feeleth the same to receiue a deadly wound in him and the power thereof to be abated and crucified And so findeth that verified in him which the Apostle setteth downe to the Romans that is to say How can such as are dead to sinne liue any longer therein And withall he is quickened and sensiblie stirred vp to a loue and earnest desire of things holy and heauenlie euen that he may please God and being renued in the spirit of his minde doth affect and long after righteousnesse and true holines And herein consisteth this purging and changing of the heart which I now speake of and such a thing it is shewing
pride worldlines anger malice reuenge vniust dealing and lying that as euery man is more easily ouercome of or hurt by them more then of other sinnes so hee should haue a more continuall feare of them watchfulnes against them and bestow more time in seeking the rooting out of them that so the wealth and safetie of the whole life may be preserued when such noysome sores as did most of all impaire the same be cured But if men be either ignorant of this dutie or cannot be perswaded to set themselues to the entertaining of it and to get acquaintance with it they must looke to liue destitute of a chiefe part of godlines or if it be but now and then in some especiall actions and parts of our life regarded and looked vnto as it is done of them who are not greatly experienced in the practise of Christianitie it will make the godly life in great part to be bereaued both of her gaine and beautie Our hearts must not range where they list nor our delights bee fastned where we please but our eyes our tongues our eares hands feete and the whole powers of our mindes and members of our bodies must beholden within compasse In so much that if we see we haue but broken out of our constant course a little that our consciences begin to checke vs we should tremble to thinke what we haue done and feare alwayes for the time to come least we should offend We must watch when we are well to keepe well and when we haue been deceiued to returne speedily againe we must watch in trouble against triefnes and impatience in prosperitie against wantonnes and lightnes Iob. 31.1 If we could frame to this we should doe well enough as he that looketh to his foote in a slippery place shall not be hurt And if we may by watching ouer our selues haue our whole life in safety and welfare are we not worthie to smarte if we cannot doe so much for so great a benefit Therefore most worthily doe such suffer hardnes and sorrow who will in no wise be brought to take heede to their waies but cry out that it is precisenes and a kinde of death vnto them to be restrained from their noysome and dangerous liberties From whence ariseth boldnes and wilfulnes which cannot want much sinne But this watchfulnes doth God require to be in vs and to be accounted no tediousnes but had in high price and he that with an honest heart and good conscience submitteth himselfe hereunto he shall be able to proue by good experience that watchfulnes is a great meane to maintaine a godly life Thus much for the more plaine and full handling of this first priuate helpe called watchfulnes CHAP. 6. Of Meditation the second priuate helpe NOw followeth the second which is Meditation And that is when we doe of purpose separate our selues from all other things and consider as we are able and thinke of some poynts of instruction necessarie to leade vs forward to the kingdome of heauen and the better strengthening of vs against the diuel and this present euill world and to the wel ordering of our liues I say of purpose seeing we both must minde such things in good aduisednes and set our selues about them resolutely when we take them in hand that they may be done with more reuerence and profit and also seeing it falleth out for the most part that we seldome enter into meditation of heauenly things when we doe not intend them but are ledde by the obiects of our mindes eyes or eares an hundred waies amisse or if any good thought arise it is repelled by and by and goeth no further To proceede I say that when we meditate we ought to separate our selues from all company and troublesome occasions as our Sauiour commaundeth vs to doe when we pray priuately these two being companions as in our chamber priuatly or in the field or some commodious place that we may the better performe it the smallest occasions soone breaking vs off from such seruice of God And I say lastly that we must there set our minds on worke about the cogitation of things heauenly by calling to remembrance some one or other of them which we knowe and so debate and reason about the same that our affections may thereby be moued to loue and delight in or to hate and feare according to that which we meditate on so that we may make some good vse of it to ourselues And this spirituall exercise of meditation is euen that which putteth life and strength into all other duties and parts of Gods worship And this the holy Ghost reporteth of Isaac the Patriarke that he went out into the field toward the euening to meditate Which had not been commendable if he had not vsed so to doe seeing it is the right kinde of such holy duties to be oft in vse being taught of his father Abraham who was the friend of God and very familiar with him and therefore we may be sure had much communion and talke with him As also our father Enoch did who for proofe hereof is said in his whole life to haue walked with God And this are all such as desire to take any good by it to know that they must be acquainted throughly with this sweete and heauenly communing with the Lord and themselues which was called of the Fathers of ancient time their Soliloquie that is the talke which they vsed to haue alone by themselues That as men wearied desire rest so wee by the varietie and multiplicitie of busines in this world being troubled and distracted may seeke ease to our mindes by meditation For otherwise wee may muse and thinke vpon any good things and ponder our words and actions which wee doe to see them done aright which yet is not this kind of meditation that I now speake of but that watchfulnes mentioned before which is a warie regarding and taking heede to our waies in one thing after another Which yet the Prophet calleth meditation also as where he saith All the day long doe I meditate on thy word and in Iosua Thou shalt meditate day and night on the booke of the law which wee know could not be vnderstood of meditation by intermission of companie or other actions and busines but in their whole course a circumspect care and regard that they might bee done after the word And the matter of this our meditation may be of any part of Gods word on God himselfe his wisedome power his mercie or of the infinite varietie of good things which wee receiue of his free bountie also of his workes and iudgements or on our estate as our sinnes and the vilenes of our corruption that wee yet carrie about vs our mortalitie of the changes in this world or of our deliuerance from sinne and death of the manifold afflictions of this life and how wee may in best manner beare and goe through them and the benefit thereof
may be addresse thy selfe to be ready to any duties which thou hast to do and be strongly perswaded and confident that God who loueth thee so dearly as in thy prayer thou beleeuedst and in thy thanksgiuing thou didst acknowledge that he I say will be with thee to guard thee from all aduersary power of Sathan and his instruments which might rise vp against thee and by the comfort of his holy spirit keepe thee from euill for he which hath all power in his hand looketh downe from heauen and beholdeth all the earth to shew himselfe strong with them which are of an vpright heart towards him and therefore be incouraged thereby with confidence to set vpon any duty and to withstand any euill And further remember that thou art armed by God with all furniture meet for the seruant of God with faith to beleeue all Gods promises with hope to be kept from fainting with righteousnesse to performe all duty with sincerity to do it with a single heart with knowledge of the word of God to direct thee aright and with the preparation of the Gospell of peace to be shod against troubles and dangers in thy voyage to Gods kingdome Remember all these and that thou hast not the right vse of these except thou beest setled against the discouragements which might stand vp in thy way And therefore be chearfull and of good courage although there are many things which may one time or other put thee to trouble and many occasions of vnquietnesse and vnsetlednesse may arise which also would otherwise vndoubtedly soreshake thee Thus before thou goest about any thing it is requisite for thee to renew thy faith that thou mayest rest freshly on God for his protection throughout the day and waite to see it so and obserue that thou mayst be guided by him and make thy heart mery in him considering that he is more to thee then all the world beside And this for the declaration and further laying open of this first duty as with any conuenience it may be done to teach vs how to awake with God CHAP. 13. Of the declaration of the second duty of beginning the day with prayer NOw when thy heart shall after thy first shaking off thy sleepe be lifted vp to thy God set thy selfe to the next part of thy duty prayer confession of sins and thanksgiuing in solemne maner vpon thy knees casting off and renouncing such foolish and fruitlesse thoughts and fantasies as were wont and still may hold thee from this duty and set vpon it as soone as thou canst conueniently yea if it may so be let it be the first worke that thou shalt take in hand in the morning season except in time of sicknesse when thou keepest thy bed and then ioyne it with the former rule and make of both one and pray shortly when paine giueth thee no further libertie but yet feruently and more often But if it cannot be thy first worke yet let not thy deferring of it be a breaking it off if thou mayst performe it neither let a light occasion cause thee to deferre it for such shall neuer be wanting especially thine owne vnwillingnes or slouth but when for some especiall and weightie cause thou doest deferre it returne if it may be after thy necessarie businesse ended to the performing of it therwith renew thy couenant of amendment of life And to expresse my meaning about this more plainely remember and acknowledge the kindnesse of thy God in benefits daily and hourely receiued both to soule and bodie and sometime particularly that so thou mayst be more nearly knit vnto him and delight in him For daily and oft thankfulnesse to God is of great force to subdue thee vnto God and to maintaine a thankfull heart in thee all the day following And let another part of this morning worship of God adioyned to this be an hearty recording and viewing of thy sinnes a bewailing and confessing of them to God and accusing of thy selfe with an especiall remorse for those which haue most troubled thee and be humbled vnder the burthen of them that so thou mayest see thy selfe a wretched person and infinitely indebted to God and so withhold thy heart from insolencie and securitie and be broken-hearted that thou mayst the better abide so after And with both these send vp loud cries vnto the Lord through Iesus Christ confidently looking for pardon of them that thus thou mayst find the death of Christ daily fresh sweete and sauorie to thee which the most do make too common and vnsauorie And pray also in faith for grace and power to mortifie thy sinne and to direct thy wayes and for all earthly blessings and by thine owne necessities be moued with compassion towards thy brethren euen the whole company of the militant Church who haue the like need of Gods blessing as thou hast and withall that those which are yet without and strangers from the common-wealth of Israel may be brought home that thus thou mayst both testifie thy loue to them and daily remember and consider how thy selfe and all other do depend vpon him for whatsoeuer is good and necessarie And to helpe forward this dutie the better some meditation or musing vpon such things as may asswage the bitternesse and corruption of the heart and season it with grace were a thing most requisite as euerie one may be brought to it As for example sometime of our mortalitie of the vncertaintie and slipperie estate of all things vnder the Sunne of the change of persons times estates of the glorie of the kingdome of heauen sometime of our saluation to make it more sure of the duties we are to do in the day and how we may keepe our selues from the defilements and sinnes which we are in danger to fall into of the occasions by which we are most like to be led to euill and of the helpes and meanes with the sundrie priuiledges of a Christian which we haue to withdraw vs from the same and sometime of any particular branch of any of these and the corruptions of the heart and of the Christian armour of some of these or of the like matters let meditation be raised before prayer be entred into if it may be And because meditation is much out of vse euen among Christians and therefore it will be found the harder matter to go about and take it in hand I haue therefore set downe some meditations of all sorts both briefly and in larger manner to helpe those which without helpe cannot draw matter from their owne experience to meditate vpon as I haue before set downe a short Treatise about the same that through the helpe of both they may want nothing about this dutie and Christian exercise so that their hearts be framed and fitted thereto This part of Gods worship namely prayer confession of sinne thanksgiuing and meditation being conscionably and carefully vsed and gone about before
commodities of this life and thereby to haue our loue weakened towards the Creator For this is not christian wisedome though it be the wisedome of the world to increase our loue toward the things of the world but by all meanes possible to diminish it and so the lesse to set by them Againe whereas another vse of our solitarinesse is that we should bend our minds to holy and heauenly things when we are alone this is a speciall caution herein that we do not for all our oft recourse to this duty goe about them with the lesse reuerence whether we go to prayer or set our selues to reading or enter into any meditation The which admonition I know to be very needfull for that I see many to set lesse by and lightlier to esteeme the most holy exercises of piety euen for the cōmonnesse of thē who yet when they first inioyed them could neuer sufficiently commend esteeme or haue their full of them For as our Sauiour Christ saith of Iohn Baptist Iohn was a burning light and for a season ye delighted in him and as the Galatians ran well for a time but were letted so I may say of this that diuerse for a while take pleasure in the vse of priuate helpes to godlinesse but they are soone broken off their hote zeale is quickly cooled And this if they were well rooted in the beginning is for that they do not daily nourish the estimation and loue of them nor see daily the necessitie of them but many dayes suffer them to be omitted which they would not do if they did not begin to be glutted with them Therefore resolue thy selfe of this that thou hast daily neede of such holy exercises and to haue some time in the day by thy selfe alone to call thine affections home from wandring in the world and to haue thy secret and sweet talke betwixt God and thy soule that thou mayest therby vnburthen thy selfe of the loade of worldly cares and desires which by too earnest dealings haue growne vpon thee And what day doth passe wherein thou hast not as great neede as thou hast had vpon any other of meditating vpon Gods vnchangeable loue to thee of the continuall and daily benefite of Christs death to heale the sore of thy soule through sinne what day goeth ouer thy head in which thou hast not neede to confesse thy sinnes to see them better and to bethinke thy selfe how thou mightest grow more constant in godlinesse Another thing to be taken heede of here is that thou thinke not ouer-wel of thy selfe for that thou shalt do somewhat more in the seruice of God then others and for that cause looke to be borne with in some of thy faultes We are herein too like Peter though in other parts of godly feruencie we come short in following him that whiles we looke to one thing what grace wee haue receiued we halfe triumph before the victorie litle or nothing marking how many good things we are without whē yet the Apostle ceasseth not in his owne example to teach vs that we should forget the things which are behind vs that we should not be fleshed and made any thing the more slow and carelesse by them but we should looke to the things which are before vs and which yet remaine to be done of vs and be caried to the marke euen to the reward of our heauenly calling Phil. 3.14 Finally for the vse of solitarinesse in renouncing things vnlawfull thou art to beware if at any time when thou art alone thou entrest into the consideration of the manifold sinnes which raigne in the world and some of thē such as do sometime much snare and take hold of thee that thou be not secretly allured and drawne to like of some of them whiles thou goest about to refraine and waine thy selfe from them by musing on them For the diuell can chaunge himselfe into an Angell of light and cause that to seeme the greatest pleasure vnto thee which is rancke poyson nay which is more when thou goest about to disgrace it to thy selfe euen then to bee brought to like and be snared with it And as Saint Paule hath giuen charge to Timothy and in him to all true ministers of the Gospell that when they should execute this one part of their ministerie namely to exhort young women which was a good thing they should beware they mixed it not with euill by vnchast thoughts arising in their hearts and therefore he saith Exhort the younger women with all purenesse and chast mindes so I say in thy solitarie musings of thy sinnes which is also a good thing let the like regard be had that is to say that whiles thou intendest to grow further out of loue with them the diuell tickle thee not with new desire of them or some other For thou art blind through thine owne selfe-loue and corruption but especially when the diuell goeth about any such matter he will blindfold thee more strongly that thou shalt see that which liketh thee in sinne but not that which will slea thee and the strength of thine affections being set on fire by a deepe impression of that which they like will more forcibly hale thee forward then a bare weake desire to auoide the sinne shall be able to hold thee backe And if thou beleeuest not this thou hast I dare warrant thee found it so alreadie and howsoeuer thou thinkest that thou hatest sin thou shalt be drawne vnto it againe vntill thou perceiuest that thou art wounded vnlesse which is worse thou be hardened To this end remember how Iuda going foorth about a lawfull and honest thing namely to see his sheepeshearers intending no euill yet because he went not armed he defiled himselfe by the way with an harlot To the like end many more examples may be brought And hereof it is to illustrate that which I say by an instance or example that sometime such as haue liued in malice with their aduersarie do vpon better consideration purpose to agree with him and pray that they may no longer beare hatred but euen then a thing worthie to be marked the manifold iniuries vnkindnesses and indignities are so amplified by the diuell which their corrupt heart also liketh full well to aggrauate that they rather depart after their prayer with triumphing ouer their aduersarie then ouer their sinne and being strongly incensed against him they be very slaues to their sinne So haue many Christians of good hope oft times by themselues reasoned debated in their harts how they haue bene haled and drawne to vncleane desires till they haue bene checked for their sinne misliked it and accused themselues for it c. and yet at the same time so couertly Satan worketh or at the least soone after haue either set forward and reuiued such vnruly desires or which is worse haue nourished them and so runne further So I may say of all other iniquities that which I
death to be the finisher of his sorrowes it might haue seemed to giue him place among the Epicures who take their pleasure whiles they liue looking for nothing after death but that he declared himselfe at other times to be of a contrary minde But all these as I haue said proceeded from mans frailty as we may afterwards heare Iob himselfe to confesse For who doth not maruell in that so great trouble and anguish of his that he vttered not one word either against his wife or against his friends dealing so vnwisely with him and so sore prouoking him as furious and raging men are wont to doe in such a case So that we should not so much maruell that he could be moued to any impatience at all being stricken downe with so many and weighty blowes of sorrow as that he could keepe any measure therein that he neither brake out into rage against them which so vexed him nor into blasphemie against God which sathan laboured most especially to haue brought him vnto Neither is he to be counted an impatient man who doth not by and by resist and ouercome all vexations of body and torments of minde with such strength and constancie as were to be wished but he who so goeth to worke that the hellish spirit in the end preuaileth ouer him and hath the vpper hand Therefore most wisely and fitly to this purpose doth the apostle Iames admonish that in iudging about Iobs conflict we consider not so much what came to passe in the combat and fight as we marke the end of the battell that is to say that God did inwardly vphold his seruant and pronounced him an happie man and though he suffered him to be very grieuously tempted yet neuer beyond his strength which he in most fit time and season did support him with And what one among all the Saints of God hath not prooued and found this true if we marke and consider their words and their liues Let thus much be granted therefore that the flesh raged in Iob and so that he offended grieuously and no maruell for he was a man but yet God himselfe being iudge of this matter he neuer wholly gaue place to the flesh but although it was not without manie wounds receiued in the battell yet the spirit preuailed and had the vpper hand in him Of Peter likewise this is to be said As the Lord Iesus had done much for him and giuen him many priuiledges euen as to other of the Apostles he had done yet in that dangerous plunge of his being the greatest downefall a man would think that euer any good man might susteine he neither sinned against the Holy Ghost neither was wholly drawen from his holde and subdued by Sathan For although he denied in word that he knew Christ yea and that with a curse called for vpon himselfe if he knew him I say more though his conscience did burne within him at the same time yet did not his minde goe with his mouth neither did he change his iudgement with his speech but he was brought vnto it partly by that rashnesse of his which was too readie at hand with him in many of his actions and partly by the feare of that danger which was at hand if he had confessed Christ But in the meane season that spirit which had taught him that Christ was the sonne of the liuing God and so taught it him that he loued nothing more dearely than his master that spirit I say dwelling still in him was not caried to such outrage but either was silent in him not consulted withall as in heady and boisterous affections it cōmeth to passe or els it secretly rebuked the tongue though no such thing appeared And so likewise the faith for which Christ praied that it might not faile nor be ouercome was not extinct in him nor vtterly lost For if it had beene so he would haue ioyned himselfe in familiarity with the Iewes and haue complained that he had all that while beene deceiued of his master whereas on the other side he went forth and wept bitterly and declared many waies how deeply he was displeased with himselfe for that his offence Neither yet doe I speake this of Peter as though I went about to make his sinne small and light which surely I am perswaded did deserue eternall death a thousand waies but that if any haue sinned of infirmity or in any such maner as Peter did and yet besides the vnpardonable sinne one would thinke that none could be greater yet that they should not cast away all hope and so despaire but that they should be perswaded that the way is open to saluation if they haue the faith and repentance which Peter had Of Dauid and others the like may be said but I haue staied too long in these examples I will returne now to the priuiledges and liberties which the seruants of God haue proper vnto themselues from other men that they may not coldly and vnwillingly despise the world and cleaue to the Lord without fainting I trust now the hardest obiection is answered which can be brought against their welfare and prosperitie and that it cannot be taken from them by any subtiltie or malice of the adversarie as it is written The gates of hell shall not preuaile against them and therefore I may be bold to affirme that they hauing their names written in heauen already and this being testified of them by the Lord himselfe That they shal be kept safe vnto the resurrection day that none shall take them out of his hands that they are in great account with him and highly esteemed of him as was said before And howsoeuer the world thinke and speake of them because they know them not yet is their estate most honourable because they are honoured of the Almighty and from the greatest feare of danger they are deliuered Is a valiant and noble gentleman in disgrace because whiles he goeth vnder great perils for his countrey hazardeth his life for his Prince and goeth thorow many hard aduentures he is reported of to be confederate with the enemie when yet he is beloued and renowmed and that for iust cause of Prince and Peeres No more is the seruant of God to be reputed vile and his estate contemptible for that whiles he goeth about to honour his God and in his life to expresse his exceeding kindnesse he is both then and therefore set against by the deuill and his ministers and by their malice and subtiltie drawen into some action which might cause ill report and breed a doubt of his godlinesse when yet his faithfulnesse is approoued of the Lord his God Was Paul because he was buffited by the messenger of Sathan that is after great exaltation and glory a little before now immediatly not only depriued of the feeling of it but brought to so contrarie an estate that he was deeply ashamed to thinke he had beene so high was he therefore
yet as soone as they perceiue that they haue gone too farre and haue passed their bounds in their lawfull liberties eating drinking recreation vse of mariage pleasuring in goods trusting in friends and making flesh their arme they returne speedily as out of open and manifest sinnes and thereby become more carefull another time and when they see how many buffets light vpon others who haue small regard of sobrietie or measure keeping they see their portion to be great in restreining themselues from that excesse in lawfull things which they keepe no measure in And thus much be said of the first part or branch of this priuiledge Wherein may be seene that the Lord hath offered great fauour to his children to so many as esteeme of it that the glorie of present things and prosperitie in this world which vndoe many shal yet not bewitch nor deceiue them but they shal be able to escape these snares by the spirituall wings that he hath giuen them for that purpose to mount aboue them as godly Ioseph Moses many of Gods deare seruants did before them But if it be asked Why hath he giuen them to one and not to another I answere Seeing one setteth more store by it than another I speake it to the shame of those who giue occasion though they be otherwise well to be hoped of For the custome and boldnesse in this sinne of intemperancie and worldlines which we see in the most men doth draw after them and their example some euen of those which are religious causing them to haue their teeth set on edge so eagerlie to follow them in their prophane course and the abundance of iniquitie doth coole their feruencie in seeking to weane their hearts from such poisoned and deceitfull baits and dainties as they see them so greedily to deuoure For otherwise though they are fraile yet hauing receiued a taste of the heauenly doctrine which is the onely mother and nourisher of true sobrietie they should not so easily forget themselues and be ouercome of their vaine desires For if popish dreames and fantasies without all ground of Gods word haue so inchanted princes and other persons of great possessions that they haue drawen them from their pompe and many solemnities into Monasteries and Nunries for the deceiuable hope of saluation should not the word of trueth much more preuaile with them who haue had a right taste of it to renounce dangerous and vnlawfull liberties And although they were led from one errour to another yet if errour might doe so much with them should not the trueth doe much more with the children of the trueth to abide in it and be gouerned by it It is pitie that any of the Lords beloued should offer such dishonour to the glorious word of God as to refuse the gouernment of it and giue occasion to the vnbeleeuers to say That God dieteth his people so meanly in his owne house that they be driuen to eat with the intemperate at their table as it were their poisoned dainties But let this reproofe make any such of Gods seruants ashamed as haue giuen occasion of it and let them not follow the excesse of such as know no better And when they shall finde this doctrine hard to be practised that is to vse their prosperitie rightly and soberly if then such matter as this is were read and well weighed of them and the examples of those which are contrarilie minded what bondage they are in I doubt not but that the hardnesse which they complaine of should in good measure be asswaged CHAP. 9. Of the seuenth priuiledge Concerning the afflictions of the godly and namely of the first branch of the same that is How they may be free from many of those troubles which do light on and meet with the vnreformed NOw followeth the prerogatiue that they haue about afflictions Of the which although they are not void yet if we diligently marke Gods dealing with them heerein we must needs confesse that he sheweth exceeding fauor vnto them Which seeing it is not one way but many and sundry declared vnto them I will in some order as I can lay them forth particularly And they may all be referred to three kinds For first he holdeth many tribulations from them altogether in that they be his children which others by their sinnes do plucke vpon themselues Ps 32.10.11 Secondly he deliuereth them out of manie which otherwise would sore oppresse them when yet he leaueth others in them still And thirdly he teacheth them aright and well to beare them when he thinketh it not meet to deliuer them And of these three I will handle the first in this chapter Concerning the which point it may easily be gathered by that which hath beene said of the former priuiledges how true this is that many troubles neuer take hold of such as walke after those rules which I haue spoken of and which inioy the said priuiledges and seeing all Gods children be such as may doe so therefore euen they may be deliuered from many troubles and afflictions one as well as another which yet the vngodly and vnregenerate cannot escape For they whose hearts are cleansed and sanctified so that they truely hate all maner of sinne and more specially renounce in their liues the sinne which they know who indeauour to haue a good conscience in all things and doe all this with delight and with delight also doe daily vse the meanes to grow forward in this course how can the plagues and calamities take hold on them which doe on other men who are strangers to such a course For the greatest and sorest punishments and troubles that fall vpon any are brought vpon them by their sinne contrary to the erronious opinion of them who thinke that religion is the chiefe cause of troubles they are nothing els but the fruite thereof and the greater sinners that men are the sharper and heauier iudgements outward or inward doe meet with and take hold of them and the deepelier doth God drawe his bowe against them and wherein is the scripture more plentifull then in this argument and matter For sinne came the first punishment into the world namely death and Gods curse which without sinne had neuer beene knowen in all the world with the casting off our first parents and their posteritie out of the fauour of God Through sinne came all kindes of plagues and punishments vpon men as hunger nakednesse diseases the pestilence bondage to enemies and inuasion of them imprisonment losse of goods losse of life and such like For sinne both person and place whole cities and villages haue beene destroied from the king to the begger both Pharao and the raskall souldiers that peirced Christ through and platted a crowne of thornes vpon his head and Iudas the pursebearer who was also the traytour euen all these did by sinne purchase to themselues the reward of iniquity All which plagues they which were voide of those sinnes and
commeth the greatest and that which maketh all these great and that is the pleasures at Gods right hand for euermore and the glory the vnspeakeable glory which was prepared and laid vp for vs before the beginning of the world And amongst all the other although this be by many degrees the chiefest yet I confesse that for the excellency thereof and for that I cannot see into the bewty of it as I doe somewhat into the other whereof I haue some experience I confesse I say that I cannot expresse to my contentation my minde about the same and do feare that in speaking of it I shall rather make it seeme lesse then if I said nothing yet somewhat seeing this place doth so require This estate therefore of the faithfull after this life the scripture setteth out by earthly comparisons and similitudes to our capacity for that we are not able to conceiue the same if in it owne nature it were described vnto vs and especially by the resemblances of those things which we doe most affect and delight in as honour treasure riches bewty friends pleasure ioy inheritance and possession of our owne Behold therefore heere prepared for thee ô happy Christian an habitation not made with hands but euerlasting in heauen an inheritance immortall vndefiled c. not purchased with gold and siluer but with a farre more excellent price for what is more desired then to liue with our friends But lift vp thine eies and see how God hath prepared for thee the company of the celestiall spirits namely his holy angels and elect people to eat and drinke with at his table for euermore I meane to haue fellowship with them and to dwell with Iesus Christ and his blessed Apostles Prophets Martyrs friends kinred and acquaintance which is the highest degree of the communion of Saints Pleasure and ioy how is it sought after yea what is welcome without them And that thou maist know that the Lord hath liberally prouided for thee this way know and vnderstand that the ioy which there is possessed is such as it causeth a continuall singing and thanksgiuing And what honour can be greater then to be the kings sonnes and daughters yea to raigne triumphantly after we haue ouercome death sinne hell the deuill the greatest enemies that euer were conquered The like I might say of the rest And all these priuiledges are so much the greater because as their habitation it selfe is permanent and euerlasting so are all the treasures which are inioied therein euerlasting also And therefore the precious things of the kingdome of heauen are said to be such as no eie hath seene no eare hath heard neither is the heart of man able to conceiue The happinesse of princes hath beene inioied and therefore is knowen what and how great it is which prooueth that it is in no sort to be compared to this Neither is it any maruell seeing one day in the courts of the Lord euen in this life is better then a thousand else-where euen in a princes palace therefore in the estate of glory after this life how much more And yet further this is not to be neglected that when the wicked shall be at their wits end and smitten with horror weeping wailing and gnashing of teeth euen then shall the faithfull inioy this infinite varietie of heauenly blessings which if it were possible for them to haue a dreadfull feare and perswasion of losing and forgoing would be an exceding and intolerable torment vnto them Besides we that liue now in this corrupt estate of the world for it was not so in the beginning and behold the varietie of Gods creatures replenishing the world the beasts of the field the fishes of the sea the fowles of the aire the Sunne Moone and starres furnishing the vpper parts aboue vs the trees corne and grasse beautifying these inferiour parts of the earth beneath vs if we might haue seene all these in their perfection with him which was made Lord of them euen man when he was yet without sinne in the world what a glorious habitation should it haue beene And yet but as a court-yard or entrie into a kings palace should it haue beene in respect of the heauenly mansion which is the celestiall Ierusalem for this is called but his footstoole but heauen is his throne And therfore if the Lord did so adorne this earth as that it is yet full of admiration to see but the prints of his glory his power and wisedome therein and yet it is but for a season euen a while to be a place of refreshing for vs who can thinke how magnificent the kingdome of heauen is which with all the infinite commodities he hath made to be a perpetuall habitation and dwelling place for all his beloued ones And so likewise it is an high degree of prosperitie to be inlightned to see by faith but in this world the sweet life of a Christian yet is this but a taste of heauen and a day there is better then a thousand elsewhere and the prerogatiues of a Christian are admirable When Paule was wrapt into the third heauen had heard things that were not to be vttered it is said that he was lift vp with the aboundance of reuelation and When Christ was but transformed that his garments did shine as the sunne Peter was astonished how much more then with this glory which in the former are but dimly represented As for the further describing of it by the particular kindes of pleasures and delights to the body and euery part of it and euery sense partaining to it and to the soule likewise which some haue taken vpon them to affirme and set out the Lord hauing said no such thing himselfe of the kinds of pleasures which are to be inioied there I leaue it as a bold coniecture of mans braine and fitter for the popish cleargy to teach to their superstious company who as their whole forme of their worshipping of God is outward grosse and carnall with Sonnets and sounds to please the eare and praier-like sights to delight the eie but that worship which is in spirit and truth is not in vse with them so they imagine as grosly of the delights which are in heauen that part of them are in the exceeding sweetnesse to the sense of smelling maruellous pleasure to the sense of tasting and so of handling they speake answerably I will not I say wade further then I may wade safely what the kindes and varietie of pleasures are particularly which the righteous are partakers of the Lord hath not reuealed vnto me and therefore I am not ashamed to say I know not It is enough that I am sure they are so great and many that they cannot be once thought of according to their woorthinesse no not of the wisest who can see furthest and enter most deepely into matters Onely this I will say and with this I will end That
beene pursued with imprisonment banishment yea and death it selfe goe vnder all with free choice rather then to inioy all other pleasures of sinne as other haue done Indeed I graunt that this is not pleasure vnto all neither is that to be proued of me but that it is a pleasure to those which loue the Lord no toile to be conuersant with him in one part of their life or other all the day long and that with delight it may be aimed at as at a marke that they may please God in the things which they goe about euen throughout the day and may haue an eie to their actions which they doe that they may not offend him This vnto the vpright in heart is such a pleasure as without it there is none to them although I denie not but that there is much resistance against it partly through corruption and partly for want of the knowledge of it who yet when they haue further vnderstanding are most of all grieued for this that they wandred so long vncheerefully because they knew no better And as for them which are not pure in heart though indeed they please themselues some way or other yet their pleasures are but paine and though they follow a way that seemeth pleasant yet the issues thereof are the waies of death Insomuch that not onely stolne waters which are commonly most sweet that is vnlawfull liberties are mixed with poison but euen the pleasures of wealth and mariage which are things not vnlawfull doe hold them out of Gods kingdome Thus it may appeare that it is no wearisome thing to be setled in such a course wherein we may please God as frailty will permit but the sound and chiefest pleasure rather yea and besides it is that onely which so seasoneth our earthly and temporall liberties that so they become lawfull and pleasant to vs also and the duties and works of our callings that they be not as to others burthensome and tedious If all finde it not so yet let the trueth remaine and let such learne otherwise And if by the vntowardnesse and rebellion of the heart there be sometime found vnpleasantnesse and wearisomnesse in good things euen amongst the best so that they be ouercome thereof yet must not the vnruly heart for all that be yeelded vnto but be the more strongly mastered and all libertie which we finde to be an hinderance from the life of godlinesse remooued But another reason why this course is alleadged to be absurd and inconuenient is this that mens labours should heereby be hindered and their callings neglected and so pouerty grow vpon the land and many euils thereby which where absurd and not to be suffered To the which it may be answered that godly thrift and Christian gaining and lawfull prospering in the world doe arise from hence when a man doth so goe to worke in the world and follow his dealings that he be sure that he goeth about them with a minde which is at peace with God and well ordered that is guided by him and when he doth faithfully and deuoutly cōmend himselfe and his affaires euery day to Gods prouidence and rest therein quietly when he doth as it were arme himselfe with circumspect heed-taking and wise regard that he behaue not himselfe prophanely in the world nor after the maner of men but according to that which is written Whether we eate or drinke or whatsoeuer we doe doe all to the glory of God And when for these purposes he shall resolue with himselfe in the most conuenient sort that he can to begin the daie in some Christian and godly maner as I haue set downe in the daily direction that all the rest of the day following he may sauour of the same he shall in his duties doeing about the world please God and he shall also as farre as God shall see it expedient prosper in the same as it is written First seeke the kingdome of God and his righteousnesse and other things shall be cast vpon you And this is the labour which should goe with religion This ought Christians to indeauour to come vnto wherein although all which feare God haue not a like measure of wisdome and grace yet let them all wherein they want and be behinde in any part of duty therein be willing to see their failings and slacknesse and so shall it goe well with them and they shall daily come forward and be better acquainted how to doe earthly businesse with heauenly mindes And thus carying themselues they shall haue much blessed experience of Gods promises in remembring visiting and caring for them so graciously whereas on the other side such as rise early and goe late to bed breake their sleepe often and fare hardly and barely which sort vse most meanes to be rich and are most like to get the same yet not attempting these things through Gods helpe not vsually and oft crauing his grace and direction not hauing their mindes seasoned with piety and the feare of God not being patient sober-minded and watchfull against the euils which will meet with them but prophane rash and worldly cannot finde Gods blessing in their course If they gaine and gather they may I denie not flourish and prosper in the world a while yet is all but as Iudas his soppe and the Israelites quailes to become bane and poison vnto them the Lord hath heaped hoat coales vpon their heads and increaseth their damnation thereby the more swiftly and oftimes they are needy that is vnsatisfied for all their shifts therefore neuer the richer and many of them poore indeed putting their mony into a bottomlesse purse and that although they toile for much yet inioy nothing Which kind of men prouide ill for themselues many other waies in omitting the chiefe duties which appertaine to them for they fill their liues with much vnquietnesse frettings impatience quarrels cursings and such like and when death commeth although they be little thought on in the meane season these things will grow to some hard reckoning and in such the prouerbe is verified That though they be early vp yet are they neuer the neare For what pleasure doth God take in their toiling when they goe to it like swine not beginning proceeding and ending in him that is by his direction And whereas they apply another prouerbe in reproch to them which will first see God serued thus throughout their course namely this That the furthest way about is the nearest way home with thē they need not be ashamed of it For as the nearest way doth not alwaies bring a man soonest to his iournies end when he must goe ouer hedge and ditch through mire and water so they who goe roundly and directly to their earthly affaires and worldly dealings as soone as they are vp and as they say from their bed to their businesse refusing or omitting the daily duty of renewing their praiers their