we inflame it in our selves by comforting others under their various temptations we gather experiences whereby we may comfort our selves in the like trials As the widows Cruse of Oyl and barrel of meale wasted not by emptying but filled rather And the milke in the Mothers breasts which by giving suck to the Child continually increaseth and not drawn out drieth up the sooner Let 's lay out our parts and gifts as opportunity is offered sincerely for God and to be sure we shall be furnished with gifts and parts graciously from God Parents do not use to let their Children want books whilst they have a mind to learn nor Masters their servants to want Tools or lights whilst they are willing to work nor doth the husbandman tilling his ground let his seeds-men want Corne when he seeth they will well and wisely sow and scatter it Thus Christian Conference is not alone beneficial to others but to our selves a great augmenter of parts and gifts I 'le give you for the Confirmation hereof an example of two Women to tell you their names and the places where they lived and died is needless both well in years I think forty at least before they began to mind to purpose the affairs of their souls and the concernments of Eternity both were deeply sensible of their gross ignorance and highly desirous to get knowledge in the things of God neither of them could read at all both were industrious one her eyes being pretty good learned to read the other being weak and dim sighted could not but she also so bestir'd her self in hearing Meditation Prayer and abundantly in Christian Conference putting questions to every one she met with whom she thought able and willing to instruct her that she grew eminent for such an one she was poor also in the knowledge and practice of Christianity and I hope are both long since with God 2 2. To the heart 2. Christian Conference is not onely profitable for the head by augmentation of parts but for the heart also by the communication of spiritual good things the best things to the best part the heart of man and it 's usual with God to bless Christian Conference especially where the hearts of speakers do design his glory the edification and salvation of the hearers Paul's holy temper design and practice 1 Cor. 10.33 I please saith he all men in all things not seeking my own profit but the profit of many that they may be saved and his counsel 1 Cor. 14.12 For as much as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts seek that ye may excell to the edifying of the Church If the question be made what spiritual gifts may be communicated by Conference I 'de answer what not the ignorant may be inlightned the erronious reduced weak Christians may be strengthned and the strong established the worst of sinners may be converted and the best of Saints quickned and all edifyed and saved Take each of these particulars distinctly 1 1. Ignorant inlightned 1. That the ignorant may be inlightned is as clear as the Sunrising turnes the night into day The word of God not alone preached by ministers in office ordain'd and commissionated by Christ to that end but read and discoursed of by private persons may and doth make wise the simple Psal 19.7 The entrance of thy words to wit when it first openeth the door of the understanding it giveth light it giveth understanding to the simple Psal 119.130 Pauls preaching to the Gentiles was to open their eyes and to turn them from darkness to light Act. 26.18 The daily experience that Godly Parents and governours of families have as to their Children and Servants brought out of darkness worse then that of Egypt into a Goshen where light abounds and in them abounds and that conveighed by Catechizing and 〈…〉 2 2. Erroneous reduced 2. For the reduction of erroneous persons into ways of truth scarce any means more efficacious and successful then that of Christian Conference for thereby the grounds of mistakes in opinions are detected and the scruples and doubts lying in mens spirits are discovered and so answers from Scripture and right reason may be presently pertinently and warmly applyed That of the Apostle speaks methink fully to the purpose Jam. 5.19 20. Bretheren if any of you do erre from the truth and one Convert him Let him know that he which converts a sinner from the errour of his ways shall save a soule from death and shall hide a multitude of sins Wherein we may observe as to our point in hand whom he speaks to Brethren even all whom he wrote to so that to reduce the erroneous in away of fraternal correption is a duty belonging to all none exempted brotherly love constraineth hereunto for if I must bring back the straying Ox or Ass of my enemy Exo. 23.4 much more the wandring soul of my brother Again what errours are here to be understood no doubt saith a learned Expositor errours in Doctrine Mars in Plo. and matters of Faith and those fundamentall errours also which are in a special manner destructive and bring death eternal death unavoidably and therefore it is said that he which converts him shall save a soule from death that is from Hell and damnation Now every petty errour about Scholastick subtilties is not so severely threatned as fundamental errours and heresies are which take off from Christ directly or indirectly such unrepented of bring inevitable ruin and destruction Yet I must grant though errours in Doctrine be principally intended yet errours in life and practice are not to be at all excused no not the least sin for the least sin deserveth death eternal death as wages due to it Ro. 6.23 But how doth he that Converts a sinner save his soule from death not by meriting or deserving life for him or by giving life to him but by being an instrument or means under God to repentance and so into the way of Salvation And lastly how doth he hide a multitude of sins that he doth by being a means to bring him to Christ for Righteousness whose Righteousness alone imputed to us and so made ours doth or can hide our sins so as they shall never be imputed to us or charged upon us Jer. 23.6 2 Cor. 5.21 Rom. 5.19 1 Cor. 1.30 And surely this work of converting sinners from their errours of saving soules from death and of hiding a multitude of sins is a gallant work this piece of service is high and noble service and this hath been is and may be done by the blessing of God in a way of Christian converse and Conference I need not give any farther confirmation by Scripture the constant experience not alone of Ministers but or private Christians who themselves have been sound in the Faith and whose hearts filled with a zeal for God and with love to and compassion for their erring brethren and who thereupon have laid out themselves much in Christian
younger years chosen Scholar of Corpus Christi College in Oxford and not long after Probationer Fellow of the same viz. before he came to be Batchelor of Arts a thing seldom known in that house There Men finding him to be not only Ingenious Ingeniosus Ingenuus but Ingenuous also did shew him great respect bestowing one token thereof after another And there God not for any desert in him but out of his own mercy and grace did set his eye upon him there did the kindness and love of God which a great while before had run like water under ground break forth and appear Saving him by the washing of Regeneration Tit. 3.5 and renewing of the Holy Ghost In Corpus Christi College as he told me it â—â—leased the Lord first to open 〈◊〉 eyes causing him to see his wretched condition which did greatly and deeply humble him and made him put up strong cryes with tears to him that was able to save him from death and was heard in that he feared Hebr. 5.7 for at length he had his Conscience sprinkled with the blood of Christ by whom he received the atonement and the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus Rom 8.2 made him free from the law of sin and death And now he became a Member of the most ancient honourable and durable Society in the world being first chosen and then admitted Fellow of Sion College where an innumerable company of Saints and Angels were his Collegues Herb. 12.22 Having received this grace he found himself strongly inclined to make others partakers of the same Wherefore having taken his degree of Master of Arts after some few Years he left the College and addicted himself to the work of the Ministry He spent most of his time and labours at Kingston upon Thames where the pleasure of the Lord did prosper in his hands From thence he was called in the time of the late Troubles to take upon him the government of the College of which he had been before a Member As soon as he came upon the place he manifested an earnest desire after the welfare of the Society in every respect exciting and by his example leading such as were to assist him to endeavour the same His Government savoured more of lenity and mildness than of sharpness and severity yet he kept the College in very good Order and Discipline Though the House before his time had been much troubled with divisions he by his moderation and Christian prudence kept them all of a piece and in the enjoyment of great peace and concord He was indeed naturally of an exceeding good temper and disposition gentle affable and courteous to all which being embellished with grace made him exceeding amiable and very useful in all his conversation His great care was to promote Religion and Learning in the College which he did with both his hands earnestly Divine knowledge and Humane Learning are the right and left eye of the World as the Sun and Moon are to the Vniverse the eclipsing of either of them leaves the World in darkness One thing there was that made him the more desire to see Religion and Learning meet together in conjunction in all such as were to be chosen Scholars of the House or if that could not be obtained to have them joined together afterward It was the Founders Will expressed in one of his Statutes That all the Fellows and Scholars of the Foundation should about a year or two after they became Masters of Arts be ordained to the Holy Ministry one only excepted who ad arbitrium might be deputed to the study and practice of Physick Parts and Learning without grace make a man capable of doing very good service in the Commonwealth but both in conjunction are more requisite in one who is to make manifest the savour of the knowledge of Christ in every place Alludit ad Sacerdotum unctioneâ— Sacrificiorum suffitus Junius in locum 2 Cor. 2.14 Knowledge puffeth up but charity edifieth 1 Cor. 8.1 A man of Learning without grace is like a ship without ballast the least blast of applause is ready to drive him upon the Quick-sands of Pride or carry him on the Rocks of opposition to others and sometimes to the truth it self to his own great danger if not ruine and the prejudice of others If such a man see another not to sail altogether by his Compass but to be carried by a side-wind to some distance from his judgment he finds it a hard matter to forbear making up to him and can scarce hold his hands from letting flie at him Difficile est Satyras-non scribere Hence have flown those great heats Animosities and perverse Disputings which have so much troubled the Church of God Unsanctified Parts and Learning have been the sharpest Tools that the great Adversary of Mankind and of the Church especially could ever lay hold on to do mischief withall as the Histories of all Ages do abundantly testifie Upon such accounts as these this godly wise man was careful to prevent if it might be an error in the first concoction knowing how hard it might prove to amend it in the second Therefore when any Scholars place became void if there appeared many Candidates for it he appointed them some time before the Election to attend him at his Lodgings where he examined them privately and set down in a Paper the age standing and proficiency in learning of every one of them He noted also what Testimonials he had received from persons of Integrity concerning the good conversation of any of them and their hopefulness as to Godliness with his own apprehensions about them upon his examination as to that matter also And if such a number of the Electors as was requisite could not after publick examination agree upon one of them he upon whom the election was in that case devolved if there appeared to him an equality or near an equality in other respects would alwayes let Piety have the honour to turn the scale His next care was to have these Twins parts and Piety fostered and cherished and by all wayes and means improved and heightned to the utmost of his power To this purpose he came ordinarily to all College Exercises held every one to the duties of their several places and observed every ones growth and progress in Learning by which he was the better able to judge whom to prefer when any of them came to be Competitors for a Fellowship He was no less careful to see Religion thrive and prosper among them For first he made choice of the fittest persons he could find to perform the duty of Prayer Morning and Evening such as might with reverence seriousness and warm affection engage the hearts of others in the duty At this holy exercise he was present himself as constantly if not more constantly than the younger Scholars as to join in the duty to bring down a blessing from above upon them and
to be damned and go to Hell for your sins Str. I hope not so great a sinner as to deserve Hell and damnation Min. Friend I must tell you that you and I and the best Men and Women that are deserve to go to Hell for their sins the least sin deserveth eternal death Rom. 6.23 The wages of sin is death Stranger What you say Sir I perceive is true for you bring Scripture to prove what you say Minister Why then say these words after me I am a sinner and such a sinner as that I deserve to go to Hell and be damned for my sins Str. I am a sinner and such a sinner as that I deserve to go to Hell and be damned for my sin Min. Did you ever in your life-time say so much before Str. Truly Sir I never thought or said so much before all the dayes of my life Min. It 's as true a word as ever you spake all your dayes Str. I believe it Sir Min. If you did indeed believe it Friend it would trouble you and make your heart ake within you Str. Sir how may that appear Min. Thus Friend if you did verily believe that you deserved to forfeit all your estate to be imprisoned all the dayes of your life to be hanged or burned to death would it not trouble you Str. Yes doubtless that it would Minister Friend You cannot but think that to go to Hell and to be damned for ever is a thousand times worse than all this and therefore if you did indeed believe it it would trouble you and that to some purpose Stranger I thank God Sir I was never troubled in mind all my life Min. Friend let me tell you that you had more cause to thank God if you could say that you have been troubled for your sins this be sure of that they who are not troubled for sin in this World mourning and repenting shall be troubled with a vengeance in the World to come when they lie in Hell under the wrath and curse of God tormented with fire and brimstone for ever because of their sins against God Str. I hope Sir I shall never come there I have alwayes been of a strong faith towards God Min. Friend what if your strong faith as you call it prove no better than a strong fancy or a strong presumption at the last and so deceive you Stranger I hope better Minister Friend if your faith and hope were right you would find 1. A difficulty and hardship in believing he that never doubted or never believed he that never saw his want of faith never lamented his unbelief hath cause to fear he hath no true saving faith at all It 's an easie matter to presume but it 's a hard thing to believe and hope aright in God Ephes 1.19 It 's the exceeding greatness of the power of God toward us who believe according to the working of his mighty power ver 20. Which he wrought in Christ when he raised him from the dead 2. Your faith and hope were they true would be grounded upon the Word and Promises of God 3. Faith and hope if right would purifie the heart and life Acts 15.9 1 John 3.3 Now whether you have this kind of faith and hope or no you had need look to it Str. I trust I shall Sir Min. Friend to return to what we a little before discoursed of it must be granted that you and I and all of us deserve the wrath and curse of God for ever how do you think to escape the damnation of Hell and to get Heaven and Salvation when you die Stranger I hope to be saved by my serving of God and good prayers and by leading an honest life how else should I be saved Minister Friend What do you hope to be saved for your good Works that is Popery and I presume you are no Papist Str. Sir All my Neighbours know I am no Papist I defie Popery from my heart Min. Friend let me tell you that to relie upon our own righteousness and to hope to be justified and saved for what we do is one of the most desperate and damnable points in all Popery and therefore whatever you may think of it if you trust unto your good prayers and your honest life as you call it as if that were enough to save you you are in that point a Papist Str. Oh Sir the Papists trust to their good works and merits Minister Friend What is it not a good work to serve God to say good prayers to lead an honest life c Stranger Yes surely Min. Why then surely to trust and relie upon them is to relie upon your good works which is plain downright Popery Str. I perceive Sir you are too hard for me but what would you not have men to serve God use good prayers and lead good lives Min. Yes Friend that I would and wish from my heart that you and I and all men served God more prayed and lived better but here 's the mischief and the Popery of it when men relie upon those works for justification and salvation Str. Why may not I safely do it Min. No the Word of God is expresly against it Rom. 3.20 By the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight Rom. 10.3 They who establish their own righteousness submit not unto the righteousness of God Eph. 2.8 By grace ye are saved through faith and that not of our selves ver 9. Not of works lest any man should boast and many such places I could tell you of Stranger Sir you bring so much Scripture that I cannot tell what to say to you Min. Friend it 's the Word of God by which we must be tryed and judged another day Rom. 2.16 In the day of Judgment when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my Gospel saith the Apostle and therefore we might do well to try and judge our selves by it now Str. You speak reason Sir Min. Friend deal plainly with me do not you think that though you have sometimes offended God yet you hope that your good works will satisfie and make amends for the bad and so all will be made even between God and you Str. Sir you hit me right I wonder how you come to know me so well I do indeed hope that my good works will answer for my bad Min. Friend I am a stranger to you it is not I that hits you and knows you it is the Word of God that hits you and knows you onely I may somewhat guess at your heart by my own naturally such as yours is Prov. 27.19 As in water face answereth to face so the heart of man to man Stranger If my good works my serving God my good prayers and my honest life will not serve me I pray tell me how then may I be saved Minister Friend did you never hear of Jesus Christ you speak never a word of Christ all this while why
the truth and sell it not whereupon the incumbent when he met any going to the Church as he was going from it would aske them in a jeering manner What! you are now going to buy the Truth His Father and friends had now provided a place for him viz. Bushy in Harfordshire he the more inclin'd to accept it because his continuance at Witny was precarious and the envy and opposisition of the Minister of the place not to be remov'd To Bushy therefore he goes where he hath a welcome reception from all the Inhabitants but especially from those that had any savour of Religion There he Preacht and Catechiz'd on the Lords Dayes and other days to the great benefit of his hearers who attended his Ministry not only those that dwelt in Bushy but those that liv'd at Watford and other adjacent places Hear the testimony of a Godly ancient Minister yet living under his own hand That little time saith he which E. S. spent in Bushy was not without good success many persons in my own hearing having acknowledged his Ministry to be the means of their conversion During his abode in Bushy which was about two years he repair'd or rather rebuilt at his own charge the dwelling house belonging to the Minister at this time also he marryed a Wife the daughter of one Mr. Scudamore of Watford a man of good account in those parts both for Estate and Godliness by her he had one daughter Being call'd upon to Preach a Visitation Sermon he perform'd it with great approbation only because he inveighed against non-residency and pluralities some that were concerned were greatly offended one of them saying he might the better speak against many livings having got so good a one himself And indeed it was so good that one Dr Seaton who was seated at Kingston upon Thames in Surry had a longing mind after it and either making or finding a flaw in his Title soon dispossest him of it But first there was a Tryal at Law about it the Attourney general Noy who was of Councel for Seaton likeing the ingenuity of Staunton mov'd for an Exchange and so brought it to pass that Seaton should have Bushy and Staunton should have Kingston both parties were agreed Staunton preferr'd work before wages and lik't Kingston the better because his opportunities of service would be there the greater Dr. Winter in vita ejus he was of his mind who was wont to say his opportunities were his greatest riches But whilst he thought of setling there he met with a disappointment Seaton having gotten Bushy would not part with Kingston but either Staunton must be his Curate there or he must be gone from thence hereupon Mr. Staunton repairs to Noy relates to him the disingenuous carriage of his Client Noy was of too generous a spirit to approve this baseness sending therefore for Seaton he tells him plainly unless he would resigne Kingstone he would soon pick a hole in his Title to Bushy Several also of the Inhabitants of Kingston who priz'd Mr. Staunton's Ministry and were willing to purchase it at any rate did so work with Dr. Seaton that in a short time he resign'd upon which Mr. Staunton had the presentation and soon after institution and induction In this Town he continued about twenty years endeavouring to fulfill the ministry he had received of the Lord there he Preach'd twice on the Lords day Col. 4.17 and Catechized the younger and ignorant sort of people and he did not satisfie himself in teaching them publikely but though the place was large and populous he taught them also from house to house Act. 20.20 There also he set up a weekly Lecture which was supply'd in their turnes by as eminent Preachers as that part of England did afford and within a little time partly by his powerful Preaching partly by his holy and exemplary life for as John the Baptist in the one he was a burning One saith of Mr. Perkins that as his preaching was a Comment on his text so his practice was a comment on his preaching in the other a shining light he wrought a general reformation throughout the Town both amongst Magistrates and people he was lov'd by all those that were Godly and fear'd by those that were wicked The good seed that he there sow'd doth spring up to this very day and many now living can hardly mention him with their mouths without tears in their Eyes Nor was there any love lost betwixt them he would to the last call the People of Kingston as Paul did the Philippians His joy and his crown Phil. 4.1 and would often say That were it not for some wrangling persons a Minister might live as comfortable a life amongst them as amongst any people in England And as by his Ministry a work of reformation was wrought upon the Town in general so also a work of saving conversion was wrought upon many soules in particular he relates in some memoires that he hath left behind him under his own hand that in 1648. when he left the place there were thirty persons which gave him a Paper subscribed by themselves wherein they own'd him for their spiritual Father and doubtless there were many thirties in and about the Town who could have made the like acknowledgment He marryed a second wife yet living Whilst he liv'd here begetting many Sons and Daughters unto God he had also many Sons and Daughters begotten of his own body Ten of which lie buried in one Grave in the Parish Church of Kingston on which he hath laid a faire Stone with this Epitaph fairly Engraven on it Here lye the Bodies Of Francis Richard Mary Mathew Mary Richard Edmund Edmund Sarah Richard Children which the Lord graciously gave to Edmund Staunton D. D. late Minister of Kingston upon Thames now President of C. C. C. in Oxford by Mary his Wife Daughter of Richard Balthrope Esq Servant to the late Queen Elizabeth Ten Children in one Grave a dreadful sight Seven Sons Daughters three Jobs number right Childhood and youth are vain death reigns o're all Even those that never sin'd like Adams fall But why o're all in the first man every one Sinned and fell not he himself alone Our hope 's in Christ the second Adam He Who saves the Elect from sin and misery What 's that to us poor children 't is our Creed God is a God to the faithful and their seed Sleep on dear Children never more to wake 'Till Christ doth raise you and to glory take He left only one Son living at his death and may he long live to inherit his Fathers Graces as he doth his Estate For three years and a halfe In the year 1635 it pleas'd the Authority of the Nation to permit sports and pastimes unto the people on the Lords Day and a Warrant was ordered to be read in all Churches to that purpose those Ministers who refused to read it were for some time suspended in
Angels Min. No Friend God is not an Angel at all God is a Spirit uncreated having his being of himself infinite and eternal the Angels are creatures were made by God are finite have a beginning Col. 1.16 By him were all things created that are in heaven and that are in earth visible and invisible whether they be thrones and dominions principalities or powers all the Angels were made by God Str. I believe Sir what you say concerning God and the Angels Min. Where is God think you Str. Why God is in heaven Minister What is God no where els but in heaven Stranger Yes I hope he is in the hearts of all good people also Min. Is God in hell also Str. No not in hell unless by his power onely Min. Yes God is in hell also and that not onely by his power but in his essence and being or else How is God infinite if he be not every where Str. What you say is true but I never heard so much before Min. Friend How many Gods be there Str. There is but one God Min. Is there not God the Father God the Son and God the Holy Ghost And are there not then three Gods Str. Yes Sir three Gods Min. No Friend three persons indeed but onely one God Deut. 6.4 Hear O Israel the Lord our God is one Lord. Str. Yea three persons and one God I remember it now Minister Having said something concerning God what think you Friend concerning your self Are you a sinner against this God or no Stranger Yes Sir we are all sinners God help us Min. Why Friend which of the Commandments of God have you ever broken Str. Sir I break them all every day in thought word and deed Min. Say you so Friend let us come to each particular Commandment Did you ever break the first Commandment Thou shalt have c Str. No Sir I believe there 's but one God Min. What say you to the second Commandment Thou shalt not make c Str. I am sure I have not broken this Commandment I am no Papist I abhor Images I am a Protestant and so was my father before me Min. Did you ever break the third Commandment Thou shalt not take the Name of the Lord thy God in vain c Stranger No Sir I am no common Swearer it may be I let fall an Oath now and then as others do but I am sorry for it when I have done Minister What think you of the fourth Commandment Do you keep holy the Sabbath Str. Yes truly Sir I keep the Church all my Neighbours can bear me witness I hear our own Minister sometimes I stay at home but not very often Min. For the fifth Commandment Honour thy Father c. Have you broken this Commandment Str. I hope not much Sir my father and mother were they alive would say I was as good a child as any they had and we were so many of us Min. What think you of the sixth seventh and eighth Commandments Thou shalt not kill commit adultery steal Have you broken these Commandments Str. I hope not for I am no murderer no adulterer no thief Min. For the ninth Commandment Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour have you kept or broken it Stranger I hope I have not broken it for I never took a false Oath against any man in my life Minister What think you of the tenth Commandment Thou shalt not covet c Are you guilty or not Str. Covet would I were as free from other sins as I am from Covetousness if you would have me tell you the truth I am to blame rather on the other hand I spend my money too fast Min. Oh Friend how do these things stand together you said even now that you broke all the Commandments every day in thought word and deed and now I have dealt with you upon each particular Commandment you clear your self in all as if you had broken none of the Commandments in thought word or deed Str. I pray Sir tell me something that I may understand my self better Min. Know Friend that you are grievously ignorant and that Satan the god of this World hath miserably blinded you that your heart fearfully deceiveth you pray earnestly to God that he would inlighten you hear read the Scriptures Catechisms and other good Books remember Sermons go to the Minister intreating him to instruct you in the principles of Religion grow acquainted with good people talk and discourse much with them about heavenly matters and by the blessing of God in a little time you will come to know God more and your self better Stranger I thank you heartily Sir and when I come home I purpose to think of your counsel and to follow it Minister Say and hold Friend and remember that a blind ignorant Soul is worse than a dark and blind body And that the soul be without knowledge is not good Prov. 19.2 Str. I hope I shall remember what you have said to me as long as I live and I confess I am a sinner Min. Are you guilty of Adam's sin in his eating the forbidden fruit Str. No Sir that was long before my time I know nothing of it Min. Yes Friend I and you and all Mankind except Christ are guilty of Adams first sin Rom. 5.12 By one man sin entered into the world and death by sin and so death passed upon all for that all have sinned Stranger True Sir now I remember my self I have heard them say that we are all guilty of Adam 's sin because we were all in his loins Minister I have heard them say you must not build your faith upon hear-sayes but upon the written Word of God and for your reason why we are guilty of Adam's sin because we were all in his loins that 's not the main reason for then we should be as well guilty of the sins of our Fathers and Grandfathers c. for we were in their loins also Str. How then I pray you came we to be guilty of Adam 's first sin Min. Why thus Adam was a publick person representing all Mankind and the Covenant of life made with him was not for himself only but for all his posterity so that when he sinned we sinned when he fell we fell with him in that his first transgression Stranger I must needs confess that I am guilty of Adam 's first sin Minister Friend You and I are not only guilty of Adam's first sin but also of many actual transgressions You said even now that sometimes you let fall an Oath in your common discourse which is swearing and taking the Name of God in vain and you said truly also that we break the Commandments of God in thought word and deed and the Scripture saith Rom. 3.23 All have sinned c. So that you and I and all men are sinners certainly Str. I acknowledge Sir that I am a sinner Min. Yea Friend but are you such a sinner as that you deserve
farthing for all poor lost Souls that come unto him 3. You must pray hard beg the Spirit of God to help your infirmities to work all your works in you and for you and God hath promised to give his holy Spirit to them which ask him Luke 11.13 Stranger I believe in Jesus Christ and repent with all my heart what would you have me do more Min. Friend concerning faith in Jesus Christ we have spoken somewhat before enough to startle you and awake you out of your carnal security if you did indeed believe the Word of God Now for your repentance what do you do when you repent Stranger Why I cry God mercy for all my faults and desire him to Jorgive me Minister Friend that 's Prayer it 's not Repentance to say Lord have mercy on me and so forth is praying Str. Oh but Sir I am sorry for my sins Min. Friend You speak these words so smilingly and merrily as if your heart were not much orewhelmed with sorrow at the present for your sin Str. Yea but Sir I grieve for my sin though now I am a little merry I confess I hope there 's no harm in that Min. Tell me truly Friend did you ever weep for sin in secret between God and your own soul Str. Sir you put me hard to it I do not remember that ever I shed any tears for my sins but some men are not apt to weep Min. What you say Friend is very true some are naturally more apt to weep than others but cannot you weep and take on bitterly for other things for the death of a wife father child or some special friend of yours Stranger I confess then indeed I have mourned greatly and almost wept my eyes out Minister Friend it seems somewhat strange that you who have tears in abundance at command upon other sad occasions should not have some tears also for your sins against God Str. Well Sir though I weep little or not at all for my sins yet I grieve for my sins and hate my sins as much as another man Min. Friend if your grief for sin were right it would be 1. For sin as it is sin displeasing to God a dishonour to God and a defilement to your own soul 2. Godly sorrow works repentance 2 Cor. 7.10 That is amendment in heart and life Str. I hope I grieve for sin and hate it also though you Sir object something still against what I say Min. Friend be not angry that I object so much and so oft I do it only to find and beat out the truth and for your good Str. It may be so Sir Minister Friend You think and say you hate your sins let me put a few questions to you 1. Do you hate all sins one as well as another he that hates one Toad hates all Toads 2. Do you long to be the death of your sins is your hatred a mortal a deadly hatred do you mortifie the deeds of the flesh by the Spirit Rom. 8.13 3. Deal plainly and truly as you will answer it at death and judgment is there not some beloved sin that you are loth to part with loth to be told of by friends or Ministers some sinful way of profit or pleasure which you have no mind to leave but allow your self in it Stranger Sir I have had a great deal of talk with our own Minister who is a very good Churchman and he never said half so much to me Min. It may be so but what say you to my last question is there not some sin that you allow your self in which is as dear as your right eye and right hand unto you Str. Sir I am not bound to confess to you you have no authority to examine me Minister No Friend I speak in love to you desiring if the Lord please to do some good to your soul but let me tell you I fear your conscience cryes guilty you begin to be so touchy Stranger Sir it 's my fault to be angry but you do so pinch me yet I am persuaded you mean me no hurt therefore if you 'll needs have my heart out of me it 's even no better nor no worse I confess I love the company of some that are none of the best and I can't shake them off the world is hard and unless a man have some tricks there is no living in it and I do walk in some wayes not to mince the matter with you which my conscience tells me I ought not to walk in Min. Friend You do well to be open with me by the blessing of God it may be for your good therefore tell me a little farther do you not sometimes take the Name of God in vain Str. I hope not or very little Min. What think you of such words as these As I live As I am an honest man As I am a Christian Let me never stir Let me never be believed more if it be not thus and thus What think you of By my Faith By my Troth and By our Lady and of saying O Lord O God O Jesus and the like in common discourse which kind of words I heard fall from you at least some of them since you and I met Stranger Truly Sir I think they were better forborn Minister I think so too for they look like Oaths and Curses as a light and irreverent using of the Name of God Christ saith Matth. 5.37 Let your conversation be yea yea nay nay for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil Str. Sir People will not believe what I say unless I use such expressions as these Min. It matters not much so long as you speak the truth plainly if men will not believe you the fault is theirs and let me tell you that those who are wise men indeed will believe you the less for the using such words as these and say He that will swear will lye he that sticks not at dishonouring God by taking his Name in vain will not stick at deceiving man by a lye and speaking an untruth Stranger Sir what you say I confess is reason Minister Friend since I find you in so good a vein and willing to discourse it on which I am glad of tell me do you not use to break the Sabbath Str. No Sir I go to Church constantly when I am well and nothing hinders me Min. But Friend do not you accustom your self to lie long a Bed in the morning to sit idling at the doors that day to talk of worldly business to make bargains to hire or pay Labourers to walk in the fields needlesly do you not use some Sports Pastimes and Recreations do you not Travel that day to or prepare for Markets and Fairs and the like Str. I confess I have done so but I 'll do so no more Min. Friend you must desire God to humble you for these as all other your sins to pardon you in the blood of Christ and to strengthen you against them for
Mans Aim Third Emanuel or Miracle of Miracles By Richard Sibbs D.D. 4to An Exposition on the five first Chapters of Ezekiel with useful observations thereupon By Will. Greenhil 4to The Gospel-Covenant or the Covenant of Grace opened Preached in New-England By Peter Bulkeley 4to God's Holy Mind touching Matters Moral which himself uttered in ten words or ten Commandments also an Exposition on the Lords Prayer By Edward Elton B.D. 4to A plain and familiar Exposition of the Commandments By John Dod 4to Fiery Jesuite or an Historical Collection of the Rise Increase Doctrines and Deeds of the Jesuites Exposed to view for the sake of London 4to Horologiographia Optica Dyalling Universal and Particular Speculative and Practical together with the Description of the Court of Arts by a new Method By Sylvanus Morgan 4to Praxis Medicinae or the Physicians Practice wherein are contained all inward diseases from the head to the foot By Walter Bruel Regimen Sanitatis Salerni or the School of Salerns Regiment of Health containing Directions and Instructions for the guide and government of Man's Life 8vo Ames on Peter and on the Psalms Christ and the Covenant the work and way of Meditation delivered in ten Sermons Large Octavo By William Bridge late of great Yarmouth Heart-Treasure or a Treatise tending to fill and furnish the head and Heart of every Christian with soul-inriching treasure of truths graces experiences and comforts to help him in Meditation Conference Religious performances Spiritual Actions Enduring Afflictions and to fit him for all conditions that he may live Holily die happily and go to Heaven triumphantly By O.H. with an Epistle presixed by John Chester The sure Mercies of David or a second part of the Hearts-Treasure Closet Prayer a Christians Duty All three by O. Heywood A Glimpse of Eternity By A. Caley A Practical Discourse of Prayer wherein is handled the Nature and duty of Prayer By Tho. Cobbet Of Quenching the Spirit the evil of it in respect both of its causes and effects discovered By Theâ—â—hilus Polwheile Wells of Salvatioâ—â—â—â—ened or Words whereby we may be saved with advice to Young Men. By Th. Vincent The Re-building of London encouraged and improved in several Meditations By Samuel Rolls The sure way to Salvation or a Treatise of the Saints Mystical Union with Christ wherein that great Mysterie and Priviledge is opened in the nature properties and the necessity of it By R. Steedman M.A. Sober Singularity By the same Author The greatest Loss upon Matth. 16.26 By James Livesey Moses unvailed By William Guild The Protestants Triumph being an exact answer to all the sophistical Arguments of Papists By Ch. Drelincourt A Defence against the fear of Death By Zach. Crofton Gods Soveraignty displayed By Will. Geering A sober Discourse concerning the Interest of Words in Prayer The Godly mans Ark or City of Refuge in the day of his distress in five Sermons with 〈◊〉 Moor's Evidences for Heaven By Edw. Calamy The Almost Christian discovered or the false Professor tryed and cast By Spiritual Wisdome improved against temptation Both by M. Mead. The true bounds of Christian Freedom or a Discourse shewing the extents and restraints of Christian Liberty wherein the truth is setled many errours confuted out of John 8. ver 36. A Treatise of the Sacrament shewing a Christians Priviledge in approaching to God in Ordinances duty in his Sacramental approaches danger if he do not sanctifie God in them Both by Sam. Bolton D. D. The Lords Day enlivened or a Treatise of the Sabbath By Philip Goodwin The Sinfulness of Sin and the Fulness of Christ two Sermons By W. Bridge The Treatises next following are Written by Mr. Thomas Watson The Doctrine of Repentance Heaven taken by Storm Mischief of Sin A Divine Cordial A plea for the Godly The Holy Eucharist or the Sacrament of the Lords Supper The Life and Death of Mr. Tho. Wilson of Maidstone in Kent The Life and Death of Dr. Samuel Winter of Dublin The Conversion of a Sinner The day of Grace A Covert from the Storm Worthy walking pressed upon all that have heard the call of the Gospel All three by Nath. Vincent The Duty of Parents A little book for Little Children A Method and instruction for the Art of Divine Meditation All three by Tho. White The Childs delight togather with an English Grammar A plaine and Familiar Method of instructing the younger sort according to the lesser Catechism of the late Reverend Assembly of Divines Both by Tho. Lye The inseperable Union between Christ and a Believer By Tho. Peck A Practical Discourse of Prayer wherein is handled the Nature and duty of Prayer A Treatise of quenching the spirit the evil of it both in respect of its causes and effects A Defence against the Fear of Death By Zach. Crofton Esops Fables in English and Latin Verse Meditation upon Mr. Baxter's Review of his Treatise of the Duty of Heavenly Meditation By Giles Fermin A Discourse of Excuses setting forth the variety and Vanity of them the Sin and misery brought in by them By John Sheffield Invisible Reality set forth in the Holy Life and triumphant Death of Mr. John Janeway A Discourse concerning the Education of Children By R. Kedder The Saints perseverance asserted in its positive ground against Jer. Ives By Thom Danson