cam'st thou to believe this Christian Lord it is by thy gift and work that I do believe it Eph. 2.8 Heb. 12.2 Ch. Well now thou dost believe what wilt thou do Christian Lord what wilt thou have me to do Act. 9.6 Ch. If thou love me keep my words Joh. 14.23 Christian What are those words of thine Ch. Search the Scriptures for they are able to make thee perfect and wise unto salvation and to furnish thee for every good work Joh. 5.39 2 Tim. 3.16.17 Christian But Lord how shall I understand thy word C. I will make known my words unto thee Pro. 1.23 Christian But Lord is there no danger of my departing and falling away from thee now I do believe Ch. No the Mountains shall depart and the Hills be removed but my loving kindness shall not depart from thee Esa 54.10 Jer. 32.40 Christian Lord I will keep thy precepts with my whole heart Phil. 1.19.69 Ch. I have redeemed thee that thou should'st serve me without fear in Holiness and Righteousness all the days of thy life Luk. 1.69 Christian Come ye Children and I will declare what my Lord have done for my soul My SOVL shall make her boasts of the LORD the humble shall hear this and be glad and magnifie the LORD with me and let us Exalt his Name together Psal 34.11.2 3. FINIS The Threefold State OF A CHRISTIAN DISCOVERED viz. By Nature By Grace And in Glory With the Character of a Christian A Miscellany of Divine Contemplations Obserservations and Directions to a holy Life and Conversation By V. P. Thy Threefold State here Thou may'st see What thou hast been art And shall be Printed for N. C. 1677. The Threefold State of a Christian Discover'd 1. BY Nature I was born of the flesh Joh. 3.6 By Grace I am born of the Spirit Joh. 3.6 In Glory I shall have all Spiritual priviledges Joh. 1.12 2. By Nature I was all flesh Joh. 3.6 Gen. 6.5 8.21 By Grace I am flesh and spirit Rom. 7.20.23.25 Gal. 5.17 In Glory I shall be all spiritual 1 Cor. 15.44.50 3. By Nature I walked after the flesh 2 Cor. 10.3 Rom. 8.4 By Grace I walk in the spirit Gal 5.16 Rom. 8.4 In Glory I shall be quickned by the spirit Rom. 8.11 4. By Nature I did mind wholy the things of the flesh Rom. 8.5 By Grace I do mind chiefly the things of the spirit Rom. 8.4 In Glory I shall mind only things spiritual 5. By Nature I was dead in sin Eph. 2.1 1 Tim. 5.6 By Grace I am quickened from sin Eph. 2.5 In Glory I shall be quite freed from sin 6. By Nature I did lie in Iniquity 1 Joh. 5.19 By Grace I do live in all piety Tit. 2.12 2 Tim. 3.12 In Glory I shall enjoy perfect purity Rev. 21.4 7. By Nature I was under the Law of sin and death Rom. 8.2 By Grace I am made free by the Law of the Spirit of life Rom. 8.2 In Glory I shall triumph over sin and death 1 Cor. 15.55 56 57. 8. By Nature I did hate God and his Law Psal 15.21 and 18.15 and 2.3 Rom. 1.30 By Grace I do love God and his Law Psal 116.1 and 11.19.22 1 Joh. 4.59 In Glory I shall for ever delight in God and do his Law 9. By Nature I despised all Instruction Prov. 1.7 By Grace I desire all Information Pro. 11.25 Psa 86.11 In Glory I shall attain clear apprehension 2 Cor. 3.6 10. By Nature I communicated with the vilest sinners Psal 1.1 Mat. 24.49 By Grace I kept company with the best Christians Cant. 1.7 Act. 9.26 1 Joh. 1.3 In Glory I shall know all Saints and live with them Luke 13.28 Mat. 27. 53 and 15.28 1 Thes 3.15 11. By Nature I persecuted Godliness Act. 26.14 15. By Grace I profess it in power 1 Tim. 6.12 In Glory I shall have the price Phil 3.14 12. By Nature I was one of the world Joh. 15.18 19. By Grace I am chosen out of the world Joh. 15.19 In Glory I shall be separated from the world Mat. 13.49 and 25.3.33 13. By Nature I was in darkness 1 Pet. 2.9 Eph. 5.8 By Grace I walk in the Light Joh. 8.12 1 Thes 5.4 In Glory I shall dwell with the Light 1 Tim. 6.16 14. By Nature I was naked and bloody Jer. 6.15 Ezek. 16.7 By Grace I am array'd with the robe of Innocency Rev 29.8 In Glory I shall be cloathed with Immortallity 2 Cor. 5.3 15. By Nature I was a stranger Eph. 2.12 By Grace I am Gods freind Isa 41.8 Joh. 15.10 In Glory I shall be his favourite for ever Pro. 3.4 and 8.25 16. By Nature I was an Enemy Rom. 5.10 By Grace I am Reconciled Col. 1.21 In Glory I shall be saved Rom. 5.10 17. By Nature I was condemned Joh. 3.18 By Grace I am justified Act. 13.39 Rom. 3.24 In Glory I shall judg 1 Cor. 6.2 Mat. 19.28 18. By Nature I departed from God Jer. 17.5 By Grace I draw near tâ— God Heb. 7.19 In Glory I shall abide with God Joh. 8.34 19. By Nature I was Sathaâ— slave 1 Tim. 2.26 By Grace I am the Lorâ— Free-man 1 Cor. 7 2â— Gal. 4.31 1 Tet. 2 2â— In Glory I shall be a Citizâ—â— of Zion Eph. 2.19 20. By Nature I was free from righteousness Rom. 6.20 By Grace I am free through righteousness Rom. 3.25 2 Pet. 1.1 In Glory I shall raign in righteousness Rom. 5.21 21. By Nature I lived in fear Heb. 2.15 Gal. 4.15 Rom. 8.15 By Grace I live by faith Gal. 2.20 2 Cor. 5.7 In Glory I attain the end of my faith 2 Pet. 1.9 22. By Nature I was without hope Eph. 2.12 By Grace I rejoyce in hope Rom. 5.2 In Glory I shall need no hope 1 Cor. 13.13 23. By Nature I was without all the promises Eph. 2.13 By Grace I am under all the promises 2 Cor. 1.20 In Glory I shall partake of all things promised 24. By Nature I was the child of the Devil and of Hell 1 John 3.10 Mat. 23.15 By Grace I am a child of God and a stranger in the world Gal. 3.26.29 In Glory I shall be an heir of God and of heaven Rom. 8.17 Heb. 11.7 25. By Nature I was in constant danger Mat 5.22 By Grace I am in continual safety Psal 4.8 Joh. 10.28.29 In Glory I shall be in an Impregnable sanctuary Isa 45.17 26. By Nature I sought to go to Heaven by my own righteousness Rom. 10.3 By Grace I seek to go to Heaven without my own righteousness Phil. 3.9 In Glory I shall be in Heaven absolutely righteous Eph. 5.27 Jud. 8.14 27. By Nature I sought my self only Phil. 2.21 2 Tim. 3.5 By Grace I seek Gods glory chiefly Phil. 1.11 1 Cor. 10.31 In Glory I shall give it to him wholly Rev. 5.12 13. 28. By Nature I was lost Luk. 19.10 1 Pet. 2.25 By Grace I am found Luk. 15.24 In Glory I shall be at home 1 Cor. 2. 29. By Nature I knew
I do think my Sins are so great that it is impossible for them to be pardoned J. Do not think or say so for all things are possible to him that believeth Mark 9.23 P. But my Sins are so red I think all the Water in the Sea cannot wash them away J. Though thy Sins be as Scarlet they shall be as white as Snow and though they be red like Crimson they shall be as Wool if thou wilt turn to me from them for my Blood can cleanse thee from all Sin Esa 1.18 1 John 1.7 P. But Lord if I should turn to thee from them yet they are written down and thou wilt not blot them out Jer. 18.23 J. I am he that bloteth out thy transgressions yea have bloted out as a thick cloud thy transgressions and as a Cloud thy Sins return therefore unto me for I have redeemed thee Esa 43.25 44.22 P. But if I should return unto thee yet when I Sin again thou wilt remember my Sins J. No I will pardon thee and thy Sins and iniquities will I remember no more Heb. 10.17 P. Oh Lord I am the child of wicked parents and thou hast said thou wilt visit the Sins of the Father upon the Children to the third and fourth generation J. If a wicked Father begets a Son that seeth all his Fathers Sins which he hath done and considereth and doth not such like that Son shall not bare the iniquity of the Father Ezek. 18.14.20 Ezek. 16.3 to the 13. P. But Lord were there any wicked parents that had good Children J. Yes many as wicked a Ahaz had good Hezekiah So b Idolutrous Amon zealous Josiah and ungodly Saul had Godly Jonathan a 2 Kin. 16.20 with 2 Kin. 18.3 b 2 Kin. 21.21 22. with 2 King 22 2. P. Lord what if I be a Bastard and the Child of whoredom J. That doth not hinder thee neither to be saved for my servant c Jeptha was a Bastard so was my servant Phares who is reckoned in my own Genealogie Compare Gen. 38.18 29. Ruth 4.12 with Mat. 1.3 c Jud. 11.1 with Heb. 11.32 P. But Lord is there not such a Scripture that a Bastard shall not enter into thy Congregation until the tenth Generation J. Yes there is such a d Scripture and that should make People shun the Sin of Whoredome but that doth not exclude men that are born Bastards after the Flesh if they be Born again of the Spirit either out of my Church on Earth now in the days of the Gospel or yet out of Heaven Deut. 23.2 P. But what Lord if my Father was a Bastard J. Neither doth that hinder for Sarah the brother of Phares who was a Bastard begot my two wise and Godly Servants Ethan and Heman compare Gen. 38.30 1 Chron. 26. with Psal 88. and Psal 89. the titles of both being of Heman and Ethan P. Oh Lord I am a very old Sinner and have one foot already in the Grave and I fear it is too late for me now to be called J. No it is not too late for I call some at the ninth hour yea some at the e eleventh hour Which is but one hour before night or a little before death And I will pour out of my Spirit upon old men in these Gospel daies Mat. 20.6.9 Joel 2.28 with Act. 2.17 P. But Lord I have committed such great and hainous Sins both by speaking and doing that I am affraid it is in vain for me to seek Mercy J. Though thou hast spoken and done evil things as much as thou couldest yet return unto me and I will not cause mine anger to fall upon thee for I am merciful Jer. 3.5 P. How shall I look upon thee Gracious Lord for I have multiplied sins against thee J. As thou hast multiplied sin so will I (f) Or will abundantly pardon multiply pardons if thou wilt return unto me the Lord Esa 55.7 P. Oh but Lord I scarce think that any so wicked as my self were saved for I was an Idolater an Adulterer a Thief a Drunkard and what not that was wicked J. Such were many of my servants that are now in heaven but I according to my own kindness and pitty to them saved them by washing sanctifying and justifying them by my own (g) Or power Name Blood and Spirit 1 Cor. 9.6 9 10 11. Tit. 3.3 4 5 6 7. P. Oh but merciful Saviour I was a Ring-leader of others into sin and I enticed and drew many into wickedness and therfore my case is far worse then others J. As thou wast a Ring-leader and Enticer of others into sin so I can make thee a guide and leader of others into and in the way of righteousness as I made thy Country-man Levi and others P. But that which makes me fear most is because I was a Blasphemer Reviler and Persecuter of thy people yea many of thy Saints did I shut up in Prison J. Yet thou shalt have mercy because thou didst it ignorantly through unbeliefe 1 Tim. 1.13 P. Oh but Lord I finde my heart is hardened through the deceitfulness and custome of sin that I cannot hope it will ever be otherwise J. I can and will take the stony heart out of thy flesh and I will give thee a heart of flesh Eze. 36.26 P. Lord wilt thou do all for me J. I must do all for thee for without me thou canst do nothing Phil. 2.13 Joh. 15.5 P Lord what then shall I do J. Before I teach thee what thou must do I will first shew thee what I have done and suffered for thee P. Good Master I desire to know that J. 1. I left my own glory and came into the world to save thee and such sinners as thou art John 17.5 1 Tim. 1.15 2. Though I was the onely Son of my Father and in his own form and equal to him yet I took upon me the form of a servant for thee and thy brethrens sake Joh. 1.14 Phil. 2.6 7 8. 3. Though I was Heire of all things and Possessor of Heaven and Earth yet I became poor and hungary that thou mightest be made rich Heb. 1.2 Gen. 14.19 and 2 Cor. 8.9 4. Though I deserved honour and glory yet I was reviled threatned and perscuted by my own Creatures and all for my good will to thee Heb. 2.9 1 Pet. 2.23 5. Though I had no sin yet I was made sin that thou poor sinner mightest escape sin 1 Pet. 1.19 and 2.22 2 Cor. 1.21 6. Though I was a Law-giver and Law-maker yet I became under the curse of my own Law that I might redeem thee from that curse Esa 33.22 Gal. 3.13 7. When I had power over mine own life and no man could take it from me yet I laid it down for thee that thou mightest have life Joh. 10.18 Rom. 5.6.9 1 Joh. 3.16 8. Though I was my fathers delight and an object of his love from everlasting yet I became an object of his wrath for my love
Christ though he kill me and I will endeavour to live to serve him though he should afterwards damn me Mat. 4.5 Rev. 12.10 Job 12.13 Exod. 20.13 Act. 16.28 Job 13.15 Christian Though I dâ— sometimes resolve against Satans temptations and labour to resist them yet I find my temptations are renewed and I am not able to withstand them for they come in as a flood upon me Ch. I that say unto the proud waves hitherto shalt thou come but no further I will by my spirit put the Enemy Satan to flight when he comes in like a flood against thee Job 38.11 See Esa 59.19 Marg. Christian But Lord I find am not only troubled with fear and sad temptations but also with strong and powerful corruptions Ch. I will subdue all thy iniquities and thy sins shall not have dominion over thee Mich. 7.19 Rom. 6.14 Christian Oh but this doth much trouble me that I do not find any love in my heart to thee Ch. What though thou dost not yet I will circumcise thy heart and thou shalt love me and when thou apprehendest my love to thee thou wilt love me again Deut. 30.6 1 Job 40.19 Christian I have sinned Lord against thy mercies and abased thy love yea loveâ— my sins more then thee therefore I cannot think that eveâ— thou wilt look upon me with any love or delight Ch. So did my servant David and my people Israel do yet as I loved them so will I love theâ— freely and betroth theâ— to me in loving kindnesâ— and mercy 2 Sam 12.8 9. Hos 2.5 and 14.4 and 2.9 Christian But Lord â— have not only sin'd against thy mercies but against thy corrections and chastisements also Ch. So did my people Israel formerly do for when I smote them they went on forwardly in the way of their evil hearts but I led them and restored comforts to them Esa 57.17.18 Christian I but my condition is worse then all that for I have been long under the means of grace and yet I am altogether fruitless and like the barren Fig-tree Ch. Thou troubled soul in me is thy fruit found and I will purge thee and thou shalt bring forth fruit abundantly for they that are planted in my house shall flourish and be fat and like a green Olive Tree Joh. 15.5 Psal 92.12 13 14. Christian I Lord its true if I were a branch in thee and a true member of thy house then I could believe these promises of thine alas I am neither of both but separated from thee and thy people C. Do not say that thou art none of mine for â— have bought thee with my blood and do not speak that thou art separated from my people for I will give thee in mine house and within my walls a place and a name of Sonâ— and Daughters Esa 56.3.5 Christian Sure if I were not an out-cast and a Reprobate I should not be thus as I am in a wilderness condition Ch. Israel was counted an out-cast and she cried out yet I was then a God to her and she a people to me Jer. 30.16.17.22 Christian Oh if I were but one of thine I should then count my self the happiest in all the world Ch. Fear not my Spouse for I am thy Husband and thy Father Christian If I were one of thy Children thou wouldst not hide thy selfe from me as thou dost Ch. I have hid my selfe and my face from some of my Prophers and people of old and yet it was in love to them and so it is to thee Psal 88.14 Esa 8.17 and 64.7 Christian But thou hast hid thy self from me and thou seemest also to be angry with me Esa 54.5 Jer. 31.9 Ch. Fury is not with me towards thee and though I be angry yet my anger is but for a moment Esa 27.4 and 54.8 Christian Yet Lord thou hast been angry with me a long time for thou hast forgotten me Ch. Zion did say so the Lord hath forsaken me and my Lord hath forgotten me yet I had not forgot her for she was graven upon the palmes of my hands Esa 49.14.15 Jer. 51.5 Christian But Lord if thou had'st not forgotten me thou would'st never have left me in such a wilderness and barren condition as I am in Ch. I have allured thee into the wilderness that I might speak comfortably unto thee Hos 2.14 Christian I have been many years in trouble and terrours and wanting peace in my soule which could not possibly have been if I had truly believed in thee Ch. But now will I speak peace unto thee and I will guide thee into the way of peace Psal 85.8 Luk. 1.79 Christian Lord wilt thou speak peace unto me and guide me into the way of peace i. e. The Preachers Lips that Preach't peace Ch. I will create the fruit of the lips Peace Peace and my spirit shall be in thee and his fruit shall be peace to thy soul Esa 57 19. and 55.12 Christian But Lord thy word saith there is no peace to the wicked Ch. No not to a man that will persist in his wicked way and doth not nor will not believe in me but thou art one of those that I bore the chastizement of thy peace and one of the children of peace Esa 53.5 and 54.13 Christian But Lord how can I have peace seeing a man cannot have peace before and without he does believe Ch. Thou shalt have faith and peace and I will give peace through believing 2 Thes 3.16.6 Christian But Lord theâ—â— I must know that I am one of thine Ch. Thou shalt know that I am the Lord thy God and that thou art one of my people Ezek. 34.30 Christian Oh how shall I know that Ch. My spirit shall bear witness with thy spirit that thou art my Child Rom. 8.16 Christian But how shall I know that it is thy spirit that beareth this witness and that it is not the spirit of delusion Ch. Thou maiest know that by its power in working in thy heart which no other spirit can work alike as also by the earnest and fruits thereof 2 Cor. 5.5 and 7.22 Gal. 5.22 23. Christian Lord what else shall I believe besides being one of thine Ch. Dost thou believe that Christian Yes Lord I do believe that thou art Jesus the Son of God and the Saviour of the world Act. 8.37 Joh. 6.69 and 11.27 Ch. But dost thou believe that I am thy Saviour Christian Lord I do believe that there is no other way to be saved but only by thee Act. 4.12 Ch. But dost thou believe that thou shalt be saved by me Christian Lord I do believe help my unbelief Mar. 9.24 Ch. To thee it is given to believe Phil. 1.29 Christian now Lord I doe believe Ch. What dost thou now believe Christian I believe that thou loved'st me and did'st give thy self for me and that thou art my Lord and my God and that I am justified and shall be saved by grace Gal. 2.20 Joh. 20.28 Act. 15.11 Ch. How
nothing 1 Cor. 8.2 Rom. 3.11 By Grace I know in part 1 Cor. 13.12 In Glory I shall know even as I am known 1 Cor. 12. 30. By Nature My services were abominable Pro. 15.8 By Grace My services are acceptable 1 Pet. 2.5 In Glory My services shall be rewarded Mat. 6.4 and 10.41 31. By Nature I was like a beast Psal 73.22 and 45.12 By Grace I am like a Prince Gen. 23.6 Rev. 1.6 In Glory I shall be like an Angel Luke 20.36 32. By Nature My body was the Temple of sin Rom. 6.12 By Grace My body is the Temple of the holy spirit 1 Cor. 6.19 In Glory My body shall be raised spiritual 1 Cor. 15.44 33. By Nature I did glory in my shame Phil. 3.19 By Grace I am ashamed of my sin Rom. 6.21 In Glory I shall be without sin and shame Heb. 9.28 34. By Nature I was like the dirt and mire most filthy Isa 57.20 and 10.6 By Grace I am like the Moon in beauty Cant. 6.10 In Glory I shall be like the Sun in Glory Mat. 10.43 35. By Nature I sate in the shaddow of death Luk. 1.79 By Grace I do sit virtually in the Kingdom of Life Eph. 2.6 In Glory I shall sit on his Throne Eternally Mat. 19.40 Rev. 3.21 The Character of a true Christian with some Divine Contemplations Observations and Directions to a Holy Life 1. A True Christian is one that hath had clear convictions of sin especially his Master sin unbelief and of Christ that is the want and worth of him and of Judgment that is of punishment as the due desert of sin Joh. 16.8 2. He is unbottomed and broken off from himself he hath no confidence in himself his Birth Education Parts Performances and best works are impure and imperfect in his own sight Phil. 3.3 Isa 64.6 3. He is hardly brought to believe he hardly believes that he doth believe and hardly casts away his confidence when he doth once truly believe 4. Upon selfe suspition he doth greatly desire to be searched and doth earnestly search himself Psal 139.1 and last and Psal 77.6 5. He doth resolve never to go on in any sin or to neglect any duty 6. He prays to God most against his dearest and Master sin and praises God most when he hath power against it 7. He never repents for any sin he hath forsaken for any good he hath done or for any affliction he hath suffered for Christ 8. He hath Love to all Christians and seeks Unity among all and makes Union and Godliness the ground of his fellowship and Communion Phil. 1.5 1 Pet. 2.17 Rom. 14.4 1 Cor. 1.9 10. 9. In reading the Scripture he observes what helps on his holiness and teacheth self-denial as well as what increaseth knowledg 10. He cares not what he hath whether he goes nor what he suffers with Christ and for him without sin 11. His faith helps on his holiness and his holiness helps up his faith 12. Though he alwaies resolves to follow Christ through every condition yet he much suspects and fears that he shall not be able to hold out 13. He seeks and prizes holiness to serve God here as much as happiness hereafter 14. He fears God and sin more then men and suffering Gen. 39.9 Dan. 3.17.18 15. He neglects not his duty though he knows there is great danger in doing of it Deut. 6.10 16. He is one that is careful to lay in and to get true grace in his heart as well as in his profession as the wise Scribe Mat. 13. and wise Virgin Mat. 25. 17. He can and dare do nothing against the Truth 2 Cor. 13.8 especially if he knows it 18. He cleaves to the Lord and follows after the Lord fully in the worst times and when others forsake him Num. 14.24 Joh. 6.68 19. He respects all and rejects none of Gods commandments Psal 119.6 2 Sam. 22.23 20. He takes patiently and thankfully the harshest words and the hardest dealings of God 1 Sam. 3.18 2 Kings 20.19 Job 1.14 to the end 21. He is much affected with and afflicted for the sufferings of the Godly and the sins of the wicked as David Jeremiah Lot Paul c. 22. He is one that when he is recovered from his former backsliding remembers his former good condition and prizes it and praises God and hates his sin more then he did before Hos 2.7 and 14.2.3.8 23. He seeks and esteems sincerity more then any garnishing gifts prizes plain and poor Christians that are honest and upright more then they that have parts and wealth if they be less sincere 24. He is one that exerciseth a good conscience in all things 25. He is one that fears God and his name and desires Grace for Grace sake Neh. 1.11 26. He is one that prays at his first conversion Acts 9.11 God hath no still-born Children 27. He beholds Christ in the deepest affliction as well as in the most spiritual ordinance 28. He believes he shall sooner overcome his outward Enemies by praying for them then by praying against them 29. He prefers Christ before self and suffering before sinning 30. He desires to live so holy that we may keep Christ in heaven undispleased the spirit within him ungreived his conscience undefiled unwounded and unseared his profession unstained his brethren unoffended and poor sinners unstumbled 31. His care is to wait on God to walk with God to work all his works in and for God to bring his will to submit to the will of God in all things to glorifie God and to gain good to himself by all he doth and suffereth to do what good he can to others and receive what good he can from other Christians to deny himself and to be found in Christs righteousness without his own Phil. 3.9 32. A true Christian will desire to be freed from 1. Doubts of his Eternal condition 2. From the power of corruption 3. From the fire of the Law in his conscience 4. From the fierce Temptations of Sathan 5. From scruples in matters of opinion 6. From wicked places and persons where he can neither do nor receive good nor be without danger of Evil 7. From a bad frame of heart as hardness straightness Lukewarmness 8. From the fear of Death 33. A true Christian desires 1. To know God in Christ 2. To know himself in Christ 3. To know Christ in him 4. To know himself as he was without Christ Eph. 2.12 1 Tim. 1.13 Wicked and wretched in respect of sin unwilling to good and weak in respect of good Rom. 3.9.10 11. and 8.7 and 5.6 A Miscellany of Divine Contemplations Observations and Directions to a Holy Life 1. A Christian is to put forth his faith in prayer and afterwards to follow his prayer with faith 2. Reading of the Scripture helps Meditation Meditation Prayer and Prayer every good work 3. Man may come too late to God when the door is shut but God never comes too late to men Luk.
on more then God himself but pray to him for the prosperous use of them 134. Love all things for Gods sake and God only for his own and look you make him your friend whosoever be your enemy for 〈◊〉 this you shall do if as an obedient Child you always live in the eye of your heavenly Father 135. Give no offence to any man justly whether within or without for wo to them by whom offences come 136. Carry your self unto all so as the weak may be won the strong may be comforted and the wicked be ashamed 137. Delight to do all the good you can to Gods Children and to receive all the good you can from them 138. Think it the greatest work in the world to die well which to do you must inure your self to die before hand 1. By dying to your sins 2. Learning the word of affection before it actually leave you 3. In your last learning of if do it willingly yea joyfully whensoever wheresoever or howsoever God shall call you 139. Greive for nothing so much in the world as for your own sins and in them for nothing so much as for offending so loving a God 140. Let your meat apparel and recreation be lawful needful and moderate 141. Labour alwaies to learn to die defie the world deny the Devil despise the flesh and delight your self in the Lord be penitent for your sins past and present and yet despair not be strong in Faith and yet presume not Desire with the great Apostle to be dissolved and to be with Christ with whom even in death there is life 142. Use your life and keep it with as much quietness as you can so that you offend not God that ease that cometh with his displeasure turneth at length to an unspeakable pain and the gain of the world with the loss of his favourâ— is extream beggary and wretchedness 143. The greatest honour that man can give to God is to confess his truth truly and faithfully in time of trouble and affliction 144. It is but a folly for any one that truly professeth Christ crucified to look for the love of the world 145. Infidelity is the cause of all our misery which causeth us to fear man more then God and to esteem things present more than things to come 146. Love is that flower which shall never fade but shall flourish more and more till it be made perfect in that place where Faith and Hope shall have no office but shall then fully possess that which they have so long patiently waited for in this world 147. After the Lord hath made a Christian to know what he is in himself he will doubtless shew him comfort and declare to him what he is in Jesus Christ his Son 148. The mind of man cannot be contented patiently to bear the troubles either of Soul or body until it be regenerated and possessed by Gods spirit 149. Why should we Christians fear death can death deprive us of Christ who is all our comfort our joy and our life 150. Let us tarry with Christ one hour in Tribulation and affliction and doubtless he will keep us for ever with him in joys everlasting 151. Patience and Perseverance under great tryals are the proper notes whereby Gods children are known from counterfeits they that persevere not were alwaies but Hypocrites 152. If Christ be our Captain we must follow him as good Souldiers if we keep company with him in afflictions we shall be â—â—re of his society in Glory if we forsake not him he will never forsake us if we confess him he will confess us if we be ashamed of him he will be ashamed of us Therefore as he forsook Father Heaven and all things to come to us so let us forsake all things to come to him being most sure and certain that we shall not lose thereby 153. Afflictions are in separable but not infallible notes of Salvation for none shall be saved but he must suffer afflictions but all that are afflicted shall not be saved 154. Wealth is not the way to heaven but the Contrary let all our care be how to live well and then to be sure we shall never dye poor 155. Afflictions and sufferings are sometimes the way to Glory in this world Joseph had never been a Courtier had he not first been a prisoner 156. Gods children are ever the better for being miserable It is good for me that I was afflicted let God use us how he will on Earth so that we may have what he hath promised to those that love him in Heaven who would not be a Lazarus for a day that he might sit in Abrahams bosome for ever Some Heavenly Meditations Exhortations and Consolations of that blessed Martyr Mr. John Bradford and other Martyrs written out of prison to several Friends To Mr. J.H. COnsider what this life is Consider what death is Consider what is prepared for you after death 1. Concerning this life know it is full of misery vanity and wo it is a plain banishment and hath nothing in it that hath continuance it is therefore compared to a vapour to smoak to a shaddow yea to a warfare to a vail of misery wherein we are compassed about on every side with most fierce and fearful Enemies and should we desire to dwell there should we be fond to live in this toylsome and laborious world should we wish to continue in this wretched estate should we take pleasure to remain in this dangerous condition Daniels den was not so dreadful as is this Dungeon we dwell in 2. Concerning death to Gods dear children what other thing is it then the dispatcher of all displeasure the end of Travil the door of desires the gate of gladness the port of Paradise the heaven of Heaven the entiance into rest and quietness the path-way into Felicity and the beginning of all blessedness It is a very bed of Down and therefore compared to a sleep for the bodies of Gods people to rest out of which they shall arise and awake most fresh and flourishing to everlasting life It is a passage to the Father a chariot to Heaven the Lords messenger a leader unto Christ a going to our home a deliverance from prison and bondage a dismission from war a security from all sorrow and a freedom from all misery Should we be dismay'd at it should we be afraid of it should we trouble to hear of it should such a freind as this is be unwelcome should the foulness of his face fear us from his good conditions should the hardness of his husk hinder us from his sweet kernel should the roughness of the Tyde tye us to the bank and shore should the hardness of the saddle set us on our feet to perish by the way rather then leap up and endure the same a little and so to be where we would be 3. Concerning that which is prepared for you after death if I should go about to express it the more