are not under the dominion of sin but of grace Whether they have put on the new man and have a new nature wrought in them which consists in knowledge righteousnesse and true holiness Whoever is in Christ is a new creature old things are past away 2 Cor. 5.17 And whoever has not the Spirit of Christ is none of his Rom. 8.9 They that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit V. 5. To be carnally minded is death but to be spiritually minded is life and peace V. 6. Let them consider therefore whether ever they found a powerful work of Grace upon their hearts whether the Spirit of Christ dwell in them whether his Law be written in their hearts whether his Glory be their end whether indeed they are alive unto God what strength they have for active and passive duties whether the Word be their delight whether they pray fervently delight in communion with God in his waies and Worship whether they obey him sincerely and walk humbly before him whether they bear afflictions patiently suffer reproaches joyfully Sixthly Whether they have for any considerable time made Religion the great businesse of their lives apprehending the chief happinesse of man to consist in reconciliation with God pardon of sin in a gracious frame of heart in communion with God and a faithful serving of him whether they have set their affections on things above have had their conversation in Heaven have pressed earnestly after the Glory of the other world have laid hold on eternal life have been treasuring up for eternity have improved their Talents for God have been serviceable to him in their generation If their Consciences upon a serious search can bear witnesse that through Grace it has been thus in some good measure with them then they have great reason to encourage their hearts in the Lord and to awaken all the powers of their soules to blesse his holy Name for working so gracious a frame of heart in them And let them still seek to the same fountain of Grace that he would please to perfect holinesse more and more in them till he bring them into the City of the living God the Heavenly Jerusalem to an innumerable company of Angels to the general Assembly and Church of the first-born to the spirits of just men made perfect and to Jesus the Mediatour of the new Covenant Heb. 12.22 But if the case has not been thus in any considerable degree and measure with them but upon a serious search they find they have been ignorant and mistaken about or too negligent and carelesse of the great things that concern their salvation then let them bewail their sad condition and cry mightily to God to give them his holy Spirit to enlighten their minds to convince them throughly of their sins of the danger folly and pollution of them to give them a heart to repent in good earnest to bestow upon them a broken and a contrite Spirit to dissolve their stony hearts into that Godly sorrow which worketh repentance to salvation never to be repented of and which bringeth forth fruits meet for repentance to discover to them their great need of a Saviour to draw their soules effectually unto him that they may close with him sincerely and resolvedly for those ends and purposes for which he came into the world namely to procure our pardon by his Merits and to sanctifie our natures by his Grace and holy Spirit to mortifie our corruptions to deliver us from Satans power and to bring us back again unto God And for the better information of their minds in the things they should know and believe in order to their salvation and to direct their practise I must refer them to the three first Chapters of the first part of this Treatise and the second and third Chapters of the second part which I desire them heedfully to mind and ponder upon Besides these Directions already mentioned there are some others also very requisite for sick persons to mind and regard As I. They should settle their estates and worldly affairs if they have not already done it as in prudence they should in time of health so that their minds may be free and vacant for spiritual exercises and not disturbed with earthly cares and businesses And those that have estates let them not forget to be charitable and to dispose something to pious uses knowing that with such sacrifices offer'd in a right manner and to a right end God is well pleased II. If they remember any wrongs or acts of injustice they have done to their neighbours or those with whom they have had dealings let them make restitution or labour to give them satisfaction as they are able that the guilt of those sins remain not on their Consciences III. If they be at variance with any let them seek reconciliation and freely and heartily forgive those that have done them wrong remembring how much they stand in need of forgivenesse from God IV. Let them give good counsel to those about them and the friends that come to visit them and exhort them earnestly to mind the working out their salvation in time of health and not to set their hearts on this world on the pleasures or profits of it which will not avail them in the day of death Let them advise them now to live unto God now to lay a good foundation against the time to come The words of sick and dying persons use to be much heeded and remembred V. Let them in the intervals of sharper pains look over their life past and recollect Gods wonderful favours and blessings bestowed upon them to stir up their hearts to praise and magnifie his holy Name How many are there that if they would read over the history of their life past may find matter enough of praise and to provoke them to send up some such thankful ejaculations as these Blessed be the Lord in all my life time I never broke a bone never fell into the hands of robbers never into publick shame or noisom diseases I have not begg'd my bread God gave me a right shape of body the right use of my understanding careful and pious Parents good and bountiful friends a religious education delivered me in such and such a danger heard my prayers in such particular pressures of my spirit c. O what shall I render to the Lord for all his benefits towards me VI. Let them decline as much as they can the visits of vain and worldly persons who by their carnal and frothy discourses are like to disturb and hinder them in their preparations for death and those spiritual meditations and exercises they should be employ'd in Those that visit sick persons or attend about them should not talk to them as 't is too common of vain worldly needlesse businesses but of things that concern the welfare of their soules And to this Head I may
is a Lyar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ He is Anti-Christ that denieth the Father and the Son V. 23. Whosoever denieth the Son the same hath not the Father but he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also Rom. 9.5 Whose are the Fathers And of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came who is over all God blessed for ever Amen Phil. 2.6 Who being in the form of God thought it not robbery to be equal with God Acts 7.59 And they stoned Stephen calling upon God and saying Lord Jesus receive my Spirit V. 60. And he kneeled down and cried with a loud voice Lord lay not this sin to their Charge 2 Thess 2.16 Now our Lord Jesus Christ himselfe and God even our Father which hath loved us and hath given us everlasting Consolation and good hope through Grace V. 17. Comfort your hearts and stablish you in every good word and work Concerning God the Holy Ghost Acts 5.3 But Peter said Ananias why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost V. 4. Thou hast not lied unto men but unto God John 14.16 I will pray the Father and he shall give you another Comforter that he may abide with you for ever V. 26. But the Comforter which is the Holy Ghost whom the Father will send in my name he shall teach you all things and bring all things to your remembrance whatsoever I have said unto you John 15.26 But when the Comforter is come whom I will send to you from the Father even the Spirit of truth which proceedeth from the Father he shall testifie of me Gal. 4.6 And because ye are sons God hath sent forth the Spirit of his son into your hearts crying Abba Father Phil. 1.19 For I know that this shall turn to my salvation through your prayer and the supply of the spirit of Jesus Christ Rom. 8.9 But ye are not in the flesh but in the spirit if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ he is none of his Eph. 4.30 And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God whereby ye are sealed to the day of Redemption 1 Cor. 2.13 Which things also we speak not in the words which mans wisdome teacheth but which the Holy Ghost teacheth comparing spiritual things with spiritual Acts 7.51 Ye stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears ye do alwaies resist the Holy Ghost As your Fathers did so do ye 2 Pet. 1.21 For the Prophecy came not in old time by the will of Man but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost Rom 8.26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities for we know not what we should pray for as we ought but the Spirit it self maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered V. 27 And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit because he maketh intercession for the Saints according to the will of God Acts 13.2 As they ministred to the Lord and fasted the Holy Ghost said Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have Called them Titus 3.5 Not by works of righteousnesse which we have done but according to his Mercy he saved us by the washing of Regeneration and Renewing of the Holy Ghost 1 Cor. 3.6 Know ye not that ye are the Temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you 1 Cor. 6.19 What know ye not that your body is the Temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you which ye have of God and ye are not your own Rom. 5.5 And hope maketh not ashamed because the Love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us Mat. 12.31 Wherefore I say unto you all manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men V. 32. And whosoever speaketh a word against the son of man it shall be forgiven him but whosoever speaketh a word against the Holy Ghost it shall not be forgiven him neither in this world neither in the world to come Secondly His PROPERTIES or ATTRIBUTES God is Eternal or without any Beginning or End Omnipotent or Almighty Omnipresent or every where present Omniscient or All-knowing Infinitely Wise Holy Just Mercifull Eternall Psal 90.2 Before the Mountains were brought forth or ever thou hadst formed the earth or the world even from everlasting to everlasting thou art God Deut. 33.27 The Eternal God is my refuge and underneath are the everlasting armes Omnipotent Gen. 17.1 And when Abram was Ninety years old and nine the Lord appeared to Abram and said unto him I am the Almighty God walk before me and be thou perfect Isa 40.17 All Nations before him are as nothing and they are counted to him lesse than nothing and vanity Rev. 1.8 I am Alpha and Omega the beginning and the ending saith the Lord which is and which was and which is to come the Almighty Rev. 19.6 And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude and as the voice of many waters and as the voice of mighty thunderings saying Allelujah for the Lord God Omnipotent reigneth Omnipresent 1 Kings 8.27 But will God indeed dwell on the earth behold the Heaven and Heaven of Heavens cannot contain thee how much lesse this house that I have builded Jer. 23.24 Can any hide himself in secret places that I shall not see him saith the Lord do not I fill Heaven and Earth saith the Lord Psal 139.7 Whither shall I go from thy Spirit or whither shall I flee from thy presence V. 8. If I ascend up into Heaven thou art there If I make my bed in Hell behold thou art there V. 11. If I say surely the darknesse shall cover me even the night shall be Light about me V. 12. Yea the darknesse hideth not from thee but the night shineth as the day the darkness and the light are both alike to thee Omniscient 1 Chron. 28.9 And thou Solomon my Son know thou the God of thy Father and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind for the Lord searcheth all hearts understandeth all the Imaginations of the thoughts if thou seek him he will be found of thee but if thou forsake him he will cast thee off for ever 1 King 8.39 Then hear thou in Heaven thy dwelling place and forgive and do and give to every man according to his ways whose heart thou knowest for thou even thou knowest the hearts of all the children of men Heb. 4.13 Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight but all things are naked and open to the eyes of him with whom we have to do Psal 139.2 Thou knowest my down-sitting and my up-rising thou understandest my thoughts afar off V. 3. Thou compassest my path and my lying down and art acquainted with all my waies V. 4. For
and were Created Heb. 11.3 Through Faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the Word of God so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear Gen. 1.31 And God saw every thing that he had made and behold it was very good and the evening and the morning were the sixth day Psal 104.24 O Lord how manifold are thy works in wisdom hast thou made them all the earth is full of thy riches Psal 19.1 The Heavens declare the Glory of God and the Firmament sheweth his handy-work Job 26.13 By his Spirit he hath garnished the Heavens his hand hath formed the crooked Serpent Job 33.4 The Spirit of God hath made me and the breath of the Almighty hath given me life Jer. 10.12 He hath made the earth by his power he hath established the world by his wisdom and hath stretched out the Heavens by his discretion Acts 17.24 God that made the world and all things therein seeing that he is Lord of Heaven and Earth dwelleth not in Temples made with hands Good Angels Job 38.7 When the morning Stars sang together and all the Sons of God shouted for joy Heb. 1.7 And of the Angels he saith who maketh his Angels Spirits and his Ministers a flame of fire Luke 2.13 And suddainly there was with the Angel a multitude of the Heavenly Host praising God and saying V. 14. Glory be to God in the highest and on earth peace good will towards Men. V. 15. And it came to passe as the Angels were gone away from them into heaven the shepheards said one to another Let us now go even unto Bethlehem and see this thing which is come to passe which the Lord hath made known unto us Acts 10.22 And they said Cornelius the Centurion a just man and one that feareth God and of good report among all the Nation of the Jews was warned from God by an holy Angel to send for thee into his house and to hear words of thee Psal 103.20 Blesse the Lord ye his Angels that excell in strength that do his Commandments hearkening unto the voice of his word 1 Tim. 5.21 I Charge thee before God and the Lord Jesus Christ and the Elect Angels that thou observe these things without preferring one before another doing nothing by partiality Luke 15.7 I say unto you that likewise joy shall be in Heaven over one sinner that repenteth more than over ninety and nine just persons which need no repentance Dan. 7.10 A fiery stream issued and came forth from before him thousands of thousands ministred unto him and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him the judgment was set and the books were opened Psal 34.7 The Angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear him and delivereth them Heb. 1.14 Are they not all ministring Spirits sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of Salvation Psal 91.11 For he shall give his Angels Charge over thee te keep thee in all thy waies V. 12. They shall bear thee up in their hands least thou dash thy foot against a stone Mat. 18.10 Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones for I say unto you that in Heaven their Angels do alwaies behold the face of my Father which is in Heaven Gen. 48.16 The Angel which redeemed me from all evil blesse the Lads and let my name be named on them and the name of my Fathers Abraham and Isaac and let them grow into a multitude in the midst of the earth Acts 12.15 And they said unto her thou art mad but she constantly affirmed that it was even so then said they it is his Angel Psal 148.2 Praise ye him all his Angels praise ye him all his Hosts 1 Cor. 11.10 For this cause ought the woman to have power on her head because of the Angels Mat. 4.11 Then the Devil leaveth him and behold Angels came and ministred unto him Luke 22.43 And there appeared an Angel from Heaven strengthning him Luke 16 22. And it came to passe that the beggar died and was carried by the Angels into Abrahams bosome the rich man also died and was buried Mat. 28.2 And behold there was a great earthquake for the Angel of the Lord descended from Heaven and came and rolled back the stone from the door and sate upon it V. 3. His countenance was like Lightning and his raiment white as snow V. 4. And for fear of him the Keepers did shake and became as dead men Mat. 24.31 And he shall send his Angels with a great sound of a trumpet and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds from one end of Heaven to the other Luke 20.35 But they which shall be accounted worthy to obtain that world and the resurrection from the dead neither marry nor are given in marriage V. 36. Neither can they die any more for they are equal unto the Angels and are the children of God being the children of the resurrection Matth. 22.30 For in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage but are as the Angels of God in heaven Devils 2 Pet. 2.4 For if God spared not the Angels that sinned but cast them down to hell and delivered them into chains of darkness to be reserved unto judgement Jude v. 6. And the Angels which kept not their first estate but left their own habitation he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darknesse unto the judgement of the great day Matth. 25.41 Then shall he say also to them on his left hand depart from me ye cursed into everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels 1 Tim. 3.6 Not a novice lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil 2 Tim. 2.26 And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil who are taken captive by him at his will Ephes 6.12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood but against principalities against powers against the rulers of the darknesse of this world against spirituall wickednesse in high places V. 14. Stand therefore having your loins girt about with truth and having on the brest plate of righteousness John 8.44 Ye are of your father the devil and the lusts of your father ye will do He was a murderer from the beginning and abode not in the truth because there is no truth in him when he speaketh a lie he speaketh of his own for he is a Liar and the Father of it 2 Cor. 4.4 In whom the God of this world hath blinded the minds of them which beleeve not lest the Light of the glorious Gospel of Christ who is the Image of God should shine unto them Eph. 2.2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world according to the Prince of the power of the Aire the Spirit that now worketh in the Children of disobedience Mat. 12.24 But when the Pharisees heard it they said this fellow doth not cast out Devils but
of the Lord because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and beliefe of the Truth Rom. 8.1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus who walk not after the flesh but after the Spirit V. 9. But ye are not in the flesh but in the Spirit if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ he is none of his Col. 2.11 In whom also ye are circumcised with the Circumcision made without hands in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the Circumcision of Christ 1 Cor. 6.11 And such were some of you but ye are washed but ye are sanctified but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God Rom. 6.5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death we shall be also in the likenesse of his resurrection V. 6. Knowing this that our old man is crucified with him that the body of sin might be destroyed that henceforth we should not serve sin V. 14. For sin shall not have dominion over you for ye are not under the Law but under Grace Eph. 5.26 That he might Sanctifie and Cleanse it with the washing of water by the word Gal 5.24 And they that are Christs have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts Rom. 8.13 For if ye live after the flesh ye shall die but if ye through the Spirit do mortifie the deeds of the body ye shall live Eph. 3.16 That he would grant you according to the riches of his Glory to be strengthened with might by the Spirit in the inner man V. 17. That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith that ye being rooted and grounded in love V. 18. May be able to comprehend with all Saints what is the breadth and length and depth and height V. 19. And to know the Love of Christ which passeth Knowledge that ye might be filled with all the fulnesse of God 2 Cor. 7.1 Having therefore these promises dearly beloved let us cleanse our selves from all filthinesse of flesh and spirit perfecting holinesse in the fear of God Heb. 12.14 Follow peace with all men and holinesse without which no man shall see the Lord 1 Thes 5.23 And the very God of peace Sanctifie you wholly and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ Gal. 5 16. This I say then walk in the Spirit and ye shall not fulfill the lusts of the flesh V. 17. For the flesh lusteth against the spirit and the spirit against the flesh and these are contrary the one to the other so that ye cannot do the things that ye would V. 25. If we live in the spirit let us also walk in the spirit 1 Pet. 2.11 Dearly beloved I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul 2 Pet. 3.18 But grow in Grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ to him be Glory both now and for ever Amen 2 Cor. 3.18 But we all with open face beholding as in a glasse the glory of the Lord are changed into the same Image from Glory to Glory even as by the Spirit of the Lord. Phil. 2.13 For it is God that worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure He commanded his Disciples to preach the Gospel and instituted the two Sacraments viz. Baptism and the Lords-Supper Mark 16.15 And he said unto them Go ye into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature V. 16. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved but he that believeth not shall be damned 1 Cor. 4.1 Let a man so account of us as of the ministers of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God John 4.1 When therefore the Lord knew how the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more Disciples than John V. 2. Though Jesus himself baptized not but his Disciples Mat. 28.19 Go ye therefore and teach all nations baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the holy Ghost V. 20. Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you and Lo I am with you alway even to the end of the world Amen Mark 1.4 John did baptize in the wildernesse and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins Rom. 6.3 Know ye not that so many of us as were baptized into Christ were baptized into his death V. 4. Therefore we are buried with him by baptisme into death that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the Glory of the Father even so we also should walk in newnesse of life Mat. 3.11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance but he that cometh after me is mightier than I whose shoes I am not worthy to bear he shall baptize you with the holy Ghost and with fire John 1.33 And I knew him not but he that sent me to baptize with water the same said unto me upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending and remaining on him the same is he which baptizeth with the holy Ghost Tit. 3.5 Not by works of righteousnesse which we have done but according to his mercy he saveth us by the washing of regeneration and renewing of the holy Ghost 1 Pet. 3.21 The like figure whereunto even baptisme doth now save us not the putting away the filth of the flesh but the answer of a good conscience towards God by the resurrection of Jesus Christ 1 Cor. 12.13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body whether we be Jews or Gentiles whether we be bond or free and have been all made to drink into one Spirit 1 Cor. 10.1 Moreover brethren I would not that ye should be ignorant how that all our Fathers were under the Cloud and all passed through the Sea V. 2. And were all baptized unto Moses in the Cloud and in the Sea V. 3. And did all eat the same spirituall meat V. 4. And did all drink the same spirituall drink for they drank of that spirituall Rock that followed them and that Rock was Christ Rom. 4.11 And he received the signe of Circumcision a seal of the righteousnesse of the Faith which he had yet being uncircumcised that he might be the Father of all them that believe though they be not Circumcised that righteousnesse might be imputed to them also V. 12. And the Father of Circumcision to them who are not of the Circumcision onely but also walk in the steps of that faith of our Father Abraham which he had being yet uncircumcised Col. 2.11 In whom also ye are Circumcised with the Circumcision made without hands in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the Circumcision of Christ V. 12. Buried with him in baptisme wherein also ye are
risen with him through the faith of the operation of God who hath raised him from the dead Gal. 3.27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. Acts 2.41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls Acts 16.33 And he took them the same hour of the night and wash d their stripes and was baptized he and all his straightway Acts 8.37 And Philip said if thou beleevest with all thine heart thou maiest and he answered and said I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God V 38. And he Commanded the Chariot to stand still and they went down both into the water both Philip and the Eunuch and he baptized him Gal. 3 14. That the blessing of Abrahâ—m might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ that we might receive the promise of the spirit through Faith Acts 2 38. Then Peter said unto them repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins and ye shall receive the gift of the holy Ghost V. 39 For the promise is to you and to your Children and to all that are afar off even as many as the Lord our God shall Call 1 Cor. 7.14 For the unbeleeving husband is sanctified by the wife and the unbeleeving wife is sanctâ—fied by the huâ—band else were your Children unclean but now are they holy Mark 10.13 And they brougâ—t young Children to him that he should touch them and his Disciples rebuked those that brought them V. 14. But when Jesus saw it he was muâ—h displeased and said unto them suffer the lit le Chiâ—dren to come to me and f rbid them not for of such is the â—ingdome of God V. 15. Verily I say unto you whosoever shall not receive the Kingdome of God as a little Child he shall not enter therein V. 16. And he took them up in his armes and put his hands upon them and blessed them Luke 7.30 But the Phaâ—isees and Lawyers rejected the Counsel of God against themselves being not baptized of him Acts 8.13 Then Simon himself believed also and when he was baptized he continued with Philip and wondred beholding the miracles and signs which were done John 3 5. Jesus answered verily verily I say unto thee except a man be born of water and of the Spirit he cannot enter into the Kingdome of God Eph. 5.25 His bands love your wives even as Christ also loved the Church and gave himself for it V 26. That he might sanctifie and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word Lords Supper Mat. 26.26 And as they were eating Jesus took bread and blessed it and brake it and gave it to his Disciples and said take eat this is my body V. 27. And he took the Cup and gave thanks and gave it to them saying drink ye all of it V. 28. For this is my blood of the New Testament which is shed for many for the remission of sins V. 29. But I say unto you I will not drink henceforth of the fruit of the Vine untill that day when I drink it new with you in my Fathers Kingdome Mark 14.22 And as they did eat Jesus took bread and blessed it and brake it and gave to them and said take eat this is my body V. 23. And he took the Cup and when he had given thanks he gave it to them and they drank all of it V. 24. And he said unto them this is my blood of the New Testament which is shed for many Luke 22.19 And he took bread and gave thanks and brake it and gave unto them saying this is my body which is given for you this do in remembrance of me V. 20. Likewise also the Cup after Supper saying this Cup is the new Testament in my blood which is shed for you 1 Cor. 11.20 When ye come together therefore into one place this is not to eat the Lords Supper V. 23. For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you that the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread V. 24. And when he had given thankes he brake it and said take eat this is my body which is broken for you this do in remembrance of me V. 25. After the same manner also he took the Cup when he had supped saying this cup is the new Testament in my blood this do ye as often as ye drink it in remembrance of me V. 26. For as often as ye eat this bread and drink this Cup ye do shew the Lords death till he come V. 27. Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread and drink this cup of the Lord unworthily eateth and drinketh damnation to himself not discerning the Lords body 1 Cor. 10.16 The Cup of blessing which we blesse is it not the Communion of the blood of Christ the bread which we break is it not the Communion of the body of Christ V. 17. For we being many are one bread and one body for we are all partakers of that one bread V. 21. Ye cannot drink the Cup of the Lord and the Cup of Devils ye cannot be partakers of the Lords table and of the table of devils 1 Cor. 12.13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body whether we be Jews or Gentiles whether we be bond or free and have been all made to drink into one Spirit Acts 20.17 And upon the first day of the week when the Disciples came together to break bread Paul preached unto them ready to depart on the morrow and continued his speech untill midnight 1 Cor. 5.6 Your glorying is not good know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump V. 7. Purge out therefore the old leaven that ye may be a new lump as ye are unleavened for even Christ our Passeover is sacrificed for us Acts 2.41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand soules V. 42. And they continued stedfastly in the Apostles Doctrine and Fellowship and in breaking of bread and in prayers 2 Thes 3.6 Now we command you brethren in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ that ye withdraw your selves from every Brother that walketh disorderly and not after the tradition which he received of us V. 14 And if any man obey not our word by this Epistle note that man and have no company with him that he may be ashamed V. 15. Yet count him not as an enemy but admonish him as a brother 7. What they are effectually Called unto and through the assistance of the Spirit of God enabled to perform that shall receive Remission of sins by Christ They that shall be made partakers of that great and inestimable benefit the Remission of all their sins by Christ are effectually called and enabled by the assistance of his Grace unfeignedly to believe the
that I am he ye shall die in your sins Acts 4.12 Neither is there salvation in any other for there is none other name under Heaven given among men whereby we must be saved John 14.6 Jesus saith unto him I am the way the truth and the life no man cometh unto the Father but by me John 17.3 And this is life eternal that they might know thee the only true God and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent Gal. 1.6 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the Grace of Christ unto another Gospel V. 7. Which is not another but there be some that trouble you and would pervert the Gospel of Christ V. 8. But though we or an Angel from Heaven preach any other Gospel unto you then that which we have preached unto you let him be accursed Eph. 1.13 In whom ye also trusted after that ye heard the word of truth the Gospel of your salvation in whom also after that ye beleeved ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise V. 14. Which is the earnest of our inheritance untill the redemption of the purchased possession unto the praise of his Glory Eph. 2.4 But God who is rich in mercy for his great love where-with he loved us V. 5. Even when we were dead in sins hath quickened us together with Christ by Grace ye are saved 2 Cor. 4.13 We having the same Spirit of Faith according as it is written I beleeved and therefore have I spoken we also beleeve and therefore speak Mark 16.16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved and he that believeth not shall be damned 1 Cor. 1.23 But we preach Christ Crucified unto the Jews a stumbling block and unto the Greeks foolishnesse V. 24. But unto them which are called both Jews and Greeks Christ the power of God and the wisdome of God 1 Cor. 3.11 For other Foundation can no man lay than that is laid which is Jesus Christ Concerning Repentance Acts 5.31 Him hath God exalted with his right hand for to be a Prince and a Saviour to give repentance to Israel and forgivenesse of sins Mat. 4.17 From that time Jesus began to preach and to say repent for the Kingdome of Heaven is at hand Mark 1.14 Now after that John was put in prison Jesus came into Galilee preaching the Gospel of the Kingdome of God V. 15. And saying the time is fullfilled and the Kingdome of God is at hand repent ye and believe the Gospel Acts 3.19 Repent ye therefore and be converted that your sins may be blotted out when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord. Acts 20.20 And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you but have shewed you and have taught you publikely and from house to house V. 21. Testifying both to the Jews and also to the Greeks repentance toward God and Faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. Acts 26.19 Wherefore O King Agrippa I was not disobedient to the Heavenly vision V. 20. But shewed first unto them of Damascus and at Jerusalem and throughout all the Coasts of Judea and then to the Gentiles that they should repent and turn to God and do works meet for repentance Prov. 28.13 He that covereth his sins shall not prosper but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy 1 John 1.9 If we confesse our sins he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousnesse Josh 7.19 And Joshua said unto Achan my son give I pray thee Glory to the Lord God of Israel and make confession unto him and tell me now what thou hast done hide it not from me Acts 11.18 When they heard these things they held their peace and glorified God saying then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life Ezek 18.30 Therefore will I judge you O house of Israel every one according to his waies saith the Lord God repent and turn your selves from all your transgressions so iniquity shall not be your ruine V. 31. Cast away from you all your transgressions whereby ye have transgressed and make you a new heart and a new spirit for why will ye die O House of Israel Ezek. 36.31 Then shall ye remember your owne evil ways and your doings that were not good and shall loath your selves in your owne sight for your iniquities and for your abominations V. 32. Not for your sakes do I this saith the Lord God be it known unto you he ashamed and confounded for your owne waies O house of Israel Joel 2.12 Therefore also now saith the Lord turn ye even to me with all your heart and with fasting and with weeping and with mourning V. 13. And rent your heart and not your garments and turn unto the Lord your God for he is gracious and merciful slow to anger and of great kindness and repenteth him of the evil 2 Cor. 7.11 For behold this self-same thing that ye sorrowed after a Godly sort what carefulnesse it wrought in you yea what clearing of your selves yea what indignation yea what fear yea what vehement desire yea what zeal yea what revenge in all things ye have approved your selves to be clear in this matter Rev. 2.5 Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen and repent and do thy first works or else I will come unto thee quickly and will remove thy Candlestick out of his place except thou repent Luke 13.3 I tell you nay but except ye repent ye shall all likewise perish Acts 17 30. And the times of this ignorance God winked at but now commandeth all men every where to repent V. 31. Because he hath appointed a day in the which he will judge the world in righteousnesse by that man whom he hath ordained whereof he hath given assurance unto all men in that he hath raised him from the dead Isa 55.7 Let the wicked forsake his way and the unrighteous man his thoughts and let him return unto the Lord and he will have mercy upon him and to our God for he will abundantly pardon Isa 1.16 Wash ye make you clean put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes cease to do evil c. V. 18. Come now and let us reason together saith the Lord though your sins be as scarlet they shall be as white as snow though they be red like Crimson they shall be as wool Luke 15.7 I say unto you that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth more than over ninety and nine just persons which need no repentance Heb. 6.1 Therefore leaving the principles of the Doctrine of Christ let us go on unto perfection not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and of Faith towards God Luke 17.3 Take heed to your selves if thy brother trespasse against thee rebuke him and if he repent forgive him V 4. And if he trespasse against thee seaven times in a day and seaven times in a day
require of thee but to do justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with thy God Jam. 2.14 What doth it profit my brethren though a man say he hath Faith and have no works can Faith save him V. 15. If a brother or sister be naked and destitute of daily food V. 16. And one of you say unto them depart in peace be you warmed and filled notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body what doth it profit V. 17. Even so Faith if it hath not works is dead being alone 1 John 2.3 And hereby do we know that we know him if we keep his Commandements V. 5. But whoso keepeth his word in him verily is the love of God perfected hereby know we that we are in him 2 Pet. 1.5 And besides this giving all diligence adde to your Faith vertue and to vertue knowledge V. 6. And to knowledge temperance and to temperance patience and to patience Godlinesse V. 7. And to Godlinesse brotherly kindness and to brotherly kindnesse Charity V. 8. For if these things be in you and abound they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. V. 9. But he that lacketh these things is blind and cannot see far off and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins Mat. 5.16 Let your Light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorifie your Father which is in Heaven Tit. 2.11 For the Grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men V 12. Teaching us that denying ungodliness and worldly lusts we should live soberly righteously and godly in this present world 1 Pet. 2.12 Having your Conversation honest among the Gentiles that whereas they speak against you as evil doers they may by your good works which they shall behold glorifie God in the day of visitation V. 15. For so is the will of God that with well-doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men John 15.8 Herein is my Father glorified that ye bear much fruit so shall ye be my disciples Eph. 2.10 For we are his workmanship created in Christ Jesus unto good works which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them Rom. 6.22 But now being made free from sin and become servants to God ye have your fruit unto holinesse and the end everlasting life Mat. 25.21 His Lord said unto him well done thou good and faithful servant thou hast been faithful over a few things I will make thee ruler over many things enter thou into the joy of thy Lord. V. 22. He also that had received two talents came and said Lord thou deliveredst me two talents behold I have gained other two talents besides them V. 23. His Lord said unto him well done good and faithful servant thou hast been faithful over a few things I will make thee ruler over many things enter thou into the joy of thy Lord. Luke 17.10 So likewise ye when ye have done all these things which are commanded you say we are unprofitable servants we have done that which was our duty to do Job 22.2 Can a man be profitable unto God as he that is wise may be profitable unto himself V. 3. Is it any pleasure to the Almighty that thou art righteous or is it gain to him that thou makest thy waies perfect Job 35.7 If thou be righteous what givest thou him or what receiveth he of thine hand V. 8. Thy wickednesse may hurt a man as thou art and thy righteousnesse may profit the son of man Mat. 23.23 Woe unto you Scribes and Pharisees hypocrites for ye pay tithe of Mint and Annis and Cummin and have omitted the weightier matters of the Law Judgement Mercy and Faith these ought ye to have done and not to leave the other undone Mat. 5.20 For I say unto you except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousnesse of the Scribes and Pharisees ye shall in no case enter into the Kingdome of Heaven Gal. 5.22 But the fruit of the Spirit is Love Joy Peace Long Suffering Gentlenesse Goodnesse Faith V. 23. Meeknesse Temperance against such there is no Law 2 Cor. 8.12 For if there be first a willing mind it is accepted according to that a man hath and not according to that he hath not Heb. 6.10 For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love which ye have shewed towards his Name in that ye have ministred to the Saints and do minister Heb. 5.9 And being made perfect he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him Rom. 6.6 Know this that our old man is crucified with him that the body of sin might be destroyed that henceforth we should not serve sin Mat. 10.37 He that loveth Father or Mother more than me is not worthy of me and he that loveth Son or Daughter more than me is not worthy of me 1 Cor. 16.22 If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ let him be Anathema Maranatha Mat. 22.37 Jesus said unto him thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul and with all thy mind Acts 10.35 But in every Nation he that feareth him and worketh righteousnesse is accepted with him Phil. 2.15 That ye may be blamelesse and harmless the sons of God without rebuke in the midst of a crooked and perverse Nation among whom ye shine as Lights in the world Rom. 1.32 Who knowing the Judgement of God that they which commit such things are worthy of death not only doe the same but have pleasure in them that do them Rom. 6.1 What shall we say then shall we continue in sin that Grace may abound V. 2. God forbid how shall we that are dead to sin live any longer therein V. 15. What then shall we sin because we are not under the Law but under Grace God forbid V. 16. Know ye not that to whom ye yield your selves servants to obey his servants ye are to whom ye obey whether of sin unto death or of obedience unto righteousnesse 1 John 1.6 If we say then we have fellowship with him and walk in darknesse we lie and do not the Truth V. 8. If we say we have no sin we deceive our selves and the truth is not in us 1 John 3.3 And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself even as he is pure Rom. 8.13 For if ye live after the flesh ye shall die but if ye through the Spirit do mortifie the deeds of the body ye shall live Concerning Perseverance Phil. 1.6 Being confident of this very thing that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Christ 2 Pet. 1.10 Wherefore the rather Brethren give diligence to make your Calling and Election sure for if ye doe these things ye shall never fall John 10.28 And I give unto them eternal life and they shall never perish neither
prepared for them that love him Mark 9.43 And if thy hand offend thee cut it off it is better for thee to enter into life maimed than having two hands to go into Hell into the fire that never shall be quenched V. 44. Where their worm dieth not and their fire is not quenched V. 45. And if thy foot offend thee cut it off it is better for thee to enter halt into life than having two feet to be cast into Hell into the fire that never shall be quenched Mark 9.46 Where their worm dieth not and the fire is not quenched V. 48. Where their worm dieth not and the fire is not quenched Jude 21. Keep your selves in the love of God looking for the Mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal Life 1 Tim. 1.19 Holding Faith and a good Conscience which some having put away concerning Faith have made shipwrack THE Second PART Concerning PRACTICE OR A DISCOURSE containing several usefull Directions to be Practised by those who seriously desire to save their SOULES CHAP. I. Of Consideration 1. AT convenient times use to be alone and laying aside all worldly cares businesses spend now and then a secret hour in strict Self-examining and Considering how the case stands between God and thy soul Ask thy self these two serious Questions First What is it thy heart is most set upon What is thy great care thy main designe What is it that doth most deeply and most frequently possesse thy thoughts What is it that thou dost most love and prize and most desire to enjoy Is thy mind so spiritually inlightened as to see the lovelinesse of God and the greatnesse and excellency of that Glory that is to be had with him so as the main drift and bent of thy heart is after the enjoyment of God and to be happy with him forever Or dost thou find that the main bent of thy heart is to the things of this World to the Profits the Pleasures the sensual satisfactions of this life and these things thou most mindest regardest and labourest for these thy thoughts and heart most run upon Secondly Ask thy self whether ever thou didst feel and apprehend thy self in a lost and undone condition by reason of thy sins Hast thou not seen thy selfe in danger of everlasting misery Hast thou ever put this serious question to thy selfe what shall I do to be saved Hast thou in this or the like manner ever discoursed with thy self O my soul how stands the case with me What am I Am I a true Convert a real Penitent a new Creature one born again Have I an interest in Christ And is my peace made with God through him or am I as yet in the state of Nature under the guilt of all my sins with the wrath of God abiding on me If so is this a Condition to be rested in Let me advise thee as thou lovest thy soul to deal faithfully and in good sadnesse with thy self Let me advise thee to review and seriously to reflect upon the whole course of thy life past And besides thy natural vilenesse Consider how many actual sins failings miscarriages and violations of Gods righteous Law omissions of good commissions of evil thou hast been guilty of in the several parts of thy life and in the several places where thou hast lived Believe it few people do reckon up one sin of ten that they are guilty of Allow thy Conscience therefore a liberty to speak freely to thee and to set thy sins in order before thee And if thou findest thy self for the present in a bad condition and that the case is not with thee as it should be consider whether it will not be an extream folly and madnesse to go on in that course not minding nor regarding speedily to turn to God and to settle the great affairs of thy soul while thou hast time O Remember remember thou hast a precious and immortal soul that must be shortly either in Heaven or Hell either in unconceiveable Joyes or in endlesse easelesse and remedilesse torments Doth it not therefore concern thee to consider and cast about how to attain the one and escape the other Doth it not behoove thee to look to the securing of the main Chance and to deliver thy self from the wrath to come Believe it nothing undoes mankind more than want of due and serious Consideration than want of frequent examining the state of their Consciences and often pondering and thinking of their everlasting Concernments 2 Cor. 13.5 Examine your selves whether ye be in the Faith prove your owne selves know ye not your owne selves how that Jesus Christ is in you except ye be Reprobates Psal 119.59 I thought on my waies and turned my feet unto thy Testimonies V. 60. I made hast and delaied not to keep thy Commandements Isa 1.3 The Oxe knoweth his owner and the Ass his masters Crib but Israel doth not know my people doth not Consider Deut. 32.29 O that they were wise that they understood this that they would Consider their latter end Hag. 1.5 Now therefore thus saith the Lord of Hosts Consider your waies Lam. 3.40 Let us search and try our waies and turn again to the Lord. Gal. 6.4 Let every man prove his owne work and then shall he have rejoycing in himself and not in another V. 5. For every man shall bear his owne burden Psal 77.6 I call to remembrance my song in the night I commune with mine own heart and my Spirit made diligent search Rom. 14.12 So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God Ezra 8.22 The hand of our God is upon all them for good that seek him but his power and his wrath is against all them that forsake him CHAP. II. Of Repentance HAving seriously examined thy Conscience and impartially considered thy waies and course of life and the state of thy soul towards God The next duty I would advise thee beging the assistance of the Spirit of God to set upon the speedy practise of is true and serious and unfeigned repentance I shall therefore for thy benefit 1. Open the nature of true repentance 2. Give some directions about it 3. Some motives to it Repentance unto life is an Evangelical Grace wrought in the soul by the Spirit of God And the parts of it are these six 1. Conviction 2. Contrition 3. Hating and loathing sin 4. Confession of sin 5. Forsaking sin 6. Conversion and turning the bent of the heart towards God First Conviction The Spirit of God first opens a sinners eies before he breaks a sinners heart The soul of a true penitent is convinced and made apprehensive of these three things 1. The evil odiousnesse and filthiness of sin 2. The danger desert and mischievous effects and consequents of it 3. It s own deep guiltinesse both of Original and Actual sin I. The evil of sin appears in these seven particulars 1. 'T is contrary to Gods holy Nature 2. To his righteous Lawes 3. It
by his divine power raised and quickned his own body when it lay in the grave so he conveighs a spiritual life into all his members raising them from the death of sin and enabling them to walk in newnesse of life I live saith Paul Gal. 2.20 yet not I but Christ liveth in me And the life of Jesus is made manifest in our mortal bodies 2 Cor. 4.11 He that abideth in me and I in him saith our Saviour John 15.5 bringeth forth much fruit Beg therefore earnestly of the Lord that thou maiest be sanctified throughout in Spirit Soul and Body That thy Understanding Conscience and Will thy sensual affections and desires and thy whole outward man may be put into and kept in a good order and frame that the fear of God may dwell in thine heart continually and his Law be written in thy inward man Look to the bent and frame of thy heart that it be right towards God If thy heart be once ordered aright thou wilt look that thy outward conversation be ordered aright also Let it appear therefore thou art a living member of Christ by being a new Creature by unliving and undoing thy former sinful course Live not henceforth in any known sin but speedily forsake whatever thou knowest to be evil and displeasing unto God any kind of way Labour to testifie the sincerity of thy repentance and Faith by an holy life and an unblameable Conversation Set thy self in good earnest to walk religiously and holily before God righteously and uprightly before men and soberly and temperatly in the Government of thy self Let it be thy daily exercise with Paul to keep a good Canscience void of offence towards God and towards man Be careful of the duties both of the first and second Table And read often and carefully observe our Saviours Sermon in the Mount coâ—tained in the fifth sixth and seaventh Chapters of Matthew In summe beg a continual supply of strength from the sanctifying Spirit of Christ that though thou art to wrestle not only against flesh and blood but against Principalities and powers and spiritual wickednesses and against manifold temptations from the world yet notwithstanding through the aides of Grace the regenerate part in thee may overcome and that thou maist grow in Grace and be daily perfecting holinesse in the fear of God 2 Cor. 5.17 Therefore if any man be in Christ he is a new Creature Old things are past away behold all things are become new 1 Cor 6.11 And such were some of you but ye are washed but ye are sanctified but ye are justified in the Name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God Eph. 4.22 That ye put off concerning the former Conversation the old man which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts V. 23. And be renewed in the Spirit of your mind V. 24. And that ye put on that new man whiâ—h after God is created in righteousnesse and true holinesse Rom. 6.5 For if we have been planted together in the likenesse of his death we shall be also in the likenesse of his resurrection V. 6. Knowing this that our old man is crucified with him that the body of sin might be destroyed that henceforth we should not serve sin V. 14. For sin shall not have dominion over you for ye are not under the Law but under Grace 1 John 3.8 He that committeth sin is of the devil for the devil sinneth from the beginning for this purpose the Son of God was manifested that he might destroy the works of the devil 1 John 2.6 He that saith he abideth in him ought himselfe also to walk even as he walked 1 John 3.3 And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself even as he is pure Rom. 8.13 For if ye live after the flesh ye shall die but if ye through the Spirit do mortifie the deeds of the body ye shall live Eph. 3.16 That he would grant you according to the riches of his Glory to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man V. 17. That Christ may dwell in your hearts by Faith that ye being rooted and grounded in love V. 18. May be able to comprehend with all Saints what is the breadth and length and depth and heighth V. 19. And to know the love of Christ which passeth knowledge that ye might be filled with all the fulnesse of God 1 Cor. 7.1 Having therefore these promises dearly beloved let us cleanse our selves from all filthinesse of flesh and Spirit perfecting holinesse in the fear of God I eb 12.14 Follow peace with all men and holiness without which no man shall see the Lord. 1 Thes 5.23 And the very God of peace sanctifie you wholly and I pray God your whole Spirit and Soul and body be preserved blamless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ Gal. 5.17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit and the Spirit against the flesh and these are contrary the one to the other so that ye cannot do the things that ye would 1 Pet. 2.11 Dearly beloved I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul 2 Pet. 3.18 But grow in Grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ to him be Glory both now and for ever Amen Gal. 5.19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest which are these Adultery Fornication Uncleannesse Lasciviousness V. 20. Idolatry Witchcraft Hatred Variance Emulations Wrath Strife Seditions Heresies V. 21. Envyings Murders Drunkenness Revellings and such like of the which I tell you before as I have also told you in time past that they which do such things shall not inherit the Kingdom of God V. 22. But the fruit of the Spirit is Love Joy Peace Long-suffering Gentlenesse Goodnesse Faith V. 23. Meekness Temperance against such there is no Law V. 24. And they that are Christs have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts Phil. 2.15 That ye may be blamelesse and harmlesse the sons of God without rebuke in the midst of a crooked and perverse Nation among whom ye shine as Lights in the world 2 Pet. 1.5 And besides this giving all diligence add to your Faith vertue and to vertue Knowledge V. 6. And to Knowledge temperance and to temperance patience and to patience Godlinesse V. 7. And to Godliness Brotherly kindness and to Brotherly kindness Charity 1 Cor. 15.58 Therefore my beloved Brethren be ye stedfast unmoveable alwaies abounding in the work of the Lord forasmuch as ye know that your Labour is not in vain in the Lord. 1 Pet. 1.14 As obedient Children not fashioning your selves according to the former lusts in your ignorance V. 15. But as he which hath called you is holy so be ye holy in all manner of Conversation 1 Cor. 6 19 What know ye not that your body is the Temple of the holy Ghost which is in you which ye have of God and ye are not your own V. 20. For ye
keep silence saies the Heathen Poet. Choose either to speak that which is some way or other profitable or to be silent Now there may be a sinfull silence as in these cases 1. When God is dishonoured and we express no dislike of it 2. When 't is our duty to reprove an offending Brother and we neglect it 3. When our silence proceeds from want of delight in Spiritual things when we are free enough to any worldly discourse but cannot abide to speak of matters that concern our soules 4. When we are ashamed to own the waies of God for fear of reproach 5. When we neglect to give good counsell where we ought 3. Consider before thou speakest and be not rash with thy mouth Be slow to speak saith St. Jam. Chap. 1. v. 19. i. e. deliberate and advised Let thy mind be thy tongues guide When thy words are once out of thy mouth they are past recal And therefore one set a pretty moral picture over his table a place usually of too much licentious discourse of a man out of whose mouth many little birds flew which were his words which he with both his hands strove to catch again but could not Consider therefore before thou speakest and ere thy words be gone out of thy reach and power especially consider before thou promisest any thing Consider whether the thing be good fit convenient and in thy power and whether thy mind will suffer thee to do it or no He that does not this will be apt to erre and to ensnare himself by his owne words 4. Whatever thou hast covenanted agreed or promised be carefull to perform though to thy losse and damage If thou findest thy self unable to perform give notice betimes and crave either forbearance or a release 'T is a good caution that one gives that we should be exceeding careful what vowes we make to God or what promises to man 5. Be sure that whatever thou speakest be morally true i. e. that there be an agâ—eement between thy heart and tongue though thou art not obliged to speak all that thou knowest to be true at all times There may be somtimes malice in reporting the truth An eager desire to spread a fault wants not sin 6. Speak with a great deal of caution and warinesse where thou art aggrieved and dost think thou sufferest Trust not thy self if there be any the least touch of ill will or envy in thee towards the person spoken of Ill will never speaks well Under sense of wrong our mindes are apt to run into very uncharitable imaginations 7. Forbear altogether to speak when thou art in passion He that is in a high fit of passion is as truly drunk as he whose head is full of wine Passion is a bad counsellour and as ill a speaker Moses when in passion spake unadvisedly with his lips Psal 106.33 Job cursed the day of his Nativity Job 3.2.3 Jonah spake pettishly against God himself Jonah 4.9 8. Deal with anothers good name as thou wouldst be willing thine own should be dealt with be very wary of speaking of the credit of others on bare reports A good name is better than riches Prov. 22.1 Possibly thou abhorrest to steal from thy neighbour or be thought a thief do not then rob him of his good name which is more percious than worldly substance By a good name many have done good after their death by the losse of it many have been rendred useless while they lived 9. Be not severe-spirited and apt to interpret every thing in the worst sense Let charity have its perfect work 'T is better to erre ten times in a way of charity than once in a way of cruelty Goodness is least suspitious Gracious hearts reflect most upon themselves they do not seek so much what to reprove in others as what to amend in themselves they love to look inwards and being sensible of their own failings are tender in reflecting on the weaknesses of others whereas those that are most inquisitive into the lives of others are usually most carelesse in reforming their owne Sharp censurers and reprovers had need be very exact in their own lives else in judging others they pronounce their own doom Be not apt therefore to judge or censure the actions of others Consider how often thou thy selfe hast offended use another with the same mercy thou wouldst have shewed to thy self Gal. 6.1 Brethren if any man be overtaken in a fault ye which are spiritual restore such a one in the Spirit of meekness considering thy self lest thou also be tempted They that are most spiritual are most tender to set a fallen Christian in joynt again Consider well therefore before thou pronounce too hard a censure upon thy brother If thou canst not excuse the action yet consider possibly the intent was good or it might proceed from ignorance or some violent temptation and that thou thy self maist so fall if so tempted and God do not sustain thee Bernard tels of a man that hearing of a fallen brother fell into a bitter weeping and said he is fallen to day and I may fall to morrow Therefore cherish an humble sense of thine own frailty and that will make thee charitable towards others And be especially careful thou dost not make the failings and miscarriages of others which should be matter of grief to thee and set thee upon praying for them 1 John 5.16 to serve thee for mirth and sport And yet this is the usual entertainment of this corrupt world But the Apostle tels us 1 Cor. 13.6 Charity rejoyceth not in iniquity and therefore it cannot make the sins and failings of others its recreation 10. Do not recite jests made upon Scripture or contrived out of Scripture phrase which can hardly be told or heard without leaving in the mind some diminution of the Majesty and Authority of Gods Word the Dignity whereof all ought to maintain Therefore 't is ill trusting our corruptions with the bare reporting of such jests made by wicked wits on Scripture abused for fear of the bad effects that may ensue thereupon Our tongue is our glory Psal 57.8 With that we should blesse the Lord at all times his praise should be continually in our mouthes Psal 34 1. With that we should labour to do good to others with whom we converse Let us not then pervert it from the right use Moral infection spreads abroad by words as the pestilential doth by a corrupt breath 11. Speak with great modesty when the matter any way relates to thine own commendation A mans praise smels sweet out of anothers mouth but stinks out of his own 12. Speak not ill of any except it be upon just occasion and in order to some good that God may have Glory thereby and the persons whom thou speakest may be warned and admonished 13. In stead of speaking ill or censuring thy brother privatly admonish him but do it not in a masterly way but in the Spirit of meeknesse Let love sweeten
thy words When love rules in the heart the law of kindnesse is in the tongue 14. Lastly Consider what Solomon saies Prov. 10.19 In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin and he that refraineth his lips is wise Due and befitting silence is many times a great preseâ—ver of innocency but when the tongue runs very fast and speaks more than comes to its share 't is ordinarily a servant either to pride or passion Psal 39.1 I said I will take heed to my waies that I sin not with my tongue I will keep my mouth with a bridle while the wicked is before me Psal 17.3 I am purposed that my mouth shall not transgresse Psal 141.3 Set a watch O Lord before my mouth keep the door of my lips Mat. 12.34 O generation of vipers how can ye being evil speak good things for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh V. 35. A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things V. 36. But I say unto you that every idle word that men shall speak they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment Prov. 13.3 He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life but he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction Jam. 1.26 If any man among you seem to be religious and bridleth not his tongue but deceiveth his own heart this mans religion is vain Jam. 3.2 For in many things we offend all if any man offend not in word the same is a perfect man and able also to bridle the whole body V. 3. Behold we put bits in the horses mouthes that they may obey us and we turn about their whole body V. 4. Behold also the ships which though they be so great and are driven of fierce windes yet are they turned about with a very small helm whithersoever the Governour listeth V. 5. Even so the tongue is a little member and boasteth great things behold how great a matter a little fire kindleth V. 6. And the tongue is a fire a world of iniquity so is the tongue amongst our members that it defileth the whole body and setteth on fire the course of nature and is set on fire of Hell Col. 4.6 Let your speech be alway with Grace seasoned with salt that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man Eph. 4.29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth but that which is good to the use of edifying that it may minister Grace unto the hearers Eph. 5.3 But fornication and all uncleannesse or covetousness let it not be once named amongst you as becometh Saints V. 4. Neither filthinesse nor foolish talking nor jesting which are not convenient but rather giving of thanks 1 Cor. 15.33 Be not deceived evil communications corrupt good manners Psal 106.33 They provoked his spirit so that he i. e. Moses spake unadvisedly with his lips Prov. 15.28 The heart of the righteous studieth to answer but the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things 1 Sam. 2.3 Talk no more so exceeding proudly let not arrogancy come out of your mouth for the Lord is a God of knowledge and by him actions are weighed Prov. 10.11 The mouth of a righteous man is a well of life but violence covereth the mouth of the wicked V. 19. In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin but he that refraineth his lips is wise V. 20. The tongue of the just is as choice silver the heart of the wicked is little worth V 21. The lips of the righteous feed many but fooles die for want of wisdome Prov. 17.27 He that hath knowledge spareth his words and a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit Psal 37.30 The mouth of the righteous speaketh wisdome and his tongue talketh of judgment Psal 34.12 What man is he that desireth life and loveth many daies that he may see good V. 13. Keep thy tongue from evil and thy lips from speaking guile Psal 12 4 Who have said with our tongue will we prevail our lips are our own who is Lord over us Psal 140.3 They have sharpned their tongues like a Serpent adders poison is under their lips Selah Rom. 3.13 Their throat is an open sepulchre with their tongues they have used deceit the poison of aspes is under their lips V. 14. Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitternesse Prov. 16.27 An ungodly man diggeth up evil and in his lips there is a burning fire Prov. 15.4 A wholesom tongue is a tree of life but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit V. 7. The lips of the wise disperse knowledge but the heart of the foolish doth not so Prov. 14.3 In the mouth of the foolish is a rod of pride but the lips of the wise shall preserve them Prov. 12.18 There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword but the tongue of the wise is health Prov. 17.5 Whoso mocketh the poor reproacheth his maker and he that is glad at calamities shall not be unpunished Prov. 31.26 She openeth her mouth with wisdom and in her tongue is the Law of kindnesse Tit. 3.1 2. Put them in mind c. To speak evil of no man to be no brawlers but gentle shewing all meeknesse unto all men Mat. 5.22 But I say unto you that whosâ—ever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment and whosoever shall say unto his brother Racha shall be in danger of the councel but whosoever shall say thou fool shall be in danger of hell-fire Levit. 19.16 Thou shalt not go up and down as a tale-bearer among thy people Prov. 11.13 A tale bearer revealeth secrets but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter Prov. 25.18 A man that beareth false witnesse against his neighbour is a maul and a sword and a sharp arrow Prov. 20.19 He that goeth about as a talebearer revealeth secrets therefore meddle not with him that flattereth with his lips Psal 15.1 Lord who shall abide in thy Tabernacle V. 2. He that speaketh the truth in his heart V. 3. He that backbiteth not with his tongue nor doth evil to his neighbour nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbour Jer. 18.18 And they said come let us devise devices against Jeremiah come let us smite him with the tongue and let us not give heed to any of his words Job 5.21 Thou shalt be hid from the scourge of the tongue neither shalt thou be afraid of destruction when it cometh Psal 31.20 Thou shalt hide them in the secret of thy presence from the pride of man thou shalt keep them secretly in a pavilion from the strife of tongues Prov. 6.1 My son if thou be surety for thy friend if thou hast stricken thy hand with a stranger V. 2. Thou art snared with the words of thy mouth thou art taken with the words of thy mouth Prov. 12.13 The wicked is snared by the
transgression of his lips but the just shall come out of trouble Isa 63.8 For he said surely they are my people children that will not lie so he was their Saviour Prov. 6.16 These six things doth the Lord hate yea seaven are an abomination unto him V. 17. A proud look a lying tongue and hands that shed innocent blood c. Zeph. 3.13 The remnant of Israel shall not do iniquity nor speak lies neither shall a deceitful tongue be found in their mouth for they shall feed and lie down and none shall make them afraid Levit. 19.12 And ye shall not swear by my Name falsely neither shalt thou profane the Name of thy God I am the Lord. Prov. 21.6 The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a vanity tossed to and fro of them that seek death Prov. 17.14 The beginning of strife is as when one letteth out water therefore leave off contention before it is medled with Prov. 18.6 A fooles lips enter into contention and his mouth calleth for stroakes Eccles 5.6 Suffer not thy mouth to cause thy flesh to sin neither say thou before the Angel that it was an errour wherefore should God be angry at thy voice and destroy the work of thine hands Numb 12.8 With him will I speak mouth to mouth even apparently and not in dark speeches and the similitude of the Lord shall he behold wherefore then were ye not afraid to speak against my servant Moses 1 Tim. 5.19 Against an Elder receive not an accusation but before two or three witnesses Prov. 27.2 A stone is heavy and the sand weighty but a fooles wrath is heavier than them both Levit. 19.17 Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thine heart thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy neighbour and not suffer sin upon him Eph. 5.11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness but rather reprove them Psal 141.5 Let the righteous smite me it shall be a kindnesse and let him reprove me it shall be an excellent oile which shall not break my head Prov. 15.5 A fool despiseth his Fathers instruction but he that regardeth reproof is prudent 1 Pet. 3.8 Finally be ye all of one mind having compassion one of another love as brethren be pitiful be courteous V. 9. Not rendring evil for evil or railing for railing but contrariwise blessing knowing that ye are thereunto called that ye should inherit a blessing Fourthly Watch over thy Actions The Apostle gives us an excellent exhortation in the 5th to the Ephes v. 15. See that ye walk circumspectly not as foâ—ls but as wise And in 1 Pet. 1.15 We are commanded to be holy in all manner of conversation True and real Christianity is a careful businesse There is a great deal of watchfulnesse and circumspection required to keep our Consciences void of offence towards God and towards men O how sad a sight is it to see men in words professing Christ and yet in works denying him Shew me thy Faith by thy works saies St. James And our Saviour in Mat. 5.16 Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good workes and glorifie your Father which is in Heaven The men of the world have their eies on the lives and conversations of Professors they know not what they do in their closets they care not much what they do in the congregation they look what the tenour and course of their lives is O therefore let those that name the Name of Christ depart from all iniquity Let such as profess themselves real Châ—istians and true converts take heed of being taken tardy in such things which meer moral men that are strangers to the life of Grace cannot be justly charged with Be very careful therefore of and watchfull over all thy actions Take heed the Name of God be not blasphemed nor his honour wounded by any ungodly action of thine Take heed of bringing a scandal on Religion and a reproach on the Gospel If ever thou wouldst win others to Religion thou must be exemplary in holinesse and righteousnesse thy self it is a woful thing to be an offence and stumbling block to others and to be an occasion of keeping them off from embracing the waies of God O therefore take heed of doing any such things as may make Religion stink in the nostrils of profane men Take heed of doing any thing that is not justifiable or warrantable and which may be an active scandal unto others Indeed there are passive scandals and offences such as wicked men take through their own corrupt and malicious hearts as the Pharisees did at Christ But such people destroy themselves and like Serpents turn every thing they eat into poison But the true Christian is tender of Gods Glory and the repute of Religion and therefore dares not do such things as are unwarrantable If Augustus could say an Emperor should not only be free from crimes but the very suspition of them How much more should true Christians labour to be such who are commanded to abstain from all appearance of evil 1 Thes 5 22. Do nothing therefore that is misbecomming a real Christian As Nehemiah once said shall such a man as I flee Nehem. 6.11 So do thou reflect upon thy self when tempted to any evil action Shall such an one as I lie swear deal deceitfully be proud be covetous be earthly minded c O! if ever thou shouldst be overcome with such things thou maist say to thy self truly what Michal said falsely to David Thou hast made thy self like one of the vile and base ones of the earth That therefore thou maist be the more seriously watchful over all thy actions take these three directions 1. Look carefully to the principle the spring the rise of them Observe from whence all thy external obedience flowes Does it come from an inward principle of Grace from a sanctified heart from a new Nature from a principle of Faith and Love or from external motives and outward respects and considerations 'T is not the matter that makes the work good but the principle Some things may be done for the matter good and some external obedience performed by meer natural men and that either for credit or upon the impulses of natural Conscience out of bondage and a servile frame of spirit like fruits that are ripened by art and force not naturally and kindly but 't is not enough to do actions good and just as to the matter but we must do them out of love to God and obedience to his will and in Faith expecting our reward from him 2. Look to thy rule Is the Word of God the rule and square of thy actions Thy Word is a light to my feet and a lanthorn to my paths saies David Psal 119.105 And as many as walk according to this rule peace be on them and mercy and upon the Israel of God saies Paul Gal. 6.16 Many people watch in a disorderly way They have no Law or Rule but their own lusts and
corrupt wills no guide but their own blind passions and humours But if thou wouldst order thy actions aright take the Word of God for thy Rule 3. Look to thy aim and end Thy main and ultimate end must be Gods Glory A Christians whole life should be a living unto God Gal. 2.19 All that is done be it an act of Piety Justice Temperance or Charity it should be done with this aim that God might be glorified thereby In all thy actions therefore whether natural civil or spiritual thou must still designe the Glory of God But of this we have spoken more under the fourth particular of this Chapter Jam. 2.12 So speak ye and so do as they that shall be judged by the Law of Liberty 1 Pet. 1.15 But as he which hath called you is holy so be ye holy in all manner of conversation 2 Pet. 3.11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and Godlinesse Mat. 7.22 Many will say to me in that day Lord Lord have we not prophesied in thy Name and in thy Name have cast out Devils and in thy Name done many wonderful works V. 23. And then will I professe unto them I never knew you depart from me ye that work iniquity Heb. 12.14 Follow peace with all men and holinesse without which no man shall see the Lord. Tit. 2.14 Who gave himself for us that he might redeem us from all iniquity and purifie unto himself a peculiar people zealous of good works 1 John 3.3 And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself even as he is pure Eph. 5.15 See then that ye walk circumspectly not as fooles but as wise V. 16. Redeeming the time because the daies are evil Col. 4.5 Walk in wisdom towards them that are without redeeming the time 2 Cor. 1.12 For our rejoycing is this the testimony of our Conscience that in simplicity and Godly sincerity not with fleshly wisdome but by the Grace of God we had our conversation in the world and more abundantly to you wards Isa 38.3 And Hezekiah said remember now O Lord I beseech thee how I have walked before thee in truth and with a perfect heart and have done that which is good in thy sight and Hezekiah wept sore Acts 24.16 And herein do I exercise my self to have alwaies a Conscience void of offence toward God and toward men Jam. 1. ult Pure Religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this to visit the fatherlesse and widowes in their affliction and to keep himself unspotted from the world Jam. 2. ult For as the body without the spirit is dead so Faith without workes is dead also Mat. 5.16 Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorifie your Father which is in Heaven Prov. 16.17 The high way of the upright is to depart from evil he that keepeth his way preserveth his soul Ezek. 36.27 And I will put my Spirit within you and cause you to walk in my statutes and ye shall keep my Judgments and do them 1 Cor 6.20 For ye are bought with a price therefore glorifie God in your body and in your spirit which are Gods 1 Tim. 1.5 Now the end of the Commandment is charity out of a pure heart and of a good Conscience and of Faith unfeigned 2 Tim. 2.19 Neverthelesse the foundation of God standeth sure having this seal the Lord knoweth them that are his and let every one that nameth the Name of Christ depart from iniquity Eph 4.1 I therefore the Prisoner of the Lord beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called Luke 3.8 Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance 2 Cor. 5.10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ that every one may receive the things done in his body according to that he hath done whether it be good or bad Rom. 12.2 And be not conformed to this world but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind that ye may prove what is that good that acceptable and perfect will of God Phil. 2.15 That ye may be blamelesse and harmlesse the sons of God without rebuke in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation among whom ye shine as Lights in the world Phil. 4 8. Finally Brethren whatsoever things are true whatsoever things are honest whatsoever things are just whatsoever things are pure whatsoever things are lovely whatsoever things are of good report if there be any vertue and if there be any praise think on these things Having now dispatched those four things thou must watch over namely thy Thoughts thy Affections thy Words and thy Actions I come now in the second place to speak of those six things thou must especially watch against 1. Against those sins thou art most enclined to by temper and natural constitution The weakest part of the City must have the strongest guard Some Affections are predominant in one Age some in another There are youthful lusts 2 Tim. 2.22 as well as infirmities proper to old Age. 'T was a great Argument of Davids sincerity that he could truly say Psal 18 23. I was upright before thee and kept my self from mine iniquity Study therefore thy heart and consider what sins thou art most prone unto All sins fight against the soul but thy Master sin is the Goliah endeavour through the aids of Grace to slay that and the whole Army of the Philistines will be easily vanquished 2. Against the sins thou art most obnoxious to by reason of thy particular Calling Condition State and Course of life A man by reason of his calling or condition of life may have more frequent and stronger inducements to some sins than to others which he is therefore the more especially to keep watch against 2 King 5.18 In this thing the Lord pardon thy servant that when my Master goeth into the house of Rimmon to worship there and he leaneth on my hand and I bow my self in the house of Rimmon when I bow down my self in the house of Rimmon the Lord pardon thy servant in this thing 3. Against the sins of the times and places wherein thou livest We must be careful of being carried away with the evil of the times 'T is a description of wicked men Eph. 2.2 that they walked according to the course of this world i. e. according to the Age as the manner of the times went But of righteous Noah we have another kind of Character Gen. 6.9 Noah was a just man upright in his generation Noah walked wtih God And so in 2 Chron. 17.3.4 We read that the Lord was with Jehosaphat because he walked in the first waies of his Father David and sought not unto Baalim but sought to the Lord God of his Father and walked in his Commandments and not after the doings of Israel And the Apostle exhorts the Philippians Chap. 2. v. 15. that
thanksgiving 1 Thes 5 6. Let us not sleep as do others but let us watch and be sober Rev. 3.2 Be watchful and strengthen the things which remain that are ready to die for I have not found thy works perfect before God V. 3. Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard and hold fast and repent if thou shalt not watch I will come on thee as a thief and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee Rev. 16.15 Behold I come as a thief Blessed is he that watcheth and keepeth his garments Eph. 6 10. Finally my Brethren be strong in the Lord and in the power of his might V. 11. Put on the whole armour of God that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil V. 12. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood but against principalities against powers against the rulers of the darkness of this world against spiritual wickednesse in high places V. 13. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day and having done all to stand V. 14. Stand therefore having your loins girt about with truth and having on the breast-plate of righteousnesse V. 15. And your feet shod with the preparation of the Gospel of peace V. 16. Above all things taking the shield of Faith wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked V. 17. And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God V. 18. Praying alwaies with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit and watching thereunto with all perseverance c. CHAP. VI. CArefully make use of all good means God hath appointed for the begetting and increasing saving Knowledge and Grace in thee Under this head I shall treat of these five Particulars 1. The Observation of the Lords day 2. Hearing the Word 3. Singing Psalmes 4. Religious Conference 5. Retired holy Meditations 1. Concerning the Observation of the Lords day Be careful religiously to observe the Lords day the Christian Sabbath The Law of Nature dictates to us that there ought to be a due proportion of time set apart for Gods solemn Worship and Service God hath in his Word appointed one day in seaven to be kept holy to him which was the last day of the week from the beginning of the world to the resurrection of Christ and the first day of the week ever since and so to continue to the end of the world which is the Christian Sabbath and in the new Testâ—ment call'd the Lords day I shall here do two things 1. Shew the Reasons why we should observe this day 2. The Manner how we should observe it The first I shall shew in these Particulars following I. We find a Sabbath instituted by God himself from the beginning Gen. 2.2 3. And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made and God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made Before we read of the fall of Adam we read of a seventh day blessed and sanctified by God himself God blessed the seventh day that is dispensed a peculiar favour towards it exalted that day above the rest which is intimated in the next words he sanctified it that is he separated and consecrated it to his own holy Worship and annexed a blessing to the observation of it Adam did not need a day of rest in innocency by reason of any bodily wearinesse that would have betided him upon his six daies labour in his calling of husbandry yet God saw it convenient to enjoyn him to set apart one day in seven to enjoy more especial communion with his Creator Now if Adam in innocency when he had no sin in him had need of a Sabbath to take him off from the works of his calling that he might converse with God more immediatly in holy duties and exercises How much more need have we in this corrupt estate who are so prone to sin and had need of all helps against it Well then we find in the very beginning that the Law concerning the Sabbath was given while the whole Nature of mankind was in our first Parents even before they fell They might have lived here on the earth without sin but they were not to live without a Sabbath After the fall when Enos was born of Seth the son of Adam it is said that then men began to call on the Name of the Lord Gen. 4. ult That is as I take it to call upon his Name in publick Assemblies And most like it is the day they observed was the same that Abel and Seth and Adam observed before them and the rest of the Patriarchs after them Namely that day of the week in which God himself rested having finished the great work of the worlds creation Even before the Law saith learned Mercer upon Gen. I doubt not but this day by Gods teaching was solemn and sacred to those primitive Fathers Neither did the observation thereof saith Peter Martyr loc com cap. 7. begin with the giving of the law in Sinai but it was celebrated before Of the same opinion is the judicious Rivet who answers all Arguments brought to the contrary in 2 Gen. Exerc. 13. And indeed there is no reason to think otherwise For besides that in Adams heart the Law of Nature was perfectly imprinted and to consecrate some time to the Worship of God was and is a member of that Law 'T is more than probable God did dictate and prescribe to Adam all circumstances of his Worship which by tradition past to his posterity and were in their several Families until Moses observed II. We find a Sabbath observed by the Patriarchs in Exod. 16. Before the giving of the Law we find there an expresse charge touching the observation of it and two such Miracles to ratifie and set a value upon it v. 22 27. as seldom we read of greater The Manna fell in great plenty on the six daies and on the seventh none 2. Being gathered on the sixth day it remained sweet to the seventh and not so on any other day Observed therefore it was at this time and surely in obedience to Gods command For we must not impute will-worship to these holy men I shall end this with the words of the learned Paraeus in Com. on Gen. God sanctified the Sabbath in the very prime creation and doubtless that sanctification was observed in the Patriarchal Families III. After all this we find the day again for the better observation of it proclaimed on Mount Sinai Exod. 20. and that in a very dreadful and glorious manner having a more solemn entrance into it and more solemn reasons to hedge it in and confirm it than any of the other Commandements God being to give his moral and
i. e. in spiritual exercises and Meditations and by meanes thereof in spiritual raptures and elevations of soul VIII The Church succeeding the Apostles held her seâ—f obliged to the same observation For even in times of persecution before any either Imperial Edict or Canon of Council enjoyned it the observation of this day was so taken notice of by the Heathen that it became a constant interrogatory to the Christians in their examining Have you kept the Lords day To which their answer was ever ready I cannot intermit it for I am a Christian and the law of God prompts me to it Baron 30.3 Memb. 5. Now if any man shall enquire how the Sabbath came to be translated into the Lords day I answer Christ in the fourty daies he staied upon the earth after his resurrection did sundry times appear to his Disciples teaching them the things appertaining to the Kingdome of God Acts 1.3 Therefore 't is probable the Apostles were instructed by Christ concerning the change of the day from the seventh to the eighth and had special order immediatly from himself concerning it 'T is evident Christ is Lord of the Sabbath Mark 2.27 And therefore had power not only to abrogate the old Sabbath but to surrogate and substitute the new in its room But whether this day were instituted immediatly by Christ himself or by his Apostles guided and infallibly inspired by his holy Spirit after his ascention still the day will be of Divine Institution And this Act of theirs will appear but the execution of a particular Command from the Spirit of Christ to that purpose For consider how Christ sent these Apostles As my Father sent me so send I you John 20.21 He that heareth you heareth me Luke 10.16 Go Mat. 28.19 There is their mission Teach all Nations There is their Commission What Why What things I command you and to assist and help you Lo I am with you alwaies to the end of the world not in corporal presence but by my Spirit the Comforter whom I will send you John 15.26 And he shall bring all things to your remembrance whatsoever I have said unto you John 14.26 This Spirit of Truth shall not speak of himself but whatsoever he shall hear that shall he speak He shall receive of mine and shew it you Thus we see the Apostles were undoubtedly inspired by the Spirit of Christ who revealed his will unto them And that they were thus acted by the holy Ghost they themselves testifie in their first Council It seemed good to the holy Ghost and to us Acts 15.28 Thus we see there are two things whereon the Divine right of the Lords day is founded Upon the morality of the fourth Commandement and upon Evangelical Institution either by Christ himself or his Apostles And what the Apostles delivered by the dictate of the holy Ghost is as firm and indefeizable saies Cyprian de ablut pedum as what Christ himself Our Church reduceth the institution of this day as a weekly day to the fourth Commandement and as the first day of the week she foundeth it upon Apostolical practise and tradition I shall conclude this with the words of the judicious Hooker in his Eccles Pol. Book 5. parag 17. We are bound saies he to account the sanctification of one day in seven a duty which Gods immutable Law doth exact for ever although with us the day be changed in regard of a new revolution begun by our Saviour Christ yet the same proportion of time continueth which was before by way of a perpetual homage never to be dispensed withal nor remitted I come now to the second Particular The manner how we ought to observe this day 1. We ought to prepare for the Sabbath before it comes by a prudent care so disposing and dispatching our worldly businesses and affairs that they may be off our hands and out of our minds as much as is possible on that day that so our hearts may be more free and fit for those spiritual duties then required of us The Jewes before the Sabbath had a time of preparation Luke 23.54 Why should not we 2. We ought to sanctifie the Lords day not only by resting from worldly employments and recreations on other daies lawful but consecrating that rest unto God making it our delight to spend the whole time excepting so much of it as is to be taken up in works of necessity and mercy and such as are needful for the comfortable passing of the Sabbath in the publick and private exercises of Gods Worship and Service Such as Prayer Reading the Scripture Preparing for the publick duties Attending on the Word Singing the praises of God Private meditation on that which hath been preached Repetition thereof in the Family and religious conference to make the publick Ordinances the more profitable Take heed therefore of being found a slighter of those duties the neglect whereof cannot consist with any true vigour and power of Religion or any due care of our own or others soules that we ought to have a care of Consider God hath blessed and sanctified this day not only as a day of service to himself but as a time wherein he will confer blessings on the conscionable observers of it It is his special day of proclaiming and sealing pardons to penitent sinners 'T is a blessed day to the careful observers of it and sanctâ—fied to many gracious purposes The Sabbath was made for man said our Saviour Mark 2.27 i. e. For mans great benefit and advantage It would not be for the good and benefit of mankind to be dispensed with from the religious observation of it How much then are they to blame that make it a day of carnal rest a day of Idlenesse and jollity of feasting and pastimes which more alienate the mind from God than ordinary labours and take away the tast of spiritual things Some people if they have any visit to make or any odd businesse to do they refer them to this day Some keep the Sabbath as the Oxe they rest from their labours but serve not the Lord that day They are weary of the duties of the Sabbath they do not call the Sabbath a delight as it is Isa 58.13 Delight sweetens any labour How will people toyl at their sports and pleasures O had we spiritual hearts we should account the celebration of the Sabbath not only our duty but our priviledge By observing the Sabbath we continue a thankful remembrance of the two great benefits of Creation and Redemption which contain a short abridgment of true Religion The Sabbath duly observed is a type of the everlasting rest that remaines for the people of God Heb. 4.9 How then can those ever think to come to Heaven and to keep an everlasting Sabbath in praising and adoring God to whom the celebration of a weekly Sabbath is so tedious and irksom here 3. Every true Christian is to take care not onâ—y to sanctifie the Lords day himself but that
those under his charge do the like Every Governour of a Family should resolve with pious Joshuah Josh 24.15 But as for me and my house we will serve the Lord. Observe it True Religion and the power of Godliness hath there usually most flourished where the Lords day hath been most conscientiously observed And many direful judgments have befallen the violators and prophaners of it Gen. 2.2 And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made and he rested on the seventh day from all the work which he had made V. 3. And God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made Lev. 23.3 Six daies shall thy work be done but the seventh day is the Sabbath of rest an holy convocation ye shall do no work therein it is the Sabbath of the Lord in all your dwellings Nehem. 13.19 And it came to passe that when the gates of Jerusalem began to be dark before the Sabbath I commanded that the gates should be shut and charged that they should not be opened till after the Sabbath and some of my servants set I at the gates that there should no burden be brought in on the Sabbath day Isa 58.13 If thou turn away thy feet from the Sabbath from doing thy pleasure on my holy day and call the Sabbath a delight the holy of the Lord honourable and shalt honour him not doing thine own waies nor finding thine own pleasure nor speaking thine own words Luke 23.54 And that day was the preparation and the Sabbath drew on V. 56. And they returned and prepared spices and ointments and rested the Sabbath day according to the Commandement Exod. 23.12 Six daies shalt thou do thy work and on the seventh day thou shalt rest that thine Oxe and thine Asse may rest and the son of thine hand-maid and the stranger shall be refreshed Ezek. 22.26 Her Priests have violated my Law and have prophaned mine holy things they have put no difference between the holy and prophane neither have they shewed difference between the unclean and the clean and have hid their eies from my Sabbaths and I am prophaned among them Ezek. 23.38 Moreover this they have done unme they have defiled my Sanctuary in the same day and have prophaned my Sabbaths Amos 8.4 Saying when will the New Moon be gone that we may sell corn and the Sabbath that we may set forth wheat c. Lam. 1.7 Jerusalem remembred in the daies of her affliction and of her miseries all her pleasant things that she had in the daies of old when her people fell into the hand of the enemy and none did help her the adversaries saw her and did mock at her Sabbaths Ezek. 20.20 Hallow my Sabbaths and they shall be a sign between me and you that ye may know that I am the Lord your God Isa 56.2 Blessed is the man that doth this and the son of man that layeth hold on it that keepeth the Sabbath from polluting it and keepeth his hand from doing evil V. 4. For thus saith the Lord unto the Eunuches that keep my Sabbaths and chuse the things that please me and take hold of my Covenant V. 6. Also the sons of the stranger that joyn themselves to the Lord to serve him and to love the Name of the Lord to be his servants every one that keepeth the Sabbath from polluting it and taketh hold of my Covenant V. 7. Even them will I bring to my holy Mountain and make them joyful in my house of prayer their burnt Offerings and their Sacrifices shall be accepted upon mine Altar for mine house shall be called an house of prayer for all people Mark 2.27 And he said unto them the Sabbath was made for man and not man for the Sabbath V. 28. Therefore the Son of man is Lord also of the Sabbath Psal 92. Title A Psalm or Song for the Sabbath day Mat. 5.17 Think not that I am come to destroy the Law or the Prophets I am not come to destroy but to fulfill Luke 4.16 And he came to Nazareth where he had been brought up and as his custome was he went into the Synagogue on the Sabbath day and stood up for to read Acts 20.7 And upon the first day of the week when the Disciples came together to break bread Paul preached unto them ready to depart on the morrow and continued his speech untill midnight 1 Cor. 16.1 Now concerning the Collection for the Saints as I have given order to the Churches of Galatia even so do ye V. 2. Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay up in store as God hath prospered him that there be no gatherings when I come Rev. 1.10 I was in the Spirit on the Lords day Psal 118.24 This is the day which the Lord hath made we will rejoyce and be glad in it 2. Hearing the Word We live in an age wherein through the rich mercy of God there is much good preaching but 't is a general complaint there is so little profiting We see not those gracious effects of the Word that were to be desired and wished And certainly one main reason of it is few take care to hear in a right manner as they ought to do That therefore thou maist so hear as to profit I shall shew thee 1. What thou art to do before thou hearest by way of preparation 2. What thou art to do in time of Hearing 3. What after thou hast Heard For the First Thou must prepare thy heart before thou comest to hear Rash entring on duties is seldom successeful If the ground be not prepared the seed is lost that is sown therein Plow up the fallow ground of your hearts saies the Prophet Jer. 4.3 and sow not among thorns In a fallow piece of ground you know thorns and briers weeds and thistles use to grow And such a thing is mans heart naturally which if let alone and no paines taken with it will quickly be overgrown with hurtful cares stinking lusts and distempered affections And therefore St. James adviseth Jam. 1.21 That before we go to hear the Word we should lay apart all filthinesse and superfluity of naughtinesse i. e. all evil frames of heart And how hard a matter that is I appeal to the experience of every true and sincere Christian That holy man Gerson professes he many times spent some hours before he could get his heart in tune for solemn duties Gods children have entred comfortably on duties â—hen they have been serious and careful in their preparations for them To help thee therefore to prepare thy heart for the Word take these Directions 1. Lay aside as much as possibly thou canst all worldly thoughts cares and businesses that thy mind may be free for God and the impressions of his Word and holy Spirit On Saturday night shut up the gates of thy heart against the world as Nehemiah Chap. 13. v. 19.20 did the
this duty there usually they are in a most thriving condition both as to knowledge and holinesse As Countreys that maintain a trade and commerce together do inrich each other 5. 'T is a good way to prevent seduction into errour Christians are better able to resist errours by their united forces and mutual counsels than singly and alone The Church is said Cant. 6.10 to be terrible as an Army with banners But straglers and such as go alone are often snatcht up How easie is it to pervert and draw one single person into any dangerous errour who neglects the benefit of other Christians advice and counsel 6. It will be a good means to increase love in the hearts of Christians one towards another And Love is Christ's Livery John 13.35 By this shall all men know that ye are my Disciples if ye have love one to another Thus much of the Arguments to perswde to this duty The Directions follow I. Let Christians in their Religious Conferences have this principally in their aim to edifie one another to further one another Heaven-ward to do good to one another soules II. Let them labour for those Graces that are requisite for this duty Such as these 1. Sobriety of judgment 2. Humility and lowlinesse of mind 3. Ingenuity acknowledging and prizing the Gifts and Graces they see in each other 4. Self-denial condescending to them of low parts going a slow pace rather than outgoing the young and tender lambs 5. Love affability encouraging weak beginners 6. Inoffensivenesse 7. Sincerity and plain heartedness III. Let them avoid censuring or judging the Spiritual state of others Such persons meet together for the worse and not for the better IV. Let them decline controverted points such things usually gendring strife and variance and apply themselves to speak of things that are practical As of God and his Goodnesse Of Christ his Person Offices and Merits Of the Covenant of Grace Of the Doctrine of justification Of the patience and self-denial of those that are gone before us Of Heaven and the Glory of that Kingdom How did the Martyrs in prison by such ravishing discourses set one another at liberty from the fears of death How did holy Bradford's sweet and cheerful company make the very dungeons lightsom and palace-like to his fellow-prisoners as themselves confessed These and such like practical matters will be the fittest subjects for Christians to discourse of when they meet together V. Let them impart their experiences and the methods of Gods dealings with themselves or others How they got rid of such a corruption vanquished such a temptation attain'd to a facility in such a duty Let them impart what may tend to the advancement of Holinesse VI. Let them provoke and stir up one another to Holinesse to Love and to good works admonishing and exhorting one another to watch and take heed to their waies seeing so many watch for their haltings like those the Prophet speaks of Jer. 20.10 All my familiars watched for my halting c. VII If any fallings out or jars shall happen among them at any time let them be prudently and seasonably healed and made up And in this case praying together and for one another is of singular use Let them as the Apostle speaks in another case Jam. 5.16 Confesse their faults one to another and pray one for another that they may be healed if their minds have been distempered and ill-affected one towards another 5. Retired holy Meditation Holy Meditation is the acting of the mind upon some Divine Object in order to the working upon the affections and raising fome fit resolutions in the soul therefrom tending to Gods Glory and the furtherance of Holinesse How many Christians are there that live in a constant neglect of this so exceeding useful duty by which all other duties are improved and by which the soul digesteth truths and draweth forth their strength for its nourishment and refreshing Certainly Meditation rightly mannaged doth exceedingly tend to the advancement of Piety I shall therefore 1. Give some Reasons why we should practise it 2. Give some Directions as to the manner how we should perform it I. Consider this was the practise of many of the eminent Saints of God recorded in the Scriptures Isaac and David were much in this Duty II. Consider the great benefit of it duly performed T is an excellent means 1. To encrease knowledge and to make the mind serious and solid None are more knowing setled established Christians than such as are much in Meditation 2. To stir up and awaken the Graces of Gods Spirit in us Hereby we awaken our Faith inflame our love strengthen our hope enliven our desires encrease our joyes in God we loosen our affections from the world and fore-acquaint our selves with the Glory that is to come 3. To make the Word profitable Meditation is the digestion of the soul 'T is not the taking in of food but the stomacks concocting of it that makes it turn to blood and Spirits For want of this How many Sermons are lost and do no good The Word will not profit us except we take time to think upon it 4. To prepare the heart for prayer and other holy duties Meditation tunes and prepares and fits the heart for solemn Worship 5. To antidote and fortifie the soul against sin and temptation If men would but often consider of the evil and danger of sin it would be a great means to deter them from the practise of it 6. 'T is an excellent help and means of Communion with God 'T is the souls perspective whereby it sees something of the Glory and happinesse of that Kingdom that is above Thus much of the Arguments for it I come now to give some Directions how it should be managed I. Pitch upon some convenient time of the day for this duty A Christians timing his duty aright is a great help to him in the right performance of it Some have chosen the morning for this duty and some the evening We have examples of both in Scripture Of our Saviour we read Mark 1.35 And in the morning rising up a great while before day he went out and departed into a solitary place and there prayed Gen. 24.63 And Isaac went out to meditate in the field at the even-tide II. Pitch upon some convenient retired place The wise man tels us Prov. 18.1 Through desire a man having separated himself seeketh and intermedleth with all wisdome First he separates himself then intermedleth with wisdom There is nothing the Devil more spights than this that a man should often retire and separate himself from the world to meditate on his everlasting concernments The Devil cannot endure a man should consider whether he be journeying towards Heaven or Hell III. Get a good stock of profitable materials to meditate on as the Attributes of God His promises of remission sanctification reward The love of Christ The evil and danger of sin The vanity of the Creature The
better example Timothy was train'd up by his parents and that from a child in the holy Scriptures 2 Tim. 3.15 Want of instruction at home is one main reason of the unprofitablenesse of preaching 2. A Priest to offer up the spiritual sacrifices of prayer and praise for them and with them 3. A King to rule command and govern for Christ in his own house Gen. 18.19 I know Abraham that he will command his children and his houshold after him and they shall keep the way of the Lord c. A Master of a Family has a greater command and authority over those in his own house than any Minister has He is more with them and has his eie more upon them He should therefore improve his power for God and be like the good Bishop described 1 Tim. 3.4 ruling well i. e. Religiously his own house having his children in subjection with all gravitie So much of the second particular the directions how Governours of Families should discharge their duties towards those under their Government I come now to the third and last to shew whence the neglect of this so great and necessary a duty proceeds There are several causes of it 1. Ignorance Some are so ignorant themselves they know not how to instruct others They know not how to pray with their Families Oh let all such presently apply themselves with all care and seriousnesse to learn the things that concern their salvation that they may discharge their duties towards their relations And let them know it is their duty to labour for ability to pray and for that gift whereby upon all occasions they may in an humble and fitting manner express the desires of their hearts unto the Lord. In the mean time till by seeking to God for his Spirit to enable them and by a faithful endeavour they have attain'd to some measure of this gift they may use some good prescribed form Only let them be exceeding watchful over their hearts for fear of that formality and meer lip-service which in such cases we are more especially in danger of 2. Carelesness Some are of Gallio's temper Acts 18.17 They care for none of these things They think this more ado than needs They will provide portions for their children look that their servants do their work but for Religion the one thing absolutely necessary they do not much trouble themselves 3. Worldly-mindednesse Some are so worldly they cannot afford time for Gods Worship and Service Not a swine about the house but shall be served morning and evening but God is not regarded 4. Prophanenesse Some are so far from having any religious care of their Families to pray with them to instruct them c. that they deride these duties and scoffe at those that make conscience to perform them They through the pride of their hearts think it a disparagement to them to set up the practise of these things in their houses Wretched worms Is God become a shame to his creatures Who are they or what is their Fathers house that they are too good to be the servants of the most High Let them make their peace with that Scripture Mark 8. ult Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed when he cometh in the Glory of his Father with the holy Angels 5. Loose Opinions under pretence of new Light setting people at liberty from the observation and practise of those duties whereby the life and power of Religion is most maintained and preserved Let Governours of Families therefore beware of all these things and whatever else may hinder them from a Conscionable discharge of their Duties Gen. 18.19 For I know him that he will command his Children and his houshold after him and they shall keep the way of the Lord to do Justice and Judgment that the Lord may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him Josh 24.15 But as for me and my house we will serve the Lord. 1 Sam. 1.21 And the man Elkanah and all his house went up to offer unto the Lord the yearly Sacrifice and his vow Acts 10.2 Cornelius a devout man and one that feared God with all his house which gave much Almes to the people and prayed to God alway CHAP. XI Of the duties of Husband and Wife I Shall first speak of the Duties common to both and then more particularly of those that belong to each of them severally They owe to each other Love Faithfulnesse Helpfulnesse I. Love There ought to be a firm and inviolable love between them grounded on Gods Ordinance and their own Covenant and not meerly on natural or civil respects and being so neerly united and made one flesh they should have but one heart They should have the greatest tendernesse and kindness for each other imaginable If any unkindnesse should at any time happen to arise between them they should never sleep in displeasure but both readily agree to a speedy reconcilement The Sun should not go down on their wrath Love must sweeten all their speeches carriage and actions towards each other 'T is love will make all the duties of a married life easie and all the cumbers and crosses tolerable This love must for measure exceed and surpasse their love to any other creature There must be between them both the love of goodwill desiring heartily the welfare of each other and the love of complacency delighting in each other Want of love between man and wife is no mean sin II. Faithfulnesse and that of several sorts 1. That of the bed They must keep themselves pure chast from all strange embraces and with the greatest abhorrence detest any motion or temptation that way They must not embrace the bosom of a stranger Prov. 5.20 They must be constant to each other and confident of each other Jealousie is the pasport of love 2. They must keep each others secrets 3. Conceal each others infirmities 4. Be faithful to each other in the mannaging their worldly affairs 5. If any difference arise not let it take vext for jars concealed are half reconciled whereas if they be once divulged 't is a double labour to make up the breach and stop the mouths of people abroad III. Helpfulnesse They are to be mutuall helpers each to other both in spiritual and temporal things 1. They should endeavour to help one another on towards Heaven to promote and encrease knowledge and Holiness in each others souls designing to meet together and live together for ever in Heaven They should pray together and for each other 1 Pet. 3.7 They should faithfully wisely and lovingly admonish one another of any failings they discern in each other This is of all other the truest and most valuable love Nay indeed How can it be said they do love at all if they can contentedly let each other run on in a course that will bring them to eternal misery True
if they be brought home to God at last O what a cutting consideration must it needs be to old people to cast their eyes back upon a life spent in sin and dishonouring God and hurting the soules of others by their ill example O what a deal of sorrow would Manasses and Mary Magdalen have escaped if they had been converted in their younger years So if Paul had been betimes brought home to God he had not had all that trouble and grief of Spirit for persecuting the Church 2. Thou maist hereby come to some eminency of knowledge and Grace and Spiritual experience A young man that is a good husband betimes upon his trade we say is like to grow rich whereas one that has been prodigal in his younger time and a spend-thrist if he should in his elder years begin to be wise yet having lost so much time we are apt to think he will never do any great matter at it So they that give up their hearts to God betimes and consecrate their younger years to him O how rich in knowledge and Grace may they grow 3. Thy joyes and comforts will be the greater Thou art a hinderer of thy peace and comfort all the while thou art going on in the way of sin Thou art feeding on Onions when thou mightst have Manna Thou art feeding on husks with the Prodigal when thou mightest have the fatted calf What are all the noisom pleasures of sin to the peace of a good Conscience the enjoyment of God the delights and joyes of the Holy Ghost 4. The more service thou wilt do for God Suppose a man be call'd at the twelfth hour alas 't is little he can do for God before night An old man that was late converted ordered this to be written upon his Tomb-stone Here lies an old man of seven years old Suppose a man after many years spent in sin should at last be converted he had need of Methuselah's age to bewail his former miscarriages and to do service for God whom he hath so dishonoured Oh think what an honour it is to live to glorifie God and to do him service And canst thou begin too soon to honour him who deserves so infinitely well of thee 5. It will make not only thy life but thy death also comfortable When death comes thou wilt have this good evidence of thy sincerity that thou didst turn to God betimes in thy youth and in the flower and prime of thy daies Thou wilt not then be afraid to look God in the face nor dread him as an enemy but think delightfully of him as a long experienced friend and be willing to surrender thy soul unto him 'T is reported of Adrian that when he came to die he cried out O my soul whither art thou going thou art going where thou shalt never be jovial nor merry more O my soul whither art thou going Therefore do those things now which when thou comest to die thou wouldst wish thou hadst done and leave those things undone which thou supposest will not yield thee comfort in that hour 6. And lastly The sooner thou engagest thy heart to God and the more service thou dost him in this life the greater will be thy reward in Heaven Gal. 6.7 8. Be not deceived God is not mocked whatsoever a man soweth that shall he reap He that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting I come now to the second thing to answer the Objections that young persons may make why they should not turn to God so soon Obj. 1. We shall hereby lose our chief time of pleasure Sol. You shall exchange dirt for Gold and the draff of swine for the food of Angels your sinfull pleasures for the delights of the Holy Ghost and the joyes of a good Conscience Religion will abridge you of nothing but sin which is rank poison to your souls It will allow you recreations that are lawful expedient seasonable and moderate and which may fit you more to glorifie God in your general or particular Calling See the Rules set down in the foregoing Chap. under the fifth Direction to the Rich. Pag 490 Obj. 2. We do but as most young people do and as others have done before us Sol. If you sin with others you must expect to suffer with others They that are like Simeon and Levi brethren in iniquity must be brethren also in misery The old world sinn'd together and were drown'd together You must not live by examples but by precepts Look not at what others do but at what God commands Exod. 23.2 Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil Obj. 3. There needs not so much ado to get to Heaven Sol. Is it more ado than Gods Word requires read and judge Luke 13.24 Strive to enter in at the strait gate for many I say unto you will seek to enter in and shall not be able Mat. 6.33 Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness c. Eph. 5.15 See that ye walke circumspectly not as fooles but as wise redeeming the time c. Phil. 2.12 Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling 1 Pet. 4.18 If the righteous scarcely be saved where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear If the righteous hardly i. e. with much striving diligence and watchfulness attain salvation what will become of the negligent secure sinner Can any think of ever coming to Heaven which is a state of holinesse and purity whose hearts disrellish Holinesse and cannot away with it as too much strictness and more ado than needs Obj 4. We are young enough We intend to turn to God hereafter but not yet Sol. Concerning the danger of delaies see before pag. 510 In all likelihood there are many in Hell that thought of turning hereafter Obj. 5. We shall be flouted and jeer'd if we begin to be religious and precise so soon Sol. What are reproaches to the great things others have suffered for Christ What is the enduring a jeer to the enduring a burning for the sake of Christ 1 Pet. 4.14 If ye be reproached for the Name of Christ happy are ye for the Spirit of Glory and of God resteth upon you 2 Cor. 6.8 By honour and dishonour by evil report and good report as decievers and yet true Mat. 5.11 Blessed are ye when men shall revile you and persecute you and shall say all manner of evil against you falsly for my sake V. 12. Rejoyce and be exceeding glad for great is your reward in Heaven Obj. 6. We shall shift as well as others Sol. So you may and yet make but a bad shift neither 'T is small comfort to have companions in Hell Dives did not think it would ease his torments to have his Brethren come to him Obj. 7. We see many that once seem'd forward in Religion do fall off some to open prophanenesse and some into errour and strange opinions Sol.