Giuing the Lord no rest till by praier we haue obtained this assurance 5 An holy indignation and displeasure at our selues for offending so good and gratious a Father Psal. 73.22 6 A feruent affection to Gods word and spirituall things Psal. 51. Psalm 32. 7 Zeale of Gods glory and in regard thereof a iudging of our best graces and mourning for our failings in them 8 A spirituall execution and taking vengeance on our selues by cleering of others in affliction and condemning our selues Esay 30.21 2. Sam. 16.17 Ier. 31.19 2. Sam. 24. 9 Yea desirous to bee more vile 1. Timoth. 1.13.14 and exposing our selues to confusion for the same 10 And because wee cannot bee so abased as wee should Mourning and complaining of the hardnesse of our hearts Esay 63.17 11 Prouoking deeper sorrow for our owne by mourning for the sinnes of others Psal. 119.136 Dan. 9. Eze. 9. 12 Trembling at the word and yet louing the sharpest blowes thereof Psalm 119.120 And so melting at the sweet promises therein 13 Submitting our selues willingly to Gods chastisements Psal. 39.9 Mich. 7.9 14 Labouring vnfaignedly the conuersion of others Psalm 51.17 And admonishing them to take heed by our example Ezech. 18.30 15 Shame of humane society Ezech 16.61 Ier. 3.3 16 Feare of the wrath of God Psal 119.120 17 Strong cryes for mercy Io. 2.17 18 Desire of the restoring of for sin though we alwayes shed not teares for it 4 And though we forsake not sinne wholly yet out endeuour is accepted with God so that wee finde the power of sinne weakned in vs and relapse into former sinnes breed greater feare of our selues and humility 5 Considering that our repentance is not to purge out our sinne or deferre pardon but onely 1 To testifie our thankfulnesse vnto God 2 To assure vnto our selues the renued life of grace 3 And to proceed and goe forward therein 6 As also resoluing that in all these things whosoeuer will lead a godly life in CHRIST the power of God is to bee made perfect by their infirmities 2. Cor. 12.9 7 Comforting our selues that if being in our wayes wee bee kept from sinne this is the mercie of GOD but if out of our wayes we seeme to maister sinne this is in Iustice and deceiuable 8 As also beeing assured that what we faile in at one time will be supplied at another and God will accept the measure of his worke in vs. 9 And lastly accounting it a good measure of forsaking sinne if wee see what wee cannot do and grone vnder the burthen desirous to bee dissolued Rom. 7 24. And for our further tryall and resolution obserue wee these things 1 That our sorrow for sinne neither vnfits vs for our callings nor excludes from such comforts as are tendered in Christ Iesus 2 That wee so iudge our selues that we iudge not either peremptorily of our owne estate to preiudice Gods mercy or censure our brethren vncharitably who stand or fall to their Maister 3 Yet neglect wee not reproofe for sinne seasonably and conscionably that either others or at least our selues may bee kept from security and kept in the tendernesse and true iudgement of the conscience 4 That wee are more grieued that wee haue not serued God longer time then that we haue for the present dishonoured him by sin And yet 5 Are more grieued by this that the name of God is blasphemed and his spirit grieued by our sin then that any hurt hath or for any that shall redound to vs hereby The benefite hereof is as before CHAP. II. Of the raising vp of a sinner by a true and liuely faith THe soule beeing thus humbled must bee raised vp againe by a true and liuely Faith And this is the second duty daily to be performed Obiect But cannot we bee truly humbled without faith Is this a worke of nature and so a preparation to grace Or else rather a worke of Sanctification Answer 1 Some kinde of humiliation and sorrow for sinne may be naturall as being forced from the conscience accusing naturally and furthered by the spirit of illumination So that 2 In the outward act the Hypocrite may bee like the sound Professour yea in some measure in regard of the power of conscience let loose exceed him in outward humiliation especially if wil-worship sway for our owne credit 3 But the truely humbled Soule expressed in those Markes and Rules before is so wrought by faith apprehending the pardon of sinne in Christ our sinnes This is performed 1 By a serious meditation on the promise of the Messiah Iohn 3.16 2 By exercising our selues more conscionably in the reading and hearing of the word taught Iohn 5.39 Secondly Faith is quickned by reuiuing our apprehension of the promise and this is is done 2. Chr. 17. vers 16.17.18.19 and to the end of the Chapter 1 By earnest prayer vnto God for the renuing of his Spirit in vs. Psal. 51.12 2 By an hearty acknowledgement that we haue iustly grieued the Spirit of God and so are deseruedly depriued of the feeling thereof Psalme 51.4 Lamentation 3.22 37. 3 Meditating of our former comfort and assurance herein Ps. 77. And this reuiuing hath many degrees First A liuely sense what need I haue of Christ and that without him I must certainly perish Rom. 7.24 25. Secondly Hope of pardon whereby though we yet feele not our sinnes certainly pardoned yet we beleeue that they are pardonable not in respect of thēselues as if they were lesse heinous but in respect of God whose mercies are aboue them Esay 1.18 Thirdly An hungring and thirsting after grace offered in Iesus Christ. Ioh. 6.35.7.37 Reu. 21.6 And this is discerned 1 By our prizing and preferring it aboue all other comforts Phil. 3. 2 By our fainting and languishing after it Psal. 42 3 By our strong cries and endeuours for the same Psalme 51.12 13. c. Fourthly Wee approch to the throne of grace and flying from the terrour of the law wee take hold on Christ and find fauour in God Heb. 4.16 Heb. 10.19 And this is performed 1 By an humble confession of thy sinne in particular wherupon followeth a full remission of them Psalme 32.5 2 Crauing pardon of some speciall sins with vnspeakeable sighs and perseuerance Luk. 15.21 Act. 8.21 Fiftly Hereupon followeth a particular perswasion imprinted in the heart by the holy Ghost whereby euery faithful man doth particularly apply vnto himselfe those promises which are made in the Gospell Mat. 9.2 Math. 15.28 Psal. 143.12 This perswasion is discerned by these markes 1 It goes before experience Mat. 15.23 and so our faith is supernaturall and contrary to all reason Heb. 11.1 2 It holds beyond experience Iob. 13.15 Heb. 11.1 and is aboue all feeling 3 And neuer leaues vs till wee haue obtained the ende thereof which is the saluation of our soules 1. Pet. 1.9 This perswasion hath these degrees First it takes hold weakely not without doubting and yet soundly
most absolute patterne and not onely for the truth of holinesse but for such a measure as we are capable of we follow hard thereafter 1. Cor. 11. 1. Pet. 1.18 5 Though wee faile in practise yet wee stand firme in iudgement what should be done and iudge our selues especially for failing herein 6 And are so farre from excusing our selues in any such stinted measure as the world approueth either that wee may not presume to be as such haue beene or else that it is needlesse because we haue not the like imployment or vnreasonable because wee haue not the like gifts or it will be sufficient if wee attaine to such a measure as the time multitude examples of leaders do prescribe These leaden rules I say and carnal pretences are so far from preuailing with the saints in their measure proposed that they are bold so farre to endeauour as the meanes are supplyed though in their practise they are short of their endeauour and howsoeuer the world shall be contēted with such a measure as may serue to commit sinne more greedily and hide it more dangerously Yet doth the vpright heart still cleaue to the word for the scantling of his sincerity he submits to the word for his failing therein he encreaseth in knowledge that he may still grow in grace and so by a further sight of his corruption is dayly sent out of himselfe that so hee may obtaine new strength in Christ to goe forward in weldoing And so the child of God growes strong in the grace of God 2. Tim 2.1 1 And that by being dayly broken by the power of the law seeing his damnable estate and so driuen out of himselfe vpon the meere mercy of God 2 By enduring afflictions patiently that in the experience of the changings in himselfe he may haue more experience of the vnchangeable loue of God 3 To this end he must dayly discerne his inabilitie to any good that so hee may interest himselfe in the merit of Christ. 4 And he must renounce all other strength of wisedome riches and that he may finde more comfortably the power of God Ier. 9. And to this end he hath many gratious helpes As especially The vertue and power of his head and Captaine Iesus Christ who grew in grace and is now perfected in glory to make vs perfect Ioh. 17. Heb. 12.2 2 The example and furtherance of the Saints which haue gone before and do accompany him therein Heb. 12.1 3 The continuall light of the word and spirit both informing in the present estate truth of our as also discouering what wee should and shall be 4 The experience of former grace quickning faith and so sending to Christ. 5 As also experience of former failings spurring forward throgh an holy shame and indignation to recouer and redeeme the time 6 The time lost before and therefore now much more to bee redeemed The time to come not in our power vncertaine 7 The encrease of glory answering the encrease of grace The triall of our increase of grace is 1 If we haue fully subdued some sinnes so that wee neuer fall into the purpose or act of them again as harted of God expressed by hatred of his word and Saints reiecting of Christ and his merite and the effects thereof 2 If wee finde such sinnes most weakened vnto which heretofore we haue bene most addicted 3 The more we grow wee shall be sure to haue more tentations more oppositions of the world 4 The more wee discerne and are humbled in the sence of corruption the more wee grow in faith and so in grace 5 The more we are enlaged for the good of others soules the more is the loue of God shed abroad in our hearts 6 The more lowly and meeke and patient we are the more hath the spirit of grace and compassion preuailed in our hearts 4 That for the vse thereof wee haue deserued to be vtterly stripped of the blessing Yea To be cut off finally from euer enioying any further mercy of our God Yea To haue deserued all contrary plagues to encrease our damnation Yet still ascribing vnto Iesus Christ the glory of his sacrifice That through him we haue obtained right in all Gods blessings And grace so to vse them as that in Christ they are accepted That our persons are accepted aboue the worth of our obedience That in Christ wee shall grow and so attaine to perfection This is thankefulnesse And it is necessarie 1 To testifie and renue our right in each blessing 2 To gaine thereby assurance of heauen 3 We condemne the wisedome of the world which thinks it basenes to be thankful or some imputation of ill desert vnworthines 4 We encrease them and make them pledges of heauen Psal. 67.6 5 We do ease our selues of much begging and so approch to the life of glory 6 We acknowledge God to bee the giuer and blesser of them 7 We do answer the ende why God bestowed them on vs. Deu. 8. 8 And do by this duty performe a most principall part of worship glory to our God Psal. 50.23 9 Security and hardnesse of heart is hereby preuented 10 Our faith in God is confirmed and encreased 11 Spirituall pride and hypocrisie is ouer-mastered 12 The certaintie of our saluation hereby pledged and confirmed 13 Wee haue our conuersation in a most speciall manner in heauen 14 Our account made readie and so we prepared to meete the Lord. 15 It is hardest to be performed and therefore most excellent 16 We are hereby humbled so fitted for further blessings 17 This is the end to which all other exercises of religion are directed 18 Hereby wee glorifie God as God Rom. 1.22 19 And so being dayly abased in our selues we are prepared vnto glory And it is to be performed dayly 1 Because we dayly receiue good at the hands of God Lam. 3.23 2 And by this means shal preuent many euils which daily do assault vs And this duty is performed on this manner First The heart must be prepared And that 1 We must be rauished with the greatnes goodnes of the Lord. 2 With sound notice of the blessing both concerning the truth thereof as also the woorth of the same conceiuing more excellently of God then we possible can see him by his blessings Ps. 47.7 3 True humility for the same by serious meditation both of the Maiesty power and goodnesse of God and also of it owne vnworthinesse Gen. 32 4 As also it must be purged by a setled purpose of not offending so bountifull a God 5 And with an holy perswasion that we haue receiued the benefit in the fauour of God through Iesus Christ. 6 And lastly with an holy desire to set forth the glory of God 7 As also it must so bee filled with the present blessing as that still it hunger after greater graces 2 The mouth must speake of the mercies of God And that 1 Reuerently and holily not lightly or
7.3 Iob. 42. 6 They both decay and loose their first loue but yet the hypocrite counts this to be his wisedome and the true measure of holinesse esteeming his former zeale to be rashnesse c. whereas the regenerate acknowledgeth it was better before then now and mourning vnder his estate labours the recouery and in some measure obtaines it 2. Sam. 12. Mat. 26.2 Hos 7 7 They both may refuse the means also but yet the hypocrite in pride and obstinacie falles at length from loose meanes to none and so to a despising and persecuting the same the elect though he leaue in his heart yet he returnes with shame and cleaues more conscionably to the meanes and is profited thereby 8 They both may be loosers by their fall and not recouer all their life long But with these differences 1 The reprobate looses all graces and becomes a very beast Psa. 49. without knowledge ciuility c. The regenerate recouers necessary graces as faith in some measure of vse and feeling but that full perswasion ioy in the Spirit c. hee happily recouers not againe all his life long 2 The reprobates losse is without feeling causing him to set vp his rest more securely in this life and so prepares him to suddaine destruction that of the elect humbles him in all things causes him to worke out his saluation with feare and trembling to goe downe with sorrow to his graue and to bee weary of the world and to desire to bee with Christ Phil. 2.12 This may wee discerne betweene the falles of Gods children and the wicked And this serueth 1 To preuent wrong iudgement concerning the falles of our brethren And so 2 To labour with all meekenesse their recouery Gal. 6.1 3 To condemne the world that makes no difference herein betweene the Saints and the wicked 4 To prouoke the Saints to repentance 5 To preuent repining and murmuring at Gods wisedome leauing corruption in vs. As also 6 To esteeme more highly of Christ our Sacrifice 7 To try vs in our decayes and to comfort vs in the same Prou. 24.16 8 To iustifie Gods faithfulnesse who neuer forsakes his children 1. Cor. 10.13 9 To stop the mouthes of the wicked who reioyce at our falles Mich. 7.8 10 To assure vs of constancie and perseuerance to the end 2. Tim. 4.18 11 And to hunger after heauen Helpes hereunto are 1 The keeping of the light of iudgment cleare and sound Phi. 2.8 And that because 1 Hereby the exorbitant practise is eft-soones reformed 2 The true state and measure of sanctification is discerned and so finding our shortnesse we are prouoked to go forward Phil. 2.9 3 The conscience hereby is assertained of the truth of it well-doing and so faith is confirmed and sanctification therby renued 4 Repentance also is hereby renued in that the conscience by the light of iudgement discerning it daily failings is thereby conuinced and so prepared to repentance And this is obtained and preserued 1 By submitting the iudgement in all things to the rule of the word Esay 8. 2 Hearkning to the voyce of conscience checking for sin and approuing for wel-doing 3 Labouring a daily encrease of knowledge Philip. 1.9.10 Ephes 3. 4 Yet auoyding curiosity and vnnecessary speculations 1. Tim. 4. 5 Submitting to reproofe and continuall afflictions 6 Resoluing that sin is foolishnesse to God and holinesse foolishnesse to the world A second helpe to perseuerance is The wel-ordering guiding of the heart of which heretofore And Thankfulnesse for what wee haue receiued Col. 1.12 A third is the daily maistering and subiection of our affections Of which also before A fourth is the continuall remembrance of Gods mercies towards vs. Ios. 24.1.2.3 A fift is a continuall feare of our selues Rom. 11. 6 We must also labour the establishing confirming of others 7 Meditation of the shortnesse of our life and vncertainty of the comming of Iesus Christ. 8 As also waiting patiently the accomplishment of the promises Col. â—â—â— 9 Spirituall wisedome in auoyding troubles and disposing affaires Col. 1.9 10 considâ—â—â—r we the Saints who haue finished their course and yet without vs shall not be perfected Heb. 11. 11 Look we vnto Iesus the Author and finisher of our faith who hath finished his course and wee shall follow him Hebr. 12.1.2.3 12 Comfort wee our selues in our former experience and if we haue ouercome the Lyon and the Beare we shal also ouercome the Philistim 1. Sam. 17. 2. Cor. 1.10 2 Tim. 4.17.18 13 Looke we by faith vnto the recompence of the reward so shall wee swallow vp and ouercome all difficulties and tediousnesse whatsoeuer Hebr. 11.25.26 CHAP. IX Of Watchfulnesse A Notable helpe to Perseuerance is Watchfulnesse ouer our hearts and wayes that they may continually be acceptable to God Eph. 6.15 And that because 1 Hereby wee are prepared to tentations Luk. 21.34 Mat. 13.25 2 Enabled to vnder-goe them Eph. 6.11.12 3 And also to haue a good issue out of them Luk. 21.36 4 Without this our whole life and best actions are either rashnesse vncertainties or security Prou. 28.14 5 By it we attaine certainety and resolution in well-doing Ephes 6.13 6 We preuent some euil which may make all other comforts vnsauoury which wee are sure to looke for in well-doing Math. 26.41 7 Hereby the other graces of God are much beautified and increased in vs. 8 And our infirmitie very happily auoided or couered Ps. 119.9 9 The best without it haue been deceiued as Adam Dauid Gen. 3.6 2. Sam. 12. 10 Hypocrisie in well-doing and spirituall pride is preuented or maistered 11 Dulnesse and wearisomnesse also in good things is much holpen and preuented 12 Especially hereby we are enabled to powerfull prayer Math. 26.41 13 As also kept sober and humble in well-doing 1. Pet. 5.7 14 The whole body of sinne is hereby daily weakned 15 The Spirit of God is kept liuely in operation 16 And so we prepared happily to perfection Now this Watchfulnesse is performed First and principally by obseruing the heart and yoaking it 2 Keeping vnder also the outward man 3 And this not for a spurt but all our life long Psal 101. Psal. 119.73 most fearing our abuse of Christian liberty and so bounding the same within it true compasse Gal. 5. especially that wee be not brought in subiection to any thing 4 And that obseruing and suspecting our greatest strength 1. Cor. 10.12 5 Aiming especially at the sins which we haue most delighted in Psal. 19. Psal. 25. 6 Looking especially to the sins that do most annoy vs. 7 Examining the best graces of God in vs left some dead flye bee in them Prou. 28.9 Mat. 6. 8 Behauing our selues in all things as weaned childreÌ„ Ps. 131.3 9 More depeÌ„ding on the watchfulnesse of our God ouer vs then in any thing we can do 10 And therfore continually renouncing our selues and resigneing our selues into the protection of the Almighty 11 In performance of holy duties
hardnesse of heart 7 And so to fearfull terrors and soundings of spirit The benefite of this part of the Girdle is 1 It procures and maintaines true inward ioy 2. Cor. 1.12 2 Hereby wee haue alwayes boldnesse before God 1. Iohn 3.20 to obtaine good things at his hands Heb. 10. 3 And are enabled and furnished against all the reproches and euils of men Pro. 18. 4 By this wee are alwayes certaine of the things we do and the acceptance of them in the sight of God Psa. 51.6 5 Hereby we are comforted in the greatest Buffetings of Satan and our cowardly and vnbeleeuing hearts 1. Ioh. 3.21 6 We attaine to extraordinary sweetnesse and ioy in the Holy Ghost 1. Pet. 1.8 Rom. 5.1.2 7 And led along in most cheerfull manner throughout all difficulties to the receiuing of the reward Heb. 11.26 8 we encrease in sanctification and holinesse 1. Tim. 1.18.19 9 We put to confusion the pride and practises of our enemies 1. Sam. 26.21 10 we receiue hereby a pledge of eternall life and haue our conuersation in heauen Rom. 8.16 Phil. 3.20 A third part of this sincerity consists in the will which discouers it selfe 1 By cheerfulnesse in well-doing not by compulsion but of a willing minde 1. Cor. 9. 1. Pet. 5. 2 Subiecting it owne will to the will of God in all things 3 And so yeelding it daily to the information of the word and binding it thereto 4 Aiming at the full accomplishment of Gods will in earth as it is in heauen Mat. 6. 5 Not consulting with flesh and blood in heauenly things 6 Nor proposing our owne glory in the performance thereof 7 Complaining daily of the rebellions thereof And so 8 Resisting sin and the occasions thereof Psa. 119.104 9 Yeelding to sinne with griefe Rom. 7.15 10 Rising by repentance out of the same Prou. 28.14 The state and measure hereof is 1 That it is not free to good or euill but freed to doe good Phil. 2.13 2 And therefore of it selfe can will no good thing 3 Yet so freed to good as that it is in bondage to sinne Rom. 7.18 4 And therefore while we are about any good euill is present with vs and we are led captiue thereto Yet so in bondage as that it striues against that slauery and gets daily ground thereof Rom. 7.25 Eph. 2.3 The benefit hereof is 1 To enable vs to doe good Rom. 7.18 2 To comfort vs in our outward failings 2 Cor. 8.12 Rom. 7.19 3 To discerne of our state in sanctification Ephes. 2.3 1. Cor. 12.2 4 To keepe our iudgments sincere and vpright 1. Tim. 6.5 5 To kindle and order our affections in the seruice of God And this is a fourth part of this Girdle euen the well ordering of our affections 1. Thess. 5.23 Rom. 7.24 And this is discerned 1 By a right mouing of them to their proper obiects Rom. 7.22.25 2 By their contentment in the same 3 That what is in the iudgment we haue also in the affection 4 In that wee can more ioy or grieue for spiritual causes then for carnall Psa. 4. Psa. 119. 5 That they tend to the crucifying of the flesh and building forward of the New man Coloss. 3.1 6 That we labour more for affection then for knowledge 7 Make wee them as little knowne in company as may be Genes 45. especially if the company and occasion be ordinary and ciuill 8 Suspect wee our owne affection when the case concerneth vs. 9 And that our affections can send and encourage vs to spirituall duties 10 That indeed by them we are wholly emptied in our selues in respect of God 2. Cor. 5.16 Gen. 5.22 Rom. 12.1 Helpes hereunto are 1 Knowledge of the right obiect Mark 3.5 2 Cor. 7. 2 Weaning and abating them from the false 1. Ioh. 2.15 3 Triall of our selues in the practise of some one of our afflictions Deut. 6.5 4 Conscience to vse them in all their seuerall times and measure Eccles. 3.1 Rom. 12.16 The benefit hereof is 1 We shall attaine hereby a gracious conquest ouer our most vnruly thoughts Eph. 4.25 2 Wee shall finde much sweete peace and contentment in our Christian callings 3 We shall be more ready prest to good actions 2. Cor. 7. 4 And saued from many noysome tentations which otherwise would assault vs. 2. Ephes. 4.26 Ioh. 19.12 5 We shall haue gracious fellowship with God Col. 3.1 6 And be better enabled to the conuersion of our brethren Ioh. 21.15 A fift part of this girdle is the sincerity of the Tongue As 1 Being the sterne of the shippe and the certaine Image of the minde Iam. 3.5 2 In the well-gouerning whereof is the triall of sincerity Psal. 34. note of perfection Iam. 1. Iam. 3 3 The misgouernment whereof is confusion to the owner Prou. 18.7.21 and others 4 By keeping the same we auoyd trouble Pro. 21.23 5 And make the world serue our turne And it is discerned 1 In holy speech Eccles. 3.7 2 In wise and seasonable silence Concerning fit and warrantable speech we are to obserue 1 Preparation to speech 2 The matter of it 3 The manner thereof 4 The end of the same We shall be prepared to speech 1 By praier to God to guide our tongue and that because First the Lord is Ruler of it Prou. 16.1 Secondly by an holy consideration of these things 1 That we are to speake in his presence Psal. 33.15 2 That there is no liberty for idle talke Math. 12.36 3 That all speech must tend to edification Ephes. 4.29 4 What the matter is we meane to speake of 5 That what is once out cannot be recalled 6 That we must giue an account for euery idle word And thus we shall be prepared to speake Now The matter of our speech concernes either Persons or Things The persons 1 Almighty God and his workes 2 Our neighbour and what concernes him 3 Our owne persons and occasions In our speech concerning our blessed God wee are to obserue these Rules 1 That we take not the names of Gods Maiesty in our mouthes but vpon most serious and waighty occasions Exod. 20. 2 That in the occasion we finde our hearts liuely affected with a true knowledge and holy reuerence of God before whom wee speake and before wee vse his great and fearfull name least otherwise though the cause be waighty yet we take it in vaine 3 That wee finde our selues comforted and established in our faith by taking of this great and glorious name as beeing hereby drawne neerer vnto God and setled more constantly in our loue to his Maiesty To this end vse not the name of God without some addition of his attributes as the Liuing Lord the Glorious God My God c. Ephes 1.3 4 Yea that it may appeare that wee haue not onely knowledge of the Deity but also experience of his nature and properties we are to giue him such attributes as concerne the
7 If thou art desirous to prouoke thy brethren to vndertake this holy taske 8 And art weaned more gratiously from the loue of the world growing more contented with thine outward estate And 10 Still hungring more earnestly after the reuealing of the Sonnes of God 11 If thou art more faithfull conscionable in thy ciuill calling 12 And art more thankfull vnto thy God for this his gratious assistance 13 If now thou canst more reioyce in heauenly dueties and lesse in such meanes which concerne onely this life 14 Yea canst more triumph that thou art growne a master of thy former incoÌ„stancie that thou hast now attained a constaÌ„t measure of seruing thy blessed God then for any recompence that may redound vnto thee hereby 15 If yet thou canst be more humbled in the sense of thy wants theÌ„ any whit puffed vp with whatsoeuer thou hast already attained 16 And so shalt still follow hard after the mark for the hie price of thy calling in Iesus Christ Phil. 3. 17 If thou shalt grow more spirituall in the vse of outward comforts And 18 Shalt also grow more wise to discerne between things that differ being able 19 To trie the spirites whether they be of God or no and yet 20 To maintaine the fellowship not iudging any before the time 21 And yet reprouing sharpely that they may be sound and 22 Yet reioycing in such as are beyond thee in this glorious course 23 If thou canst more moderate thy selfe in thy Christian libertie doing not what thou maist do but what is expedient not what may respect thy priuate but the publicke good And 24 Aiming at the chiefest good euen the glory of thy blessed God 25 Preferring the same euen aboue thine owne saluation 26 Comforting thy selfe in the acceptance of the purpose of thy heart 27 As that thou neglectedst no good opportunity to expresse thy conscionable endeauours in some one or more of these holy duties as occasion is offered 28 Examining thy selfe in priuat concerning the performance of them 29 And so offering vp each duty in a sacrifice of obedience in thy priuate reckoning dayly casting vp of thy account not enioying 30 But esteeming highly of such that haue attained to some constancie herein And 31 So following the examples of the best in this holy course By these rules maist thou trie thy selfe whether thou hast profited by this dayly direction And the benefit hereof will be exceeding great As hath bin partly obserued heretofore and further may be discerned in these particulars As first We shall preuent hereby that secret hypocrisie which accoÌ„panies holy duties shall attaine to more sinceritie plainnes not onely in all actions towards God but in our outward dealings towards men so shal preuent much reproach to our profession and gaine much glory thereto Yea 2 We shal be a means hereby to shine as light in a froward generation to the encrease of Christs kingdome and so of our glory 3 We shall also by this constant performance of these set and necessary duties preuent all vnnecessary care infidelity the roote therof by keeping our selues with in the bounds of Gods protection quickning our faith in this liuely expressing of the fruit thereof 4 And so shall be better fitted to performe any extraordinary duty of visiting of thy distressed neighbor or resisting any violent tentation or entertaining of some extraordinary comfort of the spirit Or expressing thy inward wants vnto thy God in prayer or offring vp thy self as a sacrifice of thanksgiuing vnto thy God c. To these I say such like thou shalt be better fitted by this daily sacrifice 5 And shall not the mouth of iniquity be stopped by this coÌ„stant worship that they shal be conuinced with the power of godlinesse they shall iustifie God and so either brought to embrace him with vs else fret away at our holy courses and thereby do lesse hurt to vs and hasten their owne damnation Shall not 6 The comming of Christ be hastened the means of religion held vp the estates and kingdomes of Princes preserued hereby Eccl. 9. Conclusion The Lord giue vs vnderstanding in these things 7 Shall not this constant worship of God though it be but in few yea but in some one keepe out the iudgement from the rest else bee a means to saue our owne soules from a common desolation Gen. 18. 8 Shall not the wiseman see the plague and hide himselfe Prouer. 22.3 Though the foole runne on still and be taken in the trap 9 Shall not the Lord thus preserue one in a cittie and two in a Tribe that they may be repairers of the breach and the restorers of the paths to dwel in that they may build vp the olde wast places and raise vp the foundations for many generations Ier. 3. Isay 58.12 10 That so the face of the church may be renued and continued till the comming of Christ. Euen so Lord Iesus allure vs to this holy dutie and hasten thy kingdome of Grace that thy will may be done in our perfection to glory The third booke of the dayly Sacrifice Containing a direction how to order our dayly occasions to the glory of our blessed God In a Constant worship of his Maiestie And these are 1. A Preparation to each occasion Chap. 1. 2. To arise with God and beginning the day with him of which in the second Cha. 2. 3. The meanes hereto priuate and Familie-exercises Chap. 3. 4. The following of our callings Chap 4. 5. The vse of the creatures Chap. 5. 6. The right vse of Apparrell Chap 6. 7. Of company Chap. 7. 8. Of solitarinesse and it right vse Chap. 8. 9. Of prosperity Chap 9. 10. Of Aduersitie Chap. 10. 11. Of the dayly account Chap. 11. Hitherto we haue spoken of such necessarie Duties Which are dayly in a constant measure to be performed of those that will approue themselues to trauell towards heauen Now because there are many other occasions that doe offer themselues besides these â—â—â—et meanes euen euery day vnto which wee ought both wisely to bee prepared to as also wee must learne to entertaine them wisely and profitably to pursue and goe through them so as to further vs to happinesse Therefore in the next place it shall bee necessary both to lay downe Rules how to be prepared to them as also to propose a seuerall direction for each that they may not interrupt but further our constant course of Holinesse CHAP. I. Of preparation to each occasion HOwsoeuer occasions are manifold and contrary yet shall we be gratiously prepared to theÌ„ First if wee consider that they are no certaine markes of Gods fauour neither are we absolutely to iudge of our estate by them or in them 2 And yet doe resolue that whatsoeuer befall yet all shall turne to our good 3 And therfore that we set not vp our rest in any one of them but prepare for such variety and contradiction as our holy God hath
and strengthen vs in the worke of grace Therefore hauing now laide downe the true Patterne of Holinesse and liuelie practise thereof my purpose is GOD willing shortly to furnish thee with such variety of helpes as may serue both to vphold and encrease this blessed condition And seeing wee shall not want many Lettes and Hinderances to interrupt and so to linger vs in if not quite to breake off this holy course Therefore by GODS grace I doe intend in the third place to discouer those seuerall Rubbes and impediments and withall to instruct how wee may encounter and subdue the same And withall As GOD shall lend health and liberty to adde such motiues and encouragements both from the present benefites of this constant walking as also from the future recompence which waits the same as may throughly settle vs in the practise thereof Meane while let vs in the name of GOD bee faithfull in a little that so wee may bee fitted to further blessings being thankfull for the meanes wee enioy to this end and labouring thereby to serue one another in loue praying for the peace of Ierusalem and seeking the same aboue our chiefest ioy that so in the peace thereof wee may haue peace euen a gracious liberty to walk with our God in constant obedience to whom in Iesus Christ through the blessed Spirit bee praise and Dominion in all the Churches Amen FINIS * Greenham Perkins Rogers Downam and Arthur Dent c. Reasons of â—â—â—he Deity Alexander Vse Natures vse for the knowledge of GOD. Vse Intelliâ—â—â—ent Vse Eternall Vse Vse Vse Vse Vse Vse Vse Vse Vse Rom. 1. Psalm 81.1 Vse Note Ephes. 4. Eph. 4.1.2 Sect. 1. What a person is Vse Trinitie what Persons how they differ Order of Persons Order of workes Vse Vse Note Ends of Creation Vse Time 1. Cor. 2. Vse Body Soule in regard of the Analogy betweene the Creaation and Regeneration 2. Cor. 12.11 Vse Sect. 6. 2. By sufferings where what they were 1 In whole life 2 In death 3 In body 4 In soule Sect. 7. Conquering and how Vse of his death Sect. 8. The benefit of our Redemption 1 By sence of our misery fall from our first estate The greatnes therof 1 By sinne 2 By fruite of sin what they are 1 In this life 2 In the life to come 3 Particulars of hell torments Sect. 1. The word the guide of this direction Sect. 2. Vse Sect. 1. Sect. 1. Vse Sect. 1. Sect. 2. This course to be known though impossible to be kept Sect. 3. It is not impossible Sect. 4. It is necessary 3 To encrease in righteous 4 To recouer out of euil 5 To further our callings Sect. 5. It is most conuenient for all sorts 1 For Babes 2 For strong men 3 For men in prosperity 4 For the time of offliction Sect. 6. And profitable Sect. 7. And pleasant where The benefite of constant godlines there in the priuiledge of Christians Sect. 2. Repentance how performed 1 By knowledge 2 Sorrow 3 By confession In generall In particular 4 By iudging 5 By flying to Christ. 5 Forsaking sin how Section 3. Helpes to repentance Sect. 4. Markes of Repentance Vse of Repentance Note Sect. 7. Trial hereof Ahab Rom. 2. Sect. 2. The degrees of this worke Sect. 3. The markes of particular assurance Sect. 4. The degrees thereof Weakenesse of Faith How knowne The grounds hereof Sect. 1. The heart a sleepe and by what meanes Sect. 2· The heart to be awakened and how Sect. 3. The heart awakened must be examined And how 1 By a true rule 2. An holy manner 3. To a right end Sect. 4. The heart examined must be established in the worship of God And how How to know the beloued sin How to conquer it Sect. 7. Trial hereof Sect. 1. The parts of the spirituall armour and first of the girdle of Truth Its parts are Sect. 2. 1 A rectified Iudgement The benefit thereof Sect. 3. The sanctified conscience and how discerned How put on The benefit thereof Sect. 4. The sinceri-of the will It markes It measure The benefit hereof Sect. 5. The well ordering of the affections how discerned The benefit thereof Sect. 6. The sinceritie of the Tongue Wherein it is seene Sect. 7. Of speech and 1 Of the preparation to it 2 And bee hath promised to blesse this meanes to this end 3 And the Saints haue practised this duty profitably Sect. 8. The matter of speech Sect. 9. How to speake of God Sect. 4. How to speake of our neighbour Sect. 15. What heere to be auoyded How to speake in dispraise of our selues Sect. 14 Of things to be spoken How to speake of what wee know Sect. 15. The maner of speech 1 It must be gratious Sect. 16.2 Our speech must be true Sect. 17. Of the bonds of truth 1 Euidences How to affirme in doubtfull cases 3 The matter 4 The manner 5 He that may sweare 6 The ende and causes of an oath 6 Before whom we must sweare 7 When 8 How an oath binds 9 The abuses of an oth Sect. 21. Of flattery Sest 22. Concealing of truth Sect. 23. The third grace of speech Reuerence and that 1. In respect of God 2. Of man Sect. 24. To giue holy names to to our children Sect. 25. Reuerence to our superiour Here forbidden 1. Blasphemie 2. All abuse of scripture 2. Abuse of our selues Sect. 26. A fourth grace of speech Sobrietie and Modestie And where in Sect. 27. Of saluatioÌ„s Popish blessing to bee moderated Sect. 28. Of soft ananswering Sect. 28. Of reproofe of sinne Sect. 30. A fit grace of speech is cheerfulnes and ioy It conditions How fitted to the boord How for bed Here to bee auoyded 1 Iesting with it bounds 2 Laughter Sect. 31. A sixt grace of speech care of our neighbours good name 1 How performed 2 What auoyded Sect. 32. The seuenth grace of speech slownesse briefnes Rules herein Sect. 33 Of silence and the right vse thereof Things to be conceald And first wherein silence is to be vsed 1 Concerning God 2 Concerning our selues 3 What to be conceald Aug. lib. ad conser 4 Before whom we must keepe silence Sect. 34 Last part of the Girdle Conformiâ—â—â—ie of outward actions The end what 1 Gods glory 2 Edification how accomplished How applied Benefite of this part of the Girdle Sect. 35. The Breast-plate of righteousnesse 1. What it is 2. The vse of this part How to bee attained and preserued Sect. 37. A fourth part of the Armour the shield of faith It vse Sect. 38. The fifth part the helmet of hope Sect. 39. The last part the sword of the Spirit 1. It vse 2 How obtained 3 Triall â—â—â—ereof 4. How kept on Sect. 40. The general benefit of the whole armie Sest 1. Difference of euill Sect. 2. What the euill of sin is Sect. 3. The vse of this knowledge Sect. 4 How farre sinne hath taken hold on man The benefit of this knowledge Sect. 4. Gods
the same by the former rules of humiliation and such as hereafter shall bee laid downe 8 And so being wise to feare our selues in regard of the said tentation we shal happily get the conquest of it Pro. 14. 9 We must daily recount how wee haue profited in godlinesse Psal. 119. 10 We must prepare our selues continually to afflictions Luk. 9.23 11 Wee must bee plentifull in good workes 2. Pet. 1.9 12 In all our actions specially extraordinary we must not trust to that soundnesse of heart which hath beene but try them by that which is that so from the sense of the purenesse of the fountaine the streames may flow more certainly and purely Luk. 6.43 Matthew 13. 13 Though the heart may appeare to bee sound yet the goodnesse of the action must not so much depend vpon the soundnesse of the heart appearing as vpon the free mercies of God accepting the same 14 Wee must prouide a compleat Armour for the heart being prepared to preserue it Ephes 6.13 CHAP. IIII. Of the spirituall Armour and arming of the Heart ANd this is the fourth duty of necessity to bee performed daily by vs Namely to arme our hearts against all tentations And that 1 Because such an Armour is commended vnto vs in the word Ephes. 6. 2 Our enemies are mighty princes and armed wickednesses Ephes 6.16 3 The heart without it lies open to all tentations 4 By it wee shall bee able to cast downe all strong holds 2. Cor. 10.4 which stand in our way to happinesse 1. Tim. 6.11 5 And so shall lay hold on eternall life and finish our course with ioy 2. Tim. 4.6 Here consider these three poynts 1 What this Armour is 2 How it is to be put on 3 How to be kept on Thus Armour hath many peeces Fist the Girdle of Truth Sincerity Ephes. 6.14 And this consisteth of these parts The first is a rectified Iudgement proceeding from an illightned and sanctified vnderstanding wrought by a liuely Faith through the Word of God Eph. 4.13 And it hath these properties 1 Is is sound in what it knowes Coloss. 1.6.9 2 It retaineth safely what it knowes Psa. 119.11 3 It is wise to distinguish betweene things that differ Phillip 1. And so to try the Spirits 1. Iohn 4.1 4 It discernes all things 1. Cor. 2.15 5 It comprehends the height and bredth and depth and length Ephes. 3. 6 It knowes no man after the flesh 2.5.16 7 It knowes but in part and so is subiect to errour 1. Cor. 13. 8 It is not obstinate in errour but willing to bee reformed in what it hath beene mis-informed 2. Tim. 2.16 9 It is apt and desirous to receiue further illumination Col. 1.10 2. Tim. 3.7 10 And daily increaseth in this sauing knowledge Heb. 5.12 11 It maintaines perfection of godlinesse and resolues that we cannot be too righteous 12 In our failings of practise it remaines sound and giues no warrant to any decay 13 And cleaues to the word for it further establishing howsoeuer wee may bee humbled in our contrary practise 14 Yea it iustifies God and the truth though it bee to the temporall confusion of our present practise 15 It laboureth to enlighten and informe others Helpes to put on this Armour are 1 A discerning of our owne inward blindnesse Psal. 119.28 2 A daily meditation in the word and workes of God Psalm 1. 3 A faithfull recording and comparing of things past with things present and so collecting for the time to come Luke 2.51 And this part of the Girdle serueth 1 To condemne the blindenesse of nature 1. Cor. 2.14 Matth. 16.17 2 To discerne between the light of nature and grace the illightning and sanctifying Spirit Col. 1.9 Eph. 5.8 3 To direct all our actions for as wee know so wee doe Rom. 14.5.23 4 To make triall of them for if they haue not the light it is because there is no truth in them Ioh. 3.21 5 To informe and instruct others Psal. 34. The second part of this Girdle is a sanctified conscience and it is discerned 1 By this that it excuseth for all sinnes as our persons are accepted in Christ 1. Cor. 4.4 2 It checkes for the least sinne before actuall repentance be performed 1. Ioh. 5.17 3 It feares falling in regard of the weaknesse of the flesh though repentance be performed 4 It endeuours in all things to please God Act. 20. Heb. 13.18 5 It is not suspicious but iudgeth charitably where it knowes not the contrary 6 It stands only bound by Gods word and to his glory 7 It so stands vpon it cleering that it relies wholly on Christ. 8 It applies particular chasticements to particular and secret sins 9 It approues our vpright walking in the whole course of our life Act 23.1 Psa. 26.1 10 It procures vs peace with God Rom. 5.1 and with men so farre as it is possible and expedient Rom. 12.18 11 It breedes contentment in the life and all occasions Phil. 4.12 12 It procures cheerfulnesse in the countenance and readinesse in all our businesse Pro. 28.1 13 It makes vs couragious for the truth and willing by all meanes to defend the same Act. 4.13 Act. 6.15 Act. 18.26 14 It makes vs victorious in troubles and 15 Ready to yeeld vp our liues to the hands of God Act. 21.23 And it is put on and preserued 1 By making conscience of all things commanded Psa. 119.6 2 By keeping it tender and sensible of the least euill Hebr. 13.18 3 To this end view wee it daily in the glasse of the world that so the iudgement may bee kept cleere to preuent security 4 Examine we and censure the daily errors thereof by calling it before the Lord to auoid spirituall blindnesse 5 Auoid wee aboue all things doubtfulnesse and distraction in our actions Rom. 14.5 6 Especially keepe wee our selues from wilfull fighting against the light thereof in committing grosse and presumptuous sinnes Psa. 19.12 7 Haue wee alwayes more regard of it in the sight of God then of our owne credit with men 1. Cor. 4.4 Rom. 2.29 8 Flye wee into the bosome thereof when outward things crosse vs Act. 23.1 9 Rest we not so vpon the iustification thereof but that we referre it â—â—â—o the mercie of God 1. Cor. 4.4 The measure of this sincerity is 1 Because we know but in part therefore either wee may not make conscience of some things which others are bound to and so not only dissent from them for a time but euen afflict them Or else 2 We may through ignorance bee scrupulous and suspicious in some things wherein others hauing knowledge are free and so afflict our selues vnnecessarily in not taking our Christian liberty 3 Or because wee know but in part therefore make we account to be subiect to error and so to distraction and anguish of spirit 4 As also to curiousity and searching after speculations 5 And so to pride and negligence in well-doing 6 And so to