A WEEKES WORKE AND A WORKE FOR EVERY weeke By R. B. The third Edition LONDON Printed by Felix Kyngston and are to be sold by Nathanael Newbery 1616. TO THE VERTVOVS AND RELIgious Ladies the Ladie Elizabeth Barkley of Bruton the Ladie Elizabeth Barkley of Yearlington and the Ladie Anne Horner that wisdome which is from aboue that true peace which is from within and the manifestation of both in the fruits of the spirit to their perfect ioy AS I consider with my selfe how Mary did make choice of the better part I cannot but blesse God for the worke of grace So Right Worshipfull on the contrary marking the mad choyce of others I follow the counsell of the Prophet Esaiah I stay wonder Eue had free-will the choyce of an apple and Paradise was before her God said eate not and liue but eate said the Serpent thou shalt not die The diuell was credited God not beleeued the apple was eaten Paradise lost a miserable choice But led she the way in this point of follie and hath shee had no followers What none of her posterity to walk in her steps Behold the sonnes of God chose the daughters of men and forsooke the generation of the righteous Lot left Abraham and made choyce to dwell in Sodome Esau loueth his bellie and for a present messe of pottage selleth away his birth-right The mixt people among the Israelites rather desire garlicke and onyons and to sit by the flesh-pots of Egypt then to eat that sweet Manna frō heauē Yea so mad are men in their choyce as the Iewes from the highest to the lowest cry out to haue a rebell a theefe a murtherer euen a Barrabas instead of that iust one and innocent Christ the righteous As I haue stayed in my thoughts vpon these so now should I wonder but that among our selues I finde many as foolish and as vnreasonable in their chusing They esteeme more of pleasure then of peace wiih God they will sell godlines for earthly gain they preferre profit before piety worldly goods they like of better then heauenly graces they chuse rather to rest vpon an idle conceit in themselues of saluation then vpon the witnesse of Gods word a truly informed conscience they wil plead rather custom then diuine precepts mens examples now for liberty in sinn e rather then the holy liues of the godly recorded in Scripture most in a word chuse rather to be reputed religious then so to be indeed But perhaps you Ladies will say what of all this to you Surely that you beholding nature corrupted and your selues through Gods mercy sanctified by grace may in your more happie choyce giue due praises heartily vnto God who affoordeth you from aboue so much power and strength that you may in some measure with holy Elizabeth walke in the Commandemēts of the Lord with religious Mary sit down at Christs feet heare his word with that blessed Virgin Christs mother ponder the words and lay them vp in your hearts with afflicted Hannah poure out in your necessities your soules by prayer vnto God and with that deuout Anna serue God in fasting and prayers day and night For this end and purpose to further euery well disposed Christian in the path that leadeth vnto life and glory I haue now this third time published this Weeks work worke for euery weeke I haue presumed to send it forth vnder your names not in any merit of the worke but in my true esteeme of your godlinesse and certaine perswasion of your good desires to please God which the Lord encrease in you more more with such inward comfort of spirit as you may perseuere in euery good worke of grace to goe boldly to the throne of grace in euery state and condition to the end of your daies euen so Amen Your Ladyships in all Christian duties RIC. BERNARD Batcombe Iuly 14. A DIALOGVE BETWEENE IOHN the beloued Apostle and his beloued Gaius Epist. 3. vers 1. Iohn GRace be with thee Noble Gaius mercy and peace from God the Father and from the Lord Iesus Christ the Sonne of the Father with truth and loue Gaius Reuerend Father let this thy prayer this day preuaile with God for Grace Peace Mercy Truth in Loue I much long after Iohn Well may wee wish for these things friend Gaius as the foundation of all good fauours with God and all good men Gaius Oh my Lord I thanke God these things with me are of greater price then any thing which may seeme most pretious with the world For Grace maketh me acceptable to God Peace comforteth mee within my selfe Mercy from God affordeth me remission of sins and Mercy from me shewed towards others maketh them both to pray and praise God for me The Truth of God warranteth my course and way and truth obserued of me iustifieth my words and workes Loue in God to me procureth peace bringeth forth mercy and confirmeth truth loue in our selues maintaineth peace vrgeth to mercy and bindeth one to another and all vnto the truth Therefore Sir doe I in soule desire earnestly after the same but I cannot attain vnto that measure which I would I hunger after the perfection of all true holinesse but alas I cannot bee satisfied I thirst after righteousnesse but ah miserable man that I am who shall deliuer mee from the body of this death which so much doth hinder mee in my heauenly progresse Iohn I reioyce greatly worthie Gaius that I find thee thus well prepared for further instructions blessed art thou for so hungring and thirsting after the best things for thou shalt be satisfied Gaius My Lord I am not ignorant blessed be God for this knowledge of my selfe that I am heere indeed in this present world but not of this world one as a pilgrime and stranger without any certaine mansion hither sent of the Lord for a time to bee employed in his seruice and so to stay till hee call mee hence which houre I waite for looking for death daily and the Lords comming to iudgement And therefore I desire to bee ready prepared and to learn whatsoeuer may be needfull both for continuance and encrease of grace in the way of life Especially seeing how the world groweth so on to worse and worse and this our present age declining so fast vnto wickednesse lest I bee intrapped and become guiltie of the common sinnes and so perish in the deserued plagues Iohn Indeed good Christian heart wel mayest thou so tearme these Euill daies our present times Is not pietie turned by many into policie sincerity by others into schisme true zeale is decayed conscience is now but a customarie fashion graced with conformitie faith is altogether a formal seruice without fasting without true feare of God and feruencie of spirit without gratious words tending to edification or good workes assuring vs of saluation godly gouerment is grosly abused by couetous persons and made a base course for filthie gaine true deuotion is not
to thy selfe as thou art foule or faire without flatterie or deceit so doth Gods word shew either thy faire graces or foule vices without partialitie 2. As thou delightest to see thy comely parts and so more to grace them and as thou doest see thy spots and lookest after them that thou mayest wash them off euen so behold thy graces in Gods word to delight therein and seeke to beautifie them the more as also thy deformities spots of sinne to wash them away 3. As thou approuest of a glasse and delightest to looke into it because it is a true glasse though it shew thy spots so should wee allow of delight in Gods word albeit it discouer vnto vs our iniquities and sinnes After these meditations 3. Dutie betake thy selfe to In the morning is prayer prayer and cast downe thy selfe before the Lord craue pardon for euery sinne nights pollution naturall corruption dayes transgression desire the spirits illumination the direction of the word the graces of the spirit the protection of Angels the helpe of his holy hand to beare thee vp in all thy waies whatsoeuer thou puttest thy hand vnto in the day following according to thy vocation and course of thy lawfull calling Hauing thus called vpon 4. Dutie is to read the Scriptures God take some time to looke into Gods word to reade some portion of Scriptures As thou canst looke into a glasse euery morning so haue a care to looke into the law of God to see the state of thy soule behold what thou art by nature what by grace what here now and what thou mayest bee in the life to come Also consider of thy place and standing thy course of life calling what thy dutie is therein either to God or to man what charge thou hast vpon thee whether of a child a parent a married person a ruler of a family a master or of a seruant a publke or priuate person a pastor or one of the flocke a labourer or trades man and so forth and according to the seuerall respects consider of thy dutie By this glasse looke into the order of thy family thy conuersation with men and thy dealings in the world by it set modestly thy countenance frame reuerently thy gesture guide thy vnruly tongue set thy hands on worke and order thy footsteps so reforme whatsoeuer is amisse If thou doest looke into it for thy attire consider by this glasse of truth not only how thy raiment doth Consideration of apparell become thee but also how lawfull to be worne how conuenient for thee in respect of thy place degree age sexe and habilitie thereby to preuent iust occasion of giuing offence and if yet thou wilt needs excell in brauerie and goe with the best for outward garments see that thou also be as readie to imitate the most holy in heauenly graces else thou art but the diuels ensigne-bearer lifting vp the standard of pride to thy owne confusion After all these things 5. Dutie weigh seriously with thy selfe before thou goest Godly considerations in going abroad forth 1. What businesse thou hast abroad 2. What warrant thou hast for thy intendments therin from God his word 3. How lawfull thy proceeding and act it selfe is in it selfe 4. How lawfull vnto thee what calling thou hast thereunto 5. What means to effect it what hope of a blessing what honour may bee thereby to God what good to others what profit to thy selfe Do nothing rashly nor any thing at any time against religion charity publike peace equitie or common honestie lest thou sinne against God against men and against thy owne soule To conclude consider that thy preparation to thy businesse in thy Christian calling is a preparation to goe forth vnto the battell with thy spirituall enemies and therfore forget not to keep euer within the Citie the new Ierusalem The Christian Garison the true Church of God vnder thy Generall Iesus Christ guided by his Vice-gerent his holy spirit following his Ensigne the preaching of his word hauing vpon thee the whole Armour of God the girdle of veritie the brest-plate of righteousnesse the helmet of saluation the shield of faith on thy feet the preparation of the Gospell of peace in thy hand or rather in thy heart the sword of the spirit the word of God and vse all these with feruent praier attend the Ensigne-bearers the true Preachers of Gods word displaying their colours openly and liuely teaching the truth Keepe with the court of Guard the fellowship of the faithfull vnder the Castle of Gods gracious protectiō being to watch stand firme in thy holy profession and abide in thy particular calling Let the Captaine religion command thee the Lieutenant soundnesse of iudgement in the truth settle thee the Sergeant prudence order thee let thy Corporall apprehension set thy attention Sentinell when thou shalt heare the Gentlemen of the Round comming godly discourses and holy motions keepe the watch-word the witnes of Gods Spirit diligently if thou shalt perceiue any secret conspirators inward corruptions outward tentations make an alarme let flie from thy heart spirituall eiaculations vnto Iesus Christ for aide against them If the common souldiers corrupt reason and loose affections begin to be disorderly and to mutinie through vaine pleasures against Captaine religion complaine presently to the Generall the Lord Iesus that by his Spirit he may suppresse them and by the power of conscience keepe them in obedience lest the terrible shot of thundering iudgements bring an vtter destruction In all assaults fight valiantly resist thy enemies with courage and bee perswaded in the end of victorie howsoeuer for thy bodily life care not neuer yeeld to thine enemies but fight it out as a souldier of Iesus Christ to the death rather then to bee taken and led captiue for that is worse then a thousand bodily deathes Lastly going forth thus 6. Dutie In being abroad well resolued set God before thee hide his commandements within thee cleaue to the rule of his word purpose wholly to do well and endeauour it take heede of ill intendments Auoid ill companie beware of ill counsell fauour not thy owne corruptions seeke not thine owne will aime principally at Gods glory and thus goe forth in the name of the Lord bee confident that thou doest goe vnder Gods protection and expect a safe returne For blessed is such a one in his going forth and blessed shall he be in his returning in againe But if before thou goest Meditations in going to meate out or afterward whē thou wilt thou shall receiue any bodily nourishment consider these things 1. That as thy body stands in need of food so doth thy soule also 2. That as hunger maketh meate pleasant and forceth thee to looke for food and to receiue it thankfully euen so a soule hungering after grace maketh the word pleasant causeth vs to seeke it and hauing it to thanke God heartily for it 3. As nothing
maketh vs delicate in feeding or to desire variety of dishes and daintie fare but quezie stomackes or a custome in nice feeding want of appetite or weaknesse in digestion so nothing but daintinesse and an appetite to varietie weake spirits yet withall full of proud conceits fleshly apprehēsions itching eares want of good stomackkes and hearts vnhumbled doe cause the fine and delicate cooking of Gods word and saucing it with the froth of mens wits to make it fleshly sweet and pleasant to vaine persons 4. Consider how thou canst lay aside thy worldly businesses thy pleasures and profits to take thy bodily repast either at home or as occasion serues abroad where thou mayest haue it euen so shouldest thou lay aside thy pleasures and profits at times fitting for to get food for thy soule either at home or abroad for as food is necessarie for the bodie so is the word of God preached for thy soule 5. As thou knowest that food preserues not life without Gods blessing and that the least crum may bereaue thee of thy life if it go wrong and therefore doest thou pray to God before euen so know also that hearing and preaching of the word doth not giue not preserue the life of the soule except God blesse the same yea the least mistaking in the chiefest points if God preuent it not may cause thee to erre euen vnto death And therefore before we come to the word let vs pray heartily to God for a blessing 6. As thou wilt not sit downe to receiue food but with cleane hands so come not to Gods word or the Lords Table without a cleane heart and as thou wilt sit downe if thou hast a good stomack when meate is prepared for thee laying aside thy businesse for a while so indeed if our hearts bee good whē the Lord hath prepared by his Ministers food for vs let vs as wee ought lay aside worldly businesses a while to heare his doctrine words of instruction for our strength and edification And being set downe Meditations being set at the table at a feast then let the house in which thou art put thee in remembrance of Gods Church the Master of the house of Christ Iesus the head of his Church and Lord of the feast the table of the Lords Table thy sitting downe the spirituall rest at the heauenly banquet the faire linnens of puritie the furnishing of the Table the variety with plentie of all things of the things prepared for vs by Christ Let the cleanly decent seruice put thee in mind of the pure worship of God the wholesome food of sound doctrine the orderly placing of dishes the orderly administration of holy things The seruitours let them remember thee of Gods Ministers the bread of the word of God and Christs body in the Sacrament the drinke and wine of the water of life and blood of Christ milke of the principles of religion and catechizing strong meate of harder points of doctrine salt of the ministery of the word sauce of afflictiōs mingled with Gods mercies to make them taste the better The cunning caruing and cutting vp of the food of the right diuiding of Gods word the reaching of it cut of the giuing to euery man his part and portion thy hand of thy faith thy chewing in thy mouth of thy meditation in heart thy digestion of thy true receiuing of the word Remember by thy companie the communion of Saints by their talke together the holy conference by their idle speech the nature of vaine and iangling spirits and by their graue and sober speaking the wisdome of their words which are wise in heart By the musicke if any be consider of the sweet melody in concord of louing hearts liuing in vnity and of the ioies in heauen and mirth vnspeakable by the chearing of the heart with meate and drinke causing thee to bee merrie weigh the sweet comforts of the word refreshing thy soule making thee glad in the peace of a good conscience which is a continual feast When thou offerest of that thou hast vnto any let it put thee in mind of the cōmunicating of thy graces and gifts of heauenly things vnto others When thou receiuest willingly with thankes what other offer to thee thinke how willingly and thankfully thou shouldest receiue the food meanes of saluation from other when any shall offer the same vnto thee Being at length well refreshed Being refreshed and readie to arise frō the table and ready to arise thinke what a blessing of God it is to haue food to refresh the body and so in like manner to haue meanes of instruction to thy soule Let him that giueth thankes in the end call to thy remembrance how the Minister giueth thankes at the end of the time of the publike worship which thou art to stay for them as at the Table for saying of grace To conclude this as thou feelest strength of body by taking corporall food so labour to feele strength of grace by receiuing the food of the soule And as thou perceiuest that the body will famish without nourishing of it daily so the soule wil perish where there is no vision And as thou canst find in thy hart to bee at cost for the bodily food and canst labour and go farre for it so such a loue and hunger shouldest thou haue for the foode of the soule that thou shouldest willingly bee at cost for it to labour for it to seeke it as siluer and to search for it as treasurie that thou mayest come to the feare of the Lord and find the knowledge of God Gaius Alas my heart is heauie my soule is perplexed within me Oh how wanting hitherto haue I been of these duties and ignorant of these meditations I confesse I haue risen without any true reuerent remembrance of God a few prayers perhaps I haue made more in sound of words then with sighes and grones from an earnest affection of the heart But now haue I better vnderstood how euery morning I am to demeane my selfe the Lord giue mee grace what now I know and thou good man of God hast so largely instructed mee in hereafter neuer to neglect Iohn Comfort thy selfe my bowels thou hast a large portion in the Lords inheritance I wish chiefely that thou mayest prosper as well as thy soule prospereth thy beginnings in goodnes thy desire to encrease in grace thy faithfull endeauour to attaine thereunto by Gods blessing shall bring thee to perfection and to thy desired wish in the end Gaius Thou hast spoken I thanke thee comfortably vnto thy seruant but if that I haue now obtained thy grace and that I bee acceptable in thine eyes before thou proceedest any further I beseech thee to frame me a form of prayer for euery morning as may fitly agree with my former meditations Iohn Faithfull Gaius I very willingly condiscend to this thy holy desire if therefore it please thee in this or the like maner thou mayest frame thy prayer
the death of sin the strength of grace of thy contempt of the world and of thy desire to bee with Christ for by a constant course in this daily exercise thou shalt see these things more and more to encrease vpon thee if indeed this worke for euery weeke without formall and customarie hypocrisie in a holy and conscionable respect of thy dutie bee religiously and constantly performed Thirdly consider how thou hast passed ouer so many dayes the allotted time for worldly labours and so hast brought the weeke to an end that so thou mayest meditate of thy shortening of thy daies and drawing nearer vnto iudgemēt Also how thou hast ended daies and weekes and so shouldest end thy sins and as times renew vpon thee and yeeres encrease so shouldest thou be daily renewed in minde and bee encreased in goodnesse that so the longer thou doest liue the better thou may bee more holy to God more vpright to men more spiritual lesse worldly more desirous of immortality lesse regarding vanitie so liuing as thereby leauing a blessed name to posterity so dying as thou mayest enioy a better life in eternity Fourthly with the rest of thy former daily deuotions and euery nights exercise and godly meditation going to bed adde to this night these two considerations That the week is as the end of the world and the seuenth day following as the eternall Sabbath when all the elect of God shall be assembled to worship him for euer and euer Gaius Reuerend Sir although thus be ended the duties and meditations for the sixe daies in the weeke yet is not this worke for euery weeke fully finished One thing remaineth of which though many haue spoken I beseech thee say something and set downe in a few words how I may behaue my selfe vpon this day of rest to sanctifie it and to keepe it holy vnto the Lord. Iohn Friend and faithfull Gaius thy desire is good and I cannot but condescēd to thy request to make vp this so little a worke for him that readeth it which yet will bee a most holy labour to him that practiseth it Concerning this thou art to know three things first 3. Things to bee knowne for the keeping of the Lords day holy what to doe before thou goest to the assembly then how to demeane thy selfe there and thirdly how to behaue thy selfe afterwards Gaius What am I to do I beseech thee in the morning Iohn Thou art not only now to performe thy euery day mornings deuotion but thou must make a speciall preparation for this day First awake early and What to doe vpon the Lords day in the morning arise be times as thy age and health wil suffer thee the sooner vp the more ready for holy exercises and longer time for them It is meet thou shouldest assoone rise for the Lords seruice to the soules safety as in the weeke day for thy selfe or earthly master to get maintenance for the body Secondly being thus risen and ready bee earnest and ardent in prayer and therin first for thy Pastor and Teacher that God would enlarge his gifts vpon him that hee would giue him vtterance and liberty of speech that hee might speake powerfully that the spirit might work both in him and by him effectually that so he himselfe might be a preacher in word and works a liuely paterne of his doctrine in a holy life and conuersation then for thy selfe and the rest of the hearers that they might haue prepared harts as good groūd for the Lords seede that they might bring forth plentifully for the Lords haruest for your ministers encouragement and your owne comfort After this reade some portion of Scripture with the text to be handled if hee goe on with a scripture calling to minde what hee hath spoken where hee left that so you may prepare your selues better to that which remaineth and so with some sweete Psalme of Psal 14. 92. 95. comfort praise God Thirdly and lastly after all these things speedily dispatch all businesse of absolute necessity auoide whatsoeuer is superfluous leaue as few as possibly may be at home make hast to the assembly and thinke whether thou art going looking to thy feet before thou enter into the house of the Lord and be more ready to heare then to offer the sacrifice of fooles Gaius Oh Lord God Of mens vnpreparednesse to Gods house how vnpreparedly come most into Gods house wee doe vsually rush into the holy assemblie without doing any of these duties from worldly businesse stuffed with cares of this life which choke the seed of Gods word some out of the Alchouse with red faces bidding defiance to all sober spirits other hardly gotten from their beds hauing not shaken off their idlenesse and perhaps their wantonnesse other spend all the time in dressing and attiring themselues that they may come to see and to bee seene into the congregation as the diuels ensigne-bearers of vanity pride Some come with couetousnes as Iudas some with hypocrisie as Ananiah some with enuie as the Pharisies some with Prophanenesse and mocking spirits like the Iewes some to cauill and catch aduantage as certaine did in Ieremies daies some come for companie as good fellowes not for conscience some onely of a fashion and of a custome taken vp vpon a kind of religion but neither knowing why nor wherefore nor euer learning any thing for their reformation Some come for feare of man but not of God most that come come as the people did to Ezechiel to heare but very few to doe because indeed they come not thus in a conscionable preparation But I haue been too long in this sorrowfull complaint shew me I pray thee what I am to do in the open congregation Iohn 1. Be thou respectiue How to carry our selues in the open congregation of Gods presence the presence of his holy Angels 2. Shew a reuerent behauior in thine eies countenance gesture of thy whole body whether it bee standing sitting or kneelings 3. Wholly addict thy selfe to attentiue hearing ioyning with the minister and the rest of the congregation in all the publike exercises is the preaching of the word in administration of the Sacramēts in distributing to the poor in their necessities in prayer and singing of Psalmes vnto God 4. Auoid all wandring thoughts idle gazing drowsie sleeping superstitious praying there alone also priuate reading and whatsoeuer may shew either neglect or contempt of the publike administration of holy thing 5. Continue constant with the congregation abide to the end and conclude with the rest depart with a heart lifted vp vnto God for such heauenly means of saluation and so goe forth with a reuerent and a holy behauiour in respect of God of his Angels of Gods Ministers and his people and in respect of departing so immediately from such holy and heauenly exercises and also in regard of the place but without superstition set apart to so holy an end Gaius Alas alas
knowne from Popish superstition religion is held but an opinion or a point of state which is therefore often pretended but seldome truly intended For many indeed loathe the word of life they loue riches they reckon not of Christs righteousnesse if they can enioy a present honour and prosperity they will hazard heauen and the eternall Paradise Such profane Esaus will sell their future hopes for a present mease of pottage if euer such Atheists haue recourse to God at any time for mercy it is then only when they perforce come vnder the hand of his iustice For where is that man which in onely hatred of the worlds vanities in true detestation of his owne foule corruptions vpon good assurance of life eternall will in his health and highest prosperity begin heartily to sing the song of Simeon and to say Lord now lettest thou thy seruant depart in peace for mine eyes haue seene thy saluation embracing Christ by faith as hee tooke him in his armes Gaius Alas my Lord this is our carnall state indeed in a fleshly security for the most part For many haue a religion without the vertue of the spirit and power of the word they frame a God all of mercy without terrour in execution of iustice they imagine a Christ without a fan in his hand to diuide the chaffe from the wheate to burne it and without an iron rod to breake the wicked in pieces But what should I thus complaine of others Oh that I could pray and mourne for them and amend my owne waies which verily I desire and therefore doe I humbly craue of thee farther directions how I may daily exercise my selfe in true holinesse and righteousnesse that so I may auoid what is euill and in the end find death aduantage vnto me and the last iudgement the day of my perfect redemption Iohn Welbeloued Gaius this thy heauenly desire holy purpose most gratious affection disposed so happily to goodnesse doe cause me greatly to reioyce It is a rare thing now a dayes to find so humble a spirit in so learned a person such piety in so great prosperity such hunger and feeling of wants still in so great abūdance of grace I know not whether I more admire thee then loue thee both are so high in degree in my thoughts and meditations vpon thee Gaius Reuerend Sir I thanke you for your vndeserued loue but I cannot cease to maruell how my meane gifts and graces should bee esteemed of so great worth with you when I know that of my selfe I am nothing and haue nothing but of God that more strength of corruption is in mee then power of grace much more yet to bee desired then I haue attained vnto wherein many thousands excell me Iohn Good heart vpon this thy humility the Lord in mercy looke and will exalt thee as he hath promised them that are humble and meeke Gaius If God be pleased to shew me mercy in any measure I will acknowledge it his good grace without my merit But may it please thee thou holy man of God to cease to admire my poore deeds and no desarts and with the eye of pitie to look vpon my great defects and by thy gracious words instruct mee yet further how to demeane my selfe that my wants may bee supplied my present state of grace preserued and by little and little through prayer and practice good things may by Gods mercy bee encreased vnto the end Iohn It pleaseth me well good Gaius though not to cease to admire thee yet willingly to aduise thee wherin I can to the vtmost Therefore for the present take this my counsell and aduice thou shalt doe well to obserue these rules following for the generall course of life First and aboue all set Generall rules for the whole course of life God euer before thy face thinke him alwaies with thee present by thee and earnestly looking vpon thee iudging rightly and as thou deseruest iustly to reward thee Secondly behold his glorious Angels attending thee perfect patternes of pietie and all purity in well doing they doe guard thee through wickednes they flie from thee Thirdly haue an awful regard to all Gods Commandements omit no dutie commit no iniquitie feare to offend in the least sinne and be zealous of euery least good worke esteeme not lightly of any of Gods Commandements iudge euery part of his will set downe in his word worthie of all holy reuerence and that with obedience in feare Fourthly in the matters of God and holy motions abandon thine own will shut out carnall reason seeke not thine owne glory fauour or praise of other in thy seruice to God but onely respect his good pleasure and a conscionable discharge of thy owne dutie Fifthly haue alwaies a loue vnto the Word a reuerend estimation of his Ministers and a religious care to sanctifie the Sabbath three things most vsually of a very prophane carelesnesse neglected despised Sixthly in what estate soeuer thou doest stand take wisely an occasion from thence to become more holy towards God to man more iust and in thine owne heart more truly humble and gracious If it be in abundance enioy thy wealth with thy brethrens welfare supply their wants by giuing freely or lending in true loue Thinke not thy selfe an absolute Lord of thine own but Gods Steward who giueth can take away looke so vpon the poore as on thy selfe who may bee in their stead Make not riches thy hearts habitation nor the power of reuenge vpon thine enemie nor the prop to beare vp iniquity nor as fuell to maintaine the fire of lusts nor any euill whatsoeuer but with thy riches honour God doe therewith publike good in maintaining religion iustice truth charitie and euery good way If thou beest in honour bee not puffed vp contemne no inferiour he may bee thy equall presume not to equalize thy selfe to thy better acknowledge thy equall euery where as thy fellow and to such rather giue then take honor from Pride is hatefull but true humility not a base spirit is a badge of true honour For know this that meanely borne are in place of honour euermore high minded and of a more presuming disposition with contempt of others then the truly descended of ancient noble progenitors In aduersitie of what kind soeuer take it from God alwaies thankfully bee quiet and contented looke to the Lords promises and vse all good lawfull means for deliuerance wait with patience giue God glory iudge it thy desert know thy offences and cease to sinne Euer being perswaded that thy present estate is best for thee and most for Gods glory and withall beleeue that in the end thou shalt haue a comfortable issue of all thy troubles Seuenthly liue to the world as a stranger and as an enemie to thine owne corruptions When thou seest other grow rich enuie not their prosperity but if they bee godly reioyce and praise God if wicked admire Gods mercy and pray for them Think that what thou