pertinacious in the defence of gainfull and delightfull sinnes 16. That confirmes himselfe in the customary neglect of some of Gods Ordinances altogether either publike or priuate CHAP. IIII. Shewing vnto the wicked the hope to bee saued if the fault bee not in himselfe HItherto of the signes of wicked men who must bee perswaded to abide the triall without despaire for the signes doe not shew them that they cannot be saued but onely that for the present they are not in the estate of saluation actually which though it may and ought to be grieuous vnto them to consider in what fearefull misery and sinne they liue in yet they haue reason to know and beleeue that they may bee saued as well as others yea the acknowledgement of their misery is one step to saluation Now that wicked men may not die but take a course to bee saued two things are by them to bee attended first the arguments of hope that prooue Argumēts of hope they may bee saued and that there is a remedy for their misery Secondly the rules that shew them what they must do which being done they may bee certaine of their saluation For the first that they be saued these things may hopefully assure 1. That God hath sworn 1. Gods oath that hee desires not that the wicked should die but rather that hee should turne from his euill waies and liue Ezech. 18. 21. 2. That God hath with 2. Gods patience singular patience borne with him all this while and hath not laid him beneath for all his sinnes who long since deserued Hell and the Lord hath taught it too that hee is patient that men might repent and bee saued Rom. 2. 4. 2. Pet. 3. 9. 3. That God offers his 3. The offer of grace to all grace to all and hath made no exception against any particular man and therefore why shouldest thou except thy selfe from saluation when Gods grace is tendered to thee as well as others God sends his Gospell to euery creature euen to all Nations Mark 16. 13. 4. That God hath sent 4. Sufficient satisfaction made by Christ his owne Sonne to be a sufficient sacrifice and propitiation for the sinnes of all men Hee is the Lambe of God that taketh away the sinnes of the world Ioh. 1. Rom. 3. 25. 1. Ioh. 2. 1. and in him is God well pleased and would haue all men know that hee is content to take satisfaction from Christ Math. 3. 17. 5. That God hath placed 5. The meanes continued them in the visible Church and doth yet continue the meanes that is able to saue their soules Act. 20. 32. Iam. 1. 21. 6. That God hath declared himselfe concerning sinne that there is one onely sinne that in it 6. One onely sin simply vnpardonable selfe is simply vnpardonable All the rest may bee forgiuen 7. That God hath saued 7. As great sinners saued as great sinners as they such as were Manasses Mary Magdalene Dauid Paul Many amongst the Corinthians were fornicators drunkards raylors and the like yet were iustified sanctified and saued 1. Cor. 9. 10 11. And these haue obtained mercy that in thē Iesus Christ might shew forth all long-suffering for a pattern to them which should afterwards beleeue to euerlasting life 1. Tim. 1. 13 16. CHAP. V. Shewing how faith may bee gotten THE rules of direction follow This then is the question What should a man doe that he may be sure of his saluation the man I say that for the present doth not finde the grace of Christ in his heart I answer That his principall care must bee to vse all meanes to get the graces of the godly Christian formed in his heart And herein the Lord hath shewed vnto men singular mercy that as hee hath shewed wayes in his Word how his seruants may discerne the graces that are as so many signes pledges of Gods loue and their own saluation so hath hee in the same Word laid downe cleere directions that shew how euery grace may bee attained and formed and nourished in the hearts of men Quest And first I will beginne with faith the Question is What should a man do that he might attain faith Ans He that would beleeue must obserue these rules 1. Hee must in the first 1. He must consider of Gods promises place betake himselfe to Gods promises For without the promise of grace it is vnpossible faith should euer be formed aright in a man hee must labour to see what the Lord saith distinctly vnto sinners I will instance in that one promise Ioh. 3. 16. God so loued the world that hee sent his onely begotten Son that whosoeuer beleeueth in him should not perish but haue life euerlasting Now his care must bee seriously to marke and cleerely to vnderstand Gods meaning which in this promise is to assure saluation to any in the world that will beleeue in Christ 2. Hee must then consider 2. He must take notice of Gods cōmandement to beleeue Gods commandement concerning faith that God doth require him to beleeue and is so farre from being displeased with him for beleeuing in Christ that for this cause hee will damne him in Hell if hee beleeue not Ioh. 3. 17. 1. Ioh. 3. 23. Hee doth as exactly require vs to relye vpon this course of saluation by Iesus Christ as hee doth require any thing of vs in the Morall Law and as we ought not to sweare or commit adultery or steale so ought we not to dare to liue without beleefe in Iesus Christ 3. Hee must pray heartily 3. He must pray for faith to God to giue him a heart to beleeue and to forme faith in him for faith is the gift of God Eph. 2. 8. Hee should pray ouer the promises and beseech God to incline his heart to rest vpon them as the best treasures in the world cry vnto the Lord Lord help my vnbeleefe 4. Hee must absolutely lay aside all thought of his owne righteousnesse by the 4. He must renounce his owne righteousnesse workes of the Law and look onely to Iesus Christ and the righteousnesse in him else hee will faile of the righteousnesse of God Rom. 10. 3. 5. Hee must waite vpon 5. He must waite vpō the Word preached the powerfull Preaching of the Gospell as the onely outward ordinary meanes to beget faith offering his soule daily vnto God and attending to the Word of God ready to obey the motions of the Spirit knocking at the doore of his heart in the Ministerie of the Word knowing that from this Ordinance of God hee is to expect the gift of faith Hee should betake himselfe to it with resolution to waite with daily expectation till the Lord bee pleased to send the Holy Ghost into his heart And this is a generall rule for this and all other graces of the Spirit as men loue their owne foules so they must prouide to liue where the Word of God is
THE SIGNES OF THE WICKED MAN Together with Directions that shew how the seuerall Gifts and Graces of Gods Spirit may be attained NEEDFVLL For such as want those Graces and for such as desire to increase in them By N. BIFIELD Preacher of Gods Word at Isleworth in Middlesex LONDON Printed by GEORGE PVRSLOVV for RALPH ROVNTHVVAITE and are to be sold at his Shop at the Flower de-luce and Crowne in Pauls Church-yard 1619. TO THE MVCH Honoured Lady the Lady BRIDGET TRACY NICHOLAS BIFIELD wisheth all prosperity in the things of the Kingdome of CHRIST MADAM BEING destitute of a better gift to bestow vpon your Ladiship to testifie my thankefulnesse or obseruance I present this little Treatise vnto you It may haue more vse then it shewes for for if things shine more cleerely when their contraries are set by them then may this description of the estate of a wicked man by Signes serue much to establish the godly in the point of Assurance when hee seeth himselfe freed from those fearefull forlorne marks And if men vse to make much of all those directions by which any gaine or treasure may be certainely compassed then ought the Directions not to bee despised that shew how the Spirit of God and the graces thereof may bee attained For by these directions both those that want the true graces of Christ may here learne how to get them and such as haue them but in weake measure may by the same Rules learne how to increase them I haue been induced to thinke of your Ladiship in this Dedication partly in acknowledgement of the great respect due to the Family out of which you came as it hath beene a principall meanes of causing the light of the Gospell for many yeares to shine in those places where the people had sitten in darkenesse and in the shadow of death And partly drawne by the many prayses I haue obserued in your Ladiship since the time of your soiourning in the noble Family you now liue in Your great respect of my Ministery and your constant paines to employ your selfe about Religious duties deserue from mee more acknowledgement then so meane a gift as this can discharge Madam you are happy aboue many that GOD hath inclined your heart to beare the yoke of Christ in your youth and discerne the glory of the spirituall Kingdome of Iesus Christ Your meekenesse assures me liberty to beseech you to goe on in the good way of God and to cleaue fast with all hearty affection vnto the Truth as you haue learned Iesus Christ It shall be a great increase of your glory to increase in the knowledge and grace of Christ and in sound denyall of your selfe and contempt of the world to fashion your selfe to all the courses by which you may be pleasing in the eyes of God whiles multitudes in the Gentry of the Land of both Sexes by following foolish vanities forsake their owne mercy Now the God of peace sanctifie you throughout and so prosper his owne worke in you that your whole spirit and soule and body may bee preserued blamelesse vnto the comming of our Lord Iesus Christ March 9. 1618. Your Ladiships to bee commanded in Christ Iesus N. BIFIELD The Contents THE Preface shewing the necessity of the tryall of mans estate and the causes why wicked men will not try themselues and also why diuers godly persons are negligent herein page 1. to 18. CHAP. I. THirty signes of an open wicked man p. 18. to 33 CHAP. II. THirteene signes of an Hypocrite p. 33. to 40 CHAP. III. SIxteene Signes of such Professors as are likely to fall away p. 40. to 47 CHAP. IIII. SEVEN Arguments of hope that shew a wicked man that hee may bee saued if he will be directed p. 47. to 52 CHAP. V. HOw hee may get faith p. 53. to 59 CHAP. VI. HOw hee may get to bee poore in spirit p. 59 to 68 How hee may attaine godly sorrow p. 68. to 77 CHAP. VII HOw the Spirit of Adoption may be had pa. 78. to 81 How hee may get a loue to the Word p. 81. to 86 How he may get the gift of prayer p. 86. to 94 How hee may attaine to the feare of God P. 94. to 95 How he may be made to loue his enemies p. 96. to 99 CHAP. VIII HOw sauing knowledge may bee gotten and increased p. 99. to 102 How the loue of God may be wrought in vs. p. 102. to 106 How the loue of the godly may bee attained and how it may bee preserued pag. 106. to 111 CHAP. IX HOw vprightnesse and sound sincerity of conuersation may bee attained p. 111. to the end The Preface to the Christian and carefull READER HOw necessary it is for al sorts of men in the visible Church to try their estates whether they bee true Christians or no may appeare by the expresse charge giuen in the Scriptures concerning it The Apostle Paul chargeth men to examine themselues whether they be in the faith and whether Christ Iesus be in them vnlesse they be reprobates 2. Cor. 13. 5. And the Apostle Peter would haue all Christians diligent to make their Calling and Election sure 2. Pet. 1. 10. And the like commandement lay vpon men in the Church of the Iewes in the old Testament as may appeare by that exhortation Lam. 3. 40. Let vs search and try our wayes and turne againe vnto the Lord and the Prophet Dauid in this case chargeth men to commune with their owne hearts Psal 4. 4. How can men draw neere vnto God in the full assurance of faith if they will not bee at the paines to examine themselues Heb. 10. 22. Or how shall wee euer know that wee are of God or attaine vnto any confidence of faith as we ought to do 1. Ioh. 5. 19. Ephes 3. 12. How fearefully this point of sound tryall is neglected and how miserably most men are deceiued for want of it may appeare by this obseruation which may vsually bee made of men in the most places viz. that many that are carnall men say they are godly and many that are godly men say they are but carnall Besides that a multitude of men both good and bad liue in security the one not caring to get out of so woefull an estate and the other not regarding the riches of Assurance The causes of this miserable security may bee obserued and noted both in wicked in godly men In wicked men these things may bee easily discerned 1. A lothnesse to examine Why wicked men neglect the triall of their estates 1. Because they are afraid all is not wel themselues and try their estates exactly for feare lest they should find that they are not in a good estate Their hearts secretly condemne them and they thinke if they should take particular notice of their owne condition it would be found that they haue indeed no true grace in them and therefore they rather choose to liue in that doubtfull estate then to bee
put out of doubt and made to know that they haue yet no right to the kingdome of heauen neuer considering that the knowledge of our misery may be one degree to get out of it 2. In such as see all is 2. They are slothfull not well with them the cause is slothfulnesse mingled with horrible presumption they had rather weare out their daies in danger then bee at the paines to vse the meanes for their owne repentance and reformation They will wretchlesly put it to the venture 3. Others will aduenture 3. They rest vpon the common hope vpon their common hope of mercy They haue certaine generall confused apprehensions of mercy in God vpon which they wilfully engage their hopes without care of reformation or the particular warrant of their hopes from the Word of God and so miserably perish their hopes prouing but as the house of the spider and the imaginarie mercy failing them they die either as stockes without sence or as Iudas in horrible despaire 4. Others rest themselues Or 4. vpon their outward profession of Religion vpon their outward profession of Religion and some generall things wrought in them and the good opinion others haue of them and so being somewhat neere the kingdome of God they are content to rest there as the Israelits did neere Canaan though they neuer possessed it Wee see many thinke there needs no more to be sure they are in a good condition then to heare Sermons and abstaine from grosse outward prophanenesse and to bee well reputed of among the godly c. pleasing themselues with the shew of godlinesse though as yet they deny the power of it as hauing attained no other righteousnesse then the righteousnesse of the Scribes and Pharises 5. In multitudes of Or 5. they haue euill opinions about Assurance men there are seated euill opinions about assurance They thinke either it is impossible to be had or it is needlesse or it is presumption to seeke it 6. All wicked men are hindred by their beloued 6. They are letted by their beloued sinnes sinnes which they are not willing to part with but of purpose forbeare the care of heauen that they may the more securely liue in sinne Thus of wicked men It is true also that many godly Christians haue beene and are extremely Why some that are godly neglect the triall of their estates faulty in neglecting the triall of their estates and their Assurance and the causes of this negligence in them are diuers As 1. Some are so much 1. Euill opinions mis-led by the surmises of their owne hearts that they thinke that Assurance would breed security and that it is a better way to keepe their owne hearts humble to be somewhat doubtfull not knowing that vnbeleefe is the chiefe cause of slothfulnesse and security and that the assurance of faith is the chiefe meanes to purge the heart and quiet the soule and workes effectually in all the duties of loue 2. In the most Ignorance 2. Ignorance of their owne gifts and Gods promises is the cause for if Christians did see distinctly how far the Lord had brought them by his grace and withall did behold the euidences of their faith and hope in Gods promises they could not faile of comfort establishment of heart 3. Smothering of doubts 3. Smothering of doubts and temptations and temptations is a great let in many Diuers Christians are secretly and daily assaulted with certaine strange doubts which if they did propound and get sound answer vnto their hearts would heale within them and the work of faith prosper 4. Some Christians are They are wicked ouermuch kept without Assurance through the ouermuch viewing of their owne daily infirmities in all parts of Gods seruice They are wicked ouermuch whereas if they would study those Scriptures that shew how graciously the Lord stands inclined toward his people notwithstanding their daily wants their hearts would bee much eased and their minds cleerly resolued to trust vpon the euerlasting mercies of their God 5. In some the cause is 5. Melancholy found in the disease of their bodies Melancholy when it is growne to a disease is a most stiffe and pertinacious aduersarie to Comfort and Assurance It doth fill the heart with so many sad conceits and fancies and is a humor so vnteachable that comfort for the most part is as water spilt vpon the ground And the more difficult it is to remoue this let because vsually the parties possest by this humour are so far from seeking helpe that they will not bee perswaded that they are troubled with any such disease 6. Some Christians are 6. Passions hindred by their owne Passions they are so froward and vnquiet in their dispositions that their hearts are daily lifted off from the benefit of settled Assurance by their owne habituall discontents Frowardnesse is a mischieuous distemper that weakens both body and minde and assurance and strength of faith seldome dwels in an vnquiet minde 7. Others want assurance 7 Neglect of the meanes because they neglect the meanes of Assurance they do not try all things and keep that which is good or they call not vpon God daily feruently and constantly to giue them the spirit of reuelation to shew them the hope of their Calling and their glorious Inheritance Ephe. 1. 18 19. 8. A barren life is an 8. A barren life vncomfortable life and contrarywise to abound in 1 Cor. 15. 58. good workes hath stedfastnesse and a secret rest of heart as an vnseparable companion of it 9. The loue of earthly 9. Too much loue of earthly things things is another great impediment many Professors haue their thoughts and cares so eaten vp with worldlinesse that they cannot seriously seek Gods Kingdome nor constantly hold out in any course for the attainement of Assurance This degree of faith requires some degree of the contempt of the world 10. In some there lodgeth 10. Secret sinne some secret sinne which they know and do not iudge themselues for and doth daily preuaile in them and this either keeps out faith or keepes it downe in the cradle that it can get no strength When I say secret sinnes I mean secret from others not from themselues For sinnes of meere ignorance God doth not scourge in his seruants so as to withhold his graces from them CHAP. I. Containing the signes of open wicked men THE tryall of the estates of all sorts of Christians may bee performed by examining themselues by two sorts of signes some are such as describe the wicked man and some such as describe the godly man and of the tryall of the godly man I haue intreated before Wicked men in the Church are not all of a sort for some are manifestly prophane and carelesse of the Kingdome of God and some are in outward shew such as professe the seeking of Gods Kingdome but yet in deed and in heart are without God
preached constantly in the power of it for from thence they shall receiue vnspeakeable help and furtherance in all the wayes of God Rom. 10. 14. CHAP. VI. Shewing how true humiliation may be attained THVS of faith In the next place he must labor for true and sound humiliation for his sinnes and to this end hee must distinctly striue to get formed in him two things 1. Pouerty of spirit 2. godly sorrow for to these two belong all the branches of true humiliation For the attaining of spirituall 1. Gather a Catalogue of thy sins either by memory pouerty these rules are of great vse First make a Catalogue of thy sinnes which thou maist do either by memory or by booke By memory thus Goe aside set thy soule before the Lord as if thou we rest presently to be iudged of him call to minde particularly whatsoeuer thou canst remember by thy selfe consider thy wants thy Omissions and Commissions of euill in youth or riper age in heart or life in things that concerne God or men or thy owne soule and disposition thoughts affections words or deedes Thou maist then see an Army of rebellious euils thou hast beene guilty of By book Or by booke thus Procure thee the labour of some reuerend Diuine that hath briefely gathered the sins of euery Commandement and from thence gather out so many sins as thou knowest by thy selfe that thou hast beene guilty of Lay those sins dayly before thy conscience and consider how many wayes thou hast made thy selfe guilty Secondly consider then 2. consider Gods Iustice the Iustice of God how he hateth all sinne which thou maist be assured of if thou remember how hee plagued our first Parents the old World Sodome Gomorrha how fearefully he neglected the Gentiles cast off the Iewes yea how he spared not his owne Son Iesus Christ when he became a surety for other mens sinnes Thirdly thinke of the 3. Thinke of his threatnings terrible woes and threatnings and curses which are denounced euery where in Scripture against such offences as thou art guilty of Fourthly force vpon 4. Remember thy latter end thy selfe the remembrance of thy latter end and thy appearance before the tribunall scate of Christ to receiue according to all that thou hast done in thy flesh Fifthly obserue with 5. Obserue Gods Iudgements vpon the wicked what iudgements the Lord euery day fights against wicked men in all parts of the world sometimes by common Plagues sometimes by speciall and particular calamities Sixtly aboue all things 6. Especially Gods goodnesse to thee marke with all thy heart Gods goodnesse to thee in particular in during all this at thy hands his blessings of all sorts dayly bestowed vpon thee chiefely his mercy offered to thee in Iesus Christ that can be content to forgiue thee all thy debts so thou be sorry and weary of offending Nothing can more breake thy heart then to obserue how God dealeth with thee euen with thee in particular that hast deserued so much euill at his hands Seuenthly try thy selfe 7. Try thy self by the signes by a particular examination of thy owne estate by euery particular of the signes of Gods children and then thou maist see what a poore creature thou art what shew soeuer thou makest in the world and what naturall gifts or praises soeuer thou hast for then thou shalt finde how exceeding empty thy heart is of sollid gifts and the best graces and that many a poore creature that maketh little shew in the world hath a heart better graced by farre then thine Eighthly thou must beg 8. Beg an humble heart of God heartily an humble heart of God and a greater discerning of thine own vilenesse The Lord will bee sought vnto he is ready to be foūd if thou seek him constantly and diligently It is not a small worke to breake the pride and stoninesse of thy heart It needes power from aboue Ninthly prouide to liue 9. Liue vnder a searching ministery if it may be vnder a forceable ministry where thou maist heare such doctrine dayly as will search thy heart ransacke thy life where thou maist feele the Word of God goe downe into thy heart and reines Tenthly marke what 10. Watch against the things thou art naturally proud of things they are which by nature thou art proud of and labour seriously both by arguments restraint to alienate thy affections from them In particular take heed of the snare that is in gay clothes delicious fare worldly titles and the like Eleuenthly shun and auoide 11. Auoide the flatterer with detestation the flatterer and seeke vnto thee a righteous companion that may smite thee for thy faylings and reprooue thee and not hate thee in his heart Twelfthly labour to 12. Thinke still of som of thy worst fruits keepe in thy memory and thoughts 6. or 8. or more or fewer of thy faults that thou wouldst bee more ashamed off and thou hast more offended in compel thy self daily to remember them this will wonderfully do thee good and tame thy pride and make thee more meeke more tractable and mercifull all the day after thou hast duely thought of them Thus of the way how to get thy spirit to bee truely poore and humble Quest The next question is what a man should doe to get a soft heart and true godly sorrow that hee might bee able to mourne for his sinnes before God Ans 1. He must first consider 1. Cōsider Gods promise about a soft hart of Gods promises who hath bound himselfe by couenant to take away the stony heart giue a heart of flesh vnto them that seek vnto him for it Ez. 36. 26 32. 2. He must dayly in the best words he can keepe a 2. Dayly confesse thy sins to God constant course in the confession of his sinnes before God begging of God with al importunity this mercy And beg sorrow that hee would melt and soften his heart resolue that he would neuer stand before the Lord but hee would remember this petition alwayes iudging himselfe giuing glory to God It may bee the Lord will heare at the first or second time of prayer but if he do not thou must resolue to watch and pray still without limiting God to the time of effecting thy desire as knowing that it ought not to seeme grieuous vnto thee that the LORD doth not presently worke what thou prayest for considering how long the Lord hath called vpon thee and thou didst not answere and withall the Lord is well pleased with these preparations in thy heart and accepts thy endeuour to mourn because thou canst not mourne 3. Hee must obserue 3. Be thākfull for euery mercy in prayer how the Lord deales with him in prayer and be sure with all thankefulnesse to acknowledge any mercy God shewes him in prayer as if hee make him willing to pray or giue him words in prayer or
let him feele any ioy in the time of prayer or that he finde his heart in any degree to melt hee should bee wonderfull thankefull if he can get but one teare in prayer or that he find his heart in any degree to melt and this obseruation of Gods goodnesse letting him know that hee regards his particular requests will melt his heart indeed further and perhaps set him all on a flame in desires to praise God and to abase himselfe euen to the dust before the Lord Hosh 3. 5. 1. Thess 5. 4. That Rule of the 4. Acknowlege thy faults to others Apostle Iames is sometimes of singular vse in this case of breeding softnesse of heart and that is acknowledging your sinnes one to another when in secret we make our moanes to wise mercifull Christians and shame our selues for our speciall offences it many times hath melting of heart ioyned with it so as that heart that before seemed hardened and dry now easily dissolues into teares Iam. 5. 5. To go into the house 5. Go into the house of mourning of mourning may bee in this case profitable resort to such as be in sorrow for the hand of GOD vpon them especially such as mourne through the affliction of their Spirits Conuerse with humble tender-hearted Christians Eccles 7. 6. In all the seruices of 6. Take heed of distraction in Gods seruice God be sure to draw neere to God and keep thy minde from distraction and hypocrisie The Sunne cannot haue such force to melt the waxe as the beames of Gods presence haue to melt the heart Iam. 4. 6 7. 7. The Apostle Paul being 7. Studie the tenth Commandement a sturdy Pharise had his heart beaten to powder with the feare of the tenth Commandement that told him hee must not lust The knowledge and consideration of the aboundance of sinne-guiltinesse hee had drawne vpon himselfe by the inward fruits of his euill nature kil'd him out-right brake his pride and mortified him as hee at large repeates Rom. 7. 8. Remember the Passion 8. Remember the sorrowes of Christ for thy sin of thy Sauiour the pouerty banishment ignominy temptations the apprehension forsaking arraignement condemning and cruell death which hee suffered for thy sinnes Looke vpon him that was pierced for thy sake Zach. 12. 12. 9. If of thy selfe thou 9. Get others to pray for thee canst not yet attaine vnto sorrow for thy sinnes get some godly Christian that is endued with the gift of prayer to ioyne with thee in priuate that so the Lord may bee pleased to grant in heauen what we of him doe aske on earth 10. Lastly If al other means 10. Vse fasting faile then set a day apart by fasting for the day of a fast was called the day of afflicting or humbling the soule Leu. 16. both because it was the maine duety to bee striuen after on that day and besides because the Lord vsually did blesse his owne Ordinance so as he gaue an humbled heart to those that sought it of him CHAP. VII Shewing how the Spirit of Adoption may bee attained and also how the seuerall gifts of the Spirit may be framed in vs. THus of humiliation It followeth that I shew how hee may attaine to the other sacred gifts which are markes of a godly man as in the first sort of gifts how hee may attaine to the loue of the Word the gift of Prayer the feare of God the loue of his enemies and the desire of the comming of Christ But before I enter vpon these it is necessarie to shew him how hee may attain the Spirit of Adoption which is necessarie for these and all other graces Quest And concerning the How the Spirit of Adoption may bee had Spirit of Adoption if any aske how it may be obtained Or rather how it may bee stirred vp in vs that we may feele his working in vs Ans I answer that hee is had 1. He must pray for it and stirred vp by inuocation God is pleased to declare himselfe willing and ready to bestow his holy Spirit vpon men if they aske him of him by hearty prayer Hee that hath giuen vs his Sonne will not deny vs the Spirit of his Sonne to be giuen into our hearts Gal. 4. 7. And this our Sauiour Christ assures vnto vs in the Parable Luke 11. 9. And I say vnto you Aske and it shall be giuen you Seeke and yee shall finde Knock and it shall be opened vnto you 10. For euery one that asketh receiueth and he that seeketh findeth and to him that knocketh it shall be opened 11. If a sonne shall aske bread of any of you that is a father will hee giue him a stone Or if hee aske a fish will hee for a fish giue him a Serpent 12. Or if hee aske an Egge will hee giue him a Scorpion 13. If yee then which are euill can giue good gifts vnto your children how much more shall your heauenly Father giue the Holy Ghost to them that desire him 2. We must waite vpon 2. Waite vpō Preaching the preaching of the Gospell where the Holy Ghost vsually falls vpon the hearts of men 3. When wee feele the 3. Cherish the motions of the Spirit motions of the Spirit knocking at our hearts or any way surprising vs wee must with all readinesse open the doores of our hearts that the King of Glory by his Spirit may enter into vs. Quest The next question is How wee may get a loue to the Word then what we should do to get and preserue in vs the constant loue to the VVord Ans 1. The answer is first 1. Settie vnder a powerfull Ministery that we should seeke to settle our selues vnder the powerful preaching of the Word euen such a Ministery as doth set out the glory of the Truth and of the Kingdome of Iesus Christ 2. Wee must make a 2. Pray God to quicken thee conscience of it to pray vnto God to quicken vs and inflame our hearts to the loue of his Lawes as Dauid often did Psal 119. 3. Take heed of excessiue 3. Take heed of worldly cares cares and the ouerteaching of thy desires in the imployments of the world or the immoderate vse of worldly delights for those choake the seed of the Word and alienate the affections from it and so doth any grosse or beloued sinne Heb. 3. Math. 13. 4. Take heed also of 4. And of personall discord with such as feare God personall discord with such as feare God especially with thy Teachers for this doth by secret degrees make the heart carelesse and negligent and in some things wilfull and if it bee not looked to in time will bring men from the liking of the Word as they haue beene drawne from the liking of such as loue the Word 5. Take heed of vngodly 5. And of vngodly company company For in such company is quenched the sparkles of liking when they
are kindled yea and the flames of affection are much dulled in whom they are best excited Psal 119. 115. 6. Such as finde some 6. And of neglect of the increase hereof beginnings of desire after the Word and liking to it must take heed that they estrange not themselues from the exercises thereof For if they heare or reade but now then either the heart will neuer be throughly heated or if it bee it will easily waxe cold againe and yet herein Or excesse some are to be warned to take heed of disordered excesse for that will breed dulnesse as well as neglect As when they will reade daily for diuers houres or when they prouide vnto themselues a heape of Teachers as some that liue in great Cities thinke it Religion to heare all sorts of men and all the Sermons can bee come vnto As if the power of godlinesse lay onely in the vse of the meanes of godlinesse 7. Wee must practise 7. Practise what thou hearest what we heare and labour to shew forth the fruit of the doctrine Hee that would be in loue with husbandry must sow his seed in his ground and then the gaine of the Haruest will still allure him to like the Trade If we be fruitlesse hearers of the Word we cannot loue it or if we doe it will bee but for a flash or small time Thus of the loue to the Word Hee that would learne To attain the gift of prayer to pray must follow these directions 1. Hee must go to God 1. Pray God to teach thee in the name of Christ and beseech him to giue him words and by his Spirit to teach him to pray It is God onely can make a man speak a pure language for hee onely can instruct the heart of man and indue it with this heauenly gift Rom. 8. 26. Ephes 3. 9. 2. It will much helpe 2. Ioyne with such as can pray him to ioyne himselfe to such as call vpon the name of the Lord with a pure heart especially in the daies of their humiliation 2. Tim. 2. 22. 3. There are three distinct 3. How he may furnish himselfe in euery part of prayer things which a man may with singular profite propound vnto himselfe in his prayers Confession of sinnes Petition for grace and thankesgiuing for mercies receiued Now the weakest Christian may be through Gods blessing comfortably furnished for his own particular if hee take such a course as this To go aside and with all 3. Questions secresie and attention of heart before the Lord aske himselfe these three Questions 1. What sinnes haue I committed which either now do trouble me or if I were to die would make me afraide Let him set them downe in a paper or in his memory distinctly till hee can bethinke himselfe of no more It is no great matter for the order how he sets them down so hee bee sure hee haue the chiefe sinnes in which hee daily offends or hath offended 2. What would I haue the Lord do for mee if I might haue what I wish Let him set the particulars downe till he can remember no more As for example I would haue him forgiue me my sinnes and I would haue him giue me knowledge and I would haue him giue me strength against such and such sins I would haue him giue me faith and assurance and I would haue him giue me heauen when I die and so go on with all the things he feeles a desire in his heart to seek of God till he can remember no more and if at any other time hee remember some speciall thing which he would further haue which hee hath not in his Catalogue let him set it down as from time to time hee sees cause 3. What speciall fauours hath God shewed to me which I see I ought to take speciall notice of Let him set them downe distinctly whether they be deliuerances or such and such spirituall or outward mercies preseruing the memorie principally of the chiefest of them Now when hee hath thus furnished these three heads with things that in particular concerne himselfe they being all matters of weight hee must now carry these things or the chiefe of them in his minde and frame his heart to speake to God in the best words hee can get to signifie his detestation of those sinnes his humble requests for those graces and his vnfaigned thankefulnesse for those blessings Howsoeuer hee may bee rude or vnperfect in his language about these at the first yet exercise will bring him to a ripenesse and by this course he shall be sure to speak of things that concerne himselfe neerely and that God which hath taught parents to regard the vnperfect language of their little children when they begin to speake vnto them will himselfe much more delight to heare the desires of his seruants that are grieued that they cannot speake in a better sort vnto him The profite and comfort of this course will appeare by experience to bee exceeding great Besides it is an easie way when there is in any a true desire to bee at the paines to learne this language of speaking to God by prayer and Gods Spirit will helpe and teach the poore Christian and draw his Petitions for him and prompt him both with words and affections and the Christian must know this that when hee hath confessed his sinnes and shewed what hee would haue God doe for him with the best words hee could in the truth of his heart hee hath made a most effectuall prayer to God Thus of Prayer The awfull feare of God How the feare of God may be begotten in vs. and the reuerent dreading of God may be begotten and increased in vs if wee throughly remember and deeply ponder vpon 1. The surpassing glory and transcendent excellencie and perfection of his Nature his absolute Purity and exact Iustice and Holinesse 2. The wonderfull works of God especially those standing miracles shewed in the hanging of this mighty earth and those huge heapes of water in the clouds and the bounding of these mighty feas and such like 3. His fearefull threatnings of all sorts of woes against the transgressions of men 4. The terrour of the last Day and the dreadfulnesse of death and Iudgement 5. The fearefull and sudden iudgements which haue falne vpon wicked men either recorded in Scripture or reported in Histories or obserued in experience 6. Especially if wee thinke much and seriously of the great goodnesse of God to vs how hee hath striuen with vs to ouercome vs with his mercies Thus of the feare of God Wee should striue to stir vp in vs affection and loue to our very enemies by such considerations as these 1. Because Christ to whom wee are infinitely bound hath expresly charged vs to look to this that wee do loue our enemies and therefore for his sake we should deny our selues and our owne corrupt desires and affections and striue to shew the truth