me to winne the whole world Mat. 16.26 and to lose thy favour and mine owne soule Oh 1 Pet 4.3 it is enough and too much that I have already spent so much time of my life past in worldly vanities and I cannot tell how little I have to spend hereafter and therefore I beseech thee give me conscience to redeeme it Eph 5.16 and to spend the remainder in thy service and in the assuring to my selfe my calling 2 Pet 1.10 Phil 2.12 election and salvation that I may yet at length before it be too late seeke thy kingdome Mat 6.33 and righteousnesse Luk 13.24 Hebr 4.11 Iohn 6.27 strive to enter into thy strait gate and labour to enter into that rest and for the meate that endures to life eternall I beseech thee enlighten my minde more and more with the knowledge of those chiefe points of thy service and my salvation which doe most neerely concerne me and which are revealed in thy holy word Inflame my heart with the love of them that I may set it upon them and quicken up my conscience to endeavour in the use of all holy meanes afforded for this end to practise thy service in such a manner and measure of sinceritie and constancy that in the end I may attaine the salvation of my soule For this end I most humbly beseech thee to give me power wholly to renounce the service of sin Satan and the world that I may give my selfe to thy service to moderate my desires to earthly things using the world 1 Cor 7 31 Col 3 1. as not abusing it that I may set my affections on things above because I see I cannot serve God and Mammon Mat 6.24 Yet give me I pray thee a sufficiencie of Necessaries for this life without which I cannot well serve thee in my place and with my charge 1 Tim 6 8. Prov 30.8 even foode and apparrell convenient and a sanctified use of them or a holy want of them in being content that I enjoy thee as my portion though I had nothing else besides Good Lord I beseech thee strengthen my faith in Christ daily and renew my repentance for my daily sinnes Confirme my hope of a joyfull resurrection to eternall life and increase my patience under all afflictions learning daily to take up my Crosse Luke 9.23 and to follow Christ Make me watchfull over my deceitfull heart Ier 17.10 Prov 4. to keepe it with all diligence that it let not sin either in or out and give me wisedome to cut from the senses and members of my bodie Mat 5 29 all occasions and opportunities of doing ill Worke in me conscience to be diligent and faithfull in my place and calling wherein I live to doe all the duties thereof as unto thee Col 3 22 Rom 14 12 Deutr. 32 29 Psal 90 12 to whom I must give an accompt And for that end give me wisedome to consider my latter end to number my dayes and to remember that one day I know not how soone I must die Eccle 11 9 and come to judgement Remember in mercy O heavenly Father I beseech thee with me thy whole Church to settle peace and the Gospell therein Continue thy blessings of thy pure worship and safety to our Land and the other Kingdomes and for that end governe all our Governours specially our Soveraigne Lord King CHARLES and our Royall Queene MARY with that wisedome of thy Spirit Psal 111 10 2 Tim 3.15 the beginning whereof is thy feare and the end their owne salvation Be comfortable oh Father of mercie to all thy children in affliction ease the pained cure the diseased relieve the distressed visit the sicke and either deliver Israel out of her troubles Psa 25 22 or sanctifie their severall crosses to their humiliation and conversion consolation and salvation in Iesus Christ Forget not to blesse my kindred allies and friends with a long holy and prosperous life if it be thy will in this world with a comfortable departure in peace out of the same Luke 2 29 and with an eternall and happy life in the world to come and for that end make them deare unto thee in Iesus Christ and by thy holy Spirit as they are neare unto me in any bond of nature or grace of law or love and of neighbourhood or friendship Lastly oh heavenly Father according to my bounden dutie I 〈…〉 give thee thankes 〈…〉 thy mercies bestowe◠〈…〉 me mine and all thine 〈◊〉 things temporall spiritual and eternall for this prosent life and a better that is to come upon our bodies and soules Of them all I acknowledge thee the bountifull giver and blesser and of them all I confesse my selfe to be a most unworthy receiver by reason of my sinnes specially my great unthank fulnesse Notwithstanding I doe desire unfeignedly and by thy grace will earnestly endeavour that thou maist have more sincere and constant service with and for all the good benefits which I have received from thee And therefore unto the King immortall 1 Tim 1 17 invisible and onely wise God and mercifull Father be given with all the parts and powers of my soule and body in Iesus Christ by the holy Spirit all glory and thanks with obedience service from this present time and from henceforth for evermore Amen THE TABLE A. ATtributes of God what they be Pag. 19 Of Greatnesse Pag. 20 The duties belonging to them Pag. 28 Of Goodnesse Pag. 24 Duties to them Pag. 29 The Almightinesse of God Pag. 23 Adoption Pag. 138 B. Duties of Christians in respect of Baptisme Pag. 59 Duties of Christians to their bodies Pag. 87 C. Duties belonging to our Christian Calling Pag. 88 The Commandements of the word and duties to them Pag. 48.49 D. The two chiefe duties of all Christians Pag. 5 E. The Eternity of God Pag. 21 Holy Exercises Pag. 34 Duties before wee come to them Pag. 36 2. At the time of them Pag. 37 3. After them Pag. 38 Examples of the word Pag. 53 Duties in respect of them Pag. 54 F. Faith Pag. 29 Faculties in God Pag. 20 G. What GOD is Pag. 19 What generall duties belong to him Pag. 17 What speciall duties Pag. 18 How wee may bee moved to seeke grace Pag. 114 To use grace Pag. 115 The regenerate fall not from grace Pag. 181 H. The Holinesse of God Pag. 24 What the hearing of the word is Pag. 44 Duties in respect of it Pag. 45 I. The Immensity of God Pag. 22 Infinitenesse of GOD. Pag. 21 Iustice of GOD. Pag. 25 Iustification Pag. 137 K. What things we must know of God Pag. 17 L. The love of GOD to us Pag. 26 Our love to GOD. To our Neighbour M. The Mercy of GOD. Pag. 25 N. Duties to our Neighbour 1. Generall Pag. 81 2. Speciall Pag. 82 Common to all Peculiar to some Pag. 83 O. What GODS holy Ordinances are Pag. 31 Of what kindes they are Pag. 32 Duties belonging to them Duties to our selves Pag. 86 P. Promises of the word What they be Pag. 50 Duties to them Pag. 51 Praying to GOD what it is Pag. 61 Duties about it Pag. 62 Praising GOD what it is Pag. 67 Duties about it Pag. 68 Preservation of the holy Spirit Pag. 181 Perfections in GOD. Pag. 19 R. The Resurrection proved Pag. 144 That it is a blessing to the faithfull Pag. 148 The difference betwixt the raising of the godly and wicked Pag. 153 Reconciliation with God Pag. 137 Regeneration of the Spirit Pag. 174 Whereunto Pag. 176 Whereby Pag. 180 S. Christians must seeke to be saved Pag. 124 Why. Pag. 125 By what meanes Pag. 132 What salvation is Pag. 133 The degrees of it In this life Pag. 137 At the end of it Pag. 139 At the end of the world Pag. 143 The meanes to effect salvation Pag. 159 Actions of GOD the Father Pag. 160 The Sonne Pag. 161 The holy Ghost Pag. 174 Seeking to be affected with salvation Pag. 202 The possibility of salvation Pag. 203 The necessity of it Pag. 205 Excellency of it Pag. 207 Certainty of it Pag. 209 Seeking to get salvation Pag. 218 Actions of men that prepare them to salvation Pag. 223 To claime and receive it Pag. 226 To assure it Pag. 231 That we must serve Pag. 8 Why we must Pag. 9 The manner how to seeke to serve GOD. Pag. 11 The measure Pag. 12 The workes of them that seeke to serve GOD. Pag. 13 What GODS service is Pag. 15 Why wee must seeke to serve GOD while we live Pag. 14 Service to GOD immediately in respect of himselfe Pag. 17 Duties to our soules Pag. 87 Seeking to be affected with his service Pag. 94 The Necessity of it Pag. 96 Excellency Pag. 97 Equity Pag. 98 Reward Pag. 99 Duties in respect of the holy Scriptures Pag. 32 Seeking to practise GODS service Pag. 101 The manner of practise Pag. 102 Measure Pag. 104 End why Pag. 110 Meanes whereby Pag. 112 How wee may seeke grace to serve GOD. Pag. 114 The Simplenesse of GOD. Pag. 21 Duties about receiving the Sacraments Pag. 55 T. Threatnings of GOD what they be Pag. 52 Duties about them Pag. 53 V. Vertues in GOD. Pag. 24 W. The Wisedome of GOD. Pag. 22 What it is to worship GOD. Pag. 39 Difference betwixt service and worship Pag. 40 The workes sf GOD. Pag. 72 Duties about them Pag. 73 GODS workes of mercy Pag. 74 Iustice Pag. 75 Faults escaped Page 10. line 2. after them reade that seeke him p. 30 in the margent for immediately r. mediately and put out as his ordinances p. 52. l. 13. for and r. or p. 97. l. 1. for greater r. great p. 114. l. 5. for remedy r. reward thereof p. 116. l. last after unto you r. for instruction p. 131. l. 4. after dye r. and not till then p. 135. l. 8. after is r. also p. 187. l. 18. after end r. through faith p 220 l 19 for by faith r. by his faith p 221 l last for their r. them p 232 l 9 for assuming r. assuring p 247 l 11. put out that
be sanctified and seasoned to our reformation and consolation in Christ P. What was Christs action at his death whereby he merited our salvation M. He willingly laâ—d downe his life when by his divine power hee might have held it and none could have taken it from him Iohn 10.17 1 Iohn 3.16 Hereby Christ offered up himselfe a propitiatory sacrifice to God his Father for the ransome of mankind Gal 4.5 Heb 10.6 7 8 and hereby hee redeemed the Elect from the second death which is damnation and from the tyranny of the Divell Hebr 2.14 Iam 5.20 Acts 26.18 P. What was Christs resurrection and the merit of it for our salvation M. Christs resurrection was the freeing of himselfe from the power of death under which hee was held in the grave some part of three dayes and the uniting againe of his soule which was in heaven to his body which lay in the grave Christ merited hereby that the faithfull should rise againe from death to life as members of his mysticall body and be begotten to a lively hope of their owne resurrection by the power of his 1 Cor 15.19 20. 1 Pet 1.3 1 Thess 4.14 P. What was Christs Ascension and what did he merit thereby tending to our salvation M. Christs Ascension was his leaving to live any longer on the earth as man and his entring into heaven both in soule and body there to continue till the end of the world Acts 1.9 10 11. Hebr 4.14 By Christs Ascension into heaven he tooke possession of it for the faithfull that at the end of their lives he might receive their soules thither Acts 7.59 and at the end of the world he might receive into it both their soules and bodies Iohn 14.2 Heb 6.20 P. What was Christs sitting on the right hand of God the Father in heaven and what did hee merit thereby for our salvation M. Christs sitting on the right hand of the Father in heaven is his partaking as man of heavenly glory farre above all creatures Hebr. 1.3 The merit thereof is his Intercession for us Hebr. 7.24 25 for in heaven hee continually appeares in Gods presence for us Heb 9.24 to present all his merits unto God his Father for our benefit that God beholding the worth of them hee might continually apply the vertue and benefit of them to the conversion and salvation of his Elect successively to the worlds end P. Now you have shewed mec what were the act on s of God the Father and God the Sonne which they wrought for the effecting of mans salvation I pray you also tell mee what were the actions of the Holy Ghost for that end M. They were of two kindes The actions of the holy Spirit for effecting mans saluation 1. Such as he wrought in Christ that was to be the Saviour of the world and 2. such as hee wrought in them that are to bee saved by him P. What were the actions wrought in Iesus Christ by the Holy Ghost for the bringing to passe of mans salvation M. They were three 1. the sanctifying of the seede of the woman for the framing of his body thereof as hee was man Luke 1.35 2. The declaring of him to be the Saviour of the world by descending upon him like a dove Matth 3.16 Iohn 3.33 3. The filling of him with the gifts and graces of the Spirit above measure Iohn 3.34 and above his fellowes Hebr 1.9 P. What are the actions of the Holy Spirit which he workes in them that are to bee saved for the effecting thereof M. They are two 1. Regeneration or bringing them into the state of grace 2. Preservation or keeping them therein P. Sir I have heard much of Regeneration but I doe not well understand it I pray you therefore cause mee to understand better what it is M. Regeneration is an action of the holy Spirit The Regeneration of the holy Spirit whereby Christians are begotten again borne againe and renewed or made new againe 1 Pet 1.3 Iohn 3.5 Tit. 3.5 P. Wherein doth the holy Spirit regenerate Christians M. Not in making new the substance of their soules nor in enduing their soules with new parts powers and faculties But Regeneration consists in healing and recovering rectifying and amending purging and sanctifying with a new supply of grace the former parts powers and faculties that were wholly depraved and corrupted with sinne through Adams disobedience Ecclefiast 7.29 P. To what end doth the holy Spirit regenerate Christians by his grace M. For a twofold end in respect of themselves P. Which is the first M. To enable them to serve God sincerely and acceptably in this world Hebr 12.28 in newnesse of spirit Rom 7.6 and in newnesse of life Rom 6.4 For they are created anew in Christ Iesus unto good workes which God had before ordained that they should walke in Eph 2.10 This they could not doe as they were begotten of their parents for so they were begotten in sinne Psal 51.5 and borne of and after the flesh Iohn 3.3 Gal. 4.29 which cannot please God Rom 8.8 And therefore to the end they may bee fitly disposed and effectually enabled to doe the holy duties of Gods service they must be made new men and women for the image of God which through Adams sinne was defaced in them as touching right knowing willing and doing Gods will must againe be renewed in them Col 3.10 Eph. 4.24 P. What is the second end why the holy Spirit doth regenerate Christians M. It is to order them and to set them in the way to heaven which is to make them meete partakers of that inheritance Col 1.12 For without holinesse no man shall see the Lord Hebr. 12.14 Into the new Ierusalem of heaven shall in no wise enter any uncleane thing Revel 21.27 And flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdome of God 1 Cor. 15.50 Now they can not goe to heaven as they are begotten of their naturall parents for so they are the children of disobedience Eph. 5.6 the children of wrath Eph 2.3 and the children of the Divell Iohn 8.44 And therefore to the end they may be made capable of salvation they must by the holy Spirit bee turned from darkenesse to light and from the power of Satan unto God that they may receive an inheritance with them that are sanctified Acts 26.18 19. For holinesse is the way to happinesse and grace unto glory P. But by what meanes doth the holy Spirit regenerate Christians and make them new M. By the incorruptible seede of the word of truth Iam 1.18 which is the word of God 1. Pet. 1.23 which is the Gospell 1 Cor. 4.15 1 Pet. 1.23 which is the Preaching of Iesus Christ Rom. 16.25 and of salvation Act. 13.26 In whom they are begotten againe 1 Pet. 1.3 and created anew Eph. 2.10 And therefore you ought carefully to attend upon this ordinance which is the power of God to salvation to them that beleeve Rom. 1.16 P. I pray you Sir What
is Preservation which you said was the second act on of the holy Spirit which he workes to bring to passe mans salvation M. Preservation The Preseruation of the Spirit is an action of the holy Spirit whereby he upholdeth them that are regenerate that they fall not away from grace but be kept to continue therein That the regenerate are kept in the state of grace is plaine by S. Peter who saith that they are kept unto salvation 1 Pet 1.3.5 And that they doe receive the end of their faith which is the salvation of their soules verse 9. And that they are kept thereunto by the holy Spirit is as plaine by the same Apostle where he saith they are kept by the power of God 1 Pet 1.5 which is the power of the holy Ghost Rom 15.13 For they are led by the Spirit Gal 5.18 They walke in the Spirit Gal 5.16 Rom 8.14 They live in the Spirit Gal 5.25 They are sealed by the Spirit Eph 1.13 strengthened by the Spirit in the inner man Eph 3.16 And they are sanctifyed by the Spirit wholly and preserved blamelesse unto the comming of our Lord Iesus Christ 1 Thess 5.23 2 Thess 2.13 And if the regenerate bee kept by the holy Spirit unto salvation then in respect of Gods keeping can they not fall from grace to misse salvatioÌ„ in the event end I know the strongest Christian is not able to stand of himselfe for even hee that standeth must take heede lest hee fall 1 Cor 10.12 And therefore hee must not be high-minded but feare Rom 11.20 I acknowledge also that there is nothing in grace it selfe as it is mans but that it might faile for it is received but in part in this life 1 Cor 13.9 And that which is but in part is imperfect and that which is imperfect may of it selfe faile Neither is there any thing in the particular grace of faith but that it might faile too for Peters faith might have failed if Christ had not prayed that it might not faile Luke 22.32 and Peters faith was the same for nature and kinde with the faith of all that are regenerate But though both these be true both of grace generally and of faith particularly yet for all this the truely regenerate do not fall from grace but are preserved therein for first touching grace in generall I say that it failes not for it is the anoynting which they receive and which abides in them 1 Iohn 2.27 and that which abides failes not for by it they are strengthened and preserved to Gods heavenly kingdome 2 Tim 4.18 Secondly touching the particular grace of faith I say that that failes not neither 1. because Christ prayed not onely for Peters faith that it might not faile but for the faith of all the Elect and Regenerate that theirs might not faile for he prayed that they might all bee kept by the Father in his Name that they may bee one in God as the Father and the Sonne are one Iohn 17.11.15.20 21 And Christ was heard and answered in all his prayers Iohn 11.42 2. The faith of the regenerate failes not in the end because they are kept by the power of God through faith 1 Pet 1.5 Now if they bee kept through faith then must they keepe the faith and be kept in it also else they cannot attaine salvation in the end for if the regenerate doe receive the salvation of their soules as the end of their faith 1 Pet 1.9 then must they by some meanes keepe their faith to the end I know and confesse that there bee many which thinke of themselves that they have indeede the true faith and grace and so are thought by others to have it when indeede they have it not and these after a sort may be thought to fall from faith and grace because in time they discover their hollownesse for their faith workes not by love Gal 5.6 nor their love by obedience Iohn 14.15 Nor is their obedience a sincere endeavour to keepe all Gods coÌ„mandements Iam 2.10 But this can not be called truely falling from grace because they had not grace indeed and they cannot fall from that they had not but from the profession of grace and faith And therefore for all this they that have true grace doe by Gods power keepe it and persevere in it for Paul did fight a good fight he finished his course and kept the faith 2 Tim. 4.6 They doe not withdraw themselues but beleeve to the salvation of their soules Heb 10 28 therefore they beleeve to the end P. Mee thâ—nkes you prove this poynt so directly by the word that I cannot tell what to say to the contrary but there bee many learned men of a contrary mind and therefore I pray prove it unto me by some reason also M. I will and it shall be by this which shall include diverse branches If the regenerate be not preserved by God in the state of grace so as they shall certainely bee saved in the end then it is either 1 because God cannot keep them or 2 because he will not keepe them or 3 because they haue no neede of his keeping or 4 Because God thinks it best to leaue every man to himselfe to keepe himselfe and to the use and choice of his owne freewill to persevere in grace and faith or to fall from it But neither of these are true as shall appeare in the particulars Therefore the Regenerate are preserved by God in the State of grace unto the end These foure particulars on which the truth of this argument doth stand shall all be proved in order 1 That God is able to keep the regenerate in the state of grace is plaine by Paul who saith that God was able to keep that which he had committed unto him 2. Tim. 1.12 By the Apostle Iude who saith that God is able to keepe them from falling Iude v. 24. And no marvell seeing they are in his Fathers hands and in his Christ saith none is able to pluck them out of his or his Fathers hands Iohn 10.28 29 and therefore they shall never perish ibid. 2 That God is willing to keepe the truly Regenerate that haue grace indeede is as evident by Saint Paule where he saith that God shall confirme them unto the end 1 Cor. 1.4.8.9 He that had begun a good worke in them will performe it untill the day of Christ Philipp 1.6 and God is faithfull who shall stablish them and keep them from evill 2 Thess 3.3 and Paul affirmes that God would preserve him to his heavenly kingdome 2 Tim 4.18 3. That the regenerate had neede to bee kept by God in the state of grace will easily be proved if wee consider 1. that their corrupt nature and infidelity a fruit of it are not quite subdued in them as long as they live Rom 7.17 18. Heb 3.12 2. That grace is but imperfectly received in this life as hath been shewed even now 3. That Sathan seekes to winnow
1 Ioh. 5.7 4. that the God of Israel is this God Deut. 5.6 2. The having of a God and the taking choosing and acknowledging of the God of Israel onely for our God Exod. 20.3 Iosh 24.22 P. And what are the speciall duties which concerne GOD immediately M. They be such as concerne his Nature being and essence P. What is God in his Nature M. God is a Spirit infinite in all perfections Ioh. 4.24 2 Cor. 3.17 Psal 147.5 1 Tim. 1.17 P. What are the perfections in God M. Certaine divine Attributes whereby as it were a part of his divine nature or some holy quality of God is shadowed out vnto vs and they are of two kindes for they betoken either 1. his greatnesse or 2. his goodnesse P. What are the Attributes of God Gods Attributes of Greatnesse which set forth his Greatnesse M. They are faculties whereby he is able to worke and doe what hee knowes is to bee done and what he wills shall be done and they are these sixe 1. Simplenesse or absolutenesse 2. Infinitenesse 3. Eternity 4. Immensity 5. Wisedome 6. Almightinesse or All-sufficiency P. What is the Absolutenesse or Simplenesse of God M. Simplenesse is a faculty in God which removeth from him all composition of parts as soule and body c and whereby he is God of himselfe and every thing in God is God himselfe Exod. 3.14 1 Ioh. 4.16 P. What is the Infinitenesse of God M. Infinitenesse is a faculty in God which denieth vnto him all limitation and whereby the perfections that are in God are in him without all measure Ioâ—â— 11.7 Psal 147.5 P. What is the Eternity of God M. Eternity is a facultie in God whereby he is vncapable of beginning succession or ending Psal 90.2.4 1 Tim. 1.17 P. What is the Immensity of God M. Immensity is a faculty in God whereby he is every where and cannot be comprehended in any one place 1 Kings 8.27 Psal 139.7 P. What is the Wisedome of God M. Wisedome is a faculty in God whereby he perfectly knoweth himselfe and in himselfe all things that have any kinde of being Iob 9.3 4. Acts. 15.18 P. What is the All-mightinesse or All-sufficiency of God M. Almightinesse is a faculty in God wherby hee is All-sufficient to doe whatsoever hee can will Psal 113.3 135.6 Gen. 17.1 P. O Sir I humbly confesse to Gods glory and mine owne shame that I was ignorant of most of these points and I blesse God for the knowledge of them thus farre by your meanes but proceede I pray you to teach me also what are the Attributes of God which betoken his Goodnesse M. I will Gods Attributes of Goodnesse Neighbor they are vertues whereby hee is willing and ready to doe and worke well and they are these foure 1. Holinesse 2. Mercy 3. Iustice 4. Love P. What is the Holinesse of God M. Holinesse is a vertue in God whereby hee is pure from all evill and sinne in himselfe and vtterly dislikes it in all others Psa 99.5 Habac. 1.13 P. What is the Mercy of God M. Mercie is a vertue in God whereby hee pittieth his children in all their miseries and is ready to deliver them out of the same Psal 103.8 Eph. 2.4 5. P. What is the Iustice of God M. Iustice or righteousnesse is a vertue in God whereby he rendreth to all according to his promise for the good of the godly and according to his threatning for the punishment of the wicked Dan. 9.13 1 Iohn 1.9 P. What is the Love of God M. Love is a vertue in God whereby he is infinitely delighted in himselfe and is so farre affected to his creatures as he is pleased to impart any goodnesse unto them Revel 3.9.19 P. Good Sir I thanke you for making me know God better than I did by teaching mee his Attributes but now also I pray you teach me to serve God in respect of them and therefore tell me what duties I am to performe to God in respect of these divine faculties and powers holy vertues and qualities in God M. The duties of service which you owe to God in respect of these Attributes of his Nature are of two kindes 1. Generall which concerne them all 2. Speciall which belong to the severall kindes of them P. I pray you what duties of service must I performe to God in respect of his Attributes both of Greatnesse and Goodnesse M. They are two 1. Admiring and adoring all these perfections and excellencies that are so infinitely in God Psal 139.5 2. Praising and extolling commending and magnifying God in and for them Psal 150.2 Revel 5.11 P. What speciall duties of service to God belong vnto him in respect of his Attributes of Greatnesse severally M. They are two 1. an awefull reverence of the Majesty and glorious presence of God wheresoever wee bee Psal 89.7 2. Feare and trembling to offend this great God by sinne in any time or place Psal 4.4 Genes 39.9 1 Cor. 10.22 P. And I pray you what speciall duties of service to God must I doe vnto him in respect of his Attributes of Goodnesse M. They are two principally 1. Faith whereby wee beleeve whatsoever he speakes or writes and also wee put trust confidence in him for all good things which hee hath promised in his word Ioh. 20.31 2. Love whereby our hearts are so knit vnto and our affections so set vpon God that we desire nothing more than him nor delight in nothing equall vnto him Psal 116.1 2. 97.10.12 P. Sir I heartily thank you for these savoury lessons the Lord bend my heart to practise these duties of service which concerne God immediately in respect of some things in himselfe Duties to God immediately in respect of some things that come from him as his Ordinances you tolde me also of some other duties that I am to doe in respect of some things that proceede and come from him what are these things I pray you and what meane you by them M. They are either 1. his Ordinances or 2. his Workes P. What meane you by an Ordinance of God M. I meane not a civill ordinance as foode and physicke appointed by God for civill and bodily vses and ends but an holy ordinance or meanes appointed by God for spirituall and religious uses and ends namely to beget and begin to increase and confirme grace and holinesse in vs. P. Then I pray you what bee these holy and religious Ordinances of God M. They bee either 1. holy things or 2. holy actions P. What are the holy things which God hath ordained for holy vses M. The holy Scriptures The holy Scriptures or the holy writings of the Prophets and Apostles P. What duties of service to God must I performe to him in respect of the holy Scriptures M. These foure 1. Beleeving that the 39 Bookes of the Olde Testament and the 28 of the New were endited by Gods Spirit 2 Tim. 3.15 2 Pet. 1.21 and that they
our prayers or 2. to the manner or 3. to the end of them P. What duties concerne the matter of our prayers or the things wee pray for M. Two 1. Wee must pray for such things as bee in themselves lawfull and be warrantable by Gods word Iam. 4.3 2. We must pray according to Gods will that is for such things as may stand with Gods secret will in giving of them 1 Ioh. 5.14 Matth. 26.39 P. What duties concerne the manner of our praying M. These foure we must pray 1. with humility in conscience of our unability and unworthinesse to aske or receive Luke 18.13 2. with fervency in a sensible feeling of our want of the things wee beg and in an earnest desire to enjoy them 3. with faith trusting in God through Christ for receiving what wee pray for Iam. 1.6.4 with patience waiting Gods leisure and pleasure till wee be made partakers of that wee desire and beg Ps 40.1 P. And what duties concerne the end of our praing to God or the cause why we pray M. These three 1. In respect of God wee must aime at this that hee may bee glorified by his giving and our receiving using of the good things which we pray for even as hee is glorified by our seeking to him for them for thereby wee acknowledge him to bee the giver of all which is an honour to him Iam. 1.17 1 Cor. 10.31 2. In respect of our selves wee are to pray for Gods blessings not that we might spend them upon our sinnes but that in the use of them wee might bee furthered in Gods service Iam. 4.3 Rom. 2.4 3. In respect of our brethren we must aime in our prayers that wee may bee helpefull to them and enabled by receiving good things from God through prayer not to heape vp all for our selves and ours but to distribute it amongst Gods poore servants and children that are in want according to their neede and our ability P. These are indeede holy and heavenly directions concerning my duty in praying to God which is the third religious exercise and part of Gods publike service But I pray you let mee bee beholden to you for further instruction in the fourth and last which is praising of God and to tell mee first what praising of God is M. Praising God Duties in respect of praising God is a part of Gods publike service wherein we magnifie commend and extoll God for those excellent perfections of greatnesse and goodnesse that are in him Psal 150.2 and also give him thankes for his benefits bestowed upon us Revel 7.12 P. What duties of obedience to God concerne our praising him M. They are of two kindes for they belong either 1. to the parts of our praising God or 2. to the meanes whereby it is performed namely singing of Psalmes P. What duties concerne the parts of praising God M. They are these foure 1. An high esteeme and opinion beyond that which wee are able to expresse of the holy and happy perfections that are in God Psal 8.1.9 2. A free acknowledgement of the receipt from his bountifull hands of all the good things we enjoy 2 Chron. 29.16 3. An humble confession of our unworthinesse to receive any good things from God or to returne any praise or thankes unto him for the things we have received Gen. 32.10 4. A full resolution to use imploy all Gods blessings which hee gives vs to his glory Prov. 3.9 to the good of others 1 Tim. 6.17 and our owne furtherance in godlines Rom. 2.4 5. P. And what duties of servīce to God doe concerne our singing of Psalmes M. Three especially 1. For the matter which we must sing it must be holy and spirituall not foolish and profane songs and ballads made by wicked men but hymnes and psalmes of Gods making or according to them Col. 3.16 2. For our manner of singing it must be with the spirit and with an holy and sanctified heart and affection with grace in our hearts Col. 3.16 3. For our end in singing it must bee not to take pride in our owne sweete voice and brest nor to please other mens eares who are more delighted in the sound and musicke than in the matter but to make melodie in our hearts to God and to comfort our selves in him Col. 3.16 P. I cannot but acknowledge good Sir that you have beene very large and profitable in your Instructions concerning my duties of service to God concerning the first sort of things that proceede from God namely his ordinances there remaines the second sort of things that proceed from God and that is his workes in respect whereof also I must serve God I pray you therefore direct me herein also and first tell me what these workes of God be M. Gods workes are either 1. generall which have respect to all the world as the creating preserving and governing of all things therein Rom. 11.36 Or 2. they are speciall workes of his which concerne our selves and which proceede either from his mercy as blessings or from his justice as crosses and afflictions P. What duties of service to God belong to him in respect of these his workes M. They are of 3. Duties in respect of Gods workes kindes for they concerne either 1. Gods generall workes on the whole world or 2. Gods speciall workes of mercy on our selves and others or 3. Gods speciall workes of justice on our selves and others P. What duties concerne Gods generall works of creating preserving and governing the whole world M. These three 1. We must looke upon them with our eyes Psal 19.1 Iob 36.24 2. Wee must talke of them with our tongues Psal 26.7 3. With our mindes wee must take notice and observe in these his workes his infinite wisedome power and goodnesse Rom. 1.20 and magnifie God for them accordingly Psal 148.5 c. P. What duties concerne Gods speciall workes of mercy or his blessings on our selves or others M. 1. Thankfulnesse Eph. 5.20 1 Thess 5.18 wherof you have heard in the ordinance of praising God 2. Rejoycing in God and in the use and enjoying of his blessings Rom. 12.15 Deut. 12.7 P. And what duties concerne Gods speciall workes of justice or afflictions on our selves and others M. These following First in respect of all afflictions on our selves we must 1 meekly subject our selves with patience to beare them in consideration 1. that they are Gods hand on vs 1 Sam. 3.18 which we cannot resist Psal 39.9 2. That they are justly deserved by our sinnes Micah 7.9 3. That we are not alone therein but have many fellowes in temptations common to men 1 Cor. 10.13 1 Sam. 7.14 4. That after them there is a rest prepared for them that endure them Hebr. 4.11 Revel 14.13 5. That God will either give us assistance in the tryall or deliverance out of it 1 Cor. 10.13 2. Wee must wisely endeavour to profit by them to amendment of life and new obedience Ioh. 5.14 Hebr. 12.11 Secondly in
them that their faith might faile Luke 22.32 And lastly that they are subject to many afflictions and persecutions which make many fall away Matth 13.21 Luke 8.13 4. That God doth not thinke it best to leave every man to himselfe to keepe himselfe and to the use and choice of his owne freewill to persevere in grace and faith or to fall from it shall bee prooved by two Reasons P. Which is the first M. If man were left by God to the use and choise of his owne free will to keepe himselfe and to persevere in grace or fall from it then would these two great mischiefes follow thereupon 1. that then not God but man himselfe should make the difference betwixt him that perseveres and him that fals away But this is denyed by Paul who saith It is not in him that willeth nor in him that runneth but in God that shewes mercie Rom 9.16 And againe Who maketh thee to differ from another and what hast thou that thou hast not received 1 Cor 4.7 2. This mischief will follow thereupon also that not God but man himselfe must have the chiefe praise of his owne salvation Indeed God might have some thankes 1. for appointing and sending a Saviour into the world 2. for offering grace and salvation to man by him and 3. for moving him by his Spirit to beleeve in Christ that hee may be saved But that hee doth indeede actually consent to the motion of grace and receive it doth indeed beleeve in Christ and actually persevere in grace so as to be saved in the event this proceedes from himselfe meerely and onely from the good use and choise of his own freewill when God left him to himselfe to beleeve or not beleeve and to persevere or not persevere and therefore himselfe must have the chiefe praise of his being saved and not God who of right is to have all the glory of the beginning proceeding and accomplishing of the worke of our salvation P. I pray you giue me also the second reason why God thinks it not best to leave every man to himselfe to persevere or fall from grace M. If every man were a like left to himselfe and to the use choice of his owne free-will to persevere or not persevere and none were actually kept unto salvation nor effectually caused by the holy Spirit to persevere in grace to the end so that in the event they might certainly be saved then were it uncertayne whether any man should in the event be saved or no for it is uncertaine in respect of the event whether any man should persevere in the faith or no because it is uncerteine whether any man shold well use his freewill to persevere or no and if it were uncertaine whether any mā shold be saved or no in the event then were it uncertaine whether the blood of Christ shedd on the Crosse for mans salvation should bee spilt in vayne or no. For salvation is purchased by Christs bloud onely Act. 20.28 without it there is no remission Heb. 9.14.22 And they onely that persevere in the faith shall be saved Mat 10.22 Reve 2.10 and therefore the Regenerate are preserved in the state of grace by the holy Spirit to the end that Christ may not die in vayne nor the salvation of the Regenerate be uncertaine nor the chiefe prayse of their salvation redound to themselves but to God onely and wholly P. Sir I thanke you I am fully satisfied in this poynt you haue sayd enough touching the first point of seeking to be saved which was seeking to know the chiefe points of the doctrine of salvation The last branch whereof was the meanes whereby mans salvation is effected I pray you now proceede to the second point Seeking to be affected with saluation which is seeking to be affected with salvation M. That you may be moved to desire to be saved and to affect it you must consider these foure things chiefly 1. the possibility of attaining it 2. the necessity of getting it 3. the excellency of it when it is had and enjoyed and 4. the certainty of holding it when wee have it P. How may it be proved that it is possible for us to bee saved if wee seeke it M. By these reasons 1. Because it is revealed offered and promised in the Gospell Luke 1.77 12.31 32. Iohn 3.16 Acts 10.23 Rom 10.10 2. Because it is merited and procured by Iesus Christ who hath done and suffered all things needfull for the purchasing of it Eph 1.14 Acts 20.28 1 Pet 1.18 19. 1 Cor 6.20 3. Because salvation is already possessed and enjoyed by infinite millions of Christians who have sought and obtained it Hebr 11.3.5 12.1 Luke 23.42 43. Matth 11.12 P. How may the necessity of salvation appeare M. By these three reasons also 1. By the commandement of God which bids us seeke it and by the threatning of the word which denounceth judgement to them that neglect to seeke it wherof you have heard more particularly before 2. By the words of our Saviour who speaking of taking the present opportunity of hearing himselfe preach the Gospell of salvation saith One thing is necessary Luke 10.42 3. By considering and laying to heart the miserable estate of not being saved 1 Cor 15.18 19. For it had beene better for them they had never beene borne Matth 26.24 And no marvell seeing the Lord will one day pronounce that direfull sentence Depart from me ye cursed into everlasting fire prepared for the Divell and his Angels Matth 25.41 P. How may the excellency of salvation bee shewed M. By these foure things 1. The excellency of Gods love and free grace which is the foundation of it and which moved God to appoint and provide it 1 Iohn 3.1 Ephes 3.18 19. Tit. 2.8 2. The excellencie of the price by which it was purchased and procured for us namely Christ himselfe Gal 1.4 Eph 1.24 His life 1 Iohn 3.16 Rom 3.10 His blood Acts 20.28 1 Pet 1.23 His death Hebr 2.10 Yea a cursed death on the Crosse Phil 2.8 Gal. 3.13 3. The excellency of the nature and parts degrees and priviledges benefits and comforts of our salvation wherof you have heard at large before in the two first points 4. The excellency of the persons that in the event are to bee made partakers of it namely the Elect and the beloved of the Lord 2 Tim 2.10 Tit 1.1 To whom the very Elect Angels are ministring spirits to attend upon them Hebr. 1.14 P. I pray you how may the certaintie of salvation be proved M. By three things 1 The Decree and purpose of God to save true beleevers in Christ Eph 1.5.9 which standeth sure 2 Tim 2.19 and cannot be changed because with God there is no variablenesse neither shadow of turning Iam 1 17. 2 The prom se covenant and oath of God to save them that are in Christ Luke 1.72.73 all which are immutable Heb 6.17 3 The power and goodnes righteousnes
of the law Rom. 3.20 4.11 2. They must also beleeve the Gospell that is consent in their opinion judgement that there is salvation to be had and that this is a truth of God that it is possible for men to get salvation and this is wrought by the Gospell Marke 1.15 Acts 4.4 3. They must heartily be sorry for their past sinnes and unfeinedly purpose to leave them which is Repentance begun in the roote Matth 21.32 4. They must hunger and earnestly desire to be saved Matth 5.6 Isay 55.1 5. They must consult what to doe and enquire further into and after the way and the meanes of salvation with a minde to follow those directions accordingly Act. 2.37 16.30 And these three last actions are wrought by the Law and Gospell whereby they are both drawne and driven to seeke and get salvation P What be the actions of men which give them title and interest unto salvation to claime and receive it of God M. Actions that gâ—ue title to claime and receiue saluation They are beleeving or trusting in Iesus Christ Rom 10 9. Eph. 1 13. whereby weary and heavy laden sinners come to Christ for salvation Math 11 28. Iohn 6 35 and rest onely upon the merits of the righteousnes of his life and death for salvation in all the severall degrees thereof For by this faith they get and lay hold upon the Saviour himselfe even the Lord Iesus Christ and are engrasfed and united to him Rom 11 19.20 for by faith Christ is in true beleevers 2 Cor 13 5. he liues in them Gal 2 20 and dwells in them Eph. 3.17 P. What reasons may be brought from the Scripture to prooue this which you say concerning the action of beleeving in Christ M. These 1 Beleeving in Christ is the action appointed by God to be performed by man for receiving salvation because it is requyred of him as the condition to obtaine forgivenes of sinnes Act 10 43. reconciliation and peace with God Rom 5 1. 3 25. justification Act 13 29. adoption Iohn 1.12 blessednes Gal. 3 9 eternall life Iohn 3 16. ease from the burden of sinne Matth 11 28. quenching all Satans fiery darts Eph 6 16. not being confounded of our sinnes Rom. 10.11 and of pleasing God Heb. 11.6 2 Beleeving in Christ is the action requyred by God to be performed on mans part for receiving salvation because by this meanes salvation comes to him by the free grace and mercy loue favour of God Rom 4 16. Eph 2 8. 3 Beleeving in Christ is the action and condition required on mans part for obtaining salvation because hereby the promise of salvation will be sure to the faithfull Rom 4.16 which by the action of obeying the Law it could not bee because hee could not performe it Acts 13.39 Rom 8.3 4. Beleeving in Christ is the action and condition required to be performed by man for the getting of salvation because it makes a man renounce his own righteousnesse and to goe out of himselfe to another for it namely to Iesus Christ to be saved by his righteousnesse Matth 11.28 Ioh 6.35 Phil 3.9 Gal 2.19 P. What are the actions which Christians must performe to make their salvation sure unto themselves M. They are divers Actions that assure saluation for they concerne either 1. God or 2. our brethren or 3. our selves P. What actions concerne God M. They are such as belong either 1. to God the Father or 2. to God the Sonne or 3. to God the holy Ghost P. What actions belong to God the Father M. They are three principally 1. Fearing to offend God and caring to please him 1 Pet. 1.17 1 Cor 7.32 For unto such and for their comfort is the word of salvation sent Acts 13.26 and such may worke out their salvation that is the assuming not the procuring of it unto themselves Phil 2.12 And no marvell seeing Gods mercy is on them that feare him for ever Luke 1.50 Such know that they are redeemed with the precious blood of Christ 1 Pet 1.17 18 and such are blessed Psal 128.1 2. Loving God and setting our hearts and delight upon him for such may know that they are of the truth and shall assure their hearts before him 1 Iohn 3.18 19 And that they may have boldnesse in the day of judgement 1 Iohn 4.16 17. And no marvell seeing their love to God will assure them that they are borne of God 1 Iohn 4.7 that they dwell in God and God in them 1 Iohn 4.19 that they are knowne and acknowledged and approoved of God The first to the Corinthians the 8 chapter 3 verse that all things shall worke to their good that is to the furtherance of their sanctification and salvation Rom. 8.28 And that the crowne of life eternall and the Inheritance of the kingdome of heaven is promised to such as love God Iam 1.12 2.5 3. Christians must hope in God that is assuredly expect looke for yea patiently abide and waite for the accomplishment of all Gods promises specially that of the resurrection of the body and of eternall life for they are saved by hope Rom. 8.24 And Hope is a helmet of salvation to them 1 Thess 5.8 And an anker to the soule both sure and stedfast and which entreth into heaven whither the forerunner is for us entred even Iesus Heb 6.19 20. And no marvell seeing their hope will not deceive nor make them ashamed Rom 5.5 Because into the hearts of such as hope in God the love of God is shed abroad by the holy Ghost Rom 5.5 And they rejoyce in the hope of the glory of God Rom 5.3 P. What actions of Christians concerne Iesus Christ that will assure them of their salvation M. They are these two principally 1. They must obey him in all his Evangelicall precepts and commandements which belong to the hearing and beleeving of the Gospell preached and to the administring and receiving the Sacraments in remembrance of him Matth 28.20 Marke 1.15 Luke 10.16 Matth. 26.26 27. 1 Cor 11.24 25. For unto such as obey him herein Iesus Christ is become author of eternall salvation Heb 5.9 no marvell seeing they are blessed of God Luk 11.28 Revel 1.3 they are of God that is chosen beloved of him Iohn 8 4.7 and they are the sheepe of Christ to whome hee will give eternall life Iohn 10 27.28 2 They must love long for looke and waite for the second appearing or coming of Christ For such beleeve that there is layd up for them a crowne of righteousnes which the Lord the righteous judge shall give them at that day 2 Tim. 4.8 Titus 2.13.14 Such the Lord Christ will deliver from the wrath to come 1 Thess 1.10 and to such he will appeare the second time unto salvation Hebr. 9.28 P. What actions of Christians concerne the holy Spirit that will assure them of salvation M. These Not to resist or vexe the holy Spirit Act 7
faith or beleefe in Christ is good wheÌ„ it works in us by love to God and our neighbour Gal 5.6 and is shewed by good workes Tit 3.8 Iam 2.18 and when it stirres us up to sincere obedience to Gods commandements Hebr 11.8 4. Our feare of God is right when we feare him as much for his mercy as for his justice Psal 130.2 and feare more to sinne against him than to be punished by him Psal 4.4 Gen 39.9 5. Our love of God is good when it stirres us up to keepe his Commandements Iohn 14.15.23 when wee love him for those excellent perfections of wisedome and goodnesse that are in him as well as for the benefits that come from him and when it stirres us up to hate evill and sinne Psal 97.9 10. 6. Our hope in God namely for the resurrection to eternall life and for Christs second comming is right when being grounded on the Scriptures Rom 15.4 wee comfort our selves in our afflictions with it 1 Thess 4.13.18 when wee patiently waite Gods leisure for the obtaining of things promised 1 Thess 1.3 Rom 8.23 and when it purifies our hearts 1 Iohn 3.3 and makes us deny all ungodlinesse and worldly lusts and to live righteously and godlily and soberly in this present world Titus 2.12 13. P. Good Sir I humbly acknowledge my selfe beholden to you for your care over me and paines with mee I hope I shall never forget it but endeavour to shew my selfe thankefull The Lord requite your labour of love to me in private by a greater blessing upon your ministery in publike and by prolonging your life health and strength for Gods glorie and the good of his Church in Iesus Christ. The Lord bee with you Sir and with your studies FINIS A PRAYER FOR GRACE TO Seeke to serve God and bee saved MOst glorious Lord God and heavenly Father Reu 4 11 who art worthy of all honour and service Iam 4 12 and who art able to save and destroy Luk 17 10 Thy unprofitable servant unworthy of salvation Acts 13 46 doth desire to humble himselfe before thee freely acknowledging that howsoever I am convinced in my judgement that nothing in this world doth so neerely concerne me to looke unto as thy service and mine owne salvation yet my heart tells and smites me that I have minded nothing lesse then these and that I have with much greedinesse sought after health and wealth worldly pleasures and treasures which only belong to the body this present life as if they only were worth my seeking and were more able to afford me true content than thy service and my salvation Thou hast brought me into the world and made me a member of thy Christian Church chiefly for to get grace into my heart that I might serve thee and live in thy feare and also to get peace into my conscience that I might dye in thy favour and be eternally saved 2 Cor 6 2 for now is the accepted time now is the day of salvation But I have neglected the prerogative of thy service Rom 9 2 Hebr 2 4 and so great salvation and have spent my precious time and thoughts in the pursuite of carthly things which I should have counted but as losse and dung Phil 3 8 in comparison of winning Christ and with him salvation as if I had beene borne to no other end but to serve the world sinne and Satan and to make provision fâ—r the flesh Rom 13 14 to fulfill the lusts thereof O Lord God when I call to minde and consider my vanity and folly yea ungracious wickednesse in trampling under my feete such precious pearles as are thy service Hebr 10 29 and my salvation I am confounded in my selfe wondcring at thy patiencc that couldst so long endure such an ungratefull wretch to live in thy Church yea I am ashamed and blush to lift up my face to thee because this mine iniquity is increased over my head Ezra 9 6 and my wickednesse is growne up unto heaven crying for vengeance upon such contempt of thy grace Iohn 3 19 it being condemnation to love darknesse more than light earth more than heaven and the world more than thee or mine owne soule But thy mercy O Lord God is over all thy workes Psal 145 9 138 8. and endures for ever It is as great as thy Majesty and thy goodnesse is as much as thy greatnesse and the blood of Iesus Christ is able to wash mee so cleane from my sinnes Reuel 1 5 that I shall be holy Eph 5 27 and without blemish before thee therefore there is hope in Israel concerning this thing Ezra 10 2 And therefore upon the bended knees of my heavy laden soule I most humbly cry thee mercy most mercifull Father for this and all other my sinnes originall and actuall committed against the Law and the Gospell and with all the powers of my soule most earnestly beseech thee for the Lords sake Dan 9 17 Isay 53 11 Acts 3 14. Mat 3 17 thy righteous servant the holy One and the just in whom thou art well pleased to forgive me to be reconciled unto me and to shed thy love into my heart by thy holy Spirit Rom 5 5 which may beare witnesse to my Spirit c. 8 16. that I am thy Childe beloved in thy holy Childe Iesus Acts 4 27 Let thy mercy move thee to looke upon his righteousnesse to justify me when thy justice would make thee looke upon my sinnes to condemne me Accept of him for my surety Hebr. 7.22 and of the price of his blood for my ransome 1 Pet 1 23 Thou hast said O blessed God that whosoever comes Mat 11 28 unto thy Sonne Iesus Christ Ioh 6 35. and beleeves in him with an heavie laden soule wearie of their former wickednesse thou wilt ease and forgive them 1 Iohn 1 9 Oh be just and faithfull to make good this promise unto me to ease and to save me I desire to honour thy infinite mercy and thy Sonnes unvaluable merits by seeking to them onely and trusting in them alone for salvation O be thou pleased also to magnifie them upon me for I have as much need of them as any 1 Tim 1 â—5 being the chiefe of sinners and the saving vertues of them shall be magnified in the cure of my soule as well as of any other It hath pleased thee heavenly Father to give unto me in some measure a sight and sense of my sins particularly of my neglect and contempt of thy service and my salvation Oh be pleased I beseech thee yet more and more to discover unto me the folly and foulnesse of this and all my sinnes that my heart may be so broken with godly remorse and sorrow for them that I may leave them and live no longer in them but cleave unto thee to serve thee in new obedience for what will it profit