now it doth from consolation 2. Quest Who are they that are far from committing this sin The solution of this may serve as a remedy against this distress for whosoever finds in himself these things may be confident he is not guilty of this sin 1. They are far from committing this sin that do esteem Christ and desire to enjoy him and are willing to be subject to his Authority 2. They that do truly desire to honour Christ not only inwardly in their hearts but outwardly in their lives and conversations by words and actions 3. They whose illumination is attended with reformation who not onely know the Truth but love and obey it 4. Those who with well to the Kingdome and Gospel and people of Christ that for Sions sake cannot hold their peace 5. They who cleave to the Ordinances though they want comfort that wait upon the Lord who hides himself from the house of Jacob. 6. They who desire the efficacy of the ministry on the souls of others who can rejoyce when souls are converted and are glad to see that Grace in others they want and that grieve when the edification of souls is opposed and obstructed 7. They that aspire after a holy life that are students for piety and mourners for iniquity These have not committed the sin against the Holy Ghost 3. Qu. What are those Graces that are preservatives against this sin 1. A chearfulness in the service and wayes of Christ. Serve the Lord with gladness account not his Commands grievous 2. A sincere love to Father Son and Spirit This sin is committed out of malice and hatred 3. A daily desiring thirsting after Christ ever desiring Christ will keep us from ever despising him 4. A labouring to get heat unto our light that our knowledge may be attended with a change in heart and life 5. A daily care to persevere and hold on in Religion and Grace with a jealousie of our selves least we should be guilty of declining and back sliding 6. A pleading and standing up for the truth in our places and callings with courage and wisdom 7. A perfecting holiness in the fear of the Lord avoiding not only all gross sins but also as much as we can keeping our selves from infirmities at least not allowing our selves in them §. 17. The spirituals mans aime or a resolution of an important and serious question concerning our aimes and intentions whether they be for God or the world Aims and intentions are secret things removed from the cognizance of others The rectitude of intention contributes so much to the acceptation of our services with God that without this nothing though never so materially good and plausible can denominate us sincere in his sight or prevail for any acceptance with him Now though others are not competent judges of our ends yet if we will deal faithfully and truly with our own souls we may know them by such plain things as these are 1. By our desires Try thy heart by this whether thou dost desire most to be with God or to be in the world That which is our end we would be in the fullest enjoyment of 2. By thy hopes What is it thou hopest for is it to grow great or rich in the world or is it that thou art approved of God and in favour with him That which is thy chiefest hope is thy end 3. By thy delights Dost thou so delight in the world that if that flow in and that thou hast any probable assurance of its continuance thou findest thou canst be contented without God or dost thou account thy self miserable whatsoever thou enjoyest except thou have some soul communion with God and canst find some tasts of his love even in outward mercies and those tasts carrying thy soul to delight more and more in God as the fountain of them 4. Examine how thy heart is affected upon the loss of outward things What is it grieves thee most the burning thy house loss of trade death of friends or the want of Gods presence the dishonour of his name the danger of losing the Gospel and the like that which is our end we are grieved for being disappointed of 5. If the world be thy darling thou wilt be affraid to own Religion when it exposes thee to danger shame and loss alwayes worldlings are for an easie creditable cheâ—p Religion But if God have thy heart thou art jealous least the world should draw thee from God and thou wilt account no pains too much for him thou wilt be diligent in the use of all means In the service of God thou wilt account losses gain and think thy self abundantly honoured in being accounted worthy to be dishonoured for Christ 6. That which is a man's end he will plead for We see prophane men plead for the world gross sins are with them small sins nay no sins nay sometimes commendable things or at least indifferent for ends will make men find cut many Topicks to argue from Monstrous apparel is but decency drunkenness is but good fellowship they can say much for unlawful gaming wanton dalliances stage-playes recreations on the Lords day Alas say they these are but innocent Divertisements for the body and mind But those that make God their end will plead for him they stand up for his Name â—is Word his People Wisdom is justified of her Children they have much to say for devotion for mortification for fasting and praying for holy conference for modest apparel for sobriety and temperance for circumspect walking and the like 7. He that serves the world will suffer much for it in his body by pinching it in his name and reputation by reproach for even a covetous miser shall have some scoffs he will make such pittiful complaints and such ridiculous excuses and do such base drudgery the world will laugh at him yet he suffers all this because it is his end So he that serves God is willing to suffer for God to part with all for him when he calls for it to endure scoffs and jeers for his not complying with the Vices of the world Lastly if God and the World call whom dost thou follow the Bell touls the Play-bill is set up whither dost thou go Here 's the Bible or a good Book there is the Tavern or the Gaming house God calls to the one the World to the other whom dost thou obey If a Lacquey follows two Gentlemen when they part he whom he follows we know is his Master that which a man follows from morning to night from week to week and leave other things to follow that is his Master that he serves and that is his end §. 18. How must we carry our selves to God aâ— our friend Trust him because he is faithful Prize him because he is so transcendently excellent Be advised by him for he is infinitely wise Suffer for him for Christ did so foâ— us Delight in him because he is amiable Be zealous for his Glory and grieved at his
behold thy Mother The fourth a word of sad complaint Mat. 27.46 My God my God why hast thou forsaken me The fifth a word of want and distress Iohn 19.28 I thirst The sixth a word of triumph and gratulation Iohn 19.30 It is finished The seventh a word of perseverance Luke 23.46 Father into thy hands I commend my spirit Twenty Directions how to live well and dye well from these seven last words of Christ being the heads of several Sermons preached by Mr. E. C. B. M. 1. He that would live well and dye well must be much in prayer The first fourth seventh words are prayers 2. He must be well versed in the Book of Psalms the fourth and seventh words are out of it 3. He must forgive his Enemies and pray for them 4. He must have a care of relations and dispose of his worldly estate 5. He must do what he can to convert others 6. He must not abuse the example of the penitent thief to delay his repentance 7. He must believe the souls of the Godly go immediately upon their death to a Heavenly Paradise 8. He must thirst after communion with God and the enjoyment of God in Heaven Jesus Christ thirsted after our salvation 9. He must meditate of the soul and body sufferings of Jesus Christ what he suffered in his soul when he uttered the fourth word what he suffered in his body when he uttered the fifth word 10. He must so live as that he may upon good grounds call God Father The first word was Father forgive them The last word was Father into thy hands c. 11. He must take more care for hiâ— precious soul then his mortal body 12. He must believe that Christ hath finished all things necessary for hiâ— salvation in point of merit and satisfaction and that nothing is required of him but to testifie his thankfulness in a holy life â—3 He must believe on good grounds that Christ hath finished His Salvation O happy man that when he is breathing out his last can say my salvation is finished â—4 He must finish whatsoever is behind and to be done by him to fit him for heaven something we are to do and we must finish it not only begin well but end well â—5 He must fly in the time of tentation to Christs sufferings there is a great deal of comfort in that word it is finished â—6 He must stay himself on God in a time of darkness when there is no light Christ said My God we must not let go the faith of adherance though we want the faith of evidence â—7 He must remember Christ wore a Crown of Thorns that we mighâ— wear a Crown of Glory he was forsaken for a time that we might noâ— be forsaken for ever 18. He must believe that through many tribulations we may enter intâ— the Kingdom of Heaven A man maâ— from the Cross go to Heaven Chriâ— was Crucified between two thieveâ— and yet died gloriously 19. He must study the love of Christ iâ— suffering such a cursed death on thâ— Cross for his sins that he may bâ— able to say He loved me and gavâ— himself for me and rejoyce in nothing save in the Cross of Christ 20. He must after the example of Chriâ— commend his soul to Gods hands and remember Christ hath commended thy soul and my soul already intâ— the hands of God and when we dyâ— God will remember the deposituâ— left with him §. 11. The order a Christian is to observe in his walking every day with an answer to objections and encouragement to set about it 1. In the morning awake with God Psal 139.18 i. e. season thy mind with awful and thankful thoughts of Gods morning and evening mercies and lift up thy heart in some short mental prayer to God that he would help thee to renew thy resolution to walk with him 2. When thou art up as soon as conveniently thou canst betake thy self to prayer Private prayer should be the first thing we do The first hour is the Golden hour and by so doing thou mayest open thy heart to God and shut it against all sin For family prayer that is the fittest hour when all the family or the greatest part can most conveniently meet together and if thou art a servant take heed of voluntary neglecting family prayer Let it be some urgent occasion that hinders thee anâ— when thou canst not be there with thy bodily presence yet be sure thy affection be with them 3. After prayer and other religiouâ— duties performed Go to thy calling anâ— follow the works thereof as that statioâ— God hath set thee in with diligence conscience and chearfulness and be contented with thy calling though mean Be not like worldlings who do all with a greedy mind of getting But remember a Christian hath two Callings one general the other particular and he is a happy and wise servant that so minds his general as not to neglect his particular and so follows his particular Calling as he doth not neglect his general Usually the former have some tincture of hypocrisie and the latter are too much over-grown with covetousness Labour therefore to keep thy eye upon thy heart and upon the rule Do all in thy particular Calling with uprightness and faithfulness in wisdom and order referring the success to Gods blessing and labour to be armed with patience against crosses and losses In buying and selling take heed of lying and dissimulation covetousness and frowardness of multiplying words carelesly and of over-praising thy own wares when thou sellest and saying it is naught when thou buyest 4. When thou art alone look to thy heart and say Heart where art thou what art thou doing where hast thou been whither art thou going keep thy heart with all diligence Prov. 4.23 Keep it as a Guardian would do a rich Heir that hath many Suitors or as a General would do a Castle that was a key or in-let to the whole Country and in order to this remember five things 1. Observe the motions of it thy mind is thy self Be not a stranger to thy self God looks at the heart 1 Sam. 16.7 he delights in truth in the inward man Psal 1.6 2. When any good thoughts and holy motions come into thy soul as those that are truly good shall not find themselves long without them cherish and entertain them say as the Spouse It is the voice of my beloved that knocketh say Come in thou blessed of the Lord why standest thou without but iâ— evil motions arise let them not lodge with thee but chase them from thee 3. Employ thy heart and set it tâ— work The mind is a restless mill alwayes in motion Calvin prayed every day the devil might never find him idle If our hearts be doing nothing they will be doing evil like a garden if yoâ— do not sow good seeds will soon bâ— overun with weeds Remember Goâ— and Nature abhor idleness and the Devil watches for the idle hour 4.
so troubled with distractions in holy duties 1. Because there is corruption in the best which clogs and shackies us in our best duties Remainders of sin will be hinderers of our close communion with God these dogs will be barking though their teeth be pulled out 2. Because Satan stands at our right â—and to withstand us when we appear beâ—â—re God and to disturb us in our worâ—â—ipping of him 3. To shew unto us our need of Jesus â—hrist to be our High Priest to bear the â—niquity of our holy things 4. To teach us that when we do seem â— be most dutiful yet even then we â—ave need to be most humble 5. To be a touchstone of our spirituality and growth in Grace The more spiâ—ituality we arrive at the fewer distraâ—tions in Gods service we shall meet with 6. To teach us to watch as well as pray to keep our hearts with all diligence Every Christian in duty must fight as well as work 7. To teach us not to make our selves the fountain of assistance and strength in holy duties 8. To make us strive to be more fervent in spirit in serving the Lord. When the flame arises the smoak decreases 9. To stir us up to delight in Gods service Our hearts will abide there wherâ— they do delight 10. To make us long after heaven that blessed state where no distraction are The remedies against them are of twâ— sorts by way of prevention by way of care 1. By way of prevention remembeâ— these three things 1. Holy retirement sometimes of body alwayes of mind Esau went in the field to meditate Enter into thy Closet saith our Saviour But in publicâ— there must be a retirement of spirit calâ— off thy heart from the world and from external objects It was a saying of Bernard it is not unusual for men of untamed fancies to be surrounded with multitudes when alone nor is it impossible for a man of a sound spirit to be alone among multitudes 2. Come to holy duties armed with â—ly resolution say with David Ps 71. â—6 I will go in the strength of the â—rd Resolve not to be taken off 3. Supplication There must come â—ower from above and prayer fetches in And in prayer against distractions â—earnest with God for 1. The sanctification of thy fancy and â—agination That grace that sanctifies â—r minds confines them grace sets â—r hearts upon the right object and â—kes them move orderly and regularâ— 2. Beg a fixed heart Psal 86.11 â—avid prays unite my heart make it â—e and he often speaks of this my â—art is fixed or prepared 3. The spirit of love The soul lives â—here it loves and causes an immoraâ—on on the object the more love to â—od the fewer distractions and the â—ore composedness of mind 4. The grace of holy fear In thy fear â—ill I worship saith David Psal 5. Pray to God to possess thy soul with an awâ— of his Glorious Majesty 5. Beg holy Zeal Let thy heart bâ— seething hot Flies use not to come â— the boiling pot Zealous Christian complain least of distractions 2. By way of Cure 1. Get indignation at the first rise â— them If they be injected by Satan throâ— out the fire-ball if thy heart haâ— been the mother to conceive and brinâ— them forth let it not be the nurse â— bring them up 2. Be humbled for them Gracioâ— souls cannot but be grieved at then but vain thoughts never trouble vaâ— men but walk humbly with God â— the sense how little thy heart is witâ— him 3. Exercise faith in Christ for tâ— pardon of them and power against them when thou art troubled with these fieâ— Serpents look to the brazen Serpeâ— Christ Jesus §. 16 â— brief consideration of that common distress of conscience arising from fear that a man hath sinned the sin against the Holy Ghost in three questions 1. Shewing what are the reasons why God suffers some to be exercised with this â—emptation 2. Who are they that are far from â—mmitting this sin 3. What are those Graces that are â—eservatives against this sin 1. Q. What are the reasons that God â—ffers some to be troubled with this tenâ—ation It is a thing of common observation â—mong those to whom distressed souls â—o open their maladies that they find â—any sore pressed with this tentation â—he reasons with submission to better â—udgements may be such as these 1. It many times ariseth from ignorance â—ant of right and sound information of the nature and ingredients of this sin Many poor Christians charge them selves with it before they understand what it is 2. Because they have not made â— right application of the word to theiâ— own hearts but have been censoriouâ— and uncharitable to others and noâ— they are forced by a Divine hand whether they will or no to make application to themselves and this is God carrosive to eat out uncharitableness 3. It may be they have been secuâ— and formal in Religion and neglecteâ— the duties of it against the conviction oâ— the Word and Conscience and abateâ— in their affections to God to the Ordinances to the Children of God Sin against light and back-sliding thougâ— in such and such a degree they do noâ— constitute this sin yet they look too likâ— it 4. It is to make others fear and takâ— more heed to their wayes When we seâ— God as it were letting our brotheâ— upon the rack this is to check our negligence to be a bridle to our looseness 5. It is to exercise the gifts and graces of others both Ministers and Christians to put them upon the exercise of prayer consolation pitty charity labour brotherly kindness and the like 6. They may be exercised with it to fit them for some eminent service and imployment as to make some open confession of the Faith or to make them experimental comforters of others with the comforts wherewith they themselves have been comforted of God or to prepare them for undergoing some heavy outward affliction which seems â—ight to those that have had a wounded spirit or to make them live a more strict and exemplary life or to possess some greater measure of spiritual joy or to â—ortifie them against the assaults of some beloved sin or to undergo some fierce conflict with Satan some or all these may be the condition of the party hereafter and God is now fitting and preparing them by this trouble for it They may think they have committed this sin by Gods leaving them to hearken to Satans perswasion They failed in believing God who spoke for their good and now they believe Satan who speaks for their ruine they did not hearken to the motions of Gods spirit for their consolation and now they hearken to the false reasonings of an unbelieving heart prompted by Satan for their vexation Satan was not formerly more diligent to draw them on to sin then he is now to keep them from comfort and their own perversness did not then make them further from instruction then
other Qu. What is required of Neighbours that live and converse together An. To consider one another and provoke to love and good works Heb. 10.24 Qu. How must we be affected in respect of those things that happen to our Neighbours An. We must rejoyce with them that rejoyce and weep with them that weep Rom. 12.15 1 Thes 3.7 8 9. 2 Cor. 11.28 29. o All things befalling our Neighbour may be referred either to prosperity or adversity therefore this Precept teacheth us how to behave our selves towards them in both these Estates Qu. Must we rejoyce with all men upon all occasions An. No For folly is joy to him that is destitute of understanding and it is a sport to fools to do mischief Prov. 15.21 Prov. 10.23 Qu. Must we shew our selves grieved with all men when they are grieved An. No. In case they grieve because they cannot sin as Amnon did 2 Sam. 13.2 or because there are any that seek the good of Gods Church Neh. 2.10 Qu. What must we do in this case An. Be grieved for them but not with them Psal 119.158 Qu. What is the benefit of a good Neighbour An. He is better then a Brother afar off Prov. 27.10 (p) That is afar off in place or kind affection Qu. What is the best means to preserve good Neighbours An. He that hath friends must shew himself friendly Prov. 18.24 Qu. How is that An. By bearing one anothers burthens Gal. 6.2 Qu. How else An. By relieving their miseries according to our abilities 2 Cor. 8.3 Qu. But how if there be jarring somtimes An. Let not the Sun go down upon your wrath Eph. 4.26 Qu. But what if we be daily provoked An. Be not overcome with evil but overcome evil with good Rom. 12.21 Qu. But what if my neighbour be my enemy An. Love your enemies and pray for them Mat. 5.44 Qu. When a man hath many enemies what is the best way to peace An. If a mans wayes please God he will make his enemies to be at peace with him Prov. 16.7 (q) Unlesse God in his Wisdome sees it 〈◊〉 for us to be exercised with th◠〈…〉 wicked men Qu. How if a man live in a place so wicked it is not safe to have familiarity with almost any of them An. He must strive to shine as a light in a noughty and crooked Generation Phil. 2.15 §. 9. A direction concerning Contracts Qu. How must we carry our selves in our dealing towards men An. We must neither Oppress (r) By hard and extream dealings as Racking Usury taking Advantage nor Defraud (Å¿) By cunning and subtle courses as false Weights Measures c. any man in any thing 1 Thes 4.6 Qu. What is the Rule by which all our Contracts must be guided An. Whatsoever we would that men should to us we must do even so to them Mat. 7.12 Qu. What is a good help to this An. To have our Conversation without Covetousness and be content with such things as we have Heb. 13.5 Qu. Why is this such a help An. Because the love of money is the root of all evil 1 Tim. 6.10 §. 10. The Rich Mans Duty Qu. What is the Rich Mans Duty An. To honour God with his substance Prov. 3.9 Qu. How is that done principally An. If he be rich in good works and and ready to distribute 1 Tim. 6.18 (t) By giving or lending freely Deut. 15.8 and sometime by forgiving debts Neh. 5.9 Qu. What things must a rich man take heed of An. Of high-mindedness and confidence in his wealth 1 Tim. 6.17 (u) A conceit that he is in Gods favour and such as he ought to be because he is Rich. Qu. What must be the rich mans joy An. That he is made low Jam. 1.10 (a) That is hath a low mind in a high condition God having given him Grace to see the vanity and uncertainty of riches and that they commend us not to God §. 11. The poor Mans duty Qu. What is the poor mans duty An. To learn to know how to be in want Phil. 4.12 Qu. What is the poor mans comfort An. That Christ for our sakes became poor that we through his poverty might be made rich 2 Cor. 8.9 Qu. What is the best means by which a man may be assured while he liveth never to fall into extremity An. To seek first the Kingdome of God and the righteousness thereof (b) That newness of life that becometh the heirs of Gods Kingdom and then all other things shall be added to him Mat. 6.33 Qu. What must be the poor mans joy An. That he is exalted to be the Child of God by Grace Jam. 1.9 §. 12. The Duty of Aged persons Qu. When is age a Crown of Glory An. When it is found in the way of Righteousness Prov. 16.31 Qu. What is the duty of the aged man An. To be sober grave temperate sound in faith in charity in patience Tit. 2.2 Qu. What is required of elder Women An. To be of such behaviour as becometh holiness and to instruct the Younger Women Tit. 2.3 4. §. 13. The young persons duty Quest What be the duties of young folks Answ Three especially Quest What is the first Answ To remember their Creator in the dayes of their youth Eccl. 12.1 Quest What is the second Answ To be sober minded and to flee the lusts of youth 2 Tim. 2.22 Tit. 2.6 Quest What is the third Answ To honour the person of the Aged Lev. 19.32 Quest What is required of young Women Answ To be discreet chast keepers at home good obedient to their own Husbands Tit. 2.5 Quest Why must they thus carry themselves Answ That they give no occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully least the Name of God be blasphemed 1 Tim. 5.14 2 Tit. 5. Quest Wherewithall shall young persons redress their way Answ By taking heed thereto according to Gods word Psal 119.9 §. 14. The Summe of All. Quest What is the brief summe of the whole duty of Man Answ To fear God and kâ—â—p 〈◊〉 â—â—â—mandments Eccl. 12.13 Quest What is the reward 〈…〉 Answ He that doth thâ—se â—ingâ—â—haâ—â—â—ver be moved Psal 15.5 Glory be to God alone AMEN FINIS Christian Reader BEfore thou readest mend with thy pen these more considerable faults in Printing for points and Commaes either mend them thy self or pardon them In Epist Dedic Leaf 1. for sakes r. sake In Epist to the Reader p. 5. l 2. for in r. on p. 5. l. 19. for mind r. need p. 17. l. 22. r. adherence p. 34. l. 9. r. and that not p. 38. l. 22. for a holy r. the holy p. 45. l. 20. r. fitted p. 48. l. 6. r. Banquerouts p. 61 l. 23. for let r. tell p. 65. l. 13. r. your side p. 72. l. 10 add 7. p. 74. l. penul for pulled out r. cannot bite p. 76 l. 13. for Esau r. Isaac p. 80. l. 12. r. Corrosive p. 82 l. 4. add 7 p. 107 l. 1. r. six days p. 64. l. 19. for promised r. pronounced Books to be Sold by Thomas Parkhurst at the Golden Bible on London-Bridge AN Exposition of Temptation on Mat. 4. vers 1. to the end of the 11th by Tho. Taylor D. D. A learned Commentary or Exposition on the first Chapter of the second Epistle to the Corinthians by Richard Sibbs D. D. Fol. A practical Exposition on the third Chapter of the first Epistle of St. Paul to the Corinthians with the Godly Mans Choice on Psal 4. vers 6 7 8. By Anthony Burgess Fol. The view of the Holy Scriptures By Hugh Broughton Fol. Christianographia or a Description of the multitude and sundry sorts of Christians in the world not subject to the Pope By E. Pagit Fol. These six Treatises next following are written by Mr. George Swinnock 1. The Christian Mans Calling or a Treatice of making Religion ones business The first Part. 2. Likewise a Second Part. 3. The third and last part of the Christian Mans Calling 4. The door of Salvation opened by the Key of Regeneration 5. Heaven and Hell Epitomized and the True Christian Characterized 6. The Fading of the Flesh and the flourishing of Faith An Exposition on the five first Chapters of Ezekiel with useful observations thereupon By Will. Greenhil 4 to The Gospel Covenant or the Covenant of Grace opened Preached in New-England by Peter Buckley 4 to Gods Holy Mind touching matters Moral which himself uttered in ten words or ten Commandments Also an Exposition on the Lords Prayer by Edw. Elton B. D. 4 to Fiery Jesuite or an Historical Collection of the Rise Increase Doctrines and deeds of the Jesuites Exposed for the sake of London 4 to Horologiographia Optica Dialing universall and particular speculative and practical together with the Description of the Court of Arts A new method by Sylvanus Morgan 4 to A Practical Discourse of Prayer wherein is handled the Nature and Duty of Prayer by Tho. Cobbet Of Quenching the Spirit the evil of it in respect both of its causes and effects discovered By Theophilus Polwheile Wells of Salvation opened or words whereby we may be saved with advice to young men by Tho. Vincent The Re-building of London encouraged and improved in several Meditations by S. Rolles The greatest Loss upon Mat. 16.26 by James Livesey small 80. Moses unvailed by William Guild A defence against the fear of death by Z. Croft Gods Soveraignty displayed by Will. Geering The Godly Mans Ark or City of refuge in the day of his distress in five Sermons with M ris Moores Evidences for Heaven by Ed. Calamy The Almost Christian Discovered or the False Professor tryed and cast by Mr. Mead. Spiritual Wisdom improved against temptation by Mr. Mead. A Divine Cordial A word of comfort for the Church of God A Plea for Alms in a Sermon at the Spittle by Tho. Watson The True bounds of Christian freedom by Sam. Bolton D D. out of Joh. 8. v. 36. The Lords Day enlivened or a Treatise of the Sabbath by Philip Goodwin Ovid's Metamorphosis Translated Grammatically by J. Brinsley Closet Prayer A Christians Duty by Oliver Heywood Author of the Hearts Treasure A Little Book for Little Children by Thoma White A Memento to Young and Old by John Maynard late of Mayfield Sussex