all sinne Note this 17 And is willing to suffer affliction 18 He dislikes sinne in all 19 Sinne reignes not in him 20 Hee humbles himselfe for sin euen in his prosperitie 21 And in aduersitie his heart is vpright 2â—… He accouâ—…ts of spirituall things as thy best things 23. He doth not fauour the things of the slesh and the world 24. He is much grieued if God hide himselfe 25. Of a Lyon hee becomes a Lambe 26. His spirit is without guile Why wee should try out faith The drift is to shâ—…w how faith may bee proued not how it may bâ—…e bred A second câ—…ueat Theâ—… note by way of preface The true fâ—…ith 1. Was wrought by the Word preached 2. Esteems Christ aboue all things 3. Receiues the testimony of Gods Ministers before all the world 4 Casts out by pocrisie 5. Will abide triall 6. It beleeues all things 7 Will not make hast 8. Is accompanied with a pure conscience 9. And a spirit of discerning 10. And the witnesse of the Spirit of adoptioÌ„ 11. Beareth those fruits following 1. Loue 2. Purity of heart 3. Victory ouer the World 4 Humility 5 Confession 6 Application of Christs righteousnesse 7 A very spring of grace Two sorts of graces in a Christian The holy thirst that is in the godly Christian tryed by foure signes His tryall by his loue to the Word 13. Signes to try his affection to the Word by His triall by his gift of prayer 13. Rules of tryall His loueto his enemies tried His tryall by the loue to the appâ—…aring of Christ. The triall of his knowledge And so he differs from wicked men In the things hee knowes 2. In the cause of his knowledge 3. In the effects of his knowledge 4 In the properties of his knowledge His loue to God tried by nine signes His loue to the godly tried by ten signes 5. Six fauours God bestowes vpon him which the wicked neuer feele 1. Election in time 2. The baptisme by fire 3. Much assurance 4. Ioy vnspeakeable 7. The sanctification of his afflictions 6 The answer of his prayers Sixe Rules of his trial about the Sacrament Note Why wicked men neglect the triall of their estates 〈◊〉 Because they are afraid all is noâ—… well 2. They are slothfull 3. They rest vpon the common hope Or 4 vpon their outward profession of Religion Or 5. they 〈◊〉 euâ—…l opinions 〈◊〉 assurancâ—… 6. They are lettâ—…d by their beloued sins Why soâ—…e that are godly neglect the triall of their estates 1. Euill opinions 2. Ignorance 3. Smothering of doubts and temptatioÌ„s They are wicked o uermâ—…ch 5. Melancholy 6. Passions 7. Neglect of the meanes 8. A barren life 1 Cor. 15. 58 9. Too much loue of earthly things 10. Secret sin 1 He is a wicked â—…an 1 That liues without God 〈◊〉 That auoids the societie of the godly 3. That sauours oâ—…ly earthly things 4. That iâ—… discernes not the things of God 5. That sorts with wicked men 6 Thaâ—… of malice persecuteth the truth 7. That allowes himselfe in Atheisticall thoughts 8 That cals not vpon God 9 That is not chastened of God 10 That neuer examines himselfe â—…n knowne sinnes 11 That applaudes himselfe in knowne sinne 12. That lothes the Word of God constantly 13. That allowes himselfe in hypocrisie 14. That refuseth knowledge 15. That in great distresses humbles not himselfe 16. That care not for the afflictions of the godly 17. That will not vnderstand to do good 18. That is â—…esensible of spiritual iudgemeÌ„ts 19. That is an ordinary swearer 20. That is carelesse of Gods Sabbath 21. That is a worker of iniquity 22. That beleeues not in Christ. 23. That hates to be reformed 24. That hath not the Spirit of Christ. 25. That cannot forgiue his enemies 26. That loues not God 27. That â—…ares not God â—…8 That is dead in sin 29. That is guiltie of any of his sinnes in the Apostles Catalogue 30. That cannot repent Two sorts of these signes 〈◊〉 Signes of hypocrisie 16 Signes of an vnsound Professor Note Arguments of hope 1 Gods oath 2 Gods Patience 3. The offer of grace to al 4. Suffiâ—…ient satisfaction made by Câ—…st 5. The meanes continued 6. One only sin vnpardonable 7. As grâ—…t sinners saued Quest. Answ. 1. He must consider of Gods promises 2. He must take notice of Gods commandement to beleeue 3. Hee must pray for faith 3. He must renounce his owne righteousnesse 5. He must waite vpon the Word preached 1 Gather a Catalogue of thy sins either by memory Or by booke 2. Consider Gods iustice 3 Think of his threatnings 4 Remember thy latter end 5. Obserue Gods iudg ments vpon the wicked 6. Especially Gods goodnesse to thee 7. Try thy selfe by the signes 8. Beg an humble heart of God 9. Liue vnder 〈◊〉 searching ministery 10. Wâ—…tch against the things â—…hou art naturally proud of 11 Auoide the flatterer 12 Thinke still of some of thy worst fruits Quest. Answ. 1 Consider Gods promise about a soft heart 2 Daily confesse thy sinnes to God and beg sorrow 3 Bee thankefull for euery mercie in prayer 4 Acknowledge thy faults to otheâ—… 5 Go into the house of mourning 6 â—…e heed of distraction in Godâ—… seruice 7 Study the tenth commanment 8 Remember the sorrowes of Christ for thy sinne 9. Get others to pray for thee 10. Vse fasting Quest. How the Spirit of Adoption may be had Answ. 1 He must pray for it 2 Waite vpon preaching 3 Cherish the motions of the Spirit Quest. How wee may get a loue to the Word Answ. 1 Sâ—…ttle vâ—…der a powerfull mi isterie 2 Pray God to quicken thee 3 Take heed of worldly cares 4 And of personall discord with such as feare God 5 And of vngodly companie 6. And of neglect of the increase thereof Or excesse 7. Practise what thou hearest To attaine the gift of prayer 1. Pray God to teach thee 〈◊〉 Ioyne wâ—…h such as can pray 3 How he â—…y 〈◊〉 himsâ—…lfe in euerâ—… part of prayer Three Questions How the feare of God may bâ—…â—…gotten in vs. How loue to our enemies may be excited How to increase sauing knowledge 1 He must be wise for himselfe 2 He must study only profitable things 3. He must redeeme the time 4. He must propoundâ—… his doubts 5 He must not consult with flesh and blood How the loue of God may bewrought in thee 1. Thou must auoid forgetfulnesse of God and the loue of the world 2. Thou must study Gods praises 3 Thou must frequent his house 4 Thou must study Gods mercies 5Thou must obserue thy daily infirmities 6 Thou must pray much 7 Thou must râ—…sort to experienced Christians 8 Thou must behaue thy selfe louingly towards the godly What wee must do to get the loue of the godly 1 Auoide the company of the wicked 1. Meditate much of Gods loue to vs. 3. Consider Gods Commandemét For the preseruatlon of our loue three things must bee looked to How sound sincerity of
I haue likewise out of the Scripture gathered the rule of Life which will shew him distinctly how he should carrie himselfe towards God and towards men in all parts of his life how hee should behaue himselfe at home and abroad in company and out of company c. and all this shewed him by the expresse words of the Scriptures In the fifth place if a man aske himselfe what yet he wants that is necessarie for his state he may and ought to bethinke himselfe of this question What are those necessarie truths which God hath absolutely tied him to know and beleeue without which he cannot bee saued and which are fundamentally needfull for him To this end I haue collected a fift Treatise called the Principles which are an extract out of all the Doctrine of religion of such truths in euery part of religion as a man is bound of necessitie to know And this I haue not onely proued by Scripture but shewed what vses hee may put such knowledge to all the dayes of his life The sixt and last thing which ought to bee enquired after is how a man thus fitted to liue the life of God may also bee cured of the feare of death and to this end I haue published that Treatise of the Cure of the feare of Death which shewes plaine and comfortable wayes how any Christian may deliuer his heart from those feares I suppose that no man that readeth this will conceiue that any of these is needlesse And as I would aduise such Christians as abound with abilitie and lâ—…isure to furnish themselues with the labours of such worthy Diâ—…ines as haue written of any of those subiects so vnto such Christians as haue not that abilitie or leysure I commend these Treatises both for their breuity and the distinct digesting of the things he would seek after there being nothing of mine in these but the labour of disposing them the maine substance of them being Gods owne Word and things deuised and inuented by God himselfe I may lawfully commend the care and study of these things vnto thee and that with so much authority from the Lord as to tell thee that thou maiest not safely bee negligent in any of these if thou consider the worth of them or thy owne nâ—…ed If thou say that here is prescribed a hard tasâ—…e and so many things are to bee done as may make any man afraid to mâ—…ddle with directions of such variety and number I answer that in many of these Treatises the way is not made harder then is required or in the doctrine of the Church manifested but rather things are made more plaine and so more easie Besides thou knowest already that the way to heauen is a narrow and straight way and fâ—…w find it But especially thou shouldest weigh with thy selfe the great encouragements and motines to abide the hardship and difficulties of any godly and necessary course Though the way to Canaan with the Israelites were through a solitary wildernesse yet it should comfort thee that it is but a way of three dayes as they say being about to get out of Egypt God will keepe thee at worke but a little time and therefore thou shouldst not thinke much of thy paines And further thinke of it that this is a course of wonderful comfort and safety when a Christian followes the euident directions of Gods Word in these most weighty things he walks safely He is in the good way the way of life the way of peace he is sure to see the saluation of God To follow those directions soundly is to keepe our soules All Gods waies will be mercy and truth to vs. God will cause vs to heare his louing kindnesse in the morning Our way will be full of refreshing Gods waies are wayes of pleasure and if any man set himselfe exactly to take notice of Gods will in these things and will be at paines to store his heart distinctly in such solid truths it is certaine the Lord will recompence his way vpon him God will not cast away the exact man till he fill his mouth with laughter as it is said Iob 8. 20 21. Sure it is that in the study of these things lyeth the way of eternity and though thou thinke the way to be hard and narrow yet this may somewhat case thee it is a plaine way For the simple may profit by it as is auouched to bee true of all the courses which God by his Word so expresly required Psal. 119. Isaiah 26. 7. 52. 16. Prou. 8. And besides thou hast many helpes the word of God will not only shew thee what to dâ—…e but it will beget in thee a secret power to doe it God will teach thee to profit and the Spirit of God will helpe thy infirmitie and God will send his Angels to guide thee in thy way Christ will be the Way and the Life to thee And thou hast good company for this is the old way the way of all Gods seruants in the substance of the course Onely before thou set vpon any of these directions let mee giue this generall aduice to looke to these few things First thou must giue ouer and forsake vngodly company for else it is in vaine to meddle with any religious course as these places will shew thee Psal. 1. 1 2. Prou. 4. 14 15. 9. 6. 23. 19 20 29 27. Psal. 26. 2 Cor. 6. Secondly thou must get thee into the way of good men prouide for thy self â—… if it be possible the fellowship and societie of godly persons Prou. 2. 20. Isai. 19. 23 24 25. For this fellowship will take away the tediousnesse of the way and much preserue thee against giuing ouer and their examples will bee as patternes for thee and by acquaintance with them thou wilt be brought into acquaintance with God himselfe Isaiah 16. 23 24. 2 Cor. 6. 16 17 18. Prou. 2. 20. Thirdly thou must remember to pray vnto God by all meanes to direct thee and shew thee the way in all these things thou must beg a way of God and beseech him to remoue from thee all lying and deceitfull wayes Ezra 8. 21. Psal 119. 26. Ier. 2. 33. Fourthly thou must when thou comest to Gods directions lift vp thy soule and giue not way to thine owne carnall reason and the sluggishnesse of thy owne nature and the deceitfulnesse of thy owne heart but let the Lord see thou art willing to doe any thing thou canst Psal. 143. 8. Bring a mind desirous to obey in all things By any meanes take heed thou be not like those complained of Isaiah 58. 2. that haue a great mind to know Gods wayes and to read all sorts of directions as if they sought righteousnesse in a speciall manner of care and yet do not follow any of the courses they so much desire to knâ—…w seeme to commend and like If euer thou wouldest haue thy soule to dwell at
16. 1 Iohn 2. 2â—… Outwardly he offends That makes an Image to resemble God by it Deut. 4. 12 15. Esay 40. 18. That vseth any gesture of loue and reuerence vnto such Images by whomsoeuer made Hos. 13. 2 That mentions the names of Idols either by way of swearing or apologie Exodus 23. 13. That is present at the Idolatrous feasts and therefore hee much more offends that is present at the seruice of the idoll 1 Cor. 10. 21 22. Exod. 34. 15. Psal. 106. 28. That worshippeth the Image or God in the Image Comm. 2â—… Exod. 32. Iudg. 17. 3. Thus of the sinnes against the meanes of Gods worship CHAP. VI. Shewing how many wayes men sin against the holy manner of Gods worship THe sins against the manner of Gods worship follow And because it were tedious to reckon vp the seuerall sinnes against each part of Gods worship because in diuers things the same offences may bee committed against any one of the parts of Gods seruice Therefore I will briefely touch the generall wayes of offending in the manner of any worship of God and then more specially reckon the sins against those parts of Gods worship that are most vsuall and ordinary It is an offence in any seruice due to God to serue him Hypocritically in shew and not in deed Esay 29. 13. Without repentance to bring the loue of any sinne to any part of his seruice Esay 1. 15. Without delight and willingnesse Ioshua 24. 15. Without constancie to serue him but by â—…its Hosea 6. 4. Without consideration or reuerence Eccl. 5. 1 2. Thus in generall In particular 1. He offends in hearing the VVord That is vnteachable Esay 28. 9 10 11. That hath idols in his heart through lust or malice or couetousnesse Ezechiel 14. 7. Iames 1. 21. That heares without attention and comes for custome sake Eccl. 5. 1. Ezech. 33. 31 32. That is not a doer of the word Matthew 7. 26. 2. He offends in Prayer That praies not at all times or with perseuerance in prayer Iob 27. 10. Luke 18. 1. That prayes without vnderstanding or power of the Spirit 1 Cor. 14. 15. That delights not in the Almighty Iob 22. 26. That regards wickednesse in his heart Psalme 66. 18. Pro. 21. 27. Esay 1. 15 16. That doubts and waâ—…ers or is discontented vpon false surmises that God heareth him not Iames 1. 5 6. Mal. 2. 13. 3. He offends in the Sacrament of the Lords Supper That discernes not the Lords Body 1 Cor. 11. 29. That examines not himselfe before hee eates of that Bread and drinkes of that Cup refusing to iudge himself for known offences 1 Cor. 11. 28. That beleeues not the operation of God Col. 2. 12. That reconciles not himselfe to such as hee hath offended by trespassing against them Mat. 5. That despiseth the Church and people of God 1 Cor. 11. 22. 4 He offends in swearing That sweares by that which is no God Ier. 5. That sweares in common talke and feares not an oath Ier. 23. 10. Math. 5. 34. Eccl. 9. 2. That sweares falsly Zach. 5. 4. That loues false oathes Zach. 8. 17. CHAP. VII Which shewes how men offend in breaking the Sabbath HItherto of the sins against the meanes and manner of Gods worship thetime of Gods worship followes which is principally the Sabbath Now sinnes against the Sabbath are either more secretly or more openly More secretly he offends That remembers not the Sabbath day before it come to vnloade his heart of worldly cares and businesse Comm. 4. That longs to haue the Sabbath ouer-past Amos 8. 5. That spends the day in idlenes That flourisheth not according to the blessings of God in respect of the meanes on the Sabbath day Psal. 92. the title with verse 13 14. That honours not the Sabbath with delight to doe Gods worke on that day Esay 58. 13. That is vnwilling to be informed concerning the authoritie and seruice of the Sabbath This is to hide his eyes from the Sabbath as the phrase is Ezechiel 22. 26. More openly he offends That omits publike or priuate duties or comes in too late or goes out too soone Ezech. 46. 10. Psal. 92. the title with vers 2. Leuit. 23. 3. That doth any manner of worke on that day Exod. 20. 10 11. and 31. 15. And thus he offends That sels wares Neh. 10. 31. and 13. 15 20. That carries burthens Neh. 13. 15 19. Ier. 17. 21. That trauels abroad Exodus 16. 29. Yea he offends That works in haruest on that day Exod. 34. 22. Neh. 14. 15. That workes vpon pretence it is a light worke Exod. 16. 27 28. and 35. 2 3. Numb 15. 32. Matth. 12. 1 c. That employes his cattell or seruants though he worke not himselfe Exod. 23. 12. That finds his pleasures that is that vseth recreations Esay 58. 13. That speakes his own words Esay 58. 13. That hauing power reformes not the abuses of others against the Sabbath Nehem. 13. Ier. 17. The aggrauation is to doe any of these things presumptuously CHAP. VIII The diuision of the sins against the second Table and how men offend in the Familie Church or Common-wealth HItherto of sinnes against God The sinnes against man are to be considered either more specially or more generally More specially we offend against others in respect of that relation wherein we stand as superiours or inferiours to them and so men offend 1. In the Family 2. In the Common-wealth 3. In the Church In the Familie 1. The wife offends That is not subiect to her husband or not in euery thing Eph. 5. 22 24. Col. 3. 18. That is wastfull Prou. 14. 1. That is froward Prou. 21. 9 19. That is idle Prou. 31. 13. 2. The husband offends That loues not his wife Eph. 5. 25. That dwels not with her as a man of knowledge 1 Pet. 3. 7. 3. The childe offends That disobeyes his parents Rom. 1. 30. Tit. 1. 6. Eph. 6. 1. That vseth any vnreuerent behauiour or any way sets light by them Commandement 5. Ezeck 22. 7. That receiueth not rebuke or correction with submission and reuerence Prou. 13. 1. Hebr. 12. 9. That relieues not his parents in their wants Math. 15. 6. The aggrauations are To despise their instructions Prou. 15. 5. To discouer their infirmities Gen. 9. 22. To despise their infirmities either for deformity or infirmity Prou. 23. 22. To shame them or grieue them Prou. 28. 7. and 27. 11. and 10. 1. To mocke them Prou. 30. 17. To curse them Prou. 20. 20. and 30. 11. Exod. 21. 17. To smite them Exod. 21. 15. To waste their estates or chase them away from him Prou. 19. 29. 4. The parents offend In generall that bring not vp their children in nurture and instruction of the Lord Ephe. 6. 4. In particular That restraine not sin in them 1 Samuel 3. 13. That correct them not but leaue them to
is eased if he speed well in prayer Psalme 116. 1 6. 14. Hee daily keepes an assise vpon his owne soule hee iudgeth himselfe for his sinnes before God arresting accusing and condemning his sinnes Hee confesseth his sinnes particularly to God without hiding any sinne that is without forbearing to pray against any sinne hee knowes by himself out of any desire he hath still to continue in it and by this signe he may be sure he hath the Spirit of God and that his sinnes are forgiuen him Esay 4. 4. Psal. 32. 5. 1 Iohn 1. 7 9. 1 Cor. 11. 32. 15 His requests are daily powred out vnto God Hee cryes vnto God with affection and confidence though it be with much weakenesse and many defects as the little child doth vnto the father and thereby hee discouers the Spirit of adaption in him Rom. 8. 15. Zacha. 12. 10. Ephesians 3. 12. 16 Hee is vnfainedly desirous to be rid of all sinnes as well as one There is no sin he knowes by himselfe but he doth desire as heartily that he might neuer commit it as he doth that God should neuer impute it This is a neuer failing signe a fundamentall one 2 Tim. 2. 19. 17. Hee is content to receiue euill at the hand of God as well as good without murmuring or letting go his integrity as beeing sensible of his owne deserts and desirous to approue himselfe to God without respect of reward This proued that Iob was an holy and vpright man Iob 1. 1. and 2 3 10. 18. Hee dislikes sinne in all euen in those that are neere and deare vnto him in other respects 1 King 25. 12 13 14. 19. Hee is innocent from the great transgressions and keepes himselfe from his owne iniquity He is not subiect to the damnation of sinne Sin doth not reigne in him Psal. 19. 13. 2. Sam. 22. 24. 20 He finds a desire to be rid of sinne and to humble himselfe for it in prosperitie as well as aduersitie He leaues sinne before sinne would leaue him He forsakes it then when hee could commit it without apparent danger Iob 8. 5 6. 22 Or if he be in aduersity his heart is vpright without lying or dissimulation Hee so seeketh the pardon of his sinnes then and so promiseth amendment as that he is also carefull to practise it when he is deliuered He is not like the Israelites mentioned Psal. 78. 36. 37. 22. Hee makes a supernaturall valuation of spirituall things accounting them as pearles of the best price not too deare bought if he purchased them with all the worldly things he hath and contrariwise accounting himselfe exceeding poore if hee want them or the means of them Mat. 13. 45 46. Ps. 42. 63. 1 3. 23. Hee hath lost his wonted taste in earthly things his heart is not transported with the admiration of them or the inordinate desire after worldly things He loues not the world and this life as he was wont to doe Though he vse the world yet he easily confesseth himselfe to be a stranger and pilgrim here He giues ouer the vnnecessary pleasures and profits of this life Heb. 11. 13. 1 Ioh. 2. 14 15. Rom. 8. 5. He is wearie of the world and willing to forgo societie with the men of this world the workers of iniquitie Psal. 6. 8 9. and 36. 12. and 26. 1 2 3 4. 24. If the Lord be silent and answer not his desires but hides his face his spirit faileth and he is as one that goeth downe into the pit it troubles him as a sore crosse and so contrariwise Psal. 26. 1. and 88. 13 14 15. and 143. 7. Iohn 16 23 28. 25. If hee hath beene a man subiect to boisterous violent and hurtfull affections he is now become tame Of a Lyon hee is become a Lambe and a little child may lead him Esay 11. 6. 24. Hee hath a spirit without guile Psalme 32. 2. Hee is more desirous to be good then to bee thought to be so and more seeks the power of godlinesse then the shew of it Iob 1. 1. Prou. 20. 6 7. His praise is of God and not of men Rom. 2. 29. And thus much of the triall of his humiliation The signes of his faith follow CHAP. IIII. The tryall of a godly man by his Faith FAith is the next thing to bee tryed in a child of God And in as much as there are diuers kindes of faith and experience shewes in many that giue no signes of repentance that they will not bee beaten from a confident presumption that Christ dyed for them euen for them in particular it stands vs in hand to try our perswasion by true rules of Scripture that so if it will abide the trial of the touchstone we may lay it vp as a hid treasure and a wonderfull grace of God and if otherwise wee may repent vs of presumption as a deceiueable sinne But before I open the signes of this sinne the Reader must be admonished of three things First that I intend not by these signes to shew how faith may be bred or begotten in vs but how faith may be proued and declared to be in vs. For it is the promises of God in the Scripture that breed faith nor can humane reason beleeue such great things from God for any thing that is in vs but onely because wee see the Word of God assuring such happinesse vnto such as lay hold vpon them So that that which breeds faith is the reuelation of Gods promises by his Word and Spirit Yet notwithstanding the assurance of faith is much increased and confirmed by the sight of those signes of the truth of our faith and other graces of God in vs. Secondly that I stand not precisely vpon the order of these graces of God in vs nor determine that question which graces are wrought first in the heart of a man but that which I haue specially aimed at in the order of setting them downe is to begin at those that either first appeare in a Christian or are easiest as I conceiue to bee discerned in him Thirdly that I intend especially the tryall of such Christians as agree in this that they a re perswaded that Christ died fo r them that so the true Christian may see reason to comfort himselfe that his perswasion is no presumption as is the perswasion of the most It is true that diuers of the signes of faith here to be handled will shew faith in the weakest Christian though he will not yet be brought to acknowledge any perswasion For this perswasion may bee secretly wrought vpon the heart as it is when it relieth vpon the merits of Christ onely for saluation though the iudgement of the Christian be not resolued against his doubts The question then is how a Christian may trie his perswasiō of Gods mercy and his interest of Christs mer◅ts whether it be right or no. For
be discerned by many things it worketh which are the fruits of it and by the fruits of Faith wee may know faith it selfe Faith is like the roote of a tree that lyeth vnder the ground and cannot be seene without much digging but by the fruit the tree beareth wee may know what kinde of roote it hath and of what sort it is Now the fruites of faith are these that follow and such like as 1. Loue to God and the godly for faith worketh by loue Gallat 5. 6. 2. Cleannesse of the thoughts and affections For faith purifieth the heart It maketh a man striue after inward purity as well as outward to get a cleane heart as well as cleane hands It worketh humiliation for inward sins as well as outward Act. 15. 9. and driues a man to seeke pardon in the Name of Christ for all sorts of inward perturbations and secret euils 3. Victorie ouer the World Faith ouer commeth the world 1 Iohn 5. 4 5. and so it doth when it maketh a man so rest vpon God and his truth and promise as if he be put to it to deny the respect of his owne credit or profit or pleasures or the displeasure of carnall friends or his hopes in matters of this world resting satisfied with the expectation of the treasures and pleasures of a better world yeelding himselfe ouer to be guided by Christ and his truth vnto the death Psalme 18. 14. Hee liues by his faith Gal. 2. 20. 4. Humilitie For a true faith excludes boasting of our owne labours gifts or praises and makes vs able out of the sense of our owne vilenesse to acknowledge all the glorie to Gods free grace and loune in Iesus Christ Rom. 3 27. Gal. 3. 22. The confession and profession of the truth Faith will make a man speake in defence of the truth I haue beleeued therefore haue spoken saith Dauid Psalme 116 which the Apostles plead to proue their faith also 2 Cor. 4. 13 14. 6 The putting on of righteousnesse which is not by the workes of the Law done by vs. The application of and relying vpon the righteousnesse of Iesus Christ is the proper and onely worke of true faith Rom. 10. 7 It opens a spring of graces in the heart of a true Christian he that is a true beleeuer is qualified with sundry heauenly gifts which were not in him by nature which gifts do daily discouer themselues in his heart flowing from thence as if there were a spring of liuing water in his belly Sanctification of the Spirit and faith of the truth be inseparable Iohn 7. 38. 2 Thess. 2. 13. CHAP. V. The tryall of a godly man by such heauenly gifts as serue him in his iourney to Heauen THus of his tryall in his humiliation and in his faith It followeth in the third place to try him by his gifts which are the fruits of faith The true Christian differs from the wicked man in two sorts of gifts Some of them are such gifts as are bestowed vpon him from aboue but serue him onely for spirituall vse while he is on the way in his iourney to Heauen and so onely in this life such as are the sacred thirst The loue to the word and meanes of his holinesse The spirit of supplication The loue of his enemies and his desire after the apparance of Iesus Christ. Other gifts hee hath which will accompany him home into his heauenly Countrey and abide vpon him for euer and are not abolished by death such as are sauing knowledge the loue of God and the loue of the godly First therefore of those heauenly gifts which will passe away and so he is qualified with fi◅e distinct holy gifts which cannot be found in any reprobate The first is his holy thirst which is an heauenly kind of appetite by which hee is carried to the desire of things aboue nature such as are the merits and righteousnesse of Christ the fauour of God the presence of God the full deliuerance from all sin the remouing of spirituall iudgements the saluation of other men and the like and this thirst is a signe the more infallible 1 Because it is constant and indelible in this life There is no part of this life but it continueth either in the sense of his affection or in the iudgement of his vnderstanding so as hee accounts spiritu◅ll things to bee the best things and though at some times his affection may be the lesse moued after them yet his appetite is daily renewed as it is in the hunger or thirst that is bodily 2. Because it is industrious For this holy thirst will guide him to a carefull vse of all the meanes by which good things may bee attained and doth not breathe it selfe out onely with sudden and vaine wishes or flashes of desire Psa. 27. 4. 1 Pet. 2. 2. Psa. 63. 1 2. Psa. 1. 2. Acts 2. 37. 3. Because it workes a constant and secret meditation of heauenly things desired the heart frequently seekes after God day and night Esa. 26. 9. Psal. 63. 1 6. For what wee desire feruently wee thinke on almost continually 4. Because if the Lord quench his thirst and satisfie his desire in spirituall things the soule becomes as a watred garden and then followes in him an heauenly kinde of satisfaction and contentment with singular delight in the soule and vowes and wishes of infinite and eternall thankfulnesse Psalme 63. 4 5. Ieremiah 31. 25 26. And thus much of the first gift Secondly The loue to the Word is another signe that hee is the Child of God and a cleare euidence of his saluation Now because all sorts of wicked men may resort to the exercises of the Word and those that haue but a temporarie faith may shew a great estimation of the VVord and find ioy in the hearing of it and shew much zeale in things that concerne the word and may yeeld some obedience to the directions of the VVord also it is profitable to consider how the true Christian may proue that his affection to the VVord is more sincere then that affection which any wicked man can bring to the word And thus he may find that his heart is sound in his loue to the Word by these markes 1 By his manner of receiuing it when hee doth receiue the Word as the Word of God and not of men setting his heart before Gods presence being affected as if the Lord himselfe should speake vnto him This no wicked man dares doe he dares not present himselfe with the whole intendments of his heart before the Lord. For this signe the Apostle Paul acknowledgeth the Thessalonians to bee true Christians 1 Thess. 2. 13. 2 By his appetite to his Word For there is in a godly man as true an hūger after the Word as the food of his soule as there is in his stomacke after the food of his body which shewes it selfe to be the more
sincere because it is constant hee desires the Word at all times and as his appointed foode daily as it is in the bodily appetite though after feeding the stomack may seeme to bee full and satisfied yet the hunger reuiues againe euery day so is it with the heart of a Child of God whereas wicked men regard the Word but by fits and in a passion and then at length fall cleane away from the affection to it Psal. 119. 20. Iob 23. 12. 3. By his loue to them that loue the Word 4. By his sorrow because other men keepe not the Word Psal. 119. 136. 5. By his vnfained estimation of the Word aboue all worldly things accounting it to bee an happy portion to enioy the word in the power and profit of it Psa. 119. 14 72 111. 6. By his desire and delight to exercise himself in it day and night that is constantly Psa. 1. 2. 7. By his griefe either for the want of the m◅ans by which the Word might be taught vnto him with power accounting such want of the meanes to be a sore famine or for want of successe in the vse of the meanes when he doth enioy it Psalm 42. 3. Amos 8. 12. 8. By the extent of his loue to all the Word of God euen the Law that with threatning shews him his sin and searcheth out his most secret corruptions being most affected with that ministery that doth most sharply rebuke sinne 9. By his resolution to labour as hard for the food of his soule as men doe or he would doe for the food of his body Iohn 6. 27. Amos 8. 12. 10. By the cōstant sweet taste he finds in it especially when it is powerfully preached Psal. 19. 10 2 Cor. 2. 15. 11. By the end hee propounds vnto himselfe in the vse of the word which is that hee might not sin and that his wayes might be pleasing to God hiding the word in his heart to this purpose Psal. 119. 11. 12. By his willingnesse and resolution to deny his owne reason and affections his credit his carnall friends his profites or his pleasures in anything when God should so require it of him and vpon any occasion to shew his heartie respect of the Gospell Marke 10. 29. 1 Cor. 1. 18. 13. By the effects of it as 1. When for the loue he bears to the Word hee will seperate himselfe from the wicked that might any way with-draw his heart or endanger his disobedience Ps. 119. 115. 2. When he accounts the Word to be his chiefe comfort in affliction and finds it to be the maine stay and solace of his heart Psal. 119. 23 24 50 51 54 143. 3. When it workes in him effectually the redresse of his wayes and freedome from the dominion of sinne Iohn 8. 32. Psalme 119. 45 9 59 1 Thessalonians 2. 13. 4. When it workes in him certaine and sensible assurance of heart before God This assurance is an infallible signe of the right vse of the Word 1 Thessalonians 1. 5. And thus of the second gift The third gift is the spirit of praier or supplication as the Prophet Zachary cals it Zach. 12. 10. and this gift hee hath aboue all wicked men which hee shewes many wayes as 1. Hee askes according to Gods will 1 Iohn 5. 14. 2. He prayes with perswasion that God will heare him Hee beleeueth in some measure that hee shall haue what hee prayes for Hee prayes in faith Marke 11. 24. Iames 1. 6 7. Psalme 6. 9. 1 Iohn 3. 22. 3. He prayes in the Name of Christ and is affected with the sense of his owne vilenesse and relies vpon the merits and mediation of Iesus Christ Iohn 14 13. Psa. 86. 1 2. and 143. 1 2. 4. He will pray at all times Iob 27. 9. Psal. 106. 3. 5. He is feruent in prayer his heart praieth he hath the affections of prayer Iames 5. 16. Psalm 6. 8. 6. Praier makes him exceeding weary of the world it giues him such a taste of his owne sinfulnesse and of Gods goodnesse and of the glory of Heauen that he is vehemently carried with desire to bee absent from the body that hee might be present with the Lord Psa. 39. 12. 7. When he knowes not how to pray as hee ought the Spirit prepares his heart excites in him holy desires supplyes him sometime with words sometime with affections and sometimes worketh inward vnexpressable groanes which yet it presents to God as effectuall prayers Romans 8. 26 27. 8. Hee findes an holy rest and quietnesse in his conscience and heart with spirituall boldnesse and confidence of trust in God if he heare him graciously and answer him in mercy Psalme 3. 4 5 6. and 116. 17. and 91. 15. Ieremiah 33. 3. 9. He loues the Lord exceedingly for hearing his prayer and desires to keepe himselfe in the loue of God Psalme 116. 1. Iude 20. 21. 10. His prayers proceed from an heart that loues no sinne but desires to depart from iniquitie and to doe that which is pleasing in Gods sight 2 Tim. 2. 19. 1 Ioh. 3. 22. 11. He loues prayer in others 2 Tim. 1. 21. 12. Hee striues against deadnesse of spirit and distractions as an heauie burthen Psalme 86. 3. 4. 13 He makes praier his chiefe refuge and he will pray though prayer bee in neuer so much disgrace Psalme 69. 10 13. and 142. 25. And thus of the third gift The fourth gift is the loue of his enemies Any Christian may loue such as loue him but to loue his enemies is onely to be found in the true Christian which he proues by these tokens of the sinceritie of his loue 1. He can pray heartily for them yea in some cases he can mourne and humble his soule before God for them in their distresses Psal. 35. 13 14. 2. Hee desires their conuersion so vnfainedly that hee is sure if they were conuered hee could reioyce in them as heartily as in those hee now much delights in 3 Hee can likewise forgiue them their particular trespasses against him being more grieued for their sinnes against God then for the wrongs they doe him Math. 6. 14. 4 He can freely acknowledge their iust praises 5 He cannot onely patiently endure their reuilings but can forbeare when he could bee reuenged by bringing shame or miserie vpon them 1. Peter 3. 9. Rom. 12. 14. 1 Sam. 24. 18 19. yea he doth as he hath occasion striue to ouercome their euill with goodnesse being willing to helpe them or relieue them in their miserie and doe th◅m any good for soule or body The last gift which is found in the true Ch◅istian while he is in the way in this life is His loue of the appearing of Christ which hee shewes 1 By the longing after the time of Christs comming whether by death or iudgement 2 By his gladnesse at the promises or signes of his particular or generall commings 3 By his often meditations of that day and his hearty prayers for the
hastening of it Neuelat 22. 10. 4 By his daily care to dispach all those godly duties which hee desires to doe before his death and accordingly by his willing disposing of his estate and endeuours to set his house in order And this desire of Christs comming is apparently the more sincere in him 1 Because it ariseth out of his loue to God and his hatred of his owne sinnes and his wearinesse vnder the obseruation of other mens sinnes 2 Because this desire is accompained with the care of the meanes by which he may be prepared for saluation 3 Because hee is thus affected euen in his prosperity when hee thrines in the world and is not in any uotable distresse Hitherto of his triall in such gifts as he is endowed withall in this life onely his triall in the gifts that will abide in him for euer follow CHAP. VI. His triall in respect of such heauenly gifts as will not bee abolished by death THe gifts that will abide in him for euer are these three Knowledge the loue of God and the lou◅ of the brethren These are perfected and not abolished by death And first in this knowledge he differs from all wicked men and so in diuers things as First in the things he knowes he knowes the nature of God in a right manner he knowes God in Iesus Christ hee knowes the vilenesse of his owne sinnes hee knownes after an effectuall manner the mysteries that concerne the saluation of his soule hee knowes his owne conuersion and the forgiuenesse of his sinnes and the things that are giuen him of God Math. 13. 13. Iohn 17. 3. Ier. 31. 34. 1 Cor. 2. 12. Hee knowes that Iesus Christ is in him 2 Cor. 13. 5. Secondly In the cause of his knowledge For flesh and blood did not reueale those things vnto him hee came not by them by the vse of naturall meanes but they are wrought in him by the word and Spirit of God Mathew ◅6 17. 1 Iohn 2. 27. and 5 10. 1 Cor. 1. 30. Thirdly In the effects of his knowledge for 1. It breeds in him an vnspeakeable refreshing and gladnesse of heart in Gods presence Psalm 36. 9 10. Psalme 119. 2 It inflames him to a wonderfull loue of the Word of God aboue all earthly things Psalme 119. 97 98. 3 It workes in him an effectuall sauouring and tasting of the goodnesse of spirituall things Rom. 8. 5. 4 It inclines him to a constant obedience and practise of Gods will Prou. 8. 9 17. Iohn 7. 17. Deut. 46. It redresseth his waies Psalme 1◅9 10. 1. Iohn 2. 3. and 3 24. 5 It beares downe pride and conceitednesse and frowardnesse and makes him humble and teachable Prou. 3. 5 6. and 8 13 14. Iames 3. 17. Fourthly In the proprieties of his knowledge for 1 It is infallible his knowledge hath much assurance in many things with strong confidence and resolution at some times especially when hee is before God 1 Thes. 1. 5. 2. It is indelible it cannot be vtterly blotted out it is fast grauen in his heart cōtrary doctrine or persecution cānot raze it out Ierem. 3◅ 34. Ephes. 4. 13. Pro. 4. 5 6. 4. It is sincere for first it inclineth him to giue glory to God and receiue all truth as well as any truth He receiues the doctrine of God though it bee aboue reason against the common opinion of men or crosse his profit or desires or the like Secondly it leades him principally to vnderstand his owne way and guides him to study the things chiefly that concerne his owne reformation and saluation Prou. 14. 8. Col. 3. 16. And thus he differs from wicked men in his knowledge Secondly in his loue to God hee hath these things which no wicked man can attaine to 1. Hee hath a deliberate inward inflamed estimation of God aboue all things accounting his louing kindnesse better then life and the signes of his fauour his greatest ioy Psal. 63. 3 11. 2. He loues and longs for the Lord Iesus Christ with certaine and sincere affection Ephe. 6. 24. 2 Tim. 4. 8. 3. He delights in Gods presence and shewes it by his vnfained loue to his house Psal. 26. 8. and by his heartie griefe for Gods absence Cant. 3. 1. and by his carefulnesse to set the Lord daily before him walking in his sight Psal. 16. 8. 4. He hates sinne heartily because God hates it and he dislikes sinners because they hate God accounting Gods enemies as if they were his owne enemies Psal. 139. 21 22. and 97. 10. 5. He constantly desires to be like God in holinesse being carefull to approue his affection to God by his obedience to his commandements so as it is not grieuous to him to receiue directions but serues God with all his heart being fearefull to displease God in any thing Ioh. 14. 21. 1 Ioh. 5. 3. Deut. 10. 12. and 11. 22. and is more affected with Gods approbation then al the praise of men Rom. 2. 29. 6. Hee is much affected with Gods mercie and the blessings bestowed vpon him which hee thankefully remembers to the praise of Gods free grace Esay 63. 7. Psa. 63. 2 3 4 6 8. and 107. 22. Iob 36. 24. Deut. 16. 2. 7. Hee loues all the godly for this reason chiefely because they are like vnto God in holinesse as being begotten by him 1 Iohn 5. 1. 8. Hee is heartily vexed for any dishonour done to God as for any disgrace offered to himselfe 9. Finally He shewes it in diuers cases that befail him in his course in this life as 1. If he bee put to suffer any thing for Gods sake he endures it with much ioy and patience 1 Thes. 1. 6. Acts 5. 14. Iohn 22. 15 to 19. 2. If at any time hee offend God by his owne faultinesse hee is heartily grieued cast downe and doth constantly desire to forsake any sinne though neuer so pleasing and gainefull vnto him rather then he would displease God Math. 26. 75. 3. In all streights and wants he runnes to God relying vpon God as his defence rocke and refuge in all times of troubles making his moane vnto him and powring out his prayers and complaints before him Psa. 18. 1 2. Thus of his loue to God Thirdly his loue to the godly doth also distinguish him from all the wicked men in the world because here are diuers things to be noted in his affection to them which cannot bee found in wicked men 1. As first he loues the godly aboue all other sorts of men in the world he accounts them as the onely excellent people Psal. 16. 3. 1 Iohn 3. 14. and affects them as if they were his naturall kindred Rom. 12. 9 10. 2. He loues them not for carnall respects but for the graces of God in them for the truths sake and because they are begotten of God 1 Iohn 5. 1. 2 Iohn 1. 2. 3 Iohn 1. 3. He delights in their fellowship and societie in
the tryall 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 acknowledgemeÌ„t 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 be attained first the arguments of hope that proue they may bee saued and that there is remediâ—… for their miserie Secondly the rules that shew them what they must doe which being done they may be certaine of their saluation For the first that they may be saued these things may hopefully assureâ—… 1. That God hath sworne that he desires not that the wicked should die but rather that he should turne from his â—…uill 〈◊〉 â—…d liue Ezâ—…k 18. 31. 2. That God hath with singular patience borne with him all this while and hath not laid him beneath for all his sinnes wâ—…o long since deserued hell and the Lord hath taught it too that he is patience that men might repent and be saued Rom. 2. 4. 2 Peter 3. 9. 3. That God offers his 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 tendred to thee as well as others God sends his Gospell to euery creature euen to all Nations Marke Chap. 16. ver 15. 4. That God hath sent his owne Sonne to bee a sufficient sacrifice and propitiation for the sinnes of men He is the Lambe of God that taketh away the sins of the world Iohn 1. Romanes 3. 25. 1 Iohn 2. 1. and in him God is 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 them in the visible Church and doth yet continue the meanâ—…s that is able to saue their soules Acts 20. 32. Iam. 1. 21. 6. That God hath declared himselfe concerning sinne that there is one onely sinne that in it selfe is simply vnpardonable all the rest may be forgiuen 7. That God hath saued as great sinners as they such as were Manasses Mary Magdalen Dauid Paul Many amongst the Corinthians were fornicators drunkards raylers and the like yet were iustified sanctified and saued 1 Cor. 6. 10 11. And these haue obtained mercy that in them Iesus Christ might shew forth all long-suffering for a patterne to them which should afterwards belâ—…eue to euerlasting life 1 Tim. 1. 13 16. CHAP. V. Shewes how faith may be gotten THE rules of directions 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 be 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 so many signes and pledges of Gods loue and their owne saluation so hath he in the same word laid downe cleere directions that shew how euery grace may be attained and formed and nourished in the hearts of men And first I will begin with Faith And the question is What should a man doe that hee might attaine Faith Hee that would beleeue must obserue these rules 1. Hee must in the first place betake himselfe to Gods promises For without the promise of grace it is impossible Faith should euer bee 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 gaue his onely begotten Sonne that whosoeuer beleeued in him should not perish but haue life euerlasting Now his care must bee seriously to marke and cleerly to vnderstand Gods meaning which in this promise is to assure saluation to any in the world that wil beleeue in Christ. 2. He must then consider 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 Iohn 3. 18. 1. Iohn 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 wee not to dare to liue without beleefe in Iesus Christ. 3. Hee must pray heartily 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 helpe my vnbeleefe 4. Hee must absolutely lay aside all thought of his owne righteousnesse by the workes of the Law and looke onely to Iesus Christ and the righteousnesse in him else he will faile of the righteousnesse of God Rom. 10. 3. 5. Hee must waite vpon the powerfull preaching of the Gospell as the onely outward ordinarie 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 he is to expect the gift of faith he 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 soules so they must prouide to liue where the Word of God is preached constantly in the power of it for from thence they shall receiue vnspeakeable helpe and furtherance in all the wayes of God Rom. 10. 14. CHAP. VI. Shewing how true humiliation may be attained THus of Faith In the next place he must labour for true and sound humiliation for his sins and to this end he 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 pouerty these rules are of great vse First make a Catalogue of thy sinnes which thou mâ—…yest â—…o either by memory or by booke By memory thus Goe aside set thy soule before the Lord as if thou werest presently to be
cannot haue such force to melt the waxe as the beames of Gods presence haue to melt the heart Iames 4. 6 7 3. 7. The Apostle Paul being a sturdy Pharisee had his heart beaten to power with the feare of the tenth Commandement that told him Hee must not lust The knowledge and consideration of the abundance of sinne-guiltinesse he hath drawne vpon himselfe by the inward fruits of his euill nature kil'd him outright brake his pride and mortified him as hee at large repeates Rom. 7. 8 Remember the passion of thy Sauiour the pouerty banishmēt ignominie temptations the apprehension forsaking arraignment condemning and cruell death which hee suffered for thy sinnes Looke vpon him that was pierced for thy sake Zach. 12. 10. 9. If of thy selfe thou canst not yet attaine vnto sorrow for thy sins 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 all other meanes faile then set a day a part by fasting for the day of a fast was called the day of afflicting or humbling the soule Leu. 16. 29. both because it was the maine duty to bee driuen after on that day and besides because the Lord vsually did blesse his owne ordinance so as hee 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 bee framed in vs. THus of humiliation If followeth that I shew how he may attaine to the other sacred gifts which are markes of a godly man as in the first sort of gifts how he may attaine to the loue of the Word the gift of Prayer the f◅are of God the loue of his enemies and the desire of the comming of Christ But before I enter vponthese it is necessary to shew him how he may attain the Spirit of Adoption which is necessary for these al other graces And concerning the Spirit of Adoption if any aske how it may bee attained Or rather how it may bee stirred vp in vs that we may feele his working in vs I answer That hee is had 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 praier Hee that hath giuen vs his Sonne will not deny vs the Spirit of his Sonne to be giuen into our hearts Gal. 4. 6. And this our Sauiour Christ assures vnto vs in the Parable Luke 11. 9. And I say vnto you Aske and it shall bee giuen you Seeke and ye shall find Knocke and it shall be opened vnto you 10. For euery one that ask◅th receiueth and hee that seeketh find◅th 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 he giue him a Stone Or if he aske a Fish will he for a Fish giue him a Serpent 12. Or if hee aske an Egge will he 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 Wee must waite vpon the preaching of the Gospel where the Holy Ghost vsually falls vpon the hearts of men 3 When we feele the motions of the Spirit knocking at our hearts or any way surprising vs we must with all readinesse open the doores of our hearts that the King of Glory by hi◅ Spirit may enter into vs. The next question is then What wee should doe to get and preserue in vs the constant loue to the Word 1 The answer is First That we should seeke to settle our selues vnder the powerful preaching of the Word euen such a ministerie as doth set out the glory of the truth and of the Kingdome of Iesus Christ. 2 Wee must make conscience of it to pray vnto God to quicken vs and inflame our hearts to the loue of his Lawes as Dauid often did Psa. 119. 3 Take heed of excessiue cares and the ouer-reaching of desires in the emploiments 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 sin Heb. 3. Math. 13. 4 Take heed also of 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 be not looked to in time will bring men from the liking of the Word as they haue been drawne from the liking of such as loue the Word 5 Take heed of vngodly companie For in such companie 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 find some 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 and then either the heart will neuer bee throughly heated or if it bee it will easily waxe cold againe and yet herein some are to bee 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 an 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. We must practise what we heare and labour to shew foorth the fruit of the doctrine He that would bee 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 wee be fruitlesse hearers of the Word wee cannot loue it or if we doe it will be but for a flash or small time Thus of the loue to the Word He that would learne to pray must follow these directions 1. He must goe to God in the Name of Christ and beseech him to giue him words and by his Spirit teach him to pray It is God onely can make a man speake a pure Language For hee onely can instruct the heart of man and endue it with this heauenly gift Romans 8. 26 Ephesians 6. 18. 2 It will much helpe him to ioyne himselfe to such as call vpon the N◅me of the Lord with a pure heart ◅specially in the dayes of their humiliation 2 Timothy 2. 22. 3 There are three distinct things which a man may with singular profit propound vnto himselfe in his prayers
therfore thy case is the more comfortable because thou feelest the weight and burthen of thy sinnes as the places of Scripture following most euidently and comfortably shew namely Psalme 34. 15. The eyes of the Lord are vpon the righteous and his eares are open vnto their cry Math. 11. 28 29. Come vnto me all ye that are wearie and heauy laden and I will ease you Takemy yoke on you and learne of me that I am meeke and lowly in heart and you shall find rest vnto your soules Ierem. 31. 25. For I haue satiate the wearie soule and I haue replenished euery sorrowfull soule And their soule shall bee as a watered garden and they shall haue no more sorrow the latter part of the 12. verse c. Esay 63. 9. In all their troubles he was troubled and the Angel of his presence saued them In his loue and in his mercy hee redeemed them and he bare them and carried them alwaies continually Psalm 31. 21 22. Blessed be the Lord for hee hath shewed his maruellous kindnesse towards mee in a strong Citie Though I said in my haste I am cast out of thy sight yet thou heardest the voyce of my prayer when I cryed vnto thee Psal. 103. 9. He will not alwayes chide neither keepe his anger for euer Ob. But I offend daily Sol. That is cleerely answered in Gods promise For he saith he will multiply pardon or abundantly pardon Esay 55. 7. Ob. But I find I grow worse then I haue beene my heart is much out of order Sol. If there be an heart in thee desirous to returne there is comfort also against this distresse The Lord will heale thy backe-stiding if thou take vnto thee words to confesse thy falling away Hosh. 14. 2 3 4. Behold saith the Lord I will bring it health and cure and I will cure them and reueale vnto them the abundance of peace and truth Ieremie 33. 6. There is healing in the wings of the Sonne of righteousnesse and yee shall goe forth and grow vp as the Calues of the Stall Malachy 4. 2. Ob. But I am extremely burthened with my ignorance this is a continuall grieuance vnto mee Sol. There are many comforts against ignorance 1. It is a speciall promise of God in the new Couenant that he will write his Laws in thy heart and hee will make thee to know the Lord Thou maist goe boldly to the Throne of Grace to beg further illumination of the Spirit of God This is one of the suits God cannot deny 2. God hath promised to leade thee by a way which thou hast not knowne Hee will preserue thee by his knowledge though thou bee vnacquainted with the way thy selfe He that lede his people from Babel to Sion when they scarce knew a foote of that long way wil leade thee in the straite way from Earth to Heauen if thou seeke a way of God as they did Esay 42. 16. 3 We haue such an High Priest as knowes how to haue compassion on the ignorant He that required that propertie of the High Priest in the Law will much more expresse it himselfe Hebrewes 5. 1 3. 4. This must be thy glory and the crowne of reioycing that though thou be ignorant of many things yet thou knowest God and Christ crucified and this is eternall life Iohn 17. 3. 5 The Ministers of the Gospel are ours and therefore if wee attend vpon the Word and continue in it we shal know the truth their instructions shall bee daily distilled into thy heart like drops of raine 1 Cor. 322 23. 6 The anointing thou hast receiued shall teach thee all needfull things and leade thee into all truth 1 Iohn 2. 27. 7 There is a seed of heauenly doctrine cast into thy heart which shall euen remaine in thee It is indelible it cannot be blotted out 1 Iohn 3. 9. 8 Lastly Knowledge is the gift of Christ and as wee know that he is come so we beleeue that he will giue vs vnderstanding that we may know him that is true and we are in him that is true euen in his Sonne Iesus Christ this is the true God and eternall life I Iohn 5. 20. Ob. But we want or haue lost the meanes of knowledge our Teachers are taken frem vs. Sol. It is true Where vision faileth the people faint but yet 1 After God hath giuen you the bread of affliction and the water of aduersity hee will restore Teachers and no more restraine instruction Esay 30. 20. 2. Though thou see no way of helpe yet thou knowest not how God can prouide He can open Riuers on the tops of mountaines and he maketh the wildernesse a standing poole when his people thirst and cry vnto him Esay 41. 17. 18. 3. If ordinary meanes faile and bee denied God will then supply of his Spirit make that meanes which is left to suffice for thy preseruation and building vp Philip. 1. 19. Now that there may bee the more abundant support vnto our hearts in this case of infirmities I will open two places of Scripture that doe meet with the most obiections of our hearts The first is Exodus 34. 6 7. where the Lord proclaimeth the goodnesse of his nature that all men may take notice of it and giue him the praise of his rich grace where hee so describeth the Lord that in his titles hee giueth an answer to many obiections 1. If thou say thy infirmities may alienate the Lord from thee He answers that he is Iehouah alwayes the same vnchangeable Hee will not alter his loue towards thee but loue thee to the end and for the more assurance he repeated that title twice because he knowes we most doubt of that and haue most need to be succoured with that argument as the foundation of all our comfort 2. If thou say thou hast strong inclination to sinne or strange temptations or great impediments or many aduersaries and discouragements Hee answers that hee is God or strong to signifie that nothing shall hinder the worke of his grace towards thee but hee will keepe thee by his power and maketh his grace sufficient for thee 3 If thou say Hee is of pure eyes and cannot but discerne thy faults and sinne is sinne in the sight of God He answers That he is mercifull 4 If thou say Thou deseruest no such mercy He answers That he is gracious and doth not stand vpon desert He will shew mercy not because thou art good but because he is good 5. If thou say The daily repeating and renewing of thy sinnes may prouoke him though hee be mercifull and gracious He answers That hee is long-suffering 6 If thou say Thou hast many defects and wants to bee supplyed He answers That he is full of goodnesse 7 It thou say Thou art ashamed of thy ignorance which is more then can be conceiued Hee answers That he is abundant in truth to supply thy defects and to performe his promise though thou haue but a little faith 8.
sinne and neede not the grace of God 4. Lastly the fittest interpretation is theirs that expound the words in this sense Bee not iust ouer-much that is thinke not too highly of thy selfe in any thing thou doest well nor yet be wicked ouer-much that is account not too vilely of thy selfe denying Gods gifts in thee and refusing the iust comforts thou shouldest take to thy selfe aggrauate not against thine owne soule thy weakenesse aboue reason and measure CHAP. V. Intreating of the rules that concerne our carriage towards God and in particular about the knowledge of God HItherto of the generall rules The particular rules that concerne the right ordering of our conuersation may be cast into three heads as they direct vs in our carriage 1. Towards God 2. Towards men 3. Towards our selues All the rules that concerne our duties to God may bee cast into two heads For they concerne either the loue of God or the seruice of God This is an exact diuision for all we owe to God is fitly compreheÌ„ded in these two Loue and Seruice and the Scripture so diuides in these and the like places Commandement 2. Deut. 11. 22. 30. 16. Iosh. 22. 5. Esay 56. 6. Now that we may be rightly ordered in respect of our loue to God we must coÌ„sider of this loue either in the foundation of it or in the exercise of it The foundation of our loue to God is the true knowledge of God 1. Chron. 28. 9. So that in the first place we must soundly informe our selues concerning this knowledge of God Now the rules that concerne the right knowledge of God concerne either the right conceiuing of his nature or our acquaintance with God when we doe aright conceiue of him That we may conceiue aright of Gods nature 1. Wee must exclude out of our thoughts all likenesses so as men do not thinke of God representing him by the similitude of any creature Hee that forbids Images of him in Churches forbids it also in our heads Commandement 2. Esay 40. Deut. 4. 2. We must striue to conceiue of him according to his praises declared by his workes or in his Word This is an excellent and easie way to think of God Since our hearts cannot conceiue his nature we should fill them with the impression of his praises and according to them direct our affection and seruice to him as I would bring this mind to prayer or any other seruice of God I cannot make any resemblance of the diuine substance whom I am about to serue yet this will I doe I will remember that hee that I pray vnto is most wise most omn potent most iust most gracious c. Thus God proclaimes himselfe by his praises Exo. 34. 6. where God himselfe shews vs a way how to conceiue of him 3. Thou 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 silence thy reason and exalt thy faith in the point of the Trinity which must be conceiued of necessitie because all seruice is due to the whole Trinity Now thou needest not to striue to resemble the Trinity in any likenesse in thy minde but onely bring faith to beleeue that thy God is three in one 4. It may yet helpe thy vnderstanding to conceiue that God is in Christ and the fulnesse of the Godhead dwels in him bodily and therefore when thou commest to worship thou maist set before thy minde the Humane Nature of Christ adoring the Godhead in him as conceiuing of God in that humane nature thou thinkest of Col. 2. 9. Ioh. 17. 3. 5. That this may be the more clearely and comfortably done thou must labour by sound aduice and direction to expell out of thy head those secret and rebellious Atheisticall thoughts which arise in thee about his nature Decrees Attributes or Workes Men must take heed of smothering these obiections but seeke helpe against them in time Thus of the knowledge of God as it concernes the right conceiuing of his Nature There is required further such a knowledge as brings vs acquainted with God we are commanded to acquaint our selues with God Iob 22. 21 22. Now because it is an exceeding hard way for a mortall man to finde out God so as to enioy familiaritie with him therefore I will adde some directions about it For if thou wouldest acquaint thy selfe with God 1. Thou must prepare thy heart for this Vision of God by driuing out filthy and vnholy thoughts and affections For without holinesse no man can see God The pure in heart shall see God Math. 5. 8. Hebr. 12. 14. 1. Chron. 19. 3. God delights to shew himselfe familiarly in a cleane heart 2. Thou must begge this acquaintance by prayer if thou seeke it of him earnestly though God bee in himselfe inuisible to moâ—…tall eyes yet he will shew himselfe to the eyes of thy mind pray for his acquaintance and he will be acquainted with thee This is to aske after the Lord and to seeke God if we seeke him hee will be found Psal. 105. 3 4. But then we must remember three things 1. To seeke him with our whole hearts we must pray with great earnestnes and desire Psa. 119. 10 2. To seeke him early and while hee may bee found Hos. 5. 15. Esay 55. 6. God offers acquaintance in his Ordinances and sometimes comes neere and knocketh at mens hearts and workes greater impressions vpon them now if thou wouldest call vpon God heartily hee would shew thee his presence 3. To seeke him constantly we must seeke his face continually both til we finde it and after we haue had acquaintance with him it must be continued wee must not thinke much if we be put to pray often and long before wee ataine such an incomparable benefit 4. Thou must giue thy selfe soule and body to God seriously and from thy heart deuoting promising to spend thy dayes in his seruice and then he will reueale himselfe vnto thee Rom 12. 1 2. 5. Thou must waite vpon his Ordinances and watch how the Lord speaks vnto thee either by his Word or by his Spirit For in them he shewes himselfe to men and conuerseth with them 6. It is a great furtherance to our acquaintance with God to keepe company with his Houshold for with them he dwels and by conuersing with them we may occasionably often see God 1. Ioh. 4. 6 7 8 12. Thus of acquaintance with God There are other things to bee further noted concerning our knowledge of God such as these That when wee attaine vnto any acquaintance with God we must neuer rest till wee know him to be our God Col. 2. 2. That it must be our daily care to increase in the knowledge of God labouring to plant in our hearts a more large and affectionate contemplation of the glories of Gods Nature and Loue. That aboue all earthly things we should glory in it if wee attaine some happie admission into Gods presence and abilitie to conceiue of God
must doe it in the name oâ—… Christ Col. 3. 17. Sixtly in euery seruice of God wee must as neere as it may bee giue God the first prayse preferring the respects of God and his worship before our selues or the regard of others wee must serue him betimes seeking God in the first places Iob 8. 5. Matth. 6. 34. Psal. 5. 3. Seuenthly when wee doe any seruice to God wee must doe it with all our hearts with as much willinguesse as may be so as it may appeare that wee loue to be his seruants as the Prophets phrase is 1. Sam. 16. 7. 1. Chron. 28. 9. Esay 56. 6. Eightly in all seruice wee must striue so to serue God that wee may please him not onely carefull to doe tâ—… dutie but carefull of Gods acceptatiâ—… 〈◊〉 good duties being chiesâ—… carefull to see Gods approâ—…ation not caring so much for the prâ—…ise of â—…as as the praise of God â—…n eâ—…ery part of Gods worship our praise mâ—…st be of God anâ—… not of men Heb. 12. 28. Rom. 2. 29. Ninthly wee must cleane to God with detestation of all things oâ—… persons that might aâ—… way draw vs away from his sâ—…uice Deut. 13. 4 5. CHAP. IX Shewing how we should carry our selues in Gods house HItherto of the Rules to be obserued in all parts of Gods worship generally The speciall Rules concerne either Gods publike worship in his house or else the particuâ—…ar parts of Gods worship each by themselues The godly Christian ought with all care to lay before him the Rules that binde him to the good behauiour in Gods house and to striue to fashion his nature and practice as may become the glorie of Gods publike seruice and presence and so there be diuers things which in a speciall manner he must looke to in performing Gods publike seruice For coÌ„cerning these publike duties these rules must be obserued First that all sorts and degrees of men must appeare before God publikely to do him homage and seruice None must be spared or freed men women and children must all take notice of it that they are bound hereunto Deut. 31. 11 12. Secondly we must come our selues with all possible reuerence and looke to our feete when we enter into the house of God and striue to shew before all men our most carefull respect of God and his holy Ordinances For God will be sanctified in them that come nigh him and he lookes for it at our hands by our reuerent behauiour to be glorified before all the people Leu. 10. 3. Eccl. 5. 1. Wee should then shew a most holy feare of Gods name and presence Psal. 5. 7. Thirdly in publike duties that of the Prophet Dauid should be true of vs The zeale of Gods house should eate vs vp Ps. 69. 9. and this speciall zeale we should shew 1. By louing Gods house aboue all the places in the world Our hearts should be fired in vs in thâ—… respect that we may truly say with Dauid O how I loue thy house Psal. 2â—… 8. 2. By confirming our owne hearts in a resolution to resort to Gods house with ioy and gladnesse notwithstanding the scornes oppositions of worldly men and persons 3. By stirring vp others with all importunitie to goe vp with them to worship God in Sion Esay 2. 2. 4. By making haste to Gods worship going to the house of God with the first and with willing hearts with an holy thirst after the meanes flocking and flying thither as the clouds or as so many doues to their windowes Zach. 8. 22. Psal. 110. 3. Esay 35. 1. and 60. 8. 5. By forwardnesse and chearefulnesse in contributing towards the maintenance of Gods house and seruice in the meanes thereof Esay 60. 8 9. 6. By grieuing heartily because other men neglect or contemne the house of God and haue no more minde to keepe Gods law Psal. 119. 136. Thus of that speciall zeale we should shew about Gods publike worship Fourthly wee should in all publike duties serue God with one consent and one heart There should appeare in Gods seruants a wonderfull desire of vnanimity and concord They should serue the Lord with one shoulder that when they speake to God it may be as the voice of one man when the Lord speakes to them they should heare with one heart It is a maruellous glory in Religion when people can come once to this to serue the Lord with one shoulder Zeph. 3. 9. Lastly in the 52. Psalm v. 8 9. wee may gather three other rules which in a speciall manner fit vs for a right behauiour in Gods house First we should alwayes be as greene Oliue trees in the house of the Lord. Howsoeuer it goe with men in the world yet when wee come before the Lord our hearts shall reioyce and reuiue and our spirits be fresh cheerfull and our affections should be healed of all the cares or distempers were before in them Gods Ordinances should haue such a power ouer vs as to make a sudden fresh spring of desires and holy thoughts in vs. There is this power in the Ordinances of God to effect this if the fault be not in vs I meane when these Ordinances are exercised in the power and life of them Secondly wee must trust on the mercie of God bringing an heart readie to beleeue euerie good Word of God resoluing that if the Lord will speake comfortably to his seruants wee will not dishonour his consolations through carelesnesse or vnbeliefe but receiue them with all our hearts and establish our selues in the safe-keeping of his good Word Thirdly wee must resolue to be thankefull with all tendernesse for all experiences of Gods presence and goodnesse toward vs in the meanes vowing with Dauid to praise him for euer for them And if the Lord doe withhold his power and presence for a time so as we feele not the effectualnesse of his ordinances yet wee should resolue without distemper to waite vpon the Lord and obserue him according to the seasons of his grace CHAP. X. Rules that order vs about hearing of the Word THus of the rules that wee must obserue in all publike seruice of God Now there bee certaine speciall rules which must bee particularly heeded in each part of Gods worship by it selfe And first I will begin with those rules which wee must more specially obserue in hearing the Word of God and these are of three sorts 1. Some bind vs to the good behauiour before wee come to heare 2. Some at the time of hearing 3. Some after we haue heard 1. Before we come to heare wee must bring with vs two things 1. A resolution to deny our owne wits reasons opinions and conceits and emptie our heads of all perswasion of our owne skill to iudge in the things of the kingdome of God being ready to beleeue and thinke in all things as God shall teach vs out of his Word Wee must be fooles that we may be wise
1 Cor. 3. 18. humbling our selues at his very feete to receiue his Law Deut. 33. 3. 2. Wee must bring with vs a meeke and quiet spirit a minde quieted from passions lusts and perturbations and at rest from the turmoyling cares of this world The Word is able to doe great things in our hearts if we receiue it with meeknesse Iames 1. 21. Secondly at the time of hearing wee must looke to two rules First we must hearken without distraction we must heare as if it were for our liues wee must incline our eares and shake off all impediments arising from our owne drowsinesse preiudice or vaine thoughts or distracting obiects Esay 55. 3. Psal. 116. 113. Secondly wee must proue all things and keepe that which is good We must heare with iudgement hearken for our selues hauing speciall care to looke to that doctrin which in particular concerns vs to lay it vp in our hearts and apply it effectually This is a rule of singular thrift in godlines If we did marke what sin in vs the Lord reproues or what comfort is speedily fitted to our hearts or what direction doth specially concerne vs He hath an honest memory that will bee sure to keepe these things though he forget all the rest and hee hath a wretched memory and heart too that forgets these things though he could repeate all the Sermon verbatim Thirdly after we haue heard two things also must be further done First we must by meditation labour to make those things wee haue heard which concerne vs fast that they runne not out of our mindes and we must take heed that neither the diuell steale away the good seed nor our owne heart through negligence forget it Neither is this a worke for an houre after to keepe these things till we may repeate them to others but ought to be our daily worke especially the weeke after to thinke so often of them till there be a sure impression of the Word in our hearts Hebr. 2. 1 2. Secondly wee must yet further see to it that we be doers of the Word yea we must obserue to doe as the phrase of the holy Ghost is It is the wisedome of God so to dispose of his ordinances that we receiue our directions by parcels and there is a time of interim betweene Sabbath and Sabbath Sermon and Sermon that we might in that space learne to frame our selues to the obedience of the truths receiued that so we might be ready to receiue new lessons from the Lord. The surest way for the husband man to keepe his seede is not to lay it vp in his baâ—… but to cast it into the ground for what is sowed he may receiue againe with aduantage or if he might faile of an haruest from his seede in nature yet godly men shall neuer faile to receiue what they sow by practice with increase So much of the truth as is put into practice is sure for euer the rest may be lost and it is a singular helpe to a Christian if he set vpon his obedience while the doctrine is yet fresh in his minde for delay will compasse him about with many difficulties and he will want those inward incitations that might stirre vp his heart with power and strength to obey CHAP. XI Rules about the Sacrament of Baptisme THus of the rules of our carriage about hearing Next we are to consider how we are to order our liues in respect of the Sacraments The Sacraments are two Baptisme and the Lords Supper The duties we are bound to in respect of Baptisme concerne either 1. Our children 2. Our selues 3. Others For our children it is our duty to present them vnto Baptisme but withall we must looke to it that it be done in due time and with faith and thankfulnesse to God In due time so as thereby we signifie our great estimation of Gods mercy to our seed and our great desire to haue the Couenant sealed euen vnto them We must also bring them to Baptisme with saith in Gods couenant The Lord hath bound himselfe to bee our God and the God of our seede Now it is our parts to giue glory to God and to declare before the Lord our perswasion of his goodnesse and claime to that part of his Couenant By faith we plead our right whereas by vnbeleefe wee giue God occasion to neglect our seed I adde also with thankefulnesse because we ought with great ioy and acknowledgement of the free grace of God to behold our seede admitted in the sure couenant of mercy and saluation with our selues and ought to thinke that God hath done more for our children to admit them into the couenant by Baptisme then if the greatest person on earth had made vpon them the assurance of some great estate of maintenance or preferment Secondly for our selues we must make conscience of it to make vse of our owne Baptisme and that throughout the whole course of our life It is giuen vs as a seale of Gods promises and as a vow of our obedience and so we must make vse of it all the dayes of our life especially in three cases First in the case of doubting and feare of the forgiuenesse of our sinnes or of the saluation of our soules for Baptisme saueth vs that is effectually assures vs of our saluation and we doe not offend in trusting Gods promise made in his word signed and sealed in Baptisme As certainly doth it saue our soules as the Arke saued the bodies of Noah and his houshold so as we cannot miscarry if we leape not out of the Arke into the Seas of water Let vs sticke to our Baptisme and then we are safe The washing in Baptisme did assure the washing of our soules by the blood of Christ for our sinnes If I be tempted to doubt of my saluation I must say to my owne soule Hath not the Lord prouided me the Arke of Baptisme to preserue me from the seas of his wrath And if I doubt the forgiuenesse of sinnes I must sayâ—… Hath not the Lord washed mee â—…om my sinnes by the blood of his Sonne Did he not shew mee so much in Baptisme We sin shamefully in that we doe not make this vse but neglect the confidence Baptisme should worke in vs as if the Lord had but dallied with vs or that Baptisme were but some idle Ceremony 1 Pet. 3. 21. 1 Cor. 15. 29. Acts 22. 16. Secondly in the case of temptation to commit sin we ought to fight against sin by this mighty weapon of our Baptisme and so we may do by diuers Arguments As First in my Baptisme I haue made a vow to God that I would cleaue to him in Iesus Christ and renounce the world the diuell and sinne and shall I breake my vow to God that would be ashamed to breake my promise to men Secondly my Baptisme was the Baptisme of repentance and shall I yet liue in sinne My body was washed and shall