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Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
truth_n	life_n	way_n	world_n	4,036	5	4.7603	4	true

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ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A17419	The light of faith: and, way of holinesse Shewing what to belieue, and for what to striue together, earnestly contend, and suffer for in this contending age. And how to liue in all estates, conditions, and degrees of relation, according to this faith. In both, deliuering (as neere as might be, in the life of Scripture phrase:) only things necessary, as we meane to be saued, and auoiding vtterly things arbitrary, that distract, rather then direct a Christian. Collected out of holy Scripture by an vnworthy labourer in Gods vineyard, Richard Bifield pastor in Long-Ditton, in Surrey.	Byfield, Richard, 1598?-1664.	1630 (1630)	STC 4239; ESTC S107158	133,233	536

in this holy manner to doe the Lords worke come on and tread the pathes of the highest those euen and pleasant waies which lead to the assurance of eternall happinesse For the worke of righteousnesse is peace and the effect therof Esa 32. 17. quietnesse and assurance for euer The particular and expresse precepts of holy conuersation respect thy behauiour towards God other men thy selfe Thy duty to God is to know Thy duty to God him to worship him aright both for the inward affections of thy heart and for thy outward service 1 The knowledge of God 1 To know him desired more then burnt offerings is that which must be in some good measure found in all the true worshippers of him and that such a knowledge as natures light since the fall reacheth not vnto it being rather a sparkle whereby wee discerne that there is a God then any flaming light Rom. 1. 20. 21. that is able either to direct vs how aright to conceiue of him or to warme our hearts by liuely impressions that by the same we might be brought to glorifie him as God and not proue vnthankefull worshipping the creature in stead of the Creator Ier. 24. 7. 1 Ioh. 5. 20. who is blessed for euer Scripture then doth teach this knowledge and God by them doth giue an heart as Ieremie speaketh an vnderstanding as S. Iohn saith To know him that is true and to know him that we might worship him And concerning this grace it is required in the Scripture as euer we meane to know God that not alone wee know but also follow on to know the Lord Hos 6. 3. The precepts thereof must direct in both 1 The Rules for the guiding of our vnderstandings to know and conceiue of God aright are these 1 That we know him by no likenesse nor resemble him to any thing in the world hee is a spirit the inuisible God to whom then wilt thou compare him or to whom shall he be like God forbids images in Churches houses and thy head too Commandement 2. Deut. 4. 12. 15. 2 How shall we doe then to conceiue of him whom no man euer saw nor can see of whom none may thinke by resembling him to any thing hee doth see the Lord himselfe hath shewen the way ca●ie glorious and able to prepare our hearts vnto him in any seruice wherein we would approach neere vnto him a way by which hee made himselfe knowne to Moses Exod 34. 6. 7. by his glorious titles and attributes the excellenci●s and praises of him that is I am the Almighty which is which was which is to come Therefore in prayer and all other his worship in all thy meditations fasten thy thoughts vpon him as the Lord God Gracious Mercifull long-suffering that pardoneth iniquitie transgression and sinne that will by no meanes cleare the wicked the most Holy Alsufficient eternall onely wise God with the like which shall lift vp thy heart vnto him through the glory that shines in them By this meanes maist thou haue him in thy minde through the whole day In the creatures thou beholdest inasmuch as these praises may be read plainely in that great booke If thou wilt take the benefit of this direction an helpe non contemnendum not to be despised there are three waies to gather these glories of the highest out of the booke of the creature 1 By way of denia●l remouing from God in our conceiuing of him what euer argueth weakenesse or wickednesse in the creature as to know him to bee the God that cannot lye that cannot dye but is immortall that cannot repent or deny himselfe 2 By way of eminency ascribing what is good in the creature to the Creator by an excellency as see wee knowledge in men and he that teacheth men knowledge shall not he know is wisedome in men and is not hee most wise are there any drops of mercy truth or holinesse in the creature the Ocean is in him or rather he is the Ocean Doth the creature liue with him is the well of life 3 By way of causing all things so by the fabricke of this world we know him to be the Creator by wonders therein we vnderstand his eternall power and God-head by gifts bestowed on the creatures his bounty and goodnesse by their order his wisedome the God of order by their continuance in the same estate to this day his vnwearied prouidence 3 Yet all this is not suffici●nt wee must know him to bee that one God who is three the Father Sonne and Holy Ghost and know God the Father as the Father of Iesus Christ his Sonne and as our Father in him by the holy Ghost The first of these namely to hold the doctrine of the Trinity distinguisheth Christians from Iewes Paynims Turkes Arrians Antitrinitarians The second which the Apostles cals the knowledge 2 Cor. 4. 6. of the glory of God in the face of Iesus Christ his Sonne distinguisheth true Christians from all Hereticall Papisticall and formall Christians which is called sauing knowledge by Diuines and is eternall life in the beginnings of it Ioh. 17. 3. Which hath a power to transforme the 2 Cor. 3. 18 Col 3. 10. whole man into Gods image and change him from glory to glory It is a chiefe part of Gods image in vs at which time the vaile of ignorance is said to be rent And this is when by the Gospell wee hauing first seene our misery by the law and how vile we are by sinne we vnderstand the loue of the Father set vpon vs before euer there was a world choosing vs to life and predestinating vs to the Adoption of children by Iesus Christ whom hee gaue to vs and made him to bee to vs wisedome righteousnesse sanctification and redemption and also the grace of our Lord Iesus Christ the Sonne in taking on him our nature and dying for vs to reconcile vs to God and rising againe to make vs righteous and the fellowship of the holy Ghost who vniteth vs to the Father and the Sonne and sanctifieth and preserueth in the estate of grace When I say wee know with perswasion of heart the loue of God in Christ pardoning our sinnes and receiuing vs for his sonnes and daughters so that by the spirit of the Son sent into our hearts we call him Abba Father then know we him effectually And thus must thou conceiue of him and thus conceiuing approach to him when thou worshipest him Eph. 2. 18. In Christ wee haue saith Paul accesse vnto the Father by one spir●t For this wee should pray on ●he bended kne●s of our soules euery day that God would enlarge our hearts to comprehend with all Saints what is the height depth length and breadth and to know the loue of God which passeth knowledge that we may be filled with all the fulnesse of God Ephes 3. 17. 18. 19. 2 After thou canst thus conceiue of him then follow on to know the Lord acquaint thy selfe with

asketh liberally and reproacheth no man 7 The worlds flatteries commending thee in thy vanitie or excesse chiefly if thou abound in this worlds goods which will bring thee to two errors of the wicked 1 Contempt of reproofe 2 Despising of thine owne waies auoid them or thou shalt dye 10 To retaine these Christian 10 The light of principles for practise paradoxes to be held for practise and to exclude all false principles there is nothing found in the life which is not according to some principle true or false in the vnderstanding expell the false by the light of the true and then a single eye will make thy body full of light Take in therefore these lightsome truths 1 A Christian is neither 1 Cor. 11. borne nor borne-againe for himselfe 2 There is no sinne so little Mat. 5. 19. as not worthy the auoiding euen as we woud be saued 3 Imployment is a greater fauour from God then wealth or high place without it 4 The first place in dignity Mat. 9. 34. ouer any is the greatest place of seruice vnto all 5 To suffer for Christs sake Heb. 11. 26 is greater riches then all worldly wealth 6 Affliction yea death is to Iob 36. 21 be chosen before iniquity 7 Death ought to be prouided Mat. 6. 32. for before life Christs kingdome and righteousnesse before the necessaries of life yea this is the way to thriue with a blessing 8 Euery godly endeauour receiueth Eph. 3. 20. some blessing and bringeth forth some fruit greater then man can hope for 9 When any storme of Gods wrath ariseth it is the onely safe way to runne to the place whence the storme commeth euen to God for shelter nature teacheth a man to flee from the tempest 10 It is ost times good that it goe well with the euill and ill with the good in this life 11 A wicked man neuer goeth Esa 57. 21. vnpunished there is no peace to the wicked 12 None shall euer please Mat. 5. 47. Act. ●6 24. 2 Cor. 5. 13 Christ till they appeare odde singular and strange to the common sort A Christian is not right till he seeme to the world to be beside himselfe 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 What singular thing doe yee 13 Spirituall motions may ●e violent and perpetuall 14 The foundation of all eternall Ier. 31. ●8 19. 20. ioyes is laid in godly sorrow for sinne Ioh. 16. 20. Mat. 5. 4. Psal 126. 5. 6. 15 The vniust death of Godly persons hath more comfort in it then the iolly life of wicked men 16 The righteous liueth not Hab. 2. 4. where his faith giueth him not life 17 What God can doe that faith can doe to the beleeuing all things are possible 18 A poysonfull curse is prosperity Psal 69. 22 in wicked wayes 19 That 's thy good which doth thee good 20 It is holy wisedome to feare and not to desire abundance 21 We should study more to Mat. 26. 29 giue an account of our little then how to make it more for the improuing of what we haue is the way to haue more giuen 22 Sinne and not affliction argueth Gods absence and hindereth vs in our way to heauen 23 The infection of euill is much worse then the act 24 It is a madnesse to runne away from punishment and not from sinne 25 Pride and infidelity harden Heb. 11. 33. 4. and make men fearelesse onely faith truely valiant 26 All houres are lost wherin we enioy not God 27 Wee are guilty of all the euill we might haue hindred 28 We must be as well ready to suffer ill as to doe good 29 Remember the word of our Sauiour it is better to giue then to receiue 30 Folly and wickednesse are inseparable companions 31 A wicked man deserues ill of those he neuer liued to see 32 Good is not therefore good because it prospers but because it is commanded Euill is not therefore euill because it is punished but because it is forbidden 33 In good waies we cannot be too exact too zealous Mediocrity is not the forme of vertue but conformity to the rule of Gods word which saith it is good alwaies to be zealous in a good thing and Iukewarmenesse is a loathsome temper Gal. 4. 18. Reuel 3. 18. And Christians should indeauour to abound more more 34 An euill intent alwaies makes the action euill Cast out all false principles such as these 1 A good meaning makes the action good nay then persecutors had bin Saints Ioh. 16. 2. 2 Religion is but a policy to keepe men in awe nay it brings life and immortality to light 2 Tim. 1. 10. 3 Wee may repent time enough when age comme●h nay to day if you will heare his voyce barden not your hearts Heb. 3. 7. 4 That is good which is profitable Gen. 37 26. 27. nay then Iudas counselled well to sell Ioseph and Iudas the traitor did well to sell Christ 5 That which pleaseth a man is lawfull nay to doe our pleasure makes all duties of deuotion abhominable Esa 66. 2. 3. 6 Doe what euer thou art able nay how can I doe this wickednesse and sinne against God Gen 39. 9. 7 It is lawfull to make the Pro. 3. 27. best of our owne nay goods in thy hand are others due when thy ability and their necessity meet 8 Euery man for himselfe and God for vs all nav Diues for himselfe and the Deuill for him Luc. 16 19. 9 Thou canst doe no iniury to him that is willing nay thy poore brother may sue to thee carnestly to borrow of thee vpon vse yet maist thou not be to him as an Vsurer Exod. 22. 25. 10 Thoughts are free nay wash thine heart from wickednesse how long shall thy euill thoughts lodge within thee ●er 4. 14. 11 It is enough to haue a good heart to God nay thou must glorifie him in thy body 1 Cor. 6. 20. 12 A yong Saint an old Deuill nay a yong Saint with Ioseph and a Father to Pharaoh in age a yong Saint with Moses and a God to Pharaoh ere he dye Gen. 37. 2. 45. 8. Thus haue I opened the gates of righteousnesse §. IIII. Of the manner of wel-doing THe third generall concernes 3 The enl●uing qualities of all holy duties the manner of wel doing that the good thing we doe may be done well and acceptably these are to be receiued with all possible obseruation for they doe not onely apparell all our works of godlinesse in the sight of men but giue the inward forme and inliuing quality to the whole body of those duties in the sight of God and are the characteristicall differences to distinguish the godly from the wicked in these workes who may also doe many of them for the matter that you may not therefore present to God the carcase of a duty without the soule let all be done in this manner In all duties see In generall that thou

Cor. 11. 29. 2 By feeling remembrance of thy particular sins which by examination were found most burdensome and preuailing to ●ate this true Paschall Lambe with the sowre hearbs of godly sorrow Exod. 12. 8. 3 By the effectuall remembrance of the death of the Lord Iesus which ought to be shewed foorth by this action till his comming again with thanksgiuing recording his grieuous sufferings for vs the breaking of the bread and powring out of the wine doeth represent this Luc. 22. 19. 1 Cor. 11. 26. 4 By loue to Gods people and hearty communion with them as being one bread and one body for they all are partakers of one bread and haue all drunke into one spirit 1 Cor. 10. 16. 17. 12. 12. 13. And after Communicating we must manifest the vertue is in Christs body and bloud to nourish and cheare vs to life eternall 1 By keeping the feast in the vnleauened bread of sincerity truth auoyding all our daies all malice wickednesse and hypocrisie and society of scandalous brethren as leauen that swells and sowres all our actions and vertues before God and men 1 Cor. 5. 8. 2 By fleeing Idolatry the society of Idolaters and Idolatrous seruice 1 Cor. 10. 14 16 17. § X. The third Baptisme where rules for the vse thereof BAptisme is the washing of regeneration Of Baptisme Tit. 3. 5. the Sacramēt of our new-birth which is not to be reiterated or oft receiued as that other but once only as it sufficeth to life to be often fed but once borne Yet the vertue and vse of Baptisme is of force to our liues and speaking therefore to men already initiated by Baptisme the rules of direction respect ours and our owne Baptisme Ours For our children are not vncleane 1. Cor. 7. 14. To whom also the promise is made to a thousand generations heere our duety is to present them to the Font In due time testifying thereby our high esteeme of Gods mercy to our seed and our earnest desire to haue his couenant scaled to them lest the Lord should strike vs as he did Moses for a like neglect Exod. 4. 24. 25. 26. With fayth in Gods couenant which is that hee will be our God and the God of our seed with thankefulnesse accounting the benefit of this admission greater then if a king had adopted our childe heyre apparant Our owne Baptisme which we are to make vse of all our life long both as Gods se●le as our vow 1. As i● is g●●●n of God by the ou● 〈◊〉 washing of the Minister in the name of the Father Sonne and holy Ghost to signifie as by signe to assure as by seale to conuey as by instrument Christ Iesus and all benefits spirituall with him such as are 1 Receiuing into Couenant with the Father Sonne and holy Ghost and adoption as son and daughter into his houshold and family Gal. 3. 27. 2 Ingrafting into Christ and communion with him as a member of his body Rom. 6. 5. 3 Deliuerance from the seas of Gods wrath 1 Pet 3. 17. 18. Mat. 3. 7. 4 The imputation of Christs righteousnesse and remission of sinnes Ephes 5. 26. 1. Ioh. 1. 7. Gal. 3. 27. 5 Regeneration Tit. 3. 5. which hath two parts mortification Rom. 6. 3. 4. vi●ification Rom. 6. 4. 5. of both Col. 2. 13. 6 Communion with all Saints 1 Cor. 12. 15. 7 The resurrection of our bodies 1 Cor. 15. 29. Rom. 6. 8. Now thus we must make vse of it in diuers cases as in case 1 Of doubting of forgiuenes of sinnes and of saluation behold baptisme saueth that is effectually assures saluation it saueth as a figure now wee offend not in trusting to Gods promises made in his word and figured and sealed in baptisme 1 Pet. 3. 18. Reason then hath not God prouided the Arke of baptisme to preserue mee from the seas of his wrath Againe hath hee not cleansed away my sinnes by his sonnes bloud and presented this vnto mee in baptisme The very for me of baptisme sheweth that therein the Lord giueth the Christian right and title to himselfe heere also remember that the Father Son and holy Ghost are one in couenant making and in working thy saluation 2 Of doubting of perseuerance and of our resurrection For if Christ be raysed in vs he can die no more in himselfe or in vs Rom. 6. 9. 10. Gal. 3. 27. 28. Mark 16. 16. 1. Cor. 15. 29. Yea all the holinesse and happinesse of a Christian is sealed by three 1 Ioh. 5 7. 3 Of oppositions for in baptisme thou hast put on Christ who is a couert from the storm Esa 4. 5. 4 Of temptation to sin for debate it thus I haue the name of the Father Sonne and holy Ghost named on me shall not I walke worthy and answerable to this dignitie My baptisme is the baptisme of repentance and do I yet liue in sinne Act. 13. 14. Matt. 3. 11. I was baptized into Christes death and resurrection and therein assured of the vertue of both to kill sin in me and quicken me to holinesse shall I not beleeue the operation of God in that Sacrament Col. 2. 12. If I be dead to sinne can I liue any longer therein if aliue to God how is it I want life in the work of God Are my corruptions preuayling and shall I not seeke the strength and life of Christ Rom. 6. 1. 3. In thy security thou couldst say with the Church in the Canticles ch 5. v. 3. I haue put off my coat how shall I put it on I haue washed my feete how shall I defile them Now much more take vp this saying I haue put on the Lord Christ how should I put him off I am washed in his most precious bloud and shall I now defile my selfe I haue put on the robe of his righteousnesse it is now no time to vncouer my nakednesse and to take to the rotten ragges of the old man Rom. 13. 14. I will neuer more make prouision to fulfill the lustes of the flesh 5 Of temptation to presumption and security in rest●●g vpon the outward washing say with thy selfe am I not taught that baptism● which saueth is not the washing away of the filth of the flesh but the answer of a good conscience 1 Pet. 3. 21. It is the bapti●me of repentance the washing of the new-birth which new-birth is by water and the sanctifying of the holy Ghost through the word Ioh. 3. 3. Ephes 5. 26. And if we bring not forth fruits worthy amendment God will rather take of these stones and rayse vp children vnto Abraham then owne a viperous generation Matt. 3. 8. The baptisme of the Minister is little auayleable where Christs baptisme is not receyued who baptizeth with the holy Ghost and with fire Trueth hee that beleeueth and is baptized shall be saued but hee that beleeueth not though hee be baptized as was Simon Magus also shall bee damned Marc. 16. 16. 2 Againe we are to make vse of our

and thee if hee mend not take two or three discreete godly persons with thee and againe rebuke him if yet hee amend not then open it tell the Church of it if he will not heare the Church hold him as an heathen Ma● 18 15. Now in thy practice of these rules remember Thy end in all thy carriage must be to saue thy brother not to shew thy skill to find faults much lesse to traduce or blemish him Thy heart must bee affected with feare as thou wouldst be if thou sawest a man ready to bee drowned or fallen into the fire Thou must pull him out doing this duty with resolution not thinking how will he take it but 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 looking on the danger hee is in there is misericordia puniens and crudelitas parc●ens as S. Aug. speaketh in the like case a mercy punishing and cruelty sparing Thus oughtest thou to carry thy selfe in the cure of thy brother fallen any way only there is one thing more that disposeth thee to the right vsage of these rules set downe in this place of Iude viz that thou hate the garments spotted with the flesh that is Let thy heart bee truely and throughly affected with the hatred of al sin in thy self others the words are a double similitude taken from the ceremoniall law Lev. 5. 4. Numb 9. where the infection of the Leprosy resembling the infection of sinne is such that it defiles the bed the Chaire the Leper sa●e on the the garments ●e wore the very things he spat on ● such like pois●n●ull contagion is sinne when thou hast hereby conceiued of the infectious pollution of sin and how loathsome it maketh in the eyes of God and man euen like any Leper then shalt thou deale seriously and heartily with thy brother for his conuersion and recouery This is of great moment in all thy carriage for faith Iunius on this place personatae reprehensiones frigent plurim●mque interest exa●i●● omnia vt conscientia fert animusque facias an de industria Reproofes which come from a man as hee acted a part in a play are cold and dull and it matters much whether thou doest things heartily as thy mind and conscience carrieth thee or for the nonce onely Whereby againe consider the words and see how many things ought to b●e hated by the godly Chr●stian 1 The sinne or transgressio● 2 The fountaine and instrument of sinne whereby it is affected and that wherin it stickes the flesh 3. The guilt of it 4. The contagion 5. The spo●t or blot which is as the footesteppe it leaueth behind it when the act is past 6. The occasion and appearance the very garment as 1 Thess 5. 22. so Iacob did Gen. 35. 4. with a minde thus affected and resolued proceed in the vse of the former rules Towards the weake Christian thy ca●riage must be thus 1 Intangle him not with doubtfull disputations Rom. 14. 1. 2 Beare his weakenesses and meere frailties Rom. 15. 1. 3 Please him and not thy selfe in the vse or restraint of thy Christian liberty Rom. 15. 2. 1 Cor. 9. 20. 21. 22. Gal. 5. 15. 4 Offend him not nor put any stumbling blocke in hi● way Mat. 18. 1 Cor. 10. 32. 5 Comfort and support him 1 Thes 5. 14. 6 Despise him not in his weakenesses Rom. 14. 2. Towards the strong be thus ordered 1 Iudge him not in the vse of his Christian liberty Rom. 14. 2 Acknowledge such 1 Cor. 16. 18. 3 Set them as patternes for imitation Heb. 12. 1. Phil. 3. 17. 4 Submit your selues to them to be aduised and admonished and your iudgement to theirs in doubtfull things 1 Cor. 16. 16. 1 Pet. 5. 5. So farre of our carriage towards the godly §. XXVI The rule for our behauiour towards the wicked NOw for our behauiour towards Thy duty towards the wicked the wicked the holy Ghost hath abridged it in one plaine rule deliuered in Col. 4. 5. walke in wisedome or wisely towards them that are without In Scripture all men are cast into two rankes those that are within without the Church without the pale of it as Infidels without the true faith of it as heretickes without the path of holy life as the openly wicked and prophane To them that are within the pale the saith the path-way of the Church is this precept giuen ordering them in their carriage towards them that are without the pale the faith the righteous path of the true Church that whereas most an e●d or alwaies the report and fame of their conuersation will be carryed abroad to them and sometimes necessary commerce will enforce those within the Church to conuerse with them nothing might be done by the Christian which might giue scandale but all things that might winne to the loue of the truth therefore it is said walke wisely A direction of great vse by the practise whereof wee might winne them to glorifie God or silence them from reuiling the truth or at least force their consciences to blesse vs and the good way of God But this is a point of diuine and heauenly skill for the wisedome here ●equired in our liues is not the wisedome of the flesh which is earthly sensuall deuillish but of the spirit the wisedome that is from aboue which God hath taught and not man deuised Harken then yee Christians and as you haue beene taught as the truth is in Iesus what you owe to God and what to your neighbours and what to the godly or fallen or weake or strong so receiue from the same master Christ Iesus how you may behaue your selues towards them that are without and for your direction note two things 1 The manner of conuersing as it respects them without it must be towards them not with them 2 The grace which should shine in all our waies wisedome this is the predominant vertue as charity is the predominant in our conuersing with the godly the summe of thy carriage towards the one is walke in loue the summe of thy carriage towards the other is walke in wisedome 1 To walke towards them noteth a well framed behauiour when through necessity or calling we haue to doe with them to walke with them notes a voluntary sorting our selues with them and the choosing of them f●r our companions hence the first rule is gathered That needlesse society may not be held with them that are without such as are Infidels Heretickes or wicked men neither w●lking in their counsell nor standing in their way nor sitting in their chaires they are as leauen among the Lords sweet bread and cakes Psalm 1. 1. 1 Cor. 5. 7. Pro. 23. 20. Much more should we shunne all vnequall yoking with them by marriage leagues of amity contracts of friendship and the like 2 Cor. 6. 14. the sinne of the old world Gen. 6 1. the sinne of Esau Gen. 26. the preamble of his dis●inheriting Caluin Abdicationis su● praeludium the sinne of Iehosaphat for which his workes were broke

heart can say to God in all distresses Thou art my hiding place Psal 32. 7. Hab. 2. 4. Now let the power of thy faith cause thee to rest on God and liue in him For iustification and saluation by casting thy selfe into the mercifull armes of thy Lord spread out vpon the Crosse who will conuey to thee himselfe the vertue of his death and obedience and the power of his spirit to quicken thee out of thy sinnes here and out of the graue to raise thee at the last day Draw not backe dye rather at the throne of grace For sanctification thy faith being the roote of all graces and the attractiue vertue and magneticall force of thy heart to draw thee vp to Christ and to extract life and quickning grace from euery part of Christ his incarnation his life death resurrection ascension session and intercession that which maketh euery ordinance profitable Baptisms Mark 16. 16. Col. 2. 12. receiuing of the Lords Supper 1 Cor. 11. 29. the word heard Heb. 4. 2. and prayer Mat. 21. 22. For preseruation where thou must haue 1 A distinct knowledge of the promises for they are pabulum fidei the food of faith An abstract thereof I giue thee here applyed to seuerall occasions The penitent contrite and humble heart is sure in all estates Of the free fauour of God Hos 14. 4. in tendrest compassion more then motherly Esa 49. 15. in euerlasting constancy Ier. 31. 3. as the waters of Noah as the ordinances of heauen Ier. 31. 36. 33. 20. Esa 54. 10. Of Christ and the redemption wrought by him and of the spirit of Christ by couenant Esa 59. 20. 21. In the stormes of afflictions l●ue by these places Psal 89. 33. 50. 15. Heb. 12. 3. 4. Psal 34 19. Rom. 5. 1. 2. 3. 4. and that sweet promise of giuing liberally euen wisedome to behaue our selues vnder the Crosse if wee aske it Iam. 1. 4. 5. In the midst of the venemou● arrowes of slanderous reproaches headed with the poyson of Aspes shot from the tongue of a rayling Shemei for Christ● cause 1 Pet. 4. 14. Psal 31. 1● 19. Heb. 12. 2. 3. Vnder wrongs by them that professe true religion in their vniust censures remember Iob and what an end the Lord made Iob 4. 6. 11. 2 3. and Paul 1 Cor. 4. 4. 10. Esa 66. 5. Against aduersaries Esa 41. 11. 12. Gen 12. 3. Gal. 3. 9. In temptations 1 Cor. 10. 13. Rom. 16. 20. Luc. 22. 31. Heb. 2. 18. 4. 15. Against daily infirmities Exod 34. 6. 7. Mat. 11. ●● H●b 4. 16. Esa 55. 1 2 3. 42. 3. In our spirituall barrennesse lamented Hos 2. 19. Esa 54. 5 6. In case of relapse when the heart i● smitten for it Hos 14. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7. In case of dismayednesse vnder corruptions great strong and the thoughts of our indisposition to any thing that is good Ezek. 36. 25 26 27. Phil. 4. 13. Against the feare of falling away 1 Cor. 1. 8 9. 2 Tim. 2. 19. 2 Thes 3. 3. Ier. 32. 40. 41. Ioh. 10. 28. 1 Ioh. 3 9. 2 27. Heb. 7. 25. 1 Pet. 1. 5. In spirituall desertions Esa 30. 18. Psal 77. Esa 54. 7. 8. In the workes of thy calling Heb. 13. 5. Psal 37. 2 3. In the waies of thy houshold Psal 127. In losses for Gods cause 2 Chro. 25. 9. Mark 10. 29. 30. In the valley of the shadow of death Psal 23. 73. 26. In all in any estate Psal 84. 11. Rom. 8. 18 28 32. Looke also vpon the promises to seuerall graces and to seuerall degrees of true grace contained in such places as these Mat. 5. 1 2. to 13. 2 Chro. 16. 9. 2 Pet. 1 5 6 10 11. 2 Thou must then hang vpon these breasts of the Churches consolations by beleeuing and applying them to thy selfe and sucke out the milke that may nourish thee and make thee grow if so be thou hast tasted that the Lord is gracious 3 Keepe a Register of Gods mercies in his prouidence ouer his Church in thy time as neere as thou canst or at least ouer thee and thine a role of experiments How aduantagious this is Dauids practise and precepts shew in many Psalmes of his Psal 78. 2 3 4 5 6. to the end 107 43. 105. 106. 66 16 17 18 19 20. These three rules concerne 2 Rules about thy repentance and obedience thy faith furthermore sith wee daily transgresse and repentance is the worke of our whole life and seeing nothing more blemisheth obedience then inconstancy to walke like a Christian attend these rules following about thy repentance and obedience 1 H●l● firmely and iudiciously in what things the power of godlinesse doth consist that the full bent of thy soule may bee placed on these things the rather because these are the last and perillous dayes in which men should haue the shew but deny the power of godlinesse 2 Tim. 3 5. It consisteth not in frequenting the publike assemblies in set houres of deuotion in taskes of reading in the outward abstinence of fastings in professing or talking in knowledge for discou●se in strictnesse of shunning controuerted ceremonies in opinions in a straine of praise and words though all stamped in Gods minte in defying the corruptions of the time in descrying publicane-like sinners in praising the Martyrs or Saints departed in commending former and discommending the present in censuring others in holding profession with the forwardest in sincerity in reuerencing a Philip a godly Minister in giuing liberally to the maintenance of Gods worship c. But in righteousnesse peace and ioy in the holy Ghost in humility patience goodnesse meekenesse and truth in mercy and righteousnesse dealing in mortification of the flesh gouernement of the affections and the tongue in heauenly mindednesse selfe-denyall contempt of the world in the life of a pilgrime and a conuersation with feare in long-suffering and gentlenesse in sobriety and temperance in faith and fellowship with God in brotherly kindenesse and charity amongst men 2 Keepe by a watchfull suruey of thy heart a bill of thy sinnes that most annoy thee since thy profession as the Apostles made many of them agreeing to the estates of their hearers seuerally 1 Pet. 2 1. Ephes 4. 31. Col. 3. 8. 9. Thus shalt thou know what to confe●se and lament before God thus shalt thou see how thou growest in grace by the dying of thy preua●ling sinnes The profit is not knowne but by those that haue practised it 3 Seeke after and pray earnestly for direct thoughts to see how farre thou hast a●tained and what is yet wanting in the graces of the spirit or the measure and degrees of them which graces God requireth and hath heretofore and doth still adorne the hearts of his children with Phil. 3. 11 12 13. To helpe thee herein that place of Paul Gal. 5. 20. which setteth downe the fruits of the spirit is to be often weighed and

Cor. 5. 20. To vse our liberty for a cloake or ●ccasion for Maliciousnesse Gal. 5. 13. Licentiousnesse 1 Pet 2. 16. Vnbeleife an euill heart in departing from the liuing God a soule that doth with draw in whom the Lord saith his soule doth take no pleasure Ioh. 3. 18. 36. Heb. 3. 12. and 10. vlt. Impenitency Mark 1. 15. Apostacy 1 From the truth Heb. 6 4. 2 From the practice of godlinesse 2 Pet. 2. 29. 3 To the world from which we were redeemed had made an escape 1 Ioh. 2. 15. Demas his sin 2 Tim. 4. 10. The Prophanesse of Esau Heb. 12. 16. For one morsel of meat he sold his birth-right Feare to confesse Christ Mat. 10. 32. 33. To liue without Christ and common with him Ephes 2. 12. To haue a forme but deny the the power of godlines 2 Tim. 3. 6 To speake euill of the good way of God Act. 9. 9. To bee euer learning and neuer come to the knowledge of the truth 2 Tim. 3. 7. To waxe worse and worse 2. Tim. 3. 13. Not to receiue the loue of the truth 2 Thes 2. 12. Not to walk worthy our high calling and Christ Iesus that hath called vs C●l 1. 10 Ephes 4. 1 2. To sleepe out the day of grace and time of our visitation Luc. 19. 42. Heb. 3. 7 8. Ephes 5. 14. Fiftly against his vertues of His virtue● life so he sinneth that doth not imitate Christ in his praises 1 Pet. 2 9. Mat. 11. 29. Sufferings 1 Pet. 2 21. Heb. 12. 2. Sixtly against his ordinances His ordinance as whether against any of them seuerally or all of them ioyntly Against any of them as against prophecying or preaching and so in the minister it is sinfull To preach with wisedome of Preaching words 1 Cor. 2 1. To preach in an vnknowne tongue or a stile that passeth the capacity of the auditory 1 Cor. 14. 19 28. To preach of enuy vaine-glory or couetou●●esse 1 Thes 2. 5. 6. Phil. 1. 15 16. To runne before hee is sent and crastily to creepe in vnawares Ier. 23. 21. Iude 4. To teach lyes in hypocrisie and doctrines of deuils and not to bring the doctrine of Christ and God in him 2 Tim. 4 1 2 3. 2 Ioh. 9 10. To daw be with vntempered morter to prophesie visions of peace when there is no peace To be women-Prophets to sew pillowes to all armeholes with lyes to make the heart of the righteous sad whom God hath not made sad and to strengthen the hands of the wicked by promising him life the misapplying and vnskilfull diuiding of the word of God and true doctrine Ezek. 13. 14 16 18 22. To be as a dumbe dogge that cannot barke or will not barke or hunts vp and downe for his couetousnesse but wa●cheth not for soules Esa 56. 10 11. Phil. 2. 21. Heb. 13. 17. Against preaching in the hearer it is sinfull To despise prophecying 1 Thes 5 20. Not to receiue Christs Ministers nor beleeue their report Esa 5. 3 1 Mat. 10 14 15. To put it from them Act. 13 46. this is to iudge our selues vnworthy of euerlasting lif● To gainesay contradict and blaspheme Rom. 10 21 Act. 13 45. To loue the Minister the lesse by how much the more hee loueth them and can spend and be spent for them and to reckon him their enemy because hee tels them the truth 2 Cor. 12. 15. Gal. 4. 16. To haue itching eares that will indure sound doctrine but after their lusts to heape to themselues teachers 2 Tim. 4 3 4. To withstand the passage of the Gospell and enuy the spread●ng of it and to forbid preaching 1 Thes 2 16 Act. 13 8 17 5. To receiue to house or bid God speed to him that bringeth not with him the doctrine of Christ 2 Ioh. 10. To neglect or forsake the assemblies of Christians Heb. 2. 3 10 26. Against hearing he offendeth hearing That taketh not heed how he heareth Mark 4 24. To this duty is required speciall preparation That receiueth the word as into the high way or into stony ground or among thorne● Math. 13 3 to 8. which is expounded in verse 18 to 23. See the place That he●reth but is forget●ull and doth not practise which is the best art of memory Mat. 7 26. Iam. 1 23 24. That marreth his taste with enuy malice guile hypocrisies euill-speakings and bringeth not the desires of a babe new-borne 1 Pet. 2 1 2. That humbleth not himselfe at Gods feet to receiue his words laying aside all superfluity of naughtinesse and receiuing it with meekenesse Iam. 1 21. Against prayer in the Holy Prayer Ghost and so he sinneth That neglecteth the priuiledge purchased by Christ who ●y his bloud hath opened the ●oly of holies and made way to the Father Heb. 10 22. That asketh and wauereth ●am 1 6. That asketh to spend on his lusts Iam. 4 3. That in asking is weary and faint not pressing with holy importunity and perseuerance Luc. 18. 1 2 3 4. That prayeth but not all manner of prayer nor watcheth thereto Ephes 6. 18. That is not much in asking till his ioy be full Ioh. 16 24. Against Baptisme and so hee Baptisme sinneth That is ignorant of the Father Sonne and holy Ghost of their loue grace and Communion into whose name hee was Baptised That beleeueth not the operation of God in that Sacrament Rom. 4. 11. That resteth in the outward washing without the answer of a good conscience 1 Pet. 3. 18. That liueth in sinne Rom. 6. 2 3. The Lords Supper Against the Lords Supper and so he offendeth That examineth not himself nor iudgeth himselfe before hee come 1 Cor 11. 28 31. That discouereth o● hath any pride against the poore Saints despising them not t●rrying for them or any way breaking fellowship and communion ● Cor. 11. 20 21 22 23. This is not to eate the Lords Supper That discerneth not the Lords body 1 Cor. 11. 29. through ignorance or otherwise That neglecteth to receiue as oft as he may 1 Cor. 11 26. That commeth to the communion and goeth to masse or hath any fellowship with Idole worship 1 Cor. 10. 21. 22. That come together for the worse and not for the better 1 Cor. 11. 17. That eateth with leauen in his vessell 1 Cor. 5 7. That come one hungry and another full 1 Cor. 11. 21. 34. That keepeth not a solemne faithfull and feeling remembrance of Christ and his death for him Luke 22. 19. 1 Cor. 11. 25. Against all of them it is a All. sinne For the man in the Assemblies to haue his ordinary cou●ring on his head 1 Cor. 11. 4. For the woman in the assemblies to be without a couering and to goe in her haire 1 Cor. 11. 5 6. 7. These are the sinnes against Christs ordinances Seuenthly against his spirit it is sinnefull His spirit To grieue the spirit Ephes 4. 34. To quench it in the motions

what once we were Tit. 3. 2 3. That walketh not wisely to them that are without Col. 4. 5. That walketh scandalously or offensiuely 1 Cor. 10. 32. That neglecteth those things that in their eyes are winning and may adorne his profession Tit. 2. 10. 1 Pet. 3. 2. That neglecteth the study of those things that will preserue the honour of his person Phil 4. 8. Thus for our obedience in 3 Rules about thy hope which we abide with God as Christians Moreouer in asmuch as in our calling to be Christians our new birth entitleth vs to the inheritance of heauen when wee dye so that the Lord knoweth all such for no lesse then his sons and heires in Christ all the dayes of their life That the Christian may abide with God hee must bee rightly ordered about his hope And here 1 Thou must study the promises Psal 119. 49. 16. 9. 10. that concerne the glory of heauen and the resurrection of thy body at the last day for hope is of good things to come which God hath promised and faith beleeued Behold then the saluation promised and pray that the Lord would open the eyes of thy vnderstanding to see the hope of thy calling Eph. 1 18. so shall thy hope of glory cause exceeding ioyes and admired patience in greatest miseries when thou shalt vpon wise computation conclude that the sufferi●gs of this present time are not worthy to bee compared with the glory that shall be reuealed in vs Rom. 8 18. I le giue you but a few places for taste for the glory of the resurrection 1 Cor. 15 42 43. Phil. 3 21 for the glory of heauen Ioh. 15. 24. Psal 16 11. 1 Ioh. 3. 2. 2 Doe all diligence to the full assurance of hope vnto the end Heb. 6 11. in the labours of loue ministring to the Saints out of that loue wee beare to Christs name verse 10. and in setting before vs the faith patience and good works of those which now inherite the promise of heauen verse 12. The ground of a liuely and good hope is Christ in vs Col. 1 27. and wee may be assured our hope abuseth vs not if it presse vs to purifie our selues as Christ is pure 1 Ioh. 3 3. Desiring further conformity to his image with and through whom we are heires of glory and if it leaue vs more humble in our selues and more diligent in the vse of the meanes of grace 3 Forme in thee frequent meditations of heauen the loue of Christs appearing and the patient waiting for his comming To these the Lord direct all our hearts 2 Thes 3 4. In this manner abide with God all thy life mourning for thy failings and pressing on towards the marke for the price of the high calling of God in Christ Iesus §. XXIX The order of our liues in the seuerall changes of our fading condition NOw for the seuerall changes To abide with God of thy mortall condition the Apostles rule in generall is Therein abide with God as 1 In thy wealth 1 Remember that thou neither 1 In wealth ascribe to thy selfe the power to get riches but acknowledge them to come from God nor forget God in thy abundance that therewith thou shouldest make prouision to fulfill the lusts of the flesh but that thou serue the Lord with more gladnesse and cheerefulnesse of heart for the abundance of things thou possessest nor yet trust in thy riches but in the liuing God who giueth richly all things to enioy and seeing the vanity and danger of riches and the vncertainty of thy life be humbled in thy selfe and carry low thoughts and diuorced affections in the midst of thy welfare It is vsuall with rich men to be swolne with pride to thinke themselues the happiest vnder Sunne to reckon they are in Gods fauour because they prosper in the world and to award all reproofes in the ministery and checkes of their consciences and thoughts of examination of their estate with God with the view of their large possessions and full bags but that prosperity is a curse which thus affecteth vs Let the brother of high degree reioyce in that hee is made low Deut. 8. 11. 12. 18. 28. 47. Hos 2. 8. Iam. 1. 10. Take h●ed of pride and carnall confidence 2 See that thy heart be not set on them thou maist not loue them for the loue of money is the roote of all euill but possesse the things of this world as if thou possessedst them not Psal 62. 10. 1 Cor. 7. 29. 30. Thou maiest both buy and possesse but not forget that thy abiding city is aboue nor set vp thy rest in these momentany things Psal 49. 11 So to doe were couetousnesse and doth proue vs vnder the power of folly as was that foole in the Gospell that said to his soule Soule thou hast goods laid vp for many a yeere eate drinke and bee merry Luk. 12. 19. 20. 3 Make you friends of the mammon of iniquity that when ye faile they may receiue you into euerlasting habitations Luk. 16. 9. How is this done Be rich in good workes ready to distribute willing to communicate this is to lay vp in store for our selues a good foundation against the time to come that wee may lay hold on eternall life 1 Tim. 6. 18 19. Againe buy the truth and sell it not Pro 23. 23. Aduantage thy spirituall estate hereby That dwelling is not well situated that wants the water-courses and riuers of diuine Scripture flowing by it this is the riuer that maketh glad the city of God Psal 1. 3. 46. 4. 2 In afflictions of any sort 1 Pray and cast out perplexed 2 ●● afflictions cares role them on God who careth for thee The name of the Lord called vpon is a strong tower the righteous flee to it and are safe Psal 50. 15 55 22. 1 Pet. 5. 7. Pro. 18. 10. And in There is a voice in euery worke of God whereby God speaketh to man thy prayer 1. desire to know the meaning of the rod and to heare Gods voice sp●aking in it Iob 34. 31. 32. Surely it is meet to bee said vnto God I haue borne chastifement I will not offend any more that which I see not ●each thou me if I haue done iniquity I will doe no more Mic. 6. 9. The Prophet teacheth that in euery affliction the Lords voyce cryeth to vs so that our wisedome is to see his name and to heare the rod and who hath appointed it 2. Aske wisedome how to behaue thy selfe vnder it Iam. 1. 5. 2 Beare it with patience and subm●ssion taking in good part the Lords chastisement Leu. 26. 41. 1 Pet. 5 6. Humble thy selfe vnder the mighty hand of God that hee may ex●lt thee in due time and that patience may haue her perfect worke in thee watch against ●re●ting at God or man Psal 37 1 7 8 39 9. ●ea●inesse vnder the chastising hand Pro. 3 11. the lifting vp of