to trifle and be careless in it Lev. 10.3 Mal. 1.8 13 14. Heb. 12.28 29. Acts 20.9 4 Exhort and command them to be at all good exercises yea watch over and look after them Remember the fourth Commandment binds you to look to all within your care and power Man-servant Maid-servant c. If God had no more pity and mercy to the souls of children and servants then many bloody Parents and Masters they must needs swim in the direful Gulph of their sins into utter destruction 5 Repair to the publick places of Worship If you have no Minister in your own Parish go where is the most soul-seaching heart-melting and sinner-rowsing Preaching c. Isa 2.3 Take these Rules with you 1 Throughly weigh these four things 1 Consider I am this day to wait on God the King of Glory and not on man and therefore am I to come with all fear and care what an infinite greatness am I to admire and reverence What rich goodness am I to love and delight in what depths of wisdom to look into what infallible truth to rest upon and believe what a wrath and fiery indignation to tremble at God is glorious in holiness and of pure eyes Isa 6.1 2 3. 2 What a poor worthless worm and wretch am 1 How should I come crawling crouching and trembling to the Throne of Grace What am I but dust and ashes but putrefaction yea a sink of sin Isa 6.5 Job 42.5 6. 3 I have not onely an empty heart void of all good but an envious heart full of all mischief and perversness Rom. 8.7 8. 4 Yet what preparation have I made Have I not spent more time and care to dress my body for the eye of man then to deck my soul for the eye of God Job 11.13 14 15. Psal 10.17 2 As you are going to Gods house 1 If you are alone fill your heart with heavenly Meditations hunger and thirst after the Word 1 Pet. 2.2 Mat. 5.6 Think if God should meet my soul and bless it Oh that he would 2 If you are in company talk of God and his Word but without pride or affectation Or hear others heavenly discourse but if they are such as savour only of Earth and scorn Godliness either reprove or leave them 2 Cor. 6.17 3 As you enter Gods presence really expect his goodness to pass before you See Exod. 33.18 to the end Chap. 34.67 Earnestly look for the light of his Countenance Psal 4.6 Say Lord thou hast promised to be in the midst of thy people Psal 133.3 Matth. 18.20 Bow the Heavens and come down Let thy greatness aw us and thy goodness refresh us By Faith behold God in the highest Heavens surrounded with glorious Saints and Angels and take heed to thy self Eccles 5.1 2. and yet through Christ come with boldness and cry Abba Father Heb. 4.15 16. Chapter 10.19 20 21 22. 4 Make a Covenant with your eyes that they gaze not about to see who is in the Congregation and what Clothes they wear and the like Take heed of a wandering departing heart Matth. 15.8 9. Fix your Eyes on the Minister your Ears on the Word and your heart on God Psal 123.1 2. 5 Be reverend in the gesture of your bodies bow your knees as well as your hearts before the Lord if the place be not convenient for kneeling stand upright 1 Cor. 14.40 6 Whatever Spiritual work you set about do it with all your might and soul Eccles 9.10 Rom. 12.11 As 1 In Prayer while the Minister is confessing and bewailing sin let your hearts even melt bleed and break Joel 2.13 When he begs Mercy let your souls breath and pant after it Psal 42.1 2. When he returns thanks and praise let all that is within you bless Gods holy Name Psal 103.1 2. 2 If Singing let your hearts make melody to the Lord Take heed when your voice is high your heart be not dead flat and low Col. 3.16 Ephes 5.19 3 When the Word is read or preacht mind This is the Word of God 1 Thes 2.13 1 It is his Command and dare I disobey it Oh that my ways were directed Psal 119.4 5. 2 Doth God threaten these Judgments and denounce these curses on sinners And must I not tremble 3 Are these his calls and invitations his rich promises and great love and shall I refuse all Doth God knock at the door of my heart Let the everlasting doors thereof fly open that the King of Glory may come in 4 While the Minister is pronouncing the Blessing post not away a fault too common every where but hope desire and believe it shall come down upon you Psal 133.3 Prov. 8.33 34 35. 5 Take heed afterward that Satan may not steal away the good seed sown that the thorny cares of the world may not choak it Mark 4.14 to 20. Let not the World get into your mouths as soon as the Word is out of the Ministers Some have been sin-sick when they hear a row-sing Sermon when the Word flashes Heil-fire in their faces a little startled but it 's as men are Sea sick vomit up the Word and come ashore to the World and all is well again 6 As soon as you come home beg of God to bless the Word you have heard that it may not be as water spilt on the ground but that your memories may retain it your hearts love and your wills obey it 1 Cor. 3.6 That it may tear rent and fetch blood from your lusts that it may fire your hearts with love to and zeal for God and that love may fill your mouths with good words and your hands with good works Rom. 2.13 7 When you sit down to dinner having begged Gods blessing on the food of Soul and Body Matth. 14.19 1 Eat no more then will fit and enable you comfortably and lively to serve God Luke 21.34 Many fill their bellies so at this time that they are fit only to lay their drowsie heads on the Devils pillow of sloth 2 Talk of Gods Word sitting down and rising up Let your hearts be heavenly and your discourse savoury seasoned with Grace A Table without some good discourse differs little from a manger Isa 5.12 8 After Dinner either repeat the Word heard or read in the Bible or in some other good book and call your own heart and your family to an account for what you have heard Deut. 6.7 8 9. 9 In the time appointed go with your Family to the publick as in the Morning Think not half a day enough for God and your souls 1 If you come to the Congregation before the Minister spend not away the time in idle imaginations or worldly discourse or any vain stories but either meditate on God or his Word or talk heavenly and holily It 's sad to see a Church-yard filled with idle persons to hear nothing but of this or that person and family The great Questions are how Corn was sold the last Market day and what
Corn in such a field and the like Poor barren empty souls have you no better things to employ your heads and tongues about Rather ask What a good Word we heard this day How are we now to provide for Heaven The Devil is so busie in the Church-yard sowing his seed that Gods seed takes little place and rooting in the Church Can you do the Devils work now and the next hour Gods I am perswaded the seasoning of persons hearts with vanity and frothy discourse before Sermon hath been a very great hindrance to the efficacy of the Word and the good of many poor souls 2 Warm your hearts with love to God and delight in the work think not that falling down on your knees at your entrance and tumbling over a few words is a sufficient preparation It 's an harder work then most imagine to fit the soul for God 3 When you are waiting on God take heed of drowsiness deadness or distraction Remember a careless heart a drowsie body dull affections and dead services are not fit for a living God Think Do I pray now as for Heaven hear as one hearing God speaking from Heaven Is my heart such as God may love and delight in It 's to be fear'd many can tell where the windows and seats are broken what spots on the walls and the like better then what the Text Doctrines or Heads of the Sermon were 4 Take heed how you spend the Evening The heart is very apt to be vain after serious Duties If God hath set home any sin shewn you any duty run that over and over in your retired thoughts Psal 1.2 10 When you are about your necessary worldly work as serving your cattel and the like Take heed of carrying a worldly heart into the field Turn all things you see or hear heavenly If your cattel stray think How apt am I to go out of Gods way If you behold the Heavens see therein Gods power and wisdom c. Psal 19.1 Think or talk of the Word Psal 19.7 to 11. 11 Look on all you have done as far short of what God deserves and requires What heavenly fervent zealous prayers doth such a God deserve and such rich mercy call for God is worthy of a better tongue then mine to praise him and a better heart to love him Could I have done all commanded and never so well I were but an unprofitable servant Luke 17.10 What am I then when I come so infinitely far short when every duty is filled up with abundance of sin and fearful failings 12 Rest on nothing you have done for acceptance or salvation but on Christ alone Disown all confidence in your own righteousness and expect all the blessings and promises streaming to you alone in the blood of Christ Phil. 3.8 9. 13 Before you lie down at night look over the days work Search back into every hour and duty of the day Humble your self and be heartily sorrowfull for any miscarriages bless God and be unfeignedly thankful if you have received any good and still look out for more Take the shame of failings to your self and give God the glory of any enlargements 1 Chron. 29 10 11 c. FINIS A Catalogue of some Books Printed for H. Brome at the Gun in Ivy-lane DIodates Notes on the Bible Fol. The New Common-Prayer with choice Cuts in Copper newly engraven suited to all the Feasts and Fasts of the Church of England throughout the year in a Pocket Volume Doctor Sparks's Devotions on all the Festivals of the year in 8 with Cuts The Alliance of Divine Offices exhibiting all the Liturgies of England since the Reformation by Hamon L'Estrange Esq in fol. Justice revived or the whole Office of a Country Justice in 8. The Exact Constable with his Original and Power in the Offices of Church-wardens Overseers of the Poor Surveyors Treasurers and other Officers as they are now established by the Laws and Statutes of the Land both E. Wingate Esq Dr. Browns Sepulchral Urns and Garden of Cyrus in 8. Floddan Field in nine Fits c. Mr. Richard Brome his Royal Exchange The Jovial Crew English More Love-sick Conceit New Exchange Covent Garden Weeded Queen and Concubine All the Songs on the Long Parliament and Rump from 1640. to 1660. the second edition enlarged Songs and other Poems by A. Brome Gent. Mr. Boys Translation on the sixth Book of Virgil. AEneas his Voyage from Troy to Italy an Assay upon the third Book of Virgil in 8 The Pourtraicture of His sacred Majesty King Charles the second from his birth 1630. till this present year 1661. being the whole story of his escape at Worcester his Travels and Troubles Chisul's danger of being almost a Christian in 12. Choice occasional Sermons Mr. Grenfields Sermon in behalf of the Loyal Party Mr. Glovers Assize Serm. His Sermon on Jan. 30. Mr. Stones Sermon at S. Pauls Octob. 20. 1661. against Rebellion Mr. Walwins Sermon on the happy Returnâ— of King Charles the second Eighteen choice Sermons preached by Bishop Usher in Oxford in the time of War in 4. A Treatise of Moderation by Mr. Gaule in 8. S. Boneventures Soliloquies in 4. Speeds Husbandry in 8. The glories and Magnificent Triumphs of the Restitution of King Charles the second shewing his entertainments in Holland and his passage through London and the Country comprising all the Honours done to and conferred by him by James Heath formerly Student of Ch. Ch. in Oxon. The covenant discharged by J. Russel in 4. The compleat Art of Water-drawing in 4. The Harmony of the World in 8. in 3 parts The Temple of Wisdom useful for all persons being a Magical Discourse in 8. both by John Heydon Esq Jews in America by Mr. Thorogood in 4. Blood for Blood in 35 Tragical stories the five last being the sad product of our late Rebellion in 8. A Discourse of all the Imperfections of Women in 8. Mr. Mortons Rule of Life in 8. A Geographical Dictionary of all the Towns and Cities in the world Arithmetical Tables fitted to the capacity of such as are unskilled in the Art of Numbers by H. Walrond Esq in 8. Holy Anthems sung in all Cathedrals and Collegiate Churches in England Schiverius Lexicon Greek and Latine the fourth Edition much enlarged A learned Exposition on the Proverbs Ecclesiastes Canticles and the Major Prophets by John Trapp M. A. The Crams of Comfort The History of the Bib'e The List of the Loyal Party And Case A brief Chronicle of the Turkish War From July to January 1663. Turned out of High-Dutch Together with his Imperial Majesties Reasons for the undertaking of the War and a Map for the better understanding of the Story
A Guide to Heaven FROM THE WORD OR GOOD COUNSEL How to close savingly with CHRIST WITH Some short but serious Questions to ask our hearts every Morning and Evening whether we walk closely with Him And especially Rules for the strict and due observation of the Lords Day Joh. 5.39 Search the Scriptures London Printed by E. C. for H. Brome at the Gún in Ivy lane 1664. To the READER Courteous Reader HAd the Author of these Rules and Enquiries intended them for the Press thou mightest have found them set off with greater advantage to please a curious Pallat but being drawn out only for a plain people they come close to the Conscience in a familiar vulgar stile Read them with care and consideration and you will find every line almost heart-searching Keep this Book alway at your Beds-head and let not a day pass over your head without taking it into your hand and pondering the things in your heart The first Rules are of singular use to bring you unto Christ The Questions to keep you close in your walk with him everyday And the last Rules are to help you especially on Gods Day Never more need of Counsel about our souls The Lord help us to improve all to Gods glory and our own good and comfort Farewel A Guide to Heaven FROM THE WORD OR Good Counsel how to close savingly with Christ c. Twelve Rules to prepare you for closing with Christ 1. WOrk your hearts into a thorow and unseigned belief of the Articles of your Faith Believe certainly and firmly without the least doubt that there is a great and glorious God that Jesus Christ is his only Son and the alone Saviour That the Bible is the true Word of God That undoubtedly there is such a place as Heaven and Hell Heb. 11. 6. 2. Really believe that you carry within your brests precious and immortal souls which must be adjudged by this God to one of those two places there to be for ever and ever Mat. 16.26 c. 3. Assure your selves that the last Sentence will be past according to your well or ill behaving your selves in this life Every man shall be rewarded according to his works 2 Cor. 5.10 Isa 3.10 11. Eccles 8.11 12 13. 4. Account upon it that it 's very difficult to come to that Heaven and that the way to destruction is broad and easie Remember still you have deceitful hearts within you a wicked Devil nigh you and snares and hinderances about and before you Mat. 7.13 14. Luke 13.24 Say my time is short my work is great and my strength is small 5. Certainly believe it that Heaven is so glorious that it 's worth all your care and pains be it never so much and that Hell is so dreadful that you may reasonably fly from it with all diligence earnestness and speed that it 's better you never had been born if you should die in your sins and perish everlastingly what a direful screetch will your soul give if it goes out of your body into unquenchable burnings Heb. 11.14 16 26.1 â—eâ— 1.4.2 Cor. 4.17 18.2 Cor. 5.11 6. Reckon that all the troubles of this world can't make a man going to that Heaven in ways of Righteousness miserable and wretched How sweet will it be to pass though out of a poor tottering Cottage into a glorious Palace Out of a Sea of troubles and dangers into an Haven of Peace Rest and Plenty Nor can all the Riches Honours and Pleasures here make a man going to that Hell happy What a terrible Hell will Hell be to great ones that have spent all their days in pleasure It 's much to change a Palace for the dark silent Grave Jewels and Deckings for worms and rottenness But what is it to have sweet singings turned into bitter howlings Deckt and glittering rooms pleasant walks rich attire delicious fare into dark Dungeons unquenchable lakes of fire and brimstone Mal. 3.15 to 18. Luke 12.16 to 21. 7. Seriously think I may yet get to this Heaven and avoid the fearful plagues and terrours of Hell If I shall come to glory what a God shall I enjoy for ever and ever into what blessed arms and bosome shall I cast my soul and if I should go to Hell at last can I bear up under the weight of Gods vengeance Well yet there is hope Gods heart the door of Grace and the Gate of Heaven yet stand open How would the damned in Hell give thousands of worlds if they had them for my may be Heaven Grace and Christ are offered and dare I refuse all Can I venture the loss of soul and body for ever and ever Heb. 10.30 31. 8. If I miss of glory 't will be mine own fault my damnation will lie at my own door God can clear himself of my blood his profers of grace are free and frequent earnest and real and shall I murder mine own soul Ezek. 18.32 Joh. 5.40 It may be written over my Grave Here is one that destroyed himself that would go to Hell thorow mercies judgments and warnings 9. Debate the case with your soul solemnly What is there in sin that I so much dote on What are my greatest designs and projects in the World Can I dig the pearl of happiness out of this dunghil World Can I get the Houses Lands Honours Friends that I aim at and if I should what are they Certainly conclude the greatest wisdom is to be wise to salvation and my best work is to work it out with fear and trembling lest I lose it Prov. 3.13 14. c. 10. Then search and try your hearts whether you are in the Faith and your hearts sound in Gods Statutes Ask seriously Have I the love that is sincere the Faith that is sound soul-saving and sin-killing and life-reforming Am I sure my face and heart are really set Sion-ward and Heaven-ward 2 Cor. 13.5 To this end Query 1. Did I ever see sin odious black and hellish Defiling and damning Have I seen it in the glass of the Law bloody and killing but in Christs blood exceeding and above me asure sinful Rom. 7.13 2. Do I see in Jesus Christ a beauty and excellency a fulness and all-sufficiency Is he the chiefest of ten thousands altogether lovely in mine eye Can I say Oh! thousand of gold if I had it for an interest in Christs blood that cleansing healing Pea e-speaking blood None but Christ All is but dung that I may win him Phil. 3.7 8. 11. Take it for granted that there is no name under heaven whereby you can be saved but Jesus Christs All grace and mercy for this life and that to come must come to you thorow the channel of Christs blood Acts 16.30 31. Acts 4.10 11 12. Say By sin I have shut Heaven gate and hardned Gods heart against me I have laid my self open to all the wrath of God all the curses inn the Bible and all the torments of Hell and if I could bring all
Cor. 9.24 Oh that a vein of Religion might run thorow all I do this day 11. Whose eyes will be upon me all this day to observe head and heart lip and life Will not God's the Judge of all the earth and dare I sin in his presence dare I so highly affront him to his face Heb. 4.13 Gen. 39.9 12. If I should spend this day in vanity sin and idleness will it not be bitterness and sorrow at night If I spend it holily and profitably shall I not pray with more confidence and lie down with the more peace Will not the testimony of a good conscience be ground of great rejoycing Psal 4.7 8.2 Cor. 1.12 13 How would I have this day represented at the great day of Judgment What words thoughts and actions would I have then brought forth Let mine be such for certainly all must then be laid open 2 Tim 6.11 12 17 18 19 Eccles 11.8 14 How may I this day order my secular business with most wisdom and honesty and for my greater advantage Psal 112.5 15 Am I sit now to pour out my soul to God in Prayer Can I first and chiefest seek the Kingdom of God Mat. 6.33 Psal 5.2 3. Separate your self every Evening from all company and ask your heart these Questions And wherein you have been guilty be heartily sorrowful and beg pardon and wherein God has enabled you to be in any measure faithful bless God and be thankful Every Evening ask these Questions 1 WHat have I done this day for God and his Glory what can I now look back upon with comfort Micah 6.8 2 In what frame hath mine heart been all this day what have I desired most Heavenly or Earthly things Hath my joy been more in God and in hope of glory then in riches honours c Was my grief most for sin or for troubles What have I most suckt comfort from and lived upon Creatures the Cistern or God the Fountain Jer. 2.12 13. Hab. 3.17 18. 3 What were mine aims and ends in what I went about Have I been sincere and exercised a good conscience towards God and Men Did I eat and drink pray and discourse with an eye to Gods glory or ratner did self sit uppermost in all 1 Cor. 10.31.1 Pet. 4.11 4 What spiritual duties have I performed this day Did I regard the manner as well as the matter out of conscience did I do them and not out of custom Did I pray fervently read with care and observation meditate so seriously as thorowly to affect the heart Rom. 12.11 Iam. 5.16 5 How faithful diligent and careful have I been in my Place and Calling Have there been no idle hours in the day Rom. 12.11.1 Tim. 5.13 Prov. 10.4.1 Thess 4.11 6 What have been my company this day What good have I done to them or received from them Did I reprove exhort strengthen encourage comfort or warn as occasion was given and need required Col. 4.6 Heb. 10.24 25. 7 How have I born the troubles and crosses of the day Did I not murmur vex nor sink Did I not entertain hard thoughts of nor utter rash words against God Phil. 4.11 12. 8 What were my temprations this day and what my sins Was I not easily drawn into sin Little over-aw'd or restrained by Gods All-seeing eye merciful heart or revenging hand Was I not soon proud angry c. Did I not long continue in it and have I yet thorowly repented of it What conviction or mercy or warning did I sin against Isa 59.12 13. Jer. 8.6 9 What were my mercies this day and how was my heart under them Was I affected with Gods goodness and unfeignedly thankful and therefore cheerfully fruitful in good works Have I priz'd my health friends and estate c. Eph. 5.20 10 What have I learnt this day What tsmore heart-affecting knowledge have I got of God and his glory of my self and my sins of this world and that to come Phil. 1.9.2 Pet. 3.18 Col. 1.9 10. 11 What of Gods word have I remembred or read repeated or heard this day Was any Scripture sweet and good to my soul What promise did I by Faith make mine own What particular command did in any thing sway and rule me 2 Tim. 3.15 16 17. 12 What graces have I especially exercised Have I lived by Faith loved God with all my heart and soul Denied my self in any thing dear to me for God 2 Pet. 1.6 13 Have I this day lived upon lov'd honour'd and reverenc'd God the Father as my Sun Shield and Portion Have I this day priz'd own'd and made use of Christ as my Saviour Intercessour and Friend As my Root Head and Husband Hath the Holy Ghost been to me a Director or Comforter a Quickner or Confirmer Have I cherisht and not quencht its motions Psal 84.11 14 Have I been affected with the evils of sin or misery of others of Nation Parish and Family of Friends or Foes Have I had a pitiful heart or bountiful hand to any in want Psal 119.136 Jam. 2.15 16. 15 Have I shewn more especial love and pity to those that are of the houshold of Faith how have I honour'd those that fear the Lord Psal 15.4 Psal 16.3 Hath a godly Job or Lazarus though in rags and sores been unto me as an Orient Pearl on a Dunghill Have I not valued men more according to greatness then goodness Gal. 6.10 16 Did the Church of God and interest of Christ lie near my heart this day have I heartily prayed for the welfare of Sion and mourned when its songs are turned into lamentations and its glory into desolation Do I prefer Jerusalem above my chief joy Jer. 19.1 17 Can my Family witness that I have done any good for or to them Can those that best know me speak best for me Have I been good as Husband or Wife Psal 101.2 c. as Parent or Child as Master or Servant Ephes 6.1 c. 18 Have I wrong'd no man in his estate by over-reaching him in his name by slandering or back-biting 1 Thess 4.6 in his soul or body by letting him fall into or live in any sin or trouble have I done to others as I would they should do to me Mat. 7.12 19 Have I forgiven mine enemies rejoyc'd at others mercies and not envied any ones honour riches or friends and coveted them Luke 6.27 to 35. Matth. 6.12 14 15. 20 Am I of a quiet peaceable spirit Have I not quarrel'd and contended with my neighbours Or do I make up breaches and follow peace with all men Do I honour the King and obey Governors for Conscience sake Rom. 12.18 Rom. 13.1 c. 21 Hath my cloathing Been suitable to my place and station Hath my carriage been sober discreet and serious Have I not been vain wanton nor frothy in my discourse or spirit 1 Pet. 3.3 4.2 Tit. 1 c. 22 Have I scorn'd and contemn'd the glory of the world accounting it but dirt for Grace
and dross for Christ 1 Joh. 5.4 5. 23 Have I really set death before me My life as a vapour a shadow if I should die dayly what preparation have I made for it Am I sure but this is my last night If God should shut mine eyes by death how is it like to be with my soul Dare I lie down with the guilt or filth of any one sin Is there any returning from the Grave to amend No certainly 2 Cor. 4.14 16. I Cor. 15.54 c. Prov. 27. 1. 24 Can I tell how great the day of Judgment will be how glorious and terrible And dare I meet Christ coming in flaming fire with ten thousand of my sins to take vengeance Can I hold up my head Are my graces sound and of the right kind All is not gold that glisters Have I this day searcht judg'd and condemn'd my self 1 Cor. 11.31 2 Cor. 5.10 11.2 Thess 1.8.9 10. 25 Do I believe Hell torments dreadful and eternal Its flames unspeakably scorching It s misery endless and easeless And do I not fly from this wrath to come Rev. 14.10 11. 26. Have I ascended in the triumphant Chariot of Faith this day and beheld the new Jerusalem Gods glorious Palace Did I live love think and talk as an Heir of this kingdom Eph. 1.18 19. 27 Have I not in all I have done minded man more then God Have I not minded only the clean-sing the outside Eph. 6.5 6. 28 Dare I lie down this night without praying earnestly to God for the pardon of my sins the blessings of the night and the salvation of my soul Directions for the strict observation of the Lords Day For Preparation 1 ORder all your week business so wisely before hand that you may have no unnecessary work on Gods day that your hands may be as free as possible from worldly work and your heads from worldly cares and thoughts Exod. 20.8 9 10 11. 2 Think seriously What a weighty work am I going about My week-affairs are but Toys and Trifles to this What are Sheep Oxen or Shops to Grace Christ or Heaven Can I be too careful and serious in Gods Work in Soul-salvation work Surely no. How holy should my thoughts be how heavenly my discourse how earnest mine endeavours all the day long Isa 58.13 14. 3 Therefore prepare with all your might search your hearts and lives 1 Chron. 29.1 2.1 Find out what your sins are to confess mourn over and pray against Lam. 3.20.2 What the Mercies are you want for soul or body for your Friends Families and Nation account this a Market day for your souls Rev. 3.17 18.3 What blessings received and what thanks to be returned Psal 116.12 4 Think with your self What good did I get by former yea by the last Sabbath Was my heart then broken or warm'd with love to God and the like What did I then learn and how have I practised it in the Week Have I fully digested by meditation firmly believed and faithfully obeyed the truths were last taught me Isa 1.11 c. 5 Beg earnestly of God that he would help you to sanctifie a Sabbath that this may be the best Sabbath you ever kept That your heart may be more tender humble and heavenly that the out-goings of your soul may be more free strong and fixed and the incomes of Heavenly grace and comfort more abundant that God may reap more glory and you receive more good then ever heretofore That the holy keeping of this Sabbath may be an earnest to you of keeping a never never-ending Sabbath with God in glory To this end pray especially for these four things 1 That God may prepare a suitable word for your soul that the Ministers mouth may be opened and his heart enlarged and his message full of goodness That it may be the pure plain and powerful Word of God Ephes 6.18 19. 2 That God would fill his own Ordinances with his own presence and blessing that he would touch your heart when man speaks to the ear Drop yea stream down h eavenly grace through these Conduit Pipes Isa 48.17 Luke 16.14 3 That you may have the hearing Ear the seeing Eye and the understanding Heart that you may be teachable willing to learn and apt to receive what God delivers Jam. 1.21 22. Psal 110.3 4 That your souls enemies may be kept off at least resisted and kept down That your hearts may not deceive you the Devil divert you nor the World distract or disturb you Having thus in some measure prepared your hearts for the Solemn work of this great Day observe and practice these following directions as ever you hope to have the blessing of the Sabbath 1 As soon as you awake fix your hearts and eyes heaven-ward bless God that you see the light of one day more especially Gods day wherein you may labour to have your sins pardoned and purged and your souls furnisht with grace and so fitted for glory Call the Sabbath your delight Psal 118.23 24 Psal 59.16 2 Beg heartily of God that he would strengthen you by his grace to do what he requires as he would have it done that he would pardon your unpreparation bear with your infirmities accept of your poor services and Crown all with his blessing 2 Chron. 30.18 19 20. 3 That you be fitted for the holy and heavenly work of the day affect your heart with some or all of these Ten following things 1 With the Majesty of that God whom you are to wait upon Psal 95.2 3 c. 2 With the vileness of sin and of your selves because of sin 3 With the sweetness of Christ and the greatness of his Love and Mercie 4 With the excellency of that heavenly work you are going about and the gain of godliness 5 With the vanity of the world and all things therein 6 With the worth and high value of your immortal souls 7 With the rage subtilty and diligence of your souls enemies 8 Especially with the deceitfulness of your own hearts 9 With the Terrour and Torment of Hell 10 With the unspeakable and everlasting glory of Heaven 4 Carefully and conscienciously perform Family Duties Josh 24. 15. 1 See that your Servants and Children of age waste not away the Morning in sleep or idleness 2 Cause them to joyn together in Prayer Reading or any other Godly Exercise Gen. 18.19 3 If you have time you may Catechise them or discourse to them of any of those former Ten things Deut. 6.6 7. 1 Inform your selves and them what a great and glorious Majesty and Master you are to serve Mal. 1.14 2 What a blessed and heavenly work you go about that it's heart work Joh. 4.24 and therefore hard and difficult work and yet that its pleasant and excellent Prov. 3.17 Chap. 8.34 35. Oh the fatness of Gods house and the beauties of holiness 3 What an abundant and unspeakable reward attends the well-doing even life everlasting Rom 6.22 and how fearful a thing it is