of the Law hee corrupt's the minde and spirit both in the enlightning part and the terrifying The former hee abuseth to multiplie the fearful view of sin The later to make terror intolerable Touching his perfecting thus Here hee labors's to hold them under especially by the irksom bondage Oh saith hee faith only is of the Elect and thou art none it 's the free gift of God and hee may denie it as well as grant it Somtimes hec make's it less then it is to puff up up the heart with presumption Or hee hide 's the virtuous savor and strength of the Promise the simplicitie the faithfulness of the Promiser and the offer Touching his Temptations of them that are called thus These concern them either in point of their faith and as touching the former hee tempteth two waies 1. Either about the beeing or the life of Faith 2. Or their Obedience I. About the Beeing Hee take's advantage of the weak setling at the first and by that unrenewedness of nature which oppose's this spiritual grace hee seek's to overthrow them in the holding of their confidence 2. About the life By the small Life of faith hee seek's to destroy the beeing of faith II. In point of their Obedience hee tempt's two waies Either about it Or against it 1. About it thus Hee buffet's them in their comfort therein For whereas it's God's will that hee that walk's uprightly should walk safely and sweetly lo Satan separat's the end from the means An hypocrite separate's the means from the end looking for peace where there is no uprightness But here the stratagem of the Devil is contrarie and therefore either hee hide 's that from his eie which should bee his main comfort in all failings or els take's vantage by that which should bee his humiliation to bee his utter discouragement And although hee cannot rob it of the truth of grace yet hee rob's it of the comfort thereof chuseing to play at any game rather then sit out 2. Against it thus Sundrie waies hee labor 's to bring the soul under sin to renounce a good cours to bee slack remiss loos common prophane unprofitable even by consent And this is his most natural temptation For as hee is exceedingly wicked so it 's little to him that comfort bee stopped except the conscience bee wasted Oh what a May-game was it think wee to see David foiled by Adulterie Noah by Drunkenness Lot by Incest Hezekiah by Pride Peter by Revolt First Hee mark 's his season and time when the heart is most naked unarmed at eas as Absalom and Amnon lying most open and being swept and garnish't which perhaps another time would have been armed jealous and fearful Hee concur's not onely with the corruption of the heart as before but secondly with the constiution and complexion of the spirit of nature in a man Is hee propens to lust to uncleanness to jovialness to ambition Oh saith hee hee is mine I will tempt him with meet baits Thirdly Hee watche's the accommodation of occasions as when excess of chearfulness or of sadness of praises or disgraces of wel-fare and success or defeat or the like and when the spirits are open then is his opportunitie to work the heart to wanton speech to riot to wrath and discontent to swelling pride to ostentation of gifts to the makeing away of a man's self and the like Fourthly Hee will make use of their best Graces and Priviledges all men know you well enough to bee one that make conscience you may do such or such a thing and no man suspect you therefore bee not so nice in trifles defeat an Orphan oppress the fatherless falsifie the trust reposed in you c. Fifthly Somtime of secrecie of time and place who shall ever finde it out Sixthly by fine colors of pretensed meaning So by color of justice my pains have been such and such in business for others why may not I pay my self so and so they beeing never the wiser and perhaps never the wors as the case may stand Seventhly By their falls to drive them to sin for somwhat rather then to bee punished for a little over-shooes over-knees So by comparing themselvs with wors then themselvs to bee bold and presumptuous in libertie-takeing By the oft shunning of sinful occasions to venture beyond their Calling and so bee snared Nay by truthes of God both in examples of the Saints falls why maiest not thou do so and repent and in rules that the best men have their infirmities and therefore why should I bee free III General Lett the World This is a most dangerous Lett it defile's the mindes the wills and courses of men both in doctrine and manners See Eph. 4. 14. Rom. 12. 2. 1 Joh. 2. 16. It both contain's in it all evil and setteth it forth and is it self set on fire by the Devil who is the chapman of it to set the gloss upon them and to vend the wares of it For the first of which see that in John All that is in the world is the lust of the heart lust of the eie pride of life Hee speak's of these not onely as the appetites of bad men but as worldly objects For the second shee is careful not onely to keep in her ware-hous but to lay forth upon the open stall and to set out these wares in the most busie manner that can bee For the third the Devil the god of this World and the lord of this Staple and Common-wealth to whose bank and exchequer all this custom and tribute goe's I mean hell is not wanting both to suppress all means which might mar this mraket of mischief and is at hand to unite to acquaint to accommodate wares to all customers The whole world of evil may bee called either the dead World or liveing World By the Dead world wee understand thus much not onely that the world is dead in sins but this that the world though shee doth not actually speak out yet her very guise doth defile and delude and that in two particulars 1. Examples 2. Errors I. By Examples in these respects 1. By imitateing of them No way to defile and scatter sin so easily as this rules would not so soon do it Inward lust tickle's but examples do much more perfect sin when Ministers Magistrates learned ones ancient ones and the greater part of these bee ring-leaders people subjects simple young easily follow Hence that phrase Rom. 12. 2. Bee not fashioned according to this world the world hath a fashioning qualitie in it and one Ape will follow another 2. By exchangeing them no sooner hath one lick't up a bad example but presently hee relate's it and gain 's thereby If one teach theft another will teach sacriledg As one said of a decaying world Wee are dwarfs and our children will bee gnats so I of the encreasing wee are strong men and the next will bee gyants wee commit it they will bee hardned and naturaliz'd into a custom
reviveing of those truths wee have heard or the administrations of God towards us or others that both minde and heart beeing season'd with the savor thereof wee may bee furthered thereby to dutie 8. Conference is a wise and loveing laying together by two or more of such things as concern the glorie of God and our spiritual edifying for mutual information and quickning Rules concerning Fasting 1. Let us arm our selvs to the chief work which is soul-affliction Let us consider if wee were pined with necessitie of abstinence from meat and drink for any time what a fearful anguish would it bring us unto And is not think wee sin that deserv's it of more afflicting vexing nature Let us aim at it then much more that sin do humble us than any sorrow whatsoever Let us first Mic. 7. 9. bear the indignation of the Lord for our sin for the rest let God alone to plead our caus for what should it help us to berid of all other enemies while our own pride self-love hypocrisie vain-glorie worldliness and hardness of heart still grow at our hearts 2. Applie our selvs to all supports of a Fast which the Lord hath granted to keep us from deadness and weariness the Word I mean fitted to our occasions and the like yet as serving to the main of humiliation and confidence 3. Consider that the Scripture in no one thing afford's us greater consolation and hope than in this For there is scarce one example of a Fast which want's the experience of good success yea extraordinarie like it self as in Esther's Nehemiah's and Ezrae's Israel against Benjamin the Churche's Acts 12. doth appear 4. Considering it must bee no small grace either of mourning or faith which must prevail against those holds either without or within which wee pray against Let us know that our locks had need bee well grown with Sampsons for such a purpose Therefore let none dare to compass this Altar with unpreparedness of heart II. Rules concerning Thanksgiveing 1. Carrie a liveing memorial and catalogue of the chief publick mercies beeing the matter of our thanks and so of our own in particular Remember the great providence of setling the Gospel and banishing Poperie and since that the strange miraculous deliverances not once or twice from forrein enemies home judgments In secret rceord our own our first calling and since that our many staggers and revolts his renued mercies by occasion in our changes of estate in our streights in deep desertions when wee could no more sustein our selvs then if wee had hung in the ayr how hee hath ever been our portion when friends have forsaken us unthankfully and will bee so still our blessings above many in gifts of minde condition and calling graces of soul how God kept us from forsakeing his Covenant in our deepest temptations of Satan and enemies 2. Bee inlarged accordingly with due sympathie both for the Church and thy self rejoiceing with her with and for whom thou hast oft mourned and preferring her peace to thy chief joy Affection is the fire to the Sacrifice and know that psal 50. ult hee that praiseth God honoreth him and the asscent of praises shal bee the descent of blessings and happie is hee who may maintain this entercours with God for the enlargeing of him to more grace III. Rules concerning the Word preached 1. Bee sure thou hast right to the blessing of it the Word cannot build thee except it hath begot thee See 1 Pet. 2. 3. If yee have tasted how gracious the Lord is then com to the Word to grow by it 2. Prize and covet it Prize it as that Word which hath been the seed of immortalitie and glorie unto thee Now if it bee precious it will bee coveted hungred after attended with all heed yea snatch'd with violence as precious things are 1 Pet. 2. 2. Covet and cagerly tug at the Word as the childe at the breast Sleep not wander not gaze not but attend the gates and ports of wisdom and understanding if thou lookest they should preserv thee 3. Com from an holy cours and practice when thou comest to hear com not from thy own cours of wrath world self purge these first 1 Pet. 2. 1. and so com Repent of all old sins of hearing thy trifleings and dallyings with the Word thy base mixtures and com from a good cours and so the Word shall send thee back to it with more strength and grace then thou camest 4. Deny thy self and thine own wisdom partialities prejudices of man of gifts of ordinances 5. Believ God 1. That in his Word this direction to see life is to bee found Joh. 5. 2. That hee can guide his Word peculiarly to do thee good and speak to thy soul though thou bee but one of many hearers 3. Mix the Word with Faith believ it obey it fear it see God true in it in all his promises charges and threats and stand readily to catch that part of it which is thine as the tradesman stand's readie with his mould to catch the molten metall to frame his vessel 4. Depart from hearing as well apaid well fed keep your charge lose it not in the ayr of the world carrie it with you in each part of the world but let nothing rob you of it Take forth a new lesson daily have an ear to hear where God hath a tongue to speak IV. Rules concerning the sacrament of Baptism 1. As it should teach all that bring their infants to baptism to dedicate their children to God by praier so especially let all others recal to minde how the Lord hath been aforehand with them in like sort even hanging his badg upon them when they were cut off and knew it not 2. Let them hold the Lord sure to them in this covenant by this seal as a Corporation would hold their liberties by the King 's Broad Seal And when the Devil fill's thee with doubts about thy conversion the condition of faith the believing in the promise strength to a godly life flie to thy Baptism as thy uttermost assurance and say If the Lord were found of an Infant that could not seek him gave mee his seal that hee would save mee what will hee do now I seek him faithfully When thou lookest upon his Rain-bow in the clouds thou fearest no flood any more but Baptism is better 1 Pet. 3. 18. It 's God's Ark which by water save 's thee from perishing by the waters of Gods wrath Remember that that the Spirit by faith doth as really dip and drench thy soul with his pure water Ezek. 36. 25. to rins away thy guilt blemish and curs of sin and to quicken thee up to the life of the new Creature in righteousness as by his Ministers hand hee dip's thee into and take's thee out of the water V. Rules concerning the Lord's Supper 1. The soul knowing that God doth sustain her by the same whereby hee begat her doth upon this
them duties will give them strength to perform them and make them easie Matth. 11. 30. Priviledges of conversation either concern common life or conditions of men therein Common life as marriage liberties companie solitariness or the like manifold entercourses Conditions of men as their callings wherein God hath set them their places of government or subjection Magistracie or Ministrie their relations in familie or otherwise Parents Masters c. to all which God's people have peculiar promises that God will furnish them with gifts whom hee call's to any function Hee will caus a voice behinde to say This is the Way walk in it Esa 30. And according to the changes and conditions of life which hereafter shall befall the Lord will pick out meet grace and bee the same God to them in all 5. Priviledges of the saints in death they are pretious in death to the Lord Psal 116. Rom. 8. vlt. Nothing shall separate them from God's love That a good life shall bring a good death That they shall die in peace Psal 37. 37. That the day of death is better then the day of life Eccl. 7. 1. 6. Priviledg after death is the greatest of all that eternal fruition of God and all that hee hath prepared for his elect in his own presence things which neither eie hath seen ear heard nor entred into the heart of man to conceiv Vse I. It convinceth and reprooveth all such prophane ones as cannot endure to hear there should bee any admitting of difference between professors of the Gospel one or other What place is there for priviledges if all bee alike Indeed faith purifying the heart taketh away all difference Act. 15. but till then what difference is greater then to have hope and none to swear and to fear an oath Again this convinceth all hypocrites who mutter that God put 's no difference between good and bad in matter of rewards Esay 58. Mal. 3. Matth. 25. they are brought in takeing God for an hard master they fasted but God regarded not they were zealous but it was bootless But O yee hypocrites where is the fault Are God's waies unequal or yours Beware when God make's up his jewels it shall appear whether hee have a discerning eie and to your cost yee shall then know it Vse II. In due time get into this Corporation of God and buy your freedom of heaven Rest not in your outward priviledges of hearing of common faith of the sacraments know it herein God put 's not the chief difference Get the priviledg of these priviledges the marrow of this bone the understanding of the mysterie of Christ and your part in that which the world know's not nor shall it ever bee taken from you Vse III. Of Instruction to the Ministers of God that they preach God's Word with wisdom and putting difference God exclude's none I grant yet hee receiveth none to such priviledges without the condition of faith and the new creature Open not the door of God's priviledges for dogs to enter in at Remember that sweet promise If thou shalt separate to mee the pretious from the vile then thou shalt bee as my mouth Jer. 15. 19. Ezek. 22. 6. Vse IV. Of Exhortation to a double dutie First Consider seriously of these bequests and legacies of Christ unto thee whereof any one might make thee faithful How should that hope of glorie after your toil and travel ended encourage you But especially let not death bee unwelcom as that old man said Thus long have I served God and it irketh mee not to die for I have had a good Master Secondly Let it hearten us to our work to see what good vails wee have better then all the wages of an hireling Priviledges are commonly held by Service Honors are best maintained by loyaltie by labor and diligence Therefore hold our selvs close to our holie conversation and walking with God by such priviledges Vse V. Let all free of God's Companie bee well seen in the enfranchisements and honors contained in this charter of promises and priviledges Bee well versed in this argument When the vilest ride on hors-back and Princes go on foot as lackeys those that swear and prophane the sabbath and maintain mis-rule rule the rost and seem to bee the onely men when enemies to power and sinceritie in all places bear sway wee had need to bee well resolved of it that our Priviledges are peculiar to our selvs and wee would not change portions with them Use of all ARTIC VII The Truth as it is in JESUS require's all Beleevers to bee holy EPh. 4. 23. If yee have learned the Truth as it is in JESVS put off the Old man and put on the New As wee have felt JESUS in the truth of his Reconcilation so let us put on the same Lord JESUS in the truth of Renovation for the one intimate's the other Then wee put on the Lord Jesus when his love is put into and upon our souls to enlarge and widen them to go thorow our conversation with holie resolution Weigh well the scope of the whole Treatise Surely by the way of sin and of the Law to carrie thee to faith in the Lord Jesus that the truth of Jesus may lead thee to an holy conversation This is Christ Jesus the mysterie of Godliness to feel such perswasion of undecaying sweetness such presence of this persuasion of love as might tell thy dearest lusts Rom. 6. 21. What fruit have I had of thee yea make thee stink before them as he said of David that thou might'st bee Christ's servant for ever and that hee might do all thy works pray read meditate hear do suffer obey in thee in his strength walk in all holy conversation Esa 26. 12. Vse II. To this end bee admonished not to rest onely in this that thou hast faith except thou hast also learned the truth of faith as it is in Jesus As thou hast received from the Lord Jesus so walk Remember to stir up the spirit of Christ in thee Vse III. Watch to thy self duly and daily and to this work of Conversation and way that God hath chalked out for thee Do as those Numb 9. 19. who attended the watch of the Lord day and night readie from the least warning of the cloud or the fire from the Tabernacle to remoov and upon the first rest hereof to stand still If God hath once purged thy foul heart and seasoned it for thee keep it so hee did it not without much ado that thou should'st undoo it all at once by thy eas and sloth world pleasure weariness and the like Let the wise Virgins take heed of nodding in this night of the age wee live in let them watch to their work let them see how they grow downward in rooting and setlednes upward in fruitfulness skill eas and experience resolution and full purpose of heart to cleav to God And by so doing wee shall watch to the coming also of our Lord Jesus to