1. A Good Book is to be read, or heard with great At­tention.

2. A wicked Man is the Devils Looking-glasse, wherein he sees his own Image reflected.

3. The greatest Favours have been shewn to the Saints most humbled.

4. The Absence of God is the De­sire of the Wicked here, and the Curse of the Damned hereafter.

5. Good Motions to the Reprobate are as Sparks to the Water, soon quenched.

6. Graces must be still evermore tried and repaired, 2 Tim. 1.6. 2 Cor. 13.5.

7. Those that let their Virtues decay without Fear, shall die without Fa­vour, Ezek. 33.12, 13.

8. Some men are in bondage to Sin, and some to Opinion, both are under Vassalage.

9. The weight of Cares and Plea­sures clogges the Soul; the weight of Afflictions presses the Mind.

10. Those that are old in Know­ledge should be old in Gravity and Sobriety. See 1 Cor. 13.11.

11. The chief cause of the Wick­edness of Youth, is want of timely and prudent Correction, Prov. 13.24. & 19.18. & 23.13, 14.

12. Many are discontent at their estates, because they see their own Discommodities, not others, Psal. 37.1, 16.

13. A Christians Care in all Com­panies should be either to do good, or receive good, Gal. 6.10. Heb. 13.16.

14. The causes of distraction in Prayer, is, because our Mindes are at other times too much estranged from God.

15. We should observe where we profit most in Conference, and there often to Visit, Mal. 3.16.

16. The Remembrance of Death will beat down High-mindednesse and Earthly-mindednesse, Psal. 39.5. Psal. 49 6, 7, &c.

17. We should labour to get Hea­venly Wisdome, and having gotten it, well to imploy it, Prov. 4.5. with Luk. 12.48.

18. The Truth of Grace mani­festly appears by the growth of Grace, Isa. 22.3. Phil. 1.6.

19. Let us labour for Conscience: for the Devil hath great Knowledge and Science: Therefore called Daemon.

20. We should first be Good, and then we should labour to do Good like God himself. Psal. 119.68.

21. Worldly Men desire Worldly Comfort; but the truly Religious de­sire Spiritual comfort, Psal. 4▪ 6, 7.

22. Private Prayer is a note of Sincerity, if it be done sincerely, from a sincere Heart, Prov. 15.8, 29. Prov. 21.27.

23. Known Hypocrites be hated of God and Man; of Man, for ma­king a shew, of God for having but a shew.

24 The World cannot abide Zeal, and God rejects Luke-warmness, Rev. 3.16. Let us consider, which to fol­low, 1 King. 18.21.

25. Every Accusation is not a Condemnation, as in Job, Daniel, Christ, &c.

26. A Man must be convicted by Law, before he be put from the Sacra­ment.

27. Many Professors have fallen; but an humble Man I never heard of to be an Apostate. See Prov. 28.14. 1 Cor. 10.12.

28. We carry corruption about us the best of us; therefore we should be content to bear any Crosse, or Trou­ble, Micah 7.9,

29. Those that have been grievous Sinners, need grievously to lament and mourn for Sin, that they may a­void grievous Yellings in Hell.

30. Death is unwelcome to the un­godly rich man: Hope, Wealth, Soul and All goes.

31. Wicked men lightly esteem God and his Word and People: Good men basely esteem the Profits and Pleasures of this Life, which the Worldling makes his God.

32. If we cannot do what good we would, let us do what good we can, Gen. 4.7. 2 Cor. 8.12. and Chap. 9. ver. 7.

33. Envy goes beyond Covetous­ness, as we see in Herodias.

34. All this Life is our seeds-time, the Day of Judgment is the Har­vest.

35. They that most mind God are most godly: See Psal. 1.1, 2. Psal. 10.4. Ps. 119.97. & 164 verses.

36 Sin, which is a Pastime to a Fool, makes a good Man groan and grieve, and cry, O wretch that I am! Rom. 7.

37. Some cry out against Pureness, because they love Profaneness; and some cry out against Profaneness, be­cause they love Pureness.

38. Either God will have our whole Hearts, or else the Devil.

39. The World and our Corrupti­ons are the Devils Harbingers to take up as much of our Hearts as they can for Him.

40. Idle Books are as Scrapps to be thrown to the Doggs; good Books are as Meat for the Children.

41. There is a Necessity of being mocked, for either we shall be mock­ed of the World for Holiness, or of God for Wickedness, Eccles. 11.9.

42. The poorest Believer is better guarded then the greatest Monarch; for they have the Protection of An­gels, Heb. 1. last.

43. God promises Remission to them that repent for Sin; but pro­mises not Repentance to them that continue in Sin, Ezek. 33.11. Isa. 55.7.

44. We must use the pure Means with pure Hearts, if we mean to grow.

45. The heavy Burthen of Re­pentance is not to be laid on the shoulders of weak, feeble Old Age.

46. At Death the Soules of the godly go to the Lord, and their Bo­dies with good Report to the Grave: as for the Wicked it is not so with them: See Psal. 1.4, &c.

47. The using Wealth and Plea­sures moderately is lawful: but to set our Hearts and Love upon them is un­lawful, Prov. 30.8. Eccles. 3.12, 13. 1 Joh. 2.15.

48. To some God stands at the Door and knocks; but to some, He opens the Heart, as of Lydia, Act. 16.

49. We are apt to be deceived; therefore 'tis often said, Be not deceiv­ed, Gal. 6. Deut. 11.16. Eph. 5.5, 6, &c. James 1.26.

50. Thieves at the Gallowes pray, and read, and sing Psalmes, exhort O­thers, and speak good Words; if they should do so at Liberty, some would call them Puritans.

51. If we have Christ, we have all things; if we have not Christ, we are Usurpers of all things, 1 Cor. 3.

52. Conference with those that are run into Errour, is dangerous; Their words fret as a Canker, 2 Tim. 2.17, 18.

53. Those that love the Truth, shall be preserved from Errour, 2 Thes. 2.10, 11, 12, &c.

54. The Rain falls from the Moun­tains, and makes fruitful the Valleys; so Grace rests not on the proud, but on the humble, 1 Pet. 5.5.

55. A covetous Worldling is like a sumpter-Horse, that at Night has the Burthen of the Treasure taken away, and is left with a gall'd Back.

56. We are all Sinners; but there is a Difference of Sinners, some are repentant, some unrepentant Sinners; some Sinners shall be saved, some damned.

57. If we can find our selves chan­ged throughout, it will be a Consolati­on to us all our Dayes, let the worst that can, befall us.

58. Mortified Christians, are somewhat rare Creatures.

59. Many pray by Heart, but not with the Heart.

60. Some wicked men say to God, depart from us (Job 21.) God meets with them and saith, depart from me ye cursed, Mat. 25.

61. The breaking of Vowes and Covenants with God is fearful, be­cause God regards not such, Heb. 8.9. again, God hath no pleasure in them, Eccl. 5.4. see Aph. 404, &c.

62. Let us remember our Vowes in Baptisme, and the vowes we have made in our Troubles, Psal. 50.14, 15, 23.

63. Many bewail their Losses, but there was never any Loss to be com­pared to the Loss of Gods Image, which Adam had, but lost it, and all our Care should be to repair it.

64. The Image of God is Know­ledge, Col. 3.10. Righteousness and true Holinesse (or the Holinesse of Truth) Eph. 4.24.

65. He that hath the Lord for his Portion shall be sure never to be un­done.

66. So long as the faithful are in their wayes, and in the compasse of their callings, they have the protecti­on of Angels, Psal. 91.

67. The first Adam fell by Eating. Gen. 3. The second Adam over­came by Fasting, Mat. 4.

68. We ought to be earnest with God to give us his Spirit; He hath made a Promise to those that pray, Luke 11.13. This Spirit will lead us into all Truth; John 16.13.

69. He that hath found sweetness in God, will leave his sweet sins.

70. This 70 is the Age of Man, Psal. 90. His Infancy, like a Dream; his Youth, like a Phrensie; his Man­hood and Middle-Age, Labour and Misery; his Age, Weakness; and his End, Sorrow.

71. Our Life is a Moment, 2 Cor. 4.17. our Dayes few and evil, Gen. 47.9. Therefore to remember our Ends, and beware of Pride and Cove­tousnesse. See Aph. 16.

72. There is no Knowledge, nor Invention in the Grave, Ecclesiast. 9.10. And what man liveth and shall not see Death? Psalm. 89.48.

73. He that hungers earnestly for Grace, doth but meanly esteem the World.

74. We ought to arm our selves, as for the Death of Friends, so for the Falshood of them; both will grieve us.

75. Many set light by Death, for­getting Hell, that followes Death; we need not fear the Prison, if we can escape the Execution.

76. Good Motions must go with Endeavours; when they are brought to Actions give God all the glory.

77. We must first be good, and then we shall do good, see Aph. 20.

78. 'Tis better to fall into an In­conveniency then a Mischief; to suf­fer some Loss, rather then to sin.

79. Some men wonder at Others for being so expert in the Scripture, when they scarce once a Week themselves read a Chapter in the Scripture.

80. If we meet with a true-hearted Nathan, or angry Shimei, we shall hear of our Faults.

81. The onely way to stop scanda­lous and clamorous peoples mouths, is to carry our selves uprightly and virtuously.

82. Malice and Anger makes some reveal that, which Love and Friend­ship made them keep secret.

83. Where there is no Preaching, the People are very rude and barba­rous, Prov. 29.18. with Jer. 8.9. and Mal. 2.7.

84. Some find no Comfort in their Lives, because they want Soundnesse in their Hearts; their Conscience will not let them have these outward Comforts, and their Covetousnesse keeps them from inward Com­forts.

85. We can never suffer for that which we do not love. See Church-Incense.

86. We may try our Affections, whether they are good, or bad by this, if we are more apt to pray, read, heaer, &c. then our Anger, Joy, Sor­row and Care is good: else away with these Affections, fight against them.

87. An heavenly Affection and an heavenly Conversation make a man fit for Salvation.

88. He that commits his weightiest Affairs to God, by humble, fervent Prayer is very like to speed, or else the more patiently to bear his Cross.

89. The Preservation of a wicked man is but a Reservation, unless he repent.

90. There is as much Difference between a sound Christian and a meer Worldling, as there is between a glass of cold water, and a glass of A­qua vitae.

91. There is nothing so sure as God and his Promises.

92. The cause of Distraction in Prayer is because our Mindes at other times are too much estranged from God: the remedy is to walk more closely with God in Affection, then shall we pray with less Distraction.

93. It is necessary to bid one ano­ther Take heed.

94. If two men walk in a Room, they see no Motes, except the Sun do shine and then they espy many; so be­fore the Holy Ghost do shine into our Hearts we see not our sinfulness and manifold Corruptions.

95. Pride and Wantonness, Envy and Covetousness, are four Diseases in a carnal mans Eyes.

96. Some men are feasted, and made much of a little before they are de­stroyed, as Haman, Amnon, Belshaz­zar, &c.

97. The way to get Compassion is deeply to meditate on the Distresses of Others, and go to visit them.

98. Some cry out of shew, yet come short of Hypocrites that have shew: these both want soundness.

99. The Reason that there is such a general Coldness in Religion is, be­cause there is so little holy Confer­ence.

100. Humility lets other Graces into our soul: take away Humility and farewel all Life of Grace.

101. The Thoughts of our blessed God do surmount other Thoughts, as God Himself surmounts other Things.

102. This Life is miserable: the godly see their spiritual Miseries; wicked men see onely bodily Miseries.

103. A through Change in Heart and Life, and Fruitfulnesse in Grace gives a good Evidence of Sincerity.

104. When we meditate of Hea­ven, let us stay and rest our Thoughts there, being loath to let them sink to Earth again.

105. Our Hearts should be so set upon God, that we should break through All impediments to come unto Him.

106. It is better to obey doubtfully, then to disobey doubtfully.

107. We hate Punishment, because it is contrary to our Nature; but love Sin, which is contrary to Gods Na­ture; by this we may try our selves, whether we love best, God, or our selves.

108. Spiritual Pride causes the Lord to withhold his Graces from us.

109 Ministers are to be reverenced in the Hearts of men for their Holiness, not for their Silks, nor Titles, nor great Livings.

110. The best Man in the Parish, is not the richese Man, but the holiest Man.

111. We are to put difference between Reproofs to amend and Re­proaches to shame.

112. The Conscience of a wicked Worldling, we know not how it pricks Him, no more then we do the Shoe that wrings his Foot, or the Tingling in the Ear, which none but a mans Self hears.

113. He that makes haste to be Holy, hath an holy Hastiness.

114. Tis a matter of Commenda­tion, to have Knowledge and Specu­lation: 'tis a matter concerns Salva­tion to have good Conscience and Conversation.

115. God reserves his Consolati­ons till we need them; as we keep Aqua vitae.

116. We can hardly speak of God [...] Essence, unlesse we name some of his Properties also (as holy, great, good blessed, &c.)

117. The World is a very dan­gerous Enemy, it makes of a Profes­sor a Demas; nay, a Judas, if it con­quer.

118. The godly are jealous of Themselves, and suffer Others to try them: the ungodly do neither.

119. Then are our Prayers good, when we begin begging in the sense of our Wants, and end in finding Gods Mercy.

120. To pray and hope for; to love and long for the Appearing of Christ, is the Property of a Saint.

121. Ignorance of God is accom­panied with Unthankfulnesse: how can he be truly thankful, that knows not God?

122. We are to labour to have a share in Gods Mercy; then All His Attributes are for us, else they are a­gainst us.

123. Love endeavours to enjoy the thing beloved: here is Comfort, if once we can find God loves us (there will be Enjoyment.)

124. Often Prayer with God, and seldom company with wicked men is the onely way to thrive.

125. The strong are to pray for the weak, that they fail not; the weak are to pray for the strong, that they fall not.

126. The Justice of God takes place, when his Mercy is abused.

127. Some men act the part of two men, in profane Company they would not be thought to be religious; in religious Company, they would not be thought to be profane.

128. Virtue stands between two Extremes.

129. Hypocrites have no Appro­bation of themselves for want of Sincerity: nor of others because of Inconstancy, for they break out One time, or Other.

130. There is Mercy to be shewed both in Giving and Forgiving. (and for Giving)

131. There is a Love of Mercy of God to us, and a Love of Duty of us to Him.

1 [...]2. Wrangling Persons are of­fensive to whomsoever they jar with­all; to the learned they are a Grief, to the ignorant a Snare, to the indif­ferent a Trouble of Conscience.

133. A good Affection makes a good Construction.

134. We must love bad men with a love of good will, wishing their good: we must love good men with a love of Approbation, approving their Courses, and desiring their Company.

135. When men look on Eternity, then they begin to be wise.

136. 'Tis the Property of Love to descend, rather then to ascend.

137. There is Knowledge in the Brain, but saving Knowledge is joyned with Care and Conscience; for example, most know Gods Name should not be taken in vain; but few know this with Care and Con­science.

138. Inward Sincerity, and out­ward Integrity must go together.

139. If we read the Scripture without distinctions, we do as they that walk in the dark, they know not whether they go: for example, God hears not Sinners, John 9. We must distinguish Sinners, penitent and im­penitent; and so in divers Other things.

140. We are to take Counsel, lest we neglecting it do smart.

141. The Children of God have more joy then Worldlings, Psal. 4.3. last.

142. The invisible God hath an in­visible secret Curse for the Wicked, and an invisible secret blessing for the Godly, which we see not with the Eye.

143. Ʋnfeigned Thankfulness is the Property of a Saint, Psal. 145.10.

144. God hath given us Under­standing and Affections; to help these he gives Instruction and Exhor­tation: Instruction breeds cleer Un­derstanding, Exhortation breeds good Affections.

145. Learning lives, and Virtue shines Folly beggs, and Ignorance pines.

146. Christs Word should dwell in us richly, in all wisdom. In some 'tis scanty, in others 'tis not in wis­dom, though they have variety of Scriptures in their mouths.

147. To abstain from grosse Sinns, to live civilly, to have the shew of Holiness will not serve, except we have the power of Godliness.

148. He that makes the barren Woman a joyful Mother of Children, can make our barren Hearts fruitful in Graces.

149. We are as Meat in Summer: If it hath not Salt, it will stink: so unless we have Grace, we shall stink before God.

150 We are commanded to be Students; and all our Study must be for Quietness here, and for eternal rest hereafter: ponder 2 Thes. 4.11. Heb. 4.11.

151. When we come to meditate we should first pray to God to tie up Sathan, and inable us to minde the onely thing which we are about.

152. Reverend Preachers have the tongue of the Learned, Isa. 50. We should go to such to resolve our Doubts. Pride or Ignorance causes the Neglect of this.

153. When we see Others of our Rank go before us in Grace, we must think they have been more earnest in Prayer then we have been.

154. Recreation to our Labour should be moderate, like Salt unto our Meat.

155. A miserable thing for a man to outlive his Happiness: A Wicked man at the End of this Life, all his Happiness is gone.

156. Our Faith must be examined by our Consolation and Sanctifica­tion.

157. The tallest Trees have their Roots deepest in the Earth; and the greatest men have most earthly Mindes.

158. The Grasse-hopper in the Storm flies to the Hedge for Succour, but when the Sun shines, hopps away; so do many in Adversity flee to the Lord, but in Prosperity run from Him.

159. Set your hearts on your way, Hagg. 1.5. We must like Travellers keep our selves in the right way, and mind it. Set your hearts on your way.

160. It must be Death, or Villany, that makes me cast off an old Friend.

161. The ancient Patriarks not affecting gorgeous Buildings were contented to dwell in Tents, Heb. 11.9, 10. See ch. 13.14.

162. Our whole Life should be a Life of Faith, 2 Cor. 5, 7. Gal. 2.20. 1 Pet. 1.5. Hab. 2.4. The Just shall live by Faith.

163. Faith overcomes all Difficul­ties in Gods service, viz. That may hinder our Obedience, Gen. 12.1. to 6. Jos. 6.6. Judg. 7.7. Luk. 5.4, 5.

164. Outward Worship the Devil may have; but I desire to worship God in Spirit and Truth, as Joh. 4.34.

165. Our God a consuming Fire: Our God, our good and merciful God, a consuming Fire to the wicked, 2 Cor. 1.3. Heb. 10.31. and ch. 12. ult.

166. He that now mokes the Child of God, shall one Day be made a laughing-stock to God, Men and Angels, if unrepentant.

167. When once we have felt the power of godliness, the Sabbath will not be a burthen to us.

168. When I have sinned, I find my self troubled in Mind: Blessed be God for this Trouble, I were miserable without it.

169. When publick means fail, we must be more earnest in using private; as Barge-men labour with Oares, when the Wind serves not the Sail.

170. In this World are good men and bad. In Heaven all good, in Hell all bad.

171. Goods be so called, not that they make a man good, but in regard that he may do good with them.

172. We sin oftenest in Company and at Meats; Lord, let thy Grace assist me when I have most need of thy help.

173. Onely by Pride comes Con­tention, I will labour for Humility, so shall I have much Peace and Qui­etness.

174. God is wonderful in All his works; but the common Ʋse and Sight of them makes us forget Ad­miration

175. Worldly men like Spunges, all their Life-time receiving in goods, at Death All wrung out.

176. I am still employed about my Trade, but Lord teach me the Trade of my Way, the Way of thy Sta­tutes.

177. They that reject the Word of the Lord have no wisdom; they then that embrace Gods Word, are truly-wise.

178. The way to an holy Life is not to go from the Company of Men: but by labouring to be a new Man.

179. Adams Estate was not so good as a regenerate mans Estate: for he has a Mediatour, which Adam had not.

180. We bid our Children not come neer the Brink of the River; we our Selves should avoid the Occa­sions of Sin.

181. Psal. 55.21. Because they have no Changes, therefore they fear not God. This makes their Prosperi­ty their ruine.

182. In evil Company I am brought to consider Sathans Malice in those where he rules; and Gods Mer­cy in drawing Me from a natural E­state.

183. I have a thousand things to grieve for, a thousand things to re­joyce in. For my Life is spent in the Entercourse of these two.

184. I see many men have good civil Parts; but are unsavoury for want of true Grace.

185. The Devil believes, because he feels: Wicked men will not be­lieve till they feel.

186. Those that fight a single Combate are contrary to Christ: Christ died to save mens Lives; these live to take away mens Lives.

187. The Baptizing of Children, the holy Trinity, the Catholick Church, the Sabbath of the New Testament, with many other things, be proved by Consequence; not ex­pressed directly in Syllables.

188. The way to get honor, is to honor God, but most men take a con­trary Course.

189. The forgetfulnesse of Gods Presence, the main cause of all Sin and Wickedness: the Perswasion of Gods Presence, the Ground of true Holiness and Obedience.

190. When I consider Gods Mer­cies: when I consider my Sins: I say, 'Tis thy Goodness, I am no destroyed:

191. Christ is Alpha and Omega: Be not like the worldling to make him Omega only: but let him be to thee Alpha: begin all things in his Name.

192. In the things of this World we chose the best: So we should in Spirituals: The best God, the best Book, the best Company, the best Knowledg: herein we are Wise, or Fools in our Choice.

193. In Prayer we must have a Feeling of our wants and Earnestness: Earnestness makes our Prayer availe­able.

194. A man may be banisht from good Books, and good company: but never from private Prayer.

195. Envy is Contrary to Charity: it weeps at others Prosperity, and re­joyces at others Adversity.

196. Jer. 6.16. Enquire for the old way: not the old Religion of cur­sed Antichrist, but the way of the Pa­triarchs, Prophets, and Apostles, the way of Holiness.

197. Job 22.30. The innocent de­liver the Island: but the wicked pull down Gods judgments with violence. Add Strength O Lord to our zeal, Prayers, and Holiness of Life.

198. I have been unconstant in good things, but He that is Jehovah and changes not, can make me like Himself.

199. To him that hath, shall be given. Lord, give me true Grace, though at first it be little, I know it will not long be so.

200. The Afflictions of the God­ly are but for a Time: light, momen­tary, ending at Death: But the wick­ed shall be tormented beyond Time. Their misery begins at Death.

201. Judas his Repentance was not true; for it was worldly sorrow in the Apprehension of Justice, with­out Hatred of sin, or desire to glorifie God; I desire all the contrary.

202. Many mock at Professors and in Disgrace call them men of the Spi­rit. These are far from Grace: for if any man have not the spirit of Christ the same is none of his, Rom. 8.

203.

204. Restraint from Liberty is grievous to our Nature; we should therefore be thankful for our Liber­ty, pity those in Bonds, and remem­ber them in our Prayers, &c. Heb. 13.3.

205. David used Study, Prayer, Conference, All good Means, which made him a good Man; so should we do if we would be men after Gods own Heart.

206. The consideration of Gods Power is an help in Misery: And they that depend thereon shall have a bles­sed Issue. So Abraham.

207. Mortification is not in restrain­ing Grace, nor in Contemplation, nor in hard usage of the Body: but in subduing self will.

208. They that fight a single Com­bate are both murtherers: He that is killed in affection, the other in action; the one goes to Hell speedily, the o­ther goes after, without unfeigned Repentance.

209. To look up to God for assistance in all good Duties, and to give God all the Glory, when they are performed, is the part of a sound Christian.

210. Private Prayer, a note of a true Christian: few Hipocrites open their Corruptions to God: fewer pray ear­nestly and heartily against Hypocrisie.

211. The same Ends that make Hy­pocrites profess Christ: the same Ends shall make them fall from their Pro­fession. Whatsoever I have, Lord give it me in Truth.

212. They that mind earthly things their End is Damnation; What care ought I to have of my Mind and Thoughts, that the World choke not the good seed of Gods Word?

213. While I have time, I will do all the good possibly I can: for I am not sure of to morrow. Lord make me wise to Salvation. Teach me so to num­ber my Dayes, that I may apply my Heart unto Wisdome.

214. Dartings of Satan are with­out our Inclination, and without Pre­meditation.

215. A lazy Jade would rather have a foul Stable, then a fair Way. And sometimes a better Horse too.

216. Many bewail their Losses, but never any Loss to be compared to the Loss of Gods Image; which Adam had, but lost by Sin.

217. All our Care should be to repair Gods Image, tis Knowledge Coll. 3.10. Righteousnesse and true Holiness, Eph. 4.24.

218. We see divers good Men of divers Opinions; tis because in A­dam we lost our knowledge, and the best know but in part.

219. Whetting makes the Knife hot, bright, and sharp: and Exercise makes a Christian amiable, zealous and serviceable.

220 That is a good Religion, whose Foundation is true Humility; whose Building up, is in Sincerity, and whose Conclusion is with Perseve­rance.

221. Many times we fail of our in­tended choice: as we say, The grey Mare is the better Horse.

222. If we cannot fit our wives to our mindes, we must fit our mindes to our wives, 1 Cor. 13. lat. end.

223. Sound Faith is Applying, Gal. 2.20. Justifying, Rom. 5. Sancti­fying, Act. 26 Saving, Eph. 2.

224. We should labour for hea­venly knowledge, because 1. The things we learn are excellent, 2. They are holy and pure. 3. We are natural­ly blind and ignorant.

225. Three great Comforts to the godly in Trouble 1. Nothing is with­out Gods Providence, Mat. 6. and Chap. 10. Again, God will lay no more on then he will enable us to bear, 1 Cor. 10. and All shall work for the best, Rom. 8.

226. There are four helps against hard Censuring of others, and five to preserve our Neighbours good Name.

227. (1.) To pass by Infirmities, as God himself doth,, Mic. 7. (2.) To do as we would be done by. Mat. 7, (3) To look on the good in them, which we are about to conceive or sprak evil of. (4.) To stand for a mans Innocency behind his Back. (5.) And to consture things doubtful Charita­bly.

228. Three ways to get a good Name. (1.) To seek Gods Glory. (2.) To avoid Sin: and (3.) Not to Censure others unjustlie.

229. Our Exercise in Trouble is (1.) To walk by Faith. 2 Cor. 5. (2.) To Pray for Comfort. Psal. 51. (3) To re­member the Dayes of Old. Psal. 77. And (4.) To wait on God. Psal. 123. Psal. 130.

230. In holy Conference, (1.) Our Corruptions are mortified, (2.) Our Graces encreased, (3.) Our Affections enflamed, (4) Our Prayers furthered, (5.) Our union strengthened (6.) Our Purpose of godly Life sweetned.

231. The Providence of God is, (1.) His taking notice of all things. (2.) His upholding all things. (3.) His disposing all things.

232. True Christians differ from O­thers, (3.) In their Priviledges. (4.) In their Rewards:

233. Carnal joy is like Lighten­ing four ways, (1.) 'Tis but a flash. (2.) It blasts our Graces, (3.) A Darkness follows it. (4.) After it runs an Horrour like Thunder.

234. Godly resolutions are (1.) con­ditional, as if God gave Grace, &c. (2.) They proceed from Love. (3.) They are Sincere and Lasting.

235. There are four ends marre a good work when, 'tis done; 1. For Vain-glory. 2. For Merit. 3. For Feaer onely. 4. For hope of Worldly Reward: we may super-add 5. when tis repented of.

236. By Six Reasons it appears there is a God, and by seven Argu­ments Atheisme is damned for ever.

237. 1. By the Conscience in Man. 2. By the Devotion in Man. 3. By Gods glorious works. 4. By Gods fearful judgments. 5. By Gods numberless and precious Mercies. 6. By the due and timely accomplishment of the Prophesies: and 7. By the Consent of all men well in their wits.

238. In the Spiritual Combate observe we, (1) The Certainty of the On-set, (2.) The Power of the Foe, (3.) Our own weakness. (4.) The Danger if overcome. (5.) Gods Ayd, (6) our Assurance of Conquest, (7.) The Reward of Perseverance.

239. Outward things not over-ea­gerly to be sought: (1.) Often-times 'tis hard to get them, (2.) 'Tis as hard to be content with them. (3.) 'Tis uncertain we shall keep them, (4.) 'Tis sure we shall be ta­ken from them.

240. (I may superadd: they are by care a Burthen to our Minds: a Snare to our souls, hindring us from better things: Our greater store makes our Grief the Greater at Parting: And we have the more to be accountable for.)

241. We are to rejoyce at the Conversion of rich men; because, 1. They may shelter Others, 2. They may read, hear, and study more, and get Knowledg to do good, 3. Their Ex­ample may draw Others to love and embrace Religion.

242. A three fold Rule for good Works; they must be done. 1. In Faith, Rom. 14.23. 2. In Upright­ness of Heart, 1 Sam. 12.24. 3. Aiming at Gods Glory, 1 Cor. 10.31.

243. Natural men are dead in four Respects, 1. Bound as Lazarus. Job. 11.44. 2. Without spiritual Motion, 3. Insensible of their Sins, or Gods Wrath, 4. Stinking: So be Wicked men in the Eyes of God and the godly.

244. God hears not his Childrens Prayers immediately, that they may be seven times the better by their Affli­ctions, as Gold by the Fire.

245. 1. To try their Faith [...]d Patience, 2. To make them more humble, 3. More earnest in Prayer. 4. More weaned from the World. 5. More fellow-feeling of Others Grief. 6. To esteem his Grace more, 7. To give Him the more Glory.

246. Our Preparation for CHRIST stands in four things, 1. Watching. 2. Believing, 3. Repenting, 4. Di­ligence.

247. We ought to serve God upon a three. fold Obligation; for he hath 1. Created us, 2. Redeemed us. 3. Preserved us.

248. We ought to serve God upon a four fold Advantage. 'Tis 1. Ho­nourable, 2. Profitable, 3. Com­fortable at Death: and 4. Easie▪ Mat 11. last.

249. Without the Fear of God we cannot serve Him: The Fear of God is to depart from Evil, and to do Good.

250. Three marks of true Fear. (1.) It is clean: Psalm 119. (2.) It springs from Love, (3.) It makes us eschew secret Sin, like Joseph, who had Privacy, Importunity, and Opportu­nity. Gen. 39.

251. God often takes from his Children that which is their Chiefe joy; but Faith will overcome natural Affections.

252. The Examples of the Saints are three-fold. (1.) Extraordinary. as Phineas and Elias. (2.) Sinful, as their failings, (3.) Good, as in ho­ly Duties; in these last onely, they are imitable, 1 Cor. 11.1.

253. The fals of the Saints teach us, 1. No man is without Sin, 2. We must with them repent of Sin, 3. We must be Watchful, because they fell. 4. We must be Merciful, as our Hea­venly Father, to forgive them that of­fend us.

254. Examples do shew us, that Godliness is no Novelty, 2. No Im­possibility.

255. Pleasures must be used for God, viz. 1. To fit us for our gene­ral or particular Calling, 2. To raise our minds higher, 3. To fit us to leave this World, seeing its Vani­ty.

256. We should Catechize Chil­dren, because, 1. Without a Foun­dation, no Building can be raised.

257. 2. That they may be able to give a Reason of their Faith.

258. 3. That they may be fit to pr [...]fit by Sermons after-ward.

259. 4. God sets down the Man­ner of a Catechisme, Heb. 6.2, 3.

260 5. If we do not teach them Gods Catechisme: The Devil will teach them his to be sure.

Apocrypha is not canonical Scripture upon a Various account.

261. The End of Malachy speaks of John the Baptist, and Matthew next of all speaks of him, Mal. 4.5. Mat. 3.1. & ch. 11.14.

262. The Apocrypha is erro [...] Tobit 6. The Devil is said [...] [...] ­ven away with Smelling: The sto­ry of Judith is fabulous, Eccl. 46.13. Samuel prophecyed after his Death.

263. The Apocrypha is impious; the Book of Machabees commends a man for killing Himself.

264. 'Tis mendacious and tels lyes▪ In the Song of the three Children, the Flame ascended fourty nine Cubies: And in the story of Susanna, Daniel is termed a young Child.

265. The Church of God hath not received them for Canonical: though Antichrist hath to uphold his Filthi­ness.

[...] Devil has five notable devices.

266. If he can, he labours to keep us in Ignorance.

267. If he fail therein, he will keep us from Practice.

268. If he fail therein, he will keep us from Reverence, and make us pre­sumptuous.

269. If he fail therein, he will keep us from Cheerfulness.

270. If he fail therein, he will keep us from Perseverance, that we may fall short of our Work, and our Wages.

271. Many hope well: yet would be non-plust; if any should ask them, What Ground have you for your Hope?

272. Hope is taken three wayes. 1. For the Object of Hope, 2. For the Grace of Hope, 3. For the Ground of Hope.

273. Three sorts have no Hope: 1. Those in a natural Estate. 2. Those which are Hypocrites. 3. Presumptuous Sinners.

274. Four sorts have Hope. 1. Those who rely on God, though Means fail, 2. Who will not use Ʋnlawful means, 3. Who rest on God in the use of means, 4. That leave the things present for Hope of things future.

275. Means to get Hope are, 1. To repent of our Sins, 2. To acquaint our selves with Scripture, Rom. 15.4. 3. To look to former Experience. 4. To Pray to the God of Hope.

276. Effectual Prayer must be thus. 1. We must not regard Wickedness. 2. We must be true Worshippers. 3. Feele our Wants, 4. Be Fervent. 5. Pray in Christs Name, 6. With zeal for Gods Glory. Psal. 79.7. Be Merciful to the Poor, and hear their Cry.

277. God will hear his Children. 1. Because of his Goodness, 2. Be­cause of his Promises, 3. Because all Flesh shall come to him, Psal. 65.

278. God hears, 1. Our Prayers. 2. Our Desires, 3. Our Meaning. 4. Our Miseries, 5. Others for us. 6. Us for Others, 7. Christ for all.

279. The way to grow in Grace is. 1. To use the pure Means, 2. With a pure Heart, 3. Ʋnweariedly.

280. A man thinks his Jesting a wit­ty Ornament; but God accounts it foolish and uncomly, Eph. 5.

281. I see in some Wicked Swearers the Tyranny of Sin: I thank God for freeing me not only from Hell, but al­so from the Cruelty and Dominion of Sin.

282 After I have Prayed, me thinks God saith; According to thy Faith, be it unto thee. I therefore labour to be­lieve, that God will grant what I de­sire; nay, more then I can ask or think upon.

283. Oh! That I could alwayes have an humble Soul, Then God would dwell with me (yea in me) and I should be capable of Grace, and content with any thing: I should be Wise, Gracious, Peaceable, Gentle, Ho­ly, Heavenly-Minded. LORD, give me humility, and then I shall sin­cerely serve THEE.

284. The Charriots of Israel, and the Hors-men thereof, are the Faith­ful, whose Prayers and Tears prevail more then Weapons of War. There­fore an Ancient sayes; Better is one Saint Praying, then twenty Souldiers fighting. Job sayes the innocent shall deliver the Iland: How much then is every Nation beholding to the godly, that live amongst them?

285. Some hear much, reform no­things: Profess Religion, but deny the Power thereof. LORD, give me Soundness, that I may walk uprightly before thee, though with much Hard­ness: I know I shall not want Op­position: the Devil, my Corruption, and the Scoff of the Wicked. Yet I de­sire Courage and Resolution: for thy Yoak is easie, and thy Burthen Light unto him that has thine holy Spirit. Mat. 11. last.

286. I have lost and forgot many sweet Meditations for want of Wri­ting: I therefore will hence-forth Write them for fear of Forgetting: I will Write them for the good of O­thers: But LORD write THOU them in my Heart, by the Blessed Spi­rit, that I may have Good of them my self.

287. As I walked through the Corn-Field, I considered thy Bounty of God towards Man; the great In­crease God gives: and I was made mind­ful of the Resurrection: Our Bodies must first Dye before they quicken.

288. Some thinking to come by Ri­ches a more speedy way then God hath appointed, come to lose their Lives; and some thinking to come to Heaven a more easie and broad way then God hath appointed, lose their Souls.

289 Moses lift the Serpent in the Wilderness, that the Israelites being stung might look up to it and be cured: Moses was therein (as in other things) an Instrument of their temporal good as well as spiritual; so should the godly be to each other, mutual Helps for this Life, as well as for a better.

290: There were Serpents in the Wilderness even amongst Gods Isra­el: Are there Serpents, biting Serpents even in Gods Church? I will not look to live at case; I will labour to be Watchful. He that flies from our Church to Amsterdam, be­cause we have Corruptions, is like one in Gravesend-Barge, who because there is swearing, fil [...]hy talk, and idle Songs, he leapes into the Thames: Every regenerate man has Remain­ders of Sin; so, no doubt, shall e­very Reformed CHURCH; till that time come, that no unclean thing shall [Page 64] enter. Let me enjoy the Means; be sorry for things amiss; and pray for what I cannot help.

291. Singing Psalms is a Duty of every Christian, because it stirs up zeal, is a Part of Gods Worship: I will therefore make Conscience of this Duty, which Christ himself pra­ctised: If through Forgetfulness or Lumpishness I omit it, yet I will not mock at Others that do it.

292. We must Sing with Grace, exercising the Graces of God wrought in our heart; we must shew the de­sires of our Hearts, and Remember Gods Benefits: Our Songs must be Spiritual, such as are penned by the Holy Spirit, such as are for our spiri­tual good, such as will make us more spiritual; we cannot but be more spi­ritual, if we use to sing Psalms a­right, we must sing to God with Re­verence [Page]of His Presence, which under­standing, and aiming at Gods Glory.

293. I have run into an Errour for want of taking heed; having been told of my Errour, I have been taught what to eschew another time: Quae nocent, docent: Those things that hurt me shall instruct me; One fault shall prevent Another, not fore-run Ano­ther; so I shall grow the better for my Failings.

294. When I come in the Coun­trie, and hear the Faults of Citizens spoken of, or any where hear the Faults of professors mentioned, then I learn what to eschew; I would glad­ly deal by Religion, as men by their Wares, Perswade men to it.

295. I find when I err in Judgment, or am loose in Speech, or seem to countenance profaneness in Company, [Page 66]the Bites of my Conscience drives me to Humiliation, my Humiliation breeds Peace; I gain by my Sins; but shall I therefore Sin? God forbid. I may not do evil, that good may come of it. I desire to make a good use of my Sins past, that they may prevent Sins to come.

296. I have oft discoursed with them that had good Knowledg in the works of Nature, as also of Curious Arts: This I do not discommend, I would I could come near them: But there is One thing Necessary, which I have a longing desire to Know, which is JE­SUS CHRIST and Him Crucified.

297. Gods Gifts be without Repen­tance. Whom He loves he loves to the End. If once I have Assurance He doth favour me, I may be sure He will not utterly at any time forsake me.

298. The coming of Christ, a­mong the Secrets of God, more ne­cessarily Concealed, then Revealed: For the godly are the better prepared; but the wicked will not take warning, though an Angel should warn them from Heaven.

299. I expect after my Health, Sick­ness; after Sickness, Death; [...]fter Death, Judgment: My only Desire is, to give the LORD all my Heart in Health, that H [...] may be my Comfort in Sickness, my Life in Death, and my Saviour at the time of my Account.

300. LORD, Teach me to number my Dayes.

LORD, Teach me to number my Sins.

LORD, Teach me to number thy Mercies.

LORD, Teach me to number thy Judgments.

LORD, Teach me to number thy Promises.

The First shall teach me Wisdome.

The Second shall teach me Humili­ [...].

The Third shall teach me Thank­ [...]lness.

The Fourth shall teach me Fear.

The Fifth shall teach me Hope.