SOME Necessary and Importa [...] CONSIDERATIO [...]S, (TO BE Consider'd of by all sorts of People) Taken out of (That late Worthy and Renowned Judge) Sir. MATTHEW HALE's WRITINGS : And therein His own Experience of the Inward, and Invisible Guidance of the Spirit of GOD.
The Righteous shall be had in Everlasting Remembrance.
The Ninth Edition.
LONDON: Printed by John How, in Ram-Head-Inn-Yard, in Fenchurch-street, 1697. And are Freely given away by I. P.
Mr. Baxter's Character of Judge Hale.
SIR Matthew Hale, That Ʋnwearied Student; That Prudent Man; That Solid Philosopher; That Famous Lawyer; That PILLAR and BASIS of JUSTICE; (who would not have done an Ʋnjust Act, for any Worldly Price, or Motive) That Godly, Serious, Practical Christian, The Lover of Goodness and all Good Men.—That great Contemner of the Riches, Pomp, and Vanity of the World; Who, while He fled from the Honour that persu'd Him, was yet made Lord Chief Justice of the Kings-Bench, after His being long Lord Chief Baron of the Exchequer; Living and Dying—with the most Ʋniversal Love, and Honour, and Praise, that ever did any English Subject in this Age, or any that just History doth acquaint us with, &c.
JUdge Hale was a Person well Known, yet Unknown; a Publick, yet Hidden Man; which State, was, and is, as yet, known but to few.
He that Reads this Little Book, in a Serious, and Weighty Mind, may, as in a Glass, plainly see how it is betwixt GOD and his own Soul.
What Man is he that Feareth the LORD? Him shall HE Teach in the way that HE shall chuse.
SOME Necessary and Important CONSIDERATIONS, [...]
The following is taken out of The Great Audit. With the Account of The Good Steward.
As Touching my Conscience.
I Have been very diligent to keep my Conscience Clean, to Incourage It in the Vicegerency that THOU, [the great LORD of the World] hast given It over my Soul and Actions. I have kept It in the Throne and greatest Reverence and Authority in my Heart.
In Actions to be Done or Omitted, I have always Advised with It, and taken Its Advise; I have neither Stifled, nor Forced, nor Bribed It; but gave It a free Liberty to Advise and Speak out, and a free Subjection of my Will, Purposes, and Actions to It.
If, through Importunity of Temptations, &c. I have at any time done Amiss, I have not taken Her up short, or stopped Her Mouth, or my own Attention to Her Chiding and Reproof; but I have, with much Submission of Mind, born Her Chastisement, and improved it to an Humbling of my self before THEE for my Failings; for I looked upon Her as Acting [Page 4]by THY Authority, for THY Service, and to THY Glory; and I durst not Discourage, Discountenance, or Disobey Her.
When She was Pleased, and gave me Good Words I was Glad; for I esteemed Her as a Glass that represented to my Soul the Favour or Displeasure of GOD Himself, and how HE stood affected towards me.
I have more Trembled under the Fear of a Seared or Discouraged Conscience, than under the Fear of a Sharp or Scrupulous Conscience? because I always accounted the Latter, tho' more Troublesome, yet more Safe.
I have been very jealous, either of Wounding, or Grieving, or Discouraging, or Deadning my Conscience. I have therefore chosen rather to forbear that which seemed but Indifferent, lest there should be some-what in it that might be Unlawful; and would rather Gratifie my Conscience, with being too Scrupulous, than Displease, Disquiet, or Flat It, by being too Venturous: I have still chosen rather to Forbear what might be Probably Lawful, than to Do that which might be Possibly Unlawful; because I could not Err in the Former, I might in the Latter.
I have been careful to advise Impartially with my Conscience before my Actions; But lest I had commited any thing Amiss, either in the Nature or Manner of the Action, I commonly, every Night, brought my Actions of the Day past, before the Judicatory of my Conscience, and left Her to a Free and Impartial Censure of them; and [Page]what She Sentenced Well Done, I with [...] returned the Praise thereof to THY [...] She Sentenced Done Amiss, I did humbly [...] THEE for Pardon, and for Grace to [...] from the like Miscarriages. By this [...] my Conscience Active, Renewed, and [...] my Peace with THEE, and learned Vig [...]ce and Caution for the Time to come.
Touching THY Creatures.
I have not only looked upon THY Blessings and Bounty, in Lending me THY own Creatures for my Use; but I have sought unto THEE for a Blessing upon them, in my Use of them. I did very well observe, That there is by my Sin a Curse in the very Creatures that I receive, unless THY Blessing fetch it out; an Emptiness in them, unless THY Goodness fill them: Tho' THOU shouldest give me Quails and Manna from Heaven, yet without THY Blessing upon them, they would become Rottenness and Putrifaction to me; and therefore I ever begg'd THY Blessing upon THY Blessings, as well as the Blessings themselves; and attributed the Good I Found, or was to Expect in them, to the Same HAND that Gave them.
I received and used THY Creatures, as committed to me under a Trust, and as a Steward and Accomptant for them; and therefore I was always careful to use them according to those Limits, and in order for those Ends, for which THOU didst commit them to me: 1 st. With Temperance and Moderation; I did not use THY Creatures to Luxury and Excess, to make Provision for my [Page 6]Lusts, with vain Glory or Ostentation, but for the convenient Support of the Exigencies of my Natu [...]e and Condition; and if at any time THY Goodness did indulge me an Use of them for Delight, as well as Necessity, I did it but Rarely and Watchfully; I looked not upon the Wine, when it gave its colour in the Cup; nor gave my self over either to Excess or Curiosity in Meats or Drinks; I checked my Self therein, as being in THY Presence, and still remembred I had THY Creatures under an Accompt; and was ever careful to avoid Excess or Intemperance, because every Excessive Cup and Meal was in danger to leave me some-what in Super, and Arear to my LORD. 2 dly. With Mercy and Compassion to the Creatures themselves, which THOU hast put under my Power and Disposal. When I considered the Admirable Powers of Life and Sense which I saw in the Birds and Beasts, and that all the Men in the World could not give the like Being to any thing, nor restore that Life and Sense which is once Taken from them; When I considered how Innocently and Harmlesly the Fowls, and Fish, and Sheep, and Oxen take their Food, that THOU, the LORD of All, hast given them, I have been apt to think that surely THOU didst intend a more Innocent kind of Food to Man, than such as must be taken with such Detriment to those Living parts of THY Creation; and although THY wonderful Goodness hath so much Indulged to Man-kind, as to give up the Lives of these Creatures for the Food of Man by THY express Commission, yet I still do, and ever did think, that there was a Justice due from Man, [Page]even to these Sensible Creatures, that he [...] them Sparingly, for Necessity, and not for [...]; or if for Delight, yet not for Luxury: [...] apt to think, That if there were any [...] use of Creatures for Delight or [...] be of Fruits, or such other Delicacies [...] be had without the loss of Life; But how [...]r it be, this very Consideration hath made me very Sparing and Careful, not Vainly, or Superfluously, or Unnecessarily, or Prodigally, to take away the Life of THY Creatures for Feasting and Excess. And the very same Consideration hath always gone a long with me, in reference to the Labour of THY Creatures. I have ever thought that there was a certain degree of Justice due from Man to the Creatures, as from Man to Man; and that an excessive, immoderate, unseasonable Use of the Creatures Labour, is an Injustice for which he must Accompt.
To deny Domestical Creatures their convenient Food; to exact that Labour from them that they are not able to perform; to use Extremity or Cruelty towards them, is a breach of that Trust, under which the Dominion of the Creatures was committed to us, and a breach of that Justice that is due from Men to them; and therefore I have always esteemed it as part of my Duty, and it hath been always my Practice, to be Merciful to my Beasts; and upon the same Account I have ever esteemed it a breach of Trust, and have accordingly declined any Cruelty to any of THY Creatures; and as much as I might, prevented it in others, as a Tyranny, inconsistent with the Trust and Stewardship that THOU hast committed to me. I [Page 8]have abhorred those Sports that consist in the Torturing of the Creatures; and if either Noxious Creatures must be Destroyed, or Creatures for Food must be Taken, it hath been my Practice to do it in that manner, that may be with the least Torture or Cruelty to the Creature; and I have still thought it an Unlawful thing to Destroy those Creatures for Recreation-sake, that either were not Hurtful when they Lived, or are not Profitable when they are Killed; ever remembering that tho THOU hast given us a Dominion over THY Creatures; yet it is under a Law of Justice, Prudence, and Moderation; otherwise we should become Tyrants, not Lords, over THY Creatures; and therefore those things of this nature, that others have practised as Recreations, I have avoided as Sins.
Touching my Body.
My Body, which was given to Serve, and Obey, became the Empress, and Commanded, and Corrupted my Soul; Embased and Enslav'd It to Lust and Disorder; and my Soul, which was given to Rule, became but the Slave of my Body: I Consider'd, That if the business was thus carried, my Happiness must be only in this Life; and that when Death seiz'd upon me, I had an Immortal Soul that had lost Her time wholly in this World; and therefore could expect nothing but Vexation and Everlasting Confusion to all Eternity, &c. Upon these, and the like Considerations, I Resolved, and Practic'd Severity over my Body; and refused to Gratify her Intemperate Desires: Deny'd them, kept them in Awe, and under Dissipline; and because [Page]I found that my Lusts grew Unruly, [...] and Curiossity of Meats and Drinks [...] them by Moderate Dyet, and Temperance.
My Table was Sparing to my Self, [...] Plain, my Retinue, and Attendance, [...] Necessary: I chased away my Lusts, with the Con [...]plations of the Presence of GOD, the End of CHRIST's Sufferings, the Certainty, yet Unce [...]ty of Death, the State after Death; and mingled all my Enjoyments, and Desires, with these serious and cleansing Considerations; and I Peremptorily refused to gratify the cravings of an Inordinate, Sensual Appetite; and did resolutely let them know, they should not, might not expect any better dealing from me; and my Practice was accordingly.
Concerning my Wealth.
The more I had, the more was my Care, and the greater the Charge that I had under my Hands, and the more was my Solicitude to be a Faithful Steward of it, to the Honour and Use of my MASTER; but my part was the least that was in it : Indeed I rejoyced in this, that my MASTER esteemed me Faithful, committing the Dispensation thereof to my Trust; but I thought it no more mine, than the Lords Baily, or the Merchants Cash-keeper, thinks his Masters Rents or Mony his.
And therefore thought it would be a breach of my Trust to Consume or Embezil that Wealth in Excessive Superfluities of Meat, Drink or Apparel, or in advancing my Self, or my Posterity, to a massy or huge Acquest.
Touching my Reputation.
Tho' I have loved my Reputation, and have been vigilant not to lose or impair it by my own Default, or Neglect, yet, I have looked upon it as a brittle thing, a thing that the Devil aims to hit in a special manner, a thing that is much in the Power of a False Report, a Mistake, a Mis-apprehension, to wound and hurt; Notwithstanding all my Care, I am at the Mercy of Others, without GOD's wonderful over-ruling Providence. And as my Reputation is the esteem that Others have of me, so that Esteem may be Blemished without my Default. I have therefore always taken this care, not to set my Heart upon my Reputation. I will use all Fidelity and Honesty, and take care it shall not be lost by any Default of mine; and if notwithstanding all this, my Reputation be soiled by Evil or Envious Men or Angels, I will patiently bear it, and content my Self with the Serenity of my own Conscience: Hic murus ahenius esto.
The aforesaid Author in His Book, Of the Nature of True Religion, &c. p. 17. &c.
TRue Religion Teaches and Tutors the Soul to a high Reverence and Veneration of Almighty GOD, a Sincere and Upright Walking, as in the Presence of the Invisible, All-Seeing GOD: It makes a Man truly to Love, to Honour, to Obey HIM, and therefore careful to know what HIS Will is; It renders the Heart highly Thankful to HIM, both as his Creator, Redeemer, and Benefactor: [Page]It makes a Man intirely to [...] on HIM, to seek to HIM for Guidance, [...], and Protection; to Submit to [...] with all Patience, and Resignation of Soul [...] gives the Law not only to his Words and Act [...]s, but to his very Thoughts and Purposes, [...] dares not entertain Thoughts unbecoming [...] Sight and Presence of that GOD, to Whom all our Thoughts are Legible: It teacheth and bringeth a Man to such a deportment both of External and Internal Sobriety, as may be Decent in the Presence of GOD and all HIS Holy Angels: It crusheth, and casts down all Pride and Haughtiness, both in a Mans Heart and Carriage, and gives him an Humble Frame of Soul, and Life, both in the sight of GOD and Men: It Regulates and Governs the Passions of the Mind, and brings them into due Moderation and Frame: It gives a Man a right estimate of this present World, and sets the Heart, and Hopes above it, so that he never Loves it more than it deserves: It makes the Wealth, and the Glory of this World, high Places, and great Preferments, but of a low and little valew to Him; so that He is neither Covetous, nor Ambitious, nor over Solicitous concerning the Advantages of it: It brings a Man to that Frame, that Righteousness, Justice, Honesty, and Fidelity is, as it were, part of His Nature; He can sooner Dye, than Commit, or Purpose that which is Unjust, Dishonest, or Unworthy a Good Man. It makes Him value the Love of GOD, and Peace of Conscience, above all the Wealth, and Honour in the World, and to be very vigilant to keep it inviolably:— [Page 12]He performs all his Duties to GOD in Sincerity and Integrity; and whilst he Lives on Ea [...]th, yet his Conversation, his Hopes, his Treasure, is in Heaven; and he intirely endeavours to Walk sutably to such a Hope: This Man hat [...] the Life of Religion in him, and that Life Acts in him, and will conform his Soul to the Image of his SAVIOUR, and to Walk along with HIM to all Eternity.
Knowledge of GOD, p. 286, 287. GOD hath given to the Sons of Men, in respect of Sensual Things, Objects, not only for Necessity, but Delight; But here is their Misery, as well as their Sin, That they rest not in what GOD Lawfully allows.—And hence it is, that the GOD of Mercy Curses, and that most Justly, HIS own Blessings, unto that Man that thus Perverts the Use of them. Wine Rejoyceth the Heart of Man, as it was given for that end, but when a Man in the Use of it looks no higher, but to Satiate himself, there is a Sting put into it, and it proves a Serpent. Pro. 23. 32.
Touching the Conscience.
Knowledge of GOD. p. 269. COnscience is GOD's Vicegerent in Man, and when Her LORD is Angry, the Conscience will Chide: It is a Glass, wherein a Man may, by Reflection, see the Face of Heaven, and of his own Soul.
If thy Conscience blame thee, tho' never so little, Dispise It not, nor Neglect this Secret Check, [Page]it is a Message from Heaven, that Summo [...] [...] to thy Duty. p. 372.
Certainly the sense of the Love of [...] Not at all, or not Awake, when any [...], commits the least Sin again [...] [...] [...]onscience. p. 297.
The Direction of Conscience, [...] well us'd, is seldom without the Immediat Direction of the very Spirit of GOD, but if the Guidance of that Spirit be Neglected, it will not Return to thy Assistance when thou Pleasest. p. 369.
Contemp. p. 373. There is nothing in the World conduceth more to the Composure and Tranquillity of the Mind, than the Serenity and Clearness of the Conscience; keep but That Safe and Untainted, the Mind will enjoy a Calm and Tranquillity in the midst of all the Storms of the World. And although the Waves beat, and the Sea works, and the Winds blow; the Mind that hath a Quiet and Clear Conscience within, will be as Stable and as Safe from Perturbation as a Rock in the midst of a Tempestuous Sea, and will be a Goshen to, and within, it self, when the rest of the World without, is like an Aegypt for Plagues and Darkness.
Whatever thou dost Hazard, or Lose, keep the Integrity of thy Conscience, both before Troubles come, and under them; it is a Jewel will make thee Rich in the midst of Poverty, a Sun that will give thee Light in the midst of Darkness, a Fortress that will keep thee Safe in the greatest Danger, and that is never to be taken from thee, unless thou thy self Betray it, and Deliver it up.
Judge Hale's Experience of the Inward and Invisible Guidance of the Spirit of GOD.
THOSE that truly fear GOD, have a Secret Guidance [...] a higher Wisdom than what is barely Humane; namely, The Spirit of Truth and Wisdom, that doth Really and Truly, but Secretly, Prevent and Direct them. Any Man that Sincerely and Truly Fears Almighty GOD, relies upon HIM, & calls upon HIM for HIS Guidance and Direction, hath it as Really as a Son hath the Counsel and Direction of his Father. And tho' the Voice be not Audible, nor the Direction always Perceptible, (or Discernable) to Sense; yet it is equally as Real as if a Man heard the Voice saying, This is the Way, walk in it.
And this secret Direction of Almighty GOD, is Principally seen in matters relating to the Good of the Soul; yet it may also be found in the Concerns of this Life, which a good Man, that fears GOD, and begs HIS Direction, shall very often, if not at all times find. Contemp. p. 45.
I can call my own Experience to witness, That even in the External Actions of my whole Life, I was never disappointed of the best Guidance and Direction, when I have, in Humility and Sincerity, implored the Secret Direction, and Guidance, of the Divine Wisdom. p. 323.
Knowledge of GOD, &c. pag. 331. 378. 391. The Observation of the Secret Admonition of the Spirit of GOD in the Heart, as It is an Effectual Means, so It is a Calm and Comfortable Means to Cleanse and Sanctify thy Heart; and the [Page]more It is attended unto, the more [...] Conversant with thy Soul, for thy [...] In the midst of thy Difficulties, It [...] Counsellour: In the midst of thy [...], It will be thy Strength; and a Grace [...] for thee: In the midst of thy Troubles, [...] thy Light, and thy Comforter: Only [...] thou neglect not the Voice of This Spirit, [...] [...]aybe thy Neglect may Quench It, and thou maist never hear that Voice more.
It is impossible for thee to Enjoy That which must make thee Happy, till thou art deeply sensible of thy own Emptiness, and Nothingness; and thy Spirit thereby brought down, and laid in the Dust.—The Spirit of CHRIST is an Humbling Spirit, the more thou hast of It, the more It will Humble thee; and it is a Sign, that either thou hast It not, or that It is yet over-master'd by thy Corruptions, if thy Heart be still Haughty.
Watch, therefore, the Secret Perswasions and Diswasions of the Spirit of GOD; and beware thou Quench It not, nor Grieve It; be sure thou Observe This Voice.—This Wind that blows where It lists, if Shut out, Resisted, or Grieved, may haply never Breath upon thee again, but leave thee to be Hardned in thy Sins: But if Observed, and Obeyed, thou shalt be sure to have It thy Monitor, and Director upon all Occasions. When thou Goest, It will Lead thee, when thou Sleepest, It will Keep thee, and when thou Awakest, It will Talk with thee.
[These are Faithful, Weighty, and True Sayings; Happy are those that Witness them so to be.]