§. 1. Of Humility.

HUmility is a foundation grace: to encrease this grace, com­pare thy self,

With the brute creatures, that have onely sense, yet they keep the Law of their Creation.

With the fallen Angels, that sin only a­gainst Gods power; thou sinnest a­gainst his Grace.

With thy self, What thou shouldest have been if man had not fallen, what thou art now by sin, what thou mightest have been, if thou hadst not neglected thy duty.

With others inferiour in means, superi­our in growth, that have fewer mer­cies, and more thankfulness.

With the Holy Angels, who serve God chearfully, readily, sincerely, fervent­ly, constantly.

With Jesus Christ, Who was meek, and lowly in heart, who for our sakes humbled himself, and was obedient to the death of the Cross; and then thou wilt abhor thy self in dust and ashes.

§. 2. The best Physitian.

• 1. He never leaves any work behind him for others.
• 2. He never undertakes any cure, but he finisheth it.
• 3. He doth all freely, without desert in us, or reward from us.
• 4. There is nothing in him, but hath a healing vertue in it, his eye, his lips, his hand, his blood, his garments, &c.
• 5. He cures Nations as well as Persons.
• [Page 3]6. He cures Death as well as Diseases.
• 7. He alwayes makes his Patients the better, not only after, but by their sickness.

§. 3. Successfull begging.

• 1. To ask in faith, Mark 11.24. that is, believing God is able and willing to bestow good things on us.
• 2. To ask in sincerity, for right ends, Jam. 4.3.
• 3. To ask fervently as Jacob, who wre­stled with God, and prevailed, Gen. 32.28.
• 4. Seasonably, while the door is open, Isa. 55.6. Seek the Lord while he may be found.
• [Page 4]5. Constantly, pray continually, 1 Thes. 5.17. or without ceasing.
• 6. Patiently, Psal. 40.1.

§. 4. The Heavenly care. From Dr. H.

There are five things considerable in that Promise, he careth for you, 1 Pet. 5.7.

• 1. God cares for his people when they think he doth not.
• 2. He so cares for them, as he cares for none else comparatively.
• 3. He cares for them, when none else care for them.
• 4. He cares for them, when those that should care for them neglect them.
• 5. He cares with others to bless their [Page 5] care, and make it successfull.

Q. But must Gods Children cast off all care?

A. No, they must use a care of pru­dence, and providence, a Godly care, but they must take heed of worldly, immoderate, heart-breaking, heart-corroding, distrusting care.

§. 5. The Dutiful Aid.

God hath in wisdome so framed our bodies, that one part cannot say to ano­ther, I have no need of thee. So it is in the Political; and Ecclesiastical body. The Prince cannot say to the Subject, he hath no mind of him; nor the Sub­ject to the Prince, he hath no need of him; for he is the Minister of God to [Page 6] us for good. The like may be said of Ministers, if they need our Temporals, we need their Spirituals. Know there­fore that Superiours need the prayers of Inferiours; because

They resemble God more then others.

They have a greater charge lies up­on them.

They have more tentations standing on higher ground.

They have more influence to do good; they set the lesser wheels in mo­tion.

They commit more faults, and sel­dome sin alone.

They have more opportunities.

They must give a greater account at the last day.

The best assistance that can be given them by Inferiours, is to pray that the special presence of God may be with them. Let inferiours remember these things, and it will keep them from envy, murmuring, ambition, reviling, &c.

§. 6. Of the Love of God.

A True Christian loves God no more with the world to boot, then though he were all alone without the World.

It is God a Christian loves in the crea­ture, and he loves them for God; as the Fisherman loves the fish, for the pearle that is in it.

He that loves not God above all, loves him not at all. Joseph loves his Mistriss, his Master, and God; but when his Mistris's love rose up against his Duty and love to his Master, away he runs, as he would have forsaken his Ma­sters, had it been contrary to God. For a True Christian stands alwayes ready to forgo all for the love of God. True love to God is sincere, supream, univer­sal, constant.

Our obedience to Christ is a sure ground of our love to him. If you love me keep my Commandments, Joh. 14.15.

Or love to Christ is a sign. We are beloved of Christ, 1 Joh. 4.19.

From Christs love to us spring all the blessings of time and eternity.

§. 7. A Dialogue between a Minister and a Christian.

Pray Sir, which is the way to Heaven?

Your ready way lies in the Or­dinances, which is the King of Heavens high-way.

Which are they?

The Ordinances of God are,

1. The Word both read by us, and heard from Ministers.

The Duties here to be observed are, before it Preparation; at it Atten­tion; after it Practise.

2. The Sacraments, and seals of the Co­venant, which are,

• 1. Baptism; the type Circumcision; the duties going before it, Prayer; fol­lowing [Page 9] after, the care of a new life.
• 2. The Lords Supper; the Type, the Pass-over; duties herein, going be­fore, examination; at it, the use of faith to apprehend and apply Christ; after it, a tryal what benefit we have received, an amendment of life, a care to keep our Covenant with God.
• 3. Prayer, the Key of Heaven; the type incense. Duties before it are, search­ing and emptying our hearts; in it, fervency of Spirit, and Faith; after it, care to walk worthy of Mercy, past, present, future.

Take the Spirit for your guide, you cannot miss the way; there be no turn­ings to the right hand or the left: Fol­low your Leader, doubt not. By an un­known Authour.

§. 8. How to preserve Love among Christians.

• 1. Avoid groundless suspitions, and jea­lousies, which will be the break-neck of true Charity.
• [Page 10]2. Keep down thy natural passions; and in fighting with them, be sure to watch the first rise of them, and fight with that that thou knowest the strongest. Passions are an unnatural heat, that prey upon brotherly love and charity.
• 3. Be courteous in thy salutations. This draws out and strengthens love.
• 4. Bear one anothers infirmities.
• 5. Stand for thy Christian friends, when they be spoken against.
• 6. Pray for one another heartily.
• 7. Visit the afflicted in their misery.
• 8. Hold fast to the Truth.
• 9. At some times part with that which is thy right. Do nothing to make any hate thee; suffer something to make them love thee.
• 10. Interpret doubtfull things in the most charitable way.
• 11. Take not all advantages for gaine, or opportunities to rise and get pre­ferment in the world; be contented others should out-shine thee.
• [Page 11]12. Ever remember the three great sup­porters of love; Humility which wins others; Diligence, which helps others; [...]d quietness which pleases others. Be good with quietness, do good with chearfulness, and receive good with thankfulness: This is the way to promote and increase love.

§. 9. The Spiritual Touch-stone.

• 1. Brokenness of heart for, and from all sin.
• 2. Mourning for other mens sins, as Lot, David, Jeremy, Ezra, Nehemiah, Paul, did; This is an argument of great sincerity, for we never read any in Scripture did this but Godly men.
• 3. The grace of self-denyal in the ex­tent of it, to be able to deny natural, worldly, religious self: this is a grace none but a true Christian can attain to.
• [Page 12]4. To love God for himself, not onely because he is our good, but because he is the chief good; not onely to make our Heaven our God, bu [...] [...]o know and believe, God himself is our heaven and happiness.
• 5. To love a child of God, because he is a child of God; and the more emi­nent he is in grace, the more to love him; to love all the Godly as well as some, to love their company, and to take their reproofs kindly, is the di­stinguishing character of a true Saint.
• 6. To advance the Glory of God in thought, word, and deed, and to rejoyce that Christ is magnified, what­ever becomes of us.
• 7. To prize Jesus Christ for himself, as well as his rewards; to prize his King­ly and Propheticall, as well as his Priestly Office, to prize him above all things, and at all times, is a sure note of a child of God.
• 8. Every branch in Christ bringeth forth fruit; every true Saint is a growing, [Page 13] and a fruitfull Saint. A picture of a Child doth not grow, but a living Child doth.
• 9. A true Saint is heavenly-minded; his thoughts, his affections, his hope, joy, desire, his speech, his conversa­tion, are all heavenly.
• 10. A true Saint is careful to redeem his time. Natural men make no conscience of idle thoughts, idle words, and idle time.
• 11. He is known by the Uniformity and universality of his obedience to the will of God, he hath respect to all Gods Commandments; he is holy and honest. A true Christian makes conscience to abstain from the sins of both Tables, and to do the duties of both Tables, that he may keep a conscience void of offence towards God and Man.
• 12. Every true Saint hath a thankfull heart, a thankfull tongue, and a thankfull life.

§. 10. The seven last words of Christ.

The first was a word of mercy for his persecutors.

The second was a word of free-grace to the penitent thief.

The third a word of care and affecti­on for his dear Mother.

The fourth a word of sad complaint.

The fifth, a word of want and distress.

The sixth, a word of triumph and gratulation.

The seventh, a word of perseverance.

§. 11. The order a Christian is to observe in his walking every day: with an answer to objections, and encouragement to set about it.

1. In the morning awake with God, Psal. 139.18. (i. e.) season thy mind with awful and thankful thoughts of Gods morning and evening mercies, and lift up thy heart in some short mental prayer to God, that he would help thee to renew thy resolution to walk with him.

2. When thou art up, as soon as con­veniently thou canst betake thy self to prayer. Private prayer should be the first thing we do. The first hour is the Golden hour, and by so doing thou mayest open thy heart to God, and shut it against all sin. For family prayer, that is the fittest hour, when all the family, or the greatest part, can most conveni­ently meet together; and if thou art a [Page 20] servant, take heed of voluntary neglecting family prayer: Let it be some ur­gent occasion that hinders thee, an [...] when thou canst not be there with thy bodily presence, yet be sure thy affection be with them.

3. After prayer, and other religiou [...] duties performed, Go to thy calling, an [...] follow the works thereof, (as that statio [...] God hath set thee in) with diligence, conscience and chearfulness, and be con­tented with thy calling though mean. Be not like worldlings, who do all with a greedy mind of getting: But remem­ber a Christian hath two Callings, one general, the other particular; and he is a happy and wise servant that so minds his general, as not to neglect his parti­cular, and so follows his particular Call­ing, as he doth not neglect his general: Usually the former have some tincture of hypocrisie, and the latter are too much over-grown with covetousness. Labour therefore to keep thy eye upon thy heart, and upon the rule. Do all in [Page 21] thy particular Calling with uprightness and faithfulness, in wisdom and order, referring the success to Gods blessing, and labour to be armed with patience against crosses and losses. In buying and selling, take heed of lying and dis­simulation, covetousness and froward­ness, of multiplying words carelesly, and of over-praising thy own wares when thou sellest, and saying it is naught when thou buyest.

4. When thou art alone look to thy heart, and say, Heart, where art thou? what art thou doing? where hast thou been? whither art thou going? keep thy heart with all diligence; Prov. 4.23. Keep it as a Guardian would do a rich Heir, that hath many Suitors, or as a General would do a Castle that was a key or in-let to the whole Country; and in order to this remember five things.

1. Observe the motions of it; thy mind is thy self. Be not a stranger to thy self; God looks at the heart, 1 Sam. 16.7. he delights in truth in the in­ward man, Psal. 1.6.

[Page 22]2. When any good thoughts and holy motions come into thy soul (as those that are truly good shall not find themselves long without them) cherish and entertain them; say as the Spouse, It is the voice of my beloved that knock­eth; say, Come in thou blessed of the Lord, why standest thou without? but i [...] evil motions arise, let them not lodge with thee, but chase them from thee.

3. Employ thy heart, and set it t [...] work. The mind is a restless mill, al­wayes in motion. Calvin prayed every day, the devil might never find him idle If our hearts be doing nothing, they will be doing evil; like a garden, if yo [...] do not sow good seeds, will soon b [...] overun with weeds. Remember, Go [...] and Nature abhor idleness, and the De­vil watches for the idle hour.

4. Limit the workings of thy soul that the world may have no more o [...] thy thoughts and time then needs must▪

5. Spiritualize the operations of thy mind, and extract heavenly and divin [...] [Page 23] meditations out of thy employments, out of fit objects.

5. Look carefully to thy senses, espe­cially make a Covenant with thy eyes, as Job did Chap. 31.1. and pray with David, that God would turn away thy eyes from beholding vanity, Psal. 119.37. There is a quick passage from the eye to the heart. A Christian should not let his eyes fly at random. Consi­der:

1. The eye is a sense of the greatest extent and latitude; it beholds all on earth, and reaches even to heaven.

2. It is a sense above all others most frequently and constantly exercised.

3. It works more immediately and strongly upon the heart and fancy.

4. It is a sense above all others most easily induced to sin, to wantonness and vanity, to injustice and oppression, to covetousness and idolatry: Pride and Envy dwell in the eye, Ezek. 23.16. Prov. 6.17. Prov. 23.33. Jer. 22.17. Josh. 7.21. Ezek. 6.9. Ch. 20.24.

[Page 24]5. It is a most noble Sense, God hath provided noble objects for it; and there­fore O Christian, young or old, look t [...] thy eyes every day, give not indulgenc [...] and liberty to them. There is a promis [...] made to this, Isa. 33.15. he that shut his eyes from seeing evil shall not dwe [...] with everlasting burning. Remembe [...] Gods eye is alwayes upon thee; and h [...] that rules his heart, will easily rule hi [...] eys; & he that doth not look to his eye [...] it is a great sign he never looked well t [...] his heart. Heaven it self is reserved fo [...] the eye; hearing is suited to faith, bu [...] the eye is suited for vision.

6. If thou art in company take heed t [...] thy self, that if thou canst do no good nor get no good, thou mayst do no har [...] nor get no harm. If thou at any tim [...] fallest into such company, as there is n [...] likelihood to do or receive good, th [...] business being dispatched, and civilit [...] observed, get out of that company, fo [...] he cannot be a Christian indeed that i [...] not curious of his company. When tho [...] [Page 25] hast conference with others, speak nei­ther falsly, rashly, nor vainly, let thy words be few, true, spiritual; let no fil­thy communication come out of your mouth: Let thy speech be alwayes gra­cious, seasoned with salt, such as may minister grace to the hearers. Speak of God, his Word, Works, Ordinances with holy reverence. Speak of thy self modestly and humbly, of others chari­tably; of the gifts and graces of ano­ther, with joy and thankfulness; of the infirmities and failings of good men speak sparingly, and with a due respect to their good name: Of the sins of wicked men, speak not but with grief and de­testation, and admiration of the grace of God to thee, since what is in their pra­ctise, is in thy nature, and who is it O man makes thee to differ? It may be usefull and necessary to speak of the world and civil things: But let not these things take up all thy talk. If thou enquirest after news, let it be to understand how it goes with Gods [Page 26] Church, that thou mayest the better di­rect thy prayers for them if afflicted, o [...] thy praises if they prosper: Specially take heed of the sins of these times much speaking, rash censuring, prou [...] boasting, slandering and backbiting, speaking evil of dignities, spreading false reports, which are too much the sins of professors; as prophane swear­ing, horrible imprecations and cursings, sordid flattery, obscene talking, scoffing and mocking at Piety are the sins of He­ctors and Ranters.

7. Wherever thou art, at home or abroad, give good examples, that thou mayst not leave any stinking savour be­hind thee, to open the mouths of the malicious, to harden them in their sins, and make the weak to stumble, or to sad the hearts of the Godly. We may be innocently chearful in company, and in a journey, to pass over the wearisom­ness of the way: but let thy modera­tion be known to all, be not prophane, idle, vain, especially take heed to thy [Page 27] words and actions before Children. For the heathen could say, there is a great reverence due to them; the seeds of goodness are soon quenched, and viti­ous inclinations are more corroborated. Let it be then thy great care in all thy wayes and actions, to shew thy self a pattern of goodness, labouring to adorn the Gospel of Christ, holding forth the word of life in a good conversation; to which purpose make it thy care to walk in the exercise of four things;

1. To shew all fidelity and honesty in thy dealings. The Apostle Peter would have us to have our conversati­on honest among the Gentiles, 1 Pet. 2.12. It is a vain thing to pretend to be religious if we be not honest. The Apostle Paul would have poor Ser­vants, to shew all good fidelity, that they may adorn the Gospel of our Lord Jesus, 2 Tit. 10. It is a wofull time, when we know not where to find a faithfull man. God forbid it should be said, that Turks, and some Papists, and [Page 28] Quakers, and common Protestants have more uprightness, truth and faithful­ness in their words and dealings, the [...] those that make the highest professio [...] in Religion. By these sins God suffers i [...] his honour, Jesus Christ suffers, and th [...] Gospel suffers, and the Godly suffer. By being faithful in your dealings, you will beat the enemies of Christianity with their own weapons; all the Glory they have is their justice and fidelity, that they wrong no man, that they will not circumvent and work upon their neighbours necessity or ignorance. Now when a Christian shews such fidelity, he overcomes them in that which they themselves confess to be good; and all men see, that if there be any thing in them praise-worthy, it is to be found among true Christians with more ad­vantage and lustre.

2. Labour to evidence an humble subjection to those in Authority over us. This is the Herculean Argument the Papists and other wicked men use in all [Page 29] ages against the Godly, That they are enemies to Kings, stubborn, disobedient, turning all things upside down. It be­comes then all that profess the name of Christ, as far as they can to obey all the commands of Magistrates; for this is the will of God, Tit. 3.1. and to give [...]ll lawfull demonstrations, that we are not stubborn, refractory persons; That if any do maliciously accuse us, we may be able to say with Daniel, that inno­cency is found in us before God, and that to the King we have done no hurt, Dan. 6.22.

3. Thou must labour for a peaceable conversation, avoiding as much as you can all contentions and quarrels, study­ [...]ng to be quiet, and minding your own business, 1 Thes. 4.11. remembring the Apostles rules, Heb. 12.14. follow peace with all men, and holiness, &c. As much in you lyes live peaceably with [...]ll men, Rom. 12.18. (have peace, keep peace, love peace, make peace, seek peace; that phrase, live peaceably, in­cludes [Page 30] all.) That so the wicked may say of us, as the Shechemites of Jacob [...] Sons, These men are peaceable with us therefore let them dwell in the land, Gen. 34.21. It is a question yet unre­solved, whether the persecutions o [...] enemies, or the divisions of brethren have done the Church of God mo [...] harm.

4. Thou must walk charitably: la­bour after a beneficialness in thy con­versation, to be profitable to men, to b [...] publick spirited, open handed to th [...] poor, to be as Job was, eyes to the blind to cloath the naked, visit the sick, de­fend the fatherless and widow. This i [...] well pleasing to God; these things ar [...] good and profitable to men.

This is the way to adorn thy Conver­sation, and to be a pattern of goo [...] works; and without such things as these thy profession and religious perfor­mances will have no great lustre no [...] beauty.

[Page 31]8. If God give thee prosperity, and riches increase, be not overjoyed with it. Trust not in uncertain riches, do not bless thy self in abundance, as if thy happiness did stand in possessing, or thou wert sure to have these things continu­ed. If we rejoyce exceedingly in the day of prosperity, we shall grieve im­moderately when the time of parting comes.

9. Therefore prepare for adversity. Thy Saviour hath commanded thee to take up thy Cross daily, in preparation and expectation; And Solomon hath told us, We know not what a day may bring forth. If adversity comes, be not impatient; murmur not against God, if he cut short thy Estate, but say with holy Job, Shall I receive good things at Gods hand and not evil? The Lord gives, and the Lord takes, blessed be his holy Name, Job 1.21. c. 2.10.

10. In Recreations which the necessity of Nature calls for, and Religion doth not deny: Look to thy self, for it is easie [Page 30] [...] [Page 31] [...] [Page 30] [...] [Page 31] [...] [Page 32] stepping out of the use into the abuse of them; See therefore,

• 1. To the kind of them, that they be lawful, innocent, and of good report, as also that thy recreations be in of­fensive: That which is in it self lawfu [...] may be in expedient. Use no recrea­tion that hath got an universal evi [...] report among Sober, Godly, Wise grave persons.
• 2. To the time. We should abridge ou [...] selves Recreations in times of Com­mon Calamity to our Country, or th [...] Church of God. See also that it b [...] not on the Lords day, which is to b [...] employed in Heavenly exercise. W [...] must not suffer them to thrust out Fa­mily duties, or croud them up in [...] narrow compass: And finally, se [...] that they take thee not off from the important works of thy Calling.
• 3. To the place, that it be not too publick and open to draw others to se [...] us, who notwithstanding thy libert [...] may be offended; or that it be not [Page 33] place of gusling and drinking, where we may be drawn to excess.
• 4. To thy Company, that we sort our our selves as much as we can with Godly, wise Christians.
• 5. In the continuance of them. Recrea­tions as they should not be over fre­quent, so they should not be over­long. Make not thy by-work, thy work; Use them as sauce, a little here is enough, and enough may be too much; and as the Proverb saith, Too much of one thing is good for no­thing.
• 6. To the end of them, which must be to refresh the outward man, to bene­fit the inward man. We must not play to play. No man uses a whet­stone, but to put a keenness upon an Instrument. Imitate the Primitive Christians, of whom Tertullian gives this account: We sit not down to eat, till we have first prayed to God; we eat so as to satisfie hunger; we drink so as not to enflame lust; we feast so, as [Page 34] to remember we must go to prayer, and come away as if we had been at [...] watch, rather then a feast.

11. Be ready to every good work, and constantly perform such holy dutie as God calls thee to, and do not wil­lingly omit them. If God calls thee to hear his word, and pray to him, go to it that not out of form, but out of a con­science of thy duty, and a sense of thy wants; get some time every day fo [...] Meditation of Gods Word and Works and if thou art so barren, thou canst no [...] find matter, meditate of thy barrenness, and humble thy soul for it.

12. And now in the Evening, take [...] view of the former particulars, and exa­mine all; how thou hast prayed, how thou hast performed the works of thy Calling, what hath come into thy thoughts, what hath gone out of thy mouth, how thou dost find thy self in prosperity and adversity, how it hath been with thee at home, and abroad, alone, [Page 35] and in company, in recreations, and in religious duties: And herein deal faith­fully with thy own soul. If thou hast upon due enquiry into thy self found, that thou hast kept this order in some good manner, give God the praise and Glory: If thou be conscious to thy self of any disorder, blame and shame thy self, beg pardon of God, fly to the me­rits of Christ, renew thy resolutions to walk with more watchfulness. And as thou didst rise with God in the morn­ing, so close the day with him, making thy peace with him, that thou mayst rest in the arms of thy beloved, and have good hope thou shalt go to heaven, if thou should'st dye before the morn­ing.

§. 12. A Direction to Christians how to carry themselves in Evil dayes, especially in in times of fear and danger.

1. It highly concerns every man to examine and prove himself whether he be in the Faith or no, how the case stands between God and him, Lam. 3.40. Hag. 1.5. If we will not try our selves we shall be tryed; and wo unto us, if we be found too light.

2. We should be every day weaning our hearts from the world. Things that hang on a pin easily fall off, but things that are glued, are hardly severed: in­ordinate [Page 40] love to any worldly thing, makes the cross ten times heavier; and it is like a heavy burthen on a sore back. Let not thy heart so cleave to these things, that judgements should rend and tear them from thee; but let thy affections be so mortified, that they may fall off easily, as Elijahs man­tle, when he went up to Heaven.

3. Be twice as much exercised in Re­ligious Duties as before. When Judas was plotting, Christ went to the Passover. When Haman was revelling, Esther with her Maids were praying. It is good to be well employed, when God is ri­ding circuit in his judgements. Blessed is that Servant, who when his Lord comes is found so doing.

4. Labour to keep a good Conscience; that though thou hast trouble without thou mayest have peace within. No com­fort like a good conscience, it is a con­tinual feast; it is like that good Wo­man, Prov. 31.12. It will do thee good and not evil all thy dayes: no torment [Page 41] like a bad one, for it is like that evil Woman, Prov. 19.13. that is a con­tinual dropping, but drops fastest in a rainy day.

5. Inure thy self to some hardiness. Delicate persons can hardly suffer. Soft flesh if it be pinched soon swells. They that know not how to lay aside their fashions, how will they endure the want of the necessities of Nature? We should therefore deny our selves somewhat in meat, drink and apparel, and pleasures, and abase our selves, least the Lord abase us.

6. Make sure of the favour of God. It will be very sad to have God and man against us both at once. The wrath of a King is like the roaring of a Lion: But who knows the power of Gods an­ger?

7. Make much of the Promises, and get them in thy heart, and labour to have them in a readiness upon all occa­sions. Thy word, saith David, hath com­forted me in my affliction. God uses [Page 42] more words in promises then in any dis­pensation of his will; when he threatens he speaks shortly, when he promises he speaks largely.

8. Get into thy heart the sound and experimental knowledge of the Truth, and a fervent love to it. It is the truth that thou art like to suffer for, and a man can never suffer for that he doth not know, much less for that he doth not love.

9. Labour to better thy Knowledge in the Doctrine of Afflictions; to know the nature, usefulness, end of them, how to judge rightly of them, how to bear them, how to improve them: fix in thy mind such things as these; There is no Son of God without Chastisement; That no Affliction comes but by the will of God; That by Afflictions we are made both ser­viceable and conformable to Christ; That all troubles, losses, strokes are propor­tioned to our strength, that they all are for our profit and good: the more we believe these things, the more comfor­table [Page 43] and couragious we shall be in evil dayes.

10. Christians should by holy confe­ [...]nce edifie and comfort one another, Mal. 3.16. They should improve the communion of Saints, for instructing, strengthning; encouraging one ano­ther.

11. Meditate often of the attributes of God, the former experiences of Gods dealing with his people, and the joyes of heaven, and the reward is set before us: as Christ did, Heb. 12.1. as Moses did, Heb. 11.27. and Paul, Rom. 8.18. 2 Cor. 4.17.

12. Spare no sin unmortified; En­tertain no Dalilah, no Herodias, for in an evil day it will work more woe and bitterness then we are aware of. It will fill thee with tormenting fears, and rack­ing doubts. One fire-ball will burn thy house: one sin unrepented of will burn thy soul. Do not hide iniquity in thy heart, when God is making inquisition for it.

[Page 44]13. In an evil time the prudent shoul [...] keep silence. There is a time to speak and a time to be silent. Many times ou [...] speaking dishonours God, gratifies enemies, discovers corruption, discredits religion, endangers our persons: W [...] should therefore pray to God to set watch before our lips, especially in ev [...] times, and endeavour our words may be few, true, and spiritual.

14. But we must not be silent as t [...] God, in ceasing to pray unto him, for i [...] is his Command, Call upon me in the day of trouble; and he expects whe [...] his chastning is upon us, we should pou [...] out our prayer unto him, and that i [...] affliction we should seek him early; tha [...] we should pray oftner and better. The nearer Christ came to his suffering, the more earnestly he prayed. Go then and enter into thy Chamber, and shut thy door; Get under the wings of the Al­mighty, and say with David, Thou art my hiding place, Psal. 32.7. I fly unto thee Lord to hide me, Psal. 143.9.

[Page 45]15. With other exercises of piety joyn [...]harity; exercise mercy, forgive thy [...]nemies, be reconciled to thy brethren. [...]isit the sick and imprisoned, plead the [...]ause of the widow, give a portion to even, and also to eight, for thou know­ [...]st not what evil shall be upon the earth, [...]ccles. 11.2. Therefore, saith the Co­ [...]tous heart, part with nothing, hoard [...]p against a rainy day; therefore saith God, give freely, for the merciful shall [...]nd mercy.

Lastly, let the present fears alarum [...]ee to prepare for sad events; go not without thy armour, be not secure, say [...]ot the over-flowing scourge shall not [...]ome nigh me. But think with thy self, [...]hough I have been in the rear of [...]ther judgements, I may be in the [...]ront of this. Labour to be fitted to en­ [...]ertain terrible things. When thou [...]earest the Minister sound the Trum­pet, and say judgement is at hand, the Lord is risen out of his holy place to [...]udge the inhabitants of the earth. [Page 46] When thou hearest what is done to others, when wickedness is advanced and Godliness slighted and opposed then get those Graces that will fit the [...] for an evil day: such as,

• 1. Resignation of thy self, and all tho [...] hast unto God; be content that h [...] should dispose of thee as he pleaseth, 2 Sam. 15.26.
• 2. Faith, which is a Grace will live i [...] hard times, for Faith lays claim to th [...] fulness of Christ as its own. Fait [...] hath two hands, a working hand an [...] a receiving hand, the receiving han [...] relieves the working hand.
• 3. Apply the promises of perseverance
• 4. Patience in both its Acts, the bearing act, and the waiting act, and s [...] doing, thou mayest be able to stan [...] in the evil day; Which none of thes [...] five sorts of men will be able to do.
• 1. They that slight God and Religio [...] in peace and prosperity, will neve [...] suffer for God and Religion in adversity.
• [Page 47] [...]. Those that will not witness for truth with their mouths, will never for the truths sake lay down their lives.
• 3. Those that serve God onely for the praise of men, will leave the service of God when men disgrace them.
• 4. Those that will not endure the smaller tryals, will much less stand in the greater.
• 5. They that will not suffer the power of Gods word to part them and their lusts, and vain conversation, will not seal the truth of Gods word with their blood.

§. 13. A few Motives to young persons to be Religious.

[...]here was never more need for Mi­nisters, Parents, Tutors, Masters, to sea­son youth with piety, and to improve their interest, wisdom, authority in this Work, then in these days, wherein there [Page 48] is such a general decay of Godliness, that if God do not stir up the hearts of Governours, and if they will not stir up themselves, and those under their charge, the next Generation are like to prove Banquerupts in Religion, and to prove either Papists or Atheists. To en­courage young persons to look to them­selves, and to call them out of the tent [...] of wickedness;, I would earnestly in­treat them to let these few considerati­ons rest upon their minds.

1. O young man or young woman, con­sider the end of thy being, Why God made thee, and gave thee a reasonabl [...] soul, capable of eternal happiness? why did God bestow upon thee many en­dowments of mind and body? why he hath vouchsafed the cultivation and improvement of thy natural abilities by education and instruction? Wa [...] all this that thou mightest glorifie him, and be serviceable in thy Generation to the great end of being and living? Cans [...] thou imagine that so bright a lamp as a [...] [Page 49] [...]mmortal soul, was ever put into the [...]arthen candlestick of thy body, for [...]ase and sensual ends, meerly to serve [...]y fleshly appetite, the most deformed [...]nd unsatiable monster that is in the [...]orld? Canst thou upon serious [...]oughts conceive thy being is for [...]ch poor low ends? No, remember [...]od and men expect better things from [...]ee. You that are young, the good [...]d welfare of Church and State de­ [...]ends on you: you are the Seed-plots [...]d Nurseries of all Religion and Vertue, [...] Liberty, Honour, Trade; either you [...]ust transmit, and hand these down to [...]osterity, or all these must dye and be [...]xtinguished in your hands; and are [...]ou willing to be recorded in future [...]istories for prodigals and betrayers of [...]hem all? Such a man by Religion and [...]ertue raised his Family; and such an [...]eir, such a Grand-child ruined it by [...]is debauchery. Stobeus relates, that [...]he Ephebi among the Athenians took [...]n Oath, not to leave their Country in [Page 50] a worse condition then they found i [...] but in a better: Oh that it might be [...] said of this Generation.

2. Consider, It is a monstrous thi [...] for young persons to be old sinners. T [...] Age in which sin is committed is so f [...] from excusing it, that it aggravates it. [...] is a sad character of a man, he was so a [...] so wicked of a Child; he was a sweare [...] a lyar, a scoffer, an enemy to Godline [...] from his long Coates. God himself wh [...] he would aggravate mans sin, saith, t [...] imaginations of mans heart hath be [...] evil from his youth, Gen. 8.21. A [...] gustine in his Confessions bewails h [...] boyish tricks, Lord, when I was a litt [...] Boy I was a great sinner. And Davi [...] begs pardon for the sins of his youth Psal. 25.7. and mark how God brand the disobedience of Israel, Jer. 22.2 [...] I spake unto thee in thy prosperity, b [...] thou saidest I will not hear; this has been thy manner from thy youth, tha [...] thou obeydst not my voice. And in Jer [...] 32.30. God aggravates the sin of Israel [Page 51] and Judah, that they had done evil before him from their youth. Take heed of calling sin, tricks of youth, and and thinking your age gives you a dis­pensation. If ever you return to God, those sins must be repented of, and they will cost you dear; as you may see in those Converts, Jer. 3.25. We lye down in our shame, and our confusion covereth us, for we have sinned against the Lord, we and our fathers from our Youth even to this day. Consider therefore how dear you must pay for your youthful lusts, they will prove dear bought plea­sures, they are but honey licked off from thorns: Like that fruit in the West Indies, the Spaniards call the Devils sweet meat; a fruit very delicious, but the place where it grows is so hot in the day, and so infested with venemous in­sects in the night, that none care for dwelling near them. Your youthful pleasures expose you to the scorchings of Gods wrath, to the bitings and sting­ings of your own conscience. Your [Page 52] youthful lusts must be repented of either here or in hell, where repentanc [...] will do you no good. Consider wha [...] these courses are, none can prevail wit [...] you now to leave, and whither they tend; they provoke God to hate you [...] good men are grieved for you, and ashamed of you, nay, even wicked me [...] themselves in their cool thoughts would not have their children as bad a [...] themselves. But O how few person [...] consider, that by youthful lusts, the [...] lay a foundation for old age miseries.

3. Consider it is the greatest honou [...] to be good betimes. It was the praise o [...] that good Courtier Obadiah, he feare [...] the Lord from his youth. It was the Glory of Josiah, that while he was ye [...] young he began to seek after the God o [...] David his father, 2 Chron. 34.3. It wa [...] the commendation of Timothy, tha [...] from a child he had known the Holy Scriptures, 2 Tim. 3.15. God takes i [...] very kindly when you begin betimes to [Page 53] serve him, Cant. 7.12. Christ loves the buds, the blossomings of Grace, as well as the ripe fruit; and the Devil is a great enemy to this age, he opposes the bring­ing young persons to Christ to be dedi­cated and to be instructed and catechi­sed. There are four reasons among o­thers why the Devil labours to corrupt youth.

1. Because he knows a vicious youth layes the foundation of a vicious life. Reason teaches, that if we would al­ter the disposition of any thing, we must do it while it is young: Now the Devil acts according to this princi­ple; and because youth is an age of fancy, and apt to receive impressions, therefore he labours to stain and pol­lute it: no colour holds so well, as that which is dyed in the wool.

2. Because their age being least able to discern between good and evil, will soonest bite at his baits, and yield to his temptations. Young persons [Page 54] are soonest catched in his snare.

3. He doth not know how short a time they have to live, and therefore he would get them into his clutches as soon as he can.

4. Because God loves this age, there­fore he loves to be cropping early buds; indeed God highly values a [...] a Religious Child-hood and youth, he hath given us all testimonies how much he accepts it. Under the Law, the acceptable services were young things, young lambs, young bullocks, young pigeons; the first ripe fruits, the first born, God challenged to be his. O how doth God delight in young Samuels, young Davids, young Daniels, young Johns; the one was a young Prophet, the other a young Apostle. Saith God, When Israel was a Child then I loved him: And can there be a greater honour to you, then to say, I loved God from my Child-hood, I knew Christ from my Child-hood? to say as David, Psal. [Page 55] 71.5. O Lord I have trusted in thee from my youth.

4. The word of God doth concern you, and Religion is as proper and fit for you as for any persons whatsoever.

The Scriptures are written for young persons, that they may know how to cleanse their wayes, Psal. 119.9. The word is the best staff for old men to lean on, and the best sword for young men to fight withall. The Heathens in­deed thought, that youth might be in­dulged in sin. Cicero in his defence of [...]aelius, saith, something is to be allow­ed to youth, till the heat of that age be abated; but I could appeal from him as a Mercenary Oratour pleading for his Fee the Cause of a debauched young man, to himself in another place in his sober mind, telling us, That this age is in a speciall manner to be kept from lust, and that they are much mistaken, that think way should be given to the licen­tiousness of young men. But it is no great matter what they thought; since we [Page 56] know God hath so framd the Scriptures that Religion belongs not only to thos [...] of riper years, but to Children also, Deut. 29.29. Those words as the learn­ed observe have extraordinary point [...] in the Hebrew, and three times there are mention made of Children in th [...] Decalogue. The Scripture teaches, ther [...] is a duty you owe to God, Eccl. 12.1. There is a duty you owe to men, Eph. 6.1. and both these are clear, because God hath appointed correction, as a [...] means to keep them in the way of thei [...] duty, Prov. 22.15. and God promises a blessing to it, Pr. 23.13. now God promise [...] not a blessing, but as a means appointe [...] by him to an end. Nor is there any ag [...] more proper for Religion then this is This the learning age: now you hav [...] leasure, now your minds are not so pre­ingaged and prejudiced as they will b [...] hereafter. Religion is like water, fit to be poured upon tender plants. You will never have a fitter time in your lives. The time of youth is the faires [...] [Page 57] flower that grows upon the stalk of Time. Now your understandings are quick, your memories tenacious, your affections soft and pliable. If you re­deem not this time for God and your souls, I dare be bold to say, you will repent of it sometime before you dye.

5. Conversion after youth proves very difficult and rare. I would not be thought so arrogant, as to set any bounds to Gods Grace, or limit it to any time. Possibly some unwary expres­sions that way have done much harm: But this I say, sins of youth are hardly left, and seldom forsaken; as those bones that grow crooked in Childhood, are hardly rectified when we become men. It is said, Mark 11.13. the time of figs was not yet; the time of gathering figs was not yet, as some expound that place, it was a time of bearing figs, for that kind of fig tree, saith a learned man, uses to have fruit on it of the first, se­cond, and third years growth: Now Christ being hungry came to see if he [Page 58] could find any thing upon it. Old age i [...] the time of gathering fruit; Youth i [...] the time of bearing fruit. If you do no [...] bear fruit while you are young, how shall Christ gather fruit when you are old? and what then can you look fo [...] but a curse?

6. Good education makes the sins of youth more heynous. You therefore that have sprang from Godly Parents, that have been the Children of many pray­ers and tears; you that have been brought up in Godly Families, that have had many Fathers, many Instru­ctors, know you cannot sin at so easie a rate as others. And here I cannot but take up a sad lamentation over the de­generate children of Godly parents and ancestours; Then which there is not a worse symptome among us of Gods ut­ter leaving and forsaking us: Many Sons and Daughters are so given over to looseness, prodigality, scurrility, pride, uncleanness, contempt both of the form and power of Religion, that if their Pa­rents [Page 59] and Ancestours were now upon [...]arth, would they know them to be [...]eir Posterity? Surely it may be said [...]f them, as in the Prophet, Abraham is [...]gnorant of them, and Israel knows them [...]ot. Sarah, and those Holy Women of [...]ld, would not know their Daughters. Those Squirril-brain'd creatures that [...]isk from one fashion to another; those [...]potted and painted faces of yours, do [...]ore resemble Jezebel, then the Saints of old: And know you not that their Children you are whose works you do? [...]any young men, their fathers were [...]overs of God and Worshippers of him, [...]ept the Sabboth, prayed in their Fami­lies, were chast in their minds and body, [...]ust in their dealings, careful of giving offence, meek, humble, lovers of them that were good. But look upon their Children, do these things live and sur­vive in them? are they the inheritours of their Fathers vertues, do they walk in the steps of their Godly Ancestours? O no, it may be said of them as in Judges [Page 60] 2.17. You have turned quickly out o [...] the way wherein your fathers walked obeying the Commandment of the Lord but you do not so. Is not Gods servic [...] contemned by you? Do not you loo [...] upon it as a disgrace to be Religious▪ When do you hear Gods word, or whe [...] doth God hear from you in prayer? An [...] not all dayes alike with you? even tha [...] holy time God hath chosen for him­self, is it not many times more vainly and wickedly spent, then the week day? What are your Consciences but graves, wherein you have buried all the good principles you had in your education? Are not your bodies the sinks of lust and the epitome of Diseases? You [...] estates so wasted in the service of th [...] Devil, that they are become but a mea [...] skeleton? Your breath is become mor [...] infectious then the steam of a Sepulcher; who more bitter against Godli­ness then you? Who more ready to shake hands with the wicked then you [...] Who more ashamed of their Godly An­cestours [Page 61] then you are? Do not many [...]f you think their strictness and circum­ [...]pect walking a crime, and for fear least you should be involved in it, you think [...]hat you have no way to clear your selves but by doing the quite contrary? And now Sirs, do you think to scape? I tell you in the name of God, except you repent, your condition will be doubly miserable.

1. In this life, the judgements of God will overtake you, Deut. 32.20. They [...]e Children in whom is no faith: saith God in the 23, I will heap mischief [...]pon [...]em, I will spend mine arrows upon them. What a fatal deluge befel those Sons of God, and of the Church, that corrupted themselves, and fell from God, Gen. 7.8. What a dreadful curse befel degenerate Cham in Noahs fami­ly? How heavy was Gods hand upon Ishmael and Esau? the time would fail to let off the sad ends wicked children of Godly Parents have come to; to speak of Nadab and Abihu, Hophni and [Page 62] Phineas, Absolom, the Sons of good Sam­uel, of Jehoram, the Son of good Jeho­shaphat, of the Children of Josiah, of the [...] posterity of the seven Asian Churches. O you degenerate ones read these ex­amples, and tremble at them.

2. But most miserable will you be i [...] the day of judgement, Mat. 8.13. Whe [...] the Children of the Kingdom shall be cas [...] into utter darkness. There shall be weeping and wailing and gnashing of teeth; that day will be a sad day to two sorts of persons, to wicked Parents and Rebellious Children; when Christ shall say to a Child, who taugh [...] [...]ou to swear & drink? &c. and they shall say Lord, I had a Father and Mother did n [...] more for me then beasts do for their young I never was taught any thing was good; [...] was never warned against sin, I knew lit­tle of thee and Christ, (except it were how to abuse and prophane thy Name.) O the misery of those Parents. But o [...] the other side, when Christ shall say t [...] another, who taught you to take suc [...] [Page 63] courses, and do such things? and the Parents shall say, Lord, this our Son, [...]ur Daughter, were Children of Belial, we warned them night and day with tears, we were gentle to them, and ex­horted them as fathers should do their their Children; we corrected them, we [...]rayed for them, we entreated others to [...]ray for them, we wept over them; Lord thou knowest the sighs and tears, the heart-breakings we had from them, but they would not hear: O the misery of [...]hat Child, and of all such Children.

14. §. The Character of a wise Chrishian.

1. He takes the word along with him in all his concernments and actions; he that steers his course by any other rule is like a man that leaves the Pole-star, and sails by a Meteor, Read Psal. 119.98, 99, 100.

[Page 71]2. He doth above all things labour to [...]lease God. All wisdome without this [...] naught and rotten: but to make the pleasing God our first and chief car eis [...]he truest wisdom.

3. He is careful to secure the main. The Serpents wisdome is to save his head. And a Christians wisdome is to save his soul.

4. He doth all things with a plain, ho­ [...]est, sincere, upright heart: he main­ [...]ains the Doves innocency with the Ser­ [...]ents policy, Mat. 10.16. True wis­dom is a pure, chast, Virgin wisdom, [...]hat will not mix and blend with world­ [...]y and carnal policy; he knows that ho­nesty is the best policy, and hath the advantage of all things, 2 Cor. 1.12.

5. He exercises a holy Government [...]ver his passions: for there is nothing [...]peaks a man further from wisdome, [...]hen inordinate affections. Wisdome is [...]he ballast of the mind, that keeps it steady. If all Government be the result of wisdom, much more must the Go­vernment [Page 72] of a mans self speak him in possession of true wisdom.

6. His eyes are in his head; He care­fully discerns between good and evil, between things and things, between man and man, that he may approve what is good, and reject what is evil, for otherwise the knowledge of good and evil is not true wisdom.

He is careful to aptly fit means to the end. The folly of men in the false Church, is, they set up other means then God hath appointed; and the folly of men in the true Church is they seperate the end, and the means, and think they may come to holiness without happiness: But a wise Christian knows, as there is no coming to the end but by the means, so no means which bring us to the end, but such as are of Gods appointing.

8. He is careful to time all his actions; and in order to it, to observe and im­prove all opportunities, because to all things there is a time and season that renders them beautifull and facile, [Page 73] which if slipt, things become doubly difficult, and sometimes impossible. [...]on if it be struck while it is hot, you [...]ay work it to any figure; so it is [...]n matters of Religion. There are gol­den moments, that a wise Christian will observe and redeem.

9. He doth consider with himself what will be the issue and event of things. A wise man understands consequences. True wisdom, Janus like, looks back­ward and forward, it hath eyes before and behind. Every wise man holds in­telligence with time past by memory, with time present by prudent circum­spection, with time to come, by pro­vidence, labouring to fore-see what such and such things will end in. Thus God himself to keep our first Parents in integrity, gave them the commination, In the day thou eatest thereof thou shalt dye, expecting that in wisdome they should discern what the event and issue of disobedience would be.

[Page 74]10. He doth provide for his latter end. This is a great point of wisdome, Deut. 32.29. One of the greatest per­fections a man attains unto is wisdome. The proper act of wisdome is conside­ration; the chiefest point of considera­tion is our latter end; every man must dye, and it is not an easie thing to dye well; and therefore it is wisdom to dye daily in meditation and preparation, that when that time comes, we may have nothing to do but to dye.

§. 15. Why are those that have received Grace so troubled with distractions in holy duties.

1. Because there is corruption in the best, which clogs and shackies us in our best duties. Remainders of sin, will be hinderers of our close communion with God; these dogs will be barking though their teeth be pulled out.

2. Because Satan stands at our right [Page 75] [...]and to withstand us when we appear be­ [...]re God, and to disturb us in our wor­ [...]ipping of him.

3. To shew unto us our need of Jesus [...]hrist, to be our High Priest to bear the [...]niquity of our holy things.

4. To teach us that when we do seem [...] be most dutiful, yet even then we [...]ave need to be most humble.

5. To be a touchstone of our spirituali­ty and growth in Grace. The more spi­ [...]ituality we arrive at, the fewer distra­ [...]tions in Gods service we shall meet with.

6. To teach us to watch as well as pray, to keep our hearts with all diligence. Every Christian in duty must fight as well as work.

7. To teach us not to make our selves the fountain of assistance and strength in holy duties.

8. To make us strive to be more fer­vent in spirit in serving the Lord. When the flame arises the smoak de­creases.

9. To stir us up to delight in Gods service. Our hearts will abide there wher [...] they do delight.

10. To make us long after heaven that blessed state, where no distraction are.

§. 16. [...] brief consideration of that common di­stress of conscience arising from fear that a man hath sinned the sin against the Holy Ghost, in three questions.

1. Shewing what are the reasons why God suffers some to be exercised with this [...]emptation.

2. Who are they that are far from [...]mmitting this sin?

3. What are those Graces that are [...]eservatives against this sin?

1. Q. What are the reasons that God [...]ffers some to be troubled with this ten­ [...]ation?

It is a thing of common observation [...]mong those to whom distressed souls [...]o open their maladies, that they find [...]any sore pressed with this tentation; [...]he reasons with submission to better [...]udgements may be such as these.

1. It many times ariseth from ignorance, [...]ant of right and sound information of [Page 80] the nature and ingredients of this sin Many poor Christians charge them selves with it, before they understand what it is.

2. Because they have not made [...] right application of the word to thei [...] own hearts, but have been censoriou [...] and uncharitable to others, and no [...] they are forced by a Divine hand, whether they will or no, to make application to themselves; and this is God carrosive to eat out uncharitableness.

3. It may be they have been secu [...] and formal in Religion, and neglecte [...] the duties of it against the conviction o [...] the Word and Conscience, and abate [...] in their affections to God, to the Ordinances, to the Children of God. Sin against light and back-sliding, thoug [...] in such and such a degree they do no [...] constitute this sin, yet they look too lik [...] it.

4. It is to make others fear, and tak [...] more heed to their wayes. When we se [...] God as it were letting our brothe [...] [Page 81] upon the rack; this is to check our negligence, to be a bridle to our loose­ness.

5. It is to exercise the gifts and graces of others, both Ministers and Christians, to put them upon the exer­cise of prayer, consolation, pitty, cha­rity, labour, brotherly kindness, and the like.

6. They may be exercised with it to fit them for some eminent service and imployment, as to make some open confession of the Faith, or to make them experimental comforters of others, with the comforts wherewith they them­selves have been comforted of God, or to prepare them for undergoing some heavy outward affliction, which seems [...]ight to those that have had a wounded spirit, or to make them live a more strict and exemplary life, or to possess some greater measure of spiritual joy, or to [...]ortifie them against the assaults of some beloved sin, or to undergo some fierce conflict with Satan; some or all these [Page 82] may be the condition of the party here­after; and God is now fitting and pre­paring them by this trouble for it.

They may think they have commit­ted this sin by Gods leaving them to hearken to Satans perswasion. They fail­ed in believing God who spoke for their good, and now they believe Satan who speaks for their ruine; they did not hearken to the motions of Gods spirit for their consolation, and now they hearken to the false reasonings of an unbelieving heart prompted by Satan for their vexation. Satan was not for­merly more diligent to draw them on to sin, then he is now to keep them from comfort; and their own perversness did not then make them further from instruction, then now it doth from con­solation.

2. Quest. Who are they that are far from committing this sin?

The solution of this may serve as a remedy against this distress; for who­soever [Page 83] finds in himself these things, may be confident he is not guilty of this sin.

1. They are far from committing this sin, that do esteem Christ, and de­sire to enjoy him, and are willing to be subject to his Authority.

2. They that do truly desire to ho­nour Christ, not only inwardly in their hearts, but outwardly in their lives and conversations by words and actions.

3. They whose illumination is attend­ed with reformation, who not onely know the Truth, but love and obey it.

4. Those who with well to the King­dome and Gospel, and people of Christ, that for Sions sake cannot hold their peace.

5. They who cleave to the Ordi­nances, though they want comfort, that wait upon the Lord who hides himself from the house of Jacob.

6. They who desire the efficacy of the ministry on the souls of others, who [Page 84] can rejoyce when souls are converted, and are glad to see that Grace in others they want, and that grieve when the edification of souls is opposed and ob­structed.

7. They that aspire after a holy life, that are students for piety, and mourn­ers for iniquity. These have not com­mitted the sin against the Holy Ghost.

3. Qu. What are those Graces that are preservatives against this sin?

1. A chearfulness in the service and wayes of Christ. Serve the Lord with gladness, account not his Commands grievous.

2. A sincere love to Father, Son and Spirit. This sin is committed out of malice and hatred.

3. A daily desiring, thirsting after Christ, ever desiring Christ will keep us from ever despising him.

4. A labouring to get heat unto our light, that our knowledge may be at­tended with a change in heart and life.

[Page 85]5. A daily care to persevere, and hold on in Religion and Grace, with a jealousie of our selves least we should be guilty of declining and back sli­ding.

6. A pleading and standing up for the truth in our places and callings with courage and wisdom.

7. A perfecting holiness in the fear of the Lord, avoiding not only all gross sins, but also, as much as we can, keep­ing our selves from infirmities, at least not allowing our selves in them.

§. 17. The spirituals mans aime, or a resolution of an important and serious question, concerning our aimes and intentions, whether they be for God or the world.

Aims and intentions are secret things, removed from the cognizance of others. The rectitude of intention contributes so much to the acceptation of our ser­vices with God, that without this no­thing, [Page 86] though never so materially good and plausible can denominate us sincere in his sight; or prevail for any acceptance with him: Now though o­thers are not competent judges of our ends, yet if we will deal faithfully and truly with our own souls, we may know them by such plain things as these are:

1. By our desires. Try thy heart by this, whether thou dost desire most to be with God, or to be in the world. That which is our end we would be in the fullest enjoyment of.

2. By thy hopes. What is it thou ho­pest for? is it to grow great or rich in the world? or is it that thou art approv­ed of God, and in favour with him? That which is thy chiefest hope is thy end.

3. By thy delights. Dost thou so de­light in the world, that if that flow in, and that thou hast any probable assu­rance of its continuance, thou findest thou canst be contented without God? [Page 87] or dost thou account thy self miserable whatsoever thou enjoyest, except thou have some soul communion with God, and canst find some tasts of his love, even in outward mercies, and those tasts car­rying thy soul to delight more and more in God as the fountain of them.

4. Examine how thy heart is affected upon the loss of outward things: What is it grieves thee most, the burning thy house, loss of trade, death of friends, or the want of Gods presence, the di­shonour of his name, the danger of lo­sing the Gospel, and the like? that which is our end, we are grieved for, be­ing disappointed of.

5. If the world be thy darling, thou wilt be affraid to own Religion when it exposes thee to danger, shame and loss: alwayes worldlings are for an easie, cre­ditable, che [...]p Religion: But if God have thy heart, thou art jealous least the world should draw thee from God, and thou wilt account no pains too much for him, thou wilt be diligent in [Page 88] the use of all means. In the service of God thou wilt account losses gain, and think thy self abundantly honoured in being accounted worthy to be disho­noured for Christ.

6. That which is a man's end he will plead for. We see prophane men plead for the world; gross sins are with them small sins, nay, no sins, nay sometimes commendable things, or at least indif­ferent; for ends will make men find cut many Topicks to argue from. Mon­strous apparel is but decency, drunken­ness is but good fellowship; they can say much for unlawful gaming, wanton dalliances, stage-playes, recreations on the Lords day; Alas, say they, these are but innocent Divertisements for the body and mind: But those that make God their end will plead for him, they stand up for his Name, [...]is Word, his People, Wisdom is justified of her Chil­dren; they have much to say for devo­tion, for mortification, for fasting and praying, for holy conference, for modest [Page 89] apparel, for sobriety and temperance, for circumspect walking, and the like.

7. He that serves the world will suffer much for it, in his body by pinching it, in his name and reputation by reproach, (for even a covetous miser shall have some scoffs; he will make such pitti­ful complaints, and such ridiculous ex­cuses, and do such base drudgery, the world will laugh at him) yet he suffers all this because it is his end: So he that serves God is willing to suffer for God, to part with all for him when he calls for it, to endure scoffs and jeers for his not complying with the Vices of the world.

Lastly, if God and the World call, whom dost thou follow? the Bell touls, the Play-bill is set up, whither dost thou go? Here's the Bible or a good Book, there is the Tavern, or the Ga­ming house; God calls to the one, the World to the other, whom dost thou obey? If a Lacquey follows two Gen­tlemen, when they part, he whom he [Page 90] follows we know is his Master; that which a man follows from morning to night, from week to week, and leave other things to follow, that is his Ma­ster, that he serves, and that is his end.

§. 18. How must we carry our selves to God a [...] our friend.

Trust him because he is faithful.

Prize him, because he is so transcen­dently excellent.

Be advised by him, for he is infinitely wise.

Suffer for him, for Christ did so fo [...] us.

Delight in him, because he is ami­able.

Be zealous for his Glory, and grieved at his dishonour.

Love his Children for his sake.

Long to hear from him, and let him hear often from us.

Rejoyce in his gifts, but more in his [...]resence.

Invite him to come unto us.

Do nothing to grieve him.

Be comforted in this, our friend will [...]ever be our enemy, and our enemy [...]hall never find us friendless.

§. 19. Of the Providence of God in two cases, how it is abused, and how it may be improved.

The Doctrine of Gods providence is [...] most comfortable Doctrine to Gods Children, and that which we should [...]abour to have a distinct knowledge of. Two things at present I shall briefly [...]ouch upon.

1. To shew how the providence of God is abused.

2. How the providence of God may be improved for the comfort of the Godly, in some common cases that may befall them.