Works, Part 2 · Religious tract 3
NOTES OF OVR SALVATION.
LIkewise these be true notes of our saluation, when we search the Scriptures, in them to finde Christ, and in him eternall life, as men search for siluer and gold, Prouerb. 2. 4.
2 When wee esteeme the word of God more than our appointed foode, Iob. chap. 23. vers. 12. and couet so to bee fedde with it that wee may grow thereby, 1. Pet. 2. ver. 1. 2. 3.
3 When wee are swift to heare, slow to speake, and slow to wrath, laying apart all mailciousnesse, and the ex…rements of sinne, and receiue with meekenesse the word that is grafted into vsus, that it may saue our soules, I am. 1. vers. 21. and obey from the heart vntounto the forme of doctrine whereunto we are deliuered. Rom. 6. 17.
4. When we meditate in it day and night, Iosua 1. Psalme 1. 2. desiring that all our actions, words and thoughts may be directed by it. Psal 1. and 119.
5 If wee long after the holy assemblies, Psal. 84. Psal. 122. 1. and make the Sabbath our delight, Esay. 58.
6 When the Ministers are most deare vntounto vsus, Act. 10. 16. Rom. 10. 15. and wee most ioyfully minister vntounto them in all our goods, Gal. 6.
The necessitie of an vpright heart is thus by these consequents thereof proued.
1 WIthout it wee cannot assure our selues to be iustified and sanctified in Christ Iesus, Psal. 32. 2. Heb. 10. 22.
2 Without it wee cannot assure our selues, that we hauehave truly repented vsus of our sinnes, Ioel. 2. 12. Ezech. 18. 22. 23.
3 Without it we cannot assure our selues that our waies doe please God, Psalme 119. vers. 1. 5. 10. 11. 80.
4 Without it we cannot heare Gods word fruitfully, Luk. 8. vers. 12. 16.
5 Without it we cannot pray vntounto God acceptably. 1. Tim. 2. 8. Psalm. 119 58. and 145. and 66. 18.
6 Without it wee cannot be assured that we are truly baptized. 1. Pet. 3. 21. Matth. 3▪ 8. Rom 2 29.
7 Without it wee cannot receiue the Sacrament of the Lords Supper to our comfort. 2. Chron. 30. 18. 19 Psal 4▪ 45.
8 Without it we cannot fast Dan▪ 10. 12.
9 Without it wee cannot worship God at all truly. 1. Ioh. 4. 24. Esay. 29. 13. Psalm. 15. 2. Psalme 24 4.
10 Without it wee shall neuer see God. Matth. 5. 8. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Psal. 15, 2. and 24. 4.
11 Without it wee shall neuer receiue blessing from God, but looke for confusion and destruction. Psal. 125. vers. 4. 5. Psal 119. vers. 6. and Psal. 80 Psal. 7. vers. 10.
Notes of a true and vpright heart.
1 WHen wee are perswaded that God the Father, by the blood of Iesus Christ, and the working of the holie spirit doth cleanse vsus from our sinnes.
2 When wee are perswaded that the spirit proceeding from the Father and the Sonne, doth by the word thus cleanse vsus, and therefore make conscience of all things in the said word, without respect vntounto mans aduice, counsell or commaundement, without the same or contrarie to the same word of God▪ Respecting, I say, all the Commandements of God, without preferring one before another, labouring to know them, if we doe not: and if wee doe, to doe after them according to the measure of grace we hauehave receiued.
3 When we are truly desirous, and labour to auoide all the outward occasions which might either bring on, foster, or bring vsus backe to any sinne wee hauehave fallen into, or may fall into hereafter.
4 When we mourne for the very first motions of sinne whereunto we hauehave yeelded, or we feare we may yeeld vntounto hereafter.
5 When wee are desirous and labour to vse all and eueryevery of those meanes, which God hath ordained in his word to bring vsus vntounto puritie of heart.
6 When we do all those former things as well secretly by our selues, as before others.
7 When in doing these things wee simply and singly seeke to approue our selues vntounto God, without either looking for praise or profit, rebuke or losse from men, not seeking chiefly these outward things at Gods hands: but principally his kingdome and the righteousnesse thereof. Matth. 6.
FINIS.