Brief Directions Unto a Godly Life, Pages 200-244

Brief Directions Unto a Godly Life · Pages 200-244

p. 200Theſe are the chiefe letts that men have by wants; whereunto may be added thoſe troubles which ſome good Chriſtians have through feare of their owne wants, though without cauſe. For remedy whereof (that they be not ſwallowed up through deadly heavineſſe) they muſt take unto them godly boldneſſe, to conſider that there is great cauſe of rejoycing, even in that for which they are heavie, viz. in their feare, care, hungring and thi…ſting, Pro. 28.14. Matth. 5.3. and therefore they ought rather to be thankefull for that they have, than utterly to be diſcouraged for that they want. Of ſmall beginnings come great p. 201proceedings; of one little ſparke, a mighty flame; and the tall Okes were ſometimes but ſmall Akorns: hee hath well begunne, that hath in truth begunne; and hee hath much, who feeleth that hee wanteth much.

THe ſecond kinde of generall Lets are, the unmortified affections wherewith believers are oppreſſed. Concerning which in generall, it will be profitable for every one to marke with what hee is moſt incumbred, and moſt eaſily overcome of, and by what occaſions he is readilieſt drawne to them; that hee may the more diligently and wiſely labour to prevaile againſt them.

In particular, one kinde is feare and doubt of perſevering by means of afflictions, &c. This doth eaſily take hold of weake ones; therefore the Scripture fore-warneth of it, Matth. 10 28. Phil. 1.28. Ioh. 16.33.

p. 202This, if it doe prevaile, cannot but feeble utterly the powers of their minds; and ſo with-hold the inſtruments of the body from practiſing well any kind of duty.

The way to remedy it, muſt be ſought for in the Scripture, Pſal. 30.5. 2 Cor. 4.17. Heb. 12.11. 2 Cor. 9.10. Iam. 1.3.

Another unmortified affection, is, pride, and over-weening of themſelves: examples whereof we have, Rom. 3.17. 1 Cor. 4.8.

This maketh men waxe weary of learning, remiſſe of their diligence and care for good, to account meanly of thoſe which are looſe and irreligious; or elſe fall into ſects, ſchiſmes, and hereſies, or at leaſt bring themſelves in an accurſed melancholy and ſolitary life.

The remedie is laid downe, Rev. 3.17. 1 Cor. 3.18. and 4.1. Pſal 119 12. We muſt diligently examine and conſider our waies, till wee have found out our ſinnes p. 203unto true humiliation; wee muſt compare our ſelves not with the worſt, but with the forwardeſt Chriſtians, and holieſt examples.

Another unmortified aff…ction is ſloth; the remedy to finde out the roote and fountaine of this miſchiefe, and ſo remove it, Prov. 1.32. & 14.12. Encouragements we have from God, Ioſh. 1.9. Eph. 3.19.

AMongſt other unſtaid affections which are inward lets of godlineſſe, tuchie or peeviſh frowardneſſe is not the leaſt; when men are fretting againſt perſons or things that doe croſſe us, though it be but trifles. Thus many are caught upon the ſudden, which at other times could eaſily withſtand greater provocations, as we may ſee of David, if wee compare 1 Sam. 24.7. with 25.13.

This is a high offence to God, a needleſſe trouble to our ſelves, a bereaving us of godly wiſdome, yea, and of common reaſon alſo.

p. 204Therefore wee muſt make diligent ſearch, and inquire whether wee be prone to theſe ſervile paſſions, or no, and ſo if wee doe labour to prevent it; but if wee be at any time overtaken with it, then we muſt (as ſoone as may be) ſet our ſelves apart, ſeriouſly to conſider of the unſeemelineſſe of the thing, &c. untill wee can ſhake it off, and after take more care that it returne not againe upon us.

Another troubleſome affection is, that men through ignorance or unbeliefe, grow weary of proceeding in a Chriſtian life, or at leaſt in ſpeciall duties thereof: the danger of this may appeare by the contrary forewarnings, Gal. 6.9. 1 Cor. 16.13.

This Satan laboureth to effect by reproach, &c.

Wee muſt therefore get aſſurance, that God his grace ſhall be ſuffic…ent for us, Matth. 11.31.

Many other aff…ctions there are of the like nature, and alike to be p. 205ſhunned; as unjuſt anger, heart-burnings, looſeneſſe and lightneſſe of heart, raſhneſſe, haſtineſſe, lumpiſhneſſe, and melancholy, with divers ſuch like; the beginning and firſt riſing whereof, although our owne hearts doe breed, yet the ſtrength of them is of Satan.

BEſides the fore-named evill affections, there are other worldly luſts, wherby many Chriſtians are much diſguiſed, as namely carnall pleaſure, and inordinate deſire of riches.

For the firſt, many are drowned in ſenſuality, and the ſottiſh pleaſure of the body, ſo that they become even blind and impotent: for when a man giveth his heart liberty to deſire ſtollen waters, and to count them ſweete, not caſting them up, and arming himſelfe againſt them as he ought; and giveth his eye leave to feed it ſelfe with vanity, by little and little his prayers become weake, and unable to drive out ſuch ſottiſhneſſe, but it p. 206lodgeth in him, and ſo is made a ſlave unto it. An example we have of Sampſon, Judg. 15. Nay, ſome goe ſo farre, that they are ſenſleſſe at the ſight of it, when as they ſhould tremble to behold in what ſtate they are: for their prayers are dead, their burthen of Conſcience importable, their loſſe of grace unſpeakeable, the griefes of the godly unutterable, and themſelves become as fooles in Iſrael, and ſpectacles to the prophane world to move paſtime.

1 Firſt, for the avoiding of theſe miſchiefes; we muſt make it our greateſt care to abide in the favour of God, and hold faſt the aſſurance of it from day to day.

2 Wee muſt be willing to ſubmit our ſelves to the yoake of Chriſt.

3 Wee muſt hold in our luſts and imaginations, as it were, with bitt and bridle, that they range not after hurtfull and poiſoned baites.

p. 2074 We muſt ſhun and avoid all the occaſions and objects of ſuch miſchiefe. And eſpecially, we muſt be ſuſpicious and fearefull of thoſe ſins to which wee know our ſelves to be moſt prone and inclined.

THe other worldly luſt is noyſome care about the things of this life, which is a common evill under the Sunne; for it creepeth upon men ſo ſecretly and ſubtly, that hardly ſhall one perceive the danger of it untill wee have taken hurt by it: yet the danger is deadly, for where worldlineſſe faſtneth upon a man, it devoureth godlineſſe, as if there had been none before; it ſuffereth no good thing to grow by it, but choaketh it, and overſhadoweth any gift of God whatſoever, and ſo changeth even good men, that they are not aware of it, that they become moſt unlike themſelves, 1 Tim 6.10.

By this, men in worldly dealings become greedy of profit, raſh p. 208in making, and careleſſe in performing of covenants; too much looſeneſſe, earthly rejoycing, and fretting when we thrive not; overlaying our ſelves with worldly dealings, ſo that no time is fit for better uſes.

For the redreſſing of this, foure things are required:

1 Let every man looke carefully that no man be hurt, or ſuſtaine any loſſe or danger by him, 1 Theſ. 4.6. by this he ſhall be freed from all the ſins againſt our neighbour, commanded in the eighth Commandement.

2 His care muſt be not only to doe no hurt, but alſo to doe good to thoſe whom wee have to doe with, Rom. 13.8. as to the Miniſter in maintenance, to our family in proviſion, to the poore in reliefe, &c.

3 Heede muſt be taken, that riches hurt us not, that they be not meanes to draw us unto ſin, Eccleſ. 5.12.

p. 2094 Wee muſt provide that wee be bettered by our wealth towards God his ſervice. Deut. 28 47.

As for the poore, they ſhall beſt teſtifie that they are not tainted with this ſinne, if they hold faſt innocencie, contentation, and thankſgiving. Reaſons to move us to the avoiding of covetouſneſſe, are,

1. Firſt, becauſe wee cannot enjoy them long, but either they ſhal bee taken from us, or we from them; and yet this ſhort time is alſo uncertaine, Luk. 16.2.

2. Becauſe they are not our own but borrowed, Luk. 16.12.

3 If wee bee not faithfull in the ſmaller, it is an argument, that wee will be much leſſe in the greater.

4 Becauſe wee ſhall give an account, as of all other things, ſo eſpecially of our getting, uſing, and forgoing of our goods and commodities, Matth. 25.14. Luk. 6.2.

THere is a third kinde of lets, whereby many beleevers are p. 210hindred from going on in a godly courſe, viz. All kindes of outward things which of themſelves are not evill, but are made by Satan, occaſions to hurt and wound our ſoules.

1 Afflictions though ſent of God for our great good, as is to bee ſeene, Heb. 12.7.11. Pſal. 119.71. & 1 Cor. 11.13. Iam. 1.2. Yet are by Satan and our owne corruptions, made occaſions of impatience, fretting, penſiveneſſe, and many other evils; againſt which we muſt arme our ſelves before they come, that then our unruly paſſions may not break out ſo impatiently, Iohn 16.33.

2 So in proſperity he ſubtilly maketh drunken our hearts with love of our good, puffes them up with pride and high mindedneſſe, &c

To theſe dangerous evils ſhall the godly themſelves bee drawne, except they carefully prevent them.

It is therefore a ſpeciall point of p. 211wiſedome, in time of peace that we beware that wee leane not upon outward things, for then wee ſhall eaſily bee caſt downe with every blaſt of adverſity.

3 Another occaſion of unſetling our hearts are houſhold affaires, and things that concerne our maintenance, by the unwarie uſe wherof, men become unquiet, wayward, diſtracted, and unlike Chriſtians.

A wiſe man therefore will unburden himſelfe of theſe multitude of worldly dealings, which wil not ſuffer the minde to bee freed, and will ſo ſubdue his affections, that he may have them in order as well in one thing as in another.

4 By change of company, dwelling, and acquaintance, men receive much hurt, Gen. 19.30.

5 The ſight of godlineſſe to be contemned, and licentious courſes to be maintained, is a great ſcandall Pſal. 73.

6 Familiarity with the wicked p. 212is of great force.

Many other occaſions there are by our ſenſes conveied unto us, againſt which wee muſt daily ſtrive by keeping on our Armour, ſtanding on our watch, following that direction which God hath given, and depending on that grace which hee hath promiſ…d; ever remembring that we doe not caſt off feare of danger, for occaſions of ſinne ſhall never bee wanting, no, not in things lawfull and good; nor Satan waiting upon them, with ſecret extenuations of ſinne, and hiding the puniſhment.

NOW becauſe there being ſo many lets in the waies of godlineſſe, and thoſe ſo hardly paſſed, and difficult enterpriſes are alwaies commended by the good that followeth them; it is neceſſary that the great priviledges which belong to a godly life ſhould bee explained; that ſo the godly may know their owne happineſſ…, and p. 213ſtrive to enjoy it; the wicked may ſee what great good things they deprive themſelves of; and to all men the Chriſtian life may bee in better account, which now of all ſorts is too much underpriſed, and ſo neglected, and of ſome contemned and ſcorned.

To omit therefore all thoſe benefits which are common to them with the wicked (although theſe alſo are farre more ſweete and ſavory to the godly than to others) and thoſe alſo which are proper to ſome of the faithfull in reſpect of their callings, thoſe onelyonly ſhall bee named in which the wicked have no part nor portion, and yet all the faithfull may poſſeſſe, one as well (though not ſo much) as another.

Theſe are either ſuch as are given us in this life to be enjoyed for our encouragement, or elſe thoſe which God hath in ſtore for us in the life to come.

p. 214THe firſt and chiefeſt of them which are given us in this life, is, that all true Chriſtians may know themſelves to bee beloved of God, and that they ſhall bee ſaved. 1 Ioh. 3.1. & 5.13. Ioh. 1.12. and that by better evidence than any man can have of the things hee holdeth in this life. This is not ſo well knowne at the firſt, but after experience gathered of the unchangeable love of God towards us, our confidence is increaſed; yea the longer wee enjoy this priviledge, the better wee know it; neither can it be loſt wholly or finally.

Ob. Some of Gods Children after they have beene thus perſwaded, have fallen to doubting againe.

Anſw. True Chriſtians are renewed but in part, and therefore ſome are by the ſubtilty and malice of Sathan brought to the neglect or careleſſe uſing of the meanes whereby faith is confirmed, and ſo to doubting; and many not ſo p. 215offending, doe too too eaſily give place unto diſtruſt, thereby depriving themſelves of this great priviledge.

This priviledge is the greater becauſe of the unſpeakeable glory and everlaſting joy which it bringeth with it, whereas other delights are but fleeting and momentarie.

Which greatneſſe will eaſily appeare if wee well conſider the unſpeakeable woe and horror of ſuch deſperate perſons as feele the want of this happineſſe either here, or in hell.

AFter God hath vouchſafed the faithfull this honour, that they may know themſelves to bee beloved of him here, and that they ſhall be ſaved hereafter; hee doth not then leave them, but is alwaies with them, and ha…h a ſpeciall care of them above others, nay, when he is angry with others. Rom. 5.5. Pſa. 30.6, 7. Luk. 13.34. Deu. 32.10 p. 2161 Tim. 4.10. Matth. 10.30. Pſal. 1.3. & 23.1. Rom. 8.31. & 23. 1 Sa. 2.3. Pſal. 1.1.

He eſteemeth them not onelyonly as his houſhold ſervants, but as his friends, Ioh. 15.15. his Sonnes and heires. Rom. 8.17. his precious treaſure, Exod. 19.5. yea, he hon… reth them ſo farre, as hee calleth them and maketh them kings, Exo. 19.5. All which is both certaine and conſtant unto the faithfull, but it is not ſo with the wicked; ſo that by this it appeareth, that the eſtate of the pooreſt child of God, is farre better than the beſt of the ungodly, yea, better than themſelves ſometimes would have asked, or thought of.

THoſe who are thus cared for of God, receive grace from him to live according to his Will, that at death they m…y enter into his glory; for he teacheth them to be fruitfull in good life, and alſo to avoide the foule offences.

p. 217As for the firſt, viz. a holy life whereunto God enableth his by his owne power, it is a great prerogatiue, in that they need not account the Chriſtian life comberſome, unſavory, heavie, and tedious, as many do; but an eaſie yoake light burthen, and pleaſant race: this is in the Scripture called bleſſedneſſe, as Pſalm. 1.2. & 84.2. Luk. 11.14.

Many indeed there are, even good people, w^ch in great part goe without this priviledge; but the cauſe is, that they draw not by faith daily ſtrength from Ieſus Chriſt to ſubdue their luſts, but truſt either to their owne ſtrength or in other meanes, untill being fruſtrated of their deſire, they either fall into great vexation, or elſe plaine ſ…curity and looſeneſſe. For the remedy whereof they muſt labour to be ſtedfaſt in faith, not yeelding unto diſtruſt, but learne to know that God who hath taken care of his, will not leave them in their infirmities, p. 218but according to his all-ſufficien… power will ſuccour and deliver them, which if they once believe (as God requireth we ſhould) then ſhall they ſee themſelves mightily ſtaid and upholden until they bee ſet at great liberty, and that it was the divell who before held them in feare and bondage.

Ob. We dare not believe that God will give us ſuch grace, except firſt wee could overcome our ſpeciall corruptions.

A…ſw. Wee have no ſtrength of our owne to any ſuch worke, but wee muſt obtaine it by faith which is alſo commanded us. Ioh. 3.23. and till we doe ſo, we ſh…ll be holden from our right by the craft of Satan.

AS for the ſecond, viz. that the faithfull are taught and enabled of God to …void great falls and reprochfull evils; that is plain Pro. 19.23. Pſ. 119.10 11. A…d the ex…m…les of Enoch, Abra…am, Moſes, p. 219Ioſhua, Samuel and Daniel, Job, with others who for the time of their neer acquaintance with God, committed not any ſuch hainous treſpaſſes, as were common ſtaines and blots in the lives of others.

By this ſo excellent and invaluable a priviledge, the doing of good becommeth meat and drinke unto the faithfull, ſo that they can ſerve God even in a good and ioyfull heart in all things, Deut. 12.18. & 28.47. minde heavenly things without that tediouſneſſe which is ſeene in others; performe earthly buſineſſes with heavenly minds, and alwaies rejoyce before the Lord.

Not that they have no rebellion in them; for they fi…d a ſtrife alway & are in part led captive o… it, that they might not triumph before the victory; partly that feeling their owne weakneſſe, they may more wholly depend on God; and p…rtly that their future victory m…y appeare more glorious: but all this p. 220while, though many wounds be received, the Chriſtian is never ſo vanquiſhed, but that recovering againe by the power of God, hee goeth on with ſtedfaſt j…y.

A Further Liberty is, that if the godly doe by any occaſion fall from their ſetled courſe into any offence, whereby their conſciences are wounded and accuſe themſelves; they may returne againe unto God, with certaine aſſurance of being received of him, Iohn 2.2. Without this priviledge, there were but ſmall encouragements for any Chriſtian, becauſe of our often falls.

Therefore the Lord doth not onelyonly permit us to doe thus, but calleth and waiteth for it, yea, he is highly off…nded, if wee doe not, Ier. 8.4. and for the effecting of it hath given charge to the Paſtours, as Eze. 34.3. and to others, Gal. 6.1. how great a priviledg this is, …hey know full well who have experience p. 221of an afflicted conſcience, to whom no tidings can be more gladſome than this, if it be rightly applyed. It draweth from ſuch many thanks and praiſes, and ſo bringeth much honour to God.

But this muſt be warily and wiſely received, that wee neither take occaſion hence to imbolden our ſelves to ſinne, or content our ſelves with ſleight repentance: for Gods mercies muſt be inſtantly ſought for, and then his favour may not be doubted of, as appeareth by that example, Eze. 10.1.

So that here two extremes are to be avoided, viz. that neither we preſume upon ſleight and hollow repentance, nor languiſh in deſperate and unfruitfull ſorrow, but in ſound humiliatio… hope ſtedfaſtly for pardon, and ſay to our ſoules, as David doth, Pſal. 43.5.

The ſame that is ſpoken of actuall ſinnes, muſt alſo be underſtood of dulneſſe, idleneſſe, unprofitable barrenneſſe of the heart; and ſuch p. 222other corruptions which are wont to quench the worke of God his Spirit, and to be the ſeed of many curſed evills. The Lords will is, that from hence we ſhould expect in faith as well ſtrength to weaken them, as mercy to forgive them.

THe very helpes themſelves which God hath given to us, to further our ſalvation, are great priviledges, & ſo to be accounted.

As that by Prayer we may have acceſſe unto God to breake our minde, lay open our griefe, and that with confidence: and that by watchfulneſſe, wee may eſcape thoſe dangerous ſnares of S…tan, wherein ſo many are intangled, and that wee may in the end of every day make up our accounts with joy, and keepe all ſtreight. For unto theſe, and ſuch like h…lpes, God hath promiſed a bleſſi…g, and we muſt by faith looke conſtantly for the ſame; for there is no fruite of the beſt help…s if wee p. 223uſe them not in faith, Iam 1.6.

Theſe are great priviledges, and howſoever of many through earthlineſſe, ſloth, and way-wardneſſe of their hearts they be not ſo eſteemed; and therefore either not uſed, or elſe formally or ſleightly, yet wee ſhould account the more of them; as being ſo glorious, that the dim eyes of prophane perſons cannot behold them: and praiſe God the more, who maketh them ſo ſweet and gainfull unto us, which unto ſo many are very gall and wormewood.

ANother great priviledge is, …hat the Lord teacheth his, how to carry themſelves, and keepe their integrity in all eſtates of life.

As firſt, in peace and proſperity, when a man hath riches, Hono…r, health, friends, delights, and pleaſures, &c. This is a ſlippery eſtate in which no man of himſelfe can ſtand, and therefore is an occaſion p. 224of falling to moſt men, but God teacheth his to ſtand in this ſlippery way.

For, firſt, when he cauſeth the Doct…ine of cōtentation, ſobriety, and the contempt of this world to be taught unto them, then hee draweth their hearts inwardly to attend unto it, believe it, love and practiſe it. Beſides this, God cauſeth them oft to ſet before their eyes the daily changes of all things under the Sunne; and by the oft and deepe conſideration of theſe things as they obſerve them, their luſts are appalled, and the pride of life is greatly abated in them, Pſal. 102.22.

So that by theſe means the Lord ſo frameth his, that they deſire no more, nor no longer than their heavenly Father ſeeth expedient; to uſe theſe outward things, as if they uſed them not, and yet ſo to uſe them as that they may be helps to themſelves and others in the way of godlineſſe.

p. 225All which is not ſo to be underſtood, as if every believer had this grace, but that God hath bequeathed, and doth offer this to all, though onelyonly they have it, which doe eſteeme of it and ſeeke for it, in faith at Gods hands.

SO likewiſe in regard of affl…ctions, the prerogative of God his children is great; firſt, he holdeth many tribulation… from them, which otherwiſe by their ſinnes they doe plucke upon themſelves, Pſal. 32.10, 11. which muſt needes be ſo, becauſe afflictions ſpring from ſinne, and therefore where ſin is greater or leſſer, the afflictions will be proportionable.

The truth of it, viz. that they may be freed from many troubles, is plaine, becauſe ſo many doe fill themſelves with inward troubles of minde and conſcience, by giving place to their unbridled affections, which breede many perturbations, and by taking licenſe p. 226duplicate page p. 227duplicate page p. 226to themſelves in things which are not ſeemely. They bring alſo many outward troubles upon themſelves by their ſins, as ſhame, poverty, diſeaſes, evill children, &c. All which may often be avoided by the grace of God, if ſinne were taken heed of and reſiſted, and if by labour and watchfulneſſe the unruly heart were ſubdued.

Whereby the way, we may obſerve how unwiſely they doe, who ſhun the ſincere practice of religion, that they may be freed from troubles, when as Religion doth free a man from ſo many.

AS the faithfull are freed wholly from troubles; ſo when they are in, God delivereth them out of many, when as the wicked remaine in theirs, Pro. 11.8. Examples both of the Church in generall, and of the faithfull in particular, are ſufficiently knowne to all that know any thing in the Scriptures: all which are recorded, p. 227not to ſhew onelyonly that the faithfull have beene delivered out of trouble (for that were no ſingular thing, but common for the wicked) but that they are delivered in the fatherly love of God, as appeareth by the meanes which they uſed; as prayer, faſting, &c. This the wicked have never, nor alwaies the godly.

Ob. The Fathers had particular promiſe for their deliverance, but ſo h…ve not we.

An. In the maine and chiefeſt things, God hath ſpoken as plainly and fully to us, as to them: wee may alwaies aſſure our ſelves, that God hath a moſt tender and fatherly care over us, and that hee will ſhew the ſame in the time of our need, either by delivering us if he ſee it good and expedient, or elſe by giving us that grace which ſhall be ſufficient for us. The not teaching or not believing of this doctrine, cauſeth much uncheerfulneſſe & diſcontent in our troubles, p. 228as grudging againſt God, unlawfull ſhifting, carnall feares, &c. wheras, if it were otherwiſe, much heavenly comfort might be reaped in our lives, which now is wanting.

When it pleaſeth the Lord to lay any afflictions upon his, they may aſſure themſelves it is for their exceeding good; which perſwaſion if it be ſetled, and the contrary power of carnall reaſon, checked and ſuppreſſed, we ſhall have wiſdome to looke for afflictions daily, and be ready to receive them from God thankfully, and meekely, this wiſedome muſt be ſought for of God, Iam. 1.5, 6.

Now, if wee would take good by afflictions, we muſt firſt receive that word with full aſſent, which is, Rom. 8.28. All things worke for the beſt to thoſe which love God: and then conſider ſeriouſly how great reaſon there is, that wee ſhould yeeld up our ſelves, our wills, and all that wee have unto p. 229God his will, and thinke that good for us which God thinketh good; for God ſendeth afflictions to his Children,

1 Firſt, That they may have experience of his love in delivering them.

2 Secondly, that they may have proofe of their faith and patience.

3 Thirdly, that they may not bee condemned with the world.

4 Fourthly, that they may bee purged from their ſinnefull droſſe.

5 Fifthly, to weane them from this world. If theſe things bee knowne and beleeved of us, wee ſhall find them ſo to our exceeding comſort; and though ſometimes in triall we may ſeeme to bee neglected or forgotten, yet wee ſhall ſee at length that it is nothing ſo.

Ob. If afflictions ſhall turne to our good, then wee need take no further thought about them.

Anſw. That promiſe doth not warrant us to be c…releſſ…; for if we behave our ſelves wilfully, blockiſhly p. 230or fooliſhly in afflictions, they will turne to our great hurt and vexation: but if wee mingle that Scripture with faith, it will cauſe us to receive all croſſes from God as ſent in love; not to murmur at them, but thankefully and patiently, and alſo with examination of our ſelves, if ſo bee that any ſin hath brought evill upon us; and then we ſhall have proofe of Gods grace in us, experience of his favor towards us, preſervation from many ſins, increaſe of humiliation and thankfulneſſe, preparation for the bearing of greater, with ſome comfort at leaſt in the end, and hope in the midſt, which ſhall not make us aſhamed. When we finde not this doctrine ſavorie and ſweet to us, nor the uſe of it in our afflictions, let us not charge or challenge the Lord for it, but conſider what we have loſt by unbeleefe.

NOw beſides all the former priviledges ſeverally, there is one that reſpecteth them all of p. 231great price, and that is, increaſe and growing of all thoſe graces: for God giveth to his greater every way, than they would have ſometimes either expected or asked, Col 1.9.

An example whereof we may ſee in Moſes, if we compare his later times with his former, and in the Apoſtles. This priviledg, if it be duly conſidered, addeth great courage, and yeeldeth much comfort to Gods children: when they ſhall know that this grace is offered them of God, even that like plants they ſhould grow and increaſe in Gods Houſe, and as the Sunne they ſhould ſhine more and more untill Midday.

And howſoever the Divell rayſeth many occaſions of fainting, ſl…th, deadneſſe of ſpirit, and earthly mindedneſſe, neglecting of meanes, &c. yet may wee not be diſcouraged, but preſſe forward, depending on Gods promiſe, and following his direction.

p. 232AS hee that maketh a good beginning, ſhall increaſe & grow in goodneſſe, ſo he that increaſeth daily, ſhall make a good end at length: for all true believers ſhall continue to the end in a good and godly courſe, Pſa. 37.37. Phil. 1.6, Ioh 6.39. & 10.28. which as in it ſelfe it is a great priviledge, ſo is it the greater in th…t God maketh it knowne to his children, and draweth their hearts to believe the ſame, even when the ſee no ground for it in themſelves, 1 Pet. 4.5. 1 Ioh. 5.13. 1 Theſ. 5 9.

This is a treaſure invaluable, mightily reviving & gladding the hearts of Gods children, and incouraging them with cheerfulneſſe to follow the godly life, and all meanes of proceeding in it. For they which take occaſion from this doctrine to waxe ſlothfull, worldly, idle, vaine, &c. they know not what it meaneth, but pervert that which they know not, to their owne deſtruction.

p. 233The truth and certainty of this priviledge is not to be doubted of, though wee ſee good men at their death to ſhew ſmall tokens of grace and of a happy departure: for there may be many impediments, and howſoever it may ſeeme, yet this is certaine, of a good life commeth a good death, Pſalm. 37.37. Sometime indeed for correction of ſome ſin, or for example, the Lord may ſend ſuch a death as is leſſe comfortable, as in Ioſia, 1 King. 13.24. and in the Prophet that was ſent to Ieroboam: yea, ſometimes a good Chriſtian may offer violence to himſelfe, not knowing what he doth; yet being formerly of a holy and unrebukeable converſation, he is not to be judged according to that one action, how unwarrantable and dangerous ſoever in it ſelfe.

Much leſſe ought perſecution to ſeeme ſo grievous, as that it could not ſtand with a good eſtate, and finall perſeverance, eſpecially ſeeing we have much incouragement p. 234to the ſuffering of it, by examples, promiſes, and predictions in holy Scripture.

This perſeverance then being ſo precious, and yet ſo certaine, let us then nouriſh the hope of it in our ſelves daily by keeping in us a willingneſſe to die.

2. By frequenting meditation of the vanity of this world, and all that therein is, Col. 3.1.

Thirdly, by holding faſt our rejoycing in Chriſt, 1 Cor. 5.31. by mortifying of ſin, and keeping our hearts from the love of it, Col. 3.5.

Laſtly, by inuring our ſelves, to beare ſmall afflictions, and ſo to deny our ſelves, that we may the better undergoe greater when they ſhall be ſent.

NOw that whereon all the former doe depend, and whereat they aime, is the unſpeakeable glory which was prepared for us before the begi…ning of the world, begun in this life, and to be fully and perfectly enj…yned, in the life p. 235to come. This for our capacity is ſhadowed out by many earthly compariſons and reſemblances of thoſe things which doe moſt delight us, as honour, treaſure, riches, beauty, friends, pleaſure, joy, inheritance, &c.

Our company there ſhall be Chriſt, with his holy Angells, bleſſed Apoſtles, Prophets, Martyrs, Confeſſors, &c.

The habitation it ſelfe is permanent and everlaſting, and ſo are all the treaſures that are enjoyed therein.

The eſtate of Princes is not to be compared with that happineſſe. All the glory which was in this world, even before the fall, was but a ſhadow in reſpect of this; the glorious and unſpeakeable joy which Gods children h…ve here is great, 1 Cor. 2.9. and making a day of their life, better than a thouſand of other mens, Pſal. 84.10. yet this is but a taſte of that which is to come. For then all teares p. 236ſhall be wiped from our eyes; for ſin and death ſhall be no more.

This priviledge added unto all the former doth ſufficient commend the happy condition of Gods children, eſpecially to thoſe that know theſe things to belong to themſelves, and find the comfort of them. But this effectuall Knowledge of Gods will, to apprehend them by faith in particular, is a particular gift of God to his Elect; not enjoyed of any other, no not of the greateſt and moſt judiciall Clarkes and Divines, Matth. 13.11. which doth indeed make this gift more precious, in that Gods children have grace to draw down all good from God in his promiſe; which naturall men cannot doe; for fleſh and blood giveth not this to any. But God draweth his children to the knowing and believing of it: Firſt by his Word, and ſecondly by their owne experience, which bringeth moſt neere and familiar communion with God by p. 237his Spirit, from whence ſpringeth moſt unſpeakeable joy.

THeſe being the great Priviledges which our God hath appointed for his, and called them to partake of; moſt lamentable it is that many ſhould be ſo ignorant as not to deſire to know them, ſo careleſſe as to reject them, ſo obſtinate as to tread them under foote, and ſo to leade a life full of miſery for want of them.

The Chriſtian life is termed in Scripture, a pilgrimage, Obiect. a ſowing in teares, &c.

Therefore we had need of, Anſw. nay therfore we have theſe priviledges; for otherwiſe wee could never undergoe the tribulation which wee ſhall meete with; and the afflictions do rather increaſe than diminiſh their happineſſe.

We ſee no ſuch glorious things in Chriſtians. Obiect.

Theſe are ſpirituall things, Anſw. and therfore not eaſily diſcerned being eſpecially inward; beſides, wicked p. 238men will not acknowledge that glory which they ſee; becauſe it reproveth them.

Againe, theſe priviledges are more inward feeling than outward appearance. Moreover there are many infirmities in the lives of profeſſours, which the world doe more gaze upon, than upon their Chriſtian converſation otherwiſe. But yet their lives be glorious before God, and ſhining lights to them that can ſee and diſcerne, whileſt they that carpe at them ſhall be moſt loathſome and abhominable.

AGainſt the former Directions many things may be objected both by carnall cavellers, and alſo by weake Chriſtians.

Of the firſt ſort is, that there needeth no other directions to bee preſcribed beſides Gods word. To which there needeth no other anſwer, but that by the ſame reaſon all preaching were needleſſe; which if it bee as it ſhould, is out of the p. 239Scriptures: but beſides there is great need of ſuch a Direction as this to be penned, by reaſon of the great weakeneſſes which are in Chriſtians, ſome being ſlow of capacitie, others ſhort of memorie, others very ſoone unſetled for want of good direction, are aſhamed or unwilling to open their griefes, or elſe have no fit man to ſhew them unto: ſo that beſides other great harme which followeth the want of direction, they are deprived of much communion with the Lord, and comfort that ariſeth from it.

IT is further objected; that no ſuch direction can bee obſerved daily.

But if it were impoſſible, why doth the Prophet call them bleſſed that follow ſuch a courſe? Pſa. 1.2. and affirme ſo much of himſelfe, Pſal. 119.97. many ſuch examples alſo wee have amongſt us, even in this age, who doe not make themſelves p. 240ſtrangers unto God, to heare from him, or to ſend vntounto him now and then; but to walke with him daily, as all are commanded to doe. Nay, many there are, who of experience have found this way not only poſſible, but eaſie to them, and full of comfort; who ſhould indeed be patternes unto others; for the beſt practiſers are the beſt teachers: neither can any idle profeſſour looke for ſuch eaſe and comfort as the painfull Chriſtian that hath beene taught by long experience. IT will be ſaid, that howſoever it be poſſible, yet it is very toyleſome and inconvenient, depriving men of pleaſure, and hindering labour.

But the truth is, there is no pleaſure or comfort in the world, like unto it: that is the ſentence of the holy Ghoſt, Pſalm. 119.99, 100. Prov. 8.11. Neither is this meant of ſerving God at times, but continually, even all the day long, Pſal. 119, 10.23.97.

p. 241And whoſoever hath any knowledge and experience by practice, what reward there is in ſerving God, doth juſtifie this to be true: for why alſo ſhould ſo many Chriſtians part with all ſinfull pleaſures which they might enjoy with others, and ſpend ſo much time and paines in Gods ſervice, if it were ſo irkeſome?

It is not indeed a pleaſure to all; but to the upright in heart, it is the onelyonly delight, though in this life there be ſome reſiſtance, nay, it ſeaſoneth and ſweatneth all earthly liberties, alſo making them truly pleaſant to the godly, which to others are mixed either with burthenſome tediouſneſſe, or hidden poyſon.

Neither would this hinder labour and thrift; for all godly thrift, Chriſtian gaining; and lawfull proſpering in the world, doth ariſe from hence; even when a man goeth to the workes of his calling with a minde at peace with God, p. 242commending his affaires to Gods providence, aimes at his glory, lookes at his promiſe, and ſo waits for a bleſſing: and for want of this, many in great toile and paines find no ſucceſſe nor bleſſing of God; and others that ſeeme to proſper have their wealth but as Iudas had his ſop, and the Iſraelites their quailes, to become their bane and poyſon.

AS cauſeleſſe alſo is their feare, who ſay, that the following of this direction would breake off all ſociety and fellowſhip amongſt men. For this would breake off none but evill fellowſhip, ſuch as it were to be wiſhed were abandoned all ſocieties of Chriſtians; which if it ſeeme ſtrange, it will be onelyonly to ſuch as the Apoſtle Peter ſpeaketh of in his firſt Epiſtle, 4.4.

BUt it is fit to ſatisfie the doubts which weake Chriſtians are like to propound.

As firſt, how they may attaine p. 243and keepe this Courſe?

For the anſwer whereof, thus much:

1 There muſt bee an earneſt deſire wrought by the conſideration of the neceſſitie of it.

2 There muſt bee a ſtrife againſt untowardneſſe and ſloth.

3 All earthly affections muſt be moderated, and not clog us.

4 There muſt in faith be expectation of fruit farer above the labour.

5 It will be good at the firſt that doubts which ariſe be imparted to others of experience; and that the proceeding be marked, that wants may be ſupplied, and good things continued.

This if wee doe, the matter will not ſeeme ſo difficult and tedious unto us; neither are lawfull callings any lets unto this Chriſtian courſe. For holy exerciſes and lawfull buſineſſe, a heavenly mind and earthly dealing, may very well ſtand together.

p. 244SOme are alſo moved, with the croſſes that they ſhall meete withall in the world.

But they neede not be troubled ſo as to goe backe, but rather to ſet forward thereby, Deut. 82. Ioh. 16.33.

The end of all this is, that ſuch as have received the Goſpell, and that have not beene carefull thus daily and perpetually to walke with God; if it was of ignorance, they muſt not be diſcouraged, but onelyonly ſhew that ignorance was the cauſe, by amending now upon knowledge. If it was of evill conſcience againſt their knowledge, their ſin is the greater, eſpecially if they have fallen from the firſt love: Therefore time it is, that they ſhould returne and ſeeke peace with God, maintaining the ſame by carefull watching over themſelves throughout the day, that they offend in nothing.

FINIS.

End of the text · Paul Baynes, Brief Directions Unto a Godly Life (1637)