Seven Treatises, Treatise 5 · Chapter 14
CHAP. 14. Of the ſecond part of the Couenant, namely: The remedies againſt the complaint mentioned in the former Chapter.
NOW foraſmuch as in the weighing of the truth of theſe things, we could not but be grieued heartily: (as who can behold ſo great depth of corruption and the fruite of the ſame, ſo many wayes with deadly vncomfortableneſſe threatning his confuſion, but muſt needs ſeeke and vſe all poſſible meanes, ſpeedily to pull himſelfe out again?) we therefore immediatly after the due conſideration of our wofull condition, turned our ſelues to bethinke vsus, what remedies we might apply to this fall, if thereby we might poſſibly recouer our ſelues againe: and alſo make them helpes for hereafter, that we may as well continue in a fruitfull and cheareful courſe vntounto the end of our liues; as at all, to returne into the right way againe. Firſt therefore,The firſt remedy we thought thus, and tooke order as followeth: that ſuch of vsus, as did find our fals to be ſo great, and our offences ſo dangerous, that either for our too too great delight in them, or long lying therein, we could not by our vſuall prayers and humiliation, or by helpe of any ordinarie and daily practiſes of repentance, by hearing the word and preparing our ſelues for the Lords ſupper; come to peace of conſcience, and obtaine confidence and godly boldneſſe with the Lord: ſuch (I ſay) ſhould humble our ſelues before the Lord with faſting and prayer, without which meanes ſuch diuels are hardly caſt out. Eſpecially, becauſe we had let go the hold of our faith, and had ſuffered the ſame to faile in vsus; (which when it commeth to paſſe, what can there be in our life but meere vnſauourineſſe; to ſpeake of the beſt?) our faſting tended to this, that we might more forcibly pray for the recouerie of our faith, and cleare beholding of Gods louing kindneſſe reſtored to vsus againe. That in ſuch manner we being abaſed in his preſence (as there is iuſt cauſe that ſuch ſhould be) and beleeuing againe his old accuſtomed mercy, we might in ſome good meaſure be purged from our former vnſauourineſſe, yea noyſome vncleaneneſſe: and ſo made fit to renue our couenant with the Lord againe, concerning more holy walking with him. And if we ſhould find, that our hearts might be brought to vnfained diſpleaſure with our ſelues for our former defaults, without faſting: then we determined to turne vntounto the Lord with all our hearts in ſinceritie, ſo as we might obtaine comfort and releaſe at his handes, as if faſting had bene adioyned thereunto.
After this, our couenant was to know our hearts better: how euill they are: what falſhood, fickleneſſe, lightneſſe and ſuch like naughtineſſe,The ſecond remedie. and varietie of corrupt affections we carie about vsus; that thereby we may be enforced to take more paine to weaken them daily. For we ſaw, that if we be not diligent to ſearch them out,An euill heart marreth all. as by occaſion we ſhall be moued to do, we ſhall both walke in continuall vnſetledneſſe, and in an vncomfortable eſtate, becauſe we can go about nothing, but ſome one of theſe or other ſhall be eſpied to carie vsus ſome way amiſſe in the ſame. And thus we purpoſed to note and find them out in vsus, by a diligent view of and taking heed vntounto our waies, that ſo we may be in daily combate with them. A worthie worke therefore and commendable we ſaw it, to take knowledge of them, and not to be content to be blind in the beholding of them (becauſe we are neither eaſily brought to confeſſe and ſee them; and yet that he which hideth them ſhall not proſper): that ſo we may behold more filth and venome in them, then we would hauehave thought could hauehave bene in vsus. And we agreed, that if we ſhold be vnwilling to diſcouer this packe, that euen this willingneſſe to hide them, is one of the moſt daungerous euils among the reſt.
Now further, becauſe the knowledge of our hearts, (if we ſtay there) I meane,The third remedie. of the manifold euill luſts of them, doth make vsus the more headie and greedie to fulfill them, when we know them by the lawe of God to be condemned in vsus: we hauehave further faithfully determined to watch ouer them with all diligence, that neither any of thoſe which hauehave alreadie bene mentioned, neither any other (as farre as we may know them) may lurke or hauehave their abode within vsus with our liking, but that we may purge them out: and not thoſe only which are apparently groſſe, but euen ſuch as are more ſecret, being not yet come neare their ripeneſſe: and therefore whereſoeuer we become, or in whatſoeuer we hauehave to do, not to neglect this part of Chriſtian dutie; but eſpecially there and then, where and when we ſuſpect or hauehave cauſe to feare more danger thereby: as in vehement and ſtrong temptations, and grieuous and long continuing afflictions, there to ſtand the more vponupon our watch, &c. So that whether we be in companie or alone, in dealings abroad or matters at home, by one occaſion or by other, yet ſtill to hauehave this purpoſe fixed in vsus, that as farre as our fraile memorie will ſuffer vsus to remember it, we may go forward in the watching and obſeruing of them. Which muſt the rather be done; becauſe, as the heart is the fountaine of life, and frō thence we hauehave it, That we liue; ſo from thence we muſt fetch the beginning of well liuing: from an euill and vncleane heart, commeth no part of good life, no more then good fruite from an euill tree. But all the abhomination of the life, euen the moſt odious and vile, (as adulterie, murther, idolatrie, hereſie, &c.) they hauehave their beginning there, they are conceiued and nouriſhed there, they hauehave their proceeding from thence; and God is long and grieuouſly diſhonoured there for the moſt part, before man by the fruite of it can be or is offended.
So that as by the Romains law, it was ſtreightly enacted: that their ſprings ſhould be carefully preſerued from all filth which might attaint and poyſon them, that their riuers and water conduits might be ſweet and wholeſome: ſo it muſt neceſſarily be, that the heart of man being once renued and made cleane, it ſhould be kept and continued ſo; that being a good treaſurie, good things may be brought out of it continually of all ſorts, as occaſion ſhall require. For here we take it as graunted, that all which ſhall hauehave their part in this couenāt, or hauehave already deſired to hauehave, muſt be renued in their minds, and hauehave their hearts purged and made cleane by faith in the Sonne of God; whereby their ſinnes may be defaced and all their old conuerſation pardoned, their ſoules through the ſame with moſt comfortable and ſound peace enlightened; and ſo their hearts purified, both to will and alſo to liue well and godly. Of the which making cleane and purging the heart, as this is no fit place to ſpeake: ſo they muſt hauehave learned it and hauehave attained to it who are here mentioned, that is, ſuch as hauehave couenanted vnfainedly to watch and obſerue the ſame. Therfore (to returne) ſeeing the heart is a deepe dungeon and pit, full of all vncleane thoughts, and yet deceiuing men; ſo that they ſhal thinke farre otherwiſe, and ſuſpect no ſuch thing (as 1. King. 15.8.) ſeeing in all their actions ſome one or other portion of it is readie to corrupt and ſtaine euen the beſt of them, ſo that not the holieſt parts of Gods worſhip can purely and holily be fulfilled without the careful holding in of it: it is worthily and for iuſt cauſe, made one part of this wholeſome remedie of the well ordering of our liues. So that, if any be giuen to ſeeke the libertie which God hath not allowed him, to let looſe his heart after any folly and vanitie, and counteth it too great ſtreightneſſe and preciſe curiouſneſſe to keepe a dominion and a ſuperioritie ouer it, ſo as he might thereby bring it into ſubiection; he is iuſtly to be pitied, if he cannot be otherwiſe perſwaded: but if he thinke that way to build vp a godly life, vntill the Lord call backe his word (which now ſtandeth for a perfect direction of well liuing) he ſhall neuer attaine to that which he ſeeketh.
Now this watching ouer the heart, that it may be with the more fruite,VVith watching, there muſt go feare of offending. 2. Cor. 7.2. Deut. 5.29. Pro. 28.14. muſt hauehave accompanying it a ſuſpitious and iealous feare, leſt at any time it breake forth into ſuch delights as are worldly, carnall, &c. Of the which feare, for the great good that it doth thoſe who are ledde by it, the wiſe man ſaith: Bleſſed is the man that feareth alwayes, that is, his euill heart in one point or other, and therefore taketh the more paine about it. This being ſo farre to be vnderſtood and practiſed, as our weaknes will giuegive leaue, (i. ſo as we do not willingly nouriſh idleneſſe and vnprofitable liberty and looſneſſe in vsus) we are to take view of the fruite which it bringeth vsus; and to meaſure by dayes, by weekes, and ſo forward, what eaſe to our conſciences, what chearfulneſſe to our ſoules, and what better fruit in walking in our callings more then we were wont, is reaped of vsus and inioyed. And when we ſhall ſee that there is no compariſon betwixt the one and other: that is, betwixt a wandering heart, and betwixt a circumſpect care, we may more fully be reſolued to hold out in this courſe ſtill: becauſe although much fooliſh and fleſhly licentiouſnes is forgone, (which is naturally moſt deſired) yet it frameth and maketh vsus fit for the Lord, & weaneth vsus more and more from the world, and is a meane by which with great eaſe and readineſſe wee go on in our Chriſtian courſe. For this is that which we hope for hereby. And there ſhall be no doubt,Pſal. 19.14. but when the meditations of our hearts ſhall pleaſe the Lord, that the wordes of our mouthes, and the practiſe of our liues ſhall alſo be acceptable in his ſight. To conclude this point: it is againe to be remembred, that we weane our heart from earthly delights: which oftentimes tickling it with a pleaſant ſweetneſſe, do ſteale it away from heauenly things, and hold it here below: and ſo by little and little bring it to find a contentation here, and breed a weariſomneſſe in that godly life. And further, that we be very wary that our hearts be not ſtolne from a liking of good waies, neither brought out of frame by loathing our duties, and ſo depriued of their peace: eſpecially, that we be not hurt nor wounded that way, where there is greateſt cauſe of feare and daunger: nor brought into ſubiection to thoſe ſinnes, to the which by nature we be moſt inclined: as to the louelove of the world, vncleannes, breaking off of brotherly affection, &c. And here, if at any time we ſhould be ouertaken, (which is not to be doubted of, no not of the moſt circumſpect and beſt aduiſed) we reſolutely purpoſed not to ſleepe nor ſlumber in our ſinne, neither promiſe to our ſelues forgiueneſſe too eaſily:Note. but firſt to awake our ſelues, to be amazed that we ſhould let go the ſtrength and hold which once we had; to rebuke and checke our ſelues ſharply, till ſhame and ſorow for ſo offending, may humble vsus: and then we may be bold to aſſure our ſoules, hauing an aduocate with the father, Ieſus Chriſt the righteous, that we are receiued of him againe.
The fourth remedie, compounded of many.And to the end, that in this worke we may more happily go forward, and this watch be the better kept: our purpoſe was to auoide carefully all outward hinderances, and to auoide occaſions of quenching Gods ſpirit in vsus, as we ſhall hauehave wiſedome to ſee them: as, too farre entring into dealings or talke about the world, to call our ſelues backe from all exceſſe that way: alſo vnprofitable and dangerous company and acquaintance, any vnneceſſary and idle talke: and whatſoeuer elſe like vntounto theſe. And contrarily, to be carefull to continue with diligence and delight, not onelyonly the exerciſe and vſe of ſuch holy meanes of meditation and prayer, as well by our ſelues as with others alſo, reading, hearing and conference, &c. but alſo with minds to reape fruite by the ſame: which is not alwayes intended, nor ſought for ſo oft as the things themſelues are vſed. As for example: ſeeing the readieſt and beſt way to nouriſh and continue this holy deſire, and carefull watching ouer our hearts, is increaſe of knowledge, by the helpe of hearing and reading (for zealous and holy affections are like a flame of fire, which without the adding and putting to of wood, as new matter, will ſoone be quenched and extinguiſhed; ſo will our looking to our hearts, and obſeruing of them, be looſely and lightly continued:) it is our purpoſe to ſtir vp our ſelues with more earneſtneſſe hereunto, becauſe we know that we ſhall otherwiſe fruſtrate and make vaine our whole couenant.
That is to ſay, as foloweth: We do acknowledge, that our negligence and vnreuerence in theſe, hauehave ſo greatly depriued vsus of fruite in vnderſtanding and iudgement, as well as other wayes, that before our hearing we truſt we ſhall prepare our harts by caſting off that which would hinder vsus: namely, rebellious gainſaying the truth, ſecurity, hardneſſe, worldly affections, &c. that with meekneſſe and teachableneſſe, we will bring honeſt and good hearts to the hearing of the word; & in the action it ſelfe, be attentiue, and marking that which ſhall be taught, ſo as it may worke in vsus, and raiſe vp anſwerable affections to that which we ſhall heare; as ioy by comfortable doctrine, feare by that which moueth fear, &c. & after we hauehave heard, we wil beware that it periſh not in vsus through our owne default or negligence, in minding other matters more then that which we hauehave heard (whereby we ſhould bury it in forgetfulneſſe:) but carefully ſeeke oportunitie to muze vponupon it by our ſelues; or commune of it with others, as our ſmall abilitie will ſuffer vsus; or both. And when we ſhall hauehave learned to put in vre this part of the remedy, we intend to marke how this with the former doth bring our minds better in frame: that we may both take incouragement (in beholding any fruit) to continue it; and in ſeeing the contrary, to marke where the fault lieth, that it may be remoued.
And to ſharpen our deſire to heare and reade the more willingly, ſeeing there is much vntowardneſſe in our nature to ſuch exerciſes, and we hauehave ſtrong temptations to perſwade vsus that it is as needleſſe, as we feele it irkeſome: we hauehave ſeene it neceſſary for vsus to ſtirre vp our dulneſſe, not onelyonly by the commaundement of God, that we ſhould ſearch the Scriptures, (and ſo, reade thē) & that we ſhold giuegive eare daily to the Apoſtles doctrine, (and therfore heare the ſame in ſeaſon and out of ſeaſon, that by both, the word of God may dwell plentifully in vsus;) but alſo to hauehave in freſh memory the power of the Scriptures: which, beſides that they are able to ſaue our ſoules, ſo they can fill vsus with goodneſſe and comfort eueryevery way, as we ſhall hauehave need, and hauehave done ſo often in times paſt vntounto vsus. For many times we hauehave bene brought ſo low in feeling of any preſent cōfort; to ſuch a barrenneſſe & emptineſſe of all good inſtructions; ſometime (which was worſt of all) to ſuch an vnſauourineſſe in the good things of Gods word, and ſo vnapt and vntoward to them; that we thought in our weakneſſe it would neuer be otherwiſe with vsus: yet when we hauehave come againe to the miniſterie of the word, the Lord hath ſcattered our darkneſſe, raiſed vsus out of our deceiueable dumpes and drowſineſſe, and ſhewed vsus ioy and comfort againe: ſo that we hauehave bene taught thereby, that this is the fountaine which refreſheth vsus in our vnſatiable thirſts, and cooleth the heate of our ſinne; and finally, giueth greater grace, then Sathan for all his ſubtilties and tyranny.
And further,The fift remedie. becauſe experience hath taught vsus that we eaſily loſe that in the world amongſt the manifold incombrances, diſcouragements and dealings thereof, which we learned of the Lord by any good meanes; we hauehave faithfully couenanted for the better keeping of our hearts watchfull, and ſafe frō euill, once in the day (if it be poſſible) to ſet apart a time from all other law full and neceſſary duties, for meditation and priuate prayer, to the ſeaſoning of our hearts with grace, and to the ſtabliſhing of them againſt all temptations, afflictions and other hinderances. Not, to free our ſelues hereby from other times of communing with the Lord, as occaſions ſhall be offered, & neceſſity ſhal require: but becauſe our vntoward harts would otherwiſe draw vsus altogether to breake off this duty, if we ſhould not determine of ſome ſpeciall time; therefore one quarter of an houre, or as eueryevery one ſhall find himſelfe able, we hauehave ſeene meete to appoint hereunto, if we can hauehave good oportunity; that is to ſay, if God giuegive vsus minds fitly diſpoſed thereto, and miniſter profitable and plentifull matter accordingly: or if we faile in both, ſo much the more to take occaſion by our preſent wants and infirmity, to repaire vntounto God.
And becauſe the morning when we ariſe, is both meeteſt to be imployed that way, as wherein our minds are beſt able to thinke vponupon heauenly matters, when we hauehave not yet bene about our worldly affaires; and for the moſt people, the beſt time that may be ſpared: therefore we hauehave purpoſed to allot the firſt part of the day thereunto, with this prouiſo, that if through neceſſarie occaſions we ſhould be hindered from it, we may yet carefully performe it on ſome other part of the day. And although at the firſt we ſhall ſee ſome vntoward beginnings herein, by which, diſcouragement from the continuance hereof might ariſe, yet we reſolued with our ſelues, that it is ſome profiting to begin, though in weakneſſe: and there is hope that good proceedings, and great, ſhall come euen of ſmall beginnings, being faithfully entred into. And if by theſe meanes we ſhould not become better ſeaſoned in our harts, it is litle to be hoped for, that other meanes ſhould do vsus the good that we hauehave need of. But when the day is thus begun, that wiſedome communeth with vsus in the morning, and awaketh vsus with heauenly ſalutations, we are for the moſt part kept more ſober, and continent from all out-ſtraying the whole day following: for when good things, either concerning the life to come and the glory of it, or the vanity and change of this preſent life, are deeply digeſted and throughly thought vponupon, it is no ſmall occaſion to make vsus more ſtranger-like to this preſent world, and to cary about vsus greater freedome ouer our ſecret corruptions.
And becauſe it is hard, eſpecially for priuate perſons to hauehave alwayes matter in a readineſſe, which is profitable to meditate vponupon: (for he that ſhall be furniſhed herewithall, muſt be one which hath a daily obſeruation of his life, without the which grace, euen the learneder ſort ſhall be to ſeeke:) therefore ſome points were ſet downe for thoſe which are leaſt able to helpe themſelues; that by ſome few of thoſe which are very fit & auaileable, they may ſet themſelues on worke, and by them learne to find out others like vntounto them, which do moſt nearly tend to the well ordering of the life. By which meanes appointed and found out for their helpe and furtherance, if yet vnfitneſſe of mind & an vntoward heart ſhall hold them backe, being troubled with cares of the world, or deceiued with dreames of vaine pleaſures (which make the meditation of heauenly matters loathſome:) they are to know, that they can hauehave no better occaſion offered them to the performing of this duty, then for them to complaine of, and ſeeke redreſſe euen againſt this euill and earthly heart, of which they preſently complaine: and as they can bring that vnderunder, ſo to proceed in muſing of, and praying for ſuch grace as they ſhall ſee moſt needfull.
Laſtly, we concluded to obſerue, what fruite we reape by theſe remedies: what releaſe of our ſtrong and vſuall maladies and diſeaſes:The ſixt remedie. what weakning of any ſuch luſts, as ſometimes had ſtrongly preuailed againſt vsus: Alſo what liking we find of this manner of dealing with our ſelues; or contrarily, whether we feele any watchfulneſſe ouer our hearts throughout the day, ſince we entred into this couenant: and whether any bettering of our waies by the ſame: whether in company we hauehave bene more wary of taking or doing good according to the occaſion offered: in our dealings, more carefull not to be found offenſiue. And weekly, and by daies, to marke it, and to communicate our eſtate with ſome faithfull brother, with whom we may freely and faithfully open and impart our whole courſe: what meanes, and how farre foorth we vſe them: what we ſee cauſe to complaine of: and what is more required of vsus, then that which we do: that thus we may be ſet forward, counſelled and confirmed; and ſeeing what courſe we ought to take for the bringing of this to paſſe, we may be ſtabliſhed in a Chriſtian life. For it doth not a litle helpe to hauehave this communion with ſome. Alſo, that we our ſelues ſhould be helpers of others, where either any do require the ſame duty of vsus, or through baſhfulneſſe dare not be bold, or through ſimplicity cannot do it: yet we ſeeing that they ſtand in need of ſuch counſell and direction, ſhould through louelove ſhew them what we can, and what we hauehave learned in this behalfe. And here we purpoſed for the hope of the great fruite of this communion, to auoide ſtrangeneſſe: which as it breaketh off all profit betwixt vsus, ſo it giueth feare of ſome ſecret conceiptedneſſe and that much louelove is wanting. This direction, if it be read ouer (as we ſhall ſee cauſe and may do it cōueniently) with a mind deſirous as wel to ſee what is amiſſe in vsus, as alſo in faithfulneſſe to vſe theſe remedies: we may be bold (the Lord working by meanes) to aſſure our ſelues, that we ſhall not labour herein in vaine. And when we hauehave attained hereto, we determined not to reſt in that, but to be directed ſtill by ſuch rules as Gods word doth miniſter to vsus.
Now hauing ſet downe remedies,Perſwaſions to vſe this direction. by which we may raiſe vp our ſelues out of any declinings from a godly life, we added ſome reaſons to perſwade vsus thereto, for as much as we may be ſure that hinderances and diſcouragements inough ſhall meete with vsus to withhold vsus. Firſt this:The first. that by ſuch a courſe and ſeeking to walke with God, as the former remedies do direct vsus vntounto, we are brought to a moſt ſweet and holy communion with the Lord: in compariſon whereof, nothing is to be deſired. For it is an honor and prerogatiue which the world neither knoweth, neither can attaine vntounto, To get principalitie ouer him, who is the prince of the world, that is, the diuell; and to obtaine grace againſt our owne euill hearts in well ruling them: which is a greater honour, then to ſubdue kingdomes. Alſo that hereby we hauehave libertie, with godly boldneſſe to come before the Lord in our complaints and prayers; being aſſured, that whatſoeuer we ſhall aske of him according to his will, it ſhall be granted vsus: and that our peace and comfort hereby is ſo great, that none who hath but euen taſted of it, would chaunge his eſtate for any other: and that the conſcience of ſuch men is not beaten and diſquieted with helliſh and fearefull torments. In this caſe a man need not feare malicious accuſations, becauſe he hath bene circumſpect in looking to his wayes: and therefore (deſeruedly) euill ſpeeches can take no hold of him; ſeeing he that is carefull to pleaſe God, cannot iuſtly incurre the rebukes of men. As for euil tidings, he is free from the feare of them, becauſe he hath armed himſelfe to looke for the hardeſt. And they who like not this ſtate, (which al things conſidered, ſhall be found to be the richeſt part and beſt portion) they muſt feede themſelues with folly, and take their fill in vanitie, till their miſerie ouertake them in the mid way, and deſtruction meete with them when they litle thinke vponupon it.
Moreouer, howſoeuer this indeuouring after a godly life,The ſecond perſwaſion. hath euer of the world bene litle regarded; yet the happieſt and men of greateſt commendation for godlineſſe, hauehave alwaies preferred it, and made it as the flower of their garland, and the crowne of their reioycing: we hauehave a cloud of witneſſes, and not all in one age, who hauehave walked with God, euen from Enoch and thereabout to this day, who teſtified this daily looking to their liues, to be the beſt thing of all. Now if by theſe and ſuch like perſwaſions we be brought to like of it,An admonition or caueat. we faithfully couenanted with our ſelues to vſe theſe remedies which hauehave bene ſet downe for continuance, and to make our beginnings ſound and ſubſtantiall; ſo as they may be able to beare and vphold the waight of all that ſhall preſſe them downe. For although our temptations be ſtrong and many, yet may none of them preuaile thus farre, as to make vsus breake off this our happie couenant: for if we be not ſtrongly armed againſt this, we ſhall eaſily find that hinderances enough will ariſe, which will quickly weaken the power of our beſt purpoſes, and fruſtrate all that we hauehave taken in hand. Here will inward lets come in our way; and thoſe, of many ſorts: as, to thinke it more then needeth to liue thus: alſo that many who are godly, do not thus: the inordinate louelove of ſome ſpeciall ſinne may withhold vsus: and much dulneſſe, vnprofitableneſſe and rebellion, may make vsus vtterly vnable to hold foorth this courſe. Many outward diſcouragements alſo and hinderances will be readie here to ſtand in our way; as houſhold troubles, and diſquietneſſe by them, diſorder in ſeruants and children, vntowardneſſe and ill ſucceſſe in buſineſſe, want of bleſſing ſomtimes where it was hoped for, loſſes, &c. alſo much toyling & occupying our ſelues about theſe things below, with neglect of our heauenly and chriſtian calling. Theſe are ſome of a great number, and the commoneſt whereby holy duties do moſt eaſily grow out of place and vſe with vsus. Let this rule therefore (ſaid we) be well regarded of vsus, and that which followeth ſhall be the eaſier: for many loathſome wearineſſes will in ſhort time ariſe, which (if it be poſſible) will breake vsus off from this enterpriſe.
An admonitiō: that this direction be neither left off, nor vſed for cuſtome onelyonly.After this, we ſaid: that if we with diligence continue it, we muſt beware we make not a common thing of it; ſo as, though we vſe it, yet no fruite nor bleſſing returne to vsus by it. The which as it falleth out moſt vſually in the doing of good things, ſo in this the beſt of others, it is moſt to be feared. In the firſt ſetting vponupon many duties ſome chearefulneſſe may be ſeene in vsus, and ſome time and trauell beſtowed: but alas, within a very ſhort time, we grow full of them: they become irkeſome and tedious to vsus; and though we do not vtterly breake them off, yet we may perceiue, that without any great ſweetneſſe and delight we go about them. The reaſon hereof is, that our fleſhly hearts can like of no good thing long. If therefore either of theſe two wayes, we depriue our ſelues of the benefite of growing forward by theſe forenamed remedies: that is, by the negligent vſing of them, or the leauing off of them; yet the fault muſt be quickly eſpied, and not long lyen in: for that is more dangerous, then can eaſily be beleeued.
To the better attaining hereof, we may vnderſtand, that we may grow to a commonneſſe in a good thing two wayes: either when we be in proſperity; in which eſtate, it will be very hard to ſee our great need to vſe feruencie and zeale in holy duties and ſeruices of God, when we ſee varietie of earthly delights ſet before vsus to enioy; and we without controulement of any perſon, may take our fill of them. Therefore if in this eſtate, we perceiue any loathſomeneſſe of well doing to grow vponupon vsus, we muſt charge our ſelues with fickleneſſe, inconſtancie, falſhood againſt God, ſecret diſſembling, vnfaithfulneſſe, &c. If we ſhould be content thus to fall from the Lord; and if we be not readie without contradiction to ſtirre vp our ſelues to a fruitefull and chearefull vſe of chriſtian meanes againe; yea, if we be the worſe for Gods benefites: we muſt looke that he wil take them from vsus, and cauſe vsus to yeeld him other manner of fruites by the want of them. Alſo we muſt here call to mind, whiles with delight we ſerued the Lord, what comfort and godly boldneſſe with him we found: which now, if we begin to decline from him, we can enioy no more, but may looke for ſome ſuch recompence as ſhall be meete for reuolters: yea and we muſt tell this (we ſaid) to our owne hearts without flatterie, that if we waxe wearie of the Lord at our pleaſure, it is to be feared, and that iuſtly, that he will ſhake vsus off in our feare and neceſſitie, & we ſhall not dare to ſet vponupon this chriſtian care again, if once we be glutted with it; and though we do, yet ſhall we not find it eaſie for vsus to go forward, although we ſet vponupon it againe, but that one time or other we ſhall be like to be driuen backe: which iudgement is fearefull aboue many, and next vntounto deſpaire. We muſt thinke that the Lord dealeth tenderly with vsus, if we may hauehave libertie to glorifie him by manifold encouragements, in outward bleſſings: whereas many hauehave thought it a ſingular priuiledge and great kindnes of his towards them, that they may do it in impriſonment, in bonds, in pouertie, in reproch, &c. And generally, we ought to thinke, that if we thus vſe his benefites, that we grow more vndutifull towards him then many which want them, it is time for him (as hath bene ſaid) to take them from vsus, and to beſtow them vponupon ſuch as will yeeld and render vntounto him better fruite of them. And if this ſhould be any occaſion of licentiouſneſſe to vsus, that many, yea, the moſt of ſuch as hauehave a great portion in earthly commodities, do delight in them, and take them not to be giuen them of God to the end that they ſhould liue more holily, or be the fruitfuller in chriſtian duties by them: we muſt anſwer to our ſelues thus againe, that we neuer were taught it of God, to follow examples, no not of the beſt men, contrarie to expreſſe rules of Scripture; much leſſe, the euill examples of the multitude, and common ſort of ſuch as reiect all Scripture.
Now though we fall not this way by meanes of our proſperitie, (for that were very groſſe) yet if we ſhould more couertly deceiue our ſelues by thinking thus, that we hauehave ſufficiently profited by this direction now, and therfore may ceaſe; and neglecting to ſee our wants, daungers, infirmities and diſcouragements which are in our way (as in time paſt) and ſo caſt off this trauell: againſt theſe deceiuings of our hearts, we muſt reſolutely be perſwaded of the manifold perils outward and inward, which are in our liues; which full ſoone (if we grow cold and remiſſe in a godly life) do begin to take hold of vsus: & therfore to keepe our ſelues well whiles we be well. And thus we muſt vſe our ſelues, as hath now bene ſet downe, that we may not vſe the practiſes of godlineſſe after a common manner. But many, whiles the Lord reacheth foorth encouragements to them, and filleth their liues with outward bleſſings, do accuſtome themſelues to ſome commendable courſe: who when God chaungeth their proſperous eſtate, do immediately chaunge with it; that is to ſay, whiles daungers and great afflictions take hold of their liues, they are ſo diſtreſſed and grieued for them, that they grow froward, impatient and diſquieted thereby, and are vtterly vnfit to continue ſuch godly meanes as before they vſed, for the growing forward in a godly life. Hereby is great daunger to be feared: therefore if poſſibly by any of Gods chaſtiſements we ſhold fall thus farre; yet we muſt confeſſe ſuch ſlippes with griefe, and with ſhame and aſtoniſhment behold our falles, and ſettle no peace in our hearts, till we hauehave returned and recouered our ſtrength againe, and ſo returne to our firſt eſtate againe: which alſo moſt certainely we ſhall, if with the ſeruants of God in all ages (as the Iſraelites, 1. Sam. 7.4. Heſter and Mardocheus, Heſter. 4. Iehoſaphat, 2. King. 20. and others) we confeſſe our ſinnes with melting and broken hearts, yea our particular ſinnes of murmuring, impatience, fretting and ſuch like; that ſo we may be receiued of our heauenly father for his Chriſts ſake, to merciemercy and forgiueneſſe.