The Christians Daily Sacrifice, Chapter 23
CHAP. XXIII.
AND this is the next occasion of the day,Of solitarines. wisely to be intertained of vsus. Namely, to order wisely our solitarines, and that because,
First, Now we are naked, and lie open to tentations.
Secondly, And may with best aduantage and lest hinderance pursue the best things, and so are capable of the greatest good, or subiect to the greatest euill.
Here therefore obserue these rules:
1 That though we be from the company of men,Sect. 1. How to behaue our selues therein. yet we hauehave the presence and fellowship of the Almightie, and the ministery of his holy Angels, and therfore that now especially we reioyce in this fellowship. Psal. 16. Psal. 139.
2 Yet so as that we neglect not our callings, but be sure that we be kept from idlenes. 2. Thess. 3.
3 That wee especially call to mind those ill neighbours which we shall neuer be rid of so long as wee liue, namely, our sinnes, and in our greatest freedome of solitatines forget not our bondage vnderunder this tyrranny. Heb. 12. 1.
4 That we take heed of idle and curious speculations, feeding therby our melancholy or vaine thoughts.
5 That we be carefull to order and represse the infinite wandrings of the mind, which at such times is most busie and exorbitant. Gen. 6. 5. Dan. 4. 2.
6 Especially that we be wise to discerne satans deepenes, who now wil vsually most eagerly assault vsus, either taking aduantage of our security, because we are freed from outward occasions, or working vpō priuatenes & want of succour. Mat. 4.
7 That especially we meditate on heauenly things, comforting our selues with the holy protection of Angels, who attend vsus, and reioycing in the hope of that blessed fellowship which expects vsus in heauen. Gen. 5. Gen. 24. 63.
8 At no hand giuegive we place to Satan, seeking now to scare or distract vsus, but resist we strongly by faithful praier. 1. Pe. 5. 8. 9. 2. Ch. 3. 1
9 Presume not of such solitarines either which hath no warrant, as that of Monks, &c. or when thou art bound to society, for heerein thou excludest thy selfe the protection of the Lord. Eccles. 4. 9, 10.
Thus behauing our selues alone,
1 We shall neuer want the comfort of sweet communion. Mat. 28. Apoca. 3. 20. Iohn 14. 23.
2 Readie shall we bee for such troubles when we may be driuen to be alone. Apoca. 1. 9. 10.
3 Fitter also for the fellowship and communion of the saints. 1. Tim. 3. 4. 5.
4 Strenghtned against satan, who now wil principally assault vsus. Mat. 4. Eccles. 4. 10.
5 And profitable redeemers of the time, and purchasers of eternity. Ephes. 5. 16.
Prouided:
1 That we vexe not our selues with …i…ting or enuying others businesse and states,Sect. 3. Cautions to be obserued. lest hereby we be made vnfit for our owne. 1. Tim 5. 13.
2 That we ouerwhelme not our selues with ouermuch thinking of worldly things, especially of the times to come, or things which may happen, lest the heart bee drowned with the louelove of the creature or appalled with feare of after-clapps. Mat. 6. 34. Luke 21. 34.
3 In… meditation of heauenly things, looke we that our custome heerein cause not a vilifying or loathing of such heauenly mysteries. Mat. 6. 7. Mat. 15. 9.
4 Take we heed of an ouerweening conceit of our selues, if thou findest a greater furniture of Gods graces. Iohn 5. 35.
5 Especially bee carefull that while thou meditatest of forsaking sin, thou beest not entangled with some spice thereof, either presuming further then thy present strength, or by cōceit of what thou doest, or by the deceitfulnes of Satan abusing thee with a contrarie colour of sin, while thoulabourest to preuent him in another.
6 And then in labouring to re…ist sin, see thou beest well armed & know thy strength too: yet fearefull of thy selfe, and so humbly cast vponupon God, that so thou mayest resist in the euil day. Ephes. 6. Prouer. 28. 14. Psal. 16. 8.
And thus much concerning solitarines.