Time Well Spent in Sacred Meditations, Part 54 – Part 73

Time Well Spent in Sacred Meditations · Part 54 – Part 73

p. 106Faith.

1. Such as by hearing of witches and fearefull A proofe of a vveake faith.practiſes of Satan be ſore frighted, are to know their faith is weake and comfort ſmall (for the ſound beleever ſhall not feare for any evill tidings) and therefore they muſt never ceaſe ſtriving for faith and comfort, p. 107till they finde a ſweet and bold reſting in the Lord their father who will preſerve them.

2. Faith being the band What benefits vvee enjoy by faith.of our union with Chriſt, we doe thereby enjoy peace with God, are favourably accepted of him, joy in the hope of happineſſe, have comfort in affliction, patience, experience, hope, boldneſſe to pray, love to God and delight to ſerve him, wee pleaſe God, long for heaven.

3. The way to encreaſe Hovv to encreaſe faith.faith is to apply to our ſelves Gods promiſe in his word and Sacraments, by hearing the word, praying, meditation, conference, and the like, and to this p. 108end alſo every one who deſires to finde ſtrong comfort in the Lord, and M…anes vvhereby to be encouraged unto all godlineſſe.thereby good encouragement unto all godlineſſe is daily to conſider deepely, 1. His owne miſerable eſtate 1.by nature, that thereby he may be ſtirred up to cry with the Apoſtle, O wretched man that I am, who ſhall deliver me from the body of this death? And 2. he is no leſſe to regard the remedie here of in 2.Chriſt, that beholding the ſingular benefit thereof, he may more unceſſantly deſire it: and ſo 3. the truth of Gods promiſe, that hee 3.may be more and more aſſured that Chriſt is his and he the Lords, that this may comfort and encourage p. 109him in all godlineſſe.

4. There is great difference Difference betvveene knowledge and faith.betweene knowledge and faith, for a reprobate may know by the word of God, and ſo beleeve that God hath promiſed his Sonne to him (as well as to others) and yet not lay hold on this promiſe, which is true faith, which he onelyonly doth who ſo receiveth Gods promiſe that thereby he is certainly perſwaded that he ſhall have the thing promiſed, which makes himſelfe ſtay for his ſalvation hereon, and patiently to waite and looke ſtedfaſtly for the ſame.

5. The true doctrine of The true doctrine and practiſe of faith a ſtranger.faith is a ſtranger, much more the practiſe of it, p. 110that men ſeeing themſelves moſt curſed wretches, yet ſhould be aſſured that God hath given them his Sonne, and in him eternall life, for he that hath this aſſurance, cannot but have much comfort even in afflictions; and this only is it, which will make a man willing to deny himſelfe.

6. Its a matter very Fevv knovv or doe every thing in faith.weakely knowne, much more weakely practiſed of moſt Chriſtians to doe every thing in faith, which muſt needes deprive them of much comfort, if they live not ſecurely, contenting Foure things to be laboured for of him that vvould doe any thing ….themſelves with opus operatum, for remedy hereof this is to bee knowne and laboured for of him p. 111that doth any thing in faith, 1. That hee know 1.the thing he doth in omitting or committing bee commanded of God, and therefore endeavour to pleaſe God therein. 2. That 2.he know and remember Gods promiſe made in Chriſt to ſuch obedience. 3. That he give credit to this promiſe, that God for 3.Chriſts ſake will accept his true though weake obedience. 4. That hee with this perſwaſion doe offer 4.up his ſervice to God in the name of Chriſt. How infinitely in all wee all doe faile is lamentable to conſider, eſpecially that wee Note.doe not the things we doe in faith, and therefore no marvell it is, though God p. 112withhold many ſweet cō forts, which otherwiſe we might finde.

7. True faith in my judgement is never ſo True faith never throughly quenched.quenched, that neither the owner nor any other can ſee any life thereof, but there is ever ſome fruit of the Spirit to be ſeen if we marke it.

8. An holy life cannot make any unbeleever to An holy life ſhevveth in vvhat ſort vve beleev, as iniquity vvho beleeve not.beleeve, neither properly increaſe faith, but onelyonly as fruits prove the tree good, and ſhew in what ſort we beleeve: ſo no iniquity ought to hinder any from beleeving, but only Hinderances of faith 1. Security occaſioned thorough ignorance, neglect, or contempt.ſheweth who beleeve not.

9. Hinderances from faith are theſe, 1. Securitie, making no reckoning p. 113of it, or too ſmall, or both, either of ignorance, neglect, or contempt, and therefore either never goe about it, or too ſlightly, uſing ſome meanes, not all, or not conſtantly to the end. And 2. in ſuch as 2. Preſumption or diſcouragements.make reckoning of it, either preſumption, (that they have it when they have it not, or may and ſhall have it without ſuch meanes uſed, as without which it cannot be looked for) or diſcouragements, 1. That it is impoſſible for any, or for them either ſo weake, that they ſhall never hold out, or ſo unworthy that God will not give it them. 2. That it is over tedious to attaine to, will coſt too much paines, p. 114or bring too much trouble, by forgoing all delights and gaine, or falling into many dangers and perſecutions. To remedie Remedies hereof.which, 1. we muſt make chiefe reckoning of it, as 1.the pearle for which wee will ſell all. 2. Conſider 2.the difficultie, that we ſuſpecting our falſe hearts, and weake ſtrength, may uſe all meanes to attaine it. 3. Comfort our hearts by the word of the Lord, 3.that its not only poſſible but eaſie, even for us in our owne eyes moſt unworthy, through him who is able to performe what he hath ſpoken, and is more willing to grant, then wee to ſeeke, as appeares by his inviting us, p. 115who ſeeke not after him.

10. Faith is well likned to fire, whereof if a man Faith likened to fire.have a ſparke covered in the aſhes, if he ſhall content himſelfe therewith, not labouring to encreaſe it, in time it will goe out, and if not, hee ſhall yet have but ſmall uſe of it, and oft have much to doe to finde it; So they who finde ſome faith in them, and therewith content themſelves ſhall ſoon leeſe it, or be ſo to ſeeke of it, that they have ſmall uſe of it in their lives, either to comfort them they are the Lords, or to guide their lives; whereas every one ought to kindle his litle ſparke, ſo that he might alwayes have the heate of p. 116it, and warme others.

11. Whoſoever armes How dangerous not to be armed vvith faith.not himſelfe with faith, ſhall live ſecurely or fearefully, not comfortably.

12. Qu. Whether is this ſpeech, I will goe to Whether this ſpeech, I vvill goe to my father, be of faith or before it.my father, of faith, or may it be before faith? An. The parable is to bee underſtood of profeſſors ſuch as the Jewes were, who were in profeſſion the children of the covenant, and had God for their father, and therefore the ungodly among Whence it is that being perſvvaded that God is true in all that he ſaith, vvee ſhould yet not beleeve ſome things vvhichwhich hee ſaith.them and us, are like the prodigall childe who returnes to his Father.

13. It ſeemeth ſtrange that a man being fully perſwaded that God is true in all that he ſaith, ſhould yet p. 117not beleeve ſome things which he knoweth God doth ſay, and ſo make God a lyar, which is yet the ſin of all men who know God, and his word. The cauſe hereof is not eaſily ſeene, and therefore ſo hardly removed: indeede if God ſpeake any thing which our judgement cannot object againſt why it ſhould not be, we doe readily beleeve, as of al things paſt, and many to come, that our bodies ſhall riſe, and wee come to judgemēt, the wicked be dāned, the godly ſaved; but that we being ungodly ſhall be juſtified by Chriſt, this is hardly beleeved, not only becauſe wee be naturally moved to feare that God p. 118for ſinne will condemne us, but alſo becauſe wee meaſure God by man, that he will not love ſuch as hate him, and doe good to his enemies.

14. Our moſt holy faith is worthily compared to a Faith cō pared to a noble princeſſe.noble princeſſe, who hath ever harbengers, going before to prepare for her, and a goodly traine after, ſo faith hath knowledge, ſorrow, feare, deſire of pardon, going before it, as Graces▪ preceding and ſucceeding faith.all the honourable Ladies of vertue; peace of conſcience, love of God and men for his ſake, and ſuch others follow after.

15. The eaſieſt tryall By the temper of the heart faith may be beſt tried.whether our faith be alive and burning, not halfe dead and cold, is by the p. 119temper of the heart; for if faith be lively, then ſhall we finde our hearts cheered and ready to ſerve God in any duty, prayer, heareing the word, and the like▪ yea then will our zeale burne to bee thankfull to God, and willing to die, ready to forſake all: but if the heart be dull, drowſie, or dumpiſh, then is faith cooled; For how can any have feeling of Gods love, and not bee quickened in love to God Note.againe, which will conſtraine us to deny our ſelves, and to ſeeke his glory, and to pleaſe him in all things.Many deceived in thinking they have faith, and have not.

16. We doe in nothing more deceive our ſelves then thinking and quietly p. 120reſting, herein, that wee have faith, when indeed if we ſaw the want thereof it could not but ſhake us.

17. Muſing what is the chiefe cauſe why wee ſo Chiefe lets of faith or cauſes vvhy ſo fevv beleeve.hardly beleeve, and put not ſuch confidence in Gods word and ſeales, as wee doe in mans, I obſerve theſe, 1. That this is our feeble nature, that we 1.can hardly but feare ſo long as there appeares any danger, that may fall on us, though we have great ſecuritie againſt it, as a man at ſea, or on an high ſcaffold Simil.or tower, when wee looke downeward we cannot but feare though there be great ſafety. Howbeit as they who have had oft experience & be acquainted p. 121with theſe doe feare leſſe, ſo in matters of the ſoule ſome are hardned and deſperate, others remaine quaking and fearefull, the beſt keepe the meane betweene both, ſo feare the danger as that they are made carefull to avoide it, and that with hope of eſcaping. 2. That 2.this alſo is in all by nature till it be defaced, that ſin condemnes and drives Wee more eaſily beleeve vvhat God hath ſaid ſhall be, though it be above nature, then things cō cerning our ſelves if they bee contrary to nature.from God, and its as much againſt nature for a ſinner to looke for favour from God, as fire to be cold; we more eaſily may beleeve that ſhall be, which God hath ſaid ſhall be, though it be above nature, as our bodies to ariſe, but in matters concerning our ſelves p. 122if they be contrary to nature, we ever feare that evill will come, which wee have deſerved, and wee ſhall not have that benefit, which wee are unworthy of, though God by his word and ſeales give us great ſecuritie to the contrary. And this I note the maine errour, that we meaſure Gods goodneſſe by ſome worthineſſe in us, whereas his truth ſhould be ſet againſt all in us whatſoever. Although I doubt not but that there be divers meaſures of faith in divers men, and in one and the ſame at divers times, yet there is no faith without ſome certaintie, and none with all, but the beſt faith hath feare and p. 123doubting, when we looke upon our vile unworthineſſe.

18. Faith to our ſpirituall life is in many things Faith like unto fire in ſundrie particularslike to fire in the naturall, then which what is more neceſſarie, for without it, what comfort can wee have? It is it which makeeth our prayers, and all our Chriſtian endeavours acceptable. As fire will goe out, ſo faith, therefore it muſt be daily repaired as the Levites holy fire, which elſe will be hardly recovered. The way is, to How its to be kept.lay on matter enough, oft to renew the fire, this is by oft meditation on Gods goodneſſe promiſed and performed.

19. The way to get p. 124faith, (whether yet none or but weake) is this, that knowing what true faith is (namely to know by Gods The vvay to get faithword that God is our Father in Chriſt) 1. We examine whether we have any, 1.and then how weake: which may be moſt ſoundly knowne by cauſes and effects, among all, the purging of the heart by faith the ſureſt. 2. Finding either 2.no faith or weake, deepely weigh the great miſerie of want of faith, and benefit of true faith, as whereby all grace, and whatſoever is to be deſired, without it none, that this may breede an inſatiable deſire of faith, and daily encreaſe of the ſame. 3. Being thus 3.deſirous of faith, but having p. 125no abilitie to get it, (it being the gift of God) runne to Gods word, and ſee there to whom God promiſeth to give it, where you ſhall finde, God heares the deſires of the poore, Pſal. 10. 17. and ſatisfieth the hungrie with good things, and bids us aſke and we ſhall receive, whereupon all that feele a true deſire of faith may take hold even upon Gods word, that hee will give them faith, which is indeed a beginning of faith. 4. Hereby they muſt bee moved to uſe theſe two 4.meanes, prayer, and labour to get true ſaving faith, they muſt pray to God to worke it in them by his word and ſpirit, meditating p. 126on Gods merciemercy in free offering Chriſt to all ſinners, and on his truth in beſtowing Chriſt on all that come to Chriſt with a true heart in aſſurance of faith; both which being continued, will certainely obtaine faith in the time and meaſure which God ſeeth moſt meet.

20. Its without queſtion many be deceived whether they be in the faith, The ſureſt proofe of faith is by the cauſes and effects thereof.moſt preſume, ſome few miſtruſt. The ſureſt proofe is by the cauſes and effects both joyned, otherwiſe no certainty: under cauſes we comprehend all works of Gods Spirit, by which he leades men by faith, which The cauſesprincipally be theſe three, 1. True humiliation. 2. Earneſt p. 127deſire of Chriſt. 3. True beleeving in him: in all which many be deceived with ſhadowes in ſtead of ſubſtance, or at beſt with taſts for full feeding. The beſt evidence we can thinke of that all thoſe be ſound bee theſe; The tryall of our humiliation.for humiliation, if a man carry about with him a true feeling of his wretchedneſſe. Rom. 7. 24. For The tryall of our deſire of Chriſt.his deſire of Chriſt, if hee be not full, but having taſted, hunger more after Chriſt. For his drawing The try all of dravving to Chriſt.to Chriſt by the ſpirit, if after all ſtormes to draw him from beleefe, he yet finds Gods word and ſpirit cauſing him to reſt on The effects.Gods faithfulneſſe. Now for the effects which bee p. 128many, the principall is the receiving of the Spirit, not as a ſtranger to doe a work and ſo away, but as an inhabitant to dwell for ever, which ſpirit is as the ſap which comes from the vine Chriſt to the faithfull the branches, this ſpirit compared to fire hath two effects, light and heat, joy and love, comfort and conſcience: many times when the fire is covered there appeares no light, but if you come neere there will be ſome heate; So is it with weake beleevers, they have ſtill ſome love, though joy be covered, not felt: as in the cauſes ſo in theſe effects many be deceived, with falſe fire in both. There be comfortable p. 129notes of ſoundneſſe in Comfortable notes of a ſound heart.both, which though a deceived perſon will dreame to bee in himſelfe, yet where they bee indeed it will not be hard to finde, and therein wee may reſt quietly. 1. One ſpeciall 1.marke of a ſound heart is a feare of being deceived, which breeds care to ſearch well our ſelves, and to be glad to be tryed by God and men. 2. Upon 2.ſight of our ſelves that we have ſome grace, that wee have a ſight alſo of our povertie; a mourning for it, and meane judgeing of our ſelves with better eſteeming and love of thoſe, which have more grace, and an hunger after more. 3. In our whole life to approve p. 1303.prove our ſelves to God more then unto men. 4. Not to reſt in the deed, but to have more care of 4.the right manner how we doe any thing. 5. To 5.make conſcience to be the ſame in ſecret by our ſelves, which we be before others. 6. To make conſcience 6.of leaving our deareſt ſinnes, and doing ſuch duties as the fleſh moſt ſhunnes.

21. This is the exceeding A ſpeciall point of Gods merciemercy.mercy of God, with encreaſe of temptation to encreaſe our faith, as with decreaſe of faith, to decreaſe alſo the temptation.

22. Experience ſheweth that we prove our Hovv to prove vve have ſaith.ſelves to have faith, when p. 131we mourne for want of it and thirſt after it: and then our faith may be leaſt when we ſeeme to have moſt, for then we leaſt feare and ſuſpect our ſelves, and ſo are in greateſt danger, lying open to Satans temptations; this is an excellent comfort for ſuch as are grieved through want of faith, which groweth partly through feeling of the word and humble thankes, and by humbling our ſelves before God.

23. Though ſometimes we feele ſmall or no A reverend eſtimation of Gods mercies to be-retainedfaith in us, yet we muſt retaine a reverend eſtimation of Gods merciemercy, and moſt vile account of our ſinnes, and wretchedneſſe, p. 132for to him that thinks nothing more vile then his ſinne, nothing ſo pretious A ſvveet comfort.as Gods merciemercy, aſſuredly there is no ſinne, but is pardonable.

24. When God afflicteth our mindes, if wee In affliction of minde vvhat is to be done.have received knowledge, then muſt wee bee thankfull for it, and pray for faith, and though we have no feeling, yet muſt wee waite for it, and that long time, for in the end God will ſurely ſend it to thoſe that waite for it, which cannot bee without great faith, for the greateſt faith is, where there is leaſt feeling; The greateſt faith is vvhere there is leaſt feeling.for it is more eaſie in glorious feelings to beleeve.

p. 133Falls.

1. No man can promiſe No man but may fall, they ſooneſt that think leaſt of it.unto himſelfe but he may fall foullie, and be ſo ſore ſhaken from his comfort; which ſooneſt befals them that leaſt thinke of it, therefore feare, watch, pray alwayes.

2. Seeing the Lord in theſe our dayes exerciſeth his diſpleaſure in ſo grievous manner upon many who have ſeemed long ſincere profeſſors, that many are given up to adulterie and other grievous ſinnes, yea even to Apoſtaſie, What uſe to make of the falls of others.and ſundrie to madneſſe, and ſo to wofull ends, it ought to be an earneſt admonition to us all to looke to our ſtate, that wee deceive not our p. 130duplicate page p. 131duplicate page p. 132duplicate page p. 133duplicate page p. 134ſelves, nor provoke God to humble us ſo low being his.

3. Seeing the deare children of God, Noah, He that ſtandeth is to take heed leſt he fall.Moſes, Ezekiah, and many other excellent men did fall in their later dayes, every Chriſtian ought to uſe all meanes, moſt carefully, and be admoniſhed hereby, leſt he in like mander fall.

4. There is no man ſo good, but that the Lord Even the beſt have ſome ſlips, the vvorſe ſome goodneſſe.ſometimes letteth him ſlip, that he may be humbled; nor ſo evill, but that ſometimes the Lord convaies goodneſſe into him, that his condemnation The elect hardly fall tvvice into one groſſe ſinne.may be the juſter.

5. It hardly falleth out, that a Chriſtian effectually p. 135called and of ſound knowledge ſhould fall twice into one groſſe ſinne.

Familiaritie.

1. The familiaritie Familiaritie vvith ſinne hovv dangerous.with ſinne bringeth puniſhment of ſinne; for this ought to feare us, that if the wicked which be without the tuition of God, and ſtand onelyonly upon his long-ſuffering, and every Fellovvſhip vvith the ungodly hovv fearefull.minute of an houre lye open and ſubject to Gods curſe and vengeance, bee our companions, that when they are puniſhed, we ſhall not eſcape.

2. Wee may have familiarity with ſome, in With vvhat ſort of perſons and hovv farre vve are to converſe.whom though there be no great love of religion, yet there is no miſliking of religion, nor love of hereſies, p. 136yet muſt our acquaintance be in outward things, and we be warie leſt theirs draw us from our familiarity with God.

Faſts.

1. Wee muſt not come Hypocriſie is to be avoided in faſting.to faſt untill the Trumpet be blowne, the bell bee rung, but we muſt fall downe at the trumpet of Gods word, at the bell of our guiltie conſcience, for without this private exerciſe we are but hypocrites in publique faſts.

2. By faſting though we have not obtained all Benefits by faſting.our deſires, yet have wee had ſome mitigation of thoſe evills which have beene laid upon us; and if no reformation, yet continuance of the Goſpell, and p. 137eſpecially to our ſelves a recoverie of our loſſe in grace.

Feare.

1. Feare and miſtruſt Difference betvveene feare and preſumption.of our falſe hearts is painefull, but ſafe, preſumption of our care to be good, is pleaſant but dangerous.

2. The children of God How profitable to feare even thoſe things vvhichwhich never come to paſſe.often feare thoſe things, which never come topaſſe, the w^ch is very profitable, for thereby God gives us to ſee our hearts, as if the things feared came to paſſe indeed, and hereby wee have experience of his graces, and of our owne corruptions, and hereby we are prepared to ſuffer the like when they come, which will not ſo much afflict us when they were before p. 138feared, ſo that we are not to account thoſe frivolous feares which have not their event, but to regard the uſe of them ſeeing that by theſe the Lord humbling his children before hand, keepeth many Thoſe feares vvhichwhich have not their events not to be accounted triviall.times the plague away which was feared, and on the other ſide, hee often both more ſuddenly and more violently bringeth puniſhment upon thoſe who never feared them: yet herein we muſt beware of the other extream immoderate feare, which We are to feare though not immoderately.rather hinders faith then beates downe ſecuritie, and the meane is to bee embraced, that is, to feare and forethinke of evill to come, not of neceſſitie to p. 139fall upon us, becauſe either God could not or would not deliver us, but acknowledging our juſt deſert thereof doe humbly ſubmit our ſelves to Gods hand reſting in his fatherly love, that as he is able ſo he is moſt willing, even then to ſuccour us, when we moſt feare, for as a wiſe father doth the Lord make his hand heavier in correcting according to the ſtubborneneſſe of his childe.

Feaſts.

At ſuch meetings wee ought to conſider the What uſe to be made of feaſts.bountifulneſſe of God to wards us in compariſon of many of his deare Saints, neither when wee are fed muſt we kick againſt our p. 140owner, Lord and maſter, but be more thankfull and obedient, conſidering we partake of thoſe and all other bleſſings in the right of Chriſt for the comforting of our hearts.

Feeling.

Wee muſt not ceaſe to pray againſt want of feeling, Want of feeling to be prayed againſt.but ſtay ourſelves by faith on Chriſt till he ſend feeling, ſeeing that God maketh the ſenſe of ſinne by degrees; they are to be ſuſpected which are much moved with every little Note.ſinne.

Fellowſhip with the wicked.

1. The nature of the wicked is, that there growes their love, where Where and why the ungodly love or hate.they be not gaineſaid, and reproved for ſinne, and p. 141where they bee admoniſhed there groweth their hatred.

2. Great inconveniences Affinitie vvith the vvicked dangerous.follow the joyning of our ſelves in affinitie with the vvicked, as appeareth by Iehoſaphat who made affinitie with Ahab.

3. The friendſhip of the wicked is ſuch, that to The friendſhip of the vvicked deceitfull.ſave themſelves they will endanger their friend, ſo did Ahab with Iehoſaphat. 2 Chron. 18. 29.

The Fleſh.

Its our great corruption that wee ſo much ſavour The fleſh is to bee beaten dovvne, the motions of the ſpirit to bee entertained.the fleſh; to which we are not debtors, wherein wee injure our ſelves, and in ſavoring the fleſh quēch the Spirit, whereas otherwiſe in daily beating downe the p. 142fleſh, that is, all motions of ſinne, we provide much for our ſafety and comfort and ſo kindle with much encreaſe the Spirit in us.

Flock.

Being demanded of the welfare of thoſe committed The dutie of miniſters tovvards their flocksto our charge, its good to take occaſion to pray for them, to bee thankfull for them, and to examine our hearts, what meanes we uſe preſent and abſent for them.

Friends.

1. A common fault it is A fault in friends meeting.in friends meeting, ſo to reioyce therein, that the ſpirituall fruit in edifying Hovv to have comfort of our friends.one another is loſt.

2. The beſt way to have p. 142comfort of our friends is to pray continually and earneſtly for them.

Gift.

1. A Gift of thankfulneſſe What gift may bee received.after our labour may be received.

2. When we beſtow any Upon the event of ſpirituall bleſſings upon any, hovv to behave our ſelves.ſpirituall gift upon any we muſt watch what ſucceſſe it hath, and to bee comforted when our travaile findeth a bleſſing, and to be humbled when it wanteth.

Gods favour.Whence it commeth to paſſe that vvee are more affected vvith mans favour then Gods

A ſore evill it is in our nature that we are ſo much affected with the favour of mortall men who may pleaſure or annoy us; and p. 144make ſo ſmall reckoning of Gods favour wherein is life (Pſal. 63. 3.) as in his anger, death, (Pſal. 2. 12.) which commeth to paſſe eſpecially by not conſidering thoſe particulars, for then ſhould wee labour more to get in and to keepe our ſelves in Gods favour then in any mans.

Gods goodneſſe.

To thinke oftand deeply To meditate on Gods goodneſſe how profitable it is.on Gods goodneſſe to us will ſtirre up in us faith and love.

Gods Glory.

1. Its a matter much to be bewayled of us that whereas the honour of God ought to be the moſt precious treaſure in our eyes, and above all deſired, it is ſo horribly defaced in p. 145the world, and lightly regarded Chriſtians are to bee humbled for their light eſteeme of Gods glorie.even of Gods children, who doe not ſo burn in zeale after it as were meet. It ſhall be therefore highly needfull for us deeply to weigh our ſinne, to feare and ſhame us, that we poore wretches ſhould more greedily ſeeke our ſelves then the honour of God, which ſhould be ſo in requeſt with us, that if the Lord ſhould grant us, but one thing at requeſt, it ſhould be that one thing which above all wee deſire.

2. When we think that our chiefeſt care is to glorifie In glorifiing God vve ſeeke our ovvne glory.God, wee indeede ſeeke our owne glory.

3. It cannot be expreſſed Gods glory ſtill to be aimed at.how little conſcience p. 146is made to make God glorious in the world, and therefore in all our ſpeeches of God wee muſt as well for manner, as matter, yea and to ſuch end, ſo behave our ſelves as may moſt further the ſame.

4. God is glorified both in private and publique, Hovv to knovv when God is glorifiedwhen wee doe acknowledge his goodneſſe, confeſſe our ſinnes, ſeeke of him all good things, and ſo exerciſe our ſelves in his word, prayer, and the like, wherein if there be a willing minde to pleaſe God, it ſhall be accepted, though accompanied with many wants. This is much more when it is in the great congregation ſo as p. 147to excite others. And herein this is a great encouragement, An encouragement to glorifie God.that in thoſe we doe feaſt the Lord, who is more delighted in our poore ſervice which is preſented in faith, then we can bee in the beſt graces he beſtowes upon us, which is his love and praiſe, but our great blame: yet this ſhould exceedingly move us to bring the Lord the fatteſt of our flock, and as to be humbled wee have no better, ſo to be comforted that being in truth, the ſame ſhall be accepted.

Gods MercieMercy.

It is not with the Lord God in ſhewing merciemercy is farre unlike unto man.as it is with men, who for one diſpleaſure will not remember the former obedience p. 148of their ſervants, but caſt them off, ſuch is his merciemercy that for one ſin or offence he will not caſt us off.

Gods patience and long-ſuffering.

1. Its exceeding neceſſarie often to remember, The uſe to be made of Gods long-ſuffering.why the Lord hath reſerved us, and given us a longer time of repentance, even that we may labour to make ſuch gaine hereof as the Lord would, in making us fitter for the Lord, wherein we muſt thinke how ſhort this time is.

2. If we play with our owne affections, ſinne in Hovv dangerous it is to play vvith our affections.the end from ſport will ſpurre us to confuſion, for though wee are given to flatter and preſume of our p. 149ſelves that being twice or thrice ſpared we dare ſin againe, yet we muſt know Serò ſed ſeriò.that the Lord will recompence his long tarrying with wrath.

Gods Providence.

1. An excellent practiſe of Chriſtianitie it is Gods providence in every thing is duely to be vveighed.for every Chriſtian duely to weigh the wiſe providence of God, as towards others, ſo eſpecially in himſelfe and thoſe that appertaine to him, both in his bleſſings, and chaſtiſements; that in every of thē we may ſee the end of all Gods workes, and ſo make that right uſe of them, for which God hath ſent them, regiſtring the ſpeciall: by which practiſe a good Chriſtian ſhall not p. 150onelyonly be able readily to ſee the proper end of all Gods dealings, but with all have plentifull ſtore of heavenly matter at any time fit both to humble him and raiſe him up.

2. The providence of God may be highly regarded Gods providence to be obſerved in the ſpeeches of our enemies.even in the abrupt ſpeeches of our enemies, which to a diligent obſerver will bring their profit, though preſently none be ſeene, as Pharoahs to Ioſia.

Gods Will.

The ſecret things are for the Lord; the revealed Secret things are for the Lord: the revealed for us.belong to us. In the converſion of a ſinner this is moſt manifeſt, for herein we are to looke to Gods revealed will, in which we ſhall ſee how hee would p. 151have all men ſaved, and hath prepared a remedie, and freely offered it, and invites all to receive it, which makes much to ſet out Gods merciemercy ſo proclaimed in the Scriptures as to make all to beleeve, which is ſo comfortable to the elect, and which ſhall make all refuſers unexcuſable.

Godly.

The godly are in many things like children. 1. As Wherein the godly are like children.ſucklings they feele unquietneſſe in the want of the milke of the word, are 1.contented and quieted with it, yea and deſire to lie at it. 2. As weaned 2.children (though naturally corrupted) not ſo much to be deviſers of ſinne; as p. 152to ſinne by imitation, as it were violently drawne unto it. 3. Being growne 3.to mans ſtate to leave childiſhneſſe both in knowledge and manners. Againe, as children bee 4.brought to good and withheld from evill, either being wonne with faire words, or allured with trifling benefits, or awed with a check, or feared with a frowning looke, or ſtilled by ſeeing another beaten before them, or quieted by the rod, ſo muſt Gods children, elſe its to be feared they are no children or babes in Chriſt, but more carnall then ſpirituall, or degenerated. And further, though they 5.bee moſt liberall children p. 153which are eaſily reclaimed with faire meanes and more moved with promiſes to ſerve God then drawne by threats, yet are they children alſo, which not profiting ſo much by Gods wayes, are reclaimed by his corrections.