Time Well Spent in Sacred Meditations, Part 6 – Part 31
Aſſurance of Gods favour, Election, and Salvation.
1. As it is a moſt bleſſed eſtate to be hid under Gods What it is to be hid under Gods vving.wing, that is, to be ſure by faith of Gods favour and protection, that hee will keepe us from danger, or preſerve us in it, that it hurt us not, and ſo in the end deliver us, and make it profitable; So its hard to How hard it is to have an aſſurance of Gods favour.come to this, and harder to keepe it, whereof amongſt others, theſe may bee the cauſes: We too little think The cauſes hereof.of ſuch matters, or priſe them not when we doe; yet either wee deſpaire, or preſume and poſt off; if we goe about them, yet through ignorance or ſloath attend not thereon. The remedy The remediēs.is to labour and pray to ſee 1.the gaine which might make our paine, pleaſant; till then all will be tedious. Wherein this may further: to conſider our preſent 2.dayes wherein no ſmall ſtore have beene ſuddenly taken away from all they ſore toiled for. And ſeeing our father hath allowed us 3.ſufficient of theſc things below, what childiſh follie is it to ſpend our time in play as it were, and leave our chiefe duties, wherein wee ſhould moſt pleaſe God, and moſt procure our owne welfare, preſent peace, and What vvee muſt finde in ourſelves to aſſure us of Salvation, and that we are beloved of God.eternall happineſſe.
2. For our comfort in the aſſurance of ſalvation, wee muſt conſider what worke of Gods Spirit wee duplicate page duplicate page doe certainely finde in our ſelves, as in particular, theſe. 1. A ſound knowledge of the doctrine of Salvation. 2. a true beliefe of it. 3. Joy and comfort in it. 4. deſire and care to glorifie God for it, in hating and ſtriving to forſake all ſinne, in loving and endevouring to doe all good, in every of them, being humbled by reaſon of our weakneſſe, yet comforted through the meaſure of Gods grace in us.
3. As Gods children bee The Saints infirmities hinder thē of comfort that God is vvell pleaſed vvith thē.hindered many other waies ſo this way not the leaſt, that by reaſon of our common infirmities in our beſt actions wee have not comfort that God is pleaſed with us, and ſo are diſcouraged, and finde not that joy in our profeſſion wee might doe, for redreſſe hereof know we thus much, that herein wee offer great injurie to God and our They are injurious …o God vvhichwhich thinke nothing vvill pleaſe him that hath infirmitie.ſelves, in thinking God ſo ſtrait and hard, that nothing will pleaſe him which hath infirmitie, whereas indeed as hee knoweth what wee doe or can doe, ſo hath hee revealed himſelfe to bee as readie to bee pleaſed with the meaneſt endevours, and to forgive and beare with wants, as ever parents were. Againe, if we had not infirmities, Through Chriſt our infirmities are coveredwhat need we Chriſt one main benefit of his, being to cover our infirmities Whence it commeth to paſſe that ſo fevv be aſſured of Gods favour.ſo then wee ought to beleeve that God in Chriſt will forgive and accept us.
4. To have a ſweet feeling of Gods fatherly love and ſo to know and be aſſured our names are written in heaven, that wee cannot periſh, being (as Chriſt teacheth) the matter of greateſt joy, as whereon all other comforts depend, and without which there can bee no ſound joy, no marvaile though ſo few attain thereunto, it being reſerved for ſuch of Gods children as be deepeſt in favour with him, the reſt but ſeldome, and the hypocrite never ſoundly, but in fancie enjoying the ſame. Though this bee the free gift of God, given to whom, and ſo long as pleaſeth him, yet bee there many lets which keepe men from it, and meanes to attaine and keepe it. Beſides the common contemners, even in thoſe that faine Lets of this aſſurance.would have this aſſurance, and oft mourne for it, there be many lets. 1. A great 1. Ignorance in moſt hovv or vvhereon to build it.part bee ignorant how or whereon to build this aſſurance, the moſt building their faith on their life, which cannot be ſound, and oft faileth and can never be conſtant; whereas the true building is to build life on faith, and faith onelyonly upon Gods mercy and truth revealed in his word, not to the righteous and godly, but ſinners and ungodly: thus, Seeing the Sonne of God The true foundatiō thereon.who hath given himſelfe to worke mans redemption hath freely offered himſelfe to ſave me a wretched ſinner voide of all grace, and ſubject to damnation, promiſing fully to ſave me, if I will come to him, and wholly caſt my ſelfe upon him, receive him for my Saviour, Lord, and Huſband, and giving my ſelfe wholly body and ſoule to be his to ſerve him for ever, therefore knowing and beleeving that hee both can and will indeed fully performe his promiſe, and defiring to enjoy the ſame, doe faithfully give and betroth my ſelfe to him, and thereon doe build my aſſurance, that I in him ſhall obtaine Gods favour, and all the fruits thereof, for my preſent cō fort, and eternall happineſs. 2. Another great and common 2. Many vvill not goe to the price of it.let of this ſpirituall joy and comfort in the Lord even in thoſe that oft complaine of the want thereof, is this, that they will not goe to the price of it, that is, valuing it above all wee can aſke or thinke, therefore to ſell all for it, forgoe any thing for it, and ſeeing what will keepe us from it to put it away, though as deare as our right eye, our gaine, credit, eaſe, and pleaſure; and knowing any meanes that will helpe us to it, to ſpare no coſt, no time, no labour, but conſtantly to uſe all meanes till wee get it, and ſo to keepe it. Now ſeeing this is tedious to our corrupt 3. Many are forgetfull thereinnature, many through meere forgetfulneſſe (minding other things too much) let all this care and travell alone, ſeldome or ſleightly minding this matter. Others of meere ſlothfulneſſe 4. Slothfulneglect to take the paines for it, whereas without much paines it will not bee gotten and kept, and none can bee too much. Others too much in love with the 5. In love vvith the vvorld.world, ſeeing the attaining and keeping of this aſſurance of God favour, will not ſtand with the uſe of any unlawfull gaine, credit in the world or vaine delight, or with the abuſe of lawfull, therefore the covetous, ambitious, and voluptuous▪ loath to forgoe any part of their wealth, pomp, and ſtate, of their braverie, feaſtings, paſtimes, and the like, can never get or hold this pretious treaſure of rejoycing in the Lord. Among thoſe may be reckoned ſuch who not ſo much choaked with theſe, yet ſeeing that to hold this confidence will coſt them ſore trouble and many afflictions, of meere fearefulnes 6. Fearefull and over-tender.and over-tenderneſſe, being loath to ſuffer any thing, are diſcouraged from ſeeking it, and ſo content to live without it. Others through meere diſtruſt that they 7. Diſtruſtfull.ſhall never attaine or hold it, faint and give over. In ſome there hath been ſome 8. Given unto ſome foule and reproachfull ſinne.foule and reproachfull ſinne which lyeth as a thorne in the fleſh, that til it be pulled out there is no eaſe, which they loath to ſee, and more loath ſhould bee ſeene, and they ſhould beare the ſhame of, doe ſo hide and ſmother, that in the end it flameth out to their greater confuſion. In all, the Lord hath his ſtroke, who for theſe or other moſt juſt cauſes often hideth his loving countenance from his owne children, and though he love them, will not let them ſee it, leſt they ſhould abuſe it, and to make them ſet more by it, to ſeeke it earneſtly & above all when they want it, and to keepe it charily when they have it. The remedies of all the former diſeaſes be the earneſt The remedies of the forementioned lets.labour for the contrary vertues, more to value this pearle, more to minde it, to ſpare no paines in prayer, meditation and other good exerciſes, love and deſire nothing in compariſon hereof: to hearten our ſelves againſt al diſcouragements, and to be content to ſuffer any thing for it, and to reſt on Gods mercy and truth, that as he hath given an heart to ſeeke, ſo wee ſhall in the end obtaine, and therefore to be patient and conſtant to the end, to pull up any ſtub in our conſcience, by wiſe meanes cleering our ſelves before God and the world as need requires, and laſtly to conſider the many tokens wee have of Gods love though hee ſeeme to frowne upon us, and to hide his face.
5. He that moſt denyeth Who may have moſt aſſurance.himſelfe, and of love yeelds himſelfe wholly to God, may have moſt aſſurance of his effectuall vocation and election.
6. Hee that feeleth his heart fully perſwaded of How to try the truth of our aſſurance.his Salvation muſt examine whether it breede anſwerable love, zeale, and care to pleaſe God, with griefe for offending his Majeſtie, elſe may it be but preſumption.
Atheiſme.
Atheiſme is more to bee Atheiſme more to be feared then Popery.feared then Papiſme, ſeeing many renounce Popery, who yet care not for Chriſtianity.
Baptiſme.
1. The Miniſters badneſſe hindereth not the efficacie of the Sacrament.A Godly man may have his childe baptized of a miniſter though unreverently handling that holy myſterie, that being alone the miniſters ſinne, and which cannot hinder the bleſſing of Gods ordinance: the Apoſtles being very ignorant, baptiſed.
2. The Fathers preſence is requiſite at the baptizing The Fathers preſence requiſite.of the childe to promiſe for it; or if he cannot come, to certifie the congregation that hee would have his childe baptized, and make that promiſe by others which preſent hee ought.
3. Baptiſme is a ſeale of the Croſſe of Chriſt.Baptiſme a ſeale of Chriſts Croſſe.
4. The childe of an harlot may bee baptized, though not for her ſake, An harlots childe may be baptized.yet for the forefathers within the ſame generation.
Benefits or Bleſsings.
1. In all our mirths and rejoycing wee are to remember We are to be mindfull of the Spaniſh invaſion and gunpowder treaſon.the great benefit of our deliverance from the Spaniards in 88. and from the Gun-powder-treaſon on the 5. of November, by meanes wherof wee enjoy thoſe bleſſings wee daily partake of.
2. As our hearts muſt We muſt be perſwaded that Gods bleſſings flow from his love in Chriſt.rejoyce in Gods benefits, ſo we muſt be perſwaded that the ſame flow from Gods fatherly love in Chriſt, elſe can wee not give ſpirituall thankes, but either none at all, or only carnall.
3. Being perſwaded that Gods benefits towards Our love muſt bee kindled thereby.us proceede from his love, the ſame ſhould ſo kindle our love, that we ſhould heate thereby all that come neere us, as fire doth, the want whereof ſhewes our great unthankfulneſſe.
4. Whereas the moſt Abuſe of earthly bleſſings an hinderance from growth in grace.profeſſors bee in nothing more hindered, from growth in grace, yea and moſt from true happineſs, then by the abuſing of thoſe earthly bleſſings they enjoy, health, wealth, beauty, ſtrength, wit, learning, credit, friends, which through their ſinne further their miſerie, and ſhall witneſſe againſt them, this muſt be accounted an high favour to a true beleever Rightly to uſe them is Gods ſpeciall bleſſing.to have grace ſo to uſe thoſe, that they all may become his friends to further his happineſſe, whereby hee ſhall become more aſſured of Gods everlaſting favour, and have ſo many witneſſes of the ſame.
5. This right uſe ſtands either tovvard
God
1. That they bee received thankfully, ſo as every vvay Wherein the right uſe of bleſſings conſiſteth.they bind us more to him, more to love him, reſt upō him, ſeeke to him, & ſerve him.
2. That they be all uſed to Rom. 12. 1. 1 Cor. 10. 33.his glory.
Man
Our ſelves
Temperatly:
ſo as they no vvay hinder our Luc. 21. 34. 1 Cor. 9.proceeding, but make us fitter.
Providently
Soule BodyLuc. 16. 9. Eph. 4. 28.
Neighbours
Juſtly, Pſal. 15
Mercifully, Prov
6. Whereas there is no one thing which more Earthly care a maine hinderance of our ſpirituall life.hinders our ſpirituall life, then our care for earthly, its the ſpeciall favour of our Lord Jeſus, to free us from this care, and to ſhew us a way how we may bee abundantly provided for of all things neceſſarie for this preſent life, that ſo wee may more ſeeke ſpirituall: this he doth by teaching us thus to pra…, Give Hovv the Lord freeth his therefrom.us this day our daily bread, whereby he puts as it were a privy key into our hāds, to open all Gods treaſures that by prayer of faith we may fetch from God.
7. Many times the Lord Why the Lord ſometimes bleſſeth ev…n above meanes.above all meanes doth beſtow a bleſſing upon his children, even more then they could looke for, that they ſhould not ſtay too much upon the meanes, but acknowledge every good gift to come from him, and therefore ſtay themſelves on him, and to the ſame end alſo many times he croſſeth them in Sometimes eroſſeth in the meanes.the meanes, that either they cannot uſe them, or uſing them they prevaile not, even to humble them that he may be God above all.
8. When God beſtoweth any good gift upon us The croſſe ſeaſoneth Gods bleſſings.its good to feele ſome croſſe to ſeale and ſeaſon it in us.
9. We often want outward Why many vvant outvvard bleſſings.bleſſings, becauſe we ſo little eſteeme inward graces.
10. Its a common thing God bleſſeth before he puniſh.with the Lord to bleſſe before he puniſh.
Birth-day.
The celebration of a Hovv a mans birthday may be celebrated.mans birth-day may bee uſed of ſome and at ſome times, without pompe, ſuperſtition or carnall pleaſure.
Buying and Selling.
1. In buying and ſelling wee muſt bee carefull that Rules to be obſerved in buying and ſelling.every one may have benefit; and in ſelling rather to bee under the market, then otherwiſe.
2. In buying and ſelling this may bee a good rule to guide us, to doe as wee would be done unto, for example, when wee ſell conſider wee whether knowing the marketable The tryall of the rules.price, and goodneſſe of the thing, wee would gladly give ſo much as wee demand, if wee would not, wee deale not juſtly; ſo in buying: but herein take wee heede that our hearts deceive us not, whereto we be very prone.
3. Its a ſore diſeaſe cō mon The love of gaine h…vv common, dangerous, & prejudicial& dangerous among the beſt profeſſors, that they for love of gaine, doe many wayes injure their neighbour, and allow themſelves many practiſes contrary to love, as buying a thing deare to ſell for more then its worth, when they ſell it, and ſo caſting their loſſe on their neighbour.
4. In buying and ſelling this is a ſure rule, to be We muſt be ſure our neighbour gaine by us.ſure our neighbour gaines by us.
Calling.
1. IF earthly men in earthly Cheerefulneſſe required in our callings, eſpecially the Miniſterie.things do ſwallow up great troubles, and with cheerefulneſſe undertake and accordingly undergoe many hard travells for the ſatisfying of their deſires in pleaſure or profit, how much more ought wee which be Chriſtians, eſpecially Miniſters to cheere up our hearts with the hope of our gaine, that with glad hearts we might ſtudie, pray, preach, and performe the like exerciſes.
2. They who have The rich muſt bee moſt painfull in their callings.double allowance of food and wages, ſhould doe double ſervice, therefore the rich ſhould more pain fully labour in their vocations.
3. No troubles unleſſe they bee in caſe of meere We muſt not forſake our callings.ungodlineſſe may make us forſake our callings, which are never free from trouble.
4. Whenſoever we be out of our calling Satan Hovv dangerous to be out of our callinghath fit occaſion of tempting us.
Chriſt.
1. Two things are neceſſarily What doe eſpouſe us to Chriſt.required to eſpouſe us to Chriſt, the one, to uſe the pure meanes, the other to uſe theſe meanes with pure hearts.
2. The onelyonly way to The vvay to come & receive Chriſt.come to and receive Chriſt, is upon good knowledge of his excellencie to deſire him, and by the free offer and faithfull promiſe of himſelfe to us poore ſinners, to give credit to his word, taking him for our Lord and Saviour, to give our ſelves wholly body and ſoule to him to be his faithfull Spouſe and ſervants for ever.
3. By this among many Hovv one may knovv vvhether he hath received Chriſt.other notes, may one know whether he indeed hath received Chriſt, If he finde ſuch affection to Chriſt in heaven, as is in a betrothed virgin to one whom ſhee dearly loveth being beyond ſea, thinking the time long till ſhee enjoy his ſweet fellowſhip. This is too too rare.
Chriſtian.
It were a very profitable The anatomie of a Chriſtian in his ſeverall parts how needfull for us.labour for our ſelves and others, to have the whole Anatomie of a Chriſtian, laid forth diſtinctly in all the vertues pertaining to him, in all the corruptions cleaving to him, with all the promiſes of God, and priviledges both in this life, and the life to come, for encouragement: as in like manner all the threats and miſeries of the wicked here and hereafter, to enforce abſtinence from ſin; every of them gathered cleerly out of the Scripture with the quotations.
Chriſtianitie.
1. It may be juſtly complained, that if the whole courſe of our beſt profeſſors (except very rare men, miniſters and people, here and there one) were rightly examined, that they are ſo far off from that courſe which is by precept and example laid out to us in the Scriptures, that the moſt have neede to begin Moſt have need to begin all againe.all againe, and to lay a better foundation in the aſſurance of their ſalvation, for want whereof wofull The vvant of a good foundatiō what wofull effects it produceth.effects follow, generally ſuch a contentedneſſe in their eſtate, becauſe of ſome conſcience of duty remaining in them, that there is no ſighing after a better life, and therefore no great endeavouring for it, which breeds an uncō fortable reckoning in the end, and indeed from hence it comes that the ſecret wayes of the Lord are not knowne nor ſought after, but ſo it is for the moſt part, that if a man have any grace more then is in the common multitude, he is highly reckoned of, though he come more ſhort of the true Chriſtian courſe which he ſhould attaine to, (and ſome carefull Chriſtians doe) then he goes beyond the multitude, and to ſuch a paſſe is our Chriſtian profeſſion come, that if any ſhould ſtep beyond this common coldneſſe and backwardneſſe, he is thought worſe of; as if in godly griefe, too melancholique; if in zeale, too heady and undiſcreet; if in humilitie, too ſillie and fooliſh; if in love and liberalitie, too careleſſe of his eſtate; and ſo in other particulars.
2. Chriſtianitie ſeemes Chriſtianity the onelyonly liberty.a bondage, that a man may not doe what he liſt, but is forced, yet indeede its the onelyonly liberty to the re generate, who would not doe otherwiſe: to whom onelyonly ſinne is a bondage. Thoſe having within them a good conſcience, (which is a continuall feaſt) doe finde here even in this life no ſmall pleaſure in the ſervice of God. Beſides their joy in the aſſurance of the reward to come, which is unſpeakable. Contrarily, there is no peace to the wicked, The vvicked Satans bōdſlaves.though to outward appearance they live pleaſantly, yet are they Satans bondſlaves, and after this life ſhall bee tormented with him and his angels world without end.
A civill life.
Many living a civill honeſt life, (as its termed) Gods goodneſſe in making civill men on their death-bed reveale their hidden ſinnes.and yet lying in ſome ſecret ſinnes, doe at or before their death often deteſt the ſame, and ſhame themſelves, which is Gods goodneſſe, to ſhew the truth of his threatning, to ſtop the rage of the wicked, and keepe his from ſecuritie.Whence it commeth to paſſe that the godly live not merily in this vvorld.
Comforts.
1. Its much to bee lamented that God having provided that his children might live merily in him, few finde this more then in proſperitie as worldlings doe, which comes by our ignorance, or light regard, or want of faith of obtaining thoſe ſweet cō forts the Lord hath provided for us.
2. They bee few that Why ſo fevv have aſſurance they be in Chriſt.have good aſſurance they be in Chriſt, which comes by our meere negligence in making ſure our calling and Election, no marvell though ſuch feele ſmall comfort in their profeſſiō, contrarily, who ſo hath this aſſurance, it muſt needs be great ignorance or ſloath which deprives them of the ſame.
3. To an afflicted conſcience this is comfortable, that although it come to paſſe after ſome travell in the new birth Gods graces be not ſo ſweet, nor ſinne ſo grievous as it was at our firſt entrance into regeneration, but wee are now weaker in the leſſe aſſaults, then at the beginning in our ſtronger temptations, yet are we not to deſpaire, conſidering that gratiousproceeding comes from God, who ſhewed Why God ſhevves himſelfe more favourable in the beginning of our converſion then aftervvard.himſelfe more favourable in our firſt beginning, leſt he ſhould diſcourage us, and for that we wholly reſted on him, even in our leaſt temptations, denying our ſelves, and now hides himſelfe for a ſeaſon, to make and give us try all of our ſtrength when as we leſſe forſake and ſuſpect our ſelves; no not in greater temptations, that wee taking the foile might bee humbled, and acknowledge the continuance of our health to come onelyonly from him.
4. Many hinder themſelves from true comfort All true comfort comes frō Gods rich merciemercy.in feeking it from their owne worthineſſe, which they doe in being without hope becauſe of their unworthineſſe, when as all true comfort comes from Gods rich merciemercy with whom is plentifull redemption.
5. As its dangerous to perſwade our ſelves of comfort, when there is no feeling of inward corruptions, ſo it is perilous to refufe all comfort when our ſincere purpoſes are defiled with many corruptions in our practiſes, and therefore they from whō Satan laboureth to ſteale away the ſincerity of their Its ſometimes Satans policy that vvee ſhould ſtill complaine and grieve for our corruptions.hearts muſt take heed they be not ſtill complaining and grieving for their corruptions, as that they obſcure the worke of Gods ſpirit (which muſt encourage us againſt our manifold faintings) and make them to walke uncheerfully in their callings, ſeeing that the glorious bloodſhed of Chriſt is not ſo impotent, as being of force to ſave the greateſt ſins and ſinners, it ſhould not bee able to purge the ſmaller infirmities of the Saints, and if any thinke their prayers and obedience all but in faſhion, this ſenſe with griefe ſheweth that it is not altogether in faſhion, and the ſenſe of this imperfection doth more pleaſe the Lord, then the imperfection doth diſpleaſe him.
Gods children often ſee The godly are often deprived of the cō fort which they had before.no comfort in their life though they have had true comfort, and have forgotten it, or ſuſpect it, who though they ſhould die, without that ſenſe of comfort they deſire, yet their ſalvation is not to bee doubted of, ſeeing they ſhall not be judged according to the inſtant of their death, but the courſe of their life. Wee are not Gods mercies tovvards ſuch in their death not to be miſtruſted.therefore to miſtruſt Gods merciemercy in death, bee wee never ſo uncomfortable, if ſo be it hath beene before ſealed in our vocation and ſanctification.
Communion.
1. For ſitting or kneeling at the communion its The peace of the Church to be ſought.good to ſeeke the peace of the Church, leſt the remedie of evill be worſe then the evill it ſelfe.
2. A good miniſter will A miniſter muſt prepare his people before hand.take great care to prepare his people for the Communion, both privately and publiquely, marking their proceeding thereafter.
3. Theſe promiſes are Promiſes to be required of Communicants.fit to bee taken of them who firſt are received to the communion, and that in the ſight of God, and preſence of ſome faithfull witneſſes, that they would labour, 1. To grow in 1.knowledge of the word. 2. To depart from their 2.former ſinnes, and to lead an holy life. 3. To keepe 3.the Sabbaths in godly exerciſes as much as may be, and come to be inſtructed publiquely and privately. 4. If they fall into any ſin 4.to abide the cenſure of the Church, yea not profiting in knowledge to bee ſuſpended from the Sacrament.
4. After wee have partaked Examination required after our participation thereof.of the holy communion, wee are to examine our ſelves, whether wee received the ſame worthily, and that whether wee had Chriſt, the tryall whereof is by our comfort Whether or not vve have received Chriſt therein.of all good from him, and our conſcience to yeeld our ſelves wholly to bee his, and to ſerve him; Oh the happineſſe of ſuch as have received him, they watch and pray leſt they enter into temptation.
The Communion of Saints.
Its a principall part of the communion of Saints Wee muſt ſtill be doing or receiving good.to be moſt carefull either to bee doing or receiving good, therefore when we joy to ſee our friends, this muſt humble us, that wee want this Communion.
Compaſsion.
Wee muſt learne to Wee are to ſympathize vvith others in their griefepittie them that beeing grieved with themſelves, and finde no peace with God, are grieved with others and impatient, for this was in David and others of Gods deare ſervants.
Complaint.
1. Wee complaine of We make little uſe of our complaints.many things amiſſe, but ſee not, nor ſearch for the cauſe, much leſſe labour to remove it, and ſo make little uſe of our complaints.
2. It cannot bee but a moſt dangerous eſtate, to Hovv dangerous to complaine of our vveakneſſe, and yet therevvith to pleaſe our ſelves.bee ever complaining of our weakneſſe, and yet therewith to pleaſe our ſelves, though wee finde no prevailing againſt the ſame.
Concupiſcence.
To avoide concupiſcence, By vvhat meanes concupiſcence may be avoidedcontinually examine thy ſelfe by the law; meditate with reverence on the word; walke painefully in thy honeſt calling, ſhame thy ſelfe before thy friends; uſe temperate diet, ſleepe, apparrell; watch over thine owne eyes, eares, and other parts of thy body; have a zealous jealouſie of places, perſons, and all occaſions, to avoide the evill, and ſeeke the good; humble thy ſelfe with ſhame of ſinnes paſt, griefe of ſinnes preſent, and feare of ſins to come, with a diligent uſe of faſting, prayer, and watching as neede requires.
Conference.
1. Its too commonly ſeene even among deare friends and thoſe alſo true Chriſtians that in much talking even about good In conference contention often ariſeth.things alſo, there fall out diverſities of opinions, which commonly (if great care and conſcience be not had) breede contrary reaſonings, in which moſt offend by ſtiffeneſſe in maintaining thereof, and hard it is not to let ſlip ſome inconſiderate ſpeech, which if it be ill taken makes breach of love, and falling out many times when no ill was meant, whereupon conſidering me thinks the The fault is principally in the ill taking of things ſpoken.greater fault is in the ill taking of any thing ſpoken or done, rather then in doing or ſpeaking, for this proceedeth rather from temeritie and inconſiderateneſſe, upon a ſudden motion, which a right good man may offend in againſt him whom hee dearely loveth, and proceeds not ſimply from ſo great want of love, as might be thought; even as wee may ſee in a loving mother to her childe. But ill taking proceeds from more deliberation and reaſoning The reaſon.of the matter, and more manifeſtly bewrayes want of love to take any thing worſe then is meant in either partie. Its a ſinne Three ſeveral faults compared together.to ſpeake inconſiderately that which may offend, a greater to take that ſpeech in ill part, and the greateſt for the firſt to take in ill part that his ſpeech was ill taken.Prayer requiſite before conference.
2. Being to conferre of any weightie matter, we are to prepare our ſelves by prayer both to ſpeake and heare.
3. The viewing, touching, Suſpition of evill to be avoidedor familiar talking with a woman, eſpecially religious, either without neceſſary occaſion, or then without prayer for holy affection is dangerous.
Confidence.
1. Its a ſinfull fearefulneſſe Hovv dangerous it is not to cō feſſe our confidence in God.in any ſound Chriſtian, not to profeſſe his confidence in the Lord, and not to glory in his portion, and to have no comfort that he glorifieth God. This is found very diſhonourable to God, unprofitable to themſelves, and hurtfull to good and bad.
2. It ſeemeth that of all Confidēce and comfort in God he Chriſtians crovvne.the gifts of the Spirit, our confidence and comfort in God, ſhould eſpecially bee called our crowne, as every way the chiefeſt for our ſelves.
3. Herein may wee be Hovv to be confident about Gods judgemēts.confident, that God hath provided a way, whereby we may bee aſſured either to ſcape the judgement which falls upon others, or at leaſt to bee bettered thereby, that it doe us no hurt.
Conſcience.
1. The teſtimonie of A good conſcience may breed joy, a bad ſorrovv: vvith the reaſons of either.a good conſcience may, ought, and doth breede joy, becauſe it confirmeth to a man that he doth beleeve, and ought not make him beleeve who did not. So the accuſation of mans conſcience, that his life ſhewes no ſound fruit of faith, may, ought, and doth oft breede ſorrow and feare, for that it bewrayes the want of faith, and ought not hinder him from beleeving, who doth not at all, or very little; whereupon followes, that all ſuch as be ſo careleſſe in their life, ought to doubt What the careleſſe in their life are to doe.whether they truely beleeve, and ſo be grieved for it, that they reſt not, till they by application of Gods promiſes unto them doe ſoundly beleeve, that thereby their life may be amended, and their hearts ſoundly rejoyced; by all which appeares that true Godlineſſe increaſeth not faith, but ſheweth faith, True godlineſſe encreaſeth not faith; nor ungodlineſſe decreaſe it.and ſo makes more ſure of ſalvation then bare faith: neither ought any ungodlineſſe decreaſe our faith, but rather ſhew the want of faith, and thereby drive men to ſeeke more ſoundly to beleeve, leſt they periſh.
2. In affliction eſpecially when the conſcience Hovv to comfort the conſcience in time of affliction.(though perſwaded that the Lords intent hereby is to make us better) can hardly finde comfort of Gods love that he is not offended, its good to apply this comfort, that, being in Chriſt nothing ſhall be laid to our charge, neither any thing condemne, ſeeing God in Chriſt is fully ſatisfied.
Conſent.
Ifonce we give conſent to ſinne, wee are made Dangerous to give conſent to ſin.ready to fall into more and many ſinnes, and making no conſcience of one ſin, wee ſhall not make conſcience of many and great ſinnes, and ſo being once inwrapped in ſinne, its an hard thing to get out of Hard to get out of the devills clavves.the clawes of the devill. Lord give us grace to ſee and reſiſt the very firſt ſinne.
Contempt of Grace.
1. Though it be wonderfull Whence it is that many do not embrace pardon & life offered to them.that any ſinner knowing pardon and life to be offered to him, ſhould at leaſt not embrace it, yet both Scripture and experience daily ſhew it to be ſo, even as in many earthly caſes is to be ſeen: let a Prince offer pardon to many rebells, or a father reconciliation to his diſobedient ſonne, or a Phyſitian healing medicines to his diſeaſed patients, not a few of them reject the ſame. The cauſes of this contempt may bee 1. From ignorancemany; ſome men of meere ignorance know not the excellencie of the benefit, and therefore neglect. Other 2. From feare it would coſt too deare.would be glad of it, but judge it would coſt them too deare, too much travaile and paine to come by it. Others through infidelitie (naturally running 3. From infidelitie.in all, till God give more grace) doe diſtruſt they ſhall never have it, and ſo deprive themſelves of it: by all which and the like meanes it comes to paſſe, that though grace in the Goſpell be offered to all, and many know ſo much, yet very few truely embrace it, even ſuch alone whom God draweth.
2. Such is the corruption of our nature that the beſt things waxe vile by Why the Goſpell is not now ſo reſpected as before.the commonneſſe of them, no marvell then that the Goſpell have no ſuch credit, and be ſo loved, reverenced, & embraced now, as it was at the firſt entrance thereof amongſt us.
Contentation.
1. Unleſſe a man bee perſwaded by faith that he diſchargeing his duty Hovv to uſe this vvorld vvel.for his maintenance, that portion which God ſendeth is fitteſt for him, and that he can be content to be poore, he can never uſe this world well.
2. To breede contentment with our condition Hovv to be content vvith our condi…ion.whatſoever; weigh wee, 1. That nothing comes to paſſe without Gods decree and providence. 2. That the ſame is not only good in reſpect of God, but alſo for the beſt to all Gods children, wherewith therfore wee ought to be contented.
Contracts.
1. Contracts before Directiōs touching Contracts before mariage.they bee publiſhed by the Miniſter are to be knowne of him, and therein this is a good orderly proceeding before ſome honeſt witneſſes to demand, 1. How neere or farre off in conſanguinity they bee. 2. Whether they together 2.or either of them to other have beene precontracted. 3. Whether they 3.have their parents conſent, without the knowledge whereof he is not to proceede. 4. Whether they 4.purpoſe to ſolemnize their marriage in the congregation. Theſe being granted before the parents or their 5.vicegerent to proceede to 6.prayer, and exhortation to ſome generall duties of men and women, and ſo to contract according to the common Liturgie in the ſight of God with prayer The exhortation (after the defence of this duty belonging to the Miniſter) may be briefly a diſcourſe of the doctrine of the law and faith applyed to their eſtate of marriage, and ſo their ſpeciall callings, and moſt neede.
2. They which contract themſelves without their The Parents conſent to be had.governours or parents conſent, if they be alive, are to confeſſe their fault publiquely before they be marryed, that others may heare and feare.
Corruption.
1. Such is the corruption of our nature that Men doe leſſe eſteeme Gods graces vvhen they moſt abound.though wee bee wonderfully delighted with Gods graces, yet when wee abound with them, we leſſe eſteeme them, then when wee begunne to enjoy them.
2. Our corruption is Our corruptions like the vvantonneſſe of children.like to the wantonneſſe of children, who either will doe as they liſt, or elſe leave all undone.
3. Its a common corruption Immoderate griefe occaſioneth forget fulneſſe of former mercies.ſo to grieve at evills preſent, that unthankfully wee forget former mercies.
4. Its too common a Dangerous to reveale ſome▪ conceale our greateſt infirmities.corruption that wee can diſcloſe many of our infirmities, and keepe the greateſt cloſe.
Good Counſells.
Beleeve to be ſaved, as a Publican; live as a Juſticiarie: Hovv to beleeve to be ſaved, live, pray, labour for grace, provide for our ſoules.Pray as idle beggars who live by begging: Labour for grace, as worldlings toil for wealth: Provide for thy ſoule as thou doeſt for thy bodie, reſt, food, apparell, and ſuch like neceſſaries; feede Note.to be fitter to labour: ſo labour, as to get a ſtomack to thy food.
Holy Dayes.
IN thoſe, wee muſt redeeme the time in reſting The uſe of holy dayes.from our callings.