A Guide to Godliness, Book 1 · Chapter 10
CHAP. X.
Of the meanes whereby we may be preſerued from carnall ſecuritie. As first auoyding and taking away the cauſes of it.
§. 1 The firſt remedie, is to auoid ignorance, and labour after knowledge.
BY that which hath beene ſaid in the former Chapter, it may manifeſtly appeare, that the ſinne of carnall ſecuritie is out of meaſure ſinfull, a capitall euill, and moſt dangerous diſeaſe of the ſoule, which is more heartily to be abhorred, and more carefully to be auoided, then the plague, leproſie, or corporall lethargie. But, for as much as it is not ſufficient that we ſee the manifold miſchiefs of this Spirituall ſickneſſe, and thereby bee mooued to hate it, and earneſtly to deſire to be freed from it; vnleſſe wee alſo know by what meanes our deſire may be ſatisfied: I will in the next place propound the preſeruatiues, which may keepe vsus from this diſeaſe, and the medicines which may cure and recouer vsus if we be alreadie fallen into it. Firſt, then if we would be cured of this Spirituall lethargie, we muſt imitate skilfull Phyſicians, who to effect a perfect cure, doe labour chiefly to take away the cauſes of the ſickeneſſe, and withall to ſtrengthen and confirme the affected part, that being expulſed they may be able to keep them from re-entring. Which not being obſerued, there can be no perfect cure, but the Patient will be readie, vponupon the next diſtemper of heat, cold, or miſdiet, to relapſe dangerouſly into his former diſeaſe. And if we Ibi maximè oportet obſeruare peccatum vbi naſci ſolet. Hieronym.would take away theſe malignant and poiſonous ſtreames of carnall ſecuritie, it will be to little purpoſe to lade and emptie them in the current, vnleſſe we damme and ſtop vp the Well-head and Fountaine from which the Spring. To which end, we will propound them in the ſame order wherein they were formerly handled. And firſt, if wee would be freed from carnall ſecuritie, wee muſt labour to come out of our naturall ignorance, and to hauehave our minds illightned with the knowledge of God, and of thoſe attributes, whereby his true feare is wrought in our hearts, as his omnipotent power, omniſcient wiſedome, omnipreſence, iuſtice, trueth, merciemercy, goodneſſe, and the reſt. For there are ſcarce any that are ignorant of theſe, who are not wholly poſſeſſed with carnall ſecuritie; neither doth it make them watchfull and fearefull to be compaſſed about with deſperate dangers, becauſe liuing in the blindneſſe of ignorance, and in ſuch palpable darkneſſe as obſcureth all things, they want both light and ſight to ſee and apprehend them.
§. 2 The ſecond remedie, is to conſider and meditate often on Gods attributes.
The ſecond meanes and remedie againſt ſecuritie, is not onelyonly to know God and his attributes, but alſo often to meditate and conſider of them. As ſtill to thinke and remember, that hee who ſeeth all things, ſeeth and beholdeth our moſt ſecret actions, yea, ſearcheth our very hearts and reines, diſcerning eueryevery turning and winding in this Labyrinth, much better then we our ſelues. So Salomon, The eyes of the Lord are in eueryevery place, beholding the euill and the good. Prouerb. 15. 3. And Iob, I know that thou canst doe eueryevery thing, and that no thought can be with-holden from thee. Iob 42. 2. And therefore Dauid ſetteth God continually before him. I hauehave (ſaith he) ſet the Lord alwayes before me, becauſe he is at my right hand, I ſhall not be moued. Pſal. 16. 8. and Pſal. 119. 168. Yea, aDeus totus eſt ſen…us, totus vi…us, totus …udi…us Pl… hiſt. …. l. …. c. 7.that he looketh not thus vponupon vsus afarre off, he being in heauen and we on earth, but being in all bSphae… ▪ cuius …en…um vbique. circ…mf…rentia …u…quam. Emp…ocles. Pſal. 1…9. 8▪ 9.places alike, is preſent with vsus, and ſtandeth by to ſee how in all things we carrie our ſelues; and not as an idle ſpeculatour, only to gaze on our actions with either liking or diſlike of them, but as our cMagna tibi cuſtod…a neceſſaria eſt qui ante ocules …udicis v…uis cuncta cernentis. Bernard. m…d…t. c. 6.Iudge, who will either acquit and reward vsus if we doe well, or condemne and puniſh vsus if we doe euill. And not ſuch a corrupt Iudge who may be blinded with rewards, and taketh more care to weigh the bribe then the cauſe, or a reſpecter of perſons, who may eaſily be miſ-led by fauour or friendſhip; or one ſo weake in authoritie, or confined in his iuriſdiction to ſuch narrow limits, or of ſuch ſmall power and ſtrength, that we may appeale from his ſentence to an higher Court, flee out of his dominions, or by our owne wiſedome and ſtrength, or helpe of our friends, deliuer our ſelues from his iuſt doome, by mayne force. But let vsus remember, that the Iudge who ſtandeth by and looketh vponupon our actions, is moſt vpright and vnpartiall, who accepteth no mans perſon, and ſo all-ſufficient in himſelfe that hee needeth no rewards, and ſupreme Lord of all, ſo that wee cannot giuegive him any thing which is not his owne alreadie. That his dominion laſteth vntounto all ages, and extendeth vntounto all creatures, and his preſence filleth all places, ſo that, If we could aſcend into heauen, he is there; if we ſhould 2. Cor. 5. 10.make our heds in hell, he is there; if we ſhould take the wings of the morning, to flee from his preſence, and dwell in the vtmoſt parts of the ſea, euen there the hand of his power and prouidence would find vsus out. that his ſentence and decrees are much more firme and irreuocable then thoſe of the Medes and Perſians, and his truth ſo inuiolable and vnchangeable, that what hee hath ſpoken cannot bee diſanulled, but ſhall ſurely be accompliſhed. That he is ſo omnipotent in power, that all the creatures in heauen and earth cannot reſiſt his will. That hee is a God that hateth iniquitie, and is a conſuming fire to burne vp impenitent Heb. 12. 31.ſinners as ſtubble, in which regard it is a fearefull things to fall into the hands of this iuſt, true, powerfull, and euerliuing God. Finally, let vsus conſider, that hee who looketh vponupon vsus, and ſtandeth by vsus, is infinitly good and gracious, our deare Father in Ieſus Chriſt, who hath beſtowed on vsus all the benefits which wee enioy in preſent poſſeſſion and future hope; and therefore, that it is great impietie and foule ſhame, to abuſe ſuch infinite merciemercy and ineſtimable benefits, by neglecting his eye and preſence, and ſleeping through carnall ſecuritie quietly in our ſinnes, without any deſire to come out of them by vnfained repentance. And if thus conſidering and meditating on Gods nature and attributes, we ſet him continually before our eyes, and ourſelues and all our actions in his preſence, it is not poſſible that there ſhould be any place to lodge ſecuritie in our hearts. For if the eye of the louing and wiſe Father, of the iuſt Iudge and ſoueraigne King, doe make Children and Subiects to ſhake off ſecuritie, and to carrie themſelues in their preſence with awfull reuerence, and with a deſire to approue their words and workes vntounto them; how much more ſhall we thus doe, if we continually ſet God before vsus, the King of Kings, the ſupreme Iudge of men and Angels, and our moſt gracious Father in Ieſus Chriſt?
§. 3 The third meanes is, to caſt off all ſelf-confidence.
The third meanes is to caſt of all ſelfe-confidence, and opinion of our owne wiſedome and ſtrength, as being altogether inſufficient to preſerue vsus from the leaſt dangers. Which that wee may doe, let vsus conſider, that we are neuer neerer falling, then when we reſt vponupon the broken ſtaffe of our owne ſtrength; and neuer further from it, then when vtterly deſpayring of all our owne abilities, we caſt theſe brittle reeds out of our hands, which doe but trouble vsus and hinder our hold, and relye our ſelues vponupon the Lord, the ſure and neuer fayling pillar of our ſtrength. And this we ſee in the example of Dauid, who Pſal. 30. 6, 7.in the ſtrength of his proſperitie growing confident, that hee could not be moued, was preſently troubled and foiled: But when finding Pſal. 94. 18.his foot to ſlip, he deſpaired of ſtanding in his owne ſtrength, then the merciemercy of the Lord did hold him vp. But eſpecially, let vsus wholly denie and reiect our owne worth and merits, the opinion our good natures, good meanings, and intentions; yea, of the ſtrength of our ſpirituall graces, as though they were ſufficient to deſerue Gods protection, or to vphold and defend vsus againſt all perils. For this maketh vsus much the leſſe to reſpect God and reuerence his holy Maieſtie, and to ſleepe more deadly in our carnall ſecuritie, when wee lodge in the caſtle of our owne ſtrength and abilities, and hauehave the keyes of our ſafetie and protection in our owne keeping. Whereas if we ſee and acknowledge our owne inſufficiencie, our want of wiſedome and power to keepe vsus from any danger, and defend vsus againſt tentations; our frailety to fall into ſinne, and inabilitie to any good actions; our proneneſſe to fall into perils, and want of power to recouer out of them; our vnworthineſſe of Gods leaſt fauour, and worthineſſe of his greateſt Iudgements: this would make vsus to ſhake off all ſecuritie, and to worke out our ſaluation with feare and trembling, as the Apoſtle exhorteth; Phil. 2. 12, 13.becauſe of our ſelues, wee are able to doe nothing, but it is Phil. 3. 12, 13, 14.God onelyonly which worketh in vsus both to will and to doe, of his good pleaſure. This would keepe vsus from being ſecure, as though we were poſſeſſed of all we deſire, and were alreadie perfect; and make vsus with the Apoſtle, to forget thoſe things which are behind, and to reach forth vntounto thoſe Heb. 4. 1.things which are before, and with all our care and endeauour, to preſſe toward the marke for the price of the high calling of God in Chriſt Ieſus; leſt, hauing the promiſe of the garland of bleſſedneſſe, through our ſloth and ſecuritie, wee come ſhort of it, as the Apoſtle ſpeaketh.
§. 4 That it is a notable meanes to weaken ſelf-confidence, if wee conſider the ſtrength of our ſpirituall enemies.
But much more effectuall would it be for the ſhaking off this carnall ſecuritie, if wee would weaken our ſelfe-confidence by our often conſideration not onelyonly of our frailetie and weakeneſſe, which make vsus prone to fall in the leaſt trials and tentations, but alſo of our many and mightie, politique and moſt malitious enemies, who inceſſantly aſſault vsus, and will eaſily get the victorie, if the Lord, for a iuſt puniſhment of our ſelfe-confidence, leaue vsus to our ſelues; or if wee ſecurely neglect to ſtand vponupon our guard, to fight againſt that in the power of Gods might, and to keepe the Chriſtian armour ſtill, buckled vntounto vsus. For wee can bee no more readie to giuegive them aduantage, then they to take it, and to make the moſt ſpitefull vſe of it for our ouerthrow; we can be no more feeble to ſtand, then they ſtrong and malitious to caſt vsus downe, and to tread vsus vnderunder foot when they hauehave gotten vsus at their cruell merciemercy. Yea, let vsus conſider this humane frailetie not onelyonly in our ſelues, and the ſtrength and malice of our enemies in their aſſaults againſt vsus; but in thoſe who hauehave gone before vsus, who hauehave farre exceeded vsus in grace and ſpirituall ſtrength, and yet hauehave beene fearefully foyled, by giuing them aduantage through their ſecuritie, as of Noah, Lot, Dauid, Peter, and many others. And ſo may we eaſily conclude, that wee, who are weake and freſh-water Souldiers, hauehave little reaſon to be ſecure, when the Lords greateſt Worthies hauehave through the might and malice of their enemies, and their owne heedleſſeneſſe receiued ſuch foiles; and that wee poore ſhrubs may eaſily be troden vnderunder the feet of theſe Wolues and Lions; when ſuch tall Cedars could not ſtand before them. Whereby wee ſhall not onelyonly bee made more warie and watchfull ouer our footing by the example of their ſlips; but alſo diſtruſting in our owne ſtrength, we ſhall reſt with full affiance vponupon Gods gracious power and promiſes, who is alone ſufficient to preſerue vsus in theſe dangers. Finally, adde to the power and malice, the diligence and watchfulneſſe of our ſpirituall enemies; for Sathan (as hee confeſſeth) exerciſeth himſelfe in compaſſing the earth to and fro, that he may ſpie out his Iob 1. 7.beſt opportunities to doe vsus miſchiefe. And the Apoſtle perſwadeth vsus to ſobrietie and watchfulneſſe by this argument, becauſe our aduerſarie 1. Pet. 5. 8.the Deuill goeth about continually like a roaring Lion ſeeing whom he may deuoure. And therefore if this great Fowler ſtill watcheth to catch vsus in the nets of deſtruction, much more ſhould wee watch for our preſeruation, that we may eſcape them; if hee layeth ſnares and grinnes to entrappe vsus in eueryevery place, at home and abroad, in our beds, and at our tables, in our recreations, and the labours of our callings, yea in our moſt holy exerciſes, hearing, reading, praying, what place is there for ſecuritie, if we hauehave any deſire to eſcape them, and to be kept from falling into ruine? If this great thiefe watch to breake Math. 24. 43.in into the houſes of our hearts, and to rob vsus of the treaſures of ſpirituall grace and lead vsus captiue vntounto ſinne: O why ſhould wee giuegive place to ſecuritie in the middeſt of theſe deſperate dangers, and not rather ſtand vponupon our watch, that we may preuent them? yea, ſeeing wee are apt to ſlumber and ſleepe, why ſhould wee truſt to our owne watchfulneſſe, and not rather put our whole affiance in the great Watchman of Iſrael, deſiring him continually to watch ouer vsus, and when we are readie to ſlumber in ſecuritie, to awaken vsus out of it by his Word and Spirit, leſt wee ſleepe the ſleepe of death, and become a prey to our ſpirituall enemies.
§. 5 The third remedie, is to vſe well our proſperitie.
The fourth meanes is, that we abuſe not our proſperitie to the nouriſhing of our ſecuritie, nor ſuffer our ſelues to be abuſed by it; but if God ſend it, that we make ſuch holy and right vſe of it, as that it may encreaſe in vsus the true feare of God, and make vsus more diligent and ſpiritually watchfull vntounto all religious and honeſt duties. And to this end let vsus not ſuffer our iudgements to be blinded with a falſe conceit, that it is an infallible ſigne of Gods louelove, and that therefore becauſe we enioy it, we are highly in his fauour, and conſequently out of the gun-ſhot of any either preſent or future danger, ſo as wee may be ſecure and ſeare nothing. For theſe worldly things are but of an indifferent nature in reſpect of their vſe; good or euill, as they are well or ill vſed, and no ſure teſtimonies of Gods louelove, ſeeing theſe outward things happen alike to all, as the Wiſe-man ſpeaketh Yea, in regard Ecele. 9. 1, 2.that (by reaſon of our corruption) they are ſeldome well vſed, but contrariwiſe abuſed to ſinne, forgetfulneſſe of God, pride, ambition, couetouſneſſe, and many other vices, therefore the Lord ordinarily beſtoweth them in greateſt abundance vponupon wicked men, as Turkes, Infidels, and carnall Chriſtians, that ſurfetting of their plentie (as the Pſalmiſt ſpeaketh) their Table may become a ſnare; and giueth them to his beſt and deareſt children with a ſparing hand; or if liberally, yet hee ſeaſoneth and tempereth them with many croſſes and afflictions, that their hearts may not be too much ſet vponupon them. Which being rightly conſidered, our proſperitie will not nouriſh ſecuritie, but rather feare, leſt we ſhould be in the greateſt and worſt number. Secondly, let not our hearts truſt in theſe earthly things, wiſedome, ſtrength, riches, friends, or any other thing, wherein men place their worldly happineſſe, and ſo bee ſecure, as though they could free vsus from all danger; for theſe earthly things are weake and vaine, vnable to helpe vsus in time of trouble, and momentany and mutable, readie to forſake and leaue vsus when we moſt relye vponupon them, or though they could do vsus ſome pleaſure, in being meanes of our freedom from ſmall perils; yet they will nothing profit vsus, if we liue ſecurely in our ſinnes for the appeaſing of Gods wrath, or ſatisfying his iuſtice; they will doe vsus no good when wee ſhall moſt need it, namely at the day of death, or the day of Iudgement. Laſtly, let vsus conſider that theſe worldly benefits are not abſolutely beſtowed on vsus, to doe with them what we liſt, but are the Lords Talents, entruſted vntounto vsus, as his Stewards, to be employed for our Maſters aduantage, and good of our Fellow-ſeruants. So that the more wee hauehave receiued, the more wee are indebted, and the greater account we hauehave to make at the day of Iudgement, and to ſuſtaine the greater condemnation if we hauehave waſted our Maſters goods, and ſo come ſhort in our reckonings. In which reſpect our great proſperitie ſhould not nouriſh in vsus pride and ſecuritie, but rather humilitie and feare, care and watchfulneſſe, that wee may ſo take the preſent comforts of theſe worldly bleſſings, as that they may not hinder but rather further vsus, to the euerlaſting fruition of heauenly happineſſe.
§. 6 The fift remedie is to ſhun cuſtomable ſinning.
The fift meanes to auoide carnall ſecuritie, is to ſhunne cuſtomable ſinne, and howſoeuer through infirmitie wee ſometime flippe into it, yet let vsus take heed we doe not chooſe it for our common way, and by much vſe and often acting of it, make it as familiar as if it were our ordinarie Trade and Occupation. For cuſtome of ſinning doth take Omne peccatum vile eſt conſuetudine, & fit homini quaſi nullum. Aug. in aduent. Dom. ſer. 4. c. 10.away all ſenſe of ſinne, and whereas at the firſt it ſeemed notorious and hainous, and therefore affrighted the conſcience with guilt and horrour, after that men hauehave often committed it, it ſeemeth little or nothing, and therefore they continue in it without feare. So thoſe that are often fleſht in blould and crueltie, make no more account of killing a man, then of killing a beaſt: thoſe that inure their tongues to oathes and blaſphemies, vent them as ſecurely and without feare, as yea and nay; they that hauehave often ſtollen their neighbours goods, could as ſecurely continue their theft, as other men their Trades and Occupations, were they not endangered hereby to humane lawes. And in a word, ſinners of all kinds, by much cuſtome in ſinning, doe make this deadly Serpent ſo tame, that they dare without feare put it into their boſomes. And by iniuring themſelues to drinke of this mortall poiſon by degrees, they make it ſo familiar to their ſtomackes, that they are not ſenſible of any hurt it doth them. Yea, by much acquaintance, ſinne (which at firſt terrified the conſcience like an enemie) becommeth their play-fellow, and they account it but a recreation of their youth, and euen a ſport to doe euill; herein like through their impietie, vntounto little children in their ſimplicitie, who ſecurely play at the Cockatrice hole, as the Prophet ſpeaketh to another purpoſe. Eſa. 11. 8.In which regard, let vsus carefully take heed, that wee be not hardned Heb. 3. 13.with the deceitfulneſſe of ſinne: which, though it bee a malitious enemie, by much conuerſing with vsus, will ſo inſinuate, that wee ſhall ſecurely entertaine it as a welcome Gueſt. Let vsus in reſpect of our great frailtie, take occaſion by our former falls to become more carefull and fearefull, that we doe not fall againe, auoiding all meanes of ſinne which draw and entice vsus to it; or if we be ouertaken, let vsus not lye in it ſtill, leſt we fall into this ſleepe of ſecuritie, but let vsus riſe out of it preſently by renewed repentance. And as ſoone as wee feele our ſelfe ſtung with this poiſonous Viper, let vsus without delay applie the antidotes and remedies which are fit to cure the wound, for elſe this poiſon will diſperſe it into all the parts of our heart and ſoule, and ſo bring vsus into this deadly ſleepe of carnall ſecuritie, in which we ſhall periſh without ſenſe or feeling.
§. 7 The ſixt remedie is to make precious account of Gods grace and forbearance.
The ſixt meanes is, that we make precious account of Gods grace and forbearance, his patience and long ſuffering, and labour to hauehave our hearts ſo affected with them, as that they may bee wrought to Gods louelove and feare, whereby we ſhall be made carefull and watchfull, that we doe not diſpleaſe this gratious and good God, who ſo loueth vsus, and whom we ſo louelove; or if through frailtie wee hauehave incurred his diſpleaſure, that we doe with vnwearied diligence ſeeke his face and fauour by renewing our repentance. For we may be aſſured that wee ſhall not loſe our labour, ſeeing he is ſo patient and ſlow to wrath, that he will receiue vsus to grace if we turne vntounto him. And contrariwiſe, let vsus take heed of abuſing this patience and long-ſuffering of God, by taking occaſion and incouragement thereby to continue impenitently in our ſinnes; ſeeing hereby wee ſhall become ſo ſecure and hardhearted in our ſinfull courſes, that whereas before we refuſed or Rom. 2. 4, 5.delayed to repent, now repentance will refuſe vsus, ſo as either it will neuer come into our thoughts, or elſe not be able to pierce into our hearts, they will be ſo hardned through Gods righteous Iudgement for our groſſe abuſe of his grace and goodneſſe.
§. 8 The ſeuenth remedie is to ſhunne preſumption.
The ſeuenth meanes is, carefully to take heed that we doe not preſumptuouſly abuſe Gods mercies, as an occaſion and encouragement Pſal. 130. 4.vntounto ſinne, but contrariwiſe, feare and reuerence him the more, by how much we find him more louing and gratious, according to that of the Pſalmiſt; There is forgiueneſſe with thee, that thou mayeſt bee feared. For there is nothing more that doth beget and nouriſh this carnall ſecuritie (as the miſerable experience of former Ages and our owne times doth lamentably prooue) then this conceit, that God is ſo mercifull, that he will pardon all our ſinnes, whenſoeuer we turne from them by repentance, although it bee euen at the houre of our death. And conſequently, nothing would more weaken and cauſe it to languiſh, then if we plucke this weapon from it, and turne the edge and point of it againſt it ſelfe; taking occaſion thereby the more to louelove God who is ſo gratious, and out of this louelove the more to feare his diſpleaſure. To which end let vsus alwaies conſider that the Lord is no leſſe infinite in iuſtice then in merciemercy, and that he is as readie to glorifie himſelfe in manifeſting the one by puniſhing of preſumptuous and impenitent ſinners, as the other in ſparing and forgiuing thoſe that turne vntounto him by vnfained repentance. That thoſe whom he cannot allure and draw vntounto him with the hand of his merciemercy, hee will thruſt from him with the hand of his iuſtice; and that the greater merciemercy he hath ſhewed to mooue vsus to repentance, the more fearefull iudgements will he inflict vponupon vsus if we neglect it through our carnall ſecuritie; and becauſe wee hauehave not onelyonly wilfully wounded our ſoules with ſinne, but alſo hauehave deſpited our heauenly Chyrurgeon by caſting away the plaiſters which hee hath applied for our cure, hee will let vsus rot in our corruptions, laugh at our deſtruction, and mocke when Apoc. 22. 11. Pro. 1. 24, 26.our feare cometh.
§. 9 The eighth remedie is to vſe carefully the meanes of ſaluation.
The eighth meanes is, that wee diligently vſe the meanes of ſaluation, ſeeing they are alſo the meanes of implanting the feare of God Ier. 3. 4.in our hearts, and ſo remoouing and rooting out of this carnall ſecuritie. As firſt the carefull and conſcionable hearing of the Word, which is that Plow and Harrow that breaketh vp the fallow grounds of our hearts, and that bruiſeth and maketh them contrite, ſo as they are fit to receiue the ſeeds of all ſpirituall graces; that Hammer which breaketh theſe rockes in pieces, and that Fire which melteth and diſſolueth thoſe mettals that cannot be broken, as Ieremie ſpeaketh: and Ier. 23. 29.finally that Sword of the Spirit which giueth a deadly wound to carnall ſecuritie, whileſt it layeth open the hainouſneſſe of ſinne, the wrath of God, and curſe of the law due vntounto it, the rewards promiſed vntounto thoſe who feare the Lord, and the puniſhments denounced againſt thoſe who liue in their ſecuritie, both in this life and the life to come. Neither is it poſſible that we ſhould long ſleepe in carnall ſecuritie, if we leaue our eares open to receiue the voyce of theſe ſonnes of thunder ſpeaking vntounto vsus. Eſpecially, let vsus withall diligence hearken vntounto thoſe admonitions and exhortations which are purpoſely vſed by the holy Ghoſt, to rouze vsus vp out of this ſleepe of ſecuritie. As that admonition of our Sauiour. Watch therefore, for yee know not Matth. 24. 42.what houre your Lord doth come. And againe, Take yee heed, watch and Mar. 13. 33.pray, for yee know not when the time is. Let your loynes be girded about, Luk. 12. 35, 36.and your lights burning; and yee your ſelues like vntounto them that wait for their Lord, when he ſhall returne from the wedding, that when he commeth and knocketh, yee may open vntounto him immediatly. Bleſſed are thoſe Seruants, whom the Lord when he commeth ſhall find watching. So let vsus hearken vntounto, and with all care meditate vponupon thoſe admonitions and exhortations of the Apoſtles. Awake thou that ſleepeſt, and ſtand vp Eph. 5. 14.from the dead, and Chriſt ſhall giuegive thee light. It is now high time to awake from ſleepe, for now is our ſaluation neerer then when wee beleeued. The night is farre ſpent, and the day is at hand; let vsus therefore cast off the workes of darkeneſſe, and let vsus put on the armour of light. Let vsus not Rom. 13. 11, 12. 1. Theſſ. 5. 6. 1. Cor. 10. 12. Phil. 2. 12.ſleepe as doe others, but let watch and be ſober. He that thinketh he ſtandeth, let him take heed leſt hee fall. Worke out your ſaluation with feare and trembling. Take heed leſt there be in any of you an euill heart of vnbeliefe, in departing from the liuing God. But exhort one another daily, whilest it is called to day, leſt any of you be hardned through the deceitfulneſſe of ſinne. Be ſober, be vigilant, becauſe your aduerſarie the Deuill, as Heb. 3. 12, 13.a roaring Lion, walketh about ſeeking whom he may deuoure. So alſo meditating in Gods law, which in it ſelfe is ſufficient to cauſe our hearts 2. Kings 22. 10.to melt, like the heart of Ioſias, with true compunction and contrition, ſo as the frozen dregs of ſecuritie can hauehave no harbour; and in the Goſpell, which will implant in them the feare of God ariſing out of faith and louelove. To this purpoſe ſerueth alſo the often receiuing of the Sacrament of the Lords Supper, whileſt labouring to come prepared, that we may receiue it to life and ſaluation, and not to iudgement and condemnation, it giueth vsus occaſion to examine our eſtate, and to call our ſelues to a ſtrict account before Gods Tribunall, and to renew our couenant with him by renewing the condition of faith and repentance. And finally, holy conferences whereby wee ſtirre vp Gods graces in one another, keepe and vphold them from falling, and raiſe them vp being fallen, exuſcitate and re-enliue the gifts of Gods Spirit, which are readie to be cooled and quenched; and by mutuall exhortations preſerue one another, that wee bee not hardned Heb. 3. 13.through the deceitfulneſſe of ſinne.
§. 10 The ninth remedie is, to heare the Word with faith.
The ninth meanes is, that we receiue the Word with faith, without which it cannot profit vsus for the ſhaking off this carnall ſecuritie. For, as vngratious Children and Seruants proceed in their euill courſes, though they heare their Parents and Gouernours encouraging them to obedience by many promiſes, and indeauouring to terrifie them by threatning puniſhment, if they giuegive no credite to their word; ſo vnleſſe we beleeue Gods gratious promiſes, made to thoſe that feare him, and his threatnings againſt thoſe who ſecurely neglect him, his mercies and judgements; wee will neither entertaine this feare, nor baniſh ſecuritie out of our hearts. Whereas contrariwiſe, if wee giuegive credite to the things wee heare, namely, that thete is a juſt God who beholdeth all our workes, who will call all that we doe to judgement, euen our vnknowne actions and ſecret thoughts, either to crowne them with euerlaſting rewards, or to puniſh them with intolerable and endleſſe torments, it is not poſſible that we ſhould be ſecure. For if no man can liue in ſecuritie who is perſwaded, that being liable to the Law, his necke is daily in danger of the halter, or that a ſword hangeth ouer his head in a weake thread; though theſe are but temporall euils, which when they hauehave done their worſt, doe but haſten that death, with nature would bring vntounto vsus, with a little ſlower pace; much leſſe could they bee ſecure, if they thought themſelues indeed endangered to helliſh torments, and euerlaſting death, and condemnation.
§. 11 The tenth remedie is, to applie the Word vntounto ourſelues.
The tenth meanes is, that we doe applie vntounto our ſelues the Word which we heare, and not, if we diſlike it, ſhift it off from our ſelues to others; ſaying vntounto our ſoules, when wee heare reproofes, this is my ſinne which is reprooued, ſeeing I hauehave either committed it, or hauing the ſeeds of it in me, may bring forth the fruits of it in outward act, if God by his Word and holy Spirit nippe and reſtraine them not. This admonition belongeth vntounto me, and I will take warning and grow wiſer, and more watchfull by it. This inſtruction is mine, for my better direction in auoyding ſinne, and embracing godlineſſe; and this judgement threatned will light vponupon me, if I ſecurely goe on in my ſinnes, and doe not preuent it by vnfained repentance. For, as our meat will not nouriſh vsus, if we giuegive it to be eaten by others, nor our clothes keepe vsus warme, vnleſſe wee put them on, nor medicines and ſalues cure our ſickneſſes and ſores, vnleſſe they be taken and applied; no more will this food and phyſicke of our ſoules doe vsus any good, if we put it off vntounto others, and doe not make it our owne by application.
§. 12 The eleuenth remedie is not to miſapplie the promiſes.
The eleuenth meanes is, that we doe not make the Word vnprofitable by miſapplying it, as when we arrogate vntounto our ſelues the gratious promiſes of the Goſpell, not performing the condition of faith and repentance; but that wee learne rightly to applie it as our ſtate and condition duely examined and conſidered doth require. As wee muſt applie vntounto our ſelues the threatnings of the Law, reprehenſions and admonitions, when we find that we ſecurely goe on in our ſinnes, and the comforts of the Goſpell, when as we find and feele the weight of our ſinnes, and are truely humbled vnderunder the burthen of them. Otherwiſe the Word will hauehave the ſame effects that phyſicke and ſalues hauehave being miſapplied, as cordials to a ſtrong bodie not well purged from groſſe humours, and ſtrong medicines to a weake and feeble Patient; healing plaiſters applied to feſtred ſores, which hauehave more need of the lancer and ſtrong corraſiues, and theſe to ſmall and greene hurts that would be healed with ſome gentle ſalue; that is, it will caſt thoſe who are dejected and hopeleſſe into deepe deſpaire, and make the preſumptuous and hard-hearted the more retchleſſe and ſecure.
Finally, it is a ſpeciall meanes to be preſerued from ſecuritie, when as taking no pleaſure in being ſoothed and flattered in all our courſes, eſpecially by our Teachers and Guides, we doe affect and ſubmit our ſelues vntounto a faithfull Miniſterie, who will tell vsus plainly of our ſinnes, and rouze vsus vp by their exhortations and rebukes, when as wee are readie to lie and ſleepe in them through carnall ſecuritie. And this was Dauids choiſe, who deſired not to eate of the Wickeds dainties; Pſal. 141. 5.but (ſayth he) let the righteous ſmite me, and it ſhall be a kindneſſe; and let him reprooue me, it ſhall be an excellent oyle, which ſhall not breake my head. So Salomon: Open rebuke is better then ſecret louelove, and the wounds Pro. 25. 5, 6.of a friend, becauſe they are faithfull, are better then the kiſſes of an enemie, which are deceitfull. For, wee are naturally blinded with ſelfe-louelove, which hideth and extenuateth our ſinnes, and cauſeth vsus to continue in them without feare, making vsus beleeue that all is well: but a faithfull Miniſter will put off theſe fig-leaues, and pulling off the maske of vaine pretenſes and excuſes, will lay them naked before vsus, ſo as we may ſee their vgly deformitie. And when wee are readie to ſleepe in them through carnall ſecuritie, they being our ſpirituall Watch-men appointed by God to watch ouer our ſoules, will awaken vsus out of our ſlumber, by ſounding in our eares the threatnings of the Law againſt the impenitent and ſecure, and the promiſes of the Goſpell to thoſe who acknowledging their ſinnes, doe riſe out of them, and forſake them by vnfained repentance.