Of Christian Prudence, Errata
ERRATA.
Pag. 16. lin. 22. dele the figure 1. p. 18. l. 14. for Equal read Equally, p. 24. l. 5. purly r. purely, p. 36. l. 16. drive r. drove, p. 41. l. 20. necessity r. necessity, p. 55. Ch. 3. after the Title dele the first five lines, and begin the Chapter Fifthly and lastly, p. 136. l. 11. p. 151. l. 5. fool r. foot, p. 200. l. 3. dele Take, p. 207. l. 21. in justice r. injustice, p. 264. l. 3. r. St. Peter, p. 320. …27. far r. for.
OF GODLY WISDOM; OR, Religious Prudence, Not Degenerating into irreligious Craftiness, in Trying Times.
MAnkind were formed, and placed by God in this World, but design'd for another. And the condition and employment of our Life here, is to be a passage through this World, in pursuit of, and preparation for a better. And whilst we are duly careful for the next, and omit nothing that is to bring us to the end of our Stage; we may wisely provide for this too, and contrive for our quietness and convenience by the way.
The way to the other World, of true and perfect Joys, are all the Duties and Directions of Religion: which are those paths the Wisdom of God sees necessary to perfect and spiritualize our Natures, and which the Goodness of God has prescribed to lead us to himself, and to the Regions of eternal Life. Whatsoever God in his holy Gospel, calls us to profess, or practise; that is the way to the World above. And if we hope to arrive safe there, and attain the Glory and Blessedness thereof; whatever hardships occur, or accidents befal us therein, we must never go out of the way. When, upon any consideration, we turn out thence, all our steps are wrong; and will never be right, till we return into it again.
The way to make the most of this World, and secure to our selves the greatest ease, advantage, and injoyment in our passage; are the Rules of humane Prudence and worldly Wisdom. And, as we are call'd upon, to hold on constantly in the former, by the more still voice of Conscience, and the Laws of God: So are we reminded, to make use of these later, as occasion serves, by the more importunate cravings of our sensual Nature and Necessities, and the more loud voice of Flesh and Blood.
Now, as our fleshy Nature and Necessities require: so doth Religion allow us to serve our selves of these Rules of Humane Prudence, so long as we keep within a due compass. That is, whilst we betake our selves only to such ways of external quiet and injoyment in this World, as go not out of any way of Religion, or path of Happiness, leading to another World. Whilst the Rule of Wisdom, is only such, as affords ease, or comfort in our passage; but doth not carry us out of our way, or stop our progress. When be sent out his Disciples, as sheep in the midst of wolves, be wise, says our Lord to them, as serpents, so long as they took care first to keep as innocent, or simple and plain-carriaged, as doves, Mat. 10.16.
But fleshly Nature, is glad of any way that affords ease here, however it hinders, or misleads us, from the paths of those greater Joys, which we should all seek to secure, and prepare for hereafter. It runs to them, and that with greediness: So that, when any Duty of Religion gainsays it, and calls another way; there is a tryal of our Love and Affection for the two Worlds. When any way of Righteousness, for instance, becomes burden'd with the Cross, and a way of worldly and unrighteous Wisdom can avoid it, or, it may be, lead to be, not only safe and easie here, but seemingly happy and prosperous: then doth God make a tryal, whether Religion, or Flesh and Blood, have most Force; whether this, or the next World, are of greatest weight with us. Worldly Reproaches and Persecutions upon a Duty, are the true Test of its worthy and faithful Votaries, and discover who they are that set it above this World. And God is careful in the course of Providence, still to annex worldly sufferings to some Duties of Religion or other, to separate the impure dross from the pure Gold; the light chaff that a storm of Persecution can drive away from the solid Wheat; and, as a Touch-stone, to make manifest, who are those truly worthy and sincere minds, that will love and steadily practise any Duty, when left to it self, and stript of all external Bait of worldly inducement. There must be Heresies, saith St. Paul, which, as they increase, grow still into Factions and Persecutions against the Orthodox, that they who are approved, may be made manifest, 1 Cor. 11.19.
To be ready to approve our selves to him in such Tryals, it highly concerns us all, to understand clearly what are the ways of fleshly Wisdom, that, at such times, we may take more care to keep back from them. There is the more need to be clear in this before-hand, because the time of determining, and practising, is not the fittest for deliberating upon it. For Flesh and Blood, starts first, and calls loudest on such occasions. It presents variety of these ways to our minds. And tho the ways are wrong, yet through the biass of fleshly inclinations, our minds are leaning, and very willing to believe them right. The generality of Mankind are prone to see, and assent on that side, which appears most safe, and consistent with this present World. They are apt to bid a hearty welcome, and listen to any one that speaks for that way, and are easily convinced by him: being willing to be Deceived; and 'tis well if not active to Deceive themselves, into such a persuasion. And when Flesh and Blood are like to be so busie and powerful on such occasions, to recommend such ways of worldly Prudence; it is very necessary our Minds and Consciences should not be without their Armour, but have clear convictions of their folly and unlawfulness, to oppose against them.
To afford some Help in this Point, to such sincere Tempers, as would be thankful to be shew'd a losing Truth, and glad to approve themselves to God on such occasions: I shall offer something, tho imperfect, to set off the way of true Wisdom, and to shew what are the limitations of Religious Prudence, and what the contrary liberties of fleshly Wisdom, or worldly Craftiness. That so, they may not err for want of information, when, in course of Providence, they are brought on such Tryals.