Memorials of Godliness and Christianity, Treatise 1
Of making Religion ones Buſineſs.
MY true Friend, It hath been an uſual ſaying with me, (would God I could ever have the feeling of it in my ſelf,) That the Character of a godly man, is to make Religion his buſineſs.
I will now a little deſcant upon it, ſo as to ſet down what I ſhould and would do in this kind. I ſhall ſet a copy, at leaſt to teach my ſelf, and provide a remembrancer to quicken my frequent dulneſs.
1. I deſire to have my Affections all moulded by Religion and towards it; my thoughts, and words, and deeds, to be all exerciſes of Religion, and my very ceſſation from works commanded by Religion, and limited and circumſtantiated by Religion, my eating, drinking, ſleeping, journeying, viſiting, entertaining of friends, to be all directed by Religion: And that above all, I may be ſerious and buſie in the acts of Religion about the Word, Prayer, Praiſes, Singing, Sacraments; not only that the duties in each kind be performed, but religiouſly performed, with life and vigour, with Faith, Humility and Charity.
2. To theſe ends, I deſire my heart may be poſſeſſed with theſe two fundamental principles:
1. That Religion is the end of my Creation, and of all the benefits, not only ſpiritual, but temporal, which God beſtows upon me.
2. That Religion is my felicity, even for the preſent, though derived from that eternall felicity, which is now laid up for me, and to be hereafter poſſeſſed by me in Heaven: So glorious is that felicity; that from the firſt moment of our intereſt in it, it caſts a lightſome, gladſome brightneſs upon the ſoul, even many years ſometimes before the enjoyment of the fulneſs of it: like to the Sunne ſhedding forth his fore-running beams to enlighten all our part of the world, many minutes before his full light offers it ſelf to our eye.
3. When I ſpeak thus of Religion to be Felicity, I mean it of God and Chriſt, the object of Religion: without whom, Religion is but an empty Name, a pernicious errour. But as Religion is to know God and him whom he hath ſent, Jeſus Christ, it is eternal life, begun now here below: but never to end in any time or place.
4. I wiſh theſe thoughts may meet me firſt in the morning, as worldly-minded mens buſineſſes do them: that I may count all things but interruptions till my mind be ſettled in its courſe for that day, and that my mind be ſo ſetled and habituated in theſe purpoſes, that it may be readily in order ordinarily and only need time for ſolemn performance of religious duties, and for extraordinary projects.
5. Specially I wiſh as I am bound by millions of eternal obligations, That I may love the Lord my God, Chriſt Jeſus my Redeemer, with all my heart, with all my ſoul, with all my mind with all my ſtrength, to the utmoſt extent of all theſe phraſes; and that to make my mind more apprehenſive of them, I may not prophane any of them by uſing to ſay in ſlight matters, (I love ſuch a thing with all my heart, or, I will do ſuch a thing with all my heart) It may ſeem a nicety to check ſuch a phraſe: But I read this morning, Pro. 7.2. Keep my Commandments, and live, and my Law as the apple of thine eye. (Which ſentence by Gods bleſſing hath occaſioned this whole Meditation whatever it is.) The Apple of the Eye is the tendereſt, thing in the World of Naturall things, the Law of God no leſs (infinitely more) in Spirittuals. As I therefore like not the word (infinite) but when we ſpeak of God: ſo thoſe forenamed phraſes ſeem to be Gods peculiar: and that one main cauſe, why common men ſo readily ſay, They love God with all their heart, (I mean, why they ſo eaſily deceive themſelves in ſo ſaying) is, becauſe they have adulterated the phraſe [with all my heart] and proſtituted to every baſe trifle. Say, if it be not ſo. And then as Saint James blames for not ſaying. [If the Lord will, &c.] though every one will grant ſuch words neceſſary, and pretended to ſuppoſe them: ſo is it not blame-worthy to ſay in petty matters, what ſhould make a ſacred ſound in our ears, and to our ſpirits?
6. I wiſh I could looſe my ſelf in a holy trance of meditation, every time I think of God and Chriſt, as the Author, Fountain, Life, Subſtance of all my happineſs; (All-ſufficient, (alone ſufficient) only-ſufficient for my ſoul, and all comfort and good. Nothing wanting in God and Chriſt to Eternity. No need of any creature: No acceſſion by any creature: no one creature, not all of them comparable to him, or any thing without him. Time, loſt happineſs loſt, while converſe with any creature, further than according to his Ordinance: as his inſtruments and ſervants.
7. I wiſh, I could forget all reſpcts to my ſelf, carnal, natural, while I have any ſervice to perform to God, as I have every moment [though I cannot ever think ſo] that I might ſhew I love God with ſtrength; My God with all my ſtrength, and never be weary: of his immediate ſervices eſpecially: or if naturally, yet not ſpiritually▪ Luſts are vigorous, when the body languiſhes, being ſpent. Oh why is not grace more ſtrong.
8. I wiſh my heart may never recoil upon me, with ſaying, Thou mighteſt now or ſuch a time have done thy God, thy Saviour more ſervice than thou didſt; even when thou didst ſomewhat, thy body and ſpirits would have held out longer time, and endured a geater ſtreſs of zeal. And much leſs, Thou didſt wholly loſe ſuch an opportunity of doing or receiving good, (though ſcarce can any one do good, who receives not ſome preſent payment, at leaſt in ſoul, the enlargement of Grace and holy affections) and leaſt of all, Thou didſt wholly employ thy ſtrength to ſin, or thou haſt weakned thy ſtrength by intemperance, or any other fooliſh or ſinfull practice.
9. I wiſh that every day among my firſt thoughts, one may be, What ſpecial buſineſs have I within doors? within my ſoul, What ſin to mortifie? Whether lately raging, and even but laſt day or night prevailing over me? Or which I have had (at leaſt ſome late) victories over, that I may allot time to purſue it, and by no means forget it in my paryer, and arm my ſelf againſt the encounter, if there be any poſſibility of my being aſſaulted that day. And what grace to ſtrengthen? wherein I have been exceeding feeble of late? or even begun to obtain ſome vigour? which it may eaſily be loſt, and will be, if not with all care and means, and prayers fomented and cheriſhed; that ſo I may prepare for it. Theſe are a Chriſtians main buſineſſes within himſelf alwayes.
Withall, I wiſh to die dayly. I mean not, that I dayly wiſh for death; but that I may foreſee it more than poſſible, and may prepare for it, reſolvedly, contentedly: that I may look at it, as at a means of happineſs, and take ſuch order as it may not cut me off from any main neceſſary imployment: But each hour and minute to diſpatch the ſubſtantials of my buſineſs, and referre circumſtances and event to the All-wiſe, Powerfull, and gracious Providence of the great Ruler, and King of the whole world, and of every creature.
11. I wiſh to improve every relation I ſtand in towards any of mankind, to the advancement of Religion: that Glory may redound to Chriſt, by my being a child to one, a brother to another, a neighbour to a third, a kinſman, a freind, an acquaintance to any one; That as well for the credit of Religion (which commands to give to all their due honour, and to love them as my ſelf) as for the Propagation of Religion, I may be ambitious to approve my ſelf the beſt Child, or Subj…ct, or Friend, &c. in the world: I and careful alſo, to inſinuate my ſelf as much as may be, into the favour of every one I converſe withall in the world, of Superiours by ſubmiſſion and diligence: of Equals, by courteſie and fredom: of Inferiours, by affibility mixt with gravity, and gentleneſs, with neceſſary ſtrictneſs. And that I may not fail to entitle God to whatever ground I gain upon the affections of any, that is, to engage them thereby the more forwardly in his ſervice, in their own perſons, and towards all others, and that I my ſelf alſo may reap ſome ſpiritual benefit by them, that ſo I may bleſs God for them, and they him for me, and others for them and me together.
12. Particularly, I wiſh, that toward Inferiours, I may never put leſſe, but rather more weight upon Gods Comandements than mine own, and upon religious than civil obſervances: and that becauſe the beſt are not Angels, I may bear with more patience, failings in meer worldly, than ſpiritual matters.
13. I wiſh never to be one of thoſe that feed themſelves without fear; but that, whether I eat or drink, I may do all to the glory of my God, that is Seaſonably, Sparingly, and with Choice; for Health and Strength: Not Gluttony, Drunkenneſs, or Riotous Curioſity. That I may daily remember [my buſineſs not to be, to live to eat, but eat to live, that I may follow my buſineſs, that is, Chriſtianity:] that I may not forget how ſlippery a place the throat is, and how eaſily that glides down, which after works diſeaſe: that becauſe the craving of the ſenſual appetite, ſeeming but reaſonable, being but for ones ſelf, is of the betraying of Reaſon it ſelf, beſides the quelling of Grace: both Grace and Reaſon may combine together in the practiſe of this difficulteſt piece of ſelf-denyal: And that I may ever conſider, not only what a ſhame, what an unthankfulneſſe it is in the leaſt degree to diſable my ſelf for the ſervice of Him, who allowes me liberally ſo much as can be fit for me, how-much ſoever that be, but alſo what pity to waſt good Creatures to ſo vile a purpoſe, as to weaken my body, or overcharge my ſpirits, with what was meant to ſtrengthen and quicken them. That from the obſervation of the untowardneſſe of my mind; when it is in the beſt temper, I may tremble at the thoughts of the leaſt intemperance, which if it fetter not my body, ſo as it cannot do its duty, will at leaſt hamper my wits, and many times take away from me the will to go about it aright. That therefore I may count all inordination, or immoderation in meat or drink, Poiſon at leaſt to my Soul, and in a degree alſo to my body, as is confeſt by all, ſome meats and drinks to be in themſelves, to ſome, and others, if taken to ſuch a quantity.
14. I wiſh to be watchfull over my ſelf always, that I may be thus ſober; and ſober that I may be watchful; and watchful that I may withſtand enemies and have time and ſpirits to do all the works my heavenly Maſter ſets me about.
15. I wiſh to redeem all time I can from ſleep, and ſo to order my ſleep, as I may redeem moſt time. To redeem all time I can from ſports, and ſo to order my imployments, as that the varieties of them may commonly be recreation enough without uſing any ſports at all for my minds ſake: And that if my body ſeem neceſſarily to require any, I may remember [that Nature is content with a little, and Grace never asks more.] That if courteſie. require me to bear friends company in their ſports, I may not only refuſe ſuch as are unlawful in themſelves, but in others, conſider whether they are not for the preſent unſeaſonable, or vitiated with ſome other ill Circumſtances; being ſpecially ſhie of thoſe that are apt to lead aſtray, either by affording provocations to impatience, or threatning to ſwallow up too much time, of which friends not ſeldom robbing us, do it no way more than by exacting of us to hold out with them in their ſports; which they by an evil though ſignificant name, uſualy call Pastimes.
16. I wiſh to redeem all time from vain thoughts, and unprofitable muſings, upon my bed night or morning, in my walking or riding upon the way, in my attendances where neither my Eye nor my Tongue can be profitably ſet on work: and to take thoſe Advantages greedily to advance the buſineſſes of God and my ſoul. My thoughts are her eldeſt and nobleſt off-ſpring, and ſo too worthy to be caſt away upon baſe objects.
17. I wiſh to redeem all time from idle words and frivolous diſcourſes; to avoid what I can the hearing of ſuch pratlings; to ſhun all light, and frothy, and amorous Books. My Tongue is my Glory, and my beſt Inſtrument to advance the Glory of God and Religion towards others; It were pity to prophane it with ſuch words, as to be upon my contrary ſcore at the day of accounts: and ſo much I have to learn of God and of Religion; as without ſlighting them, I can find no leiſure to give heed to trifles, beſides the danger of poiſon to be conveyed in theſe. If I were confined to the ſociety of Pagans, I might from thence expect ſome profitable Diſcourſe, though altogether of the world; and even towards them I were bound to offer at leaſt ſometimes mention of God: How much more among ſuch as call themſelves Chriſtians! Specially, who profeſs Chriſtianity to be their buſineſs as well as mine.
18. I deſire to redeem all time I can from curioſity in dreſſing my body, as that which beſides the vanity and unprofitableneſs endangers the leaving off (the beſt clothing) Humility, and ſo doubly ſets my buſineſs back.
19. I wiſh to redeem what time I can, even from worldly buſineſs, whatever they are; ſo as at leaſt I may never want room to exerciſe my ſelf unto Godlineſs; to perform my dayly ſolemn ſervices to God, both perſonal and domeſtick, and for extraordinary Projects to the honour of God.
20. I deſire to take no journey, or make no viſit, which falls not into the road of Religion. Courteſie [which to allow, and in a ſort, even command, is Religious Honour] will carry me a little way, ſometimes: But ſpecially, Purpoſes, accompanied with Hopes, of making all my correſpondences pay tribute to Relegion, whileſt in the mean time, I am carefull to loſe no opportunity of trafficking for Religions gain, and reſolutely to ſtay no longer time any where than while I may do my ſelf or others, more good there, than in another place.
21. I wiſh ſpecially to make all my medlings in worldly buſineſſes ſerviceable to Religion: Whileſt I imploy whatever Talent I have received, and do receive, to ſtrengthen, encourage, and ſecure my Self, Family, Friends, Neighbours, and all Fellow-Chriſtians, in the wayes of Godlineſs, and to exerciſe and demonſtrate Faith, Humility, Patience, Contentedneſs, Liberality, Juſtice, Heavenly mindedneſs in the midſt of worldly imployments, and thereby to draw even ſtrangers to admire and approve of that Religion, which teaches and effectually perſwades ſo much good.
22. Particularly I wiſh, that I may never graſp ſo much of the world as to diſtract my head with cares, or engage my heart in ſins, and that in the ruſt that cleaves to my fingers in telling of money, though each piece ſeem clean enough) I may ſee the emblem of the defilement, gotten inſenſibly by the uſe even of lawful things, that therefore I may conſtantly afterwards waſh my heart by prayers and meditations.
23. I wiſh to account nothing a croſs to me, but what croſſes Religion in ſome reſpect, either to my own Soul or others; to reckon by that Rule, my loſſes and gains; my thrivings and goings back, and for this reaſon, to eſteem ſcandal the worſt of evils; and to give or do, or ſuffer any thing to prevent or take them away: and next to theſe the want of Gods Ordinances.
24. I wiſh to have my heart and converſation alwayes in heaven, as counting my treaſure to be laid up there; and though I muſt trade with worldly commodities, yet to reckon Grace my chief ſtock: and that as fore-ſeeing loſſes, I may trade much in the Aſſurance-Office, and ſtudy daily the Art of Chriſtian Alchymy, which can extract advantage out of loſſes, gold out of every thing, even do…ng it ſelf; that is Grace not only out of every gracious act of Gods providence within ſight or hearing; but even out of afflictions and very ſins.
25. Particularly, I wiſh to improve the time of ſickneſs, which diſables from moſt worldly buſineſſes, to ſet forward greatly the buſineſſes of God and my ſoul: and wholly to beſtow that leiſure upon them, further than the neceſſity of my body calls me▪ partly to attend it: and that becauſe I am then debar'd from publick means of thriving, I may beg of every Viſitant, to help me with ſomewhat; which yet will not impoveriſh, but help to enrich them alſo, by mutual trading in ſpiritual matters: and to count this covetouſneſs only lawful, Never to think I have enough of Grace, but the leſs time I have to live, the more greedy to be to heap up of theſe riches.
26. I deſire to count the Sabbath, the Lords day, mine; made for me for mine advantage, the Market-day for my ſoul, a ſpirituall harveſt-day, wherein I may all day long make proviſion, and lay up in ſtore for afterwards, and to bleſs God continually for it, as without which my ſoul might be in danger to ſtarve, either through want of publick proviſions, or leiſure to provide for my ſelf what might be had: and therefore by no means to overſlip the opportunity, even for my own ſake, beſides the Commandment; and to take to the utmoſt minute that I can, my ſpiritual liberty to ſerve God, and get Grace, not allowing any thing by my good will to interrupt me therein.
27. I deſire to account the Sacrament of the Lords Supper a ſingular Fair, wherein the Bread that came down from Heaven, the water of life, ſpiritual wine and milk, and whatſoever elſe is nouriſhing and comfortable to the ſoul, is freely offered, and to be had without money, and without price: That therefore I may be ſure not to miſs, when I may go to it: And yet, becauſe all that come thither make not ſo happy a bargain, but rather purchaſe to themſelves wrath and judgement, I may be carefull to prepare my ſelf ſo by Examination, that my ſoul be not ſent away faſting, or which is worſe, poiſoned, while my body is entertained.
28. I deſire to account all other Ordinances of God. (in their degree and manner likewiſe) the means of my Souls enriching, nouriſhing phyſick: So that if I ſhould ſlight or trifle away theſe bleſſed opportunities, I could not but die a beggar, die and ſtarve, die a miſerable diſeaſed Leper, die and periſh eternally. That therefore I may not be ſo much a fool, as to have theſe put as prizes into my hand to get wiſdom withall, and I to have no heart to them: or that pretending no other errand to the place where they are, nor other buſineſs at that time, but to receive them, I ſhould be ſo wickedly mad as to ſleep away the offers of Grace then tendered unto me, nor ſuffer my mind to be diverted to any other thing, …or to look that God ſhould hear me where I ſcarce hear my ſelf in my prayers, or refuſe to hear him in his Word.
29. I deſire to account thoſe my beſt friends that most help me in my buſineſs of Chriſtianity; And to eſteem a watchfull conſideration and faithfull admonitions the moſt neceſſary and beſt expreſſions of friendſhip, and beſt helps to my feeble and frail mind.
30. I deſire if ever I marry, to account that one of the greateſt buſineſſes even of Religion, that I can undertake any time in my whole life; which if I ſpeed well in, will incomparably (beyond that other men or creatures can) Advance my ſpiritual projects and advantages; and contrarily diſappoint and overthrow them if I make an ill match: that therefore being truly ſenſible of my own natural ſinfull inclination, which may betray me as ſoon as any other, into ſome one (at leaſt) of thoſe many untoward courſes, which perſons of all qualities and conditions uſually take on this occaſion; as alſo Apprehenſive of Gods puniſhing no ſin more frequently or ſharply in this world; I may from the firſt moment of my entertaining any ſuch thoughts, make my moſt ardent and faithful Prayers keep pace with them, firſt to implore to be directed in a perfect way, and then to be bleſſed with a true helper every way meet for me.
31. Particularly, I deſire that the phraſes of Marrying in the Lord, and not being unequally yoaked, &c. (not corrupted by the worlds falſe gloſſes, but truly interpreted by a ſerious conſcience) may ever have an abſolute negative voice in all Propoſitions, that is, that I may never marry with any whom I have reaſon to judge not to be truly religious; whileſt yet I conclude, That Religion alone is not ſufficient to make any match. That I may never dare to croſs the Rules of nature in too much diſparity of age, or in robbing Parents of their right, at leaſt of Approbation and Conſent; nor thoſe of Civility, by aſpiring too eminently above my degree, or debaſing my ſelf too much below it; withall counting it a neceſſary qualification in one whom I may match my ſelf unto, To have no predominant humour which I cannot bear, but to be able to bear any infirmity of mine, and to be (at leaſt) ſome help to my ſpirit in thoſe things wherein I ſpecially need help.
32. I deſire (for my ſecurity in all theſe Reſolutions) that I may never be in hast, but make a leiſurable, and ſufficient enquiry by my ſelf and friends, anſwerable to the neceſſity which the worlds deceitfulneſs enforces in a buſineſs of ſuch laſting importance; but ſpecially that I may never be in love (with the eſtate or comelineſs of perſon) which would hinder any full enquiry, and ſtop my ears to any (though never ſo true an) information, and blind my eyes from a right diſcerning, Whether there be indeed that which in others I was wont to make the Character of Piety: and even in a viſible obſervation of defects, make me wickedly run to Gods Decree for my excuſe, and ſay, Marriages are made in Heaven, or preſumptuouſly promiſe my ſelf that I ſhall make them better, when once married, and headlong run on, notwithſtanding all the contrary advice of friends, or even the commands of Parents, and be in danger to have my heart broke with diſcontent, if the Providence of God ſhall any way break the Match; which laſt conſideration forbids alſo too much engagement of affection upon the moſt worthy and fit perſon in the world, while there remains any poſſibility of diſſolving the Treaty.
33. I deſire to enforce the undervaluing of wealth or beauty, upon my ſpirit; from the ſcarecity of theſe who have all the other more neceſſary Qualifications: and that remembring among all the Ends of Marriage mentioned in Scripture, none of them to be to make one rich; I may never conſent to ſet my Liberty, my Comfort, my Self, for. ſo long a term as during life, to make never ſo great a purchaſe of worldly Eſtate: As alſo, though I muſt never match my ſelf to any, till I can love their perſon; I may yet count it a ſin to refuſe one otherwiſe every way fit for me, upon the meer exception, that I cannot love, when there is no remarkable deformity to breed a loathing; and to reckon it a duty to pray earneſtly to God to rectifie ſuch untowardneſs of my mind, as makes me, without juſt cauſe, reject a gracious offer of his Providence towards me: and that to prevent the miſchief of an unexpected continuall jarre all our lives long, I may be willing to be inquired into my ſelf, as well as to enquire after others, and may not diſſemblingly diſguiſe for a fit, that which will afterwards come certainly to be known; expecting, That that love cannot be firm, whoſe foundation is laid upon a lie; But that I may, by my ſelf or friends' fully and freely, before engagement be paſt, Expreſs what I expect, both for Piety, and all other matters, of habitation, manner of living, order of Family, and the like: and what may be expected from me in each reſpect; not fearing that this faithfulneſs to my ſelf and them ſhould make a breach; but reſolving that if this would break the Match, being unconcluded, there would be no leſs danger that it would break the peace afterward, when the unfaithfulneſs ſhould be diſcovered: and that that breaking of the Match were ſo much to be preferred before this breach of Peace, by how much a croſs is to be preferred before a ſin, and I cannot be a Chriſtian if I believe not that God can provide better for me, and will, if I yield up my will, and all my affections wholly to him.
34. I deſire to let no day paſs without (once at leaſt) ſolemn caſting up my account, how my ſoul hath ſped that day, and my buſineſs gone forward or backward; and to allot ſpecial times for a more full reckoning of many dayes, and ſumming up my whole ſtock of Grace: ſo ſhall I be ſure never to become a Bankrupt, but compound for my debts in time, before I be ſued, or purſued to extremity.
Laſtly, I deſire to account my Sureties Satisfaction my beſt Riches: and to treaſure up charily in my heart my Acquittances ſealed with his bloud: and to fetch from his ſtore all needfull Grace from time to time: His All ſufficiency alone on all occaſions muſt furniſh me with Wiſdome, Righteouſneſs, Sanctification, Redemption, he is and muſt be All in all to me. To him, with the Father, and the Holy Ghoſt be all Glory, and Love, and Faith, and Obedience rendred for ever. Amen.