The True Way to the Tree of Life, Title page – Author to his children

The True Way to the Tree of Life · Title page – Author to his children

The True way TO THE Tree of Life: OR, The Natural MAN DIRECTED UNTO CHRIST.

By Fran. Roberts D. D. Pastor of the Church of Christ at Wrington in the County of Somerset.

JOHN 14. 6. IESVS saith unto him; I am the Way, The Truth, and the Life: No man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

ACT. 16. 30, 31. —Sirs, What must I do to be saved? And they said; Believe on the LORD IESVS CHRIST, and thou shalt be saved, and thine House.

BERNARD. in Iubilo, &c. p. 1659. Antverp. 1616.

JESU, Decus Angelicum,

In auro d…sce Canticum,

In ore me… mirificum,

In Corde N…ctar Coelicum:

Desidero te millies.

Mi JESU, quando venies?

Me loetum quando facies?

Me de te quando suties?

LONDON, Printed by T. R. for Geo. Cal…ert, at the Golden Ball in …uck Lane, 1673.

THE Author's Epistolary Exhortation, AND Paternal Charge, UNTO HIS CHILDREN.

My Dear and beloved Children,

WHat the Apostle Paul sometimes said with great affection touching Israel, his Brethren and kinsmen according to the flesh, that with like affection say I now touching You; My Hearts desire and Prayer to God for you all is, That you may be saved aaRom. 11. 1.Rom 11:1. O, that you might be so happy, as to hear that sweetest Sentence of Iesus Christ at the last day, directed unto you among the rest of his Elect Sheep at his right hand; Come ye blessed of my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world bbMath. 25. 34.Matt 25:34. And that you may be where Christ is (which is far the best of all) to behold his glory, and to be made conform to him in Celestial glory for evermoreccJoh. 17. 24. Phil. 1. 23. & 3. 21.John 17:24Phil 1:23Phil 3:21.

But you had need deeply to consider, That there are very many, great, and dangerous impediments unto Sinners eternal Salvation; without removal whereof, the Salvation of poor Souls will be rendered not only difficult, but utterly impossible. A few of these principal Hindrances I shall briefly mention unto you for your information and instruction. That you may praise God for your deliverance from some of them: and pray to him for his effectual removal of all the rest in his due time.

Some grand Hindrances of poor Sinners Salvation are these, viz.

1. The State of Sin and misery, in which all Mankind is involved by Nature, through the Fall of Adam, the Common root of all MankindddRom. 5. 12, &c. with Gen. 3.Rom 5:12Gen 3, whence, All are, by Nature, dead in Sins and trespasses, and Children of wrath eeEph. 2. 1, 2, 3.Eph 2:1Eph 2:2Eph 2:3. so that, they who are in the flesh, cannot possibly please God ffRom. 8. 8.Rom 8:8.

2. Man's general Senslessness and …in apprehensiveness by Nature, of the Sinfulness and wretchedness of his Natural condition. All Natural men being Children of the night and of darkness gg1 Thes. 5. 5.1 Thess 5:5. Having the understanding darkned, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart hhEphes. 4. 18.Eph 4:18. And from this senslesness of their Natural malady, it comes to pass, that they are (till God open their eyes, and awaken their Consciences) altogether regardless of the Supernatural Remedy.

3. A Sinful course of life and wicked Conversation, resulting from Mens Sinful state and condition. So that they walk according to the course of this world, according to the Prince of the power of the Air, the Spirit that now worketh in the Children of Disobedience.—fulfilling the wills of the flesh and of the mind iiEphes. 2. 2, 3.Eph 2:2Eph 2:3.—and running to all excess of riot kk1 Pet. 4. 4.1 Pet 4:4. Now these, and like ungodly waies will (without true and timely Repentance) undoubtedly shut, all that walk therein, out of the kingdom of God for evermorell1 Cor. 6. 9, 10.1 Cor 6:91 Cor 6:10.

4. Habitual Hardness of heart and Impenitency,Gal. 5. 19, 20, 21. Rev. 21. 8. 27. & 22. 15.Gal 5:19Gal 5:20Gal 5:21Rev 21:8Rev 21:27Rev 22:15 which are most dangerous fore-runners of Eternal Death and DestructionmmEzek. 18. 30, 31, 32.Ezek 18:30Ezek 18:31Ezek 18:32: whereby all hardned and impenitent Sinners do treasure up unto themselves wrath against the day of wrath, Luke 13. 3. 5.Luke 13:3Luke 13:5and Reve…tion of the righteous Judgment of God nnRom▪ 2. 5, 6, &c.Rom 2:5Rom 2:6.

5. That grand Soul-damning Sin of Vnbelief in Iesus Christ. Of this the Holy Ghost peculiarly and principally convincingly reproves the world; of Sin, because they believe not in me, saith our SaviourooJoh. 16. 8, 9.John 16:8John 16:9. This Sin he puts before others, saith Augustine, as if it were the alone Sin: because this Sin remaining, the rest are detained; and this departing, the rest are remitted ppHoc enim peccatum, quasi solum …it, prae caeteris posuit: quia hoc manente caetera detinentur, & hoc discedente—caetera remittuntur. Aug. in Ioan. 16. Tract. 95. Tom. 9.John 16. Vnbelief rejects Iesus Christ the onelyonly Saviour: How then is it possible the Vnbelievers should be saved? Our Blessed Saviour himself hath declared most plainly; That, he that believes not shall be damned, Math. 16. 6. yea, That he is condemned already, because he hath not believed on the name of the onelyonly begotten Son of God.— That, he who believeth not the Son should not see life, but the wrath of God abideth on him. Iohn 3. 18. 36. & 8. And he placeth the Unbelieving in that black Catalogue, which shall have their part in the lake of fire and brimstone, which is the second Death. Rev. 21. 8.

6. The Embracing of any False counterfeit and irreligious Religions, whether through Corrupt Education and evil Example of Parentsqq1 Cor. 12. 2.1 Cor 12:2, or through Seducement of heretical Impostors and false Teachersrr1 John 2. 26.1 John 2:26, or through the just judgment of God,22Pet. 2. 1, 2, 3. 1 Tim. 4. 1, 2, 3. Math. 25. 24.1 Tim 4:11 Tim 4:21 Tim 4:3Matt 25:24 upon them that receive not the Love of the Truth that they may be saved, sending them strong delusions, that they should believe a lye, that they all may be damned who believe not the Truth ss2 Thes. 2. 10, 11, 12.2 Thess 2:102 Thess 2:112 Thess 2:12. And chiefly such false Counterfeit Religions, which are most predominant and bear greatest sway in the world, are these Four: viz. Heathenism, Mahume…ism, Judaism, and Antichristianism. By the poyson of which, it is much to be feared, far the greatest number of people in the whole world are deprived of Salvation, and perish. As divers of our Learned, Orthodox, and Religious AuthorsttBishop Andrews, in his Preface before his Expos. of the X. Command…ments, p. 40, &c. Bishop Hall, in his Serious Disswasive from Popery, in fol. p. 613. to 624. And in his, No peace with Rome. p. 633. to p. 664. Dr. Willet's Synopsis of Pop…ry; throughout. See his First Table, shewing how Popery militates against the Person, and all the Offices of Christ. Dr. Whitaker's also is to the like effect. In Praefat. ad Auditores, ante Disput. de S. Seriptura. p. 258, 259. Mr. W. Perkins, in his Demonstration of the P…obleme; throughout. p. 486, &c. Vol. 2. And in his Assertion, That a Papist by his Religion cannot go beyond a Reprobate. p. …96, to p. 404. Vol. 1. Lond. 1626. And in his Reformed Catholick. p. 556, &c. Vol. 1. have demonstrated.

7. The False Hypocritical and Conterfeit Entertaining of the onelyonly true Religion, viz. The Christian Religion, leaves men still in a state of Damnation, though thereupon multitudes vainly presume and promise to themselves eternal Salvation. As, when men make a Profession of Christianity, without a sincere suitable Practice uuMat. 7. 21, &c. & 25. 3. Tit. 1. 16.Matt 7:21Titus 1:16: having Lamps, without Oyle. When they have onelyonly a form of Godliness, but deny the power thereof xx2 Tim. 3. 5.2 Tim 3:5. Having a Name to live, but are dead yyRev. 3. 1.Rev 3:1. When they attain to a Temporary Faith, believing for a time, but in time of Persecution falling away: Become partakers of many Common gifts and en dowments of the Holy Ghost, but of no true saving Graces of the Spirit: So that though they may have some flashes of joy in the use of Gods Ordinances, and may do many things, yet walk not, as the sincere Saints, in all the Commandements and Ordinances of God blameless zzLuk. 8. 13.Luke 8:13. Now such Persons,Mat. 13. 19, to 23. Heb. 6. 4, 5, 6. 2 Pet. 2. 20, 21, 22. Mark 6. 2 0. Luke 1. 6.Matt 13:19–23Heb 6:4Heb 6:5Heb 6:62 Pet 2:202 Pet 2:212 Pet 2:22Mark 6:2Luke 1:6 being meer Formal, not real Christians indeed, remaining …as most in the visible Church do) without effectual Calling, Conversion, Regeneration, and true Sanctification, cannot inherit the kingdom of God, as the Holy Scriptures do abundantly testifie aaMath. 13. 19, to 23. & 7. 13, 14 with Rom. 8. 30. Joh. 3. 3, 5. Math. 18. 3. Heb. 12. 14.Matt 13:19–23Matt 7:13Matt 7:14Rom 8:30John 3:3John 3:5Matt 18:3Heb 12:14.

Now therefore, my beloved Children, I earnestly exhort, charge and beseech you, by the mercies of God, As you tender the eternal welfare of your precious and immortal Souls, As you desire to be found in Iesus Christ, and favour with God when you die, and As ever you hope to be set at Christs Right hand among his Sheep, and to be Sentenced by Christ with them to his Everlasting Kingdom at that great and glorious day of his Appearing: That you use all possible Care, diligence, and endeavours, by the Grace and assistance of the Holy Spirit of God, against all these fore-mentioned impediments unto Salvation, and all such like, that they may be removed out of your way to happiness, and not be any hindrances at all to your Eternal Glory and Salvation. And that this may be the more effectually enterprized and performed by you, Let these Ensuing Instructions sink deep into your hearts, and be most studiously, seriously and sincerely pursued and practiced in your Lives. viz.

1. Be deeply and thoroughly Convinced of the extream Sinfulness and wretchedness of your Natural State and Condition in the first AdambbRom. 5. 12.Rom 5:12. How you were shapen in iniquity, and conceived in Sin ccPsal. 51. 5. Joh. 3. 6.Ps 51:5John 3:6. Yea, dead in Sins and trespasses, and by Nature Children of Wrath, even as others ddEp…. 2. 1, 2, 3.. And, How from this Original and Vniversal Corruption of your Natures, your whole course of life is answerably corrupted also: Every imagination of the thoughts of your hearts (and consequently, every word of your mouths, and every Action throughout your lives) being Evil, onelyonly evil, continually evil, so long as you continue in your Natural state and conditioneeGen. 6. 5.Gen 6:5. So then, while you remain in the flesh, you cannot please God ffRom. 8. 8.Rom 8:8: nor can have an… actual Hope of SalvationggEphes. 2. 12.Eph 2:12, upon any solid ground.

2. Hence, you may evidently See, and must needs conclude; That there is so great a necessity of a Supernatural Remedy, against this your Natural State of Sin and Misery, and against all the Sinfulness of your Natural Conversation, by the Application of Jesus Christ unto your Souls, and the Effectual operation of his Spirit to that End upon your hearts: That without such applying of Christ by Faith unto youhhJoh. 8. 24. & 3. 16. 18. 36. 1 Joh. 5. 12. Mar. 16. 16.John 8:24John 3:16John 3:18John 3:361 John 5:12Mark 16:16, and the operation of his Spirit in and upon you, by Effectual Calling, Conversion, Regeneration, Renovation and Sanctification, you can never Enter into the kingdom of God, and be Eternally SavediiRom. 8. 30. Math. 18. 3. Joh. 3. 3. 5. Tit. 3. 4, 5, 6, 7.Rom 8:30Matt 18Titus 3:4Titus 3:5Titus 3:6Titus 3:7.

3. Therefore, See that ye come unto Jesus Christ by Faith without delayHeb. 12. 14.Heb 12:14, and Receive him as your onelyonly All-sufficient Saviour, that is able to save you to the uttermost kkMath. 11. 28, 29, 30. Act. 16. 30. & 4. 11, 12. Heb. 7. 25.Matt 11:28Matt 11:29Matt 11:30Acts 16:30Acts 4:11Acts 4:12Heb 7:25; Accepting him upon his own terms of denying your selves, taking up your Cross daily, and following him llLuk. 9. 23.Luke 9:23. So Iesus Christ will be unto you, Wisdom, to guide you in the way to Heaven; Righteousness, to wash away all your Sins by his bloud, and justifie you freely by his spotless Righteousness imputed unto you; Sanctification, to furnish you sufficiently with all treasures of Grace out of his fullness of Grace; and Redemption, to deliver you from all your bondage under Sin, Satan, the curse of the Law, the Wrath to come, and all your Spiritual Enemies mm1 Cor. 1. 30.1 Cor 1:30. O, thrice happy, Everlastingly happy shall you be, if once Iesus Christ become yours, and you his! Then you shall be espoused to the best Husband in the worldnn2 Cor. 11. 2.2 Cor 11:2; The God and Father of Iesus Christ will be your God and Father ooJoh. 20. 17.John 20:17; The Spirit of Christ will be your Com…orter ppJoh. 14. 16, 17.John 14:16John 14:17; the Kingdom of Heaven shall be your Everlasting Joynture qqMath. 25. 34.Matt 25:34; yea All things, The World, and Life, and Death, and things present, and things to come, All shall be yours rr1 Cor. 3. 21, 22, 23.1 Cor 3:211 Cor 3:221 Cor 3:23Then, All things shall work-together for good unto you; Sickness as well as health, Adversity as well as prosperity, Death it self as well as lifessRom. 8. 28.Rom 8:28. Then, nothing in the world shall ever be able to separate you from the Love of Christ, or from the Love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord ttRom. 8. 35. to the end.Rom 8:35. Then, no Condemnation shall ever befall you in this or in the world to comeuuRom. 8. 1.Rom 8:1. O happy Souls that ever you were born, if you be born again, and Christ be formed in you! Christ is the Desire of all Nations xxHag. 2. 7.Hag 2:7: Let him be the Desire of your Souls. Christ is the chief among ten thousand yyCant. 5. 10.Song 5:10: L…t him be the Chief of your choice. Christs mouth is Sweetnesses, yea all of him is Desires zzCant. 5. 16.Song 5:16: O let your hearts be even ravished with him at all times. Say with that faithful Minister and Martyr of Iesus Christ, Mr. John Lambert, as he was now dying in the flames; None but Christ, none but Christ aaActs & Man. Vol. 2. p. 427. Lond. 1641.. In a word, I say to every one of you, as sometimes Bernard said unto one sweetly; Let IESVS be alwaies in thine heart.—Let Him be unto thee thy meat and drink, thy sweetness and Consolation, thy Hony and thy Desire, thy Reading and thy Meditation, thy Prayer and thy Contemplation, thy Life and Death, and thy Resurrection bbBernard. Ex for. bo. vitae, ut citatur in ejus Floribus. p. 2137.. For, Christ is All in All ccCol. 3. 11.Col 3:11.

4. Now, Forasmuch as true saving Faith in Iesus Christ is not of our selves, but the free gift of God ddEph. 2. 8.Eph 2:8; and ordinarily God is pleased to work it in the hearts of his Elect, Instrumentally, by the Hearing of his Word faithfully preachedeeRom. 10. 14, 15. 17.Rom 10:14Rom 10:15Rom 10:17, Efficaciously, by the Co-operation of his holy Spirit ffGal. 5. 22.Gal 5:22; by which Means also it is nourished and increased: Therefore, be ye all of you Diligent and Constant Hearers of the Word of Christ faithfully preached, Applying things spoken particularly to your selves, treasuring them up in good and honest hearts, and bringing forth the suitable fruit thereof by an Vpright practice in your livesggJam. 1. 19. to 26. Math. 13. 23. & 7. 24 to the end.Jas 1:19–26Matt 13:23Matt 7:24; and take singular heed, that you never g…ieve, quench, or resist the operations, stirrings or motions of the Spirit of God in the use of his Word and Ordinances, or at any other timeshhEph. 4. 30. Thes. 5. 19, 20. 1 Act. 7. 51.Eph 4:30Acts 7:51. For Iesus Christ, by his Word and Spirit especially, stands at the door of your hearts and knocks, and if any will open unto him, he will come in unto him, and Sup with him and he with Christ iiRev. 3. 20.Rev 3:20.

5. For the increasing also of your Inward Peace, Spiritual Ioy and Comfort, Give all di…igence to make your Calling and Election sure kk2 Pet. 1. 10.2 Pet 1:10; Examining your selves frequently and seriously, whether Jesus Christ be in you yea or noll2 Cor. 13. 5.2 Cor 13:5. But how shal… this be done? By comparing your Hearts, Lives and Experiences with the written Word of God, through the assistance and guidance of Gods Holy Spirit. For, to this End the Word of God was written to us, and the Spirit of God is given to us, that we may know the things that are freely given to us of God mm1 Cor. 2. 12. Rom. 8. 16.1 Cor 2:12Rom 8:16, and that we may know that we have eternal life nn1 Joh. 5. 13.1 John 5:13. And for your more ready help in this weighty business, you may make use of many Characters, marks, or Notes of Tryal, which I have at large laid down in sundry of my Printed BooksooAs my, Believers Evidences, &c. Communicant Instructed. and Treatise of Gods Covenants, &c., which you have by you. Take heed you be not strangers to your own hearts, and Spiritual States.

6. As you have received Jesus Christ the Lord, so walk in him: rooted, and built up in him, and established in the Faith ††Col. 2. 6, …Col 2:6. Be not Christians only in Name and outward Shew, but inwardly, sincerely, and in good earnest. So live and walk, as Christ in his word hath directed you to walk. Denying ungodliness and worldly lusts [even all Sins against the first and second Table,] living soberly [towards yourselves], righteously [towards man], and godly [towards the Lord], in this present world ppTit. 2. 11, 12.Titus 2:11Titus 2:12. Observe and keep all his Commandements qqJoh. 14. 15. and 15. 13. Math. 28. 19.John 14:15John 15:13Matt 28:19. Yield and present your selves, both Souls and Bodies living Sacrifices unto him rrRom. 12. …Rom 12. Whether you live, live unto the Lord; or whether you dye, dye unto the Lord; that whether you live or dye, you may be the LordsssRom. 14. 7▪ 8.Rom 14:7Rom 14:8. So live and walk also as Christ hath given you an Example. Walk as Christ walked tt1 Joh. 2. 6.1 John 2:6. Walk in love, as Christ hath loved us, and hath given himself for us, a Sacrifice, an offering unto God, for a sweet smelling Savour uuEph. 5. 2.Eph 5:2. Walk in Love towards Iesus Christ, as to love him beyond Father, Mother, Sister, Brother, or your own dearest lives xxMat. 10. 37. Luke 14. 26Matt 10:37Luke 14:26: For, he hath loved us, and washed us from our Sins in his own bloodyyRev. 1. 5Rev 1:5. Walk in all well doing as Christ went about, doing good every where zzAct. 10. 38.Acts 10:38: and imitate him also in innocent and patient suffering for well doing, commit…ing your selves and your Cause to him that judgeth righteously aa1 Pet. 2. 21, 22, 23.1 Pet 2:211 Pet 2:221 Pet 2:23; for herein he hath left us an Example that we should follow his steps.

7. Remember the Lords-day-Sabbath, the first day of the week, (unto which the seventh-day-Sabbath was translated by the Authority of Christ as appears by the after observation of that day by the Apostles and Apostolical Churches,) to keep it holy bbExod. 20. Act. 20. 7. …8. 1 Cor. 16. 1. 2. Rev. 1. 10.Exod 20Acts 20:7Acts 20:81 Cor 16:11 Cor 16:2Rev 1:10. This is the Princess and Queen of all dayes cc—foreign. Ignat. in Ep. ad Magnes., This is the Glory of all the week. For, As on this day our blessed Saviour Rose from the deadddMath. 28. …. to 8.Matt 28 triumphing victoriously over Death, Grave, Sin, and all our Spiritual Enemies: and thereby assured us of our Spiritual and Corporeal Resurrection by himeeEph. 2. 5, 6. 1 Cor. 15. 20. to 24.Eph 2:5Eph 2:61 Cor 15:20–24. As on this day our Saviour vouchsafed many of his apparitions to his Disciples, instructing them and giving them commandements concerning the Kingdom of GodffLuke 24. Ma…k. 16. Math. 28. Act. 1. 3.Luke 24Matt 28Acts 1:3. On this day the Holy Ghost was most miraculously poured forth upon the ApostlesggAct. 2. 1. &c.Acts 2:1. On this day the Apostles and primitive Churches held their solemn Assemblies for the publick worship of GodhhAct. 20. 7▪ &c.Acts 20:7. This is the solemn Mart, and Market day for furnishing our Souls with all manner of Spiritual and Heavenly Provisions. This is that Solemn Season and sweet opportunity which Christ hath afforded and ordained for acquainting us with Himself and the Mysteries of his Kingdom, for maintaining our Communion with him in his Ordinances, for edifying and perfecting of us in all Spirituals. And as in the time of the Old Testament, The Sacrifices of the Sabbath-day were to be double to those on the week dayiiNumb. 28. 9, 10.Num 28:9Num 28:10: So our Spiritual Sacrifices on the Lords-days are to be twice so much as on any other day of the week; Especially, in Prayer and thanksgiving; in Reading the Scriptures, in Hearing the word preached, in Partaking the Lords Supper, in Catechizing, in Shewing Mercy to the poor, &c. that so the sacred tincture and impressions of this day may remain fresh and lively upon your hearts all the week following.

8. Let every day of the week be managed by you in a Christian sort. To that End, Be sure to present unto the Lord your Morning and Evening-Sacrifice of prayer and praise to God continually: as God of Old appointed a Morning and Evening Sacrifice for every day in the week kkNumb. 28. 3. to 9.Num 28:3–9. Holy David and Daniel Prayed thrice in a day llPsal. 55. 17. Dan. 6. 10.Ps 55:17Dan 6:10. Every day, open with God in the morning, and shut with God in the Evening, by some religious ejaculation or savourly meditation. Read daily some portion of Holy Scripture mmPsal. …. 1, 2. Act. 17. 11.Acts 17:11, to keep up your acquaintance with God, with Iesus Christ, and his Spirit, and the mysteries of true Religion. And then follow the lawful affairs of your honest particular Calling, diligently and righteouslynn1 Cor. 7. 20. 24.1 Cor 7:201 Cor 7:24

9. Do ye Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, Eph. 4. 28.Eph 4:28while the evil dayes [of old age] come not, Thes. 3. 10, 11, 12.nor the years draw nigh, when ye shall say, we have no pleasure in them ooEccl. 12. 1.Eccl 12:1. Gods Eminent Saints have sought the Lord betimes, and addicted themselves unto Godliness while they were young. As, David, that man after Gods own heart, while he was but a Youth ppI Sam. 16▪ 33. to 38.1 Sam 16:33–38. Josiah, that Phaenix. King of Iudah, while he was yet young, but sixteen years old, began to seek after the God of David qq2 Chron. 34. 1. 3.2 Chr 34:12 Chr 34:3. And Timothy, so highly commended by the Apostle Paul, knew the Holy Scriptures from a Child, Gr. from his insancy rr2 Tim. 3. 15.2 Tim 3:15. God, in the time of the Law, called for the first ripe fruits of the field, and the firstlings of the flock, to be offered unto himssNumb. 15. 20, 21. and 18. 12, 13. Deut. 18. 4. & 15. 19.Num 15:20Num 15:21Num 18:12Num 18:13Deut 18:4Deut 15:19: to teach his people, how acceptable the first-fruits of our youth and life are to God. O how happy are they, that bear the yoke ttMat. 11. 29.Matt 11:29of Christ in their youth! Hereby, the flower of their age is best improved! Hereby, thousands and ten-thousands of sins are prevented. Hereby, they gain the longer time, for walking with God, for growing in grace, for doing of good, for increasing of Spiritual Experiences, for treasuring up of Evidences and assurances of their Salvation, and of preparing themselves for Heaven and eternal Glory.

10. Herein alwaies exercise your selves to have a Conscience void of offence both towards God and Man uuAct. 24. 26.Acts 24:26. That so living in all good conscience before God xxAct 23. 1.Acts 23:1, This may be matter of singular comfort and rejoycing to you, in your greatest afflictions and distresses, the Testimony of your Consciences, that in simplicity and godly sincerity you have had your Conversation in the world yy2 Cor. 1. 12.2 Cor 1:12.

11. Imploy and improve to the utmost all the Times and Talents, wherewith the Lord hath intrusted you, to his Glory, your own or others Benefit. That when the time of reckoning shall come, he may both command you and richly reward you, and not condemn and punish you with that wicked sloathful and improfitable Servant zzEph. 5. 15, 16.Eph 5:15Eph 5:16.

12. Hold fast the Platt-form of Sound wordsMat. 25. 14 to 31.Matt 25:14–31, in Faith and Love, which is in Christ Jesus aa2 Tim. 1. 13.2 Tim 1:13. That so you may not be carryed aside with every wind of false doctrine bbEph. 4. 14.Eph 4:14; but may be the Children of the Truth. And to this End constantly retain in your Memories the Catechisme wherein you have been trayned up now a long time together. For, this is an excellent Brevial or Sum of the true Christian Religion, very useful to direct you both in the Faith and Practice, in the right wayes of God, against error and iniquity.

13. Stand not at a stay, much less go backward, in the affairs of Religion: But still grown in Grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ cc2 Pet. 3. 18.2 Pet 3:18. Take heed of backsliding ddHeb. 12. 13. 15.Heb 12:13Heb 12:15. Having put your hand to Christs plow, Look not backPro. 14. 14.Prov 14:14: For then you will be unfit for the Kingdome of God eeLuk. 9. 62.Luke 9:62. Be stedfast, unmoveable, alwayes abounding in the work of the Lord, for as much as ye know that your labour shall not be in vain in the Lord ffCor. 15. 58.. Be faithful to the death, and christ will give you a Crown of Life ggRev. 2. 10.Rev 2:10.

14. Love God, Father, son and Holy Ghost, over all, with all your Heart, Soul, Mind and might hhMat. 22. 37, 38.Matt 22:37Matt 22:38, and that especially for his own sake love such as are begotten of GodL…k. 10. 27., and true Christians indeed, chiefly for Gods sake, for Christs sakeiiI Joh. 5. 1.1 John 5:1. And see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently kk1 Pet. 1. 22.1 Pet 1:22: Especially, endeavouring to help and further one another in the way to heaven.

15. Finally, Set your affection on things above, not on things on the Earth: For all the things on Earth are meerllCol. 3. 2.Col 3:2 vanity and vexation of Spirit mmEccl. 1. 2. 14.Eccl 1:2Eccl 1:14, being vanity, they are empty shadows and bubles, that cannot continue, that cannot satisfie, but utterly disappoint you: By their disappointment, they become vexation of Spirit, heaps of thorns and briars unto you. But your true, lasting and Soul-satisfying Treasures are above; there's your Crown, your Kingdom, your Glory, your Eternal life, your Eternal inheritance, your Masters joy and pleasures at his right hand for Evermore; there's your sweetest and most glorious Saviour Jesus Christ at Gods right hand, and there's your God in Christ, in whose immediate vision and compleat fruition the supream happiness of Heaven will consist for ever. Have therefore your Conversation in Heaven nnPhil.… 3. 2o, 21.Phil 3:2, though for a while your conversation be on Earth: and look for your Saviour Jesus Christ from Heaven, to change your vile bodies and make them like to his own glorious body. Then there shall be no more Sin, Sorrow, Pain, Curse or Death. Then Christ will wipe all your Tears away ooRev. 21. 1. 4.Rev 21:1Rev 21:4. Then your everlasting Jubilee will b…gin but shall never end. O how should we love his appearing, when all those things shall come to pass! Make haste O beloved, and be as the Hind or the Roe upon the Mountains of Spices ppCant. 8.Song 8. Even so come Lord JesusqqRev. 22. 2o.Rev 22:2.

These things, my beloved Children, I have earnestly desired to recommend unto you in order to your Eternal Salvation; hoping that some of you have a true Spiritual sense and relish of them already. Now the God of all Grace imprint them indelibly upon the Tables of all your Hearts, that you may still remember them and conform your selves unto them, not onelyonly while I am with you in this land of the living, but also after I shall be taken from you by Natures dissolution, and sleep in Jesus. And let him bless you with all Spiritual blessings in heavenly-places in Christ rrEph. 1. 3.Eph 1:3for evermore. Amen.

p. 1THE Natural MAN DIRECTED TO CHRIST.

A Premonition to the Natural Man reading the ensuing Directions.

WHoever thou art, that unto this present hour remainest still in thy Natural State in the Old Adam, unconverted unto God in CHRIST the last Adam; or justly suspectest thy condition to be such; and perusest these DIRECTIONS following: Read and understand, Vnderstand and p. 2Consider in thine Heart, Consider and Believe the Scripture Truths therein propounded, Believe and put in Practise the Scripture Rules therein recommended unto thee; lest otherwise, what thou readest and art convinc'd in Conscience to be thy Duty, hereafter sting thine Heart, Rise up in judgment against thee, and condemn thee, both when thy Death Approacheth; and at the Great day, when the Lord IESVS shall be revealed from Heaven with the Angels of his power, in flaming Fire taking Vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the Gospel of our Lord IESVS CHRIST 2 Thes. 1. 7, 8. with Mat. 11. 20. to 25. and 12. 41, 42.

p. 3Directions, tending to conduct the Natural Man to CHRIST.