Works, List of treatises – Preface
There is extant of this Reverend Authors these following Treaties.
The Christian-mans Calling; or, a Treatise of making Religion ones Business, wherein the Nature and Necessity of it is discovered; as also the Christian directed how he may perform it in Religious Duties, Natural Actions, his particular Vocation, his Family Directions, and his own Recreation; to be read in Families for their instruction and Edification. The first Part.
The second Part, Wherein a Christian is directed how to perform his duty in the Relations of Parents, Children, Husband, Wives, Masters, Servants, and in the Condition of Prosperity and Adversity.
This third Part, Di…ecting a Christian to perform his duty in his Dealings with all men, in the choice of his Companions, in Evil Company, in good Company, in Solitude, on a Week-day, from morning to night, in visiting the sick, and on a dying bed, with Means Directing, and Motives perswading thereunto.
The Door of Salvation opened by the Key of Regeneration; or a Treatise containing the Nature, Necessity, Marks and means of Regeneration, as also the duty of the Regenerate.
Heaven and Hell Epitomized, or the true Christian characterized.
The Fading of the Flesh; and Flourishing of Faith; or one Cast for Eternity, with the only way to T…row it Well; as also the Gracious Persons incomparable Portion.
T…e beauty of Magistracy, in an Exposition of the 82. Psalm, where in set forth the necessity, Utility, Dignity, Duty and Morality of Magistrates.
1 TIM. 4. 7. But refuse Prophane and old VVives Fables, and exercise thy self unto Godliness.
[And Exercise thy self unto Godliness.] The Preface.
THe life of Man is not seldom in the Word of God compared to a Walk;Psalm 39. Ambulare Hebraica phrasi significat c…rsum vitae instituere. The womb is the place whence he first (in the morning of his age) sets out, and his actions are the several steps, by which he is alwayes hastening to his journeys end, the Grave, that common Inn of resort. The life of a Christian is called a walking in the light, a walking in the Law, 1 John 1. 6. Psa. 119. 1.because his motion is regular, and his whole race by rule. He must have a divine word for all his works, and a precept from God for all his practices; Scripture is the Compass by which he steereth, and the square by which he buildeth; Hence he is said to walk with God, because he walketh according to his Commands, and his example; he doth not walk foreign as Man, 1 Cor. 3. 3. but foreign according to his measure, as God willeth, and as God walketh. Further, the holy life of a Saint is compared to an orderly walking in these two respects.
Est motus progress…vus.First, In regard of his gradual proficiency; He doth not stand still, but gets ground by his steps. They go from strength to strength, Psa. 84. 4. From faith to faith, Rom. 1. 17. He is ever going forward in Heavens way, and never thinks of sitting down till he comes to his Fathers House. Sometimes indeed he is so straightned that he can onelyonly creep; at other times he is inlarged that he can run, but at all times he is going on towards perfection. The light of his holiness,Ambulare in Chr…sto duo denotat. Pr…gredi & perseverare in doctrina & fide Christi. Dav. in Col. 2. 6. though at first but glimering, is always growing, and shines brighter and brighter till perfect day. Pro. 4. 18.
Est m…tus perpetuus.Secondly, In regard of his uniforme perseverance. It is not taking a step or two in a way, which denominateth a man a Walker, but a continued motion; It is not one or two good Actions, but a good conversation which will speak a man to be a right Christian. Bis de Enoch dicitur (Ambulavit cum deo) ad explicandum quod ab ine…nte aetate, profecit in via dei, & perseveravit, profitiendo in eadem semper. C…jrer.A true beleiver like the heavenly Orbes, is constant and unwearied in his motion and actings. An Expositor observeth of Enoch, that its twice said of him, He walked with God, Gen. 5. 22, and 24. to shew that as he first began to walk and profit in Gods path, so he alwayes continued profiting to the end. No man is judged healthy by a flushing colour in his face, but by a good complexion. God esteemeth none holy for a particular carriage, but for a general course; A sinner in some few acts may be very good; Iudas Repenteth; Cain Sacrifiseth; The Scribes Pray and Fast; and yet all were very false; In the most deadly diseases, there may be some intermissions, and some good prognosticks. A Saint in some few acts may be very bad: Noah is Drunk; David defileth his Neighbours Wife; And Peter denyeth his best fri…nd; yet these persons were heavens favourites; The best Gold must have some grains of allowance. Sheep may fall into the mire, but Swine love night and day to wallow in it. A Christian may stumble, nay he may fall, but he gets up and walks on in the way of Gods Commandements; the bent of his heart is right, and the scope of his life is straight, and thence he is deemed sincere.
It is the Character of the Christian to be constant in his gracious course. If you would speak with the Tradesman, you may meet him in his Shop; The Farmers usual walk is in the Fields; He that hath business with the Merchant, expecteth him in his Counting-house, or amongst his Goods; And he that looketh for the Christian, shall not fayl to finde him with his God. Ambulare est vivere. Hac loquendi formula admonemur, Christianum esse in perpetuo itinere versus caelest in patriam, ne que unquam esse illi subsistendum in via, sed perpetuo ambulandum & pr…grediendum. Dav. in Col.Whether he be alone or in company, abroad or in his Family, buying or selling, feeding himself, or visiting others, he doth all as in his Gods presence, and in all aimeth at his praise. As the Sap of a Tree riseth up from the root, not onelyonly to the body, but also to the branches of the smallest twigs; so grace in a Saint springeth up from his heart, and floweth out not only in his spiritual and higher, but also in his civil and lower actions.
How the Saint may make godliness his business, in Religious Actions (as in praying, hearing, receiving the Lords Supper, and Sanctification of the Lords day) in natural Actions, in his recreations, in his particular calling, and in the government of his family, I have largely discovered in the First Part of The Christian-Mans Calling.
The Second Part will help believers in the Relations (of Husbands and Wives, Parents and Children, Masters and Servants) and in the Conditions of Prosperity and Adversity.
Reader, The design of this Treatise is to direct thee further in this continual exercise of Piety; it divideth it self into these particulars. I shall herein
First, Endeavour to discover wherein the nature of Godliness consisteth;
1. In thy Dealings with all men.
2. In all Companies, whether Good or Bad, and therein I shall speak both to thy Choice of Companions, and Carriage in Company.
3. In Solitariness.
4. On a Week-day, from morning to night.
5. In Visiting the sick.
6. On a Dying Bed.
Secondly, I shall offer thee some Means which will be helpful to thee in this business.
Thirdly, I shall annex some Motives to stir thee up to this high and gainful Calling. I begin with the first.