Crumbs of Bread for the Dove in the Clefts of the Rock, Section 7 – Section 15
SECT. VII. The Life of Faith.
1. IN the life of Faith are conſiderable 1. the purpoſes: 2. the object: and 3. the actings of Faith.
1. The purpoſes of it are uſually for juſtification, mortification, ſanctification, conſolation, and ſalvation.
2. The Objects are God's love, truth, power &c. Chriſt's perſon, relations, offices, life, death, reſurrection, and aſcenſion &c.
3. The Acts of faith are, apprehenſion of the object, aſſent to the truth, conſent to the gift, application of the whole, with affyance and working in love and obedience, as at firſt in cloſing with Chriſt.
2. Rom. 4.20.The life of faith is highly acceptable with God, comfortable, honourable, and neceſſary to the Chriſtian.
1. Gal. 2.10. Phil. 3.9. Act. 3.19.To live the life of faith for juſtification. 1. Renew thy repentance daily, for commiſſions of ſin, and omiſſions of duty: in ſorrow, confeſſion, and ſupplication to God in Chriſt. 2. Rom. 3.25.26. Rom. 5.12. &c.Let Faith firſt apprehend the grace of God; and look on Chriſt as thy Second Adam, Head, Surety, and Sacrifice, meditate his perfect obedience, and his death; therein, Gal. 3.13.the pacification of wrath, the ſatisfaction of Juſtice, the removall of the curſe, Dan. 9.24. Heb. 10.16. Heb. 9.24. 1 Joh. 2.2. Luk: 22. Rom. 3.25. Gal. 2.20. Joh. 3.3.ſin taken away in its guilt, everlaſting righteouſneſſe brought in, and a Covenant of Grace eſtabliſhed: ſee this pleaded in his interceſſion, and tendered in the Goſpell, ſealed in the Sacraments, and to be applied by faith. 2. Apply it. 3. Aſsent unto it. 4. Rest upon it. 5. Speak peace to thy conſcience. 6. If the ſence of it make thee thankfull, cheerfull, and fruitfull to God and Chriſt. Rom. 5.1. Heb 10.2. Pſal. 103.1, 2. 2 Cor. 5.14. &c. Ram. 8.34. &c. 1 Cor. 15.55, 56. Acts 3.19. Rom. 7.13.14.7. Reject the temptations of Sathan to unbeliefe, ſilence the accuſations and condemnations of thy conſcience, lay aſide the ſlaviſn feares of the wrath of God, the terrors of death and judgment. And 8. Long for the publick and ſolemne declaration of all in the laſt day.
2. Live the life of faith for Mertification of ſin. 1. Set home upon thine heart the ſinfullneſſe of ſin, Rom. 7.13, 14.and the neceſſity of its deſtruction. Be willing to it, and reſolved for it. 2. Be ſenſible of thine own weakneſſe and inability to performe it. Rom. 7.24. Rom. 7.25. Rom. 6. beg.3. Act faith on Chriſt for it. 1. Let faith b…hold Chriſt Jeſus upon the Croſs, procuring and purchaſing thy freedome, Rom. 7. Ezek. 36.26.from the dominion, power, and preſence of ſin, in Gods time, and Gods way. 2. Let faith ſee the promiſes of Mortifying and cleanſing grace in the blood of Chriſt eſtabliſhed. Rom. 6.9, 10. Pſal. 51.7. Rom. 6.12. Rom. 8.34. Gal. 5.25.26.3. Let faith apply them. 4. Let Prayer ſue out Mortifying influences from the death of Chriſt. 5. Let faith ſet thee in the way, wherein thoſe virtues are to be experienced, as before in the Section of Mortification. 6 Let faith conſider, the guilt removed, the dominion broken, Heb. 12.14 2 Cor. 3.5.the power reſtrained, the rest not imputed where not allowed, ſtrength againſt ſin vouchſafed, and in concluſion the deſtruction of it.
3. Gal. 3.13, 14.Let faith for perfect ſanctification. 1. Affect thine heart with the conſideration of the neceſſity, Eph. 2.5.excellency, and beauty of it. Rom. 6.4.52. With the ſence of thine own in ſufficiency, for the acting, continuing, evereaſing of it. Eph. 4.7.8. Eph. 1.22.23.3. Act faith on Chriſt. 1. Let faith look upon Chriſt in his word preſcribing in his life directions, in his death procuting, whatever might be needfull for it, Gal. 3.13, 14. Eph. 2.5. Rom. 6.4, 5 Eph. 4.7, 8 Eph. 1.22.23. 1 Cor. 1.30in his reſurrection ariſing as your head, to quicken your ſoules to newneſſe of life; in Heaven poſſeſſing all gifts and graces, and having the fulneſſe of the ſpirit, with power to diſpence it. 2. Apply it. 3. Aſſent unto it. 4. Make it your choice. 5. Sue it out by Prayer. 6. Look up to him by faith, for virtue. 7. In the expectation of his influences, apply your ſelves unto the exerciſing of your graces.
4. Live the life of faith in Temptations 1. Let faith look upon Chriſt as having been tempted, though without ſin, and knowing how to compaſſionate. 2. Heb. 2.18.Look on Chriſt in his death, taking away the foundation of your temptations, Heb. 2.14.and breaking the ſerpents head, purchaſing your redemption from his dominion, though not diſturbance, eſtabliſhing the promiſes for your reliefe: Gen. 3.15.In Heaven look on him, as interceding for you, and exalted in power to help you. Phil. 2.9.2. Apply it. 3. Aſſent to it. 4. 2 Cor. 12.8Reſt upon it. 5. Eph. 6.12, 13, &c.Sue out the virtues of Chriſt by Prayer. 6. In his ſtrength reſiſt your temptation, in the way of his direction, and putting on the ſpirituall armour, uſing it in its place and ſeaſon. 7. So doing, doubt nothing of your acceptance, aſſiſtance, deliverance, Rom. 16.20.reward, and triumphs.
5. For Worldly troubles do the like. 1. John 16.33. 1 Joh. 5.4. Gal. 1.4.Let faith ſee Chriſt in his death removing the evill, which is the ſting of trouble, as the guilt of ſinne, the curſe of the law, and the wrath of God; procuring the graces and comforts in the promiſes, providence and ſpirit of God: Eph. 1.19, 20, 21, 22.in his reſurrection and aſcenſion, look upon him above all trouble, as your head, aſſuring you of conformity to him in his exaltation hereafter, Hoſ. 6. beg.as you have with him in his humiliation here: To this ad the comforts from the ſame, 1 Cor. 15.55. Heb. 2.14. Iſ. 26.19. Zach. 1.12. Phil. 2.9. Iſ. 54.5. 1 Pet. 1.5.in Chriſt, againſt death and the terrors of it—mutatis mutandis: the like for the Church of God in her diſtreſſes. Follow it to his interceſſion, and his government of the world by his power and providence, having a care of his ſpouſe in all troubles, intending only probation, Pſ 73.23. Pſ. 28. ult. Gal. 6.14&c. at moſt correction, not at all deſtruction. 2. Let faith Apply this and the like. 3. Aſſent. 4. Rely. 5. Performe the duties of ſuch conditions. 6. Confidently from Chriſt expect acceptance, aſſiſtance, and deliverance.
6. Live the life of faith for eternall life. 1. G. l. 3.13.Look on Chriſt in his ſtate of Humiliation as removing the hindrances, ſinne, law, curſe and wrath, death and Hell. 1. Purchaſing the title and all advantages; Heb. 9.15.eſtabliſhing the covenants and all the conveyances: in his exaltation advancing towards it, entering into it, Joh. 14.1. Heb. 6.18. Col. 3.1.and taking poſſeſſion of it, not only for himſelfe but for all believers, as their forerunner; keeping it for them, appointing their manſions, ſecuring their title, Gal. 4.4.and taking order for their Adoption, qualification, preſervation, Joh. 17.24 Rev. 22.20. Heb. 11.1. Heb. 10.34comfort here, and at laſt their aſſumption, that according to his deſire, Prayer, and promiſe, they may be for ever with him, &c. 2. Let faith apply it. 3. Aſſent unto it. 4. Rely upon it, And 5. Carry out to duty and waies of Holineſſe. And 6. 1 Pet. 1.3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8Reſolvedly paſſe through your trials, difficulties, dangers, and deaths, according to the will of God: Committing your ſoules unto him, nothing doubting, but in the end, you ſhall receive the end of the faith, 2 Cor. 4. ult. 2 Cor. 5.1. &c.the ſalvation of your ſoules. 7. Live much upon it and the fore-thoughts of it, it is Glorious, it is yours, it is certaine, it is ſafe, it will be Eternall. Chriſt hath procured it, Chriſt doth poſſeſſe it, 2 Cor. 5.5. Eph. 1.14. Phil. 1.23.the promiſes aſſure it, the ſacrament ſeale it, the ſpirit is the earneſt, your graces are the evidences for it, and all your dangers and deaths do but prepare you for it, or enter you into it.
7. Live the life of faith on Chriſt Jeſus for faith it ſelfe: Heb. 12.2. 2 Theſ. 1.14.take his directions, follow his example, bottom on his his undertaking; depend upon his fulneſſe, yeild to his methods, and expect his influences. This life of faith is neceſſary, comfortable, ſure, practicable, influentiall, honourable. Study it, uſe it; and for further directions, I commend you, beſides your own meditations and ſermon notes on Gal. 2.20. or other Scriptures, to the reading of theſe Books. Balls Life of faith. Lawrence life of faith. Cuiverwell Life of faith. Ward life of faith. Ambroſe his Middle things about the life of faith. Pſal. 9.10.More particularly acquaint your ſelves with the Attributes of God, the offices of Chriſt, the relations wherein he ſtandeth, his ſeverall ſtates of Humiliation and exaltation, 1 Cor. 2.3.with the intentions of all and their improvements: for this, I referre you to Sermons, on Gods Attributes and providence, and to good Books, as Preſton Of Gods Attributes, and particularly his All-ſufficiency. Stocke, Of Gods Attributes. Wilkins on Providence. Gearing of Providence. Obad. Sedgwick on Pſal. 23. and Providence. Dike on Gods Name, &c. and for that of Chriſt to T. Goodwins Works. Eſpecially Chriſt exalted as the object of Faith. Study it throughly with the peece of Christs heart in heaven, &c. Ambroſe his looking unto Jeſus. Robinſons Similitudes, your Sermon Notes on Chriſt, &c. the Lectures, on the four Evangeliſts in harmony on Chriſt. 2 Sam. 23.5.Study likewiſe in order to this life of faith the Covenant of Grace, the nature of it, the contents of it, the foundation of it in the blood of Chriſt, Heb. 9.15, 16, 17.the confirmation by the oath of God, and by ſacraments; the ſeverall diſpenſations of it, Heb. 1.1.gradually revealing Chriſt and Grace. Firſt to Adam Gen. 3.15. then to Noah Gen. 6. then to Abraham ſeverall times, Gen. 12. and 15. and 17. &c. then to the Patriarches, to Moſes, Exod. 3. to Iſrael on the mount Exod. 20. and 24. to David, 2 Sam. 23.5. and in many of the Pſalmes, Pſ 89. &c. Pſal. 2. Pſ. 110. &c. after that enlarged in choice promiſes in the Prophets. For Iſrael in captivity, Jer. 31. Jer. 32. Ezek. 11. and Eze. 36, &c. So in Zach. 9. &c. and at laſt the New Teſtament by Chriſt, Heb. 8. Heb. 10. read your Sermon Notes upon this ſubject and thoſe Scriptures, many of them at M. Arches and other books, as Ball of the Covenant of Grace, Bulkly, Rutherford, Morning exerciſe, Giles: Roberts, Cotton, and others. Leigh, promiſes.
SECT. VIII: Of Temptations:
THe beſt of Gods Saints and Servants may be ſubject to Temptations, Gen. 3.15.and thoſe of all ſorts, not only to doubtings ſinnings, Luke 22.30.31.and ſuch ſometimes the moſt abominable and diabolicall. For Sathan is their enemy; becauſe they belong to God, are gotten out from his Kingdome, and are irreconcileable enemies to his intereſt; Sathan is an Old, Malicious, Subtle, Powerfull, 1 Pet. 5.8.Cruell, and deadly enemy to them, their graces, their comforts, and their perſons: and God ſuffers it ſo to be, for his own glory, and his peoples good; in the exerciſe and evidence of their graces, in the ſupports of their ſoules, and experience of his favour; for their conformity to Chriſt, and in order to the reward, when they overcome. Their comfort in, that their Temptations without their conſent are not their ſinnes, Heb. 2.18. 2 Cor. 12.5. Rev. 2.10.Chriſt himſelfe hath been tempted; God and Chriſt compaſſionate them, God is with them to help them; their temptations are limited; Sathans head-plot is broken; Heb. 2.14.their ſoules ſhall beſaved, and their conqueſts rewarded. Their duty is to be acquainted with the nature of temptations, 2 Cor. 2.11 Eph. 6.12. &c.to watch and pray againſt them, to reſiſt them, to put on and uſe their ſpirituall armour, to live upon Chriſt by Faith, and to look and long for their deliverance. Remember Math. 4. and diſcourſes on Chriſts Temptation. Biſhop Hall: Capell of Temptations: Downams Warfare: Gouge, Robinſon, and Gurnals Spirituall armour: Dr Owen of Temptation, and Bridges, Brooks, &c. Ball of Faith, &c.
SECT. IX. Of Divine Deſertions.
GOds people may be ſometimes for a time and in part deſerted, Pſal. 22.1. Iſ. 63.17. 2 Sam. 11. Pſ. 51.as to illuminations, influences, and comforts: they may not ſee their way, may fall into ſin, looſe much grace, want comfort, Pſ. 88.6.be ſorely tempted, Pſ. 8.9.and feel ſenſible impreſſions of Gods fatherly diſpleaſure. This is ſometimes for the puniſhment of their ſins, Pſ. 7.7. Cant. 5. Cant. 3.and ſometimes for the triall of their graces; God hath alſo therein a deſigne for his own glory and their good; in preventing and mortifying of ſin, provoking to duty, enriching their experience, and for the diſcovery of the freedome of his grace, the worth of his love, and the neceſſity of his preſence, Pſal. 22.1. Jer. 31. Heb. 8. John. 10.&c. Their comfort is, they are not alone, they are never totally nor finally rejected, God is ſtill their God in covenant, and Chriſt is their head in union; and the Spirit their ſanctifier, ſupporter, if not actually their comforter in Communion; Cant. 5. beginning.Chriſt leaves ſweetneſſe behind him, and though abſent yet drawes them towards him, in good time will be found of them, and in Heaven at laſt abide forever with them. Their duty is to ſhake off ſecurity, Cant. 5. throughout.to enquire into the cauſes, to hear Chriſts voice, to relliſh his ſweetneſſes, to deſire his favour, to follow after him in all good meanes, to ſpeak well of him, to cleave to their Choice, to take Gods way, and to wait Gods time for their comfort and recovery; and when they find him to be more carefull to pleaſe him, Cant. 6.and for ever to beware of wandring from God, parlying with Temptation, Spirituall pride, and ſecurity under Goſpell enjoyment. Read Symonds Deſerted ſoules caſe and Cure. Sibbes Soules conflict. Boltons Inſtructions: Rutherfords Chriſts Dying, &c. And for Church-deſertions in the viſible tokens of Gods preſence: Read Sermons on Luk 19.42. Rev. 2.4.5. Rev. 3.1, 6. John 12.35.36. and Cant. 5.2 &c. The Epiſtles in the Revelation to the Churches of Aſia: Brinſleyes Watch, Burroughes on Hoſea: Cripplegate Exerciſe. 26. and apply to them the foregoing comforts and counſels.
SECT. X. Of Afflictions, and Trialls.
AFflictions and Troubles, Joh. 16.33are the lot of Gods choſen: for correction or probation, or purification, or teſtimony: Heb. 12.6.or it may be altogether. Zach 13.9. &c. 1 Pet. 4.12.17. 1 Pet. 1.5 6. &c. Rev. 2.10. Pſal. 42. Pſal. 102. Heb. 12.6.They may be manifold great, laſting, and ſometimes inward and outward both together. Their Comfort is; They are from God, their God, their Father, in love though with diſpleaſure: their good is intended together with Gods glory; in purging out ſinne, Iſ. 26.trying and exerciſing their Grace, weaning them from the world, and conforming them to Chriſt: 1 Pet. 4.13.they have ſpeciall promiſes; God orders them, Mal. 3.3. 2 Cor. 12.9. Rom. 5.5. 1 Pet: 5.6.proportions them to ſtrength, gives ſufficient grace, ſheds abroad his love, is preſent with them, will preſerve them, deliver them and bring them home to Glory, 1 Cor. 4. latter end, 1 Pet. 1.5, 6. Rom. Lam. 3.39. Pſ. 51.8.17. Phil. 1.29. 2 Theſ. 1.8. &c. Their duty is (if for ſin) to enquire the cauſe, to humble themſelves, to juſtify God, to returne to him, 1 Sam. 15.to ſubmit to his will, and to ſeek his favour, to mind their duty, and to live by faith. And for trials, to expect them, prepare for them, and approve themſelves in them, giving glory to God by the exerciſe of grace, and ſubmiſſion to his will. And in Teſtimonies to Truth; 1 Pet. 4.12. Cant. 8. Matth. 16.24. Heb. 12.2. 1 Pet. 4. ult. 2 Cor. 4. ult. 2 Cor. 5. be. Heb. 10.38 2 Pet. 1.1. &c. Prov. 142.to ſtrengthen their faith, to inflame their love, and to manifeſt their obedience, to deny themſelves, to take up the Croſſe, to look to Chriſt their example, comfort, and ſtrength, and to referre all to God, committing their ſoules to him in well doing, and to live by faith, Heb. 11. Heb. 12.1. &c. Read Caſes, Correction, inſtruction: Burroughes Moſes choice and ſelfe deniall and courage. Hughes dry rod. Strongs Submiſſion to Gods will: Hiſtories of the Church.
In ſufferings ſee 1. That you have a good cauſe, and ſuffer not as evill doers in Church or ſtate ſee 1 Pet. 2.20. 1 Pet. 4.15, 2. A good call, Math. 10. 3. Exerciſe a good conſcience, Mark 5.43. and 4. keep then a good courage, Math. 10.28.
SECT. XI. Of Spirituall Retirements.
REtirements are ſometimes from neceſſity, through the providence of God, Cant. 2.14. Iſ. 26. ult.the rage of Sathan, and the malice of the World, Rev. 12.6, 14. and ſometime from choice, for privacy in duty, and freedome from diſtraction: Math. 6.5, 6. Improve ſuch for meditation, prayers, reading, and maintaining communion with God. Leave the world behind you, deſire God's preſence, and believe his promiſe.
SECT. XII. Of Meditation.
MEditation is neceſſary, comfortable, but difficult. Take theſe Directions for it.
1. Make conſcience of the duty, Pſ. 1. Pſ. 119.not only occaſionally, but ſolemnly, and frequently. 2. Take the fit and freeſt times for it. 3. Lay aſide for that time worldly occaſions and thoughts. 4. Set your ſelf in God's preſence. 5. Begin with Prayer to God for direction, preſence, and bleſſing. 6. Pitch your thoughts on ſome ſuitable and ſeaſonable heart-affecting ſubject: as the excellency and uſe of the Scriptures: the Attributes of God: the ſtate of Innocency, Sin, ſtate of nature, covenant of grace; Chriſt his Offices, excellencies &c. death, ſatisfaction, &c. the love of God, the love of Chriſt, faith, and other particular graces &c. Meditate often of the ſinfulneſs of ſin, the vanity of the creature, the love of God, the excellency of Christ, death, the reſurrection, judgment, heaven, and hel… ſometimes. When you would meditate on theſe, underſtand firſt the doctrine of them, and what is conſiderable in them: for that purpoſe read in ſome doctrinall book on ſuch a ſubject: and after that, by meditation, conſider and work upon your hearts to affect them: without this help you will be able to do little on moſt ſubjects. For ſubjects, and books on thoſe ſubjects, Dr Wilkin's Eccleſiastes, may direct you for this uſe, as others for another.
7. Obſerve, if you can, a good method: for which ſee directions in books. If you cannot follow their methods, follow Davids in the Pſalms. Pſ. 116.5. Pſ. 42.Sometimes let it be prayerwiſe, ſometime by way of Soliloquie, or diſcourſe with your ſelves: or take ſome good bock, and work what you read upon your heart, 'till you have diſcerned the truth, taſted the ſweetneſſe, and felt the power of it. The briefe Notes in theſe Sections are intended for your help on thoſe heads, and are left to your inlargements on purpoſe: or take the Scriptures, and meditate on what you read. 8. Keep your hearts to the work, quicken them when dull. 9. Intend heart-work eſpecially in this exerciſe, the quickning of grace, ſtrengthning of faith, and ſtirring of affections. 10. Cloſe up with prayer, and as opportunity is afforded, ſolemne, and with reſpect to the ſubject of your meditation. Read Bp Hall's directions for meditation, and Baxter in his Everlasting Rest; and Whites, and Ambroſe in his Middle things.
SECT. XIII. Of Prayer.
I Need not ſet before you its neceſſity and excellenny; Rom. 8.15, 16.the ſpirit of Adoption will reach you to cry Abba Father. Gal. 4: 6.
1. 1 Theſ. 5.17.Be frequent in prayer, often in ſolemne, and even conſtantly in ejaculatory, and occaſionall.
2. Be fervent and ſpirituall. Rom. 8.26. Rom. 15.30.
3. Be humble and lowly. Gen. 18.27. Ezr. 9.6
4. Believing. 5. Importunate. Luk. 18.
More particularly. 1. Keep your hearts in a praying frame. Eph. 6.18. Pſ. 5.3. Math. 6.9.2. Mind the occaſions and opportunities. 3. Prepare your ſelfe to it by meditation. 2 Sam. 7.27. 4. Take right apprehenſions of God: as your father in heaven, as a ſpirit, great and glorious, but your God and Father in Chriſt: take up ſuitable apprehenſions to your occaſion, as God ſhall direct. 5. Humble your ſoules in ſence of ſin to be confeſſed. 6. Affect your hearts with the mercies to be deſired. 7. Jacob. Hoſ. 12.3, 4.Wreſtle with God with Arguments proper. 8. Content not your ſelfe with the bare performance, without affection of heart, and enjoyment of God. 9. Keep cloſe to the duty, as near as you can, without diſtraction. Math. 6.7. Eccl. 5.2. Rom. 8.26. Phil. 4.6. Math. 6. Eph. 6.19.10. Affect not words, nor length. 11. Joyn praiſes with praiers. 12. Be not private ſpirited in prayer, but remember others, eſpecially the Church of God. 13. Take delight in this duty. 14. reſt not in prayer, but in Christ, Eph. 3.12. John 14.13through whom preſent your perſon and prayers unto God, with faith. 15. Look after your prayers, Pſ. 5.3.and God's anſwers to them.
Read Cobbet of Prayer Gee of Prayer. Ambroſe his Directions ia his middle things. T. Goodwins return of prayer. Ford of Adoption. Cripplegate exerciſe. 14.17.19.
SECT. XIV. Of Sanctification of the Lords day.
1 BE ſetled in the doctrine of the Morality of the Sabbath. 4th Comm,For this purpoſe read Sermon Notes and books, eſpecially Cawdry and Palmer. Shepheard and Whites appendix to his directions for reading the Scripture.
2. Prepare for it, deſiring the day, Exod. 20.compoſing your worldly affaires, and laying them aſide in the evening before, ſet your heart in order towards a Sabbath, and deſire God's preſence and bleſſing for the day approaching.
3. In the morning awake with God, proceed to private and family duties, be more large and ſolemne in them then at other times, ſpend intervals in meditation, holy conference, reading, and prayer.
4. Iſ. 2.3. Pſ. 122.1. Pſ. 100.Haſten to publique ordinances, lay aſide prejudices, and take care to give God your hearts. See Burroughes of Goſpell worſhip, and other treatiſes of that Nature.
5. Lev. 26.42If you want publique opportunity, enquire into the cauſe: if ſin be in it, humble your ſoules, juſtify God, and accept of the puniſhment of your ſin, pray for pardon, act repentance with faith in the bloud of Chriſt: lament after the Lord. 1 Sam. 3. Pſ. 42.84.63.
6. Rev. 12.14. Pſ. 42.Make up your want in private worſhip
1. Begin with prayer, confeſſion of ſin, and ſupplication for a bleſſing, with praiſe to God.
2. Read much of the Scripture, Pſalmes, Old and New Teſtament. Meditate upon it, draw your obſervations, and worke them on your hearts, obſerve Gods teachings, and impart them to any with you.
3. Pour out your hearts more largely in prayer.
4 Take ſome good Sermon Notes, or ſome choice book, and ſpend a Sermon time in it; and ſuppoſe you were hearing it in the publick congregation.
5. Cloſe up with prayer and praiſes, deſiring a bleſſing.
In intervals of time take refreſhments naturall with ſpirituall affections, thoughts, diſcourſes.
Let the reſt of the time be ſpent as in the morning, in meditation, reading, Iſ. 56.6. Iſ. 58.13.conference, and prayer.
In the afternoon, at the ſolemn time, do again as in the morning.
After that, as in the intervals, reflecting on what you read, obſerved, and were taught of God that day, renew your family and your cloſet duties, as in the morning; and be much in Thanksgiving. Let the day be improved for God, and with him. Keep out the world. Get ſome ſpeciall acquaintance with God, with Chriſt, and Heaven. Do good to the ſoules and bodies of others, as you have opportunity, eſpecially in your family. Bleſſe God much for Chriſt, and the worke of Redemption, and look and long for Heaven. See Goodwin of ſanctifying the Sabbath. Expoſ. or 4th Comm. Shepheard, &c.
SECT. XV. Of Faſting and Humiliation.
1. AS neceſſity requireth, and opportunity is offered, be often in the duty of ſelf-examination, ſoul-humiliation, with faſting and prayer.
2. Improve publick daies for that purpoſe.
3. Keep ſome private in your family, and in your Cloſet, becauſe of family and perſonall neceſſities. Zach 12.12.
And for direction in it, (having conſidered your neceſſities, ſet a fit and free time apart, put your heart into a poſture, and ſought God's preſence,) ſet about the work.
1. Jach. 12.12. Dan. 9. Lam. 3.39.Let your private and family duties, of daily courſe look towards it.
2. Sit down and examine your hearts and lives, and find out your ſpeciall ſins and tranſgreſſions in every age, in every relation, place, &c.
3. Dan. 9.Having found them out, ſet them home upon your hearts, in the conſideration of their nature, number, and aggravations.
4. Draw up againſt your ſelves the ſentence of the law of God.Gal. 3.10.
5. 1 Joh. 1.9.Put your ſelves into the preſence of God, and make large free and ingenuous confeſſions of ſins, both of nature and life.Pſ. 51.17.
6. Get your hearts humbled under them in God's ſight, and deſire him to work you to it.
7. Dan. 9.7, 11.Acknowledge your deſerts of death and damnation, and of your particular affliction.
8. 2 Cor. 7.11Worke your hearts to hatred and abhorrency of your ſin, and expreſſe it ſincerely.
9. Look upon God in Chriſt as gracious, Exod. 34.6and mercifull, willing to pardon ſin.
10. Dan. 9.19.Plead hard for pardon in the bloud of Chriſt.
11. Preſent Chriſt Jeſus as your ſacrifice, Levit. Rom. 3.25.once offered upon the croſſe, ever preſented in Heaven; let faith apprehend it, apply it, and preſent it unto God.
12. Pſ. 51.7.Beg God's cleanſing and ſanctifying grace.
13. Pſ. 51.13Renew your covenant for better obedience in the bloud of Chriſt, with a ſincere heart, and deſire God's acceptance and grace.
14. Pray for the removall of the judgment, with ſubmiſſion to Gods will: Dan. 9.16.effectually pray for the ſanctification of it, and for ſupport under it, with patience to bear it: pray then too for the bleſſings to be deſired, as it may be for your good and God's glory.
15. Remember then your family relations, friends, thoſe that have deſired your prayers; the needy, ſad, tempted, and afflicted ſervants of Chriſt.
16. Pſ. 51.18. Dan. 9. Ezek. 9.Enlarge in your prayers for the whole Church, for the Land, King, Magiſtrate, Miniſters, and People. Confeſſe Nationall ſins, conſidering your ſhare in them, mourn for them, ſtrive with God for mercy, &c. wreſtling with God in Chriſt.
17. Towards the cloſe, confeſſe your failings in the preſent duty, John 14.13, 14.beg acceptance through Chriſt, and conclude with bleſſings. If it may be, continue in this order, while ſtrength laſteth, but be ſincere, fervent, and affectionate in all.
18. Then read ſome portion of Scripture to the purpoſe, Ezra.or as God ſhall direct, ſpend ſome conſiderable time in ſo doing, with reflection and meditation upon what you have read.
19. Proceed again to Prayer, bewailing your defects in the duty of the day; looking over your confeſſions, and making them up in renewed acknowledgments. The like in the other parts of the duty.Ex. 33.4, 5, 6. Jona 3.6. Joel 2.15, 16.
20. Abſtaine from ornaments, accomodations, and refreſhments, as long as you are able, to help you in Humiliation, or to expreſſe it, and to quicken you to prayer.
21. Iſ. 58.7, 10In the cloſe devote your ſelves to God; and give ſomething, as you are able, to the poor.
22. Be often in ſuch duties, Dan. 10.2, 3.as occaſion requireth, and while God is afflicting you or his people, walke humbly, and lay aſide your ornaments, and abate your refreſhments, and be much in prayer.