The Whole Duty of a Christian, Chapter 22
CHAP. XXII.
§. 1. FOurthly and lastly, these things being so; how doth it concern all, to see that they are Believers? Wouldest thou then have it fare so with thee? Wouldest thou have thy very poysons turned into cordials? thy terrours, changed into pleasures? and thy greatest evils made beneficial unto thee? Wouldest thou be loosed from the chains of thy sins, and delivered from the chains of plagues? Wouldest thou have the same Christ, with his precious Blood to free thee, that shall with his Word sentence others? As who would not, except Satan hath strangely bewitcht him? If thou wouldest, I say, then learn of this Believer, imitate him in what hath been declared, and what I shall further rehearse touching his knowledge, belief, and life; for I have onelyonly brake the thred of my Discourse, to let in this use in way of a Parenthesis; and now I return to finish or compleat the foregoing Character, for thereunto may be added as followeth.
§. 2. He cannot hear God blasphemed or dishonoured without being moved thereat, yea, he is as heartily vexed for any dishonour done to him, as for any disgrace offered to himself. He hath an holy care and endeavour in all places and companies, to walk so as he may win glory to God, honour his profession, and give no offence or occasion to the enemies of God to speak evil of him; he acknowledgeth all good to come from God, and that all glory is to be given to him; and accordingly endeavours to honour and serve him with his riches, wisdom, and what other gifts or abilities he hath; neither is he dumb in publishing his praise, nor backward to justifie him in his Judgments. He will not worship an Image, or God in the Image; he seldom sells things tending to Idolatry, or any other sin, or uses lots in sporting. He fears God, and fears sin, and this dispelle… in him all other false, fond, and foolish fears, which others that are void of the fear of God, are grievously and perpetually perplexed withal; as namely, he fears not that his serving of God will prove his undoing, he neither fears nor observes the flying of Fowles, the signs of Heaven, the sight of a live Snake, the crossing of an Hare, the croaking of a Raven, the screeching of an Owl, the howling of a Dog, the dreaming of Gardens, green Rushes, or dead friends; to eat an Egg in Lent, or flesh on a Friday never racks his conscience; whether the Crow cryes even or odd in a morning, or whether he leaves the crosse on his right or left hand as he goes; whether it be Childermas Day or not, when he takes a Journey, or undertakes any businesse, or whether the Saltseller falls from or towards him, it is all one to him; nor does stumbling at a threshold presage any evil to him at all; he never crosses his breast, nor sprinckles his face when he is to go abroad, nor nailes Horse-shooes at his door, and yet speeds never the worse; neither old Wives, nor Stars are his Counsellors; a Night-spel is none of his guide, nor Charms his Physitian; Erra Pater is no part of his Creed; neither weares he Ammulets, or Paracelsian Characters about his neck, you shall never hear him talk of luckey handsel, and Fortune to him is an asse; Buggs never fright him, nor Fai…ies pinch him, neither will he put confidence in any such superstitious and devillish …opperies, as the ignorant and superstitious do; no, he will not be beholding to the King of Hell for a shooe…ye.
§. 3. He seeks the good, and to preserve the peace of the place he lives in, and can comfort himself with this▪ that in his very Calling and publick imployments, his aym and indeavour is not more at profit or credit then at the glory of God, and good of others; he hath an humble and publick spirit; delights in doing good offices, and is active to pleasure others, and can make him self a servant to all that stand in need of him.