The Practical Christian, Tract · Chapter 2

The Practical Christian · Tract · Chapter 2

p. 28CHAP. II.

AND firſt, I ſhall begin with ſolemn and deliberate Meditation; and after give you ſome heads for ſudden and occaſional Meditation.

For ſolemn and deliberate Meditation, the matter of your Meditation may be reduced to theſe 6, or 7 Heads, God, and Chriſt, the Holy Spirit, Man, the World, and the good and evil Angels, by which God governs the World; First, I ſhall ſhew you what ſpecial things you are to meditate on in GOD, to begin with him, who is the beginning of all things, and to be often, and much in meditation on him, for the more we meditate on him, the more we ſhall know him, and the more we know him, the more we ſhall love him, and the more we love him, the more we ſhall deſire him, and the more we deſire him, the more ſhall we labour after communion with him, not only in grace here, but in glory hereafter: but here, in meditating on God, take with you theſe three Cautions: First, To meditate on him in a way of faith, and not reaſon; becauſe reaſon cannot comprehend the Unity in Trinity, or Trinity in Unity. Secondly, Not to conceive of God out of Chriſt, becauſe God out of Chriſt is a conſuming Fire, Hebr. 12. laſt. Thirdly, Take heed of framing any Image of God in your minds, he being a Spirit, and an Infinite Spirit, in all, and through all, and above all; but to conceive of him (I ſay) in Chriſt (who is the expreſs Image of the Father) the Ladder by which we are to clime up to Heaven, to ſee, and know God. One well expreſſeth it thus; when p. 29I ſee the body of a living man, I know his Soul is there alſo, and therefore when I ſpeak to his body, I ſpeak to his underſtanding alſo, becauſe they are together; ſo in viewing with the eye of my mind the humane nature of Chriſt, glorious in Heaven, I do at the ſame time look upon the God-head, that being perſonally united unto it, for in him dwelleth the God-head bodily, (or Perſonally.)

Q. What are thoſe things we are to meditate on, in GOD?

A. His Nature, Attributes, Word, Works, Worſhip.

1. His Nature, and here take notice what he is in his Beeing, and that he only is Jehovah.

1. What he is in his Beeing: This cannot be conceived, much leſs defined by finite Creatures, yet may be deſcribed ſo far, as he hath revealed himſelf in the Scripture, which is this, An Eternal, Infinite, Perfect, Incomprehenſible Spirit, diſtinguiſhed into three Perſons, Father, Son, and Holy Ghoſt, every one Co-eſſential, and Co-equal; To open this briefly; mind well, I ſay, he is a Spirit, John 4.24. Now what a Spirit is, our Saviour tells you, Luke 24.31. Iohn 1.18. ſc. a Subſtance, or Beeing that cannot be ſeen, or felt: 2. I ſay he is an Eternal, Infinite, Perfect, Incomprehenſible Spirit: theſe Attributes diſtinguiſh him from all other Spirits, as Angels, and the Souls of men; 1. He is an Eternal Spirit, i. e. One that had no beginning, nor can have any end, 1 Tim. 1.17. To the King Eternal, &c. and Revel. 1.8. But now Angels, and the Souls of men, though they ſhall have no end, yet had a beginning, were Created by God, Gen. 12.1. 2. God, he is an p. 30Infinite Spirit, i. e. Such a Beeing, as cannot be contained within any place, 1 Kings 8.27. Behold The Heaven of Heavens cannot contain him, and Iſa. 66.1. But for Angels, and the Souls of men, they are contained within their proper places; 3. God, he is a perfect Spirit, unto whom no degree of goodneſs, or excellency can be added, 1 Iohn 1.5. Gen. 17.1. I am God All-ſufficient. But for Angels, and the Souls of men, they are capable of more degrees of goodneſs and excellency. 4. God is an incomprehenſible Spirit, Pſal. 145.3. His greatneſs is incomprehenſible, 1 Timothy 1.16. He dwells in light unapproachable, we may more eaſily comprehend what God is not, than what he is: but now, for Angels and the Souls of Men, we may in ſome meaſure comprehend what they are, ſo far forth as God hath revealed it.

3. I add [diſtinguiſhed into three Perſons]. Here to take notice: 1. What a Perſon is, ſc. a diſtinct Subſiſtence, or beeing, having in it, the whole God-head, and diſtinguiſhed from another, by his incommunicable properties, as 1. Of the Father, to beget, Pſal. 2.7. the Son to be begotten, John 18. and of the Holy Ghoſt to proceed from both, John 15.26. 2. To take notice, why we ſay Diſtinguiſhed, and not divided, ſc. becauſe the God-head, being one pure, ſimple, unchangeable Beeing, it cannot be divided, or ſeparated one from the other, but are in one the other, as you may ſee cleerly, John 14.9. Laſtly, I add Co-eſſential and Co-equal, i. e. Every one true and very God, and not one before the other, or greater than the other, being every one God, as appears, p. 31in that the ſame names of God, and properties of God, and actions of God are given to every Perſon in the Trinity: The Father God, Eph. 13. John 17.3. The Son God, Iſai. 9.6. Heb. 1.8. The Holy Ghoſt God, Acts 5.3, 4. 1 Cor. 3.16. To take notice and meditate ſeriouſly on theſe things in the Nature of God, becauſe the ignorance and want of the ſerious conſideration of it, is the cauſe of ſo many miſapprehenſions of God, and aberrations from God.

2. That you may the better know what God is, to take notice that he only is Jehovah, Pſal. 83.18. Thy Name only is Jehovah.

Q. What is the meaning of that?

Anſ. This word Jehovah, it imports three things: 1. That he hath his Beeing, in, and of, and from Himſelf, being deemed Hava, or Hajah that ſignifieth To be, and be of himſelf and from himſelf. 2. It is he that gave a beeing to all that have any beeing, as Iſa. 44.24. I am Jehovah that made all things: and Rom. 11. laſt, Of him, and through him, and for him are all things, and Acts 17.28. 3. That it is he alſo that doth, and will give a beeing to all his words, Exod. 3.15. This is his memorial to all Ages, i. e. of his truth and faithfulneſs in all Ages. Exod. 6 3. Where he ſaith to Moſes, that he appeared to Abraham, Iſaac, and Jacob, by the Name of All-mighty; but, by the Name of Jehovah, I was not known to them, i. e. in making good his promiſe of delivering them out of Aegypt, and bringing them into Canaan. Now that which you are here ſeriouſly to meditate on, is this, the wonderful and condeſcending grace of God to us his poor worthleſs Creatures, p. 32he being Jehovah, having his beeing, in, and of and from himſelf, might for ever have delighted himſelf in himſelf, but being goodneſs it ſelf would communicate it, in giving a beeing to thi… glorious Fabrick of Heaven and Earth, and all that have any beeing in it; the ſerious meditation of this, muſt needs affect our hearts, with love to him, and delight in him, that he who had no need of us, ſhould give a beeing to us, that he who is ſo high, and holy above us, ſhould humble himſelf to have reſpect unto us, and have ſuch precious thoughts and purpoſes concerning our temporal, and Eternal well-being: this ſhould make us break out in admiration, and ſay with Job, and David; Oh Lord, what is man that thou ſhouldſt take notice of him, make ſuch account of him, ſet thy heart upon him, and ſo magnifie him, as not only to make a World for him, but have ſuch precious thoughts of love to him, reſpecting both his temporal and Eternal welfare, to take him into communion with thy ſelf here in grace, and promiſe him immediate communion with thy ſelf in glory?

Sect 2. On the Attributes of God, and here take notice of theſe things; 1. What they are: 2. The kinds of them: 3. The benefit of a ſerious meditation on them: 4. The Reaſons why we ſhould have ſuch a ſerious meditation on them: 5. The evidences of our intereſt in them.

1. What the Attributes of God are, ſc. Certain Eſſential properties of God, whereby he is pleaſed to make himſelf known unto us, who otherwiſe cannot come to know him, Exod. 3. ult. otherwiſe called back-parts, not that God hath any back-part, or fore-part, but becauſe we can only p. 33have an imperfect knowledge of him, as we have of a man, when we ſee him only by his Back; we may gueſs at him, that it is ſuch an One, but we cannot ſay expreſly it is He, unleſs we ſaw his Face.

2. For the Kinds of Attributes, they are either Incommunicable, or Communicable,

(1.) Incommunicable are ſuch, as are proper to himſelf, and not to be found in the Creature, as theſe: 1, His Eternity, Pſal 90.2. 2, His Omnipreſence, Jer. 23.33. 3, His Omniſciency, 2 King. 8.39. 4, His Omnipotency, Gen. 17.1. 5, His Immutability, James 1.17. (2.) His Communicable Attributes are ſuch, as are found in the Creature; as, 1. His wiſdom, 1 Tim. 1.17. 2, His holineſs, Iſa. 6.3. 3, His faithfulneſs, Pſal. 91.1. 4, His loving kindneſs, Pſal. 26.7. 5, His goodneſs, Pſal. 31.19. 6, His Juſtice, Zeph. 3.5. 7, His Mercy, Exod. 34.6. Q. Are theſe in Men, as they are in God? Anſ. No, there is a double difference, 1. In men, they are only qualities, in God they are his very Eſſence. It's an Axiom in Divinity, Quicquid eſt in Deo, eſt Deus, Whatſoever is in God, is God. In the Creature they are only in the Concrete, but in God in the Abſtract. God is not only loving, but God is love, 1 Epist. John 4.16. 2, In the Creature, they are imperfect, but in ſome degrees: but in God they are perfect in their full degrees; He is ſo juſt, and ſo merciful, as he cannot be more.

3. Take notice of the great Benefit that will come by a ſerious Meditation on thoſe Attributes. To help you in it; 1. A ſerious Meditation on God's Eternity, will be effectual to keep us from p. 32duplicate page p. 33duplicate page p. 34minding, affecting, and purſuing too much theſe terreſtrial things, which periſh in the uſing; and quicken us to get an intereſt in an Eternal God, that will abide with us for ever, who is able to make us Eternally miſerable, or Eternally happy; to reward us with Eternal Life, or to puniſh u… with Eternal Death, Math. 25. laſt. 2. The ſerious meditation of God's Omnipreſence, will be effectual to keep us from ſinning, becauſe of ſecreſie; remembring, though there be none elſe preſent, God is preſent; though there be no eye or ear of the Creatures, yet there is the All-ſeeing Eye, and the All-hearing Ear of God. This influence you may finde it had upon Joſeph, Gen. 39.9. and Job 31.1, 4. and David, Pſal. 139.1 and will upon us, if there be any fear of God before our eyes. The Eye and Ear of a Magiſtrate and Miniſter, and a Holy-man hath uſually authority upon the worſt of men to reſtrain from ſining how much more ſhould the all-diſcerning Preſenc… of God. 3. The ſerious meditation of God's Omniſciency, or knowledge of all things, even th… moſt ſecret thoughts, and ends, and aims of me… in all they think, and ſpeak, and do; will be an effectual means, to keep men from playing the Hypocrites with God, and Men, being he is Omniſcient, and knoweth the moſt ſecret intentions … Men, ſearcheth the Heart, and trieth the Rein… to render to every one according to their Work… Jer. 17.9. So that however we may deceive me… and our own Souls, yet we cannot God, as Gal. 6.… Which made the Church to take heed of it, Pſal. 44.19. and Peter to approve his heart to Ch… … in the profeſſion he made of love to him, Job. p. 3521.17. 4. A ſerious meditation on his Omnipotency, will be an effectual means to keep us from immoderate fearing and doubting, fainting and ſinking, in times of ſtraights and diſtreſſes, ſeeing it is all one to him to help, and relieve in the abſence, as well as the preſence of means: by weak, as well as ſtrong means; yea, without means, and contrary unto means, and will do it, whil'ſt he hath any work for us to do. This was it that ſupported and comforted David, 1 Sam. 30.6. and Jehoſhaphat, 2 Chron. 20.12. and the three Children, Dan. 3.16. And ſo will it us, if we will act ſaith in it, remembring there is help with God, when vain is the help of the Creature. Nothing impoſſible to God, Luke 1.

5. A ſerious meditation on God's Immutability, that will be an effectual means to keep us from deſpondency, and queſtioning of his love, when he ſeems to hide his Face, conſidering that he is Jehovah that changeth not, Mal. 3.6. The ſame yeſterday, to day, and for ever, Heb. 13.8. unchangeable in his love, and grace, and mercy to his. And therefore though we are to be humbled, under every ſin, even the leaſt, yet not to queſtion God's love, becauſe of any, even the greateſt; ſo long as we are willing to ſee it, and leave it, Job 15.13. 6, The ſerious meditation on God's Wiſdom will be an effectual means to quiet our ſpirits, in, and under all croſs-providences, confuſions, and commotions that we ſee and meet with in the World, conſidering he hath a hand in all, and knoweth how to order, and diſpoſe of all to his own glory, and the beſt good of his choſen, Rom. 8.28. Iſai 30.6. 7, The ſerious p. 36meditation of his Infinite Holineſs, that he is glorious in holineſs, Exod. 15. will be a mean… to keep us from giving way to any unholineſs in heart, or life, conſidering he is of purer eyes, that to behold iniquity, (with the leaſt approbation) Hab. 1.13. and hates all the workers of iniquity Pſal. 5: 8, The ſerious meditation of his Truth and faithfulneſs, will be a means to keep us from doubting, and diſtruſting what he hath ſpoken i… his Word, conſidering he is faithful that hath ſai… it, and will do i…, 1 Theſ. 5.23. He never ſpak… any thing with his Mouth, which he hath not ful… filled with his Hand, Joſh. 23.14.5. 1 King. 8.2… 9, The ſerious meditation of his Loving-kindneſs, that will be a means to patient your ſpiri… under the want of love from the Creature, th… changeableneſs of their love; conſidering, who… God loves, he loves to the end, John 13.1. eve… with an everlaſting love, Jer. 31.3. as it did D… vid, Pſal. 26, 3. and Pſal, 48.9. 10, The ſerious meditation of the infinite goodneſs of God will quicken you to look up for all that good, … hath purpoſed, and promiſed, and you ſtand … need of for you, and yours, conſidering he is god to all, eſpecially to his: There's no end of … goodneſs to them, Pſal. 31.19. How great … that goodneſs thou haſt laid up for them that ſ… thee! 11, The ſerious meditation on his Imp… tial Juſtice, will make you fear to offend him … any thing the leaſt, conſidering he never di… will, or can connive at any ſin, no not in his ow… Amos 3.2. you only have, I known, I will ſure… puniſh you, &c. Nay, he would not ſpare it … his own Son that knew no ſin; yet, if He will ta… p. 37our ſins on him, he would make him feel the fierceneſs of his wrath, Lament. 1.12.

Laſtly, The ſerious conſideration of his infinite Mercy, will make you look up to him for mercy, when you can finde none from the Creature, conſidering his Mercy is over all his Works; eſpecially the Veſſels of Mercy, he delights to ſhew mercy to them, Micah 7. end. And his mercy is from everlaſting to everlaſting unto them, Pſ. 103. and therefore to be much in meditation on thoſe. And that further, for theſe three Reaſons.

1. Becauſe, for Men to profeſs God, and not to give him the glory of his Attributes, not to let them have authority, and influence on their hearts …nd lives, is no other than religious Atheiſm; it …s to deny God: for he were no God, if not ſuch … God, as he hath reveal'd himſelf in his Word and Works, Titus 1. laſt. They profeſs they know God, but in works they deny him, &c. And how many of thoſe religious Atheiſts have there been in thoſe evil days that are paſt, and ſtill are to be found amongſt Profeſſors; who will ſpeak much of God, and more than others of his Attributes, Word and Works; and yet their Converſation is … contradiction to their profeſſion; pretend the …ory of God, but ſeek their own honour; the publick good, but intend their own promotion; …at they unfeignedly love others, when they can …ll the while undermine the credit and comfort of ſuch as differ from them in any Opinion, yea …nd perſwade others to diſaffect them, that they …ay the more affect them: Take heed of this reli…ous Atheiſm. God will certainly vindicate his …ory from all ſuch as rob him of the glory of his …ttributes.

p. 382. Therefore to be much and often in meditation on the glorious Attributes of God, becauſe there is great Authority, Efficacy and Influence in them to reſtrain from ſinning, and quicken … well-doing, and ſupport us under ſufferings, … you ſaw in the forenam'd Example. And this … certain, you will never evidence a work of grace or make any progreſs in it, unleſs you ſuffer the Attributes of God, to have authority upon you hearts and ways.

3. Therefore to be much and often in the ſen… ous meditation of them; becauſe this will ma… your Faces to ſhine (like Moſes) when you com… down from the Mount of Meditation, and tran… form you more and more into the Image of God from glory to glory, 2 Cor. 13. laſt.

5ly. To meditate on what Evidences you have an intereſt in the ſweet and comfort of theſe A… tributes; becauſe without this, you cannot ma… a particular application of them, or reap any b… nefit, or comfort by them.

Q You will ſay then, How may we know wheth… we have an intereſt in them?

Anſ. Briefly thus: Search and ſee whether G… be your God; for naturally all men come into … World without God, Eph. 2.12. If God be … your God, God in Covenant; then all theſe A… tributes of God are againſt you, and not for yo… but if God be your God in Covenant, all his A… tributes are yours, his wiſdom to direct you, … Power to protect you, his Truth and Faithfuln… to be your Shield and Buckler, his Mercy … Goodneſs to follow you per all your days; and … that is His, is yours, to comfort you here, at p. 39Crown you hereafter, 1 Cor. 3. laſt. Rom. 2.7, 8.

Q But how ſhall we know, God is our God in Covenant?

Anſ. 1, See if Chriſt be yours, then God is yours, 1 Cor. 3. laſt. 2, If you be God-like, like to Him in his nature, and in your lives, deſire, and endeavour to be holy, as he is holy, 1 Pet. 1.15. 3, If you be ſuch as hearken unto, and obey the Call of God out of evil Company, ſeparate your ſelves from communion with ſin and ſinners, 2 Cor. 6. two laſt. 4, If you be ſuch as do not reſt in and content your ſelves with any degree or meaſure of godlineſs, but labour ſtill after more and more, 2 Cor. 7.1. 1 John 3.2. Math. 5. laſt. By theſe (to name no more) you may know whether God be your God; and if ſo, then all his Attributes are yours to meditate on them, and make application of them, for your ſupportation, and conſolation, Amen.

3. Meditate on the Word of God: and firſt on the Word in general, and then the Covenant of Grace in particular.

1. On the Word of God in general: and in, and about the Word, to meditate on the tranſcendent Excellency of it, the excellent properties of it, the Precepts, Promiſes, Threatnings, and Examples in it.

1. On the tranſcendent Excellency of it: Conſider that it is no other than an Epiſtle of the great God, written from Heaven, indited by his Spirit, conveyed by his Son, unto his Church; and witneſſed, & ſealed by the blood of Martyrs. Oh, what wonderful condeſcention of the great God, is this, to his poor worthleſs Creatures, that, when he might have left us ſtill in our contracted blindneſs, p. 40and ſuffered us to grope through inward, to outward and eternal darkneſs; He ſhould cauſe the light to ſhine forth once more upon us, and reveal his mind and will, how he would have us to walk, and to worſhip him, ſo as to enjoy him in grace here, and in glory to all Eternity hereafter. How ſhould the conſideration of it affect our hearts, make us to prize and to value this bleſſed Book, to love and delight in reading of our Father's Letters; and the rather, becauſe it's the great Charter of our Peace, our evidence for a better life, and our Eternal Inheritance, 1 Ep. John 5.13. Theſe things have I written unto you, that believe on the name of the Son of God, that you may know you have Eternal Life.

2. To meditate on the excellent properties of it; as 1. The Divinity of it, that it's all, and every part of it, divinely inſpir'd, 2 Pet. 1. laſt. 2, The infallibility of it, that it never did, or can deceive any, being the word of him, that is truth it ſelf, and hath ſaid, Heaven and Earth ſhall paſs before one Iota or title of it go unfulfilled, Luk 16.17.

3. The All-ſufficiency of it, that it contains all things neceſſary to be known, believed, and practiſed to ſalvation, 2 Tim. 3.16, 17. 4, The Authority and Efficacy of it, on the Conſcience to humble, and comfort: when Men and Angels cannot by all they can ſay, or do, one word of God, dropt into the Conſcience by the Spirit of God, is able to humble the proudeſt ſinner, and raiſe up the moſt dejected Soul, ſo as to make him to acknowledge, God is in it of a truth, 1 Cor. 14.24, 25.

(3.) To meditate on the Precepts, Promiſes, Examples, p. 41in the Word; First, Firſt, The Precepts, that they are good, and juſt, and holy, Rom. 7.12. as you may find David did, Pſalm. 119.15.23. And when you meditate on the Precept, to remember that there is no Precept, but is backt with a promiſe of acceptance, aſſiſtance, and a reward. Secondly, Meditate on the Promiſes in the Word, that they are many for number, exceeding great for quantity, and precious for quality, 2 Pet. 1.4. All, the godly man's; called therefore the Heirs of the promiſe, Heb. 6.17. Promiſes of all things concerning life, and godlineſs, this, and a better, that he will give grace, and glory, and with-hold no good thing, Pſalm. 84. the end. That they are all, Yea, and Amen, in Chriſt Jeſus, 2 Pet. 1.20. Still to go to them, as the Bee to the Flower, and ſuck ſweetneſs out of them, and when you meditate on them, remember ſtill, God is as faithful in performing, as gracious in promiſing, 1 Theſ. 5.33. Thirdly, On the threatnings of the Word, that they are infinitely more dreadful, than the threatnings of men: the threatnings of men can reach only to the Body, but the threatnings of God unto the Soul, Men's threatnings only to this life, but God's to all Eternity, Math. 10 28 Fear not them which kill the Body, but are not able to kill the Soul, but rather fear him who is able to deſtroy both Soul and Body in Hell; and here remember God is as righteous in making good his Threatnings, as his Promiſes: there's only this difference, he promiſeth that he may fulfill, but threatens that he may not fulfill. Fourthly, On the Examples in the word of mercy, and goodneſs to the obedient, and Juſtice and Severity to the diſobedient; and when you p. 42meditate on them, to take notice, There is no Example in it but is for our inſtruction; and hath a promiſe, or a threatning in the Bowels, and Boſom, of it, Rom. 15.4. 1 Cor. 10.11.

Secondly, Above all, to meditate on the Goſpel, or the New-Covenant of Grace: and in, and about that to meditate on theſe 8. things, 1. What it is; 2. Why call'd the Covenant of grace; 3. Why a new Covenant; 4. Wherein the old Covenant and new agree, and differ; 5. What thoſe ſpecial ſpiritual things are, contain'd in the Covenant; 6. What Signs there are of a Perſon's being actually in Covenant; 7. The Means for it, and the Motives to it.

1. What it is; viz. That Second Contract, or Agreement, which God the Father made with Chriſt, and in Him with all his Elect, To give them Chriſt, and all that is Chriſt's, even all things that pertain to life, and godlineſs, upon their believing in Him, Pſal. 84.11. 2 Pet. 1.3, 4. Secondly, Q. Why is this call'd a Covenant of Grace? A. In oppoſition to the Covenant of Works, which God made with Adam in the ſtate of Innocency: That promiſed Life and Salvation, upon condition of doing the whole will of God; this, only upon condition of believing, and giving God the glory of his grace in it; Eph. 2.8, 9. 3dly, Why is it call'd the new Covenant? In oppoſition to the old Covenant of grace, made with the Jews under the Law: The old Covenant is the revelation, and diſpenſation of the Covenant before the coming of Chriſt; the new Covenant, the Revelation, and Diſpenſation of it, ſince the coming of Chriſt. 4ly. Wherin do the old and new Covenant agree? A. In two p. 43things: Firſt, In the ſubſtance, which is one and the ſame in both; viz. Life and Salvation by Jeſus Chriſt, 1 Cor. 10.1, 2, 3. Revel. 13.8. Heb. 13.8. Secondly, In the way of receiving Life and Salvation, to wit, by Faith in Chriſt, Act. 15.10, 11. Heb. 4.2. Then, Fifthly, Q Wherein they differ? A. In three things, the clearneſs, eaſineſs, and efficaciouſneſs of it; Firſt, In the Clearneſs: in the new Covenant, Chriſt and the benefits that come by him are more clearly revealed unto us, than to them under the old: they had it under types, and ſhaddows, and Ceremonies, which things are now done away by Chriſt, Heb 8. laſt. Secondly, In the Eaſineſs; the ſervice of the old Covenant was a Service, they were not able to bear, Act. 15.10. But Chriſt's Yoke is eaſie, and his Burden is light, Math 11. laſt. Becauſe he hath freed us from thoſe heavy Yokes and Burdens that lay on them, as, of many coſtly Sacrifices, long and tedious Journeys, prohibition of many Meats, obſervation of many Days, Rites, and Ceremonies; from all which we are freed by Chriſt. Thirdly, In the Efficaciouſneſs o… Power of it: there was leſs of the influence of the Spirit of grace, given to ordinary believers under the Law, than to thoſe under the Goſpel; this plentiful Effuſion of the Spirit, being reſerved unto the time of Chriſt's Aſcenſion, John 7.39. Eph 4.7, 8. Heb. 7 18, 19.

(Sixthly,) What thoſe ſpecial ſpiritual bleſſings are, which are promiſed in the Covenant: which are firſt, in general, That God will be a God to them, Gen. 17.7. and a Father, 2 Cor. 6. laſt. that is, He will do, all God and a Father can, as he can do all things; and is as willing, as he is able, p. 44Pſal. 84.11. 1 Tim. 4.8. More particularly, Firſt, That he will give them his Spirit to work all in them, and for them; Ezek. 36.26. Luke the 11. Secondly, That he will give them the ſanctifying knowledge of himſelf and his will, Ezek. 36.26. Thirdly, That he will pardon all their ſins, and look upon them as righteous in his Chriſt, 2 Cor. 5.19, 21. Fourthly, That he will ſanctifie their natures, to the mortifying of their corruptions, and the quickning of their graces, Rom. 6.4, 5. & 8. the 13. Jer. 31.33. Epheſ. 2.1. Fifthly, That he will take away their heart of Stone, and give a heart of Fleſh; the double Spirit, and give a ſingle Spirit; the froward Spirit, and give a teachable Spirit, Ezek. 11.19. and chap. 36. Sixthly, He will not only give grace, but growth in grace, Malach. 4.2. Laſtly, That he will never leave the work of his grace, until he hath perfected grace in glory, Jer. 32.39, 40. Phil. 1.6.

Seventhly, To meditate of the Signs of being actually in Covenant; as, Firſt, a lively faith working by love to God, and all that is God's, John 3.16. Gal. 5.5. Secondly, A Reciprocation of promiſes: as God promiſed to be our God, ſo we to be his People, Deut. 26.16, 17. as he promiſed to give Chriſt, and grace, and glory, ſo we promiſe faith, and love, and new obedience. Thirdly, The Counterpane, or Copy of the Covenant, they that enter into Covenant one with the other, you know each Party hath a Counterpane, or Copy of it: ſo is it between God and the Soul, as the Covenant is reciprocal, ſo the Copy of the Covenant is drawn on the heart, Jeremy 31.34. Fourthly, They have the Spirit of God to reveal, p. 45and make known this Covenant to them, Jeremy 31.34. and to enable them to do what is required in the Covenant, Ezek. 36.26, 27. Fifthly, Such as are in Covenant they have the fruits, and effects of of it; as, Firſt, Softneſs of heart, Ezek. 11.19. Secondly, Sincerity of obedience, Ezek. 11.19, 20. Thirdly, Growth in grace, 2 Cor. 7.1. Fourthly, Perſeverance in grace, Jer. 32.39. Fifthly, A conſcionable care to renew their Covenant with God upon every breach of it, Jer. 50.5.

Eighthly, To meditate on the means of getting an intereſt in the Covenant, if you do not yet find your ſelves actually in Covenant; as, First, To humble your ſelves under the abuſe of his grace in the firſt Covenant; Secondly, To give him the glory of his grace in vouchſafing to enter into another, and a better Covenant, not only to give grace, but perſeverance in grace; Thirdly, To be willing to Covenant with God, as he with you, Deut. 26.16, 17. This Day the Lord thy God hath, &c. Fourthly, To cloſe with the great deſign of God, in ſaving of poor loſt ſinners, in making ſuch a Covenant with them in Chriſt, and in order to it to renounce the former Covenant of works, all your own righteouſneſs; and deſire with the Apoſtle to be found only in Chriſt, having his righteouſneſs that is by faith, the righteouſneſs of God, Phil. 3.9. Becauſe by the works of the Law, no Fleſh living can be juſtified, Rom. 3. The Jews going about to eſtabliſh their own righteouſneſs, made void (to them) the righteouſneſs of Chriſt, Rom. 10.3. Yea, and you are to renounce all other Covenants, with Sin, Satan, and the World, for God will never enter into Covenant with thoſe p. 46that are in Covenant with his Enemies, Iſai. 28.15. 2 Cor. 6.14. to the end. Fifthly, To go unto God, by ſervent, and conſtant Prayer, and entreat him to remember his Covenant, and glorifie his grace in it upon you, by giving his Spirit for the enabling you to cloſe with his great Deſign in the Covenant, That he would put his Law in your heart, and write it in your inward parts, and give you that new Spirit, which may cauſe you to walk in his Statutes, and keep his Commandments, and do them, Ezek. 36.

Ninthly, To meditate on the many and weighty motives there are, to quicken every one to get an intereſt in this Covenant of Grace; as, Firſt, The ſad, and miſerable condition of all ſuch, as are without Covenant. They are without God in the World, and without hope, viz. of a better life, After this, Eph. 2.12. They muſt look to be judged by a Covenant of works; and if Men be not able to yield obedience to any one command of God, as they ought, and yet bound to yield obedience unto all the whole Law, or no life, (do, they muſt all, or die eternally for the breach of the leaſt Commandment, Deut. 27. laſt); The conſideration of this ſhould make every wicked man tremble to continue a moment in his natural, unregenerate ſtate, and ſpeedily to come unto Chriſt. Yet further, conſider the miſerable condition of men in this: ſo long as they are without Covenant they cannot expect any bleſſing or mercy from God, either corporal or ſpiritual, outward or inward; for all bleſſings, and mercies, they are conveyed to a People, in, and by virtue of the Covenant, Zach. 9.11. Whatſoever men have and enjoy, p. 47being out of Covenant, they have it in wrath, and not in mercy; as a curſe, and not a bleſſing, Mol. 2.2. Secondly, Meditate on the happy and bleſſed eſtate of ſuch as are actually in Covenant: they have an intereſt in God, and Chriſt, his Spirit, and all that is theirs, 1 Cor. 3. two laſt. Hoſ. 2.18. to the end. And as all that is good, in God, and Chriſt, is yours; ſo all that evil that is yours, in Chriſt's, Your ſins, 2 Cor. 5 laſt, and your ſufferings, Iſaiah 63. He is afflicted in all your afflictions. Secondly, You may go boldly to the Throne of Grace, for the ſupply of all your wants, Heb. 4. laſt, and with aſſurance to be accepted, and anſwer'd, in whatſoever you ſhall ask, according to his will, 1 Ioh 5.14. Thirdly, It's that will bring you comfort in the ſaddeſt condition you are, or can be in. When they ſpake of ſtoning David, He encouraged himſelf in the Lord his God; 2 Sam. 23.5.

Again, To meditate on the excellent properties of this Covenant, How that it is the moſt free, ſweet, full, and unchangeable Covenant; First, For the Freeneſs of it: there was nothing in Us to move him to it, but his own grace, therefore call'd a Covenant of grace; nothing requir'd on our part, but only faith, Believe in the Lord Jeſus Chriſt, and thou ſhalt be ſaved, Acts 16 31. Secondly, For the Sweetneſs of it; you may ſee it in theſe three things: Firſt, He requires no more of us, than he promiſeth to work in us by his Spirit, Ezek. 36.27. Secondly, He promiſeth to overlook all our unwilling treſpaſſes, faultings, and failings, where they are bewail'd by us; and to accept the will for the deed, the endeavour for the p. 48work, 2 Cor. 8.12. our imperfect obedience for perfect, Heb. 11.17. Thirdly, He will look upon, accept of the perfect Obedience, the full ſatisfaction of Jeſus Chriſt for us; as if we had yielded i… in our own Perſons, 1 Epiſt. Iohn 2.1. Thirdly, To meditate on the fulneſs of this Covenant, that i… contains promiſes of all things concerning life, and godlineſs, this life and a better, 2 Peter 1. 1 Timothy 4.8. That he will be a Sun, and a Shield give grace, and glory, and will with-hold no good thing, Pſal. 84.11. Fourthly, On the unchange ableneſs of this Covenant, that it is an everlaſting Covenant, Jer. 17.7. Jer. 32.39, 40. Mal. 3.6. Heb. 13.6.

Tenthly, To meditate on the duties you owe to God, in reſpect of this new Covenant of grace, as, First, To be ſtill admiring, and adoring the free, and rich grace of God, in making ſuch a Covenant with you, notwithſtanding you had abuſed this grace, in the firſt Covenant; and that he ſhould bring you forth under the diſpenſations of the new Covenant, that ſo far excels the old, as you have ſeen, in the clearneſs, eaſineſs, and efficaciouſneſs of it; and further ſhould ſo manifeſt and magnifie his grace towards you, as to make his Word, and Rod, effectual to bring you within the Bonds of the Covenant.

Secondly, Study well this Covenant of grace, and acquaint your ſelves, more and more with the many, and precious promiſes, contained in it: Eſpecially thoſe that moſt concern your preſent wants and neceſſities, and labour to ſuck out the ſweet, and comfort of all, by Meditation, Faith, and Prayer.

p. 49Thirdly, Let it be your care to walk worthy of, and ſuitable to, the grace of the new Covenant; remembring you are under a better Coven…nt, than that made with them under the old Teſtament, and therefore you ought to have better lives, ſeeing you have a better Mediator, and better Promiſes, and better Means, than they had, and therefore ſhould have better Converſations: The myſteries of the Goſpel are more clearly reveal'd to you, Chriſt's Yoke is an eaſie Yoke, and his Burden a light Burden, in compariſon what they were under; his Spirit poured out more plentifully than heretofore, upon ordinary Believers: & therefore all theſe ſhould be, as ſo many Engagements, ſo many encouragements to a morehumble, holy, ſpiritual, and Heavenly walking before the Lord; and a more thankful, chearful, faithful, and fruitful ſervice of the Lord, Luke 1.74, 75. 2 Cor. 7.1. 2 Pet. 1.4. to the 12. 1 Cor. 15. laſt.

Fourthly, Having at any time relapſed into ſin, (eſpecially groſs, and ſcandalous ſin), to renew, as our humiliation under it, ſo our Covenant of more circumſpection, and watchfulneſs againſt it, after that Example, Jer. 50.5. And the rather, becauſe there is a great proneneſs in us, as well as others, unto back-ſliding, and there are continual outgoings of corruption in us, as well as others, to deal falſly with God, in our Covenant, as they, in Pſ 78.36, 37. And therefore our duty is (that who are in Covenant with God) upon our breach of Covenant, to renew our Covenant of more circumſpection for the future, eſpecially in times of Affliction, and on Days of Humiliation, and when we are to draw neer to God in that great Ordinance p. 50of the Lord's Supper; but ſtill remember we go out of our ſelves, and fetch ſtrength from God's Covenant, to inable us to it, Eph. 6.10. And thus much of the Covenant of Grace.

Now, Fourthly, the Works of God.

Sect. 4. And the Works of God are either, his Works before time, or in time. First, His Work before Time is his Decree: now the Decree of God is his unchangable purpoſe with himſelf from all Eternity, concerning the making of the World, and all the Creatures in it, eſpecially Men, and Angels, their ends, and the means to bring them to thoſe ends, for the manifeſtation of his glory, Eph. 1.11. And in, and about this Decree, we may profitably meditate on theſe things.

First, The infinite goodneſs of God in having us, in his heart, for ſo much good, not only before we were, but before the World was, even from all Eternity.

Secondly, The diſtinguiſhing love of God in this, that we being all in his hands, as the Clay in the hands of the Potter, to make either Veſſels of Mercy, or Veſſels of Wrath, he ſhould not appoint us unto Wrath, but to obtain Salvation by Jeſus Chriſt, 1 Theſ. 5.9.

Thirdly, The infinite wiſdom of God, in appointing, not only the ends of all his Creatures, but the means to bring them to thoſe ends, Hoſea 2.21, 22.

Fourthly, On the unchangeableneſs of this Decree, Mal. 3.6. I am Jehovah that changeth not, 2 Tim. 2.19. All theſe ſhould make us cry out with p. 51the Apoſtle, Rom. 11. laſt. foreign! Oh the depth of the wiſdom of God!

Secondly, For his Works in time; they are Creation, and Providence: Firſt, Creation, and herein, 1. Take notice what it is, ſc. that firſt outward act of God, whereby according to his Eternal purpoſe, of nothing, by his very Word he made the World, and every Creature in it very good, Gen. 1. laſt.

Secondly, To look into, and ſtudy this Voluminous Book of the Creation, wherein every Page will afford you freſh matter of Meditation, and every Creature have a Tongue to tell you of thoſe glorious Attributes of God that ſhine forth in all, eſpecially in that curious Maſter-piece of Man, Pſal. 139.14. I am fearfully and wonderfully made, &c. and here to meditate on theſe five things, the Eternity of God, the Almighty Power of God, the infinite wiſdom of God, the unſearchable goodneſs of God, and the excellent end wherefore he did all this.

Firſt, The Eternity of God, he muſt needs be an Eternal Beeing, ſeeing he was before all Beeings; he that made Time, and all things, muſt needs be before Time, and all things, and ſo Eternal, without beginning, and without end, Pſal. 102.25, 26.

Secondly, The Almighty Power of God, in that He was able to make ſo great, and glorious a Fabrick, and all things in it of nothing, by his very Word, Pſal. 89.11, 12, 13.

Thirdly, The infinite wiſdom of God, in makeing all things in ſuch an excellent Order, harmony, and beauty, appointing every Creature its p. 52proper place, and uſe, making all ſerviceable one to another, and all to the good of the Univerſe: Pſal. 104.24.

Fourthly, The unſearchable Goodneſs of God, in that, notwithſtanding he was infinitely good, and bleſſed in Himſelf, without a Creature; yet ſhould communicate his goodneſs, and bleſſedneſs, to the Creature, Acts 17.24, 25, 26. His goodneſs alſo appear'd, in making every Creature good, and providing all things for the good of the Creature: but above all, in making the World, and all things in it for Man, and man for Himſelf. What ſhould the Meditation hereof, but cauſe all of us to be ſtill ſinging, and ſaying with David, Pſal. 18 1. Oh Lord, how excellent is thy Name in all the Earth! Oh Lord, what is man thou ſhould'st take ſuch notice of him, and make ſuch account of him!

Fifthly, To meditate on the excellent end of his doing all this, viz. that he might have his glory from us, Revel. 4. laſt. He did not make any thing, for any need he had of it, or of us; but, that he might diſcover his unſearchable goodneſs to us, and to this end did create us, after his own Image, gave us a reaſonable, and underſtanding Soul; whereby we might come to know him, and contemplate all his glorious excellencies, which ſhine forth in the Creation of the World: for the inviſible things of God, viz. his Eternal Power, and God-head, are ſeen by the Creation of the World, Rom. 1.20. and therefore a juſt cauſe of humiliation to us, that we eye him, and anſwer him no better in the ends of our Creation: but of this more hereafter.

p. 53The Second Work of God in Time, is, His Providence.

In this Head of Meditation, I ſhall ſtay the longer, becauſe it is generally ſo much neglected: and in opening of it, I ſhall do theſe things; First, Shew you, What it is; Secondly, Give you ſome Grounds for your Meditation on it; Thirdly, Shew you, What thoſe things are you are to meditate on, in, and about it.

Firſt, What it is, viz. That continued act of God, whereby He takes notice of, preſerves, and governs, all, and every Creature, to thoſe ends, and by thoſe means, which he appointed with Himſelf, to the glory of his Name, and the good of his Elect.

Secondly, For the Grounds, or Reaſons, why you are to meditate on this; Firſt, Becauſe it will make you to acknowledge God in all your ways, Prov. 3.6. Secondly, It will cauſe you to ſee the loving kindneſs of the Lord, Pſal. 107.43. Thirdly, It will quiet your Spirits under whatſoever befalls you, Job 1. laſt. Pſal. 39.9. Fourthly, It will enlarge your hearts in thankfulneſs for his diſtinguiſhing providences over you, Pſal. 103.1, 2, 3. Pſal. 116.1, 2. Yea, it will make you admire, and adore him in them, as it did David, Pſal. 8.3, 4 Pſal. 144.3. 2 Sam. 7.18, 19. Fifthly, It will wonderfully quicken you to an holy dependance on Him, for the future, as Jacob, Gen. 48.15. and the Apoſtle, 1 Cor. 1.10.

Thirdly, For the things to be meditated on, in the providences of God, they are theſe; the kinds p. 54of it, the parts of it, the extent of it, the ends of it, the experiences you have had of it (all full of admiration!): and how to carry your ſelves under all ſad and glad Providences.

Firſt, For the Kinds of it: Firſt, There is God's general Providence over all, from the greateſt to the leaſt; and there is his ſpecial Providence over his Church, and People, in a ſpecial manner, takeing notice of them, and the care of them: which made Auſtin to cry out, (O bone Omnipotens;) Oh good God, which doſt ſo govern all, as not to neglect any; ſo look'ſt after thy Children, as if all were but one; and ſo reſpects every one, as if one were all.

Secondly, The providences of God, are either the providences of his Mercy, or of his Juſtice.

Firſt, For his merciful Providences: here take notice of, and meditate on, the properties of this Mercy, and the ſpecial branches of this mercy.

Firſt, For the properties of this mercy; Firſt, It's a free mercy, He is merciful to whom he will be merciful, Rom 9.15. Secondly, That it is a rich mercy, Rom. 10.12. Thirdly, An everlaſting mercy, Pſal. 103.17. To whom he is once merciful, he is ever merciful, he can as ſoon forget to be, as forget to be gracious, and merciful to his; and, more then ſo, Fourthly, He delights to ſhew mercy to his, Micah 7.18.

Secondly, Meditate on ſome of the ſpecial Branches of this Mercy to the Body, to the Soul; Firſt, To the Body as theſe, the Lord's forming, and faſhioning us, ſo handſomely, and comely in the Womb, bringing us forth in perfection of parts, upholding our Souls ſo long in p. 55life, giving and continuing to us the uſe of our Senſes and Limbs, when others want them, and would give a World for them (if they had the uſe of them); and all theſe from God, and not from Parents; and all of free-grace, there being no more in us, than others, to move Him to this Mercy, and to diſtinguiſh us, as he does in his Mercies, ſo as to give us health, when others are in ſickneſs; and ſtrength, when others in weakneſs; and maintenance, when others in wants; and liberty, when others in bonds; and peace, when others in trouble: ſhould alſo give us perfection of parts, when others are Monſters; give us our ſight, when others are blind; our hearing, when others are deaf; our ſpeech, when others are dumb; our feet, when others are lame. The ſerious meditation on theſe Body-mercies, will let us ſee, what abundant cauſe we have of thankfulneſs, and improving all to his glory.

Secondly, To meditate on God's ſpecial Mercies to your Souls, as theſe: his Electing-mercies unto life, his enlightning mercy, with the ſaving knowledge of himſelf, his Calling-mercy, not only to the knowledge, and profeſſion, but the faith, love, and obedience of the Goſpel; his adopting mercy to be the Sons and Daughters of the everliving God; his juſtifying-mercy, freely of his grace, his Sanctifying-mercy with his grace, his ſtrengthning and eſtabliſhing-mercy, in the ways of grace; the continuance of the precious means, and ſeaſons of grace, to build you up ſtill further in grace, and gracious practiſes; In ſhort, the giving Himſelf to be your Father, and Portion; hs Son to be your Redeemer, and Saviour; his p. 56Spirit to be your Sanctifier, and Comforter. Serious meditation on theſe Soul-mercies will cauſe you to ſay with David, Pſal. 103. Praiſe thou the Lord, O my Soul, &c.

More particularly, diſtinctly, and fully, To meditate on theſe merciful providences: His converting-providence, his protecting-providence, his diſpoſing-providence, his correcting-providence, his ſupporting-providence, and his refreſhing-providence.

Firſt, His Converting-providence, in bringing us forth under the light of the Goſpel, and cauſing the light of his glorious grace, in the face of Jeſus Chriſt, to ſhine into our hearts, to turn us from darkneſs, to light, and from the Power of Satan, unto God; in placing us under a faithful Miniſtry, and bleſſing the Miniſtry to our Converſion, and Edification, in ſaving-knowledg, and grace, when he leaves others (under the ſame Miniſtry) in their dark, dead, Chriſtleſs, and graceleſs condition; Amongſt other things which Beza in his laſt Will, and Teſt…ment, gives thanks for, this was the firſt and chief, that at the Age of 16. Years, God had called him to the knowledge of the truth. Although we cannot tell the Time or Perſon, yet if we can find the Work, a thorow-change of heart, and life; let us ſtill remember to meditate on God's diſtinguiſhing-love, and grace, and mercy in it.

Secondly, Take notice of, and meditate on God's Protecting-providence, how he hath watched over us, and ours, from the Womb, to this very Day, protecting us from many ſins, temptations, and dangers, we have been expoſed to, and others p. 57have miſcarried by; as for inſtance, from the rage of Satan, malice of Men, violence of the Creature, from Fire, falls, many tormenting ſickneſſes, and diſeaſes, others lie groaning under; how wonderfully and graciouſly, we have been preſerv'd from the Sword, Famine, Peſtilence, in thoſe evil days that lately paſt over us: When ſo many thouſands were ſwept away by them, we and ours were made up amongſt his Jewels, had our lives given us for a prey, he turned our Captivity, and reſtor'd our liberty, and ſince lengthned out our tranquility, and made us dwell in ſafety, quiet from the fear of evil, and that in the midſt of many fears, and dangers, ſad expectations, and great provocations; Take notice alſo of, and meditate on his providences, as over your ſelves, ſo yours, eſpecially your little ones: How wonderful is God every day in the preſervation of them; I ſhall give you an inſtance only of one. Divers being in a Family, to faſt, and pray, a little Child went out to a Pond much frozen (being Winter), either to ſlide, or whip his Top: in the Pond was made two holes, for the ſafety of the Fiſh, and taking up of Water; into one of theſe holes the Child fell: being ſoon miſſed, and ſearcht after, he was found in one with his armes ſpread over the Hole: had the Hole been wider, or he not ſo ſoon lookt after, he might have periſhed; the Reporter of it was an Eye-witneſs of the deliverance. And may not ſome of you ſpeak of the like deliverance of yours? Above all other protecting providences; I ſhall commend to your ſerious, and thankful meditation; Firſt, That God hath hitherto, and ſtill doth protect a little Flock of p. 58Sheep in the midſt of a World of Wolves, and Lyons, and Bears, and Tygers, which are continually ſet on miſchief; The Second is this, that God maintains, and upholds a little grace in life, and vigour, in the midſt of ſuch an abundance of corruption. The reaſon is obvious, becauſe though the World be the Devil's, the Church is God's; though corruption be ours, yet Grace is the Lord's; and he hath promiſed, though the Devil, and his Inſtruments rage never ſo much, Yet the Gates of Hell ſhall never prevail againſt it, Math. 16.18. and where he hath begun a good work of grace, he will never leave his own work, till he hath perfected it in glory, Phil. 1.6.

Thirdly, Take notice of, and meditate on God's Providing-providence, how he hath provided for you, and yours, from time to time, in all your wants, and ſtreights, at ſuch a time he raiſed up friends to you, to ſupply your wants; at ſuch a time, he ſent Cuſtomers into your Shops, and gave you vent for your Commodities; at ſuch a time he proſper'd your labours, and when you had but little, made it enough to ſatisfie you and yours. You may remember, many of you, when your eſtate and condition was very low, but now God hath ſo proſper'd you, as you have attain'd to a great Eſtate; you ſhould therefore think on the goodneſs of God to you, in it; and labour to anſwer him in the end of it, by doing the more good with it, as God requires, Deut. 5.15. Deut. 26.5, 6. and Jacob did, Gen. 32.10. It's ſtoried of Agathocles, a King of Sicilly, who having been a Potter's Son, would always be ſerv'd at his Table with Earthen Veſſels, to mind him of the mean p. 59and low eſtate he was in at the firſt; you ſhould do likewiſe, remembring, and conſidering, that if you be proud of it, and more covetous than ever (as the moſt are) God hath times, and ways enough to humble you, and make you poorer than ever; you ſhould learn alſo from the Providing-providence of God for others, to truſt him for your ſelves, and yours, whatſoever your ſtreights, and neceſſities are. You ha…e examples in ſacred and Eccleſiaſtical ſtories to encourage you, as, the Lord's preſerving the poor Widdow, and her Family by a little Meal in the Barrel, and Oyl in the Cruſe; the Lord's ſending the Ravens to ſeed Elijah (who were more likely to feed on it, and him) and afterwards to go in the ſtrength of that food 40. days together. Elizabeth Young, Martyr, anſwered the Perſecutor, If you take away my Meat, I truſt, God will take away my Stomack; One Martyn lying hid, in the time of the Pariſian Maſſacre, had a Hen that came conſtantly every Day, and laid an Egg, by which he was ſuſtained for a Fortnight together. And ſome of you have heard, or read, how by a Miracle of Mercy, God relieved Rochel in a ſtraight Seige, by an innumerable company of Fiſhes, caſt upon the ſhore; I need not inſtance in any more; your own, and others Experience can …uggeſt many.

Fourthly, To take notice of, and meditate on God's Diſpoſing-providence of you, and yours; and that not only infinitely beyond your deſerts, but above your Prayers, Faith, & Hope. Plato being ready to die, gave thanks for three things; First, That he was made a man; Secondly. That he was born in Greece; Thirdly, That he liv'd in the time p. 60of Socrates. If a Heathen, much more ſhould Chriſtians take notice of God's gracious Diſpoſing-providences, as, amongſt others, theſe, That he gave us a beeing amongſt Men, and not amongſt Beaſts; amongſt Chriſtians, and not amongſt Pagans; amongſt Proteſtants, and not amongſt Papiſts: that we were born of ſuch godly Parents, as gave us good counſel, and good example, brought us up under godly School-maſters, and Tutors, and Miniſters, to go in, and out before us, in ſoundneſs of Doctrine, and integrity of Converſation; that God gave us our Lott, and Habitation in ſuch a Place, where we found many Benefactors, and many good Counſellors, many Body, and Soulfriends; and where we had many helps, and encouragements, and opportunities for the doing, and receiving of good: How at firſt, you thought to be of ſuch a Calling, but God diſpoſed you to another more fit for you, and you for it; once you thought to have led a ſolitary life, and live like a Hermit, but God made you know that you were not only born for your ſelf, but the glory of God, and the publick good; you thought once to have matcht into ſuch a Family, and with ſuch a Perſon, which if you had, you had been undone, but God ſo diſpoſed, as to give in the heart of another Companion, every way more meet for you, in Religion, Diſpoſition, and Converſation, and brought you into ſuch a Family, as you have cauſe to bleſs God for it all your days, and break out, and ſay, Oh the All-wiſe, gracious, diſpoſing providence of my God, Praiſe thou the Lord, O my Soul, &c. Believe it Chriſtians, it's a ſweet thing to eye God in his wiſe Diſpoſals: it will mightily p. 61ſtrengthen our faith in his Promiſes, Providences.

Fifthly, Take notice of, and meditate on his Aſſiſting-providence, in, and under what he hath call'd us to do, and ſuffer: you may remember the time, when we have been full of fears, and doubts, how we ſhould go thorow ſuch a ſervice, and undergo ſuch a hardſhip, but we have graciouſly found the Lord coming in mightily to aſſiſt us, and carry us through all, to his Glory, our own, and others comfort: thus Paul found it, 2 Cor. 12.9, 10. 2 Tim. 4.16, 17. And thus alſo ſhould we, did we but look up to him for it: for his promiſe is, if we acknowledge him, in all; he will order all for us, Prov. 3.6. If we caſt our care on him, he will take the care of us, 1 Pet. 5. If we commit our thoughts, and ways to him, he will eſtabliſh us, Prov. 16. Pſal. 37. and by the experience we have of his preſence with us, and aſſiſtance of us, we ſhall be enabled to live by faith in him, for the future, Iſaiah 40.29.

Sixthly, Meditate on his Correcting-providence: how that; of very faithfulneſs, it is he hath corrected you; if he had not, you had gone on ſtill in ſuch and ſuch evil courſes, and the neglect of ſuch and ſuch duties, but (bleſſed be God) you now can ſay with David, It's good for you that you have been ſo afflicted, for you have learnt thereby to keep God's Statutes. If you had not been ſo afflicted, you ſhould have been as vain, and proud, earthly, and covetous, Senſual, and Voluptuous, as others; and therefore not to repine at the Rod, but bleſs God for it; for the truth is, as (one well) The beſt of us are but like a Boy's p. 62Top, that will go no longer than 'tis whipt: too many will not mend their pace, and run the ways of God's Commandment without a Rod; and therefore to hearken to that Counſel of the Apoſtle, Heb. 12.5, 6. My Son, deſpiſe not the Chaſtiſement of the Lord, &c.

Seventhly, To take notice of, and meditate on his Supporting-providence, under the Rod, how that as God of his faithfulneſs hath corrected us, ſo of the ſame faithfulneſs he hath not taken away his loving-kindneſs: though we have not been without correction, yet we have found much compaſſion, have had abundant experience of his ſupporting-grace under ſuch, and ſuch pains, fears, troubles, temptations, and corruptions: he hath not layn more on us, than he hath given us ſtrength to bear, he hath corrected us in much meaſure and mercy, and hath been our ſtrength in, I, and our Salvation out of all, Pſal. 34.

Eighthly, To take notice, and meditate, on his Refreſhing, and Reviving-providence. How hath the Lord remember'd, and made good his promiſe to you, from time to time, as that Iſaiah 57. of not contending for ever; and that Pſal. 111.7. of remembring you in your low eſtate; and that of Job liſting you up, after he had caſt you down; and that of the Apoſtle, 2 Cor. 1. making your conſolations to abound, as your ſufferings have done. Hath not the Lord heard, and anſwered your Prayers for your ſelves, and others, and comforted you for the time, he hath afflicted you? and therefore in all, and for all, to bleſs him, and live ſtill by ſaith in him, as David did, Pſal. 31. from the first to the 10. Verſ. and Moſes, Deut. 6.18, p. 6319. and Deut. 10.10. and Hannah, 1 Sam. 1.27. And, that you may ſtill find ſupporting mercy under, and refreſhing, and reviving mercy out of all your afflictions, To meditate on the many ſweet, gracious, and holy ends God aims at, in all your afflictions; as, First, in reſpect of God, you are ſo afflicted, that he might give you more experience of himſelf in his greatneſs, and his goodneſs, in his ſin-revenging Juſtice, and in his grace-rewarding Mercy. 2 Chron. 33.13. (then) Manaſſeth knew God to be the Lord; he knew it before, but then by experience, that God was able to humble the proudeſt ſinner: Secondly, In reſpect of Chriſt we are ſo afflicted, that we may be made conformable to our Head, Rom. 8.29. who was conſecrated through affliction, Heb. 2.10. and that we might have the fruit of his purchaſe. In 1 Cor. 3 21. you may find Death it ſelf (the chief of all afflictions) is reckon'd up amongſt thoſe Goods and Chattels he hath purchaſed: and if Death be yours, then certainly every other Affliction is yours, and for your good, 2 Cor. 2.11. 2. In reſpect of Satan; First, That we may have the more experience of his Wiles; and, Secondly, That we may prove him a Lyar, as Job did in the firſt and ſecond Chapter; and, Thirdly, That being ſenſible of our own weakneſs, we may be made to flie to our Captain for wiſdom to diſcover it, and ſtrength to reſiſt him; and hereby be aſſur'd of Victory over him in the end; that he will in due time tread Satan under our Feet, Rom. 16. Fourthly, In reſpect of the World, we are ſo afflicted; First, That it may be an Evidence to us, that he hath choſen us out of the World, Joh. 15.19. Secondly, That hereby he p. 64might wean us from the World, conſidering the vanity, uncertainty, inſufficiency, and un…atisfactorineſs of all Creature-comforts. Fifthly. In reſpect of others, in the World, we are ſo afflicted: Firſt, That God may diſtinguiſh us, from them, whoſe Portion is only in this life, Pſal. 17. (at the end.) Mal. 3. laſt. Secondly, That he may teach us to ſympathize with others in their afflictions, whom we are apt to forget, until we paſs under the ſame, or the like affliction, Amos 6. beginning. Sixthly, In reſpect of our ſelves, our corruptions, our graces, our duties, our comforts: Firſt, Our ſins, that he may diſcover ſome, humble us under others, purge out others, and prevent others, Deut. 8.11. Secondly, In reſpect of our graces, that he may try them, and diſcover them, exerciſe them, and eſtabliſh them, 1 Pet. 1.6, 7. Thirdly, Our duties, that we may be more minded of them, made more forward to, fervent, frequent, and conſtant in them; Iſaiah 26.16. Hoſea 6.4, 7, 8. Fourthly, Our comfort, that as our ſufferings abound, ſo our conſolations may by Jeſus Chriſt, 2 Cor. 1.

Ninthly, To take notice of, and meditate on the Uſe, you and the People of God have made of thoſe providences: Firſt, Search and ſee, What benefit you have reaped by them: remember at ſuch a time God corrected you with ſuch a great affliction, a long ſickneſs; at ſuch a time gave you great ſucceſs in your affairs, diſtinguiſhed you from many Perſons, and Families in your enjoyments. Hath theſe diſtinguiſhing providences diſtinguiſhed you in your thankfulneſs, ſerviceableneſs, and fruitfulneſs? Have you been more humbled, p. 65purged, ſpiritualiz'd, and Heavenliz'd by them? then they are ſanctified, and in mercy to you; otherwiſe not, if you be not better'd by them, but the worſe for them, more proud and wanton, forgetful of God, and others, that want them; as God hath diſtinguiſhed you in his Mercies, ſo he will at laſt in his Puniſhments. Secondly, See, whether you have been quickned by them, to bring more glory to God in the Place, he hath ſet you. God hath done this and that, for you above others; Ask your own hearts, what you have done for Him above others: Hannah after many Prayers, and Tears, obtain'd a Child from the Lord; ſhe in token of thankfulneſs, gave him back again to the Lord, 1 Sam. 1.27. Have you done likewiſe? God hath given you health, and ſtrength, and wealth, gifts and graces above others; have you given them back again, for the honouring, and ſerving Him above others? if not, you will one day repent bitterly, as he did, that had been more careful to ſerve his Maſter on Earth, the King of England, than the King of Heaven and Earth. (Woolſey).

Thirdly, See what good you have done to others by theſe diſtinguiſhing Providences. Has God's goodneſs to you, wrought more goodneſs in you to others, ſtirr'd you up to do more good to the Country, Church, State, Place, City, Family, wherein God hath ſet you? Have your Husband, Wife, Children, Servants, Friends, and Acquaintance, been the better for you? if ſo, then theſe Providences have been in Mercy to you, but otherwiſe, if God hath been ſo good to you, and you have done no more good for Him, and His; you p. 66have minded only your ſelves, and lived only to your ſelves; you will one day wiſh, you had been among the Number of the pooreſt, and miſerableſt Beggars, than what you are, to have ſo much, and do no more good with it; yea, the very Heathens will riſe up in Judgment, and condemn you, for they could ſay, Non nobis nati, they were not born for themſelves, but their Country; Another, Mallem mihi male eſſe, quam molliter vivere (Seneca) I had rather be ſick, than be idle, and do no good. And thus you ſee, What thoſe things are, you are to meditate on, in, & about God's merciful Providences.

Secondly, Take notice what you are to meditate on, in, and about the Providences of his Juſtice, and Judgments; as theſe, the Equity, the Impartiality, the Severity, the Unſupportableneſs, and the Unavoidableneſs of his Judgments, and our Duties in reſpect of them.

Firſt, The Equity of his Judgments, that God is moſt righteous in all, and can do none wrong, and puniſhes all leſs than they deſerve, Ezra 9. Ignorant Perſons, and wicked Men, would make him a God, made all of mercy; but you muſt know, and conſider, He is as juſt, as he is merciful, and Infinite in both: as, Infinite in Mercy to Pardon the Penitent, ſo Infinite in Juſtice to Puniſh the Impenitent. Whence you ſhal find, that where his Nature is laid down, He is deſcribed by his Juſtice, as well as his Mercy, Exo. 34.6, 7, 8. and Nah. 1.2, 3, 4.

Secondly, The Impa…tiality of his Juſtice, and Judgments. He never did, nor will connive at any ſin, or ſinner; He did not in his own Son, who knew no ſin, yet becauſe He took upon Him our ſin, therefore He laid upon Him the fierceneſs p. 67of His Wrath, Lament. 1.12: and if He would not ſpare ſin in His own Son, certainly he will not in others, that go on impenitently, and ſecurely, in any ſin; for there is no reſpect of Perſons with God. He regards not the Rich more than the Poor, the Noble than the Ignoble, the Wiſe than the Simple: He will ſpare neither King nor Subject, High nor Low, Rich nor Poor, Old nor Young; no not His own People, if they ſin againſt Him, Amos 3. You only have I known of all the Families of the Earth, therefore I will ſurely puniſh you for your Iniquities.

Thirdly, The ſeverity and terribleneſs of His Judgment in all Ages, upon Perſons, Families, Towns, Cities, Kingdoms, Countrys, all impenitent, and incorrigible ſinners; you may ſee it in His Judgments on the old World, Sodom and Gomorrah, Egypt, and Jeruſalem. You may read more in Levit. 26. Deut. 28. Pſal. 7.11, 12, 13. Pſal. 11.5, 6, 7. Iſaiah 1.33. Mal. 4.1: Zeph. 1. to the end.

Fourthly, Meditate on the unſupportableneſs of God's Judgment, Pſal. 90.11. Who knows the power of thy anger? Ezek. 22.14. Can thy heart endure, or thy hands be ſtrong in the day that I ſhall deal with thee? Iſaiah 33.14. The ſinners in Zion are afraid, fearfulneſs hath ſurpriz'd the Hypocrites, Who ſhall dwell with devouring Fire, and everlaſting Burnings? and Nahum. 1.2, 3. Jer. 10.10.

Fifthly, On the unavoidableneſs of his Wrath, Amos 9.1. to the 6. Though they dig to Hell, thence ſhall my hand take them; though they clime up to Heaven, thence will I bring them down.

p. 68Sixthly, To take notice, and meditate on th… Duties the Scripture frequently calls upon you to perform, in reſpect of the Judgments of God. … ſhall but name a few, becauſe they are obvious to you in reading the Scriptures; as theſe, To take notice of them, and lay them to heart, to ſearc… and try your ways, what ſpecial ſins of your… have had a hand in pulling down, and continuing of theſe Judgments upon you and others; T… humble your ſelves before the Lord under them for your ſins that were the cauſe of them; To accept of the puniſhment of your iniquity and acknowledge the Lord is not only righteous, but gracious in puniſhing you leſs than you deſerve; And, Laſtly, To turn every one of you from the evil of his doings, and learn righteouſneſs by his Judgments, that are on the Earth, Iſaiah 26.9.

Secondly, To meditate on the parts of Providence, which are three, Obſervation, Preſervation, Gubernation; Firſt, God, He obſerves, and takes notice of all, and every Creature, Pro. 15.3. His Eys run to and fro thorow the Earth, beholding the evil, and the good; Heb. 4.13. All things are open and naked to him, with whom we have to do; but, eſpecially he obſerves and takes notice of his Own, Pſal. 33.18. Behold, the eye of the Lord i… upon them that fear him, and hope in his mercy; Pſal. 34.15. His Eyes are upon the righteous, and his Ear open unto their Prayer.

Secondly, God preſerves all and every Creature, Man and Beaſt, Nehem. 9.6. but eſpecially his Children, Job 5.19. Iſaiah 43.1, 2.

Thirdly, God, He governs all, and every Creature, to thoſe ends, and by thoſe means which He p. 69hath appointed, He Rules in all the Kingdoms of the World, but eſpecially in Jacob, Iſaiah 46.3. He is their God, and Guide unto death, Pſal. 48. laſt. All theſe parts of Providence are full of wonder, that God being ſo High and Holy above the Creature, ſhould humble Himſelf, to reſpect things done in Heaven, and Earth; that He ſhould not only give a Beeing to the Creatures, but uphold them in their Beeing, that he ſhould not only vouchſafe the means to bring them to their ends, but order and diſpoſe of all thoſe means to thoſe ends; Oh the wonderful condeſcention of the great God, to his poor worthleſs Creatures, Pſal. 31.19. Oh how great is thy goodneſs! &c. Then,

Thirdly, To meditate on the extent of this Providence, not only to every Creature, but to the leaſt act of every Creature, ſo as not a Sparrow falls on the ground, or Hair from the Head, or a Tyle from the Houſe, or a Word from the Mouth, or an Anſwer from the Tongue, no nor a Thought from the Heart, without the Lord, Mat. 10.29, 30. Pro. 16.1.

Fourthly, Meditate on the ends of his Providence, viz. His own glory, and the good of his Church, and People. Whatſoever He doth in the World, He doth in relation, Firſt, To his own glory, Rom. 11. laſt. And, Secondly, Man's good: Rom. 8.28.

Fifthly, Meditate on the Experience you have had of God's faithfulneſs, and goodneſs you have had in all his Providences: and this will not only enlarge your hearts in thankfulneſs for the preſent, but quicken, and ſtrengthen you to an holy dependence, and confident expectance of the like p. 70for the future, as it did the Apoſtle, 2 Cor. 1.9, 10 To help you herein, you ſhall do well to make … Catalogue, and keep a Diary of God's ſpecial providences; to take a Book, and write down the moſt remarkableſt Providences of God, over you, and yours: often read them over, and ponder them well in your minds; and that, Firſt, becauſe you may find this to have been the practiſe of the Saints, To obſerve, and regiſter God's dealing with them, and theirs, to ſpeak of them, and erect Monuments in memorial of them, Pſal. 77.12. Eſther 9.26. 1 Sam. 7.10. Secondly, Becauſe there is an equity in it, Shall God take notice of us, and we not take notice of Him? He remember us and we forget Him? Thirdly, There's a kind o… neceſſity of writing down theſe ſpecial Providences, in regard of the weakneſs of our memories which are ſo apt to forget them. Fourthly, Grea… will be the profit of it, the fight of ſuch a Catalogue of gracious Providences, will ſo m…ch the more affect our hearts with love to ſo good a God, and quicken us to a holy dependence on Him, and therefore to follow others in the practiſe of it. And to help you in it, I ſhall acquaint you with ſome ſpecial Promiſes, for the ſtrengthning your faith in His ſpecial Providences; as for inſtance: Firſt, For His Converting-providence, you have a promiſe, Acts 3. laſt. Acts 26: 18. Secondly, For His Protecting-providence, you have a promiſe; Job 5.19. Pſal. 125.1. Thirdly, For His Providing-providence, Pſal. 34.10. The Lyons ſhall lack, and ſuffer hunger, &c. Pſal. 37.19. Fourthly, For His Directing-providence, Prov. 3.6. Pſal. 32.8. Fifthly, For His Aſſiſting-providence, 2 Cor. p. 7112.9. Sixthly, For His Correcting-providence, Pſal. 89.31. Revel. 3.19. Seventhly, For His Supporting-providence, 1 Cor. 10.13. Eighthly, For His Refreſhing-providence, Jer. 3.12. Hoſea 6.1. Laſtly, For His teaching us to profit by all theſe Providences, Iſaiah 48.17. I am the Lord that teacheth thee to profit, Iſaiah 27.9. This ſhall be the fruit, the taking away of their ſin. To act faith in all theſe promiſes, and communicate your experiences to others, and tell them what God hath done for you, and his, as they give us an Example, in Pſal. 44.1.23. And thus of the Works of God.

Sixthly, Rules how to carry our ſelves under proſperous, and adverſe; glad, and ſad Providences, Perſonal, Family, National.

1. Under proſperous and glad Providences.

1. Take heed of concluding the ſpecial love, and favour of God to you, becauſe of your proſperous condition in the World: for no man can know love, or hatred, by theſe outward things, Eccleſ 9.1. The wicked have, uſually, the moſt of them, Job 21. Pſal. 73. Becauſe it is their portion in this life, Pſal. 17. end. And yet ſuch is the deceit of Men's hearts, as the moſt fetch the Evidences of God's love to them from their proſperity in this World, from the abundance of theſe outward good things, which they enjoy, as health, wealth, honour, birth, beauty, gifts, parts, knowledge, utterance, and the eſteem they have in the World above others, and that amongſt the wiſe, and the godly: whereas men may enjoy all theſe, and yet want the ſpecial love of God, (ſpecial, I ſay, not God's general love) for you are to ma…k p. 70duplicate page p. 71duplicate page p. 72well, there is a double love of God, general and ſpecial; 1. General to all Men, of which you may read, Mark 10.21. Jeſus beholding, loved him, (ſaith the Text, of the young Man.). 2. There is God's ſpecial love to his Elect, of which you may read, 2 Theſ. 2.16. John 13. Now God's general and common love is manifeſted in beſtowing on Men theſe outward temporal good things, as on the young Man, that came to Chriſt, to know what he muſt do to inherit Eternal Life; But for His ſpecial love, that is manifeſted in giving Spiritual bleſſings, as Chriſt, and his Spirit, and Grace, Faith, Repentance, Love, &c. His Fatherly Correction, and Chaſtiſements, Heb. 12.6. And therefore take heed of concluding the ſpecial love of God. becauſe of your proſperous condition, without an intereſt in Chriſt, and a work of grace.

2. Watch againſt thoſe Evils, proſperity uſually leads men into, as theſe, 1. Forgetfulneſs of God, Deut. 6.12. Pſal. 106.7.20. ſo as to depart from the living God, Deut. 32.15. and deny him; Job 21.15. And as of God, ſo of the afflictions of Joſeph, Amos 6.6, 7. And as of God, and of others, ſo of themſelves, their own latter end, Lament. 1.9. Jeruſalem remembred not her latter end, therefore ſhe came down wonderfully: Secondly, Pride and diſdain of others, that come ſhort of their meaſure, as Pſal. 73.4, 5, 6. Pſal. 10.4. 1 Tim. 6.17. It's hard to keep a low Sayle under a high condition. Men's blood, and their Eſtates uſually riſe and fall together. Thirdly, Senſuality and voluptuouſneſs, as in the rich Fool, Luk. 12.19 Fourthly, Security and fearleſsneſs of Judgment, Joſ. 28.19. Math. 24.38, 39. Fifthly, Neglect, and contempt p. 73of God's Word, and Worſhip, Jer. 22.23. I ſpake to thee in thy proſperity, and thou ſaidſt, I will not hear.

3. You are to take notice of, and make conſcience of thoſe duties, which God calls you unto, in, and by your proſperity, as theſe, 1. To eye God in all, as Jacob did, Gen. 31.9. When he was about to leave his Uncle Laban, he told his Wives, God had taken away his Father's Cattle, and given them to him. And after, when he met with his Brother Eſau, and found favour in his ſight; he ſaid, I have ſeen thy face, as the face of God, Take what is brought thee, becauſe the Lord hath dealt graciouſly with me, Gen. 32.10, 11. A great Cardinal writing down in his Diary, what ſuch a Lord, and ſuch a Prince, and ſuch a Pope had done for him, but not a word of God; one reading it, ſaid, This Man remembred his friends, but forgot God. And ſo ſtill do too many; but take heed of it, it is the next way to have God ſtrip you of all.

2. To walk humbly under your proſperity, and the abundance of theſe outward good things; being unworthy of, and leſs than the leaſt of God's mercies. As our ſins are greater than the greateſt of God's Judgments, (Ezra 9 13.); ſo our duties leſs than the leaſt of God's mercies.

3 To live ſtill thankfully for his diſtinguiſhing goodneſs to you, and when you find the ſweet of any mercy, remember ſtill to give him his glory ſtill to bleſs the Lord, that takes pleaſure in his People, and delights to ſee his Servants proſper, Pſal. 35.27. Deut. 8.19.26.5.

4. To ſerve the Lord the more cheerfully for p. 74the abundance of all his goodneſs, as having thereby more leiſure from worldly imployments, to attend on the ſervice of God, and more opportunities and abilities for the promoting of the worſhip of God amongſt others. It's noted of Jehoſhaphat, when the Lord proſpered him, his heart was lifted up in God's ways, 2 Chron. 15.6, 7. and David's ſtudy, Pſal. 116.12. What ſhall I render unto the Lord for all his benefits.

5. To be more helpful to others, making a ſupply of others wants out of your abundance, as the Apoſtle exhorts, 2 Cor. 9. remembring we are but Stewards of what we have, Luk. 16.1, and therefore be willing and ready to diſtribute to the ſupply of others wants, and neceſſities, as the Command runs, 1 Tim. 6.18, 19. and Gal. 6.9, 10.

6. To moderate our ſelves in the uſe of our Creature-comforts, and not take ſo much liberty and delight in them, as you may, 1 Cor. 7.30, 31. Phil. 4.5.

7. To ſympathize with others in adverſity, Heb. 13.3. Remember thoſe in Bonds, &c. Laſtly, Conſider how ſoon your day of proſperity may be turn'd into a day of adverſity; Summer will not laſt all the Year, therefore wiſe men provide for Winter, the Sun will not always ſhine, the Weather will not always be calm, we know not how ſoon a Storm may ariſe, and therefore in a day of proſperity, to look for a day of adverſity, in wealth for poverty, in honour for diſhonour, in health for ſickneſs, in life for death, Job 3.25.14.14. All the days of my appointed time, &c. Revel. 16.7. And that you may be prepared for a p. 75day of adverſity; 1. Hearken unto that of Eliphaz, to Job, ch. 22.21. Acquaint thy ſelf with God, & be at peace, labour to make your peace with God, by Jeſus Chriſt, and this will fit you for, & enable you to bear adverſity, Rom. 5.1. 3. He that hath ſecured his Eternal ſtate, will not much regard the loſs of his temporal eſtate, Heb. 10.34. they took joyfully the ſpoiling of their Goods, &c. And therefore hearken to that, 1 Cor. 7.30. The time is but ſhort, &c. Get off your hearts from Creature-comforts, and you will more eaſily part with them, when God calls for them, as the Apoſtle, Acts 21. What do you weeping, &c? Thus much of your carriage under proſperous Providences.

For adverſe and ſad Providences, mind well theſe Rules, Take heed of ſome things, and practiſe others.

(1.) Take heed of ſome things, as theſe, the taking up hard thoughts of God, murmuring thoughts againſt God, deſpiſing and deſponding thoughts under the Rod, envious thoughts of others proſperity.

1. Take heed of taking up hard thoughts of God, of queſtioning God's love under the Rod, for however proſperity be no mark of God's ſpecial love, yet Adverſity is, as you may ſee clearly, Heb. 12.6. and Revel. 3.19. Whom I love, I rebuke and chaſten. Q. But you will ſay, To whom is it a pledge of God's ſpecial love? Anſ. Not to all, but ſome, not to the wicked, but the godly; Not to Cain, but to Abel; not to Eſau, but to Jacob, Rom. 9. Mal. 1. To all that unfeignedly love God, Prov. 8.17. I love them that love me. Q How ſhall I know, I truly love God? Anſ. Thus, p. 761. If thou love nothing out of him, or without him, or in compariſon of him, and can'ſt readily part with all for him, Mat. 10. end. 2. If thou art one that makeſt conſcience of yielding obedience, univerſal and conſtant obedience in thy deſires and endeavours, to all his Commandments, John 10.15.21. Q. But when is afflictions an evidence of God's ſpecial love? Anſ. Only then when they are ſanctified. Q. How may we know that? Anſ. Briefly thus, when they lead men to repentance and a reformation of heart and life; Jer. 31.18, 19. Job 34.29.

2. Take heed of murmuring, and repining-thoughts under your afflictions, and that 1. Becauſe it is that which God expreſly forbids, and exemplarily puniſheth, 1 Cor. 10.10. 2. That which makes Men like unto the Devil, for this is his ſin and puniſhment, who is ſtill repining and riſing up againſt God, provoking him the more, 1 Pet. 5.8. 3. It's fruitleſs and bootleſs, to ſtrive with God, he will be too hard for men, and will afflict them the more, Jer. 17.19. Do they provoke me to anger, do they not provoke themſelves to the confuſion of their faces? And 1 Cor. 10.22. Do we provoke the Lord to jealouſie, are we ſtronger than he? 3. You do by your impatience, but afflict your ſelves the more, make your burthen the heavier, Impatiens aegrotus crudelem facit medicum. It is juſt with God to lay on more ſtrokes, as a Father on a ſtubborn Childe.

3. Take heed of deſpiſing and deſponding thoughts under the Rod. God forbids both, Heb. 12.5. My Son deſpiſe not the chaſtning of the Lord p. 77nor faint, when thou art rebuked of him; a Chriſtian muſt be careful to avoid both Extreams, deſpiſing and deſponding thoughts; Firſt, Not to deſpiſe the Rod, by ſlighting it, that which the Lord complains of, Jer. 5.9. Thou haſt ſtricken them, but they have not grieved. Though it be a ſin to faint under it, yet it is a greater, to ſlight it and deſpiſe it, and therefore made the aggravation of Ahaz wickedneſs, [This is that Ahaz, which in his afflictions treſpaſſed more & more, 2 Chro. 28.22.] Secondly, Take heed of deſponding thoughts, for if thou ſaint in the day of adverſity, thy ſtrength is but ſmall, Prov. 24.10. No ſin more diſhonourable to God, to Chriſt, to the Spirit, to a Man's Soul than Deſperation; that which robs God of the glory of his grace, Chriſt of the glory of his Merits, the Spirit of the glory of his Power, and ſinks Soul and Body into everlaſting deſtruction.

4. Take heed of envious thoughts of others proſperity, that which the beſt are ſubject to, under their own adverſity, as you may ſee in David, Pſal. 73.3. until he went into the Sanctuary, and ſaw the end of ſuch ungodly proſperous ones, how ſuddenly they were brought to deſolation, even in a moment, Pſal. 18.19. And therefore let not thy heart envy ſinners, &c. Pro 22.17.

2. For the things to be practiſed, they are theſe, 1. In the day of adverſity, conſider, Eccleſ. 7.14. Conſider, 1. Whence-ever it comes, who or whatſoever be the Inſtrument, God is the Author, Amos 3.6. Is there any evil in the City, and I have not done it? and Pſal. 39.10. Affliction comes not out of the duſt, neither doth trouble ſpring out of the ground, Job 5.6. But from an allwiſe diſpoſing providence; p. 78Can a Bird fall into a ſnare, where there is no Ginn? Shall there be any evil in the City, and the Lord hath not done it? Amos 3.6, 7. The Bird ſeems to be taken by chance, and yet taken by providence; though the Bird did not ſee the ſnare, yet the Fowler did, and did ſet it purpoſely for him: So afflictions may ſeem accidental to us, but yet intended by God; though we do not fore-ſee them, yet God did fore-appoint them, 1 Theſ. 3.3. See more to this purpoſe, 1 Sam. 2.7. Iſ. 45.7. Hoſ. 8.14.

2. Conſider what they come for, ſc. for ſin. Though there be other cauſes, yet this is always one cauſe, Lament. 3.39. Wherefore doth the living man complain, &c? Pſal. 130. laſt. Miea. 7. I will patiently bear the indignation of the Lord, becauſe I have ſinned, If ſin lies heavy, all afflictions will be light. Luther gives this reaſon, why he ſlighted the rage of the Pope, the Emperor, and all his Enemies, They are all little to me, (ſaith he) becauſe ſin is ſo weighty.

3. Conſider to what end they come, Rom. 8.28. All things work together for good, Gen. 15.20. Heb. 12. He corrects us not for his pleaſure, but for our profit, Phil. 1.19. I know this ſhall turn to my Salvation.

4. Be careful to juſtifie God, in, and under all, even the greateſt afflictions. As Ezra 9. Thou haſt puniſhed us leſs than we deſerve. Pſal. 119. of very faithfulneſs thou haſt corrected me: and the Church, Lament. 3. It's the Lord's mercy we are not conſumed, Iſai. 24.15. The command is, Glorifie God in the Fire, ſc. of Affliction, which is as a Fire to try you, humble, purge you, and purifie you.

p. 795. Be filent and patient under it, as Job. 1. laſt. and David, Pſal. 9.9. Remembring and conſidering wnatſoever your ſufferings are; 1. They are from a Lord, whoſe will cannot be reſiſted; and a Father whoſe will ought readily to be obeyed; a wiſe Father, that knows what is better for his Children, than they do for themſelves, a compaſſionate Father, that will not afflict too much, becauſe he knows whereof they are made, that they are but duſt, Pſal. 103. nor too long, leaſt the Spirit faint, and the Soul that he hath made, Iſai. 57. Secondly, Becauſe whatſoever your ſufferings are they are little or nothing, in reſpect of what our ſins made Chriſt to ſuffer. 2. In reſpect of the many and bitter things many of his Saints have, and do ſuffer. 3. Thoſe evils our ſins deſerve we ſhould ſuffer. 4. Thoſe Eternal ſufferings Chriſt hath redeem'd us from. 5. That exceeding exceſſive weight of glory that will follow theſe ſufferings, 2 Cor. 4. end.

3. In reſpect of thoſe many ſweet, gracious and holy ends God hath in the Afflictions of his; which you ſaw before in your Meditations on God's ſupporting grace.

6. Laſtly, To hearken unto, and obey the voice of God in his Rod, Mica. 6.9. The Lord's Voice cryeth unto the City, &c. The Rod of God hath a Voice, as well as the Word: when Men will not hearken unto, and obey God's Voice in the Miniſtry of the Word, then God ſends his Rod, and awakens Conſcience, opens Mens Ears, and Seals up inſtructions. Q. But what is the Voice of the Rod, what doth it teach and inſtruct men in? Anſ. That you have in four places of Scripture; p. 801. That of Job 22.21. Acquaint thy ſelf with God, and be at peace, ſo good ſhall come unto thee. 2. That, Lament. 3.39. Wherefore doth the living man complain, let him ſearch, and trie his ways, and turn again unto the Lord. 3. That of Peter, 1 Pet. 5.6. Humble your ſelves under the mighty hand of God, and he will exalt you in due time. 4. That, Ezek. 18.31. Caſt away all your tranſgreſſions, and make you a new Heart, and a new Spirit, For why will you die, O Houſe of Iſrael!

7. To be thankful, that as God of faithfulneſs hath corrected us, ſo of the ſame faithfulneſs he hath not taken away his loving kindneſs; That he hath corrected us in ſo much meaſure and mercy, dealt not with us according to our deſerts, but the multitude of his free, tender, and unchangeable mercies; our afflictions not ſo many and great, but God's mercies more and greater, if not in temporals, yet in ſpirituals: though poor in the World, yet rich in Chriſt, though we want the ſmiles of the World, you have the favour of the great God, though not the riches of the World, yet we have the riches of grace, though not the pleaſures of the World, yet the peace of a good Conſcience.

8. Not only to be thankful for them, but joyful in them, and under them, though not in reſpect of the nature of them, which is evil, for ſo they are not joyous, but grievous, Heb. 12. Yet in reſpect of the concomitants, Pardon and Peace, and the conſequents, Salvation and Glotification, as they, 1 Theſ. 1.4.6. This is the meaning of that James 1.2. My brethren, count it all joy, when you fall into divers Temptations, or Afflictions. p. 81There are two Sights (ſaith Luther) the Devil moſt delights-in, To ſee a wicked man merry, and a Saint ſorrowful: but there are two Sights that do intollerably vex him, ſc. To ſee a ſinner mournful for his ſin, and a Saint joyful under his ſufferings, Luther's Colloq. Menſal. Cap. 37. And therefore, I ſay, be joyful and comfortable under all your affl ctions, in reſpect of the bleſſed iſſue, and fruit of them; as the Saints before us, Acts 5. laſt, Rom. 5.3, 4.

9. To be fruitful under them: What that fruit is, you are to bring forth under them, you may ſee in Iſai. 27.9. By this ſhall the iniquity of Jacob be purged, &c. And David, Pſal. 119.67. It's good for me that I have been afflicted.

10. To live ſtill by faith in God's promiſes, and providences, for ſupporting Grace under, and deliverance out of all, as the Saints have done before you; Firſt, You have many promiſes to encourage you; take notice of, and meditate on a few, 1 Cor. 10.13. Pſal. 91.15. Iſai. 41.10.27.9, 10. Pſal. 34.19. Secondly, You have many alſo of the Saints going before you in this; as, Job 15 13. David, Pſal. 42 laſt. Pſal 9.10. Paul, 2 Cor. 1.10. And we are commanded to follow them in the ſame practiſe, Heb. 10.35. end.

Laſtly, To follow all with Praver, that Faith and Patience may have their through and perfect work, The Rod may be ſanctified before it be removed, That as your ſufferings abound, ſo your Conſolations may abound by Jeſus Chriſt; Amen.

p. 82The Fifth Head, concerning the Worſhip and Service of God.

Sect. 1. About this, to meditate on theſe ſew things: What it is, Where, and When, and How, and Why we are to worſhip God.

1. What it is: for the underſtanding of this, to conſider; Servants (you know) owe unto their Lord a ſervice of honour, and of labour, for the protection, and proviſion they have from them; and ſuch do we owe to our Soveraign Lord and Maſter, Mal. 1.6. So that this worſhip of God, it is that Homage, and ſervice, which every one owes unto Him, and which he requires and expects from them, and for their Creation, Redemption, Vocation, and the daily protection, and proviſion, he makes for them, Math. 4.10. Deut. 10.12. and verſ. 21. Pſal. 29.1, 2. And here to take notice; This Worſhip of God, it's either External, or Internal; First, External, God is to be worſhipped with the Body, and every part of it, Joſhua ſell on his face, and worſhipped, Joſh. 5.14. Moſes bowed his head, and worſhipped, Exod. 4.32. David lifted up his hands to God, and worſhipped; Pſal. 63.4. Jeſus lifted up his eyes to Heaven, and prayed, John 17.1. The reaſon is, becauſe the Bodies of the Saints ſhall be glorified with God hereafter, & therfore they are to glorifie him with their Bodies here, Rom. 12.1. I beſeech you Brethren, by the mercies of God, preſent your Bodies a living Sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God. Secondly, Internal worſhip, is a worſhipping God with the Spirit, as well as the Body; it being that, God eſpecially p. 83calls for, John 4.24. Phil. 3.3. And this is ſometimes called, a fearing of God, Deut. 6.13. a loving of God, Jam. 2.5. a delighting in God, Pſal. 37.3. and, a truſting in God, Pſal. 16.1.

Secondly, For the Place, where he is to be worſhipped: it is not only in this, and that place, as ignorant ſuperſtitious perſons fancy, but He is every where to be worſhipped; and, that in the obſervance of all thoſe religious duties, which He requires, in publick, private, and ſecret, Iſaiah 2.2. Pſal. 122.1. Gen. 18.19. Job 1.5. Jer. 10. laſt. Mat. 6.6. Then,

Thirdly, For the Time that he is to be worſhipped by us: as in all places, ſo at all times; as on the Week days, by beginning, continuing, and ending the day with him, ſo eſpecially on his own day, the Sabbath-day; becauſe although every day be his, yet this in a ſpecial manner His, Pſal. 18.24. This is the day which the Lord hath made, this is the Day which he hath ſanctified, and ſet apart wholly for the worſhip of Himſelf, Iſaiah 58. laſt. And as this is the day he made for his own glory, ſo for Man's good; the good of his Body, and of his Soul. The good of his Body, that he might not tire out himſelf in the ſervice of the World; but eſpecially the good of his ſoul, that he might by a Sabbath on Earth, be minded of, and fitted for an everlaſting Sabbath in Heaven; by communion with God in Ordinances here, he might be made to long after that place, where he hath promiſed to be all in all, without Ordinances, Rev. 21.22, 23. To this end, he hath appointed it to be the Schooling-day, and Market-day, and Feaſting-day, and Sealing-day to the Soul; therefore in a ſpecial p. 84manner, to be careful of giving God his worſhip upon this day, in the obſervance and performance of all thoſe duties of piety and mercy, that he requires from you in publick, private, and ſecret: and here to mark, that you ſpend not only a part, but the whole day in the worſhip and ſervice of God, and that upon theſe accounts; Firſt, Becauſe He reſted the whole day, & created nothing the Seventh-day, but finiſhed all before on the Six days; Secondly, Becauſe he ſanctified, and ſet apart the whole day for Himſelf, and therefore not to rob him of any part, ſeeing he hath dealt ſo bountifully with us, as to give us Six days for the ſervice of our ſelves, and reſerved but One for the ſervice of Himſelf. Thirdly, Becauſe the duties of God's Worſhip on that Day are ſo many and weighty, as a whole Day is little enough to perform them as they ought.

The Fourth Circumſtance, that is eſpecially to be thought on, is the right manner, How we are to worſhip God: becauſe God looks not ſo much to the matter, as the right manner of worſhipping Him, and abhorrs and rejects the work, without the right manner, as you may ſee fully, Iſai. 1.11. to the 21. Jer. 7.8, 9. Mal. 1. laſt. Q Well, what is this right manner of worſhipping God? Anſ. It is to worſhip Him by a right Rule, from a right Principle, and to a right End; 1. By a right Rule, ſc. the Rule of God's Word, Iſai. 8.20. Pſal. 119.9. According to his own Inſtitutions, and not Mens Inventions; In vain do you worſhip me, &c. 2. From a right Principle, ſc. in the Name of Chriſt, Coloſ. 3.17, and the ſtrength of Chriſt, Joh. 15.5. From Faith, Heb. 11.6. and p. 85Love, 1 Peter 2.1. 3. To a right end, ſc. the Glory of God, and the Salvation of your Souls, 1 Cor. 10.13. Phil. 1.19. Q. But what are thoſe Rules in the Word, according to which we are to worſhip God? Anſ. firſt, More general, as theſe; Preparation, and affection before; attention and reverence in; and meditation and practiſe after, Eccleſ. 5.1. Pſal. 66.18. Acts 16.14. Hebr. 12.2 laſt. Luke 2.19. John. 13.17.

Secondly, More ſpecial Rules for the worſhipping of God, are ſuch, as reſpect the ſanctifying of the Sabbath, Prayer to God, Hearing of the Word; Reading of the Scriptures, Receiving of the Lord's Supper, ſinging of Pſalms, religious Faſting, and Feaſting, and holy Conference. For the acceptable, comfortable and profitable uſe of theſe, you are to meditate on ſome things before, in, and after every one: I ſhall but name a few, to help your Memories, and quicken your Devotion.

Firſt, For the right ſanctifying of the Sabbath, to take notice of, and meditate on theſe things, before, in, and after the Sabbath; Firſt, Before the Sabbath, to remember the Sabbath before it comes. Secondly, To prepare for it, by ordering your Worldly affairs, ſo as they may not hinder you; and to ſequeſter your thoughts from all other things, that you may intend the duties of the Sabbath, Exod. 20.8.

Secondly, When the Sabbath is come, to conſecrate it as a holy Reſt to the Lord your God, not thinking your own thoughts, or ſpeaking your own words, or doing your own pleaſure, but the Lord's, Iſaiah 58.13. To begin, continue, and p. 86end the Sabbath with God. And that you may do ſo, to obſerve theſe things; First, To riſe early on the Sabbath, after the Example of Chriſt; and when you awake, to bleſs God for another day of grace: in riſing up, to think on your Reſurrection at the laſt Day to glory: in putting on of your apparel, to think on the command of putting on the Lord Jeſus Chriſt, Rom. 13. end. After you have Apparel'd your ſelves, to remember the duties requir'd of you before, in, and after the publick Aſſemblies: First, Before, to ſequeſter your thoughts from all things of the World, and the Fleſh, to mind only, and wholly God, his Day, and Worſhip. Secondly, To pray by your ſelves, and with the Family for God's preſence, with aſſiſtance in, and bleſſing on his Ordinances to you, and yours, and all his; eſpecially on the Miniſtry of the Word, that it may be made effectual to all the ends, he hath appointed it, as the conviction, converſion, humiliation, conſolation, edification, and ſalvation of all thoſe that belong to the Election of grace. Thirdly, As you are going to the publick Aſſemblies, to remember where you are going, that you are going into the Preſence, not only of men, but God; that-God, who will be ſanctified by all that draw nigh to him, or will be ſanctified upon them, Levit. 10. To conſider alſo, what you are going about; a buſineſs of the greateſt conſequence in the World, To converſe with God, and to enjoy communion with God, and hear that Word, which will make you better, or worſe, ſoften, or harden you; will bring you neerer to Heaven, or Hell; and will be, either the ſavour of life, or death to you, 2 Cor. 2.16. Secondly, p. 87As you are entring into the publick Aſſemblies, to think, and ſay, with Jacob, How dreadful is this place? It is no other than the Gate of Heaven, to ſet your ſelves in the preſence of the great God, and carry your ſelves there, with all fear, and reverence; ſeeing there are not only Men, but the Angels, and the Great and Holy God, to take notice, both of your inward, and outward behaviour: And ſee you ſtay, and not depart without the Bleſſing. Thirdly, After the publick Aſſemblies, as you go home, to meditate on what you have heard; when you come home, ſearch the Scriptures, whether things are ſo; to repeat, and confer with thoſe in your Family about it; to preſs the remembrance, and practiſe of what you have heard, on your ſelves, and them; after this, to go apart, and ſpend the reſt of the day in Examination, what you have profited; and in meditation on the Word, and Works of God, and that Eter… … Sabbath you are to celebrate hereafter in Heaven, where you ſhall keep a Sabbath, not only without wearineſs, but with infinite delight; and then conclude the Sabbath with prayer and praiſe: pray for a bleſſing on the truths made known to you, and for the pardon of all thoſe infirmities you have diſcovered before, in, and after duty, in publick, private, or ſecret; and that God would accept of your weak endeavours, and unfeigned deſires to honour him, in, and for, the all-meritorious Interceſſion's ſake of Jeſus Chriſt. And then praiſe God, for one Sabbath more, liberty of communion with Him, his Preſence with you, aſſiſtance of you, and bleſſing of his Ordinances to you; and ſo end the day, as you began it. As p. 88you gave Him the firſt of your thoughts, when you roſe; ſo give Him the laſt of your thoughts when you lie down, that ſo your dreams may ſavour of your Sabbath-days exerciſes.

Thirdly, After the Sabbath, to hold forth in your lives, and converſations, all you have heard, and prayed for; that ſo the bleſſing of the Sabbath may bring a bleſſing on all your labours the Week following, Amen.

The Second Duty, is Prayer to God.

And here, First, before Prayer, to meditate, First, On the infinite diſtance between God, and you, as Creatures, eſpecially ſuch finful Creatures, Eccleſ. 5.2. Secondly, To make your addreſſes to the Throne of Grace, only in the Name, Worthineſs, and Mediation of Jeſus Chriſt, Col. 3.17. Thirdly, To take notice of the ſpecial ſins, you are to confeſs, the evils you are to … precate or pray againſt, the good things you are to Petition, and the Mercies you are to return thanks for; Fourthly, Becauſe we know not how to pray as we ought, To beg the Spirit of Grace, and Supplication, to help your infirmity, and keep your hearts cloſe to Him in duty: Fifthly, To remember, that we pray for all men, eſpecially for Kings, and all that are in Authority, 1 Tim. 2.2, 3. and for all Saints, Eph. 6.18.

Secondly, In the time of Prayer, remember to do it with humility and reverence, Heb. 12. end. In ſincerity and truth, John 4.24. With feeling and ſervency, James 5.16, 17. and in faith and love, Heb. 11.6. 1 Tim. 2.8. Thirdly, After Prayer p. 89to look-after an Anſwer. Live what you have prayed, and labour in the uſe of the means, for that you have prayed, as you are commanded, Prov. 2.3, 4.

The Third Duty, is Hearing the Word.

First, Before Hearing, remember whom you go to hear, not only Man, but God, who ſpeaks in, and by Man, 2 Cor. 5.20. Secondly, Becauſe man can but ſpeak to the Ear, beg the Lord to give his Spirit, that may ſpeak to the heart. Thirdly, That the Spirit may make the Word effectual to the end God hath appointed it, take heed you come not with prejudice againſt the Miniſter, or the Word ſpoken by him, James 1.21. 1 Peter 2.1. Fourthly, That you endeavour to bring, humble, honeſt, and upright hearts to the hearing of the Word, Luke 8.15. Micah 2.7. Doth not my word do good to him that walks uprightly? Secondly, In the time of Hearing. First, To ſet your ſelves in the ſpecial preſence of God, and remember, He obſerves not only your outward but inward carriages, with what hearts every one comes, and ſits before him, 1 Sam. 16.17. Ezek. 33.31. Secondly, To attend heedfully to the things that are ſpoken; as Lydia did, Acts 16. Thirdly, To apply particularly, what is ſpoken, not to others, but to your ſelves, as John's hearers did, Luke 3.10. Becauſe what is ſpoken to one, is intended to all, Mark 13. laſt. and, unleſs it be applyed by faith, it will not profit, Heb. 4.11. Thirdly, After Hearing; First, To diſcourſe of what you have heard, and not, as the manner of too many is, to talk preſently p. 90of other Perſons, and Things; Secondly, To ſearch the Scripture, with the noble Beraeans whether things be ſo, or no, Acts 17.11. Thirdly, To work all into your hearts and lives, by Meditation, Prayer, and Practiſe, becauſe the promiſe of a bleſſing runs only to ſuch, Pſal. 103.17. and Luke 11.28. Otherwiſe, without practiſe, every Sermon will be preacht over by God, and Conſcience again, at the laſt Day, with ſuch horror, and terror, as you will never be able to hear it, John 12.48.

The Fourth Duty, is Reading of the Scriptures.

First, Before it, to think what a great bleſſing it is to enjoy this bleſſed Book, and have liberty to look into it, when 'tis denied to many others, not only amongſt the Papiſts, but amongſt us, through their own, and their Parents neglect of learning them to read. Secondly, To remember, that this is a duty that lies upon all Perſons, private, as well as publick; People, as well as Miniſters, both to read the Scriptures: First, In reſpect of the expreſs command of God, Mal. 4.4. John 5.39. Col. 3.16. Secondly, In reſpect of the great benefit, and comfort that comes by it; 2 Tim. 3. the 3 laſt. Rom. 15 41. Pſal. 1.2. Revel. 1.3. Thirdly, In reading; First, To lift up an Ejaculation, for underſtanding of it; praying with David, Pſal. 119.18. Open my eyes, that I may ſee the wondrous things of thy Law: Secondly, To read with Application, as David, Pſal. 40.8. It's written of me, that I ſhould do thy will: It was no p. 91where written ſo of David in particular, only he applied the general command to his particular. Thirdly, After reading, with David alſo, to hide God's Word in your heart, Pſal. 119.11. And ſee that you order your converſation, according to it, Verſ. 9.

The Fifth Duty, is Receiving the Lord's Supper.

Firſt, Before it, to ſee whether you can finde your ſelves in a ſtate of grace, and that you have thoſe Sacramental graces of knowledge, faith, repentance, obedience, love, and an appetite to this Ordinance; all which are required to qualifie, and fit Souls for communion with Jeſus Chriſt, in that Ordinance. This duty of Self-examination, you may ſee expreſly required, 1 Cor. 11.28. Let a man examine himſelf, and ſo let him eat, &c. Becauſe otherwiſe without grace, it will be a Seal to a Blank. Secondly, To ſtir up, and exerciſe thoſe graces, before you come, 2 Tim. 1.6. Otherwiſe you will receive unworthily, as the Corinthians did, becauſe they did not renew their repentance, before they came, 1 Cor. 11.30, 31. Thirdly, To draw nigh to God in it, to thoſe ends he inſtituted it, and appointed it; as, the commemorating of Chriſt's love in dying for us, the expreſſing of our thankfulneſs, the ſtrengthning of our faith, the weakning of our corruptions, and the getting of more grace to walk with God, and work for God, and live to God.

Secondly, In the time of Receiving; Firſt, To fix your eyes on the Sacramental actions, in, and p. 92about the Elements; Secondly, To meditate ſeriouſly on thoſe things, ſignified by every action about them. Thirdly, To get your hearts affected with godly ſorrow for your ſins, which were the principals in the death and ſufferings of the Lord Jeſus: and a ſpiritual rejoycing in his love, that was content, to die, that we might live; and to be made a curſe, that we might have a bleſſing through him. Fourthly, To pray unto the Lord, that he would bleſs his Ordinance unto you, to all thoſe holy ends, he did appoint it, and you receive it, viz. the Mortification of your luſts, the Vivification of your graces, your perfect Juſtification, further Sanctification, and future Salvation by Jeſus Chriſt.

Thirdly, After the Sacrament, to make Conſcience of an anſwerable carriage in the obſervance of all thoſe religious duties requir'd of you, in publick, and private, as Firſt, Thankfulneſs for Jeſus Chriſt given to you, and for you, for his inſtituting this Ordinance, to put you, and keep you, in remembrance of him, the liberty and opportunity, you have had to partake in it. Secondly, Examination, what benefit we have ſound by being at the Table of the Lord. Thirdly, A careful endeavour to expreſs, and hold forth the Virtue, and the Efficacy of it, in a more humble, holy, ſpiritual, and heavenly walking, and a more faithful, cheerful, fruitful ſervice of God in our ſeveral places.

p. 93The Sixth Duty, is Singing of Pſalms.

(Firſt,) Before it, to make a wiſe choice of ſuch Pſalms, as may be moſt ſeaſonable, and ſuitable to the preſent occaſion; (Secondly,) In ſinging, remember to ſing, Firſt, with underſtanding, Pſ. 47.7. 1 Cor. 14.14. Secondly, With the Spirit, Verſ. 15. that is, ſee that our Spirit go a long with our voice, becauſe Non vox ſed votum, &c. It's not ſo much the voice, as the heart God looks to. Thirdly, With grace in the heart, Col. 3.16. that is, from an inward gracious frame of heart, and with the actings of our graces in ſinging, as faith, fear, love, joy, &c. Fourthly, To ſing unto the Lord, Eph. 5.19. that is, unto the praiſe and glory of the Lord, Pſal. 101.1. Iſai. 5.1. (Thirdly,) After ſinging, to ſet about the ſervice of the Lord, with more cheerfulneſs, for the abundance of all his goodneſs, Deut. 28.47. To diſcourſe together alſo of the matter you have ſung, and quicken one the other unto duty, as you are required, Col. 3.16.

The Seventh Duty, is Religious Faſting.

First, Before it, to lay aſide all ſervile work the Night before, that you may mind the weighty ſervice of the Day following; Secondly, To riſe earlier on that day than other days, having ſuch an occaſion of humbling your ſelves; Secondly, On the Day of your Faſt; the duties required of you are, either outward, or inward; Firſt, The outward, as the forbearing of thoſe things, which at other times are lawful, and convenient; as, Firſt, p. 94All Worldly imployment, and labours of our calling, Joel 1.14. Levit. 16.29, 31. Levit. 23.32. Secondly, The uſe of all Food (unleſs in caſe of weakneſs, and hazard of our health, for God will have Mercy, rather than Sacrifice, (Hoſea 6.6. Mat. 12.7.) Otherwiſe there muſt be an abſtinence from all Meat, Joel 3.7. Thirdly, Coſtly Apparel, and Ornaments, Exod. 33.4, 5. Jonah 3.6. Fourthly, Matrimonial benevolence, 1 Cor. 7.5. Joel 2.16. Fifthly, All carnal delights and pleaſures, Joel 2.16. 1 Sam. 12.20.

Secondly, The inward duties are; Firſt, Faſting from ſin, Iſaiah 58.4. Secondly, Humiliation of Soul under ſin, Joel 2. Thirdly, Earneſt Supplication for the pardon of ſin, Joel 3.8. Fourthly, Perſonal reformation, or turning from all ſin, Joel 3.8.

Thirdly, After Faſting, to conclude all with works of mercy, Iſai. 58.6. Secondly, Take heed of reſting in the Work done, remembring the chief part is yet behind, viz. the reformation of our ways. Thirdly, Be careful to make good your Vows and Covenants of more circumſpect walking. Fifthly, To wait upon God for a gracious anſwer, as David did, Pſal. 85. I will hearken what God will ſpeak.

The Eighth Duty, is Religious Feaſting or Thanksgiving.

Firſt, Before it, to remember and conſider; It's the Homage, and Rent, we owe to him, for all he hath, and doth, for us; and which he expreſly commands, and we promiſed to him in the times p. 95of our troubles, and diſtreſs, faſting and humiliation, Pſalm. 15.15. Pſalm. 22.25. 1 Theſ. 5.18. Secondly, It's all the return that we can make to him, and that which he is pleas'd to accept, though his Name be above all thanks-giving, Neh. 9.6. Pſal. 50. laſt. Therefore as we have the ſweet of any mercy, ſtill remember to give him his glory. Thirdly, To ſee that your Perſons be fit for it, to be godly and righteous Perſons, Pſal. 33.1. Ungodly, and unrighteous ones, are altogether unfit, Pſal. 50.18. Prov. 17.7. Jam. 3.10.11. Fourthly, To preſent all your praiſes, and thankſgiving in the Name of Chriſt, to beg your acceptance of it, in, and through his Mediation, and Worthineſs, 1 Theſ. 5.10. Eph. 5.20, Heb. 13.15. Rev. 8.34.

Secondly, In the time of thankſgiving; Firſt, To ſee, that it be with the ſoul, and the heart, Pſ. 57.74. and with every faculty of our Souls: as, our underſtanding, 1 Cor. 14.15. with our Judgment prizing it, according to it's worth, Pſal. 31.19. the memory treaſuring up God's mercies, there to think upon them, Pſal. 103. My Soul forget not all his benefits. With our affections, eſpecially theſe two: 1. Love. Pſal. 116.1. I love the Lord, becauſe he hath heard my voice; and Joy, Pſal. 33.1. Rejoyce in the Lord ye righteous, for it becomes the juſt to be thankful; and Pſal. 92.4. Secondly, As inwardly, with the Heart; ſo outwardly, with the Tongue, Pſal. 63.7. Pſal. 66.16. Whence the tongue is call'd our [glory] becauſe we are to glorifie him with the tongue, Pſal. 108. And to do it with our tongues, thus: Firſt, By acknowledging God is worthy to receive all praiſe, Rev. 5. about the end. Secondly, By lifting up of God's Name, p. 96and ſpeaking of thoſe glorious Attributes, which ſhine forth in God's mercies, as Revel. 11.16, 17. Thirdly, By telling it to others what God hath done for us, and ours, Pſal 22.22. and Pſal. 66.16, 17. Fourthly, By exciting, and ſtirring up others to praiſe God, as David, Pſal. 148. Where you may finde, he calls upon all the Creatures in Heaven and Earth, to do ſo.

Thirdly, After our ſolemn Thankſgiving, to be eſpecially careful of expreſſing it in a ſuitable life: it is only this, is the life of thankſgiving, and finds acceptance with God, Pſal. 50. laſt. Without this all outward gratulation, is but diſſimulation, and a further provocation. And, that you are really thankful in your lives, to manifeſt it, thus; Firſt, By a greater hatred of ſin; eſpecially this ſin of Unthankfulneſs, Pſal. 130.4. Secondly, Greater care of diſcharging the duties of piety to God, Pſal. 116.16, 17. and charity unto men, Nehem. 8.10, 11. not only to their bodies, but their ſouls, Pſal. 51.12, 13. Thirdly, By a ſuitable walking before God, and ſerving him chearfully for the abundance of all his Goodneſs, Deut. 28.47. Deut. 6.10. Deut. 10.12.

The Ninth Duty, is Holy Conference.

Firſt, Before it, to ſet up reſolutions of declining conference about other Mens Perſons, and other Mens Affairs, 1 Theſ. 4.11. Study to be quiet, and medle with your own buſineſs. To decline alſo all controverted points, and apply your ſelves only to practical; to diſcourſe of the things of God, and Chriſt, and his Spirit, and the graces of the Spirit, p. 97what they are, and what evidences you have of them, the four-fold ſtate of Man, the four laſt things: what experiences you, and others have had of God's providences over you, and yours: how he deliver'd you at ſuch a time from ſuch a danger, and did help you in ſuch a ſtrait: how you got power over ſuch a temptation, and ſuch a corruption: how you were enabled to, and carried through ſuch a duty. Secondly, To conſider of ſome ſpecial ſpiritual Subject, that may be moſt ſeaſonable, and ſuitable to the Perſons you conferr withall, their diſpoſition and condition, either inward or outward. Thirdly, To look up and entreat the Lord, ſo to direct your hearts and tongues, as you may ſpeak to his glory, and others edification, Eph. 4.29.

Secondly, In the time of Conference, to take heed of ſome things, and practiſe others; Firſt, To take heed of raſh ſpeaking, Pro 8.13. Secondly, Too much ſpeaking, Prov. 10.19. Prov. 29.17. Thirdly, Diſorderly ſpeaking; thoſe to begin firſt who are firſt in place, and gifts, Job 32.4, 5. Fourthly, Vain-glorious ſpeaking, Prov. 27.2. Fifthly, Cenſorious-ſpeaking, Mat. 7.1. Sixthly, Contentious ſpeaking, more for Victory, than for Truth, James 3.16. Where envy and strife is, there's Confuſion, and every Evil Work. And, Secondly, Other things to be practiſed; as theſe, To ſee your ſpeech be wiſe, deliberate, humble, meek, gracious, and profitable.

Thirdly, After Conference, to obſerve what you, and others have profited by it: give him the glory of his grace to you in it, and by the ſweetneſs you have found in it, to long after that place p. 98where you ſhall all be perfected in love; Thus much of the manner of worſhipping God, that ſo you may worſhip Him in ſuch a right manner.

Sect. 5. Fifth-Circumſtance, in and about the worſhip of God, is, Reaſons, why every one is to give God the Worſhip due to him; 1. Becauſe not only our duty; that we owe to him, and he commands, Math. 4.10. Revel. 22.9. but our Priviledge, Deut. 4.6, 7. 2. The greateſt honour the Creature is capable of; not only Men and Angels, but Chriſt himſelf accounted it ſo, Iſa. 43.1.

Laſtly, Becauſe Ordinances, wherein, and whereby God is worſhipped, are the Meeting places between God and his Saints, wherein they hold ſweet communion one with the other, and what we muſt do to get, preſerve, and increaſe this communion; Firſt, To get communion with God, to this end: Firſt, See you have union with God; becauſe without union, no communion, and to clear up your union with God, to ſee that Chriſt be yours, becauſe he is a God to none out of Chriſt. Eph. 2.14. and that Chriſt is yours, to ſee that his Spirit be yours, Rom. 8.9. and that the Spirit is yours, to ſee that you have the ſanctifying work of the Spirit, 1 Theſ. 5.23. Secondly, That you may have communion with God, you are to make this the main end of your drawing neer to God, in the uſe of his Ordinances: for the ſincerity, and hypocriſie of a Man's Spirit, is ſeen in the end, he propoſes to himſelf in duty. Now there are two ends, every one ſhould propoſe to himſelf, in drawing nigh to God in duty: Firſt, That God may be more honour'd by them; p. 99Secondly, That we may enjoy more of God, more diſcoveries of his love, and further influences of his grace, more enlightning, enlivening, mortifying, ſanctifying, quickning, ſtrengthning, and eſtabliſhing Grace.

Secondly, To preſerve communion with God: Firſt, To ſee you have no communion with ſin, and ſinners, 2 Cor. 6.17, 18. 1 Joh. 1.6, 7. Secondly, To keep cloſe to God in duty, for there is no ſuch way to keep God cloſe to us, as to keep cloſe to Him, 2 Chro. 15.2. I am with you whilſt you are with me.

Thirdly, To increaſe communion with God, to come with an Appetite to it, to carry our ſelves humbly in it, and after it, to hold forth the life and power of it, in your converſations; and by the ſweetneſs you find in it, to long the more after immediate, perfect, and everlaſting communion with Him in Glory, Amen. Thus of the things to be meditated on, in, and about GOD.