The Power of Godliness, Book 1 · Chapter 3
CHAP. III. Of the second Property of a godly life, viz. Exactnesse, Accuratnesse or Circumspection. What is thereby signified. What things are required in an exquisite life. What the especiall furtherances of this exquisitenesse are. Sundry Reasons to shew the necessity of an accurate or circumspect course, with divers necessary helps for the attaining thereof.
Q. WHat is the second Property of a godly life?
A. It must be exact, accurate, or circumspect.Eph. 5.15. Penitissima adhibita consideratione. Beza in l. Syrus utitur …ocabulo foreign quod curiosam diligentiam cum anxia sollicitudine conjunctam significant. Chem. har. cap. 1. Luk 1.3. Summa diligentia aliquid facere. Mat. 2.7, 8. Beza in Luk 1. Act. 22.3. sec. Act. 18.25, 26. Act. 23 20. & 24.22. & 26.5. 1 Thes 5.2. Num. 23.10. sept. Vise Dunaei. prelect. in Lysiam. pag. 37. The course of Christianity is an exquisite course, and strict walking. Thus much the word used by the Apostle in the place above-cited, doth import, as appeareth by other places where it is found, It seemed good to me (saith Luke) when I had accurately searched all things. So Herod enquired diligently of the wise men, and charged them to search exquisitly and most diligently for the Babe. And Paul professeth he was brought up according to the most exact manner of the Law.
Q. In what other Phrases is this circumspect course commended?
A. It is implied in the Phrases of walking before God, living honestly,Gen. 17.1. Heb. 13.18. Col. 1.10.11. and walking worthy the Lord in all pleasing.
Q. What things are required in an exquisite life?
A. It must be exact and considerate,Deut. 2.27. Deut. 5.32. Prov. 4.27. 2 Chro. 34.2. Esa. 30 21. Deut. 28.14. according to the true and perfect line of direction, the Word of God in every thing great and small, so that a man goes to the utmost of them, and to all the Rules that he prescribes. A circumspect Christian ordereth his waies according to the truth, avoiding all extremities, not turning aside either to the right hand or to the left. Satan cares not so he can conquer us, whether it be by curiosity, or by carelesnesse: whether he can keep us out of the Church, or cast us out by our own conceits: whether he can keep us so cold, as no good thing greatly affects us; or whether he can make us boile over with unbridled zeal, that because we cannot have all the good we would,Psal. 119.9. we will refuse a great deale of good we might have. But a prudent man will have recourse to the Word of life, and frame his courses according to that Rule. His Prayer is,Psal. 119.10. With my whole heart have I sought thee, O Lord, oh suffer me not to erre from thy Commandements. Willingly he would not tread one haire breadth out of the way, or runne into any sinne be it never so small or profitable in the esteeme of the world. 2. It must be full, in all pleasing, and fruits of holinesse and justice:Deut. 5.32. Col. 1.10. Numb. 14 24. & 32.11, 12. Deut. 1.36. Josh. 14.8, 9.14 It must go to the utmost of every command. A circumspect man looks round about him, and so ordereth his businesse, as one hinder not another, but all may go forward; and so saveth one commodity, as another be not lost or lie in hazard. So a circumspect Christian casteth his occasions, as, seeing every Christian duty is enjoyned him, he hath respect to Gods Commandements, and that in the extremity thereof. Duties of piety shall not justle out duties of civility: nor civill duties eate out duties of piety: but as one hand helpes another, so one duty shall prove fit for another, one calling forward another. He fears as, the committing of the least sinne, so the neglect of any duty of piety or mercy that God requireth. He loathes to do the work of God by half chare:2 Pet. 1.5.6, 7. yea, he looks to the thriving of all his graces. He will walke very humbly before God, but so as he maintaine his joy in God. His moderation shall not dampe his zeal:Christ is said to work grace for grace. Joh. 1.16. the meaning is, for every grace in himself, he hath stamped another in us; as the Seale gives print for print in the Wax, Character for Character: and as the Father to the Son, Limb for Limb, and member for member: so Christ to his Saints. He works grace for grace, that is, as he himself hath the whole frame of grace in his own heart, so all that are borne of him, have the Image of God perfectively in them, though not in degree. D. Prest. see Exact wa…k. Act. 18.25. 2 Pet. 1.5. Phil. 2 12. Eph. 5.15, 16. Heb. 12.15. An Action cannot be good except all be good in it. Rom. 12 2. Joh. 13.17. Phil. 1.9.10. 1 Chro. 22.12. Psal 119.105 his zeal shall not out-runne his knowledge. His providence shall not lessen his faith, nor his faith destroy his providence: He will use the meanes that God offereth, but rest in the Lord. Peace fitteth him for trouble, and adversity prepares him to live in peace. His love with mens persons brings him not into love with their sinnes; and his hatred of their sinnes, impeacheth not his love of their persons. He sheweth mercy without folly, and executeth justice without cruelty. He reverenceth men of place and gifts, but will not be drawn to sinne by their example or counsell, for feare of their displeasure, or to winne their favour. He keepes his heart in an holy temper and disposition to obey the Lords call in every thing, and to do whatsoever he requireth, and that in the highest degree he is able, to the least jot. All his graces runne in a circle, move, strengthen, and quicken each other. His soule is fixed upon the Lord, and ever moveth as he goeth before it. Thus he is busie in maintaining his heart in good plight, exercising all his graces, all of them being of great use, and flowing from the same spirit, and conscionably cherishing all buds, and blossomes of obedience, that spring from those severall graces. 3. Exquisitnesse imports diligence to redeeme, seeke, observe and take opportunities of doing good. Walke circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, redeeming the time, because the daies are evill. A circumspect man watcheth all occasions for his own good and advantage, and if they be offered, slips them not: So a circumspect Christian looks round about him, and thinkes it not sufficient to take occasions of grace and wel-doing, being offered, but will seeke them; yea, redeeme them with double diligence. The thrifty husband, Merchant or Tradesman, is not so carefull to have his stock employed for increase, as the wise and wary Christian is to employ what grace he hath received to the glory of God, the good of others, and his own spirituall furtherance and advantage. He is grieved if at any time he overlooke his opportunity, and by losse is made wise, more narrowly to consider and observe the seasons, that offer themselves for the doing or getting of good. There is no time, state, condition, or company, but some way or other a discreet and wary dealer in the course of Christianity will improve it to his own behoofe, and work profit out of it for the good of his own soul. 4. Exactnesse reacheth to the manner of doing, as well as to the thing it selfe to be done. A circumspect Christian considereth all circumstances that belong to a good work, as time, place, order and manner of doing, together with the inward affection and disposition of the soul, and is carefull that all may be right. 5. Exactnesse must be constant at all times. He that walkes by halves or by fits is not exact.
Q. What are the speciall furtherances of this exquisitnesse?
A. 1. A sound knowledge of the right way, which is as the light, guiding to set every foot safely. For let a man be never so circumspect and wary, if he be in the night, without light, and without a guide, he can never walke securely and safe. The Word is the Lanthorn, and the Commandement is the light. In the darkenesse of this world, the Word of God is as a light illuminating our eyes, and shewing the true way wherein we ought to walke, that we turne not aside into by-pathes, or dash upon the rocks of humane error.Pro. 2.10, 11. When wisdome enters into the soul, and knowledge delighteth the soul, then shall counsell: Ʋnderstanding shall keep thee; to deliver thee from the way of the evill man. A man cannot be a Practicioner in any profession except he know it: much lesse in the profession of Christianity.2. A diligent watch and care to prevent sloath and keepe from all extremities. We are apt to nap in our businesse, or step into extremities, on the right hand or on the left: Either to neglect good, or to cast away the good with the evill, and refuse them both; either to deale sleightly in the work of God, or to make conscience where we should not. We are all generally of a very dull and drowsie disposition, by reason of that lumpish flesh of ours; by meanes whereof it cometh to passe that we are oft sleeping and slumbering, be we never so carefull and diligent: yea, in danger oft, after we have been awaked out of this drowsie and deadly sleep, to fall eftsoone back againe into the same, if we keepe not a constant watch over our selves and our souls. And as men newly awakened by some suddain fright, do runne up and down they know not whither: so it is with us, being rouzed from security, we are ready to turne aside into divers by-paths untill we returne to our former sluggishnesse. For it is much easier to passe from one contrary extreme to another, then to stand fast in the straight way that leadeth unto life. Such as travell in slippery paths, or waies troublesome to be found, are carefull to look to their feet, observe their markes and turnings: so must it be with him, that will travell safely through the slippery and dangerous way of this worlds Wildernesse. 3. A due and carefull examination of our affections to the things we go about, and of our severall actions flowing from them, least we be otherwise unawares overtaken with sinne in them. Ponder (saith Solomon) the paths of thy feet, Prov. 4.26.that thy waies may all be ordered aright. And again, A prudent man will not runne on head, but will consider his steps. And if he have regard to his courses,Prov. 14.15. Gal. 6.4. Nec te quasiveris extra. …ers. Satyr. 1. he cannot be regardlesse of his heart, which is the Fountaine of all actions good and evill. Let every man prove himself, and try his work, before he set upon it, that he may have good assurance of the lawfulnesse of it, both in it selfe, and in regard of circumstances, and manner of doing. A bad affection may marre a good work, but a good affection cannot justifie an evill action: therefore both the heart and act must be brought into the light, and examined by it. To this duty the Apostle seemeth to have an eye, when he prayeth for the Philippians; Phil. 1.10.that they might try things that differ, and that they might be sincere, such whose hearts and workes would endure the light of the Sunne. The counsell is good here, Looke first and then leape: see the ground be firme, and then tread upon it safely. 4. An holy jealousie and suspicion, lest the heart be deceived through the deceitfulnesse of sinne. The most simple-hearted Christian is a most wary man, suspecting his heart, least it should be drawn aside. For he knoweth sinne lies in ambush to beguile: The world is full of allurements, and his heart is ready to listen unto their cunning insinuations, which maketh him to look to his waies with more then double diligence. As he that is very circumspect for the world, is most suspicious of himselfe, least he be over-seen, and of others, least they over-reach and beguile him: so one that is most circumspect for heaven, doth suspect himselfe at all times, and in all occasions overlooke his heart, least it should start aside, and turne out of the way. This godly jealousie of our selves and feare of our infirmity, will make us carefull to eschew all occasions of sinne, and whatsoever by meanes of our weakenesse may become matter of evill unto us. For as those that know themselves to be of a weake stomack, ready to take check at such meates as many other ordinarily, are wont to digest well enough, are very chary of their diet, and carefull to forbeare, not such meates onelyonly as are simply unwholesome, but even such also as they suspect or suppose to be of hard digestion, and will not in that regard so well accord with their weakenesse: So the man that is suspicious of himselfe, and jealous of his own corruption, will be carefull to walke warily, and diligently to avoid (not those things alone that he seeth and knoweth to be simply evill, and in that regard prejudiciall to all in generall,) but even those things also duplicate page duplicate page duplicate page duplicate page that, though indifferent, and in themselves otherwise not unwarrantable, such as may be done by some sometime without hurt or offence, yet that in regard of the strength of his corruption, his naturall disposition, the weakenesse of grace in him, and his pronenesse to slip and to be overtaken in them, may in that regard prove dangerous and prejudiciall to him in particular, howsoever others might without danger deale with them. Againe, this holy jealousie makes us fly from all appearance of evill, as from a Serpent. Narrow over-looking is the best meanes to keep the sloathfull Servant from idlenesse: The jealous eye of the Husband warneth the Wife to shame and avoide all shews of unfaithfulnesse. And this is the effect of godly selfe-jealousie in respect of sinne, and whatsoever carries any semblance of it. Further, this jealousie of our own weaknesse not make us the more carefull, to use diligently all good meanes, whereby we may be supported and strengthened against all occasions which we cannot avoide. For the more conscious men are to themselves of their own wants, the more diligent are they wont to be in resorting to those by whom their wants may be supplied: and the more suspicious we are of our own infirmity and weakenesse, the more carefull will we be daily and hourely to repaire unto him,2 Tim. 4.17. 2 Cor. 12.9.10. who alone is able to confirme and strengthen us, yea, who is able so to enable us notwithstanding our weaknesse, that his power and might shall appeare in us amiddest our feeblenesse, and our very infirmity shall make much for his glory. And surely in this kinde, it is more behovefull for a man to be somewhat too fearefull and heedy, then to be a little too confident and fool-hardy: to take notice of his own weaknesse, that he may become strong, then while he thinketh himselfe strong in his own conceit,Prov. 28.24. to prove weake. Blessed is the man that feareth alwaies. 5. A serious consideration of Gods continuall presence about us and with us, wheresoever we are, and whatsoever we are about.Psal. 16.8. Psal. 119.168. I have set the Lord alwaies before mine eyes, (saith David:) for he is at my right hand, therefore I shall not fall. And surely it would be a notable meanes to preserve us from stepping aside: if we could at all times remember, That the eye of the Lord doth in every place behold the evill and the good. It is the argument that Solomon useth to the incontinent person, to withdraw him from his loose and licentious courses;Prov. 5.20.21. Why shouldest thou delight (saith he) in a strange Woman, or embrace a strangers bosome? since the waies of a man are before the eyes of the Lord, and he pondereth all his pathes. Yea, not his waies alone, but the secret motions of his minde, and the inward intentions of his heart,Heb. 4.12. Psal. 139.2.…3 Prov. 15.11. they are all naked and broken up, as the inwards of a Beast that is cut up and quartered, to him that we, have to deale with. And it is the Argument that Elihu useth to disswade and deterre men from wicked practises;Job. 34.21.22. Gods eyes are upon the waies of man; and he eyeth every step he taketh. And there is no darknesse, nor deadly shade, that can shaddow wicked workers from his sight. This was that kept David in compasse:Psal. 1…9.168. I have kept (saith he) thy Precepts and thy Testimonies: for all my waies are in thy sight. As all Gods Laws in his sight,Psal. 19.6. & 18.22. so all his waies in Gods sight: Gods Laws in his sight by dutifull regard; his waies in Gods sight, through his all-seeing presence, whereby like a well-drawn Picture, that eyeth each one in the roome, he eyeth in that manner each one in the world, and all the waies of each one, as if his eye were upon none but them. 6. A sixth furtherance of this holy exactnesse is, to be oft sifting and and examining our selves, veiwing and surveying our hearts and our lives,Prov. 4.26. taking account of our selves how we watch and how we walke, how the cause standeth between us and God. Stand in awe, and sinne not: examine your hearts on your beds, and be still. And else-where David saith of himselfe, Psal. 119.59.Psal. 4.4. I considered my waies, and turned my feet againe to thy Testimonies. The last is, To make a covenant with his eyes,Prov. 4.25. Psal. 119. that they behold not vanity.
Q. What Reasons are there to shew the necessity of this exact and circumspect course?
A. It is the Commandement of God, that we should walke before him,Indulgence in the least known sinne, or neglect of the least known duty, when men will not forsake it, it makes a breach between God and them: as amongst friends, a small thing whe…ein neither will yeeld, may cause a seperation. Psal. 39.1. Zeph. 2.1. Vis. Jun. …rov. 25.26. If a man would be unspotted of the world, he must be exact in all things. Jam. 1. ult. for if he faile but a little the world will blaze his name all over. 1 Thes. 4.12. 1 …et. 3.12.3. 1 Cor. 10.32. It is the Rule of wisdome that commands us to walke exactly, and he is the wisest man that comes nearest the Rules of wisedome: as he is the best writer that comes nearest his Copy. Joh 11.8.9. 1 Chro. 22.13 2 Ch. 24.20. 1 Reg. 8.23. 1 Thes. 5.4.5. Si aliorum excutere tenebras fideles debent fulgore suo, quanto …i…u… cacu…ire ipsi debent in pro…o vita institut…. according to all the Statutes and Ordinances that he hath given in Covenant to be observed by us: And we for our parts, have undertaken to serve him in holinesse and righteousnesse all the daies of our life, and without stint or limitation, to go to the utmost in every command: And if in one thing we obey because God commandeth, and he hath promised it, why not in this also? 2. We must all appeare before the Throne of God, to give an account of those things that we have done in the flesh, be they good or evill. At the day of judgement men must give an account of every idle word, and roving thought, much more of every unwarrantable action; have we not cause then to looke heedfully to our waies? Are we not to passe a strict and straight judgement, wherein every secret shall be made open, and in which it shall be rewarded? And shall the Devill delude us, or the wicked world make us believe, we need not be so straight-laced, as to say with David, I will looke to my waies? If the Lord ponder all our paths, ought not we to ponder and sift them them againe and againe? 3. The wicked amongst whom we live are ready to take all advantages, and watch for our haltings, both to harden themselves, and reproach through us the holy and pure Religion of God. For if they can scorne and deride the servants of God for wel-doing, and religious actions; how would they triumph and glory in the falls of any of Gods Worthies? Hence was the exhortation of the Apostle, Col. 4.5. Walke wisely towards them that are without And Phil. 2.14, 15. Do all things without murmurings, and disputings: That ye may be blamelesse, and harmelesse, the Sonnes of God, without rebuke, in the middest of a crooked and perverse Nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world. 4. The way to Heaven is full of snares, crosses, and dangers, by reason of our enemies: and therefore requires all our diligence, either to avoide them, or wisely to step over them. We can be very wary in the dangerous waies of this world, to take direction or company, and Armour, and the day light to further us: And why not in this way to Heaven? Besides, it is a narrow way, and on high: all which makes it the more perilous to decline from it. How circumspect had he need to be, that walkes upon an high narrow Rocke, or sailes betwixt two dangerous Gulfes? where it is as perillous to slip, as easie to turne aside, and both at hand, if more then common heed be not taken. 5. This strict course of life is the onelyonly safe and prosperous way. Psal. 119.6. Then shall I not be confounded, when I have respect to all thy Commandememts. Then shalt thou prosper, if thou takest heed to fulfill the Statutes and Judgements, which the Lord charged Moses with concerning Israel. And the Reason is evident, Levit. 26.2, 12. For God walketh in the middest of them that keepe his Commandements, and do them, and keepeth Covenant of mercy with them, that love him and walke in his Statutes. It is now time for us to cast off the workes of darknesse, ignorance and lust, and to put on the Armour of life, Rom. 13.12. For the night is farre spent, and the day is at hand: and our salvation is nearer then when we believed. Though men in the night take rest, and sleep unapparelled, not passing for uncomelinesse: yet in the day they go out to labour, and have care of civill decency: and Christians, whose night is past, who live in the peepe and breake of the day, must settle themselves as is beseeming for the day. Againe, such who are now nearer the fruit and end of their faith and love, such must be more diligent in the works of them: for the end of every thing is of such force, that the nearer we come to it, we do with more courage and diligence ply the meanes which do bring unto it. 7. In the way of obedience there is much comfort and joy; yea, the pleasures of a Crown are not comparable unto it,Psal. 138.5. Jer. 6.16. for the Commandements lead unto rest, and he that walketh in them, shall finde peace unto his soul.This is the onelyonly excellency of a Christian. Is it not the best glass that shews the smallest spots: the brightest light, that shews the least moates: the finest flesh, that is sensi…le of the least pricking: and the conscience sensible of the least sin or falling, is the perfection of Christianity. 8. Sinne is the disturber of conscience; the onelyonly make-bate that sets a man at odds with God, at contention with himselfe. From whence are inward frettings, disquietnesse, vexation, and discontenment; but from our lusts? From whence are griefes, sorrows, feares, terrours, and troubles; but from conscience of sinne? Look what force any allurement or inordinate passion hath to draw us into sinne, of such power is that sinne unrepented of, to dazle the eye of faith, and to hinder the sight of Gods free love and mercy towards us. 9. The dreadfull relation that the faithfull stand in to God, to Christ, to the Holy Ghost, to the Saints; doth binde them to walke honourably, excellently, with all circumspection, keeping themselves pure from the pollutions of the flesh, and evill customes of the world. For they are the Sonnes of God, who is holy; the Members of Christ, who is pure and undefiled; the Temple of the Holy Ghost, who is the Sanctifier of the elect, and fellow Citizens of the Saints, who are called unto holinesse.
Q. How should a man stirre up himselfe to this circumspection?
A. First, He must bewaile his former ignorance, rashnesse, sloath, unadvisednesse, shame himselfe for it, and make it hatefull. How have I erred from thy Commmandements, neglected wisdome, and followed the corrupt lusts of my own heart, passing by thy holy Precepts, as a strange thing. Before men, I have been carefull to carry my selfe warily, that I might not incurre disgrace, advantage mine adversaries, and bring trouble upon my own head. But O Lord, I have not regarded thy presence, I have been negligent in thy service, wherein all diligence and circumspection is too little. Many times I have been drawn away with the pleasures and profits of this world, oft distempered with passions,, not seldome hindered with sluggishnesse, that I have altogether served Satan, or wholly left thy work undone. And if at any time I have gone about what thou requirest, how slightly have I done it, with what remissenesse of heart, dulnesse of spirit, as if I had gone about some dead taske, to which I was not obliged by any duty, in which no profit could be reaped, no pleasure taken. If my Childe or servent should returne such duty, tender such service to me, that am a worme, and no man, could I take it well? If I speake, and they stand still; if I admonish once or twice, and they shew no respect, how am I moved to displeasure? how do I take on as grievously wronged? O Lord, I am ashamed, that I should offer that hard measure unto thy holinesse, that I a base silly creature, would not receive at the hands of another. Secondly, He must quicken himselfe to more diligence and heedfulnesse for the time to come. O my soul, thou hast too long been in security, been indulgent to thy corrupt affections, and foolishly pursued earthly vanities with double diligence, whilest the practice of Piety and Justice hath been cleane forgotten, and almost buried in oblivion. Now therefore awake from sleep, shake off sloath, consider the season, and with speciall labour redeeme the opportunities that through carelesnesse have overslipped thee. The darkenesse is past, and the light is risen, addresse thy selfe to the work of the day. Behold, the Lord calleth thee to labour, to make haste to runne the race of his commandements, why sittest thou idle, and knittest delaies? The work it selfe is easie, pleasant, and honourable; the recompence of reward unspeakable and glorious. To be industrious in petty matters, exact in trifles, and carelesse or slacke in this of the greatest worth, is the most egregious folly. Looke upon the men of this world, how do they observe their Marts, Faires, Tearmes; what lets and impediments do they breake through for that purpose? By their wisdome and forwardnesse be thou incited to shew more circumspection in matters of singular importance. It is the Lord thy Creatour, thy Saviour, thy Gloryfier that demands thy service: he that made thee of Nothing, hath bought thee with a Price, will Crown thee with immortality; he it is that calleth upon thee to serve him with intention. The work is his, the advantage thine own. The worthinnesse, soveraignty, and exceeding love of the Commander, the dignity of the Work, the excellency and greatnesse of the reward: all these do challenge of thee, the most exquisite care, paines, and diligence, that can possibly be imagined.Rectus is est qui se non intorquet aut inflectit, nec ut loquuntur, servi… foro & tempori sed Deo & conscientiae: qua uquam interim nihil vetet … um qui servit Deo & conscientiae, servire fere & tempori, quando id fit sine detremento gloriâ Dei & conscientiae. O my soul, all that thou hast, yea, ten thousand times more then thou canst repay, thou owest to the Lord: and what canst thou render lesse for shame, then a ready cheerfull willingnesse to do him faithfull service in all things, all the daies of thy life? Thirdly, He must fly unto God by Prayer, intrearing him to work our hearts to this holy circumspection at all times. O my God, I am fully purposed by thy grace, to cleave unto thy Testimonies for ever, and exactly to runne the race of thy Commandments: keepe (I pray thee) this resolution hot and lively in my breast, and direct my feet in thy pathes, that I tread not aside, stumble not in the way. Of my selfe I have no power to stand, or to preserve any sparkle of thy Spirit glowing in my heart; I beseech thee, that hast put this motion into my minde, confirme and establish me therein, unto the end.