The good old vvay, Gods vvay, to sovle-refreshing rest: discovered in a sermon preached to the Right Honorable the Lord Maior and court of aldermen of the citie of London, at their anniversary meeting on Wednesday in Easter weeke at Christ-Church, Apr. 24. 1644 being the day of the monethly publike fast. By Thomas Hill B.D. Pastor of Tychmersh in Northampton shire. Imprimatur, Charles Herle.
         Hill, Thomas, d. 1653.
      
       
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             The good old vvay, Gods vvay, to sovle-refreshing rest: discovered in a sermon preached to the Right Honorable the Lord Maior and court of aldermen of the citie of London, at their anniversary meeting on Wednesday in Easter weeke at Christ-Church, Apr. 24. 1644 being the day of the monethly publike fast. By Thomas Hill B.D. Pastor of Tychmersh in Northampton shire. Imprimatur, Charles Herle.
             Hill, Thomas, d. 1653.
          
           [6], 52 p.
           
             Printed by Ric. Cotes, for John Bellamie and Philemon Stephens,
             London :
             1644.
          
           
             Reproduction of the original in the British Library.
          
        
      
    
     
       
         eng
      
       
         
           Wollaston, John, -- Sir.
           Bible. -- O.T. -- Jeremiah VI, 16-19 -- Sermons.
           Fast-day sermons -- 17th century.
           Sermons, English -- 17th century.
        
      
    
       A86356  R11496  (Thomason E48_4).  civilwar no The good old vvay, Gods vvay, to sovle-refreshing rest::  discovered in a sermon preached to the Right Honorable the Lord Maior and court of Hill, Thomas 1644    29348 254 50 0 0 0 0 104 F  The  rate of 104 defects per 10,000 words puts this text in the F category of texts with  100 or more defects per 10,000 words. 
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           THE
           GOOD
           OLD
           VVAY
           ,
           GODS
           VVAY
           ,
           TO
           SOVLE-REFRESHING
           REST
           :
           DISCOVERED
           In
           a
           Sermon
           Preached
           to
           the
           Right
           Honorable
           the
           Lord
           Maior
           and
           Court
           of
           Aldermen
           of
           the
           Citie
           of
           
             London
             ,
          
           at
           their
           Anniversary
           meeting
           on
           Wednesday
           in
           Easter
           Weeke
           at
           
             Christ-Church
             ,
             Apr.
          
           24.
           1644.
           being
           the
           day
           of
           the
           Monethly
           publike
           Fast
           .
        
         
           By
           THOMAS
           HILL
           B.
           D.
           Pastor
           of
           
             Tychmersh
          
           in
           
             Northampton-shire
             .
          
        
         
           
             Prov.
             14.
             2.
             
          
           
             There
             is
             a
             way
             which
             seemeth
             right
             unto
             a
             man
             ,
             but
             the
             end
             thereof
             are
             the
             wayes
             of
             death
             .
          
        
         
           
             Psal.
             139.
             23
             ,
             24.
             
          
           
             Search
             me
             O
             God
             ,
             and
             know
             my
             heart
             ,
             try
             me
             and
             know
             my
             thoughts
             :
             And
             see
             if
             there
             be
             any
             wickkednesse
             in
             me
             ,
             and
             lead
             me
             in
             the
             way
             everlasting
             .
          
        
         
           
             Isa
             2.
             3.
             
          
           
             And
             many
             people
             shall
             goe
             and
             say
             ,
             Come
             yee
             and
             let
             us
             go
             up
             to
             the
             mountaine
             of
             the
             Lord
             ,
             to
             the
             house
             of
             the
             God
             of
             
               Jacob
               ,
            
             and
             he
             will
             teach
             us
             of
             his
             wayes
             ,
             and
             we
             will
             walke
             in
             his
             paths
             .
          
        
         
           Imprimatur
           ,
           
             Charles
             Herle
             .
          
        
         
           
             London
          
           Printed
           by
           
             Ric.
             Cotes
             ,
          
           for
           
             John
             Bellamie
          
           and
           
             Philemon
             Stephens
             ,
          
           1644.
           
        
      
       
       
       
         
           TO
           THE
           RIGHT
           HONORABLE
           The
           Lord
           Maior
           ,
           and
           Court
           of
           Aldermen
           ,
           with
           other
           Citizens
           of
           the
           Renowned
           City
           of
           
             LONDON
             .
          
        
         
           
             I
          
           Doubt
           not
           but
           there
           are
           many
           amongst
           you
           ,
           Right
           Honourable
           and
           Worthy
           Citizens
           ;
           yea
           ,
           very
           many
           who
           seriously
           set
           their
           faces
           towards
           
             Sion
             ;
          
           The
           whole
           Kingdome
           hath
           abundantly
           tasted
           the
           excellent
           fruites
           of
           your
           reall
           forwardnesse
           in
           
             this
             good
             way
             .
          
           Travellers
           are
           usually
           as
           glad
           of
           
             Guides
             ,
          
           as
           of
           
             Companions
             ,
          
           especially
           in
           
             doubtfull
          
           wayes
           :
           And
           wee
           are
           fallen
           among
           so
           many
           
             Questionists
             ,
          
           and
           such
           
             thick
             mists
          
           of
           
             strange
             Doctrines
             ,
          
           obscuring
           the
           good
           way
           so
           much
           ,
           that
           we
           had
           need
           seeke
           cleere
           
             direction
             ,
          
           otherwise
           
           wee
           may
           soone
           be
           at
           
             a
             losse
             .
          
           We
           heare
           of
           
             Antinomians
          
           who
           deny
           the
           
             Law
             ,
          
           to
           bee
           a
           rule
           of
           life
           to
           Saints
           :
           Wee
           heare
           of
           
             Socinians
             ,
          
           who
           in
           a
           manner
           overthrow
           the
           
             Gospel
             ,
          
           denying
           the
           satisfaction
           of
           Christ
           :
           We
           heare
           of
           
             Arminians
             ,
          
           who
           undermine
           the
           
             Covenant
             of
             Free-grace
             ,
          
           that
           they
           may
           gratifie
           Free-will
           :
           We
           heare
           of
           
             Anabaptists
             ,
          
           who
           with-hold
           
             Baptisme
          
           the
           Seale
           of
           that
           Covenant
           from
           the
           
             Infants
             ,
          
           even
           of
           such
           as
           are
           in
           
             Covenant
             :
          
           We
           heare
           of
           others
           ,
           who
           question
           the
           
             Truth
          
           of
           our
           
             Church
             ,
          
           and
           of
           our
           
             Ministry
             ,
          
           in
           and
           by
           which
           so
           many
           thousand
           soules
           have
           been
           new
           borne
           to
           
             God
             :
          
           Yea
           ,
           we
           heare
           of
           some
           grown
           to
           
           that
           desperate
           height
           ,
           that
           they
           say
           ,
           there
           is
           
             no
             need
             of
             Ministry
             or
             Ordinances
             ,
          
           flattering
           us
           with
           hope
           of
           
             new
             Apostles
             ,
             &
             glorious
             discoveries
          
           by
           them
           .
           Hereby
           Religion
           is
           much
           mangled
           ,
           and
           well
           meaning
           minds
           not
           a
           little
           distracted
           ,
           which
           way
           to
           take
           .
           It
           is
           the
           
             Ministers
          
           worke
           to
           
             warne
          
           against
           enemies
           ,
           to
           
             direct
          
           
           against
           
             errors
             ,
          
           to
           carry
           the
           
             Lanthorne
             and
             Candle
             of
             Gods
             Word
             ,
          
           before
           people
           in
           the
           darke
           ,
           that
           they
           may
           find
           the
           best
           way
           .
           What
           sparkes
           of
           light
           this
           plaine
           Sermon
           holds
           forth
           ,
           were
           at
           first
           blowne
           up
           by
           your
           desire
           ,
           and
           now
           by
           your
           importunity
           being
           made
           Publike
           are
           kept
           burning
           .
           The
           good
           Lord
           (
           who
           despiseth
           not
           the
           day
           of
           small
           things
           )
           quicken
           your
           Spirits
           hereby
           in
           Heaven-way
           ;
           I
           shall
           heartily
           rejoice
           if
           your
           
             attention
          
           in
           hearing
           ,
           shall
           be
           seconded
           with
           
             intention
          
           in
           acting
           over
           that
           Counsell
           which
           was
           given
           you
           from
           the
           Word
           of
           God
           .
           This
           is
           the
           best
           commendation
           of
           a
           Sermon
           ,
           to
           walke
           in
           the
           light
           and
           heat
           of
           it
           in
           your
           conversation
           ▪
           what
           is
           wanting
           in
           the
           strength
           and
           lustre
           of
           this
           Discourse
           ,
           will
           in
           part
           be
           supplyed
           by
           its
           seasonablenesse
           .
        
         
           In
           these
           times
           of
           Reformation
           we
           should
           bee
           often
           put
           in
           mind
           ,
           to
           stand
           ,
           see
           ,
           inquire
           :
           As
           in
           
             building
          
           we
           beware
           of
           mistakes
           in
           the
           
             foundation
             ;
          
           In
           
             Physicke
             ,
          
           of
           errors
           in
           the
           
             first
             concoction
             ;
          
           in
           both
           these
           they
           are
           dangerous
           ,
           because
           hardly
           corrigible
           ;
           So
           in
           journeys
           we
           should
           wisely
           watch
           against
           erring
           ,
           both
           at
           our
           first
           setting
           out
           ,
           and
           especially
           when
           we
           come
           to
           a
           great
           turning
           ,
           if
           then
           we
           mistake
           the
           right
           way
           ,
           we
           shall
           not
           easily
           recover
           .
           How
           carefull
           was
           
             Ezra
             to
             seeke
             of
             God
             a
             right
             way
             ,
          
           when
           he
           was
           going
           from
           
             Babylon
          
           to
           
             Jerusalem
             ?
          
           Hee
           
             proclaimed
             a
             Fast
          
           for
           that
           purpose
           at
           the
           River
           
             Ahava
             ,
          
           and
           that
           a
           most
           religious
           
           ground
           ,
           
             Ver.
             22.
             
          
           We
           in
           
             England
          
           are
           now
           engaged
           in
           counsels
           of
           
             Reformation
             ,
          
           that
           w●e
           may
           remove
           further
           from
           
             Babylon
          
           towards
           
             Jerusalem
             .
          
           And
           by
           the
           good
           hand
           of
           
             God
          
           upon
           us
           ,
           we
           are
           under
           his
           owne
           
             Ordinance
             ,
          
           an
           
             Assembly
             of
             Ministers
          
           is
           called
           to
           discover
           the
           
             Scripture
             way
             .
          
           It
           is
           worth
           much
           importunity
           ,
           
           in
           Fasting
           and
           Praying
           ;
           that
           being
           come
           to
           so
           
             great
             a
             turning
             ,
          
           upon
           so
           
             grand
             a
             change
          
           in
           the
           
             Church
             of
             England
             ,
          
           wee
           may
           cleerly
           find
           the
           
             good
             old
             way
             :
          
           Wee
           must
           expect
           
             Satan
             
             who
             stood
             at
          
           Joshuahs
           
             right
             hand
             to
             resist
             him
             ,
          
           when
           hee
           was
           about
           Temple-worke
           ,
           will
           now
           use
           all
           his
           methods
           to
           p●rplexe
           and
           to
           mis-lead
           us
           ,
           to
           involve
           us
           in
           difficulties
           ,
           and
           in
           angle
           us
           with
           errors
           :
           If
           he
           cannot
           wholly
           turne
           us
           out
           of
           the
           good
           way
           ,
           he
           will
           indeavour
           to
           cast
           stumbling-blocks
           in
           it
           ,
           and
           by
           variety
           of
           opinions
           ,
           to
           multiply
           divisions
           about
           it
           ;
           yea
           ,
           hee
           knowes
           how
           by
           faire
           pretences
           ,
           and
           by
           good
           words
           ,
           to
           cousen
           us
           into
           bad
           wayes
           .
           
             New-England
          
           affords
           us
           a
           sad
           instance
           of
           this
           policy
           .
           A
           
             worthy
             Divine
          
           of
           their
           owne
           tells
           us
           ,
           by
           what
           sleights
           the
           
             Antinomians
             ,
             Familists
             ,
          
           and
           
             Libertines
             ,
          
           infected
           the
           Churches
           there
           ,
           
             As
             they
             would
             lift
             up
             themselves
             ,
          
           (
           saith
           hee
           )
           
             so
             also
             their
             
             opinions
             ,
             by
             guilding
             them
             over
             with
             specious
             termes
             of
             Free
             grace
             ,
             glorious
             light
             ,
             Gospel
             Truths
             ,
             as
             holding
             forth
             naked
             Christ
             ,
          
           &c.
           
             and
             this
             tooke
             much
             with
             simple
             honest
             hearts
             ,
             who
             loved
             Christ
             ;
             especially
             with
             new
             Converts
             ,
             who
             were
             lately
             in
             bondage
             under
             sinne
             and
             wrath
             ,
             and
             had
             newly
             tasted
             the
             sweetnesse
             of
             Free-Grace
             ,
             being
             now
             in
             their
             first
             love
             to
             Christ
             ,
             they
             were
             exceeding
             glad
             to
             imbrace
             any
             thing
             that
             might
             further
             advance
             Christ
             and
             Free-Grace
             ,
             and
             so
             dranke
             them
             in
             readily
             .
          
        
         
           Yet
           be
           not
           discouraged
           ,
           I
           beseech
           you
           ;
           your
           wise
           and
           powerfull
           
           
             Saviour
          
           hath
           the
           
             Government
             upon
             his
             owne
             shoulders
             ;
          
           he
           
           can
           easily
           
             rebuke
             Satan
             ,
          
           well
           knowing
           how
           to
           confute
           
             errors
             ,
          
           resolve
           
             doubts
             ,
          
           and
           compose
           
             differences
             ,
          
           hee
           can
           conquer
           the
           greatest
           
             difficulties
             ,
          
           or
           remove
           them
           with
           advantage
           to
           his
           owne
           
             Cause
             ,
          
           and
           your
           
             Soules
             .
          
           Doe
           not
           despaire
           but
           
             Gods
             Counsels
          
           are
           ripening
           towards
           such
           a
           time
           ,
           when
           you
           may
           find
           rest
           after
           your
           long
           
             motion
             ,
             stability
          
           after
           your
           many
           
             shakings
             ,
          
           and
           when
           you
           shall
           reape
           the
           
             harvest
          
           of
           all
           the
           prayers
           and
           good
           indeavours
           you
           have
           
             sown
             ,
          
           and
           receive
           rich
           
             interest
          
           
           for
           all
           the
           blood
           and
           Treasure
           you
           have
           expended
           in
           his
           
             Gospells
             Cause
             .
          
           Who
           knowes
           but
           
             London
             ,
          
           by
           the
           Free-Grace
           of
           God
           ,
           after
           all
           these
           blacke
           and
           bloody
           clouds
           ,
           may
           have
           cause
           to
           coine
           Money
           ,
           (
           as
           they
           did
           in
           worthy
           
             Mr.
             
             Farrells
          
           time
           ,
           who
           had
           
           been
           so
           much
           opposed
           and
           threatned
           in
           reforming
           
             Geneva
          
           and
           other
           Cities
           ?
           )
           with
           this
           Posie
           on
           the
           one
           side
           :
           
             Light
             after
             a
             long
             darknesse
             ;
          
           and
           on
           the
           other
           side
           :
           
             Our
             God
             fights
             for
             us
             ▪
          
           You
           have
           had
           many
           visible
           
             Providences
             ,
          
           as
           well
           as
           precious
           
             promises
             ,
          
           encouraging
           you
           to
           persevere
           in
           the
           good
           way
           .
           Hee
           hath
           wrought
           wonderfully
           
             for
          
           you
           ,
           and
           
             by
          
           you
           ;
           his
           good
           hand
           remaine
           upon
           you
           ,
           till
           he
           bring
           you
           to
           ervelasting
           rest
           .
        
         
           The
           Lord
           refresh
           
             London
          
           with
           the
           comfort
           of
           those
           
             good
             
             words
          
           he
           sp●ke
           unto
           
             Jerusalem
             :
             I
             will
             be
             unto
             her
             a
             wall
             of
             fire
             round
             about
             ,
             and
             will
             bee
             the
             glory
             in
             the
             midst
             of
             her
             .
          
           So
           prayes
           heartily
           ,
        
         
           
             Your
             Servant
             wherein
             he
             may
             promote
             your
             Soules
             in
             the
             good
             way
             ,
             THOMAS
             HILL
             .
          
        
      
    
     
       
       
         
           THE
           GOOD
           OLD
           WAY
           ,
           Gods
           Way
           ,
           TO
           SOVLE-REFRESHING
           REST
           .
        
         
           
             Jer.
             6.
             16
             ,
             17
             ,
             18
             ,
             19.
             
          
           
             
               16
               Thus
               saith
               the
               Lord
               ,
               Stand
               yee
               in
               the
               wayes
               ,
               and
               see
               ,
               and
               aske
               for
               the
               old
               paths
               ,
               where
               is
               the
               good
               way
               ,
               and
               walke
               therein
               ,
               and
               yee
               shall
               find
               rest
               for
               your
               soules
               ;
               but
               they
               said
               ,
               Wee
               will
               not
               walk
               therein
               .
            
             
               17
               Also
               I
               set
               watchmen
               over
               you
               ,
               saying
               ,
               hearken
               to
               the
               sound
               of
               the
               Trumpet
               :
               but
               they
               said
               ,
               Wee
               will
               not
               hearken
               .
            
             
               18
               Therefore
               heare
               yee
               Nations
               ,
               and
               know
               O
               Congregation
               ,
               what
               is
               among
               them
               ,
               &c.
               
            
          
        
         
           AMongst
           all
           the
           
             objects
          
           upon
           which
           you
           lay
           out
           your
           most
           serious
           thoughts
           ,
           and
           strongest
           affections
           ,
           there
           is
           none
           next
           to
           
             God
          
           himselfe
           ,
           so
           worthy
           of
           a
           large
           share
           ,
           as
           your
           immortall
           
             Soules
             :
          
           (
           one
           
             soule
             is
             worth
             more
             then
             a
             world
             ,
             Mat.
          
           16.
           24.
           )
           And
           what
           more
           desirable
           for
           the
           best
           good
           of
           our
           Soules
           (
           especially
           in
           stormy
           times
           )
           then
           to
           find
           a
           
             Rest
             ,
          
           an
           haven
           of
           tranquillity
           ,
           which
           would
           bee
           like
           the
           
             mountaines
          
           of
           
             Ararat
             ,
          
           to
           a
           tossed
           Arke
           ,
           as
           
             Gen.
          
           8.
           4
           !
           Behold
           ,
           here
           is
           
             Rest
             for
             your
             soules
             ;
          
           Who
           can
           direct
           you
           poore
           pilgrims
           in
           a
           
             method
          
           to
           find
           this
           
             rest
             ,
          
           whilest
           you
           goe
           up
           and
           down
           ,
           feeling
           after
           God
           ,
           
             Acts
          
           17.
           27.
           being
           in
           the
           dark
           ,
           stumbling
           at
           you
           know
           not
           what
           ?
           
             Prov.
          
           4.
           19.
           
           None
           doubtlesse
           so
           well
           as
           God
           himselfe
           ,
           who
           is
           our
           
             Haven
             ,
          
           our
           
             happinesse
             ,
          
           whose
           presence
           is
           heaven
           ,
           and
           who
           best
           knows
           what
           path
           leads
           to
           the
           injoyment
           of
           himselfe
           .
           
             Thus
             saith
             the
             Lord
             ,
             
             stand
             in
             the
             Way
             ,
             and
             see
             ,
             and
             aske
             for
             the
             old
             pvth
             ,
             where
             is
             the
             good
             way
             ,
             and
             walke
             therein
             ,
             and
             you
             shall
             finde
             rest
             for
             your
             soules
             .
          
           All
           this
           bespeakes
           your
           ingenuous
           entertainment
           of
           that
           Counsel
           ,
           that
           admonition
           ,
           that
           here
           the
           Lord
           giveth
           ,
           teaching
           
             viatores
             ,
          
           how
           they
           may
           become
           
             comprehensores
             .
          
           In
           the
           words
           themselves
           there
           is
           enough
           to
           perswade
           you
           to
           set
           open
           the
           doores
           of
           your
           Soules
           ,
           to
           welcome
           them
           ,
           as
           seasonable
           .
           
        
         
           Herein
           you
           have
           ,
        
         
           First
           ,
           
             A
             gracious
             expression
             of
             Gods
             indulgent
             carriage
             towards
             a
             sinfull
          
           
           
             and
             unworthy
             people
             of
             Judah
             .
             Thus
             saith
             the
             Lord
             ,
          
           stand
           ,
           see
           ,
           ask
           ,
           for
           the
           good
           way
           ,
           &c.
           
           Hee
           invites
           them
           most
           seriously
           ,
           to
           those
           wayes
           ,
           which
           infallibly
           lead
           to
           their
           everlasting
           welfare
           ,
           
             ver.
          
           16
           ,
           17.
           
        
         
           Secondly
           ,
           
             Judahs
             ungratious
             ,
             and
             uncivill
             rejecting
             of
             this
             wholsome
          
           
           
             counsell
             .
          
           Proud
           
             Selfe-will
             ,
          
           (
           a
           most
           dangerous
           bosome
           Malignant
           )
           maintained
           such
           a
           
             potent
             faction
             ,
          
           within
           them
           ,
           against
           God
           ,
           and
           their
           own
           Soules
           ;
           that
           they
           repell
           his
           kindnesse
           ,
           with
           this
           unmannerly
           answer
           ;
           
             Wee
             will
             not
             walk
             therein
             ,
          
           ver.
           16.
           
           
             Wee
             will
             not
             hearken
             ,
          
           ver.
           17.
           
        
         
           Thirdly
           ,
           
             The
             dangerous
             consequence
             of
             their
             wretched
             carriage
             towards
          
           
           
             so
             good
             a
             God
             .
          
           The
           Lord
           being
           sensible
           of
           so
           high
           an
           affront
           ,
           done
           to
           his
           Majesty
           ,
           summons
           up
           judgements
           against
           them
           ,
           
             v.
          
           18
           ,
           19.
           
        
         
           In
           the
           first
           
             generall
             part
             ,
          
           which
           
             is
             Gods
             gracious
             carriage
             towards
          
           
           
             his
             people
             of
             Judah
             ,
          
           there
           are
           divers
           particulars
           .
        
         
           First
           ,
           The
           
             Speaker
             ,
             God
             himselfe
             ;
          
           Thus
           saith
           the
           
             Lord
             .
          
           Good
           
           reason
           wee
           should
           bee
           
             attentive
             hearers
             ,
          
           when
           the
           Preface
           to
           the
           Sermon
           ,
           beings
           with
           it
           such
           a
           
             commanding
             intimation
          
           from
           the
           Lords
           own
           mouth
           .
           Our
           wise
           and
           gracious
           God
           ,
           was
           ever
           carefull
           to
           give
           his
           people
           monuments
           of
           that
           great
           respect
           hee
           beares
           towards
           them
           :
           And
           therefore
           in
           the
           
             Ark
             ,
          
           there
           was
           ,
           as
           the
           pot
           of
           
             Mannah
             ,
          
           an
           evidence
           of
           Gods
           care
           to
           
             feed
          
           them
           ,
           and
           the
           rod
           of
           
             Aaron
             ,
          
           an
           Ensigne
           of
           
             government
             ,
          
           shewing
           ,
           that
           hee
           would
           
             rule
          
           over
           them
           ;
           So
           also
           the
           
             Tables
             ,
          
           in
           token
           of
           his
           
             teaching
          
           of
           them
           ;
           When
           afterwards
           he
           sent
           abroad
           his
           
             Prophets
             :
          
           still
           the
           people
           should
           understand
           ,
           that
           
             God
          
           himself
           was
           their
           
             Teacher
             ,
          
           by
           a
           frequent
           repetition
           of
           
             Thus
             saith
             the
          
           
           
             Lord
          
           (
           no
           lesse
           then
           foureteen
           times
           in
           one
           Chapter
           .
           )
           Sometimes
           ,
           by
           way
           of
           command
           ,
           sometimes
           by
           way
           of
           direction
           ,
           sometimes
           for
           confirmation
           ;
           and
           often
           for
           all
           these
           ,
           and
           other
           heavenly
           purposes
           .
        
         
         
           Secondly
           ,
           Consider
           ,
           the
           
             language
             God
             speakes
             ,
          
           the
           wholsome
           counsell
           
           hee
           gives
           them
           :
           When
           
             Jehovah
             preacheth
             ,
          
           you
           may
           expect
           wise
           hints
           ,
           excellent
           
             doctrine
             to
             be
             propounded
          
           by
           him
           .
           Here
           you
           have
           foure
           particular
           branches
           in
           a
           few
           words
           .
        
         
           First
           ,
           
             stand
             yee
             in
             the
             wayes
             :
          
           The
           least
           you
           can
           doe
           when
           
             God
          
           speaketh
           ,
           is
           to
           stand
           still
           ,
           and
           bethinke
           your selves
           ,
           fixing
           your
           thoughts
           upon
           the
           wayes
           ;
           Consider
           ,
           ponder
           them
           ,
           suffer
           not
           your selves
           to
           bee
           hurried
           away
           by
           a
           heedlesse
           incogitancy
           ,
           which
           undoes
           may
           thousands
           .
        
         
           Secondly
           ,
           
             And
             see
             .
          
           Travellers
           should
           improve
           their
           eyes
           :
           The
           wise
           mans
           eyes
           are
           in
           his
           head
           .
           Looke
           about
           you
           with
           deliberation
           ,
           
           
             Zacheus
          
           climb'd
           up
           into
           a
           Sycomore
           tree
           ,
           to
           get
           a
           ●ight
           of
           Christ
           :
           So
           take
           you
           all
           advantages
           ,
           to
           spy
           out
           the
           good
           way
           .
        
         
           Thirdly
           ,
           
             Aske
             for
             the
             old
             paths
             ,
          
           where
           is
           the
           good
           way
           ;
           because
           possibly
           carnall
           affection
           may
           bribe
           your
           judgment
           ,
           and
           you
           may
           be●led
           
             away
             with
             the
             error
             of
             the
             wicked
             :
          
           doe
           not
           onely
           stand
           and
           see
           ,
           (
           indeed
           that
           's
           one
           point
           of
           wisdome
           )
           but
           make
           a
           further
           discovery
           by
           your
           serious
           inquiry
           .
           
             Consider
             by
             your selfe
             ,
             consult
             with
             others
             ,
          
           it
           is
           as
           good
           in
           
             divinity
             ,
          
           as
           in
           
             policy
             ,
          
           knock
           at
           every
           doore
           ,
           that
           you
           may
           learn
           the
           good
           way
           .
        
         
           Fourthly
           ,
           
             and
             walke
             therein
             .
          
           When
           you
           have
           found
           out
           the
           good
           way
           ,
           all
           your
           worke
           is
           not
           done
           ,
           the
           former
           acts
           are
           to
           little
           purpose
           ,
           without
           walking
           ,
           which
           is
           the
           complement
           and
           perfection
           of
           them
           .
           You
           may
           stand
           ,
           see
           ,
           &
           enquire
           out
           of
           
             curiosity
             ,
          
           it
           is
           
             walking
          
           in
           the
           good
           way
           ,
           which
           both
           argues
           your
           
             sincerity
             ,
          
           and
           infallibly
           leads
           unto
           your
           
             happinesse
             .
             This
             motion
             is
             the
             way
             to
             rest
             .
          
        
         
           Thirdly
           ,
           Consider
           the
           
             motive
             the
             Lord
             useth
             to
          
           engage
           their
           diligence
           :
           
           and
           you
           
             shall
             find
             rest
             to
             your
             soules
             .
          
           Hee
           puts
           them
           upon
           the
           exercise
           of
           divers
           acts
           ,
           which
           require
           much
           serious
           
             attention
          
           of
           mind
           ,
           and
           
             contention
          
           of
           endeavours
           :
           You
           must
           bee
           industrious
           ,
           inquisitive
           ,
           persevering
           travellers
           ;
           keepe
           your
           eye
           upon
           your
           journeyes
           end
           ,
           looke
           home-ward
           ,
           looke
           Heaven-ward
           ;
           though
           the
           Journey
           it selfe
           bee
           long
           from
           Hell
           to
           Heaven
           ,
           the
           way
           narrow
           ,
           full
           of
           difficulties
           ,
           sometimes
           hedged
           in
           with
           Thornes
           ,
           yet
           it
           
             leads
             to
             life
             ,
             M●t
          
           7.
           14.
           
           When
           a
           Sonne
           is
           going
           to
           a
           loving
           
             Fathers
             house
             ;
          
           when
           a
           wife
           is
           travelling
           towards
           her
           
             deare
             Husband
             ,
          
           though
           many
           discouragements
           in
           the
           passage
           ,
           yet
           hopes
           of
           welcome
           entertainment
           sweetens
           all
           .
           This
           did
           uphold
           Christ
           himselfe
           ,
           who
           
             for
             the
             joy
             that
             was
             set
             before
             
             him
             ,
             endured
             the
             crosse
             ,
             despising
             the
             shame
             ,
          
           Heb.
           12.
           2.
           and
           may
           serve
           to
           support
           
             you
             .
          
        
         
           In
           the
           
             second
             generall
          
           part
           ,
           
             Judahs
             uncivill
             rejecting
             of
             Gods
             wholesome
          
           
           
             counse●l
             ;
          
           you
           may
           perceive
           the
           rebellious
           humour
           
             of
             self-will
          
           (
           the
           
             worst
             of
             Tyrants
          
           )
           working
           very
           strongly
           .
           The
           spring
           of
           corrupt
           nature
           opened
           in
           this
           vent
           ,
           proud
           
             selfe
          
           perking
           up
           above
           
             God
             .
          
           They
           speake
           the
           very
           dialect
           of
           all
           the
           Sonnes
           of
           
             Adam
             ,
          
           when
           left
           to
           themselves
           ,
           
             Wee
             will
             not
             :
          
           The
           
             grand
             question
          
           on
           foot
           in
           the
           world
           ,
           is
           this
           ,
           
             whose
             will
             shall
             prevaile
             ;
          
           whether
           
             God
          
           shall
           have
           
             his
             will
             ,
          
           or
           
             we
             sinfull
             creatures
          
           our
           
             owne
             wills
             ful●illed
             .
          
           Nothing
           so
           frequently
           
             disputed
             ,
          
           nothing
           more
           hotly
           
             debated
             ;
          
           and
           when
           it
           comes
           to
           tryall
           ,
           men
           will
           
             deny
             themselves
          
           in
           any
           thing
           ,
           rather
           then
           their
           
             will
             ;
          
           yea
           ,
           they
           will
           
             deny
             God
             himselfe
             ,
          
           rather
           then
           suffer
           themselves
           to
           bee
           crossed
           
             therein
             .
          
           Wee
           are
           all
           ready
           to
           returne
           that
           unmannerly
           answer
           with
           them
           ,
           
             Jer.
          
           44.
           16.
           thus
           they
           here
           ,
           
             Verse
             16.
             
             Wee
             will
             not
             walke
             ;
          
           the
           language
           
           not
           onely
           of
           dull
           
             sloath
             ,
          
           but
           even
           of
           
             impudence
          
           it selfe
           .
           And
           when
           God
           had
           set
           watchmen
           over
           them
           (
           
             speculatores
             )
             Priests
          
           and
           
             Prophets
             ,
          
           both
           ordinary
           and
           extraordinary
           ,
           saith
           
             Junius
          
           (
           O
           the
           admirable
           
           riches
           of
           Gods
           patience
           ,
           towards
           such
           unthankfull
           rebells
           !
           )
           Yet
           
             Verse
          
           17.
           they
           adde
           
             obstinacy
          
           to
           their
           
             impudence
             ,
          
           doubling
           it
           with
           a
           
             sturdy
             emphasis
             ,
             Wee
             will
             not
             hearken
             .
          
           Who
           would
           have
           expected
           such
           an
           
             answer
          
           as
           this
           ,
           to
           have
           been
           the
           
             ec●ho
          
           to
           such
           soule-refreshing
           counsell
           ?
           Yet
           thus
           they
           put
           off
           the
           great
           
             God
             ,
          
           as
           enemies
           
             to
             him
             ,
          
           and
           their
           owne
           
             soules
             ,
          
           peremptorily
           rejecting
           him
           and
           his
           Law
           .
        
         
           No
           wonder
           if
           according
           (
           
             to
             the
             third
             generall
             part
             )
             their
             wretched
          
           
           
             carriage
             towards
             God
             ,
          
           bee
           of
           such
           dangerous
           consequence
           .
           In
           
             Vers
             .
          
           18
           the
           
             Righteous
             God
          
           calleth
           the
           
             Congregation
             ,
          
           the
           
             Nations
             ,
          
           to
           take
           notice
           
           of
           
             what
             is
             among
             them
             ,
             (
             s●il
             .
          
           )
           what
           sinnes
           ,
           what
           Judgements
           .
           This
           is
           an
           high
           straine
           of
           
             Rhetorick
          
           which
           
             God
          
           sometimes
           useth
           ,
           that
           hee
           may
           give
           a
           
             visible
             account
          
           of
           the
           justice
           of
           his
           proceedings
           ,
           hee
           will
           make
           as
           it
           were
           a
           
             publik●
             appeale
          
           to
           others
           ,
           how
           just
           hee
           is
           against
           them
           .
           They
           
             were
             not
             ashamed
             ,
             (
             Verse
          
           15.
           )
           now
           hee
           will
           expose
           them
           to
           open
           shame
           .
           Then
           
             Verse
          
           1●
           .
           hee
           calleth
           
             upon
             the
             Earth
             t●
             behold
             what
             evill
             hee
             is
             bringing
          
           upon
           them
           .
           Patience
           and
           indulgence
           being
           abused
           ,
           is
           turned
           into
           fury
           .
           They
           shall
           know
           ,
           
             that
             it
             is
          
           
           
             an
             evill
             and
             bitter
             thing
             to
             forsake
             God
             ,
          
           Jer.
           2.
           19.
           
           Hee
           will
           be
           
             sanctified
          
           either
           in
           an
           
             active
             way
             by
          
           them
           ,
           or
           in
           a
           
             passive
             way
             upon
          
           them
           .
           If
           
             they
             will
          
           not
           
             doe
          
           what
           hee
           
             requires
             ,
          
           for
           his
           
             honour
          
           and
           their
           
             good
             ,
          
           hee
           
             must
             
             d●e
          
           what
           hee
           
             intends
          
           for
           his
           owne
           
             glory
             ,
          
           though
           in
           their
           
             confusion
             .
          
           Some
           might
           possibly
           mis-interpret
           
             Gods
          
           severity
           against
           them
           ,
           wondring
           that
           they
           who
           had
           beene
           his
           
             darling
          
           people
           in
           a
           
             Nationall
             Covenant
          
           with
           him
           ,
           should
           now
           bee
           
             broken
          
           with
           
             judgements
          
           by
           him
           :
           hee
           will
           let
           them
           know
           ,
           the
           holinesse
           of
           his
           Justice
           now
           calls
           for
           it
           ;
           somtimes
           the
           sinnes
           of
           a
           people
           grow
           so
           great
           ,
           they
           make
           themselves
           as
           it
           were
           uncapable
           of
           mercy
           ,
           
             Jer.
             5.
             7.
             
             How
             shall
             I
             pardon
             for
             this
             ?
          
           God
           is
           now
           resolv'd
           to
           give
           them
           the
           wofull
           fruits
           of
           their
           owne
           
             thoughts
             ,
             (
             Verse
          
           19.
           )
           Hee
           brings
           upon
           them
           ,
           
             fructum
             cogitationum
             ipsorum
             ,
             The
             fruit
             of
             their
             owne
             thoughts
             .
          
           As
           they
           did
           sow
           ,
           so
           shall
           they
           reape
           ,
           
             Prov.
             1.
             31.
             they
             shall
             eate
             the
             fruit
             of
             their
             owne
             way
             ,
             and
             bee
             filled
             with
             their
             owne
             devices
             .
          
           They
           may
           seeke
           to
           
             palliate
          
           their
           sinnes
           ,
           with
           some
           pompous
           ,
           specious
           formalities
           of
           
             Religion
             ,
          
           and
           fetch
           
             Incense
          
           and
           other
           most
           
             noble
             fruits
          
           from
           farre
           ;
           yet
           find
           no
           better
           entertainment
           ,
           then
           
             Verse
          
           20.
           
           To
           what
           purpose
           
             commeth
             there
             to
             mee
             Incense
             from
          
           Sheba
           ,
           and
           
             the
             sweet
             Cane
             from
             a
             farre
             Countrey
             ?
          
           Notwithstanding
           all
           these
           complements
           ,
           
             God
          
           knowes
           the
           
             corrupt
             fruits
             of
             the
             thoughts
          
           of
           their
           
             hearts
             ,
          
           and
           will
           accordingly
           reward
           them
           .
           As
           
             Jer.
             17.
             10.
             
             I
             the
             Lord
             search
             the
             heart
             ,
             I
             try
             the
             rein●s
             ,
             even
             to
             give
             every
             man
             according
             to
             his
             wayes
             ,
             and
             according
             to
             the
             fruit
             of
             his
             doings
             .
          
        
         
           After
           this
           generall
           account
           of
           the
           words
           ,
           let
           us
           more
           particularly
           enquire
           ,
           what
           genuine
           and
           seasonable
           observations
           they
           tender
           to
           our
           consideration
           :
           Whereas
           the
           Lord
           here
           calleth
           on
           them
           to
           
             stand
             in
             the
             way
             ,
             see
             and
             aske
             for
             the
             old
             paths
             ,
             the
             good
             way
             ;
          
           this
           is
           obvious
           .
           
        
         
           
             In
             the
             concernments
             of
             your
             soules
             ,
             the
             Lord
             would
             not
             have
             you
             over-credul●●s
             ,
             but
             very
             carefully
             inquisitive
             after
             the
             good
             old
             way
             .
          
        
         
           Before
           I
           produce
           reasons
           for
           confirmation
           hereof
           ,
           I
           will
           for
           the
           clearing
           of
           the
           passage
           ,
           premise
           and
           resolve
           a
           question
           .
        
         
           In
           what
           wayes
           should
           you
           stand
           and
           see
           .
           
        
         
           First
           ,
           it
           's
           good
           
             beginning
             with
             your selves
             ;
          
           ●ixe
           your
           thoughts
           at
           least
           
           for
           some
           time
           ,
           on
           your
           
             owne
          
           wayes
           wherein
           you
           have
           walked
           .
           
             Religion
          
           
           as
           well
           as
           
             reason
          
           appeares
           in
           
             self-reflecting
             ,
          
           in
           considering
           our selves
           :
           in
           
             Hag.
          
           1.
           5.
           7.
           
           Thus
           
             saith
             the
             Lord
             ,
             consider
             your
             wayes
             .
          
           Hebr.
           
             set
             your
             heart
             on
             your
             wayes
             .
          
           Read
           them
           over
           ,
           compare
           your
           
             actions
          
           with
           the
           rule
           ,
           that
           you
           may
           find
           out
           your
           owne
           obliquities
           ,
           and
           accordingly
           bee
           
             broken
             hearted
          
           for
           them
           ,
           and
           
             broken
             off
          
           from
           them
           .
           Too
           many
           ordinarily
           mind
           their
           
             comforts
          
           more
           then
           their
           
             duties
             ;
          
           and
           consider
           much
           more
           other
           
             peoples
             wayes
          
           to
           
             c●n●ure
          
           them
           ,
           then
           their
           
             owne
          
           to
           
             judge
          
           themselves
           
             for
          
           them
           .
        
         
         
           But
           you
           will
           never
           learne
           to
           bee
           happy
           
             travellers
          
           in
           
             Heaven
          
           way
           unlesse
           you
           sometimes
           looke
           back
           ,
           even
           with
           weeping
           eyes
           ,
           upon
           your
           owne
           former
           wayes
           .
           The
           Prophet
           
             David
          
           found
           benefit
           in
           this
           course
           ,
           
             Psal.
          
           119.
           59.
           
           I
           thought
           
             on
             my
             wayes
             ,
             a●d
             turned
             my
             feet
             unto
             thy
             Testimonies
             .
          
           A
           serious
           
             consideration
          
           is
           the
           Scripture
           method
           to
           a
           sound
           
             conversion
             .
          
           This
           
             Jeremy
          
           commends
           unto
           the
           people
           of
           
             God
             ,
             La●
             .
          
           3
           4●
           .
           let
           us
           
             search
             and
             try
             our
             wayes
             ,
             and
             turn
             againe
             to
             the
             Lord
             :
          
           let
           us
           
             re●urne
             into
             our selves
             ,
          
           that
           wee
           may
           
             returne
             unto
             the
             Lord
             .
          
        
         
           Secondly
           ,
           It
           's
           very
           sit
           likewise
           
             to
             stand
             in
             the
             wayes
             of
             your
             Forefather●
          
           
           the
           good
           old
           Servants
           of
           
             God
             ,
          
           that
           you
           may
           write
           after
           
             their
             Copie
             .
          
           As
           
             Deut.
             32.
             7.
             
             Remember
             the
             dayes
             of
             old
             ,
             consider
             the
             yeeres
             of
             many
             generations
             ,
             ask
             thy
             Father
             and
             he
             wil
             sh●w
             thee
             ,
             thy
             Elders
             and
             they
             will
             tell
             thee
             .
          
           As
           what
           God
           has
           done
           
             for
             thee
             in
             his
          
           paths
           of
           
             truth
             and
             goodnes
             ,
          
           so
           proportionably
           what
           thou
           shouldst
           do
           for
           
             him
          
           in
           
             thy
          
           waies
           
             of
             obedience
             &
             thankefulnes
             .
          
           It
           was
           a
           prudent
           direction
           the
           heathen
           
             Doctors
          
           gave
           to
           their
           
             Disciples
             :
          
           consider
           what
           
             Socrates
             ,
             Cat●
             ,
          
           &
           other
           re●ined
           
             M●ralists
          
           did
           ,
           and
           how
           they
           behaved
           themselves
           :
           wee
           have
           better
           
             Oracles
          
           to
           consult
           with
           ,
           
             patterns
          
           more
           worthy
           of
           our
           
             Imitation
             .
          
           Enquire
           what
           
             Abraham
          
           did
           ,
           who
           was
           a
           
             friend
             of
             God
             :
          
           what
           
             Jacobs
          
           wayes
           were
           ,
           who
           was
           so
           
             potent
             with
             God
             himselfe
             :
          
           what
           paths
           
             Galebs
          
           were
           ,
           who
           was
           a
           man
           of
           
             another
             spirit
             ,
          
           more
           excellent
           then
           ordinary
           ,
           
             following
             God
          
           
           
             fully
             :
          
           Aske
           what
           wayes
           
             David
          
           walked
           ,
           in
           who
           was
           a
           
             man
             after
             Gods
             own
             heart
             ,
             fulfilling
             all
             his
             will
             .
          
        
         
           Thirdly
           ,
           and
           most
           especially
           ,
           
             stand
             in
             the
             severall
             paths
             which
             God
          
           makes
           known
           unto
           you
           ,
           as
           tending
           to
           the
           good
           way
           ,
           and
           seriously
           con●ider
           them
           .
        
         
           
             Hierome
          
           hee
           distinguisheth
           
             plures
             semitas
             &
             viam
             unam
             ,
          
           divers
           
             paths
             ,
          
           but
           one
           good
           
             way
             .
          
        
         
           To
           the
           same
           purpose
           
             Theodoret
             ;
          
           There
           are
           
             many
             Prophets
          
           which
           
           
             point
             to
             this
             way
             .
          
           As
           there
           is
           the
           Kings
           high-way
           ,
           which
           leads
           to
           great
           Cities
           ,
           but
           divers
           lesser
           paths
           comming
           from
           Villages
           which
           will
           bring
           you
           into
           that
           way
           .
        
         
           
             Hilarie
          
           makes
           these
           wayes
           to
           bee
           the
           
             many
             commandements
             of
             God
             ,
          
           and
           many
           Prophets
           which
           lead
           to
           Christ
           the
           
             way
             ,
             truth
             and
             life
             ,
             Iohn
          
           14.
           6.
           
        
         
           According
           to
           
             Cyrill
             ,
          
           these
           wayes
           are
           the
           
             wholsome
             writings
             of
             the
             Prophets
             ,
          
           if
           any
           one
           will
           set
           his
           mind
           on
           them
           ,
           he
           shall
           find
           the
           good
           way
           Christ
           Jesus
           .
        
         
         
           Doubtlesse
           ,
           there
           is
           
             one
             Soveraigne
             Soule-saving
             way
          
           which
           leads
           to
           
           
             God
             ,
          
           the
           center
           of
           our
           happinesse
           ;
           this
           the
           
             Patriarchs
             and
             Prophets
          
           have
           beene
           discovering
           from
           time
           to
           time
           ,
           our
           thoughts
           should
           bee
           active
           how
           to
           find
           it
           out
           .
           Herein
           we
           must
           not
           sodainly
           take
           things
           upon
           trust
           ,
           but
           with
           much
           circumspection
           consider
           and
           enquire
           after
           it
           ,
           the
           necessity
           whereof
           will
           appeare
           by
           these
           following
           Reasons
           .
        
         
           The
           Lord
           would
           have
           you
           carefully
           inquisitive
           after
           the
           good
           
           way
           ,
           
             because
             there
             are
             s●
             many
             wrong
          
           and
           
             by-wayes
             ,
             wherein
             you
             may
             miscarry
             .
          
           Matth.
           7.
           13.
           
           Our
           
             Saviour
          
           tels
           us
           ,
           the
           
             gate
             is
             strait
             ,
          
           the
           
             way
             is
             narrow
          
           which
           leads
           to
           Heaven
           ,
           the
           
             passage
          
           is
           so
           
             difficult
             ,
          
           the
           
             passengers
          
           are
           but
           
             few
             :
          
           But
           the
           way
           to
           Hell
           is
           a
           
             broad
          
           way
           ,
           having
           a
           
             d●c●itfull
             latitude
             :
          
           naturally
           we
           love
           elbow-roome
           for
           our
           lusts
           ;
           in
           this
           broad
           way
           there
           are
           
             by-paths
             ,
          
           and
           secret
           
             turnings
             ,
          
           many
           poore
           soules
           ,
           too
           too
           many
           walke
           herein
           :
           A
           thousand
           
             crooked
             paths
             ,
          
           into
           which
           
           deluded
           sinners
           turning
           aside
           ,
           like
           lost
           Sheepe
           ,
           goe
           wandring
           up
           and
           downe
           till
           at
           last
           they
           bee
           irrecoverably
           intangled
           in
           a
           Wildernesse
           .
        
         
           It
           is
           observed
           by
           the
           
             Learned
             ,
          
           if
           you
           divide
           the
           world
           into
           thirty
           
           equal
           parts
           ,
           nineteen
           of
           those
           thirty
           according
           to
           their
           computation
           ,
           are
           still
           over-grown
           with
           
             Heathenish
             Idolatry
             .
          
           Six
           of
           the
           eleven
           remaining
           are
           overspread
           with
           
             Mahumetisme
             ,
          
           then
           there
           remaine
           but
           five
           parts
           of
           thirty
           ,
           where
           
             christianity
          
           hath
           taken
           possession
           .
           Amongst
           those
           Christians
           many
           seduced
           
             Papists
          
           who
           are
           led
           captive
           in
           by-wayes
           ,
           and
           
           of
           the
           remaining
           
             Protestant
          
           Party
           ,
           how
           few
           that
           are
           Christians
           and
           
             Protestants
             indeed
             ?
          
           Some
           have
           a
           
             forme
             of
             godlinesse
             ,
             but
             deny
             the
             power
             :
          
           
           others
           though
           they
           glory
           in
           the
           name
           of
           
             Christianity
             ;
          
           yet
           scarce
           so
           much
           as
           any
           externall
           shew
           of
           
             Pietie
             ,
          
           still
           the
           most
           walk
           in
           a
           way
           that
           is
           not
           good
           .
        
         
           This
           more
           fully
           appeares
           in
           that
           
             excellent
             parable
          
           of
           
             Christ
          
           concerning
           the
           
             sower
          
           who
           went
           out
           to
           sow
           his
           seed
           upon
           
             foure
             sorts
             of
          
           
           
             ground
             ;
          
           some
           fell
           by
           the
           
             high-wayes
             side
             ,
          
           upon
           
             prophane
             Atheistical
          
           spirits
           ,
           where
           it
           made
           no
           impression
           ,
           this
           word
           sunke
           no
           more
           into
           their
           hearts
           ,
           then
           seed
           into
           a
           
             troden
             path
             ,
             ver.
          
           19.
           some
           fell
           upon
           
             stony
             ground
             ,
          
           they
           receive
           the
           word
           
             with
             some
             joy
             ,
             ver.
          
           20.
           yet
           because
           they
           were
           not
           deeply
           humbled
           to
           make
           
             sin
          
           their
           greatest
           
             sorrow
             ,
          
           and
           
             Christ
          
           their
           
             greatest
             joy
             ,
          
           in
           time
           of
           persecution
           they
           are
           offended
           and
           fall
           off
           ,
           
             vers.
          
           21.
           some
           seed
           is
           sowne
           upon
           
             thorny
             ground
             ;
          
           a
           generation
           of
           Professors
           
           that
           make
           some
           further
           progresse
           in
           entertaining
           the
           
             Gospell
          
           for
           a
           time
           ,
           yet
           at
           last
           the
           
             riches
          
           and
           cares
           of
           the
           world
           
             choakes
          
           the
           word
           in
           them
           ,
           they
           become
           unfruitfull
           ,
           
             prosperity
          
           is
           as
           great
           a
           snare
           to
           them
           ,
           as
           
             adversity
          
           was
           to
           the
           stony
           ground
           .
        
         
           The
           fourth
           which
           is
           the
           
             good
             ground
          
           is
           but
           one
           
             quarter
             ;
          
           (
           I
           wish
           it
           were
           so
           much
           in
           every
           Christian
           Congregation
           )
           few
           receive
           the
           seed
           of
           Gods
           word
           with
           
             good
             and
             honest
             hearts
             ,
          
           bringing
           
             forth
             fruit
          
           unto
           perfection
           .
           This
           is
           but
           a
           
             little
             spot
          
           in
           comparison
           ,
           look
           into
           most
           
             Families
             ,
          
           most
           
             Congregations
             ,
          
           not
           a
           
             fourth
             part
          
           ordinarily
           ,
           that
           lookes
           like
           good
           ground
           ,
           
             enclosed
          
           and
           set
           apart
           to
           bring
           forth
           fruit
           
             to
             God
             ,
          
           but
           rather
           like
           a
           
             common
             wast
          
           over-growne
           with
           
             weeds
             ,
          
           like
           a
           
             Wildernesse
             ,
             sine
             cul●u
             ,
             sine
             fructu
             ,
             sine
             ornatu
             .
          
           Here
           is
           a
           multiplicity
           of
           by-wayes
           ;
           wherein
           the
           most
           doe
           lose
           their
           
             God
             ,
          
           their
           
             Soules
             ,
          
           their
           
             Hopes
             ,
          
           their
           
             Happinesse
             ;
          
           therefore
           you
           should
           bee
           carefully
           inquisitive
           .
        
         
           There
           are
           
             many
             false
             guides
             ,
          
           as
           well
           as
           crooked
           by-wayes
           ,
           which
           
           will
           
             cunningly
             indeavour
             to
             mislead
             you
          
           into
           self-undoing
           courses
           ;
           upon
           this
           ground
           also
           you
           had
           need
           bee
           the
           more
           carefully
           inquisitive
           after
           the
           good
           way
           .
           The
           Apostle
           
             Pete●
          
           assures
           us
           there
           were
           
             false
             Prophets
          
           among
           the
           
             people
             ,
          
           even
           among
           the
           people
           of
           God
           ,
           there
           shall
           also
           be
           
             false
             Teachers
          
           among
           you
           ,
           who
           shall
           privily
           bring
           in
           
             damnable
             heresies
             :
          
           they
           mingled
           noisome
           
             weeds
          
           with
           some
           sweet
           
             flowers
             ,
          
           scattered
           their
           
             poison
          
           upon
           
             Gospel
             truths
             .
          
           And
           
             ver.
          
           2.
           many
           shall
           
             follow
             their
             pernicious
             wayes
             ,
             scil.
          
           their
           corrupt
           doctrines
           and
           evill
           examples
           ;
           they
           loose
           the
           reines
           to
           all
           manner
           of
           licentiousnesse
           of
           the
           flesh
           ,
           under
           the
           pretence
           of
           Christian
           liberty
           ,
           
             ver.
          
           18.
           by
           reason
           
             of
             whom
             the
             way
             of
             Truth
             shall
             bee
             evill
             spoken
             of
             ,
          
           the
           Gospel
           much
           reproached
           by
           the
           adversaries
           ;
           and
           so
           others
           diverted
           from
           the
           right
           way
           :
           as
           long
           as
           the
           
             Devill
          
           hath
           a
           
             Kingdome
          
           here
           ,
           hee
           will
           send
           abroad
           his
           
             Emissaries
          
           acting
           this
           part
           to
           draw
           people
           into
           pernicious
           wayes
           .
        
         
           How
           came
           the
           
             man
             of
             sin
          
           to
           rife
           from
           so
           small
           
             beginnings
          
           to
           so
           great
           
           an
           
             height
             ;
          
           looke
           into
           1
           
             Tim.
          
           4.
           1.
           the
           spirit
           
             speaketh
             expresly
          
           in
           the
           
             latter
             times
          
           some
           shall
           
             depart
             from
             the
             faith
             ,
          
           giving
           heed
           to
           
             seducing
             spirits
             .
          
           The
           
             Devill
          
           and
           the
           
             Pope
          
           have
           had
           many
           industrious
           
             Chaplain●
             ,
          
           who
           boasting
           as
           if
           they
           were
           
             inspired
          
           and
           sent
           by
           God
           ,
           pretending
           
             devotion
             ;
          
           and
           by
           
             insinuating
             straines
             of
             Rhetorick
             ,
          
           have
           first
           scrued
           themselves
           into
           mens
           
             consciences
             ,
          
           then
           pickt
           their
           
             purses
             ,
          
           first
           
             cheated
          
           them
           
           of
           their
           
             Religion
             ,
          
           of
           their
           
             Salvation
             ,
          
           and
           then
           
             consened
          
           them
           of
           their
           
             Estates
             ,
          
           got
           their
           
             Kingdoms
          
           to
           enlarge
           the
           
             Popes
             Territories
             :
          
           And
           all
           
           this
           carried
           on
           
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
          
           ,
           by
           the
           
             Hypocrisie
             of
             those
          
           who
           
             speake
             lies
             ,
          
           with
           most
           cunning
           devices
           ,
           deluding
           many
           poore
           creatures
           ,
           
           obtruding
           
             guilded
             errors
          
           upon
           them
           in
           stead
           of
           
             Truths
             .
          
           Possibly
           you
           may
           bee
           seduced
           by
           such
           spirits
           ,
           unlesse
           you
           bee
           vigilant
           and
           inquisitive
           .
        
         
           It
           's
           worthy
           your
           observation
           ,
           in
           1
           
             King.
          
           22.
           20
           ,
           when
           ever
           the
           
             Lord
          
           intendeth
           to
           suffer
           any
           poore
           creature
           to
           bee
           
             deluded
             ,
          
           you
           shall
           find
           the
           
             Devil
          
           is
           alway
           
             at
             hand
             .
          
           No
           sooner
           did
           
             God
          
           speak
           these
           words
           in
           
             Verse
          
           20.
           
           The
           
             Lord
             said
             ,
             Who
             shall
             perswade
          
           Ahab
           ,
           
             that
             hee
             may
             goe
             up
             and
             fall
             at
          
           Ramoth
           Gilead
           ?
           (
           God
           had
           a
           quarrell
           against
           
             Ahab
             ,
          
           and
           he
           was
           resolv'd
           to
           suffer
           him
           to
           engage
           himself
           in
           such
           a
           Warre
           ,
           and
           to
           goe
           up
           that
           he
           might
           be
           there
           undone
           .
           )
           But
           the
           Question
           is
           now
           ,
           how
           this
           should
           bee
           brought
           about
           ?
           In
           
             Verse
          
           21.
           
           There
           came
           forth
           a
           
             spirit
             and
             stood
             before
             the
             Lord
             and
             said
             ,
             I
             will
             perswade
             him
             .
          
           No
           sooner
           doth
           God
           expresse
           any
           intention
           ,
           to
           suffer
           any
           one
           to
           bee
           seduced
           ,
           but
           the
           Devil
           is
           most
           ready
           to
           bee
           imployed
           in
           the
           service
           .
           The
           Lord
           saith
           
             unto
             him
             ,
             Wherewith
             ?
          
           In
           
             Verse
          
           22.
           hee
           saith
           ,
           I
           will
           goe
           forth
           ,
           and
           
             I
             will
             bee
             a
             lying
             spirit
             in
             the
             mouth
             of
             all
             his
             Prophets
             ;
          
           And
           hee
           said
           ,
           Thou
           
             shall
             perswade
             him
             ,
             and
             prevaile
             also
             ,
             goe
             forth
             and
             doe
             so
             .
          
           The
           Devill
           knew
           
             Ahab
          
           had
           a
           company
           of
           
             Trencher
             mercenary
             Chaplaines
             ,
          
           that
           would
           easily
           bee
           wrought
           upon
           to
           say
           any
           thing
           to
           the
           
             King
             ;
          
           so
           the
           
             Devil
          
           undertakes
           them
           ,
           and
           hee
           knowing
           the
           length
           of
           their
           foot
           ,
           that
           hee
           could
           prevaile
           with
           them
           ;
           saith
           hee
           ,
           
             I
             will
             goe
             ,
          
           and
           bee
           a
           
             lying
             spirit
          
           in
           the
           
             mouth
             of
             all
             his
             Prophets
             .
          
           Hence
           it
           commeth
           that
           
             Ahab
          
           himselfe
           was
           seduced
           to
           those
           waies
           that
           lead
           to
           his
           owne
           destruction
           .
           
             Vnhappie
             King
             ,
          
           hee
           had
           such
           corrupt
           
             Chaplaines
             ,
          
           that
           were
           
             false
             guides
             ;
          
           and
           there
           was
           a
           Devill
           that
           was
           very
           ready
           ,
           to
           make
           use
           of
           all
           advantages
           ,
           how
           to
           mis-lead
           them
           ,
           that
           they
           might
           
             mis
             ▪
             guide
             Ahab
             .
          
           Such
           engines
           as
           these
           are
           ,
           the
           Devil
           in
           all
           ages
           sends
           abroad
           ,
           who
           come
           like
           
             ignis
             fatuus
          
           to
           poore
           people
           in
           the
           darke
           ;
           and
           carry
           them
           headlong
           ,
           sometimes
           till
           they
           stumble
           and
           fall
           ,
           and
           if
           not
           breake
           the
           neck
           of
           their
           salvation
           ,
           yet
           hazzard
           it
           very
           much
           ,
           
             dishonour
             God
             ,
             wrong
             themselves
             ,
          
           and
           cast
           
             stumbling
             blocks
          
           before
           
             others
             .
          
           Therefore
           still
           let
           us
           see
           ,
           observe
           and
           take
           counsell
           ,
           not
           receive
           things
           upon
           trust
           ,
           without
           exact
           inquiring
           ,
           being
           there
           are
           many
           false
           guides
           ,
           that
           will
           mis-lead
           you
           into
           dangerous
           wayes
           .
        
         
         
           Wee
           have
           all
           so
           much
           of
           that
           
             sin
          
           within
           us
           ,
           which
           
             doth
             easily
             beset
          
           
           
             us
             ,
             betraying
          
           us
           into
           by-wayes
           ,
           and
           unto
           false
           guides
           ,
           which
           may
           yet
           lay
           a
           further
           obligation
           upon
           us
           to
           bee
           vigilant
           ,
           and
           inquisitive
           after
           the
           good
           way
           .
           Three
           things
           there
           are
           within
           us
           ,
           which
           expose
           us
           to
           bee
           mis-led
           .
        
         
           First
           ,
           there
           is
           in
           us
           much
           
             blindnesse
             of
             mind
             ,
          
           much
           ignorance
           
           of
           Jesus
           Christ
           ,
           and
           soule-saving
           Mysteries
           ,
           whereby
           wee
           are
           both
           
             alienated
             from
             the
             life
             of
             God
             ,
             Ephes.
          
           4.
           18.
           and
           likewise
           alwayes
           ready
           to
           
             erre
             in
             our
             hearts
             ,
             n●t
             knowing
             Gods
             wayes
             ,
             Heb.
          
           3.
           10.
           
           As
           also
           hereby
           more
           subject
           to
           bee
           deluded
           by
           Satan
           ,
           
             Ephes.
          
           6.
           12.
           
           It
           is
           an
           easie
           matter
           to
           abuse
           any
           one
           in
           the
           dark
           ;
           you
           may
           cousen
           him
           with
           
             Copper
          
           in
           stead
           of
           
             Gold
             ,
          
           with
           a
           counterfeit
           
             Jewell
          
           in
           stead
           of
           a
           
             true
             one
             .
          
           The
           Devill
           knowes
           how
           to
           take
           advantage
           of
           the
           darknesse
           of
           our
           minds
           ,
           to
           entangle
           us
           with
           corrupt
           opinions
           to
           engage
           us
           in
           licencious
           practices
           ,
           thereby
           mis-leading
           us
           ,
           till
           at
           last
           hee
           hath
           plung'd
           us
           into
           
             utter
             darknesse
             .
          
        
         
           Secondly
           ,
           there
           is
           in
           us
           
             deceitfulnesse
             of
             heart
             ,
          
           as
           well
           as
           blindnesse
           
           of
           mind
           ,
           which
           layes
           us
           more
           open
           to
           bee
           seduced
           from
           the
           good
           way
           .
           It
           is
           a
           full
           expression
           ,
           discovering
           the
           depth
           of
           deceit
           in
           our
           spirits
           ,
           
             Jer.
             17.
             9.
             
             The
             heart
             is
             deceitfull
             above
             all
             things
             ,
             and
             desperately
             wicked
             ,
             who
             can
             know
             it
             ?
          
           There
           are
           many
           deceitfull
           things
           in
           the
           world
           ,
           false
           
             weights
             ,
          
           false
           
             measures
             ,
          
           deceitfull
           
             coyne
             ,
          
           deceitfull
           
             bookes
             ;
          
           but
           the
           heart
           is
           deceitfull
           
             above
             all
             things
             .
          
           A
           deceitfull
           heart
           is
           the
           
             greatest
             Impostor
             in
             the
             World
             :
          
           So
           many
           
             anfractus
             ,
          
           such
           
             re●●ssus
             ,
          
           so
           many
           sly
           
             corners
             ,
             and
             turnings
             ,
             and
             windings
             ,
          
           that
           none
           can
           know
           it
           ,
           none
           can
           find
           it
           out
           but
           God
           ,
           who
           hath
           an
           all-seeing
           ,
           all-searching
           eye
           .
           The
           ignorance
           of
           our
           minds
           fils
           us
           with
           
             self-conceit
             ,
          
           our
           sinfull
           heart
           is
           as
           full
           of
           
             self-deceit
             ,
          
           as
           of
           sinne
           ,
           and
           where
           there
           is
           a
           selfconceited
           
             mind
             ,
          
           and
           a
           selfe-deceitfull
           
             heart
             ,
          
           't
           is
           no
           wonder
           to
           see
           such
           mis-led
           .
        
         
           Thirdly
           ,
           There
           are
           also
           in
           us
           many
           
             prejudi●es
             against
             the
             go●d
             way
             ,
          
           
           which
           make
           us
           more
           apt
           to
           bee
           seduced
           .
           It
           is
           one
           of
           the
           great
           
             Engines
          
           whereby
           the
           Devill
           manages
           his
           designes
           (
           
             a
             part
             of
             his
             strong
             〈◊〉
             2
             Cor.
          
           10.
           4.
           
           )
           to
           fill
           people
           with
           prejudicate
           opinions
           against
           the
           wayes
           of
           God
           ,
           as
           if
           they
           were
           either
           
             Melan●holy
          
           and
           dis-consolate
           wayes
           ,
           (
           never
           considering
           that
           the
           
             wayes
             of
             wisdome
             are
             wayes
             of
             pleasantnesse
             ,
             Prov.
          
           3.
           17.
           
           )
           or
           as
           if
           they
           were
           unprofitable
           wayes
           ,
           not
           minding
           ,
           1
           
             Tim.
          
           4.
           8.
           
           That
           
             Godlinesse
             is
             profitable
             
             unto
             all
             things
             ,
             having
             the
             promises
             of
             this
             life
             ,
             and
             of
             that
             which
             is
             to
             come
             .
          
           This
           is
           the
           language
           too
           many
           speake
           from
           this
           distemper
           of
           spirit
           ,
           
             Mat.
             3
             14.
             
             It
             is
             vaine
             to
             serve
             God
             ;
          
           and
           what
           
             profit
             have
             wee
          
           that
           wee
           
             have
             kept
             his
             Ordin●n●●s
             ?
          
           This
           prevailed
           to
           mislead
           people
           in
           Christs
           time
           ,
           
             Job
             .
          
           7.
           48.
           
           Have
           any
           
             of
             the
             Rulers
             ,
             or
             of
             the
             Ph●●●sees
             beleeved
             on
             him
             ?
          
           And
           afterward
           when
           
             Paul
          
           preached
           Christ
           cru●isied
           ,
           1
           
             Cor.
          
           1.
           23.
           
           Unto
           the
           
             Jewes
          
           hee
           was
           a
           
             stumbling
             bl●ck
             ;
          
           (
           they
           stumbl●d
           ,
           because
           they
           did
           not
           ●ind
           so
           many
           miracles
           under
           
             this
             G●●pell
             ,
          
           as
           under
           the
           Ministery
           of
           
             Moses
          
           )
           To
           the
           
             Gentiles
          
           hee
           was
           a
           
             r●●ke
             of
             offence
             ;
          
           they
           were
           so
           fond
           of
           
             Philosophicall
             subtilties
             ,
          
           and
           
             humane
             Eloquence
             ,
          
           that
           they
           were
           offended
           with
           
             Apostolicall
             simplicity
          
           in
           preaching
           
             Christ
          
           crucisied
           .
        
         
           As
           there
           are
           many
           by-wayes
           ,
           many
           false
           guides
           ,
           divers
           evils
           within
           
           us
           ;
           which
           betray
           us
           to
           mis-leading
           ;
           so
           consider
           ,
           the
           good
           
             way
             is
             not
             easily
             found
             out
             :
          
           our
           blessed
           Saviour
           presseth
           this
           ,
           
             Luke
          
           13.
           24.
           
           Strive
           
             to
             enter
             in
             at
             the
             strait
             gate
             ;
             for
             I
             say
             unto
             you
             ,
             many
             shall
             seeke
             to
             enter
             in
             ,
             and
             shall
             not
             bee
             able
             .
          
           It
           is
           an
           awakening
           expression
           ,
           if
           seriously
           minded
           ;
           
             Strive
             to
             enter
             in
             ,
          
           strive
           to
           overcome
           
             thy selfe
             ,
          
           strive
           to
           overcome
           the
           
             Devill
             ,
          
           strive
           to
           overcome
           the
           
             World
             ,
          
           and
           all
           little
           enough
           ;
           many
           
             shall
             seeke
             ,
          
           and
           shall
           not
           bee
           
             able
             :
          
           the
           
             ●ivill
             Hypocrite
          
           hee
           seeketh
           by
           complying
           with
           duties
           of
           the
           
             second
             Table
             ;
          
           and
           the
           
             religious
          
           Hypocrite
           ,
           hee
           will
           seeke
           by
           correspondence
           with
           duties
           of
           the
           
             first
             Table
             ;
          
           the
           
             Papist
          
           hee
           will
           seeke
           in
           the
           wayes
           of
           superstitious
           devotion
           ;
           and
           all
           kind
           of
           people
           in
           the
           world
           ,
           that
           have
           any
           
             sense
             of
             a
             deity
             ,
          
           and
           any
           apprehen●ion
           of
           the
           
             immortality
             of
             their
             soules
             ,
          
           they
           will
           seeke
           after
           some
           kind
           or
           other
           ;
           but
           all
           seeking
           will
           not
           serve
           ,
           many
           seekers
           shall
           not
           bee
           able
           to
           
             enter
             :
          
           and
           therefore
           saith
           hee
           ,
           
           
             Strive
             .
          
        
         
           Two
           things
           increase
           the
           difficulty
           in
           finding
           out
           the
           good
           way
           .
           
        
         
           First
           ,
           
             This
             good
             way
             lies
             deepe
             ,
          
           't
           is
           a
           hidden
           way
           :
           
             Religion
          
           is
           the
           greatest
           
             Mysterie
          
           in
           the
           world
           .
           In
           any
           ordinary
           trade
           ,
           before
           a
           man
           can
           bee
           acquainted
           with
           the
           secrets
           of
           it
           ,
           you
           bind
           him
           Apprentice
           for
           six
           or
           seven
           yeares
           ;
           truly
           ,
           there
           are
           so
           many
           mysteries
           in
           Religion
           ,
           that
           require
           the
           service
           of
           divers
           Apprentiships
           to
           bee
           well
           acquainted
           with
           them
           .
           Religion
           it
           seemes
           a
           
             Paradox
             ,
          
           a
           
             Riddle
             ,
          
           and
           that
           's
           the
           reason
           ,
           that
           so
           many
           out-stand
           ,
           out-sit
           so
           many
           Sermons
           ,
           out-live
           so
           many
           Ministers
           one
           after
           another
           ,
           and
           yet
           are
           where
           they
           were
           ,
           it
           may
           bee
           ten
           or
           twenty
           yeares
           agone
           :
           grow
           
           more
           wise
           for
           the
           world
           ,
           and
           more
           provident
           ,
           and
           more
           politicke
           for
           their
           owne
           secular
           advantage
           :
           But
           still
           as
           great
           strangers
           to
           the
           power
           of
           godlinesse
           as
           ever
           :
           How
           commeth
           this
           to
           passe
           ?
           The
           way
           lies
           deepe
           ,
           there
           ▪
           s
           nothing
           in
           Religion
           ,
           but
           it
           hath
           a
           mystery
           in
           it
           .
           
             Paul
          
           when
           he
           speaketh
           of
           chastity
           ,
           useth
           this
           expression
           ,
           that
           every
           one
           should
           
             know
          
           how
           to
           
             possesse
             his
             Vessell
             in
             holinesse
             and
             honour
             ,
             1
             Thes.
          
           4.
           4.
           
           There
           is
           a
           virginall
           and
           a
           conjugall
           chastity
           not
           easily
           learned
           .
           And
           he
           tels
           you
           ,
           
             Phil.
             4.
             12.
             
             I
             know
             both
             how
             to
             be
             abased
             ,
             and
             I
             know
             how
             to
             abound
             ;
             every where
             and
             in
             all
             things
             I
             am
             instructed
             ,
             both
             to
             bee
             full
             and
             to
             bee
             hungry
             ;
             both
             to
             abound
             and
             to
             suffer
             need
             .
          
           There
           was
           a
           mystery
           in
           all
           this
           ;
           to
           know
           how
           to
           
             avoid
             the
             sinnes
             ,
          
           to
           
             resist
             the
             temptations
             ,
          
           and
           
             exercise
             the
             graces
          
           of
           all
           these
           conditions
           ,
           was
           a
           lesson
           not
           easily
           learn'd
           :
           Therefore
           
             Paul
          
           saith
           here
           
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
          
           I
           am
           initiated
           in
           this
           mystery
           .
           As
           in
           regard
           of
           the
           
             doctrine
          
           of
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           
             without
             controversie
             great
             is
             the
             mystery
             of
             godlinesse
             ,
             1
             Tim.
          
           3.
           16.
           
           So
           indeed
           it's
           very
           true
           ,
           in
           
             practicall
             godlinesse
             ,
          
           in
           all
           the
           duties
           that
           you
           and
           I
           are
           to
           practice
           in
           Religion
           there
           is
           a
           mysterie
           .
           To
           know
           how
           to
           
             live
             by
             faith
             ,
          
           to
           
             act
             self●-deniall
             ,
          
           to
           performe
           duties
           ,
           so
           as
           to
           enjoy
           
             communion
             with
             God
             therein
             ,
          
           requires
           a
           secret
           and
           heavenly
           skill
           .
           Many
           a
           man
           hath
           meerely
           an
           outward
           
             shell
             and
             huske
          
           of
           duty
           ,
           a
           
             carcasse
          
           of
           Religion
           ,
           but
           wants
           the
           
             kernell
             ,
          
           and
           
             soule
             ,
          
           that
           should
           enliven
           it
           .
           To
           doe
           Religious
           duties
           ,
           from
           
             Religious
             grounds
             ,
          
           upon
           
             Religious
             motives
             ▪
          
           for
           Religious
           
             ends
             ;
          
           that
           you
           may
           please
           God
           therewith
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           profit
           your selves
           ;
           is
           such
           a
           secret
           ,
           as
           some
           who
           have
           been
           hearers
           for
           twenty
           or
           thirty
           yeares
           ,
           are
           little
           acquainted
           with
           .
        
         
           Secondly
           ,
           as
           the
           good
           way
           lies
           deepe
           ,
           so
           
             even
             the
             best
             guides
             may
          
           
           
             bee
             mistaken
             ;
          
           the
           mostable
           ,
           learned
           ,
           godly
           Ministers
           in
           some
           things
           ,
           may
           possibly
           bee
           deceived
           themselves
           ,
           and
           deceive
           others
           .
           It
           is
           observable
           ,
           1
           
             Cor.
          
           3.
           12
           ,
           &c.
           Ministers
           may
           build
           upon
           the
           
             right
             foundation
             ,
          
           and
           they
           themselves
           
             bee
             saved
             ,
          
           being
           godly
           ;
           yet
           their
           
             worke
             shall
             bee
             lost
             ;
          
           because
           though
           upon
           the
           right
           foundation
           ,
           yet
           they
           
             build
             hay
             ,
             stubble
             ,
             wood
             ,
          
           such
           trash
           of
           errors
           ,
           or
           ai●y
           and
           empty
           speculations
           ;
           not
           
             gold
             ,
             silver
             ,
             and
             precious
             stones
             ,
          
           wholsome
           and
           substantiall
           heavenly
           truths
           ;
           not
           considering
           that
           the
           
             foundation
             ,
          
           as
           it
           is
           the
           
             strength
             ,
          
           so
           it
           should
           bee
           the
           
             rule
          
           of
           the
           building
           ,
           and
           all
           the
           
             superstructions
          
           should
           bee
           
             commensurate
          
           to
           the
           foundation
           ▪
           every
           way
           correspondent
           to
           the
           will
           ,
           mind
           ,
           and
           glory
           of
           Jesus
           Christ
           .
           Learning
           
           and
           goodnesse
           doth
           not
           exempt
           men
           from
           these
           mistakes
           .
        
         
           If
           you
           looke
           into
           1
           
             King.
          
           13.
           you
           shall
           find
           an
           amazing
           example
           of
           an
           old
           Prophet
           ,
           who
           discovers
           some
           goodnesse
           ,
           
             ver.
          
           30
           ,
           31
           ,
           32.
           
           Yet
           you
           have
           him
           
             ver.
          
           18.
           seducing
           another
           Prophet
           ,
           who
           had
           been
           zealously
           active
           in
           the
           cause
           of
           God
           ,
           as
           appeares
           in
           the
           beginning
           of
           the
           Chapter
           :
           the
           greater
           pity
           that
           hee
           should
           bee
           so
           much
           abused
           ;
           This
           old
           Prophet
           speakes
           like
           a
           grave
           Father
           to
           him
           ,
           
             ver.
             18.
             
             I
             am
             a
             Prophet
             also
             as
             thou
             art
             ,
             and
             an
             Angel
             spake
             unto
             mee
             by
             the
             word
             of
             the
             Lord
             ,
             saying
             ,
             Bring
             him
             back
             with
             thee
             into
             thine
             house
             ,
             that
             hee
             may
             eate
             bread
             ,
             and
             drink
             water
             ;
             But
             hee
             lied
             unto
             him
             .
          
           Hee
           pretends
           a
           Revelation
           from
           God
           ,
           to
           bring
           back
           the
           Prophet
           ,
           expressely
           contrary
           to
           what
           instructions
           hee
           had
           received
           of
           God
           ,
           
             ver.
          
           9.
           
           An
           Angell
           spake
           to
           me
           
             by
             the
             Word
             of
             the
             Lord
             .
          
           It
           is
           possible
           ,
           you
           see
           ,
           for
           grave
           Ministers
           to
           palliate
           their
           untruths
           with
           pretended
           Revelations
           .
           Hereby
           this
           Prophet
           was
           mis-led
           out
           of
           the
           good
           Way
           ,
           and
           put
           upon
           that
           disobedience
           against
           God
           ,
           which
           cost
           him
           his
           life
           .
        
         
           Indeed
           soone
           after
           (
           which
           is
           fit
           to
           bee
           observed
           )
           
             ver.
          
           21
           ,
           22.
           
           God
           reproves
           his
           disobedience
           by
           the
           old
           
             Prophet
             ,
          
           who
           was
           the
           occasion
           to
           bring
           him
           into
           error
           .
           Wee
           speak
           ,
           wee
           act
           ,
           as
           God
           is
           pleased
           to
           assist
           or
           withdraw
           .
           When
           God
           will
           use
           a
           man
           ,
           then
           hee
           shall
           bee
           a
           
             Counsellor
             ,
          
           a
           
             reprover
             ;
          
           but
           when
           hee
           is
           left
           to
           himselfe
           ,
           then
           even
           an
           old
           Prophet
           may
           bee
           a
           
             seducer
             ,
          
           a
           
             deceiver
             .
          
           No
           wonder
           to
           see
           so
           many
           of
           our
           younger
           
             Prophets
             ,
          
           and
           other
           
             Christians
          
           mis-led
           in
           these
           latter
           dayes
           ,
           when
           old
           Prophets
           may
           and
           do
           too
           often
           pretend
           the
           greatest
           
             authority
             ,
          
           abusing
           Gods
           own
           name
           ,
           to
           countenance
           their
           
             errors
             .
          
           The
           primitive
           times
           afford
           us
           too
           many
           sad
           instances
           ,
           that
           the
           greatest
           Lights
           may
           have
           a
           mixture
           of
           darknesse
           .
           
             Origen
          
           and
           
           
             Tertullian
          
           erred
           so
           foulely
           ,
           one
           amongst
           the
           
             Greekes
             ,
          
           the
           other
           amongst
           the
           
             Latines
             ,
          
           that
           each
           of
           them
           was
           accounted
           in
           those
           times
           
             Tentatio
             magna
             in
             Ecclesiâ
             ,
          
           A
           sore
           temptation
           ,
           a
           great
           stumbling
           block
           in
           the
           Church
           .
           
             Augustin
             ,
          
           upon
           a
           very
           weak
           ground
           ,
           
             Joh
             ▪
          
           6.
           53.
           countenanced
           stiffely
           ,
           that
           Infants
           should
           
             receive
             the
             Lords
             Supper
             :
          
           which
           error
           of
           
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
          
           ,
           as
           sandy
           a
           bottom
           as
           it
           had
           ,
           
           continued
           in
           the
           Church
           divers
           hundred
           yeeres
           .
        
         
           
             Jereme
             ,
          
           though
           learned
           to
           admiration
           ,
           doted
           on
           the
           merit
           of
           
             virginity
             .
          
           It
           were
           easie
           to
           shew
           the
           
             naevi
             ,
          
           the
           blemishes
           of
           others
           ,
           but
           why
           should
           wee
           uncover
           
             our
             Fathers
             nakednesse
             ?
          
           onely
           thus
           farre
           improve
           ▪
           
           it
           ;
           being
           that
           the
           
             greatest
             Oracles
          
           of
           learning
           and
           piety
           may
           in
           sundry
           points
           bee
           deceived
           ,
           (
           
             Prophets
          
           and
           
             Apostles
          
           only
           ,
           whose
           
             call
             was
             extraordinary
             ,
             ●ad
             an
             unerring
             spirit
          
           )
           good
           men
           may
           sometimes
           lead
           us
           out
           of
           the
           good
           way
           .
        
         
           Therefore
           ,
           by
           all
           this
           ,
           wee
           are
           the
           more
           strongly
           ingaged
           to
           stand
           ,
           see
           ,
           and
           inquire
           what
           is
           the
           good
           old
           way
           ,
           and
           not
           suddenly
           to
           take
           things
           from
           any
           upon
           trust
           ,
           in
           the
           great
           concernments
           of
           our
           soules
           .
        
         
           Doth
           the
           
             Lord
          
           call
           upon
           you
           to
           bee
           carefully
           inquisitive
           in
           the
           
           concernments
           of
           your
           soules
           ?
           O
           then
           learn
           to
           bee
           
             p●●d●n●
             ,
          
           to
           bee
           
             serious
             in
             trying
          
           every
           way
           before
           you
           
             ingage
          
           your selfe
           
             therein
             .
          
           Certainly
           the
           
             wise
             God
          
           (
           who
           never
           thinks
           or
           speaks
           in
           vaine
           )
           would
           not
           have
           spent
           so
           many
           severall
           words
           ,
           
             Stand
             ,
             see
             ,
             aske
             ,
          
           had
           not
           the
           businesse
           been
           of
           
             singular
             consequence
             .
          
           I
           with
           
             Christians
          
           would
           learn
           of
           
             Politicians
             ,
          
           when
           they
           have
           to
           doe
           with
           men
           like
           themselves
           ▪
           
             non
             cito
             credere
             ,
          
           not
           to
           bee
           too
           credulous
           .
           It
           was
           a
           noble
           straine
           of
           prudent
           piety
           in
           the
           
             Bereans
             ,
             Act.
          
           17.
           11.
           
           They
           did
           receive
           the
           
             word
             with
             all
             readinesse
             of
             mind
             ,
             and
             searched
             the
             Scriptures
             daily
             ,
             whether
             th●se
             things
             were
             so
             ,
          
           even
           when
           
             Paul
          
           and
           
             Silas
          
           were
           the
           
             Teachers
             :
          
           How
           vigilant
           would
           they
           have
           been
           in
           these
           times
           ,
           when
           there
           are
           so
           many
           
             suspicious
             Doctrines
          
           preached
           ,
           so
           many
           
             adulterate
          
           wayes
           obtruded
           upon
           ignorant
           well-meaning
           hearers
           .
        
         
           It
           is
           good
           counsell
           which
           is
           given
           ,
           1
           
             Thess.
             5.
             21.
             
             Try
             all
             things
             ,
             ●old
             fast
             that
             which
             i●
             good
             ,
          
           take
           in
           nothing
           ,
           upon
           trust
           ,
           whosoever
           bee
           the
           
             Teacher
             ,
          
           unlesse
           you
           bee
           sure
           it
           bee
           God
           himselfe
           .
           If
           God
           
             speake
             ,
          
           then
           wee
           must
           never
           
             dispute
             ,
          
           but
           
             obey
             ;
          
           But
           ,
           unlesse
           you
           know
           it
           commeth
           undoubtedly
           from
           God
           ,
           try
           all
           things
           ,
           try
           
             all
             practises
             ,
          
           
           that
           are
           commended
           to
           you
           ,
           try
           all
           
             Doctrines
             ,
          
           that
           are
           held
           forth
           as
           a
           
             rule
          
           of
           these
           practises
           ;
           yea
           ,
           try
           all
           
             revelations
             ,
          
           that
           any
           man
           shall
           
             pretend
             ,
          
           by
           which
           hee
           receives
           these
           doctrines
           :
           for
           this
           you
           must
           know
           ,
           those
           practises
           ,
           those
           evill
           wayes
           are
           most
           dangerous
           ,
           in
           which
           men
           are
           confirmed
           by
           any
           doctrine
           ,
           by
           any
           setled
           opinion
           .
           If
           a
           man
           rush
           suddenly
           by
           
             incogitancy
             ,
          
           and
           by
           temptation
           into
           a
           bad
           way
           ,
           hee
           is
           more
           
             easily
             recoverable
             ;
          
           But
           if
           hee
           shall
           bee
           
             rooted
          
           in
           a
           bad
           way
           ,
           by
           an
           unsound
           rule
           of
           doctrine
           ,
           that
           doctrine
           had
           need
           especially
           to
           bee
           considered
           :
           When
           the
           man
           that
           commends
           such
           a
           way
           ,
           shall
           pretend
           hee
           had
           this
           by
           a
           
             discovery
             from
             God
          
           himselfe
           ,
           and
           that
           hee
           hath
           such
           and
           such
           a
           Revelation
           .
           As
           
             Montanus
             ,
          
           and
           some
           of
           
           the
           old
           
             Hereticks
          
           in
           the
           primitive
           times
           ,
           pretended
           to
           such
           opinions
           by
           revelation
           ,
           and
           so
           there
           was
           no
           
             disputing
          
           against
           them
           .
           If
           a
           man
           would
           tell
           you
           hee
           is
           in
           such
           and
           such
           an
           
             opinion
             ,
          
           and
           that
           for
           such
           and
           such
           
             reasons
             ,
          
           possibly
           you
           may
           overthrow
           his
           reasons
           ,
           and
           so
           convert
           him
           from
           the
           error
           of
           his
           way
           :
           But
           if
           hee
           shall
           come
           and
           tell
           you
           ,
           I
           hold
           such
           and
           such
           an
           opinion
           :
           How
           came
           you
           by
           it
           ?
           I
           had
           such
           and
           such
           a
           revelation
           for
           it
           ;
           It
           is
           a
           hard
           matter
           to
           convince
           such
           a
           man
           ,
           because
           hee
           will
           fondly
           stick
           to
           his
           Revelation
           ,
           and
           confidently
           obtrude
           it
           upon
           other●
           :
           But
           let
           
             these
          
           bee
           
             tryed
             :
             Try
             every
             spirit
             ,
             1
             Joh.
          
           4.
           1.
           
           Make
           account
           there
           are
           
             false
             Teachers
             gone
             out
             into
             the
             world
             ,
          
           such
           as
           
             God
          
           himselfe
           never
           sent
           .
           
             Beleeve
             not
             every
             spirit
             ,
             but
             try
             the
             spirits
             whether
             they
             are
             of
             God
             ,
          
           because
           many
           false
           Prophets
           are
           gone
           out
           .
           
             True
             Prophets
             ,
          
           they
           are
           sent
           out
           by
           God
           ,
           they
           are
           called
           out
           in
           Gods
           way
           ,
           but
           false
           
             Prophets
             ,
          
           they
           goe
           out
           (
           are
           not
           sent
           .
           )
           without
           a
           Commission
           ,
           and
           without
           instructions
           from
           God
           :
           And
           therefore
           ,
           because
           there
           are
           many
           such
           that
           go
           abroad
           ,
           great
           reason
           that
           people
           should
           try
           before
           they
           trust
           .
           You
           that
           are
           
             Tradesmen
             ,
          
           and
           who
           receive
           mony
           ,
           you
           will
           have
           a
           
             ballance
          
           to
           weigh
           your
           
             gold
             ,
          
           you
           will
           have
           a
           
             Touchstone
          
           to
           try
           your
           metall
           ;
           
             Kings
             ,
          
           they
           
           will
           have
           a
           
             Taster
             ,
          
           to
           try
           the
           meat
           ,
           possibly
           there
           may
           bee
           poyson
           abroad
           ,
           in
           stead
           of
           good
           wholsome
           food
           ;
           and
           shall
           not
           wee
           bee
           as
           wise
           for
           our
           Soules
           ?
           If
           you
           were
           to
           let
           out
           a
           little
           money
           to
           use
           ,
           you
           will
           bee
           sure
           to
           have
           a
           
             Bond
          
           made
           by
           good
           advice
           ,
           you
           will
           have
           witnesses
           ;
           why
           ?
           Oh
           you
           love
           your
           money
           ,
           therefore
           you
           will
           bee
           sure
           to
           bee
           upon
           good
           termes
           .
           If
           you
           were
           to
           make
           a
           
             purchase
             ,
          
           you
           will
           have
           the
           
             conveyances
          
           examined
           ,
           and
           it
           may
           bee
           ,
           ove●-looked
           by
           one
           
             Counsellor
          
           after
           another
           ,
           because
           you
           value
           your
           
             worldly
             estates
             ;
          
           And
           are
           not
           our
           
             immortall
             Soules
          
           of
           greater
           concernment
           then
           any
           of
           these
           ?
           And
           therefore
           in
           what
           hath
           reference
           to
           them
           ,
           let
           us
           take
           this
           wise
           direction
           ,
           
             Stand
             ,
             see
             ,
             inquire
             .
          
        
         
           Here
           you
           may
           desire
           resolution
           in
           three
           particulars
           :
           
        
         
           
             1
             Who
             must
             inquire
             ?
          
           
             2
             Where
             must
             wee
             inquire
             ,
             or
             from
             whom
             ?
          
           
             3
             To
             what
             purpose
             must
             we
             inquire
             ?
          
        
         
           
             Quest
             .
          
           First
           ,
           who
           must
           inquire
           ?
        
         
           
             Answ.
          
           The
           Lord
           here
           directs
           his
           speech
           to
           all
           the
           people
           .
           Indeed
           
           if
           you
           were
           to
           ask
           the
           
             Papist
             ,
          
           who
           it
           is
           that
           must
           consider
           and
           try
           and
           examine
           things
           ?
           
             Bellarmine
          
           and
           his
           followers
           would
           fain
           perswade
           
           you
           ,
           that
           belongs
           only
           to
           the
           
             Bishops
          
           and
           
             Doctors
             ,
          
           and
           the
           great
           learned
           men
           ,
           to
           try
           ,
           examine
           ,
           and
           to
           judge
           things
           ;
           But
           people
           ,
           they
           by
           an
           implicite
           faith
           must
           bee
           carryed
           hood-winkt
           ,
           and
           pin
           their
           faith
           upon
           their
           leaders
           sleeves
           ,
           till
           at
           last
           poore
           wretches
           ,
           they
           bee
           plunged
           into
           Hell
           ;
           God
           would
           have
           us
           more
           wise
           ,
           and
           expects
           that
           every
           man
           should
           make
           use
           of
           his
           reason
           ,
           as
           carefully
           for
           the
           good
           of
           his
           
             Soule
             ,
          
           as
           for
           the
           welfare
           of
           his
           
             body
             ,
          
           swallow
           not
           things
           credulously
           ,
           but
           consider
           ,
           examine
           them
           .
           Whom
           doth
           
             Paul
          
           exhort
           to
           
             try
             all
             things
             ,
             1
             Thess.
          
           5.
           21.
           not
           onely
           Ministers
           ,
           but
           even
           such
           as
           were
           
             under
          
           the
           Ministers
           ,
           
             ver.
          
           12
           ,
           13.
           
           Such
           as
           were
           to
           
             know
             them
             ,
             who
             laboured
             among
             them
             ,
             and
             were
             over
             them
             in
             the
             Lord
             ,
          
           such
           as
           had
           Prophets
           
             prophecying
          
           among
           them
           ,
           whom
           they
           must
           
             not
             despise
             ,
          
           these
           undoubtedly
           were
           the
           
             People
             ,
             private
             Christians
          
           they
           must
           try
           .
        
         
           
             Indeed
             the
             
               supreame
               judgement
            
             belongs
             to
             the
             Head
             of
             the
             Church
             the
             Law-giver
             
               Jesus
               Christ
               ,
               Ministeriall
               judgement
            
             and
             tryall
             belong
             to
             them
             who
             have
             a
             publicke
             
               Office
            
             from
             
               Christ
               ,
            
             to
             that
             purpose
             ;
             as
             
             for
             a
             
               practicall
               judgement
               ,
            
             a
             judgement
             of
             
               discretion
               ,
            
             every
             man
             and
             woman
             is
             to
             make
             use
             thereof
             ,
             it
             is
             not
             safe
             for
             any
             to
             receive
             matters
             of
             Religion
             without
             serious
             examination
             .
          
           This
           hath
           been
           taken
           for
           granted
           by
           
             Prelaticall
          
           Divines
           ,
           &
           was
           the
           Doctrin
           even
           of
           such
           as
           were
           too
           willing
           to
           lead
           poore
           people
           captive
           by
           a
           blind
           obedience
           .
           They
           acknowledged
           ,
           if
           a
           thing
           commanded
           were
           
             indifferent
             ,
          
           you
           might
           doe
           it
           ,
           if
           
             unlawfull
             ,
          
           you
           might
           not
           doe
           it
           ;
           But
           how
           should
           every
           one
           discerne
           whether
           that
           which
           
             Superiours
          
           injoyned
           ,
           were
           
             indifferent
          
           or
           
             unlawfull
             ,
          
           unlesse
           they
           had
           liberty
           to
           try
           and
           examine
           .
           How
           otherwise
           should
           
             Shadrach
             ,
             Meshach
             ,
          
           and
           
             Abednego
             ,
          
           have
           knowne
           how
           
           to
           carry
           themselves
           ,
           when
           the
           King
           commanded
           them
           to
           
             bow
             to
             his
             golden
             Image
             ?
          
           had
           they
           by
           credulity
           without
           consideration
           or
           tryall
           complyed
           with
           
             Nebuchadnezzars
          
           injunction
           ,
           they
           might
           soone
           have
           committed
           Idolatry
           to
           escape
           the
           fiery
           furnace
           (
           
             too
             many
             have
             been
             thus
             unhappily
             surprized
             in
             these
             later
             times
          
           )
           and
           so
           have
           hazzarded
           the
           undoing
           of
           their
           soules
           to
           secure
           their
           bodies
           .
           As
           in
           
             Philosophy
             ,
          
           so
           in
           
             Divinity
             ,
          
           credulity
           hath
           bred
           many
           
             Heretickes
             ,
          
           and
           carryed
           captive
           many
           thousands
           ,
           because
           they
           resolve
           to
           beleeve
           ,
           as
           such
           a
           learned
           man
           beleeveth
           ,
           and
           will
           not
           stand
           ,
           see
           ,
           and
           inquire
           what
           is
           the
           good
           Way
           .
        
         
           
             Quest
             .
          
           Secondly
           ,
           Where
           should
           wee
           inquire
           ,
           from
           whom
           ?
        
         
         
           
             Answ.
          
           Wee
           need
           not
           runne
           to
           
             Rome
             ,
          
           nor
           bee
           beholden
           to
           the
           pretended
           infallibility
           of
           the
           
             Pope
          
           for
           resolution
           .
           The
           Papacy
           being
           the
           grand
           Apostasie
           from
           the
           Truth
           of
           God
           ,
           that
           heavy
           judgement
           lies
           upon
           them
           ,
           2
           
             Thess.
          
           2.
           10
           ,
           11.
           
           They
           are
           given
           up
           to
           
             strong
             delusions
             ,
          
           to
           the
           
             power
             of
             error
             ,
          
           and
           so
           the
           blind
           leading
           the
           blind
           ,
           both
           will
           fall
           into
           the
           ditch
           .
           Neither
           must
           wee
           depend
           upon
           the
           
             Authority
          
           of
           the
           Church
           ,
           for
           the
           
             deciding
          
           of
           controversies
           ,
           and
           determining
           matters
           of
           
             Re●igion
             ;
          
           wee
           should
           looke
           higher
           .
           It
           s
           true
           ,
           the
           name
           of
           
             Church
          
           hath
           evermore
           been
           very
           specious
           ,
           and
           used
           among
           all
           sorts
           with
           
             pompe
             .
          
           Come
           to
           Papists
           ,
           they
           will
           cry
           ,
           The
           Church
           ,
           the
           Church
           ,
           though
           it
           bee
           but
           the
           Pope
           himselfe
           ,
           yet
           that
           must
           carry
           all
           .
           When
           you
           were
           to
           deale
           with
           the
           
             Prelaticall
             party
             ,
          
           their
           dialect
           was
           ,
           The
           Church
           must
           bee
           obeyed
           ,
           still
           the
           Church
           ,
           (
           though
           but
           the
           Prelates
           themselves
           in
           their
           sense
           )
           must
           carry
           it
           ▪
           And
           when
           the
           people
           begin
           but
           to
           apprehend
           their
           own
           liberties
           ,
           they
           will
           cry
           ,
           The
           
             Church
             ,
          
           the
           
             Church
             ,
          
           (
           as
           they
           thinke
           themselves
           )
           so
           
           judges
           ,
           so
           resolves
           .
           But
           who
           ever
           bee
           the
           
             Church
             ,
          
           the
           
             Authority
          
           of
           it
           is
           not
           
             sufficient
             ;
          
           possibly
           the
           Church
           may
           erre
           ,
           and
           therefore
           wee
           must
           fly
           to
           the
           
             Throne
             of
             Jesus
             Christ
             the
             Head
             of
             the
             Church
             ,
          
           for
           satisfaction
           .
           
             Whom
             shall
             wee
             rather
             beleeve
             concerning
             God
             ,
             than
             God
             himselfe
             ?
          
           If
           there
           were
           a
           Councell
           of
           the
           most
           learned
           
             Doctors
          
           that
           ever
           the
           world
           had
           ,
           yea
           ,
           if
           an
           
             Assembly
          
           of
           
             Angels
             ,
          
           yet
           in
           matters
           of
           Religion
           ,
           concerning
           the
           Good
           Way
           ,
           the
           last
           Resolution
           must
           bee
           into
           
             Thus
             saith
             the
             Lord
             .
          
           Here
           it
           is
           not
           ,
           What
           saith
           
             Hilary
             ,
          
           what
           saith
           
             Austin
             ,
          
           but
           
             What
             saith
             the
             Lord
             ,
          
           hee
           only
           can
           resolve
           and
           satisfie
           conscience
           ,
           of
           
             him
          
           wee
           must
           inquire
           .
        
         
           
             Quest
             .
          
           Thirdly
           ,
           To
           what
           purpose
           must
           wee
           inquire
           ?
        
         
           
             Answ.
          
           That
           we
           may
           
             learne
             which
             is
             the
             good
             way
             werein
             we
             should
             walk
             .
          
           Something
           hath
           beene
           spoken
           to
           quicken
           you
           all
           to
           bee
           inquisitive
           ,
           and
           that
           you
           might
           bee
           engaged
           to
           knocke
           at
           the
           right
           doore
           :
           I
           hope
           you
           are
           now
           in
           some
           measure
           prepared
           to
           ask
           .
           Amongst
           all
           by-wayes
           ,
           
           how
           shall
           we
           discerne
           which
           is
           the
           good
           way
           ?
        
         
           
             First
             ,
             the
             good
             way
             is
             that
             way
             which
             comes
             from
             God
             ,
          
           which
           God
           himselfe
           hath
           taught
           and
           prescribed
           in
           his
           holy
           word
           .
           None
           knows
           the
           way
           to
           
             Heaven
          
           so
           well
           as
           the
           
             God
             of
             Heaven
             :
          
           It
           s
           a
           seasonable
           prayer
           ,
           
             Psal.
             25.
             4.
             
             Shew
             mee
             thy
             wayes
             O
             Lord
             ,
             teach
             mee
             thy
             paths
             :
          
           wee
           walke
           safely
           when
           wee
           follow
           Gods
           owne
           teaching
           .
           It
           is
           the
           very
           tenour
           of
           the
           Covenant
           of
           grace
           ,
           by
           which
           he
           saves
           his
           people
           ,
           they
           
           shall
           bee
           all
           
             taught
             of
             God
             ,
             Joh.
          
           6.
           45.
           hence
           hee
           commands
           us
           to
           
           heare
           what
           his
           
             beloved
             Sonne
          
           saith
           ,
           in
           
             whom
             bee
             is
             well
             pleased
             ;
             Heare
             him
             ,
             Matth.
          
           17.
           5.
           where
           doth
           Christ
           speake
           to
           us
           but
           in
           his
           word
           ,
           and
           by
           his
           spirit
           ?
           The
           
             holy
             Ghost
          
           is
           the
           
             Tutour
             ,
          
           the
           booke
           in
           which
           hee
           reads
           
             Lectures
          
           to
           his
           Scholars
           ,
           is
           the
           
             Bible
             ;
          
           therefore
           if
           you
           desire
           to
           know
           which
           is
           the
           right
           way
           ,
           to
           the
           
             word
             and
             to
             the
             testimonies
             ,
             Isa.
          
           8.
           20.
           
           Is
           it
           there
           prescribed
           or
           no
           ?
        
         
           Judge
           then
           of
           the
           goodnesse
           of
           the
           way
           ,
           by
           the
           
             Rules
          
           of
           
             holy
             Scriptures
             ,
          
           and
           not
           onely
           by
           the
           seeming
           light
           of
           your
           
             owne
             conscience
             .
             Conscience
          
           may
           conclude
           that
           to
           bee
           a
           lawfull
           way
           which
           is
           unlawfull
           ,
           
           and
           in
           such
           a
           case
           it
           
             doth
             not
             oblige
             thee
             to
             practice
             ,
             neither
             can
             it
             warrant
             thee
             therein
             .
          
           Yet
           among
           many
           other
           noysome
           weeds
           which
           spring
           up
           in
           the
           garden
           of
           the
           
             Church
          
           in
           these
           
             luxuriant
             times
             ;
          
           this
           is
           one
           very
           dangerous
           principle
           ,
           and
           indeed
           the
           more
           dangerous
           ,
           because
           the
           language
           seemes
           plausible
           :
           
             I
             am
             perswaded
             in
             my
             conscience
             it
             is
             the
             right
             way
             ,
             and
             therefore
             I
             may
             walke
             in
             it
             .
          
           But
           stay
           a
           while
           !
           Doe
           you
           find
           this
           held
           forth
           in
           
             Scripture
             ,
          
           that
           your
           conscience
           is
           an
           adequate
           and
           sufficient
           Rule
           for
           your
           actions
           ?
           No
           such
           matter
           ,
           rather
           thy
           
             Conscience
          
           by
           the
           fall
           of
           
             Adam
          
           was
           
             defiled
             ,
             Tit.
          
           1.
           16.
           and
           even
           in
           the
           regenerate
           is
           
             sanctified
             but
             in
             part
             ,
          
           not
           freed
           wholly
           from
           
             darknesse
          
           and
           
             error
             ;
          
           and
           so
           cannot
           bee
           a
           
             pure
          
           and
           
           
             perfect
             rule
             .
          
           If
           you
           make
           your
           conscience
           your
           only
           guide
           ,
           you
           will
           soone
           bee
           mis-led
           into
           grosse
           offences
           ,
           as
           
             Jo●
             .
             16.
             2.
             Act.
             26.
             9.
             
             I
             verily
             thought
             with
             my selfe
          
           (
           saith
           Paul
           )
           
             that
             I
             ought
             to
             doe
             many
             things
             contrary
             to
             the
             Name
             of
             Jesus
             of
             Nazareth
             :
          
           who
           will
           say
           ,
           (
           unlesse
           they
           be
           shamefully
           ignorant
           )
           that
           
             Paul
          
           did
           well
           herein
           ,
           though
           he
           might
           follow
           present
           
             light
             ,
          
           which
           too
           often
           proves
           indeed
           but
           
             darkenesse
             ?
          
        
         
           If
           you
           were
           to
           deale
           with
           a
           
             Papist
             ,
          
           and
           should
           aske
           him
           ,
           Why
           doe
           you
           pray
           to
           
             Images
             ?
          
           why
           doe
           you
           goe
           to
           
             Masse
             ?
          
           were
           this
           a
           satisfying
           
           answer
           ,
           
             I
             am
             perswaded
             in
             my
             conscience
             it
             is
             lawfull
             to
             goe
             to
             Masse
             ,
          
           and
           therefore
           I
           may
           doe
           it
           ?
           The
           good
           Lord
           discover
           and
           confute
           such
           poysonfull
           opinions
           !
           Doubtlesse
           such
           an
           
             erring
             Conscience
          
           doth
           not
           
             warrant
             ,
          
           will
           not
           
             excuse
             and
             justifie
             thy
             sinfull
             practice
             .
          
           Conscience
           is
           but
           a
           
             subordinate
             rule
             ,
          
           and
           a
           rule
           to
           thee
           onely
           so
           farre
           as
           it
           receives
           
             information
          
           from
           the
           word
           of
           God
           ;
           when
           the
           subordination
           is
           maintained
           ,
           conscience
           acting
           according
           to
           punctuall
           instructions
           from
           God
           himselfe
           ;
           the●
           thou
           maist
           goe
           on
           with
           comfort
           and
           confidence
           :
           But
           whilst
           thou
           art
           under
           an
           
             erroneous
             Conscience
             ,
          
           
           thy
           duty
           is
           not
           to
           
             follow
          
           it
           ,
           but
           rather
           to
           
             seeke
             cleare
          
           and
           full
           
             information
             ,
          
           that
           thou
           maist
           bee
           delivered
           from
           all
           thy
           seducing
           errors
           ,
           
           
             Rom.
          
           12.
           2.
           
           Learned
           Divines
           observe
           that
           in
           
             Negatives
          
           conscience
           may
           bee
           more
           observed
           then
           in
           
             Affirmatives
             .
          
           When
           it
           doth
           judge
           a
           thing
           not
           to
           bee
           lawfull
           which
           is
           lawfull
           in
           it selfe
           ,
           wee
           are
           not
           to
           doe
           it
           ,
           
             Rom.
          
           14.
           23.
           wee
           may
           sometimes
           abstaine
           from
           a
           
             lawfull
             thing
          
           without
           sin
           ;
           but
           wee
           can
           never
           doe
           an
           
             unlawfull
          
           thing
           (
           though
           conscience
           affirme
           and
           conclude
           it
           )
           but
           we
           
             offend
             God
          
           therein
           .
        
         
           O
           then
           ,
           that
           
             you
             and
             I
             ,
          
           when
           so
           many
           new
           and
           strange
           wayes
           are
           commended
           ,
           may
           forme
           a
           right
           judgment
           concerning
           the
           good
           way
           ,
           let
           us
           looke
           above
           the
           
             examples
          
           of
           others
           ,
           not
           setting
           our
           
             watches
          
           by
           their
           
             clocks
             ,
          
           let
           's
           looke
           higher
           then
           the
           meere
           
             dictates
          
           of
           our
           owne
           
             Consciences
             :
          
           Let
           us
           appeale
           to
           the
           
             holy
             Scripture
          
           as
           the
           perfect
           and
           
             ultimate
             rule
             of
             our
             actions
             ,
          
           and
           
             judge
          
           of
           all
           our
           
             controversies
             ,
          
           let
           that
           
           umpire
           and
           arbitrate
           all
           .
           Onely
           here
           remember
           an
           excellent
           rule
           of
           one
           of
           the
           
             Ancients
             .
             Hee
             is
             the
             best
             reader
             of
             Scripture
             ,
             who
             fetcheth
          
           
           
             the
             sense
             out
             of
             Scripture
             ,
             not
             who
             carrieth
             the
             sense
             unto
             Scripture
             .
          
           On
           these
           termes
           let
           all
           the
           
             opinions
          
           and
           
             practices
          
           which
           are
           now
           on
           foot
           in
           
             London
             ,
          
           in
           
             England
             ,
          
           yea
           ,
           in
           the
           
             whole
             World
             ,
          
           be
           tryed
           by
           
             Scripture
             .
          
           When
           wee
           read
           
             Gods
             word
             ,
          
           could
           we
           singly
           and
           humbly
           enquire
           the
           mind
           of
           
             Jesus
             Christ
             ,
          
           and
           listen
           impartially
           what
           language
           hee
           speaks
           therein
           ;
           and
           not
           ,
           as
           too
           many
           doe
           ,
           with
           
             minds
             engaged
             to
             such
             a
             sense
             ,
          
           which
           they
           must
           either
           
             find
          
           in
           Scripture
           ,
           or
           will
           
             impose
          
           upon
           it
           ;
           wee
           might
           much
           more
           readily
           learne
           the
           good
           way
           .
           Heretofore
           indeed
           too
           many
           of
           the
           
             Prelates
          
           and
           their
           
             factors
             ,
          
           that
           they
           might
           the
           better
           put
           off
           their
           adulterate
           wares
           ,
           having
           first
           resolved
           to
           practice
           such
           
             Ceremonies
             ,
          
           and
           bring
           in
           such
           
             Innovations
             ,
          
           would
           then
           read
           
             Scriptures
          
           and
           
             Fathers
             ,
          
           to
           see
           what
           expressions
           they
           could
           thence
           draw
           to
           countenance
           them
           .
           Let
           us
           all
           now
           beware
           of
           that
           which
           wee
           condemned
           in
           others
           :
           what
           way
           soever
           of
           
             Doctrine
             ,
             Practice
             ,
          
           or
           
             Discipline
          
           we
           are
           engaged
           into
           in
           our
           present
           thoughts
           ,
           whether
           to
           a
           
             congregational
          
           or
           
             classical
             ,
          
           whether
           to
           this
           or
           that
           way
           ,
           let
           us
           not
           study
           and
           dispute
           ,
           that
           wee
           
             may
             bring
             downe
             the
             Scripture
          
           to
           
             our
             owne
             sense
             ,
          
           but
           rather
           endeavour
           to
           shape
           ,
           frame
           ,
           and
           
             raise
          
           all
           our
           
             opinions
             ,
             desires
          
           and
           
             practices
          
           to
           the
           genuine
           
             sense
             of
             ●holy
             Scripture
             ,
          
           and
           according
           to
           the
           mind
           of
           
             Jesus
             Christ
          
           therein
           discovered
           ;
           that
           will
           prove
           the
           
             good
             way
          
           which
           
             God
          
           himselfe
           
             makes
             knowne
             .
          
        
         
           
             Secondly
             ,
          
           the
           good
           way
           is
           that
           which
           
             leads
             directly
             unto
             God
             himselfe
             ,
          
           
           
           to
           
             interest
          
           in
           God
           ,
           
             service
          
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           
             communion
          
           with
           God
           .
           The
           
           
             Lord
          
           at
           
             first
          
           made
           us
           for
           himselfe
           ,
           our
           
             immortall
             soules
          
           will
           never
           find
           solid
           satisfaction
           ,
           till
           they
           
             returne
             backe
          
           unto
           him
           .
           It
           is
           the
           proper
           worke
           of
           
             true
             Religion
             ,
          
           the
           good
           way
           ,
           to
           bring
           back
           the
           wandring
           soul
           unto
           it
           ▪
           s
           Maker
           ;
           What
           is
           
             Religion
             but
             a
             comming
             unto
             God
             in
             Christ
             ,
             with
             engagement
             of
             the
             heart
             to
             stay
             with
             him
             ?
          
           And
           the
           more
           steps
           wee
           take
           in
           this
           good
           way
           of
           pure
           Religion
           ,
           the
           neerer
           still
           wee
           come
           unto
           God
           .
        
         
           
             The
             prophane
             
               Atheist
            
             hee
             wallowes
             in
             his
             sinne
             ,
             prostituting
             his
             precious
             soul
             to
             this
             ignoble
             service
             ,
             to
             make
             
               provision
               for
               his
               lusts
               ,
            
             that
             is
             his
             
               Element
               ;
            
             and
             all
             this
             while
             (
             poore
             creature
             )
             without
             
               God
               in
               the
               World
               ,
               Ephes.
            
             2.
             12.
             at
             a
             great
             distance
             from
             him
             ,
             and
             his
             owne
             Salvation
             .
          
           The
           carnall
           
             Worldling
          
           hee
           would
           bee
           content
           
             uti
             Deo
             ,
          
           to
           make
           use
           of
           God
           ,
           but
           then
           hee
           must
           
             f●ui
             creatu●is
             ,
          
           enjoy
           the
           creatures
           ;
           hee
           serves
           
             God
          
           no
           more
           then
           may
           
             serve
          
           his
           owne
           turne
           ,
           gratifie
           his
           owne
           carnall
           purposes
           ;
           neither
           minds
           hee
           ,
           in
           this
           way
           ,
           
             fellowship
          
           with
           
             God
             .
          
           The
           lukewarme
           
             Politician
          
           hee
           would
           by
           his
           
             politick
          
           reconcilements
           ,
           
             arbitrate
          
           betweene
           
             God
          
           and
           
             selfe
             ,
          
           hoping
           thereby
           to
           drive
           on
           his
           owne
           designes
           ,
           but
           in
           conclusion
           he
           likewise
           in
           this
           way
           ,
           falls
           
             short
             of
             Heaven
             ,
          
           losing
           his
           
             God
          
           in
           the
           inordinate
           pursuing
           of
           
             Carnall-selfe
             .
          
           But
           the
           good
           way
           will
           lead
           
             us
             off
          
           from
           our
           
             sins
             ,
             above
          
           creature
           
             comforts
             ,
             out
             of
             our selves
          
           unto
           God
           .
           Some
           may
           take
           divers
           steps
           towards
           God
           ,
           insomuch
           that
           it
           may
           bee
           said
           of
           them
           ,
           as
           of
           him
           ,
           
             Mark
             12.
             34.
             
             Thou
             art
             not
             farre
             from
             the
             Kingdome
             of
             God
             ,
          
           
           the
           good
           way
           carryes
           thee
           further
           ,
           it
           leads
           thee
           
             even
             unto
             God
          
           into
           the
           wayes
           of
           
             nell-pleasing
             servi●e
             ,
          
           into
           
             union
          
           and
           
             communion
          
           with
           
             himselfe
             .
          
           It
           brings
           thee
           not
           onely
           to
           
             serve
             God
             ,
          
           but
           also
           to
           
             enjoy
             God
          
           in
           an
           
             Ordinance
             ;
          
           not
           onely
           to
           
             obey
          
           him
           in
           doing
           a
           duty
           ,
           but
           also
           to
           
             have
             a
             sw●et
             communion
          
           with
           him
           in
           the
           performance
           thereof
           .
           Hence
           it
           is
           that
           a
           
             Saint
          
           who
           travels
           in
           this
           good
           way
           is
           not
           satisfied
           ,
           unlesse
           he
           
             find
          
           and
           
             enjoy
          
           his
           God
           in
           the
           duties
           of
           his
           worship
           ;
           he
           rests
           not
           in
           attending
           upon
           so
           many
           sermons
           ,
           in
           making
           so
           many
           prayers
           ;
           but
           he
           observes
           what
           
             converse
          
           his
           soule
           hath
           with
           
             Jesus
             Christ
          
           therein
           ,
           what
           God
           
             lookes
          
           from
           
             him
             ,
          
           what
           
             influence
          
           from
           Heaven
           ,
           what
           
             holy
             imp●●s●on
          
           upon
           his
           spirit
           by
           duty
           .
           Hee
           knowes
           that
           in
           this
           good
           way
           ,
           
             God
             brings
             downe
          
           part
           
             of
             Heaven
          
           into
           his
           people
           before
           
             hee
             advance
             them
             unto
             Heaven
             :
          
           Hee
           hath
           happily
           tasted
           ,
           that
           a
           day
           of
           
             Humiliation
          
           may
           prove
           a
           
             soule-melting
          
           day
           ,
           a
           day
           of
           
             Thankesgiving
          
           a
           
             soule-cheering
          
           
           day
           ,
           a
           
             Communion
          
           day
           ,
           a
           
             healing
             and
             healing
          
           day
           ▪
           a
           
             Sabbath
             ,
          
           a
           day
           of
           
             blessing
             and
             sanctification
             ;
          
           so
           directly
           doth
           the
           good
           way
           lead
           unto
           
             God
             .
          
        
         
           
             Thirdly
             ,
          
           the
           good
           way
           comming
           from
           God
           ,
           leads
           unto
           God
           ,
           and
           
           that
           
             according
             unto
             God
             ,
          
           according
           to
           the
           
             will
          
           of
           
             God
             ;
          
           tending
           unto
           his
           
             Honour
             ,
          
           and
           the
           
             magnifying
             of
             his
             Name
             .
          
           That
           is
           undoubtedly
           the
           best
           way
           which
           leads
           to
           happinesse
           by
           holinesse
           ,
           
             He●r
             .
          
           12.
           14.
           
           The
           
             soule-saving
          
           way
           will
           bee
           a
           
             soule-sanctifying
          
           way
           .
           In
           2
           
             Thes.
          
           2.
           13.
           
           God
           chose
           the
           
             Thessal●nians
          
           to
           salvation
           
             through
             the
             sanctification
             of
             the
             spirit
             and
             ●e●e●●e
             of
             the
             Truth
             .
          
           In
           the
           execution
           of
           his
           eternall
           counsels
           ,
           this
           is
           the
           Method
           .
           No
           satisfying
           evidence
           to
           us
           ,
           that
           we
           were
           chosen
           to
           salvation
           from
           eternity
           ,
           unlesse
           wee
           have
           within
           us
           this
           undoubted
           pledge
           of
           his
           electing
           love
           and
           spirit
           of
           sanctification
           .
           That
           way
           which
           is
           not
           a
           way
           of
           
             sanctification
          
           as
           well
           as
           of
           
             Justification
             ,
          
           is
           not
           the
           good
           
             Scripture
          
           way
           to
           
             Salvation
             .
          
           It
           lies
           as
           a
           great
           
             disparagement
          
           upon
           any
           
             new
             way
          
           (
           however
           many
           may
           ignorantly
           cry
           it
           up
           )
           when
           
           peoples
           
             opinions
          
           marre
           their
           
             practises
             ▪
          
           if
           whilst
           they
           
             contend
          
           for
           
             justification
             ,
          
           they
           weoken
           the
           power
           of
           
             sanctification
             ;
          
           if
           in
           their
           entertaining
           
           the
           
             Gospel
             of
             Christ
             ,
          
           they
           turne
           out
           the
           holy
           love
           of
           
             God
             from
             being
             a
             rule
             of
             life
             ;
          
           without
           question
           that
           is
           not
           the
           good
           way
           ,
           wherein
           peoples
           spirits
           
             grow
             dry
          
           and
           
             barren
             ,
          
           which
           opens
           a
           back-doore
           to
           
             Sabbath-breaking
          
           and
           other
           
             licenciousnesse
             .
          
           Suspect
           your selves
           and
           wayes
           ,
           I
           beseech
           you
           ,
           if
           by
           any
           of
           your
           
             opinions
          
           practicall
           Christanity
           
             wither
             ,
          
           if
           therby
           you
           become
           
             formall
          
           and
           loose
           in
           the
           duties
           of
           your
           
             places
          
           and
           
             relations
             .
          
           The
           good
           way
           is
           a
           
             soul-emproving
             ,
          
           a
           
             spirita●lizing
          
           way
           .
        
         
           In
           the
           1
           
             Tim.
             6.
             3.
             
             Paul
          
           directs
           
             Timothy
          
           thus
           to
           judge
           of
           Teachers
           and
           their
           Doctrines
           ,
           and
           accordingly
           to
           owne
           or
           decline
           them
           ,
           as
           they
           teach
           and
           consent
           unto
           the
           wholsome
           words
           of
           
             Jesus
             Christ
             ,
          
           and
           
             the
             Doctrine
          
           which
           is
           
             according
             unto
             godlinesse
             ;
          
           clearly
           holding
           forth
           that
           
             Christs
             words
          
           are
           
             wholsome
             ,
             soule-saving
             words
             ,
          
           his
           doctrine
           purifies
           the
           heart
           ,
           it
           is
           
             according
             to
             godlines
             .
          
        
         
           This
           age
           is
           very
           fruitfull
           in
           multiplicity
           of
           opinions
           .
           If
           you
           would
           know
           how
           to
           judge
           of
           them
           ,
           together
           with
           your
           examining
           of
           them
           by
           the
           
             word
             of
             Truth
             ,
          
           observe
           diligently
           what
           
             influence
          
           peoples
           
             opinions
             have
             upon
             their
             spirits
             ,
             and
             upon
             their
             conversation
             .
          
        
         
           Under
           the
           
             Tyranny
             of
             the
             Prelates
          
           many
           congregations
           had
           almost
           lost
           the
           
             power
             of
             Religion
          
           in
           a
           crowd
           of
           needles
           
             Ceremonies
             ;
          
           and
           now
           in
           too
           many
           places
           the
           
             vigour
          
           of
           
             practicall
             piety
          
           is
           much
           
             abated
          
           (
           to
           say
           no
           more
           )
           by
           multitudes
           of
           
             dispute
          
           about
           some
           such
           
             opinions
          
           as
           might
           
           well
           bee
           
             spared
             ;
          
           This
           renders
           the
           way
           very
           
             suspitious
             ,
          
           because
           it
           is
           no
           more
           
             according
             unto
             godlinesse
             .
          
        
         
           I
           confesse
           if
           wee
           should
           judge
           of
           peoples
           way
           by
           their
           
             language
          
           
           onely
           ,
           good
           words
           are
           very
           frequent
           ,
           many
           mouths
           are
           full
           of
           
             Christ
             ,
             Free-grace
             ,
             light
             ,
             liberty
             ,
          
           &c.
           
           God
           forbid
           that
           such
           sweet
           and
           precious
           words
           should
           bee
           abused
           to
           countenance
           either
           
             darknesse
          
           of
           
             error
             ,
          
           or
           
             licenciousnesse
          
           of
           
             practice
             .
          
           Yet
           alasse
           ,
           how
           many
           speake
           the
           
             highest
             Gospell
          
           language
           ,
           who
           live
           farre
           
             below
             Gospell
             priviledges
             ,
          
           and
           below
           Gospel
           
             hopes
             !
          
        
         
           The
           subtill
           
             Devill
          
           knowes
           how
           to
           hide
           his
           snares
           under
           the
           most
           
             speci●us
             ,
          
           even
           under
           
             Scripture
             words
             ;
          
           Try
           therefore
           over
           and
           over
           ,
           it
           much
           concernes
           you
           ;
           O
           that
           it
           might
           appeare
           that
           the
           way
           wherein
           you
           walke
           is
           the
           good
           way
           ,
           being
           
             according
             unto
             God
             ,
          
           expressing
           the
           
             reality
          
           of
           godlinesse
           in
           the
           course
           of
           your
           conversation
           .
        
         
           These
           things
           being
           laid
           downe
           for
           the
           awakening
           of
           your
           vigilancy
           in
           enquiring
           after
           the
           good
           way
           ,
           something
           must
           be
           added
           ,
           concerning
           your
           
             asking
             for
             the
             old
             paths
             ;
          
           Herein
           you
           shall
           doe
           like
           wise
           
             travellers
             ,
          
           to
           
             consult
          
           with
           such
           as
           have
           discovered
           and
           
             trodden
          
           the
           good
           way
           before
           you
           .
           
             The
             good
             way
             is
             an
             old
             way
             .
          
           Aske
           then
           ,
        
         
           First
           ,
           what
           is
           the
           good
           old
           way
           of
           
             Doctrine
             ,
          
           what
           is
           the
           old
           
           patterne
           of
           
             wholsome
          
           words
           ?
           2
           
             Tim.
          
           1.
           13.
           
           Enquire
           what
           Truth
           
             Jesus
             Christ
             ,
          
           who
           is
           the
           
             same
             yesterday
             ,
             and
             to
             day
             ,
             and
             for
             ever
             ,
             Hebr.
          
           13.
           8.
           did
           reveale
           unto
           his
           servants
           ;
           and
           
             vers.
          
           9.
           hold
           that
           fast
           ,
           and
           bee
           
             not
             carried
             about
             with
             divers
             and
             strange
             doctrines
             ,
          
           new
           and
           uncouth
           Doctrines
           ,
           
           not
           recommended
           to
           us
           by
           the
           Apostles
           .
           O
           
             Timothy
             ,
          
           saith
           
             Paul
             ,
             1
             Tim.
             6.
             20.
             keep
             that
             which
             is
             committed
             to
             thy
             trust
             .
          
           Depositum
           serva
           ;
           that
           
             which
             hath
             beene
             committed
             to
             thee
             ,
             not
             what
             thou
             hast
             invented
             ;
             that
             which
             thou
             hast
             received
             ,
             not
             that
             which
             thou
             hast
             found
             out
             ,
             wherein
             thou
             must
             not
             bee
             an
             Author
             ,
             but
             whereof
             thou
             art
             a
             Guardian
             ;
             not
             an
             ordainer
             ,
             but
             a
             Disciple
             ,
             not
             a
             guide
             ,
             but
             a
             follower
             ;
             what
             t●ou
             hast
             received
             in
             gold
             ,
             re-deliver
             the
             same
             in
             gold
             ,
             &c.
             
          
           Hee
           had
           this
           trust
           for
           the
           Churches
           use
           ,
           let
           us
           diligently
           enquire
           after
           it
           ,
           that
           wee
           may
           bee
           guided
           by
           it
           .
        
         
           Secondly
           ,
           what
           is
           the
           
             good
             old
             way
             of
             divine
             Worship
             .
          
           Here
           you
           must
           
           consult
           ,
           not
           with
           the
           
             precepts
          
           of
           
             men
             ,
          
           but
           with
           the
           
             word
             of
             God
          
           revealed
           of
           old
           unto
           his
           Church
           .
           The
           not
           minding
           of
           this
           
             ancient
             Land-marke
             ,
          
           hath
           brought
           in
           many
           superstitious
           Innovations
           into
           
           Gods
           service
           ,
           and
           mis-led
           thousands
           of
           simple
           soules
           out
           of
           the
           good
           way
           .
           A
           
             Statesman
          
           of
           our
           owne
           could
           observe
           divers
           causes
           of
           superstition
           .
           1.
           
           
             Pleasing
             and
             sensuall
             Rites
             and
             Ceremonies
             .
             2.
             
             Excesse
             of
             outward
          
           
           
             and
             Pharisaicall
             holinesse
             .
             3.
             
             Over
             great
             reverence
             of
             Traditions
             .
             4.
             
             The
             Stratagems
             of
             the
             Prelates
             for
             their
             owne
             ambition
             and
             lucre
             .
             5.
             
             The
             favouring
             too
             much
             of
             good
             Intentions
             ,
             which
             opens
             the
             gate
             to
             conceits
             and
             novelties
             .
             6.
             
             The
             taking
             an
             aime
             at
             Divine
             matters
             by
             humane
             ,
             which
             breeds
             mixture
             of
             imaginations
             .
          
           In
           all
           which
           there
           was
           a
           neglecting
           of
           the
           holy
           will
           of
           God
           ,
           the
           onely
           rule
           of
           pure
           Worship
           .
           And
           all
           this
           while
           ,
           alasse
           poore
           hearts
           !
           people
           taking
           much
           paines
           to
           little
           purpose
           .
           
             In
             vaine
             doe
             they
             worship
             mee
             ,
             teaching
             for
             doctrines
             the
             commandements
             of
             men
             ,
             Matth.
          
           15.
           9.
           
           They
           over-looke
           Gods
           will
           ,
           hee
           over-lookes
           their
           devices
           ,
           so
           indeed
           the
           new
           way
           proves
           a
           bad
           and
           uncomfortable
           way
           ;
           you
           must
           enquire
           for
           the
           good
           old
           way
           ,
           if
           you
           desire
           to
           please
           God
           in
           his
           Worship
           .
        
         
           Thirdly
           ,
           what
           is
           the
           
             good
             old
             way
             of
             practicall
             piety
             .
          
           The
           beauty
           
           of
           Religion
           much
           appeares
           in
           the
           duties
           of
           our
           places
           and
           relations
           ;
           to
           have
           such
           a
           conversation
           as
           
             Paul
          
           expressed
           ,
           2
           
             Cor.
          
           1.
           12.
           in
           
             simplicity
             and
             godly
             sincerity
             ,
             not
             with
             fleshly
             wisdome
             ,
             but
             by
             the
             grace
             of
             God
             ,
          
           would
           much
           commend
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           and
           fill
           us
           with
           rejoycing
           in
           the
           
             testimony
             of
             our
             own
             conscience
             ;
          
           much
           of
           this
           practicall
           godlinesse
           might
           bee
           learned
           ,
           as
           from
           
             Scripture
             precepts
             and
             practices
             ,
          
           so
           both
           from
           the
           
             Doctrine
          
           and
           
             examples
          
           of
           
             Ancient
             Worthies
             .
          
        
         
           Amongst
           others
           there
           are
           two
           very
           good
           advantages
           by
           the
           writings
           of
           the
           
             Ancient
             Fathers
             ;
          
           They
           will
           afford
           us
           
             light
             in
             points
             of
             Faith
             ,
          
           and
           
             heat
             in
             matters
             of
             practice
             .
          
           I
           wish
           wee
           were
           better
           acquainted
           
           with
           those
           old
           strains
           of
           piety
           ,
           which
           
             Origen
             ,
             Chrysostome
             ,
             B●sil
             ,
          
           put
           their
           hearers
           upon
           for
           sanctifying
           the
           Lords
           day
           ,
           recoun●ing
           Sermons
           ,
           holy
           conference
           ,
           they
           had
           their
           
             Mensarii
             Sermones
             ,
             their
             Table
             discourses
             to
             feed
             their
             soules
             ,
          
           &c.
           
        
         
           It
           were
           a
           worke
           worthy
           of
           a
           
             second
             Jewell
             ,
          
           to
           make
           an
           
             Apology
             ▪
          
           for
           the
           
             strictnesse
             and
             purity
             of
             practicall
             piety
          
           out
           of
           the
           Ancient
           Fathers
           ,
           against
           prophane
           
             Atheists
             ,
          
           as
           that
           learned
           
             Bishop
          
           did
           out
           of
           their
           writings
           Apologize
           for
           our
           
             Doctrine
          
           against
           the
           
             Papists
             ;
          
           so
           might
           wee
           better
           learne
           the
           good
           old
           way
           of
           sound
           Christianity
           .
        
         
           Thirdly
           ,
           forget
           not
           to
           enquire
           what
           
             i●
             the
             good
             old
             way
             of
             discipline
             .
          
           
           When
           you
           have
           found
           the
           good
           old
           way
           of
           Doctrine
           ,
           of
           Worship
           ,
           
           and
           of
           practicall
           piety
           ,
           you
           will
           need
           an
           
             hedge
             of
             Discipline
          
           to
           fence
           it
           ,
           lest
           
             dogs
          
           and
           
             swine
          
           creepe
           in
           ,
           and
           so
           marre
           and
           pollute
           it
           with
           their
           defilements
           .
           There
           may
           bee
           indeed
           an
           extremity
           ,
           in
           laying
           out
           more
           thoughts
           about
           the
           hedge
           ,
           then
           upon
           the
           
             Corne
             ,
          
           (
           too
           many
           
           are
           ready
           to
           slight
           the
           power
           of
           godlinesse
           in
           their
           vehement
           enquiries
           after
           some
           points
           of
           Discipline
           )
           yet
           suffer
           not
           I
           beseech
           you
           good
           corne
           to
           bee
           spoiled
           for
           want
           of
           an
           
             hedge
          
           of
           
             Discipline
          
           about
           it
           .
           Let
           us
           seriously
           consult
           what
           was
           the
           good
           old
           Scripture
           
             Order
             .
             Paul
          
           joyed
           when
           hee
           beheld
           the
           
             Colossians
             order
             ,
             and
             the
             stedfastnesse
             of
             their
             faith
             in
             Christ
             ,
          
           Col.
           2.
           5.
           
           The
           Lord
           grant
           that
           after
           all
           our
           enquiring
           ,
           consulting
           and
           debating
           ,
           wee
           may
           find
           that
           good
           
             old
             Order
          
           in
           the
           Churches
           of
           Christ
           amongst
           us
           ;
           This
           will
           be
           great
           matter
           of
           rejoycing
           to
           us
           .
        
         
           
             Quest
             .
          
           But
           how
           farre
           may
           we
           in
           enquiring
           after
           the
           good
           way
           consult
           with
           antiquity
           ,
           and
           observe
           the
           old
           paths
           wherein
           the
           Ancient
           Fathers
           have
           troden
           ?
        
         
           
             Answ.
          
           Though
           many
           make
           
             Antiquity
          
           their
           
             Diana
             ,
          
           adoring
           too
           much
           every
           fragment
           of
           the
           Ancients
           ,
           not
           minding
           that
           there
           are
           some
           
             gray-headed
             errors
             ,
          
           the
           
             mysterie
             of
             iniquity
             working
          
           in
           the
           very
           Apostles
           times
           ,
           2
           Thes.
           2.
           7.
           though
           others
           ,
           especially
           the
           
             Papists
             ,
          
           use
           the
           
             Fathers
             ,
          
           as
           Merchants
           use
           their
           
             counters
             ,
          
           sometimes
           they
           stand
           with
           them
           for
           
             pence
             ,
          
           sometimes
           for
           
             pounds
             ,
          
           as
           they
           be
           next
           and
           readiest
           at
           hand
           to
           make
           up
           their
           
             account
             .
          
        
         
           Yet
           doubtlesse
           in
           searching
           after
           the
           good
           way
           ,
           wee
           may
           safely
           consult
           with
           Antiquity
           ;
           the
           
             newest
             Philosophy
          
           may
           excell
           ,
           having
           the
           
           advantage
           of
           
             new
             experiments
             ,
          
           but
           the
           
             eldest
             Divinity
          
           is
           the
           
             best
             ;
          
           there
           can
           bee
           no
           better
           way
           to
           Heaven
           ,
           then
           that
           which
           the
           
             Ancient
             of
             dayes
          
           hath
           discovered
           :
           and
           without
           question
           there
           were
           in
           the
           Primitive
           Church
           many
           glorious
           lights
           ,
           whom
           the
           Lord
           acquainted
           with
           his
           
             Gospel
             secrets
             ,
          
           and
           used
           them
           as
           speciall
           
             Instruments
          
           to
           convey
           much
           
             precious
             Truth
          
           unto
           us
           .
        
         
           For
           better
           direction
           herein
           ,
           I
           will
           take
           leave
           to
           suggest
           these
           few
           hints
           ,
           (
           which
           in
           some
           Auditories
           I
           should
           much
           enlarge
           )
           That
           when
           you
           advise
           with
           the
           Ancient
           Writers
           about
           the
           good
           way
           ,
           you
           must
           not
           credulously
           embrace
           their
           good
           
             Intentions
             ,
          
           their
           received
           
             Customes
             ,
          
           nor
           swallow
           all
           their
           free
           
             expressions
             ,
          
           which
           after
           ages
           have
           wretchedly
           abused
           ,
           emproving
           them
           to
           justifie
           their
           owne
           errors
           and
           superstitions
           .
           But
           wisely
           consider
           ;
        
         
         
           First
           ,
           that
           the
           most
           ancient
           and
           ●earned
           Fathers
           should
           be
           received
           
           and
           read
           ▪
           as
           expounders
           ,
           not
           as
           Law-givers
           .
           Secondly
           ,
           you
           should
           labour
           to
           discerne
           what
           bookes
           of
           theirs
           are
           spurious
           ,
           and
           what
           legitimate
           .
           Thirdly
           ,
           observe
           diligently
           whether
           the
           Doctors
           you
           consult
           with
           ,
           understood
           the
           originall
           language
           of
           the
           holy
           Scriptures
           ,
           whether
           the
           Translation
           they
           followed
           was
           sound
           .
           Fourthly
           ,
           enquire
           what
           consent
           and
           concurrence
           there
           was
           amongst
           them
           in
           this
           particular
           .
           
             Preferre
             that
             which
             they
             have
             spoken
             ,
             either
             all
             ,
             or
             t●e
             greatest
             part
             of
             them
             ,
             and
             that
             very
             manifestly
             ,
             often
             ,
             constantly
             ,
             assuredly
             ,
          
           &c.
           
           Fifthly
           ,
           and
           still
           all
           they
           say
           ,
           must
           bee
           weighed
           in
           the
           
           ballance
           of
           the
           Sanctuary
           ,
           examined
           by
           the
           Scriptures
           ,
           the
           truest
           and
           best
           Antiquity
           .
        
         
           
             *
          
           
             Reverend
          
           and
           
             Learned
             Mr.
             Perkins
          
           will
           give
           you
           a
           very
           rationall
           account
           ,
           how
           it
           came
           to
           passe
           that
           the
           Ancient
           Fathers
           spake
           oftentimes
           
             incommode
             ,
          
           letting
           fall
           many
           
             unapt
             and
             unhappy
             expressions
             :
          
           First
           ,
           sometimes
           they
           were
           carryed
           too
           farre
           ,
           even
           into
           another
           extreme
           ,
           by
           
             heat
             of
             disputation
             .
          
           Secondly
           ,
           at
           other
           times
           ,
           in
           their
           exhortations
           you
           shall
           find
           them
           transported
           by
           some
           
             vehement
             straines
          
           of
           
             Rhetorick
             ;
          
           not
           alwayes
           so
           cautelous
           in
           the
           
             Pulpit
             ,
          
           as
           in
           the
           
             Chaire
             .
          
           Thirdly
           ,
           before
           controversies
           were
           started
           ,
           they
           spoke
           more
           
             securely
             ,
          
           and
           too
           
             loosely
          
           in
           some
           points
           ,
           till
           they
           were
           
             quickned
          
           to
           circumspection
           by
           the
           
             vigilancy
          
           of
           an
           
             Adversary
             .
          
           Fourthly
           ,
           they
           borrowed
           too
           many
           
             formes
             of
             speech
             from
             the
             people
             ,
          
           &
           speaking
           often
           
             populariter
             ,
          
           giving
           too
           much
           credit
           to
           
             rumours
             ,
          
           they
           may
           mislead
           their
           Readers
           .
           Fifthly
           ,
           sometimes
           you
           see
           them
           caried
           away
           with
           the
           
             streame
          
           of
           the
           
             multitude
             ,
          
           even
           into
           superstition
           .
           Sixthly
           ,
           and
           you
           have
           them
           often
           speaking
           of
           things
           
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
          
           rather
           then
           
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
          
           ,
           onely
           
             historically
          
           
           relating
           ,
           not
           
             asserting
          
           what
           they
           say
           .
           Therefore
           when
           you
           looke
           
             through
             them
             ,
          
           yet
           withall
           looke
           
             above
             them
             ,
          
           unto
           
             Christ
             Jesus
          
           in
           his
           holy
           word
           ,
           that
           you
           may
           certainly
           find
           the
           good
           way
           .
        
         
           And
           so
           much
           for
           the
           first
           Observation
           ,
           in
           the
           second
           I
           will
           joyne
           the
           motive
           and
           the
           duties
           together
           .
        
         
           
             When
             you
             have
             found
             out
             the
             good
             old
             way
             ,
             walking
             therein
             i●
             Gods
          
           
           
             method
             for
             you
             to
             obtaine
             soule-refreshing
             Rest
             .
          
        
         
           You
           have
           a
           great
           journey
           to
           take
           ,
           from
           Hell
           to
           Heaven
           ,
           from
           
             Egypt
          
           to
           
             Canaan
             ,
          
           through
           the
           wildernesse
           of
           this
           World
           ;
           you
           had
           need
           have
           a
           good
           guide
           ;
           and
           after
           so
           long
           ,
           so
           wearisome
           ,
           and
           such
           a
           conflicting
           passage
           ,
           mee thinkes
           a
           resting
           place
           should
           bee
           very
           welcome
           ;
           
           It
           is
           Gods
           indulgence
           thus
           to
           offer
           himselfe
           to
           poore
           Travellers
           ,
           allowing
           them
           this
           soveraigne
           cordiall
           in
           the
           way
           ,
           that
           going
           on
           they
           shal
           find
           
             rest
             for
             their
             souls
             .
          
           There
           is
           rich
           encouragement
           in
           that
           place
           of
           the
           Prophet
           ,
           
             Isa.
             57
             18
             I
             have
             seene
             his
             wayes
             ,
             and
             will
             heale
          
           
           
             him
             ;
             I
             will
             lead
             him
             also
             ,
             and
             restore
             comfort
             to
             him
             .
          
           God
           tenders
           himselfe
           as
           a
           Guide
           ,
           as
           a
           Physitian
           ,
           and
           as
           a
           Comforter
           ;
           blacke
           clouds
           shall
           bee
           blown
           over
           ,
           the
           storme
           shall
           cease
           ,
           travellers
           towards
           Sion
           shall
           enjoy
           an
           haven
           of
           tranquillity
        
         
           
             Here
             I
             will
             consider
             three
             things
             .
          
           
             1.
             
             
               The
               nature
               of
               this
               walking
               .
            
          
           
             2.
             
             
               What
               rest
               is
               here
               to
               bee
               found
               .
            
          
           
             3.
             
             
               What
               evidence
               :
               That
               walking
               in
               this
               good
               old
               way
               ,
               is
               Gods
               method
               to
               soul-refreshing
               Rest
               .
            
          
        
         
           For
           the
           first
           of
           them
           ,
           walking
           in
           this
           good
           way
           .
           1.
           
           It
           presupposeth
           
           that
           
             you
             have
             renounced
             your
             former
             evill
             wayes
             ,
          
           and
           are
           now
           come
           into
           Gods
           way
           ,
           into
           this
           good
           way
           .
           
             Isa.
          
           55.
           7.
           
           Let
           
             the
             wicked
             man
             forsake
             his
             way
             ,
          
           and
           the
           
             unrighteous
             man
             his
             thoughts
             ;
          
           forsake
           his
           wicked
           wayes
           ,
           and
           his
           owne
           thoughts
           .
           There
           is
           no
           wicked
           man
           in
           the
           world
           ,
           but
           hee
           hath
           some
           way
           of
           his
           owne
           wherein
           hee
           walketh
           ,
           and
           hee
           hath
           some
           stocke
           of
           carnaol
           principles
           ,
           that
           are
           ,
           as
           it
           were
           ,
           the
           Lanthorne
           ,
           and
           the
           Candle
           to
           guide
           him
           in
           that
           way
           ;
           you
           can
           never
           convert
           a
           man
           ,
           till
           you
           have
           confuted
           his
           principles
           ,
           over-turned
           his
           thoughts
           ,
           and
           then
           you
           may
           soone
           perswade
           him
           to
           forsake
           his
           wayes
           ;
           and
           both
           these
           must
           be
           done
           before
           he
           come
           into
           the
           good
           way
           .
           Therefore
           you
           shall
           find
           in
           
             Isa.
          
           65.
           2.
           the
           Lord
           tells
           you
           ,
           
             I
             have
             spread
             out
             my
             hands
             all
             the
             day
             long
             to
             a
             rebellious
             people
             ,
          
           that
           
             walke
             in
             a
             way
             that
             is
             not
             good
             ,
             after
             their
             own
             thoughts
             .
          
           There
           is
           not
           a
           man
           or
           woman
           in
           this
           Congregation
           ,
           that
           hath
           outstood
           the
           ministery
           all
           this
           while
           ,
           and
           per●isted
           in
           their
           owne
           wicked
           wayes
           ,
           but
           they
           
             walke
          
           still
           after
           their
           
             own
             thoughts
             ,
          
           and
           let
           the
           Minister
           say
           what
           hee
           will
           ,
           they
           will
           hold
           the
           conclusion
           ,
           and
           resolve
           to
           keepe
           to
           their
           owne
           principles
           ,
           and
           their
           owne
           thoughts
           .
           Now
           when
           you
           are
           come
           to
           this
           resolution
           ,
           My
           own
           thoughts
           shall
           not
           guide
           mee
           ,
           my
           own
           way
           cannot
           save
           mee
           ;
           but
           I
           will
           apply
           my selfe
           to
           Gods
           way
           ;
           this
           is
           the
           first
           step
           towards
           walking
           ;
           This
           is
           presupposed
           indeed
           ,
           before
           you
           can
           walke
           in
           this
           good
           way
           ,
           it
           must
           be
           done
           .
           You
           must
           turne
           your
           backe
           upon
           your
           own
           evill
           waies
           .
        
         
         
           Secondly
           ,
           Walking
           is
           a
           
             moving
             forward
             ,
          
           taking
           step
           after
           step
           ,
           as
           travellers
           use
           to
           doe
           ,
           so
           that
           you
           make
           
             some
             progresse
             :
          
           Though
           you
           
           bee
           in
           the
           right
           way
           ,
           yet
           if
           you
           stand
           still
           ,
           you
           doe
           not
           walke
           ;
           But
           in
           that
           you
           hold
           compliance
           with
           the
           Commandements
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           go
           along
           with
           them
           ,
           maintaining
           a
           correspondency
           to
           Gods
           will
           ,
           this
           is
           walking
           .
        
         
           
             En●●h
             walked
             with
             God
             ,
          
           in
           
             Gen.
          
           5.
           24.
           
           And
           so
           likewise
           in
           the
           Epistle
           
           to
           the
           
             Hebrewes
             ,
          
           11.
           5.
           
           Hee
           was
           then
           translated
           ,
           going
           
             along
          
           with
           
             God
          
           in
           
             well-pleasing
          
           wayes
           :
           Whatsoever
           duty
           God
           prescribed
           him
           ,
           his
           Spirit
           closed
           with
           it
           ,
           whatsoever
           lesson
           was
           commended
           to
           him
           ,
           hee
           tooke
           it
           out
           ,
           acted
           over
           the
           truthes
           that
           were
           proposed
           ;
           And
           this
           is
           indeed
           
             walking
          
           with
           God
           in
           the
           good
           way
           ,
           continually
           improving
           of
           his
           Ordinances
           ,
           observing
           of
           his
           daily
           providences
           ,
           obedientially
           delivering
           up
           your selves
           to
           his
           Commands
           ,
           moving
           according
           un●o
           them
           .
        
         
           Thirdly
           ,
           This
           walking
           must
           bee
           a
           voluntary
           ,
           a
           willing
           motion
           .
           
           There
           is
           much
           in
           that
           expression
           ,
           
             Prov.
             20
             7.
             
             A
             righteous
             man
             walketh
             in
             his
             integrity
             :
          
           it
           is
           in
           that
           conjugation
           in
           the
           Hebrew
           ,
           that
           
           signifieth
           hee
           sets
           himselfe
           going
           .
           Every
           godly
           man
           hath
           an
           
             inward
             principle
             ,
          
           hee
           moveth
           not
           like
           a
           terrifyed
           hypocrite
           ,
           from
           outward
           motives
           ,
           hee
           is
           not
           whipped
           to
           duties
           by
           
             feare
             ,
          
           hee
           is
           not
           carryed
           on
           onely
           by
           carnall
           hopes
           (
           as
           many
           a
           man
           doth
           worship
           the
           rising
           Sunne
           ,
           and
           love
           reformation
           when
           it
           is
           a
           plausible
           thing
           )
           but
           now
           a
           godly
           man
           hath
           a
           new
           nature
           ,
           and
           there
           is
           an
           internall
           principle
           ,
           and
           a
           motive
           within
           himselfe
           ,
           that
           hee
           walketh
           in
           this
           way
           ,
           hee
           is
           not
           
             drawn
          
           nor
           
             driven
             ,
          
           but
           he
           spontaneously
           moveth
           :
           and
           this
           it
           is
           that
           God
           here
           expects
           ,
           therefore
           you
           should
           inquire
           what
           is
           the
           good
           and
           the
           right
           way
           ,
           and
           then
           walke
           in
           it
           .
           Gods
           people
           are
           
             voluntiers
             ,
          
           a
           
             willing
             people
             :
          
           And
           the
           very
           tenor
           of
           the
           Covenant
           is
           this
           ,
           
           Gods
           people
           should
           bee
           a
           
             repenting
          
           people
           ,
           a
           
             beleeving
          
           people
           ,
           an
           
             obeying
          
           people
           .
           By
           repentance
           wee
           
             seek
          
           the
           way
           ,
           by
           faith
           wee
           
             finde
          
           the
           way
           ,
           and
           by
           obedience
           wee
           
             keepe
          
           the
           way
           :
           this
           would
           discover
           you
           indeed
           to
           bee
           such
           a
           people
           ,
           as
           walk
           with
           God
           ,
           had
           you
           but
           the
           exercise
           of
           these
           three
           
             Cardinall
             substantiall
             graces
             ,
          
           such
           repentance
           as
           to
           renounce
           your
           sins
           ,
           your
           former
           wayes
           ,
           and
           seeke
           the
           way
           of
           God
           ,
           such
           faith
           that
           you
           
             close
          
           with
           Gods
           way
           ,
           and
           then
           withall
           ,
           such
           obedience
           as
           to
           
             fix
             ,
          
           and
           continue
           in
           the
           way
           :
           and
           all
           this
           with
           a
           
             willing
             mind
             ,
          
           as
           
             David
          
           directed
           
             Solomon
             ,
             1
             Chron.
          
           28.
           9.
           
           This
           is
           walking
           in
           the
           good
           way
           .
        
         
         
           After
           the
           discovery
           of
           the
           nature
           of
           this
           
             walking
             ,
          
           the
           next
           thing
           is
           ,
           what
           
             Rest
          
           is
           here
           offered
           :
           Here
           is
           a
           plaister
           every
           way
           as
           broad
           
           as
           the
           wound
           ,
           a
           satisfaction
           proportionable
           to
           the
           exigents
           and
           necessities
           of
           poore
           travellers
           towards
           
             Canaan
             .
          
        
         
           First
           ,
           
             Rest
             from
             terrours
             of
             Conscience
             :
          
           Sometimes
           a
           Servant
           of
           God
           lyeth
           under
           such
           ,
           and
           those
           are
           sad
           and
           blacke
           troubles
           indeed
           ,
           to
           bee
           under
           the
           accusing
           of
           a
           condemning
           conscience
           ;
           you
           need
           not
           dispute
           
             where
             hell
             is
             ,
          
           for
           they
           that
           know
           what
           terrours
           of
           conscience
           meane
           ,
           they
           will
           tell
           you
           .
           
             God
             can
             make
             a
             Hell
             in
             a
             mans
             bosome
             ,
             in
             his
             heart
             ;
          
           if
           any
           spark
           of
           
             Gods
             wrath
             fall
             on
             Conscience
             ,
             there
             is
             an
             Hell
             .
          
           Who
           giveth
           rest
           from
           these
           terrours
           of
           conscience
           ?
           God
           himselfe
           ,
           hee
           being
           satisfyed
           by
           the
           blood
           of
           Christ
           ,
           can
           easily
           satisfie
           conscience
           ;
           If
           
             our
             owne
             hearts
             condemne
             us
             ,
             1
             Joh.
          
           3.
           20.
           
           God
           is
           
             greater
             then
             our
             hearts
             ,
             who
             knoweth
             all
             things
             .
          
           Oh
           ,
           it
           is
           a
           sad
           thing
           ,
           when
           wee
           have
           a
           condemning
           conscience
           .
           Our
           blind
           consciences
           know
           but
           little
           evill
           by
           our selves
           ,
           in
           comparison
           of
           what
           God
           sees
           ,
           and
           if
           that
           condemne
           us
           ,
           what
           will
           God
           doe
           then
           ,
           that
           is
           much
           greater
           then
           our
           consciences
           ,
           and
           knoweth
           all
           things
           ?
           On
           the
           other
           side
           ,
           If
           
             our
             conscience
             condemne
             us
             not
             ,
             then
             have
             wee
             confidence
             towards
             God
             ,
          
           as
           it
           is
           there
           expressed
           ,
           
             ver.
          
           21.
           
           Here
           is
           heaven
           on
           earth
           ,
           here
           is
           sweet
           rest
           ,
           walking
           in
           the
           
             good
             way
             ,
          
           thou
           hast
           a
           
             good
             conscience
             ,
             purity
          
           is
           the
           ready
           way
           to
           
             Peace
             ;
          
           When
           thou
           hast
           a
           conscience
           that
           doth
           not
           condemne
           thee
           ,
           but
           a
           conscience
           that
           doth
           absolve
           thee
           ,
           and
           a
           conscience
           that
           doth
           approve
           thee
           ,
           a
           conscience
           that
           is
           sprinkled
           with
           the
           blood
           of
           Jesus
           Christ
           ,
           then
           hast
           thou
           confidence
           towards
           God
           ,
           such
           a
           soule
           dares
           come
           to
           
             Prayer
          
           with
           boldnesse
           ,
           and
           come
           to
           
             Gods
             Table
          
           with
           confidence
           ,
           such
           a
           soule
           is
           not
           afraid
           of
           
             death
             ,
          
           nor
           terrified
           with
           thoughts
           of
           the
           day
           of
           
             Judgement
             .
          
           If
           all
           bee
           well
           at
           home
           ,
           it
           argues
           all
           is
           well
           in
           Heaven
           ,
           if
           conscience
           bee
           at
           peace
           upon
           good
           grounds
           ,
           then
           thou
           mayest
           bee
           sure
           God
           is
           at
           peace
           .
           Here
           is
           sweet
           Rest
           .
        
         
           Secondly
           ,
           as
           there
           is
           rest
           from
           
             terrours
             of
             conscience
             ,
          
           so
           there
           is
           
           
             rest
             from
             scruples
             ,
             and
             doubts
             ,
             and
             feares
             .
          
           Sometimes
           though
           the
           mind
           lye
           not
           under
           such
           
             Hellish
             terrours
             ,
          
           yet
           it
           is
           in
           a
           sad
           ,
           dejected
           ,
           scrupulous
           ,
           unsetled
           condition
           ,
           knoweth
           not
           what
           to
           doe
           ,
           nor
           what
           course
           to
           take
           .
           Conscience
           is
           a
           tender
           part
           :
           a
           little
           bit
           of
           gravell
           in
           a
           narrow
           shoo
           ,
           oh
           !
           it
           will
           much
           pinch
           and
           trouble
           the
           foot
           ;
           and
           so
           a
           little
           scruple
           in
           conscience
           ,
           much
           perplexeth
           the
           spirit
           .
        
         
         
           
             Scruples
          
           are
           indeed
           like
           
             Thistles
             ,
          
           though
           very
           bad
           weeds
           themselves
           ,
           yet
           they
           argue
           the
           ground
           to
           bee
           good
           where
           they
           grow
           :
           in
           many
           honest
           hearts
           there
           may
           bee
           abundance
           of
           them
           .
           Poore
           soules
           !
           sometimes
           they
           are
           so
           miserably
           puzzled
           ,
           they
           dare
           not
           
             pray
             ,
          
           they
           dare
           not
           come
           to
           the
           
             Lords
             Table
             :
          
           Where
           shall
           they
           now
           find
           Rest
           ?
           The
           more
           they
           yeeld
           to
           scruples
           ,
           the
           more
           they
           are
           involved
           .
           Why
           ,
           the
           knowledge
           of
           the
           good
           way
           revealed
           in
           the
           Scripture
           ,
           the
           
             Doctrine
             of
             grace
             stablisheth
             the
             heart
          
           in
           the
           midst
           of
           all
           doubts
           ,
           
             Heb.
          
           13.
           
           9.
           
           The
           more
           wee
           walke
           in
           this
           way
           ,
           the
           more
           wee
           conquer
           scruples
           .
           
             Wee
             must
             not
             give
             way
             to
             scruples
             against
             a
             duty
             ,
             but
             rather
             doe
             duty
             ,
             even
             contrary
             to
             scruples
             ;
             neither
             is
             this
             to
             doe
             against
             conscience
             ,
             but
             according
             unto
             conscience
             :
          
           This
           will
           bring
           rest
           and
           sweet
           tranquillity
           of
           spirit
           ,
           when
           Gods
           way
           ,
           the
           good
           way
           ,
           is
           walked
           in
           .
           Sometimes
           a
           poore
           Soule
           that
           goes
           to
           prayer
           ,
           hanging
           the
           wing
           ,
           in
           a
           drooping
           estate
           ,
           God
           breakes
           in
           upon
           him
           in
           prayer
           ,
           and
           hee
           goeth
           out
           of
           the
           presence
           of
           God
           ,
           as
           one
           in
           another
           world
           ;
           Why
           ,
           God
           hath
           given
           him
           rest
           ,
           and
           God
           hath
           met
           him
           ,
           walking
           in
           the
           good
           way
           ,
           confounded
           those
           scruples
           and
           feares
           that
           did
           possesse
           him
           ;
           
             Through
             custome
             of
             doing
             against
             such
             like
             scruples
             ,
             conscience
             it selfe
             is
             made
             more
             strong
             and
             setled
             .
          
        
         
           Thirdly
           ,
           
             Rest
          
           likewise
           under
           the
           
             impetuousnesse
             of
             inordinate
             passions
             ,
          
           
           under
           the
           buffettings
           of
           
             Satan
             and
             our
             own
             corruptions
             .
          
           Sometimes
           a
           godly
           man
           ,
           or
           woman
           ,
           find
           themselves
           like
           a
           troubled
           sea
           ,
           transported
           with
           passion
           ,
           hurryed
           away
           with
           lust
           ,
           and
           it
           may
           bee
           feele
           a
           
             Thorn
             in
             the
             flesh
             ,
          
           as
           
             Paul
             himselfe
             did
             to
             keep
             him
             low
             ,
          
           in
           2
           
             Cor.
          
           1●
           .
           7.
           
           A
           thorne
           in
           his
           
             flesh
          
           indeed
           ,
           a
           messenger
           
             from
             Satan
             ,
          
           the
           devill
           so
           farre
           let
           loose
           ,
           as
           to
           exasperate
           ,
           to
           stirre
           up
           the
           corruption
           of
           nature
           that
           is
           in
           him
           ,
           that
           might
           bee
           a
           daily
           affliction
           to
           him
           ,
           here
           was
           the
           great
           trouble
           that
           
             Paul
          
           had
           ,
           how
           did
           God
           give
           him
           rest
           ?
           with
           such
           an
           answer
           as
           this
           from
           Heaven
           ,
           
             My
             grace
             is
             sufficient
             for
             thee
             .
          
           That
           God
           that
           quiets
           a
           terrified
           conscience
           ,
           that
           God
           that
           satisfieth
           a
           scrupulous
           mind
           ,
           that
           God
           can
           likewise
           subdue
           an
           unruly
           lust
           ,
           and
           moderate
           an
           inordinate
           affection
           ,
           support
           under
           a
           furious
           temptation
           ,
           according
           to
           his
           word
           ;
           and
           thus
           doth
           hee
           dispense
           himselfe
           to
           such
           as
           walke
           in
           the
           good
           way
           of
           obedience
           to
           him
           ,
           and
           dependance
           on
           him
           ,
           either
           hee
           
             removes
          
           the
           evill
           ,
           or
           gives
           them
           this
           
             refreshing
          
           under
           it
           ;
           His
           grace
           shall
           bee
           sufficient
           for
           them
           .
           
        
         
           Fourthly
           ,
           
             Rest
             from
             Tyrannicall
             enemies
             .
          
           The
           Church
           hath
           many
           
           bad
           neighbours
           ,
           many
           
             Canaanites
             ,
          
           who
           desire
           to
           bee
           
             prickes
             in
             her
             eyes
             ,
          
           and
           
             thornes
             in
             her
             sides
             .
          
           Sometimes
           it
           is
           the
           portion
           of
           Gods
           Servants
           ,
           to
           bee
           hunted
           up
           and
           down
           like
           a
           
             Partridge
             upon
             the
             mountaines
             ,
          
           persecuted
           from
           place
           to
           place
           ,
           as
           
             David
          
           and
           
             Paul
             ,
          
           and
           other
           of
           the
           Worthies
           have
           been
           .
           God
           knoweth
           how
           to
           chaine
           up
           enemies
           ,
           hee
           knoweth
           how
           to
           sweeten
           the
           greatest
           troubles
           ,
           and
           to
           give
           in
           so
           much
           comfort
           as
           may
           support
           and
           satisfie
           the
           soule
           under
           all
           persecution
           ,
           and
           in
           his
           good
           time
           to
           give
           rest
           from
           them
           .
           Consider
           that
           excellent
           place
           ,
           
             Psal.
          
           81.
           13
           ,
           14
           ,
           15.
           
           O
           that
           my
           people
           had
           
             harkned
             unto
             mee
             ,
             and
             Israel
             had
             walked
             in
             my
             wayes
             !
             I
             should
             soone
             have
             subdued
             their
             enemies
             ,
             and
             turned
             my
             hand
             against
             their
             adversaries
             .
             The
             haters
             of
             the
             Lord
             should
             have
             submitted
             themselves
             unto
             him
             ;
             but
             their
             time
             should
             have
             indured
             for
             ever
             :
             England
          
           as
           well
           as
           
             Israel
          
           might
           obtaine
           victory
           over
           cruell
           and
           bloody
           enemies
           ,
           could
           wee
           learn
           to
           walk
           in
           Gods
           wayes
           .
        
         
           Fifthly
           ,
           Rest
           in
           
             Heaven
             .
          
           In
           
             Heb.
          
           4.
           9.
           you
           find
           ,
           there
           remaineth
           
           a
           
             rest
             to
             the
             People
             of
             God
             .
          
           In
           this
           Chapter
           is
           mentioned
           a
           threefold
           rest
           :
        
         
           First
           ,
           The
           rest
           of
           the
           holy
           Sabbath
           ,
           
             v.
          
           4.
           (
           where
           diverse
           observe
           a
           strong
           Argument
           in
           the
           New
           Testament
           for
           the
           institution
           of
           the
           Sabbath
           from
           the
           beginning
           .
           )
        
         
           Secondly
           ,
           a
           Rest
           of
           
             Canaan
             ,
             v.
          
           5.
           8.
           
        
         
           Thirdly
           ,
           A
           remaining
           rest
           ,
           a
           divine
           and
           heavenly
           rest
           ,
           from
           the
           troubles
           of
           this
           life
           ,
           to
           live
           wholly
           
             to
             God
             ,
             and
             with
             God
             ;
          
           This
           is
           called
           a
           Rest
           from
           labours
           ,
           all
           the
           labour
           of
           this
           world
           that
           thou
           groanest
           under
           ,
           
             Rev.
             14.
             13.
             
             Blessed
             are
             they
             that
             die
             in
             the
             Lord
             ,
          
           or
           dye
           for
           the
           Lord
           ,
           they
           shall
           
             rest
             from
             their
             labours
             ,
             and
             their
             works
             shall
             follow
             them
             ;
          
           here
           you
           must
           bee
           Souldiers
           ,
           you
           must
           serve
           out
           your
           generation
           in
           a
           conflicting
           course
           ,
           you
           must
           labour
           night
           and
           day
           ,
           God
           will
           have
           none
           of
           his
           servants
           idle
           ,
           the
           time
           will
           come
           ,
           when
           you
           shall
           have
           rest
           from
           all
           your
           labours
           ,
           and
           then
           all
           your
           good
           workes
           will
           follow
           you
           :
           many
           good
           workes
           thou
           hast
           done
           ,
           are
           now
           forgotten
           by
           thee
           ,
           thou
           shalt
           heare
           of
           them
           then
           ,
           at
           the
           day
           of
           
           judgement
           ,
           they
           will
           then
           appeare
           :
           Jesus
           Christ
           knowes
           more
           good
           by
           them
           ,
           then
           they
           doe
           by
           themselves
           ,
           you
           did
           visit
           me
           ,
           you
           did
           refresh
           mee
           when
           I
           was
           in
           prison
           ,
           and
           refresh
           mee
           when
           I
           was
           hungry
           ,
           and
           all
           these
           good
           works
           shall
           follow
           you
           ,
           not
           a
           good
           worke
           you
           have
           done
           ,
           not
           a
           good
           word
           you
           have
           spoken
           ,
           but
           they
           shall
           follow
           
           you
           .
           Here
           is
           the
           happy
           rest
           your
           soules
           shall
           find
           at
           your
           journies
           end
           ,
           having
           walked
           in
           this
           good
           way
           .
        
         
           It
           follows
           now
           that
           evidence
           bee
           produced
           ,
           whereby
           it
           may
           appeare
           ,
           that
           walking
           in
           this
           good
           way
           ,
           is
           
             Gods
             Method
          
           to
           obtaine
           sweet
           Soule-refreshing
           Rest
           .
        
         
           Here
           three
           considerations
           .
        
         
           First
           ,
           That
           God
           who
           bids
           you
           
             Stand
             ,
             see
             ,
             and
             inquire
          
           after
           the
           
           good
           way
           ,
           is
           a
           
             God
             of
             Peace
             ,
             1
             Thess.
          
           5.
           23.
           who
           hath
           made
           known
           
           an
           unmoveable
           
             Covenant
             of
             peace
             ,
             Isa.
          
           54.
           10.
           
           Ingaging
           himself
           thereby
           to
           imbrace
           all
           those
           who
           waite
           upon
           him
           in
           his
           own
           way
           .
           Yea
           ,
           
             Isa.
             64.
             5.
             
             The
             Lord
             meeteth
             him
             ,
             who
             rejoyceth
             in
             righteousnesse
             ,
             such
             as
             remember
             him
             in
             his
             wayes
             .
          
           Walking
           in
           the
           good
           way
           ,
           leads
           undoubtedly
           to
           communion
           with
           God
           ,
           and
           a
           sweet
           injoyment
           of
           him
           .
           As
           in
           
             Luk.
          
           15.
           20.
           
           When
           the
           Prodigall
           Sonne
           was
           a
           great
           way
           off
           ,
           his
           Father
           saw
           him
           ,
           and
           had
           compassion
           ,
           and
           ran
           ,
           and
           fell
           on
           his
           neck
           ,
           and
           kissed
           him
           ;
           which
           discovers
           what
           God
           is
           ready
           to
           doe
           ;
           to
           meet
           them
           with
           the
           dearest
           imbraces
           who
           travell
           towards
           him
           in
           the
           good
           way
           .
        
         
           Secondly
           ,
           Jesus
           Christ
           is
           a
           
             Prince
             of
             Peace
             ,
             Isa.
          
           9.
           6.
           and
           in
           the
           
           Gospel
           of
           Peace
           hath
           seriously
           invited
           all
           that
           are
           weary
           ,
           and
           
             heavy
             laden
             ,
          
           to
           come
           unto
           him
           ,
           and
           
             hee
             will
             give
             them
             rest
             ,
             Matth.
          
           11.
           28.
           
           Yea
           ,
           the
           Soule
           comming
           unto
           him
           in
           this
           good
           way
           finds
           peace
           and
           rest
           ,
           
             Rom.
          
           5.
           1
           ,
           2.
           and
           such
           peace
           in
           his
           Kingdome
           ,
           and
           under
           his
           government
           ,
           of
           which
           
             there
             shall
             bee
             no
             end
             ,
             Isa.
          
           9.
           7.
           
           First
           ,
           the
           Soule
           finde
           
             rest
             in
             him
             ,
          
           by
           
             resting
             upon
             him
             ,
          
           and
           
             then
             rest
             with
             him
             for
             eternity
             :
          
           This
           Christ
           discovers
           to
           his
           Disciples
           with
           much
           sweet
           ,
           ingenuous
           ,
           loving
           faithfulnesse
           ,
           
             Joh.
             14.
             2
             ,
             3
             ,
             4.
             
             In
             my
             Fathers
             house
             are
             many
             Mansions
             :
             if
             it
             were
             not
             so
             ,
             I
             would
             have
             told
             you
             ;
             I
             goe
             to
             prepare
             a
             place
             for
             you
             .
             And
             if
             I
             goe
             and
             prepare
             a
             place
             for
             you
             ,
             I
             will
             come
             againe
             ,
             and
             receive
             you
             unto
             my selfe
             ,
             that
             where
             I
             am
             ,
             there
             yee
             may
             bee
             also
             .
             And
             whither
             I
             goe
             yee
             know
             ,
             and
             the
             way
             yee
             know
             .
          
           The
           good
           way
           which
           hee
           hath
           prescribed
           ,
           will
           infallibly
           bring
           you
           unto
           it
           .
           Now
           some
           little
           joy
           
             enters
             into
             you
          
           by
           drops
           ,
           the
           time
           is
           comming
           when
           you
           shall
           enter
           into
           
             your
             Masters
             joy
             ,
          
           dwelling
           in
           joy
           and
           rest
           for
           ever
           ;
           you
           are
           not
           so
           ready
           to
           come
           unto
           
             Christ
             ,
          
           as
           hee
           is
           to
           come
           into
           
             you
             .
          
        
         
           Thirdly
           ,
           walking
           in
           the
           good
           way
           ,
           will
           according
           to
           the
           very
           tenour
           
           of
           the
           
             Gospel
             ,
          
           undoubtedly
           lead
           you
           into
           
             the
             new
             and
             living
             way
             ,
             
             Heb.
          
           10.
           20.
           into
           Jesus
           Christ
           ,
           and
           communion
           with
           him
           ,
           who
           is
           the
           onely
           meanes
           of
           reconciling
           us
           unto
           God
           ,
           and
           by
           him
           to
           Heaven
           it selfe
           .
           This
           way
           to
           an
           eternall
           Rest
           in
           the
           fruition
           of
           Gods
           incarnation
           ,
           is
           indeed
           new
           .
           First
           ,
           comparatively
           ,
           in
           regard
           of
           the
           more
           cleere
           manifesting
           of
           the
           way
           to
           Heaven
           under
           the
           Gospel
           .
           Secondly
           ,
           new
           ,
           because
           it
           waxeth
           not
           old
           ,
           it
           is
           now
           established
           ,
           and
           never
           to
           bee
           altered
           ,
           and
           withall
           it
           is
           a
           living
           way
           ;
           Herein
           Jesus
           Christ
           is
           found
           ,
           who
           is
           the
           fountaine
           of
           life
           ,
           who
           lives
           for
           ever
           ,
           to
           quicken
           dying
           ,
           and
           refresh
           weary
           Travellers
           .
           They
           who
           walke
           in
           the
           good
           old
           way
           by
           repentance
           ,
           faith
           ,
           and
           obedience
           ,
           may
           with
           boldnesse
           ,
           with
           liberty
           ,
           expect
           hereby
           to
           enter
           into
           the
           Holiest
           ,
           into
           the
           place
           where
           Gods
           Holinesse
           dwelleth
           ,
           into
           the
           Heavenly
           Sanctuary
           .
           Jesus
           Christ
           came
           
             downe
             from
             Heaven
             ,
          
           to
           open
           this
           new
           and
           living
           way
           to
           
             advance
             them
             to
             Heaven
             .
          
        
         
           Let
           us
           now
           see
           what
           emprovement
           may
           bee
           made
           of
           this
           Truth
           ,
           in
           the
           application
           of
           it
           ,
           to
           provide
           you
           in
           your
           journey
           towards
           Sion
           .
        
         
           Behold
           ,
           here
           ,
           Beloved
           brethren
           ,
           and
           behold
           it
           with
           admiration
           ,
           
           the
           rich
           advantage
           that
           poore
           sinners
           have
           by
           comming
           into
           this
           good
           way
           :
           It
           leads
           unto
           God
           himself
           ,
           and
           soule-refreshing
           rest
           ,
           in
           the
           enjoyment
           of
           him
           :
           whatsoever
           God
           is
           ,
           whatsoever
           God
           hath
           ,
           whatsoever
           sweetnesse
           there
           is
           in
           God
           to
           satisfie
           a
           poore
           troubled
           soule
           ,
           that
           is
           to
           bee
           expected
           ,
           if
           you
           come
           to
           God
           ,
           in
           Gods
           own
           way
           ;
           and
           therefore
           doubtlesse
           they
           are
           much
           their
           owne
           enemies
           ,
           that
           keepe
           at
           a
           distance
           from
           God
           ,
           they
           that
           will
           not
           bee
           taken
           off
           from
           their
           old
           wicked
           wayes
           ,
           those
           haunts
           of
           sinne
           in
           which
           they
           have
           walked
           all
           this
           while
           ;
           they
           that
           repulse
           these
           offers
           ,
           those
           admonitions
           which
           God
           giveth
           ;
           the
           time
           may
           come
           that
           they
           will
           befoole
           themselves
           ,
           and
           bemoane
           their
           owne
           unhappinesse
           ,
           that
           they
           did
           not
           choose
           the
           wayes
           of
           Gods
           feare
           .
           Consider
           that
           of
           
             Wisdome
             ,
          
           
           and
           tremble
           ;
           what
           if
           calamity
           come
           on
           you
           ?
           who
           shall
           helpe
           you
           ?
           God
           will
           laugh
           when
           your
           calamity
           commeth
           ,
           and
           mocke
           when
           your
           destruction
           ,
           and
           desolation
           ,
           and
           feare
           shall
           seise
           on
           you
           ;
           Why
           ?
           because
           you
           would
           have
           none
           of
           his
           Counsell
           ,
           you
           would
           have
           none
           of
           his
           reproofe
           ;
           You
           did
           not
           choose
           the
           feare
           of
           the
           Lord
           .
           I
           wish
           you
           would
           all
           expostulate
           the
           case
           with
           your selves
           ,
           now
           ,
           seriously
           in
           the
           presence
           of
           God
           .
        
         
           What
           ●is
           
             this
          
           true
           doctrine
           ,
           
             that
          
           the
           good
           old
           way
           ,
           is
           that
           which
           leads
           
           to
           the
           rest
           of
           my
           Soule
           ?
           What
           an
           enemy
           have
           I
           been
           to
           my
           soule
           that
           have
           inslaved
           my selfe
           to
           my
           lusts
           all
           this
           while
           ,
           that
           have
           turned
           my
           back
           on
           God
           and
           his
           wayes
           ,
           and
           will
           not
           by
           any
           importunity
           ,
           though
           God
           himself
           speaks
           from
           heaven
           ,
           bee
           brought
           into
           this
           good
           way
           ?
           Many
           please
           themselves
           ,
           if
           they
           walke
           in
           such
           wayes
           as
           lead
           to
           their
           own
           profit
           ,
           and
           to
           their
           owne
           worldly
           pleasures
           ,
           O
           but
           what
           will
           bee
           the
           issue
           ?
           Why
           ,
           look
           into
           the
           4
           of
           
             Judges
             ,
             ver.
          
           18
           ,
           19.
           
           You
           shall
           finde
           the
           other
           wayes
           wherein
           you
           walked
           ,
           are
           those
           that
           deceived
           ,
           that
           promised
           good
           intertainment
           ,
           who
           will
           
           deale
           with
           you
           just
           as
           
             Jael
          
           did
           with
           
             Sisera
             ,
          
           shee
           came
           out
           indeed
           in
           the
           18
           
             ver.
             Turne
             in
             my
             Lord
             ,
             turne
             in
             to
             mee
             ,
             feare
             not
             ;
          
           Oh
           what
           flattering
           language
           doe
           the
           profits
           ,
           and
           pleasures
           of
           the
           world
           speake
           to
           ingage
           young
           people
           ,
           and
           to
           intice
           others
           ,
           Turne
           in
           ;
           And
           when
           hee
           is
           come
           in
           hee
           saith
           unto
           her
           ,
           Give
           mee
           ,
           I
           pray
           thee
           ,
           a
           little
           water
           to
           drinke
           ,
           for
           I
           am
           thirsty
           ;
           shee
           opened
           a
           bottle
           of
           milke
           ,
           and
           gave
           him
           drinke
           and
           covered
           him
           .
        
         
           The
           world
           hath
           bottles
           of
           milke
           ,
           sweet
           pleasures
           ,
           satisfying
           contentments
           ,
           men
           may
           suck
           out
           of
           the
           breasts
           of
           the
           world
           a
           great
           deale
           of
           satisfaction
           for
           a
           time
           ,
           but
           when
           you
           are
           wrapped
           warme
           in
           the
           world
           ,
           and
           fall
           asleepe
           in
           the
           very
           armes
           of
           creature
           comforts
           ,
           what
           will
           bee
           the
           issue
           ?
           See
           how
           shee
           deales
           in
           the
           21
           
             ver.
             Shee
             tooke
             a
             nayle
             of
             the
             Tent
             ,
             and
             tooke
             an
             hammer
             in
             her
             band
             ,
             and
             went
             softly
             unto
             him
             ,
             and
             smote
             the
             nayle
             in
             his
             Temple
             ,
             and
             fastned
             it
             into
             the
             ground
             (
             for
             hee
             was
             fast
             asleepe
             ,
             and
             weary
             )
             so
             hee
             dyed
             .
          
           This
           is
           the
           intertainment
           that
           worldly
           Temptations
           give
           to
           many
           people
           ;
           They
           will
           hugge
           you
           for
           a
           time
           ,
           and
           they
           will
           give
           you
           milke
           ,
           and
           they
           will
           seeme
           to
           cover
           you
           ,
           and
           wrap
           you
           warme
           ,
           but
           when
           once
           you
           are
           gotten
           into
           a
           dead
           sleepe
           ,
           a
           nayle
           is
           driven
           into
           your
           Temples
           ,
           and
           there
           is
           an
           end
           of
           an
           old
           worldling
           ,
           there
           is
           an
           end
           of
           such
           a
           deluded
           sinner
           ,
           that
           would
           not
           come
           into
           Gods
           wayes
           ,
           but
           gratifie
           the
           devill
           ,
           and
           still
           continue
           in
           such
           soule-deceiving
           wayes
           :
           (
           I
           wish
           rather
           there
           were
           many
           among
           you
           ,
           that
           had
           
             Joshua's
          
           Heroicall
           resolution
           this
           day
           ,
           (
           for
           a
           day
           of
           humiliation
           ,
           it
           is
           a
           day
           to
           renew
           your
           resolutions
           ,
           and
           to
           renew
           your
           Covenant
           with
           your
           God
           )
           that
           would
           
           say
           in
           defiance
           to
           all
           bad
           examples
           ,
           with
           an
           holy
           singularity
           ,
           whatsoever
           others
           doe
           ,
           
             I
             and
             my
             house
             will
             serve
             the
             Lord
             .
             Joshua
          
           did
           not
           say
           onely
           ,
           I
           
             must
          
           serve
           the
           Lord
           ,
           so
           a
           terrifyed
           hypocrite
           will
           say
           ;
           or
           I
           
             ought
          
           to
           serve
           the
           Lord
           ;
           so
           a
           dull
           hearer
           ,
           it
           may
           bee
           ,
           will
           yeeld
           a
           
           formall
           assent
           sometimes
           ,
           or
           I
           
             would
          
           serve
           the
           Lord
           ,
           so
           a
           lazi●
           professour
           will
           say
           ,
           I
           would
           fain
           serve
           the
           Lord
           :
           But
           
             Joshua
          
           saith
           ,
           whatsoever
           others
           doe
           ,
           if
           they
           will
           go
           to
           hell
           ,
           let
           them
           goe
           along
           for
           me
           ,
           for
           I
           am
           resolved
           ,
           I
           and
           my
           house
           
             will
          
           serve
           the
           Lord
           :
           Come
           therefore
           ,
           I
           beseech
           you
           into
           this
           way
           of
           God
           ,
           this
           good
           way
           :
           I
           would
           bee
           glad
           ,
           if
           the
           Lord
           would
           please
           to
           prosper
           my
           weake
           and
           unworthy
           indevours
           so
           farre
           ,
           as
           to
           perswade
           but
           any
           one
           Soule
           ,
           that
           hath
           yet
           been
           a
           stranger
           to
           these
           wayes
           ,
           to
           come
           and
           begin
           to
           try
           conclusions
           ;
           It
           may
           bee
           thou
           hast
           served
           three
           or
           foure
           apprentiships
           in
           wicked
           wayes
           ,
           and
           followed
           the
           devill
           and
           thy
           deceitfull
           heart
           ,
           twenty
           or
           thirty
           yeeres
           together
           ,
           wilt
           thou
           intertaine
           the
           Counsell
           of
           a
           Minister
           of
           Jesus
           Christ
           ,
           so
           as
           to
           come
           and
           try
           ?
           venture
           some
           paines
           ,
           and
           venture
           some
           steps
           in
           this
           way
           of
           God
           ,
           possibly
           thou
           mayst
           find
           so
           much
           sweetnesse
           in
           the
           way
           ,
           and
           advantage
           by
           the
           way
           ,
           that
           if
           once
           you
           did
           but
           taste
           it
           ,
           you
           would
           not
           for
           ten
           thousand
           worlds
           ,
           turn
           your
           backs
           on
           this
           way
           againe
           ;
           It
           is
           a
           good
           daies
           worke
           ,
           even
           to
           set
           your
           faces
           on
           this
           day
           toward
           God
           ,
           to
           begin
           to
           look
           toward
           this
           good
           way
           ;
           Doe
           not
           mind
           your
           own
           profit
           ,
           and
           your
           own
           advantages
           ,
           your
           owne
           ends
           ,
           your
           owne
           ease
           ,
           let
           this
           bee
           the
           great
           businesse
           you
           have
           to
           doe
           ,
           you
           have
           an
           immortall
           Soule
           ,
           that
           is
           capable
           of
           an
           eternall
           condition
           ,
           that
           must
           
           either
           eternally
           triumph
           in
           Heaven
           ,
           or
           everlastingly
           fry
           in
           Hell
           .
           Thou
           canst
           not
           say
           but
           God
           hath
           sent
           from
           Heaven
           this
           day
           ,
           by
           his
           owne
           word
           to
           call
           thee
           ,
           to
           stand
           ,
           to
           consider
           ,
           to
           looke
           about
           thee
           ,
           and
           to
           make
           provision
           for
           thy
           soule
           ;
           Doe
           not
           now
           heare
           what
           worldly
           profit
           saith
           ,
           or
           listen
           only
           what
           secular
           advantage
           ,
           but
           hearken
           what
           God
           saith
           ,
           for
           the
           good
           of
           thy
           soule
           :
           It
           may
           bee
           if
           you
           were
           now
           to
           make
           your
           wills
           ,
           some
           rich
           man
           among
           you
           ,
           hath
           so
           many
           hundreds
           for
           such
           a
           Childe
           ,
           and
           such
           a
           proportion
           for
           Wife
           ,
           and
           such
           Legacies
           for
           Friends
           ,
           O
           but
           what
           hath
           your
           poore
           
             Soule
          
           all
           this
           while
           ?
           Oh!
           you
           will
           bequeathe
           your
           bodies
           to
           the
           ground
           ,
           and
           so
           much
           to
           such
           and
           such
           good
           purposes
           ;
           and
           you
           will
           give
           your
           Soules
           to
           God
           ;
           O
           but
           what
           if
           God
           will
           not
           
             accept
          
           of
           your
           soules
           ,
           then
           thou
           art
           utterly
           and
           everlastingly
           undone
           ;
           This
           you
           should
           know
           and
           consider
           seriously
           .
           The
           first
           meeting
           between
           God
           and
           the
           Soule
           must
           bee
           here
           on
           earth
           in
           this
           Good
           way
           ;
           they
           runne
           a
           desperate
           hazzard
           ,
           that
           will
           venture
           an
           immortall
           Soule
           ,
           and
           hope
           of
           Heaven
           upon
           a
           Lord
           have
           
           Mercy
           upon
           them
           ,
           at
           the
           last
           day
           ,
           when
           they
           know
           not
           ,
           whether
           God
           will
           then
           accept
           of
           it
           ,
           or
           imbrace
           and
           owne
           their
           Soules
           ;
           yea
           ,
           or
           no
           ?
           Oh
           it
           is
           a
           sad
           thing
           to
           think
           wee
           should
           put
           off
           God
           with
           the
           dregges
           of
           our
           old
           age
           ,
           and
           after
           our
           Soules
           have
           beene
           drenched
           and
           steeped
           in
           prophanenesse
           ,
           and
           covetousnesse
           ,
           and
           ungodly
           cours●s
           ,
           forty
           ,
           fifty
           yeares
           together
           ,
           then
           to
           think
           hee
           ownes
           our
           prayers
           ,
           &
           to
           be
           as
           cock-sure
           of
           Heaven
           as
           any
           :
           Doe
           not
           deceive
           thy selfe
           on
           such
           uncertaine
           termes
           ,
           if
           thou
           wilt
           have
           the
           right
           Method
           to
           obtaine
           indeed
           rest
           for
           thy
           soule
           ,
           Oh!
           come
           into
           Gods
           way
           ,
           and
           the
           sooner
           you
           come
           the
           better
           :
           Whatsoever
           competition
           commeth
           betweene
           thee
           and
           secular
           advantage
           ,
           let
           all
           stand
           by
           and
           resolve
           first
           to
           provide
           for
           the
           rest
           of
           thy
           Soule
           .
        
         
           There
           is
           a
           Story
           of
           one
           
             Marinus
             ,
          
           a
           Souldier
           ,
           having
           hopes
           of
           preferment
           to
           some
           place
           ,
           being
           a
           Christian
           ;
           It
           was
           suggested
           to
           him
           ,
           that
           hee
           must
           first
           forsake
           his
           
             Religion
             ,
          
           before
           hee
           should
           bee
           invested
           in
           his
           preferment
           ;
           It
           was
           so
           strong
           a
           temptation
           to
           him
           ,
           that
           hee
           beganne
           to
           stagger
           between
           his
           preferment
           ,
           and
           his
           Christianity
           :
           But
           by
           the
           providence
           of
           God
           ,
           there
           commeth
           one
           
             Theodistus
          
           to
           him
           ,
           brings
           him
           into
           the
           
             Temple
             ,
          
           and
           layeth
           by
           him
           a
           
             Sword
          
           and
           the
           
             Gospell
             ,
          
           the
           Sword
           was
           the
           Ensigne
           of
           his
           place
           and
           preferment
           ,
           hee
           was
           to
           have
           but
           one
           ;
           now
           saith
           hee
           ,
           whether
           will
           you
           have
           rather
           ,
           the
           
             Bible
          
           or
           the
           
             Sword
             ?
          
           and
           dealt
           so
           seriously
           with
           him
           ,
           that
           it
           pleased
           God
           at
           last
           to
           overcome
           him
           ,
           hee
           would
           rather
           have
           the
           
             Bible
             ,
          
           and
           let
           goe
           the
           
             Sword
             ,
          
           and
           preferment
           ,
           and
           hopes
           ,
           and
           all
           worldly
           pompe
           ,
           and
           chose
           the
           
             Gospell
             ,
          
           that
           so
           hee
           might
           save
           his
           Soule
           ;
           Oh
           that
           there
           were
           many
           in
           this
           Congregation
           ,
           raised
           to
           this
           Heroick
           resolution
           this
           day
           ,
           whatsoever
           the
           competition
           bee
           ,
           Is
           it
           a
           place
           ,
           is
           it
           preferment
           ,
           is
           it
           an
           Office
           ?
           Lay
           the
           
             Testament
          
           by
           it
           ,
           and
           thinke
           ,
           if
           ever
           thou
           wilt
           save
           thy
           Soule
           ,
           thou
           must
           let
           goe
           thy
           hopes
           ,
           preferment
           ,
           and
           possession
           ,
           and
           deny
           thy selfe
           in
           them
           ,
           rather
           then
           let
           goe
           thy
           share
           in
           the
           Gospell
           ,
           whereby
           thou
           hast
           a
           title
           for
           the
           eternall
           happinesse
           of
           thy
           immortall
           soule
           ;
           Let
           soule
           bee
           more
           deare
           and
           precious
           to
           thee
           ,
           and
           the
           injoyment
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           finding
           communion
           with
           him
           ,
           then
           all
           other
           worldly
           blessings
           whatsoever
           .
        
         
           It
           was
           a
           rare
           disposition
           worthy
           of
           imitation
           in
           that
           great
           Souldier
           
             Terentius
             ,
          
           when
           hee
           might
           have
           asked
           what
           he
           would
           of
           the
           Emperour
           ,
           
           this
           petition
           hee
           would
           onely
           beg
           ,
           a
           Temple
           for
           the
           Orthodox
           
           Christians
           ,
           when
           the
           
             Arian
          
           persecution
           did
           so
           much
           prevaile
           ;
           the
           Emperour
           denying
           him
           that
           in
           the
           behalfe
           of
           Christians
           ,
           though
           he
           had
           leave
           ,
           he
           would
           not
           ask
           any
           thing
           more
           for
           himself
           :
           here
           is
           a
           man
           that
           did
           value
           Religion
           ,
           and
           the
           good
           of
           soules
           at
           an
           high
           rate
           ,
           what
           ever
           becommeth
           of
           his
           own
           preferment
           ,
           of
           his
           own
           dignitie
           :
           Let
           us
           say
           ,
           let
           Religion
           flourish
           ,
           let
           the
           Gospell
           of
           Christ
           runne
           ,
           and
           bee
           glorified
           ,
           in
           the
           power
           and
           purity
           of
           it
           ,
           what
           ever
           become
           of
           our
           
           preferment
           .
           And
           truely
           did
           you
           know
           the
           excellencie
           ,
           the
           sweetnesse
           ,
           the
           goodnesse
           of
           walking
           in
           the
           wayes
           of
           God
           ,
           you
           would
           not
           now
           like
           lukewarme
           reconcilers
           and
           moderators
           accept
           of
           a
           reformation
           upon
           any
           termes
           ,
           so
           you
           might
           save
           your
           owne
           advantages
           ,
           and
           promote
           your
           owne
           designes
           :
           there
           is
           many
           a
           
             Cassande
          
           that
           would
           bee
           such
           a
           reconciler
           ,
           that
           would
           undertake
           the
           arbitration
           betweene
           God
           and
           man
           ,
           so
           hee
           might
           drive
           on
           his
           project
           ,
           hee
           would
           be
           content
           to
           abate
           somewhat
           in
           Religion
           ,
           so
           hee
           might
           serve
           his
           owne
           carnall
           purpose
           .
           But
           let
           us
           not
           bee
           thus
           penny
           wise
           and
           pound
           foolish
           ,
           and
           in
           the
           meane
           time
           neglect
           comming
           into
           Gods
           way
           ;
           this
           is
           the
           onely
           method
           that
           leads
           to
           this
           great
           advantage
           ;
           to
           soul-refreshing
           rest
           .
        
         
           If
           walking
           in
           the
           good
           way
           be
           Gods
           method
           to
           find
           soule-refreshing
           rest
           ;
           then
           shew
           your selves
           good
           travellers
           ,
           and
           bee
           sure
           you
           doe
           
           indeed
           walke
           in
           this
           way
           ;
           doe
           not
           satisfie
           your selves
           in
           that
           you
           know
           the
           way
           ,
           but
           rather
           say
           as
           they
           in
           
             Micah
          
           4.
           5.
           every
           one
           will
           walke
           in
           the
           name
           of
           his
           God
           ,
           Come
           ,
           we
           will
           walke
           in
           the
           name
           of
           our
           God
           for
           ever
           and
           ever
           ,
           you
           must
           bee
           walking
           ,
           stirring
           ,
           moving
           on
           ;
           many
           people
           if
           they
           have
           but
           got
           a
           little
           smattering
           knowledge
           ,
           and
           have
           their
           tongues
           tipped
           with
           some
           Gospell
           Language
           ,
           that
           they
           are
           able
           to
           discourse
           of
           Religion
           ,
           they
           thinke
           they
           have
           made
           great
           progresse
           therein
           ,
           wee
           know
           indeed
           so
           much
           as
           wee
           practise
           ,
           they
           onely
           are
           good
           Schollers
           in
           Christs
           Schoole
           ,
           that
           have
           learned
           to
           turne
           the
           knowledge
           into
           action
           ,
           and
           turne
           precepts
           into
           practice
           ,
           to
           draw
           confidence
           out
           of
           promises
           ,
           and
           imitation
           from
           good
           examples
           .
           Neither
           is
           it
           enough
           to
           come
           into
           the
           way
           ,
           when
           known
           ,
           and
           to
           stand
           still
           there
           .
        
         
           Many
           men
           if
           they
           bee
           once
           got
           into
           a
           religious
           forme
           ,
           if
           they
           bee
           but
           accounted
           professors
           ,
           they
           move
           in
           such
           a
           track
           of
           duty
           ,
           and
           goe
           plodding
           on
           from
           yeare
           to
           yeare
           ▪
           and
           if
           you
           had
           a
           picture
           drawne
           of
           them
           now
           ,
           and
           a
           picture
           seven
           yeares
           agoe
           ,
           no
           more
           light
           nor
           no
           
           more
           heate
           ,
           nor
           no
           more
           spirituall
           vigour
           then
           formerly
           they
           had
           ,
           this
           is
           not
           to
           walke
           in
           Gods
           way
           :
           what
           progresse
           make
           you
           ?
           what
           addition
           to
           the
           stock
           of
           graces
           ,
           what
           fruit
           bring
           you
           forth
           ,
           the
           Apostle
           giveth
           this
           counsell
           in
           2
           
             Pet.
          
           1.
           5.
           
           Adde
           to
           your
           
             faith
             v●…
             &c.
             
          
        
         
           First
           indeed
           ,
           if
           you
           would
           be
           good
           Christians
           ,
           you
           must
           have
           
             faith
             ,
          
           
           for
           the
           justification
           of
           your
           persons
           ,
           faith
           for
           the
           warranting
           of
           your
           duties
           ,
           faith
           to
           carry
           you
           to
           
             Christ
             ,
          
           to
           fetch
           strength
           to
           inable
           you
           to
           your
           duties
           ;
           But
           then
           adde
           to
           your
           faith
           
             vertue
             ,
          
           there
           must
           bee
           grace
           conforming
           the
           dutie
           to
           the
           rule
           of
           
             Gods
             Word
             ,
          
           doe
           it
           in
           a
           gra●ious
           manner
           ,
           vertue
           ;
           adde
           to
           your
           vertue
           
             knowledge
             ,
          
           you
           must
           rightly
           circumstantiate
           your
           actions
           ,
           doe
           them
           with
           a
           proper
           
             hi●
             &
             nunc
             ;
          
           and
           adde
           to
           your
           knowledge
           ,
           
             temperance
             ,
          
           you
           must
           bee
           sober
           and
           temperate
           ,
           in
           the
           exercise
           of
           gifts
           ,
           and
           in
           the
           injoying
           of
           comforts
           ;
           and
           adde
           to
           your
           temperance
           ,
           
             patience
             ,
          
           as
           you
           must
           have
           sobrietie
           in
           the
           use
           of
           comforts
           ,
           so
           you
           must
           have
           patience
           in
           your
           tryals
           ;
           and
           adde
           to
           your
           patience
           
             Godlinesse
             ,
          
           you
           must
           not
           have
           a
           sullen
           Stoicks
           patience
           ,
           be
           patient
           of
           affliction
           ,
           be
           impatient
           of
           sinne
           ,
           and
           therefore
           adde
           to
           your
           patience
           godlinesse
           ;
           and
           then
           further
           adde
           to
           your
           godlinesse
           ,
           
             brotherly
             kindnesse
             :
          
           Oh
           ,
           love
           all
           the
           members
           of
           Jesus
           Christ
           ,
           1
           
             Pet.
             2.
             17.
             
             Love
             the
             brotherhood
             ,
          
           the
           corporation
           ,
           the
           societie
           of
           Saints
           ;
           And
           what
           ?
           must
           you
           have
           no
           love
           to
           them
           that
           are
           not
           yet
           Saints
           ?
           adde
           to
           your
           brotherly
           kindnesse
           
             charity
             ,
          
           you
           have
           a
           love
           of
           complacencie
           to
           them
           that
           are
           Saints
           ,
           but
           you
           have
           a
           love
           of
           pitie
           to
           them
           that
           are
           without
           ;
           what
           though
           they
           scoffe
           at
           you
           ?
           pray
           for
           them
           ;
           what
           if
           they
           cannot
           afford
           you
           a
           good
           word
           ?
           go
           mourne
           over
           them
           ,
           and
           if
           it
           bee
           possible
           ,
           by
           a
           contribution
           of
           prayers
           recover
           their
           sinking
           soules
           ,
           this
           is
           to
           bee
           Christians
           indeed
           ,
           adde
           to
           your
           brotherly
           love
           charity
           ,
           lay
           not
           out
           all
           your
           love
           to
           the
           Saints
           ,
           there
           is
           a
           love
           due
           to
           them
           as
           members
           ,
           but
           when
           you
           delight
           in
           the
           people
           of
           God
           ,
           the
           household
           of
           faith
           ,
           yet
           withall
           pity
           them
           that
           goe
           astray
           and
           bee
           charitable
           to
           them
           ,
           and
           trie
           all
           conclusions
           how
           you
           may
           winne
           them
           on
           ,
           and
           ingage
           them
           in
           the
           good
           ▪
           way
           :
           Christianity
           is
           sometimes
           called
           a
           
             way
             ,
          
           it
           is
           other
           times
           called
           a
           
             race
             ,
             Heb.
             12.
             1.
             
             Let
             us
             runne
             with
             patience
             the
             race
             that
             is
             set
             before
             us
             ,
          
           a
           Christian
           should
           move
           so
           fast
           that
           hee
           should
           be
           
             running
             ,
          
           making
           swift
           progresse
           that
           were
           walking
           to
           purpose
           ;
           The
           Lord
           knoweth
           how
           many
           ,
           even
           among
           those
           that
           would
           bee
           accounted
           good
           Christians
           ,
           are
           still
           
           dwarfes
           in
           
             Religion
             ,
          
           still
           novices
           ,
           children
           tossed
           to
           and
           fro
           with
           every
           wind
           ,
           and
           many
           that
           thinke
           their
           penny
           good
           silver
           ,
           yet
           it
           appeares
           they
           are
           but
           
             dead
          
           creatures
           ,
           they
           are
           but
           
             hypocrites
          
           in
           that
           they
           doe
           not
           grow
           ;
           as
           a
           
             Picture
          
           though
           never
           so
           lively
           drawne
           ,
           it
           
             groweth
          
           not
           ,
           it
           stands
           at
           a
           stay
           ,
           so
           many
           that
           are
           formall
           professors
           ,
           they
           shew
           indeed
           they
           are
           but
           pictures
           ,
           they
           doe
           not
           increase
           ,
           not
           
             out-grow
          
           corruptions
           ,
           nor
           
             over-grow
          
           their
           wonted
           passions
           ,
           nor
           
             grow
             above
          
           common
           temptations
           .
        
         
           If
           you
           would
           approve
           your selves
           good
           travellers
           in
           the
           way
           to
           
             Sion
             ,
          
           you
           must
           bee
           walking
           ,
           it
           were
           an
           excellent
           thing
           ,
           that
           now
           as
           wee
           have
           monethly
           Sacraments
           ,
           and
           monethly
           dayes
           of
           humiliation
           ,
           to
           be
           drawing
           pictures
           of
           your selves
           ,
           compare
           your selves
           with
           yourselves
           ,
           observe
           how
           much
           more
           humble
           and
           broken
           hearted
           you
           are
           ,
           how
           much
           more
           weaned
           from
           the
           world
           you
           are
           ,
           and
           what
           
             fruitfull
          
           walking
           you
           expresse
           after
           so
           many
           
             heavenly
             showers
          
           falling
           upon
           you
           .
        
         
           Thousands
           in
           
             England
          
           would
           bee
           glad
           of
           the
           very
           crummes
           of
           
             your
             Gospel
             comforts
             .
          
           The
           more
           sad
           will
           your
           account
           bee
           ,
           if
           when
           the
           Lord
           shall
           reckon
           with
           you
           for
           so
           many
           yeares
           
             soule-quickning-liberties
             ,
          
           it
           shall
           appeare
           that
           neither
           
             Sabbath
          
           nor
           
             Sacrament-opportunities
             ,
          
           nor
           dayes
           of
           
             Humiliation
             ,
          
           nor
           dayes
           of
           
             Thanksgivings
          
           have
           engaged
           your
           hearts
           to
           walke
           on
           in
           this
           good
           way
           .
           The
           
             Lord
          
           perswade
           your
           spirits
           ,
           that
           in
           an
           holy
           revenge
           of
           your
           former
           negligence
           ,
           you
           may
           now
           mend
           your
           pace
           ,
           and
           double
           your
           diligence
           in
           
             Sion
             way
             ,
          
           yea
           and
           quicken
           not
           onely
           your selves
           ,
           but
           one
           another
           ,
           as
           they
           in
           
             Jer.
             50.
             5.
             
             Come
             and
             let
             us
             joyne
             our selves
             to
             the
             Lord
             in
             a
             perpetuall
             Covenant
             that
             shall
             not
             bee
             forgotten
             .
          
           Let
           us
           endeavour
           as
           those
           that
           have
           a
           minde
           to
           dwell
           in
           heaven
           together
           ,
           hand
           in
           hand
           to
           make
           constant
           progresse
           in
           this
           good
           way
           .
        
         
           
             Quest
             .
          
           Is
           there
           but
           one
           good
           way
           to
           soul-refreshing
           rest
           ,
           must
           all
           travellers
           towards
           
             Sion
          
           come
           into
           the
           very
           same
           way
           ?
        
         
           
             Answ.
          
           Without
           doubt
           
             Jesus
             Christ
          
           is
           the
           one
           
             way
             ,
             Joh.
          
           14.
           6.
           by
           his
           blood
           that
           one
           
             new
             and
             living
             way
          
           is
           opened
           ,
           
             Heb.
          
           10.
           20.
           there
           is
           one
           way
           of
           
             repentance
          
           for
           our
           
             sinnes
             ,
          
           of
           
             faith
          
           in
           
             Gods
             promises
             ,
          
           of
           
             obedience
          
           to
           his
           
             commands
             ,
          
           in
           which
           all
           Christians
           should
           walke
           ,
           as
           being
           the
           onely
           way
           that
           leades
           to
           
             communion
          
           with
           
             Jesus
             Christ
             ,
          
           and
           to
           an
           
             heavenly
             rest
          
           by
           him
           .
           It
           concernes
           all
           Christians
           of
           all
           rankes
           ,
           of
           all
           sorts
           ,
           to
           come
           into
           this
           one
           way
           ,
           and
           with
           
             onenesse
          
           of
           heart
           to
           
           walke
           herein
           .
           In
           it selfe
           it
           is
           a
           mercy
           very
           desirable
           ,
           that
           w●e
           might
           injoy
           the
           blessed
           fruit
           and
           accomplishment
           of
           that
           promise
           ,
           in
           the
           full
           extent
           of
           it
           ,
           
             Jer.
             32.
             39.
             
             I
             will
             give
             you
             one
             heart
             ,
             and
             one
             way
             .
          
           This
           being
           part
           of
           the
           Covenant
           ,
           you
           should
           have
           it
           in
           your
           
             eyes
             ,
          
           make
           it
           the
           matter
           of
           your
           
             Prayer
             ,
          
           and
           the
           object
           of
           your
           
             indeavour
             .
          
        
         
           The
           happy
           conjunction
           of
           
             purity
          
           and
           
             unity
             ,
             Zeph.
          
           3.
           9.
           was
           an
           argument
           that
           God
           was
           making
           a
           restauration
           of
           his
           
             Israel
             .
             Then
             I
             will
             turn
             to
             the
             people
             a
             pure
             language
             ,
             that
             they
             may
             call
             on
             the
             name
             of
             the
             Lord
             to
             serve
             him
             with
             one
             consent
             .
          
           In
           the
           Hebrew
           
             pure
             lip
             ,
          
           and
           
             one
             shoulder
             .
          
           This
           is
           most
           lovely
           ,
           to
           see
           the
           people
           of
           God
           ,
           having
           a
           
             pure
             lip
          
           in
           his
           Worship
           ,
           and
           
             one
             shoulder
             ,
          
           in
           doing
           his
           Worke
           .
           This
           promoted
           
             Temple
             worke
          
           not
           a
           little
           ,
           after
           the
           return
           from
           the
           
             Captivity
             ,
          
           when
           the
           people
           gathered
           themselves
           together
           
             as
             one
             man
             to
             Hierusalem
             ,
             Ezra
          
           3.
           1.
           
           This
           was
           the
           beauty
           of
           the
           
             Primitive
             Church
             ,
          
           that
           there
           was
           such
           an
           
             Harmony
          
           of
           spirits
           amongst
           the
           Christians
           of
           those
           times
           ,
           
             Act.
          
           2.
           1.
           
        
         
           It
           is
           an
           observation
           of
           a
           
             Learned
             Divine
             ,
          
           from
           that
           passage
           in
           1
           
             Kin.
          
           
           6.
           7.
           while
           the
           Temple
           was
           in
           building
           ,
           there
           
             was
             neither
             hammer
             ,
             nor
             axe
             ,
             nor
             any
             toole
             of
             iron
             heard
             in
             the
             house
             ;
          
           that
           thence
           wee
           should
           learn
           ,
           in
           
             Church
             affaires
             ,
          
           in
           matters
           of
           
             Religion
             ,
          
           to
           manage
           all
           with
           sweet
           
             peace
          
           and
           
             unanimity
             ;
          
           That
           no
           noise
           
             of
             contentions
             and
             schismes
          
           (
           saith
           hee
           )
           
             might
             be
             heard
             ,
             O
             that
             God
             would
             grant
             this
             mercy
             ,
             that
             in
             his
             house
             wee
             might
             all
             thinke
             and
             speake
             the
             same
             thing
             .
          
        
         
           But
           it
           was
           a
           great
           blemish
           to
           the
           
             Church
          
           of
           
             Corinth
             ,
          
           that
           the
           
             Church
          
           which
           should
           have
           preserved
           
             unity
          
           within
           it selfe
           ,
           broke
           into
           
             divers
             parties
             ,
          
           into
           severall
           little
           
             Corporations
             ,
          
           some
           crying
           up
           
             Paul
             ,
          
           others
           
             Apollo
             ,
          
           others
           adhering
           to
           
             Cephas
             ,
             1
             Cor.
          
           1.
           12.
           notwithstanding
           those
           strong
           reasons
           against
           divisions
           ,
           mentioned
           ,
           
             ver.
             13.
             
             Is
             Christ
             divided
             ?
             was
             Paul
             crucified
             for
             you
             ?
             or
             were
             yee
             baptized
             in
             the
             name
             of
             Paul
             ?
          
           how
           uncomely
           then
           are
           such
           divisions
           amongst
           you
           ?
           
             Paul
          
           was
           very
           serious
           and
           affectionate
           ,
           
             Rom.
             16.
             17
             ,
             18.
             
             I
             beseech
             you
             Brethren
             marke
             them
             which
             cause
             divisions
             and
             offences
             ,
             contrary
             to
             the
             doctrine
             which
             yee
             have
             learned
             ,
             and
             avoyd
             them
             ,
             for
             they
             are
             such
             as
             serve
             not
             our
             Lord
             Jesus
             Christ
             ,
             but
             their
             owne
             belly
             ,
             and
             by
             good
             words
             ,
             and
             faire
             speeches
             ,
             deceive
             the
             hearts
             of
             the
             simple
             .
          
           Church
           divisions
           doe
           both
           
             weaken
             friends
             ,
          
           and
           
             strengthen
             enemies
             ,
          
           and
           so
           much
           disparage
           
             Religion
             ,
          
           that
           they
           
             discourage
             commers
          
           on
           to
           it
           ;
           and
           make
           some
           
             candidates
             ,
          
           
           
           some
           
             probationers
             ,
          
           fly
           off
           .
           Yea
           ,
           too
           many
           are
           ready
           to
           resolve
           to
           bee
           of
           no
           
             Religion
             ,
          
           because
           they
           see
           so
           many
           
             Religions
          
           in
           
             England
             .
          
           It
           were
           worth
           rivers
           of
           teares
           ,
           could
           wee
           obtaine
           that
           mercy
           from
           God
           ,
           that
           these
           differences
           amongst
           us
           might
           bee
           reconciled
           ,
           that
           all
           you
           in
           
             London
             ,
          
           who
           inquire
           after
           the
           
             good
             way
             ,
          
           might
           once
           come
           into
           the
           
             same
             way
             .
          
        
         
           
             Quest
             .
          
           Though
           unity
           joyned
           with
           purity
           bee
           very
           desirable
           ,
           yet
           what
           if
           there
           should
           bee
           a
           toleration
           of
           divers
           ways
           in
           a
           Church
           ,
           in
           a
           Kingdom
           ?
           why
           not
           ?
        
         
           
             Answ.
          
           First
           ,
           Here
           wee
           must
           wisely
           distinguish
           betwixt
           
             opinions
          
           and
           
             practices
             ;
          
           It
           cannot
           bee
           expected
           that
           all
           good
           men
           should
           ever
           come
           to
           bee
           of
           the
           same
           opinion
           in
           every
           thing
           .
           Neither
           indeed
           doe
           all
           
             Truths
          
           equally
           
             concern
          
           us
           ;
           There
           are
           severall
           degrees
           of
           necessity
           about
           matters
           of
           
             Religion
             ,
          
           which
           will
           admit
           variety
           of
           opinions
           in
           some
           of
           them
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           Some
           things
           are
           alwaies
           and
           
             simply
             necessary
             ,
          
           as
           necessary
           
             meanes
          
           
           and
           
             causes
          
           by
           which
           wee
           must
           bee
           saved
           ;
           Thus
           faith
           in
           the
           
             Trinity
             .
          
        
         
           2.
           
           Other
           things
           are
           
             necessary
             ,
             as
             requisite
             conditions
             ,
          
           without
           which
           a
           man
           cannot
           bee
           saved
           ;
           Thus
           
             conversion
          
           from
           sin
           to
           
             God
             .
          
        
         
           3.
           
           Some
           other
           things
           are
           onely
           necessary
           ,
           in
           that
           they
           are
           
             commanded
          
           by
           God
           ,
           or
           may
           bee
           
             deduced
             from
             his
             Word
             ,
          
           and
           therefore
           are
           to
           bee
           obeyed
           according
           to
           that
           knowledge
           a
           man
           hath
           ,
           or
           may
           have
           of
           them
           ;
           About
           some
           of
           these
           ,
           such
           as
           are
           of
           the
           lowest
           degree
           ,
           not
           beeing
           fundamentall
           ,
           
             godly
             and
             learned
             Divines
          
           may
           differ
           in
           some
           opinions
           .
        
         
           Againe
           ,
           these
           opinions
           are
           either
           kept
           
             private
          
           or
           made
           
             publicke
             .
          
           Doubtlesse
           when
           they
           are
           not
           published
           and
           propagated
           to
           the
           disturbance
           of
           others
           ,
           much
           
             indulgence
          
           may
           bee
           showne
           to
           
             dissenting
             Brethren
             ,
          
           who
           
             peaceably
          
           injoy
           their
           owne
           opinions
           .
           And
           as
           divers
           
             Truths
          
           admit
           a
           
             latitude
             ,
          
           so
           likewise
           some
           
             practises
             ,
          
           into
           which
           those
           Truths
           lead
           ,
           in
           both
           which
           some
           
             differences
          
           may
           bee
           borne
           .
           It
           is
           observed
           ,
           
             Paul
          
           and
           
             Barnabas
          
           jarred
           ,
           yet
           both
           Preached
           the
           
             Gospel
             ;
             Cyprian
          
           and
           
             Cornelius
          
           differed
           in
           judgement
           ,
           yet
           both
           
             pillars
          
           of
           the
           
             Christian
             Faith
             ;
             Chrysostome
          
           and
           
             Epiphanius
          
           disagreed
           ,
           yet
           both
           
             Enemies
          
           to
           the
           
             Arians
             .
          
           Indeed
           if
           men
           will
           vent
           their
           own
           conceits
           ,
           (
           as
           commonly
           they
           are
           bigge
           with
           them
           ,
           longing
           to
           bee
           delivered
           )
           whereby
           they
           puzzle
           and
           distract
           others
           ,
           it
           much
           alters
           the
           case
           ,
           and
           makes
           them
           more
           
             uncapable
             of
             connivence
             ,
          
           and
           that
           especially
           
           when
           their
           opinions
           tend
           to
           such
           practises
           ,
           as
           undermine
           the
           
             power
             of
             godlinesse
             ,
             or
             peace
             of
             the
             Church
             .
             Christ
          
           blamed
           it
           in
           the
           Church
           of
           
             Pergamus
             ,
          
           that
           such
           were
           
             suffered
             there
             ,
             Rev.
          
           2814.
           who
           held
           such
           
             doctrine
             ,
          
           as
           taught
           one
           to
           
             cast
             stumbling-blocks
          
           before
           others
           .
        
         
           
             Quest
             .
          
           May
           any
           compulsion
           bee
           used
           by
           Magistrates
           ,
           to
           draw
           people
           into
           the
           one
           good
           way
           ?
        
         
           
             Answ.
          
           It
           is
           concluded
           by
           most
           able
           ,
           godly
           ,
           and
           sober
           
             Divines
             ,
          
           that
           in
           some
           cases
           
             power
          
           may
           lawfully
           and
           seasonably
           bee
           imployed
           in
           matters
           of
           
             Religion
             .
          
        
         
           1
           Power
           may
           and
           must
           indevour
           to
           hinder
           the
           
             blaspheming
          
           of
           the
           
             True
             Religion
             ,
          
           and
           to
           suppresse
           the
           propagating
           of
           a
           false
           Religion
           .
           
           Consider
           
             Deut.
          
           13.
           
           Inticers
           to
           Idolatry
           were
           to
           b●e
           
             stoned
          
           to
           death
           ,
           and
           that
           doubtlesse
           in
           a
           judiciall
           way
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           Though
           men
           cannot
           bee
           compelled
           to
           the
           
             profession
          
           of
           the
           
             True
             faith
             ;
          
           yet
           by
           
             Authority
          
           they
           may
           bee
           even
           constrained
           to
           
             attend
             upon
             the
             meanes
             of
             knowing
             God
             ,
          
           and
           that
           good
           way
           which
           leads
           to
           him
           .
        
         
           Consider
           zealous
           
             Josiahs
          
           example
           ,
           2
           
             Chron.
          
           34.
           33.
           
           If
           you
           cannot
           perswade
           men
           to
           bee
           
             good
             Protestants
             ,
          
           yet
           strive
           to
           keepe
           them
           from
           
             acting
             Popery
             ,
          
           bring
           them
           into
           the
           light
           of
           the
           
             Sunne
             of
             Righteousnesse
             ,
          
           possibly
           they
           may
           learne
           thereby
           to
           abhorre
           Popish
           darknesse
           .
        
         
           And
           now
           especially
           when
           wee
           have
           so
           
             solemnly
             Covenanted
          
           for
           the
           extirpation
           of
           
             Popery
             ,
          
           far
           bee
           it
           from
           any
           to
           dispute
           for
           a
           
             toleration
          
           thereof
           ,
           or
           to
           give
           way
           to
           any
           such
           Principles
           as
           will
           by
           naturall
           consequence
           infer
           it
           .
        
         
           
             Quest
             .
          
           What
           then
           shall
           wee
           doe
           with
           all
           those
           in
           
             England
             ,
          
           who
           are
           ingaged
           in
           different
           waies
           ,
           both
           in
           regard
           of
           their
           opinions
           and
           practises
           ?
        
         
           
             Answ.
          
           It
           should
           make
           us
           lye
           in
           the
           dust
           and
           melt
           into
           teares
           ,
           that
           wee
           have
           so
           many
           distractions
           in
           the
           Church
           by
           reason
           of
           differences
           amongst
           us
           .
           
             One
             extremity
             hath
             begotten
             another
             .
          
           Many
           desiring
           to
           runne
           farre
           from
           
             Popery
          
           and
           
             Prelacy
             ,
          
           (
           which
           formerly
           oppressed
           their
           spirits
           )
           have
           now
           before
           they
           were
           aware
           ,
           
             ingaged
          
           themselves
           in
           the
           very
           quarters
           of
           the
           
             Arminians
          
           and
           
             Socinians
             ,
          
           joyning
           with
           them
           to
           undermine
           the
           
             Civill
             Magistracy
             ,
          
           the
           
             calling
          
           and
           
             power
             of
             the
             Ministery
             ,
          
           to
           enervate
           the
           
             Sacraments
             ,
          
           and
           question
           the
           
             immortality
          
           
           
             of
             the
             soule
             .
          
           (
           Witnesse
           a
           
             dangerous
             Book
          
           lately
           written
           ,
           pleading
           for
           the
           mortality
           of
           the
           Soule
           ,
           which
           will
           open
           the
           flood-gates
           of
           prophanenesse
           ,
           )
           
           and
           so
           poore
           hearts
           are
           in
           
             danger
             to
             lose
             the
             good
             way
             ▪
          
           Yet
           alasse
           ,
           how
           much
           doe
           they
           perplex
           themselves
           and
           discourage
           others
           ,
           as
           if
           the
           
             Reformers
             in
             Parliament
             ,
             and
             Assembly
          
           were
           acting
           the
           part
           of
           the
           Hornes
           ,
           
             Zach.
          
           1.
           21.
           to
           scatter
           
             Judah
          
           and
           
             Hierusalem
             ,
          
           uttering
           these
           sad
           expressions
           ,
           Wee
           shall
           not
           bee
           
             tolerated
             ,
          
           wee
           must
           bee
           
             banished
             ,
          
           the
           persecution
           is
           like
           to
           bee
           as
           hot
           as
           under
           the
           Prelates
           ,
           and
           so
           much
           more
           inflame
           the
           present
           troubles
           ?
           I
           shall
           briefly
           suggest
           two
           things
           for
           resolving
           this
           great
           doubt
           proposed
           ,
           which
           puzzles
           so
           many
           .
        
         
           First
           ,
           Before
           wee
           speake
           or
           think
           of
           
             tolerating
          
           or
           
             banishing
             ,
          
           let
           us
           all
           ,
           both
           Minister
           and
           people
           ,
           labour
           to
           
             reduce
          
           all
           those
           
             from
             their
             errors
             ,
          
           who
           are
           gone
           
             out
          
           of
           the
           
             good
             Way
             .
          
           Too
           many
           weary
           themselves
           and
           others
           ,
           in
           projecting
           what
           shall
           become
           of
           people
           ,
           who
           are
           of
           this
           and
           that
           way
           ,
           but
           rather
           let
           us
           lay
           out
           our
           most
           serious
           thoughts
           ,
           how
           wee
           may
           
             recover
          
           them
           who
           are
           
             seduced
             ,
             Jam.
          
           5.
           19
           ,
           20.
           
           It
           is
           an
           high
           act
           of
           Mercy
           to
           convert
           a
           sinner
           
             from
             the
             error
             of
             his
             way
             ,
          
           wee
           shall
           save
           
             a
             soule
             from
             death
             ,
             and
             shall
             hide
             a
             multitude
             of
             sins
             ,
          
           doe
           what
           you
           can
           to
           save
           them
           ,
           as
           
             Jude
          
           directs
           ,
           
             ver.
          
           22
           23.
           
        
         
           Secondly
           ,
           Let
           us
           indevour
           not
           onely
           to
           
             reduce
          
           some
           from
           their
           grosse
           errors
           ,
           into
           the
           good
           way
           ,
           but
           also
           seek
           such
           a
           
             reconciliation
          
           of
           lesser
           
             differences
             ,
          
           with
           others
           ,
           that
           
             Brethren
          
           who
           hope
           to
           spend
           eternity
           in
           Heaven
           together
           ,
           may
           walke
           peaceably
           and
           lovingly
           in
           
             this
             good
             way
             .
          
           Inquire
           what
           
             latitude
             in
             opinion
             and
             practice
          
           the
           Scripture
           allows
           .
           
             No
             good
             Christian
             will
             desire
             more
             .
          
           Some
           things
           the
           Apostles
           
             commanded
          
           as
           being
           
             necessary
             ,
          
           some
           things
           they
           
             commended
          
           and
           
             advised
          
           as
           being
           
             expedient
             ,
          
           some
           other
           things
           which
           were
           meerely
           
             indifferent
             ,
          
           they
           left
           indifferent
           without
           the
           least
           
             violation
          
           of
           the
           
             Churches
             Liberty
             .
          
           Let
           every
           one
           
             of
             us
             please
             ●i●
             neighbour
             for
             his
             good
             to
             edification
             ,
             Rom.
          
           15.
           2.
           
           O
           that
           wee
           could
           all
           indevour
           
             to
             keepe
             the
             unity
             of
             the
             Spirit
             in
             the
             bond
             of
             pea●●
             !
             Paul
          
           presseth
           this
           upon
           us
           by
           seven
           strong
           reasons
           in
           three
           short
           
             verses
             ,
             Eph●s
             .
          
           4.
           4
           ,
           5
           ,
           6.
           and
           indevours
           to
           ingageus
           hereunto
           with
           most
           sweet
           affectionate
           expressions
           ,
           in
           
             Phil.
             2.
             1
             ,
             2.
             
             If
             therfore
             any
             consolation
             in
             Christ
             ,
             if
             any
             comfort
             of
             love
             ,
             if
             any
             fellowship
             of
             the
             spirit
             ,
             if
             any
             bow●ls
             and
             mercies
             ,
             fulfill
             yee
             my
             joy
             ,
             that
             yee
             may
             bee
             like
             minded
             ,
             having
             the
             same
             love
             ,
             being
             of
             one
             accord
             ,
             of
             one
             mind
             .
          
           A
           
             reducing
          
           of
           some
           
             into
          
           the
           good
           way
           ,
           that
           leads
           to
           Soule-refreshing
           rest
           ,
           a
           
             composing
          
           of
           differences
           amongst
           others
           who
           walk
           therein
           ,
           will
           so
           answer
           this
           question
           ,
           as
           to
           
             prevent
          
           the
           
             inconvenience
          
           of
           such
           a
           
           
             toleration
          
           as
           some
           
             desire
             ,
          
           and
           the
           
             danger
          
           of
           that
           
             banishing
          
           which
           others
           
             feare
             .
          
        
         
           Give
           me
           leave
           ,
           Right
           Honorable
           and
           beloved
           ,
           to
           bespeake
           the
           
             improvement
          
           
           of
           your
           
             wisedome
          
           and
           zeale
           ,
           of
           your
           
             interest
          
           and
           
             influence
             ,
          
           for
           the
           carrying
           on
           of
           this
           
             soule-refreshing
             designe
             ▪
          
           Doe
           not
           satisfie
           your selves
           ,
           that
           
             God
          
           hath
           
             brought
             you
             into
          
           the
           good
           way
           .
           It
           is
           indeed
           an
           admirable
           mercy
           ,
           worthy
           of
           everlasting
           praises
           ,
           that
           when
           your
           faces
           were
           
             Devill-ward
          
           and
           
             Hell-ward
             ,
          
           hee
           hath
           turned
           so
           many
           of
           them
           
             Christ-ward
          
           and
           
             Heaven-ward
             .
          
           I
           hope
           you
           love
           the
           soules
           of
           your
           
             children
             ,
             friends
             ,
             servants
          
           and
           
             people
             ,
          
           so
           well
           ,
           that
           you
           wil
           easily
           be
           perswaded
           to
           bestirre
           your selves
           seriously
           how
           to
           bring
           them
           who
           yet
           goe
           astray
           by
           
             ignorance
             ,
             prophanenesse
          
           or
           
             security
             ,
          
           into
           the
           good
           way
           ,
           that
           they
           may
           all
           find
           
             rest
          
           with
           you
           
             therein
             .
          
        
         
           It
           will
           stand
           upon
           record
           for
           the
           honour
           of
           this
           
             renowned
             Citie
          
           what
           you
           have
           done
           since
           these
           publique
           troubles
           began
           for
           the
           good
           of
           the
           Church
           ,
           and
           for
           the
           good
           of
           the
           State
           ,
           what
           you
           have
           given
           to
           quench
           these
           sparkes
           ere
           they
           brake
           out
           into
           devouring
           flames
           ;
           And
           I
           question
           not
           but
           when
           ever
           the
           
             Chronicles
          
           of
           these
           times
           shall
           come
           to
           be
           written
           ,
           the
           zeale
           ,
           the
           fidelity
           ,
           the
           self-deniall
           ,
           the
           courage
           ,
           the
           diligence
           of
           this
           famous
           Citie
           will
           fil
           whole
           Pages
           with
           your
           just
           and
           due
           commendation
           .
           Not
           only
           
             families
             ,
          
           but
           houses
           of
           
             Parliament
             ;
          
           not
           onely
           Countries
           ,
           but
           
             Kingdomes
          
           are
           sensible
           of
           your
           forwardnesse
           ;
           and
           (
           doe
           daily
           )
           blesse
           God
           for
           it
           .
           Well!
           give
           mee
           leave
           now
           as
           a
           poore
           Minister
           of
           Jesus
           Christ
           ,
           to
           presse
           one
           thing
           more
           upon
           you
           ,
           
             viz.
          
           that
           you
           would
           erect
           some
           further
           
             monument
             ,
          
           holding
           a
           proportion
           with
           what
           you
           have
           done
           already
           ;
           something
           
             worthy
          
           of
           this
           religious
           ,
           this
           renowned
           Citie
           ,
           That
           you
           would
           lay
           a
           traine
           how
           to
           reduce
           poore
           soules
           that
           goe
           astray
           ,
           and
           how
           to
           bring
           them
           into
           a
           good
           way
           ,
           that
           leads
           to
           eternall
           rest
           .
           It
           is
           my
           advantage
           that
           I
           have
           the
           opportunity
           to
           speake
           in
           such
           an
           auditory
           ,
           upon
           such
           an
           argument
           .
        
         
           There
           is
           great
           reason
           that
           wee
           should
           take
           notice
           of
           what
           cost
           and
           
           charges
           you
           have
           beene
           at
           this
           last
           yeare
           
             in
             the
             foure
             Hospitalls
             of
             this
             Citie
             ,
          
           and
           in
           the
           maintenance
           of
           the
           great
           number
           of
           poore
           children
           and
           others
           ;
           I
           need
           not
           goe
           over
           all
           the
           particulars
           ,
           they
           have
           been
           read
           againe
           and
           againe
           to
           your
           honour
           ;
           many
           whose
           wounds
           have
           been
           healed
           by
           you
           ,
           are
           blessing
           God
           for
           you
           ,
           and
           many
           hungry
           bellies
           which
           you
           have
           fed
           ,
           are
           magnifying
           him
           ,
           and
           many
           children
           
           I
           hope
           are
           learning
           to
           blesse
           the
           name
           of
           that
           God
           that
           hath
           put
           it
           into
           your
           hearts
           ,
           to
           do
           so
           much
           good
           for
           them
           :
           and
           I
           am
           confident
           
           you
           will
           heare
           comfortably
           of
           it
           hereafter
           at
           the
           day
           of
           Judgment
           :
           Possibly
           all
           this
           may
           be
           done
           ,
           and
           yet
           some
           further
           care
           to
           bee
           
           taken
           for
           the
           reducing
           of
           soules
           into
           such
           a
           good
           way
           ,
           that
           might
           lead
           them
           to
           their
           eternall
           rest
           ;
           and
           to
           this
           purpose
           I
           will
           be
           bold
           to
           suggest
           some
           few
           directions
           .
        
         
           First
           ,
           
             Lay
             a
             traine
             for
             the
             education
             of
             youth
             in
             the
             knowledge
             of
          
           
           
             this
             good
             way
             ,
          
           for
           the
           multiplying
           of
           such
           faithfull
           guides
           as
           may
           discover
           and
           lead
           others
           into
           this
           way
           .
           It
           is
           a
           peece
           of
           
             Luthers
          
           counsell
           :
           if
           ever
           you
           would
           have
           a
           good
           Reformation
           ,
           looke
           to
           the
           education
           of
           Children
           ;
           You
           cloath
           their
           bodies
           ,
           and
           you
           feed
           them
           .
           
           It
           is
           mercifully
           done
           ,
           it
           is
           good
           Gospel
           fruit
           ,
           it
           is
           worthy
           of
           Christianity
           :
           But
           I
           beseech
           you
           withall
           take
           care
           for
           their
           precious
           soules
           ;
           Acquaint
           them
           betimes
           with
           Gods
           wayes
           .
        
         
           And
           you
           more
           especially
           ,
           that
           have
           the
           government
           of
           this
           famous
           City
           ,
           look
           to
           your
           
             Citie
             Schooles
             ;
          
           looke
           that
           there
           be
           principles
           of
           
           Religion
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           Learning
           ,
           laid
           ,
           and
           sown
           ,
           and
           scattered
           among
           these
           young
           Generations
           .
           So
           you
           will
           lay
           a
           traine
           indeed
           to
           bring
           their
           soules
           into
           the
           good
           way
           ;
           and
           to
           this
           purpose
           ,
           provide
           that
           there
           may
           bee
           more
           faithfull
           guides
           to
           steere
           and
           direct
           them
           in
           this
           way
           :
           That
           were
           indeed
           an
           enterprise
           worthy
           of
           such
           a
           Citie
           as
           this
           is
           .
           Let
           us
           not
           bee
           ashamed
           to
           learne
           any
           thing
           from
           the
           Jesuites
           ,
           (
           which
           is
           fit
           to
           bee
           learned
           from
           them
           )
           who
           are
           most
           studious
           in
           this
           
           art
           ;
           they
           goe
           up
           and
           downe
           ,
           and
           observe
           what
           youths
           are
           most
           pregnant
           ,
           who
           are
           likely
           to
           bee
           good
           disputants
           ,
           and
           who
           are
           likely
           to
           bee
           good
           Statesmen
           ,
           and
           who
           are
           likely
           to
           bee
           good
           Oratours
           ;
           and
           out
           of
           each
           of
           these
           ,
           they
           will
           take
           a
           number
           ,
           whom
           out
           of
           the
           publique
           charge
           they
           will
           maintaine
           ,
           that
           their
           parts
           and
           abilities
           may
           bee
           improved
           to
           the
           greatest
           advantage
           ,
           both
           to
           themselves
           ,
           and
           the
           Common-wealth
           .
           I
           doubt
           not
           ,
           but
           this
           City
           might
           honour
           God
           ,
           and
           honour
           themselves
           ,
           in
           some
           such
           course
           as
           this
           is
           :
           In
           all
           your
           Hospitalls
           ,
           in
           all
           your
           Schooles
           ,
           let
           there
           bee
           a
           wise
           observing
           by
           those
           that
           are
           able
           to
           discerne
           what
           is
           the
           proper
           genius
           ,
           spirit
           ,
           and
           disposition
           of
           young
           Youths
           ,
           where
           is
           any
           of
           speciall
           parts
           ,
           that
           hath
           not
           onely
           seeds
           of
           piety
           ,
           but
           singular
           indowments
           of
           nature
           :
           And
           though
           I
           would
           bee
           loath
           to
           presse
           upon
           so
           bountifull
           a
           City
           as
           this
           ,
           any
           thing
           that
           might
           adde
           to
           your
           vast
           
           charges
           which
           you
           have
           been
           already
           at
           ,
           yet
           I
           could
           wish
           with
           all
           my
           heart
           ,
           that
           some
           publique
           Stocks
           were
           raised
           ,
           in
           some
           way
           most
           suitable
           ;
           that
           such
           as
           I
           speake
           of
           ,
           might
           bee
           maintained
           and
           consecrated
           to
           the
           study
           of
           Learning
           ;
           and
           being
           sent
           to
           the
           Universities
           ,
           might
           prove
           in
           their
           generations
           ,
           faithfull
           guides
           in
           this
           good
           way
           .
        
         
           God
           hath
           beene
           pleased
           already
           to
           shine
           upon
           us
           in
           the
           hopefull
           beginning
           of
           Reformation
           of
           Universities
           ;
           and
           every
           one
           of
           us
           in
           our
           way
           and
           place
           ,
           are
           to
           further
           that
           worke
           wherein
           we
           are
           all
           ,
           more
           or
           lesse
           ,
           especially
           concerned
           .
           This
           will
           most
           Succesfully
           bee
           done
           ,
           by
           sending
           such
           persons
           
             thither
             ,
          
           as
           may
           bee
           most
           capable
           of
           improvement
           there
           ;
           which
           may
           not
           for
           want
           of
           parts
           bee
           discouraged
           from
           following
           those
           studies
           which
           shall
           there
           bee
           required
           of
           them
           ;
           and
           then
           for
           want
           of
           imployment
           in
           their
           studies
           ,
           runne-out
           into
           such
           vicious
           courses
           ,
           as
           may
           make
           them
           to
           rue
           the
           day
           that
           ever
           they
           came
           thither
           .
           The
           rule
           which
           Parents
           have
           gone
           by
           formerly
           ,
           in
           making
           such
           and
           such
           Children
           Scholars
           ,
           has
           beene
           a
           respect
           to
           their
           owne
           education
           ;
           They
           have
           been
           Scholars
           it
           may
           be
           themselves
           ,
           and
           therefore
           thinke
           that
           their
           Sonnes
           (
           however
           qualifed
           )
           must
           needs
           be
           so
           also
           ;
           and
           others
           ,
           by
           very
           sinister
           respects
           ;
           Gentlemen
           ,
           if
           they
           have
           divers
           Children
           ,
           to
           make
           Scholars
           of
           those
           which
           are
           the
           youngest
           ,
           as
           a
           
             shift
             ,
          
           rather
           then
           a
           
             calling
             ,
          
           and
           somewhat
           whereby
           they
           might
           rather
           provide
           for
           their
           worldly
           subsistence
           ,
           then
           for
           the
           service
           of
           the
           Church
           &
           Common-wealth
           .
           Now
           that
           which
           I
           commend
           to
           your
           Wisdomes
           in
           this
           point
           of
           publique
           Education
           ,
           is
           to
           bee
           carryed
           by
           another
           Consideration
           ;
           
             to
             wit
             ,
          
           of
           the
           pregnancy
           of
           parts
           and
           capacity
           in
           Children
           ;
           such
           being
           cherished
           and
           promoted
           in
           Learning
           ,
           they
           may
           by
           Gods
           blessing
           prove
           able
           guides
           to
           bring
           others
           into
           the
           good
           way
           .
        
         
           Secondly
           ,
           
             looke
             to
             your
             Family
             Religion
             :
          
           For
           as
           your
           Schools
           have
           
           a
           subordination
           to
           Universities
           ;
           so
           Families
           to
           Schooles
           .
           The
           reformation
           of
           the
           one
           ,
           will
           not
           so
           much
           availe
           ,
           without
           reformation
           of
           the
           other
           .
           And
           both
           have
           a
           subordination
           to
           the
           Church
           .
        
         
           To
           this
           intent
           ,
           let
           Masters
           ,
           let
           Parents
           ,
           (
           Oh
           that
           Husbands
           and
           Wives
           likewise
           would
           love
           one
           anothers
           Soule
           ,
           so
           well
           as
           to
           bee
           quickning
           and
           helping
           forward
           one
           another
           in
           this
           good
           way
           !
           )
           I
           say
           ,
           let
           Masters
           ,
           let
           Parents
           catechise
           their
           Children
           ,
           and
           Servants
           ,
           and
           instruct
           them
           in
           the
           principles
           of
           Religion
           :
           Doubtlesse
           this
           is
           the
          
           
           
           
           way
           to
           make
           them
           fit
           to
           bee
           usefull
           Church-members
           .
           You
           expect
           the
           Minister
           should
           doe
           all
           ,
           truly
           there
           will
           not
           so
           much
           bee
           done
           ,
           unlesse
           you
           maintaine
           
             an
             harmony
             of
             Ordinances
             .
          
           When
           a
           Minister
           shall
           Preach
           ,
           and
           Catechise
           ,
           and
           instruct
           in
           
             Publique
             ;
          
           and
           when
           a
           Father
           shall
           deale
           with
           his
           Children
           when
           hee
           commeth
           home
           in
           private
           ,
           and
           call
           them
           to
           an
           account
           of
           their
           profiting
           by
           the
           publike
           administrations
           ;
           Oh
           this
           harmony
           being
           maintained
           ,
           it
           will
           still
           lay
           a
           better
           traine
           ,
           how
           to
           reduce
           those
           that
           goe
           astray
           .
           It
           is
           a
           most
           unhappy
           thing
           ,
           that
           many
           times
           the
           Master
           and
           Mistris
           come
           to
           Church
           themselves
           ,
           when
           it
           may
           bee
           the
           servants
           in
           the
           mean
           while
           ,
           are
           in
           Tavernes
           and
           Ale-houses
           ,
           and
           up
           and
           downe
           in
           one
           corner
           of
           the
           Suburbs
           or
           other
           ,
           and
           possibly
           you
           never
           so
           much
           as
           question
           them
           at
           night
           ,
           where
           they
           have
           beene
           ,
           and
           what
           accompt
           they
           can
           give
           of
           the
           Sermon
           which
           has
           been
           Preached
           ,
           what
           Manna
           they
           have
           gathered
           this
           day
           ;
           if
           you
           would
           reduce
           your
           Servants
           Soules
           ,
           if
           you
           would
           have
           them
           obtaine
           happy
           rest
           ,
           love
           them
           so
           well
           as
           to
           bee
           preparing
           them
           by
           Religious
           principles
           ,
           to
           walke
           in
           this
           good
           way
           .
           D●ale
           not
           with
           your
           Servants
           ,
           as
           you
           doe
           with
           your
           Horses
           ;
           let
           them
           work
           out
           their
           strength
           &
           spirits
           ,
           &
           when
           they
           have
           served
           you
           so
           long
           ,
           there
           is
           an
           end
           ;
           what
           becomes
           of
           their
           
             soules
          
           and
           
             eternall
             condition
             ,
          
           many
           of
           you
           care
           very
           little
           ;
           whereas
           indeed
           you
           should
           rather
           consider
           ,
           you
           are
           as
           well
           
             intrusted
          
           with
           their
           
             Soules
             ,
          
           as
           they
           
             intrusted
          
           with
           your
           
             Estates
             ;
          
           may
           bee
           thy
           Servants
           
             Sinnes
          
           stand
           upon
           
             thy
             account
             ,
          
           some
           of
           them
           may
           now
           bee
           
             roaring
             in
             Hell
             ,
          
           for
           those
           offences
           ,
           which
           either
           they
           learnt
           
             from
             thee
             ,
          
           or
           were
           borne
           
             in
             by
             thee
             .
          
           O
           bee
           intreated
           to
           have
           an
           eye
           upon
           your
           Families
           ;
           too
           many
           of
           them
           looke
           too
           like
           the
           
             Devils
             Chappels
             ;
          
           give
           diligence
           
           rather
           that
           they
           may
           bee
           
             little
             Churches
          
           to
           the
           
             great
             God
             .
          
           How
           sweet
           will
           this
           
             Rest
          
           bee
           ,
           if
           after
           thy
           praying
           and
           use
           of
           all
           good
           meanes
           ,
           that
           thy
           
             Children
          
           may
           bee
           found
           
             Gods
             Children
             ,
          
           thy
           
             Servants
             ,
             Gods
             Servants
             ,
          
           walking
           in
           the
           good
           way
           ;
           
             Parents
          
           and
           
             Children
             ,
             Masters
          
           and
           
             Servants
          
           may
           keep
           house
           together
           
             eternally
             in
             heaven
             ?
          
        
         
           Thirdly
           ,
           
             incourage
             your
             faithfull
             Ministers
             ,
          
           not
           onely
           in
           
             Preaching
             ;
          
           
           but
           in
           short
           
             Catechising
             &
             briefe
             expounding
             the
             Scriptures
             ;
          
           such
           exercises
           might
           prove
           a
           very
           compendious
           method
           to
           lead
           many
           into
           the
           good
           way
           :
           Let
           able
           Ministers
           study
           to
           Preach
           plainly
           ,
           yet
           ordinary
           hearers
           are
           not
           at
           the
           first
           capable
           of
           the
           
             series
          
           of
           a
           set
           Discourse
           ,
           unlesse
           they
           bee
           prepared
           for
           this
           ,
           by
           teaching
           them
           the
           
             A.
             B.
             C.
          
           of
           
           Christanity
           in
           the
           very
           principles
           ,
           and
           by
           giving
           them
           
             line
             upon
             line
             ,
          
           and
           
             precept
             upon
             precept
          
           in
           some
           easie
           and
           familiar
           manner
           .
           If
           the
           Lord
           please
           to
           blesse
           us
           with
           this
           fruit
           of
           Reformation
           ,
           that
           
             reading
             of
             long
             Liturgies
             ,
          
           bee
           turned
           into
           
             short
             expounding
             of
             Scriptures
             ,
             when
             they
             are
             read
             in
             the
             publike
             Assemblies
             ;
          
           by
           some
           briefe
           hints
           to
           
             cleare
             difficult
             ,
          
           and
           
             presse
          
           most
           
             seasonable
             places
          
           upon
           the
           hearers
           ;
           doubtlesse
           it
           might
           reduce
           many
           ,
           and
           much
           
             edifie
          
           other
           peoples
           soules
           in
           the
           good
           way
           .
           Many
           parts
           of
           
             England
          
           have
           already
           tasted
           the
           sweetness●
           of
           this
           exchange
           .
           I
           know
           no
           place
           which
           might
           more
           easily
           obtaine
           this
           
           precious
           advantage
           then
           this
           City
           ,
           where
           you
           have
           so
           many
           able
           Teachers
           ,
           who
           know
           how
           
             to
             divide
             the
             word
             aright
             .
             Why
             should
             not
             you
          
           
           
             have
             such
             morning
             Exercises
             in
          
           London
           ,
           as
           are
           lately
           set
           up
           
             in
             your
             Neighbour
             City
             ;
          
           wherein
           your
           
             good
             Scribes
          
           might
           open
           their
           Treasures
           ,
           
           
             bringing
             forth
             new
             and
             old
             ,
             to
             the
             enriching
             of
             your
             soules
             ?
          
           Hereby
           you
           might
           recover
           much
           precious
           time
           ,
           out
           of
           the
           hands
           of
           sleepe
           and
           sloathfullnesse
           ,
           and
           without
           making
           any
           great
           breach
           in
           your
           ordinary
           employments
           ,
           get
           a
           good
           
             Gospell
             breakefast
          
           next
           your
           heart
           in
           the
           morning
           :
           You
           would
           trade
           the
           better
           all
           the
           day
           ,
           if
           you
           begin
           first
           to
           
             trade
             with
             Christ
          
           in
           the
           morning
           :
           Yea
           hereby
           your
           
             Soule-Nurses
             ,
          
           giving
           you
           the
           sincere
           
             milke
          
           of
           Gods
           word
           ,
           drop
           by
           drop
           ,
           you
           would
           be
           better
           prepared
           for
           
             strong
             meat
             ,
          
           and
           inabled
           to
           walk
           actively
           in
           the
           
             good
             way
             .
          
        
         
           Fourthly
           ,
           forget
           not
           to
           
             throw
             stumbling
             blocks
             out
             of
             the
             good
             way
             .
          
           
           If
           ever
           you
           would
           reduce
           soules
           ,
           
             represent
             Religion
             ,
          
           as
           a
           lovely
           and
           beautifull
           thing
           ,
           that
           so
           you
           may
           commend
           it
           to
           the
           hearts
           and
           consciences
           of
           them
           among
           whom
           you
           live
           :
           O
           this
           might
           
             gaine
             many
          
           into
           the
           good
           way
           .
           People
           judge
           of
           
             Religion
          
           as
           they
           find
           ;
           you
           may
           spend
           many
           houres
           in
           your
           
             Closet
             ,
          
           and
           they
           taste
           it
           not
           ;
           You
           may
           spend
           many
           dayes
           in
           publike
           Fasts
           ,
           they
           tast
           not
           that
           presently
           ;
           but
           now
           if
           your
           Religion
           makes
           you
           also
           
             just
             ,
          
           and
           maketh
           you
           
             mercifull
             ,
          
           and
           
             good
             Neighbours
             ,
          
           and
           good
           
             Landlords
             ,
          
           and
           good
           in
           your
           
             Relations
             ,
          
           all
           you
           deale
           with
           will
           taste
           of
           your
           
             Religion
             ;
          
           but
           though
           such
           a
           man
           or
           woman
           heareth
           so
           many
           Sermons
           ,
           and
           such
           a
           Lord
           and
           Lady
           frequents
           so
           many
           Fasts
           ,
           if
           still
           as
           hard
           hearted
           ,
           and
           as
           proud
           ,
           and
           as
           censorious
           ,
           and
           as
           vaine
           ,
           as
           ever
           ;
           here
           you
           cast
           a
           
             stumbling
             blocke
          
           in
           the
           way
           of
           Religion
           .
           O
           that
           this
           might
           be
           the
           varnish
           of
           every
           ones
           Religion
           ;
           the
           more
           you
           professe
           the
           Gospell
           ,
           labour
           to
           bee
           the
           more
           exact
           and
           just
           in
           your
           walking
           ,
           expressing
           a
           
           
           Gospell
           conversation
           :
           It
           is
           a
           great
           scandall
           to
           the
           Gospell
           when
           every
           good
           man
           is
           not
           a
           good
           husband
           to
           his
           wife
           ,
           and
           every
           good
           woman
           is
           not
           a
           good
           wife
           to
           her
           husband
           ,
           nor
           every
           good
           man
           when
           he
           is
           called
           to
           it
           is
           not
           a
           good
           governour
           ,
           nor
           every
           good
           Christian
           in
           his
           place
           is
           not
           a
           good
           servant
           ;
           why
           ,
           there
           are
           graces
           fit
           for
           every
           condition
           ,
           there
           are
           
             conjugall
          
           graces
           ,
           a
           spirit
           of
           
             government
             ,
          
           a
           
             ministeriall
          
           spirit
           ;
           now
           I
           heartily
           commend
           this
           to
           you
           ,
           as
           you
           would
           commend
           Religion
           ,
           and
           winne
           reputation
           to
           it
           ,
           throw
           all
           stumbling
           blocks
           out
           of
           the
           good
           way
           ,
           expre●sing
           such
           a
           gracious
           carriage
           as
           your
           relation
           and
           condition
           requires
           .
           In
           
             Col.
          
           3.
           12
           ,
           13.
           see
           what
           a
           chaine
           of
           graces
           there
           the
           Apostle
           linkes
           together
           ;
           Put
           on
           as
           the
           elect
           of
           God
           bowels
           of
           
             merci●s
             ;
          
           It
           were
           an
           excellent
           thing
           for
           al
           good
           Christians
           to
           have
           a
           mercifull
           disposition
           :
           Oh
           pity
           poore
           wounded
           men
           ,
           pitie
           poore
           blind
           soules
           ,
           pitie
           those
           that
           go
           astray
           :
           And
           as
           you
           should
           have
           bowels
           of
           mercy
           ,
           so
           
             kindnesse
             ,
          
           have
           not
           onely
           a
           meere
           pitie
           of
           them
           ,
           but
           also
           do
           kindnesse
           to
           them
           ;
           And
           withall
           put
           on
           
             humblenesse
             of
             mind
          
           towards
           them
           .
           It
           may
           bee
           if
           you
           are
           able
           to
           doe
           them
           good
           and
           kindnesse
           ,
           you
           will
           proudly
           insult
           over
           them
           ,
           therefore
           put
           on
           humblenesse
           of
           mind
           ;
           and
           if
           you
           bee
           kind
           to
           them
           ,
           and
           they
           injurious
           to
           you
           ,
           adde
           
             meeknesse
          
           to
           it
           ;
           and
           what
           if
           they
           bee
           very
           injurious
           ?
           put
           on
           
             long-suffering
             ;
          
           here
           is
           Christianity
           in
           that
           you
           will
           have
           bowels
           of
           mercy
           ,
           and
           kindnes
           ,
           and
           though
           you
           be
           able
           to
           be
           kind
           you
           will
           not
           bee
           proud
           of
           it
           ,
           and
           if
           they
           bee
           not
           so
           thankefull
           as
           they
           should
           ,
           yet
           you
           will
           bee
           meeke
           ,
           and
           if
           they
           goe
           on
           to
           adde
           injury
           to
           injury
           ,
           you
           will
           bee
           long-suffering
           :
           And
           I
           pray
           forget
           not
           the
           rest
           ,
           and
           
             forbearing
          
           one
           another
           ,
           and
           
             forgiving
          
           one
           another
           ,
           if
           any
           man
           have
           a
           quarrell
           against
           any
           ,
           even
           as
           Christ
           forgave
           you
           ;
           you
           will
           say
           you
           will
           forbeare
           at
           least
           for
           a
           time
           ;
           but
           though
           you
           forgive
           you
           will
           not
           forget
           ,
           but
           you
           will
           watch
           an
           opportunity
           to
           revenge
           :
           Oh
           but
           you
           must
           both
           
             forbeare
          
           and
           
             forgive
          
           one
           another
           ,
           thus
           to
           represent
           Religion
           that
           it
           may
           bee
           knowne
           ;
           In
           such
           an
           house
           there
           dwels
           such
           a
           people
           ,
           they
           are
           famous
           for
           Religion
           ,
           and
           (
           blessed
           bee
           God
           )
           not
           onely
           religious
           ,
           but
           just
           ,
           and
           mercifull
           ,
           and
           meek
           ,
           and
           not
           rash
           ,
           and
           censorious
           ,
           and
           precipitant
           ,
           and
           the
           like
           :
           doubtlesse
           this
           will
           contribute
           much
           to
           draw
           poore
           soules
           into
           the
           good
           way
           .
           
        
         
           Fiftly
           ,
           there
           is
           another
           thing
           that
           must
           be
           remembred
           ,
           
             Improve
             your
             power
             ,
             you
             wh●
             are
             Magistrats
             and
             governours
             in
             families
             ,
          
           &
           others
           ;
           
             Improve
             y●ur
             power
             to
             keepe
             up
             the
             honour
             of
             the
             Lords
             day
             ,
          
           our
           Christian
           Sabbath
           ,
           
           blessed
           bee
           God
           that
           put
           it
           into
           the
           hearts
           of
           the
           great
           Counsellers
           in
           the
           high
           Court
           of
           Parliament
           lately
           to
           set
           forth
           an
           Ordinance
           for
           the
           
           strict
           and
           solemne
           observation
           of
           the
           Lords
           day
           ▪
           I
           hope
           you
           will
           act
           it
           ,
           and
           indeed
           if
           ever
           you
           would
           maintaine
           Religion
           in
           a
           place
           ,
           main●●ine
           the
           Lords
           day
           ,
           and
           the
           solemne
           and
           holy
           observation
           of
           it
           ;
           God
           hath
           given
           a
           spetiall
           item
           to
           that
           precept
           
             Remember
             ,
             Exod.
          
           28.
           8.
           he
           would
           have
           all
           other
           Commandements
           remembred
           no
           question
           ,
           but
           he
           knoweth
           we
           are
           ready
           to
           
             forget
          
           that
           ,
           and
           it
           is
           of
           much
           consequence
           to
           be
           
             remembred
             ;
          
           It
           is
           a
           day
           of
           
             blessing
          
           and
           of
           
             sanctification
             :
          
           If
           you
           would
           have
           your
           peoples
           hearts
           
             sanctified
             ,
          
           Oh
           traine
           them
           to
           
             sanctifie
             Gods
             day
             ,
          
           and
           to
           attend
           on
           Gods
           Ordinances
           ;
           It
           may
           be
           that
           hee
           may
           drop
           the
           grace
           of
           
             sanctification
          
           into
           them
           ,
           Let
           the
           feare
           of
           God
           ,
           I
           beseech
           you
           ,
           and
           conscionable
           observance
           of
           this
           pious
           Ordinance
           ,
           set
           all
           the
           wheeles
           of
           Authority
           on
           going
           ,
           and
           moving
           regularly
           in
           their
           severall
           spheares
           ,
           that
           the
           Lords
           day
           may
           be
           more
           carefully
           observed
           ;
           suffer
           not
           (
           as
           many
           governors
           doe
           )
           
             buying
          
           and
           
             selling
             ,
          
           not
           
             sporting
          
           and
           
             playing
          
           on
           that
           day
           ,
           whereby
           so
           many
           are
           hardned
           in
           prophane
           and
           ungodly
           waies
           ,
           you
           will
           finde
           the
           comfort
           of
           it
           ,
           Religion
           have
           a
           sensible
           progresse
           ,
           God
           delights
           to
           shew
           himselfe
           to
           his
           people
           on
           that
           day
           .
           And
           therefore
           doe
           what
           you
           can
           to
           ingage
           all
           others
           to
           attend
           on
           publique
           ordinances
           that
           day
           ,
           doubtlesse
           many
           ,
           many
           soules
           may
           bee
           reduced
           to
           the
           good
           way
           ,
           if
           this
           method
           be
           wisely
           observed
           .
        
         
           Lastly
           ,
           remember
           your
           
             solemne
             Covenant
          
           whereby
           you
           are
           ingaged
           
           to
           such
           personall
           and
           publike
           reformation
           ,
           as
           would
           bring
           many
           into
           that
           way
           which
           lead●
           to
           rest
           ,
           wee
           are
           happily
           brought
           under
           the
           bond
           of
           it
           ,
           the
           three
           kingdomes
           were
           united
           among
           our selves
           and
           to
           our
           God
           hereby
           :
           Oh
           be
           as
           carefull
           
             to
             keepe
             it
             ,
          
           as
           you
           were
           cheerefull
           in
           
             the
             taking
             of
             it
             ;
             Rest
          
           is
           the
           pretious
           fruit
           of
           the
           
             Covenant
             ,
             2
             Chron.
          
           15.
           15.
           they
           tooke
           the
           Covenant
           cheerefully
           ,
           and
           God
           gave
           them
           
             Rest
             ,
          
           let
           us
           not
           onely
           
             take
             it
          
           but
           
             keepe
             it
             ,
          
           and
           ingage
           others
           what
           we
           can
           thereto
           ;
           let
           us
           all
           bee
           Covenanters
           indeed
           according
           to
           our
           obligation
           ,
           and
           walke
           in
           the
           good
           way
           of
           obedience
           to
           God
           ,
           that
           so
           this
           Covenant
           may
           bee
           a
           Covenant
           of
           peace
           ,
           and
           a
           Covenant
           of
           rest
           to
           
             us
             ;
          
           a
           Covenant
           of
           rest
           to
           all
           
             our
             soules
             ,
          
           a
           Covenant
           of
           rest
           to
           the
           
             Church
             ,
          
           a
           Covenant
           of
           rest
           to
           
             the
             kingdome
             ;
          
           yea
           to
           all
           the
           
             three
             kingdomes
          
           which
           are
           united
           together
           in
           it
           .
        
         
           I
           should
           now
           come
           to
           the
           third
           observation
           drawne
           from
           the
           18.
           and
           
           19.
           
           Verses
           ,
           from
           the
           last
           generall
           part
           of
           the
           Text
           ,
           the
           
             wofull
             fruit
             of
             their
             wretched
             selfe-will
             .
          
           We
           
             will
             not
          
           (
           say
           they
           )
           we
           
             will
             not
             hearken
             ,
          
           but
           what
           saith
           God
           ,
           he
           calleth
           the
           
             nations
             ,
          
           hee
           calleth
           the
           
             earth
          
           to
           take
           notice
           of
           it
           what
           
             he
             will
             doe
             against
             them
             ,
          
           hee
           
             will
             bring
             evill
             upon
             this
             even
             the
             fruite
             of
             their
             thoughts
             ,
             because
             they
             have
             not
             hearkned
             unto
             my
             words
             ,
             nor
             to
             my
             Law
             ,
             but
             rejected
             it
             .
          
        
         
         
           
             The
             wilfull
             rejecting
             of
             Gods
             gracious
             admonition
             is
             a
             most
             provoking
             evill
             ,
          
           
           
             which
             betrayes
             a
             people
             into
             the
             hands
             of
             heavy
             judgements
             .
          
        
         
           The
           more
           of
           
             God
          
           there
           is
           in
           any
           
             admonition
             ,
          
           in
           any
           of
           his
           
             dispensations
             ,
          
           the
           more
           
             glorious
          
           they
           are
           ;
           The
           more
           of
           our
           
             self●-will
          
           there
           is
           in
           any
           of
           our
           carriages
           ,
           the
           more
           
             odious
          
           &
           
             abominable
          
           they
           are
           in
           the
           sight
           of
           God
           ;
           When
           
           our
           proud
           spirits
           boyle
           up
           to
           such
           an
           height
           of
           de●iance
           against
           him
           (
           as
           here
           they
           did
           )
           the
           
             Lord
          
           seeing
           himselfe
           so
           much
           
             affronted
             ,
          
           is
           ingaged
           to
           
             vindicate
          
           his
           honour
           by
           bringing
           some
           great
           evill
           upon
           them
           .
           God
           hath
           
             three
             Prerogatives
          
           which
           he
           will
           not
           part
           with
           ;
           
             judgement
          
           is
           his
           ,
           hee
           will
           not
           allow
           us
           
             to
             judge
             one
             another
             ;
             vengeance
          
           is
           his
           ,
           he
           will
           not
           allow
           
             us
             to
             revenge
             our selves
             ,
          
           his
           
             glory
          
           is
           so
           deare
           to
           him
           ,
           that
           he
           will
           not
           
             give
             it
             to
             another
             ;
          
           when
           any
           one
           through
           pride
           shall
           incroach
           upon
           that
           
             royall
          
           prerogative
           ,
           he
           will
           make
           it
           appeare
           
             that
             he
             resists
             the
             proud
          
           by
           bringing
           some
           breaking
           evill
           upon
           them
           ,
           as
           
             Exod.
          
           18.
           11.
           
        
         
           One
           word
           to
           end
           all
           is
           this
           ,
           and
           it
           is
           a
           proper
           worke
           for
           the
           day
           ,
           
             This
             justifieth
             God
             in
             all
             the
             judgements
             ,
          
           and
           
             calamities
             that
             now
             lie
             on
             sinfull
             England
             ,
          
           a
           day
           of
           humiliation
           should
           be
           a
           day
           of
           
             selfe-abasing
             ,
          
           and
           a
           day
           of
           
             justifying
          
           our
           
             God
             ,
          
           and
           when
           we
           consider
           how
           Gods
           gratious
           admonitions
           have
           been
           sleighted
           ,
           what
           unanswerable
           entertainment
           they
           have
           had
           in
           England
           ,
           how
           ill
           we
           have
           requited
           all
           the
           gratious
           offers
           ,
           and
           tenders
           he
           hath
           made
           unto
           us
           ,
           we
           may
           all
           goe
           mourning
           home
           ,
           and
           even
           bemoaning
           the
           sad
           fruit
           of
           our
           own
           wretched
           carriage
           that
           now
           lieth
           on
           us
           ,
           and
           still
           all
           must
           speake
           this
           language
           ,
           The
           Lord
           is
           most
           righteous
           ,
           it
           is
           Gods
           mercy
           that
           
             England
          
           hath
           not
           beene
           in
           
             Irelands
             condition
          
           before
           this
           day
           ,
           so
           many
           gratious
           ,
           so
           many
           loving
           admonitions
           have
           beene
           sleighted
           ,
           and
           that
           with
           so
           high
           affronts
           ,
           when
           God
           hath
           sent
           to
           us
           by
           his
           Prophets
           ,
           when
           God
           hath
           called
           upon
           us
           ,
           when
           God
           hath
           sent
           mercies
           Ambassadours
           ,
           when
           God
           hath
           preached
           from
           heaven
           by
           his
           judgements
           ,
           yet
           we
           have
           still
           given
           him
           a
           negative
           ,
           a
           proud
           and
           
             stubborne
             negative
             ,
          
           we
           have
           againe
           and
           againe
           answered
           him
           ,
           Wee
           will
           not
           :
           mee thinkes
           wee
           may
           looke
           upon
           our selves
           if
           God
           would
           deale
           with
           us
           according
           to
           our
           deservings
           ,
           even
           in
           
             Jerusalems
          
           case
           ,
           and
           we
           might
           even
           weepe
           over
           poore
           England
           
           as
           our
           
             Saviour
             wept
             over
             Jerusalem
             ,
          
           that
           because
           they
           were
           not
           sensible
           of
           
             the
             day
             of
             their
             visitation
             ,
          
           they
           did
           not
           consider
           and
           know
           those
           things
           that
           belonged
           
             to
             their
             peace
             ,
          
           now
           they
           are
           
             bid
             from
             their
             eyes
             ,
          
           now
           thy
           house
           shall
           be
           left
           unto
           thee
           desolate
           .
           It
           is
           a
           miracle
           of
           patience
           and
           goodnesse
           ,
           that
           God
           should
           beare
           with
           us
           all
           this
           while
           ,
           when
           hee
           hath
           had
           such
           high
           affronts
           ;
           when
           his
           own
           Name
           ,
           when
           his
           deare
           Son
           ,
           when
           his
           blessed
           Spirit
           ,
           when
           his
           Covenant
           ,
           when
           the
           Minister
           of
           the
           Covenant
           ,
           when
           the
           seales
           of
           the
           Covenant
           ,
           when
           all
           these
           dispensations
           of
           
           God
           ,
           have
           bin
           so
           affronted
           ,
           so
           contemned
           in
           
             England
             ;
          
           and
           when
           wee
           have
           so
           much
           sleighted
           the
           day
           of
           our
           Visitation
           :
           it
           is
           a
           wonder
           that
           Countries
           ,
           that
           Cities
           ,
           that
           al
           is
           not
           left
           desolate
           before
           this
           time
           .
           Yea
           ,
           when
           we
           consider
           that
           in
           
             Ezek.
             24.
             13
             ,
             14.
             
             In
             thy
             filthines
             is
             lewdnes
             ,
             because
             I
             have
             purged
          
           
           
             thee
             ,
             and
             thou
             wast
             not
             purged
             ,
             thou
             shalt
             not
             be
             purged
             from
             thy
             filthinesse
             any
             more
             ,
             till
             I
             have
             caused
             my
             fury
             to
             rest
             upon
             thee
             ;
          
           It
           might
           sad
           our
           hearts
           to
           think
           ,
           Oh!
           if
           this
           should
           be
           unworthy
           ,
           sinful
           
             Englands
          
           portion
           ;
           in
           thy
           filthinesse
           is
           lewdnesse
           ,
           and
           because
           I
           have
           purged
           thee
           ,
           and
           thou
           wast
           not
           purged
           ,
           God
           hath
           put
           us
           into
           the
           fire
           ,
           to
           see
           if
           we
           will
           let
           goe
           our
           drosse
           ,
           but
           the
           Lord
           knows
           we
           are
           not
           purged
           :
           what
           if
           God
           should
           throw
           
             England
          
           off
           ,
           and
           give
           us
           up
           to
           
             Popery
          
           and
           
             Slavery
             ,
          
           and
           leave
           us
           as
           a
           
             prey
             to
             blood-thirsty
             men
             ?
          
           What
           if
           God
           should
           cause
           his
           fury
           to
           rest
           upon
           us
           ?
           O
           still
           wee
           should
           justifie
           him
           in
           these
           sad
           tokens
           of
           his
           displeasure
           ,
           for
           we
           have
           peremptorily
           ,
           out
           of
           proud
           ,
           rebellious
           selfwill
           ,
           denied
           to
           submit
           to
           God
           ,
           &
           to
           stoop
           to
           him
           ,
           &
           to
           come
           into
           the
           good
           way
           ,
           when
           he
           hath
           called
           us
           .
           This
           
             City
          
           hath
           been
           an
           
             Arke
          
           to
           this
           poor
           Kingdome
           ,
           and
           many
           of
           his
           faithfull
           Servants
           have
           been
           sheltred
           in
           this
           
             Arke
             :
          
           You
           have
           sent
           out
           (
           it
           's
           true
           )
           your
           
             Doves
             ;
          
           you
           have
           sent
           out
           
             Regiment
          
           after
           
             Regiment
             ,
          
           and
           one
           Messenger
           after
           another
           ,
           and
           though
           God
           hath
           brought
           them
           back
           againe
           with
           Songs
           of
           preservation
           ▪
           and
           victory
           ,
           and
           deliverance
           ,
           yet
           they
           have
           not
           brought
           an
           
             Olive
             branch
             of
             peace
             ,
          
           yet
           we
           cannot
           heare
           that
           welcome
           newes
           :
           Me
           thinks
           we
           may
           take
           up
           the
           sad
           complaint
           in
           
             Psal.
             74.
             9.
             
             We
             know
             not
             how
             long
             ,
          
           there
           is
           no
           
             Prophet
             amongst
             us
             ,
             that
             can
             tel
             us
             how
             long
          
           It
           would
           pose
           all
           the
           Prophets
           in
           
             England
          
           to
           tell
           you
           ,
           when
           these
           unnaturall
           sparkes
           shall
           bee
           quenched
           ;
           and
           when
           God
           will
           call
           backe
           the
           Commission
           hee
           hath
           given
           to
           this
           Sword
           ,
           to
           doe
           that
           execution
           in
           severall
           parts
           ;
           still
           there
           are
           abroad
           
             Nimrods
             ,
          
           Sons
           of
           violence
           ,
           that
           drive
           apace
           ,
           even
           after
           
             Hannibals
          
           cruelty
           ;
           That
           when
           he
           saw
           a
           pit
           filled
           with
           mans
           blood
           ,
           he
           cryed
           ,
           
             O
             formosum
             spectaculum
             ,
             O
             beautifull
             sight
             !
          
           The
           Lord
           if
           it
           be
           his
           will
           ,
           put
           a
           check
           on
           those
           that
           are
           so
           barbarously
           cruell
           :
           yet
           ,
           howsoever
           the
           malice
           ,
           and
           the
           fury
           of
           men
           may
           bee
           let
           out
           ,
           we
           must
           still
           justifie
           God
           in
           all
           this
           ;
           and
           let
           us
           begin
           at
           home
           ,
           and
           let
           you
           and
           I
           now
           lay
           our
           hands
           on
           our
           hearts
           in
           particular
           ;
           O
           my self-will
           ,
           &
           my
           rebellion
           against
           my
           God
           ,
           and
           my
           checking
           the
           motions
           of
           his
           Spirit
           ,
           and
           my
           slighting
           Gods
           gracious
           offers
           !
           I
           have
           gathered
           some
           sticks
           to
           kindle
           this
           fire
           .
        
         
           That
           fire
           that
           is
           in
           the
           
             North
             ,
          
           and
           that
           fire
           that
           is
           in
           the
           
             West
             ,
          
           and
           that
           fire
           that
           hath
           been
           in
           severall
           parts
           of
           the
           
             Kingdome
             ;
          
           and
           there
           's
           not
           a
           man
           nor
           woman
           here
           present
           ,
           but
           hath
           given
           in
           some
           fuell
           to
           those
           fires
           ,
           by
           their
           
             self-will
             :
          
           O
           now
           let
           us
           abase
           &
           humble
           our selves
           ,
           and
           honour
           our
           God
           in
           justifying
           him
           ,
           and
           let
           us
           
             accept
             of
             the
             punishment
             of
             our
             iniquities
             ,
             
             that
             the
             Lord
             may
             remember
             his
             Covenant
             ,
          
           and
           remember
           the
           Land
           .
           It
           is
           tree
           ,
           the
           Lord
           hath
           been
           pleased
           to
           shew
           
             various
             dispensations
          
           towards
           us
           ,
           he●
           
           hath
           been
           calling
           upon
           us
           ,
           wooing
           and
           soliciting
           
             England
          
           to
           come
           into
           this
           good
           way
           .
           Sometimes
           he
           hath
           given
           us
           
             Physicke
             ,
          
           many
           potions
           ;
           we
           
           have
           had
           a
           great
           deale
           of
           strong
           Physick
           ,
           he
           hath
           made
           us
           sicke
           at
           heart
           ,
           many
           great
           shakings
           there
           have
           been
           ;
           he
           hath
           not
           only
           given
           us
           strong
           potions
           ,
           but
           he
           hath
           likewise
           let
           us
           
             blood
             ,
          
           and
           he
           hath
           
             opened
          
           many
           vei●●●
           we
           have
           lost
           
             Noble
             blood
             ,
          
           and
           precious
           blood
           ,
           a
           great
           deale
           of
           blood
           of
           the
           Gentry
           ;
           and
           a
           great
           deale
           of
           precious
           
             City
          
           blood
           too
           ,
           and
           a
           great
           de●●
           of
           blood
           in
           the
           Country
           .
           Yea
           ,
           and
           as
           God
           hath
           given
           us
           potions
           ,
           and
           strong
           Physick
           ,
           and
           let
           us
           blood
           ;
           so
           he
           hath
           given
           us
           
             Cordials
             ,
          
           we
           have
           
           had
           good
           successe
           ,
           witnesse
           our
           solemn
           
             dayes
             of
             Thankesgiving
             ;
          
           God
           hath
           visibly
           owned
           his
           cause
           in
           time
           of
           need
           ;
           and
           though
           wee
           bee
           not
           
             ripe
          
           for
           
             mercy
             ,
          
           God
           will
           not
           suffer
           us
           to
           be
           
             ruined
             ,
          
           he
           giveth
           such
           and
           such
           
             Victorier
             ▪
          
           that
           shall
           at
           least
           be
           
             preservations
          
           of
           us
           .
           O
           let
           us
           take
           heed
           that
           we
           provoke
           not
           our
           God
           to
           withdraw
           his
           loving
           kindnesse
           from
           us
           ;
           and
           if
           he
           let
           ou●
           more
           blood
           ,
           that
           City
           and
           Country
           both
           should
           swim
           in
           blood
           ,
           let
           us
           rather
           stir
           up
           ourselves
           ,
           and
           one
           another
           ▪
           That
           we
           may
           get
           into
           such
           a●
           Humiliation
           ,
           into
           such
           a
           Reforming
           posture
           this
           day
           for
           our
           particulars
           ,
           (
           and
           beg
           the
           like
           mercy
           for
           all
           the
           Congregations
           in
           
             England
          
           )
           that
           wee
           may
           find
           God
           turning
           his
           gracious
           hand
           on
           us
           ,
           and
           making
           good
           that
           place
           of
           Scripture
           to
           us
           ,
           
             Isa.
             1.
             25.
             
             I
             will
             turn
             my
             hand
             upon
             thee
             ,
             and
             purely
          
           
           
             purge
             all
             thy
             drosse
             ,
             and
             take
             away
             all
             thy
             tinne
             ,
             and
             will
             restore
             thy
             Judges
             ●●●
             the
             first
             ,
             and
             thy
             Counsellors
             as
             at
             the
             beginning
             ,
          
           afterwards
           thou
           shalt
           be
           called
           
             the
             Citie
             of
             righteousnes
             ,
             the
             faithfull
             Citie
             ;
             Sion
             shall
             bee
             redeemed
             with
             judgement
             ,
             and
             her
             converts
             with
             righteousnesse
             .
          
           Were
           not
           this
           worth
           rivers
           of
           teares
           ,
           worth
           many
           more
           dayes
           of
           humiliation
           ,
           and
           seeking
           of
           our
           God
           ▪
           That
           the
           Lord
           would
           be
           merciful
           to
           the
           Countrey
           ,
           and
           mercifull
           to
           ou●
           Armies
           ,
           and
           mercifull
           to
           our
           Counsellors
           ,
           and
           mercifull
           to
           this
           City
           ▪
           that
           the
           Lord
           would
           grant
           us
           to
           bee
           so
           purged
           ,
           that
           it
           might
           bee
           an
           evidence
           to
           us
           that
           we
           should
           be
           redeemed
           ;
           that
           this
           City
           of
           
             London
          
           migh●
           become
           a
           City
           of
           righteousnesse
           ,
           a
           faithfull
           City
           ;
           that
           being
           a
           righteous
           City
           ▪
           and
           a
           faithfull
           City
           ,
           it
           might
           bee
           a
           City
           of
           Peace
           ,
           both
           within
           her selfe
           ,
           and
           towards
           all
           others
           that
           seek
           it
           of
           her
           ;
           that
           shee
           may
           be
           alwayes
           a
           terrour
           to
           the
           Churches
           enemies
           ,
           and
           their
           adherents
           ;
           but
           a
           friend
           and
           support
           to
           all
           those
           that
           love
           the
           truth
           ,
           as
           the
           truth
           is
           in
           Jesus
           ?
           And
           to
           this
           (
           I
           hope
           )
           you
           will
           all
           say
           ,
           
             Amen
             .
          
        
         
           FINIS
           .
        
      
    
     
       
         Notes, typically marginal, from the original text
         
           Notes for div A86356e-270
           
             Many
             mists
             of
             new
             opinions
             which
             much
             puzzle
             Travellers
             .
          
           
             Ezek
             33.
             7.
             
             Matth.
             5.
             14
             
             Joh.
             5.
             35.
             
             Psal.
             119.
             105.
             
          
           
             Ez●a
             8.
             21.
             
          
           
             Zach
             3.
             1.
             
          
           
             See
             Mr.
             Well●
             Preface
             to
             a
             short
             Story
             of
             the
             rise
             ,
             and
             reigne
             ,
             and
             ruine
             of
             the
             Antinomians
             ,
             Familists
             ,
             and
             Libertines
             which
             infected
             New-England
             .
             p.
             4.
             
          
           
             Isa.
             9.
             6.
             
          
           
             Zach.
             3.
             2.
             
          
           
             S●ul●et
             .
             Annal.
             p.
             384.
             474.
             
             Post
             tenebras
             lux
             .
             Deus
             noster
             pugnat
             pron●●is
             .
          
           
             Zach.
             2.
             5.
             
          
        
         
           Notes for div A86356e-1390
           
             Three
             generall
             parts
             .
          
           
             1.
             
          
           
             2.
             
          
           
             3.
             
          
           
             First
             generall
             part
             .
          
           
             1.
             
          
           
             E●●k
             .
             36.
             
          
           
             2.
             
          
           
             Eccles.
             2.
             14
             
             ▪
             Luke
             1●
             .
             4
             ▪
             
          
           
             3.
             
          
           
             Second
             generall
             part
             .
          
           
             J●vere●unde
             responden●
             ,
             
               Sanct.
               
            
          
           
             Vide
             quo
             Divina
             provehatu●
             Clementia
             ,
             
               Sanct.
               
            
          
           
             Third
             generall
             pa●t
             .
          
           
             Peccata
             quo●um
             isti
             pe●aguntur
             rei
             ,
             &
             sen●en●●●m
             meam
             .
             
               lun
               .
            
             Je●
             .
             2.
             12.
             
          
           
             Jer.
             ●
             .
             1●
             .
             Volu●…
             sert
             a
             nobis
             v●l
             de
             nob●s
             .
          
           
             1
             Observat.
          
           
             Quest
             .
          
           
             Answ
             .
          
           
             1.
             
             Stand
             in
             your
             owne
             wayes
             .
          
           
             
               Stand
               in
               your
               Fore fathe●s
               wayes
               .
            
             In●et●oga●dum
             de
             semins
             antiquis
             ●ive
             sempiternis
             ,
             quae
             multo●um
             sancto●um
             tritae
             sunt
             vestigiis
             ,
             
               Hieron.
               I●m
               .
               2.
               23.
               
               H●sea
               12.
               4.
               
               Numb
               14.
               24.
               
               Acts
            
             13.
             22.
             
          
           
             
               Stand
               in
               the
               Lords
               wayes
               discovered
               by
               his
               Prophets
               .
            
             Standum
             in
             Prophetis
             &
             diligentissime
             contemplandum
             ,
             
               Hieron.
            
          
           
             Multae
             quidem
             v●ae
             sunt
             sancti
             Prophetae
             ,
             via
             au●em
             ve●e
             bona
             est
             Dominus
             noster
             .
             V●ae
             plures
             sunt
             plura
             Dei
             mandata
             .
             
               {non-Roman}
               {non-Roman}
               {non-Roman}
               {non-Roman}
               {non-Roman}
            
             .
          
           
             Pervias
             patriarcha●um
             &
             prophetarum
             tendendum
             ad
             unam
             evangelii
             viam
             ,
             
               Hieron.
            
          
           
             1
             
               Reas.
            
             1
             There
             are
             many
             by-waies
             
          
           
             Psal.
             12●
             .
             ●
             ▪
             
          
           
             
               Breerwards
            
             enquiry
             ,
             
               Cap.
            
             14.
             
          
           
             Rev.
             17.
             2.
             
          
           
             2
             Tim.
             3.
             5.
             
          
           
             Matth.
             13.
             3
             ▪
             
          
           
             
               Reas.
            
             2.
             
             ●
             There
             are
             many
             false
             guides
             .
             2
             Pet.
             2.
             1
             ,
             2.
             
               {non-Roman}
               {non-Roman}
               {non-Roman}
               {non-Roman}
               {non-Roman}
            
             :
             
               praeter
               sanam
               Evangelii
               doctrinam
               .
            
             Pisc.
          
           
             1
             Tim.
             4.
             1.
             
          
           
             Verse
             2.
             
          
           
             As
             
               Eph.
            
             4.
             14
             ▪
             
          
           
             3.
             
             
               Beas
               .
            
             There
             is
             that
             within
             us
             which
             will
             betray
             us
             to
             bee
             easily
             mis-led
             .
          
           
             1
             Blindnesse
             of
             mind
             .
          
           
             2
             Deceitfulnes
             of
             heart
             .
          
           
             3
             Many
             〈◊〉
             prejudices
             in
             us
             against
             the
             good
             way
             .
          
           
             4.
             
               Reas.
            
             The
             good
             way
             is
             not
             easily
             found
             out
             .
          
           
             
               {non-Roman}
               {non-Roman}
               {non-Roman}
               {non-Roman}
               {non-Roman}
            
             .
          
           
             Difficulty
             in
             finding
             out
             the
             good
             way
             .
             1
             The
             secrecy
             of
             the
             good
             way
             .
          
           
             2
             The
             best
             guides
             may
             be
             mistaken
             .
          
           
             
               Vincent
               .
               Lirin
               .
               c.
            
             23
             ,
             &
             24.
             
          
           
             Maldona●
             .
          
           
             
               Vs●
               .
               Direction
               .
            
             Bee
             wise
             to
             try
             wayes
             before
             you
             trust
             them
             .
          
           
             Try
             
               Practises
            
             Try
             
               Doct●●nes
            
             Try
             
               Revelations
            
          
           
             Chrysost.
          
           
             A
             threefold
             inquity
             .
          
           
             1
             Who
             must
             enquire
             .
          
           
             Aliud
             est
             judicare
             ,
             aliud
             judicem
             age●o●Davenant
             .
             
          
           
             Dan.
             3.
             3
             ,
             5.
             10
             ,
             11.
             
          
           
             Coeli
             mysterium
             me
             d●ceat
             Deus
             ipse
             qui
             condidit
             ,
             non
             homo
             qui
             seipsum
             ignoravit
             :
             Cui
             magis
             de
             Deo
             quam
             Deo
             ●red●●●Ambr
             
               .
               Ep
               31.
               
            
             Audi
             ,
             dien
             Dominus
             ,
             non
             dici●Hilarius
             aut
             
               Augustinus
               ,
            
             sed
             dicit
             Dominus
             ,
             
               Aug.
               
               Ep.
               48.
               
            
          
           
             Three
             discoveries
             of
             the
             good
             way
             .
             1
             That
             way
             which
             comes
             from
             God
             .
          
           
             Non
             de●emus
             a●●endere
             ,
             quid
             aliquis
             ante
             nos
             faciendum
             p●tave●is
             ,
             sed
             qui
             ante
             omnes
             est
             ,
             Christus
             prior
             fecerit
             ,
             
               Cypr.
               l.
               2.
               Ep.
               3.
               
            
          
           
             Dr.
             
               Ames
            
             gives
             five
             strong
             reasons
             why
             an
             erroneous
             conscience
             cannot
             oblige
             us
             .
             
               Cas.
               Cens●
               .
               l.
               1.
               c.
               4.
               s
               .
            
             10.
             
          
           
             Dr.
             Ames
             Cas.
             Consc.
             l.
             3.
             
             ●
             .
             17.
             s
             .
             20.
             
          
           
             Such
             Divinity
             will
             helpe
             to
             patronize
             and
             protect
             Papists
             ,
             Jewes
             ,
             Turkes
             ,
             and
             whom
             not
             ?
          
           
             Obligatur
             home
             ad
             talem
             conscientiam
             dep●ne●d●n
             ,
             
               Ames
               .
            
          
           
             Basil
             .
             Ep.
             80.
             
          
           
             Optimus
             Scripturae
             lect●r
             qui
             sen
             sum
             non
             a●tulerit
             ,
             sed
             retulerit
             ,
             
               Hilat.
               
            
          
           
             3.
             
             That
             way
             which
             leads
             unto
             God
             .
          
           
             〈…〉
             ad
             ●e
             ,
             &
             inquietum
             est
             ●or
             nostrum
             don●●
             requies●at●●●e
             .
             
               Aug.
               Heb.
               11.
               6.
               
               Joh.
               6.
               44.
               
            
          
           
             Jo●●
             2.
             12.
             
          
           
             3.
             
             The
             good
             way
             is
             according
             unto
             God
             .
          
           
             Tit.
             2.
             11
             ,
             12.
             
          
           
             Beware
             of
             those
             bookes
             which
             lead
             you
             into
             such
             dangerous
             wayes
             .
          
           
             Semper
             in
             o●e
             habent
             
               Evangelium
               Evangelium
               ,
            
             cum
             tota
             vita
             disc●●pet
             ab
             Evangelii
             praes●●●p●●●
             ,
             
               Cyprian
               .
            
          
           
             1
             What
             is
             the
             good
             old
             way
             of
             Doctrine
             .
          
           
             
               {non-Roman}
               {non-Roman}
               {non-Roman}
               {non-Roman}
               {non-Roman}
            
             ,
             ●Sanam
             
               Evangelii
               doctrinam
               t●ae
               fidei
               commissa●●
               u●
               eam
               in
               ecclesia
               adminis●●es
               ,
            
             Pis●
             .
             
               Vincent
               .
               Li●in
               .
            
          
           
             2.
             
             What
             is
             the
             good
             old
             way
             of
             Gods
             worship
             .
             Isa.
             29.
             13
             ,
             14.
             
          
           
             Bacons
             Essay
             of
             Superstition
             .
          
           
             3.
             
             What
             is
             the
             good
             old
             way
             of
             practicall
             pi●ty
             .
          
           
             See
             an
             excellent
             discourse
             of
             Mr.
             
             
               Youngs
               ,
            
             called
             
               Dies
               Domini●a
               .
               l.
               2.
               c.
               16.
               p.
            
             128
             ,
             129.
             
          
           
             3.
             
             Wha●
             is
             the
             good
             old
             way
             of
             Discipline
             .
          
           
             Matth.
             7.
             6.
             
          
           
             Optimum
             est
             majo●um
             sequi
             vest●gia
             ,
             si
             recte
             praecesserunt
             .
             
               Cato
               .
            
          
           
             See
             
               Mo●n●y
            
             of
             the
             
               Sacrament
            
             in
             the
             end
             of
             the
             Preface
             .
          
           
             Vincent
             .
             Lirin
             .
             c.
             39.
             
             Hac
             lege
             credendum
             est
             ,
             quioquid
             omnes
             ,
             vel
             plures
             ,
             manifeste
             ,
             frequenter
             ,
             pe●severanter
             firmaverint
             ,
             &c
             
          
           
             *
             Perkins
             his
             Prepara●
             .
             Demonst●at
             .
             Problem
             ▪
             beg.
          
           
             
               See
               Dr.
               Rive●
               in
               Crit.
               Sacr.
               c.
            
             11.
             to
             this
             purpose
             .
          
           
             2
             Observat.
          
           
             Deus
             se
             exhibe●
             u●
             ducem
             &
             medicum
             ▪
             
               Sanct.
               
            
          
           
             1.
             
             It
             presupposeth
             a
             renouncing
             of
             our
             owne
             former
             evill
             way
             .
          
           
             2
             Walking
             implies
             a
             progress
             in
             the
             good
             way
             .
          
           
             Gen.
             6.
             9.
             
          
           
             3
             Walking
             is
             a
             voluntary
             motion
             .
          
           
             
               {non-Roman}
               {non-Roman}
               {non-Roman}
               {non-Roman}
               {non-Roman}
            
          
           
             Psal.
             110.
             3.
             
          
           
             VVhat
             Soule-refreshing
             rest
             to
             be
             found
             by
             walking
             in
             the
             good
             way
             .
             1
             Rest
             from
             terrors
             of
             Conscience
             .
          
           
             2
             Rest
             from
             scruples
             and
             feares
             in
             our
             minds
             .
          
           
             Neque
             hoc
             est
             agere
             contra
             conscientiam
             ,
             sed
             secundum
             conscientiam
             .
             Scrupulus
             enim
             est
             formido
             temeraria
             ,
             a●que
             adeo
             non
             potest
             obligare
             .
             
               Ames
               .
               casc
               .
               consc.
               l.
               1.
               c.
               6.
               
            
          
           
             3
             Rest
             under
             spirituall
             assaults
             .
          
           
             4
             Rest
             from
             out
             ▪
             ward
             enemies
             .
          
           
             5
             Rest
             in
             Heaven
             .
          
           
             Mat.
             25.
             36.
             &c.
             
          
           
             1.
             
          
           
             Eviden●●s
             that
             walking
             in
             the
             good
             way
             leads
             to
             Rest
             .
          
           
             2.
             
          
           
             3.
             
          
           
             1.
             
             
               Vse
               .
               Instruction
               .
            
             The
             good
             way
             most
             advantagious
             ;
             the
             neglect
             of
             it
             very
             dangerous
             .
          
           
             Prov
             1.
             25.
             26
             ,
             27
             ,
             28.
             
          
           
             Judg.
             4.
             18
             ,
             19.
             21.
             
          
           
             Josh.
             24.
             15.
             
             
               Joshua
            
             an
             excellent
             Coppy
             .
          
           
             Math.
             16
             24.
             
          
           
             
               Theodor
               .
            
             l.
             4.
             
               c.
            
             29.
             
          
           
             2
             The●
             .
             3
             1.
             
          
           
             2.
             
             
               Vse
               .
               Direction
               .
            
             Approve
             your selves
             good
             travellers
             in
             this
             good
             way
             .
          
           
             2
             Pet.
             1.
             5
             ,
             6
             ,
             7.
             
          
           
             Quam
             maxime
             curandum
             est
             ut
             ne
             in
             Ecclesia
             strepitus
             contenti●●●
             a●t
             schismatū
             audiantur
             .
             V●inam
             hoc
             Deus
             tandem
             elargiatur
             ut
             omnes
             in
             domo
             sua
             i●
             dem
             dicamus
             &
             sentiamus
             .
             
               P.
               Mayr
               .
               in
               1
               Reg.
               6.
               7
               ▪
            
          
           
             1
             Cor.
             14.
             23.
             
          
           
             Necessitas
             ,
             1.
             
             Causae
             .
             2.
             
             Conditionis
             .
             requisitae
             .
             3.
             
             P●aecep●i
             .
          
           
             See
             Dr.
             Ames
             his
             cases
             of
             Conscience
             .
             l.
             4.
             c.
             3.
             quest
             .
             9.
             
          
           
             See
             Peltz
             .
             Harmon
             .
             A●●●c
             .
             17.
             19
             ,
             20
             ,
             21.
             
          
           
             3.
             
             
               Vse
               .
               Exhortation
               .
            
             Endeavour
             to
             bring
             others
             into
             that
             good
             way
             which
             leades
             to
             soule-refreshing
             ●est
             .
          
           
             1
             122.
             
             Maimed
             Souldiers
             and
             other
             diseased
             persons
             cured
             this
             last
             yeare
             in
             Saint
             Bartholomews
             Hospitall
             .
          
           
             Mat.
             25.
             42
             ,
             43
             ,
             46.
             
          
           
             Directions
             for
             the
             bringing
             others
             into
             this
             good
             way
             .
          
           
             1.
             
             Lay
             a
             traine
             for
             educating
             Children
             in
             the
             good
             way
             .
          
           
             Prov.
             22.
             6.
             
          
           
             Look●●o
             your
             School●s
             ,
             and
             Schoo●e
             ▪
             maste●
             .
          
           
             Jesuites
             ●o●●y
             .
          
           
             2.
             
             Looke
             to
             Religion
             in
             your
             Families
             .
          
           
             Josh.
             24.
             15.
             
          
           
             3.
             
             Incourage
             your
             Ministers
             who
             are
             your
             guides
             in
             this
             good
             way
             ,
             to
             Catechise
             and
             to
             expound
             the
             Scriptures
             .
          
           
             2
             Tim.
             2.
             15.
             
          
           
             Westminster
             Abbey
             .
          
           
             Matth.
             13.
             52.
             
          
           
             Throw
             all
             stumbling
             blocks
             out
             of
             the
             good
             way
             .
             1
             Pet.
             2.
             12.
             
          
           
             Phil.
             1.
             27.
             
          
           
             5.
             
             Maintaine
             a
             strict
             and
             holy
             observation
             of
             the
             Lords
             〈…〉
             .
          
           
             The
             Church
             in
             England
             hath
             been
             famous
             for
             family
             ●eligion
             ,
             and
             Sabbath
             Religion
             ▪
             and
             ●ound
             much
             blessed
             fruit
             thereof
             ▪
             Exod.
             20.
             11.
             
          
           
             6.
             
             Promote
             the
             keeping
             as
             well
             as
             the
             taking
             of
             the
             solemne
             Covenant
             .
          
           
             Verse
             18
             ,
             19.
             
          
           
             3
             Observat.
          
           
             
               Matth
               7.
               1.
               Rom.
               12.
               19.
               
               Isa.
               42.
               8.
               
            
             Tres
             h●min●
             species
             ma●im●
             Deo
             faciunt
             injuriam
             :
             Regidi
             ●●i
             anf●runt
             ei
             ●udicium
             ,
             i●acundi
             ,
             qui
             vindictam
             ▪
             superbi
             ,
             qui
             gloriam
             .
             Vse
             .
          
           
             Luk
             1
             9.
             41
             ,
             42.
             
          
           
             Ezek.
             24.
             13.
             14
             
          
           
             Lev.
             26.
             41
             ,
             42
             
          
           
             Divers
             meanes
             used
             by
             God
             for
             our
             recovery
             .
          
           
             Yesterday
             ,
             
               Aprill
               .
            
             23.
             1644.
             
             A
             day
             of
             Thank●sgiving
             for
             the
             good
             successe
             the
             Lord
             gave
             at
             
               Sel●y
            
             in
             
               York-shire
               .
            
          
           
             Isa.
             1.
             25
             ,
             26.
             27.