The labouring persons remembrancer, or, A practical discource of the labour of the body with suitable devotions. Lee, Francis, 1661-1719. 1690 Approx. 68 KB of XML-encoded text transcribed from 28 1-bit group-IV TIFF page images. Text Creation Partnership, Ann Arbor, MI ; Oxford (UK) : 2003-01 (EEBO-TCP Phase 1). A49921 Wing L841 ESTC R37963 17156426 ocm 17156426 105989 This keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the Early English Books Online Text Creation Partnership. This Phase I text is available for reuse, according to the terms of Creative Commons 0 1.0 Universal . The text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. Early English books online. (EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. A49921) Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 105989) Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1641-1700 ; 1618:10) The labouring persons remembrancer, or, A practical discource of the labour of the body with suitable devotions. Lee, Francis, 1661-1719. 51 p. Printed by L. Lichfield, Oxford : 1690. Reproduction of original in the British Library. Created by converting TCP files to TEI P5 using tcp2tei.xsl, TEI @ Oxford. Re-processed by University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. Gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. 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Copies of the texts have been issued variously as SGML (TCP schema; ASCII text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable XML (TCP schema; characters represented either as UTF-8 Unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless XML (TEI P5, characters represented either as UTF-8 Unicode or TEI g elements). Keying and markup guidelines are available at the Text Creation Partnership web site . eng Christian life. Devotional literature. 2002-02 TCP Assigned for keying and markup 2002-03 SPi Global Keyed and coded from ProQuest page images 2002-04 TCP Staff (Oxford) Sampled and proofread 2002-04 Judith Siefring Text and markup reviewed and edited 2002-05 pfs Batch review (QC) and XML conversion THE LABOURING PERSONS Remembrancer : OR , A Practical DISCOURSE OF THE LABOUR of the BODY . With Suitable DEVOTIONS . OXFORD , Printed by L. Lichfield , A. D. 1690. THE LABOURING PERSONS Remembrancer . MAN , as Eliphaz saith , is born to Labour as the sparks fly upwards : That ought not to be thought so hard a case to any , which is no more strange than for the flame to ascend , nor less natural than for the Young Vultures to soar aloft , as some Interpreters read it . Yet tho' Labour or Trouble is so natural to Mankind , so familiar and engrafted into his Constitution ; the number of such is so small as do either rightly understand , or do bear it as they ought , as is most deplorable to consider , and as challenges all that can be done toward the Cure of so General an Evil. I doubt not but there are several holy Souls who do both understand and bear This , as they are obliged to do ; and are thereby , thro' God's Blessing , arrived to very great Heights of Religion : These stand not in need of any thing that I can say to them . But to others perhaps it may , by the Divine Assistance , prove of some service , to give them a few Hints of what they ought to consider , and practise in their daily Employ and Work. May the most good God bless this poor Endeavor of his unworthy Servant , to the end by it designed . Labour may be considered , either first as a Punishment inflicted ; or secondly , as an Act of Religious Worship enjoyned by God. In the former respect , it is the Effect , in the latter , the Remedy of Sin. And in both respects , it will not fail to give several useful Considerations : Such as follow . First : Labour , ( as it is accompanied Now with much Weariness and Toil , ) ought to be look'd on as a Punishment , or Corporal Chastisement , inflicted for our Transgression . God , who infinitely hates Sin , and is of purer Eyes than to behold the least Iniquity , could not but denounce the Doom of this Monster , as soon as ever it appear'd in the World. I say , Denounce the Doom , for I tell thee , O Man , he did no more . Accuse not God , flatter not thy self ; Sin was the fatally fruitful Womb that brought forth every Evil into the World ; the deadly Poison that blasted the Earth , and the baneful Seed of every Briar and Thorn in Human Life . Nay , had not the Divine Love and Mercy immediately broke forth , as thro' a cloud , after such a monstrous Birth : had not the Eternal Word and Wisdom of the Father then interposed as our Mediator , in a manner so astonishing , as to make the Wonder of Men and Angels for everlasting Ages ; Man , whose Vitals were already seiz'd by this corroding Venom , who had begat and form'd in himself the Principle of Death and Hell , I am verily perswaded , could not have subsisted one minute longer ; but must certainly have died the Death without further delay , and have fallen into an irrecoverable Abyss of Darkness and Pain . But being thus retriev'd and rescu'd from the fatal stroke , by the means of our great and ever blessed Mediator ; it being not only very fit , but also necessary for us to concur in some degree toward our recovery from this Dismal state , into that Happy one , for which we were originally designed by our bountiful Creator and Father ; It was judg'd meet by the same eternal Wisdom and Love , that then put a stop to the final Destruction of Man , that so much of the Effects of his Crime should remain upon him , a lasting Monument , as might be able to put him in mind of the Place whence he fell , as might push him forward to seek earnestly his Delivery from this Place into which he is faln , from this State into which he has driven himself , and might be a constant Caution to him for the future , that he lose not the Effects of this Mediation , but endeavour , by conforming himself to the Divine Will , to render himself as capable as he can of those glorious Privileges , which by the means of it he may now attain . Thus was the heavy and intolerable Punishment of Sin exchanged for an easy and very tolerable Doom . Now , Man is put into a state of Trial once more , into a capacity to chuse whether he will be happy or miserable : The Seed of the Woman is promis'd to bruise the Head of the Serpent ; but withal , the Woman must be content to undergo pain and subjection ; and the Man having by his folly brought a Curse upon the Earth , of which he was constituted Lord , must be content to eat his Bread in sorrow , and in the sweat of his brow . For now by Sin great Travel ( as the wise Son of Sirach saith ) is created for every man , and an heavy yoke is upon the sons of Adam ; from the day that they go out of their mother's womb , till the day that they return to the mother of all things . The consequences that follow from this Consideration of Labour as an Infliction for , or as an Evil flowing from Sin , ought I think at least to be these three . § . First , Since therefore Iesus Christ the Seed of the Woman , the Mediator betwixt God and Man , undertook to procure the Pardon and Restauration of Man on this condition , That Man should with Him tast of the Bitterness of Sin : Wilt thou , O Man , that callest thy self a Christian , refuse to satisfy this Condition ? Dost thou think it hard to tast of the same Cup , to bear a little of the Chastisement with thy Saviour , who has submitted to so very much for thee ? God was graciously pleas'd to chuse Labour and Travel for this Chastisement , without satisfying which , thou must never expect to obtain thy Pardon . Indeed if thou hast no need of this , thou mayest e'en then follow thy own Ease , as thou pleasest , walk in the ways of thy heart , and in the sight of thine eyes , and trample on any Condition that brings with it the least pain : But if thou art otherwise perswaded , as I doubt not but thou art , then submit contentedly to this Correction , and think not thy self too good for a little Toil or Labour , that is the Effect of thy Guilt , and is become by the Grace of God an Instrument in thy Release . § . Secondly , Since God was so very merciful toward his offending Creature , as for all the Punishment of his Crimes to take no more but a Moderate Labour for a short time , that so he might afterward rest with his God , and be advanced to a nobler state of Bliss and Honour , than even that which he had lost by the most vile and sottish Rebellion : It behoves him not only with Contentedness to submit to this light Chastisement ; but also with the humblest Thanks to praise the Mildness and Indulgence of his kind Father , that has made it so easy , for him to undergo ; but especially for this that he has been pleased to produce Hony from Bitterness , and to make Sorrow and Labour instrumental to Joy and Rest. Consider whether any thing could more deeply concern the Almighty Creator , than to be frustrated of his End in his darling and most belov'd Creature , to see his Love despis'd , his Labour spoil'd , and his Image defac'd ; to see his Benefits slighted and abused , all Obligations trampled on , and the most necessary , sacred and lovely Law in the World , broken by his ungrateful Child : Consider all this , and tell me if thou canst , what is there that could move him in the least , to mitigate a Punishment , which was not only enhanced by so many provocations , but was by his rebellious Creature violently pull'd on himself ? Could it be any thing beside Infinite Mercy ? Was there any thing to move him , but his own essential infinite Goodness , which after such liberal Effects of it had been so basely undervalued . It has been said by some Persons very piously , That it were better that the whole World should be annihilated , than a Sin commited . For , say they , the World may be created again with ease , and all that is in it be repair'd with the Breath of his Word : But a Sin once committed , can never be undone , but will appear in its place throughout all Eternity . If Sin therefore be so great an Evil , so strange a Monster , something that I know not how to name , so infinitely opposite to the Divine Purity , and if it cost more to hinder its Effect , than to create a World , as nothing is more certain than it doth ; consider , I pray good Christian , whether thou hast not the highest reason to be thankful , in that the Burthen imposed on thee , is no heavier ; which , had it not been lightn'd , would most infallibly have press'd thee down into the bottomless-pit . Well , I hope thou art sufficiently sensible of this . But this is not all : For , § . Thirdly , Since God has been so good , as not only to moderate the Punishment of sin to Man , but even to condescend to accept it , when dutifully underwent , as a capacity for the greatest Enjoyments ; it is not enough for thee to be Thankful , unless also thou endeavour to undergo it in such a manner as shall be most serviceable , and best answer such his gracious Dispensation . When ever therefore thou findest thy self wearied and opprest with Labour , this ought to put thee in mind that thou art not to take up thy Habitation here , but to look for one where Care and Labour never enter ; and where thou mayest safely say to thy Soul , Here take thy Rest. Let every Uneasiness in Labour teach thee to wean off thy Affections from the Body , hinder the Distractions of thy Soul , and bring her nearer to her God. Then will this light Punishment which endureth but for a moment , work for thee a more weighty and lasting Crown of Glory : Then will this Ordinary , but truly wholsom Penance , having daily more and more estranged thee from the love of the Flesh , and taught thee by inward Retirements in the midst of thy Business , to converse in thy Spirit with Him who is always no less present to it , than thou art to thy self , thereby prepare for thee a far more exceeding weight of Joy : which he cannot fail to give to as many as make a right use of their Labours ; considering them as the Consequences , and Chastisements of their sinful Deformity . And by this means is the Evil of Sin converted into its Remedy ; the remaining Venom of the Serpent into a very good Antidote or Treacle ; and a Punishment suffer'd for Crimes into an Act of Religion . Which is the other , and more lovely Face , under which it comes now to be consider'd . IN the Second place it ought with all diligence to be remember'd , That Labour ought not so much to be look'd on as a Penalty for our Transgression ; but much rather as an Act of Religious Worship : and the former only in order to this latter . For Labour is indeed , with respect to Man , one of the first and most essential Worships of God , of all I mean not purely Spiritual , when it is perform'd according to God's Design and Institution . It doth not appear that He ever enjoyned or instituted any other external Worship , Rite , or Ceremony , than this for above two thousand years in the World. Now every outward Worship , or Religious Rite , being for no other end than to recollect the Soul into Inward Acts of Adoration , Love and Obedience ; and to call her back to God , even by those very means which of themselves would be apt to withdraw and distract her from Him. It cannot be otherwise , but that those external parts of Worship , or Religious Rites , which are instituted by God himself as long as they continue so , must have something in them proper to recal the Soul of Man into such inward Acts ( wherein the Spirit , the Soul , and the Life of all Religion consists ) after a wiser and more excellent manner than any other , which either are , or can be establish'd by any meaner Authority , or lesser Wisdom . And this they do several ways : First , by Consideration that they are of immediate Divine Appointment . Secondly , By the Mortification of the Body . Thirdly , By that Instruction , that is contain'd or vail'd under them . And fourthly , By the Divine Blessing , which never fails to concur with , and to be convey'd by them , as often as they are rightly us'd . All this , I think , is plain , as Antiently in Circumcision and Sacrifices : so , at present , in Baptism and the Lords Supper . § . But what can be more evident , dear Christian , than that bodily Labour doth , in its right use , most nobly recal thy Soul to God by all these ways ? For how , O Man , canst thou forget , whilst thou workest with thy hands , the Word of thy God , That in the Sweat of thy face shalt thou eat Bread ? Or how canst thou forbear , being in this manner constantly admonish'd of the Evil and Misery of Disobedience , to fear and obey thy God as thou oughtest ? Tell me , how canst thou , being thus engag'd to this Bodyly Exercise , forget to mortify and tame thy proud Flesh , that thy Soul may be more at liberty to admit the inward workings of the Holy Spirit upon her ? Or art thou in the next place so blind , as not to see the Instruction contain'd under this Primitive Establishment of thy good God ? Canst thou be content thus to toil and sweat , for a little Bodily Nourishment , that by this thou mayest sustain a few years , at the best , a toilsom and a miserable Life ? and art thou not content to to take as much pains to feed thy self with that Food , which infinitely more surpasses the richest dishes and Cates of Palaces , than they do thy brown Bread ; to gain thereby , as soon as the Work is done , which cannot last long , for all Eternity a most delightful and happy Life ? Canst thou do all this , my Friend , to provide thy self , or thy Family , with a little perishing Food , and do so very little to get either for thy self , or them , that Heavenly Manna , which is incorruptible , and which deserves a thousand , nay a million of times , more than all that thou canst ever do ? Let this , I pray , be seriously consider'd ; that so the Instruction may not be lost which is contain'd under this Outward Institution , nor the Designs of God in it frustrated and made void . So by this means thou shalt be able to perform a most essential and most acceptable piece of Service to the Author of thy Being and thy Happiness . Nor is there the least glimpse of Reason for thee to doubt , in the last place , as if he would ever fail to send his Blessing along with it , as often as it is thus perform'd according to his Institution . For which purpose , it will be fit to keep in thy mind those wise and righteous Designs of His , for the bringing thee back to Himself , by an Establishment so unpleasant in it self . These Designs thou wilt find to be such as these , viz. § . I. First , Bodily Labour was instituted by the most wise and just God , and commanded Man to the end , to bring forth in him , a constant Obedience and Submission to his Commands . Since therefore , whoever thou art , that God has commanded thee to work , do thou learn hereby continually , and on every occasion chearfully to submit thy self to the Orders of his Divine Majesty , and resolutely obey all his Precepts ; as being assured that this was the main End for which he was pleas'd to impose so seemingly an hard Command . § . II. Secondly , Bodily Labour was instituted for Man in his faln Estate , by the same most wise and just God , that his proud and haughty Heart might be humbled by mean and vile things . Nothing can fit the Soul for the Receiving lightsom and comfortable Influxes of God , beside Humility ; as nothing more widely withdraws her from him , and tumbles her into Darkness and Grief ; then Pride , that loathsom Monster , which first threw Man out of Paradise , and now continues to barr the way back . Art thou not happy , O Christian , that thou art farther than a great many others remov'd from the Temtations and Attaques of this foul Fiend● if thou art wise , thou wilt think so , and thank God. I hope at least thou art wiser , than to wish after that , which in all likelihood would be a Serpent in thy Bosom , would secretly sting thee to death , and then cast thee into such a state , as I am perswaded thou canst not think on without shaking . Nothing indeed naturally more conduces to the beating down and Conquering the proud Heart of Man , than Affliction and Labour ; nothing can be found out a more sensible sign of his Meanness and Necessitous condition than this : And let me tell thee , my dear Christian , that if this has its proper effect on thee , thou art a great deal more Happy , than if thou worest a Crown , and didst enjoy all earthly Happiness . For if the Great Persons of the World do undergo less trouble and pains than thee , which too I very much doubt , I am sure their Pleasures and Enjoyments are far more dangerous than thy most painful Labours . By them they have only so much the more to resist , and conquer than thou hast . What thinkest thou , canst thou envy them this ? No sure . Say rather in thy self , I thank thee , O Heavenly Father , that thou hast plac'd me in this State , in which its necessary for me by the sweat of my Brow to gain my Bread ; and that I am not expos'd to those great Dangers and Temtations with those above me , which would most likely have overpower'd me , and lifted me up against thee , my kind Benefactor ; since I am so little able at this distance from them , to repress and conquer this proud Heart of mine . Do thou , O my Father , break it : do what thou wilt , so it be broken and humbled , and fit to receive Thee , my Love , my Light and my Ioy. O let me ever chearfully submit to thy Dispensation , and never call that hard , which Thou thinkest best for calling me to Thee . § . III. Thirdly , As soon as the Heart of Man was turn'd away from God by Pride , there presently crept into it a slothful Disposition , strongly inclining it to the love of Ease and sensible Pleasure . Now it being no less necessary to mortify this , than the former : God who is wise , and good , and just in all his Institutions , ordain'd Labor for Man , that by the mortification of his Sloath , Ease and Pleasure , he might be brought to have a due value for what he had lost ; and to labour after that Rest and Delight , that are only capable to satisfie a Creature of Original so noble , and of Desires so boundless . The Mischiefs that Sloath and Ease bring both to Soul and Body , are so very Many , and so very Great , as but to hint at them , would take up a large Discourse ; of which I doubt not but thy own Experience may afford plenty of miserable Instances enough . As if it were indeed true in the most literal sense ; That the Working and Industrious Person is exposed only to one , but the Lazy and the Sloathful to all the Devils in Hell. Nor are those which proceed from the Pleasures of the Body either fewer , or less considerable . Thou may'st be certain of this , that thou hast not made the least step to true Happiness , unless thou art fully convinced that thou art not otherwise capable to relish those noble and exalted Pleasures of the Spirit , which thy good Father invites thee to partake of , than according to the measure that thou art withdrawn from those mean and ignoble ones of the Flesh. Tell me therefore , O my Friend , hast thou not reason to thank this kind Father of thine , that he hath put thee in a State , in which thou hast so much less to do toward the subduing , and bringing under the Body to the Spirit , than many others of his Children . Let me tell thee , thou art insensible , if thou dost not bless him : I hope thou dost with all thy Heart : But if ( which God forbid ) thou dost hanker after the Onions and Garlick of Egypt ; then I would have thee e'en fairly set down , and never expect to enter the Promis'd Land , flowing with Milk and Hony. Well , but I will hope better things , as that thou wilt endeavor with all thy might to destroy this silly hankering , and so fit thy self for an Admission to those pure Delights , that are prepared for refined Souls . § . IV. Fourthly , As Man , who in his Original State was but a little lower than the Angels , and stood not in need of any thing , having all his desires abundantly satisfied , as long as they stood , in the first place , directed toward God ; became through sin , a poor and needy Creature : This God in his Wisdom and Goodness , thought fit to appoint a Rule , whereby to releive the Poverty , and succor the needs of this miserable Creature , and thereby bring him back to Himself . Thou oughtest therefore to remember , O Man , that in Conformity to this Rule , thou art obliged not only to exercise an Act of Charity toward thy Own self , by seeking to preserve thy Life , for the sake and love of God , and out of a sense of his righteous Law ; but also for the same love of God , to work for those of thy Friends and Relations , that are not able to work themselves , or who cannot sufficiently provide for their Necessities . But if thou dost this in the first place for thy own , or for their sake , be not so miserably deceiv'd , as to think thy self a Christian : without this Charity ; a dead Corps is altogether as much a Man , as thou art a Christian. Believe me , this Selfish Love is the very Root and Principle of Hell Within thee ; and only so far as thou mortifiest and killest this , canst thou be said to have any Life with respect to God , or to enjoy any share of the Divine Image and Life , which is the sole Root and Principle of Everlasting Ioy. Think , my dear Friend , what manner of Charity it is , which I thus commend to thee , as the Office of thy Labour , and as what will most certainly be requir'd at thy hands . § . V. Fifthly , As Man , who in his Primitive State of Innocence , was not only exempted from all Need , but also freed from every Violence and Grief , so that it was not possible for any thing without him , to discompose or disorder him in the least , or to bring to him but never so litle sorrow or pain ; became thro' Sin not only a Poor and Indigent , but also an Afflicted and Calamitous Creature , expos'd to the rude Attaques of every thing Without him : the most wise and Merciful God , was graciously pleas'd to appoint a Rule for his Rebellious Child , whereby he might be taught by suffering , in some small measure , the sad effects of his Crime , to remember the State whence he is fall'n , to reflect on the most ugly loathsomness of Sin , to consider and put to heart its woful and dire attendance ; and so leaving the husks and the draff of impure Swine , to return to Him , whom he had otherwise forgotten , who will not fail to embrace , and entertain with the most Affectionate Expressions of his Love ; This Son that was dead , and is alive again ; that was lost , and is found . Luk. c. XV. v. 32. Consider this End of thy Labour , and be wise : Consider betimes . There is not a Maxim , that I can find , of greater Truth , or more worthy of the most serious consideration of every one , than this , That All things faln into a corruptible state , are to be restored , and perfected by suffering . Think , and think again on this ; for 't is a Truth as of great Evidence , so of great Extent : 't is that in which even the most profound Philosophers , and the most learned Divines may lose themselves : And yet this is that which thou mayest easily reach , and I hope thou dost render familiar to thy self . Canst thou complain that God has plac'd thee in the School of Patience : many righteous Souls have rejoiced for this same . Be of good courage , I say ; never repine at a little hardship , but rather thank thy good God for taking such a Method to cure thee , and draw thee to Himself . As well may a Body , that has all its Limbs disjointed , or broken into splinters , be set aright again , and be made as sound as at first without pain ; or one that groans under the most heavy and tormenting pangs of the most cruel Distemper , or has his senses numm'd , or his Faculties doz'd in a cold and clammy sleep , be restored to his perfect Strength and Health , without bearing or feeling any thing : as a Soul that is put into disorder , and , as it were , disjointed thro' Folly , or sick and diseas'd thro' Sin , be restored to its perfect soundness , that refuses to endure any Pain in a change which is so much more considerable . Nothing is more reasonable , just and necessary , than to bear with a bitter Potion , without taking which it's impossible to be ever cured . But dost thou think this a distastful Virtue to suffer in Patience ? if thou dost , thou thy self hast made it so : it receives only Bitterness from Sin ; but Life and Beauty from God. Which must be acknowledg'd by all , to be very extraordinary and lovely . So much indeed as in this one syllable , Bear , is contain'd no less than one half of the noblest Philosophy that ever enrich'd Mankind ; and I am much mistaken if it make a less figure , in the Religion of a Suffering Saviour . § . VI. Sixthly , Had Man , who thro' Sin was become an Afflicted and Calamitous Creature , and was therefore by God instructed in the Lesson of Patience , which he was directed to learn from hard Labour , and from the Curse on the Earth ; been hereby exposed to such Pains only , as did necessarily spring from the Disorder of the World , perhaps it would have been no such hard matter to a strong Constitution to have born them . But to ly open to all the Injuries and hard usages of those of our kind , who are as bad , or worse than our selves ; this seems to be a task of far greater difficulty , and yet of no less necessity : Wherefore the most wise and just God instituted and commanded the Exercise of Bodily Labour for this farther end , that the Passions being not pamper'd by Luxury or Ease , Man might be able by such a painful subduing them , not to take any notice of those many Causes of Anger and Distast , that continually offer themselves , but wholly to surrender himself to the Righteous Iudge of the World ; makeing his Breast a Sanctuary of Peace , while both his Body and his Mind are so employ'd for him , that he has not while to be disturb'd , or concern'd with the Disorders or Follies of other people . There are not lacking Examples of more than a few , who to learn this Excellent Virtue , have chosen to submit themselves to servile Offices and base Emploiments , from which by their Estates they have been exemted . Is this which was in them a Condescension , in thee a Necessity ? Consider whether it be not easier for thee , than for them ; and whether thou hast not a greater Obligation , by such a Mastery over thy self , to obtain that blessed Meekness of Spirit , which will make thee to triumph over all the Injuries and Indignities , that is in the power of Man to offer ; prepare for thee perpetual Victories ; fit thee for the Temple of the Holy Ghost ; and make thee able to enjoy , notwithstanding all Disturbances , the Blessings of the Heaven above , and of the Earth beneath . Whereas the Passionate and Rageful are utterly uncapable of enjoying either : but Blessed are the Meek , for they shall inherit the Earth ; and pass from this Inheritance to a better , into which our ever Blessed Fore-runner is thro' Meekness and Long-suffering arriv'd , and Set down at the right hand of God , giving us an Example , that we might follow his Steps ; and find Rest unto our Souls . Matth. XI . 29 . § . VII . The proud heart of Man is naturally carry'd to murmur and repine , if it meet with any Uneasiness ; hankers after Greatness and Ease ; greedily seeks for Riches , and envies them in another ; all which being Dispositions directly contrary to that Serenity and Sobriety of Mind , which is absolutely necessary , to make it capable of any real Happiness ; it pleas'd our good God to impose a Rule and Task on our Corrupted Nature , whereby having daily Occasions , we might learn that most pleasant Virtue Contentment ; and drive out , and overcome all those torturing Furies that are lodg'd in a Murmuring , Ambitious , Covetous or Envious Breast . Canst thou look on these with any Satisfaction ? Surely thou canst not . Tell me , O Christian , dost thou not think that the Wise Man had reason to say , Better is a bit of Bread with Content , than a fatted Ox with strife . Wherefore now let thy Conversation , thy Disposition and Temper of Mind , be without Covetousness , and be content which such things as thou hast ; be fully satisfied with what ever God at present allows thee : for as he said to Ioshua , Iosh. c. I. v. 5. so says he now to thee , I will never leave thee , nor forsake thee : Only be thou strong , and of a good courage ; and so mayest thou tho' poor and needy , tho' persecuted , afflicted , and tormented , with the Saints of Old , boldly say , The Lord is my helper ; yea , in God have I put my trust , and I will not fear what Flesh shall do unto me , Psal. LVI . v. 11. Heb. c. XIII . v. 5 , 6. For by this shalt thou be able to get advantage over Poverty , Affliction , Sickness , nay even Death it self , with all kind of Casualties to which thou art expos'd by reason of thy frail Condition . Be assured that Godliness with Contentment is great gain : and remember how they that Will be rich , that set their Minds , which are design'd for a far Nobler End , on the getting of riches , fall into Temtation and a Snare , and into many foolish lusts , which drown men in destruction and perdition . 1 Tim. VI. 6 , 9. § . VIII . Lastly , Labour was ordain'd for Man , that he seeing himself bound to work , that he might provide food and raiment for his Body , should be thereby admonish'd to labour with all his might after that Divine . Grace , with which he has most need to feed and clothe his Soul ; and not expect to be translated hence into the pure and holy Mansions of Heaven , by an unresistible sort of Grace , whether he will or no. I hope rather , my Friend , that thou thinkest no Labour too great for thee , to save thee from the sad lot of the Slothful and unprofitable servant , which is to be cast into utter darkness . Give then all diligence , gird up the loyns of thy Mind , be sober and hope to the end . Labour not for ( set not thy Heart upon ) the meat that perisheth , but for that meat which endureth to everlasting Life , Iohn VI. v. 27. and so by patient continuance in well-doing , thinking it thy Meat and thy Drink to do the Will of thy Heavenly Father , Seek for Glory , and Honour , and Immortality . Whosoever labours after this manner , performs in it the best and divinest of all External Worships , whose end is to draw the Soul by sensible Means nearer to God. But whosoever in his Labour neglects these Considerations , doth certainly work like a Beast . Nay , if thou workest without thinking on God , or his Institution , thou art in truth the greater Beast of the two . Whoever labours for the Ends of Pleasure , Vanity , or Covetousness , and who is busy'd about hurtful or wicked Emploiments , such an one cannot in any wise be said to labour as the Child of God : therefore be not deceiv'd , for many are hereby , ( wholly forgetting its primitive Institution , ) become the slaves of the Devil . And this , I suppose , thou thinkest the lowest degrading of thy self that is possible . There is indeed no Estate of Perfection so sublime , that Humane Nature is capable of , to which one may not arrive by Labour , directed according to the Designs of God. This is that in which the Holy Patriarchs of old , while they had hardly any other Ceremonies , or External Worship , than this appointed , became the Friends of God ; and were advanced to a near Communication with Him on Earth . It was by this Exercise for about the first fourty years of his Life , that Moses arriv'd to that excellent pitch of Obedience , Submission and Humility , refusing to be call'd the Son of Pharaoh 's Daughter ; of Mortification , Charity and Patience , chusing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God , than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season ; Of Meekness , Contentedness , and the highest inward Recollection and Wisdom , esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt , Heb. XI . 24 , 25 , 26. who thereby spoke to God face to face , and received from him this Testimony , I know thee by Name , and thou hast found Grace in my sight , Exo. xxxiii . 12. Nay , a Greater than Moses , even Our Blessed Lord himself , chose no other Exercise than this , in the time of his Humiliation ; while he grew in Wisdom and in favour with God and Men , before his Public Manifestation to the World. He submitted himself to work at an ordinary and laborious Trade , to earn his own Victuals , and disdain'd not to serve his Neighbours that had any use of him , in such low manual Offices for the greatest part of his Life , and to assist the Necessities of his Family . And what art thou proud Worm , that canst despise , or repine at that , which thy Master and thy Redeemer underwent for the sake of thee ? Dost thou not think that He hereby design'd to leave thee such a Pattern of Humility , as might be able to bring down thy haughty Stomach ; and might instruct thee how Corporal Labour is not any Hindrance in , but may it self be made a most acceptable Worship to God ? To this purpose , it is said of a late Eminent Scholar , that after a most learn'd and excellent Defence of the Truth of the Christian Religion , and an Elaborate Comment on the whole Bible , as well as many other fam'd Pieces , in Divinity , Law , History , and other Sciences , which advanc'd him to several Public Embassies , and the greatest Honours ; this Illustrious Person after all , concluded his Life , with this Protestation , That He would give all his Learning and Honour , for the plain Integrity and harmless Innocency of John Vrick ; who was a poor Man that , dividing the Day into three parts , spent eight hours of it in Labour , eight in the Necessaries of Life , and the other eight in Reading and Prayer . For There is this further plain Advantage of Bodily Labour to be consider'd , that it requires not so great a measure of Abilities and Grace , as doth the Spiritual . Study , or Spiritual Labour , is indeed a great Labour : so very great , as none can conceive , but such as have felt it ; and requires doubtless much larger Abilities , more and different Talents , and greater Graces , than what are requir'd toward that of the Body , that it be exercised as it ought . The Miscarriages of this are not only greater , but easier too ; for Knowledge puffeth up , and without the greatest care and caution that is possible , this sort of Labour will feed the Pride and Vanity , and nourish the Passion of the diseased Mind : Whereas the other , as we have seen , is more fitted to produce those so needful Qualifications of Humility , Mortification , and Meekness . Thus have I endeavour'd to teach thee , in short , how thou oughtest to look Always on thy Labour , as the Effect and Punishment of thy Sin ; to remember that thou must never expect to be sav'd , unless thou be content to tast its evil ; be sincerely thankful , for that it is no heavier ; be resolv'd , by a wise and chearful Submission unto thy share of the Cross , to seek for those things that are Above , and to balk at no difficulty , that so thou maist but at last enter into the Rest of the Lord : Nor is this all , for thou hast here both a Warning , and a Method , how thou maist even sweeten all its Bitterness , turning it into a most acceptable piece of Service to thy most kind Creator and Benefactor ; by directing it according to his Designs , and learning thence those most necessary Graces of Obedience , Humility and Industry ; of Temperance , Charity , and Patience ; of Meekness , Contentedness , and even the highest pitch of Spiritual Recollection , and Conversation with Him , that thy Nature is capable of on this side Heaven . And is this such a mean or pitiful estate , that thou canst in the least envy that of those , who by being the Lumber of this World , make themselves Fuel for a worse ? No , I am perswaded thou canst not . Methinks , I hear thee make this Answer , I will not hereafter account any Estate too mean , or any Labour too hard , which is capable of compassing such glorious Ends ; No Toil can be too great , which draws me nearer to my God : No Condition too low , which lifts me thus high . Well , then suppose ( what is at this time the lot of so many Christians , better every way than thee , ) that thou werst a slave chain'd to an Oar ; or werst condemn'd to some dark Mine , there to be depriv'd of all the Light and Enjoiment of this World ; could'st thou by such Acts as these set thy self free , and no more than exchange a few paltry and fading , for great and constant Delights ? Examine thy Heart seriously , what in such a case thou would'st do . If thou could'st do so , then hast thou truly learnt Christ : but if not , I can never flatter thee , to tell thee , that thou art a Member of Christ , or a Child of God. But perhaps thou wilt say , This is afar off from me : God be thank'd , there 's little danger yet of my falling into such a state . Well , but however , I advise thee , as thou lovest thy self , not to put it far from thee , but to make it by all manner of ways familiar to thee ; that so thou may'st not be unprovided against any disposal of Providence . But if , dear Christian and Countryman , the Lot be fallen to thee in a better Ground , consider what reason thou hast to thank thy good God , for laying so little upon thee , in comparison of what the poorer sort in most other Nations do bear : And forget not to offer up thy prayers to their Father and thine , even the Father of our Lord Iesus Christ , that he would be pleas'd to support them with his Spirit , under their most heavy Oppression , and also enable thee to undergo it couragiously , if he should call thee to drink with them of the same bitter Cup. Nothing else now remains , but that after such a Prospect of Labour ; as renders it both the Natural Punishment for Sin , and an Acceptable Act of Worship to God ; which in the Bowels of Mercy I intreat thee , dear Christian , not to forget ; I shew in the last place , to the end I may make what I have said for thy sake , the more Useful , how thou may'st draw Hence such proper Exercises of Religion , as are aforemention'd . I. IN the first place therefore , if thou hast any sense , as I hope thou hast a great one of what thou hast hitherto read , ( which God grant may never be brought into Judgment against thee , ) I am fully satisfied that thou wilt presently , without any longer put-offs or delays , resolve and purpose to convert thy Work into a Service of God , and so Worship Him , in all the Designs of this His most ancient Establishment , for the rest of thy Life . And especially thou wilt be to much the more earnest in this , if it appear that thou hast dishonour'd Him heretofore , by that wherein thou oughtest only to have consider'd thy own Baseness , and His Honour . If hitherto thou hast mistaken its Ends , thou wilt be truly glad that thou art now at last undeceiv'd , and wilt labour more diligently for the time to come , to keep them constantly in thy view : And if thine Heart accuse thee for having ever turn'd it into a Worship of the Devil , and of thy Lusts , thine Heart will also admonish thee to Consecrate it now , for ever hereafter , to God , according to his Blessed Institution , and will the more powerfully press thee to do this Effectually and wholly , not faintly , or partially ; by vigorously stirring thee up to begin with as much Solemnity , and Particularness , as either Thy self , or the Matter is capable of , thereby to make the Impression the deeper and more lasting . Place then thy self in the presence of God , reflect seriously on thy past Estate , and that which by his Grace thou art invited to enter into , and when , after having minutely and impartially weigh'd the Advantages , or Disadvantages of both , thou art fully Resolv'd ; then with the most ardent Affection , and Resentment that is possible , declare this thy Resolution and Purpose : Which thou may'st do in the manner following . But first meditate upon , and consider it a while : Then upon thy bended Knees , from the bottom of thy Heart say , IN the Name of God. Amen . I A. B. resolve henceforward never more to Labour again as the Horse and the Mule without Understanding , but constantly to look on , and resolvedly to embrace that State of Labour to which I am by my good God appointed , as a Chastisement for my Rebellion against , and a Mean to reduce me back to that Loyalty and Allegeance which is due to his Divine Majesty . I will evermore detest and abhor , as I do now most sincerely , from the bottom of my Heart , detest and abhor ; in the Sight of God and of all the Court of Heaven , Sin , which is its accursed Cause ; I will quietly , nay thankfully undergo it , for that it is no greater ; and will study to make it serve all those good and wise Ends , of which it is capable : I will Labour to be perfectly obedient to all the Commands of my God ; I will humble my self before Him as low as I can , because it is not possible as low as I deserve ; I will strive to the utmost to be as diligent and industrious in my Calling , as sober and temperate in the government of my Senses , as charitable and assisting towards my Neighbours and Friends ; as patient under all hardship and pain ; as meek under every harsh usage , and injurious insultings from my Fellow-creature ; as contented and chearful in the meanness of my Condition ; and lastly , as far remov'd from the World , and as nearly united to God , as either He hereby designs and invites me to be , or as I have need of : For as much as I am assur'd that He cannot deny me any Assistance of his Holy Spirit , which I beg through the Merits of his only begotten Son , my Lord and Saviour Iesus Christ. Amen . II. Next , after this Protestation made , and Resolution declar'd as in the presence of God , and of the whole Court of Heaven , that it may become Effectual in thy Life , thou art to keep every Branch of it in thy Mind , and to secure the same in thine Heart by fervent and faithful Prayer : For this purpose , after I have directed thee , how to form in thy Spirit a General Abhorrence of Sin , and to express thy Acknowledgments to God for his wonderful Goodness ; I will teach thee on all occasions , according as thy needs shall direct , to call down the Divine Assistance , to enable thee in the performance of every part . But before all things , it 's necessary that thou beg it of thy Heavenly Father , that there may be imprinted on thee a just Detestation and Abhorrence of all manner of Sin , the fruitful Mother of thy Misery . To which end , say , ALmighty God , the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ , grant , I beseech thee , that I may have that due sense as well of Thine infinite Purity and Happiness , as of mine own Deformity and Misery , that I may abhor my self in dust and ashes before Thee ; and while I eat my Bread in the Sweat of my brow , may never forget to detest and fly that Monster , which has laid this Yoak on my shoulders , that I may confess to Thee my strange Vileness and Folly , and feeling thus in part the bitter Effect of Sin , may not only detest and confess , but be also ever ready to satisfy any Condition that will release me from its accursed slavery , for the Love and thro' the Merits of Him , who submitted himself to bear so large a share , that mine might be no more , even thy most glorious and most adorable Son , my only Redeemer and Mediator Iesus Christ. Then in the deepest Humility of thy Soul , address thy self to the most Merciful God in the following , or like Form of Thanksgiving . ALmighty God , Father of all Mercies , I thine unworthy servant , do give Thee most humble and hearty thanks , for thy great goodness and loving kindness towards me , in that thou didst not only send Thy only begotten Son to deliver me from the Bondage of Sin and Death , and so restore me to the Influences of thy Favour , which are Light and Ioy everlasting , by suffering together with me what I had brought upon my self ; but didst also make the Burthen for me so easy , and the Chastisement so light , as I can wish it in Prudence neither easier , nor lighter . But especially I bless thee , O heavenly Father , for that thou wert pleas'd even to turn this remaining Effect of Sin , thro' the Efficacious Mediation of this same dearly beloved Son , into a most powerful Remedy against it , that it may be to me , if I please , the proper Instrument of my Happiness , thro' the same Iesus Christ ; to whom with Thee , and the Holy Ghost , be all Honour and Glory , world without end . Amen . Now in nothing more fitly canst thou shew thy Abhorrence of Sin , or Thankfulness , than by carefully watching thy Soul , and on all occasions , as thou either find'st thy self inwardly mov'd to some particular Exercise , or assaulted by any Temtation , strengthening thy self by Supplication to thy Heavenly Father , for such Graces , as thou standest most in need of , who when thou askest Bread , will not refuse it thee , or give thee a Stone in its stead . Wherefore Ask , and it shall be given : Seek , and thou shalt find . PRAYERS . For Resolution . MOST gracious God , who of thine infinite Goodness wast pleas'd both to make my Burthen so light , and even to condescend to accept this , if born according to Thine Appointment , as a Qualification for that Heavenly Rest , and those boundless Joys , which Thou hast prepared for such as love and seek thee , I humbly beseech Thee , so to assist me with Thy Grace , that I may be able in such wise to bear and undergo the same , with entire conformity to thy most blessed Will , and all thy righteous Designs herein ; that I fail not , after having felt the weight of Sin for a while , of being remov'd thither where Death and Sin have no power , that so I may enjoy the pleasures of Thy presence for evermore , thro' the alone Merits of thy well-beloved Son Iesus Christ , our Lord and Saviour . Amen . For Obedience . O Almighty God , to whom all things both in heaven and Earth ow entire Obedience ; grant , I beseech thee , that I constantly considering how Thou hast appointed Labour for Man , may thereby at all times be put in mind of the great evil of Disobedience to thy righteous Law , and learn to submit my self sincerely to its Guidance , and study to obey all thy Commands , thro' Iesus Christ our Lord. Amen . For Humility . MOst Glorious aud Eternal God , who resistest the proud , and art pleas'd to dwell with the humble Spirit , and who hast for this end appointed Bodily Labour for me , that my proud Heart may be tam'd and humbled by it , so as to be fit to receive the light and gladsom Influence of Thy Countenance ; do thou powerfully convince me of mine own wretchedness and folly , that I may no longer nourish , or covet any high opinion of my self , but above all things , seek that most excellent grace of Humility , which is the Fountain of all Blessing . Grant this , O Lord , for his sake who humbled himself not only to the meanest of Services , but even to the Death of the Cross , Iesus Christ. Amen . For Industry . MOst Wise and Righteous God , who hast ordain'd that Man should be born to Labour ; never let me , I pray thee , resist that design of Thine ; but so hedge me in all the time of my Pilgrimage , and press me forward , that I may never give my self up to Easiness and Idleness of life : but ma● so employ my time , as not to fall under the sentence of the Slothful and the Unprofitable Servant : Hear , O Lord , and assist me , for the sake of Iesus Christ. For Temperance . BLessed God , who art graciously pleas'd to give me this daily Warning to withdraw my Mind from the pleasures of the Body ; assist me , I beseech thee , with thy Holy Spirit , that I may ever listen to His merciful Counsels , and make such use of the weight that surrounds me , that the Flesh being thereby subdued to the Spirit , I may ever obey thy godly motions in righteousness and true Holiness , to the honour and glory of thy holy Name , thro' Iesus Christ. For Charity . GRacious Lord , who hast in thy Wisdom ordained Labour , whereby to succour the needs of our frail Nature ; grant that I may by Diligence and Industry ever study to be useful , not to my self alone , but likewise to others ; and to attain that most excellent Gift of Charity , the very Root and Bond of Peace , and of all vertuous Acts. Grant this , O Heavenly Father , for thine only Son Iesus Christ's sake . Amen . For Patience . LEt thy merciful Ears , O Lord be open to my Petitions , and thy Grace ever ready to support me , that I duly considering how poor , and naked , and miserable Sin has made me , may learn stedfastly to shun all unrighteousness , and patiently to undergo as much of its evil , as thou in thy Wisdom hast appointed for me ; that following the Example of thy Son , my only Saviour , I may also with him be made partaker of his Resurrection , thro' the same Iesus Christ. Amen . For Meekness . BLess me , O my God , with such a meek and humble Spirit , as I may never be unman'd by any Passion or trouble , may neither be exalted by the Praise , nor depress'd by the Contemt and scorn , nor hurried into any unseemly behaviour , by the Injuries or Affronts of the World ; but may comply with every Event in my Emploiment , and submit my self wholly to thy righteous Judgment , being never angry at any thing but my own Sins , and and grieving for the Sins of others ; which I humbly beseech thee , not to lay to their charge , for the sake of Iesus Christ my most blessed Lord and Saviour . Amen . For Contentment . O Lord most high , the Maker both of the Rich and the Poor ; look down graciously , I beseech thee , upon me thy poor Servant ; and of thy great mercy drive out of me all Murmuring , Ambition , Covetousness and Envy : That I duly acknowledging thy Sovereign Power over me , and thy Wisdom and Justice in the disposal of this World according to divers Ranks and Degrees , may sincerely submit my self to the State , wherein thou hast been pleas'd to place me below many others , and utterly resign my self up to thy Providence and Guidance . And if , good Lord , I have at any time murmur'd or repin'd at my Condition , or coveted and envied that of those above me , of thy great Goodness pardon me , and make me so much the more watchful for the time to come , thro' Iesus Christ. Amen . For Devotion . GIve me , gracious Lord , such a Contemt of every thing below , that I may never in the least set my Heart on Riches or Honour , but always labour to lay up my treasure in Heaven , and seek for that Crown which thou art ready to give to as many as earnestly strive for it . And to this end , I humbly beseech thee , to enliven this drossy and earthly Heart , that it may never be so detain'd by the things beneath , but that it may freely mount towards Thee , constantly fly to thy Throne for succour and assistance , that I may not be found more diligent to provide Food and Raiment for this Body , than to feed and clothe my Soul with thy Grace ; which I fully trust thou wilt give me , if I shrink not from taking a little pains , for this so noble a Pearl , thro' the Merits of Iesus Christ thy Son , my only Advocate and Redeemer . Amen . III. That thou may'st the better preserve a constant sense of God in thy daily Emploiment , and of that continual Worship and Homage , which thou art oblig'd to pay him thereby ; I advise thee , dear Christian , to accustom thy self to lift up thy Soul to God , which may be done without any hindrance at all to Business , by some Verses out of the Psalms , in which thou findest the greatest Relish , or by some such short Prayers , and Divine Breathings , which I have here gather'd for thy use , on several Occasions . God grant they may raise , and keep in thy Heart such pious Dispositions . GODLY BREATHINGS . I. When the Soul feels it self opprest with Bodily Labour , or Calamity . I Come unto thee weary and heavy laden , Blessed Iesu ; do thou refresh me with thy Mercies . O give me thy Rest. Help me , O God my Saviour : and for the glory of thy Name , deliver me . Have mercy upon me , O Lord , for I am weak : O Lord , heal me , for I am sore vexed . Shall the needy alway be forgotten , O Lord : or the expectation of the poor perish for evermore ? Arise , O Lord God , and lift up thine hand : forget not the poor . Thou , Dear Iesu , art the helper of the afflicted and the friendless : And unto thee therefore doth the poor commit himself . Thou hearest the desire of the poor : thou preparest his heart , and thine ear hearkens thereto . II. When the Soul feels an inward Rest and Satisfaction for Blessings receiv'd . THou hast not despis'd , O Lord , nor abhorr'd the low estate of the poor : neither hast thou hid thy face from me ; but when I call'd unto thee , didst hear me from thy holy Hill. Thou , Lord , regardest the lowliness of thy Servant : wherefore my Soul shall magnify thee for ever . My help cometh from the Lord , who made both Heaven and Earth : who puts down the Mighty from their Seat , and exalts the Humble and Meek . My praise shall be of thee , O my God , in the great Congregation : my Vows will I perform for this thy mighty condescension , in the sight of them that fear thee . III. At the Beginning of any Business , or Work. THe Lord Iesus Christ be with my Spirit , Soul , and Body . Lord , prosper thou the Works of my hands : O prosper thou my Handy-work . In the Name of God. Amen . Let this , and every thing , O Lord , be to thy glory . IV. At going forth . ORder my steps , O Lord , in thy Word ; and let not any Iniquity have dominion over me this day . Give thine Angels charge over me , to keep me in all my ways ; but especially from all Deceit , Envy , and Impatience . Blessed Iesu , hold thou up my Goings in thy paths , that my footsteps slip not . V. On all Occasions . LOrd , I am nothing , I have nothing , and desire nothing but Thee . Lord , have mercy upon me : Christ have mercy upon me : Lord , have mercy upon me . As for me , I am poor and needy : but the Lord careth for me . Thou art my Helper and Redeemer , make no long tarrying , O my Lord. VI. At Meals . HOw Blessed are they that fear the Lord ; and walk in his ways ! For thou shalt eat the Labour of thine hands : O well is it with thee , and happy shalt thou be . O tast , and see how good the Lord is , filling my heart with food and gladness . VII . At the sight of a Rich Miser . MAn walks in a vain shadow , and disquiets himself in vain : he heaps up Riches , and can't tell who shall gather them . And now , Lord , what is my hope ? truly my hope is even in Thee , sweet Iesus . O grant that I may lay up Treasures for my self in Heaven ; where neither moth , nor rust doth corrupt : nor thieves break through and steal . O let me never labour to treasure up Wrath against the day of Wrath : or to bid my Soul , Here take its Rest. So teach me , good Lord , to number my days , that I may apply my heart unto Wisdom . Amen . VIII . For Grace . LOrd , lift up the Light of thy countenance upon me : for I am a poor and needy creature , not able to do any thing good without Thee . Lord , incline my heart unto thy Testimonies , and not unto Covetousness . O knit my heart to thee , which is somwhat tam'd , I hope under the weight and punishment of its Sin ; that I may ever fear thy Name , and walk in thy Truth . O give me , good Lord , the Comfort of thy Help , and establish me with thy free Spirit , for the sake of Iesus my Redeemer . IV. It is most agreable that , more particularly , every Morning and Night , there be an appointed and set Recommending of our Labour and Rest , to God's gracious Guidance and Protection . This may be in the manner following . IN THE MORNING . THe Blessing of God the Father , of our Lord Jesus Christ , and of his Holy Spirit , be with me this day , and evermore ; Keep , Protect , and Prosper me in my Calling to his Glory . Amen . I thank thee , O Merciful Father , for thy Protection the Night past , and all other Benefits Spiritual and Bodily : I now recommend my self , both Soul and Body , and whatever thou hast appointed me to do for the Maintenance of either , in my Emploiment and Labour : Be thou the Beginning , the Middle , and the End of all my Undertakings : And be pleas'd so to sanctify , I beseech thee , the Necessities of my corrupt Nature to thy Service , that every thing may turn to the honour of thy Name , and I fail not finally of obtaining thy Benefits . To this end , let thy Holy Spirit guide me in the beginning , and thoro-out , that I may by the Help of this thy outward Establishment continually recal my Mind into inward Acts of pure and undefiled Religion , quietly do my own Business , bear my Burden with joy ; and labour in my particular State and Emploiment , as I ought , and as becomes thy most obedient Servant ; be just in all my Dealings , harmless in my Conversation , meek and patient under cross events ; be perfectly contented with what I have , well pleas'd with the prosperity of other Men , and heartily desirous of the good of all the World , that every one , in their several Stations , may truly and godlily serve thee , thro' our Lord and Saviour Iesus Christ. AT NIGHT : After Examination of the foregoing Day . ALL Glory be to thee , most merciful Father , for that thou hast stood by me , and preserv'd me this day in my Emploiment , from all the Evils and Mischiefs which might have befall'n me . I give thee most humble and hearty Thanks , as for all thy Blessings , so especially if I have in any measure serv'd Thee this Day in my Calling : I am heartily sorry for whatever I have therein offended thee , my good Lord ; I humbly fly to Thee for Succour and Forgiveness , and I fully and stedfastly purpose by the Assistance of thy Grace , to take such care for to Morrow and the future , if thou wilt allow me any longer time , who have made no better use of this , that I never fall into the same snare more ; or if I am so unhappy , presently to recover my self ; in which firm Resolution and entire Resignation , I commit my Soul , Spirit and Body this Night , and ever to thy most wise Disposal : Defend me from all works and dangers of Darkness ; possess me sleeping and waking ; let thy good Angel stay with me , that in thy power and strength , I may rest safely , and my wearied Limbs being refresh'd with moderate Repose , may be inabled to perform the Duties of the Day following ; as I wish , and as I ought , thro' the Love and Merits of Iesus my Saviour . Amen . V. Lastly , I advise thee to bear in thy Mind , some few short Sentences , which will be a sure Comfort and Support to thee , whatever falls out , if thou canst apply them to thy heart . And for this purpose , Hear what comfortable Words the Holy Psalmist saith to the Poor that truly turn to the Lord. The Lions do lack , and suffer hunger : but they who seek the Lord , shall want no manner of thing that is good . Psal. xxxiv . 10 . O cast thy burden upon the Lord , and he shall nourish thee . Psal. liv . 23 . Hear also what our Saviour Christ saith . Seek ye first the Kingdom of God , and his Righteousness ; and all these things shall be added unto you . Mat. vi . 33 . Thus , dear Christian Friend , I have sought to serve thee , to the Glory of God , and to thine own everlasting Good ; that so after a little pain and trouble in this Life , underwent for the sake of God , with respect to all his righteous Ends , and in imitation of thy Saviour , thou may'st at length enter into the Rest from thy Labours , thy Works following thee , to give thee admittance into the company of those Blessed and Noble Spirits , who are gone before in the same way : many or most of whom , were the very scorn and off-scouring of the World , and are rais'd to a Crown which fadeth not , but stands fast for ever ; from quite as mean , if not meaner a condition than thine ; which Iesus the Righteous Judge , will not fail to give to thee , if thou seek but in good earnest , according to the said Methods , to prepare thy self . Only be of good courage , and faint not . Thank God for every good thing , and thy self for every evil one . If by this thou hast reap'd any Benefit , give all the thanks to God ; and forget not him , I pray thee , in thy Prayers , who is the Instrument of conveying this charitable Assistance to thee ; and who will abundantly rejoice , if it can but in any wise promote those Ends for which it is design'd , FINIS . ADVERTISEMENT . THo' this Discourse might properly have gone along with Another of like Nature , it was thought fit to be Publish'd Separately , for the Sake of those for whose Use it is Compos'd : Which the Reader is desir'd to consider , if he meet with in it some few Expressions , that relate to this Other , being A Practical Discourse of the Labour of the Mind ; grounded in like manner , with This , on Gen. iii. 19 . But which descends to the Particular kinds of that Labour , which would not only have swell'd This to an excessive bulk , but also not have been agreeable to the Design , which was barely to hint some Reflexions on the Constitution of this Labour , in General , in the World.