A word to sinners, and a word to saints The former tending to the awakening the consciences of secure sinners, unto a lively sense and apprehension of the dreadfull condition they are in, so long as they live in their natural and unregenerate estate. The latter tending to the directing and perswading of the godly and regenerate unto several singular duties. As also a word to housholders stirring them up to the good old way of serving God in and with their families, from Joshuah's resolution, Josh. 24. 15. As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. Set forth especially for the use and benefit of the inhabitants of St. Sepulchres Parish, London by Tho. Gouge, late pastor thereof.
         Gouge, Thomas, 1605-1681.
      
       
         
           1668
        
      
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         ESTC R222576
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         99833732
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             A word to sinners, and a word to saints The former tending to the awakening the consciences of secure sinners, unto a lively sense and apprehension of the dreadfull condition they are in, so long as they live in their natural and unregenerate estate. The latter tending to the directing and perswading of the godly and regenerate unto several singular duties. As also a word to housholders stirring them up to the good old way of serving God in and with their families, from Joshuah's resolution, Josh. 24. 15. As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. Set forth especially for the use and benefit of the inhabitants of St. Sepulchres Parish, London by Tho. Gouge, late pastor thereof.
             Gouge, Thomas, 1605-1681.
          
           [16], 256, [18], 27, [1] p.
           
             printed for George Sawbridge, living on Clerkenwell-Green,
             London :
             1668.
          
           
             "A word to sinners, and a word to saints" has a table of contents and marginal notes.
             "The principles of Christian religion ... London, printed for John Wright at the Globe in Little-Brittain. 1668." (Wing G1371) has a separate dated title page and separate pagination; register is continuous.
             Reproduction of the original in the Congregational Library, London.
          
        
      
    
     
       
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           Christian life -- Early works to 1800.
           Repentance -- Early works to 1800.
        
      
    
     
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               A
               WORD
               to
               SINNERS
               ,
               And
               a
               WORD
               to
               SAINTS
               .
            
             
               The
               Former
               tending
               to
               the
               awakening
               the
               Consciences
               of
               secure
               Sinners
               ,
               unto
               a
               lively
               sense
               and
               apprehension
               of
               the
               dreadfull
               condition
               they
               are
               in
               ,
               so
               long
               as
               they
               live
               in
               their
               Natural
               and
               Unregenerate
               Estate
               .
            
             
               The
               Latter
               tending
               to
               the
               directing
               and
               perswading
               of
               the
               Godly
               and
               Regenerate
               unto
               several
               singular
               Duties
               .
            
             
               As
               also
               a
               Word
               to
               Housholders
               stirring
               them
               up
               to
               the
               good
               old
               way
               of
               serving
               God
               in
               and
               with
               their
               Families
               ,
               from
               
               Ioshuah's
               resolution
               ,
               Josh.
               24.15
               .
               
                 As
                 for
                 me
                 and
                 my
                 house
                 ,
                 we
                 will
                 serve
                 the
                 Lord.
                 
              
            
             
               Set
               forth
               especially
               for
               the
               Use
               and
               Benefit
               of
               the
               Inhabitants
               of
               St.
               Sepulchres
               Parish
               ,
               London
               By
               
                 Tho.
                 Gouge
              
               ,
               Late
               Pastor
               thereof
               .
            
             
               LONDON
               ,
               Printed
               for
               
                 George
                 Sawbridge
              
               ,
               living
               on
               Clerkenwell-Green
               .
               1668.
               
            
          
           
             
             
             
               To
               my
               dearly
               beloved
               Friends
               the
               Inhabitants
               of
               St.
               Sepulchres
               Parish
               ,
               London
               .
            
             
               
                 Beloved
                 Friends
                 ,
              
            
             
               TO
               further
               the
               salvation
               of
               mens
               souls
               ,
               as
               it
               is
               a
               most
               excellent
               work
               ,
               so
               it
               ought
               to
               be
               the
               study
               ,
               and
               endeavour
               both
               of
               every
               Christian
               in
               his
               place
               and
               calling
               ,
               and
               especially
               of
               the
               Ministers
               of
               the
               Gospel
               ,
               whose
               office
               and
               function
               calls
               upon
               them
               more
               
               importunately
               to
               labour
               therein
               .
               Now
               since
               
                 Regeneration
                 is
                 absolutely
                 necessary
                 to
                 Salvation
                 ,
              
               and
               that
               there
               can
               be
               no
               entrance
               into
               the
               
                 new
                 Ierusalem
              
               ,
               without
               a
               
                 new
                 birth
              
               .
               I
               have
               according
               to
               that
               ability
               which
               the
               Lord
               hath
               given
               me
               ,
               set
               forth
               in
               this
               small
               Treatise
               the
               nature
               and
               necessity
               of
               Regeneration
               ,
               together
               with
               the
               Means
               on
               your
               part
               to
               be
               performed
               for
               the
               better
               attaining
               thereunto
               .
            
             
               Most
               of
               these
               truths
               have
               been
               Preached
               in
               your
               hearing
               ,
               and
               now
               they
               are
               presented
               to
               your
               sight
               ;
               that
               thereby
               you
               may
               be
               put
               in
               remembrance
               of
               them
               ,
               and
               more
               thorowly
               affected
               with
               them
               .
               Though
               I
               cease
               to
               be
               your
               Minister
               ,
               yet
               I
               shall
               not
               cease
               to
               do
               what
               in
               me
               lyeth
               to
               further
               your
               eternal
               happiness
               .
               It
               was
               my
               hearty
               desire
               of
               your
               everlasting
               welfare
               that
               first
               put
               me
               upon
               Preaching
               on
               this
               Subject
               :
               and
               the
               like
               desire
               hath
               ingaged
               me
               to
               present
               the
               same
               to
               your
               view
               .
            
             
             
               Herein
               have
               I
               set
               before
               you
               Heaven
               and
               
                 Hell
                 ,
                 Happiness
              
               and
               Misery
               .
               Oh
               that
               you
               would
               be
               so
               wise
               as
               to
               choose
               Heaven
               rather
               than
               Hell
               ,
               Happiness
               rather
               than
               Misery
               .
            
             
               That
               I
               should
               adventure
               these
               Notes
               into
               the
               World
               ,
               is
               not
               out
               of
               any
               conceit
               that
               there
               is
               any
               thing
               extraordinary
               in
               them
               ,
               being
               Conscious
               to
               my self
               of
               much
               Weakness
               :
               but
               meerly
               out
               of
               that
               strong
               affection
               I
               bear
               to
               your
               souls
               welfare
               .
               
                 For
                 my
                 hearts
                 desire
                 for
                 you
                 is
                 that
                 you
                 may
                 be
                 saved
                 .
              
               And
               will
               the
               Lord
               but
               bless
               this
               small
               Treatise
               to
               the
               Regeneration
               ,
               or
               Edification
               of
               any
               of
               your
               Souls
               ,
               I
               have
               the
               end
               of
               all
               my
               pains
               and
               cost
               .
            
             
               Avoiding
               all
               affectation
               of
               Words
               ,
               I
               have
               used
               plainness
               of
               speech
               :
               it
               being
               alwayes
               my
               chief
               design
               in
               the
               whole
               course
               of
               my
               Ministry
               ,
               to
               affect
               the
               Hearts
               and
               Consciences
               of
               my
               Hearers
               ,
               rather
               than
               to
               tickle
               their
               Ears
               ,
               and
               please
               their
               Phansie
               .
            
             
             
               That
               I
               may
               not
               detain
               you
               longer
               ,
               I
               shall
               close
               this
               Epistle
               with
               three
               requests
               unto
               you
               ,
            
             
               
                 1.
                 
                 That
                 you
                 kindly
                 accept
                 of
                 this
                 small
                 Book
                 which
                 treats
                 on
                 a
                 subject
                 so
                 necessary
                 to
                 your
                 everlasting
                 happiness
                 .
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 That
                 you
                 would
                 be
                 pleased
                 as
                 to
                 peruse
                 it
                 your selves
                 ,
                 so
                 to
                 take
                 some
                 time
                 to
                 read
                 it
                 to
                 your
                 Families
                 .
                 If
                 you
                 cannot
                 find
                 leisure
                 on
                 the
                 week
                 dayes
                 ,
                 than
                 to
                 read
                 some
                 part
                 thereof
                 on
                 each
                 Lords
                 day
                 ,
                 till
                 you
                 have
                 read
                 it
                 through
                 .
              
               
                 3.
                 
                 That
                 you
                 would
                 not
                 lock
                 it
                 up
                 in
                 your
                 closets
                 ,
                 but
                 suffer
                 it
                 to
                 lye
                 in
                 your
                 houses
                 ,
                 where
                 your
                 Children
                 and
                 Servants
                 may
                 peruse
                 it
                 as
                 they
                 find
                 opportunity
                 .
                 Who
                 knoweth
                 how
                 successfull
                 and
                 fruitful
                 this
                 plain
                 Treatise
                 may
                 prove
                 ,
                 if
                 the
                 Lord
                 shall
                 be
                 pleased
                 to
                 accompany
                 it
                 with
                 his
                 blessing
                 ?
              
            
             
               That
               the
               Lord
               therefore
               would
               so
               bless
               these
               my
               poor
               and
               weak
               endeavours
               ,
               that
               such
               as
               are
               yet
               in
               their
               natural
               state
               may
               be
               converted
               ,
               
               that
               Converts
               may
               be
               improved
               and
               built
               up
               in
               that
               grace
               wherein
               they
               stand
               ,
               is
               the
               unfeigned
               desire
               and
               hearty
               Prayer
               of
            
             
               
                 
                   Your
                   Servant
                   in
                   the
                   Work
                   of
                   the
                   Gospel
                   ,
                   who
                   hath
                   been
                   ,
                   and
                   still
                   is
                   desirous
                   of
                   your
                   Spiritual
                   welfare
                   .
                
                 Tho.
                 Gouge
                 .
              
            
          
           
             
             
             
               THE
               CONTENTS
               .
            
             
               
                 THE
                 Exposition
                 of
                 the
                 first
                 verse
                 .
              
               
                 
                   Page
                   1.
                
                 
              
               
                 The
                 Observation
                 thence
                 raised
                 ,
                 
                   The
                   greatest
                   of
                   sinners
                   are
                   oftentimes
                   received
                   to
                   mercy
                   .
                
              
               
                 3.
                 
              
               
                 The
                 Exposition
                 of
                 the
                 second
                 verse
                 .
              
               
                 4.
                 
              
               
                 The
                 Observation
                 thence
                 raised
                 ,
                 
                   True
                   faith
                   may
                   be
                   exceeding
                   weak
                   .
                
              
               
                 ibid.
                 
              
               
                 The
                 Exposition
                 of
                 the
                 third
                 verse
                 ,
                 wherein
                 Christ
                 declareth
                 to
                 Nicodemus
                 the
                 Necessity
                 of
                 Regeneration
              
               
                 7.
                 
              
            
             
               
                 The
                 Observations
                 thence
                 raised
                 ,
              
               
                 1.
                 
                 Christ
                 is
                 ready
                 to
                 entertain
                 those
                 that
                 in
                 truth
                 ,
                 and
                 uprightness
                 seek
                 unto
                 him
                 ,
                 though
                 their
                 weakness
                 and
                 infirmities
                 be
                 many
                 .
              
               
                 8.
                 
              
            
             
               
               
                 2.
                 
                 Regeneration
                 is
                 necessary
                 to
                 Salvation
                 .
              
               
                 15.
                 
              
            
             
               
                 For
                 the
                 Explication
                 of
                 which
                 point
                 ,
                 is
                 shewed
                 ,
              
               
                 1.
                 
                 The
                 Nature
                 of
                 Regeneration
                 ,
                 what
                 it
                 is
                 .
              
               
                 16.
                 
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 The
                 Parts
                 of
                 Regeneration
                 .
              
               
                 19.
                 
                 
                   
                     1.
                     
                     Mortification
                     .
                  
                   
                     ib.
                     
                  
                   
                     2.
                     
                     Vivification
                     .
                  
                   
                     20.
                     
                  
                
              
               
                 3.
                 
                 The
                 causes
                 which
                 concurr
                 to
                 the
                 work
                 of
                 Regeneration
                 ,
                 which
                 are
                 four
                 .
              
               
                 21.
                 
                 
                   
                     1.
                     
                     The
                     Efficient
                     .
                     2.
                     
                     The
                     Material
                     .
                     3.
                     
                     The
                     Formal
                     .
                     4.
                     
                     The
                     Final
                     .
                  
                   
                     22.
                     
                  
                
              
            
             
               
                 The
                 Reasons
                 proving
                 Regeneration
                 necessary
                 to
                 Salvation
                 .
              
               
                 23.
                 
              
               
                 Vse
                 of
                 Exhortation
                 ,
                 1.
                 
                 To
                 the
                 Vnregenerate
                 .
                 2.
                 
                 To
                 the
                 Regenerate
                 .
              
               
                 28.
                 
              
               
                 1.
                 
                 To
                 the
                 Vnregenerate
                 ,
                 that
                 they
                 earnestly
                 desire
                 and
                 industriously
                 labour
                 after
                 a
                 saving
                 change
                 in
                 the
                 use
                 of
                 all
                 means
                 God
                 hath
                 sanctified
                 thereunto
                 .
              
               
                 ib.
                 
              
            
             
               
                 Quickning
                 Motives
                 thereunto
                 ,
                 drawn
              
               
                 1.
                 
                 From
                 the
                 Excellency
                 of
                 Regeneration
                 .
              
               
                 29.
                 
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 From
                 the
                 Vtility
                 of
                 Regeneration
                 .
              
               
                 30.
                 
              
               
                 
                 3.
                 
                 From
                 the
                 Necessity
                 of
                 Regeneration
                 .
              
               
                 31.
                 
              
            
             
               
                 The
                 Means
                 to
                 be
                 performed
                 for
                 the
                 better
                 attaining
                 thereunto
                 ,
                 brought
                 to
                 two
                 heads
                 ,
              
               
                 1.
                 
                 The
                 Embracing
                 some
                 truths
                 .
              
               
               
                 2.
                 
                 The
                 Practising
                 some
                 duties
                 .
              
               
            
             
               
                 The
                 Truths
                 to
                 be
                 Embraced
                 are
                 these
                 ,
              
               
                 1.
                 
                 That
                 every
                 man
                 in
                 his
                 state
                 of
                 unregeneracy
                 is
                 in
                 a
                 miserable
                 estate
                 ,
                 and
                 dreadfull
                 condition
                 .
              
               
                 33.
                 
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 That
                 there
                 is
                 hope
                 of
                 mercy
                 for
                 the
                 greatest
                 sinners
                 .
              
               
                 ib.
                 
              
               
                 The
                 miseries
                 of
                 the
                 Unregenerate
                 in
                 this
                 life
                 .
              
               
                 34.
                 
              
               
                 1.
                 
                 They
                 are
                 Servants
                 to
                 their
                 Lusts.
                 
              
               
                 ib.
                 
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 They
                 are
                 slaves
                 to
                 the
                 Devil
                 .
              
               
                 35.
                 
              
               
                 3.
                 
                 They
                 are
                 under
                 the
                 curse
                 of
                 God
                 which
                 continually
                 hangeth
                 over
                 their
                 heads
                 .
              
               
                 36.
                 
              
               
                 4.
                 
                 They
                 are
                 under
                 the
                 guilt
                 of
                 all
                 their
                 sins
                 .
              
               
                 37.
                 
              
               
                 5.
                 
                 They
                 are
                 lyable
                 to
                 all
                 sorts
                 of
                 Iudgements
                 ,
                 viz.
                 Temporal
                 ,
                 Spiritual
                 ,
                 and
                 Eternal
                 .
              
               
                 38.
                 
              
               
                 The
                 miserable
                 condition
                 of
                 the
                 Vnregenerate
                 at
                 their
                 deaths
                 ,
                 in
                 several
                 particulars
                 .
              
               
                 39.
                 
              
               
                 
                 The
                 dreadful
                 estate
                 of
                 the
                 Vnregenerate
                 after
                 their
                 deaths
                 in
                 several
                 particulars
                 .
              
               
                 47.
                 
              
               
                 Of
                 the
                 particular
                 Iudgement
                 that
                 immediately
                 followeth
                 after
                 death
                 .
              
               
                 48.
                 
              
               
                 Of
                 the
                 General
                 Iudgement
                 at
                 the
                 end
                 of
                 the
                 World.
                 
              
               
                 49.
                 
              
               
                 The
                 Person
                 who
                 shall
                 be
                 the
                 Iudge
                 .
              
               
                 51.
                 
              
               
                 The
                 Manner
                 of
                 Christs
                 coming
                 to
                 Iudgement
                 ,
                 which
                 will
                 be
                 ,
                 As
                 in
                 great
                 Glory
                 and
                 Majesty
                 ,
              
               
                 53.
                 
              
               
                 So
                 in
                 great
                 terrour
                 to
                 the
                 wicked
                 and
                 impenitent
                 .
              
               
                 54.
                 
              
               
                 The
                 Order
                 of
                 Christs
                 proceeding
                 in
                 Iudgement
                 .
              
               
                 56.
                 
              
               
                 The
                 dolefull
                 condition
                 of
                 the
                 Vngenerate
                 after
                 the
                 Day
                 of
                 Iudgement
                 ,
                 which
                 in
                 general
                 ,
                 is
                 most
                 cursed
                 .
              
               
                 72.
                 
              
            
             
               
                 That
                 Cursed
                 estate
                 is
                 manifest
                 ,
              
               
                 1.
                 
                 By
                 privation
                 of
                 all
                 felicity
                 .
              
               
                 ib.
                 
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 By
                 subjection
                 to
                 all
                 misery
                 .
              
               
                 73.
                 
              
            
             
               
                 Which
                 misery
                 is
                 set
                 out
                 ,
              
               
                 I.
                 By
                 sundry
                 resemblances
                 ,
                 as
              
               
                 
                   
                     1.
                     
                     Darkness
                     ,
                     yea
                     ,
                     outer
                     Darkness
                     .
                  
                   
                     76.
                     
                  
                   
                     2.
                     
                     Torment
                     ,
                     which
                     is
                     the
                     extremity
                     of
                     pain
                     .
                  
                   
                     77.
                     
                  
                   
                     
                     3.
                     
                     Fire
                     ,
                     which
                     is
                     the
                     fiercest
                     kind
                     of
                     torment
                     that
                     is
                     ,
                     and
                     most
                     intollerable
                     .
                  
                   
                     78.
                     
                  
                   
                     4.
                     
                     A
                     Worm
                     ,
                     which
                     setteth
                     out
                     the
                     sting
                     ,
                     or
                     torment
                     of
                     an
                     evil
                     Conscience
                     ,
                     which
                     shall
                     lye
                     eternally
                     gnawing
                     ,
                     and
                     griping
                     the
                     hearts
                     of
                     the
                     damned
                     .
                  
                   
                     80.
                     
                  
                
              
               
                 II.
                 By
                 the
                 place
                 where
                 the
                 Damned
                 abide
                 ,
                 which
                 is
                 Hell.
                 
              
               
                 81.
                 
              
               
                 III.
                 By
                 the
                 Perpetuity
                 and
                 Eternity
                 of
                 their
                 torment
                 there
                 ,
                 which
                 is
                 the
                 very
                 Hell
                 of
                 Hells
                 ,
                 that
                 which
                 most
                 of
                 all
                 breaks
                 the
                 hearts
                 of
                 the
                 damned
                 .
              
               
                 82.
                 
              
               
                 II.
                 Another
                 truth
                 to
                 be
                 embraced
                 in
                 order
                 to
                 the
                 work
                 of
                 Regeneration
                 is
                 ,
                 That
                 there
                 is
                 hope
                 of
                 mercy
                 for
                 the
                 greatest
                 Sinners
                 .
              
               
                 88.
                 
              
            
             
               
                 Which
                 appeareth
                 from
                 a
                 due
                 consideration
                 ,
              
               
                 1.
                 
                 Of
                 Gods
                 Power
                 to
                 save
                 the
                 worst
                 of
                 Sinners
                 .
              
               
                 90.
                 
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 Of
                 Gods
                 willingness
                 to
                 save
                 them
                 .
              
               
                 91.
                 
              
               
                 3.
                 
                 Of
                 the
                 all-sufficiency
                 of
                 Christs
                 Sacrifice
                 .
              
               
                 103.
                 
              
               
                 4.
                 
                 Of
                 Christs
                 readiness
                 to
                 embrace
                 all
                 Sinners
                 who
                 will
                 come
                 unto
                 him
                 ,
                 and
                 
                 receive
                 him
                 upon
                 the
                 terms
                 of
                 the
                 Gospel
                 .
              
               
                 105.
                 
              
               
                 The
                 Duties
                 to
                 be
                 practised
                 in
                 order
                 to
                 Regeneration
                 .
              
               
                 110.
                 
              
               
                 Several
                 Objections
                 of
                 carnal
                 ,
                 and
                 unregenerate
                 men
                 ,
                 against
                 the
                 use
                 of
                 the
                 formentioned
                 Means
                 ,
                 answered
                 .
              
               
                 132.
                 
              
            
             
               
                 The
                 second
                 branch
                 of
                 the
                 use
                 of
                 Exhortation
                 unto
                 the
                 Regenerate
                 ,
                 which
                 consisteth
                 of
                 divers
                 heads
                 ,
              
               
                 1.
                 
                 To
                 admire
                 and
                 adore
                 Gods
                 special
                 mercy
                 and
                 goodness
                 in
                 the
                 work
                 of
                 Regeneration
                 .
              
               
                 146.
                 
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 To
                 be
                 thank
                 full
                 unto
                 God
                 for
                 the
                 same
                 ,
                 with
                 Arguments
                 thereunto
                 .
              
               
                 156.
                 
              
               
                 3.
                 
                 To
                 walk
                 worthy
                 of
                 that
                 dignity
                 ,
                 by
                 living
                 singular
                 and
                 exemplary
                 lives
                 .
              
               
                 158.
                 
              
            
             
               
                 The
                 singular
                 duties
                 incumbent
                 upon
                 the
                 Regenerate
                 ,
              
               
                 1.
                 
                 To
                 make
                 Conscience
                 of
                 their
                 precious
                 time
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 improve
                 it
                 to
                 the
                 best
                 advantage
                 .
              
               
                 162.
                 
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 To
                 embrace
                 every
                 opportunity
                 of
                 doing
                 ,
                 and
                 receiving
                 good
                 .
              
               
                 164.
                 
              
               
                 3.
                 
                 To
                 be
                 carefull
                 of
                 the
                 manner
                 of
                 performing
                 good
                 duties
                 .
              
               
                 167.
                 
              
               
                 4.
                 
                 To
                 walk
                 circumspectly
                 and
                 exactly
                 ,
                 
                 which
                 consisteth
                 ,
              
               
                 
                   
                     1.
                     
                     In
                     walking
                     by
                     rule
                     .
                  
                   
                     173
                  
                   
                     2.
                     
                     In
                     having
                     respect
                     to
                     the
                     inward
                     and
                     spiritual
                     part
                     of
                     the
                     Law
                     ,
                     as
                     well
                     as
                     to
                     the
                     outward
                     and
                     external
                     .
                  
                   
                     ib.
                     
                  
                   
                     3.
                     
                     In
                     a
                     careful
                     avoiding
                     all
                     occasions
                     of
                     evil
                     ,
                     and
                     temptations
                     thereunto
                     .
                  
                   
                     174.
                     
                  
                   
                     4.
                     
                     In
                     abstaining
                     from
                     appearances
                     of
                     evil
                     ,
                     as
                     well
                     as
                     from
                     apparent
                     and
                     direct
                     evil
                     .
                  
                   
                     175.
                     
                  
                   
                     5.
                     
                     In
                     a
                     moderate
                     use
                     of
                     lawfull
                     things
                     .
                  
                   
                     177.
                     
                  
                
              
               
                 5.
                 
                 To
                 beware
                 of
                 Covetousness
                 ,
                 and
                 over-loving
                 the
                 World
                 ,
                 as
                 being
                 the
                 root
                 of
                 all
                 evil
                 .
              
               
                 180.
                 
              
               
                 6.
                 
                 To
                 live
                 by
                 faith
                 .
              
               
                 186.
                 
              
               
                 7.
                 
                 To
                 be
                 spiritually
                 minded
                 by
                 a
                 frequent
                 contemplation
                 of
                 Spiritual
                 and
                 Heavenly
                 things
                 .
              
               
                 193.
                 
              
               
                 8.
                 
                 To
                 labour
                 in
                 the
                 use
                 of
                 all
                 good
                 Means
                 for
                 the
                 mortification
                 of
                 the
                 whole
                 body
                 of
                 sin
                 ,
                 with
                 all
                 its
                 affections
                 and
                 lusts
                 ,
                 especially
                 those
                 which
                 are
                 most
                 praedominant
                 .
              
               
            
          
        
         
           
             
             
             
               
                 
                   John
                   3.1
                   ,
                   2
                   ,
                   3.
                   
                
                 
                   1.
                   
                   There
                   was
                   a
                   man
                   of
                   the
                   Pharisees
                   ,
                   named
                   Nicodemus
                   ,
                   a
                   ruler
                   of
                   the
                   Iews
                   .
                
                 
                   2.
                   
                   The
                   same
                   came
                   to
                   Iesus
                   by
                   night
                   ,
                   and
                   said
                   unto
                   him
                   ,
                   Rabbi
                   ,
                   we
                   know
                   that
                   thou
                   art
                   a
                   teacher
                   come
                   from
                   God
                   :
                   for
                   no
                   man
                   can
                   do
                   these
                   miracles
                   that
                   thou
                   doest
                   ,
                   except
                   God
                   be
                   with
                   him
                   .
                
                 
                   3.
                   
                   Iesus
                   answered
                   ,
                   and
                   said
                   unto
                   him
                   ,
                   Verily
                   ,
                   Verily
                   I
                   say
                   unto
                   thee
                   ,
                   except
                   a
                   man
                   be
                   born
                   again
                   ,
                   he
                   cannot
                   see
                   the
                   Kingdom
                   of
                   God.
                   
                
              
            
             
               
                 CHAP.
                 1.
                 
                 The
                 Exposition
                 and
                 Observations
                 arising
                 out
                 of
                 the
                 first
                 and
                 second
                 verses
                 .
              
               
                 FRom
                 the
                 beginning
                 of
                 this
                 third
                 Chapter
                 to
                 the
                 22.
                 verse
                 is
                 set
                 forth
                 the
                 conference
                 between
                 our
                 blessed
                 Saviour
                 ,
                 and
                 Nicodemus
                 .
                 In
                 which
                 are
                 three
                 things
                 observable
                 .
              
               
                 
                   1.
                   
                   A
                   description
                   of
                   Nicodemus
                   ,
                   verse
                   1.
                   
                
                 
                   2.
                   
                   The
                   occasion
                   of
                   the
                   conference
                   ,
                   which
                   was
                   
                     Nicodemus
                     his
                     coming
                     unto
                     Christ
                  
                   ,
                   expressed
                   verse
                   2.
                   
                
                 
                   3.
                   
                   The
                   conference
                   it self
                   ,
                   from
                   verse
                   3.
                   to
                   22.
                   
                
              
               
                 I.
                 Nicodemus
                 is
                 thus
                 described
                 ,
                 verse
                 1.
                 
                 
                   There
                   was
                   a
                   
                   man
                   of
                   the
                   Pharisees
                   ,
                   named
                
                 Nicodemus
                 ,
                 
                   a
                   ruler
                   of
                   the
                   Iews
                
                 :
                 He
                 is
                 here
                 set
                 forth
                 ,
              
               
                 1.
                 
                 By
                 his
                 name
                 ,
                 Nicodemus
                 ,
                 which
                 is
                 distinctly
                 set
                 down
                 as
                 for
                 the
                 truth
                 of
                 the
                 history
                 ,
                 so
                 for
                 the
                 honour
                 of
                 the
                 man.
                 It
                 is
                 observable
                 that
                 in
                 the
                 holy
                 Scriptures
                 there
                 is
                 most
                 care
                 of
                 setting
                 '
                 down
                 the
                 names
                 of
                 good
                 men
                 ,
                 that
                 have
                 in
                 their
                 life
                 time
                 ,
                 some
                 way
                 or
                 other
                 ,
                 set
                 forth
                 Gods
                 glory
                 ,
                 and
                 made
                 themselves
                 examples
                 worthy
                 of
                 imitation
                 .
                 
                 For
                 
                   God
                   will
                   honour
                   such
                   as
                   honour
                   him
                   ,
                
                 he
                 will
                 have
                 their
                 memorial
                 blessed
                 .
                 As
                 therefore
                 we
                 desire
                 to
                 have
                 our
                 memorial
                 blessed
                 ,
                 let
                 us
                 now
                 labour
                 to
                 honour
                 God
                 in
                 our
                 several
                 places
                 ,
                 callings
                 ,
                 conditions
                 and
                 relations
                 ,
                 by
                 a
                 conscionable
                 discharge
                 of
                 the
                 duties
                 belonging
                 to
                 them
                 :
                 and
                 then
                 we
                 may
                 rest
                 assured
                 ,
                 God
                 will
                 some
                 way
                 or
                 other
                 honour
                 us
                 .
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 
                   By
                   his
                   Sect
                
                 ,
                 He
                 is
                 expresly
                 said
                 to
                 be
                 
                   a
                   man
                   of
                   the
                   Pharisees
                
                 :
                 who
                 were
                 a
                 select
                 Sect
                 among
                 the
                 Iews
                 ,
                 of
                 highest
                 account
                 for
                 their
                 seeming
                 sanctity
                 and
                 strict
                 profession
                 .
                 Whereas
                 in
                 truth
                 they
                 were
                 very
                 hypocrites
                 :
                 for
                 
                   they
                   did
                   all
                   to
                   be
                   seen
                   of
                   men
                   .
                
                 
                 Which
                 because
                 Christ
                 discovered
                 ,
                 and
                 made
                 known
                 to
                 the
                 people
                 ,
                 they
                 proved
                 his
                 greatest
                 enemies
                 and
                 persecutors
                 .
              
               
                 3.
                 
                 
                   By
                   his
                   Office.
                
                 It
                 's
                 in
                 general
                 said
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 was
                 
                   a
                   ruler
                   of
                   the
                   Iews
                
                 .
                 Which
                 is
                 not
                 to
                 be
                 taken
                 ,
                 as
                 if
                 he
                 ,
                 were
                 the
                 only
                 ,
                 or
                 chief
                 governour
                 of
                 the
                 Jews
                 ,
                 but
                 to
                 shew
                 that
                 he
                 was
                 none
                 of
                 the
                 common
                 sort
                 ,
                 but
                 one
                 of
                 those
                 who
                 had
                 authority
                 and
                 government
                 amongst
                 the
                 Iews
                 .
              
               
                 It
                 is
                 observable
                 ,
                 that
                 few
                 of
                 the
                 Pharisees
                 and
                 Rulers
                 received
                 Christs
                 Doctrine
                 ,
                 and
                 believed
                 on
                 him
                 ,
                 as
                 appears
                 by
                 their
                 own
                 expression
                 ,
                 
                 
                   Have
                   any
                   of
                   the
                   Rulers
                   ,
                   or
                   of
                   the
                   Pharisees
                   believed
                   on
                   him
                   ?
                
                 which
                 interrogation
                 importeth
                 a
                 strong
                 negation
                 ;
                 implying
                 ,
                 that
                 none
                 or
                 few
                 of
                 the
                 Rulers
                 or
                 Pharisees
                 believed
                 on
                 Christ.
                 They
                 were
                 so
                 puffed
                 up
                 with
                 the
                 pride
                 of
                 their
                 high-places
                 ;
                 so
                 swoln
                 with
                 conceitedness
                 of
                 their
                 strict
                 profession
                 and
                 seeming
                 sanctity
                 ;
                 and
                 so
                 possest
                 with
                 prejudice
                 against
                 the
                 spiritual
                 and
                 heavenly
                 doctrine
                 of
                 Christ
                 ,
                 that
                 their
                 hearts
                 boyled
                 with
                 much
                 envy
                 and
                 indigna●ion
                 against
                 
                 him
                 :
                 and
                 thereupon
                 sought
                 many
                 wayes
                 to
                 entrap
                 ,
                 and
                 ensnare
                 him
                 .
                 Yea
                 out
                 of
                 very
                 malice
                 they
                 thirsted
                 after
                 his
                 blood
                 ,
                 and
                 never
                 ceased
                 till
                 they
                 took
                 away
                 his
                 life
                 .
                 Yet
                 here
                 we
                 find
                 one
                 who
                 was
                 both
                 a
                 Pharisee
                 and
                 a
                 Ruler
                 become
                 a
                 
                   Disciple
                   of
                   Iesus
                   Christ
                
                 ,
                 whom
                 Christ
                 instructeth
                 as
                 in
                 
                   the
                   doctrine
                   of
                   regeneration
                
                 ,
                 so
                 in
                 other
                 main
                 principles
                 of
                 Religion
                 ,
                 and
                 thereupon
                 became
                 a
                 true
                 believer
                 ;
                 whence
                 we
                 may
                 observe
                 :
              
               
                 Observ.
                 That
                 the
                 dew
                 of
                 Gods
                 grace
                 often
                 falleth
                 on
                 the
                 most
                 graceless
                 .
                 That
                 the
                 greatest
                 of
                 sinners
                 are
                 ofttimes
                 received
                 to
                 mercy
                 ,
                 and
                 embraced
                 in
                 the
                 arms
                 of
                 free
                 grace
                 .
              
               
                 This
                 God
                 doth
                 ,
                 as
                 for
                 the
                 magnifying
                 the
                 riches
                 of
                 his
                 grace
                 ,
                 so
                 for
                 the
                 encouraging
                 great
                 and
                 notorious
                 sinners
                 to
                 return
                 from
                 their
                 sins
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 look
                 up
                 unto
                 him
                 for
                 mercy
                 .
                 For
                 are
                 the
                 greatest
                 sinners
                 ofttimes
                 received
                 to
                 mercy
                 ?
                 then
                 there
                 is
                 hope
                 of
                 mercy
                 for
                 thee
                 ,
                 how
                 many
                 and
                 heinous
                 soever
                 thy
                 sins
                 are
                 .
                 St.
                 Paul
                 speaking
                 of
                 Gods
                 mercy
                 to
                 him
                 ,
                 who
                 was
                 not
                 only
                 an
                 heinous
                 sinner
                 ,
                 but
                 the
                 
                   chief
                   of
                   sinners
                
                 ,
                 declareth
                 how
                 God
                 shewed
                 mercy
                 to
                 him
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 might
                 be
                 a
                 ground
                 of
                 hope
                 ,
                 and
                 encouragement
                 unto
                 other
                 great
                 and
                 heinous
                 sinners
                 ,
                 
                   For
                   this
                   cause
                
                 ,
                 
                 saith
                 he
                 ,
                 
                   I
                   obtained
                   mercy
                   ,
                   that
                   in
                   me
                   first
                   ,
                   Iesus
                   Christ
                   might
                   shew
                   forth
                   all
                   long-suffering
                   ,
                   for
                   a
                   pattern
                   to
                   them
                   which
                   should
                   hereafter
                   believe
                   on
                   him
                   to
                   life
                   everlasting
                   .
                
                 Intimating
                 ,
                 that
                 one
                 special
                 end
                 Christ
                 aimed
                 at
                 ,
                 in
                 shewing
                 mercy
                 to
                 such
                 a
                 sinner
                 as
                 himself
                 ,
                 was
                 to
                 stir
                 up
                 and
                 encourage
                 other
                 great
                 and
                 heinous
                 sinners
                 to
                 go
                 unto
                 Christ
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 with
                 hope
                 of
                 acceptance
                 ,
                 casting
                 themselves
                 and
                 the
                 burden
                 of
                 their
                 sins
                 upon
                 him
                 .
                 Yea
                 questionless
                 the
                 conversion
                 of
                 so
                 many
                 notorious
                 sinners
                 is
                 recorded
                 in
                 Scripture
                 ,
                 not
                 only
                 as
                 a
                 memorial
                 of
                 what
                 God
                 hath
                 done
                 for
                 others
                 ,
                 but
                 also
                 as
                 a
                 sign
                 and
                 token
                 what
                 he
                 is
                 now
                 ready
                 and
                 willing
                 to
                 do
                 for
                 the
                 greatest
                 sinners
                 ,
                 upon
                 their
                 turning
                 from
                 their
                 sins
                 unto
                 him
                 by
                 unfeigned
                 repentance
                 ,
                 and
                 closing
                 with
                 Jesus
                 Christ
                 by
                 a
                 true
                 and
                 lively
                 faith
                 .
                 Oh
                 therefore
                 let
                 those
                 admirable
                 and
                 s●upendious
                 patterns
                 of
                 mercy
                 held
                 forth
                 in
                 Scripture
                 ,
                 be
                 encouragements
                 unto
                 thee
                 ,
                 to
                 abandon
                 thy
                 sins
                 ,
                 to
                 turn
                 over
                 a
                 new
                 leaf
                 ,
                 and
                 
                 to
                 close
                 with
                 Jesus
                 Christ
                 upon
                 the
                 terms
                 of
                 the
                 Gospel
                 .
              
               
                 II.
                 
                   The
                   Occasion
                   of
                   the
                   conference
                   betwixt
                   Christ
                   and
                
                 Nicodemus
                 followeth
                 in
                 verse
                 2.
                 and
                 that
                 was
                 
                   his
                   coming
                   unto
                   Christ
                
                 ;
                 which
                 is
                 farther
                 amplified
                 by
                 
                   the
                   time
                   when
                   he
                   came
                
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 was
                 
                   by
                   night
                   :
                   The
                   same
                   came
                   to
                   Iesus
                   by
                   night
                   .
                   Nicodemus
                
                 his
                 going
                 unto
                 Christ
                 for
                 farther
                 instruction
                 in
                 the
                 way
                 and
                 means
                 of
                 salvation
                 ,
                 did
                 evidence
                 
                   the
                   truth
                   of
                
                 his
                 faith
                 ;
                 but
                 his
                 going
                 
                   by
                   night
                
                 ,
                 did
                 evidence
                 the
                 weakness
                 of
                 his
                 faith
                 .
                 He
                 believed
                 upon
                 the
                 hearing
                 Christ
                 Preach
                 ,
                 and
                 seeing
                 the
                 miracles
                 which
                 he
                 wrought
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 was
                 
                   a
                   Teacher
                   sent
                   from
                   God.
                
                 Yet
                 because
                 he
                 was
                 a
                 Pharisee
                 and
                 a
                 Ruler
                 ,
                 thought
                 it
                 a
                 disgrace
                 to
                 go
                 openly
                 unto
                 Christ
                 ,
                 to
                 be
                 instructed
                 by
                 him
                 :
                 but
                 went
                 
                   by
                   night
                
                 ,
                 and
                 thereby
                 discovered
                 
                   the
                   weakness
                   of
                   his
                   faith
                
                 ;
                 whence
                 we
                 may
                 observe
                 :
              
               
                 Observ.
                 
                   True
                   Faith
                   may
                   be
                   exceeding
                   weak
                   .
                
                 This
                 title
                 ,
                 (a)
                 
                   O
                   ye
                   of
                   little
                   faith
                
                 ,
                 
                 wherewith
                 Christ
                 often
                 upbraideth
                 his
                 Disciples
                 ,
                 is
                 an
                 evident
                 proof
                 thereof
                 .
                 So
                 likewise
                 that
                 expression
                 of
                 the
                 poor
                 man
                 ,
                 who
                 cryed
                 out
                 unto
                 Christ
                 ,
                 (b)
                 
                   Lord
                   I
                   believe
                   ,
                   help
                   thou
                   my
                   unbelief
                   .
                
                 The
                 former
                 word
                 ,
                 
                   I
                   believe
                
                 ,
                 sheweth
                 
                   the
                   truth
                
                 of
                 his
                 faith
                 ;
                 but
                 the
                 latter
                 word
                 ,
                 unbelief
                 ,
                 sheweth
                 the
                 weakness
                 of
                 his
                 faith
                 ,
                 which
                 was
                 so
                 weak
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 calls
                 it
                 unbelief
                 .
              
               
                 Art
                 thou
                 conscious
                 to
                 thy self
                 of
                 the
                 weakness
                 of
                 thy
                 Faith
                 ?
              
               
                 1.
                 
                 
                   Be
                   thankfull
                   unto
                   God
                   for
                   that
                   measure
                   and
                   degree
                   which
                   thou
                   hast
                   ,
                   though
                   it
                   be
                   but
                   as
                   a
                   grain
                   of
                   mustard-seed
                   for
                   quantity
                
                 ;
                 for
                 the
                 least
                 dram
                 of
                 true
                 faith
                 is
                 of
                 greater
                 value
                 than
                 Mountains
                 of
                 Gold
                 and
                 Silver
                 .
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 
                   Content
                   not
                   thy self
                   with
                   a
                   small
                   measure
                   of
                   faith
                   ,
                
                 for
                 contentedness
                 with
                 a
                 weak
                 faith
                 is
                 an
                 argument
                 of
                 no
                 faith
                 :
                 and
                 besides
                 the
                 greater
                 and
                 stronger
                 thy
                 faith
                 is
                 ,
                 the
                 greater
                 and
                 stronger
                 will
                 be
                 thy
                 comfort
                 and
                 consolation
                 .
                 For
                 the
                 stronger
                 thy
                 faith
                 is
                 ,
                 the
                 clearer
                 will
                 thy
                 apprehension
                 be
                 of
                 thine
                 interest
                 in
                 Christ
                 ,
                 and
                 of
                 the
                 pardon
                 of
                 thy
                 sins
                 ,
                 in
                 and
                 through
                 the
                 merits
                 
                 of
                 his
                 death
                 and
                 passion
                 :
                 The
                 more
                 vertue
                 and
                 strength
                 wilt
                 thou
                 draw
                 from
                 Christ
                 for
                 the
                 mortifying
                 thy
                 lusts
                 ,
                 and
                 for
                 the
                 quickning
                 thy
                 graces
                 ;
                 yea
                 with
                 the
                 greater
                 cheerfulness
                 wilt
                 thou
                 go
                 on
                 in
                 thy
                 Christian
                 course
                 .
              
               
                 3.
                 
                 
                   Labour
                   and
                   strive
                   after
                   a
                   greater
                   measure
                   and
                   degree
                   of
                   faith
                   ,
                
                 to
                 grow
                 from
                 faith
                 to
                 faith
                 ,
                 from
                 one
                 degree
                 of
                 faith
                 unto
                 another
                 ,
                 till
                 thou
                 attain
                 unto
                 the
                 highest
                 degree
                 thereof
                 ,
                 even
                 to
                 a
                 full
                 assurance
                 .
                 To
                 this
                 end
                 be
                 earnest
                 with
                 God
                 in
                 prayer
                 for
                 the
                 increase
                 of
                 thy
                 faith
                 .
                 For
                 every
                 grace
                 depends
                 upon
                 him
                 ,
                 not
                 only
                 for
                 birth
                 ,
                 but
                 also
                 for
                 growth
                 and
                 increase
                 :
                 but
                 of
                 this
                 grace
                 of
                 faith
                 ,
                 he
                 is
                 in
                 a
                 special
                 manner
                 stiled
                 ,
                 as
                 the
                 author
                 ,
                 
                 so
                 the
                 finisher
                 thereof
                 .
              
               
                 Though
                 thy
                 faith
                 at
                 present
                 be
                 weak
                 ,
                 yet
                 know
                 for
                 thy
                 comfort
                 ,
                 That
                 the
                 weakest
                 faith
                 ,
                 if
                 true
                 and
                 sincere
                 ,
                 is
                 sufficient
                 to
                 salvation
                 .
                 For
                 though
                 God
                 giveth
                 not
                 to
                 all
                 believers
                 a
                 like
                 measure
                 and
                 degree
                 of
                 faith
                 ,
                 but
                 to
                 some
                 more
                 ,
                 to
                 others
                 less
                 :
                 yet
                 he
                 giveth
                 to
                 none
                 of
                 his
                 less
                 than
                 may
                 suffice
                 to
                 their
                 salvation
                 .
                 So
                 that
                 the
                 least
                 faith
                 hath
                 this
                 in
                 it
                 ,
                 
                   that
                   it
                   is
                   sufficient
                   to
                   salvation
                   ,
                
                 in
                 that
                 it
                 doth
                 interest
                 us
                 in
                 Christ
                 ,
                 and
                 in
                 all
                 the
                 promises
                 of
                 the
                 Gospel
                 .
              
               
                 III.
                 The
                 Conference
                 it self
                 follows
                 ,
                 which
                 is
                 a
                 Dialogue
                 between
                 Nicodemus
                 ,
                 and
                 our
                 
                   blessed
                   Saviour
                
                 ;
                 wherein
                 Nicodemus
                 begins
                 ,
                 saying
                 
                   Rabbi
                   ,
                   we
                   know
                   that
                   thou
                   art
                   a
                   Teacher
                   sent
                   from
                   God
                   :
                   for
                   no
                   man
                   can
                   do
                   these
                   miracles
                   that
                   thou
                   doest
                   ,
                   except
                   God
                   be
                   with
                   him
                   .
                
                 Wherein
                 we
                 may
                 Observe
                 ,
              
               
                 I.
                 
                   The
                   Title
                   be
                   giveth
                   to
                   our
                   Saviour
                   ,
                
                 
                 Rabbi
                 ,
                 which
                 signifieth
                 Master
                 ,
                 and
                 so
                 our
                 Evangelist
                 expoundeth
                 it
                 ,
                 Ioh.
                 1.38
                 .
                 
                 It
                 is
                 a
                 compound
                 word
                 ,
                 and
                 signifieth
                 ,
                 
                   my
                   Master
                
                 ,
                 For
                 RAB
                 implyeth
                 a
                 man
                 of
                 excellency
                 ,
                 one
                 that
                 excelleth
                 others
                 in
                 knowledge
                 and
                 learning
                 ,
                 and
                 therefore
                 may
                 well
                 be
                 accounted
                 a
                 Master
                 ,
                 or
                 Teacher
                 .
              
               
                 This
                 being
                 a
                 title
                 of
                 great
                 esteem
                 and
                 renown
                 ,
                 the
                 Pharisees
                 did
                 exceedingly
                 affect
                 it
                 :
                 whereupon
                 their
                 flattering
                 followers
                 to
                 please
                 them
                 would
                 double
                 the
                 word
                 ,
                 
                 and
                 call
                 them
                 
                   Rabbi
                   ,
                   Rabbi
                
                 .
                 Hence
                 it
                 is
                 that
                 Christ
                 upbraids
                 to
                 them
                 th●s
                 their
                 ambitious
                 affectation
                 ,
                 and
                 reckons
                 it
                 amongst
                 the
                 badges
                 of
                 their
                 pride
                 ,
                 Matth.
                 23.7
                 .
                 where
                 speaking
                 of
                 the
                 Pharisees
                 ,
                 he
                 saith
                 ,
                 
                   they
                   loved
                   to
                   be
                   called
                   of
                   men
                   ,
                   Rabbi
                   ,
                   Rabbi
                   .
                
              
               
                 The
                 truth
                 is
                 ,
                 that
                 this
                 title
                 rightly
                 taken
                 in
                 its
                 proper
                 sense
                 ,
                 is
                 due
                 only
                 to
                 Christ
                 ,
                 who
                 is
                 
                   the
                   great
                   Prophet
                   and
                   Teacher
                   that
                   came
                   from
                   God
                   ,
                
                 as
                 Nicodemus
                 here
                 acknowledgeth
                 .
                 Whence
                 we
                 may
                 observe
                 :
              
               
                 Observ.
                 
                   That
                   Iesus
                   Christ
                   is
                   the
                   great
                   Prophet
                   ,
                   and
                   Teacher
                   of
                   his
                   Church
                   :
                
                 being
                 alone
                 able
                 to
                 declare
                 his
                 Fathers
                 will
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 open
                 the
                 mysteries
                 of
                 the
                 Gospel
                 .
                 And
                 indeed
                 all
                 other
                 Prophets
                 were
                 but
                 types
                 of
                 this
                 great
                 Prophet
                 .
                 
                 
                   He
                   lay
                   in
                   the
                   bosome
                   of
                   his
                   Father
                   ,
                
                 and
                 so
                 understood
                 the
                 mind
                 and
                 will
                 of
                 God
                 ;
                 and
                 was
                 thereby
                 enabled
                 to
                 make
                 known
                 the
                 Oracles
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 mysteries
                 of
                 Salvation
                 .
                 Yea
                 as
                 the
                 Apostle
                 expresseth
                 ,
                 
                   In
                   Christ
                   are
                   hid
                   all
                   the
                   treasures
                   of
                   wisdom
                   and
                   knowledge
                   .
                
                 
                 Not
                 only
                 wisdom
                 and
                 knowledge
                 are
                 hid
                 in
                 him
                 ,
                 but
                 treasures
                 of
                 wisdom
                 and
                 knowledge
                 :
                 yea
                 
                   all
                   the
                   treasures
                
                 of
                 wisdom
                 and
                 knowledge
                 are
                 hid
                 in
                 him
                 .
                 And
                 all
                 these
                 graces
                 he
                 hath
                 in
                 the
                 highest
                 degree
                 ;
                 in
                 which
                 respect
                 he
                 may
                 well
                 be
                 termed
                 
                   the
                   great
                   Prophet
                   and
                   Teacher
                   of
                   his
                   Church
                   .
                
              
               
                 To
                 him
                 let
                 us
                 give
                 ear
                 and
                 hearken
                 ,
                 preaching
                 unto
                 us
                 both
                 in
                 his
                 Gospel
                 ,
                 and
                 by
                 his
                 Ministers
                 ,
                 who
                 make
                 known
                 unto
                 us
                 the
                 mysteries
                 of
                 the
                 Gospel
                 .
              
               
                 II.
                 The
                 next
                 thing
                 that
                 followeth
                 in
                 the
                 conference
                 ,
                 
                   is
                   the
                   profession
                   which
                
                 Nicodemus
                 
                   maketh
                   of
                   Christ
                   ,
                   we
                   know
                   ,
                
                 saith
                 he
                 ,
                 
                   that
                   thou
                   art
                   a
                   teacher
                   come
                   from
                   God
                   :
                   for
                   no
                   man
                   can
                   do
                   these
                   miracles
                   that
                   thou
                   doest
                   ,
                   except
                   God
                   be
                   with
                   him
                   .
                
                 In
                 which
                 we
                 may
                 observe
                 ,
              
               
                 1.
                 
                 The
                 Profession
                 it self
                 ,
                 
                   we
                   know
                   that
                   thou
                   art
                   a
                   Teacher
                   come
                   from
                   God.
                   
                
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 The
                 reason
                 thereof
                 in
                 the
                 next
                 words
                 ,
                 
                   For
                   no
                   man
                   can
                   do
                   these
                   miracles
                   that
                   thou
                   doest
                   ,
                   except
                   God
                   be
                   with
                   him
                   .
                
                 As
                 if
                 he
                 had
                 said
                 ,
                 whosoever
                 worketh
                 Miracles
                 ,
                 cometh
                 from
                 God
                 ,
                 but
                 thou
                 workest
                 miracles
                 ,
                 therefore
                 thou
                 comest
                 from
                 God.
                 
                 This
                 clause
                 ,
                 
                   these
                   miracles
                   that
                   thou
                   doest
                
                 ,
                 carryeth
                 a
                 great
                 Emphasis
                 ,
                 and
                 sheweth
                 that
                 they
                 were
                 very
                 great
                 miracles
                 which
                 Christ
                 did
                 ,
                 and
                 so
                 confirm
                 the
                 argument
                 the
                 more
                 .
                 This
                 reason
                 is
                 sound
                 ,
                 and
                 affordeth
                 this
                 point
                 of
                 doctrine
                 .
              
               
                 Observ.
                 
                   Miracles
                   cannot
                   be
                   wrought
                   but
                   by
                   divine
                   power
                   .
                
                 For
                 miracles
                 alter
                 the
                 order
                 and
                 course
                 of
                 nature
                 ;
                 which
                 none
                 can
                 do
                 ,
                 but
                 he
                 which
                 hath
                 appointed
                 ,
                 and
                 set
                 that
                 order
                 ,
                 namely
                 God.
                 I
                 will
                 not
                 insist
                 on
                 this
                 ,
                 that
                 I
                 may
                 hasten
                 to
                 that
                 which
                 I
                 mainly
                 intend
                 in
                 this
                 Treatise
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 CHAP.
                 II.
                 The
                 Exposition
                 and
                 Observations
                 arising
                 out
                 of
                 verse
                 3.
                 
              
               
                 IN
                 verse
                 3.
                 follows
                 Christs
                 answer
                 to
                 Nicodemus
                 ▪
                 which
                 is
                 continued
                 to
                 verse
                 22.
                 
                 In
                 which
                 Christ
                 first
                 declareth
                 
                   the
                   necessity
                   of
                   Regeneration
                
                 ,
                 in
                 these
                 words
                 ,
                 
                   Verily
                   ,
                   verily
                   I
                   say
                   unto
                   thee
                   ,
                   except
                   a
                   man
                   be
                   born
                   again
                   ,
                   he
                   cannot
                   s●e
                   the
                   Kingdom
                   of
                   God.
                   
                
              
               
                 Before
                 we
                 come
                 to
                 the
                 substance
                 of
                 Christs
                 discourse
                 ,
                 observe
                 we
                 
                   his
                   manner
                   of
                   entertaining
                   Nicodemus
                
                 .
              
               
                 You
                 have
                 heard
                 from
                 the
                 foregoing
                 verses
                 ,
                 that
                 Nicodemus
                 was
                 both
                 a
                 Pharisee
                 and
                 a
                 Ruler
                 ;
                 both
                 which
                 sorts
                 of
                 men
                 most
                 of
                 all
                 opposed
                 Christ.
                 And
                 you
                 have
                 heard
                 of
                 
                   his
                   weakness
                
                 ,
                 how
                 through
                 fear
                 and
                 shame
                 
                   he
                   went
                   to
                   Christ
                   by
                   night
                
                 ;
                 being
                 loth
                 to
                 be
                 seen
                 with
                 him
                 .
                 Yet
                 Christ
                 re●ects
                 him
                 not
                 ,
                 but
                 kindly
                 entertains
                 him
                 ,
                 and
                 instructs
                 him
                 in
                 such
                 points
                 ,
                 whereof
                 he
                 was
                 ignorant
                 ,
                 though
                 they
                 were
                 fundamental
                 points
                 necessary
                 to
                 salvation
                 .
                 Whence
                 we
                 may
                 observe
                 :
              
               
                 Observ.
                 
                   Christ
                   is
                   ready
                   to
                   entertain
                   those
                   that
                   in
                   truth
                   ,
                   and
                   uprightness
                   seek
                   unto
                   him
                   ,
                   though
                   their
                   weaknesses
                   and
                   in●●rmities
                   are
                   many
                   .
                
                 He
                 rejecteth
                 not
                 such
                 as
                 are
                 
                 weak
                 in
                 faith
                 for
                 their
                 weakness
                 .
                 We
                 read
                 in
                 the
                 History
                 of
                 the
                 Gospel
                 ,
                 that
                 when
                 Christ
                 lived
                 upon
                 the
                 earth
                 ,
                 he
                 rejected
                 none
                 who
                 came
                 unto
                 him
                 in
                 uprightness
                 of
                 heart
                 .
                 Some
                 indeed
                 went
                 away
                 of
                 themselves
                 ,
                 but
                 he
                 turned
                 away
                 none
                 .
                 Only
                 he
                 seemed
                 once
                 not
                 to
                 regard
                 
                   the
                   Woman
                   of
                   Canaan
                
                 ,
                 But
                 why
                 ?
                 Surely
                 not
                 out
                 of
                 any
                 purpose
                 or
                 intent
                 to
                 reject
                 her
                 ,
                 or
                 turn
                 her
                 away
                 ,
                 but
                 only
                 to
                 make
                 known
                 the
                 greatness
                 and
                 strength
                 of
                 her
                 faith
                 .
                 For
                 in
                 the
                 close
                 Christ
                 saith
                 unto
                 her
                 ,
                 
                 
                   O
                   Woman
                   great
                   is
                   thy
                   Faith.
                
                 And
                 can
                 any
                 imagine
                 ,
                 that
                 now
                 Christ
                 is
                 in
                 Heaven
                 ,
                 he
                 hath
                 not
                 the
                 same
                 bowels
                 of
                 compassion
                 towards
                 those
                 that
                 come
                 unto
                 him
                 ,
                 which
                 he
                 had
                 ,
                 when
                 he
                 was
                 upon
                 the
                 earth
                 !
                 Questionless
                 though
                 he
                 be
                 there
                 free
                 from
                 passion
                 ,
                 yet
                 not
                 from
                 compassion
                 towards
                 weak
                 believers
                 .
                 That
                 which
                 was
                 long
                 before
                 Phrophesied
                 of
                 him
                 by
                 Isaiah
                 ,
                 ever
                 was
                 ,
                 and
                 will
                 be
                 found
                 true
                 in
                 him
                 ,
                 namely
                 ,
                 
                   A
                   bruised
                   reed
                   shall
                   he
                   not
                   break
                   ,
                   and
                   the
                   smoaking
                   flax
                   shall
                   be
                   not
                   quench
                   :
                
                 
                 that
                 is
                 ,
                 He
                 shall
                 not
                 deal
                 roughly
                 and
                 rigorously
                 with
                 weak
                 Christians
                 ,
                 such
                 as
                 are
                 weak
                 in
                 grace
                 ,
                 but
                 mildly
                 and
                 gently
                 .
              
               
                 
                 For
                 the
                 end
                 of
                 Christs
                 coming
                 was
                 
                   to
                   seek
                   and
                   save
                   that
                   which
                   was
                   lost
                   .
                
                 And
                 can
                 we
                 imagine
                 that
                 Christ
                 who
                 seeketh
                 after
                 those
                 who
                 go
                 away
                 from
                 him
                 ,
                 will
                 reject
                 any
                 who
                 do
                 in
                 truth
                 seek
                 after
                 him
                 ?
              
               
                 Yea
                 Christ
                 is
                 naturally
                 very
                 merciful
                 and
                 tender
                 :
                 as
                 he
                 hath
                 
                   beams
                   of
                   Majesty
                
                 ,
                 so
                 likewise
                 
                   bowels
                   of
                   mercy
                   ,
                   pitty
                   and
                   compassion
                   .
                
                 His
                 tenderness
                 over
                 weak
                 Christians
                 is
                 set
                 forth
                 in
                 Scripture
                 ,
                 by
                 
                   a
                   Mothers
                   compassion
                   over
                   her
                   sucking
                   child
                   ,
                
                 
                 
                   the
                   Son
                   of
                   her
                   Womb
                
                 :
                 and
                 by
                 
                   a
                   fathers
                   pittying
                   his
                   children
                
                 .
                 
                 So
                 that
                 I
                 may
                 upon
                 good
                 ground
                 conclude
                 ;
                 that
                 Christ
                 will
                 not
                 cast
                 away
                 or
                 reject
                 such
                 as
                 are
                 weak
                 in
                 faith
                 ,
                 because
                 (
                 but
                 )
                 children
                 ;
                 but
                 most
                 willingly
                 and
                 readily
                 embrace
                 them
                 ,
                 because
                 Children
                 .
              
               
                 What
                 encouragement
                 should
                 this
                 be
                 unto
                 all
                 poor
                 believers
                 ,
                 how
                 weak
                 soever
                 their
                 faith
                 is
                 ,
                 to
                 go
                 unto
                 Christ
                 ,
                 as
                 for
                 the
                 strengthning
                 their
                 weak
                 faith
                 ,
                 so
                 for
                 the
                 subduing
                 their
                 strong
                 lusts
                 ,
                 and
                 for
                 the
                 reviving
                 
                 their
                 drooping
                 souls
                 ?
                 For
                 your
                 further
                 encouragement
                 ,
                 you
                 have
                 Christs
                 gracious
                 invitation
                 ,
                 
                   come
                   unto
                   me
                   all
                   ye
                   that
                   labour
                   and
                   are
                   heavy
                   laden
                   ,
                   and
                   I
                   will
                   give
                   you
                   rest
                   .
                
                 
                 Hath
                 he
                 bid
                 thee
                 come
                 ,
                 and
                 will
                 he
                 reject
                 thee
                 when
                 thou
                 comest
                 ?
                 Hath
                 he
                 called
                 ,
                 come
                 ye
                 holy
                 ones
                 ,
                 come
                 ye
                 righteous
                 ones
                 ,
                 come
                 ye
                 strong
                 ones
                 ,
                 and
                 you
                 only
                 shall
                 have
                 rest
                 ?
                 Hath
                 he
                 not
                 invited
                 the
                 weak
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 weary
                 also
                 ,
                 the
                 drooping
                 and
                 fainting
                 soul
                 ?
                 Go
                 poor
                 weak
                 soul
                 ,
                 go
                 unto
                 Christ
                 ,
                 behold
                 he
                 calleth
                 thee
                 ,
                 go
                 unto
                 him
                 ,
                 and
                 thou
                 mayst
                 expect
                 thy
                 cure
                 .
                 Questionless
                 ,
                 one
                 special
                 reason
                 why
                 Christ
                 shewed
                 himself
                 so
                 willing
                 and
                 ready
                 to
                 hearken
                 unto
                 the
                 cry
                 of
                 those
                 who
                 came
                 unto
                 him
                 for
                 the
                 cure
                 of
                 their
                 bodily
                 distempers
                 ,
                 when
                 he
                 was
                 upon
                 the
                 earth
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 heal
                 the
                 same
                 ,
                 was
                 to
                 stir
                 us
                 up
                 to
                 go
                 unto
                 him
                 for
                 the
                 healing
                 of
                 all
                 our
                 spiritual
                 maladies
                 and
                 diseases
                 .
                 For
                 Christ
                 came
                 not
                 into
                 the
                 world
                 to
                 heal
                 bodies
                 ,
                 but
                 souls
                 .
                 And
                 therefore
                 when
                 the
                 name
                 Iesus
                 was
                 given
                 him
                 ,
                 the
                 reason
                 is
                 said
                 to
                 be
                 this
                 ,
                 
                   Because
                   he
                   shall
                   save
                   his
                   people
                   from
                   their
                   sins
                   .
                
                 
                 Not
                 their
                 bodies
                 from
                 sicknesses
                 ,
                 but
                 their
                 souls
                 from
                 sins
                 .
              
               
                 Art
                 thou
                 bound
                 under
                 any
                 spiritual
                 infirmities
                 ?
                 Do
                 as
                 those
                 sick
                 and
                 diseased
                 persons
                 did
                 ,
                 when
                 Christ
                 was
                 upon
                 the
                 earth
                 ,
                 who
                 are
                 said
                 to
                 go
                 unto
                 him
                 in
                 faith
                 ,
                 believing
                 he
                 was
                 both
                 able
                 and
                 willing
                 to
                 cure
                 them
                 ;
                 whereby
                 they
                 drew
                 vertue
                 from
                 him
                 for
                 their
                 healing
                 .
              
               
                 Art
                 thou
                 troubled
                 for
                 the
                 weakness
                 of
                 thy
                 faith
                 ,
                 complaining
                 thou
                 hast
                 no
                 assurance
                 of
                 thine
                 interest
                 in
                 Christ
                 ,
                 no
                 assurance
                 of
                 the
                 pardon
                 of
                 thy
                 sins
                 ?
                 Go
                 unto
                 Christ
                 by
                 prayer
                 for
                 encrease
                 of
                 faith
                 ,
                 believing
                 that
                 he
                 is
                 as
                 able
                 ,
                 so
                 willing
                 to
                 strengthen
                 thy
                 weak
                 faith
                 .
                 And
                 fear
                 not
                 ,
                 thou
                 shalt
                 find
                 such
                 measure
                 of
                 strength
                 added
                 to
                 thee
                 ,
                 as
                 Christ
                 seeth
                 best
                 ,
                 and
                 as
                 shall
                 be
                 sufficient
                 for
                 thee
                 .
              
               
                 Art
                 thou
                 sensible
                 of
                 the
                 working
                 and
                 stirring
                 of
                 corruption
                 in
                 thee
                 ,
                 fearing
                 lest
                 it
                 should
                 get
                 dominion
                 over
                 thee
                 ?
                 
                 Lay
                 hold
                 on
                 that
                 promise
                 ,
                 
                   Sin
                   shall
                   not
                   have
                   dominion
                   over
                   you
                   .
                
                 And
                 in
                 confidence
                 of
                 his
                 faithfulness
                 that
                 spake
                 it
                 ,
                 apply
                 thy self
                 to
                 Christ
                 by
                 prayer
                 ,
                 
                 for
                 his
                 making
                 good
                 that
                 good
                 word
                 to
                 thee
                 :
                 and
                 then
                 stand
                 still
                 and
                 see
                 the
                 salvation
                 of
                 God.
                 Lust
                 as
                 strong
                 as
                 't
                 is
                 ,
                 will
                 not
                 be
                 able
                 to
                 stand
                 before
                 the
                 prayer
                 of
                 faith
                 :
                 only
                 be
                 carefull
                 that
                 when
                 thou
                 hast
                 made
                 thy
                 Prayer
                 ,
                 thou
                 set
                 a
                 watch
                 .
                 Art
                 thou
                 assaulted
                 with
                 the
                 temptations
                 of
                 Satan
                 ,
                 and
                 fearest
                 that
                 he
                 may
                 get
                 the
                 victory
                 over
                 thee
                 ?
                 Go
                 unto
                 Christ
                 by
                 prayer
                 for
                 strength
                 and
                 support
                 against
                 them
                 ,
                 believing
                 there
                 is
                 as
                 a
                 power
                 in
                 Christ
                 ,
                 so
                 a
                 willingness
                 in
                 him
                 to
                 succour
                 ,
                 and
                 strengthen
                 thee
                 ;
                 and
                 thou
                 shalt
                 be
                 sure
                 to
                 find
                 ,
                 if
                 not
                 deliverance
                 from
                 temptations
                 ,
                 yet
                 grace
                 sufficient
                 to
                 resist
                 them
                 ,
                 and
                 power
                 to
                 overcome
                 them
                 .
              
               
                 Lastly
                 ,
                 Art
                 thou
                 troubled
                 with
                 an
                 hard
                 and
                 obdurate
                 heart
                 ?
                 with
                 a
                 filthy
                 and
                 unclean
                 heart
                 ?
                 with
                 a
                 worldly
                 ,
                 and
                 covetous
                 heart
                 ?
                 with
                 a
                 proud
                 and
                 barren
                 heart
                 ?
                 Go
                 unto
                 Christ
                 by
                 prayer
                 ,
                 believing
                 there
                 is
                 as
                 a
                 power
                 ,
                 so
                 a
                 willingness
                 in
                 him
                 to
                 mollifie
                 thine
                 hard
                 and
                 obdurate
                 heart
                 ;
                 to
                 purifie
                 thy
                 filthy
                 and
                 unclean
                 heart
                 ;
                 to
                 spiritualize
                 thy
                 worldly
                 and
                 covetous
                 heart
                 :
                 to
                 humble
                 thy
                 proud
                 heart
                 ;
                 to
                 make
                 fruitfull
                 thy
                 barren
                 heart
                 .
                 And
                 doubt
                 nor
                 but
                 thou
                 shalt
                 find
                 thine
                 hard
                 and
                 obdurate
                 heart
                 in
                 some
                 measure
                 softned
                 ,
                 thy
                 filthy
                 and
                 unclean
                 heart
                 in
                 some
                 measure
                 purified
                 ,
                 thy
                 worldly
                 and
                 covetous
                 heart
                 in
                 ▪
                 some
                 measure
                 spiritualized
                 ,
                 thy
                 proud
                 heart
                 in
                 some
                 measure
                 humbled
                 ,
                 and
                 thy
                 barren
                 heart
                 in
                 some
                 measure
                 made
                 fruitfull
                 .
              
               
                 And
                 certainly
                 one
                 special
                 reason
                 why
                 many
                 go
                 drooping
                 and
                 groaning
                 so
                 long
                 under
                 the
                 bondage
                 of
                 corruption
                 ,
                 under
                 the
                 weight
                 and
                 burden
                 of
                 their
                 spiritual
                 maladies
                 ,
                 and
                 diseases
                 ,
                 is
                 ,
                 because
                 they
                 do
                 not
                 go
                 unto
                 Christ
                 by
                 prayer
                 for
                 freedom
                 from
                 the
                 same
                 :
                 or
                 through
                 the
                 weakness
                 of
                 their
                 faith
                 ,
                 they
                 do
                 not
                 believe
                 Christ
                 is
                 ,
                 as
                 able
                 ,
                 so
                 willing
                 to
                 help
                 and
                 deliver
                 them
                 .
                 For
                 what
                 Christ
                 said
                 to
                 the
                 poor
                 man
                 who
                 came
                 unto
                 him
                 in
                 behalf
                 of
                 his
                 possessed
                 child
                 ,
                 the
                 same
                 he
                 saith
                 to
                 thee
                 ,
                 
                 
                   If
                   thou
                   canst
                   believe
                   ,
                   all
                   things
                   are
                   possible
                   to
                   him
                   that
                   believeth
                   .
                
              
               
                 Obj.
                 Some
                 are
                 apt
                 to
                 say
                 ,
                 I
                 have
                 often
                 gone
                 unto
                 
                 Christ
                 by
                 Prayer
                 ,
                 earnestly
                 begging
                 of
                 him
                 to
                 strengthen
                 my
                 weak
                 graces
                 ,
                 to
                 subdue
                 my
                 strong
                 lusts
                 and
                 corruptions
                 ,
                 to
                 mollifie
                 my
                 hard
                 heart
                 ,
                 &c.
                 but
                 I
                 cannot
                 pray
                 in
                 faith
                 :
                 I
                 cannot
                 believe
                 that
                 he
                 is
                 ,
                 as
                 able
                 ,
                 so
                 willing
                 to
                 grant
                 my
                 requests
                 .
              
               
                 Answ.
                 1.
                 
                 
                   Thou
                   mayest
                   pray
                   in
                   faith
                   ,
                   even
                   then
                   when
                   thou
                   thinkest
                   thou
                   dost
                   not
                   believe
                   .
                
                 Weak
                 Christians
                 are
                 often
                 mistaken
                 here
                 ,
                 supposing
                 that
                 if
                 they
                 be
                 not
                 confidently
                 perswaded
                 that
                 God
                 will
                 hear
                 them
                 ,
                 they
                 do
                 not
                 pray
                 in
                 faith
                 .
                 Whereas
                 it
                 is
                 not
                 a
                 confidence
                 that
                 God
                 will
                 hear
                 us
                 ,
                 but
                 a
                 dependance
                 upon
                 Christ
                 in
                 hope
                 of
                 audience
                 ,
                 that
                 is
                 our
                 s●●et
                 evidence
                 of
                 faith
                 in
                 prayer
                 .
                 Thou
                 sayest
                 thou
                 prayest
                 ,
                 and
                 prayest
                 ,
                 but
                 canst
                 not
                 be
                 perswaded
                 that
                 the
                 holy
                 God
                 will
                 hear
                 the
                 prayers
                 of
                 such
                 a
                 vile
                 and
                 unworthy
                 wretch
                 ,
                 and
                 thereupon
                 concludest
                 that
                 thou
                 dost
                 not
                 pray
                 in
                 faith
                 .
                 But
                 let
                 me
                 ask
                 thee
                 ,
                 
                   Dost
                   thou
                   offer
                   up
                   thy
                   prayers
                   in
                   the
                   name
                   of
                   Christ
                   ?
                   dost
                   thou
                   depend
                   upon
                   him
                   in
                   hope
                   of
                   an
                   answer
                   for
                   his
                   sake
                   ?
                
                 this
                 is
                 praying
                 in
                 faith
                 .
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 
                   Mourn
                   and
                   weep
                   for
                   the
                   weakness
                   of
                   thy
                   faith
                   .
                
              
               
                 3.
                 
                 
                   Be
                   earnest
                   with
                   God
                   in
                   prayer
                   that
                   he
                   would
                   strengthen
                   it
                   .
                
              
               
                 4.
                 
                 
                   Know
                   that
                   thy
                   corruption
                   neither
                   is
                   ,
                   nor
                   will
                   be
                   utterly
                   destroyed
                   ,
                   so
                   long
                   as
                   thou
                   livest
                   here
                   in
                   this
                   World
                
                 ;
                 neither
                 will
                 thy
                 spiritual
                 maladies
                 and
                 diseases
                 be
                 quite
                 cured
                 ,
                 but
                 they
                 do
                 and
                 will
                 continue
                 in
                 some
                 measure
                 and
                 degree
                 ;
                 partly
                 
                   to
                   bring
                   down
                   thy
                   pride
                
                 ,
                 which
                 of
                 all
                 sins
                 is
                 the
                 most
                 odious
                 and
                 abominable
                 unto
                 God
                 ;
                 and
                 
                   to
                   advance
                   thy
                   humility
                
                 ,
                 which
                 of
                 all
                 graces
                 is
                 most
                 pleasing
                 and
                 acceptable
                 unto
                 God
                 :
                 and
                 partly
                 that
                 thou
                 mayest
                 have
                 frequent
                 occasion
                 of
                 going
                 unto
                 God
                 by
                 prayer
                 for
                 help
                 and
                 strength
                 against
                 the
                 power
                 of
                 thy
                 lusts
                 and
                 corruptions
                 .
              
               
                 5.
                 
                 
                   Know
                   ,
                   that
                   power
                   against
                   sin
                   ,
                   increase
                   of
                   grace
                   ,
                   an
                   humble
                   ,
                   tender
                   ,
                   clean
                   heart
                   ,
                   are
                   mercies
                   as
                   worth
                   the
                   praying
                   for
                   ,
                   so
                   worth
                   the
                   waiting
                   for
                   .
                
                 Christs
                 delays
                 are
                 no
                 denials
                 :
                 thou
                 canst
                 not
                 say
                 ,
                 he
                 will
                 not
                 ,
                 because
                 yet
                 he
                 hath
                 not
                 given
                 thee
                 thy
                 desires
                 .
                 Be
                 not
                 weary
                 of
                 seeking
                 ;
                 in
                 due
                 season
                 thou
                 shalt
                 reap
                 ,
                 if
                 thou
                 faint
                 not
                 .
              
               
               
                 Before
                 I
                 leave
                 this
                 point
                 ,
                 I
                 shall
                 add
                 one
                 word
                 by
                 way
                 of
                 caution
                 .
                 Beware
                 thou
                 mistake
                 not
                 thy self
                 .
              
               
                 Take
                 not
                 thy self
                 to
                 be
                 
                   one
                   of
                   little
                   faith
                
                 ,
                 whilest
                 thou
                 hast
                 
                   no
                   faith
                
                 .
                 Let
                 not
                 unbelievers
                 catch
                 at
                 the
                 comforts
                 and
                 encouragements
                 that
                 belong
                 to
                 the
                 least
                 of
                 Saints
                 ;
                 that
                 which
                 is
                 
                   their
                   meat
                
                 ,
                 will
                 be
                 
                   thy
                   poison
                
                 .
                 Comforts
                 falsely
                 applyed
                 ,
                 though
                 they
                 be
                 sweet
                 in
                 the
                 mouth
                 ,
                 will
                 prove
                 curses
                 in
                 the
                 belly
                 .
                 Hast
                 thou
                 no
                 faith
                 ?
                 Oh
                 tremble
                 ,
                 this
                 is
                 the
                 word
                 that
                 belongs
                 to
                 thee
                 ,
                 
                 
                   He
                   that
                   believeth
                   not
                   shall
                   be
                   damned
                   .
                
                 Though
                 to
                 him
                 that
                 hath
                 shall
                 be
                 given
                 ,
                 yet
                 to
                 him
                 that
                 
                   hath
                   not
                
                 ,
                 shall
                 be
                 taken
                 away
                 ,
                 even
                 that
                 which
                 he
                 seemeth
                 to
                 have
                 .
              
               
                 He
                 that
                 hath
                 the
                 least
                 faith
                 ,
                 is
                 a
                 resolved
                 enemy
                 of
                 all
                 sin
                 ,
                 a
                 resolved
                 friend
                 of
                 holiness
                 ,
                 is
                 resolved
                 to
                 hang
                 upon
                 Christ
                 ,
                 to
                 cleave
                 unto
                 Christ
                 ,
                 to
                 follow
                 him
                 to
                 the
                 death
                 in
                 righteousness
                 and
                 holiness
                 of
                 life
                 ,
                 though
                 he
                 still
                 do
                 question
                 whether
                 Christ
                 be
                 his
                 or
                 no.
                 
              
               
                 Is
                 it
                 not
                 thus
                 with
                 thee
                 ?
                 Beware
                 how
                 thou
                 catch
                 at
                 the
                 forementioned
                 comforts
                 .
                 Yet
                 this
                 let
                 me
                 say
                 to
                 thee
                 also
                 ,
                 if
                 thou
                 hast
                 not
                 faith
                 ,
                 wilt
                 thou
                 go
                 to
                 Christ
                 for
                 faith
                 ?
                 If
                 thou
                 canst
                 not
                 go
                 to
                 Christ
                 
                   as
                   a
                   Believer
                
                 ,
                 wilt
                 thou
                 go
                 to
                 him
                 
                   as
                   a
                   Sinner
                
                 ?
                 If
                 thou
                 art
                 not
                 yet
                 in
                 a
                 state
                 of
                 salvation
                 ,
                 art
                 thou
                 willing
                 to
                 be
                 saved
                 ?
                 Art
                 thou
                 willing
                 to
                 learn
                 of
                 Christ
                 ,
                 to
                 ask
                 his
                 counsel
                 ,
                 
                   what
                   must
                   I
                   do
                   to
                   be
                   saved
                   ?
                
                 wilt
                 thou
                 go
                 thus
                 to
                 Christ
                 ,
                 
                   Lord
                   camest
                   thou
                   not
                   into
                   the
                   world
                   to
                   save
                   sinners
                   ?
                   to
                   make
                   intercession
                   for
                   transgressors
                   ?
                   to
                   seek
                   and
                   to
                   save
                   them
                   which
                   are
                   lost
                   ?
                   Oh
                   wilt
                   thou
                   save
                
                 this
                 sinner
                 ,
                 my
                 
                   sinfull
                   soul
                   ,
                   Lord
                   ?
                   I
                   fear
                   I
                   am
                   none
                   of
                   thine
                   ,
                   but
                   wilt
                   thou
                   make
                   me
                   thine
                   ?
                   I
                   come
                   to
                   thy
                   door
                   ,
                   I
                   lye
                   at
                   thy
                   feet
                   ,
                   a
                   poor
                   lost
                   soul
                   ,
                   an
                   undone
                   creature
                   ;
                   Oh
                   wilt
                   thou
                   take
                   me
                   in
                   ,
                   and
                   make
                   me
                   one
                   of
                   thy
                   Disciples
                   ?
                
                 Wilt
                 thou
                 thus
                 come
                 to
                 Christ
                 ?
                 Even
                 thou
                 also
                 art
                 one
                 of
                 those
                 that
                 he
                 calls
                 to
                 ;
                 
                 
                   He
                   came
                   not
                   to
                   call
                   the
                   righteous
                   ,
                   but
                   sinners
                   to
                   repentance
                   .
                
              
               
                 Thus
                 much
                 of
                 Christs
                 entertaining
                 Nicodemus
                 .
              
               
                 Come
                 we
                 now
                 to
                 the
                 first
                 general
                 point
                 whereof
                 Christ
                 
                 discourseth
                 with
                 Nicodemus
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 was
                 
                   the
                   Doctrine
                   of
                   Regeneration
                
                 ,
                 in
                 these
                 words
                 ,
                 
                   Verily
                   ,
                   Verily
                   ,
                   I
                   say
                   unto
                   thee
                   ,
                   except
                   a
                   man
                   be
                   born
                   again
                   ,
                   he
                   cannot
                   see
                   the
                   Kingdom
                   of
                   God.
                
                 In
                 which
                 we
                 may
                 note
                 ,
                 
                   
                     1.
                     
                     
                       The
                       manner
                       of
                       propounding
                       it
                    
                     .
                  
                   
                     2.
                     
                     
                       The
                       matter
                       and
                       substance
                       of
                       it
                       .
                    
                  
                
              
               
                 For
                 the
                 manner
                 it
                 is
                 propounded
                 with
                 a
                 
                   double
                   asseveration
                   ,
                   Verily
                   ,
                   Verily
                   ,
                   I
                   say
                   unto
                   thee
                   .
                
                 In
                 the
                 Greek
                 it
                 is
                 Amen
                 ,
                 
                 Amen
                 ,
                 which
                 in
                 the
                 Hebrew
                 signifieth
                 truth
                 .
                 The
                 asseveration
                 is
                 doubled
                 ,
                 to
                 stir
                 up
                 attention
                 in
                 Nicodemus
                 ,
                 who
                 being
                 yet
                 in
                 great
                 measure
                 ignorant
                 of
                 the
                 fundamental
                 principles
                 of
                 Religion
                 ,
                 might
                 happily
                 have
                 lightly
                 esteemed
                 this
                 doctrine
                 of
                 Regeneration
                 ,
                 and
                 therefore
                 to
                 stir
                 up
                 his
                 attention
                 ,
                 Christ
                 useth
                 this
                 double
                 asseveration
                 ,
                 
                   verily
                   ,
                   verily
                   ,
                   I
                   say
                   unto
                   thee
                   .
                
                 Which
                 was
                 a
                 form
                 of
                 speech
                 often
                 used
                 by
                 our
                 Saviour
                 when
                 he
                 would
                 solemnly
                 avouch
                 any
                 weighty
                 truth
                 .
                 He
                 never
                 used
                 it
                 but
                 in
                 matters
                 of
                 great
                 moment
                 .
                 By
                 it
                 therefore
                 our
                 Saviour
                 giveth
                 us
                 to
                 understand
                 ,
                 
                   that
                   the
                   truth
                   here
                   delivered
                   is
                   a
                   weighty
                   truth
                   ,
                   not
                   lightly
                   to
                   be
                   regarded
                   ,
                   and
                   slightly
                   passed
                   over
                   .
                
                 For
                 he
                 who
                 gave
                 this
                 commandment
                 ,
                 
                 
                   Let
                   your
                   communication
                   be
                   yea
                   ,
                   yea
                   ,
                   nay
                   ,
                   nay
                   ,
                
                 would
                 never
                 have
                 added
                 this
                 
                   double
                   asseveration
                
                 ,
                 if
                 there
                 had
                 not
                 been
                 need
                 thereof
                 .
                 Christ
                 therefore
                 having
                 prefixed
                 
                   this
                   preface
                
                 to
                 the
                 following
                 truths
                 ,
                 doth
                 thereby
                 stir
                 us
                 up
                 to
                 give
                 ,
                 as
                 the
                 more
                 credit
                 ,
                 so
                 the
                 more
                 diligent
                 heed
                 thereto
                 .
                 Yea
                 and
                 thereby
                 shews
                 
                   the
                   doctrine
                   of
                   Regeneration
                
                 to
                 be
                 a
                 most
                 important
                 point
                 ;
                 necessary
                 to
                 be
                 known
                 and
                 learned
                 of
                 all
                 .
              
               
                 The
                 matter
                 or
                 substance
                 of
                 the
                 Doctrine
                 of
                 Regeneration
                 ,
                 as
                 Christ
                 hath
                 sayd
                 it
                 down
                 ,
                 followeth
                 in
                 these
                 words
                 ,
                 
                   Except
                   a
                   man
                   be
                   born
                   again
                   ,
                   he
                   cannot
                   see
                   the
                   Kingdom
                   of
                   God.
                   
                
              
               
                 For
                 the
                 more
                 profitable
                 handling
                 whereof
                 ,
                 I
                 shall
                 ,
                 
                   
                     1.
                     
                     
                       Clear
                       the
                       words
                       by
                       giving
                       you
                       the
                       sense
                       and
                       meaning
                       of
                       them
                       .
                    
                  
                   
                     2.
                     
                     
                       Raise
                       and
                       prosecute
                       such
                       points
                       of
                       Doctrine
                       as
                       they
                       afford
                       unto
                       us
                       .
                    
                  
                
              
               
                 For
                 the
                 clearing
                 of
                 the
                 words
                 .
                 
                   Except
                   a
                   man.
                
                 
                 In
                 the
                 Greek
                 it
                 is
                 ,
                 
                 
                   Except
                   any
                
                 .
                 This
                 indefinite
                 particle
                 joyned
                 with
                 an
                 exclusive
                 hath
                 the
                 force
                 of
                 a
                 general
                 .
                 As
                 if
                 our
                 Saviour
                 had
                 said
                 ,
                 
                   No
                   man
                   can
                   enter
                   into
                   heaven
                   except
                   he
                   be
                   born
                   again
                
                 ;
                 so
                 as
                 he
                 speaketh
                 not
                 only
                 of
                 notorious
                 sinners
                 ,
                 as
                 
                   adulterers
                   ,
                   drunkards
                   ,
                   swearers
                
                 ,
                 &c.
                 but
                 of
                 all
                 who
                 are
                 in
                 their
                 natural
                 condition
                 ,
                 though
                 they
                 live
                 never
                 so
                 unblamably
                 ,
                 free
                 from
                 all
                 scandalous
                 sins
                 ,
                 if
                 they
                 be
                 not
                 born
                 again
                 ,
                 their
                 
                   civil
                   righteousness
                
                 will
                 do
                 them
                 little
                 good
                 ,
                 for
                 
                   they
                   shall
                   never
                   see
                   the
                   Kingdom
                   of
                   God.
                   
                
              
               
                 
                   Be
                   born
                   ]
                   Except
                   a
                   man
                   be
                   born
                   ,
                
                 This
                 is
                 spoken
                 
                   metaphorically
                   and
                   spiritually
                
                 ,
                 in
                 allusion
                 to
                 our
                 natural
                 birth
                 ,
                 which
                 Nicodemus
                 not
                 observing
                 ,
                 clean
                 misconstrued
                 Christs
                 words
                 .
              
               
                 Now
                 this
                 word
                 born
                 ,
                 or
                 begotten
                 ,
                 is
                 used
                 to
                 shew
                 that
                 the
                 whole
                 nature
                 of
                 man
                 must
                 be
                 changed
                 ,
                 and
                 in
                 a
                 manner
                 new
                 framed
                 ,
                 not
                 in
                 regard
                 of
                 the
                 substance
                 ,
                 but
                 of
                 the
                 qualities
                 of
                 it
                 .
                 
                 The
                 natural
                 essence
                 and
                 substance
                 either
                 of
                 the
                 soul
                 or
                 body
                 is
                 not
                 destroyed
                 ,
                 but
                 still
                 remaineth
                 ,
                 only
                 it
                 is
                 divested
                 of
                 the
                 old
                 ,
                 and
                 invested
                 with
                 new
                 qualities
                 .
                 He
                 that
                 is
                 regenerated
                 hath
                 a
                 
                   renewed
                   understanding
                
                 ,
                 a
                 
                   renewed
                   will
                   ,
                   renewed
                   affections
                
                 ,
                 yea
                 
                   new
                   desires
                
                 and
                 a
                 
                   new
                   conversation
                
                 .
                 So
                 that
                 the
                 meaning
                 is
                 ,
                 
                   No
                   man
                   can
                   enter
                   into
                   heaven
                   unless
                   by
                   the
                   spirit
                   of
                   God
                   he
                   be
                   first
                   altered
                   and
                   changed
                   from
                   what
                   he
                   was
                   ,
                
                 even
                 brought
                 out
                 of
                 the
                 state
                 of
                 nature
                 into
                 the
                 state
                 of
                 grace
                 ,
                 and
                 so
                 become
                 a
                 
                   new
                   creature
                
                 ,
                 as
                 in
                 regard
                 of
                 his
                 new
                 manner
                 of
                 creation
                 ,
                 so
                 in
                 regard
                 of
                 his
                 new
                 manner
                 of
                 conversation
                 ,
                 leading
                 another
                 manner
                 of
                 life
                 than
                 he
                 did
                 before
                 .
              
               
                 Born
                 again
                 ]
                 The
                 original
                 word
                 translated
                 again
                 ,
                 is
                 as
                 well
                 attributed
                 to
                 place
                 ,
                 as
                 to
                 time
                 ,
                 and
                 signifieth
                 above
                 ,
                 as
                 well
                 as
                 again
                 ,
                 as
                 vers
                 .
                 31.
                 
                 (a)
                 And
                 indeed
                 this
                 is
                 the
                 most
                 usual
                 signification
                 of
                 the
                 word
                 ,
                 and
                 therefore
                 some
                 translate
                 it
                 so
                 here
                 ,
                 *
                 
                   except
                   a
                   man
                   be
                   born
                   from
                   above
                   ,
                
                 as
                 it
                 is
                 in
                 our
                 old
                 translation
                 .
                 And
                 though
                 our
                 new
                 translators
                 of
                 the
                 Bible
                 have
                 altered
                 it
                 ,
                 yet
                 have
                 they
                 put
                 in
                 the
                 Margin
                 
                   from
                   above
                
                 .
              
               
                 But
                 questionless
                 in
                 this
                 place
                 the
                 word
                 signifieth
                 
                 again
                 :
                 
                 for
                 so
                 Nicodemus
                 taketh
                 it
                 ,
                 verse
                 4.
                 
                   how
                   can
                   a
                   man
                   be
                   born
                   when
                   he
                   is
                   old
                   ?
                   can
                   he
                   enter
                   the
                   second
                   time
                   into
                   his
                   Mothers
                   Womb
                   ,
                   and
                   be
                   born
                   ?
                
                 So
                 that
                 the
                 word
                 here
                 hath
                 respect
                 to
                 the
                 time
                 more
                 than
                 to
                 the
                 place
                 ,
                 and
                 implyeth
                 the
                 necessity
                 of
                 a
                 second
                 birth
                 ,
                 that
                 a
                 man
                 be
                 born
                 
                   of
                   the
                   spirit
                
                 ,
                 as
                 well
                 as
                 born
                 
                   of
                   the
                   flesh
                
                 ,
                 otherwise
                 it
                 had
                 been
                 better
                 for
                 him
                 ,
                 he
                 had
                 never
                 been
                 born
                 at
                 all
                 .
              
               
                 
                   He
                   cannot
                   see
                   the
                   Kingdom
                   of
                   God
                   ]
                   Kingdom
                
                 is
                 here
                 taken
                 for
                 that
                 happy
                 estate
                 whereunto
                 God
                 bringeth
                 his
                 elect
                 in
                 Christ
                 ,
                 the
                 entrance
                 thereunto
                 is
                 
                   in
                   this
                   life
                
                 ,
                 which
                 is
                 commonly
                 called
                 the
                 
                   Kingdom
                   of
                   grace
                
                 .
                 The
                 full
                 possession
                 ,
                 is
                 
                   in
                   the
                   life
                   to
                   come
                
                 ,
                 called
                 the
                 
                   Kingdom
                   of
                   glory
                
                 .
                 These
                 are
                 not
                 two
                 distinct
                 Kingdoms
                 ,
                 but
                 two
                 degrees
                 of
                 one
                 and
                 the
                 same
                 Kingdom
                 .
                 Now
                 whereas
                 Christ
                 faith
                 ,
                 
                   He
                   cannot
                   see
                   the
                   Kingdom
                   of
                   God
                   ,
                
                 it
                 's
                 in
                 effect
                 as
                 much
                 as
                 ,
                 
                   He
                   cannot
                   enter
                   into
                   the
                   Kingdom
                   of
                   God
                   ,
                
                 as
                 our
                 Saviour
                 clearly
                 explaineth
                 ,
                 verse
                 5.
                 
                 
                   Except
                   a
                   man
                   be
                   born
                   of
                   water
                   ,
                   and
                   of
                   the
                   spirit
                   ,
                   he
                   cannot
                   enter
                   into
                   the
                   Kingdom
                   of
                   God
                   ,
                
                 that
                 is
                 ,
                 He
                 cannot
                 be
                 saved
                 .
              
               
                 Having
                 thus
                 cleared
                 the
                 words
                 ,
                 by
                 shewing
                 you
                 the
                 sense
                 and
                 meaning
                 of
                 them
                 ;
                 They
                 afford
                 unto
                 us
                 this
                 point
                 of
                 Doctrine
                 :
              
               
                 Doct.
                 
                   Regeneration
                   is
                   necessary
                   to
                   salvation
                
                 :
                 Or
                 ,
                 
                   To
                   make
                   a
                   man
                   a
                   member
                   of
                   the
                   invisible
                   Church
                   ,
                   and
                   so
                   a●
                   heir
                   of
                   Gods
                   Kingdom
                   ,
                   it
                   is
                   necessary
                   that
                   he
                   be
                   regenerate
                   and
                   born
                   again
                   ,
                   and
                   thereby
                   brought
                   out
                   of
                   the
                   state
                   of
                   nature
                   into
                   the
                   state
                   of
                   grace
                   .
                
              
               
                 This
                 very
                 Doctrine
                 for
                 substance
                 is
                 again
                 inculcated
                 ,
                 verse
                 5.
                 
                 
                   Verily
                   ,
                   Verily
                   ,
                   I
                   say
                   unto
                   thee
                   ,
                   except
                   a
                   man
                   be
                   born
                   of
                   water
                   and
                   of
                   the
                   spirit
                   ,
                   he
                   cannot
                   enter
                   into
                   the
                   Kingdom
                   of
                   God.
                
                 Now
                 our
                 Saviours
                 twice
                 repeating
                 this
                 Doctrine
                 ,
                 both
                 in
                 verse
                 3.
                 and
                 verse
                 5.
                 and
                 in
                 both
                 places
                 prefixing
                 a
                 double
                 asseveration
                 ,
                 
                   Verily
                   ,
                   Verily
                
                 ,
                 doth
                 notably
                 confirm
                 the
                 truth
                 of
                 it
                 ,
                 and
                 therefore
                 there
                 needs
                 no
                 farther
                 proof
                 thereof
                 .
              
               
                 But
                 for
                 the
                 better
                 conceiving
                 ,
                 and
                 right
                 applying
                 this
                 Doctrine
                 ,
                 I
                 shall
                 shew
                 you
                 ,
                 
                   
                     1.
                     
                     
                       The
                       Nature
                       of
                       Regeneration
                       ,
                       What
                       it
                       is
                       .
                    
                  
                   
                     
                     2.
                     
                     
                       The
                       Parts
                       of
                       Regeneration
                    
                     .
                  
                   
                     3.
                     
                     
                       The
                       Causes
                       which
                       concurr
                       to
                       the
                       work
                       of
                       Regeneration
                       .
                    
                  
                   
                     4.
                     
                     
                       The
                       Reasons
                       proving
                       the
                       necessity
                       of
                       Regeneration
                       to
                       Salvation
                       .
                    
                  
                   
                     5.
                     
                     
                       The
                       uses
                       of
                       the
                       point
                    
                     .
                  
                
              
            
             
               
                 CHAP.
                 III.
                 Of
                 the
                 Nature
                 of
                 Regeneration
                 ,
                 What
                 it
                 is
                 .
              
               
                 I.
                 
                   REgeneration
                   ,
                   is
                   that
                   grace
                   whereby
                   a
                   natural
                   man
                   is
                   made
                   a
                   spiritual
                   or
                   new
                   man.
                
                 Even
                 he
                 that
                 by
                 sin
                 was
                 a
                 Child
                 of
                 the
                 Devil
                 ,
                 is
                 made
                 a
                 Child
                 of
                 God.
                 For
                 as
                 by
                 vertue
                 of
                 our
                 
                   natural
                   birth
                
                 ,
                 that
                 which
                 was
                 no
                 man
                 is
                 made
                 a
                 man
                 ,
                 or
                 Son
                 of
                 man.
                 So
                 by
                 this
                 
                   Spiritual
                   birth
                
                 ,
                 he
                 that
                 was
                 a
                 
                   natural
                   man
                
                 is
                 made
                 a
                 
                   new
                   man
                
                 ,
                 even
                 a
                 
                   spiritual
                   man
                
                 ,
                 a
                 
                   child
                   of
                   God
                
                 ,
                 So
                 that
                 to
                 speak
                 properly
                 ,
                 
                   Regeneration
                   is
                   another
                   birth
                   after
                   the
                   former
                   .
                
                 A
                 spiritual
                 birth
                 after
                 our
                 natural
                 birth
                 ,
                 whereby
                 a
                 man
                 is
                 as
                 it
                 were
                 
                   another
                   man.
                
                 As
                 it
                 is
                 said
                 of
                 Calch
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 was
                 a
                 man
                 
                   of
                   another
                   spirit
                
                 .
                 So
                 may
                 it
                 be
                 said
                 of
                 a
                 
                   regenerate
                   man
                
                 ,
                 
                 that
                 he
                 is
                 of
                 
                   another
                   spirit
                
                 ,
                 being
                 quite
                 altered
                 and
                 changed
                 from
                 what
                 he
                 was
                 before
                 .
              
               
                 
                 The
                 notation
                 of
                 the
                 Greek
                 and
                 Latine
                 words
                 imports
                 as
                 much
                 .
                 Not
                 unfitly
                 called
                 regeneration
                 ,
                 because
                 by
                 it
                 we
                 are
                 restored
                 to
                 that
                 image
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 wherein
                 we
                 were
                 at
                 first
                 created
                 .
              
               
                 Now
                 this
                 regeneration
                 ,
                 or
                 
                   new
                   birth
                
                 cannot
                 be
                 meant
                 of
                 a
                 birth
                 
                   after
                   the
                   flesh
                
                 ,
                 
                 for
                 
                   no
                   natural
                   or
                   carnal
                   thing
                
                 is
                 to
                 be
                 conceipted
                 
                   in
                   regeneration
                
                 .
                 But
                 regeneration
                 is
                 
                   a
                   spiritual
                   birth
                
                 ,
                 a
                 
                   birth
                   of
                   the
                   spirit
                
                 ,
                 as
                 is
                 evident
                 by
                 those
                 words
                 ,
                 
                 
                   that
                   which
                   is
                   born
                   of
                   the
                   spirit
                   is
                   spirit
                   .
                
                 So
                 as
                 by
                 the
                 work
                 of
                 Regeneration
                 flesh
                 is
                 turned
                 into
                 spirit
                 ,
                 that
                 is
                 ,
                 
                   the
                   carnal
                   ,
                   corrupt
                   disposition
                   of
                   man
                   ,
                   is
                   changed
                   and
                   altered
                   into
                   a
                   renewed
                   and
                   sanctified
                   disposition
                
                 ;
                 whereby
                 it
                 appears
                 that
                 Regeneration
                 is
                 as
                 it
                 were
                 a
                 
                   new
                   creation
                
                 ,
                 and
                 a
                 
                   regenerate
                   man
                
                 is
                 called
                 a
                 new-creature
                 ,
                 
                 being
                 renewed
                 throughout
                 ,
                 both
                 thorow
                 his
                 soul
                 with
                 all
                 the
                 powers
                 and
                 faculties
                 thereof
                 ;
                 and
                 thorow
                 his
                 body
                 ,
                 with
                 all
                 the
                 parts
                 and
                 members
                 thereof
                 .
                 So
                 that
                 the
                 
                   blind
                   understanding
                
                 is
                 in
                 some
                 measure
                 inlightned
                 with
                 the
                 knowledge
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 knowledge
                 of
                 Jesus
                 Christ.
                 The
                 
                   stubborn
                   and
                   contumacious
                   will
                
                 is
                 in
                 some
                 measure
                 obedient
                 and
                 conformable
                 to
                 the
                 will
                 of
                 God.
                 The
                 
                   seared
                   and
                   benummed
                   conscience
                
                 is
                 now
                 quickned
                 and
                 awakened
                 .
                 The
                 
                   hard
                   heart
                
                 softned
                 ,
                 the
                 
                   unruly
                   affections
                
                 crucified
                 :
                 And
                 the
                 body
                 with
                 all
                 the
                 parts
                 and
                 members
                 thereof
                 are
                 made
                 ready
                 instruments
                 to
                 put
                 in
                 execution
                 the
                 good
                 intentions
                 of
                 the
                 mind
                 .
                 Thus
                 by
                 Regeneration
                 men
                 are
                 wrought
                 upon
                 throughout
                 ,
                 being
                 wonderfully
                 altered
                 and
                 changed
                 from
                 what
                 they
                 were
                 before
                 :
                 in
                 relation
                 to
                 which
                 alteration
                 they
                 are
                 said
                 to
                 be
                 
                   born
                   again
                
                 .
                 Which
                 may
                 inform
                 us
                 of
                 the
                 wonderful
                 depravation
                 of
                 our
                 nature
                 ,
                 which
                 was
                 such
                 ,
                 as
                 mending
                 and
                 repairing
                 would
                 not
                 serve
                 the
                 turn
                 ,
                 but
                 God
                 must
                 
                   new
                   make
                
                 ,
                 and
                 
                   new
                   create
                
                 us
                 ,
                 we
                 must
                 be
                 
                   born
                   again
                
                 ,
                 made
                 
                   new
                   creatures
                
                 .
              
               
                 Which
                 consideration
                 should
                 me-thinks
                 take
                 away
                 all
                 ground
                 of
                 boasting
                 from
                 any
                 man
                 ,
                 and
                 stir
                 up
                 every
                 regenerate
                 person
                 to
                 give
                 unto
                 God
                 the
                 praise
                 and
                 the
                 glory
                 of
                 his
                 happy
                 change
                 ,
                 saying
                 ,
                 
                   Not
                   unto
                   us
                   ,
                   not
                   unto
                   us
                   ,
                   but
                   unto
                   thy
                   name
                   be
                   the
                   praise
                   and
                   the
                   glory
                   of
                   this
                   great
                   work
                   .
                
              
               
                 Quest.
                 
                   Doth
                   Regeneration
                   admit
                   any
                   degrees
                
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 
                   Yes
                   verily
                
                 .
                 For
                 Regeneration
                 may
                 be
                 considered
                 in
                 the
                 beginning
                 ,
                 and
                 
                   progress
                   of
                   it
                
                 :
                 or
                 in
                 the
                 consummation
                 and
                 perfection
                 of
                 it
                 .
              
               
                 It
                 is
                 begun
                 and
                 increaseth
                 in
                 this
                 life
                 ;
                 it
                 is
                 consummate
                 and
                 perfect
                 in
                 the
                 life
                 to
                 come
                 .
              
               
                 In
                 this
                 life
                 there
                 is
                 spirit
                 mixed
                 with
                 flesh
                 ,
                 that
                 is
                 ,
                 grace
                 with
                 some
                 corruption
                 of
                 nature
                 ,
                 as
                 is
                 evident
                 by
                 the
                 Apostles
                 complaint
                 in
                 these
                 words
                 ,
                 
                 
                   When
                   I
                   would
                   do
                   good
                   evil
                   is
                   present
                   with
                   me
                   .
                   For
                   I
                   delight
                   in
                   the
                   Law
                   of
                   God
                   after
                   the
                   inward
                   man
                   ;
                   But
                   I
                   see
                   another
                   law
                   in
                   my
                   members
                   warring
                   against
                   the
                   law
                   of
                   my
                   mind
                   ,
                   and
                   bringing
                   me
                   into
                   captivity
                   to
                   the
                   law
                   of
                   sin
                   ,
                   which
                   is
                   in
                   my
                   
                   m●mbers
                   .
                
                 So
                 that
                 sin
                 and
                 corruption
                 doth
                 remain
                 in
                 all
                 the
                 regenerate
                 ,
                 
                 as
                 long
                 as
                 their
                 souls
                 remain
                 in
                 their
                 mortal
                 bodies
                 ,
                 it
                 remains
                 though
                 it
                 doth
                 not
                 
                   raign
                   in
                   them
                
                 .
                 It
                 is
                 in
                 this
                 life
                 
                   cast
                   down
                
                 ,
                 but
                 not
                 
                   cast
                   out
                
                 .
              
               
                 And
                 this
                 God
                 in
                 great
                 wisdom
                 is
                 pleased
                 to
                 permit
                 ,
                 to
                 keep
                 us
                 humble
                 and
                 low
                 in
                 our selves
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 drive
                 us
                 unto
                 Jesus
                 Christ
                 ,
                 that
                 as
                 long
                 as
                 this
                 
                   flux
                   of
                   blood
                   runneth
                
                 ,
                 we
                 should
                 alwayes
                 be
                 desirous
                 to
                 
                   touch
                   at
                   least
                   the
                   hem
                   of
                   his
                   garment
                   .
                
              
               
                 But
                 at
                 death
                 that
                 corruption
                 will
                 be
                 utterly
                 consumed
                 ,
                 and
                 body
                 and
                 soul
                 clean
                 freed
                 from
                 it
                 :
                 insomuch
                 as
                 at
                 the
                 resurrection
                 when
                 body
                 and
                 soul
                 shall
                 be
                 again
                 united
                 ,
                 the
                 regeneration
                 begun
                 in
                 this
                 World
                 ,
                 will
                 be
                 manifested
                 to
                 be
                 most
                 perfect
                 .
                 Whereas
                 in
                 this
                 life
                 the
                 most
                 regenerate
                 are
                 imperfect
                 ,
                 through
                 the
                 Reliques
                 of
                 sin
                 and
                 remainder
                 of
                 corruption
                 ,
                 which
                 will
                 abide
                 in
                 them
                 so
                 long
                 as
                 they
                 abide
                 ,
                 and
                 continue
                 in
                 this
                 World.
                 
              
               
                 Now
                 seeing
                 the
                 work
                 of
                 Regeneration
                 is
                 imperfect
                 in
                 the
                 very
                 best
                 here
                 in
                 this
                 life
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 there
                 remains
                 flesh
                 and
                 corruption
                 in
                 them
                 ,
                 so
                 long
                 as
                 they
                 remain
                 in
                 this
                 World
                 ,
                 Do
                 not
                 thou
                 look
                 too
                 high
                 ,
                 I
                 mean
                 ,
                 after
                 a
                 greater
                 measure
                 and
                 degree
                 of
                 grace
                 than
                 here
                 is
                 to
                 be
                 had
                 .
                 Many
                 there
                 are
                 who
                 being
                 regenerate
                 by
                 the
                 spirit
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 so
                 brought
                 out
                 of
                 the
                 state
                 of
                 nature
                 into
                 the
                 state
                 of
                 grace
                 ,
                 presently
                 look
                 for
                 a
                 freedom
                 from
                 all
                 sin
                 and
                 corruption
                 ,
                 which
                 because
                 they
                 find
                 working
                 and
                 stirring
                 in
                 them
                 ,
                 thereupon
                 question
                 the
                 work
                 of
                 Regeneration
                 and
                 truth
                 of
                 grace
                 in
                 their
                 souls
                 .
                 But
                 let
                 such
                 know
                 ,
                 that
                 they
                 look
                 for
                 more
                 than
                 here
                 is
                 to
                 be
                 found
                 ,
                 or
                 than
                 God
                 expects
                 from
                 them
                 .
              
               
                 For
                 God
                 doth
                 not
                 expect
                 or
                 require
                 of
                 us
                 here
                 ,
                 freedom
                 from
                 sin
                 and
                 corruption
                 ,
                 but
                 that
                 we
                 should
                 endeavour
                 to
                 subdue
                 and
                 mortifie
                 it
                 more
                 and
                 more
                 ,
                 according
                 to
                 the
                 measure
                 of
                 grace
                 and
                 strength
                 which
                 we
                 have
                 received
                 from
                 him
                 .
                 He
                 doth
                 not
                 require
                 of
                 us
                 that
                 we
                 be
                 without
                 sin
                 ,
                 but
                 that
                 sin
                 do
                 not
                 rule
                 nor
                 raign
                 in
                 our
                 mortal
                 bodies
                 ,
                 
                 according
                 to
                 that
                 of
                 the
                 Apostle
                 ,
                 
                   Let
                   not
                   sin
                   raign
                   in
                   your
                   mortal
                   bodies
                   .
                
                 Neither
                 
                 doth
                 the
                 Lord
                 require
                 of
                 us
                 exact
                 and
                 perfect
                 righteousness
                 ,
                 which
                 is
                 impossible
                 to
                 our
                 corrupt
                 nature
                 ,
                 but
                 only
                 that
                 
                   we
                   strive
                
                 and
                 labour
                 after
                 it
                 ,
                 that
                 we
                 sincerely
                 endeavour
                 
                   to
                   serve
                   him
                
                 after
                 the
                 directions
                 of
                 his
                 Word
                 .
                 And
                 that
                 for
                 our
                 failings
                 and
                 imperfections
                 we
                 do
                 in
                 an
                 humble
                 confession
                 bewail
                 the
                 same
                 ,
                 and
                 then
                 beg
                 the
                 pardon
                 and
                 forgiveness
                 of
                 them
                 ,
                 in
                 and
                 through
                 the
                 merits
                 of
                 Jesus
                 Christ.
                 And
                 this
                 God
                 will
                 accept
                 of
                 ,
                 for
                 he
                 esteemeth
                 more
                 of
                 our
                 affections
                 than
                 of
                 our
                 actions
                 ,
                 and
                 accepteth
                 the
                 will
                 for
                 the
                 deed
                 ,
                 according
                 to
                 that
                 of
                 the
                 Apostle
                 ,
                 
                 
                   If
                   there
                   be
                   a
                   willing
                   mind
                   ,
                   it
                   is
                   accepted
                   according
                   to
                   that
                   a
                   man
                   hath
                   ,
                   and
                   not
                   according
                   to
                   that
                   he
                   hath
                   not
                   .
                
              
            
             
               
                 CHAP.
                 IV.
                 Of
                 the
                 Parts
                 of
                 Regeneration
                 ,
                 and
                 Causes
                 concurring
                 thereunto
                 .
              
               
                 HAving
                 shewed
                 you
                 
                   what
                   regeneration
                   is
                
                 ,
                 and
                 
                   how
                   it
                   doth
                   admit
                   degrees
                
                 .
                 I
                 shall
                 shew
                 you
                 the
                 
                   Parts
                   of
                   Regeneration
                
                 ,
                 which
                 are
                 two
                 :
                 1.
                 
                 Mortification
                 .
                 2.
                 
                 Vivification
                 .
              
               
                 Mortification
                 is
                 implyed
                 under
                 the
                 phrases
                 of
                 
                   casting
                   off
                
                 ,
                 
                 
                   and
                   crucifying
                   the
                   old
                   man
                
                 ,
                 and
                 
                   destroying
                   the
                   body
                   of
                   sin
                
                 .
                 This
                 is
                 a
                 duty
                 expresly
                 enjoyned
                 in
                 these
                 words
                 ,
                 
                   mortifie
                   your
                   members
                   which
                   are
                   upon
                   the
                   earth
                   .
                
                 
                 By
                 
                   members
                   on
                   the
                   earth
                
                 ,
                 he
                 meaneth
                 all
                 sorts
                 of
                 lusts
                 and
                 sins
                 whereunto
                 a
                 natural
                 man
                 is
                 given
                 ,
                 as
                 is
                 evident
                 by
                 the
                 particular
                 instances
                 which
                 he
                 himself
                 reckoneth
                 up
                 in
                 the
                 words
                 following
                 ,
                 as
                 
                   fornication
                   ,
                   uncleanness
                
                 ,
                 &c.
                 
              
               
                 These
                 must
                 be
                 mortified
                 ,
                 that
                 is
                 ,
                 
                   put
                   to
                   death
                
                 .
                 It
                 is
                 not
                 enough
                 to
                 curb
                 ,
                 and
                 hold
                 in
                 sin
                 ,
                 but
                 the
                 life
                 of
                 it
                 must
                 be
                 let
                 out
                 .
                 And
                 indeed
                 it
                 is
                 not
                 possible
                 to
                 put
                 on
                 
                   the
                   new
                   man
                
                 ,
                 till
                 the
                 
                   old
                   man
                
                 be
                 cast
                 off
                 .
                 Therefore
                 there
                 is
                 a
                 necessity
                 of
                 mortification
                 first
                 ,
                 before
                 vivification
                 .
                 
                 For
                 the
                 bringing
                 in
                 of
                 one
                 form
                 presupposeth
                 the
                 putting
                 out
                 ,
                 
                 or
                 destroying
                 of
                 the
                 other
                 .
                 Wherefore
                 after
                 Mortification
                 followeth
                 Vivification
                 .
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 Vivification
                 is
                 the
                 begetting
                 of
                 the
                 life
                 of
                 grace
                 in
                 us
                 ,
                 whence
                 we
                 live
                 in
                 holiness
                 and
                 righteousness
                 .
                 It
                 is
                 set
                 forth
                 in
                 Scripture
                 by
                 
                   Gods
                   quickning
                   us
                
                 ,
                 and
                 by
                 
                   our
                   walking
                   in
                   newness
                   of
                   life
                   .
                
                 
              
               
                 Vivification
                 then
                 implyeth
                 a
                 new
                 spiritual
                 life
                 ,
                 which
                 God
                 by
                 his
                 spirit
                 worketh
                 in
                 us
                 ,
                 which
                 is
                 clean
                 contrary
                 to
                 our
                 former
                 natural
                 ,
                 
                 corrupt
                 course
                 of
                 life
                 .
                 For
                 the
                 effects
                 of
                 this
                 life
                 are
                 holiness
                 and
                 righteousness
                 ,
                 and
                 all
                 manner
                 of
                 good
                 works
                 .
              
               
                 Now
                 it
                 is
                 absolutely
                 necessary
                 that
                 this
                 part
                 of
                 regeneration
                 ,
                 namely
                 Vivification
                 ,
                 be
                 added
                 to
                 Mortification
                 ,
                 which
                 is
                 the
                 other
                 part
                 ,
                 even
                 as
                 necessary
                 as
                 that
                 Christ
                 being
                 dead
                 should
                 be
                 raised
                 .
                 Where
                 had
                 been
                 the
                 benefit
                 of
                 Christs
                 death
                 ,
                 if
                 he
                 had
                 not
                 risen
                 from
                 the
                 dead
                 ?
                 And
                 what
                 can
                 be
                 imagined
                 to
                 be
                 the
                 profit
                 of
                 mortification
                 without
                 vivification
                 ?
                 It
                 is
                 therefore
                 the
                 accustomed
                 course
                 of
                 Sacred
                 Scripture
                 to
                 infer
                 the
                 following
                 of
                 holiness
                 ,
                 upon
                 the
                 flying
                 of
                 sin
                 :
                 the
                 doing
                 of
                 good
                 ,
                 upon
                 eschewing
                 of
                 evil
                 .
                 Now
                 the
                 things
                 which
                 God
                 hath
                 joyned
                 together
                 ,
                 let
                 no
                 man
                 put
                 asunder
                 .
              
               
                 Let
                 us
                 therefore
                 prove
                 our
                 regeneration
                 not
                 only
                 by
                 ceasing
                 from
                 sin
                 ,
                 but
                 following
                 holiness
                 ,
                 and
                 working
                 righteousness
                 .
                 Content
                 not
                 thy self
                 to
                 say
                 ,
                 
                   I
                   am
                   not
                   what
                   I
                   was
                   ,
                
                 unless
                 thou
                 canst
                 also
                 add
                 ,
                 
                   I
                   am
                   what
                   I
                   was
                   not
                   .
                
                 It
                 will
                 be
                 but
                 little
                 boot
                 to
                 thee
                 to
                 say
                 ,
                 I
                 am
                 no
                 drunkard
                 ,
                 nor
                 swearer
                 ,
                 nor
                 covetous
                 ,
                 nor
                 a
                 walker
                 after
                 the
                 flesh
                 :
                 unless
                 thou
                 canst
                 also
                 say
                 ,
                 By
                 the
                 grace
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 I
                 now
                 walk
                 after
                 the
                 spirit
                 ,
                 in
                 faith
                 and
                 love
                 ,
                 and
                 holy
                 obedience
                 ,
                 watchfull
                 unto
                 ,
                 and
                 endeavouring
                 after
                 a
                 fruitfulness
                 in
                 every
                 good
                 work
                 .
                 Thou
                 art
                 not
                 unjust
                 ,
                 (
                 thou
                 sayest
                 )
                 but
                 doest
                 thou
                 
                   shew
                   mercy
                
                 ?
                 Thou
                 art
                 no
                 longer
                 earthly
                 ;
                 but
                 art
                 thou
                 
                   heavenly
                   minded
                
                 ?
                 Thou
                 art
                 no
                 longer
                 contentious
                 ,
                 or
                 quarrelsome
                 :
                 but
                 art
                 thou
                 
                   a
                   peace-maker
                
                 ?
                 Thou
                 hast
                 no
                 longer
                 
                   fellowship
                   with
                   the
                   ungodly
                
                 ,
                 but
                 art
                 thou
                 a
                 
                   familiar
                   of
                   the
                   Saints
                
                 ?
                 Thou
                 wilt
                 not
                 now
                 curse
                 ,
                 or
                 swear
                 ,
                 or
                 lye
                 ,
                 or
                 scoff
                 ,
                 but
                 dost
                 
                 thou
                 pray
                 and
                 bless
                 ?
                 Dost
                 thou
                 hear
                 and
                 read
                 ,
                 and
                 meditate
                 on
                 God
                 ?
                 Dost
                 thou
                 study
                 thine
                 heart
                 ,
                 and
                 govern
                 thy
                 thoughts
                 and
                 affections
                 ?
                 Dost
                 thou
                 bridle
                 thy
                 tongue
                 ;
                 set
                 a
                 watch
                 over
                 thine
                 eyes
                 ,
                 and
                 ears
                 ,
                 and
                 steps
                 ?
                 Is
                 it
                 thy
                 care
                 to
                 please
                 ,
                 and
                 in
                 all
                 things
                 to
                 walk
                 worthy
                 the
                 Lord
                 ?
                 Look
                 to
                 thy self
                 ,
                 that
                 thou
                 be
                 not
                 deceived
                 .
                 Cast
                 off
                 the
                 works
                 of
                 darkness
                 ,
                 and
                 put
                 on
                 the
                 armour
                 of
                 light
                 .
                 Cast
                 off
                 the
                 old
                 man
                 ,
                 and
                 put
                 on
                 the
                 new
                 man
                 ,
                 which
                 as
                 it
                 is
                 created
                 after
                 the
                 image
                 ,
                 So
                 will
                 it
                 carry
                 thee
                 on
                 according
                 to
                 the
                 will
                 of
                 God
                 in
                 righteousness
                 and
                 true
                 holiness
                 .
              
               
                 Having
                 shewed
                 the
                 Nature
                 of
                 Regeneration
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 parts
                 thereof
                 .
                 I
                 come
                 now
                 to
                 shew
                 what
                 Causes
                 concurr
                 to
                 the
                 work
                 of
                 Regeneration
                 .
              
               
                 1.
                 
                 
                   The
                   efficient
                   Cause
                
                 ,
                 or
                 primary
                 Author
                 is
                 God.
                 For
                 in
                 this
                 respect
                 we
                 are
                 
                   born
                   of
                   God.
                
                 
                 
                   God
                   hath
                   begotten
                   us
                
                 ,
                 Jam.
                 1.18
                 .
                 Even
                 
                   God
                   the
                   Father
                   of
                   our
                   Lord
                   Iesus
                   Christ.
                   
                
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 The
                 procuring
                 causes
                 are
                 Gods
                 will
                 ,
                 and
                 Gods
                 mercy
                 .
                 There
                 could
                 be
                 nothing
                 out
                 of
                 God
                 to
                 move
                 him
                 .
                 It
                 must
                 needs
                 therefore
                 arise
                 from
                 his
                 own
                 meer
                 will.
                 
                 So
                 faith
                 the
                 Apostle
                 
                   Iames
                   ,
                   Of
                   his
                   own
                   will
                   begat
                   he
                   us
                   .
                
                 And
                 there
                 could
                 be
                 nothing
                 in
                 man
                 to
                 move
                 God
                 hereunto
                 ;
                 for
                 man
                 by
                 nature
                 is
                 most
                 miserable
                 .
                 It
                 must
                 needs
                 therefore
                 arise
                 from
                 Gods
                 meer
                 mercy
                 .
                 For
                 misery
                 is
                 the
                 proper
                 object
                 of
                 mercy
                 .
                 On
                 this
                 ground
                 it
                 is
                 justly
                 said
                 that
                 God
                 
                   according
                   to
                   his
                   abundant
                   mercy
                   hath
                   begotten
                   us
                   again
                   .
                
                 
              
               
                 3.
                 
                 The
                 immediate
                 worker
                 of
                 Regeneration
                 is
                 
                   Gods
                   Spirit
                
                 :
                 
                 In
                 this
                 respect
                 we
                 are
                 said
                 to
                 be
                 
                   born
                   of
                   the
                   spirit
                
                 ;
                 
                 and
                 regeneration
                 is
                 stiled
                 the
                 
                   renewing
                   of
                   the
                   holy
                   Ghost
                
                 .
                 For
                 it
                 is
                 a
                 divine
                 work
                 above
                 humane
                 ability
                 .
              
               
                 4.
                 
                 The
                 ordinary
                 instrumental
                 cause
                 is
                 Gods
                 Word
                 .
                 
                   Of
                   his
                   own
                   will
                   begat
                   he
                   us
                   by
                   the
                   word
                   of
                   truth
                   ,
                
                 
                 whereby
                 is
                 meant
                 the
                 Gospel
                 .
                 In
                 this
                 respect
                 the
                 Word
                 is
                 stiled
                 
                   incorruptible
                   seed
                
                 .
                 
                 The
                 Gospel
                 is
                 that
                 part
                 of
                 Gods
                 Word
                 which
                 is
                 most
                 effectual
                 hereunto
                 ,
                 
                 and
                 it
                 is
                 thereupon
                 stiled
                 the
                 
                   Gospel
                   of
                   salvation
                
                 .
                 
                 And
                 the
                 
                   power
                   of
                   God
                   unto
                   salvation
                
                 .
                 
              
               
                 5.
                 
                 Ministers
                 and
                 preachers
                 of
                 the
                 Gospel
                 are
                 Ministerial
                 causes
                 of
                 Regeneration
                 ,
                 who
                 are
                 in
                 relation
                 to
                 their
                 Ministery
                 said
                 to
                 
                   beget
                   us
                
                 ,
                 
                 and
                 stiled
                 Fathers
                 .
              
               
                 
                 All
                 these
                 are
                 comprised
                 under
                 the
                 Efficient
                 cause
                 ,
                 and
                 are
                 so
                 far
                 from
                 thwarting
                 one
                 another
                 ,
                 as
                 they
                 sweetly
                 concurr
                 to
                 produce
                 this
                 divine
                 work
                 of
                 Regeneration
                 ,
                 being
                 subordinate
                 one
                 to
                 another
                 ,
                 and
                 may
                 in
                 this
                 order
                 be
                 placed
                 together
                 .
                 It
                 being
                 the
                 will
                 of
                 God
                 to
                 shew
                 mercy
                 to
                 man
                 ,
                 he
                 ordained
                 Ministers
                 to
                 cast
                 the
                 seed
                 of
                 his
                 Word
                 into
                 mens
                 souls
                 ,
                 which
                 being
                 quickned
                 by
                 the
                 Spirit
                 ,
                 men
                 are
                 thereby
                 born
                 again
                 .
              
               
                 II.
                 The
                 material
                 cause
                 of
                 Regeneration
                 ,
                 is
                 the
                 parts
                 whereof
                 it
                 doth
                 consist
                 ,
                 which
                 are
                 two
                 ,
                 
                   
                     I.
                     Mortification
                     .
                  
                   
                     2.
                     
                     Vivification
                     ,
                     of
                     both
                     which
                     I
                     have
                     spoken
                     in
                     the
                     fore-going
                     Chapter
                     .
                  
                
              
               
                 III.
                 The
                 formal
                 cause
                 of
                 Regeneration
                 is
                 Gods
                 Image
                 planted
                 in
                 us
                 ,
                 which
                 consists
                 in
                 holiness
                 and
                 righteousness
                 .
                 After
                 this
                 Image
                 we
                 are
                 said
                 to
                 be
                 renewed
                 .
                 This
                 makes
                 an
                 essential
                 difference
                 betwixt
                 a
                 natural
                 and
                 a
                 regenerate
                 man.
                 
                 
              
               
                 IV.
                 The
                 final
                 causes
                 next
                 and
                 subordinate
                 to
                 the
                 glory
                 of
                 Gods
                 free-grace
                 and
                 rich
                 mercy
                 ,
                 are
                 especially
                 two
                 ;
              
               
                 1.
                 
                 
                   To
                   make
                   men
                   able
                   to
                   do
                   good
                   :
                
                 namely
                 such
                 good
                 as
                 may
                 be
                 acceptable
                 and
                 honourable
                 to
                 God
                 ,
                 profitable
                 to
                 other
                 men
                 ,
                 and
                 truly
                 advantageable
                 to
                 themselves
                 .
                 The
                 Apostle
                 therefore
                 speaking
                 of
                 Regeneration
                 (
                 which
                 we
                 have
                 shewed
                 to
                 be
                 a
                 kind
                 of
                 Creation
                 )
                 thus
                 expresseth
                 this
                 end
                 ,
                 
                 
                   we
                   are
                   created
                   in
                   Christ
                   Iesus
                   unto
                   good
                   works
                   .
                
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 
                   To
                   make
                   men
                   fit
                   for
                   glory
                   .
                
                 For
                 corrupt
                 flesh
                 cannot
                 partake
                 of
                 Coelestial
                 glory
                 .
                 Whereupon
                 faith
                 Christ
                 ,
                 
                   Except
                   a
                   man
                   be
                   born
                   again
                   ,
                   he
                   cannot
                   see
                   the
                   Kingdom
                   of
                   God
                   :
                
                 
                 So
                 far
                 shall
                 he
                 be
                 from
                 being
                 admitted
                 into
                 it
                 ,
                 as
                 he
                 shall
                 not
                 come
                 so
                 near
                 as
                 to
                 see
                 it
                 .
                 God
                 
                 will
                 not
                 take
                 a
                 sinner
                 reeking
                 in
                 his
                 lusts
                 ,
                 and
                 presently
                 invest
                 him
                 with
                 a
                 Crown
                 of
                 glory
                 .
                 And
                 therefore
                 that
                 we
                 may
                 be
                 fitted
                 for
                 Heaven
                 ,
                 the
                 Lord
                 is
                 pleased
                 by
                 his
                 spirit
                 to
                 regenerate
                 us
                 ,
                 making
                 us
                 new-creatures
                 ,
                 ,
                 and
                 thereby
                 making
                 us
                 
                   meet
                   to
                   be
                   partakers
                   of
                   the
                   inheritance
                   of
                   the
                   Saints
                   in
                   light
                   .
                
              
               
                 Behold
                 the
                 Riches
                 of
                 Gods
                 mercy
                 and
                 goodness
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 not
                 only
                 created
                 us
                 at
                 first
                 in
                 a
                 most
                 happy
                 estate
                 ,
                 even
                 after
                 his
                 own
                 image
                 and
                 likeness
                 :
                 But
                 when
                 we
                 wittingly
                 and
                 willfully
                 fell
                 from
                 the
                 same
                 ,
                 and
                 plunged
                 ourselves
                 into
                 misery
                 ,
                 wherein
                 he
                 might
                 justly
                 have
                 left
                 us
                 ,
                 as
                 he
                 did
                 the
                 evil
                 Angels
                 .
                 Yet
                 he
                 hath
                 not
                 only
                 restored
                 us
                 again
                 to
                 that
                 former
                 estate
                 ,
                 by
                 renewing
                 his
                 image
                 in
                 us
                 :
                 but
                 thereby
                 fitted
                 us
                 for
                 a
                 more
                 glorious
                 and
                 excellent
                 estate
                 :
                 wherein
                 his
                 goodness
                 appeareth
                 to
                 be
                 as
                 his
                 greatness
                 ,
                 infinite
                 ,
                 incomprehensible
                 .
                 Who
                 can
                 sufficiently
                 set
                 it
                 forth
                 ?
                 
                 
                   For
                   as
                   the
                   Heaven
                   is
                   high
                   above
                   the
                   earth
                   ,
                   so
                   great
                   is
                   his
                   mercy
                   towards
                   them
                   that
                   fear
                   him
                   .
                
              
            
             
               
                 CHAP.
                 V.
                 Sheweth
                 the
                 Reasons
                 why
                 Regeneration
                 is
                 necessary
                 to
                 Salvation
                 .
              
               
                 HAving
                 spoken
                 of
                 the
                 point
                 by
                 way
                 of
                 explication
                 ;
                 I
                 come
                 now
                 to
                 speak
                 of
                 it
                 by
                 way
                 of
                 confirmation
                 ,
                 To
                 this
                 end
                 I
                 shall
                 shew
                 you
                 the
                 reasons
                 of
                 the
                 point
                 ,
                 why
                 
                   Regeneration
                   is
                   necessary
                   to
                   Salvation
                
                 .
              
               
                 Reas.
                 1.
                 
                 
                   From
                   the
                   immutability
                   of
                   Gods
                   purpose
                   .
                
                 God
                 who
                 hath
                 chosen
                 us
                 to
                 life
                 ,
                 hath
                 chosen
                 us
                 also
                 to
                 holiness
                 ,
                 as
                 our
                 way
                 to
                 it
                 .
                 
                   We
                   are
                   bound
                   to
                   give
                   thanks
                   to
                   God
                   for
                   you
                   ,
                
                 
                 
                   brethren
                   ,
                   beloved
                   of
                   the
                   Lord
                   ,
                   because
                   God
                   hath
                   from
                   the
                   beginning
                   chosen
                   you
                   to
                   Salvation
                   ,
                   through
                   the
                   Sanctification
                   of
                   the
                   Spirit
                   .
                
                 Whoever
                 will
                 pass
                 into
                 
                 glory
                 ,
                 must
                 take
                 grace
                 in
                 his
                 way
                 .
                 You
                 ask
                 ,
                 why
                 may
                 I
                 not
                 be
                 saved
                 ,
                 unless
                 I
                 be
                 regenerated
                 ?
                 Why
                 !
                 because
                 God
                 is
                 resolved
                 on
                 the
                 contrary
                 .
                 
                 
                   This
                   is
                   the
                   will
                   of
                   God
                   ,
                   your
                   sanctification
                   first
                   ,
                   and
                   then
                   your
                   salvation
                   .
                
                 Now
                 the
                 purposes
                 of
                 God
                 shall
                 stand
                 .
                 
                   With
                   him
                   is
                   no
                   variableness
                   nor
                   shadow
                   of
                   turning
                   .
                
                 All
                 the
                 world
                 shall
                 sooner
                 be
                 damned
                 ,
                 then
                 the
                 purpose
                 of
                 God
                 shall
                 be
                 made
                 void
                 .
                 The
                 Lord
                 God
                 must
                 cease
                 to
                 be
                 the
                 unchangeable
                 God
                 ,
                 if
                 thou
                 ever
                 be
                 saved
                 ,
                 who
                 wilt
                 not
                 be
                 sanctified
                 .
              
               
                 Reas.
                 2.
                 
                 
                   From
                   the
                   stability
                   of
                   Gods
                   Word
                   .
                
                 God
                 hath
                 said
                 ,
                 
                   Except
                   a
                   man
                   be
                   born
                   again
                   ,
                   he
                   cannot
                   enter
                   into
                   the
                   Kingdom
                   of
                   God.
                
                 Is
                 the
                 word
                 of
                 God
                 yea
                 and
                 nay
                 ?
                 doth
                 he
                 say
                 and
                 unsay
                 ?
                 
                 
                   Heaven
                   and
                   Earth
                   shall
                   pass
                   away
                   ,
                   but
                   his
                   word
                   shall
                   not
                   pass
                   away
                   .
                
                 Count
                 upon
                 it
                 sinner
                 ,
                 as
                 sure
                 as
                 God
                 is
                 true
                 ,
                 thou
                 shalt
                 never
                 see
                 the
                 salvation
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 unless
                 thou
                 be
                 first
                 made
                 partaker
                 of
                 the
                 renewing
                 of
                 the
                 holy
                 Ghost
                 .
              
               
                 Reas.
                 3.
                 
                 
                   From
                   the
                   respect
                   that
                   Regeneration
                   hath
                   to
                   Salvation
                   .
                
                 Regeneration
                 is
                 a
                 degree
                 and
                 part
                 of
                 Salvation
                 .
                 Grace
                 is
                 glory
                 begun
                 ,
                 holiness
                 is
                 the
                 beginning
                 of
                 blessedness
                 ,
                 the
                 perfection
                 whereof
                 will
                 be
                 in
                 Heaven
                 hereafter
                 ,
                 
                 where
                 
                   the
                   image
                   of
                   God
                   ,
                   which
                   consisteth
                   in
                   knowledge
                   ,
                   holiness
                   ,
                   and
                   righteousness
                
                 will
                 be
                 perfected
                 in
                 our
                 souls
                 ,
                 where
                 we
                 shall
                 perfectly
                 love
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 delight
                 in
                 him
                 ,
                 and
                 be
                 ever
                 praising
                 him
                 with
                 the
                 Heavenly
                 host
                 .
                 Now
                 ,
                 how
                 canst
                 thou
                 expect
                 the
                 participation
                 and
                 enjoyment
                 of
                 this
                 blessed
                 estate
                 without
                 regeneration
                 and
                 renovation
                 here
                 ?
                 Unless
                 the
                 image
                 of
                 God
                 be
                 renewed
                 upon
                 thee
                 in
                 holiness
                 ?
                 and
                 thou
                 dost
                 truly
                 love
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 delight
                 in
                 communion
                 with
                 him
                 here
                 ?
                 Canst
                 thou
                 expect
                 the
                 consummation
                 without
                 a
                 beginning
                 !
                 to
                 be
                 perfectly
                 holy
                 hereafter
                 ,
                 and
                 not
                 initially
                 holy
                 here
                 !
                 to
                 live
                 with
                 God
                 in
                 glory
                 hereafter
                 ,
                 and
                 yet
                 here
                 live
                 and
                 lye
                 in
                 thy
                 filthiness
                 and
                 uncleanness
                 !
                 Canst
                 thou
                 expect
                 hereafter
                 to
                 live
                 in
                 the
                 everlasting
                 love
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 yet
                 here
                 have
                 no
                 true
                 love
                 to
                 him
                 at
                 all
                 ?
                 Canst
                 thou
                 expect
                 hereafter
                 fulness
                 of
                 delight
                 in
                 the
                 presence
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 yet
                 here
                 
                 have
                 no
                 delight
                 in
                 him
                 at
                 all
                 ?
                 But
                 takest
                 thy
                 whole
                 delight
                 either
                 in
                 satisfying
                 thy
                 covetous
                 humour
                 by
                 heaping
                 up
                 riches
                 ,
                 or
                 in
                 gratifying
                 ,
                 thy
                 sinfull
                 lusts
                 and
                 affections
                 ,
                 by
                 yielding
                 to
                 the
                 solicitations
                 of
                 the
                 flesh
                 ?
              
               
                 Be
                 not
                 deceived
                 ,
                 as
                 I
                 said
                 before
                 ,
                 so
                 I
                 must
                 say
                 it
                 again
                 ,
                 Grace
                 is
                 a
                 necessary
                 beginning
                 of
                 glory
                 ;
                 As
                 sin
                 is
                 death
                 begun
                 ,
                 and
                 hell
                 begun
                 ,
                 so
                 is
                 grace
                 the
                 first
                 fruits
                 of
                 life
                 and
                 glory
                 .
                 And
                 as
                 certain
                 as
                 it
                 is
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 shall
                 never
                 find
                 an
                 hell
                 hereafter
                 ,
                 who
                 is
                 purged
                 from
                 his
                 sins
                 here
                 ;
                 so
                 undoubtedly
                 certain
                 is
                 it
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 shall
                 never
                 come
                 into
                 the
                 
                   divine
                   presence
                
                 hereafter
                 ,
                 who
                 is
                 not
                 here
                 made
                 partaker
                 of
                 the
                 
                   divine
                   nature
                
                 ;
                 he
                 shall
                 never
                 enter
                 into
                 the
                 
                   Kingdom
                   of
                   glory
                
                 ,
                 who
                 is
                 not
                 first
                 born
                 into
                 the
                 
                   Kingdom
                   of
                   grace
                
                 .
                 Be
                 a
                 convert
                 in
                 this
                 World
                 ,
                 or
                 thou
                 wilt
                 be
                 a
                 reprobate
                 in
                 the
                 other
                 World.
                 Thou
                 mayest
                 as
                 well
                 expect
                 a
                 birth
                 where
                 there
                 hath
                 been
                 nothing
                 formed
                 in
                 the
                 Womb
                 ;
                 a
                 Noon-tide
                 where
                 there
                 hath
                 been
                 no
                 dawning
                 ,
                 as
                 ever
                 look
                 to
                 see
                 the
                 
                   day-light
                   of
                   glory
                
                 ,
                 who
                 hast
                 never
                 known
                 the
                 
                   morning
                   of
                   grace
                
                 .
              
               
                 Reas.
                 4.
                 
                 
                   From
                   that
                   corruption
                   of
                   mans
                   Nature
                   in
                   which
                   he
                   is
                   brought
                   into
                   the
                   World.
                
                 For
                 our
                 first
                 Parents
                 having
                 by
                 their
                 fall
                 defaced
                 that
                 image
                 of
                 God
                 in
                 which
                 they
                 were
                 at
                 first
                 created
                 ,
                 and
                 being
                 thereupon
                 corrupted
                 and
                 polluted
                 ,
                 in
                 every
                 power
                 of
                 their
                 soul
                 ,
                 and
                 part
                 of
                 their
                 body
                 ;
                 all
                 that
                 come
                 from
                 them
                 are
                 in
                 like
                 manner
                 corrupted
                 and
                 polluted
                 ,
                 an
                 unclean
                 off-spring
                 from
                 unclean
                 progenitors
                 .
                 
                 
                   For
                   who
                   can
                   bring
                   a
                   clean
                   thing
                   out
                   of
                   an
                   unclean
                   ?
                   not
                   one
                   ,
                   as
                   Iob
                   speaketh
                   .
                
                 And
                 saith
                 our
                 Saviour
                 ,
                 
                   That
                   which
                   is
                   born
                   of
                   the
                   flesh
                   is
                   flesh
                
                 ;
                 
                 that
                 is
                 ,
                 Every
                 one
                 that
                 is
                 born
                 of
                 man
                 ,
                 every
                 mothers
                 Child
                 is
                 carnal
                 and
                 corrupt
                 :
                 every
                 man
                 by
                 his
                 first
                 birth
                 is
                 polluted
                 and
                 unclean
                 :
                 Now
                 
                   no
                   unclean
                   person
                   can
                   enter
                   into
                   Gods
                   Kingdom
                   .
                
                 
                 Believe
                 it
                 Sinner
                 ,
                 God
                 will
                 never
                 take
                 thee
                 from
                 the
                 dunghill
                 reeking
                 in
                 thy
                 Lusts
                 ,
                 and
                 set
                 thee
                 down
                 by
                 him
                 in
                 the
                 Throne
                 .
                 The
                 holy
                 land
                 was
                 never
                 intended
                 for
                 a
                 Sepulchre
                 ,
                 to
                 bury
                 the
                 dead
                 in
                 ,
                 to
                 be
                 filled
                 with
                 filth
                 and
                 rottenness
                 ,
                 it
                 's
                 no
                 den
                 for
                 Dragons
                 ,
                 nor
                 nest
                 for
                 Serpents
                 and
                 Vipers
                 ,
                 
                 nor
                 was
                 ever
                 designed
                 to
                 be
                 peopled
                 with
                 Dogs
                 and
                 Swine
                 .
                 
                 
                   Without
                   shall
                   be
                   Dogs
                   .
                   Corruption
                   shall
                   not
                   inherit
                   incorruption
                   ,
                
                 nor
                 shall
                 flesh
                 and
                 blood
                 inherit
                 the
                 Kingdom
                 of
                 God.
                 Bastards
                 may
                 not
                 inherit
                 .
                 Thou
                 must
                 first
                 be
                 
                   a
                   child
                
                 ,
                 and
                 have
                 the
                 spirit
                 of
                 a
                 child
                 in
                 thee
                 ,
                 and
                 then
                 thou
                 art
                 an
                 heir
                 ,
                 an
                 
                   heir
                   of
                   God
                
                 ,
                 and
                 
                   a
                   joynt
                   heir
                   with
                   Christ.
                
                 
              
               
                 Reas.
                 5.
                 
                 
                   From
                   the
                   holiness
                   of
                   Gods
                   nature
                   ,
                
                 which
                 is
                 such
                 that
                 no
                 unclean
                 person
                 can
                 stand
                 in
                 his
                 presence
                 .
                 The
                 Prophet
                 Habbakkuk
                 sets
                 him
                 forth
                 to
                 be
                 
                   of
                   purer
                   eyes
                   than
                   to
                   behold
                   evil
                   ,
                
                 
                 
                   neither
                   can
                   be
                   look
                   on
                   iniquity
                   .
                
                 And
                 saith
                 the
                 Psalmist
                 ,
                 
                   Evill
                   shall
                   not
                   dwell
                   with
                   thee
                   ,
                   neither
                   shall
                   the
                   foolish
                   stand
                   in
                   thy
                   sight
                   .
                
                 
                 Where
                 by
                 the
                 foolish
                 may
                 be
                 meant
                 
                   the
                   wicked
                   and
                   profane
                
                 ,
                 as
                 it
                 is
                 often
                 taken
                 in
                 Scripture
                 ;
                 (
                 wicked
                 men
                 are
                 fools
                 )
                 and
                 
                   such
                   shall
                   not
                   stand
                   in
                   the
                   sight
                   and
                   presence
                   of
                   God.
                
                 There
                 is
                 a
                 contrariety
                 between
                 the
                 holy
                 nature
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 unholy
                 nature
                 of
                 carnal
                 and
                 unregenerate
                 men
                 .
                 And
                 therefore
                 what
                 communion
                 can
                 there
                 be
                 between
                 them
                 ?
                 Between
                 an
                 holy
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 unholy
                 creatures
                 ?
                 Between
                 a
                 pure
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 impure
                 creatures
                 ?
                 Surely
                 none
                 at
                 all
                 .
                 So
                 much
                 the
                 Apostle
                 expresseth
                 where
                 he
                 saith
                 ,
                 
                 
                   what
                   fellowship
                   hath
                   righteousness
                   with
                   unrighteousness
                
                 ?
                 Or
                 the
                 righteous
                 God
                 with
                 unrighteous
                 men
                 ?
                 
                   What
                   communion
                   hath
                   light
                   with
                   darkness
                   ?
                
                 which
                 interrogation
                 implyeth
                 a
                 strong
                 negation
                 .
                 Believe
                 it
                 sinners
                 ,
                 if
                 ever
                 you
                 look
                 to
                 enjoy
                 communion
                 with
                 God
                 in
                 glory
                 ,
                 you
                 must
                 have
                 union
                 with
                 him
                 in
                 grace
                 ;
                 you
                 must
                 here
                 be
                 regenerate
                 ,
                 and
                 become
                 new
                 creatures
                 :
                 yea
                 holy
                 as
                 he
                 is
                 holy
                 ,
                 that
                 you
                 may
                 be
                 such
                 as
                 he
                 may
                 dwell
                 withall
                 ,
                 and
                 delight
                 in
                 .
                 For
                 as
                 the
                 Apostle
                 speaketh
                 ,
                 
                 
                   Without
                   holiness
                   no
                   man
                   shall
                   see
                   the
                   Lord.
                
                 He
                 shall
                 be
                 so
                 far
                 from
                 enjoying
                 the
                 presence
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 shall
                 not
                 so
                 much
                 as
                 see
                 him
                 .
              
               
                 Lev.
                 10.3
                 .
                 Saith
                 Moses
                 to
                 
                   Aaron
                   ,
                   God
                   will
                   be
                   sanctified
                   in
                   them
                   that
                   come
                   nigh
                   him
                   ,
                
                 that
                 is
                 ,
                 that
                 draw
                 near
                 unto
                 him
                 in
                 any
                 of
                 his
                 Ordinances
                 .
                 Now
                 to
                 the
                 sanctifying
                 God
                 in
                 his
                 Ordinances
                 ,
                 there
                 is
                 required
                 ;
                 
                   
                   
                     1.
                     
                     
                       That
                       his
                       Nature
                       be
                       renewed
                       and
                       sanctified
                       .
                    
                     An
                     unsanctified
                     heart
                     cannot
                     sanctifie
                     God.
                     
                     
                       Gather
                       my
                       Saints
                       together
                       unto
                       me
                       .
                    
                  
                   
                     2.
                     
                     
                       That
                       he
                       have
                       holy
                       and
                       awfull
                       apprehensions
                       of
                       God.
                       God
                       is
                       greatly
                       to
                       be
                       feared
                       in
                       the
                       assembly
                       of
                       his
                       Saints
                       ;
                       and
                       to
                       be
                       bad
                       in
                       reverence
                       of
                       all
                       them
                       that
                       are
                       about
                       him
                       .
                    
                     
                  
                   
                     3.
                     
                     
                       That
                       he
                       bring
                       holy
                       affections
                    
                     .
                     Every
                     ordinance
                     of
                     God
                     ,
                     as
                     it
                     requires
                     our
                     affections
                     to
                     be
                     employed
                     and
                     exercised
                     in
                     it
                     ,
                     so
                     holy
                     affections
                     :
                     such
                     affections
                     as
                     do
                     arise
                     from
                     an
                     holy
                     heart
                     ,
                     and
                     are
                     suitable
                     to
                     an
                     holy
                     God.
                     
                  
                
              
               
                 Now
                 can
                 carnal
                 men
                 thus
                 sanctifie
                 God
                 ?
                 they
                 pollute
                 and
                 profane
                 his
                 holy
                 name
                 ,
                 they
                 cannot
                 sanctifie
                 it
                 .
                 Can
                 they
                 not
                 sanctifie
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 can
                 they
                 be
                 accepted
                 of
                 God
                 ?
                 or
                 find
                 any
                 pleasure
                 in
                 his
                 presence
                 ?
                 If
                 God
                 be
                 not
                 sanctified
                 in
                 them
                 ,
                 he
                 will
                 be
                 sanctified
                 upon
                 them
                 :
                 his
                 wrath
                 will
                 break
                 forth
                 upon
                 them
                 ,
                 so
                 far
                 shall
                 they
                 be
                 from
                 enjoying
                 any
                 comfortable
                 communion
                 with
                 him
                 .
              
               
                 Now
                 if
                 such
                 sanctity
                 and
                 holiness
                 be
                 necessary
                 in
                 those
                 who
                 draw
                 near
                 unto
                 him
                 in
                 his
                 ordinances
                 :
                 How
                 much
                 more
                 to
                 the
                 enjoying
                 immediate
                 communion
                 with
                 him
                 in
                 Heaven
                 ?
                 will
                 not
                 God
                 meet
                 thee
                 at
                 a
                 prayer
                 ,
                 and
                 will
                 he
                 suffer
                 thee
                 to
                 meet
                 him
                 in
                 Paradise
                 ?
                 will
                 he
                 not
                 let
                 thee
                 see
                 his
                 face
                 at
                 his
                 Table
                 ,
                 and
                 will
                 he
                 let
                 thee
                 sit
                 down
                 with
                 him
                 in
                 his
                 Kingdom
                 ?
                 Maist
                 thou
                 not
                 come
                 into
                 his
                 Courts
                 ,
                 and
                 shalt
                 thou
                 enter
                 into
                 the
                 holy
                 of
                 holies
                 ?
                 Was
                 the
                 man
                 without
                 a
                 wedding
                 garment
                 thrust
                 out
                 from
                 his
                 presence
                 here
                 below
                 ,
                 and
                 shall
                 he
                 be
                 received
                 into
                 his
                 mansion
                 above
                 ?
                 How
                 can
                 these
                 things
                 be
                 ?
              
            
             
               
               
                 CHAP.
                 VI.
                 An
                 Vse
                 of
                 Exhortation
                 to
                 endeavour
                 after
                 Regeneration
                 ;
                 with
                 quickning
                 Motives
                 thereunto
                 .
              
               
                 HAving
                 thus
                 done
                 with
                 the
                 Explication
                 and
                 Confirmation
                 of
                 the
                 point
                 ;
                 Come
                 we
                 now
                 to
                 the
                 
                   use
                   and
                   Application
                
                 thereof
                 .
              
               
                 I.
                 The
                 first
                 may
                 be
                 an
                 
                   use
                   of
                   Exhortation
                
                 ,
                 both
                 to
                 the
                 unregenerate
                 and
                 to
                 the
                 Regenerate
                 .
              
               
                 
                   First
                   to
                   the
                   unregenerate
                
                 :
                 Is
                 Regeneration
                 absolutely
                 necessary
                 to
                 Salvation
                 ?
                 Oh
                 then
                 how
                 doth
                 it
                 concern
                 you
                 who
                 are
                 yet
                 in
                 your
                 sins
                 ,
                 and
                 under
                 the
                 power
                 of
                 corrupt
                 nature
                 ,
                 earnestly
                 to
                 desire
                 ,
                 and
                 industriously
                 to
                 labour
                 after
                 this
                 saving
                 change
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 use
                 of
                 all
                 mea●s
                 God
                 hath
                 sanctified
                 thereunto
                 ?
                 Let
                 y●●r
                 outward
                 condition
                 be
                 what
                 it
                 will
                 ,
                 be
                 ye
                 never
                 so
                 rich
                 ,
                 never
                 so
                 honourable
                 ,
                 yet
                 far
                 be
                 it
                 from
                 you
                 to
                 sit
                 down
                 satisfied
                 in
                 any
                 condition
                 ,
                 till
                 you
                 be
                 renewed
                 ,
                 and
                 sanctified
                 by
                 the
                 spirit
                 of
                 God.
                 A●as
                 ,
                 how
                 many
                 be
                 there
                 in
                 the
                 World
                 ;
                 who
                 though
                 in
                 their
                 natural
                 and
                 carnal
                 estate
                 ,
                 yet
                 live
                 as
                 securely
                 and
                 merrily
                 ,
                 as
                 if
                 their
                 condition
                 were
                 as
                 safe
                 and
                 good
                 as
                 the
                 best
                 !
                 Ask
                 them
                 one
                 by
                 one
                 ,
                 Whether
                 the
                 work
                 of
                 Regeneration
                 be
                 wrought
                 in
                 their
                 souls
                 ?
                 and
                 some
                 will
                 answer
                 ,
                 they
                 hope
                 it
                 is
                 ,
                 others
                 that
                 they
                 never
                 doubted
                 it
                 ;
                 though
                 none
                 of
                 them
                 know
                 what
                 Regeneration
                 is
                 ,
                 nor
                 ever
                 minded
                 any
                 such
                 thing
                 .
                 And
                 yet
                 these
                 men
                 have
                 not
                 only
                 read
                 ,
                 but
                 do
                 likewise
                 believe
                 the
                 words
                 of
                 our
                 Saviour
                 ,
                 who
                 hath
                 told
                 them
                 ,
                 
                 
                   that
                   except
                   they
                   be
                   born
                   again
                   ,
                   they
                   cannot
                   enter
                   into
                   the
                   Kingdom
                   of
                   Heaven
                   .
                
              
               
                 Ah
                 sinner
                 ,
                 I
                 beseech
                 thee
                 for
                 the
                 sake
                 of
                 thy
                 precious
                 and
                 immortal
                 soul
                 ,
                 to
                 stir
                 up
                 in
                 thy self
                 an
                 hearty
                 desire
                 ,
                 and
                 sincere
                 endeavour
                 after
                 this
                 blessed
                 work
                 .
                 
                 As
                 it
                 is
                 
                   the
                   one
                   thing
                   necessary
                   to
                   salvation
                   ,
                
                 so
                 let
                 it
                 be
                 the
                 main
                 thing
                 
                 of
                 thy
                 desire
                 and
                 endeavour
                 .
                 There
                 is
                 nothing
                 deserves
                 precedency
                 in
                 thy
                 thoughts
                 ,
                 aims
                 ,
                 and
                 labours
                 before
                 this
                 .
                 
                 David
                 resolved
                 not
                 to
                 
                   give
                   sleep
                   to
                   his
                   eyes
                   ,
                   nor
                   slumber
                   to
                   his
                   eye-lids
                   ,
                   till
                   be
                   found
                   out
                   an
                   habitation
                   for
                   the
                   Lord.
                
                 The
                 habitation
                 which
                 pleaseth
                 God
                 most
                 ,
                 
                   is
                   thine
                   heart
                
                 ,
                 but
                 it
                 must
                 be
                 a
                 renewed
                 heart
                 .
                 Oh
                 how
                 darest
                 thou
                 sleep
                 a
                 night
                 in
                 that
                 house
                 ,
                 where
                 God
                 doth
                 not
                 dwell
                 ?
                 and
                 he
                 dwells
                 not
                 in
                 thee
                 ,
                 unless
                 thou
                 beest
                 Regenerated
                 by
                 his
                 holy
                 Spirit
                 .
                 In
                 the
                 fear
                 of
                 God
                 therefore
                 ,
                 see
                 thou
                 give
                 no
                 rest
                 to
                 thy
                 soul
                 ,
                 no
                 ease
                 to
                 thy
                 mind
                 ,
                 till
                 thou
                 find
                 a
                 blessed
                 change
                 wrought
                 in
                 thee
                 ,
                 till
                 thou
                 findest
                 thou
                 art
                 brought
                 out
                 of
                 the
                 state
                 of
                 nature
                 ,
                 into
                 the
                 state
                 of
                 grace
                 .
                 Neither
                 sit
                 down
                 satisfied
                 in
                 the
                 enjoyment
                 of
                 any
                 worldly
                 comfort
                 ,
                 without
                 the
                 enjoyment
                 of
                 this
                 mercy
                 .
                 And
                 indeed
                 how
                 canst
                 thou
                 live
                 merrily
                 or
                 sleep
                 quietly
                 ,
                 so
                 long
                 as
                 thou
                 livest
                 in
                 thine
                 unregenerate
                 estate
                 ?
                 in
                 which
                 if
                 thou
                 shouldest
                 die
                 ,
                 thou
                 wouldest
                 perish
                 for
                 ever
                 ,
                 even
                 to
                 all
                 Eternity
                 .
                 Especially
                 considering
                 the
                 
                   uncertainty
                   of
                   thy
                   life
                
                 ,
                 whether
                 thou
                 shalt
                 live
                 a
                 day
                 ,
                 or
                 an
                 hour
                 longer
                 .
              
               
                 For
                 the
                 more
                 profitable
                 handling
                 this
                 Use
                 ,
                 I
                 shall
                 ,
                 
                   
                     1.
                     
                     Give
                     you
                     some
                     Motives
                     to
                     quicken
                     up
                     your
                     desires
                     and
                     endeavours
                     after
                     the
                     work
                     of
                     Regeneration
                     .
                  
                   
                     2.
                     
                     Shew
                     you
                     the
                     Means
                     to
                     be
                     performed
                     for
                     the
                     better
                     artaining
                     thereunto
                     .
                  
                
              
               
                 The
                 Motives
                 may
                 be
                 drawn
                 to
                 these
                 three
                 heads
                 :
                 
                   
                     1.
                     
                     The
                     Excellency
                     .
                  
                   
                     2.
                     
                     The
                     Utility
                     .
                  
                   
                     3.
                     
                     The
                     Necessity
                     of
                     Regeneration
                     .
                  
                
              
               
                 I.
                 For
                 the
                 first
                 ,
                 the
                 Excellency
                 thereof
                 will
                 appear
                 from
                 these
                 four
                 particulars
                 :
              
               
                 1.
                 
                 
                   Regeneration
                   doth
                   enoble
                   a
                   man
                   ,
                   raise
                   him
                   up
                   towards
                   his
                   Original
                   perfection
                   .
                
                 Man
                 was
                 made
                 the
                 noblest
                 of
                 all
                 creatures
                 in
                 this
                 visible
                 World
                 ,
                 
                   in
                   the
                   image
                   and
                   likeness
                   of
                   God.
                
                 Sin
                 defaced
                 the
                 Image
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 stamped
                 the
                 Image
                 of
                 the
                 Devil
                 upon
                 him
                 .
                 A
                 sinner
                 is
                 a
                 man
                 degenerated
                 into
                 a
                 beast
                 ;
                 
                 
                   Man
                   being
                   in
                   honour
                   abideth
                   not
                   ,
                   but
                   is
                   like
                   the
                   beasts
                   that
                   perish
                   .
                
                 He
                 lives
                 like
                 a
                 beast
                 ,
                 and
                 dies
                 like
                 a
                 beast
                 ,
                 not
                 knowing
                 whither
                 he
                 goeth
                 .
                 
                   Every
                   man
                   is
                   brutish
                   in
                   his
                   knowledge
                   .
                
                 
                 He
                 hath
                 a
                 brutish
                 
                 heart
                 ,
                 lives
                 a
                 brutish
                 life
                 .
                 By
                 grace
                 man
                 comes
                 to
                 himself
                 ,
                 is
                 raised
                 up
                 from
                 a
                 beast
                 to
                 a
                 man
                 again
                 ,
                 renewed
                 after
                 the
                 Image
                 of
                 God
                 ;
                 The
                 spirit
                 of
                 glory
                 and
                 of
                 God
                 shines
                 forth
                 in
                 him
                 .
                 There
                 's
                 more
                 of
                 the
                 glory
                 of
                 God
                 seen
                 in
                 a
                 Saint
                 ,
                 than
                 in
                 all
                 the
                 works
                 of
                 God
                 under
                 the
                 Sun
                 :
                 nay
                 than
                 in
                 the
                 glorious
                 Sun
                 in
                 the
                 Heavens
                 .
                 
                 The
                 
                   Sun
                   ,
                   Moon
                
                 ,
                 and
                 Stars
                 fall
                 short
                 of
                 the
                 glory
                 of
                 the
                 new-creature
                 .
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 
                   The
                   Excellency
                   of
                   Regeneration
                   appears
                   ,
                   in
                   that
                   it
                   makes
                   a
                   man
                   a
                   true
                   Christian.
                
                 A
                 man
                 is
                 not
                 really
                 a
                 Christian
                 ,
                 because
                 he
                 hath
                 been
                 Baptized
                 ,
                 beareth
                 the
                 name
                 ,
                 and
                 frequenteth
                 the
                 ordinances
                 of
                 Christ
                 :
                 but
                 because
                 he
                 is
                 Regenerated
                 by
                 the
                 Spirit
                 of
                 Christ
                 ,
                 and
                 thereby
                 translated
                 out
                 of
                 a
                 state
                 of
                 sin
                 and
                 death
                 ,
                 into
                 a
                 state
                 of
                 life
                 and
                 peace
                 .
                 
                 For
                 as
                 under
                 the
                 law
                 ,
                 
                   he
                   was
                   not
                   a
                   Iew
                   ,
                   who
                   was
                   one
                   outwardly
                   ,
                   being
                   circumcised
                   in
                   the
                   flesh
                   .
                   But
                   he
                   was
                   a
                   Iew
                   who
                   was
                   one
                   inwardly
                   ,
                   being
                   circumcised
                   in
                   his
                   heart
                   and
                   spirit
                   ,
                
                 as
                 the
                 Apostle
                 expresseth
                 .
                 In
                 like
                 manner
                 ,
                 he
                 is
                 no
                 true
                 Christian
                 ,
                 who
                 is
                 only
                 outwardly
                 Baptized
                 ,
                 but
                 he
                 who
                 is
                 inwardly
                 Baptized
                 by
                 the
                 Spirit
                 ,
                 and
                 whose
                 heart
                 is
                 changed
                 and
                 renewed
                 .
              
               
                 3.
                 
                 
                   The
                   Excellency
                   of
                   this
                   new
                   birth
                   appears
                   in
                   this
                   ,
                   that
                   it
                   is
                   the
                   beginning
                   of
                   eternal
                   life
                   and
                   happiness
                   :
                
                 even
                 of
                 the
                 same
                 life
                 which
                 we
                 shall
                 live
                 hereafter
                 in
                 Heaven
                 with
                 the
                 Saints
                 ,
                 and
                 glorious
                 Angels
                 to
                 all
                 Eternity
                 .
                 Grace
                 here
                 is
                 not
                 only
                 an
                 evidence
                 of
                 glory
                 hereafter
                 ,
                 but
                 it
                 is
                 the
                 beginning
                 of
                 that
                 glory
                 ,
                 which
                 hereafter
                 we
                 shall
                 more
                 fully
                 enjoy
                 in
                 Heaven
                 :
                 Grace
                 and
                 glory
                 differ
                 only
                 in
                 degree
                 :
                 for
                 grace
                 is
                 glory
                 begun
                 here
                 ,
                 and
                 glory
                 is
                 grace
                 consummated
                 ,
                 and
                 perfected
                 hereafter
                 .
                 Now
                 considering
                 that
                 this
                 is
                 such
                 an
                 excellent
                 state
                 ,
                 how
                 doth
                 it
                 concern
                 you
                 as
                 earnestly
                 to
                 desire
                 ,
                 so
                 industriously
                 to
                 endeavour
                 after
                 it
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 use
                 of
                 all
                 means
                 God
                 hath
                 sanctified
                 .
              
               
                 II.
                 
                   Another
                   Motive
                   may
                   be
                   taken
                   from
                   the
                   Utility
                   of
                   Regeneration
                   .
                
                 If
                 it
                 be
                 demanded
                 
                   What
                   is
                   the
                   profit
                   thereof
                
                 ?
                 we
                 may
                 answer
                 〈◊〉
                 the
                 Apostle
                 did
                 of
                 
                   Circumcision
                   ,
                   Much
                   every
                   way
                
                 .
                 
                 For
                 this
                 is
                 that
                 
                   Godliness
                   ,
                   which
                   is
                   profitable
                   unto
                   all
                   things
                   ,
                   having
                   promises
                   of
                   the
                   life
                   that
                   now
                   is
                   ,
                   and
                   
                   of
                   that
                   which
                   is
                   to
                   come
                   ,
                
                 that
                 is
                 ,
                 it
                 hath
                 Heaven
                 and
                 Earth
                 entailed
                 on
                 it
                 ,
                 and
                 therefore
                 must
                 needs
                 be
                 profitable
                 .
                 The
                 Regenerate
                 therefore
                 are
                 called
                 
                   heirs
                   of
                   the
                   Promises
                
                 .
                 
                 Such
                 only
                 have
                 the
                 true
                 riches
                 ,
                 being
                 
                   rich
                   in
                   faith
                
                 ,
                 as
                 the
                 Apostle
                 Iames
                 calleth
                 them
                 .
                 As
                 Laodicea
                 was
                 poor
                 ,
                 though
                 abounding
                 in
                 outward
                 fulness
                 .
                 So
                 these
                 are
                 
                   truly
                   rich
                
                 ,
                 though
                 destitute
                 of
                 many
                 outward
                 things
                 ,
                 having
                 an
                 interest
                 in
                 God
                 ,
                 who
                 is
                 the
                 fountain
                 of
                 all
                 blessings
                 .
                 How
                 should
                 the
                 consideration
                 hereof
                 stir
                 you
                 up
                 ,
                 as
                 earnestly
                 to
                 thirst
                 ,
                 so
                 sincerely
                 to
                 endeavour
                 after
                 this
                 blessed
                 state
                 !
              
               
                 III.
                 
                   Another
                   Motive
                   may
                   be
                   taken
                   from
                   the
                   necessity
                   of
                   Regeneration
                   .
                   It
                   is
                   absolutely
                   necessary
                   to
                   Salvation
                   .
                
                 It
                 had
                 been
                 better
                 for
                 thee
                 never
                 to
                 have
                 been
                 born
                 ,
                 than
                 not
                 to
                 be
                 born
                 again
                 .
                 It
                 is
                 as
                 necessary
                 as
                 Heaven
                 and
                 happiness
                 .
                 For
                 saith
                 our
                 Saviour
                 himself
                 ,
                 
                   Except
                   a
                   man
                   be
                   born
                   again
                   ,
                   he
                   cannot
                   see
                   ,
                
                 much
                 less
                 enter
                 into
                 ,
                 
                   the
                   Kingdom
                   of
                   Heaven
                
                 .
                 So
                 that
                 there
                 is
                 no
                 hope
                 of
                 the
                 Salvation
                 of
                 any
                 unregenerate
                 man
                 ,
                 or
                 woman
                 :
                 but
                 if
                 they
                 live
                 and
                 die
                 in
                 that
                 estate
                 ,
                 their
                 portion
                 will
                 be
                 death
                 and
                 damnation
                 with
                 the
                 Devils
                 and
                 damned
                 to
                 all
                 Eternity
                 .
                 And
                 in
                 regard
                 of
                 the
                 uncertainty
                 of
                 their
                 lives
                 ,
                 they
                 are
                 not
                 sure
                 to
                 be
                 out
                 of
                 Hell
                 one
                 day
                 longer
                 .
              
               
                 Ah
                 sinner
                 !
                 What
                 dost
                 thou
                 mean
                 then
                 to
                 continue
                 in
                 thy
                 carnal
                 and
                 unregenerate
                 estate
                 ?
                 As
                 sure
                 as
                 the
                 word
                 of
                 God
                 is
                 true
                 ,
                 if
                 thou
                 dye
                 therein
                 ,
                 thou
                 art
                 shut
                 out
                 of
                 all
                 hope
                 of
                 mercy
                 for
                 ever
                 :
                 and
                 shalt
                 pass
                 into
                 easeless
                 ,
                 and
                 endless
                 misery
                 .
                 In
                 the
                 fear
                 of
                 God
                 therefore
                 ,
                 when
                 thou
                 risest
                 up
                 in
                 the
                 Morning
                 ,
                 consider
                 with
                 thy self
                 ,
                 that
                 thou
                 art
                 uncertain
                 of
                 being
                 out
                 of
                 Hell
                 till
                 the
                 Evening
                 .
                 And
                 when
                 thou
                 lyest
                 down
                 ,
                 consider
                 how
                 uncertain
                 thou
                 art
                 of
                 being
                 out
                 of
                 Hell
                 till
                 the
                 next
                 morning
                 .
                 Surely
                 this
                 consideration
                 is
                 enough
                 to
                 amaze
                 any
                 poor
                 Christian
                 who
                 is
                 indeed
                 Regenerate
                 ,
                 but
                 maketh
                 some
                 question
                 thereof
                 in
                 himself
                 .
                 How
                 much
                 more
                 should
                 it
                 amaze
                 ,
                 and
                 startle
                 thee
                 who
                 art
                 yet
                 in
                 thy
                 carnal
                 and
                 sinfull
                 estate
                 ;
                 and
                 stir
                 thee
                 up
                 without
                 any
                 
                 farther
                 delay
                 to
                 escape
                 for
                 thy
                 life
                 ,
                 and
                 make
                 out
                 in
                 hast
                 after
                 thy
                 Redemption
                 from
                 this
                 dreadful
                 condition
                 .
              
               
                 I
                 would
                 ask
                 thee
                 this
                 question
                 ,
                 Whether
                 if
                 thou
                 shouldst
                 put
                 off
                 thy
                 seeking
                 after
                 the
                 great
                 work
                 of
                 Regeneration
                 and
                 conversion
                 till
                 another
                 year
                 ,
                 week
                 ,
                 or
                 day
                 ,
                 thou
                 art
                 sure
                 to
                 be
                 then
                 on
                 this
                 side
                 the
                 grave
                 ,
                 or
                 on
                 this
                 side
                 hell
                 ?
                 Certain
                 it
                 is
                 ,
                 thou
                 hast
                 no
                 assurance
                 of
                 thy
                 life
                 for
                 one
                 day
                 longer
                 .
                 Nay
                 ,
                 I
                 dare
                 boldly
                 say
                 ,
                 thou
                 thy self
                 knowest
                 and
                 believest
                 as
                 much
                 .
                 Ah
                 sinner
                 ,
                 what
                 folly
                 ,
                 yea
                 what
                 madness
                 is
                 it
                 then
                 for
                 thee
                 wilfully
                 to
                 live
                 one
                 day
                 longer
                 in
                 such
                 an
                 estate
                 ,
                 in
                 which
                 if
                 thou
                 shouldst
                 dye
                 ,
                 thou
                 art
                 ,
                 without
                 hope
                 of
                 recovery
                 ,
                 undone
                 for
                 ever
                 .
              
               
                 Obj.
                 Haply
                 thou
                 wilt
                 say
                 ,
                 though
                 I
                 am
                 not
                 sure
                 to
                 live
                 another
                 day
                 ,
                 yet
                 I
                 am
                 likely
                 ,
                 being
                 in
                 good
                 health
                 and
                 strength
                 of
                 body
                 .
              
               
                 Answ.
                 How
                 many
                 as
                 strong
                 and
                 healthfull
                 as
                 thy self
                 ,
                 have
                 suddenly
                 by
                 death
                 been
                 snatched
                 away
                 ?
                 And
                 why
                 maist
                 not
                 thou
                 be
                 as
                 soon
                 taken
                 away
                 ,
                 having
                 no
                 Lease
                 of
                 thy
                 Life
                 ?
                 who
                 then
                 but
                 a
                 fool
                 or
                 a
                 mad-man
                 would
                 adventure
                 his
                 eternal
                 happiness
                 upon
                 such
                 an
                 hazard
                 ?
                 Oh
                 therefore
                 as
                 thou
                 tenderest
                 the
                 everlasting
                 good
                 of
                 thy
                 precious
                 soul
                 ,
                 put
                 not
                 off
                 this
                 great
                 and
                 weighty
                 work
                 a
                 day
                 longer
                 :
                 
                 
                   for
                   who
                   knoweth
                   what
                   a
                   day
                   may
                   bring
                   forth
                   ?
                
              
               
                 Hadst
                 thou
                 been
                 taken
                 away
                 in
                 the
                 state
                 thou
                 art
                 in
                 ,
                 how
                 sad
                 had
                 thy
                 case
                 been
                 ?
                 where
                 hadst
                 thou
                 been
                 at
                 this
                 hour
                 ?
                 Certainly
                 thou
                 art
                 not
                 able
                 to
                 conceive
                 the
                 dreadfulness
                 of
                 that
                 misery
                 thou
                 shouldst
                 now
                 have
                 been
                 in
                 .
                 And
                 hast
                 thou
                 lived
                 all
                 this
                 while
                 in
                 so
                 great
                 danger
                 ,
                 and
                 wilt
                 thou
                 live
                 in
                 it
                 still
                 ?
                 God
                 forbid
                 !
                 Hath
                 a
                 miracle
                 of
                 mercy
                 kept
                 thee
                 out
                 of
                 hell
                 so
                 long
                 ?
                 and
                 wilt
                 thou
                 yet
                 continue
                 securely
                 in
                 such
                 danger
                 of
                 it
                 ?
                 Oh
                 ungratefull
                 wretch
                 !
                 Questionless
                 if
                 thou
                 hadst
                 any
                 ingenuity
                 in
                 thee
                 ,
                 thou
                 wouldst
                 be
                 ashamed
                 thus
                 to
                 abuse
                 the
                 patience
                 ,
                 and
                 long-suffering
                 of
                 God
                 towards
                 thee
                 ;
                 which
                 should
                 have
                 led
                 thee
                 to
                 repentance
                 .
                 Thou
                 shouldst
                 rather
                 take
                 up
                 a
                 resolution
                 ,
                 
                 and
                 say
                 ,
                 though
                 I
                 have
                 hitherto
                 abused
                 the
                 patience
                 and
                 long-suffering
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 I
                 will
                 abuse
                 it
                 no
                 more
                 .
                 Though
                 I
                 have
                 often
                 slighted
                 and
                 rejected
                 the
                 gracious
                 invitations
                 of
                 Jesus
                 Christ
                 ,
                 yet
                 through
                 the
                 grace
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 I
                 will
                 reject
                 them
                 no
                 more
                 ,
                 but
                 close
                 with
                 them
                 ,
                 and
                 give
                 up
                 my self
                 unto
                 Christ
                 from
                 henceforth
                 to
                 be
                 ruled
                 and
                 governed
                 by
                 him
                 .
              
               
                 God
                 hath
                 allotted
                 to
                 every
                 man
                 who
                 lives
                 in
                 the
                 bosome
                 of
                 the
                 Church
                 a
                 certain
                 day
                 of
                 grace
                 ,
                 and
                 time
                 of
                 repentance
                 ;
                 which
                 whosoever
                 neglects
                 ,
                 can
                 never
                 be
                 saved
                 .
                 Ah
                 sinner
                 ,
                 as
                 therefore
                 thou
                 wouldst
                 not
                 neglect
                 thine
                 own
                 Salvation
                 ,
                 neglect
                 not
                 the
                 day
                 of
                 grace
                 ,
                 neither
                 let
                 slip
                 the
                 season
                 of
                 mercy
                 ;
                 but
                 as
                 the
                 Apostle
                 exhorteth
                 ,
                 
                 
                   To
                   day
                   if
                   you
                   will
                   hear
                   his
                   voice
                   ,
                   harden
                   not
                   your
                   hearts
                   .
                   Behold
                   now
                   is
                   the
                   accepted
                   time
                   ,
                   now
                   is
                   the
                   day
                   of
                   Salvation
                
                 ;
                 if
                 that
                 be
                 once
                 past
                 there
                 is
                 no
                 recovering
                 it
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 CHAP.
                 VII
                 .
                 Sheweth
                 the
                 miserable
                 and
                 dreadfull
                 condition
                 of
                 the
                 Vnregenerate
                 in
                 their
                 life-time
                 .
              
               
                 HAving
                 given
                 you
                 some
                 Motives
                 to
                 quicken
                 up
                 your
                 desires
                 and
                 endeavours
                 after
                 the
                 work
                 of
                 Regeneration
                 .
                 I
                 come
                 now
                 to
                 shew
                 you
                 the
                 
                   Means
                   on
                   your
                   part
                   to
                   be
                   performed
                   for
                   the
                   better
                   attaining
                   thereunto
                
                 ;
                 which
                 may
                 be
                 brought
                 to
                 these
                 two
                 general
                 heads
                 ;
                 
                   
                     1.
                     
                     
                       The
                       Embracing
                       some
                       truths
                    
                     .
                  
                   
                     2.
                     
                     
                       The
                       Practising
                       some
                       duties
                    
                     .
                  
                
              
               
                 The
                 Truths
                 to
                 be
                 embraced
                 are
                 these
                 ;
                 
                   
                     1.
                     
                     
                       That
                       every
                       man
                       in
                       his
                       state
                       of
                       unregeneracy
                       is
                       in
                       a
                       miserable
                       state
                       ,
                       and
                       dreadfull
                       condition
                       .
                    
                  
                   
                     2.
                     
                     
                       That
                       there
                       is
                       hope
                       of
                       mercy
                       for
                       the
                       greatest
                       sinners
                       .
                    
                  
                
              
               
                 That
                 you
                 may
                 the
                 better
                 understand
                 the
                 miserable
                 
                 condition
                 of
                 men
                 in
                 their
                 state
                 of
                 Unregeneracy
                 ,
                 I
                 shall
                 shew
                 you
                 their
                 miseries
                 :
                 
                   
                     1.
                     
                     In
                     this
                     life
                     .
                  
                   
                     2.
                     
                     At
                     death
                     .
                  
                   
                     3.
                     
                     After
                     death
                     .
                  
                
              
               
                 Their
                 miseries
                 in
                 this
                 life
                 are
                 briefly
                 these
                 ;
              
               
                 I.
                 
                   They
                   are
                   Servants
                   to
                   sin
                   ,
                   and
                   slaves
                   to
                   their
                   lusts
                
                 ;
                 making
                 it
                 their
                 main
                 work
                 and
                 design
                 to
                 serve
                 their
                 sinfull
                 flesh
                 with
                 its
                 affections
                 .
                 The
                 baseness
                 of
                 this
                 slavery
                 under
                 sin
                 will
                 appear
                 the
                 more
                 ,
                 if
                 we
                 shall
                 consider
                 ,
              
               
                 1.
                 
                 
                   What
                   it
                   is
                   we
                   do
                   inthrall
                   thereby
                   ,
                   even
                   our
                   precious
                   souls
                   ,
                
                 which
                 at
                 first
                 were
                 created
                 after
                 the
                 Image
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 fitted
                 for
                 his
                 noble
                 service
                 ,
                 and
                 communion
                 with
                 himself
                 .
                 Now
                 for
                 this
                 
                   immortal
                   Being
                
                 to
                 be
                 a
                 drudge
                 to
                 base
                 pleasures
                 and
                 profits
                 ,
                 to
                 the
                 vain
                 and
                 vile
                 things
                 of
                 this
                 World
                 ,
                 is
                 a
                 most
                 sad
                 degeneration
                 .
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 What
                 are
                 the
                 fruits
                 of
                 this
                 spiritual
                 bondage
                 and
                 slavery
                 .
              
               
                 1.
                 
                 
                   At
                   the
                   best
                   a
                   little
                   seeming
                   pleasure
                   ,
                   or
                   profit
                   ,
                   that
                   lasts
                   but
                   for
                   a
                   moment
                   ,
                
                 
                 which
                 the
                 Apostle
                 calls
                 ,
                 
                   the
                   pleasures
                   of
                   sin
                   for
                   a
                   season
                   :
                
                 they
                 are
                 but
                 of
                 little
                 worth
                 ,
                 and
                 but
                 of
                 short
                 continuance
                 .
                 And
                 sure
                 it
                 must
                 needs
                 be
                 a
                 point
                 of
                 folly
                 eagerly
                 to
                 pursue
                 these
                 sinfull
                 lusts
                 and
                 pleasures
                 ,
                 which
                 are
                 but
                 light
                 and
                 temporary
                 ,
                 which
                 do
                 but
                 appear
                 and
                 vanish
                 ,
                 to
                 the
                 hazard
                 of
                 those
                 durable
                 riches
                 and
                 eternal
                 pleasures
                 which
                 are
                 at
                 Gods
                 right
                 hand
                 .
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 Another
                 fruit
                 which
                 usually
                 follows
                 upon
                 our
                 slavish
                 subjection
                 to
                 our
                 lusts
                 ,
                 
                 is
                 
                   death
                   eternal
                
                 ;
                 according
                 to
                 that
                 of
                 the
                 Apostle
                 ,
                 
                   the
                   wages
                   of
                   sin
                   is
                   death
                   ,
                
                 and
                 that
                 eternal
                 ,
                 as
                 appeareth
                 by
                 the
                 opposition
                 of
                 eternal
                 life
                 :
                 for
                 saith
                 the
                 Apostle
                 ,
                 
                   The
                   wages
                   of
                   sin
                   is
                   death
                   ,
                   but
                   the
                   gift
                   of
                   God
                   is
                   eternal
                   life
                   .
                
                 So
                 that
                 as
                 eternal
                 life
                 followeth
                 an
                 holy
                 life
                 ,
                 so
                 eternal
                 death
                 followeth
                 a
                 sinfull
                 life
                 .
                 This
                 is
                 the
                 reward
                 ,
                 sinner
                 ,
                 that
                 thy
                 God
                 whom
                 thou
                 servest
                 will
                 pay
                 thee
                 at
                 last
                 ,
                 
                   thou
                   must
                   dye
                   the
                   death
                
                 .
              
               
                 Oh
                 the
                 folly
                 and
                 madness
                 of
                 this
                 sensual
                 enslaved
                 
                 World
                 !
                 Surely
                 were
                 there
                 nothing
                 in
                 sin
                 but
                 the
                 present
                 slavery
                 ,
                 it
                 were
                 enough
                 to
                 disswade
                 any
                 ingenuous
                 spirit
                 .
                 Who
                 would
                 be
                 a
                 slave
                 ?
                 a
                 slave
                 to
                 a
                 lust
                 ?
                 at
                 the
                 command
                 of
                 every
                 unclean
                 motion
                 ?
                 at
                 the
                 beck
                 of
                 every
                 brutish
                 affection
                 ?
                 But
                 if
                 the
                 vileness
                 of
                 the
                 work
                 will
                 not
                 deterr
                 thee
                 ,
                 will
                 not
                 the
                 dreadfulness
                 of
                 the
                 wages
                 neither
                 ?
                 which
                 is
                 
                   eternal
                   death
                   and
                   condemnation
                
                 .
                 Oh
                 consider
                 this
                 you
                 who
                 make
                 so
                 light
                 a
                 matter
                 of
                 sin
                 ,
                 and
                 take
                 such
                 pleasure
                 in
                 obeying
                 the
                 lusts
                 thereof
                 .
              
               
                 II.
                 
                   All
                   men
                   in
                   the
                   state
                   of
                   unregeneracy
                   are
                   servants
                   and
                   slavos
                   to
                   the
                   Devil
                   .
                
                 Which
                 necessarily
                 followeth
                 upon
                 the
                 former
                 ,
                 for
                 such
                 as
                 are
                 in
                 subjection
                 to
                 their
                 lusts
                 ,
                 must
                 needs
                 be
                 under
                 the
                 bondage
                 and
                 slavery
                 of
                 Satan
                 ,
                 in
                 that
                 the
                 chief
                 power
                 he
                 hath
                 over
                 us
                 ,
                 is
                 ,
                 by
                 lust
                 to
                 allure
                 us
                 unto
                 sin
                 .
                 I
                 know
                 all
                 men
                 are
                 apt
                 to
                 say
                 ,
                 
                   that
                   they
                   hate
                   and
                   defie
                   the
                   Devil
                   ,
                   and
                   abhor
                   to
                   be
                   his
                   slave
                   or
                   servant
                   :
                
                 but
                 yet
                 in
                 the
                 mean
                 time
                 ,
                 they
                 obey
                 his
                 sinfull
                 commands
                 ,
                 and
                 thereby
                 declare
                 themselves
                 to
                 be
                 
                   his
                   servants
                
                 ,
                 for
                 as
                 the
                 Apostle
                 speaketh
                 ,
                 
                   Know
                   ye
                   not
                
                 ,
                 
                 
                   that
                   to
                   whom
                   ye
                   yield
                   your selves
                   servants
                   to
                   obey
                   ,
                   his
                   servants
                   ye
                   are
                   to
                   whom
                   ye
                   obey
                   .
                
                 And
                 saith
                 the
                 beloved
                 Disciple
                 ,
                 
                 
                   He
                   that
                   committeth
                   sin
                   is
                   of
                   the
                   Devil
                   ,
                
                 that
                 is
                 ,
                 he
                 who
                 gives
                 up
                 himself
                 to
                 the
                 committing
                 of
                 sin
                 ,
                 is
                 a
                 servant
                 and
                 slave
                 to
                 the
                 Devil
                 ,
                 for
                 he
                 doth
                 his
                 drudgery
                 .
              
               
                 Oh
                 that
                 the
                 eyes
                 of
                 poor
                 sinners
                 were
                 opened
                 to
                 see
                 who
                 it
                 is
                 that
                 puts
                 them
                 upon
                 all
                 manner
                 of
                 sin
                 and
                 wickedness
                 !
                 Certainly
                 they
                 would
                 not
                 then
                 be
                 so
                 ready
                 and
                 forward
                 thereunto
                 .
                 Oh
                 that
                 they
                 did
                 but
                 know
                 in
                 what
                 a
                 miserable
                 bondage
                 and
                 slavery
                 they
                 are
                 !
                 Certainly
                 then
                 they
                 would
                 not
                 be
                 so
                 merry
                 ,
                 and
                 jovial
                 ,
                 neither
                 would
                 they
                 sleep
                 one
                 night
                 quietly
                 in
                 such
                 a
                 state
                 and
                 condition
                 ,
                 but
                 they
                 would
                 be
                 casting
                 about
                 ,
                 how
                 they
                 might
                 be
                 freed
                 and
                 delivered
                 from
                 the
                 same
                 .
              
               
                 III.
                 
                   All
                   men
                   in
                   their
                   state
                   of
                   unregeneracy
                   are
                   under
                   the
                   curse
                   of
                   God
                   ,
                   which
                   continually
                   so
                   hangeth
                   over
                   their
                   heads
                   ,
                
                 that
                 they
                 are
                 cursed
                 in
                 every
                 thing
                 ,
              
               
               
                 1.
                 
                 
                   In
                   their
                   estate
                
                 .
                 Wealth
                 and
                 Riches
                 are
                 in
                 themselves
                 good
                 things
                 ,
                 even
                 the
                 good
                 blessings
                 of
                 God
                 :
                 but
                 yet
                 all
                 the
                 wealth
                 of
                 carnal
                 and
                 unregenerate
                 men
                 are
                 accursed
                 unto
                 them
                 ;
                 their
                 very
                 blessings
                 are
                 turned
                 into
                 curses
                 ,
                 as
                 the
                 Lord
                 threatneth
                 by
                 his
                 Prophet
                 Malachy
                 ,
                 saying
                 ,
                 
                   I
                   will
                   curse
                   their
                   blessings
                
                 .
              
               
                 
                   Cursed
                   they
                   are
                   ,
                   and
                   shall
                   be
                   in
                   the
                   City
                   and
                   in
                   the
                   Field
                   ;
                   in
                   their
                   Basket
                   and
                   in
                   their
                   Store
                   ;
                   in
                   the
                   increase
                   of
                   their
                   Kine
                   ,
                   and
                   in
                   the
                   flocks
                   of
                   their
                   Sheep
                   ,
                
                 as
                 you
                 have
                 it
                 expressed
                 ,
                 Deut.
                 28.17
                 ,
                 18.
                 
                 Though
                 thou
                 enjoyest
                 abundance
                 of
                 this
                 Worlds
                 goods
                 ,
                 yet
                 so
                 long
                 as
                 thou
                 livest
                 in
                 thy
                 wicked
                 and
                 ungodly
                 courses
                 ,
                 be
                 it
                 of
                 
                   lying
                   ,
                   swearing
                   ,
                   couzening
                   ,
                   whoring
                   ,
                   drinking
                
                 and
                 the
                 like
                 ,
                 
                   the
                   curse
                   of
                   God
                   is
                   in
                   thy
                   store
                   and
                   abundance
                   ,
                
                 which
                 makes
                 way
                 for
                 thine
                 eternal
                 misery
                 .
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 
                   In
                   their
                   names
                
                 .
                 Their
                 very
                 name
                 is
                 cursed
                 ,
                 for
                 as
                 the
                 
                   Wise
                   man
                
                 speaketh
                 ,
                 
                 
                   The
                   memory
                   of
                   the
                   just
                   is
                   blessed
                   ,
                   but
                   the
                   name
                   of
                   the
                   wicked
                   shall
                   rot
                
                 ;
                 that
                 is
                 ,
                 the
                 just
                 and
                 righteous
                 shall
                 leave
                 a
                 sweet
                 scent
                 behind
                 them
                 ,
                 so
                 that
                 they
                 shall
                 not
                 be
                 mentioned
                 without
                 some
                 commendation
                 .
                 But
                 the
                 wicked
                 shall
                 leave
                 a
                 stinking
                 savour
                 behind
                 them
                 ;
                 so
                 that
                 their
                 very
                 names
                 shall
                 be
                 loathsome
                 and
                 abominable
                 ;
                 like
                 a
                 rotten
                 carcass
                 they
                 shall
                 for
                 ●a
                 while
                 stink
                 above
                 ground
                 ,
                 and
                 at
                 last
                 be
                 utterly
                 forgotten
                 .
              
               
                 3.
                 
                 
                   In
                   their
                   houses
                
                 .
                 For
                 as
                 the
                 Wise
                 man
                 speaketh
                 ,
                 
                   The
                   curse
                   of
                   the
                   Lord
                   is
                   in
                   the
                   house
                   of
                   the
                   wicked
                   .
                
                 Though
                 their
                 houses
                 be
                 never
                 so
                 well
                 furnished
                 ,
                 
                 yet
                 what
                 comfort
                 and
                 content
                 can
                 there
                 be
                 found
                 therein
                 ,
                 when
                 the
                 curse
                 of
                 God
                 is
                 in
                 them
                 ?
                 which
                 is
                 enough
                 to
                 blast
                 the
                 beauty
                 and
                 glory
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 eat
                 up
                 the
                 timber
                 and
                 the
                 stones
                 thereof
                 .
                 
              
               
                 4.
                 
                 
                   In
                   their
                   religious
                   exercises
                   .
                   The
                   word
                   which
                   they
                   hear
                   ,
                
                 is
                 cursed
                 unto
                 them
                 .
                 That
                 which
                 to
                 others
                 
                   is
                   the
                   savour
                   of
                   life
                   unto
                   life
                   ,
                
                 to
                 them
                 is
                 
                   the
                   savour
                   of
                   death
                   unto
                   death
                   ,
                
                 being
                 a
                 means
                 to
                 ripen
                 their
                 sins
                 ,
                 and
                 hasten
                 their
                 ruine
                 .
                 The
                 
                   prayers
                   which
                   they
                   make
                
                 are
                 accursed
                 unto
                 them
                 :
                 oft-times
                 bringing
                 down
                 a
                 curse
                 rather
                 than
                 a
                 blessing
                 .
                 Yea
                 
                   the
                   Table
                   of
                   the
                   Lord
                
                 is
                 likewise
                 
                 accursed
                 unto
                 them
                 ,
                 so
                 that
                 instead
                 of
                 feeding
                 on
                 the
                 body
                 and
                 blood
                 of
                 Christ
                 ,
                 they
                 eat
                 and
                 drink
                 their
                 own
                 damnation
                 .
                 Oh
                 how
                 sad
                 and
                 lamentable
                 must
                 thy
                 condition
                 needs
                 be
                 ,
                 when
                 those
                 things
                 which
                 are
                 not
                 only
                 blessings
                 in
                 themselves
                 ,
                 but
                 likewise
                 blessed
                 unto
                 others
                 ,
                 should
                 be
                 cursed
                 unto
                 thee
                 ,
                 and
                 heighten
                 both
                 thy
                 sin
                 and
                 sorrow
                 .
                 And
                 if
                 thy
                 blessings
                 become
                 curses
                 ,
                 O
                 what
                 will
                 thy
                 curses
                 be
                 !
              
               
                 IV.
                 As
                 the
                 ground
                 and
                 foundation
                 of
                 the
                 curse
                 ,
                 
                   All
                   men
                   in
                   their
                   state
                   of
                   u●regeneracy
                   are
                   under
                   the
                   guilt
                   of
                   all
                   their
                   sins
                   ,
                
                 which
                 must
                 needs
                 make
                 their
                 condition
                 sad
                 and
                 dreadfull
                 .
                 
                 For
                 as
                 the
                 
                   man
                   is
                   blessed
                   whose
                   iniquity
                   is
                   forgiven
                   ,
                   and
                   whose
                   sin
                   is
                   covered
                   :
                
                 So
                 is
                 he
                 most
                 wretched
                 and
                 miserable
                 ,
                 who
                 lyeth
                 under
                 the
                 guilt
                 of
                 sin
                 without
                 pardon
                 :
                 
                   His
                   Conscience
                   b●ing
                   oft-times
                   tormented
                   with
                   such
                   restless
                   horrours
                   and
                   perplexities
                   ,
                
                 that
                 though
                 life
                 be
                 most
                 sweet
                 ,
                 and
                 hell
                 most
                 dreadfull
                 ,
                 yet
                 it
                 makes
                 a
                 man
                 wilfully
                 to
                 cast
                 away
                 the
                 one
                 ,
                 and
                 willingly
                 to
                 embrace
                 the
                 other
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 may
                 be
                 freed
                 from
                 the
                 horrour
                 of
                 his
                 guilty
                 conscience
                 .
                 Thus
                 Iudas
                 sought
                 ease
                 by
                 an
                 halter
                 ,
                 and
                 preferred
                 hanging
                 ,
                 yea
                 the
                 torments
                 of
                 Hell
                 before
                 the
                 anguish
                 of
                 his
                 guilty
                 conscience
                 .
                 Now
                 thou
                 maist
                 make
                 light
                 of
                 unpardoned
                 sin
                 ,
                 thinking
                 it
                 no
                 great
                 matter
                 .
                 But
                 the
                 day
                 is
                 coming
                 ,
                 when
                 thou
                 wouldst
                 give
                 all
                 the
                 world
                 ,
                 (
                 if
                 thou
                 hadst
                 it
                 )
                 for
                 a
                 pardon
                 ,
                 wh
                 ich
                 then
                 cannot
                 be
                 had
                 .
                 Therefore
                 as
                 ever
                 thou
                 wouldst
                 stand
                 before
                 Christs
                 judgement
                 seat
                 with
                 comfort
                 ,
                 and
                 not
                 be
                 cast
                 into
                 everlasting
                 burnings
                 ,
                 now
                 turn
                 from
                 thy
                 sins
                 ,
                 and
                 be
                 earnest
                 with
                 God
                 in
                 Prayer
                 for
                 the
                 pardon
                 of
                 them
                 in
                 and
                 through
                 the
                 merits
                 of
                 Christs
                 bloody
                 death
                 and
                 passion
                 .
                 Art
                 thou
                 a
                 sinner
                 ,
                 and
                 not
                 a
                 pardoned
                 sinner
                 ?
                 O
                 tremble
                 !
                 What
                 conscience
                 hast
                 thou
                 that
                 can
                 let
                 thee
                 sleep
                 ,
                 and
                 sing
                 and
                 laugh
                 in
                 such
                 a
                 dismal
                 state
                 ?
              
               
                 V.
                 Every
                 man
                 in
                 his
                 state
                 of
                 unregeneracy
                 is
                 liable
                 to
                 all
                 sorts
                 of
                 judgements
                 .
              
               
                 1.
                 
                 
                   To
                   temporal
                   judgements
                
                 ,
                 as
                 pains
                 ,
                 sicknesses
                 and
                 diseases
                 ,
                 losses
                 ,
                 crosses
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 like
                 .
                 Haply
                 for
                 the
                 
                 present
                 thou
                 maist
                 be
                 without
                 them
                 ,
                 but
                 thou
                 canst
                 not
                 promise
                 thy self
                 freedom
                 and
                 exemption
                 from
                 the
                 same
                 ,
                 no
                 not
                 for
                 one
                 day
                 :
                 for
                 they
                 are
                 continually
                 hanging
                 over
                 thine
                 head
                 ,
                 ready
                 every
                 moment
                 to
                 seize
                 upon
                 thee
                 :
                 and
                 they
                 oftentimes
                 come
                 suddenly
                 when
                 they
                 are
                 least
                 expected
                 .
                 It
                 is
                 expresly
                 noted
                 ,
                 that
                 
                   when
                   the
                   Lord
                   rained
                   Fire
                   and
                   Brimstone
                   upon
                
                 Sodom
                 and
                 Gomorrah
                 ,
                 
                   at
                   that
                   time
                   the
                   Sun
                   was
                   risen
                   from
                   the
                   Earth
                   .
                
                 Little
                 did
                 the
                 Sodomites
                 expect
                 so
                 strange
                 a
                 showr
                 after
                 so
                 fair
                 a
                 Morning
                 .
                 Believe
                 it
                 ,
                 this
                 dayes
                 ease
                 ,
                 and
                 rest
                 and
                 mirth
                 may
                 be
                 turned
                 into
                 pangs
                 and
                 anguish
                 ,
                 and
                 groanings
                 ,
                 and
                 roarings
                 before
                 tomorrow
                 .
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 
                   They
                   are
                   lyable
                   to
                   spiritual
                   judgements
                   ,
                
                 as
                 blindness
                 of
                 mind
                 ,
                 hardness
                 of
                 heart
                 ,
                 vileness
                 of
                 affections
                 ,
                 horrour
                 of
                 conscience
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 like
                 .
                 The
                 Prophet
                 Isaiah
                 doth
                 elegantly
                 decipher
                 the
                 miserable
                 condition
                 of
                 an
                 unregenerate
                 man
                 in
                 this
                 respect
                 ,
                 
                   The
                   wicked
                
                 ,
                 saith
                 he
                 ,
                 
                 
                   are
                   like
                   the
                   troubled
                   Sea
                   ,
                   when
                   it
                   cannot
                   rest
                   ,
                   whose
                   waters
                   cast
                   up
                   mire
                   and
                   dirt
                   .
                
                 The
                 Sea
                 is
                 not
                 only
                 oft-times
                 outwardly
                 tossed
                 up
                 and
                 down
                 with
                 winds
                 and
                 tempests
                 ,
                 but
                 also
                 inwardly
                 disquieted
                 ,
                 even
                 with
                 her
                 own
                 motions
                 ,
                 casting
                 up
                 continually
                 mire
                 and
                 dirt
                 .
                 Even
                 so
                 the
                 heart
                 of
                 a
                 carnal
                 man
                 is
                 not
                 only
                 many
                 times
                 outwardly
                 troubled
                 with
                 crosses
                 and
                 afflictions
                 ;
                 but
                 also
                 inwardly
                 disquieted
                 with
                 the
                 impetuous
                 violence
                 of
                 filthy
                 lusts
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 restless
                 terrours
                 and
                 torments
                 of
                 a
                 guilty
                 Conscience
                 ,
                 which
                 are
                 far
                 soarer
                 than
                 any
                 outward
                 afflictions
                 ,
                 as
                 seizing
                 upon
                 the
                 tenderest
                 part
                 ,
                 namely
                 the
                 Soul
                 and
                 Spirit
                 of
                 a
                 man.
                 
              
               
                 3.
                 
                 
                   They
                   are
                   lyable
                   to
                   eternal
                   judgements
                   .
                
                 What
                 can
                 they
                 expect
                 if
                 they
                 dye
                 in
                 their
                 state
                 of
                 unregeneracy
                 ,
                 but
                 after
                 this
                 momentary
                 life
                 is
                 ended
                 ,
                 to
                 be
                 cast
                 into
                 that
                 
                   everlasting
                   fire
                
                 ,
                 which
                 
                   God
                   hath
                   prepared
                   for
                   them
                   ,
                   as
                   well
                   as
                   for
                   the
                   Devil
                   and
                   his
                   Angels
                   ?
                
                 which
                 is
                 the
                 most
                 dreadful
                 condition
                 of
                 all
                 :
                 that
                 judgement
                 cannot
                 be
                 accounted
                 small
                 which
                 is
                 eternal
                 .
                 An
                 eternal
                 Feaver
                 ,
                 or
                 but
                 an
                 eternal
                 tooth-ache
                 ,
                 were
                 a
                 misery
                 unspeakable
                 .
                 But
                 what
                 are
                 these
                 to
                 the
                 
                   lying
                   in
                   that
                   lake
                   
                   which
                   burneth
                   with
                   fire
                   and
                   brimstone
                   to
                   all
                   eternity
                   ?
                
                 Oh
                 me-thinks
                 ,
                 the
                 name
                 of
                 
                   eternal
                   judgement
                
                 should
                 ,
                 if
                 not
                 fright
                 him
                 out
                 of
                 his
                 wits
                 ,
                 yet
                 awaken
                 eyely
                 unregenerate
                 man
                 out
                 of
                 his
                 security
                 ;
                 and
                 stir
                 him
                 up
                 without
                 further
                 delay
                 to
                 abandon
                 his
                 wicked
                 and
                 ungodly
                 course
                 of
                 life
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 set
                 upon
                 the
                 practice
                 of
                 all
                 holy
                 and
                 religious
                 duties
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 labour
                 therein
                 ,
                 to
                 get
                 the
                 work
                 of
                 Regeneration
                 wrought
                 in
                 his
                 heart
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 may
                 become
                 a
                 new
                 creature
                 .
                 It
                 may
                 be
                 thou
                 hast
                 a
                 plentiful
                 portion
                 of
                 this
                 Worlds
                 goods
                 ,
                 enjoying
                 what
                 thine
                 heart
                 can
                 wish
                 or
                 desire
                 ;
                 But
                 oh
                 what
                 will
                 it
                 profit
                 thee
                 to
                 live
                 plentifully
                 and
                 prosperously
                 here
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 be
                 eternally
                 miserable
                 hereafter
                 ?
                 Thy
                 former
                 happiness
                 will
                 serve
                 only
                 to
                 make
                 thee
                 more
                 sensible
                 of
                 future
                 miseries
                 .
                 And
                 therefore
                 when
                 thou
                 art
                 tempted
                 to
                 any
                 unlawfull
                 pleasure
                 ,
                 or
                 profit
                 ,
                 reason
                 thus
                 with
                 thy self
                 ,
                 
                   Shall
                   I
                   for
                   a
                   short
                   momentary
                   pleasure
                   ,
                   that
                   will
                   soon
                   have
                   an
                   end
                   ,
                   run
                   the
                   hazard
                   of
                   an
                   eternal
                   judgement
                   ,
                   that
                   will
                   never
                   have
                   an
                   end
                   ?
                   shall
                   I
                   for
                   a
                   little
                   profit
                   here
                   ,
                   loose
                   my
                   soul
                   to
                   all
                   Eternity
                   ?
                   What
                   greater
                   folly
                   ,
                   yea
                   what
                   greater
                   madness
                   can
                   be
                   imagined
                   ?
                
              
               
                 Thus
                 much
                 of
                 the
                 miseries
                 of
                 the
                 Unregenerate
                 in
                 this
                 life
                 :
                 Come
                 we
                 now
                 to
                 shew
                 their
                 miseries
                 at
                 death
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 CHAP.
                 VIII
                 .
                 Sheweth
                 the
                 miserable
                 and
                 dreadfull
                 condition
                 of
                 the
                 Vnregenerate
                 at
                 their
                 death
                 .
              
               
                 IF
                 the
                 life
                 of
                 an
                 unregenerate
                 man
                 be
                 so
                 miserable
                 ,
                 as
                 hath
                 been
                 shewed
                 .
                 How
                 dolefull
                 think
                 you
                 ,
                 will
                 be
                 his
                 death
                 ?
                 surely
                 his
                 misery
                 then
                 will
                 be
                 much
                 increased
                 ,
                 
                 As
                 will
                 appear
                 from
                 the
                 consideration
                 of
                 these
                 particulars
                 .
              
               
                 I.
                 When
                 death
                 shall
                 appear
                 unto
                 thee
                 ,
                 and
                 tell
                 thee
                 ,
                 it
                 hath
                 a
                 message
                 from
                 the
                 Lord
                 ,
                 who
                 hath
                 sent
                 an
                 
                   habeas
                   corpus
                
                 for
                 thy
                 body
                 :
                 Then
                 comes
                 in
                 Conscience
                 ,
                 if
                 a
                 little
                 awakened
                 ,
                 with
                 her
                 books
                 of
                 accounts
                 ,
                 her
                 black
                 and
                 bitter
                 roul
                 ,
                 and
                 shews
                 thee
                 thy
                 old
                 reckonings
                 and
                 arrears
                 ,
                 setting
                 before
                 thee
                 the
                 follies
                 of
                 thy
                 youth
                 ,
                 the
                 sins
                 of
                 thy
                 riper
                 years
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 iniquities
                 of
                 thy
                 whole
                 life
                 .
              
               
                 Ah
                 sinners
                 ,
                 thou
                 who
                 goest
                 on
                 impenitently
                 in
                 thy
                 wicked
                 and
                 ungodly
                 course
                 of
                 life
                 ,
                 consider
                 with
                 what
                 a
                 ghastly
                 countenance
                 thou
                 wilt
                 look
                 upon
                 that
                 black
                 and
                 hellish
                 Catalogue
                 of
                 all
                 thy
                 sins
                 :
                 thy
                 lyes
                 and
                 oaths
                 ,
                 thy
                 railing
                 and
                 rotten
                 speeches
                 ,
                 thy
                 scoffings
                 at
                 Gods
                 people
                 ,
                 thy
                 goods
                 ill
                 gotten
                 ,
                 thy
                 time
                 ill
                 spent
                 ,
                 thy
                 profanation
                 of
                 Sabbaths
                 ,
                 thy
                 speculative
                 wantonness
                 ,
                 yea
                 thy
                 many
                 actual
                 filthinesses
                 ,
                 and
                 uncleannesses
                 ,
                 thy
                 pride
                 ,
                 worldliness
                 ,
                 and
                 covetousness
                 ,
                 thy
                 sensual
                 revellings
                 ,
                 and
                 jovial
                 meetings
                 .
              
               
                 Ah
                 sinner
                 ,
                 sinner
                 ;
                 what
                 horrour
                 will
                 then
                 possess
                 thy
                 soul
                 ,
                 no
                 heart
                 of
                 man
                 can
                 conceive
                 ,
                 nor
                 tongue
                 of
                 men
                 and
                 angells
                 can
                 express
                 .
                 Indeed
                 many
                 there
                 are
                 ,
                 who
                 upon
                 their
                 death-beds
                 have
                 little
                 right
                 or
                 sense
                 of
                 their
                 sins
                 ,
                 neither
                 do
                 they
                 think
                 of
                 judgement
                 ,
                 or
                 eternity
                 ,
                 but
                 drop
                 into
                 hell
                 before
                 they
                 consider
                 any
                 thing
                 .
                 But
                 yet
                 upon
                 the
                 approach
                 of
                 death
                 ,
                 commonly
                 there
                 is
                 some
                 terrour
                 and
                 trembling
                 upon
                 the
                 consciences
                 of
                 carnal
                 men
                 :
                 and
                 if
                 ever
                 any
                 sin
                 did
                 formerly
                 sting
                 ,
                 it
                 will
                 then
                 especially
                 .
                 Oh
                 ,
                 methinks
                 a
                 serious
                 apprehension
                 ,
                 and
                 sensible
                 fore-thought
                 of
                 these
                 things
                 ,
                 even
                 at
                 hand
                 ,
                 for
                 ought
                 any
                 man
                 knows
                 ,
                 should
                 make
                 the
                 hardest
                 heart
                 to
                 tremble
                 ,
                 and
                 melt
                 into
                 tears
                 of
                 unfained
                 sorrow
                 .
              
               
                 II.
                 
                   The
                   Devil
                   will
                   not
                   be
                   then
                   wanting
                   to
                   aggravate
                   thy
                   sins
                   ,
                   and
                   to
                   set
                   before
                   thee
                   the
                   curses
                   and
                   the
                   judgements
                   due
                   unto
                   thee
                   for
                   the
                   same
                   ,
                   thereby
                   to
                   drive
                   thee
                   to
                   despair
                   ,
                
                 For
                 when
                 death
                 layeth
                 siege
                 to
                 the
                 body
                 ,
                 
                 then
                 doth
                 he
                 most
                 violently
                 assault
                 the
                 soul.
                 And
                 the
                 shorter
                 he
                 perceiveth
                 his
                 time
                 to
                 be
                 ,
                 the
                 more
                 eagerly
                 doth
                 he
                 bestir
                 himself
                 .
                 And
                 when
                 through
                 pain
                 of
                 body
                 ,
                 and
                 perplexity
                 of
                 mind
                 ,
                 thou
                 art
                 least
                 able
                 to
                 make
                 resistance
                 ,
                 then
                 will
                 he
                 most
                 fiercely
                 assault
                 thee
                 .
                 Whereas
                 formerly
                 his
                 great
                 design
                 was
                 to
                 ●ull
                 thee
                 fast
                 asleep
                 in
                 a
                 presumptuous
                 security
                 ,
                 by
                 perswading
                 thee
                 that
                 thy
                 state
                 and
                 condition
                 was
                 as
                 good
                 as
                 the
                 best
                 ,
                 and
                 thy
                 salvation
                 sure
                 enough
                 :
                 at
                 thy
                 death
                 (
                 if
                 he
                 be
                 not
                 then
                 also
                 pursuing
                 the
                 same
                 design
                 )
                 if
                 he
                 can
                 no
                 longer
                 hold
                 thee
                 under
                 thy
                 sleep
                 ,
                 it
                 will
                 be
                 his
                 great
                 work
                 to
                 perswade
                 thee
                 ,
                 that
                 thy
                 sins
                 are
                 greater
                 than
                 can
                 be
                 forgiven
                 ,
                 that
                 there
                 is
                 no
                 place
                 for
                 thee
                 in
                 Heaven
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 it
                 is
                 impossible
                 thou
                 shouldst
                 be
                 saved
                 .
                 He
                 that
                 hath
                 made
                 the
                 way
                 to
                 Heaven
                 so
                 broad
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 entrance
                 so
                 easie
                 all
                 thy
                 life
                 long
                 ,
                 will
                 at
                 thy
                 death
                 do
                 his
                 utmost
                 to
                 shut
                 the
                 door
                 against
                 thee
                 .
              
               
                 III.
                 
                   Death
                   puts
                   an
                   end
                   to
                   all
                   thy
                   Worldly
                   comforts
                   ,
                   and
                   contentm●nts
                   ,
                   which
                   must
                   all
                   die
                   with
                   thee
                   ,
                   as
                   to
                   thy
                   use
                   and
                   comfort
                
                 ;
                 It
                 salutes
                 thee
                 with
                 this
                 sad
                 word
                 ,
                 
                   Thou
                   hast
                   received
                   thy
                   good
                   things
                   ,
                
                 Now
                 an
                 end
                 of
                 thy
                 Heaven
                 and
                 joy
                 .
                 Particularly
                 ,
              
               
                 1.
                 
                 
                   Then
                   thou
                   must
                   part
                   with
                   all
                   thy
                   carnal
                   pleasures
                   and
                   delights
                   ,
                   which
                   thou
                   hast
                   loved
                   so
                   dearly
                   .
                
                 Yea
                 then
                 thou
                 wilt
                 find
                 little
                 comfort
                 remaining
                 of
                 all
                 thy
                 former
                 pleasures
                 ,
                 wherein
                 thou
                 tookest
                 so
                 much
                 content
                 and
                 delight
                 :
                 and
                 for
                 the
                 enjoyment
                 whereof
                 thou
                 dispensedst
                 not
                 only
                 with
                 the
                 duties
                 of
                 thy
                 calling
                 ,
                 but
                 likewise
                 with
                 the
                 duties
                 of
                 piety
                 .
                 Yea
                 it
                 will
                 be
                 a
                 very
                 hell
                 unto
                 thee
                 upon
                 earth
                 to
                 consider
                 what
                 eternal
                 torments
                 thou
                 art
                 like
                 to
                 endure
                 ,
                 for
                 those
                 
                   poor
                   and
                   perishing
                
                 pleasures
                 which
                 thou
                 enjoyedst
                 here
                 for
                 a
                 season
                 .
                 Are
                 these
                 the
                 things
                 for
                 which
                 I
                 dye
                 ?
                 Are
                 these
                 the
                 price
                 of
                 my
                 soul
                 ,
                 of
                 my
                 blood
                 ,
                 of
                 my
                 peace
                 ?
              
               
                 Ah
                 sinner
                 !
                 the
                 remembrance
                 of
                 thy
                 past
                 pleasures
                 will
                 then
                 possess
                 thee
                 with
                 a
                 double
                 passion
                 .
                 First
                 ,
                 with
                 grief
                 ,
                 because
                 thou
                 art
                 parting
                 with
                 them
                 :
                 
                 And
                 then
                 with
                 d●t●station
                 ,
                 because
                 they
                 have
                 brought
                 upon
                 thee
                 such
                 bitter
                 sorrows
                 and
                 torments
                 in
                 hell
                 with
                 the
                 Devils
                 and
                 damned
                 to
                 all
                 eternity
                 .
                 O
                 the
                 tayle
                 of
                 these
                 Locusts
                 ,
                 whose
                 fair
                 faces
                 have
                 heretofore
                 bewitched
                 thee
                 !
                 O
                 the
                 sting
                 ,
                 the
                 sting
                 that
                 they
                 carry
                 in
                 their
                 tayles
                 ,
                 which
                 is
                 now
                 all
                 that
                 remains
                 to
                 thee
                 !
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 Thou
                 must
                 part
                 with
                 thy
                 
                   nearest
                   and
                   dearest
                   relations
                
                 ,
                 as
                 thy
                 dear
                 Wife
                 ,
                 or
                 dear
                 Husband
                 ,
                 with
                 thy
                 beloved
                 Children
                 .
                 Death
                 will
                 separate
                 thee
                 from
                 them
                 all
                 .
                 Ah
                 sinners
                 ,
                 sad
                 will
                 it
                 be
                 to
                 part
                 with
                 these
                 here
                 ,
                 to
                 live
                 for
                 ever
                 with
                 the
                 Devils
                 and
                 damned
                 in
                 hell
                 .
                 And
                 how
                 will
                 it
                 torment
                 thee
                 when
                 you
                 must
                 part
                 ,
                 to
                 remember
                 to
                 how
                 little
                 good
                 purpose
                 you
                 lived
                 together
                 !
              
               
                 3.
                 
                 Thou
                 must
                 part
                 with
                 thy
                 
                   wealth
                   and
                   riches
                
                 ,
                 carrying
                 nothing
                 away
                 with
                 thee
                 of
                 all
                 thy
                 enjoyments
                 .
                 
                   We
                   brought
                   nothing
                   into
                   the
                   World
                   ,
                
                 
                 
                   and
                   it
                   is
                   certain
                   ,
                   we
                   can
                   carry
                   nothing
                   out
                   ,
                
                 as
                 the
                 Apostle
                 speaketh
                 .
                 But
                 
                   as
                   we
                   came
                   naked
                   into
                   the
                   World
                   ,
                
                 
                 
                   so
                   we
                   shall
                   go
                   naked
                   out
                   of
                   the
                   World.
                
                 And
                 therefore
                 when
                 rich
                 men
                 dye
                 ,
                 they
                 are
                 said
                 
                   to
                   leave
                   a
                   good
                   estate
                   behind
                   them
                   .
                
                 And
                 indeed
                 they
                 may
                 well
                 be
                 said
                 
                   to
                   leave
                   it
                
                 ,
                 because
                 they
                 cannot
                 carry
                 it
                 away
                 with
                 them
                 .
                 Ah
                 sinner
                 !
                 I
                 know
                 it
                 will
                 be
                 
                   a
                   death
                   to
                   thee
                
                 to
                 part
                 with
                 thy
                 wealth
                 ,
                 which
                 was
                 thy
                 life
                 ;
                 but
                 to
                 consider
                 how
                 thou
                 hast
                 damned
                 thy
                 soul
                 for
                 the
                 getting
                 thereof
                 ;
                 this
                 will
                 be
                 
                   an
                   hell
                   to
                   thee
                
                 .
              
               
                 4.
                 
                 Thou
                 must
                 part
                 with
                 all
                 the
                 
                   means
                   and
                   opportunities
                   of
                   grace
                
                 .
                 Now
                 thou
                 enjoyest
                 the
                 ordinances
                 of
                 Christ
                 ,
                 as
                 the
                 Word
                 ,
                 Prayer
                 ,
                 and
                 Sacraments
                 ,
                 which
                 whilest
                 thou
                 enjoyedst
                 thou
                 hadst
                 hope
                 :
                 But
                 death
                 puts
                 an
                 end
                 to
                 these
                 ,
                 and
                 thy
                 hopes
                 must
                 give
                 up
                 their
                 Ghost
                 .
                 Now
                 Christ
                 calls
                 upon
                 thee
                 ,
                 Sabbath
                 after
                 Sabbath
                 ,
                 by
                 his
                 Ministers
                 and
                 Ambassadours
                 ,
                 woing
                 and
                 beseeching
                 thee
                 to
                 abandon
                 thy
                 lusts
                 ,
                 to
                 cast
                 away
                 thy
                 sins
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 cast
                 thy self
                 into
                 his
                 arms
                 ,
                 to
                 accept
                 of
                 the
                 reconciliation
                 purchased
                 by
                 his
                 blood
                 .
                 But
                 ere
                 long
                 thou
                 shalt
                 hear
                 no
                 more
                 of
                 
                 these
                 things
                 ,
                 not
                 a
                 Sabbath
                 more
                 ,
                 not
                 a
                 Sermon
                 more
                 ,
                 not
                 a
                 promise
                 ,
                 not
                 one
                 word
                 more
                 of
                 grace
                 ,
                 of
                 mercy
                 ,
                 of
                 hope
                 for
                 ever
                 .
                 When
                 thou
                 wouldst
                 give
                 ,
                 if
                 thou
                 hadst
                 them
                 ,
                 ten
                 thousand
                 Worlds
                 ,
                 for
                 one
                 moment
                 of
                 that
                 mercifull
                 time
                 of
                 grace
                 ,
                 which
                 thou
                 hast
                 so
                 long
                 abused
                 ;
                 for
                 a
                 drop
                 of
                 that
                 precious
                 blood
                 ,
                 which
                 thou
                 hast
                 so
                 long
                 trampled
                 under
                 thy
                 feet
                 :
                 yea
                 for
                 one
                 Sabbath
                 more
                 ,
                 to
                 have
                 Christ
                 once
                 more
                 tendred
                 to
                 thee
                 in
                 the
                 Ministry
                 of
                 the
                 Gospel
                 ;
                 but
                 alas
                 it
                 will
                 not
                 be
                 granted
                 .
              
               
                 Ah
                 sinner
                 !
                 Then
                 wilt
                 thou
                 cry
                 out
                 of
                 thy
                 sins
                 ,
                 and
                 cry
                 for
                 mercy
                 :
                 mercy
                 ,
                 mercy
                 Lord
                 to
                 a
                 dying
                 soul
                 ,
                 that
                 am
                 just
                 sinking
                 ,
                 perishing
                 under
                 the
                 load
                 of
                 mine
                 iniquities
                 .
                 Then
                 wilt
                 thou
                 begin
                 to
                 wish
                 ;
                 when
                 it
                 is
                 too
                 late
                 ,
                 that
                 thou
                 hadst
                 spent
                 thy
                 precious
                 time
                 to
                 better
                 purpose
                 ;
                 that
                 thou
                 hadst
                 minded
                 more
                 the
                 things
                 of
                 Eternity
                 :
                 that
                 thou
                 hadst
                 closed
                 with
                 the
                 tenders
                 and
                 offers
                 of
                 Jesus
                 Christ
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 thou
                 hadst
                 better
                 improved
                 the
                 means
                 and
                 opportunities
                 of
                 grace
                 ,
                 which
                 thou
                 didst
                 once
                 enjoy
                 .
              
               
                 Thou
                 wilt
                 then
                 say
                 ,
                 
                   Oh
                   if
                   the
                   Lord
                   would
                   be
                   pleased
                   to
                   add
                   a
                   few
                   years
                   more
                   to
                   my
                   life
                   !
                   How
                   would
                   I
                   contemn
                   the
                   World
                   and
                   the
                   vanities
                   thereof
                   ?
                   How
                   exactly
                   would
                   I
                   order
                   my
                   conversation
                   ?
                   How
                   carefull
                   would
                   I
                   be
                   of
                   duty
                   ,
                   how
                   watchfull
                   against
                   sin
                   ?
                   How
                   would
                   I
                   bestir
                   my self
                   to
                   work
                   out
                   mine
                   own
                   salvation
                
                 ?
                 But
                 ah
                 sinner
                 !
                 the
                 time
                 of
                 thy
                 departure
                 is
                 at
                 hand
                 ,
                 and
                 there
                 is
                 no
                 hope
                 of
                 a
                 reprieve
                 for
                 one
                 day
                 longer
                 ;
                 and
                 therefore
                 all
                 these
                 good
                 wishes
                 and
                 purposes
                 come
                 too
                 late
                 .
              
               
                 There
                 are
                 two
                 things
                 especially
                 which
                 will
                 aggravate
                 a
                 sinners
                 misery
                 at
                 his
                 death
                 .
              
               
                 1.
                 
                 To
                 think
                 what
                 possibility
                 of
                 making
                 his
                 peace
                 with
                 God
                 he
                 hath
                 had
                 all
                 his
                 life
                 time
                 ;
                 to
                 remember
                 how
                 often
                 he
                 hath
                 been
                 invited
                 to
                 accept
                 of
                 Jesus
                 Christ
                 ,
                 and
                 yet
                 would
                 not
                 .
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 To
                 think
                 that
                 now
                 there
                 is
                 no
                 hope
                 of
                 mercy
                 ,
                 
                 having
                 by
                 his
                 sins
                 shut
                 Heaven-gate
                 ,
                 and
                 hardened
                 Gods
                 heart
                 against
                 him
                 .
                 Ah
                 sinner
                 !
                 then
                 wilt
                 thou
                 in
                 the
                 bitterness
                 of
                 thy
                 soul
                 cry
                 out
                 ,
                 and
                 say
                 ,
                 
                   The
                   God
                   of
                   mercy
                   hath
                   utterly
                   forsaken
                   me
                   ;
                   and
                   the
                   Devil
                   ,
                   who
                   knows
                   no
                   mercy
                   ,
                   waites
                   for
                   to
                   take
                   me
                   .
                
                 Ah!
                 then
                 which
                 way
                 soever
                 thou
                 lookest
                 ,
                 thou
                 wilt
                 find
                 nothing
                 but
                 matter
                 of
                 bitter
                 weeping
                 and
                 lamentation
                 .
                 If
                 thou
                 look
                 backward
                 ,
                 what
                 canst
                 thou
                 behold
                 but
                 all
                 the
                 filthy
                 and
                 abominable
                 lusts
                 of
                 thy
                 youth
                 unrepented
                 of
                 ?
                 yea
                 multitudes
                 of
                 horrid
                 sins
                 which
                 thou
                 hast
                 committed
                 in
                 the
                 whole
                 course
                 of
                 thy
                 life
                 ;
                 for
                 which
                 thou
                 never
                 hast
                 been
                 humbled
                 ,
                 nor
                 shed
                 one
                 penitential
                 tear
                 :
                 the
                 guilt
                 of
                 the
                 least
                 of
                 them
                 is
                 enough
                 to
                 sink
                 thee
                 body
                 and
                 soul
                 into
                 everlasting
                 burnings
                 .
              
               
                 If
                 thou
                 look
                 forward
                 ,
                 what
                 canst
                 thou
                 behold
                 but
                 sudden
                 destruction
                 ready
                 to
                 seize
                 upon
                 thee
                 ?
                 Yea
                 Gods
                 strict
                 Tribunal
                 ,
                 before
                 which
                 thou
                 art
                 just
                 making
                 thy
                 appearance
                 ,
                 there
                 immediately
                 to
                 be
                 sentenced
                 to
                 endless
                 torments
                 and
                 miseries
                 of
                 the
                 other
                 world
                 ;
                 the
                 sting
                 and
                 terrours
                 of
                 which
                 thou
                 shalt
                 never
                 be
                 able
                 either
                 to
                 avoid
                 ,
                 or
                 abide
                 .
              
               
                 If
                 thou
                 look
                 
                   within
                   thee
                
                 ,
                 what
                 canst
                 thou
                 behold
                 ,
                 but
                 thy
                 conscience
                 polluted
                 and
                 defiled
                 ,
                 yea
                 accusing
                 and
                 condemning
                 thee
                 ?
                 If
                 
                   without
                   thee
                
                 ,
                 what
                 canst
                 thou
                 behold
                 ,
                 but
                 the
                 wicked
                 World
                 which
                 thou
                 hast
                 too
                 much
                 loved
                 ?
                 and
                 thy
                 relations
                 which
                 stand
                 weeping
                 about
                 thee
                 ?
                 a
                 company
                 of
                 miserable
                 comforters
                 ,
                 that
                 cannot
                 delay
                 the
                 separating
                 stroak
                 of
                 death
                 one
                 day
                 or
                 hour
                 :
                 neither
                 can
                 they
                 afford
                 thee
                 the
                 least
                 dram
                 of
                 true
                 comfort
                 .
              
               
                 If
                 thou
                 look
                 downward
                 ,
                 what
                 canst
                 thou
                 behold
                 ,
                 but
                 hell
                 deserved
                 ?
                 with
                 her
                 mouth
                 open
                 ready
                 to
                 swallow
                 thee
                 up
                 quick
                 ;
                 and
                 the
                 Devils
                 ready
                 to
                 receive
                 thy
                 soul
                 ,
                 and
                 carry
                 it
                 to
                 that
                 dungeon
                 of
                 darkness
                 .
                 If
                 upward
                 ,
                 what
                 canst
                 thou
                 behold
                 but
                 a
                 provoked
                 ,
                 enraged
                 God
                 ?
                 
                   whom
                   because
                   thou
                   refusedst
                   to
                   hear
                   in
                   the
                   day
                   of
                   his
                   merciful
                   visitation
                   ,
                   he
                   will
                   now
                   
                   laugh
                   at
                   thy
                   calamity
                   ,
                   and
                   mock
                   when
                   thy
                   fear
                   cometh
                   upon
                   thee
                   ,
                
                 as
                 himself
                 threatneth
                 ,
                 Prov.
                 1.24
                 ,
                 26.
                 and
                 in
                 verse
                 28.
                 saith
                 the
                 Lord
                 ,
                 
                   Then
                   shalt
                   thou
                   call
                   upon
                   me
                   ,
                   but
                   I
                   will
                   not
                   answer
                   ,
                   thou
                   shalt
                   seek
                   me
                   ,
                   but
                   thou
                   shalt
                   not
                   find
                   me
                   ,
                   for
                   that
                   thou
                   hatedst
                   knowledge
                   ,
                   and
                   didst
                   not
                   choose
                   the
                   fear
                   of
                   the
                   Lord.
                
                 And
                 verse
                 30.
                 
                 
                   Thou
                   wouldst
                   none
                   of
                   my
                   counsell
                   ,
                   but
                   despisedst
                   all
                   my
                   reproofs
                   .
                   Ther●fore
                   shalt
                   thou
                   eat
                   the
                   fruit
                   of
                   thine
                   own
                   way
                   ,
                   and
                   be
                   filled
                   with
                   thine
                   own
                   desires
                
                 ;
                 that
                 is
                 ,
                 the
                 wickedness
                 which
                 thou
                 hast
                 sown
                 ,
                 shalt
                 thou
                 reap
                 with
                 all
                 fullness
                 .
                 Thus
                 thou
                 wilt
                 look
                 every
                 where
                 for
                 help
                 ,
                 yet
                 findest
                 thy self
                 every
                 way
                 helpless
                 ,
                 and
                 hopeless
                 .
              
               
                 Haply
                 thou
                 wilt
                 then
                 look
                 unto
                 Jesus
                 Christ
                 ,
                 in
                 hope
                 that
                 he
                 will
                 appear
                 for
                 thee
                 ,
                 and
                 his
                 blood
                 make
                 thy
                 Attonement
                 :
                 But
                 sinner
                 know
                 ,
                 that
                 though
                 his
                 blood
                 be
                 
                   a
                   fountain
                   opened
                
                 to
                 all
                 poor
                 penitent
                 believers
                 ,
                 to
                 wash
                 away
                 the
                 filthy
                 spots
                 and
                 stains
                 of
                 their
                 sins
                 ;
                 Yet
                 to
                 thee
                 ,
                 who
                 hast
                 all
                 thy
                 life
                 long
                 ,
                 suffered
                 Christ
                 to
                 stand
                 knocking
                 at
                 the
                 door
                 of
                 thine
                 heart
                 ,
                 by
                 the
                 Ministery
                 of
                 his
                 Word
                 ,
                 by
                 the
                 motions
                 of
                 his
                 Spirit
                 ,
                 and
                 by
                 the
                 checks
                 of
                 thine
                 own
                 conscience
                 ,
                 and
                 wouldst
                 not
                 open
                 unto
                 him
                 :
                 to
                 thee
                 his
                 blood
                 will
                 be
                 then
                 
                   a
                   fountain
                   sealed
                
                 ;
                 so
                 that
                 thou
                 shalt
                 not
                 partake
                 of
                 the
                 least
                 benefit
                 thereof
                 ,
                 because
                 in
                 thy
                 life
                 time
                 thou
                 hast
                 so
                 often
                 slighted
                 it
                 ,
                 yea
                 and
                 crucified
                 him
                 afresh
                 by
                 thy
                 bloody
                 sins
                 .
              
               
                 Ah
                 sinner
                 ,
                 sinner
                 ,
                 whither
                 wilt
                 thou
                 flee
                 for
                 comfort
                 in
                 the
                 midst
                 of
                 thy
                 distress
                 ?
                 It
                 will
                 then
                 be
                 too
                 late
                 to
                 cry
                 out
                 ,
                 Oh
                 that
                 the
                 time
                 I
                 have
                 spent
                 in
                 Taverns
                 and
                 Ale-houses
                 ,
                 in
                 sports
                 and
                 pastimes
                 ,
                 in
                 carnal
                 pleasures
                 and
                 sensual
                 delights
                 ,
                 I
                 had
                 spent
                 in
                 Prayer
                 and
                 fasting
                 ,
                 in
                 humbling
                 and
                 repenting
                 !
                 It
                 will
                 then
                 be
                 too
                 late
                 to
                 cry
                 with
                 
                   Balaam
                   ,
                   Oh
                   that
                   I
                   might
                   dye
                   the
                   death
                   of
                   the
                   righteous
                   ,
                
                 when
                 thou
                 hast
                 ,
                 neglected
                 to
                 live
                 the
                 life
                 of
                 the
                 righteous
                 .
                 For
                 look
                 as
                 the
                 life
                 is
                 ,
                 so
                 commonly
                 is
                 the
                 death
                 ;
                 and
                 as
                 death
                 leaves
                 a
                 man
                 ,
                 so
                 the
                 last
                 judgement
                 shall
                 find
                 him
                 .
              
               
               
                 And
                 now
                 ,
                 sinner
                 ,
                 thy
                 last
                 sand
                 being
                 run
                 out
                 ,
                 thy
                 day
                 past
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 Devills
                 long
                 looked
                 for
                 day
                 being
                 come
                 ,
                 who
                 waits
                 for
                 thy
                 soul
                 ,
                 so
                 soon
                 as
                 it
                 goeth
                 out
                 of
                 thy
                 body
                 .
                 Oh
                 what
                 a
                 direfull
                 screech
                 will
                 thy
                 soul
                 give
                 when
                 it
                 passeth
                 out
                 of
                 thy
                 body
                 into
                 the
                 Devils
                 clutches
                 ,
                 to
                 be
                 carryed
                 by
                 him
                 into
                 the
                 bottomless
                 burning
                 lake
                 !
              
               
                 Oh
                 how
                 should
                 the
                 consideration
                 of
                 these
                 unspeakable
                 miseries
                 ,
                 which
                 are
                 the
                 portion
                 of
                 natural
                 and
                 unregenerate
                 men
                 at
                 their
                 deaths
                 ,
                 startle
                 and
                 waken
                 all
                 such
                 worldlings
                 and
                 sensualists
                 ,
                 who
                 so
                 they
                 may
                 encrease
                 their
                 wealth
                 ,
                 and
                 satiate
                 themselves
                 with
                 worldly
                 pleasures
                 and
                 delights
                 ,
                 take
                 no
                 thought
                 now
                 ,
                 nor
                 make
                 any
                 provision
                 against
                 this
                 dreadfull
                 day
                 of
                 reckoning
                 ,
                 I
                 mean
                 ,
                 the
                 day
                 of
                 their
                 deaths
                 .
                 Surely
                 did
                 they
                 know
                 and
                 feelingly
                 apprehend
                 ,
                 or
                 would
                 they
                 be
                 brought
                 to
                 believe
                 what
                 horrour
                 and
                 astonishment
                 ,
                 what
                 terrour
                 and
                 anguish
                 is
                 like
                 then
                 to
                 seize
                 upon
                 them
                 ;
                 they
                 would
                 count
                 it
                 the
                 greatest
                 point
                 of
                 wisdom
                 in
                 the
                 World
                 speedily
                 to
                 labour
                 for
                 an
                 interest
                 in
                 Jesus
                 Christ
                 ,
                 who
                 alone
                 can
                 free
                 them
                 ,
                 as
                 from
                 the
                 sting
                 of
                 death
                 ,
                 so
                 from
                 these
                 horrours
                 and
                 astonishments
                 which
                 accompany
                 the
                 same
                 ;
                 and
                 would
                 now
                 ply
                 all
                 the
                 blessed
                 means
                 of
                 salvation
                 ,
                 as
                 
                   reading
                   ,
                   hearing
                   ,
                   praying
                   ,
                   fasting
                   ,
                
                 and
                 the
                 like
                 ;
                 which
                 are
                 now
                 their
                 burden
                 and
                 bondage
                 ;
                 yea
                 the
                 matter
                 of
                 their
                 mocks
                 and
                 scorns
                 ,
                 would
                 then
                 be
                 their
                 daily
                 delight
                 and
                 exercise
                 .
              
            
             
               
               
                 CHAP.
                 IX
                 .
                 Sheweth
                 the
                 miserable
                 and
                 dreadfull
                 condition
                 of
                 the
                 Vnregenerate
                 after
                 their
                 deaths
                 .
              
               
                 IF
                 this
                 were
                 the
                 conclusion
                 of
                 Unregenerate
                 men
                 ,
                 that
                 death
                 did
                 put
                 an
                 end
                 to
                 all
                 their
                 miseries
                 ,
                 happy
                 were
                 it
                 for
                 many
                 .
                 But
                 this
                 is
                 their
                 grief
                 and
                 sorrow
                 ,
                 their
                 woe
                 and
                 misery
                 ,
                 that
                 all
                 this
                 is
                 the
                 beginning
                 of
                 their
                 sorrows
                 :
                 that
                 after
                 all
                 this
                 ,
                 there
                 is
                 a
                 reckoning
                 to
                 be
                 made
                 for
                 what
                 is
                 past
                 .
                 
                 For
                 
                   as
                   it
                   is
                   appointed
                   to
                   men
                   once
                   to
                   dye
                   ,
                   so
                   after
                   this
                   cometh
                   the
                   judgement
                   .
                
                 Where
                 by
                 the
                 Iudgement
                 that
                 immediately
                 followeth
                 
                   after
                   death
                
                 ,
                 the
                 Apostle
                 meaneth
                 
                   the
                   particular
                   judgement
                
                 ,
                 which
                 is
                 at
                 the
                 end
                 of
                 each
                 mans
                 life
                 ,
                 as
                 is
                 evident
                 by
                 this
                 phrase
                 ,
                 
                 
                   after
                   this
                
                 ,
                 which
                 intendeth
                 the
                 time
                 of
                 a
                 mans
                 death
                 .
                 For
                 as
                 there
                 is
                 
                   a
                   general
                   judgement
                
                 at
                 the
                 end
                 of
                 the
                 world
                 ;
                 So
                 there
                 is
                 
                   a
                   particular
                   judgement
                
                 that
                 passeth
                 upon
                 each
                 man
                 at
                 the
                 end
                 of
                 this
                 life
                 .
                 Ah
                 sinner
                 !
                 so
                 soon
                 as
                 thy
                 breath
                 departeth
                 out
                 of
                 thy
                 body
                 ;
                 it
                 fareth
                 with
                 thy
                 soul
                 ,
                 as
                 with
                 that
                 man
                 of
                 whom
                 the
                 Prophet
                 Amos
                 speaketh
                 ,
                 
                 
                   who
                   did
                   flee
                   from
                   a
                   Lion
                   ,
                   and
                   a
                   Bear
                   met
                   him
                   .
                
                 In
                 like
                 manner
                 thy
                 soul
                 is
                 no
                 sooner
                 escaped
                 out
                 of
                 a
                 miserable
                 World
                 ,
                 but
                 in
                 a
                 moment
                 it
                 is
                 plunged
                 into
                 another
                 and
                 greater
                 misery
                 .
              
               
                 Herein
                 lyeth
                 a
                 main
                 difference
                 between
                 the
                 Children
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 wicked
                 .
                 The
                 course
                 which
                 God
                 taketh
                 with
                 his
                 Children
                 is
                 this
                 .
                 When
                 the
                 soul
                 is
                 set
                 at
                 liberty
                 from
                 the
                 prison
                 of
                 the
                 body
                 ,
                 it
                 is
                 instantly
                 conveighed
                 by
                 the
                 Angels
                 into
                 
                   Abraham
                   bosome
                
                 ,
                 
                 as
                 is
                 expresly
                 noted
                 of
                 
                   Lazarus
                   .
                   And
                   being
                   cloathed
                   with
                   the
                   long
                   white
                   robe
                   of
                   Christs
                   Righteousness
                   ,
                
                 
                 is
                 
                   joyned
                   to
                   the
                   spirits
                   of
                   just
                   men
                   made
                   perfect
                   .
                
              
               
                 But
                 with
                 the
                 souls
                 of
                 wicked
                 and
                 impenitent
                 sinners
                 ,
                 
                 it
                 is
                 far
                 otherwise
                 ;
                 for
                 so
                 soon
                 as
                 they
                 depart
                 out
                 of
                 their
                 bodies
                 ,
                 they
                 are
                 seized
                 upon
                 by
                 wicked
                 Angels
                 ,
                 and
                 presently
                 brought
                 before
                 Gods
                 Tribunal-seat
                 ,
                 where
                 receiving
                 their
                 doom
                 ,
                 they
                 are
                 instantly
                 sent
                 down
                 into
                 the
                 Kingdom
                 of
                 darkness
                 ,
                 and
                 bottome
                 of
                 the
                 burning
                 lake
                 ,
                 there
                 to
                 be
                 reserved
                 in
                 everlasting
                 chains
                 unto
                 the
                 judgement
                 of
                 the
                 great
                 day
                 .
              
               
                 For
                 the
                 better
                 awakening
                 the
                 Consciences
                 of
                 wicked
                 and
                 impenitent
                 sinners
                 ,
                 I
                 shall
                 briefly
                 shew
                 you
                 the
                 manner
                 and
                 degrees
                 of
                 this
                 
                   particular
                   judgement
                
                 .
              
               
                 1.
                 
                 As
                 the
                 Iaylor
                 at
                 the
                 Assizes
                 brings
                 forth
                 the
                 Prisoner
                 out
                 of
                 Prison
                 ,
                 and
                 sets
                 him
                 before
                 the
                 Judge
                 .
                 So
                 ,
                 Sinner
                 ,
                 the
                 Devil
                 as
                 thy
                 Iaylor
                 brings
                 forth
                 thy
                 soul
                 out
                 of
                 the
                 Prison
                 of
                 thy
                 body
                 ,
                 and
                 sets
                 it
                 before
                 the
                 glorious
                 presence
                 of
                 God
                 ;
                 the
                 sight
                 of
                 whom
                 will
                 strike
                 thee
                 with
                 such
                 hellish
                 horrour
                 and
                 astonishment
                 ,
                 that
                 thou
                 wouldst
                 be
                 glad
                 to
                 have
                 the
                 
                   greatest
                   rock
                   to
                   fall
                   on
                   thee
                   ,
                   and
                   mightiest
                   mountain
                   to
                   cover
                   thee
                   ,
                
                 
                 
                   and
                   there
                   to
                   lye
                   hid
                   everlastingly
                   from
                   the
                   face
                   of
                   him
                   that
                   sitteth
                   on
                   the
                   Throne
                   .
                
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 As
                 when
                 the
                 Prisoner
                 is
                 come
                 before
                 the
                 face
                 of
                 the
                 judge
                 ,
                 then
                 his
                 accusers
                 bring
                 in
                 their
                 evidence
                 .
                 So
                 sinner
                 ,
                 thou
                 art
                 no
                 sooner
                 set
                 before
                 the
                 face
                 of
                 the
                 Almighty
                 Judge
                 ,
                 but
                 thy
                 Conscience
                 joyning
                 with
                 the
                 Devil
                 brings
                 in
                 evidence
                 against
                 thee
                 .
                 And
                 then
                 all
                 thy
                 filthy
                 thoughts
                 and
                 impure
                 imaginations
                 ,
                 all
                 thy
                 lyes
                 and
                 oaths
                 ,
                 with
                 all
                 thy
                 rotten
                 communications
                 ,
                 and
                 all
                 the
                 secret
                 impurities
                 and
                 villanies
                 of
                 thy
                 whole
                 life
                 will
                 be
                 set
                 before
                 thee
                 ,
                 and
                 charged
                 upon
                 thy
                 soul.
                 And
                 how
                 dismally
                 will
                 all
                 thy
                 mirth
                 ,
                 and
                 thy
                 pleasures
                 ,
                 the
                 houses
                 that
                 thou
                 hast
                 built
                 ,
                 the
                 lands
                 thou
                 hast
                 purchased
                 ,
                 the
                 money
                 thou
                 hast
                 hoarded
                 up
                 by
                 iniquity
                 ,
                 how
                 dreadfully
                 will
                 these
                 look
                 on
                 thee
                 in
                 that
                 day
                 ?
                 Now
                 thou
                 boastest
                 thy self
                 in
                 thy
                 wealth
                 ,
                 and
                 blessest
                 thy self
                 in
                 thy
                 pleasures
                 ,
                 and
                 sportest
                 thy self
                 in
                 thy
                 sins
                 ,
                 but
                 in
                 what
                 a
                 grim
                 countenance
                 will
                 all
                 these
                 appear
                 ,
                 when
                 they
                 meet
                 thee
                 before
                 the
                 throne
                 of
                 God
                 ?
                 Ah
                 sinner
                 !
                 What
                 wilt
                 thou
                 then
                 do
                 ?
                 whither
                 
                 wilt
                 thou
                 fly
                 from
                 the
                 revenging
                 hand
                 of
                 God
                 ?
                 what
                 mountain
                 canst
                 thou
                 get
                 by
                 entreaty
                 to
                 fall
                 upon
                 thee
                 .
                 Truly
                 ,
                 in
                 this
                 case
                 one
                 would
                 not
                 have
                 thine
                 heart
                 in
                 his
                 breast
                 one
                 hour
                 ,
                 for
                 all
                 the
                 riches
                 ,
                 honours
                 ,
                 and
                 pleasures
                 of
                 the
                 World.
                 
              
               
                 3.
                 
                 Then
                 will
                 the
                 Lord
                 hereupon
                 proceed
                 to
                 
                   the
                   sentence
                   of
                   condemnation
                
                 ,
                 (
                 though
                 haply
                 not
                 vocally
                 ,
                 yet
                 effectually
                 ,
                 )
                 upon
                 thy
                 soul
                 ;
                 and
                 say
                 ,
                 
                   Depart
                   thou
                   cursed
                   into
                   everlasting
                   fire
                   ,
                   there
                   to
                   be
                   reserved
                   to
                   the
                   Iudgement
                   of
                   the
                   great
                
                 day
                 .
                 Ah
                 sinner
                 !
                 what
                 horrour
                 and
                 astonishment
                 will
                 overwhelm
                 thy
                 soul
                 upon
                 that
                 dreadful
                 sentence
                 .
              
               
                 4.
                 
                 As
                 the
                 Judge
                 having
                 pronounced
                 the
                 sentence
                 of
                 death
                 ,
                 delivers
                 up
                 the
                 Prisoners
                 to
                 the
                 Jaylors
                 :
                 So
                 then
                 shall
                 God
                 deliver
                 up
                 thy
                 Soul
                 into
                 the
                 hands
                 of
                 the
                 Devils
                 ,
                 who
                 being
                 thy
                 Jaylours
                 must
                 keep
                 thee
                 to
                 the
                 great
                 day
                 of
                 account
                 .
                 Whereupon
                 they
                 will
                 instantly
                 hurry
                 thee
                 into
                 that
                 horrible
                 dungeon
                 ,
                 and
                 fiery
                 lake
                 ,
                 where
                 is
                 nothing
                 but
                 weeping
                 and
                 wailing
                 and
                 gnashing
                 of
                 teeth
                 .
                 Where
                 thou
                 shalt
                 have
                 no
                 other
                 comforter
                 ,
                 but
                 the
                 cursed
                 Devils
                 ,
                 who
                 will
                 be
                 continually
                 insulting
                 over
                 thee
                 with
                 hellish
                 spite
                 for
                 slighting
                 and
                 rejecting
                 the
                 offers
                 and
                 tenders
                 of
                 Jesus
                 Christ
                 ,
                 for
                 neglecting
                 so
                 great
                 Salvation
                 all
                 thy
                 life
                 long
                 ,
                 and
                 losing
                 Heaven
                 for
                 thy
                 base
                 lusts
                 .
              
               
                 II.
                 Besides
                 this
                 
                   particular
                   judgement
                
                 on
                 the
                 souls
                 of
                 the
                 unregenerate
                 at
                 their
                 deaths
                 ;
                 there
                 will
                 be
                 
                   a
                   general
                   judgement
                
                 on
                 their
                 souls
                 and
                 bodies
                 re-united
                 at
                 the
                 great
                 and
                 last
                 day
                 .
              
               
                 For
                 the
                 fuller
                 clearing
                 and
                 opening
                 of
                 this
                 great
                 and
                 fundamental
                 principle
                 of
                 Religion
                 ,
                 I
                 will
                 shew
                 you
                 ;
                 
                   
                     1.
                     
                     
                       That
                       there
                       will
                       be
                       a
                       day
                       of
                       Iudgement
                       .
                    
                  
                   
                     2.
                     
                     
                       The
                       Person
                       who
                       shall
                       be
                       the
                       Iudge
                       .
                    
                  
                   
                     3.
                     
                     
                       The
                       manner
                       of
                       Christs
                       coming
                       to
                       Iudgement
                       .
                    
                  
                   
                     4.
                     
                     
                       The
                       order
                       of
                       Christs
                       proceeding
                       in
                       Iudgement
                       .
                    
                  
                
              
               
                 I.
                 For
                 the
                 first
                 ,
                 
                   that
                   there
                   will
                   be
                   a
                   day
                   of
                   Iudgement
                   ,
                
                 is
                 clear
                 from
                 that
                 of
                 the
                 Author
                 to
                 the
                 
                   Hebrews
                   ,
                   
                   Chap.
                
                 6.2
                 .
                 where
                 he
                 reckoneth
                 it
                 amongst
                 the
                 fundamental
                 principles
                 of
                 Religion
                 .
                 And
                 Act.
                 17.31
                 .
                 The
                 Apostle
                 Paul
                 speaking
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 saith
                 ,
                 
                   He
                   hath
                   appointed
                   a
                   day
                   in
                   which
                   he
                   will
                   Iudge
                   the
                   World
                   in
                   righteousness
                   .
                
                 Yea
                 in
                 2
                 Cor.
                 5.10
                 .
                 he
                 puts
                 a
                 MUST
                 upon
                 it
                 ,
                 
                   We
                   must
                
                 ,
                 saith
                 he
                 ,
                 
                   all
                   appear
                   before
                   the
                   judgement-seat
                   of
                   Christ
                   ,
                
                 which
                 implyeth
                 the
                 necessity
                 thereof
                 .
              
               
                 And
                 truly
                 there
                 is
                 a
                 necessity
                 of
                 a
                 
                   general
                   Iudgement
                
                 ,
                 as
                 for
                 the
                 declaration
                 of
                 the
                 equity
                 of
                 Gods
                 
                   particular
                   Iudgement
                
                 on
                 each
                 man
                 at
                 his
                 death
                 ;
                 in
                 which
                 respect
                 it
                 is
                 called
                 
                   the
                   day
                   of
                   the
                   revelation
                   of
                   the
                   Righteous
                   Iudgement
                   of
                   God.
                
                 
                 So
                 for
                 a
                 clear
                 manifestation
                 of
                 the
                 justice
                 of
                 God.
                 
                 Though
                 
                   God
                   be
                   most
                   just
                   in
                   all
                   his
                   wayes
                   ,
                
                 yet
                 in
                 this
                 World
                 it
                 is
                 not
                 so
                 evidently
                 discerned
                 .
                 Because
                 God
                 in
                 Wisdom
                 oft
                 suffereth
                 the
                 wicked
                 to
                 prosper
                 ;
                 yea
                 and
                 to
                 domineer
                 over
                 the
                 Righteous
                 .
                 Here
                 the
                 best
                 men
                 are
                 ofttimes
                 the
                 worst
                 used
                 ,
                 and
                 most
                 wronged
                 .
                 Here
                 the
                 
                   true
                   Prophets
                
                 of
                 God
                 are
                 fed
                 with
                 bread
                 and
                 water
                 in
                 their
                 Caves
                 ;
                 whilest
                 the
                 false
                 Prophets
                 of
                 Baal
                 fared
                 plentifully
                 at
                 Iezabels
                 Table
                 .
                 
                 Here
                 Dives
                 sits
                 in
                 his
                 Palace
                 ,
                 
                   cloathed
                   richly
                   ,
                   faring
                   sumptuously
                   every
                   day
                
                 ;
                 whilest
                 
                   Lazarus
                   lyeth
                   at
                   his
                   gate
                   ,
                   naked
                   and
                   hungry
                   .
                
                 But
                 then
                 
                   God
                   will
                   reader
                   to
                   every
                   one
                   according
                   to
                   his
                   deeds
                   .
                
                 
                 When
                 as
                 Heaven
                 and
                 everlasting
                 happiness
                 shall
                 be
                 the
                 lott
                 of
                 the
                 righteous
                 :
                 So
                 hell
                 and
                 eternal
                 horrour
                 shall
                 be
                 the
                 portion
                 of
                 the
                 unrighteous
                 .
                 Thus
                 you
                 see
                 ,
                 there
                 will
                 be
                 a
                 day
                 of
                 Judgement
                 .
              
               
                 Oh
                 how
                 terrible
                 will
                 this
                 day
                 of
                 Judgement
                 be
                 unto
                 the
                 unregenerate
                 ,
                 and
                 wicked
                 !
                 To
                 them
                 it
                 will
                 be
                 *
                 
                   a
                   day
                   of
                   wrath
                   ,
                   a
                   day
                   of
                   trouble
                   and
                   distress
                   ,
                   a
                   day
                   of
                   darkness
                   and
                   gloominess
                
                 ;
                 Then
                 shall
                 the
                 drunkard
                 drink
                 deepest
                 of
                 the
                 cup
                 of
                 Gods
                 wrath
                 ;
                 the
                 
                   fornicator
                   and
                   adulterer
                
                 ,
                 who
                 burned
                 with
                 the
                 fire
                 of
                 lust
                 ,
                 burn
                 in
                 the
                 fire
                 of
                 Hell.
                 Then
                 shall
                 the
                 glutton
                 who
                 gave
                 himself
                 up
                 to
                 the
                 satisfying
                 of
                 his
                 greedy
                 appetite
                 ,
                 be
                 pinched
                 with
                 hunger
                 and
                 parched
                 with
                 thirst
                 ,
                 not
                 having
                 a
                 drop
                 of
                 water
                 to
                 cool
                 his
                 flaming
                 
                 tongue
                 .
                 Then
                 shall
                 the
                 
                   worldling
                   and
                   covetous
                   wretch
                
                 feel
                 his
                 loads
                 of
                 ill-gotten
                 goods
                 sinking
                 and
                 drowning
                 him
                 in
                 perdition
                 and
                 destruction
                 ,
                 pressing
                 him
                 down
                 to
                 the
                 bottom
                 of
                 the
                 infernal
                 lake
                 .
              
               
                 Ah
                 sinner
                 !
                 How
                 doth
                 it
                 concern
                 thee
                 to
                 retire
                 into
                 some
                 secret
                 place
                 ,
                 and
                 there
                 seriously
                 to
                 ponder
                 on
                 this
                 day
                 of
                 judgement
                 ?
                 Ask
                 thine
                 heart
                 this
                 question
                 ,
                 Is
                 it
                 certain
                 there
                 will
                 be
                 a
                 day
                 of
                 judgement
                 ,
                 or
                 no
                 ?
                 If
                 it
                 be
                 certain
                 ;
                 Oh
                 then
                 why
                 do
                 I
                 not
                 prepare
                 for
                 it
                 ,
                 by
                 breaking
                 off
                 my
                 sins
                 ,
                 and
                 making
                 my
                 peace
                 with
                 God
                 ,
                 before
                 that
                 day
                 come
                 upon
                 me
                 ?
                 why
                 do
                 I
                 not
                 labour
                 for
                 an
                 interest
                 in
                 Christ
                 ,
                 by
                 whom
                 alone
                 I
                 can
                 be
                 freed
                 from
                 eternal
                 death
                 and
                 condemnation
                 ?
                 
                 why
                 do
                 I
                 not
                 now
                 
                   give
                   all
                   diligence
                   to
                   make
                   my
                   Calling
                   and
                   Election
                   sure
                   ?
                
                 Oh
                 sinner
                 ,
                 reason
                 thus
                 with
                 thy self
                 ;
                 thou
                 knowest
                 not
                 of
                 what
                 advantage
                 a
                 few
                 such
                 serious
                 thoughts
                 may
                 be
                 to
                 thy
                 soul.
                 
              
               
                 When
                 Paul
                 Preached
                 to
                 the
                 Athenians
                 ,
                 he
                 urged
                 them
                 to
                 repent
                 and
                 turn
                 from
                 their
                 sins
                 ,
                 from
                 this
                 very
                 ground
                 and
                 reason
                 ,
                 
                 Because
                 the
                 
                   Lord
                   had
                   appointed
                   a
                   day
                   in
                   which
                   he
                   will
                   judge
                   the
                   World
                   in
                   righteousness
                   .
                   Oh
                   repent
                   therefore
                   ,
                   and
                   turn
                   ye
                   from
                   your
                   wicked
                   wayes
                   ,
                   for
                   why
                   will
                   ye
                   dye
                   and
                   perish
                   eternally
                   in
                   your
                   sins
                   ?
                   Seek
                   unto
                   the
                   Lord
                   while
                   he
                   may
                   be
                   found
                   ,
                   and
                   call
                   upon
                   him
                   while
                   he
                   is
                   nigh
                   .
                
                 Christ
                 now
                 stands
                 knocking
                 at
                 the
                 door
                 of
                 thine
                 heart
                 ,
                 by
                 the
                 Ministers
                 of
                 his
                 Word
                 ,
                 the
                 motions
                 of
                 his
                 Spirit
                 ,
                 and
                 checks
                 of
                 thine
                 own
                 Conscience
                 .
                 Oh
                 give
                 him
                 speedy
                 and
                 willing
                 entertainment
                 .
                 The
                 time
                 will
                 come
                 when
                 thou
                 wilt
                 knock
                 with
                 the
                 
                   foolish
                   Virgins
                
                 ,
                 and
                 shalt
                 not
                 be
                 heard
                 :
                 and
                 repent
                 with
                 Iudas
                 ,
                 and
                 not
                 be
                 accepted
                 .
                 For
                 the
                 Lord
                 will
                 have
                 his
                 day
                 when
                 thine
                 is
                 past
                 ,
                 and
                 
                   a
                   day
                   of
                   Iudgement
                
                 for
                 thy
                 punishment
                 ,
                 that
                 didst
                 slight
                 and
                 reject
                 
                   the
                   day
                   of
                   mercy
                
                 for
                 thine
                 amendment
                 .
              
               
                 II.
                 For
                 the
                 Person
                 who
                 shall
                 be
                 the
                 Iudge
                 ,
                 It
                 is
                 
                   Christ
                   that
                   shall
                   be
                   Iudge
                
                 :
                 who
                 shall
                 in
                 a
                 visible
                 shape
                 both
                 judge
                 and
                 pronounce
                 sentence
                 upon
                 all
                 
                 men
                 ,
                 as
                 the
                 sentence
                 of
                 absolution
                 on
                 the
                 elect
                 ,
                 so
                 the
                 sentence
                 of
                 condemnation
                 on
                 the
                 wicked
                 .
              
               
                 Indeed
                 judging
                 the
                 World
                 ,
                 being
                 a
                 work
                 
                   ad
                   extra
                
                 ,
                 which
                 is
                 terminated
                 upon
                 ,
                 or
                 respects
                 the
                 creature
                 ,
                 it
                 is
                 common
                 to
                 the
                 whole
                 Trinity
                 ;
                 So
                 that
                 neither
                 the
                 Father
                 ,
                 nor
                 the
                 
                   Holy
                   Ghost
                
                 are
                 excluded
                 :
                 but
                 yet
                 it
                 is
                 in
                 Scripture
                 more
                 especially
                 appropriated
                 to
                 the
                 Son.
                 And
                 that
                 partly
                 as
                 a
                 recompence
                 of
                 his
                 humiliation
                 ;
                 and
                 partly
                 because
                 the
                 proceedings
                 of
                 the
                 judgement
                 being
                 visible
                 ,
                 it
                 seemed
                 convenient
                 ,
                 that
                 the
                 
                   Iudge
                   himself
                
                 should
                 be
                 conspicuous
                 .
                 And
                 therefore
                 Christ
                 in
                 his
                 humane
                 nature
                 shall
                 judge
                 the
                 World
                 ,
                 and
                 denounce
                 the
                 doom
                 of
                 condemnation
                 against
                 the
                 wicked
                 ones
                 :
                 yet
                 shall
                 he
                 do
                 all
                 as
                 Immanuel
                 ,
                 God
                 and
                 man.
                 
              
               
                 Oh
                 ,
                 how
                 terrible
                 will
                 the
                 sight
                 of
                 Jesus
                 Christ
                 
                   as
                   Iudge
                
                 be
                 unto
                 all
                 carnal
                 and
                 impenitent
                 wretches
                 ?
                 who
                 when
                 they
                 shall
                 see
                 him
                 sitting
                 upon
                 the
                 Throne
                 ,
                 whose
                 gracious
                 invitations
                 they
                 have
                 slighted
                 ;
                 whose
                 Ministers
                 and
                 Ambassadours
                 they
                 have
                 wronged
                 and
                 contemned
                 ;
                 whose
                 ordinances
                 they
                 have
                 neglected
                 ,
                 and
                 whom
                 they
                 have
                 often
                 crucified
                 by
                 their
                 sins
                 :
                 how
                 then
                 will
                 their
                 hearts
                 be
                 appalled
                 with
                 dread
                 and
                 terrour
                 ?
                 entreating
                 
                   the
                   rocks
                   and
                   mountains
                   to
                   fall
                   on
                   them
                   ,
                
                 
                 
                   and
                   hide
                   them
                   from
                   the
                   face
                   of
                   him
                   that
                   sitteth
                   on
                   the
                   throne
                   ,
                   and
                   from
                   the
                   wrath
                   of
                   the
                   Lamb.
                   
                
              
               
                 A
                 poor
                 believer
                 on
                 that
                 day
                 seeing
                 Christ
                 sitting
                 upon
                 the
                 Throne
                 ,
                 may
                 with
                 comfort
                 say
                 ,
                 
                   Loe
                   yonder
                   is
                   he
                   who
                   dyed
                   to
                   save
                   me
                   ,
                   who
                   shed
                   his
                   blood
                   for
                   my
                   redemption
                   ,
                   and
                   rose
                   again
                   for
                   my
                   justification
                   ,
                   and
                   is
                   now
                   come
                   to
                   judge
                   both
                   the
                   quick
                   and
                   the
                   dead
                   .
                
              
               
                 But
                 thou
                 who
                 dyest
                 in
                 thy
                 sins
                 ,
                 canst
                 not
                 but
                 with
                 much
                 anguish
                 of
                 Spirit
                 in
                 that
                 day
                 cry
                 out
                 and
                 say
                 ,
                 
                   Loe
                   yonder
                   is
                   he
                   ,
                   who
                   came
                   from
                   Heaven
                   to
                   save
                   poor
                   lost
                   sinners
                   ,
                   and
                   who
                   did
                   Sabbath
                   after
                   Sabbath
                   ,
                   even
                   all
                   my
                   life
                   long
                   ,
                   by
                   his
                   Ministers
                   ,
                   wooe
                   and
                   b●seech
                   me
                   to
                   abandon
                   my
                   lusts
                   ,
                   and
                   to
                   receive
                   him
                   as
                   my
                   Lord
                   and
                   Saviour
                   ,
                   to
                   yield
                   subjection
                   unto
                   him
                   ,
                   and
                   his
                   laws
                   ,
                   and
                   
                   to
                   rest
                   upon
                   him
                   alone
                   for
                   life
                   and
                   salvation
                   :
                   who
                   now
                   would
                   have
                   received
                   me
                   into
                   eternal
                   bliss
                   and
                   happiness
                   .
                   But
                   I
                   miserable
                   wretch
                   that
                   I
                   was
                   ,
                   did
                   slight
                   his
                   woings
                   ,
                   and
                   beseechings
                   ,
                   turning
                   a
                   deaf
                   ear
                   to
                   the
                   calls
                   of
                   his
                   grace
                   ,
                   and
                   preferred
                   my
                   lusts
                   and
                   corruptions
                   b●fore
                   the
                   Lord
                   ,
                   and
                   his
                   salvation
                   :
                   yea
                   and
                   all
                   my
                   life
                   long
                   opposed
                   his
                   Kingdom
                   and
                   government
                   ,
                   as
                   quite
                   contrary
                   to
                   my
                   carnal
                   heart
                   ,
                   and
                   sensual
                   pleasures
                   ,
                   wherein
                   I
                   took
                   much
                   content
                   and
                   delight
                   .
                   This
                   is
                   the
                   Iudge
                   who
                   now
                   sits
                   on
                   life
                   and
                   death
                   ,
                   and
                   from
                   whom
                   I
                   must
                   now
                   receive
                   my
                   se●tence
                   .
                   And
                   oh
                   what
                   a
                   fearfull
                   sentence
                   must
                   I
                   expect
                   from
                   such
                   a
                   wronged
                   ,
                   cont●m●ed
                   ,
                   c●raged
                   ,
                   righteous
                   Iudge
                   ?
                   What
                   will
                   he
                   award
                   me
                   ?
                   whether
                   will
                   he
                   se●d
                   me
                   ?
                   Oh
                   my
                   sins
                   ,
                   my
                   sins
                   have
                   cloathed
                   his
                   soul
                   with
                   fury
                   against
                   me
                   .
                   O
                   my
                   soul
                   ,
                   what
                   Talents
                   of
                   wrath
                   and
                   vengeance
                   will
                   this
                   righteous
                   provoked
                   Iudge
                   lay
                   upon
                   thee
                   ?
                   how
                   will
                   he
                   bind
                   thee
                   in
                   chains
                   of
                   darkness
                   ,
                   and
                   setters
                   of
                   eternal
                   fire
                   ?
                
              
               
                 Oh
                 therefore
                 that
                 we
                 were
                 so
                 wise
                 ,
                 as
                 now
                 in
                 this
                 our
                 day
                 and
                 time
                 of
                 grace
                 ,
                 so
                 to
                 renounce
                 bo●h
                 our
                 own
                 wickedness
                 ,
                 and
                 righteousness
                 ,
                 as
                 to
                 joyn
                 our selves
                 to
                 our
                 Lord
                 ,
                 resigning
                 up
                 our
                 souls
                 to
                 the
                 government
                 of
                 his
                 holy
                 laws
                 ,
                 adventuring
                 and
                 relying
                 upon
                 the
                 merit
                 of
                 his
                 blood
                 ,
                 resolving
                 to
                 follow
                 him
                 in
                 holiness
                 ,
                 that
                 hereby
                 we
                 may
                 make
                 him
                 sure
                 to
                 us
                 against
                 that
                 terrible
                 day
                 .
              
               
                 III.
                 
                   For
                   the
                   Manner
                   of
                   Christs
                   coming
                   to
                   Iudgement
                   ,
                   it
                   will
                   be
                   as
                   in
                   great
                   glory
                   ,
                   so
                   in
                   great
                   terrour
                   to
                   the
                   wicked
                   and
                   impenitent
                   .
                
              
               
                 1.
                 
                 Christ
                 will
                 come
                 
                   in
                   great
                   glory
                   a●d
                   Majesty
                
                 ,
                 
                 even
                 
                   in
                   the
                   glory
                   of
                   the
                   Father
                   .
                
                 
                 This
                 is
                 the
                 most
                 glorious
                 work
                 that
                 Christ
                 ever
                 did
                 ,
                 or
                 will
                 do
                 in
                 his
                 humane
                 nature
                 .
                 He
                 will
                 therefore
                 in
                 doing
                 it
                 be
                 ar●●yed
                 with
                 as
                 much
                 glory
                 and
                 Majesty
                 ,
                 as
                 his
                 humane
                 nature
                 is
                 capable
                 of
                 :
                 
                 and
                 therefore
                 the
                 Apostle
                 calls
                 it
                 the
                 
                   glorious
                   appearing
                
                 .
              
               
                 Q.
                 If
                 you
                 ask
                 wherein
                 the
                 glory
                 of
                 Christ
                 shall
                 appear
                 ?
              
               
                 A.
                 
                   His
                   face
                   shall
                   shine
                   as
                   the
                   Sun.
                
                 
                 
                   Bright
                   clouds
                   
                   as
                   a
                   Canopy
                   shall
                   be
                   over
                   him
                   .
                
                 
                 
                   A
                   loud
                   sound
                   of
                   a
                   Trumpet
                   shall
                   be
                   heard
                   before
                   him
                   ,
                   He
                   shall
                   sit
                   on
                   a
                   glorious
                   Throne
                   .
                
                 
                 
                   He
                   shall
                   be
                   attended
                   with
                   all
                   the
                   glorious
                   Angels
                   ,
                
                 who
                 are
                 ready
                 to
                 do
                 him
                 service
                 in
                 this
                 judgement
                 .
                 
                 These
                 are
                 present
                 as
                 so
                 many
                 Sheriffs
                 and
                 other
                 officers
                 ,
                 attending
                 on
                 the
                 Judge
                 of
                 that
                 great
                 assize
                 .
              
               
                 If
                 it
                 be
                 so
                 terrible
                 to
                 guilty
                 prisoners
                 to
                 behold
                 an
                 earthly
                 judge
                 in
                 his
                 scarlet
                 Robes
                 ,
                 attended
                 upon
                 with
                 the
                 Iustices
                 ,
                 and
                 Sheriff
                 and
                 other
                 Officers
                 .
                 Oh
                 how
                 fearful
                 and
                 terrible
                 will
                 the
                 sight
                 of
                 this
                 Judge
                 be
                 ,
                 manifesting
                 himself
                 from
                 Heaven
                 with
                 such
                 a
                 mighty
                 host
                 ,
                 and
                 glorious
                 array
                 of
                 Angels
                 !
                 certainly
                 no
                 tongue
                 can
                 express
                 ,
                 no
                 heart
                 can
                 conceive
                 that
                 terrour
                 of
                 soul
                 ,
                 and
                 horrour
                 of
                 conscience
                 ,
                 that
                 fear
                 and
                 amazement
                 ,
                 which
                 will
                 seize
                 upon
                 thee
                 ,
                 when
                 thou
                 shalt
                 see
                 Christ
                 in
                 his
                 glory
                 ,
                 sitting
                 upon
                 his
                 Throne
                 .
              
               
                 
                 2.
                 
                 As
                 Christ
                 will
                 come
                 in
                 great
                 glory
                 ,
                 so
                 
                   in
                   great
                   terrour
                
                 .
                 For
                 he
                 shall
                 come
                 
                   in
                   flaming
                   fire
                
                 .
                 Yea
                 the
                 terrour
                 of
                 Christs
                 coming
                 to
                 Judgement
                 is
                 noted
                 in
                 this
                 ,
                 that
                 thereupon
                 
                   the
                   very
                   Sea
                   shall
                   quake
                   and
                   tremble
                   ,
                
                 and
                 in
                 its
                 kind
                 ,
                 
                   cry
                   out
                   and
                   roar
                
                 ,
                 making
                 a
                 most
                 dolefull
                 and
                 dreadful
                 noyse
                 .
                 Oh
                 what
                 shall
                 become
                 of
                 the
                 roaring
                 Boys
                 of
                 the
                 earth
                 ,
                 when
                 all
                 their
                 rude
                 roarings
                 ,
                 and
                 rufflings
                 ,
                 and
                 rantings
                 on
                 their
                 Ale-bench
                 shall
                 be
                 drowned
                 and
                 swallowed
                 up
                 of
                 this
                 terrible
                 roaring
                 of
                 the
                 Seas
                 ?
                 oh
                 then
                 what
                 shall
                 become
                 of
                 swearers
                 ,
                 drunkards
                 ,
                 whore-masters
                 and
                 such
                 like
                 in
                 that
                 dreadfull
                 day
                 ?
                 Surely
                 they
                 will
                 seek
                 to
                 creep
                 into
                 an
                 auger-hole
                 to
                 hide
                 their
                 heads
                 :
                 and
                 will
                 cry
                 out
                 in
                 the
                 bitterness
                 of
                 their
                 souls
                 ,
                 
                   Woe
                   and
                   alas
                   ,
                   that
                   ever
                   we
                   were
                   born
                   ,
                   surely
                   it
                   had
                   been
                   better
                   for
                   us
                   ,
                   if
                   our
                   Mothers
                   wombs
                   had
                   been
                   our
                   graves
                   ,
                   and
                   that
                   we
                   had
                   never
                   seen
                   the
                   Sun.
                   
                
              
               
                 When
                 Foelix
                 heard
                 Paul
                 preach
                 of
                 
                   this
                   Iudgement-day
                
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 terribleness
                 thereof
                 ,
                 the
                 text
                 noteth
                 that
                 
                   he
                   trembled
                
                 .
                 
                 And
                 sinner
                 ,
                 dost
                 not
                 thou
                 tremble
                 ,
                 who
                 goest
                 on
                 impenitently
                 in
                 thy
                 wicked
                 and
                 
                 ungodly
                 courses
                 ?
                 in
                 thy
                 lying
                 ,
                 swearing
                 ,
                 drinking
                 ,
                 whoring
                 ,
                 Sabbath-breaking
                 ,
                 and
                 other
                 like
                 abominations
                 ?
                 Ah
                 sinner
                 ,
                 either
                 thou
                 knowest
                 not
                 ,
                 or
                 thinkest
                 not
                 as
                 thou
                 shouldst
                 of
                 this
                 dreadfull
                 and
                 terrible
                 day
                 .
                 And
                 therefore
                 it
                 is
                 that
                 thou
                 goest
                 on
                 in
                 the
                 career
                 of
                 thy
                 lusts
                 ,
                 giving
                 thy self
                 up
                 to
                 the
                 gratifying
                 thy
                 sinfull
                 affections
                 ,
                 and
                 satisfying
                 thine
                 own
                 hearts
                 desire
                 .
                 Oh
                 that
                 thou
                 wouldst
                 seriously
                 weigh
                 that
                 advice
                 of
                 the
                 Wise
                 man
                 ,
                 
                 
                   Rejoyce
                   ,
                   O
                   young
                   man
                   in
                   thy
                   youth
                   ,
                   and
                   let
                   thine
                   heart
                   cheer
                   thee
                   in
                   the
                   days
                   of
                   thy
                   youth
                   ,
                   and
                   walk
                   in
                   the
                   waies
                   of
                   thine
                   heart
                   ,
                   and
                   in
                   the
                   sight
                   of
                   thine
                   eyes
                   .
                
                 As
                 if
                 he
                 had
                 said
                 ,
                 Ah
                 young
                 man
                 ,
                 do
                 what
                 thou
                 pleasest
                 ,
                 take
                 thy
                 fill
                 of
                 pleasure
                 ,
                 satisfie
                 thy
                 Lus●s
                 ,
                 deny
                 not
                 thy self
                 any
                 thing
                 that
                 heart
                 can
                 wish
                 ;
                 which
                 expressions
                 are
                 to
                 be
                 taken
                 as
                 spoken
                 ironically
                 ,
                 by
                 way
                 of
                 derision
                 ,
                 as
                 appeareth
                 by
                 the
                 following
                 words
                 ,
                 
                   But
                   know
                   thou
                   ,
                   that
                   for
                   all
                   these
                   things
                   ,
                   God
                   will
                   bring
                   thee
                   into
                   judgement
                
                 ;
                 as
                 if
                 he
                 had
                 said
                 ,
                 Though
                 thou
                 put
                 from
                 thee
                 the
                 thought
                 of
                 death
                 ,
                 and
                 of
                 judgement
                 ,
                 yet
                 assure
                 thy self
                 ,
                 that
                 for
                 thy
                 mispent
                 youth
                 ,
                 and
                 for
                 all
                 thy
                 sinfull
                 lusts
                 ,
                 dye
                 thou
                 must
                 ,
                 thou
                 knowest
                 not
                 how
                 soon
                 ;
                 and
                 after
                 death
                 thou
                 shalt
                 be
                 brought
                 before
                 Gods
                 Tribunal
                 ,
                 there
                 to
                 receive
                 the
                 just
                 reward
                 of
                 all
                 thy
                 sins
                 .
                 A
                 serious
                 consideration
                 whereof
                 would
                 be
                 an
                 excellent
                 means
                 to
                 abate
                 the
                 heat
                 of
                 lust
                 ,
                 and
                 cause
                 the
                 hearts
                 of
                 young
                 men
                 to
                 tremble
                 at
                 the
                 thought
                 of
                 that
                 great
                 and
                 terrible
                 day
                 ,
                 when
                 Christ
                 shall
                 come
                 to
                 judgement
                 in
                 glory
                 and
                 great
                 Majesty
                 ,
                 with
                 his
                 mighty
                 Angels
                 in
                 flaming
                 fire
                 .
              
            
             
               
               
                 CHAP.
                 X.
                 Sheweth
                 the
                 order
                 of
                 Christs
                 proceeding
                 in
                 Iudgement
                 .
              
               
                 IV.
                 
                   FOr
                   the
                   order
                   of
                   Christs
                   proceeding
                   in
                   Iudgement
                   at
                   the
                   last
                   day
                   .
                
              
               
                 I.
                 There
                 will
                 be
                 a
                 Citation
                 of
                 all
                 both
                 dead
                 and
                 living
                 men
                 with
                 the
                 Devils
                 ,
                 to
                 come
                 to
                 Judgement
                 .
                 
                   We
                   must
                   all
                   appear
                
                 ,
                 
                 saith
                 the
                 Apostle
                 .
                 All
                 without
                 exception
                 of
                 any
                 must
                 make
                 their
                 appearance
                 ,
                 high
                 and
                 low
                 ,
                 rich
                 and
                 poor
                 ,
                 King
                 and
                 beggar
                 ,
                 male
                 and
                 female
                 .
              
               
                 Oh
                 what
                 a
                 great
                 day
                 will
                 that
                 be
                 ,
                 when
                 the
                 whole
                 world
                 shall
                 be
                 cited
                 and
                 summoned
                 to
                 appear
                 together
                 at
                 once
                 !
              
               
                 Q.
                 If
                 you
                 ask
                 how
                 they
                 shall
                 be
                 summoned
                 ?
              
               
                 A.
                 By
                 a
                 shout
                 from
                 Heaven
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 sound
                 of
                 a
                 Trumpet
                 ,
                 which
                 shall
                 alarm
                 this
                 sleeping
                 earth
                 ,
                 and
                 at
                 which
                 Hell
                 shall
                 shake
                 ,
                 all
                 graves
                 shall
                 open
                 ,
                 and
                 yield
                 up
                 their
                 prisoners
                 ,
                 which
                 they
                 have
                 fast
                 kept
                 in
                 the
                 chains
                 of
                 death
                 ,
                 from
                 all
                 ages
                 since
                 the
                 beginning
                 of
                 the
                 World.
                 
                 Yea
                 
                   the
                   Sea
                   shall
                   give
                   up
                   her
                   dead
                   which
                   are
                   in
                   it
                   .
                
              
               
                 A
                 dreadfull
                 summons
                 it
                 will
                 be
                 unto
                 all
                 the
                 wicked
                 and
                 ungodly
                 ,
                 whom
                 this
                 sudden
                 noise
                 will
                 no
                 less
                 astonish
                 ,
                 than
                 confound
                 .
                 We
                 read
                 ,
                 that
                 when
                 the
                 Lord
                 descended
                 upon
                 
                   Mount
                   Sinai
                
                 ,
                 for
                 the
                 delivery
                 of
                 the
                 Law
                 ,
                 
                 with
                 the
                 sound
                 of
                 a
                 Trumpet
                 ;
                 
                   the
                   people
                   of
                   Israel
                   quaked
                   and
                   trembled
                   .
                
                 Oh
                 then
                 how
                 will
                 the
                 wicked
                 and
                 ungodly
                 quake
                 and
                 tremble
                 when
                 the
                 Lord
                 Christ
                 shall
                 descend
                 from
                 Heaven
                 with
                 the
                 sound
                 of
                 a
                 Trumpet
                 to
                 punish
                 the
                 transgressours
                 of
                 that
                 Law
                 ?
              
               
                 II.
                 
                   Upon
                   this
                   Citation
                   and
                   summons
                   there
                   will
                   be
                   a
                   resurrection
                   ,
                   from
                   the
                   dead
                   ,
                   and
                   such
                   a
                   change
                   of
                   the
                   
                   living
                   ,
                   as
                   if
                   they
                   had
                   been
                   a
                   long
                   time
                   dead
                   ,
                   and
                   were
                   raised
                   to
                   life
                   again
                   .
                
                 And
                 as
                 the
                 graves
                 shall
                 then
                 give
                 up
                 their
                 dead
                 bodies
                 ;
                 so
                 hell
                 shall
                 give
                 up
                 her
                 living
                 souls
                 ,
                 which
                 shall
                 enter
                 into
                 their
                 old
                 Carcases
                 to
                 receive
                 a
                 greater
                 condemnation
                 .
                 Oh
                 ,
                 what
                 woful
                 salutations
                 will
                 there
                 be
                 between
                 that
                 body
                 and
                 soul
                 ,
                 which
                 living
                 together
                 in
                 the
                 height
                 of
                 iniquity
                 ,
                 must
                 now
                 be
                 reunited
                 to
                 suffer
                 the
                 fulness
                 of
                 their
                 misery
                 ?
              
               
                 III.
                 
                   After
                   the
                   resurrection
                   follows
                   a
                   Collection
                   ,
                   and
                   gathering
                   together
                   of
                   all
                   men
                   and
                   Devils
                   in
                   the
                   World
                
                 ;
                 but
                 with
                 this
                 difference
                 .
                 The
                 Elect
                 being
                 gathered
                 together
                 by
                 Angels
                 ,
                 
                 shall
                 with
                 great
                 joy
                 be
                 caught
                 up
                 into
                 the
                 air
                 to
                 meet
                 the
                 Lord.
                 But
                 the
                 reprobate
                 together
                 with
                 the
                 Devils
                 and
                 his
                 Angels
                 shall
                 with
                 extream
                 horrour
                 and
                 confusion
                 be
                 drawn
                 and
                 dragg'd
                 into
                 his
                 presence
                 .
                 
                 Ah
                 sinner
                 ,
                 What
                 terrour
                 and
                 amazement
                 will
                 then
                 seize
                 upon
                 thee
                 ,
                 when
                 like
                 a
                 malefactor
                 thou
                 art
                 brought
                 against
                 thy
                 will
                 before
                 the
                 Judgement-seat
                 of
                 Christ
                 ?
              
               
                 IV.
                 
                   After
                   this
                   follows
                   a
                   separation
                   of
                   the
                   good
                   from
                   the
                   bad
                   ,
                   of
                   the
                   elect
                   from
                   the
                   reprobate
                   .
                
                 For
                 Christ
                 at
                 the
                 first
                 appearing
                 of
                 all
                 before
                 his
                 JudgementS●at
                 ,
                 to
                 testifie
                 his
                 gracious
                 favour
                 ,
                 and
                 good
                 respect
                 to
                 believers
                 ,
                 separates
                 them
                 from
                 others
                 ,
                 and
                 sets
                 them
                 on
                 his
                 right
                 hand
                 ,
                 as
                 a
                 flock
                 of
                 sheep
                 ,
                 whom
                 he
                 intends
                 to
                 take
                 for
                 his
                 own
                 .
                 And
                 then
                 will
                 he
                 set
                 the
                 wicked
                 and
                 unbelievers
                 on
                 his
                 left
                 hand
                 ,
                 to
                 testifie
                 as
                 his
                 rejecting
                 them
                 ,
                 so
                 his
                 purpose
                 to
                 pass
                 a
                 terrible
                 doom
                 upon
                 them
                 ,
                 as
                 himself
                 expresseth
                 ,
                 Mat.
                 25.32
                 ,
                 33.
                 
                 Yea
                 in
                 Luke
                 17.34
                 ,
                 35.
                 
                 
                   I
                   tell
                   you
                
                 ,
                 saith
                 he
                 ,
                 
                   in
                   that
                   night
                   there
                   shall
                   be
                   two
                   in
                   one
                   bed
                   ,
                   the
                   one
                   shall
                   be
                   taken
                   and
                   the
                   other
                   left
                   ,
                   Two
                   men
                   shall
                   be
                   in
                   the
                   field
                   ,
                   the
                   one
                   shall
                   be
                   taken
                   and
                   the
                   other
                   left
                   .
                
                 So
                 that
                 at
                 the
                 day
                 of
                 judgement
                 there
                 will
                 be
                 a
                 separation
                 of
                 the
                 nearest
                 and
                 dearest
                 relations
                 that
                 may
                 be
                 :
                 as
                 between
                 Husband
                 and
                 Wife
                 ,
                 yea
                 Father
                 and
                 Child
                 .
                 Oh!
                 what
                 a
                 sad
                 separation
                 will
                 that
                 be
                 ?
                 when
                 the
                 Husband
                 shall
                 be
                 separated
                 from
                 the
                 Wife
                 ,
                 
                 and
                 the
                 Wife
                 from
                 the
                 Husband
                 :
                 the
                 Father
                 from
                 the
                 Child
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 Child
                 from
                 the
                 Father
                 .
                 You
                 have
                 often
                 seen
                 what
                 a
                 sorrowfull
                 parting
                 it
                 is
                 ,
                 when
                 the
                 Wife
                 buries
                 her
                 Husband
                 ,
                 and
                 layeth
                 him
                 in
                 the
                 cold
                 grave
                 .
                 How
                 she
                 goeth
                 home
                 weeping
                 and
                 lamenting
                 her
                 sad
                 loss
                 ;
                 though
                 she
                 hath
                 hope
                 of
                 meeting
                 him
                 again
                 in
                 Gods
                 Kingdom
                 .
                 Oh
                 ,
                 but
                 what
                 an
                 heavy
                 parting
                 and
                 separation
                 will
                 there
                 be
                 ,
                 when
                 the
                 one
                 shall
                 be
                 set
                 at
                 the
                 right
                 hand
                 of
                 Christ
                 ,
                 the
                 other
                 at
                 his
                 left
                 ?
                 the
                 one
                 taken
                 into
                 Heaven
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 other
                 cast
                 down
                 into
                 Hell
                 ?
                 Oh
                 ,
                 that
                 all
                 Husbands
                 and
                 Wives
                 ,
                 all
                 Parents
                 and
                 Children
                 ,
                 all
                 Masters
                 and
                 Servants
                 would
                 seriously
                 think
                 of
                 this
                 dreadfull
                 separation
                 ;
                 and
                 be
                 thereby
                 stirred
                 up
                 ,
                 so
                 to
                 live
                 together
                 here
                 in
                 the
                 fear
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 that
                 they
                 may
                 not
                 be
                 separated
                 at
                 the
                 day
                 of
                 judgement
                 ,
                 when
                 this
                 sad
                 and
                 fearful
                 separation
                 shall
                 be
                 .
              
               
                 V.
                 
                   After
                   this
                   follows
                   conviction
                   of
                   the
                   wicked
                   ,
                   and
                   a
                   discovery
                   of
                   all
                   their
                   works
                
                 ;
                 Which
                 is
                 proper
                 to
                 go
                 before
                 giving
                 of
                 sentence
                 .
                 For
                 in
                 all
                 Courts
                 of
                 Justice
                 ,
                 there
                 is
                 no
                 man
                 condemned
                 till
                 he
                 be
                 convicted
                 .
                 And
                 therefore
                 this
                 Court
                 of
                 Christ
                 being
                 the
                 most
                 exactest
                 Court
                 for
                 equity
                 and
                 justice
                 ,
                 we
                 may
                 well
                 conclude
                 ,
                 that
                 there
                 will
                 be
                 no
                 man
                 condemned
                 ,
                 till
                 he
                 be
                 convicted
                 ,
                 and
                 his
                 offences
                 laid
                 open
                 before
                 all
                 .
                 And
                 therefore
                 at
                 that
                 day
                 there
                 will
                 be
                 ,
                 
                   
                     1.
                     
                     
                       A
                       conviction
                       of
                       the
                       wicked
                       and
                       ungodly
                       .
                    
                  
                   
                     2.
                     
                     
                       A
                       discovery
                       of
                       their
                       sins
                       to
                       all
                       the
                       World.
                       
                    
                  
                
              
               
                 Touching
                 the
                 conviction
                 of
                 the
                 wicked
                 ,
                 two
                 things
                 are
                 to
                 be
                 considered
                 ;
                 
                   
                     1.
                     
                     
                       The
                       matter
                       of
                       their
                       conviction
                    
                     ,
                     or
                     what
                     they
                     shall
                     be
                     convinced
                     of
                     .
                  
                   
                     2.
                     
                     
                       The
                       means
                       of
                       their
                       conviction
                    
                     ,
                     or
                     what
                     they
                     shall
                     be
                     convinced
                     by
                     .
                  
                
              
               
                 I.
                 The
                 matter
                 of
                 their
                 conviction
                 shall
                 be
                 twofold
                 ,
                 they
                 shall
                 be
                 convinced
                 ,
              
               
                 1.
                 
                 
                   Of
                   their
                   state
                
                 .
                 That
                 enquiry
                 shall
                 be
                 made
                 after
                 this
                 is
                 evident
                 ,
                 Rom.
                 14.12
                 .
                 
                   Every
                   one
                   of
                   us
                   shall
                   give
                   an
                   account
                   of
                   himself
                   to
                   God
                   ,
                
                 that
                 is
                 ,
                 what
                 he
                 is
                 ,
                 
                 whether
                 a
                 sheep
                 or
                 a
                 goat
                 ;
                 whether
                 a
                 believer
                 ,
                 or
                 an
                 unbeliever
                 ;
                 regenerate
                 or
                 unregenerate
                 ;
                 in
                 Christ
                 or
                 out
                 of
                 Christ
                 ;
                 under
                 the
                 power
                 of
                 corrupt
                 nature
                 ,
                 or
                 sanctified
                 by
                 the
                 grace
                 of
                 God.
                 Here
                 in
                 this
                 world
                 ,
                 if
                 carnal
                 men
                 make
                 any
                 enquiry
                 after
                 themselves
                 at
                 all
                 ,
                 it
                 's
                 only
                 after
                 their
                 outward
                 wayes
                 and
                 actions
                 ,
                 not
                 asking
                 themselves
                 ,
                 
                   What
                   am
                   I
                   ?
                   whose
                   am
                   I
                   ?
                   Am
                   I
                   of
                   God
                   or
                   the
                   Devil
                   ?
                   Am
                   I
                   in
                   Christ
                   ,
                   or
                   in
                   my
                   sins
                   ?
                
                 But
                 for
                 the
                 most
                 part
                 enquiring
                 only
                 ,
                 
                   What
                   have
                   I
                   done
                   ?
                   What
                   life
                   have
                   I
                   lived
                   ?
                   What
                   course
                   have
                   I
                   run
                   ?
                
                 'T
                 were
                 well
                 if
                 there
                 were
                 more
                 such
                 enquiries
                 as
                 this
                 now
                 in
                 this
                 day
                 .
                 Oh
                 how
                 seldome
                 do
                 we
                 hear
                 carnal
                 men
                 asking
                 ,
                 
                 
                   What
                   have
                   I
                   done
                
                 ?
                 But
                 in
                 that
                 day
                 the
                 great
                 enquiry
                 will
                 be
                 ,
                 
                   What
                   art
                   thou
                   ?
                   A
                   Saint
                   or
                   a
                   sinner
                   ?
                   A
                   believer
                   or
                   unbeliever
                   ?
                   What
                   charge
                   hath
                   been
                   made
                   upon
                   thy
                   nature
                   ?
                   Hath
                   there
                   been
                   a
                   work
                   of
                   grace
                   wrought
                   upon
                   thee
                   ?
                
                 And
                 as
                 this
                 will
                 be
                 the
                 grand
                 inquiry
                 ,
                 so
                 this
                 will
                 be
                 the
                 great
                 matter
                 of
                 conviction
                 in
                 that
                 day
                 .
                 Now
                 men
                 easily
                 take
                 themselves
                 to
                 be
                 converts
                 ,
                 to
                 be
                 believers
                 ;
                 but
                 then
                 shall
                 they
                 be
                 convinced
                 of
                 their
                 mistakes
                 ,
                 and
                 shall
                 be
                 made
                 to
                 acknowledge
                 ,
                 that
                 they
                 are
                 still
                 in
                 their
                 sins
                 ,
                 have
                 rejected
                 Christ
                 ,
                 and
                 are
                 strangers
                 from
                 the
                 life
                 of
                 God.
                 
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 
                   Of
                   their
                   actions
                
                 :
                 as
                 those
                 that
                 shall
                 evidence
                 what
                 their
                 state
                 is
                 .
                 All
                 the
                 wickedness
                 of
                 their
                 lives
                 shall
                 be
                 brought
                 forth
                 to
                 light
                 ,
                 and
                 made
                 to
                 stare
                 them
                 in
                 the
                 face
                 :
                 and
                 with
                 such
                 unquestionable
                 evidence
                 charged
                 upon
                 them
                 that
                 they
                 shall
                 stand
                 speechless
                 before
                 their
                 Judge
                 ,
                 not
                 having
                 a
                 word
                 to
                 say
                 to
                 excuse
                 and
                 acquit
                 themselves
                 of
                 this
                 dreadful
                 charge
                 .
              
               
                 II.
                 Touching
                 the
                 
                   means
                   of
                   conviction
                
                 ,
                 know
                 that
                 this
                 conviction
                 will
                 be
                 by
                 the
                 opening
                 of
                 two
                 books
                 ,
                 which
                 we
                 find
                 mentioned
                 in
                 Scripture
                 .
              
               
                 
                   1.
                   
                   
                     The
                     book
                     of
                     Gods
                     Remembrance
                  
                   .
                
                 
                   2.
                   
                   
                     The
                     book
                     of
                     every
                     mans
                     Conscience
                     .
                  
                
              
               
                 The
                 former
                 we
                 find
                 mentioned
                 ,
                 Mal.
                 3.16
                 .
                 
                   A
                   book
                   of
                   Remembrance
                   was
                   written
                   before
                   God.
                
                 God
                 hath
                 a
                 
                   book
                   of
                   Remembrance
                
                 ,
                 as
                 of
                 the
                 goods
                 works
                 and
                 
                 actions
                 of
                 the
                 godly
                 ,
                 so
                 of
                 the
                 evil
                 works
                 and
                 actions
                 of
                 the
                 wicked
                 ,
                 wherein
                 their
                 most
                 secret
                 abominations
                 are
                 registred
                 and
                 recorded
                 .
                 Sinner
                 ,
                 all
                 the
                 wickednesses
                 of
                 thy
                 life
                 ,
                 the
                 secret
                 villanies
                 that
                 thine
                 heart
                 hath
                 been
                 privy
                 to
                 ,
                 which
                 no
                 eye
                 of
                 man
                 ever
                 saw
                 ,
                 or
                 suspected
                 :
                 all
                 thy
                 chamber
                 sins
                 ,
                 all
                 thy
                 twilight
                 sins
                 ,
                 all
                 thy
                 works
                 of
                 the
                 night
                 ,
                 and
                 of
                 darkness
                 ,
                 yea
                 secret
                 and
                 open
                 ,
                 which
                 thou
                 hast
                 long
                 since
                 forgotten
                 and
                 buried
                 out
                 of
                 thy
                 sight
                 ;
                 all
                 these
                 are
                 written
                 and
                 booked
                 up
                 before
                 the
                 Lord
                 against
                 that
                 terrible
                 day
                 .
              
               
                 The
                 latter
                 book
                 ,
                 namely
                 the
                 
                   book
                   of
                   Conscience
                
                 ,
                 we
                 find
                 mentioned
                 Jer.
                 17.1
                 .
                 
                   The
                   Sin
                   of
                
                 Judah
                 
                   is
                   written
                   with
                   a
                   pen
                   of
                   Iron
                   ,
                   and
                   with
                   the
                   point
                   of
                   a
                   Diamond
                   ,
                   it
                   is
                   graven
                   upon
                   the
                   Tables
                   of
                   their
                   hearts
                   .
                
                 That
                 is
                 ,
                 their
                 sins
                 are
                 so
                 fixed
                 in
                 their
                 hearts
                 and
                 consciences
                 that
                 they
                 cannot
                 be
                 forgotten
                 ,
                 but
                 the
                 memory
                 of
                 them
                 all
                 shall
                 be
                 revived
                 .
                 And
                 with
                 the
                 Apostle
                 ,
                 
                   Their
                   conscience
                   also
                   bearing
                   witness
                
                 ,
                 
                 
                   and
                   accusing
                   them
                   in
                   the
                   day
                   ,
                   when
                   God
                   shall
                   judge
                   the
                   secrets
                   of
                   men
                   by
                   Iesus
                   Christ.
                
                 In
                 this
                 book
                 of
                 conscience
                 ,
                 which
                 God
                 hath
                 given
                 to
                 every
                 man
                 and
                 woman
                 ,
                 as
                 in
                 Gods
                 book
                 ,
                 so
                 in
                 this
                 also
                 are
                 written
                 all
                 their
                 thoughts
                 ,
                 words
                 ,
                 and
                 actions
                 ;
                 yea
                 their
                 sinful
                 omissions
                 ,
                 as
                 well
                 as
                 their
                 sinful
                 commissions
                 ;
                 their
                 secret
                 impurities
                 ,
                 as
                 well
                 as
                 their
                 open
                 impieties
                 .
              
               
                 Now
                 many
                 mens
                 consciences
                 are
                 ,
                 as
                 it
                 were
                 ,
                 asleep
                 ,
                 so
                 that
                 though
                 they
                 are
                 guilty
                 of
                 manifold
                 sins
                 and
                 transgressions
                 ,
                 yet
                 their
                 consciences
                 do
                 not
                 accuse
                 them
                 for
                 the
                 same
                 :
                 but
                 their
                 iniquity
                 is
                 still
                 marked
                 ,
                 and
                 at
                 that
                 day
                 every
                 mans
                 conscience
                 shall
                 be
                 awakened
                 ,
                 bring
                 forth
                 its
                 black
                 roule
                 ,
                 even
                 all
                 his
                 sins
                 ,
                 and
                 so
                 shall
                 be
                 as
                 a
                 thousand
                 witnesses
                 against
                 him
                 .
                 Then
                 the
                 
                   Covetous
                   Shop-keeper
                
                 shall
                 remember
                 all
                 his
                 deceits
                 in
                 trading
                 ,
                 his
                 false
                 weights
                 and
                 measures
                 ,
                 his
                 lying
                 and
                 dissembling
                 .
                 Then
                 shall
                 the
                 
                   unclean
                   person
                
                 remember
                 all
                 his
                 watchings
                 for
                 the
                 twilight
                 ,
                 all
                 his
                 speculative
                 wantonnesses
                 ,
                 and
                 contemplative
                 as
                 well
                 as
                 practical
                 uncleannesses
                 .
                 Then
                 shall
                 
                 the
                 
                   proud
                   man
                
                 remember
                 all
                 his
                 phantastick
                 fashions
                 .
                 The
                 
                   malicious
                   man
                
                 all
                 his
                 envious
                 wishes
                 ,
                 all
                 his
                 plots
                 and
                 stratagems
                 to
                 ensnare
                 and
                 mischief
                 the
                 godly
                 .
                 Yea
                 then
                 shall
                 every
                 one
                 read
                 in
                 this
                 book
                 the
                 hell
                 of
                 his
                 nature
                 ,
                 as
                 well
                 as
                 the
                 hideous
                 abominations
                 of
                 this
                 life
                 :
                 then
                 shall
                 he
                 see
                 all
                 his
                 former
                 sins
                 ,
                 which
                 he
                 had
                 forgotten
                 ,
                 to
                 be
                 written
                 in
                 his
                 conscience
                 ,
                 with
                 indelible
                 characters
                 ,
                 never
                 to
                 be
                 blotted
                 out
                 .
                 That
                 work
                 of
                 accusing
                 ,
                 which
                 the
                 conscience
                 here
                 doth
                 in
                 some
                 men
                 imperfectly
                 ,
                 it
                 will
                 at
                 that
                 day
                 do
                 most
                 perfectly
                 .
              
               
                 Some
                 have
                 found
                 by
                 woful
                 experience
                 what
                 an
                 intollerable
                 burden
                 one
                 sin
                 is
                 to
                 the
                 conscience
                 ,
                 when
                 the
                 Lord
                 hath
                 been
                 pleased
                 to
                 set
                 it
                 home
                 .
                 When
                 Iudas
                 had
                 betrayed
                 his
                 Master
                 ,
                 and
                 his
                 conscience
                 began
                 to
                 accuse
                 him
                 for
                 the
                 same
                 ,
                 it
                 was
                 such
                 an
                 intollerable
                 burden
                 to
                 him
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 was
                 not
                 able
                 to
                 stand
                 under
                 it
                 ,
                 but
                 went
                 and
                 hanged
                 himself
                 .
              
               
                 Now
                 if
                 one
                 sin
                 proves
                 so
                 intollerable
                 ,
                 who
                 then
                 can
                 stand
                 under
                 the
                 weight
                 of
                 the
                 many
                 millions
                 of
                 sins
                 ,
                 which
                 he
                 hath
                 committed
                 in
                 the
                 whole
                 course
                 of
                 his
                 life
                 ?
                 especially
                 when
                 God
                 shall
                 set
                 them
                 all
                 home
                 together
                 upon
                 his
                 conscience
                 .
                 Ah
                 sinner
                 ,
                 If
                 the
                 reading
                 one
                 leaf
                 of
                 this
                 book
                 was
                 so
                 dreadful
                 to
                 Iudas
                 ;
                 how
                 dreadfull
                 and
                 terrible
                 will
                 it
                 be
                 to
                 thee
                 ?
                 when
                 thou
                 shalt
                 read
                 not
                 only
                 one
                 leaf
                 ,
                 but
                 the
                 whole
                 book
                 from
                 the
                 beginning
                 to
                 the
                 end
                 ,
                 and
                 therein
                 see
                 the
                 millions
                 of
                 sins
                 committed
                 by
                 thee
                 ,
                 whereof
                 as
                 thy
                 whole
                 life
                 ,
                 so
                 thy
                 whole
                 book
                 will
                 be
                 filled
                 within
                 and
                 without
                 ,
                 and
                 interlined
                 with
                 lamentation
                 ,
                 mourning
                 and
                 woe
                 .
                 Ah
                 ,
                 in
                 what
                 a
                 woful
                 case
                 will
                 thy
                 heart
                 then
                 be
                 ?
                 what
                 horrour
                 and
                 astonishment
                 will
                 then
                 possess
                 thy
                 soul
                 ?
                 when
                 all
                 thy
                 lies
                 and
                 oaths
                 ,
                 all
                 thy
                 raylings
                 and
                 rotten
                 speeches
                 ,
                 all
                 thy
                 filthy
                 and
                 unclean
                 thoughts
                 ,
                 thy
                 mispent
                 time
                 in
                 Taverns
                 and
                 Ale-houses
                 ,
                 thy
                 worldliness
                 and
                 covetousness
                 ,
                 the
                 vanities
                 and
                 rebellions
                 of
                 thy
                 whole
                 life
                 ,
                 shall
                 be
                 brought
                 to
                 thy
                 remembrance
                 ,
                 and
                 at
                 once
                 charged
                 upon
                 thy
                 graceless
                 soul.
                 
              
               
               
                 2.
                 
                 
                   At
                   the
                   day
                   of
                   Iudgement
                   there
                   will
                   be
                   a
                   discovery
                   of
                   thy
                   sins
                   to
                   all
                   the
                   World.
                
                 For
                 as
                 the
                 Apostle
                 speaketh
                 ,
                 
                 
                   Hidden
                   things
                   shall
                   on
                   that
                   day
                   be
                   brought
                   to
                   light
                   .
                
                 They
                 shall
                 not
                 only
                 be
                 called
                 to
                 remembrance
                 ,
                 by
                 the
                 sinner
                 himself
                 ,
                 but
                 likewise
                 exposed
                 to
                 the
                 view
                 and
                 censure
                 of
                 others
                 .
                 There
                 is
                 no
                 sin
                 so
                 secretly
                 and
                 closely
                 committed
                 ,
                 but
                 then
                 shall
                 be
                 discovered
                 to
                 the
                 view
                 of
                 all
                 .
                 There
                 is
                 scarce
                 a
                 wicked
                 man
                 in
                 the
                 World
                 ,
                 though
                 never
                 so
                 formal
                 ,
                 but
                 he
                 hath
                 at
                 some
                 time
                 or
                 other
                 committed
                 some
                 such
                 sin
                 in
                 secret
                 ,
                 which
                 he
                 would
                 not
                 have
                 others
                 to
                 know
                 for
                 all
                 the
                 World.
                 But
                 know
                 for
                 certain
                 ,
                 that
                 at
                 the
                 day
                 of
                 judgement
                 ,
                 all
                 the
                 World
                 shall
                 hear
                 thereof
                 .
                 For
                 then
                 all
                 thy
                 secret
                 sins
                 ,
                 and
                 close
                 villanies
                 shall
                 be
                 discovered
                 ,
                 and
                 layd
                 open
                 before
                 Angels
                 ,
                 Men
                 and
                 Devils
                 ;
                 thy
                 secret
                 Whoredomes
                 and
                 close
                 Adulteries
                 ,
                 thy
                 Pilfrings
                 and
                 stealings
                 ,
                 thy
                 false
                 Weights
                 and
                 Measures
                 ,
                 thy
                 Hypocrisies
                 and
                 Dissemblings
                 shall
                 be
                 discovered
                 to
                 the
                 view
                 of
                 all
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 to
                 thine
                 eternal
                 shame
                 and
                 confusion
                 .
                 And
                 therefore
                 the
                 day
                 of
                 Judgement
                 is
                 called
                 
                   the
                   day
                   of
                   revelation
                
                 ,
                 
                 when
                 many
                 Murthers
                 ,
                 Thefts
                 ,
                 Adulteries
                 ,
                 and
                 other
                 abominations
                 ,
                 which
                 come
                 not
                 to
                 light
                 here
                 ,
                 shall
                 at
                 that
                 day
                 be
                 made
                 known
                 ,
                 and
                 discovered
                 to
                 the
                 view
                 of
                 all
                 .
                 The
                 Husband
                 shall
                 then
                 behold
                 the
                 Whoredomes
                 of
                 his
                 Wife
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 Wife
                 the
                 Adulteries
                 of
                 her
                 Husband
                 :
                 the
                 Master
                 the
                 Pilferings
                 of
                 his
                 Servant
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 Servant
                 the
                 deceitfulness
                 of
                 his
                 Master
                 .
                 Yea
                 then
                 not
                 only
                 thy
                 words
                 and
                 actions
                 ,
                 but
                 also
                 thy
                 secret
                 thoughts
                 and
                 imaginations
                 ,
                 how
                 vain
                 and
                 wanton
                 ,
                 how
                 filthy
                 and
                 abominable
                 soever
                 they
                 have
                 been
                 ,
                 shall
                 appear
                 to
                 the
                 view
                 of
                 all
                 .
                 Never
                 therefore
                 adventure
                 upon
                 the
                 committing
                 of
                 any
                 sin
                 in
                 hope
                 of
                 secrecy
                 ,
                 because
                 thou
                 seemest
                 safe
                 from
                 the
                 eyes
                 of
                 men
                 .
                 For
                 suppose
                 thy
                 sin
                 lyeth
                 undiscovered
                 unto
                 the
                 last
                 and
                 great
                 day
                 :
                 yet
                 then
                 shall
                 it
                 out
                 with
                 a
                 witness
                 ,
                 and
                 be
                 made
                 manifest
                 to
                 the
                 view
                 of
                 all
                 .
              
               
                 Q.
                 If
                 any
                 shall
                 ask
                 ,
                 how
                 their
                 sins
                 shall
                 be
                 discovered
                 to
                 all
                 the
                 World
                 at
                 the
                 last
                 and
                 great
                 day
                 ?
              
               
               
                 A.
                 1.
                 
                 
                   By
                   their
                   own
                   confessions
                   and
                   complaints
                   extorted
                   from
                   them
                   by
                   the
                   power
                   of
                   God.
                
                 For
                 then
                 will
                 they
                 cry
                 out
                 in
                 the
                 bitterness
                 of
                 their
                 souls
                 ,
                 with
                 these
                 or
                 such
                 like
                 expressions
                 ,
                 
                   Woe
                   and
                   alas
                   ,
                   that
                   ever
                   I
                   slighted
                   the
                   manifold
                   gracious
                   invitations
                   of
                   Iesus
                   Christ
                   ,
                   and
                   preferred
                   my
                   base
                   lusts
                   and
                   corruptions
                   before
                   him
                   ;
                   that
                   I
                   have
                   opened
                   the
                   door
                   of
                   my
                   heart
                   to
                   every
                   sinful
                   temptation
                   ,
                   but
                   never
                   would
                   open
                   it
                   to
                   let
                   in
                   Iesus
                   Christ
                   ;
                   that
                   I
                   so
                   often
                   rejected
                   the
                   motions
                   of
                   Gods
                   spirit
                   stirring
                   me
                   up
                   to
                   turn
                   from
                   my
                   sins
                   unto
                   God
                   ;
                   and
                   hearkened
                   more
                   unto
                   the
                   solicitations
                   of
                   the
                   Devil
                   ,
                   than
                   to
                   the
                   motions
                   of
                   Gods
                   spirit
                   :
                   that
                   I
                   neglected
                   the
                   many
                   opportunities
                   and
                   means
                   of
                   grace
                   afforded
                   unto
                   me
                   ,
                   and
                   trifled
                   away
                   my
                   pretious
                   time
                   in
                   vanity
                   and
                   pleasure
                   ,
                   yea
                   sin
                   and
                   wickedness
                   ;
                   spending
                   that
                   time
                   in
                   the
                   Ale-house
                   ,
                   and
                   in
                   following
                   my
                   sinful
                   lusts
                   and
                   pleasures
                   ,
                   wherein
                   I
                   should
                   have
                   been
                   praying
                   in
                   my
                   closet
                   ,
                   or
                   attending
                   upon
                   the
                   Ministry
                   of
                   the
                   Word
                   ,
                   or
                   reading
                   the
                   Scriptures
                   with
                   other
                   good
                   books
                   :
                   that
                   I
                   should
                   prefer●
                   my
                   Wordly
                   business
                   before
                   the
                   service
                   of
                   God
                   ;
                   that
                   the
                   World
                   should
                   have
                   more
                   of
                   my
                   heart
                   and
                   time
                   ,
                   than
                   my
                   maker
                   and
                   Redeemer
                   .
                
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 
                   By
                   the
                   cryes
                   and
                   complaints
                   of
                   those
                   whom
                   they
                   have
                   wronged
                   and
                   oppressed
                   .
                
                 Then
                 Abels
                 blood
                 will
                 cry
                 out
                 afresh
                 against
                 Cain
                 ;
                 and
                 the
                 hungry
                 bellies
                 of
                 the
                 poor
                 will
                 cry
                 out
                 against
                 those
                 hard-hearted
                 rich
                 worldlings
                 ,
                 who
                 would
                 not
                 afford
                 them
                 the
                 least
                 comfort
                 or
                 relief
                 .
                 And
                 starved
                 souls
                 will
                 then
                 cry
                 out
                 against
                 their
                 ignorant
                 ,
                 scandalous
                 Ministers
                 ,
                 for
                 not
                 giving
                 them
                 the
                 bread
                 of
                 life
                 .
                 The
                 Wives
                 and
                 the
                 Children
                 of
                 Gamesters
                 ,
                 Drunkards
                 and
                 Whore-masters
                 ,
                 being
                 impoverished
                 by
                 their
                 sins
                 ,
                 will
                 then
                 cry
                 out
                 against
                 them
                 for
                 spending
                 their
                 small
                 means
                 in
                 the
                 satisfying
                 their
                 sinfull
                 lusts
                 .
                 The
                 poor
                 Tenants
                 will
                 then
                 cry
                 out
                 against
                 their
                 covetous
                 unmerciful
                 Land-lords
                 ,
                 for
                 raising
                 and
                 racking
                 their
                 rents
                 to
                 such
                 an
                 height
                 ,
                 as
                 they
                 could
                 not
                 earn
                 their
                 bread
                 by
                 all
                 their
                 care
                 and
                 labour
                 .
              
               
                 3.
                 
                 
                   By
                   the
                   testimony
                   of
                   Gods
                   spirit
                   ,
                   who
                   will
                   then
                   come
                   in
                   as
                   a
                   witness
                   against
                   thee
                   ,
                
                 saying
                 ,
                 at
                 such
                 a
                 
                 time
                 I
                 shewed
                 thee
                 the
                 evil
                 of
                 thy
                 sins
                 ,
                 and
                 how
                 sad
                 the
                 issue
                 of
                 them
                 would
                 be
                 ,
                 and
                 thereupon
                 perswaded
                 thee
                 to
                 turn
                 from
                 thy
                 sins
                 unto
                 God
                 ,
                 but
                 thou
                 wouldst
                 not
                 :
                 at
                 such
                 a
                 time
                 I
                 shewed
                 thee
                 thy
                 misery
                 without
                 Christ
                 ,
                 and
                 thy
                 need
                 of
                 him
                 ,
                 how
                 thou
                 wouldst
                 be
                 undone
                 for
                 ever
                 without
                 an
                 interest
                 in
                 Christ
                 ;
                 and
                 how
                 willing
                 Christ
                 was
                 to
                 receive
                 the
                 worst
                 of
                 sinners
                 unto
                 mercy
                 upon
                 their
                 coming
                 in
                 to
                 him
                 ;
                 but
                 thou
                 hearknedst
                 to
                 the
                 Devil
                 more
                 than
                 to
                 me
                 ,
                 to
                 his
                 suggestions
                 ,
                 rather
                 than
                 to
                 my
                 motions
                 .
              
               
                 4.
                 
                 
                   By
                   the
                   testimony
                   of
                   the
                   Devil
                   ,
                   who
                   is
                   now
                   a
                   tempter
                   ,
                   but
                   will
                   then
                   be
                   an
                   accuser
                
                 ;
                 whose
                 chief
                 design
                 in
                 tempting
                 us
                 to
                 sin
                 is
                 that
                 he
                 may
                 have
                 wherewithall
                 to
                 accuse
                 us
                 in
                 that
                 great
                 day
                 ;
                 that
                 so
                 he
                 might
                 drive
                 us
                 into
                 the
                 same
                 condemnation
                 with
                 himself
                 .
              
               
                 Thus
                 you
                 see
                 there
                 are
                 several
                 wayes
                 of
                 discovering
                 the
                 sins
                 of
                 the
                 wicked
                 and
                 ungodly
                 at
                 the
                 day
                 of
                 judgement
                 ,
                 even
                 to
                 the
                 view
                 of
                 all
                 .
              
               
                 Now
                 I
                 know
                 no
                 better
                 way
                 to
                 prevent
                 the
                 discovery
                 of
                 your
                 sins
                 at
                 that
                 great
                 day
                 ,
                 than
                 here
                 in
                 this
                 time
                 and
                 day
                 of
                 grace
                 to
                 call
                 your selves
                 to
                 an
                 account
                 ,
                 to
                 search
                 and
                 examine
                 your
                 own
                 hearts
                 and
                 lives
                 ,
                 and
                 th●n
                 to
                 judge
                 and
                 condemn
                 your selves
                 for
                 your
                 manifold
                 sins
                 and
                 transgressions
                 ;
                 for
                 as
                 the
                 Apostle
                 speaketh
                 ,
                 
                 
                   If
                   we
                   judge
                   our selves
                   ,
                   we
                   shall
                   not
                   be
                   condemned
                   of
                   the
                   Lord.
                
                 Oh
                 therefore
                 let
                 us
                 here
                 often
                 keep
                 a
                 day
                 of
                 judgement
                 in
                 our
                 own
                 souls
                 and
                 consciences
                 ,
                 by
                 a
                 serious
                 examining
                 of
                 our selves
                 concerning
                 our
                 sins
                 ,
                 and
                 judging
                 and
                 condemning
                 our selves
                 for
                 the
                 same
                 :
                 and
                 then
                 let
                 us
                 in
                 all
                 humility
                 prostrate
                 our selves
                 at
                 the
                 Throne
                 of
                 grace
                 ,
                 pleading
                 the
                 mercy
                 of
                 God
                 and
                 merits
                 of
                 Christ
                 for
                 the
                 pardon
                 and
                 forgiveness
                 of
                 them
                 all
                 ;
                 giving
                 no
                 rest
                 to
                 our
                 souls
                 ,
                 till
                 we
                 have
                 some
                 comfortable
                 evidence
                 and
                 assurance
                 thereof
                 ,
                 which
                 will
                 cause
                 us
                 to
                 lift
                 up
                 our
                 heads
                 with
                 joy
                 at
                 the
                 great
                 day
                 of
                 account
                 .
              
               
               
                 VI.
                 
                   After
                   conviction
                   and
                   manifestation
                   of
                   all
                   their
                   sinfull
                   actions
                   ,
                   follows
                   the
                   sentence
                   of
                   condemnation
                
                 ;
                 and
                 what
                 it
                 is
                 ,
                 our
                 Saviour
                 himself
                 hath
                 shewed
                 ,
                 Matth
                 :
                 25.41
                 .
                 
                   Depart
                   from
                   me
                   ye
                   cursed
                   into
                   everlasting
                   fire
                   ,
                   prepared
                   for
                   the
                   Devil
                   and
                   his
                   Angels
                   .
                
                 O
                 dreadful
                 sentence
                 !
                 every
                 word
                 whereof
                 carryeth
                 much
                 terrour
                 in
                 it
                 ,
                 and
                 breatheth
                 nothing
                 but
                 woe
                 and
                 misery
                 ,
                 yea
                 fire
                 and
                 brimstone
                 .
                 So
                 terrible
                 is
                 this
                 sentence
                 that
                 the
                 first
                 hearing
                 thereof
                 will
                 make
                 all
                 ears
                 to
                 glow
                 and
                 tingle
                 .
              
               
                 
                   Depart
                   from
                   me
                
                 ]
                 that
                 is
                 ,
                 from
                 
                   Iesus
                   Christ
                
                 ,
                 the
                 fountain
                 of
                 bliss
                 and
                 happiness
                 .
                 This
                 the
                 wicked
                 make
                 light
                 of
                 at
                 present
                 :
                 for
                 taking
                 more
                 delight
                 in
                 their
                 sinful
                 lusts
                 and
                 pleasures
                 than
                 in
                 Christs
                 presence
                 ,
                 they
                 are
                 willing
                 to
                 depart
                 from
                 him
                 .
                 Whereas
                 in
                 truth
                 it
                 is
                 a
                 most
                 grievous
                 misery
                 ;
                 for
                 ,
                 as
                 the
                 Psalmist
                 speaketh
                 ,
                 
                   in
                   his
                   presence
                   there
                   is
                   fulness
                   of
                   joy
                   ,
                
                 
                 
                   and
                   pleasures
                   for
                   evermore
                
                 .
                 So
                 to
                 be
                 cast
                 out
                 of
                 his
                 presence
                 ,
                 is
                 to
                 be
                 cast
                 away
                 from
                 the
                 fountain
                 of
                 all
                 joy
                 and
                 pleasure
                 ,
                 yea
                 from
                 glory
                 and
                 Salvation
                 :
                 for
                 if
                 from
                 Christ
                 ,
                 then
                 from
                 all
                 that
                 is
                 his
                 ,
                 even
                 his
                 glory
                 and
                 salvation
                 .
              
               
                 Ah
                 sinner
                 ,
                 What
                 a
                 terrour
                 ,
                 what
                 a
                 torment
                 will
                 this
                 be
                 unto
                 thee
                 at
                 that
                 great
                 day
                 ?
                 This
                 will
                 be
                 a
                 great
                 part
                 of
                 thy
                 torment
                 ,
                 that
                 thou
                 shalt
                 be
                 excluded
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 from
                 Christ
                 and
                 his
                 glory
                 ,
                 when
                 others
                 shall
                 be
                 admitted
                 ;
                 as
                 our
                 Saviour
                 speaketh
                 ,
                 
                   There
                   shall
                   be
                   weeping
                   and
                   gnashing
                   of
                   teeth
                   ,
                
                 
                 
                   when
                   ye
                   shall
                   see
                
                 Abraham
                 ,
                 and
                 Isaac
                 ,
                 and
                 Jacob
                 ,
                 
                   and
                   all
                   the
                   Prophets
                   in
                   the
                   Kingdom
                   of
                   God
                   ,
                   and
                   you
                   your selves
                   thrust
                   out
                   .
                
                 Oh
                 the
                 fears
                 and
                 distractions
                 !
                 the
                 horrour
                 and
                 confusion
                 !
                 the
                 tearing
                 of
                 hair
                 ,
                 and
                 gnashing
                 of
                 teeth
                 !
                 the
                 wringing
                 of
                 hands
                 and
                 dashing
                 of
                 knees
                 !
                 that
                 these
                 words
                 will
                 produce
                 ,
                 
                   Depart
                   from
                   me
                
                 .
                 Oh
                 that
                 sinners
                 would
                 lay
                 this
                 to
                 heart
                 !
                 You
                 that
                 now
                 bid
                 God
                 depart
                 from
                 you
                 ,
                 you
                 will
                 have
                 none
                 of
                 his
                 knowledge
                 ,
                 none
                 of
                 his
                 commands
                 :
                 God
                 will
                 requite
                 you
                 in
                 your
                 own
                 kind
                 ,
                 he
                 will
                 then
                 command
                 you
                 
                   to
                   depart
                   from
                   him
                
                 .
              
               
                 
                   Ye
                   cursed
                
                 .
                 ]
                 To
                 depart
                 from
                 Christ
                 were
                 hell
                 enough
                 ,
                 
                 but
                 thou
                 must
                 also
                 go
                 with
                 a
                 curse
                 ,
                 even
                 a
                 curse
                 that
                 comprehends
                 all
                 woes
                 and
                 miseries
                 under
                 it
                 .
                 This
                 curse
                 will
                 be
                 a
                 thousand
                 times
                 more
                 grievous
                 than
                 the
                 
                   cursed
                   and
                   bitter
                   water
                   was
                   to
                   the
                   defiled
                   woman
                   ,
                
                 
                 
                   which
                   caused
                   her
                   belly
                   to
                   swell
                   ,
                   her
                   thigh
                   to
                   rot
                   ,
                   and
                   made
                   her
                   accursed
                   among
                   her
                   people
                   .
                
                 For
                 upon
                 the
                 pronouncing
                 of
                 this
                 curse
                 ,
                 not
                 only
                 the
                 belly
                 and
                 thigh
                 ,
                 but
                 likewise
                 head
                 and
                 heart
                 ,
                 yea
                 body
                 and
                 soul
                 of
                 the
                 wicked
                 shall
                 be
                 filled
                 with
                 rottenness
                 and
                 bitterness
                 ,
                 and
                 become
                 accursed
                 before
                 God
                 ,
                 men
                 and
                 Angels
                 .
                 Now
                 thou
                 cursest
                 every
                 one
                 that
                 stands
                 in
                 the
                 way
                 of
                 thy
                 lusts
                 ;
                 and
                 that
                 crosseth
                 thee
                 in
                 thy
                 designs
                 .
                 But
                 at
                 the
                 great
                 and
                 last
                 day
                 all
                 the
                 curses
                 of
                 Heaven
                 and
                 Hell
                 shall
                 meet
                 in
                 thee
                 ,
                 so
                 that
                 thou
                 shalt
                 be
                 cursed
                 with
                 a
                 witness
                 .
                 And
                 truly
                 to
                 be
                 under
                 Gods
                 curse
                 is
                 the
                 quintessence
                 of
                 misery
                 .
              
               
                 
                   Into
                   everlasting
                   fire
                
                 .
                 ]
                 What!
                 into
                 fire
                 ,
                 and
                 into
                 everlasting
                 fire
                 ?
                 Ah
                 wretches
                 !
                 cursed
                 indeed
                 .
                 For
                 as
                 the
                 Prophet
                 Isaiah
                 speaketh
                 ,
                 
                 
                   who
                   can
                   dwell
                   with
                   devouring
                   fire
                   ?
                   who
                   can
                   dwell
                   with
                   everlasting
                   burnings
                   ?
                
                 which
                 shall
                 not
                 be
                 quenched
                 night
                 nor
                 day
                 ,
                 but
                 fed
                 continually
                 with
                 Rivers
                 of
                 brimstone
                 ,
                 and
                 kept
                 still
                 in
                 flame
                 and
                 fierceness
                 by
                 the
                 unquencheable
                 wrath
                 of
                 the
                 just
                 God
                 to
                 all
                 Eternity
                 .
                 The
                 torment
                 of
                 the
                 wicked
                 in
                 hell
                 will
                 be
                 ,
                 as
                 without
                 any
                 intermission
                 ,
                 so
                 without
                 any
                 end
                 .
                 After
                 they
                 have
                 there
                 been
                 tormented
                 hundreds
                 ,
                 thousands
                 ,
                 millions
                 of
                 dayes
                 ,
                 years
                 and
                 ages
                 ,
                 their
                 torments
                 will
                 be
                 as
                 far
                 from
                 ending
                 ,
                 as
                 if
                 they
                 were
                 then
                 beginning
                 .
                 And
                 is
                 not
                 this
                 misery
                 enough
                 ?
                 to
                 lye
                 in
                 fire
                 ?
                 
                   in
                   everlasting
                   burnings
                
                 ?
                 this
                 is
                 even
                 beyond
                 the
                 expression
                 of
                 men
                 or
                 Angels
                 .
                 If
                 a
                 man
                 knew
                 he
                 must
                 lye
                 in
                 a
                 flaming
                 fire
                 but
                 one
                 day
                 or
                 hour
                 ,
                 Oh
                 what
                 fear
                 and
                 horror
                 would
                 possess
                 his
                 soul
                 ?
                 But
                 what
                 is
                 a
                 day
                 ,
                 or
                 an
                 hour
                 ,
                 or
                 an
                 age
                 ,
                 to
                 eternity
                 ?
                 Oh
                 then
                 what
                 stupidity
                 and
                 senselesness
                 hath
                 possessed
                 the
                 hearts
                 of
                 sinful
                 men
                 ,
                 who
                 by
                 all
                 this
                 are
                 not
                 frighted
                 from
                 their
                 sins
                 ?
                 The
                 fear
                 of
                 
                 Nebuchadnezzar's
                 fiery
                 Furnace
                 made
                 men
                 do
                 any
                 thing
                 to
                 avoid
                 it
                 .
                 And
                 shall
                 not
                 the
                 fear
                 of
                 
                   everlasting
                   
                   fire
                   in
                   hell
                
                 ,
                 make
                 men
                 do
                 any
                 thing
                 to
                 escape
                 it
                 ?
                 this
                 methinks
                 should
                 awaken
                 them
                 ,
                 and
                 cause
                 them
                 not
                 only
                 to
                 humble
                 themselves
                 for
                 their
                 sins
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 beg
                 the
                 pardon
                 of
                 them
                 :
                 but
                 also
                 to
                 cast
                 away
                 their
                 transgressions
                 ,
                 to
                 strive
                 against
                 them
                 ,
                 watch
                 against
                 them
                 ,
                 pray
                 against
                 them
                 ,
                 begging
                 power
                 and
                 strength
                 from
                 Christ
                 ,
                 to
                 keep
                 down
                 the
                 power
                 of
                 their
                 lusts
                 ,
                 that
                 hurry
                 them
                 on
                 in
                 their
                 sinfull
                 wayes
                 .
                 It
                 is
                 one
                 of
                 the
                 wonders
                 of
                 the
                 world
                 ,
                 how
                 men
                 who
                 do
                 believe
                 the
                 word
                 of
                 Christ
                 to
                 be
                 true
                 ,
                 that
                 
                   the
                   wicked
                   shall
                   go
                   into
                   everlasting
                   fire
                   ,
                
                 can
                 wittingly
                 and
                 wilfully
                 adventure
                 upon
                 sinfull
                 wayes
                 ,
                 the
                 end
                 whereof
                 they
                 know
                 will
                 be
                 so
                 dreadful
                 and
                 astonishing
                 .
              
               
                 
                   Prepared
                   for
                   the
                   Devil
                   and
                   his
                   Angels
                
                 ]
                 That
                 is
                 ,
                 you
                 shall
                 not
                 only
                 be
                 cast
                 into
                 a
                 lake
                 of
                 fire
                 and
                 brimstone
                 ,
                 but
                 you
                 shall
                 there
                 dwell
                 with
                 those
                 hellish
                 Fiends
                 ,
                 the
                 Devil
                 and
                 his
                 Angels
                 ,
                 who
                 are
                 the
                 best
                 company
                 you
                 are
                 like
                 to
                 have
                 .
                 Sad
                 company
                 for
                 distressed
                 souls
                 !
                 and
                 yet
                 in
                 that
                 dismal
                 dungeon
                 ,
                 you
                 shall
                 have
                 no
                 better
                 company
                 ,
                 or
                 comforters
                 :
                 who
                 will
                 be
                 continually
                 insulting
                 over
                 you
                 with
                 hellish
                 exprobrations
                 for
                 neglecting
                 so
                 great
                 salvation
                 offered
                 unto
                 you
                 time
                 after
                 time
                 ;
                 and
                 being
                 so
                 foolish
                 as
                 to
                 loose
                 the
                 joys
                 and
                 pleasures
                 of
                 Heaven
                 which
                 last
                 to
                 all
                 Eternity
                 ,
                 for
                 the
                 enjoyment
                 of
                 some
                 base
                 lust
                 ,
                 which
                 lasted
                 but
                 for
                 a
                 season
                 .
              
               
                 It
                 was
                 a
                 dreadful
                 punishment
                 which
                 was
                 executed
                 upon
                 Nebuchadnezzar
                 ,
                 when
                 he
                 was
                 cast
                 out
                 of
                 the
                 society
                 of
                 men
                 ,
                 
                 and
                 turned
                 a
                 grasing
                 with
                 the
                 beasts
                 of
                 the
                 field
                 .
                 But
                 what
                 was
                 that
                 in
                 comparison
                 of
                 this
                 ?
                 to
                 be
                 cast
                 out
                 of
                 the
                 presence
                 of
                 Christ
                 ,
                 and
                 society
                 of
                 Saints
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 have
                 only
                 the
                 company
                 of
                 the
                 Devils
                 ,
                 and
                 damned
                 in
                 hell
                 ?
              
               
                 We
                 read
                 in
                 the
                 Gospel
                 of
                 a
                 Woman
                 who
                 came
                 unto
                 Christ
                 ,
                 
                 and
                 said
                 unto
                 him
                 ,
                 
                   Have
                   mercy
                   on
                   me
                   O
                   Lord
                   ,
                   for
                   my
                   daughter
                   is
                   grievously
                   vexed
                   with
                   a
                   Devil
                   .
                
                 Now
                 if
                 it
                 were
                 such
                 a
                 grievous
                 misery
                 to
                 be
                 vexed
                 
                   with
                   one
                   Devil
                
                 ;
                 what
                 is
                 it
                 to
                 be
                 vexed
                 and
                 tormented
                 
                   with
                   all
                   the
                   Legions
                   of
                   Devils
                   in
                   Hell
                   ?
                
              
               
               
                 Oh
                 what
                 terrour
                 and
                 trembling
                 ,
                 what
                 horrour
                 and
                 amazement
                 will
                 seize
                 on
                 their
                 souls
                 that
                 have
                 received
                 this
                 dreadful
                 sentence
                 ?
                 When
                 King
                 Belshazzar
                 saw
                 his
                 sentence
                 written
                 upon
                 the
                 wall
                 ,
                 though
                 he
                 could
                 not
                 read
                 it
                 ,
                 
                 it
                 is
                 said
                 ,
                 
                   his
                   countenance
                   was
                   changed
                   ,
                   his
                   thoughts
                   troubled
                   him
                   ,
                   so
                   that
                   the
                   joynts
                   of
                   his
                   Loyns
                   were
                   loosed
                   ,
                   and
                   his
                   knees
                   smote
                   one
                   against
                   another
                   .
                
                 How
                 much
                 more
                 shall
                 the
                 wicked
                 tremble
                 and
                 quake
                 ,
                 and
                 their
                 knees
                 smite
                 one
                 against
                 another
                 for
                 fear
                 ,
                 at
                 the
                 great
                 day
                 ,
                 when
                 they
                 shall
                 hear
                 the
                 sentence
                 of
                 condemnation
                 pronounced
                 by
                 Jesus
                 Christ
                 ?
                 How
                 will
                 they
                 then
                 run
                 like
                 men
                 distracted
                 to
                 the
                 Mountains
                 and
                 Hills
                 for
                 covert
                 and
                 shelter
                 ?
                 How
                 will
                 they
                 then
                 beg
                 and
                 yell
                 again
                 for
                 mercy
                 to
                 a
                 judge
                 that
                 is
                 justly
                 inexorable
                 ?
                 I
                 say
                 ,
                 justly
                 inexorable
                 to
                 them
                 ,
                 having
                 scornfully
                 rejected
                 his
                 many
                 loving
                 invitations
                 ,
                 and
                 earnest
                 beseechings
                 by
                 his
                 Ministers
                 ,
                 to
                 accept
                 of
                 that
                 peace
                 and
                 reconciliation
                 which
                 he
                 hath
                 purchased
                 by
                 his
                 blood
                 .
                 Oh
                 that
                 men
                 would
                 consider
                 ,
                 that
                 one
                 tear
                 or
                 sigh
                 of
                 a
                 penitent
                 heart
                 will
                 now
                 more
                 prevail
                 for
                 attainment
                 of
                 mercy
                 ,
                 than
                 all
                 their
                 bitter
                 and
                 importunate
                 yellings
                 in
                 that
                 day
                 of
                 Gods
                 wrath
                 !
              
               
                 VII
                 .
                 
                   After
                   the
                   promulgation
                   of
                   the
                   sentence
                   ,
                   followeth
                   the
                   execution
                   ,
                   and
                   sending
                   of
                   the
                   persons
                   judged
                   to
                   their
                   everlasting
                   estate
                
                 ;
                 
                 as
                 it
                 is
                 written
                 ,
                 
                   And
                   these
                   shall
                   go
                   away
                   into
                   everlasting
                   punishment
                   :
                
                 So
                 that
                 now
                 comes
                 the
                 eternal
                 separation
                 from
                 Christ
                 ,
                 and
                 possession
                 of
                 those
                 torments
                 ,
                 which
                 are
                 easeless
                 and
                 endless
                 .
                 For
                 then
                 shall
                 they
                 be
                 hurried
                 by
                 the
                 Devils
                 as
                 their
                 Iaylors
                 out
                 of
                 Christs
                 presence
                 ,
                 and
                 dragged
                 into
                 the
                 bottomless
                 lake
                 of
                 outer-darkness
                 ,
                 that
                 perpetually
                 burneth
                 with
                 fire
                 and
                 brimstone
                 .
                 Oh
                 the
                 hellish
                 cryes
                 and
                 horrible
                 shrieks
                 that
                 then
                 will
                 be
                 heard
                 !
                 no
                 heart
                 can
                 conceive
                 or
                 imagine
                 what
                 an
                 hideous
                 cry
                 it
                 will
                 be
                 .
                 When
                 the
                 inhabitants
                 of
                 Sodom
                 and
                 Gomorrah
                 felt
                 the
                 fire
                 and
                 brimstone
                 falling
                 from
                 Heaven
                 upon
                 their
                 heads
                 .
                 And
                 when
                 the
                 earth
                 opened
                 her
                 mouth
                 to
                 swallow
                 up
                 Corah
                 and
                 his
                 company
                 ,
                 
                 and
                 they
                 saw
                 themselves
                 going
                 down
                 quick
                 into
                 the
                 pit
                 :
                 Oh
                 the
                 cryes
                 which
                 were
                 then
                 heard
                 ?
                 Oh
                 the
                 shrieks
                 which
                 then
                 filled
                 the
                 air
                 ?
                 But
                 alas
                 what
                 were
                 these
                 to
                 the
                 outcryes
                 which
                 will
                 be
                 made
                 ?
                 and
                 to
                 the
                 scrieches
                 which
                 will
                 be
                 heard
                 ?
                 when
                 the
                 Devils
                 and
                 reprobate
                 men
                 and
                 women
                 shall
                 be
                 violently
                 driven
                 into
                 Hell
                 ,
                 never
                 ,
                 never
                 to
                 return
                 again
                 .
                 For
                 though
                 they
                 houl
                 and
                 cry
                 to
                 the
                 judge
                 for
                 mercy
                 and
                 redemption
                 ;
                 pitty
                 and
                 compassion
                 ;
                 yet
                 will
                 they
                 find
                 no
                 answer
                 ,
                 but
                 
                   too
                   late
                   ,
                   too
                   late
                
                 .
                 Mercy
                 ,
                 and
                 pardon
                 and
                 peace
                 have
                 been
                 preached
                 to
                 thee
                 ,
                 but
                 thou
                 wouldst
                 not
                 hearken
                 ,
                 thou
                 wouldst
                 not
                 accept
                 .
                 Thy
                 day
                 is
                 over
                 ,
                 the
                 things
                 of
                 thy
                 peace
                 are
                 hid
                 from
                 thine
                 eyes
                 :
                 henceforth
                 no
                 more
                 for
                 ever
                 .
              
               
                 Ah
                 sinner
                 ,
                 hadst
                 thou
                 now
                 an
                 heart
                 to
                 turn
                 from
                 thy
                 sins
                 unto
                 God
                 by
                 true
                 and
                 unfaigned
                 repentance
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 pray
                 unto
                 him
                 for
                 mercy
                 in
                 and
                 through
                 the
                 merits
                 of
                 Jesus
                 Christ
                 ,
                 there
                 were
                 hope
                 of
                 mercy
                 .
                 But
                 at
                 the
                 day
                 of
                 judgement
                 thy
                 repentance
                 and
                 thy
                 prayers
                 will
                 nothing
                 avail
                 :
                 The
                 judge
                 will
                 not
                 then
                 be
                 intreated
                 by
                 thee
                 ;
                 and
                 no
                 marvel
                 ,
                 seeing
                 thou
                 wouldst
                 not
                 hearken
                 to
                 him
                 in
                 the
                 day
                 of
                 his
                 merciful
                 visitation
                 .
                 But
                 though
                 he
                 sent
                 unto
                 thee
                 messenger
                 after
                 Messenger
                 ,
                 Ambassadour
                 after
                 Ambassadour
                 to
                 woe
                 and
                 beseech
                 thee
                 to
                 abandon
                 thy
                 sins
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 accept
                 of
                 him
                 for
                 thy
                 Lord
                 and
                 Saviour
                 ;
                 yet
                 wouldst
                 thou
                 not
                 leave
                 one
                 beloved
                 sin
                 ,
                 nor
                 deny
                 one
                 fleshly
                 lust
                 for
                 all
                 his
                 intreaties
                 .
                 And
                 therefore
                 on
                 that
                 day
                 will
                 he
                 not
                 be
                 intreated
                 by
                 thee
                 ,
                 notwithstanding
                 thy
                 manifold
                 cryes
                 and
                 prayers
                 .
                 If
                 thou
                 wilt
                 not
                 believe
                 me
                 ,
                 hear
                 Christs
                 own
                 words
                 to
                 this
                 purpose
                 ,
                 
                   Because
                   I
                   have
                   called
                
                 ,
                 
                 
                   and
                   ye
                   refused
                   ,
                   I
                   have
                   stretched
                   out
                   my
                   hand
                   ,
                   and
                   no
                   man
                   regarded
                   .
                   But
                   y
                   e
                   have
                   set
                   at
                   nought
                   all
                   my
                   counsel
                   ,
                   and
                   would
                   none
                   of
                   my
                   reproof
                   :
                   I
                   will
                   also
                   laugh
                   at
                   your
                   calamity
                   ,
                   I
                   will
                   mock
                   when
                   your
                   fear
                   cometh
                   as
                   desolation
                   ,
                   and
                   your
                   destruction
                   as
                   a
                   whirlwind
                   ,
                   when
                   distress
                   and
                   anguish
                   cometh
                   upon
                   you
                   :
                   then
                   shall
                   they
                   call
                   upon
                   me
                   ,
                   but
                   I
                   will
                   not
                   answer
                   :
                
                 they
                 shall
                 
                   seek
                   me
                   early
                   ,
                   but
                   they
                   shall
                   not
                   find
                   me
                   .
                
                 
                 Ah
                 sinner
                 ,
                 time
                 was
                 when
                 he
                 called
                 to
                 thee
                 ,
                 
                   turn
                   from
                   thy
                   sins
                   ,
                   cast
                   away
                   thy
                   transgressions
                   ,
                   accept
                   of
                   grace
                   ,
                   submit
                   to
                   mercy
                   ,
                   be
                   wise
                   ,
                   be
                   happy
                   ,
                   thou
                   maist
                   if
                   thou
                   wilt
                
                 ;
                 but
                 thou
                 wouldst
                 not
                 ,
                 but
                 hast
                 sold
                 thy
                 mercy
                 and
                 thy
                 peace
                 ,
                 and
                 thy
                 Saviour
                 ,
                 and
                 thy
                 soul
                 for
                 thy
                 lusts
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 pleasures
                 of
                 sin
                 .
                 And
                 therefore
                 though
                 in
                 thy
                 greatest
                 extremity
                 thou
                 cry
                 unto
                 him
                 for
                 mercy
                 ,
                 he
                 will
                 tell
                 thee
                 ,
                 that
                 
                   thy
                   day
                   of
                   mercy
                
                 is
                 past
                 and
                 gone
                 ,
                 and
                 
                   the
                   day
                   of
                   vengeance
                
                 is
                 come
                 ;
                 wherein
                 he
                 will
                 no
                 longer
                 entreat
                 ,
                 nor
                 no
                 more
                 be
                 entreated
                 .
              
               
                 Ah
                 sinner
                 ,
                 how
                 will
                 it
                 then
                 wound
                 thy
                 very
                 soul
                 to
                 remember
                 thy
                 folly
                 in
                 neglecting
                 thy
                 season
                 ,
                 and
                 refusing
                 so
                 great
                 salvation
                 ?
                 How
                 will
                 it
                 make
                 thee
                 with
                 anguish
                 of
                 heart
                 to
                 cry
                 out
                 ,
                 
                   Ah
                   silly
                   wretch
                   ,
                   where
                   was
                   thine
                   understanding
                   ,
                   to
                   sleight
                   such
                   gracious
                   invitations
                   ?
                   to
                   preferr
                   every
                   base
                   lust
                   before
                   the
                   Lord
                   of
                   life
                   ?
                   to
                   turn
                   aside
                   from
                   him
                   that
                   spake
                   unto
                   thee
                   from
                   Heaven
                   ,
                   and
                   to
                   turn
                   after
                   thy
                   companions
                   ,
                   and
                   the
                   pleasures
                   of
                   this
                   earth
                   ?
                   to
                   put
                   off
                   the
                   turning
                   from
                   thy
                   sins
                   ,
                   and
                   making
                   thy
                   peace
                   with
                   God
                   till
                   it
                   was
                   too
                   late
                   ?
                   Oh
                   now
                   would
                   I
                   give
                   a
                   World
                   ,
                   if
                   I
                   had
                   it
                   ,
                   for
                   one
                   offer
                   of
                   Christ
                   more
                   ,
                   for
                   one
                   Sabbath
                   more
                   to
                   make
                   my
                   peace
                   with
                   God
                   ,
                   and
                   to
                   make
                   sure
                   of
                   Christ
                   ,
                   but
                   alas
                   it
                   is
                   now
                   too
                   late
                   .
                
              
               
                 Oh
                 the
                 fears
                 and
                 distractions
                 ,
                 the
                 tearing
                 of
                 the
                 hair
                 ,
                 and
                 wringing
                 of
                 the
                 hands
                 ,
                 the
                 gnashing
                 of
                 teeth
                 ,
                 and
                 dashing
                 of
                 knees
                 :
                 the
                 weeping
                 and
                 wailing
                 ,
                 the
                 crying
                 and
                 roaring
                 that
                 this
                 will
                 produce
                 !
                 especially
                 when
                 thou
                 shalt
                 consider
                 ,
                 how
                 God
                 every
                 Sabbath
                 called
                 upon
                 thee
                 by
                 his
                 Ministers
                 to
                 turn
                 from
                 thy
                 sins
                 unto
                 him
                 :
                 but
                 thine
                 ear
                 and
                 thine
                 heart
                 were
                 shut
                 against
                 him
                 .
                 And
                 how
                 Jesus
                 Christ
                 was
                 offered
                 and
                 tendred
                 to
                 thee
                 only
                 upon
                 these
                 terms
                 ,
                 that
                 thou
                 wouldst
                 cast
                 away
                 thy
                 sins
                 ,
                 and
                 cast
                 thy self
                 into
                 his
                 arms
                 ,
                 and
                 yet
                 thou
                 wouldst
                 not
                 go
                 unto
                 him
                 ,
                 but
                 refusedst
                 ,
                 and
                 rejectedst
                 him
                 and
                 his
                 grace
                 .
                 This
                 sad
                 reflection
                 of
                 thy
                 soul
                 upon
                 its
                 own
                 wilful
                 folly
                 in
                 neglecting
                 and
                 outstanding
                 thy
                 day
                 ,
                 will
                 be
                 
                 the
                 everlasting
                 worm
                 that
                 will
                 gnaw
                 on
                 thy
                 heart
                 ,
                 World
                 without
                 end
                 .
              
               
                 Oh
                 the
                 folly
                 and
                 madness
                 of
                 all
                 wicked
                 men
                 who
                 go
                 on
                 securely
                 and
                 impenitently
                 in
                 their
                 sins
                 ,
                 till
                 they
                 drop
                 into
                 hell-fire
                 !
                 Is
                 this
                 thy
                 Wisdom
                 to
                 sin
                 awhile
                 ,
                 and
                 burn
                 
                   for
                   ever
                
                 ?
                 to
                 laugh
                 a
                 while
                 ,
                 and
                 howle
                 for
                 ever
                 ?
                 for
                 a
                 little
                 momentary
                 pleasure
                 here
                 ,
                 to
                 suffer
                 the
                 vengeance
                 of
                 eternal
                 fire
                 ?
              
               
                 Ah
                 sinner
                 ,
                 that
                 thou
                 wouldst
                 now
                 forethink
                 of
                 this
                 dreadful
                 time
                 ,
                 and
                 woful
                 misery
                 ,
                 which
                 hangs
                 over
                 thine
                 head
                 !
                 that
                 when
                 thou
                 art
                 alone
                 ,
                 thou
                 wouldst
                 seriously
                 consider
                 with
                 thy self
                 as
                 the
                 certainty
                 and
                 dreadfulness
                 of
                 this
                 day
                 ,
                 so
                 what
                 thy
                 condition
                 is
                 like
                 to
                 be
                 ▪
                 that
                 thou
                 mightest
                 thereby
                 be
                 stirred
                 up
                 to
                 make
                 out
                 after
                 Christ
                 ,
                 by
                 whom
                 thou
                 maist
                 escape
                 the
                 wrath
                 to
                 come
                 .
                 Now
                 whilest
                 Christ
                 is
                 Preached
                 to
                 thee
                 in
                 the
                 Ministry
                 of
                 the
                 Gospel
                 ,
                 mercy
                 and
                 salvation
                 is
                 offered
                 ,
                 and
                 now
                 if
                 ever
                 is
                 the
                 time
                 to
                 accept
                 it
                 .
                 Oh
                 therefore
                 that
                 now
                 ,
                 even
                 now
                 in
                 this
                 thy
                 time
                 and
                 day
                 of
                 grace
                 ,
                 thou
                 wouldst
                 know
                 the
                 things
                 that
                 belong
                 to
                 thy
                 peace
                 ;
                 that
                 thou
                 wouldst
                 now
                 resolve
                 for
                 Christ
                 ,
                 resolve
                 for
                 holiness
                 :
                 and
                 henceforth
                 bid
                 adieu
                 to
                 all
                 thy
                 vain
                 and
                 sensual
                 wayes
                 which
                 are
                 hastily
                 carrying
                 thee
                 down
                 to
                 that
                 place
                 of
                 darkness
                 ,
                 from
                 whence
                 there
                 is
                 no
                 redemption
                 .
              
            
             
               
               
                 CHAP.
                 XI
                 .
                 Shewing
                 the
                 miserable
                 and
                 dreadfull
                 condition
                 of
                 the
                 Vnregenereate
                 after
                 the
                 day
                 of
                 Iudgement
                 .
              
               
                 HAving
                 shewed
                 you
                 the
                 miserable
                 estate
                 of
                 the
                 unregenerate
                 at
                 the
                 day
                 of
                 Judgement
                 .
                 I
                 shall
                 proceed
                 to
                 shew
                 you
                 ,
                 
                   their
                   dreadfull
                   estate
                   after
                   the
                   day
                   of
                   Iudgement
                   :
                
                 Which
                 in
                 general
                 is
                 
                   most
                   cursed
                
                 ,
                 and
                 therefore
                 saith
                 our
                 Saviour
                 unto
                 them
                 ,
              
               
                 
                 
                   Depart
                   from
                   me
                   ye
                   cursed
                
                 .
                 That
                 cursed
                 estate
                 is
                 manifest
                 ,
                 
                   
                     1.
                     
                     
                       By
                       privation
                       of
                       all
                       felicity
                    
                     .
                  
                   
                     2.
                     
                     
                       By
                       subjection
                       to
                       all
                       misery
                    
                     .
                     Which
                     misery
                     is
                     set
                     out
                     ;
                     
                       
                         1.
                         
                         
                           By
                           sundry
                           resemblances
                        
                         .
                      
                       
                         2.
                         
                         
                           By
                           the
                           place
                           where
                           they
                           abide
                           .
                        
                      
                       
                         3.
                         
                         
                           By
                           the
                           perpetuity
                           thereof
                        
                         .
                      
                    
                  
                
              
               
                 Of
                 these
                 in
                 their
                 order
                 ,
              
               
                 I.
                 The
                 miserable
                 and
                 cursed
                 estate
                 of
                 the
                 unregenerate
                 consists
                 in
                 
                   their
                   privation
                   of
                   all
                   that
                   happiness
                   which
                   believers
                   do
                   enjoy
                   in
                   the
                   presence
                   of
                   God
                   ,
                
                 
                 
                   in
                   whose
                   presence
                   there
                   is
                   fulness
                   of
                   joy
                   ,
                   and
                   at
                   whose
                   right
                   hand
                   there
                   are
                   pleasures
                   for
                   evermore
                   .
                
                 Were
                 there
                 no
                 positive
                 sensible
                 misery
                 ,
                 this
                 privation
                 of
                 Gods
                 presence
                 were
                 enough
                 ,
                 (
                 if
                 they
                 understood
                 it
                 )
                 to
                 make
                 the
                 damneds
                 future
                 estate
                 most
                 accursed
                 ,
                 to
                 make
                 Hell
                 to
                 be
                 Hell
                 without
                 any
                 other
                 fire
                 .
                 For
                 as
                 fulness
                 of
                 joy
                 and
                 pleasure
                 is
                 had
                 by
                 the
                 enjoying
                 of
                 Gods
                 presence
                 ;
                 so
                 fulness
                 of
                 grief
                 and
                 sorrow
                 doth
                 possess
                 the
                 hearts
                 of
                 all
                 those
                 who
                 are
                 deprived
                 thereof
                 .
                 Couldst
                 thou
                 but
                 for
                 one
                 moment
                 be
                 wrapt
                 up
                 into
                 Heaven
                 ,
                 and
                 see
                 a
                 glimpse
                 of
                 that
                 infinite
                 glory
                 
                 which
                 God
                 hath
                 prepared
                 for
                 all
                 that
                 love
                 and
                 fear
                 him
                 ,
                 thou
                 wouldst
                 soon
                 acknowledge
                 as
                 much
                 .
              
               
                 Now
                 ,
                 I
                 know
                 ,
                 thou
                 art
                 little
                 affected
                 with
                 the
                 apprehension
                 of
                 loosing
                 Gods
                 presence
                 ,
                 and
                 all
                 the
                 happiness
                 the
                 godly
                 do
                 enjoy
                 in
                 Heaven
                 .
                 But
                 then
                 thine
                 understanding
                 will
                 be
                 more
                 cleared
                 ,
                 and
                 thine
                 apprehension
                 more
                 enlarged
                 to
                 conceive
                 so
                 much
                 of
                 the
                 glory
                 of
                 that
                 happiness
                 which
                 thou
                 hast
                 lost
                 ,
                 as
                 will
                 exceedingly
                 increase
                 and
                 aggravate
                 thy
                 misery
                 and
                 torment
                 :
                 especially
                 when
                 thou
                 shalt
                 call
                 to
                 mind
                 the
                 fair
                 opportunity
                 which
                 once
                 thou
                 hadst
                 of
                 obtaining
                 that
                 heavenly
                 happiness
                 :
                 and
                 on
                 what
                 easie
                 terms
                 it
                 was
                 tendred
                 to
                 thee
                 ,
                 only
                 upon
                 the
                 abandoning
                 thy
                 lusts
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 accepting
                 of
                 Christ
                 for
                 thy
                 Lord
                 and
                 Saviour
                 ,
                 and
                 thy
                 submitting
                 to
                 his
                 gracious
                 government
                 ,
                 walking
                 in
                 the
                 wayes
                 of
                 holiness
                 and
                 righteousness
                 .
              
               
                 It
                 is
                 said
                 of
                 Enoch
                 ,
                 
                 that
                 he
                 
                   walked
                   with
                   God
                
                 ,
                 and
                 it
                 is
                 immediately
                 added
                 ,
                 
                   that
                   he
                   was
                   no
                   more
                   seen
                   ,
                   for
                   God
                   took
                   him
                   into
                   his
                   presence
                   .
                
                 If
                 thou
                 in
                 like
                 manner
                 wilt
                 walk
                 before
                 God
                 in
                 the
                 wayes
                 of
                 holiness
                 and
                 righteousness
                 ,
                 thou
                 shalt
                 be
                 taken
                 up
                 into
                 Heaven
                 with
                 Enoch
                 ,
                 there
                 to
                 enjoy
                 fulness
                 of
                 happiness
                 in
                 the
                 presence
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 with
                 the
                 blessed
                 Saints
                 and
                 Angels
                 to
                 all
                 eternity
                 .
                 It
                 is
                 the
                 judgement
                 of
                 many
                 Divines
                 ,
                 both
                 
                   ancient
                   Fathers
                
                 ,
                 and
                 
                   modern
                   Writers
                
                 ,
                 that
                 this
                 
                   privation
                   of
                   happiness
                
                 is
                 the
                 greatest
                 of
                 Hells
                 misery
                 ;
                 that
                 the
                 
                   pain
                   of
                   loss
                
                 is
                 greater
                 than
                 the
                 
                   pain
                   of
                   sense
                
                 ;
                 I
                 mean
                 the
                 
                   loss
                   of
                   happiness
                
                 is
                 greater
                 than
                 the
                 
                   positive
                   torments
                
                 .
                 Sure
                 I
                 am
                 ,
                 that
                 the
                 loss
                 of
                 all
                 that
                 this
                 World
                 affords
                 is
                 not
                 comparable
                 to
                 the
                 loss
                 of
                 the
                 least
                 degree
                 of
                 the
                 future
                 bliss
                 .
                 Oh
                 what
                 a
                 foolish
                 and
                 mad
                 bargain
                 art
                 thou
                 now
                 making
                 ,
                 who
                 art
                 selling
                 such
                 blessedness
                 for
                 bubbles
                 of
                 vanity
                 !
              
               
                 II.
                 Besides
                 this
                 
                   privation
                   of
                   felicity
                
                 ,
                 there
                 is
                 a
                 
                   subjection
                   to
                   all
                   misery
                
                 .
                 Besides
                 
                   the
                   pain
                   of
                   loss
                
                 ,
                 there
                 is
                 a
                 
                   pain
                   of
                   sense
                
                 ,
                 which
                 the
                 damned
                 endure
                 :
                 which
                 is
                 in
                 it self
                 intolerable
                 ,
                 unutterable
                 ,
                 and
                 unconceivable
                 .
                 It
                 were
                 misery
                 enough
                 to
                 be
                 tormented
                 with
                 the
                 
                 
                   gout
                   ,
                   collick
                   ,
                   stone
                   ,
                   tooth-ache
                   ,
                
                 or
                 the
                 like
                 :
                 but
                 should
                 all
                 these
                 ,
                 together
                 with
                 the
                 most
                 exquisite
                 tortures
                 that
                 the
                 wit
                 of
                 man
                 could
                 invent
                 ,
                 meet
                 together
                 in
                 one
                 man
                 ,
                 at
                 one
                 instant
                 ,
                 yet
                 would
                 they
                 come
                 infinitely
                 short
                 of
                 these
                 .
                 All
                 pains
                 and
                 torments
                 ,
                 all
                 racks
                 and
                 tortures
                 whatsoever
                 ,
                 which
                 men
                 are
                 capable
                 of
                 suffering
                 here
                 ,
                 are
                 but
                 sparks
                 in
                 comparison
                 of
                 the
                 
                   flames
                   of
                   Gods
                   wrath
                
                 :
                 and
                 flea-bits
                 to
                 the
                 
                   stings
                   and
                   scorpions
                   beneath
                
                 ,
                 where
                 there
                 is
                 torment
                 without
                 ease
                 ,
                 sorrow
                 without
                 solace
                 ,
                 darkness
                 without
                 light
                 ,
                 horrour
                 without
                 comfort
                 ,
                 justice
                 without
                 mercy
                 ,
                 wrath
                 without
                 pitty
                 ,
                 misery
                 without
                 end
                 .
                 
                   There
                   are
                   no
                   sorrows
                   like
                   to
                   the
                   sorrows
                   of
                   the
                   damned
                   ,
                   wherewith
                   the
                   Lord
                   afflicteth
                   them
                   in
                   the
                   day
                   of
                   his
                   fierce
                   wrath
                
                 ;
                 when
                 he
                 will
                 pour
                 out
                 all
                 the
                 Vials
                 of
                 his
                 fury
                 upon
                 them
                 ,
                 and
                 will
                 make
                 them
                 at
                 once
                 to
                 pay
                 for
                 all
                 the
                 wrongs
                 they
                 have
                 done
                 to
                 his
                 name
                 ,
                 for
                 the
                 contempt
                 of
                 his
                 mercy
                 ,
                 their
                 affronts
                 to
                 his
                 justice
                 ,
                 for
                 the
                 abuse
                 of
                 his
                 patience
                 and
                 long-suffering
                 ,
                 for
                 their
                 mispent
                 time
                 ,
                 for
                 their
                 swearing
                 and
                 cursing
                 ,
                 for
                 the●●
                 whoring
                 and
                 drinking
                 ,
                 for
                 their
                 prophaning
                 his
                 Sabbaths
                 ,
                 for
                 their
                 hating
                 and
                 persecuting
                 his
                 people
                 .
              
               
                 Oh!
                 What
                 weeping
                 and
                 wailing
                 ?
                 what
                 sighing
                 and
                 groaning
                 ?
                 what
                 cursing
                 and
                 banning
                 will
                 there
                 then
                 be
                 heard
                 ?
              
               
                 The
                 extremity
                 of
                 the
                 torments
                 of
                 hell
                 further
                 appeareth
                 in
                 this
                 ,
                 
                   that
                   they
                   are
                   universal
                
                 .
                 Not
                 only
                 this
                 or
                 that
                 part
                 of
                 thy
                 body
                 shall
                 be
                 tortured
                 and
                 tormented
                 ,
                 but
                 every
                 part
                 and
                 member
                 thereof
                 .
                 As
                 all
                 have
                 joyned
                 in
                 sin
                 ,
                 so
                 must
                 they
                 all
                 partake
                 of
                 the
                 torment
                 .
              
               
                 Thy
                 wanton
                 eyes
                 which
                 were
                 wont
                 to
                 please
                 themselves
                 in
                 beholding
                 beautiful
                 objects
                 ,
                 shall
                 then
                 see
                 nothing
                 but
                 what
                 is
                 dreadful
                 and
                 terrible
                 .
                 If
                 thou
                 look
                 
                   above
                   thee
                
                 ,
                 what
                 canst
                 thou
                 behold
                 but
                 an
                 angry
                 judge
                 ,
                 and
                 Saints
                 and
                 Angels
                 ,
                 whose
                 bright
                 beauty
                 will
                 make
                 thy
                 deformity
                 more
                 ugly
                 and
                 loathsome
                 ?
                 If
                 thou
                 look
                 
                   beneath
                   thee
                
                 ,
                 what
                 canst
                 thou
                 behold
                 
                 but
                 the
                 bottomless
                 pit
                 into
                 which
                 thou
                 art
                 fallen
                 ,
                 and
                 still
                 falling
                 lower
                 ?
                 If
                 thou
                 look
                 
                   round
                   about
                   thee
                
                 ,
                 what
                 canst
                 thou
                 behold
                 ,
                 but
                 Devils
                 and
                 hellish
                 furies
                 ,
                 vexing
                 and
                 tormenting
                 thee
                 ?
                 Thine
                 ears
                 which
                 took
                 great
                 delight
                 in
                 pleasant
                 songs
                 and
                 melodious
                 sounds
                 ,
                 shall
                 then
                 hear
                 nothing
                 but
                 cursing
                 and
                 banning
                 ,
                 howling
                 and
                 blaspheming
                 .
                 Thy
                 nostrils
                 which
                 were
                 wont
                 to
                 be
                 filled
                 with
                 sweet
                 perfumes
                 ,
                 shall
                 then
                 be
                 filled
                 with
                 the
                 noysome
                 stench
                 of
                 fire
                 and
                 brimstone
                 .
                 Thy
                 throat
                 which
                 was
                 too
                 much
                 delighted
                 with
                 strong
                 drink
                 ,
                 even
                 to
                 excess
                 ,
                 or
                 was
                 an
                 open
                 Sepulchre
                 to
                 give
                 vent
                 to
                 the
                 filth
                 of
                 thine
                 heart
                 ,
                 shall
                 then
                 be
                 parched
                 with
                 unquenchable
                 thirst
                 ;
                 so
                 that
                 with
                 Dives
                 thou
                 wouldst
                 give
                 a
                 World
                 ,
                 if
                 thou
                 hadst
                 it
                 ,
                 for
                 one
                 drop
                 of
                 water
                 to
                 asswage
                 thy
                 thirst
                 ,
                 and
                 canst
                 not
                 obtain
                 it
                 .
              
               
                 The
                 pain
                 which
                 men
                 here
                 endure
                 is
                 for
                 the
                 most
                 part
                 particular
                 ,
                 some
                 pained
                 in
                 their
                 head
                 ,
                 some
                 in
                 their
                 back
                 ,
                 and
                 some
                 in
                 their
                 feet
                 .
                 And
                 some
                 of
                 these
                 pains
                 are
                 oft-times
                 so
                 extream
                 ,
                 as
                 thou
                 wouldst
                 not
                 willingly
                 undergo
                 them
                 to
                 gain
                 a
                 World.
                 But
                 for
                 a
                 man
                 to
                 be
                 tortured
                 and
                 tormented
                 in
                 every
                 part
                 and
                 member
                 of
                 his
                 body
                 at
                 once
                 ,
                 must
                 needs
                 be
                 very
                 grievous
                 ,
                 which
                 is
                 the
                 condition
                 of
                 all
                 the
                 damned
                 in
                 Hell.
                 
              
               
                 By
                 this
                 you
                 may
                 a
                 little
                 conceive
                 the
                 extremity
                 of
                 their
                 torments
                 .
                 But
                 if
                 I
                 had
                 the
                 tongue
                 of
                 Men
                 and
                 Angels
                 ,
                 I
                 could
                 not
                 express
                 it
                 to
                 the
                 full
                 .
                 For
                 as
                 in
                 Heaven
                 there
                 is
                 such
                 a
                 fulness
                 of
                 joy
                 as
                 the
                 heart
                 of
                 man
                 is
                 not
                 able
                 to
                 conceive
                 ,
                 much
                 less
                 the
                 tongue
                 of
                 man
                 able
                 to
                 express
                 .
                 So
                 in
                 Hell
                 there
                 is
                 such
                 a
                 fulness
                 of
                 sorrow
                 and
                 torment
                 ,
                 as
                 is
                 both
                 beyond
                 expression
                 or
                 conception
                 .
              
               
                 Oh
                 the
                 folly
                 and
                 madness
                 of
                 the
                 men
                 of
                 this
                 World
                 ,
                 who
                 notwithstanding
                 the
                 punishment
                 of
                 sin
                 is
                 so
                 intollerable
                 ,
                 yea
                 and
                 they
                 believe
                 it
                 to
                 be
                 so
                 ,
                 yet
                 do
                 suffer
                 themselves
                 to
                 be
                 carryed
                 away
                 down
                 into
                 this
                 lake
                 for
                 things
                 of
                 nought
                 :
                 they
                 will
                 dye
                 rather
                 than
                 be
                 wise
                 :
                 they
                 will
                 fry
                 and
                 roar
                 and
                 howle
                 in
                 the
                 other
                 World
                 ,
                 rather
                 than
                 not
                 sing
                 and
                 laugh
                 ,
                 and
                 be
                 vile
                 
                 and
                 abominable
                 in
                 this
                 World.
                 Ah
                 sinner
                 ,
                 should
                 not
                 the
                 bitter
                 sting
                 in
                 sins
                 tayle
                 deter
                 thee
                 more
                 ,
                 than
                 the
                 false
                 beauty
                 of
                 its
                 face
                 allure
                 thee
                 ?
              
               
                 Certainly
                 didst
                 thou
                 but
                 seriously
                 consider
                 the
                 extremity
                 ,
                 and
                 burning
                 heat
                 of
                 that
                 furnace
                 below
                 ,
                 it
                 would
                 make
                 thy
                 sin
                 to
                 be
                 too
                 hot
                 for
                 thee
                 above
                 ground
                 .
                 This
                 fire
                 would
                 quench
                 thy
                 lust
                 ,
                 and
                 cool
                 thy
                 fleshly
                 affections
                 ,
                 and
                 fetch
                 thee
                 off
                 from
                 those
                 wretched
                 wayes
                 in
                 which
                 thou
                 hast
                 so
                 long
                 ,
                 and
                 so
                 resolvedly
                 walked
                 .
              
               
                 Oh
                 sinner
                 ,
                 wouldst
                 thou
                 never
                 come
                 into
                 this
                 place
                 of
                 torment
                 ?
                 descend
                 into
                 it
                 daily
                 :
                 look
                 into
                 the
                 pit
                 often
                 ,
                 if
                 thou
                 wouldst
                 not
                 fall
                 into
                 it
                 .
                 If
                 Heaven
                 and
                 all
                 the
                 joy
                 and
                 glory
                 there
                 will
                 not
                 afford
                 arguments
                 enough
                 to
                 draw
                 thee
                 on
                 after
                 thy
                 God
                 ;
                 see
                 if
                 Hell
                 and
                 the
                 torments
                 thereof
                 will
                 not
                 yield
                 thee
                 arguments
                 enough
                 to
                 withdraw
                 thee
                 from
                 thy
                 sins
                 .
                 Wouldst
                 thou
                 not
                 be
                 enticed
                 to
                 sin
                 ?
                 Let
                 a
                 thought
                 of
                 hell
                 ,
                 of
                 death
                 and
                 wrath
                 meet
                 every
                 temptation
                 .
                 In
                 all
                 temptations
                 unto
                 sin
                 ,
                 consider
                 the
                 fearfull
                 issue
                 and
                 effect
                 thereof
                 :
                 and
                 though
                 it
                 seem
                 never
                 so
                 delightfull
                 and
                 agreeable
                 to
                 thy
                 natural
                 humour
                 ,
                 yet
                 ask
                 ,
                 
                   But
                   what
                   comes
                   after
                
                 ?
                 Let
                 the
                 dreadfull
                 consequence
                 thereof
                 ,
                 which
                 (
                 without
                 true
                 and
                 unfained
                 repentance
                 )
                 is
                 no
                 less
                 than
                 eternal
                 fire
                 ,
                 deterr
                 thee
                 from
                 the
                 same
                 .
                 Ah
                 sinner
                 ,
                 sinner
                 ,
                 when
                 thou
                 art
                 bathing
                 thy
                 soul
                 by
                 the
                 fire
                 of
                 ●ust
                 ,
                 consider
                 how
                 for
                 the
                 same
                 thou
                 maist
                 burn
                 in
                 the
                 everlasting
                 flames
                 of
                 Hell.
                 When
                 thou
                 art
                 drenching
                 thy self
                 with
                 the
                 voluptuous
                 draughts
                 of
                 thy
                 carnal
                 pleasure
                 ,
                 think
                 what
                 a
                 drench
                 ,
                 what
                 a
                 poysonous
                 and
                 bitter
                 cup
                 is
                 prepared
                 for
                 thee
                 below
                 .
                 And
                 this
                 may
                 be
                 a
                 special
                 means
                 to
                 kill
                 that
                 lust
                 which
                 will
                 otherwise
                 kill
                 thy
                 soul.
                 Want
                 of
                 consideration
                 of
                 the
                 fearful
                 issue
                 and
                 effects
                 of
                 sin
                 is
                 questionless
                 the
                 cause
                 of
                 so
                 much
                 sin
                 and
                 wickedness
                 in
                 the
                 World.
                 
              
               
                 III.
                 The
                 misery
                 of
                 the
                 damned
                 is
                 set
                 forth
                 in
                 Scripture
                 by
                 sundry
                 resemblances
                 ,
                 as
                 ,
              
               
                 
                 1.
                 
                 Darkness
                 ,
                 yea
                 
                   outer-darkness
                   .
                   But
                   the
                   children
                   of
                   
                   the
                   Kingdom
                   shall
                   be
                   cast
                   into
                   outer-darkness
                   ;
                   there
                   shall
                   be
                   weeping
                   and
                   gnashing
                   of
                   teeth
                   .
                
                 As
                 light
                 is
                 one
                 of
                 the
                 most
                 comfortable
                 things
                 that
                 man
                 can
                 enjoy
                 ;
                 
                 (
                 
                   it
                   is
                   a
                   pleasant
                   thing
                   to
                   behold
                   the
                   Sun
                
                 )
                 So
                 darkness
                 ,
                 is
                 most
                 horrible
                 and
                 terrible
                 .
                 Darkness
                 was
                 one
                 of
                 the
                 
                   Aegyptians
                   plagues
                
                 ,
                 which
                 were
                 all
                 fearfull
                 effects
                 of
                 Gods
                 wrath
                 .
                 It
                 is
                 counted
                 a
                 great
                 severity
                 of
                 punishment
                 to
                 cast
                 men
                 into
                 dark
                 dungeons
                 .
                 For
                 darkness
                 doth
                 much
                 affright
                 men
                 ,
                 especially
                 if
                 they
                 hear
                 hideous
                 and
                 terrible
                 noyses
                 .
                 What
                 then
                 will
                 be
                 the
                 darkness
                 of
                 hell
                 ?
                 where
                 shall
                 be
                 nothing
                 but
                 weeping
                 and
                 wailing
                 ,
                 howling
                 and
                 gnashing
                 of
                 teeth
                 ,
                 with
                 such
                 like
                 effects
                 of
                 fearful
                 terrour
                 .
                 This
                 is
                 called
                 outer-darkness
                 ,
                 because
                 it
                 is
                 out
                 of
                 the
                 place
                 of
                 bliss
                 ,
                 the
                 place
                 of
                 light
                 ,
                 which
                 is
                 no
                 small
                 aggravation
                 thereof
                 .
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 Torment
                 .
                 As
                 Luke
                 16.23
                 .
                 
                   And
                   in
                   hell
                   the
                   rich
                   man
                   lift
                   up
                   his
                   eyes
                   ,
                   being
                   in
                   torment
                   .
                
                 Now
                 torment
                 is
                 an
                 extremity
                 of
                 pain
                 ,
                 whereof
                 man
                 is
                 very
                 sensible
                 ,
                 and
                 which
                 is
                 highly
                 grievous
                 unto
                 him
                 .
                 Many
                 torments
                 which
                 men
                 inflict
                 ,
                 cause
                 such
                 as
                 are
                 tormented
                 to
                 cry
                 and
                 howle
                 ,
                 and
                 wish
                 they
                 were
                 dead
                 ,
                 rather
                 than
                 to
                 live
                 in
                 such
                 torment
                 .
                 Oh
                 then
                 what
                 is
                 the
                 torment
                 ,
                 which
                 God
                 in
                 his
                 fierce
                 wrath
                 inflicteth
                 on
                 the
                 damned
                 in
                 hell
                 ?
                 whom
                 he
                 will
                 make
                 to
                 feel
                 his
                 heavy
                 hand
                 to
                 be
                 the
                 hand
                 of
                 a
                 mighty
                 God.
                 All
                 tortures
                 and
                 torments
                 considered
                 together
                 are
                 not
                 comparable
                 thereunto
                 .
                 Take
                 the
                 pains
                 of
                 all
                 diseases
                 incident
                 to
                 our
                 nature
                 ,
                 as
                 
                   stone
                   ,
                   gout
                   ,
                   collick
                   ,
                   cramp
                   ,
                
                 or
                 what
                 other
                 can
                 be
                 named
                 .
                 Add
                 hereunto
                 all
                 the
                 most
                 exquisite
                 tortures
                 that
                 cruel
                 men
                 have
                 inflicted
                 upon
                 others
                 ,
                 as
                 
                   rack
                   ,
                   strapado
                   ,
                   boyling
                   in
                   lead
                   ,
                   pulling
                   the
                   flesh
                   from
                   the
                   bones
                   with
                   hot
                   pinsers
                   ,
                
                 and
                 such
                 like
                 .
                 Add
                 also
                 hereunto
                 all
                 the
                 anguish
                 ,
                 horrour
                 ,
                 and
                 terrour
                 ,
                 that
                 ever
                 any
                 man
                 felt
                 in
                 his
                 soul
                 ,
                 mind
                 and
                 conscience
                 :
                 let
                 all
                 these
                 be
                 joyned
                 together
                 ,
                 they
                 are
                 but
                 a
                 flea-bite
                 in
                 comparison
                 of
                 hell-torments
                 .
                 The
                 reason
                 is
                 evident
                 ,
                 because
                 all
                 the
                 fore-mentioned
                 torments
                 here
                 endured
                 ,
                 may
                 stand
                 with
                 Gods
                 love
                 ,
                 and
                 
                 are
                 off
                 inflicted
                 on
                 his
                 dear
                 children
                 .
                 But
                 that
                 torment
                 is
                 a
                 fruit
                 of
                 his
                 wrath
                 ,
                 wherein
                 he
                 sets
                 himself
                 to
                 make
                 the
                 sinner
                 feel
                 the
                 weight
                 of
                 his
                 indignation
                 .
              
               
                 O
                 foolish
                 sinner
                 ,
                 thy
                 pleasures
                 are
                 tormenting
                 pleasures
                 :
                 thy
                 gains
                 ,
                 and
                 thine
                 ease
                 ,
                 that
                 now
                 thou
                 blessest
                 thy self
                 in
                 ,
                 they
                 are
                 tormenting
                 gains
                 ,
                 a
                 tormenting
                 ease
                 .
                 Now
                 thou
                 drinkest
                 the
                 sweet
                 ,
                 but
                 beware
                 ,
                 whatever
                 they
                 are
                 in
                 thy
                 mouth
                 ,
                 they
                 are
                 torment
                 in
                 the
                 belly
                 .
                 Buy
                 not
                 an
                 hours
                 ease
                 ,
                 or
                 pleasure
                 ,
                 at
                 the
                 price
                 of
                 an
                 eternity
                 of
                 torment
                 .
              
               
                 3.
                 
                 Another
                 resemblance
                 whereby
                 the
                 misery
                 of
                 the
                 damned
                 is
                 set
                 forth
                 ,
                 is
                 Fire
                 ,
                 as
                 Matth.
                 18.9
                 .
                 This
                 of
                 all
                 other
                 metaphors
                 is
                 most
                 frequently
                 used
                 ;
                 and
                 of
                 all
                 others
                 it
                 is
                 the
                 fittest
                 .
                 For
                 fire
                 is
                 the
                 fiercest
                 kind
                 of
                 torment
                 that
                 is
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 most
                 intolerable
                 .
                 Great
                 question
                 is
                 made
                 about
                 the
                 kind
                 of
                 it
                 ,
                 
                   Whether
                   the
                   fire
                   of
                   hell
                   be
                   material
                   and
                   corporeall
                   fire
                   ,
                   or
                   no.
                
                 Surely
                 it
                 is
                 such
                 a
                 fire
                 as
                 shall
                 torment
                 both
                 body
                 and
                 soul
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 much
                 more
                 intolerably
                 than
                 any
                 fire
                 here
                 below
                 .
                 Brimstone
                 mingled
                 with
                 fire
                 ,
                 makes
                 it
                 burn
                 more
                 fiercely
                 :
                 
                 therefore
                 brimstone
                 is
                 oft
                 added
                 to
                 hell-fire
                 ,
                 to
                 aggravate
                 the
                 torment
                 thereof
                 .
                 Yea
                 it
                 is
                 said
                 to
                 be
                 
                   a
                   lake
                   of
                   fire
                   and
                   brimstone
                   ,
                
                 
                 which
                 implyeth
                 a
                 great
                 quantity
                 thereof
                 ,
                 to
                 make
                 it
                 the
                 hotter
                 .
                 
                 The
                 Prophet
                 Isaiah
                 saith
                 ,
                 
                   That
                   the
                   breath
                   of
                   the
                   Lord
                   like
                   a
                   stream
                   of
                   brimstone
                   doth
                   kindle
                   it
                   .
                
                 The
                 breath
                 of
                 the
                 Lord
                 must
                 needs
                 make
                 the
                 fire
                 that
                 is
                 kindled
                 with
                 it
                 ,
                 burn
                 more
                 fiercely
                 than
                 all
                 the
                 bellows
                 ,
                 or
                 all
                 the
                 wind
                 in
                 the
                 World
                 can
                 make
                 any
                 fire
                 here
                 below
                 to
                 burn
                 .
              
               
                 Fire
                 here
                 below
                 useth
                 to
                 burn
                 most
                 fiercely
                 in
                 a
                 furnace
                 ,
                 where
                 it
                 is
                 kept
                 in
                 .
                 Therefore
                 hell
                 is
                 said
                 to
                 be
                 a
                 furnace
                 ,
                 
                 and
                 that
                 
                   of
                   flaming
                   fire
                
                 .
                 The
                 Furnace
                 into
                 which
                 the
                 three
                 Children
                 were
                 cast
                 ,
                 was
                 exceeding
                 fierce
                 ,
                 being
                 made
                 seven
                 times
                 hotter
                 than
                 it
                 was
                 wont
                 to
                 be
                 .
                 But
                 how
                 fierce
                 and
                 dreadfull
                 will
                 this
                 Furnace
                 be
                 ,
                 whose
                 fire
                 is
                 unspeakably
                 hotter
                 ,
                 than
                 that
                 was
                 at
                 the
                 hottest
                 ?
                 
                 
                   Oh
                   who
                   is
                   able
                   to
                   dwell
                   in
                   this
                   devouring
                   
                   fire
                   ?
                   who
                   amongst
                   us
                   shall
                   dwell
                   in
                   those
                   everlasting
                   burnings
                   ?
                
                 There
                 was
                 a
                 fearful
                 crying
                 and
                 shrieking
                 when
                 the
                 Lord
                 sent
                 a
                 deluge
                 of
                 water
                 to
                 drown
                 the
                 old
                 World.
                 How
                 did
                 the
                 poor
                 creatures
                 run
                 up
                 and
                 down
                 for
                 shelter
                 in
                 that
                 deluge
                 ?
                 Oh
                 but
                 what
                 bitter
                 crying
                 and
                 shrieking
                 will
                 there
                 be
                 in
                 hell
                 ?
                 
                 
                   When
                   a
                   fiery
                   stream
                   shall
                   go
                   out
                   from
                   the
                   throne
                   of
                   God
                   ,
                
                 and
                 poor
                 damned
                 creatures
                 shall
                 run
                 hither
                 ,
                 and
                 thither
                 ,
                 and
                 not
                 get
                 a
                 drop
                 of
                 Water
                 to
                 cool
                 their
                 scorched
                 tongues
                 .
              
               
                 Ah
                 sinner
                 ,
                 sinner
                 ,
                 how
                 canst
                 thou
                 but
                 quake
                 and
                 tremble
                 at
                 the
                 thought
                 of
                 this
                 fire
                 ?
                 at
                 which
                 the
                 very
                 Devils
                 do
                 quake
                 and
                 tremble
                 .
                 Suppose
                 thou
                 wert
                 condemned
                 to
                 be
                 cast
                 (
                 as
                 many
                 of
                 the
                 Martyrs
                 were
                 )
                 into
                 a
                 boyling
                 Caldron
                 ,
                 or
                 flaming
                 fire
                 ?
                 oh
                 how
                 dreadful
                 and
                 terrible
                 would
                 the
                 apprehension
                 thereof
                 be
                 unto
                 thee
                 ?
                 and
                 how
                 wouldst
                 thou
                 cry
                 and
                 roar
                 through
                 the
                 extremity
                 of
                 the
                 torment
                 ?
                 But
                 alas
                 ,
                 what
                 is
                 a
                 boyling
                 Caldron
                 to
                 that
                 boyling
                 Sea
                 of
                 fire
                 and
                 brimstone
                 ?
                 And
                 what
                 is
                 a
                 flaming
                 fire
                 of
                 Wood
                 and
                 Coal
                 here
                 ,
                 to
                 the
                 fire
                 of
                 hell
                 kept
                 in
                 highest
                 flame
                 by
                 the
                 breath
                 of
                 Gods
                 wrath
                 :
                 Surely
                 this
                 as
                 far
                 surpasseth
                 that
                 in
                 heat
                 ,
                 as
                 our
                 Chimney
                 fire
                 doth
                 exceed
                 the
                 fire
                 painted
                 on
                 the
                 Wall.
                 
              
               
                 This
                 me-thinks
                 should
                 sowre
                 the
                 pleasure
                 of
                 all
                 thy
                 sinful
                 lusts
                 ,
                 and
                 provoke
                 thee
                 forthwith
                 to
                 set
                 upon
                 that
                 stricter
                 course
                 of
                 life
                 ,
                 that
                 more
                 serious
                 circumspect
                 conscientious
                 walking
                 ,
                 whereby
                 thou
                 maist
                 escape
                 these
                 heavy
                 things
                 .
              
               
                 Ah
                 sinner
                 ,
                 look
                 about
                 thee
                 while
                 it
                 is
                 called
                 to
                 day
                 ,
                 run
                 over
                 to
                 Christ
                 ,
                 lay
                 hold
                 on
                 his
                 righteousness
                 ,
                 stoop
                 to
                 his
                 Scepter
                 ,
                 beg
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 that
                 whatsoever
                 he
                 deny
                 thee
                 ,
                 he
                 would
                 not
                 deny
                 his
                 Son
                 to
                 thee
                 ,
                 by
                 whom
                 alone
                 thou
                 canst
                 be
                 freed
                 from
                 this
                 tormenting
                 fire
                 .
                 Otherwise
                 woe
                 and
                 alas
                 that
                 ever
                 thou
                 wert
                 born
                 .
              
               
                 But
                 oh
                 how
                 wonderfully
                 prodigal
                 are
                 we
                 generally
                 of
                 our
                 souls
                 !
                 when
                 that
                 for
                 the
                 vile
                 things
                 here
                 below
                 we
                 are
                 so
                 ready
                 to
                 prostitute
                 them
                 to
                 the
                 lust
                 of
                 
                 Satan
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 expose
                 them
                 to
                 the
                 torments
                 of
                 hell-fire
                 .
                 Whereas
                 alas
                 ,
                 
                   What
                   is
                   it
                   to
                   gain
                   the
                   World
                   ,
                   and
                   to
                   lose
                   our
                   Souls
                   ?
                
                 What
                 ,
                 to
                 spend
                 our
                 dayes
                 in
                 mirth
                 and
                 jollity
                 ,
                 and
                 in
                 a
                 moment
                 to
                 be
                 cast
                 into
                 hell
                 ?
                 It
                 is
                 easie
                 for
                 a
                 secure
                 unbelieving
                 soul
                 to
                 read
                 and
                 hear
                 of
                 this
                 fire
                 .
                 But
                 woe
                 and
                 ten
                 thousand
                 woes
                 to
                 all
                 such
                 who
                 shall
                 feel
                 and
                 endure
                 ,
                 and
                 prove
                 by
                 their
                 experience
                 how
                 hot
                 it
                 is
                 .
              
               
                 4.
                 
                 Another
                 resemblance
                 whereby
                 the
                 misery
                 of
                 the
                 damned
                 is
                 set
                 forth
                 ,
                 
                 is
                 
                   a
                   Worm
                   ;
                   Their
                   Worm
                   shall
                   not
                   dye
                   ,
                   neither
                   shall
                   their
                   fire
                   be
                   quenched
                   .
                
                 Which
                 very
                 words
                 Christ
                 applyeth
                 to
                 the
                 damned
                 in
                 hell
                 ;
                 Mark
                 9.44
                 ,
                 46
                 ,
                 48.
                 
                 This
                 metaphor
                 of
                 the
                 Worm
                 ,
                 setteth
                 out
                 the
                 sting
                 of
                 conscience
                 ,
                 and
                 anguish
                 of
                 soul
                 ,
                 
                 and
                 sheweth
                 that
                 hell
                 pains
                 go
                 through
                 a
                 man
                 without
                 and
                 within
                 .
              
               
                 In
                 the
                 forementioned
                 place
                 ,
                 there
                 be
                 two
                 especial
                 things
                 in
                 the
                 torments
                 of
                 hell
                 ,
                 which
                 are
                 thrice
                 repeated
                 together
                 ,
                 namely
                 the
                 Worm
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 
                   fire
                   ;
                   the
                   Worm
                   that
                   dyeth
                   not
                   ,
                   and
                   the
                   fire
                   that
                   is
                   not
                   quenched
                   .
                
                 And
                 it
                 is
                 observable
                 ,
                 that
                 in
                 all
                 the
                 three
                 verses
                 ,
                 the
                 Worm
                 is
                 set
                 in
                 the
                 first
                 place
                 ,
                 as
                 it
                 were
                 to
                 teach
                 us
                 ,
                 that
                 the
                 principal
                 torment
                 in
                 hell
                 is
                 the
                 Worm
                 ,
                 rather
                 than
                 the
                 fire
                 .
                 And
                 what
                 is
                 the
                 Worm
                 ?
                 but
                 the
                 sting
                 ,
                 or
                 the
                 torment
                 of
                 an
                 evil
                 conscience
                 ,
                 which
                 shall
                 lye
                 eternally
                 gnawing
                 and
                 griping
                 the
                 hearts
                 of
                 the
                 damned
                 in
                 hell
                 .
              
               
                 As
                 of
                 the
                 putrefaction
                 of
                 the
                 body
                 ,
                 there
                 breedeth
                 a
                 worm
                 which
                 eates
                 and
                 consumes
                 the
                 body
                 :
                 so
                 from
                 the
                 corruption
                 of
                 the
                 soul
                 tainted
                 with
                 sin
                 ,
                 there
                 ariseth
                 the
                 Worm
                 of
                 Conscience
                 ,
                 which
                 gnaweth
                 and
                 vexeth
                 the
                 soul
                 with
                 continual
                 anguish
                 .
                 Men
                 talk
                 much
                 of
                 hell-fire
                 ,
                 and
                 it
                 were
                 well
                 they
                 would
                 talk
                 more
                 of
                 it
                 .
                 But
                 yet
                 there
                 is
                 another
                 torment
                 that
                 would
                 be
                 thought
                 on
                 too
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 is
                 
                   this
                   Worm
                   of
                   an
                   evil
                   conscience
                   ,
                
                 which
                 whilest
                 the
                 fire
                 burneth
                 ,
                 this
                 will
                 bite
                 ,
                 and
                 sting
                 the
                 soul
                 with
                 torment
                 intolerable
                 .
              
               
                 This
                 Worm
                 of
                 Conscience
                 consisteth
                 especially
                 in
                 two
                 things
                 .
              
               
               
                 1.
                 
                 
                   In
                   bringing
                   to
                   remembrance
                   thy
                   former
                   sinfull
                   lusts
                   and
                   pleasures
                   ,
                
                 of
                 which
                 nothing
                 remaineth
                 but
                 thy
                 present
                 shame
                 and
                 pain
                 .
                 Then
                 shall
                 thy
                 conscience
                 gnaw
                 thee
                 by
                 bringing
                 to
                 thy
                 remembrance
                 thy
                 former
                 oaths
                 and
                 cursings
                 ,
                 thy
                 mispent
                 time
                 ,
                 thy
                 cozenings
                 and
                 defraudings
                 ,
                 yea
                 all
                 thy
                 secret
                 impurities
                 ,
                 as
                 well
                 as
                 thine
                 open
                 iniquities
                 :
                 as
                 also
                 thy
                 sinful
                 omissions
                 of
                 good
                 duties
                 ,
                 how
                 seldom
                 thou
                 prayedst
                 with
                 thy
                 family
                 ,
                 or
                 in
                 thy
                 closet
                 :
                 how
                 little
                 care
                 thou
                 hadst
                 of
                 thy
                 precious
                 soul
                 ,
                 slighting
                 the
                 opportunities
                 and
                 means
                 of
                 grace
                 .
                 Ah
                 sinner
                 ,
                 the
                 remembrance
                 of
                 these
                 things
                 will
                 exceedingly
                 pierce
                 thy
                 soul
                 ,
                 and
                 afflict
                 thine
                 heart
                 with
                 bitter
                 grief
                 and
                 sorrow
                 .
              
               
                 Soul
                 how
                 camest
                 thou
                 in
                 hither
                 ?
                 ah
                 !
                 this
                 was
                 mine
                 own
                 doing
                 ,
                 t'
                 was
                 my
                 negligence
                 ,
                 and
                 carelesness
                 ,
                 and
                 wilfulness
                 and
                 wickedness
                 .
                 A
                 little
                 care
                 ,
                 a
                 little
                 wisdom
                 ,
                 a
                 little
                 labour
                 and
                 pains
                 might
                 have
                 prevented
                 all
                 this
                 .
                 If
                 I
                 would
                 have
                 hearkened
                 to
                 God
                 ,
                 hearkened
                 to
                 conscience
                 in
                 time
                 ,
                 none
                 of
                 all
                 this
                 misery
                 had
                 ever
                 come
                 upon
                 me
                 .
                 Oh
                 wretch
                 that
                 I
                 was
                 ,
                 oh
                 foolish
                 ,
                 sottish
                 wilful
                 wretch
                 ,
                 how
                 have
                 I
                 undone
                 my self
                 ?
                 what
                 ever
                 I
                 now
                 feel
                 ,
                 and
                 roar
                 under
                 ,
                 I
                 have
                 none
                 to
                 blame
                 but
                 my self
                 ,
                 t'
                 was
                 mine
                 own
                 doing
                 that
                 I
                 am
                 fallen
                 headlong
                 into
                 this
                 place
                 of
                 torment
                 .
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 
                   In
                   despairing
                   of
                   freedom
                   and
                   deliverance
                   from
                   thy
                   present
                   misery
                   .
                
                 This
                 is
                 one
                 special
                 thing
                 which
                 will
                 very
                 much
                 add
                 to
                 thy
                 present
                 torment
                 ,
                 that
                 thy
                 condition
                 ,
                 though
                 most
                 sad
                 and
                 dreadfull
                 ,
                 yet
                 is
                 hopeless
                 .
                 Didst
                 thou
                 conceive
                 any
                 hope
                 of
                 deliverance
                 after
                 thousands
                 and
                 millions
                 of
                 years
                 ,
                 hell
                 would
                 not
                 be
                 hell
                 unto
                 thee
                 .
                 But
                 this
                 is
                 that
                 which
                 will
                 lye
                 like
                 a
                 mountain
                 of
                 lead
                 upon
                 thee
                 ,
                 that
                 there
                 is
                 no
                 hope
                 of
                 deliverance
                 :
                 In
                 the
                 consideration
                 whereof
                 consisteth
                 the
                 gnawings
                 of
                 the
                 Worm
                 of
                 Conscience
                 .
                 These
                 are
                 the
                 resemblances
                 whereby
                 the
                 misery
                 of
                 the
                 damned
                 is
                 set
                 forth
                 .
              
               
                 IV.
                 The
                 misery
                 of
                 the
                 damned
                 is
                 further
                 fet
                 forth
                 in
                 Scripture
                 by
                 the
                 
                   place
                   where
                   they
                   abide
                
                 ,
                 which
                 is
                 ●ell
                 .
                 For
                 that
                 is
                 the
                 most
                 usual
                 word
                 attributed
                 to
                 the
                 place
                 of
                 the
                 damned
                 .
              
               
               
                 
                 In
                 the
                 old
                 Testament
                 that
                 word
                 which
                 properly
                 signifieth
                 the
                 grave
                 ,
                 is
                 oft
                 translated
                 hell
                 ,
                 and
                 by
                 way
                 of
                 resemblance
                 Tophet
                 is
                 taken
                 for
                 hell
                 ,
                 because
                 in
                 the
                 place
                 called
                 Tophet
                 ,
                 great
                 fires
                 were
                 made
                 ,
                 wherein
                 they
                 Sacrificed
                 their
                 Children
                 .
                 In
                 the
                 New
                 Testament
                 there
                 are
                 two
                 words
                 ordinarily
                 used
                 to
                 express
                 hell
                 .
                 One
                 implyeth
                 a
                 
                   place
                   of
                   darkness
                
                 .
                 The
                 other
                 translated
                 from
                 the
                 name
                 of
                 the
                 place
                 where
                 the
                 forementioned
                 Tophet
                 was
                 ,
                 called
                 
                   Gehinnom
                   ,
                   the
                   valley
                   of
                   Hinnom
                   ,
                
                 whence
                 hell
                 is
                 called
                 Gehenna
                 .
              
               
                 The
                 place
                 of
                 the
                 damned
                 is
                 also
                 called
                 a
                 
                   bottomless
                   pitt
                
                 ,
                 by
                 reason
                 of
                 the
                 unsearchable
                 depth
                 of
                 it
                 ,
                 and
                 a
                 lake
                 .
              
               
                 These
                 and
                 other
                 like
                 names
                 of
                 terrour
                 are
                 attributed
                 to
                 the
                 place
                 where
                 the
                 damned
                 are
                 tormented
                 :
                 but
                 where
                 that
                 place
                 is
                 ,
                 in
                 Scripture
                 is
                 not
                 expresly
                 revealed
                 ,
                 and
                 therefore
                 cannot
                 be
                 defined
                 ,
                 only
                 we
                 may
                 know
                 that
                 it
                 is
                 out
                 of
                 Heaven
                 ,
                 even
                 below
                 it
                 .
                 It
                 is
                 the
                 most
                 fearful
                 place
                 that
                 ever
                 was
                 ,
                 or
                 can
                 be
                 :
                 and
                 it
                 is
                 a
                 great
                 point
                 of
                 wisdom
                 in
                 this
                 World
                 so
                 to
                 carry
                 our selves
                 ,
                 as
                 we
                 may
                 never
                 come
                 by
                 our
                 experience
                 to
                 prove
                 where
                 ,
                 and
                 what
                 it
                 is
                 .
              
               
                 V.
                 The
                 misery
                 of
                 the
                 damned
                 is
                 likewise
                 set
                 forth
                 in
                 Scripture
                 by
                 the
                 perpetuity
                 ,
                 and
                 eternity
                 of
                 their
                 torment
                 .
                 
                   Their
                   Worm
                   dyeth
                   not
                   ,
                   and
                   their
                   fire
                   is
                   not
                   quenched
                   ,
                
                 
                 but
                 continueth
                 to
                 burn
                 without
                 end
                 .
                 And
                 therefore
                 is
                 called
                 
                   unquenchable
                   fire
                
                 ,
                 
                 
                   and
                   everlasting
                   fire
                
                 .
                 As
                 the
                 Salamander
                 is
                 said
                 to
                 live
                 in
                 the
                 fire
                 :
                 So
                 shall
                 the
                 wicked
                 live
                 for
                 ever
                 in
                 the
                 fire
                 of
                 hell
                 .
                 Though
                 they
                 seek
                 for
                 death
                 ,
                 yet
                 they
                 shall
                 not
                 find
                 it
                 :
                 though
                 they
                 be
                 alwayes
                 burning
                 ,
                 yet
                 they
                 shall
                 not
                 be
                 consumed
                 :
                 though
                 they
                 be
                 alwayes
                 gnawed
                 upon
                 by
                 the
                 Worm
                 of
                 Conscience
                 ,
                 yet
                 they
                 shall
                 never
                 be
                 devoured
                 .
                 Which
                 makes
                 the
                 misery
                 of
                 the
                 damned
                 in
                 hell
                 most
                 exquisitely
                 miserable
                 .
              
               
                 Men
                 in
                 misery
                 comfort
                 themselves
                 with
                 hope
                 of
                 an
                 end
                 .
                 The
                 Prisoner
                 with
                 hope
                 of
                 Goal-delivery
                 :
                 the
                 Apprentice
                 with
                 hope
                 of
                 a
                 freedom
                 and
                 liberty
                 :
                 the
                 Gally-slave
                 with
                 hope
                 of
                 a
                 ransome
                 :
                 only
                 
                 the
                 poor
                 wretches
                 in
                 hell
                 have
                 no
                 hope
                 of
                 freedom
                 and
                 liberty
                 at
                 all
                 :
                 they
                 are
                 as
                 far
                 from
                 an
                 end
                 of
                 their
                 torments
                 ,
                 as
                 at
                 their
                 first
                 beginning
                 and
                 entrance
                 thereinto
                 .
              
               
                 If
                 there
                 might
                 be
                 any
                 end
                 of
                 their
                 torments
                 ,
                 though
                 it
                 should
                 be
                 after
                 so
                 many
                 millions
                 of
                 years
                 ,
                 as
                 there
                 are
                 Sands
                 on
                 the
                 Sea-shore
                 ,
                 or
                 Stars
                 in
                 the
                 Firmament
                 ,
                 it
                 would
                 be
                 some
                 comfort
                 to
                 those
                 who
                 endure
                 them
                 .
                 But
                 Eternity
                 is
                 the
                 very
                 hell
                 of
                 hells
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 which
                 most
                 of
                 all
                 breaks
                 the
                 very
                 hearts
                 of
                 the
                 damned
                 .
                 The
                 present
                 sense
                 of
                 pain
                 being
                 not
                 so
                 grievous
                 to
                 the
                 damned
                 ,
                 as
                 it
                 is
                 to
                 think
                 that
                 after
                 thousands
                 ,
                 yea
                 thousand
                 thousands
                 of
                 years
                 ,
                 they
                 shall
                 be
                 as
                 far
                 either
                 from
                 end
                 or
                 from
                 ease
                 ,
                 as
                 they
                 were
                 the
                 first
                 hour
                 of
                 their
                 falling
                 into
                 it
                 .
                 Surely
                 if
                 to
                 a
                 man
                 tormented
                 with
                 the
                 
                   gout
                   ,
                   stone
                
                 ,
                 or
                 collick
                 ,
                 one
                 night
                 seemeth
                 exceeding
                 long
                 ;
                 Oh
                 how
                 long
                 do
                 you
                 think
                 eternity
                 (
                 that
                 night
                 which
                 shall
                 never
                 know
                 morning
                 )
                 will
                 seem
                 to
                 those
                 who
                 shall
                 lye
                 tormented
                 and
                 roaring
                 in
                 a
                 bed
                 of
                 flame
                 ,
                 with
                 wicked
                 fiends
                 ,
                 and
                 Devils
                 about
                 them
                 ,
                 daily
                 and
                 hourly
                 adding
                 to
                 their
                 torment
                 ?
                 If
                 one
                 short
                 nights
                 pain
                 be
                 so
                 tedious
                 and
                 grievous
                 ,
                 what
                 will
                 that
                 eternal
                 night
                 be
                 ?
              
               
                 Ah
                 sinner
                 ,
                 thou
                 art
                 not
                 now
                 able
                 to
                 endure
                 the
                 sudden
                 scorch
                 of
                 a
                 fire
                 ,
                 nor
                 to
                 hold
                 one
                 of
                 thy
                 fingers
                 over
                 the
                 flame
                 of
                 a
                 Candle
                 for
                 a
                 quarter
                 of
                 an
                 hour
                 .
                 How
                 wilt
                 thou
                 then
                 endure
                 to
                 lye
                 in
                 a
                 fiery
                 flaming
                 Furnace
                 ,
                 not
                 only
                 an
                 hour
                 ,
                 or
                 a
                 day
                 ,
                 but
                 years
                 ,
                 yea
                 millions
                 of
                 years
                 ?
                 Some
                 have
                 thus
                 represented
                 the
                 eternity
                 of
                 hell-torments
                 .
                 Suppose
                 ,
                 say
                 they
                 ,
                 that
                 all
                 the
                 vast
                 space
                 ,
                 which
                 is
                 between
                 Heaven
                 and
                 Earth
                 ,
                 were
                 filled
                 with
                 Sands
                 :
                 and
                 God
                 should
                 command
                 an
                 Angel
                 once
                 in
                 every
                 thousand
                 years
                 to
                 fetch
                 away
                 one
                 small
                 grain
                 ;
                 what
                 an
                 innumerable
                 number
                 of
                 years
                 would
                 be
                 spent
                 before
                 all
                 those
                 sands
                 would
                 be
                 fetcht
                 away
                 ?
                 yet
                 shalt
                 thou
                 abide
                 thus
                 long
                 in
                 hell-fire
                 :
                 and
                 when
                 they
                 are
                 expired
                 ,
                 continue
                 as
                 long
                 again
                 and
                 again
                 ,
                 and
                 a
                 thousand
                 times
                 told
                 ,
                 for
                 Eternity
                 knows
                 no
                 beginning
                 ,
                 no
                 middle
                 ,
                 no
                 end
                 :
                 but
                 after
                 a
                 
                 thousand
                 thousand
                 millions
                 of
                 years
                 ,
                 there
                 are
                 still
                 as
                 
                   many
                   more
                   to
                   come
                
                 :
                 and
                 when
                 these
                 
                   many
                   more
                
                 are
                 come
                 ,
                 and
                 gone
                 ,
                 thy
                 torments
                 are
                 as
                 far
                 from
                 the
                 last
                 ,
                 as
                 they
                 were
                 at
                 the
                 first
                 .
              
               
                 What
                 heart
                 can
                 think
                 of
                 these
                 things
                 without
                 horrour
                 and
                 amazement
                 ?
                 Suppose
                 that
                 for
                 some
                 high-treason
                 against
                 the
                 Kings-person
                 ,
                 thou
                 wert
                 condemned
                 to
                 be
                 cast
                 into
                 a
                 fiery
                 flaming
                 Furnace
                 ,
                 or
                 Caldron
                 of
                 boyling
                 lead
                 ,
                 and
                 there
                 to
                 continue
                 a
                 thousand
                 years
                 ,
                 how
                 sad
                 would
                 thy
                 condition
                 be
                 ?
                 yet
                 this
                 were
                 a
                 mercy
                 to
                 hell-torments
                 .
                 For
                 after
                 thou
                 hast
                 layn
                 ten
                 thousand
                 ,
                 thousand
                 years
                 in
                 a
                 Furnace
                 of
                 fire
                 ,
                 kept
                 up
                 in
                 the
                 highest
                 flame
                 by
                 the
                 breath
                 of
                 Gods
                 wrath
                 ,
                 there
                 is
                 full
                 as
                 much
                 behind
                 ,
                 as
                 there
                 was
                 on
                 thy
                 first-day
                 .
              
               
                 Thou
                 sinnedst
                 in
                 
                   thine
                   eternity
                
                 ,
                 and
                 therefore
                 must
                 suffer
                 in
                 
                   Gods
                   eternity
                
                 .
                 Thou
                 sinnedst
                 against
                 an
                 infinite
                 God
                 ,
                 despising
                 his
                 infinite
                 grace
                 and
                 mercy
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 infinite
                 merits
                 of
                 Christ
                 ,
                 and
                 wouldst
                 have
                 drawn
                 out
                 thy
                 sin
                 to
                 the
                 length
                 of
                 eternity
                 ;
                 and
                 therefore
                 must
                 suffer
                 an
                 infinite
                 ,
                 eternal
                 punishment
                 .
                 Thou
                 never
                 heartily
                 repentedst
                 of
                 thy
                 sins
                 ,
                 and
                 therefore
                 God
                 will
                 never
                 repent
                 him
                 of
                 thy
                 sufferings
                 .
                 This
                 is
                 the
                 day
                 of
                 Gods-long-suffering
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 will
                 be
                 the
                 day
                 of
                 
                   thy
                   long-suffering
                
                 ,
                 when
                 thou
                 shalt
                 
                   suffer
                   long
                
                 for
                 thine
                 abusing
                 
                   the
                   long-suffering
                   of
                   God.
                
                 
              
               
                 Ah
                 sinner
                 sinner
                 ,
                 what
                 stupidity
                 hath
                 seised
                 on
                 thee
                 that
                 thou
                 shoulst
                 be
                 lyable
                 to
                 eternal
                 torments
                 in
                 hell
                 ,
                 and
                 yet
                 live
                 as
                 carelesly
                 and
                 prophanely
                 ,
                 as
                 if
                 it
                 did
                 no
                 way
                 at
                 all
                 concern
                 thee
                 ?
                 Know
                 for
                 certain
                 ,
                 that
                 though
                 thou
                 dost
                 not
                 as
                 yet
                 feel
                 these
                 torments
                 ,
                 yet
                 thou
                 art
                 every
                 moment
                 subject
                 ,
                 and
                 hasting
                 thereunto
                 .
                 A
                 cloud
                 of
                 fire
                 and
                 brimstone
                 hangeth
                 over
                 thine
                 head
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 Lord
                 knoweth
                 ,
                 how
                 suddenly
                 it
                 may
                 fall
                 upon
                 thee
                 .
                 It
                 is
                 certainly
                 decreed
                 in
                 Heaven
                 ,
                 that
                 if
                 thou
                 turn
                 not
                 here
                 from
                 thy
                 sins
                 unto
                 God
                 ,
                 by
                 true
                 and
                 unfaigned
                 repentance
                 ,
                 and
                 turn
                 over
                 a
                 new
                 leaf
                 ,
                 leading
                 a
                 new
                 course
                 of
                 life
                 ,
                 thou
                 shalt
                 lye
                 in
                 a
                 lake
                 of
                 brimstone
                 to
                 
                   all
                   eternity
                
                 ;
                 and
                 thou
                 knowest
                 not
                 how
                 soon
                 God
                 may
                 seal
                 the
                 warrant
                 for
                 thine
                 execution
                 .
              
               
               
                 Oh
                 sinner
                 ,
                 that
                 I
                 could
                 prevail
                 with
                 thee
                 once
                 a
                 day
                 to
                 steep
                 thy
                 thoughts
                 in
                 a
                 serious
                 meditation
                 of
                 the
                 Eternity
                 of
                 hell-torments
                 .
                 Certainly
                 it
                 would
                 abate
                 the
                 heat
                 of
                 thy
                 lusts
                 ,
                 and
                 take
                 off
                 the
                 edge
                 of
                 thy
                 love
                 to
                 thy
                 most
                 pleasing
                 vanities
                 ,
                 and
                 stop
                 thee
                 in
                 the
                 eager
                 pursuit
                 of
                 thy
                 carnal
                 pleasures
                 .
                 For
                 wouldst
                 thou
                 be
                 content
                 to
                 run
                 the
                 hazard
                 of
                 such
                 torments
                 for
                 thy
                 present
                 ease
                 ?
                 of
                 such
                 plagues
                 for
                 thy
                 present
                 pleasures
                 ?
                 of
                 such
                 thick
                 darkness
                 for
                 the
                 light
                 of
                 thine
                 own
                 sparks
                 ?
                 of
                 such
                 an
                 Eternity
                 for
                 a
                 few
                 jocund
                 hours
                 ?
                 Oh
                 when
                 wilt
                 thou
                 awake
                 from
                 this
                 folly
                 ?
              
               
                 Thou
                 who
                 now
                 givest
                 thy self
                 up
                 to
                 the
                 gratifying
                 of
                 thy
                 sinfull
                 lusts
                 ,
                 to
                 the
                 satisfying
                 of
                 thy
                 brurish
                 pleasures
                 ,
                 who
                 art
                 sowing
                 daily
                 to
                 the
                 flesh
                 ,
                 sowing
                 oaths
                 ,
                 and
                 curses
                 ,
                 and
                 lyes
                 ,
                 and
                 adulteries
                 ,
                 &c.
                 without
                 considering
                 what
                 a
                 bitter
                 harvest
                 thou
                 shalt
                 have
                 after
                 such
                 a
                 black
                 seed-time
                 :
                 should
                 I
                 but
                 ask
                 thee
                 ,
                 how
                 much
                 pleasure
                 thou
                 wouldst
                 take
                 to
                 lye
                 but
                 one
                 day
                 in
                 such
                 a
                 burning
                 Furnace
                 ,
                 as
                 Nebuchadnezzars
                 was
                 ,
                 after
                 it
                 was
                 heated
                 seven
                 times
                 more
                 for
                 the
                 three
                 Children
                 ?
                 I
                 dare
                 boldly
                 say
                 ,
                 thou
                 wouldst
                 not
                 lye
                 therein
                 one
                 quarter
                 of
                 an
                 hour
                 for
                 all
                 the
                 pleasures
                 and
                 riches
                 in
                 the
                 World.
                 How
                 is
                 it
                 then
                 ,
                 that
                 for
                 a
                 little
                 pleasure
                 ,
                 which
                 endureth
                 but
                 for
                 a
                 moment
                 ,
                 thou
                 dost
                 so
                 little
                 regard
                 the
                 lying
                 in
                 the
                 Furnace
                 of
                 hell-fire
                 to
                 all
                 eternity
                 ?
              
               
                 In
                 the
                 fear
                 of
                 God
                 therefore
                 often
                 think
                 as
                 of
                 the
                 extremity
                 ,
                 so
                 of
                 the
                 eternity
                 of
                 hell-torments
                 .
                 Me-thinks
                 the
                 very
                 thought
                 thereof
                 should
                 forthwith
                 call
                 off
                 the
                 drunkard
                 from
                 following
                 the
                 Ale-house
                 with
                 his
                 vain
                 companions
                 :
                 and
                 the
                 swearer
                 from
                 taking
                 the
                 name
                 of
                 God
                 so
                 often
                 in
                 vain
                 :
                 and
                 the
                 
                   voluptuous
                   person
                
                 from
                 his
                 sensual
                 delights
                 ,
                 and
                 wanton
                 dalliances
                 :
                 and
                 the
                 worldling
                 from
                 his
                 immoderate
                 seeking
                 after
                 earthly
                 riches
                 and
                 treasures
                 ;
                 and
                 cause
                 every
                 of
                 them
                 out
                 of
                 hand
                 to
                 set
                 upon
                 another
                 and
                 a
                 wiser
                 course
                 ,
                 to
                 mind
                 the
                 good
                 of
                 their
                 immortal
                 souls
                 ,
                 and
                 bethink
                 themselves
                 in
                 earnest
                 how
                 they
                 might
                 escape
                 the
                 wrath
                 to
                 come
                 ;
                 to
                 cast
                 away
                 sin
                 ,
                 to
                 cry
                 after
                 mercy
                 ,
                 to
                 run
                 
                 over
                 to
                 Jesus
                 Christ
                 ,
                 with
                 their
                 tongues
                 ,
                 with
                 their
                 eyes
                 ,
                 with
                 their
                 hearts
                 full
                 of
                 prayers
                 ,
                 
                   Lord
                   save
                   me
                   or
                   I
                   perish
                   :
                   Lord
                   teach
                   me
                   what
                   I
                   must
                   do
                   to
                   be
                   saved
                   .
                   Lord
                   pardon
                   me
                   ,
                   Lord
                   turn
                   me
                   ,
                   Lord
                   sanctifie
                   me
                   .
                   Lord
                   help
                   me
                   that
                   I
                   come
                   not
                   into
                   this
                   place
                   of
                   torment
                   .
                
                 But
                 when
                 will
                 the
                 folly
                 of
                 fools
                 depart
                 from
                 them
                 ?
                 Oh
                 the
                 stupendious
                 brutishness
                 of
                 this
                 mad
                 and
                 sensual
                 World
                 !
                 though
                 they
                 know
                 these
                 things
                 ,
                 and
                 have
                 been
                 forewarned
                 of
                 them
                 ,
                 yet
                 they
                 have
                 not
                 the
                 heart
                 to
                 fly
                 from
                 the
                 wrath
                 to
                 come
                 .
              
               
                 Thus
                 much
                 for
                 the
                 clearing
                 and
                 setting
                 forth
                 of
                 the
                 first
                 truth
                 to
                 be
                 embraced
                 towards
                 the
                 working
                 of
                 regeneration
                 in
                 mens
                 souls
                 ,
                 namely
                 ,
                 
                   That
                   every
                   man
                   in
                   his
                   state
                   of
                   unregeneracy
                   is
                   in
                   a
                   miserable
                   and
                   dreadful
                   condition
                   .
                
                 Wherein
                 I
                 have
                 the
                 longer
                 insisted
                 ,
                 that
                 thereby
                 I
                 might
                 startle
                 and
                 awaken
                 unregenerate
                 men
                 out
                 of
                 their
                 carnal
                 security
                 ,
                 unto
                 a
                 lively
                 sense
                 and
                 apprehension
                 of
                 the
                 dreadful
                 danger
                 they
                 are
                 in
                 ,
                 so
                 long
                 as
                 they
                 live
                 and
                 lye
                 in
                 their
                 unregenerate
                 estate
                 :
                 and
                 so
                 countermine
                 the
                 great
                 design
                 of
                 the
                 Devil
                 against
                 their
                 souls
                 ,
                 which
                 is
                 to
                 keep
                 them
                 blindfold
                 and
                 ignorant
                 of
                 their
                 wretched
                 miserable
                 state
                 ,
                 by
                 perswading
                 them
                 that
                 their
                 condition
                 is
                 as
                 good
                 and
                 safe
                 as
                 the
                 best
                 .
                 For
                 certainly
                 were
                 they
                 but
                 sensible
                 of
                 their
                 present
                 condition
                 ,
                 how
                 they
                 were
                 lost
                 and
                 undone
                 for
                 ever
                 ,
                 if
                 they
                 should
                 dye
                 in
                 their
                 natural
                 and
                 unregenerate
                 estate
                 ,
                 the
                 Devil
                 with
                 all
                 his
                 skill
                 and
                 cuning
                 would
                 be
                 hard
                 put
                 to
                 it
                 to
                 perswade
                 them
                 to
                 live
                 another
                 day
                 therein
                 ,
                 left
                 they
                 should
                 suddenly
                 be
                 snatcht
                 away
                 to
                 hell
                 :
                 would
                 they
                 then
                 turn
                 such
                 a
                 deaf
                 ear
                 to
                 the
                 Voice
                 of
                 the
                 Gospel
                 ?
                 would
                 they
                 then
                 make
                 such
                 excuses
                 ,
                 and
                 make
                 such
                 delayes
                 when
                 Christ
                 calls
                 them
                 to
                 repentance
                 ?
                 
                   I
                   cannot
                   be
                   at
                   the
                   pains
                   ,
                   I
                   cannot
                   bear
                   the
                   labour
                   ,
                   and
                   the
                   sorrow
                   of
                   a
                   penitent
                   life
                   .
                   I
                   cannot
                   part
                   with
                   mine
                   ease
                   ,
                   my
                   pleasures
                   ,
                   my
                   friends
                   and
                   companions
                   ,
                   at
                   least
                   ,
                   not
                   yet
                   awhile
                   .
                
                 Oh
                 the
                 sense
                 of
                 an
                 hell
                 would
                 silence
                 all
                 such
                 excuses
                 ,
                 and
                 shake
                 off
                 all
                 such
                 delayes
                 .
                 To
                 day
                 ,
                 to
                 day
                 ,
                 O
                 my
                 soul
                 ,
                 hearken
                 to
                 thy
                 Lord
                 ,
                 left
                 it
                 be
                 too
                 late
                 by
                 to
                 morrow
                 .
              
               
               
                 Now
                 stand
                 sinner
                 ,
                 stand
                 and
                 pause
                 awhile
                 on
                 what
                 hath
                 been
                 hitherto
                 spoken
                 .
                 Look
                 back
                 and
                 consider
                 ,
                 Is
                 this
                 thy
                 state
                 ?
                 Is
                 this
                 thy
                 portion
                 which
                 hath
                 hitherto
                 been
                 described
                 ?
                 Art
                 thou
                 a
                 sinner
                 ,
                 a
                 willfull
                 and
                 impenitent
                 sinner
                 ,
                 and
                 doth
                 not
                 all
                 this
                 belong
                 to
                 thee
                 ?
                 search
                 the
                 Scriptures
                 ,
                 believe
                 the
                 Scriptures
                 ,
                 and
                 then
                 say
                 if
                 this
                 be
                 not
                 the
                 place
                 of
                 them
                 that
                 know
                 not
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 obey
                 not
                 the
                 Gospel
                 of
                 Christ.
                 But
                 what
                 saift
                 thou
                 ,
                 is
                 it
                 good
                 for
                 thee
                 to
                 be
                 here
                 ?
                 Is
                 this
                 a
                 state
                 to
                 acquiesce
                 in
                 ?
                 to
                 be
                 at
                 ease
                 and
                 secure
                 ,
                 to
                 be
                 so
                 merry
                 and
                 jolly
                 in
                 ?
                 Is
                 this
                 the
                 state
                 thou
                 art
                 so
                 loth
                 to
                 be
                 delivered
                 from
                 ?
                 Dost
                 thou
                 hang
                 over
                 the
                 burning
                 furnace
                 by
                 the
                 small
                 thread
                 of
                 thy
                 life
                 ,
                 which
                 as
                 soon
                 as
                 it
                 is
                 snapt
                 off
                 ,
                 thou
                 tumblest
                 headlong
                 into
                 this
                 bottomless
                 gulf
                 ,
                 and
                 dost
                 thou
                 scoff
                 and
                 scorn
                 at
                 the
                 poor
                 Ministers
                 and
                 Ambassadours
                 of
                 Christ
                 that
                 come
                 to
                 thee
                 only
                 to
                 snatch
                 thy
                 soul
                 out
                 of
                 this
                 amazing
                 danger
                 ?
              
               
                 But
                 hearken
                 sinner
                 ,
                 wilt
                 thou
                 escape
                 ?
                 wilt
                 thou
                 the
                 redeemed
                 ?
                 wilt
                 thou
                 be
                 delivered
                 from
                 all
                 this
                 ?
                 would
                 he
                 be
                 a
                 messenger
                 of
                 good
                 tydings
                 ,
                 wouldst
                 thou
                 bid
                 him
                 welcome
                 that
                 should
                 bring
                 thee
                 news
                 of
                 redemption
                 from
                 all
                 this
                 ?
                 why
                 ,
                 is
                 there
                 any
                 hope
                 of
                 that
                 ?
                 hope
                 of
                 deliverance
                 ,
                 hope
                 of
                 salvation
                 ?
                 what
                 for
                 such
                 a
                 sinner
                 ,
                 what
                 from
                 so
                 great
                 destruction
                 ?
                 what
                 is
                 there
                 any
                 hope
                 for
                 such
                 a
                 great
                 sinner
                 ?
                 such
                 an
                 hardened
                 sinner
                 ,
                 such
                 an
                 old
                 sinner
                 ,
                 that
                 hath
                 even
                 one
                 foot
                 already
                 in
                 hell
                 ?
                 why
                 ,
                 wilt
                 thou
                 hearken
                 ?
                 consider
                 ,
                 consider
                 ,
                 what
                 shall
                 further
                 be
                 spoken
                 ,
                 and
                 thou
                 shalt
                 see
                 that
                 there
                 is
                 yet
                 
                   hope
                   for
                   thee
                
                 ,
                 even
                 
                   for
                   thee
                
                 ,
                 concerning
                 this
                 thing
                 .
                 As
                 great
                 as
                 thy
                 sins
                 are
                 ,
                 as
                 great
                 as
                 thy
                 danger
                 is
                 ,
                 if
                 thou
                 wilt
                 yet
                 hearken
                 ,
                 there
                 is
                 hope
                 that
                 thou
                 maist
                 be
                 saved
                 .
              
            
             
               
               
                 CHAP.
                 XII
                 .
                 Sheweth
                 that
                 there
                 is
                 hope
                 of
                 Mercy
                 for
                 the
                 worst
                 of
                 Sinners
                 .
              
               
                 II.
                 ANother
                 truth
                 to
                 be
                 embraced
                 in
                 order
                 to
                 thy
                 Regeneration
                 ,
                 is
                 this
                 ,
                 
                   That
                   there
                   is
                   hope
                   of
                   mercy
                   for
                   the
                   greatest
                   sinners
                   .
                
              
               
                 Though
                 the
                 condition
                 of
                 men
                 in
                 their
                 state
                 of
                 unregeneracy
                 be
                 very
                 deplorable
                 ,
                 yet
                 it
                 is
                 not
                 desperate
                 :
                 there
                 is
                 hope
                 of
                 mercy
                 for
                 the
                 worst
                 of
                 them
                 ,
                 which
                 will
                 appear
                 from
                 a
                 due
                 consideration
                 ,
                 
                   
                     1.
                     
                     
                       Of
                       Gods
                       powers
                       and
                       willingness
                       to
                       save
                       the
                       worst
                       of
                       sinners
                       .
                    
                  
                   
                     2.
                     
                     
                       Of
                       the
                       all-sufficiency
                       of
                       Christs
                       Sacrifice
                       .
                    
                  
                   
                     3.
                     
                     
                       Of
                       Christs
                       readiness
                       to
                       embrace
                       all
                       poor
                       sinners
                       ,
                       who
                       will
                       but
                       ,
                       come
                       unto
                       him
                       ,
                       and
                       receive
                       him
                       upon
                       the
                       terms
                       of
                       the
                       Gospel
                       .
                    
                  
                
              
               
                 I.
                 For
                 the
                 
                   Power
                   of
                   God
                
                 to
                 save
                 the
                 worst
                 of
                 sinners
                 ,
                 it
                 doth
                 appear
                 ;
              
               
                 1.
                 
                 
                   From
                   the
                   infiniteness
                   of
                   his
                   mercy
                   ,
                
                 which
                 is
                 compared
                 to
                 the
                 
                   depth
                   of
                   the
                   Sea.
                
                 
                 
                   Thou
                   wilt
                   cast
                   all
                   their
                   sins
                   into
                   the
                   depth
                   of
                   the
                   Sea
                   ,
                
                 saith
                 the
                 Prophet
                 Micah
                 .
                 The
                 Sea
                 is
                 of
                 such
                 a
                 vast
                 capacity
                 ,
                 that
                 it
                 can
                 swallow
                 up
                 the
                 highest
                 mountain
                 ,
                 as
                 well
                 as
                 cover
                 the
                 lowest
                 mole-hill
                 .
                 In
                 like
                 manner
                 the
                 mercy
                 of
                 God
                 is
                 of
                 such
                 a
                 boundless
                 extent
                 ,
                 that
                 it
                 can
                 pardon
                 the
                 greatest
                 and
                 grossest
                 sins
                 ,
                 as
                 well
                 as
                 the
                 least
                 .
                 In
                 which
                 respect
                 he
                 is
                 said
                 to
                 be
                 
                   plenteous
                   in
                   mercy
                
                 ,
                 
                 and
                 
                   rich
                   in
                   mercy
                
                 :
                 
                 admire
                 it
                 we
                 may
                 ,
                 but
                 no
                 man
                 is
                 able
                 to
                 express
                 
                   how
                   great
                   the
                   mercy
                   of
                   the
                   Lord
                   is
                   ,
                
                 being
                 as
                 himself
                 infinite
                 without
                 any
                 limits
                 or
                 bounds
                 .
              
               
                 Ah
                 sinner
                 ,
                 far
                 be
                 it
                 from
                 thee
                 ,
                 either
                 to
                 straighten
                 the
                 mercy
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 or
                 so
                 to
                 aggravate
                 thy
                 sins
                 ,
                 as
                 to
                 conclude
                 that
                 thy
                 sins
                 are
                 greater
                 than
                 can
                 be
                 forgiven
                 :
                 
                 do
                 not
                 so
                 aggravate
                 thy
                 mighty
                 sins
                 ,
                 as
                 thereby
                 to
                 derogate
                 from
                 infinite
                 mercy
                 .
                 Is
                 not
                 the
                 mercy
                 of
                 God
                 infinite
                 ?
                 Is
                 it
                 not
                 the
                 mercy
                 of
                 a
                 God
                 ?
                 thy
                 greatest
                 sins
                 are
                 but
                 finite
                 ,
                 as
                 being
                 the
                 sins
                 of
                 a
                 creature
                 :
                 but
                 his
                 mercy
                 is
                 infinite
                 ,
                 being
                 the
                 mercy
                 of
                 a
                 God.
                 As
                 there
                 is
                 no
                 proportion
                 between
                 that
                 which
                 is
                 finite
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 which
                 is
                 infinite
                 :
                 So
                 neither
                 is
                 there
                 any
                 proportion
                 between
                 the
                 greatest
                 of
                 thy
                 sins
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 mercy
                 of
                 God.
                 
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 The
                 power
                 of
                 God
                 to
                 save
                 the
                 worst
                 of
                 sinners
                 appeareth
                 
                   from
                   the
                   unlimited
                   extent
                   of
                   his
                   promises
                   .
                
                 What
                 ever
                 God
                 promiseth
                 ,
                 sure
                 he
                 hath
                 power
                 to
                 perform
                 .
                 Now
                 the
                 promises
                 of
                 God
                 exclude
                 
                   no
                   sinner
                   ,
                   nor
                   any
                   sin
                
                 (
                 except
                 the
                 sin
                 against
                 the
                 Holy
                 Ghost
                 )
                 
                   nor
                   any
                   time
                
                 of
                 coming
                 unto
                 him
                 :
                 for
                 in
                 all
                 these
                 respects
                 are
                 the
                 promises
                 of
                 God
                 wondrous
                 large
                 ,
                 and
                 of
                 great
                 extent
                 .
              
               
                 1.
                 
                 
                   They
                   exclude
                   no
                   sinner
                
                 .
                 For
                 they
                 run
                 for
                 the
                 most
                 part
                 in
                 the
                 generality
                 :
                 promising
                 mercy
                 and
                 forgiveness
                 to
                 all
                 who
                 turn
                 unto
                 him
                 in
                 truth
                 ,
                 and
                 sincerity
                 ,
                 as
                 Isa.
                 55.7
                 .
                 
                   Let
                   the
                   wicked
                   forsake
                   his
                   way
                   ,
                   and
                   the
                   unrighteous
                   man
                   his
                   thoughts
                   ,
                   and
                   let
                   him
                   return
                   unto
                   the
                   Lord
                   ,
                   and
                   he
                   will
                   have
                   mercy
                   on
                   him
                   ,
                   and
                   to
                   our
                   God
                   ,
                   and
                   he
                   will
                   abundatly
                   pardon
                   .
                
                 Here
                 the
                 Prophet
                 speaks
                 to
                 the
                 wicked
                 and
                 unrighteous
                 indefinitely
                 ,
                 even
                 to
                 all
                 and
                 every
                 one
                 of
                 them
                 ,
                 and
                 assures
                 them
                 that
                 upon
                 their
                 repentance
                 ,
                 they
                 shall
                 be
                 received
                 to
                 mercy
                 .
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 
                   They
                   exclude
                   no
                   sins
                
                 ,
                 no
                 not
                 scarlet
                 and
                 crimson
                 sins
                 ,
                 as
                 Isa.
                 1.18
                 .
                 
                   Though
                   your
                   sins
                   be
                   as
                   scarlet
                   ,
                   they
                   shall
                   be
                   as
                   white
                   as
                   snow
                   ,
                   though
                   they
                   be
                   red
                   like
                   crimson
                   ,
                   they
                   shall
                   be
                   as
                   wool
                
                 ;
                 that
                 is
                 ,
                 though
                 your
                 sins
                 be
                 never
                 so
                 great
                 and
                 hainous
                 ,
                 yet
                 upon
                 your
                 repentance
                 ,
                 through
                 the
                 mercy
                 of
                 God
                 in
                 Christ
                 ,
                 they
                 shall
                 be
                 so
                 abolished
                 ,
                 as
                 if
                 they
                 had
                 never
                 been
                 committed
                 .
              
               
                 3.
                 
                 
                   They
                   exclude
                   no
                   time
                   for
                   the
                   sinners
                   coming
                   unto
                   God
                   ,
                
                 but
                 whensoever
                 ,
                 sooner
                 or
                 later
                 ,
                 first
                 or
                 last
                 ,
                 so
                 that
                 he
                 come
                 
                   in
                   truth
                
                 ,
                 he
                 shall
                 find
                 mercy
                 and
                 forgiveness
                 ,
                 Ezck.
                 33.12
                 .
                 The
                 promise
                 lyeth
                 
                   in
                   the
                   day
                   that
                   the
                   sinner
                   turneth
                   .
                
                 Seeing
                 therefore
                 ,
                 oh
                 sinner
                 ,
                 
                 God
                 hath
                 not
                 excepted
                 thy
                 person
                 ,
                 nor
                 thy
                 sins
                 ,
                 no
                 thy
                 time
                 of
                 coming
                 ,
                 do
                 not
                 thou
                 except
                 thy self
                 ,
                 saying
                 ,
                 
                   thy
                   sins
                   are
                   greater
                   than
                   can
                   be
                   pardoned
                   ,
                   and
                   thy
                   day
                   of
                   grace
                   is
                   past
                   .
                
                 Oh
                 do
                 not
                 so
                 great
                 an
                 injury
                 to
                 God
                 ,
                 as
                 to
                 set
                 any
                 bounds
                 or
                 limits
                 either
                 to
                 his
                 mercy
                 ,
                 or
                 to
                 his
                 promises
                 .
              
               
                 3.
                 
                 The
                 power
                 of
                 God
                 to
                 save
                 the
                 worst
                 of
                 sinners
                 appeareth
                 from
                 
                   his
                   actual
                   receiving
                   the
                   most
                   heinous
                   sinners
                   to
                   mercy
                   .
                
                 The
                 greatest
                 sinners
                 that
                 we
                 read
                 of
                 in
                 Scripture
                 have
                 obtained
                 mercy
                 .
                 Who
                 greater
                 than
                 Mannasseh
                 ?
                 
                 who
                 was
                 a
                 Sorcerer
                 ,
                 an
                 Idolater
                 ,
                 a
                 Murtherer
                 ,
                 and
                 what
                 not
                 ?
                 and
                 yet
                 was
                 received
                 to
                 mercy
                 .
                 And
                 who
                 greater
                 in
                 the
                 New
                 Testament
                 than
                 Paul
                 ?
                 
                 who
                 was
                 a
                 
                   Blasphemer
                   and
                   a
                   Persecutor
                   of
                   the
                   Saints
                   and
                   People
                   of
                   God
                
                 ;
                 and
                 yet
                 was
                 received
                 to
                 mercy
                 .
                 Now
                 what
                 God
                 hath
                 done
                 formerly
                 ,
                 he
                 is
                 still
                 able
                 to
                 do
                 ,
                 he
                 is
                 still
                 the
                 same
                 God
                 ,
                 his
                 power
                 is
                 no
                 whit
                 lessened
                 ,
                 nor
                 diminished
                 .
              
               
                 Oh
                 sinner
                 ,
                 what
                 ground
                 hast
                 thou
                 then
                 to
                 question
                 the
                 mercy
                 of
                 God
                 to
                 thy
                 soul
                 ,
                 if
                 thou
                 dost
                 in
                 truth
                 turn
                 from
                 thy
                 sins
                 unto
                 him
                 ,
                 and
                 earnestly
                 beg
                 the
                 pardon
                 and
                 forgiveness
                 of
                 them
                 ?
                 I
                 know
                 indeed
                 that
                 before
                 God
                 giveth
                 a
                 sight
                 and
                 a
                 sense
                 of
                 our
                 sins
                 ,
                 we
                 are
                 too
                 too
                 apt
                 to
                 presume
                 :
                 but
                 our
                 understandings
                 are
                 no
                 sooner
                 inlightned
                 to
                 see
                 our
                 sins
                 ,
                 and
                 our
                 consciences
                 awakened
                 to
                 feel
                 the
                 burden
                 of
                 them
                 ,
                 but
                 we
                 are
                 very
                 apt
                 to
                 despair
                 :
                 it
                 being
                 the
                 great
                 design
                 of
                 our
                 adversary
                 the
                 Devil
                 either
                 to
                 make
                 us
                 dye
                 in
                 a
                 senseless
                 calm
                 ,
                 or
                 else
                 to
                 perish
                 in
                 a
                 desperate
                 storm
                 .
                 Oh
                 saith
                 the
                 awakened
                 sinner
                 ,
                 
                   my
                   sins
                   are
                   many
                   for
                   number
                   ,
                   and
                   heinous
                   in
                   their
                   quality
                   ,
                   having
                   aggravated
                   them
                   by
                   many
                   amplifying
                   circumstances
                   .
                   Certainly
                   there
                   is
                   no
                   hope
                   of
                   mercy
                   for
                   such
                   a
                   wretched
                   ,
                   sinfull
                   creature
                   as
                   I
                   am
                   ,
                   whose
                   sins
                   are
                   greater
                   than
                   can
                   be
                   forgiven
                   .
                
                 But
                 take
                 notice
                 ,
                 I
                 beseech
                 thee
                 ,
                 of
                 these
                 two
                 things
                 .
              
               
                 1.
                 
                 Though
                 in
                 thy self
                 there
                 is
                 nothing
                 but
                 ground
                 and
                 matter
                 of
                 despair
                 ,
                 yet
                 in
                 the
                 mercy
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 through
                 the
                 merits
                 of
                 Jesus
                 Christ
                 ,
                 there
                 is
                 ground
                 enough
                 of
                 comfort
                 ,
                 and
                 encouragement
                 .
              
               
               
                 2.
                 
                 How
                 many
                 and
                 heinous
                 soever
                 thy
                 sins
                 have
                 been
                 ,
                 yet
                 if
                 thou
                 canst
                 find
                 an
                 heart
                 to
                 turn
                 from
                 them
                 unto
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 in
                 good
                 earnest
                 set
                 upon
                 the
                 practice
                 of
                 an
                 holy
                 life
                 ,
                 and
                 so
                 become
                 a
                 new
                 creature
                 ,
                 God
                 will
                 receive
                 thee
                 to
                 mercy
                 .
              
               
                 But
                 still
                 beware
                 thou
                 abuse
                 not
                 mercy
                 by
                 making
                 it
                 thy
                 encouragement
                 to
                 sin
                 :
                 turn
                 not
                 this
                 cup
                 of
                 Salvation
                 into
                 a
                 cup
                 of
                 deadly
                 poyson
                 :
                 let
                 not
                 the
                 doctrine
                 of
                 infinite
                 mercy
                 be
                 thy
                 damnation
                 :
                 abuse
                 not
                 mercy
                 as
                 thy
                 encouragement
                 to
                 sin
                 ,
                 but
                 improve
                 mercy
                 as
                 thy
                 encouragement
                 to
                 repentance
                 .
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 For
                 the
                 Willingness
                 of
                 God
                 to
                 save
                 poor
                 sinners
                 ,
                 even
                 the
                 worst
                 of
                 them
                 ;
                 it
                 doth
                 appear
                 ,
              
               
                 1.
                 
                 From
                 Gods
                 description
                 of
                 himself
                 ,
                 Exod.
                 34.6
                 ,
                 7.
                 
                 
                   The
                   Lord
                   God
                   ,
                   merciful
                   ,
                   and
                   gracious
                   ;
                   long-suffering
                   ,
                   and
                   abundant
                   in
                   goodness
                   and
                   truth
                   ,
                   keeping
                   mercy
                   for
                   thousands
                   ,
                   forgiving
                   iniquity
                   ,
                   transgression
                   and
                   sin
                   .
                
                 Why
                 should
                 the
                 Lord
                 proclaim
                 himself
                 merciful
                 and
                 gracious
                 to
                 forgive
                 all
                 manner
                 of
                 sins
                 ?
                 but
                 for
                 the
                 encouragement
                 of
                 poor
                 penitent
                 sinners
                 to
                 come
                 unto
                 him
                 with
                 hope
                 of
                 acceptance
                 .
              
               
                 There
                 is
                 not
                 a
                 letter
                 in
                 this
                 name
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 not
                 a
                 word
                 in
                 this
                 description
                 of
                 him
                 ,
                 but
                 fully
                 and
                 adequately
                 answers
                 all
                 the
                 objections
                 which
                 may
                 be
                 made
                 by
                 poor
                 sinners
                 against
                 their
                 own
                 souls
                 .
              
               
                 Obj.
                 1.
                 
                 Wilt
                 thou
                 say
                 that
                 thy
                 condition
                 is
                 as
                 bad
                 as
                 the
                 worst
                 ?
                 having
                 been
                 as
                 great
                 and
                 hainous
                 a
                 sinner
                 as
                 ever
                 lived
                 upon
                 the
                 face
                 of
                 the
                 earth
                 .
              
               
                 A.
                 To
                 answer
                 this
                 ,
                 God
                 here
                 declareth
                 himself
                 to
                 be
                 the
                 
                   Lord
                   ,
                   merciful
                
                 .
                 The
                 Lord
                 ,
                 therefore
                 able
                 to
                 save
                 thee
                 to
                 the
                 utmost
                 :
                 Though
                 thy
                 sins
                 be
                 never
                 so
                 many
                 and
                 hainous
                 ,
                 yet
                 he
                 is
                 able
                 to
                 save
                 thee
                 from
                 them
                 all
                 .
                 And
                 he
                 is
                 merciful
                 ,
                 therefore
                 willing
                 to
                 save
                 thee
                 ;
                 for
                 in
                 him
                 there
                 are
                 bowels
                 of
                 mercy
                 ,
                 pitty
                 and
                 compassion
                 ,
                 and
                 he
                 delights
                 in
                 mercy
                 .
              
               
                 Obj.
                 2.
                 
                 Wilt
                 thou
                 say
                 ,
                 thou
                 art
                 in
                 thy self
                 most
                 unworthy
                 to
                 partake
                 of
                 any
                 mercy
                 from
                 God
                 ,
                 having
                 nothing
                 in
                 thee
                 to
                 commend
                 thee
                 to
                 him
                 ,
                 or
                 to
                 move
                 him
                 to
                 extend
                 his
                 mercy
                 unto
                 thee
                 ?
              
               
               
                 A.
                 To
                 this
                 the
                 Lord
                 answers
                 in
                 the
                 next
                 place
                 ,
                 that
                 
                   he
                   is
                   gracious
                
                 :
                 and
                 therefore
                 what
                 he
                 doth
                 ,
                 he
                 will
                 do
                 freely
                 ,
                 without
                 any
                 respect
                 of
                 works
                 or
                 worthiness
                 in
                 us
                 ;
                 for
                 grace
                 is
                 to
                 shew
                 mercy
                 freely
                 .
                 The
                 mercy
                 God
                 ever
                 shewed
                 to
                 any
                 of
                 his
                 people
                 ,
                 was
                 originally
                 founded
                 in
                 himself
                 alone
                 ,
                 in
                 his
                 own
                 goodness
                 and
                 loving-kindness
                 .
                 The
                 Apostle
                 therefore
                 calleth
                 it
                 (a)
                 
                   the
                   good
                   pleasure
                   of
                   his
                   goodness
                   .
                
                 Whereupon
                 saith
                 the
                 Lord
                 himself
                 ,
                 (b)
                 
                   I
                   will
                   be
                   gracious
                   to
                   whom
                   I
                   will
                   be
                   gracious
                   ,
                   and
                   will
                   shew
                   mercy
                   on
                   whom
                   I
                   will
                   shew
                   mercy
                   .
                
              
               
                 Obj.
                 3.
                 
                 Wilt
                 thou
                 further
                 object
                 and
                 say
                 ,
                 thou
                 hast
                 mispent
                 the
                 flower
                 of
                 thy
                 youth
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 strength
                 of
                 thy
                 age
                 in
                 vanity
                 and
                 pleasure
                 ,
                 thy
                 whole
                 life
                 hath
                 been
                 a
                 continued
                 course
                 of
                 sinning
                 against
                 God
                 ;
                 so
                 that
                 thou
                 hast
                 cause
                 to
                 fear
                 that
                 God
                 hath
                 given
                 over
                 looking
                 after
                 thee
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 his
                 patience
                 towards
                 thee
                 is
                 expired
                 ,
                 and
                 thy
                 day
                 of
                 grace
                 past
                 .
              
               
                 A.
                 To
                 this
                 the
                 Lord
                 answers
                 in
                 the
                 following
                 words
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 is
                 long-suffering
                 .
                 Not
                 only
                 
                   merciful
                   and
                   gracious
                
                 ,
                 but
                 likewise
                 long-suffering
                 to
                 thee-ward
                 ,
                 
                 
                   not
                   willing
                   that
                   thou
                   shouldst
                   perish
                   ,
                   but
                   that
                   thou
                   even
                   thou
                   shouldst
                   come
                   to
                   repentance
                   .
                   He
                   still
                   waiteth
                   ,
                
                 for
                 thy
                 repentance
                 and
                 reformation
                 ,
                 
                 
                   that
                   he
                   may
                   be
                   gracious
                   unto
                   thee
                   .
                
              
               
                 Obj.
                 4.
                 
                 Wilt
                 thou
                 say
                 that
                 though
                 the
                 Lord
                 hath
                 shewed
                 himself
                 merciful
                 ,
                 gracious
                 and
                 long-suffering
                 unto
                 others
                 ,
                 yet
                 thou
                 art
                 so
                 destitute
                 of
                 all
                 grace
                 and
                 goodness
                 ,
                 that
                 thou
                 hast
                 little
                 hope
                 of
                 partaking
                 thereof
                 ?
              
               
                 A.
                 To
                 this
                 the
                 Lord
                 answers
                 in
                 the
                 next
                 words
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 is
                 
                   abundant
                   in
                   goodness
                
                 ;
                 as
                 he
                 hath
                 extended
                 his
                 grace
                 ,
                 mercy
                 and
                 patience
                 unto
                 others
                 ,
                 so
                 he
                 hath
                 enough
                 and
                 enough
                 for
                 thee
                 :
                 his
                 store
                 is
                 no
                 whit
                 diminished
                 by
                 what
                 he
                 hath
                 given
                 out
                 :
                 but
                 as
                 he
                 is
                 an
                 ever-flowing
                 ,
                 so
                 an
                 
                   over-flowing
                   Fountain
                
                 of
                 all
                 grace
                 ,
                 mercy
                 and
                 goodness
                 for
                 the
                 supply
                 of
                 his
                 people
                 ;
                 he
                 is
                 
                   abundant
                   in
                   goodness
                
                 .
              
               
                 Obj.
                 5.
                 
                 Wilt
                 thou
                 say
                 ,
                 that
                 though
                 the
                 Lord
                 be
                 
                 
                   abundant
                   in
                   goodness
                
                 ,
                 yet
                 thou
                 art
                 fearfull
                 whether
                 he
                 will
                 extend
                 his
                 goodness
                 unto
                 thee
                 ?
              
               
                 A.
                 To
                 this
                 the
                 Lord
                 answers
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 is
                 abundant
                 as
                 in
                 goodness
                 ,
                 so
                 
                   in
                   truth
                
                 .
                 God
                 having
                 in
                 his
                 word
                 promised
                 to
                 receive
                 all
                 poor
                 penitent
                 sinners
                 unto
                 mercy
                 ,
                 who
                 will
                 in
                 truth
                 turn
                 from
                 their
                 sins
                 unto
                 him
                 ;
                 his
                 truth
                 and
                 faithfulness
                 ingageth
                 him
                 to
                 shew
                 mercy
                 unto
                 thee
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 receive
                 thee
                 into
                 the
                 arms
                 of
                 his
                 free
                 grace
                 ,
                 upon
                 thy
                 true
                 and
                 unfeigned
                 repentance
                 .
              
               
                 Obj.
                 6.
                 
                 Wilt
                 thou
                 say
                 ,
                 God
                 is
                 indeed
                 abundant
                 in
                 mercy
                 and
                 goodness
                 ,
                 but
                 it
                 is
                 only
                 for
                 a
                 few
                 .
              
               
                 A.
                 To
                 this
                 the
                 Lord
                 answers
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 next
                 words
                 ,
                 That
                 he
                 hath
                 
                   mercy
                   for
                   thousands
                
                 ,
                 yea
                 he
                 
                   keeps
                   it
                
                 by
                 him
                 for
                 all
                 that
                 will
                 but
                 come
                 in
                 ,
                 and
                 partake
                 thereof
                 ,
                 for
                 so
                 it
                 is
                 expressed
                 ,
                 
                   keeping
                   mercy
                   for
                   thousands
                
                 .
                 Where
                 a
                 finite
                 number
                 ,
                 thousands
                 ,
                 is
                 put
                 for
                 an
                 indefinite
                 ,
                 multitudes
                 ,
                 innumerable
                 multitudes
                 .
                 Therefore
                 if
                 thou
                 with
                 thousands
                 wilt
                 come
                 in
                 truth
                 ,
                 unfeignedly
                 hating
                 thy
                 former
                 lewd
                 courses
                 ,
                 and
                 resolve
                 for
                 the
                 time
                 to
                 come
                 upon
                 new
                 courses
                 ,
                 company
                 and
                 conversation
                 :
                 know
                 ,
                 that
                 God
                 hath
                 mercy
                 in
                 store
                 for
                 thee
                 ,
                 yea
                 as
                 large
                 a
                 portion
                 as
                 ever
                 any
                 found
                 ,
                 or
                 were
                 made
                 partakers
                 of
                 .
              
               
                 Obj.
                 7.
                 
                 Wilt
                 thou
                 say
                 ,
                 Thy
                 sins
                 are
                 both
                 many
                 and
                 hainous
                 ,
                 more
                 for
                 number
                 than
                 thou
                 canst
                 possibly
                 reckon
                 up
                 ,
                 and
                 more
                 hainous
                 than
                 thou
                 canst
                 sufficiently
                 aggravate
                 .
              
               
                 A.
                 To
                 this
                 the
                 Lord
                 answers
                 in
                 the
                 next
                 words
                 ,
                 That
                 he
                 is
                 a
                 God
                 
                   forgiving
                   iniquity
                   ,
                   transgression
                   ,
                   and
                   sin
                   ,
                
                 that
                 is
                 ,
                 sins
                 of
                 all
                 sorts
                 ,
                 from
                 the
                 least
                 to
                 the
                 greatest
                 .
                 As
                 if
                 he
                 had
                 said
                 ,
                 That
                 he
                 would
                 pardon
                 ;
                 as
                 
                   all
                   sinners
                
                 who
                 truly
                 turn
                 from
                 their
                 sins
                 unto
                 him
                 ,
                 and
                 close
                 with
                 Jesus
                 Christ
                 ,
                 So
                 
                   all
                   their
                   sins
                
                 ,
                 of
                 what
                 kind
                 or
                 degree
                 soever
                 .
                 For
                 the
                 learned
                 generally
                 conceive
                 ,
                 that
                 under
                 these
                 three
                 terms
                 ,
                 
                   iniquity
                   ,
                   transgression
                   ,
                   and
                   sin
                   ,
                
                 all
                 manner
                 of
                 sins
                 are
                 comprehended
                 .
                 Thus
                 much
                 for
                 the
                 opening
                 ,
                 and
                 applying
                 the
                 fore-mentioned
                 description
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 which
                 sets
                 
                 forth
                 his
                 willingness
                 to
                 save
                 poor
                 lost
                 sinners
                 .
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 Gods
                 willingness
                 appeareth
                 from
                 his
                 
                   commands
                   to
                   the
                   worst
                   of
                   sinners
                   to
                   repent
                
                 and
                 believe
                 .
                 For
                 the
                 former
                 ,
                 that
                 God
                 
                   commands
                   them
                   to
                   repent
                
                 ,
                 and
                 turn
                 from
                 their
                 sins
                 unto
                 him
                 ,
                 we
                 have
                 abundant
                 proof
                 in
                 Scripture
                 .
                 As
                 Isai.
                 1.
                 we
                 read
                 that
                 they
                 who
                 are
                 stiled
                 
                   Rulers
                   of
                
                 Sodom
                 ,
                 
                   and
                   p●ople
                   of
                
                 Gomorrah
                 ,
                 v.
                 10.
                 being
                 like
                 them
                 for
                 all
                 manner
                 of
                 abominable
                 wickednesses
                 ,
                 even
                 as
                 bad
                 as
                 they
                 ,
                 or
                 rather
                 worse
                 ;
                 and
                 whose
                 sins
                 ar●
                 called
                 scarlet
                 ,
                 and
                 
                   crimson
                   sins
                
                 ,
                 v.
                 18.
                 yet
                 in
                 v.
                 16.
                 are
                 they
                 called
                 upon
                 to
                 repent
                 .
                 
                   Wash
                   ye
                   ,
                   make
                   ye
                   clean
                   ,
                   put
                   away
                   the
                   evil
                   of
                   your
                   doings
                   from
                   before
                   mine
                   eyes
                   ,
                   cease
                   to
                   do
                   evil
                   ,
                   learn
                   to
                   do
                   well
                   .
                   Which
                   are
                   exhortations
                   to
                   repentance
                   .
                
                 And
                 Ier.
                 3.1
                 .
                 We
                 read
                 that
                 they
                 who
                 had
                 committed
                 spiritual
                 Adultery
                 ,
                 having
                 forsaken
                 the
                 true
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 worshipped
                 Idols
                 ,
                 even
                 stocks
                 and
                 stones
                 ;
                 yet
                 are
                 they
                 called
                 upon
                 to
                 repent
                 ,
                 and
                 turn
                 unto
                 God.
                 
                   Though
                   thou
                   hast
                   played
                   the
                   Harlot
                   with
                   many
                   Lovers
                   ,
                   yet
                   return
                   again
                   to
                   me
                   ,
                   saith
                   the
                   Lord
                
                 ;
                 and
                 I
                 will
                 be
                 reconciled
                 to
                 thee
                 again
                 ,
                 and
                 receive
                 thee
                 into
                 my
                 grace
                 and
                 favour
                 .
              
               
                 And
                 for
                 the
                 latter
                 ,
                 that
                 God
                 commands
                 poor
                 sinners
                 to
                 believe
                 in
                 Jesus
                 Christ
                 ,
                 we
                 have
                 a
                 clear
                 proof
                 ,
                 1
                 Joh.
                 3.23
                 .
                 
                   This
                   is
                   his
                   commandment
                   ,
                   that
                   we
                   should
                   believe
                   on
                   the
                   name
                   of
                   his
                   Son
                   Iesus
                   Christ.
                
                 Now
                 Gods
                 commanding
                 all
                 poor
                 sinners
                 ,
                 even
                 ,
                 the
                 worst
                 of
                 them
                 to
                 repent
                 and
                 believe
                 ,
                 is
                 a
                 clear
                 demonstration
                 of
                 his
                 willingness
                 to
                 have
                 them
                 saved
                 ,
                 by
                 putting
                 them
                 upon
                 the
                 use
                 of
                 those
                 means
                 he
                 hath
                 appointed
                 and
                 sanctified
                 thereunto
                 .
              
               
                 Ah
                 sinner
                 ,
                 how
                 should
                 this
                 prevail
                 with
                 thee
                 to
                 abandon
                 thy
                 sins
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 adventure
                 on
                 Jesus
                 Christ
                 as
                 thy
                 Lord
                 and
                 Saviour
                 ?
                 The
                 
                   command
                   of
                   God
                
                 to
                 repent
                 and
                 believe
                 should
                 me-thinks
                 out-weigh
                 all
                 the
                 
                   suggestions
                   of
                   Satan
                
                 ,
                 and
                 
                   carnal
                   reasonings
                   of
                   thine
                   own
                   heart
                
                 ;
                 it
                 should
                 swallow
                 up
                 all
                 scruples
                 ,
                 fears
                 and
                 doubts
                 .
                 Abraham
                 we
                 read
                 upon
                 the
                 command
                 of
                 God
                 was
                 willing
                 to
                 offer
                 up
                 his
                 own
                 Son
                 ,
                 his
                 beloved
                 
                 Son
                 Isaac
                 ,
                 us
                 a
                 Sacrifice
                 .
                 And
                 wilt
                 thou
                 refuse
                 to
                 Sacrifice
                 thy
                 beloved
                 Lust
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 embrace
                 the
                 beloved
                 Son
                 of
                 God
                 with
                 the
                 arms
                 of
                 thy
                 faith
                 ,
                 when
                 thou
                 hast
                 the
                 command
                 of
                 God
                 for
                 both
                 ?
                 Oh
                 therefore
                 resolve
                 ,
                 as
                 to
                 cast
                 away
                 thy
                 sins
                 ,
                 so
                 to
                 cast
                 thy self
                 into
                 the
                 arms
                 of
                 Jesus
                 Christ
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 give
                 up
                 thy self
                 unto
                 him
                 ,
                 and
                 his
                 Laws
                 ,
                 to
                 be
                 ruled
                 and
                 governed
                 thereby
                 ,
                 and
                 thou
                 shalt
                 live
                 .
              
               
                 3.
                 
                 Gods
                 willingness
                 to
                 save
                 poor
                 penitent
                 sinners
                 ,
                 appeareth
                 from
                 his
                 many
                 gracious
                 promises
                 to
                 receive
                 the
                 very
                 worst
                 of
                 sinners
                 upon
                 their
                 repentance
                 .
                 
                   Let
                   the
                   wicked
                   fo●sake
                   his
                   way
                   ,
                
                 
                 
                   and
                   the
                   unrighteous
                   man
                   his
                   thoughts
                   ,
                   and
                   l●t
                   him
                   return
                   unto
                   the
                   Lord
                   ,
                   and
                   he
                   will
                   have
                   mercy
                   upon
                   him
                   ,
                   and
                   to
                   our
                   God
                   ,
                   for
                   he
                   will
                   abundantly
                   pardon
                   .
                
                 Or
                 ,
                 as
                 the
                 Original
                 word
                 signifieth
                 ,
                 
                   he
                   will
                   multiply
                   pardon
                   and
                   forgiveness
                
                 ;
                 Though
                 the
                 wicked
                 multiply
                 their
                 sins
                 ,
                 yet
                 if
                 they
                 turn
                 from
                 them
                 unto
                 God
                 by
                 true
                 and
                 unfaigned
                 repentance
                 ,
                 he
                 will
                 multiply
                 pardon
                 and
                 forgiveness
                 .
                 And
                 saith
                 the
                 Prophet
                 Ezekiel
                 ,
                 
                 
                   If
                   the
                   wicked
                   will
                   turn
                   from
                   all
                   his
                   sins
                   that
                   he
                   hath
                   committed
                   ,
                   and
                   keep
                   all
                   my
                   Statutes
                   ,
                   and
                   do
                   that
                   which
                   is
                   lawfull
                   and
                   right
                   ,
                   he
                   shall
                   surely
                   live
                   ,
                   he
                   shall
                   not
                   dye
                   :
                   All
                   his
                   transgressions
                   that
                   he
                   hath
                   committed
                   ,
                   they
                   shall
                   not
                   be
                   mentioned
                   unto
                   him
                   ,
                   in
                   his
                   righteousness
                   that
                   he
                   hath
                   done
                   ,
                   he
                   shall
                   live
                   .
                
                 These
                 and
                 such
                 like
                 gracious
                 promises
                 of
                 God
                 in
                 his
                 Word
                 for
                 the
                 encouragement
                 of
                 poor
                 sinners
                 to
                 turn
                 from
                 their
                 sins
                 unto
                 him
                 ,
                 cannot
                 but
                 strongly
                 argue
                 his
                 willingness
                 to
                 have
                 them
                 saved
                 .
              
               
                 4.
                 
                 As
                 if
                 this
                 were
                 not
                 enough
                 to
                 set
                 forth
                 Gods
                 willingness
                 ;
                 to
                 his
                 promises
                 he
                 hath
                 added
                 his
                 
                   ●ath
                   .
                   As
                   I
                   live
                
                 ,
                 
                 
                   saith
                   the
                   Lord
                   God
                   ,
                   I
                   have
                   no
                   pleasure
                   in
                   the
                   death
                   of
                   the
                   wicked
                   ,
                   but
                   that
                   the
                   wicked
                   turn
                   from
                   his
                   way
                   and
                   live
                   .
                
                 Here
                 the
                 Lord
                 sweareth
                 by
                 himself
                 ,
                 there
                 being
                 no
                 greater
                 to
                 swear
                 by
                 .
                 As
                 if
                 he
                 had
                 said
                 ,
                 As
                 sure
                 as
                 I
                 am
                 the
                 true
                 and
                 living
                 God
                 ,
                 so
                 certainly
                 I
                 have
                 no
                 pleasure
                 in
                 the
                 death
                 of
                 the
                 wicked
                 ,
                 but
                 that
                 he
                 should
                 turn
                 from
                 his
                 wicked
                 wayes
                 ,
                 and
                 embrace
                 my
                 mercy
                 in
                 Jesus
                 Christ.
                 Because
                 
                 wicked
                 men
                 are
                 so
                 hardly
                 perswaded
                 of
                 Gods
                 willingness
                 to
                 save
                 them
                 ,
                 therefore
                 to
                 convince
                 them
                 thereof
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 encourage
                 them
                 to
                 turn
                 from
                 their
                 sins
                 unto
                 him
                 ,
                 he
                 takes
                 his
                 oath
                 on
                 it
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 is
                 infinitely
                 more
                 willing
                 that
                 wicked
                 men
                 should
                 repent
                 ,
                 and
                 be
                 saved
                 ,
                 than
                 that
                 they
                 should
                 perish
                 in
                 their
                 sins
                 ,
                 and
                 be
                 damned
                 .
              
               
                 5.
                 
                 The
                 Lord
                 to
                 shew
                 his
                 willingness
                 to
                 save
                 poor
                 sinners
                 ,
                 pleads
                 with
                 them
                 in
                 the
                 words
                 following
                 ,
                 
                   Turn
                   ye
                   ,
                   turn
                   ye
                   from
                   your
                   evil
                   wayes
                   ,
                   for
                   why
                   will
                   ye
                   dye
                   ,
                
                 
                 
                   O
                   house
                   of
                
                 Israel
                 .
                 Here
                 the
                 Lord
                 condescends
                 to
                 reason
                 the
                 case
                 with
                 poor
                 sinners
                 ,
                 Why
                 they
                 will
                 dye
                 and
                 perish
                 ,
                 and
                 not
                 rather
                 turn
                 from
                 their
                 sins
                 unto
                 him
                 ,
                 that
                 they
                 may
                 live
                 in
                 bliss
                 and
                 happiness
                 to
                 all
                 Eternity
                 :
                 And
                 then
                 exhorts
                 them
                 with
                 all
                 earnestness
                 to
                 repentance
                 ,
                 saying
                 ,
                 
                   turn
                   ye
                   ,
                   turn
                   ye
                
                 ;
                 which
                 ingemination
                 denoteth
                 the
                 vehement
                 affection
                 and
                 desire
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 to
                 have
                 sinners
                 turn
                 from
                 their
                 sins
                 unto
                 him
                 ,
                 that
                 they
                 may
                 not
                 perish
                 ,
                 but
                 have
                 everlasting
                 life
                 .
              
               
                 6.
                 
                 
                   Gods
                   willingness
                   appeareth
                   from
                   his
                   free
                   offer
                   and
                   tender
                   of
                   Christ
                   to
                   all
                   who
                   will
                   but
                   receive
                   him
                   by
                   the
                   hand
                   of
                   faith
                
                 ;
                 as
                 none
                 are
                 named
                 ,
                 so
                 none
                 are
                 excluded
                 .
                 The
                 Angel
                 that
                 brought
                 from
                 Heaven
                 the
                 tydings
                 of
                 Christs
                 birth
                 ,
                 saith
                 ,
                 that
                 it
                 was
                 
                   for
                   all
                   people
                
                 ,
                 
                 Behold
                 ,
                 saith
                 he
                 ,
                 
                   I
                   bring
                   you
                   tydings
                   of
                   great
                   joy
                   ,
                   which
                   shall
                   be
                   to
                   all
                   people
                   .
                
                 And
                 saith
                 our
                 Saviour
                 ,
                 
                   God
                   so
                   loved
                   the
                   World
                
                 ,
                 
                 
                   that
                   he
                   gave
                   his
                   only
                   begotten
                   Son
                   ,
                   that
                   whosoever
                   believeth
                   in
                   him
                   should
                   not
                   perish
                   ,
                   but
                   have
                   everlasting
                   life
                   .
                
                 Where
                 by
                 the
                 World
                 is
                 meant
                 indefinitely
                 mankind
                 ,
                 of
                 what
                 Nation
                 or
                 Condition
                 ,
                 Sex
                 or
                 State
                 ,
                 Age
                 or
                 other
                 Difference
                 soever
                 they
                 be
                 .
                 And
                 therefore
                 the
                 offer
                 of
                 Christ
                 is
                 indefinitely
                 to
                 all
                 ,
                 without
                 exception
                 of
                 any
                 :
                 there
                 being
                 no
                 state
                 or
                 condition
                 of
                 men
                 which
                 God
                 hath
                 excluded
                 from
                 Salvation
                 by
                 Christ
                 ,
                 which
                 doth
                 clearly
                 evidence
                 his
                 willingness
                 to
                 save
                 poor
                 sinners
                 .
              
               
                 Oh
                 sinner
                 ,
                 seeing
                 God
                 doth
                 freely
                 offer
                 Christ
                 to
                 all
                 ,
                 without
                 exception
                 of
                 any
                 ,
                 do
                 not
                 thou
                 except
                 
                 thy self
                 ,
                 limit
                 not
                 where
                 God
                 hath
                 not
                 limited
                 ;
                 say
                 not
                 I
                 am
                 unworthy
                 ,
                 or
                 my
                 sins
                 are
                 many
                 and
                 heinous
                 ,
                 cloathed
                 with
                 many
                 aggravating
                 circumstances
                 ;
                 but
                 stir
                 up
                 thy self
                 to
                 adventure
                 thy
                 soul
                 on
                 Christ
                 ,
                 upon
                 the
                 general
                 offer
                 of
                 him
                 in
                 the
                 Gospel
                 .
                 The
                 first
                 work
                 of
                 faith
                 in
                 many
                 hath
                 been
                 to
                 adventure
                 their
                 souls
                 on
                 Christ
                 upon
                 the
                 free
                 offer
                 of
                 him
                 to
                 all
                 indefinitely
                 .
                 Do
                 thou
                 in
                 like
                 manner
                 adventure
                 to
                 cast
                 thy self
                 upon
                 the
                 free
                 grace
                 of
                 God
                 in
                 Christ
                 ,
                 with
                 resolution
                 to
                 abandon
                 thy
                 lusts
                 for
                 the
                 time
                 to
                 come
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 take
                 Christ
                 for
                 thy
                 Lord
                 and
                 Husband
                 ,
                 as
                 well
                 as
                 for
                 thy
                 Priest
                 and
                 Saviour
                 .
                 This
                 is
                 that
                 which
                 God
                 requireth
                 ;
                 and
                 if
                 he
                 hath
                 perswaded
                 thine
                 heart
                 to
                 this
                 ,
                 it
                 is
                 a
                 good
                 sign
                 that
                 mercy
                 is
                 intended
                 for
                 thee
                 .
              
               
                 7.
                 
                 
                   Gods
                   willingness
                   appeareth
                   from
                   his
                   beseeching
                   poor
                   sinners
                   to
                   be
                   reconciled
                   to
                   him
                   ,
                
                 as
                 the
                 Apostle
                 expresseth
                 ,
                 
                   We
                   are
                   Ambassadours
                   for
                   Christ
                
                 ,
                 
                 
                   as
                   though
                   he
                   did
                   beseech
                   you
                   by
                   us
                   ,
                   we
                   pray
                   you
                   in
                   Christs
                   stead
                   be
                   reconciled
                   to
                   God.
                
                 Ah
                 sinner
                 ,
                 rather
                 than
                 thou
                 shouldst
                 perish
                 in
                 thy
                 sins
                 ,
                 God
                 himself
                 ,
                 who
                 is
                 the
                 God
                 of
                 mercy
                 ,
                 doth
                 as
                 it
                 were
                 ,
                 kneel
                 down
                 before
                 thee
                 ,
                 and
                 beseecheth
                 thee
                 ,
                 for
                 the
                 Lord
                 Jesus
                 Christ
                 his
                 sake
                 ,
                 to
                 pitty
                 thy
                 poor
                 soul
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 accept
                 of
                 the
                 reconcil●ation
                 which
                 Christ
                 hath
                 purchased
                 by
                 his
                 bloody
                 death
                 and
                 passion
                 .
                 Oh
                 the
                 depth
                 of
                 the
                 incomprehensible
                 love
                 of
                 God
                 to
                 poor
                 sinners
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 should
                 not
                 only
                 command
                 and
                 invite
                 ,
                 but
                 likewise
                 beseech
                 and
                 intreat
                 them
                 to
                 turn
                 from
                 their
                 sins
                 unto
                 him
                 ,
                 and
                 accept
                 of
                 the
                 reconciliation
                 purchased
                 by
                 the
                 blood
                 of
                 his
                 Son
                 Jesus
                 Christ.
                 Surely
                 this
                 must
                 needs
                 evidence
                 his
                 great
                 willingness
                 to
                 save
                 poor
                 sinners
                 .
              
               
                 8.
                 
                 
                   His
                   willingness
                   further
                   appeareth
                   by
                   his
                   sending
                   Ministers
                   as
                   his
                   Ambassadours
                   unto
                   poor
                   sinners
                   ,
                   upon
                   terms
                   of
                   peace
                   and
                   reconciliation
                   ,
                
                 as
                 the
                 Apostle
                 expresseth
                 in
                 the
                 forementioned
                 place
                 ,
                 
                 
                   We
                   are
                   Ambassadours
                   to
                   beseech
                   you
                   to
                   be
                   reconciled
                   to
                   God.
                
                 As
                 if
                 he
                 had
                 said
                 ,
                 We
                 are
                 commanded
                 by
                 the
                 Lord
                 our
                 Master
                 ,
                 to
                 offer
                 you
                 terms
                 of
                 peace
                 and
                 reconciliation
                 ,
                 to
                 profer
                 you
                 
                 peace
                 and
                 pardon
                 ,
                 if
                 you
                 will
                 heartily
                 turn
                 from
                 your
                 sins
                 unto
                 God.
                 We
                 are
                 sent
                 as
                 Ambassadours
                 to
                 acquaint
                 you
                 ,
                 what
                 Christ
                 hath
                 done
                 and
                 suffered
                 for
                 your
                 redemption
                 ,
                 how
                 he
                 hath
                 fulfilled
                 the
                 Law
                 for
                 you
                 ,
                 and
                 offered
                 up
                 his
                 life
                 as
                 a
                 Sacrifice
                 and
                 satisfaction
                 to
                 Gods
                 justice
                 for
                 your
                 sins
                 ,
                 and
                 how
                 you
                 may
                 be
                 happy
                 for
                 ever
                 ,
                 if
                 you
                 will
                 rest
                 upon
                 Christs
                 perfect
                 righteousness
                 and
                 all-sufficient
                 Sacrifice
                 for
                 life
                 and
                 salvation
                 ,
                 and
                 give
                 up
                 your selves
                 unto
                 him
                 ,
                 to
                 serve
                 and
                 obey
                 his
                 laws
                 and
                 commandments
                 .
                 I
                 do
                 here
                 therefore
                 as
                 Gods
                 Ambassadour
                 ,
                 in
                 his
                 name
                 ,
                 proclaim
                 to
                 the
                 worst
                 of
                 you
                 ,
                 to
                 the
                 greatest
                 and
                 oldest
                 sinner
                 ;
                 that
                 you
                 may
                 have
                 mercy
                 and
                 Salvation
                 ,
                 if
                 you
                 will
                 abandon
                 your
                 lusts
                 ,
                 and
                 close
                 with
                 Jesus
                 Christ
                 ,
                 upon
                 the
                 terms
                 of
                 the
                 Gospel
                 ,
                 receiving
                 him
                 for
                 your
                 
                   King
                   ,
                   Priest
                
                 and
                 Prophet
                 .
              
               
                 Oh
                 how
                 can
                 we
                 but
                 stand
                 amazed
                 at
                 the
                 riches
                 of
                 Gods
                 mercy
                 and
                 goodness
                 ,
                 that
                 when
                 we
                 ,
                 upon
                 the
                 knees
                 of
                 our
                 souls
                 ,
                 should
                 have
                 sought
                 unto
                 him
                 for
                 peace
                 and
                 reconciliation
                 ,
                 yet
                 that
                 he
                 ,
                 being
                 the
                 great
                 Lord
                 of
                 Heaven
                 and
                 of
                 Earth
                 ,
                 should
                 condescend
                 so
                 far
                 as
                 to
                 send
                 
                   Ambassadours
                   unto
                   us
                
                 ,
                 sinfull
                 dust
                 and
                 ashes
                 ,
                 to
                 intreat
                 us
                 to
                 be
                 reconciled
                 to
                 him
                 ,
                 to
                 accept
                 his
                 grace
                 and
                 favour
                 ?
                 Oh
                 how
                 doth
                 this
                 evidence
                 his
                 great
                 willingness
                 that
                 poor
                 sinners
                 should
                 not
                 perish
                 ,
                 but
                 have
                 everlasting
                 life
                 ?
                 Certainly
                 if
                 God
                 had
                 taken
                 more
                 pleasure
                 in
                 your
                 damnation
                 than
                 in
                 your
                 salvation
                 ,
                 he
                 would
                 never
                 have
                 sent
                 his
                 Ministers
                 as
                 Ambassadours
                 to
                 shew
                 you
                 the
                 way
                 and
                 means
                 of
                 salvation
                 ,
                 by
                 receiving
                 Christ
                 as
                 your
                 Lord
                 and
                 Saviour
                 ,
                 and
                 giving
                 up
                 your selves
                 unto
                 him
                 ;
                 he
                 would
                 never
                 have
                 perswaded
                 you
                 by
                 so
                 many
                 arguments
                 ,
                 and
                 beseeched
                 you
                 to
                 turn
                 from
                 your
                 sins
                 unto
                 him
                 ,
                 that
                 your
                 souls
                 might
                 live
                 in
                 glory
                 to
                 all
                 Eternity
                 .
              
               
                 9.
                 
                 
                   Gods
                   willingness
                   doth
                   likewise
                   appear
                   from
                   the
                   greatness
                   of
                   his
                   patience
                   in
                   bearing
                   with
                   sinners
                   .
                
                 For
                 the
                 Lord
                 having
                 used
                 all
                 means
                 for
                 the
                 conversion
                 of
                 poor
                 sinners
                 ,
                 he
                 waits
                 with
                 much
                 patience
                 and
                 long-suffering
                 for
                 their
                 repentance
                 ;
                 to
                 see
                 whether
                 they
                 
                 will
                 turn
                 from
                 their
                 sins
                 unto
                 him
                 or
                 no.
                 He
                 waits
                 upon
                 the
                 Swearer
                 ,
                 the
                 Drunkard
                 ,
                 the
                 Whore-Master
                 ,
                 the
                 covetous
                 Worldling
                 day
                 after
                 day
                 ,
                 week
                 after
                 week
                 ,
                 year
                 after
                 year
                 ,
                 crying
                 after
                 them
                 ,
                 as
                 he
                 did
                 after
                 Ierusalem
                 ,
                 
                 
                   Oh
                   will
                   ye
                   not
                   be
                   made
                   clean
                   ?
                   Oh
                   when
                   will
                   it
                   once
                   be
                   ?
                
                 When
                 wilt
                 thou
                 leave
                 thy
                 Swearing
                 ,
                 thy
                 Drinking
                 ,
                 thy
                 Whoring
                 ,
                 thy
                 Covetousness
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 like
                 ?
                 And
                 when
                 will
                 thy
                 prophane
                 heart
                 be
                 sanctified
                 ?
                 thine
                 unclean
                 heart
                 be
                 purified
                 ?
                 and
                 thy
                 carnal
                 heart
                 spiritualized
                 ?
                 oh
                 when
                 will
                 it
                 once
                 be
                 ?
                 oh
                 sinner
                 ,
                 who
                 art
                 now
                 grown
                 old
                 in
                 sin
                 ,
                 how
                 long
                 hath
                 the
                 Lord
                 waited
                 on
                 thee
                 ?
                 for
                 shame
                 ,
                 let
                 him
                 wait
                 no
                 longer
                 ,
                 but
                 turn
                 thee
                 ,
                 turn
                 thee
                 from
                 thy
                 wicked
                 wayes
                 and
                 courses
                 ,
                 that
                 thou
                 maist
                 receive
                 mercies
                 from
                 him
                 .
                 This
                 patience
                 of
                 God
                 towards
                 sinners
                 ,
                 must
                 needs
                 evidence
                 his
                 willingness
                 to
                 have
                 them
                 saved
                 .
                 For
                 if
                 he
                 had
                 not
                 been
                 willing
                 ,
                 he
                 would
                 have
                 cut
                 them
                 off
                 long
                 agoe
                 ,
                 and
                 have
                 dealt
                 with
                 them
                 as
                 he
                 did
                 with
                 the
                 Devils
                 ,
                 who
                 had
                 no
                 sooner
                 sinned
                 ,
                 but
                 he
                 clapt
                 his
                 chains
                 upon
                 them
                 ,
                 and
                 still
                 reserves
                 them
                 to
                 the
                 great
                 day
                 in
                 chains
                 of
                 darkness
                 .
              
               
                 10.
                 
                 
                   Gods
                   willingness
                   appeareth
                   in
                   that
                   he
                   hath
                   made
                   the
                   way
                   of
                   salvation
                   as
                   easie
                   as
                   can
                   stand
                   with
                   his
                   honour
                   .
                
                 For
                 the
                 way
                 of
                 salvation
                 now
                 is
                 only
                 
                   believing
                   in
                   Iesus
                   Christ
                
                 ,
                 for
                 so
                 runs
                 the
                 covenant
                 of
                 grace
                 ,
                 
                   believe
                   and
                   ye
                   shall
                   be
                   saved
                   .
                
                 Whereas
                 the
                 Covenant
                 of
                 works
                 ran
                 thus
                 ,
                 
                   Do
                   this
                   and
                   live
                
                 .
                 So
                 that
                 now
                 
                   whosoever
                   believeth
                   in
                   Iesus
                   Christ
                   shall
                   be
                   saved
                   ,
                
                 that
                 is
                 ,
                 whosoever
                 receiveth
                 Jesus
                 Christ
                 as
                 his
                 Lord
                 and
                 Saviour
                 ,
                 giving
                 himself
                 up
                 to
                 be
                 ruled
                 by
                 him
                 ,
                 and
                 resteth
                 upon
                 his
                 perfect
                 righteousness
                 ,
                 and
                 all-sufficient
                 Sacrifice
                 ,
                 for
                 the
                 pardon
                 of
                 his
                 sins
                 here
                 ,
                 and
                 for
                 eternal
                 salvation
                 hereafter
                 ,
                 
                   Shall
                   not
                   perish
                   ,
                   but
                   have
                   everlasting
                   life
                   .
                
              
               
                 The
                 covenant
                 of
                 works
                 required
                 perfect
                 obedience
                 in
                 every
                 mans
                 own
                 person
                 .
                 But
                 the
                 Covenant
                 of
                 grace
                 requireth
                 only
                 our
                 sincere
                 endeavour
                 to
                 keep
                 the
                 Commandements
                 of
                 the
                 Lord
                 ;
                 and
                 accepteth
                 the
                 obedience
                 performed
                 by
                 our
                 surety
                 Jesus
                 Christ
                 for
                 
                 us
                 .
                 For
                 we
                 being
                 disenabled
                 by
                 the
                 fall
                 of
                 Adam
                 for
                 performing
                 obedience
                 to
                 the
                 law
                 ;
                 Jesus
                 Christ
                 the
                 only
                 begotten
                 Son
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 came
                 down
                 from
                 Heaven
                 ,
                 took
                 our
                 nature
                 upon
                 him
                 ,
                 and
                 therein
                 became
                 our
                 surety
                 ,
                 and
                 as
                 our
                 surety
                 ,
                 in
                 our
                 steed
                 ,
                 for
                 us
                 ,
                 subjected
                 himself
                 to
                 the
                 Law
                 ,
                 perfectly
                 fulfilled
                 the
                 same
                 ;
                 and
                 his
                 obedience
                 is
                 by
                 God
                 accepted
                 for
                 us
                 ,
                 and
                 imputed
                 unto
                 us
                 ,
                 as
                 if
                 we
                 our selves
                 ,
                 in
                 our
                 own
                 persons
                 ,
                 had
                 kept
                 the
                 whole
                 Law
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 perfectly
                 fulfilled
                 the
                 same
                 .
                 Indeed
                 personal
                 obedience
                 is
                 required
                 under
                 the
                 Gospel
                 of
                 believers
                 ,
                 but
                 not
                 as
                 the
                 matter
                 of
                 our
                 justification
                 ,
                 but
                 as
                 an
                 evidence
                 and
                 fruit
                 of
                 our
                 justification
                 .
                 I
                 say
                 as
                 an
                 
                   evidence
                   of
                   our
                   justification
                
                 ,
                 that
                 we
                 may
                 make
                 it
                 manifest
                 both
                 to
                 our selves
                 and
                 to
                 the
                 World
                 ,
                 that
                 we
                 are
                 justified
                 and
                 made
                 righteous
                 by
                 Jesus
                 Christ.
                 And
                 also
                 as
                 
                   a
                   fruit
                   of
                   our
                   justification
                
                 ,
                 that
                 by
                 our
                 good
                 works
                 we
                 might
                 glorifie
                 God
                 ,
                 
                 for
                 God
                 is
                 much
                 glorified
                 by
                 the
                 good
                 works
                 of
                 his
                 people
                 .
              
               
                 Now
                 in
                 that
                 God
                 hath
                 made
                 the
                 way
                 of
                 salvation
                 so
                 easie
                 to
                 poor
                 sinners
                 ,
                 accepting
                 of
                 their
                 sincere
                 endeavour
                 to
                 keep
                 his
                 Commandements
                 ,
                 for
                 perfect
                 obedience
                 ;
                 And
                 of
                 the
                 obedience
                 and
                 righteousness
                 of
                 Jesus
                 Christ
                 their
                 surety
                 for
                 personal
                 obedience
                 ;
                 it
                 must
                 needs
                 evidence
                 his
                 willingness
                 to
                 have
                 poor
                 sinners
                 saved
                 .
              
               
                 11.
                 
                 
                   Gods
                   willingness
                   to
                   save
                   the
                   very
                   worst
                   of
                   sinners
                   is
                   most
                   lively
                   represented
                   in
                   the
                   Parable
                   of
                   the
                   Prodigal
                   ,
                
                 as
                 it
                 is
                 recorded
                 ,
                 Luke
                 15.20
                 ,
                 &c.
                 where
                 we
                 read
                 how
                 the
                 Prodigal
                 no
                 sooner
                 resolved
                 to
                 go
                 to
                 his
                 Father
                 ,
                 and
                 acknowledge
                 his
                 offences
                 ,
                 but
                 his
                 Father
                 prevented
                 him
                 ,
                 for
                 
                   when
                   he
                   was
                   yet
                   a
                   great
                   way
                   off
                   ,
                
                 
                 
                   his
                   Father
                   saw
                   him
                   ,
                   and
                   had
                   compassion
                   ,
                   and
                   ran
                   ,
                   and
                   fell
                   on
                   his
                   neck
                   ,
                   and
                   kiss'd
                   him
                   .
                
                 Where
                 there
                 are
                 several
                 passages
                 very
                 observable
                 in
                 the
                 
                   Father
                   of
                   the
                   Prodigal
                
                 .
              
               
                 1.
                 
                 
                   His
                   quick
                   observation
                   ,
                   For
                   when
                   he
                   was
                   yet
                   a
                   great
                   way
                   off
                   ,
                   his
                   Father
                   saw
                   him
                   .
                
                 Before
                 he
                 espyed
                 
                 his
                 Father
                 ,
                 his
                 Father
                 saw
                 him
                 .
                 Though
                 God
                 is
                 many
                 times
                 unwilling
                 to
                 see
                 the
                 sinner
                 ,
                 yet
                 is
                 he
                 at
                 all
                 times
                 very
                 willing
                 to
                 espy
                 the
                 penitent
                 .
                 Yea
                 ,
                 no
                 sooner
                 doth
                 a
                 sinner
                 resolve
                 to
                 turn
                 from
                 his
                 sins
                 unto
                 God
                 ,
                 but
                 he
                 spyes
                 him
                 and
                 pittyes
                 him
                 .
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 
                   His
                   present
                   commiseration
                   ,
                   His
                   Father
                   saw
                   him
                   and
                   had
                   compassion
                   on
                   him
                   .
                
                 Though
                 God
                 looks
                 on
                 obstinate
                 sinners
                 with
                 indignation
                 ,
                 yet
                 he
                 looks
                 on
                 the
                 penitent
                 with
                 commiseration
                 .
                 When
                 the
                 heart
                 of
                 a
                 sinner
                 is
                 penitentially
                 touched
                 ,
                 then
                 the
                 bowels
                 of
                 Gods
                 mercy
                 are
                 moved
                 within
                 him
                 .
                 
                 When
                 
                   Ephraim
                   repented
                   and
                   turned
                
                 ,
                 the
                 Lord
                 saith
                 ,
                 
                   My
                   bowells
                   are
                   troubled
                   for
                   him
                   ,
                   I
                   will
                   surely
                   have
                   mercy
                   on
                   him
                   .
                
              
               
                 3.
                 
                 
                   His
                   sp●edy
                   readiness
                   to
                   embrace
                   him
                   .
                
                 It
                 is
                 said
                 ,
                 the
                 Son
                 went
                 to
                 his
                 Father
                 ,
                 but
                 the
                 Father
                 ran
                 to
                 meet
                 his
                 penitent
                 Son
                 ,
                 shewing
                 how
                 ready
                 and
                 swift
                 the
                 Lord
                 is
                 to
                 shew
                 mercy
                 to
                 a
                 penitent
                 returning
                 sinner
                 .
                 There
                 is
                 a
                 great
                 difference
                 betwixt
                 Gods
                 coming
                 to
                 punish
                 a
                 sinner
                 ,
                 and
                 his
                 coming
                 to
                 shew
                 mercy
                 to
                 a
                 penitent
                 .
                 
                 He
                 is
                 said
                 to
                 be
                 
                   slow
                   to
                   wrath
                
                 ,
                 but
                 he
                 is
                 
                   f●ist
                   to
                   shew
                   mercy
                
                 .
                 As
                 soon
                 as
                 ever
                 Ephraim
                 said
                 ,
                 
                 
                   I
                   repented
                
                 ,
                 instantly
                 it
                 follows
                 ,
                 
                   I
                   will
                   surely
                   have
                   mercy
                   upon
                   him
                   ,
                   saith
                   the
                   Lord.
                   David
                
                 had
                 no
                 sooner
                 said
                 ,
                 
                   I
                   have
                   sinned
                
                 ,
                 but
                 Nathan
                 had
                 commission
                 presently
                 to
                 reply
                 ,
                 
                 
                   the
                   Lord
                   hath
                   done
                   away
                   thy
                   sin
                   .
                
                 A
                 sinner
                 no
                 sooner
                 turnes
                 from
                 his
                 sins
                 unto
                 God
                 by
                 repentance
                 ,
                 but
                 God
                 turns
                 unto
                 him
                 in
                 mercy
                 .
              
               
                 4.
                 
                 
                   His
                   wonderful
                   tenderness
                   .
                   The
                   Father
                   fell
                   on
                   his
                   neck
                   .
                
                 To
                 have
                 taken
                 him
                 by
                 the
                 hand
                 had
                 been
                 much
                 ,
                 but
                 to
                 fall
                 on
                 his
                 neck
                 and
                 embrace
                 him
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 as
                 he
                 was
                 in
                 his
                 loathsome
                 stinking
                 rags
                 ,
                 was
                 a
                 greater
                 favour
                 than
                 could
                 be
                 expected
                 .
                 How
                 open
                 are
                 the
                 arms
                 of
                 mercy
                 to
                 embrace
                 a
                 penitent
                 returning
                 sinner
                 ?
              
               
                 5.
                 
                 
                   His
                   strong
                   affection
                
                 ,
                 expressed
                 by
                 kissing
                 his
                 penitent
                 Son
                 ,
                 for
                 as
                 it
                 follows
                 ,
                 
                   He
                   kissed
                   him
                
                 .
                 He
                 did
                 not
                 only
                 embrace
                 him
                 ,
                 but
                 he
                 likewise
                 kissed
                 him
                 .
                 
                 And
                 as
                 St.
                 Austin
                 observeth
                 ,
                 
                 
                   Before
                   the
                   Son
                   had
                   spoken
                   one
                   word
                   unto
                   his
                   Father
                   ,
                   the
                   Father
                   falleth
                   upon
                   his
                   neck
                   ,
                   and
                   kissed
                   his
                   ragged
                   and
                   deformed
                   Son
                   ;
                   which
                   sheweth
                   Gods
                   willingness
                   to
                   receive
                   and
                   embrace
                   all
                   poor
                   penitent
                   sinners
                   ,
                   that
                   have
                   but
                   a
                   thought
                   of
                   turning
                   from
                   their
                   sins
                   unto
                   him
                   .
                
                 Yea
                 ,
                 the
                 Fathers
                 kissing
                 of
                 his
                 returning
                 Son
                 ,
                 was
                 to
                 make
                 him
                 know
                 that
                 he
                 was
                 truly
                 reconciled
                 to
                 him
                 ,
                 notwithstanding
                 his
                 former
                 wicked
                 and
                 l●●d
                 courses
                 ;
                 
                 and
                 to
                 shew
                 that
                 he
                 rejoyced
                 as
                 much
                 at
                 his
                 penitential
                 return
                 ,
                 as
                 he
                 had
                 grieved
                 at
                 his
                 sinfull
                 departure
                 .
              
               
                 Oh
                 sinner
                 ,
                 What
                 an
                 encouragement
                 should
                 this
                 be
                 unto
                 thee
                 to
                 turn
                 from
                 thy
                 sins
                 unto
                 God
                 ,
                 who
                 hath
                 as
                 an
                 eye
                 of
                 mercy
                 to
                 espye
                 a
                 returning
                 sinner
                 ;
                 so
                 an
                 heart
                 full
                 of
                 mercy
                 and
                 compassion
                 to
                 pitty
                 a
                 returning
                 sinner
                 ;
                 and
                 feet
                 of
                 mercy
                 to
                 meet
                 a
                 returning
                 sinner
                 ;
                 and
                 arms
                 of
                 mercy
                 to
                 embrace
                 a
                 returning
                 sinner
                 ;
                 and
                 lips
                 of
                 mercy
                 to
                 kiss
                 a
                 returning
                 sinner
                 ,
                 in
                 token
                 that
                 he
                 is
                 reconciled
                 to
                 him
                 .
                 Oh
                 therefore
                 let
                 me
                 prevail
                 with
                 thee
                 ,
                 whosoever
                 thou
                 art
                 ,
                 how
                 many
                 and
                 hainous
                 soever
                 thy
                 sins
                 are
                 ,
                 to
                 turn
                 from
                 them
                 unto
                 God
                 by
                 true
                 and
                 unfained
                 repentance
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 with
                 hope
                 of
                 mercy
                 and
                 acceptance
                 ,
                 in
                 and
                 through
                 the
                 merits
                 and
                 intercession
                 of
                 Jesus
                 Christ.
                 
              
            
             
               
               
                 CHAP.
                 XIII
                 .
                 Of
                 the
                 all-sufficiency
                 of
                 Christs
                 Sacrifice
                 .
              
               
                 III.
                 THat
                 there
                 is
                 hope
                 of
                 mercy
                 for
                 the
                 worst
                 of
                 sinners
                 ,
                 appeareth
                 
                   fro●
                   the
                   all-sufficiency
                   of
                   Christs
                   Sacrifice
                   offered
                   upon
                   the
                   Cross
                   ,
                   and
                   the
                   fulness
                   of
                   satisfaction
                   that
                   was
                   ther●by
                   made
                   to
                   the
                   justice
                   of
                   God
                   for
                   the
                   sins
                   of
                   the
                   whole
                   World.
                
                 So
                 much
                 the
                 Apostle
                 expresseth
                 ,
                 where
                 he
                 saith
                 ,
                 
                   He
                   is
                   able
                   to
                   save
                   them
                   to
                   the
                   uttermost
                   ,
                   that
                   come
                   unto
                   God
                   by
                   him
                   .
                
                 The
                 word
                 translated
                 ,
                 able
                 ,
                 doth
                 imp●y
                 power
                 to
                 do
                 a
                 thing
                 .
                 And
                 the
                 word
                 translated
                 ,
                 
                 uttermost
                 ,
                 is
                 of
                 a
                 very
                 large
                 extent
                 ,
                 it
                 extends
                 so
                 far
                 that
                 we
                 cannot
                 look
                 beyond
                 it
                 ,
                 no
                 not
                 in
                 our
                 ●houghts
                 :
                 for
                 let
                 a
                 m●n
                 imagine
                 his
                 case
                 to
                 be
                 never
                 so
                 desperate
                 ,
                 his
                 sins
                 to
                 be
                 never
                 so
                 many
                 and
                 hainous
                 ,
                 yet
                 Christ
                 by
                 his
                 death
                 is
                 able
                 to
                 save
                 him
                 from
                 them
                 all
                 .
              
               
                 And
                 therefore
                 this
                 we
                 must
                 lay
                 as
                 a
                 foundation-truth
                 ,
                 that
                 
                   Christs
                   Sacrifice
                   was
                   a
                   full
                   sa●isfaction
                   to
                   the
                   justice
                   of
                   his
                   Father
                   for
                   the
                   sins
                   of
                   the
                   World
                
                 ;
                 it
                 being
                 the
                 Sacrifice
                 of
                 the
                 Son
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 even
                 of
                 him
                 who
                 was
                 God
                 as
                 well
                 as
                 man.
                 For
                 this
                 is
                 that
                 which
                 added
                 an
                 infinite
                 value
                 to
                 what
                 Christ
                 did
                 and
                 suffered
                 for
                 our
                 redemption
                 ,
                 that
                 it
                 was
                 the
                 obedience
                 and
                 the
                 sufferings
                 of
                 the
                 Son
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 of
                 him
                 who
                 was
                 God
                 equal
                 with
                 the
                 Father
                 :
                 whereupon
                 the
                 
                   blood
                   of
                   Christ
                
                 ,
                 
                 whereby
                 we
                 are
                 redeemed
                 is
                 called
                 
                   precious
                   blood
                
                 :
                 being
                 of
                 infinite
                 price
                 and
                 merit
                 ,
                 able
                 to
                 countervail
                 and
                 answer
                 for
                 all
                 our
                 sins
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 free
                 us
                 from
                 the
                 punishment
                 due
                 unto
                 us
                 for
                 the
                 same
                 .
              
               
                 B●sides
                 ,
                 Christs
                 resurrection
                 from
                 the
                 dea●
                 is
                 an
                 evi●●nt
                 demonstration
                 that
                 his
                 death
                 was
                 an
                 all-sufficient
                 Sacrifice
                 and
                 full
                 satisfaction
                 to
                 Gods
                 justice
                 
                 for
                 our
                 sins
                 .
                 For
                 God
                 having
                 seized
                 on
                 Christ
                 ,
                 as
                 our
                 Surety
                 ,
                 and
                 cast
                 him
                 into
                 the
                 prison
                 of
                 the
                 grave
                 ,
                 for
                 the
                 debt
                 of
                 our
                 sins
                 ,
                 he
                 could
                 not
                 have
                 come
                 forth
                 till
                 he
                 had
                 payed
                 the
                 uttermost
                 farthing
                 .
                 But
                 by
                 his
                 rising
                 out
                 of
                 the
                 prison
                 of
                 the
                 grave
                 ,
                 we
                 are
                 assured
                 that
                 Gods
                 justice
                 is
                 abundantly
                 satisfied
                 by
                 the
                 death
                 of
                 Jesus
                 Christ.
                 
              
               
                 Labour
                 therefore
                 to
                 get
                 thine
                 heart
                 truly
                 satisfied
                 in
                 the
                 all-sufficiency
                 of
                 Christs
                 Sacrifice
                 ,
                 that
                 his
                 death
                 was
                 a
                 full
                 satisfaction
                 to
                 Gods
                 justice
                 for
                 thy
                 sins
                 ;
                 for
                 otherwise
                 when
                 either
                 thy
                 conscience
                 or
                 the
                 Devil
                 begin
                 to
                 aggravate
                 thy
                 sins
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 set
                 before
                 thee
                 the
                 number
                 and
                 the
                 hainousness
                 of
                 them
                 ,
                 thou
                 wilt
                 be
                 at
                 a
                 loss
                 ,
                 and
                 even
                 ready
                 to
                 sit
                 down
                 in
                 despair
                 :
                 whereas
                 if
                 thou
                 didst
                 cleerly
                 apprehend
                 what
                 a
                 full
                 satisfaction
                 the
                 death
                 of
                 Christ
                 was
                 to
                 Gods
                 justice
                 for
                 all
                 thy
                 sins
                 ,
                 thou
                 wouldst
                 not
                 fear
                 what
                 either
                 thy
                 conscience
                 or
                 the
                 Devil
                 could
                 object
                 against
                 thee
                 .
                 In
                 Rom.
                 8.33
                 .
                 We
                 read
                 how
                 the
                 Apostle
                 from
                 the
                 consideration
                 of
                 Christs
                 all-sufficient
                 Sacrifice
                 and
                 full
                 satisfaction
                 to
                 Gods
                 justice
                 by
                 his
                 death
                 ,
                 did
                 triumph
                 over
                 sin
                 ,
                 and
                 Satan
                 .
                 For
                 having
                 treated
                 thereof
                 in
                 the
                 former
                 part
                 of
                 the
                 Chapter
                 ;
                 In
                 the
                 latter
                 part
                 thereof
                 ,
                 ver
                 .
                 33
                 ,
                 34.
                 he
                 speaks
                 as
                 one
                 ravished
                 with
                 abundance
                 of
                 comfort
                 :
                 yea
                 ,
                 challengeth
                 the
                 Devil
                 and
                 all
                 the
                 World
                 to
                 object
                 what
                 they
                 could
                 against
                 the
                 pardon
                 of
                 his
                 sins
                 ;
                 Who
                 ,
                 saith
                 he
                 ,
                 
                   shall
                   lay
                   any
                   thing
                   to
                   the
                   charge
                   of
                   Gods
                   elect
                   ?
                   It
                   is
                   God
                   that
                   justifieth
                   ;
                   Who
                   is
                   he
                   that
                   condemneth
                   ?
                   it
                   is
                   Christ
                   that
                   dyed
                   .
                
                 As
                 if
                 he
                 had
                 said
                 ,
                 let
                 Conscience
                 and
                 carnal
                 Reason
                 ,
                 let
                 Law
                 and
                 Sin
                 ,
                 let
                 Hell
                 and
                 Devil
                 object
                 what
                 they
                 can
                 ;
                 let
                 them
                 object
                 the
                 number
                 and
                 hainousness
                 of
                 my
                 sins
                 ,
                 what
                 is
                 that
                 ?
                 
                   seeing
                   Christ
                   hath
                   dyed
                
                 ,
                 even
                 Christ
                 the
                 Son
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 hath
                 offered
                 up
                 his
                 own
                 life
                 ,
                 as
                 an
                 all-sufficient
                 Sacrifice
                 ,
                 and
                 thereby
                 abundantly
                 satisfied
                 Gods
                 justice
                 for
                 my
                 sins
                 .
                 Beloved
                 ,
                 the
                 case
                 between
                 God
                 and
                 us
                 and
                 our
                 Saviour
                 Jesus
                 Christ
                 ,
                 is
                 not
                 much
                 unlike
                 the
                 case
                 of
                 a
                 Creditor
                 ,
                 a
                 Debtor
                 ,
                 and
                 a
                 Surety
                 .
                 Though
                 the
                 debtor
                 be
                 altogether
                 unable
                 to
                 satisfie
                 his
                 debt
                 ,
                 or
                 to
                 contribute
                 any
                 thing
                 
                 thereunto
                 ;
                 yet
                 if
                 his
                 surety
                 have
                 fully
                 discharged
                 the
                 debt
                 ,
                 and
                 cancelled
                 the
                 bond
                 ,
                 the
                 debtor
                 is
                 safe
                 enough
                 from
                 imprisonment
                 ,
                 or
                 danger
                 of
                 arrest
                 .
                 In
                 l●ke
                 manner
                 though
                 we
                 were
                 much
                 indebted
                 unto
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 were
                 no
                 way
                 able
                 to
                 make
                 the
                 least
                 satisfaction
                 for
                 our
                 sins
                 ;
                 yet
                 seeing
                 our
                 surety
                 Jesus
                 Christ
                 hath
                 taken
                 upon
                 him
                 the
                 debt
                 of
                 our
                 sins
                 ,
                 and
                 fully
                 satisfied
                 Gods
                 justice
                 for
                 the
                 same
                 ,
                 by
                 offering
                 up
                 his
                 own
                 life
                 as
                 an
                 all-sufficient
                 Sacrifice
                 upon
                 the
                 Cross
                 ,
                 we
                 shall
                 not
                 need
                 to
                 fear
                 the
                 accusations
                 of
                 Conscience
                 ,
                 or
                 of
                 carnal
                 reason
                 ,
                 or
                 of
                 all
                 the
                 Devils
                 in
                 Hell
                 ,
                 if
                 we
                 do
                 apply
                 the
                 merits
                 of
                 Christs
                 death
                 unto
                 our
                 own
                 souls
                 comfort
                 .
              
               
                 IV.
                 That
                 there
                 is
                 hope
                 of
                 mercy
                 for
                 the
                 worst
                 of
                 sinners
                 ,
                 appeareth
                 from
                 
                   Christs
                   Willingness
                   to
                   receive
                   and
                   embrace
                   all
                   poor
                   sinners
                   who
                   will
                   but
                   come
                   unto
                   him
                   ,
                   and
                   receive
                   him
                   upon
                   the
                   terms
                   of
                   the
                   Gospel
                   .
                
              
               
                 1.
                 
                 
                   Christs
                   Willingness
                   appeareth
                   from
                   his
                   frequent
                   personal
                   invitations
                   of
                   all
                   sorts
                   of
                   sinners
                   ,
                   even
                   the
                   worst
                   to
                   come
                   unto
                   him
                   for
                   life
                   and
                   salvation
                   ,
                   as
                
                 Matth.
                 11.28
                 .
                 
                   Come
                   unto
                   me
                   all
                   ye
                   that
                   labour
                   ,
                   and
                   are
                   heavy
                   laden
                   ,
                   and
                   I
                   will
                   give
                   you
                   rest
                   .
                
                 In
                 which
                 we
                 find
                 no
                 exception
                 either
                 of
                 persons
                 or
                 sins
                 :
                 but
                 whosoever
                 thou
                 art
                 ,
                 rich
                 or
                 poor
                 ,
                 male
                 or
                 female
                 ;
                 how
                 many
                 and
                 hainous
                 soever
                 thy
                 sins
                 are
                 ,
                 if
                 thou
                 art
                 but
                 sensible
                 of
                 them
                 ,
                 thou
                 art
                 invited
                 to
                 go
                 unto
                 Jesus
                 Christ
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 cast
                 thy self
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 burden
                 of
                 thy
                 sins
                 upon
                 him
                 .
                 And
                 Rev.
                 22.17
                 .
                 
                   Let
                   him
                   that
                   is
                   a
                   thirst
                   come
                   .
                   And
                   whoever
                   will
                   ,
                   let
                   him
                   take
                   the
                   Water
                   of
                   life
                   freely
                
                 ;
                 That
                 is
                 ,
                 in
                 whomsoever
                 there
                 is
                 but
                 an
                 earnest
                 will
                 ,
                 and
                 longing
                 desire
                 to
                 partake
                 of
                 Christ
                 ,
                 and
                 of
                 the
                 benefits
                 of
                 his
                 death
                 and
                 passion
                 ,
                 they
                 are
                 invited
                 to
                 come
                 unto
                 him
                 .
                 Now
                 these
                 gracious
                 invitations
                 of
                 Jesus
                 Christ
                 unto
                 poor
                 thirsty
                 sinners
                 to
                 come
                 unto
                 him
                 ,
                 that
                 their
                 souls
                 might
                 live
                 ,
                 must
                 needs
                 argue
                 his
                 incomparable
                 willingness
                 to
                 have
                 them
                 saved
                 .
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 Christ
                 knowing
                 our
                 backwardness
                 to
                 come
                 unto
                 him
                 ,
                 to
                 the
                 forementioned
                 invitations
                 adds
                 his
                 awakening
                 excitation
                 ,
                 or
                 proclamation
                 ,
                 crying
                 out
                 ,
                 
                   Ho
                   every
                   one
                   that
                   thirsteth
                   come
                   ye
                   to
                   the
                   Waters
                   ,
                
                 
                 &c.
                 
                 
                 And
                 because
                 many
                 poor
                 souls
                 are
                 apt
                 to
                 say
                 ,
                 
                   Alas
                   there
                   is
                   nothing
                   in
                   me
                   to
                   commend
                   me
                   unto
                   Christ
                   ,
                   I
                   have
                   no
                   goodness
                   ,
                   no
                   righteousness
                   of
                   mine
                   own
                   ,
                
                 therefore
                 Christ
                 adds
                 ,
                 
                   He
                   that
                   hath
                   no
                   money
                
                 ,
                 that
                 is
                 ,
                 he
                 who
                 hath
                 no
                 goodness
                 ,
                 no
                 righteousness
                 of
                 his
                 own
                 ,
                 which
                 is
                 there
                 meant
                 by
                 money
                 ,
                 let
                 him
                 come
                 .
                 And
                 indeed
                 they
                 are
                 the
                 fittest
                 to
                 go
                 unto
                 Jesus
                 Christ
                 ,
                 for
                 it
                 is
                 the
                 empty
                 soul
                 that
                 is
                 most
                 capable
                 of
                 Christ
                 ,
                 the
                 soul
                 emptied
                 of
                 all
                 self-righteousness
                 ,
                 and
                 self-goodness
                 .
                 Whereas
                 that
                 soul
                 which
                 with
                 the
                 Church
                 of
                 Laodicea
                 ,
                 is
                 rich
                 and
                 full
                 with
                 a
                 conceit
                 of
                 its
                 own
                 righteousness
                 ,
                 hath
                 no
                 room
                 for
                 Christ.
                 
              
               
                 3.
                 
                 Christs
                 Willingness
                 appeareth
                 by
                 the
                 many
                 sweet
                 and
                 gracious
                 promises
                 which
                 he
                 hath
                 made
                 in
                 his
                 Word
                 unto
                 all
                 those
                 who
                 by
                 faith
                 come
                 unto
                 him
                 .
                 As
                 that
                 known
                 promise
                 ,
                 
                 
                   Come
                   unto
                   me
                   all
                   ye
                   who
                   labour
                   and
                   are
                   heavy
                   laden
                   ,
                   and
                   I
                   will
                   give
                   you
                   rest
                   ,
                
                 that
                 is
                 ,
                 I
                 will
                 ease
                 you
                 and
                 refresh
                 you
                 ,
                 I
                 will
                 comfort
                 you
                 with
                 the
                 assurance
                 of
                 the
                 pardon
                 of
                 your
                 sins
                 ,
                 I
                 will
                 give
                 you
                 peace
                 of
                 Conscience
                 here
                 ,
                 and
                 eternal
                 peace
                 and
                 rest
                 with
                 me
                 for
                 ever
                 in
                 my
                 Kingdom
                 .
                 And
                 questionless
                 ,
                 one
                 special
                 reason
                 why
                 many
                 find
                 so
                 little
                 peace
                 and
                 comfort
                 in
                 their
                 souls
                 ,
                 is
                 because
                 they
                 go
                 not
                 unto
                 Jesus
                 Christ
                 ,
                 they
                 cast
                 not
                 themselves
                 and
                 the
                 burden
                 of
                 their
                 sins
                 upon
                 him
                 ,
                 who
                 is
                 the
                 fountain
                 of
                 peace
                 and
                 comfort
                 ,
                 and
                 from
                 whom
                 alone
                 it
                 is
                 to
                 be
                 had
                 .
              
               
                 And
                 Mark
                 16.15
                 ,
                 16.
                 saith
                 our
                 Saviour
                 ,
                 
                   He
                   that
                   believeth
                   shall
                   be
                   saved
                   ,
                   but
                   he
                   that
                   believeth
                   not
                   shall
                   be
                   damned
                
                 ;
                 that
                 is
                 ,
                 He
                 who
                 goeth
                 out
                 of
                 himself
                 unto
                 Christ
                 for
                 life
                 ,
                 
                   shall
                   be
                   saved
                
                 ,
                 from
                 the
                 wrath
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 from
                 the
                 curse
                 of
                 the
                 Law
                 ,
                 from
                 the
                 guilt
                 and
                 power
                 of
                 sin
                 ,
                 yea
                 from
                 eternal
                 death
                 and
                 condemnation
                 ,
                 and
                 shall
                 inherit
                 eternal
                 life
                 and
                 salvation
                 .
                 
                   But
                   he
                   that
                   believeth
                   not
                   shall
                   be
                   damned
                   ,
                
                 that
                 is
                 ,
                 He
                 who
                 refuseth
                 to
                 go
                 unto
                 Jesus
                 Christ
                 ,
                 preferring
                 his
                 lusts
                 and
                 corruptions
                 before
                 him
                 ,
                 shall
                 be
                 cast
                 into
                 that
                 burning
                 lake
                 ,
                 where
                 is
                 nothing
                 but
                 weeping
                 and
                 wailing
                 and
                 gnashing
                 of
                 teeth
                 .
              
               
                 Oh
                 how
                 earnestly
                 doth
                 Christ
                 press
                 sinners
                 to
                 come
                 unto
                 him
                 that
                 they
                 might
                 have
                 life
                 ,
                 promising
                 Heaven
                 ,
                 
                 and
                 salvation
                 upon
                 their
                 coming
                 :
                 and
                 threatning
                 hell
                 and
                 damnation
                 upon
                 their
                 refusing
                 .
                 And
                 what
                 more
                 prevailing
                 argument
                 could
                 he
                 use
                 ,
                 to
                 perswade
                 sinners
                 to
                 come
                 unto
                 him
                 ?
                 Which
                 must
                 needs
                 evidence
                 his
                 exceeding
                 great
                 willingness
                 to
                 embrace
                 them
                 with
                 the
                 arms
                 of
                 his
                 mercy
                 upon
                 their
                 coming
                 .
              
               
                 4.
                 
                 Christs
                 Willingness
                 appeareth
                 from
                 his
                 e●d
                 of
                 coming
                 into
                 the
                 World
                 ,
                 which
                 was
                 to
                 save
                 poor
                 l●st
                 sinners
                 .
                 He
                 left
                 his
                 Crown
                 ,
                 and
                 Throne
                 ,
                 his
                 Royal
                 Court
                 ,
                 and
                 glorious
                 Robes
                 ,
                 and
                 cloathed
                 himself
                 with
                 the
                 rags
                 of
                 our
                 humanity
                 ,
                 for
                 no
                 other
                 end
                 but
                 to
                 seek
                 and
                 to
                 save
                 that
                 which
                 was
                 lost
                 ;
                 
                 as
                 the
                 Apostle
                 expresseth
                 ,
                 
                   This
                   is
                   a
                   faithful
                   saying
                   ,
                   and
                   worthy
                   of
                   all
                   acceptation
                   ,
                   that
                   Iesus
                   Christ
                   came
                   into
                   the
                   World
                   to
                   save
                   sinners
                   .
                
                 So
                 that
                 the
                 Salvation
                 of
                 poor
                 lost
                 sinners
                 was
                 his
                 great
                 design
                 in
                 coming
                 into
                 the
                 World.
                 He
                 came
                 from
                 Heaven
                 to
                 Earth
                 for
                 this
                 very
                 end
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 might
                 send
                 us
                 from
                 Earth
                 to
                 Heaven
                 .
                 The
                 Son
                 of
                 God
                 became
                 the
                 Son
                 of
                 man
                 ,
                 that
                 we
                 the
                 sons
                 of
                 men
                 might
                 become
                 the
                 Sons
                 of
                 God.
                 Certainly
                 that
                 Christ
                 should
                 come
                 out
                 of
                 Heaven
                 ,
                 to
                 keep
                 us
                 out
                 of
                 hell
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 should
                 uncrown
                 himself
                 to
                 Crown
                 us
                 ,
                 must
                 needs
                 argue
                 a
                 wonderful
                 willingness
                 in
                 him
                 to
                 have
                 poor
                 sinners
                 saved
                 .
              
               
                 5.
                 
                 
                   Christs
                   Willingness
                   appeareth
                   by
                   his
                   rejecting
                   of
                   none
                   who
                   sincerely
                   go
                   unto
                   him
                   ,
                   though
                   never
                   so
                   weak
                   and
                   worthless
                   in
                   themselves
                   .
                
                 Never
                 did
                 any
                 sinner
                 go
                 to
                 him
                 ,
                 but
                 he
                 accepted
                 of
                 him
                 ,
                 
                 as
                 himself
                 expresseth
                 ,
                 
                   All
                   that
                   the
                   Father
                   giveth
                   me
                   ,
                   shall
                   come
                   to
                   me
                   ,
                   and
                   him
                   that
                   ●ometh
                   unto
                   me
                   ,
                   I
                   will
                   in
                   no
                   wise
                   cast
                   out
                
                 ;
                 but
                 receive
                 him
                 to
                 mercy
                 .
                 Hath
                 Christ
                 promised
                 this
                 ,
                 and
                 will
                 he
                 not
                 be
                 as
                 good
                 as
                 his
                 Word
                 ?
                 Did
                 he
                 ever
                 break
                 his
                 word
                 with
                 any
                 poor
                 soul
                 ,
                 though
                 never
                 so
                 unworthy
                 ?
                 Did
                 he
                 ever
                 cast
                 away
                 any
                 who
                 came
                 unto
                 him
                 ?
                 
                 And
                 is
                 he
                 not
                 
                   the
                   same
                   yesterday
                   ,
                   to
                   day
                   ,
                   and
                   for
                   ever
                   ?
                
              
               
                 Go
                 sinner
                 ,
                 fear
                 not
                 ,
                 go
                 upon
                 the
                 credit
                 of
                 this
                 word
                 ,
                 which
                 he
                 hath
                 spoken
                 ,
                 
                   I
                   will
                   in
                   no
                   wise
                   cast
                   them
                   out
                   .
                
                 Though
                 the
                 Devil
                 say
                 ,
                 go
                 not
                 ,
                 though
                 thy
                 misgiving
                 heart
                 say
                 ,
                 go
                 not
                 ,
                 he
                 will
                 not
                 regard
                 thee
                 ,
                 he
                 will
                 never
                 look
                 on
                 such
                 a
                 vile
                 wretch
                 ,
                 he
                 will
                 cast
                 thee
                 out
                 ;
                 yet
                 
                 since
                 he
                 hath
                 said
                 ,
                 
                   He
                   will
                   not
                
                 ,
                 go
                 and
                 thou
                 shalt
                 find
                 mercy
                 .
              
               
                 Thus
                 have
                 I
                 by
                 several
                 demonstrations
                 proved
                 ,
                 as
                 
                   God
                   the
                   Fathers
                   willingness
                   to
                   save
                   the
                   worst
                   of
                   sinners
                
                 ;
                 So
                 
                   Christs
                   readiness
                   to
                   embrace
                   all
                   poor
                   sinners
                   who
                   will
                   but
                   come
                   unto
                   him
                   for
                   life
                   and
                   salvation
                
                 ;
                 Wherein
                 I
                 have
                 the
                 longer
                 insisted
                 ,
                 because
                 I
                 know
                 no
                 better
                 argument
                 to
                 prevail
                 with
                 sinners
                 ,
                 to
                 turn
                 from
                 their
                 sins
                 unto
                 God
                 by
                 true
                 and
                 unfeigned
                 repentance
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 close
                 with
                 Jesus
                 Christ
                 by
                 a
                 true
                 and
                 lively
                 faith
                 ,
                 than
                 a
                 serious
                 consideration
                 as
                 of
                 Gods
                 readiness
                 to
                 save
                 the
                 worst
                 of
                 sinners
                 upon
                 their
                 turning
                 unto
                 him
                 ;
                 so
                 of
                 Christs
                 Willingness
                 to
                 embrace
                 all
                 poor
                 sinners
                 ,
                 who
                 will
                 come
                 unto
                 him
                 ,
                 and
                 receive
                 him
                 as
                 their
                 Lord
                 and
                 Saviour
                 .
              
               
                 I
                 have
                 read
                 a
                 story
                 of
                 a
                 Gentle-woman
                 who
                 was
                 condemned
                 to
                 dye
                 for
                 killing
                 her
                 own
                 child
                 ;
                 whereupon
                 divers
                 Ministers
                 came
                 to
                 visit
                 her
                 ,
                 and
                 perceiving
                 her
                 little
                 affected
                 with
                 her
                 sin
                 ,
                 and
                 sad
                 condition
                 ,
                 they
                 laboured
                 to
                 set
                 before
                 her
                 the
                 hainousness
                 of
                 her
                 sin
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 dreadfulness
                 of
                 her
                 condition
                 ,
                 without
                 hearty
                 and
                 deep
                 repentance
                 .
                 All
                 which
                 little
                 moved
                 her
                 ,
                 seeming
                 rather
                 the
                 more
                 hardened
                 in
                 her
                 sin
                 .
                 But
                 at
                 last
                 another
                 Reverend
                 Divine
                 hearing
                 of
                 her
                 obdurate
                 hardness
                 ,
                 notwithstanding
                 all
                 that
                 was
                 said
                 unto
                 her
                 ;
                 went
                 and
                 preached
                 to
                 her
                 the
                 abundant
                 riches
                 of
                 Gods
                 mercy
                 in
                 Christ
                 ,
                 how
                 ready
                 he
                 was
                 to
                 embrace
                 with
                 the
                 arms
                 of
                 his
                 free-grace
                 ,
                 every
                 penitent
                 sinner
                 ;
                 and
                 how
                 willing
                 Christ
                 was
                 to
                 receive
                 all
                 poor
                 sinners
                 ,
                 who
                 would
                 go
                 unto
                 him
                 ,
                 and
                 cast
                 themselves
                 into
                 his
                 arms
                 ,
                 how
                 many
                 and
                 hainous
                 soever
                 their
                 sins
                 were
                 ,
                 and
                 thereupon
                 told
                 her
                 ,
                 there
                 was
                 hope
                 of
                 mercy
                 for
                 her
                 ,
                 if
                 she
                 were
                 heartily
                 sorry
                 for
                 her
                 sins
                 ,
                 and
                 would
                 adventure
                 her
                 soul
                 upon
                 Christ
                 ,
                 notwithstanding
                 the
                 greatness
                 and
                 hainousness
                 of
                 her
                 sin
                 ,
                 
                   What!
                   mercy
                   for
                   me
                   ?
                   said
                   she
                   ,
                   that
                   is
                   impossible
                   ,
                
                 &c.
                 
                 Whereupon
                 the
                 Minister
                 proceeded
                 further
                 to
                 set
                 forth
                 the
                 freeness
                 of
                 Gods
                 grace
                 ,
                 and
                 riches
                 of
                 his
                 mercy
                 to
                 all
                 penitent
                 and
                 believing
                 sinners
                 ,
                 declaring
                 unto
                 her
                 ,
                 how
                 God
                 
                 delighted
                 in
                 mercy
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 where
                 sin
                 had
                 abounded
                 ,
                 there
                 his
                 grace
                 and
                 mercy
                 would
                 much
                 more
                 abound
                 ,
                 or
                 to
                 that
                 purpose
                 .
                 And
                 thereupon
                 she
                 presently
                 fell
                 a
                 weeping
                 ,
                 wringing
                 her
                 hands
                 ,
                 and
                 cryi●g
                 for
                 mercy
                 ,
                 and
                 dyed
                 very
                 comfortably
                 ,
                 as
                 it
                 is
                 related
                 ,
                 having
                 had
                 the
                 mercy
                 of
                 God
                 abundantly
                 revealed
                 to
                 her
                 before
                 her
                 death
                 .
              
               
                 And
                 truly
                 ,
                 sinner
                 ,
                 as
                 it
                 was
                 my
                 design
                 ,
                 so
                 my
                 hearts
                 desire
                 ,
                 in
                 s●tting
                 forth
                 Gods
                 willingness
                 to
                 save
                 the
                 very
                 worst
                 of
                 sinners
                 upon
                 their
                 repentance
                 ;
                 and
                 Christs
                 readiness
                 to
                 embrace
                 them
                 with
                 the
                 arms
                 of
                 his
                 mercy
                 ,
                 that
                 it
                 might
                 have
                 the
                 same
                 effect
                 in
                 thee
                 ,
                 as
                 it
                 had
                 in
                 the
                 forementioned
                 Gentle-woman
                 .
                 And
                 oh
                 that
                 the
                 consideration
                 thereof
                 would
                 melt
                 thine
                 heart
                 into
                 tears
                 of
                 unfeigned
                 sorrow
                 for
                 thy
                 sins
                 past
                 ,
                 and
                 stir
                 thee
                 up
                 to
                 turn
                 from
                 them
                 unto
                 God
                 by
                 hearty
                 repentance
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 close
                 with
                 Jesus
                 Christ
                 upon
                 the
                 terms
                 of
                 the
                 Gospel
                 .
                 Oh
                 that
                 I
                 could
                 prevail
                 with
                 thee
                 ,
                 as
                 to
                 give
                 a
                 bill
                 of
                 divorce
                 to
                 thy
                 lusts
                 and
                 corruptions
                 ,
                 so
                 to
                 give
                 up
                 thy self
                 unto
                 Christ
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 adventure
                 thy
                 soul
                 upon
                 him
                 ,
                 resting
                 upon
                 his
                 perfect
                 righteousness
                 ,
                 and
                 all-sufficient
                 Sacrifice
                 for
                 the
                 pardon
                 of
                 thy
                 sins
                 here
                 ,
                 and
                 for
                 eternal
                 life
                 and
                 salvation
                 hereafter
                 !
                 If
                 Christ
                 be
                 so
                 willing
                 to
                 receive
                 thee
                 ,
                 why
                 shouldst
                 not
                 thou
                 be
                 willing
                 to
                 go
                 unto
                 him
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 with
                 confidence
                 of
                 acceptance
                 ?
                 Salvation
                 is
                 this
                 day
                 offered
                 unto
                 thee
                 ,
                 the
                 golden
                 Scepter
                 is
                 held
                 out
                 unto
                 thee
                 ,
                 Oh
                 stretch
                 forth
                 the
                 hand
                 of
                 faith
                 to
                 lay
                 hold
                 and
                 embrace
                 the
                 Lord
                 Jesus
                 Christ
                 ;
                 so
                 shalt
                 thou
                 be
                 happy
                 to
                 all
                 Eternity
                 ,
                 
                   For
                   whosoever
                   believeth
                   in
                   Iesus
                   Christ
                   shall
                   not
                   perish
                   ,
                
                 
                 
                   but
                   have
                   everlasting
                   life
                   .
                   Thus
                   much
                   of
                   the
                   truths
                   to
                   be
                   embraced
                   in
                   order
                   to
                   your
                   Regeneration
                   .
                
              
            
             
               
               
                 CHAP.
                 XIV
                 .
                 Sheweth
                 the
                 Duties
                 to
                 be
                 Practised
                 in
                 order
                 to
                 your
                 Regeneration
                 .
              
               
                 HAving
                 shewed
                 you
                 the
                 truths
                 to
                 be
                 embraced
                 in
                 order
                 to
                 your
                 Regeneration
                 .
                 I
                 come
                 now
                 to
                 the
                 Duties
                 on
                 your
                 part
                 to
                 be
                 practised
                 ,
                 and
                 performed
                 .
              
               
                 I.
                 From
                 the
                 consideration
                 of
                 the
                 dreadfulness
                 of
                 thy
                 condition
                 ,
                 so
                 long
                 as
                 thou
                 continuest
                 in
                 thine
                 unregenerate
                 estate
                 ;
                 and
                 of
                 the
                 hope
                 thou
                 hast
                 of
                 a
                 blessed
                 change
                 ;
                 
                   stir
                   up
                   in
                   thy self
                   an
                   earnest
                   longing
                   ,
                   restless
                   desire
                   after
                   the
                   new
                   birth
                   ,
                
                 that
                 thou
                 maist
                 in
                 truth
                 say
                 ,
                 
                   O
                   that
                   I
                   were
                   Regenerate
                   and
                   born
                   anew
                   !
                   Oh
                   that
                   the
                   Image
                   of
                   the
                   Devil
                   might
                   be
                   razed
                   out
                   ,
                   and
                   the
                   Image
                   of
                   God
                   imprinted
                   in
                   me
                   !
                   O
                   that
                   a
                   blessed
                   change
                   were
                   wrought
                   in
                   my
                   soul
                   ,
                   a
                   change
                   from
                   nature
                   to
                   grace
                   ,
                   from
                   darkness
                   to
                   light
                   ,
                   from
                   the
                   Kingdom
                   of
                   Satan
                   to
                   the
                   Kingdom
                   of
                   the
                   Lord
                   Jesus
                   !
                   Oh
                   that
                   I
                   might
                   become
                   a
                   new
                   creature
                   ,
                   renewed
                   throughout
                   ,
                   in
                   all
                   the
                   faculties
                   of
                   my
                   soul
                   ,
                   and
                   all
                   the
                   parts
                   of
                   my
                   body
                   !
                
              
               
                 As
                 Rachel
                 cryed
                 ,
                 
                   Give
                   me
                   Children
                   ,
                   or
                   else
                   I
                   dye
                   .
                
                 So
                 do
                 thou
                 cry
                 out
                 and
                 say
                 ,
                 
                   Give
                   me
                   this
                   new
                   birth
                   ,
                   let
                   me
                   be
                   born
                   again
                   by
                   the
                   spirit
                   ,
                   or
                   else
                   I
                   shall
                   dye
                   ,
                   not
                   only
                   the
                   first
                   ,
                   but
                   likewise
                   the
                   second
                   death
                   ,
                   and
                   be
                   undone
                   for
                   ever
                   .
                
                 And
                 know
                 for
                 thy
                 comfort
                 ,
                 if
                 thou
                 canst
                 find
                 any
                 such
                 longing
                 desire
                 in
                 thy
                 soul
                 ,
                 thou
                 art
                 not
                 far
                 from
                 this
                 new
                 birth
                 ,
                 from
                 the
                 work
                 of
                 Regeneration
                 in
                 thy
                 soul.
                 For
                 this
                 longing
                 desire
                 after
                 this
                 new
                 birth
                 ,
                 will
                 put
                 thee
                 upon
                 the
                 use
                 of
                 all
                 ordinances
                 and
                 means
                 God
                 hath
                 sanctified
                 for
                 the
                 attaining
                 thereof
                 .
              
               
                 II.
                 
                   Labour
                   to
                   get
                   thine
                   heart
                   deeply
                   and
                   throughly
                   affected
                   
                   with
                   a
                   sense
                   of
                   thy
                   miserable
                   condition
                   by
                   nature
                   .
                
                 It
                 is
                 not
                 sufficient
                 to
                 know
                 thy
                 condition
                 to
                 be
                 sad
                 and
                 deplorable
                 so
                 long
                 as
                 thou
                 continuest
                 in
                 thine
                 unregenerate
                 estate
                 :
                 but
                 thy
                 care
                 and
                 endeavour
                 must
                 be
                 to
                 get
                 thine
                 heart
                 throughly
                 affected
                 therewith
                 .
                 If
                 you
                 look
                 into
                 the
                 Scriptures
                 you
                 shall
                 find
                 this
                 qualification
                 required
                 in
                 the
                 persons
                 whom
                 Christ
                 came
                 to
                 save
                 ,
                 and
                 whom
                 he
                 invites
                 to
                 come
                 unto
                 him
                 .
                 Our
                 blessed
                 Saviour
                 speaking
                 to
                 Zacheus
                 saith
                 ,
                 
                   The
                   Son
                   of
                   man
                   is
                   come
                   to
                   seek
                   and
                   to
                   save
                   that
                   which
                   is
                   lost
                   .
                
                 
                 Where
                 by
                 the
                 lost
                 ,
                 whom
                 Christ
                 came
                 to
                 save
                 ,
                 are
                 not
                 meant
                 every
                 sinner
                 ,
                 who
                 indeed
                 are
                 lost
                 men
                 ,
                 but
                 such
                 as
                 have
                 a
                 spiritual
                 feeling
                 of
                 the
                 woful
                 plight
                 and
                 condition
                 wherein
                 they
                 are
                 by
                 reason
                 of
                 their
                 sins
                 .
                 And
                 again
                 saith
                 our
                 Saviour
                 ,
                 
                   I
                   am
                   not
                   come
                   to
                   call
                   the
                   righteous
                   ,
                
                 
                 
                   but
                   sinners
                   to
                   repentance
                
                 .
                 As
                 by
                 the
                 righteous
                 are
                 meant
                 such
                 as
                 are
                 so
                 in
                 their
                 own
                 opinion
                 ,
                 and
                 conceit
                 ,
                 so
                 by
                 sinners
                 are
                 meant
                 such
                 as
                 are
                 sensible
                 of
                 their
                 wretched
                 ,
                 miserable
                 condition
                 ,
                 and
                 groan
                 under
                 the
                 weight
                 and
                 burthen
                 of
                 their
                 sins
                 ;
                 whom
                 Christ
                 especially
                 invites
                 to
                 come
                 unto
                 him
                 ,
                 
                 saying
                 ,
                 
                   Come
                   unto
                   me
                   all
                   ye
                   who
                   are
                   weary
                   and
                   heavy
                   laden
                   ,
                   and
                   I
                   will
                   give
                   you
                   rest
                   .
                
              
               
                 1.
                 
                 
                   The
                   more
                   sensible
                   any
                   are
                   of
                   their
                   miserable
                   condition
                   by
                   nature
                   ,
                   the
                   more
                   sensible
                   will
                   they
                   be
                   of
                   their
                   need
                   of
                   Iesus
                   Christ.
                
                 
                 
                   They
                   that
                   are
                   whole
                
                 ,
                 saith
                 our
                 Saviour
                 ,
                 
                   need
                   not
                   a
                   Physitian
                   ,
                   but
                   they
                   that
                   are
                   sick
                   .
                
                 In
                 like
                 manner
                 ,
                 such
                 as
                 are
                 whole
                 and
                 sound
                 in
                 their
                 own
                 conceit
                 ,
                 see
                 no
                 need
                 of
                 Christ
                 ;
                 but
                 such
                 as
                 are
                 sick
                 of
                 their
                 sins
                 ,
                 and
                 sensible
                 of
                 their
                 miserable
                 and
                 lost
                 condition
                 ,
                 they
                 feel
                 a
                 need
                 and
                 necessity
                 of
                 Christ
                 ,
                 who
                 is
                 the
                 only
                 Physitian
                 that
                 can
                 help
                 them
                 ,
                 and
                 without
                 whom
                 they
                 look
                 upon
                 themselves
                 as
                 undone
                 for
                 ever
                 .
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 
                   Sense
                   of
                   our
                   miserable
                   condition
                   by
                   nature
                   ,
                   will
                   stir
                   us
                   up
                   to
                   seek
                   after
                   Iesus
                   Christ
                   for
                   help
                   and
                   deliverance
                   .
                
                 As
                 the
                 man-slayer
                 under
                 the
                 Law
                 ,
                 being
                 pursued
                 by
                 the
                 avenger
                 of
                 blood
                 ,
                 betook
                 himself
                 to
                 
                   a
                   City
                   of
                   r●fuge
                
                 for
                 shelter
                 and
                 defence
                 .
                 So
                 the
                 poor
                 sinner
                 pursued
                 
                 by
                 the
                 Hue
                 and
                 Cry
                 of
                 his
                 sins
                 ,
                 betakes
                 himself
                 unto
                 Jesus
                 Christ
                 ,
                 who
                 is
                 a
                 true
                 City
                 of
                 refuge
                 to
                 all
                 who
                 fly
                 unto
                 him
                 .
                 Yea
                 the
                 more
                 sensible
                 any
                 man
                 is
                 of
                 his
                 misery
                 by
                 sin
                 ,
                 the
                 more
                 will
                 he
                 hasten
                 after
                 Jesus
                 Christ.
                 And
                 certainly
                 one
                 special
                 reason
                 why
                 Christ
                 is
                 so
                 little
                 sought
                 after
                 by
                 many
                 ;
                 and
                 his
                 gracious
                 invitations
                 so
                 slighted
                 and
                 neglected
                 ,
                 is
                 because
                 they
                 are
                 not
                 sensible
                 of
                 the
                 wofull
                 plight
                 and
                 condition
                 wherein
                 they
                 are
                 by
                 nature
                 .
              
               
                 3.
                 
                 
                   Sense
                   of
                   our
                   miserable
                   condition
                   will
                   make
                   us
                   more
                   highly
                   to
                   prize
                   Iesus
                   Christ
                   ,
                   and
                   to
                   preferr
                   him
                   before
                   all
                   things
                   in
                   the
                   World
                   besides
                   .
                
                 The
                 truth
                 is
                 ,
                 the
                 more
                 sensible
                 any
                 of
                 us
                 are
                 of
                 our
                 unregenerate
                 estate
                 ,
                 the
                 more
                 highly
                 shall
                 we
                 prize
                 Jesus
                 Christ.
                 In
                 what
                 measure
                 we
                 can
                 discern
                 the
                 heighth
                 and
                 depth
                 ,
                 the
                 beadth
                 and
                 length
                 of
                 our
                 miserable
                 condition
                 by
                 nature
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 same
                 measure
                 shall
                 we
                 discern
                 the
                 heighth
                 and
                 depth
                 ,
                 the
                 breadth
                 and
                 length
                 of
                 the
                 worth
                 and
                 excellency
                 of
                 Jesus
                 Christ
                 ,
                 and
                 accordingly
                 shall
                 we
                 prize
                 and
                 value
                 him
                 .
              
               
                 Q.
                 If
                 any
                 shall
                 ask
                 ,
                 how
                 may
                 I
                 get
                 my
                 heart
                 deeply
                 affected
                 with
                 a
                 sense
                 of
                 my
                 miserable
                 condition
                 by
                 nature
                 ?
              
               
                 A.
                 1.
                 
                 
                   Steep
                   thy
                   thoughts
                   frequently
                   in
                   a
                   serious
                   meditation
                   of
                   thy
                   sad
                   and
                   deplorable
                   condition
                   ,
                   so
                   long
                   as
                   thou
                   continuest
                   in
                   thine
                   unregenerate
                   estate
                   .
                
                 How
                 thou
                 art
                 no
                 better
                 than
                 a
                 servant
                 to
                 sin
                 ,
                 and
                 slave
                 to
                 thy
                 lusts
                 ,
                 under
                 the
                 bondage
                 and
                 command
                 of
                 Satan
                 ,
                 doing
                 his
                 drudgery
                 :
                 yea
                 and
                 under
                 the
                 curse
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 guilt
                 of
                 all
                 thy
                 sins
                 ;
                 and
                 lyable
                 to
                 all
                 sorts
                 of
                 Judgements
                 ,
                 both
                 
                   temporal
                   ,
                   spiritual
                
                 and
                 eternal
                 .
                 Consider
                 likewise
                 the
                 miseries
                 which
                 will
                 accompany
                 thee
                 at
                 thy
                 death
                 ,
                 and
                 after
                 thy
                 death
                 ,
                 even
                 at
                 the
                 day
                 of
                 Judgement
                 ,
                 and
                 after
                 the
                 day
                 of
                 Judgement
                 ;
                 when
                 thou
                 shalt
                 not
                 only
                 be
                 deprived
                 of
                 all
                 happiness
                 ,
                 but
                 exposed
                 to
                 such
                 miseries
                 ,
                 as
                 neither
                 the
                 tongue
                 of
                 man
                 can
                 express
                 ,
                 nor
                 the
                 heart
                 of
                 man
                 conceive
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 to
                 all
                 Eternity
                 ,
                 if
                 thou
                 dyest
                 in
                 thine
                 unregenerate
                 estate
                 .
                 Ah
                 sinner
                 ,
                 if
                 thou
                 wouldst
                 but
                 
                 frequently
                 chew
                 this
                 bitter
                 pill
                 ,
                 it
                 would
                 not
                 only
                 purge
                 thee
                 of
                 thy
                 sinful
                 corruptions
                 and
                 noysome
                 humours
                 ,
                 which
                 now
                 are
                 praedominant
                 in
                 thee
                 ,
                 but
                 likewise
                 exceedingly
                 make
                 to
                 thy
                 spiritual
                 health
                 and
                 welfare
                 .
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 
                   Be
                   earnest
                   with
                   God
                   in
                   prayer
                   that
                   by
                   his
                   spirit
                   he
                   would
                   convince
                   thee
                   of
                   thy
                   miserable
                   condition
                   by
                   nature
                   ,
                   and
                   make
                   thee
                   truly
                   and
                   throughly
                   sensible
                   thereof
                   .
                
                 Consider
                 that
                 it
                 is
                 the
                 office
                 of
                 the
                 spirit
                 of
                 God
                 to
                 convince
                 thee
                 ,
                 and
                 so
                 to
                 affect
                 and
                 afflict
                 thy
                 heart
                 for
                 sin
                 .
                 Ioh.
                 16.8
                 .
                 He
                 shall
                 reprove
                 or
                 convince
                 
                   the
                   World
                   of
                   sin
                
                 .
                 It
                 's
                 true
                 his
                 chief
                 work
                 is
                 to
                 
                   convince
                   of
                   righteousness
                
                 ,
                 whereby
                 he
                 becomes
                 a
                 Comforter
                 as
                 he
                 is
                 there
                 called
                 :
                 and
                 it
                 's
                 therefore
                 said
                 ,
                 ver
                 .
                 14.
                 
                 
                   He
                   shall
                   take
                   of
                   mine
                   and
                   shew
                   it
                   unto
                   you
                   :
                
                 he
                 shall
                 take
                 of
                 my
                 blood
                 ,
                 of
                 my
                 bowels
                 ,
                 of
                 my
                 righteousness
                 ,
                 of
                 the
                 pardons
                 which
                 I
                 have
                 procured
                 ,
                 of
                 the
                 peace
                 which
                 I
                 have
                 purchased
                 ,
                 he
                 shall
                 take
                 of
                 mine
                 ,
                 and
                 shew
                 it
                 unto
                 you
                 .
                 This
                 is
                 his
                 great
                 work
                 ,
                 but
                 his
                 first
                 work
                 is
                 ,
                 He
                 shall
                 take
                 
                   of
                   your
                   own
                
                 ,
                 and
                 shew
                 it
                 unto
                 you
                 :
                 he
                 shall
                 set
                 your
                 sins
                 ,
                 and
                 your
                 guilt
                 ,
                 and
                 your
                 miseries
                 before
                 you
                 .
                 
                   Look
                   thee
                   here
                   soul
                   ,
                   see
                   what
                   thou
                   art
                   ,
                   what
                   a
                   vile
                   thing
                   ,
                   what
                   an
                   unclean
                   thing
                   ,
                   what
                   a
                   wretched
                   thing
                   thou
                   art
                   ;
                   what
                   an
                   hell
                   thou
                   hast
                   within
                   thee
                   :
                   what
                   a
                   Devil
                   thou
                   art
                   become
                   :
                   what
                   a
                   treasure
                   ,
                   what
                   a
                   portion
                   thou
                   hast
                   laid
                   up
                   for
                   thy self
                   ,
                   even
                   wrath
                   ,
                   and
                   fire
                   ,
                   and
                   brimstone
                   ,
                   this
                   must
                   be
                   the
                   portion
                   of
                   thy
                   cup.
                
                 This
                 sad
                 and
                 dismal
                 sight
                 the
                 spirit
                 of
                 God
                 presents
                 to
                 the
                 soul
                 ,
                 and
                 therewith
                 affrights
                 and
                 afflicts
                 it
                 .
              
               
                 O
                 beg
                 this
                 spirit
                 ,
                 God
                 hath
                 promised
                 to
                 give
                 it
                 those
                 that
                 ask
                 it
                 :
                 
                   how
                   much
                   more
                   shall
                   your
                   heavenly
                   Father
                   give
                   his
                   spirit
                   to
                   them
                   that
                   ask
                   it
                   of
                   him
                   ?
                
                 Beg
                 for
                 this
                 work
                 of
                 the
                 Spirit
                 ,
                 his
                 convincing
                 work
                 ,
                 as
                 well
                 as
                 his
                 comforting
                 work
                 ;
                 resist
                 not
                 this
                 holy
                 Spirit
                 ,
                 shut
                 not
                 thine
                 eyes
                 against
                 this
                 light
                 ,
                 but
                 be
                 wil●ing
                 to
                 see
                 and
                 feel
                 the
                 worst
                 of
                 thy
                 case
                 ,
                 to
                 know
                 and
                 be
                 deeply
                 affected
                 with
                 thy
                 abominable
                 wickedness
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 intolerable
                 misery
                 that
                 it
                 's
                 bringing
                 upon
                 thee
                 .
              
               
               
                 III.
                 
                   Labour
                   to
                   be
                   truly
                   humbled
                   for
                   thy
                   sins
                   as
                   the
                   cause
                   of
                   thy
                   present
                   sad
                   condition
                   .
                
                 It
                 is
                 not
                 sufficient
                 to
                 get
                 thine
                 heart
                 in
                 some
                 measure
                 affected
                 with
                 the
                 sense
                 thereof
                 ,
                 but
                 thy
                 care
                 must
                 likewise
                 be
                 to
                 get
                 thine
                 heart
                 into
                 an
                 humbled
                 and
                 broken
                 frame
                 for
                 the
                 same
                 .
                 Having
                 spent
                 many
                 years
                 in
                 sinning
                 ,
                 what
                 caust
                 thou
                 do
                 less
                 than
                 spend
                 some
                 hours
                 in
                 mourning
                 and
                 sorrowing
                 for
                 the
                 same
                 ?
                 Having
                 all
                 thy
                 life
                 long
                 broken
                 the
                 most
                 holy
                 and
                 righteous
                 Laws
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 what
                 canst
                 thou
                 do
                 less
                 ,
                 than
                 to
                 get
                 thine
                 heart
                 broken
                 for
                 the
                 same
                 ?
                 which
                 usually
                 goeth
                 before
                 ,
                 or
                 at
                 least
                 accompanyeth
                 our
                 new
                 birth
                 .
                 For
                 as
                 no
                 Child
                 is
                 ordinarily
                 born
                 without
                 some
                 throws
                 ,
                 so
                 no
                 man
                 is
                 ordinarily
                 regenerated
                 ,
                 and
                 born
                 anew
                 by
                 the
                 Spirit
                 ,
                 without
                 some
                 pangs
                 of
                 sorrow
                 and
                 humiliation
                 ,
                 though
                 not
                 all
                 with
                 a
                 like
                 measure
                 :
                 it
                 being
                 sanctified
                 by
                 God
                 to
                 be
                 the
                 entrance
                 into
                 the
                 state
                 of
                 grace
                 .
              
               
                 Humiliation
                 is
                 as
                 necessary
                 to
                 salvation
                 ,
                 as
                 faith
                 :
                 and
                 you
                 may
                 as
                 well
                 think
                 of
                 being
                 saved
                 without
                 faith
                 ▪
                 as
                 without
                 repentance
                 and
                 humiliation
                 ,
                 which
                 like
                 
                   Iohn
                   Baptist
                   ,
                   prepareth
                   the
                   way
                   for
                   Christ
                   ,
                
                 and
                 therefore
                 is
                 the
                 most
                 immediate
                 disposition
                 that
                 God
                 usually
                 worketh
                 in
                 the
                 soul
                 ,
                 before
                 he
                 worketh
                 faith
                 to
                 close
                 with
                 Jesus
                 Christ.
                 For
                 untill
                 thou
                 beest
                 truly
                 humbled
                 under
                 a
                 sense
                 and
                 apprehension
                 of
                 thy
                 sins
                 and
                 misery
                 ,
                 it
                 is
                 not
                 possible
                 thou
                 shouldst
                 heartily
                 desire
                 Christ
                 ,
                 much
                 less
                 cordially
                 embrace
                 him
                 ,
                 as
                 thy
                 Saviour
                 and
                 redeemer
                 .
                 Oh
                 therefore
                 labour
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 use
                 of
                 all
                 means
                 God
                 hath
                 sanctified
                 ,
                 to
                 get
                 thine
                 heart
                 kindly
                 humbled
                 and
                 broken
                 for
                 thy
                 sins
                 .
                 To
                 this
                 end
                 ,
              
               
                 1.
                 
                 
                   Look
                   back
                   into
                   thy
                   life
                   ,
                   and
                   call
                   to
                   mind
                   as
                   many
                   of
                   thy
                   sins
                   as
                   possibly
                   thou
                   canst
                
                 ;
                 the
                 sins
                 of
                 thy
                 youth
                 ,
                 as
                 well
                 as
                 of
                 thy
                 riper
                 years
                 ;
                 thy
                 sins
                 of
                 omission
                 as
                 well
                 as
                 thy
                 sins
                 of
                 commission
                 ;
                 yea
                 the
                 sins
                 of
                 thy
                 holy
                 services
                 .
                 Especially
                 call
                 to
                 mind
                 the
                 greatest
                 and
                 grossest
                 of
                 thy
                 sins
                 ,
                 though
                 they
                 were
                 committed
                 long
                 ago
                 .
                 Thus
                 did
                 the
                 Prodigal
                 begin
                 his
                 humiliation
                 
                 and
                 repentance
                 ,
                 by
                 a
                 serious
                 examination
                 of
                 his
                 former
                 course
                 of
                 life
                 ,
                 calling
                 to
                 remembrance
                 his
                 departure
                 from
                 such
                 a
                 gracious
                 Father
                 ,
                 his
                 own
                 wandrings
                 in
                 the
                 wayes
                 of
                 wickedness
                 ,
                 in
                 which
                 he
                 had
                 lost
                 himself
                 ,
                 
                 and
                 then
                 as
                 the
                 text
                 noteth
                 ,
                 
                   He
                   arose
                   and
                   came
                   to
                   his
                   Father
                   ,
                   and
                   with
                   tears
                   said
                   unto
                   him
                   ,
                   Father
                   ,
                   I
                   have
                   sinned
                   against
                   Heaven
                   and
                   against
                   thee
                   ,
                   and
                   am
                   no
                   more
                   worthy
                   to
                   be
                   called
                   thy
                   Son.
                
                 To
                 acknowledge
                 thy self
                 in
                 the
                 general
                 to
                 be
                 a
                 sinner
                 ,
                 works
                 but
                 a
                 formal
                 kind
                 of
                 repentance
                 and
                 humiliation
                 ,
                 if
                 any
                 at
                 all
                 .
                 But
                 if
                 thou
                 wouldst
                 be
                 truly
                 humbled
                 ,
                 thou
                 must
                 descend
                 to
                 thy
                 special
                 ,
                 and
                 particular
                 sins
                 ,
                 saying
                 ,
                 
                   this
                   evil
                   have
                   I
                   done
                   ,
                   and
                   that
                   good
                   have
                   I
                   left
                   undone
                   .
                
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 
                   Consider
                   together
                   with
                   the
                   number
                   ,
                   the
                   hainousness
                   of
                   thy
                   sins
                   .
                
                 To
                 this
                 end
                 call
                 to
                 mind
                 the
                 aggravating
                 circumstances
                 of
                 them
                 ,
                 as
                 how
                 thou
                 hast
                 sinned
                 against
                 the
                 motions
                 of
                 Gods
                 Spirit
                 ,
                 the
                 admonitions
                 of
                 his
                 Ministers
                 ,
                 the
                 checks
                 of
                 thine
                 own
                 conscience
                 ,
                 against
                 the
                 light
                 of
                 nature
                 ,
                 against
                 the
                 patience
                 and
                 long-suffering
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 which
                 should
                 have
                 led
                 thee
                 to
                 repentance
                 .
              
               
                 3.
                 
                 
                   Seriously
                   consider
                   the
                   fearful
                   threatnings
                   against
                   sin
                   and
                   sinners
                   ,
                
                 which
                 are
                 all
                 judgements
                 and
                 plagues
                 here
                 ,
                 and
                 eternal
                 death
                 and
                 condemnation
                 hereafter
                 ;
                 and
                 apply
                 them
                 to
                 thy self
                 ,
                 reasoning
                 thus
                 ,
                 
                   If
                   the
                   least
                   transgression
                   of
                   the
                   Law
                   deserveth
                   the
                   curse
                   of
                   God
                   ,
                   yea
                   all
                   judgements
                   and
                   plagues
                   here
                   ,
                   and
                   eternal
                   condemnation
                   hereafter
                   :
                   then
                   how
                   many
                   curses
                   and
                   plagues
                   ?
                   what
                   and
                   how
                   great
                   condemnation
                   have
                   I
                   deserved
                   ?
                   who
                   have
                   committed
                   sins
                   innumerable
                   for
                   number
                   ,
                   and
                   hainous
                   in
                   their
                   quality
                   .
                
                 And
                 withall
                 consider
                 the
                 truth
                 and
                 faithfulness
                 of
                 God
                 in
                 making
                 good
                 his
                 threatnings
                 as
                 well
                 as
                 his
                 promises
                 .
              
               
                 4.
                 
                 
                   Beg
                   this
                   great
                   Mercy
                   of
                   an
                   humbled
                   heart
                   from
                   God.
                
                 For
                 it
                 is
                 he
                 who
                 must
                 strike
                 our
                 stony
                 hearts
                 ,
                 these
                 hard
                 Rocks
                 of
                 ours
                 ,
                 before
                 they
                 can
                 yield
                 any
                 water
                 of
                 true
                 repentance
                 :
                 it
                 is
                 he
                 who
                 must
                 pour
                 out
                 of
                 the
                 spirit
                 of
                 grace
                 upon
                 our
                 hard
                 hearts
                 ,
                 before
                 we
                 can
                 pour
                 out
                 any
                 penitent
                 tears
                 ,
                 or
                 lament
                 as
                 we
                 
                 ought
                 for
                 our
                 sins
                 .
                 It
                 is
                 he
                 that
                 must
                 thaw
                 our
                 frozen
                 hearts
                 ,
                 before
                 they
                 can
                 dissolve
                 into
                 kindly
                 sorrow
                 .
                 To
                 him
                 therefore
                 alone
                 thou
                 must
                 go
                 for
                 this
                 great
                 work
                 of
                 humiliation
                 .
                 And
                 that
                 thy
                 prayers
                 may
                 be
                 the
                 more
                 prevalent
                 ,
              
               
                 1.
                 
                 
                   Confess
                   unto
                   God
                   the
                   hardness
                   of
                   thine
                   heart
                   ,
                   how
                   it
                   is
                   grown
                   to
                   such
                   an
                   adamantine
                   hardness
                   ,
                   that
                   neither
                   the
                   thundrings
                   ,
                   nor
                   threatnings
                   of
                   the
                   Law
                   ,
                   nor
                   the
                   sweet
                   showers
                   ,
                   the
                   promises
                   of
                   the
                   Gospel
                   can
                   make
                   it
                   relent
                   ,
                   or
                   dissolve
                   .
                   Confess
                   unto
                   God
                   ,
                   that
                   Though
                   thou
                   hast
                   broken
                   his
                   holy
                   and
                   righteous
                   Laws
                   ten
                   thousand
                   thousand
                   times
                   ,
                   yet
                   the
                   consideration
                   thereof
                   hath
                   not
                   broken
                   thine
                   heart
                   .
                   Oh
                   this
                   rock
                   ,
                   this
                   rock
                   ,
                   when
                   shall
                   it
                   be
                   pierced
                   ?
                   Oh
                   this
                   hard
                   heart
                   ,
                   I
                   cannot
                   break
                   it
                   .
                   I
                   would
                   melt
                   ,
                   I
                   would
                   mourn
                   ,
                   but
                   cannot
                   .
                   I
                   can
                   mourn
                   for
                   a
                   lost
                   friend
                   ,
                   for
                   a
                   lost
                   estate
                   ,
                   but
                   I
                   cannot
                   mourn
                   for
                   a
                   lost
                   soul.
                   Oh
                   what
                   groanings
                   and
                   sighings
                   ,
                   and
                   lamentations
                   will
                   afflictions
                   press
                   out
                   of
                   me
                   :
                   but
                   my
                   sins
                   ,
                   my
                   sins
                   ,
                   how
                   little
                   do
                   they
                   move
                   me
                   ?
                   The
                   pains
                   of
                   my
                   body
                   I
                   can
                   feel
                   and
                   roar
                   under
                   ,
                   but
                   O
                   what
                   a
                   stock
                   am
                   I
                   under
                   ,
                   the
                   plague
                   of
                   my
                   heart
                   ?
                   Lord
                   smite
                   this
                   rock
                   .
                   My
                   plaints
                   are
                   before
                   thee
                   :
                   mine
                   eyes
                   are
                   towards
                   thee
                   .
                   I
                   cannot
                   weep
                   ,
                   but
                   I
                   can
                   cry
                   for
                   a
                   broken
                   heart
                   ,
                   Lord
                   hear
                   me
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                 2.
                 
                 
                   In
                   thy
                   Prayers
                   plead
                   that
                   gracious
                   promise
                   of
                   God
                   ,
                   to
                   take
                   away
                   the
                   stony
                   hearts
                   out
                   of
                   our
                   flesh
                   ,
                   and
                   to
                   give
                   us
                   hearts
                   of
                   flesh
                   .
                
                 Hath
                 God
                 promised
                 ,
                 and
                 is
                 there
                 no
                 hope
                 in
                 the
                 promise
                 ?
                 Is
                 there
                 hope
                 ,
                 and
                 wilt
                 thou
                 not
                 lay
                 hold
                 on
                 that
                 hope
                 ?
                 plead
                 with
                 thy
                 God
                 upon
                 his
                 own
                 word
                 .
                 
                   Is
                   not
                   this
                   thy
                   Word
                   ,
                   O
                   Lord
                   ?
                   Hast
                   not
                   thou
                   said
                   ,
                   thou
                   wilt
                   make
                   this
                   stone
                   flesh
                   ?
                   will
                   it
                   ever
                   be
                   done
                   ,
                   if
                   thou
                   dost
                   it
                   not
                   ?
                   wilt
                   not
                   thou
                   do
                   what
                   thou
                   hast
                   said
                   ?
                   Is
                   it
                   not
                   thy
                   will
                   that
                   I
                   should
                   believe
                   thou
                   wilt
                   ?
                   Oh
                   perform
                   thy
                   word
                   unto
                   thy
                   Servant
                   ,
                   wherein
                   thou
                   hast
                   commanded
                   me
                   to
                   put
                   my
                   trust
                   .
                
              
               
                 3.
                 
                 
                   Be
                   importunate
                   in
                   this
                   request
                   of
                   thine
                   unto
                   God
                   ,
                
                 often
                 renewing
                 thy
                 prayers
                 ,
                 and
                 never
                 give
                 over
                 till
                 thou
                 find
                 thine
                 hard
                 heart
                 brought
                 into
                 a
                 mourning
                 
                 and
                 melting
                 frame
                 .
                 Though
                 God
                 for
                 a
                 while
                 seemeth
                 deaf
                 to
                 thy
                 prayers
                 ,
                 yet
                 be
                 not
                 thou
                 dumb
                 ,
                 many
                 petitions
                 he
                 cannot
                 deny
                 .
              
               
                 IV.
                 
                   Resolve
                   to
                   give
                   a
                   present
                   bill
                   of
                   divorce
                   to
                   all
                   thy
                   sinful
                   lusts
                   and
                   pleasures
                   ,
                   utterly
                   to
                   renounce
                   and
                   forsake
                   thine
                   old
                   sinful
                   course
                   of
                   life
                   ,
                   and
                   to
                   set
                   upon
                   a
                   new
                   course
                   ,
                   to
                   serve
                   God
                   in
                   holiness
                   and
                   righteousness
                   all
                   the
                   remaining
                   part
                   of
                   thy
                   life
                   .
                
                 It
                 s
                 vain
                 for
                 thee
                 to
                 lament
                 and
                 bewail
                 thy
                 past
                 sins
                 ,
                 if
                 thou
                 wilt
                 not
                 give
                 over
                 thy
                 sinning
                 trade
                 .
                 For
                 as
                 the
                 Apostle
                 adviseth
                 ,
                 Thou
                 must
                 first
                 
                   put
                   off
                   the
                   old
                   man
                   with
                   ▪
                   his
                   corrupt-lusts
                   ,
                   before
                   thou
                   put
                   o●
                   the
                   new
                   man.
                
                 Thou
                 therefore
                 who
                 hast
                 accustomed
                 thy self
                 ,
                 to
                 swearing
                 and
                 cursing
                 ,
                 to
                 whoring
                 and
                 drinking
                 ,
                 to
                 scoffing
                 and
                 railing
                 against
                 the
                 people
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 resolve
                 to
                 swear
                 and
                 curse
                 no
                 more
                 ,
                 to
                 whore
                 and
                 drink
                 no
                 more
                 ,
                 to
                 scoff
                 and
                 rail
                 no
                 more
                 ;
                 but
                 cast
                 them
                 away
                 with
                 detestation
                 ,
                 avoiding
                 the
                 places
                 and
                 occasions
                 of
                 these
                 sins
                 .
                 For
                 it
                 is
                 a
                 vain
                 thing
                 to
                 think
                 thy self
                 strong
                 enough
                 to
                 abstain
                 from
                 any
                 sin
                 ,
                 when
                 thou
                 canst
                 not
                 withdraw
                 thy self
                 from
                 the
                 occasions
                 thereof
                 .
              
               
                 Ah
                 sinner
                 ,
                 if
                 thou
                 hast
                 any
                 regard
                 to
                 thy
                 precious
                 soul
                 ,
                 it
                 will
                 be
                 thy
                 wisdom
                 speedily
                 to
                 resolve
                 to
                 leave
                 thine
                 old
                 course
                 of
                 life
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 turn
                 over
                 a
                 new
                 leaf
                 .
                 Think
                 not
                 of
                 peace
                 with
                 God
                 ,
                 whilest
                 thou
                 art
                 at
                 peace
                 with
                 sin
                 .
                 Think
                 not
                 that
                 thine
                 old
                 scores
                 are
                 crossed
                 ,
                 whilest
                 thou
                 art
                 so
                 freely
                 scoring
                 up
                 a
                 new
                 .
                 Deceive
                 not
                 thy self
                 ,
                 thy
                 divorce
                 from
                 sin
                 ,
                 and
                 thy
                 marriage
                 with
                 Christ
                 must
                 be
                 both
                 on
                 the
                 same
                 day
                 .
                 And
                 count
                 not
                 thy self
                 divorced
                 ,
                 till
                 thou
                 and
                 thy
                 sins
                 be
                 parted
                 .
                 Resolve
                 this
                 day
                 to
                 have
                 done
                 with
                 thy
                 old
                 wayes
                 for
                 ever
                 .
                 At
                 once
                 give
                 Christ
                 his
                 welcome
                 ,
                 and
                 thy
                 lusts
                 their
                 farewell
                 .
                 There
                 is
                 no
                 true
                 humiliation
                 for
                 sin
                 ,
                 where
                 there
                 is
                 not
                 a
                 resolution
                 against
                 it
                 .
                 Say
                 not
                 thou
                 art
                 not
                 humbled
                 enough
                 ,
                 how
                 little
                 soever
                 thy
                 sorrow
                 be
                 ,
                 if
                 thou
                 art
                 sincerely
                 resolved
                 against
                 iniquity
                 .
                 And
                 say
                 not
                 thou
                 art
                 humble
                 enough
                 ,
                 how
                 deep
                 soever
                 it
                 hath
                 been
                 ,
                 if
                 there
                 follow
                 not
                 this
                 resolution
                 .
                 Thy
                 Furnace
                 hath
                 
                 not
                 yet
                 been
                 hot
                 enough
                 ,
                 if
                 thy
                 sin
                 be
                 not
                 too
                 hot
                 for
                 thee
                 .
                 Resolve
                 for
                 Christ
                 ,
                 resolve
                 against
                 the
                 Devil
                 ,
                 and
                 all
                 his
                 works
                 .
                 And
                 that
                 thy
                 resolution
                 may
                 hold
                 ,
                 observe
                 these
                 following
                 directions
                 .
              
               
                 1.
                 
                 
                   Be
                   sure
                   thou
                   do
                   not
                   ground
                   thy
                   resolutions
                   upon
                   any
                   confidence
                   in
                   thine
                   own
                   strength
                   ,
                   but
                   in
                   the
                   strength
                   of
                   Iesus
                   Christ
                   :
                
                 without
                 whose
                 assistance
                 thou
                 canst
                 do
                 nothing
                 ,
                 as
                 our
                 Saviour
                 himself
                 expresseth
                 ,
                 Iob.
                 15.1
                 .
                 But
                 through
                 Christ
                 strengthening
                 thee
                 ,
                 thou
                 wilt
                 be
                 enabled
                 to
                 do
                 any
                 thing
                 .
                 As
                 David
                 therefore
                 when
                 he
                 was
                 to
                 encounter
                 with
                 Goliah
                 ,
                 
                 went
                 not
                 out
                 in
                 his
                 own
                 name
                 ,
                 but
                 
                   in
                   the
                   name
                   and
                   strength
                   of
                   the
                   Lord
                   of
                   Hosts
                   .
                
                 So
                 must
                 thou
                 resolve
                 to
                 fight
                 against
                 thy
                 lusts
                 and
                 corruptions
                 ,
                 not
                 in
                 thine
                 own
                 name
                 or
                 strength
                 ,
                 but
                 in
                 the
                 name
                 and
                 strength
                 of
                 Jesus
                 Christ.
                 Otherwise
                 thy
                 lusts
                 may
                 reply
                 to
                 thee
                 ,
                 as
                 the
                 Devil
                 did
                 to
                 the
                 Sons
                 of
                 Sheva
                 ,
                 
                 
                   Iesus
                   I
                   know
                   ,
                   and
                
                 Paul
                 
                   I
                   know
                   ,
                   but
                   who
                   are
                   ye
                   ?
                
                 And
                 know
                 that
                 the
                 more
                 sensible
                 thou
                 art
                 of
                 thine
                 own
                 weakness
                 ,
                 and
                 insufficiency
                 ,
                 the
                 more
                 ready
                 Christ
                 is
                 to
                 help
                 thee
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 more
                 strength
                 shalt
                 thou
                 receive
                 from
                 Christ.
                 Which
                 the
                 Apostle
                 Paul
                 found
                 true
                 in
                 his
                 own
                 experience
                 ,
                 for
                 saith
                 he
                 ,
                 
                   when
                   I
                   am
                   weak
                   ,
                   then
                   am
                   I
                   strong
                   ,
                
                 that
                 is
                 ,
                 when
                 I
                 am
                 weak
                 ,
                 
                 and
                 insufficient
                 in
                 my self
                 ,
                 in
                 mine
                 own
                 apprehension
                 ,
                 then
                 do
                 I
                 most
                 of
                 all
                 feel
                 a
                 gracious
                 supply
                 from
                 Christ.
                 
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 
                   Back
                   thy
                   resolutions
                   with
                   Prayer
                
                 .
                 As
                 thou
                 dost
                 resolve
                 in
                 the
                 grace
                 and
                 strength
                 of
                 God
                 to
                 abandon
                 thy
                 lusts
                 ,
                 to
                 forsake
                 thy
                 former
                 wicked
                 and
                 ungodly
                 course
                 of
                 life
                 :
                 so
                 be
                 earnest
                 with
                 God
                 in
                 prayer
                 for
                 power
                 and
                 strength
                 against
                 the
                 power
                 and
                 strength
                 of
                 sin
                 .
                 For
                 as
                 it
                 is
                 Gods
                 power
                 by
                 which
                 alone
                 thou
                 canst
                 keep
                 down
                 the
                 power
                 of
                 thy
                 lusts
                 ;
                 so
                 prayer
                 is
                 the
                 means
                 sanctified
                 for
                 the
                 obtaining
                 thereof
                 .
                 Oh
                 therefore
                 pray
                 ,
                 and
                 pray
                 earnestly
                 ,
                 yea
                 add
                 fasting
                 to
                 thy
                 prayers
                 .
                 For
                 old
                 sins
                 to
                 which
                 thou
                 hast
                 been
                 long
                 accustomed
                 ,
                 are
                 like
                 those
                 Devils
                 which
                 possessed
                 the
                 man
                 from
                 his
                 youth
                 ,
                 which
                 could
                 not
                 be
                 cast
                 out
                 without
                 fasting
                 and
                 prayer
                 .
              
               
               
                 3.
                 
                 
                   Second
                   thy
                   Prayers
                   with
                   thy
                   diligence
                   and
                   faithful
                   endeavours
                   ,
                   striving
                   against
                   thy
                   lusts
                   and
                   corruptions
                   ,
                   though
                   never
                   so
                   sweet
                   and
                   dear
                   unto
                   thee
                   .
                
                 For
                 these
                 are
                 vain
                 and
                 insignificant
                 resolutions
                 which
                 promise
                 great
                 matters
                 ,
                 but
                 do
                 nothing
                 .
                 Whereas
                 true
                 resolutions
                 are
                 active
                 and
                 stirring
                 ,
                 putting
                 men
                 upon
                 the
                 work
                 .
                 Hast
                 thou
                 resolved
                 ,
                 through
                 the
                 grace
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 to
                 abandon
                 thy
                 lusts
                 ?
                 up
                 then
                 and
                 be
                 doing
                 ,
                 set
                 on
                 it
                 presently
                 without
                 any
                 farther
                 delay
                 .
                 For
                 shouldst
                 thou
                 consecrate
                 the
                 prime
                 and
                 strength
                 of
                 thy
                 dayes
                 to
                 the
                 service
                 of
                 Satan
                 ,
                 and
                 gratifying
                 thine
                 own
                 carnal
                 lusts
                 ,
                 and
                 reserve
                 thy
                 decayed
                 strength
                 ,
                 and
                 decrepit
                 old
                 age
                 ,
                 the
                 dregs
                 of
                 thy
                 dayes
                 ,
                 for
                 God
                 and
                 his
                 service
                 ?
                 Canst
                 thou
                 think
                 God
                 will
                 accept
                 thereof
                 ?
                 Surely
                 no.
                 For
                 mark
                 what
                 the
                 Prophet
                 Malachy
                 speaketh
                 ,
                 
                   Cursed
                   be
                   the
                   deceiver
                   ,
                   which
                   hath
                   in
                   his
                   flo●k
                   a
                   male
                   ,
                   and
                   voweth
                   and
                   sacrificeth
                   unto
                   the
                   Lord
                   a
                   corrupt
                   thing
                   .
                
                 What
                 then
                 can
                 they
                 expect
                 who
                 dedicate
                 the
                 prime
                 and
                 strength
                 of
                 their
                 dayes
                 to
                 sin
                 ,
                 and
                 reserve
                 only
                 the
                 lees
                 ,
                 their
                 old
                 age
                 full
                 of
                 sores
                 and
                 corruptions
                 unto
                 God
                 ?
              
               
                 4.
                 
                 
                   Frequently
                   call
                   to
                   mind
                   the
                   resolutions
                   thou
                   hast
                   made
                   of
                   a
                   speedy
                   and
                   through
                   reformateon
                   ,
                
                 which
                 will
                 be
                 an
                 especial
                 means
                 to
                 keep
                 them
                 fresh
                 in
                 memory
                 ,
                 and
                 a
                 fresh
                 remembrance
                 of
                 them
                 will
                 stir
                 thee
                 up
                 to
                 a
                 conscionable
                 performance
                 of
                 them
                 .
              
               
                 5.
                 
                 
                   Often
                   renew
                   thy
                   resolutions
                
                 .
                 It
                 is
                 not
                 sufficient
                 frequently
                 to
                 
                   review
                   thy
                   resolutions
                
                 ,
                 but
                 thou
                 must
                 likewise
                 frequently
                 
                   renew
                   them
                
                 .
                 For
                 a
                 resolution
                 renewed
                 is
                 as
                 new
                 made
                 ,
                 and
                 thereby
                 becometh
                 fresh
                 and
                 vigorous
                 .
                 And
                 truly
                 there
                 is
                 great
                 power
                 in
                 a
                 resolution
                 ,
                 when
                 it
                 is
                 fresh
                 upon
                 the
                 heart
                 ;
                 new
                 cords
                 are
                 strong
                 .
              
               
                 V.
                 
                   Having
                   resolved
                   to
                   give
                   a
                   bill
                   of
                   divorce
                   to
                   thy
                   sinful
                   lusts
                   and
                   pleasures
                   ,
                   make
                   choice
                   of
                   Christ
                   for
                   thy
                   Lord
                   and
                   Husband
                   ,
                   as
                   well
                   as
                   for
                   thy
                   Priest
                   and
                   Saviour
                   .
                
                 Take
                 him
                 as
                 the
                 Bride
                 doth
                 her
                 Bridegroom
                 for
                 better
                 for
                 worse
                 ,
                 for
                 richer
                 and
                 poorer
                 ,
                 with
                 his
                 cross
                 as
                 well
                 
                 as
                 with
                 his
                 Crown
                 ,
                 resign
                 and
                 give
                 up
                 thy self
                 unto
                 Christ
                 ,
                 to
                 be
                 ruled
                 and
                 governed
                 ,
                 ordered
                 and
                 disposed
                 in
                 all
                 things
                 by
                 him
                 :
                 and
                 resolve
                 as
                 to
                 cast
                 thy self
                 at
                 the
                 feet
                 of
                 Christ
                 in
                 subjection
                 to
                 him
                 ,
                 so
                 to
                 cast
                 thy self
                 into
                 the
                 arms
                 of
                 Christ
                 ,
                 and
                 upon
                 his
                 shoulders
                 for
                 Salvation
                 from
                 him
                 :
                 adventure
                 thy
                 soul
                 upon
                 him
                 ,
                 rest
                 upon
                 his
                 perfect
                 righteousness
                 ,
                 and
                 all-sufficient
                 Sacrifice
                 for
                 the
                 pardon
                 of
                 thy
                 sins
                 here
                 ,
                 and
                 for
                 eternal
                 life
                 and
                 Salvation
                 hereafter
                 .
              
               
                 Let
                 the
                 consideration
                 of
                 those
                 many
                 melting
                 invitations
                 of
                 Jesus
                 Christ
                 unto
                 poor
                 sinners
                 to
                 come
                 unto
                 him
                 ,
                 stir
                 thee
                 up
                 to
                 go
                 unto
                 him
                 ,
                 to
                 cast
                 thy self
                 into
                 the
                 merciful
                 and
                 meritorious
                 arms
                 and
                 embracements
                 of
                 thy
                 Crucified
                 Saviour
                 ,
                 to
                 throw
                 thy self
                 upon
                 his
                 grace
                 and
                 mercy
                 .
                 As
                 God
                 hath
                 laid
                 thy
                 help
                 upon
                 him
                 ,
                 so
                 do
                 thou
                 lay
                 thy
                 hope
                 upon
                 him
                 ,
                 both
                 for
                 the
                 pardon
                 of
                 thy
                 sins
                 past
                 ,
                 and
                 for
                 power
                 against
                 sin
                 for
                 the
                 time
                 to
                 come
                 :
                 for
                 grace
                 here
                 ,
                 and
                 glory
                 hereafter
                 ,
                 saying
                 ,
                 
                   If
                   I
                   perish
                   ,
                   I
                   will
                   perish
                   in
                   the
                   arms
                   of
                   Iesus
                   Christ.
                
                 And
                 if
                 thou
                 canst
                 bring
                 up
                 thine
                 heart
                 to
                 this
                 ,
                 then
                 is
                 the
                 match
                 made
                 between
                 Christ
                 and
                 thy
                 soul
                 ;
                 so
                 that
                 thou
                 maist
                 with
                 confidence
                 say
                 ,
                 
                   Christ
                   is
                   mine
                   ,
                   and
                   I
                   am
                   his
                   .
                
              
               
                 And
                 oh
                 what
                 a
                 joyful
                 day
                 will
                 this
                 be
                 unto
                 thee
                 ?
                 In
                 this
                 consisteth
                 thy
                 new
                 birth
                 ,
                 and
                 work
                 of
                 Regeneration
                 ,
                 whereby
                 thou
                 art
                 become
                 a
                 new
                 creature
                 .
                 This
                 day
                 is
                 salvation
                 come
                 into
                 thy
                 heart
                 :
                 All
                 other
                 things
                 are
                 but
                 preparatives
                 unto
                 this
                 .
              
               
                 Oh
                 therefore
                 let
                 me
                 prevail
                 with
                 thee
                 ,
                 above
                 all
                 things
                 to
                 make
                 this
                 choice
                 of
                 Christ
                 for
                 thy
                 Lord
                 and
                 Saviour
                 :
                 to
                 resign
                 up
                 thy self
                 unto
                 him
                 ,
                 and
                 his
                 Laws
                 ,
                 as
                 well
                 as
                 to
                 expect
                 salvation
                 from
                 him
                 .
                 For
                 no
                 man
                 can
                 take
                 Jesus
                 Christ
                 savingly
                 ,
                 who
                 takes
                 him
                 not
                 wholly
                 ,
                 as
                 
                   his
                   Lord
                   ,
                   and
                   husband
                
                 to
                 serve
                 and
                 obey
                 him
                 ,
                 as
                 well
                 as
                 
                   his
                   Priest
                   and
                   Saviour
                
                 to
                 free
                 him
                 from
                 the
                 guilt
                 and
                 punishment
                 of
                 all
                 his
                 sins●
                 
                   He
                   is
                   the
                   author
                   of
                   eternal
                   Salvation
                   only
                   to
                   those
                   who
                   obey
                   him
                   .
                
              
               
               
                 Many
                 I
                 know
                 are
                 willing
                 to
                 accept
                 of
                 Christ
                 upon
                 their
                 own
                 terms
                 .
                 Some
                 are
                 willing
                 to
                 accept
                 of
                 Christ
                 ,
                 provided
                 that
                 together
                 with
                 him
                 ,
                 they
                 may
                 enjoy
                 their
                 sinfull
                 lusts
                 and
                 pleasures
                 .
                 Others
                 are
                 willing
                 to
                 accept
                 of
                 him
                 ,
                 provided
                 that
                 together
                 with
                 him
                 ,
                 they
                 may
                 enjoy
                 their
                 worldly
                 riches
                 and
                 treasures
                 .
                 But
                 he
                 who
                 will
                 take
                 Christ
                 savingly
                 ,
                 must
                 take
                 him
                 upon
                 his
                 own
                 terms
                 .
                 He
                 will
                 be
                 all
                 to
                 thee
                 or
                 nothing
                 :
                 he
                 will
                 rule
                 thee
                 ,
                 or
                 else
                 he
                 will
                 not
                 ransome
                 thee
                 .
                 Away
                 then
                 with
                 thy
                 sins
                 ,
                 be
                 divorced
                 from
                 thine
                 old
                 Husband
                 ,
                 let
                 sin
                 no
                 longer
                 rule
                 in
                 thee
                 ;
                 if
                 thou
                 wilt
                 be
                 marryed
                 to
                 the
                 Lord
                 ,
                 and
                 have
                 any
                 part
                 in
                 his
                 righteousness
                 .
              
               
                 Ah
                 sinner
                 ,
                 whosoever
                 thou
                 art
                 ,
                 how
                 many
                 soever
                 thy
                 sins
                 are
                 ,
                 this
                 day
                 in
                 the
                 name
                 of
                 the
                 great
                 God
                 ,
                 I
                 do
                 tender
                 Jesus
                 Christ
                 unto
                 thee
                 .
                 And
                 as
                 thou
                 tendrest
                 the
                 life
                 and
                 happiness
                 of
                 thine
                 own
                 soul
                 ,
                 refuse
                 him
                 not
                 ,
                 but
                 stir
                 up
                 thy self
                 to
                 accept
                 of
                 him
                 ,
                 both
                 his
                 person
                 and
                 in
                 all
                 his
                 offices
                 .
                 Say
                 the
                 Lord
                 Jesus
                 Christ
                 shall
                 be
                 my
                 Prophet
                 ,
                 I
                 will
                 in
                 all
                 things
                 labour
                 to
                 be
                 taught
                 and
                 instructed
                 by
                 him
                 .
                 And
                 he
                 shall
                 be
                 my
                 King
                 ,
                 I
                 will
                 give
                 him
                 the
                 Supremacy
                 ,
                 I
                 will
                 resign
                 up
                 my self
                 wholly
                 to
                 his
                 Dominion
                 ,
                 in
                 all
                 things
                 to
                 be
                 ordered
                 and
                 governed
                 by
                 him
                 .
                 And
                 he
                 shall
                 be
                 my
                 Priest
                 ,
                 he
                 shall
                 answer
                 to
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 make
                 an
                 atonement
                 for
                 me
                 .
                 I
                 will
                 rest
                 upon
                 his
                 perfect
                 righteousness
                 ,
                 and
                 all-sufficient
                 Sacrifice
                 offered
                 upon
                 the
                 Cross
                 for
                 life
                 and
                 salvation
                 .
              
               
                 Though
                 thou
                 hast
                 hitherto
                 been
                 a
                 great
                 sinner
                 ,
                 yet
                 if
                 now
                 thou
                 wilt
                 abandon
                 thy
                 sins
                 ,
                 and
                 thus
                 embrace
                 Jesus
                 Christ
                 ,
                 thou
                 shalt
                 have
                 him
                 given
                 to
                 thee
                 ,
                 and
                 all
                 thy
                 sins
                 freely
                 forgiven
                 thee
                 .
                 Oh
                 why
                 wilt
                 thou
                 neglect
                 so
                 great
                 salvation
                 ?
                 Oh
                 do
                 not
                 deferr
                 the
                 doing
                 it
                 one
                 day
                 longer
                 .
                 But
                 to
                 day
                 ,
                 even
                 now
                 that
                 Christ
                 is
                 freely
                 offered
                 unto
                 thee
                 ,
                 resolve
                 to
                 receive
                 him
                 .
              
               
                 And
                 be
                 not
                 discouraged
                 out
                 of
                 fear
                 ,
                 that
                 because
                 thou
                 hast
                 so
                 long
                 refused
                 to
                 choose
                 and
                 embrace
                 Jesus
                 Christ
                 ,
                 therefore
                 now
                 the
                 time
                 is
                 past
                 .
                 But
                 know
                 
                 that
                 so
                 long
                 as
                 the
                 Lord
                 continueth
                 calling
                 ,
                 and
                 inviting
                 thee
                 by
                 his
                 Word
                 and
                 Spirit
                 ,
                 so
                 long
                 the
                 day
                 of
                 grace
                 lasteth
                 .
                 The
                 golden
                 Scepter
                 is
                 this
                 day
                 held
                 forth
                 unto
                 thee
                 :
                 Christ
                 and
                 Salvation
                 are
                 now
                 offered
                 unto
                 thee
                 :
                 O
                 therefore
                 embrace
                 him
                 by
                 faith
                 ;
                 which
                 if
                 thou
                 refusest
                 to
                 do
                 ,
                 know
                 assuredly
                 that
                 everlasting
                 fire
                 prepared
                 for
                 the
                 Devils
                 ,
                 will
                 be
                 thy
                 portion
                 to
                 all
                 Eternity
                 .
                 For
                 as
                 our
                 Saviour
                 speaketh
                 ,
                 
                   This
                   is
                   the
                   condemnation
                
                 ,
                 
                 even
                 the
                 soarest
                 and
                 surest
                 condemnation
                 ,
                 
                   that
                   light
                   is
                   come
                   into
                   the
                   World
                   ,
                
                 that
                 Jesus
                 Chrst
                 ,
                 and
                 salvation
                 by
                 him
                 is
                 offered
                 in
                 the
                 Gospel
                 ,
                 
                   and
                   yet
                   men
                   love
                   darkness
                   more
                   than
                   light
                   ,
                
                 preferring
                 their
                 deeds
                 of
                 darkness
                 ,
                 their
                 sinful
                 sensual
                 wayes
                 before
                 the
                 Lord
                 of
                 life
                 ,
                 who
                 is
                 the
                 light
                 of
                 the
                 World.
                 Oh
                 that
                 any
                 should
                 be
                 so
                 foolish
                 and
                 unwise
                 ,
                 as
                 to
                 choose
                 darkness
                 rather
                 than
                 light
                 ,
                 and
                 death
                 rather
                 than
                 life
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 CHAP.
                 XV.
                 Other
                 Means
                 on
                 our
                 part
                 to
                 be
                 performed
                 for
                 attaining
                 of
                 Regeneration
                 .
              
               
                 VI
                 
                   WIth
                   patience
                   wait
                   upon
                   Christ
                   in
                   the
                   use
                   of
                   his
                   Ordinances
                   ,
                
                 especially
                 the
                 Word
                 and
                 Prayer
                 .
              
               
                 1.
                 
                 
                   Frequent
                   the
                   Ministry
                   of
                   the
                   Word
                   ,
                   where
                   the
                   Spirit
                   of
                   God
                   useth
                   to
                   breath
                   .
                
                 The
                 Spirit
                 is
                 the
                 principal
                 worker
                 of
                 this
                 great
                 work
                 ,
                 as
                 our
                 Saviour
                 expresseth
                 .
                 And
                 the
                 Ministry
                 of
                 the
                 Word
                 is
                 the
                 ordinary
                 Means
                 and
                 instrument
                 ,
                 
                 which
                 the
                 spirit
                 of
                 God
                 useth
                 for
                 the
                 effecting
                 hereof
                 .
                 The
                 Spirit
                 of
                 God
                 breaths
                 not
                 in
                 an
                 Ale-house
                 ,
                 or
                 in
                 a
                 Tavern
                 ,
                 or
                 Play-house
                 ,
                 but
                 in
                 the
                 Ministry
                 of
                 the
                 Word
                 .
                 Whereupon
                 the
                 Apostle
                 Paul
                 calls
                 it
                 
                   the
                   Word
                   of
                   life
                
                 ,
                 
                 by
                 which
                 our
                 souls
                 are
                 quickned
                 :
                 And
                 the
                 Apostle
                 
                   Peter
                   ,
                   the
                   seed
                   of
                   Regeneration
                   ,
                
                 by
                 which
                 we
                 are
                 new
                 born
                 .
                 
                 
                   Being
                   born
                   again
                
                 ,
                 saith
                 he
                 ,
                 
                 
                   not
                   of
                   corruptible
                   seed
                   ,
                   but
                   of
                   incorruptible
                   ,
                
                 by
                 the
                 Word
                 of
                 God
                 ;
                 this
                 seed
                 being
                 sown
                 in
                 the
                 heart
                 ,
                 doth
                 by
                 little
                 and
                 little
                 grow
                 up
                 to
                 
                   a
                   new
                   creature
                
                 .
                 In
                 this
                 respect
                 the
                 Preachers
                 of
                 the
                 Gospel
                 are
                 called
                 
                   spiritual
                   Fathers
                
                 ,
                 because
                 by
                 their
                 Ministry
                 they
                 
                   beget
                   men
                   unto
                   God
                
                 ,
                 
                 as
                 Paul
                 told
                 the
                 Corinthians
                 ,
                 that
                 
                   he
                   had
                   begotten
                   them
                   through
                   the
                   Gospel
                   .
                
                 So
                 that
                 it
                 is
                 clear
                 that
                 the
                 Ministery
                 of
                 the
                 Word
                 is
                 the
                 ordinary
                 means
                 whereby
                 the
                 Holy
                 Ghost
                 doth
                 usually
                 work
                 in
                 us
                 that
                 great
                 work
                 of
                 Regeneration
                 .
              
               
                 But
                 we
                 must
                 take
                 heed
                 that
                 we
                 do
                 not
                 attribute
                 our
                 new
                 birth
                 unto
                 the
                 Word
                 Preached
                 ,
                 as
                 having
                 in
                 its
                 own
                 nature
                 any
                 inherent
                 power
                 to
                 give
                 life
                 and
                 grace
                 ,
                 but
                 as
                 it
                 is
                 the
                 Word
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 his
                 holy
                 ordinance
                 ,
                 which
                 he
                 hath
                 instituted
                 and
                 sanctified
                 for
                 working
                 grace
                 in
                 us
                 .
                 Attend
                 therefore
                 unto
                 the
                 Ministry
                 of
                 the
                 Word
                 as
                 the
                 Ordinance
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 unto
                 which
                 his
                 blessing
                 is
                 promised
                 ;
                 use
                 it
                 in
                 obedience
                 to
                 his
                 command
                 ,
                 in
                 hope
                 of
                 his
                 blessing
                 ,
                 and
                 with
                 desire
                 to
                 profit
                 thereby
                 .
              
               
                 And
                 for
                 thine
                 encouragement
                 know
                 ,
                 that
                 
                   as
                   dead
                   a
                   soul
                   as
                   thine
                   ,
                
                 hath
                 been
                 quickned
                 by
                 the
                 spirit
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 as
                 it
                 hath
                 been
                 attending
                 upon
                 the
                 Ministry
                 of
                 the
                 Word
                 :
                 
                   as
                   hard
                   an
                   heart
                   as
                   thine
                
                 hath
                 been
                 softned
                 :
                 as
                 
                   prophane
                   an
                   heart
                
                 hath
                 been
                 sanctified
                 :
                 
                   as
                   carnal
                   and
                   corrupt
                   an
                   heart
                
                 hath
                 been
                 changed
                 and
                 renewed
                 .
                 And
                 who
                 knoweth
                 ,
                 but
                 while
                 thou
                 art
                 attending
                 upon
                 God
                 in
                 his
                 way
                 ,
                 his
                 spirit
                 may
                 breath
                 upon
                 thee
                 ,
                 and
                 so
                 quicken
                 thy
                 dead
                 heart
                 ,
                 mollifie
                 thine
                 hard
                 heart
                 ,
                 sanctifie
                 thy
                 prophane
                 heart
                 ,
                 yea
                 renew
                 and
                 change
                 thy
                 totally
                 corrupted
                 and
                 carnal
                 heart
                 ,
                 wherein
                 consisteth
                 the
                 work
                 of
                 Regeneration
                 .
              
               
                 This
                 I
                 press
                 upon
                 all
                 ,
                 knowing
                 that
                 a
                 carnal
                 ,
                 unregenerate
                 man
                 may
                 give
                 outward
                 attendance
                 unto
                 the
                 Ministry
                 of
                 the
                 Word
                 .
                 Though
                 thou
                 art
                 spiritually
                 dead
                 ,
                 yet
                 hast
                 thou
                 feet
                 to
                 carry
                 thee
                 to
                 the
                 house
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 ears
                 to
                 hear
                 the
                 outward
                 Ministry
                 of
                 the
                 Word
                 ,
                 and
                 understanding
                 to
                 know
                 in
                 great
                 measure
                 what
                 is
                 said
                 .
                 Thou
                 maist
                 come
                 to
                 the
                 Pool
                 ,
                 and
                 lye
                 
                 by
                 it
                 ,
                 though
                 thou
                 canst
                 not
                 put
                 thy self
                 in
                 .
                 And
                 truly
                 it
                 is
                 good
                 lying
                 in
                 the
                 way
                 where
                 Christ
                 useth
                 to
                 come
                 .
              
               
                 Oh
                 therefore
                 frequent
                 the
                 Ministry
                 of
                 the
                 Word
                 ,
                 where
                 the
                 Spirit
                 of
                 Christ
                 useth
                 to
                 move
                 ,
                 yea
                 ▪
                 and
                 to
                 breath
                 a
                 spirit
                 of
                 life
                 into
                 dead
                 souls
                 .
                 Take
                 all
                 occasions
                 of
                 hearing
                 the
                 Word
                 both
                 in
                 season
                 and
                 out
                 of
                 season
                 .
                 Let
                 nothing
                 but
                 necessity
                 keep
                 thee
                 at
                 home
                 ;
                 for
                 thou
                 knowest
                 not
                 what
                 Sermon
                 may
                 be
                 most
                 sutable
                 to
                 thy
                 condition
                 .
                 And
                 when
                 thou
                 hearest
                 ,
                 attend
                 to
                 it
                 ,
                 as
                 to
                 a
                 message
                 sent
                 from
                 God
                 concerning
                 thine
                 everlasting
                 salvation
                 .
                 And
                 be
                 often
                 calling
                 it
                 to
                 remembrance
                 ,
                 whereby
                 it
                 will
                 take
                 the
                 deeper
                 impression
                 upon
                 thine
                 heart
                 .
                 And
                 though
                 for
                 the
                 present
                 thou
                 find
                 not
                 that
                 benefit
                 thou
                 expectest
                 ,
                 yet
                 wait
                 still
                 upon
                 the
                 Ordinance
                 .
                 The
                 
                   lame
                   man
                
                 who
                 lay
                 long
                 at
                 the
                 Pool
                 of
                 Bethesda
                 ,
                 at
                 last
                 was
                 cured
                 .
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 
                   Be
                   much
                   in
                   reading
                   the
                   Word
                   of
                   God
                   ,
                   and
                   such
                   practical
                   books
                   as
                   may
                   help
                   thee
                   in
                   understanding
                   and
                   applying
                   it
                   .
                
                 This
                 must
                 not
                 thrust
                 out
                 Preaching
                 ,
                 yet
                 is
                 it
                 an
                 excellent
                 means
                 of
                 grace
                 in
                 its
                 own
                 time
                 and
                 place
                 ,
                 as
                 very
                 many
                 have
                 found
                 by
                 their
                 own
                 experience
                 .
                 For
                 as
                 the
                 Psalmist
                 speaketh
                 ,
                 
                 
                   The
                   Law
                   of
                   the
                   Lord
                   is
                   perfect
                   ,
                   converting
                   the
                   soul.
                
                 So
                 that
                 
                   the
                   word
                   read
                
                 is
                 sometimes
                 the
                 power
                 of
                 God
                 to
                 Regeneration
                 and
                 Salvation
                 ,
                 as
                 well
                 as
                 
                   the
                   Word
                   Preached
                
                 .
                 As
                 the
                 E●nuch
                 was
                 a
                 reading
                 a
                 portion
                 of
                 Scripture
                 in
                 his
                 Chariot
                 ,
                 the
                 Spirit
                 of
                 God
                 commanded
                 Philip
                 to
                 go
                 near
                 unto
                 him
                 ,
                 to
                 teach
                 him
                 the
                 meaning
                 thereof
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 instruct
                 him
                 in
                 the
                 knowledge
                 of
                 Jesus
                 Christ
                 ,
                 whereupon
                 he
                 believed
                 and
                 was
                 baptized
                 .
              
               
                 And
                 Luther
                 confesseth
                 of
                 himself
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 was
                 changed
                 and
                 renewed
                 upon
                 reading
                 the
                 Scriptures
                 ;
                 and
                 therefore
                 professed
                 he
                 would
                 not
                 part
                 with
                 one
                 leaf
                 of
                 the
                 Bible
                 for
                 all
                 the
                 World.
                 For
                 in
                 the
                 Scriptures
                 there
                 is
                 a
                 clear
                 revelation
                 of
                 the
                 way
                 and
                 means
                 of
                 Salvation
                 by
                 Jesus
                 Christ
                 ;
                 therein
                 is
                 contained
                 the
                 Covenant
                 of
                 grace
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 Laws
                 of
                 Heaven
                 according
                 to
                 which
                 we
                 must
                 square
                 all
                 our
                 actions
                 .
              
               
               
                 Oh
                 sinner
                 ,
                 as
                 thou
                 desirest
                 to
                 partake
                 of
                 the
                 new
                 birth
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 be
                 made
                 partaker
                 of
                 the
                 grace
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 be
                 careful
                 and
                 conscionable
                 in
                 reading
                 the
                 Scriptures
                 .
                 Spend
                 not
                 that
                 time
                 in
                 reading
                 of
                 play-books
                 and
                 unprofitable
                 pamphlets
                 ,
                 which
                 thou
                 mightest
                 spend
                 in
                 reading
                 the
                 Word
                 ,
                 which
                 is
                 able
                 to
                 make
                 thee
                 wise
                 unto
                 Salvation
                 :
                 to
                 this
                 end
                 carry
                 it
                 about
                 thee
                 as
                 Alexander
                 did
                 
                   Homers
                   Iliads
                   for
                   his
                   fellow
                   and
                   companion
                   in
                   the
                   Wars
                   .
                
                 
                 Oh
                 that
                 every
                 one
                 of
                 us
                 were
                 ambitious
                 of
                 that
                 commendation
                 which
                 Eusebius
                 gives
                 of
                 St.
                 
                   Origen
                   ,
                   That
                   he
                   could
                   repeat
                   all
                   the
                   Scriptures
                   at
                   his
                   fingers
                   ends
                   .
                
              
               
                 3.
                 
                 
                   Pray
                   unto
                   God
                   for
                   the
                   change
                   of
                   thine
                   heart
                
                 ;
                 beg
                 of
                 him
                 that
                 he
                 would
                 be
                 pleased
                 by
                 his
                 spirit
                 to
                 regenerate
                 thee
                 ,
                 to
                 plant
                 his
                 image
                 in
                 thy
                 soul
                 ,
                 that
                 thou
                 maist
                 become
                 a
                 new-creature
                 .
                 What
                 the
                 Apostle
                 Iames
                 saith
                 of
                 wisdom
                 ,
                 
                 is
                 true
                 of
                 all
                 
                   grace
                   ,
                   If
                   any
                   one
                   lack
                   it
                   ,
                   let
                   him
                   ask
                   it
                   of
                   God
                   ,
                   that
                   giveth
                   to
                   all
                   men
                   liberally
                   ,
                   and
                   upbraideth
                   not
                   ,
                   and
                   it
                   shall
                   be
                   given
                   him
                   .
                
              
               
                 Oh
                 therefore
                 beseech
                 him
                 to
                 open
                 thine
                 eyes
                 ,
                 and
                 shew
                 thee
                 how
                 sad
                 and
                 deplorable
                 thy
                 condition
                 is
                 ,
                 so
                 long
                 as
                 thou
                 continuest
                 in
                 the
                 state
                 of
                 unregeneracy
                 ,
                 that
                 thou
                 maist
                 be
                 truly
                 sensible
                 thereof
                 ;
                 that
                 he
                 would
                 shew
                 thee
                 the
                 excellency
                 and
                 necessity
                 of
                 a
                 new
                 birth
                 ,
                 that
                 thine
                 heart
                 may
                 be
                 raised
                 up
                 in
                 some
                 earnest
                 ,
                 longing
                 desires
                 after
                 the
                 same
                 :
                 that
                 he
                 would
                 vouchsafe
                 unto
                 thee
                 his
                 Holy
                 Spirit
                 ,
                 which
                 may
                 quicken
                 thy
                 dead
                 soul
                 ,
                 and
                 renew
                 it
                 after
                 the
                 Image
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 in
                 righteousness
                 and
                 true
                 holiness
                 .
                 And
                 in
                 thy
                 prayers
                 plead
                 the
                 promise
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 
                 
                   to
                   give
                   his
                   Spirit
                   to
                   those
                   who
                   ask
                   him
                   .
                
                 That
                 thy
                 Prayers
                 for
                 a
                 new
                 birth
                 may
                 the
                 better
                 speed
                 ;
              
               
                 1.
                 
                 
                   Be
                   earnest
                   therein
                
                 .
                 Pray
                 withall
                 thine
                 heart
                 ,
                 and
                 with
                 all
                 thy
                 might
                 ,
                 with
                 the
                 highest
                 intention
                 of
                 affection
                 .
                 If
                 thou
                 wouldst
                 be
                 a
                 prevailing
                 Israel
                 ,
                 thou
                 must
                 be
                 a
                 wrastling
                 Iacob
                 ;
                 wrastle
                 with
                 God
                 in
                 prayer
                 ;
                 for
                 it
                 is
                 the
                 fervent
                 prayer
                 only
                 that
                 is
                 effectual
                 .
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 
                   Be
                   un●●ssant
                   in
                   thy
                   Prayers
                   ,
                   as
                   one
                   that
                   will
                   take
                   
                   no
                   nay
                   ,
                   nor
                   give
                   over
                   till
                   thou
                   find
                   the
                   work
                   wrought
                   in
                   thy
                   soul.
                
                 Be
                 as
                 importunate
                 with
                 God
                 ,
                 as
                 the
                 Widdow
                 was
                 with
                 the
                 unjust
                 judge
                 .
                 For
                 God
                 loveth
                 importunity
                 .
                 If
                 the
                 unjust
                 Judge
                 was
                 overcome
                 with
                 importunity
                 ,
                 how
                 much
                 rather
                 will
                 the
                 righteous
                 God
                 ,
                 who
                 is
                 compassionately
                 affected
                 towards
                 those
                 who
                 seek
                 unto
                 him
                 .
                 Resolve
                 with
                 
                   Iacob
                   ,
                   I
                   will
                   not
                   let
                   thee
                   go
                   except
                   thou
                   bless
                   me
                   .
                
                 Lord
                 help
                 me
                 ,
                 Lord
                 break
                 me
                 ,
                 humble
                 me
                 ,
                 change
                 and
                 turn
                 me
                 :
                 I
                 cannot
                 turn
                 my self
                 ,
                 Ministers
                 cannot
                 ,
                 Ordinances
                 cannot
                 ,
                 afflictions
                 cannot
                 turn
                 me
                 .
                 If
                 thou
                 wilt
                 ,
                 thou
                 canst
                 :
                 turn
                 thou
                 me
                 ,
                 and
                 I
                 shall
                 be
                 turned
                 ,
                 draw
                 thou
                 me
                 ,
                 and
                 I
                 will
                 run
                 after
                 thee
                 .
                 O
                 suffer
                 thy self
                 this
                 once
                 to
                 be
                 overcome
                 by
                 a
                 poor
                 Worm
                 .
                 I
                 cannot
                 be
                 denyed
                 :
                 I
                 dye
                 ,
                 I
                 am
                 undone
                 ,
                 if
                 thou
                 deny
                 me
                 .
                 I
                 cannot
                 be
                 denyed
                 ,
                 I
                 will
                 not
                 be
                 denyed
                 ,
                 I
                 will
                 not
                 let
                 thee
                 go
                 untill
                 thou
                 bless
                 me
                 .
                 Lord
                 hear
                 ,
                 Lord
                 turn
                 me
                 .
              
               
                 Obj.
                 But
                 some
                 are
                 apt
                 to
                 object
                 and
                 say
                 ,
                 how
                 can
                 I
                 pray
                 without
                 the
                 Spirit
                 ?
              
               
                 A.
                 Put
                 thy self
                 upon
                 the
                 duty
                 of
                 prayer
                 ,
                 and
                 who
                 knoweth
                 but
                 thou
                 maist
                 soon
                 feel
                 and
                 find
                 the
                 assistance
                 of
                 Gods
                 spirit
                 in
                 the
                 performance
                 ,
                 though
                 thou
                 findest
                 it
                 not
                 in
                 the
                 entrance
                 of
                 the
                 duty
                 .
                 Go
                 therefore
                 unto
                 God
                 in
                 prayer
                 ,
                 spread
                 before
                 him
                 thy
                 wretched
                 ,
                 miserable
                 state
                 and
                 condition
                 ,
                 plead
                 thy
                 miserable
                 necessity
                 ,
                 the
                 dreadfulness
                 of
                 thy
                 present
                 state
                 ,
                 how
                 much
                 better
                 it
                 had
                 been
                 that
                 thou
                 hadst
                 never
                 been
                 born
                 ,
                 than
                 not
                 to
                 be
                 born
                 again
                 .
                 And
                 then
                 waiting
                 for
                 the
                 assistance
                 of
                 the
                 Spirit
                 ,
                 be
                 earnest
                 and
                 importunate
                 with
                 God
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 would
                 not
                 let
                 thee
                 live
                 a
                 day
                 longer
                 in
                 thine
                 Unregenerate
                 state
                 ,
                 least
                 death
                 should
                 find
                 thee
                 therein
                 ,
                 and
                 then
                 thou
                 perish
                 everlastingly
                 .
              
               
                 Obj.
                 Some
                 I
                 know
                 do
                 question
                 whether
                 carnal
                 and
                 unregenerate
                 men
                 may
                 be
                 put
                 upon
                 that
                 duty
                 of
                 prayer
                 ,
                 because
                 the
                 Scripture
                 saith
                 ,
                 
                 that
                 
                   the
                   Sacrifice
                   of
                   the
                   wicked
                   is
                   abomi●ation
                   to
                   the
                   Lord
                   ,
                
                 and
                 that
                 
                   God
                   heareth
                   not
                   sinners
                
                 .
              
               
               
                 A.
                 1.
                 
                 The
                 Scriptures
                 give
                 us
                 warrant
                 to
                 press
                 carnal
                 and
                 unregenerate
                 men
                 upon
                 the
                 duty
                 of
                 Prayer
                 .
                 For
                 at
                 the
                 time
                 when
                 Peter
                 told
                 
                   Simon
                   Magus
                
                 that
                 
                   he
                   was
                   in
                   the
                   gall
                   of
                   bitterness
                   ,
                   and
                   in
                   the
                   bond
                   of
                   i●iquity
                   ,
                
                 then
                 he
                 pressed
                 him
                 to
                 pray
                 unto
                 God
                 ,
                 
                 saying
                 ,
                 
                   Repent
                   of
                   thy
                   wicked●ess
                   ,
                   and
                   pray
                   unto
                   God
                   ,
                   if
                   perhaps
                   the
                   thought
                   of
                   thine
                   heart
                   may
                   be
                   forgiven
                   thee
                   .
                
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 We
                 do
                 not
                 exhort
                 men
                 to
                 pray
                 and
                 still
                 hold
                 themselves
                 resolved
                 to
                 continue
                 in
                 their
                 wicked
                 and
                 ungodly
                 courses
                 ;
                 such
                 prayer
                 indeed
                 would
                 be
                 an
                 abomination
                 :
                 but
                 to
                 resolve
                 upon
                 turning
                 ,
                 and
                 so
                 to
                 go
                 unto
                 the
                 Lord
                 for
                 his
                 grace
                 to
                 assist
                 and
                 accept
                 them
                 .
                 And
                 therefore
                 saith
                 Peter
                 to
                 
                   Simon
                   Magus
                   ,
                   Repent
                   of
                   this
                   thy
                   wickedness
                   ,
                   and
                   so
                   pray
                   for
                   pardon
                   .
                
              
               
                 3.
                 
                 The
                 young
                 Ravens
                 cry
                 for
                 want
                 of
                 food
                 ,
                 and
                 God
                 is
                 said
                 to
                 hear
                 them
                 .
                 Why
                 may
                 he
                 not
                 then
                 hear
                 the
                 cryes
                 and
                 Prayers
                 of
                 carnal
                 and
                 unregenerate
                 men
                 ?
                 especially
                 when
                 they
                 pray
                 unto
                 him
                 for
                 changed
                 and
                 renewed
                 hearts
                 ;
                 which
                 prayers
                 cannot
                 but
                 be
                 agreeable
                 to
                 the
                 will
                 of
                 God.
                 How
                 graciously
                 did
                 God
                 reward
                 that
                 petition
                 of
                 Solomon
                 ,
                 when
                 he
                 asked
                 not
                 for
                 riches
                 or
                 long
                 life
                 ,
                 but
                 for
                 
                   a
                   wise
                   and
                   understanding
                   heart
                
                 .
                 So
                 may
                 God
                 say
                 unto
                 them
                 ,
                 because
                 ye
                 have
                 not
                 asked
                 temporal
                 blessings
                 ,
                 as
                 health
                 ,
                 wealth
                 or
                 the
                 like
                 ,
                 but
                 a
                 renewed
                 heart
                 ,
                 a
                 new
                 birth
                 ;
                 be
                 it
                 according
                 to
                 your
                 desires
                 ,
                 your
                 natural
                 carnal
                 heart
                 shall
                 be
                 changed
                 and
                 renewed
                 .
              
               
                 And
                 to
                 thine
                 own
                 Prayers
                 call
                 in
                 the
                 help
                 of
                 other
                 mens
                 prayers
                 ,
                 beg
                 of
                 them
                 that
                 in
                 their
                 Prayers
                 they
                 would
                 be
                 mindfull
                 of
                 thee
                 ,
                 and
                 of
                 thy
                 condition
                 ;
                 that
                 they
                 would
                 be
                 earnest
                 with
                 God
                 on
                 thy
                 behalf
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 would
                 make
                 thee
                 a
                 new
                 creature
                 by
                 endowing
                 thee
                 with
                 true
                 ,
                 saving
                 ,
                 sanctifying
                 graces
                 .
                 Thus
                 
                   Simon
                   Magus
                
                 begged
                 the
                 Prayers
                 of
                 the
                 Apostles
                 ,
                 apprehending
                 their
                 prayers
                 to
                 be
                 more
                 prevalent
                 than
                 his
                 own
                 .
                 For
                 it
                 is
                 possible
                 that
                 God
                 may
                 hear
                 the
                 Prayers
                 of
                 Iob
                 for
                 his
                 friends
                 ,
                 when
                 he
                 will
                 not
                 hear
                 them
                 for
                 themselves
                 .
                 And
                 the
                 Iaylors
                 Conversion
                 is
                 set
                 down
                 as
                 the
                 Consequent
                 of
                 the
                 Apostles
                 Prayers
                 .
                 
                 Not
                 only
                 their
                 deliverance
                 out
                 of
                 
                   his
                   prison
                
                 ,
                 but
                 his
                 deliverance
                 out
                 of
                 the
                 
                   Devils
                   prison
                
                 ,
                 is
                 set
                 down
                 as
                 a
                 fruit
                 of
                 their
                 prayers
                 .
                 To
                 thine
                 own
                 prayers
                 therefore
                 ,
                 call
                 in
                 the
                 help
                 of
                 other
                 mens
                 Prayers
                 .
              
               
                 VII
                 .
                 
                   When
                   either
                   in
                   hearing
                   ,
                   reading
                   ,
                   praying
                   ,
                   or
                   at
                   any
                   other
                   time
                   thou
                   feelest
                   any
                   motions
                   of
                   Gods
                   spirit
                   in
                   thy
                   soul
                   and
                   conscience
                   ,
                   make
                   much
                   of
                   them
                   ,
                   surrender
                   up
                   thy self
                   thereunto
                   ,
                   presently
                   turn
                   those
                   motions
                   into
                   resolutions
                   ,
                   and
                   those
                   resolutions
                   into
                   endeavours
                   .
                
                 Let
                 not
                 the
                 motions
                 of
                 Gods
                 Spirit
                 be
                 nipped
                 in
                 the
                 bud
                 ,
                 but
                 nourish
                 and
                 cherish
                 them
                 ,
                 that
                 they
                 may
                 bring
                 forth
                 good
                 fruit
                 .
              
               
                 Ah
                 sinner
                 ,
                 as
                 thou
                 tendrest
                 the
                 good
                 and
                 happiness
                 of
                 thy
                 precious
                 and
                 immortal
                 soul
                 ,
                 slight
                 not
                 the
                 motions
                 of
                 Gods
                 Spirit
                 in
                 thee
                 ,
                 but
                 labour
                 to
                 improve
                 them
                 to
                 the
                 ends
                 for
                 which
                 they
                 are
                 sent
                 .
                 Are
                 they
                 motions
                 tending
                 to
                 the
                 working
                 in
                 thee
                 a
                 loathing
                 and
                 abhorring
                 of
                 thy
                 former
                 sinful
                 lusts
                 ?
                 second
                 those
                 motions
                 with
                 strong
                 resolutions
                 to
                 leave
                 and
                 forsake
                 them
                 for
                 the
                 time
                 to
                 come
                 ,
                 at
                 least
                 so
                 to
                 strive
                 against
                 them
                 as
                 they
                 may
                 not
                 rule
                 and
                 raign
                 in
                 thee
                 ,
                 as
                 formerly
                 they
                 have
                 done
                 .
                 Are
                 they
                 motions
                 tending
                 to
                 the
                 stirring
                 thee
                 up
                 to
                 any
                 good
                 duty
                 omitted
                 ?
                 oh
                 turn
                 these
                 motions
                 into
                 performances
                 ,
                 and
                 presently
                 fall
                 upon
                 the
                 practice
                 of
                 those
                 duties
                 ,
                 whether
                 it
                 be
                 praying
                 in
                 thy
                 closet
                 ,
                 or
                 in
                 thy
                 Family
                 ,
                 or
                 such
                 like
                 .
              
               
                 Doth
                 the
                 Spirit
                 of
                 God
                 beam
                 any
                 light
                 from
                 the
                 Word
                 into
                 thine
                 understanding
                 ,
                 whereby
                 thou
                 art
                 more
                 throughly
                 convinced
                 of
                 thy
                 miserable
                 condition
                 by
                 nature
                 ,
                 of
                 the
                 excellency
                 of
                 the
                 new
                 birth
                 ,
                 of
                 the
                 necessity
                 thereof
                 unto
                 Salvation
                 ?
                 Labour
                 to
                 improve
                 this
                 light
                 to
                 the
                 stirring
                 up
                 in
                 thee
                 an
                 earnest
                 ,
                 longing
                 desire
                 after
                 the
                 work
                 of
                 Regeneration
                 .
                 Hath
                 the
                 Spirit
                 of
                 God
                 in
                 a
                 Sermon
                 so
                 convinced
                 thee
                 of
                 some
                 grofs
                 ,
                 scandalous
                 sin
                 ,
                 or
                 sins
                 ,
                 that
                 thou
                 art
                 pricked
                 at
                 the
                 heart
                 ,
                 and
                 deeply
                 humbled
                 under
                 the
                 sense
                 and
                 apprehension
                 of
                 them
                 ?
                 oh
                 content
                 not
                 thy self
                 with
                 some
                 sudden
                 pangs
                 of
                 affection
                 ,
                 but
                 forthwith
                 go
                 into
                 
                 some
                 secret
                 place
                 ,
                 and
                 there
                 take
                 the
                 advantage
                 of
                 thy
                 present
                 relenting
                 frame
                 of
                 heart
                 ,
                 for
                 the
                 more
                 free
                 and
                 full
                 confessing
                 of
                 thy
                 sins
                 unto
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 ingaging
                 thy self
                 by
                 a
                 solemn
                 covenant
                 unto
                 him
                 to
                 be
                 more
                 watchfull
                 over
                 thy self
                 ,
                 as
                 against
                 thy
                 former
                 lend
                 and
                 wicked
                 courses
                 ,
                 so
                 against
                 the
                 occasions
                 leading
                 thereunto
                 .
              
               
                 Ah
                 sinner
                 ,
                 it
                 will
                 be
                 thy
                 Wisdom
                 carefully
                 to
                 observe
                 ,
                 and
                 diligently
                 to
                 improve
                 all
                 the
                 motions
                 and
                 stirrings
                 of
                 Gods
                 Spirit
                 in
                 thy
                 Soul
                 and
                 Conscience
                 ,
                 by
                 seconding
                 the
                 work
                 of
                 this
                 holy
                 Spirit
                 in
                 thee
                 .
                 Lose
                 not
                 the
                 Wind
                 and
                 Tide
                 ,
                 the
                 Wind
                 may
                 lye
                 ,
                 the
                 Tide
                 may
                 turn
                 ,
                 and
                 where
                 art
                 thou
                 then
                 ?
                 't
                 will
                 be
                 hard
                 Rowing
                 against
                 Wind
                 or
                 Tide
                 .
                 Thou
                 little
                 thinkest
                 what
                 advantage
                 such
                 motions
                 wisely
                 improved
                 may
                 be
                 to
                 thy
                 soul
                 :
                 and
                 what
                 prejudice
                 the
                 slighting
                 ,
                 and
                 neglecting
                 of
                 them
                 may
                 be
                 unto
                 thee
                 :
                 for
                 ought
                 thou
                 knowest
                 ,
                 thine
                 eternal
                 happiness
                 or
                 misery
                 may
                 depend
                 upon
                 the
                 improving
                 or
                 slighting
                 the
                 same
                 .
              
               
                 VIII
                 .
                 
                   Be
                   much
                   in
                   the
                   company
                   of
                   the
                   godly
                   ,
                   walk
                   with
                   them
                   who
                   walk
                   with
                   God.
                
                 He
                 that
                 walketh
                 with
                 the
                 wise
                 ,
                 shall
                 be
                 more
                 wise
                 :
                 he
                 that
                 walketh
                 with
                 the
                 humble
                 ,
                 shall
                 be
                 more
                 humble
                 :
                 he
                 that
                 walketh
                 with
                 the
                 holy
                 ,
                 shall
                 learn
                 holiness
                 .
                 As
                 there
                 is
                 no
                 greater
                 hinderance
                 to
                 the
                 work
                 of
                 Christ
                 ,
                 than
                 the
                 society
                 of
                 the
                 wicked
                 ;
                 So
                 there
                 is
                 no
                 greater
                 furtherance
                 to
                 it
                 ,
                 than
                 the
                 society
                 of
                 those
                 who
                 fear
                 God.
                 For
                 there
                 is
                 none
                 will
                 be
                 so
                 ready
                 to
                 pitty
                 and
                 compassionate
                 you
                 ,
                 to
                 counsel
                 and
                 direct
                 you
                 in
                 the
                 way
                 to
                 Heaven
                 ,
                 as
                 these
                 :
                 none
                 so
                 ready
                 to
                 provoke
                 and
                 egg
                 you
                 on
                 unto
                 godliness
                 ,
                 to
                 encourage
                 and
                 cheer
                 you
                 up
                 when
                 you
                 do
                 well
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 reprove
                 you
                 when
                 you
                 do
                 amiss
                 ,
                 as
                 these
                 :
                 none
                 so
                 ready
                 to
                 communicate
                 their
                 experiences
                 to
                 you
                 ,
                 
                   O
                   come
                   ,
                   say
                   they
                   ,
                   and
                   we
                   will
                   tell
                   you
                   what
                   the
                   Lord
                   hath
                   done
                   for
                   our
                   souls
                   .
                
                 So
                 that
                 in
                 the
                 company
                 of
                 the
                 godly
                 there
                 is
                 much
                 good
                 to
                 be
                 got
                 ;
                 they
                 being
                 like
                 Lanthorns
                 which
                 disperse
                 their
                 light
                 round
                 about
                 .
                 If
                 thou
                 beest
                 much
                 in
                 their
                 company
                 ,
                 thou
                 
                 shalt
                 hear
                 much
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 much
                 of
                 Christ
                 ,
                 and
                 much
                 of
                 Heaven
                 :
                 they
                 use
                 to
                 be
                 talking
                 much
                 of
                 the
                 riches
                 of
                 that
                 Countrey
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 glory
                 of
                 that
                 holy
                 City
                 ,
                 whether
                 they
                 are
                 travelling
                 .
                 They
                 will
                 be
                 opening
                 to
                 you
                 the
                 excellency
                 of
                 Jesus
                 Christ
                 ,
                 the
                 riches
                 of
                 his
                 love
                 ,
                 the
                 all-sufficiency
                 of
                 his
                 Sacrifice
                 ,
                 his
                 willingness
                 to
                 receive
                 all
                 poor
                 sinners
                 ,
                 who
                 will
                 go
                 unto
                 him
                 ,
                 and
                 adventure
                 their
                 souls
                 upon
                 him
                 .
                 And
                 who
                 knoweth
                 how
                 much
                 their
                 discourse
                 may
                 warm
                 thine
                 heart
                 ,
                 and
                 raise
                 up
                 thy
                 desires
                 after
                 Christ.
                 Agrippa
                 was
                 
                   almost
                   perswaded
                   to
                   be
                   a
                   Christian
                   ,
                
                 whilest
                 he
                 was
                 talking
                 with
                 St.
                 Paul.
                 And
                 the
                 Ennuch
                 was
                 not
                 only
                 almost
                 ,
                 but
                 altogether
                 perswaded
                 ,
                 whilest
                 he
                 was
                 conversing
                 with
                 Philip.
                 As
                 therefore
                 thou
                 desirest
                 to
                 further
                 the
                 work
                 of
                 grace
                 begun
                 in
                 thy
                 soul
                 ,
                 be
                 much
                 in
                 the
                 company
                 of
                 those
                 who
                 are
                 gracious
                 ;
                 who
                 will
                 be
                 exceedingly
                 helpfull
                 to
                 thee
                 therein
                 ,
                 as
                 by
                 their
                 prayers
                 ,
                 so
                 by
                 their
                 counsel
                 and
                 good
                 example
                 .
                 For
                 their
                 lives
                 tell
                 thee
                 what
                 it
                 is
                 
                   to
                   walk
                   in
                   the
                   Spirit
                
                 ,
                 what
                 
                   to
                   mortifie
                   the
                   flesh
                
                 ,
                 and
                 
                   to
                   live
                   abo●e
                   all
                   the
                   alluring
                   va●ities
                   of
                   the
                   world
                   .
                
              
               
                 Oh
                 Christians
                 ,
                 encourage
                 poor
                 sinners
                 to
                 come
                 among
                 you
                 ;
                 let
                 your
                 discourses
                 be
                 practical
                 Sermons
                 ;
                 let
                 your
                 wayes
                 be
                 living
                 copies
                 of
                 that
                 holy
                 doctrine
                 which
                 you
                 have
                 received
                 ;
                 let
                 your
                 conversation
                 be
                 full
                 of
                 love
                 ,
                 life
                 ,
                 pitty
                 ,
                 compassion
                 towards
                 them
                 :
                 be
                 ready
                 to
                 teach
                 ,
                 counsel
                 ,
                 encourage
                 and
                 help
                 them
                 on
                 after
                 the
                 Lord.
                 Teach
                 not
                 sinners
                 to
                 say
                 (
                 by
                 the
                 barrenness
                 ,
                 and
                 unsavouriness
                 of
                 your
                 lives
                 )
                 
                   there
                   is
                   no
                   more
                   of
                   God
                   to
                   be
                   gotten
                   in
                   the
                   dwellings
                   of
                   the
                   Righteous
                   ,
                   than
                   in
                   the
                   tents
                   of
                   Wickedness
                   .
                
              
               
                 Thus
                 have
                 I
                 shewed
                 you
                 the
                 Means
                 on
                 our
                 part
                 to
                 be
                 performed
                 for
                 the
                 furthering
                 the
                 new
                 birth
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 work
                 of
                 Regeneration
                 in
                 your
                 souls
                 .
                 And
                 now
                 give
                 me
                 leave
                 to
                 propound
                 one
                 Question
                 to
                 you
                 .
                 
                   Are
                   you
                   resolved
                   with
                   the
                   grace
                   and
                   assistance
                   of
                   God
                   ,
                   speedily
                   to
                   put
                   your selves
                   upon
                   the
                   practice
                   of
                   these
                   Directions
                   or
                   no
                   ?
                
                 If
                 you
                 think
                 these
                 things
                 more
                 than
                 necessary
                 ,
                 and
                 are
                 ready
                 to
                 say
                 ,
                 What
                 need
                 so
                 much
                 ado
                 ,
                 as
                 if
                 without
                 
                 so
                 much
                 hearing
                 ,
                 so
                 much
                 reading
                 ,
                 so
                 much
                 praying
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 like
                 ,
                 there
                 were
                 no
                 hope
                 of
                 Regeneration
                 ,
                 and
                 Salvation
                 !
                 you
                 may
                 then
                 sit
                 down
                 and
                 take
                 your
                 ease
                 .
                 But
                 know
                 for
                 certain
                 ,
                 that
                 without
                 a
                 conscionable
                 use
                 of
                 these
                 Means
                 ,
                 you
                 are
                 like
                 to
                 fall
                 short
                 ,
                 as
                 of
                 Regeneration
                 here
                 ,
                 so
                 of
                 Salvation
                 hereafter
                 .
                 For
                 where
                 God
                 hath
                 appointed
                 Means
                 ,
                 he
                 doth
                 not
                 ordinarily
                 work
                 without
                 them
                 ;
                 and
                 therefore
                 if
                 you
                 will
                 not
                 use
                 
                   Gods
                   Means
                
                 ,
                 no
                 wonder
                 if
                 you
                 go
                 without
                 
                   his
                   grace
                
                 .
              
               
                 Ah
                 sinners
                 ,
                 I
                 beseech
                 you
                 for
                 the
                 sake
                 of
                 your
                 precious
                 souls
                 ,
                 do
                 not
                 willfully
                 refuse
                 to
                 be
                 happy
                 ,
                 do
                 not
                 ,
                 wittingly
                 plunge
                 your
                 souls
                 into
                 everlasting
                 miseries
                 .
                 Be
                 willing
                 to
                 be
                 happy
                 ,
                 awaken
                 your
                 sleepy
                 ,
                 stir
                 up
                 your
                 lazy
                 hearts
                 to
                 be
                 doing
                 .
                 Heaven
                 is
                 not
                 gotten
                 with
                 a
                 wish
                 ,
                 everlasting
                 glory
                 is
                 worthy
                 your
                 utmost
                 pains
                 ,
                 and
                 will
                 not
                 be
                 gotten
                 without
                 it
                 .
              
               
                 What
                 say
                 you
                 ,
                 after
                 all
                 that
                 hath
                 been
                 said
                 ?
                 Are
                 you
                 willing
                 to
                 be
                 converted
                 ?
                 to
                 become
                 new
                 men
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 take
                 up
                 a
                 new
                 course
                 ?
                 If
                 you
                 are
                 not
                 yet
                 ,
                 when
                 will
                 you
                 ?
                 Are
                 you
                 content
                 to
                 dye
                 in
                 your
                 present
                 state
                 ?
                 If
                 you
                 were
                 now
                 breathing
                 out
                 your
                 last
                 ,
                 and
                 just
                 passing
                 into
                 another
                 World
                 ,
                 would
                 you
                 not
                 wish
                 you
                 had
                 hearkened
                 to
                 counsel
                 ?
                 Though
                 thou
                 wilt
                 ,
                 live
                 the
                 life
                 ,
                 yet
                 art
                 thou
                 content
                 to
                 dye
                 the
                 death
                 of
                 the
                 obstinate
                 and
                 hardned
                 ?
                 Be
                 not
                 Brutes
                 ,
                 and
                 mad
                 men
                 .
                 If
                 Christ
                 be
                 best
                 at
                 death
                 ;
                 if
                 holiness
                 will
                 be
                 best
                 at
                 last
                 ;
                 if
                 you
                 know
                 and
                 believe
                 ,
                 that
                 when
                 you
                 come
                 to
                 dye
                 ,
                 you
                 shall
                 wish
                 you
                 had
                 made
                 Christ
                 sure
                 :
                 then
                 sure
                 your
                 standing
                 out
                 against
                 Christ
                 now
                 ,
                 your
                 refusing
                 grace
                 now
                 ,
                 is
                 the
                 first-born
                 of
                 follies
                 .
                 O
                 be
                 wise
                 ,
                 consider
                 what
                 's
                 before
                 you
                 ;
                 Christ
                 and
                 the
                 
                   World
                   ,
                   holiness
                
                 and
                 
                   sin
                   ,
                   life
                
                 and
                 death
                 ,
                 choose
                 now
                 for
                 your selves
                 ;
                 and
                 if
                 you
                 will
                 be
                 advised
                 ,
                 let
                 your
                 
                   this
                   dayes
                   choice
                
                 be
                 the
                 same
                 ,
                 which
                 you
                 are
                 resolved
                 shall
                 be
                 your
                 
                   dying
                   choice
                
                 .
                 If
                 you
                 would
                 not
                 choose
                 to
                 dye
                 in
                 your
                 sins
                 ,
                 to
                 dye
                 Drunkards
                 ,
                 to
                 dye
                 adulterers
                 ,
                 to
                 dye
                 Scoffers
                 ,
                 to
                 dye
                 unbelievers
                 ,
                 live
                 not
                 out
                 this
                 day
                 in
                 such
                 a
                 dreadfull
                 state
                 .
              
            
             
               
               
                 CHAP.
                 XVI
                 .
                 Several
                 Objections
                 of
                 Carnal
                 and
                 Vnregenerate
                 men
                 against
                 the
                 use
                 of
                 the
                 forementioned
                 Means
                 ,
                 Answered
                 .
              
               
                 HAving
                 shewed
                 the
                 Means
                 ;
                 I
                 come
                 now
                 to
                 
                   answer
                   the
                   Objections
                
                 which
                 many
                 carnal
                 men
                 pretend
                 against
                 the
                 use
                 of
                 them
                 in
                 order
                 to
                 a
                 new
                 birth
                 .
              
               
                 Obj.
                 1.
                 
                 Some
                 are
                 ready
                 to
                 object
                 and
                 say
                 ,
                 These
                 are
                 indeed
                 likely
                 means
                 ,
                 but
                 they
                 find
                 neither
                 strength
                 ,
                 nor
                 ability
                 to
                 set
                 upon
                 the
                 practice
                 of
                 them
                 .
              
               
                 A.
                 1.
                 
                 
                   I
                   would
                   ask
                   thee
                   ,
                   whether
                   thou
                   canst
                   in
                   truth
                   say
                   ,
                   thou
                   hast
                   not
                   been
                   wanting
                   to
                   thy self
                   in
                   such
                   things
                   as
                   were
                   within
                   thy
                   power
                   and
                   strength
                   ?
                
                 Hast
                 thou
                 not
                 as
                 much
                 power
                 to
                 go
                 into
                 the
                 house
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 as
                 into
                 an
                 Ale-house
                 ?
                 to
                 read
                 the
                 holy
                 Scriptures
                 ,
                 as
                 Play-books
                 and
                 Pamphlets
                 ?
                 to
                 associate
                 thy self
                 with
                 the
                 Godly
                 ,
                 as
                 with
                 the
                 Wicked
                 and
                 Prophane
                 ?
                 canst
                 not
                 thou
                 take
                 up
                 a
                 resolution
                 ,
                 to
                 abandon
                 thine
                 old
                 sinfull
                 lusts
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 set
                 upon
                 a
                 new
                 course
                 of
                 life
                 ?
                 Certainly
                 if
                 thou
                 hast
                 been
                 wanting
                 to
                 thy self
                 in
                 these
                 and
                 such
                 like
                 things
                 ,
                 this
                 objection
                 taken
                 from
                 thine
                 own
                 inability
                 ,
                 is
                 but
                 an
                 idle
                 excuse
                 ;
                 and
                 argues
                 rather
                 thine
                 unwillingness
                 ,
                 than
                 disability
                 :
                 and
                 know
                 that
                 in
                 the
                 last
                 and
                 great
                 day
                 ,
                 thou
                 wilt
                 be
                 damned
                 not
                 so
                 much
                 for
                 thy
                 want
                 of
                 power
                 ,
                 as
                 for
                 thy
                 want
                 of
                 will.
                 
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 
                   If
                   thou
                   wilt
                   but
                   put
                   thy self
                   upon
                   the
                   use
                   of
                   Means
                   ,
                   thou
                   ▪
                   dost
                   not
                   know
                   what
                   strength
                   thou
                   maist
                   receive
                   from
                   God
                   ,
                
                 
                 
                   and
                   what
                   may
                   be
                   the
                   issue
                   thereof
                   .
                
                 While
                 
                   Peter
                   was
                   Preaching
                   ;
                   the
                   holy
                   Ghost
                   fell
                   on
                   all
                   them
                   that
                   heard
                   the
                   Word
                   .
                
                 And
                 for
                 ought
                 thou
                 knowest
                 ,
                 whilest
                 thou
                 art
                 attending
                 upon
                 the
                 Ministry
                 of
                 the
                 Word
                 ,
                 or
                 praying
                 unto
                 God
                 ;
                 the
                 Holy
                 Ghost
                 may
                 fall
                 on
                 thee
                 ;
                 and
                 
                 make
                 that
                 Ordinance
                 effectual
                 for
                 thy
                 Regeneration
                 and
                 Salvation
                 .
                 And
                 therefore
                 put
                 thy self
                 upon
                 the
                 use
                 of
                 Means
                 :
                 wait
                 at
                 the
                 Pool
                 ;
                 thou
                 knowest
                 not
                 how
                 soon
                 the
                 Spirit
                 may
                 come
                 and
                 move
                 upon
                 thy
                 soul.
                 For
                 God
                 doth
                 usually
                 meet
                 with
                 those
                 who
                 seek
                 him
                 .
              
               
                 Obj.
                 2.
                 
                 I
                 fear
                 I
                 am
                 not
                 elected
                 ,
                 and
                 therefore
                 conceive
                 it
                 altogether
                 fruitless
                 for
                 me
                 to
                 labour
                 in
                 the
                 use
                 of
                 any
                 means
                 for
                 this
                 new
                 birth
                 .
                 Oh
                 could
                 I
                 be
                 assured
                 of
                 my
                 election
                 !
                 then
                 should
                 I
                 with
                 comfort
                 and
                 confidence
                 labour
                 after
                 it
                 .
              
               
                 A.
                 1.
                 
                 
                   Election
                   is
                   a
                   secret
                   thing
                   and
                   belongeth
                   unto
                   God
                
                 ;
                 according
                 to
                 that
                 of
                 Moses
                 ,
                 
                 
                   Secret
                   things
                   belong
                   unto
                   the
                   Lord
                   our
                   God
                   ,
                   but
                   things
                   which
                   are
                   revealed
                   belong
                   unto
                   us
                   .
                
                 And
                 therefore
                 trouble
                 not
                 thy
                 self
                 ●
                 with
                 Gods
                 secret
                 will
                 ,
                 but
                 follow
                 his
                 revealed
                 will.
                 Apply
                 thy self
                 seriously
                 and
                 cordially
                 to
                 the
                 use
                 of
                 the
                 means
                 God
                 hath
                 sanctified
                 for
                 thy
                 Regeneration
                 ;
                 and
                 from
                 thence
                 thou
                 maist
                 gain
                 some
                 comfortable
                 evidence
                 of
                 thine
                 election
                 .
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 
                   Consider
                   though
                   it
                   be
                   the
                   duty
                   of
                   every
                   Christian
                   to
                   give
                   all
                   diligence
                   to
                   make
                   his
                   calling
                   and
                   election
                   sure
                   :
                   yet
                   no
                   man
                   can
                   know
                   ,
                   and
                   be
                   assured
                   of
                   his
                   election
                   ,
                   till
                   he
                   be
                   Regenerated
                   by
                   the
                   Spirit
                   of
                   God
                   :
                
                 therefore
                 the
                 not
                 knowing
                 thine
                 election
                 should
                 be
                 so
                 far
                 from
                 keeping
                 thee
                 off
                 from
                 applying
                 thy self
                 to
                 the
                 means
                 of
                 Regeneration
                 ,
                 as
                 it
                 should
                 rather
                 be
                 an
                 argument
                 to
                 press
                 thee
                 thereunto
                 :
                 for
                 by
                 thy
                 Regeneration
                 thou
                 maist
                 know
                 thine
                 election
                 .
                 The
                 eternal
                 decrees
                 of
                 God
                 are
                 only
                 made
                 known
                 
                   à
                   posteriori
                
                 ,
                 from
                 their
                 effects
                 ,
                 o●e
                 whereof
                 is
                 Regeneration
                 :
                 find
                 this
                 and
                 thou
                 needest
                 not
                 doubt
                 of
                 thine
                 election
                 .
              
               
                 3.
                 
                 Wilt
                 thou
                 not
                 plow
                 nor
                 Sow
                 because
                 thou
                 knowest
                 not
                 whether
                 God
                 hath
                 determined
                 thee
                 an
                 Harvest
                 ?
                 Thou
                 wilt
                 say
                 ,
                 I
                 am
                 sure
                 I
                 shall
                 not
                 reap
                 ,
                 if
                 I
                 sow
                 not
                 ;
                 there
                 's
                 hope
                 of
                 an
                 Harvest
                 ,
                 if
                 there
                 be
                 a
                 Seed-time
                 :
                 and
                 therefore
                 I
                 will
                 adventure
                 to
                 sow
                 what
                 ever
                 the
                 issue
                 may
                 be
                 .
                 And
                 wilt
                 thou
                 not
                 be
                 as
                 wise
                 for
                 thy
                 soul
                 ,
                 as
                 for
                 thy
                 body
                 ?
                 Because
                 thou
                 art
                 not
                 sure
                 of
                 thine
                 election
                 ,
                 wilt
                 thou
                 make
                 thy
                 damnation
                 sure
                 ?
              
               
               
                 Obj.
                 3.
                 
                 Ah!
                 I
                 am
                 too
                 unworthy
                 to
                 partake
                 of
                 so
                 great
                 a
                 mercy
                 :
                 there
                 is
                 nothing
                 in
                 me
                 to
                 move
                 God
                 to
                 work
                 grace
                 in
                 me
                 ,
                 and
                 therefore
                 why
                 should
                 I
                 trouble
                 my self
                 about
                 it
                 ?
              
               
                 A.
                 1.
                 
                 
                   Consider
                   Gods
                   grace
                   is
                   every
                   way
                   so
                   free
                   ,
                   that
                   the
                   mercy
                   which
                   he
                   vouchsafeth
                   to
                   any
                   of
                   his
                   Creatures
                   ,
                   is
                   altogether
                   of
                   himself
                   ,
                   and
                   from
                   himself
                   .
                
                 He
                 respecteth
                 his
                 own
                 goodness
                 ,
                 not
                 our
                 worthiness
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 mercies
                 which
                 he
                 conferreth
                 .
                 If
                 none
                 shall
                 obtain
                 grace
                 but
                 the
                 worthy
                 ,
                 who
                 then
                 can
                 be
                 saved
                 ?
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 
                   Consider
                   that
                   no
                   man
                   before
                   his
                   Regeneration
                   could
                   ever
                   find
                   any
                   worthiness
                   in
                   himself
                   why
                   he
                   should
                   partake
                   of
                   that
                   mercy
                   .
                
                 What
                 was
                 there
                 in
                 Manass●h
                 ?
                 Or
                 in
                 Zacheus
                 ?
                 Or
                 in
                 
                   Mary
                   Magdalen
                
                 ?
                 Or
                 in
                 Paul
                 before
                 their
                 conversion
                 ?
                 Surely
                 none
                 at
                 all
                 .
                 Nay
                 there
                 is
                 never
                 a
                 child
                 of
                 God
                 on
                 Earth
                 ,
                 or
                 in
                 Heaven
                 ,
                 but
                 had
                 as
                 much
                 personall
                 unworthiness
                 before
                 his
                 Regeneration
                 ,
                 as
                 thou
                 now
                 hast
                 .
                 Why
                 then
                 doth
                 the
                 sight
                 and
                 apprehension
                 of
                 thine
                 unworthiness
                 put
                 thee
                 out
                 of
                 all
                 hope
                 of
                 obtaining
                 the
                 same
                 ?
              
               
                 3.
                 
                 
                   Consider
                   that
                   the
                   sense
                   of
                   thine
                   unworthiness
                   is
                   some
                   degree
                   of
                   worthiness
                   :
                   yea
                   it
                   is
                   the
                   greatest
                   worthiness
                   thou
                   canst
                   attain
                   unto
                   .
                
                 And
                 none
                 ever
                 found
                 greater
                 mercy
                 from
                 God
                 ,
                 than
                 they
                 who
                 have
                 been
                 most
                 sensible
                 of
                 their
                 unworthiness
                 .
                 Instance
                 the
                 Centurion
                 ,
                 who
                 speaking
                 unto
                 Christ
                 ,
                 
                 said
                 ,
                 
                   I
                   am
                   not
                   worthy
                   that
                   thou
                   shouldst
                   come
                   under
                   the
                   roof
                   of
                   my
                   house
                   .
                
                 And
                 yet
                 Christ
                 granted
                 his
                 desire
                 in
                 healing
                 his
                 servant
                 .
                 So
                 likewise
                 the
                 
                   Woman
                   of
                   Canaan
                
                 ,
                 who
                 acknowledged
                 her self
                 to
                 be
                 no
                 better
                 than
                 a
                 Dog
                 ,
                 yet
                 received
                 this
                 answer
                 from
                 Christ
                 ,
                 
                   Oh
                   Woman
                
                 ,
                 
                 
                   great
                   is
                   thy
                   faith
                   ,
                   be
                   it
                   unto
                   thee
                   even
                   as
                   thou
                   wilt
                   .
                
                 So
                 likewise
                 the
                 Publican
                 ,
                 who
                 was
                 conscious
                 to
                 himself
                 ,
                 of
                 so
                 much
                 unworthiness
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 stood
                 afar
                 off
                 ,
                 and
                 durst
                 not
                 lift
                 up
                 his
                 eyes
                 unto
                 Heaven
                 ,
                 but
                 smote
                 upon
                 his
                 breast
                 ,
                 saying
                 ,
                 
                   God
                   be
                   merciful
                   to
                   me
                   a
                   sinner
                   .
                
                 
                 Yet
                 as
                 the
                 text
                 noteth
                 ver
                 .
                 14.
                 
                 
                   He
                   went
                   away
                   justified
                   rather
                   than
                   the
                   Pharisee
                   ,
                
                 who
                 was
                 puffed
                 up
                 with
                 a
                 conceit
                 of
                 his
                 own
                 righteousness
                 .
              
               
                 4.
                 
                 
                   It
                   is
                   to
                   be
                   feared
                   that
                   this
                   objection
                   of
                   thine
                   unworthiness
                   
                   ariseth
                   not
                   so
                   much
                   from
                   true
                   humility
                   ,
                   as
                   from
                   the
                   pride
                   of
                   thine
                   own
                   heart
                   ,
                
                 who
                 art
                 loth
                 to
                 be
                 beholding
                 unto
                 God
                 for
                 any
                 mercy
                 ;
                 but
                 wouldst
                 rather
                 discern
                 something
                 in
                 thy self
                 which
                 may
                 deserve
                 it
                 at
                 his
                 hands
                 .
                 But
                 we
                 are
                 to
                 root
                 out
                 of
                 our
                 hearts
                 this
                 spiritual
                 pride
                 ,
                 and
                 be
                 humble
                 ;
                 and
                 then
                 we
                 may
                 rest
                 confident
                 ,
                 that
                 though
                 we
                 are
                 most
                 unworthy
                 in
                 our selves
                 ,
                 yet
                 God
                 will
                 accept
                 of
                 us
                 in
                 and
                 for
                 the
                 worthiness
                 of
                 Jesus
                 Christ.
                 
              
               
                 Obj.
                 4.
                 
                 Some
                 object
                 the
                 number
                 and
                 the
                 heinousness
                 of
                 their
                 sins
                 .
                 Oh
                 they
                 are
                 such
                 vile
                 and
                 wretched
                 sinners
                 ,
                 having
                 mispent
                 the
                 best
                 of
                 their
                 time
                 ,
                 the
                 strength
                 of
                 their
                 youth
                 in
                 the
                 service
                 of
                 sin
                 and
                 Satan
                 ,
                 and
                 in
                 gratifying
                 their
                 own
                 carnal
                 lu●ts
                 and
                 affections
                 ;
                 and
                 as
                 they
                 have
                 grown
                 in
                 years
                 ,
                 so
                 they
                 have
                 grown
                 in
                 sin
                 and
                 wickedness
                 ;
                 and
                 therefore
                 cannot
                 expect
                 so
                 great
                 a
                 mercy
                 from
                 God
                 ,
                 as
                 of
                 a
                 Son
                 of
                 Belial
                 to
                 be
                 made
                 a
                 Son
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 by
                 the
                 work
                 of
                 Regeneration
                 .
              
               
                 A.
                 1.
                 
                 
                   Know
                   for
                   thy
                   comfort
                   that
                   God
                   hath
                   embraced
                   with
                   the
                   arms
                   of
                   his
                   free
                   grace
                   ,
                   as
                   great
                   and
                   heinous
                   sinners
                   as
                   thy self
                   .
                
                 For
                 hast
                 thou
                 been
                 an
                 Idolater
                 ,
                 or
                 Murderer
                 ?
                 
                 so
                 was
                 Ma●asseh
                 ,
                 yet
                 was
                 he
                 received
                 to
                 mercy
                 .
                 Hast
                 thou
                 been
                 a
                 Blasphemer
                 or
                 a
                 Persecutor
                 of
                 the
                 Saints
                 and
                 servants
                 of
                 God
                 ?
                 So
                 was
                 Paul
                 ,
                 and
                 yet
                 he
                 obtained
                 mercy
                 .
                 Hast
                 thou
                 been
                 a
                 
                   Filthy
                   ,
                   unclean
                   person
                
                 ,
                 wallowing
                 and
                 delighting
                 like
                 a
                 Sow
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 filth
                 of
                 sin
                 ,
                 and
                 mire
                 of
                 sinfull
                 filthiness
                 ?
                 So
                 did
                 
                   Mary
                   Magdalea
                
                 ,
                 and
                 many
                 of
                 the
                 Corinthians
                 ;
                 
                 yet
                 were
                 they
                 
                   washed
                   with
                   the
                   blood
                   of
                   Iesus
                   Christ
                   ,
                   justified
                   and
                   sanctified
                   .
                
                 Hast
                 thou
                 been
                 an
                 
                   Oppressor
                   and
                   Extortioner
                
                 ,
                 who
                 hast
                 got
                 thine
                 estate
                 by
                 over-reaching
                 thy
                 neighbours
                 ,
                 and
                 grinding
                 the
                 faces
                 of
                 the
                 poor
                 ?
                 So
                 did
                 Matthew
                 and
                 Zacheus
                 ,
                 who
                 yet
                 found
                 mercy
                 .
                 Why
                 then
                 is
                 there
                 not
                 hope
                 of
                 mercy
                 for
                 thee
                 ?
                 when
                 grace
                 hath
                 embraced
                 such
                 great
                 and
                 heinous
                 sinners
                 .
              
               
                 Q.
                 Wilt
                 thou
                 say
                 ,
                 thou
                 art
                 a
                 greater
                 sinner
                 than
                 any
                 of
                 these
                 forementioned
                 ?
              
               
                 A.
                 1.
                 
                 
                   This
                   is
                   scarce
                   credible
                
                 .
                 But
                 suppose
                 thy
                 sins
                 do
                 exceed
                 the
                 proportion
                 of
                 any
                 one
                 thou
                 canst
                 find
                 pardoned
                 
                 in
                 Scripture
                 !
                 yet
                 this
                 were
                 no
                 just
                 ground
                 of
                 despair
                 :
                 because
                 the
                 depth
                 of
                 Gods
                 mercy
                 was
                 never
                 yet
                 fathomed
                 ;
                 God
                 never
                 acted
                 his
                 mercy
                 so
                 far
                 ,
                 but
                 he
                 is
                 able
                 to
                 act
                 it
                 farther
                 .
                 Greater
                 sinners
                 ,
                 than
                 ever
                 yet
                 were
                 pardoned
                 ,
                 may
                 be
                 pardoned
                 .
                 And
                 therefore
                 though
                 thy
                 sins
                 were
                 more
                 and
                 greater
                 than
                 the
                 sins
                 of
                 others
                 ,
                 yet
                 there
                 is
                 hope
                 of
                 mercy
                 for
                 thee
                 ,
                 unless
                 by
                 thine
                 infidelity
                 thou
                 dost
                 exclude
                 thy self
                 from
                 the
                 same
                 .
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 Consider
                 that
                 there
                 was
                 no
                 more
                 in
                 
                   Manasseh
                   ,
                   Mary
                   Magdalen
                   ,
                   Paul
                   ,
                
                 nor
                 any
                 of
                 the
                 Saints
                 now
                 in
                 Heaven
                 to
                 move
                 God
                 to
                 have
                 compassion
                 on
                 them
                 ,
                 than
                 there
                 is
                 in
                 thee
                 .
                 
                 The
                 Apostle
                 saith
                 ,
                 
                   that
                   there
                   is
                   no
                   difference
                   ,
                   for
                   all
                   have
                   sinned
                   .
                
                 The
                 true
                 cause
                 of
                 any
                 mans
                 Regeneration
                 is
                 the
                 free
                 grace
                 ,
                 and
                 love
                 of
                 God.
                 For
                 saith
                 the
                 Apostle
                 ,
                 
                 
                   we
                   were
                   all
                   by
                   nature
                   the
                   Children
                   of
                   wrath
                   ,
                   even
                   as
                   others
                   .
                   But
                   God
                   who
                   is
                   rich
                   in
                   mercy
                   ,
                   for
                   his
                   great
                   love
                   ,
                   wherewith
                   he
                   loved
                   us
                   ,
                   even
                   when
                   we
                   were
                   dead
                   in
                   sins
                   ,
                   hath
                   quickned
                   us
                   .
                
                 And
                 immediatly
                 addeth
                 ,
                 
                   By
                   grace
                   ye
                   are
                   saved
                
                 .
                 Now
                 seeing
                 the
                 free
                 grace
                 and
                 love
                 of
                 God
                 is
                 the
                 true
                 cause
                 of
                 mans
                 Regeneration
                 and
                 Salvation
                 ,
                 why
                 shouldst
                 thou
                 imagine
                 there
                 is
                 less
                 love
                 in
                 God
                 for
                 thee
                 ,
                 than
                 there
                 was
                 for
                 them
                 ?
              
               
                 Obj.
                 5.
                 
                 Others
                 object
                 ,
                 they
                 fear
                 their
                 time
                 and
                 day
                 of
                 grace
                 is
                 past
                 and
                 gone
                 ,
                 having
                 long
                 stood
                 out
                 ,
                 and
                 rejected
                 many
                 offers
                 of
                 grace
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 it
                 is
                 now
                 too
                 late
                 to
                 seek
                 after
                 the
                 grace
                 of
                 God.
                 
              
               
                 A.
                 
                   To
                   this
                   I
                   answer
                   that
                   the
                   slighting
                   and
                   rejecting
                   the
                   many
                   offers
                   of
                   grace
                   ,
                   is
                   very
                   sad
                   ,
                   yea
                   an
                   heinous
                   sin
                   ,
                   which
                   calls
                   for
                   thy
                   deepest
                   sorrow
                   and
                   humiliation
                   .
                
                 This
                 made
                 our
                 Saviour
                 to
                 weep
                 over
                 Ierusalem
                 ,
                 because
                 they
                 neglected
                 the
                 day
                 of
                 their
                 visitation
                 .
                 But
                 yet
                 know
                 ,
              
               
                 1.
                 
                 Though
                 thou
                 hast
                 often
                 refused
                 and
                 rejected
                 the
                 offers
                 of
                 grace
                 ,
                 yet
                 is
                 not
                 thy
                 condition
                 hopeless
                 ,
                 in
                 that
                 it
                 is
                 not
                 the
                 sin
                 against
                 the
                 Holy
                 Ghost
                 ,
                 which
                 alone
                 cannot
                 be
                 pardoned
                 :
                 but
                 it
                 is
                 a
                 sin
                 ,
                 though
                 heinous
                 ,
                 yet
                 pardonable
                 .
                 Many
                 have
                 obtained
                 mercy
                 even
                 for
                 this
                 ,
                 
                 and
                 so
                 mayest
                 thou
                 ,
                 upon
                 thy
                 true
                 humiliation
                 and
                 repentance
                 .
                 For
                 such
                 is
                 the
                 mercy
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 as
                 he
                 both
                 can
                 and
                 will
                 pardon
                 even
                 sins
                 against
                 mercy
                 .
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 It
                 's
                 a
                 question
                 whether
                 there
                 be
                 any
                 Saint
                 on
                 Earth
                 or
                 in
                 Heaven
                 ,
                 who
                 before
                 their
                 closing
                 with
                 Christ
                 by
                 faith
                 ,
                 did
                 not
                 stand
                 out
                 against
                 ,
                 and
                 reject
                 many
                 of
                 his
                 gracious
                 invitations
                 ,
                 excepting
                 such
                 as
                 were
                 sanctified
                 from
                 the
                 Womb.
                 'T
                 is
                 the
                 Devil
                 that
                 puts
                 it
                 into
                 thy
                 mouth
                 to
                 say
                 ,
                 
                   I
                   have
                   slighted
                   many
                   offers
                   of
                   grace
                   ,
                   therefore
                   my
                   day
                   of
                   grace
                   is
                   past
                   and
                   gone
                   .
                
                 Do
                 we
                 not
                 see
                 by
                 daily
                 experience
                 ,
                 how
                 Christ
                 brings
                 home
                 some
                 to
                 himself
                 in
                 their
                 old
                 age
                 ?
                 who
                 questionless
                 in
                 their
                 youth
                 and
                 riper
                 years
                 turned
                 many
                 a
                 deaf
                 ear
                 to
                 his
                 gracious
                 invitations
                 .
                 And
                 that
                 Christ
                 is
                 still
                 willing
                 and
                 ready
                 so
                 to
                 do
                 ,
                 appeareth
                 by
                 this
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 continues
                 his
                 offers
                 of
                 grace
                 ,
                 though
                 formerly
                 neglected
                 .
                 
                   How
                   oft
                   would
                   I
                   have
                   gathered
                   thee
                   ?
                
                 
                 saith
                 Christ
                 of
                 Ierusalem
                 .
              
               
                 3.
                 
                 Christ
                 hath
                 several
                 seasons
                 of
                 Conversion
                 ,
                 and
                 Regeneration
                 ;
                 all
                 come
                 not
                 in
                 at
                 the
                 first
                 hour
                 of
                 the
                 day
                 ,
                 nor
                 at
                 the
                 sixth
                 hour
                 .
                 Christ
                 brings
                 home
                 some
                 to
                 himself
                 in
                 the
                 latter
                 end
                 of
                 their
                 lives
                 ,
                 who
                 have
                 all
                 the
                 former
                 part
                 slighted
                 and
                 rejected
                 his
                 gracious
                 invitations
                 .
                 And
                 therefore
                 he
                 will
                 have
                 them
                 often
                 renewed
                 ,
                 and
                 tendred
                 to
                 poor
                 sinners
                 ;
                 because
                 though
                 the
                 time
                 of
                 some
                 be
                 to
                 come
                 in
                 at
                 the
                 first
                 offer
                 ,
                 yet
                 the
                 time
                 of
                 others
                 is
                 to
                 come
                 in
                 upon
                 renewed
                 and
                 multiplyed
                 offers
                 :
                 so
                 that
                 often
                 renewing
                 thy
                 refusals
                 is
                 not
                 an
                 eternal
                 prejudice
                 .
              
               
                 4.
                 
                 If
                 thou
                 art
                 heartily
                 sorry
                 for
                 thy
                 former
                 refusals
                 ,
                 and
                 dost
                 now
                 unfeinedly
                 desire
                 to
                 close
                 with
                 Christ
                 ,
                 I
                 may
                 with
                 confidence
                 say
                 ,
                 thy
                 day
                 of
                 grace
                 is
                 not
                 past
                 .
                 For
                 those
                 affections
                 wrought
                 in
                 thee
                 by
                 the
                 Spirit
                 of
                 God
                 are
                 gracious
                 hints
                 that
                 he
                 intends
                 thee
                 good
                 ,
                 if
                 yet
                 thou
                 wilt
                 accept
                 .
                 Such
                 who
                 have
                 outstood
                 their
                 day
                 ,
                 are
                 usually
                 given
                 up
                 to
                 a
                 feared
                 Conscience
                 ,
                 and
                 reprobate
                 mind
                 ,
                 and
                 are
                 hurried
                 by
                 the
                 Devil
                 to
                 the
                 committing
                 of
                 all
                 manner
                 of
                 sin
                 and
                 wickedness
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 with
                 greediness
                 and
                 delight
                 .
              
               
               
                 5.
                 
                 Thou
                 who
                 fearest
                 thy
                 day
                 of
                 grace
                 is
                 past
                 ,
                 know
                 this
                 ,
                 that
                 if
                 thou
                 now
                 findest
                 in
                 thy self
                 a
                 willingness
                 to
                 abandon
                 thy
                 former
                 lusts
                 and
                 corruptions
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 become
                 a
                 new
                 creature
                 ;
                 to
                 cast
                 off
                 the
                 Devils
                 service
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 become
                 the
                 servant
                 of
                 the
                 Lord
                 Jesus
                 ,
                 thy
                 day
                 of
                 grace
                 is
                 not
                 past
                 .
              
               
                 6.
                 
                 It
                 is
                 evident
                 thy
                 day
                 of
                 grace
                 is
                 not
                 past
                 ,
                 because
                 the
                 Lord
                 hath
                 not
                 yet
                 given
                 over
                 to
                 strive
                 with
                 thee
                 .
                 Is
                 he
                 not
                 yet
                 woing
                 and
                 beseeching
                 thee
                 by
                 the
                 Ministry
                 of
                 his
                 Word
                 ,
                 by
                 the
                 motions
                 of
                 his
                 Spirit
                 ,
                 to
                 accept
                 of
                 the
                 reconciliation
                 purchased
                 by
                 the
                 blood
                 of
                 his
                 Son
                 ?
                 And
                 doth
                 not
                 Christ
                 himself
                 stand
                 knocking
                 at
                 the
                 door
                 of
                 thine
                 heart
                 ,
                 
                 telling
                 thee
                 ,
                 that
                 
                   if
                   thou
                   wilt
                   open
                   to
                   him
                   ,
                   he
                   will
                   come
                   in
                   and
                   sup
                   with
                   thee
                   ,
                   and
                   thou
                   with
                   him
                
                 ?
                 It
                 is
                 yet
                 the
                 acceptable
                 time
                 ,
                 and
                 day
                 of
                 Salvation
                 ,
                 if
                 thou
                 wilt
                 accept
                 ,
                 thou
                 maist
                 be
                 accepted
                 .
                 Say
                 not
                 foolishly
                 ,
                 
                   my
                   day
                   is
                   past
                
                 ,
                 but
                 prove
                 it
                 is
                 not
                 so
                 ,
                 by
                 coming
                 in
                 this
                 day
                 .
                 Harden
                 not
                 thine
                 heart
                 
                   this
                   day
                
                 ,
                 and
                 thou
                 shalt
                 find
                 God
                 will
                 not
                 harden
                 his
                 ear
                 against
                 thy
                 cry
                 .
              
               
                 7.
                 
                 Though
                 thou
                 hast
                 long
                 stood
                 out
                 ,
                 yet
                 know
                 that
                 God
                 will
                 not
                 presently
                 take
                 the
                 forfeiture
                 of
                 thee
                 :
                 neither
                 will
                 Christ
                 suddenly
                 take
                 his
                 advantage
                 against
                 thee
                 .
                 If
                 the
                 Lord
                 were
                 as
                 hasty
                 to
                 punish
                 sinners
                 ,
                 as
                 they
                 are
                 forward
                 to
                 commit
                 sin
                 ,
                 there
                 would
                 suddenly
                 be
                 an
                 end
                 of
                 all
                 .
                 And
                 if
                 Christ
                 should
                 be
                 as
                 forward
                 to
                 reject
                 sinners
                 ,
                 as
                 they
                 are
                 to
                 reject
                 him
                 ,
                 what
                 hope
                 of
                 mercy
                 were
                 there
                 ?
                 But
                 Christ
                 is
                 not
                 so
                 severe
                 ,
                 he
                 is
                 of
                 great
                 goodness
                 ,
                 and
                 of
                 great
                 patience
                 ,
                 he
                 makes
                 tenders
                 of
                 grace
                 and
                 peace
                 over
                 and
                 over
                 again
                 ,
                 and
                 waits
                 our
                 acceptance
                 .
                 In
                 which
                 respect
                 he
                 is
                 said
                 
                   to
                   stand
                   at
                   their
                   door
                   and
                   knock
                   .
                
                 
                 As
                 knocking
                 is
                 usually
                 a
                 repetition
                 of
                 strokes
                 ,
                 so
                 
                   standing
                   at
                   the
                   door
                   and
                   knocking
                   ,
                
                 implyeth
                 his
                 waiting
                 for
                 our
                 opening
                 .
              
               
                 Ah
                 sinner
                 ,
                 doth
                 Christ
                 continue
                 to
                 renew
                 his
                 offers
                 of
                 grace
                 and
                 mercy
                 unto
                 thee
                 ,
                 and
                 wilt
                 thou
                 thereupon
                 continue
                 to
                 refuse
                 them
                 ▪
                 know
                 assuredly
                 that
                 
                   though
                   renewed
                   offers
                   are
                   doubled
                   mercies
                   ,
                   yet
                   renewed
                   refusals
                   are
                   tr●bled
                   sins
                   ,
                
                 which
                 will
                 exceedingly
                 aggravate
                 thy
                 condemnation
                 .
              
               
               
                 I
                 speak
                 not
                 these
                 things
                 to
                 encourage
                 any
                 to
                 deferr
                 ,
                 and
                 put
                 off
                 their
                 turning
                 from
                 their
                 sins
                 to
                 farther
                 day
                 ,
                 upon
                 a
                 presumption
                 they
                 shall
                 have
                 mercy
                 at
                 last
                 .
                 Beware
                 of
                 that
                 madness
                 .
                 Thou
                 that
                 wilt
                 not
                 to
                 day
                 ,
                 thy
                 soul
                 may
                 be
                 in
                 Hell
                 before
                 to
                 morrow
                 .
                 But
                 I
                 speak
                 this
                 to
                 encourage
                 old
                 sinners
                 to
                 a
                 speedy
                 turning
                 .
                 Old
                 sinner
                 ,
                 it
                 is
                 the
                 last
                 time
                 with
                 thee
                 ,
                 for
                 ought
                 thou
                 knowest
                 ,
                 thou
                 art
                 just
                 come
                 to
                 thy
                 
                   Now
                   or
                   Never
                
                 .
                 And
                 two
                 things
                 I
                 would
                 speak
                 to
                 thee
                 .
              
               
                 1.
                 
                 It
                 's
                 a
                 great
                 doubt
                 whether
                 thou
                 who
                 hast
                 stood
                 it
                 out
                 so
                 long
                 wilt
                 come
                 in
                 now
                 ,
                 fear
                 and
                 tremble
                 ;
                 few
                 very
                 few
                 of
                 those
                 that
                 stand
                 it
                 out
                 to
                 the
                 last
                 hour
                 ,
                 do
                 come
                 in
                 at
                 the
                 last
                 hour
                 ,
                 yet
                 ,
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 If
                 thou
                 wilt
                 thou
                 maist
                 ;
                 if
                 in
                 this
                 thy
                 day
                 ,
                 thy
                 last
                 day
                 ,
                 thou
                 wilt
                 come
                 in
                 ,
                 thou
                 shalt
                 be
                 saved
                 .
              
               
                 Obj.
                 6.
                 
                 If
                 once
                 I
                 be
                 Regenerate
                 ,
                 and
                 become
                 a
                 new
                 creature
                 ,
                 I
                 shall
                 never
                 live
                 one
                 merry
                 day
                 more
                 :
                 then
                 farewell
                 all
                 delights
                 ,
                 and
                 pleasures
                 ;
                 for
                 the
                 life
                 of
                 a
                 godly
                 man
                 is
                 full
                 of
                 uncomfortableness
                 ,
                 and
                 sadness
                 .
              
               
                 A.
                 1.
                 
                 True
                 it
                 is
                 ,
                 every
                 Regenerate
                 man
                 ought
                 to
                 renounce
                 all
                 sinfull
                 delights
                 ,
                 to
                 bid
                 adiew
                 to
                 all
                 unlawfull
                 pleasures
                 :
                 which
                 in
                 truth
                 is
                 no
                 bondage
                 ,
                 but
                 rather
                 a
                 spiritual
                 liberty
                 .
                 The
                 bondage
                 of
                 a
                 Christian
                 is
                 in
                 being
                 a
                 servant
                 to
                 his
                 sinfull
                 lusts
                 :
                 and
                 his
                 liberty
                 in
                 being
                 delivered
                 from
                 them
                 .
                 The
                 Apostle
                 bewails
                 the
                 time
                 when
                 himself
                 ,
                 and
                 other
                 Saints
                 
                   were
                   foolish
                
                 ,
                 
                 
                   serving
                   divers
                   lusts
                   and
                   pleasures
                
                 .
                 And
                 reckons
                 it
                 amongst
                 the
                 prime
                 benefits
                 ,
                 they
                 received
                 by
                 the
                 grace
                 of
                 the
                 Gospel
                 ,
                 to
                 be
                 delivered
                 from
                 that
                 slavery
                 and
                 bondage
                 .
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 Though
                 every
                 Regenerate
                 man
                 ought
                 to
                 renounce
                 all
                 sinfull
                 pleasures
                 ,
                 and
                 delights
                 ,
                 yet
                 he
                 may
                 in
                 some
                 measure
                 enjoy
                 any
                 lawfull
                 pleasures
                 ,
                 which
                 the
                 Creature
                 affords
                 .
                 Yea
                 none
                 doth
                 or
                 can
                 enjoy
                 the
                 sweetness
                 of
                 the
                 Creature
                 more
                 ,
                 than
                 the
                 new
                 creature
                 .
                 For
                 he
                 hath
                 not
                 only
                 a
                 fleshly
                 palate
                 like
                 other
                 men
                 ,
                 whereby
                 he
                 relisheth
                 the
                 carnal
                 pleasure
                 which
                 the
                 Creature
                 affordeth
                 ;
                 but
                 he
                 hath
                 likewise
                 a
                 spiritual
                 
                 palate
                 whereby
                 he
                 tasteth
                 the
                 sweetness
                 and
                 goodness
                 of
                 God
                 in
                 the
                 Creature
                 .
                 So
                 that
                 this
                 Objection
                 is
                 a
                 meer
                 slander
                 ,
                 which
                 the
                 Devil
                 and
                 his
                 Agents
                 have
                 raised
                 to
                 fright
                 men
                 from
                 looking
                 after
                 grace
                 .
              
               
                 3.
                 
                 The
                 work
                 of
                 Regeneration
                 is
                 so
                 far
                 from
                 depriving
                 a
                 man
                 of
                 all
                 delights
                 and
                 pleasures
                 ,
                 that
                 there
                 are
                 unspeakable
                 delights
                 peculiar
                 to
                 the
                 Regenerate
                 :
                 they
                 have
                 dainties
                 which
                 their
                 spirits
                 feed
                 upon
                 ,
                 that
                 the
                 World
                 knows
                 not
                 of
                 ;
                 
                 
                   a
                   stranger
                   doth
                   not
                   intermeddle
                   with
                   their
                   joy
                   .
                
                 As
                 they
                 have
                 higher
                 ,
                 and
                 more
                 noble
                 principles
                 than
                 other
                 men
                 :
                 so
                 they
                 feed
                 upon
                 higher
                 and
                 more
                 noble
                 comforts
                 .
                 Their
                 comforts
                 are
                 spiritual
                 ,
                 administred
                 unto
                 their
                 souls
                 by
                 a
                 special
                 work
                 of
                 the
                 Holy
                 Ghost
                 ;
                 who
                 is
                 designed
                 by
                 the
                 Father
                 and
                 the
                 Son
                 to
                 be
                 
                   the
                   Comforter
                
                 ,
                 to
                 cheer
                 and
                 revive
                 the
                 spirits
                 of
                 his
                 servants
                 .
                 And
                 certainly
                 the
                 comforts
                 and
                 delights
                 which
                 he
                 conveyes
                 into
                 the
                 souls
                 of
                 the
                 Regenerate
                 ,
                 must
                 needs
                 be
                 soul-satisfying
                 ,
                 and
                 soul-ravishing
                 consolations
                 .
                 What
                 Blasphemy
                 is
                 it
                 to
                 affirm
                 ,
                 that
                 the
                 joyes
                 of
                 the
                 World
                 are
                 better
                 than
                 the
                 joyes
                 of
                 God
                 ?
              
               
                 Oh
                 how
                 sweet
                 and
                 delightfull
                 must
                 it
                 needs
                 be
                 to
                 know
                 ,
                 that
                 we
                 are
                 brought
                 out
                 of
                 the
                 state
                 of
                 nature
                 into
                 the
                 state
                 of
                 grace
                 !
                 that
                 we
                 are
                 the
                 Children
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 beloved
                 of
                 him
                 !
                 the
                 members
                 of
                 Christ
                 ,
                 and
                 dear
                 to
                 him
                 !
                 that
                 our
                 sins
                 are
                 pardoned
                 in
                 and
                 through
                 the
                 merits
                 of
                 his
                 bitter
                 death
                 and
                 passion
                 !
                 and
                 that
                 so
                 soon
                 as
                 our
                 earthly
                 Tabernacles
                 are
                 dissolved
                 ,
                 we
                 shall
                 have
                 a
                 building
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 an
                 house
                 not
                 made
                 with
                 hands
                 ,
                 eternal
                 in
                 the
                 Heavens
                 ;
                 and
                 there
                 raign
                 with
                 him
                 in
                 everlasting
                 bliss
                 and
                 happiness
                 !
                 Oh
                 what
                 a
                 comfort
                 must
                 it
                 needs
                 be
                 seriously
                 to
                 fix
                 our
                 thoughts
                 on
                 those
                 joyes
                 and
                 pleasures
                 ,
                 which
                 hereafter
                 we
                 shall
                 enjoy
                 at
                 Gods
                 right
                 hand
                 to
                 all
                 Eternity
                 !
              
               
                 Ah
                 sinners
                 ,
                 What
                 folly
                 then
                 hath
                 bewitched
                 you
                 to
                 think
                 it
                 greater
                 pleasure
                 to
                 live
                 in
                 foolish
                 sports
                 ,
                 and
                 fleshly
                 delights
                 ,
                 than
                 in
                 the
                 sense
                 of
                 Gods
                 love
                 ,
                 and
                 in
                 the
                 believing
                 thoughts
                 of
                 glory
                 ?
                 Did
                 you
                 but
                 
                 know
                 the
                 peace
                 and
                 the
                 comfort
                 ;
                 the
                 pleasure
                 and
                 the
                 joy
                 ,
                 which
                 springeth
                 from
                 the
                 apprehension
                 of
                 Gods
                 love
                 ,
                 and
                 walking
                 in
                 the
                 wayes
                 of
                 holiness
                 ,
                 you
                 would
                 soon
                 be
                 of
                 another
                 mind
                 ,
                 and
                 take
                 another
                 course
                 than
                 you
                 do
                 .
                 Much
                 good
                 may
                 do
                 you
                 with
                 your
                 crackling
                 thorns
                 :
                 walk
                 in
                 the
                 light
                 of
                 your
                 fires
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 sparks
                 which
                 you
                 have
                 kindled
                 :
                 make
                 the
                 best
                 of
                 your
                 present
                 pleasures
                 ,
                 till
                 that
                 vanity
                 and
                 vexation
                 ,
                 which
                 is
                 all
                 you
                 are
                 like
                 to
                 reap
                 from
                 them
                 ,
                 bring
                 you
                 to
                 a
                 better
                 mind
                 .
              
               
                 The
                 new
                 birth
                 is
                 the
                 very
                 beginning
                 of
                 a
                 life
                 of
                 peace
                 and
                 comfort
                 :
                 and
                 the
                 greatest
                 pleasantness
                 is
                 to
                 be
                 found
                 in
                 the
                 wayes
                 of
                 holiness
                 .
                 Would
                 you
                 but
                 make
                 enquiry
                 of
                 those
                 who
                 have
                 tryed
                 both
                 stares
                 ,
                 both
                 that
                 of
                 sin
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 of
                 grace
                 ,
                 they
                 will
                 tell
                 you
                 ,
                 that
                 their
                 first
                 state
                 was
                 a
                 state
                 of
                 trouble
                 and
                 misery
                 :
                 and
                 that
                 they
                 never
                 found
                 any
                 true
                 peace
                 and
                 comfort
                 in
                 their
                 souls
                 till
                 they
                 were
                 brought
                 home
                 to
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 came
                 to
                 be
                 acquainted
                 with
                 an
                 holy
                 life
                 .
                 Yea
                 that
                 they
                 have
                 enjoyed
                 more
                 sweetness
                 and
                 delight
                 in
                 one
                 hours
                 communion
                 with
                 God
                 ,
                 than
                 ever
                 their
                 flesh
                 brought
                 them
                 in
                 ,
                 in
                 all
                 their
                 lives
                 .
                 Solomon
                 who
                 had
                 experience
                 of
                 all
                 other
                 pleasures
                 ,
                 yet
                 saith
                 of
                 the
                 wayes
                 of
                 godliness
                 ,
                 
                 
                   Her
                   wayes
                   are
                   wayes
                   of
                   pleasantness
                   ,
                
                 even
                 soul-satisfying
                 pleasantness
                 .
              
               
                 If
                 you
                 will
                 not
                 believe
                 the
                 reports
                 of
                 the
                 people
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 yet
                 hearken
                 to
                 what
                 God
                 himself
                 speaketh
                 in
                 his
                 word
                 ,
                 
                 
                   Being
                   justified
                   by
                   faith
                   ,
                   we
                   have
                   peace
                   with
                   God
                   thorow
                   our
                   Lord
                   Iesus
                   Christ
                   :
                   and
                   not
                   only
                   so
                   ,
                   but
                   we
                   glory
                   in
                   tribulation
                   .
                
                 
                 And
                 saith
                 St.
                 
                   Peter
                   ,
                   Believing
                   ye
                   rejoyce
                   with
                   joy
                   unspeakable
                   ,
                   and
                   full
                   of
                   glory
                   .
                
                 And
                 the
                 Psalmist
                 often
                 calleth
                 upon
                 the
                 righteous
                 to
                 rejoice
                 ,
                 
                 
                   Rejoice
                   in
                   the
                   Lord
                   ye
                   righteous
                   ,
                   and
                   shout
                   for
                   joy
                   all
                   ye
                   that
                   are
                   upright
                   in
                   heart
                   .
                
                 And
                 saith
                 the
                 Apostle
                 ,
                 
                 
                   Rejoice
                   in
                   the
                   Lord
                   alwaies
                   ,
                   and
                   again
                   I
                   say
                   rejoice
                   .
                
                 Will
                 you
                 believe
                 God
                 ?
                 this
                 you
                 see
                 is
                 his
                 testimony
                 ,
                 that
                 true
                 joy
                 is
                 proper
                 to
                 the
                 Regenerate
                 ,
                 the
                 Children
                 of
                 God
                 are
                 the
                 only
                 heirs
                 of
                 joy
                 and
                 glory
                 .
              
               
               
                 Obj.
                 1.
                 
                 But
                 some
                 are
                 ready
                 to
                 object
                 and
                 say
                 ,
                 how
                 can
                 the
                 state
                 of
                 the
                 Regenerate
                 be
                 so
                 comfortable
                 ,
                 and
                 joyful
                 ,
                 when
                 as
                 none
                 are
                 more
                 afflicted
                 and
                 persecuted
                 than
                 they
                 ?
                 
                 
                   In
                   the
                   World
                
                 ,
                 (
                 saith
                 our
                 Saviour
                 speaking
                 to
                 his
                 Disciples
                 )
                 
                   ye
                   shall
                   have
                   tribulation
                
                 .
                 And
                 saith
                 the
                 Apostle
                 
                   All
                   that
                   will
                   live
                   godly
                   in
                   Christ
                   Iesus
                   shall
                   suffer
                   persecution
                   :
                
                 
                 which
                 made
                 Luther
                 to
                 say
                 ,
                 a
                 Christian
                 is
                 a
                 Cross-bearer
                 .
              
               
                 A.
                 1.
                 
                 True
                 it
                 is
                 none
                 are
                 more
                 afflicted
                 and
                 persecuted
                 than
                 they
                 :
                 but
                 their
                 afflictions
                 and
                 persecutions
                 do
                 not
                 alwayes
                 deprive
                 them
                 of
                 true
                 spiritual
                 joy
                 and
                 comfort
                 .
                 For
                 saith
                 the
                 Apostle
                 ,
                 
                   Being
                   justified
                   by
                   faith
                   we
                   have
                   peace
                   with
                   God
                   ,
                   and
                   we
                   rejoice
                   in
                   tribulation
                   .
                
                 And
                 saith
                 our
                 Saviour
                 ,
                 
                 
                   When
                   men
                   shall
                   revile
                   you
                   ,
                   and
                   persecute
                   you
                   ,
                   and
                   say
                   all
                   manner
                   of
                   evill
                   against
                   you
                   falsely
                   for
                   my
                   sake
                   ,
                   rejoyce
                   and
                   be
                   exceeding
                   glad
                   .
                
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 Gods
                 Children
                 in
                 and
                 under
                 great
                 afflictions
                 do
                 oft-times
                 feel
                 and
                 find
                 the
                 greatest
                 joy
                 and
                 comfort
                 .
                 
                   As
                   their
                   sufferi●gs
                   abound
                   ,
                   so
                   their
                   consolation
                   aboundeth
                   in
                   and
                   through
                   Christ.
                
                 
                 When
                 doth
                 a
                 Christian
                 stand
                 in
                 more
                 need
                 of
                 the
                 comforts
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 when
                 doth
                 he
                 enjoy
                 more
                 of
                 them
                 then
                 when
                 outward
                 comforts
                 do
                 most
                 fail
                 him
                 ?
                 When
                 David
                 was
                 sorely
                 distressed
                 ,
                 being
                 plundred
                 of
                 his
                 goods
                 ,
                 and
                 robbed
                 of
                 his
                 Wives
                 and
                 Children
                 ,
                 
                   he
                   encouraged
                   himself
                   in
                   the
                   Lord
                   his
                   God
                   ,
                
                 and
                 received
                 much
                 comfort
                 from
                 him
                 .
                 
              
               
                 Obj.
                 2.
                 
                 How
                 can
                 the
                 state
                 of
                 the
                 regenerate
                 be
                 joyful
                 ,
                 when
                 as
                 
                   the
                   grace
                   of
                   God
                   teacheth
                
                 ,
                 
                 
                   and
                   requireth
                   them
                   to
                   deny
                   all
                   ungodliness
                   ,
                   and
                   worldly
                   lusts
                   ,
                   and
                   to●
                   live
                   ,
                   as
                   godly
                   and
                   righteously
                   ,
                   so
                   soberly
                   in
                   this
                   present
                   World
                   ?
                
              
               
                 A.
                 1.
                 
                 True
                 it
                 is
                 ,
                 the
                 Regenerate
                 ought
                 not
                 to
                 live
                 according
                 to
                 the
                 course
                 of
                 the
                 World
                 ,
                 satisfying
                 their
                 own
                 carnal
                 lusts
                 and
                 pleasures
                 ,
                 but
                 according
                 to
                 the
                 strict
                 rule
                 of
                 Gods
                 Word
                 .
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 But
                 yet
                 this
                 strict
                 walking
                 is
                 no
                 hinderance
                 to
                 true
                 joy
                 ,
                 but
                 rather
                 a
                 furtherer
                 thereof
                 ;
                 which
                 made
                 the
                 Prophet
                 David
                 to
                 say
                 ,
                 
                 
                   Great
                   peace
                   have
                   they
                   who
                   love
                   thy
                   Law
                   ,
                
                 that
                 is
                 ,
                 they
                 shall
                 enjoy
                 much
                 peace
                 of
                 Conscience
                 ,
                 and
                 quietness
                 of
                 mind
                 .
                 It
                 is
                 said
                 of
                 the
                 primitive
                 
                 Saints
                 ,
                 that
                 
                   they
                   walked
                   in
                   the
                   fear
                   of
                   the
                   Lord
                   ,
                
                 
                 
                   and
                   in
                   the
                   comfort
                   of
                   the
                   holy
                   Ghost
                   ,
                
                 because
                 they
                 walked
                 in
                 the
                 fear
                 of
                 the
                 Lord
                 ,
                 therefore
                 they
                 found
                 the
                 joy
                 and
                 comfort
                 of
                 the
                 Holy
                 Ghost
                 .
                 
                   And
                   indeed
                   the
                   strictest
                   walking
                   hath
                   procured
                   the
                   swe●test
                   joy
                   :
                   and
                   the
                   loosest
                   walking
                   the
                   greatest
                   sorrow
                   .
                
                 Ask
                 the
                 people
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 whether
                 any
                 of
                 them
                 ,
                 have
                 ever
                 found
                 more
                 soul-re●oyci●g
                 ,
                 than
                 when
                 they
                 have
                 walked
                 most
                 closely
                 and
                 exactly
                 with
                 God.
                 Nay
                 I
                 dare
                 appeal
                 to
                 thine
                 own
                 Conscience
                 ,
                 whether
                 it
                 be
                 not
                 more
                 comfortable
                 to
                 serve
                 God
                 ,
                 than
                 the
                 Devil
                 ?
                 to
                 please
                 God
                 ,
                 than
                 to
                 gratifie
                 thy
                 sinfull
                 lusts
                 and
                 affections
                 ?
                 Dost
                 thou
                 make
                 nothing
                 of
                 the
                 joy
                 of
                 a
                 good
                 Conscience
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 sweetness
                 of
                 uprightness
                 and
                 integrity
                 ?
              
               
                 Obj.
                 3.
                 
                 Doth
                 not
                 daily
                 experience
                 tell
                 us
                 ,
                 that
                 many
                 Godly
                 Christians
                 ,
                 notwithstanding
                 their
                 close
                 walking
                 with
                 God
                 ,
                 live
                 very
                 uncomfortably
                 ;
                 their
                 spirits
                 are
                 heavy
                 and
                 sad
                 ,
                 and
                 they
                 are
                 oftner
                 in
                 tears
                 and
                 groans
                 than
                 others
                 .
              
               
                 A.
                 1.
                 
                 It
                 may
                 be
                 their
                 sadness
                 is
                 not
                 a
                 real
                 ,
                 but
                 a
                 seeming
                 sadness
                 ,
                 they
                 only
                 seem
                 to
                 be
                 sad
                 unto
                 wicked
                 and
                 prophane
                 men
                 ;
                 
                 
                   As
                   sorrowfull
                   ,
                   yet
                   alwayes
                   rejoycing
                   .
                
                 Where
                 the
                 Apostle
                 bringeth
                 in
                 the
                 sorrow
                 of
                 the
                 Godly
                 with
                 a
                 
                   quasi
                   ,
                   as
                   it
                   were
                   sorrowful
                   ,
                
                 not
                 that
                 it
                 is
                 sorrow
                 indeed
                 .
                 But
                 when
                 he
                 speaks
                 of
                 their
                 joy
                 ,
                 there
                 's
                 no
                 quasi
                 ,
                 but
                 true
                 joy
                 :
                 which
                 is
                 grounded
                 upon
                 so
                 sure
                 foundations
                 ,
                 viz.
                 
                   the
                   free
                   grace
                   of
                   God
                
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 
                   merits
                   of
                   Christ
                   apprehended
                   by
                   a
                   true
                   and
                   lively
                   faith
                   ,
                
                 that
                 it
                 continueth
                 for
                 ever
                 ,
                 and
                 never
                 utterly
                 vanisheth
                 away
                 .
                 When
                 the
                 Countenance
                 of
                 a
                 Christian
                 seemeth
                 sad
                 ,
                 there
                 is
                 many
                 times
                 much
                 peace
                 and
                 joy
                 in
                 his
                 heart
                 :
                 and
                 therefore
                 his
                 joy
                 is
                 called
                 
                   hidden
                   Manna
                
                 ,
                 
                 as
                 being
                 inward
                 and
                 secret
                 ,
                 to
                 which
                 worldly
                 men
                 are
                 meer
                 strangers
                 .
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 Though
                 their
                 sadness
                 be
                 real
                 ,
                 yet
                 is
                 not
                 their
                 godliness
                 the
                 cause
                 thereof
                 ,
                 no
                 more
                 than
                 the
                 Sun
                 can
                 be
                 the
                 cause
                 of
                 darkness
                 .
              
               
                 But
                 the
                 grounds
                 and
                 causes
                 of
                 a
                 Christians
                 sadness
                 are
                 these
                 ,
              
               
                 1.
                 
                 Haply
                 he
                 hath
                 lately
                 fallen
                 into
                 some
                 great
                 and
                 
                 heinous
                 sin
                 ,
                 and
                 if
                 so
                 ,
                 no
                 marvel
                 if
                 he
                 walk
                 sadly
                 and
                 uncomfortably
                 ,
                 till
                 he
                 hath
                 got
                 some
                 comfortable
                 evidence
                 of
                 the
                 pardon
                 and
                 forgiveness
                 thereof
                 .
                 For
                 guilt
                 makes
                 a
                 man
                 a
                 terrour
                 to
                 himself
                 .
                 
                 What
                 made
                 David
                 walk
                 so
                 heavily
                 ,
                 yea
                 roar
                 out
                 for
                 grief
                 ?
                 but
                 the
                 guilt
                 of
                 his
                 Adultery
                 and
                 Murther
                 .
                 What
                 made
                 Peter
                 go
                 out
                 and
                 weep
                 so
                 bitterly
                 ?
                 but
                 the
                 guilt
                 of
                 his
                 cowardize
                 in
                 denying
                 his
                 Lord
                 and
                 Master
                 .
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 Haply
                 he
                 hath
                 some
                 deep
                 apprehension
                 of
                 the
                 corruption
                 of
                 his
                 own
                 heart
                 ,
                 which
                 he
                 oft-times
                 findeth
                 working
                 and
                 stirring
                 in
                 him
                 .
                 This
                 made
                 Paul
                 to
                 smite
                 himself
                 upon
                 his
                 breast
                 ,
                 
                 and
                 cry
                 out
                 ,
                 
                   O
                   wretched
                   man
                   that
                   I
                   am
                   ,
                   who
                   shall
                   deliver
                   me
                   from
                   the
                   body
                   of
                   sin
                   and
                   corruption
                   !
                
                 Thou
                 thinkest
                 much
                 to
                 see
                 a
                 godly
                 man
                 walk
                 sadly
                 and
                 uncomfortably
                 .
                 Whereas
                 if
                 thine
                 eyes
                 were
                 but
                 opened
                 to
                 see
                 the
                 vileness
                 and
                 wretchedness
                 that
                 is
                 in
                 thine
                 own
                 heart
                 ,
                 thou
                 wouldst
                 presently
                 sink
                 down
                 in
                 dismal
                 sorrow
                 and
                 desperation
                 .
              
               
                 3.
                 
                 He
                 may
                 yet
                 be
                 in
                 the
                 travel
                 of
                 his
                 new
                 birth
                 ,
                 or
                 but
                 newly
                 delivered
                 ;
                 so
                 that
                 he
                 is
                 hardly
                 freed
                 from
                 the
                 spirit
                 of
                 bondage
                 .
                 And
                 therefore
                 no
                 marvel
                 that
                 he
                 still
                 walks
                 with
                 a
                 sorrowful
                 heart
                 .
                 But
                 this
                 sorrow
                 will
                 soon
                 end
                 in
                 full
                 joy
                 .
                 For
                 Christ
                 the
                 Sun
                 of
                 Righteousness
                 is
                 rising
                 upon
                 his
                 soul
                 with
                 healing
                 in
                 his
                 Wings
                 ,
                 who
                 will
                 dry
                 up
                 his
                 tears
                 ,
                 and
                 fill
                 his
                 heart
                 with
                 joy
                 .
              
               
                 4.
                 
                 Or
                 if
                 he
                 be
                 a
                 through
                 Convert
                 ,
                 yet
                 he
                 may
                 be
                 under
                 some
                 soar
                 temptation
                 from
                 the
                 Devil
                 ,
                 whose
                 main
                 design
                 is
                 to
                 keep
                 men
                 in
                 slavery
                 and
                 bondage
                 to
                 himself
                 ;
                 but
                 if
                 he
                 fail
                 therein
                 ,
                 then
                 his
                 next
                 design
                 is
                 to
                 weaken
                 their
                 comforts
                 .
                 And
                 therefore
                 so
                 far
                 as
                 God
                 will
                 give
                 him
                 leave
                 ,
                 he
                 will
                 be
                 sure
                 to
                 set
                 upon
                 them
                 with
                 his
                 fiercest
                 ,
                 temptations
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 cast
                 into
                 their
                 minds
                 many
                 Atheistical
                 and
                 Blasphemous
                 thoughts
                 :
                 the
                 venom
                 of
                 which
                 is
                 ready
                 to
                 drink
                 up
                 their
                 spirits
                 :
                 and
                 it
                 is
                 no
                 marvel
                 if
                 they
                 walk
                 uncomfortably
                 at
                 such
                 times
                 ,
                 for
                 joy
                 and
                 rejoycing
                 attends
                 not
                 the
                 combate
                 but
                 the
                 conquest
                 .
                 Think
                 not
                 the
                 worse
                 of
                 the
                 wayes
                 of
                 God
                 for
                 that
                 the
                 Devil
                 is
                 so
                 much
                 against
                 them
                 ,
                 and
                 straws
                 them
                 with
                 such
                 thornes
                 .
              
               
               
                 5.
                 
                 It
                 may
                 be
                 he
                 is
                 of
                 a
                 melancholy
                 constitution
                 ,
                 and
                 then
                 it
                 cannot
                 be
                 expected
                 he
                 should
                 walk
                 joyfully
                 .
                 For
                 joy
                 hath
                 no
                 greater
                 enemy
                 than
                 melancholy
                 .
                 And
                 know
                 ,
                 that
                 though
                 the
                 disposition
                 of
                 the
                 soul
                 is
                 changed
                 by
                 the
                 new
                 birth
                 ,
                 yet
                 not
                 the
                 constitution
                 of
                 the
                 body
                 .
              
               
                 6.
                 
                 It
                 may
                 be
                 God
                 hath
                 hid
                 his
                 face
                 ,
                 and
                 favour
                 from
                 him
                 ,
                 withdrawn
                 himself
                 in
                 respect
                 of
                 the
                 manifestation
                 of
                 his
                 love
                 to
                 his
                 soul
                 ,
                 so
                 that
                 he
                 doth
                 not
                 enjoy
                 that
                 comfort
                 which
                 he
                 was
                 wont
                 to
                 have
                 in
                 God
                 ;
                 and
                 if
                 so
                 ,
                 no
                 marvel
                 if
                 he
                 walk
                 heavily
                 and
                 uncomfortably
                 .
                 For
                 what
                 Christian
                 can
                 rejoice
                 when
                 God
                 deprives
                 him
                 of
                 all
                 sense
                 and
                 feeling
                 of
                 his
                 loving
                 favour
                 ?
                 and
                 shuts
                 up
                 those
                 sweet
                 streams
                 of
                 refreshment
                 which
                 were
                 wont
                 to
                 flow
                 into
                 his
                 soul
                 ?
              
               
                 Surely
                 the
                 chief
                 work
                 of
                 a
                 Christian
                 in
                 such
                 a
                 case
                 is
                 heartily
                 to
                 bewail
                 his
                 present
                 sad
                 condition
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 be
                 earnest
                 with
                 God
                 in
                 prayer
                 ,
                 
                   that
                   he
                   would
                   lift
                   up
                   the
                   light
                   of
                   his
                   countenance
                   ,
                   and
                   shine
                   in
                   comfortably
                   upon
                   his
                   soul
                   ,
                   that
                   the
                   bones
                   which
                   he
                   hath
                   broken
                   may
                   rejoice
                   .
                
              
               
                 Now
                 for
                 any
                 to
                 argue
                 ,
                 because
                 some
                 godly
                 men
                 have
                 ofttimes
                 occasion
                 of
                 sorrow
                 and
                 mourning
                 ,
                 therefore
                 the
                 lives
                 of
                 all
                 the
                 godly
                 are
                 full
                 of
                 sorrow
                 and
                 sadness
                 ,
                 is
                 a
                 very
                 absurd
                 and
                 false
                 kind
                 of
                 reasoning
                 ;
                 and
                 yet
                 this
                 is
                 the
                 reasoning
                 of
                 many
                 carnal
                 men
                 and
                 women
                 in
                 the
                 World.
                 Whereas
                 we
                 may
                 more
                 rationally
                 argue
                 ,
                 the
                 lives
                 of
                 all
                 carnal
                 and
                 prophane
                 men
                 to
                 be
                 uncomfortable
                 ,
                 because
                 all
                 the
                 causes
                 of
                 uncomfortableness
                 are
                 found
                 on
                 them
                 as
                 
                   guilt
                   of
                   sin
                   ,
                   death
                   in
                   sin
                   ,
                   enmity
                   against
                   God
                   ,
                   alienation
                   from
                   Christ
                   ,
                
                 and
                 therefore
                 lyableness
                 to
                 all
                 judgements
                 and
                 plagues
                 here
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 eternal
                 death
                 and
                 condemnation
                 hereafter
                 .
                 Surely
                 if
                 carnal
                 men
                 understood
                 themselves
                 throughly
                 ,
                 they
                 would
                 find
                 all
                 both
                 within
                 and
                 without
                 them
                 ,
                 like
                 Ezekiels
                 roul
                 ,
                 nothing
                 but
                 lamentation
                 ,
                 mourning
                 and
                 woe
                 .
              
            
             
               
               
                 CHAP.
                 XVII
                 .
                 The
                 second
                 branch
                 of
                 the
                 Vse
                 of
                 Exhortation
                 unto
                 the
                 Regenerate
                 .
              
               
                 HAving
                 done
                 with
                 the
                 first
                 branch
                 of
                 the
                 Use
                 of
                 Exhortation
                 unto
                 the
                 Unregenerate
                 :
                 Come
                 we
                 now
                 unto
                 the
                 second
                 which
                 concerneth
                 the
                 Regenerate
                 ,
                 and
                 consisteth
                 of
                 divers
                 heads
                 ;
              
               
                 1.
                 
                 
                   Admire
                   and
                   adore
                   Gods
                   special
                   mercy
                   and
                   goodness
                   in
                   thy
                   Regeneration
                   .
                
                 Let
                 thine
                 heart
                 be
                 ravished
                 with
                 the
                 consideration
                 of
                 his
                 love
                 to
                 thee
                 in
                 Christ
                 Jesus
                 ,
                 the
                 bottom
                 whereof
                 cannot
                 be
                 fathomed
                 by
                 any
                 Angel
                 in
                 Heaven
                 .
                 And
                 therefore
                 well
                 maist
                 thou
                 cry
                 out
                 ,
                 
                   Oh
                   the
                   heighth
                   ,
                   and
                   the
                   depth
                   ,
                   the
                   length
                   and
                   the
                   breadth
                   of
                   the
                   love
                   of
                   God
                   unto
                   thy
                   soul
                   !
                
                 If
                 David
                 upon
                 the
                 consideration
                 of
                 the
                 goodness
                 of
                 God
                 to
                 man
                 in
                 his
                 Creation
                 ,
                 
                 cryed
                 out
                 so
                 affectionately
                 ,
                 
                   Lord
                   what
                   is
                   man
                   that
                   thou
                   art
                   mindfull
                   of
                   him
                   ?
                   and
                   the
                   son
                   of
                   man
                   that
                   thou
                   visitest
                   him
                   ?
                
                 Surely
                 upon
                 the
                 consideration
                 of
                 Gods
                 mercy
                 unto
                 thy
                 soul
                 in
                 this
                 work
                 of
                 new
                 Creation
                 ,
                 hast
                 not
                 thou
                 cause
                 to
                 say
                 the
                 like
                 ,
                 
                   Lord
                   what
                   is
                   man
                   that
                   thou
                   art
                   mindfull
                   of
                   him
                   ?
                   and
                   the
                   son
                   of
                   man
                   that
                   thou
                   visitest
                   him
                   ?
                
                 Lord
                 what
                 am
                 I
                 among
                 the
                 Sons
                 of
                 men
                 ,
                 that
                 thou
                 shouldest
                 have
                 respect
                 to
                 me
                 ?
                 That
                 the
                 Lord
                 should
                 pluck
                 thee
                 as
                 a
                 brand
                 out
                 of
                 the
                 fire
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 should
                 take
                 thee
                 into
                 his
                 special
                 grace
                 and
                 favour
                 ,
                 when
                 he
                 left
                 many
                 millions
                 of
                 Men
                 and
                 Women
                 to
                 perish
                 in
                 their
                 sins
                 :
                 that
                 he
                 should
                 make
                 thee
                 an
                 heir
                 of
                 Heaven
                 ,
                 when
                 he
                 left
                 so
                 many
                 to
                 be
                 fire-brands
                 of
                 hell
                 :
                 that
                 thy
                 nature
                 should
                 be
                 renewed
                 and
                 sanctified
                 ,
                 when
                 others
                 are
                 left
                 in
                 their
                 filth
                 and
                 pollution
                 ,
                 hast
                 not
                 thou
                 unspeakable
                 cause
                 to
                 sit
                 down
                 and
                 admire
                 the
                 freeness
                 of
                 Gods
                 grace
                 ,
                 and
                 riches
                 of
                 his
                 mercy
                 towards
                 thee
                 ?
                 
                 Surely
                 nothing
                 but
                 free
                 Grace
                 hath
                 put
                 this
                 honour
                 upon
                 thee
                 ,
                 and
                 put
                 such
                 a
                 difference
                 between
                 thee
                 and
                 others
                 .
                 For
                 what
                 did
                 God
                 see
                 more
                 in
                 thee
                 than
                 in
                 others
                 ,
                 to
                 move
                 him
                 to
                 set
                 his
                 special
                 love
                 on
                 thee
                 ?
              
               
                 Oh
                 cast
                 thine
                 eyes
                 round
                 about
                 thee
                 ,
                 look
                 upon
                 thy
                 neighbours
                 ,
                 who
                 live
                 under
                 the
                 same
                 Ministery
                 ,
                 partake
                 of
                 the
                 same
                 Ordinances
                 as
                 thou
                 dost
                 ,
                 and
                 yet
                 never
                 felt
                 the
                 power
                 and
                 sweetness
                 of
                 them
                 in
                 their
                 souls
                 .
                 Let
                 the
                 abominable
                 wickedness
                 which
                 thou
                 daily
                 seest
                 in
                 others
                 ,
                 fill
                 thee
                 with
                 wonder
                 at
                 the
                 loving
                 kindness
                 of
                 the
                 Lord
                 to
                 thee
                 .
                 That
                 the
                 dew
                 of
                 his
                 free
                 Grace
                 should
                 fall
                 upon
                 thy
                 soul
                 ,
                 when
                 the
                 hearts
                 of
                 so
                 many
                 about
                 thee
                 should
                 be
                 dry
                 ,
                 not
                 having
                 one
                 drop
                 of
                 that
                 dew
                 upon
                 them
                 ,
                 is
                 not
                 this
                 a
                 mercy
                 to
                 be
                 admired
                 ?
                 Oh
                 consider
                 it
                 ,
                 and
                 adore
                 it
                 ,
                 and
                 say
                 ,
                 
                   Lord
                   ,
                   how
                   is
                   it
                   that
                   thou
                   shouldst
                   bestow
                   thy
                   grace
                   on
                   me
                   ,
                   and
                   deny
                   it
                   to
                   so
                   many
                   ,
                   who
                   in
                   many
                   respects
                   are
                   better
                   than
                   I
                   ?
                
              
               
                 That
                 thy
                 heart
                 may
                 be
                 the
                 more
                 raised
                 up
                 in
                 admiration
                 of
                 the
                 mercy
                 and
                 goodness
                 of
                 God
                 unto
                 thee
                 herein
                 ,
                 take
                 notice
                 of
                 the
                 manifold
                 priviledges
                 which
                 do
                 follow
                 and
                 accompany
                 such
                 as
                 are
                 Regenerated
                 .
              
               
                 1.
                 
                 
                   The
                   love
                   and
                   favour
                   of
                   God
                   wherewith
                   they
                   are
                   embraced
                   .
                
                 Love
                 is
                 weighty
                 and
                 falleth
                 downward
                 from
                 Father
                 to
                 Child
                 .
                 Yea
                 love
                 in
                 God
                 is
                 as
                 a
                 Fountain
                 and
                 spring-head
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 channel
                 or
                 pipe
                 in
                 and
                 through
                 which
                 it
                 runneth
                 ,
                 is
                 Christ
                 :
                 now
                 that
                 spring
                 continually
                 floweth
                 forth
                 through
                 that
                 pipe
                 to
                 every
                 Regenerate
                 person
                 .
                 Observe
                 the
                 love
                 of
                 earthly
                 Parents
                 to
                 their
                 Children
                 ,
                 how
                 great
                 ,
                 how
                 constant
                 it
                 is
                 :
                 withall
                 consider
                 how
                 far
                 God
                 exceeds
                 them
                 in
                 his
                 love
                 ,
                 even
                 as
                 far
                 as
                 he
                 doth
                 in
                 greatness
                 ,
                 which
                 is
                 infinitely
                 .
                 So
                 as
                 every
                 Regenerate
                 person
                 may
                 with
                 assurance
                 rest
                 on
                 the
                 love
                 of
                 God
                 his
                 Father
                 ,
                 which
                 cannot
                 be
                 but
                 most
                 sweet
                 to
                 the
                 soul
                 ,
                 and
                 exceeding
                 comfortable
                 .
                 For
                 in
                 Gods
                 fatherly
                 favour
                 consisteth
                 our
                 happiness
                 .
              
               
               
                 II.
                 
                   Union
                   with
                   Christ.
                
                 For
                 Christ
                 is
                 the
                 head
                 ,
                 and
                 by
                 Regeneration
                 we
                 are
                 his
                 members
                 .
                 The
                 Apostle
                 writing
                 to
                 the
                 Corinthians
                 ,
                 who
                 were
                 born
                 again
                 by
                 the
                 Spirit
                 ,
                 
                 saith
                 ,
                 
                   Now
                   are
                   ye
                   the
                   body
                   of
                   Christ
                   ,
                   and
                   members
                   in
                   particular
                   ,
                
                 meaning
                 of
                 the
                 mystical
                 body
                 of
                 Christ.
                 This
                 Union
                 of
                 the
                 Regenerate
                 with
                 Christ
                 ,
                 is
                 one
                 of
                 the
                 great
                 mysteries
                 of
                 our
                 Christian
                 faith
                 :
                 
                 and
                 it
                 is
                 a
                 Mysterie
                 of
                 an
                 unspeakable
                 comfort
                 and
                 consolation
                 .
                 For
                 by
                 vertue
                 of
                 our
                 Union
                 with
                 Christ
                 ,
                 
                   God
                   is
                   our
                   Father
                   ;
                   Christ
                   is
                   our
                   Brother
                   ,
                   and
                   our
                   Husband
                   and
                   Head
                   ;
                   Heaven
                   is
                   our
                   inheritance
                   :
                   Angels
                   are
                   our
                   attendants
                   and
                   guardians
                   ,
                   who
                   are
                   sent
                   forth
                   to
                   minister
                   for
                   them
                   ,
                   who
                   shall
                   be
                   heirs
                   of
                   Salvation
                   .
                
                 These
                 Angels
                 are
                 those
                 
                   Horses
                   and
                   Chariots
                   of
                   fire
                
                 ,
                 which
                 were
                 round
                 about
                 Elisha
                 :
                 and
                 which
                 are
                 also
                 round
                 about
                 every
                 member
                 of
                 Christ
                 in
                 all
                 their
                 dangers
                 ,
                 though
                 they
                 see
                 them
                 not
                 .
                 If
                 the
                 eyes
                 of
                 the
                 Regenerate
                 were
                 but
                 opened
                 to
                 see
                 their
                 glorious
                 attendants
                 ,
                 how
                 would
                 their
                 hearts
                 be
                 comforted
                 and
                 cheered
                 in
                 all
                 their
                 distresses
                 .
              
               
                 III.
                 Adoption
                 .
                 Such
                 as
                 are
                 Regenerated
                 are
                 thereby
                 the
                 
                   adopted
                   Sons
                   of
                   God.
                
                 Whereas
                 by
                 natural
                 propagation
                 they
                 were
                 the
                 
                   children
                   of
                   wrath
                
                 ;
                 by
                 this
                 Regeneration
                 they
                 are
                 the
                 
                   Children
                   of
                   grace
                
                 ,
                 being
                 translated
                 out
                 of
                 the
                 Family
                 of
                 Satan
                 into
                 Gods
                 own
                 Family
                 ,
                 and
                 in
                 and
                 through
                 Christ
                 they
                 are
                 made
                 the
                 adopted
                 Sons
                 of
                 God.
                 Oh
                 that
                 the
                 Lord
                 would
                 open
                 our
                 eyes
                 to
                 see
                 this
                 priviledge
                 !
                 
                 Behold
                 ,
                 saith
                 St.
                 
                   Iohn
                   ,
                   what
                   manner
                   of
                   Love
                   the
                   Father
                   hath
                   bestowed
                   on
                   us
                   ,
                   that
                   we
                   should
                   be
                   called
                   the
                   Sons
                   of
                   God.
                
                 The
                 Apostle
                 not
                 being
                 able
                 to
                 express
                 the
                 greatness
                 of
                 Gods
                 love
                 to
                 us
                 therein
                 ,
                 he
                 breaks
                 forth
                 into
                 an
                 admiration
                 thereof
                 .
                 And
                 truly
                 well
                 might
                 he
                 say
                 ,
                 
                   Behold
                   what
                   manner
                   of
                   love
                   the
                   Father
                   hath
                   bestowed
                   on
                   us
                   .
                
                 For
                 here
                 is
                 not
                 only
                 love
                 ,
                 but
                 
                   love
                   to
                   admiration
                
                 ,
                 that
                 we
                 vile
                 ,
                 wretched
                 ,
                 sinfull
                 creatures
                 ,
                 
                 who
                 were
                 
                   dead
                   in
                   sins
                   and
                   trespasses
                   ,
                   enemies
                   to
                   God
                   by
                   wicked
                   works
                   ,
                
                 yea
                 and
                 
                   children
                   of
                   wrath
                   as
                   well
                   as
                   others
                   ,
                
                 that
                 we
                 should
                 be
                 thus
                 advanced
                 in
                 and
                 by
                 Christ
                 ,
                 as
                 to
                 be
                 accounted
                 not
                 
                 only
                 servants
                 which
                 is
                 much
                 ;
                 nor
                 only
                 friends
                 which
                 is
                 more
                 ;
                 but
                 also
                 Sons
                 ,
                 and
                 consequently
                 heirs
                 ,
                 and
                 co-heirs
                 with
                 Christ
                 ,
                 which
                 is
                 most
                 of
                 all
                 .
              
               
                 IV.
                 
                   Christian
                   freedom
                
                 .
                 As
                 it
                 is
                 the
                 great
                 unhappiness
                 of
                 the
                 unregenerate
                 ,
                 that
                 they
                 are
                 in
                 a
                 state
                 of
                 vasalage
                 :
                 so
                 it
                 is
                 the
                 great
                 happiness
                 of
                 the
                 regenerate
                 ,
                 that
                 they
                 are
                 in
                 a
                 state
                 of
                 freedom
                 ,
                 being
                 freed
                 ,
              
               
                 1.
                 
                 
                   From
                   Satan
                
                 .
                 Though
                 not
                 from
                 the
                 assaults
                 and
                 temptations
                 of
                 Satan
                 ,
                 yet
                 from
                 
                   the
                   power
                   of
                   Satan
                
                 .
                 For
                 our
                 Saviour
                 Christ
                 by
                 his
                 death
                 hath
                 destroyed
                 
                   him
                   that
                   had
                   the
                   power
                   of
                   death
                   ,
                
                 
                 that
                 is
                 ,
                 
                   the
                   Devil
                
                 .
                 He
                 hath
                 now
                 broken
                 the
                 Serpents
                 head
                 ,
                 so
                 that
                 though
                 he
                 may
                 hiss
                 against
                 us
                 ,
                 yet
                 he
                 cannot
                 sting
                 us
                 :
                 though
                 he
                 may
                 assault
                 us
                 ,
                 yet
                 he
                 cannot
                 overcome
                 us
                 :
                 and
                 though
                 
                   he
                   goeth
                   about
                   like
                   a
                   roaring
                   Lion
                   ,
                
                 
                 
                   s●●king
                   whom
                   he
                   may
                   devour
                
                 ;
                 yet
                 Christ
                 hath
                 him
                 in
                 a
                 Chain
                 ,
                 and
                 he
                 cannot
                 go
                 one
                 link
                 thereof
                 farther
                 than
                 he
                 pleaseth
                 .
              
               
                 2
                 
                   From
                   si●
                
                 .
                 Though
                 the
                 Regenerate
                 are
                 not
                 freed
                 from
                 the
                 
                   in-being
                   of
                   sin
                
                 ,
                 which
                 doth
                 and
                 will
                 live
                 in
                 them
                 ,
                 so
                 long
                 as
                 they
                 live
                 in
                 this
                 World
                 :
                 yet
                 are
                 they
                 freed
                 both
                 from
                 the
                 
                   guilt
                   of
                   sin
                
                 ,
                 and
                 from
                 
                   the
                   power
                   and
                   dominion
                   of
                   sin
                   .
                
              
               
                 1.
                 
                 From
                 
                   the
                   guilt
                   of
                   sin
                
                 ,
                 that
                 is
                 ,
                 from
                 that
                 wrath
                 and
                 punishment
                 which
                 is
                 due
                 to
                 sin
                 :
                 so
                 that
                 none
                 of
                 our
                 sins
                 shall
                 be
                 able
                 to
                 condemn
                 us
                 .
                 For
                 Christ
                 as
                 our
                 Surety
                 ,
                 Saviour
                 and
                 Redeemer
                 ,
                 did
                 bear
                 all
                 our
                 sins
                 in
                 his
                 body
                 upon
                 the
                 tree
                 ,
                 and
                 there
                 offered
                 up
                 his
                 life
                 as
                 an
                 all
                 sufficient
                 Sacrifice
                 ,
                 and
                 full
                 satisfaction
                 to
                 Gods
                 justice
                 for
                 the
                 same
                 .
                 So
                 that
                 God
                 being
                 fully
                 satisfied
                 by
                 the
                 death
                 of
                 Christ
                 for
                 our
                 sins
                 ,
                 he
                 will
                 not
                 ,
                 nay
                 he
                 cannot
                 in
                 justice
                 require
                 satisfaction
                 again
                 from
                 us
                 .
                 Well
                 therefore
                 might
                 the
                 Apostle
                 make
                 this
                 bold
                 challenge
                 ,
                 
                 
                   who
                   shall
                   lay
                   any
                   thing
                   to
                   the
                   charge
                   of
                   Gods
                   elect
                   ,
                   seeing
                   Christ
                   hath
                   dyed
                   ,
                
                 and
                 by
                 his
                 death
                 fully
                 satisfied
                 Gods
                 justice
                 for
                 their
                 sins
                 ?
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 
                   From
                   the
                   power
                   and
                   dominion
                   of
                   sin
                
                 ;
                 which
                 cometh
                 to
                 pass
                 by
                 the
                 Spirit
                 of
                 Christ
                 conveighed
                 to
                 
                 them
                 ,
                 whereby
                 their
                 sins
                 are
                 in
                 some
                 measure
                 mortified
                 and
                 subdued
                 ,
                 so
                 that
                 they
                 do
                 not
                 rule
                 ,
                 nor
                 raign
                 in
                 them
                 as
                 formerly
                 .
                 
                   Sin
                   shall
                   not
                   have
                   dominion
                   over
                   you
                   ,
                
                 saith
                 the
                 Apostle
                 ,
                 
                   and
                   why
                   ?
                   because
                   you
                   are
                   not
                   under
                   the
                   Law
                   ,
                   but
                   under
                   grace
                   .
                
                 In
                 our
                 unregenerate
                 estate
                 ,
                 sin
                 had
                 not
                 only
                 
                   possession
                   of
                   us
                
                 ,
                 but
                 
                   dominion
                   over
                   us
                
                 ,
                 so
                 that
                 we
                 did
                 yield
                 a
                 willing
                 subjection
                 unto
                 the
                 command
                 of
                 sin
                 .
                 But
                 since
                 we
                 are
                 regenerated
                 by
                 the
                 Spirit
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 we
                 are
                 freed
                 ,
                 though
                 not
                 from
                 the
                 in-being
                 ,
                 yet
                 from
                 the
                 dominion
                 of
                 sin
                 .
                 So
                 that
                 though
                 sin
                 may
                 tyrannize
                 over
                 us
                 ,
                 yet
                 shall
                 it
                 not
                 raign
                 in
                 us
                 .
                 We
                 shall
                 not
                 yield
                 a
                 free
                 and
                 willing
                 obedience
                 to
                 the
                 command
                 thereof
                 .
              
               
                 This
                 is
                 the
                 great
                 comfort
                 of
                 Gods
                 Children
                 ,
                 that
                 though
                 sin
                 be
                 not
                 removed
                 ,
                 yet
                 it
                 is
                 subdued
                 .
                 Though
                 they
                 oftentimes
                 feel
                 the
                 workings
                 and
                 stirrings
                 of
                 corruption
                 in
                 them
                 ,
                 which
                 make
                 them
                 to
                 have
                 many
                 a
                 sad
                 heart
                 ,
                 and
                 wet
                 eye
                 ,
                 yet
                 are
                 they
                 freed
                 ,
                 through
                 Christ
                 from
                 the
                 
                   dominion
                   of
                   sin
                
                 .
              
               
                 3.
                 
                 
                   The
                   Regenerate
                   are
                   freed
                   from
                   the
                   Law
                   ,
                
                 not
                 only
                 from
                 the
                 Ceremonial
                 ,
                 and
                 Iudicial
                 Law
                 ,
                 which
                 were
                 peculiar
                 to
                 the
                 Jews
                 ,
                 and
                 dyed
                 with
                 the
                 decay
                 of
                 their
                 Common-wealth
                 ;
                 but
                 likewise
                 from
                 the
                 
                   Moral
                   Law
                
                 ,
                 (
                 which
                 concerns
                 all
                 men
                 ,
                 at
                 all
                 times
                 ,
                 in
                 all
                 places
                 )
                 yet
                 not
                 as
                 it
                 is
                 a
                 rule
                 of
                 Obedience
                 ,
                 and
                 Christian
                 walking
                 ,
                 for
                 so
                 it
                 still
                 remains
                 in
                 force
                 even
                 to
                 the
                 Children
                 of
                 God
                 even
                 after
                 their
                 Regeneration
                 ;
                 But
                 ,
              
               
                 1.
                 
                 
                   As
                   it
                   was
                   a
                   Covenant
                   of
                   works
                   ,
                
                 or
                 as
                 the
                 Covenant
                 thereof
                 was
                 works
                 .
                 We
                 are
                 not
                 absolutely
                 bound
                 to
                 such
                 rigour
                 ,
                 and
                 exactness
                 as
                 that
                 required
                 .
                 Indeed
                 we
                 ought
                 to
                 endeavor
                 after
                 the
                 most
                 perfect
                 obedience
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 be
                 humbled
                 for
                 our
                 defects
                 and
                 failings
                 therein
                 ;
                 but
                 not
                 to
                 despair
                 because
                 of
                 them
                 :
                 for
                 all
                 failings
                 not
                 allowed
                 are
                 pardoned
                 .
                 Besides
                 Christ
                 our
                 surety
                 hath
                 in
                 all
                 things
                 fullfilled
                 the
                 Law
                 ,
                 and
                 performed
                 perfect
                 obedience
                 thereunto
                 .
                 So
                 that
                 the
                 strictness
                 of
                 the
                 Law
                 being
                 fulfilled
                 by
                 our
                 surety
                 ,
                 it
                 s
                 not
                 expected
                 ,
                 that
                 it
                 should
                 be
                 performed
                 by
                 us
                 in
                 our
                 own
                 persons
                 .
              
               
               
                 2.
                 
                 We
                 are
                 freed
                 from
                 
                   the
                   Curse
                   and
                   condemnation
                   of
                   the
                   Law.
                
                 
                 Christ
                 ,
                 saith
                 the
                 Apostle
                 ,
                 
                   hath
                   redeemed
                   us
                   from
                   the
                   curse
                   of
                   the
                   Law
                   ,
                   being
                   made
                   a
                   curse
                   for
                   us
                   .
                
                 So
                 that
                 although
                 we
                 do
                 not
                 perform
                 it
                 in
                 that
                 exact
                 manner
                 and
                 measure
                 which
                 it
                 requireth
                 :
                 yet
                 our
                 transgressions
                 shall
                 not
                 be
                 imputed
                 to
                 us
                 to
                 condemnation
                 .
                 The
                 Law
                 may
                 condemn
                 the
                 actions
                 ,
                 but
                 not
                 the
                 persons
                 of
                 the
                 Regenerate
                 ,
                 it
                 hath
                 nothing
                 to
                 do
                 with
                 them
                 ;
                 
                 therefore
                 the
                 Apostle
                 saith
                 ,
                 
                   There
                   is
                   no
                   condemnation
                   to
                   them
                   which
                   are
                   in
                   Christ
                   Iesus
                   .
                
              
               
                 V.
                 
                   Provision
                   of
                   all
                   needfull
                   good
                   things
                   is
                   another
                   priviledge
                   of
                   the
                   Regenerate
                   ,
                
                 who
                 have
                 a
                 right
                 to
                 all
                 good
                 things
                 through
                 Christ
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 possession
                 of
                 all
                 things
                 God
                 seeth
                 good
                 for
                 them
                 .
                 It
                 is
                 observable
                 that
                 when
                 God
                 was
                 with
                 Israel
                 in
                 the
                 Wilderness
                 (
                 where
                 nothing
                 was
                 to
                 be
                 had
                 )
                 
                   they
                   lacked
                   nothing
                
                 .
                 
                 It
                 is
                 naturally
                 engrafted
                 into
                 all
                 Parents
                 to
                 provide
                 for
                 their
                 Children
                 :
                 what
                 then
                 can
                 they
                 want
                 who
                 have
                 God
                 for
                 their
                 Father
                 ?
                 who
                 as
                 he
                 is
                 all-sufficient
                 ,
                 so
                 a
                 most
                 loving
                 Father
                 to
                 his
                 Children
                 ,
                 whose
                 love
                 far
                 surpasseth
                 the
                 love
                 of
                 natural
                 Parents
                 to
                 their
                 Children
                 .
                 Art
                 thou
                 a
                 Child
                 of
                 God
                 by
                 Regeneration
                 ?
                 then
                 look
                 up
                 to
                 thy
                 Heavenly
                 Father
                 for
                 a
                 supply
                 of
                 all
                 good
                 things
                 .
                 
                   For
                   can
                   they
                   that
                   are
                   evill
                   ,
                   know
                   how
                   to
                   give
                   good
                   gifts
                   to
                   their
                   Children
                   ?
                
                 saith
                 our
                 Saviour
                 .
                 
                   And
                   shall
                   not
                   your
                   Heavenly
                   Father
                   give
                   to
                   you
                   the
                   things
                   whereof
                   ye
                   have
                   need
                   ?
                   He
                   feedeth
                   the
                   Fowls
                   of
                   the
                   air
                   ,
                   and
                   the
                   Beasts
                   of
                   the
                   Field
                
                 ;
                 and
                 he
                 that
                 is
                 carefull
                 to
                 provide
                 for
                 his
                 Hawks
                 and
                 his
                 Hounds
                 ,
                 will
                 he
                 suffer
                 his
                 Children
                 to
                 beg
                 and
                 starve
                 ,
                 who
                 must
                 one
                 day
                 be
                 his
                 heirs
                 ?
                 
                 Be
                 not
                 then
                 faithless
                 ,
                 but
                 believe
                 ,
                 and
                 say
                 not
                 ,
                 
                   What
                   shall
                   we
                   eat
                   ?
                   or
                   what
                   shall
                   we
                   drink
                   ?
                   or
                   wherewithall
                   shall
                   we
                   be
                   cloathed
                   ?
                   For
                   your
                   Heavenly
                   Father
                   knoweth
                   whereof
                   ye
                   have
                   need
                   ,
                   and
                   shall
                   relieve
                   you
                   .
                
              
               
                 VI.
                 
                   Acceptance
                   of
                   their
                   Services
                   though
                   full
                   of
                   weaknesses
                   ,
                   infirmities
                   and
                   imperfections
                   .
                
                 Natural
                 Parents
                 are
                 not
                 more
                 ready
                 to
                 accept
                 of
                 the
                 weak
                 Services
                 performed
                 by
                 their
                 Children
                 ;
                 than
                 God
                 is
                 to
                 take
                 in
                 
                 good
                 part
                 the
                 imperfect
                 services
                 of
                 his
                 Children
                 .
                 How
                 maimed
                 and
                 broken
                 are
                 our
                 prayers
                 many
                 times
                 !
                 yet
                 coming
                 from
                 a
                 broken
                 heart
                 they
                 find
                 acceptance
                 with
                 God.
                 Though
                 he
                 regardeth
                 not
                 the
                 glorious
                 works
                 of
                 hypocrites
                 ,
                 yet
                 he
                 graciously
                 accepteth
                 of
                 the
                 weak
                 Services
                 of
                 his
                 Children
                 done
                 in
                 sincerity
                 .
                 When
                 we
                 cannot
                 pray
                 with
                 that
                 affection
                 and
                 fervency
                 as
                 we
                 desire
                 :
                 yet
                 if
                 we
                 set
                 upon
                 it
                 with
                 an
                 honest
                 and
                 sincere
                 heart
                 ,
                 doing
                 it
                 in
                 obedience
                 to
                 the
                 command
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 with
                 a
                 desire
                 to
                 approve
                 our selves
                 unto
                 him
                 therein
                 ,
                 and
                 grieving
                 for
                 our
                 failings
                 and
                 imperfections
                 ,
                 God
                 will
                 overlook
                 our
                 failings
                 ,
                 and
                 crown
                 our
                 weak
                 endeavours
                 with
                 acceptance
                 .
              
               
                 VII
                 .
                 
                   Protection
                   from
                   things
                   hurtfull
                
                 ,
                 is
                 another
                 priviledge
                 of
                 the
                 Regenerate
                 .
                 They
                 are
                 here
                 subject
                 to
                 manifold
                 casualties
                 ,
                 and
                 contingencies
                 ,
                 from
                 which
                 the
                 Lord
                 in
                 mercy
                 protects
                 them
                 ,
                 keeping
                 Watch
                 and
                 Ward
                 for
                 them
                 .
                 
                 Yea
                 he
                 is
                 said
                 to
                 be
                 
                   a
                   wall
                   of
                   fire
                   round
                   about
                   his
                   people
                   .
                
                 A
                 wall
                 to
                 defend
                 them
                 ,
                 and
                 
                   of
                   fire
                
                 to
                 consume
                 those
                 that
                 rise
                 up
                 against
                 them
                 .
                 
                 
                   So
                   that
                   they
                   shall
                   not
                   be
                   afraid
                   of
                   evil
                   tydings
                   ,
                   for
                   their
                   hearts
                   are
                   fixed
                   trusting
                   in
                   the
                   Lord.
                
                 I
                 deny
                 not
                 but
                 the
                 Children
                 of
                 God
                 may
                 be
                 wronged
                 ,
                 oppressed
                 ,
                 spoiled
                 of
                 all
                 they
                 have
                 ,
                 and
                 unjustly
                 stain
                 ,
                 yet
                 in
                 all
                 these
                 shall
                 they
                 not
                 be
                 hurt
                 ,
                 for
                 
                   God
                   will
                   turn
                   all
                   to
                   their
                   good
                   .
                
                 Note
                 what
                 David
                 said
                 of
                 
                 Shimei's
                 cursing
                 him
                 ,
                 
                 
                   The
                   Lord
                   will
                   look
                   on
                   my
                   affliction
                   and
                   requite
                   good
                   for
                   his
                   cursing
                   this
                   day
                   .
                
                 
                 On
                 this
                 ground
                 the
                 
                   Hebrews
                   took
                   joyfully
                   the
                   spoyling
                   of
                   their
                   goods
                   .
                
              
               
                 VIII
                 .
                 
                   Support
                   under
                   all
                   afflictions
                   is
                   another
                   priviledge
                   of
                   the
                   Regenerate
                   .
                
                 For
                 God
                 is
                 present
                 with
                 them
                 in
                 all
                 their
                 afflictions
                 ,
                 supporting
                 their
                 weakness
                 with
                 his
                 might
                 ;
                 and
                 manifesting
                 his
                 greatest
                 power
                 in
                 their
                 greatest
                 impotency
                 .
                 Yea
                 though
                 sometimes
                 he
                 seems
                 to
                 leave
                 them
                 in
                 their
                 distress
                 ,
                 yet
                 he
                 giveth
                 such
                 sufficient
                 strength
                 as
                 they
                 are
                 thereby
                 enabled
                 to
                 bear
                 it
                 ,
                 and
                 well
                 to
                 pass
                 it
                 through
                 .
                 
                 This
                 is
                 evident
                 by
                 the
                 Apostles
                 holy
                 triumph
                 in
                 this
                 case
                 ,
                 
                   We
                   are
                   perplexed
                   ,
                   but
                   
                   not
                   in
                   despair
                   ;
                   persecuted
                   ,
                   but
                   not
                   forsaken
                   :
                   cast
                   down
                   ,
                   but
                   not
                   destroyed
                   .
                
                 The
                 ground
                 hereof
                 is
                 the
                 assistance
                 which
                 God
                 affordeth
                 us
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 strength
                 which
                 he
                 communicateth
                 to
                 us
                 .
              
               
                 IX
                 .
                 
                   All
                   things
                   shall
                   work
                   together
                   for
                   the
                   good
                   of
                   the
                   Regenerate
                   .
                
                 
                 And
                 
                   God
                   will
                   do
                   them
                   good
                   by
                   all
                   in
                   the
                   latter
                   end
                   .
                
                 
                 He
                 will
                 turn
                 their
                 losses
                 into
                 gain
                 ,
                 their
                 crosses
                 into
                 comforts
                 ,
                 their
                 sorrows
                 into
                 joy
                 ,
                 their
                 cursing
                 into
                 blessings
                 .
                 Those
                 afflictive
                 providences
                 which
                 seem
                 to
                 be
                 most
                 prejudicial
                 unto
                 them
                 ,
                 will
                 in
                 the
                 issue
                 prove
                 most
                 beneficial
                 .
                 As
                 we
                 see
                 in
                 
                   Ioseph
                   ,
                   The
                   evil
                   which
                   his
                   brethren
                   intended
                   against
                   him
                   ,
                
                 
                 
                   turned
                   to
                   his
                   good
                
                 .
                 Their
                 selling
                 him
                 as
                 a
                 slave
                 to
                 the
                 Ishmaelites
                 ,
                 proved
                 the
                 means
                 of
                 his
                 advancement
                 .
                 How
                 did
                 Ma●asses
                 imprisonment
                 work
                 for
                 his
                 good
                 ?
                 For
                 the
                 text
                 saith
                 ,
                 
                 
                   When
                   he
                   was
                   in
                   affliction
                
                 ,
                 he
                 
                   besought
                   the
                   Lord
                   ,
                   and
                   humbled
                   himself
                   greatly
                   ,
                   and
                   the
                   Lord
                   was
                   entreated
                   of
                   him
                   .
                
                 To
                 know
                 that
                 nothing
                 shall
                 hurt
                 a
                 child
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 is
                 ground
                 of
                 exceeding
                 great
                 comfort
                 and
                 consolation
                 .
                 But
                 to
                 be
                 assured
                 ,
                 that
                 
                   all
                   things
                   ,
                   even
                   all
                   cross-providences
                   shall
                   work
                   together
                   for
                   his
                   good
                   ,
                
                 is
                 enough
                 to
                 fill
                 the
                 heart
                 with
                 joy
                 .
                 Oh
                 then
                 how
                 great
                 is
                 the
                 happiness
                 of
                 every
                 Regenerate
                 person
                 !
                 who
                 may
                 be
                 assured
                 that
                 whatsoever
                 befalleth
                 him
                 ,
                 shall
                 be
                 for
                 his
                 good
                 ,
                 and
                 doth
                 work
                 together
                 for
                 the
                 best
                 .
                 Certainly
                 ,
                 he
                 may
                 truly
                 say
                 ,
                 
                   Soul
                   take
                   thy
                   spiritual
                   ease
                   ,
                   for
                   here
                   is
                   much
                   spiritual
                   good
                   treasured
                   up
                   for
                   thee
                   .
                
              
               
                 X.
                 
                   A
                   blessed
                   death
                
                 .
                 
                 For
                 so
                 saith
                 the
                 Spirit
                 ,
                 
                   Blessed
                   are
                   the
                   dead
                   which
                   dye
                   in
                   the
                   Lord
                
                 ;
                 that
                 is
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 faith
                 of
                 Christ.
                 Who
                 are
                 blessed
                 ,
                 both
                 because
                 then
                 
                   they
                   rest
                   from
                   their
                   labours
                
                 ,
                 from
                 all
                 their
                 toyl
                 and
                 pains
                 ,
                 from
                 all
                 their
                 griefs
                 and
                 sorrows
                 .
                 As
                 also
                 because
                 
                   their
                   works
                   do
                   follow
                   them
                
                 ,
                 through
                 free-grace
                 in
                 glorious
                 rewards
                 .
              
               
                 The
                 souls
                 of
                 the
                 Regenerate
                 ,
                 so
                 soon
                 as
                 they
                 are
                 by
                 death
                 separated
                 from
                 the
                 body
                 ,
                 go
                 immediately
                 into
                 Heaven
                 ,
                 as
                 is
                 clear
                 from
                 that
                 speech
                 of
                 our
                 Saviour
                 to
                 the
                 converted
                 thief
                 on
                 the
                 Cross
                 ,
                 
                 
                   This
                   day
                   thou
                   shalt
                   be
                   with
                   me
                   in
                   Paradice
                   ,
                
                 which
                 place
                 the
                 Apostle
                 expoundeth
                 
                 to
                 be
                 
                   the
                   third
                   Heaven
                
                 .
                 
                 The
                 word
                 in
                 the
                 Original
                 translated
                 ,
                 
                   this
                   day
                
                 ,
                 implyes
                 ,
                 that
                 immediately
                 after
                 the
                 breathing
                 of
                 his
                 soul
                 out
                 of
                 his
                 body
                 ,
                 
                 his
                 soul
                 should
                 go
                 to
                 Heaven
                 .
                 And
                 thus
                 it
                 is
                 with
                 all
                 the
                 Regenerate
                 ,
                 unto
                 whom
                 death
                 is
                 like
                 the
                 red-Sea
                 to
                 the
                 Israelites
                 ,
                 even
                 a
                 passage
                 ,
                 and
                 thorow-fair
                 into
                 the
                 Heavenly
                 Canaan
                 .
              
               
                 XI
                 .
                 
                   An
                   happy
                   Resurrection
                
                 .
                 For
                 at
                 the
                 sound
                 of
                 the
                 last
                 Trumpet
                 all
                 the
                 Regenerate
                 shall
                 arise
                 out
                 of
                 their
                 graves
                 ,
                 like
                 so
                 many
                 Iosephs
                 out
                 of
                 Prison
                 .
                 Whatsoever
                 imperfections
                 were
                 before
                 in
                 their
                 bodies
                 (
                 as
                 blindness
                 ,
                 lameness
                 ,
                 crookedness
                 )
                 shall
                 then
                 be
                 done
                 away
                 .
                 Though
                 the
                 body
                 was
                 
                   sowen
                   in
                   corruption
                
                 ,
                 yet
                 it
                 shall
                 be
                 raised
                 
                   in
                   incorruption
                
                 ,
                 
                 not
                 to
                 be
                 subject
                 to
                 any
                 manner
                 of
                 aches
                 ,
                 pains
                 ,
                 diseases
                 ,
                 or
                 imperfections
                 .
                 Though
                 it
                 were
                 
                   sowen
                   in
                   weakness
                
                 ,
                 it
                 shall
                 be
                 raised
                 
                   in
                   power
                
                 .
                 And
                 though
                 it
                 was
                 
                   sowen
                   in
                   dishonour
                   ,
                   it
                   shall
                   be
                   raised
                   in
                   glory
                   .
                
                 Here
                 it
                 is
                 many
                 times
                 deformed
                 ,
                 but
                 then
                 all
                 deformities
                 and
                 defects
                 shall
                 be
                 removed
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 body
                 made
                 more
                 glorious
                 ,
                 through
                 the
                 admirable
                 beauty
                 thereof
                 .
                 Certainly
                 if
                 the
                 Beauty
                 of
                 all
                 the
                 Men
                 and
                 Women
                 in
                 the
                 World
                 were
                 concentred
                 in
                 one
                 ,
                 it
                 would
                 be
                 far
                 short
                 of
                 the
                 Beauty
                 of
                 the
                 Saints
                 in
                 Heaven
                 ,
                 whose
                 bodies
                 shall
                 shine
                 more
                 gloriously
                 than
                 the
                 Sun
                 in
                 the
                 Firmament
                 .
              
               
                 XII
                 .
                 The
                 last
                 and
                 highest
                 priviledge
                 of
                 the
                 Regenerate
                 is
                 ,
                 
                   That
                   they
                   shall
                   have
                   an
                   Heavenly
                   inheritance
                   .
                
                 Fathers
                 on
                 earth
                 use
                 to
                 provide
                 inheritances
                 for
                 their
                 Children
                 .
                 
                 And
                 the
                 Apost●e
                 
                   Peter
                   ,
                   Blesseth
                   God
                   ,
                   who
                   hath
                   begotten
                   us
                   to
                   an
                   inheritance
                   incorruptible
                   ,
                   and
                   undefiled
                   ,
                   and
                   that
                   fadeth
                   not
                   away
                   ,
                   reserved
                   in
                   Heaven
                   .
                
                 The
                 Regenerate
                 in
                 this
                 life
                 poss●ss
                 Heaven
                 in
                 Christ
                 ,
                 
                 but
                 hereafter
                 they
                 shall
                 enjoy
                 it
                 in
                 their
                 own
                 persons
                 .
                 When
                 they
                 come
                 to
                 enjoy
                 this
                 heavenly
                 inheritance
                 ,
                 they
                 shall
                 not
                 only
                 be
                 freed
                 from
                 all
                 evils
                 ,
                 both
                 bodily
                 and
                 spiritual
                 :
                 but
                 likewise
                 replenished
                 with
                 all
                 good
                 .
                 Their
                 minds
                 shall
                 be
                 inlightned
                 ,
                 their
                 wills
                 reformed
                 ,
                 their
                 memories
                 made
                 blessed
                 treasures
                 ,
                 their
                 consciences
                 purged
                 ,
                 their
                 hearts
                 purified
                 ,
                 their
                 affections
                 rectified
                 ,
                 
                 their
                 bodies
                 glorified
                 ,
                 and
                 all
                 these
                 perfectly
                 .
                 There
                 shall
                 be
                 a
                 blessed
                 communion
                 of
                 all
                 the
                 Saints
                 together
                 ,
                 who
                 shall
                 enjoy
                 the
                 society
                 of
                 Angels
                 ,
                 and
                 fellowship
                 with
                 Christ
                 himself
                 ,
                 whose
                 surpassing
                 excellency
                 they
                 shall
                 cleerly
                 behold
                 ,
                 and
                 partake
                 of
                 that
                 glory
                 wherewith
                 he
                 is
                 arrayed
                 .
                 What
                 tongue
                 can
                 express
                 ?
                 what
                 heart
                 can
                 conceive
                 the
                 excellency
                 thereof
                 ?
              
               
                 If
                 
                   Peter
                   ,
                   Iames
                
                 and
                 Iohn
                 seeing
                 but
                 some
                 small
                 glimpse
                 of
                 Christs
                 glory
                 and
                 Majesty
                 in
                 his
                 transfiguration
                 ,
                 were
                 so
                 ravished
                 therewith
                 ,
                 that
                 setting
                 aside
                 all
                 worldly
                 desires
                 ,
                 they
                 wished
                 only
                 the
                 continuance
                 thereof
                 .
                 Then
                 how
                 shall
                 the
                 Saints
                 in
                 Heaven
                 be
                 ravished
                 with
                 joy
                 and
                 comfort
                 ,
                 when
                 they
                 shall
                 continually
                 behold
                 their
                 Saviour
                 Jesus
                 Christ
                 sitting
                 at
                 the
                 right
                 hand
                 of
                 his
                 Father
                 ,
                 like
                 a
                 triumphant
                 Conquerour
                 ,
                 having
                 subdued
                 his
                 ,
                 and
                 his
                 Churches
                 enemies
                 .
              
               
                 Thus
                 have
                 I
                 shewed
                 you
                 some
                 of
                 the
                 glorious
                 priviledges
                 of
                 the
                 Regenerate
                 .
                 Oh
                 happy
                 day
                 may
                 that
                 Man
                 or
                 Woman
                 say
                 ,
                 as
                 long
                 as
                 they
                 live
                 ,
                 when
                 God
                 by
                 his
                 Spirit
                 Regenerated
                 them
                 ,
                 and
                 made
                 them
                 new
                 creatures
                 !
                 Many
                 keep
                 their
                 
                   birth
                   day
                
                 ,
                 as
                 a
                 day
                 of
                 rejoycing
                 and
                 feasting
                 .
                 But
                 they
                 who
                 know
                 the
                 day
                 of
                 their
                 new-birth
                 ,
                 may
                 well
                 make
                 that
                 a
                 day
                 of
                 rejoycing
                 while
                 they
                 live
                 ,
                 in
                 regard
                 of
                 the
                 many
                 glorious
                 priviledges
                 whereof
                 they
                 are
                 thereby
                 partakers
                 .
              
            
             
               
               
                 CHAP.
                 XVIII
                 .
                 An
                 Exhortation
                 to
                 bless
                 God
                 for
                 the
                 work
                 of
                 Regeneration
                 .
                 And
                 to
                 walk
                 worthy
                 thereof
                 .
              
               
                 II.
                 A
                 Second
                 branch
                 of
                 the
                 Use
                 of
                 Exhortation
                 unto
                 the
                 Regenerate
                 ,
                 is
                 
                   To
                   be
                   thankfull
                   unto
                   God
                   for
                   this
                   great
                   mercy
                   .
                
                 Admire
                 the
                 grace
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 bless
                 his
                 name
                 for
                 ever
                 .
                 Art
                 thou
                 made
                 alive
                 ?
                 Is
                 the
                 life
                 of
                 God
                 begotten
                 in
                 thee
                 ?
                 And
                 hast
                 thou
                 evidence
                 of
                 it
                 ?
                 O
                 bless
                 God
                 whilest
                 ▪
                 thou
                 hast
                 any
                 being
                 .
                 Let
                 thine
                 heart
                 and
                 mouth
                 and
                 life
                 be
                 filled
                 with
                 his
                 Praises
                 .
                 Take
                 up
                 the
                 Psalmists
                 words
                 ,
                 
                 
                   Bless
                   the
                   Lord
                   O
                   my
                   soul
                   ,
                   and
                   all
                   that
                   is
                   within
                   me
                   ,
                   bless
                   his
                   holy
                   name
                   :
                   Bless
                   the
                   Lord
                   O
                   my
                   soul
                   ,
                   and
                   forget
                   not
                   all
                   his
                   benefits
                   .
                
                 Wilt
                 thou
                 be
                 thankfull
                 unto
                 God
                 for
                 thy
                 
                   natural
                   birth
                
                 ?
                 And
                 wilt
                 not
                 thou
                 be
                 thankfull
                 to
                 him
                 for
                 thy
                 
                   spiritual
                   birth
                
                 ?
                 wilt
                 thou
                 bless
                 him
                 for
                 that
                 he
                 hath
                 made
                 thee
                 a
                 
                   reasonable
                   creature
                
                 ?
                 And
                 wilt
                 thou
                 not
                 bless
                 him
                 for
                 making
                 thee
                 a
                 new-creature
                 ?
                 wilt
                 thou
                 bless
                 him
                 that
                 thou
                 art
                 not
                 a
                 Toad
                 ?
                 And
                 wilt
                 thou
                 not
                 bless
                 him
                 ,
                 that
                 thou
                 art
                 not
                 a
                 Devil
                 ?
                 Is
                 not
                 Regeneration
                 of
                 all
                 mercies
                 the
                 most
                 necessary
                 ?
                 And
                 wilt
                 not
                 thou
                 be
                 thankfull
                 for
                 that
                 which
                 is
                 the
                 
                   one
                   thing
                   necessary
                
                 ?
                 If
                 the
                 Children
                 of
                 Israel
                 praised
                 God
                 for
                 their
                 deliverance
                 from
                 the
                 Aegyptian
                 bondage
                 ;
                 how
                 much
                 more
                 cause
                 hast
                 thou
                 to
                 praise
                 and
                 magnifie
                 the
                 name
                 of
                 God
                 for
                 thy
                 deliverance
                 from
                 a
                 greater
                 than
                 Aegyptian
                 bondage
                 ?
                 It
                 being
                 a
                 deliverance
                 from
                 Satan
                 ,
                 the
                 worst
                 of
                 all
                 Tyrants
                 :
                 from
                 hell
                 ,
                 of
                 all
                 prisons
                 the
                 most
                 loathsome
                 :
                 yea
                 from
                 
                   sin
                   ,
                   death
                
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 
                   curse
                   of
                   the
                   Law.
                
                 
              
               
               
                 The
                 more
                 to
                 stirr
                 up
                 thy self
                 to
                 this
                 duty
                 of
                 thanksgiving
                 for
                 this
                 mercy
                 ,
              
               
                 1.
                 
                 
                   Consider
                   the
                   specialty
                   of
                   Gods
                   love
                   ,
                   and
                   goodness
                   unto
                   thee
                   therein
                   ,
                   in
                   singling
                   thee
                   out
                   from
                   the
                   multitudes
                   that
                   perish
                   ,
                   and
                   setting
                   thee
                   apart
                   for
                   life
                   ,
                
                 Hath
                 he
                 dealt
                 by
                 all
                 ,
                 as
                 he
                 hath
                 dealt
                 by
                 thee
                 ?
                 Oh
                 how
                 many
                 millions
                 of
                 Men
                 and
                 Women
                 hath
                 he
                 suffered
                 to
                 live
                 and
                 dy
                 in
                 their
                 sins
                 ,
                 when
                 thy
                 soul
                 liveth
                 ?
                 How
                 many
                 for
                 birth
                 more
                 noble
                 ,
                 for
                 policy
                 more
                 wise
                 ,
                 for
                 riches
                 more
                 wealthy
                 ,
                 are
                 let
                 run
                 in
                 their
                 sins
                 ,
                 till
                 they
                 fall
                 into
                 wrath
                 ,
                 when
                 thou
                 art
                 escaped
                 ?
                 when
                 thou
                 considerest
                 that
                 he
                 should
                 pass
                 by
                 them
                 ,
                 and
                 set
                 his
                 special
                 love
                 upon
                 thee
                 ,
                 if
                 this
                 do
                 not
                 fill
                 thee
                 with
                 love
                 ,
                 and
                 with
                 praises
                 ,
                 the
                 very
                 stones
                 may
                 cry
                 out
                 against
                 thee
                 .
                 The
                 Psalmist
                 speaketh
                 of
                 it
                 as
                 a
                 great
                 mercy
                 to
                 a
                 godly
                 man
                 ,
                 that
                 in
                 a
                 time
                 of
                 Plague
                 and
                 Pestilence
                 
                   a
                   thousand
                   should
                   fall
                   on
                   his
                   right
                   hand
                   ,
                
                 
                 
                   and
                   on
                   his
                   left
                   ,
                   and
                   yet
                   it
                   should
                   not
                   come
                   nigh
                   him
                   .
                
                 But
                 what
                 is
                 that
                 to
                 this
                 mercy
                 ,
                 that
                 many
                 thousands
                 should
                 fall
                 into
                 hell
                 on
                 thy
                 right
                 hand
                 ,
                 and
                 on
                 thy
                 left
                 ,
                 and
                 yet
                 thou
                 preserved
                 ?
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 
                   Consider
                   how
                   sad
                   thy
                   condition
                   was
                   before
                   thy
                   Regeneration
                   ,
                
                 being
                 a
                 Child
                 of
                 wrath
                 ,
                 a
                 bondslave
                 of
                 Satan
                 ,
                 and
                 an
                 heir
                 to
                 hell
                 .
                 And
                 then
                 compare
                 it
                 with
                 thy
                 present
                 state
                 .
                 Behold
                 of
                 
                   a
                   child
                   of
                   wrath
                
                 ,
                 thou
                 art
                 made
                 
                   a
                   Son
                   of
                   God
                
                 :
                 of
                 a
                 
                   slave
                   of
                   Satan
                
                 ,
                 thou
                 art
                 become
                 
                   Christs
                   freeman
                
                 :
                 of
                 an
                 
                   heir
                   of
                   hell
                   and
                   damnation
                
                 ,
                 an
                 
                   heir
                   to
                   Heaven
                   ,
                   and
                   salvation
                   .
                
                 And
                 doth
                 not
                 this
                 call
                 for
                 thankfulness
                 ?
              
               
                 3.
                 
                 
                   Consider
                   that
                   this
                   mercy
                   is
                   unspeakably
                   greater
                   than
                   all
                   other
                   mercies
                   in
                   the
                   World.
                
                 This
                 new
                 birth
                 makes
                 a
                 man
                 an
                 
                   ho●ourable
                   person
                
                 ,
                 one
                 of
                 the
                 royal
                 seed
                 ,
                 a
                 King
                 and
                 Priest
                 to
                 God.
                 This
                 makes
                 him
                 
                   a
                   rich
                   man
                
                 ;
                 the
                 least
                 degree
                 of
                 this
                 grace
                 is
                 better
                 than
                 all
                 the
                 wealth
                 in
                 the
                 World
                 :
                 this
                 is
                 the
                 true
                 riches
                 ,
                 the
                 durable
                 riches
                 ,
                 a
                 treasure
                 that
                 faileth
                 not
                 ,
                 nor
                 can
                 it
                 be
                 valued
                 .
                 This
                 makes
                 him
                 
                   a
                   joyfull
                   man
                
                 :
                 there
                 's
                 joy
                 in
                 Heaven
                 at
                 thy
                 conversion
                 ,
                 and
                 a
                 foundation
                 of
                 everlasting
                 joy
                 laid
                 in
                 thine
                 own
                 soul
                 :
                 thou
                 maist
                 rejoyce
                 ,
                 its
                 meet
                 
                 that
                 thou
                 make
                 merry
                 ,
                 for
                 this
                 thy
                 soul
                 was
                 dead
                 ,
                 and
                 is
                 alive
                 ;
                 was
                 lost
                 ,
                 and
                 is
                 found
                 .
                 Theodosius
                 gave
                 God
                 greater
                 thanks
                 that
                 he
                 had
                 made
                 him
                 a
                 
                   member
                   of
                   the
                   Church
                
                 ,
                 than
                 
                   head
                   of
                   the
                   Empire
                
                 .
                 So
                 bless
                 God
                 more
                 for
                 this
                 mercy
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 hath
                 made
                 thee
                 a
                 member
                 of
                 Christ
                 ,
                 than
                 if
                 he
                 had
                 made
                 thee
                 an
                 heir
                 of
                 all
                 the
                 Earth
                 .
              
               
                 What
                 though
                 God
                 hath
                 not
                 abounded
                 to
                 thee
                 in
                 outward
                 honours
                 and
                 estate
                 ;
                 yet
                 if
                 he
                 hath
                 abounded
                 to
                 thee
                 in
                 grace
                 ,
                 this
                 alone
                 will
                 be
                 matter
                 of
                 eternal
                 praises
                 .
                 Luther
                 hath
                 a
                 notable
                 story
                 which
                 may
                 be
                 useful
                 to
                 this
                 purpose
                 ,
                 In
                 the
                 time
                 of
                 the
                 Council
                 of
                 Constance
                 ,
                 he
                 tells
                 us
                 there
                 were
                 two
                 Cardinals
                 riding
                 to
                 the
                 Council
                 :
                 and
                 in
                 their
                 journey
                 they
                 saw
                 a
                 Shepheard
                 in
                 the
                 field
                 weeping
                 .
                 One
                 of
                 them
                 pittying
                 him
                 ,
                 could
                 not
                 but
                 ask
                 him
                 ,
                 why
                 he
                 wept
                 ?
                 At
                 first
                 he
                 seemed
                 loth
                 to
                 tell
                 him
                 ,
                 but
                 being
                 urged
                 ,
                 he
                 told
                 him
                 ,
                 that
                 upon
                 the
                 beholding
                 that
                 Toad
                 ,
                 which
                 was
                 before
                 him
                 ,
                 he
                 considered
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 had
                 never
                 praised
                 God
                 ,
                 as
                 he
                 ought
                 ,
                 for
                 making
                 him
                 such
                 an
                 excellent
                 Creature
                 as
                 a
                 man
                 :
                 that
                 he
                 had
                 not
                 made
                 him
                 such
                 a
                 deformed
                 Creature
                 as
                 that
                 Toad
                 .
                 Upon
                 hearing
                 whereof
                 the
                 Cardinal
                 was
                 much
                 affected
                 ,
                 considering
                 how
                 he
                 had
                 received
                 greater
                 mercies
                 than
                 this
                 poor
                 man
                 ,
                 and
                 yet
                 had
                 not
                 returned
                 unto
                 God
                 that
                 praise
                 which
                 was
                 due
                 unto
                 him
                 .
                 And
                 will
                 not
                 this
                 poor
                 man
                 rise
                 up
                 in
                 judgement
                 against
                 many
                 of
                 us
                 ?
                 yea
                 have
                 not
                 the
                 best
                 of
                 us
                 cause
                 to
                 be
                 greatly
                 humbled
                 before
                 the
                 Lord
                 ,
                 who
                 do
                 not
                 so
                 affectionately
                 remember
                 the
                 grace
                 of
                 God
                 in
                 making
                 us
                 Christians
                 ,
                 as
                 that
                 poor
                 Shepherd
                 did
                 ,
                 in
                 making
                 him
                 a
                 man.
                 O
                 friend
                 prove
                 thy self
                 to
                 be
                 born
                 again
                 ,
                 and
                 then
                 go
                 thy
                 way
                 rejoycing
                 ,
                 leaping
                 ,
                 and
                 praising
                 God.
                 
              
               
                 III.
                 
                   Hath
                   God
                   by
                   his
                   Spirit
                   Regenerated
                   ,
                   and
                   made
                   thee
                   his
                   Child
                   ,
                   then
                   walk
                   worthy
                   of
                   this
                   special
                   mercy
                   and
                   dignity
                   ,
                
                 This
                 
                   worthy
                   walking
                
                 is
                 much
                 pressed
                 in
                 Scripture
                 ,
                 as
                 Col.
                 1.10
                 .
                 
                   walk
                   worthy
                   of
                   the
                   Lord.
                
                 And
                 Eph.
                 4.1
                 .
                 
                   walk
                   worthy
                   of
                   the
                   Vocation
                   wherewith
                   
                   y●
                   are
                   called
                   .
                
                 In
                 these
                 and
                 other-like
                 places
                 the
                 word
                 worthy
                 importeth
                 no
                 matter
                 of
                 m●rit
                 ,
                 or
                 condignity
                 ,
                 but
                 only
                 a
                 
                   meer
                   meetness
                
                 ,
                 and
                 congruity
                 ,
                 or
                 answerableness
                 .
                 The
                 Greek
                 word
                 translated
                 worthy
                 ,
                 
                 is
                 in
                 other
                 places
                 turned
                 meet
                 ,
                 or
                 
                   as
                   becometh
                
                 ,
                 as
                 Rom.
                 16.2
                 .
                 Phil.
                 1.27
                 .
                 And
                 where
                 
                   Iohn
                   Baptist
                
                 saith
                 ,
                 
                   Bring
                   forth
                   fruits
                   worthy
                   of
                   repentance
                   ,
                
                 
                 our
                 new
                 Translations
                 turn
                 it
                 ,
                 
                   meet
                   for
                   repentance
                
                 .
                 So
                 that
                 the
                 meaning
                 of
                 the
                 foresaid
                 duty
                 is
                 ,
                 
                   that
                   ye
                   carry
                   your selves
                   in
                   some
                   measure
                   suitable
                   and
                   answerable
                   to
                   your
                   new
                   birth
                   and
                   high
                   dignity
                   .
                
                 To
                 which
                 agreeth
                 that
                 of
                 the
                 Apostle
                 Peter
                 ,
                 
                 
                   Ye
                   are
                   a
                   chosen
                   generation
                   ,
                   a
                   peculiar
                   people
                   ,
                   that
                   ye
                   should
                   shew
                   forth
                   the
                   praises
                   of
                   him
                   ,
                   who
                   hath
                   called
                   you
                   out
                   of
                   darkness
                   into
                   his
                   marv●ilous
                   light
                   .
                
                 As
                 the
                 Regenerate
                 are
                 more
                 excellent
                 in
                 their
                 state
                 and
                 relation
                 than
                 the
                 carnal
                 and
                 unregenerate
                 :
                 so
                 ●ought
                 they
                 to
                 be
                 singular
                 and
                 exemplary
                 in
                 their
                 lives
                 and
                 conversations
                 .
              
               
                 This
                 Christ
                 requireth
                 of
                 every
                 true
                 Christian
                 :
                 for
                 ,
                 saith
                 he
                 ,
                 
                 speaking
                 to
                 his
                 
                   Disciples
                   ,
                   What
                   do
                   ye
                   more
                   than
                   others
                   ?
                
                 As
                 if
                 he
                 had
                 said
                 ,
                 you
                 who
                 will
                 approve
                 your selves
                 to
                 be
                 sincere
                 Christians
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 true
                 Disciples
                 of
                 Jesus
                 Christ
                 ,
                 must
                 be
                 of
                 a
                 more
                 holy
                 ,
                 and
                 heavenly
                 frame
                 ,
                 of
                 an
                 higher
                 strain
                 than
                 the
                 rest
                 of
                 men
                 :
                 
                 you
                 must
                 be
                 singular
                 ,
                 and
                 
                   shine
                   as
                   lights
                   in
                   the
                   midst
                   of
                   a
                   sinfull
                   ,
                   and
                   crooked
                   generation
                   ,
                
                 by
                 living
                 exemplary
                 ,
                 and
                 convincing
                 lives
                 ;
                 that
                 it
                 may
                 be
                 said
                 of
                 you
                 ,
                 
                 what
                 God
                 said
                 of
                 
                   Iob
                   ,
                   There
                   was
                   none
                   like
                   him
                   in
                   all
                   the
                   earth
                   ,
                
                 as
                 for
                 wealth
                 ,
                 so
                 for
                 piety
                 ,
                 he
                 being
                 by
                 many
                 degrees
                 the
                 highest
                 for
                 grace
                 in
                 his
                 age
                 .
              
               
                 Hath
                 God
                 shined
                 upon
                 your
                 souls
                 by
                 his
                 grace
                 ,
                 
                   let
                   your
                   light
                   so
                   shine
                   before
                   men
                   ,
                
                 
                 
                   that
                   they
                   may
                   see
                   your
                   good
                   works
                   ,
                   and
                   glorifie
                   your
                   Father
                   which
                   is
                   in
                   Heaven
                   .
                
              
               
                 The
                 more
                 to
                 quicken
                 you
                 up
                 to
                 a
                 singular
                 and
                 exemplary
                 life
                 ,
                 to
                 a
                 life
                 above
                 the
                 rate
                 of
                 carnal
                 and
                 unregenerate
                 men
                 ,
              
               
                 I.
                 
                   Consider
                   thy
                   high
                   birth
                   and
                   noble
                   parentage
                   .
                
                 For
                 being
                 born
                 of
                 the
                 Spirit
                 ,
                 thou
                 art
                 thereby
                 made
                 partaker
                 of
                 the
                 
                   divine
                   nature
                
                 ,
                 and
                 art
                 become
                 
                   a
                   Child
                   of
                   
                   God
                
                 ,
                 a
                 
                   member
                   of
                   Christ
                
                 ,
                 and
                 hast
                 
                   blood
                   royal
                
                 running
                 in
                 thy
                 veins
                 .
                 Thy
                 life
                 ought
                 to
                 be
                 suitable
                 to
                 thy
                 birth
                 ,
                 and
                 breeding
                 ,
                 aspiring
                 after
                 higher
                 things
                 ,
                 than
                 worldly
                 men
                 do
                 ,
                 or
                 can
                 do
                 :
                 and
                 avoiding
                 those
                 base
                 and
                 filthy
                 actions
                 wherein
                 carnal
                 men
                 take
                 their
                 chief
                 delight
                 .
                 For
                 know
                 that
                 thy
                 sins
                 go
                 nearer
                 the
                 heart
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 provoke
                 him
                 more
                 ,
                 than
                 the
                 sins
                 of
                 other
                 men
                 .
                 
                 
                   And
                   thou
                   my
                   Son
                
                 Brutus
                 ,
                 
                   art
                   thou
                   one
                   of
                   them
                
                 ?
                 said
                 
                   Iulius
                   Caesar
                
                 to
                 his
                 Son
                 ,
                 when
                 he
                 saw
                 him
                 to
                 be
                 amongst
                 them
                 ,
                 that
                 murthered
                 him
                 :
                 that
                 went
                 deeper
                 to
                 his
                 heart
                 than
                 the
                 swords
                 of
                 all
                 his
                 enemies
                 did
                 ,
                 or
                 could
                 .
                 In
                 like
                 manner
                 the
                 sins
                 of
                 Gods
                 Children
                 are
                 greater
                 in
                 his
                 sight
                 ,
                 and
                 do
                 more
                 grieve
                 him
                 ,
                 than
                 the
                 sins
                 of
                 other
                 men
                 .
              
               
                 II.
                 
                   Consider
                   thine
                   high
                   and
                   holy
                   calling
                   .
                
                 Thou
                 art
                 called
                 out
                 of
                 darkness
                 into
                 light
                 :
                 out
                 of
                 the
                 Kingdom
                 of
                 Satan
                 into
                 the
                 Kingdom
                 of
                 the
                 Lord
                 Jesus
                 .
                 Shall
                 there
                 be
                 no
                 difference
                 betwixt
                 the
                 Children
                 of
                 the
                 Kingdom
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 Children
                 of
                 the
                 wicked
                 one
                 ?
                 betwixt
                 Gods
                 servants
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 Devils
                 slaves
                 ?
                 Art
                 thou
                 one
                 of
                 the
                 called
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 oh
                 how
                 doth
                 it
                 concern
                 thee
                 to
                 follow
                 the
                 counsel
                 of
                 the
                 Apostle
                 to
                 the
                 Ephesians
                 ,
                 namely
                 
                   to
                   walk
                   worthy
                   of
                   the
                   Vocation
                   wherewith
                   thou
                   art
                   called
                   ,
                
                 that
                 is
                 ,
                 suitable
                 to
                 the
                 dignity
                 and
                 purity
                 of
                 it
                 ?
              
               
                 
                 1.
                 
                 
                   Thy
                   calling
                   is
                   an
                   high
                   calling
                   .
                
                 And
                 therefore
                 as
                 men
                 called
                 to
                 high
                 places
                 ,
                 carry
                 themselves
                 answerably
                 thereunto
                 .
                 In
                 like
                 manner
                 thou
                 being
                 called
                 to
                 be
                 a
                 Christian
                 ,
                 it
                 is
                 thy
                 duty
                 (
                 that
                 thou
                 maist
                 not
                 disgrace
                 thy
                 holy
                 profession
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 worthy
                 name
                 by
                 which
                 thou
                 art
                 called
                 )
                 to
                 carry
                 thy self
                 becomingly
                 ,
                 and
                 suitably
                 to
                 it
                 ,
                 by
                 hating
                 every
                 sin
                 ,
                 labouring
                 daily
                 in
                 the
                 mortifying
                 every
                 lust
                 and
                 corruption
                 ,
                 keeping
                 thy self
                 unspotted
                 of
                 the
                 World.
                 
              
               
                 
                 2.
                 
                 
                   Thy
                   calling
                   is
                   an
                   holy
                   calling
                   :
                
                 the
                 end
                 thereof
                 is
                 holiness
                 ,
                 
                 
                   For
                   God
                   hath
                   not
                   called
                   us
                   unto
                   uncleanness
                   ,
                   but
                   unto
                   holiness
                   .
                
                 Now
                 an
                 
                   holy
                   calling
                
                 ought
                 to
                 be
                 accompanied
                 with
                 an
                 
                   holy
                   life
                
                 and
                 conversation
                 .
                 Being
                 called
                 from
                 darkness
                 to
                 light
                 ,
                 from
                 sinfulness
                 to
                 holiness
                 ,
                 
                 from
                 the
                 flesh
                 to
                 the
                 Spirit
                 ,
                 from
                 Satan
                 to
                 God
                 ,
                 is
                 it
                 not
                 most
                 meet
                 thou
                 shouldst
                 cast
                 off
                 the
                 unfruitfull
                 works
                 of
                 darkness
                 ,
                 and
                 walk
                 as
                 a
                 Child
                 of
                 light
                 ?
                 That
                 thou
                 shouldst
                 no
                 more
                 
                   give
                   thy
                   members
                   as
                   Servants
                   unto
                   sin
                   ,
                   but
                   as
                   Servants
                   unto
                   righteousness
                   ?
                   That
                   thou
                   shouldst
                   no
                   more
                   fulfill
                   the
                   Lusts
                   of
                   the
                   flesh
                   ,
                   but
                   walk
                   in
                   the
                   Spirit
                   ,
                   after
                   the
                   motions
                   thereof
                   ?
                
                 This
                 is
                 to
                 walk
                 worthy
                 of
                 the
                 vocation
                 whereunto
                 
                   thou
                   art
                   called
                
                 .
              
               
                 III.
                 
                   Consider
                   the
                   many
                   great
                   and
                   singular
                   priviledges
                   God
                   hath
                   vouchsafed
                   unto
                   you
                   .
                
                 Being
                 raised
                 above
                 the
                 condition
                 of
                 other
                 men
                 ,
                 it
                 beseemeth
                 not
                 you
                 to
                 act
                 as
                 the
                 men
                 of
                 the
                 World
                 ,
                 but
                 to
                 live
                 above
                 their
                 rate
                 ,
                 to
                 be
                 more
                 Holy
                 and
                 Heavenly
                 in
                 your
                 conversation
                 ,
                 more
                 zealous
                 for
                 God
                 ,
                 more
                 fervent
                 in
                 the
                 performance
                 of
                 holy
                 and
                 religious
                 duties
                 .
                 The
                 Lord
                 expects
                 greater
                 matters
                 ,
                 and
                 other
                 manner
                 of
                 Service
                 from
                 you
                 than
                 from
                 other
                 men
                 ,
                 for
                 he
                 hath
                 done
                 more
                 for
                 you
                 ,
                 and
                 bestowed
                 more
                 on
                 you
                 ,
                 than
                 upon
                 all
                 the
                 World
                 besides
                 .
                 When
                 you
                 call
                 to
                 mind
                 your
                 priviledges
                 ,
                 reason
                 thus
                 with
                 your selves
                 :
                 Hath
                 God
                 made
                 us
                 partakers
                 of
                 such
                 and
                 such
                 special
                 mercies
                 ,
                 and
                 singular
                 priviledges
                 ,
                 
                 
                   Oh
                   then
                   what
                   manner
                   of
                   persons
                   ought
                   we
                   to
                   be
                   in
                   all
                   holy
                   conversation
                   and
                   Godliness
                   !
                
                 How
                 ought
                 we
                 to
                 walk
                 worthy
                 such
                 singular
                 priviledges
                 ,
                 by
                 singularity
                 of
                 actions
                 !
                 doing
                 some
                 singular
                 things
                 for
                 God
                 who
                 hath
                 dealt
                 so
                 singularly
                 well
                 for
                 us
                 .
                 As
                 God
                 hath
                 abounded
                 to
                 us
                 in
                 his
                 choicest
                 mercies
                 ,
                 so
                 he
                 expects
                 we
                 should
                 be
                 abundant
                 in
                 
                   singular
                   duties
                
                 .
              
            
             
               
               
                 CHAP.
                 XIX
                 .
                 Sheweth
                 the
                 singular
                 good
                 things
                 which
                 the
                 Regenerate
                 ought
                 to
                 do
                 aboue
                 others
                 .
              
               
                 I.
                 TO
                 
                   make
                   Conscience
                   of
                   their
                   precious
                   time
                   ,
                   and
                   to
                   improve
                   it
                   to
                   the
                   best
                   advantage
                   .
                
                 Carnal
                 men
                 make
                 little
                 or
                 no
                 conscience
                 of
                 spending
                 their
                 time
                 to
                 any
                 good
                 advantage
                 .
                 Oh
                 the
                 many
                 golden
                 hours
                 ,
                 and
                 dayes
                 ,
                 and
                 weeks
                 ,
                 and
                 years
                 ,
                 that
                 thousands
                 of
                 them
                 spend
                 ,
                 who
                 yet
                 cannot
                 give
                 the
                 least
                 account
                 ,
                 wherein
                 they
                 have
                 done
                 any
                 thing
                 which
                 tends
                 to
                 the
                 glory
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 the
                 good
                 of
                 others
                 ,
                 or
                 the
                 farthering
                 their
                 own
                 Salvation
                 !
                 Their
                 minds
                 are
                 so
                 much
                 set
                 upon
                 their
                 carnal
                 lusts
                 and
                 pleasures
                 ,
                 that
                 their
                 chief
                 care
                 is
                 ,
                 not
                 so
                 much
                 how
                 to
                 improve
                 their
                 time
                 ;
                 as
                 how
                 they
                 may
                 pass
                 it
                 away
                 in
                 mirth
                 and
                 jollity
                 .
                 That
                 which
                 when
                 it
                 is
                 once
                 gone
                 ,
                 all
                 the
                 World
                 will
                 not
                 buy
                 it
                 back
                 ,
                 what
                 a
                 cheap
                 thing
                 is
                 it
                 accounted
                 ?
                 But
                 oh
                 how
                 doth
                 it
                 concern
                 such
                 ,
                 whom
                 God
                 hath
                 called
                 ,
                 to
                 prize
                 the
                 time
                 which
                 he
                 is
                 pleased
                 to
                 afford
                 unto
                 them
                 !
                 and
                 to
                 be
                 carefull
                 in
                 improving
                 the
                 same
                 to
                 some
                 good
                 advantage
                 !
                 yea
                 to
                 gather
                 up
                 the
                 fragments
                 of
                 time
                 ,
                 every
                 inch
                 of
                 it
                 ,
                 that
                 nothing
                 may
                 be
                 lost
                 .
                 We
                 cannot
                 well
                 spare
                 one
                 spare
                 hour
                 .
                 O
                 make
                 the
                 best
                 of
                 thy
                 day
                 .
                 To
                 this
                 end
                 ,
              
               
                 1.
                 
                 
                   Consider
                   that
                   thine
                   everlasting
                   state
                   depends
                   upon
                   thy
                   well
                   ,
                   or
                   ill
                   spending
                   of
                   thy
                   time
                   .
                
                 Many
                 make
                 light
                 of
                 their
                 time
                 ,
                 and
                 thereupon
                 play
                 and
                 sport
                 it
                 away
                 .
                 Yet
                 there
                 is
                 no
                 moment
                 which
                 thou
                 dost
                 mispend
                 ,
                 but
                 for
                 ought
                 thou
                 knowest
                 ,
                 it
                 may
                 be
                 the
                 very
                 time
                 ,
                 upon
                 which
                 thine
                 eternal
                 state
                 doth
                 depend
                 .
                 Oh
                 what
                 a
                 madness
                 must
                 it
                 needs
                 be
                 for
                 an
                 hour
                 or
                 dayes
                 pleasure
                 to
                 hazard
                 the
                 loss
                 of
                 everlasting
                 happiness
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 
                 incurr
                 the
                 danger
                 of
                 eternal
                 misery
                 !
                 And
                 yet
                 how
                 few
                 think
                 of
                 the
                 passing
                 away
                 their
                 time
                 ,
                 or
                 that
                 any
                 great
                 matter
                 depends
                 thereupon
                 !
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 
                   Consider
                   the
                   preciousness
                   of
                   time
                   ,
                   which
                   is
                   of
                   more
                   worth
                   than
                   all
                   the
                   riches
                   and
                   treasures
                   in
                   the
                   World
                   :
                
                 for
                 they
                 cannot
                 purchase
                 one
                 minute
                 of
                 time
                 .
                 Should
                 the
                 Lord
                 be
                 pleased
                 to
                 vouchsafe
                 unto
                 a
                 damned
                 soul
                 in
                 hell
                 ,
                 but
                 one
                 weeks
                 time
                 to
                 live
                 again
                 upon
                 the
                 earth
                 ,
                 for
                 tryal
                 how
                 he
                 would
                 improve
                 the
                 same
                 to
                 his
                 souls
                 advantage
                 .
                 Oh
                 how
                 highly
                 would
                 he
                 prize
                 it
                 ;
                 how
                 carefully
                 would
                 he
                 improve
                 every
                 moment
                 thereof
                 !
                 how
                 serious
                 would
                 he
                 be
                 in
                 every
                 holy
                 duty
                 ,
                 and
                 in
                 all
                 the
                 concernments
                 of
                 his
                 soul
                 !
                 how
                 conscionable
                 in
                 spending
                 of
                 the
                 Sabbath
                 !
                 how
                 watchfull
                 would
                 he
                 be
                 on
                 that
                 day
                 over
                 his
                 thoughts
                 ,
                 words
                 and
                 actions
                 !
                 Should
                 he
                 hear
                 Christ
                 tendred
                 in
                 the
                 Ministry
                 of
                 the
                 Gospel
                 as
                 a
                 Saviour
                 to
                 poor
                 sinners
                 ,
                 oh
                 how
                 readily
                 would
                 he
                 close
                 with
                 the
                 offer
                 of
                 Jesus
                 Christ
                 !
                 how
                 heartily
                 would
                 he
                 embrace
                 him
                 !
                 Should
                 he
                 be
                 tempted
                 by
                 some
                 carnal
                 friends
                 to
                 spend
                 one
                 day
                 with
                 them
                 in
                 mirth
                 and
                 jollity
                 ,
                 how
                 would
                 he
                 answer
                 them
                 !
                 
                   Alas
                   the
                   time
                   on
                   which
                   my
                   everlasting
                   condition
                   doth
                   depend
                   is
                   very
                   short
                   :
                   and
                   must
                   it
                   not
                   be
                   egregious
                   folly
                   in
                   me
                   to
                   trifle
                   away
                   part
                   thereof
                   ?
                   Shall
                   I
                   implunge
                   my
                   soul
                   into
                   eternal
                   flames
                   for
                   a
                   little
                   pleasure
                   and
                   short
                   delight
                   ?
                   Oh
                   ,
                   God
                   forbid
                   .
                
                 And
                 hereby
                 may
                 you
                 see
                 how
                 precious
                 time
                 is
                 .
                 Surely
                 little
                 reason
                 have
                 any
                 to
                 be
                 so
                 sparing
                 of
                 their
                 wealth
                 ,
                 and
                 so
                 prodigal
                 of
                 their
                 time
                 :
                 when
                 as
                 all
                 the
                 wealth
                 in
                 the
                 World
                 (
                 as
                 before
                 is
                 said
                 )
                 cannot
                 purchase
                 one
                 hours
                 time
                 .
              
               
                 3.
                 
                 
                   Consider
                   how
                   much
                   precious
                   time
                   you
                   have
                   already
                   lost
                
                 ;
                 how
                 many
                 hours
                 and
                 dayes
                 ,
                 and
                 weeks
                 and
                 years
                 you
                 have
                 trifled
                 away
                 in
                 vanity
                 and
                 pleasure
                 ,
                 yea
                 in
                 sin
                 and
                 wickedness
                 .
                 Though
                 in
                 likelihood
                 the
                 greatest
                 part
                 of
                 your
                 time
                 is
                 past
                 and
                 gone
                 ,
                 yet
                 it
                 is
                 to
                 be
                 feared
                 that
                 little
                 of
                 your
                 work
                 is
                 done
                 .
                 Is
                 it
                 not
                 meet
                 then
                 now
                 to
                 begin
                 to
                 make
                 Conscience
                 of
                 your
                 precious
                 time
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 improve
                 it
                 better
                 ?
                 The
                 time
                 which
                 you
                 have
                 already
                 lost
                 can
                 never
                 be
                 recalled
                 ?
                 O
                 
                 let
                 no
                 more
                 of
                 it
                 run
                 out
                 in
                 vain
                 .
                 Oh
                 think
                 it
                 too
                 much
                 ,
                 that
                 you
                 have
                 spent
                 so
                 much
                 of
                 it
                 already
                 to
                 so
                 little
                 ,
                 or
                 such
                 evil
                 purpose
                 .
                 And
                 now
                 at
                 length
                 resolve
                 to
                 be
                 thrifty
                 ,
                 to
                 be
                 more
                 watchfull
                 over
                 your selves
                 ,
                 and
                 more
                 provident
                 for
                 hereafter
                 .
                 You
                 have
                 but
                 a
                 little
                 time
                 to
                 live
                 ,
                 yet
                 much
                 may
                 be
                 done
                 in
                 that
                 little
                 .
                 Throw
                 not
                 away
                 that
                 inch
                 which
                 remains
                 after
                 the
                 many
                 years
                 that
                 are
                 gone
                 ,
                 and
                 can
                 no
                 more
                 be
                 recalled
                 .
              
               
                 4.
                 
                 
                   Consider
                   the
                   shortness
                   of
                   thy
                   life
                   :
                
                 it
                 is
                 but
                 a
                 moment
                 to
                 eternity
                 .
                 And
                 is
                 it
                 not
                 pitty
                 to
                 lose
                 any
                 thing
                 of
                 that
                 which
                 is
                 precious
                 and
                 short
                 ?
              
               
                 5.
                 
                 
                   Consider
                   as
                   the
                   shortness
                   ,
                   So
                   the
                   uncertainty
                   of
                   thy
                   life
                   .
                
                 You
                 know
                 what
                 was
                 said
                 to
                 him
                 who
                 promised
                 life
                 to
                 himself
                 for
                 many
                 years
                 ,
                 
                   Thou
                   fool
                   this
                   night
                   thy
                   soul
                   shall
                   be
                   taken
                   from
                   thee
                   .
                
                 And
                 it
                 may
                 be
                 thou
                 maist
                 this
                 next
                 night
                 receive
                 the
                 like
                 doom
                 .
                 And
                 if
                 thy
                 time
                 be
                 ended
                 ,
                 and
                 thy
                 work
                 to
                 be
                 begun
                 ,
                 oh
                 how
                 sad
                 is
                 thy
                 case
                 like
                 to
                 be
                 !
              
               
                 6.
                 
                 
                   Consider
                   as
                   the
                   shortness
                   and
                   uncertainty
                   of
                   thy
                   time
                   ,
                   So
                   the
                   greatness
                   of
                   the
                   work
                   to
                   be
                   performed
                   therein
                   :
                
                 thy
                 Lusts
                 must
                 be
                 mortified
                 ,
                 thy
                 graces
                 strengthned
                 ,
                 thine
                 evidences
                 for
                 Heaven
                 cleared
                 up
                 ,
                 &c.
                 
                 Here
                 is
                 a
                 great
                 deal
                 of
                 work
                 to
                 be
                 done
                 in
                 a
                 little
                 time
                 .
                 Doth
                 it
                 not
                 then
                 concern
                 thee
                 speedily
                 to
                 bestir
                 thy self
                 ,
                 and
                 not
                 to
                 lose
                 a
                 minute
                 ?
              
               
                 7.
                 
                 
                   Consider
                   the
                   present
                   time
                   is
                   only
                   thine
                   to
                   improve
                   .
                   Behold
                   now
                   is
                   the
                   accepted
                   time
                   ,
                
                 
                 
                   now
                   is
                   the
                   day
                   of
                   Salvation
                   .
                
                 Oh
                 then
                 ,
                 why
                 wilt
                 thou
                 trifle
                 away
                 the
                 time
                 which
                 is
                 properly
                 thine
                 ;
                 and
                 promise
                 to
                 thy self
                 great
                 things
                 in
                 a
                 time
                 which
                 is
                 none
                 of
                 thine
                 ?
                 For
                 even
                 the
                 next
                 hour
                 ,
                 yea
                 the
                 next
                 minute
                 thou
                 maist
                 be
                 cut
                 off
                 by
                 the
                 stroak
                 of
                 death
                 :
                 and
                 then
                 all
                 opportunities
                 of
                 doing
                 and
                 receiving
                 good
                 are
                 taken
                 away
                 .
              
               
                 II.
                 Another
                 
                   singular
                   thing
                
                 which
                 the
                 Regenerate
                 ought
                 to
                 do
                 above
                 others
                 ,
                 is
                 ,
                 
                   To
                   embrace
                   every
                   opportunity
                   of
                   doing
                   and
                   receiving
                   good
                   .
                
                 By
                 
                   doing
                   good
                
                 ,
                 I
                 mean
                 not
                 only
                 
                   beneficence
                   to
                   the
                   poor
                
                 ,
                 but
                 also
                 
                   a
                   conscionable
                   performance
                   of
                   all
                   Christian
                   duties
                   :
                
                 whether
                 they
                 concern
                 the
                 
                 glory
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 the
                 edification
                 of
                 our
                 brethren
                 ,
                 or
                 the
                 Salvation
                 of
                 our
                 own
                 souls
                 .
                 
                 
                   Whatsoever
                   thy
                   hand
                   findeth
                   to
                   do
                   ,
                   do
                   it
                   with
                   thy
                   might
                   ,
                
                 saith
                 the
                 
                   Wise
                   man
                
                 ,
                 that
                 is
                 ,
                 whatsoever
                 opportunity
                 of
                 doing
                 good
                 is
                 afforded
                 unto
                 thee
                 ,
                 do
                 it
                 vigorously
                 and
                 speedily
                 ,
                 not
                 deferring
                 it
                 till
                 it
                 be
                 too
                 late
                 .
                 Mark
                 his
                 reason
                 in
                 the
                 next
                 words
                 ,
                 
                   For
                   there
                   is
                   no
                   work
                   in
                   the
                   grave
                   ,
                   whither
                   thou
                   art
                   going
                   .
                
                 As
                 if
                 he
                 had
                 said
                 ,
                 In
                 this
                 life
                 thou
                 hast
                 many
                 opportunities
                 of
                 doing
                 good
                 ,
                 but
                 in
                 the
                 grave
                 ,
                 thou
                 shalt
                 have
                 neither
                 power
                 ,
                 nor
                 opportunities
                 :
                 When
                 thy
                 night
                 cometh
                 there
                 is
                 an
                 end
                 of
                 working
                 ;
                 therefore
                 while
                 it
                 is
                 day
                 ,
                 and
                 while
                 thou
                 hast
                 an
                 opportunity
                 ,
                 up
                 and
                 be
                 doing
                 .
              
               
                 Doth
                 the
                 Lord
                 afford
                 unto
                 thee
                 any
                 opportunity
                 either
                 of
                 
                   laying
                   up
                   for
                   thine
                   own
                   soul
                   ,
                
                 or
                 of
                 
                   laying
                   out
                   for
                   the
                   good
                   of
                   thy
                   brothers
                   soul
                   ,
                
                 be
                 carefull
                 to
                 embrace
                 the
                 same
                 ,
                 yea
                 and
                 to
                 improve
                 it
                 to
                 the
                 best
                 advantage
                 .
                 Having
                 a
                 price
                 put
                 into
                 thy
                 hands
                 ,
                 oh
                 let
                 it
                 not
                 carelesly
                 slip
                 away
                 ,
                 left
                 thou
                 full
                 dearly
                 repent
                 thereof
                 ;
                 saying
                 ,
                 
                   Oh
                   what
                   an
                   opportunity
                   have
                   I
                   lost
                   of
                   benefiting
                   both
                   my self
                   and
                   others
                   !
                   how
                   might
                   I
                   have
                   furthered
                   both
                   mine
                   own
                   ,
                   and
                   others
                   Salvation
                   ,
                   by
                   building
                   up
                   one
                   another
                   in
                   the
                   most
                   holy
                   faith
                   !
                   But
                   fool
                   that
                   I
                   was
                   ,
                   I
                   have
                   carelesly
                   neglected
                   these
                   precious
                   opportunities
                   ,
                   which
                   will
                   never
                   never
                   be
                   regained
                   .
                
                 Oh
                 how
                 will
                 the
                 thought
                 thereof
                 one
                 day
                 or
                 other
                 gall
                 thy
                 Conscience
                 !
              
               
                 That
                 thou
                 maist
                 be
                 the
                 more
                 stirred
                 up
                 to
                 embrace
                 and
                 improve
                 every
                 oportunity
                 God
                 by
                 his
                 providence
                 affordeth
                 unto
                 thee
                 ,
              
               
                 1.
                 
                 
                   Consider
                   how
                   worldly
                   men
                   hugg
                   their
                   opportunities
                   for
                   the
                   World
                
                 ;
                 and
                 wilt
                 not
                 thou
                 embrace
                 thy
                 opportunities
                 for
                 Heaven
                 ?
                 The
                 tradesman
                 neglects
                 not
                 his
                 opportunity
                 of
                 buying
                 and
                 selling
                 ,
                 but
                 carefully
                 attends
                 the
                 same
                 .
                 The
                 Merchant
                 will
                 not
                 lose
                 his
                 Exchange-time
                 ,
                 nor
                 the
                 Marriner
                 his
                 Wind
                 and
                 Tyde
                 ;
                 The
                 Lawyer
                 will
                 not
                 lose
                 his
                 Terms
                 ;
                 Nor
                 the
                 Husband-man
                 his
                 Seed-time
                 ,
                 or
                 Harvest
                 .
                 If
                 thou
                 lose
                 thy
                 Seed-time
                 of
                 grace
                 ,
                 thou
                 thereby
                 losest
                 the
                 Harvest
                 of
                 glory
                 .
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 
                   Consider
                   how
                   few
                   thy
                   remaining
                   opportunities
                   may
                   be
                   .
                
                 
                 For
                 ought
                 thou
                 knowest
                 ,
                 the
                 time
                 is
                 near
                 at
                 hand
                 ,
                 when
                 thy
                 praying
                 opportunities
                 ,
                 and
                 hearing
                 opportunities
                 ,
                 and
                 receiving
                 opportunities
                 ,
                 and
                 relieving
                 opportunities
                 ,
                 with
                 the
                 like
                 will
                 be
                 past
                 and
                 gone
                 .
                 How
                 then
                 doth
                 it
                 concern
                 thee
                 to
                 improve
                 them
                 whilest
                 thou
                 hast
                 them
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 use
                 thy
                 present
                 as
                 if
                 it
                 were
                 the
                 last
                 season
                 ,
                 and
                 opportunity
                 would
                 be
                 afforded
                 unto
                 thee
                 ?
              
               
                 If
                 thou
                 art
                 in
                 the
                 company
                 of
                 a
                 godly
                 experienced
                 Christian
                 ,
                 thou
                 hast
                 then
                 an
                 opportunity
                 of
                 gaining
                 much
                 spiritual
                 good
                 and
                 advantage
                 to
                 thine
                 own
                 soul
                 ;
                 as
                 by
                 observing
                 his
                 graces
                 ,
                 so
                 by
                 propounding
                 thy
                 doubts
                 and
                 scruples
                 unto
                 him
                 .
                 Oh
                 let
                 not
                 such
                 an
                 opportunity
                 pass
                 away
                 without
                 some
                 spiritual
                 improvement
                 .
              
               
                 If
                 thou
                 art
                 called
                 to
                 visit
                 a
                 dying
                 friend
                 ,
                 or
                 neighbour
                 ,
                 oh
                 what
                 an
                 opportunity
                 hast
                 thou
                 put
                 into
                 thy
                 hand
                 to
                 do
                 his
                 soul
                 good
                 !
                 by
                 advising
                 him
                 to
                 think
                 of
                 death
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 prepare
                 for
                 it
                 ,
                 to
                 make
                 his
                 peace
                 with
                 God
                 ,
                 to
                 cast
                 himself
                 and
                 the
                 burthen
                 of
                 his
                 sins
                 upon
                 Christ
                 ,
                 to
                 build
                 the
                 hope
                 of
                 his
                 salvation
                 only
                 upon
                 that
                 rock
                 the
                 Lord
                 Jesus
                 Christ.
                 
              
               
                 If
                 in
                 walking
                 abroad
                 or
                 travelling
                 on
                 the
                 road
                 ,
                 thou
                 fall
                 into
                 company
                 ,
                 what
                 good
                 maist
                 thou
                 do
                 by
                 some
                 savoury
                 and
                 spiritual
                 discourse
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 or
                 of
                 mans
                 miserable
                 condition
                 by
                 nature
                 ,
                 or
                 of
                 the
                 state
                 of
                 redemption
                 by
                 Jesus
                 Christ
                 ,
                 or
                 the
                 like
                 ?
                 oh
                 how
                 much
                 might
                 thy
                 care
                 this
                 way
                 abound
                 to
                 thy
                 account
                 ?
                 Remember
                 the
                 words
                 of
                 the
                 Apostle
                 ,
                 
                   Exhort
                   one
                   another
                   daily
                   while
                   it
                   is
                   called
                   to
                   day
                   .
                
              
               
                 If
                 the
                 Lord
                 hath
                 given
                 thee
                 a
                 Family
                 ,
                 and
                 furnished
                 thee
                 with
                 abilities
                 for
                 their
                 instruction
                 and
                 edification
                 ,
                 let
                 not
                 the
                 souls
                 that
                 are
                 with
                 thee
                 be
                 lost
                 through
                 thy
                 neglect
                 .
                 Thou
                 hast
                 daily
                 opportunities
                 to
                 be
                 sowing
                 thy
                 seed
                 in
                 their
                 souls
                 ,
                 which
                 may
                 spring
                 up
                 to
                 their
                 eternal
                 life
                 .
                 And
                 for
                 thy
                 neighbours
                 that
                 live
                 about
                 thee
                 ,
                 let
                 them
                 find
                 thee
                 a
                 
                   good
                   neighbour
                
                 to
                 them
                 ;
                 and
                 that
                 they
                 will
                 best
                 do
                 ,
                 if
                 thou
                 endeavour
                 to
                 help
                 them
                 to
                 be
                 
                   good
                   Christians
                
                 .
              
            
             
               
               
                 CHAP.
                 XX.
                 Of
                 performing
                 good
                 duties
                 after
                 a
                 right
                 manner
                 .
              
               
                 III.
                 ANother
                 singular
                 duty
                 incumbent
                 upon
                 the
                 Regenerate
                 ,
                 is
                 ,
                 
                   To
                   be
                   carefull
                   of
                   the
                   manner
                   of
                   performing
                   good
                   duties
                   .
                
                 Not
                 only
                 to
                 be
                 conscionable
                 in
                 the
                 use
                 of
                 Ordinances
                 ,
                 but
                 likewise
                 to
                 work
                 up
                 their
                 hearts
                 to
                 a
                 conscionableness
                 in
                 the
                 manner
                 of
                 doing
                 them
                 .
              
               
                 1.
                 
                 
                   For
                   therein
                   especially
                   is
                   our
                   respect
                   to
                   God
                   manifested
                   .
                
                 As
                 for
                 the
                 duties
                 themselves
                 ,
                 many
                 respects
                 may
                 induce
                 us
                 to
                 the
                 outward
                 performance
                 of
                 them
                 :
                 as
                 obedience
                 to
                 authority
                 ,
                 desire
                 of
                 a
                 good
                 name
                 ,
                 hope
                 of
                 meriting
                 thereby
                 ,
                 or
                 the
                 like
                 .
                 But
                 it
                 is
                 respect
                 to
                 God
                 (
                 who
                 searcheth
                 the
                 heart
                 )
                 that
                 moveth
                 men
                 to
                 do
                 the
                 good
                 duties
                 they
                 take
                 in
                 hand
                 ,
                 
                   after
                   a
                   right
                   manner
                
                 ,
                 so
                 as
                 they
                 may
                 be
                 pleasing
                 and
                 acceptable
                 unto
                 him
                 .
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 
                   The
                   most
                   holy
                   duties
                   we
                   take
                   in
                   hand
                   are
                   clean
                   perverted
                   and
                   depraved
                   through
                   our
                   failing
                   in
                   the
                   manner
                   of
                   performing
                   them
                   .
                
                 Yea
                 holy
                 duties
                 are
                 thereby
                 turned
                 into
                 sin
                 ,
                 
                 as
                 the
                 Prophet
                 Isay
                 implyeth
                 ,
                 
                   He
                   that
                   killeth
                   an
                   Ox
                
                 ,
                 for
                 Sacrifice
                 ,
                 
                   is
                   as
                   if
                   he
                   slew
                   a
                   man
                   :
                   he
                   that
                   Sacrificeth
                   a
                   Lamb
                   ,
                   as
                   if
                   he
                   cut
                   off
                   a
                   dogs
                   neck
                   .
                
                 Though
                 the
                 Sacrificing
                 of
                 Oxen
                 and
                 Lambs
                 ,
                 were
                 good
                 ,
                 and
                 commanded
                 by
                 God
                 himself
                 :
                 yet
                 because
                 they
                 failed
                 in
                 the
                 manner
                 of
                 performing
                 them
                 ,
                 they
                 were
                 no
                 more
                 acceptable
                 to
                 God
                 ,
                 than
                 the
                 killing
                 of
                 men
                 ,
                 or
                 cutting
                 off
                 a
                 dogs
                 neck
                 ,
                 which
                 things
                 were
                 forbidden
                 by
                 the
                 Law
                 ,
                 and
                 abomination
                 to
                 the
                 Lord.
                 
              
               
                 3.
                 
                 
                   Failing
                   in
                   the
                   manner
                   of
                   performance
                   makes
                   God
                   not
                   only
                   to
                   reject
                   our
                   duties
                   ,
                   but
                   to
                   pronounce
                   a
                   woe
                   and
                   a
                   curse
                   
                   against
                   the
                   performers
                   of
                   them
                   .
                
                 
                 
                   Cursed
                   be
                   he
                   that
                   doth
                   the
                   work
                   of
                   the
                   Lord
                   negligently
                   .
                
                 Though
                 it
                 be
                 the
                 
                   work
                   of
                   the
                   Lord
                
                 ,
                 that
                 work
                 which
                 the
                 Lord
                 appointeth
                 to
                 be
                 done
                 ,
                 yet
                 notwithstanding
                 if
                 it
                 be
                 done
                 negligently
                 ,
                 not
                 after
                 a
                 right
                 manner
                 ,
                 
                   cursed
                   is
                   he
                   that
                   doth
                   it
                   .
                
              
               
                 4.
                 
                 
                   It
                   is
                   the
                   right
                   manner
                   of
                   performing
                   duties
                   ,
                   that
                   obtaineth
                   a
                   blessing
                   from
                   God.
                
                 It
                 may
                 be
                 thou
                 hast
                 heard
                 much
                 ,
                 and
                 prayed
                 much
                 ,
                 and
                 fasted
                 much
                 ,
                 and
                 yet
                 hast
                 found
                 little
                 good
                 ,
                 or
                 benefit
                 thereby
                 .
                 Examine
                 whether
                 thou
                 hast
                 not
                 been
                 dead
                 and
                 dull
                 ,
                 formal
                 and
                 perfunctory
                 in
                 them
                 ,
                 doing
                 them
                 as
                 if
                 thou
                 didst
                 them
                 not
                 .
                 If
                 so
                 ,
                 no
                 marvail
                 that
                 thou
                 hast
                 received
                 so
                 little
                 good
                 by
                 them
                 .
                 As
                 therefore
                 thou
                 wouldst
                 be
                 loth
                 to
                 pray
                 in
                 vain
                 ,
                 or
                 hear
                 in
                 vain
                 ,
                 or
                 fast
                 in
                 vain
                 :
                 as
                 thou
                 wouldst
                 be
                 loth
                 to
                 lose
                 the
                 things
                 which
                 thou
                 hast
                 wrought
                 ,
                 see
                 to
                 it
                 that
                 thou
                 be
                 as
                 carefull
                 of
                 the
                 manner
                 ,
                 as
                 of
                 the
                 matter
                 of
                 them
                 :
                 how
                 thou
                 dost
                 them
                 ,
                 as
                 that
                 thou
                 dost
                 them
                 .
                 Do
                 what
                 thou
                 dost
                 with
                 
                   all
                   thy
                   soul
                
                 ,
                 yea
                 and
                 with
                 
                   all
                   thy
                   might
                
                 ,
                 and
                 then
                 thou
                 maist
                 expect
                 a
                 plentiful
                 and
                 gracious
                 return
                 .
              
               
                 For
                 the
                 right
                 manner
                 of
                 performing
                 good
                 duties
                 ,
                 take
                 these
                 few
                 directions
                 ;
              
               
                 I.
                 Be
                 sure
                 you
                 take
                 Christ
                 with
                 you
                 both
                 for
                 assistance
                 ,
                 and
                 acceptance
                 .
              
               
                 1.
                 
                 
                   For
                   assistance
                   .
                   For
                   without
                   me
                   ,
                
                 saith
                 Christ
                 ,
                 
                   you
                   can
                   do
                   nothing
                
                 .
                 That
                 is
                 ,
                 without
                 Union
                 with
                 Christ
                 ,
                 and
                 Communion
                 with
                 him
                 ,
                 you
                 cannot
                 perform
                 any
                 acceptable
                 service
                 unto
                 God.
                 You
                 may
                 fall
                 upon
                 the
                 duty
                 of
                 prayer
                 ,
                 and
                 attend
                 upon
                 the
                 Ministry
                 of
                 the
                 Word
                 :
                 but
                 without
                 assistance
                 from
                 Christ
                 ,
                 you
                 can
                 neither
                 do
                 the
                 one
                 ,
                 nor
                 the
                 other
                 as
                 you
                 should
                 .
                 Whensoever
                 therefore
                 you
                 set
                 upon
                 any
                 good
                 duty
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 first
                 place
                 beg
                 strength
                 and
                 assistance
                 from
                 Christ
                 ,
                 and
                 rest
                 and
                 lean
                 upon
                 him
                 for
                 his
                 help
                 ,
                 go
                 not
                 to
                 pray
                 or
                 hear
                 but
                 in
                 the
                 strength
                 of
                 the
                 Lord.
                 
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 
                   Take
                   Christ
                   with
                   you
                   for
                   acceptance
                   both
                   of
                   your
                   persons
                   and
                   services
                   .
                
                 Christ
                 is
                 the
                 
                   beloved
                   Son
                   of
                   God
                
                 ,
                 with
                 whom
                 he
                 is
                 so
                 well
                 pleased
                 ,
                 that
                 likewise
                 in
                 him
                 he
                 is
                 well
                 pleased
                 with
                 all
                 those
                 that
                 come
                 to
                 God
                 by
                 
                 him
                 ?
                 and
                 look
                 for
                 neither
                 audience
                 nor
                 acceptance
                 ,
                 but
                 upon
                 his
                 account
                 alone
                 .
                 The
                 truth
                 is
                 ,
                 as
                 our
                 persons
                 are
                 vile
                 and
                 wretched
                 ,
                 and
                 all
                 as
                 an
                 unclean
                 thing
                 :
                 so
                 our
                 Services
                 ,
                 even
                 our
                 most
                 holy
                 Services
                 are
                 all
                 polluted
                 and
                 tainted
                 ,
                 with
                 the
                 corruption
                 of
                 our
                 natures
                 :
                 and
                 therefore
                 they
                 are
                 odious
                 and
                 abominable
                 in
                 the
                 sight
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 who
                 may
                 justly
                 reject
                 both
                 us
                 and
                 them
                 :
                 and
                 will
                 do
                 it
                 ,
                 unless
                 covered
                 with
                 the
                 worthiness
                 of
                 our
                 Lord
                 Jesus
                 Christ
                 ;
                 but
                 in
                 him
                 we
                 shall
                 not
                 fail
                 to
                 obtain
                 gracious
                 acceptance
                 .
              
               
                 Whensoever
                 therefore
                 we
                 go
                 unto
                 God
                 in
                 prayer
                 ,
                 or
                 in
                 any
                 other
                 ordinance
                 ,
                 let
                 us
                 carry
                 Christ
                 with
                 us
                 in
                 the
                 arms
                 of
                 our
                 faith
                 .
                 
                   Plut
                   arch
                
                 in
                 the
                 life
                 of
                 Themistocles
                 reports
                 ,
                 that
                 it
                 was
                 the
                 usual
                 custome
                 of
                 some
                 of
                 the
                 Heathens
                 ,
                 namely
                 ,
                 the
                 Molossia●s
                 ,
                 that
                 when
                 they
                 would
                 seek
                 the
                 favour
                 of
                 their
                 King
                 ,
                 they
                 took
                 
                   his
                   Son
                
                 in
                 their
                 arms
                 ,
                 and
                 so
                 went
                 unto
                 him
                 .
                 And
                 questionless
                 it
                 would
                 be
                 the
                 wisdom
                 of
                 Christians
                 ,
                 in
                 seeking
                 the
                 face
                 and
                 favour
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 who
                 is
                 the
                 King
                 of
                 Heaven
                 and
                 of
                 earth
                 ,
                 to
                 take
                 the
                 holy
                 Child
                 Jesus
                 with
                 them
                 ,
                 without
                 whom
                 they
                 may
                 not
                 see
                 his
                 face
                 .
              
               
                 II.
                 
                   Stir
                   up
                   thy self
                   and
                   all
                   thy
                   strength
                   ,
                
                 put
                 forth
                 thy self
                 to
                 the
                 uttermost
                 ,
                 strive
                 to
                 be
                 lively
                 ,
                 active
                 ,
                 and
                 stirring
                 in
                 Spirit
                 .
                 Get
                 the
                 Spirit
                 of
                 faith
                 ,
                 and
                 of
                 power
                 ,
                 this
                 will
                 be
                 oyle
                 to
                 the
                 wheels
                 ,
                 and
                 wind
                 to
                 the
                 Sails
                 ,
                 which
                 set
                 all
                 a
                 going
                 :
                 let
                 this
                 be
                 wanting
                 and
                 thy
                 best
                 services
                 will
                 be
                 lifeless
                 and
                 dead
                 Services
                 ,
                 in
                 which
                 the
                 Lord
                 takes
                 no
                 delight
                 .
              
               
                 There
                 is
                 a
                 threefold
                 strength
                 we
                 should
                 labour
                 to
                 put
                 forth
                 in
                 all
                 our
                 holy
                 duties
                 ,
                 
                   
                     1.
                     
                     Strength
                     of
                     Intention
                     .
                  
                   
                     2.
                     
                     Strength
                     of
                     Affections
                     .
                  
                   
                     3.
                     
                     Strength
                     of
                     Body
                     .
                  
                
              
               
                 1.
                 
                 We
                 must
                 intend
                 our
                 work
                 ,
                 as
                 if
                 it
                 were
                 for
                 our
                 lives
                 ,
                 for
                 so
                 it
                 is
                 ,
                 whether
                 it
                 be
                 the
                 work
                 of
                 
                   praying
                   ,
                   hearing
                   ,
                   meditating
                
                 ,
                 or
                 the
                 like
                 .
                 We
                 must
                 put
                 forth
                 the
                 strength
                 of
                 our
                 intention
                 ,
                 as
                 well
                 as
                 of
                 our
                 attention
                 ,
                 not
                 giving
                 way
                 either
                 to
                 drowsiness
                 of
                 body
                 ,
                 or
                 distractions
                 of
                 mind
                 .
                 But
                 oh
                 what
                 light
                 matters
                 are
                 apt
                 to
                 steal
                 away
                 our
                 minds
                 and
                 thoughts
                 in
                 the
                 performance
                 
                 of
                 holy
                 duties
                 ?
                 If
                 one
                 of
                 our
                 superiours
                 were
                 talking
                 with
                 us
                 ,
                 he
                 would
                 expect
                 that
                 we
                 should
                 mind
                 what
                 he
                 saith
                 ,
                 and
                 not
                 turn
                 aside
                 to
                 talk
                 with
                 every
                 one
                 that
                 passeth
                 by
                 us
                 .
                 But
                 when
                 God
                 is
                 speaking
                 to
                 us
                 in
                 the
                 ministry
                 of
                 his
                 Word
                 :
                 or
                 we
                 are
                 speaking
                 unto
                 him
                 by
                 prayer
                 ,
                 how
                 ordinarily
                 do
                 we
                 turn
                 aside
                 to
                 every
                 vain
                 thought
                 ,
                 and
                 trifling
                 business
                 ,
                 which
                 offereth
                 it self
                 to
                 us
                 !
                 Intend
                 God
                 more
                 earnestly
                 ,
                 and
                 this
                 will
                 fire
                 your
                 thoughts
                 .
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 
                   Strength
                   of
                   affections
                
                 is
                 required
                 in
                 every
                 good
                 duty
                 .
                 
                 
                   Whatsoever
                   thy
                   hand
                   findeth
                   to
                   do
                   ,
                   do
                   it
                   with
                   thy
                   might
                   ,
                
                 saith
                 the
                 Wise
                 man.
                 This
                 may
                 especially
                 be
                 applyed
                 to
                 the
                 duties
                 of
                 Gods
                 worship
                 and
                 service
                 ,
                 that
                 we
                 do
                 them
                 vigorously
                 ,
                 with
                 all
                 the
                 strength
                 of
                 our
                 affections
                 .
                 Which
                 the
                 Apostle
                 requireth
                 ,
                 where
                 he
                 bids
                 us
                 ,
                 
                 
                   be
                   fervent
                   in
                   spirit
                   ,
                   serving
                   the
                   Lord.
                
                 The
                 word
                 in
                 the
                 Greek
                 notes
                 an
                 
                   ebullition
                   ,
                   or
                   boyling
                   up
                   of
                   our
                   spirits
                   to
                   the
                   height
                   .
                
                 
                 There
                 is
                 nothing
                 in
                 the
                 World
                 more
                 unbecoming
                 the
                 Worship
                 of
                 God
                 than
                 flatness
                 of
                 spirit
                 ,
                 and
                 coldness
                 of
                 affection
                 ,
                 when
                 a
                 man
                 serves
                 God
                 as
                 if
                 he
                 served
                 him
                 not
                 .
                 It
                 was
                 Davids
                 commendation
                 ,
                 that
                 
                   the
                   zeal
                   of
                   Gods
                   house
                   did
                   eat
                   him
                   up
                   .
                
                 Which
                 expression
                 sheweth
                 the
                 vehemency
                 of
                 his
                 zeal
                 ,
                 and
                 strength
                 of
                 his
                 affections
                 ,
                 as
                 in
                 reforming
                 Gods
                 house
                 ,
                 so
                 in
                 performing
                 the
                 duties
                 of
                 his
                 Worship
                 and
                 service
                 .
                 For
                 this
                 was
                 Iacob
                 honoured
                 ,
                 and
                 called
                 Israel
                 ,
                 because
                 he
                 prayed
                 with
                 the
                 
                   strength
                   of
                   his
                   affections
                
                 ,
                 
                 and
                 is
                 therefore
                 said
                 to
                 
                   wrestle
                   with
                   God
                   in
                   prayer
                
                 ,
                 whereby
                 he
                 prevailed
                 .
                 As
                 thou
                 desirest
                 to
                 prevail
                 with
                 God
                 in
                 Prayer
                 ,
                 
                 thou
                 must
                 with
                 
                   Iacob
                   ,
                   wrestle
                   with
                   him
                
                 ,
                 putting
                 forth
                 the
                 strength
                 of
                 thine
                 affections
                 which
                 will
                 be
                 a
                 special
                 means
                 to
                 keep
                 away
                 vain
                 wandring
                 thoughts
                 .
                 So
                 long
                 as
                 honey
                 is
                 boyling
                 hot
                 ,
                 flies
                 will
                 not
                 venture
                 on
                 it
                 .
                 So
                 if
                 the
                 heart
                 and
                 affections
                 be
                 boyling
                 hot
                 in
                 prayer
                 ,
                 vain
                 thoughts
                 are
                 not
                 apt
                 to
                 enter
                 in
                 .
              
               
                 3.
                 
                 
                   Strength
                   of
                   body
                
                 must
                 likewise
                 be
                 put
                 forth
                 in
                 every
                 good
                 duty
                 .
                 For
                 Col
                 must
                 be
                 worshipped
                 as
                 with
                 
                   our
                   spirits
                
                 ,
                 so
                 with
                 
                   our
                   bodies
                
                 .
                 And
                 blessed
                 is
                 the
                 
                 strength
                 which
                 is
                 put
                 forth
                 in
                 the
                 service
                 of
                 God.
                 Carnal
                 men
                 are
                 apt
                 to
                 lay
                 out
                 the
                 strength
                 of
                 their
                 bodies
                 upon
                 their
                 lusts
                 .
                 Why
                 then
                 should
                 not
                 we
                 be
                 as
                 ready
                 to
                 lay
                 out
                 the
                 strength
                 of
                 our
                 bodies
                 in
                 the
                 Service
                 of
                 God
                 ?
                 Then
                 may
                 we
                 have
                 occasion
                 to
                 bless
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 say
                 ,
                 
                   Lord
                   ,
                   thou
                   mightest
                   have
                   left
                   me
                   to
                   have
                   spent
                   my
                   strength
                   in
                   sin
                   ,
                   in
                   the
                   gratifying
                   my
                   carnal
                   lusts
                   ;
                   but
                   blessed
                   be
                   thy
                   name
                   ,
                   who
                   hast
                   made
                   me
                   willing
                   to
                   spend
                   ,
                   and
                   be
                   spent
                   in
                   the
                   service
                   of
                   my
                   God.
                   
                
              
               
                 III.
                 
                   Labour
                   to
                   keep
                   close
                   to
                   God
                   in
                   holy
                   duties
                   .
                
                 It
                 were
                 well
                 if
                 in
                 the
                 performance
                 of
                 holy
                 duties
                 we
                 did
                 keep
                 close
                 to
                 the
                 duties
                 themselves
                 :
                 few
                 go
                 so
                 far
                 .
                 But
                 it
                 must
                 be
                 our
                 care
                 not
                 only
                 to
                 keep
                 close
                 to
                 the
                 duties
                 ,
                 but
                 likewise
                 to
                 keep
                 close
                 to
                 God
                 in
                 the
                 duties
                 .
                 We
                 must
                 labour
                 not
                 only
                 to
                 mind
                 what
                 we
                 are
                 about
                 ,
                 but
                 likewise
                 have
                 an
                 eye
                 upon
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 hold
                 communion
                 with
                 him
                 therein
                 .
                 In
                 the
                 use
                 of
                 every
                 ordinance
                 let
                 our
                 main
                 desire
                 ,
                 care
                 and
                 endeavour
                 be
                 ,
                 to
                 find
                 God
                 therein
                 :
                 and
                 not
                 to
                 rest
                 satisfied
                 without
                 meeting
                 him
                 ,
                 and
                 conversing
                 with
                 him
                 .
                 Let
                 us
                 never
                 go
                 from
                 God
                 without
                 God.
                 Never
                 go
                 from
                 the
                 ordinance
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 without
                 some
                 special
                 communion
                 with
                 God
                 therein
                 ,
                 without
                 finding
                 our
                 hearts
                 raised
                 and
                 affected
                 in
                 the
                 duty
                 ,
                 and
                 revived
                 and
                 refreshed
                 in
                 his
                 presence
                 .
              
               
                 IV.
                 In
                 regard
                 of
                 our
                 great
                 inability
                 ,
                 and
                 insufficiency
                 for
                 the
                 performance
                 of
                 any
                 spiritual
                 duty
                 after
                 a
                 right
                 manner
                 ,
                 In
                 the
                 first
                 place
                 ,
                 let
                 us
                 beg
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 that
                 by
                 his
                 Spirit
                 he
                 would
                 enable
                 us
                 thereunto
                 .
                 For
                 it
                 is
                 the
                 Spirit
                 of
                 God
                 only
                 that
                 can
                 help
                 our
                 infirmities
                 :
                 he
                 can
                 soften
                 our
                 hard
                 hearts
                 ,
                 quicken
                 our
                 dead
                 hearts
                 ,
                 enlarge
                 our
                 straightned
                 hearts
                 ,
                 &c.
                 
                 And
                 in
                 praying
                 for
                 the
                 assistance
                 of
                 the
                 Spirit
                 ,
                 let
                 us
                 plead
                 the
                 promise
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 saying
                 ,
                 
                   Lord
                   thou
                   hast
                   promised
                   in
                   thy
                   Word
                   ,
                   that
                   thy
                   Spirit
                   shall
                   help
                   the
                   infirmities
                   of
                   thy
                   Servants
                   ;
                   Oh
                   make
                   good
                   that
                   promise
                   unto
                   me
                   ;
                   let
                   me
                   feel
                   and
                   find
                   the
                   sweet
                   breathings
                   and
                   actings
                   ,
                   the
                   lively
                   quicknings
                   and
                   enlargements
                   of
                   thy
                   Spirit
                   upon
                   my
                   heart
                   ,
                   carrying
                   me
                   forth
                   with
                   much
                   life
                   and
                   vigour
                   in
                   the
                   
                   duty
                   I
                   am
                   now
                   going
                   about
                   .
                
                 This
                 pleading
                 the
                 promise
                 of
                 God
                 puts
                 a
                 strong
                 ingagement
                 upon
                 him
                 ,
                 to
                 perform
                 what
                 he
                 hath
                 said
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 CHAP.
                 XXI
                 .
                 Of
                 walking
                 Circumspectly
                 and
                 Exactly
                 .
              
               
                 IV.
                 ANother
                 singular
                 duty
                 incumbent
                 upon
                 the
                 Regenerate
                 is
                 ,
                 
                   To
                   walk
                   circumspectly
                   and
                   exactly
                
                 ,
                 according
                 to
                 that
                 of
                 the
                 Apostle
                 ,
                 
                   See
                   that
                   ye
                   walk
                   circumspectly
                   ,
                   not
                   as
                   fools
                   ,
                   but
                   as
                   wise
                   .
                
                 The
                 word
                 in
                 the
                 Original
                 translated
                 circumspectly
                 ,
                 
                 cometh
                 of
                 two
                 words
                 ,
                 which
                 signifie
                 to
                 
                   go
                   to
                   the
                   extremity
                   of
                   a
                   thing
                   .
                
                 We
                 must
                 be
                 willing
                 to
                 go
                 to
                 the
                 utmost
                 of
                 every
                 command
                 .
                 The
                 same
                 word
                 is
                 used
                 by
                 the
                 Evangelist
                 St.
                 Matthew
                 ,
                 when
                 Herod
                 charged
                 the
                 Wise
                 men
                 to
                 search
                 
                   most
                   diligently
                
                 and
                 
                   narrowly
                   ,
                   to
                   make
                   a
                   close
                   and
                   a
                   thorow
                   search
                
                 for
                 the
                 young
                 Child
                 Jesus
                 .
                 So
                 that
                 by
                 this
                 Phrase
                 is
                 intended
                 great
                 accurateness
                 and
                 exactness
                 in
                 our
                 Christian
                 conversation
                 ,
                 which
                 the
                 Spirit
                 of
                 God
                 accounteth
                 the
                 greatest
                 point
                 of
                 wisdom
                 ,
                 as
                 appeareth
                 from
                 the
                 following
                 words
                 ,
                 
                   not
                   as
                   fools
                   ,
                   but
                   as
                   wise
                   men
                   .
                
                 It
                 is
                 no
                 part
                 of
                 folly
                 ,
                 but
                 a
                 great
                 point
                 of
                 wisdom
                 to
                 be
                 circumspect
                 in
                 the
                 whole
                 course
                 of
                 our
                 lives
                 .
                 I
                 know
                 the
                 men
                 of
                 the
                 World
                 count
                 preciseness
                 of
                 life
                 the
                 greatest
                 folly
                 that
                 may
                 be
                 :
                 and
                 therefore
                 often
                 call
                 those
                 
                   precise
                   fools
                
                 ,
                 who
                 endeavour
                 to
                 live
                 soberly
                 ,
                 righteously
                 and
                 Godly
                 in
                 this
                 present
                 World.
                 But
                 at
                 last
                 it
                 will
                 appear
                 the
                 greatest
                 point
                 of
                 Wisdom
                 .
              
               
                 For
                 the
                 better
                 clearing
                 and
                 pressing
                 this
                 duty
                 ,
                 I
                 shall
                 shew
                 you
                 ,
                 wherein
                 this
                 
                   exact
                   walking
                
                 doth
                 consist
                 ;
              
               
                 1.
                 
                 
                   In
                   walking
                   by
                   rule
                
                 .
                 As
                 the
                 Carpenter
                 when
                 he
                 would
                 do
                 his
                 work
                 exactly
                 ,
                 doth
                 all
                 by
                 rule
                 .
                 So
                 must
                 
                 the
                 Christian
                 that
                 would
                 walk
                 accurately
                 ,
                 he
                 must
                 walk
                 by
                 the
                 Word
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 which
                 is
                 the
                 only
                 adequate
                 rule
                 of
                 holiness
                 :
                 He
                 must
                 eat
                 and
                 drink
                 ,
                 and
                 buy
                 and
                 sell
                 ,
                 and
                 work
                 and
                 rest
                 ,
                 and
                 all
                 by
                 this
                 rule
                 .
                 Therefore
                 saith
                 the
                 Apostle
                 ,
                 
                 
                   As
                   many
                   as
                   walk
                   by
                   this
                   rule
                   ,
                   peace
                   be
                   on
                   them
                   ,
                   and
                   on
                   the
                   Israel
                   of
                   God.
                
                 Let
                 our
                 walking
                 be
                 never
                 so
                 specious
                 and
                 glorious
                 ,
                 yet
                 if
                 it
                 be
                 not
                 strait
                 and
                 
                   according
                   to
                   the
                   rule
                   of
                   Scripture
                   ,
                
                 as
                 it
                 will
                 afford
                 no
                 true
                 solid
                 comfort
                 at
                 the
                 last
                 ,
                 so
                 neither
                 will
                 it
                 find
                 acceptance
                 with
                 God.
                 For
                 as
                 nothing
                 is
                 a
                 sin
                 (
                 how
                 great
                 a
                 shew
                 of
                 evil
                 soever
                 it
                 beareth
                 )
                 but
                 that
                 which
                 swerveth
                 from
                 the
                 direction
                 of
                 Gods
                 Word
                 .
                 So
                 nothing
                 is
                 a
                 good
                 work
                 ,
                 (
                 how
                 great
                 a
                 shew
                 of
                 goodness
                 soever
                 it
                 beareth
                 )
                 but
                 only
                 that
                 which
                 is
                 according
                 to
                 the
                 direction
                 of
                 his
                 Word
                 .
                 Therefore
                 Moses
                 giveth
                 this
                 in
                 express
                 charge
                 to
                 the
                 Israelites
                 ,
                 
                 
                   Ye
                   shall
                   observe
                   to
                   do
                   ,
                   as
                   the
                   Lord
                   your
                   God
                   hath
                   commanded
                   you
                   :
                   ye
                   shall
                   not
                   turn
                   aside
                   to
                   the
                   right
                   hand
                   ,
                   nor
                   to
                   the
                   left
                   .
                
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 Our
                 exact
                 walking
                 consisteth
                 in
                 having
                 respect
                 to
                 the
                 
                   inward
                   and
                   spiritual
                   part
                   of
                   the
                   Law
                
                 ;
                 as
                 well
                 as
                 to
                 the
                 outward
                 and
                 external
                 .
                 In
                 every
                 command
                 of
                 God
                 there
                 is
                 both
                 an
                 outward
                 and
                 
                   external
                   part
                
                 ,
                 and
                 also
                 
                   an
                   inward
                   and
                   spiritual
                   part
                
                 .
                 The
                 former
                 I
                 may
                 call
                 
                   the
                   letter
                   of
                   the
                   Law
                
                 :
                 the
                 latter
                 
                   the
                   Spirit
                   of
                   the
                   Law.
                
                 This
                 our
                 Saviour
                 excellently
                 clears
                 in
                 his
                 Sermon
                 on
                 the
                 Mount
                 ,
                 where
                 reciting
                 the
                 sixth
                 Commandment
                 ,
                 
                 he
                 saith
                 ,
                 
                   Thou
                   shalt
                   do
                   no
                   Murther
                
                 ,
                 there
                 is
                 the
                 letter
                 of
                 the
                 Law
                 ,
                 And
                 then
                 adds
                 by
                 way
                 of
                 Explanation
                 ,
                 
                   But
                   I
                   say
                   unto
                   you
                   ,
                   whosoever
                   is
                   angry
                   with
                   his
                   Brother
                   without
                   a
                   cause
                   ,
                   shall
                   be
                   in
                   danger
                   of
                   Iudgement
                
                 ;
                 there
                 is
                 the
                 Spirit
                 of
                 the
                 Law.
                 So
                 afterwards
                 reciting
                 the
                 seventh
                 commandment
                 saith
                 ,
                 
                   Thou
                   shalt
                   not
                   commit
                   Adultery
                
                 ,
                 there
                 is
                 the
                 letter
                 of
                 the
                 Law
                 ,
                 
                 And
                 then
                 adds
                 ,
                 
                   But
                   I
                   say
                   unto
                   you
                   ,
                   that
                   whosoever
                   looks
                   on
                   a
                   Woman
                   to
                   Lust
                   after
                   her
                   ,
                   hath
                   committed
                   Adultery
                   with
                   her
                   already
                   in
                   his
                   heart
                   .
                
                 There
                 is
                 the
                 Spirit
                 of
                 the
                 Law
                 ,
                 or
                 the
                 Spiritual
                 part
                 thereof
                 .
                 The
                 most
                 diligent
                 observation
                 of
                 the
                 letter
                 or
                 external
                 
                 part
                 of
                 the
                 Law
                 ,
                 without
                 a
                 care
                 of
                 the
                 inward
                 and
                 spiritual
                 part
                 ,
                 is
                 as
                 a
                 body
                 without
                 a
                 soul
                 ,
                 a
                 dead
                 thing
                 ,
                 which
                 is
                 no
                 way
                 acceptable
                 unto
                 the
                 living
                 God.
                 Hence
                 our
                 Saviour
                 spent
                 so
                 many
                 words
                 to
                 convince
                 the
                 Pharisees
                 ,
                 who
                 were
                 many
                 of
                 them
                 punctual
                 in
                 their
                 outward
                 observations
                 ,
                 that
                 they
                 were
                 yet
                 horrible
                 Hypocrites
                 ,
                 violating
                 that
                 Law
                 in
                 their
                 hearts
                 ,
                 which
                 they
                 so
                 boasted
                 of
                 ,
                 and
                 pleaded
                 for
                 with
                 their
                 mouths
                 ,
                 being
                 
                   Murtherers
                   in
                   heart
                   ,
                   Adulterers
                   in
                   heart
                   ,
                
                 though
                 they
                 committed
                 no
                 such
                 wickedness
                 in
                 the
                 outward
                 man.
                 
              
               
                 And
                 hereby
                 is
                 the
                 hypocrisie
                 of
                 many
                 professors
                 of
                 Christianity
                 discovered
                 ,
                 who
                 reach
                 no
                 farther
                 than
                 the
                 outside
                 of
                 Religion
                 ;
                 whose
                 Godliness
                 is
                 nothing
                 but
                 carnal
                 service
                 ,
                 and
                 bodily
                 exercise
                 .
                 Whereas
                 the
                 Law
                 is
                 spiritual
                 ,
                 
                 as
                 the
                 Apostle
                 speaketh
                 ,
                 
                   reaching
                   to
                   the
                   very
                   inwards
                   of
                   the
                   Soul.
                
                 And
                 saith
                 our
                 Saviour
                 ,
                 
                   God
                   is
                   a
                   Spirit
                
                 ,
                 
                 
                   and
                   will
                   be
                   worshipped
                   inwardly
                   with
                   the
                   spirit
                   ,
                   as
                   well
                   as
                   outwardly
                   with
                   the
                   body
                   .
                
                 Whosoever
                 therefore
                 walks
                 exactly
                 ,
                 contents
                 not
                 himself
                 with
                 the
                 externals
                 of
                 Christianity
                 ,
                 but
                 labours
                 to
                 bring
                 up
                 his
                 heart
                 to
                 the
                 inwards
                 thereof
                 ;
                 striving
                 to
                 suppress
                 evil
                 thoughts
                 ,
                 to
                 mortifie
                 unclean
                 lusts
                 ,
                 and
                 all
                 inordinate
                 affections
                 ;
                 to
                 abhor
                 and
                 watch
                 against
                 secret
                 impurities
                 ,
                 as
                 well
                 as
                 open
                 impieties
                 .
                 This
                 is
                 to
                 walk
                 exactly
                 and
                 accurately
                 indeed
                 :
                 for
                 so
                 the
                 word
                 in
                 the
                 Greek
                 seemeth
                 to
                 import
                 in
                 its
                 proper
                 notion
                 ,
                 
                 
                   viz.
                   A
                   going
                   from
                   the
                   bottom
                   to
                   the
                   top
                   of
                   the
                   rule
                   .
                
              
               
                 3.
                 
                 Our
                 exact
                 walking
                 consisteth
                 in
                 
                   a
                   carefull
                   avoiding
                   all
                   occasions
                   of
                   evil
                   ,
                   and
                   temptations
                   thereunto
                   .
                
                 Having
                 by
                 sad
                 experience
                 found
                 such
                 and
                 such
                 things
                 to
                 have
                 been
                 snares
                 ,
                 and
                 occasions
                 of
                 sin
                 unto
                 us
                 ,
                 it
                 is
                 our
                 duty
                 ,
                 and
                 will
                 be
                 our
                 wisdom
                 carefully
                 to
                 shun
                 and
                 efchew
                 the
                 same
                 .
                 Especially
                 considering
                 that
                 by
                 running
                 into
                 temptations
                 ,
                 we
                 tempt
                 the
                 Lord
                 ,
                 and
                 provoke
                 him
                 to
                 give
                 us
                 over
                 to
                 our
                 weakness
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 the
                 power
                 of
                 our
                 corruptions
                 ;
                 that
                 so
                 by
                 our
                 falls
                 we
                 may
                 for
                 the
                 time
                 to
                 come
                 be
                 more
                 wise
                 and
                 wary
                 .
              
               
               
                 Every
                 man
                 by
                 nature
                 is
                 like
                 dry
                 wood
                 ,
                 which
                 is
                 apt
                 to
                 kindle
                 so
                 soon
                 as
                 fire
                 is
                 put
                 to
                 it
                 .
                 There
                 needs
                 not
                 any
                 Devils
                 to
                 tempt
                 us
                 .
                 Dry
                 stubble
                 will
                 take
                 fire
                 without
                 any
                 bellows
                 to
                 blow
                 it
                 .
                 Let
                 the
                 least
                 occasion
                 that
                 is
                 be
                 offered
                 unto
                 us
                 ,
                 how
                 easily
                 doth
                 it
                 take
                 ?
                 every
                 spark
                 will
                 catch
                 upon
                 our
                 tinder
                 hearts
                 .
                 The
                 first
                 sin
                 that
                 proved
                 so
                 fatal
                 to
                 mankind
                 came
                 by
                 temptation
                 .
                 The
                 Devil
                 prevailed
                 with
                 Eve
                 to
                 go
                 and
                 see
                 the
                 forbidden
                 fruit
                 ,
                 telling
                 her
                 ,
                 that
                 though
                 she
                 might
                 not
                 eat
                 it
                 ,
                 yet
                 she
                 might
                 lawfully
                 look
                 on
                 it
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 became
                 the
                 occasion
                 of
                 her
                 fall
                 .
                 For
                 from
                 sight
                 and
                 view
                 she
                 proceeded
                 to
                 touch
                 and
                 taste
                 ,
                 to
                 the
                 taking
                 in
                 of
                 that
                 which
                 proved
                 the
                 bane
                 both
                 of
                 her
                 and
                 hers
                 .
              
               
                 By
                 the
                 like
                 means
                 how
                 sadly
                 doth
                 the
                 Devil
                 prevail
                 upon
                 souls
                 daily
                 ?
                 what
                 windows
                 doth
                 he
                 make
                 our
                 eyes
                 and
                 ears
                 ,
                 to
                 let
                 in
                 temptation
                 first
                 ,
                 and
                 then
                 iniquity
                 ?
                 what
                 snares
                 doth
                 he
                 make
                 of
                 our
                 voluptuous
                 tables
                 ?
                 our
                 vain
                 and
                 loose
                 companions
                 ?
                 our
                 gorgeous
                 apparel
                 ?
                 our
                 vain
                 and
                 wanton
                 fashions
                 ?
                 even
                 forming
                 our
                 hearts
                 into
                 the
                 image
                 of
                 those
                 vanities
                 ,
                 and
                 leading
                 us
                 out
                 to
                 all
                 iniquity
                 .
                 As
                 our
                 Saviour
                 therefore
                 taught
                 us
                 to
                 pray
                 ,
                 
                   that
                   we
                   enter
                   not
                   into
                   temptation
                   .
                
                 So
                 it
                 will
                 be
                 our
                 wisdom
                 to
                 see
                 to
                 it
                 ,
                 that
                 our
                 practice
                 be
                 according
                 to
                 our
                 prayers
                 .
                 What
                 a
                 mockery
                 is
                 it
                 ,
                 this
                 hour
                 to
                 pray
                 against
                 temptations
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 next
                 hour
                 to
                 be
                 running
                 into
                 them
                 .
                 Pray
                 against
                 temptations
                 ,
                 and
                 watch
                 against
                 them
                 .
                 Watch
                 against
                 all
                 temptations
                 ,
                 but
                 especially
                 such
                 as
                 are
                 most
                 taking
                 with
                 thee
                 :
                 and
                 such
                 as
                 have
                 a
                 tendency
                 to
                 thy
                 bosome
                 and
                 best
                 beloved
                 sins
                 .
                 For
                 from
                 them
                 is
                 most
                 danger
                 to
                 be
                 feared
                 ,
                 they
                 having
                 most
                 strength
                 from
                 our
                 natures
                 .
                 The
                 Devil
                 knowing
                 full
                 well
                 ,
                 which
                 are
                 our
                 bosome
                 and
                 beloved
                 sins
                 ,
                 and
                 most
                 predominant
                 lusts
                 ,
                 unto
                 them
                 especially
                 ,
                 and
                 with
                 greatest
                 success
                 doth
                 he
                 apply
                 his
                 temptations
                 .
              
               
                 4.
                 
                 Our
                 exact
                 walking
                 consisteth
                 
                   in
                   abstaining
                   from
                   appearances
                   of
                   evil
                   ,
                
                 
                 
                   as
                   well
                   as
                   from
                   apparent
                   and
                   direct
                   evills
                   .
                
                 As
                 there
                 are
                 some
                 things
                 apparently
                 
                 evil
                 ,
                 so
                 there
                 are
                 other
                 things
                 in
                 shew
                 and
                 appearance
                 only
                 evil
                 .
                 He
                 who
                 walks
                 circumspectly
                 and
                 exactly
                 will
                 as
                 carefully
                 shun
                 the
                 one
                 as
                 the
                 other
                 .
                 He
                 will
                 not
                 adventure
                 upon
                 any
                 thing
                 that
                 looks
                 like
                 sin
                 ,
                 or
                 that
                 hath
                 the
                 least
                 affinity
                 with
                 it
                 .
                 If
                 the
                 thing
                 be
                 doubtfull
                 whether
                 it
                 may
                 ,
                 or
                 may
                 not
                 be
                 done
                 ,
                 he
                 will
                 do
                 that
                 which
                 is
                 most
                 safe
                 ,
                 and
                 leave
                 the
                 other
                 undone
                 .
                 Yea
                 though
                 he
                 know
                 a
                 thing
                 to
                 be
                 lawfull
                 in
                 it self
                 ,
                 yet
                 if
                 it
                 may
                 prove
                 a
                 stumbling
                 block
                 in
                 the
                 way
                 of
                 another
                 ,
                 and
                 so
                 be
                 an
                 occasion
                 of
                 sin
                 unto
                 him
                 ,
                 he
                 will
                 carefully
                 avoid
                 the
                 same
                 .
              
               
                 Upon
                 this
                 account
                 St.
                 
                   Paul
                   resolved
                   to
                   avoid
                   the
                   eating
                   of
                   flesh
                   ,
                
                 though
                 he
                 might
                 lawfully
                 do
                 it
                 :
                 yet
                 when
                 it
                 was
                 like
                 to
                 be
                 a
                 stumbling-block
                 to
                 his
                 weak
                 Brother
                 ,
                 in
                 regard
                 it
                 had
                 an
                 appearance
                 of
                 evil
                 in
                 it
                 ,
                 
                 he
                 said
                 ,
                 
                   If
                   meat
                   make
                   my
                   Brother
                   to
                   offend
                   ,
                   I
                   will
                   eat
                   no
                   flesh
                   while
                   the
                   world
                   standeth
                   .
                
                 Upon
                 this
                 ground
                 likewise
                 the
                 Apostles
                 and
                 Elders
                 in
                 the
                 first
                 general
                 Council
                 at
                 Ierusalem
                 imposed
                 upon
                 the
                 
                   Gentiles
                   abstinence
                   from
                   meat
                   offered
                   to
                   Idols
                   ,
                
                 
                 
                   from
                   things
                   strangled
                   ,
                   and
                   from
                   blood
                   .
                
                 Not
                 for
                 that
                 these
                 meats
                 were
                 in
                 themselves
                 unclean
                 and
                 unlawfull
                 ;
                 but
                 because
                 they
                 were
                 apprehended
                 to
                 be
                 so
                 unto
                 many
                 of
                 the
                 Iews
                 ,
                 who
                 were
                 kept
                 off
                 from
                 Christ
                 ,
                 because
                 those
                 meats
                 in
                 which
                 they
                 supposed
                 to
                 be
                 such
                 uncleanness
                 were
                 ordinarily
                 eaten
                 by
                 the
                 Christians
                 .
                 Hereupon
                 it
                 concerns
                 us
                 in
                 all
                 our
                 actions
                 to
                 be
                 satisfied
                 ,
                 not
                 only
                 of
                 the
                 lawfullness
                 but
                 likewise
                 of
                 the
                 expediency
                 of
                 them
                 .
                 
                 For
                 many
                 things
                 in
                 themselves
                 may
                 be
                 lawfull
                 ,
                 which
                 yet
                 in
                 some
                 respect
                 may
                 not
                 be
                 expedient
                 ,
                 because
                 they
                 have
                 some
                 shew
                 of
                 evill
                 in
                 them
                 ,
                 or
                 are
                 lyable
                 to
                 some
                 mis-construction
                 ,
                 or
                 may
                 be
                 occasions
                 of
                 sin
                 unto
                 our selves
                 ,
                 or
                 of
                 scandal
                 and
                 offence
                 unto
                 our
                 weak
                 Brother
                 ,
                 or
                 may
                 strengthen
                 and
                 confirm
                 wicked
                 men
                 in
                 their
                 ungodly
                 courses
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 like
                 .
                 
                 But
                 herein
                 this
                 cau●ion
                 is
                 to
                 be
                 observed
                 ,
                 
                 that
                 all
                 necessary
                 duties
                 commanded
                 by
                 God
                 ,
                 ought
                 to
                 be
                 performed
                 by
                 us
                 ,
                 though
                 our
                 Brother
                 be
                 offended
                 at
                 them
                 ,
                 and
                 though
                 to
                 the
                 World
                 they
                 have
                 some
                 appearance
                 of
                 evil
                 .
                 Christs
                 Doctrines
                 ,
                 Works
                 and
                 Conversations
                 were
                 an
                 offence
                 to
                 many
                 in
                 his
                 dayes
                 ,
                 yet
                 he
                 went
                 on
                 therein
                 ,
                 and
                 pronounced
                 them
                 
                   blessed
                   who
                   were
                   not
                   offended
                   in
                   him
                   .
                
                 We
                 may
                 not
                 therefore
                 shun
                 profession
                 of
                 holiness
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 practice
                 of
                 Godliness
                 ,
                 because
                 unto
                 Worldly
                 men
                 it
                 appeareth
                 but
                 
                   brain-sick
                   peevishness
                
                 ,
                 and
                 an
                 
                   irrational
                   precis●ness
                
                 .
                 But
                 being
                 commanded
                 by
                 God
                 in
                 his
                 Word
                 ,
                 ought
                 to
                 be
                 endeavoured
                 after
                 .
                 I
                 may
                 not
                 wound
                 mine
                 own
                 Cons●ience
                 to
                 secure
                 my
                 Brothers
                 .
              
               
                 5.
                 
                 Our
                 exact
                 walking
                 consisteth
                 
                   in
                   a
                   moderate
                   use
                   of
                   lawfull
                   things
                   .
                
                 That
                 overmuch
                 liberty
                 which
                 some
                 men
                 have
                 given
                 to
                 themselves
                 in
                 such
                 things
                 as
                 are
                 in
                 their
                 own
                 nature
                 lawfull
                 ,
                 hath
                 proved
                 great
                 occasion
                 of
                 sin
                 unto
                 them
                 .
                 Our
                 Saviour
                 seemeth
                 to
                 blame
                 the
                 men
                 of
                 the
                 old
                 World
                 ,
                 that
                 when
                 the
                 Flood
                 came
                 upon
                 them
                 ,
                 
                 
                   they
                   were
                   eating
                   and
                   drinking
                   ,
                   buying
                   and
                   selling
                   ,
                   planting
                   and
                   building
                   .
                
                 Things
                 no
                 doubt
                 in
                 themselves
                 lawfull
                 to
                 be
                 done
                 :
                 but
                 by
                 over
                 using
                 those
                 lawfull
                 things
                 ,
                 and
                 setting
                 their
                 hearts
                 upon
                 them
                 ,
                 they
                 laid
                 aside
                 all
                 care
                 of
                 Heavenly
                 things
                 ;
                 and
                 increased
                 their
                 pride
                 and
                 covetousness
                 ,
                 neglecting
                 the
                 threatnings
                 of
                 a
                 Flood
                 ,
                 
                 and
                 so
                 drowned
                 themselves
                 in
                 perdition
                 .
              
               
                 The
                 Apostle
                 therefore
                 tells
                 us
                 ,
                 
                 
                   that
                   they
                   who
                   marry
                   ,
                   must
                   be
                   as
                   if
                   they
                   marryed
                   not
                   :
                   and
                   they
                   who
                   buy
                   ,
                   as
                   if
                   they
                   bought
                   not
                   :
                   and
                   they
                   who
                   use
                   this
                   World
                   ,
                   as
                   not
                   abusing
                   it
                   .
                
                 There
                 is
                 a
                 lawfull
                 using
                 the
                 comforts
                 of
                 this
                 life
                 ,
                 and
                 an
                 unlawfull
                 ,
                 an
                 abusing
                 of
                 them
                 .
                 We
                 lawfully
                 use
                 them
                 ,
                 when
                 we
                 enjoy
                 them
                 with
                 moderation
                 ,
                 and
                 with
                 subordination
                 to
                 spiritual
                 grace
                 ,
                 and
                 heavenly
                 glory
                 ,
                 when
                 we
                 use
                 all
                 we
                 have
                 for
                 God.
                 We
                 abuse
                 the
                 comforts
                 of
                 this
                 life
                 ,
                 when
                 we
                 use
                 them
                 too
                 much
                 ,
                 even
                 excessively
                 
                 in
                 respect
                 of
                 the
                 measure
                 ,
                 and
                 inordinately
                 in
                 respect
                 of
                 the
                 manner
                 ;
                 when
                 letting
                 out
                 our
                 hearts
                 too
                 much
                 upon
                 them
                 ,
                 the
                 things
                 which
                 should
                 lead
                 us
                 to
                 God
                 ,
                 withdraw
                 us
                 from
                 him
                 .
              
               
                 To
                 spend
                 some
                 time
                 in
                 
                   honest
                   recreations
                
                 ,
                 for
                 the
                 refreshing
                 of
                 our
                 minds
                 ,
                 and
                 strengthening
                 our
                 bodies
                 is
                 lawfull
                 .
                 But
                 to
                 waste
                 too
                 much
                 of
                 our
                 precious
                 time
                 in
                 sports
                 and
                 pastimes
                 ,
                 making
                 a
                 vocation
                 of
                 our
                 recreations
                 :
                 or
                 to
                 give
                 up
                 our
                 hearts
                 unto
                 our
                 pleasure
                 ,
                 to
                 use
                 those
                 delights
                 for
                 themselves
                 and
                 not
                 for
                 God
                 :
                 or
                 to
                 use
                 them
                 more
                 for
                 gain
                 than
                 for
                 refreshment
                 ,
                 they
                 are
                 thereby
                 turned
                 into
                 sin
                 .
              
               
                 In
                 like
                 manner
                 sometimes
                 to
                 feast
                 with
                 our
                 friends
                 and
                 neighbours
                 is
                 lawfull
                 :
                 but
                 to
                 be
                 too
                 frequent
                 therein
                 ;
                 or
                 
                   intemperate
                   ,
                   feeding
                   without
                   fear
                
                 ,
                 
                 as
                 the
                 Apostle
                 Iude
                 hath
                 it
                 ;
                 never
                 tasting
                 the
                 sweetness
                 of
                 God
                 in
                 the
                 Creature
                 ,
                 nor
                 having
                 respect
                 to
                 that
                 communion
                 which
                 should
                 be
                 amongst
                 Saints
                 ,
                 is
                 to
                 abuse
                 Gods
                 good
                 Creatures
                 .
              
               
                 So
                 to
                 be
                 diligent
                 in
                 the
                 works
                 of
                 our
                 calling
                 is
                 in
                 it self
                 both
                 lawfull
                 ,
                 and
                 commendable
                 .
                 But
                 when
                 we
                 shall
                 be
                 so
                 diligent
                 in
                 our
                 particular
                 calling
                 ,
                 that
                 we
                 neglect
                 the
                 duties
                 of
                 our
                 general
                 calling
                 ,
                 as
                 Christians
                 .
                 I
                 mean
                 when
                 we
                 are
                 so
                 taken
                 up
                 with
                 our
                 Worldly
                 businesses
                 and
                 imployments
                 ,
                 that
                 we
                 can
                 find
                 no
                 time
                 for
                 serving
                 God
                 ,
                 either
                 secretly
                 in
                 our
                 Chambers
                 ,
                 or
                 privately
                 with
                 our
                 families
                 ,
                 is
                 to
                 make
                 our
                 lawfull
                 calling
                 sinfull
                 unto
                 us
                 .
                 Much
                 more
                 when
                 we
                 mingle
                 fraud
                 and
                 deceit
                 with
                 our
                 dealings
                 ,
                 and
                 cannot
                 be
                 content
                 with
                 that
                 gain
                 that
                 comes
                 in
                 by
                 righteousness
                 ,
                 and
                 honesty
                 in
                 all
                 our
                 wayes
                 ,
                 this
                 is
                 to
                 turn
                 our
                 
                   lawfull
                   calling
                
                 into
                 a
                 
                   mysterie
                   of
                   iniquity
                
                 .
              
               
                 The
                 best
                 of
                 Gods
                 Children
                 are
                 apt
                 to
                 use
                 the
                 lawfull
                 things
                 of
                 this
                 World
                 unlawfully
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 abuse
                 them
                 by
                 their
                 excess
                 therein
                 .
                 Did
                 not
                 our
                 Saviour
                 warn
                 his
                 Disciples
                 that
                 they
                 should
                 take
                 heed
                 of
                 abusing
                 as
                 their
                 meat
                 and
                 drink
                 unto
                 surfetting
                 and
                 drunkenness
                 ,
                 
                 so
                 their
                 callings
                 to
                 worldliness
                 and
                 covetousness
                 ?
                 
                 
                   Take
                   heed
                   to
                   your selves
                   ,
                   lest
                   at
                   any
                   time
                   your
                   hearts
                   be
                   overcharged
                   with
                   surfetting
                   and
                   drunkenness
                   ,
                   and
                   cares
                   of
                   this
                   life
                   .
                
                 Who
                 would
                 not
                 have
                 thought
                 the
                 Disciples
                 of
                 Christ
                 far
                 enough
                 from
                 these
                 sins
                 ?
                 yet
                 they
                 must
                 
                   take
                   heed
                   to
                   themselves
                   therein
                
                 .
                 If
                 the
                 green
                 Tree
                 may
                 so
                 easily
                 take
                 fire
                 ,
                 what
                 will
                 not
                 the
                 dry
                 do
                 ?
              
               
                 Oh
                 then
                 how
                 doth
                 it
                 concern
                 us
                 to
                 set
                 bounds
                 to
                 our selves
                 in
                 all
                 lawfull
                 things
                 !
                 not
                 to
                 exceed
                 either
                 in
                 our
                 recreations
                 ,
                 or
                 in
                 our
                 vocations
                 ,
                 or
                 in
                 our
                 eating
                 ,
                 drinking
                 and
                 the
                 like
                 :
                 but
                 to
                 observe
                 the
                 golden
                 mean
                 :
                 the
                 rather
                 because
                 the
                 Devil
                 in
                 nothing
                 more
                 prevaileth
                 with
                 Gods
                 people
                 than
                 in
                 their
                 immoderate
                 and
                 inordinate
                 usage
                 of
                 things
                 lawfull
                 .
                 Knowing
                 full
                 well
                 that
                 the
                 Godly
                 will
                 not
                 easily
                 be
                 drawn
                 to
                 the
                 committing
                 of
                 such
                 things
                 as
                 carry
                 wickedness
                 in
                 their
                 foreheads
                 ,
                 he
                 therefore
                 layeth
                 his
                 snares
                 for
                 them
                 in
                 the
                 use
                 of
                 things
                 lawfull
                 ;
                 as
                 their
                 meat
                 and
                 drink
                 ,
                 their
                 apparel
                 and
                 recreation
                 ,
                 their
                 trading
                 and
                 traffick
                 with
                 the
                 like
                 .
                 Wherein
                 his
                 snares
                 being
                 not
                 so
                 visible
                 ,
                 he
                 oftentimes
                 prevaileth
                 with
                 them
                 .
                 The
                 Apostle
                 declaring
                 what
                 a
                 cruel
                 ,
                 crafty
                 ,
                 and
                 malicious
                 adversary
                 the
                 Devil
                 is
                 ,
                 whom
                 he
                 setteth
                 forth
                 to
                 be
                 as
                 
                   a
                   roaring
                   Lyon
                
                 ,
                 
                 
                   that
                   walketh
                   about
                   seeking
                   to
                   devour
                   :
                
                 he
                 thereupon
                 adviseth
                 us
                 to
                 be
                 as
                 
                   sober
                   in
                   the
                   use
                   of
                   things
                   lawfull
                   and
                   indifferent
                   ,
                
                 so
                 
                   watchfull
                   over
                   our selves
                
                 ,
                 lest
                 we
                 be
                 foyled
                 therein
                 .
              
               
                 For
                 your
                 better
                 help
                 herein
                 ,
                 take
                 these
                 few
                 directions
                 ,
              
               
                 1.
                 
                 
                   In
                   the
                   free
                   use
                   of
                   lawfull
                   things
                   be
                   ever
                   jealous
                   of
                   your selves
                   ,
                   lest
                   you
                   abuse
                   them
                   to
                   intemperancy
                   and
                   excess
                   .
                
                 This
                 hath
                 been
                 the
                 folly
                 of
                 many
                 ,
                 that
                 presuming
                 too
                 much
                 as
                 on
                 their
                 Christian
                 liberty
                 ,
                 so
                 upon
                 their
                 own
                 strength
                 ,
                 have
                 adventured
                 upon
                 such
                 temptations
                 ,
                 as
                 have
                 occasioned
                 their
                 fearfull
                 falls
                 .
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 
                   Labour
                   to
                   make
                   a
                   spiritual
                   improvement
                   of
                   all
                   those
                   lawfull
                   comforts
                   which
                   God
                   hath
                   afford●d
                   to
                   you
                   for
                   your
                   delight
                   .
                
                 And
                 so
                 whilest
                 you
                 refresh
                 your
                 bodies
                 ,
                 you
                 will
                 cherish
                 your
                 souls
                 .
                 Thus
                 in
                 your
                 eating
                 
                 and
                 drinking
                 ,
                 often
                 meditate
                 of
                 Gods
                 bounty
                 in
                 providing
                 so
                 plentifully
                 for
                 you
                 :
                 and
                 not
                 only
                 take
                 in
                 meats
                 ,
                 but
                 likewise
                 give
                 out
                 gracious
                 discourses
                 and
                 instructions
                 .
                 For
                 what
                 can
                 it
                 be
                 but
                 egregious
                 folly
                 ,
                 when
                 you
                 are
                 feeding
                 your
                 bodies
                 ,
                 to
                 neglect
                 your
                 souls
                 ?
                 In
                 putting
                 on
                 your
                 cloaths
                 ,
                 meditate
                 on
                 the
                 robe
                 of
                 Christs
                 righteousness
                 ;
                 which
                 alone
                 can
                 make
                 you
                 amiable
                 in
                 the
                 sight
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 desiring
                 with
                 the
                 Apostle
                 
                   to
                   be
                   found
                   cloathed
                   therewith
                   at
                   the
                   great
                   day
                   .
                
              
               
                 3.
                 
                 
                   Consider
                   that
                   to
                   use
                   your
                   lawfull
                   comforts
                   to
                   the
                   utmost
                   extent
                   ,
                   is
                   the
                   next
                   door
                   to
                   sin
                   .
                
                 He
                 who
                 will
                 go
                 to
                 the
                 utmost
                 extent
                 of
                 what
                 he
                 may
                 lawfully
                 do
                 ,
                 is
                 in
                 danger
                 to
                 go
                 beyond
                 it
                 ;
                 and
                 to
                 do
                 also
                 that
                 which
                 is
                 unlawfull
                 .
                 He
                 who
                 will
                 walk
                 upon
                 the
                 brink
                 of
                 a
                 River
                 ,
                 may
                 fall
                 into
                 the
                 Water
                 .
                 And
                 he
                 who
                 will
                 take
                 the
                 utmost
                 liberty
                 he
                 may
                 ,
                 is
                 very
                 near
                 falling
                 into
                 sin
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 CHAP.
                 XXII
                 .
                 Of
                 the
                 danger
                 of
                 Covetousness
                 ,
                 as
                 being
                 the
                 root
                 of
                 all
                 evil
                 .
              
               
                 ANother
                 singular
                 duty
                 incumbent
                 upon
                 the
                 Regenerate
                 is
                 ,
                 
                   To
                   beware
                   of
                   Covetousness
                   and
                   over-loving
                   the
                   World
                   ,
                   as
                   being
                   the
                   root
                   of
                   all
                   evil
                   .
                
                 I
                 do
                 not
                 say
                 ,
                 that
                 our
                 hearts
                 being
                 changed
                 and
                 renewed
                 ,
                 we
                 ought
                 thereupon
                 wholy
                 to
                 abandon
                 the
                 World
                 ,
                 and
                 give
                 over
                 all
                 Worldly
                 businesses
                 and
                 imployments
                 .
                 For
                 grace
                 and
                 a
                 worldly
                 calling
                 may
                 very
                 well
                 stand
                 together
                 :
                 yea
                 a
                 man
                 may
                 be
                 a
                 sincere
                 ,
                 holy
                 Christian
                 ,
                 and
                 yet
                 a
                 great
                 dealer
                 in
                 the
                 World
                 :
                 nay
                 grace
                 ingageth
                 a
                 man
                 to
                 be
                 a
                 good
                 husband
                 ,
                 to
                 improve
                 the
                 estate
                 God
                 hath
                 bestowed
                 on
                 him
                 .
                 But
                 yet
                 we
                 ought
                 not
                 insatiably
                 to
                 desire
                 ,
                 and
                 inordinately
                 to
                 hunt
                 after
                 riches
                 ,
                 as
                 if
                 they
                 were
                 the
                 only
                 things
                 ,
                 or
                 the
                 great
                 things
                 
                 to
                 be
                 sought
                 after
                 ;
                 this
                 is
                 Covetousness
                 .
                 It
                 is
                 not
                 the
                 having
                 of
                 riches
                 ,
                 but
                 the
                 immoderate
                 desiring
                 and
                 loving
                 of
                 them
                 ,
                 and
                 overvaluing
                 them
                 ,
                 which
                 denominates
                 a
                 man
                 Covetous
                 .
                 A
                 man
                 may
                 have
                 much
                 of
                 this
                 Worlds
                 goods
                 ,
                 and
                 yet
                 be
                 no
                 Worldling
                 .
                 And
                 another
                 may
                 have
                 little
                 ,
                 and
                 yet
                 be
                 covetous
                 .
                 This
                 sin
                 is
                 especially
                 in
                 the
                 heart
                 .
              
               
                 Q.
                 May
                 not
                 a
                 Godly
                 man
                 desire
                 riches
                 ,
                 seeing
                 they
                 are
                 often
                 in
                 Scripture
                 termed
                 blessings
                 ,
                 which
                 God
                 hath
                 promised
                 as
                 a
                 reward
                 of
                 his
                 Service
                 ?
              
               
                 A.
                 There
                 is
                 a
                 moderate
                 desire
                 of
                 riches
                 ,
                 which
                 is
                 lawfull
                 :
                 and
                 an
                 immoderate
                 ,
                 or
                 inordinate
                 desire
                 ,
                 which
                 is
                 unlawfull
                 .
                 Then
                 is
                 our
                 desire
                 of
                 riches
                 moderate
                 ,
                 when
                 we
                 desire
                 no
                 more
                 than
                 is
                 needfull
                 ,
                 and
                 can
                 be
                 content
                 to
                 want
                 that
                 ,
                 when
                 God
                 will
                 have
                 it
                 so
                 .
              
               
                 Q.
                 What
                 may
                 be
                 accounted
                 needfull
                 ?
              
               
                 A.
                 1.
                 
                 That
                 which
                 is
                 meet
                 for
                 the
                 state
                 and
                 calling
                 wherein
                 God
                 hath
                 set
                 us
                 .
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 That
                 which
                 is
                 requisite
                 for
                 the
                 charge
                 committed
                 to
                 us
                 .
                 As
                 if
                 a
                 man
                 have
                 Wife
                 ,
                 and
                 Children
                 ,
                 and
                 Servants
                 ,
                 or
                 Kindred
                 lying
                 upon
                 his
                 charge
                 ,
                 what
                 is
                 needfull
                 and
                 sufficient
                 for
                 them
                 ,
                 may
                 be
                 desired
                 and
                 sought
                 after
                 .
              
               
                 3.
                 
                 That
                 which
                 is
                 needfull
                 for
                 the
                 future
                 livelihood
                 and
                 maintenance
                 of
                 Wife
                 and
                 Children
                 ,
                 may
                 lawfully
                 be
                 desired
                 and
                 sought
                 after
                 .
                 The
                 Apostle
                 layeth
                 it
                 down
                 as
                 a
                 duty
                 ,
                 
                 
                   that
                   Parents
                   ought
                   to
                   lay
                   up
                   for
                   their
                   Children
                   .
                
              
               
                 Besides
                 this
                 moderate
                 desiring
                 and
                 seeking
                 after
                 riches
                 ,
                 there
                 is
                 an
                 immoderate
                 desiring
                 ,
                 and
                 inordinate
                 seeking
                 after
                 them
                 .
                 As
                 when
                 a
                 man
                 is
                 not
                 content
                 with
                 that
                 portion
                 which
                 God
                 by
                 his
                 Providence
                 doth
                 afford
                 unto
                 him
                 ,
                 but
                 insatiably
                 thirsts
                 after
                 more
                 .
                 And
                 rather
                 than
                 fail
                 of
                 his
                 desire
                 ,
                 will
                 both
                 neglect
                 his
                 God
                 and
                 his
                 soul
                 ;
                 and
                 also
                 venture
                 on
                 the
                 use
                 of
                 any
                 unlawfull
                 means
                 ,
                 as
                 lying
                 ,
                 swearing
                 ,
                 false
                 weights
                 and
                 measures
                 ,
                 with
                 the
                 like
                 ,
                 for
                 accomplishing
                 the
                 same
                 ;
                 which
                 is
                 wickedness
                 
                 in
                 any
                 ,
                 but
                 especially
                 in
                 such
                 as
                 make
                 a
                 profession
                 of
                 Religion
                 .
              
               
                 Yet
                 how
                 many
                 professors
                 are
                 there
                 in
                 our
                 dayes
                 ,
                 who
                 though
                 they
                 pretend
                 much
                 love
                 to
                 Christ
                 ,
                 yet
                 by
                 their
                 practice
                 it
                 appears
                 ,
                 that
                 their
                 love
                 of
                 riches
                 is
                 greater
                 and
                 stronger
                 than
                 their
                 love
                 of
                 him
                 ?
              
               
                 1.
                 
                 For
                 how
                 are
                 their
                 thoughts
                 more
                 upon
                 the
                 World
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 things
                 thereof
                 ,
                 than
                 on
                 Christ
                 ?
                 No
                 sooner
                 are
                 they
                 awake
                 from
                 their
                 sleep
                 ,
                 but
                 the
                 World
                 presently
                 takes
                 possession
                 of
                 their
                 hearts
                 :
                 and
                 their
                 thoughts
                 are
                 upon
                 their
                 estate
                 ,
                 how
                 they
                 may
                 encrease
                 the
                 same
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 with
                 unwearied
                 care
                 and
                 labour
                 ;
                 when
                 every
                 little
                 that
                 is
                 done
                 for
                 Christ
                 is
                 a
                 weariness
                 to
                 them
                 .
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 How
                 do
                 their
                 discourses
                 run
                 out
                 more
                 upon
                 their
                 riches
                 ,
                 than
                 on
                 Christ
                 ?
                 Yea
                 with
                 what
                 freedom
                 and
                 delight
                 do
                 they
                 talk
                 of
                 their
                 wealth
                 ,
                 and
                 of
                 the
                 means
                 of
                 getting
                 and
                 increasing
                 the
                 same
                 ?
                 And
                 scarce
                 a
                 word
                 of
                 Christ
                 all
                 the
                 day
                 long
                 .
                 Which
                 doth
                 clearly
                 discover
                 the
                 covetousness
                 which
                 lyeth
                 in
                 their
                 hearts
                 :
                 for
                 
                   out
                   of
                   the
                   abundance
                   of
                   the
                   heart
                   the
                   mouth
                   speaketh
                   .
                
                 
                 As
                 the
                 door-keeper
                 said
                 unto
                 
                   Peter
                   ,
                   Thou
                   art
                   surely
                   of
                
                 Galilee
                 ,
                 
                   for
                   thy
                   speech
                   bewrayeth
                   thee
                
                 .
                 So
                 whosoever
                 shall
                 make
                 the
                 World
                 the
                 whole
                 matter
                 ,
                 and
                 subject
                 of
                 his
                 discourse
                 ,
                 it
                 may
                 be
                 truly
                 said
                 of
                 him
                 ,
                 
                   He
                   is
                   a
                   Citizen
                   of
                   the
                   World
                   ,
                   for
                   his
                   speech
                   bewrayeth
                   him
                   .
                
              
               
                 3.
                 
                 How
                 eager
                 and
                 keen
                 are
                 their
                 desires
                 after
                 the
                 riches
                 of
                 this
                 World
                 ?
                 or
                 at
                 least
                 after
                 a
                 further
                 portion
                 ,
                 and
                 provision
                 for
                 themselves
                 ,
                 Wives
                 ,
                 and
                 Children
                 ?
              
               
                 4.
                 
                 How
                 do
                 they
                 toyle
                 and
                 labour
                 ,
                 spending
                 their
                 sweat
                 and
                 strength
                 in
                 seeking
                 after
                 riches
                 ?
                 thinking
                 no
                 care
                 and
                 study
                 too
                 much
                 ,
                 nor
                 pains
                 too
                 great
                 for
                 encreasing
                 their
                 wealth
                 and
                 store
                 .
                 How
                 do
                 they
                 rise
                 earlyer
                 for
                 their
                 Worldly
                 businesses
                 ,
                 than
                 for
                 their
                 Prayers
                 ,
                 or
                 any
                 spiritual
                 exercises
                 ?
              
               
                 5.
                 
                 How
                 do
                 they
                 suffer
                 the
                 World
                 to
                 take
                 up
                 so
                 
                 much
                 of
                 their
                 precious
                 time
                 ,
                 that
                 they
                 can
                 scarce
                 find
                 any
                 leisure
                 either
                 for
                 closet
                 devotions
                 ,
                 or
                 family
                 Prayers
                 ?
                 but
                 make
                 their
                 Religion
                 give
                 place
                 to
                 their
                 Worldly
                 businesses
                 .
                 And
                 when
                 at
                 any
                 time
                 they
                 fall
                 upon
                 the
                 performance
                 of
                 holy
                 duties
                 ,
                 how
                 are
                 their
                 hearts
                 in
                 that
                 very
                 time
                 taken
                 up
                 with
                 Worldly
                 thoughts
                 ,
                 and
                 imaginations
                 ?
                 So
                 that
                 insteed
                 of
                 conversing
                 with
                 God
                 in
                 his
                 holy
                 Ordinances
                 ,
                 and
                 enjoying
                 communion
                 with
                 him
                 therein
                 ,
                 they
                 converse
                 with
                 the
                 World
                 ,
                 and
                 hold
                 communion
                 with
                 the
                 Devil
                 .
              
               
                 O
                 what
                 a
                 shame
                 is
                 it
                 for
                 such
                 as
                 are
                 brought
                 out
                 of
                 darkness
                 into
                 marvelous
                 light
                 ,
                 having
                 their
                 understandings
                 inlightned
                 with
                 the
                 knowledge
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 of
                 his
                 Son
                 Jesus
                 Christ
                 ,
                 and
                 are
                 able
                 to
                 discern
                 the
                 mysteries
                 of
                 Godliness
                 that
                 they
                 should
                 set
                 their
                 hearts
                 and
                 affections
                 upon
                 base
                 and
                 transitory
                 things
                 !
                 that
                 they
                 should
                 lay
                 out
                 themselves
                 so
                 much
                 in
                 the
                 pursuit
                 of
                 them
                 !
                 and
                 never
                 think
                 they
                 have
                 laid
                 up
                 sufficient
                 of
                 these
                 earthly
                 treasures
                 !
                 What
                 a
                 shame
                 is
                 it
                 for
                 such
                 as
                 profess
                 themselves
                 the
                 Sons
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 to
                 live
                 like
                 Sons
                 of
                 men
                 !
                 as
                 if
                 their
                 portion
                 and
                 happiness
                 were
                 only
                 in
                 this
                 life
                 .
                 That
                 they
                 who
                 profess
                 themselves
                 Heirs
                 to
                 an
                 Heavenly
                 inheritance
                 ,
                 should
                 so
                 much
                 dote
                 upon
                 earthly
                 things
                 !
                 what
                 a
                 shame
                 is
                 it
                 for
                 such
                 as
                 have
                 reasonable
                 souls
                 ,
                 capable
                 of
                 an
                 everlasting
                 life
                 ,
                 and
                 of
                 communion
                 with
                 God
                 both
                 here
                 and
                 hereafter
                 ,
                 should
                 so
                 far
                 debase
                 their
                 natures
                 ,
                 as
                 to
                 live
                 like
                 Moles
                 and
                 Worms
                 in
                 the
                 Earth
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 root
                 like
                 Swine
                 in
                 mudd
                 and
                 dung
                 !
              
               
                 Oh
                 how
                 doth
                 it
                 concern
                 you
                 ,
                 daily
                 to
                 humble
                 your selves
                 for
                 this
                 sin
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 loath
                 and
                 abhorr
                 it
                 ,
                 and
                 watch
                 against
                 it
                 for
                 the
                 time
                 to
                 come
                 !
                 For
                 as
                 every
                 evill
                 is
                 to
                 be
                 abhorred
                 ,
                 so
                 especially
                 such
                 as
                 are
                 disgracefull
                 to
                 the
                 Gospel
                 of
                 Jesus
                 Christ
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 the
                 Religion
                 which
                 you
                 profess
                 .
                 Let
                 us
                 all
                 therefore
                 who
                 have
                 given
                 our
                 names
                 unto
                 Christ
                 ,
                 labour
                 to
                 mortifie
                 this
                 sin
                 in
                 us
                 .
                 Let
                 us
                 use
                 this
                 
                 World
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 things
                 thereof
                 ,
                 as
                 if
                 we
                 used
                 them
                 not
                 ;
                 neither
                 in
                 our
                 judgements
                 esteeming
                 ,
                 nor
                 in
                 our
                 hearts
                 affecting
                 ,
                 nor
                 in
                 our
                 practice
                 seeking
                 them
                 before
                 spiritual
                 grace
                 and
                 Heavenly
                 glory
                 .
              
               
                 That
                 we
                 may
                 be
                 the
                 better
                 quickned
                 up
                 thereunto
                 ,
                 let
                 us
                 oft
                 consider
                 the
                 manifold
                 mischiefs
                 that
                 do
                 usually
                 follow
                 and
                 accompany
                 this
                 sin
                 of
                 covetousness
                 ,
              
               
                 
                 I.
                 
                   It
                   is
                   the
                   Root
                   of
                   all
                   Evil.
                
                 There
                 is
                 no
                 evil
                 which
                 a
                 covetous
                 man
                 will
                 forbear
                 :
                 his
                 covetousness
                 will
                 put
                 him
                 upon
                 the
                 acting
                 and
                 committing
                 all
                 manner
                 of
                 sin
                 ,
                 that
                 will
                 serve
                 his
                 greedy
                 design
                 .
                 It
                 will
                 make
                 a
                 man
                 turn
                 the
                 day
                 of
                 Sacred
                 rest
                 into
                 a
                 day
                 of
                 bodily
                 labour
                 .
                 It
                 will
                 make
                 him
                 use
                 wicked
                 ballances
                 ,
                 and
                 deceitfull
                 weights
                 .
                 
                 
                   For
                   this
                   they
                   are
                   full
                   of
                   violence
                   and
                   lyes
                   ,
                
                 saith
                 the
                 Prophet
                 Micah
                 .
                 It
                 oft-times
                 raiseth
                 Warrs
                 ,
                 and
                 sets
                 the
                 World
                 together
                 by
                 the
                 ears
                 .
                 It
                 occasioneth
                 the
                 neglect
                 both
                 of
                 our
                 own
                 and
                 others
                 souls
                 .
                 It
                 enticeth
                 us
                 into
                 Hell
                 for
                 the
                 sake
                 of
                 living
                 plentifully
                 on
                 earth
                 .
                 It
                 causeth
                 Parents
                 to
                 neglect
                 the
                 souls
                 of
                 their
                 Children
                 ;
                 and
                 Children
                 to
                 wish
                 the
                 death
                 of
                 their
                 Parents
                 .
                 It
                 maketh
                 people
                 to
                 hate
                 their
                 Ministers
                 ,
                 and
                 Ministers
                 to
                 neglect
                 their
                 People
                 .
              
               
                 II.
                 
                   Covetousness
                   alienates
                   the
                   soul
                   of
                   man
                   from
                   God
                   ,
                
                 and
                 that
                 several
                 wayes
                 ,
                 as
              
               
                 
                 1.
                 
                 
                   From
                   the
                   thought
                   of
                   God.
                   For
                   God
                   is
                   not
                   in
                   all
                   his
                   thoughts
                   .
                
                 When
                 he
                 awakes
                 in
                 the
                 night
                 ,
                 his
                 mind
                 is
                 wholly
                 taken
                 up
                 with
                 worldly
                 matters
                 ,
                 without
                 a
                 thought
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 or
                 of
                 any
                 good
                 thing
                 .
                 When
                 he
                 is
                 following
                 the
                 works
                 of
                 his
                 calling
                 ,
                 how
                 is
                 he
                 wholly
                 drowned
                 ,
                 and
                 swallowed
                 up
                 therein
                 !
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 
                   It
                   alienates
                   the
                   soul
                   of
                   man
                   from
                   the
                   love
                   of
                   God
                   :
                   For
                   if
                   any
                   man
                   love
                   the
                   World
                   ,
                
                 
                 
                   the
                   love
                   of
                   the
                   Father
                   is
                   not
                   in
                   him
                   .
                
              
               
                 3.
                 
                 
                   It
                   alienates
                   the
                   soul
                   of
                   man
                   from
                   attending
                   upon
                   God
                   in
                   his
                   Ordinances
                   .
                
                 As
                 you
                 may
                 see
                 in
                 the
                 invited
                 guests
                 in
                 the
                 Parable
                 ,
                 
                 whose
                 eager
                 desire
                 after
                 the
                 things
                 of
                 this
                 World
                 ,
                 kept
                 them
                 from
                 coming
                 to
                 the
                 wedding
                 feast
                 .
              
               
               
                 III.
                 
                   Covetousness
                   makes
                   a
                   man
                   unthankfull
                   for
                   his
                   present
                   state
                   and
                   condition
                   ,
                   though
                   in
                   it self
                   an
                   estate
                   very
                   full
                   and
                   comfortable
                   .
                
                 His
                 mind
                 is
                 so
                 much
                 upon
                 what
                 he
                 hath
                 not
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 neither
                 takes
                 notice
                 ,
                 nor
                 tastes
                 the
                 sweetness
                 of
                 what
                 he
                 hath
                 .
                 His
                 full
                 vessel
                 in
                 his
                 own
                 apprehension
                 is
                 an
                 empty
                 bottle
                 .
                 Finding
                 no
                 contentment
                 in
                 what
                 he
                 hath
                 ,
                 he
                 is
                 full
                 of
                 murmuring
                 and
                 repining
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 hath
                 not
                 what
                 he
                 would
                 have
                 .
                 Many
                 a
                 gracious
                 poor
                 man
                 ,
                 that
                 hath
                 little
                 of
                 this
                 Worlds
                 goods
                 ,
                 hath
                 oftentimes
                 more
                 satisfaction
                 and
                 contentment
                 in
                 his
                 little
                 ,
                 than
                 he
                 that
                 hath
                 the
                 greatest
                 earthly
                 revenews
                 ,
                 in
                 all
                 his
                 abundance
                 .
              
               
                 IV.
                 
                   Covetousness
                   works
                   the
                   heart
                   to
                   a
                   mean
                   and
                   low
                   esteem
                   of
                   things
                   spiritual
                   and
                   heavenly
                   .
                
                 From
                 such
                 as
                 love
                 the
                 World
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 things
                 thereof
                 over-much
                 ,
                 Christ
                 to
                 be
                 sure
                 hath
                 love
                 little
                 enough
                 .
                 Their
                 eyes
                 are
                 so
                 blinded
                 ,
                 that
                 they
                 see
                 not
                 his
                 beauty
                 :
                 and
                 their
                 pallat
                 so
                 distempered
                 ,
                 that
                 they
                 taste
                 not
                 his
                 sweetness
                 .
                 And
                 therefore
                 ,
                 with
                 Esau
                 ,
                 preferr
                 a
                 mess
                 of
                 pottage
                 before
                 a
                 birth-right
                 :
                 and
                 with
                 the
                 men
                 of
                 Shechem
                 preferr
                 the
                 bramble
                 before
                 the
                 Vine
                 ,
                 the
                 Olive
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 Figg-tree
                 .
                 Worldly
                 men
                 preferr
                 these
                 poor
                 empty
                 things
                 ,
                 the
                 Brambles
                 of
                 the
                 World
                 before
                 Jesus
                 Christ
                 the
                 true
                 and
                 living
                 Vine
                 ;
                 yea
                 and
                 above
                 the
                 blessed
                 birth-right
                 of
                 Gods
                 new-born
                 Children
                 .
              
               
                 Covetousness
                 depriveth
                 a
                 man
                 of
                 the
                 comfort
                 of
                 what
                 he
                 hath
                 ,
                 and
                 possesseth
                 .
                 For
                 the
                 having
                 of
                 all
                 is
                 as
                 nothing
                 to
                 him
                 ,
                 that
                 hath
                 an
                 immoderate
                 desire
                 after
                 more
                 .
                 Ahabs
                 Crown
                 and
                 Kingdom
                 yielded
                 him
                 no
                 comfort
                 after
                 he
                 had
                 set
                 his
                 heart
                 upon
                 poor
                 Naboths
                 Vineyard
                 .
                 The
                 want
                 of
                 this
                 did
                 more
                 molest
                 and
                 vex
                 him
                 ,
                 than
                 the
                 enjoyment
                 of
                 his
                 whole
                 Kingdom
                 did
                 solace
                 and
                 comfort
                 him
                 .
                 
                 
                   For
                   this
                   he
                   came
                   heavy
                   and
                   displeased
                   to
                   his
                   house
                   ,
                   laid
                   him
                   down
                   upon
                   his
                   bed
                   ,
                   turned
                   away
                   his
                   face
                   and
                   would
                   eat
                   no
                   bread
                   .
                
              
               
                 V.
                 
                   Covetousness
                   exposeth
                   men
                   to
                   manifold
                   temptations
                   ,
                   making
                   them
                   ready
                   to
                   yield
                   to
                   Satans
                   wicked
                   suggestions
                   .
                   They
                   that
                   will
                   be
                   rich
                   ,
                
                 
                 
                   fall
                   into
                   temptation
                   and
                   a
                   snare
                   ,
                   and
                   into
                   many
                   foolish
                   and
                   hurtfull
                   lusts
                   
                   which
                   draw
                   me●
                   into
                   perdition
                   .
                
                 As
                 if
                 he
                 had
                 said
                 ,
                 They
                 who
                 set
                 their
                 hearts
                 upon
                 their
                 riches
                 ,
                 whose
                 hearts
                 run
                 after
                 their
                 covetousness
                 ,
                 are
                 fit
                 for
                 any
                 temptation
                 ,
                 ready
                 to
                 yield
                 to
                 any
                 of
                 Satans
                 wicked
                 suggestions
                 ,
                 for
                 the
                 satisfying
                 their
                 covetous
                 humour
                 .
                 Iudas
                 (
                 as
                 Tertullian
                 thinks
                 )
                 was
                 pretty
                 honest
                 till
                 he
                 carryed
                 the
                 bag
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 gave
                 him
                 occasion
                 to
                 discover
                 the
                 rottenness
                 that
                 was
                 in
                 his
                 heart
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 CHAP.
                 XXIII
                 .
                 Of
                 living
                 by
                 faith
                 in
                 Gods
                 promises
                 .
              
               
                 ANother
                 singular
                 duty
                 incumbent
                 upon
                 the
                 regenerate
                 is
                 ,
                 
                   To
                   live
                   by
                   faith
                
                 ,
                 casting
                 themselves
                 upon
                 God
                 in
                 Christ
                 ,
                 and
                 upon
                 his
                 gracious
                 promises
                 in
                 all
                 their
                 straights
                 and
                 dangers
                 ,
                 for
                 such
                 needfull
                 and
                 usefull
                 things
                 as
                 they
                 stand
                 in
                 need
                 of
                 .
                 To
                 live
                 by
                 faith
                 is
                 not
                 only
                 to
                 believe
                 in
                 Christ
                 for
                 salvation
                 ,
                 but
                 also
                 firmly
                 to
                 rest
                 and
                 rely
                 upon
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 his
                 gracious
                 promises
                 expressed
                 in
                 his
                 Word
                 ,
                 for
                 support
                 under
                 all
                 our
                 tryalls
                 ,
                 for
                 succour
                 in
                 all
                 our
                 distresses
                 ,
                 for
                 assistance
                 against
                 all
                 assaults
                 ,
                 for
                 deliverance
                 out
                 of
                 all
                 our
                 dangers
                 ,
                 and
                 for
                 supply
                 of
                 all
                 our
                 wants
                 ,
                 whether
                 temporal
                 or
                 spiritual
                 .
              
               
                 Thus
                 did
                 those
                 ancient
                 Worthies
                 mentioned
                 ,
                 Heb.
                 11.
                 
                 Where
                 we
                 read
                 that
                 into
                 whatsoever
                 trouble
                 or
                 straight
                 they
                 were
                 brought
                 ,
                 they
                 so
                 lived
                 by
                 faith
                 in
                 Gods
                 promises
                 ,
                 that
                 nothing
                 could
                 dismay
                 them
                 ,
                 much
                 less
                 overthrow
                 them
                 .
                 And
                 if
                 thou
                 in
                 like
                 manner
                 couldst
                 but
                 quietly
                 rest
                 upon
                 God
                 and
                 his
                 gracious
                 promises
                 thou
                 wouldst
                 in
                 thy
                 greatest
                 tryals
                 and
                 troubles
                 be
                 
                   more
                   than
                   Conquerour
                
                 ,
                 as
                 the
                 Apostle
                 speaketh
                 .
              
               
                 When
                 therefore
                 thou
                 art
                 troubled
                 for
                 thy
                 sins
                 ,
                 
                 groaning
                 under
                 the
                 weight
                 and
                 burden
                 of
                 them
                 ,
                 then
                 throw
                 thy self
                 upon
                 the
                 merits
                 and
                 righteousness
                 of
                 Jesus
                 Christ
                 ,
                 and
                 there
                 let
                 thy
                 soul
                 rest
                 it self
                 in
                 hope
                 of
                 the
                 pardon
                 of
                 thy
                 sins
                 here
                 ,
                 and
                 of
                 eternal
                 life
                 and
                 salvation
                 hereafter
                 ;
                 venturing
                 upon
                 that
                 comfortable
                 promise
                 ,
                 
                 
                   Come
                   unto
                   me
                   all
                   ye
                   who
                   are
                   weary
                   and
                   heavy
                   laden
                   ,
                   and
                   I
                   will
                   give
                   you
                   rest
                   .
                
              
               
                 When
                 thou
                 art
                 assaulted
                 with
                 the
                 temptations
                 of
                 Satan
                 ,
                 and
                 fearest
                 left
                 thou
                 shouldst
                 be
                 overcome
                 by
                 them
                 :
                 then
                 look
                 up
                 unto
                 God
                 ,
                 trusting
                 in
                 him
                 for
                 deliverance
                 in
                 due
                 time
                 ,
                 and
                 for
                 support
                 in
                 the
                 mean
                 time
                 ,
                 
                 relying
                 upon
                 that
                 gracious
                 promise
                 ,
                 
                   God
                   is
                   faithfull
                   ,
                   who
                   will
                   not
                   suffer
                   you
                   to
                   be
                   tempted
                   above
                   that
                   you
                   are
                   able
                   :
                   but
                   will
                   with
                   the
                   temptation
                   make
                   a
                   way
                   to
                   escape
                   that
                   ye
                   may
                   be
                   able
                   to
                   bear
                   it
                   .
                
              
               
                 When
                 thou
                 art
                 under
                 any
                 spiritual
                 desertion
                 ,
                 sitting
                 in
                 darkness
                 ,
                 without
                 any
                 spark
                 of
                 comfort
                 ,
                 th●n
                 look
                 up
                 unto
                 God
                 with
                 the
                 eye
                 of
                 faith
                 for
                 the
                 light
                 of
                 his
                 countenance
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 assurance
                 of
                 his
                 loving
                 favour
                 ,
                 resting
                 and
                 refreshing
                 thy
                 drooping
                 soul
                 with
                 that
                 comfortable
                 promise
                 ,
                 
                 
                   In
                   a
                   little
                   wrath
                   have
                   I
                   hid
                   my
                   face
                   from
                   thee
                   ,
                   but
                   with
                   everlasting
                   kindness
                   will
                   I
                   have
                   mercy
                   on
                   thee
                   ,
                   saith
                   the
                   Lord
                   thy
                   Redeemer
                   .
                
              
               
                 When
                 thou
                 apprehendest
                 thy self
                 weak
                 and
                 insufficient
                 for
                 the
                 performance
                 of
                 duties
                 ,
                 then
                 look
                 up
                 unto
                 God
                 who
                 hath
                 promised
                 
                   to
                   help
                   the
                   weaknesses
                   and
                   infirmities
                   of
                   his
                   Servants
                
                 :
                 and
                 trust
                 upon
                 the
                 power
                 of
                 Jesus
                 Christ
                 ;
                 then
                 wilt
                 thou
                 be
                 able
                 to
                 say
                 with
                 the
                 Apostle
                 ,
                 
                 
                   I
                   can
                   do
                   all
                   things
                   through
                   Christ
                   which
                   strengthneth
                   me
                   .
                
              
               
                 When
                 thou
                 feelest
                 thy
                 corruptions
                 strongly
                 working
                 and
                 stirring
                 in
                 thee
                 ,
                 then
                 look
                 up
                 unto
                 God
                 ,
                 who
                 is
                 able
                 ;
                 and
                 hath
                 promised
                 to
                 subdue
                 thine
                 iniquities
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 keep
                 down
                 the
                 power
                 of
                 thy
                 lusts
                 ,
                 laying
                 hold
                 on
                 that
                 good
                 word
                 ,
                 
                 
                   Sin
                   shall
                   not
                   have
                   dominion
                   over
                   you
                   ,
                   for
                   ye
                   are
                   not
                   under
                   the
                   Law
                   ,
                   but
                   under
                   grace
                   .
                
              
               
                 When
                 thou
                 art
                 reviled
                 and
                 persecuted
                 by
                 wicked
                 ,
                 and
                 ungodly
                 men
                 ,
                 then
                 look
                 up
                 unto
                 God
                 with
                 the
                 
                 eye
                 of
                 faith
                 ,
                 trusting
                 in
                 him
                 for
                 help
                 and
                 strength
                 ,
                 comforting
                 thy self
                 with
                 that
                 gracious
                 saying
                 of
                 our
                 Saviour
                 ,
                 
                   Bl●sse
                   are
                   ye
                   when
                   m●n
                   shall
                   revils
                   you
                   ,
                   and
                   persecute
                   you
                   ,
                
                 
                 
                   and
                   shall
                   say
                   all
                   manner
                   of
                   evill
                   against
                   you
                   falsely
                   for
                   my
                   sake
                   .
                   Rejoice
                   and
                   be
                   exceeding
                   glad
                   :
                   for
                   great
                   is
                   your
                   reward
                   in
                   Heaven
                   .
                
              
               
                 When
                 thou
                 art
                 streightned
                 in
                 these
                 outward
                 things
                 ,
                 and
                 thereupon
                 art
                 full
                 of
                 Worldly
                 fears
                 and
                 cares
                 ,
                 what
                 to
                 eat
                 ,
                 and
                 what
                 to
                 drink
                 ,
                 and
                 what
                 to
                 provide
                 for
                 Wife
                 and
                 Children
                 :
                 then
                 look
                 up
                 unto
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 
                   by
                   faith
                   cast
                   all
                   thy
                   care
                   upon
                   him
                   ,
                   who
                   careth
                   for
                   thee
                   ,
                
                 
                 resting
                 upon
                 that
                 comfortable
                 promise
                 ,
                 
                   The
                   young
                   Lyons
                   do
                   lack
                   ,
                   and
                   suffer
                   hunger
                   ,
                   but
                   they
                   that
                   seek
                   the
                   Lord
                   shall
                   not
                   want
                   any
                   good
                   thing
                   .
                
                 Though
                 thou
                 maist
                 not
                 have
                 that
                 abundance
                 and
                 affluency
                 which
                 some
                 others
                 do
                 enjoy
                 ,
                 yet
                 thou
                 shalt
                 not
                 want
                 that
                 which
                 God
                 seeth
                 good
                 for
                 thee
                 ,
                 
                 
                   who
                   will
                   supply
                   all
                   thy
                   need
                   according
                   to
                   his
                   riches
                   .
                
              
               
                 Thus
                 in
                 all
                 thy
                 streights
                 and
                 distresses
                 thou
                 maist
                 by
                 the
                 Soveraign
                 power
                 of
                 faith
                 ,
                 working
                 upon
                 the
                 gracious
                 promises
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 exceedingly
                 revive
                 and
                 refresh
                 thy
                 troubled
                 Spirit
                 .
                 For
                 all
                 the
                 promises
                 of
                 God
                 set
                 down
                 in
                 his
                 Word
                 for
                 thy
                 comfort
                 and
                 support
                 ,
                 being
                 sealed
                 with
                 the
                 blood
                 of
                 Christ
                 ,
                 are
                 all
                 
                   yea
                   and
                   Amen
                
                 ,
                 as
                 true
                 as
                 truth
                 it self
                 ,
                 and
                 therefore
                 shall
                 assuredly
                 in
                 their
                 due
                 time
                 be
                 accomplished
                 .
              
               
                 For
                 thy
                 better
                 encouragement
                 to
                 this
                 Christian
                 duty
                 of
                 
                   living
                   by
                   faith
                
                 ,
                 seriously
                 weigh
                 these
                 few
                 things
                 ,
              
               
                 I.
                 
                   The
                   Properties
                   of
                   God
                
                 ,
                 more
                 especially
                 ,
              
               
                 1.
                 
                 
                   His
                   Almighty
                   power
                
                 ,
                 whereby
                 he
                 is
                 able
                 to
                 strengthen
                 thee
                 in
                 all
                 thy
                 weaknesses
                 ,
                 to
                 support
                 thee
                 under
                 all
                 thy
                 tryals
                 ,
                 and
                 temptations
                 ,
                 in
                 a
                 word
                 ,
                 to
                 perform
                 whatsoever
                 he
                 hath
                 promised
                 .
                 This
                 made
                 Abraham
                 with
                 strong
                 confidence
                 to
                 rest
                 upon
                 the
                 promise
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 
                 which
                 the
                 Apostle
                 thus
                 setteth
                 forth
                 ,
                 
                   He
                   staggered
                   not
                   at
                   the
                   promise
                   of
                   God
                   through
                   
                   unbelief
                   ,
                   but
                   was
                   strong
                   in
                   faith
                   ,
                   being
                   fully
                   perswaded
                   ,
                   that
                   what
                   he
                   had
                   promised
                   ,
                   he
                   was
                   able
                   to
                   perform
                   .
                   Abrahams
                
                 eying
                 the
                 
                   power
                   of
                   God
                
                 was
                 it
                 that
                 made
                 him
                 so
                 confidently
                 to
                 rest
                 upon
                 his
                 promise
                 .
                 The
                 power
                 of
                 God
                 is
                 often
                 in
                 Scripture
                 mentioned
                 to
                 move
                 Saints
                 to
                 live
                 by
                 faith
                 in
                 Gods
                 promises
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 rest
                 upon
                 them
                 .
                 When
                 Sarah
                 made
                 some
                 doubt
                 of
                 Gods
                 promise
                 concerning
                 Abrahams
                 having
                 a
                 Child
                 by
                 her
                 ;
                 this
                 question
                 was
                 by
                 way
                 of
                 exprobration
                 propounded
                 to
                 her
                 ,
                 
                 
                   Is
                   there
                   any
                   thing
                   too
                   hard
                   for
                   the
                   Lord
                
                 ?
                 To
                 like
                 purpose
                 said
                 God
                 to
                 his
                 Prophet
                 Ieremy
                 for
                 the
                 strengthening
                 his
                 faith
                 ,
                 
                 
                   Behold
                   I
                   am
                   the
                   Lord
                   of
                   all
                   flesh
                   ,
                   is
                   there
                   any
                   thing
                   too
                   hard
                   for
                   me
                
                 ?
                 implying
                 there
                 is
                 nothing
                 too
                 hard
                 for
                 God.
                 
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 
                   His
                   truth
                   and
                   faithfulness
                   in
                   performing
                   what
                   he
                   hath
                   promised
                   .
                
                 For
                 faith
                 the
                 Apostle
                 to
                 the
                 
                   Hebrews
                   ,
                   faithfull
                   is
                   he
                   that
                   promiseth
                   .
                
                 
                 We
                 read
                 how
                 under
                 the
                 Law
                 God
                 commanded
                 by
                 Moses
                 concerning
                 him
                 that
                 voweth
                 or
                 promiseth
                 any
                 thing
                 to
                 the
                 Lord
                 ,
                 
                 
                   that
                   he
                   shall
                   not
                   break
                   his
                   word
                   ,
                   but
                   shall
                   do
                   according
                   to
                   all
                   that
                   proceedeth
                   out
                   of
                   his
                   mouth
                
                 :
                 And
                 shall
                 the
                 Lord
                 say
                 ,
                 and
                 not
                 do
                 it
                 ?
                 Shall
                 he
                 promise
                 and
                 not
                 perform
                 it
                 ?
                 Surely
                 it
                 is
                 as
                 possible
                 for
                 him
                 not
                 to
                 be
                 ,
                 as
                 not
                 to
                 keep
                 his
                 word
                 ,
                 and
                 not
                 to
                 perform
                 what
                 he
                 hath
                 promised
                 .
              
               
                 Indeed
                 the
                 Lord
                 many
                 times
                 maketh
                 his
                 Children
                 wait
                 long
                 for
                 the
                 accomplishment
                 of
                 his
                 promises
                 :
                 Yet
                 he
                 never
                 faileth
                 to
                 be
                 as
                 good
                 as
                 his
                 Word
                 .
                 Which
                 duly
                 considered
                 cannot
                 but
                 strengthen
                 our
                 faith
                 in
                 the
                 firm
                 expectation
                 of
                 all
                 good
                 things
                 promised
                 ,
                 and
                 enable
                 us
                 quietly
                 and
                 contentedly
                 to
                 rest
                 and
                 repose
                 our selves
                 in
                 God
                 for
                 the
                 accomplishment
                 of
                 what
                 he
                 hath
                 promised
                 ,
                 and
                 not
                 to
                 doubt
                 thereof
                 ,
                 though
                 he
                 seem
                 long
                 to
                 deferr
                 the
                 performance
                 of
                 them
                 .
              
               
                 3.
                 
                 
                   His
                   infinite
                   Wisdom
                
                 ,
                 whereby
                 he
                 dispenseth
                 the
                 good
                 things
                 contained
                 in
                 his
                 promises
                 ,
                 in
                 their
                 fitest
                 time
                 and
                 season
                 ,
                 whenas
                 they
                 shall
                 make
                 
                 most
                 for
                 his
                 own
                 glory
                 ,
                 and
                 his
                 Childrens
                 good
                 .
                 Farr
                 be
                 it
                 therefore
                 from
                 us
                 to
                 prescribe
                 unto
                 God
                 the
                 time
                 and
                 season
                 for
                 the
                 performance
                 of
                 his
                 promises
                 .
                 But
                 let
                 us
                 rather
                 resolve
                 with
                 patience
                 to
                 wait
                 his
                 appointed
                 time
                 and
                 season
                 ,
                 who
                 is
                 infinite
                 in
                 Wisdom
                 ,
                 and
                 so
                 knoweth
                 what
                 is
                 best
                 and
                 convenient
                 for
                 us
                 ,
                 even
                 better
                 than
                 we
                 our selves
                 .
                 Thus
                 did
                 the
                 Church
                 ,
                 
                 
                   Our
                   eyes
                   wait
                   upon
                   the
                   Lord
                   our
                   God
                   untill
                   he
                   have
                   mercy
                   upon
                   us
                   .
                
                 Therefore
                 as
                 the
                 Lord
                 speaketh
                 by
                 the
                 Prophet
                 Isay
                 ,
                 
                 
                   He
                   that
                   believeth
                   shall
                   not
                   make
                   haste
                   ,
                
                 because
                 he
                 is
                 assured
                 by
                 faith
                 ,
                 that
                 though
                 he
                 have
                 not
                 the
                 thing
                 he
                 desireth
                 at
                 his
                 own
                 time
                 ,
                 yet
                 he
                 shall
                 have
                 it
                 in
                 that
                 time
                 which
                 God
                 in
                 his
                 Wisdom
                 knoweth
                 to
                 be
                 best
                 for
                 him
                 ,
                 whenas
                 it
                 shall
                 make
                 most
                 for
                 his
                 good
                 .
              
               
                 II.
                 
                   Consider
                   the
                   good
                   success
                   believers
                   have
                   found
                   upon
                   their
                   living
                   by
                   faith
                   ,
                   how
                   things
                   have
                   fallen
                   out
                   according
                   to
                   their
                   hope
                   and
                   expectation
                   .
                
                 It
                 is
                 recorded
                 of
                 Abraham
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 lived
                 by
                 faith
                 in
                 Gods
                 promise
                 to
                 him
                 of
                 a
                 Son
                 ;
                 being
                 fully
                 perswaded
                 that
                 what
                 he
                 had
                 promised
                 ,
                 he
                 was
                 able
                 to
                 perform
                 .
                 And
                 God
                 accordingly
                 did
                 perform
                 the
                 same
                 unto
                 him
                 .
                 Look
                 into
                 the
                 Histories
                 of
                 the
                 Kings
                 of
                 Iudah
                 and
                 Israel
                 ,
                 and
                 you
                 shall
                 find
                 that
                 according
                 to
                 their
                 trust
                 in
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 faith
                 in
                 his
                 promises
                 ,
                 was
                 their
                 success
                 and
                 deliverance
                 .
                 
                 
                   Our
                   Fathers
                   trusted
                   in
                   thee
                   ,
                   they
                   trusted
                   ,
                   and
                   thou
                   didst
                   deliver
                   them
                   :
                   they
                   trusted
                   in
                   thee
                   ,
                   and
                   were
                   not
                   confounded
                   .
                
                 And
                 saith
                 David
                 of
                 himself
                 ,
                 
                   The
                   Lord
                   is
                   my
                   strength
                   ,
                   and
                   my
                   Shield
                   ,
                   my
                   heart
                   trusted
                   in
                   him
                   ,
                   and
                   I
                   was
                   helped
                   .
                
                 What
                 an
                 encouragement
                 must
                 this
                 needs
                 be
                 unto
                 us
                 ,
                 to
                 trust
                 in
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 live
                 by
                 faith
                 in
                 his
                 promises
                 ?
                 Seeing
                 he
                 never
                 failed
                 such
                 .
                 Faith
                 in
                 the
                 promises
                 being
                 like
                 
                   the
                   bow
                   of
                   Ionathan
                
                 ,
                 and
                 
                   Sword
                   of
                   Saul
                
                 ,
                 which
                 never
                 returned
                 empty
                 :
                 but
                 allwayes
                 finds
                 what
                 it
                 seeks
                 ,
                 and
                 enjoyes
                 what
                 it
                 desires
                 .
              
               
               
                 III.
                 Take
                 notice
                 of
                 the
                 particular
                 fruits
                 of
                 living
                 by
                 faith
                 recorded
                 in
                 Scripture
                 ,
                 some
                 whereof
                 are
                 these
                 ,
              
               
                 1.
                 
                 
                   Protection
                   from
                   things
                   hurtfull
                
                 .
                 Though
                 Daniel
                 was
                 cast
                 into
                 a
                 Den
                 of
                 Lyons
                 ,
                 yet
                 it
                 is
                 said
                 ,
                 
                   that
                   no
                   manner
                   of
                   hurt
                   was
                   found
                   in
                   him
                   .
                
                 
                 And
                 this
                 reason
                 is
                 rendred
                 thereof
                 ,
                 
                   Because
                   he
                   believed
                   in
                   Gods
                   Word
                   :
                
                 by
                 faith
                 relying
                 on
                 his
                 power
                 ,
                 whom
                 he
                 knew
                 was
                 able
                 to
                 deliver
                 him
                 .
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 
                   Provision
                   of
                   needfull
                   good
                   things
                
                 .
                 Therefore
                 the
                 Apostle
                 exhorteth
                 to
                 
                   trust
                   in
                   the
                   living
                   God
                
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 on
                 this
                 ground
                 ,
                 
                 
                   he
                   giveth
                   us
                   richly
                   all
                   things
                   to
                   enjoy
                   :
                
                 namely
                 all
                 such
                 things
                 ,
                 as
                 he
                 in
                 his
                 Wisdom
                 seeth
                 to
                 be
                 needfull
                 for
                 us
                 .
                 And
                 to
                 set
                 out
                 Gods
                 bounty
                 in
                 providing
                 for
                 such
                 as
                 live
                 by
                 faith
                 in
                 his
                 promises
                 ,
                 
                 the
                 
                   Wise
                   man
                
                 faith
                 ,
                 
                   He
                   that
                   putteth
                   his
                   trust
                   in
                   the
                   Lord
                   shall
                   be
                   made
                   fat
                   ,
                
                 that
                 is
                 ,
                 he
                 shall
                 not
                 only
                 have
                 such
                 a
                 competency
                 ,
                 as
                 is
                 absolutely
                 necessary
                 to
                 preserve
                 life
                 ,
                 or
                 to
                 keep
                 body
                 and
                 soul
                 together
                 ;
                 but
                 also
                 such
                 plenty
                 ,
                 and
                 abundance
                 ,
                 as
                 will
                 make
                 him
                 fat
                 ,
                 and
                 well-liking
                 .
              
               
                 3.
                 
                 
                   Comfort
                   in
                   every
                   condition
                
                 ,
                 is
                 another
                 fruit
                 of
                 living
                 by
                 faith
                 in
                 Gods
                 promises
                 .
                 The
                 promises
                 of
                 God
                 in
                 his
                 Word
                 are
                 the
                 
                   Christians
                   Cordials
                
                 ,
                 to
                 cheer
                 up
                 his
                 fainting
                 spirits
                 ,
                 when
                 he
                 is
                 ready
                 to
                 sink
                 .
                 They
                 are
                 his
                 aqua-vitae
                 ,
                 to
                 revive
                 him
                 when
                 he
                 is
                 ready
                 to
                 swound
                 .
                 They
                 are
                 
                   breasts
                   of
                   consolation
                
                 ,
                 full
                 of
                 sweet
                 nourishment
                 for
                 the
                 faint
                 and
                 weak
                 .
                 They
                 are
                 
                   Sacred
                   and
                   sure
                   Anchors
                
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 tempestuous
                 seasons
                 of
                 trouble
                 and
                 affliction
                 ,
                 to
                 stay
                 and
                 six
                 believers
                 amidst
                 all
                 tossings
                 whatsoever
                 .
                 They
                 are
                 roses
                 that
                 blow
                 in
                 the
                 Winter
                 ,
                 which
                 with
                 their
                 fragrancy
                 revive
                 drooping
                 and
                 dejected
                 souls
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 sad
                 Winter
                 of
                 their
                 desertion
                 ,
                 when
                 the
                 verdure
                 of
                 all
                 other
                 comforts
                 wither
                 ,
                 and
                 drop
                 like
                 leaves
                 that
                 are
                 bitten
                 with
                 the
                 frost
                 .
                 This
                 David
                 found
                 in
                 his
                 own
                 experience
                 ,
                 for
                 faith
                 he
                 ,
                 
                   thy
                   promises
                   are
                   my
                   comfort
                   in
                   my
                   affliction
                   ,
                
                 
                 
                   for
                   thy
                   Word
                   hath
                   quickned
                   me
                   .
                
              
               
               
                 Whereas
                 the
                 best
                 of
                 the
                 Worlds
                 comforts
                 are
                 only
                 applicable
                 to
                 some
                 particular
                 condition
                 :
                 the
                 comforts
                 of
                 the
                 promises
                 are
                 universal
                 ,
                 such
                 as
                 agree
                 with
                 every
                 estate
                 ,
                 and
                 suit
                 every
                 malady
                 ;
                 and
                 therefore
                 apt
                 to
                 relieve
                 the
                 soul
                 of
                 a
                 believer
                 in
                 every
                 condition
                 ,
                 though
                 never
                 so
                 sad
                 and
                 disconsolate
                 .
                 So
                 that
                 the
                 Christian
                 who
                 lives
                 by
                 faith
                 in
                 Gods
                 promises
                 ,
                 many
                 times
                 walks
                 more
                 cheerfully
                 under
                 sore
                 ,
                 fiery
                 troubles
                 ,
                 than
                 others
                 in
                 the
                 Sun-shine
                 of
                 Worldly
                 prosperity
                 .
                 The
                 
                   three
                   Children
                
                 walked
                 to
                 and
                 fro
                 with
                 more
                 joy
                 in
                 the
                 fiery
                 Furnace
                 ,
                 than
                 Nebuchadaezzar
                 in
                 his
                 stately
                 Pallace
                 .
              
               
                 4.
                 
                 
                   Contentment
                   in
                   our
                   present
                   state
                   and
                   condition
                   ,
                
                 is
                 another
                 Fruit
                 of
                 living
                 by
                 faith
                 .
                 
                 A
                 Believer
                 is
                 like
                 a
                 dye
                 that
                 hath
                 four
                 squares
                 ,
                 throw
                 it
                 which
                 way
                 you
                 will
                 ,
                 it
                 falls
                 upon
                 a
                 bottome
                 .
                 Let
                 God
                 cast
                 a
                 Believer
                 into
                 what
                 condition
                 he
                 pleaseth
                 ,
                 he
                 still
                 falleth
                 upon
                 his
                 bottom
                 of
                 contentment
                 ,
                 he
                 will
                 be
                 contented
                 with
                 his
                 present
                 state
                 ,
                 believing
                 it
                 to
                 be
                 ordered
                 by
                 God
                 as
                 in
                 Wisdom
                 ,
                 so
                 in
                 much
                 mercy
                 and
                 goodness
                 unto
                 him
                 .
              
            
             
               
               
                 CHAP.
                 XXIV
                 .
                 Of
                 Heavenly-mindedness
                 .
              
               
                 
                   ANother
                   singular
                   duty
                   incumbent
                   upon
                   the
                   Regenerate
                   is
                   ,
                   to
                   be
                   spiritually
                   minded
                   by
                   a
                   frequent
                   contemplation
                   of
                   spiritual
                   and
                   Heavenly
                   things
                   .
                
                 It
                 is
                 not
                 some
                 few
                 ,
                 slitting
                 ,
                 transient
                 thoughts
                 on
                 God
                 or
                 Heaven
                 ,
                 wherein
                 this
                 duty
                 consists
                 :
                 but
                 thoughts
                 resting
                 and
                 fixing
                 on
                 some
                 spiritual
                 subject
                 .
                 The
                 truth
                 is
                 ,
                 the
                 thoughts
                 of
                 all
                 men
                 fly
                 up
                 and
                 down
                 like
                 birds
                 in
                 the
                 aire
                 ,
                 or
                 chaff
                 in
                 the
                 wind
                 :
                 and
                 some
                 of
                 these
                 may
                 light
                 sometimes
                 on
                 God
                 ,
                 or
                 Heaven
                 :
                 but
                 they
                 are
                 soon
                 off
                 and
                 fixed
                 on
                 some
                 worldly
                 matter
                 ,
                 or
                 some
                 impertinencies
                 or
                 other
                 :
                 and
                 therefore
                 cannot
                 denominate
                 a
                 man
                 to
                 be
                 spiritually-minded
                 ;
                 which
                 is
                 another
                 manner
                 of
                 business
                 than
                 many
                 are
                 aware
                 of
                 .
                 
                   It
                   's
                   a
                   thinking
                   with
                   thought
                   upon
                   thought
                   ,
                   a
                   reiteration
                   and
                   multiplication
                   of
                   the
                   thoughts
                   of
                   the
                   mind
                   upon
                   God
                   ,
                   and
                   the
                   things
                   of
                   God
                   ,
                   and
                   this
                   in
                   order
                   to
                   the
                   affecting
                   the
                   heart
                   deeply
                   with
                   them
                   .
                
              
               
                 It
                 is
                 not
                 sufficient
                 to
                 think
                 and
                 think
                 oft
                 of
                 the
                 love
                 and
                 goodness
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 but
                 we
                 must
                 labour
                 to
                 get
                 our
                 hearts
                 inflamed
                 with
                 a
                 love
                 unto
                 him
                 again
                 .
                 It
                 is
                 not
                 sufficient
                 to
                 think
                 and
                 think
                 often
                 of
                 sin
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 misery
                 it
                 hath
                 implunged
                 as
                 in
                 ;
                 but
                 we
                 must
                 so
                 think
                 thereof
                 ,
                 as
                 to
                 work
                 our
                 hearts
                 to
                 an
                 hatred
                 of
                 sin
                 ,
                 and
                 a
                 fear
                 of
                 that
                 wrath
                 of
                 God
                 it
                 hath
                 exposed
                 us
                 ,
                 and
                 made
                 us
                 lyable
                 to
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 a
                 looking
                 after
                 Jesus
                 Christ
                 ,
                 who
                 alone
                 can
                 free
                 us
                 from
                 the
                 guilt
                 of
                 our
                 sins
                 ,
                 and
                 from
                 the
                 punishment
                 due
                 unto
                 us
                 for
                 the
                 same
                 .
              
               
                 This
                 is
                 a
                 work
                 of
                 so
                 great
                 concernment
                 and
                 advantage
                 ,
                 as
                 none
                 can
                 truly
                 apprehend
                 ,
                 but
                 such
                 as
                 have
                 
                 made
                 tryal
                 therein
                 .
                 David
                 who
                 was
                 a
                 man
                 full
                 of
                 Holy
                 and
                 Heavenly
                 affections
                 ,
                 was
                 full
                 of
                 Heavenly
                 meditation
                 .
                 And
                 from
                 the
                 experience
                 of
                 that
                 abundant
                 sweetness
                 and
                 comfort
                 he
                 found
                 therein
                 ,
                 doth
                 often
                 in
                 his
                 book
                 of
                 Psalms
                 commend
                 it
                 unto
                 others
                 ;
                 and
                 pronounceth
                 that
                 man
                 
                   blessed
                   who
                   meditates
                   in
                   the
                   Law
                   of
                   God
                   day
                   and
                   night
                   .
                
                 
              
               
                 Let
                 thy
                 soul
                 full
                 often
                 soar
                 aloft
                 upon
                 the
                 wings
                 of
                 divine
                 contemplation
                 .
                 Let
                 not
                 any
                 solitary
                 season
                 pass
                 away
                 without
                 some
                 spiritual
                 meditation
                 ,
                 and
                 conference
                 with
                 thy
                 God.
                 Either
                 take
                 a
                 sorrowfull
                 survey
                 of
                 thy
                 manifold
                 sins
                 ,
                 which
                 may
                 draw
                 from
                 thee
                 as
                 hearty
                 grief
                 for
                 the
                 same
                 ,
                 so
                 hearty
                 ejaculations
                 for
                 the
                 pardon
                 and
                 forgiveness
                 of
                 them
                 .
                 Or
                 take
                 a
                 view
                 of
                 Gods
                 blessings
                 and
                 favours
                 towards
                 thee
                 ;
                 and
                 let
                 this
                 inlarge
                 and
                 raise
                 up
                 thine
                 heart
                 in
                 praises
                 and
                 thanksgivings
                 unto
                 him
                 .
                 Or
                 bath
                 thy self
                 in
                 an
                 admiring
                 commemoration
                 of
                 the
                 meritorious
                 blood
                 of
                 the
                 immaculate
                 Lamb
                 Christ
                 Jesus
                 ,
                 which
                 was
                 abundantly
                 shed
                 for
                 the
                 washing
                 of
                 thy
                 body
                 and
                 soul
                 from
                 the
                 filthy
                 spots
                 and
                 stains
                 of
                 sin
                 .
                 Seriously
                 think
                 what
                 he
                 hath
                 done
                 and
                 suffered
                 for
                 thee
                 ;
                 how
                 he
                 hath
                 fullfilled
                 the
                 Law
                 ,
                 and
                 undergone
                 the
                 punishment
                 due
                 to
                 thy
                 sins
                 ;
                 and
                 now
                 in
                 Heaven
                 maketh
                 intercession
                 for
                 thee
                 ,
                 by
                 presenting
                 himself
                 an
                 allsufficient
                 Sacrifice
                 unto
                 his
                 Father
                 for
                 thy
                 sins
                 .
                 Oh
                 think
                 with
                 thy self
                 ,
                 what
                 thou
                 must
                 have
                 suffered
                 for
                 thy
                 sins
                 ,
                 if
                 he
                 had
                 not
                 suffered
                 for
                 them
                 .
                 What
                 thou
                 hadst
                 been
                 ,
                 if
                 he
                 had
                 not
                 redeemed
                 thee
                 ,
                 even
                 a
                 bondslave
                 of
                 Satan
                 ,
                 and
                 fire-brand
                 of
                 hell
                 .
              
               
                 Especially
                 ,
                 let
                 thy
                 soul
                 full
                 often
                 meditate
                 on
                 the
                 glorious
                 things
                 which
                 the
                 Lord
                 hath
                 reserved
                 in
                 Heaven
                 for
                 such
                 as
                 here
                 do
                 sincerely
                 serve
                 him
                 ,
                 and
                 obey
                 the
                 Gospel
                 of
                 Iesus
                 Christ.
                 Oh
                 think
                 with
                 thy self
                 what
                 a
                 blessed
                 thing
                 it
                 will
                 be
                 ,
                 to
                 live
                 in
                 the
                 vision
                 and
                 fruition
                 of
                 God
                 himself
                 :
                 in
                 whose
                 presence
                 there
                 is
                 fullness
                 of
                 joy
                 ,
                 and
                 at
                 whose
                 right
                 hand
                 there
                 are
                 pleasures
                 for
                 evermore
                 .
                 As
                 also
                 what
                 an
                 happiness
                 it
                 will
                 be
                 to
                 behold
                 the
                 glorious
                 body
                 of
                 Iesus
                 Christ
                 ,
                 shining
                 
                 there
                 with
                 such
                 incomprehensible
                 beauty
                 ,
                 as
                 shall
                 infinitely
                 delight
                 the
                 eyes
                 of
                 the
                 beholders
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 to
                 all
                 Eternity
                 ,
                 without
                 satiety
                 :
                 for
                 the
                 longer
                 the
                 Saints
                 behold
                 Christ
                 ,
                 the
                 more
                 they
                 will
                 be
                 ravished
                 with
                 joy
                 and
                 delight
                 .
                 Ponder
                 likewise
                 as
                 on
                 the
                 excellent
                 qualities
                 wherewith
                 thy
                 soul
                 and
                 body
                 shall
                 be
                 adorned
                 in
                 Heaven
                 ,
                 so
                 on
                 the
                 excellency
                 of
                 that
                 place
                 ,
                 which
                 is
                 set
                 forth
                 in
                 Scripture
                 by
                 Pearls
                 and
                 precious
                 stones
                 .
              
               
                 And
                 the
                 more
                 to
                 set
                 off
                 this
                 glory
                 and
                 blessedness
                 ,
                 oft
                 consider
                 with
                 thy self
                 the
                 deplorable
                 state
                 of
                 the
                 damned
                 in
                 hell
                 ,
                 who
                 feel
                 nothing
                 for
                 the
                 present
                 but
                 wrath
                 and
                 vengeance
                 :
                 and
                 can
                 expect
                 nothing
                 for
                 the
                 future
                 but
                 the
                 fuller
                 Vials
                 of
                 Gods
                 indignation
                 to
                 be
                 powred
                 on
                 them
                 to
                 all
                 Eternity
                 .
              
               
                 Such
                 considerations
                 as
                 these
                 will
                 serve
                 as
                 notable
                 helps
                 to
                 draw
                 and
                 keep
                 thine
                 heart
                 Heaven-ward
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 turn
                 all
                 the
                 streams
                 of
                 thy
                 desires
                 and
                 longings
                 towards
                 the
                 God
                 of
                 glory
                 .
                 But
                 oh
                 how
                 many
                 Christians
                 are
                 there
                 who
                 having
                 an
                 hope
                 towards
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 some
                 confidence
                 of
                 their
                 interest
                 in
                 things
                 above
                 ,
                 do
                 notwithstanding
                 converse
                 but
                 very
                 little
                 with
                 them
                 ?
                 Their
                 thoughts
                 are
                 seldome
                 on
                 Heaven
                 or
                 Heavenly
                 things
                 ;
                 that
                 notwithstanding
                 all
                 their
                 confidence
                 ,
                 they
                 may
                 well
                 question
                 whether
                 their
                 treasure
                 be
                 there
                 .
              
               
                 Consider
                 ,
                 Reader
                 ,
                 As
                 before
                 the
                 Lord
                 ,
                 whether
                 this
                 be
                 not
                 thine
                 own
                 case
                 .
                 Thou
                 canst
                 not
                 be
                 ignorant
                 that
                 an
                 heart
                 estranged
                 from
                 Heaven
                 ,
                 hath
                 little
                 evidence
                 that
                 he
                 hath
                 any
                 part
                 or
                 place
                 therein
                 .
                 And
                 wilt
                 thou
                 yet
                 perswade
                 thy self
                 that
                 God
                 is
                 thine
                 ,
                 when
                 thou
                 carest
                 no
                 more
                 for
                 him
                 ?
                 Dost
                 thou
                 highly
                 prize
                 an
                 Heavenly
                 mind
                 ,
                 and
                 account
                 them
                 the
                 best
                 and
                 the
                 happiest
                 Christians
                 ,
                 that
                 are
                 much
                 in
                 Heaven
                 ?
                 and
                 yet
                 is
                 it
                 not
                 grievous
                 to
                 thee
                 to
                 find
                 that
                 thou
                 didst
                 never
                 in
                 all
                 thy
                 life
                 ,
                 it
                 may
                 be
                 ,
                 or
                 but
                 very
                 seldome
                 fix
                 thy
                 thoughts
                 thereon
                 for
                 a
                 quarter
                 of
                 an
                 hour
                 together
                 ?
                 but
                 hast
                 many
                 and
                 many
                 a
                 time
                 suffered
                 the
                 Devil
                 to
                 run
                 away
                 with
                 thy
                 thoughts
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 detain
                 them
                 on
                 this
                 dunghill
                 below
                 .
              
               
                 Certainly
                 it
                 were
                 better
                 the
                 Devil
                 had
                 power
                 to
                 
                 
                 
                 
                 
                 run
                 away
                 with
                 thine
                 estate
                 ,
                 than
                 with
                 thy
                 thoughts
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 order
                 their
                 motions
                 at
                 his
                 pleasure
                 .
                 Oh
                 the
                 multitude
                 of
                 Worldly
                 and
                 covetous
                 thoughts
                 !
                 of
                 wanton
                 and
                 unclean
                 thoughts
                 !
                 of
                 proud
                 and
                 ambitious
                 thoughts
                 !
                 of
                 wicked
                 and
                 prophane
                 thoughts
                 !
                 yea
                 of
                 blaspheamous
                 ,
                 and
                 atheistical
                 thoughts
                 that
                 lodge
                 in
                 the
                 hearts
                 of
                 most
                 of
                 us
                 ,
                 and
                 there
                 Revel
                 it
                 day
                 and
                 night
                 !
                 Oh
                 the
                 speculative
                 filthiness
                 ,
                 and
                 contemplative
                 uncleanness
                 that
                 not
                 only
                 harbours
                 ,
                 but
                 likewise
                 find
                 hearty
                 wellcome
                 and
                 entertainment
                 there
                 !
              
               
                 Surely
                 friend
                 thou
                 hadst
                 best
                 look
                 to
                 thy self
                 ,
                 and
                 get
                 thy
                 heart
                 cleared
                 of
                 these
                 evill
                 guests
                 ,
                 thy
                 vile
                 and
                 vain
                 thoughts
                 :
                 drive
                 away
                 these
                 birds
                 of
                 prey
                 ,
                 and
                 then
                 the
                 thoughts
                 of
                 God
                 will
                 be
                 more
                 familiar
                 and
                 precious
                 to
                 thee
                 .
                 That
                 thou
                 maist
                 get
                 up
                 to
                 this
                 Heavenly-mindedness
                 ;
                 take
                 these
                 directions
                 .
              
               
                 1.
                 
                 
                   Humble
                   thy self
                   unfeignedly
                   for
                   thy
                   great
                   strangeness
                   to
                   God
                   ,
                   and
                   Heaven
                   ,
                   that
                   thou
                   hast
                   so
                   rarely
                   set
                   thine
                   heart
                   on
                   things
                   above
                   .
                
                 And
                 for
                 the
                 time
                 to
                 come
                 let
                 it
                 be
                 thy
                 special
                 care
                 and
                 endeavour
                 to
                 habituate
                 thy self
                 to
                 Spiritual
                 ,
                 and
                 Heavenly
                 Meditations
                 ,
                 frequently
                 to
                 steep
                 thy
                 soul
                 in
                 Heavens
                 delights
                 .
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 
                   When
                   thou
                   findest
                   thy
                   mind
                   and
                   thoughts
                   to
                   be
                   ridden
                   ,
                   by
                   the
                   Devil
                   ,
                   and
                   carryed
                   away
                   from
                   God
                   ,
                   lift
                   up
                   thine
                   heart
                   by
                   earnest
                   and
                   fervent
                   prayer
                   unto
                   him
                   ,
                
                 who
                 is
                 the
                 
                   Father
                   of
                   Spirits
                
                 ,
                 and
                 hath
                 power
                 over
                 Devils
                 ;
                 and
                 begg
                 of
                 him
                 ,
                 that
                 as
                 by
                 his
                 permission
                 he
                 hath
                 suffered
                 the
                 unclean
                 Spirit
                 to
                 enter
                 into
                 thee
                 :
                 so
                 he
                 would
                 command
                 him
                 speedily
                 to
                 depart
                 from
                 thee
                 ,
                 that
                 thy
                 mind
                 might
                 be
                 free
                 for
                 its
                 proper
                 work
                 .
                 For
                 he
                 only
                 can
                 
                   cast
                   down
                   imaginations
                
                 ,
                 
                 
                   and
                   every
                   thing
                   that
                   exalteth
                   it self
                   against
                   the
                   knowledge
                   of
                   God
                   ,
                   and
                   bring
                   into
                   captivity
                   every
                   thought
                   to
                   the
                   obedience
                   of
                   Christ.
                   
                
              
               
                 3.
                 
                 
                   Work
                   thy
                   heart
                   to
                   a
                   perfect
                   detestation
                   of
                   all
                   vain
                   and
                   wicked
                   thoughts
                   ,
                
                 that
                 thou
                 maist
                 be
                 able
                 to
                 say
                 with
                 David
                 ,
                 
                 
                   I
                   hate
                   vain
                   thoughts
                
                 .
                 This
                 will
                 highten
                 thy
                 resolutions
                 to
                 a
                 greater
                 watchfulness
                 against
                 them
                 
                 for
                 the
                 time
                 to
                 come
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 use
                 thine
                 utmost
                 endeavour
                 to
                 drive
                 them
                 away
                 ,
                 so
                 that
                 though
                 they
                 may
                 arise
                 in
                 thine
                 heart
                 ;
                 yet
                 they
                 may
                 not
                 lodge
                 there
                 .
                 And
                 know
                 this
                 for
                 thy
                 comfort
                 ,
                 that
                 those
                 vain
                 and
                 wicked
                 thoughts
                 ,
                 which
                 thou
                 dost
                 from
                 thine
                 heart
                 hate
                 and
                 detest
                 ,
                 shall
                 not
                 be
                 laid
                 to
                 thy
                 charge
                 ,
                 at
                 the
                 great
                 day
                 of
                 account
                 .
              
               
                 4.
                 
                 
                   Above
                   all
                   things
                   keep
                   a
                   watch
                   over
                   thine
                   heart
                
                 ;
                 according
                 to
                 that
                 counsel
                 of
                 the
                 Wise
                 man
                 ,
                 
                 
                   Keep
                   thine
                   heart
                   with
                   all
                   diligence
                   .
                
                 As
                 if
                 he
                 had
                 said
                 ,
                 Above
                 all
                 keeping
                 keep
                 thine
                 heart
                 :
                 which
                 is
                 like
                 a
                 City
                 lyable
                 every
                 moment
                 both
                 to
                 outward
                 assaults
                 and
                 inward
                 commotions
                 .
                 Not
                 only
                 Satan
                 thine
                 arch-enemy
                 is
                 ever
                 watchfull
                 for
                 an
                 opportunity
                 to
                 cast
                 thereinto
                 his
                 fiery
                 darts
                 ,
                 and
                 sensual
                 objects
                 :
                 but
                 there
                 are
                 also
                 many
                 rebellious
                 stirrings
                 within
                 ,
                 which
                 spring
                 from
                 the
                 fountain
                 of
                 original
                 corruption
                 ,
                 over
                 which
                 thou
                 must
                 especially
                 watch
                 ;
                 and
                 dismiss
                 them
                 with
                 loathing
                 and
                 detestation
                 .
                 If
                 vain
                 and
                 wanton
                 thoughts
                 be
                 not
                 st●fled
                 in
                 the
                 conception
                 ,
                 what
                 monstrous
                 wickedness
                 may
                 they
                 not
                 bring
                 forth
                 ?
                 How
                 great
                 a
                 fire
                 may
                 these
                 little
                 sparks
                 kindle
                 ?
              
               
                 5.
                 
                   〈◊〉
                   thy
                   heart
                   and
                   affections
                   more
                   and
                   more
                   from
                   worldly
                   ,
                   cares
                   and
                   pleasures
                   ,
                
                 which
                 clog
                 the
                 soul
                 that
                 it
                 cannot
                 mount
                 aloft
                 .
                 As
                 a
                 Bird
                 whose
                 wings
                 are
                 Limed
                 ,
                 is
                 not
                 able
                 to
                 take
                 her
                 flight
                 on
                 high
                 .
                 So
                 the
                 man
                 whose
                 heart
                 is
                 intangled
                 with
                 the
                 cares
                 of
                 this
                 life
                 and
                 the
                 pleasures
                 of
                 sin
                 ,
                 will
                 not
                 be
                 able
                 to
                 get
                 above
                 ground
                 :
                 the
                 wings
                 of
                 holy
                 meditation
                 will
                 not
                 raise
                 it
                 on
                 high
                 .
                 Yea
                 such
                 a
                 carnal
                 and
                 earthly
                 mind
                 is
                 altogether
                 unfit
                 for
                 Heavenly
                 meditation
                 ,
                 and
                 very
                 backward
                 and
                 unwilling
                 to
                 it
                 .
                 What
                 better
                 reason
                 can
                 be
                 given
                 why
                 many
                 think
                 so
                 little
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 his
                 Word
                 and
                 Works
                 ,
                 or
                 of
                 any
                 good
                 thing
                 ,
                 but
                 because
                 their
                 hearts
                 are
                 so
                 full
                 of
                 the
                 World
                 ,
                 and
                 their
                 affections
                 set
                 so
                 much
                 upon
                 the
                 same
                 :
                 
                   where
                   their
                   treasure
                   is
                   ,
                   there
                   will
                   their
                   hearts
                   also
                   be
                   .
                
              
               
                 6.
                 
                 
                   Be
                   often
                   lifting
                   up
                   thine
                   heart
                   to
                   Heaven
                   in
                   some
                   spiritual
                   ejaculations
                   ,
                   especially
                   in
                   the
                   morning
                   .
                
                 Such
                 as
                 
                 find
                 themselves
                 subject
                 to
                 wind
                 in
                 their
                 stomachs
                 through
                 emptiness
                 ,
                 use
                 before
                 they
                 go
                 forth
                 ,
                 to
                 take
                 a
                 mornings
                 draught
                 .
                 And
                 as
                 great
                 need
                 is
                 there
                 for
                 such
                 as
                 are
                 subject
                 to
                 vain
                 ,
                 wanton
                 ,
                 worldly
                 thoughts
                 ,
                 every
                 morning
                 to
                 prepossess
                 their
                 hearts
                 with
                 the
                 thoughts
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 of
                 his
                 glorious
                 Majesty
                 ,
                 his
                 omnipresence
                 ,
                 and
                 omniscience
                 ,
                 his
                 purity
                 ,
                 justice
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 like
                 .
                 And
                 not
                 only
                 mornings
                 ,
                 but
                 throughout
                 the
                 day
                 when
                 ever
                 thou
                 findest
                 vain
                 or
                 wicked
                 thoughts
                 to
                 arise
                 at
                 any
                 time
                 within
                 thee
                 ,
                 meet
                 them
                 presently
                 with
                 a
                 Prayer
                 ;
                 lift
                 up
                 thine
                 heart
                 in
                 some
                 short
                 ejaculatory
                 request
                 unto
                 God
                 ,
                 for
                 power
                 and
                 strength
                 to
                 keep
                 down
                 and
                 suppress
                 the
                 same
                 .
              
               
                 7.
                 
                 
                   Labour
                   to
                   spiritualize
                   every
                   outward
                   occurrence
                   by
                   raising
                   Heavenly
                   meditations
                   from
                   the
                   same
                   .
                
                 There
                 is
                 not
                 any
                 creature
                 thou
                 beholdest
                 ,
                 or
                 any
                 thing
                 that
                 befalls
                 thee
                 ,
                 but
                 thou
                 maist
                 make
                 some
                 spiritual
                 use
                 ,
                 and
                 improvement
                 thereof
                 .
                 As
                 the
                 Bee
                 sucks
                 honey
                 out
                 of
                 every
                 flower
                 ;
                 so
                 maist
                 thou
                 extract
                 spiritual
                 and
                 holy
                 thoughts
                 from
                 every
                 thing
                 thou
                 seest
                 ,
                 and
                 beholdest
                 :
                 yea
                 from
                 all
                 occurrences
                 and
                 emergencies
                 ;
                 which
                 will
                 be
                 a
                 special
                 means
                 to
                 prevent
                 the
                 Devil
                 and
                 Lust
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 keep
                 out
                 those
                 vanities
                 and
                 wickednesses
                 which
                 otherwise
                 would
                 fill
                 thine
                 head
                 and
                 heart
                 withall
                 .
              
               
                 8.
                 
                 
                   Labour
                   to
                   get
                   thine
                   heart
                   furnished
                   with
                   the
                   knowledge
                   of
                   God
                   and
                   his
                   word
                   ,
                
                 which
                 will
                 take
                 up
                 thine
                 heart
                 with
                 better
                 things
                 ,
                 and
                 leave
                 no
                 room
                 for
                 these
                 unclean
                 birds
                 .
                 As
                 the
                 emptiness
                 of
                 the
                 stomach
                 maketh
                 it
                 subject
                 to
                 windiness
                 ;
                 so
                 it
                 is
                 the
                 emptiness
                 of
                 our
                 hearts
                 that
                 makes
                 them
                 so
                 full
                 of
                 vain
                 ,
                 foolish
                 thoughts
                 .
                 
                 
                   A
                   good
                   man
                
                 ,
                 saith
                 our
                 Saviour
                 ,
                 
                   out
                   of
                   the
                   good
                   treasure
                   of
                   his
                   heart
                   bringeth
                   forth
                   good
                   things
                   .
                
                 A
                 good
                 man
                 having
                 his
                 heart
                 furnished
                 with
                 a
                 treasure
                 of
                 many
                 precious
                 truths
                 ,
                 bringeth
                 forth
                 good
                 thoughts
                 ,
                 as
                 well
                 as
                 good
                 things
                 .
                 When
                 thou
                 art
                 walking
                 or
                 riding
                 alone
                 ,
                 call
                 to
                 mind
                 some
                 spiritual
                 subject
                 or
                 favoury
                 truth
                 whereon
                 to
                 meditate
                 :
                 bring
                 forth
                 out
                 of
                 thy
                 treasury
                 ,
                 and
                 let
                 thine
                 heart
                 be
                 continually
                 
                 working
                 upon
                 those
                 good
                 things
                 thou
                 hast
                 there
                 laid
                 up
                 .
              
               
                 9.
                 
                 
                   So
                   often
                   as
                   thou
                   goest
                   unto
                   God
                   in
                   Prayer
                   ,
                   let
                   one
                   petition
                   be
                   for
                   mortifying
                   grace
                   ,
                
                 to
                 conquer
                 those
                 sinfull
                 Lusts
                 and
                 vile
                 affections
                 ,
                 which
                 are
                 apt
                 to
                 steam
                 up
                 into
                 thine
                 head
                 with
                 answerable
                 thoughts
                 ;
                 and
                 that
                 he
                 would
                 make
                 thee
                 more
                 heavenly
                 minded
                 ,
                 by
                 working
                 in
                 thine
                 heart
                 better
                 affections
                 .
                 Nothing
                 but
                 the
                 power
                 of
                 God
                 can
                 cure
                 us
                 of
                 the
                 vanity
                 of
                 our
                 thoughts
                 ,
                 and
                 make
                 them
                 such
                 as
                 may
                 be
                 acceptable
                 unto
                 him
                 .
              
               
                 In
                 regard
                 that
                 the
                 best
                 of
                 Gods
                 people
                 do
                 find
                 a
                 great
                 backwardness
                 ,
                 and
                 untowardness
                 in
                 themselves
                 to
                 the
                 performance
                 of
                 this
                 Heavenly
                 duty
                 :
                 I
                 shall
                 give
                 you
                 some
                 Motives
                 thereunto
                 ,
                 which
                 if
                 seriously
                 weighed
                 ,
                 may
                 through
                 Gods
                 blessing
                 prove
                 effectual
                 to
                 perswade
                 you
                 to
                 be
                 more
                 spiritually
                 minded
                 .
              
               
                 I.
                 May
                 be
                 taken
                 from
                 the
                 possibility
                 of
                 the
                 work
                 .
                 Indeed
                 the
                 work
                 is
                 somewhat
                 difficult
                 ,
                 yet
                 is
                 it
                 possible
                 ;
                 it
                 's
                 that
                 you
                 have
                 power
                 to
                 do
                 .
                 Though
                 you
                 have
                 not
                 that
                 command
                 of
                 your
                 affections
                 ,
                 you
                 cannot
                 love
                 what
                 you
                 will
                 ,
                 or
                 hate
                 what
                 you
                 will
                 ,
                 or
                 grieve
                 when
                 you
                 will
                 ;
                 yet
                 can
                 you
                 not
                 think
                 of
                 what
                 you
                 will
                 ?
                 And
                 by
                 how
                 much
                 more
                 able
                 you
                 are
                 to
                 it
                 ,
                 by
                 so
                 much
                 the
                 greater
                 your
                 sin
                 is
                 ,
                 if
                 you
                 neglect
                 it
                 .
              
               
                 II.
                 Consider
                 the
                 necessity
                 of
                 this
                 duty
                 .
                 The
                 mind
                 of
                 man
                 being
                 active
                 ,
                 if
                 it
                 be
                 not
                 exercised
                 on
                 spiritual
                 ,
                 and
                 holy
                 things
                 ,
                 it
                 will
                 be
                 on
                 things
                 earthly
                 and
                 carnal
                 .
                 The
                 truth
                 is
                 ,
                 whosoever
                 doth
                 not
                 accustome
                 himself
                 to
                 fix
                 his
                 thoughts
                 on
                 God
                 ,
                 or
                 his
                 Word
                 ,
                 or
                 some
                 spiritual
                 subject
                 ,
                 will
                 be
                 sure
                 to
                 find
                 them
                 taken
                 up
                 with
                 things
                 of
                 less
                 concernment
                 ,
                 yea
                 of
                 dangerous
                 and
                 sad
                 consequence
                 ;
                 from
                 which
                 they
                 will
                 reap
                 nothing
                 but
                 corruption
                 ,
                 and
                 defilement
                 .
                 By
                 how
                 much
                 our
                 minds
                 stray
                 from
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 pitch
                 upon
                 other
                 things
                 ,
                 the
                 more
                 will
                 they
                 grow
                 into
                 the
                 form
                 of
                 the
                 Devil
                 .
                 
                 
                   They
                   are
                   gone
                   far
                   from
                   me
                   ,
                   and
                   have
                   walked
                   after
                   vanity
                   ,
                   and
                   are
                   become
                   vain
                   .
                
              
               
               
                 III.
                 Consider
                 the
                 
                   manifold
                   benefits
                
                 which
                 usually
                 follow
                 thereupon
                 .
              
               
                 1.
                 
                 God
                 will
                 be
                 sure
                 to
                 mind
                 them
                 ,
                 who
                 mind
                 him
                 .
                 
                   Then
                   they
                   that
                   feared
                   the
                   Lord
                   ,
                
                 
                 
                   spake
                   often
                   one
                   to
                   another
                   ,
                   and
                   a
                   book
                   of
                   remembrance
                   was
                   written
                   before
                   him
                   ,
                   for
                   them
                   that
                   feared
                   the
                   Lord
                   ,
                   and
                   thought
                   on
                   his
                   name
                   .
                
                 Not
                 a
                 thought
                 of
                 God
                 but
                 it
                 is
                 registred
                 in
                 his
                 book
                 of
                 remembrance
                 .
                 The
                 more
                 we
                 look
                 up
                 unto
                 God
                 ,
                 the
                 more
                 he
                 will
                 look
                 down
                 upon
                 us
                 for
                 our
                 good
                 .
                 When
                 thoughts
                 of
                 God
                 are
                 stirring
                 in
                 us
                 ,
                 God
                 himself
                 is
                 not
                 far
                 off
                 ,
                 he
                 will
                 come
                 and
                 enter
                 .
                 Oh
                 how
                 happy
                 are
                 those
                 souls
                 in
                 whom
                 God
                 comes
                 ,
                 and
                 takes
                 up
                 his
                 habitation
                 !
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 
                   A
                   clearer
                   apprehension
                   of
                   divine
                   truths
                   .
                
                 Though
                 we
                 hear
                 often
                 ,
                 and
                 read
                 much
                 ,
                 yet
                 if
                 we
                 digest
                 not
                 those
                 truths
                 we
                 meet
                 with
                 ,
                 by
                 meditation
                 ,
                 we
                 shall
                 still
                 continue
                 in
                 the
                 dark
                 .
                 Our
                 knowledge
                 at
                 the
                 best
                 will
                 be
                 but
                 weak
                 ,
                 and
                 inefficacious
                 .
                 Whereas
                 by
                 a
                 frequent
                 thinking
                 of
                 those
                 truths
                 which
                 we
                 hear
                 or
                 read
                 ,
                 we
                 shall
                 have
                 a
                 clearer
                 apprehension
                 of
                 them
                 ,
                 and
                 they
                 will
                 be
                 concocted
                 into
                 better
                 nourishment
                 .
              
               
                 3.
                 
                 
                   An
                   Heavenly
                   conversation
                
                 .
                 The
                 mind
                 being
                 the
                 fountain
                 of
                 actions
                 ,
                 such
                 as
                 the
                 mind
                 is
                 ,
                 such
                 is
                 the
                 life
                 ,
                 and
                 conversation
                 .
                 If
                 the
                 mind
                 be
                 holy
                 and
                 Heavenly
                 ,
                 such
                 will
                 the
                 life
                 be
                 .
                 But
                 if
                 the
                 mind
                 be
                 carnal
                 ,
                 and
                 unclean
                 ,
                 the
                 conversation
                 will
                 be
                 thereafter
                 .
                 Wouldst
                 thou
                 have
                 an
                 Heavenly
                 conversation
                 ?
                 then
                 must
                 thou
                 be
                 Heavenly
                 minded
                 .
                 Thoughts
                 are
                 the
                 seed
                 and
                 conception
                 of
                 all
                 our
                 actions
                 ,
                 and
                 such
                 as
                 the
                 seed
                 is
                 ,
                 such
                 will
                 be
                 the
                 fruit
                 .
                 As
                 evil
                 thoughts
                 bring
                 forth
                 evil
                 actions
                 ,
                 so
                 Heavenly
                 thoughts
                 bring
                 forth
                 an
                 Heavenly
                 conversation
                 .
              
               
                 4.
                 
                 
                   Readiness
                   to
                   discourse
                   on
                   divine
                   mysteries
                   .
                
                 As
                 they
                 who
                 have
                 layed
                 up
                 much
                 riches
                 ,
                 have
                 sufficient
                 by
                 them
                 ,
                 to
                 bring
                 forth
                 on
                 all
                 occasions
                 :
                 so
                 such
                 as
                 by
                 frequent
                 meditation
                 have
                 treasured
                 up
                 many
                 precious
                 truths
                 ,
                 have
                 sufficient
                 by
                 them
                 to
                 produce
                 ,
                 for
                 the
                 benefit
                 of
                 those
                 they
                 converse
                 withall
                 .
                 Whereas
                 others
                 who
                 have
                 spent
                 much
                 time
                 in
                 reading
                 ,
                 and
                 hearing
                 ,
                 
                 and
                 have
                 not
                 by
                 meditation
                 made
                 it
                 their
                 own
                 ,
                 we
                 see
                 how
                 barren
                 they
                 are
                 .
                 
                 
                   I
                   will
                   meditate
                
                 ,
                 saith
                 
                   David
                   ,
                   of
                   all
                   thy
                   works
                   ,
                   and
                   talk
                   of
                   thy
                   doings
                   .
                
                 It
                 is
                 there
                 observable
                 ,
                 how
                 good
                 conference
                 follows
                 upon
                 holy
                 meditation
                 .
              
               
                 5.
                 
                 
                   Cheerfulness
                   of
                   Spirit
                
                 .
                 To
                 be
                 much
                 in
                 Heaven
                 by
                 a
                 frequent
                 contemplation
                 of
                 things
                 above
                 ,
                 will
                 exceedingly
                 cheer
                 up
                 our
                 Spirits
                 ,
                 and
                 make
                 us
                 walk
                 comfortably
                 .
                 For
                 the
                 proof
                 hereof
                 I
                 dare
                 appeal
                 to
                 the
                 experience
                 of
                 any
                 Heavenly-minded
                 Christian.
                 When
                 is
                 it
                 that
                 your
                 hearts
                 are
                 most
                 cheerfull
                 ?
                 but
                 when
                 you
                 have
                 been
                 walking
                 with
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 beholding
                 his
                 face
                 ,
                 and
                 looking
                 to
                 those
                 things
                 that
                 are
                 within
                 the
                 vail
                 .
                 Certainly
                 this
                 will
                 leave
                 such
                 a
                 savour
                 upon
                 the
                 heart
                 of
                 a
                 Christian
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 cannot
                 but
                 confess
                 ,
                 that
                 one
                 hour
                 thus
                 spent
                 ,
                 doth
                 afford
                 more
                 true
                 real
                 joy
                 and
                 sweetness
                 ,
                 than
                 all
                 the
                 riches
                 and
                 pleasures
                 in
                 the
                 World.
                 
              
               
                 Hereupon
                 David
                 cryed
                 out
                 ,
                 
                 
                   How
                   precious
                   are
                   thy
                   thoughts
                   unto
                   me
                   ,
                   O
                   God!
                
                 As
                 if
                 he
                 had
                 said
                 ,
                 How
                 delightful
                 and
                 comfortable
                 are
                 the
                 thoughts
                 that
                 I
                 have
                 of
                 thee
                 !
                 yea
                 saith
                 he
                 ,
                 
                   when
                   I
                   remember
                   thee
                   upon
                   my
                   bed
                   ,
                   and
                   meditate
                   on
                   thee
                   in
                   the
                   night
                   watches
                   ,
                   my
                   soul
                   shall
                   be
                   satisfied
                   as
                   with
                   marrow
                   and
                   fatness
                   .
                
                 And
                 who
                 is
                 there
                 that
                 hath
                 seriously
                 experimented
                 this
                 divine
                 exercise
                 ,
                 who
                 doth
                 not
                 find
                 abundance
                 of
                 sweetness
                 and
                 comfort
                 in
                 it
                 ?
                 Certainly
                 no
                 comfort
                 ,
                 no
                 joy
                 is
                 to
                 be
                 compared
                 with
                 it
                 .
              
               
                 No
                 marvail
                 then
                 that
                 many
                 Christians
                 walk
                 so
                 uncomfortably
                 ,
                 when
                 they
                 live
                 at
                 such
                 a
                 distance
                 from
                 Heaven
                 .
                 Where
                 is
                 joy
                 ?
                 where
                 is
                 comfort
                 ?
                 but
                 in
                 Heaven
                 ?
                 Who
                 are
                 like
                 to
                 taste
                 of
                 these
                 Heavenly
                 comforts
                 ,
                 but
                 those
                 who
                 go
                 often
                 thither
                 ?
                 Strangers
                 shall
                 not
                 meddle
                 with
                 this
                 joy
                 .
                 How
                 can
                 Heaven
                 be
                 matter
                 of
                 joy
                 to
                 them
                 who
                 are
                 never
                 there
                 ?
                 nor
                 consider
                 the
                 glorious
                 things
                 ,
                 which
                 God
                 hath
                 there
                 prepared
                 for
                 those
                 who
                 love
                 him
                 ?
              
               
                 6.
                 
                 
                   Another
                   benefit
                   of
                   divine
                   contemplation
                   ,
                   is
                   a
                   profitable
                   improvement
                   of
                   time
                   .
                
                 For
                 thereby
                 all
                 the
                 chinks
                 ,
                 
                 and
                 crevices
                 of
                 our
                 time
                 will
                 be
                 filled
                 up
                 .
                 There
                 need
                 be
                 no
                 vacuity
                 ,
                 when
                 we
                 have
                 work
                 that
                 is
                 so
                 proper
                 for
                 every
                 season
                 ;
                 yea
                 and
                 that
                 will
                 whet
                 and
                 quicken
                 us
                 ,
                 to
                 what
                 ever
                 other
                 work
                 God
                 hath
                 for
                 us
                 to
                 do
                 .
                 The
                 most
                 contemplative
                 Christians
                 are
                 the
                 most
                 active
                 .
                 Our
                 holy
                 thoughts
                 will
                 set
                 us
                 upon
                 our
                 holy
                 work
                 ;
                 the
                 thoughtless
                 are
                 usually
                 the
                 most
                 fruitless
                 of
                 men
                 .
              
               
                 7.
                 
                 
                   Victory
                   over
                   our
                   lusts
                   and
                   corruptions
                   ,
                   is
                   another
                   benefit
                   of
                   divine
                   contemplation
                   .
                
                 It
                 is
                 recorded
                 of
                 Noah
                 ,
                 that
                 though
                 he
                 lived
                 in
                 wicked
                 and
                 corrupt
                 times
                 ,
                 yet
                 he
                 was
                 
                   a
                   just
                   and
                   upright
                   man.
                
                 
                 The
                 reason
                 thereof
                 is
                 rendred
                 in
                 the
                 next
                 words
                 ,
                 
                   He
                   walked
                   with
                   God
                
                 ,
                 continually
                 eying
                 him
                 ,
                 and
                 meditating
                 of
                 him
                 .
                 By
                 his
                 frequent
                 conversing
                 with
                 God
                 ,
                 he
                 kept
                 himself
                 from
                 the
                 iniquities
                 of
                 the
                 times
                 ,
                 as
                 well
                 as
                 from
                 the
                 corruptions
                 of
                 his
                 own
                 heart
                 .
                 And
                 certainly
                 there
                 is
                 no
                 better
                 preservative
                 against
                 sin
                 ,
                 than
                 to
                 have
                 our
                 minds
                 and
                 thoughts
                 thus
                 holily
                 imployed
                 about
                 spiritual
                 things
                 .
                 For
                 ,
              
               
                 1.
                 
                 By
                 looking
                 into
                 our selves
                 ,
                 and
                 considering
                 our
                 own
                 hearts
                 and
                 wayes
                 ,
                 we
                 discern
                 the
                 evils
                 that
                 are
                 there
                 :
                 we
                 see
                 such
                 Worldliness
                 and
                 Covetousness
                 in
                 our
                 hearts
                 ,
                 the
                 very
                 sight
                 whereof
                 will
                 make
                 us
                 look
                 the
                 better
                 to
                 our selves
                 .
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 By
                 spiritual
                 meditation
                 we
                 come
                 to
                 have
                 such
                 an
                 insight
                 into
                 the
                 evil
                 of
                 sin
                 ,
                 the
                 vanity
                 of
                 the
                 Creature
                 ,
                 the
                 folly
                 of
                 fleshly
                 sensual
                 delights
                 :
                 that
                 temptations
                 unto
                 sin
                 will
                 have
                 the
                 less
                 power
                 over
                 us
                 .
              
               
                 3.
                 
                 Divine
                 contemplation
                 is
                 a
                 preservative
                 against
                 sin
                 ,
                 because
                 it
                 keeps
                 the
                 heart
                 imployed
                 .
                 When
                 the
                 heart
                 is
                 taken
                 up
                 with
                 better
                 things
                 ,
                 it
                 hath
                 no
                 leisure
                 to
                 hearken
                 to
                 temptations
                 ;
                 no
                 leisure
                 to
                 be
                 lustfull
                 and
                 wanton
                 ;
                 
                 to
                 be
                 Worldly
                 or
                 ambitious
                 .
                 When
                 we
                 are
                 idle
                 and
                 empty
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 we
                 are
                 sure
                 to
                 be
                 pestred
                 with
                 evil
                 thoughts
                 :
                 whilest
                 we
                 are
                 well
                 employed
                 ,
                 we
                 are
                 safe
                 .
                 When
                 the
                 vessel
                 is
                 full
                 ,
                 you
                 can
                 put
                 in
                 no
                 more
                 .
                 And
                 when
                 the
                 heart
                 is
                 filled
                 with
                 Heaven
                 ,
                 there
                 is
                 no
                 room
                 for
                 Earth
                 and
                 vanity
                 .
                 What
                 's
                 the
                 reason
                 
                 most
                 mens
                 hearts
                 are
                 so
                 full
                 of
                 wicked
                 wanton
                 thoughts
                 ?
                 but
                 because
                 God
                 is
                 not
                 in
                 all
                 their
                 thoughts
                 .
              
               
                 4.
                 
                 Divine
                 contemplation
                 is
                 a
                 good
                 preservative
                 against
                 sin
                 ,
                 in
                 that
                 our
                 understandings
                 are
                 thereby
                 cleared
                 ,
                 to
                 judge
                 rightly
                 of
                 our
                 sinfull
                 lusts
                 ,
                 and
                 pleasures
                 .
                 When
                 a
                 Christian
                 hath
                 been
                 seriously
                 musing
                 either
                 on
                 those
                 everlasting
                 joys
                 ,
                 which
                 are
                 prepared
                 for
                 the
                 Godly
                 in
                 Heaven
                 :
                 or
                 on
                 those
                 everlasting
                 torments
                 ,
                 which
                 are
                 prepared
                 for
                 the
                 wicked
                 in
                 hell
                 ,
                 what
                 then
                 are
                 his
                 apprehensions
                 of
                 his
                 lusts
                 and
                 iniquities
                 ?
                 Oh
                 how
                 doth
                 he
                 befool
                 himself
                 for
                 them
                 ,
                 when
                 he
                 sees
                 what
                 he
                 is
                 like
                 to
                 lose
                 and
                 suffer
                 by
                 them
                 !
                 How
                 could
                 he
                 even
                 tear
                 his
                 very
                 flesh
                 ,
                 and
                 take
                 revenge
                 on
                 himself
                 ,
                 for
                 his
                 earthly
                 mindedness
                 ,
                 and
                 fleshly
                 pleasures
                 !
                 for
                 his
                 mis-spent
                 time
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 hath
                 so
                 prodigally
                 lavished
                 ,
                 and
                 wofully
                 wasted
                 his
                 golden
                 and
                 precious
                 time
                 ,
                 in
                 vanity
                 ,
                 and
                 pleasure
                 ,
                 in
                 sin
                 and
                 wickedness
                 !
                 How
                 verily
                 doth
                 he
                 think
                 there
                 is
                 no
                 man
                 in
                 Bedlam
                 so
                 truly
                 mad
                 ,
                 as
                 they
                 ,
                 who
                 for
                 the
                 short
                 fruition
                 of
                 a
                 momentary
                 pleasure
                 ,
                 and
                 delight
                 here
                 ,
                 do
                 plunge
                 themselves
                 into
                 everlasting
                 burnings
                 in
                 hell
                 ,
                 where
                 is
                 nothing
                 but
                 weeping
                 and
                 wailing
                 ,
                 and
                 gnashing
                 of
                 teeth
                 !
              
            
             
               
               
                 CHAP.
                 XXV
                 .
                 Of
                 Mortification
                 .
              
               
                 ANother
                 singular
                 duty
                 incumbent
                 upon
                 the
                 Regenerate
                 is
                 ,
                 
                   To
                   labour
                   in
                   the
                   use
                   of
                   all
                   good
                   means
                   ,
                   for
                   the
                   mortification
                   of
                   the
                   whole
                   body
                   of
                   sin
                   ,
                   with
                   all
                   its
                   affections
                   and
                   lusts
                   ,
                   especially
                   those
                   we
                   feel
                   most
                   predominant
                   in
                   us
                   .
                
                 True
                 mortification
                 extendeth
                 it self
                 to
                 the
                 whole
                 of
                 sin
                 ,
                 body
                 and
                 members
                 ,
                 root
                 and
                 branch
                 ;
                 even
                 every
                 sinfull
                 lust
                 .
                 
                 
                   Mortifie
                   therefore
                   your
                   members
                   which
                   are
                   upon
                   the
                   Earth
                   ,
                
                 saith
                 the
                 Apostle
                 .
                 Where
                 by
                 
                   Members
                   on
                   the
                   Earth
                
                 ,
                 are
                 meant
                 the
                 sinfull
                 lusts
                 and
                 affections
                 ,
                 which
                 are
                 as
                 the
                 Members
                 of
                 that
                 monstrous
                 body
                 of
                 sin
                 ;
                 which
                 is
                 evident
                 by
                 the
                 particular
                 instances
                 in
                 the
                 Words
                 following
                 ,
                 namely
                 
                   Fornication
                   ,
                   uncleanness
                   ,
                   inordinate
                   Affections
                   ,
                
                 and
                 the
                 like
                 .
                 These
                 must
                 be
                 mortified
                 ,
                 that
                 is
                 ,
                 killed
                 and
                 destroyed
                 .
                 The
                 Regenerate
                 by
                 the
                 Spirit
                 of
                 God
                 are
                 enabled
                 as
                 to
                 restrain
                 the
                 actings
                 of
                 sin
                 ,
                 so
                 by
                 degrees
                 to
                 deaden
                 the
                 root
                 .
                 Indeed
                 this
                 is
                 not
                 done
                 to
                 the
                 uttermost
                 while
                 here
                 we
                 live
                 ,
                 I
                 mean
                 ,
                 sin
                 is
                 not
                 here
                 so
                 mortified
                 and
                 destroyed
                 ,
                 that
                 it
                 hath
                 no
                 residence
                 ,
                 nor
                 activity
                 in
                 our
                 hearts
                 :
                 yet
                 may
                 it
                 be
                 so
                 weakned
                 and
                 subdued
                 ,
                 as
                 to
                 lose
                 its
                 vigor
                 ,
                 power
                 and
                 strength
                 ,
                 and
                 languish
                 away
                 more
                 and
                 more
                 .
                 Though
                 corruption
                 keep
                 
                   possession
                   in
                   us
                
                 ,
                 after
                 we
                 are
                 Regenerate
                 ,
                 yet
                 hath
                 it
                 not
                 
                   dominion
                   over
                   us
                
                 ,
                 though
                 we
                 may
                 be
                 sins
                 Captives
                 ,
                 yet
                 shall
                 we
                 not
                 be
                 sins
                 subjects
                 ,
                 to
                 yield
                 a
                 voluntary
                 subjection
                 of
                 our selves
                 unto
                 the
                 commands
                 of
                 sin
                 .
              
               
                 Q.
                 How
                 may
                 we
                 know
                 when
                 corruption
                 is
                 mortified
                 in
                 us
                 ?
              
               
                 A.
                 When
                 it
                 is
                 not
                 only
                 restrained
                 ,
                 and
                 kept
                 from
                 such
                 ordinary
                 breakings
                 out
                 into
                 actual
                 sins
                 :
                 but
                 the
                 
                 lusts
                 and
                 motions
                 that
                 issue
                 from
                 it
                 ,
                 are
                 a
                 grief
                 to
                 us
                 :
                 yea
                 we
                 hate
                 and
                 detest
                 them
                 ,
                 and
                 groan
                 under
                 the
                 burden
                 of
                 them
                 :
                 we
                 watch
                 against
                 them
                 ,
                 fight
                 against
                 them
                 ,
                 earnestly
                 desiring
                 to
                 be
                 delivered
                 from
                 them
                 ,
                 crying
                 out
                 with
                 the
                 Apostle
                 ,
                 
                 
                   O
                   wretched
                   man
                   that
                   I
                   am
                   ,
                   who
                   shall
                   deliver
                   me
                   from
                   this
                   body
                   of
                   sin
                   and
                   corruption
                   .
                
              
               
                 For
                 the
                 more
                 profitable
                 pressing
                 this
                 so
                 necessary
                 and
                 difficult
                 a
                 duty
                 ,
                 I
                 shall
                 ,
                 
                   
                     1.
                     
                     Shew
                     you
                     some
                     Motives
                     and
                     arguments
                     to
                     enforce
                     the
                     same
                     .
                  
                   
                     2.
                     
                     Some
                     Means
                     whereby
                     it
                     may
                     be
                     effected
                     .
                  
                   
                     3.
                     
                     The
                     Manner
                     how
                     it
                     ought
                     to
                     be
                     performed
                     .
                  
                
              
               
                 The
                 Reasons
                 forcing
                 this
                 work
                 of
                 Mortification
                 upon
                 the
                 Regenerate
                 are
                 these
                 ,
              
               
                 1.
                 
                 After
                 Regeneration
                 there
                 remaineth
                 a
                 body
                 of
                 sin
                 and
                 corruption
                 in
                 the
                 best
                 ,
                 which
                 if
                 we
                 endeavour
                 not
                 ,
                 by
                 the
                 help
                 of
                 Gods
                 Spirit
                 ,
                 to
                 mortifie
                 and
                 subdue
                 ,
                 will
                 gather
                 strength
                 ,
                 and
                 become
                 mighty
                 to
                 the
                 great
                 hinderance
                 of
                 our
                 duty
                 ,
                 and
                 darkning
                 all
                 our
                 comfort
                 .
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 Corruption
                 doth
                 not
                 only
                 remain
                 in
                 us
                 as
                 long
                 as
                 we
                 live
                 in
                 this
                 World
                 ,
                 but
                 it
                 is
                 alwayes
                 in
                 continual
                 work
                 :
                 either
                 stirring
                 us
                 up
                 to
                 evil
                 ,
                 or
                 keeping
                 us
                 from
                 that
                 which
                 is
                 good
                 ,
                 or
                 defiling
                 our
                 best
                 actions
                 .
                 In
                 which
                 respect
                 ,
                 
                 saith
                 the
                 Apostle
                 ,
                 
                   the
                   flesh
                   lusteth
                   against
                   the
                   Spirit
                   :
                
                 And
                 from
                 his
                 own
                 experience
                 he
                 cryeth
                 out
                 ,
                 
                 
                   I
                   see
                   another
                   Law
                   in
                   my
                   members
                   ,
                   warring
                   against
                   the
                   Law
                   of
                   my
                   mind
                   ,
                   and
                   bringing
                   me
                   into
                   captivity
                   to
                   the
                   Law
                   of
                   sin
                   ,
                   which
                   is
                   in
                   my
                   members
                   ;
                   so
                   that
                   I
                   cannot
                   do
                   the
                   good
                   which
                   I
                   would
                   ,
                   but
                   rather
                   do
                   the
                   evil
                   which
                   I
                   hate
                   .
                
                 How
                 doth
                 it
                 then
                 concern
                 us
                 ,
                 daily
                 and
                 hourly
                 to
                 fight
                 ,
                 and
                 strive
                 against
                 these
                 lusts
                 ,
                 which
                 are
                 continually
                 working
                 ,
                 and
                 warring
                 in
                 our
                 members
                 ,
                 hindering
                 and
                 spoiling
                 all
                 our
                 duties
                 ,
                 breaking
                 our
                 peace
                 ,
                 undermining
                 all
                 our
                 hopes
                 and
                 comforts
                 ,
                 and
                 seeking
                 our
                 lives
                 ?
                 we
                 must
                 either
                 kill
                 or
                 be
                 killed
                 .
              
               
                 3.
                 
                 By
                 a
                 conscionable
                 performance
                 of
                 this
                 duty
                 ,
                 we
                 
                 shall
                 be
                 freed
                 from
                 those
                 hainous
                 and
                 scandalous
                 sins
                 ,
                 into
                 which
                 other
                 mens
                 lusts
                 do
                 carry
                 them
                 .
                 Should
                 corruption
                 have
                 its
                 way
                 and
                 course
                 without
                 resistance
                 in
                 the
                 best
                 of
                 us
                 ,
                 it
                 would
                 soon
                 break
                 forth
                 into
                 the
                 most
                 loathsome
                 and
                 disgracefull
                 sins
                 ,
                 that
                 are
                 committed
                 by
                 the
                 very
                 worst
                 of
                 men
                 ;
                 as
                 we
                 see
                 in
                 
                   David
                   ,
                   Solomon
                
                 ,
                 and
                 others
                 .
                 Is
                 it
                 not
                 then
                 needfull
                 for
                 us
                 to
                 keep
                 down
                 ,
                 and
                 withstand
                 the
                 first
                 motions
                 and
                 risings
                 of
                 sin
                 in
                 our
                 hearts
                 ,
                 before
                 it
                 break
                 forth
                 into
                 such
                 wicked
                 and
                 disgracefull
                 acts
                 ,
                 which
                 will
                 blast
                 our
                 credit
                 and
                 reputation
                 ,
                 and
                 bring
                 a
                 scandal
                 upon
                 our
                 Religion
                 and
                 profession
                 ?
              
               
                 4.
                 
                 Mortification
                 of
                 sin
                 was
                 one
                 special
                 end
                 of
                 Christs
                 death
                 ;
                 who
                 dyed
                 to
                 save
                 his
                 people
                 from
                 their
                 sins
                 :
                 not
                 to
                 save
                 them
                 
                   in
                   their
                   sins
                
                 ,
                 but
                 
                   from
                   their
                   sins
                
                 :
                 as
                 from
                 the
                 guilt
                 and
                 punishment
                 ,
                 so
                 from
                 the
                 power
                 of
                 them
                 .
                 And
                 indeed
                 whom
                 Christ
                 delivers
                 from
                 the
                 damnation
                 of
                 sin
                 ,
                 he
                 first
                 delivers
                 also
                 from
                 the
                 dominion
                 of
                 sin
                 .
                 Whom
                 he
                 intends
                 to
                 save
                 from
                 hell
                 ,
                 he
                 first
                 saveth
                 them
                 from
                 iniquity
                 :
                 he
                 saves
                 their
                 souls
                 by
                 killing
                 their
                 sins
                 .
              
               
                 If
                 thou
                 findest
                 any
                 lust
                 to
                 remain
                 unmortified
                 in
                 thee
                 ,
                 bearing
                 rule
                 in
                 thine
                 heart
                 ,
                 and
                 sway
                 in
                 thy
                 life
                 ,
                 thou
                 hast
                 just
                 cause
                 to
                 question
                 thy
                 interest
                 in
                 Christ
                 ,
                 and
                 his
                 salvation
                 .
                 
                 
                   They
                   that
                   are
                   Christs
                   have
                   Crucified
                   the
                   flesh
                   ,
                   with
                   the
                   affections
                   and
                   lusts
                   .
                
              
               
                 II.
                 The
                 Means
                 whereby
                 the
                 work
                 of
                 Mortification
                 may
                 be
                 effected
                 by
                 us
                 ,
                 are
                 these
                 ,
              
               
                 I.
                 When
                 thou
                 feelest
                 corruption
                 working
                 in
                 thee
                 ,
                 and
                 stirring
                 thee
                 up
                 to
                 evil
                 ,
                 then
                 call
                 to
                 mind
                 ,
                 and
                 lay
                 to
                 heart
                 the
                 ensuing
                 considerations
                 .
              
               
                 1.
                 
                 
                   Consider
                   the
                   shortness
                   of
                   the
                   pleasure
                   of
                   sin
                   ,
                   with
                   the
                   length
                   of
                   the
                   punishment
                   following
                   thereupon
                   ,
                   without
                   true
                   and
                   unfeined
                   repentance
                   :
                
                 The
                 one
                 for
                 a
                 moment
                 ,
                 the
                 other
                 everlasting
                 .
                 The
                 pleasure
                 is
                 but
                 short
                 ,
                 but
                 the
                 punishment
                 is
                 for
                 ever
                 and
                 ever
                 .
                 The
                 torments
                 of
                 the
                 damned
                 in
                 hell
                 are
                 intensively
                 most
                 grievous
                 in
                 themselves
                 :
                 but
                 that
                 which
                 mainly
                 and
                 infinitely
                 adds
                 to
                 the
                 greatness
                 of
                 them
                 is
                 ,
                 because
                 they
                 
                 are
                 eternal
                 .
                 
                 
                   They
                   are
                   tormented
                   day
                   and
                   night
                   for
                   ever
                   and
                   ever
                   .
                
                 The
                 Worm
                 is
                 alwayes
                 gnawing
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 fire
                 continually
                 burning
                 ,
                 
                 therefore
                 called
                 
                   unquenchable
                   fire
                
                 .
                 Oh
                 what
                 a
                 folly
                 must
                 it
                 then
                 needs
                 be
                 ▪
                 yea
                 and
                 madness
                 beyond
                 admiration
                 ,
                 for
                 the
                 short
                 fruition
                 of
                 these
                 perishing
                 pleasures
                 ,
                 and
                 transient
                 contentments
                 here
                 ,
                 to
                 implunge
                 our selves
                 into
                 everlasting
                 burnings
                 !
              
               
                 Oh
                 how
                 terrible
                 is
                 the
                 thought
                 of
                 eternity
                 in
                 those
                 tormenting
                 flames
                 ?
                 where
                 the
                 damned
                 would
                 think
                 themselves
                 happy
                 ,
                 if
                 after
                 they
                 had
                 endured
                 them
                 so
                 many
                 thousand
                 years
                 ,
                 as
                 there
                 are
                 Sands
                 on
                 the
                 Sea-shore
                 ,
                 or
                 Stars
                 in
                 the
                 Firmament
                 ,
                 they
                 might
                 then
                 be
                 assured
                 of
                 enlargement
                 .
                 But
                 when
                 all
                 that
                 time
                 is
                 past
                 ,
                 and
                 innumerable
                 millions
                 of
                 years
                 ,
                 and
                 ages
                 are
                 run
                 out
                 ,
                 they
                 are
                 as
                 far
                 from
                 an
                 end
                 ,
                 as
                 at
                 their
                 first
                 entrance
                 .
                 Why
                 wilt
                 thou
                 then
                 purchase
                 a
                 little
                 sensual
                 delight
                 at
                 so
                 dear
                 a
                 rate
                 ?
                 for
                 a
                 
                   moments
                   pleasure
                
                 to
                 incurr
                 everlasting
                 woe
                 and
                 misery
                 ?
                 O
                 the
                 fire
                 of
                 hell
                 ,
                 if
                 thou
                 wouldst
                 send
                 down
                 thy
                 thoughts
                 thither
                 ,
                 would
                 burn
                 up
                 thy
                 Lusts
                 ,
                 which
                 otherwise
                 will
                 be
                 the
                 fuel
                 to
                 burn
                 thy
                 soul.
                 
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 
                   Consider
                   thy
                   extream
                   folly
                   in
                   gratifying
                   thy
                   sinfull
                   Lusts
                   :
                
                 thereby
                 thou
                 hast
                 chosen
                 and
                 preferred
                 thy
                 fleshly
                 pleasure
                 ,
                 thy
                 carnal
                 content
                 ,
                 before
                 the
                 glory
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 the
                 everlasting
                 joyes
                 of
                 Heaven
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 precious
                 blood
                 of
                 Jesus
                 Christ.
                 Oh
                 monstrous
                 madness
                 ,
                 and
                 unconceivable
                 folly
                 !
                 at
                 which
                 the
                 Angels
                 blush
                 ,
                 and
                 Heaven
                 and
                 Earth
                 cannot
                 but
                 stand
                 amazed
                 .
              
               
                 3.
                 
                 
                   Call
                   to
                   mind
                   and
                   consider
                   some
                   of
                   the
                   threatnings
                   in
                   Gods
                   Word
                   ,
                   as
                   against
                   sin
                   in
                   general
                   ,
                   so
                   against
                   that
                   particular
                   Lust
                   ,
                   which
                   thou
                   findest
                   most
                   working
                   and
                   stirring
                   in
                   thee
                   ,
                   and
                   unto
                   which
                   thou
                   findest
                   strongest
                   inclinations
                   in
                   thy self
                   .
                
              
               
                 First
                 ,
                 Call
                 to
                 mind
                 and
                 consider
                 s●me
                 of
                 the
                 threatnings
                 against
                 sin
                 and
                 sinners
                 in
                 general
                 .
                 
                 
                   Upon
                   the
                   wicked
                
                 ,
                 saith
                 the
                 Psalmist
                 ,
                 
                   God
                   shall
                   rain
                   fire
                   and
                   brimstone
                   ,
                   and
                   an
                   horrible
                   tempest
                   :
                   this
                   shall
                   be
                   the
                   portion
                   of
                   their
                   
                   cup.
                
                 
                 And
                 saith
                 the
                 Apostle
                 ,
                 
                   Indignation
                   and
                   wrath
                   ,
                   tribulation
                   and
                   anguish
                   upon
                   every
                   soul
                   of
                   man
                   that
                   doth
                   evil
                   .
                
              
               
                 Secondly
                 ,
                 When
                 thou
                 findest
                 any
                 inclination
                 in
                 thy self
                 to
                 a
                 particular
                 sin
                 ,
                 as
                 unto
                 drunkenness
                 ,
                 seriously
                 consider
                 that
                 of
                 the
                 Wise
                 man
                 ,
                 
                 
                   who
                   hath
                   woe
                   ?
                   who
                   hath
                   sorrow
                   ?
                   who
                   hath
                   contentions
                   ,
                
                 &c.
                 
                   they
                   that
                   tarry
                   long
                   at
                   the
                   Wine
                   ,
                   they
                   that
                   go
                   to
                   seek
                   mixt
                   Wine
                   .
                
                 When
                 thou
                 findest
                 any
                 inclination
                 ,
                 or
                 temptation
                 unto
                 uncleanness
                 ,
                 seriously
                 weigh
                 that
                 of
                 the
                 Apostle
                 ,
                 
                   Be
                   not
                   deceived
                
                 ,
                 
                 
                   neither
                   Fornicators
                   ,
                   nor
                   Idolaters
                   ,
                   nor
                   Adulterers
                   ,
                   nor
                   Effeminate
                   ,
                   shall
                   inherit
                   the
                   Kingdom
                   of
                   God.
                
                 
                 And
                 again
                 ,
                 
                   Whoremongers
                   ,
                   and
                   Adulterers
                   God
                   will
                   judge
                   .
                
                 When
                 thou
                 findest
                 any
                 inclinations
                 unto
                 Covetousness
                 ,
                 call
                 to
                 mind
                 that
                 of
                 the
                 Prophet
                 
                   Isaiah
                   ,
                   Wo
                   unto
                   them
                   that
                   joyne
                   house
                   to
                   house
                   ,
                
                 
                 
                   and
                   lay
                   field
                   to
                   field
                   ,
                   till
                   there
                   be
                   no
                   place
                   :
                
                 and
                 that
                 of
                 the
                 Apostle
                 ,
                 
                   The
                   love
                   of
                   money
                   is
                   the
                   root
                   of
                   all
                   evil
                   ,
                
                 
                 
                   which
                   while
                   some
                   have
                   coveted
                   after
                   ,
                   they
                   have
                   erred
                   from
                   the
                   faith
                   ,
                   and
                   pierced
                   themselves
                   thorow
                   with
                   many
                   sorrows
                   .
                
                 As
                 God
                 hath
                 in
                 his
                 Word
                 denounced
                 severe
                 threatnings
                 against
                 many
                 sins
                 ,
                 so
                 a
                 serious
                 consideration
                 of
                 them
                 will
                 be
                 a
                 special
                 means
                 to
                 mortifie
                 the
                 same
                 ,
                 and
                 keep
                 them
                 at
                 least
                 from
                 raigning
                 in
                 us
                 .
              
               
                 4.
                 
                 
                   Call
                   to
                   mind
                   the
                   fearfull
                   judgements
                   God
                   hath
                   executed
                   upon
                   sinners
                
                 ;
                 as
                 the
                 drowning
                 of
                 the
                 old
                 World
                 ;
                 the
                 raining
                 fire
                 and
                 brimstone
                 from
                 Heaven
                 upon
                 Sodom
                 and
                 Gomorrah
                 ;
                 the
                 rejection
                 of
                 the
                 Iews
                 :
                 the
                 destruction
                 of
                 those
                 famous
                 Churches
                 of
                 the
                 
                   Corinthians
                   ,
                   Galathians
                   ,
                   Ephesians
                
                 ,
                 with
                 divers
                 others
                 .
                 Consider
                 likewise
                 the
                 remarkable
                 judgements
                 of
                 God
                 executed
                 upon
                 notorious
                 sinners
                 in
                 thine
                 own
                 dayes
                 ,
                 for
                 their
                 swearing
                 ,
                 sabbath-breaking
                 ,
                 whoring
                 ,
                 drinking
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 like
                 ;
                 which
                 (
                 through
                 Gods
                 blessing
                 )
                 may
                 prove
                 a
                 special
                 Means
                 to
                 keep
                 down
                 all
                 sinfull
                 lusts
                 ,
                 and
                 inordinate
                 affections
                 ,
                 that
                 they
                 break
                 not
                 forth
                 into
                 outward
                 gross
                 acts
                 .
              
               
                 5.
                 
                 
                   Consider
                   the
                   deceitfull
                   nature
                   of
                   sin
                   ,
                
                 which
                 allureth
                 thee
                 with
                 shews
                 of
                 pleasure
                 ,
                 profit
                 ,
                 credit
                 ,
                 ease
                 ,
                 
                 and
                 the
                 like
                 ?
                 but
                 in
                 the
                 end
                 it
                 bites
                 like
                 a
                 Serpent
                 ,
                 and
                 stingeth
                 like
                 an
                 Adder
                 ;
                 and
                 then
                 thou
                 wilt
                 perceive
                 how
                 thou
                 art
                 beguiled
                 ,
                 and
                 deceived
                 .
                 Horrour
                 of
                 Conscience
                 ,
                 and
                 hellish
                 torment
                 is
                 all
                 it
                 will
                 pay
                 thee
                 instead
                 of
                 the
                 pleasure
                 it
                 promiseth
                 thee
                 :
                 loss
                 instead
                 of
                 profit
                 ,
                 even
                 the
                 loss
                 of
                 Heaven
                 and
                 happiness
                 :
                 shame
                 and
                 disgrace
                 instead
                 of
                 credit
                 :
                 anguish
                 instead
                 of
                 ease
                 :
                 
                 
                   tribulation
                   and
                   anguish
                   shall
                   be
                   upon
                   every
                   soul
                   of
                   man
                   that
                   doth
                   evil
                   .
                   Iacob
                
                 complained
                 of
                 Labans
                 deceit
                 about
                 his
                 wages
                 :
                 and
                 what
                 wilt
                 thou
                 think
                 of
                 thy
                 wages
                 when
                 the
                 pay-day
                 comes
                 ?
                 
                   The
                   wages
                   of
                   sin
                   is
                   death
                   ,
                
                 wilt
                 thou
                 not
                 then
                 say
                 ,
                 
                   the
                   Serpent
                   hath
                   beguiled
                   me
                   ,
                   this
                   sin
                   hath
                   deceived
                   me
                   .
                
                 Be
                 not
                 such
                 a
                 fool
                 as
                 to
                 take
                 the
                 word
                 of
                 a
                 known
                 deceiver
                 ;
                 away
                 with
                 it
                 ,
                 crucifie
                 it
                 ,
                 for
                 it
                 intends
                 thee
                 mischief
                 .
                 Be
                 undeceived
                 betimes
                 :
                 how
                 dreadfull
                 will
                 it
                 be
                 ,
                 if
                 nothing
                 but
                 fire
                 and
                 ●●●mstone
                 will
                 bring
                 thee
                 to
                 thy
                 wits
                 ?
                 If
                 thou
                 wilt
                 no●
                 see
                 the
                 treachery
                 of
                 sin
                 till
                 it
                 be
                 too
                 late
                 to
                 escape
                 it
                 ?
              
               
                 6.
                 
                 
                   When
                   thou
                   feelest
                   corruption
                   working
                   and
                   stirring
                   in
                   thee
                   entising
                   thee
                   to
                   sin
                   ,
                   seriously
                   consider
                   the
                   manifold
                   sufferings
                   and
                   bitter
                   death
                   of
                   our
                   blessed
                   Saviour
                   Iesus
                   Christ
                   on
                   the
                   Cross
                   :
                
                 whereof
                 our
                 sins
                 were
                 the
                 cause
                 .
                 These
                 were
                 they
                 that
                 lay
                 heavy
                 upon
                 his
                 soul
                 ,
                 and
                 made
                 him
                 exceeding
                 sorrowfull
                 even
                 unto
                 death
                 .
                 These
                 were
                 the
                 thorns
                 which
                 pricked
                 his
                 Temples
                 ;
                 the
                 whips
                 which
                 scourged
                 his
                 innocent
                 body
                 :
                 and
                 the
                 nails
                 which
                 fastned
                 his
                 hands
                 and
                 feet
                 to
                 the
                 Cross.
                 And
                 can
                 we
                 love
                 our
                 sins
                 which
                 kil'd
                 our
                 Saviour
                 ?
                 we
                 complain
                 of
                 Iudas
                 ,
                 and
                 of
                 the
                 Iews
                 for
                 Crucifying
                 him
                 ;
                 and
                 seem
                 to
                 hate
                 them
                 upon
                 that
                 account
                 .
                 But
                 behold
                 the
                 Iudas
                 in
                 thy
                 heart
                 ,
                 and
                 in
                 thy
                 life
                 ,
                 thy
                 sins
                 ,
                 these
                 are
                 the
                 betrayers
                 and
                 murderers
                 .
              
               
                 Oh
                 never
                 leave
                 looking
                 up
                 to
                 a
                 Crucified
                 Christ
                 ,
                 till
                 thou
                 feel
                 and
                 find
                 ,
                 both
                 arguments
                 enough
                 to
                 engage
                 thy
                 heart
                 against
                 them
                 ,
                 and
                 vertue
                 flow
                 from
                 him
                 to
                 the
                 Crucifying
                 of
                 them
                 .
                 To
                 this
                 end
                 ,
                 reason
                 thus
                 with
                 thy self
                 .
                 Hath
                 Christ
                 paid
                 for
                 my
                 Redemption
                 his
                 most
                 precious
                 Blood
                 ,
                 and
                 shall
                 I
                 sell
                 my
                 
                 soul
                 to
                 sin
                 again
                 for
                 this
                 fleshly
                 pleasure
                 ,
                 or
                 base
                 profit
                 ?
                 what
                 is
                 this
                 but
                 to
                 Crucifie
                 the
                 Lord
                 of
                 life
                 afresh
                 ?
                 For
                 know
                 assuredly
                 ,
                 so
                 many
                 sins
                 as
                 thou
                 committest
                 wittingly
                 ,
                 and
                 with
                 delight
                 ,
                 so
                 many
                 thorns
                 dost
                 thou
                 again
                 fasten
                 upon
                 his
                 head
                 ,
                 so
                 many
                 nailes
                 dost
                 thou
                 drive
                 into
                 his
                 hands
                 and
                 feet
                 ,
                 so
                 many
                 spears
                 dost
                 thou
                 thrust
                 into
                 his
                 heart
                 .
                 Certainly
                 a
                 serious
                 consideration
                 of
                 these
                 things
                 cannot
                 but
                 be
                 a
                 special
                 means
                 to
                 set
                 thee
                 heartily
                 upon
                 this
                 work
                 of
                 Mortification
                 .
              
               
                 7.
                 
                 
                   Consider
                   how
                   frail
                   and
                   mortal
                   thou
                   art
                   ,
                   subject
                   to
                   death
                   every
                   moment
                   ;
                   and
                   woe
                   be
                   unto
                   thee
                   if
                   thou
                   dye
                   before
                   thy
                   sins
                   be
                   slain
                   .
                
                 How
                 darest
                 thou
                 adventure
                 upon
                 thy
                 Lusts
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 pleasures
                 of
                 sin
                 ,
                 when
                 as
                 thou
                 maist
                 suddenly
                 be
                 taken
                 out
                 of
                 the
                 Land
                 of
                 the
                 living
                 ,
                 and
                 cast
                 into
                 hell
                 ,
                 while
                 thou
                 art
                 acting
                 thy
                 wickedness
                 ?
                 Even
                 then
                 when
                 thou
                 art
                 blessing
                 thy self
                 in
                 thy
                 pleasures
                 ,
                 or
                 the
                 gains
                 of
                 unrig●●eousness
                 ,
                 thou
                 maist
                 hear
                 that
                 voice
                 ,
                 
                   Thou
                   fool
                   〈◊〉
                   night
                   thy
                   soul
                   shall
                   be
                   taken
                   from
                   thee
                   .
                
                 Didst
                 thou
                 but
                 seriously
                 consider
                 ,
                 as
                 the
                 cerrainty
                 of
                 thy
                 death
                 ,
                 so
                 the
                 uncertainty
                 of
                 the
                 time
                 thereof
                 ,
                 thou
                 wouldst
                 not
                 but
                 be
                 afraid
                 of
                 sinning
                 once
                 more
                 ,
                 lest
                 God
                 should
                 strike
                 thee
                 dead
                 in
                 the
                 very
                 act
                 ,
                 and
                 thou
                 have
                 no
                 time
                 left
                 for
                 repentance
                 .
                 Oh
                 pray
                 with
                 the
                 Psalmist
                 ,
                 
                 
                   that
                   God
                   would
                   teach
                   thee
                   to
                   number
                   thy
                   dayes
                   ,
                
                 and
                 this
                 will
                 make
                 thee
                 apply
                 thine
                 heart
                 unto
                 Wisdom
                 .
              
               
                 8.
                 
                 
                   Consider
                   that
                   sin
                   will
                   be
                   thy
                   destruction
                   ,
                   and
                   nothing
                   besides
                   it
                   can
                   harm
                   thee
                   .
                
                 It
                 is
                 not
                 in
                 the
                 power
                 of
                 all
                 the
                 men
                 and
                 Devils
                 in
                 the
                 World
                 to
                 destroy
                 the
                 soul
                 of
                 any
                 man.
                 Temptations
                 can
                 do
                 nothing
                 but
                 by
                 the
                 advantage
                 of
                 corruption
                 ;
                 't
                 is
                 that
                 wounds
                 mortally
                 our
                 immortal
                 spirit
                 ,
                 and
                 brings
                 it
                 into
                 that
                 cursed
                 state
                 ,
                 where
                 though
                 it
                 never
                 dyeth
                 ,
                 yet
                 is
                 it
                 alwayes
                 dying
                 ;
                 though
                 never
                 quite
                 dead
                 ,
                 yet
                 ever
                 in
                 the
                 pangs
                 of
                 death
                 .
              
               
                 Oh
                 what
                 prodigious
                 cruelty
                 must
                 it
                 then
                 needs
                 be
                 ,
                 for
                 such
                 things
                 of
                 nought
                 ,
                 to
                 betray
                 thy
                 precious
                 soul
                 to
                 an
                 eternal
                 loss
                 !
                 when
                 if
                 thou
                 wouldst
                 be
                 
                 perswaded
                 to
                 secure
                 this
                 enemy
                 ,
                 Sin
                 ,
                 thou
                 mightest
                 live
                 and
                 be
                 blessed
                 ,
                 in
                 spite
                 of
                 men
                 and
                 Devils
                 .
                 And
                 wilt
                 thou
                 yet
                 be
                 in
                 league
                 with
                 it
                 ?
                 wilt
                 thou
                 let
                 it
                 live
                 ?
                 Shall
                 not
                 thy
                 soul
                 be
                 avenged
                 of
                 such
                 an
                 enemy
                 as
                 this
                 ?
                 Arise
                 ,
                 arise
                 ,
                 set
                 upon
                 thy
                 sins
                 ,
                 upon
                 them
                 all
                 ,
                 let
                 not
                 thy
                 soul
                 spare
                 any
                 one
                 of
                 them
                 ,
                 give
                 no
                 quarter
                 to
                 them
                 ,
                 let
                 not
                 any
                 iniquity
                 lodge
                 in
                 peace
                 with
                 thee
                 one
                 night
                 more
                 ,
                 lest
                 thou
                 be
                 a
                 dead
                 man
                 before
                 the
                 morning
                 .
              
               
                 Thus
                 have
                 I
                 commended
                 to
                 thee
                 several
                 considerations
                 to
                 restrain
                 thee
                 from
                 sin
                 ,
                 which
                 by
                 the
                 help
                 of
                 God
                 may
                 serve
                 to
                 imbitter
                 the
                 sweetest
                 bait
                 that
                 draws
                 thee
                 to
                 it
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 cool
                 the
                 heat
                 of
                 the
                 most
                 furious
                 inticements
                 .
                 When
                 therefore
                 thou
                 feelest
                 corruption
                 working
                 ,
                 and
                 stirring
                 in
                 thee
                 ,
                 call
                 to
                 mind
                 the
                 forementioned
                 considerations
                 ,
                 fix
                 thy
                 thoughts
                 on
                 them
                 ,
                 let
                 them
                 not
                 go
                 off
                 ,
                 untill
                 they
                 begin
                 to
                 have
                 a
                 powerfull
                 influence
                 upon
                 thy
                 soul.
                 
              
               
                 II.
                 Another
                 means
                 on
                 our
                 part
                 to
                 be
                 performed
                 for
                 the
                 mortifying
                 our
                 sinfull
                 Lusts
                 is
                 ,
                 
                   carefully
                   to
                   eschew
                   all
                   occasions
                   of
                   sin
                   ,
                   and
                   temptations
                   thereunto
                   .
                
                 He
                 who
                 will
                 dally
                 with
                 occasions
                 of
                 sin
                 ,
                 is
                 in
                 danger
                 of
                 falling
                 .
                 He
                 who
                 will
                 venture
                 upon
                 temptations
                 unto
                 wickedness
                 ,
                 is
                 not
                 far
                 from
                 commission
                 of
                 it
                 .
                 Observe
                 therefore
                 what
                 occasions
                 and
                 opportunities
                 ,
                 what
                 means
                 and
                 company
                 ,
                 have
                 at
                 any
                 time
                 given
                 advantage
                 to
                 thy
                 Lust
                 ,
                 to
                 exert
                 and
                 put
                 forth
                 it self
                 ;
                 and
                 flie
                 from
                 them
                 as
                 from
                 Hell.
                 This
                 is
                 a
                 point
                 of
                 true
                 spiritual
                 wisdom
                 ,
                 to
                 see
                 sin
                 afar
                 off
                 in
                 the
                 occasions
                 of
                 it
                 ;
                 and
                 by
                 eschewing
                 the
                 one
                 ,
                 to
                 prevent
                 the
                 other
                 .
              
               
                 III.
                 
                   Observe
                   the
                   first
                   working
                   of
                   corruption
                   in
                   thine
                   heart
                   ,
                   and
                   carefully
                   suppress
                   the
                   same
                   ,
                   not
                   suffering
                   it
                   to
                   get
                   the
                   least
                   ground
                   .
                
                 Do
                 not
                 say
                 ,
                 thus
                 far
                 it
                 shall
                 go
                 and
                 no
                 farther
                 .
                 Give
                 sin
                 an
                 inch
                 ,
                 and
                 it
                 will
                 soon
                 take
                 an
                 ell
                 ,
                 as
                 the
                 proverb
                 is
                 .
                 Lustfull
                 thoughts
                 have
                 oft-times
                 ended
                 in
                 outward
                 uncleanness
                 ,
                 and
                 actual
                 Adultery
                 .
                 
                 
                   From
                   the
                   heart
                
                 ,
                 saith
                 our
                 Saviour
                 ,
                 
                   proceed
                   evil
                   thoughts
                   ,
                   adulteries
                   ,
                   fornications
                   ,
                
                 &c.
                 
                 Noting
                 evil
                 thoughts
                 to
                 be
                 the
                 cause
                 of
                 the
                 uncleanness
                 in
                 the
                 life
                 .
                 
                 In
                 Athaliahs
                 Massacre
                 of
                 the
                 blood-royal
                 ,
                 young
                 Ioash
                 was
                 hid
                 in
                 the
                 bed-chamber
                 ,
                 there
                 he
                 was
                 nurst
                 ,
                 and
                 afterwards
                 came
                 to
                 be
                 King
                 ,
                 and
                 ruled
                 in
                 the
                 Throne
                 .
                 Save
                 any
                 Lustfull
                 thought
                 ,
                 nurse
                 it
                 in
                 the
                 bed-chamber
                 of
                 thy
                 heart
                 ,
                 hide
                 it
                 there
                 ,
                 and
                 it
                 will
                 in
                 time
                 come
                 to
                 be
                 King
                 ,
                 and
                 rule
                 over
                 thee
                 .
              
               
                 So
                 soon
                 therefore
                 as
                 any
                 lustful
                 or
                 exorbitant
                 thoughts
                 begin
                 to
                 arise
                 in
                 thine
                 heart
                 ,
                 speedily
                 reject
                 the
                 same
                 :
                 quench
                 the
                 fire
                 in
                 the
                 thatch
                 ;
                 crush
                 the
                 Cockatrice
                 in
                 the
                 Egge
                 :
                 stifle
                 the
                 first
                 conception
                 of
                 sin
                 .
                 Certainly
                 as
                 it
                 is
                 a
                 dangerous
                 neglect
                 not
                 to
                 observe
                 and
                 embrace
                 the
                 first
                 motions
                 of
                 Gods
                 spirit
                 in
                 us
                 :
                 so
                 likewise
                 not
                 to
                 take
                 notice
                 of
                 the
                 first
                 thoughts
                 and
                 rising
                 of
                 sin
                 in
                 our
                 hearts
                 .
                 He
                 who
                 slights
                 sinfull
                 thoughts
                 ,
                 
                 is
                 in
                 a
                 fair
                 way
                 to
                 sinfull
                 actions
                 .
                 
                   They
                   that
                   are
                   Christs
                
                 ,
                 saith
                 the
                 Apostle
                 ,
                 
                   have
                   Crucified
                   the
                   flesh
                   with
                   the
                   affections
                   and
                   lusts
                   .
                
                 The
                 very
                 
                   affections
                   and
                   lusts
                
                 of
                 the
                 flesh
                 must
                 be
                 Crucified
                 ,
                 if
                 we
                 would
                 prevent
                 the
                 works
                 of
                 the
                 flesh
                 .
              
               
                 IV.
                 
                   Sir
                   up
                   in
                   thy self
                   an
                   earnest
                   desire
                   to
                   have
                   thy
                   lusts
                   mortified
                   and
                   subdued
                   .
                
                 The
                 reason
                 why
                 no
                 more
                 is
                 done
                 against
                 sin
                 is
                 ,
                 because
                 we
                 are
                 too
                 well
                 contented
                 to
                 let
                 it
                 alone
                 ;
                 when
                 nothing
                 but
                 the
                 death
                 of
                 sin
                 will
                 satisfie
                 thee
                 ,
                 thou
                 wilt
                 then
                 use
                 thy
                 Weapons
                 :
                 when
                 once
                 thou
                 desirest
                 in
                 earnest
                 the
                 destruction
                 of
                 thine
                 iniquities
                 ,
                 there
                 's
                 hope
                 they
                 will
                 not
                 be
                 long
                 liv'd
                 .
                 For
                 God
                 hath
                 promised
                 to
                 satisfie
                 the
                 desire
                 of
                 those
                 that
                 fear
                 him
                 ,
                 he
                 will
                 hear
                 their
                 groanings
                 and
                 deliver
                 them
                 .
              
               
                 
                 
                   Come
                   unto
                   me
                
                 ,
                 saith
                 Christ
                 ,
                 
                   all
                   ye
                   who
                   labour
                   and
                   are
                   heavy
                   laden
                   ,
                   and
                   I
                   will
                   give
                   you
                   case
                   ,
                   and
                   rest
                   .
                
                 Certain●y
                 one
                 special
                 reason
                 why
                 many
                 complain
                 so
                 much
                 of
                 the
                 strength
                 and
                 prevalency
                 of
                 their
                 corruptions
                 is
                 ,
                 because
                 they
                 are
                 not
                 heartily
                 willing
                 to
                 have
                 them
                 mortified
                 and
                 subdued
                 .
                 They
                 will
                 indeed
                 profess
                 a
                 willingness
                 to
                 part
                 with
                 their
                 sins
                 ,
                 that
                 they
                 may
                 be
                 freed
                 from
                 the
                 guilt
                 of
                 them
                 ,
                 and
                 punishment
                 due
                 unto
                 them
                 ;
                 but
                 unwilling
                 they
                 are
                 to
                 part
                 with
                 the
                 pleasure
                 they
                 find
                 in
                 them
                 .
                 Thus
                 Austin
                 acknowledgeth
                 of
                 
                 himself
                 ;
                 
                   I
                   prayed
                
                 ,
                 said
                 he
                 ,
                 
                   that
                   my
                   sins
                   might
                   be
                   forgiven
                   and
                   mortified
                   :
                   but
                   yet
                   I
                   was
                   afraid
                   l●st
                   my
                   prayer
                   should
                   be
                   heard
                   and
                   answered
                   ,
                
                 If
                 therefore
                 thou
                 wouldst
                 have
                 thy
                 sins
                 mortified
                 indeed
                 ,
                 stir
                 up
                 in
                 thy self
                 a
                 willing
                 mind
                 thereunto
                 .
              
               
                 V.
                 
                   Complain
                   unto
                   God
                   of
                   the
                   prevalency
                   of
                   thy
                   lusts
                   ,
                   and
                   by
                   prayer
                   beg
                   strength
                   from
                   him
                   against
                   the
                   power
                   of
                   th●m
                   .
                
                 From
                 God
                 it
                 is
                 that
                 strength
                 must
                 be
                 had
                 ,
                 it
                 is
                 his
                 power
                 alone
                 that
                 can
                 support
                 us
                 against
                 the
                 power
                 of
                 sin
                 .
                 And
                 Prayer
                 is
                 the
                 means
                 of
                 obtaining
                 it
                 .
                 This
                 was
                 the
                 course
                 that
                 Paul
                 took
                 ,
                 when
                 he
                 was
                 troubled
                 with
                 that
                 
                   thorn
                   in
                   his
                   flesh
                
                 ,
                 
                 which
                 expositors
                 generally
                 enterpret
                 to
                 be
                 ,
                 some
                 strong
                 motions
                 and
                 inclinations
                 in
                 him
                 to
                 some
                 foul
                 sin
                 .
                 
                   For
                   this
                
                 ,
                 saith
                 the
                 text
                 ,
                 
                   he
                   besought
                   the
                   Lord
                   thrice
                
                 ,
                 that
                 is
                 ,
                 oftentimes
                 .
                 And
                 though
                 he
                 did
                 not
                 presently
                 obtain
                 a
                 full
                 deliverance
                 ,
                 yet
                 did
                 he
                 receive
                 strength
                 sufficient
                 to
                 resist
                 them
                 ,
                 so
                 that
                 he
                 could
                 not
                 be
                 overcome
                 by
                 them
                 .
              
               
                 If
                 we
                 in
                 like
                 manner
                 shall
                 go
                 unto
                 God
                 by
                 prayer
                 for
                 his
                 help
                 ,
                 laying
                 open
                 our
                 condition
                 ,
                 and
                 complaining
                 to
                 him
                 thereof
                 ;
                 we
                 shall
                 for
                 the
                 present
                 receive
                 strength
                 sufficient
                 to
                 resist
                 ,
                 and
                 in
                 Gods
                 due
                 time
                 deliverance
                 from
                 our
                 iniquities
                 .
              
               
                 VI.
                 
                   Act
                   faith
                   in
                   Christ
                   for
                   the
                   mortifying
                   thy
                   sinfull
                   lusts
                   ,
                   and
                   corruptions
                   .
                
                 To
                 this
                 end
                 ,
              
               
                 1.
                 
                 
                   Be
                   sensible
                   that
                   thou
                   art
                   in
                   thy
                   s●●f
                   weak
                   ,
                   and
                   unable
                   to
                   grapple
                   with
                   thy
                   Lusts.
                
                 Thou
                 must
                 despair
                 of
                 thine
                 own
                 strength
                 ,
                 ere
                 thou
                 wilt
                 take
                 hold
                 on
                 the
                 strength
                 of
                 the
                 Lord.
                 Thou
                 must
                 be
                 beaten
                 out
                 of
                 thy
                 self-confidence
                 ,
                 ere
                 thou
                 wilt
                 go
                 unto
                 Christ.
                 When
                 thou
                 seest
                 thou
                 art
                 weak
                 ,
                 thou
                 wilt
                 turn
                 to
                 the
                 strong
                 hold
                 .
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 
                   B●lieve
                   that
                   Christ
                   is
                   able
                   to
                   succour
                   and
                   help
                   thee
                   .
                   In
                   him
                   doth
                   all
                   fullness
                   dwell
                   .
                
                 As
                 he
                 hath
                 a
                 
                   fullness
                   of
                   grace
                
                 in
                 his
                 heart
                 ,
                 so
                 
                   fullness
                   of
                   power
                
                 in
                 his
                 hand
                 ,
                 whereby
                 he
                 is
                 able
                 to
                 kill
                 all
                 thine
                 enemies
                 .
                 Sin
                 is
                 mighty
                 ,
                 but
                 Christ
                 is
                 mightier
                 .
                 The
                 Devil
                 is
                 strong
                 ,
                 but
                 Christ
                 is
                 stronger
                 than
                 he
                 .
              
               
                 3.
                 
                 
                   Believe
                   that
                   Christ
                   is
                   as
                   able
                   ,
                   so
                   willing
                   to
                   subdue
                   
                   thine
                   iniquities
                   .
                
                 Thine
                 enemies
                 are
                 his
                 enemies
                 ,
                 and
                 he
                 will
                 have
                 their
                 death
                 :
                 if
                 thou
                 be
                 a
                 believer
                 ,
                 he
                 hath
                 undertaken
                 for
                 thee
                 .
                 He
                 is
                 thy
                 great
                 High-Priest
                 ,
                 and
                 thy
                 Lord
                 and
                 King
                 ;
                 and
                 hereupon
                 not
                 only
                 by
                 his
                 mercifulness
                 ,
                 and
                 kindness
                 ;
                 but
                 by
                 his
                 office
                 and
                 interest
                 he
                 stands
                 ingaged
                 to
                 pitty
                 and
                 relieve
                 thee
                 :
                 he
                 will
                 not
                 be
                 unfaithfull
                 to
                 his
                 trust
                 ,
                 nor
                 deaf
                 to
                 his
                 own
                 bowels
                 ,
                 which
                 plead
                 with
                 him
                 to
                 save
                 and
                 help
                 thee
                 .
              
               
                 4.
                 
                 
                   By
                   faith
                   cast
                   thy self
                   upon
                   Iesus
                   Christ
                   ,
                   rest
                   upon
                   his
                   power
                   ,
                   and
                   goodness
                   for
                   his
                   help
                   and
                   strength
                   .
                
                 'T
                 is
                 here
                 in
                 regard
                 of
                 Christs
                 power
                 ,
                 as
                 in
                 regard
                 of
                 his
                 promises
                 .
                 As
                 our
                 resting
                 and
                 relying
                 upon
                 his
                 promises
                 in
                 a
                 time
                 of
                 danger
                 and
                 distress
                 ,
                 makes
                 them
                 our
                 own
                 :
                 So
                 our
                 resting
                 and
                 relying
                 upon
                 Christs
                 power
                 for
                 help
                 and
                 support
                 ,
                 doth
                 make
                 it
                 our
                 own
                 .
              
               
                 5.
                 
                 
                   By
                   faith
                   wait
                   upon
                   Christ
                   in
                   expectation
                   of
                   relief
                   ,
                   and
                   succour
                   against
                   the
                   working
                   and
                   stirring
                   of
                   thy
                   corruptions
                   .
                
                 Though
                 relief
                 come
                 in
                 but
                 slowly
                 from
                 him
                 ,
                 yet
                 wait
                 for
                 it
                 ,
                 because
                 it
                 will
                 most
                 surely
                 come
                 in
                 the
                 most
                 seasonable
                 time
                 .
                 Hereby
                 wilt
                 thou
                 ingage
                 Christ
                 to
                 appear
                 for
                 thy
                 help
                 .
                 For
                 as
                 nothing
                 doth
                 more
                 ingage
                 the
                 heart
                 of
                 a
                 man
                 to
                 be
                 helpfull
                 to
                 another
                 ,
                 than
                 an
                 expectation
                 of
                 help
                 from
                 him
                 :
                 So
                 certainly
                 the
                 raising
                 up
                 thine
                 heart
                 to
                 an
                 expectation
                 of
                 relief
                 from
                 Christ
                 ,
                 must
                 needs
                 be
                 a
                 great
                 ingagement
                 unto
                 him
                 to
                 assist
                 thee
                 accordingly
                 .
              
               
                 When
                 Christ
                 cured
                 many
                 of
                 their
                 bodily
                 diseases
                 and
                 distempers
                 while
                 he
                 lived
                 upon
                 the
                 Earth
                 ,
                 we
                 find
                 their
                 cure
                 is
                 still
                 ascribed
                 to
                 their
                 faith
                 .
                 Now
                 what
                 was
                 their
                 faith
                 ?
                 They
                 believed
                 that
                 Christ
                 was
                 both
                 able
                 and
                 willing
                 to
                 cure
                 them
                 ,
                 and
                 thereupon
                 with
                 confidence
                 went
                 unto
                 him
                 for
                 cure
                 ,
                 and
                 so
                 drew
                 vertue
                 from
                 him
                 accordingly
                 .
                 This
                 you
                 may
                 see
                 in
                 the
                 poor
                 Woman
                 that
                 had
                 an
                 issue
                 of
                 blood
                 twelve
                 years
                 ,
                 who
                 came
                 behind
                 Christ
                 and
                 said
                 ,
                 
                   If
                   I
                   may
                   but
                   touch
                   the
                   hem
                   of
                   his
                   garment
                   ,
                   I
                   shall
                   be
                   whole
                   .
                
                 To
                 whom
                 Christ
                 replyed
                 ,
                 
                 
                   Daughter
                   be
                   of
                   good
                   comfort
                   ,
                   thy
                   faith
                   hath
                   made
                   thee
                   whole
                   .
                
                 This
                 is
                 written
                 as
                 all
                 other
                 Scripture
                 is
                 ,
                 for
                 our
                 learning
                 ,
                 to
                 teach
                 and
                 instruct
                 us
                 :
                 what
                 course
                 
                 to
                 take
                 for
                 the
                 curing
                 of
                 our
                 spiritual
                 maladies
                 and
                 diseases
                 .
              
               
                 Hast
                 thou
                 any
                 foul
                 issue
                 of
                 Worldliness
                 and
                 Covetousness
                 ,
                 of
                 pride
                 or
                 frowardness
                 ,
                 of
                 passion
                 or
                 envy
                 ,
                 or
                 the
                 like
                 running
                 upon
                 thee
                 ?
                 And
                 wouldst
                 thou
                 be
                 cured
                 of
                 them
                 ?
                 Do
                 as
                 that
                 poor
                 Woman
                 did
                 :
                 go
                 unto
                 Christ
                 ,
                 set
                 thy
                 faith
                 at
                 work
                 on
                 him
                 ;
                 believe
                 his
                 power
                 and
                 willingness
                 ,
                 let
                 thy
                 faith
                 touch
                 but
                 the
                 hem
                 of
                 his
                 garment
                 ,
                 lay
                 hold
                 on
                 him
                 ,
                 cast
                 thy self
                 on
                 his
                 blood
                 and
                 bowels
                 ,
                 wait
                 at
                 his
                 door
                 ,
                 resolving
                 not
                 to
                 return
                 without
                 a
                 gracious
                 answer
                 ,
                 and
                 then
                 see
                 if
                 this
                 be
                 not
                 his
                 answer
                 ,
                 
                   Son
                   be
                   of
                   good
                   comfort
                   ,
                   thy
                   sins
                   are
                   forgiven
                   ,
                   be
                   thou
                   cleansed
                   of
                   all
                   thy
                   corruptions
                   ,
                   thy
                   faith
                   hath
                   made
                   thee
                   whole
                   .
                
              
               
                 Having
                 shewed
                 the
                 Means
                 whereby
                 the
                 work
                 of
                 Mortification
                 may
                 be
                 effected
                 .
                 I
                 come
                 now
                 to
                 shew
                 the
                 Manner
                 how
                 it
                 ought
                 to
                 be
                 performed
                 .
              
               
                 1.
                 
                 
                   Our
                   Mortification
                   must
                   be
                   speedy
                
                 .
                 Begin
                 to
                 day
                 ,
                 let
                 the
                 ax
                 be
                 presently
                 laid
                 to
                 the
                 root
                 of
                 these
                 trees
                 ;
                 and
                 whenever
                 you
                 feel
                 the
                 Devil
                 at
                 work
                 ,
                 blowing
                 up
                 the
                 Coals
                 of
                 Lust
                 ,
                 be
                 instantly
                 in
                 arms
                 ,
                 give
                 not
                 time
                 to
                 sin
                 to
                 get
                 head
                 upon
                 thee
                 ,
                 resist
                 it
                 in
                 its
                 first
                 motions
                 and
                 risings
                 .
                 Delayes
                 herein
                 are
                 very
                 dangerous
                 .
                 That
                 Lust
                 which
                 at
                 first
                 may
                 easily
                 be
                 overcome
                 ,
                 afterwards
                 will
                 hardly
                 be
                 kept
                 under
                 .
              
               
                 Why
                 should
                 we
                 not
                 be
                 as
                 wife
                 for
                 our
                 souls
                 ,
                 as
                 we
                 are
                 for
                 our
                 bodies
                 ?
                 who
                 having
                 fire
                 cast
                 into
                 his
                 bosome
                 or
                 house
                 ,
                 will
                 not
                 presently
                 cast
                 it
                 out
                 ,
                 and
                 quench
                 it
                 ?
                 Woe
                 to
                 those
                 fools
                 who
                 let
                 alone
                 these
                 hellish
                 fires
                 ,
                 and
                 trifle
                 so
                 long
                 ,
                 till
                 it
                 hath
                 gotten
                 the
                 mastery
                 .
                 You
                 whose
                 Lusts
                 are
                 through
                 your
                 own
                 neglects
                 gotten
                 up
                 into
                 a
                 flame
                 ,
                 fear
                 le●t
                 it
                 be
                 too
                 late
                 to
                 quench
                 them
                 :
                 fear
                 lest
                 these
                 fires
                 having
                 been
                 neglected
                 so
                 long
                 ,
                 should
                 now
                 burn
                 to
                 the
                 bottom
                 of
                 Hell.
                 
              
               
                 Vain
                 ,
                 wicked
                 ,
                 wanton
                 thoughts
                 are
                 evil
                 seeds
                 sown
                 in
                 our
                 hearts
                 by
                 our
                 adversary
                 the
                 Devil
                 ,
                 which
                 if
                 they
                 be
                 let
                 alone
                 ,
                 will
                 insensibly
                 grow
                 up
                 first
                 into
                 a
                 blade
                 ,
                 then
                 to
                 an
                 eare
                 ,
                 and
                 so
                 bring
                 forth
                 a
                 dismal
                 harvest
                 of
                 wickedness
                 and
                 wrath
                 .
                 And
                 therefore
                 our
                 wisest
                 
                 course
                 must
                 needs
                 be
                 ,
                 so
                 soon
                 as
                 they
                 are
                 sown
                 ,
                 speedily
                 to
                 weed
                 ,
                 and
                 pull
                 them
                 up
                 by
                 the
                 roots
                 .
                 To
                 which
                 agreeth
                 that
                 of
                 an
                 ancient
                 ,
                 
                 
                   We
                   must
                   not
                   suffer
                   those
                   fleshly
                   vices
                   to
                   grow
                   and
                   increase
                   ,
                   but
                   rather
                   destroy
                   them
                   in
                   their
                   first
                   beginnings
                   .
                
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 
                   Our
                   Mortification
                   must
                   be
                   willing
                   and
                   voluntary
                   ,
                   not
                   forced
                   and
                   constrained
                   .
                
                 The
                 Marriner
                 in
                 a
                 storm
                 ,
                 casteth
                 away
                 his
                 goods
                 ,
                 because
                 he
                 dares
                 keep
                 them
                 no
                 longer
                 ;
                 yet
                 still
                 his
                 heart
                 goeth
                 after
                 them
                 .
                 And
                 this
                 is
                 all
                 the
                 mortification
                 of
                 the
                 most
                 ,
                 they
                 will
                 cast
                 off
                 their
                 transgressions
                 because
                 they
                 dare
                 do
                 no
                 other
                 .
                 Then
                 only
                 are
                 we
                 sincere
                 in
                 this
                 work
                 ,
                 when
                 our
                 hearts
                 are
                 the
                 first
                 in
                 all
                 that
                 opposition
                 we
                 make
                 against
                 our
                 sins
                 :
                 when
                 we
                 pray
                 against
                 them
                 heartily
                 ;
                 when
                 we
                 watch
                 and
                 wrestle
                 ,
                 and
                 strive
                 ,
                 and
                 resist
                 them
                 with
                 all
                 our
                 hearts
                 :
                 when
                 our
                 very
                 souls
                 long
                 to
                 see
                 the
                 blood
                 of
                 our
                 Lusts
                 ;
                 and
                 if
                 it
                 were
                 possible
                 we
                 might
                 with
                 safety
                 ,
                 yet
                 our
                 hatred
                 against
                 them
                 would
                 not
                 suffer
                 them
                 to
                 live
                 .
                 They
                 are
                 like
                 to
                 do
                 something
                 to
                 purpose
                 against
                 sin
                 ,
                 whose
                 hearts
                 do
                 give
                 the
                 first
                 charge
                 upon
                 them
                 .
              
               
                 3.
                 
                 Our
                 Mortification
                 must
                 be
                 universal
                 ,
                 extending
                 it self
                 to
                 all
                 our
                 sinfull
                 Lusts
                 ,
                 with
                 a
                 sincere
                 purpose
                 not
                 to
                 bear
                 with
                 our selves
                 in
                 any
                 known
                 sin
                 .
                 For
                 most
                 certain
                 it
                 is
                 ,
                 that
                 true
                 mortification
                 ,
                 and
                 an
                 advised
                 remaining
                 in
                 the
                 practice
                 of
                 any
                 known
                 sin
                 cannot
                 possibly
                 stand
                 together
                 .
                 Therefore
                 the
                 Prophet
                 David
                 ,
                 to
                 testifie
                 the
                 truth
                 of
                 his
                 Mortification
                 ,
                 saith
                 ,
                 
                   I
                   have
                   refrained
                   my
                   feet
                
                 ,
                 
                 not
                 from
                 one
                 or
                 two
                 ,
                 but
                 
                   from
                   every
                   evil
                   way
                
                 :
                 he
                 did
                 not
                 willingly
                 bear
                 with
                 himself
                 in
                 the
                 practice
                 of
                 any
                 one
                 sin
                 ;
                 well
                 knowing
                 every
                 sin
                 to
                 be
                 a
                 transgression
                 of
                 the
                 Law.
                 
                 These
                 two
                 words
                 ,
                 Sin
                 and
                 transgressio●
                 are
                 convertible
                 .
                 
                   Whosoever
                   committeth
                   sin
                
                 ,
                 saith
                 the
                 beloved
                 Disciple
                 Iohn
                 ,
                 
                 
                   transgresseth
                   the
                   Law
                
                 ,
                 for
                 
                   sin
                   is
                   the
                   transgression
                   of
                   the
                   Law
                
                 ;
                 yea
                 ,
                 
                   every
                   sin
                
                 ,
                 and
                 so
                 makes
                 us
                 lyable
                 to
                 the
                 wrath
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 to
                 all
                 judgements
                 and
                 plagues
                 here
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 eternal
                 damnation
                 hereafter
                 .
                 God
                 will
                 not
                 spare
                 that
                 soul
                 ,
                 that
                 will
                 have
                 any
                 one
                 of
                 his
                 sins
                 spared
                 to
                 him
                 .
                 He
                 that
                 
                 would
                 have
                 one
                 sin
                 spared
                 ,
                 would
                 have
                 another
                 and
                 another
                 if
                 it
                 served
                 his
                 turn
                 .
                 He
                 that
                 would
                 not
                 have
                 all
                 of
                 Christ
                 ,
                 would
                 in
                 truth
                 have
                 none
                 of
                 him
                 .
                 And
                 he
                 that
                 would
                 not
                 be
                 rid
                 of
                 all
                 sin
                 ,
                 has
                 no
                 sincere
                 mind
                 to
                 be
                 rid
                 of
                 any
                 .
              
               
                 Christ
                 will
                 have
                 all
                 or
                 nothing
                 :
                 every
                 duty
                 must
                 be
                 done
                 ,
                 or
                 as
                 good
                 you
                 did
                 none
                 ;
                 ●very
                 sin
                 must
                 be
                 left
                 ,
                 or
                 as
                 good
                 you
                 kept
                 them
                 all
                 .
                 Canst
                 thou
                 let
                 all
                 sin
                 go
                 but
                 this
                 one
                 ?
                 even
                 this
                 must
                 go
                 too
                 ,
                 or
                 thy
                 life
                 must
                 go
                 for
                 it
                 .
                 O
                 friend
                 ,
                 set
                 thy self
                 against
                 every
                 sin
                 ,
                 great
                 and
                 small
                 ,
                 open
                 and
                 secret
                 ,
                 carnal
                 and
                 spiritual
                 .
                 Set
                 thy self
                 against
                 them
                 heartily
                 ,
                 be
                 willing
                 to
                 prosper
                 and
                 overcome
                 ;
                 and
                 set
                 upon
                 them
                 speedily
                 ,
                 let
                 no
                 iniquity
                 live
                 a
                 day
                 longer
                 ,
                 nor
                 sleep
                 a
                 night
                 more
                 in
                 quiet
                 with
                 thee
                 ,
                 (
                 only
                 remembring
                 to
                 go
                 forth
                 against
                 them
                 in
                 the
                 strength
                 of
                 the
                 Lord
                 )
                 and
                 then
                 we
                 shall
                 quickly
                 find
                 thee
                 to
                 be
                 one
                 of
                 Christs
                 mortified
                 ones
                 ,
                 who
                 as
                 thou
                 art
                 dead
                 with
                 Christ
                 ,
                 shalt
                 certainly
                 live
                 with
                 Christ
                 ,
                 and
                 raign
                 with
                 Christ
                 to
                 all
                 Eternity
                 .
              
               
                 FINIS
                 .
              
            
          
           
             
             
             
               
                 
                   Josh.
                   24.15
                   .
                
                 
                   As
                   for
                   Me
                   and
                   my
                   House
                   ,
                   we
                   will
                   serve
                   the
                   Lord.
                   
                
              
            
             
               
                 CHAP.
                 I.
                 The
                 Parts
                 of
                 the
                 Text
                 ,
                 and
                 Observation
                 thence
                 arising
                 .
              
               
                 THe
                 summ
                 of
                 these
                 words
                 is
                 ,
                 
                   The
                   good
                   mans
                   godly
                   r●solution
                   ,
                   to
                   serve
                   the
                   Lord
                   with
                   his
                   houshold
                   .
                
              
               
                 In
                 which
                 we
                 may
                 observe
                 these
                 particulars
                 ,
                 
                   
                     1.
                     
                     
                       The
                       person
                       resolving
                    
                     ,
                     viz
                     ,
                     Ioshua
                     ,
                     he
                     it
                     is
                     who
                     makes
                     this
                     resolution
                     .
                  
                   
                     2.
                     
                     
                       The
                       order
                       of
                       his
                       resolution
                    
                     ,
                     first
                     himself
                     will
                     serve
                     the
                     Lord
                     ,
                     and
                     then
                     
                       his
                       house
                    
                     .
                  
                   
                     3.
                     
                     
                       The
                       extent
                       of
                       his
                       resolution
                    
                     ,
                     viz.
                     his
                     whole
                     house
                     ,
                     as
                     for
                     me
                     ,
                     and
                     
                       my
                       house
                    
                     .
                  
                   
                     4.
                     
                     
                       The
                       matter
                       resolved
                       on
                    
                     ,
                     and
                     this
                     is
                     ,
                     
                       to
                       serve
                       God.
                    
                     
                  
                
              
               
                 Each
                 of
                 these
                 might
                 afford
                 unto
                 us
                 a
                 distinct
                 point
                 of
                 Doctrine
                 .
                 But
                 I
                 shall
                 wave
                 them
                 all
                 ,
                 and
                 insist
                 upon
                 one
                 ,
                 which
                 as
                 it
                 comprehendeth
                 the
                 main
                 scope
                 of
                 the
                 words
                 ,
                 so
                 it
                 best
                 suiteth
                 with
                 the
                 scope
                 of
                 my
                 intention
                 in
                 this
                 discourse
                 ;
                 which
                 is
                 to
                 press
                 all
                 Parents
                 ,
                 Masters
                 ,
                 and
                 Governours
                 of
                 Families
                 to
                 a
                 constant
                 and
                 
                 conscionable
                 performance
                 of
                 holy
                 ,
                 and
                 religious
                 duties
                 in
                 and
                 with
                 their
                 Families
                 .
              
               
                 The
                 point
                 of
                 Doctrine
                 is
                 this
                 ,
              
               
                 Observ.
                 
                   It
                   is
                   a
                   duty
                   incumbent
                   upon
                   Parents
                   and
                   Masters
                   of
                   Families
                   ,
                   to
                   be
                   carefull
                   ,
                   that
                   not
                   only
                   themselves
                   ,
                   but
                   also
                   all
                   under
                   their
                   charge
                   ,
                   even
                   their
                   whole
                   houshold
                   ,
                   do
                   faithfully
                   serve
                   the
                   Lord.
                   
                
              
               
                 It
                 is
                 not
                 sufficient
                 for
                 Governours
                 of
                 Families
                 to
                 be
                 
                   good
                   Christians
                
                 themselves
                 ,
                 but
                 they
                 ought
                 to
                 be
                 
                   Christian
                   Governours
                
                 .
                 Not
                 enough
                 to
                 be
                 themselves
                 Religious
                 ,
                 but
                 they
                 must
                 train
                 up
                 all
                 under
                 their
                 charge
                 in
                 the
                 knowledge
                 and
                 practice
                 of
                 Religion
                 .
                 And
                 the
                 truth
                 is
                 ,
                 
                   good
                   Christians
                
                 they
                 cannot
                 be
                 ,
                 who
                 are
                 not
                 
                   Christian
                   Governours
                
                 :
                 He
                 hath
                 little
                 Religion
                 himself
                 ,
                 that
                 doth
                 not
                 faithfully
                 endeavour
                 to
                 propagate
                 it
                 in
                 his
                 Family
                 .
                 Thus
                 Ioshua
                 as
                 a
                 Master
                 of
                 a
                 Family
                 undertaketh
                 not
                 only
                 for
                 himself
                 ,
                 but
                 also
                 for
                 his
                 whole
                 houshold
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 with
                 them
                 ,
                 and
                 they
                 with
                 him
                 should
                 serve
                 the
                 Lord.
                 Yea
                 and
                 in
                 all
                 ages
                 such
                 as
                 have
                 been
                 most
                 eminent
                 in
                 grace
                 ,
                 have
                 been
                 most
                 exact
                 in
                 their
                 Family-duties
                 ;
                 instance
                 Abraham
                 ,
                 the
                 Father
                 of
                 the
                 fa●thfull
                 ,
                 of
                 whom
                 God
                 himself
                 giveth
                 thi●
                 testimony
                 ,
                 
                 
                   I
                   know
                   Abraham
                   ,
                   that
                   he
                   will
                   command
                   his
                   Children
                   and
                   his
                   houshold
                   after
                   him
                   ,
                   that
                   they
                   shall
                   keep
                   the
                   way
                   of
                   the
                   Lord
                   ,
                
                 &c.
                 
                 And
                 Iacob
                 his
                 Grand-child
                 walking
                 in
                 the
                 steps
                 of
                 his
                 Father
                 Abraham
                 ,
                 was
                 not
                 content
                 at
                 Bethel
                 to
                 worship
                 God
                 sincerely
                 himself
                 ,
                 
                 but
                 he
                 chargeth
                 his
                 Family
                 
                   to
                   put
                   away
                   the
                   strange
                   Gods
                   which
                   were
                   among
                   them
                   ,
                   and
                   to
                   serve
                   the
                   true
                   God
                
                 according
                 to
                 the
                 prescribed
                 rule
                 of
                 his
                 Word
                 .
                 David
                 ,
                 though
                 he
                 were
                 a
                 King
                 ,
                 and
                 so
                 had
                 the
                 care
                 of
                 an
                 whole
                 Kingdom
                 upon
                 him
                 ,
                 yet
                 thought
                 his
                 State-affairs
                 no
                 priviledge
                 to
                 exempt
                 him
                 from
                 the
                 Religious
                 ordering
                 ,
                 and
                 governing
                 of
                 his
                 Family
                 .
                 And
                 therefore
                 he
                 professeth
                 ,
                 
                 
                   That
                   he
                   would
                   walk
                   within
                   his
                   house
                   with
                   a
                   perfect
                   heart
                   ,
                
                 that
                 is
                 ,
                 sincerely
                 discharge
                 the
                 duties
                 belonging
                 to
                 the
                 Governour
                 of
                 an
                 house
                 .
                 Yea
                 under
                 the
                 Law
                 ,
                 we
                 find
                 that
                 the
                 Fathers
                 amongst
                 the
                 Israelites
                 were
                 commanded
                 to
                 teach
                 their
                 Children
                 the
                 meaning
                 
                 of
                 the
                 Passover
                 ,
                 
                 and
                 of
                 the
                 
                   Feast
                   of
                   unleavened
                   bread
                
                 .
              
               
                 And
                 that
                 we
                 may
                 not
                 think
                 this
                 a
                 legal
                 precept
                 abolished
                 in
                 the
                 time
                 of
                 the
                 Gospel
                 ;
                 the
                 Apostle
                 giveth
                 a
                 general
                 charge
                 to
                 all
                 Christian
                 Parents
                 ,
                 to
                 
                   bring
                   up
                   their
                   Children
                   in
                   the
                   nurture
                   ,
                
                 
                 
                   and
                   admonition
                   of
                   the
                   Lord.
                
                 Yea
                 by
                 the
                 practice
                 of
                 the
                 
                   primitive
                   Christians
                
                 ,
                 who
                 lived
                 in
                 the
                 dayes
                 of
                 the
                 Apostles
                 ,
                 it
                 doth
                 appear
                 ,
                 that
                 so
                 soon
                 as
                 any
                 Governour
                 of
                 a
                 Family
                 was
                 converted
                 and
                 professed
                 the
                 Christian
                 faith
                 ,
                 he
                 still
                 ingaged
                 his
                 Family
                 to
                 serve
                 God
                 ;
                 
                 It
                 is
                 said
                 of
                 Cornelius
                 ,
                 that
                 
                   he
                   was
                   a
                   devout
                   man
                   ,
                   and
                   one
                   that
                   feared
                   God
                   with
                   all
                   his
                   house
                   .
                
                 
                 And
                 it
                 is
                 recorded
                 of
                 Lydia
                 ,
                 that
                 
                   she
                   was
                   baptized
                   and
                   her
                   Houshold
                   .
                
                 And
                 it
                 is
                 said
                 of
                 the
                 Iaylor
                 ,
                 
                 that
                 
                   he
                   believed
                   in
                   God
                   with
                   all
                   his
                   house
                   .
                
                 Yea
                 the
                 houses
                 of
                 the
                 faithfull
                 in
                 the
                 primitive
                 times
                 were
                 stiled
                 (a)
                 Churches
                 ,
                 which
                 implyeth
                 that
                 their
                 private
                 families
                 were
                 so
                 piously
                 ordered
                 ,
                 and
                 religiously
                 instructed
                 ,
                 
                 that
                 they
                 seemed
                 to
                 be
                 
                   little
                   Churches
                
                 ,
                 rather
                 than
                 ,
                 
                   ordinary
                   houses
                
                 ;
                 having
                 taken
                 up
                 
                 Ioshuah's
                 resolution
                 ,
                 
                   As
                   for
                   me
                   and
                   my
                   house
                   we
                   will
                   serve
                   the
                   Lord.
                   
                
                 
              
               
                 The
                 point
                 being
                 thus
                 proved
                 by
                 Scripture
                 and
                 Examples
                 ;
                 come
                 we
                 now
                 to
                 the
                 Reasons
                 for
                 the
                 farther
                 confirmation
                 thereof
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 CHAP.
                 II.
                 The
                 Reasons
                 of
                 the
                 point
                 .
              
               
                 R.
                 1.
                 
                 MAy
                 be
                 taken
                 from
                 the
                 command
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 who
                 hath
                 commanded
                 as
                 much
                 ,
                 saying
                 ,
                 
                 
                   Thou
                   shalt
                   teach
                   my
                   Laws
                   diligently
                   unto
                   thy
                   Children
                   ,
                   and
                   shalt
                   talk
                   of
                   them
                   when
                   thou
                   sittest
                   in
                   thine
                   house
                   ,
                
                 &c.
                 
                 And
                 God
                 hath
                 manifested
                 his
                 approbation
                 thereof
                 by
                 commending
                 Abraham
                 for
                 
                   commanding
                   his
                   Children
                
                 ,
                 
                 
                   and
                   houshold
                   to
                   keep
                   the
                   wayes
                   of
                   the
                   Lord.
                
                 So
                 that
                 to
                 whomsoever
                 
                 the
                 Lord
                 hath
                 given
                 this
                 honour
                 to
                 make
                 him
                 a
                 
                   Father
                   of
                   Children
                
                 ,
                 a
                 
                   Master
                   over
                   Servants
                
                 ,
                 a
                 
                   Governour
                   over
                   an
                   Houshold
                
                 ,
                 of
                 them
                 he
                 requireth
                 this
                 duty
                 ,
                 to
                 teach
                 ,
                 and
                 instruct
                 all
                 under
                 their
                 charge
                 .
              
               
                 R.
                 2.
                 
                 Every
                 mans
                 house
                 is
                 his
                 private
                 charge
                 which
                 he
                 must
                 oversee
                 ,
                 it
                 is
                 his
                 flock
                 which
                 he
                 must
                 attend
                 .
                 You
                 will
                 all
                 acknowledge
                 that
                 every
                 Ministers
                 flock
                 is
                 his
                 charge
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 it
                 is
                 a
                 most
                 dreadfull
                 thing
                 for
                 any
                 to
                 neglect
                 them
                 .
                 And
                 have
                 not
                 you
                 as
                 great
                 a
                 charge
                 of
                 your
                 family
                 ,
                 as
                 the
                 Minister
                 hath
                 of
                 his
                 flock
                 ?
                 Yea
                 doubtless
                 ,
                 I
                 dare
                 boldly
                 say
                 ,
                 that
                 every
                 Parent
                 ,
                 and
                 Master
                 of
                 a
                 Family
                 ,
                 is
                 as
                 deeply
                 charged
                 with
                 the
                 souls
                 of
                 their
                 Children
                 ,
                 and
                 Servants
                 ;
                 as
                 the
                 Minister
                 is
                 with
                 the
                 souls
                 of
                 his
                 flock
                 .
                 If
                 therefore
                 your
                 Children
                 and
                 Servants
                 live
                 and
                 dye
                 in
                 their
                 sins
                 through
                 your
                 negligence
                 ,
                 their
                 blood
                 will
                 be
                 required
                 at
                 your
                 hands
                 .
              
               
                 Yea
                 let
                 Parents
                 ,
                 and
                 Masters
                 of
                 Families
                 know
                 and
                 consider
                 ,
                 that
                 those
                 Children
                 ,
                 and
                 Servants
                 ,
                 who
                 by
                 the
                 neglect
                 of
                 their
                 duty
                 to
                 them
                 ,
                 shall
                 perish
                 in
                 their
                 sins
                 ,
                 will
                 curse
                 them
                 for
                 ever
                 hereafter
                 ,
                 amongst
                 the
                 fiends
                 ,
                 and
                 damned
                 in
                 hell
                 ;
                 crying
                 out
                 ,
                 
                   woe
                   and
                   alas
                   that
                   ever
                   we
                   were
                   born
                   of
                   such
                   irreligious
                   Parents
                   ;
                   and
                   served
                   such
                   wicked
                   ,
                   and
                   ungodly
                   Masters
                   ,
                   that
                   had
                   no
                   care
                   of
                   the
                   Salvation
                   of
                   our
                   souls
                   ;
                   but
                   suffered
                   us
                   to
                   run
                   headlong
                   into
                   these
                   everlasting
                   flames
                   .
                
                 Oh
                 that
                 all
                 Parents
                 and
                 Masters
                 of
                 Families
                 would
                 seriously
                 consider
                 these
                 things
                 ,
                 and
                 in
                 time
                 labour
                 to
                 prevent
                 them
                 ,
                 by
                 a
                 conscionable
                 discharge
                 of
                 the
                 duties
                 belonging
                 to
                 their
                 places
                 ,
                 and
                 relations
                 .
              
               
                 R.
                 3.
                 
                 Justice
                 and
                 equity
                 requireth
                 this
                 at
                 your
                 hands
                 ,
                 to
                 do
                 your
                 utmost
                 endeavour
                 to
                 train
                 up
                 your
                 Children
                 ,
                 and
                 Servants
                 in
                 the
                 fear
                 of
                 God
                 ;
                 and
                 to
                 instruct
                 them
                 in
                 the
                 wayes
                 of
                 Godliness
                 ;
                 that
                 as
                 they
                 help
                 you
                 in
                 many
                 things
                 ,
                 so
                 you
                 should
                 be
                 a
                 means
                 to
                 help
                 them
                 in
                 this
                 ;
                 that
                 as
                 God
                 of
                 his
                 goodness
                 hath
                 made
                 them
                 your
                 Children
                 ,
                 and
                 Servants
                 ,
                 so
                 you
                 in
                 way
                 of
                 gratitude
                 ,
                 should
                 strive
                 to
                 make
                 them
                 his
                 Children
                 ,
                 and
                 Servants
                 .
                 And
                 truly
                 though
                 you
                 feed
                 them
                 well
                 ,
                 
                 and
                 cloath
                 them
                 well
                 ,
                 and
                 provide
                 well
                 for
                 them
                 ,
                 yea
                 and
                 teach
                 them
                 how
                 to
                 live
                 another
                 day
                 ,
                 to
                 live
                 as
                 men
                 ;
                 yet
                 if
                 you
                 teach
                 them
                 not
                 withall
                 the
                 fear
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 whereby
                 they
                 may
                 live
                 as
                 Christians
                 which
                 will
                 make
                 them
                 live
                 for
                 ever
                 :
                 wherein
                 do
                 you
                 differ
                 from
                 
                   Heathenish
                   Parents
                
                 ,
                 and
                 
                   Pagan
                   Masters
                
                 ?
                 for
                 even
                 they
                 will
                 not
                 be
                 wanting
                 in
                 the
                 former
                 things
                 ;
                 which
                 the
                 Apostle
                 implyeth
                 ,
                 
                 where
                 he
                 saith
                 ,
                 
                   He
                   that
                   provideth
                   not
                   for
                   his
                   Family
                   ,
                   is
                   worse
                   than
                   an
                   Infidel
                   .
                
                 And
                 if
                 you
                 go
                 no
                 further
                 ,
                 than
                 to
                 make
                 outward
                 provision
                 for
                 the
                 bodies
                 of
                 your
                 Children
                 ,
                 and
                 Servants
                 ,
                 you
                 are
                 no
                 better
                 than
                 Infidels
                 and
                 Heathens
                 .
              
               
                 And
                 therefore
                 how
                 doth
                 it
                 concern
                 you
                 who
                 are
                 Parents
                 ,
                 and
                 Masters
                 of
                 Families
                 ,
                 to
                 have
                 a
                 special
                 care
                 of
                 the
                 souls
                 of
                 your
                 Children
                 ,
                 and
                 Servants
                 ,
                 by
                 a
                 conscionable
                 performance
                 of
                 holy
                 ,
                 and
                 religious
                 duties
                 amongst
                 them
                 ,
                 as
                 
                   Praying
                   ,
                   Reading
                   ,
                   Catechising
                
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 like
                 ;
                 whereby
                 you
                 will
                 not
                 only
                 go
                 beyond
                 all
                 the
                 Heathens
                 in
                 the
                 World
                 :
                 but
                 likewise
                 gain
                 an
                 hopefull
                 evidence
                 to
                 your
                 own
                 souls
                 ,
                 of
                 the
                 truth
                 of
                 grace
                 in
                 you
                 ;
                 and
                 of
                 the
                 sincerity
                 of
                 your
                 profession
                 ,
                 that
                 ye
                 are
                 Christians
                 indeed
                 .
              
               
                 R.
                 4.
                 
                 The
                 curse
                 of
                 God
                 hangs
                 over
                 those
                 Families
                 in
                 which
                 Religious
                 duties
                 are
                 alltogether
                 neglected
                 ;
                 yea
                 it
                 abideth
                 in
                 their
                 houses
                 ;
                 as
                 the
                 Wise
                 man
                 expresseth
                 ,
                 
                   The
                   curse
                   of
                   the
                   Lord
                   is
                   in
                   the
                   house
                   of
                   the
                   wicked
                   .
                
                 
                 Howsoever
                 they
                 may
                 seem
                 to
                 abound
                 ,
                 and
                 flourish
                 in
                 all
                 Worldly
                 wealth
                 ,
                 and
                 riches
                 ;
                 yet
                 the
                 curse
                 of
                 God
                 is
                 upon
                 all
                 that
                 they
                 enjoy
                 .
                 For
                 as
                 the
                 Lord
                 speaketh
                 by
                 his
                 Prophet
                 Malachy
                 ,
                 
                 
                   He
                   will
                   curse
                   their
                   blessings
                
                 ,
                 that
                 is
                 ,
                 whatsoever
                 outward
                 good
                 things
                 they
                 did
                 enjoy
                 ,
                 should
                 be
                 cursed
                 to
                 them
                 .
                 Whereupon
                 saith
                 Eliphas
                 ,
                 in
                 
                   Iob
                   ,
                   I
                   saw
                   him
                   taking
                   root
                   ,
                
                 
                 
                   but
                   I
                   cursed
                   his
                   habitation
                
                 ,
                 that
                 is
                 ,
                 I
                 saw
                 him
                 seemingly
                 setled
                 in
                 his
                 outward
                 prosperity
                 ,
                 but
                 by
                 the
                 eye
                 of
                 faith
                 I
                 likewise
                 saw
                 a
                 curse
                 hanging
                 over
                 his
                 house
                 ,
                 and
                 family
                 ,
                 over
                 his
                 wealth
                 and
                 riches
                 .
              
               
                 R.
                 5.
                 
                 Another
                 Reason
                 may
                 be
                 taken
                 from
                 the
                 manifold
                 benefits
                 and
                 commodities
                 ,
                 wich
                 usually
                 follow
                 upon
                 a
                 conscionable
                 performance
                 of
                 these
                 duties
                 ,
              
               
               
                 1.
                 
                 Religious
                 duties
                 consciensciously
                 performed
                 ,
                 will
                 bring
                 down
                 Gods
                 blessing
                 upon
                 your selves
                 and
                 your
                 relations
                 ;
                 upon
                 your
                 estate
                 ,
                 and
                 all
                 your
                 undertakings
                 .
                 As
                 God
                 blessed
                 Obed-Edom
                 ,
                 
                 and
                 all
                 his
                 houshold
                 ,
                 for
                 the
                 Arks-sake
                 .
                 So
                 questionless
                 will
                 the
                 Lord
                 bless
                 those
                 Families
                 wherein
                 holy
                 duties
                 are
                 faithfully
                 performed
                 .
                 For
                 
                   Godliness
                   is
                   profitable
                   unto
                   all
                   things
                   ,
                
                 
                 
                   having
                   the
                   promise
                   of
                   this
                   life
                   that
                   now
                   is
                   ,
                   as
                   well
                   as
                   of
                   that
                   which
                   is
                   to
                   come
                   .
                
                 
                 Whereupon
                 saith
                 the
                 Wise
                 man
                 ,
                 
                   The
                   house
                   of
                   the
                   wicked
                   shall
                   be
                   overturned
                   ;
                   but
                   the
                   Tabernacle
                   of
                   the
                   upright
                   shall
                   flourish
                   .
                
                 And
                 therefore
                 the
                 Psalmist
                 pronounceth
                 them
                 blessed
                 who
                 thus
                 fear
                 the
                 Lord
                 saying
                 ,
                 
                   Blessed
                   is
                   he
                   that
                   feareth
                   the
                   Lord
                   ,
                
                 
                 
                   and
                   walketh
                   in
                   his
                   wayes
                   ,
                   for
                   thou
                   shalt
                   eat
                   the
                   labour
                   of
                   thine
                   hand
                   ,
                   happy
                   shalt
                   thou
                   be
                   ,
                   and
                   it
                   shall
                   be
                   well
                   with
                   thee
                   .
                
                 How
                 then
                 can
                 such
                 expect
                 a
                 blessing
                 from
                 God
                 ,
                 either
                 upon
                 themselves
                 ,
                 or
                 upon
                 their
                 relations
                 ,
                 or
                 upon
                 their
                 pains
                 and
                 endeavours
                 ,
                 who
                 do
                 not
                 set
                 up
                 God
                 and
                 his
                 Worship
                 in
                 their
                 houses
                 ,
                 seeing
                 it
                 is
                 that
                 whereby
                 Gods
                 blessing
                 is
                 entailed
                 .
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 Those
                 Children
                 and
                 Servants
                 who
                 are
                 religiously
                 educated
                 and
                 principled
                 ,
                 are
                 likeliest
                 to
                 prove
                 comforts
                 to
                 their
                 Parents
                 and
                 Masters
                 .
                 What
                 a
                 comfort
                 must
                 it
                 needs
                 be
                 to
                 thee
                 ,
                 who
                 art
                 a
                 Master
                 of
                 a
                 Family
                 ,
                 to
                 see
                 thy
                 houshold
                 (
                 through
                 the
                 blessing
                 of
                 God
                 on
                 thy
                 care
                 and
                 pains
                 )
                 to
                 be
                 walking
                 Heaven-ward
                 ?
                 Yea
                 when
                 thou
                 comest
                 to
                 lye
                 upon
                 thy
                 death-bed
                 ;
                 Oh
                 what
                 a
                 comfort
                 will
                 it
                 then
                 be
                 unto
                 thee
                 ,
                 that
                 thou
                 hast
                 good
                 ground
                 to
                 believe
                 ,
                 that
                 thy
                 Children
                 are
                 Gods
                 Children
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 Servants
                 of
                 Jesus
                 Christ
                 ?
                 thou
                 maist
                 then
                 with
                 stronger
                 confidence
                 commend
                 them
                 unto
                 Gods
                 Fatherly
                 care
                 and
                 protection
                 ,
                 and
                 with
                 greater
                 assurance
                 expect
                 Gods
                 blessing
                 upon
                 them
                 after
                 thy
                 death
                 .
              
               
                 3.
                 
                 There
                 is
                 no
                 such
                 means
                 to
                 make
                 your
                 Children
                 loving
                 and
                 dutiful
                 unto
                 you
                 ,
                 and
                 your
                 servants
                 faithfull
                 in
                 the
                 discharge
                 of
                 their
                 duty
                 ;
                 as
                 to
                 instruct
                 them
                 in
                 the
                 principles
                 of
                 Religion
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 plant
                 the
                 fear
                 of
                 God
                 in
                 their
                 hearts
                 .
                 In
                 which
                 respect
                 
                 Solomon
                 saith
                 ,
                 
                 
                   A
                   godly
                   Son
                   maketh
                   a
                   glad
                   Father
                   ,
                
                 viz.
                 by
                 his
                 dutiful
                 and
                 respectfull
                 carriage
                 towards
                 him
                 .
                 And
                 that
                 servant
                 who
                 shall
                 find
                 true
                 grace
                 either
                 first
                 wrought
                 ,
                 or
                 further
                 increased
                 in
                 him
                 by
                 his
                 Masters
                 means
                 ,
                 will
                 endeavour
                 with
                 the
                 utmost
                 of
                 his
                 power
                 to
                 do
                 him
                 what
                 faithfull
                 service
                 he
                 can
                 ,
                 in
                 way
                 of
                 thankfulness
                 .
              
               
                 So
                 that
                 if
                 Parents
                 and
                 Masters
                 of
                 Families
                 ,
                 respect
                 either
                 that
                 charge
                 God
                 hath
                 laid
                 upon
                 them
                 ,
                 whereof
                 they
                 are
                 to
                 give
                 an
                 account
                 to
                 him
                 at
                 the
                 great
                 day
                 :
                 or
                 that
                 good
                 and
                 benefit
                 ,
                 which
                 themselves
                 may
                 reap
                 thereby
                 ;
                 they
                 will
                 see
                 good
                 and
                 just
                 ground
                 to
                 be
                 diligent
                 and
                 constant
                 in
                 the
                 discharge
                 of
                 holy
                 duties
                 with
                 their
                 Family
                 .
              
               
                 R.
                 V.
                 Another
                 reason
                 may
                 be
                 taken
                 from
                 the
                 manifold
                 mischiefs
                 ,
                 which
                 usually
                 follow
                 ,
                 and
                 accompany
                 the
                 neglect
                 of
                 family
                 duties
                 .
              
               
                 1.
                 
                 From
                 hence
                 come
                 all
                 Domestick
                 brawls
                 and
                 contentions
                 ;
                 hence
                 it
                 is
                 that
                 the
                 house
                 is
                 divided
                 against
                 it self
                 ;
                 Husband
                 against
                 Wife
                 ,
                 and
                 Wife
                 against
                 Husband
                 ;
                 Master
                 against
                 Servant
                 ,
                 and
                 Servant
                 against
                 Master
                 ;
                 Parent
                 against
                 Child
                 ,
                 and
                 Child
                 against
                 Parent
                 ;
                 which
                 would
                 be
                 prevented
                 were
                 the
                 Lord
                 better
                 known
                 ,
                 and
                 more
                 duly
                 worshipped
                 amongst
                 them
                 .
                 For
                 where
                 God
                 is
                 served
                 with
                 perfect
                 purity
                 ,
                 there
                 is
                 perfect
                 peace
                 .
                 But
                 where
                 God
                 is
                 not
                 served
                 ,
                 there
                 is
                 no
                 peace
                 ,
                 but
                 jarrs
                 and
                 contentions
                 ,
                 strife
                 and
                 debate
                 ;
                 which
                 giveth
                 great
                 advantage
                 unto
                 Satan
                 the
                 arch-enemy
                 of
                 mankind
                 ,
                 
                 
                   who
                   like
                   a
                   roaring
                   Lyon
                   walketh
                   about
                   continually
                   seeking
                   whom
                   he
                   may
                   devour
                   .
                
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 From
                 hence
                 it
                 is
                 that
                 Magistrates
                 are
                 enforced
                 to
                 execute
                 the
                 penalties
                 of
                 the
                 Laws
                 upon
                 so
                 many
                 ;
                 namely
                 ,
                 because
                 they
                 are
                 not
                 Religiously
                 educated
                 ,
                 but
                 suffered
                 to
                 have
                 their
                 wills
                 in
                 their
                 youth
                 .
                 Which
                 appeareth
                 from
                 the
                 sad
                 complaints
                 of
                 many
                 malefactors
                 ,
                 at
                 the
                 place
                 of
                 Execution
                 ,
                 against
                 their
                 Parents
                 and
                 Masters
                 ,
                 for
                 their
                 careless
                 omission
                 of
                 their
                 duty
                 towards
                 them
                 ;
                 saying
                 ,
                 
                   if
                   they
                   had
                   had
                   any
                   care
                   or
                   conscience
                   of
                   our
                   education
                   ,
                   if
                   they
                   had
                   corrected
                   and
                   restrained
                   
                   us
                   betimes
                   from
                   our
                   wicked
                   courses
                   ,
                   we
                   had
                   never
                   come
                   to
                   this
                   dogs-death
                   ,
                   and
                   shamefull
                   end
                   .
                
              
               
                 3.
                 
                 From
                 hence
                 it
                 is
                 that
                 so
                 many
                 Families
                 are
                 so
                 dissolute
                 and
                 prophane
                 ,
                 abounding
                 with
                 all
                 manner
                 of
                 sin
                 ,
                 and
                 wickedness
                 ,
                 as
                 
                   lying
                   ,
                   swearing
                   ,
                   Sabbath-breaking
                   ,
                   drinking
                   ,
                   whoring
                   ,
                
                 and
                 the
                 like
                 :
                 as
                 if
                 there
                 were
                 a
                 seminary
                 of
                 little
                 Devils
                 ,
                 an
                 houshold
                 of
                 fiends
                 .
                 And
                 truly
                 when
                 Families
                 leave
                 God
                 in
                 not
                 doing
                 the
                 good
                 they
                 should
                 ,
                 God
                 leaves
                 Families
                 to
                 do
                 the
                 evil
                 they
                 should
                 not
                 .
                 So
                 that
                 sin
                 hath
                 there
                 free
                 place
                 ,
                 where
                 Gods
                 service
                 hath
                 no
                 place
                 .
                 And
                 sins
                 of
                 commission
                 do
                 usually
                 follow
                 sins
                 of
                 omission
                 :
                 it
                 being
                 ordinary
                 with
                 God
                 to
                 punish
                 one
                 sin
                 with
                 another
                 ;
                 to
                 punish
                 the
                 neglect
                 of
                 duty
                 ,
                 with
                 the
                 committing
                 of
                 sin
                 ,
                 by
                 leaving
                 men
                 so
                 to
                 themselves
                 ,
                 that
                 they
                 break
                 forth
                 into
                 the
                 committing
                 of
                 great
                 ,
                 and
                 hainous
                 sins
                 .
                 A
                 general
                 complaint
                 there
                 is
                 in
                 these
                 dayes
                 of
                 the
                 undutifulness
                 ,
                 and
                 disobedience
                 of
                 Children
                 ;
                 of
                 the
                 negligence
                 and
                 unfaithfulness
                 of
                 Servants
                 ,
                 yea
                 and
                 of
                 the
                 loose
                 ,
                 lewd
                 lives
                 of
                 both
                 in
                 many
                 Families
                 ;
                 whereof
                 if
                 we
                 would
                 search
                 the
                 true
                 ground
                 and
                 cause
                 ,
                 we
                 shall
                 find
                 it
                 rather
                 in
                 the
                 superiours
                 ,
                 than
                 in
                 the
                 inferiours
                 .
                 For
                 howsoever
                 inferiours
                 cannot
                 be
                 excused
                 ,
                 yet
                 questionless
                 the
                 fault
                 is
                 chiefly
                 in
                 superiours
                 ,
                 and
                 Governours
                 ,
                 because
                 they
                 are
                 careless
                 and
                 negligent
                 in
                 the
                 discharge
                 of
                 their
                 duty
                 towards
                 them
                 ,
                 not
                 praying
                 with
                 them
                 ,
                 nor
                 Catechising
                 ,
                 and
                 instructing
                 them
                 ,
                 as
                 they
                 should
                 .
                 
                   For
                   where
                   religious
                   duties
                   are
                   shut
                   out
                   of
                   any
                   Family
                   ,
                   there
                   usually
                   the
                   door
                   is
                   set
                   wide
                   open
                   to
                   looseness
                   ,
                   and
                   profaneness
                   .
                
              
               
                 4.
                 
                 
                   The
                   neglect
                   of
                   Religious
                   duti●s
                   in
                   thy
                   Family
                   will
                   make
                   thee
                   guilty
                   of
                   Murther
                   ,
                
                 even
                 of
                 Soul-murther
                 ,
                 which
                 is
                 the
                 greatest
                 of
                 all
                 .
                 For
                 whereas
                 the
                 Souls
                 ,
                 as
                 well
                 as
                 the
                 bodies
                 of
                 thy
                 Children
                 ,
                 and
                 Servants
                 are
                 committed
                 to
                 thy
                 care
                 and
                 charge
                 ;
                 if
                 any
                 of
                 them
                 should
                 perish
                 through
                 thy
                 default
                 ,
                 thou
                 art
                 deeply
                 guilty
                 of
                 their
                 eternal
                 death
                 and
                 damnation
                 ,
                 and
                 their
                 blood
                 will
                 be
                 required
                 at
                 thy
                 hands
                 .
                 As
                 Iacob
                 was
                 accountable
                 to
                 Laban
                 ,
                 for
                 the
                 ●oss
                 of
                 every
                 Lamb
                 ,
                 or
                 Sheep
                 ;
                 
                   at
                   his
                   hand
                   was
                   it
                   required
                   .
                
                 
                 So
                 is
                 every
                 Master
                 of
                 a
                 
                 Family
                 accountable
                 to
                 God
                 ,
                 for
                 every
                 soul
                 under
                 his
                 roof
                 .
                 If
                 any
                 of
                 them
                 perish
                 through
                 his
                 default
                 ,
                 God
                 will
                 require
                 it
                 at
                 his
                 hands
                 .
                 God
                 will
                 require
                 the
                 blood
                 of
                 thy
                 Child
                 ,
                 the
                 blood
                 of
                 thy
                 Servants
                 at
                 thy
                 hands
                 one
                 day
                 .
                 If
                 therefore
                 you
                 will
                 be
                 free
                 from
                 the
                 blood
                 of
                 your
                 Children
                 ,
                 train
                 them
                 up
                 in
                 the
                 fear
                 and
                 nurture
                 of
                 the
                 Lord
                 :
                 pray
                 for
                 them
                 and
                 with
                 them
                 :
                 Catechize
                 them
                 ,
                 &c.
                 
              
               
                 The
                 Point
                 being
                 confirmed
                 by
                 Scripture
                 and
                 Reason
                 ,
                 come
                 we
                 now
                 to
                 the
                 Uses
                 thereof
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 CHAP.
                 III.
                 The
                 Vse
                 of
                 Reproof
                 of
                 those
                 Masters
                 who
                 make
                 no
                 Conscience
                 of
                 Family-duties
                 .
              
               
                 Use
                 1.
                 
                 SEeing
                 it
                 is
                 a
                 Duty
                 incumbent
                 upon
                 Parents
                 ,
                 and
                 Masters
                 of
                 Families
                 ,
                 to
                 be
                 carefull
                 ,
                 that
                 not
                 only
                 themselves
                 ,
                 but
                 also
                 all
                 under
                 their
                 charge
                 ,
                 even
                 their
                 whole
                 Family
                 do
                 faithfully
                 serve
                 the
                 Lord
                 ;
                 then
                 they
                 are
                 greatly
                 to
                 be
                 reproved
                 who
                 are
                 neither
                 carefull
                 to
                 serve
                 God
                 themselves
                 ,
                 neither
                 take
                 they
                 any
                 care
                 of
                 their
                 Family
                 :
                 but
                 as
                 there
                 is
                 no
                 fear
                 of
                 God
                 in
                 their
                 hearts
                 ,
                 so
                 neither
                 is
                 there
                 any
                 fear
                 of
                 God
                 in
                 their
                 Families
                 .
                 Yea
                 instead
                 of
                 Gods
                 service
                 ,
                 there
                 is
                 all
                 manner
                 of
                 wickedness
                 and
                 prophaneness
                 ;
                 so
                 that
                 their
                 houses
                 are
                 as
                 so
                 many
                 filthy
                 cages
                 of
                 unclean
                 birds
                 ,
                 so
                 many
                 styes
                 of
                 all
                 manner
                 of
                 abominations
                 .
                 Of
                 whose
                 houses
                 we
                 may
                 say
                 what
                 Solomon
                 said
                 of
                 the
                 
                   Harlots
                   house
                
                 ,
                 
                 
                   'T
                   is
                   the
                   way
                   to
                   Hell
                
                 ,
                 that
                 is
                 ,
                 the
                 high
                 and
                 ready
                 way
                 unto
                 eternal
                 death
                 and
                 condemnation
                 .
                 These
                 men
                 howsoever
                 they
                 would
                 be
                 esteemed
                 good
                 Masters
                 ,
                 and
                 good
                 Governours
                 ,
                 yet
                 are
                 they
                 far
                 from
                 such
                 ;
                 in
                 that
                 they
                 neglect
                 the
                 main
                 duty
                 belonging
                 to
                 good
                 Governours
                 ,
                 which
                 is
                 to
                 take
                 care
                 of
                 the
                 souls
                 of
                 those
                 under
                 their
                 charge
                 ,
                 and
                 willingly
                 suffer
                 all
                 manner
                 
                 of
                 wickedness
                 ,
                 and
                 prophaness
                 ,
                 to
                 rule
                 and
                 bear
                 sway
                 in
                 their
                 Families
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 without
                 any
                 check
                 or
                 controul
                 .
              
               
                 I
                 dare
                 boldly
                 say
                 ,
                 it
                 were
                 much
                 better
                 for
                 a
                 man
                 to
                 put
                 his
                 Child
                 into
                 a
                 P●sthouse
                 ,
                 than
                 into
                 such
                 a
                 Family
                 :
                 in
                 that
                 wickedness
                 is
                 more
                 infectious
                 than
                 the
                 Plague
                 ,
                 spreading
                 infinitely
                 ,
                 polluting
                 every
                 one
                 it
                 comes
                 near
                 .
                 
                 And
                 whereas
                 the
                 Plague
                 and
                 Pestilence
                 can
                 but
                 kill
                 the
                 body
                 ,
                 the
                 contagion
                 of
                 sin
                 is
                 apt
                 to
                 destroy
                 both
                 body
                 and
                 soul.
                 And
                 therefore
                 what
                 is
                 usually
                 written
                 upon
                 the
                 doors
                 of
                 such
                 houses
                 as
                 are
                 visited
                 with
                 the
                 Plague
                 (
                 
                   Lord
                   have
                   mercy
                   upon
                   us
                
                 )
                 may
                 far
                 better
                 be
                 written
                 upon
                 the
                 doors
                 of
                 such
                 houses
                 ,
                 where
                 through
                 the
                 neglect
                 of
                 Family-duties
                 ,
                 sin
                 and
                 wickedness
                 doth
                 abound
                 .
              
               
                 I
                 know
                 there
                 are
                 very
                 many
                 both
                 Parents
                 ,
                 and
                 Masters
                 ,
                 who
                 having
                 provided
                 for
                 the
                 bodies
                 of
                 those
                 under
                 their
                 charge
                 ,
                 think
                 they
                 have
                 sufficiently
                 discharged
                 their
                 duty
                 towards
                 them
                 .
                 But
                 I
                 would
                 demand
                 of
                 such
                 ,
                 if
                 their
                 care
                 be
                 only
                 to
                 provide
                 for
                 the
                 bodies
                 of
                 their
                 Children
                 and
                 Servants
                 ,
                 what
                 do
                 they
                 more
                 to
                 them
                 then
                 to
                 their
                 beasts
                 ?
                 If
                 they
                 only
                 cloath
                 them
                 ,
                 and
                 pay
                 them
                 their
                 wages
                 ,
                 what
                 do
                 they
                 more
                 to
                 them
                 ,
                 than
                 the
                 Turks
                 and
                 Infidels
                 (
                 who
                 know
                 not
                 God
                 )
                 do
                 to
                 their
                 Children
                 ,
                 and
                 Servants
                 ?
                 If
                 their
                 care
                 be
                 only
                 to
                 provide
                 for
                 them
                 an
                 earthly
                 inheritance
                 ,
                 without
                 any
                 care
                 to
                 make
                 them
                 Heirs
                 of
                 an
                 Heavenly
                 inheritance
                 ,
                 what
                 do
                 they
                 more
                 to
                 them
                 than
                 Iews
                 (
                 who
                 are
                 ignorant
                 of
                 Christ
                 ,
                 and
                 his
                 Gospel
                 )
                 do
                 for
                 their
                 Children
                 ?
              
               
                 Let
                 such
                 know
                 ,
                 that
                 it
                 is
                 their
                 duty
                 to
                 provide
                 not
                 only
                 for
                 for
                 perishing
                 Carcasses
                 ,
                 but
                 also
                 for
                 the
                 immortal
                 souls
                 of
                 all
                 theirs
                 .
                 And
                 it
                 is
                 a
                 vain
                 ,
                 and
                 foolish
                 imagination
                 for
                 any
                 to
                 think
                 ,
                 they
                 have
                 done
                 their
                 duty
                 ,
                 when
                 they
                 have
                 apparelled
                 ,
                 nourished
                 ,
                 and
                 brought
                 up
                 their
                 Children
                 and
                 Servants
                 ;
                 considering
                 they
                 have
                 a
                 far
                 greater
                 account
                 to
                 make
                 before
                 God
                 for
                 their
                 souls
                 :
                 of
                 which
                 if
                 any
                 should
                 perish
                 through
                 their
                 negligence
                 ,
                 and
                 unfaithfullness
                 ,
                 how
                 dreadfull
                 will
                 their
                 account
                 be
                 ?
                 oh
                 what
                 
                 answer
                 will
                 they
                 be
                 able
                 to
                 make
                 ,
                 when
                 the
                 blood
                 of
                 their
                 Children
                 ,
                 and
                 Servants
                 souls
                 shall
                 be
                 required
                 of
                 them
                 ?
              
            
             
               
                 CHAP.
                 IV.
                 An
                 Exhortation
                 unto
                 all
                 Parents
                 and
                 Masters
                 of
                 Families
                 to
                 make
                 Conscience
                 of
                 Family-duties
                 .
              
               
                 Use
                 2.
                 
                 LEt
                 the
                 second
                 Use
                 be
                 an
                 Use
                 of
                 Exhortation
                 to
                 stir
                 up
                 all
                 Christian
                 Parents
                 ,
                 and
                 Masters
                 of
                 Families
                 ,
                 to
                 be
                 carefull
                 that
                 
                   their
                   whole
                   house
                
                 do
                 faithfully
                 serve
                 the
                 Lord
                 ,
                 
                 as
                 well
                 as
                 themselves
                 ;
                 that
                 they
                 take
                 up
                 
                 Ioshuah's
                 resolution
                 ,
                 
                   as
                   for
                   me
                   and
                   my
                   house
                   we
                   will
                   serve
                   the
                   Lord.
                
                 As
                 you
                 would
                 not
                 be
                 guilty
                 of
                 the
                 blood
                 of
                 your
                 Children
                 ,
                 and
                 Servants
                 souls
                 ;
                 and
                 as
                 you
                 would
                 not
                 have
                 them
                 cry
                 out
                 against
                 you
                 in
                 everlasting
                 fire
                 ,
                 see
                 that
                 you
                 bring
                 them
                 up
                 in
                 the
                 fear
                 and
                 admonition
                 of
                 the
                 Lord.
                 
              
               
                 Every
                 Governour
                 should
                 be
                 that
                 in
                 
                   the
                   body
                   politick
                   of
                   his
                   own
                   house
                   ,
                
                 which
                 the
                 heart
                 is
                 in
                 
                   the
                   natural
                   body
                   of
                   man
                
                 :
                 as
                 it
                 communicateth
                 life
                 ,
                 and
                 vital
                 spirits
                 to
                 the
                 rest
                 of
                 the
                 members
                 .
                 So
                 must
                 the
                 Master
                 of
                 the
                 houshold
                 endeavour
                 to
                 impart
                 the
                 spiritual
                 life
                 of
                 grace
                 ,
                 to
                 all
                 that
                 are
                 members
                 of
                 his
                 body
                 politick
                 .
                 And
                 his
                 house
                 by
                 a
                 constant
                 ,
                 conscionable
                 performance
                 of
                 holy
                 and
                 religious
                 duties
                 there
                 ,
                 should
                 be
                 a
                 
                   little
                   Church
                
                 .
                 For
                 the
                 maintaining
                 the
                 Worship
                 of
                 God
                 makes
                 every
                 house
                 to
                 become
                 a
                 sanctuary
                 ,
                 an
                 
                   house
                   of
                   God.
                
                 Hence
                 divers
                 pious
                 Governours
                 in
                 the
                 new
                 Testament
                 are
                 said
                 to
                 have
                 Churches
                 in
                 their
                 houses
                 ,
                 
                 as
                 
                   Philemo●
                   ,
                   Aquila
                
                 ,
                 and
                 Priscilla
                 ,
                 and
                 Nimphas
                 ,
                 whose
                 houses
                 were
                 called
                 Churches
                 ,
                 
                 as
                 in
                 respect
                 of
                 the
                 Saints
                 in
                 their
                 houses
                 ,
                 so
                 in
                 respect
                 of
                 the
                 worship
                 of
                 God
                 among
                 them
                 .
                 
                 Oh
                 what
                 an
                 honour
                 will
                 this
                 be
                 to
                 us
                 ,
                 
                 when
                 upon
                 this
                 account
                 ,
                 our
                 habitations
                 shall
                 be
                 called
                 rather
                 Churches
                 than
                 
                   private
                   houses
                   !
                   Temples
                   of
                   God
                   ,
                
                 rather
                 than
                 the
                 
                   dwellings
                   of
                   men
                
                 !
              
               
                 For
                 the
                 more
                 profitable
                 pressing
                 of
                 this
                 Use
                 ,
                 I
                 shall
                 shew
                 you
                 ,
                 what
                 be
                 the
                 duties
                 and
                 services
                 which
                 are
                 especially
                 required
                 of
                 
                   Parents
                   and
                   Masters
                   of
                   Families
                
                 in
                 reference
                 to
                 those
                 under
                 their
                 charge
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 CHAP.
                 V.
                 Of
                 Family
                 Prayer
                 ,
                 with
                 quickning
                 Motives
                 thereunto
                 .
              
               
                 I.
                 PRayer
                 ,
                 which
                 is
                 one
                 principal
                 part
                 of
                 the
                 service
                 of
                 God
                 in
                 all
                 Families
                 ,
                 and
                 therefore
                 ought
                 to
                 be
                 performed
                 by
                 the
                 Governour
                 thereof
                 ;
                 who
                 as
                 he
                 is
                 a
                 King
                 to
                 govern
                 his
                 Family
                 ,
                 so
                 a
                 Priest
                 to
                 offer
                 up
                 a
                 Morning
                 and
                 an
                 Evening
                 Sacrifice
                 of
                 Prayer
                 and
                 praise
                 unto
                 God
                 in
                 and
                 with
                 his
                 Family
                 .
                 This
                 we
                 find
                 commended
                 to
                 us
                 in
                 the
                 practice
                 of
                 the
                 Patriarchs
                 ,
                 who
                 when
                 they
                 removed
                 to
                 any
                 place
                 ,
                 they
                 builded
                 an
                 Altar
                 ,
                 where
                 God
                 was
                 to
                 be
                 called
                 upon
                 by
                 the
                 whole
                 Family
                 .
                 Thus
                 did
                 
                   Abraham
                   ,
                   Isaac
                
                 ,
                 and
                 
                   Iacob
                   .
                   David
                
                 though
                 a
                 King
                 ,
                 yet
                 prayed
                 with
                 his
                 Houshold
                 as
                 their
                 Governour
                 :
                 
                 for
                 it
                 is
                 recorded
                 of
                 him
                 ,
                 that
                 
                   having
                   offered
                   burnt-offerings
                   ,
                   and
                   peace-offerings
                   before
                   the
                   Lord
                   ,
                   he
                   returned
                   to
                   bless
                   his
                   houshold
                   ,
                
                 that
                 is
                 ,
                 say
                 Expositors
                 ,
                 to
                 bless
                 God
                 with
                 his
                 Family
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 beg
                 Gods
                 blessing
                 on
                 them
                 .
              
               
                 In
                 the
                 New
                 Testament
                 the
                 Apostle
                 writing
                 to
                 Masters
                 of
                 Families
                 concerning
                 their
                 duties
                 ,
                 adjoyneth
                 this
                 ,
                 
                   continue
                   in
                   Prayer
                
                 ,
                 
                 implying
                 it
                 to
                 be
                 one
                 special
                 duty
                 incumbent
                 on
                 them
                 to
                 be
                 constant
                 in
                 Family-prayer
                 .
                 Of
                 Cornelius
                 it
                 is
                 said
                 ,
                 
                 
                   that
                   he
                   was
                   one
                   who
                   feared
                   God
                   with
                   all
                   his
                   house
                   ,
                   which
                   gave
                   much
                   Almes
                   to
                   the
                   people
                   ,
                   and
                   prayed
                   to
                   God
                   alway
                
                 ;
                 which
                 implyeth
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 prayed
                 
                 daily
                 with
                 his
                 Family
                 .
                 These
                 examples
                 are
                 recorded
                 by
                 the
                 Holy-Ghost
                 as
                 Copies
                 for
                 us
                 
                   to
                   write
                   after
                
                 .
              
               
                 But
                 for
                 your
                 more
                 full
                 conviction
                 of
                 that
                 obligation
                 that
                 lyes
                 upon
                 you
                 for
                 the
                 performance
                 of
                 this
                 duty
                 ,
                 let
                 the
                 following
                 arguments
                 be
                 duly
                 weighed
                 .
              
               
                 Arg.
                 1.
                 
                 
                   The
                   first
                   Argument
                   shall
                   be
                   drawn
                   from
                   that
                   trust
                   that
                   is
                   committed
                   unto
                   governours
                   of
                   Families
                   .
                
                 Here
                 observe
                 ,
              
               
                 1.
                 
                 
                   That
                   Governours
                   of
                   Families
                   are
                   intrusted
                   with
                   the
                   souls
                   ,
                   with
                   the
                   Religion
                   of
                   their
                   Families
                   :
                
                 not
                 that
                 they
                 may
                 prescribe
                 unto
                 them
                 ,
                 or
                 impose
                 upon
                 them
                 what
                 way
                 of
                 Religion
                 they
                 please
                 :
                 or
                 that
                 inferiours
                 may
                 be
                 excused
                 by
                 the
                 errours
                 or
                 neglects
                 of
                 the
                 Superiours
                 :
                 but
                 it
                 is
                 committed
                 to
                 their
                 care
                 ,
                 and
                 they
                 have
                 received
                 a
                 charge
                 from
                 the
                 Lord
                 ,
                 to
                 look
                 diligently
                 to
                 all
                 that
                 are
                 under
                 them
                 ;
                 that
                 they
                 duly
                 worship
                 God
                 ,
                 observe
                 his
                 ordinances
                 ,
                 and
                 keep
                 ●●s
                 statutes
                 .
              
               
                 That
                 there
                 is
                 such
                 a
                 care
                 incumbent
                 on
                 them
                 is
                 evident
                 under
                 the
                 Law
                 ,
                 the
                 Master
                 of
                 the
                 Family
                 was
                 by
                 the
                 appointment
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 to
                 look
                 to
                 the
                 circumcising
                 of
                 all
                 the
                 Males
                 of
                 his
                 house
                 ,
                 
                 both
                 those
                 that
                 were
                 born
                 in
                 his
                 house
                 ,
                 and
                 those
                 that
                 were
                 bought
                 with
                 his
                 money
                 .
                 In
                 the
                 fourth
                 commandment
                 ,
                 the
                 Master
                 of
                 the
                 Family
                 is
                 charged
                 ,
                 not
                 only
                 to
                 keep
                 the
                 Sabbath
                 in
                 his
                 own
                 person
                 ,
                 
                 but
                 to
                 look
                 to
                 his
                 family
                 also
                 .
                 
                   Thou
                   shalt
                   do
                   no
                   work
                   therein
                   ,
                
                 that
                 's
                 not
                 all
                 ,
                 
                   nor
                   thy
                   Son
                   ,
                   nor
                   thy
                   Daughter
                   ,
                   nor
                   thy
                   Man-servant
                   ,
                   nor
                   thy
                   Maid-servant
                   ,
                
                 &c.
                 
                 Suitable
                 to
                 this
                 charge
                 is
                 the
                 care
                 and
                 holy
                 resolution
                 of
                 Ioshua
                 in
                 the
                 Text
                 ,
                 
                   I
                   and
                   my
                   house
                   will
                   serve
                   the
                   Lord.
                
                 Choose
                 you
                 whom
                 you
                 will
                 serve
                 ,
                 saith
                 he
                 ,
                 to
                 the
                 rest
                 of
                 the
                 people
                 ,
                 I
                 have
                 not
                 so
                 much
                 to
                 do
                 with
                 that
                 ,
                 
                   but
                   as
                   for
                   me
                   and
                   my
                   house
                   ,
                
                 I
                 must
                 and
                 will
                 look
                 to
                 that
                 ,
                 
                   we
                   will
                   serve
                   the
                   Lord.
                
                 Hence
                 this
                 first
                 thing
                 appears
                 ,
                 that
                 governours
                 of
                 Families
                 are
                 to
                 take
                 care
                 of
                 the
                 Religion
                 ,
                 and
                 therrefore
                 of
                 the
                 souls
                 of
                 their
                 Families
                 .
                 When
                 a
                 Child
                 is
                 brought
                 forth
                 ,
                 when
                 a
                 Servant
                 is
                 brought
                 into
                 thine
                 house
                 ,
                 God
                 sayes
                 to
                 thee
                 as
                 the
                 man
                 in
                 the
                 Prophets
                 Parable
                 ,
                 
                 
                   Keep
                   this
                   man
                
                 ,
                 look
                 to
                 this
                 Child
                 ,
                 look
                 to
                 this
                 Servant
                 ,
                 look
                 to
                 their
                 souls
                 ,
                 
                 if
                 they
                 miscarry
                 ,
                 or
                 be
                 lost
                 through
                 thy
                 neglect
                 ,
                 
                   Thy
                   life
                   shall
                   go
                   for
                   their
                   lives
                   ,
                   thy
                   soul
                   for
                   their
                   souls
                   ,
                
                 and
                 so
                 shall
                 thy
                 judgement
                 be
                 .
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 Governours
                 of
                 Families
                 have
                 never
                 faithfully
                 discharged
                 their
                 trust
                 till
                 they
                 have
                 used
                 all
                 means
                 which
                 God
                 hath
                 appointed
                 ,
                 that
                 may
                 be
                 for
                 the
                 advantage
                 of
                 the
                 souls
                 under
                 their
                 charge
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 furtherance
                 of
                 them
                 in
                 Religion
                 .
                 If
                 there
                 be
                 any
                 thing
                 you
                 might
                 have
                 done
                 that
                 you
                 have
                 neglected
                 ,
                 you
                 are
                 therein
                 unfaithfull
                 .
              
               
                 3.
                 
                 Their
                 joyning
                 in
                 Prayer
                 with
                 their
                 Families
                 ,
                 is
                 
                   according
                   to
                   Gods
                   appointment
                
                 ,
                 and
                 
                   of
                   great
                   advantage
                   to
                   souls
                
                 .
              
               
                 1.
                 
                 
                   Ioynt-prayer
                   is
                   an
                   ordinance
                   of
                   God.
                
                 Thus
                 much
                 is
                 hinted
                 clearly
                 enough
                 in
                 that
                 form
                 of
                 Prayer
                 ,
                 which
                 Christ
                 taught
                 his
                 Disciples
                 ,
                 which
                 runs
                 in
                 the
                 plural
                 number
                 ,
                 
                 
                   Our
                   Father
                   ,
                   Give
                   us
                   this
                   day
                   our
                   daily
                   bread
                   .
                
                 And
                 from
                 the
                 practice
                 of
                 the
                 primitive
                 Christians
                 .
                 Now
                 if
                 Christians
                 in
                 general
                 ,
                 such
                 as
                 were
                 not
                 of
                 the
                 same
                 Family
                 are
                 by
                 Gods
                 appointment
                 to
                 joyn
                 in
                 Prayer
                 ;
                 then
                 much
                 more
                 Christians
                 of
                 the
                 same
                 family
                 .
                 Conjunction
                 in
                 the
                 same
                 Family-relation
                 cannot
                 hinder
                 or
                 discharge
                 from
                 any
                 part
                 of
                 Christian
                 communion
                 .
                 Families
                 as
                 well
                 as
                 greater
                 assemblies
                 should
                 not
                 forget
                 their
                 joynt-prayers
                 .
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 
                   Conjunction
                   in
                   Prayer
                
                 ,
                 as
                 it
                 is
                 Gods
                 Ordinance
                 ,
                 so
                 
                   't
                   is
                   of
                   great
                   advantage
                
                 to
                 souls
                 .
                 The
                 joynt
                 prayers
                 of
                 the
                 several
                 persons
                 in
                 a
                 Family
                 ,
                 are
                 more
                 acceptable
                 to
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 more
                 prevalent
                 with
                 him
                 ,
                 than
                 the
                 Prayers
                 of
                 the
                 same
                 persons
                 apart
                 .
              
               
                 There
                 's
                 the
                 same
                 reason
                 for
                 the
                 prevalency
                 of
                 the
                 joynt-prayers
                 of
                 Christians
                 of
                 the
                 same
                 Family
                 ,
                 as
                 of
                 the
                 joynt-Prayers
                 of
                 Christians
                 not
                 of
                 the
                 same
                 Family
                 ;
                 of
                 the
                 same
                 City
                 ,
                 or
                 Town
                 ,
                 or
                 Country
                 .
                 Now
                 we
                 find
                 in
                 Scripture
                 from
                 the
                 practice
                 of
                 the
                 people
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 that
                 this
                 was
                 their
                 concurrent
                 judgement
                 ;
                 that
                 their
                 coming
                 together
                 to
                 pray
                 ,
                 would
                 prevail
                 more
                 with
                 God
                 ,
                 than
                 their
                 praying
                 apart
                 ,
                 as
                 Act.
                 12.12
                 .
                 before
                 mentioned
                 .
                 Many
                 were
                 gathered
                 together
                 in
                 Maries
                 
                 house
                 praying
                 for
                 Peter
                 .
                 If
                 it
                 had
                 been
                 all
                 one
                 as
                 to
                 the
                 probability
                 of
                 the
                 success
                 ,
                 If
                 the
                 Lord
                 had
                 been
                 as
                 likely
                 to
                 have
                 been
                 prevailed
                 with
                 ,
                 for
                 Peters
                 enlargment
                 ,
                 by
                 their
                 separate
                 as
                 by
                 their
                 joynt
                 Prayers
                 ,
                 they
                 would
                 never
                 have
                 run
                 that
                 hazard
                 ,
                 as
                 they
                 did
                 ,
                 by
                 their
                 coming
                 together
                 .
                 They
                 knew
                 well
                 enough
                 what
                 danger
                 it
                 would
                 have
                 been
                 ,
                 had
                 they
                 been
                 taken
                 praying
                 .
                 Many
                 instances
                 might
                 be
                 brought
                 of
                 the
                 like
                 practice
                 of
                 Christians
                 in
                 all
                 ages
                 ,
                 who
                 especially
                 in
                 cases
                 of
                 great
                 exigencies
                 and
                 necessities
                 did
                 thus
                 assemble
                 .
                 Whence
                 is
                 a
                 clear
                 foundation
                 of
                 this
                 argument
                 .
                 That
                 way
                 of
                 Prayer
                 which
                 the
                 people
                 of
                 God
                 did
                 choose
                 ,
                 and
                 betake
                 themselves
                 to
                 in
                 cases
                 of
                 any
                 special
                 exigencies
                 ,
                 that
                 was
                 in
                 their
                 judgement
                 the
                 most
                 acceptable
                 and
                 prevailing
                 .
                 But
                 joynt
                 Prayer
                 is
                 such
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 case
                 of
                 greater
                 societies
                 ,
                 and
                 therefore
                 also
                 in
                 the
                 less
                 .
              
               
                 Besides
                 ,
                 joynt-prayers
                 will
                 be
                 of
                 this
                 advantage
                 ,
                 It
                 will
                 be
                 a
                 great
                 help
                 to
                 those
                 that
                 are
                 less
                 able
                 ,
                 to
                 teach
                 them
                 to
                 pray
                 apart
                 .
                 Governours
                 should
                 teach
                 theirs
                 to
                 pray
                 ,
                 
                 as
                 Christ
                 taught
                 his
                 Disciples
                 .
                 And
                 how
                 should
                 they
                 teach
                 them
                 ?
                 by
                 instruction
                 only
                 !
                 We
                 may
                 learn
                 more
                 of
                 the
                 skill
                 ,
                 and
                 Spirit
                 of
                 Prayer
                 ,
                 by
                 a
                 few
                 instructions
                 exemplified
                 ,
                 than
                 by
                 multitudes
                 of
                 counsels
                 alone
                 .
                 The
                 Nurse
                 teaches
                 the
                 Child
                 to
                 speak
                 by
                 speaking
                 in
                 its
                 hearing
                 .
                 By
                 this
                 Christian
                 practice
                 we
                 shall
                 suggest
                 matter
                 of
                 Prayer
                 to
                 them
                 ,
                 put
                 words
                 into
                 their
                 mouths
                 ,
                 yea
                 kindle
                 desires
                 in
                 their
                 hearts
                 .
                 Who
                 that
                 hath
                 any
                 experience
                 knows
                 not
                 ,
                 how
                 our
                 affectionate
                 enlargements
                 ,
                 and
                 importunate
                 pleadings
                 ,
                 and
                 wrestlings
                 with
                 God
                 in
                 Prayer
                 ,
                 do
                 often
                 warm
                 and
                 enlarge
                 the
                 hearts
                 of
                 those
                 that
                 joyn
                 with
                 us
                 .
              
               
                 Arg.
                 2.
                 
                 
                   It
                   s
                   the
                   will
                   of
                   God
                   that
                   Christians
                   should
                   take
                   and
                   improve
                   all
                   opportunities
                   ,
                   advantages
                   ,
                   and
                   occasions
                   of
                   Prayer
                   .
                
                 This
                 proposition
                 if
                 it
                 need
                 proof
                 ,
                 
                 is
                 sufficiently
                 evident
                 from
                 1
                 Tim.
                 2.8
                 .
                 
                   I
                   will
                   that
                   men
                   Pray
                   every
                   where
                   ,
                
                 and
                 Eph.
                 6.18
                 .
                 
                   Praying
                   alwayes
                   with
                   all
                   Prayer
                   .
                   Alwayes
                   ,
                
                 or
                 as
                 it
                 is
                 in
                 the
                 Greek
                 ,
                 
                   on
                   every
                   opportunity
                
                 ;
                 with
                 All
                 Prayer
                 ,
                 with
                 all
                 manner
                 of
                 Prayer
                 :
                 in
                 publick
                 ,
                 in
                 private
                 ,
                 in
                 secret
                 ,
                 alone
                 ,
                 together
                 ,
                 as
                 opportunity
                 
                 is
                 offered
                 and
                 occasion
                 requires
                 .
                 Now
                 have
                 not
                 governours
                 of
                 Families
                 ,
                 as
                 such
                 ,
                 special
                 opportunities
                 for
                 joynt-Prayer
                 ?
                 
                   Their
                   cohabitation
                
                 ,
                 upon
                 which
                 they
                 may
                 meet
                 more
                 easily
                 and
                 frequently
                 ,
                 than
                 those
                 that
                 live
                 at
                 a
                 greater
                 distance
                 ;
                 
                   their
                   authority
                
                 by
                 vertue
                 whereof
                 they
                 may
                 command
                 the
                 attendance
                 of
                 their
                 families
                 ,
                 puts
                 opportunities
                 into
                 their
                 hands
                 .
              
               
                 And
                 have
                 they
                 not
                 also
                 ,
                 as
                 such
                 ,
                 special
                 occasions
                 of
                 joyning
                 in
                 Prayer
                 ?
                 there
                 are
                 Family-mercies
                 which
                 they
                 are
                 joyntly
                 concerned
                 to
                 pray
                 for
                 when
                 wanted
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 acknowledge
                 when
                 received
                 :
                 There
                 are
                 Family-afflictions
                 and
                 crosses
                 which
                 they
                 are
                 in
                 common
                 concerned
                 to
                 pray
                 against
                 :
                 there
                 are
                 Family
                 sins
                 which
                 call
                 for
                 joynt-confessions
                 ,
                 and
                 humiliations
                 .
                 Those
                 that
                 have
                 sinned
                 together
                 ,
                 or
                 suffer
                 together
                 ,
                 or
                 are
                 sharers
                 in
                 the
                 same
                 common
                 mercies
                 ,
                 ought
                 also
                 to
                 joyn
                 together
                 in
                 the
                 same
                 confessions
                 ,
                 petitions
                 ,
                 and
                 thanksgivings
                 .
              
               
                 Arg
                 3.
                 
                 
                   From
                   the
                   example
                   of
                   Christ
                   ,
                   who
                   not
                   only
                   taught
                   his
                   Family
                   to
                   Pray
                   ,
                   but
                   pray'd
                   with
                   them
                   .
                
                 His
                 Disciples
                 were
                 his
                 Family
                 .
                 The
                 Passeover
                 was
                 to
                 be
                 eaten
                 by
                 the
                 several
                 Families
                 apart
                 ,
                 a
                 Lamb
                 for
                 a
                 Family
                 .
                 And
                 if
                 you
                 would
                 know
                 who
                 were
                 Christs
                 Family
                 ,
                 enquire
                 with
                 whom
                 he
                 are
                 the
                 Passo●ver
                 ,
                 these
                 are
                 his
                 ●isciples
                 ,
                 
                 and
                 
                   with
                   these
                   he
                   prayed
                   ;
                   As
                   he
                   was
                   alone
                   praying
                   ,
                   his
                   Disciples
                   were
                   with
                   him
                   .
                
                 But
                 how
                 was
                 he
                 alone
                 when
                 his
                 Discipl●s
                 were
                 wi●h
                 h●m
                 ?
                 the
                 meaning
                 only
                 is
                 ,
                 he
                 was
                 withdrawn
                 from
                 the
                 multitude
                 ;
                 he
                 and
                 his
                 Disciples
                 were
                 privately
                 together
                 ,
                 and
                 with
                 them
                 he
                 prayes
                 .
              
               
                 Now
                 to
                 gather
                 up
                 all
                 together
                 .
                 If
                 the
                 example
                 of
                 Christ
                 be
                 obliging
                 to
                 his
                 followers
                 :
                 if
                 governours
                 of
                 Families
                 have
                 opportunities
                 and
                 occasions
                 of
                 joyning
                 in
                 Prayer
                 with
                 them
                 ;
                 and
                 it
                 be
                 the
                 will
                 of
                 God
                 that
                 they
                 take
                 ,
                 and
                 improve
                 all
                 opportunities
                 and
                 occasions
                 :
                 if
                 governours
                 of
                 Families
                 be
                 intrusted
                 with
                 the
                 souls
                 of
                 their
                 Families
                 ,
                 and
                 this
                 trust
                 cannot
                 be
                 discharged
                 ,
                 where
                 this
                 exercise
                 is
                 neglected
                 ,
                 then
                 must
                 it
                 be
                 acknowledged
                 that
                 it
                 is
                 a
                 duty
                 incumbent
                 on
                 them
                 from
                 
                 the
                 Lord
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 they
                 sin
                 against
                 God
                 ,
                 who
                 make
                 no
                 conscience
                 of
                 it
                 .
              
               
                 To
                 what
                 hath
                 been
                 said
                 ,
                 let
                 me
                 farther
                 add
                 these
                 two
                 things
                 ,
              
               
                 1.
                 
                 Consider
                 the
                 
                   manifold
                   benefits
                
                 which
                 usually
                 follow
                 and
                 accompany
                 this
                 duty
                 of
                 Family-prayer
                 .
              
               
                 1.
                 
                 
                   It
                   is
                   a
                   sanctifying
                   Ordinance
                
                 :
                 thereby
                 the
                 Husband
                 is
                 sanctified
                 to
                 the
                 wife
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 wife
                 to
                 the
                 husband
                 ,
                 so
                 that
                 they
                 prove
                 blessings
                 and
                 comforts
                 each
                 to
                 other
                 .
                 Children
                 likewise
                 are
                 blessed
                 and
                 sanctified
                 to
                 their
                 Parents
                 ;
                 and
                 Servants
                 to
                 their
                 Masters
                 .
                 Yea
                 Family-prayer
                 produceth
                 Gods
                 blessing
                 upon
                 their
                 callings
                 ,
                 and
                 enjoyments
                 ,
                 upon
                 their
                 losses
                 and
                 crosses
                 ,
                 both
                 are
                 thereby
                 blessed
                 and
                 sanctified
                 unto
                 them
                 .
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 
                   Family-prayer
                   ,
                   as
                   it
                   is
                   a
                   sanctifying
                   ordinance
                   ,
                   so
                   it
                   is
                   a
                   seasoning
                   ordinance
                
                 ;
                 it
                 seasons
                 the
                 whole
                 house
                 with
                 the
                 fear
                 of
                 God.
                 It
                 is
                 recorded
                 of
                 Cornelius
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 was
                 
                   a
                   devout
                   man
                   ,
                   one
                   that
                   feared
                   God
                   with
                   all
                   his
                   house
                   ,
                   who
                   prayed
                   to
                   God
                   alwayes
                   :
                
                 his
                 constant
                 course
                 of
                 praying
                 with
                 his
                 Family
                 ,
                 questionless
                 did
                 season
                 his
                 whole
                 house
                 with
                 the
                 fear
                 of
                 God.
                 As
                 Prayer-less
                 Families
                 are
                 for
                 the
                 most
                 part
                 destitute
                 of
                 the
                 fear
                 of
                 God
                 :
                 so
                 in
                 those
                 Families
                 where
                 a
                 constant
                 course
                 of
                 Praying
                 is
                 kept
                 up
                 ,
                 there
                 the
                 hearts
                 of
                 many
                 are
                 seasoned
                 with
                 the
                 true
                 fear
                 of
                 God.
                 
                 As
                 Abraham
                 was
                 a
                 Praying-master
                 ,
                 so
                 he
                 had
                 praying-servants
                 .
                 For
                 inferiours
                 are
                 very
                 apt
                 to
                 write
                 after
                 the
                 Copy
                 of
                 their
                 Superiours
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 follow
                 their
                 example
                 .
                 Thus
                 by
                 a
                 praying
                 Master
                 ,
                 Children
                 and
                 Servants
                 are
                 taught
                 to
                 Pray
                 .
              
               
                 3.
                 
                 
                   Family-prayer
                   is
                   a
                   special
                   preservative
                   against
                   common
                   calamities
                   .
                   Polanus
                
                 in
                 his
                 Syntagm
                 ,
                 relateth
                 how
                 in
                 the
                 year
                 1584.
                 there
                 was
                 such
                 a
                 terrible
                 Earth-quake
                 that
                 overthrew
                 all
                 the
                 houses
                 in
                 a
                 whole
                 Town
                 in
                 Switzerland
                 ,
                 save
                 one
                 ,
                 wherein
                 the
                 Master
                 of
                 the
                 Family
                 was
                 at
                 the
                 same
                 time
                 praying
                 with
                 his
                 Wife
                 ,
                 Children
                 and
                 Servants
                 .
                 If
                 God
                 doth
                 not
                 preserve
                 praying-families
                 from
                 those
                 common
                 judgements
                 and
                 calamities
                 which
                 befall
                 others
                 ,
                 yet
                 he
                 will
                 so
                 sanctifie
                 those
                 calamities
                 
                 unto
                 them
                 ,
                 
                   that
                   they
                   shall
                   turn
                   to
                   their
                   good
                
                 ;
                 according
                 to
                 that
                 gracious
                 promise
                 ,
                 
                 
                   All
                   things
                   shall
                   work
                   together
                   for
                   good
                   ,
                   to
                   them
                   that
                   love
                   God.
                   
                
              
               
                 V.
                 Consider
                 the
                 manifold
                 mischiefs
                 that
                 usually
                 sollow
                 and
                 accompany
                 the
                 neglect
                 of
                 Family-prayer
                 .
                 As
                 ,
              
               
                 1.
                 
                 
                   Neglect
                   of
                   Family-prayer
                   is
                   usually
                   accompanied
                   with
                   the
                   neglect
                   of
                   all
                   other
                   Religious
                   duties
                   ,
                
                 which
                 is
                 found
                 true
                 by
                 sad
                 experience
                 .
                 For
                 ,
                 whoever
                 heard
                 that
                 the
                 Scriptures
                 were
                 read
                 ,
                 or
                 Catechising
                 used
                 in
                 any
                 Family
                 where
                 Prayer
                 was
                 omitted
                 ?
                 So
                 that
                 Prayer-less
                 houses
                 are
                 as
                 Sepulchres
                 wherein
                 all
                 Religion
                 lyes
                 buried
                 .
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 
                   Neglect
                   of
                   Family-prayer
                   expos●th
                   the
                   whole
                   houshold
                   to
                   the
                   wrath
                   and
                   fury
                   of
                   God
                   ,
                
                 as
                 the
                 Prophet
                 Ieremiah
                 implyeth
                 ,
                 
                 where
                 he
                 saith
                 ,
                 
                   Pour
                   out
                   thy
                   fury
                   upon
                   the
                   Heathen
                   that
                   know
                   thee
                   not
                   ,
                   and
                   upon
                   the
                   Families
                   that
                   call
                   not
                   upon
                   thy
                   name
                   .
                
                 Where
                 by
                 
                   the
                   fury
                   of
                   God
                
                 ,
                 is
                 meant
                 his
                 wrath
                 in
                 the
                 highest
                 degree
                 ,
                 his
                 anger
                 boyled
                 up
                 to
                 the
                 height
                 .
                 Oh
                 who
                 can
                 abide
                 this
                 scalding
                 wrath
                 ?
                 And
                 by
                 
                   pouring
                   out
                   Gods
                   fury
                
                 ,
                 is
                 meant
                 Gods
                 inflicting
                 his
                 fierce
                 wrath
                 in
                 the
                 greatest
                 measure
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 highest
                 degree
                 .
                 The
                 words
                 though
                 they
                 are
                 set
                 down
                 in
                 the
                 form
                 of
                 a
                 Prayer
                 ,
                 yet
                 they
                 are
                 a
                 prediction
                 (
                 as
                 well
                 as
                 a
                 petition
                 )
                 of
                 Gods
                 dreadfull
                 wrath
                 and
                 fury
                 ,
                 to
                 be
                 undoubtedly
                 inflicted
                 upon
                 all
                 Prayerless-families
                 .
                 For
                 the
                 Prophet
                 put
                 up
                 this
                 Prayer
                 unto
                 God
                 ,
                 as
                 foreseeing
                 the
                 certain
                 ruin
                 and
                 destruction
                 of
                 such
                 Families
                 ,
                 as
                 called
                 not
                 upon
                 the
                 name
                 of
                 the
                 Lord
                 :
                 He
                 knew
                 that
                 God
                 would
                 assuredly
                 
                   pour
                   out
                   his
                   fury
                
                 upon
                 their
                 Families
                 ,
                 who
                 did
                 not
                 
                   pour
                   out
                   their
                   souls
                
                 unto
                 him
                 .
                 Oh
                 that
                 all
                 Masters
                 and
                 Governours
                 would
                 seriously
                 think
                 ,
                 and
                 meditate
                 on
                 this
                 fearfull
                 imprecation
                 of
                 the
                 Prophet
                 against
                 all
                 Prayerless-families
                 ;
                 that
                 so
                 they
                 might
                 dread
                 the
                 omission
                 of
                 so
                 necessary
                 a
                 duty
                 ,
                 as
                 much
                 as
                 the
                 scorching
                 wrath
                 and
                 fury
                 of
                 God
                 ;
                 yea
                 as
                 the
                 scorching
                 fire
                 of
                 hell
                 :
                 for
                 what
                 is
                 hell
                 it self
                 ,
                 but
                 the
                 feeling
                 of
                 this
                 wrath
                 and
                 fury
                 of
                 God
                 ?
              
               
                 I
                 shall
                 close
                 this
                 with
                 answering
                 three
                 Questions
                 ,
                 and
                 as
                 many
                 Objections
                 .
              
               
               
                 1.
                 
                 Q.
                 
                   How
                   often
                   should
                   we
                   Pray
                   with
                   our
                   Families
                   ?
                
              
               
                 A.
                 1.
                 
                 
                   Every
                   day
                
                 .
                 For
                 first
                 our
                 Saviour
                 hath
                 intimated
                 so
                 much
                 unto
                 us
                 in
                 his
                 plat-form
                 of
                 Prayer
                 ,
                 by
                 teaching
                 us
                 to
                 Pray
                 for
                 our
                 
                   daily
                   bread
                
                 ,
                 in
                 these
                 words
                 ,
                 
                   Give
                   us
                   this
                   day
                   our
                   daily
                   bread
                
                 ;
                 that
                 is
                 ,
                 bread
                 needfull
                 for
                 the
                 present
                 day
                 .
                 And
                 in
                 regard
                 we
                 daily
                 stand
                 in
                 need
                 of
                 bread
                 ,
                 therefore
                 our
                 Saviour
                 would
                 have
                 us
                 pray
                 daily
                 for
                 the
                 same
                 .
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 
                   Have
                   you
                   not
                   daily
                   wants
                   to
                   be
                   supplyed
                   ?
                
                 wants
                 for
                 your selves
                 ,
                 and
                 wants
                 for
                 your
                 Children
                 ,
                 and
                 Servants
                 ?
                 Have
                 you
                 not
                 daily
                 infirmities
                 in
                 your
                 Family
                 to
                 be
                 healed
                 ?
                 Are
                 you
                 not
                 daily
                 subject
                 to
                 dangers
                 and
                 temptations
                 ?
                 And
                 do
                 you
                 not
                 daily
                 sin
                 against
                 God
                 ?
                 Is
                 it
                 not
                 necessary
                 then
                 that
                 you
                 daily
                 Pray
                 unto
                 God
                 ,
                 for
                 the
                 supply
                 of
                 all
                 your
                 wants
                 ,
                 for
                 the
                 healing
                 of
                 all
                 your
                 infirmities
                 ,
                 for
                 the
                 preventing
                 of
                 the
                 dangers
                 you
                 are
                 daily
                 subject
                 unto
                 ,
                 for
                 the
                 strengthning
                 you
                 against
                 all
                 your
                 temptations
                 ,
                 for
                 the
                 pardoning
                 of
                 all
                 your
                 sins
                 .
                 Surely
                 our
                 daily
                 wants
                 ,
                 our
                 daily
                 infirmities
                 ,
                 our
                 daily
                 dangers
                 ,
                 our
                 daily
                 temptations
                 ,
                 and
                 our
                 daily
                 sins
                 ,
                 do
                 all
                 call
                 upon
                 us
                 for
                 daily
                 prayers
                 .
              
               
                 And
                 as
                 you
                 and
                 yours
                 daily
                 partake
                 of
                 Gods
                 mercies
                 ,
                 is
                 it
                 not
                 just
                 and
                 equal
                 ,
                 that
                 you
                 all
                 should
                 daily
                 bless
                 God
                 for
                 the
                 same
                 ?
                 The
                 truth
                 is
                 ,
                 every
                 day
                 supplyeth
                 new
                 matter
                 both
                 of
                 Prayer
                 and
                 praise
                 ,
                 and
                 therefore
                 there
                 is
                 just
                 cause
                 daily
                 to
                 offer
                 up
                 our
                 Sacrifice
                 of
                 Prayer
                 and
                 praise
                 unto
                 God.
                 
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 Q.
                 
                   How
                   oft
                   in
                   each
                   day
                   are
                   we
                   bound
                   to
                   pray
                   with
                   our
                   Families
                   ?
                
              
               
                 A.
                 Family-prayer
                 ought
                 to
                 be
                 performed
                 
                   twice
                   at
                   least
                
                 ,
                 viz.
                 In
                 the
                 Morning
                 and
                 in
                 the
                 Evening
                 .
              
               
                 1.
                 
                 For
                 first
                 this
                 is
                 commended
                 unto
                 us
                 by
                 the
                 Morning
                 and
                 Evening
                 Sacrifice
                 under
                 the
                 Law
                 ,
                 
                 which
                 we
                 find
                 given
                 in
                 command
                 unto
                 the
                 Jews
                 .
                 And
                 are
                 not
                 Christians
                 under
                 the
                 Gospel
                 ,
                 as
                 well
                 as
                 those
                 under
                 the
                 Law
                 ,
                 obliged
                 to
                 offer
                 up
                 their
                 Morning
                 and
                 Evening
                 Sacrifice
                 ?
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 
                   Equity
                   requireth
                   this
                   duty
                   at
                   your
                   hands
                
                 ;
                 as
                 the
                 mercies
                 of
                 God
                 are
                 renewed
                 upon
                 you
                 and
                 yours
                 every
                 
                 Morning
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 showres
                 of
                 his
                 compassion
                 fall
                 down
                 upon
                 you
                 every
                 night
                 ,
                 so
                 you
                 should
                 not
                 forget
                 to
                 offer
                 up
                 both
                 a
                 Morning
                 ,
                 and
                 an
                 Evening
                 Sacrifice
                 of
                 Prayer
                 ,
                 and
                 praise
                 unto
                 him
                 ,
                 who
                 is
                 so
                 continually
                 mindfull
                 of
                 you
                 .
              
               
                 3.
                 Q.
                 
                   What
                   time
                   in
                   the
                   Morning
                   and
                   Evening
                   is
                   fittest
                   for
                   the
                   performance
                   of
                   Family-prayer
                   ?
                
              
               
                 A.
                 For
                 this
                 no
                 certain
                 rule
                 can
                 be
                 prescribed
                 ,
                 in
                 regard
                 of
                 the
                 several
                 occasions
                 which
                 may
                 fall
                 out
                 in
                 a
                 Family
                 ;
                 and
                 by
                 reason
                 of
                 age
                 ,
                 sickness
                 and
                 the
                 like
                 in
                 the
                 Governours
                 thereof
                 .
                 Yet
                 it
                 were
                 to
                 be
                 wished
                 that
                 the
                 
                   Morning
                   Sacrifice
                
                 (
                 if
                 possibly
                 )
                 may
                 be
                 betimes
                 in
                 the
                 Morning
                 ,
                 before
                 Servants
                 go
                 about
                 the
                 works
                 of
                 their
                 calling
                 ;
                 as
                 being
                 the
                 fittest
                 time
                 for
                 holy
                 exercises
                 ,
                 when
                 the
                 Spirits
                 are
                 freshest
                 ,
                 and
                 freest
                 from
                 Wordly
                 thoughts
                 and
                 distractions
                 .
              
               
                 And
                 it
                 were
                 to
                 be
                 wished
                 ,
                 that
                 the
                 
                   Evening
                   Sacrifice
                
                 may
                 be
                 before
                 Supper
                 ,
                 in
                 regard
                 that
                 afterwards
                 we
                 are
                 generally
                 more
                 heavy
                 and
                 sleepy
                 ;
                 and
                 will
                 find
                 it
                 more
                 difficult
                 to
                 keep
                 up
                 our
                 hearts
                 ,
                 and
                 spirits
                 in
                 the
                 duty
                 .
              
               
                 Having
                 thus
                 resolved
                 the
                 Questions
                 ,
                 come
                 we
                 now
                 to
                 the
                 Objections
                 raised
                 against
                 the
                 duty
                 of
                 Family-prayer
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 CHAP.
                 VI.
                 Objections
                 against
                 Family-prayer
                 ,
                 Answered
                 .
              
               
                 1.
                 
                 Obj.
                 
                   SOme
                   Object
                   their
                   inability
                   to
                   pray
                   ,
                   they
                   know
                   not
                   how
                   to
                   perform
                   the
                   duty
                   .
                
              
               
                 A.
                 1.
                 
                 Let
                 the
                 sense
                 of
                 thine
                 own
                 weakness
                 drive
                 thee
                 unto
                 God
                 for
                 power
                 ,
                 and
                 strength
                 .
                 Beg
                 of
                 him
                 that
                 he
                 would
                 by
                 his
                 Spirit
                 help
                 thine
                 infirmities
                 ,
                 teaching
                 thee
                 to
                 pour
                 out
                 thy
                 soul
                 unto
                 him
                 in
                 Prayer
                 .
                 For
                 it
                 is
                 he
                 alone
                 that
                 can
                 teach
                 thee
                 ,
                 
                 and
                 endue
                 thee
                 with
                 this
                 Heavenly
                 gift
                 .
              
               
               
                 2.
                 
                 
                   Be
                   constant
                   in
                   thy
                   secret
                   devotions
                   ,
                
                 which
                 will
                 be
                 a
                 special
                 means
                 to
                 embolden
                 thee
                 to
                 pray
                 with
                 thy
                 Family
                 .
                 For
                 when
                 thou
                 findest
                 that
                 thou
                 canst
                 express
                 thy self
                 in
                 any
                 competent
                 measure
                 
                   in
                   secret
                
                 ,
                 thou
                 wilt
                 then
                 the
                 better
                 adventure
                 to
                 Pray
                 
                   in
                   private
                
                 ,
                 with
                 thy
                 Family
                 .
                 And
                 know
                 this
                 for
                 thy
                 comfort
                 ,
                 that
                 if
                 thou
                 sincerely
                 endeavourest
                 to
                 do
                 what
                 thou
                 canst
                 ,
                 God
                 will
                 enable
                 thee
                 to
                 do
                 what
                 thou
                 shouldst
                 .
              
               
                 3.
                 
                 Rather
                 than
                 the
                 apprehension
                 of
                 thine
                 own
                 insufficiency
                 to
                 pray
                 ,
                 should
                 occasion
                 a
                 constant
                 omission
                 of
                 the
                 duty
                 ,
                 I
                 would
                 advise
                 thee
                 to
                 use
                 the
                 help
                 of
                 a
                 form
                 of
                 Prayer
                 for
                 a
                 while
                 ,
                 till
                 by
                 Gods
                 blessing
                 ,
                 thou
                 hast
                 attained
                 some
                 ability
                 therein
                 ,
                 and
                 boldness
                 thereunto
                 .
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 Obj.
                 Some
                 against
                 this
                 duty
                 object
                 their
                 multitude
                 of
                 business
                 ,
                 and
                 little
                 spare
                 time
                 for
                 Family-prayer
                 .
              
               
                 A.
                 1.
                 
                 The
                 more
                 and
                 greater
                 thy
                 businesses
                 are
                 ,
                 the
                 more
                 and
                 greater
                 need
                 thou
                 hast
                 of
                 Family-prayer
                 ,
                 for
                 the
                 obtaining
                 Gods
                 blessings
                 thereon
                 :
                 without
                 which
                 all
                 thy
                 pains
                 and
                 endeavours
                 may
                 signifie
                 little
                 ,
                 yea
                 prove
                 succesless
                 .
                 Assure
                 thy self
                 that
                 the
                 time
                 spent
                 in
                 Prayer
                 ,
                 both
                 in
                 thy
                 closet
                 ,
                 and
                 with
                 thy
                 Family
                 ,
                 will
                 prove
                 no
                 let
                 ,
                 but
                 rather
                 a
                 great
                 furtherance
                 to
                 thy
                 business
                 .
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 Dost
                 thou
                 put
                 off
                 praying
                 with
                 thy
                 Family
                 for
                 the
                 multitude
                 of
                 business
                 ?
                 Know
                 that
                 therein
                 thou
                 art
                 penny-wise
                 ,
                 and
                 pound-foolish
                 ,
                 hazarding
                 the
                 loss
                 of
                 thy
                 precious
                 and
                 immortal
                 soul
                 for
                 the
                 gaining
                 of
                 a
                 little
                 Worldly
                 pelf
                 ,
                 which
                 will
                 be
                 soon
                 taken
                 from
                 thee
                 ,
                 or
                 thou
                 from
                 it
                 :
                 Oh
                 that
                 such
                 Wo●●d●ngs
                 would
                 seriously
                 consider
                 that
                 expression
                 of
                 our
                 Saviour
                 ▪
                 
                 
                   What
                   shall
                   it
                   profit
                   a
                   man
                   ,
                   if
                   h●
                   shall
                   gain
                   the
                   who●e
                   World
                   ,
                   and
                   lose
                   his
                   own
                   soul
                   ?
                
              
               
                 3.
                 
                 Dost
                 thou
                 put
                 off
                 Family-prayer
                 for
                 the
                 multitude
                 of
                 Worldly
                 bu●inesse●
                 ,
                 thereby
                 to
                 encrease
                 thy
                 wealth
                 ?
                 Know
                 that
                 that
                 wealth
                 is
                 cursed
                 ,
                 which
                 is
                 thus
                 gotten
                 ;
                 that
                 substance
                 which
                 is
                 the
                 price
                 of
                 a
                 Prayer
                 may
                 for
                 ought
                 thou
                 knowest
                 be
                 the
                 price
                 of
                 blood
                 .
              
               
               
                 Well
                 ,
                 beware
                 thou
                 neglect
                 not
                 this
                 great
                 duty
                 upon
                 any
                 pretence
                 whatsoever
                 .
                 Neither
                 let
                 it
                 be
                 performed
                 after
                 a
                 cold
                 ,
                 formal
                 ,
                 and
                 perfunctory
                 manner
                 :
                 but
                 be
                 very
                 serious
                 ,
                 and
                 fervent
                 therein
                 ,
                 stirring
                 up
                 thy self
                 to
                 an
                 active
                 ,
                 lively
                 performance
                 thereof
                 ,
                 which
                 the
                 Apostle
                 intimateth
                 ,
                 where
                 he
                 saith
                 ,
                 
                   Be
                   fervent
                   in
                   Spirit
                   ,
                   serving
                   the
                   Lord
                
                 ;
                 and
                 that
                 for
                 two
                 reasons
                 .
              
               
                 
                   1.
                   
                   
                     Such
                     Prayers
                     only
                     are
                     acceptable
                     and
                     pleasing
                     unto
                     God
                     ,
                     these
                     are
                     the
                     Sacrifices
                     wherewith
                     he
                     is
                     well-pleased
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   2.
                   
                   
                     Such
                     only
                     have
                     the
                     promise
                     of
                     being
                     heard
                     .
                  
                   And
                   thereupon
                   saith
                   the
                   Apostle
                   St.
                   Iames
                   ,
                   
                   
                     The
                     effectual
                     fervent
                     Prayer
                     of
                     a
                     right●ous
                     man
                     availeth
                     much
                     .
                  
                   The
                   word
                   in
                   the
                   Greek
                   translated
                   effectual
                   ,
                   properly
                   signifieth
                   
                     a
                     prayer
                     excited
                  
                   ,
                   
                   or
                   
                     stirred
                     up
                  
                   :
                   and
                   so
                   implyeth
                   both
                   the
                   efficacy
                   and
                   influency
                   of
                   the
                   Holy-Ghost
                   ,
                   and
                   the
                   vehemency
                   of
                   an
                   earnest
                   spirit
                   and
                   affection
                   ,
                   which
                   is
                   the
                   only
                   prevailing
                   Prayer
                   .
                
              
            
             
               
                 CHAP.
                 VII
                 .
                 Of
                 Reading
                 the
                 Holy
                 Scriptures
                 in
                 Families
                 ,
                 with
                 quickning
                 Motives
                 thereunto
                 .
              
               
                 II.
                 
                   ANother
                   duty
                   incumbent
                   upon
                   Parents
                   and
                   Masters
                   of
                   Families
                   ,
                   is
                   frequently
                   to
                   read
                   the
                   Holy
                   Scriptures
                   ,
                   or
                   to
                   cause
                   them
                   to
                   be
                   read
                   in
                   and
                   with
                   their
                   Families
                   .
                
                 Though
                 this
                 be
                 a
                 distinct
                 exercise
                 from
                 the
                 former
                 ,
                 of
                 Prayer
                 :
                 yet
                 do
                 they
                 mutually
                 help
                 one
                 another
                 ,
                 and
                 therefore
                 are
                 fit
                 to
                 be
                 joyned
                 together
                 .
              
               
                 
                 We
                 read
                 how
                 the
                 Priest
                 under
                 the
                 Law
                 
                   was
                   daily
                   to
                   light
                   the
                   Lamps
                   ,
                   and
                   to
                   burn
                   incense
                
                 ;
                 as
                 the
                 Lamp
                 signified
                 
                   the
                   Word
                   of
                   God
                
                 ,
                 so
                 the
                 incense
                 signified
                 Prayer
                 .
                 And
                 as
                 the
                 Lamp
                 was
                 daily
                 to
                 be
                 lighted
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 
                   incense
                   daily
                
                 to
                 be
                 burned
                 ,
                 so
                 are
                 we
                 thereby
                 taught
                 ,
                 daily
                 to
                 joyn
                 the
                 Word
                 and
                 Prayer
                 together
                 ;
                 for
                 as
                 the
                 Apostle
                 speaketh
                 ,
                 
                   By
                   the
                   Word
                   and
                   Prayer
                   every
                   thing
                   is
                   sanctified
                   .
                
                 
                 Yea
                 this
                 duty
                 
                   of
                   reading
                   the
                   Word
                
                 we
                 find
                 given
                 in
                 
                 command
                 unto
                 housholders
                 under
                 the
                 Law
                 ,
                 for
                 saith
                 the
                 Lord
                 ,
                 
                 
                   Ye
                   shall
                   lay
                   up
                   my
                   words
                   ,
                
                 (
                 meaning
                 the
                 words
                 of
                 the
                 Law
                 )
                 
                   in
                   your
                   heart
                
                 ,
                 and
                 
                   in
                   your
                   soul.
                   And
                   ye
                   shall
                   teach
                   them
                   your
                   Children
                   ,
                   speaking
                   of
                   them
                   when
                   thou
                   sitest
                   in
                   thine
                   house
                   ,
                   when
                   thou
                   lyest
                   down
                   ,
                   and
                   when
                   thou
                   risest
                   up
                   ,
                
                 which
                 implyeth
                 a
                 diligent
                 reading
                 of
                 the
                 Word
                 in
                 their
                 houses
                 .
                 Yea
                 the
                 old
                 people
                 of
                 the
                 Iews
                 were
                 so
                 diligent
                 in
                 teaching
                 their
                 Children
                 the
                 Word
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 that
                 Iosephus
                 saith
                 ,
                 
                 
                   Every
                   one
                   of
                   our
                   people
                   being
                   asked
                   concerning
                   the
                   Laws
                   ,
                   rehearseth
                   them
                   more
                   easily
                   than
                   his
                   own
                   name
                   .
                
              
               
                 In
                 the
                 New
                 Testament
                 we
                 have
                 the
                 Apostles
                 command
                 for
                 this
                 duty
                 ,
                 for
                 saith
                 he
                 ,
                 (a)
                 
                   Let
                   the
                   Word
                   of
                   Christ
                   dwell
                   in
                   you
                   richly
                   .
                
                 The
                 Word
                 is
                 sometimes
                 taken
                 for
                 (b)
                 
                   Christ
                   himself
                
                 ,
                 and
                 so
                 it
                 is
                 true
                 ,
                 that
                 we
                 should
                 labour
                 that
                 
                   the
                   word
                   Christ
                
                 should
                 dwell
                 in
                 us
                 .
                 But
                 by
                 the
                 
                   Word
                   of
                   Christ
                
                 is
                 here
                 meant
                 the
                 
                   written
                   Word
                   of
                   God
                
                 ,
                 which
                 is
                 here
                 called
                 
                   the
                   Word
                   of
                   Christ
                
                 ,
                 both
                 because
                 he
                 is
                 the
                 author
                 of
                 it
                 ,
                 and
                 because
                 he
                 is
                 
                   the
                   chief
                   subject
                
                 of
                 it
                 .
                 And
                 whereas
                 the
                 Apostle
                 saith
                 ,
                 Let
                 the
                 Word
                 of
                 Christ
                 
                   dwell
                   in
                   you
                
                 ,
                 it
                 is
                 a
                 Metaphor
                 taken
                 from
                 such
                 as
                 dwell
                 under
                 one
                 and
                 the
                 same
                 roof
                 with
                 us
                 ,
                 and
                 noteth
                 two
                 things
                 ,
                 
                   
                     1.
                     
                     That
                     we
                     must
                     get
                     it
                     into
                     our
                     hearts
                     ,
                     and
                     houses
                     as
                     well
                     as
                     into
                     our
                     Churches
                     .
                  
                   
                     2.
                     
                     That
                     by
                     our
                     frequent
                     reading
                     of
                     it
                     ,
                     and
                     causing
                     it
                     to
                     be
                     read
                     in
                     our
                     houses
                     ,
                     it
                     should
                     be
                     as
                     familiar
                     with
                     us
                     ,
                     as
                     one
                     that
                     dwells
                     with
                     us
                     under
                     the
                     same
                     roof
                     .
                  
                
              
               
                 For
                 the
                 better
                 pressing
                 of
                 this
                 duty
                 upon
                 the
                 Consciences
                 of
                 Parents
                 and
                 Masters
                 of
                 Families
                 ;
                 I
                 shall
                 hint
                 only
                 two
                 Motives
                 to
                 quicken
                 you
                 up
                 thereunto
                 .
              
               
                 1.
                 
                 
                   The
                   knowledge
                   of
                   the
                   Scriptures
                   will
                   be
                   an
                   excellent
                   means
                   to
                   keep
                   up
                   your
                   authority
                   in
                   your
                   Families
                   ,
                   over
                   your
                   Children
                   and
                   Servants
                   .
                
                 For
                 therein
                 they
                 cannot
                 but
                 hear
                 ,
                 and
                 understand
                 ,
                 it
                 is
                 their
                 duty
                 
                   to
                   be
                   obedient
                   to
                   you
                   in
                   all
                   things
                   .
                
                 Your
                 own
                 commands
                 and
                 threatnings
                 may
                 perhaps
                 cause
                 them
                 to
                 serve
                 you
                 with
                 eye-service
                 ,
                 as
                 menpleasers●
                 ;
                 but
                 to
                 hear
                 the
                 commands
                 and
                 threatnings
                 of
                 God
                 in
                 his
                 Word
                 ,
                 may
                 cause
                 them
                 to
                 serve
                 you
                 in
                 
                   singleness
                   
                   of
                   heart
                
                 .
                 So
                 that
                 if
                 nothing
                 else
                 ,
                 yet
                 policy
                 ,
                 methinks
                 ,
                 should
                 prevail
                 with
                 you
                 to
                 cause
                 the
                 Word
                 of
                 God
                 to
                 be
                 read
                 frequently
                 in
                 your
                 houses
                 .
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 
                   Some
                   by
                   reading
                   the
                   Scriptures
                   ,
                   others
                   by
                   hearing
                   it
                   read
                   in
                   the
                   Family
                   ,
                   have
                   been
                   converted
                   from
                   the
                   state
                   of
                   nature
                   ,
                   to
                   the
                   state
                   of
                   grace
                   .
                
                 For
                 faith
                 may
                 be
                 wrought
                 in
                 us
                 
                   by
                   hearing
                   the
                   Word
                   read
                
                 ,
                 as
                 well
                 as
                 
                   hearing
                   it
                   Preached
                
                 .
                 St.
                 Austine
                 reports
                 of
                 an
                 
                   Aegyptian
                   Monk
                
                 who
                 living
                 in
                 a
                 Christian-family
                 ,
                 
                 where
                 the
                 Word
                 of
                 God
                 was
                 frequently
                 read
                 ,
                 was
                 thereby
                 converted
                 to
                 the
                 Christian
                 faith
                 .
              
               
                 And
                 indeed
                 there
                 is
                 a
                 greater
                 vertue
                 in
                 the
                 holy
                 Scriptures
                 ,
                 than
                 in
                 any
                 other
                 book
                 ,
                 for
                 the
                 working
                 of
                 conversion
                 in
                 the
                 hearts
                 of
                 natural
                 Men
                 and
                 Women
                 .
                 Oh
                 what
                 an
                 encouragement
                 should
                 this
                 be
                 unto
                 Parents
                 and
                 Masters
                 of
                 Families
                 ,
                 to
                 cause
                 the
                 holy
                 Scriptures
                 to
                 be
                 frequently
                 read
                 in
                 their
                 houses
                 !
                 for
                 what
                 know
                 they
                 whether
                 some
                 under
                 their
                 charge
                 may
                 not
                 thereby
                 be
                 converted
                 .
              
               
                 And
                 that
                 your
                 reading
                 may
                 be
                 the
                 more
                 profitable
                 ,
                 observe
                 these
                 few
                 directions
                 .
              
               
                 1.
                 
                 Before
                 you
                 read
                 ,
                 lift
                 up
                 your
                 heart
                 unto
                 God
                 in
                 some
                 short
                 Prayer
                 ,
                 beseeching
                 him
                 
                   who
                   is
                   the
                   Father
                   of
                   light
                   ,
                   to
                   enlighten
                   the
                   blind
                   eyes
                   of
                   your
                   understandings
                   ,
                   that
                   you
                   may
                   understand
                   what
                   you
                   read
                   ,
                   so
                   to
                   strengthen
                   your
                   memories
                   ,
                   that
                   you
                   may
                   remember
                   it
                   ,
                   and
                   that
                   he
                   would
                   give
                   you
                   .
                   Wisdom
                   to
                   apply
                   ,
                   faith
                   to
                   believe
                   ,
                   and
                   grace
                   to
                   practise
                   what
                   you
                   read
                   .
                
              
               
                 Which
                 Prayer
                 is
                 necessary
                 before
                 reading
                 ,
                 because
                 as
                 the
                 Apostle
                 speaketh
                 ,
                 
                 
                   Naturally
                   we
                   understand
                   not
                   the
                   things
                   of
                   the
                   Spirit
                   of
                   God
                   ,
                
                 neither
                 can
                 
                   we
                   know
                   them
                   ,
                   because
                   they
                   are
                   spiritually
                   discerned
                   .
                
                 And
                 it
                 is
                 only
                 the
                 Spirit
                 of
                 God
                 that
                 revealeth
                 them
                 unto
                 us
                 ,
                 which
                 we
                 have
                 no
                 hope
                 to
                 attain
                 ,
                 but
                 by
                 fervent
                 Prayer
                 .
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 The
                 Word
                 must
                 be
                 read
                 and
                 heard
                 
                   with
                   all
                   holy
                   reverence
                   and
                   attention
                   ,
                
                 as
                 being
                 the
                 Word
                 of
                 the
                 great
                 God
                 ,
                 whereby
                 he
                 revealeth
                 himself
                 and
                 his
                 will
                 cleerly
                 unto
                 us
                 ,
                 for
                 the
                 building
                 us
                 up
                 in
                 all
                 grace
                 and
                 Godliness
                 .
              
               
               
                 3.
                 
                 In
                 reading
                 every
                 one
                 ought
                 to
                 take
                 special
                 notice
                 of
                 such
                 passages
                 as
                 are
                 either
                 more
                 weighty
                 in
                 themselves
                 ,
                 or
                 proper
                 to
                 them
                 ,
                 for
                 their
                 particular
                 cases
                 ,
                 use
                 and
                 occasion
                 .
              
               
                 4.
                 
                 In
                 reading
                 ,
                 or
                 hearing
                 any
                 portion
                 of
                 Scripture
                 ,
                 let
                 every
                 one
                 apply
                 it
                 to
                 himself
                 as
                 spoken
                 to
                 him
                 .
                 By
                 this
                 means
                 may
                 every
                 one
                 be
                 much
                 edified
                 by
                 every
                 part
                 of
                 the
                 Word
                 of
                 God.
                 
              
            
             
               
                 CHAP.
                 VIII
                 .
                 Of
                 Family-Catechising
                 with
                 quickning
                 Motives
                 thereunto
                 .
              
               
                 III.
                 ANother
                 duty
                 incumbent
                 upon
                 Parents
                 ,
                 and
                 Masters
                 of
                 Families
                 in
                 reference
                 to
                 those
                 under
                 their
                 charge
                 ,
                 is
                 
                   to
                   instruct
                   them
                   in
                   the
                   principles
                   of
                   Religion
                   in
                   a
                   Catechistical
                   way
                   .
                
                 
                 For
                 to
                 Catechise
                 is
                 to
                 teach
                 the
                 first
                 principles
                 of
                 Christian
                 Religion
                 ,
                 whereby
                 they
                 who
                 are
                 young
                 may
                 be
                 acquainted
                 with
                 God
                 betimes
                 .
              
               
                 This
                 we
                 find
                 given
                 in
                 command
                 unto
                 Housholders
                 under
                 the
                 Law
                 ,
                 
                 for
                 saith
                 the
                 Lord
                 ,
                 
                   Th●se
                   words
                   which
                   I
                   command
                   thee
                   this
                   day
                   shall
                   be
                   in
                   thine
                   heart
                   ,
                   and
                   thou
                   shalt
                   teach
                   them
                   diligently
                   unto
                   thy
                   Children
                   ,
                   and
                   shalt
                   talk
                   of
                   them
                   when
                   thou
                   sittest
                   in
                   thine
                   house
                   ,
                   and
                   when
                   thou
                   walkest
                   by
                   the
                   way
                   ,
                   and
                   when
                   thou
                   lyest
                   down
                   ,
                   and
                   when
                   thou
                   risest
                
                 up
                 .
                 Where
                 by
                 Children
                 are
                 not
                 meant
                 only
                 natural
                 Children
                 ,
                 but
                 likewise
                 servants
                 ,
                 it
                 being
                 usual
                 with
                 the
                 Hebrews
                 by
                 Children
                 to
                 understand
                 all
                 under
                 subjection
                 .
                 We
                 have
                 a
                 Prophesie
                 that
                 there
                 shall
                 be
                 ,
                 
                 as
                 it
                 were
                 ,
                 a
                 succession
                 of
                 Christs
                 name
                 from
                 generation
                 to
                 generation
                 ;
                 
                   His
                   name
                   shall
                   end●re
                   sor
                   ever
                   ,
                   his
                   name
                   shall
                   be
                   continued
                   as
                   long
                   as
                   the
                   Sun
                   ,
                
                 
                 or
                 as
                 the
                 phrase
                 imports
                 ,
                 
                   His
                   name
                   shall
                   pass
                   from
                   Father
                   to
                   Son.
                
                 Every
                 Father
                 then
                 must
                 by
                 Christian
                 instruction
                 declare
                 the
                 name
                 of
                 Christ
                 to
                 his
                 Son
                 ,
                 that
                 so
                 the
                 name
                 of
                 Christ
                 
                 may
                 pass
                 from
                 Father
                 to
                 Son
                 ,
                 from
                 generation
                 to
                 generation
                 :
                 which
                 prophesie
                 concerns
                 the
                 time
                 of
                 the
                 Gospel
                 ,
                 
                 wherein
                 Parents
                 are
                 commanded
                 to
                 
                   bring
                   up
                   their
                   Children
                   in
                   the
                   nurture
                   and
                   admonition
                   of
                   the
                   Lord
                
                 ;
                 or
                 to
                 nurture
                 them
                 up
                 in
                 instruction
                 ,
                 as
                 the
                 word
                 in
                 the
                 Greek
                 properly
                 signifieth
                 .
              
               
                 This
                 duty
                 is
                 commended
                 to
                 us
                 by
                 the
                 example
                 of
                 Godly
                 Housholders
                 in
                 all
                 ages
                 .
                 
                   I
                   know
                
                 ,
                 saith
                 God
                 of
                 Abraham
                 ,
                 
                 
                   that
                   he
                   will
                   command
                   his
                   Children
                   and
                   his
                   Houshold
                   after
                   him
                   ,
                   to
                   keep
                   the
                   way
                   of
                   the
                   Lord.
                
                 We
                 likewise
                 find
                 David
                 often
                 instructing
                 his
                 Son
                 Solomon
                 ,
                 1
                 Chron.
                 28.9
                 .
              
               
                 And
                 that
                 this
                 was
                 the
                 practice
                 of
                 the
                 Saints
                 in
                 the
                 time
                 of
                 the
                 Gospel
                 ,
                 appeareth
                 from
                 the
                 expressions
                 of
                 the
                 Apostle
                 ,
                 
                 
                   Ye
                   have
                   need
                   that
                   one
                   teach
                   you
                   again
                   which
                   be
                   the
                   first
                   principles
                   of
                   the
                   Oracles
                   of
                   God.
                   And
                   leaving
                   the
                   principles
                   of
                   the
                   doctrine
                   of
                   Christ
                
                 ;
                 which
                 imply
                 a
                 form
                 of
                 Catechism
                 ,
                 which
                 was
                 used
                 by
                 the
                 Christians
                 in
                 those
                 dayes
                 .
                 And
                 oh
                 that
                 all
                 Christian
                 Parents
                 ,
                 and
                 governours
                 of
                 Families
                 in
                 our
                 dayes
                 ,
                 would
                 make
                 conscience
                 of
                 instructing
                 ,
                 and
                 teaching
                 their
                 Children
                 ,
                 and
                 Servants
                 in
                 the
                 principles
                 of
                 Religion
                 ,
                 out
                 of
                 some
                 good
                 Catechism
                 ,
                 Observing
                 these
                 two
                 Caveats
                 .
              
               
                 
                   1.
                   
                   
                     That
                     this
                     duty
                     be
                     done
                     frequently
                     ,
                  
                   on
                   some
                   day
                   or
                   dayes
                   every
                   week
                   .
                
                 
                   2.
                   
                   
                     That
                     it
                     be
                     done
                     by
                     little
                     at
                     once
                     ,
                  
                   for
                   to
                   be
                   too
                   long
                   ,
                   or
                   tedious
                   therein
                   is
                   apt
                   to
                   dull
                   the
                   understanding
                   ,
                   and
                   to
                   cause
                   wearisomeness
                   in
                   the
                   learner
                   .
                
              
               
                 For
                 the
                 better
                 pressing
                 this
                 duty
                 I
                 shall
                 add
                 a
                 few
                 motives
                 or
                 arguments
                 ,
              
               
                 *
                 I.
                 The
                 first
                 Argument
                 or
                 Motive
                 may
                 be
                 taken
                 from
                 the
                 benefits
                 which
                 will
                 follow
                 thereupon
                 ;
              
               
                 1.
                 
                 
                   Timely
                   instruction
                   will
                   season
                   their
                   hearts
                   that
                   they
                   are
                   like
                   to
                   be
                   better
                   for
                   it
                   all
                   the
                   dayes
                   of
                   their
                   lives
                
                 ;
                 and
                 therefore
                 saith
                 the
                 Wise
                 man
                 ,
                 
                   Trai●
                   up
                
                 (
                 or
                 as
                 the
                 Word
                 signifieth
                 ,
                 Catechise
                 )
                 
                   a
                   child
                   in
                   the
                   way
                   he
                   should
                   go
                   ,
                   and
                   when
                   he
                   is
                   old
                   he
                   will
                   not
                   depart
                   from
                   it
                   .
                
                 But
                 as
                 a
                 Vessel
                 will
                 retain
                 long
                 the
                 savour
                 of
                 that
                 liquor
                 it
                 was
                 seasoned
                 first
                 withall
                 .
                 So
                 will
                 men
                 ,
                 the
                 instructions
                 they
                 have
                 learned
                 in
                 their
                 youth
                 .
              
               
               
                 2.
                 
                 
                   It
                   is
                   an
                   excellent
                   means
                   to
                   keep
                   them
                   from
                   the
                   errours
                   and
                   heresies
                   of
                   the
                   times
                   :
                
                 For
                 Children
                 well
                 Catechised
                 ,
                 and
                 instructed
                 in
                 the
                 principles
                 of
                 Religion
                 ,
                 are
                 in
                 great
                 measure
                 antidoted
                 against
                 the
                 danger
                 of
                 seducing
                 doctrines
                 .
                 
                 The
                 Apostle
                 saith
                 ,
                 
                   There
                   must
                   be
                   heresies
                
                 ,
                 which
                 are
                 of
                 a
                 spreading
                 nature
                 ,
                 and
                 therefore
                 by
                 our
                 Saviour
                 compared
                 to
                 Leaven
                 .
              
               
                 What
                 better
                 preservative
                 against
                 the
                 infection
                 of
                 false
                 doctrines
                 ,
                 errours
                 ,
                 and
                 heresies
                 ,
                 than
                 to
                 be
                 well
                 Catechised
                 ?
                 Observe
                 who
                 they
                 be
                 that
                 are
                 easiest
                 seduced
                 by
                 false
                 teachers
                 ,
                 who
                 they
                 are
                 that
                 have
                 embraced
                 their
                 erroneous
                 tenets
                 ,
                 and
                 you
                 shall
                 find
                 ,
                 that
                 they
                 were
                 such
                 ,
                 who
                 were
                 never
                 well
                 Catechised
                 ,
                 nor
                 grounded
                 in
                 the
                 principles
                 of
                 Religion
                 .
                 As
                 therefore
                 you
                 would
                 not
                 have
                 your
                 Children
                 ,
                 and
                 Servants
                 poysoned
                 with
                 the
                 erroneous
                 Doctrines
                 of
                 false
                 teachers
                 ,
                 do
                 your
                 endeavours
                 to
                 get
                 them
                 well
                 rooted
                 and
                 grounded
                 in
                 the
                 knowledge
                 of
                 the
                 truth
                 .
              
               
                 3.
                 
                 
                   It
                   is
                   an
                   excellent
                   means
                   to
                   make
                   them
                   hear
                   the
                   publick
                   Ministry
                   of
                   the
                   Word
                   with
                   more
                   profit
                   .
                
                 For
                 thereby
                 they
                 will
                 be
                 enabled
                 to
                 Examine
                 the
                 Doctrine
                 which
                 they
                 hear
                 ,
                 by
                 the
                 analogie
                 of
                 faith
                 .
                 It
                 is
                 foretold
                 ,
                 that
                 in
                 the
                 latter
                 dayes
                 
                   there
                   shall
                   be
                   false
                   teachers
                
                 ,
                 
                 
                   who
                   shall
                   privily
                   bring
                   in
                   damnable
                   heresies
                
                 ;
                 And
                 therefore
                 we
                 are
                 not
                 to
                 receive
                 all
                 for
                 truth
                 ,
                 which
                 is
                 delivered
                 in
                 the
                 Pulpit
                 ,
                 but
                 as
                 the
                 Apostle
                 exhorteth
                 us
                 ,
                 
                 
                   to
                   prove
                   and
                   try
                   all
                   things
                   ,
                   and
                   to
                   hold
                   fast
                   only
                   that
                   which
                   is
                   good
                   ,
                
                 which
                 we
                 shall
                 never
                 be
                 able
                 to
                 do
                 ,
                 unless
                 we
                 be
                 first
                 well
                 Catechised
                 ,
                 and
                 instructed
                 in
                 the
                 principles
                 of
                 Religion
                 ;
                 as
                 also
                 well
                 acquainted
                 with
                 the
                 Scriptures
                 .
              
               
                 If
                 therefore
                 you
                 who
                 are
                 Parents
                 ,
                 and
                 Masters
                 of
                 Families
                 would
                 discharge
                 your
                 duty
                 herein
                 :
                 how
                 would
                 Errours
                 vanish
                 ?
                 Religion
                 flourish
                 ?
                 and
                 how
                 would
                 knowledge
                 and
                 grace
                 abound
                 in
                 your
                 Children
                 and
                 Servants
                 ?
              
               
                 II.
                 Another
                 argument
                 may
                 be
                 taken
                 
                   from
                   the
                   manifold
                   damages
                
                 ,
                 which
                 usually
                 follow
                 a
                 neglect
                 of
                 Family
                 Catechising
                 .
              
               
                 1.
                 
                 It
                 is
                 the
                 ground
                 of
                 that
                 ignorance
                 ,
                 and
                 spiritual
                 
                 blindness
                 which
                 overfloweth
                 this
                 Nation
                 .
                 For
                 as
                 darkness
                 proceedeth
                 from
                 the
                 want
                 of
                 light
                 ,
                 so
                 ignorance
                 must
                 needs
                 proceed
                 from
                 the
                 want
                 of
                 teaching
                 .
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 It
                 is
                 the
                 ground
                 of
                 that
                 looseness
                 and
                 prophaneness
                 that
                 is
                 in
                 many
                 Families
                 .
                 For
                 where
                 Gods
                 service
                 hath
                 
                   no
                   place
                
                 ,
                 there
                 sin
                 will
                 be
                 sure
                 to
                 have
                 
                   free
                   place
                
                 .
                 Where
                 the
                 
                   light
                   of
                   knowledge
                
                 is
                 not
                 set
                 up
                 by
                 Catechising
                 ,
                 there
                 the
                 
                   deeds
                   of
                   darkness
                
                 will
                 be
                 sure
                 to
                 break
                 forth
                 .
                 Where
                 there
                 is
                 
                   no
                   sp●aking
                   to
                   God
                
                 by
                 Prayer
                 ,
                 nor
                 
                   speaking
                   of
                   God
                
                 by
                 Catechising
                 ,
                 you
                 may
                 be
                 sure
                 ,
                 there
                 will
                 be
                 
                   speaking
                   against
                   God
                
                 ,
                 and
                 all
                 the
                 wayes
                 of
                 holiness
                 .
              
               
                 4.
                 
                 It
                 is
                 the
                 ground
                 of
                 that
                 barrenness
                 ,
                 and
                 unfruitfulness
                 under
                 the
                 Means
                 of
                 grace
                 ,
                 that
                 is
                 to
                 be
                 found
                 amongst
                 many
                 in
                 these
                 dayes
                 .
                 For
                 were
                 Children
                 and
                 Servants
                 better
                 Catechised
                 ,
                 they
                 would
                 better
                 understand
                 the
                 mysteries
                 of
                 the
                 Gospel
                 ;
                 and
                 much
                 more
                 profit
                 by
                 the
                 Ministry
                 of
                 the
                 Word
                 ,
                 than
                 they
                 do
                 .
                 It
                 is
                 found
                 by
                 experience
                 that
                 the
                 most
                 intelligent
                 and
                 best
                 practised
                 hearers
                 are
                 such
                 ,
                 as
                 have
                 been
                 well
                 Catechised
                 ,
                 and
                 instructed
                 ?
                 The
                 seed
                 which
                 thou
                 thus
                 timely
                 sowest
                 ,
                 will
                 spring
                 up
                 to
                 a
                 plentifull
                 harvest
                 .
              
               
                 4.
                 
                 Such
                 Parents
                 ,
                 and
                 Masters
                 as
                 neglect
                 this
                 duty
                 ,
                 do
                 what
                 in
                 them
                 lyeth
                 to
                 damn
                 their
                 Children
                 ,
                 and
                 Servants
                 as
                 well
                 as
                 themselves
                 .
                 For
                 how
                 can
                 it
                 be
                 expected
                 but
                 that
                 those
                 Children
                 and
                 Servants
                 ,
                 who
                 through
                 want
                 of
                 the
                 light
                 of
                 knowledge
                 walk
                 in
                 darkness
                 ,
                 should
                 unavoidably
                 stumble
                 into
                 hell
                 ?
                 Oh
                 that
                 so
                 many
                 Parents
                 and
                 Masters
                 should
                 be
                 so
                 cruel
                 and
                 unnatural
                 to
                 their
                 Children
                 and
                 Servants
                 ,
                 as
                 to
                 neglect
                 this
                 duty
                 !
                 the
                 blood
                 of
                 souls
                 is
                 upon
                 you
                 .
              
               
                 Obj.
                 Against
                 this
                 so
                 necessary
                 a
                 duty
                 ,
                 some
                 are
                 apt
                 to
                 object
                 and
                 say
                 ,
                 To
                 what
                 purpose
                 should
                 we
                 Catechise
                 our
                 Children
                 ,
                 considering
                 that
                 through
                 the
                 tenderness
                 of
                 their
                 years
                 ,
                 they
                 are
                 not
                 capable
                 of
                 the
                 Mysteries
                 of
                 Salvation
                 ?
              
               
                 A.
                 1.
                 
                 Though
                 Children
                 are
                 not
                 so
                 capable
                 of
                 apprehending
                 cleerly
                 the
                 mysteries
                 of
                 salvation
                 ,
                 as
                 they
                 will
                 be
                 afterwards
                 :
                 yet
                 none
                 can
                 deny
                 them
                 to
                 understand
                 so
                 much
                 as
                 to
                 be
                 capable
                 of
                 the
                 seeds
                 of
                 grace
                 ,
                 which
                 daily
                 experience
                 confirmeth
                 .
              
               
               
                 2.
                 
                 It
                 is
                 found
                 by
                 sad
                 experience
                 ,
                 that
                 Children
                 uncatechised
                 ,
                 as
                 they
                 grow
                 in
                 years
                 ,
                 so
                 they
                 grow
                 in
                 sin
                 and
                 wickedness
                 :
                 whereby
                 they
                 become
                 more
                 backward
                 and
                 untoward
                 to
                 the
                 learning
                 of
                 any
                 thing
                 that
                 is
                 good
                 ,
                 yea
                 and
                 opposite
                 thereunto
                 .
                 If
                 you
                 do
                 not
                 ,
                 the
                 Devil
                 will
                 Catechise
                 them
                 betimes
                 ,
                 and
                 of
                 him
                 they
                 will
                 quickly
                 learn.
                 O
                 prevent
                 as
                 much
                 as
                 may
                 be
                 that
                 enemies
                 sowing
                 his
                 tares
                 :
                 be
                 before
                 hand
                 with
                 him
                 :
                 take
                 the
                 first
                 season
                 to
                 cast
                 in
                 your
                 good
                 seed
                 .
                 The
                 first
                 season
                 is
                 the
                 fittest
                 season
                 .
              
               
                 Obj.
                 Should
                 we
                 constantly
                 observe
                 these
                 Religious
                 exercises
                 in
                 our
                 Families
                 ,
                 which
                 you
                 thus
                 press
                 upon
                 us
                 ,
                 we
                 should
                 hinder
                 our
                 servants
                 work
                 ,
                 and
                 thereby
                 hazard
                 our
                 estates
                 ,
                 and
                 so
                 shew
                 our selves
                 worse
                 than
                 Infidels
                 .
              
               
                 A.
                 1.
                 
                 This
                 is
                 a
                 meer
                 delusion
                 of
                 Satan
                 to
                 keep
                 you
                 from
                 the
                 discharge
                 of
                 your
                 duty
                 .
                 For
                 know
                 assuredly
                 that
                 the
                 time
                 spent
                 in
                 religious
                 exercises
                 with
                 your
                 Family
                 ,
                 is
                 so
                 far
                 from
                 hindering
                 your
                 servants
                 work
                 ,
                 that
                 it
                 will
                 rather
                 further
                 it
                 ,
                 and
                 bring
                 such
                 a
                 blessing
                 upon
                 it
                 ,
                 that
                 shall
                 return
                 upon
                 your selves
                 .
                 For
                 profit
                 ,
                 and
                 increase
                 is
                 the
                 gift
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 who
                 will
                 give
                 it
                 to
                 such
                 as
                 fear
                 him
                 ,
                 and
                 observe
                 his
                 commandments
                 .
                 Oh
                 then
                 say
                 not
                 of
                 Family-duties
                 ,
                 as
                 Iudas
                 did
                 of
                 that
                 oyntment
                 ,
                 which
                 Mary
                 poured
                 on
                 our
                 Saviours
                 feet
                 ,
                 
                   why
                   is
                   this
                   waste
                
                 ?
                 Think
                 not
                 that
                 time
                 waste
                 and
                 lost
                 ,
                 which
                 is
                 spent
                 in
                 the
                 service
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 in
                 the
                 performance
                 of
                 the
                 duties
                 of
                 your
                 places
                 and
                 relations
                 .
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 A
                 wilfull
                 neglect
                 of
                 Family-duties
                 is
                 like
                 to
                 bring
                 the
                 curse
                 of
                 God
                 upon
                 your
                 estates
                 ,
                 yea
                 upon
                 your selves
                 ,
                 and
                 all
                 that
                 belong
                 unto
                 you
                 .
                 Read
                 what
                 Moses
                 saith
                 in
                 Deut.
                 28.15
                 ,
                 16
                 ,
                 17
                 ,
                 18
                 ,
                 19
                 ,
                 20.
                 
              
               
                 3.
                 
                 Who
                 can
                 produce
                 the
                 man
                 that
                 did
                 really
                 suffer
                 in
                 his
                 estate
                 by
                 the
                 loss
                 of
                 that
                 time
                 ,
                 which
                 he
                 spent
                 with
                 ,
                 and
                 for
                 God
                 ?
                 Surely
                 as
                 the
                 whetting
                 of
                 the
                 Sythe
                 is
                 no
                 hinderance
                 ,
                 but
                 rather
                 a
                 furtherance
                 of
                 the
                 Workman
                 :
                 So
                 the
                 exercises
                 of
                 Religion
                 can
                 be
                 no
                 hinderance
                 to
                 your
                 Family-affairs
                 ,
                 but
                 rather
                 a
                 great
                 furtherance
                 ,
                 
                 unless
                 you
                 think
                 this
                 an
                 hinderance
                 ,
                 to
                 stay
                 to
                 take
                 Gods
                 blessing
                 along
                 with
                 you
                 ;
                 without
                 which
                 
                 what
                 are
                 all
                 your
                 own
                 and
                 servants
                 pains
                 but
                 vain
                 ,
                 and
                 fruitless
                 ?
              
               
                 4.
                 
                 Suppose
                 you
                 should
                 suffer
                 somewhat
                 in
                 your
                 estate
                 by
                 the
                 loss
                 of
                 that
                 time
                 which
                 you
                 spend
                 upon
                 Religion
                 :
                 you
                 will
                 have
                 no
                 cause
                 to
                 repent
                 thereof
                 .
                 For
                 whilest
                 others
                 with
                 Martha
                 ,
                 
                 
                   are
                   carefull
                   and
                   troubled
                   about
                   Worldly
                   things
                   ,
                   thou
                   with
                
                 Mary
                 
                   hast
                   chosen
                   the
                   better
                   part
                
                 .
                 Thou
                 hast
                 lost
                 a
                 little
                 of
                 thy
                 Temporals
                 ,
                 to
                 gain
                 Spirituals
                 and
                 Eternals
                 for
                 thy self
                 and
                 thine
                 .
                 
                 How
                 wise
                 are
                 those
                 men
                 who
                 prefer
                 Temporals
                 before
                 their
                 Eternals
                 ,
                 and
                 will
                 advance
                 their
                 estates
                 upon
                 the
                 ruines
                 of
                 their
                 souls
                 ?
              
            
             
               
                 CHAP.
                 IX
                 .
                 Of
                 Sabbath
                 sanctification
                 in
                 Families
                 .
              
               
                 IV.
                 ANother
                 duty
                 incumbent
                 upon
                 Parents
                 ,
                 Masters
                 ,
                 and
                 governours
                 of
                 Families
                 is
                 ,
                 
                   To
                   look
                   to
                   the
                   sanctification
                   of
                   the
                   Lords-Day
                   ,
                   to
                   see
                   that
                   the
                   Christian
                   Sabbath
                   be
                   sanctified
                   as
                   by
                   themselves
                   ,
                   so
                   by
                   their
                   whole
                   Family
                   ,
                   even
                   by
                   all
                   under
                   their
                   charge
                   .
                
                 This
                 is
                 expressly
                 enjoyned
                 in
                 the
                 fourth
                 Commandment
                 ,
                 which
                 is
                 directed
                 not
                 so
                 much
                 to
                 Children
                 and
                 Servants
                 ,
                 as
                 to
                 Parents
                 and
                 Masters
                 of
                 Families
                 ,
                 who
                 are
                 there
                 commanded
                 ,
                 not
                 only
                 in
                 their
                 own
                 persons
                 ,
                 to
                 keep
                 holy
                 the
                 Sabbath
                 day
                 ;
                 but
                 to
                 see
                 that
                 
                   their
                   Children
                   ,
                   and
                   Servants
                   do
                   it
                   also
                   .
                
                 For
                 thus
                 the
                 Commandment
                 runs
                 ,
                 
                   The
                   seventh
                   day
                   is
                   the
                   Sabbath
                   of
                   the
                   Lord
                   thy
                   God
                
                 ;
                 
                 
                   In
                   it
                   thou
                   shalt
                   not
                   do
                   any
                   work
                   ,
                   Thou
                   ,
                   nor
                   thy
                   Son
                   ,
                   nor
                   thy
                   Daughter
                   ,
                   thy
                   Man-servant
                   ,
                   nor
                   thy
                   Maid-servant
                   .
                
                 Which
                 Phrase
                 (
                 as
                 Zanchy
                 well
                 noteth
                 )
                 implyeth
                 
                   that
                   it
                   is
                   the
                   duty
                   of
                   Parents
                   ,
                
                 
                 
                   and
                   Masters
                   of
                   Families
                   to
                   see
                   ,
                   that
                   their
                   Children
                   ,
                   and
                   Servants
                   do
                   not
                   any
                   way
                   prophane
                   the
                   Sabbath-day
                   ,
                   but
                   that
                   they
                   keep
                   it
                   as
                   an
                   holy
                   rest
                   .
                
              
               
               
                 The
                 sanctification
                 of
                 the
                 Sabbath
                 consists
                 ,
                 
                   
                     1.
                     
                     
                       In
                       a
                       resting
                       upon
                       the
                       day
                       .
                    
                  
                   
                     2.
                     
                     
                       In
                       a
                       consecrating
                       that
                       rest
                       to
                       the
                       Worship
                       and
                       service
                       of
                       God.
                       
                    
                  
                
              
               
                 Therefore
                 it
                 is
                 the
                 duty
                 of
                 all
                 Parents
                 ,
                 and
                 Masters
                 of
                 Families
                 to
                 take
                 care
                 ,
                 that
                 both
                 themselves
                 ,
                 and
                 all
                 under
                 their
                 charge
                 ,
                 do
                 keep
                 it
                 ,
                 
                   
                     1.
                     
                     
                       As
                       a
                       day
                       of
                       rest
                    
                     .
                  
                   
                     2.
                     
                     
                       As
                       an
                       holy
                       rest
                    
                     .
                  
                
              
               
                 I.
                 
                   As
                   a
                   day
                   of
                   rest
                
                 ,
                 resting
                 in
                 special
                 from
                 all
                 the
                 works
                 of
                 their
                 ordinary
                 calling
                 .
                 The
                 very
                 name
                 Sabbath
                 (
                 which
                 in
                 Hebrew
                 signifieth
                 rest
                 )
                 and
                 the
                 express
                 prohibition
                 in
                 the
                 fourth
                 Commandment
                 
                   of
                   doing
                   any
                   work
                   on
                   that
                   day
                   ,
                
                 do
                 shew
                 that
                 it
                 is
                 
                   a
                   day
                   of
                   rest
                
                 .
              
               
                 How
                 blame-worthy
                 then
                 are
                 some
                 Masters
                 ,
                 who
                 contrary
                 to
                 the
                 express
                 command
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 do
                 set
                 their
                 Servants
                 about
                 the
                 ordinary
                 work
                 of
                 their
                 calling
                 on
                 the
                 
                   Lords
                   day
                
                 .
                 Let
                 such
                 know
                 that
                 what
                 is
                 got
                 by
                 their
                 Servants
                 work
                 on
                 that
                 day
                 ,
                 is
                 but
                 
                   the
                   gain
                   of
                   wickedness
                
                 ,
                 which
                 will
                 prove
                 their
                 loss
                 at
                 last
                 .
              
               
                 II.
                 It
                 is
                 the
                 duty
                 of
                 Masters
                 to
                 take
                 care
                 ,
                 that
                 their
                 Families
                 keep
                 the
                 Lords
                 day
                 as
                 an
                 
                   holy
                   rest
                
                 ,
                 by
                 consecratng
                 that
                 time
                 which
                 they
                 set
                 apart
                 from
                 their
                 Worldly
                 business
                 ,
                 to
                 the
                 worship
                 and
                 service
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 duties
                 belonging
                 to
                 such
                 an
                 holy-day
                 .
                 For
                 the
                 Sabbath
                 was
                 not
                 simply
                 ordained
                 ,
                 that
                 we
                 ,
                 and
                 our
                 servants
                 should
                 rest
                 from
                 our
                 bodily
                 labour
                 ,
                 but
                 that
                 we
                 should
                 in
                 a
                 special
                 manner
                 worship
                 God
                 on
                 that
                 day
                 .
                 So
                 much
                 is
                 implyed
                 both
                 in
                 the
                 first
                 and
                 last
                 words
                 of
                 the
                 fourth
                 Commandement
                 .
                 In
                 the
                 beginning
                 it
                 is
                 said
                 
                   Remember
                   the
                   Sabbath
                   day
                   to
                   keep
                   it
                   holy
                   .
                
                 And
                 in
                 the
                 close
                 it
                 is
                 added
                 ,
                 
                   The
                   Lord
                   blessed
                   the
                   Sabbath
                   day
                   ,
                   and
                   hallowed
                   it
                   ,
                
                 that
                 is
                 ,
                 sanctified
                 it
                 ,
                 and
                 set
                 it
                 apart
                 to
                 be
                 wholly
                 consecrated
                 to
                 him
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 his
                 worship
                 and
                 service
                 .
              
               
                 That
                 Parents
                 and
                 Masters
                 of
                 Families
                 may
                 the
                 better
                 discharge
                 their
                 duty
                 herein
                 ,
                 observe
                 these
                 directions
                 ,
              
               
                 1.
                 
                 Look
                 that
                 your
                 Children
                 and
                 Servant
                 go
                 with
                 you
                 
                 to
                 the
                 Ministry
                 of
                 the
                 Word
                 ,
                 and
                 let
                 none
                 be
                 left
                 behind
                 ,
                 without
                 necessary
                 and
                 urgent
                 occasion
                 ;
                 It
                 being
                 the
                 ordinary
                 means
                 God
                 hath
                 sanctified
                 for
                 the
                 reforming
                 of
                 their
                 lives
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 saving
                 of
                 their
                 souls
                 .
                 When
                 Iacob
                 went
                 to
                 Bethel
                 to
                 Worship
                 ,
                 
                 
                   he
                   took
                   his
                   whole
                   houshold
                   with
                   him
                   .
                
                 When
                 Elka●ah
                 went
                 up
                 to
                 offer
                 unto
                 the
                 Lord
                 his
                 Sacrifice
                 ,
                 
                 
                   all
                   his
                   house
                   went
                   with
                   him
                   .
                
                 In
                 like
                 manner
                 do
                 thou
                 carry
                 thy
                 houshold
                 with
                 thee
                 to
                 the
                 house
                 of
                 God.
                 
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 After
                 the
                 publick
                 Ordinances
                 be
                 carefull
                 to
                 call
                 together
                 all
                 under
                 thy
                 charge
                 ,
                 and
                 let
                 there
                 be
                 
                   a
                   repetition
                   of
                   the
                   Sermons
                   Preached
                   ,
                
                 either
                 by
                 thy self
                 ,
                 or
                 some
                 one
                 of
                 thy
                 Family
                 ,
                 who
                 can
                 write
                 best
                 :
                 And
                 then
                 examine
                 them
                 one
                 after
                 another
                 ,
                 What
                 they
                 remember
                 of
                 the
                 Sermons
                 they
                 have
                 heard
                 ,
                 labouring
                 to
                 make
                 them
                 plain
                 unto
                 them
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 apply
                 them
                 also
                 .
                 Thus
                 did
                 our
                 blessed
                 Saviour
                 with
                 his
                 beloved
                 Disciples
                 ,
                 for
                 after
                 his
                 Preaching
                 ,
                 when
                 he
                 was
                 come
                 home
                 ,
                 he
                 said
                 unto
                 them
                 ,
                 
                 
                   Have
                   ye
                   understood
                   all
                   these
                   things
                   ,
                
                 which
                 ye
                 have
                 heard
                 .
                 
                 And
                 Mark
                 saith
                 ,
                 
                   When
                   they
                   were
                   alone
                   ,
                   he
                   expounded
                   all
                   things
                   to
                   his
                   Disciples
                   .
                
                 Whereupon
                 one
                 observeth
                 ,
                 
                 
                   That
                   Christ
                   by
                   his
                   example
                   doth
                   instruct
                   every
                   Master
                   of
                   a
                   Family
                   how
                   to
                   carry
                   himself
                   in
                   reference
                   to
                   those
                   under
                   his
                   charge
                   ,
                   on
                   the
                   Lords
                   dayes
                   ,
                   after
                   their
                   departure
                   from
                   the
                   publick
                   Congregation
                   .
                
              
               
                 And
                 truly
                 much
                 good
                 will
                 hereby
                 redound
                 ,
                 as
                 unto
                 your selves
                 ,
                 so
                 likewise
                 unto
                 all
                 under
                 your
                 charge
                 .
                 For
                 ,
                 
                   
                     1.
                     
                     It
                     will
                     make
                     them
                     give
                     better
                     attention
                     unto
                     the
                     Ministry
                     of
                     the
                     Word
                     ,
                     when
                     they
                     know
                     they
                     shall
                     be
                     called
                     to
                     an
                     account
                     ,
                     and
                     examined
                     what
                     they
                     have
                     heard
                     .
                  
                   
                     2.
                     
                     It
                     would
                     much
                     help
                     and
                     confirm
                     as
                     your selves
                     so
                     your
                     Children
                     and
                     Servants
                     in
                     the
                     understanding
                     and
                     believing
                     of
                     what
                     hath
                     been
                     delivered
                     publickly
                     by
                     the
                     Minister
                     ,
                     if
                     you
                     would
                     repeat
                     and
                     search
                     the
                     proofs
                     of
                     Scripture
                     ,
                     which
                     were
                     brought
                     for
                     the
                     confirmation
                     of
                     the
                     doctrine
                     .
                  
                
              
               
                 III.
                 Another
                 du●y
                 to
                 be
                 performed
                 in
                 and
                 with
                 
                 your
                 Families
                 for
                 the
                 better
                 sanctification
                 of
                 the
                 Lords
                 day
                 ,
                 is
                 
                   singing
                   of
                   Psalms
                
                 ,
                 which
                 as
                 it
                 was
                 much
                 practised
                 by
                 the
                 Saints
                 and
                 people
                 of
                 God
                 of
                 old
                 under
                 the
                 Law
                 ;
                 so
                 is
                 it
                 both
                 a
                 lawfull
                 and
                 a
                 meet
                 thing
                 to
                 be
                 used
                 by
                 Christians
                 now
                 under
                 the
                 Gospel
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 as
                 publickly
                 
                   in
                   the
                   Church
                   ,
                   so
                   privately
                   in
                   the
                   Family
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                   1.
                   
                   We
                   find
                   it
                   was
                   an
                   ancient
                   custome
                   of
                   the
                   people
                   of
                   God
                   to
                   sing
                   
                     Psalms
                     in
                     their
                     Families
                  
                   ,
                   according
                   to
                   that
                   of
                   the
                   Psalmist
                   ,
                   
                   
                     the
                     voice
                     of
                     rejoycing
                     is
                     in
                     the
                     Tabernacle
                     of
                     the
                     righteous
                     :
                  
                   that
                   is
                   ,
                   in
                   the
                   dwelling
                   places
                   and
                   houses
                   of
                   good
                   men
                   .
                
                 
                   2.
                   
                   We
                   have
                   our
                   Saviour
                   herein
                   for
                   a
                   pattern
                   ,
                   of
                   whom
                   it
                   is
                   recorded
                   ,
                   that
                   after
                   the
                   eating
                   of
                   the
                   Passeover
                   ,
                   
                   which
                   was
                   in
                   
                     a
                     private
                     house
                     ,
                     he
                     sung
                     a
                     Psalm
                     with
                     his
                     Family
                     .
                  
                
              
               
                 IV.
                 Another
                 duty
                 to
                 be
                 performed
                 in
                 and
                 with
                 your
                 Family
                 ,
                 for
                 the
                 better
                 ●anctification
                 of
                 the
                 Lords
                 day
                 ,
                 is
                 
                   Reading
                   some
                   part
                   of
                   the
                   holy
                   Scriptures
                   ,
                
                 whereof
                 before
                 Chap.
                 VII
                 .
                 As
                 also
                 some
                 good
                 Sermon
                 ,
                 or
                 Treatise
                 of
                 practical
                 truths
                 .
              
               
                 V.
                 Another
                 duty
                 is
                 Family-prayer
                 .
                 Whereof
                 before
                 Chap.
                 VI.
                 
              
               
                 VI.
                 Another
                 is
                 ,
                 
                   Catechising
                   those
                   under
                   your
                   charge
                
                 ,
                 whereof
                 see
                 Chap.
                 VIII
                 .
                 A
                 conscionable
                 performance
                 of
                 these
                 will
                 exceedingly
                 help
                 forward
                 the
                 sanctification
                 of
                 the
                 Lords
                 day
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 without
                 tediousness
                 .
              
               
                 VII
                 .
                 Another
                 duty
                 incumbent
                 on
                 Parents
                 ,
                 and
                 Masters
                 ,
                 is
                 
                   godly
                   conference
                
                 .
                 Conferring
                 before
                 your
                 Children
                 and
                 Servants
                 about
                 some
                 good
                 and
                 profitable
                 matter
                 ,
                 especially
                 of
                 the
                 Sermons
                 you
                 have
                 heard
                 .
                 The
                 counsel
                 which
                 the
                 Apostle
                 giveth
                 concerning
                 our
                 words
                 ,
                 and
                 discourses
                 ,
                 as
                 it
                 ought
                 to
                 be
                 carefully
                 observed
                 and
                 followed
                 by
                 us
                 at
                 all
                 times
                 ,
                 so
                 especially
                 on
                 the
                 Lords
                 day
                 .
                 
                 
                   Let
                   no
                   corrupt
                   communication
                   proceed
                   out
                   of
                   your
                   mouths
                   ,
                   but
                   that
                   which
                   is
                   good
                   ,
                   to
                   the
                   use
                   of
                   edi●●ing
                
                 ;
                 that
                 is
                 ,
                 to
                 the
                 winning
                 of
                 them
                 who
                 are
                 not
                 converted
                 ,
                 or
                 to
                 the
                 further
                 building
                 up
                 of
                 those
                 who
                 are
                 already
                 converted
                 .
              
               
                 And
                 the
                 Prophet
                 Isaiah
                 forbiddeth
                 
                   the
                   speaking
                   our
                
                 
                 
                 
                   own
                   words
                   on
                   the
                   Sabbath
                   day
                   ,
                
                 that
                 is
                 ,
                 all
                 discourses
                 which
                 are
                 meerly
                 Worldly
                 ,
                 and
                 about
                 earthly
                 things
                 ,
                 more
                 than
                 charity
                 and
                 necessity
                 requireth
                 ;
                 Under
                 which
                 prohibition
                 ,
                 of
                 not
                 speaking
                 our
                 own
                 words
                 ,
                 is
                 implyed
                 a
                 direction
                 
                   to
                   speak
                   the
                   word
                   of
                   God
                   ,
                
                 or
                 those
                 things
                 which
                 tend
                 to
                 the
                 honour
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 spiritual
                 good
                 of
                 others
                 .
              
               
                 VIII
                 .
                 That
                 you
                 may
                 the
                 better
                 discharge
                 your
                 duty
                 in
                 looking
                 to
                 the
                 sanctification
                 of
                 the
                 Lords
                 day
                 ;
                 Be
                 sure
                 you
                 suffer
                 none
                 under
                 your
                 roof
                 to
                 spend
                 any
                 part
                 thereof
                 ,
                 either
                 in
                 idleness
                 ,
                 or
                 in
                 
                   sports
                   and
                   pastimes
                
                 .
              
               
                 1.
                 
                 
                   Not
                   i●
                   idleness
                
                 ,
                 it
                 being
                 not
                 a
                 day
                 of
                 idleness
                 ,
                 but
                 of
                 spiritual
                 action
                 .
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 
                   Not
                   in
                   sports
                   and
                   pastimes
                
                 ,
                 especially
                 such
                 as
                 tend
                 to
                 carnal
                 and
                 sensual
                 delight
                 .
                 For
                 the
                 Lord
                 hath
                 forbidden
                 every
                 man
                 
                   the
                   following
                   his
                   own
                   pleasure
                   on
                   his
                   holy
                   day
                   .
                
                 
                 And
                 the
                 truth
                 is
                 ,
                 sports
                 and
                 pastimes
                 are
                 greater
                 impediments
                 to
                 the
                 worship
                 and
                 service
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 than
                 the
                 ordinary
                 works
                 of
                 our
                 calling
                 ,
                 in
                 that
                 they
                 do
                 more
                 subtilly
                 steal
                 away
                 the
                 heart
                 from
                 holy
                 duties
                 than
                 those
                 do
                 .
                 
                 Whereupon
                 St.
                 Austin
                 thought
                 it
                 better
                 to
                 plow
                 on
                 the
                 Lords
                 day
                 ,
                 than
                 to
                 dance
                 and
                 sport
                 .
              
               
                 Obj.
                 Some
                 Object
                 and
                 plead
                 the
                 hard
                 labour
                 their
                 servants
                 have
                 undergone
                 the
                 week
                 before
                 ,
                 and
                 thence
                 think
                 they
                 may
                 be
                 allowed
                 a
                 little
                 recreation
                 on
                 the
                 Lords
                 day
                 .
              
               
                 A.
                 1.
                 
                 The
                 rest
                 of
                 the
                 Lords
                 day
                 is
                 the
                 best
                 and
                 fittest
                 recreation
                 for
                 the
                 refreshing
                 of
                 their
                 bodies
                 who
                 have
                 been
                 tired
                 with
                 labour
                 the
                 six
                 dayes
                 before
                 .
                 And
                 if
                 they
                 be
                 spiritually
                 minded
                 ,
                 the
                 best
                 and
                 fittest
                 recreation
                 for
                 the
                 refreshing
                 of
                 their
                 souls
                 is
                 singing
                 of
                 Psalms
                 ,
                 the
                 perusing
                 their
                 spiritual
                 evidences
                 for
                 Heaven
                 ,
                 the
                 solacing
                 themselves
                 in
                 the
                 meditation
                 of
                 Christ
                 ,
                 of
                 what
                 he
                 hath
                 done
                 and
                 suffered
                 for
                 them
                 ,
                 holy
                 conference
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 like
                 .
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 If
                 you
                 think
                 bodily
                 recreations
                 necessary
                 for
                 your
                 servants
                 health
                 ,
                 why
                 do
                 you
                 not
                 rather
                 allow
                 them
                 some
                 part
                 of
                 your
                 own
                 time
                 on
                 the
                 week-dayes
                 ,
                 than
                 to
                 rob
                 God
                 of
                 any
                 part
                 of
                 his
                 day
                 ,
                 which
                 he
                 hath
                 
                 wholly
                 appropriated
                 to
                 the
                 duties
                 of
                 his
                 Worship
                 and
                 service
                 .
                 Whereas
                 the
                 Lord
                 might
                 have
                 reserved
                 six
                 dayes
                 for
                 himself
                 ,
                 and
                 allowed
                 but
                 one
                 unto
                 us
                 ,
                 he
                 hath
                 dealt
                 so
                 bountifully
                 and
                 graciously
                 with
                 us
                 ,
                 as
                 to
                 reserve
                 but
                 one
                 to
                 himself
                 ,
                 and
                 leave
                 six
                 for
                 our
                 business
                 .
                 And
                 shall
                 we
                 be
                 so
                 ungratefull
                 as
                 to
                 encroach
                 upon
                 it
                 ,
                 and
                 Sacrilegiously
                 steal
                 away
                 some
                 part
                 of
                 that
                 small
                 time
                 which
                 he
                 hath
                 reserved
                 to
                 himself
                 ,
                 for
                 our
                 Servants
                 recreation
                 ?
              
            
             
               
                 CHAP.
                 X.
                 Of
                 Exemplary
                 lives
                 in
                 Parents
                 and
                 Masters
                 of
                 Families
                 .
              
               
                 V.
                 ANother
                 duty
                 incumbent
                 on
                 Parents
                 ,
                 and
                 Masters
                 of
                 Families
                 is
                 ,
                 
                   To
                   shew
                   themselves
                   patterns
                   of
                   piety
                   ,
                   and
                   Godliness
                   unto
                   their
                   Children
                   ,
                   and
                   Servants
                   by
                   an
                   holy
                   ,
                   and
                   righteous
                   conversation
                
                 ;
                 That
                 they
                 may
                 say
                 unto
                 them
                 ,
                 
                 as
                 Gideon
                 did
                 to
                 his
                 followers
                 ,
                 
                   look
                   on
                   me
                   ,
                   and
                   do
                   likewise
                   .
                
                 This
                 we
                 find
                 practised
                 by
                 Abraham
                 ,
                 of
                 whom
                 God
                 himself
                 giveth
                 this
                 Testimony
                 ,
                 
                 
                   I
                   know
                
                 Abraham
                 ,
                 
                   that
                   he
                   will
                   command
                   his
                   Children
                   ,
                   and
                   his
                   houshold
                   after
                   him
                   to
                   keep
                   the
                   way
                   of
                   the
                   Lord.
                
                 Whereby
                 is
                 implyed
                 ,
                 that
                 Abraham
                 would
                 go
                 before
                 his
                 houshold
                 ,
                 in
                 keeping
                 the
                 way
                 of
                 the
                 Lord
                 ,
                 and
                 they
                 would
                 follow
                 after
                 him
                 .
                 And
                 Ioshua
                 testifieth
                 as
                 much
                 of
                 himself
                 ,
                 
                 
                   As
                   for
                   me
                   and
                   my
                   house
                   we
                   will
                   serve
                   the
                   Lord
                
                 ;
                 He
                 would
                 be
                 a
                 pattern
                 of
                 piety
                 and
                 Godliness
                 unto
                 his
                 houshold
                 ,
                 and
                 they
                 should
                 follow
                 his
                 good
                 example
                 .
                 And
                 David
                 likewise
                 resolveth
                 as
                 much
                 for
                 himself
                 ,
                 
                 for
                 saith
                 he
                 ,
                 
                   I
                   will
                   walk
                   within
                   my
                   house
                   with
                   a
                   perfect
                   heart
                   ,
                
                 intending
                 to
                 become
                 a
                 pattern
                 of
                 piety
                 and
                 Godliness
                 to
                 his
                 houshold
                 by
                 an
                 holy
                 and
                 righteous
                 conversation
                 .
              
               
                 The
                 better
                 to
                 quicken
                 up
                 Parents
                 and
                 Masters
                 of
                 Families
                 hereunto
                 .
                 I
                 shall
                 hint
                 a
                 few
                 Arguments
                 ,
                 and
                 Motives
                 .
              
               
               
                 1.
                 
                 
                   Your
                   lives
                   are
                   looked
                   upon
                   as
                   Presidents
                   ,
                   your
                   examples
                   as
                   rules
                   ,
                   by
                   your
                   Children
                   and
                   Servants
                   :
                   and
                   therefore
                   you
                   ought
                   to
                   be
                   exemplarily
                   holy
                   ,
                   and
                   religious
                   .
                
                 What
                 the
                 Wise
                 man
                 saith
                 of
                 one
                 sin
                 in
                 a
                 Ruler
                 ,
                 
                   If
                   a
                   Ruler
                   hearken
                   to
                   lyes
                   ,
                   all
                   his
                   servants
                   are
                   wicked
                   ,
                
                 is
                 true
                 in
                 other
                 sins
                 :
                 If
                 a
                 ruler
                 ,
                 or
                 master
                 of
                 a
                 Family
                 be
                 a
                 swearer
                 ,
                 a
                 drunkard
                 ,
                 a
                 Sabbath-breaker
                 or
                 the
                 like
                 ;
                 his
                 servants
                 are
                 so
                 too
                 ,
                 or
                 will
                 quickly
                 become
                 such
                 .
                 For
                 patterns
                 are
                 very
                 prevalent
                 both
                 to
                 Vice
                 ,
                 and
                 Vertue
                 ;
                 especially
                 the
                 patterns
                 of
                 Superiours
                 .
                 Inferiours
                 are
                 very
                 apt
                 to
                 follow
                 the
                 example
                 of
                 Superiours
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 tread
                 in
                 their
                 steps
                 .
                 How
                 ordinary
                 is
                 it
                 for
                 wicked
                 Parents
                 to
                 have
                 bad
                 Children
                 ,
                 and
                 prophane
                 Masters
                 to
                 have
                 wicked
                 Servants
                 ;
                 And
                 no
                 marvel
                 ,
                 seeing
                 Children
                 and
                 Servants
                 are
                 apt
                 to
                 follow
                 the
                 evil
                 example
                 of
                 their
                 Parents
                 and
                 Masters
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 write
                 after
                 their
                 copy
                 .
                 How
                 carefull
                 then
                 should
                 Parents
                 and
                 Masters
                 of
                 Families
                 be
                 of
                 their
                 lives
                 and
                 conversation
                 ,
                 that
                 they
                 be
                 holy
                 and
                 righteous
                 ,
                 and
                 not
                 loose
                 and
                 scandalous
                 ,
                 lest
                 their
                 Children
                 and
                 Servants
                 should
                 follow
                 after
                 them
                 to
                 Hell.
                 
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 
                   Your
                   holy
                   and
                   righteous
                   lives
                   will
                   draw
                   honour
                   and
                   reverence
                   from
                   your
                   Children
                   and
                   Servants
                   .
                
                 For
                 ,
                 
                   the
                   Image
                   of
                   God
                   ,
                   which
                   consisteth
                   in
                   true
                   holiness
                   and
                   righteousness
                   ,
                
                 carryeth
                 such
                 a
                 Majesty
                 in
                 it
                 ,
                 that
                 it
                 commandeth
                 honour
                 and
                 reverence
                 from
                 others
                 .
                 If
                 therefore
                 you
                 who
                 are
                 Parents
                 and
                 Masters
                 will
                 with
                 
                   David
                   ,
                   walk
                   within
                   your
                   houses
                   with
                   perfect
                   and
                   upright
                   hearts
                   ,
                
                 shewing
                 your selves
                 patterns
                 of
                 piety
                 ,
                 and
                 Godliness
                 ,
                 your
                 Children
                 ,
                 and
                 Servants
                 cannot
                 but
                 honour
                 and
                 respect
                 you
                 ;
                 
                 
                   For
                   them
                   that
                   honour
                   me
                
                 ,
                 saith
                 God
                 ,
                 
                   I
                   will
                   honour
                
                 ,
                 that
                 is
                 ,
                 I
                 will
                 make
                 them
                 to
                 be
                 held
                 in
                 honourable
                 esteem
                 by
                 others
                 .
                 I
                 grant
                 indeed
                 some
                 are
                 therefore
                 despised
                 ,
                 because
                 they
                 walk
                 holily
                 and
                 unblameably
                 .
                 Yet
                 such
                 ,
                 as
                 they
                 are
                 truly
                 honourable
                 in
                 themselves
                 ,
                 so
                 are
                 they
                 honourable
                 in
                 the
                 eyes
                 and
                 esteem
                 of
                 many
                 others
                 .
                 For
                 there
                 is
                 more
                 true
                 worth
                 in
                 the
                 least
                 grace
                 ,
                 
                 than
                 in
                 all
                 earthly
                 glory
                 .
                 
                   Since
                   thou
                   wast
                   precious
                   in
                   my
                   sight
                   ,
                   thou
                   hast
                   been
                   honourable
                   ,
                
                 saith
                 God
                 of
                 his
                 despised
                 people
                 .
                 Such
                 Parents
                 therefore
                 ,
                 
                 and
                 Masters
                 ,
                 as
                 by
                 their
                 Godly
                 lives
                 and
                 conversations
                 are
                 precious
                 in
                 the
                 sight
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 they
                 shall
                 be
                 honoured
                 by
                 their
                 Children
                 and
                 Servants
                 .
                 But
                 on
                 the
                 other
                 side
                 such
                 Parents
                 and
                 Masters
                 of
                 Families
                 as
                 by
                 their
                 wicked
                 li●es
                 and
                 ungodly
                 conversations
                 are
                 vile
                 in
                 the
                 sight
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 they
                 shall
                 be
                 despised
                 ,
                 and
                 lightly
                 esteemed
                 by
                 their
                 Children
                 and
                 Servants
                 .
                 For
                 if
                 Children
                 and
                 Servants
                 perceive
                 their
                 Parents
                 and
                 Masters
                 to
                 be
                 
                   Lyars
                   ,
                   Swearers
                   ,
                   Drunkards
                   ,
                   Sabbath-breakers
                   ,
                   and
                   the
                   like
                
                 ;
                 How
                 can
                 they
                 honour
                 and
                 respect
                 them
                 ?
                 
                 That
                 which
                 is
                 said
                 of
                 
                   Ierusalem
                   ,
                   All
                   that
                   honoured
                   her
                   ,
                   despised
                   her
                   ,
                   because
                   they
                   have
                   seen
                   her
                   nakedness
                
                 ;
                 may
                 be
                 applyed
                 to
                 wicked
                 and
                 prophane
                 Parents
                 and
                 Masters
                 of
                 Families
                 ;
                 Their
                 Children
                 and
                 their
                 Servants
                 who
                 should
                 most
                 have
                 honoured
                 them
                 ,
                 cannot
                 but
                 despise
                 them
                 ;
                 because
                 they
                 have
                 seen
                 their
                 nakedness
                 .
                 And
                 this
                 questionless
                 is
                 one
                 special
                 reason
                 why
                 most
                 Parents
                 and
                 Masters
                 have
                 so
                 little
                 reverence
                 and
                 honour
                 from
                 their
                 Children
                 and
                 Servants
                 .
              
               
                 3.
                 
                 
                   Such
                   is
                   the
                   infectious
                   property
                   of
                   sin
                   ,
                   that
                   if
                   a
                   Parent
                   ,
                   or
                   Master
                   of
                   a
                   Family
                   be
                   a
                   Swearer
                   ,
                   Drunkard
                   ,
                   Scoffer
                   at
                   Religion
                   ,
                
                 &c.
                 
                   he
                   is
                   like
                   by
                   a
                   contagious
                   insinuation
                   and
                   evil
                   example
                   to
                   inf●ct
                   his
                   whole
                   Family
                   ,
                   even
                   his
                   own
                   Children
                   and
                   Servants
                   .
                
                 And
                 therefore
                 sin
                 is
                 not
                 unfitly
                 resembled
                 to
                 the
                 Leprosie
                 ,
                 which
                 quickly
                 over-spreadeth
                 the
                 whole
                 house
                 .
                 And
                 it
                 is
                 observable
                 that
                 the
                 more
                 publick
                 the
                 persons
                 are
                 ,
                 the
                 more
                 dangerous
                 are
                 their
                 sins
                 .
                 Private
                 mens
                 sins
                 are
                 but
                 like
                 the
                 errours
                 of
                 a
                 Pocket-watch
                 ,
                 which
                 usually
                 misleads
                 only
                 the
                 keeper
                 of
                 it
                 .
                 But
                 the
                 sins
                 of
                 a
                 Master
                 of
                 a
                 Family
                 are
                 like
                 the
                 errours
                 of
                 an
                 house-clock
                 ,
                 which
                 is
                 apt
                 to
                 mislead
                 the
                 whole
                 Family
                 .
                 Oh
                 how
                 carefull
                 then
                 ought
                 Parents
                 and
                 Masters
                 of
                 Families
                 to
                 be
                 of
                 their
                 lives
                 and
                 conversations
                 ,
                 lest
                 by
                 their
                 evil
                 example
                 they
                 corrupt
                 and
                 poison
                 their
                 own
                 Children
                 and
                 Servants
                 .
              
               
                 4.
                 
                 What
                 will
                 it
                 avail
                 Parents
                 ,
                 and
                 Masters
                 of
                 Families
                 ,
                 to
                 teach
                 their
                 Children
                 ,
                 and
                 Servants
                 the
                 fear
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 to
                 walk
                 in
                 his
                 wayes
                 ,
                 when
                 they
                 themselves
                 
                 manifest
                 little
                 fear
                 of
                 God
                 in
                 their
                 lives
                 and
                 conversations
                 ;
                 but
                 contrariwise
                 are
                 loose
                 ,
                 and
                 wanton
                 ;
                 wicked
                 and
                 prophane
                 .
                 For
                 certainly
                 as
                 good
                 examples
                 are
                 the
                 life
                 of
                 instruction
                 ,
                 to
                 make
                 it
                 profitable
                 and
                 effectual
                 :
                 so
                 evil
                 examples
                 are
                 the
                 death
                 ,
                 and
                 bane
                 of
                 good
                 instruction
                 ,
                 to
                 make
                 it
                 unprofitable
                 and
                 ineffectual
                 .
                 That
                 Parent
                 therefore
                 or
                 Master
                 who
                 reproveth
                 sin
                 in
                 his
                 Child
                 or
                 Servant
                 ,
                 must
                 be
                 free
                 from
                 that
                 sin
                 himself
                 ;
                 
                 otherwise
                 it
                 will
                 be
                 said
                 ,
                 
                   Thou
                   Hypocrite
                   first
                   cast
                   the
                   beam
                   out
                   of
                   thine
                   own
                   eye
                   ,
                   and
                   then
                   thou
                   shalt
                   see
                   clearly
                   to
                   cast
                   out
                   the
                   moat
                   out
                   of
                   thy
                   brothers
                   eye
                   .
                
                 Yea
                 and
                 he
                 must
                 be
                 free
                 from
                 all
                 other
                 scandalous
                 sins
                 ,
                 otherwise
                 the
                 Child
                 may
                 say
                 ,
                 
                   My
                   Father
                   reproveth
                   me
                   for
                   lying
                   ,
                   but
                   he
                   himself
                   will
                   Swear
                   .
                   And
                   the
                   Servant
                   may
                   say
                   ,
                   my
                   Master
                   reproveth
                   me
                   for
                   Drunkenness
                   ,
                   and
                   he
                   himself
                   is
                   Covetous
                   .
                
                 That
                 therefore
                 thy
                 Family-reproof
                 and
                 admonition
                 may
                 be
                 profitable
                 ,
                 thou
                 must
                 be
                 sure
                 to
                 be
                 ,
                 at
                 least
                 ,
                 unblameable
                 in
                 thy
                 life
                 ,
                 and
                 conversation
                 ;
                 that
                 thou
                 maist
                 not
                 be
                 guilty
                 of
                 that
                 sin
                 ,
                 which
                 thou
                 condemnest
                 in
                 thy
                 Child
                 ,
                 or
                 Servant
                 .
                 For
                 thereby
                 thou
                 wilt
                 pass
                 a
                 sentence
                 of
                 death
                 ,
                 and
                 condemnation
                 upon
                 thine
                 own
                 soul.
                 
              
               
                 FINIS
                 .
              
            
          
           
             
             
               A
               Morning
               Prayer
               for
               a
               Family
               .
            
             
               BLessed
               Lord
               God
               ,
               who
               art
               great
               and
               glorious
               in
               thy self
               ,
               good
               and
               gracious
               in
               and
               through
               thy
               beloved
               ,
               Jesus
               Christ.
               A
               God
               glorious
               in
               thy
               justice
               to
               execute
               vengeance
               upon
               the
               wilfull
               ,
               and
               impenitent
               ;
               but
               gracious
               in
               thy
               mercy
               to
               pass
               by
               the
               offences
               of
               poor
               penitent
               sinners
               .
               Lord
               ,
               hadst
               not
               thou
               been
               exceeding
               good
               and
               gracious
               unto
               us
               ,
               we
               might
               this
               night
               have
               slept
               the
               sleep
               of
               death
               :
               and
               from
               the
               darkness
               of
               the
               night
               been
               sent
               away
               into
               outer
               darkness
               .
               But
               such
               hath
               been
               thy
               mercy
               and
               goodness
               unto
               us
               ,
               as
               to
               add
               another
               day
               unto
               our
               lives
               :
               most
               meet
               therefore
               it
               is
               that
               we
               should
               consecrate
               the
               same
               unto
               thee
               ,
               by
               offering
               up
               a
               Morning
               Sacrifice
               of
               Prayer
               and
               thanksgiving
               .
               Lord
               we
               acknowledge
               our
               great
               unworthiness
               to
               come
               into
               thy
               presence
               ,
               to
               present
               our
               Prayers
               and
               supplications
               unto
               thee
               .
               But
               though
               we
               are
               unworthy
               ,
               yet
               Christ
               is
               worthy
               .
               We
               beseech
               thee
               therefore
               for
               his
               sake
               to
               look
               graciously
               upon
               us
               ;
               to
               pass
               by
               our
               unworthiness
               ,
               and
               to
               strengthen
               our
               weakness
               .
               To
               this
               end
               as
               we
               draw
               near
               unto
               thee
               ,
               so
               be
               thou
               pleased
               to
               draw
               near
               unto
               us
               ,
               enabling
               us
               to
               pray
               as
               with
               humility
               and
               sincerity
               ;
               so
               with
               zeal
               and
               fervency
               of
               spirit
               ,
               and
               with
               faith
               in
               Jesus
               Christ
               ,
               looking
               for
               audience
               and
               acceptance
               in
               and
               thorow
               him
               .
               Blessed
               Lord
               God
               ,
               we
               cannot
               but
               acknowledge
               ,
               thou
               didst
               at
               first
               create
               us
               in
               a
               blessed
               and
               happy
               estate
               ,
               even
               after
               thine
               
               own
               image
               ,
               endowing
               us
               with
               true
               knowledge
               ,
               holiness
               ,
               and
               righteousness
               .
               But
               we
               soon
               fell
               from
               that
               state
               of
               innocency
               and
               blessedness
               ,
               in
               the
               loynes
               of
               our
               first
               Father
               Adam
               ;
               and
               implunged
               our selves
               with
               him
               into
               a
               dreadfull
               gulf
               of
               sin
               and
               misery
               .
               For
               ,
               O
               Lord
               ,
               besides
               the
               guilt
               of
               Adams
               sin
               ,
               we
               have
               contracted
               from
               him
               a
               Mass
               of
               corruption
               ,
               which
               hath
               poysoned
               our
               very
               natures
               :
               polluted
               and
               defiled
               all
               the
               faculties
               of
               our
               souls
               ,
               with
               all
               the
               parts
               and
               members
               of
               our
               bodies
               .
               So
               that
               we
               may
               more
               truly
               in
               regard
               of
               our
               spiritual
               uncleanness
               ,
               cry
               out
               
                 Vnclean
                 ,
                 Vnclean
              
               ,
               than
               the
               Leper
               under
               the
               Law
               in
               regard
               of
               his
               bodily
               uncleanness
               .
               And
               O
               Lord
               ,
               to
               this
               corruption
               of
               our
               natures
               we
               have
               added
               many
               many
               actual
               sins
               of
               our
               own
               :
               which
               as
               they
               have
               been
               hainous
               in
               their
               quality
               ,
               so
               in
               their
               number
               and
               multitude
               have
               far
               exceeded
               the
               hairs
               of
               our
               heads
               ,
               and
               the
               sands
               on
               the
               Sea-shore
               ,
               which
               cannot
               be
               numbred
               .
               The
               which
               we
               have
               committed
               through
               the
               whole
               course
               of
               our
               lives
               ,
               from
               our
               infancy
               to
               this
               present
               time
               .
               So
               that
               we
               are
               now
               grown
               old
               in
               sin
               ,
               and
               overgrown
               with
               corruption
               .
               Though
               the
               time
               thou
               hast
               allotted
               us
               here
               to
               live
               is
               very
               little
               ,
               even
               as
               a
               moment
               to
               Eternity
               ;
               yet
               ,
               alas
               ,
               how
               little
               of
               this
               little
               have
               we
               lived
               to
               thee
               our
               God
               ,
               or
               to
               the
               good
               of
               our
               own
               souls
               ,
               having
               mis-spent
               the
               greatest
               part
               of
               our
               dayes
               in
               vanity
               and
               pleasure
               .
               We
               have
               continued
               ignorant
               of
               thee
               :
               how
               much
               means
               of
               knowledge
               have
               we
               had
               ,
               and
               yet
               how
               little
               knowledge
               have
               we
               gotten
               ?
               oh
               how
               little
               have
               we
               done
               for
               our
               souls
               ,
               or
               the
               other
               World
               ?
               We
               have
               not
               considered
               what
               is
               like
               to
               become
               of
               us
               hereafter
               .
               
               How
               little
               care
               and
               pains
               have
               we
               taken
               to
               make
               sure
               for
               Eternity
               ?
               we
               have
               taken
               the
               course
               to
               undo
               our selves
               for
               ever
               .
               We
               have
               broken
               every
               one
               of
               thy
               most
               holy
               and
               righteous
               Laws
               ten
               thousand
               ,
               thousand
               times
               .
               Yea
               we
               have
               sinned
               against
               thy
               Gospel
               in
               slighting
               the
               offers
               of
               grace
               .
               Though
               thou
               hast
               sent
               unto
               us
               Ambassadour
               after
               Ambassadour
               ,
               to
               wooe
               and
               beseech
               us
               to
               abandon
               our
               sins
               ,
               and
               to
               receive
               Jesus
               Christ
               ,
               yet
               alas
               ,
               how
               have
               we
               slighted
               thy
               messengers
               ,
               and
               turned
               a
               deaf
               ear
               to
               all
               thy
               gracious
               invitations
               .
               Though
               we
               are
               willing
               to
               take
               Christ
               for
               our
               Saviour
               ,
               to
               preserve
               us
               from
               hell
               and
               damnation
               ;
               yet
               ,
               alas
               ,
               how
               unwilling
               are
               we
               to
               take
               him
               for
               our
               Lord
               and
               King
               ,
               to
               yield
               obedience
               and
               subjection
               unto
               him
               .
               Lord
               we
               cannot
               but
               acknowledge
               our
               great
               unthankfulness
               under
               those
               manifold
               favours
               and
               mercies
               thou
               hast
               in
               a
               plentiful
               measure
               conferred
               on
               us
               ;
               as
               also
               our
               unprofitableness
               under
               thy
               Fatherly
               chastis●ments
               ,
               laid
               upon
               us
               in
               love
               and
               for
               our
               good
               :
               our
               discontentedness
               at
               our
               present
               state
               and
               condition
               .
               And
               oh
               how
               careless
               and
               negligent
               have
               we
               been
               in
               the
               discharge
               of
               the
               duties
               of
               our
               places
               ,
               callings
               ,
               and
               relations
               !
               Oh
               the
               multitude
               of
               worldly
               and
               covetous
               thoughts
               ,
               of
               proud
               and
               ambitious
               thoughts
               ,
               of
               wicked
               and
               prophane
               thoughts
               ,
               of
               wanton
               and
               unclean
               thoughts
               ,
               yea
               and
               of
               blasphemous
               and
               atheistical
               thoughts
               that
               lodge
               in
               the
               hearts
               of
               most
               of
               us
               ,
               and
               there
               revel
               it
               day
               and
               night
               .
               And
               O
               Lord
               ,
               we
               cannot
               but
               acknowledge
               the
               deadness
               of
               our
               hearts
               ,
               the
               distractions
               of
               our
               minds
               in
               the
               performing
               holy
               duties
               .
               We
               are
               active
               and
               lively
               about
               our
               worldly
               businesses
               ,
               
               but
               oh
               how
               dull
               and
               flat
               are
               we
               in
               our
               religious
               exercises
               !
               praying
               as
               if
               we
               prayed
               not
               ,
               and
               hearing
               as
               if
               we
               heard
               not
               .
               Lord
               ,
               make
               us
               truly
               apprehensive
               of
               our
               sins
               and
               misery
               ,
               that
               we
               may
               humble
               our selves
               under
               a
               sense
               of
               them
               ,
               and
               turn
               unto
               thee
               by
               true
               and
               unfained
               repentance
               .
               Turn
               us
               ,
               O
               God
               ,
               and
               we
               shall
               be
               turned
               ,
               draw
               us
               ,
               and
               we
               will
               run
               after
               thee
               .
               And
               ,
               O
               Lord
               ,
               whilest
               we
               are
               returning
               unto
               thee
               ,
               meet
               us
               ,
               we
               pray
               thee
               ,
               in
               the
               way
               :
               and
               like
               a
               tender
               Father
               ,
               embrace
               us
               with
               the
               arms
               of
               thy
               mercy
               .
               Our
               sins
               ,
               we
               confess
               ,
               are
               many
               and
               hainous
               ,
               yet
               we
               know
               and
               believe
               thy
               mercies
               are
               far
               more
               ,
               and
               the
               merits
               of
               Jesus
               Christ
               are
               far
               greater
               :
               and
               therefore
               we
               are
               resolved
               to
               adventure
               our
               souls
               ,
               as
               upon
               the
               mercies
               of
               the●
               our
               God
               ,
               so
               upon
               the
               merits
               of
               Jesus
               Christ
               ,
               into
               whose
               arms
               we
               here
               cast
               our selves
               .
            
             
               Oh
               be
               pleased
               to
               make
               us
               partakers
               both
               of
               the
               merit
               of
               Christs
               death
               in
               freeing
               us
               from
               the
               guilt
               of
               sin
               ,
               and
               of
               the
               virtue
               of
               Christs
               death
               in
               freeing
               us
               from
               the
               power
               and
               dominion
               of
               sin
               ,
               that
               it
               may
               not
               rule
               and
               raign
               in
               us
               as
               formerly
               .
               Lord
               ,
               work
               in
               us
               a
               loathing
               ,
               and
               a
               true
               hatred
               of
               every
               sin
               ,
               especially
               of
               such
               we
               have
               been
               most
               addicted
               to
               ,
               and
               have
               most
               delighted
               in
               .
               To
               this
               end
               convince
               us
               what
               a
               folly
               ,
               yea
               madness
               it
               is
               ,
               for
               the
               short
               fruition
               of
               a
               momentany
               pleasure
               here
               ,
               to
               implunge
               our selves
               into
               everlasting
               burnings
               .
               Oh
               convert
               every
               unconverted
               soul
               among
               us
               ;
               bring
               us
               to
               Christ
               ;
               make
               us
               adventurers
               for
               the
               other
               World
               :
               let
               us
               be
               resolved
               henceforth
               for
               an
               holy
               and
               righteous
               life
               :
               instruct
               us
               in
               thy
               wayes
               ,
               and
               teach
               us
               thy
               S●atutes
               .
               Break
               the
               power
               of
               our
               sins
               ,
               
               subdue
               our
               rebellion
               ,
               and
               make
               us
               willing
               to
               be
               the
               Lord's
               .
               Change
               our
               evil
               natures
               ,
               and
               give
               us
               another
               Spirit
               .
               Help
               us
               sincer●ly
               to
               choose
               thee
               as
               our
               portion
               ;
               to
               love
               ,
               and
               fear
               ,
               and
               trust
               in
               thee
               ;
               and
               to
               walk
               humbly
               with
               thee
               all
               the
               dayes
               of
               our
               life
               .
               Help
               us
               to
               set
               our
               affections
               on
               things
               abov●
               ,
               and
               no
               longer
               on
               this
               earth
               :
               let
               us
               dye
               daily
               to
               sin
               ,
               and
               this
               World
               :
               let
               us
               exercise
               our
               selv●s
               in
               keeping
               a
               good
               Cons●i●nce
               towards
               God
               and
               men
               :
               let
               us
               work
               out
               our
               Salvation
               with
               fear
               and
               trembling
               ,
               and
               give
               all
               diligence
               to
               make
               our
               calling
               and
               election
               sure
               ;
               and
               let
               not
               our
               labour
               herein
               be
               in
               vain
               .
               Keep
               us
               ,
               O
               Lord
               ,
               from
               our
               iniquities
               ;
               keep
               us
               from
               the
               way
               of
               lying
               ,
               from
               all
               unrighteous
               and
               unjust
               dealing
               ,
               from
               wrath
               ,
               and
               evil
               speaking
               ;
               let
               us
               be
               true
               ,
               temperate
               ,
               peaceable
               ,
               and
               mercifull
               ,
               as
               the
               children
               of
               our
               heavenly
               Father
               .
               Help
               us
               to
               be
               serious
               ,
               and
               savoury
               ,
               and
               tender
               ,
               and
               watchfull
               :
               and
               hold
               us
               on
               constantly
               in
               our
               holy
               course
               to
               the
               end
               of
               our
               dayes
               .
            
             
               Lord
               ,
               take
               us
               into
               thy
               keeping
               and
               protection
               this
               day
               :
               keep
               us
               from
               all
               danger
               ,
               especially
               from
               sinning
               against
               thee
               .
               To
               this
               end
               make
               us
               watchfull
               both
               against
               the
               occasions
               of
               sins
               ,
               and
               temptations
               thereunto
               .
               Keep
               us
               ,
               we
               pray
               thee
               ,
               from
               ●dleness
               ,
               as
               knowing
               that
               our
               idle
               time
               is
               the
               Devils
               working
               tim●
               ,
               who
               is
               most
               busie
               with
               us
               ,
               when
               we
               are
               most
               at
               leisure
               .
               And
               bless
               all
               our
               undertakings
               .
               So
               sp●ritualize
               our
               hearts
               and
               affections
               ,
               that
               we
               may
               have
               heavenly
               hearts
               in
               earthly
               imployments
               ,
               and
               so
               may
               serve
               thee
               our
               God
               ,
               whilest
               we
               are
               serving
               our
               own
               necessities
               .
            
             
               Together
               with
               us
               bless
               ,
               we
               beseech
               thee
               ,
               thy
               whole
               
               Church
               ;
               Call
               thine
               ancient
               people
               the
               Jews
               ;
               and
               bring
               in
               the
               fulness
               of
               the
               Gentiles
               .
               And
               particularly
               we
               pray
               thee
               for
               our
               own
               Nation
               ,
               the
               Land
               of
               our
               Nativity
               :
               pardon
               the
               crying
               sins
               thereof
               .
               Showre
               down
               thy
               blessings
               upon
               it
               both
               temporal
               and
               spiritual
               .
               In
               special
               we
               pray
               thee
               so
               to
               bless
               our
               royal
               Soveraign
               ,
               that
               under
               him
               we
               may
               live
               a
               quiet
               ,
               and
               peaceable
               life
               in
               all
               godliness
               and
               honesty
               .
               Bless
               likewise
               all
               our
               Magistrates
               ,
               and
               Ministers
               of
               thy
               holy
               Word
               .
               Thou
               the
               Lord
               of
               the
               harvest
               ,
               send
               plenty
               of
               Labourers
               into
               thy
               harvest
               .
               And
               ,
               O
               Father
               of
               mercy
               ,
               look
               down
               with
               the
               eye
               of
               pitty
               and
               compassion
               upon
               all
               thine
               afflicted
               ones
               :
               let
               thy
               mercies
               be
               suitable
               to
               their
               several
               needs
               and
               necessities
               .
               Bless
               all
               Christian
               families
               ,
               this
               in
               particular
               ;
               enrich
               every
               soul
               with
               all
               needfull
               ,
               saving
               graces
               .
            
             
               Blessed
               Lord
               God
               ,
               according
               to
               our
               bounden
               duty
               ,
               we
               offer
               up
               our
               Sacrifice
               of
               Praise
               and
               Thanksgiving
               unto
               thy
               blessed
               Majesty
               ,
               in
               the
               name
               and
               mediation
               of
               thy
               beloved
               Son
               Jesus
               Christ.
               Blessing
               and
               praising
               thee
               for
               our
               health
               ,
               wealth
               ,
               food
               and
               rayment
               ,
               for
               our
               preservation
               from
               our
               first
               being
               to
               this
               present
               time
               .
               We
               bless
               thy
               name
               above
               all
               for
               that
               gift
               of
               gifts
               the
               Lord
               Jesus
               .
               And
               for
               the
               Gospel
               wherein
               thou
               hast
               freely
               offered
               Christ
               ,
               with
               all
               his
               benefits
               to
               us
               .
               We
               bless
               thee
               for
               whatever
               grace
               hath
               been
               wrought
               in
               any
               of
               us
               by
               the
               Gospel
               ;
               and
               for
               that
               good
               hope
               thou
               hast
               given
               us
               through
               grace
               .
               We
               bless
               thy
               name
               for
               the
               last
               nights
               quiet
               rest
               ,
               this
               dayes
               protection
               hitherto
               .
               Add
               ,
               we
               Pray
               thee
               ,
               this
               mercy
               ,
               give
               us
               grace
               to
               live
               as
               in
               thy
               sight
               ,
               who
               seeth
               all
               our
               wayes
               ,
               and
               art
               privy
               
               to
               every
               secret
               thing
               which
               we
               do
               .
               And
               now
               ,
               O
               Lord
               ,
               accept
               our
               persons
               ,
               though
               sinfull
               ;
               and
               our
               service
               ,
               though
               full
               of
               weaknesses
               ,
               in
               thy
               beloved
               Son
               ,
               with
               whom
               thou
               art
               well
               pleased
               .
               In
               whose
               name
               and
               words
               ,
               we
               further
               call
               upon
               thee
               ,
               saying
               ,
               
                 Our
                 Father
                 which
                 art
                 in
                 Heaven
                 ,
                 &c.
                 
              
            
          
           
             
               An
               Evening
               Prayer
               for
               a
               Family
               .
            
             
               O
               Most
               great
               ,
               and
               glorious
               Lord
               God
               ,
               and
               in
               Jesus
               Christ
               a
               loving
               and
               a
               gracious
               Father
               .
               We
               thy
               poor
               and
               unworthy
               Servants
               ,
               being
               by
               thy
               good
               providence
               brought
               to
               the
               end
               of
               this
               day
               ,
               desire
               to
               conclude
               the
               same
               with
               an
               Evening
               spiritual
               Sacrifice
               of
               Prayer
               and
               Thanksgiving
               .
               Lord
               we
               do
               here
               profess
               ,
               we
               come
               not
               in
               our
               own
               names
               ,
               nor
               in
               our
               own
               strength
               ,
               we
               are
               unable
               of
               our selves
               to
               perform
               any
               spiritual
               duty
               after
               an
               acceptable
               manner
               .
               But
               we
               come
               in
               the
               alone
               name
               ,
               and
               strength
               of
               thy
               beloved
               Son
               ,
               Jesus
               Christ
               :
               beseeching
               thee
               for
               his
               sake
               to
               pass
               by
               our
               unworthiness
               ,
               to
               quicken
               our
               dead
               hearts
               ,
               and
               to
               carry
               us
               forth
               with
               life
               and
               vigour
               in
               the
               duty
               we
               are
               now
               going
               about
               .
            
             
               Blessed
               Lord
               God
               ,
               we
               do
               acknowledge
               our selves
               to
               be
               vile
               ,
               wretched
               sinners
               :
               Sinners
               by
               nature
               ,
               sinners
               by
               birth
               ,
               sinners
               in
               the
               whole
               course
               of
               our
               lives
               ,
               having
               sinned
               as
               if
               we
               had
               come
               into
               the
               World
               for
               no
               other
               end
               but
               to
               sin
               against
               thee
               .
               Though
               thou
               hast
               been
               pleased
               to
               restrain
               us
               from
               many
               hainous
               ,
               scandalous
               
               sins
               ;
               yet
               Lord
               ,
               thou
               knowest
               what
               evil
               thoughts
               do
               lodge
               in
               our
               hearts
               ,
               and
               what
               Lusts
               bear
               rule
               and
               sway
               there
               .
               Blessed
               Lord
               God
               ,
               though
               we
               are
               in
               some
               measure
               convinced
               of
               the
               need
               and
               necessity
               that
               we
               have
               of
               Jesus
               Christ
               ,
               that
               we
               are
               undone
               for
               ever
               without
               an
               interest
               in
               him
               :
               yet
               how
               have
               we
               slighted
               and
               rejected
               the
               tenders
               and
               offers
               of
               him
               in
               the
               Ministry
               of
               the
               Gospel
               ,
               and
               preferred
               our
               lusts
               ,
               and
               the
               pleasures
               of
               this
               World
               before
               him
               .
               We
               have
               indeed
               outwardly
               made
               profession
               of
               the
               Gospel
               ,
               yet
               have
               we
               disgraced
               the
               prof●ssion
               thereof
               by
               our
               carnal
               and
               sinfull
               conversation
               .
               Lord
               ,
               we
               cannot
               but
               acknowledge
               ,
               our
               desires
               ,
               cares
               ,
               and
               endeavours
               have
               run
               out
               more
               after
               the
               things
               of
               this
               life
               ,
               than
               after
               the
               things
               of
               a
               better
               life
               .
               We
               have
               slighted
               thy
               judgements
               ,
               abused
               thy
               mercies
               ,
               prophaned
               thy
               Sabbaths
               ,
               and
               polluted
               all
               thy
               holy
               Ordinances
               .
               When
               we
               have
               drawn
               near
               unto
               thee
               with
               our
               bodies
               ,
               and
               honoured
               thee
               with
               our
               lips
               ,
               then
               have
               our
               hearts
               been
               far
               removed
               from
               thee
               ;
               when
               we
               have
               had
               communion
               with
               thine
               Ordinances
               ,
               we
               have
               oftentimes
               had
               little
               communion
               with
               thee
               our
               God
               therein
               .
               Blessed
               Lord
               ,
               our
               sins
               are
               many
               and
               hainous
               ,
               yea
               there
               seemeth
               a
               kind
               of
               infiniteness
               in
               our
               sins
               :
               but
               we
               know
               and
               believe
               there
               is
               indeed
               an
               infiniteness
               in
               the
               mercies
               of
               thee
               our
               God
               ,
               and
               in
               the
               merits
               of
               Jesus
               Christ
               :
               and
               therefore
               with
               an
               utter
               disclaiming
               of
               all
               righteousness
               of
               our
               own
               ,
               as
               filthy
               rags
               ,
               we
               place
               our
               whole
               confidence
               for
               life
               and
               salvation
               upon
               thy
               mercies
               in
               Christ.
               As
               thou
               hast
               laid
               our
               help
               upon
               him
               ,
               so
               on
               him
               will
               we
               lay
               our
               hope
               for
               the
               pardon
               
               of
               our
               sins
               here
               ,
               and
               for
               eternal
               salvation
               hereafter
               .
               Lord
               ,
               be
               pleased
               to
               accept
               of
               his
               all
               sufficient
               Sacrifice
               ,
               and
               perfect
               satisfaction
               thereby
               made
               to
               thy
               justice
               for
               all
               our
               sins
               .
               Pardon
               us
               ,
               we
               pray
               thee
               ,
               and
               free
               us
               as
               from
               the
               guilt
               and
               punishment
               ,
               so
               from
               the
               power
               and
               dominion
               of
               all
               our
               sins
               ,
               that
               we
               be
               no
               longer
               the
               servants
               of
               sin
               ,
               but
               may
               be
               henceforth
               the
               servants
               of
               God.
               Lay
               hold
               on
               all
               our
               souls
               ,
               and
               bring
               us
               in
               effectually
               to
               Jesus
               Christ.
               Subdu●
               our
               reb●llion
               ,
               take
               away
               our
               unw●llingness
               ,
               answer
               all
               our
               objections
               and
               excuses
               ,
               and
               work
               our
               hearts
               to
               a
               resolved
               adventuring
               upon
               him
               ,
               an
               hearty
               acceptance
               of
               him
               ,
               and
               a
               total
               resignation
               of
               our selves
               for
               ever
               to
               him
               ,
               to
               his
               gover●●ent
               and
               dominion
               .
               Lord
               ,
               we
               beseech
               thee
               ,
               not
               only
               to
               j●stifie
               us
               by
               thy
               grace
               ,
               but
               likewise
               to
               sanctifie
               us
               by
               thy
               Spirit
               ,
               that
               we
               may
               be
               an
               holy
               people
               ,
               serving
               thee
               in
               holiness
               and
               righteousness
               all
               the
               dayes
               of
               our
               lives
               .
               Mortifie
               our
               flesh
               with
               the
               affections
               and
               lusts
               :
               let
               us
               be
               proud
               no
               longer
               ,
               nor
               covetous
               ,
               nor
               envious
               ,
               nor
               froward
               ,
               nor
               m●litious
               .
               Let
               thy
               grace
               be
               sufficient
               for
               us
               both
               for
               the
               killing
               of
               our
               dearest
               lusts
               ,
               and
               strongest
               corruptions
               ;
               and
               for
               the
               quickning
               of
               us
               on
               in
               a
               conscionable
               discharge
               of
               the
               Duties
               of
               our
               places
               ,
               callings
               ,
               and
               relations
               ;
               by
               which
               grace
               let
               us
               be
               carryed
               on
               throughout
               our
               whole
               course
               ,
               in
               an
               holy
               ,
               humble
               ,
               and
               sincere
               conversation
               .
               Lord
               ,
               let
               it
               suffice
               us
               ,
               that
               we
               have
               spent
               so
               much
               of
               our
               precious
               time
               in
               seeking
               after
               earthly
               things
               :
               help
               us
               now
               in
               earnest
               to
               seek
               after
               spiritual
               and
               heavenly
               things
               ,
               after
               spiritual
               grace
               and
               heavenly
               glory
               .
               We
               pray
               thee
               convince
               us
               thorowly
               ,
               that
               upon
               the
               little
               
               inch
               of
               time
               in
               this
               life
               ,
               depends
               the
               length
               and
               breadth
               of
               all
               Eternity
               :
               and
               that
               as
               we
               live
               here
               ,
               we
               shall
               fare
               everlastingly
               hereafter
               .
               And
               O
               let
               the
               consideration
               thereof
               stir
               us
               up
               to
               a
               fruitfull
               improvement
               of
               our
               short
               time
               to
               the
               best
               advantage
               for
               the
               spiritual
               and
               eternal
               good
               of
               our
               poor
               souls
               .
               Help
               us
               to
               keep
               alwayes
               upon
               our
               hearts
               a
               deep
               sense
               as
               of
               the
               certainty
               of
               our
               death
               ,
               so
               of
               the
               uncertainty
               of
               the
               time
               thereof
               ,
               that
               we
               may
               live
               as
               those
               who
               believe
               we
               must
               shortly
               dye
               .
               Lord
               take
               us
               into
               thy
               keeping
               and
               protection
               this
               night
               .
               Grant
               we
               may
               lodge
               in
               the
               arms
               of
               Jesus
               ,
               that
               we
               may
               rest
               in
               his
               bosome
               .
               Give
               unto
               us
               such
               sweet
               and
               comfortable
               rest
               and
               sleep
               ,
               that
               our
               bodies
               may
               be
               refreshed
               ,
               and
               we
               the
               better
               enabled
               to
               serve
               thee
               the
               next
               day
               in
               our
               several
               places
               and
               callings
               .
            
             
               In
               mercy
               remember
               thine
               all
               the
               World
               over
               .
               And
               in
               special
               we
               pray
               thee
               for
               this
               sinfull
               Land
               and
               Nation
               .
               Pardon
               our
               sins
               ,
               be
               reconciled
               to
               us
               in
               Jesus
               Christ.
               Let
               thy
               Gospel
               have
               a
               free
               passage
               therein
               .
               Pour
               the
               choicest
               of
               thy
               blessings
               upon
               the
               head
               of
               our
               King
               ,
               that
               he
               may
               be
               a
               blessing
               unto
               us
               .
               Bless
               all
               our
               Magistrates
               ,
               with
               the
               Ministers
               of
               thy
               Word
               and
               Sacraments
               .
               P●tty
               the
               afflicted
               members
               of
               Jesus
               Christ.
               Bless
               all
               Christian
               Families
               ,
               this
               in
               particular
               ,
               giving
               unto
               every
               member
               thereof
               all
               needfull
               ,
               saving
               ,
               sanctifying
               graces
               .
            
             
               And
               now
               accept
               our
               Sacrifice
               of
               praise
               and
               thanksgiving
               which
               we
               offer
               unto
               thee
               for
               thy
               manifold
               favours
               and
               mercies
               conferred
               on
               our
               souls
               and
               bodies
               :
               especially
               and
               above
               all
               ,
               for
               that
               great
               gift
               of
               thine
               
               the
               Lord
               Jesus
               Christ
               ,
               and
               for
               all
               those
               great
               things
               he
               hath
               done
               and
               suffered
               for
               our
               redemption
               .
               We
               bless
               thy
               name
               as
               for
               the
               enjoyment
               of
               the
               Gospel
               ,
               so
               for
               any
               spiritual
               good
               we
               have
               received
               thereby
               :
               that
               any
               of
               us
               have
               fiducially
               and
               cordially
               closed
               with
               the
               tenders
               and
               offers
               of
               Jesus
               Christ.
               We
               bless
               thy
               name
               that
               thou
               hast
               withheld
               us
               from
               the
               company
               and
               wayes
               of
               those
               ,
               who
               live
               without
               God
               in
               the
               World
               ,
               giving
               themselves
               up
               to
               work
               all
               wickedness
               with
               greediness
               ;
               and
               hast
               set
               our
               hearts
               to
               seek
               the
               Lord
               ,
               and
               wait
               for
               thy
               Salvation
               .
               For
               every
               other
               good
               thing
               whether
               temporal
               or
               spiritual
               ,
               concerning
               this
               life
               or
               a
               better
               ,
               blessed
               and
               praised
               be
               thy
               great
               and
               glorious
               name
               .
               And
               now
               ,
               O
               Lord
               ,
               we
               beseech
               thee
               in
               mercy
               to
               overlook
               all
               the
               weaknesses
               and
               infirmities
               which
               have
               accompanied
               this
               holy
               duty
               .
               Sprinkle
               both
               our
               Persons
               and
               our
               Services
               with
               the
               blood
               of
               that
               immaculate
               Lamb
               Christ
               Jesus
               .
               To
               whom
               with
               thee
               ,
               O
               Father
               ,
               and
               the
               holy
               Spirit
               ,
               be
               rendred
               ,
               as
               is
               most
               due
               ,
               all
               honour
               ,
               and
               praise
               and
               glory
               ,
               both
               now
               and
               for
               evermore
               ,
               Amen
               .
            
          
           
             
             
               A
               Prayer
               for
               a
               single
               Person
               .
            
             
               O
               Eternal
               and
               ever-living
               Lord
               God
               ,
               the
               fountain
               of
               all
               blessing
               ,
               the
               Father
               of
               Mercy
               ,
               and
               God
               of
               all
               Consolation
               .
               I
               thy
               poor
               creature
               altogether
               unworthy
               to
               appear
               in
               thy
               sight
               ,
               to
               present
               my
               Prayer
               and
               supplication
               unto
               thee
               :
               do
               yet
               in
               the
               name
               and
               mediation
               of
               thy
               beloved
               Son
               Jesus
               Christ
               prostrate
               my self
               at
               the
               footstool
               of
               thy
               grace
               ,
               looking
               for
               acceptance
               and
               assistance
               in
               and
               through
               him
               .
               For
               his
               sake
               look
               graciously
               upon
               me
               ,
               pardon
               my
               sins
               ,
               which
               are
               many
               and
               hainous
               .
               Lord
               ,
               I
               cannot
               but
               acknowledge
               ,
               that
               besides
               the
               guilt
               of
               
               Adam's
               sin
               ,
               there
               is
               in
               me
               a
               fountain
               of
               corruption
               ,
               which
               I
               brought
               with
               me
               into
               the
               World
               :
               from
               whence
               hath
               plentifully
               flowed
               many
               poisonous
               streams
               of
               actual
               transgressions
               ,
               and
               that
               in
               evil
               thoughts
               ,
               evil
               words
               ,
               and
               evil
               actions
               ;
               which
               I
               have
               committed
               through
               the
               whole
               course
               of
               my
               life
               ,
               from
               my
               tender
               infancy
               to
               this
               present
               time
               .
               I
               have
               been
               alienated
               from
               the
               life
               of
               God
               through
               the
               ignorance
               that
               is
               in
               me
               .
               I
               have
               walked
               after
               the
               course
               of
               this
               World
               ,
               fulfilling
               the
               desires
               of
               my
               flesh
               and
               of
               my
               mind
               ,
               minding
               earthly
               things
               .
               I
               have
               broken
               thy
               Law
               ,
               neglected
               thy
               Gospel
               ,
               refused
               the
               offers
               of
               Christ
               ,
               and
               am
               in
               great
               doubt
               that
               to
               this
               day
               there
               hath
               been
               no
               good
               work
               wrought
               upon
               me
               ;
               but
               that
               I
               continue
               in
               the
               gall
               of
               bitterness
               ,
               and
               the
               bond
               of
               iniquity
               .
               Lord
               ,
               I
               cannot
               but
               acknowledge
               ,
               I
               
               have
               shamefully
               abused
               the
               ric●es
               of
               thy
               goodness
               ,
               forbearance
               ,
               and
               long-suffering
               ,
               which
               should
               have
               led
               me
               to
               repentance
               ;
               as
               also
               thy
               Fatherly
               corrections
               and
               chasti●ements
               ,
               laid
               upon
               me
               in
               love
               ,
               and
               for
               my
               good
               ;
               oh
               how
               little
               have
               I
               been
               bettered
               thereby
               !
               How
               do
               I
               spend
               my
               time
               and
               strength
               for
               the
               getting
               of
               earthly
               riches
               ;
               and
               satisfying
               my self
               with
               sensual
               pleasures
               ,
               and
               in
               the
               mean
               time
               am
               careless
               of
               my
               precious
               and
               immortal
               soul
               ?
               Lord
               ,
               I
               have
               often
               for
               my
               profit
               and
               pleasure
               sake
               omitted
               ,
               and
               put
               off
               the
               holy
               exercises
               of
               Religion
               ,
               which
               ought
               to
               have
               been
               performed
               by
               me
               ;
               and
               have
               been
               exceeding
               dead
               and
               dull
               ,
               lifeless
               and
               heartless
               in
               performing
               those
               good
               duties
               I
               have
               taken
               in
               hand
               .
               I
               have
               been
               unfruitfull
               under
               a
               plentiful
               dispensation
               of
               the
               means
               of
               grace
               ,
               unthankfull
               under
               those
               favours
               and
               mercies
               thou
               hast
               conferred
               on
               me
               ,
               unfaithfull
               to
               those
               manifold
               vows
               and
               promises
               ,
               I
               have
               made
               unto
               thee
               my
               God.
               Truth
               ,
               Lord
               ,
               my
               sins
               are
               many
               and
               hainous
               :
               but
               this
               is
               my
               comfort
               ,
               that
               Jesus
               Christ
               came
               into
               the
               World
               to
               save
               sinners
               ,
               and
               why
               not
               me
               ?
               why
               not
               me
               ?
               I
               acknowledge
               my self
               to
               be
               a
               great
               sinner
               :
               but
               yet
               again
               thy
               Word
               testifieth
               ,
               That
               Jesus
               Christ
               came
               to
               save
               the
               chief
               of
               sinners
               .
               Therefore
               will
               I
               not
               despair
               of
               mercy
               ,
               but
               am
               resolved
               to
               cast
               my self
               ,
               and
               the
               burden
               of
               my
               sins
               into
               the
               arms
               ,
               and
               upon
               the
               shoulders
               of
               Jesus
               Christ.
               Be
               pleased
               to
               accept
               of
               what
               Christ
               hath
               done
               and
               suffered
               for
               me
               ,
               and
               to
               accept
               of
               me
               in
               him
               .
               Turn
               me
               ,
               O
               Lord
               ,
               unto
               thee
               ,
               and
               through
               him
               let
               me
               be
               reconciled
               unto
               thee
               .
               Slay
               the
               enmity
               ,
               and
               subdue
               the
               rebellion
               of
               mine
               heart
               against
               thee
               .
               Wash
               my
               
               polluted
               soul
               with
               his
               most
               precious
               blood
               ;
               cloath
               my
               nakedness
               with
               the
               long
               white
               robe
               of
               his
               righteousness
               ,
               fill
               my
               emptiness
               out
               of
               that
               fulness
               which
               is
               in
               Jesus
               Christ.
               Enrich
               my
               soul
               with
               all
               needfull
               saving
               ,
               sanctifying
               graces
               .
               Let
               the
               faith
               of
               Gods
               Elect
               ,
               let
               the
               love
               and
               fear
               of
               thy
               name
               be
               shed
               abroad
               in
               my
               heart
               .
               Oh
               that
               every
               grace
               may
               more
               and
               more
               flourish
               in
               me
               ,
               and
               my
               lusts
               more
               and
               more
               wither
               and
               decay
               in
               me
               .
               Let
               my
               covetousness
               dye
               ,
               let
               my
               pride
               ,
               and
               envy
               ,
               and
               passion
               ,
               and
               sensuality
               dye
               ;
               let
               the
               whole
               body
               of
               death
               be
               destroyed
               ,
               that
               I
               may
               no
               longer
               serve
               sin
               .
               Oh
               give
               me
               grace
               in
               this
               my
               day
               to
               know
               the
               things
               that
               belong
               to
               my
               peace
               ,
               to
               make
               a
               right
               use
               of
               this
               time
               of
               my
               visitation
               .
               As
               Christ
               is
               now
               frequently
               tendred
               in
               the
               Ministry
               of
               the
               Gospel
               as
               a
               Saviour
               to
               poor
               sinners
               :
               So
               Lord
               ,
               give
               me
               grace
               fiducially
               to
               close
               with
               the
               offers
               and
               tenders
               of
               him
               ,
               that
               Christ
               may
               be
               mine
               ,
               and
               I
               his
               .
               And
               as
               thou
               hast
               been
               pleased
               to
               afford
               unto
               me
               the
               means
               of
               grace
               ,
               so
               I
               pray
               thee
               ,
               help
               me
               to
               carry
               my self
               in
               some
               measure
               suitable
               and
               answerable
               thereunto
               ;
               that
               I
               may
               not
               be
               a
               shame
               ,
               but
               rather
               a
               credit
               to
               Religion
               ,
               and
               my
               profession
               thereof
               .
               To
               this
               end
               teach
               me
               to
               deny
               all
               ungodliness
               and
               Worldly
               lusts
               ,
               and
               to
               live
               soberly
               ,
               righteously
               ,
               and
               godly
               in
               this
               present
               World.
               Blessed
               Lord
               ,
               seeing
               without
               thy
               blessing
               it
               will
               be
               in
               vain
               to
               put
               forth
               my
               own
               pains
               and
               endeavours
               ,
               I
               beseech
               thee
               to
               help
               me
               to
               labour
               in
               the
               work
               of
               the
               Lord
               ,
               and
               to
               crown
               my
               pains
               and
               endeavours
               with
               a
               blessing
               from
               Heaven
               .
               Make
               me
               more
               spiritual
               in
               Worldly
               businesses
               ;
               and
               less
               wordly
               in
               spiritual
               businesses
               .
               
               Be
               pleased
               to
               put
               good
               meditations
               into
               my
               mind
               ,
               and
               holy
               desires
               into
               my
               heart
               .
               Let
               no
               corrupt
               communication
               proceed
               out
               of
               my
               mouth
               ,
               but
               such
               as
               may
               administer
               grace
               to
               the
               hearers
               .
               Help
               me
               to
               redeem
               time
               ,
               let
               me
               not
               lose
               one
               day
               more
               ,
               set
               me
               presently
               to
               work
               out
               my
               salvation
               with
               fear
               and
               trembling
               :
               let
               me
               choose
               the
               good
               part
               ,
               and
               make
               sure
               for
               eternity
               :
               let
               me
               never
               venture
               my
               soul
               on
               false
               and
               deceitfull
               hopes
               ,
               but
               let
               me
               make
               sure
               .
               Good
               Lord
               ,
               let
               me
               not
               be
               deceived
               ,
               and
               found
               an
               hypocrite
               at
               last
               :
               but
               let
               me
               be
               sound
               in
               the
               faith
               ,
               that
               I
               may
               have
               rejoycing
               before
               thee
               in
               the
               great
               day
               .
            
             
               Neither
               pray
               I
               for
               my self
               alone
               ,
               but
               for
               thy
               whole
               Church
               wheresoever
               dispersed
               ,
               or
               howsoever
               distressed
               upon
               the
               face
               of
               the
               whole
               earth
               .
               In
               special
               I
               pray
               thee
               ,
               to
               bless
               this
               Land
               and
               Nation
               ,
               with
               all
               blessings
               both
               temporal
               and
               spiritual
               .
               And
               herein
               our
               Soveraign
               Lord
               and
               King
               :
               make
               him
               an
               instrument
               of
               bringing
               much
               glory
               to
               thy
               nam●
               ,
               and
               much
               good
               to
               thy
               Church
               and
               people
               .
               Bless
               him
               in
               his
               Relations
               ,
               Counsels
               ,
               and
               Forces
               .
               Bless
               the
               Magistrates
               and
               Ministers
               ,
               with
               the
               whole
               people
               of
               this
               Land
               :
               the
               afflicted
               members
               of
               Jesus
               Christ
               ;
               let
               thy
               mercies
               be
               suitable
               to
               their
               several
               needs
               and
               necessities
               .
               Vouchsafe
               to
               every
               one
               of
               us
               grace
               to
               live
               in
               thy
               fear
               ,
               to
               dye
               in
               thy
               favour
               ,
               and
               to
               raign
               with
               thee
               Eternally
               in
               Heaven
               .
            
             
               And
               now
               ,
               O
               Lord
               ,
               in
               the
               name
               of
               Jesus
               Christ
               ,
               I
               bless
               and
               praise
               thy
               glorious
               Majesty
               ,
               for
               all
               those
               manifold
               favours
               thou
               hast
               in
               a
               plentiful
               manner
               conferred
               on
               my
               soul
               and
               body
               ;
               for
               my
               preservation
               as
               from
               
               manifold
               dangers
               whereunto
               I
               was
               subject
               ,
               so
               from
               many
               sins
               wherinto
               the
               corruption
               of
               my
               flesh
               ,
               and
               the
               perswasion
               of
               the
               Dev●l
               would
               have
               thrown
               me
               headlong
               .
               Blessed
               be
               thy
               name
               for
               thy
               good
               providence
               over
               me
               through
               the
               whole
               course
               of
               my
               life
               ;
               thou
               hast
               been
               my
               God
               from
               my
               Mothers
               womb
               ,
               supplyed
               me
               with
               all
               needfull
               good
               things
               .
               But
               above
               all
               ,
               blessed
               be
               thy
               name
               for
               that
               foundation
               of
               all
               other
               mercies
               ,
               thy
               dearly
               beloved
               Son
               ;
               for
               those
               great
               things
               he
               hath
               done
               and
               suffered
               for
               me
               ,
               and
               those
               many
               good
               things
               ,
               whereof
               in
               and
               through
               him
               I
               have
               hope
               ,
               or
               am
               made
               partaker
               .
               Lord
               ,
               pardon
               the
               manifold
               weaknesses
               and
               imperfections
               ,
               which
               have
               accompanied
               this
               holy
               service
               ,
               in
               and
               through
               thy
               beloved
               Jesus
               Christ.
               To
               whom
               with
               thee
               ,
               and
               thy
               blessed
               Spirit
               ,
               I
               do
               from
               my
               heart
               render
               all
               praise
               and
               glory
               ,
               both
               now
               and
               evermore
               .
               Amen
               .
            
             
               FINIS
               .
            
          
        
      
       
         
           
             
             
               THE
               PRINCIPLES
               OF
               Christian
               Religion
               Explained
               to
               the
               Capacity
               of
               the
               Meanest
               .
            
             
               By
               T.G.
               Minister
               of
               the
               Gospel
               .
            
             
               
                 John
                 17.3
                 .
              
               
                 This
                 is
                 life
                 Eternal
                 to
                 know
                 thee
                 the
                 only
                 true
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 Iesus
                 Christ
                 whom
                 thou
                 hast
                 sent
                 .
              
            
             
               LONDON
               ,
               Printed
               for
               
                 Iohn
                 Wright
              
               at
               the
               Globe
               in
               Little-Brittain
               .
               1668.
               
            
             
             
             
             
             
             
             
             
          
        
         
           
             
             
             
               THE
               PRINCIPLES
               OF
               Christian
               Religion
               EXPLAINED
               .
            
             
               Quest.
               
                 WHo
                 is
                 the
                 Maker
                 of
                 all
                 things
                 ?
              
            
             
               Answ.
               God.
               Gen.
               1.
               1.
               
               Col.
               1.16
               .
               
                 By
                 him
                 were
                 all
                 things
                 Created
                 that
                 are
                 in
                 Heaven
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 are
                 in
                 Earth
                 .
              
            
             
               Q.
               
                 What
                 is
                 God
              
               ?
            
             
               A.
               God
               is
               a
               Spirit
               of
               infinite
               perfection
               .
            
             
               God
               is
               said
               to
               be
               a
               Spirit
               .
               1.
               
               Negatively
               ,
               to
               intimate
               that
               he
               is
               not
               a
               body
               or
               material
               substance
               .
               2.
               
               Analogically
               ,
               Spirits
               being
               the
               most
               perfect
               and
               excellent
               of
               all
               created
               beings
               are
               the
               fittest
               to
               represent
               the
               incomprehensible
               God
               to
               our
               narrow
               conceptions
               .
            
             
               God
               is
               said
               to
               be
               a
               
                 Spirit
                 of
                 perfection
              
               ,
               or
               
                 perfect
                 spirit
              
               ,
               thereby
               to
               exclude
               all
               manner
               of
               imperfections
               ,
               and
               including
               all
               manner
               of
               perfections
               and
               excellencies
               .
            
             
               In
               that
               he
               is
               a
               Spirit
               of
               infinite
               perfection
               ,
               thereby
               is
               implyed
               ,
               that
               there
               is
               no
               measure
               or
               bounds
               set
               to
               his
               perfection
               .
               Whereby
               he
               is
               distinguished
               from
               the
               glorious
               Angels
               ,
               and
               the
               souls
               of
               the
               Saints
               in
               Heaven
               ,
               which
               though
               they
               are
               perfect
               spirits
               ,
               
               yet
               their
               perfection
               is
               limited
               .
               Whereas
               Gods
               perfection
               is
               beyond
               all
               measure
               ,
               being
               infinite
               .
            
             
               Q.
               
                 How
                 many
                 Gods
                 are
                 there
              
               ?
            
             
               A.
               There
               is
               one
               only
               God.
               
            
             
               1
               Cor.
               8.4
               .
               
                 There
                 is
                 none
                 other
                 God
                 but
                 one
                 .
              
            
             
               Q.
               
                 How
                 many
                 Persons
                 are
                 there
                 in
                 the
                 God-head
                 ?
              
            
             
               A.
               Three
               ,
               the
               Father
               ,
               the
               Son
               ,
               and
               the
               holy-Ghost
               .
            
             
               Though
               there
               be
               but
               one
               God
               in
               substance
               ,
               and
               essence
               ,
               yet
               there
               be
               three
               distinct
               Persons
               subsisting
               in
               that
               one
               God-head
               .
               This
               appeareth
               from
               Christs
               own
               testimony
               in
               Matth.
               28.19
               .
               Where
               he
               gives
               commission
               to
               his
               Apostles
               to
               
                 teach
                 all
                 Nations
                 ,
                 and
                 Baptize
                 them
                 in
                 the
                 name
                 of
                 the
                 Father
                 ,
                 of
                 the
                 Son
                 ,
                 and
                 of
                 the
                 holy
                 Ghost
                 .
              
               See
               likewise
               ,
               1
               Ioh.
               5.7
               .
               That
               God
               should
               be
               one
               in
               essence
               and
               three
               in
               persons
               ,
               is
               a
               Mysterie
               not
               to
               be
               comprehended
               ,
               yet
               ought
               to
               be
               believed
               ,
               being
               so
               plainly
               revealed
               in
               the
               Word
               .
            
             
               Q.
               
                 How
                 is
                 God
                 farther
                 set
                 forth
                 unto
                 us
                 in
                 his
                 Word
                 ?
              
            
             
               A.
               1.
               
               By
               his
               Properties
               .
               2.
               
               By
               his
               Works
               .
            
             
               The
               Properties
               of
               God
               are
               certain
               excellencies
               attributed
               to
               him
               :
               as
               when
               he
               is
               said
               to
               be
               Eternal
               ,
               Almighty
               ,
               Merciful
               ,
               just
               ,
               &c.
               
            
             
               Q.
               
                 What
                 are
                 the
                 kinds
                 of
                 Gods
                 Properties
                 ?
              
            
             
               A.
               1.
               
               Incommunicable
               .
               2.
               
               Communicable
               .
            
             
               Incommunicable
               properties
               are
               such
               excellencies
               ,
               which
               are
               so
               proper
               to
               God
               alone
               ,
               as
               in
               no
               respect
               they
               can
               be
               attributed
               or
               communicated
               to
               any
               other
               .
               As
               Eternity
               ,
               without
               beginning
               :
               Immutability
               ,
               not
               subject
               to
               any
               change
               :
               All-sufficient
               ,
               not
               only
               for
               himself
               ,
               but
               for
               all
               others
               :
               Omnipotency
               ,
               able
               to
               do
               all
               things
               :
               Ubiquity
               ,
               to
               be
               everywhere
               present
               .
               These
               and
               such
               like
               are
               excellencies
               proper
               only
               to
               God
               ,
               and
               cannot
               be
               communicated
               to
               the
               Creature
               .
            
             
               Communicable
               Properties
               are
               certain
               excellencies
               in
               God
               ,
               communicated
               also
               to
               creatures
               ,
               as
               
                 Power
                 ,
                 Wisdom
                 ,
                 Holiness
                 ,
                 Iustice
                 ,
              
               &c.
               
               Thus
               Sampson
               was
               a
               strong
               man
               ,
               Solomon
               a
               wise
               
               man
               ,
               Noah
               a
               just
               man
               ,
               &c.
               
               But
               yet
               there
               is
               a
               great
               difference
               between
               these
               
                 communicable
                 properties
              
               ,
               as
               they
               are
               in
               God
               ,
               and
               as
               they
               are
               in
               the
               creature
               .
            
             
               
                 1.
                 
                 They
                 are
                 in
                 God
                 Originally
                 ,
                 he
                 is
                 the
                 primary
                 fountain
                 of
                 them
                 all
                 ,
                 who
                 hath
                 what
                 he
                 hath
                 in
                 and
                 from
                 himself
                 .
                 Thus
                 all
                 these
                 Properties
                 in
                 God
                 are
                 his
                 very
                 Essence
                 .
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 They
                 are
                 all
                 in
                 God
                 infinitely
                 ,
                 without
                 any
                 limits
                 or
                 bounds
                 .
                 He
                 is
                 infinite
                 in
                 power
                 ,
                 wisdom
                 ,
                 holiness
                 ,
                 justice
                 ,
                 &c.
                 
                 But
                 in
                 the
                 Creature
                 they
                 are
                 ,
                 
                   
                     1.
                     
                     
                       By
                       participation
                    
                     ,
                     they
                     receive
                     all
                     their
                     excellencies
                     from
                     God.
                     
                       What
                       hast
                       thou
                       that
                       thou
                       didst
                       not
                       receive
                       ,
                    
                     1
                     Cor.
                     4.7
                     .
                  
                   
                     2.
                     
                     
                       By
                       Measure
                    
                     .
                     The
                     Creature
                     that
                     hath
                     the
                     most
                     ,
                     and
                     best
                     excellencies
                     ,
                     hath
                     but
                     a
                     stinted
                     measure
                     .
                     Eph.
                     4.7
                     .
                  
                
              
            
             
               Q.
               
                 To
                 what
                 heads
                 may
                 the
                 works
                 of
                 God
                 be
                 brought
                 ?
              
            
             
               A.
               Creation
               and
               Providence
               .
            
             
               Q.
               
                 What
                 is
                 meant
                 by
                 Gods
                 creating
                 things
                 ?
              
            
             
               A.
               A
               making
               them
               out
               of
               nothing
               .
            
             
               To
               create
               is
               to
               give
               a
               being
               to
               things
               that
               never
               were
               ,
               and
               that
               out
               of
               nothing
               .
               In
               this
               respect
               it
               is
               said
               ,
               Gen.
               1.1
               .
               
                 In
                 the
                 beginning
                 God
                 created
                 the
                 Heaven
                 and
                 the
                 Earth
                 ,
              
               that
               is
               ,
               when
               there
               was
               nothing
               at
               all
               ,
               no
               not
               any
               matter
               out
               of
               which
               things
               might
               be
               made
               ,
               then
               God
               Created
               all
               things
               .
               Which
               kind
               of
               making
               things
               out
               of
               nothing
               ,
               is
               proper
               to
               God.
               Thereby
               the
               Lord
               sheweth
               himself
               to
               be
               the
               true
               God.
               
            
             
               Q.
               
                 What
                 things
                 did
                 God
                 so
                 make
                 ?
              
            
             
               
                 A.
                 All
              
               things
               .
            
             
               This
               the
               Apostle
               expresly
               avouchet
               ,
               Col.
               1.16
               .
               
                 By
                 him
                 were
                 all
                 things
                 Created
                 that
                 are
                 in
                 Heaven
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 are
                 in
                 Earth
                 ,
                 Visible
                 and
                 Invisible
                 .
              
               If
               the
               excellency
               of
               many
               Creatures
               ,
               the
               greatness
               of
               others
               ,
               the
               multitude
               of
               all
               together
               ,
               be
               duly
               considered
               ,
               it
               must
               needs
               be
               granted
               ,
               that
               herein
               the
               Lord
               sheweth
               himself
               to
               be
               a
               God
               indeed
               :
               the
               only
               true
               God.
               None
               else
               can
               do
               the
               like
               .
            
             
             
               Q.
               
                 By
                 what
                 did
                 God
                 make
                 all
                 things
                 ?
              
            
             
               A.
               By
               his
               Word
               .
            
             
               Gen.
               1.3
               ,
               6.
               
               
                 God
                 said
                 ,
                 let
                 there
                 be
                 light
                 ,
                 and
                 let
                 there
                 be
                 a
                 Firmament
                 ,
                 and
                 it
                 was
                 so
                 .
              
               And
               Psal.
               33.6
               .
               
                 By
                 the
                 Word
                 of
                 the
                 Lord
                 were
                 things
                 made
                 .
              
               By
               
                 Gods
                 Word
              
               we
               understand
               the
               manifestation
               of
               his
               will.
               For
               God
               is
               said
               to
               speak
               not
               properly
               ,
               but
               after
               the
               manner
               of
               man.
               Men
               use
               most
               commonly
               to
               express
               their
               mind
               and
               will
               by
               speaking
               .
               When
               God
               did
               manifest
               and
               declare
               his
               will
               ,
               that
               such
               and
               such
               things
               should
               be
               ,
               instantly
               they
               were
               :
               and
               they
               were
               so
               as
               God
               would
               have
               them
               .
            
             
               Q.
               
                 What
                 was
                 that
                 estate
                 wherein
                 God
                 made
                 all
                 things
                 ?
              
            
             
               A.
               Very
               good
               .
            
             
               The
               holy
               Ghost
               expresly
               noteth
               ,
               that
               at
               the
               end
               of
               every
               day
               ,
               God
               took
               a
               thorow
               view
               of
               the
               particular
               works
               which
               he
               had
               made
               ,
               and
               found
               them
               to
               be
               good
               ,
               Gen.
               1.4
               ,
               10
               ,
               &c.
               
               This
               is
               to
               be
               noted
               to
               justifie
               God
               against
               all
               the
               evil
               that
               is
               in
               the
               World.
               Many
               Creatures
               are
               now
               evil
               .
               But
               as
               God
               made
               them
               ,
               they
               were
               not
               so
               .
               All
               evil
               hath
               risen
               from
               the
               Creatures
               .
            
             
               Q.
               
                 Wherein
                 consisteth
                 the
                 Providence
                 of
                 God
                 ?
              
            
             
               A.
               1.
               
               In
               preserving
               Creatures
               .
               2.
               
               In
               well
               ordering
               them
               .
            
             
               For
               the
               preserving
               of
               Creatures
               ,
               if
               God
               did
               not
               sustain
               ,
               and
               maintain
               them
               ,
               they
               would
               soon
               come
               to
               nought
               .
               In
               this
               respect
               it
               is
               said
               ,
               
                 In
                 him
                 we
                 live
                 ,
                 and
                 move
                 ,
                 and
                 have
                 our
                 being
                 ,
              
               Act.
               17.28
               .
            
             
               Q.
               
                 What
                 doth
                 God
                 by
                 his
                 providence
                 order
                 ?
              
            
             
               A.
               All
               things
               whatsoever
               .
               Psal.
               113.6
               .
            
             
               The
               providence
               of
               God
               extends
               as
               far
               as
               his
               Creation
               :
               as
               all
               things
               were
               Created
               by
               God
               ;
               so
               all
               things
               are
               ordered
               by
               him
               .
               As
               the
               high
               and
               great
               things
               in
               the
               highest
               Heaven
               .
               So
               the
               greatest
               things
               on
               earth
               ,
               (
               Dan.
               2.21
               .
               
                 He
                 removeth
                 Kings
                 ,
                 and
                 setteth
                 up
                 Kings
              
               )
               Yea
               ,
               and
               the
               meanest
               things
               also
               ,
               as
               
                 the
                 very
                 colour
                 of
                 hairs
              
               ,
               Mat.
               5.36
               .
            
             
             
               Q.
               
                 What
                 is
                 that
                 end
                 whereunto
                 God
                 directeth
                 all
                 things
                 ?
              
            
             
               A.
               1.
               
               His
               own
               Glory
               .
               2.
               
               His
               Childrens
               good
               .
            
             
               Gods
               glory
               is
               the
               most
               principal
               and
               supream
               end
               of
               all
               .
               At
               that
               he
               aimed
               in
               giving
               the
               first
               being
               to
               his
               creatures
               .
               And
               at
               that
               also
               he
               aimeth
               in
               all
               things
               that
               are
               done
               at
               any
               time
               in
               any
               place
               .
            
             
               Yea
               also
               ,
               as
               at
               the
               next
               subordinate
               end
               ,
               he
               aimeth
               at
               his
               Childrens
               good
               .
               In
               regard
               whereof
               ,
               
                 all
                 things
                 work
                 together
                 for
                 their
                 good
                 ,
              
               Rom.
               8.28
               .
            
             
               Q.
               
                 In
                 what
                 estate
                 did
                 God
                 make
                 man
                 at
                 first
                 ?
              
            
             
               A.
               In
               a
               very
               good
               and
               happy
               estate
               .
            
             
               Gen.
               1.31
               .
               It
               is
               said
               ,
               
                 After
                 God
                 had
                 made
                 man
                 ,
                 he
                 overlooked
                 every
                 thing
                 that
                 he
                 had
                 made
                 ,
                 and
                 behold
                 it
                 was
                 very
                 good
                 .
              
            
             
               Q.
               
                 Wherein
                 did
                 mans
                 happiness
                 especially
                 consist
                 ,
                 in
                 which
                 he
                 was
                 at
                 first
                 made
                 ?
              
            
             
               
                 A.
                 In
                 that
                 he
                 was
                 made
                 after
                 the
                 image
                 of
                 God
                 which
                 consisted
                 in
                 perfect
                 knowledge
                 ,
                 true
                 holiness
                 ,
                 and
                 righteousness
                 ,
              
               Gen.
               1.26
               ,
               27.
               
               Col.
               3.10
               .
            
             
               Man
               at
               first
               had
               knowledge
               of
               all
               things
               necessary
               for
               the
               glory
               of
               God
               ,
               and
               his
               own
               good
               ;
               and
               was
               likewise
               made
               holy
               and
               righteous
               ,
               and
               without
               sin
               .
            
             
               Q
               
                 Did
                 man
                 alwayes
                 continue
                 in
                 that
                 holy
                 and
                 happy
                 estate
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 A.
                 No
                 :
                 he
                 fell
                 from
                 it
                 by
                 transgressing
                 that
                 commandment
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 in
                 eating
                 the
                 forbidden
                 fruit
                 ,
              
               Gen.
               3.3
               ,
               &c.
               
            
             
               The
               sin
               especially
               lay
               in
               disobeying
               the
               command
               of
               God
               :
               which
               commandment
               he
               gave
               him
               for
               the
               tryal
               of
               his
               obedience
               .
               Many
               may
               possibly
               think
               this
               sin
               a
               light
               matter
               ,
               and
               are
               apt
               to
               charge
               God
               with
               severity
               for
               punishing
               man
               so
               sorely
               for
               so
               small
               an
               offence
               .
               But
               if
               they
               shall
               consider
               the
               manifold
               sins
               infolded
               in
               that
               transgression
               ,
               they
               must
               acknowledge
               it
               a
               very
               hainous
               sin
               ,
               For
            
             
               1.
               
               There
               was
               infidelity
               therein
               ,
               in
               that
               they
               believed
               not
               
               Gods
               word
               .
               For
               though
               God
               had
               said
               ,
               
                 In
                 the
                 day
                 thou
                 eatest
                 thereof
                 thou
                 shalt
                 surely
                 dye
                 ,
              
               Gen.
               2.17
               .
               yet
               they
               believed
               not
               that
               they
               should
               dye
               ,
               but
               made
               some
               question
               and
               doubt
               thereof
               .
            
             
               2.
               
               
                 Sottish
                 credulity
              
               ,
               in
               giving
               credit
               to
               the
               Devil
               :
               God
               had
               said
               ,
               
                 ye
                 shall
                 surely
                 dye
              
               .
               And
               the
               Devil
               said
               ,
               
                 ye
                 shall
                 not
                 surely
                 dye
              
               .
               Yet
               the
               Woman
               ,
               and
               so
               also
               the
               Man
               thorow
               her
               perswasion
               ,
               gave
               more
               credit
               to
               the
               Devil
               ,
               the
               Father
               of
               lyes
               ,
               than
               to
               God
               the
               father
               of
               truth
               .
            
             
               3.
               
               
                 Horrible
                 Idolatry
              
               in
               doting
               upon
               ,
               and
               loving
               the
               creature
               more
               than
               God
               the
               Creator
               ,
               who
               is
               blessed
               for
               ever
               .
               For
               this
               is
               one
               way
               of
               committing
               idolatry
               ,
               namely
               by
               Deifying
               the
               Creature
               ,
               and
               loving
               it
               more
               than
               God.
               
            
             
               4.
               
               
                 Pride
                 and
                 Ambition
              
               ,
               desiring
               to
               be
               as
               Gods.
               For
               when
               the
               Devil
               said
               ,
               
                 ye
                 shall
                 be
                 as
                 Gods
                 ,
                 knowing
                 good
                 and
                 evil
                 ,
              
               they
               were
               so
               puffed
               up
               therewith
               ,
               that
               they
               transgressed
               .
            
             
               5.
               
               Theft
               .
               For
               they
               took
               that
               which
               was
               none
               of
               their
               own
               ,
               but
               by
               a
               special
               reservation
               kept
               from
               them
               .
               For
               God
               had
               expresly
               forbidden
               them
               to
               eat
               of
               that
               tree
               ,
               Gen.
               2.17
               .
            
             
               6.
               
               Murther
               .
               Our
               first
               Parents
               by
               eating
               that
               forbidden
               fruit
               ,
               brought
               death
               ,
               not
               only
               upon
               themselves
               ,
               but
               upon
               all
               their
               posterity
               .
               Yea
               ,
               as
               much
               as
               in
               them
               lay
               ,
               they
               thereby
               implunged
               themselves
               and
               all
               their
               posterity
               into
               hell
               fire
               .
               By
               these
               you
               may
               iudge
               of
               the
               greatness
               of
               the
               sin
               of
               our
               first
               parents
               .
            
             
               Q.
               
                 Is
                 Adams
                 posterity
                 guilty
                 of
                 that
                 sin
                 ?
              
            
             
               A.
               Yea
               ,
               Adams
               sin
               is
               imputed
               to
               all
               his
               posterity
               .
            
             
               
                 By
                 one
                 mans
                 disobedience
                 many
                 were
                 made
                 sinners
                 ,
              
               Rom.
               5.19
               .
               That
               is
               ,
               by
               the
               transgression
               of
               Adam
               ,
               the
               first
               man
               ,
               many
               ,
               even
               all
               that
               have
               or
               shall
               come
               from
               him
               ,
               are
               justly
               accounted
               sinners
               .
            
             
               Q.
               
                 How
                 can
              
               Adams
               
                 posterity
                 be
                 guilty
                 of
                 his
                 sin
                 ?
              
            
             
               A.
               1.
               
               Adam
               was
               a
               publick
               person
               in
               that
               business
               .
            
             
               He
               stood
               not
               in
               his
               own
               room
               alone
               ,
               but
               in
               the
               room
               of
               all
               mankind
               .
               He
               was
               the
               great
               representative
               of
               the
               world
               ,
               so
               that
               he
               sinning
               ,
               we
               sinned
               in
               and
               with
               him
               .
            
             
               2.
               
               We
               were
               all
               in
               the
               loins
               of
               Adam
               when
               he
               sinned
               .
            
             
               And
               so
               by
               the
               Law
               of
               generation
               sinned
               in
               him
               ,
               and
               in
               him
               deserved
               eternal
               condemnation
               .
            
             
             
               Q.
               
                 What
                 is
                 sin
                 in
                 general
              
               ?
            
             
               A.
               Sin
               is
               a
               transgression
               of
               the
               Law.
               
            
             
               Thus
               doth
               an
               Apostle
               expresly
               define
               it
               ,
               1
               Ioh.
               3.4
               .
               The
               law
               is
               a
               manifestation
               of
               the
               will
               of
               God
               ,
               declaring
               what
               he
               would
               have
               man
               to
               do
               ,
               or
               not
               to
               do
               :
               therefore
               to
               transgress
               the
               law
               ,
               is
               to
               offend
               God
               ,
               and
               to
               sin
               against
               his
               express
               will.
               
            
             
               Q
               
                 What
                 are
                 the
                 kinds
                 of
                 sin
                 ?
              
            
             
               A.
               Original
               and
               Actual
               .
            
             
               Q.
               
                 What
                 is
                 Original
                 sin
              
               ?
            
             
               A.
               That
               corruption
               of
               nature
               wherein
               all
               are
               conceived
               ,
               and
               born
               .
            
             
               It
               is
               the
               immediate
               effect
               of
               Adams
               first
               sin
               ,
               and
               the
               principal
               cause
               of
               all
               other
               sins
               .
               In
               which
               respect
               it
               is
               called
               Original
               ,
               because
               it
               is
               the
               spring
               from
               whence
               all
               actual
               sins
               issue
               and
               flow
               .
               Of
               this
               Original
               corruption
               did
               David
               speak
               in
               Psal.
               51.5
               .
               
                 Behold
                 I
                 was
                 shapen
                 in
                 iniquity
                 ,
                 and
                 in
                 sin
                 did
                 my
                 Mother
                 conceive
                 me
                 .
              
               Never
               was
               any
               that
               came
               from
               Adam
               (
               Christ
               only
               excepted
               ,
               who
               was
               conceived
               by
               the
               holy
               Ghost
               )
               free
               from
               this
               sin
               .
               As
               every
               other
               creature
               receiveth
               the
               nature
               and
               disposition
               of
               their
               kind
               ,
               and
               stock
               ;
               thus
               Lyons
               a
               ravenous
               disposition
               ,
               Doggs
               a
               doggish
               disposition
               :
               so
               the
               Children
               of
               sinfull
               man
               a
               sinfull
               disposition
               ,
               an
               inclination
               rooted
               in
               their
               natures
               to
               all
               kinds
               of
               sin
               :
               which
               continueth
               in
               them
               as
               long
               as
               they
               live
               ,
               and
               is
               never
               quite
               rooted
               out
               of
               any
               ,
               so
               long
               as
               he
               continueth
               here
               on
               earth
               .
               Which
               the
               Lord
               in
               his
               wisdom
               hath
               so
               ordered
               ,
               
                 
                   1.
                   
                   That
                   thereby
                   they
                   may
                   be
                   the
                   more
                   humbled
                   ,
                   and
                   kept
                   from
                   spiritual
                   pride
                   .
                
                 
                   2.
                   
                   That
                   they
                   might
                   have
                   more
                   frequent
                   occasions
                   of
                   going
                   to
                   God
                   by
                   prayer
                   for
                   help
                   and
                   strength
                   against
                   the
                   working
                   of
                   corruptions
                   in
                   them
                   .
                
              
            
             
               Q.
               
                 What
                 is
                 actual
                 sin
              
               ?
            
             
               A.
               A
               particular
               breach
               of
               Gods
               Law.
               
            
             
               Q.
               
                 How
                 many
                 wayes
                 do
                 men
                 fall
                 into
                 actual
                 sins
                 ?
              
            
             
               A.
               1.
               
               By
               omitting
               or
               not
               doing
               the
               good
               which
               God
               in
               his
               Word
               requireth
               .
            
             
             
               2.
               
               By
               committing
               or
               doing
               the
               evil
               which
               God
               in
               his
               Word
               hath
               forbidden
               .
            
             
               3.
               
               By
               a
               sinfull
               manner
               of
               performing
               that
               which
               is
               good
               .
            
             
               The
               best
               duties
               we
               take
               in
               hand
               are
               exceedingly
               corrupted
               through
               our
               failing
               in
               the
               manner
               of
               performing
               them
               .
            
             
               Q.
               
                 What
                 is
                 the
                 punishment
                 of
                 sin
                 ?
              
            
             
               A.
               All
               curses
               and
               plagues
               in
               this
               life
               ,
               at
               the
               end
               death
               ,
               and
               after
               that
               ,
               eternal
               torment
               in
               hell
               ,
               Deut.
               28.16
               ,
               17.
               
               Rom.
               6.23
               .
               2
               Thes.
               1.8
               ,
               9.
               
            
             
               Q.
               
                 Is
                 any
                 man
                 able
                 to
                 free
                 himself
                 out
                 of
                 that
                 wofull
                 plight
                 whereinto
                 he
                 hath
                 implunged
                 himself
                 by
                 sin
                 ?
              
            
             
               A.
               Surely
               No.
               
            
             
               2
               Cor.
               3.5
               .
               
                 We
                 are
                 not
                 sufficient
                 of
                 our selves
                 to
                 think
                 any
                 thing
                 as
                 of
                 our selves
                 .
              
               Much
               less
               can
               we
               do
               any
               thing
               of
               our selves
               ,
               to
               free
               our selves
               from
               so
               great
               a
               misery
               ,
               as
               sin
               hath
               brought
               us
               into
               .
               
                 We
                 are
                 dead
                 in
                 sin
              
               ,
               Eph.
               2.1
               .
               And
               dead
               men
               cannot
               raise
               themselves
               to
               life
               .
            
             
               Q
               
                 Can
                 any
                 other
                 creature
                 deliver
                 man
                 ?
              
            
             
               A.
               No
               meer
               Creature
               .
            
             
               Psalm
               49.7
               .
               
                 None
                 of
                 them
                 can
                 by
                 any
                 means
                 redeem
                 his
                 brother
                 ,
                 nor
                 give
                 unto
                 God
                 a
                 ransome
                 for
                 him
                 .
              
               This
               may
               be
               applyed
               to
               all
               the
               Creatures
               in
               the
               World
               ,
               to
               all
               the
               Saints
               and
               Angels
               in
               the
               World
               ,
               none
               of
               them
               can
               by
               any
               means
               redeem
               his
               brother
               .
               So
               that
               in
               regard
               of
               mans
               own
               power
               ,
               or
               in
               regard
               of
               succour
               from
               any
               meer
               creature
               ,
               there
               remaineth
               nothing
               but
               matter
               of
               despair
               .
            
             
               Q.
               
                 Is
                 there
                 any
                 means
                 to
                 free
                 man
                 out
                 of
                 his
                 corrupt
                 and
                 miserable
                 estate
                 ?
              
            
             
               A.
               Yes
               ,
               God
               himself
               hath
               given
               unto
               man
               a
               Saviour
               .
            
             
               Act.
               5.31
               .
               When
               it
               was
               manifested
               none
               could
               help
               ,
               God
               himself
               gave
               an
               helper
               ,
               and
               a
               Saviour
               unto
               us
               .
            
             
             
               Q.
               
                 Who
                 is
                 mans
                 Saviour
              
               ?
            
             
               A.
               Jesus
               Christ.
               
            
             
               1
               Tim.
               1.15
               .
               
                 This
                 is
                 a
                 faithful
                 saying
                 ,
                 and
                 worthy
                 of
                 all
                 acceptation
                 ,
                 that
                 Iesus
                 Christ
                 came
                 into
                 the
                 World
                 to
                 save
                 sinners
                 .
              
            
             
               Iesus
               ,
               is
               an
               Hebrew
               word
               ,
               and
               signifieth
               a
               Saviour
               .
               The
               Angel
               that
               gave
               this
               name
               ,
               addeth
               this
               reason
               thereof
               ,
               
                 He
                 shall
                 save
                 his
                 people
                 from
                 their
                 sins
                 ,
              
            
             
               The
               other
               name
               ,
               Christ
               ,
               is
               a
               Greek
               Word
               ,
               and
               signifieth
               
                 anointed
                 ,
                 Iesus
              
               shews
               him
               to
               be
               a
               Saviour
               .
               Christ
               an
               able
               Saviour
               ,
               because
               anointed
               ,
               that
               is
               ,
               set
               apart
               by
               God
               and
               endowed
               with
               all
               fulness
               for
               the
               work
               of
               our
               redemption
               .
            
             
               Q.
               
                 What
                 is
                 Iesus
                 Christ.
              
               
            
             
               A.
               He
               is
               the
               eternal
               Son
               of
               God
               ,
               who
               in
               the
               fulness
               of
               time
               took
               mans
               nature
               .
            
             
               The
               only
               begotten
               Son
               of
               God
               ,
               the
               second
               Person
               in
               the
               Trinity
               ,
               who
               in
               the
               fulness
               of
               time
               took
               mans
               Nature
               upon
               him
               ;
               This
               is
               Jesus
               Christ.
               He
               is
               called
               the
               
                 only
                 begotten
                 Son
                 of
                 God
              
               ,
               because
               he
               is
               the
               alone
               Son
               of
               God
               by
               nature
               .
               For
               though
               others
               be
               Sons
               of
               God
               by
               Creation
               ,
               as
               Adam
               was
               ,
               and
               the
               Angels
               .
               Others
               by
               adoption
               ,
               and
               regeneration
               ,
               as
               the
               Saints
               of
               God.
               Yet
               none
               is
               his
               Son
               by
               nature
               ,
               but
               Jesus
               Christ
               ,
               who
               is
               therefore
               called
               ,
               
                 the
                 only
                 begotten
                 Son
                 of
                 God
                 ,
              
               Joh.
               1.14
               .
               which
               is
               to
               be
               understood
               of
               an
               eternal
               ▪
               and
               incomprehensible
               generation
               ,
               which
               would
               rather
               be
               admired
               than
               enquired
               into
               .
            
             
               Q.
               
                 Why
                 must
                 mans
                 Redeemer
                 be
                 man
                 ?
              
            
             
               A.
               1.
               
               In
               general
               that
               he
               might
               suffer
               and
               dye
               for
               mans
               Redemption
               .
            
             
               Heb.
               9.22
               .
               
                 Without
                 shedding
                 of
                 blood
                 is
                 no
                 remission
                 of
                 sin
                 ●
              
               Christ
               therefore
               that
               he
               might
               dye
               for
               our
               Redemption
               ,
               took
               upon
               him
               our
               Nature
               ,
               for
               as
               God
               he
               could
               not
               dye
               .
            
             
               2.
               
               That
               he
               might
               satisfie
               the
               justice
               of
               God
               in
               the
               same
               manner
               wherein
               it
               was
               offended
               .
            
             
               For
               the
               justice
               of
               God
               did
               require
               ,
               that
               satisfaction
               should
               be
               made
               in
               the
               same
               nature
               which
               had
               sinned
               .
               Man
               therefore
               having
               sinned
               ,
               it
               was
               requisite
               that
               man
               should
               dye
               ,
               for
               the
               satisfying
               Gods
               justice
               ,
               and
               appeasing
               his
               wrath
               .
               Whereupon
               
               saith
               the
               Apostle
               ,
               
                 Since
                 by
                 man
                 came
                 Death
                 ,
                 by
                 man
                 came
                 the
                 Resurrection
                 of
                 the
                 dead
                 ,
              
               1
               Cor.
               15.21
               .
            
             
               3.
               
               That
               he
               might
               feel
               our
               frailties
               ,
               and
               from
               sense
               and
               experience
               learn
               pitty
               and
               compassion
               .
            
             
               Which
               reason
               the
               Apostle
               rendreth
               ,
               Heb.
               2.16
               ,
               17.
               
               
                 He
                 took
                 on
                 him
                 the
                 seed
                 of
              
               Abraham
               ,
               
                 that
                 he
                 might
                 be
                 a
                 merciful
                 ,
                 and
                 faithfull
                 High-Priest
                 ,
              
               that
               is
               ,
               that
               he
               might
               be
               merciful
               ,
               as
               one
               man
               is
               to
               another
               .
               And
               in
               Heb.
               4.15
               .
               
                 We
                 have
                 not
                 an
                 High-Priest
                 ,
                 which
                 cannot
                 be
                 touched
                 with
                 the
                 feeling
                 of
                 our
                 infirmities
                 ,
                 but
                 was
                 in
                 all
                 points
                 tempted
                 like
                 as
                 we
                 are
                 ,
                 yet
                 without
                 sin
                 .
              
            
             
               Q.
               
                 Why
                 must
                 mans
                 Redeemer
                 be
                 also
                 God
                 ?
              
            
             
               A.
               1.
               
               That
               he
               might
               be
               able
               and
               sufficient
               to
               endure
               that
               which
               for
               mans
               sin
               he
               undertook
               .
            
             
               The
               burden
               which
               he
               underwent
               ,
               was
               the
               wrath
               of
               an
               infinite
               God
               ,
               and
               there
               was
               need
               of
               a
               divine
               power
               to
               support
               under
               the
               divine
               wrath
               .
               His
               humane
               nature
               would
               have
               been
               overwhelmed
               with
               the
               heavy
               weight
               of
               Gods
               wrath
               ,
               had
               not
               the
               divine
               nature
               strengthned
               and
               upheld
               it
               .
            
             
               2.
               
               That
               he
               might
               vanquish
               all
               the
               enemies
               of
               our
               Salvation
               ,
               and
               overcome
               Satan
               ,
               hell
               and
               death
               ,
               which
               no
               meer
               creature
               could
               do
               .
            
             
               Christ
               being
               God
               ,
               by
               his
               death
               he
               overcame
               death
               ,
               and
               him
               that
               had
               the
               power
               of
               death
               ,
               that
               is
               ,
               the
               Devil
               .
            
             
               3.
               
               That
               his
               obedience
               and
               sufferings
               might
               be
               of
               an
               infinite
               price
               and
               value
               .
            
             
               That
               which
               made
               the
               Obedience
               ,
               and
               the
               Death
               of
               Christ
               to
               be
               of
               such
               an
               infinite
               value
               was
               ,
               that
               it
               was
               the
               obedience
               ,
               and
               the
               death
               of
               the
               Son
               of
               God
               ,
               of
               him
               who
               was
               God
               ,
               as
               well
               as
               man.
               The
               Deity
               being
               one
               nature
               in
               the
               person
               of
               our
               Redeemer
               ,
               an
               infinite
               dignity
               accompanyed
               his
               person
               ,
               and
               every
               thing
               that
               was
               done
               and
               suffered
               by
               him
               .
            
             
               Which
               affords
               a
               singular
               ground
               of
               comfort
               to
               all
               humbled
               sinners
               ,
               sensible
               of
               their
               sins
               ,
               and
               misery
               ,
               due
               unto
               them
               for
               the
               same
               ;
               in
               that
               the
               death
               and
               sufferings
               of
               Jesus
               Christ
               is
               of
               infinite
               worth
               and
               merit
               ,
               far
               above
               the
               merit
               of
               their
               sins
               ;
               being
               the
               death
               and
               sufferings
               of
               him
               who
               was
               God
               as
               well
               as
               man.
               
               Oh
               what
               comfort
               ,
               yea
               what
               matter
               of
               triumph
               did
               this
               afford
               unto
               the
               Apostle
               Paul
               ,
               as
               appeareth
               in
               Rom.
               8.33.34
               .
               For
               treating
               of
               the
               fulness
               and
               a●sufficiency
               of
               Christs
               satisfaction
               by
               his
               death
               ,
               in
               the
               former
               part
               of
               the
               Chapter
               ;
               in
               the
               latter
               part
               ,
               he
               speaks
               as
               one
               ravished
               with
               abundance
               of
               comfort
               ,
               and
               thereupon
               presently
               challengeth
               a
               dispute
               with
               any
               ,
               concerning
               the
               fulness
               of
               Christs
               satisfaction
               by
               his
               death
               .
               Let
               conscience
               ,
               saith
               he
               ,
               and
               carnal
               reason
               ,
               let
               Law
               and
               sin
               ,
               Hell
               and
               Devil
               bring
               in
               all
               their
               strength
               ,
               object
               what
               they
               can
               ,
               either
               the
               justice
               of
               God
               ,
               or
               the
               number
               and
               hainousness
               of
               my
               sins
               ,
               what
               are
               all
               these
               ?
               
                 Seeing
                 Christ
                 hath
                 dyed
                 ,
                 who
                 is
                 he
                 ,
                 shall
                 lay
                 any
                 thing
                 to
                 the
                 charge
                 of
                 Gods
                 elect
                 ?
                 whom
                 shall
                 condemn
                 ?
                 It
                 is
                 Christ
                 that
                 dyed
                 .
              
               As
               if
               he
               had
               said
               ,
               seeing
               Christ
               ,
               the
               beloved
               Son
               of
               God
               ,
               hath
               offered
               up
               his
               life
               as
               a
               Sacrifice
               ,
               and
               satisfaction
               to
               the
               justice
               of
               God
               for
               my
               sins
               ,
               I
               will
               not
               fear
               the
               accusations
               of
               Satan
               ,
               nor
               the
               objections
               of
               mine
               own
               carnal
               heart
               .
            
             
               Q.
               
                 What
                 hath
                 Christ
                 done
                 for
                 our
                 Redemption
                 ?
              
            
             
               A.
               1.
               
               He
               performed
               that
               obedience
               which
               we
               did
               owe
               to
               the
               Commandments
               of
               God.
               
            
             
               2.
               
               He
               suffered
               that
               punishment
               which
               was
               due
               unto
               us
               for
               our
               sins
               .
            
             
               The
               former
               is
               called
               Christs
               
                 active
                 obedience
              
               ,
               the
               latter
               his
               
                 passive
                 obedience
              
               .
            
             
               Christs
               active
               obedience
               was
               most
               absolute
               ,
               and
               perfect
               :
               for
               he
               perfectly
               performed
               whatsoever
               the
               Law
               of
               God
               did
               require
               ;
               which
               himself
               intimateth
               in
               that
               speech
               of
               his
               to
               
                 Iohn
                 Baptist
              
               ,
               (
               Matth.
               4.15
               .
               )
               
                 It
                 becometh
                 us
                 to
                 fulfill
                 all
                 Righteousness
                 .
              
               And
               as
               we
               were
               made
               unrighteous
               by
               the
               first
               Adams
               disobedience
               :
               So
               are
               we
               made
               righteous
               by
               the
               obedience
               of
               the
               
                 second
                 Adam
              
               ,
               Christ
               Jesus
               .
               This
               the
               Apostle
               expresly
               noteth
               ,
               Rom.
               5.19
               .
               
                 As
                 by
                 one
                 mans
                 disobedience
              
               ,
               meaning
               ,
               
                 Adams
                 ,
                 many
                 were
                 made
                 sinners
                 .
              
               So
               
                 by
                 the
                 obedience
                 of
                 one
              
               ,
               namely
               Christ
               ,
               
                 shall
                 many
                 be
                 made
                 righteous
              
               ,
               that
               is
               ,
               all
               who
               belong
               unto
               him
               .
               And
               as
               Christ
               subjected
               himself
               unto
               the
               Law
               ,
               and
               fulfilled
               the
               same
               for
               us
               ,
               in
               our
               stead
               ,
               whereby
               he
               purchased
               eternal
               life
               and
               salvation
               for
               us
               :
               So
               likewise
               he
               suffered
               that
               punishment
               which
               was
               due
               to
               us
               for
               our
               sins
               ,
               and
               thereby
               redeemed
               us
               from
               death
               and
               hell
               .
               For
               as
               the
               Prophet
               Isay
               speaketh
               (
               Isa.
               53.6
               .
               )
               
                 The
                 Lord
                 laid
                 upon
                 him
                 
                 the
                 iniquity
                 of
                 us
                 all
                 ,
              
               that
               is
               ,
               the
               punishment
               due
               to
               all
               our
               iniquities
               .
               And
               verse
               4.
               
               
                 Surely
                 he
                 hath
                 born
                 our
                 griefs
                 ,
                 and
                 carryed
                 our
                 sorrows
                 .
              
               The
               sorrow
               and
               anguish
               that
               was
               due
               to
               us
               for
               our
               sins
               ,
               he
               hath
               born
               it
               all
               ,
               and
               every
               jot
               of
               it
               .
               And
               so
               having
               made
               full
               satisfaction
               to
               the
               justice
               of
               God
               for
               us
               ,
               we
               are
               discharged
               .
               Therefore
               saith
               the
               Apostle
               (
               Eph.
               1.7
               .
               )
               
                 we
                 have
                 redemption
                 through
                 his
                 blood
                 ,
              
               that
               is
               ,
               through
               the
               bloody
               death
               and
               passion
               of
               Jesus
               Christ
               ,
               we
               are
               redeemed
               from
               all
               our
               sins
               .
               But
               yet
               this
               is
               not
               so
               to
               be
               understood
               ,
               as
               if
               we
               were
               redeemed
               from
               the
               curse
               by
               Christs
               passive
               obedience
               ,
               and
               had
               the
               inheritance
               of
               glory
               purchased
               for
               us
               by
               his
               active
               obedience
               ,
               separately
               considered
               ;
               but
               by
               his
               active
               and
               passive
               obedience
               joyntly
               considered
               ,
               we
               are
               both
               redeemed
               from
               the
               curse
               ,
               and
               entitled
               to
               glory
               .
            
             
               Q.
               
                 What
                 offices
                 did
                 Christ
                 undertake
                 to
                 make
                 us
                 partakers
                 of
                 the
                 benefit
                 of
                 that
                 which
                 Christ
                 did
                 and
                 s●ffered
                 ?
              
            
             
               A.
               Christ
               undertook
               three
               Offices
               ,
               he
               became
               a
               (
               a
               )
               King
               ,
               a
               (
               b
               )
               Prophet
               ,
               and
               a
               (
               c
               )
               Priest.
               (
               a
               )
               Act.
               5.31
               .
               (
               b
               )
               Deut.
               18.18
               .
               (
               c
               )
               Psal.
               110.4
               .
            
             
               Q.
               
                 What
                 are
                 the
                 parts
                 of
                 Christs
                 Kingly
                 Office
                 ?
              
            
             
               A.
               1.
               
               To
               govern
               his
               Church
               .
            
             
               Christs
               governing
               his
               Church
               is
               partly
               External
               ,
               and
               partly
               Internal
               .
            
             
               
                 1.
                 
                 External
                 by
                 his
                 Word
                 ,
                 wherein
                 his
                 Laws
                 are
                 revealed
                 .
                 And
                 by
                 his
                 Officers
                 ,
                 and
                 Ministers
                 ,
                 which
                 he
                 hath
                 appointed
                 to
                 stand
                 in
                 his
                 room
                 ;
                 to
                 whom
                 he
                 hath
                 committed
                 not
                 only
                 the
                 word
                 of
                 reconciliation
                 ,
                 but
                 also
                 the
                 power
                 of
                 the
                 Keyes
                 ,
                 or
                 a
                 power
                 to
                 put
                 his
                 Laws
                 and
                 Orders
                 in
                 execution
                 .
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 Christ
                 doth
                 Internally
                 govern
                 his
                 Church
                 by
                 his
                 Spirit
                 ,
                 whereby
                 he
                 so
                 powerfully
                 works
                 upon
                 them
                 that
                 he
                 makes
                 them
                 willingly
                 to
                 submit
                 to
                 him
                 .
              
            
             
               Q.
               
                 What
                 other
                 part
                 is
                 there
                 of
                 Christs
                 Kingly
                 Office
                 ?
              
            
             
               A.
               2.
               
               To
               provide
               for
               his
               Church
               .
            
             
               Christs
               providing
               for
               his
               Church
               extends
               to
               all
               things
               needfull
               
               for
               soul
               and
               body
               ,
               even
               to
               all
               spiritual
               ,
               and
               temporal
               blessings
               .
               He
               provides
               spiritual
               blessings
               for
               the
               souls
               of
               his
               members
               ,
               by
               furnishing
               them
               with
               all
               needfull
               saving
               graces
               .
               He
               likewise
               provides
               temporal
               blessings
               for
               their
               bodies
               ,
               so
               far
               as
               he
               seeth
               to
               be
               good
               for
               them
               .
               
                 The
                 young
                 Lyons
                 do
                 lack
                 and
                 suffer
                 hunger
                 ,
                 but
                 they
                 that
                 fear
                 the
                 Lord
                 shall
                 not
                 want
                 any
                 good
                 thing
                 ,
              
               Psal.
               34.10
               .
            
             
               Q.
               
                 What
                 other
                 part
                 is
                 there
                 of
                 Christs
                 Kingly
                 Office
                 ?
              
            
             
               A.
               3.
               
               To
               protect
               his
               Church
               .
            
             
               Christ
               protects
               his
               Church
               and
               Members
               from
               all
               enemies
               .
               Her
               enemies
               are
               Visible
               and
               Invisible
               .
               Her
               Visible
               Enemies
               are
               all
               manner
               of
               wicked
               men
               .
               Her
               Invisible
               enemies
               are
               the
               Devil
               and
               his
               Angels
               .
               Christ
               either
               keepeth
               these
               enemies
               from
               assaulting
               his
               Church
               ,
               as
               Gen.
               35.5
               .
               or
               weakneth
               their
               power
               ,
               and
               restraineth
               it
               ,
               as
               2
               Sam.
               3.1
               .
               Or
               delivereth
               his
               out
               of
               their
               clutches
               ,
               as
               Exod.
               14.39
               .
               Or
               destroyeth
               their
               enemies
               ,
               as
               2
               King.
               19.35
               .
            
             
               Q
               
                 What
                 is
                 the
                 chief
                 work
                 of
                 Christs
              
               Prophetical
               Office
               ?
            
             
               A.
               To
               teach
               and
               instruct
               his
               Church
               .
            
             
               Q.
               
                 How
                 doth
                 Christ
                 instruct
                 his
                 Church
                 ?
              
            
             
               A.
               1.
               
               Outwardly
               by
               his
               Word
               .
            
             
               2.
               
               Inwardly
               by
               his
               Spirit
               .
            
             
               First
               ,
               Christ
               instructs
               his
               Church
               outwardly
               by
               making
               known
               his
               Fathers
               will
               ,
               which
               he
               did
               by
               his
               own
               mouth
               ,
               when
               he
               lived
               upon
               the
               earth
               .
               And
               by
               his
               Ministers
               ,
               after
               his
               Ascension
               into
               Heaven
               ,
               by
               their
               writings
               and
               Preaching
               .
            
             
               Obj.
               
                 Some
                 may
                 Object
                 and
                 say
                 ,
                 Gods
                 will
                 was
                 made
                 known
                 before
                 Christ
                 was
                 born
                 .
              
            
             
               Ans.
               1.
               
               It
               was
               indeed
               made
               known
               ,
               but
               not
               so
               clearly
               ,
               nor
               so
               fully
               as
               by
               Christ.
               It
               was
               obscured
               by
               Types
               .
            
             
               2.
               
               It
               was
               not
               then
               made
               known
               altogether
               without
               Christ.
               For
               though
               Christ
               of
               old
               did
               not
               so
               visibly
               shew
               himself
               a
               revealer
               of
               his
               Fathers
               will
               ,
               as
               after
               he
               was
               born
               and
               lived
               on
               Earth
               :
               yet
               did
               he
               reveal
               Gods
               will
               to
               the
               Children
               of
               men
               in
               those
               dayes
               .
               For
               wheresoever
               God
               is
               said
               to
               speak
               ,
               the
               Son
               of
               
               God
               ,
               the
               second
               person
               in
               the
               Trinity
               ,
               is
               there
               meant
               .
               And
               when
               God
               is
               said
               in
               any
               visible
               shape
               to
               appear
               to
               men
               ,
               the
               same
               person
               ,
               the
               Son
               of
               God
               appeared
               .
               Yea
               ,
               that
               which
               Angels
               or
               Prophets
               made
               known
               to
               men
               ,
               was
               first
               made
               known
               to
               them
               by
               the
               Son
               of
               God
               ,
               Act.
               7.38
               .
               In
               this
               respect
               ,
               among
               others
               ,
               Christ
               is
               often
               called
               the
               WORD
               ,
               as
               Iohn
               1.1
               ,
               &c.
               
               For
               as
               men
               by
               word
               of
               mouth
               ordinarily
               declare
               their
               mind
               and
               meaning
               :
               So
               did
               God
               declare
               his
               will
               ,
               and
               mind
               by
               his
               Son.
               
            
             
               2.
               
               Christ
               instrúcts
               his
               Church
               inwardly
               ,
               by
               causing
               his
               Spirit
               to
               work
               with
               the
               outward
               Ministry
               ,
               which
               he
               hath
               ordained
               ,
               upon
               the
               souls
               of
               men
               .
               Christ
               speaketh
               now
               in
               Ministers
               ,
               as
               he
               did
               in
               Paul
               ,
               (
               2
               Cor.
               13.3
               .
               )
               though
               not
               in
               the
               same
               measure
               ,
               yet
               in
               the
               same
               manner
               .
               Thus
               in
               and
               by
               those
               Ordinances
               which
               he
               hath
               prescribed
               to
               his
               Church
               ,
               he
               enlightneth
               the
               mind
               ,
               mollifieth
               the
               heart
               ,
               comforteth
               the
               Conscience
               ,
               yea
               and
               worketh
               faith
               ,
               hope
               ,
               love
               ,
               patience
               ,
               new-obedience
               ,
               and
               all
               other
               needfull
               graces
               :
            
             
               Q.
               
                 What
                 are
                 the
                 parts
                 of
                 Christs
                 Priestly
                 Office
                 ?
              
            
             
               A.
               1.
               
               Satisfaction
               .
               2.
               
               Intercession
               .
            
             
               These
               two
               were
               th●
               principal
               works
               of
               the
               High-Priest
               under
               the
               Law.
               〈◊〉
               did
               by
               offering
               Sacrifice
               .
               The
               other
               by
               entring
               into
               the
               most
               holy-place
               with
               Incense
               .
               Both
               these
               are
               joyned
               together
               ,
               and
               applyed
               to
               Christ
               ,
               Rom.
               8.34
               .
               
                 Who
                 is
                 he
                 that
                 condemneth
                 ?
                 It
                 is
                 Christ
                 that
                 dyed
                 ,
                 yea
                 rather
                 that
                 '
                 is
                 risen
                 again
                 ,
                 who
                 is
                 even
                 at
                 the
                 right
                 hand
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 who
                 also
                 maketh
                 intercession
                 for
                 us
                 .
              
               Here
               we
               have
               both
               Satisfaction
               ,
               and
               Intercession
               applyed
               to
               Christ.
               Satisfaction
               by
               his
               death
               ,
               and
               Intercession
               now
               that
               he
               is
               risen
               again
               ,
               and
               sitteth
               at
               the
               right
               hand
               of
               God.
               
            
             
               Christs
               Sacrifice
               on
               the
               Cross
               was
               of
               such
               efficacy
               ,
               that
               Gods
               Justice
               was
               thereby
               abundantly
               satisfied
               ,
               his
               wrath
               fully
               pacified
               ,
               yea
               his
               face
               and
               favour
               ,
               and
               all
               blessings
               following
               thereon
               ,
               was
               purchased
               .
               The
               death
               of
               Christ
               is
               therefore
               said
               to
               be
               a
               Sacrifice
               to
               God
               ,
               a
               sweet
               smelling
               savour
               ,
               Eph.
               5.2
               .
               And
               the
               Church
               is
               said
               to
               be
               purchased
               thereby
               ,
               Act.
               20.28
               .
               namely
               ,
               from
               all
               that
               bondage
               under
               which
               it
               was
               ,
               as
               sin
               ,
               the
               curse
               of
               the
               Law
               ,
               the
               Wrath
               of
               God
               ,
               Death
               ,
               Devil
               ,
               Damnation
               .
               
               After
               Christ
               had
               offered
               up
               his
               Life
               a
               Sacrifice
               unto
               God
               ,
               and
               thereby
               made
               satisfaction
               for
               the
               sins
               of
               his
               Church
               ;
               he
               was
               buried
               ,
               and
               laid
               in
               the
               grave
               ,
               to
               sanctifie
               the
               grave
               to
               all
               his
               members
               .
               And
               the
               third
               day
               he
               arose
               from
               the
               dead
               .
               As
               he
               himself
               laid
               down
               his
               life
               ,
               so
               he
               himself
               took
               it
               up
               again
               .
               And
               then
               he
               ascended
               into
               Heaven
               ,
               there
               
                 to
                 make
                 intercession
                 for
                 us
              
               ,
               which
               is
               the
               second
               part
               of
               his
               Priestly
               Office.
               The
               former
               was
               to
               make
               satisfaction
               :
               this
               latter
               to
               make
               intercession
               .
            
             
               Christ
               may
               be
               said
               to
               make
               intercession
               for
               us
               two
               wayes
               ,
               
                 
                   1.
                   
                   By
                   a
                   continual
                   presenting
                   of
                   himself
                   to
                   his
                   Father
                   for
                   us
                   .
                   Christ
                   ,
                   saith
                   the
                   Apostle
                   ,
                   Heb.
                   9.24
                   .
                   
                     is
                     entred
                     into
                     Heaven
                     ,
                     now
                     to
                     appear
                     in
                     the
                     presence
                     of
                     God
                     for
                     us
                     .
                  
                   Christ
                   presents
                   himself
                   our
                   Sacrifice
                   ,
                   and
                   propitiation
                   for
                   our
                   sins
                   ,
                   whose
                   very
                   blood
                   becomes
                   our
                   Advocate
                   ,
                   to
                   plead
                   with
                   the
                   Father
                   for
                   us
                   ,
                   Heb.
                   12.24
                   .
                
                 
                   2.
                   
                   By
                   manifesting
                   his
                   will
                   to
                   have
                   all
                   his
                   made
                   partakers
                   of
                   the
                   vertue
                   and
                   benefit
                   of
                   his
                   Sacrifice
                   .
                   Joh.
                   17.24
                   .
                   
                     Father
                     ,
                     I
                     will
                     that
                     they
                     also
                     whom
                     thou
                     hast
                     given
                     me
                     ,
                     be
                     with
                     me
                     where
                     I
                     am
                     ,
                     that
                     they
                     may
                     behold
                     my
                     glory
                     ,
                     which
                     thou
                     hast
                     given
                     me
                     .
                  
                
              
            
             
               The
               word
               Intercession
               properly
               signifieth
               supplication
               for
               another
               .
               It
               is
               attributed
               to
               Christ
               especially
               as
               he
               is
               now
               in
               Heaven
               ,
               by
               way
               of
               resemblance
               .
               The
               resemblance
               may
               be
               taken
               from
               the
               Favourite
               of
               a
               King
               ,
               who
               is
               alwayes
               at
               Court
               ,
               in
               the
               Kings
               presence
               ,
               and
               there
               presents
               his
               friends
               petition
               ,
               and
               intercedes
               for
               the
               granting
               thereof
               .
               Christ
               ,
               the
               great
               favourite
               of
               the
               Lord
               ,
               stands
               before
               him
               continually
               to
               present
               our
               supplications
               ,
               and
               procure
               our
               acceptance
               .
            
             
               Q.
               
                 How
                 comes
                 Christ
                 ,
                 and
                 those
                 things
                 which
                 he
                 did
                 and
                 suffered
                 in
                 his
                 own
                 person
                 to
                 be
                 ours
                 ?
              
            
             
               A.
               By
               Faith.
               
            
             
               Rom.
               3.22
               .
               Faith
               is
               called
               the
               
                 faith
                 of
                 Iesus
              
               ,
               because
               we
               thereby
               relying
               on
               Christ
               ,
               are
               united
               to
               him
               ,
               and
               so
               have
               a
               right
               to
               all
               that
               is
               his
               .
               In
               this
               respect
               whatsoever
               we
               receive
               from
               Christ
               ,
               is
               attributed
               to
               faith
               .
               
                 By
                 faith
                 we
                 are
                 justified
              
               ,
               Rom.
               3.28
               .
               
                 We
                 are
                 saved
                 by
                 faith
              
               ,
               Eph.
               2.8
               .
               
                 By
                 faith
                 we
                 have
                 access
                 to
                 God
                 ,
              
               Rom.
               5.2
               .
               In
               a
               word
               ,
               As
               they
               ,
               who
               in
               the
               dayes
               whilest
               Christ
               lived
               upon
               the
               earth
               ,
               received
               cure
               of
               any
               malady
               from
               him
               ,
               received
               it
               by
               faith
               .
               So
               every
               
               good
               thing
               that
               now
               we
               receive
               from
               Christ
               ,
               we
               receive
               by
               faith
               .
               How
               needfull
               then
               is
               it
               ,
               that
               we
               be
               well
               instructed
               in
               the
               nature
               of
               faith
               .
            
             
               Q.
               
                 What
                 is
                 faith
              
               ?
            
             
               A.
               True
               saving
               faith
               is
               a
               grace
               wrought
               in
               us
               by
               the
               Spirit
               of
               God
               ,
               through
               the
               Ministry
               of
               the
               Word
               ,
               whereby
               we
               receive
               Christ
               ,
               as
               he
               is
               offered
               in
               the
               Gospel
               ,
               and
               rest
               upon
               him
               alone
               for
               life
               and
               salvation
               .
            
             
               First
               ,
               I
               say
               ,
               
                 True
                 saving
                 faith
                 is
                 a
                 grace
                 .
              
               It
               is
               not
               the
               work
               of
               nature
               ;
               it
               being
               as
               impossible
               for
               a
               man
               by
               his
               own
               strength
               to
               believe
               ,
               as
               it
               is
               to
               keep
               the
               Law.
               Faith
               therefore
               in
               Scripture
               is
               called
               ,
               
                 the
                 gift
                 of
                 God.
              
               
            
             
               It
               is
               added
               ,
               
                 wrought
                 in
                 us
                 by
                 the
                 spirit
                 of
                 God
                 ,
              
               by
               whose
               efficacy
               (
               as
               the
               principal
               cause
               )
               it
               is
               begotten
               in
               us
               .
            
             
               
                 Through
                 the
                 Ministry
                 of
                 the
                 Word
                 ,
              
               because
               that
               is
               the
               ordinary
               means
               whereby
               the
               Spirit
               of
               God
               doth
               work
               faith
               in
               our
               hearts
               .
               It
               s
               true
               ,
               that
               the
               reading
               of
               the
               Scriptures
               ,
               and
               of
               good
               books
               ,
               may
               through
               Gods
               blessing
               be
               a
               means
               of
               working
               faith
               ▪
               but
               it
               is
               most
               sure
               and
               certain
               ,
               that
               the
               most
               ordinary
               means
               is
               the
               Word
               preached
               ,
               as
               Rom.
               10.17
               .
               
                 Faith
                 cometh
                 by
                 hearing
              
               ,
               viz.
               the
               Word
               of
               God.
               
            
             
               For
               first
               ,
               the
               Law
               discovereth
               unto
               us
               our
               sins
               and
               miserable
               condition
               by
               reason
               of
               them
               :
               That
               we
               are
               utterly
               lost
               in
               our selves
               ,
               having
               deserved
               ,
               and
               are
               lyable
               to
               all
               judgements
               and
               plagues
               here
               ,
               and
               eternal
               death
               and
               condemnation
               hereafter
               :
               and
               that
               we
               are
               altogether
               unable
               to
               free
               our selves
               out
               of
               this
               miserable
               condition
               ,
               whereunto
               we
               have
               plunged
               our selves
               by
               sin
               .
            
             
               And
               then
               the
               Gospel
               shews
               us
               ,
               that
               in
               the
               fulness
               of
               time
               ,
               Jesus
               Christ
               who
               was
               the
               Eternal
               Son
               of
               God
               ,
               came
               into
               the
               World
               ,
               took
               our
               nature
               upon
               him
               ,
               and
               therein
               became
               our
               Surety
               ;
               and
               as
               our
               Surety
               ,
               hath
               taken
               our
               debts
               upon
               him
               ▪
               and
               by
               his
               obedience
               ,
               and
               alsufficient
               Sacrifice
               of
               his
               own
               body
               ,
               once
               offered
               upon
               the
               Cross
               ,
               hath
               made
               full
               satisfaction
               to
               Gods
               justice
               for
               the
               same
               .
            
             
               Yea
               ,
               the
               Gospel
               farther
               sheweth
               ,
               that
               God
               ,
               in
               him
               ,
               offereth
               
               grace
               and
               reconciliation
               ,
               pardon
               of
               sins
               here
               ,
               and
               eternal
               salvation
               hereafter
               ,
               to
               all
               that
               believe
               in
               him
               .
            
             
               The
               which
               truth
               being
               revealed
               to
               us
               by
               the
               Preaching
               of
               the
               Word
               ;
               the
               Spirit
               of
               God
               inwardly
               worketh
               in
               us
               effectual
               assent
               thereunto
               ,
               upon
               which
               followeth
               an
               high
               prizing
               of
               Jesus
               Christ
               above
               all
               things
               ,
               an
               hungring
               and
               thirsting
               after
               him
               ,
               and
               a
               resolution
               of
               heart
               to
               receive
               him
               as
               our
               all-sufficient
               Saviour
               ,
               and
               to
               rest
               upon
               him
               ,
               and
               his
               merits
               alone
               for
               life
               and
               salvation
               .
            
             
               And
               therefore
               it
               is
               added
               in
               the
               forementioned
               description
               ,
               that
               faith
               is
               a
               grace
               
                 whereby
                 we
                 receive
                 Christ.
              
               And
               indeed
               thereby
               is
               Christ
               made
               ours
               .
               For
               what
               is
               more
               our
               own
               ,
               than
               that
               which
               is
               freely
               offered
               us
               ,
               and
               we
               have
               received
               .
               
                 To
                 receive
                 Iesus
                 Christ
              
               ,
               is
               the
               same
               as
               to
               
                 lay
                 hold
                 on
                 him
              
               ,
               or
               to
               embrace
               him
               ,
               and
               apply
               him
               to
               our selves
               .
               But
               I
               have
               the
               rather
               made
               choice
               of
               this
               word
               receive
               ,
               because
               it
               is
               the
               very
               expression
               of
               the
               holy
               Ghost
               ,
               Joh.
               1.12
               .
               
                 As
                 many
                 as
                 received
                 him
                 to
                 them
                 gave
                 he
                 power
                 to
                 become
                 the
                 Sons
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 even
                 to
                 them
                 that
                 believe
                 .
              
               This
               latter
               clause
               ,
               
                 to
                 them
                 that
                 believe
              
               ,
               is
               added
               as
               an
               explanation
               of
               the
               former
               clause
               ,
               
                 As
                 many
                 as
                 received
                 him
              
               ;
               shewing
               what
               is
               meant
               by
               
                 receiving
                 Christ
              
               ,
               namely
               a
               believing
               on
               him
               .
               Which
               two
               are
               very
               fitly
               joyned
               together
               .
               Believing
               is
               added
               to
               receiving
               ,
               to
               shew
               what
               is
               meant
               by
               
                 receiving
                 Christ.
              
               And
               receiving
               is
               added
               to
               believing
               ,
               to
               shew
               what
               kind
               of
               faith
               it
               is
               ,
               whereby
               Christ
               becomes
               ours
               ,
               it
               is
               such
               a
               faith
               ,
               whereby
               we
               accept
               of
               and
               receive
               Christ
               with
               the
               benefits
               of
               his
               death
               and
               passion
               .
            
             
               It
               follows
               in
               the
               description
               of
               faith
               ,
               How
               Christ
               must
               be
               received
               ,
               namely
               ,
               
                 as
                 he
                 is
                 offered
                 in
                 the
                 Gospel
                 .
              
            
             
               Christ
               is
               offered
               in
               the
               Gospel
               
                 In
                 all
                 his
                 Offices
              
               ,
               as
               
                 Priest
                 ,
                 Prophet
              
               ,
               and
               King.
               And
               so
               he
               must
               be
               received
               ,
               not
               only
               as
               our
               Priest
               ,
               who
               hath
               made
               satisfaction
               for
               us
               ,
               by
               his
               death
               upon
               the
               Cross
               ,
               and
               now
               in
               Heaven
               maketh
               intercession
               for
               us
               .
               But
               likewise
               as
               our
               Prophet
               ,
               to
               be
               taught
               and
               instructed
               by
               him
               ,
               and
               as
               our
               King
               ,
               to
               be
               ruled
               and
               governed
               by
               him
               :
               and
               we
               must
               as
               willingly
               cast
               our selves
               at
               the
               feet
               of
               Christ
               in
               subjection
               to
               him
               ,
               as
               into
               the
               arms
               of
               Christ
               for
               salvation
               from
               him
               :
               we
               must
               be
               as
               willing
               to
               serve
               Jesus
               Christ
               ,
               as
               to
               be
               saved
               by
               him
               .
               The
               purpose
               of
               God
               in
               freeing
               us
               from
               
               the
               spiritual
               bondage
               ,
               in
               which
               we
               were
               by
               nature
               ,
               being
               this
               ,
               
                 that
                 we
                 should
                 serve
                 him
                 without
                 fear
                 ,
                 in
                 holiness
                 and
                 righteousness
                 ,
                 all
                 the
                 dayes
                 of
                 our
                 lives
                 .
              
            
             
               Vainly
               therefore
               do
               they
               deceive
               themselves
               ,
               who
               are
               willing
               to
               receive
               Christ
               as
               a
               Redeemer
               ,
               but
               not
               as
               a
               Ruler
               :
               as
               a
               Saviour
               ,
               but
               not
               as
               a
               
                 Lord
                 and
                 King.
              
               Let
               such
               know
               ,
               that
               Christ
               will
               be
               a
               Saviour
               to
               none
               ,
               to
               whom
               he
               is
               not
               a
               Lord
               ,
               and
               King.
               His
               subjects
               alone
               ,
               and
               none
               other
               will
               he
               save
               ,
               for
               he
               will
               not
               part
               his
               Offices
               .
            
             
               In
               the
               last
               place
               is
               added
               ,
               
                 And
                 rest
                 upon
                 him
                 alone
                 ,
                 for
                 the
                 pardon
                 of
                 our
                 sins
                 here
                 ,
                 and
                 for
                 eternal
                 life
                 and
                 Salvation
                 hereafter
                 .
              
               This
               resting
               on
               Christ
               we
               find
               is
               set
               forth
               in
               Scripture
               by
               sundry
               Phrases
               ,
               as
               
                 a
                 trusting
                 in
                 Christ
              
               ,
               Eph.
               1.12
               .
               And
               
                 a
                 leaning
                 on
                 Christ
              
               ,
               Cant.
               8.5
               .
               A
               
                 staying
                 our
                 s●lves
                 upon
                 him
              
               ,
               Isa.
               50.10
               .
            
             
               Q
               
                 What
                 are
                 those
                 esp●cial
                 benefits
                 which
                 believers
                 receive
                 from
                 Christ
                 ?
              
            
             
               A.
               1.
               
               Justification
               .
               2.
               
               Adoption
               .
               3.
               
               Sanctification
               .
            
             
               That
               justification
               is
               by
               faith
               ,
               the
               Apostle
               concludeth
               ,
               Rom.
               3.28
               .
               
                 We
                 conclude
                 that
                 a
                 man
                 is
                 justified
                 by
                 faith
                 ,
                 without
                 the
                 deeds
                 of
                 the
                 Law.
                 
              
            
             
               Q.
               
                 What
                 is
                 Iustification
              
               ?
            
             
               A.
               Justification
               is
               an
               act
               of
               Gods
               free
               grace
               ,
               whereby
               he
               forgives
               us
               all
               our
               sins
               ;
               and
               accepts
               of
               us
               as
               righteous
               ,
               in
               and
               for
               the
               righteousness
               of
               Jesus
               Christ
               imputed
               to
               us
               .
            
             
               That
               justification
               is
               
                 an
                 act
                 of
                 Gods
                 free
                 grace
                 ,
              
               The
               Apostle
               expresseth
               ,
               Rom.
               3.24
               .
               
                 Being
                 justified
                 fre●ly
                 by
                 his
                 grace
                 .
              
               And
               that
               God
               accepts
               us
               as
               righteous
               in
               and
               for
               the
               Righteousness
               of
               Jesus
               Christ
               ,
               is
               clear
               from
               Rom.
               5.19
               .
               
                 As
                 by
                 one
                 mans
                 disobedience
                 many
                 were
                 made
                 sin-ers
                 ;
                 So
                 by
                 the
                 Obedie●ce
                 ,
              
               or
               righteousness
               ,
               
                 of
                 o●e
              
               ;
               namely
               Christ
               ,
               
                 shall
                 many
                 be
                 made
                 righteous
              
               :
               that
               is
               ,
               perfectly
               righteous
               ,
               so
               as
               God
               shall
               accept
               them
               for
               righteous
               .
               We
               are
               justified
               not
               by
               any
               inherent
               righteousness
               of
               our
               own
               ,
               which
               is
               imperfect
               ;
               but
               by
               the
               perfect
               righteousness
               of
               Christ
               imputed
               to
               us
               ,
               and
               by
               God
               himself
               accounted
               ours
               .
            
             
             
               2
               Cor.
               5.21
               .
               
                 He
                 made
                 him
                 to
                 be
                 sin
                 for
                 us
                 ,
                 who
                 knew
                 no
                 sin
                 ,
                 that
                 we
                 might
                 be
                 made
                 the
                 righteous●●ss
                 of
                 God
                 in
                 him
              
               ;
               that
               is
               ,
               in
               Christ.
               In
               which
               words
               is
               expresly
               noted
               ,
               that
               we
               are
               so
               made
               righteous
               before
               God
               in
               Christ
               ,
               as
               he
               was
               made
               a
               sinner
               for
               us
               .
               Now
               how
               was
               Christ
               made
               a
               sinner
               for
               us
               ?
               Namely
               ,
               by
               imputation
               ;
               according
               to
               that
               of
               the
               Prophet
               ,
               Isa.
               53.6
               .
               
                 The
                 Lord
                 hath
                 laid
                 on
                 him
                 the
                 i●iquity
                 of
                 us
                 all
                 .
              
               God
               accounted
               our
               sins
               his
               ,
               and
               accordingly
               he
               was
               punished
               as
               a
               sinner
               .
               And
               so
               he
               accounts
               his
               righteousness
               ours
               ,
               and
               in
               that
               respect
               we
               are
               righteous
               before
               God.
               The
               Lord
               accounting
               us
               as
               righteous
               through
               Christs
               righteousness
               ,
               as
               if
               we
               had
               kept
               the
               whole
               Law.
               Admirab●e
               is
               the
               comfort
               which
               a
               believers
               soul
               receiveth
               from
               this
               point
               of
               his
               ju●tification
               before
               God.
               For
               so
               soon
               as
               he
               be●ieveth
               ,
               even
               while
               he
               liveth
               in
               this
               World
               ,
               he
               is
               thus
               justified
               in
               Gods
               sight
               ▪
               Hereby
               therefore
               is
               he
               upheld
               against
               the
               afflicting
               sense
               of
               the
               imperfection
               of
               his
               own
               righteousness
               .
               For
               though
               his
               own
               righteousness
               be
               but
               as
               filthy
               rags
               ,
               yet
               this
               is
               his
               comfort
               ,
               that
               he
               is
               righteous
               in
               the
               sight
               and
               account
               of
               God
               ,
               by
               the
               perfect
               righteousness
               of
               Jesus
               Christ
               imputed
               to
               him
               .
            
             
               Q
               
                 Which
                 are
                 the
                 parts
                 of
                 Iustification
                 ?
              
            
             
               A.
               1.
               
               Remission
               of
               all
               our
               sins
               .
            
             
               2.
               
               Acceptation
               of
               us
               as
               righteous
               through
               the
               imputation
               of
               Christs
               Righteousness
               ,
               Rom.
               4.6
               ,
               7
               ,
               8.
               
            
             
               1.
               
               Our
               sins
               make
               us
               odious
               and
               abominable
               in
               the
               sight
               of
               God
               :
               yea
               they
               make
               us
               cursed
               ,
               and
               lyable
               to
               eternal
               damnation
               :
               they
               therefore
               are
               first
               taken
               away
               :
               not
               that
               they
               are
               not
               ,
               or
               that
               God
               seeth
               them
               not
               ,
               but
               in
               that
               God
               imputeth
               them
               not
               to
               us
               ,
               2
               Cor.
               5.19
               .
            
             
               2.
               
               God
               to
               make
               us
               glorious
               in
               his
               sight
               ,
               imputes
               his
               Sons
               righteousness
               unto
               us
               ,
               and
               therein
               accepts
               us
               .
               In
               which
               respect
               we
               are
               said
               to
               be
               made
               righteous
               by
               Christs
               righteousness
               ,
               Rom.
               5.19
               .
               and
               to
               be
               made
               accepted
               in
               the
               beloved
               ,
               Eph.
               1.6
               .
            
             
               By
               laying
               these
               two
               parts
               of
               our
               justification
               together
               ,
               the
               transcendent
               love
               of
               Christ
               to
               believers
               is
               clearly
               set
               out
               .
               For
               ,
            
             
             
               1.
               
               That
               which
               is
               our
               own
               ,
               namely
               our
               sins
               ,
               because
               they
               make
               us
               miserable
               ,
               he
               taketh
               from
               us
               ,
               and
               layeth
               on
               himself
               ,
               
                 He
                 was
                 made
                 sin
                 for
                 us
                 ,
              
               2
               Cor.
               5.21
               .
            
             
               2.
               
               That
               which
               is
               none
               of
               our
               own
               ,
               because
               without
               it
               we
               cannot
               be
               happy
               ,
               he
               imputes
               to
               us
               ,
               and
               accounts
               ours
               ,
               and
               accepts
               of
               us
               ,
               as
               if
               it
               were
               our
               own
               ,
               namely
               ,
               his
               own
               perfect
               righteousness
               .
               For
               ●aith
               the
               Apostle
               ,
               
                 We
                 are
                 made
                 the
                 righteousness
                 of
                 God
                 in
                 him
                 ,
              
               2
               Cor.
               5.21
               .
            
             
               Q.
               
                 What
                 is
                 Adoption
              
               ?
            
             
               A.
               Adoption
               is
               an
               act
               of
               Gods
               free-grace
               whereby
               of
               Children
               of
               Wrath
               ,
               and
               of
               the
               Devil
               ,
               we
               are
               made
               the
               Children
               of
               God
               ,
               Ioh.
               1.12
               .
            
             
               We
               are
               not
               only
               accounted
               Children
               ,
               and
               taken
               into
               the
               number
               of
               the
               seed
               of
               God
               ,
               but
               are
               invested
               with
               all
               the
               priviledges
               of
               the
               Children
               of
               God
               ,
               Rom.
               8.17
               .
            
             
               Q.
               
                 What
                 is
                 Sanctification
              
               ?
            
             
               A.
               Sanctification
               is
               a
               work
               of
               Gods
               Spirit
               ,
               whereby
               a
               justified
               person
               is
               by
               degrees
               renewed
               throughout
               ,
               according
               to
               the
               Image
               of
               God
               in
               holiness
               and
               righteousness
               .
            
             
               First
               ,
               Sanctification
               is
               said
               to
               be
               
                 a
                 work
                 of
                 Gods
                 Spirit
              
               ,
               because
               he
               is
               the
               principal
               author
               ,
               and
               efficient
               cause
               thereof
               .
            
             
               Whereby
               
                 a
                 justified
                 person
                 is
                 renewed
              
               :
               I
               add
               a
               
                 justified
                 person
              
               ,
               because
               Justification
               and
               Sanctification
               alwayes
               go
               together
               .
               Though
               Justification
               be
               before
               in
               Nature
               ,
               yet
               are
               they
               both
               wrought
               at
               the
               same
               time
               .
               The
               Lord
               accounteth
               no
               man
               righteous
               ,
               by
               imputing
               Christs
               righteousness
               unto
               him
               ,
               but
               he
               makes
               him
               also
               righteous
               by
               a
               righteousness
               inherent
               in
               himself
               .
            
             
               
                 Is
                 renewed
              
               ;
               by
               the
               work
               of
               Sanctification
               a
               man
               is
               morally
               made
               a
               new
               man
               ,
               and
               as
               it
               were
               ,
               another
               man.
               
                 All
                 things
                 are
                 become
                 new
              
               ,
               2
               Cor.
               ●
               .
               17
               .
               He
               hath
               new
               thoughts
               ,
               new
               desires
               ,
               new
               dispositions
               .
            
             
               This
               renewing
               is
               
                 by
                 degrees
              
               ;
               that
               is
               ,
               by
               little
               and
               little
               ,
               and
               not
               all
               at
               once
               .
               Indeed
               we
               are
               justified
               at
               once
               ,
               but
               we
               are
               
               Sanctified
               by
               degrees
               .
               In
               which
               respect
               Sanctification
               is
               compared
               to
               the
               
                 light
                 which
                 shineth
                 more
                 and
                 more
                 unto
                 the
                 perfect
                 day
                 ,
              
               Prov.
               4.18
               .
               And
               Eph.
               4.26
               .
               To
               the
               body
               of
               a
               man
               ,
               which
               groweth
               and
               encreaseth
               in
               stature
               ,
               and
               strength
               ,
               till
               it
               be
               come
               to
               the
               perfection
               of
               it
               .
               Even
               so
               our
               Sanctification
               encreaseth
               by
               degrees
               ;
               we
               go
               on
               from
               grace
               to
               grace
               ,
               from
               vertue
               to
               vertue
               ,
               till
               we
               be
               perfect
               men
               ,
               of
               full
               growth
               in
               Christ
               Jesus
               .
            
             
               
                 This
                 renewi●g
              
               as
               it
               is
               by
               degrees
               ,
               so
               it
               is
               throughout
               ,
               that
               is
               ,
               within
               and
               without
               ,
               in
               all
               the
               faculties
               of
               the
               soul
               ,
               and
               parts
               of
               the
               body
               .
               And
               that
               
                 according
                 to
                 the
                 Image
                 of
                 God
                 in
                 holiness
                 ,
                 and
                 righteousness
                 .
              
               So
               that
               a
               Christian
               by
               the
               life
               of
               Sanctification
               lives
               like
               unto
               God
               :
               at
               least
               he
               hath
               an
               holy
               disposition
               and
               inclination
               ;
               and
               heartily
               endeavours
               so
               to
               do
               ,
               to
               be
               holy
               ,
               as
               God
               is
               holy
               :
               and
               as
               the
               Apostle
               speaketh
               (
               Rom.
               7.22
               .
               )
               
                 He
                 delighteth
                 in
                 the
                 Law
                 of
                 God
                 after
                 the
                 inward
                 man.
                 
              
            
             
               Q.
               
                 What
                 other
                 Grace
                 doth
                 the
                 Gospel
                 require
                 besides
                 faith
                 ?
              
            
             
               A.
               Repentance
               ,
               Mat.
               3
               2.
               and
               4.17
               .
            
             
               Q
               
                 What
                 is
                 Repentance
              
               ?
            
             
               A.
               Repentance
               is
               such
               a
               change
               of
               the
               heart
               ,
               as
               causeth
               a
               new
               Life
               .
            
             
               Repentance
               chiefly
               consisteth
               in
               the
               change
               of
               the
               mind
               ,
               and
               heart
               of
               a
               man.
               As
               for
               the
               new
               life
               ,
               it
               is
               an
               effect
               and
               evidence
               of
               the
               new
               heart
               .
               A
               new
               heart
               causeth
               a
               new
               life
               .
               The
               outward
               change
               and
               renovation
               of
               a
               mans
               life
               is
               necessary
               .
               For
               Repentance
               must
               be
               in
               the
               whole
               man
               ;
               and
               this
               latter
               giveth
               evidence
               to
               the
               truth
               of
               the
               former
               .
               And
               where
               the
               former
               is
               ,
               there
               the
               latter
               will
               also
               be
               :
               where
               there
               is
               a
               renewed
               heart
               ,
               there
               will
               be
               a
               reformed
               life
               .
               For
               the
               soul
               hath
               an
               absolute
               command
               over
               the
               body
               :
               and
               the
               body
               is
               wholy
               governed
               by
               the
               soul.
               
            
             
               Q
               
                 Whence
                 ariseth
                 Repentance
              
               ?
            
             
               A.
               1.
               
               From
               a
               sight
               and
               sense
               of
               sin
               ,
               with
               sorrow
               for
               it
               .
            
             
               2.
               
               From
               a
               faith
               of
               the
               pardon
               of
               sin
               .
            
             
             
               I.
               By
               sight
               of
               sin
               is
               meant
               ,
               both
               a
               general
               ,
               and
               also
               a
               paricular
               knowledge
               of
               sin
               .
            
             
               First
               ,
               A
               general
               knowledge
               of
               the
               nature
               of
               it
               ,
               what
               it
               is
               ;
               and
               of
               the
               loathsome
               properties
               of
               it
               ,
               how
               ugly
               and
               odious
               it
               maketh
               us
               in
               the
               pure
               eyes
               of
               God
               ;
               and
               of
               the
               fearful
               effects
               of
               it
               ,
               which
               are
               all
               miseries
               in
               this
               life
               ,
               a
               cursed
               death
               ,
               and
               eternal
               damnation
               .
            
             
               Secondly
               ,
               A
               particular
               knowledge
               of
               our
               own
               sins
               .
               Not
               only
               of
               those
               sins
               which
               are
               common
               to
               the
               nature
               of
               all
               men
               ,
               as
               Original
               corruption
               ,
               proneness
               to
               evil
               ,
               dulness
               to
               good
               ,
               &c.
               
               But
               also
               of
               such
               particular
               Lusts
               as
               we
               feel
               warring
               in
               our
               members
               ,
               and
               such
               actual
               sins
               ,
               as
               we
               have
               committed
               in
               our
               lives
               .
               As
               he
               that
               said
               ,
               
                 I
                 was
                 a
                 blaspheamer
                 ,
                 and
                 a
                 persecutor
                 ,
                 and
                 an
                 oppressor
                 ,
              
               1
               Tim.
               1.13
               .
            
             
               By
               sense
               of
               sin
               is
               meant
               a
               spiritual
               feeling
               of
               the
               wofull
               plight
               ,
               and
               condition
               wherein
               we
               lye
               ,
               by
               reason
               of
               sin
               .
               When
               inwardly
               in
               our
               souls
               and
               consciences
               we
               are
               touched
               ,
               and
               wounded
               for
               our
               sins
               .
            
             
               II.
               Faith
               concerning
               the
               pardon
               of
               sin
               is
               that
               which
               most
               kindly
               and
               effectually
               bringeth
               a
               man
               to
               Repentance
               .
               The
               forementioned
               sight
               and
               sense
               of
               sin
               ,
               and
               sorrow
               for
               sin
               ,
               are
               excellent
               means
               to
               work
               in
               a
               man
               an
               hatred
               of
               sin
               ,
               and
               to
               make
               him
               wish
               he
               had
               never
               committed
               it
               ,
               yea
               and
               to
               make
               him
               think
               of
               turning
               from
               sin
               .
            
             
               But
               faith
               in
               the
               pardon
               of
               sin
               ,
               whereby
               the
               soul
               is
               perswaded
               that
               all
               sins
               past
               shall
               be
               fully
               forgiven
               to
               him
               that
               repenteth
               ,
               and
               turneth
               from
               sin
               ,
               is
               a
               strong
               Motive
               to
               draw
               him
               from
               his
               former
               wicked
               courses
               And
               the
               Repentance
               that
               is
               by
               faith
               in
               Gods
               mercy
               wrought
               ,
               is
               most
               kindly
               wrought
               .
               For
               faith
               as
               it
               apprehends
               pardon
               of
               sin
               most
               freely
               through
               Gods
               mercy
               in
               Christ
               Jesus
               ;
               so
               it
               works
               repentance
               by
               way
               of
               gratitude
               ,
               because
               it
               is
               pleasing
               and
               acceptable
               to
               God
               to
               turn
               from
               sin
               :
               and
               because
               the
               good
               God
               is
               displeased
               ,
               and
               dishonoured
               by
               committing
               sin
               ,
               and
               continuing
               therein
               .
            
             
               Q
               
                 What
                 are
                 the
                 outward
                 Means
                 appointed
                 by
                 God
                 ,
                 for
                 the
                 working
                 ,
                 and
                 strengthning
                 of
                 faith
                 ,
                 repentance
                 ,
                 and
                 other
                 graces
                 in
                 us
                 .
              
            
             
             
               A.
               The
               Ordinances
               of
               God
               ,
               especially
               the
               Word
               ,
               Sacraments
               and
               Prayer
               .
            
             
               The
               Ministry
               of
               the
               Word
               is
               the
               most
               necessary
               ,
               both
               for
               the
               working
               ,
               and
               encreasing
               faith
               and
               other
               graces
               .
               That
               which
               the
               Apostle
               saith
               of
               
                 faith
                 ,
                 That
                 it
                 cometh
                 by
                 hearing
                 ,
              
               may
               b●
               applyed
               to
               all
               other
               graces
               ,
               
                 They
                 come
                 by
                 hearing
                 the
                 Word
                 Preached
                 .
              
               And
               to
               shew
               that
               by
               it
               grace
               also
               is
               nourished
               ,
               The
               Apostle
               Peter
               exhorteth
               ,
               
                 To
                 desire
                 the
                 sincere
                 milk
                 of
                 the
                 Word
                 ,
                 that
                 they
                 may
                 grow
                 thereby
                 ,
              
               1
               Pet.
               2.2
               .
               How
               doth
               it
               then
               concern
               us
               ,
               as
               to
               give
               diligent
               heed
               to
               the
               Ministry
               of
               the
               Word
               ,
               So
               to
               mix
               faith
               with
               our
               hearing
               ,
               as
               by
               giving
               credence
               to
               what
               is
               delivered
               out
               of
               the
               Word
               of
               God
               ,
               so
               by
               applying
               to
               our selves
               those
               truths
               which
               the
               Word
               revealeth
               .
            
             
               Q.
               
                 What
                 is
                 a
                 Sacrament
              
               ?
            
             
               A.
               An
               holy
               Ordinance
               instituted
               by
               Christ
               ,
               wherein
               by
               outward
               signs
               ,
               inward
               grace
               is
               signified
               and
               sealed
               .
            
             
               So
               that
               there
               are
               three
               things
               necessary
               to
               the
               making
               up
               of
               a
               Sacrament
               .
            
             
               
                 1.
                 
                 An
                 outward
                 sign
                 .
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 An
                 inward
                 or
                 spiritual
                 grace
                 .
              
               
                 3.
                 
                 Christs
                 Instituiton
                 .
              
            
             
               Q.
               
                 How
                 many
                 Sacraments
                 are
                 there
              
               ?
            
             
               A.
               Two
               only
               ;
               Baptism
               ,
               and
               the
               Lords
               Supper
               .
            
             
               As
               the
               Jews
               of
               old
               had
               two
               ordinary
               Sacraments
               ,
               which
               were
               circumcision
               ,
               and
               the
               Passeover
               .
               So
               Christians
               now
               have
               two
               such
               as
               answer
               to
               them
               ;
               Baptism
               to
               Circumcision
               ,
               Col.
               3.11
               ,
               12.
               
               The
               
                 Lords
                 Supper
              
               to
               the
               Passeover
               ,
               Luk.
               22.15
               ,
               &c.
               
            
             
               Q.
               
                 What
                 is
                 Baptism
              
               ?
            
             
               A.
               A
               Sacrament
               wherein
               by
               the
               washing
               with
               water
               ,
               in
               the
               name
               of
               the
               Fa●her
               ,
               the
               Son
               ,
               and
               the
               Holy
               Ghost
               ,
               our
               Reg●neration
               is
               signified
               and
               sealed
               .
            
             
               In
               that
               Baptism
               is
               a
               Sacrament
               of
               our
               Regeneration
               ,
               it
               sheweth
               ,
            
             
               1.
               
               That
               by
               nature
               we
               are
               born
               in
               a
               cursed
               condition
               ,
               who
               have
               therefore
               need
               to
               be
               new-born
               assoon
               as
               we
               are
               born
               .
               Regeneration
               
               is
               so
               absolutely
               necessary
               to
               our
               Salvation
               ,
               as
               without
               it
               we
               cannot
               enter
               into
               the
               Kingdom
               of
               Heaven
               ,
               Iob.
               3.3
               .
            
             
               2.
               
               That
               Baptism
               is
               a
               means
               of
               our
               Regeneration
               .
               Gods
               Spirit
               in
               and
               by
               that
               Ordinance
               worketh
               this
               great
               work
               .
               In
               which
               respect
               we
               are
               said
               to
               be
               
                 born
                 of
                 water
                 and
                 of
                 the
                 Spirit
                 ,
              
               Joh.
               3.5
               .
               yet
               is
               not
               every
               one
               that
               is
               baptized
               really
               and
               inwardly
               regenerated
               .
               It
               is
               not
               the
               bare
               washing
               with
               water
               ,
               but
               the
               working
               of
               the
               Spirit
               thereby
               ,
               by
               which
               we
               are
               Regenerated
               .
               And
               the
               Spirit
               is
               a
               free
               agent
               ,
               and
               worketh
               when
               and
               upon
               whom
               it
               listeth
               ,
               Ioh.
               3.8
               .
            
             
               Q.
               
                 What
                 is
                 the
                 outward
                 sign
                 in
                 Baptism
                 ?
              
            
             
               A.
               Water
               ,
               Act.
               8.36
               .
            
             
               There
               is
               nothing
               so
               fit
               to
               set
               out
               our
               cleansing
               from
               sin
               ,
               as
               Water
               ,
               whereby
               that
               which
               is
               filthy
               is
               clean
               .
            
             
               Q
               
                 What
                 is
                 the
                 inward
                 thing
                 signified
                 by
                 Water
                 in
                 Baptism
                 ?
              
            
             
               A.
               The
               Blood
               of
               Christ.
               
            
             
               In
               relation
               hereunto
               Christ
               is
               said
               to
               
                 have
                 washed
                 us
                 from
                 our
                 sins
                 in
                 his
                 blood
                 ,
              
               Rev.
               1.5
               .
               As
               Water
               hath
               a
               cleansing
               vertue
               ,
               so
               also
               hath
               Christs
               blood
               .
               
                 The
                 blood
                 of
                 Iesus
                 Christ
                 cleanseth
                 us
                 from
                 all
                 sin
                 ,
              
               1
               Joh.
               1.7
               .
            
             
               Q.
               
                 What
                 is
                 the
                 Lords
                 Supper
              
               ?
            
             
               A.
               A
               Sacrament
               of
               our
               spiritual
               nourishment
               ,
               wherein
               by
               receiving
               Bread
               and
               Wine
               ,
               according
               to
               Christs
               institution
               ,
               our
               communion
               with
               Christ
               is
               repr●sented
               ,
               and
               sealed
               .
            
             
               The
               Lords
               Supper
               is
               add●d
               to
               Baptism
               ,
               as
               a
               needfull
               means
               to
               maintain
               that
               life
               of
               God
               which
               is
               begotten
               in
               us
               .
            
             
               Q.
               
                 What
                 are
                 the
                 outward
                 signs
                 in
                 the
                 Lords
                 Supper
                 ?
              
            
             
               A.
               Bread
               and
               Wine
               ,
               Mat.
               26.26
               .
            
             
               Q.
               
                 What
                 doth
                 the
                 Sacramental
                 bread
                 set
                 out
                 ?
              
            
             
               A.
               The
               body
               of
               Christ.
               
            
             
               This
               is
               evident
               by
               Christs
               own
               words
               ,
               who
               holding
               bread
               in
               his
               hands
               ,
               saith
               of
               it
               ,
               
                 This
                 is
                 my
                 body
              
               ,
               (
               Matth.
               26.26
               .
               )
               that
               
               is
               ,
               by
               way
               of
               representation
               ,
               as
               if
               he
               had
               said
               ,
               This
               bread
               representeth
               my
               body
               .
            
             
               Q.
               
                 What
                 doth
                 Sacramental
                 Wine
                 set
                 out
                 ?
              
            
             
               A.
               The
               blood
               of
               Christ.
               
            
             
               This
               is
               evident
               by
               the
               words
               of
               institution
               ,
               where
               Christ
               holding
               the
               Cup
               that
               had
               the
               Wine
               in
               it
               ,
               and
               speaking
               of
               the
               Wine
               therein
               ,
               he
               saith
               ,
               
                 This
                 is
                 my
                 blood
              
               ,
               Mat.
               26.27
               .
            
             
               Q
               
                 What
                 is
                 signified
                 by
                 the
                 Ministers
                 breaking
                 the
                 bread
                 ?
              
            
             
               A.
               That
               Christ
               was
               broken
               with
               torments
               for
               our
               sins
               .
            
             
               The
               Apostle
               in
               1
               Cor.
               11.24
               .
               Thus
               bringeth
               in
               Christ
               himself
               applying
               that
               rite
               ,
               
                 This
                 is
                 my
                 body
                 which
                 is
                 broken
                 for
                 you
                 .
              
            
             
               Q.
               
                 What
                 is
                 signified
                 by
                 powring
                 out
                 the
                 Wine
                 ?
              
            
             
               A.
               The
               shedding
               of
               Christs
               blood
               .
            
             
               Or
               his
               suffering
               unto
               death
               ,
               and
               powring
               forth
               his
               soul
               an
               offering
               for
               sin
               ▪
            
             
               Q.
               
                 What
                 is
                 signified
                 by
                 the
                 Ministers
                 giving
                 Bread
                 and
                 Wine
                 to
                 the
                 Communicants
                 ?
              
            
             
               A.
               Gods
               giving
               and
               offering
               his
               Son
               to
               them
               .
            
             
               In
               the
               Sacrament
               God
               doth
               offer
               and
               tender
               Christ
               to
               every
               Communicant
               :
               yea
               he
               doth
               ,
               as
               it
               were
               ,
               put
               him
               into
               our
               hands
               with
               his
               own
               hands
               .
            
             
               Q.
               
                 What
                 is
                 meant
                 by
                 those
                 words
                 of
                 the
                 Minister
                 ,
              
               Take
               ,
               Eat
               ,
               Drink
               ?
            
             
               A.
               Gods
               will
               for
               our
               applying
               Christ
               to
               our selves
               .
            
             
               He
               doth
               not
               only
               in
               a
               dumb
               shew
               make
               offer
               of
               Christ
               ,
               but
               by
               his
               Minister
               speaks
               unto
               us
               ,
               and
               saith
               ,
               
                 I
                 will
                 and
                 require
                 you
                 to
                 take
                 my
                 Son
                 ,
                 to
                 apply
                 him
                 to
                 your selves
                 ,
                 that
                 so
                 you
                 may
                 live
                 by
                 him
                 .
              
               What
               can
               we
               more
               expect
               on
               Gods
               part
               to
               move
               us
               to
               receive
               his
               Son
               ?
            
             
               Q.
               
                 What
                 doth
                 the
                 peoples
                 taking
                 the
                 Bread
                 and
                 Wine
                 set
                 out
                 ?
              
            
             
               A.
               Their
               receiving
               Christs
               body
               and
               blood
               .
            
             
               That
               is
               ,
               a
               spiritual
               receiving
               of
               Christ
               made
               man
               ,
               and
               made
               
               a
               Sacrifice
               ,
               to
               themselves
               ,
               and
               that
               by
               faith
               .
               For
               faith
               is
               that
               instrument
               whereby
               we
               receive
               Christ
               ,
               and
               all
               his
               benefits
               as
               they
               are
               offered
               to
               us
               in
               the
               Gospel
               ,
               and
               sealed
               unto
               us
               in
               the
               Sacrament
               .
               Faith
               is
               to
               the
               soul
               ,
               as
               the
               hand
               is
               to
               the
               body
               .
               That
               which
               is
               offered
               to
               a
               man
               for
               his
               good
               ,
               the
               hand
               receives
               to
               be
               his
               own
               .
               Thus
               God
               offering
               his
               Son
               unto
               us
               ,
               faith
               first
               perswades
               the
               heart
               of
               Gods
               good
               will
               to
               man
               ,
               and
               of
               his
               true
               intent
               to
               bestow
               Christ
               upon
               him
               ,
               and
               thereupon
               applyes
               and
               takes
               Christ
               to
               himself
               ,
               as
               his
               own
               .
               By
               faith
               the
               things
               signified
               are
               as
               truly
               received
               for
               the
               nourishment
               of
               the
               soul
               ,
               as
               the
               signs
               are
               received
               f●r
               the
               nourishment
               of
               the
               body
               .
               Faith
               is
               not
               only
               our
               hand
               to
               take
               hold
               of
               Christ
               :
               but
               our
               mouth
               to
               take
               him
               in
               ,
               to
               take
               him
               down
               into
               our
               hearts
               ,
               whereby
               he
               becomes
               our
               nourishm●nt
               and
               streng●h
               .
            
             
               Q.
               
                 What
                 is
                 the
                 duty
                 of
                 every
                 Communicant
                 before
                 he
                 goeth
                 to
                 the
                 L●rds
                 Table
                 ?
              
            
             
               A.
               Examin●tion
               .
            
             
               1
               Cor.
               11.28
               .
               
                 Let
                 a
                 man
                 examine
                 himself
                 ,
                 a●d
                 so
                 let
                 him
                 eat
                 of
                 that
                 bread
                 ,
                 and
                 dri●k
                 of
                 that
                 C●p.
              
               Concerning
               this
               ,
               see
               my
               Directions
               for
               the
               worthy
               receiving
               the
               Lords
               Supper
               ,
               Chap.
               24.
               
            
             
               Q.
               
                 What
                 is
                 Pray●r
              
               ?
            
             
               A.
               Prayer
               is
               an
               offering
               up
               our
               d●sires
               to
               God
               in
               the
               name
               of
               Christ
               ,
               for
               such
               good
               things
               as
               he
               hath
               prom●s●d
               to
               give
               ,
               and
               we
               stand
               in
               need
               to
               receive
               .
            
             
               Prayer
               stands
               not
               in
               the
               bare
               use
               of
               a
               form
               of
               good
               words
               ,
               but
               is
               
                 the
                 pouring
                 f●rth
                 the
                 soul
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 desire●
                 thereof
                 after
                 God
                 ,
              
               and
               the
               good
               things
               he
               hath
               to
               bestow
               ,
               Isa.
               26.9
               .
            
             
               
                 In
                 the
                 name
                 of
                 Christ.
              
               God
               heareth
               not
               sinners
               ,
               that
               is
               ,
               coming
               in
               their
               own
               name
               .
               But
               sayes
               Christ
               himself
               ,
               Joh.
               15
               16.
               
               
                 Whatsoever
                 ye
                 shall
                 a●k
                 the
                 Father
                 ,
                 [
                 in
                 my
                 name
                 ]
                 he
                 will
                 give
                 it
                 you
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 For
                 such
                 things
                 as
                 he
                 hath
                 promised
                 to
                 give
                 ,
                 and
                 we
                 stand
                 in
                 need
                 to
                 receive
                 .
              
               Our
               prayers
               must
               be
               according
               to
               Gods
               Will.
               And
               this
               is
               according
               to
               the
               will
               of
               God
               ,
               that
               we
               ask
               what
               he
               hath
               promised
               ,
               and
               what
               he
               knows
               we
               have
               need
               of
               .
               And
               
                 this
                 is
                 the
                 confidence
                 that
                 we
                 have
                 in
                 him
                 ,
                 that
                 if
                 we
                 ask
                 any
                 thing
                 according
                 to
                 his
                 will
                 he
                 heareth
                 us
                 ,
              
               1
               Joh.
               5.14
               .
            
             
               The
               Parts
               of
               Prayer
               are
               ,
               
                 
                 
                   1.
                   
                   Confession
                   ,
                   or
                   the
                   acknowledgement
                   of
                   our
                   sins
                   and
                   transgressions
                   .
                
                 
                   2.
                   
                   Petition
                   ,
                   or
                   the
                   asking
                   ,
                   or
                   craving
                   from
                   the
                   hands
                   of
                   God
                   such
                   things
                   as
                   we
                   want
                   .
                
                 
                   3.
                   
                   Thanksgiving
                   ,
                   or
                   the
                   praising
                   of
                   God
                   for
                   the
                   mercies
                   we
                   have
                   received
                   .
                
              
            
             
               Q
               
                 What
                 shall
                 be
                 the
                 state
                 of
                 men
                 after
                 death
                 ?
              
            
             
               A.
               I.
               In
               general
               ,
               
                 
                   1.
                   
                   The
                   bodies
                   of
                   all
                   men
                   shall
                   be
                   raised
                   out
                   of
                   their
                   graves
                   ,
                   and
                   shall
                   live
                   again
                   ,
                   1
                   Cor.
                   15.
                   
                
                 
                   2.
                   
                   All
                   men
                   shall
                   be
                   brought
                   to
                   Judgement
                   ,
                   2
                   Cor.
                   5.10
                   .
                
              
            
             
               II.
               In
               particular
               ,
               
                 
                   1.
                   
                   Bel●●vers
                   shall
                   go
                   into
                   everlasting
                   life
                   .
                
                 
                   2.
                   
                   U●believers
                   and
                   ungodly
                   into
                   everlasting
                   fire
                   ,
                   Mat.
                   25.34
                   ,
                   41.
                   
                
              
            
             
               FINIS
               .
            
          
        
      
    
     
       
         Notes, typically marginal, from the original text
         
           Notes for div A41649-e2910
           
             ●
             Sam.
             2.30
             .
          
           
             Mat.
             6.1
             .
          
           
             Joh.
             7.48
             .
          
           
             1
             Tim.
             1.16
             .
          
           
             (a)
             Mat.
             6.30
             .
             Mat.
             8.26
             .
             Mat.
             14.31
             .
          
           
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             .
          
           
             (b)
             Mark
             9.24
             .
          
           
             Heb.
             12
             .
             2●
             
          
           
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
          
           
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             
               Qui
               multis
               praefectus
               est
               ,
               aut
               multos
               doctrinâ
               &
               dignitate
               antecelli●
               .
            
          
           
             Joh.
             1.18
             .
          
           
             Col.
             2.3
             .
          
           
             Mat.
             15.28
             .
          
           
             Isa.
             42.3
             .
          
           
             Luk.
             19.10
             .
          
           
             Isa.
             49.15
             .
          
           
             Psal.
             103.13
             .
          
           
             Mat.
             11
             ▪
             28.
             
          
           
             Mat.
             1.21
             .
          
           
             Rom.
             6.14
             .
          
           
             Mark
             9.23
             .
          
           
             Mark
             16.16
             .
          
           
             Ma●
             .
             9.13
             .
          
           
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             .
          
           
             Mat.
             5.37
             .
          
           
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
          
           
             
               Secundum
               qualitates
               ●o●
               secundum
               ipsam
               vel
               ani-nae
               ,
               vel
               corporis
            
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             .
          
           
             (a)
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
          
           
             *
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
          
           
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             here
             signifieth
             as
             much
             as
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
          
           
             1
             Cor.
             6.11
             .
          
           
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             ,
             Regeneratio
             .
          
           
             
               Secundum
               carnem
            
             .
          
           
             Joh.
             3.6
             .
          
           
             Rom.
             7.21
             ,
             22
             ,
             23.
             
          
           
             
               Habitat
               sed
               non
               regnat
               ,
               manet
               sed
               non
               dominatur
               ,
               dejectum
               sed
               non
               ejectum
               tamen
               ,
            
             &c.
             Benard
             .
             in
             Serm.
             10.
             on
             Psa.
             90.
             
          
           
             Rom.
             6.12
             .
          
           
             2
             Cor.
             8.12
             .
          
           
             Eph.
             4.22
             .
             Rom.
             6.6
             .
          
           
             Col.
             3
             ▪
             5.
             
          
           
             
               Inductio
               unious
               formae
               est
               destructio
               alterius
               .
            
          
           
             Eph.
             2.5
             .
          
           
             Rom.
             6.4
             .
          
           
             1
             Pet.
             1.3
             .
          
           
             Jam.
             1.18
             .
          
           
             1
             Pet.
             1.3
             .
          
           
             Joh.
             3.4
             .
          
           
             Tit.
             3.5
             .
          
           
             Jam.
             1.18
             .
          
           
             1
             Pet.
             1.23
             .
          
           
             Eph.
             1.13
             .
          
           
             Rom.
             1.16
             .
          
           
             1
             Cor.
             4.15
             .
          
           
             Philemon
             verse
             10.
             
          
           
             Eph.
             4.24
             .
          
           
             Eph.
             2.10
             .
          
           
             Joh.
             3.3
             .
          
           
             Psal.
             103.11
             .
          
           
             2
             Thes.
             2.13
             .
          
           
             1
             Thes.
             4.3
             .
          
           
             Mat.
             24.35
             .
          
           
             Eph.
             4.24
             .
          
           
             Job
             14.4
             .
          
           
             Joh.
             3.6
             .
          
           
             Rev.
             21.27
             .
          
           
             Rev.
             22.
             
          
           
             Hab.
             1.13
             .
          
           
             Psal.
             5.4
             .
          
           
             2
             Cor.
             6.14
             .
          
           
             Heb.
             12.14
             .
          
           
             Psal.
             50.5
             .
          
           
             Psal.
             89.7
             .
          
           
             Joh.
             3.3
             .
          
           
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             .
          
           
             Psal.
             132.4
             .
          
           
             Psal.
             49.12
             .
          
           
             Jer.
             10.14
             .
          
           
             
               In
               illis
               tantum
               sunt
               opera
               Dei
               ,
               in
               hac
               est
               imago
               D●i
               .
            
             Aug.
             
          
           
             Rom.
             2.28
             ,
             29.
             
          
           
             1
             Tim.
             4.8
             .
          
           
             Heb.
             6.17
             .
             Jam.
             2.5
             .
          
           
             Prov.
             27.1
             .
          
           
             Heb.
             3.15
             .
          
           
             Heb.
             11.26
             .
          
           
             Rom.
             6.23
             .
          
           
             Rom.
             6.16
             .
          
           
             1
             Joh.
             3.8
             .
          
           
             Prov.
             10.7
             .
          
           
             Prov.
             3.33
             .
          
           
             Zech.
             5.4
             .
          
           
             Psal.
             32.1
             .
          
           
             Isa.
             57.20
             .
          
           
             1
             Tim.
             6.7
             .
          
           
             Job
             1.21
             .
          
           
             Heb.
             9.23
             .
          
           
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             .
          
           
             Amos
             5.19
             .
          
           
             Luk.
             16.22
             .
          
           
             Rev.
             6.11
             .
             Heb.
             12.23
             .
          
           
             Rev.
             6.16
             .
          
           
             Rom.
             2.5
             .
          
           
             Psa.
             145.17
             .
          
           
             Luk.
             16.19
             ,
             20
             ,
             21.
             
          
           
             Rom.
             2.6
             .
             
               In
               die
               judicii
               cum
               justi
               introducentur
               in
               regnum
               Dei
               ,
               injusti
               autem
               abjicientur
               for
               as
               .
            
             Aug.
             in
             Psal.
             72.
             
          
           
             *
             Zeph.
             1.15
             .
          
           
             Rom.
             8.1
             .
          
           
             Act.
             17.30
             ,
             31.
             
          
           
             Rev.
             6.16
             .
          
           
             Mat.
             24.30
             .
          
           
             Mat.
             16.27
             .
          
           
             Tit.
             2.
             
             ●13
             .
          
           
             Mat.
             17.2
             .
          
           
             Mat.
             24.30
             .
          
           
             Mat.
             24.31
             .
          
           
             Mat.
             25.31
             .
          
           
             2
             Thes.
             1.7
             .
          
           
             Act.
             24.25
             .
          
           
             Eccl.
             11.9
             .
          
           
             2
             Cor.
             5.10
             .
          
           
             Rev.
             20.13
             .
          
           
             Exod.
             19.16
             .
          
           
             Mat.
             24.31
             .
          
           
             Rev.
             6.15
             ,
             16.
             
          
           
             Jer.
             8.6
             .
          
           
             Rom.
             2.15
             .
          
           
             1
             Cor.
             4.5
             .
          
           
             Rom.
             2.5
             .
          
           
             1
             Cor.
             11.31
             .
          
           
             Psal.
             16.11
             .
          
           
             Luk.
             13.28
             .
          
           
             Numb
             .
             5.18
             ,
             27.
             
          
           
             Isa.
             33.14
             .
          
           
             Dan.
             4.33
             .
          
           
             Mat.
             18.22
             .
          
           
             Dan.
             5.6
             .
          
           
             Mat.
             5.46
             .
          
           
             Prov.
             1.24
             ,
             &c.
             
          
           
             Mat.
             25.41
             .
          
           
             Psal.
             16.11
             .
          
           
             Gen.
             5.24
             .
          
           
             Mat.
             8.12
             .
          
           
             Eccl.
             11.7
             .
          
           
             Rev.
             19
             20.
             
          
           
             Rev.
             20.10
             .
          
           
             Isa.
             30.33
             .
          
           
             Mat.
             13.42
             .
             2
             Thes.
             1.8
             .
          
           
             Jer.
             33.14
             .
          
           
             Dan.
             7.10
             .
          
           
             Isa.
             66.24
             .
          
           
             Mark
             9.44
             ,
             46
             ,
             48.
             
          
           
             Isa.
             30.33
             .
             2
             King.
             23.10
             .
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             ,
             
               non
               videns
            
             .
             Neh.
             11.30
             .
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             .
             Mat.
             5.29
             ,
             30.
             
             Rev.
             9.11
             .
             Rev.
             20.10
             .
          
           
             Mark
             9.44
             .
          
           
             Mark
             3.12
             .
             Mat.
             18.8
             .
          
           
             Mich.
             7.19
             .
          
           
             Psal.
             86.5
             .
          
           
             Eph.
             2.4
             .
          
           
             2
             Chron.
             33.3
             ,
             &c.
             
          
           
             1
             Tim.
             1.
             13
             ,
             &c.
             
          
           
             (a)
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             2
             Thes.
             1.11
             .
          
           
             (b)
             Exod.
             33.19
             .
          
           
             2
             Pet.
             3.9
             .
          
           
             Isa.
             30.18
             .
          
           
             Isa.
             55.
             
          
           
             Ezek.
             18.21
             ,
             22.
             
          
           
             Ezek.
             33.11
             .
          
           
             Ezek.
             33.11
             .
          
           
             Ezek.
             2.10
             .
          
           
             Joh.
             3.16
             .
          
           
             2
             Cor.
             5.20
             .
          
           
             2
             Cor.
             5.20
             .
          
           
             Jer.
             13.17
             .
          
           
             Mat.
             5.16
             .
             Joh.
             15.8
             .
          
           
             Luk.
             15.20
             .
          
           
             Jer.
             31.20
             .
          
           
             Nah.
             1.3
             .
          
           
             Jer.
             31.19
             ,
             20.
             
          
           
             2
             Sam.
             12.13
             .
          
           
             
               Nondum
               uno
               verbo
               audito
               ,
               squalidum
               &
               deformem
               amplectitur
               ,
            
             &c.
             Aug.
             
          
           
             
               I●
               signum
               reconciliationis
               &
               laetitiae
            
             .
          
           
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             .
          
           
             1
             Pet.
             1.19
             .
          
           
             Isa.
             55.1
             .
          
           
             Mat.
             11.28
             .
          
           
             1
             Tim.
             1.15
             .
          
           
             Joh.
             6.37
             .
          
           
             Heb.
             13.8
             .
          
           
             Joh.
             3.16
             .
          
           
             Luk.
             19.10
             .
          
           
             Mat.
             9.13
             .
          
           
             Mat.
             11
             .
             2●
             .
          
           
             Mat.
             9.12
             .
          
           
             Luk.
             15
             13.
             
          
           
             Ezek.
             36.26
             .
          
           
             1
             Sam.
             17.45
             .
          
           
             Act.
             19.15
             .
          
           
             2
             Cors
             12.10
             .
          
           
             Joh.
             3.19
             .
          
           
             Joh.
             3.5
             ,
             6.
             
          
           
             Phil.
             2.16
             .
          
           
             1
             Pet.
             1.23
             .
          
           
             1
             Cor.
             4.15
             .
          
           
             Psal.
             19.7
             .
          
           
             
               Histor.
               Eccles
               .
               lib.
            
             6.
             cap.
             2.
             
          
           
             Jam.
             1.5
             .
          
           
             Luk.
             11.13
             .
          
           
             Prov.
             15.8
             .
          
           
             Act.
             8.22
             .
          
           
             Act.
             10.44
             .
          
           
             Deut.
             29.29
             .
          
           
             Mat.
             8.8
             .
          
           
             Mat.
             15.27
             .
          
           
             Luk.
             18.13
             .
          
           
             2
             Chron.
             33.4
             ,
             13.
             1
             
             Tim.
             1.13
             ,
             16
             
          
           
             1
             Cor.
             6.11
             
          
           
             Rom.
             3.23
             .
          
           
             Eph.
             2.3
             ,
             4.
             
          
           
             Mat.
             23.37
             .
          
           
             Rev.
             3.20
             .
          
           
             Rev.
             3.20
             .
          
           
             Tit.
             3.3
             .
          
           
             Prov.
             14.1
             .
          
           
             Prov.
             3.17
             .
          
           
             Rom.
             5.1
             ,
             2
             ,
             3.
             
          
           
             1
             Pet.
             1.8
             .
          
           
             Psal.
             97.12
             .
          
           
             Phil.
             4.4
             .
          
           
             Joh.
             16.33
             .
          
           
             
               Qui
               non
               est
               crucianus
               ,
               non
               est
               Christianus
               ,
            
             Luther
             in
             Gen.
             29.
             
          
           
             Rom.
             5.1
             ,
             3.
             
             Mat.
             5.11
             ,
             12.
             
          
           
             2
             Cor.
             1.3
             .
          
           
             1
             Sam.
             29.6
             .
          
           
             Tit.
             2.12
             .
          
           
             Psal.
             119.165
             .
          
           
             Act.
             9.31
             .
          
           
             2
             Cor.
             6.10
             .
          
           
             Rev.
             2.17
             .
          
           
             Psal.
             32.
             and
             51.
             
          
           
             Rom.
             7.24
             .
          
           
             Psal.
             8.4
             .
          
           
             1
             Cor.
             12.22
             .
          
           
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             ,
             Eph.
             5.32
             .
             Joh.
             20.17
             .
             Heb.
             2.11
             ,
             12.
             
             Heb.
             1.14
             .
          
           
             1
             Joh.
             3.1
             .
          
           
             Eph
             2.1
             .
             Col.
             1.21
             .
             Eph.
             2.3
             .
          
           
             Heb.
             2.14
             .
          
           
             1
             Pet.
             5.8
             .
          
           
             Rom.
             8.33
             ,
             34.
             
          
           
             Gal.
             3.13
             .
          
           
             Rom.
             8.1
             .
          
           
             Deut.
             2.7
             .
          
           
             Matth.
             6.31
             ,
             32.
             
          
           
             Zech.
             2.5
             .
          
           
             Psal.
             112.7
             .
          
           
             2
             Sam.
             16.12
             .
          
           
             Heb.
             10.34
             .
          
           
             2
             Cor.
             4.8
             ,
             9.
             
          
           
             Rom.
             8.28
             .
          
           
             Deut.
             8.16
             .
          
           
             Gen.
             50.20
             .
          
           
             2
             Chron.
             33.11
             ,
             12.
             
          
           
             Rev.
             14.13
             .
          
           
             Luk.
             23.43
             .
          
           
             2
             Cor.
             12.24
             .
          
           
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
          
           
             1
             Cor.
             15.42
             .
          
           
             1
             Pet.
             1.3
             ,
             4.
             
          
           
             
               Coelum
               in
               Christo
               possidetis
            
             .
             Tertullian
             
               de
               Resurrectione
            
             .
          
           
             Psal.
             103.1
             ,
             2.
             
          
           
             Psal.
             91.7
             .
          
           
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
          
           
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
          
           
             1
             Pet.
             2.9
             .
          
           
             Mat.
             5.47
             .
          
           
             Phil.
             2.15
             .
          
           
             Job
             1.8
             .
          
           
             Mat.
             5.16
             .
          
           
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
          
           
             Phil.
             3.14
             .
          
           
             2
             Tim.
             1.9
             .
          
           
             1
             Thes.
             4.7
             .
          
           
             2
             Pet.
             3.11
             .
          
           
             2
             Cor.
             6.2
             .
          
           
             Eccl.
             9.10
             .
          
           
             Isa.
             66.3
             .
          
           
             Jer.
             48.10
             .
          
           
             Eccl.
             9.10
             .
          
           
             Rom.
             12.11
             .
          
           
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             .
             Psal.
             69.9
             .
          
           
             Gen.
             32.28
             .
          
           
             Hos.
             12.3
             ,
             4.
             
          
           
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             .
             Mat.
             2.8
             .
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             .
          
           
             Gal.
             6.16
             .
          
           
             Deut.
             5.32
             .
          
           
             Mat.
             5.21
             ,
             22.
             
          
           
             Mat.
             5.28
             .
          
           
             Rom.
             7.14
             .
          
           
             Joh.
             4.24
             .
          
           
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             .
          
           
             1
             Th●s
             .
             5.22
             .
          
           
             1
             Cor.
             8.13
             .
          
           
             Act.
             15.29
             .
          
           
             
               Sicut
               non
               ●mne
               quod
               libet
               ,
               licet
               :
               sic
               non
               omne
               quod
               licet
               ,
               statim
               etiam
               expedit
               .
            
             Bern.
             Ep.
             25.
             
          
           
             
               Scandalum
               quod
               oritur
               ex
               rebus
               per
               se
               bonis
               ,
               &
               necessariis
               ,
               non
               licet
               evitare
               :
               quia
               non
               est
               faciendum
               malum
               ,
               ut
               eveniat
               ●onum
               ,
            
             &c.
             
               Cameron
               .
               in
            
             Matth.
             18.7
             .
          
           
             Luke
             17.27
             ,
             28.
             
          
           
             Jude
             v.
             12
             .
          
           
             1
             Cor.
             7.29
             ,
             30
             ,
             31.
             
          
           
             Jude
             v.
             12.
             
          
           
             Luk.
             21.34
             .
          
           
             1
             Pet.
             5.9
             .
          
           
             2
             Cor.
             12.14
             .
          
           
             Mat.
             12.34
             .
             Mat.
             26.69
             .
          
           
             1
             Tim.
             6.10
             .
          
           
             Mich.
             6.11
             ,
             12.
             
          
           
             Psal.
             10.4
             .
          
           
             1
             Joh.
             2.15
             .
          
           
             Luk.
             14.18
             .
          
           
             1
             King.
             21.4
             .
          
           
             1
             Tim.
             6.9
             .
          
           
             Mat.
             11.28
             .
          
           
             1
             Cor.
             10.13
             .
          
           
             Isa.
             54.8
             .
          
           
             Phil.
             4.13
             .
          
           
             Rom.
             6.14
             .
          
           
             Mat.
             5.11
             ,
             12.
             
          
           
             1
             Pet.
             5.7
             .
             Psal.
             34.
             
          
           
             Phil.
             4.19
             .
          
           
             Rom.
             4.20
             ,
             21.
             
          
           
             Gen.
             18.14
             .
          
           
             Jer.
             32.27
             .
          
           
             Heb.
             10.32
             .
          
           
             Deut.
             30.2
             .
          
           
             Psal.
             123.4
             .
          
           
             Isa.
             28.16
             .
          
           
             Psal.
             22.4
             ,
             5.
             
          
           
             Dan.
             6.23
             .
          
           
             1
             Tim.
             6.17
             .
          
           
             Prov.
             28.25
             .
          
           
             Psal.
             119.50
             .
          
           
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             .
             Arist.
             
               Homo
               quadratus
            
             .
             Erasm.
             
          
           
             Psal.
             1.2
             .
          
           
             2
             Cor.
             10.5
             .
          
           
             Psal.
             119.113
             .
          
           
             Prov.
             4.23
             .
          
           
             Mat.
             12.35
             .
          
           
             Jer.
             2.
             
             ●
             .
          
           
             Mal.
             3.16
             .
          
           
             Psal.
             77.12
             .
          
           
             Psal.
             139.17
             .
          
           
             Gen.
             6.9
             .
          
           
             
               Quem
               diabolus
               inve●it
               inoccupatum
               ipse
               ●ccupat
               .
            
          
           
             Col.
             3.5
             .
          
           
             Rom.
             7.24
             .
          
           
             Gal.
             5.17
             .
          
           
             Rom.
             7.23
             .
          
           
             Gal.
             5.24
             .
          
           
             Rev.
             20.10
             
          
           
             Mat.
             3.12
             .
          
           
             Psal.
             11.6
             .
          
           
             Rom.
             2.8
             ,
             9.
             
          
           
             Prov.
             23.29
             .
          
           
             1
             Cor.
             6.9
             .
          
           
             Heb.
             13.4
             .
          
           
             Isa.
             5.8
             .
          
           
             1
             Tim.
             6.10
             .
          
           
             Rom.
             2.9
             .
          
           
             Psal.
             90.12
             .
          
           
             Mat.
             15.19
             .
          
           
             Gal.
             5.24
             .
          
           
             Mat.
             11.28
             .
          
           
             2
             Cor.
             12.7
             ,
             8.
             
          
           
             Mat.
             9.20
             .
          
           
             
               Vitia
               corporis
               non
               sunt
               sinenda
               coalescere
               ;
               sed
               in
               exordiis
               statim
               enecanda
               sunt
               .
            
             Hillar
             .
             Enarrat
             .
             in
             Psalm
             36.
             
          
           
             Psal.
             119.101
             .
          
           
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             ,
             &
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             .
          
           
             1
             Joh.
             3.4
             .
          
        
         
           Notes for div A41649-e36790
           
             Gen.
             18.19
             .
          
           
             Gen.
             35.2
             .
          
           
             Psal.
             101.
             
          
           
             Exod.
             12.
             
             &
             13.
             
          
           
             Eph.
             6.4
             .
          
           
             Act.
             10.2
             .
          
           
             Act.
             16.15
             .
          
           
             ver
             .
             34.
             
          
           
             (a)
             Rom.
             16.5
             .
          
           
             1
             Cor.
             16.19
             .
          
           
             Col.
             4.15
             .
             Philem.
             v.
             2.
             
          
           
             Deut.
             6.7
             .
          
           
             Gen.
             18.19
             .
          
           
             1
             Tim.
             5.8
             .
          
           
             Prov.
             3.33
             .
          
           
             Mal.
             2.2
             .
          
           
             Job
             5.3
             .
          
           
             2
             Sam.
             6.11
             .
          
           
             1.
             
             Tim.
             4.8
             .
          
           
             Prov.
             14.11
             .
          
           
             Psal.
             128.
             1
             ,
             2
             ,
             3
             ,
             4.
             
          
           
             Prov.
             15.20
             .
          
           
             1
             Pet.
             5.8
             .
          
           
             Gen.
             31
             19.
             
          
           
             Prov.
             7.27
             .
          
           
             
               Peccatum
               adeo
               facile
               alios
               invadit
               ,
               ut
               nulla
               pestis
               tantopere
               aërem
               inficere
               potest
               .
            
             Chem.
             Har.
             
          
           
             
               Officium
               pii
               patris
               familias
               est
               ,
               liberos
               &
               familiam
               educare
               ad
               pietatem
               ,
            
             &c.
             
             Piscat
             .
             in
             Gen.
             18.19
             .
          
           
             Philem.
             v.
             6.
             
          
           
             1
             Cor.
             16.19
             .
          
           
             Col.
             4.15
             .
          
           
             2
             Sam.
             6.18
             .
          
           
             Col.
             4.2
             .
          
           
             Act.
             10.2
             .
          
           
             Gen.
             17.
             10
             ,
             &c.
             
          
           
             Exod.
             20.10
             .
          
           
             1
             King
             20.39
             .
          
           
             Act.
             12.12
             ,
             &c.
             
          
           
             
               Longum
               iter
               per
               precepta
               ,
               breve
               per
               exempla
               .
            
          
           
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             .
             
               Per
               omnimodam
               precationem
            
             .
             A.
             Lapid
             .
          
           
             Matth.
             26.18
             ,
             &c.
             Luk.
             9.18
             .
          
           
             Gen.
             24.11
             .
          
           
             Rom.
             8.28
             .
          
           
             Jer.
             10.25
             .
          
           
             Exod.
             29.38
             ,
             39.
             
          
           
             Rom.
             8.26
             .
          
           
             Mark
             8
             36.
             
          
           
             Jam.
             5.16
             .
          
           
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
          
           
             Exod.
             30.7
             ,
             8.
             
          
           
             1
             Tim.
             4.5
             .
          
           
             Exod.
             11.28
             .
          
           
             
               Nostrorum
               quilibet
               de
               legibus
               interrogatus
               ,
               facilius
               quam
               nomen
               suum
               recitat
               universas
               ,
            
             Josephus
             lib.
             2.
             contra
             Appionem
             .
          
           
             (a)
             Col.
             3.16
             .
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             .
          
           
             (b)
             Joh.
             1.1
             .
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             .
          
           
             August
             .
             Prolog
             .
             lib.
             1.
             
               de
               Doctrina
               Christi
            
             .
          
           
             1
             Cor.
             2.14
             .
          
           
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             ,
             
               rudimenta
               Religionis
               docere
            
             .
          
           
             Deut.
             6.6
             ,
             7.
             
          
           
             Psal.
             72.17
             .
          
           
             
               Filiabitur
               nomen
               ejus
               ,
               sive
               propagabitur
               .
            
          
           
             Eph.
             6.4
             .
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             .
          
           
             Gen.
             18.19
             .
          
           
             Heb.
             5.12
             .
             Heb.
             6.1
             .
          
           
             *
             Pro.
             22
             6.
             
             
               Quo
               semel
               est
               imbuta
               recens
               servabit
               odorē
               Testa
               diu
               .
            
             Horat.
             ad
             Lollium
             Epist.
             lib.
             1.
             
             Ep.
             2.
             
          
           
             1
             Cor.
             11.19
             .
             Mat.
             16.6
             .
          
           
             2
             Pet.
             2.1
             .
          
           
             1
             Thes.
             5.21
             .
          
           
             Psal.
             127.1
             ,
             2.
             
          
           
             Luk.
             10.41
             ,
             42.
             
          
           
             
               Quae
               insania
               est
               ,
               ô
               miserrimi
               !
               ut
               haeredes
               alios
               faciatis
               ,
               vos
               ipsos
               exhaeredetis
               :
               ut
               alios
               relinquatis
               vel
               brevi
               divites
               ,
               vos
               ipsos
               aeternâ
               mendicitate
               dam●ctis
               ?
            
             Salv.
             
          
           
             Exod.
             20.10
             .
          
           
             Zanch.
             in
             4.
             
             Praeceptum
             .
          
           
             Gen.
             35.2
             ,
             3.
             
          
           
             1
             Sam.
             1.21
             .
          
           
             Mat.
             13.51
             .
          
           
             Mark
             4.34
             
          
           
             
               Christus
               suo
               exemplo
            
             ,
             &c.
             Chemnit
             .
             exam
             .
          
           
             Psal.
             118.15
             .
          
           
             Mat.
             26.30
             .
          
           
             Eph.
             4.29
             .
          
           
             Isa.
             58.13
             .
          
           
             Isa.
             58.13
             .
          
           
             
               Quanto
               melius
               est
               arare
               quam
               salt
               are
               in
               Sabbato
               .
            
             Aug.
             
               in
               Enarratio●em
               tituli
            
             Psalm
             91.
             
          
           
             Judg.
             7.17
             .
          
           
             Gen.
             18.19
             .
          
           
             Josh.
             24.15
             .
          
           
             Psal.
             101.2
             .
          
           
             1
             Sam.
             2.30
             .
          
           
             Isa.
             43.4
             
          
           
             Lam.
             1.8
             .
          
           
             Mat.
             7.5
             .