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Post by Admin on Dec 6, 2023 11:04:48 GMT -5
CHAPTER I.
Containing the Preface, which shows the drift, warrant, profit, and
use of the ensuing Treatise.
The only thing intended in this Treatise is, to collect for thy use
(Christian Reader) those directions scattered here & there in the
Scriptures, which may, throughout the whole course of thy life, tell
thee, what thou must do in the right order of thy conversation: How
thou shouldst behave thy self toward God, and how thou shouldst
carry thy self toward men, in all the occasions of thy life: In
company, out of company: In all duties either of righteousness or
mercy: and how thou shouldst dispose of thyself in affliction, and out
of affliction, at all times.
And thou mayest be the more encouraged to study and practice these
rules, because thou hast the most express & apparent word of God to
warrant and require thy obedience herein.
Be not so profane, as to think, that here is more to do then needs, or
that I burden the lives of Christians with a multitude of unnecessary
Precepts, and so make the way harder then it is: For I require thy
obedience in nothing, thou hast not reason to be persuaded to be
enjoined thee by the pure word of God; And thou must know, to the
confusion of thy security; that he that will walk safely, must walk by
rule, Gal. 6. 16. He is yet in darkness, and walks on in darkness, and
sees not what he doth, or whither he goeth, that doth not make the
Word of God the light unto his feet, and the Lantern unto his paths:
Psal. 119. There is a holy order of life commended in the godly, Col.
2. 5. and God's promises are made to such as will dispose of their
ways aright. A loose conversation is an ill conversation; and if ever
we would see the salvation of God, we must be at the pains to dispose
of our ways, and to see to it, that we dispose of our ways aright, Psal.
50. vlt.
The benefit thou mayest reap by this Treatise, is much every way, if
the fault be not in thyself: for here thou mayest briefly behold the
substance of a godly life; thou mayest in a short time inform thy
knowledge in that great doctrine of practical Divinity: But especially
thou mayest, by the help of this Treatise see a sound way, how to
beautify thy own conversation, with the addition of diverse rules,
which, perhaps, hitherto thou hast not taken notice of: God hath
promised much peace, and comfort unto such as will walk according
unto rule, Gal. 6. 16. Yea, he hath promised, that they shall see the
salvation of God, that dispose their way aright, Psal. 50. vlt. It is true,
it is a greater labor to travail in the way, then to show it; but yet it is a
great benefit to be shown the way. Howsoever, it may not be denied,
but it is a greater glory to observe these rules, then to know them, or
prescribe them.
It may be thou wilt object, that the rules are so many, thou canst
never remember them, and so not profit by them. I answer:
If I have made the rules no more in number then God hath made
them in his Word, thou mayest not find fault with me.
Secondly, no man that is to learn any Trade, or Science, but he
meeteth with more directions, then he can on the sudden reach to, or
practice, and yet he rejects not his Trade or Science, because in time
he hopes to learn it all. Would we put on a resolution to serve a
Prentiship to Religion, and to work hard one whole seven years: oh,
what work would we dispatch! How many Rules and Knowledges
would we grow skillful in! But alas, after many years profession of
Christianity, the most of us, if all were put together, have not done
the work, that might have been done in few days.
Thirdly, I answer, that it is not necessary thou shouldst lay all these
Rules before thee at once, but mark out certain choice Rules, so
many as thou canst well remember, and strive, by daily practice, to
bring thyself to some kind of dexterity in observing them. There be
some rules of each kind, which, if thou be a true Christian, thou
knowest and observest already: These thou mayest continue to
observe still, without loading thy memory about them. Now if those
be omitted, then consider of the rest that remain, which of them do
most concern thee, or would most adorn thy practice and profession,
or are such as thou never hitherto didst make conscience of: Extract
or mark out so many of those at a time, as thou wouldst in daily
practice strive to attain, and when thou hast learned them, then go
on, and prescribe to thyself new Lessons. To a carnal mind, all the
way of godliness is impossible, but to a godly and willing mind all
things, through the power and assistance of God, are possible: God
will accept thy desire and endeavor, and will add strength and might,
and encourage thee in all his ways. By prayer thou mayest form any
grace in thee, by reason of the power the Lord Jesus hath to prevail
for anything thou dost ask the Father in his name.
The last benefit may come to thee, if thou daily read these directions,
is, that they will quicken thee to a great care of well-doing, and give
thee cause to walk humbly with thy God, and abase thyself for thine
own insufficiency: The Lord give thee understanding in all things,
and unite thy heart unto his fear always, that thou mayest observe to
do, as he commandeth thee, and not turn from the good way all the
days of thy life.
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Post by Admin on Dec 6, 2023 11:06:45 GMT -5
CHAPTER II.
Containing such Rules as in general men must take notice of, as
preparations and furtherances to a godly life.
The Rules of holy life may be cast into two ranks:
the first containing such rules as are General: and the other, such as are Particular.
The general rules are likewise of two sorts: some of them concern
certain general preparations, helps, or furtherances to a holy life,
without which men in vain begin the cares, or endeavors of a
reformed life: And some of them comprehend those necessary rules
which are to be observed in the manner of doing all holy duties, and
so are of singular use to be always remembered, when we go about
any service.
Of the first sort there are many rules; for they that will address
themselves to order their conversation aright, must be soundly
careful in the observation of these directions following.
1 He must examine himself about his faith and repentance; he must
be sure he is reconciled to God, and hath truly repented himself of
his sins, 2. Cor. 13. 5. For unless he be a new creature, he is no
creature, but a dead man, and so utterly unable for the practice of
these rules following: And without God we can do nothing; and
without God we are, till we live by faith: Besides, the pollution of our
hearts or lives drawn upon us by the custom of sin past and present,
will so infect all we do, that it will be abominable to God, and so lost
labor.
This is the first Rule.
2. His next care must be to learn the knowledge of the rules of life;
we can never practice what we know not, and therefore our next care
and pains must be to get the knowledge of God's ways distinctly, and
effectually, into our heads and hearts; Our direction must not be in
our books, but in our heads; and a Christian must have his rules
always before him, that so he may walk circumspectly by line and
level, Ephes. 5. 15. understanding the will of God in what he is to do.
He is in the way of life, that hath and keepeth instruction, how to
live, Prov. 10. 17. whereas he that will not be at the pains of getting
instruction, erreth, as Solomon saith: And therefore we must take
fast hold of instruction, and not let her go, but keep her: for she is
our life, Prov. 4. 13. Knowledge then, of necessity must be had, or in
vain we go about to live well. Now this is such a rule, as must not
slightly be passed over, and it is not enough thus in general to
require knowledge, but withal, I would show certain choice rules to
be observed by us, if we would take a sound course to attain
knowledge. He then that would prosperously seek sound knowledge,
must remember these directions.
First, he must esteem knowledge, and labor to frame his heart to a
high estimation of it, accounting it as great treasure, accounting the
getting of wisdom above all gettings, Pro. 4. 7. We must seek for
knowledge, as for silver, & search for her, as for treasure, and then
with wonderful success shall we understand the right fear of the
Lord, Prov. 2. 4. else our labor will be blasted and fruitless, if we
bring mean thoughts to the exercise of directions for the attaining of
knowledge.
Secondly, he must take heed that he consult not with flesh and blood,
Gal. 1. 16 He must not regard other men's opinions, or his own carnal
reason, but resolve to give glory to God and his Word, as willing to
believe or do whatsoever the Lord saith unto him.
3. Thirdly, he must redeem the time, Ephes. 5. 16. Inasmuch as he
hath lost so much time past, he must now provide to allow himself
convenient and certain time to be spent this way for the attaining of
knowledge, else to study by snatches and uncertainly, will be to little
or no purpose. To complain of ignorance, will not serve the turn, nor
will the pretense of worldly business excuse us: and therefore we
must buy so much time of our occasions, as may be competent for
the supply of our wants in knowledge.
4. Fourthly, in seeking knowledge, he must be wise for himself, Prov.
9. 12. He must strive to understand his own way, so to be careful to
know the generals about religion, as his special care be in all things
to refer what he reads or hears, to the particular directions of his own
soul. This is a rule of singular Use, if it could be beaten into men's
heads, and for want of this, many Christians, after long pains, &
much time spent, have been found exceeding ignorant.
5. He must be swift to hear, Jam. 1. 19. with all frequency and
attention, making use of the public Ministry, striving with his own
heart against deadness, and drowsiness, and removing all
impediments might be cast in his way from the world, or his worldly
occasions, observing all opportunities for hearing, especially when he
seeth the heart of his Teacher enlarged, and the power of Doctrine
more then at other times, or in other things.
6. Sixthly, he must avoid vain questions, and fruitless
contemplations, Titus. 3. 9. 1. Tim. 6. 20. 2. Tim. 2. 23. When the
light of doctrine was so great in the Primitive times, this was one
practice of Satan, to draw aside the studies of Christians from
necessary and solid truths, to Genealogies or quarrels about words or
vain controversies, falsely called oppositions of science: We must
therefore be warned of this method of Satan, & till we know clearly
the ways of life, allow ourselves no time for more remote studies, or
fruitless Controversies. What riches of knowledge might some
Christians have attained to, if they had spent the time (they have
employed about controversies, genealogies, & general knowledge) in
the sound building of themselves up in such things, as their souls
apparently stand in need of?
Seventhly, he must not rest satisfied with a small measure of
understanding; he must not give over when he hath gotten a little
knowledge more then he had: he must desire to increase in
knowledge, and never be well pleased with himself, while he is but a
Child in understanding, 1. Cor. 14. 20.
8. Eighthly, He must inquire and take counsel, he must propound his
doubts daily and carefully. He that would know much, must ask
much, he must break off that wretched silence he is prone to, and
provide, if it be possible, to enjoy the favor of some one or more, that
are able to resolve his doubts from time to time. This rule hath
incredible profit in it, if it be rightly practiced, Prov. 15. 12. & 20. 17,
18. & 27. 9.
Ninthly, and lastly: He must be rightly ordered in respect of his
Pastor. For the principal means of knowledge is assigned of God to
be in the Ministry of his servants: and therefore if we would attain
knowledge, we must dispose ourselves aright towards our Teachers,
and to this end we must look to it,
First, that we pray for them, that their word may run and have free
passage, & that God would make them able to open unto us the
mysteries of his will, 2. Thes. 3. 1. 2. Colos. 4. 3. Ephes. 6. 19.
Secondly, we must keep their directions, and make conscience of it to
be careful to obey them, in what they command us in the Lord, 1.
Cor. 11. 2.
Thirdly, we must take heed of discouraging them. For this is not
profitable for us. For the more cheerful and comfortable their hearts
are, the more apt they are to find out profitable things for us, Heb.
13. 18. 1. Cor. 16. 10, 11.
And thus of the first and second rule.
Thirdly, he that would redress his ways aright, must get out of the
way of wicked men: He must give over evil company, and sequester
himself from the counsel and society of carnal and profane persons.
The necessity of this rule is both proved and urged in these & many
other Scriptures, Prov. 4. 14. Psal. 1. 1. 2. Cor. 6. 17. Eph. 5. 7, 8.
Fourthly, he must bring a mind full of care & desire, and resolution
to practice the rules, when he hath learned them: he must as the
phrase is, observe to do God's will, Deut. 5. 32. He must be watchful
and diligent, he must ponder upon the ways of God, bewaring lest he
either neglect or forget to do them, Deut. 6. 17. & 31. 46. & 8. 11. 1.
Corin. 16. 13. Prov. 4. 26. we must follow after righteousness, 1. Tim.
6. 11. and bind directions as signs upon our hands, &c. Deut. 8. 28. If
we could be thus awakened, this rule would breed us unspeakable
good in our conversation.
Fifthly, he must endeavor to settle his head and his estate in respect
of his worldly affairs. It is a singular help to godliness, to reduce our
outward callings into order, and every days experience shows, that
confusions in worldly business breed miserable neglect in God's
service. And therefore he that would profit in an orderly course of
life, must provide to use the world so, as he may serve the Lord
without distraction: He, that would run a race, abstaineth from all
things, that might encumber him. No man, that warreth, entangleth
himself with the affairs of life, that he may please him, who hath
chosen him to be a soldier: And therefore we may not think it much,
if in our spiritual course God lay some restraint upon us, in respect of
the cares and encumbrances in our outward Callings, 1. Cor. 7. 29.
35. &c. 2. Tim. 2. 4. 1. Cor. 9. 28.
Sixthly, He must walk in the way of good men, both setting before
him their practice, as patterns of imitation, as also by conversing
with them, that thereby he may gather encouragement, and help in
well-doing. He is deceived, that thinks to go alone, and yet go
prosperously in the course of a godly life: He may profit, and learn by
many things he heareth, receiveth, and seeth among the godly. Prov.
2. 20. Phil. 4. 8, 9.
Seventhly, He must not be the servant of men, 1. Cor. 7. 23. other
men's humors must not be the direction of this practice: He must so
depend upon persons he hopes to get anything by in this world, as he
be not thereby hindered in works of Religion, knowing, that he is
Christ's Free-man.
He must haste to, and look for the coming of Jesus Christ, 2. Pet. 3.
12. He must often remember his latter end, and daily set before his
eyes the coming of Christ, striving to stir up in his heart the desire
after Christ, praying for it, and dispatching those works, that may
prepare him thereunto: The remembrance of our accounts in the day
of Christ will wonderfully quicken men to the care of well, doing, and
the cause of the viciousness, and miserable neglect, and
procrastinations of many is, their forgetting of their latter end: A
great reason, why the directions about godliness are not entertained,
is, because men put far away from them the day of the Lord: whereas
the remembrance of the revelation of Jesus Christ, would put Spirit
and Life into us. He dares not say from his heart, Come, Lord Jesus,
come quickly, that is not resolved diligently to work the works of
Christ.
9. He must not stay for company, but rather choose to run alone; or
with a few, then hazard the loss of the Crown. Our life is a Race, and
as in a race men stay not for company, but strive who may run
foremost: so it is in the race of godliness: He must so run, as he may
obtain: He must set out with the first, and run as it were for his life:
As he must make use of the society of the godly, so he must not stay,
till his carnal friends, and acquaintance will set out with him: He
must be of Joshua's mind, that if the whole world will live in
wickedness and profaneness, yet he and his house will serve the
Lord, 1. Cor. 9. 24. & 14. 12. Josh. 24. 15.
Tenthly, he must in all things give thanks; when God gives him
success in anything, or prospers the means to him, and helps him
with victory over any sin, or strength to perform any duty, or bestows
upon him any spiritual blessing, he must remember to praise God in
the name of Jesus Christ. This will quicken him: Daily thankfulness
will breed daily alacrity in well-doing: He that will not be thankful for
beginnings of success in the practice of holy duties, will not hold out:
This is the special will of Christ, that we should in all things give
thanks, 1. Thess. 5. 18.
11.He must study to be quiet, and follow peace with all men, meddling
with his own business, and avoiding all occasion of contention, that
might distract him in his own course: A busybody is as good as
nobody in respect of sound progress in sanctification: It is an
excellent skill to be able to avoid the entanglements of discord;
especially he must provide to have perfect peace with the godly.
Though GOD be able to sanctify the oppositions of unreasonable
men, yet we must take heed of drawing needless troubles upon
ourselves; for that makes us neither to be, nor to be accounted the
more holy, but contrariwise. The Apostle could not speak unto the
Corinthians, as unto spiritual men, but as unto carnal; at the best,
but Babes in Christ; and the reason was, because there was strife and
envy, and division amongst them, Romans 9. 19. Hebrews 12. 14.
Mark 9. vlt., I. Cor. 3. 3.
12.His eyes must look straight, and his eyelids right before him, Prov. 4.
25. He must take heed of going about, and fetching of compass in
Religion, Jer. 31. 32. He must be still aiming at the mark of the high
prize of his calling: being sure that the things he employeth himself
in, tend directly to the furtherance of his salvation, and not lose his
time in unprofitable studies, or practices, proceeding from one
degree to another, till he come to a ripe age in Christ.
13. He must be conversant in the Scriptures, & be familiarly
acquainted with them, that they may dwell plenteously in him: For
those good words of God have not only light in them to direct us, but
power also to assist us to do what they require, and by the daily
reading and hearing of them, we shall be excited to more care of
well-doing: we must exercise ourselves in the Word day and night,
and never let them depart out of our hearts, but keep our hearts still
warm, with the heat that comes from them, never suffering the
warmth to go out through our long forbearance of the use of them,
Col. 3. 16. Psal. 1. 2. Josh. 8. Isaiah. 8. 16, 20.
14. He must carefully persevere in his first love, Rev. 2. 4. The Lord is
wont at sometimes or other, about the first conversion of a sinner, to
show himself with such power in his ordinances, and to reveal unto
him such glories in the merits & gifts of Jesus Christ, and the
happiness of his estate in him, that his heart is thereby fired to a
cheerful liking of the means of salvation, and of godly persons, and to
a wonderful desire after God, and care to please God. Now he that
would prosper in a Christian course, must be wonderfully careful to
preserve affection, & this spiritual love in his heart, and watch,
against, and resist the first beginnings of decay, or coldness, or
declining in his heart, and take heed of suffering his heart to be
drawn away by the deceitfulness of sin, or the enticements of the
world.
15. He must covet earnestly the best gifts, 1. Cor. 12 vlt. There are
some duties in Piety or Mercy, or righteousness, which in respect of
our places do most concern us, and would in a more special manner
adorn our particular profession: so are there some gifts which do
advance our communion with God, and do make us more profitable
amongst men. Now these things we should study, and earnestly labor
to frame ourselves to, and to express them more effectually in our
conversation. This no doubt is the reason why the holy Ghost doth in
Scripture make Catalogues of certain special duties, or graces singled
out from the rest, and fitted to the conditions of the people who are
written to: and this would be a singular advantage to us, if we also
would single out to our use some few of the chiefest virtues or duties
which we would daily set before us, and strive by prayer and all holy
endevour to fashion them to life in our hearts of lives.
16. He must renew often his mortification; man's heart is like fallow
ground, which is not to receive seed, till it be broken up, and at best
it is like a garden which will often need weeding. If we do not at
sometimes in special manner humble our souls before God, worldly
cares, or carnal delights will over-grow our desires and our practice,
& choke the seed of the Word received by us; we must keep under
our bodies, & bring them in subjection, and be often dragging our
lusts to the cross of Christ, there to crucify them. Our practice is like
to sowing, which presupposeth plowing before, Jer. 4. 34. Hosh. 10.
12. 1. Cor. 9. 27.
17. He must watch for the opportunities of well-doing, and take heed
of procrastination: he must seek righteousness, and haste to it, he
must not put it off, till tomorrow, Isaiah 16. 5. Pro. 3. 28. & 23. 26.
Amos 5. 14.
18. He must remember the Sabbath day to sanctify it: The
commandment concerning the keeping of the Sabbath, to sanctify it,
is placed in the midst between the two Tables, of purpose to show
that the keeping of the Sabbath is a singular help to all piety &
righteousness, and God hath promised a special blessing to the
observers of the Sabbath, and gives strength by the rest of that day,
the better to perform holy duties all the week after, Commandment
4. Isaiah 58. 13.
19. He must meditate much on the example of the godly of all ages,
and strive diligently to learn their ways, and to quicken himself by
the thought of their care, zeal, and sincerity. And thus he may also
profitably set before him the examples of some of his own
acquaintance, as excel in the gifts of Christ, and fruits of well-doing.
The example of good men should be as forcible to draw us to good, as
the example of evil men is to incline others to evil: we have been
compassed about with a cloud of witnesses, who have lived in all ages
of the Church: we must therefore stand in the ways and see, and ask
for the old way to walk in it, and with all gladness follow any that are
fit to be guides to us therein, Hebr. 12. 1. Jerem. 12. 16. & 6. 16.
20. He must go daily to him that teaches to profit, begging of God to
show him away, and to lead him by his Spirit unto the right practice
of every holy duty, even to guide him in the plain path, Isaiah 48. 17.
Psa. 27. 11.
Thus, I have set down those rules which are general helps unto
godliness, and must be attended by a godly Christian.
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Post by Admin on Dec 6, 2023 11:14:27 GMT -5
CHAPTER III
Showing the things that are to be avoided by such as would order
their conversation aright.
Now before I proceed unto the rules that concern the manner of welldoing. I will add unto the former directions, nine Cautions, or nine
things which a Christian must take heed of in his practice of holy
duties: As
1. First, he must take heed of wretchlessnesse, or a scornful
carelessness of his own ways, he must not despise his ways: as if he
cared not how he lived, or rested satisfied to be still, as he was: This
carelessness proves the bane of many a soul, whereas He that
keepeth his soul, keepeth his way, Pro. 19. 16. & 21. 5.
2. He must take heed of precipitation, or rashness, or too much
haste: this is the ground of much false zeal, and the cause of strange
evils in the practice of some Christians: but the godly Christian must
learn of Solomon, to prepare his work in the field, and then build his
house: he must get sound knowledge of the warrant of his actions,
and guide his affairs by advice, and with serious preparation fit
himself to the doing of what he is sure is good. He that hasteth with
his feet, sinneth: what is done rashly, cannot he done well: Prov. 19.
2. As procrastination is a great vice; so praecipitation is no virtue,
Prov. 24. 27 & 28.
3. He must have no confidence in the flesh, he must not rely upon his
own wit, memory, reason, desires, virtues, praises, or power; but all
his comfort and affiance must be in the merits, intercession, virtue,
presence, and assistance of Jesus Christ his Savior, Phil. 3. 3.
4. He must not haste to be rich, for the desire of money is the root of
all evil; and they cannot be at leisure for good duties, that are so
eager to compass great things in the world, Prov. 23. 4. & 28. 20.
5. He must take heed of the snares that arise from distrustful fears:
There is a snare in fear, Prov. 29. 25. There are many fears will
assault a man, that resolves to live well; As the fear that he cannot do
good duties; The fear that God will not accept what he doth; The fear
left men should scorn him, or contemn him, or lest he should lose the
favor of his friends, or such like. Now against all these must the godly
mind be armed, and take heed that those fears prove not great
hindrances to him; and especially take heed of that unbelief, or
counterfeit humility, in disabling himself, or mistrusting God
contrary to his nature and promises.
6. He must take heed of adding to, or detracting from the Word of
God: He must not imagine more sins, then God hath made; that is,
not trouble himself with fear of offending in such things, as God hath
not in his Word forbidden: and so likewise he must not impose upon
his own conscience, or other men's, the necessity of observing such
rules of practice, as God never prescribed. This caution would case
the hearts of many Christians, if it were discreetely observed and
applied, Prov. 30. 6.
7. He must take heed of hardening his neck against reproofs: Pro. 29.
1. He must needs run into headlong evils, that is so proud as not to
hear advice, or to reject reproofs; and it will be a singular furtherance
to a holy life, to be easy to be entreated to leave his offenses, and to
mend his errors.
8. He must take heed of beholding vanity: David prays, that God
would turn away his eyes from beholding vanity: He that would
forsake vanity, must avoid the presence of vain persons, and the too
much contemplation of vanity, shunning the reading and discourse
of the enticements of others unto any sin, Psal. 119. 37.
9. And lastly, he must take heed of the beginning of evils in his own
heart: he must keep his heart with all diligence, for thereout cometh
life: His practice will be easy to him, if he resist sin in the beginning,
and drive out Satan from his holds within his soul, whereas he
cannot but be much entangled and encumbered, that allows himself
in the secret entertainment of contemplative wickedness; he must
watch his heart, and strive for inward purity, Prov. 4. 23.
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Post by Admin on Dec 6, 2023 11:17:57 GMT -5
CHAPTER. IV.
Containing the general Rules to be remembered in the manner of
doing all good duties.
HItherto of the first sort of general Rules: The second sort concern
the manner of well-doing: There are diverse things in the general,
which are to be observed of the godly Christian in all good duties,
which he ought to have perfect in his memory, and such as he might
bring with him at all times to form his heart in respect of them, to
beget in him that holy manner of carrying himself, which is requisite
unto the acceptation of the good things he employeth himself in: and
the rather should he be moved to the care of learning and expressing
of these things, because the matter of good duties may be done by
wicked men, as they were by the Pharisees, and yet all abomination
to the Lord: That therefore he may not lose what he worketh, he
must strive in every good action to express these nine things
following in the manner of his behavior.
The first thing required in the manner of every holy duty, is Zeal: It is
not enough that he do the duty, but he must do it affectionately,
bringing with him the stirring of the desires of his heart answerable,
and agreeable to the duty he would perform: Zeal hath in it two
distinct things, willingness and fervency; It must not seem evil to
him to do God's work, and in doing it, he must lift up his heart, so as
he perform it with all his might, and with all his soul; and this he
doth, when either he brings a heart delighting in good works, or
when he judgeth himself for what deadness, or distraction, or
unwillingness he finds in himself: He is accounted zealous, when he
strives for it, and lifts up his soul against the impediments which
burden him: This zeal is necessary; Christ died to redeem a people
unto himself, not only that would do good works, but that would be
zealous of good works, Tit. 2. 14.
2. The second thing required in the manner of good duties, is
sincerity, all his actions must be done in the sincerity of his heart.
The life of a Christian is like a continual Passe-over; Now this Feast
he must keep always with the unleavened bread of sincerity, 1. Cor. 5.
8. Now this sincerity he must show diverse ways, as,
1. By the truth of his heart, as it stands opposed to hypocrisy; he
must not talk of well-doing, or seem to do it, but he must do it
indeed.
2. By his respect to all God's commandments, when he can say with
David, I esteem all thy precepts, concerning all things to be right,
and I hate every false way. He that is truly sincere, accounteth that
every word of God is good, and desires to yield obedience in all
things. He hath not his reservations, or exceptions: He doth not with
Herod give himself liberty to lie in the willful breach of one
commandment, resting satisfied to have reformed himself in other
things. As he would have God to forgive him all his sins, so his heart
desires to forsake all sin, and so he desires also to do every part of
God's work.
3. By propounding the glory of God, as the chief end of all his
actions: His praise must not be of men, nor must he do good duties
for carnal ends, 1. Cor. 10. 31.
4. By obeying without expostulating, though God give no apparent
reason of his commandment. Thus Abraham shown his sincerity,
when God bade him go out of his own country, though he knew not
whither he should go, Hebr. 11. 8. This is to obey simply, because
God hath commanded it.
5. By obeying absent as well as present, in all companies as well as
one. This praised the sincerity of the Obedience of the Philippians,
Phil. 2. 12.
Thus of sincerity, which is the second thing required in the manner
of well-doing.
3. The third thing is Constancy: He is blessed that doth righteousness
always. Doing righteousness will not serve the turn, but it must be at
all times, Psalm. 106. 3. Our righteousness must not be like the
morning dew. It is not sufficient to do good by fits; we are no day
laborers, but God's hired servants: He that is righteous, must be
righteous still, Rom. 6 .19. Revel. 22. 11. There must be continuance
in well-doing, Rom. 2. 7, 8.
Now to be constant in well-doing, is to do good duties,
1. Without weariness: It is required as a thing necessary to the
manner of well-doing, that we be not weary of it, and that we faint
not, Gal. 6. 9. This we must strive for by prayer.
2. Without discouragement: we must lift up the hands that hang
down, and the feeble knees, and make straight steppes to our feet.
How much hindrance to well-doing, discouragement is, may appear
by the similitude: feeble knees will dispatch but a little space of the
journey, and hands that hang down, are not fit for work: great is the
hindrance comes to many by their discouragements and aptness
thereunto, which ariseth usually from pride, & the dregs of worldly
sorrow, and ought much to be resisted by true Christians, Hebr. 12.
12, 13. Josh. 1. 6, 7.
3. Without impediment: That is, notwithstanding all the
impediments may be cast in the way; Judgment should run down as
waters, and righteousness as a flowing stream: we should overcome
all difficulties: you cannot stop the flowing stream, though you cast
in great logs or stones, yea though you would go about to damme it
up; and such should be the resolution of a godly Christian, Amos 3.
24.
4. Without wavering or uncertainty. It is uncertain running the
Apostle implyedly forbids, 1. Cor. 9. 25. Our life is like a race: Now in
a race it is not enough that a man run now and then, though he run
fiercely for the time: He must not trifle & look behind, and stand still
at his pleasure, and then run again, but he must be always running:
so ought it to be with us in the race of godliness. It will not serve the
turn to be good by fits, and to be forward in good things only at some
times, and then be careless, and off the hooks, as we say, at other
times.
5. Without declining or going back. Job comforts himself against the
aspersion of hypocrisy by this, that his foot had held on his steps,
and God's ways he had kept, and not declined, nor had he gone back
from God's Commandments, Job 23. 11, 12. Though he had not made
such Progress as he desired, yet this was his comfort, he had not
backslided by Apostasy.
And thus of the third thing also required in the manner of well doing, which is Constancy.
4. The fourth thing required is fear: thus Pro. 28. 14. The man is
blessed that feareth always. And 1. Pet. 1. 17. & 3. 2. Our conversation
must be with fear: This fear excludes rudeness, carelessness,
conceitedness, pride, & the like, & includes Reverence, awful regard
of God's holiness, or holy presence (whom we should set always
before us) and the fear of the deceitfulness of sin, and our own
corrupt dispositions, and the care to avoid all occasions of offending
God or men.
The fifth thing is simplicity. This is so necessary, as the Apostle
mistrusted most the subtlety of the Devil, in beguiling Christians of
this simplicity, which they had in Jesus Christ, 2. Cor. 11. 3.
Now this simplicity contains in it distinctly diverse things.
1. A resting in those forms of holiness and happiness which God hath
prescribed, when a man desires no more to make him happy, then
what God hath offered and given in Jesus Christ, 2. Corin. 11. 3. and
when he accounts nothing to defile him, but what God hath
forbidden, and nothing needful to be done by him, but what God
hath in his Word required.
2. A Dove-like innocence, and harmlessness, when the Christian
shows a desire to be injurious to no man, but rather to seek the good
of others, as well as his own, 1. Cor. 10. 24.
3. An ignorance of the depths of Satan, and the methods of sin, when
he is not cunning in sinning, out simple concerning evil, no way
desirous to get subtle excuses, or arguments to defend himself in evil,
Romans. 16. 19.
4. A love of goodness for itself, and hatred of sin, as it is sin.
5. Meekness of wisdom, I am. 3. 13. which is shown three ways.
1. By lowliness of mind, when a man is not conceited, or wise in himself,
but retains a sense of his own unfitness, and unworthiness, Job 37.24.
2. By silence from his own praises, Prov. 27. 2.
3. By avoiding vain janglings, which arise out of Envy, or contempt of others.
6. The preserving of himself in the fear of God, notwithstanding the
prosperity of evil doers, not envying the wicked, that hath success in
his way, Prov. 23. 27.
The sixth thing required in the manner of well-doing, is
Circumspection, Eph. 5. 15.
Now he walketh circumspectly or exactly:
1. That makes conscience to observe the lesser commandment as well
as the greater, Mat. 5. 19.
2. That abstains from the very appearance of evil, 1. Thes. 5. 22.
3. That with discretion looks to the circumstances of things to be
done, as time, place, persons, order, and the like: that doth not only
do good, but is wise to do good, Romans 16. 19.
4. That lives without rebuke, and is unspotted of the world, Phil. 2.
15., Jam. 1. vlt. that is not guilty of any scandal, and gives no just
cause to the wicked to blaspheme, but provides for things honest in
the sight of all men, 2. Cor. 8. 21.
5. That will not do evil, though good might come of it, Rom. 3.
The seventh thing required in the manner of well-doing, is growth &
increase: We must not only get grace and knowledge, and do good,
but we must grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ, 2. Pet.
3. 18. & this growth should have in it distinctly three things:
1. Abounding in good works, or a more frequent practice of all sorts
of duties, that we have opportunity and power to practice, 1. Cor. 15.
58. Col. 1. 10.
2. The perfecting of holiness, 2. Cor. 7.
1. or the ripening of our gifts,
& finishing of the good things we begin, not leaving off till we have
accomplished them in some good measure and manner.
3. Progress, so as our works be more at last, then at first.
And all this we should strive for, both that so our profiting might
appear, 1. Tim. 4. 15. and we may be fit to be an example to others, 1.Th. 1. 7.
The eighth thing required in the manner of well-doing, is Faith: we
must walk by faith in all our actions, 2. Cor. 5. 7. Now faith is
employed partly in taking notice of God's will, as the warrant of our
actions, and partly in overcoming the difficulties of well-doing,
making us hold out, though we be scorned, or disgraced, or opposed
in the world, and raising up our hearts to believe God's assistance,
notwithstanding our own weaknesses, & partly in trusting God for
the success, believing God's promises.
The ninth & last thing required in the manner of well-doing, is
Moderation. This rule is expressed in these words, Eccles. 7. 16. Be
not just over-much, neither be thou wicked overmuch: Now for the
sense of these words, we must know in the negative, that this place is
most profanely alleged by such as produce it as a reproof of strictness
of life, and the refusal of the excesses of the time.
There are many things said to give a sense of those words.
1. Some refer these words to Justice, either Distributive, or
Commutative, and that either in the case of a private person, or of a
Magistrate. A private man must neither stand too much upon his
right, nor yet suffer his innocence to be too much wronged. A
Magistrate must not be too severe in a self-conceited Justice, nor yet
too remiss in sparing or favoring wickedness.
2. Some think it restrains curiosity and carelessness, as if the sense
were, Be not curious to pry or search into secret things, that are not
revealed: for he that will be searching into God's majesty, may be
oppressed by his glory: nor yet be so careless, as not to take notice of
the truth revealed.
3. Some thus exceed not by too much preciseness on the right hand,
or by too much profaneness on the left hand. On the right hand they
go out, that bring in works of supererogation, and such as worship
God after the precepts of men, and such as tie men's consciences to
observe or avoid things without warrant of Scripture, and such as say
they have no sin, and need not the grace of God.
4. Lastly, the fittest interpretation is theirs, that expound the words
in this sense, Be not just over-much, that is, think not too highly of
thyself in anything thou doest well, nor yet be wicked over-much,
that is, account not too vilely of thyself, denying God's gifts in thee,
and refusing the just comforts thou shouldest take to thyself;
aggravate not against thy own soul thy weakness above reason and
measure.
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Post by Admin on Dec 6, 2023 11:25:36 GMT -5
CHAPTER V.
Intreating of the rules that concern our carriage towards God, and in
particular about the knowledge of God.
HItherto of the general rules: The particular rules that concern the
right ordering of our conversation, may be cast into three heads, as
they direct us in our carriage,
1. Towards God.
2. Towards men.
3. Towards our selves.
All the rules that concern our duties to GOD, may be cast into two
heads:
1. For they concern either the love of God, or
2. the service ofGod. This is an exact division; for all we owe to God, is fitly
comprehended in these two, Love and Service: and the Scripture so
divides in these and the like places, Commandment 2. Deut. 11. 23. &
30. 16. Josh. 22. 5. Isaiah 56. 6.
Now that we may be rightly ordered in respect of our love to God, we
must consider of his love, either in the foundation of it, or in the
exercise of it. The foundation of our love to God, is the true
knowledge of God, 2. Chron. 28. 6. So that in the first place we must
soundly inform ourselves concerning this knowledge of God. Now
the rules that concern the right knowledge of God, concern either the
right conceiving of his nature, or our acquaintance with God, when
we do aright conceive of him. That we may conceive aright of God's
nature,
1. We must exclude out of our thoughts all likenesses, so as men do
not think of God, representing him by the similitude of any creature:
He that forbids Images of him in Churches, forbids it also in our
heads, Commandment 2. Isaiah 40. Deut. 4.
2. We must strive to conceive of him according to his praises
declared by his works, or in his Word. This is an excellent, and easy
way to think of God. Since our hearts cannot conceive his Nature, we
should fill them with the impression of his praises, and according to
them direct our affection, and service to him: As I would bring this
mind to prayer, or any other service of God, I cannot make any
resemblance of the Divine Substance, whom I am about to serve: yet
this will I do, I will remember that he that I pray unto, is most wise,
most omnipotent, most just, most gracious, &c. Thus God proclaims
himself by his praises, Exod. 34. 6. where God himself shows us a
way how to conceive of him.
3. Thou must then silence thy reason, and exalt thy faith in the point
of the Trinity, which must be conceived of necessity, because all
service is due to the whole Trinity: Now thou needest not strive to
resemble the Trinity in any likeness in thy mind, but only bring faith
to believe that thy God is three in one.
4. It may yet help thy understanding to conceive, that God is in
Christ, and the fullness of the God-head dwells in him bodily: and
therefore when thou comest to worship, thou mayest set before thy
mind the Human Nature of Christ, adoring the God-head in him, as
conceiving of God in that human Nature thou thinkest of, Col. 2. 9.
John. 17. 3.
5. That this may be the more clearly and comfortably done, thou
must labor by sound advice and direction, to expel out of thy head
those secret and rebellious Atheistical thoughts, which arise in thee
about his Nature, Decree, Attributes, or Works: Men must take heed
of smothering these Objections, but seek help against them in time.
Thus of the knowledge of God, as it concerns the right conceiving of
his Nature.
There is required further such a knowledge, as brings us acquainted
with God: we are commanded to acquaint ourselves with God, Job.
22. 21, 22.
Now, because it is an exceeding hard way for a mortal man to find
out God, so as to enjoy familiarity with him: Therefore I will add
some directions about it: For if thou wouldst acquaint thy self with
God,
Thou must prepare thy heart for this Vision of God, by driving out
filthy and unholy thoughts, and affections, For without holiness no
man can see God. The pure in heart shall see God, Math. 5. 7. Hebr.
12. 14. 1. Chro. 19. 3. God delights to show himself familiarly in a
clean heart.
2. Thou must beg this acquaintance by prayer: if thou seek it of him
earnestly, though God be in himself invisible to mortal eyes, yet he
will show himself to the eyes of thy mind: pray for his acquaintance,
and he will be acquainted with thee: This is to ask after the Lord, and
to seek God: if we seek him, he will be found, Psal. 105. 3, 4. But then
we must remember three things;
1. To seek him with our whole hearts, we must pray with great
earnestness and desire.
2. To seek him early, Psalm 119. verse 10. and while he may be found,
God offers acquaintance in his Ordinances, and sometimes comes
near, and knocketh at men's hearts, and works greater impressions
upon them: Now if thou wouldst call upon God heartily, he would
show thee his presence.
3. To seek him constantly; we must seek his face continually: both till
we find it, and after we have had acquaintance with him, it must be
continued: we must not think much, if we be put to pray often and
long, before we attain such an incomparable benefit.
4. Thou must give thy self, soul and body, to God, seriously, and from
thy heart, devoting and promising to spend thy days in his service,
and then he will reveal himself unto thee, Rom. 12. 1, 2.
5. Thou must wait upon his Ordinances, and watch, how the Lord
speaks unto thee, either by his Word, or by his Spirit. For in them he
shows himself to men, and converseth with them.
6. It is a great furtherance to our acquaintance with God, to keep
company with his Household; for with them he dwells, and by
conversing with them we may-occasionally often see God, 1. John. 3.
6, 7, 8, 12.
Thus of acquaintance with God.
There are other things to be further noted concerning our knowledge
of God, such as these:
That when we attain unto any acquaintance with God, we must never
rest, till we know him to be our God, Col. 2. 2.
That it must be our daily care to increase in the knowledge of God,
laboring to plant in our hearts a more large and affectionate
contemplation of the glories of God's Nature & Love.
That above all earthly things we should glory in it, if we attain some
happy admission into God's presence, and ability to conceive of God,
and to be acquainted with him, Jer. 9. 24.
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Post by Admin on Dec 6, 2023 11:29:08 GMT -5
CHAPTER VI.
Rules, that order is about the manifestation of our love to God.
HItherto of the Rules that concern the knowledge of God, as the
foundation of our love to God: The rules that should order us in the
exercise of our love to God, follow; and those are of two sorts:
1. for either they concern the manifestation of our love:
2. or our preservation in the love of God; we must show our love to God, and
we must keep ourselves in the love of God, Jude 21.
In our manifestation of love to God, we must look to both the matter,
(as the things whereby) and also the manner how we should express
our love to God.
For the first, there be diverse excellent Rules to be heeded of us in
our practice, in observing whereof we may soundly prove the truth of
our love to God: if we say we love God, we must show it by these
things following.
1. We must avouch God to be our God, Deut. 26. 17. and so we do, if
we do not only make choice of God above all things to set our hearts
upon him, but also maintain our choice by a constant refusal of all
idols in the world, even all things which might entice us to love them
instead of God, by sound affection and practice declaring our
resolution to cleave to God, as our sufficient happiness, though all
the world follow their profits, or pleasures, &c.
2. We must provide and prepare a place for God, that he may dwell
with us, wheresoever we dwell, Exo. 15. 2. It is a sign of our true love
to God, when we cannot live without him: He that can be content to
live in any place, where he is not powerfully present in his
ordinances, shows no love to God: It should be our chief care to seat
ourselves so in the world, as the Lord and his presence may be
provided for, that he may reign amongst us by the Scepter of his
Word.
3. We shall show our love to God, by our love to the Lord Jesus the
Son of God: we must kiss the Sun, Psal. 2. vlt. And if any man love
not the Lord Jesus, he hath not the Father, 1. Cor. 16. 22. We show
that we love God, when we highly esteem Jesus Christ, and make
much of him in our hearts, & strive to fire our affections toward him;
and this must be our care through the passages of our life, to form in
us the love of the Lord Jesus, that we may long after him, and have
the desires of our souls after him, and his coming.
4. We must show our love to GOD by walking with him, Genes. 17. 1.
Mica. 6. 8. The Lord doth not account it a sign of love to offer to him
a thousand Rams, or rivers of oil. But this is it that pleaseth him, To
humble ourselves to walk before him.
Now we walk with God diverse ways.
1. When we set the Lord always before us, remembering his holy
presence, & not daring to go long without thinking of God, Psal. 16.18.
2. When we nourish the motions of the Spirit, and retire ourselves of
purpose to entertain them.
3. When we daily have recourse to those means by which the Lord is
pleased to converse with men, and not rest in the bare use of the
means, but strive to find out the Lord in his holy presence, in every
ordinance of his, Psal. 63. 1, 2.
4. When we use ourselves to Soliloquies with God, taking all
occasions to speak to God by prayer and private meditation of things
offered to us, out of which we could extract matter for frequent
Ciaculations, lifting up our hearts upon the very first motions of good
unto God, Psalm. 63. 5, 6.
5. When our hearts are fired with longing desires after his presence
of glory in heaven, 2. Cor. 5. 8.
Thus of our walking with God.
5. We should manifest our love to God by honoring him: For this is
one special way by which God requires to have our love shown to
him, Malac. 1. 6. Now there are many ways by which in our
conversation we may declare our desire to honor our God: As,
1. By performing the care of businesses that concern his kingdom,
above all other businesses, & showing our respect of the duties of the
first table, that concern God, before the duties that concern men in
the second table: we honoring him by seeking his kingdom first: First
(I say) in the precedency of time, and first, in respect of the measure
of our affections, Math. 6. showing a desire to please him rather than
all the world.
2. By making a bold & open profession of GOD'S truth upon all
occasions, without fear of oppositions or snares of the world.
3. By grieving heartily for his dishonors done unto him, by the
blasphemies or profaneness of his enemies, Psal. 42. 3.
4. By directing all our actions to his glory, striving in all the things to
order them so, that some way God may be praised by us, or others, 1.
Cor. 10. 31.
5. By our willingness to suffer anything for his sake, though it were
extremities, even the loss of all worldly things, yea and life it self, if
we were called to it.
6. By honoring them that fear his name, and are begotten of him, and
bear his Image, receiving them, & making much of them, and
defending them for the love we bear to God himself, Psalm. 15. 1.
John. 5. 1.
7. By hating them that are his enemies, as if they were our own,
conceiving more dislike of them for dishonoring God, then for any
wrongs they could do unto us, Psal. 139. 21, 22.
8. We honor God, when we speak of the Oracles of God with all
reverence as may become the nature and glory of them,
Commandment 3. 1. Pet. 4. 11.
9. We honor him by gifts bestowed upon him, when we bring to him
our free-will offerings, such as are the first fruits of all our increase,
when out of all things wherein God hath prospered us, we with
gladness consecrate a part for the furtherance of his worship, or the
maintenance of his poor: Prov. 3. 6. Isaiah 60. 6.
10. We honor him, when we praise him. One usual way by which we
honor great persons in the world, is by taking all occasions to
magnify them, by commending their virtues, or their worthy Acts:
And this is likewise one great way of honoring God: & therefore with
sorrow for our neglects herein, we should study his praises for the
time to come, and strive for language to be able readily to do so.
Now God is praised diverse ways. Some of them belong not properly
to this place, and therefore I will but touch them.
We praise God.
1. When we keep and observe carefully the solemnities set apart for
his praise, as when we celebrate the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper,
which is therefore called the Eucharist, because it is to be performed
as a thanksgiving, and praising of God.
2. When daily we take all occasions in private to bless God for his
daily mercies: but let these and such like pass, as not proper to this
place. We must praise him in our discourse to others: This is
required of us in many Scriptures, Psa. 33. 1. Job 36. 24. Psal. 96. 4.
But because this must not be done cursorily, diverse rules are to be
observed: As,
1. That we may praise him effectually, we must wisely consider of his
works, and so of his nature to extract from thence sound arguments
of praise, Psalm. 64. 9.
2. We should do well for this purpose to keep Records, and Register
up the special glorious works of God, Job. 36. 24. & 37. 14. Psalm. 78.7.
3. When we do praise him, it must be done with our whole heart,
speaking of his praises with all possible affection, and not as if we
spake of ordinary things, Psalm. 9. 1.
4. We must thus praise him, not once, or for one work of his, but we
must praise him for all his works, especially his wondrous works,
Psal. 9. 1. & 105. 1, 2. & 106. 2.
5. We must praise him from day today, and continue to do it, while
we live, Psal. 63. 4. & 96. 3.
6. This is a duty, that all the kindreds of the people are bound to: All
the people must praise him, Psalm. 148. 12, 13. & 96. 6, 7, 8.
Thus of the fifth way of showing our love to God, and that is by
honoring him.
The sixth way by which we must show our love to God, is, by trusting
in him; As men show, whom they love most, by relying most upon
them, and their favor and help; Now there are diverse cases, in which
we must show our trust in God
1. By relying upon his mercy for our justification and salvation: and
in this we should most use our trust, as being in a business that most
highly concerns us, Isaiah 45. 24, 25.
2. By committing all our works to him, for assistance in them or
success of them: This is to commit our way to God to be careful to
seek his assistance to help us, to do our duty, and then to leave the
success of all to his blessing, Psal. 37. 3, 5. Prov. 16. 3.
3. By believing all that he saith is true, whether he promise, threaten,
or comfort by his Word, upon all occasions believing his Prophets, 2.
Chro. 20. 20.
4. By staying our hearts upon him in all our distresses: Now in the
time of distress we may prove, that we trust in God diverse ways:—
As,
1. By running to him, and pouring out our hearts before him, making
our moan unto him, Psa. 18. 2. & 62. 10. Look amongst men, to
whom we first run to make our moan in our distress, and that person
is he whom we most love, and trust: so is it toward God.
2. By casting our cares and burdens upon him, Psal. 55. 22.
3. By not respecting the proud, and such as turn aside to lies, Psal.
40. 4.
4. By relying upon his help, Joel 3. 16. Isaiah 50. 11. but then we must
observe how we must rely upon God's help: For there are many
things we must cast out of our hearts in affliction: When we have
been with the Lord and committed ourselves to him, we must rely
upon him,
1. Without leaning to our own understanding, or willful inclination to
follow our own courses, and projects, Prov. 3. 5.
2. Without murmuring or repining at our condition, or vexing
ourselves at the providence of God toward us, Psal. 37. 7.
3. Without fear, that is, without mistrustful fears, and servile
perturbations, imagining evils, which the Lord hath not brought
upon us, Psal. 3. 6. & 27. 1.
4. Without using ill means to get out of distress, Amos 5. 4, 6.
5. Yea, lastly, without care, that is, without distrustful carking cares,
Phil. 4. 6.
Thus of the sixth way of showing our love to God, and that is by
trusting in him.
The seventh & last way, by which we must show our love to God, is,
To obey him: For this is the love of God, that we keep his
commandments: Neither is the sign in this, that we do what God
requires for the matter, but that his commandments are not grievous
unto us: We love God, if we love to do his work, and if we lift up our
hearts in his ways, setting upon his work with a special readiness,
and strength of desire, and more than ordinary care, 1. John. 5. 2. 2.
Chron. 17. 6. & 19. 2.
Thus of the matter, that is, the things by which we must show our
love to God; The manner also is to be considered: For in all those
things which we would do at any time to prove our love to God, we
must look to the manner how we do them, as was a little touched
before: Now distinctly we must bring to the declaration of our love to
God, two things;
1. Fervency.
2. Fear.
For the first, we must love God, and show it in all the fruits of our
love; How? Even with all our hearts, and all our souls, and all our
might, and all our understanding. Our hearts must be more inflamed
than they are, in showing love to wife, children, friends, parents, &c.
We must love God above all, Deut. 6. 3. & 30. 6.
For the second, we must love God and show it too, but it must be
with fear. Howsoever with men true love casts our fear: yet God
being so infinite in Glory and Majesty, we must love him, but yet
with fear. Now that this may not be mistaken, I will set down the
particulars of this fear.
We must show our fear:
1. By entertaining awful thoughts of his dreadful Majesty, casting out
all vile, mean, and vain thoughts of him, Dan. 6. 26.
2. By departing from evil, that might any way displease him, being
tender in this point, not daring to presume, or plead impunity, or
freedom from danger, but in all things desire to avoid what might
anger him, Prov. 3. 7.
3. By using all terms of hearty abasement of ourselves, when we
come before him: Thus Abraham calls himself dust and ashes; and
thus we should humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God, 1.
Pet. 5. 9.
4. By doing his will, without fearing man, or any other creature,
Isaiah 8. 12, 13.
5. By a daily and reverent remembrance of his continual holy
presence.
6. By trembling at his judgments, Psa. 4. 4. Hab. 2. vlt.
7. By the humble using of all the means of communion with God,
using his Ordinances with all convenient reverence, attention, and
abasement of our selves. Mal. 2. 5.
8. Lastly, By the reverend use of his very Titles, fearing that great,
and fearful Name of the Lord our God, Deut. 28. 58.
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Post by Admin on Dec 6, 2023 11:39:31 GMT -5
CHAPTER VII.
Rules, that concern the preservation of our love to God.
HItherto of the Rules that concern the manifestation of our love to
God: The rest of the Rules serve to teach us, how to preserve in us
this love to God. Now that we may continue in our love to God, we
must observe these Rules.
1. We must separate ourselves from all others to be his, Lev. 20. 26.
avoiding fellowship with the servants of a strange God, that might
any way entice us from the love of God; yea, we should so much
alienate our hearts from all Idols, that we should not make mention
of their names, and therefore daily confirm our hearts in that
purpose to cleave to God alone, Lev. 20. 26. Mal. 2. 11. Exod. 34. 11.
14, 15. Exod. 23. 13. Act. 11. 23. Josh. 23. 8.
2. We must beware, that we forget not God, nor go too long without
effectual remembrance of him. They that can live whole days and
weeks without any care to think of God, may be snare their hearts are
void of the love of God: and as ever we would continue to love God,
we must be careful every day to remember him, and think upon him,
Deut. 6. 12. & 32. 18.
3. We must labor to edify ourselves in our most holy faith; we must
build up our hearts in the assurance of that wonderful love God hath
shown to us: and this will preserve and keep us in our love to him
again, Jude. 20.
4. We must pray in the holy Ghost, as is shown in the same place:
prayer preserves acquaintance with God, and exceedingly quickens
the heart; and besides, draws from God new pledges of his love to us,
which may serve to kindle our affections toward him.
5. In the same place another rule is imported; and that is the daily
expectation of the Coming of Christ: for the terror of that Day will
move us to show all possible love to God, and so will that singular
Glory we are assured to receive in that Day.
6. In the use of all God's Ordinances, we must be careful to seek out
the face of God, which is that special presence of his grace. For the
love of God will decay in us, if once we come to use the means only
for form, and an outward show, Ps. 105. 4. And if we miss of God in
his Ordinances, we must never be quiet, till we find him whom our
soul loveth, Cant. 3. 1. Psalm. 63. 1.
7. We must preserve the truth he hath delivered to us; yea, we must
contend for it: for sound doctrine laid up in our hearts, will preserve
in us soundness of affection to God, Jude 3.
8. We must get Catalogues of God's praises in particular, and fill our
hearts with the knowledge & contemplation of them.
9. If we would be preserved in the love of God, we must labor to
attain to the ability to rejoice in God, and delight ourselves in God. A
wife that would increase her love to her husband, must strive to
solace herself often with her husband, and to form in her heart a
special delight in him: So must we do to God. This is miserably
neglected, and yet exceeding necessary: Nor is it an ordinary joy we
should take in God, but we should joy in him, first, with all our
hearts: 2. not for a time, but always, every day; nor with common,
but with exceeding joys, Phi. 4. 4. Ps. 37. 4. & 68. & 105. 3. Now that
this point may be the better understood, I will consider of two things:
first, what it is to delight and joy in God: secondly, what we should
do that might delight, and take pleasure in God.
1. For the first, this delight in God hath in it four things distinctly.
1. First, a spiritual satisfaction, or contentment arising from the
assurance of God's love to us, as having enough that he regards us;
thus David saith, his soul was satisfied as with marrow, Psal. 63. 5. &
149. 2.
2. Secondly, a joyful entertainment of all passages of love between
God and us; especially in the use of his Ordinances.
3. Thirdly, a delightful contemplation of God and his mercies.
4. Fourthly, a glorying in God, and extolling of his praises, as by
discourse, so by singing of Psalms, 1. Cor. 1. 31. Psal. 33. 1. & 105. 3.
& 68. 3, 4.
Now for the attainment of the joying in God.
1. We must mourn often for our disabilities herein, & pray to God to
form this delight in us.
2. We must restrain carnal joys, and cares: for the excess of both
doth exceedingly dull the heart, and with-draws it from care of
delight in God, John. 2. 8. Phil. 4. 4, 5, 6.
3. We must exercise ourselves with all the joy we can in the Word of
God, Psal. 119. 14, 16.
4. We must take heed of listening to Objections against the love of
God to us, whether they arise from Satan, or our own flesh.
5. We must often observe the miseries of the wicked in comparison of
our happy estate in Christ, Hab. 3. 17, 18.
6. We must seek a delightful conversation with the godly.
7. We must take heed of domestical evils, our home sins, the
corruptions that would daily prevail in us, Job 22. 23, 26.
8. We must restrain our own unbelief about the acceptation of the
good duties we perform, and to this end we must take heed, that we
be neither just overmuch, by attributing too much to ourselves: nor
yet wicked overmuch, in condemning all we do, as hateful to God.
For this last doth marvelously hinder us from joying in God.
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Post by Admin on Dec 6, 2023 11:43:02 GMT -5
CHAPTER VIII.
Containing general rules about God's service.
HItherto of the first sort of Rules, that concern our carriage toward
God, namely, those that concern our love to God. Now the second
sort of Rules follow, and that is, those that concern the service of
God, and these may be cast into two ranks:
1. for they either concern the parts of God's worship:
2. or the time of God's worship.
The Rules that concern the parts of God's worship,
1. are either general, which bind us to the good behavior in all parts of God's worship:
2. or else certain specialties of Direction, that concern some part of God's worship only.
Now for the general rules, we should know and remember, that there
are nine things to be looked to, and brought to the practice of every
part of God's worship.
1. The first is preparation; we must in some sort confer with our own
hearts, and prepare them, before we go before God to do any service,
Job 11. 13. Psal. 4. 4. Ezech. 7. 10.
2. Secondly, we must come with all reverence & godly fear, Hebr. 12.
28. Psal. 2. 11.
3. Thirdly, we must perform the service in repentance for our sins:
we must not come before God in the love of any sin: if we do, we lose
our labor, and God will loath our works, Isai. 1. Job. 11. 14. We must
have clean hands, and a pure heart, or else no service of God will be
accepted, Psalm. 119. 11. & 24. 4.
4. Fourthly, it must grieve us, that others will not serve God, Psalm.
119. 139.
5. Fifthly, we must perform every service in the name of Christ, or
else it cannot be accepted, by reason of that evil that cleaves to our
best works, whether we pray or give thanks, or Whatsoever we do, we
must do it in the name of Christ, Col. 3. 17.
6. Sixthly, in every service of God we must so near as it may be, give
God the first place, preferring the respects of God and his worship,
before ourselves, or the regard of others: we must serve him betimes,
seeking God in the first place, Job 8. 5. Math. 6. 34. Psalm. 5. 3.
7. Seventhly, when we do any service to God, we must do it with all
our hearts, with as much willingness as may be, so as it may appear,
that we love to be his servants, as the Prophets phrase is, 1. Sam. 12.
10. 1. Chron. 28. 9. Isaiah 56. 6.
8. Eighthly, in all service we must strive so to serve God, that we may
please him, not only careful to do the duty, but careful of God's
acceptation. In good duties being chiefly careful to see God's
approbation, not caring so much for the praise of men, as the praise
of God. In every part of God's worship, our praise must be of God,
and not of men, Heb. 12. 28. Rom. 2. 26.
9. Ninthly, we must cleave to God with detestation of all things, or
persons, that might any way draw us away from his service, Deut. 13.
4, 5.
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Post by Admin on Dec 6, 2023 11:46:50 GMT -5
CHAPTER IX
Showing how we should carry ourselves in God's House.
HItherto of the rules to be observed in all parts of God's worship
generally.
The special rules concern
1. either, God's public worship in his House:
2. or else the particular parts of God's worship each by themselves.
The godly Christian ought with all care to lay before him the rules
that bind him to the good behavior in God's House, & to strive to
fashion his nature and practice, as may become the glory of God's
public service and presence, and so there be diverse things which in a
special manner he must look to in performing God's public service.
For concerning these public duties, these rules must be observed.
First, that all sorts & degrees of men must appear before God
publicly to do him homage and service. None must be spared or
freed, men, women, and children must all take notice of it, that they
are bound hereunto, Deut. 31. 11, 12.
Secondly, we must come ourselves with all possible reverence, and
look to our feet when we enter into the house of God, and strive to
show before all men our most careful respect of God and his holy
ordinances: For God will be sanctified in them that come nigh him,
and he looks for it at our hands by our reverend behavior, to be
glorified before all the people, Levite. 10. 3. Eccl. 5. 4. We should
then show a most holy fear of God's name, and presence, Psalm. 5. 7.
Thirdly, in public duties, that of the Prophet David should be true of
us: The zeal of God's house should eat us up, Psal. 69. 9. and this
special zeal we should show:
1. By loving God's house above all the places in the world, our hearts
should be fired in us in that we respect, that we may truly say with
David, O how I love thy house! Psalm. 26. 8.
2. By confirming our own hearts in a resolution to resort to God's
house with all joy and gladness, notwithstanding the scorns and
oppositions of worldly men and persons.
3. By stirring up others with all importunity to go up with them to
worship God in Zion, Isaiah 2. 2.
4. By making haste to God's worship, going to the house of God with
the first, & with willing hearts, with a holy thirst after the means,
flocking and flying thither as the clouds, or as so many doves to their
windows, Zach. 8. 21. Psal. 110. 3. Isaiah 35. 1. & 60. 8.
5. By forwardness and cheerfulness in contributing towards the
maintenance of God's House, and service in the means thereof,
Isaiah 60. 8, 9.
6. By grieving heartily, because other men neglect or contemn the
House of God, and have no more mind to keep God's Law, Psalm.
119. 136.
Thus of that special zeal we should show about God's public worship.
4. Fourthly, we should in all public duties serve God with one
consent and one heart. There should appear in God's servants a
wonderful desire of Unanimity and concord. They should serve the
Lord with one shoulder, that when they speak to God, it may be as
the voice of one man, when the Lord speaks to them, they should
hear with one heart. It is a marvelous glory in Religion, when people
can come once to this, to serve the Lord with one shoulder, Zephan.
3. 9.
Lastly, in the 52. Psalm. v. 8, 9. we may gather three other rules,
which in a special manner fit us for a right behavior in God's house.
1. First, we should always be as green Olive trees in the house of the
Lord. Howsoever it go with men in the world, yet when we come
before the Lord, our hearts should rejoice and revive, and our spirits
be fresh and cheerful, and our affections should be healed of all the
cares or distempers were before in them. God's ordinances should
have such a power over us, as to make a sudden fresh spring of
desires, and holy thoughts in us. There is this power in the
ordinances of God to effect this, if the fault be not in us, I mean,
when these ordinances are exercised in the power & life of thē.
2. Secondly, we must trust on the mercy of GOD, bringing a heart
ready to believe every good word of God, resolving, that if the Lord
will speak comfortably to his servants, we will not dishonor his
consolations through carelessness, or unbelief: but receive them with
all our hearts, and establish ourselves in the safe keeping of his good
word.
3. Thirdly, we must resolve to be thankful, with all tenderness for all
experiences of God's presence and goodness towards us in the
means, vowing with David, to praise him forever for them. And if the
Lord do with-hold his power and presence for a time, so as we feel
not the effectualness of his ordinances: yet we should resolve without
distemper, to wait upon the Lord, and observe him according to the
seasons of his grace.
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Post by Admin on Dec 6, 2023 11:50:10 GMT -5
CHAPTER X.
Rules that order us about hearing of the Word.
Thus of the rules that we must observe in all public service of God.
Now there be certain special rules which must be particularly headed
in each part of God's worship by itself. And first I will begin with
those rules, which we must more specially observe in hearing the
Word of God, and these are of three sorts.
1. Some bind us to the good behavior, before we come to hear.
2. Some at the time of hearing.
3. Some after we have heard.
1. Before we come to hear, we must bring with us two things.
1. A resolution to deny our own wits, reasons, opinions, and conceits,
and empty our heads of all persuasion of our own skill, to judge in
the things of the kingdom of God, being ready to believe and think in
all things, as God shall teach us out of his Word. We must be fools,
that we may be wise, 1. Cor. 3. 18. humbling ourselves at his very feet
to receive his Law, Deut. 33. 3.
2. We must bring with us a meek and quiet spirit, a mind quieted
from passions, lusts, and perturbations, and at rest from the
turmoiling cares of this world. The world is able to do great things in
our hearts, if we receive it with meekness, I am. 1. 19.
Secondly, at the time of hearing, we must look to two rules.
First, we must hearken without distraction: we must hear, as it were
for our lives, we must incline our ears, and shake off all impediments
arising from our own drowsiness, prejudice, or vain thoughts, or
distracting objects, Isaiah 55. 3. Psal. 119. 113.
Secondly, we must prove all things, and keep that which is good. We
must hear with judgment, and hearken for ourselves, having special
care to look to that doctrine which in particular concerns us to lay it
up in our hearts, and apply it effectually. This is a rule of singular
thrift in godliness. If we did mark what sin in us the Lord reproves,
or what comfort is specially fitted to our hearts: or what direction
doeth specially concern us: He hath an honest memory that will be
sure to keep these things, though he forget all the rest, and he hath a
wretched memory, and heart too, that forgets these things, though he
could repeat all the Sermon verbatim.
Thirdly, after we have heard, two things also must be further done.
First, we must by meditation labor to make those things we have
heard, which concern us, fast, that they run not out of our minds,
and we must take heed that neither the Devil steal away the good
seed, nor our own heart through negligence forget it. Neither is this a
work for an hour after, to keep these things till we may repeat them
to others, but ought to be our daily work, especially the week after to
think so often of them, till there be a sure impression of the Word in
our hearts, Hebr. 2. 1, 2.
Secondly, we must yet further see to it, that we be doers of the Word,
yea we must observe to do: as the phrase of the holy Ghost is. It is the
wisdom of God so to dispose of his ordinances, that we receive our
directions by parcels, and there is a time of interim between Sabbath
and Sabbath, Sermon and Sermon, that we might in that space learn
to frame ourselves to the obedience of the truths received, that so we
might be ready to receive new lessons from the Lord. The surest way
for the husbandman to keep his seed, is not to lay it up in his barn,
but to cast it into the ground. For what is sowed, he may receive
again with advantage; or if he might fail of a harvest from his seed in
nature, yet godly men shall never fail to receive what they sow by
practice, with increase. So much of the Truth, as is put into practice,
is sure forever: The rest may be lost: and it is a singular help to a
Christian, if he set upon his obedience, while the doctrine is yet fresh
in his mind; for delay will compass him about with many difficulties,
and he will want those inward incitation's, that might stir up his
heart with power and strength to obey.
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