SOlomon advised men, In the day of ad­versity to consider Eccl. 7.14 , for God hath set it, and the day of prosperity, one against another; and both are of him: Adversity being but the night, and dark part of mens time in this world, to which notwithstanding, God hath assigned some work for his people to do. And 'tis no small part of godly wis­dome, to understand the time, and to know what is the proper work of the day; both which, some of the men of Issacar had un­derstanding in 1 Ch. 12.32. : And this, as the wise man faith, is heart-understanding. A wise mans heart diseerneth time and judgment Eccl. 8.5. : Time when, and Judgement how, and what to [Page 2]do. And doubtless what was said ofa word fitly spoken, may be as truly said, of a work done in season; That it is as Apples of Gold in pictures of Silver. Pro. 25.11 My aime in these few pages (of the first part of this little Book) is not to discover the nature of the present time, or to prove it to be evil (for it discovers it self sufficiently to be so, both in respect of the sins and evils committed by men, and the punishments justly inflicted by God for those Sins, which two things the ProphetsAm. 5.11. Mic. 3.12. & Apo­stles,2 Tim. 3.1, 2, 3. &c. 2 Pe. 3.3. make to be the main signs of evil times) But to stir up the minds of all those that are wise-hearted, though like Christ, and his Prophets & Apostles, called mad­men or foolsJo. 10.20. 2 Ki. 9.11. Jer. 29.26. Mar. 3.21. 1 Cor. 4.10. , or as the Duch translati­on Englished, in some places, renders the word Fanaticks. But be it so, that such are mad, yet wiser then the Father of that man which gave the name, gives the reason why, a wise man is mad. Op­pression (saith Solomon) makes a wise man mad Eccl. 7.7. . And Hosea saith, The Prophet is a fool, and the spiritual man is mad, for the multitude of thine iniquity, and forthe great hatred Ho. 9.7.) & to be like Daniel searching the Scripture, and so to get an insight into the present time and work, and a Foresight of what God intends to do; for God hath [Page 3]promised to declare, reveal, and frequent­ly performed his secrets to his people. Ps. 25.14. Amo. 3.7. Gen. 18.17. Dan. 8.13. Therefore they should be like those holy-ones, in Daniel, inquire how long it will be to the end of the vision. Also learning those three exellent Lessons, pointed out for evil times. viz. To prove what is that accepta­ble will of God Rom. 12.2. , to redeem time Eph. 5.16 17. n Jo. 12 35. , and to do the worke of the day, in the day.

In order thereunto, here follow some seasonable Considerations, Directions, Encou­ragements, and Consolations for all men, especially Christians in times of any Affli­ction.

Consid. 1 Consider that the Omnipotent & al-wise God hath his will, and hand, in all the Acti­ons, matters, occurrences, & things in this world, which concern all persons and all Ages: Yea, those that are most strange and most sinful. (with reverence to his blessed Majesty be it spoken, and without fathering the least evil upon him, whose pure eyes cannot behold iniquity Hab. 1.13 . This con­sideration being well understood, and weighed, will silence all the Soul-dis­quietings, and unruly thoughts of the hearts of Gods people. Therefore mark some Scriptures, and clear instances to that purpose: As the selling of Joseph in­to Egypt (though a sin in Josephs bre­thren) [Page 4]yet he saith himself unto his bre­thren, It was not you that sent me hither, but God Gen. 45.8. . So the hardning of Pharoahs heart to hinder Israel to goe out of Egypt, was of the Lord, as God told Moses he would do it before he went to him, I will barden his heart (viz. Pharoahs) that he shall not let the people goe Ex. 4.21. & 7.3. : So Sihon King of Heshbon, would not let Israel pass by him; but why? for the Lord thy God hardned his Spirit Du. 2.30. : Like as the Lord is said to move David to number the people, The anger of the Lord was kindled against Israel, and he moved David to number the People 2 Sa. 24.1 . And the Lord is said to set up the adver saries of Rezin against him, and joyn two of his e­nemies together, the Syrians before, and the Phylistines behind, and they shall devoure Israel with open mouth Esa. 9.11.12. . And David look­ed upon Sauls persecuting of him, to be from God; For mark his words to Saul, Now therefore I pray thee, let my Lord the King hear the words of his servant: If the Lord have stirred the people up against me, let him accept an offering 1 Sam. 19.16. . So it is said twice in one Chapter, that God stirred up two enemies against Solomon; And the Lord stirred up an Adversary unto Solo­mon, Hadad the Edomite, &c. And the Lord stirred up another Adversary, Re­zen. [Page 5]&c. 1 Kin. 11.14, 23. The like is said of Gods stir­ring up the King of Assyria, to carry some of the Children of Israel Captives into Baby­lon1 Ch. 5.26. . So God said he would strenghen the King of Babylon, and put his Sword into his hand: Ez. 30.24 These with many more instances, prove that Gods will, and hand, are in all the matters that are done upon Earth.

Object. But these are Old-testament proofs, and God dealt at that time in another way, than he doth now in the Gospel daits.

Answ. You will find as clear proofs in the New-Testament: Christ himself allowes, and in effect affirmeth, That the power that Pilare had to condemn and Judge him, was given him from above Jo. 19.11 . And the Apostles jointly acknowledge, That Herod, Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together, to do what soe­ver Gods hand, and his Counsel determined before to be done Act. 4.28 . So it is said, That the Key of the bottomlesse-pit was given to the Angel that fell from Heaven Rev. 9.1, 2. Rev. 9.1, 2 ; And this must be Christ, (who is said to have the Keys of Hell, and of death Ch. 1.18. .) But what to do? Even to open & make way for the smoke of Errors and Wickedness to as­cend, as there it follows: Likewise the Gen­tiles have Commission, to trample upon the Church (for so much the words will bear) And the Holy City shall be trodden under [Page 6]foot, for forty and two Moneths. Ch. 11.2 Nay it is said further: That God hath put it into the hearts of the ten Kings, to fulfil his will, to agree, and to give their kingdom unto, the Beast, until the Word of God shall befulfilled Ch. 17.17. .

But some may object, and say, by his will is meant, hating the Whore, making war with her, and making her desolate.

Though that be part of his will, yet the other may aswel be his will; and so ta­ken here, and agreeable to other Scrip­tures: As God said unto Satan, (be­fore the destruction of Ahab) Thou shalt be a lying spirit, and goe forth and do so, & thou shalt prevaile with him 1 Ki. 22.22. . So it's said, That the dwellers of Jerusalem, and their Ru­lers fulfilled the Scriptures; (that is Gods will) in condemning Christ. Act. 13.27. Consider then, you that fear God, if you are under any affliction or suffering whatsoever, that it is God that is the efficient and first cause of it. As the Church in the Lamen­tations said, Though he (meaning God) causeth grief, &c. La. 3.32. And it is he that for­meth Light, and createth darkenesse, Esa. 45.7. and there is no evil in the City (i. e. of af­fliction) but he doth it Am. 3.6. . If your enemies hate you, look upon it as Gods turning their hearts to hate you l, (as the Egyptians did the Israleites Ps. 105.25 ; If they curse you, look [Page 7]upon it, as David did on Shimei's cursing. For the Lord (saith David) hath bidden him Sam. 16.10, 11. . If robbed, spoiled, and reproa­ched by them, remember, That it is the Lord that gave Jacob for a spoil, and Israel to the Robbers Es. 42.24. , and Jacob to the curse, and Israel to reproach & 43.28. . And if you be delivered up into the hands of your Enemies, yet say as Job did, God hath delivered me up to the ungodly, and turned me over into the hands of the wicked Jo. 16.11. . And if they slay you, yet know, they are but Gods Instru­ments, and hand therein. Ps. 17.13, 14. And therefore, conclude, and say to them (as Joseph did to his Brethren) As for you, ye thought evil against me, but God meant it unto good Gen. 50.20 .

Object. But doth not this, as you say, plead for the enemies of God, and tend to strengthen their hand, and give them incourgement to perse­cute the people of God so much the more.

Answ. No more than the Prophet Elisha's saying unto Israel. (I know the evil that thou wilt do unto the children of Ifrael, 2 Ki. 8.12. &c. Give him ground to kill and slay, as he did af­terward; or the words of Christ, said of Ju­das, One of you shall betray me, tend to move him to betray Christ. And though God may give up wicked men to their own hearts lusts Ps. 81.12. , and suffer them to walk in their own waies, and commit such wickednesse, Act. 14.16. and [Page 8]leave them to discover what is in them, and give the Devil leave to delude and har­den them (as he did Ahabs Prophets) and permit them as he did Pharoah, to pursue the Israelites, who threatned and resolved six things. I will pursue, I will overtake, I will divide the spoyl, my lust shall be satisfied upon them, I will draw my sword, my hand shall destroy them Exo. 15.9 ; yet he could performe but one of them, and God will turn the rage of man to his own praise, and the remainder of wrath he will restrain Ps. 86.11 .

Consid. 2 Secondly, as we should consider, that whatsoever is done, is done by the will, & appointment of the Lord (and therefore we should with the Prophets learn to be si­lent, because he doth it Psal. 39.9.) So we should also consider, wherefore the Lord doth all this, doubtlesse it is not without cause; as God told Israel of old. And they shall know, that I have not done without cause, all that I have done to it Eze. 14.23. . If, like self-justify­ing Judah you ask, Wherefore the Lord our God hath done all these things unto us Jer. 5.19. : I may (and oh that I could with tears men­tion it, and that my blood were fit to write it!) answer with the same Prophet; For the greatnesse of our iniquities Cha. 13.22. : But alas whose tongue can utter, or whose pen can expresse the nature, or number the great­nesse [Page 9]grievousnesse of the sins of the Professors (nay of the choisest Christi­ans) of this age; to whom it may be truly said (as formerly to Jerusalem) That they have multiplied their transgressions, more then they Ez. 16.51 : (i. e. then the Samaritans with whom the Jewes had no dealings,Joh. 4.9.) And may not the Lord say to his people now, as formerly, Thou hast also taught the wicked ones thy wayes Jer. 2.33. . Nay, may not the Saints of God generally cry out, Woe to us we have sinned, Lam. 5.16 and transgressed like men! Yea wo to us we have sinned such sins, as unrighteous men could not sin, against light, and love, assurance, and experience, after sealing, and consolati­ons! Hath any generation since the A­postles daies, had such powerful Preachers, and plenty of Preachings as this generati­on? But we have esteemed this good Word and bread of Life, as the Israeliles did the Manna Num. 21.5 (light bread) we have been sto­mach-ful, sick & surfeited, with the sweet and fat things of Godshouse, yea (as 'tis said) We have been almost, in all evil, in midst of the Congregation, and Assembly: Pro. 5.14. We trampled and trod under foot the good pastures, which God had provided for us (and which the Saints and Mar­tyrs of former daies, would have greatly [Page 10]Prized.) The fire of Religion was much vanished into the smoak and air of brain Notions, and self-conceited opinions, ma­ny taking up profession, as they do fashi­ons, because they would be in the Mode of the times; and like the Gibeonites feign­ing themselves to be, what they were not, becoming Proselytes either for fear, (as many became Jewes when they saw them prevail, for fear of themEsa. 8.17.) or advantages, creeping through Churches into Councils, Armies, Custom-houses, and other places of honour, and profit. And others un­der pretence of being for Reformation, Uniformity, Order, and Church-Disciplin, drove on (as it may be wel suspected) their own particular designes, for now being themselves persecuted, they urge the same Scriptures, & arguments for liberty of con­science which they then would not allow to their dissenting brethren. How also hath the name of the Lord been blasphemed, by the sad principles of some, who under pretence of higher attainments, endea­voured to root up the very foundation, and main principles of Christianity? And others, by their loose, and licentious be­haviour and practices, have given cause to God, to say, as once Jacob did to his Sons, Simeon and Levi; Ye have troubled me, to [Page 11]make me stinck among the inhabitants of the Land. Ge. 34.30. Hath not Christ been again wounded in the house, and by the hands of his friends? Yea, pressed Amos 2.13 , wearied, Esa. 7.13 43.24. and his heart broken, Ezek. 6.9. with the sins of his own servants. Was he not forsaken (as for­merly) by his own Disciples? Did not the chiefest of his Ministers too much imbrace this evil world, by removing from lesser, to greater Livings? & did they not over dis­pence with their own principles, to com­ply with the contrary, where Earthly booty did byasse, choosing that end of the Scales, that did weigh heaviest of the World? And did not the Rulers, (yea those that pretended to be the greatest Reformers) make it a great part of their work, to get to themselves, and to give to one ano­ther, and their friends, not only the chiefest and gainfullest Offices, but the Estates of their Ememies; nay, have not some been delinquifyed, and decimated, more for their Estates, than for their Crimes? Ah! how miserably did most men forsake their principles, and former practices, building what they did once de­stroy, and deny what they had before in words, and writings professed: and when they had dismounted, and dethroned their enemies, and got up into their Saddles, [Page 12]and seats, and trampled upon their pride, with as great pride; till God had reject­ed their confidences, and suffered them to crumble to nothing, and their strength (which was made an Idol) to depart from them. And not only they, but the gathe­red Churches, though encreased with Mem­bers, Gifts, and Wealth, did decline and decay in Love, Zeal, Spiritual watchful­ness, Self-denial, Humility, Pitty to, and praying for others; and how bitter, sour, and selvish were we grown? besides the secret sins, which God & our own consciences only knew, our apparent sins became a stumbling block to the poor world. And God had cause to say to divers of his Churches, as he once did to Israel, How art thou turned in­to the degenerate plant of a strange Vine un­to me Jer. 2.21. ? And what hath my beloved to do in my house, seeing she hath wrought lewd­ness with many, and the holy flesh is depar­ted from her Ch. 11.15 ?

Consid. 3 3. Consider, how necessary the present try­al upon Gods People is, if need be (saith Pe­ter) you are in heaviness, through many­fold temptations. 1 Pet. 1.6 God saw a need of it before it came, and we see a need of it now it is come: It came as seasonable as ever Frost did in Winter, or Rain in Spring: We should account this preven­ting [Page 13] Grace, and say with Job, Thy visita­tion hath preserved my Spirit Job. 10.12. ; The heat of prosperity would have burnt us, if God had not sent this Cloud of affliction to co­ver us. Oh where had the most part of professors been in a short time, if God had not stept in! Our wise Physitian Christ, knew by our complexions, that we were running into a dangerous distemper, and therefore hath given us preventing Phy­sicks, and this is the way that God some­times takes to heal his People. He went on frowardly in the way of his heart (mark that) I have seen his waies, and I will heal him Esa. 57.17, 18. . God hath brought us into the pound, not to starve us, but (being shrewd Cattle) to keep us from further mischief: According to that saying, I will hedge up thy waies with Thornes, and make a Wall that she shall not find her pathes, Hos. 2.6. and she shall follow her lovers, and shall not overtake them.

Consid. 4 Let us consider the time of prosperity, Peace and Liberty we have enjoyed; we have had a late Jubilee, a long Vacation, and as good, and seasonable a Harvest to provide, and lay up in store against the Winter, as any could desire.

And now we should consider, what stock we have gotten and laid up: For [Page 14]every true Christians heart, Can. 7.13. laies up some­what for Christ, and something for himself; and he is like the wise Scribe or Housholder, mentioned in the Gospel, able to bring forth things new and old, out of his treasury Mat. 13.52. . The time of Prosperity, ought to be a time of gaining, and the time of Adversity, of spending grace, and of bearing and endu­ring. A Christian should never do any thing for Christ 2 Tim. 1.11, 12. , but he should expect to suffer for so doing; for how can an enemy, that flings a stone, or shoots an Arrow against his Enemy,bene facere, & male au­dire. but expect the same flung or shot to him again: and every Christian is so to the Devil and his Kingdom.

Consid. 5 All afflictions and tryals, as they are the Appointments & Ordinances of God, are profitable to his people, that are ex­ercised therewith: And for that end chiefly, doth the Lord lay them upon them; as the Apostle saith, That they might be partakers of his Holinesse He. 12.10 . God blesseth this Ordinance, to do good when other Ordinances fail; and God prepares by this fire, such Physick (nay indeed it is Physick it self) as removes, and cures those Cronical, old, and long continued diseases, and sins of the Soul, which are not healed otherwise, or by other means. And David experienced this, when he [Page 15]said unto God, Thou art good, and dost good; Psa. 119.68. That is, good in affliction, and dost good by affliction; for so the words before and after clearly shew; Before I was afflicted, I went astray, but now I have kept thy word. vers. 67. And it is good for me that I have been afflicted, that I might learn thy Satutes vers. 71. . Affliction is the spiritual shep­herds hook, with which he drives back stragling, straying, & out-skipping sheep: or as the Salt that new seasons, the almost quite corrupted flesh; And the book wher­in all Christs Schollars learn experience; as the Apostle makes experience the fruit of patience, and patience, the product of tribulation; Ye glory, saith he, in tribu­lation, knowing, that tribulation worketh patience, and patience experience. Rom. 5.3. — Musar. The same word in the Hebrew, signifies Inctru­ction, and Correction; for in both, God makes out himself to the Soul; So that what they once heard by the voice of the word, they hear again from the voice of his rod: And in this sense it is said of Christ, that he learned obedience: (that is, experi­mentally) by the things he suffered Heb. 5.8.. By Afflictions true Christians come to learn over again what they heard before, and to do better what they knew before.

Consid. 6 Consider that in al likely-hood & proba­bility, [Page 16]we are but entred into the Affli­ction, and the floods are but beginning to rise, like as it is said, (in another case) of Ezekiels watersEzek. 47. : and the furnace yet, is but making hot, and scarcely, have any tasted such bitter afflictions, as the pri­mitive Martyrs did. And most of the Chri­stians of this age have scarce suffered so much for Christ, as those they count their persecutors suffered for man; though like dainty Coy Citizens, we are ready to com­plain, when we begin to touch the Wet, or feel the Cold; and as one of the Martyrs that cryed out, when his executioner did strike his Foot with the Hammer, as he fastned the Chain, whereas he (dear soul) was immediately to be burnt. Its bad and thin cloath that will not bear one wetting, without shrinking; and a heart­less Souldier, that at the first Charge, and with a slight Wound, forsakes and flyes the Field. We have cause, yet to say as the Apostle; our affliction is but light 2 Cor. 4.18, and short. Considering the long and sore affli­tions of the Jewes, the ancient People of God, who were afflicted for 400 years, then 70, and since that, without any intermissi­on above 1600 years. Also the primi­tive Christians, that had scarce in 300 years, so much liberty, peace, and freedom [Page 17]from Persecution, as we had within these few years: We cannot say as the Prophets) That from our youth we have been af­flicted Psa. 88.15 or that all Gods Waves and Bil­lowes, are gone over us & 42.7. : What if God should say now, (as he did formerly) That the Enemies should devour Israel with open mouth Esa. 9.12. : And that the present Phaenix, the Church of God should be burnt up, that a more pure, sinless, and spiritual seed may spring up in the roome thereof, that may be counted to the Lord for a generation? And what if it be the Lords mind, that this Generation shall Sow in Tears, or Blood, (as former Generations have done for us) that following Generations may reap with joy? Our cares and desires should be that God would put an end to our Sins, ra­ther than to our Sufferings; and we should, account it (as our Saviour, Mat. 10.41 Acts 20.35 and his A­postle said in another case) more blessed to give than to receive.

Consid. 7 That how great soever the Tryal may prove, yet it is stinted and limited; both in respect of Nature, Degree, and Time.

There hath no temptation, saith the Apo­stle 1 Cor. 10.13. (that is no kind of tryal) hath taken you, but such as is common to man; that is, but either befel others before you, or what you shall be able to bear; as the words [Page 18]following intimate: Who will not suffer you to be tempted above what you are able, i.e. to bear: God hath the measuring also of the Affliction; and this is the difference between Gods correcting his people, and punishing the wicked. To his people he saith, Jer. 30.11 I will not make a full end of them: but to their enemies, he saith, I will make a full end of all the Nations Cha. 46.28.: Yea, he will destroy them both Soul and body, as another Prophet speaksEsa. 10.17: But when he was very angry with Israel, and bid the enemy de­stroy them, but (yet saith he) make not a full end Jer. 5.10..

And Christ himself will stand by, as aten­der Physitian, to see not only all the Ingre­dients put into their Potion, but also the compounding & weighing to a grain, every Dose that shall be given to these his Pati­ents, (being such extraordinary friends, as his Wife, & Children, his Brethren, Sisters, and Companions) yea he will be like a just Judge, taking care that the Executioners (for no better are the Persecutors of Gods peo­ple) shal not vent out their own malice, but give due correction, not one stroke more than the royal Law (i.e. the Gospel New Co­venant) allows; for the afflictions of the people of God, is one of the New-Testament Legacies: And therefore the Apostle saith: [Page 19] It is given unto you to suffer Phi. 1.29.. And whilst this his Gold and Silver is in the fire, he sits there himself, as the Refiner Mal. 3.2.: he doth not come, and goe, as if he were about some ordinary work. Likewise for the time it is limited, and therefore the time of the deliverance of Gods Church, is called the set time Psa. 102.11.. And the Tribulation of the Saints of the New-Testament is reckoned up still by daies, (which under the Old-Testament was by years; as the bondage of Egypt, 43 years, and the Captivity of Babylon 70 years;)Rev. 2.10. Ye shal have tribulation ten daies; so the Church was in the Wilder­ness 126 daies; Yea & all the while she was there too, she was in the place prepared her of God, and there also fed by them Rev. 12.6; but by whom? surely either by Angels, such as ministred to Christ, when he was in the Wilderness Mat. 4.11., or the two Witnesses, as some suppose, or those that carried them Cap­tives; for God makes them treat his people well, as he made Nebuzaradan do: The poor of the People, to whom he gave Vine-yards, as the text saith, at the same time (or in that day) and so Nebucadnezzar gave command to the same Nebu. that he should look well to Jeremy and do him no harm, Jer. 36.10 12. &c. So Julius one of the Em­perors Captains, was made to intreat [Page 20] Paul courteously Act. 27.1.3., no thanks to him, for he had a command from a greater than Au­gustus, even from God to do it; though indeed the Heathens granted more li­berty, than professing Christians do now; for then a man might not be judged before he was examined Act. 28.18, nor committed, without first sig­nifying the crimes laid against him Act. 25.27.. The Romans gave liberty for Paul to goe to his friends, and his friends to Minister, and to come unto him Ch. 24. 23 & 27. 3.. In those daies a poor Prisoner might hire a house; and a persecuted Preacher and Prisoner (as Paul was,) had liberty to preach the King­dome of God, and teach the things which concerned the Lord Jesus Christ with con­fidence, no man forbidding Ch. 28. 30. 31.: And for the poor people that had not the Law, to do more than those that have both Law and Gospel, is to them a praise, and to us a shame.

Consid. 8 Consider what frame of spirit you now have, being under sufferings; for God calls for, & expects that his peoples spirits, and the frame of their hearts, should corres­pond with their Conditions; as we find frequently in the Scriptures. If then (that is, in their captivity) their uncircumcised hearts be humbled, and they then accept of the punishment of their iniquity; Then will I remember (saith the Lord) my Cove­nant, Lev. 26.41, 42. [Page 21] &c. Mark what kind of spirit God requires, to be in his people in the time of their Affliction, namely a Humble, Meek and Patient Spirit; a Spirit offended nei­ther at God nor men, nor the Affliction it self; but only at themselves: also justify­ing God as Ezra did; Thou hast punished us less than our iniquities have deserved Ezr. 9.13 see Job. 11.6.. And David, When thou with rebuke dost correct men for iniquity Psa. 39.11., and judging themselves 1 Cor. 11.31., and becoming more guilty in their own eyes, as God said by the Prophet; I will goe to my place till they be guilty Hos. 5.15 marg.. And say as Job said, If I be righteous, yet will I not lift up my head, I am full of confusion, therefore see thou my affliction Job. 10.15: As if Job had said, Oh Lord my work is to behold Sin, and be sensible of my confusion; but thine is to take notice of my affliction, and to shew compassion; Or as Nehemiah pray'd, Spare me according to the greatness or multitude of thy mercy Neh. 13.22.. And Christi­ans work in afflicton, is to be weeping, mourning, sorrowing, afflicting, humbling searching, cleansing, and fearing them­selves, and trembling at Gods Judge­ments, and soaking in the suds of true repentance, sighing, and being greatly ashamed, & deeply afflicted, and self-mi­serableJam. 4.9. , lifting up their voice earnestly [Page 22]unto the Lord, like people that have their houses and Beds on fire, crying out, what shall we do? or like people in a great flood, every one sticking close to one ano­ther, & seeking to help each other through. And bringing old sins, (yea, & our own ra­ther than others) to remembrance, as there was under the Law, an offering of memorial, bringing iniquity to remembrance Num. 5.15. ; we should now like Joseph's brethren, remember our old iniquities, and fall down to the ground; and say as Judah said, What shall I say unto my Lord? what shall we speak? how shall we clear our selves? God hath found out our ini­quities Gen. 44.16. Christans work in time of affliction, is not to be jarring one with a­nother, & upbraiding each other with for­mer miscarriages (though they may in love and meeknesse admonish and mind one a­nother thereof) or to stand upon their tip­toes & plead their own innocency, (for who can say his heart is clean?) or strive about controversal truths; as those two Martyrs, (in Q. M. days) that strove in the Bishops house about Infant Baptism, which the Bi­shop soon decided, by comitting them both to Prison, and soon after to the Fire. Nei­ther is this a time to fret (or as the Hebrew word signifies, Thunder) against our enemies, as good Hannah did against her adversary, [Page 23]that did sore provoke her 1 Sa. 1.6. ; nor yet to cry as Micha did after his Idols; Ye have taken away my Gods Jud. 18.23 , when the things of this World are taken away from us: much less to goe on in sin, or to trespass more and more 2 Chr. 28.23. , as wicked Ahaz did, or as Israel did sin from Canaan to Caldea Eze. 16.29. under affliction, and so add more fuel to the fire, to augment the fierce anger of the Lord Num. 32.14. : but rather let every one turn speedily from his Sins 1 Ki. 8.35 ; and if there be iniquity in his heart, hand or house, to put it far, Job. 11.14 & 22. (and for ever) away, as Jacob did cause his houshold to do when he was in danger of the Cana­anites and Perizites Gen. 35.2. ; that God may accor­ding to his promise, return to his people in mercy 2 Chr. 30.6 , from the fiercenesse of his anger, which they have so greatly kindled.

Consid. 9 Christians should also consider their Waies, and their Works, (as well as the frame of their spirits) For Gods eyes are upon the waies of man, and he seeth all his goings, Job. 34.21 and weigheth all his Actions 1 Sam. 2.3 : when the people of God were going, or gone in­to Captivity, one main duty which they were called to perform, was to search and try their waies Lam. 3.40. . Another Prophet also most solemnly (and twice in one Chapter) tells the people from God, when they were careless and minding their own concernes, [Page 24]and things; That that was the time for them to consider, or set their hearts on their waies Hag. 1.5.7. . Oh that every one of us would consider the secret and hidden waies of our hearts; for such there are Ecl. 11.9. : for our spi­rits and our thoughts, desires and affections may be travelling in by-paths, or going and hunting after some sinfull prey, as the hounds in the night, some after pleasure and fleshly Eze. 6.9. lusts; others after covetous­ness, and the things of the World: as it is said of some, that their eyes, and hearts, are not, but for their Covetousness Jer. 22.17 , and ex­ercised with covetous practices 2 Pet. 2.14 ; other mens hearts lifted up to destruction, and others melting Josh. 14.8. & failing for fear of men Esa. 7.2. , & of the things that are coming upon the Earth Lu. 21.26 : And as there are the waies of the heart, so there are the waies and the walkings of the outward man, to be considered, whether pure or impure, whether above or beneath, whether crooked or streight, whether forward or backward, or sideward, whe­ther the old way of Saints, or the old way of sinners (for there are both Jer. 16.6. Job. 22.15.) whether waies of Darkness or Light, sin­cerity or hypocrisy, spirituality, or for­mality, undefiled or spotted, the way of Gods Commandments, or of mens Tra­ditions, the way of honesty or dishonesty. [Page 25]It's bad standing, worse sitting, but worst of all walking, running, persisting, (and especially pleading for) any sinful way; Take heed therefore you Sons and daugh­ters of Zion, lest you be and continue in Babylon; but flee out of the midst there of Jer. 51.6. . When God threatens to destroy her, going or running out of her, will not serve the turn, but you must fly, for her Judge­ments will come suddainly, in one day (nay, in one hour) Death, Mourning, and Famine, and she shall be utterly burnt up Rev. 18.8 19. : And beware lest you lodge in her Suburbs, or be back­ward as some will be, to come out of her: as it appears, that notwithstanding, One Angel cryed, and that mightily: That Baby­lon that great City is faln, is faln vers. 2. : Yet an­other voice was heard from Heaven saying, Come out of her my people, that ye be not par­takers of her sins, lest ye be partakers of her Plagues vers. 4. : Lot in Sodom was necessitated to be sent and plucked out of the midst of the overthrow Gen. 19.26 . In the name of the Lord, therefore be exhorted by the words of the Apostle Peter to save your selves, Acts 2.40 41. from this untoward generation.

Consid. 10 Consider one another Heb. 10.24. , as the Apostle ex­horted the Hebrewes, in a time of great and sore persecution and affliction; for without this, there cannot be a perfor­mance [Page 26]of those other duties, as exhort­ing, comforting, edifying and bearing with one another. This consideration is very necessary in a day of affliction and tryal; because then there will be the greatest temptation, to be selvish and sen­sorious; and every one will be ready (as the Proverb is) to seek to save one, or himself; but every one should like Nehemiah, seek the welfare of Israel Neh. 2.10 , of all the people of God; or like Mordecai, That did seek the wealth of the people, and speak peace to all his seed Est. 10.5. : For all believers are like the boards of the Tabernacle, that were perfectly joyned both above and beneath Exo. 26.24. ; and God hath tem­pered the whole body of his Church together, so that every part should Sympathize with each other, and care one for another. And whether one member suffer, all the members shoud suffer with it; or one member be honou­red, all the members rejoice with it 1 Cor. 12.24, 25. , put­ing on bowels of mercy, kindness, humbleness of mind, meckness, long-suffering, forbearing one another, and forgiving one another Col. 3.12, 13. ; pi­tying the tempted, strengthning the Weak, helping to recover and set in joint again those that are faln, relieving the poor, ga­thering up the halt and lame, giving the same measure of allowance to others, which we expect from them; making the [Page 27]falls of others, our own fears, and set­ing before our eyes the tryals of others, for warning to our selves

Consid. 11 Consider the mighty works that God hath done, and that he is doing; So the people of God did formerly. Thou art the God that doth wonders, thou hast declared thy strength among the people Psa. 7.14 : And David, being in affliction, wrote a Psalm, which he calls, a Psalm to bring to remembrance Psa. 70. ; and Caleb remembred the words that God had spoken of him, to Moses forty five years before Josh. 14.6, 7, 10. . And wherefore did God cause Manna, Arons rod, &c. to be laid up, or the Stones taken out of the bottom of Jor­dan, to be pitched upon the other side? or doth God so often put the Israelites in remembrance of their Redemption out of Egypt; but that he would have them still mindfull thereof, it being also so great a Sin in men, to forget the works of the Lord, as that it is said to forget God him­self, as appears clearly by comparing two Psalms together, where the same sto­ry is related; in the one it is said, that they (i. e. the Children of Israel) forgot his works Psa. 78.11 ; and in the other, that they forgot God their Saviour with 106.21. .

Consid. 12 Again the time of affliction, is a time for men to consider their latter end; and [Page 28]yet as God formerly wished it Deut. 32.29. , and com­plained that men did not do it Lam. 1.9. : So doubt­lesse (as by sad experience we find) it is now; notwithstanding the weapons of death, are drawn and pointed at our hearts and heads, and this King of terror him­self, is ready to come in at our windowes and doors dayly, and many younger, stronger and better than we, cut off sud­dainly: yet we lay it not to heart, but put off thinking of this great Debt; and little think, how amazing, and perhaps unwelome it will be to us when it comes. We find many of Gods Worthies and stout Champions, as Job, David, Hezekiah, and Peter, when they came to encounter with this Leviathan, like the men of Israel when Goliah appeared to them, fearful. Job when he thought to comfort himself, grew afraid of sorrowes: And why? Because saith he, I know, that thou wilt not hold me innocent Job. 9.27, 28. . Fear of Gods imputing Sin to him, made him fearful lest God should impose more affliction upon him, and so take him away with his stroke: another time he saith, The Graves are ready for me Ch. 17 1. : he thought where ever he came, he was to dye, and there was a Grave pointed out for him, and ready to swallow him up. David also though a man of great faith, is said to be [Page 29]one while sore a fraid of Achish, another while of going up to Gibeah, 1 Sa. 21.12. (because of the danger of death in both places) an­other while he cries out, That the terrors of death were faln upon him Psa 55.4. : and there­fore (doubtless) he praies unto the Lord, to spare him a little 39.13. . Also when Hezekiah was but bid prepare, for he must die; see what a sad, and lamentable writing he wrote thereupon; I am deprived (saith he) of the residue of my years, I shall see man no more; mine age is departed from me, and removed as a shepherds Tent Esa. 38.1011.12. , &c. And did not our Saviour foretel Peter, When thou shalt be old, and another shall gird thee; (as the custom in that kind of execution was,) and carry thee whither thou wouldest not. This spake he, signifying by what death he should glorifie God John 21.18, 19. : Peter as far as he was flesh and blood, was unwilling to suffer. Nay, our Saviour Christ himself, as he was man, prayed, that if it were pos­sible, his Father would let the Cup passe from him. By all these instances,Mat. 26.29 we may take warning, how unfree, even many choice Saints may be to dye, when they are brought to it; and yet some like Paul, may desire it;Phil. 1.21. and it's like to be most easy, and lest terrible to them that fear it most, and consider of it, and wait for [Page 30]it most seriously, and constantly.

Consid. 13 Lastly, As an Encouragement to goe through all Tribulations, Persecutions, and Death it self; Consider Christ He. 3.1. & , and the cloud of witnesses 12.7. , and Martyrs that are gone before, who are passed over and through all those floods, and are safely ar­rived to shore, and got off this trouble­some, turbulent Sea of the World; to the Calm, and quiet Haven of Salvation. For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied, and faint in your minds Ch. 12.3. ; or as it is in the verse before, look on him, consider him in his suffering state; and behold him in his glorified state. By his sufferings, he taught us the way, by his now living in Heaven, he shews us the wages. Jacob went gladly down into Egypt, because Joseph was there. It should be no more to a believer, to follow Christ through suf­fering and Death, than for a woman, that lives from her husband in a Cottage, and strange Country, to pass over a River or a narrow Sea (in a safe vessel too) to go to her husband to live in a Kingly-pallace, and in her own Country with him for ever.

Having finished the Considerations; In the next place be pleased for to hearken to a few Counsels, which are judged ne­cessary, and seasonable.

[Page 31] Counsel. 1 Be perswaded, that whatsoever afflicti­on any of you Christians are under already, or shall be brought under, it is in love from God to your Souls: For whom the Lord loveth he chastiseth Heb. 12.6 ; and as many as I love (saith Christ) I rebuke Rev. 3.19. Amo. 3.2. : As God said to Israel of old, therefore you only have I known of all the families of the earth: wher­as on the other side, the not punishing of the wicked, is a sign of Gods hatred to themHos. 4.14. : And therefore have no hard thoughts of God, how long and sore soever he whippeth, and Chastiseth Esa. 63.8. ; For when he sees blood on the Rod, his pitty will fly up into his face, towards you, and fury to­wards the Rod Exek. 38.18. , which are the wicked in his Es. 10.15. hand.

Couns. 2 Be also certain and confident, that all his Corrections, will be for your good and profit. As David by experience could say, It is good for me that I have been affli­cted Psa. 119.71. : And the Apostle saith, He (i. e. God) corrects us for our profit He. 12.10 ; As a disobe­dient Child, after his father hath correct­ed him, is received into his Fathers fa­vour again; so saith the sixth verse of that Chapter. Affliction drawes the Anger with it out of God his Father, and the cause of anger, which is Sin, out of the Child. See Esa. 1.25. & 27.8. Jer. 30.15, 17, [Page 32] Dan. 11.35. & 12.10. Zach. 13.9. Heb. 12.11. 1 Pet. 4.14. & 5.10. and more in the experiences following.

Couns. 3 Labour to commit your selves, and all your concernments to the Lord, even as Christ and the servants of God formerly did: He (i. e. Christ) Commited him­self, or as it is in the margent, his Cause) to him that judgeth righteously 1 Pe. 2.23. . So it is said, That the poor man committed himself to God Ps. 10.14. : or (as it is in the Hebrew) he leaveth himself to him; that is, when he suffers unjustly, he gives up himself and cause to the Lord, judging that there is safety in no other; and by doing this pa­tiently, God takes it so acceptably (that he should trust him with all, and that be­fore and above all others too) that he counts it as the Apostle saith, (a wonderful expression!) thank worthy, or worthy of thanks 1 Pet. 2.19.20. from him: As a Nobleman or Land-Lord, when one of his poor Neighbours or Tenants refers his life, and all he hath to him, to determine thereof, will say, I thank thee Neighbour or Tennant, for thy good opinion of me. There must be a good perswasion in that Soul, (as Paul had2 Ti. 1.12.) of Gods power, and faithfulnesse, that will commit the keeping of such a Jewel, as the Soul is, to him: and yet, why not? [Page 33]for he is said to keep it Pr. 24.12 : And Peter. who had experience of self-keeping or rather loosing his own Soul, had learn­ed that Lesson, and therefore taught it unto others: Wherefore (saith he) let them that suffer according to the will of God (mark that, not if they suffer otherwise, for then he will not keep them) commit the keeping of their Souls to him, in well-doing, as unto a faithful Creator 1 Pe. 4.19 . Do but secure your Souls in that safe hand, and then you need not fear suffering. Further,

Couns. 4 Be advised not to fear any creatures whatsoever: This exhortation is very often given in Scripture, Fear not; Moses gives this exhortation both to Israel, Deut. 13.6 and Joshua distinctly, fear not, nor be afraid of them, fear not, neither be dismaid pag. v. 7. ; and three times doth God in one Chapter exhort his People Israel not to fear, Esa. 41.10.13, 14. though their enemies were strong, and did strive against them, and they but like a Worme, yet they were not to fear them: Our Saviour Christ likewise gives the same exhortation three times in the tenth Ch. of Mathew Mat. 10.26, 28, 31. . And it's worth con­sideration, what little cause men have to fear poor Mortals, who are but grass, worms, and thimbles full of dust; as likewise that it is Idolatry in a high degree to fear Crea­tures; and the fear of man bringeth a snare, [Page 34](that is, draweth men into a snare:) But whoso putteth his trust in the Lord shall be safe Pr. 29.25. : Also the fearful, are the first sort that are threatned, to have their part in the Lake which burneth with fire and brimstone Rev. 2 8. : And God commanded Jere­miah, not to fear his enemies, (and yet, of all the Prophets, he seemed to have most cause) upon pain of being consumed, or broke in peices before them Jer. 1.17. Rev. 2.10. : Fear God, self, and sin, & you need fear no more. And as Christ saith Fear none of those things that you shal suffer.

Object. But are not men commanded by Solomon, to fear the Lord and the King? Pro. 24.21.

Answ. Paul resolves that case clearly,Rom. 13.3, 4. Ro. 13.3, 4. where he saith, Rulers are not a terror to good works (or workers, Eph. 5.11.) but to the evil: Wilt thou then not be afraid of the Power? (or nearer the Greek) But wilt thou not fear the power, do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid. Doubtless, Rulers are to be obeyed, and sub­mitted to in all lawful things (whether the King, or those that are sent by him) and this willingly and sincerely; for the Lord 1 Pet. 2.23. , and for Conscience sake Rom. 13.5 : & its Christians duties to give them honour, and pay them Tributes and Customs, as Christ didMat. 17.27. , and not to resist, for he that resisteth, resisteth the ordinance [Page 35]of God, and shall receive to themselves damnation, or as the word rather signi­fies, [...]. Judgement, and is so translated by our last Translators in four placesJoh. 9.39. Gal. 5.10. 1 Cor. 11.29 34. ; and as Pisator renders it, paenam sibi auferent, They shall receive punishment, that is from the Magistrate. And I conceive there is no warrant (from the Scriptures) to affirm, that either there are no Magistrates now in being in the World, or that the Magi­strates, under and belonging to the fourth Monarchy, are not to be obey'd. For before Christ & the Apostles days, the fourth Mo­narch was up, (begun in Julius Caesar) and yet the Apostles acknowledged and obeyed hem (even Nero, &c.) as Magistrates; and I see no reason, why the later Magistrates be­longing to the 4th. Monarch, should not be obeyed (in all lawful things, as I said be­fore) as well as the first. And I could never meet with any convincing argu­ment, to prove that the fift Monarchy, (which I am perswaded of and expect will be, and as many AncientJust. Mar. Lact. Jren. , and Modern Alsted. Arc. Dr. Twiss. Dr. Ho. Mr. Mead. Bur. Fenick. Dr. Homes Phy. Mat. &c. learned men, have unanswerably prov­ed) will begin before Christ the Monarch himself, appears in the head of it, and to erect it, as the other four wordly Monarchs did before. And being now upon this point let me hint a line or two to King, and [Page 36] Rulers, who are taught from the Scriptures, their dutyes as well as their Subjects. As the King to write the Law of the Lord, read, and keep it all the daies of his Life, that he may learn to fear the Lord his God, and to keep all the words of this Law, and these statutes to do them, that his heart be not lifted up above his Brethren, and that he turn not a­side from the commandment, to the right hand or to the left Deut. 17.18, 19, 20. , &c. And that he set up the true worship of God, according to his own divine Will, and like good Jehosophat, Asa, Josias, 1 Chr. 13.5. & 28.12. & 2.29.25. & Hezekiah, pull down all Idolatry, and Profanesse. And as Solomon saith, Scatter the wicked, and bring the wheel over them, Pr. 20.26. which elsewhere, he also saith, is the way to stablish his Throne 25.5. : And like David, have the faithful of the Land to dwell with him; and not to suffer Lyars nor Flatterers to stand in his sight Psal. 101.6, 7. : But as the Apostle saith, to be a terror to evil works Rom. 13.3. , for the punishing of evil doers, and for the praise of them that do well 1 Pe. 2.14. : giving also encou­ragement, and liberty to all good Christi­ans, to profess and practice the doctrine and waies of Christ and his Apostles, (who were then falily called, and counted as those are now, that walk after their Teachings, and conversations,See before p. 1, 2. Mad-men, Hereticks, Scismaticks, Turbulent, Seditious [Page 37]persons, &c.) that they may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all Godliness and honesty 1 Tim. 2.2. : This would be acceptable to God, and give incouragement to Christians, to pray for, and pay customs to them. But if they com­mand any thing contrary to the word of God, they are not to be actually obeyed: see Esther 3.2, 3. Dan. 3.18. & 6.10, 13. Act. 4.19. and 5.29. See Bp. Andrews on the third Com. and Par. on Rom. 13.

Couns. 6 Christians should also redeem and im­prove time Eph. 5.16. , (it being short and uncer­tain, and before evil and worse daies come Eccl. 12.1) for private exercises especially, as Fasting, Prayer and exhorting one another, which if you mark, is to be kept up in times of af­fliction and persecution, more than at other times. For it is said, Then they that feared the Lord, spake often one to another: When was that? Look in the verse before, When they that did work wickedness were set up, and when they that did tempt God, were delivered Mal. 3.15, 16. . So the Apostle saith, Not forget­ting the assembling of our selves together, &c. He. 10.25. so much the more as ye se the day approching

Couns. 6 As Christ commanded his Disciples, be wise as Serpents Mat. 10.16. : which use to keep, and pre­serve their heads, (wherein chiefly the Life is) they also shut their ears, and run in any danger, to their holes. Christians should thence spiritually learn to be care­full [Page 38]of Christs glory, and not to hearken to temptations, and fly in danger to the Lord, (as David did) to be hid with him Psa. 143. 9 Pro. 28.12 : David is said, to behave himself wisely 1 Sam. 18.15.30, and , yea again, more wisely, 23.22. which Saul took no­tice of, and was afraid of him, so much the more. Its a great piece of prudence in an evil time to be silent Amo. 5.13 , yea and to keep the door of thy mouth from her that lyeth in thy bosom Mic. 7.5. , for not onely (as the Prophet speaks) Wicked men will lay waite, as he that setteth snares, or a trap, to catch men Jer. 5.26. : But as our Saviour saith, The Brother, shall betray the Brother to death, and the Father, the Son, and the Children shall rise up against their Parents Mar. 13.12. ; (as it was in some of the ten Persecutions) Therefore mark the Apostles advice,1 Pet. 3.10 He that will love life, and see good daies, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips, that they speak no guile.

Couns. 7 Take heed of flying, without just Cause, and Call: God threatned some Isra­elites, that would fly for fear to Egypt, that the Sword which they feared, should overtake them in Egypt Jer. 42.15, 16. ; And a time may come when those words may be fulfilled, The shepherds shall have no way to fly, nor the principal of the flock to escape Cha. 25.35. . Its remark­able, that when Jeremy went to seperate himself to the Land of Benjamine, he was ta­ken in the gate Jer. 37.12. ; but another time, and [Page 39]in greater danger, God hid Baruch and him; So one of the Martyrs, Chap. 36.26 by letting him down over the Wall of a City, a stone fell out of the wall, and broke his Leg; the Centinel hearing the noise apprehen­ded him, and he was taken, and put to death. In some cases, doubtless it is al­together unlawful to fly; as when the per­secution is general; or when a standing, or witnessing may be to Gods glory; or when a man hath a special boldness given to him to suffer, such as Stephen and Paul had;Act. 6.10. and 7.51.20.22.18.10. yet in some cases, as well Preachers as o­ther may flee. See Mat. 10.23. and 2.13. Joh. 10.39. Acts 8.1. and 11.19. 9.25. and 19.13. 1 Kings 11.13. and 19.3. Mic. 2.10. Heb. 11.37. Rev. 12.6.

Couns. 8 Be preparing & hasting to meet the Lord by an earnest following after what is be­fore you, and do not forsake God, or draw back to any sin, or sinful service, but giving your selves to prayer (for before the Angels descend to sound the Trumpets or pour the Viols, the smoke of the incense must ascend to God Rev. 8.5.: And it is very remarkable, that where God saith, The Lord our God is one God; the word Eched, which signifies one Deut. 6.4 [...] in the Hebrew, is written with a great D in the end of it thus, Eche D: also where it [Page 40]is said, Thou shalt worship no other God; the word Achar, which signifies other is writ­ten with a great R thus, Acha R Ex. 34.14 , sig­nifying, that God is exceeding jealous in his worship to a letter, & that he alone, & ac­cording to his own word only, must be wor­shiped; for he that worshipeth any other, or otherwise, worshipeth the Beast, and he that worshippeth the Beast, worshipeth the Dra­gon and Devil Rev. 13.4 : Therefore do not as the Jewes did, change the word Baal, into Bosh­eth, but still retained their Idolatry, change names, & keep things: Defile not your selves Rev. 3.4. , but come perfectly out of Babylon, and all false worship, and cleanse and keep your selves pure from all iniquity, & touch not any unclean thing, That God may receive you 2 Cor. 6.17 , and count you worthy to escape the evils that are coming upon the Earth, and enable you to stand before the Son of max at his appearing. Luc. 21.36

Couns. 9 Lastly, be Patient, for of all other les­sons, that is to be exercised in time of tribulationRo. 12.12. , for without that Christians cannot possesse or injoy their SoulsLuke 21.19. . And of all graces patience sometimes hath the Preheminence: When Paul reckons up many instances, by which he and Timothy did prove themselves to be the Ministers of God, and desired to be so approved a­mong the Corinthians, he begins with [Page 41] patience. It is a needfullHe. 10.36 , commendableJa. 5.11. Rev. 2.2.9. , and much rewarded graceRe. 13.10. & 14.12. Jam. 1.4. Ch. 5.7. ; It begins in Christ, and ends in a Crown and King­dom, and they do best and most overcome that use it: Therefore let patience have its perfect work. Whilst the husbandman sigheth for the hard season, the Corne rooteth; and whilst he waiteth, the harvest cometh; and this shall begin the words of Consolation.

ground of Consol. 1 Because the chief cause of their trou­bles, and afflictions (especially from Sa­tan and his Instruments) is Christ him­self, and the hatred of men against him; as he saith, Ye shall be hated of all men for my name-sake Ma. 10.20 : And all these things will they do unto you, for my name-sake Jo. 15.21. ; And because they follow the thing that is good Ps. 38.20. : And run not with them (i. e. the wicked) into the same excesse of riot, or confused mixtures1 Pet. 4.4. , (as it is in some margents) These are properly the cau­ses (as appears clearly, by their not perse­cuting the same Persons, whilst they con­tinue Profane, or if they turn Apostates) though the Persecutors pretend it it is for disobedience to Rulers, &c. which was the main pretence the enemies of the Jews and against Nehemiah, and Ezra Neh. 6.6. ; the [...]ewes against Christ Luk. 23.2. , (though Pilate himself could see it was only for envy Ma. 27.18) this [Page 42]also was imputed to the Apostles and Martyrs in all Ages, as now it is, but falsly; and the worst enemies may say, (if they speak what is in their conscien­ces) as Daniels enemies did, We shall not find occasion against this Daniel, except we find it against him, concerning the Law of his God Dan. 6.5. : And that they might have occasion against him, they would make a Law directly contrary to the Law of God. This is just as if a School-master, that hath feud against one of his Scho­lars father, will give that Scholar a strict command to obey him, but to disobey his Father (whereas he is willing to o­bey both) and upon the breach of this un­lawful command, he beats the Scholar; let any judge, which is most worthy of blame, the Master or Scholar.

ground of Consol. 2 Because the time of the Saints troubles and afflictions, is their sowing time; They that sow in tears shall reap in joy, and be that goeth forth weeping, bearing precious seed, shall doubtlesse come again with rejoy­cing, bringing his sheaves with him Psa. 126.5, 6. ; Here is promised Joy for Sorrow, Rejoycing for Weeping, reaping for sowing, a coming back for going forth, and sheaves for handfuls, and all this certain. And whilst Gods people are sowing the precious seed of tears, God is sowing Light, or comfort, and [Page 43]gladnesse of heart for them: Therefore a Christian should like a Husbandman; Ps. 96.11 sow in hope, and his afflictions, should no more discourage him, than the former rain doth the natural Sower: for Christ fore­told his Disciples, that they should weeep Luk. 6.20. , and lament here Jo. 16.20 , but their weeping is as the labour and pangs of a woman, in order to following joyv. 21. . But marke,

ground of Consol. 3 Thirdly, Christ commanded his Disci­ples, in such time especially to rejoice, and be comfortable, Rejoice saith he, and be exceeding glad Mat. 51 2 , or as another Evange­list writes,Lu. 6.23. Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy; suffering daies are most proper daies for rejoycing, for then Christians partake of the sufferings of Christ 1 Pe. 4.13 , and the Spirit of God and of Glory, then rests most upon them v. 14. : Suffering unto a true Saint, is like Vineger, which though it be sower, yet it doth make the blood thinner, and causes it to run more effectually through every part.

ground of Consol. 4 Because the people of God did general­ly rejoice in their afflictions; and suffe­rings: The Apostles, rejoyced that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for Christs Name Act. 5.41. ; So other Saints took the spoyling of their goods joyfully He. 10.34 , The Martyrs, like the Crickets, were merry in the fire, and like the Nightingale, that sings with [Page 44]her bare Breast upon the Thorns. They were as Paul, more than exceedingly joyful in all their tribulations Cor. 7.4. : And as Chri­stians tribulations do abound, so their conso­latoins do much more abound 2 Cor 1.3. .

Object. But Paul was a strong, and an assured Saint, one that had been in the third Heaven, and had a signe of his eternal happinesse: But I am a poor weak and doubting Creature, fear­ing that I shall not be able to stand in times of great tryal, and so have not such cause of rejoycing.

Answer. But all believers, as well weak as strong, (for such there were among those scat­tered Tribes, nay some very carnalJam. 2.6. & 3.14. & 5.5. ,) are to count it all joy (that is, cause and matter of all joy) when they fall into diverse temptations Jam. 1.2. , or tribulations: or as Peter writing to the same people saith, If any man suffer as a Chaistian (that is for Christ, and like Christ) let him glorifie God 1 Pe. 4.16 ; or make his boast of him in tribulations; nay let him like Paul, glory in his infirmities, and let the brother of low degree rejoice, that he is brought low: For though a weak Chri­stian should fall, yet his fall will not be so dishonourable to God, as the fall of a stronger Christian. But if he stands it will be more to the glory of God, than if he were stronger: But God bids the weak say, I am strong Joe. 13.10. , and he giveth power to the [Page 45]faint, and to them that have no might (that is in their own eyes) he increaseth strength, Es. 40.29. . Art thou a worm? He will hide thee in the hollow of his hand Es. 51.16. . Art thou a Lamb? He will carry thee in his bosome & 40.11. . Art thou but a grain of Corn (that is ready to goe through the seive) thou shalt not fall Amo. 9.9. , nor perish. Art thou a half-peny or farthing Christian? yet if thou hast the superscri­ption, and Image of Christ upon thee, thou shalt pass: as Moses would not leave a hoofe, belonging to Israel behind him in Egypt, no more will Christ leave any of his in Babylon, or corruption; Fear not Lu. 12.32. , (saith he) little flock, for it is your Fathers good pleasure, to give you the King­dom: The least veines receive blood from the Liver, as well as the greatest, and the lowest, and meanest members protection, and influence from the head, as well as the highest and chiefest; and the smallest and lowest boughs, are in lesse danger of being blown down, than the greatest and tallest; and as I read of a great bodied fowl, whilst she upbraided the Swallow with the little­nesse of her body, was her self shot at and kil'd by the Fowler. Many poor illiterate Tradesmen, and Husbandmen (as in the former Persecutions) will stand when ma­ny learned (and highly accounted of) Prea­chers and Professors will fall. Also God [Page 46]will do most of his great works by such mean instruments: as God said, that out of the mouth of Babes and Sucklings, he will ordain Strength, that he may still (or make to cease, marg.) the enemy and the aven­ger Pas. 8.2. ; and by the feet of the poor, and the steps of the needy, God will tread down the mighty; And the least of the flock shall lead them out Es. 26.5.6 ; yea the worm Jacob, shall thresh the Mountains, and beat them small, and make the Hills as Chaffe Es. 41.15. : These (as a little sort of flies, that so trouble the Lyons, as to make them scratch out their own eyes, by which they are taken and overcome) will be too hard for the mightiest men, if they meddle with them. Therefore you Rulers of the earth, touch not Gods annointed, and do his Prophets no harm, (which are his Saints, as Abram, Isaac and others) for here God rebuked Kings, as Abimalek Pharo­ah, Uzziah, yea good Asa for their sakesPsal. 105.14, 15. Gen. 12.17. & 20.3. 2 Chr. 26.21 & 2.16.10, 12. .

ground of Consol. 5 Because right sufferers (that is, that suf­fer for a right cause, with right hearts and ends, and in a right manner) are right heires of Heaven: These are heirs-male upon whom (next Christ) heaven is entai­led. For theirs (meaning the persecuted) is the kingdom of Heaven Mat. 5.10 : nay persecution is as necessary a condition of salvation (in some sense) as any other. If we suffer with him, we shall be glorified together Rom. 8.17 ; and if we suf­fer [Page 47]with him, we shall reign with him 1 Ti. 2.12. : leave the crosse and loose the Crown, but bear the crosse, and wear the Crown.

ground of Consol. 6 Because no adversary but God can hurt, or make us miserable:1. Pet. 3.13. Who is he (saith Peter) that can harme you, Pro. 16.7. if you be followers of that which is good? Job 5.17, 23. be at Peace with God, & he wil make all creatures to be at peace with you

ground of Consol. 7 Because present sufferers have the bene­fit of the Prayers, Tears, and sufferings of Jesus Christ, offered whilst he was in the flesh: nay the Prayers, Tears and sufferings of all the Saints and Martyrs, do cry and call for Judgements upon the last genera­tion of Persecutors, Hab. 2.17. Mat. 23.35. Rev. 6.10. and 18.24.

ground of Consol. 8 Because Christ himself lives, as well as his people, in expectation of having his enemies subdued, and of his kingdom: and to that end will he come, Heb. 10.30. Lu. 18.7, 8. He. 10.37. 2 Th. 1.10. Lu. 12.15.

ground of Consol. 9 Because Saints have the Decree, Cove­nant, VVord, Oath, Writing, Seales, and earnest of God, for the exaltation of his Son, the deliverance of his Church and Children, and the utter and total destruction of all his Sons, and his Saints enemies.

ground of Consol. 10 Because many of the signes of Christs coming have been, and continue, compare them in Mat. 24. and Mar. 13, with what we have heard and seen,Job. 37.14 and let us wisely consider, Ps. 111.2. and search out Gods works, though others slight and will not see them.

ground of Consol. 11 You have the opinions, Testimonies and writings of many worthy servants of the Lord, who did sore­tel [Page 48](I may say Prophesy) that the end of the Chur­ches troubles, would be about our time; and adde thereto,se Ps. 102.13 Deut. 11.27 Jer. 51.6. Rev. 10.6. the apprehensions, and expectations, of the godly and learned living yet: with what is said in Pr. 11.5. The wicked shall fall by his own wickedness.

Lastly, it is matter of comfort to Gods suffering people, that God sees their afflictions, Act. 7, 34 that he is sencible thereof, afflicted with them, in all their afflictions, Esa. 63.9. Jer. 31.20. that he intends them much good, and no hurt thereby, Jer. 29.12 and 25.6. that he doth not willingly put this yoak upon them, Lam. 3.33. but doth most willingly take it off, Hos. 11.4. he doth afflict them in measure, Je 46.28. he doth it to prove and try them, Deu. 8.2. 2 Chr. 32.31. He repents him for afflicting them. Deu. 32.36. Ps. 135.14. He feeds, fans, and purifies them by afflictions, Mich. 6.14. Esa. 1, 25, & 27, 9. Heb. 12.10. he then remembers them, and the Covenant he made with them most of all, Psa. 136.23. Ne 9.17. he is not ashamed then to own them for his people, He. 11.16 he shewes them mercy purposely, that their enemies may shew them mercy, Jer. 42.12. 1 Ki. 8.5. he will throughly plead their cause against their enemies. Je. 50.34. & 51.3. and he stretches his hand against the wrath of their enemies, and restrains it: Ps. 138.7: 86.11. & rescues them out of their hands, when they think they hold them fastest, Je. 50.33, 34. And he saith he will cut off their enemies, before their faces and they shall no more oppress them, but they shall fee their fall, Ps. 58.8, 9, 10, 11. Es. 17.19. Je. 46.18. Pr. 29.16, and they themselves shall be in due time perfectly delivered, Ps. 37.4 Pr. 12, 13 Je. 24.7. 1 Coe 10.13. And God will yet, set his Son upon his holy hill, and Kingdom, in despite of his enemies. Ps. 2.6. Es. 9.6. and if any wil detain Gods Ark the Church, they will have cause to say, as the Philistines did, woe to us, 1 Sam. 4.7. Let all therefore that fear God love Christ, and wish well to Zion, say with Jeremiah, so be it, O Lord, Jer. 11.5.

IN the first Creation,The Old and New Creation compared God created the matter and substance of the Creation first, and afterwards divided and formed the same: So in the second or New Creation (or in the work of Regene­ration, Gen. 1.2. so called; 2 Cor. 5.17. Gal. 6.15. Ephes. 2.10.) first, God createth Prin­ciples, or infuseth the habits of Grace (so called) into men, when there is none, (Phil. 2.12. Act. 9.4, 5.) and then distin­guisheth and divideth the same.

2. In the distinction between the parts and Works of the first Creation,Ver. 4. some are higher [Page 50]and some lower; as the Firmament higher than the Earth: So some part of the work of Grace is in the supernal, or uppermost room of the Soul (that most stately build­ing of God) the Understanding, in which is placed true Light and Knowledge; and in the Will (the Wine-Celler of God) is seated Obedience, 1 John 5.20. 2 Cor. 10.5.

3. Between these two, are placed the Affections; some whereof (as Joy, Love, Desire, and Hope) are like the VVaters above the Firmament,V. 7. and the other (as Sorrow, Grief, and Hatred) like the Wa­ters below the Firmament.

4. In the first Creation God's Spirit moved upon the Waters:V. 2. So in the second Creation, the Spirit convinceth, quicknet [...], sanctifieth, &c. Jo. 16.8. & 6.63. 1 Pet. 1. [...].

5. In the first Creation,V. 3, 6, 9.20, 26. God by his Command and Word made all things; so by his Word God works Regeneration and Grace in the Soul, John 4.41. and 6.63. 1 Pet. 1.23. Jam. 1.18. Psal. 19.7.

6. In the order of the first Creation (or rather Formation, V. 3. Division, or Distinction) God created and formed Light: so in the order of Regeneration, God first creates Light and Knowledge, 2 Cor. 4.6. Acts [Page 51]26.15, 18. 2 Cor. 3.16. Heb. 8.10.

7. In the first Creation, the Lights (as the Sun, Moon and Stars) were appointed to divide,V. 14, 16. and distinguish the day from the night: So in the second Creation (or Re­generation) Jesus Christ, his Spirit and Graces, do distinguish Believers from Un­believers, and between themselves in the state of believing and regeneracy, and the state of unbelief and unregeneracy, in which they were in before, Rom. 8.10, 11. Eph. 2.12, 13. and 5.8. 1 Thess. 5.5. 1 Pet. 2.10. 1 Joh. 3.4.

8. In order the Evening,Ver. 5, 13, 19, &c. or time of darkness and disconsolation is before the morning or day of comsort and consolati­on; (set down in the first Creation) So is the darkness, sorrow, fear, trouble, bon­dage, doubts and disconsolations of a Christian first in his Conversion; or, his whole time in this Life is the evening of that Eternal Day they are to live with Christ in Heaven: See Prov. 4.18. Psal. 88.6. Isa. 50.10. 1 Cor. 13.9. 1 John 3.2.

9. In the first Creation, the Trees,V. 12. (and so doubtless the Herbs) had their Seed in them which brought forth fruit: So the Trees and Herbs of Grace, true Believers and Regenerate Persons have the seed of [Page 52]the Spirit, the Word of God, and his Grace in them, which is the cause of their bear­ing spiritual fruit, 1 Joh. 3.9. Mat. 13.23. 2 Pet. 1.4.

10. VVhen God in the first Creation had made the Creatures,V. 21, 25, &c. he saw them all good: So when God hath wrought the second Creation, or work of Sanctificati­on in the hearts of men, he sees them good (and not before) Psal. 37.23. Rom. 5.7.

11. In the first Creation God made Man after his own Image (that is, in soveraignty over the Creatures, or like the Father, Son and Spirit, that is, consisting of spirit, soul and body, 1 Thess. 5.23.) So in the second Creation or Regeneration, God doth create Men after his own Image, in Knowledge, Righteousness, true Holiness, and Love, Col. 3.10. Eph. 4.24. 1 Joh. 4.17, 18.

12. In the first Creation God made some Creatures one day,V. 5, 13, 19, &c. and some another, till He had finished the whole. So God he makes some new creatures one day, and some another; and some in one Age, and some in another, till He hath converted his whole (Elect and Redeemed) number.

13. In the first Creation,V. 27. God created the Woman in the Man, and then out of [Page 53]the Man, and for the Man. So in the Re­stitution of Man,and Ch. 2.18, 21, &c. the Church of God is chosen in Christ, and made holy by his Ho­liness, and for his Glory, Ephes. 1.4. and 3.9. Ezek. 16.14. Hos. 3.3. 1 Pet. 2.9.

14. VVhen God made the Creatures at first, he commanded them to multiply, and accordingly they did. So when God works Grace in the hearts of his People, he commands that they grow in grace, and they do so, 2 Pet. 3.18. Psal. 84.7. and 92.12, 13, 14.

Lastly, VVhen the Lord had ended the work of Creation, he rested,Ch. 22.3. and the Sab­bath begun: So when the Lord hath finished the work of converting all his People, then the Eternal Rest and Raign of the Saints will begin, Matth. 13.48, 49. Mark 13.20, 27.

Saints should fear every Sin, but no Sufferings, Psal. 4.4. Revel. 2.10.

There is a guilt that Saints may communicate to others, and contract from others; both to be removed by new acts of Faith and Repentance.

It is a great ease to, and unburthening of the Soul, to confess Sin, sensibly, humbly, brokenly, and with hatred to it.

It is the property of a true Christian, to [Page 54]justifie God, and to judge himself under the greatest Afflictions.

Christ and Sin are most magnified in the eyes of Believers in their Affliction, but in a different manner, and to a different end: and then Christ is most desired, and Sin most despised.

It is the duty of a Christian, to suspect and search himself, when he doth not know evil by himself.

It is, and should be the care of a Chri­stian, not to suffer for Sin, nor sin in suf­fering.

Account the least spiritual thing, better than the greatest and best outward and temporal things.

There is no real bondage, but what is either from, or for Sin.

Christians will sooner overcome their outward Enemies by praying for them, than by praying against them.

Bad times well improved, are far better than good times not redeemed, or mis­spent.

The heaviest afflictions on Earth, are but light in comparison of Christ's suffer­ings, Sins deserts, or the punishment of the Wicked in Hell.

Let not Christians by their own pru­dence, [Page 55]think to prevent Afflictions, for they cannot avoid them, 1 Thess. 3.3. 2 Tim. 3.12.

The World's Jury may find Christians guilty; but God can forbear pronouncing the Sentence, or reprieve and pardon the Condemned.

Shut thy eyes from beholding, thy ears from hearing, and thy heart from enter­taining Sin.

He hath a good command over his spirit, that can stop it when moved with passion; over his Affections when they are under sail; and over his Tongue, that can silence it when he will.

Compar. All Christians must be brought into the fire, before they will be brought to close: for it is impossible to joyn cold pieces, or one cold, and another hot.

Compar. As the Iron when it looks red in the fire, seems to a looker on, to be fit for the work-man to work it; yet the workman may put it into the fire again, and adde coals to heat it more: So may the Lord do with his suffering People, when they, and others may think they have suffered enough, yet God (that knows best) may not think so.

In the way to Heaven, there are three [Page 56] narrow and hard passages, the entrance into the new birth, herein a man must leave be­hind him sinful self: the entrance into assurance, therein a man must leave and de­ny religious self: (that is, look off his own evidences:) and lastly, the gate of death, then a man must part with natural self, re­ligious self, and sinful self. The two first I have experienced, the last I expect.

He that is willing to part with his dearest Lust, will be willing to part with his dear Life also.

If a Christian be made free to lay down his Life for Christ or his Cause; yet let him sell or lose it at as dear a rate as he can for Christ.

A Christian will have but little comfort to suffer for that which is but a Notion in his head, and not a setled Truth in his heart. Yet,

☞ Note, that the lesser the Truths are which Christians do suffer for, (if rightly) the more their love doth appear to Christ therein.

God's Minnums (or least things) are better than the World's Mountains, or greatest things.

The Saints are to bear a three-fold Te­stimony to, and for Christ and his Truths: Breath-testimony, Life-testimony, and Blood­testimony.

[Page 57]Speaking words, maintaining Opinions, and the outward performing of Duties, and partaking of Ordinances, are but the least things in Religion.

Affections, Parts, or Applause from the World, or from Christians, are very dange­rous, and not to be trusted in.

I never trusted Christ, but I found him faithful: nor my own heart, but I found it false.

In looking upon the Scriptures, and good men, I did learn oft to know what I should be: but I found it hard to be what I knew I ought to be.

From the first change wrought in a true Christian, he may fear and suspect himself to be a Hypocrite: but he never intends to be, never approves of being a Hypocrite, nor never countenances himself in Hypocrisie.

Let God's hiding thy infirmities, and secret sins from thy Enemies, make thee the freer and willinger to confess them un­to him.

Learn to know Sin, disallow of it, dis­pise it, overcome it inwardly, and to put it from thee; to fear its return, and to be more estranged towards it, more watchful to avoid Temptations, and wise to shun Occasions that lead to it.

[Page 58]The strength of all Corruptions some­times appears in one; and do but overcome your Master-sin, and you overcome all.

The power and strength of Corruption is but seldom known, to wit, when Temp­tations, Opportunities and Occasions of Tryal come.

The best way to keep from Sin, is, to set God in his Power, Purity and Glory still before our eyes; to fear our selves; to keep near to Christ; to fast and pray privatly; to engage other Saints for our help; to cherish the holy Spirit; to keep up constant practice of Holiness; to pro­vide contrary means against it; to resolve strongly to withstand it: to eye God's Promises, Commands and Threatnings; to withstand the first occasions; to reason it off at a distance; to believe it away when it comes near; to avoid all occasi­one thereof.

When you would repent for some secret sins you have committed: it is better and safer sometimes to do it in a general way, than to think and speak of the same parti­cularly: for Satan and Sin will be ready to step in, when they know we are at­tempting any thing against them.

It is advantagious for a Christian to [Page 59]disclose Satan's secrets to God and to his People; but to keep his own secrets from him as much as he can.

That soul doth soon grow empty, that is alwayes letting out, but not carefull to lay in.

It is not for one that hath but little Grace (and particularly knowledge) to be too forward among more able and knowing Christians: for then is his time to learn.

Christians should not be to learn their Duties when they should be doing them; nor doing them, when they should be suf­fering for them.

Com. Take heed Professors, lest you be al­wayes wooing Christ, and yet never mar­ried to him: Of being Concubines and not Queens, Cant. 6.8.

Com. Be not as the untilled ground, bearing grass for the beasts of your Lusts: but be like the Field, or Garden, bringing forth fruit for the Husbandman and Dresser.

Com. Be not as the Rock or Stone-wall, which have savoury & medicinable Herbs grow­ing thereon for others, but the Rock and Wall themselves never the better for them. Having gifts to edifie others; but your own hearts never the better.

Sin to a man before his Conversion, is [Page 60]like cold Iron, which he can hold in his hand without trouble:Com. but after Conver­sion (Sin heated by the fire of the Law) is like hot Iron, which a man will willingly cast away.

Lay in, lay up, and lay out for Christ.

Remember that you will shortly reach Immortality, but never Eternity.

Make Christ your All, and you will be sure to lay down your self All.

☞ Com. Keeping from Sin is Soul-Preservative-Physick; Repentance for Sin is Soul-Resto­rative-Phyfick.

Consider that when you are not assault­ed with Temptations, Satan is damming and pounding, and he will suddenly draw up his sluce and let loose upon you.

Satan doth not (like God) warn before he strike.

Christs Work is Wages, and his Service perfect Freedom.

The Love of the Master, the Sweetness of the Service, and the Greatnesse of the Reward, are sufficient Encouragements to serve Christ.

Afflictions sink the flesh, and raise the Spirit.

To receive Evil (viz. Affliction) for doing Good, is sweet.

[Page 61]A Christians security and safety, is in do­ing his duty: and he should study his duty more then his safety.

He that loves not Christ more than his lust, or his life, is like to lose Christ, and his life: but he that loves Christ more then his life, will be sure to save, and keep both.

Strive greatly, to have and to exercise a good Conscience towards God, and men; to commit thy soul, life and cause to the Lord; and to expect the worst of men, and the best of Christ.

Some Saints do ill in seeking to do well; espeially in provoking and pressing other Christans in dark and doubtfull things, beyond their own Apprehensions, Consci­ences, the bent of their spirits and abilities. This is,

Com. As a man that is Exceedingly well-hors'd, travelling with others that are but meanly hors'd, drives too hard for his Companions; who yet intend to go to the same Place, and endeavour to travel as fast as they can.

Com. Christ is unto the soul as the Load-Stone to the Iron, dawing it to it Self: or the Chrystal to other stones, putting beauty and lustre on them.

[Page 62] Sence over-rules Imagination; Reason, Sence; and Faith all three in a true Chri­stian.

A Christian beholds Christ in the deep­est affliction as well as in the most spiri­tual Ordinance.

Com. As one beholds the Sun in looking upon a deep Pond, as well as in looking up to heaven.

A true Christian when he goes hence, changes neither his Work nor Company; but his Place and Condition only.

God leads many of his best friends by the hand without Candle light (or assurance) to their rests.

Com. To dye should be no more to a Chri­stian then to breath, Com. or to pass over a great River on a Sure Bridge, Com. or in a Safe Boat: or to return from a Field, where a man hath been working, to his own house to take his rest.

To be able to refist strong Temptations, there must be either store of in-laid Grace, or faith must fly quickly to that Grace laid up in Christ for it.

Com. Christ is like a tender Parent that is carefull to bring up his Children; but many Professors like Undutiful, and Un­natural Children, forget them in their [Page 63]straits: Contented to be maintained by Truth in Prosperity, but not to maintain Truth in Adversity.

Com. Corruptions are like Wormes in the maw or stomach, which will eat through the soul, unless scattered, killed, and purged out.

Com. The only way sometimes for a Christian to avoyd the force of temptation, is (Soul­derlike) to fall down on his face, when he sees the Cannon or Musket fir'd against him.

Com. A Christians eye should be like the A­damant, turning only toward one Point, even Christ.

Com. Much grace (especially zeal) and exerci­sed brings persecution: As the sweeter and better the Fruit is, the more flinging there is at the Tree.

Make hast to doe thy work (Christian) and God will make haft to give thee thy wages.

On Christian, why should not that please thee who art but finite; that pleases God who is infinite, even Christ? Pray that thy last dayes, and last works may be thy best; ☜ And that when thou com'st to dye, thou mayst have nothing else to do but dye.

Thou must dye once whether thou Suffer or no, and thou canst dye but once if thou suffer.

[Page 64]The sins of Saints are new Sufferings to Christ; and the Sufferings of Saints are the wounds of Christ.

A Saint should desire to die that he may be fully freed from sin; have a full fruition of Christ that he may be above all fears and doubts, and able to serve the Lord un­cessantly, and unweariedly.

Reading the Scriptures helps Metitation, Meditation Prayer, and Prayer every good Work.

When you come to die, it will trouble you not only that you liv'd sinfully (or in doing evil) but sloathfully, in not doing good: nay, not only that you were sloath­full in good, but that you spent so much time in things lesse profitable, which should have been spent about, and in the things which were most advantagious.

Man may come too late to God, (when the door is shut) but God never comes to late to men.

Christ may come in to afflicted Souls, through some back-door (or Affliction) which they do not expect him to come through, or in at.

Com. Let the Child be contented to take the breast the Mother will give it, and then it shall have both: so be contented with [Page 65]what Christ gives you, and you shall want nothing.

To see the want of Grace, is much, the worth of Grace more.

'Tis hard to get Grace, hard to get assur­ance of Grace, hard to use it, and not abuse it.

'Tis very hard to behold our own gift without pride, and the gifts of others (if they excel ours) without envy.

Com. As a little Candle-stick becomes a small Candle; so a litle Church a Pastor or Tea­cher that hath but little grace, and weak gifts.

It is better and surer for thy self to be a Toe than an Eye; a Member, then a Tea­cher in a Congregation. And this I often wish'd might have been my condition.

Take heed of covering any mans good with his Evil, but let the one plead for him as well as the other against him.

Do not commend thy friend, nor dis­commend thy foe too much; lest thou be judg'd to be partial.

Lose not thy reward by seeking thy self in thy work.

Com. I have oft observed that some old wel­stor'd Christians, are like Merchants who have full ware-houses, but will sell but in [Page 66] Whole-sales: And other young Professors like pidling-pedlers crying about the streets every trifle.

Com. I have observed that men of great learn­ing and parts, or of great wealth and power, have (for the most part) disturbed and de­vided Churches.

Also that those Churches never stood long, that made Opinion, and not Godl-fess and Christianity, the foundation of their nel­lowship.

The best way for a Teacher, and his Congregation to live quietly, and comfor­tably together; is for either of them to give to the other what God requires, and not to demand, expect or exact one from another: and so Husband and Wife and all other Natural Relations.

He commands most, and best, that com­mands in love, humility and self-denyingly.

He is most a Master, that is most a Ser­vant. Be not ye Christians call'd Masters: & yet the People give them honor, according to their place, grace, years and labours.

He hath not learned to rule, that hath not learned to obey.

An even, through-pac'd, self-fearing, heart-melting Christian, is alwayes best.

Ruffling opinion sowing, and Church-rent­ing [Page 67]Persons and Professors, have commonly more self then grace.

Com. A Christian should Earnestly desire that his Sun might set in a white Cloud, and that he might goe out of the world, as a Perfume, and not as a Snuffe.

The world is a great nothing; deluding the bad, disturbing, and distracting the good.

Satan works more upon men by slight then by might; avoid his cunning, and thou wilt avoid his cruelty.

The holy Law of God teaches a man to see his own deformity; and requires from him to it conformity.

Some Sins floate on the Top, or appear in the lives of Christians: but others sink to the bottome, and lurk secretly.

Com. Sin is sometimes like a sleepy Lion in the Soul, which temptation soon a­wakens.

Com. Hypocrites hearts are like stincking Ponds, wherein Frogs live, and fish die; lusts feed, and grace (if it were there) starves.

Com. The Divel is like the Turkie-cock (or Crocodile) if you turn upon him he will flie from you; but if you flee from him, he will pursue you.

[Page 68]It is better sometimes to slight the Divel, then to fight him.

Christ puts most of his oyle in broken Vessels; in broken hearts there is most grace, and best kept.

Be never at peace with Satan, sin, or Christs implacable enemies.

The less a man strives for himself, the more will Christ strive for him.

O my Soul! look for death hourly, long for it greatly, prepare for it carefully, meet, and welcome it joyfuly: for 'tis Christs Servant to direct his Spouse (the soul) to him, and thy friend that comes to set thee at liberty from thy sins. It will dis­charge thee from thy prison, dismiss thee from thy debts, and bring thee at once to enjoy all thy desires.

Com. O Lord as a signe that I shall be able to dye for thee; let me find my Corruption dying in me, by Power from thee.

Though God hath baricado'd the street of man's Soul with grace, strength, and strong fence, yet the Enemy Satan often assaults it; But by faith's making Christ a shield, and a Second, the Christian resists, and overcomes.

Thoughts of our own death, will tend much to deaden sin.

Christians should be contented to have [Page 69]a propriety in things sometimes when they doe not partake of them; as the wicked partake of them when they have no propriety in them.

God hath set the tongue between the brains and heart, that it may a dvise with both, and within two guards to keep it in, and yet 'tis unruly.

Prayer is a good preparative to Suffer­ing; when Christ had prayed he went out to meet Judas, Joh. 18.4.

He that will not take example, shall make an example.

Afflictions are Christs love-tokens, Jer. 12.7. Heb. 12.6. Rev. 3.9. And Chri­stians are never more tendered, then when most afflicted, as Ephraim, Jer. 31.20.

Com. A Christians soul should be like the Dial, going according to the Sun, or fol­lowing Christ.

Small sins yeilded to, make way for greater, and one sin for another.

He that converts a sinner, Covers a world (or multitude) of sins, and gains more then a world, to wit a Soul.

Saints should labour to Lord it over their Corruptions; as their Corruptions did formerly Lord it over them.

The best Saints have need to be cauti­on'd and warn'd, and to take heed of what [Page 70]they are like to be most free from, Luke 21.34.

God hath given a man a little mouth, and a narrow throat, that man may not exceed in Eating.

To take pains about unnecessary, and unprofitable things, is laboriously to mis­pend time.

A heart unconverted, is contented with nothing but what is helping it on to hell: and it hath never enough of that (to wit sin) and a heart converted is never satisfi­ed but with what helps it towards heaven, and yet thinks he hath never enough there­of; to wit, of Christ, and grace.

It is good to curb naturall, and acquired gifts, but to give the reign to grace; and let grace alwaies lead, rule, and master gifts.

Zeal without knowledge to guide it, is like mettel in a blind Horse, which stum­bles, and overthrows the Rider.

Young Christians (commonly) want a curb, and old Christians a Spurre.

Com. Prefer not a young Christian of greater parts, before an old Saint of meaner; nor a young man of wealth, before an old man of wisedom.

Be not ambitious of love, and thou shalt not be so soon an object of envy.

[Page 71]Get Christ (O Christian) to bind thy Conscience to the peace, and thy affecti­ons and flesh to the good Behaviour.

Spend all thy grace against thy Lust, but none upon it.

Had I neither Scripture nor Reason to disswade me from being one of those call'd Quakers, their self-conceitedness, censori­ousness, and that their chiefest Godliness doth stand in the least things of Religion, (as in thouing, keeping on the hat, &c.) and in outward affliction of the body, according to those Scriptures, Pro. 11.17. Col. 2.23. I could never be of their Judgement and way. I have tryed them enough to know them to be worse, and less then they yet seem to be.

A difference I found between City and Country Professors: In the City there is much meat had with little labour, and much eaten but undigested; but in the Country little Spiritual food, with great labour, which causes good digestion and stomack.

Com. The hardest duty in Christianity is to deny Self, and to destroy sin.

The ship of Christ (the Church) is now under saile and bound homewards (Hea­ven-wards) The Pilot (Christ) is Skilful and the wind (the Spirit) strong and direct; [Page 72]though the Sea (this world) be boyster­ous, and tempestuous. I am sure we shall lose but the trash, the Jewels will be safe.

As the Martyr professed he had rather be a Martyr then a Monarch; so should ☞ every Christian.

It is a special favour, and great promo­tion to Suffer.

A Christian should seek to live so holy, that he may keep Christ in Heaven undis­pleased (as a Cylent his Advocate) and the Spirit within him ungrieved, his Con­science undefiled, unwounded, and unsea­red, his Profession unstained, his Bre­thren unoffended; and poore sinners un­stumbled.

Take heed Christian of tempting Satan by letting thy thoughts run out sinfully, by thy Eyes, Ears, tongue, &c. which he ob­serves, and which he will take as an In­vitation to tempt thee.

Com. As a wicked Adulterer will take the wanton words and Speeches of a Harlot, a ground to encourage him to attempt wickedness with her.

Satan accuses God to men, and men to God; But Christ excuses, and answers all his Accusations against his people.

Christians should doe as the Sheche­mites did,Jud. 9. when their City (their own [Page 73]Souls in strength) was beaten down, fly to their Tower, even Christ.

Com. A Christian should be like the morning and evening star (which is thought to be the same) still follow the Sun, Christ.

Welcome thou (thy Land-lord) Christ into thy Cottage now, and he will welcom thee into his Palace here-after.

The true knowledge of Christ brings Con­solation, and the right Profession and Practice of him, Persecution.

Clear knowledge of Christ in the under­standing, begets fervent love in the heart, and both, Godliness in the life.

When a man is imprisoned, and shut up from men, he is the more shut up with God.

Account it not restraint as long as thy heart can goe out towards God, and his people, and waies, in affection and Prayer.

Retiredness, and close imprisonment, drives a man to hold closer Communion with God, and to a stricter Search of himself.

I would be glad to be out of the World, when I have no Service to do for God in it.

He that would live for himself (only or chiefly) in the world, is not worthy to live a day in it.

If I may not have Liberty to serve Christ, [Page 74]I would have the Glory to Suffer for Christ.

Never fear Death, but when sin is in the way to it, either as a cloud hiding thy as­surance, or as a provoking Cause pulling death as a punishment upon thee.

Com. I would not have God pluck me to hea­ven in Anger; As a master seeing his Ser­vant sleepy or sloathful, turns him out of the field, and from his work to sleep and take his rest at home.

I would willingly work for Christ to e­ternity (if I could) without asking any more wages then I had already, and skill, power, and delight to do his work.

If an Earthly Jubilee, or outward delive­rance come to Gods people whilst thou live here, be rosolved to give both thy Ears to be bor'd through, and to abide with him, and return no more to sin, or the world.

Never reckon what thou hast of outward and wordly things, unless it be to Praise God for them, or to Serve God better with them.

Compar. Take heed that preparatory meditati­on (to prayer) doth not prevent Prayer it self; or put you beside Prayer.

Secret Prayer is either a familiar Speak­ing to God, and with God: or a pouring out of the heart before God, through his Son [Page 75](our Saviour) by his Spirit.

Sometimes ejaculations, or short and sud­dain Pantings and breathings out of de­sires to God, may be more acceptable to him and prevailing with him, then long prayers.

One of the three Radicall sins spoken of in 1 Joh. 2.16. is every man's master-sin.

My strongest, greatest, and most fervent frequent desires, were to be found in Christs reghteousness, to convert sinners, to be Holy in all manner of Conversation, and to have my lot and living among and with the people, and Saints of God.

There may be great difference between the temper of a Christian one time and ano­ther, yea in the excercising of his gifts, in Praying, Preaching, &c.

I often found my heart in dayes of hu­miliation, more affected, and melted by the Prayers of weaker, then stronger Bre­thren.

And likewise observ'd, that (sometimes) in matters of counsel, and advice in the Church, God hath given out his minde more clearly and convincingly by such as were less esteemed in the Church, then those that were most esteemed. Even as the hindermost Hound hits upon the Scent, when all the pack besides lose it.

[Page 76] True Godliness and Hypocrysie, are best discern'd in turnings, and changes: either when they change their conditions by Marriages, or are exalted to offices: or when new opinions begin to grow.

Com. Mark when you see a Professor that hath been careful to walk with other Christians, and to follow the Ordinances of God con­stantly, and closely: if he begin to lagge behind, and to with-draw, he is surely un­der some sore temptation: or hath faln into & under some sin, or, which is worse, may be dangerously suspected for a Hypocrite. The like of one that hath been very confident, and cheerful, and is grown doubtful and sad.

Com. As the sappyest wood will hardlyest take fire: so the Spiritualest Christian, is hard­lyest overcome with temptation and corrup­tion: 1 do not remember that ever fear and threatning did as mnch prevail with me as love and kindness: or that I did atempt to overcome any man so much by might and cruelty, as by perswasion and mercy.

I never repented me (since my Conver­sion) of any thing I said, did or suffered for Christ; or for walking in his way, of joyning with his people: nor resolved to goe on in any sin, or turn back from the way of God, or aside from the Commandements of God; or to leave Church-Society.

[Page 77]One sin hath cost me more Sorrow, then all my Sufferings.

It is happy to dye in the Lord, and honourable to dye for the Lord.

A Prison or persecution is to a Christian, as some scaring thing that one sees in the night at a distance, but when he comes near it, and to know it, he is not at all afraid of it.

Com. A man should hold sin as one would hold a hot-iron, ready to fling it out of his hand: but hold the Gospel, and his Pro­fession as a man would hold a Silver-cup that hath dainty meat in it (which though it be hot, yet he will not let it fall) or like a glass that hath wine in it, which a man will not willingly let slip out of his hand.

Com. Seek to find out your own Errors, be­fore another find them out: and to write your own Errata's.

Com. It is now with all (or most) Christians, as with men that had been at a very great and full feast, who have Surfeited thereby and are stomack-sick, and willing ra­ther then to continue so to take a vomit, and cast up all to the dogges: so Christi­ans had rather cast up all the sweet Morsels and mamocks of worldly things, which they have swallowed down, to the wicked [Page 78]againe, then have them lye as guilts upon their Consciences, or blocks between their Souls and Christ.

The Kings of the earth will ere long be Fanaticks (that is wise fools) and see their folly and madness in joyning with the Beast against the Lambe. But first, the Lamb must give one sound overthrow, and fall to the Beast, Rev. 17.14, 16.

When the Lord is trying his People, they should be trying themselves.

I never remembered that I had such a hard thought of God, as to think he did wrong me in or by any thing he layd upon me.

Com. Christians should not desire deliverance before the time appointed; for that is as if a woman should desire to have her child born, before the full and due time.

Com. Some mercies are big-belly'd mercies, that have many mercies in their wombes, as Election, Redemption, &c.

Com. Election is like the conception, Redemp­tion like the quickning in the womb, Con­version like the birth, and Perseverance in holiness, like growth.

Com. A man that goes up stairs, step by step, may come to the Top at last, as well as he that strides two or three steps of the stairs at once: so a soft-pac'd Christian by [Page 79] continuance and perseverance, will reach heaven at last.

It is a commendable thing in a Travel­ler so to travel in the mornning, as to con­tinue, or mend his pace in the Evenning: Soe for a Christian to run faster, the nea­rer he comes to the mark, and end of the race.

Christians are apt to feel, and fear Punishment, more then sin, which is the cause of it.

Gods people must expect in the world, the Entertainment of Strangers.

When Gods people are humble enough, and the wicked high enough, and the Lords appointed time come, then expect deliverance to the Godly and not before.

Take heed of being humbled, and yet unhumble, that is, of being brought out­wardly low, and yet the heart continue still high.

Com. Sins in Saints are like weeds weeded out of a garden, or field, which lye in the Alleys, or Reanes, but never grow there againe.

Com. Or as weeds cast out in the high-way, which an Enemy casts into the garden again, but yet cannot make them grow there any more: Soe Satan cannot make the Sins of Saints grow in them againe, [Page 86]when they are once separated from them.

Com. A Hypocrite is like a white-stone in the water among other Stones, and of the same nature with other stones there, hard, heavy, cold, and inflexible, and differs onely in colour.

Com. A true Christian is like a flint-stone, which though it fall into water, yet it keeps, and retains fire in it still: so doth he retain his grace, notwithstanding his corruption.

Labour to act those graces chiefly, that are most contrary to your master-sins and chief corruptions.

Com. Sins doe dye and fall off from Christi­ans, as the leaves fall from trees in Au­tumn, by degrees.

☞Christians are now as Abram was, was dri­ven out of Egypt, and come where they were before, or into their first state; there­fore they should offer to the Lord as he did, Gen. 13.3.

God is now spoyling us, of what would otherwise have spoyl'd us.

He that serves the Lord without assurance, serves him without so much as an earnest: and doubtless that Servant must needs love his Master much, that serves him, and yet knows not his Masters love to him.

[Page 81]The Lord hath Saints enough odivide into three Bodies, some o suffer for him, some to destroy Babylon, and some to be for Seed-corn, torrow again in the earth.

Com. If a man were to have his choice of two Sisters to be his wife, the one will not mar­ry him unless he will make her a Jointure presently: the o her is free to refer that wholly to him: which of there two will he be likelyest to take for his wife? So it is between Christ, and one that will take him upon self-conditions; and another that is willing to take Christ upon Christs con­ditions: or to refer himself wholly to him.

Learn by lighter crosses, to look and prepare for heavier.

Com. When the affliction grows greater, and heavier, Gods people will cry out more earnestly to the Lord; as when some part or Member is sorely tweak'd; or as the Grapes when they have most weight, and pressure, give forth their Juice most freely.

In two cases 'tis hard to act faith, (1) when there is no hing sencible or visible to second and support it: or (2) when there is very much to till the outward senses.

It is a very common and ordinary thing for most, or all Professors, to be in one of two extreams: either to overvalue, or un­dervalue [Page 82]Instruments, Creatures, and Or­dinances.

Churches gathered in Prosperity will hardly stand, or continue together in Ad­versity.

The more Saints do beleeve, and suffer, the more they may expect of the Spirit, Joh. 7.38. 1 Pet. 4.14.

Com. A Child of God may know the weight of sin by Christs sufferings: for if that strong Barr of steel did bend under the weight of our sins: what shall poor weak man do who is but a reed, or rush?

Be more thoughtful and careful, how to use what you have to Gods glory, then to gain more.

As our good works and performances, should have an operation upon our souls and hearts, to strengthen faith: so should our weakenesses, and sins, to work repen­tance.

The Lord freely gives, and justly takes away.

The excercising of graces, do naturally destroy sin; and the more you abound in Acts of grace, the more you encrease the habit, Heb. 6.22.

The Law causeth sickness of Soul, but the Gospel healeth the same.

When Saints perceive their sins growing [Page 83]weak, they should then prosecute them most.

A Saint is to put forth his Faith in Prayer, & afterwards follow his Prayer, with Faith.

In the midst of earthly businesses, the soul should redeeme some special time for secret and private duties.

It is the will of Christ, that Saints should rejoyce more in what Christ hath done for them, then in what they have done or can do for him.

Its a great condescention in God, to afflict or lay his hand upon man: and in that sense the Apostle exhorts Beleevers, not to despise or think little of the chast­ning of the Lord, Heb, 12.5.

Learn to observe what God gives with­out asking, and what he gives in answer to Prayer: for the one begets thankfulness the other more Prayer.

Com. Christ kept the Law legally, Beleevers heep it Evangelically: he perfectly, they purposingly, and endeavouringly.

A Beleevers assurance and chiefest joy, doth not arise from his Sanctification: (because that is imperfect here in degrees) but from his Justification, Rom. 5.2.1 Pet. 1.8.

A Beleever is to shut the eye of Reason, if he will clearly see with the eye of Faith.

[Page 84] Com. The Promise is a Christians perspe­ctive, and his Faith his eye, with which he looks through it upon Christ, and God the Father in him.

Look upon Christ first without you, then search for him within you.

Ask thy Soul whether it be willing to receive Christ upon his own terms, and for his own sake, and to accept of Pardon and Life through him freely, without looking at all upon thy owne Righte­ousness; and art thou contented that Christ should be honoured in, and by thee, and thou despised, and dishonoured for his sake.

God carries on the work of grace in be­leevers, usually.

• 1. According to their natural constitu­tions, and parts.
• 2. According to the means they are under, whether Legal or Evangelical.
• 3. According to the things he hath to do by them, or he intends to call them to suffer.
• 4. According to the shortness or length of time they are to live in the world.
• 5. According as they have been before their Conversion greater, or lesse sinners.

In Duties Christians should,

• 1. Look for to meet with God, and [Page 85]enjoy communion with him.
• 2. Expect to hear, and receive from God.
• 3. To return somewhat to God; but yet know thou canstreturn but of his own to him, 1 Chron. 29.14.

1. God did take off, and from his people their sins, before he laid them on Christ. And,

2. God cannot (in justice, and to speak with Reverence) take them off Christ, and lay them on them again.

God makes us feel him (or his hand) that he may hear us; strokes makes cryes, and whippings mournfull complaints to him.

God troubles us that we may turn to him, and leaves us a while, for to see whe­ther we will follow after him.

Com. A saint sometimes is like a little Child in the Arms of the Father, or Mother, who may have Suger offered to it by a stranger, which it may looke upon, and have some liking to, yet he will not there­by be drawn from the Father or Mother, to the stranger: So the bait of Temptation or Corruption, cannot, and shall not draw a Saint quite from Christ.

My soul bear up with Christ, bear off from Satan and the world; bear down thy [Page 86] corruption, and bear forth thy Testimony.

The present Afflictions upon Gods people, are partly for their sins, & let them thank themselves, (yet God too) for their Sufferings.

☞Its strange, and a very bad Sign to see Saints look more upon the sins of the wicked to ripen them for misery, then af­ter self-humiliation and holyness, to ripen and fit themselves for mercy.

Com. And 'tis the Sign of a hard heart, to desire the wickeds Eternal destruction, for the obtaining of our own temporall, and corporal liberty, safety, and honour: As if one should desire to have another cast into the fire, and be burnt, that him­self may be warmed.

He that cannot pitty the Sinner, and hate sin, doth not reprove out of love to Christ, nor from a gracious Spirit.

He that loves not a Reprover, and pri­ses not his reproof, neither profits thereby; is more his sins, than his Souls friend.

Com. As a spoonful of Strong-water will be much prized (though but small) when one is fainting; or a little knap of Sugar after a bitter pill: so will a little comfort in or after affliction, be esteem'd by a Christian.

If thou hast faln into sin through vio­lent Temptations, seek speedily for Repen­tance [Page 87]for it, recovery out of it, and refor­mation from it.

If God hath kept thee from falling, still fear, watch, pray, and live by Faith on Christ.

I have experienc'd sometimes, that thoughts of Gods goodness, and my own vileness coming in at once, have drawn tears of joy, mingled with sorrow.

No power can keep him in bonds, whom truth and innocency acquits.

Our end in being in the world, is not to be to our selves.

Though the people of God may be kil'd, yet they can neither be hurt nor over­come.

Christians though disagreeing in opini­on, should agree in affection: and differ­ing in Controversie, yet should agree in Charity.

It is a very sad thing neither to be care­ful to do well, nor to repent for doing ill.

The Potion that Christ gives us is not near so bitter, as his Cordial is sweet.

Com. Christ deals with a Christian, as a man would with his wife, who made him drink a poyson'd cup for her sake, puts a drop of it upon her hand or face, which causes a Blister: onely to make her sensible what [Page 88]he suffered for her. Christians sufferings are but as a drop to the Sea, in comparison of Christs sufferings: or a little water put over the cup of poyson, whereof he drank.

As the nature of man doth seek pros­perity, to likewise it doth abuse it.

Sain [...]s may partly know one another by grace, as well as by face.

Com. The Sun clouded, makes the Sun more desired; to Christ.

Fear not fire, if sin be not the fuel that maintaines it.

Com. That Physick works most effectually, that removes most bad humors, and pur­ges away most Excrements: so doth that effliction that purges the heart, and life most from sin.

Com. Christians are like Rivers when they come near the Sea, the Tides come forth to meet them: so doth Christ by his fain, and comolation, those Saints that are near heaven: and the greater floud there is in the River, the faster is runs; so Chris [...]ans the more their Persecutions are, he swifter they fly by faith, and run in Holiness Heaven-wards.

Com. That's a sorry Child, that obey's his Fa­ther sooner for correcting him, then out of love to him, or in obedience to his com­mand; and yet such naughty Children are too many Christians.

[Page 89] Things are not to be beloved for the place sake, but the place for the things sake;☜ as Gregory Bishop of Rome said. A good observation for those that put holiness in places.

The fear of Death is ingrafted in the common-nature of all men, but Faith works it out of Christians.

Nothing will be terrible where the love of God is apprehended; and nothing grie­vous: where love to Christ is exercised.

Learn to prefer Christ before self, and suffering above sinning.

Look for suffering as for exaltation, for it is an honour to be accounted worthy, and a double honour to be enabled and carryed through safely.

I would not dye as long as I might live to honour Christ: nor live unless I might either live to doe, or suffer for him.

Com. As the little Infant will not be content with the Mother without the breast: nor the breast without the Mother: so a Saint will not be content with Christ, without his Ordinances: much less with the use of Ordinances without Christ.

Com. As a Physitian leaves a man that (he sees after all means used) growes worse, and desperate: so doth the Lord, the hopeless sinner, that hath rejected all the [Page 90] Meanes of his own Salvation.

Com. As the heavy Milstone turns easily, and swiftly, by the strength of water: so doth the heart of man, by the powerful water of Gods Spirit.

Christ hath more to do, to bring men to be reconciled to God, then God to men: And that,

• 1. Because, God is willing and inclin­able thereto, but men unwilling.
• 2. Because, God is Satisfied with his Son, which men are not.

Com. As course Cloth though put into the same Fat, and continued there a like time with Cloth which is finer, yet will not take so perfect a colour: so a man that is of a bad nature, though he be converted, will not appear so gracious, as he that hath a better nature; viz. one that is quiet, or meek by nature.

Com. As the Olive, though it be grafted into the Vine, yet still brings forth Olive his own fruit as well as Grapes; so a Christian thats grafted into Christ, brings forth some Fruite of Nature, as well as of Grace.

If every Christian did follow closely his own work, the Trade of Religion would go better on.

It is a great part of a Christians trouble, [Page 91]that he can be no time what he would be: (viz. sinless, and serviceful) nor at all times, what he is some times; viz. sligh­ting sin, judging self, loving Christ, and despising the world greatly.

Com. As a young Bird (before his Feathers grow) hops from one Bough to ano­ther, and returns to his Nest againe;☜ but when his feathers are grown, forsakes the Tree: so a Christian till his Faith be grown, goes from signe to signe, turning in to his own righteousness, but when his Faith or assurance is grown, he flyes off himself to Christ.

Com. As ground that is rough, and full of roots requires more strength, and skill in Plowing: so old sinners hardned in sins, will require more skill, and power to convince, and convert them.

My most Sanctifying Thoughts.

• 1. The thought of Gods most free, and continued love to me.
• 2. The thought of what Christ hath done for me.
• 3. The thought of what I have been, and done against him.
• 4. The thought of what God, and Christ are to me, and I to them.
• 5. The thought of Christs Excellency, [Page 92]and some Saints Eminencies.
• 6. The thought of Death, and of Judge­ment.
• 7. The thought of what I shall be, and shall have hereafter.

Com. As the Moon, and Stars receive all their Light from the Sun; so the Church, and Ministers receive all their knowledge from Christ.

Atrue Christian will desire to be freed, From

• 1. Doubts of his Eternal condition.
• 2. The power of corruption.
• 3. The fieryness of the Law in the Conscience.
• 4. The fierce Temptations of Satan.
• 5. Scruples in matters of Opinion.
• 6. Wicked places, and persons, where a man can neither do, nor receive Good, nor be without danger of Evil.
• 8. The fear of Death.

A true Christian should be (and will be) much taken with, and rejoyce at, ☞

• 1. The least revelation of truth.
• 2. The least Communion with God, and Christ, through the Spirit.
• 3. The least additional measure of holiness.
• 4. The least good Success God gives him in his work.
• [Page 93]5. The least prosperity Gods people En­joy in the world.
• 6. To be counted worthy and made able to suffer for Christ.

A Beleever should learn,

• 1. To know God in Christ.
• 2. Himself in Christ.
• 3. Christ in him.
• 4. Himself as he was without Christ, 1. Wicked, and wretched. 2. Unwilling and weak in good.

The life of a true Believer; is,

• 1. In the Lord, 1 Thes. 1.1.1 Joh. 2.27.
• 2. On the Lord, Rom. 1.17, Gal. 2.20.
• 3. By and from the Lord, Joh. 6.57.
• 4. To the Lord, Rom. 14.8. Luke, 20.38. Gal. 2.19.
• 5. With the Lord, 2 Cor. 13.4.1 Thes. 5.10. Rom. 6.8.

Suffering is not only a duty, but a Dig­nity, and not only a matter of necessity, but of choice to a good Christian; For the Cross is inlay'd with a Crown.

God hath taken away some that were too good for the world, and God leaves others in the world to grow better by af­flictions.

God requires from Saints but Sincere obedience, and utmost endeavour, but from Christ perfect obedience.