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7/?v:/v ■ /*ni>rs^ > 
 
 Chriftian Letters 
 
 OF / 
 
 JVK Paul Bayne. 
 Replenifhed with di- 
 
 vcrie Confolations, Exhor- 
 tations y and Directions, 
 tending to promote the 
 Honor ef Godlineflc. 
 
 Hebr. %. 13. 
 
 Exhort one another daily, while it is called to day, 
 left any of yon bee hardened throng the deceit- 
 futnejji offinne* 
 
 4ttMRN(|t 
 
 LONDON, 
 
 Printed by A.G. forNath. Newhery, 
 
 and are to bee fold at his (hop in 
 
 Popes-head-AHey,at the figae 
 
 of the Star. 1637. 
 
C#» <$9 <&> *&* <&> <>fi* *&* *f&* 
 
 <jJ*> c^ *>£> «*y*> <&> c>3>* ej> cji> 
 
 THE RIHGT 
 
 WORSHIPFVLL, 
 
 and Chriftian Ladies,the 
 
 Lady W ex d, and the 
 
 Lady Lennard: 
 
 Grace , and 
 
 Peace. 
 
 Ight Worftip 
 full and wor- 
 thy Ladies, if 
 there bee a- 
 ny one thing 
 wherein I make fingular 
 account of my friends love, 
 it is , when by fome good 
 meanes they are fetting mee 
 forward in the wayes of fal- 
 A 2 vati- 
 
the Epifile Dedicatory. 
 
 vatiomand on the other fide, 
 I cannot fo rejoyce in any 
 improvement of my beftlove 
 and fervice to them, as when 
 mutually I may bee a helper 
 forward of their faith. I write 
 not this, as favouring any 
 ingratefull burying civill and 
 humane kindnefles in oblivi- 
 on,but as giving the preemi- 
 nence to theworkeof love, 
 which especially is imployed 
 in advancing that good part, 
 which as our Saviour inti- 
 mateth to Martha } (ha\\ not be 
 taken away from us. Let it ■ 
 not therefore I pray you(my t 
 honored good Ladies)feeme | 
 ftrange,that in thedefireof I 
 the bell: good to your (boles, 
 I prefent to your view, and 
 infcribe by particular Dedi- 
 cation to your Ladifhips,the 
 enfuing Bundle of Letters, 
 
 part 
 
I 
 
 The Epiflle Dedie*tory. 
 
 part of the workes of a reve- 
 rend Divine, who living, (hi- 
 ned as a bright Starre in the 
 Church of God. For 1 am 
 perf vaded, with Gods blef- 
 iing,which is all in all, that if 
 you attentively reade this 
 Booke, you (hall finde many 
 fweet Motives to heavenly- 
 mindcdnefle, effedruall con- 
 fiderations to qualifie the bit- 
 ternefle of for row, which of- 
 ten bef alleth us in this vale of 
 Teares; and laftly, no (mail 
 attractive to draw up your 
 mindes from thefe vaniftiing 
 delights below , to thofe 
 hopes and joyesof an inherit 
 tance incorruptible, undefi- 
 led,that fadeth not away,re- 
 ferved in Heaven for you. I 
 will not enlarge my felfe, to 
 fpeake in commendation of 
 the Author of thefe Chriftian 
 A 3 Lettert, 
 
The Epijlle Dedteatorj. 
 
 Letters, who no marvell hee 
 fpeaketh tofeverall points fo 
 gracioufly,whofelt heavenly 
 ftrames in his Meditations fo 
 plentifully . This prelent 
 Booke will(as his other Wri- 
 tings have done) ipeake for 
 him,I doubt not,fufficiently. 
 One part of which hath been 
 tranfcribed while the Author 
 lived, and the Copie was not 
 to bee had in Print, in my 
 knowledge,full many a time$ 
 yea, hundreds of times, or 
 neerer a thoufand times, if 
 fome godly perfons have not 
 mi£reckoned. Now, why I 
 chofe your Ladiilhips , in 
 whofe name to commend 
 this Worke to the Church of 
 God} though I might af- 
 leadge other reafbns, yet for 
 the prefent 1ft this fuffice, 
 That as you are Sifters in 
 
 na- 
 
the Efifile DediCAtory, 
 
 nature, fo you are neerer Si- 
 fters in grace, and therefore 
 well may bee joyned inone 
 inscription, whom God hath 
 linkf d in fo holy union.I will 
 not by longer Preface hold 
 your Worfhips from the 
 Booke it felfe. Reade it, my 
 refped?d good Ladies $ and 
 the Lord give you under- 
 fhnding in all things. Febr. 
 
 22. 1520. 
 
 Xpur Ladijhipt, readk 
 to aUjerviafathe 
 Lord, 
 
 E z. C h~ 
 
 A 4 
 
I 
 
^^:. <S%> #% 
 
 CHRISTIAN 
 
 LETTERS: 
 
 Containing Divine Inftru- 
 ftions^Ex hort ations, and 
 Confblatipps* ■-//? 
 
 Letter i. I>ire8orj* 
 
 Ood Miftrefle B. 
 we muft not think 
 it ftrange, when 
 need iSjto be made 
 heavie with many 
 fcffii&ions/orchis 
 hath ever beene the portion of 
 Gods Children^ who through ma- 
 ny Tribuluions have entred in* 
 to his Kingdoroe. Hee that will 
 not let the ftiew and liv-elcfle 
 Pi&ure of Godlinefle goe 5 withoat 
 aAaylng and overturning, haw 
 much more hath hee an aking 
 Tooth at the Grace which is un- 
 A^ fained?; 
 
How we ought to hehavt 
 
 faincd ? Wherefore bee not dif- 
 mated, if Changes and Armies of 
 Trials (hould fucceed each other ^ 
 rather re Joyce, thatbyoccaGonof 
 thefe things, you may fee your 
 ielfetobcbuildcdon that Rocke 
 which none canprevaile againft 5 
 though it bee never fo aflayled. 
 When the Windes blow, and 
 Stormes fafl,the^ wee may fee 
 what buildirgs have fure Foun- 
 dations : then thofe that are other- 
 wife,cannot be hidden. Our whole 
 care, when temptations follow u«, 
 ftancji thin this: Firft, wee muft 
 judge aright of them, and the end 
 for which God doth (end them : 
 Secondly , wee muft feeke wifc- 
 domc and ftreegth, which may 
 make us undergoetheai, foGods 
 glory, and cur comforts. AH evife 
 which befall us in fMilr,bodie and 
 condition, they are med cinable 
 (brrowes fent of God, that the 
 I faule hclpen by them, as by bitter 
 j'potiQns, nrght by r^ewed re~ 
 pernancy more and more purge it 
 ft kite 
 
ourfilvu inaffliiiims. 
 
 felfe of that true Soulc-ficknefle, 
 that finnc and corruption which 
 dwellechioit. If wee were as in- 
 nocent as Job, yetmuftwehura- 
 b'e our felves under the hand of 
 God, when he fendeth adverfities* 
 Wherefore, in all renewed occa- 
 fions of this kinde , let us judge 
 our ftlves^and *>row more vile in 
 our ownc eyes • that thus humbled 
 under Gods mightie hand , wee 
 mjy further and farther receive 
 his grace 5 for the exalting of us t 
 And this is the end of God^why he 
 at many times bringeth many and 
 divers adverfities. The reafon is : 
 this excrcife of a broken fpirit 
 may ftill bee renewed e Actually 
 in us: even as Phyficians to 
 bring away ficke matter more 
 fully and fafely, are forced againe 
 and agafae to open the vcinc, 
 taking away now fome bloud,now 
 other fome 5 as tbe partie may, 
 beare; (b doth God, not at once, 
 but many times briftg away this 
 corruption which dwellech in as : 
 
 And) 
 
Affliftiom though biittr^ 
 
 And as Phyficians now give one 
 thing, now another, left nature, 
 ufed ftill to one , (hould not bee 
 moved 5 fo God doth foraetimes 
 in bodie, fometimes in minde, 
 fometimes in our tftaredeak with 
 us^becaufe hce doth fee, that the 
 longer wee arc ufed tot his or that 
 crone, the leffe it worketh with 
 us* But left wee (hould bee fwal- 
 lowed up of evils , wee muft 
 joyne with care of humbling our 
 lelves 5 that wifedome andftrength 
 which may make us hopf full and 
 Joyfull, even in the middeft of 
 our affihSHons. The things that 
 befall us, wee muft not looke at 
 them by outward appearance, but 
 wifely confider how they are 
 changed in Chrift,who bach taken 
 away the poyfon which would 
 bee in the evils, wee frffcr, and 
 made them fcrviceable for our 
 good. As Children, through want 
 of Wifedome ., are troubled at 
 Bug-beares ; fo wtc are much af- 
 fraid of things which cannot hurt 
 
 us. 
 
ytt wholefome. 
 
 us. This wifedome, which doth 
 make us truly to difcernc things 
 as io Chrift chey are, doth make us 
 couragious in bearing of them, Ic 
 k better with ihe body when it 
 feedeth on bitter hear be s which 
 breed good bloud, than when it 
 feedech on fweet meats, which 
 ingender bitter vomits and mor- 
 tal! fickotffes. Againe,asall fweet, 
 without any tare intermeddled, is 
 notfopleafing: fo it in the tenor 
 ofjur lives wee (hould notfomc- 
 t ime know difealement, our com- 
 fcrrs would when we enjoy them 
 be nothing ib taftefull to us. Be. 
 fides, wiiedome will tell us that 
 thefc things come and gee as the 
 raine on cur cloaths, which io a 
 while drietb up, and all is as be- 
 fore : fo when hea^indfe is with 
 us in the evening, wee fee joy re- 
 turning even before the morning 
 often. Did wee not through falfe 
 glafles fee things otherwife than 
 they are, chey would not caft us 
 downe fo much as the doe. Wee 
 
 there- 
 
CbrificMrflrengtb 
 
 therefore wifely obferving how 
 many wayes the grace of God our 
 heavenly father doth change thefe 
 things into our good, even as the 
 art of the Apothecary doth make 
 apoifonfull Viper into a whole- 
 fbme Triacle, we muft choofe ra- 
 ther affliftion than vanity. Now 
 wewantftrength , wee muft be- 
 ing confeious ofit, come to him, 
 who makcth us able to doe all 
 things through his flreng'hening 
 of them, who ftrengcheneth his 
 in the inner man to long fuff> 
 ranee with joyfulneffe, who hath 
 faW, S' ch as looke to me. Hull re- 
 new ftrength. Our ftreogth is to 
 dafpeChfift, and hold to him as 
 the perfon in whom is all our 
 ftrcngeb. TheConiesarea weake 
 creature, but they diggc in the 
 roefce, worke themfclves holds^ 
 -under the e^rch where chey may 
 be in (afe ty : we are fet to fchoolc 
 to them to learne of them, that 
 whereas we are weake, we privy 
 to it, would by faith worke our 
 
 felves 
 
in all sffliftions. 
 
 fclvcs into that Rockc Chritt Je- 
 fus,againft whom the gates of hell 
 cannot prevails When the Apc- 
 ftles had received his fpirit of 
 ftrength, they made a -^lay ofall 
 their fufferings ard labours 5 even 
 as in bodily things wee fee men 
 that have ftrength and courage, as 
 thtfe porrers and fuch, they will 
 make a (port to beare fueh bur- 
 thens as a weake creature would 
 tremble to lift at* Want of this 
 wifedomeaadftiefigth,wha voy- 
 ces doe they draw from us? Even 
 Yuchasthefe; Were it anything, 
 faith one,but this, I could hop? to 
 receive good fromir 5 Were it a- 
 oy thing buc this, I could hope ta 
 beai c ir. Whereas did wee put on 
 this (peftacle of wifedome, wee 
 (hoold (ce that there were no- 
 thing (6 fit as this to doe us good 3 . 
 which God chnfeth to ufe before 
 uther. Did wee in confcicncc of 
 uir iropotency fceke to Qfirift to 
 make us able, wee fliould not 
 iuiibt buc to fiude ftrength e- 
 nough 
 
r 8 
 
 Cbrift ourjirength. 
 
 nough whereby to beare that com- 
 fortably 5 which wee thinke moft 
 intolerable. Wherefore, as I 
 know you fubjeft to fbme exerci- 
 (cs, (b I wifti you more and more 
 communion with your Chrift, on 
 whom reftcth the fpirit of Wifc- 
 dome and ftrength^that you may 
 beare them, yea be more than con- 
 queror in them. 
 
 I doe defire to remember you 
 with the firft of thofe whom 
 God by his providence hath en- 
 deared tome above others. Being 
 not fie to continue long in wri- 
 ting, with my hearty commenda- 
 tions and thanks for all your love, 
 I commit you to God. 
 
 Yours in Chriftian affe&ion> 
 My 
 
 ■. 
 
 ■»■ 
 
Cbrifrian love fruitful! . 
 
 2. Hortatory. 
 
 MY Chriftian Friend, being 
 much indebted unto you , 
 for the kindnefle I have received 
 from you, I thought good to let 
 you fee that I doc not altogether 
 forger, what I cannot fo fully as I 
 would requite: wee cannot fo di£ 
 charge this debt of love, but that 
 we muft ftillftandndebted one to 
 another. Now bethinking how I 
 may beftow ray fclf fojr your good, 
 I doc not know any meane more 
 fruitfully than that of Chriftian 
 exhortation, by which wee pro- 
 voke each the other to love.Wher- 
 fore give race leave to ftir you up, 
 but to labour for the prefent fruit 
 ofyourafHiftionforcpaffed,and to 
 prepare your felfe againft future 
 tryals, if God fhould be pleafed to 
 prove your patience yet further in 
 time to come. Wee fee the earth 
 then having endured the nipping 
 ftormes of the Winter feafon , it 
 commeth to receive into her bo- 
 fome the bcames of the Sunne 
 
 now I 
 
I o Deliverance from AffiiQicn 
 
 now more approached, the earth I 
 fay before fuitlefle,doth put forth 
 and become fruitfull : thus wee^ 
 though in the winter of our temp. 
 tation,while the favour of GO D 
 feemeth to have forfiken us 3 
 though in this taking wefinde it 
 enough to doe to keepe life at the 
 root f yet when now God doth 
 warme our hearts with the ftnfe 
 of his love, wh'ch is better than 
 life it felfe^ then we muft labour to 
 put forth both bud and bloffome, 
 yea to bee filled with the fruits of 
 tighteou(neffe 3 which are to the 
 praife of God through Jefus Cbrift. 
 When the Devill cannot longer 
 hinder our deliverance out of any 
 evil?, yet he will labour to keepe 
 us without underftanding hearts, 
 that wee (hall not bee able to ac- 
 knowledge God in that hee hath 
 wrought for us: by which mcane 
 thefbuleis kept from being bet- 
 tered by that it hath received. If 
 with our hearts wee undexftand 
 not the loving kindneffc and faith- 
 folneffe 
 
a Motive t§ Rigkteonf ruffe. 
 
 fulntfife which Gcd hath fbewed 
 coward us , then cur love to him 
 will not bcincreafed, for we love 
 him, beoufe we ficde him to have 
 loved us firft ; our faich will not 
 be ftrengthened, if wee have not 
 obferved how trufty the Lord is 
 to all that beleeve in him : for this 
 growth we rake in knowing God 
 by his word and works • this doth 
 make us grow in bclseving on 
 him according to th*r,They who 
 know thee , will truft in thee. 
 Wherefore this being aa enter- 
 prixe of Satan, when hee cannot 
 defeat us of goodthirgp, then to 
 kcepeu8,ificbepoffiblc,from the 
 fpirituall fruit of them, let us bee 
 wifttofeeke untoGodwho hath 
 faid,[ am he that teacheth thee to 
 profit,that he would be p leafed to 
 give us his fpirit,which may teach 
 us to know what hee hath done 
 for us. If this bee obtained, then 
 the benefit will follow, boti of 
 our trials and deliverance: Oar 
 finaefhallbe more purged out of 
 
 us, 
 
12 
 
 Afp&ion removes finne 
 
 us, our graces fhall bee more 
 {lengthened , yea they fhall bee 
 more aftive and ftirring in us, ma- 
 king us more ready to, and plenti- 
 full in every good word and work 
 than beforetimes wee havebeene. 
 Thefe are the chiefe ends for which 
 God fendeth all our vifirations : 
 as the end of bitrcr potions is to 
 purge forth fickc matter from the 
 body 5 (b all our griefcs knt of 
 God, are medicinablc bittcrncflfe 
 to cleanfe our foules. Now as the 
 faculties are ftrengthened in us 
 when we are rid of fuch fickc ho- 
 moursas did fo offend them, fo all 
 the graces are the more confirmed 
 by how much finneismore remo- 
 ved. In the third place, a bodie, 
 when ficknes doth not weaken the 
 faculties of it, is full of motion, 
 (bund bodies love to bee ftirring, 
 elpecially if coldneflfe doe not be- 
 nurame the members and make 
 them unfit for motion. Thus the 
 foule, when God hath (cattered 
 the cares and lufts which did op- 
 
 prefle 
 
andfoftretigtbens Grace. 
 
 prefle it, and by his love flied into 
 ir, diflblved that frozen coldneflc 
 which is an enemy to heavenly 
 aftion, then it doth ia love and 
 zealetohis glory beftirre ir fdfe 
 diligently, both in the duties of 
 the generall calling of Chrifti- 
 ans, and the particular callings in 
 which wearcin refjrft ofourou*- 
 ward condition, The(e being the 
 fruits which (hould follow affli- 
 ction, give diligence to find them 
 in you rn^re and mofe: it is the 
 feale of that ele&ion and calling 
 byGcd, according to the purpofe 
 of life, when you feele that things 
 worke thus together for your 
 good. Every bafemerall maybe 
 putintothe fire, but that which 
 abideth in it and commeth forth 
 more n fined by it,that is precious 
 and of much account. Every man 
 may bee put into the furnace of 
 affliction, but if wee endure cha- 
 Utifements and come forth more 
 and more purged by meanes of 
 them, then it is a fure figne we are 
 
 vefleb 
 
«4 
 
 Preparation for evill times 
 
 veffds of Silver, and velfels of 
 Gold, ordained of God to glory 
 everlafting. 
 
 Now I come to that fecond 
 taske, I did undertake of .provo- 
 king you to prepare againft times 
 to come. Though great fickneflcs 
 breed fomctime long health , yet 
 iciscruc on the other fide^ that no 
 winde but may blow raine when 
 God is fo plcafed , no ftate (b 
 calme which may notfoonc turne 
 tempeftuous,fliould not the Lord 
 bee more gracious. The Divel! 3 
 when now God hath made us get 
 the upper hand of fome grievous 
 temptation, doth lie in ambufh 3 
 and bend all his forces to draw 
 us into pride, at leafl into fccurity 
 and preemption touching thing! 
 which may hereafter befall. Wher- 
 fore (eeke to God to make you 
 ready for every thing wherewich 
 he (hail try you. In peace we pre- 
 pare for war re: weaing a weapon 
 doth not make a man the fooner 
 fee on, nay it prcventeth this 
 
 dance* 
 
tlwayes profitable. 
 
 15 
 
 danger (bmeames, and aiw^yes 
 makes a man ready to defend him- 
 felfe when he is affiled. God doth 
 fee us to learnc of the Ant chis 
 point of Wifdomerthac finall crea- 
 ture gathereth and hoordethfood 
 in Summer, which may befuffici- 
 ent ia winter feafon : and when 
 we have that providence in Sum- 
 mer to make provifion of Hay and 
 fo ider for our bsafts againft cheir 
 need, how fliould we be worthy 
 rebuke, if wee fliould" not now in 
 peace ftorc up in our hearts thofe 
 things which may bee ufefull and 
 I helpfull to us in time of our trou- 
 ! ble> Now this praftife ftandech in 
 three things chiefely. Firftjn get- 
 ting a watchful figacky,by which 
 our (bule* doe difcerne aforehand 
 what kind of events and excrcilcs 
 they are fubjeft unto in this vale 
 tf teares. Secondly ,in learning by 
 jdue confidet ations, to know how 
 Wanting we are in wifedome^how 
 weakt in regard of that flrengrh 
 which maketh us able to (land 
 
 when 
 
 
i6 
 
 Faith in Cbriftjthe 
 
 1 
 
 when wee are tryec*. Thirdly 3 In 
 fl>iog to God by faich, holding 
 him, as who hathbeene, island 
 muft be, the rocke of our falvati- 
 qn: looking to Chrift the author 
 and finifher of our faich, who hath 
 received this commandement from 
 his father, that he would not only 
 call us and bring us into the ftate 
 of grace , but keepe us in it and 
 raifeusupatthebftday : who is 
 a great Saviour^ keeping, his (as 
 Tanl faith) from every evillwork, 
 to his heavenly kingdome. Now 
 when by faich wee thus hang on 
 God our Saviour, theawe^ are, 
 as it were in a flrongTower,wher. 
 in the gates of hell fliall not bee 
 able to hurt us, much kflcco pre- 
 vaile againft us. God doth fee us 
 to fchoole to the Conies, that of 
 them we might learne this leflon : 
 they are a weak^timorous creature J 
 t yct they have this wifedome to! 
 worke themfelves holes in thdl 
 earth, burrowes to which they 
 may returnc for (helter^nd though « 
 
 L thc y t 
 
 
Rtck^ofonr Salvation. 
 
 they goeoutfomecimes, yet they 
 ftill returns ever and anon unto 
 their holds. Oh, (b rauft wee, 
 conici^s of our weaknefle , by 
 faith worke pur felveS into the 
 Rocke Chrift lefts- «d though 
 fbmetime wee are abroad , 2? it 
 were, in many other matter*, yet 
 wee mnft ftill returne and renew 
 our beliefe towards him, I may 
 not profecuce theft things. The 
 Lord teach you by his Spirit (6 to 
 acquaint your felfe with him ^ that 
 you may with moch more confi- 
 dence and boldneffe refbrttohim 
 in all your ncccfGties. Moreover, 
 I have (ent you a Soltloquit^ which 
 I did longfince pen, that it might 
 
 J bee an tntrodu&ion , leading by 
 the hand a wcll-difpcfed Chriftian 
 to take up a forme of words be- 
 tweca God and his fou!efor the 
 ncreafe of his dcvotion.Thus with 
 
 |my hearts defire to God for you, I 
 
 £ake my leave. 
 
 17 
 
 \ 
 
 B 
 
 tbc\ 
 
i8 
 
 Temptations rvorks fi>r good 
 
 3. Confolatory. 
 
 The God of confolation andcompjfi 
 fion be rvithycHy mj good and li- 
 ving Sifitr z and rtmaine with 
 
 joh for ever., 
 
 T Know not whether I fhould 
 i write of gratulation unto you, 
 and thanksgiving unto God for 
 your deliverance, or clfc of fbme 
 comfort againft your troubles, if 
 you yet renaaine in them : Confi- 
 aering the Lords ordinary dea- 
 ling, if you be not already delive- 
 red, your deliverance cannot bee 
 farreoff. But forafmuch as the 
 wayesof God with his children 
 are divers, whofe fteps wee can no 
 more find out, than know the way 
 in the aire where the bird hath 
 flowne ; I know not whether hee 
 will hold you in the Schoole of 
 your grievous temptations. Well, 
 I am aflured chat the i flue (hall bee 
 good, aflured alio that the length ' 
 . *nd grievoufocflc of them , (hall 
 j accordingly addc unto the weight 
 
 and 
 
to them that feare God. 
 
 ( 
 
 and (hining brightneffe of the 
 Crownc which in Chrift lefts is 
 prepared for you: affbred finally 
 char the comfort which thofe 
 which are 5 or (hall be cemp:ed,wi)l 
 bee much the ftronger and deeper, 
 as they (hall undcrftand that you 
 which have beene fo long and fo 
 (harply exercifed, were at the laft 
 Co gracioufly delivered. Be there- 
 fore of good comfort (my good 
 Sifter) although the Lord plunge 
 you into the Sea, yet he will goe 
 downe with you thither to fceepe 
 you, that you (hall not bee drow. 
 ned : although you pafle thorow 
 the fire, you (hall not bee confu- 
 ted, becaufe he is with you : al- 
 though hee kade you from one 
 Sea toanother,yectheLord which 
 commands both the teas and the 
 fire ( as all other creatures) will, 
 for his deare Sonnes fake, worke 
 that fire nor water (hall not oaely 
 not hurt you, but profit you in fi- 
 ning you more and more from 
 the droffc of finne, and wafting 
 B 2 you 
 
 19 
 
20 | Temptations cannot hurt. 
 
 i i ■ ' ■ ■' ■ ■ ■ ■«—————■—■ 
 
 you from the common filth of 
 the remnants of finnc which arc 
 in you. What doc I fay that he will 
 be with you in fire and water ? Ic 
 is but a (mall thing in his eyes, If 
 you were brought to the gates of 
 hell; If hell gates had (hut her 
 mouth upon you , ycc there his 
 hand will be with you, and from 
 thence his arme will deliver you. 
 Yea, if hell had fwallowed you 
 up into her bowel*, yet it muft in 
 de(pite of it render you up againe: 
 Her ftomacke cannot long hold 
 you, no more than the great mon- 
 ftrous Whale could brooke 1owmt 9 
 which if hee had light upon the 
 wicked Mariners, hee would 
 have devoured and digffted twen- 
 ty of chem in leffe fpace. And this 
 is indeed the promife of our Savi- 
 our, tMattk 6. That hell gates 
 (hall not prevaile againft you. 
 They (hall fight againft you, but 
 (hall not prevaile. Whereof I 
 wrote unto you, for that our 
 i friend MaRer C. wrote unto me, 
 1 that 
 
DiJirHjl&refHfall of comfort a fin. 
 
 } 
 
 that fince my laft letters you have 
 bcene terribly fhaken by a forci- 
 ble Tempeft which the Enemie 
 hath ftirred up againft you, wher- 
 with hee had raited fuch a duft in 
 your eyes, that you had in your 
 judgement loft all fight of the 
 grace and goodntfle of God 
 in Iefus Chrift. Butbenotdi/mai- 
 ed,my Sifter, for my part I am in 
 good hope that even as a little be- 
 fore day-breake the darkneffe is 
 greateft : fo thefe grand Pieces 
 which hee keepeih in ftore until] 
 the Cife be dcipcrate, be, with the 
 clappes they give, and mills they 
 (end forth, meifergers of your de- 
 liverance, which is before the 
 doore. The truth is, that as to be- 
 leevcGod to be your mercifull Fa- 
 ther, is a precious thing before 
 G3d,(btodoubt of his goodncfH 
 towards us,isa great fcne, When 
 further wee refitfe the comforts 
 and admonitions that bee offe- 
 red out of his Word, the finne i 
 yet increafcd. If blasphemous 
 B 5 words 
 
 21 
 
22 Qods mercy in Cbrijiinfimte y 
 
 — . i ... 
 
 words eft: ape us, yet finne is made 
 one (hire higher. If your finnes 
 for the height of them, reach the 
 very heavens,and for their breadth 
 fpread themfelves from South 
 to North, and their length from 
 EafttoWeft: yet the rrercies of 
 the Lord our God in Iefus Chrift 
 over-reach them every way. For 
 upon us all,that are thus over raken 
 by Satan, ic is al(b verified, which 
 the Apoftle faith; that where finne 
 doth abound 3 there grace doth 
 more than abound, Thcfe large 
 promifes hath tfce Lord made us 
 to our everlafting comfort, which 
 he hath let out by themeafureof 
 the obedience and fvfi. rings of 
 hisdeare Sonne Iefus Chrift, the 
 height, and bread cb, and length 
 whereof (as you know) is infinite, 
 notonely, becaufeheewasinftch 
 anguifli of minde for us, that 
 through griefeheefweat( which 
 was never heard of)drops of blond 
 which came from him, and cryed, 
 My Gcd, my God, why haft thou 
 
 for- 
 
a great Comfort to great finmrs. 
 
 forfukenme? but alfo for chat hrs 
 obedience is the obedience of the 
 eternall God, and for that his (of- 
 ferings are not onely the fuffe- 
 ringsofamortallman, but of the 
 immortall God, which as the A- 
 poftle faith, with fliedding of his 
 owre bloud redeemed us : not 
 that the Godhead could fuffer the 
 (hedding of bloud, but becaufe of 
 theunfpeakablc unity of the two 
 Natures, bound together in one 
 perform that which wa3 done to 
 Chrifttheman, i% toourfinguhr 
 comfort, (aid to bee done of the 
 eternall God. 
 
 Now for the keeping of our 
 parr, which we have in the obe- 
 dience and fufferings of our Savi- 
 our Chrift,you muft]turn your eif s 
 from your felfe, and from your 
 cwne workes,unco the Election 
 and calling cf God. For as the 
 Lord faveth us, not becaufe of our 
 good wcrkes, bee they never fo 
 many : fo hee will not condemn? 
 us his Children, becaufe of our 
 
 e vM 
 
*4 
 
 Eleftiov the gfonni of Gods love. 
 
 j evill works,be they never (6 great. 
 Hereunto the Lord callcth us by 
 the Prophet E/i/ 1 chap # 45. where 
 dealing with the rebellions Israe- 
 lites, he (aith, for Ifrael His cho- 
 fen fake, and becaufe they were 
 called by his name, he would con- 
 firme them., and doe them good : 
 becauft faith he, I loved thee, and 
 becaufc thou were precious in 
 mine eyes, and becaufe I cfteemed 
 thee, I will doe this and this for 
 thee : as if he would fay,although 
 thou Iovedft not raee , nor eftee- 
 medft not me. As for the LofuS 
 i calling towards you whereby (3s 
 by a ludder)you may climb fafely 
 unto the couufell of Gcd to know 
 your EIc&ion,and what his fecret 
 decree of you w;s before the 
 world was made, I referrc you to 
 that which I wrote to you before; 
 the markes are many and certainc 
 in you, you ncedc not , I wis, to 
 hare had (b many and long temp- 
 tations!: to have thrown you head- 
 long into cvcrlaftiog defpaire, if 
 
 you 
 
Grace xvorketh not alify «lrv*jts m \ 15 
 
 you had not belonged to the Lord. 
 For as the Children of God are 
 conquerors over many temptati- 
 ons, fo one onely temptation (and 
 rhat a fiaprt one) is able tofinke 
 the ftouteft among the Repro- 
 bates into the bottomlcfle pit of 
 hell. Neither rouft yon think that 
 the grace of God worketh alwaies 
 alike in his Children. When you 
 walke in the fields at winter, you 
 fee not onely no good fruit, but 
 not fo much as a leafe on the 
 Trees, in fome alio the very trunk 
 or ft eke appear eth to be dead,yet 
 is the fappe hidden in the root, 
 which in due time will {hew that 
 the tree was never dead. Ho wbeit, 
 I need not lead you into the 
 ffeldsj you have an example at 
 home within yourdoores^ For, I 
 when your fire is raked up, there I 
 appeareth oftentimes a fert of 
 cold and dead afhes, when there 
 are underneath certaine Iparkes, 
 of which you may. afterward 
 make a fire. And fuch is the eftate 
 B 5; of 
 
2tf 1 Gods Children brought to great 
 
 i 
 
 of the Children of God \ whei 
 through thefinnes they doe com- 
 mit, and wherein oftentimes they 
 flcepea great white, they appeare 
 unto men as forfaken of God, 
 and remcdileffe. How much more 
 ought you to bee of good com. 
 fcrt, in whom the Lord hath 
 fet fuch notes of your etcrnall 
 falvation in Jefus Chrift, that all 
 the fmofee which the enemy hath 
 caft out, cannot take away the 
 fight of themfromus, or once fo 
 much as bring us in doubt of it > I 
 grant you your felves think other- 
 wife; but as in ficke pcrfons wee 
 fee it commcth to pafie, that they 
 thinke there is no hope of life y 
 when the Phyfician and ftandeis 
 byfce certaine and undoubted to- 
 kens of health : So is ic oftentimes 
 in theft fpirituall ficknelfes. You 
 fee T>4vii through the affiittio.ns 
 which the Lord lent upon him, 
 wreftkd ofrcntimes witbdefp c- 
 ration, was ofc brought inro 
 doubt of his falvation-, *s you 
 I may 
 
 1 " r+ 
 :/ 
 
 1 
 
doubts of tbtit falvttion. 
 
 may reack in the 42.4377.and 88. 
 <?/*/«**/, Where you (hall perceive 
 that he conceived of God,as of one 
 in extreme anger and rage with 
 him, as of one that had forgotten 
 him,and had taken his mercy from 
 him. There are alfo (I grant) voy- 
 cesof hope mingled with them, 
 becaufe in one and the felfe~fame 
 Pfalme, hee changeth the whole 
 ccurfc cf his Meditations 5 how he 
 floared^iiow up, now downe,now 
 funke^as it were 3 in the neather- 
 moft hell, now appearing and 
 fhewing his head above the waters 
 againe. The SonofGodhimfelfe 
 through extreme anguifli was (as 
 I faid) brought to aske of God 
 why he had forfaken him? If the 
 force of Temptations could bring 
 him which had no fione of his 
 owne 3 and was the oncly beloved 
 of God, and which had received 
 the fpirit of fortitude above mea- 
 fare, to fuch a fcard exigent and 
 terrible cooflift, we ought not to 
 majvell if the Ghildrea;of God, 
 
 which 
 
a& 
 
 Chrifis villory our fbield 
 
 which have fianc dwelling in 
 their mortall bodies , which are 
 not beloved for themfelves, but 
 for his fake alone, and which have 
 received butafewdroppesof the 
 Spirit (whereof he had the whole 
 Sea) bee fometimes plunged over 
 head and eares. And wherefore 
 did our Saviour overcome that 
 fearefull conflict of temptation^ 
 but that it fhould be our medicine 
 when we© are overcome of it ? 
 Wherefore in this moft great con- 
 fliftdid he not only retaine faith 
 in his heart, but in calling him his 
 liord, profeflsd it 6:fore men 
 wiih his mouthy but than it fliould 
 be our remedie 3 when we not one- 
 ]y feele no faith inwardly in our 
 bear^but deny alfo outwardly be- 
 fore men with our mouth, that 
 we.have any hope in him ? There- 
 fore our Saviour Ghrift in S- loh* 
 P(lacethnoi: our comfort in that 
 we our felves have overcome^ but 
 biddtth hisDifciples bee of good 
 d*eare 3 bccaule hec had overcome 
 
 It 
 
again ft temptations. 
 
 the World ; that is to fay, all con- 
 trary power to the will of God. 
 Therefore alfo S.Iobn in his firft 
 Epiftle faith,That our Faith is that 
 whereby wc overcome the World: 
 not onely, becaufe through Faith 
 we vanquifti the Temptation?; bat 
 efpecially,becaufe we by it 3 as by a 
 Hand , apprehend the righreouf- 
 neffe and viftory of Ghrift 5 as a fi- 
 tisfaftion of that wherein wehave 
 plaied the cowards. As for inf em- 
 pcrate/peeches(if any were) it is 
 fo to be considered, that they were 
 notfpoken (as theyfiy) in cold 
 bloud,and of a malicious pnrpofe, 
 but in a paffion, and of a troubled 
 and a broyled minde, which the 
 enemie,whenhee hath you upon 
 the wracke, wringeth out of you. 
 And not onlyftch ipeeches^buc 
 even fome kinde of Btafphemie 
 againft the Sonne of God., the Son 
 of God himfclfe forgiveth. El&> 
 I pray y ou,whac (hould become of 
 tne holy man Iob> which opened his 
 mouth fo wide o( God 5 all which 
 
 curies* 
 
so Gods dearcft children impatient. 
 
 curies, £nt oat agiinft rhe crea* 
 tores of God, rccurncd upon the 
 Creator himfdfe? And although in 
 the beginning he opened hjs mout h 
 agaiiift the Lord, as it were,aflope 
 andindire&lyofinjuftice, as may 
 appeareboth by hisdifcourfes, & 
 by the Lords owne anfwer, which 
 heemaketh in the end. Of the 
 which man , notwithftaiding all 
 this, note (I befeechyou) what 
 S. lames faith, c^jp. 5. Ycu have 
 ht&rd (faith he) of the patient man 
 Job. Here you fee that hee calleth 
 him fo, notwithftanding all his 
 frowardnefle againft his friends, 
 (which were good men,and came 
 of good will, although they were 
 not in every point fo well advifed) 
 notwithftandingall his impatience 
 againft God inwardly, notwith- 
 ftanding all his accuftttons and 
 curfesopenly,which preceededof 
 jtr patience. Ifyonaskehowthtfe 
 canftand trgether-they fland well 
 forafmuch as the Lord forgiying 
 and. coveting his. impatience < in 
 
 j Jfo 8 
 
 ■ 
 
Cbr/ft makj even between God &^m \ 3 1 
 
 . . - -- 1 ■ - _ I ^mmmmmmmmm 
 
 JefusChrift,reckoneth with him ! 
 as if he had fpunne (fbtofpeake) I 
 an even thredof his patience all? 
 the time of his Temptation, vv her - 
 as-notwithftanding hee made (b 
 many knots, and brake his thred 
 Co often. Even fo (good Sifter J) 
 will he dcate with you : for par- 
 denirg- all your inconfiderare 
 fpeeehes,he will make his account 
 with ycu for Jefus Chrifts fake, as 
 if you had prayed to htm^and pra> 
 fed his Name, at thedayesofyour 
 Temptation. If fame one which 
 had borne you good will, and fpo- 
 ken much good of you, deceived 
 by cvill company, fhould happen 
 afterward to revile you; I would 
 aske yon this Qyeflion , Whe- 
 ther, if fuch a one were forrow- 
 fullfur hisfaulr, you would for- 
 give him or no? When you cxa- 
 i mine your ownConfcience herein^ 
 1 1 dare anfwer for you, you would 
 not refufe him, nor turne your 
 face from hire. Shall you,, which 
 h&vcj in comparifon, but a ibarke 
 
 of 
 
32 Man mcrcifhB, Qod much more. 
 
 oflovejflKwthismcrcie; and not j 
 the Lord,who is nothing elfc but a , 
 fire of Gharicie toward* them that 
 cry him mercie,and as the Apoftle 
 Saint Jobnhhhj Charitie ic £Ife > 
 Shall your (park confirme the for- 
 feic againft you, and (hall not the 
 bonefire of the love of God in le- 
 fts Chrift.j dry and lickc up your$ ? 
 Shall the cooling and refrefbing 
 waters of mercte and compaffion 
 bee foand in a little Channel!, and 
 the Fountaine &Head*fpring from 
 whence itcorametb,be dry ? Con- 
 fidering, that in this refpe&,the 
 Lords cogitations are as far re dif- 
 ferent from ours, as Heaven from 
 the Earth. And the truth is, that 
 the Lord hath therefore taught us 
 to pray, Forgive tu our trefpgjfej^aj 
 we forgive them that tnjpajfe againfi 
 tu- y io this end, that when we feele 
 our bowels of compaffion opened 
 to thofe which offend againftus, 
 we might lake that as a fare pledge* 
 and undoubted token of the for- 
 givencfle of all our finncs^ , how 
 
 C ff* al 
 
Chriftitn love tdtfiis. 
 
 jreac fbever they be.Therefore to 
 nakeanend where I brgan, Beef 
 »ood comfort,deare Sifter,you arc 
 bcLords,you have coftche Sonne 
 )f God too deare a price,, to bee a 
 aft-away. 
 
 4. Mmitory* 
 
 LOvingCouiin,it is my defirc, 
 while our lives are joyntly 
 :ontinued in this fle(h, cotciTifie 
 ny ChriSian love to you in (uch 
 latics as tend to build you up in 
 /our holy Faith : it is a common 
 Jcbt,butyet fuchas we owe one 
 
 by how much we arc linked more 
 lecrcly . I have thought fomctime, 
 that I would not bee fo backward 
 othisbufineffc; but then it hath 
 :ome unto my minde, that you are 
 well able to draw on others. A- 
 gaine, becaufe I know not the 
 things which in yourconfli&ing 
 rourfe moll oppofe you, whether 
 frants of Graces, or prefence of 
 mil Lawes within u* ; becaufe I 
 fenew not theft particulars, I (aid 1 
 
 with ! 
 
34 
 
 Hunger after Grace thtfigm of 
 
 v ; . 
 
 I 
 
 with my felfe , 1 (hall but fhoot 
 without a marke, and fitallioo to 
 a foot I know not. To what pur- 
 pofe (hall I write > Indeed, wee 
 cannot prefcribe Co pertinently, 
 who know not the cftate exaftly 1 
 and we prevent our felves in theft 
 fruits of love,who make no rclati 
 on,and perfonall report 3 ncither i 
 letter nor by word of mouth 
 which might helpethofe that mi- 
 nifter to usrbut halfe aCike 3 is bei 
 ter than no bread; and a genera! 
 fafe, and profitable praftife muj 
 nor he ncgie&ed^becaufe we fee 
 morefrunfull courfc, which wei 
 cannot attaine.To come then once 
 againe unto you in general!, rill I 
 fhall know fome fpecialcies , to 
 which Imightfpeak more for your 
 advantage;chcreis good hopr 3 that 
 body will dee well, which hath 
 the ftomack right affeftcd:Hunger 
 is a fignc of health ; (b that (bale 
 which hungereth andtbirftethafi 
 terrighteonfnes, there is no feare! 
 but it (hall bee well-liking, anc 
 prosper 
 
a healthfiiUfiule. Motives ion. 
 
 )rofper t I will therefore endevour 
 ogive a fpurre toyourfpirituall 
 appetite, that you may come, by 
 neanesof ir,tobe filled with the 
 ulneffeof God,with the replenife- 
 nencof his grace. Now as in the 
 >ody,when the ftomack feeleth the 
 rmptioc Si & fucking of other parrs - 
 * hofe nourifhment is wafted;then 
 t further craveth: lb, when the 
 bule doth feele how etrptie it felf 
 3 of grace, then the appetite of it 
 3 edged.Wherfore think with me, 
 low wanting you are in theft 
 seine* folio wing, that Co you may 
 >ee (harper fct *apon thofe graces 
 fcpherofyou feel your ftlffo empty. 
 i?irft confidcr^how farre you are 
 hort of gfcnifying God as you 
 ought : We fliould fcn&ifie him in 
 :>ur hearts, words, and works, up- 
 3n all occafions,& it (hould grieve 
 js tofte him difhonoured. Wee 
 hould do all things in him, and for 
 ,iim:In him,thatis,having his war. 
 [•ant; which we have, when by faith 
 we know that it is well-pleafing 
 
^6 How vpt ought to glorific 
 
 co hitx^we fhould doe this,or that; 
 yea, havingafiuraacc of his graci~ 
 ous prefence with us, to enable us 
 ;o all fuch workes , in which wee 
 koow it is his will that we fhould 
 walke. We (houli, I fay, dee all 
 things for him, by making his ho- 
 nour the mark we (hoot at, ifl eve- 
 ry thing. Now>how little doe our 
 hearts thinke upon him* admire 
 him. joy that we know him,afcribc 
 unto himWifdome,Truth,Mercy, 
 Power,in his daily works he wor- 
 ,keth for us, while wee are pafiing 
 I thorow the barren WilderneHf ef 
 thlsprefcnt World, unto the Reft 
 which he hath prepared ? It fhould 
 not be thus,Coufb. If we fee any 
 man that doth any thing more 
 wifely* that doth fhew a faithfull 
 part,or a merctf ull office* we think 
 highly of it*and give it within our 
 felyes the due confideration; How 
 much more ought wee to thinke 
 honourably of God, in the daily 
 wdrks he (heweth? What a Power 
 lis that, whichkecpethustofalva- 
 
 tion, 
 
Gods VVifcdomt *nd Tower. 27 
 
 on^who have fo little ftrengtb, 
 id kffe wifcdome, whereby wee 
 light ftand ia feare of our fpiti* 
 iall enemies and dangers? What a 
 ower,thatdoth make the world, 
 id the Tentations of it, dead 
 lings uato us; which are \o mjgh- 
 e, that the moft arc taken prif> 
 ers by them, and we fhould lie as 
 iaptive Thrals before (his or that 
 reaturc f if God fhould not fiihdue 
 Km , and hold them under us ? 
 Vhat Power is that, which killeth 
 lnfuUL«ftinu$; a thingof itfelfc 
 \ ftirring and tnightie, and inlatr- 
 >leinthecourfe ofit?FinalIy,tfaat 
 pholdeththe life of grace in us? 
 o fee a fire burning on the Sea, 
 'id to keep in fire on the Waters, 
 'erea powerfall faft: but to keep 
 le life of grace ia a foulc which is 
 sad in fins and crefpafles, isfarre 
 reater. What Wifdome doth he 
 uily (hew/m making al the things 
 Ihich befall us, ferve for (bme 
 :>od end ? in tempering our 
 (Ute$,(b that we are neither out of 
 meafure 
 
3 8 Gods Truth, Conftancy, and 
 
 meafure oppre fled with grievances, 
 noryetinamored over-much with 
 chc lu(hie fweetneffe orchis prefent 
 World:That doth by little & little 
 lead us forward co perfe6Hon,yea, 
 and to fufferings, according as hee 
 feeth weare preparcd,by hisgrace, 
 and made capable of chem?For his 
 Truth and Confta: cie, he doth re- 
 ft ifieic abundantly : for wee are 
 every day to ieeke to him 5 yet hee 
 fiulethnot, though wee lye upon 
 him, a fare friend. Againe, how 
 many advantages doc we give him 
 againft us? How doe wc, by our Co 
 little profiting and mending what 
 we know ami fle 5 pro voke him?Bat 
 he fticketh (till iaft to us,andall his 
 wayes arefull of mercy: hee teeth 
 how weake wee are, and doth fb 
 flueld us with his favour, that out 
 of pitie he will not let the Winde 
 blow upon us. When we catch our 
 daily fals, hee fends for us by his 
 Spirit,and maketh al wholeagain. 
 When ftrength begtnneth to faile* 
 hee,in pitie, purteth under, and re* 
 neweth 
 
Mercy to his Children. 
 
 39 
 
 eweih our ftrength. When wee 
 reheavie, and poure out our 
 earts to him, telling him how it 
 swkhus,hec doth make us feele 
 is pe^ceandconfohcion. When 
 le feeth that evill things would 
 ;rowuponus, hedothfendfome* 
 hing or other, which m*y b'eake 
 fieNcftof foch matter, and pre- 
 ent the mifc'iiefe. Wee finally, 
 vhich have (boles that are a( (bi»j 
 :e his mercie even in ilus ; that he 
 ouchftfeth to handle our leprous 
 oirits, and by renewing our re- 
 pentant fenfe of miferie, and our 
 : aith towards his falvation in 
 thrift, doth by ( as it were) eve- 
 y day a new PJaifter upon them, 
 low then , not to obfcrve and 
 refecute with due honour^ fuch 
 'ower, wifedome, Truth ; M?r- 
 ie is a dcfe& to bee lamented. 
 Vee take it for a token of an ill 
 rinde, when one will not give to 
 len of parts, that which is their 
 ue. What mindes have we, who 
 ive God no more in our hearts, 
 
 who 
 

 s 
 
 
 40 
 
 
 1 
 
 . 
 
 
 1 
 
 
 
 I 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 We tnajl proclAime Gods Glory 
 
 who is (b to bee advanced in thefe 
 and fitch like refpefts a$I have na- 
 med? And this not acknowledged 
 of him, in the daily experiences 
 which we have of him thefe waics, 
 doth make us as much to feeke, 
 when trouble commcth, as if wee 
 had never beene acquainted with 
 him. Whereas, did wee acquaint 
 our hearts with him io thefe his 
 wayes,we fhouldfiide it as eafie to 
 reft on him,in any triall and neceffi - 
 tie, as men doe one with another : 
 they prefume, (uch an one wil not 
 be wanting to them,who(e truftie 
 kindnefle chey have had ful proofe 
 of,as which never failed them. Io 
 the fecond place, as our hearts 
 (hould with befecming afft&ion 
 inwardly honour, fo our tongues 
 fhould tell of him, making known 
 (uch things as we know of him : to 
 (mother thefe things, is his di£ 
 honour.Thofcthat belong to great 
 perfonages, they delight to tell of 
 theTalo;ur,policie,bountieof their 
 Lords:yea,wc will do one another 
 
 this 
 
 
in sur W$rh and AHions. 
 
 this crcdit,to tell what more mark- 
 able parts wc c(py each in other. 
 Why (hould our God fet forth,and 
 not have a word lent him this 
 way? Finally ,whatfbcver we doe, 
 wee are to fee his leave and pre. 
 tencewith us, and to intend his 
 glory in it. We are not our owne 
 meo,but the Lords fervants,bought 
 with a price. Now we jtiftly deem 
 it irreverence in thofe that live un- 
 der government, if they preftme 
 to doe any thing ; much more , if 
 they run a courfe upon their owne 
 heads, not caring to take us with 
 them, and know ourpleaftre. A- 
 gaine,men doe looke, that fuch as 
 they keepe,fliould doe them hone- 
 ftie,*nd be for their credit :And we 
 fee the Retainers of Noblemen to 
 addled this way, that they run 
 themfclves into Books, and out of 
 faire Patrimonks,and all to main- 
 taine a Gallancie , which they 
 (though falfly) thinke much ma- 
 king for their Lords glory .Now if I 
 we lay thefctogether/wc flialfind, ! 
 C that 
 
42 Wt do not honor the Lord asnc ought. 
 
 that we in thefe wayes have much 
 been waning to our duti*\ How 
 little do we fee and poffefle cur 
 hearts with the reverent and affe- 
 ctionate obftrving of that we dai- 
 ly receive from God, and Co of chat 
 we find to bee in himtowardsus? 
 Oar hearts lie aflrep this way. 
 Little doe wee joy to bee telling 
 orhcrs,and fetung forth our Lords 
 honour unto theny hatGod might 
 be glorified, and they thus provo- 
 ked to feeke the fame fervice with 
 us:and who doth feele this dutiful 
 dependancc towards God, which 
 makes him looke up to the Lord, 
 that hec would witnefle to his 
 foule, by his own holy Spirir, that 
 his wayes hee takes in hand are 
 pleafing to him,that he will be our 
 fufficienciein them? Alas, we begin 
 our courlcs according co cuftome, 
 and thinke no more ot ihis^than as 
 if we were not tied to fuch homage. 
 We are as if we had pnrchafed the 
 Lordfhip of our felves, and had in ] 
 our own hands the power of our 
 
 wayes, 
 
I On* Fsili«gs drive m to Cbrift. 
 
 43 
 
 wayes. N >w then, if you difcernc 
 how you have failed in this great 
 Comnundement,of feekiog to glo- 
 rifie your God; and if your trying 
 yonr ftrengchs, in labouring the 
 fpiricuall Obedience which thefe 
 points decipher unto us, finde your 
 unfufficiencie this way ; then you 
 fhall find the emptinefie of Righ- 
 teoufrieffr, which (hall helps you 
 fomewhat the more to clafpe 
 Chrift, your Righteoufncfle^ that 
 in him you may fee your forgive- 
 neffe; and Chrift your Sanftifkr, 
 that he would doe that hee hath 
 promifed you, even put bis Spirit 
 in you, and make you keepe thefe 
 Comroaridements more and mon*, 
 in thefe Branches above-named. 
 And if the Lord fhall give any fpur 
 to your Dl votion,any encreaie to 
 yoU'Rtpentar ce and Faith,by this 
 meant*, I ihall have caufe tore- 
 j >yce with you. I thought to have 
 thus gone over! me other HKds, 
 to have helped ycu to fee yuur 
 want of Faith , and rejoycujg ir 
 C 2 God 
 
 i 
 
44 
 
 gg Wetrineffe in $ur w*ye$,&c. 
 
 God, and (b to have couched thofe 
 fcares of future events, and poflek 
 fing your peace, and thatuncora- 
 fortabknefle which doth hang, in 
 pafling our cime,about us.Butread 
 this other Letter I ftnd you, again 
 and againc ; and for the laft, know 
 that the Lord doth but hide from 
 us, and let us feele wearimfle in 
 going on, that Co he might make us 
 more depend upon him, and feeke 
 to him, to fhine upon our wayes, 
 and to carry us on in them , when 
 we feele our inability in our (elves. 
 But the Lord, I hope, will enable 
 me at fomeother time to performe 
 fbme duty to you this way. I let 
 this beginning come to you, which 
 Jay fb long written by mee. You 
 muft not thinke much I write no 
 oftner ; for fince my comming 
 homc,I have had neccflicy to write 
 very many waies. I thanke you for 
 all your love ; and wi(hing you the 
 fweet love of our God (hed into 
 your heart., I take my leave this 
 fixth of December. 
 
 $.Vhc8ory. 
 
the ejfhtl ofonrfin*es, to bumble w . 
 
 45 4 
 
 LOving Friend, wheras in your 
 Letters you complaine of tedi- 
 ous weari(bmeneflV,which in paC 
 nng tta day, doth ere- while cloze 
 with us, of which we fpake a litcle 
 cogether.The truth is,thoughGod 
 doth fomtimes, only to humble us, 
 letfuch a wearifome vanity follow 
 us^that hence wee mighc confider, 
 what oar finne againft God hath 
 done : how,to wk,it hath thruft us 
 oik of Paradife, to a laborious and 
 irkefome condition of life ; that 
 thus wee might be quiekned, to 
 begin Chriftthatblcfling, which 
 doth mitigate thofe evils .Though 
 againeitfbmctime doth only pur- 
 fueus^ becaufc of performing our 
 duties of devotion with toomuch 
 overture^ for this roaketh God 
 loath us:fo that we find foalleafe, 
 till wee returncagaine,and (hake 
 our ft Ives up better. Yet the com- 
 mon root of this gricfe,, above na- 1 
 med,is the want of confcionable 
 dependanceupon God for his blef- j 
 • C 3 fing 3 \ 
 
I 
 
 
 Wttfte frone tojdfe-Jujficiency; 
 
 fing,and ftrength to carry us on all 
 the day long. Doc you feele,when 
 you rift,(uch a fenft of your owne 
 weaknefle, as maketh your heart 
 to looke to God, that he would bt 
 your ftrength and your comfort 
 throughout the whole day ? Alas, 
 wegoe on, as if there did need no 
 fuch matter. The Divell told our 
 firft Parents, they (hould bee like 
 gods : and though ic is fal(c,in re- 
 gard of any bkffed conformitie; 
 yet it is too true/in regard of finfulj 
 preemption, with which we arc 
 fecretty poy foncd. For we doc na- 
 turally live, and hold on our cour- 
 fes , as if wee were gods within 
 our felves, not needing co looke 
 higher for comfort orflrength, in 
 which wee might proceed. Now 
 this maketh our God, when wee 
 feele powerfully fo little need of 
 hiro, to \tx wearinefle and uncom- 
 fortablcncfle overtake us, which 
 might make us come to new rec- 
 konings within our (elves , and 
 more affe&ionately tofeeke unto 
 __ him, 
 
tree ought to Pray 4£*inftit. 
 
 him,that he would be with us, and 
 carry us on, and refirefhus. Now 
 if you difcerne., that there is in 
 you fuch a fecret Selfe-ftfficicncie, 
 and that your fpirit awakeneth 
 not with fuch poverty in ic, which 
 maketh ycu locke up to God, 
 vviih corifcience of your it firmi- 
 tie^andconfeflejthacifhe be nor 
 your flrength and comfort, you 
 cannot paffebne houre over,with- 
 out wearifbrae heavlntffe : if you 
 finde that thi6 is lurking, t^en 
 you muftturne you to God, and 
 wreftleagainft it, faying-. I, need 
 not mufe much at this I finder 
 how fhould I but know fainting 
 anddifcomfort in going on, who 
 amfoaflPtfted,as if I would goe 
 alone *, and had not need of thy 
 heIpe,OLord,at all time*, artf in 
 every thing,with me > How fhoul- 
 deft not thou, that fingleft out all 
 pride, as the fionethou wile re- 
 fill, bee much incenftd at this 
 hidden Selfe-iufficieneie , which 
 doth pull thee out ofthy Throne, 
 C 4 m*- 
 
4 8 
 
 ^rajir ag*i*ft Selfe-confidzme. 
 
 4>~~ 
 
 making thee no God to us, while 
 vefcelcnoneed of thee ; but arc 
 readie to goc on , as able enough 
 within our felvcs to walke on in 
 our wtyes ? Wee further confefle, 
 that though we fee the indignitie 
 of this behaviour, yet the frame 
 of our hearts is fb out of order, 
 that of our felvcs wee have no 
 power to amend it: for as by na- 
 ture wee arc fallen from faith on 
 thee, Co wee are filled with Selfe- 
 cofidcnceywhich makes us(though 
 we know it not) reft in our o wne 
 ftrength. Now then, what (hall 
 we dee,but look to thee, that thou 
 wouldeft make us Co poore in Spi- 
 rit, that we may with fuch feeling 
 and lowlincfle depend upon thee, 
 for all our ftrength and comfort ; 
 that thou (who (he weft grace to 
 the humble ones ) mayeft delight 
 to minifter them both abundantly 
 unto us, that wee may walke up- 
 right, ftrong, and chearefull in thy 
 ftrength? OLord,weaskeit the 
 boldcr;for thou haft proraifcd,that 
 
 thou 
 
 -JL\ 
 
 ft It 
 
Traycr againft Stlfc-coxfidence* 
 
 thou wilt circumcifc our Selfe-con- 
 fident hearts, (o that we (hall hare 
 no truft in the fleflhbut have al our 
 rejoycing in thee. O Loid tell us,, 
 we beftech thee, make our hearts 
 heare it, that thou who art not 
 wearie, nor mayeft notfainr, wilt 
 be our ftrong Arme every mor- 
 ning ; fay to us, that thou art our 
 Ged r who wile leadeimo death: 
 What joy can we have to fet a foot 
 forward any way^ifthou doeft not 
 let us fee that thou art wich us> 
 Our hearts thinke what thy lervaat i 
 fpoke : if wee may not have chce 
 in thy Word , teftifying thy pre- 
 fence with us(for thy Word is our 
 cloudie Pillar) it were better for 
 us never to raove further, than 
 to goeon^ot havingthee with us. 
 Following God with thefe thing?, 
 youfhallfiodcit notinvaine. Fi- 
 nally, this exercifc of bewayling 
 cur want in forac one thing, doth 
 make us fee what need wee have, 
 that Chrift fcould be made of (Sod 
 our righteo'afnefle,and doth make 
 C$ us 
 
50 
 
 Wt mujl fhtrv forth Gods Grace. 
 
 us come feelingly to fee the tor- 
 givenefle of all our fi net. through 
 him our great Gd and Saviour, 
 who hath waftied us with his 
 bloud. I will leave off, though 
 abruptly : my Letrer groweth in 
 my hand, and if 1 fhould goe on^ic 
 would be more than your handful. 
 The Lor d Jefus, ubo is the au- 
 thor and fi^fher of all his graces 
 inus,perf c ft you and all his cho- 
 fen more and more, that in this life 
 we mayfeethejoyt3 ofholinefle, 
 
 6. Monnttj. 
 
 CHriftian Frie ds^Forafrruch 
 as it is our dude, who have 
 bin under Gods hand,ro teach thofe 
 that are under the fcmc; and feeing 
 we that have taft<d grace, areef- 
 fcfrually to firg the mtrcks of 
 God towards others: in this re- 
 gard, my Letters fhaliopenthtfe 
 two things unto you fo farre as f 
 am able, if you are alive to receive 
 ic. I know not whether I feall 
 write yon another $ if aor, it £hali 
 
 recurne 
 
The Spirit >not affliElto workj repent. 
 
 returne into my bofbmc^ that Is 
 written unto you, The end of 
 thefc affli£Uons, Co bittcrand grie- 
 vous, is to bore theearesofthofc 
 that are the Lords,, that they may 
 hearethisCommandemcnt, of re- 
 turning from all iniquitie ; and 
 therefore we are bound inchaines 
 ofaffliftion, chat the eyes of oar 
 mindes may bee opened ,to lee our 
 workes and finnes, the which arc 
 imghtie, Now it is- not the evils 
 themfelves, but the prefence of 
 God^by his fpirit working in thera, 
 which doth thefe things. For the. 
 mightie God ("in the fifth Verfe of 
 that Chapter^ is made the princi- 
 pal! worker ot thefe things^by the 
 nieans of grievous calamities. Now 
 this is a great mercieof God : for 
 if wee were not thus brought to 
 if prance, wee would neither fee 
 good daies her^nor (cape the con- 
 demnation of the world, 1C0r.11* 
 Conner therefore, what evils of 
 , our lives the Lord would have 
 us rip up and bewaile before bim$ 
 
 and ) 
 
Wt aft apt to Selfe-conctitedxejfc. 
 
 and it is in generally our difloyall 
 eftranging out hearts from him, 
 that our hearts and delights have 
 been more on the (infull pteafures* 
 and profits of this World, than on 
 the Lord, and on our moft bkffed 
 covenants of dying to finne, and 
 living with Chrift rifen, in nevv- 
 nefleoflife. I know,good friend, 
 though you will not bolfter your 
 fe!faltogether,yct you will hardly 
 be perfwaded, that your life hath 
 bcetie no better than a (pirituall 
 Fornication from the Lord: for 
 comparing your felfe with men, 
 you may fay, that you are not the- 
 worft • that howfoever you have 
 failed, yet you have had fomc care 
 of good dudes, and fbme love and 
 acknowledgement of Gods chil- 
 dren, before others. Confider 
 then , that God may have glory 
 in our abatement, what were the 
 dayes of your prime, and man- 
 hood, but fpirituall Fornication 
 from thfe Lord ?*Doubrkfle, I 
 would noc revive my-oMlhame* 
 
 but* 
 
godrvhtppetbtheabuftofourPeSce. i 53 
 
 buttohclpe you in theprafticeof 
 repentance, which without theft 
 particular confidcrations , is not 
 eafily taken up. And fince that 
 nature it felfe hath declined fome- 
 whac from this courfc ; alas,. have 
 you not fet your hart on the things 
 of the world? hath not your love 
 beene toward them, and your de- 
 light in them, and heavenly matter 
 whichlhou !d bee fought with all 
 diligence,yea in the firit p!ace,have 
 wee not looked on thefe as refufe- 
 wares, out of requeft ? This abufe 
 ofourpesce^Godwhippeth. For 
 whereas our peace ftiould have 
 turned hither, to have been an oc- 
 cafion to edifie us more freely in 
 faith, love, patience, andtohave 
 walked onward in rhe feare of the 
 Lord, declining evill , and doing 
 gocdfhould have been a meanes 
 offtilling us with the comfort of 
 the Spirit^ wee have ncglcfted to 
 build up our (elves ia thofe graces, 
 53- if there never Should have come 
 a time to ufe them : wee havr 
 ; . had 
 
54 
 
 I — 
 
 fVegrow carndUin Projperitie. 
 
 had no feare in our hearts of wic- 
 ked companions, yea* of commit- 
 ting with them many wicked afti- 
 ons,wegave our felves to tafic no 
 joy, but car nail : for this, God raa- 
 keth us eate our bread with our 
 lives in our hand , that feting wee 
 would not in the fruition of thefe 
 liberties, yet we might 3 wjth Jew- 
 jalem in the daies ot our affliftion , 
 Remember the pleafant things 
 which we formerly poflkflfed (La- 
 mextttions che 17.) And what is 
 it in a word , that bringeth forth 
 all the curies of the Law? Ic is this^ 
 becaufethat in our abundance and 
 plenty, wee (erve not God wich 
 good and with carefull heartj> 3 Z>e#. 
 28.47, I doc not remembsr thefe 
 things to griev?you, for I have 
 done no otherwife with my (elfe , 
 before thefe occafions came on me. 
 V hat then if one have Grayed 
 thus,is there no mtrcy> yea truly, 
 there is mercy wich the Lord in Is- 
 rael ( in his Ourch) even for 
 theie courfes I though wse have 
 
 taken ^ 
 
Lftforcjfortbe greatejl finmrs. 
 
 taken ftrange wives, let us renew 
 our covenant of taming from all 
 cvill^and following righceoufnefle 
 and holincfle, and the Lord will 
 be gracious. Read Ezra 10. and 
 the*; 5. of E/jy, the 6.7. and 8. 
 though our iinnesftiould appeare 
 fo great that wee did thiike them 
 unpardonable^et when wee re- 
 tur e,Gods thoughts arc notour 
 thoughts. If a mans wifeffnuld 
 goe a whoring with another, 
 though fhee fhuuld cbmebacke^ 
 he would not receive her ; but 
 chough wee have ftrayed, yet the 
 LORD biddeth us ro rctume y 
 *s ready to accept us, Je emu 3.1. 
 How fweet a balme is ibis, if our 
 fpirit bee broken ? now to draw 
 toacordufion, the foule b of- 
 ten in fuchpUghc, tha: it would 
 ^urn%buikoowcrh not where to 
 finde ability thvreunto : if thisbe 
 your condition, that you come to 
 groane under the hardixfJe of your 
 hearer which willnot lee you bee 
 iorrowfullasycud.fire^ remem- 
 ber 
 
 ~_ _ 
 
5 6 | Godthe Author of Repentance. 
 
 bar to your comfort , that this is 
 the voyce of Gods children, yea f 
 his children repenting; Turne us 
 O Lord, and wee (hall bee turned 
 Jwm. 31.18. Remember further, 
 that CHRIST JESUS your 
 Saviour is raifed up of God, to 
 bee our Prince, to give to us re- 
 miffion of finnes and unfained 
 repentance : he ficteth ac the right 
 hand of God , by his iplric to 
 touch your fpirit witfrunfained 
 repentance. Now,if that the Lord 
 doe gather you notwithftanding, 
 forget not the confolation which 
 faith, that for the abufe of the Sa- 
 crament many did fleepe, that is, 
 thty were fmittcn with tempora- 
 ry death, yet in allthis they were 
 but chaftened of God , that they 
 might not be condemned with the 
 World. Yet I hope other thing?, 
 becaufe fm«!I is the number that 
 feare him. Thus having fignifted 
 my mind at large J defire ihe Lords 
 bltfliug,and ycur diligent ponde- 
 ringof thefe things,, lor in them 
 
 flan- 
 
InfiruQion in Affiiliton. 
 
 landeth year everlafting peace. 
 \nd thus commending me in true 
 ore toyou and your wife , I doc 
 >erake you to the fatherly prote- 
 ction of my God. Farewell, this 
 [l.of&ptembcr. 
 
 Your Joying friend, 
 Faul Bajne, 
 
 GOOD MiflreJfeP. when I 
 thinke how I might fhew 
 joulbmedutieofloTe 3 I find no 
 itter way than by writing unto 
 you and kiftru&ing you concer- 
 ning your duty to God under 
 this his holy hand, and htegraci* 
 dus purpofc to you-ward in this 
 hisvifitation* A letter will dwell 
 by you and talke with you^ ib of- 
 ten as you reade it attentively, yea 
 it will be ready whenfoever you 
 arc the fitttft for luch bufinefle ^ 
 which conveniency my comming 
 torifityou, cannot alwayes at- 
 tains To (peake to the firft point; 
 
 When 
 
5$ . Hums lit h under Gods Vifitation, 
 
 - 
 
 When Gods hand is upon us, wee 
 are ftbjeft to two extremes 5 the 
 one is,not truly to lay to heart the 
 band upon us: the other is, to 
 droope and be too much difmaied 
 under ir. 
 
 Now we muft walke berweene 
 thefe, truly humbling our felves 
 under it; yet as who have hope in 
 thefaichfull mercies of our God, 
 and therefore faint not. Now the 
 divelljwho laboureth ftill to turne 
 us out of the way, will fecreily , 
 worke with your heart, to ward 
 offthefmart of this blow by im- i 
 perdoent raeanes, Co that it fhall 
 not come kindly. to pricke you 
 unto repentance. To this end he ; 
 will ftggc#, that you fhallweare^ 
 this matter off we 11 enough, bold 
 youtofuchand fucb things, that 
 one is provided for > your care is (o 
 much leffeued.that you have many 
 behinde yer. Sometime you ihall 
 findeyourfclfc inclined to nap, 33 
 it were^ in fuch a courfe as may 
 make you forget forrow for the 
 
 pre- 
 
Inmilith undtr Cjods Visitation. 
 
 >refent.If you fiide not your heart 
 U^rfted and turned cur of it felfe^ 
 
 sic were, chat ic may meet God 
 a thishis chaftifcmenr, then you 
 nuft thinke, O Lord, not to have 
 \ hcirtjthorowly caftdowne by 
 6 ftron^ a vifitaticn, this is a 
 greater plague than the plague it 
 
 lfe. If ftrong phyfickebe given 
 ]f,andic wocke not with us., it 
 !lotb poifon us : O what (hall I 
 binke if my heart bee not taken ( 
 llowne, and throughly emptied j ' 
 with this fo ftroog a potion, which 
 liouin thyWifedome doeft pre- 
 scribe unto me! Againe, fty to 
 jrourfclfe, What doth mychijdc 
 get by playing hide-bire 5 orcafting 
 jpthe hand, when I cor reft it? 
 Often, as much more as it might 
 have fcaped with : fo Lord,if I d oe 
 beare off thy blow in this manner^ 
 [ (halibut force thee to double my 
 Correftion.If a Parent fee his ficke 
 childe, not the better for one me- 
 dicine, he will feekeforth and get 
 him another: fo if I take not thy 
 
 worke 
 
 I 
 
6o 
 
 The divell hbeurs to mak^ Gods 
 
 M ■ 
 
 ft 
 
 H 
 
 pi* 
 
 sffi 
 
 $1 
 
 K 
 
 workc fo to heart as is mectj ftiali. 
 enforce thee to fend me more ant 
 more grievous things ( if it maj 
 be) of this nature, Looking up to 
 the Lord Jcfias , in fuch like 
 thoughts,will be a good prefava 
 tion againft this fecret Folly and! 
 Hardncfle of Heart, which diC 
 inablcth us duely to waigh the 
 Lords rebuke aod bee caft downc 
 under ir. Now if the Divell fee 
 that you are inclineablc togriefe, 
 then he will turoe his courfe to the II 
 other hand,and will labour even to i. 
 drench you infbrrow and make [, 
 you walke hopelcfle, and to faint £ 
 under ir. To this end he will hide I 
 from your eyes the remembrance L 
 of ftch things heretofore in which I 
 you might take eomforr,yea kecpe | 
 you from tafting the mercy of God, | 
 with which his afflifting hand is | 
 intermeddled. Secondly, hee will | 
 amplifie before you the prefent 
 hand of God, and all old matters 
 which may (erve for circumftances 
 that make it more grievous. For 
 example. 
 
children faint unitt AffiiBion. 
 
 [ample, hec will whifper whole 
 ite is like thine, the pooreft,now 
 >u rauft pray and pay them, and 
 ey wil not be gotten :thc boothe 
 the garden that was wont to be 
 e place of your folace, how is it 
 :comea place of feparationfor 
 einfe&ed, it may bee? every 
 out h filled with this, The Plague 
 n Mijlrtfe P. the fervant that 
 ould eafe you, being a grievous 
 irden. And here hee will prefle 
 re all your weaknefle* in your 
 >vcmeraent over your childreo, 
 hich may make this ftroke of 
 od (among them)more deepely 
 ift you.Finally will he fay,Doe 
 >t you fee what comfort Com- 
 eth to you> Thirdly, hee will 
 Idefroaa your eies all the hope of 
 lae, which God is naoft faithfull 
 giveinduefcafbn. 
 Now if you difcerne that the 
 utter hangeth on this fide, then 
 lu muft thus prevent your fain- 
 :ig,Gy with your (elfe,Lord,why 
 buld it be thus with taee ? doth 
 
 not 
 
 61 
 
6z 
 
 Wt mnfi not f dint under ofjliftion. 
 
 not my child take bitccr or (wet 
 which I give it, and Chill not il 
 take this cuppe from thy hand ?j 
 Shall I cake good^ in good worth 
 from thee, and not cvill? Arc thou 
 not as mcrcifull in providing us 
 Phyficke forourfouks healthy as 
 in all thy other daily benefits? 
 Meat is more neceffary than me- 
 dicine,inthefcafonofit:andw^at 
 are tbeie evils thou fendeft, but 
 phyfickeof our foulcs health? For 
 thego^d of our bodies wee rake 
 things ag^inft which cur ftomack 
 rifctn^ourflcfh (h inkech as wee 
 take them, and w& labour to keepe 
 them their time, O Lord, when 
 thcu miniftreft for our foules 
 good, yea, our bodirs, tftaces,and 
 poftcruies after us, (hall we not be 
 as willing boch to receive and 
 retaine in thought, thy courfes to 
 this purpole, I meane which tend 
 to our fpirituall good X Secondly, 
 youmtftnot dwell in 5 butrurne 
 your thought from fuc^ particular 
 circumftattft* as doe buc weaken 
 
Affliction bitter , but mcdicinabU. 
 
 you, looking both at things part, 
 present, and to come, which may 
 miuifter comfort unco you.W en 
 wc have a bitter potion to drinke, 
 we doe not (if we b?e more avci fe 
 from medicine) tafte every drop 
 at the tongues end , bat curne ic 
 ;inbygreat,andwe thruftipibme 
 l{ofjte,or Manm flrifti after ic : 
 andweihinkupontheafccr-healch 
 of our body, to which ic workech, 
 and thus we getic downe, though 
 otherwifewee have no mind to it. 
 The Lord give us ihis wifedomc, 
 forourfooles, that wee may not 
 dwell coo much in exaft (canning 
 (uch particular*, by which the de ■ 
 vill (ceketh to winnow our belief, 
 that we may remember his fweet 
 mercies , and rhi keof our foules 
 healch, which God worketh by 
 them. Now whacfoever thing? are 
 ofyt&ed/uchasaretruemuft bee 
 granted, but fo $ that hope bee not 
 therefore weakned, ia this wife; 
 Lord, it is true, that I have many 
 wayes provoked chine anger, but j 
 
 thou 
 
6 4 Chrijl tan moderation necejfary 
 
 thou art a God that wilt not kcepe 
 anger forever, thou wilt not have 
 man fb nourifh difplcafure in 
 himfelfe , that the Sunne flbould 
 go downe in his wrath,how much 
 lefle wilt thou be irreconcileablc? 
 O no,thou art as quicke in forgive- 
 nefle to a contrite heart, as flow to 
 conceive a wrath againft us , of 
 which we have good experience 
 daily. And Lord, it is true, thy 
 hand is extraordinary and many 
 wayes heavy upon me, but I have 
 learned that I muft not chafe my 
 ownerod, with which I will bee 
 beaten > but leave that to my Fa- 
 thers wifdome. Again J know that 
 my need do?h require it all, we are 
 made heavy, when needi?, with 
 fundry tentations , faith Peter. A 
 wiftPhyfician wilnotgivea ftrong 
 thing, where a lenitive and gentle 
 matter is enougb,much ieflc woul- 
 deftthou. And I further confeflTe^ 
 that I may bee juftly upbraided, 
 with my former wants, bur Lord,l 
 beleeve there is mercy with thee, 
 
 rea- 
 
in afjliftioB. 
 
 reaching to forgiv«ncffe,t hat thou 
 raaieft be feared, and that this is 
 thy chhfe glory, there is none like 
 to thee in fbrgivencfle 3 in paffing by 
 the finnes of thy people. O Lord, 
 what neede I thy grace and mercy, 
 if I were not in myfelfe ill defer- 
 ving and miserable > and though I 
 feele not the comfort I defire, yet 
 I doe bcleeve thy mercy no lefle in 
 Chrift : a Father doth not greatly 
 piety his childe,when hefteth him 
 ficke of PhyGcke newly taken 5 for 
 hce knoweth that if it fhould not 
 worke with him,it would doe him 
 no good, and hee knoweth that his 
 childe (hall be well enough, when 
 the working is over. Sodoft thou, 
 Lord; which makcth thee hide 
 when wee arc troubled, and not 
 much raone, becaufe thou fteft 
 there is no hurt toward us,though 
 wee feeme to fede the contrary, 
 though it might feern we (hall ne- 
 ver have day again.No yv then both 
 the by-waies being difcovered, it 
 will be more cafie to informe you, 
 D con- 
 
66 Hew to walfa that vpc may have 
 
 concerning the right way io which 
 ycu muft walke that you may 
 come fafe forth of thefe trouble? J( 
 you ask how you are to walk, that 
 you may have happy iflue ? I an- 
 swer in few wordsjfo that you joyn 
 with repentance hope towards 
 God^thac he will healc thefe things 
 and love you freely. Firft,bcnot 
 affraide to remember finncs part, 
 God will make triades of theft vi- 
 pers. Here if you have beenefub- 
 }c£fc ro great unfruitfulncfle.laraent 
 it; for W€, the more webtftow on 
 our grounds, Iooke to rcapc the 
 more from them; If todiftruftin 
 your heavenly Fathers care over 
 you* if unco too much neernefle* 
 which is often a daughter of di- 
 ftruftjifcoquicfcneSjif to any infir- 
 mity (for the ipiric of man know- 
 c th what is in man) recount it with" 
 your heart, judge your felfc wor- 
 thy to be cut off for fuch waies 
 wherein you have fwerved, ifj 
 God fliould deale in juftice, and 
 not in mercy. Secondly, (hike a 
 
 new 
 
i happy ijfne out of affii8$on. 
 
 new covenant with God for the 
 rime to come, that through his 
 grace you will have care more and 
 more to morcific every evill way 3 
 and co be fruicfull in every good 
 worke. LookeE*r<*thc io.Ghap. 
 2.3.ThirdIy^yoiimuft looketo the 
 Lord, as who only mnft heale you, 
 hoping in his mercy ; He u the hea- 
 ling (Sod; He that layeth the rod 
 on,muft take ic off; and if a debcer 
 will be forth of danger, hee muft 
 compound with his creditor, who 
 only can free him from feareof ar- 
 reft. And here you have great canfe 
 to watch over your heart, that in 
 ufe of means ic be not withdrawne 
 from the living God. Weareluch 
 creeples that we can hardly reach a 
 Crutch into our haids,but that we 
 will walke alfo leaning upon it. 
 Now God onely is your life and 
 length of your daks, thefc things 
 without him, will ftand us in no 
 ftead, it is not the Apothecaries 
 drugge, but the ufc of it, which the 
 art of the Phyfician teacheth, that 
 D 2 hea- 
 
6 8 Our wants mnfi drive tut* forty • 
 
 hcalcth a difeafc. So much more 
 may we fay, it is not the creature, 
 but the Lords ufc, and application 
 of ic to this or that purpofe, which 
 ftandethusinftead. Yea, I would 
 wi(h you not to meddle much with 
 things of this intention, left while 
 you prevent the plague (which ic 
 may be God will never let come 
 nigher your per(bn)left I (ay while 
 you doe this,you caft your felfe in* 
 to the burning Fever, orfomedi- 
 fterapcr of that nature, Now when 
 you finde your ftlfe unable to doe 
 thefe things, you muft, grieving at 
 your wants, looke unto Cbrift, 
 who doth give repentance and par- 
 don of fin to hi* lira el, and who is 
 both the beginner and finifher of 
 their faith. Now toaddeaword 
 concerning Gods intenr, it is ever 
 gracious to us that are his. When 
 he frownetb,be is a Father, nolefle 
 than when he fmilcth upon us. A 
 taan will beare much when he fpi- 
 eth this,that it commethfrom love 
 it felfe, and from love procee- 
 
 deth 
 
V 
 
 'the facet fruit of dffli&ions. 
 
 deth every courfe , he pafleth upon 
 us, as well this of adverfity, as the 
 other of profperity. Whom he lo- 
 veth he chaftencth, faith the Scrip- 
 ture. Ifwcraarke what God doth 
 by them, it is more apparent: for 
 hee fitteth us by fuffering a while, 
 to receive all good things both of 
 this life, and that to come. What 
 doth aChriflian heart defire> That 
 it could beleeve on God, giving 
 glpry to his Word,that it had more 
 flrength ofgrace,that it might feele 
 a decay of Bnne, -and be prcferved 
 from falling into it : that it might 
 grow op in acquaintance with 
 God> and come to tafte his love, 
 more and more, which is better 
 than life. Now thefe things God 
 worketh by affliftions. For he ta- 
 keth one, and putteth hirn paft the 
 helpe of all the creatures, to no 
 other end, but that he might learne 
 to beleeve on God the Creatour, 
 who giveth life, 2 Cor. 1. For fuch 
 is the wickedneffe of our hearts 
 that they will never make out to 
 D 3 pur- 
 
7° 
 
 dfftltions pirgativc. 
 
 pu**pofe unto God, while they 
 have any fenhble helpe, in which 
 they thinke to finde fuccour. 
 
 True it is 3 we feele faith rather 
 weaker for the time, but ftiaking 
 the Torch, which for the prefent 
 f emeth to put it out, dorh make it , 
 blaze: Phyfick,which for the time 
 weakens, doth tend to ftrengehen 
 the body, the lame may befaidin 
 this. Secondly, thtfc through the 
 worke of God , purge out our cor- 
 ruption? asthefieistodroffe, fo 
 are thr f* to the remainders of finne 
 in us. T;ur it i?,we feele more ftir. 
 ring of corruption under them 
 fometimt sfora whHe,tban before: 
 but as Phyfick then expelletb faul- 
 iy hu^nonrsjwhen if workethupon 
 th^m, and makethu? complaine, 28 
 feeling rhem more than when they 
 w re let alone, fodoihGodsPhy- 
 ficke to the foulc: even itisdri- 
 yi g our corruption then, when it 
 rr-akes us feele, and complaineof it 
 more than ever. God by thefe doth 
 make us partakers of all grace and 
 
 holi- 
 
Go&afjlifts t opt went pme. 
 
 holinefle. Wee wi(h that we were 
 able co do thus and thus, but when 
 Sod doth come ro us ia this kind, 
 then hee furthereth thoft defires : 
 for as feed putteth forth, by means 
 of raine, which feemes to drowne 
 it, fo doth the feed of God grow in 
 us, by meanes of foch troubles, 
 which one might thinke would 
 overwhelme it. Theft againc are 
 fent to prevent the future brea- 
 kingsfortb of our corrupt natures. 
 For as you give your little ones 
 Cordialls now, not that they have 
 ehefickneflfcjbut that you may keep 
 chem from taking infrftion:(o dorh 
 God putchefe cups into our hands, 
 not fo much forfinnepaft, asfor 
 preventiigfinnetocotue. Finally ^ 
 we come to acquaintance, and to 
 fcelc Gods love more abundantly 
 by thde : adverfity brcedeth pati- 
 ence; patience,experienceofGods 
 loving helpe to us in due fofon : 
 "experience of this luve, hope i and 
 as lovers are never greater friends, 
 than after their fallings out :foit is 
 D 4 with 
 
 i 
 
G$d triiiy before he truft s* 
 
 wuhGodand the faicbfull foules ; 
 thus is it with you.God doth now 
 prove you,that he may in your lat- 
 ter do you good (I hope) through 
 lefos Chrift : for as men will firft 
 try, before they commie any great 
 matter of truft ; fo doth God with 
 us, he doth come and try our bsha- 
 viour,when he is willing to truft us 
 withhisblefiing, and with benefits 
 both fpirku all & corporal!. Wher- 
 foreIooke> good M. P. toitb your 
 Saviour at the end of the crofl?,t hat 
 will fweeten the bitterncfle of it. 
 Wee never greatly fticke at facb 
 trouble, which we know will pay 
 well at die parting.Thus (hall thefe 
 your troubles ( waiting on lefts 
 Chriftthe Lord)tbrough whom aj] 
 things werke to your good. It may 
 be,you will thinke this is true,you 
 could believe it,but that you fee no 
 fuch likelihood of mercy toward 
 you.But this is as if you fhould dy^ 
 I would belecve on Chrift, if I 
 might fee him, and put my fingers 
 in hi* wounds,no : we rouft not be 
 Tbomtfesy 
 
Sod angry with bis^ yet loves twm. 
 
 Thomafcsjnut pray God to increafe 
 our faith, that wee hope againft 
 hope, and bcleeve that wee fee not 
 that (bat length, wee may fee the 
 things we belecve. I, hut you may 
 think God coraeth in anger againft 
 you. I anfwer, Gods anger is not 
 without love, when hee dealeth 
 with his children ; from love it 
 cometh, anditteideth to your re- 
 newing of love. Againe, as I told 
 you, he is a God that will not keep 
 anger, we looking to him, in that 
 Sorbin whom he is well pleafed.If 
 one of our children fliould fay to us 
 when we are juftly moved, Father, 
 you meane me no good,for you ate 
 angryjwe would aofwer^Bccauf: I 
 meane thee good, therefore I am 
 angry. Looke to him that hath /aid. 
 Though I correft you*yet roy love 
 will I never take from you. Wait 
 upon him, who though hee make 
 heavie, yet will reruroe & comfort 
 in the mulqtcude of his mercies, 
 Lam. 3. 32. And the Authour and 
 Fiaifher of our faith,help your be- 
 D5 leefe 
 
 73 
 
\ 
 
 74 1 VntjofUve to ddmmijb. 
 
 teefe, ajdhte chat giveth wifdome 
 •yithou>: upbraiding, give you wif« 
 lomc tocarry this prefent cxerci^ 
 if your patience to his glory, and 
 the great inaeafc of your after 
 coffiforr. 
 
 8. Expoftuhtory. 
 
 DEarc Madami^ I bavebeene 
 long unable to (it pen to 
 paper, which hath kepr mee from 
 performing the beft office of love 
 diar is within the compaiTe of my 
 ability, but firce your love did get 
 the flart of mee by preventing mec 
 with your kinde remembrance; it 
 hath been a fpurre futrhcr inviting 
 me to this duty, which I had with- 
 in my fdfe voluntarily vowed. My 
 mir.de is to advertife you out of 
 love,of feme difeafes which I feare 
 grow upon your foule, and to give 
 you occafion through Gods blefc 
 fing, of renewing your repentance 
 unto falvation, God comandech to 
 exhort one another, left our heart* 
 be hardened through the deceitfcl- 
 
 neff- 
 
True love cannot flatter. 
 
 .neffeoffinne, and toconfiderone 
 another, thai we may provoke to 
 love. Ai this imboldeneth mce, fo 
 I am encouraged from hence not 
 a little,that I know the patience of 
 your eare toadmonition,V¥ ch more 
 adorneththe inward man, than any 
 caie-ring of Gold can grace the 
 outward. But fliould your L. take 
 that with the left hand, which 
 I reach with the tight, this (hould 
 not be a Stpcrfedtas to mee, com- 
 pelling mee to defift from per- 
 forming my purpofe : for I ac- 
 count him a covetous flatterer, 
 which for the good of thofe he 
 oweth duty to, will not venture 
 a word, which may adventure 
 (for a time) the lcfle of his fa- 
 vour. Wherefore profeffing be- 
 fore God my love to your L. Soule 
 and Name, and affuring my fclfe 
 j that hee will be ray all-fufficient- 
 reward, while I walke before 
 I him in upnghtnefle, give mee 
 1 le^.ve to tell, you, what I h*vc a 
 longtime fufpe&ed. The grace of 
 
 Gcd 
 
The way oftherighteoutlii^ tbtjftn. 
 
 God teacheth all fuchas tafte it, to ' 
 live, (hs wing forth godlintfle, fo- 
 briety, and juflice, in this prefcnc 
 cvill world : and the way of the 
 righteous (hould be like the Sunne, 
 which rifingraoredimly,doth ftill 
 increafe in the light and heare of 
 if, till ic come at the higheft. Now 
 my feare is, left your godlinefle, 
 which hath becne fometims very 
 confpiciousin you, befbmewhat 
 abated,left the care of ten.perancy, 
 and equity, which you owe tc- 
 ward the meaotft, be dioiinifh- 
 ed : left Come fpice of the con- 
 trary breed about your ibule^ as 
 a ficke humour ; which though it 
 cannot quite choake and excin- 
 guifh the life of grace,yet it hinde* 
 reth that growth and thriving f ir 
 which is to be a ilhd. If Ifhould 
 feare beyond that I have ground 
 for, yet you ar« cocenfurc ic as a 
 fruit of love, while it ftirreihmce 
 up to any good office about you,as 
 UVs feare about his children, is 
 manifeft tohave flowed from his 
 hngular 
 
Tie life of godlineffe. 
 
 fipgular love, by the facrifice ic 
 movech him to offer in chtir be- 
 halfr. Rue how juftly my fcarcis 
 conceived, I will leave it to your 
 confcience to j^dge, when I have 
 made narration of the particulars 
 following. What (good Lord) 
 fhould (hew forth the life and po- 
 wer of your godlint ff: > Is it not 
 the carefull getting of fiich meanes 
 as may further it ia you and yours? 
 is it not the reverent and religious 
 ufing of thcmHs it not the cleaving 
 to thofe more affr&ionatly rhan to 
 others., who are before others in 
 godlint (Te? If in your courfe theft 
 waies be confidered, it will ap. 
 peare that even in this regard there, 
 h fuch defefts as you muU diligent- 
 ly labour to fupply. ThcmeaoeSj 
 ncx? to the publike, ofpromctl g 
 g< dlincffe io you and your family, 
 istheprefenceof one whoispru- 
 denttotnowyour€ftite 3 ardfaith« 
 full to advertife accordingly. The 
 flying exercifes of men th it come 
 andgoe 3 doc notfet forward. this 
 
 plqugfa* 
 
 77 
 
7 8 
 
 Rtmijfemjft infolhmng the meanes 
 
 plough, like as the conflan: pre- 
 fence, word, and example of one 
 who knoweth you, andis knowiie 
 of you. Now,when you are where 
 publike meanes may be had, fuch 
 as your felfe efteeme powerful! ; is 
 not your L.more remiflely aflfc&ed 
 coward them, than becomroetha 
 Jealous godly cninde, yea* than 
 fometime you have beene, when 
 you (bould frequent them dili- 
 gently^ though fixe times more re- 
 moved than now they arc > For 
 though, when natural ftrength 
 failetb, there may be an omiflion 
 of feme outward meanes, with- 
 out prr ju:Iice of inward devotion; 
 ycc God hath given you fo able a 
 habire of body, at your yeeres, 
 that ycu can venture as farre, ci- 
 ther fbr exchanging civil! cour- 
 tefies, or for rdrefhing yourfclfe 
 with fuch contentments, as the 
 ^clvill communion of friends doth 
 affoord. For the private mea ie& 3 
 the conftant residence of one, who 
 might bee as a private iWtoyou 
 
 and 
 
 i 
 
of Salvation, an illf$gne. 
 
 and your?; have you profecuted 
 this, with that devotion you I 
 ought > Then (hould not want of 
 a Bed, have kept mee this Win- 
 ter from being with you* then 
 could you nor* after you had rafted 
 my DcCfrine., and (cene (for my 
 mcafure) firnplicity, and inofen- 
 fiventfle inmy co^verfition, you 
 could not (I fry) with ftch o- 
 verture have reiiivited mee. To 
 fpeake ipariigly-^ I have obf:r- 
 ved in you an affc&ron, fuch as 
 is in thofe who cheapen • who 
 would have the thing, but for 
 coft : contrary to the Merchant 
 fpoken of in the GojpeJ, who 
 would fell all, rather thai not 
 carry away his commodity wVh 
 him. Whe^eforv^yfrg your hand 
 o- 1 your heart, bcthmke your felfe, 
 where is that due affe&ion, to 
 c h e beft rneanes of building you 
 up in grace .• If this one ching 
 were as much in yourdefire, as 
 D vids ; you would not rett, till 
 yuu & w your foule pufiefled of it : 
 
 - the 
 
8b 
 
 We mujt be hatnefi after the mants. 
 
 the wife Merchant doth not onely 
 account of the pcarle & Trealure, 
 but hee felleth all, to purchaie the 
 field in which theTreafure is hid- 
 den j (b highly hec reckoncth of 
 meeting with fuch an one, .who is 
 as a Ve&ll, in which his Chrifl is 
 contained and conveyed unto him. 
 Thev^olentreceivetheKingdome. 
 The Lord kecpe us from following 
 that which belongeth to his bu- 
 finefle, with a cold iodifferency . It 
 may be youthinke • Why ? lam 
 notdeftiture, I have the Labours 
 of many Chriftian men, as they 
 may be procured. To which I an- 
 fwer : Ic is not io bringing for- 
 ward Chrifl ians, as it is in railing 
 other creatures. Change of Pa- 
 (hires will make fat Calve?; but 
 changing of Preachers, neither 
 knowing you, nor kno* ne of you, 
 will never bring your foules to be 
 ►welHiking, and take incteafe be- 
 fotc Gcd, as they ought: it will 
 not helpetheB^bes growth, to get 
 it a weekly change of Nur fes. Be- 
 
 fides^ 
 
Chdftge of Preachers unfruiifitD* 
 
 fides,when ftrangers corne 5 they fee 
 the faireft piece, the out-fide only • 
 and if (in forae one) they heare 
 (bmething not good, yet being 
 foone poflcfled with that great and 
 good report of you and your Fa- j 
 mily,they rather count it a lingular 
 exorbitancy, than any thing cufro-, 
 mary in your fcrvants pra&icc. 
 Hence it is, chat they come and 
 goe, fbmetime giving commenda- 
 tions, feldome touching the local! 
 griefes, the fores of your houfhold . 
 Wee will not have one make us a 
 fhooe, who knowctfr not firft the 
 length ofour foot : and were wee 
 to ufe the Phyfician daily, wee 
 would not ftill comnaic our fdves 
 to new ones, who never had obfer- 
 ved our bodies. If wee are to ule 
 counfcll, weekeepe to fuch who 
 have the beft infight into our cafes. 
 So in the Phyficians of our Soule, 
 it is a great advantage to have 
 them to minifter to us, who by 
 their conftant obfervation are b-.ft 
 acquainted with our neccflicies. . 
 Where- 
 
82 
 
 Taki heedbowvnheare. 
 
 Wherefore execute your purpofe, 
 fo long ficce fettled; mercy begin- | 
 neth ac home : Will you be better 
 to many other Churches, than to 
 the Church in your owne houfe? 
 But to leave this Head, of getting 
 rhe beft meanes^nd a little to cor- 
 Jiicr the manner of ufing fiich 
 meanes as you en-oy: Gedlinefle 
 ftandethnot in bare hearing, but 
 in hearing like Cernclius> like the 
 Bereans, in taking heede how wee 
 heare, that wee may grow by it. 
 That is true Divinity, that raaketh 
 theChriftian: not v* hat wee doe, 
 bat how wee doe ir,doth whneffe 
 to our (bules, that wee are found 
 CHri'lians. Mow, good L. I doe a 
 little fofpeft, chat you turne over 
 thrfe duties in fuch perfun&ory 
 fore ere-while, as if to have done 
 cheworkehowfoever^ were fuffi- 
 cient. I am afraid you finde nor, 
 after theft exercifes of hearing, 
 that powerful! worke, in mortify- 
 ing all fiafull Ms and aberrations 
 inpra&ice, in ftrengthening faith, 
 
 in 
 
Wt muftfrn&ife what we heart. 
 
 j in conforming fpiritualue, in ma- 
 king you heavenly minded ; T feare 
 youfinderrot this efficacie, which 
 the Word hath where it isduely 
 minglecf with beleefe« I have ob- 
 served in your L. a readineffcto 
 I hearealwaies, but not a proporti- 
 ipnablc care of chewing: he Gjd,of 
 digeftingand incorporating icinto 
 yourfoule^and pra&ifingchethings 
 you have heard. This maketh the 
 Word you have heard, vaine; and 
 nothing fcene of it, in regard of al- 
 teration, or augmentation caufed 
 by it, in him who is the hearer. 
 And as they who know not what 
 it is to pray conlcionably^will call 
 moft readily and freely for prayer; 
 (o many will call freely to heare, 
 aot that they feele (pirituall hun- 
 ger, but becaufc chey confidernot 
 what goeth to hearing confeiona- 
 bly, in regard of preparation be- 
 fore,- watching over our fclves in 
 it, that wee may feele it fruitfull 
 in us. Againe, 1 have feene you, 
 in prayer, witheut caufe of any 
 
 extra- 
 
Godsfcrvice, n$t to be dont Overtly '• 
 
 extraordinary weakocfle rifefrom 
 kneeling to fitting ; which kinde 
 of liberty doth not well fuit with 
 that Religious reverence, which 
 bsteemeth Gods fervams, while 
 they worfhip before him. Yea, 
 f have heard, that it hath bcenc 
 talked in houles where your L. 
 hath k>dged,that my L. 7\[. would 
 have her man reading a Chapter 
 by her, and her felfe be fome- 
 time talking, Ibmetime fmiiing, 
 yea, now and then chiding* at the 
 fame time. I cannot hide it from 
 you, 5 beard it with griefe j and 
 whether it be true or falfe, you 
 have need to make ufe of it. Dear e 
 Madame,takeheed how you heare, 
 looke to your ket,to the afFe&ions 
 of your heart, when you come be- 
 fore God. Heewillbefanftifiedin 
 (uch as dra w neere untohim, or he 
 will do as he did to Aarons fannes, 
 hee will glorfie hirafelfe in judge- 
 ments on them. One may heare, 
 call others to heare, give com- 
 mendations to the things and man- 
 
 ner 
 
LttftsBnder the benefit of the Word. 
 
 ner of (peaking, welcome the per- 
 iod fallen a gift on him ; an \ yet 
 in all this, be devoid of life and 
 power of Religion, in hearing. 
 €ndevour to expell thofe lufts, 
 which clogge and prefle downe 
 yourfoule; then therailkc of the 
 Word will be plcafant, and profi- 
 able. To take fuftcnance, while 
 the ftomacke is (urcharged with 
 (uperfluitie$,hHrteth the body : fo, 
 till we labour to emptie our (elves 
 of the lugs chat hang about us, the 
 benefit of the Word cannot be per- 
 ceived. And againe,when you have 
 beard, labonr that you may profit 
 by i t, that you may feele all finfull 
 Ms weakenedjgraccftrengchencd, 
 faith & knowledge encreafed,your 
 praftice bettered. Should any eatc 
 lever (b much,, unlefle he digeft it, 
 :urne it to bloud 3 difttibute it into 
 :he veines, &c* what is the body 
 :he better for that which ic recei- 
 ved? For the third evidence of a 
 godly heart, to wit, the cleaving 
 more affe&ionately to thofe who 
 
 are 
 
 85 
 
86 We mnji git w gracictu fervants . 
 
 arc more godly, than others; I 
 would there were no defe<Sfc in this 
 regard. I hare obferved, that you 
 can equally impart your favours. 
 If any have points of fcrvice, and 
 can apply themfelves to your hu- 
 mour 3 though they have fmall ac- 
 quaintance with God, they (hall be 
 countenanced. This raaketh your 
 family Linfic-woolfie, confirmeth 
 the haunts of fome in their care- 
 lcflc courfe; this makech chofe that 
 are good, more rcmiffc than they 
 would be : fhould they finde from 
 you greater encouragement. Da- 
 vids delight was in the Saints ; hee 
 did purge his family of fuch as 
 were unprofitable, and graceUfle : 
 fuch as laboured to pleafe God in 
 all thing«,not fach as could get the 
 lengch of his toote 5 were precious 
 in his eyes. Can a loyall Wife 
 take pleafure in fuch nacn who are 
 obfervantand officious about her, 
 and be devoid of all refpefl: to- 
 ward her Husband ? Are yeu be- 
 trothed to your God, in Chrift.' 
 
 and 
 
1 Taflc of Gods gotdnejfey weanes^e. 
 — — — — — ■«■■ ■■^•' — « 
 
 and can you abide their ftrvice a- 
 bouc you,whoarecarelefleinduty 
 towardyour LorJ,with whom you 
 arecontra&cd? This /heweth,that 
 godlinefle is much decayed, yea, 
 that God is put downe> and our 
 fclvesfctupas God, in ourowne 
 Scares; when we can like of men, 
 not as we fee them fincerely ierve 
 him.but as their behaviour is more 
 or Ieffe pleafiog and conrcntfull ro 
 our felves. But to leave this firft 
 point, (in which, defire of your 
 good hath made mee more proline 
 than I intended) and to come to 
 the pr*&ice of £ brietie, which 
 the grace of God teacheth us who 
 have truely tafted it : even as a 
 man who hath touke ia the rafte 
 ofthebefl creatures,, canno: forth* 
 with feed on that which is raeanc, 
 courfe 3 and no way to be compared 
 to it ; fo a Chriftian, who bath ra- 
 fted the goodncs of his God,which 
 is better than life, cannot affcft, as 
 ibmetime before he did, thefefai- 
 Sall delights, which caraall men, 
 
 who- 
 
 s? 
 
8 8 Intemperance in Istp/hU liberties. 
 
 
 
 who know no better (like as 
 Swine do (will) follow with grec- 
 dinefle. Now I fearc roe here alfo, 
 left chofe fpirituall fweetnefies be- 
 ing foroewhat eclipfed, intempe- 
 r ate cherifliing the body> and cares 
 of the world(partly through fruits 
 you have traverfed, partly through 
 kind ftpports of many) doe fteale 
 upon you 5 and win ground more 
 thaa they have done heretofore. I 
 know God doth keep your L.firom 
 exccfli ve curiofity,firom open glut- 
 tony,from diunkenneffe, but as in- 
 juftice is not onely in unlawfull 
 ftealih,but in covetous following a 
 lawful! calling:So intemperancy is 
 not onely in theft outrages expref. 
 fed, which are openly unlawful^ 
 but alfo in the lefle holy temperate 
 and reverent ufe of our Iawfull li- 
 berties and repafls, in eating and 
 drinking wee muft labour to fecle 
 our thankfulnefle renewed, as the 
 effeftsof our heavenly fathers pro- 
 vidence are renewed : we rauft la- 
 bor to be heavenly minded/eeling 
 
 the 
 
The funds 9 as well as the r$ck^&c. I 8 9 
 
 the gracious prefence of God with 
 our fpirits at oar fweeteft feafts : it 
 is a fpor, when we feare not in our 
 feafts, as who are conscious of the 
 f ure that is in every creature, and 
 ourowne weaknefle. Finally, we 
 eate intempf rately,when we keepe 
 not power over our own appetite ; 
 when wc put not our knives to our 
 throats, upon feeling any inordtoa 
 rie moving in us towards this or 
 that: like as David did, who &- 
 crificed the Waters which hee had 
 Co importunately defired. Happy 
 are they who finne not in kwfull 
 thing?, in eating, drinking, buil- 
 ding, &c. A Ship may milcarry, 
 not onely by hard rockes, but by 
 (bfc ftnds ; which though they are 
 not (b violent* yet they are no 
 leffe dangerous. To feede often 
 liberally, not refraining any thing 
 to which ones appetite Ieadcth* to 
 be gratifying the ftoraacke, now 
 with one thing, now with another, 
 alas, what doth it? It diftempe- 
 reth the flefh with luft, it doth 
 E make 
 
po We muji vnant oftrfelves from^&c. 
 
 make the very (bule flefoly affe- 
 fted, itindifpofctbusio thofcex- 
 ercifcs which arc performed by the 
 mind,ic cnakcth us Be to be kindled 
 with wrath, or any fach like pat 
 fion. Finally, it taketh up the mind 
 with thought,what it {hall next be 
 fcrved with in this kind, Where- 
 fbrc,dcare Madame, if any fpirit of 
 humane frailty hath cloven to you 
 this way, remember you are a tra- 
 veller, neerer your journies end, 
 than when you fiift belecvcd. Gird 
 up your loynes, tuck up this craine 
 of lufting, which will make you 
 unfit to take one ftep this way, 
 without hinderance. The houres 
 grow on, wherein thefe things 
 will yceld no delight • wee muft 
 weane our felves in time,that our 
 laft weaning may not feeme too 
 bitter and grievous to us. If wee 
 difhonour God, by uaweaced uft 
 ofthefe things, the Lord will pay 
 us home in our owne coyne 3 and 
 fcourge us by that fclfe-fame in- 
 temperate pra&icc, by which he 
 
 was 
 
Intemperance hurts Joule and bod;. 
 
 91 
 
 was diftionourcd in us. How ma- 
 ny hugge therafclvcs co death, and 
 by po wring on too much Olle, 
 quite put forth the Light of Life ? 
 I am no Pfiyfician for your body, 
 yet I doubt not, but the ftrtving I 
 wkh your felfe, to ufc your law- 1 
 full Liberties and Repafts more 
 holily,temperatly, and reverently, 
 (let him that is holy, be more 
 holy) will be very bencficiall to 
 your body. For feeding the fto- 
 tracke full, fo as fuperfluities are 
 engmdred, this brcedeth the mat- 
 ter of the Stone, and augmenteth 
 it where it is breed, warming the 
 ftomack now with one thing, now 
 with another, this doth beget and 
 encreafe the heace, which taketh 
 the matter fore-named into this 
 forme, in which it is voyded. 
 Concerning that laft raatter,which 
 all muft praftite, who know the 
 Grace of God io truth, viz. Iu* 
 ftict; even in this I have fome 
 feares, which I cannot conceale t 
 and to fparc what I have heard 
 E 2 
 
 re- 
 
93 Equity to befhcwed towards all. 
 
 reported, as the talke of iome,that 
 your L. fctteth up Leftures, your 
 debts undifcharged (for it is my 
 meaning todealc only in fiich mat- 
 ters which my felfe in Tome fort 
 have obferved.) To (pare this 
 therefore, my feare is, that you 
 (hew not that equity towards all 
 under you that you ought. It plea- 
 fcd God to beftow the childc of a 
 moft reverend roan, N. N. with 
 you,whom you have not intreated 
 well, but provoked and grieved 
 rather withexccflive feveritieand 
 contempt, than encouraged, by 
 (hewing any motherly affeQioo 
 and hoDCur,(iJch as a Chriftian La- 
 dy cannot but know her ftlfe to 
 owe to the Ieaft of her handmaids. 
 The note I tooke of this in my 
 mind, made me firft ufe that phrale 
 in Prayer, That God would guide 
 us f who governe,to carry ourlejves 
 with fuch moderation as befeemeth 
 them who know, that even hem- 
 ft Ives have a Mailer in Heaven. A- 
 las,whom doth your anger purftie? 
 
 A 
 
The barmeUJfe mofl barmtd. 
 
 93 
 
 A fatherkflg childe • who out of 
 confcicncc doth humble her felfe 
 under you. Mmy weake perfjns 
 arc fickeofan evill ficknefp; they 
 will make bold-ft to off j r all hard 
 meafare ro fuch whom ihcy know 
 mod innocent and harmslefl'e ; not 
 caring what chey d je to fuch, be- 
 ciufcthcyrhinketheydoeitfdfcly, 
 and (hall heare noshing but good 
 after ir. Whereas the fame per- 
 sons will be often very equall to 
 thofc who are of worfe dispositi- 
 on, and take foch freedome in (li- 
 nings that they will no: fpare for 
 any meanes, which t hem fe Ives or 
 their friends can ufc, to ery quit 
 with fuch as (hall provoke them* 
 The Lord keepeus from this wic- 
 kednefTe. Watch over your ft If- a- 
 gainft ihis paffion. It unftttech you 
 for prayer : It is nocfo light a thing 
 in a&iog, as heavie when the Co i- 
 fcience calleth ro reckoning; to 
 wound the foule with words, and 
 by immoderate difpleafare to make 
 the life of the Orphant heavie ; to 
 E ; npkr 
 
94 
 
 Governors to be milde and gentle. 
 
 make the heart of a Widdow ftd • 
 (for (he is a Marble, not a Mother 
 who grievcth not in the Childcs 
 grievance) to fhewdifhonour,not 
 onely to the living, but to the dead 
 aHbjfo ncere and deare to t he Lord: 
 I tell yoiij thefearcgreat things, if 
 you looke not on them through 
 thefalfeglaffeofdiftemperace par- 
 Sou, As God hath bid them ho- 
 nour you, fo hee hath tyed you to 
 honour them 5 and be rather a Mo- 
 ther, than Lady and Miftrefle to 
 them. For thiscaufe,the Lord doth 
 comprifc Govemours under the 
 name of Fathers and Mothers, to 
 put them in mindeof doing duty 
 to inferiours, as well as receiving 
 fervice from them. God hath com- 
 manded us, that our brother be not 
 vile in our eyes, that wee provoke 
 them not, that we (hew all equity, 
 not ruling over them with a ftrift 
 hand, as Egyft did over Ifratl; that 
 wee follow lotjn letting them ex- 
 poftulate reverently with us,when 
 they find grievance ; andnot to be 
 
 like 
 
aotfioward to infcrionrs. 
 
 95 
 
 like Ndfol, who was fb vile, none 
 might fpeake a word in his care, 
 which did uoc humour him. Ac our 
 command, ourfervantsthinkenot 
 much to doe ferv'ces even about 
 our Horfcs hecles : (hall we thinke 
 much, at Gods command, to per- 
 forms thofe moft eqnall offices co- 
 ward thofe whom God hath put 
 under us, who arc fons and daugh- 
 ters of God with u$y Hdrcs of 
 the felfe-fime hope, co which we 
 arc called? Should oar Mifterin 
 Heaven lowre onus> and contend 
 with us on every occafion ; could 
 wee ftand before it > Let us not be 
 fofcvereandircfull, whoftaadfc 
 much in neede of mercy and indul- 
 gence. Wherefore, toclofcmyad- 
 vertifemenr, doe nat on:ly leave 
 thofe thing?, but j-idge your fetfc, 
 for whacfoever frailry hath efcaped 
 you this way,and returne againe to 
 the Oath and Covenant, renewing 
 your Vow before the Lord. Doe 
 not reafca in your heart, Why doe 
 I not chu3j.and chus> Doch not 
 E 4 God 
 
$6 A little fins marts many good allion /, 
 
 God allow us lawfull liberties? 
 Why ? mee thinkes our Minifter 
 might give mee leave with my 
 Maidcs? Should I a little wropg 
 them, cannot I make all whole 
 with fome benefit unexpected? 
 Where hath he learned to belee ve 
 reports»not having heard any thir g 
 from my mouth? Thefc are but 
 fuggeftions of Satan,to make you 
 fall out with medicinable counfcll, 
 by which your fbule ftould be 
 healed.You do many good things : 
 But God will not, for any good 
 offices, fee any evill in which wee 
 waJkf ,fo as not to diflike it.Lookc 
 his Epiftles to the Churches. A- 
 gaine^hy (hould a few dead Flics 
 marre a Boxe of precious Oint- 
 ments ? God doth allow us law- 
 full liberties, provided that wee 
 ufethem lawfully, praflifing ho- 
 tline flc^ religious feare, and tempe- 
 rancy in the midft of them. I may 
 not hate you fb,as to let your fbule 
 finne towards a fervant ; and wee 
 are to teach your L. as weH bow 
 
 to 
 
Good intentions cxcufe not iR actions. 97 
 
 to governe, as your fervants how 
 to obey in the Lord. And yoa may 
 doe thar, yoa camot hcale; you 
 may impaire naturall indowments 
 of roindej by fuch courfcs, more 
 than you can recompence by any 
 Largeffe of your liberalicie : for 
 intending future good, will not 
 make that well done, which for 
 theprefentisevill. For my felfe, 
 I write nothings but by way of 
 Chriftian feare, I have arguments 
 too many, to make me believe in 
 parr, what-ever things I pro- 
 pound unco you. Turne from thefc 
 thoughts, as you would from the 
 Dhell himfdfe 5 they are ondy 
 prompted, that they may keepe 
 y cur heart from repentance. Dday 
 nor, while God fendeth you a msf- 
 fenger^ and knockcth $ for if you 
 will not hearc this gentle yoyce, 
 you know norm i* hat kind he will 
 j fpeake, the next. Befide, f!ce that 
 ' delayeth to fee a bone out of joynt, 
 doth .but double hisfmarr, when 
 it is to be bundled, and reftorcd. 
 E5 Not 
 
<?8 Conscience Ukj 4 lookittg-glajje. 
 
 Not to mention that he that retur 
 neth not into the way, in fucha 
 party that which is halting, is fub- 
 jeft to goe quite forth of it. Ic may 
 be you do not feck your confciencc 
 greatly checking you in thefc 
 things I am the forrier if you 
 ftiouidnonbut Mtddmcjcmmbtr 
 whether it hath not checked you; 
 and whether by not hearing Gods 
 Spirit, you have not fo grieved 
 him, that he kecpeth filencc. Boc 
 howfoevcr, the Confciencc is like 
 a looking- glafle,which wfcileit li- 
 eth all covered with duft.&cweth 
 not (mall mattcrs^but when it i wi. 
 ped, then ic maketh the lead thing 
 apparent. So the Conference being 
 clouded with paflion of luft, cu- 
 Rome^examples,&c. difcovsreth 
 not many things, when it is awa- 
 ked, 8c tholi Uiifts difpeltcd,it pre- 
 fenteth as grievous fins, the things 
 which wee before made light ac- 
 courxof.lt it one thing not to have 
 aa acnafirg Confcience, smother 
 zhiDg to have a clears Contdtncc. 
 I 'I A1 
 
fbrijl our Sdn3ifitr y 4S wtU as^&c. j ,99 
 
 A man may have the S one, who 
 feelcxh no Fie of ic : A man may 
 have,in fome regard, an cvill Con- 
 fciencc, who feeleth, for the time, 
 no Fit of accufationinit. Where- 
 fore, deare Lady, be wife : God 
 hath taken the yoake from your 
 necke, truftcd you with liberty,gi- 
 venyoua Summer, to provide a- 
 gainft Winter^ O make up foundly 
 your peace with God. Confider 
 your infirmities,in time of tempta- 
 tion efcaped:C6fider thefe^fithence 
 your deliverance; judge them in 
 youriclfc: flie to Chrift,not only as 
 made of God, your Juftificr from 
 the guile of fin, but your Saoftificr 
 from the bloc of ir. Pray him cat- 
 neftly, to faveyou fromxhe daily 
 power of thefeevills, which ftill 
 you find to have dwelling io you. 
 You have need,like the Anr,to ga- 
 rher in the Summer, when God. 
 trufled you with health & liberty 5 
 the rather, I ecaufe God holdeth a 
 flit ging Rod over you, iheLafh 
 thereof, fliould it light on a Con- 
 
 fcience 
 
loo Remembrance of fin in viptation. 
 
 feience naked, ftripped of his fa- 
 vour, would fecmc unfupportable. 
 Thinkc with your fdfe, what joy 
 you can take, when God (hall vific 
 you, ifyourConfcicnce (hall tell 
 you, that you have had good pur- 
 pofcSj but neglc&ed to execute 
 them • that you have drawne necre 
 toGod, bat without due care to 
 (anftfishimia your fpiric, in his 
 Ordinance?, and profit by them: 
 That you have not advanced his 
 gory in your family as you ough< ; 
 that you have home too gentle a 
 hand over the lufls of ycur heart, 
 favouring yourfelfe too much in 
 them: ihatyouhaveinargertoo 
 much f xcecded,and made them f-el 
 it mof^whom you (hold moft have 
 tendred. Thinke,I fay^wnat com- 
 fort you can haveinfuch thiags'rt- 
 membrcd. But if you will awaken 
 yourfelfe, j trfgcyourfoule, hold 
 Chrifltogiveyou ftren^thag3inR 
 thofe and all oth'er.corrupticnsj 
 then fltalllightarifeiadarkeocfle^ 
 youfhall tkcit true,thcugh for the 
 
 pro 
 
The corrupt mind indnrts not reproof \ 101 
 
 prefent you feele a warfare, that 
 light is fowoe for the righteous ; 
 though evills come, God will be 
 your ftudow at your right hand, to 
 refrefh you in them, peace fhall 
 dwell with you in life and death, 
 which I wifh your Ladifhipin/f/w 
 Cbrifi. If I fecme to your L. to ufe 
 greater freedome in dealing with 
 y ou,the perfwafion I have of your 
 fiixerity and (bundneff? imbolden- 
 eth me thereto^ found flcfl] feeleth 
 no grkfewhen we handle it fome- 
 whac hardly : but i: is a figne an ul- 
 cer is bred ia that flefh, which may 
 not indure any fort to be touched. 
 Neverthekde, I thank God,f have 
 ufedtomy knowledge, no liberty 
 and plainnefle, to which fidelity 
 iVhnotinforceme. 
 
 Thus cravng your I. to take 
 thefe tbi -.gsdowuedeeply^hough 
 chey (h >uld make Gck for the time, 
 feei n g that they airrv? at nothing 
 but y uur fpiricuall heal h, & pray* 
 tog the Lord for you, who bleffeth 
 all PtyGcke, b>th corporal] and 
 fpirjruall, 
 
102 
 
 L 
 
 Concerning d Wives ficknejfe. 
 
 fpirituall, and health by it, I take 
 my leave. 
 
 9 
 
 LOving Brother, we do remem- 
 ber you and my.Sifier, and arc 
 ■ rroly affe&cd toward you, though 
 my diftra&ions, imploymenr, and 
 I know not what indilpofition 
 (which I dare not every way a- 
 vow) dee caufe me to write more 
 rarely.Now lean deferrc no longer 
 from Hgnifying ot r remembrance, 
 and advenifogyou how things go 
 with us, left you (hould challenge 
 mehereafter 3 a$not4nformed. My 
 moftChriflian Wife (your Sifter) 
 hath, face Eafter laft, beene very 
 ill, and it hath not pleafed God to 
 bkffz any meanes which ftee hath 
 attempted here, or clfe-where. 
 Since our lift parting with you, 
 fh; continued till, within this fort- 
 night,.cra/ie, but norfeeling any 
 vi dIciu woi king of our infirmities : 
 but now of Ute^and efpecially tins 
 weeke, her flrength is morethaa 
 ordinarily enfeebled, thaclfearc 
 
 (refer- 
 
 
I ■ » 
 
 Mourning acctpabk to a CbrtfttAn. J 10 3 
 
 (rcicrving ro God whatfbere cour- 
 ses make with his glory J you flwll 
 not long in joy fuch a Sifter, nor I 
 (ucb a Wifc,of whom I am unwor- 
 thy. Which I faggeft for two tea- 
 ton s : Theory that you might re- 
 member her cftate more fervently 
 than othcrwife ; againe, that you 
 might feafbnably reibrt to her, if ic 
 will any whit increafe your con- 
 tentment, as it (hall be gladfome to 
 us whenioever, to ibpy your pre- 
 tence The Lord teach us to num- 
 ber cur daie?, that wee may apply 
 our hearts unto wife dome, and 
 the Lord give us underftanding, 
 which may make our hearts be as 
 well plea fed m the houfe of mour- 
 ning, asthsfhdlesareintheboufe 
 of carnall rejoycing. Brother, our 
 terme lafteth not alwaies^the Lord 
 make us wife to know the accep- 
 table rime, and while it i3 called to 
 day, not robe hardened through 
 the decekfuJnefle of finne, but to 
 tame to Mm, and -for a fare- 
 jscil, Vghen you &e how your ell- . 
 
 ents 
 
104 Ceunfell c*fd for in ntcejjity. 
 
 ents wait at your Chamber dores, 
 fee king to gaine earthly inheritan- 
 ces, how much more (hould wee 
 wake at the dore of Wifcdomeg 
 houfe, which will give us an ever- 
 lafting inheritance? Readethe 8. of 
 the Proverbs 9 theend of the Chap- 
 ter, where the Lord fcemeth ro 
 make this alluGon : I will tell you, 
 if we that are the Lords, come to 
 be fifced, we {hall be more diligent 
 this way. Counfell is not cared for 
 (as you know well) till fome flaw 
 be found in evidences : when once 
 there groweth queftion, then the 
 learned Counfellourgro wetbinre- 
 queft : fo becaufe our confidence 
 raaketh no qaettion of that great 
 eftate in the heavens, therefore we 
 waire not on Gods mouth daily, 
 both in ufing meanes publike and 
 private with diligence. Thus your 
 Sifter and l, doe remember our 
 (elves unto you, and roy Sifter, (co 
 whom you may commend us) and 
 take our leaves abruptly* 
 
 j o. CV«« 
 
Comfirt tn fickptjft. 
 
 10. Confolatory. 
 
 LOving Coufio* I would be 
 gbd co hcare bow God doth 
 carry en your weake frame^ but 
 cbis is a thh)g,which though I may 
 vvifh eafily, yet I cannot fbeafily 
 itftft if. If weakneflc grow on 
 you/it rcuft comfort you^that your 
 prifon is not ftrong enough u hold 
 your foule long imprifoned. How 
 welcome is the evening to the wea- 
 ry labourer > So to us fhould be the 
 (hade of death, in which we reft 
 from all our travell. If you fiide 
 paine, ftekefor that faith which 
 may quench the fire^ if it be good 
 for you that it ftould be fuddenly 
 quenched, if otherwifc, lookcto 
 him who hath promifed in fire and 
 water to be with u^oever to leave 
 us, nor forfakeus. Thinkeonhis 
 goodnefle, who will have finfull 
 men eafe their enemies beafts, an- 
 der the burden which oppreffeth 
 them. Looke finally tothoie glori- 
 ous jojes^to which theft momenta- 
 ry affli&ions flull bring you. Even 
 
 as I 
 
io6 
 
 Death though painfull j)tt &c. 
 
 as the waters falldowne^ notable 
 to abide in grounds that He high, 
 fo the fenfe of thefe affiiQions 
 gocthaway from mindes, that are 
 lifted Dp in frch contemplation, A- 
 bove all things rrpyce, that yet^ 
 you {hall (hordy attaine your love, 
 your Lord, to whom your ibule 
 by faith hath beenc longcontra- 
 ftcd. SheeisaforrieSpoule, who 
 cannot make a (hifc with an uneafie 
 horfe, while fliee rideth to fee the 
 confunaraation of her low, with 
 her betrothed Husband. Doth to- 
 gether with wcaknefle and paine, 
 poverty in things fpirituall, doth 
 any defertion moleft you \ Know 
 that this is but the wifedome of 
 our God; who 3 asphyfic?ansdoe 
 mingle many things in the fame 
 potion, fo doth intermeddle many 
 matters in the fame temptation, 
 that it may be more effe&uall to 
 his glory and our good. Thiake 
 with your felfe, a wife Phyficiaq 
 will not put in his piefcript a 
 Dram coo much; God will not 
 1 exceed 
 
We muji reji on God in ficctjfittes. 107 
 
 exceed that quantity any whit! 
 which is fie for his patients. Hold ! 
 you to the rocke, and ftand ftill, 
 the things are clouds which will 
 ride over you, and goe away : i 
 chough it benight we (hall have 
 dayagaine. Who isic thatfearcth 
 the Lord > If hee be in darktu fle \ 
 without light, let him leane on 
 the Lord his God. For conclufi- j 
 on ; Doth outward ncceffity, with 
 her threading, any thing difturbc 
 you ? Looke to him who taught 
 S c Paul to want, who made him 
 fay, be would doe all things, while 
 hisLordftrengthenedhim. Looke 
 to him who circumcifeth hearts 
 with circumcifion not made wich 
 hands, who can make us Co deny 
 our fclves, that wee (hallfinde no 
 painc to follow him : Be fbrry for 
 nothing, but that having fack a 
 Father^you (hould be careful!. We 
 fan&ifie our Heavenly Father, 
 when no unbeleeviog feare com- 
 meth reere us. You know the 
 truth of my love to you, and I 
 
 know 
 
 y 
 
1 08 Wtmu$ not ncgUU ofpdrtumty. 
 
 know how eafily I can (through 
 Gods blefTing) procure that which 
 would refrcQi you feafjnably. 
 WrurJoreif yoa fhould notim- 
 parc it to mcc timely , before the 
 oylc and rrealc be q-ire fpent, 
 you (hall neglcft a good meane, 
 which Go^s providence doth (hew 
 you 5 you (hall be wanting to your 
 owne comfort, you ihill requite 
 mec with no fmall unkindnt/Tr. 
 Thus with my loving Sifters 
 commendations, I commit you to 
 God. 
 
 Yours as h'rs owne, 
 Paul Bajne. 
 
 II. Hxpfinhtory. 
 
 GOod S r . C. Were my ability 
 and freedomc from occafions 
 at this time, fuch as might be wi- 
 (hed, I would fee youinpsrfon, 
 andhotvificyou by writing: but 
 love muft be content to crcepe. 
 when fhee cannot goe at liberty as 
 (bcdefireth.S r .C. could I bethiake 
 
 me 
 
God afflitts his 44 4 Fathtt. 
 
 me of my cordial], or other ching 
 which were like to eafe your ficke 
 paffion, fhould I not be a Traitor 
 for ever in friendfhip,if at this time 
 Ithouldholdmypeace? So is it, I 
 could not beare(even in my confer- 
 ence) too much blame, if thinking 
 of ferae things which may ferve to 
 the good both of your body and 
 fcule, I (hould containe my felfe 
 and not impart them. Wherefore 
 good S r . C. give mee leave a little 
 to commune with you now being 
 under the haod of God : For even 
 skilfull Phyficians, when them- 
 felvesarevificed, will ufethe ad- 
 vice of their inferiours. You know 
 better than my felfe, chat ordinari- 
 ly in all affii&ions God doth of- 
 fer himfelfe as a Father to us; cha- 
 ftening us, that heemay make u« 
 partakers of holineflV, yea; even 
 by death it fclfe hee doth chaften 
 his, that they may not be jud- 
 ged with the unrepentant Vtorld, 
 Thus I doubt not.but he doth with 
 you. If then wee are Under Gods 
 chafteniog 
 
 109 
 
1 1 I W* muji mourne for fin in afjlillhm. 
 - i I ' i ■ i ■■ i »■■%■■■■ 
 
 chafteoing hand, wee mult firft la- 
 bour ro rake to heart oar faults^ 
 for which our heavenly Father 
 doth take us in hand. Secondly, 
 v*ec muft feeke his mercy in for- 
 giving them, and removing the 
 temporary corre&ion, fo farrc as 
 may (land with his glory. Third- 
 ly, wee muft be arefull co feeke 
 the ufe of them in all things fol- 
 lowing, if God (hall thinke good, 
 co raife us, and truft us with lon- 
 ger time in this prefent life. You 
 know that it is the part of ana- 
 turall ingenious childe to grieve 
 for that, whereby he hath provo- 
 ked his earthly parents difplea- 
 (ure, and (hall it not be our duties 
 much more toward our heavenly > 
 Till we know and feel our ficknefle 
 fomqwhac grievous, we cannot af- 
 ' fedionatcly feeke that Phyfician. 
 Wee count him our friend, who 
 warfceth us of fomeihing growing 
 on our bodies,which we couldjiot 
 difcerneof our lelvesTake it,I be* j 
 feech you, as my beftlove, if I 
 
 prefai 
 
 ) 
 
T{fiturallmtnfpirh*All Aiulttxtrs. 
 
 prefer to your confiderations fomc 
 things which I take to hare beene 
 the chiefe infirmities of your fbule. 
 All our hearts are by nature fall of 
 (pirituall adultery, wee love the 
 pleafuresand pomp of this world* 
 and let them carry away from God, 
 our raoft lively and teodercft af- 
 fections. Now if a roan of true ho- 
 nour would challenge himfclfe, 
 (hould he be but falle in love to his 
 earthly aflbciate? How much more 
 {hould it grieve us, who have let 
 our hearts play falfe with our hea- 
 venly Husband ? Againe, (hould 
 one fccepe their heart to thsir 
 Love in fonie fbrr, but not care to 
 come into theuadefiled bed, in 
 which their moft neere benevo- 
 lence is mutually imparted ; vvete 
 it not a flrange difl oyalcy in per- 
 form married one to the other ? 
 What then (hall wee thinke, who 
 by profefllon married to God, 
 have not cared for partaking in 
 the miniftery of the Word, which 
 is the Br idall-bed , wherein by his 
 
 fpirit, 
 
 lie 
 
112 
 
 Ntt to communicate in the fins, &c. 
 
 fpiric, he doth communicate with 
 our foules his fweetcft favours,and 
 maketh them be conceived with 
 fruit of righteoufnefle, to everla- 
 fting life. Abanah and Fhstfat 
 were as good waters as Iordsn: bat 
 it pleafcd not God in them to 
 heale Naamans leprofie, but in 
 Jordan. It plcafed God by the foo- 
 hfhnefie of preaching, to fave all 
 who (hall beleeve* Laftly, if you 
 have made the finnes of others 
 yours by communicating in them, 
 and nor reproving and reforming 
 them when you had power, (as the 
 finnes of fervants in houfe wich 
 you,) you muft rake knowledge of 
 this, and let it grieve you : when 
 you have friends comming to you, 
 you will have your fervants not 
 oncly ferve you, but be refpeftive 
 to them, carefull that they by no 
 rudenefle doe give them diftafte. 
 How then flbould ic grieve us to 
 thinke, that we have not cared, (b 
 we haive been ferved to our minds, 
 how bur God hath been negltftcd, 
 
 . y«, 
 
■ Gods children m9regtuvedfor^&c % 
 
 \ 1 « " . ^ 
 
 ; yea, provoked ? No w confidering 
 jthefe things, andthofeof likena- 
 rnre,which you are privieto with- 
 in your fclfe, fteke to God in the 
 death of your Chrift,for the remo- 
 val! of them, of the fin chiefety; of 
 the correftion, fo ferre as hee (hall 
 tee good. Ungodly men are like 
 \ Pharaoh, who bade Mofes pray to 
 ! God to take the plague away: but 
 ! Gods children like David jhtj fly 
 to the multitude of Gods tendered 
 mercies, to take away their finne. 
 You may come~ with boldnefle to 
 chat mercifull God in Chrift, who 
 faith,that though a man would not 
 rake a wife once put away for adu!- 
 tcry 3 yet he will receive his people, 
 even afrer their adulteries; if they 
 ftek co him repentantly. It is a fol- 
 ly to ftrive to get loofe from fick- 
 nefle, if we firft fceke not to have 
 releafe from fiune. To breake the 
 Gaole without being acquitted 
 by the Judge,ts no true liberty. To 
 fee the Scrgeant,w it hout compoun- 
 ding with the Creditor, cannot 
 F make 
 
 113 
 
j 1 4 J Viper-tike evils made t»hokfome,&c. 
 
 make found peace, Laftly,I doein- 
 treat you tofeeketheufeof Gods 
 vifitation before all things. How- 
 ever hee (hall deale with you, hee 
 who hath commanded finfull man 
 to joyneinftru&ion with correcti- 
 on, hce who hath taught mau that 
 he will not beat a Dog, but he will 
 put it into his fenfes as well as hee 
 can,what it is for which he ftrikech 
 him.he,Ifay, will not faile to teach 
 you, why his hand is on you, and 
 make you profic by it. This is the 
 feale that God hath ordained us, 
 and called us according to his pur- 
 pofe of bringing us to life, when 
 all thingSjCven thoft evills ofcrof- 
 fes, turne to our ipirituall good. 
 His Fatherly skill doth not make 
 jhefe Viper-like evills into whole- 
 fbme triacles, for any, but his cho- 
 fcn children. If you finde thefe 
 things, re Joyce: For God hath re- 
 vived in your foule an eternall 
 life,yea, he will reftore you to this 
 tcroporall life/if it be good. The it 
 fuesof death are with our God,and 
 
 what 
 
Feart not death pnce Chrlfi t a fled it. 115 
 
 what is it for him to hcalc you be- 
 ing ficke, who did give tobelec- 
 vingperfbns, their dead to life a- 
 giine 3 when ic made for his glory > 
 If nor,you know, a ficke body will 
 notfearctodrinke that hisPnyfi- 
 ciaado-hcafte before him: Chrift 
 hath carted death before us ; to de- 
 liver us from the feare ofic : yea, 
 you know that your life is hid with 
 God in Chrift (who is the roote of 
 us that beleeve on him) even as the 
 life of a Tree, this Winter time, is 
 hid in the roote of ic. The Lord 
 comfort you in thefc things, and 
 thus let mee for this time end, 
 
 12. Momtory* 
 
 DEarc S r , I thankc God, I doe 
 remember you, as I am able, 
 unco him, intreatinghimtoftand 
 by you in all things,and fini(h your 
 courle with comfort. Remember 
 the fore-paffed experiences which 
 you have had of his kindnefle and 
 conftancy toward you : he willnot 
 leave & forfake you now you have 
 F t moft 
 
i 1 6 Mans extremity, Gods opportunity. 
 
 moftueedofhim. Men often, like 
 to thefe Swallowed will be withu* 
 in Summer, but leave us in Winter. 
 The Divell, when he hath dra wne 
 his into the briars^, will give them 
 leave to Iooke for themfelves : But 
 God hath ever ftood neerefl: to his, 
 when their exigencies havebeene 
 greateft. Mans extremity is his op- 
 portunity. That which God hatfi 
 done once for you, in fuftaining, 
 quickning you,, quieting your fpi- 
 rit, his peace,which pafleth all un- 
 dciftandingjkeeping of it, that hee 
 will doe every day unto you,if y ou 
 will inforceyourfelfe toward him. 
 It is no more paine to him to beipe 
 nSj thanic is unto the Sun to lend 
 lijjht to us. If we have in fome fits, 
 found ak by this or that, wee 
 know if wee come into like cafe, 
 how to helps cur felves: iciswee 
 fay, butdoing fuch a thing, or ta- 
 king fecha matter : thus having 
 once found in deadnefie,fainting of 
 fpfcif, quic&nanceandftrengthby 
 recourfe to our God in Chrift, and 
 wreftling 
 
The eye $f Fanbfees God invifible. 
 
 wreftling with him, wee fhould 
 know what to doe when fuch like 
 ftatereturncthon U3. Well Sir, a- 
 while,& forever.TheLordftreng- 
 then u s, r hat though we be led into 
 darkncflTe without light, yet wee 
 mayleaneto him, and call on his 
 name. Ifa child have his father by 
 the handjthotjgh'he b^ in the dark, 
 yet he is not afraid: fo is it wi th u?, 
 while by the eye of Faith wee fee 
 that iavifible one at our right hand 
 to fupport and (ave us. I pray you 
 commend me to my good friends a* 
 bout you.Thoughl am called more 
 on for writing, than my ftrength 
 can well afFord.yet I cannot forget 
 you overlong.NowIcomend you 
 to the grace of that faulTful! Shep- 
 herd, who will beare us when we 
 are weary, ftrengchen us when 
 weake, ke?p us again ft the Wolfe , 
 yea, notlofeu*, but according to 
 the will of his Father, ra;feuiup 
 atthelaftday 5 towhombe glory 
 forever: farewell. 
 Yours in Ghriftianaffe&ionjP.B. 
 F 3 13.O/4- 
 
A Chrijli** carefaH of bit promife. 
 
 M 
 
 13. Chat or j. 
 Y beloved Friend, now the 
 throng is gone ; (b that nei- 
 ther we can excufc any longer cur 
 not inviting,r.or y on your not com- 
 ming when you are called on. You 
 know what words did paflc be- 
 twixt us, farre be it that they 
 (hould prove wind. I doc accom- 
 plifli mine in rcquefting you to vi- 
 fit us, you fliall difcharge your 
 promife, when we in joy you pre- 
 fcnt. We know that you have not 
 wanted altogether iiitreaties to this 
 purpofe : weeome after preferring 
 the fame fuit more rehementIy 3 not 
 quite out of hope to /peed: the la- 
 rtfft Dog fometime taketh up the 
 Hare, My wife will (if you be fo 
 pleafed) meet you at Ware, when 
 you fee forward, that you may 
 know with what devotion (he cn- 
 tertainesyourcommipg. AH cur 
 waics are in the hand of God, hee 
 teachcth us to commit them to 
 him, that they may be direfted. 
 
 We 
 
In all out rvaies rvt muft fears God. 1 1 9 
 
 We may go here and tbere^change 
 aire and company, but the God of 
 all confolation is hee from whole 
 meere mercy in his Chrift wee re^ 
 ceivc all our comfort : chearefu!- 
 neffe of heart is his gift to thole 
 that are good in his eyes.The Lord 
 put his f eare in our hearts^ thaewe 
 may never depart from him leaving 
 the way of his com wdemen ts ; and 
 give bs more and more his feare 
 before us 3 in all out waies. For if it 
 be a (pot in feafts, to eate and drink 
 without feare,as lade faith ; fare it 
 is likewifea fpot^ in our journeyes. 
 The firft lines, are to pro yoke you 
 to come ; thefe are to guide you in 
 comming, that your way may be 
 profperous; which I wilh-you 
 from my heart, with all c^her fpi- 
 rituall ble{Tings,for Ghrifts lake,ac- 
 curled for us. . 
 
 Wrice to us 5 whcn and how you 
 will contrive your journey. Fare 
 you wclk- 
 
 Yours in the Lord, 
 ParJ Baynr. 
 
 f 4 14. m- 
 
.120 Concerning the education of&c* 
 
 14. Dijfwaforj. 
 
 LOvingiV. Awordintime^ is 
 better than many out of feafon, 
 when it is too late : I have talked 
 with my wife, and I finde it true : 
 Tim videntocptliqHamoculut: two 
 are better than one. My wife is in 
 love very care full of yourweale, 
 and for the party to which one 
 might mod probably incline, her 
 thoughts are not without reafon a- 
 verle. Firft, the education of Gen- 
 tlewomen of that forr, doth teach 
 them little to know, butgallancy 
 in apparell 3 to call for fcrvice about 
 themfelves. If they may come 
 where they may have conforts 
 to play a game at Maw while 
 they arc vacant from their atten- 
 dance. Againe,for feeds of Rdigi- 
 on,you cannot groundlyconjcfturc 
 them in her, which is the princi- 
 pal! thing you would fecure your 
 (elfe of: for good natures without 
 Religion* are as we fay of the Di- 
 vell, good oncly while they arc 
 pleated, and when you found it 
 
 enough 
 
\ Godly jealoufic of our filves profitable, 
 
 121 
 
 enough to kcepe any duty to God, 
 with the help of a Religious yoke- 
 fellow, how cai you conceive 
 hopes thisway, ifycuwantfuch 
 a helper? Thirdly, her portion is 
 but a little for your eft ate and cal- 
 ling: God gave you muter of e. 
 ftate equalling to hers, when you 
 were many wa>es by many degrees 
 unequallcoyour'felfe. Againe^tis 
 by (implements of good will to be 
 made up 3 which may occafion ft- 
 cretcourfes ofrccompence.Think 
 of thefe things : for thoughl pitcy 
 your condition, yet I wiOi from 
 my hear r 3 there may be no more 
 haft e than fpeede: (oft fire make th 
 fweeteft maulc. Labour to have 
 your felfe in feare aid jealoufi^and 
 marke the fecret folly of hear r,w ch 
 raaketh uspoaft over our mourning 
 part before God, and linger after 
 the houfe of laughter. If ficke bo* 
 dies fbould ftp onely, and let awjy 
 the bitter potion, calling for re- 
 paratives, the difeais fbould fur- 
 ther and further be cherifoed : fa 
 F K our 
 
« 2 2 I Love & hatred are not in our power. \ 
 
 our ficke foules, if they leave their 
 wormewood-draught too timely 
 which wee fhould take next our 
 heart, wee (hall mifle a great fur- 
 cherance of puribules health. I a- 
 gaine ofren thinke,it is not beauty, 
 but Gods bleffing 3 which muft give 
 you concentment,ancMove and ha- 
 tred are. not in our power • if wee 
 had our raoneths miad (erveJ, we 
 arc fubjeft to grow into diflikc 
 with that wee {o highly defired, as 
 t he ftory oiAmnon & Thamar doth 
 wicnefie. Againe,ifyoufindeyour 
 mindc any thing impocently run- 
 ning hither and thither (: s the fpi- 
 rit of man knoweth the things of 
 man ) bee affraid of having 
 the thing you fodefire,Ieft it prove 
 as.the, Qua !es which ftanckc in 
 the mouthes of them that lulled 
 after them* I pray you therefore, 
 drive with your owee foulc for 
 more gpdJy,forrow and wea- 
 nednefle of minde : Deliberate 
 flcwly, and then you (hall be able 
 to. acQomplifh: boldly, expe&ing 
 
 from 
 
The Lord em helper in Temptations. 
 
 
 from God a blefling of thofc waies 
 which you have comendedro him, 
 
 I have great bufineffe. Our Aft- 
 tropolitans vifitation c5mcth (hort- 
 ly,and I am warned to preach, be- 
 fides many other occaiaons. Yet 
 becaufe I love not after wifedome, 
 I doe make way by force, to fend 
 you in time a word by friendly 
 admonition. 
 
 We doe with our bcft hearts bid 
 you farewell* . 
 
 15, Confolatorjr* 
 
 Si R, Your Letter came in the 
 chiefeft of our harveft, fince 
 the time, the firft weeke, you 
 know our Carrier goeth nor* I 
 can no longer be wanting to my 
 duty fo farre, as to leave your let- 
 ter unanfwered. Thus I paffe to 
 that claufe, touching your late tri* 
 all. I do defire to have fome feeling 
 of your eftate ; and the Lord that 
 kcepeth his, wheu they are almoft 
 ! loft in rhemfclves, keep you in this 
 j and all other temptations. We have 
 
 I JF**! 
 
1 2 ± If Miflj bj-rpaus out of ttmptatior;- 
 
 great neede of God, to leadc us 5 in 
 time of criall : there are many by- 
 waies, at which our corruption 
 and weakenefle will be ready to 
 ftartour* and but onelyone true 
 way, which will bring us to fee a 
 goodiflTue, in Gods ftafon. Some- 
 times wee are in danger, as hath 
 beene taught us, to let light by 
 Gods corre&ions, and play hide- 
 bare with him; thinking well, if 
 wee can ward offthefmareinany 
 fafhion s fomerime we aie Impati- 
 enr,outwardly and apparently kic- 
 king at the fturre^ like theff plun- 
 ging Hoxf. a, which will no: indure 
 their Rider : fbmetime inwardly 
 andfccretly repining and frecting, 
 like thofe Horfes, which digeft 
 their cholcr^by biting their bridles, 
 If wee neither dcfpife 3 nor impati- 
 ently rife againft the hand of God., 
 yet our weakenefle is ready too 
 nuchto take to heart that which 
 is our exerdfe, (o that our fpirix 
 drooperh and faiiteth ; and this is 
 worfc 3 becaufc it is commonly ac- 
 1 . companied 
 
butonegoo&tvayftoagoodijfue. 
 
 compared wii h 4 wilfull iadifpoii- 
 tion, which will not let as receive 
 fuch things, by which we might be 
 trucly comforted: as in Iacob^ho 
 would not be comforted, but fol- 
 lowed his tonne to the Grave, 
 moutt/ing. I doubt not, bu: God 
 keepeth you both from the former; 
 I hope, from tivs latter alfo. Wee 
 muft take our com&ion,and hum- 
 ble our felves under the fmarc of it; 
 but wee muft looke to Ghrift^ that 
 hce would not let our faith, hope, 
 and meekeneffe of minde, be Sha- 
 ken. If God fhould have told you 
 both; I will give you two chil- 
 dren, you (hall bring them up fo 
 long for mee, and I will cake rbero 
 agaiie- would you oc: have ac- 
 cepted it gladly? The event doch 
 tell you no kffe, than if he bad be- 
 fore-hand thus fpoken unto you. 
 God is the duefe Father of all tht 
 Families in Heaven ardEarch 5 we 
 are but fofter-parents to our ownc 
 children, When my Uft childe was 
 , taken to God, my good friend, our 
 Preacher, 
 
1 1 6 j UMotives to betre equally the 
 
 Preacher, did fometime {hew roee 
 many Motives,why I fhould bearc 
 it equally. 
 
 rarft, That they, wken thus 
 fbone,are crowned through Chrift, 
 without having experience of that 
 fighr^whichroakethuscry, Omi- 
 ferable^&c.and thinkeour lives of- 
 ten a burthen to us. 
 
 Secondly Jc is not Ioveto thern, 
 when we arc perfwaded, that God 
 is their God, which maketh us 
 grieve at their taking hence : ic is 
 felfe-love,or carnall a ffe&'ron : For 
 Chrift told his Difciples, If yee lo- 
 ved mejee would be glad,becaufe 
 I gre to the Father. And what 
 meafure doe wee offer God, who 
 can fend our childictx farre from 
 us, where wee are never like to fee 
 them againe, if they may doe well 
 with man, and yet cannot well 
 beare to have them taken out of 
 figbt by the Lord, though wee are 
 pcrfwaded their (pints are with 
 him? Wee mud Labour for fuch 
 goo3 hearts,^ may pot be content 
 
death of my children. 
 
 I2 7 
 
 perforce to lcc him take, but may 
 willingly yeeld, even our children 
 (if it were by ftcrifidng them with 
 our ownc hands) to him who hath 
 not thought his only Begotten too 
 deare for us, but hath given him to 
 death for our fakes. If God fhould 
 have riven the Tree afunder, I 
 meane, fevered you one from ano- 
 ther^ muft have been taken thank- 
 fully ; but much more when hce 
 jeaveththe Tree, and taketh but 
 the fruit, yea, but part of char, lea- 
 ving the one halfe yet wiih you. 
 
 Thirdly,ar d laftly, Ic is a token 
 wee felt not his love, nor received 
 them not from bis hand, as wee 
 ought to have done^ if wee (hould 
 notchankfully give then; backe to 
 him, Anna receiving Samnd as a 
 gift gotten by petition from God, 
 did readily part with him to God 
 againc ; (b Abraham with his feed, 
 which by Faith in the Promife hee 
 had ob:ained. I know wc are ready 
 tothinkthefe thing^are truc^ but a 
 Parent4ikc affc&o^cannateafily 
 
 (hake. 
 
 
123 
 
 We mufl lone Godbtttter than,&c. 
 
 fhakc hands with, and yccld op 
 things fo dearcly beloved.lt is true 
 indeed, that while we pleade love 
 to our children, what unkindnefie 
 do we bewray toward God ; if my 
 heart did not To love them, I could 
 give them thee ? Calmly to thinke 
 on this, which yet is contained in 
 that Exception above named, were 
 able to make one blufh, that his 
 heart fhould be fo cold in his love 
 to God-ward, as not willingly to 
 pare with any thing it Iovech, at 
 Gods cill : alas, to yeeld that wee 
 greatly care not for, is nogodarmr- 
 cy. ButIhope,Godslbvedorhnot 
 make his hand grievous ; nc'uher 
 would Ihave thus late written thus 
 much.butthat it is good to be pro- 
 vided againft all things to come. 
 For as when fire catcheih, wee Fee 
 how f arre it is gone, but know not 
 where it will (by; even fo ic is, 
 when thefirebfaffli£Vion(in which 
 Faith is proved) is once kindled. 
 The fecond meficnge: told nor I A 
 all his forrbj? at once ; ic is wife- 
 dome 
 
yVcmiiflthankf God far the, &c. 
 
 dome fiill to provide for the 
 worft, the befi: will Gve it felte. 
 
 1 6. 
 
 MY beloved Friend, and Chri- 
 (tian Sifter, ifl my felfc had 
 been a good Scribe,you (hould noc 
 have been thus long unwritten ro : 
 My afflftiontoyourdeceafed Mo- 
 rher,who did requeft ic at my hand, 
 and the love I bareyourfeife,would 
 long fince have inforced it; but my 
 hand cannot doe, what my heart 
 would. Nevertheleflk, feeling my 
 felfe not like to live to fee your 
 face,I have got the help of anothers 
 hand,to report what my heart doth 
 fpeake unto you, out of that Chri- 
 ftian love which bindcth us tocon- 
 fider one another,and provoke one 
 another co love. I may thanke God 
 for thole good things, which I 
 know his grace hath done in you. 
 For the conlcionable reverence of 
 your deceafed Parent, was of him, 
 who writeth in the heart that com- 
 mandement of honouring the Pa- 
 i rent, 
 
130 DinUions tojtirre up our duties \&c . 
 
 \ 
 
 rent, as well as others. A grace 
 which God^who worker h ic, hath 
 promifed to crowne with much 
 profperhy. Ocher things A(o per- 
 vade rnc of your piety; but God I 
 will teach you to know the things 
 beftowed on you : neither are wee 
 much to harpe on this ftri g, un- 
 k(T: we were in conference aflured, 
 that it were needfull to ftrengthen 
 each other with figncs of a good 
 eflate; as the Phyficia s doe on 
 hearth flk Patients, with repeating 
 good tokens of recovery. Yet we 
 that are taught of him, to fee ought 
 that his grace doth in us, mud 
 bleffe him;md Ganders by, who by 
 a fpirit of decerning obferve the 
 fame,muft joyne with us in thankf- 
 givirg. I will leave therefore this 
 matter, and take occafion to ftirre 
 you up to duty to your heavenly 
 Father^whora I know to have been 
 dutifull of confeience to earthly. 
 Firft, you muft labour to know 
 your God; and in Chrift^your mer- 
 cifull Fatfrcr : for we by nature are 
 • like 
 
Wc mttft know God j om Father. 
 
 i ■ m m . m i ■ » 
 
 like runnagatechildren, who have 
 never kepc necre tluir Parents i 
 houfe 5 or like the Prodigall 5 which ! 
 left his fathers houfe^ and becooke ! 
 him to Harlots: Co out hearts have j 
 left our God,and knownothingby I 
 nacure, but the things of this 
 world, v^kh which we comT,ir fpi- 
 ricuall Harlotry. Now there is 
 none by nature, that feeke sf:er 
 God. But wee that doe in Chrift, 
 find him in part/ muft more and j 
 more grow up, in the acknowled- 
 ging ofhim. What a grace lefle part I 
 would we condcmne it io for our 
 telves, ifwefhould not know our 
 Parents here(as by pride and hecd- 
 Itflcrudeneffe, fbme children will 
 not) much more fhould wee be a- 
 (hamed, not to take notice of our 
 heavenly Father?Nay, we muft the 
 more cry after him, the more blef. 
 (edneffe we know there is,tn in joy- 
 ing of him : as the children that 
 taflethe (weetnefle of the loving 
 Parent, cry when they fceme to be 
 left. Butifycuaskehowyoumay 
 know > | 
 
32 Hexvrvemay kgowGod. 
 
 know? lanfwer: Firft,youmuft 
 gee your eyes wiped, the eyes of 
 your minde : Secondly, you muft 
 know where to feeke him. Our 
 eyes are{bre,and full of fcales : and 
 thercfore,if men be carcfull to have 
 the eyes oftheir body dreffed^yea, 
 indure fharpe waters, rainer than 
 their fight fhould faile ; fo much 
 more muft wee feeke to God, for 
 the Eye-falve of hisSpirir,the one- 
 ly Clary chat eleareth fickc fights : 
 Yea, welcome Gods Affii&ions, 
 which are his ftrong Waters, to 
 reftore our Seeing. 
 
 Now could you fee, and knew 
 not where to finde him, yon were 
 never rhe better. Therefore you 
 muftknow thl«, that if you will 
 feeke him,y ou muft looke at Chrift 
 his Sonne, in whom the Father is, 
 for they are one. When a childe is 
 li ke the Parent, wee (ay, If you fee 
 (uch a one, you fee his Father, for 
 he is the fame up and downe as his 
 Father was. Bat Chrift is liker 
 the Father^ than any childe the na- 
 i turall 
 
Wt mujl love God, and why. 
 
 rurall Parent. For the fclfe-fame 
 ifMMecing fpiriruall God, who in 
 Sellowfhip of his Perfon, hath a 
 Souleand Body glorified, the fame 
 Spirituall Nature xs the Nature of 
 :he Father : as if the fame Soule 
 jwd Body which is in you, were 
 Srommunlcated with the perfbn of 
 bour chiide. Sccondly,as you ieekc 
 to know him more, fo yon rauft 
 jfeeke to love him and pleafe him in 
 pll things, being more fruitful! in 
 |fcrving him,than you hav? beene : 
 (And good reafbn 3 Love is the wher- 
 ftone of Love. If you (hould fo 
 love one, as to give your little S^a 
 to death for his fake, would you 
 not thinfce it an intolerable parr, 
 not to be confidered with love a* 
 gaine ? Yet God (b loved us, that 
 hee gave his onely Begotten ; that 
 weebeleevingin him, ftiouldnot 
 perifh, but have life erernall. Aid 
 for our childreo,Do we not Iooke^ 
 thowgh they be full of play when 
 they are y oung,yet,that being bet- 
 ter growne, they rnuft lcarne fome 
 
 honeft 
 
 133 
 
134 
 
 Lwt to God tried hy its working. 
 
 honeft calling, which may do them 
 good another day? So the Lord, 
 though hchavcagenclehandover 
 uvwhile wee are tender ; yet doth' 
 Iooke, that wee after wardt> fhould 
 bemorefruicfulljnd ferviceable to 
 him,M.i2 2. The righteous are 
 compared to Trees; which, wheo 
 firft planted, bearcfew, but grow 
 till they come to carry mmy bran- 
 ches. Now, if you would cry your 
 love 3 you muft fiode it out by irs 
 working. What contentment you 
 take in that Pretence, which is to 
 be had by Faith; what longing you 
 have to be-with God; what love ro 
 his tokens ; what love to children, 
 and friends. As fcr example: Lo- 
 ving your Husband above all men^ 
 there is none whole prefence you 
 care for,or take contenment in,like 
 his. So laich the fakhfullfouleto 
 God ; What have I in Heaven but 
 j thee ? What in Earth, in compari* 
 (on of thee > Againe, if your Huf- 
 baad were in fomc other Country, 
 how would you long for his re- 
 
 turne 
 
TLffitts ofouY love t9 God* 
 
 tume unto you, or that you might 
 follow him? So the loving foule 
 to God, f*ith ; Oh, who fhall deli- 
 verrrec from this body! Oh,icis 
 beft for mc to bz with Chrift ! 
 Shee would goe to him. I looke 
 for the appearance of the great 
 God,who fnall makemy body like 
 his glorious Body, by the Power 
 | which fubdueth all things. Ifrwo 
 [truely loving were concrafLd, 
 I would not every weeke feme a 
 :yeere, till the Wedding? Wee are 
 by Faith contra&ed to God, in 
 Chrift : how fhould we long to fee 
 our Marriage folemnized? Endea- 
 vour to pleafe him, grieve ifought 
 crofle your loving Husband. A 
 Letter from a friend, we love, and 
 fet by it : If we have a Token,how 
 we kecpe it, and are glad of it ? So 
 the Word of God, which is his 
 L^tcer,Oh! how glad ischefoule, 
 that loves the God of it ? I rejoyced 
 in thy Statutes^ more than in all 
 Wealth. So the Sacraments^ which 
 are the Pledges of himfdfe to us, 
 
 thefc 
 
 135 
 
i3« 
 
 Wee lovi not God as we ought. 
 
 theft are the love-tokens hee fen- 
 dech to us> while wee are abfent 
 from him in the body, Laflly, by 
 loving his Children, and friends. 
 You loving your Husband^ thinke 
 his friends welcome, and love 
 them. Could you thinke one lo- 
 ved yoi^and loved not your fonne? 
 So they chat love him that beget- 
 tcth, love him alfo who is begor- 
 ten, i lob.*).!' Nowthen.Ietusnot 
 be falfe to our owne hearts, and 
 wee may confeife that wee want a 
 great deale of love to our God : 
 for,when arc we glad at the hearty 
 and re Joyce in our God > When do 
 we long after his appearing ? Nay, 
 God is faine to fmo3ke us forth of 
 this World with many trialis., and 
 yet wee will not arife, and come 
 away in our affe&ion. When arc 
 wee heartily joyfull to heare his 
 voyce, and receive his tokens ? 
 When dbe weebufie our head to 
 pleafe him 1 and when doth it cut 
 us at the heart, if hee be offended > 
 Now then, if you fee you want it, 
 
 what 
 
Therefore rpefHHfttakeJbameto^&c. \ 137 
 1. ■ -»■ ■ -- 1 . -t i, i ■ » 
 what mult you doc ? You muft 
 fhame your owne heart within 
 your iclfe,and fay; What a wretch 
 ami! If my heart could be glad of 
 j every ftrangerscompany,and were 
 ; dead within me, not joying in my 
 Husbands prefence ; were bufie a- 
 ! bout other things; negligent to my 
 Husband 5 longed for other men ; 
 ' never wi{hedtofeehtrn>ifabfent : 
 i what a fhamefull part were this in 
 I me? Yet thus it is : my foule is 
 married to thee(Lorc$) thou hadft 
 no D j wry with me, but beggerie, 
 and fpirituall filthinefle, yet thou 
 ; boughteft mee deare, and haft put 
 mee in no fcfle than Heaven, for 
 : my Joynture • and yet loe, I can 
 • finde a alternation, and be merry 
 ! at this or that earthly thing •, I can 
 'long to have earthly matters 
 I which I lick ; I can be carefull how 
 to pleafe man, and be grieved, 
 when ought doth crofle his liking ; 
 but am lacking in them all, to- 
 ward thee. Then feeing this, and 
 how your heart is full ot Harlotry 
 G love 
 
 . 
 
i 3 8 
 
 Get love to God^ and get every thing. 
 
 love to creatures, you muft cry ro 
 God; lordhelpemer, pare away 
 this Clfe*love,and falfe love to the 
 creature, and make me love thee; 
 Lord,drawmeafcerthee,and Khali 
 follow tbeeas taft. And ftrengthen 
 your (elfe in faith., and God will 
 give it you : for this i? his pro- 
 raife, I willcircumcife your hearts, 
 and make you ro love mee with all 
 your hearts : Gee this, and you get 
 everything. This will make that 
 which is irkefometotheflrflb, be 
 raeateand drinketoyou, andde- 
 lightfull. Is not the Nurcery of 
 the Childe, a homely piece of 
 worke ? Yer, becaufe the Mother 
 loveth ir,though her fkepe be bro- 
 ken, and her hand foiled, flieeun- 
 dergoeth it gladly. And not onely 
 dothitconftraineus, bu; make us 
 patient. What will not a wife wo- 
 man beare, and pocket patiently 
 from a Husband fhe loveth ? Now 
 one thing more I will vvarne you 
 of, and end; and that is a good 
 meaneofihe former. Whilcftyou 
 
 live,-, 
 
Moitt4iiontn\witQt*r%hly things. \ 139 
 
 live,learnc co weane you ielfc from 
 the things of this world; let htm 
 that buyeth, marrievh, &c. For 
 ( hec who immoderately loveth the 
 j things of this world, as Pride 3 Pro- 
 fi:,and PJcafure,tbc love of the Fa- 
 ther is not ia him. Shee that hath 
 loved one man rrucly,Oie is fped,as 
 we fay ; (he can love no more Hus- 
 band, Children, Poffeffions; much 
 tefle the proud vanities and rio- 
 tous Goffippings of thefe Times. 
 Asanhoneft Woman mu ft flyc the 
 Stewes, fomuft wee not have our 
 hearts (eene among thele things. 
 And this is more cafe toroyeaie- 
 lefle flefh, that God gave me mean- 
 ntflc of roinde, and negleft of fuch 
 carnall courfcs, in which I might 
 have had ray (hare, that I wifli all 
 ray Chriftian friends may receive 
 that grace from him, which I try 
 by experience to have fo precious 
 effeS. The Lord keepe you. 
 
 17. 
 
 Lo- 
 
i<jo 
 
 
 Ckrift takes away the cur fe offirme. 
 
 LOving N. I received your Let- 
 ters ; in which,you fignifie the 
 confumraation of that, which I 
 I wifh profperous.The ground of all 
 profperity,isGods bleffing : with- 
 out which, every thing is a deadly 
 poifon to us $ whether ic tafte bic- 
 - terras crofles ; or fweet^a s the more 
 ftcccffefullifluesof things; whe- 
 ther ic kill with painfull gripings, 
 as evills ; or caft afleepe, and move 
 laughtcr,as thofe things do,which 
 in them (elves are to be efteemed 
 outward bleffings. The poifons 
 fpiritual I, for tafte and effeft, carry 
 [ no Ieffe than corporall. Now the 
 ground of blefiing in all things, is 
 JefusChrift, our Redeemer, bea- 
 ring our Gurfe for us, (Gal.%. 13.) 
 and (wallowing our defer ved Cup 
 up,inco an unfained blefling.I hope < 
 the eye of your fbulc lookcthup| 
 to him, who was lifted upon the 
 curled Crofle, to heale that Curfe, 
 wherewith Sinne and the Divell, 
 t bat old Serpent, have flung us. A- 
 
We muftfubmit to Godsyoake. 
 
 gaine, I doub: nor,but your Wives 
 prayers (who is now departed)are 
 on record in Heaven, and your 
 Sifters prayers (wh ) flilllivtth) 
 are not in vaine before hin^who is 
 I a God hearing prayer : Both have 
 ! wi (lied you bie&dnefle, through 
 \ Jefus Chtift. I would h^ve beene 
 with you before this Letter, but 
 j chat Gfd huh let my wives weak- 
 n^&Mo be more than ordhay. We 
 mufttake up our C oflTxS^nd when 
 God bidJeth us yoake, hce is the 
 wiiahmnchatyecideth his necke 
 moft willingly. Thishath made me* 
 ftay hitherto; buttle Lord esfiig 
 his hand, I relume my purpofe, of 
 farisfying your c?efire,andmeane to 
 follow my Lett cat the heeles.The 
 Lord make it prosperous. You cell 
 meg a loving Tale, of bringing up 
 your Wife, to enter her into my 
 acquaintance. Tf you had no Bro- 
 ther at Cambridge, it were pity my 
 Sifter ftiould be no fooner a Wife, 
 than a Widow.You know the Law 
 of the firft yeere. 
 
 G % The 
 
142 
 
 Chriflidn Queries, and 
 
 The God of Love give you ho- 
 ly love in hira, and kerpethe fire 
 in, when ic is kindled. I hope I 
 fhall never forget my Chrifiian du- 
 ty to yoi^of being a helper to your 
 faith; itftialIgohard,whenIhelp 
 you not with a fhort Curry of mat- 
 ter to this purpofe* My Wife re- 
 members you and her Sifter to 
 God; and lee my love reft with 
 you, till God give rae leave code 
 you. Farewell. 
 
 18. 
 
 LOving Coufio, I have a cold 
 fpirir, who fhew thee no more 
 love : but bcare with mce in this 
 Winter of mine, and if ever the 
 Son of Rightcoufnefle be pleafed 
 to make Summer with me, no one, 
 without my felfe, (ball have more 
 intereft in the fruits I then fhall be 
 taken with. Jt may be, the thred 
 of your life fhall be drawoe out fo 
 farre, as to fee thefe words prove 
 workes; which the Lord haftcr. ! 
 How goeth the matter with your | 
 poorefoule > how doth it get up? 
 
 How 
 
Incentives to Devotion. 
 
 143 
 
 How is it made ready every mor- 
 ning? Howwalkerhitalltheday, 
 when it is once with the folemni- 
 ty of Devotion difpatched > Doth 
 the eye of che foule wake without 
 mittcr, like that heavie matter 
 which in fame eyes and heads (coo 
 much (luffed) is often difcerned"? 
 You may know if ic be cleare; 
 Fir ft, it will ke God in hisChrift, 
 through the g!affe of his Word, 
 and it will at eafc hold waking be- 
 fore him. If you thus wake, you 
 have the dart of me,my fh up-win- 
 dowes are longer in opening, than 
 me chinks I Ice you in making rea- 
 dy. Sometimes the mift of my 
 ownedarknefle, fometimes earth- 
 ly humours do- (hoo:e into them; 
 fometiroes a fpiritof ftamber and 
 fl)ch dodi offer to clofe them- 
 fometimes clouds of fpin^uill 
 darkneffe doe ovsr-caft them : fo 
 that, though they are waked, and 
 inthemfelveslightfome^ yet they 
 fee nothing, by reafonofchatob- 
 fcurhie which is without them. 
 G 4 w^erc- \ 
 
144 
 
 Mans dulaejfc to bolinejfe. 
 
 wherewith they are invironed : as 
 it is with a man that fittcch with 
 his eyes wide open, in a Roome, 
 where neither light of Sunnenor 
 Candle commech. Now^ while a 
 man is flying to Chrift, to get the 
 inward dimncflc of his fight clea- 
 red, (for he can make his Clay and 
 Spittle heale them) while heeget- 
 teth the diftillation of by-though i s 
 flopped, by looking co him w ho 
 unites our hearts to himfelfe, who 
 wofketh all our workes for u >; 
 while hee feeketh to that quick- 
 ning Spirit, to fcatter his (lumber, 
 and laboureth him, who is Light ; 
 itfelfe, toexpell thofe excernall 
 darknefies invironinghi*n; while 
 one man is tasked with this work, 
 another, not thus moleftcd, is rea- 
 dy,andhathdifpatched. WelI,our 
 God doth accept it for one of his 
 ficke fervants fore-noone workes, 
 to fettle their clothes orderly a- 
 bout them, I mention thefe things, 
 to lend you fbme light j by which, 
 you may better fee your privilege, 
 
 who 
 
Tbrthkefolnejje to Lhrifl the, &c. 
 
 who are not forced tofpendyour 
 ftrerg^h in facha fafhion. Bat the 
 maa that is well waked, mift 
 have movbg, as well as ienfe re- 
 turned. Howdoetheaffrdionsof 
 your heart foot it to Chrift,in way 
 of thanktfulneffe, who hath led 
 you all your daies? who is that 
 Prince, that makech peace in you ; 
 whofe (scree, is the ftrengih of 
 your heart, that it fanteth not; 
 whole favour is tba r . Sbiel J,which 
 doth fo cover you,thateviils have 
 no leave to affaile you, muchkffe 
 toprevaileagainftyou? Is your 
 h :arr, in the copfcious underftan- 
 of any benefit^affcftionate to- 
 ward him ? Then you are truly a- 
 wake, and ligh* fome, like to pafle 
 that day without too rruch weari- 
 neffc, which *is with (b fiefli a fpi- 
 ilc entred: then that Smm ofRtgh* 
 uonfneffe hath got you up. For as a 
 greater fire draweth forth a leffery 
 and as the Sun bodily rifing daily 
 omus,dt;thdraw forth the fpirits 
 ogfeofe and movng, which are in 
 G 5 the 
 
M* v I 
 
 The Souk' rLaver. 
 
 the bodily creature; fo doth that 
 light and life of lirael, by his 
 work, though not perceWed,draw 
 forth this fpirituall motion of the 
 liteofGodinus, whereby we diC 
 cerne him, and in thankefulnefle 
 make towards him. When your 
 foulc is now awaked 5 what doth it 
 wa(h with, what doth irputon? 
 As we Chriftians have both guilt 
 and deformed blot of fione, to we 
 have a daily laver, even blond and 
 waterjfor our Chrift came in b nh, 
 to :each,thar he came not onely to 
 make atoucmert for the gnile of 
 feme, but d th alfocleankusby 
 his S|)iri : . ttom the fpot of cor- 
 ruption* Now then if you looke 
 at that great God, as your Righ- 
 tcoulhefle, by faith an his blond, 
 (lied with ftnfc of the carfe due to 
 our fince; and if you looke to 
 Chrift, who Is made of God your 
 S&ndifier, to ckanfe you from 
 thofe. inherent' fpots d*ily, then 
 ycu have waftieo in the Fouoraine 
 opeacd for Ifracl, and are lb clean- 
 ed 
 
J ht SoHks c R s atmtnt and Armour. 
 
 fed (have you but orxe waftied in 
 this kindc) that you (hall ocver 
 be defiled throughout againe^ as 
 Ghrift fpeaketh. Neverthclcffe, 
 there mult be Raiment upon the 
 Sjnle, yea^ it muft be cbdwich 
 compleat Armour, for it iscoro- 
 paflfid with cucmies^and the life of 
 uis a warfare. Now, when wee 
 looke to Chritt by faicb, as our 
 Sintfificrand-falvatioty hen we are 
 thusclothed : heisourSa oftiBer 9 
 who muft bringall our graces from 
 one degree to another^ making 
 thathghtofholineffe, that image 
 of himfelfe the fccord Adam ,grow 
 up in us, as the light of the mot- 
 Ding, till it c5mech to the ftrength, 
 taketh increafe. H*e muft be our 
 Viceroy, (read Satan under our 
 feet, diffolvehis works, crufhthe 
 head of him for us, hce muft fi j fh 
 the worke of his Grace with his 
 ownc power. Well, when you are 
 thus forward 5 how-de:hyour fouie 
 walke,put:i git felfs: forth in aftt- 
 onMcxhi: go limping? djthit reft 
 s and \ 
 
1 48 I The Joule J face, Cbrifl mends it. 
 
 and can goc no further, as weary ? 
 Doth it feare it (hall not hold ouc > 
 Is it made fad, with wont of any 
 thing 1 Many a good fbule walkcth 
 thus, and puzzle the m fo, that they 
 cannot goc onfredy ; bat I hope, 
 no earthly lufts fall abeir your feer, 
 It may be ie is weary fometime$ 3 
 and is fearefull, and is made fad, 
 through fbmc kiide of circurr- 
 ftance. WelUet us gee confeience 5 
 what painfulnefie* what weaii- 
 nefle, what weaknefle, what fcare 
 doth attend us > O jr fpirhs bdng 
 orce poore in the privity they 
 have of thefe matters, (hall no 
 fbonerlooke with the eye of f if: 
 to Chrift, but the matter ftali be 
 merded. Hee if is that make. 
 kmetoleape, like*Hin;-e; who 
 tn jrgcthrhehea>r, to run in the 
 uaeroftheComan ements. L« oke 
 to HitD,thef aithfullShcpheid,who 
 tafceth up the weary Snecpe, that 
 through feeblereff; ca/» go no fur- 
 tbei : to Hira,to whom the casing 
 of our eye is the renewing of ou* 
 ftrcngrh. 
 
Cbriftthefinijber ofoxr Faith. 14 9 
 
 ftre gth.Againft fcarc of pcrfeve- 
 ring, challenge him as the auchour 
 and tinifher ot your faitfyevcrcnt- 
 lyttllhia), it is a piece of his Fa- 
 thers will thatheftoi Idnotonely 
 give you co be lie v^ ar d his Spirit 
 for a time, buc chat he (hould raife 
 you op at the laft day. lob t 6 59, 
 FinJly, looke to your Gd> that 
 hathfaiJ to *Abraham md all bi- 
 lecvingfodofhi n, W Ike before 
 ~tve, IamGodA I^fficieiif. Tell 
 him you have noihiug buc him- 
 fclfe, in heaven nor yet in earth, in 
 comparifonofhim^ a;;d he cannot 
 but (apply with himlclfe, cve;y 
 thing toy u- 
 
 Thus the askrg a qucflion, 
 which I did not thmfce of, yvhcfl I 
 fecpenco paper, hathcirawne me 
 on to ma^ccr not i mended. I caa- 
 notnowanntxe the o her, for my 
 Let^r is fen; for. I have beene 
 neiiher well this five weeko, nor 
 yet ficke enough to make mee 
 better. 
 
 The Lord be our daily flrengtb, 
 direftiop, 
 
 l . 
 

 1 5j o Gods children fubjt ft to fickle JJi . 
 
 dirc&ion, bldfing, comfort, ano 
 prou&ion for ever. 
 \ 9 . 
 
 MYdeareFuend^and Brother, 
 in him, whoisnotafoarned 
 to call lis brethren,! cwnot but fi- 
 lm* you, and let yuu heare how it 
 is with me : for I know, my lines 
 cannot o me to you mors /bone 
 than welcome. I was fcarceal jil- 
 ted f rem my horfr, but ar>aguifh 
 diftcmfcrdidfciz^onmcj and fol- 
 low me in manner of an Hcfitcke, 
 to which I have a habitude, eve.s 
 in my beft healch. B.fide, I have 
 been troubled wich (ucb an infl m- 
 mation of fome of thofe interior j 
 vifcera, that I cold notfl^petwo 
 houre?, but extreni y of inward 
 heats would auakenne In which 
 kind I went fome five wee kes, but 
 now I thanke God, my body, 
 though a liltle more bettered , is in 
 fuchltate as formerly it hath b^nc. 
 Fotmy (oule,Uti!lgooninyerr s 
 j and rnontjbsoflabour,accordii ga 
 [my Lord hath meafared. I fct& 
 l fuel 
 
 \ 
 
TheChriJiiam coojl$8. 
 
 *5* 
 
 fiich ignorance of God and all his 
 waie^ Co many yet res coward me D 
 fuch folly^ which kcrprch me from 
 caking any tiling to hcsrr, which 
 refpe&eth G<;d, orcor.ceir.eth my 
 f< lfe, fach upcircumcifion of heart, 
 which makrth me thar I ca wot be 
 j holily poore and abjcft-, 'hough 
 confciousofinnuTjerabkm drives, 
 paft, prefect,, eminent, which 
 mtghrmovemethereco: Laftly,! 
 fe^lc fuch a Sdfe-ftfficien~y, ss 
 will noc let me perceive what need 
 I have of my God to be with mee, 
 for quickniog, ftrengthening,cem- 
 fortiug dire&ing.proffk ring of me 
 in my courf?, though this breath 
 of ournofiriUJa nor more neceffa- 
 ryto the b tffig and continuing of j 
 this bodily life, chanishisblefikd ! 
 prefence^ to the caufing and main- ' 
 raining of all our comforr. Theft 
 things doe renew :heir aflaojc on 
 me every day ; and norwithfta-idi jg 
 I renew daily my endevour a- 
 gainfhhem, yet I Cinnotrrover 
 u:ch fu^-ply of Grace, as frr.uld 
 
 make 
 
*5* 
 
 Sinm is neAkjitdby degrees. 
 
 make mee walke more large this 
 \*ay. But hard lefla.s are not ea- 
 fily learned. 
 
 Sometime finding frul! eff ft, 
 lam ready to thinkc, rr.y labour is 
 invaine, butwtanlconlidir, a!l is 
 not in vaine, whofe effeft doth not 
 prefently appeare : fecdeis lvg 
 cim-lowneb^orehaivcft.Sicond- 
 ly, ftrengch fpirituall doth c xpell 
 fpiticua! corruptions itrength na- 
 tural! (kkehcmors.Strcrg h natu- 
 ral], ifr it b? in falncITe, ic doth y?- 
 mul&fcmtl purge out that matter 
 \fchich is contrary co k : bjt ific be 
 in mediocrity, it doth cxpell f> 
 farce, that though Gekc nutter ft ill 
 remuine,y tt ir is hgncened,and be- 
 conimetti more tolerable to nature. 
 Neither is eating and drinking in 
 jbecaufe we cannot (o refrefh 
 our (Uvts,but chat hunger vnllftill 
 re (urne un ui- Sometime (he fami- 
 liarity of iij do h make merea'y 
 top fT 3 by i% not moved at alia- 
 ga nft it : tven as things off-nfive 
 to uature at fiiii, growbycuftorae 
 
rfgainjl mar in rffe in boltnefli. 153 
 
 lefle gtievou?. But IfhetoGod^ 
 who hath promifed to pucall en- 
 mity in us again!! the feedc of the 
 Serp?nr,which we find to remaine 
 within us; I fay comyChrft, as 
 hou doeit reach me this cup, like a 
 daily diet drinke, fomakeitwhol- 
 forne to me. Sometime wcarincffe 
 doth fcrprife mc: thenlthinkeof 
 rftaeJ,amongIt whofetemptations, 
 one was from the length of the 
 way^evoi wearineffeof wandring. 
 I Iooke to Orift, and pray him to 
 ftrengthen me, that I may fol'ow 
 the M*rch, that I may follow him 
 whither(oever hee leadech. Then I 
 chinke when are men weary (be- 
 ing refrefhed with fleep) to refume 
 their earthly affaires ; I fay with 
 my felfe 5 for what doeft thou keep 
 mc? for what docft thou refrcfh 
 me ? O ray Shepherd,thou haft no 
 other wooll nor milke from mee ! 
 Agaipe, I confiier how dangerous 
 it is to intermit, if when I have the 
 moft fervent indeavours, I finde it 
 enough to walke weakely, what 
 
 would 
 
 I 4 ' v ' ■ " ' ■ " * »" — 
 
H 
 
 #>« mujl not flint at our deadnejfe. 
 
 would become ot mee, were chefe 
 negle#ed ? Lord, inlarge my heart 
 with thy ftrengih, that I may Gaf- 
 fer hardfhip like a good Souldier, 
 without (hrinkJn^ at it. I thinke 
 you know the like thing* in dead- 
 nefle,huc feare not, nor^intnor, 
 though wee be to that life of his, 
 like as cold water and dry afhe's are 
 to heat, in which naturally, heat 
 canncv* j r be fixed, yet when our 
 God hath proved our faith and pa- 
 tience, he, who calleth the things 
 that are not, as if they were, hee 
 who calleth light out of darknelfe, 
 will imprint in our foulcs, and 
 make thefe things as fixed poffcf 
 fions with us, which now like ligh- 
 tening? are not more fbone mini- 
 fcfted, than vanifhed : His forbea- 
 rance is but till the fitteft time for 
 hime to give it,andus to receive it • 
 the Lord make us, in the meanc 
 while,of underftanding hearts. 
 
 We in outward things wirti to 
 be cured rather (ecurely than fpee- 
 dily, neither would we have Sum- 
 
 mer 
 
The miscarrying of a Letter. 
 
 net in Winter, for the Winter is as 
 neceflaryfortherooring of things 
 is the Summer to make things 
 hoot forth withfrutefmilingly. 
 
 Youriin Chriftianaffc ftion, 
 Paul Bape. 
 
 20. ViulUry. 
 
 MYdeare Friend., the heare- 
 (ay of your welfare is to me 
 raoft welcome. I was forry that my 
 letter mif-carricd,but there cm be 
 no deft ft in any inftrumeor , which 
 doth not caderefnb ele&iofjemfupre^ 
 misrtificu. If the fruit of our body 
 prove abortive^we praifebim^how 
 much more muft wee fan&ifie his 
 wife providence 5 whcn the like cafe 
 fallcth out but in a letter^ which is 
 fuch a birth of the minde, as may 
 by a fecond conception be framed 
 againcwith advantag ?Idid write 
 vntoyou (bme things concerning 
 myowneeftate, how I found my 
 heart in my vifitacion^ what was 
 
 my 
 
 *55 
 
1 5 6 
 
 Deaiveffe offptrit : Why God 
 
 my pra&ic",eventocompjfn thofc 
 walls of darknefle which I decer- 
 ned in my felfe 3 and in filence and 
 reft to wait on my God for his fal- 
 vation in the downfall of them. I 
 count it impertinent to rub up my 
 memory in regard of that, I this 
 waydifcoutfed, though in the cir- 
 cumrtanccs I then uUd, icdidbe- 
 feerne my condition, and would 
 have rtliflied well co your undcr- 
 ftandirg. A fecond branch of my 
 It t:er concerned your fel?,aadthis 
 uncomfortable deadneffe which a- 
 gaine you mention, the heads 
 whereof I will labour to recall as 
 I may, though I cannot reach that 
 ftraine in which I found my felfc 
 when I indited the former. 
 
 About this deadncfle of fpiric, I 
 did conGder two things. Fir(>,the 
 reafbns for which God did let 
 it hang about us. Secondly, the 
 courfc wee" were to take againft it. 
 The Lord doth it for many good 
 ends. i. That it may be a fpur in- 
 citing usto'goe forth to him,who 
 
 is 
 
lets it hang about w. 
 
 is the quickning fpiric, that thus 
 wc might experimentally findeche 
 quickning vertue of Chrift, who 
 doth lighten our eycs,and bring us 
 out of thefe fits to fecle our fclves 
 alive before him, could wee thirft, 
 after the living God, did wee not 
 differ thisdefe6t of life. Men feeke 
 not thofe things abroad, which 
 they are full of at home. Hence it 
 is, that when God will bring us to 
 himfelfe, as the'foundacion of this 
 or that good,which he would com- 
 raunicate^hcedoth follow us with 
 experience of the contrary in our 
 /elves, that being confeious how it 
 is with us, wee might flis to him 
 whoisAH-fofficienr. Againe, we 
 cannot experimentally know God 
 to be in Chrift a quickning fpiric 
 fhould <ve not feele an intercourse 
 of his death, and a powerfull ex- 
 puifingofit from his vertue wor- 
 king in us. The more often the Pa- 
 tient growing into paine, is eafed 
 by Phyficke, the more experimen- 
 tally he feeth the Art of the Phyfi- 
 
 cian, 
 
i;8 
 
 J)t*dnefft efjfirtt-jphy God lets it be 
 
 can and benefit of Medicine. 
 Thii iy we have this remainder of 
 de^h 3 iha r wee may better co di- 
 dtrofournatarallertate^ how of 
 oil* iclves v*e ire whollyeftranged" 
 from the life of Gad: for what we 
 remaine in part, thac we are whol- 
 ly by nature. 
 
 Fourrhly 3 that wee might the 
 becter bclpe others in this tempta- 
 tion. 
 
 Fifitly, that we might tafte our 
 life more fweetly^ and prcfervc ic 
 more carefully: we find with plea- 
 fare th 1 1 we feeke with paine.Sixt- 
 ly, that wc may know, and teach 
 othf rs how they muft depend on 
 God for the confidering and mc- 
 ving of their grace daily, as well 
 for the being^nd firft producing of 
 it. Laflly, that we may be led into 
 th«r knowledge of our owne hearts, 
 whether that workc is in thkm 
 which will ftrivc for life, as every 
 thing that hath life, will flruggle 
 to part with it, or whether they 
 will paffe it over hecdkflely and 
 
 floth- 
 
m m\ bow to carry onrfelvcs^ &c. 
 
 '59 
 
 fl tbfully. Certainly if we marKc 
 the working of our fpirits, and 
 courfe of God in fuch an cvill h w ; 
 wee will leame oac of ic manifold 
 wifedome. Now for the courfe 
 wee are to take, ic ftandcefy firft, 
 inrefolving to encou terthisdif- 
 eate,thenin pra&ifinorhat wem*y 
 be cleared of ic : the Divdl w^ill be 
 ready if we ftirre t hh way to fcrve 
 a Safer ftdeas^ fbmetime by fiigge- 
 fting chat the nature of this is no 
 fuch thing as may not be borne^ ic 
 doth not wafte the conference, but 
 fuch foolifh parientS;>who will not 
 venknti occur ere merbo, they at 
 length are paid home with paine, 
 fo much the more, by how much 
 they have the longer delaied. Iu 
 theb^dy, lccamannotcxpellthe 
 fuperfluity nature hath contra&ed, 
 the q entity or acrimony of it will 
 to increafe, tha? he fhall be forced 
 to come to it with more paine, or 
 there will be bred on bim fbme 
 painfull fickneffe. Let us ftrive to 
 expcll every fuch matter in our 
 
 (bnlf$, 
 
i6o 
 
 Satans fttggeftionsin dcadntjji>&c\ \ 
 
 fbulc8,we (hall find ir tniw in (bules 
 as well as bodies, Retemio <xcre- 
 mentor urn eft parens morbi. 
 
 Secondly, ic will be fuggeftcd, 
 why, drive with it as we will, it 
 will returne : D oc wc ccafc to catc 
 daily and refrefh nature, becaufe 
 hunger and faintneffe doe ftill re- 
 sume upon us? Is it not a betuficco 
 be ealed for the prcfenr, ta keepc 
 dowqean enemy,to dothat which 
 wee know will at length bring to 
 perfeft health, though wee cannot 
 forth of hand be fully cured? Some- 
 time wee thinke, it is not well it 
 fhould be thus, buc imploymeuts 
 will not let reee turne toic a3 1 
 would, we could finde in heart to 
 deale with it, but that wee cannot 
 while it. But will a man not beat 
 leisure to rake Phyficke for his bo* 
 dy? what is worthy our time, if 
 our foules life may not have it af- 
 forded? Againe, time is not loft 
 which is* (pent this way, for God 
 doth attend the time wee (pend af- 
 ter confining, with greater blcf- 
 
How to refift deadnejp of jpr it • \ 16 1 
 
 flog, and leavens the knowledge 
 we gather, fo that it becommeth 
 aff-ftionate andpra&icall, befiie 
 the wifedome which is co be lear- 
 ned, from obfcrvlng the working 
 of your foule under fuch a cempra- 
 tion« Bat when you have repelled 
 fuch ligatures, by which the Di- 
 [ Yell would hinder the will from 
 ; refolving refiftanc, in the next 
 place^ you muft encounter this 
 deadly pailion by fuch a conftant 
 courfe as may free you from if. 
 The courfe ftandeth chiefly in a 
 threefold praftice. For,aswefuft 
 ripen and prepare ma tters,ttut the 
 medicine may carry them awiy 
 I more eati-y^ Medic andum eft con* I 
 I coBisjton crudis,&c So here you 
 m ftUbourtoholdyourchoughts, 
 : and pond, r upon thisevill^coofide- 
 ', ring what ic isuucfelfe,, what ef- 
 fects it bath for prefent, what it 
 threatcicthj fhould not grace pre- 
 vent. 
 
 In the next place, you muft take 
 do wne the medicine ; lay hold on / 
 H ' Chrift.' 
 
I $2 
 
 The prattict of rejtfi^nce 
 
 Chrift your life and quicknance. 
 Your third pra&ice muft be to 
 take a w alke in fome words of pro- 
 mile this way, which agilation of 
 your foulc doch ftirrc up thefuper 7 
 na f ,urallheat of faith (as motion 
 doththenaturall)by which means 
 wee come to feele our medicine 
 worke,Chrift fhewbimfelfe more 
 and more effeftuall. To fee you 
 downe in bricfe an example ; thus I 
 concoft the thing, meditation pre- 
 paring, Good Lord, what a ftate is 
 this, what a bed-rid difppficion 
 doth hang about me! were my body 
 an apoplexy, were I dead but of 
 onefidejt would go neere me: but 
 to have my fbule thus benummed, 
 that I can neither find comfortable 
 ftnfe or motion in it toward things 
 ipiricuall, how much more fhould 
 itaffe&rae? what ever I fet upon, 
 it is prefcnt with me,ic maketh my 
 duties as diftaftefull in themfeives 
 to thee, as deaded drink to the fto- 
 mack : itkeepeth me from comfort 
 for the prefent : and what doth it 
 
 not 
 
ofdeadneffc ofjpiritm 
 
 not threaten, if thy mercy fhould 
 not prevent ? yea, it is (b much the 
 mors dangerous, by how much 
 more conna: uralJ,for I cannot take 
 in this fle*pe, and though it be (b 
 ! deadly, yet am no whit affrighted. 
 2. Alas,what (hall I doc? To thee I 
 looke. Lord, who bid ft us awake, 
 and promifeft to lighten our eyes 
 from this mift of death, with which 
 they are over-fliadowed, to thee 
 I who art the life and quickning fpi- 
 rit,to cbee, in whom, as a root, my 
 life is hid. How long (hall I live in 
 lighr,and complaine ofdarkneffe? 
 How long (hall I be within thee 
 the fountain of life, and feele death 
 fbcumberfbmetoms? Theftron- 
 ger workcth on that which is wea- 
 ker ,and doth affimulate it to it felfe. 
 Oh ; difphy thy ftrength,and make 
 his death flie before thee from 
 forth of thy member. ^Movingof 
 fattb. Ic is thy will our hearts 
 fliouldlivewhofeekehee, yea, 
 that wee fhould have life abouo- 
 dantly, thou haftfaid,come to mee 
 H 2 and 
 
 it 3 
 
i$4 
 
 Refinance ofdeadnejfe offpirh. 
 
 and your hearts (hall live,thou haft 
 promiled u^, r hat we (hall fo drinkc 
 of thy Spirkjthat it fhall flaw from 
 us abundantly. O (lengthen mee, 
 thou author and fii iflier of faich 3 to 
 hold thee the rockc, till I fee thefe 
 waves of death, as ic were 3 breakt 
 themfelves, and p; fle away. 
 
 Infi chlikepradUcr I bav soften 
 found this ihadow of d th lying 
 before me, I have always tonnd a 
 peaceable reft, expettirg enlarge- 
 ment more confidently ; when I 
 have not found it eafing me for the 
 prefenr, yet it hath difpofeti me to 
 receive quicknance afterward, as 
 coftive bodies, though they have 
 not *lwaieseafemtnt when they 
 offcr 3 yet the offer doth facilitate 
 the courfe, and dilpofc the body 
 toeakraenc a r ter. 
 
 Thus out of love, I have a little 
 lent you my felfc, the Lord bit fle 
 us with that fpirit which prevai- 
 led : The meane while I will de- 
 fire that wee both may watch in 
 prayer one for another. 
 
 Yours as his ovvne, T. B. 
 
 ,. --Tirr - - , - — - - 
 
Be not over hajly to judge. 
 
 1*5 
 
 21. 
 
 Sir, you may th'mke roe a grave 
 rather, in whom all your kinck 
 nefles are buried, thanathankfull 
 friend/o whom whofo giveth,fel- 
 let.h dearely,chey fay^fo coraraodi. 
 ous t -) the donor the thing proveth 
 which was freely bellowed- Ne- 
 vefthelcflre,yourwi (dome and love 
 will nor, I dare fay, judge over 
 taftily upon appearance,knowing 
 wetl,thatas there may be a (he w of 
 good, yca,godlintfle, where there 
 is not the fubftance and power: fo 
 there maybe afemblanceof evili, 
 even of iKithankfulnefle,where yet 
 the vice 5c felfe doth not harbour. 
 Your Nephewes Lift vificingyou, 
 was hid frommee 5 till about bed. 
 time the night before he tooke his 
 journey ; allure your (elfe, I could 
 not have bin. privie to his purpofe, 
 without fctting my pen to paper, 
 though lam none oftheforward'ft 
 about this errand. I doe remember 
 all your love, (bdothhealfo who 
 is mpft apprehenfive of what is 
 H 3 done 
 
i66 
 
 God rewards good don to hu children. 
 
 > 
 \ 
 
 done to him in his children and 
 members. They ufe in Spain a 
 powerfull (peech to this purpofe,, 
 that n>hofo xvipeth the childes nofe, 
 kijjeth the mothers cheeke : (b kind- 
 ly naturall parents conftrue the 
 homelicft offices done to their chil- 
 dren: how then (hall not he accept 
 of all flich dutie as is done to him 
 in his children, whofe love is ftch 
 co his,that the wombc-love of the 
 tcndereft mother is farrc infcriour. 
 For my (clfe , I cannot fiiew you 
 any thankefull remembrabce of 
 you 3 better than by remembring 
 you in thofe duties, which though 
 they moft concerne us, yet we are 
 moft {ubjeft to be fbrgccfull in 
 them. Worldly wifedorae doth 
 teach men to fee the benefit of 
 health and wealth, yea, to have fa- 
 gacitie for feting what ncede they 
 may come to : when wee have (o 
 many good Husbands,(eeing thefe 
 outward things , and providing 
 againft a raynie day,, that no event 
 may take them unprovided ,• the 
 
 Lord 
 
'true grace the drift tans trtteweltb. 
 
 i6y 
 
 Lord make us wife, to fee the true 
 wealth and health of our fpirits for 
 the prefer^ and to prepare for our 
 comfort againftfuch times where- 
 in the Lord fliall trie us. I will 
 commune with you about thefe 
 points^asGod (hill enable. Men, 
 who would gather an earthly trea- 
 fare , worldly wealth , muft firft 
 make fure that their Penny be 
 good Silver; that the things which 
 they deale in,he matters of worth : 
 for counterfeit falfe commodities 
 heaped up, deferve not to be cal- 
 led wealth, or treafure : and what 
 is the wifedome of heavenly Mer- 
 chant but to feeke good Pearles, 
 right for their kinde • true Faich^ 
 fuch as purifieth the heart ^ true 
 Repentance 5 fuch as is accompa- 
 nied with change in hearty in con- 
 verfion ; true fanftifying Grace., 
 fuch asmakech the heart honeft ; 
 true fruits ofrighteoufnelfe/uch as 
 are through the helpe of Chrift 
 to the glory of God • thefe are 
 things that make a man wealthk 
 H 4 in- 
 
170 
 
 We vwft labour to encreafe 
 
 * * 
 
 
 they (hall not deceive us, but (tend 
 with us, as a treafure invaluable. 
 Afccond thing I markc in getting 
 earthly treafures is, that there mu^ 
 be a dayly diligent adding unto,*' 
 and augmenting that wherewith 
 we fir ft bcgan.Though a man hath 
 good Gold and Silver by him, yet 
 till he hath h in fome quantkie, he 
 is not faid to be rich , or to ha*e 
 treafure ftored by him. Thus ic is 
 whh u* j Rome was not built in a 
 day> men are all their dayes in get- 
 ting together a more coirpl at 
 treafure. Thus wee CbriftiaiiS, 
 though from our fir ft beleevir g we 
 have unsearchable riches, y cr,if we 
 fpeak comparatively, we have not 
 that wealth and confummate trea- 
 fure, which we come afterwards 
 unto, when now we have well run 
 on in that race which is fet before 
 us . Wherefore give diligence to en- 
 creafe your Graces, which God of 
 mercy hath begun. Ltt the righte- 
 ous be more righteous, the holy 
 move Jiofy, If cur Grace be tra« 5 
 • 
 
our flock and treafwe of Grace* 
 
 there will be a further accefle of 
 Grace : Wealth goerh to wealth, 
 even as (tones do to a ftone-heape* 
 already mounted. Whereforf,let us 
 everyday draw one Line this way: 
 let us count that an unprofiablc 
 day, wherdawe^ have not fome- 
 thing laboured with our hearts 
 for the fuller apprehenfion of our 
 finnes dwelling in us ; that iupo- 
 vertieoffpirit may dwell more and 
 moie in us, wherein wee have not 
 fotnewhat enforced our hearts to 
 ftaythecpfcLvesonthe Lord and his 
 precious promifes : wherein wee 
 have not called on our fou!es,to put 
 thepx*f Ives forth in more thankfull 
 acknowledgement of that lovc^ 
 faithfulneffe > & patience 3 which wc 
 fee doe follow us day by day. Fi- 
 nally, wherein we get not forne^ 
 thing done^hich maybe a s a good 
 foundation., and further our recko- 
 ning, when we (hall be accountant 
 to God. Wemuftbenorntrewea- 
 lie of this, than earthly husbands- 
 sue. of reluming their bufincfles :. 
 
.*7? 
 
 The more grace we have, tbe^&c. 
 
 the fweetereffe and peace of chofe 
 waies (hould affeft us, Looke as 
 men at firft, while poverty doth 
 pinch them,they feeke weaMi with 
 muchgricfe and anxiety: but when 
 once they have gotten well about 
 them 5 then 3 flefhed with the fruit 
 oftheirformerlabourjthey make a 
 play of following the World^ to 
 the increafc of theiriubftance : for 
 theyfceke not fo much out of indi- 
 gency, as out of complacency and 
 delight which they finde in their 
 poffeffions. Thus wee Chriftians^ 
 when once wee have attained fdme 
 firft- fruits this way , we (hould with 
 delight follow on to perfe&icn. 
 A third p raft ice,by which worldly 
 wealth cemmeth ia,te a carefull re- 
 taining what is once gotten. Good 
 Rcnts,with Iictleornoexpcnce,are 
 thefureft Alchamy that ever was 
 found out : whereas let in-comings 
 be never Co large, one back-dore 5 
 cot looked vato, may bring the 
 : whole houfeto ruine* Wherefore 
 wee maft jaks heedc of all fuch 
 
 things 
 
Wt muft not Uvifb out our Grace. 173 
 
 thing* which walk and t-xtinguifti 
 Grace in a manner, giving place to 
 finne, fb as toyeeld to it, and lye 
 downe under it.Ocherwife he that 
 ftumbUs,and comes nor Jown,gets 
 ground : the trippings of Gods 
 children, in which they recover 
 themfelvts , bring them on with 
 greater advantage. Againe, wee 
 rtuft take heed of dead companies, 
 of formal! performatjces,which are 
 aPeale to Bed-ward- FinaIly,of 
 running our felves into prcj.fts of 
 worldly pompe and profics, which 
 are the common Choake-weed of 
 Grace. Whole heart (almcft)have 
 not thefe Thornes over-growne ? 
 Thus you fee how we may by *he 
 Wo? Id learne a w<i y to thrive in the 
 beft Wealth. Now I come to the 
 litter point of preparation, where- 
 by we may be able to ftand in the 
 hourc of Tryall. I > this I will be 
 (horter,my Pen befog run forth be* 
 yond my purpofe in the former* 
 The longcil dayes have: night a: 
 lergih entring: yea,, these is no 
 
 winde 
 
1J4 ! Treparation for TryAlSyhewmctffary, 
 
 windc which may not blow raine, 
 if God be fo pJeafcd. Etfatcs which 
 have thelongtft periods of profpe- 
 ritie, are at length exerciled j and 
 there is no condition fo furcand 
 peaceable, bur may turne tempe* 
 ftuous on the fadden , fhould not 
 God be more gracious. Wherefore 
 let us be appointed and fitted for 
 every event. Preparing for Wirre, 
 maincaineth peace: wearing a wea- 
 pon , makes not us the fooner fee 
 on, nay,it prevents this da gerund 
 makes us rcadic to defend our 
 felvcs, when at any time we are af- 
 failed. Now this praft fe chi-fely 
 ftandeth in thefe three things. Fir!*, 
 in getting a ipiricua]Ifag«ciue,by 
 which our (oujes doe djftern afore, 
 hand, what kiude of events they 
 m *y be fubjed un*o, in this vale of 
 teares Nature by inftm&giveth 
 untoreafonible creatures a faculty, 
 which makefh tiemaforehandap- 
 prehenfive of chit which is ready 
 toenfue. Thcw fedome which is 
 I from above / oukegh the Lords 
 • 
 
and in what tt confifts. 
 
 »75 f 
 
 children (entiblc in liae kiade,tbat 
 as My Co they in their greateft 
 calme foresee how Gods hand may 
 change for theexercife of them. 
 The fecond pare of pn&ice ftan- 
 deth in thi$,in learning by due con- 
 fiderations 5 how wanting we arein 
 wiflome, and weake inftrengch, 
 which maketh able to ftand when 
 God trieth.The third thing is flying 
 to God by faith, and holding him, 
 as who'hath beene, is, and muft be 
 forever of all our falvation, loo* 
 king to Chrift the author and fini- 
 fher of our faith, who hath recei- 
 ved this commandement of his Fa- 
 ther, that he (hould not onely call 
 us, and bring m into flare of grace, 
 but alfo raik us up at th;* lali day, 
 who is thac greatGod our Saviour, 
 that will keepe his from every 
 cvill worke, to his heavenly king- 
 dome. Now, when wee thus hang 
 on God againft all events, we are ki 
 a ftrong Tower, wherein the gate* 
 of hell fball not bz able to hurt u$ 3 
 macblefle topzevaile againft us. 
 
 God 
 
*76 
 
 Chrift *ur Rockf. 
 
 kJ 
 
 God doth (et us to fchoole unco the 
 Conks, that of ihem wee rnighc 
 taarne the Lcflbns : They are a 
 weake timorous creature ; yec bt- 
 iog confeious of thek weaknefle, 
 they vyorke themfelvcs Holds in 
 the Earthy aod Burro wes, wherero 
 they may retire for flicker; and 
 though tbeygoe forth foraetimes, 
 yet ever and anon they resume to 
 their Hulds. Oh, forouftwee, in 
 confcience of our weakencfTe, by 
 faith worke our felves into the 
 Rocke, Chrift Iefus : and though 
 fometimes wee are abroad, as it 
 were, in many other muters, yet* 
 wee mult flill returne, and renew 
 our beleefe toward him. 
 
 22. 
 
 MY beloved Friend, and Chri- 
 Itian Brother, I am gUdto 
 heare of your fafe .returne. Ifmy 
 Sonne goe on, fetiing his hem to 
 get Learning, I will let my heart, 
 to procure him all dueet courage- 
 ment in fo good a. courfe- Con- 
 cerning 
 
 \ 
 
faith cholines not affaulted together. 
 
 earning the change of yourcftate, 
 it is w 1 h our (bules as with our bo- 
 dies, every Age hath ftverall Dif- 
 eafes-andwefe,asourdifpofirions 
 and the feafonsvary, (o th^reisa 
 fucceffijri of divers fickneffes ac- 
 cordingly. Our new birth being 
 conceived & bred in faith, perfect- 
 ly fjrmed in holinefle, weareufu- 
 ally firtt affiiled in that which is 
 firft in nature begotten in us : I 
 h^ve feldotne marked temptation 
 in both thefe kinds at once; God 
 fo mercifully difbofing, that two I 
 fo great Sickncffes- fhould not bt 
 found complicate : For who could 
 ftand under them, comb'ned ? A- 
 giine,ChoIer can hardly cauie any 
 hot kind offickneffe, while there is 
 flora of blood and watrifti humors 
 bridling of it: for thefe are jri?##jw 
 bilit : fo our unholinefle^w.iile we 
 are exercifed with doubtings of 
 Gods Grace, cannot move; as 
 when all is quiet, this very trouble 
 caufing my Faith-c v fl ft, U fr<e- 
 mm coxcuyifccntU and Coth perfe 
 
 inter- 
 
 }H 
 
178 
 
 r tbecBmfort and benefit of 
 
 interrupt the aft, though ic can- 
 not expell the habit beirg con- 
 sidered by it fclfe. Wherefore 
 though you fiidc thewinde gone 
 ioto,another corner, your fpiritu- 
 all nakedoefle now moft to roolcft 
 you : and though you together ob- 
 serve, that you are not (6 apprc- 
 henfiveof To great anevillasyou 
 ought, yet have you no caufe, but 
 to goe on peaceably, looking to 
 that Prince of peace, who will give 
 thee peace of fan&ification in the 
 quiet fruit of righteouftefle, as he 
 hath the peace of juftification, 
 which fometimes in fome degree 
 you wanted. F.* the firft,we muft 
 make account our exercifes will 
 run in a circle, the ending of one 
 will begin another, till God hath 
 by many things fufficientiy proved 
 us, that in our latter ends hee may 
 doe us good. Fifher-men muftoot 
 make dainty of cold water, nor 
 Chriftians to meete with thefe ca- 
 fes. Secondly,you muft mar ke how 
 gently God doth bring on your 
 
 triall 
 
the fight of our defetts. 
 
 *79 
 
 triall rhis way, making you rather I 
 co difcover defcft and want of 
 rightecufccfle, than tofeelethofe 
 lawesof evill,and movings of grie- 
 vous finSj the root whereof d<rh 
 fticke in your nature. To wart 
 hcalth^and do every natural! a&ion 
 feebly,is a grkfe,but tofcele (hirpe 
 fits of fomc painfull difea/e^is more 
 grievous. ThirdIy,(hould wee not 
 be trained thus by experience to fee 
 that we are as Tohu & Bohu, a trae 
 SpirituallC^/of emptinefleand 
 deformity, we could not be poore | 
 ia (pirir, follow Christ as 1 
 twho is made of G o d our ftr fti- 
 ficarion 3 that is> our fan&ifier : we 
 could not comfort others in this 
 ftate, nor tafle our owne happi- 
 rxfle fweete in that degree 3 whero 
 in wee (hall doe after rhefe things 
 experienced of us. Now though 
 you doe not feele this myfterie, 
 and take it to heart as you defire, 
 yet this doth but further open our 
 |d;fft, that wee may fceke an- 
 fwerably to be fupplied. We are 
 
 not 
 
I 80 S^gbt of oh* defe&s hade us to God. 
 
 not more empty of grace, than by 
 n-atate carelefle co have any : wee 
 would let ic lie as a rcfufe thing, 
 fhould not God infpire us with 
 new defires, to feekc after ir. A- 
 gaine, as a tooi fh careleincfle, fo 
 a fpirituall fl >th pofTcfothus, that 
 caufcth us to be content a lrtle 
 better with eafe, than plenty, 
 which commeth with a p .y great 
 travell. But what of this? Wheu 
 I fee ir 3 I cell ic all to God, fuhg 
 to him, that the more I fee mi fery 
 abounding, the ra« re his mercy 
 may abound alio. Ilooketohim, 
 who as he hath called me to fan&i- 
 fication with an operative callings 
 (b be muft bring me to that happy 
 eftate,as who is Iebovab y my fanfti- 
 fi r. Ilearneinaword,thisworke 
 will never goe forward,{hould not 
 God in mee, as he hath begun it, (b 
 go on in it,fanftifying roe thorow- 
 out.Ag*ine,though I love to fearch 
 unto the qucke, yet there is (bme 
 reafon, why hatred and gtiefe 
 fhould not fo move in this efcue, 
 
 as 
 
%t tU bard for w to bat eonrdef efts. 
 
 as when li.ifull paflions come co 
 ftirre in oni mcmbers^ai.d leade i s 
 captive. Forjooke as nature,whilc 
 fuch matter doth but hi fore de- 
 gree caufe a Cacbexte,*^ rmke 
 Fur worke feebly and \tny^rt..(k\y 
 in Al Hie worketh $ Nature, I ky, 
 is not fo fcnfiblc hete//ord thnot 
 beftirre herfelfe 5 as when fome a- 
 cutefickiivfl^doch heavily a ffiift: 
 foitjsevan vtithgrjcj intheloulc; 
 it cannot be in tha r mcafure apprt- 
 henfive in this ft ne, wherein ic ra- 
 ther fiiideth ic felfe to Lcke feme 
 degrees of heakh ic would have, 
 than to be infefted with intolera- 
 ble ficknefie. Bjc the truth is, lee 
 finne doe what: it will, wee cannot 
 hate it of our lelves : bu^as by na- 
 ture wee love our felvcs ; fo, that 
 fiifiill image, , which is by nature 
 prop -gated in us.Same Siir.ts have 
 found this; who having been mo- 
 leiled many yeeres w.ich fome cor- 
 ruptions, neverthelefft have found, 
 that at fome times they have not 
 beene able, to Jooke. tow.^d them 
 
 with 
 
182 ( Enmity to Jitwe y deriud from fflrift, 
 
 I with difpleafure. I had thought, 
 never cockering mother could take 
 that at a childes hand, which wee 
 put up and fuffer from our lulls : 
 but withall, I have learned to fee 
 that promifc, and hold Chrift to 
 thatpurpofe 5 [ will put enmitie 
 (faith God) betweene thy feed and 
 the teedofthe woman ; betwixt 
 Chrift, and that life of his in all his 
 members., and the multitude of re. 
 probates , and that life of Satan, 
 (for finne may be called his image) 
 which is not oncly in them who 
 arc his feed, but in us alfo , till by 
 Chrift it be fubdued: fliouldnot 
 God blow up his grace fo farre, 
 we could not fede enmitie againft 
 this feed of finne,which Satan hack j 
 fowed in us. Wherefore be not 
 carefull in any thing ; but that 
 there creepe not upon you a dcfpl- 
 fing of leffer things : for, if little 
 things b^ not dealt wich,God will 
 make greater lookc in 3 which will 
 caufc us more exercife. Happie is 
 that man who doth deale with 
 
 things 
 
timely rtfifttnce offinnefalpfuH. 
 
 things betime, labouring to feel* 
 them grievous , looking co Ghrift 
 his helpcragainft (hem. Tint man 
 is a ftrangc ChriftiaD,vvhat-ever he 
 may thinke , though his ftrengch 
 may be affli£ted that hec cannot 
 feele ic great; yet vires affliQ* and 
 vires projtrata arc much different. 
 Againe, he (hall fcape much dif. 
 eafement, by his timely refiftance. 
 Let any man of great ftrength have 
 fome fuperfluitie of matter tending 
 to ficknefle, he doth betime ex- 
 pcll it by imperceivable fweates, 
 or other eafie wayes : Lefler 
 ftrength letteth it lye, till it bee 
 ponderous, and of acrimonie, and 
 (bme way more grievoufly offen- 
 deth,and then it doth more paine- 
 folly upward and downe-ward 
 drive it forth.The weakeft ftrength 
 of a! !, feeles ic felfe oppreffed, and 
 till ho! pen by fome medicine, 
 cannot expell , and then doth it 
 painefully, and in part onely : the 
 more ftrength , the fooner is a 
 thing contrarie to nature expel- 
 led; 
 
 183 
 
184 
 
 Tbankfulntjf: creeps, where y &c. 
 
 1 
 
 i 
 
 led- the fooner, the lefle pain- 
 fully al waks. Well, the Carrier 
 doth ftay for my Letcer, I muft 
 be fhorr. 
 
 Yours in brotht rly aff.ftion, 
 I aulBjjne. 
 
 23. Hortatory. 
 
 I IY loving Friend, though I 
 iVj winter not fait fay you, as 
 heretofore, ye, I have you in re. 
 raembrance; for,ea:en bread flbould 
 noc be forgotten. I think my fetfe 
 much indebted to you, tor the love 
 I received from j^u.-and though 
 Imuftfttllride bebirde, I mea ne, 
 come fbort, in regard of requital), 
 yetl willnrtbc wantinginthank- 
 full confeffing of kindi.cfle fore- 
 p*ff;d. It is with thankefuloefle 
 as with love, it will crecpewhen 
 ic cannot goe. 1 hope you neglcft 
 not your beft Merchandize, the 
 fecking thofe Pearles which wil 
 make yoar foule rich before God. 
 That Marcher, World- ward, is i r 
 
 foal 
 
 • • 
 
Want of Grtct the grcatcft poverty. 
 
 fmali account, who neither hath 
 ware nor money : in like eftate are 
 Chriftians, who trading in the 
 militant Church, have no part nor 
 portion in the heavenly and true 
 treafrre. Ic is a thing full of confu- 
 fion,and very unhappy to be with- 
 out earthly poflelfions. Hence it is, 
 that men in this taking, they hang 
 downe the head, when they have 
 no meanfs whereby to coropafle 
 the earthly good which they defire, 
 whereas others who have them, 
 carry their notes into the wind, 
 have all that heart can wifh, they 
 Iofe no longing.Thus what (hall be 
 their confiifion who are not rich in 
 faith & repenrance,cheon!y currant 
 coyre which doth goe with God, 
 and fetch down what -ev r eaven- 
 Iy blefli-g wee can defire. Where- 
 fore in lieu of all your love, let me 
 exhort you,firft,to labor more and 
 more for true grace. SecondIy 3 to 
 ufe it and increafc ic daily. Third- 
 ly ,co watch againft all fuch things, 
 which rmy (likea backe dore) itri- 
 I paire 
 
 185 
 
 ■ ii i. ig- 
 
l86 
 
 Tint Grace, true Riches. 
 
 payre and wafted if. For the firft ; 
 the wife Merchant doth fecke for 
 goodpearles, fuch as are right in 
 their kinde : ao Indtan Diamond & I 
 a BrifiewStonc looke alike,but dif- i 
 fer reach in the Iudgment of a cui> ' 
 ning Lapidift ; No man can gather 
 a treafurr, vnltfle fue felcft chat [ 
 Which isprecious:amaffcofcoun- ! 
 ten are not to be counted a trea- ! 
 fure.Seeke then that knowledge of 
 Chrift which may make you put off 
 the old man* fo to know God as a 
 child knoweth his father, with an 
 aflP ftiue property which dothv- 
 nite the heart to him: fo to befceuc 
 that you may feeleyour heart pur- 
 ged through faith, fo to doc euery 
 Worke ot righteoufneffe, that yc u 
 may feele yoor fclfe enabled to it 
 through Chrift, and findc that your 
 foult direfts it to Gods glory : for 
 as that mony oncly is treaftre, 
 which is of right Bullion ^ that is 
 goodMerall, and hath the Kings 
 infcription : So that worke onc- 
 ly Will make a true Treafure 
 
 and 
 
Thefiockf ofGraa muft be y &c. 
 
 i8 7 
 
 and good foundation, Which pro- 
 ceeded from Ghrtft, dwelling in 
 vs through faith, and is dire&cd to 
 GOD, by Which raeaocs it is 
 damped as it were, with his Image. 
 For thelecond : As you muft get 
 thefe things fj you muft tradewith 
 them,fce*eth?ir increafe: he that 
 husbands his flocke^ (ball hauc 
 more. Men arc long gatherers be- 
 fore they hauego: them a treafure. 
 So Chriftians, chough on thefirft 
 beleeu'ng they receiue vnfearch* 
 able riches, yet there treafure is to 
 beconfummace and pcrfe&ed from j 
 day to day .There is a double thirft I 
 & defire after wealth in the world; ' 
 theonecommeth from indigency, 
 as a man in extreme drought lon-> 
 gcth for drinke, and ia extreme j 
 want, for fbmething which might 
 helpehira. There is another de- 
 fircj which commeth from com- 
 placeacy, from pleafure felt in » 
 that wee haue obrained; thus a 
 man, when thirft is in fome dc-j 
 gree quenched, defircth to drinke j 
 1 2 agaioel 
 
w 
 
 188, 
 
 III 
 
 Labour for growth in (jrnce. 
 
 gaine ; thus a poore man, having 
 new gotten fomcth:ng well about 
 him, yet would faine have a more 
 flufhjfulleftate: better is ftilj bet- 
 ter : this defire then muft be in all 
 Chriftians : the goodnefle of the 
 things they have tafted,muft afftft 
 them with a furthet defire of in- 
 ♦creafing in them. I would have 
 you be as I have fcene (bme good 
 husbands in dead time, whenftir- 
 ringsfaile, they count the day loft 
 in which they have had no takings. 
 Account that day as loft, wherein 
 you have not gotten (orae more 
 fenfe^f fin, wherein your faith hath 
 not fometbing more enforced ic 
 felfe to lay hold on God and his 
 jJrecious promifcs, wherein (bme 
 good thing is not done, which may 
 ftand asagoodfoundation,where- 
 on the confcience may relye, as an 
 undoubted teftimony of faving be- 
 liefs Laftly, take heede of that 
 which may quench your affe&ion 
 to God* as dead company, who can 
 never fpeak,nor have the language 
 
 of 
 
Tak* heed of what may imy ait grace. 
 
 189 
 
 of Canaan : inordinate and double 
 diligence about earthly things. 
 More perifh with prepofterous fol- 
 lowing of lawfull things,tharidoe 
 by unlawful! courfes. Soft fands 
 fwallow more (hips, than hard 
 rocks fplic atund?r. Licititprimw 
 owner. Eatings drinkiug,building, 
 matter ofmarriage 3 the world {hall 
 be drowned in thef^ when Chrift 
 comes to jidgemen:. life al! good 
 meanes not wich-drawing your 
 f:!fe from -chenu Difnfing raeanes 
 quencheth'grace, as with-holding 
 fiiell quencheth fire. Weed out of 
 y>ur heart all fucb things, as like a 
 choake-weede fpring up and (mo- 
 ther better devotions. Men grow 
 rich not onely by getting, but by 
 fiving and holding together that 
 they have gotten. Great gettings 
 with little fpendings, is the moft 
 approved Alchymie : fhould one 
 have never fuch takings, if one 
 fhould filch out his gaine as it 
 came in, hee would not increafe 
 in fubftance. Thus Chriftians 
 I 3 rouft 
 

 I jo I A Litter of comfort agaixjl the 
 
 \ \ 
 
 muftlookcthe Diuell robbechem 
 nor by any meanes, of any grace 
 which they haue obtained, chat fo 
 their foules may thrkie in thcir^ 
 heavenly cftate. But my letter 
 fwelleth beyond my intendmenr, 
 and I cannot hold bicke my pen 
 from affording you any thing, 
 whom I haue found Co forward in 
 fhewing me kindneffe. 
 
 Sifter M. my wife and I held 
 it meete to fignifie both, our 
 remembrance of you, whom your 
 token hath teftifiednot to bee vn- 
 mindfull of vs both, for when 
 my wife is thought on, I thinke 
 then I 3m not quite forgotten. 
 You will be defirous to know how 
 my wife and her place agrceth. 
 Concerning which Icnforme you 
 thusmucb, that both ofv?,inro 
 gardotall circumftances^do think 
 our Hues well fallen ; if we (hould 
 (peake otherwife, vree foouldnot 
 fan&ifiehim in our hearts , who 
 is mercifdl to vs, Neuerthr- 
 
 lefli 
 
(orrowes that attend ever y condition. 
 
 leffe,you rouft not thinke chat we 
 haue fiich a condition, in which 
 no for rows in the flefh and other- 
 wife,are not inrermeddled,we Hue 
 not in cbac earthly paradifc, but 
 ourliussarefb made comfortable 
 through Gods grace,thatwc know 
 there remaincth yet a further reft 
 for his people : the which the ra- 
 ther I mention^that you fhouldnot 
 thinke much, if in your condition, 
 al things (uiceROtwichyourdcfire, 
 becaufethat this is no other thing, 
 thin whei with your brethren and 
 hfters eucry where conflict. There 
 isafweate of the brow on euery 
 calling, a wearifom vanity on eue- 
 ry condition,only the grace ofGod 
 inChrift doth difpence wi'h much 
 which might iuftly brfall vs and 
 dorh ftrenthen vs to beare that 
 comfortably in time,which his fa- 
 therly wifcdome fha'l not haue re. 
 leafed. And becaufe I know not 
 in what argument to fpeake more 
 for your comfort, I willproftcute 
 in a few lines this argument 
 14 It 
 
I 92 
 
 i 
 
 Why Cjod makes c dm all 
 
 Ic pleafeth God to let us find fbme 
 conditions not fit fj well upon us 
 as heretofore they have done, yea, 
 the fame things waxe tedious, 
 which have beene delight fall, for 
 our love, our hatred, the orde- 
 ring of our atfc£ttons, is not in our 
 power,but doth vary according to 
 Gods pleafurc. Now when we ob- 
 serve fuch things grow on us, wee 
 muft bethinke us of the caufe, for 
 that is the Dexc way to difcerne 
 how our gricfc muft bccuredNou 
 thus it is with us, that the comfort 
 of our eftate doth refult more from 
 carnall eafement often, and con- 
 tentments in kj than from the 
 grace of God in Chrift lefts, {hed 
 into the heart by meancs of it. 
 Now God feeing this, doth fo 
 work,that things pleafant in them- 
 felves become diftaftefull to us, to 
 the endth^t wee might fceke more 
 vnto him, and take up all our con- 
 tentment in him, that chus,.hee our 
 Creator & Redeem er,m'ght be the 
 reft of our hearts, not the creature. 
 
 Our 
 
contentments difttflefallto w. 
 
 *9S 
 
 Our hearts arc full of fccret Idola- 
 try above mcaftre : Now then, 
 when God doth unfettle our hearts 
 from a contentment, which is car- 
 nail, heedothitbuttolcadeusto 
 jdfenour content ation by true god* 
 Jineffe* What a fwect life is it, that 
 when a man is not troubled with 
 defires of this World, with griefes^ 
 or deluded with the joyes ofir 3 
 which are like the crackling of 
 thornes under a pot,as (bone quen~ 
 ched as kindled ? Bu t if wegrow to 
 defire things heavenly, to fteke 
 diligently the things which are a- 
 bove, this defirz will take off the 
 edge of other chat are worldly. If 
 wee learne to re Joyce in Chritt Je- 
 (us/u will k'll his falfejoy.the end 
 whereof is heavineffe. If we grieve 
 I for cur (ins according to thziJVapt 
 \ftf y$ur fimes^ jet daughter of le- 
 rtifaUmlt will drowne earthly (or- 
 ; rowcs.that they {hall be as nothing 
 with us. Grow up in thef: things,, 
 J and I may truely fay, you (hall 
 I have a kingdoms in your felfe, 
 

 1 94 \ A ktttr conatning the comunicams. 
 
 k* 
 
 I I am bold vponfo fniall acquain- 
 tance,^ ex her t you in thefc things 
 a duty which wee arc bound to as 
 Christians, where occafion doth 
 require ir.I might write further to 
 you :bqt I rather ftiot my felfri^Nn 
 roue vncertaihcly. If I could know 
 howtoperformeanofficeofChri- 
 ftian loue co you,I would ft udy the 
 cafe but it fhould bee pc formed. 
 My wife doth remember her (cite 
 vuto you. Your fridndes are well 
 with vs. Thus in hafte I take my 
 lcaue, wifhing that the peace of 
 God which pa&th vnderfKindjng 
 may keepe your heart vnto the end 
 acd in the cud. 
 
 34 
 
 L Eft your halting {hould turne 
 forth hur tfully to ycu and 
 others, I wxite more fpedily. 
 YouasketwoqurftU n?$ The fir ft" 
 about the communicants duties ; 
 the fcco&d about kneeling. The 
 tirft* whether you may rece^ue 
 with oac who for want of skilly 
 
 Of 
 
 
Duties txttrnall and faceting. 
 
 or will, is no preaching Minifter. 
 To which I anlwerin two confi- 
 derations; firft,if he bee able to 
 preach but will nor, it isno quefti- 
 on rfordefeft in qualification, not 
 inexcrcife, breedeth doubt of 
 mens calling and authority. A. 
 gaine, the cxercife of preaching 
 is not neceffary in the Miniflerto 
 the being of a Sacrament, but re- 
 quifueonly to the well-being and 
 greater fraic of ir« . If the Minifter 
 be not able C^reacb^he doubt is 
 much augmented ; for God/it fee- 
 meth,dothdiGnablchim, heethat 
 carechnotfor knowing, God re- 
 ietlethhimas noPrkft, Hof^. 
 Secondly, All Chrifls Minifteis 
 iruft teach and baptize, &c. Mat. 
 iSThirdlyjit is counted Ierohams 
 fi re to fet up vie inefficient ones, 
 iKing 15. 33. Fourthly, They 
 are commended that fold thtir in» 
 htritanc's, and left fuch Priefts. 
 Fiftly, They have no calliagfrom 
 God, and therefore are not autho- 
 rized wiihhjly things. 
 
 Anfw* 
 
I 
 
 l$6 Vngiftcd Minifiers may admimfler, 
 
 A*fw. Mocwnhftaouing thefe 
 and ftch like, this I doubt not is 
 thetruh oi God: Firft, that the 
 Sacr'amentall a&ions of uigifttd 
 Mi jitters arc effeftuall to fucha3 
 faithfully receive them. Secondly, 
 that we may fecke and receive the 
 Sacrament at their hands. Thefe 
 two conclufionsmuft be proved, 
 and the contrary arguments fntif- 
 ficd : and Co the fecend qut ftion ia 
 his order refolved. That theft ani- 
 ons are authentica]&3§Jhen perfor- 
 med^ is chusconfirrned^Firft,^*/- 
 gufiine proveth that Hererickes fa- 
 cr-ments (ia his Booke de B*p. 
 lib. i. cap. 10 J are cfFcftaall, where 
 we may realon as ro the lcffer,that 
 unlearned mens a&ions have vali- 
 dity. Secondly, wet Should all in 
 companion call in quettion our 
 Chriftendomes,\vhich 's abfurdiry. 
 Thirdly^ as the deed ofene in Ma- 
 giftrafu, fo the deed of one in Mi 
 nifterioz though hec be not VjcjKe- 
 qHaqueleeitimus AiinifieT} is au- 
 vhenticalf, hath his validities The 
 
 fecond 
 
and tve me may commmicAttj&c. 1 97 
 
 fecond conclufbn is morecontro- 
 verfall; for wee allow the Papifts 
 Biptifme when adminiftred, yet 
 will not allow rhe feeing of it : ne- 
 vertheUfie this is true, that people 
 may fteke and take facramenraH 
 j aftions from unlearned men ; the 
 reafonis, becaufewe have right to 
 aske them, and theynot without 
 the calling ofGod, have authority 
 to difpenfe them. The firft you 
 doubt nor, the fecond you would 
 fee confirmed, for it is thought 
 they are onely mans Miniftcrs. 
 
 An\w. They are called by men, 
 but not without the cvtr-ruling 
 ftroke uf G< d in his which is do .e 
 by man. Thu* S*ml and hroboam 
 chc firtf, were called by men : Sj 
 that God faith, ffof 8.3. Thy ft up 
 Ktngs % and made not him ofconnfeB^ ' 
 yet &..d faith againe, in the 15. of 
 H»U 1 1. Htvtvetkemtbefe Kings 
 in bid wrath&ndtook^ them Away tn 
 indignation. A ^in^when God eel- 
 let has, /irr ^Re^mtJ willgiveyou 
 P after > afar, my own* heart. He doth 
 
 feme 
 
 j 
 
1 98 fVt may communicate with ungified 
 
 feeme to insinuate chat hce had gi- 
 ven them the other, chough in dik 
 pleafure : for chough the mea are 
 notfuch in whom he is pleafed,yct 
 they are here and chcre placed 5 ac- 
 cording ro his pleafure. You will 
 fay, what, are they giuen ia ven- 
 geance, how can we looke for any 
 good from them? 
 
 jinfw So in iudgemcnt,that yet 
 God remtmbreth mercy for hi>, 
 which he wil reach forth Ly them. 
 So tyrants are Godsfcoirg^ yet 
 G- drightfth fome by, their regr- 
 ment: for Tyranny is better thai 
 Anarchic, Suppofe then:The Lord 
 ChruQCellour of England hs muft 
 be for his qualification a man well 
 fcen in the Law s, abk to (intense 
 whacf< ever caufes arc brought in- 
 to Chancery : he muft againe leale 
 all matcers/or he keepcih the Sig- 
 net Say fecor,dly 3 the King (hould 
 fetor let one occupie the place 
 that knew nottheLaw^whowc uld 
 paflc the Seale Lke«ife here or 
 there lefle warrant* blyrwouldyou 
 
 now 
 
Miniftersjtt not with Pdfijl*. I 199 
 
 now in the thud place having the 
 grant of any thing from his High- 
 nefle, refute to Ice him put to the 
 Kings fcale^ becaufehc w.s igno- 
 rant^ would g' vet he feale forae- 
 times when his Makfty would 
 have it denyed ? Like is your cafe. 
 But why may not we feeke dwel- 
 ling amcngii Papilif, to have our 
 children baptized with them > 
 
 -/fy/ir.Becaufe they arc not onf- 
 
 Iy iguoraor, buc mainraine reall I- 
 
 dolifry^likethc Calves ofD*» and 
 
 Bethel, from which wee have com- 
 
 mandemtnt to feparate. Conclude 
 
 then^hat you may come and feeke 
 
 the Sacrament at the hand of an 
 
 uulrarned Mioifter. Take heed 
 
 iaif luch fugg^Rions-by. which the 
 
 counterfeit ar.gels of light would 
 
 fuhm it Cburcn- s, and fling whole 
 
 Pariftiei out ac the windowet. 
 
 Now to re(c !ve your obicftion. 
 
 Thr'e whoro God threataeth to 
 
 c*th:cr> their aftions which they 
 
 p< rforme, may not be fought for : 
 
 the propofixioo is falfe : for his 
 
 threat- 
 
2Qo Wt may receive of ungifttd Mimjlets, 
 
 ■ threatniog is not a prcfent degra. 
 ding, dif inabling them in ihac 
 they could doe.,but a menace of fu- 
 ture evill in Gods time, for that 
 thry ought to have done,bw could 
 not. To Jerohoams faft. Thofe 
 who arc by the tin of men entrcd, 
 their attions may not be taken be- 
 nefit of. 
 
 sAnfrp. Fal£ againe.The Kings 
 of 7/^4^/ thuse-itred, yet one might 
 holily have uken the benefit of ;iv 
 ftice under them. Hee that (hould 
 be never io dtd*flicaB 9 yet if he be 
 nor according to S c * Pauls Canon^ 
 heentreth by fin : but would you 
 roakequeftionto hearehim, once 
 in office, being well gif ed ? To the 
 third, All Ch rifts Miniftcrs muft 
 teach, and therefore whom hec 
 fends he enables thereunto. 
 
 A*[w. Fal^^Uuleffe under ftood 
 with limitation, all lent ofChrift 
 according fo his heart, out of fa- 
 voihyfuily qualified, orxseemuft 
 take teaching m a very large feafc. 
 To the 4. VVce may not fepamc 
 
 fir-'VB 
 
 - .. ■ ■ 
 
 V 
 
KKeeliptgUwfMMintbeaBcfc&c. i 201 
 
 from every unlearned man when he ' 
 isnoreall Idolater. To the fift is 
 anfwered above. The fecond is of 
 Ufle moment, I will not difpure i: : 
 onelythis. When there is no ap- 
 parent fcandalj^ you may knecle : 
 Latent things which cannot with 
 uorall certainty be prefumed, muft 
 pot hkider us. My reafon 5 Firft, it j 
 fsagefturefanftifiedof God, to be : 
 bled in his fervic^, Secondly, it is 
 fiotunbefeeming a Feaftcr, when 
 pur joy muft be mingled with re- 
 ferent trembling. Thirdly, it nei- 
 |berisanocca{ionj nor bypartici- 
 tion Idolatry : kneeling never 
 red bread-worfhip. And our De- 
 fine of the Sacramcnr, knowne 
 o all the world, doth free ns from 
 bfpition cfadoration in it. Attend 
 rourminiftcy, and hold the Lord 
 efus to fanftifie you daily. Let no- 
 hing weaken you in your worke,, 
 he beginning whereof was fo joy- 
 ull to you. I doubt not but thefe 
 ire the truth; if I knewtwentk 
 cruples I could not anfwer, yet 
 
 would 
 
 1 
 
202 
 
 The good wuftfhsnt in tvit times. 
 
 would I be of this iudgmenr. I 
 like not forgery which vpon every 
 want dilmembreth andcu teth off;! 
 nor fuch meddliag in crazie bodies 
 which doth vctcrly ouerwh:loie 
 thetn;hoIy quiet willheale morein 
 thefe cafes than venturous motion. 
 Farewell 
 
 SYR, I cannot but be ready vp. 
 on all occafions to fuluccyou, 
 whom God hath by Co many good 
 offices indeared to ms.My defire 
 to God is^hat your foule may pro 
 (pcr 3 that you may be kept in chefe 
 euill times, wherein darknefle and 
 lufts of ignorance abound, like to 
 the Lampe which (hined in the 
 fmoakyfurnace^liketo the bright 
 ftaire which (hioedinthe midlt 
 of darkenes.Now that we may doe 
 ithis, we muftcuer renew our care 
 ' of keeping our felues vnfpotted 
 from the wicked and powerleflfe 
 connection of ethers Like as an 
 euill ayre by little and little alters 
 1 he nature and temperature of bo- 
 
 r 
 
Ukfftarres sndarfyiejfe. a 03 
 
 y, andbreedes a difeafe:fothe 
 orrupc fefhion of eucry age doth 
 ub vpon us its infection, abating 
 he heat, and eclipfing the light 
 >f grace in vs;ifwe be not more 
 aucclous,and in an holy fufpicion 
 •four infirmities, hang on him 
 vho keepeth his from all euils. 
 rheLordgiue vs that leue which 
 ■uy make vs more fludious of his 
 lory,the more we fee it obfeured , 
 >y others.That is a right /parke of 
 eauenly grace, which by cccafion 
 f iinne (\ ike as it was xnDatttd and 
 itemie) groweth to be morefcr- 
 ent and zealiousfor Gods honor. 
 econdly,to(keepeourdclight)^ve 
 luft frequent communion with 
 *ie children of light. Aweakc light 
 ^yning with another, becommeth 
 rongenfo our grace,while it aflc- 
 iatcth it ftlfe with the grace in o- 
 hers, taketh increafe. Like as a 
 >Iant which is fee in a kindly foile 
 rofpereth for that reafon : fo a 
 >hriftian that groweth vp among 
 hem whoaretruely Chnftian in 
 
 that 1 
 
 
204 Comunion with the Saints helpfntt 
 
 that regard,proves the holier man 
 It is admirable how fo great ant 
 tali a man as S\ Paul, ftiould find 
 and feelc f j great necefficy of corn 
 manionvvith the Saints, buttha 
 thegreateft faith is moftoppofic 
 to preemption, aadtheicforeth 
 furtheft off from neglecting an 
 oicanes which conduce to that i 
 hath believed. I am fure it ma 
 teach us that wc had neede to ligf 
 ourcandIe,and kindle our fire wit 
 our neigbours, even to increai 
 ourfaitb,and fireour affe&ionsoc 
 with the presence of another. Noi 
 ftill it is to be remembred, that 
 is not (6 much your bodily pr< 
 fence, as your fpiritual! u(e one < 
 another that is available this wa 
 when wee (hew what God hai 
 done for us,how our ibules are ca 
 tied on, when with the bucket 
 wifcdome, wee can draw forth 
 'our ufe the waters ofGrace, whi 
 God hath derived from himfe^ 
 into the hearts of our brcthre 
 That is good Communion, wheii 
 
 * 
 
Ktrcifi of grace, burmfbesthtfoule, 
 
 \ is found (bmc interchangeable 
 ^mmunicacion oi tning* ipiritu- 
 [1. Thirdly, to keepc our bright- 
 efle, we rauft exercifc our graces. 
 s the body taketh more rcftiog 
 wnftirring 5 fleeping than waking; 
 p gliftcring mettalls lofe their 
 ^ightnclfe, and contraft ruftineflc 
 mea they are not ufed : fo it is 
 nth our fbulea ; let exercife be 
 egle&ed, their light will be dim- 
 med, they will (ocne grow to 
 brae imbccillitieand fickenefle. 
 very day draw fbme line this 
 ray, let us awaken our rcpen- 
 mcc, ftirreup our faith, to carry 
 >rae promife iato the fecret of 
 ar hearts. 
 
 If wee be like the bufie Ant, dai- 
 r doing (although but a little at 
 net ) wee ftiall finde (lore to our 
 omforr, when the winter of ten- 
 sion (hall approach. This excrci- 
 ng is it, which will preferve us 
 7ith wholefome appetite, and 
 unger afcer all good meanes 
 thereby our (bulcsarccheriflied. 
 
 Thcfe 
 
 205 
 
 I 
 
 7 
 
 
* o 6 I Extrcift of Gract vtty profiuih. 
 
 ■ 
 
 Thele febttiring men are as 
 fjund as a Roche, hungry as hun- 
 terj^whercas fedentary Hues are ol 
 fmallappetitr,andcrazie constitu- 
 tion. Thus his with Chrifthi s 
 foch who exrrcife not themfeiues. 
 ftirringvpthe diuine heatc^thcy 
 are indefferent men whether they 
 partake in helps both publikt 
 and priuate, which God hath or- 
 dained to increafe deuotionjbut the 
 well exercifed Chriftiai hath o- 
 ther affections. 
 
 ThusmuchI thought good to 
 write, exhorting you in theft 
 things, which I doubt not but you 
 endevour in your mealure. I thani 
 you for all the poore you haue re- 
 licued at my motion. I commene 
 my (cite to the good Gentlewomar 
 your Wife,and both of you, witt 
 allyours,cothe Lord. 
 26 
 
 MYloningfriendjI.wasat the 
 firft often perfwaded, that 
 Godwouldfora timefetmeout oi 
 hand, aridtruftmewich myaccu- 
 
 ftomed 
 
Urv tve m*y hdve pence in trenblt. 
 
 omed libcrty,but often defeature 
 /hich myhope fuffred,did corrwift 
 i time that lightnefle of beliefe. 
 low it Co goethwith me, thacl 
 03 like to continue here, or noc far 
 ffall thisfummi r,{or feme rhings f 
 avc broken forth in mee 3 which 
 villrotfuffcr my farre travaile : 
 vhich Imuft feeke hclpefor be- 
 ime, becauit I know my flefh to 
 >eetard of healing. What cafe 
 bo'oldl have, had I learned the 
 rueftrokein bearing the yoakeof 
 ny God, had I wifdome to lay 
 rircudlhnces to heart, had I po- 
 verty of fpirir,empty ing mee of all 
 Confidence in my felfe, & common 
 [ourks, had I confident depen- I 
 ance onGod my foleSaviour,then 
 jould I havehad peace in the midft 
 f trc ubles, and light in darkents. 
 >ut I linde folly to abound in me, 
 rcret pride, hardnefie of heart, a 
 riritualldrunkcnncflT^which fee- 
 eth no bio wes, flying, falfe confi- 
 lence?j what not of this nature? 
 traile my weapons about them, 
 
 as. 
 
 207 
 
 / 
 
208 I The Joule mufkbt brought lm. 
 
 as the walls of hell, expeftingin 
 filence, and rcit their downe-fali 
 from heaven. 
 
 I looke for better times chough 
 greater troubles in the fl:(h, than 
 hitherto I have knowne : I fee it 
 mu' be in healing finne 5 which fal- 
 leth out in healing (brae bodily diC 
 eafes, the party muft be kept (o 
 low, that he muft be tantum non 
 confe&ut iuedia^ before a fpring of 
 better blood can be procured. In 
 labouring to purge out fin^ the life 
 of grace muftfuff^r fuch things as 
 bring it exceeding low, yea, to a 
 "Dfliqwum often j before a new 
 (firing of that heavenly life can be 
 obtained. I thanke God in Chrift, 
 fcftentation Ihave 3 and forne little 
 ftrength, fuavities fpirituall I tafte 
 not any. Bar indedl often tell my 
 felfe, Phyfick purgative and rcftau- 
 rati ve are not to be taken at one and 
 the fame time, yea n it were to wi(h 
 fuffering without lafFering, if wee 
 would (o admit forrowes; as that 
 wee would together fecle them 
 
 drow- 
 
and then God will fir cngtbcn it. 
 
 drowned of fpirituallconfolation. 
 The divinity refted ere the head 
 fuffered : Co in the members. The 
 Lord be our ftrengch and comfort. 
 If wee wane courage and ftrength, 
 wcemuft looke to him, to whom 
 whofb faokcth,reneweth ftrengch. 
 Who ftrftigcheneth his, fo chat 
 they can doe every thing, who 
 ftrengchenech them in the inner 
 man, to long fiifferancewich joy- 
 fulneflc. O let us inconfcicnce of 
 all weaknefle clafpe the rocke of 
 Ifrael, and learne of chofc Conies, 
 weake and wifc,who worke them- 
 fclves holds within the earth, 
 wherein they are fafe. When the 
 Apofiles had received this (pirit of 
 ftrengch, they made a play of their 
 fuffkrings.Even as in bodily things 
 thefe ftrong-boned hardy porters, 
 will make a fport of bearing fuch 
 burdens , which a weake body 
 would tremble to touch : Now 
 Chrift,on whom the fpiric of wife- 
 dome and ftrength refteth,increafe 
 oar union and comunion with him. 
 K how 
 
 209 
 
2 io | Wcc m*Jl feekg after the kjngdomt of 
 
 *7- 
 
 HOw happy Sir, arethcLords 
 children, who if they be 
 once his Favorites, hee will love 
 them to the end, aad though for 
 their firme he chaften them, yet 
 will hee never remove his mercy 
 from them. What is their happl- 
 nefle vvho have received a King- 
 dome that cannot be flbaken?When 
 I obferve how thefe earthly things 
 wheele abour,then raethinkes how 
 happy that man is,whofe heart and 
 hope is in that God with whom 
 there is no fhadow of change ; 
 wherfore let roe ftir yon up to feek 
 after the Kingdome of God more 
 and more, Heire*, the ncerer they 
 come to ripe age, and fo to their 
 inheriunce,theraore their longing 
 and defire is afcer them. And fire., 
 they f*y the neercritcorometh to 
 that rcgicn which is the proper 
 place of i% the fart'r it moveth: 
 fo (hould it be with u*, whofe 
 
 age 
 
God more J*dmore, and how. 
 
 I age is now ripe, to that wee are 
 neerer our falvation, than when 
 tve fjrft bclccved : (b ftiould it be 
 with our fparke of Grace, which 
 God hath kind led in us, the ncerer 
 it comes to heaven, it fhould move 
 thitherward with greac fervency, 
 yea, in our greateft delightf, our 
 hearts fhould be excited cowards 
 thofe joyes which there we ftiall 
 enjoy : when our prifon hath fuch 
 content as wee often take, what 
 fliall wee finde prepared in our Pa- 
 radifc, where we fhall live for ever 
 with Chrift that true tree of life ! 
 Now, the labour of a Chriftian 
 ftandcth chiefely in theft things, 
 Firft, hee muft lay up thofc free 
 promifes (Sod hath made hits in 
 Chrift, as which are the ground of 
 his Title to heaven, that as men 
 carefully boxe up evidences, and 
 coppies by which they can (hew 
 their jnft Title to the thing earth- 
 ly, Co fhould we theft promifes in 1 
 our heart, by which the hea- 
 venly inheritance is ftaled to as. I 
 K2 Second-! 
 
 211 
 
212 I Wt may^dnd ought tofa$tre oxrjdves 
 
 Secondly, we muft ftrive co enter 
 our polMion, by continuing a 
 courft of Chriftian vertues, joyn- 
 ing with faich vertue, with ic 
 knowledge^temperance^&c.while 
 wee gee a large entrance inco that 
 heavenly kingdome, 2/eM.io. 
 That lookc as Ifrael, the more 
 they didfabdue the Canaznites jhz 
 further they were pofleflcd of C*- 
 xaan, fo the more we bring under 
 all earthy lufts, the more we enter 
 that heavenly Canta^ the more 
 wee come into true reft^begunne in 
 holinefle, confiimmate in glory. 
 Thirdly, wee muft labour to ft- 
 curc our felves in this ftatc wee 
 pofTefle. CJod would not make us 
 happy 5 if wee might not be ftre 
 flill to hold it, which though in 
 earthly things we cannot, for they 
 be tranfitory, and if they would a- 
 bide, wee want leafcs of our lives 
 xo abide with them, yet wee may 
 in heavenly things, becaafe they 
 are eternalJ, (hall not fade, and 
 Chrift hath undertaken to keepe 
 
 us 
 
ofthektngdottoc of Heaven. 
 
 313 
 
 us unco them. This is my Fathers 
 will, that I ftould raifeyou up at 
 the laft day. So certainly therefore 
 as hee hath called us, juflified us, 
 andfanftifiedus; (b certainly will 
 hec doe tins other pare of his of- 
 fice afligned him by God his Fa- 
 ther, yea, God will keepc us to his 
 heavenly kingdome, as hee faith, 
 and none (hall take us out of our 
 Fathers bands, he is ftronger than 
 all, faith in theft will fue out a 
 fine, as it were a and give us quiet 
 pofieflion againft all that can op- 
 pofe us. 
 
 Well, the Lord be with your 
 fpirits, and give you in your mea- 
 fure the comfort of theft points. 
 
 LOving Brother, I did receive 
 your Lttter which doth cerri- 
 fic roe of matters, in which 1 take 
 good contentment. To beglnnc 
 with the laft - I am glad you have 
 done fo kinde an office to your 
 K> Sifter; 
 
214 
 
 I 
 
 Again fl overmuch worldly care. 
 
 Sifter; it (hall further your owne 
 reckoning, when you ome to be 
 accountant to €Jod. lam glad like- 
 wife^ that you know your lacall 
 j gricfefo . well,and can lay your fin- 
 ga where it fmaics ; and I am joy. 
 ed in your refo'ution which God 
 givcth you of (baking off this 
 which prefleth you downe, I 
 thought co.have had a letter fray- 
 ing your returne next Terme, but 
 delay brcedeth danger, and vacati- 
 on time ib more free for thoughts, 
 than when every mans cafe craveth 
 entrance : andinthefeconfiJerati- 
 ons my fecond tfnught biddeth 
 mee write prcfemly, though lefts 
 exa&lyand fully. Your rdolutfc 
 on is a good figne that God, who 
 hath freed your minde to a fettled 
 purpofe againft it, will give you 
 in time performance al(b. Bat you 
 mufttake heed that your refoluti- 
 on be fuch as is grounded onely in 
 Gods ftrength, who in his C^rift 
 »amft diflTolve this worke of the 
 Divell, and it muft be accompa- 
 nied 
 
Refolrttion agawjl worldly care 
 
 nied with the coafrienccof your 
 owne weakneflc, who are fold un- 
 der fiich finne; the wiflorae of 
 whoft foule, by nature b:com- 
 meth altogether earthly; andlaft- 
 ly, with confederation, what 
 ftfewg^h the earthly objefts aod 
 your propenfity and inclination 
 this way have to oppofeyou : for 
 thefe will make you poore in 
 fpirit, and havt no confidence in 
 yourfelfe, bur make Chrift your 
 ! Captaioc (who bach overcome the 
 World) all your hope ; and if wee 
 come not thus to fight, we (hail be 
 forced to recoilc oorfoof, were 
 our quarrell as jaft as Ifraeh a- 
 gainft thofeof Benjimh. Now that 
 you may lee how (trong an evill 
 this is, you mufi: confidcr wkh 
 what forces it is intrenched, what 
 fpirituali things there be that doe 
 backethis infirmuy; the which is 
 the rather to be obferved, becaufe 
 the right method of healing,reqiti- 
 reth that we find out the caufes of 
 the malady. Now this double dili- 
 K 4 gent 
 
L 
 
 2l6 
 
 I 
 
 
 ought to be grounded. 
 
 gtnc carefulnefifc, fpringeth from a 
 threefold head : firftfromdWruft 
 inGodscare,whichis ever over us 
 for good. When one hath great 
 friends,, which they are knowneto 
 leane to, we fay of them, Such need 
 to take no care, they know fuch 
 and fuch will fee to them j on the 
 contrary, come toonethackuow- 
 eth no end of coiling and caring, 
 aske him, Why will you thus tire 
 your felfe out ? H: will fay J mult 
 needs doc it, I have none but my 
 felfetotruftco : fo Chrift folSw- 
 cth his Difciples carefulaefle to 
 this dore, their unbeliefe, which 
 did not let them confider our hea- 
 venly Father cared for them. Se- 
 condly, thefe cares come from a 
 folfe preemption of felte-fufficien- 
 cy b ourownccourfes, as if wee 
 by our owoe diligence could build 
 the boufe : For, were a man per- 
 fwaded that the blefliog of God 
 were all in all, hee would ply that 
 fart fir ft, an! with little joy would 
 undertake anything; tillheeftw 
 
 God 
 
Cwfej of overmuch worldly care. 
 
 God wicnclliog to him by his Spi- 
 rit, that he would be wich him co 
 blefle him. This makcth Chrift cell 
 his Difci pies, they could not wich 
 all care make a haire white or 
 blackc; infinuating this difcafel 
 pohtar* I know we will not fay 
 this; bar -no more will any cove- 
 tous man, chut hee maketh his mo- 
 ney his God; hee knoweth ic is 
 earth, and hee accounts of it as ic 
 is : but our deeds fpeakcihat of- 
 ten> which our tongues would de- 
 ny. Thirdly, from an overvaluing 
 of earthly things, aod undfrpri- 
 liGg of heavenly, we come to be fo 
 carcfull in the one, and forerch- 
 leffdy affctted in theother,wc be- 
 ing like children who make ac- 
 count of a Peare or an Apple more 
 than of all the houfc: befide. N^w 
 having found the caufes and rooces 
 of this evil Vyou may difceme it is 
 as cafie almoft to (hake off your 
 felfc, ssro be rid of this infifmi: y : 
 wfrchl fpeake net to make you 
 refift heard* fly, but to make you 
 
 217 
 
 K * 
 
 take \ 
 
21% 
 
 Remedies thereof. 
 
 take him with you, who only re- 
 
 \ maineth victorious. In the next 
 
 ' place, you rauft labour to remove 
 
 thefe caufes., and the effeft will 
 
 ceafc; Say toyourfelfe,Lord,thac 
 
 I fliould be of (o little faith to thee; 
 
 thou biddeft mee in nothing be 
 
 earefull, but reft in thee 5 but I find 
 
 a htart that will not reft in thee, 
 
 but be for it fclfe.Have I not found 
 
 thee true and mctcifull above all 
 
 1 could aske or thioke ? How Isic 
 
 then that I fhould lend thee (b li ecle 
 
 credit? Who will notcondemoe 
 
 \ that wretched Aba^ Efay 7, when 
 
 [ thou didft fend him a mefTige, and 
 
 [ bid him be fecure in thee^ put it | 
 
 backc^ hee would make fare For ' 
 
 ihimfclfe? Bar alas! when thou 
 
 ; fjyeft no lefle to us, we (upon the 
 
 matter) doe no lefle than hee. A- 
 
 : gaiae, what abomination isthis^ 
 
 I that my heart (hould, kiving thee, 
 
 1 reft in fitch courfes which icfelfc 
 
 J imiginethanddevrfech> I fee the 
 
 Divcll his word is proved too rruej 
 
 hee fiid^ wee fhould be like Gods, 
 
 which 
 
Confiderttims di\wafivi from 
 
 which as it Is falfcin rc(pcft of di- 
 vine qualities refembling our God, 
 Co U it true in regard of our finfuH 
 ufurpation : for we take our owne 
 courftas if wee were All-fuffi:ient 
 to our ftlvcs, not needing any 
 higher power : and what an inor- 
 dinacy ig this,that my foulefhould 
 be thus turned eafthward,thinking 
 on thefe things which arc earthly 
 and tranfitory, with little thought 
 ofthofe which are* heavenly and 
 eternal! > we pifty that want of wit 
 incivillconrfe, which maketh the 
 mtndc runne on babies, but never 
 t hinke on ought fubftantiall: but 
 what is this defc ft leffe lamentable, 
 which makech me toffe in my mind 
 things belonging co this life, f*l- 
 dome mufing on thofe which are 
 everlaftiog? Thus when you have 
 pondred the wretcbednefle of ir, 
 youmuft thinke on your utter Li- 
 ability to mend the matter, by ob- 
 fcrving how deepe your heart is 
 gone in unbeliefe, that you can 
 foon«r truft to any thing tnan-fe- 
 
 cureth \ 
 
220 overmuch reorldj cure. 
 
 cureth you in, than chat God pro- 
 mifetb, Againe, hovynaturallitis 
 to you to plot and contrive affaires, 
 and reft in your owne confutati- 
 on?, as if your good were in yoar 
 ownc hand * by marking, finally, 
 how deepely you are bewirched 
 with thele things prefent,how po- 
 tently they work upon your mind, 
 by reaibn of the affinity that is be- 
 twixc them and your undeiftao 
 .ding, being become earthly. la 
 the third place, yffu muftlooketo 
 Chrift tohelpeyourunbeIicfc,by 
 taking it away, and ftrengthenirg 
 ycur fail h,r hat you may give him 
 glory; by fetting- your reft or.cly 
 downecn this, that hse caret h lor 
 you 5 and pray Lim to circumcife 
 your heart, aaa pare away that 
 Sclfc- confidence that you. may 
 have no truft in the fl . fh ? but make 
 his care over you, all your rejoy- 
 ring ; yea, pray him to crucifie all 
 thefc outward things to you, that 
 ihey may notice ib powerful] upc n 
 you, la theft things you muft fol- 
 low 
 
Cbrift the Author &finijheref f &c. 221 
 
 low Chrift, for hce is the Author 
 anil finifher of our faith; he is the 
 true Pruft by whom wc have cir- 
 cumcifion, not made with hands, 
 which hee hath fealed in our Bip- 
 tifme; for the water is a fcale of 
 Chrifls blood applyedcj us, and 
 ot that Spiric of his, v;hich is 
 poured into our hearty through 
 che merit of hisbloud, toth&io- 
 tent ir m : ght abolifb our corrupt!- 
 onyind create in us die lifeof grace. 
 Chrift crucified 3 finally, doth kill 
 .he power of this world to us. and 
 our corrupt inclination to it 3 and 
 i he things of it: thuseudevourirg 
 ro remove the roote and cau'e of 
 your ficknefle, the griefc ic fclfe 
 will no e eafily be cured. To 
 come then in a word to ic, firft, re- 
 member how it doth worke upon 
 you 5 and what a. wofull thing U is 
 :o have the miade inordinately 
 feared, with retaining thought of 
 :his nature ; for firft, howgreatly 
 toe theft hirder you in the bed 
 things ? It isthe common choakc- 
 weede. 
 
202 The danger ofwermnh worldly core. 
 
 weede, which like as y vie doth by 
 \ the oake, fo it facketh thefapof 
 Grace from the heart, and maketh 
 { it unfruitfull. A ground in which 
 ■ filver Mines are found,is common- 
 ly barren every other way ; but it 
 is certaine, a heart in which veinc s 
 runnebf worldly cares, isalwaies 
 too fruitless in duties towards 
 Gcd. Againe, how dangerous is 
 this? For it is to be feared left ft 
 exafperarc God, and fo make him 
 leave you to your felfe, and with- 
 draw his care over you : if we di£ 
 ceme fuch as will put no truft in 
 us» but love to ftand upon their 
 o wne ground, we give them good 
 leave : ascontrarily,thc more wee 
 fee our felves trufted to, the foore 
 our fidelity Is careful! for them 
 that ftay upon us; thus is it with 
 our heavely Father. Againc, you 
 rauft aggravate this inordinacy of 
 cares in your felfe, from this cir- 
 cumftance ; if I were never fo 
 needy, thi* diftrafling care could ' 
 not be warranted; but when God 
 
 hath 
 
 IV 
 
Viftptfivcr agtinft worldly care. 223 
 
 hath blcffed mcc beyond tbac ( 
 could have asked 3 then ftill to be 
 in farther thoughts., how inexcu- 
 fible is ic > If a poore man fteale, 
 ic is a fhame ; bar for a rich man to 
 play the thiefe, it is raonftrous : 
 CuesdiftraQfng, and not refting 
 on thbgrprefenc, are a fpirituall 
 chefc before God. Againe, thinke 
 how miserable this is : fay one 
 flioulJthruftyour face and bodily 
 fight into the dirt, and bold ic 
 downe there that you could not 
 looke up to the Sl]nne,Firm lra^nt, 
 the Trees and Field*, & c. were not 
 this a wofulJ condition ? O foch is 
 the ftateof a (bule, whofe eye and 
 thought is thruft downs into thefc 
 cirthly objefts, and fo held in 
 thsm, that it cannot looke up to 
 confider the Sunne of righteouf- 
 nefie IcfusChrift, nor the heavenly 
 things which arc given us of God : 
 thus then appreheding the mifery 
 of it, looks untoChrift, pray him 
 to fave you, who is that Iefus that 
 favech his people from guile and 
 
 power 
 
 t* 
 
224 
 
 ?t*j to Ckrijl tgainft it. 
 
 j power of fia ;fcom this fin la hurc- 
 \ ful co the prcfent growth in Grace, 
 j fb dangerous to provoke your God 
 \ againft yon, fb ill burning you to 
 j whom God hath expreffed fuch 
 bounty, fo full of wretchednefle. 
 Remember ht hith (aid, Hold me 
 the truthj willfet you free; fearc 
 | not, 1 have over- come the world. 
 Again?, you muft pray him chat he 
 wocld mike ycuable to be hea- 
 , venly minded,and tfci >k upon hea- 
 venly things. True it is, our minds 
 naturally luve no py this way,fid 
 no relifhinluch thjughts ; but we 
 fhalldoeall things in Chrift that 
 ftrergthcoeth us : Contraries muft 
 be cured with coirrarieSjChemorc 
 you ge? to tafte heavenly things 
 beftowed on you, the more thefe 
 (hall grow out of rcqucft, and 
 draw co an end. Icwill be good 
 for you when fuch thoughts feiz: 
 on you, toconfidercfyourovvne 
 infirmity after this manner; O 
 Lord,howjs my mindc throwne 
 downc from Heaven co Earth ?. 
 
 How 
 
'Perfivafive Meditations. 
 
 How doe fuch thoughtB prevent 
 rae,and come before I would have 
 them? How eafily do I continue ia 
 thcra \ How dole doe they cleave 
 unco me? Let meethinkeof thee, 
 thy Grace, my ftacc after death ; | 
 and hardly will thefe enter : foone j 
 they vamlh,and while Lhave them j 
 in my thought, fcarce halfe of me I 
 is in them. . Lord, me thinkes I 
 aro like the wretched woman in 
 the Gofpell, who was held of a 
 (pi jit eighceene yeeres, that flbee 
 could not Io-jke lip to heaven .You J 
 (hall fi.ide fuch meditation not in 
 vaine, when you are ready co be 
 I cranfported, for it will weaken the 
 recurne of them, and difpofe you 
 both to fecke and receive the cure 
 of this evill from your God and 
 Siviour. The Phyficians in force 
 kinde of unfeemely convulfions, 
 wi(h thactne Patient (hould loo!<e 
 onhimfelfeinag'afle, which will 
 help him to drive the more, when 
 he (hall fee his owne deformity : 
 but I fee my Letter will grow 
 
 L . -^M 
 
226 
 
 nr 
 
 
 to heavenly mindedmffe. 
 
 beyond the due quantity of it; 
 wherefore I end, defiring you to 
 follow your good purpofe, and 
 not to lye under your infirmity 
 with any pretence* Wee fome- 
 times give way to inordinate 
 cares, not meaning co continue 
 them, but to fettle things onely in 
 order, that wee may be free from 
 them : but the flefh will not heale 
 flcflj, neither will being a while 
 diftra&ingly careful), ever heale 
 diftra&ingcare; you (ball quench 
 the fire with wood,aflbone as finne 
 with yeelding to it. AgaineJ will 
 doe this but till, &c. This is as 
 much as if one would leape into 
 the Thames, and fay, I will caft 
 ray (elfeinto the water, but only 
 till I be knee dcepe • were not 
 this ridiculous > WcllBrothcr,the 
 Lord deliver you from every evill 
 (hare*, and if you will ever be a 
 good husband, and have all things 
 continue and profper, be fure you 
 win his favour, by prefentingyour 
 diligent dtity ia Chrift his favour, 
 
 in 
 
Middling in wsrldly c*res danger out I 22 7 
 
 n whofe hand to all your good J 
 pea, the g :>od of vour wife,chil- • 
 Jren, and childr^as children for i 
 ■ever. 
 
 Yours ia brotherly aflfeftion, ; 
 Faul Ba;*c. 
 
 *9- 
 
 LOviag Brother, you would 
 inke me haply liketothofa 
 xeatures which fl:epe over all the 
 Winter, fhould I but continnefi- 
 enc till the Sucnmerwereeatred. 
 The truth h, I have beeae very 
 jveatiGi the mod ofche tims (ince I 
 [aw you, but my condition is fuch, 
 [s will not fuffer my minde to reft, 
 were I never fo free of bodily inf- 
 irmities, and fecular cires, which 
 foe foretimes lo3ke into mee 
 
 mee. 
 
 ;haugh not much difturbe 
 rruly^ic doth take up ray ftrengch, 
 :o gee ftreagth wherewith to walk 
 rroai roaming to night, waiting 
 an ray Gadsfalvation without mi- 
 king 
 
228 The troubled Chriftiam refuge. 
 
 king haft. The Prince of peace is 
 my refuge, who as hte hath his 
 time of making heavie, fo he will 
 retume and comfort in the multi- 
 tude of his mercies. Thefe things 
 I write not fo much for my Apolo- 
 gie, as for your admiration and in- 
 ftin6tton 3 tbatyou may confidcr of 
 your own cftate,and examine your 
 peace • that if you find it to be true 
 and found, your thankes may be 
 redoubled for fo great a benefit, 
 which others want, which paffeth 
 undemanding : that if otherwise 
 it prove deceitful!, you may yet 
 make fare worke, and (et ic aright, 
 i while the day ofgrace is cendnued 
 to you, The Divell circurnventeth 
 many by nothing more,than by lul- 
 ling them afl^ep in fach a rsft, as 
 will prove torsftteflefmarr, if it 
 be not by repentant courles inter- 
 rupted. A maa may have peace 
 from not ftirring and moving hi* 
 corruptions. The Divell, we (ay,is 
 quiet, if he be pleafed ; difeaie not 
 fin, you (hall tcclc little of it : fuch 
 
 is 
 
 1 
 
VictttjnU Peace 3 andfinfaH Security. 
 
 is the peace of a body, which is, 
 though not fickc, yet in an ill ha* 
 bite,andftate tending to flcknefle $ 
 it is quiet, cillfomething be taken, 
 which fightcth with, and cxpel- 
 leth the hcke matter; not becaufe 
 there are no peccant humors in it, 
 ! but it is therefore at eafe, becaufe 
 j they are not provoked and purged 
 out with wholefbme medicine. A- 
 gaine, many feele not difeaffnent, 
 becaufe they doe not taske che*n- 
 J felves about good duties as in ex- 
 [ crcifing their faith, renewing their 
 thankmlneffe,gettringraore (haroe 
 and griefe to finite their hearts in 
 their daily wants,in laboring to be 
 more fruicfull in good works than 
 they have beene : in teeking hea- 
 venly raindednefle and holineflc, 
 which might make them doe all 
 things as become the pretence of 
 God, before whom they are. In- 
 deed no wonder if wee beat eafe 
 while wee fee not hand to thefe 
 workes. A lame akinglkibe hath 
 eafe while it refteth, but yet is not 
 
 well, 
 
 229 
 
, 
 
 230 Severallcafij thereof. 
 
 well, though ic hath not fenfe ol 
 cvill. Againe,there is no cafe frorr 
 fleepinefleof con/cience,whiIe (pi- 
 r ituall {lumber bindeth the fenfes 
 and difcerning fpirituall ; fb thai 
 though there be many wofull evils, 
 yet id all of them no difcafement is 
 perceived. Thus a man with twen- 
 ty ficknefles, well afleepe, feeleth 
 nothing. Laftly, there is noeaft 
 often in the body, becanfe the fen- 
 fe s being taken up with obje&s 
 delightful! to them, tend not that 
 grief which hangeth about them ; 
 of which fort is the peace of the 
 (bule, which difcerneth things a. 
 trifle, matters of griefe; but the 
 gratefull objefts cf the world, 
 pleafure, company, &c. doe fo pof- 
 (eflcit,that being in thefe 5 itfeeleth 
 nothing of that which in Come 
 raoreretjred thoughts it feemed to 
 apprehend. What fhould I fpeakc 
 of mifdeeming oar cftates ? There 
 is away right in a mans eyes, the 
 end whereof is death • and the reft 
 of which mi(corxeit,is like theeafe 
 
 of 
 
Take heed offfirituaUJlotb. 
 
 of a golden dreame. Or what 
 (hould I mention any other kinds, 
 which I thinke not fo pertinent 
 for your eflate ? I befeech you take 
 heede of chat neglcft of getting 
 your ficke foulcs drefftd, that 
 fpiriruall floth and reftinefle, that 
 (lumber, that having yourfoules 
 taken up with thefs matters which 
 are gratefull to the natural! man; 
 take heede that none of thefedoe 
 make you nap to your after far- 
 row. You will haply (ay; In 
 what ftandeth this true peace? 
 Arfa?. In perceiving the Grace of 
 God fuch towards mee in Chrift, 
 that my Conscience, through his 
 blcod^is cleanfed from the guile of j 
 finnc; thatmyfoule, through his 
 Spirit, is freed from the rage and 
 tyranny of fiane, that it hath not 
 ! that power to carry me captive to 
 ;it,and workmydiflurbance^which 
 : fomtimesithathhad.Th?rdly 3 that 
 my condition, through his Bleflug 
 I in Chrift made a Curfe for mee, is 
 
 imadc Co comfortable, that it plea- 
 feth 
 
 231 
 
2 22 | The true f$ace of Confcitnce. 
 
 fethmewell- there being no tedi- 
 ous difeafements with which it is 
 accompanied, which would ex- 
 tinguifli my py for the prefent 
 Fourthly,that for the time to come 
 hee will keepe me to him, patting 
 his feare in my heart, according to 
 his promiie, that I may not depari 
 from him, finifhiog my faith he* 
 hath begun j never leaving nor for- 
 faking me, but caufing every thing 
 workc together, for my good. For 
 there is a foure-fold Branch of this 
 Peace ; one, (hootetb forth of our 
 Juftification; the other, from our 
 San&ification; the third,from that 
 Bleffing w ith which God doth fol- 
 low us, ir« our outward condition ; 
 the fourth/rom the knowledge we 
 have of his gracious pleafure to- 
 wards us, even for the time to 
 come ; without which, wee could 
 not have true peace : for how can a 
 man have true peace earthly,with» 
 out a fecure pofleffion of the good 
 he holdeth ? So there could be no 
 true peace foirituall to us, now 
 
 blcffcd 
 
Four* brunches of^irituall Pticc. 2 3 1 
 
 blefled with heavenly things, if we 
 might not have and hold themi 
 with a fpiricuall fecurity. Where- 
 fore,deare Brother aad Sifter,enter 
 into your hearrs ; irarkc whence ic 
 is, that you goe on ac eafc from 
 day to day : Is ic becaufeyou fee., 
 that God for his Christs 
 blood, which hath cried for bet- 
 ter things than the blood of Abel, 
 hath abfolved you from the guile 
 of all your finnc > Is it becaufe 
 you feelethe power of linne bro- 
 ken, that it cannot prevaile againft 
 you, as fotuetiraes it hath done,bat 
 you finde finne weakned,and your 
 fbules with more frecdome obey- 
 ing God in fuch things, in which 
 femetimes you could not deny 
 your (elves > D:>e you fee, that 
 whereas your eftates fometimes 
 were troublefome to you, now 
 they are made fuch as give you 
 contentment, through the grace . 
 of Godjbkfnogus inChrift, ac- 
 curf»d for us > Doth God open the 
 eyes of your minde, to fee his 
 L gracious 
 
2 3 2 I Tiyjinrfetce, xvhtthtr true y &c. 
 
 gracious unchangeable good will 
 towards you forever? Then you 
 have ^ood ground for being ac 
 eafe within your (elves. But if you 
 finde that your quiet fpringech 
 hence, becaufe you difquiet not 
 your felves in weeding out your 
 ignorance, unbelicfe, carelcfle- 
 ne{fe,8cc. or becaufe you doe 
 not prove your feeble fpirituall 
 ftrengths, in labouring to dc e eve- 
 ry thing out of obedience of faith 
 ro the Lcrd, who (hould ever 
 be before you ; if becaufe cuftoma- 
 ry faftiions, occafions, or objeSs 
 of this or that nature, keepe you 
 occupied about them, take heed 
 of this Eafe , as ever you defire 
 to live in that eternal! Reft, which 
 God hath prepared for his people. 
 Digge into your hearts betirae, 
 hold them to that which is a- 
 bove tftfjr fdves, through the 
 ftreng h of Chrift : (< hey will hang 
 off from every thh-g thac is not 
 oarurall, to them,) Iudge your 
 ftlvts daily in your wanes to Gsd- 
 
 warc% 
 
Wt mufi prove turpiact wh$$ber y &c. 
 
 ward , fccke to C h r i s t the 
 quickening Spirit^ that yoa may 
 leclc life and power in your 
 waies : labour for fobricty in 
 the ufe of all worldly things : 
 (you know the laft times; their 
 deftiny is to have fhewes, without 
 life and power, to eate, drinke, 
 marry, with forgetting the ap- 
 pearance of Chris t.) Labour 
 thefe things, and the God of 
 Peace make you tafte his joyes, 
 which are tranfeendear, above all 
 this World can afford. 
 
 Your loving Brother, 
 
 Fa*i Bsj*u 
 
 1 % 
 
 a33 
 
23 + 
 
 IbefcUow-fetling ofafflittion. 
 
 JO, 
 
 DEare Sifter, ycur Letter came 
 notcomee, till I had beenca r 
 fortnight out of London. I would 
 not have haftened from you 5 to 
 have been a lieger there (b long. 1 1 
 felt my weakness knocking more 
 thau before, and faw your hands 
 full j which made me long after my 
 mod familiar Manfion. For that 
 which you fignifie,asbefalliog you 
 that night,I defire to have fellow- 
 feeling with you. Wee muftnor, 
 like S wallowes, take the Summer, 
 | and refufe to d wel with our friends 
 in Winter ; but it is a true faying* 
 None knosves what nevves the 
 Evening will tell him. H*d I 
 known it in the Morning,' t may be, 
 for your fake, my fecond thoughts 
 would have rejourned my prefent 
 defigneSo But God is wife, who, 
 whenhegWcth usPhyficke, doth 
 pin ail rfce outward comforts wee 
 a&tt, ferre from us, l:ft his cha- 
 f-ifements 
 
Wt art morcfmfibk ofCreJfef y 
 
 235 
 
 ftifemerus (hould work leffe kind- 
 ly, and to thepurpofe, with us. 
 Dcarc Si iter, the Pbyficke muft 
 make us ficke, that doch us any 
 good: yet Sifter, a9 wee muft not 
 hinder them wich prcpofterous and 
 over-timely comfort of oar (elves, 
 (0 wee muft not make them more 
 vehemently ftirre us than they do ; 
 for both arc dangerous. I perceive 
 by your little patheticall Letter, 
 that you thinke a great dcale on 
 this late hand of God: loureld&ft 
 Brother , your eldtfi Brother alretdy, 
 your eldejt Brother already rooted 
 out^ theie are all af&ftionate elo- 
 quence. Sifter,our naughty envies 
 are full of falfe ghfTea : when God 
 doth us any favour, giving us ble£ 
 Gngs,then they hold a glatfe before 
 us, which makech them fceme no- 
 thing fo great as they are 5 when 
 God (endeth any croffe, then they 
 deceive us wich (uch a glafle, in 
 which we fceme to fee them m Jch 
 greater than they are. Befides,be- 
 caufe God givech us fuch plenty 
 L v of 
 
\^6 
 
 than &f Favours. 
 
 ofcmercy, tb^r wee arc ever iota, 
 fling and profeffing feme good 
 thing, ot other; therefore, theft 
 being plentifully make them leife 
 dainty : but not alwaica feeling 
 forae evill or other, they move us, 
 when they come fo much the 
 more,by how much they are more 
 unufuailwithus* Weefeeleraore 
 the ach of one tooth, than ttoe 
 bealchfcme frame of our whole 
 bodies. Let you and me then falkc 
 about thefe things which ftickc 
 moftupoo your itomacke. Sifter, 
 1$ it not more kindly, the younger 
 {hould bury the cldeft,than other- 
 wife ? This then muft not gticve 
 you, that God hath taken the 
 eldeft ; he wasthcripeft, and fi tteft 
 to be gathered. But why doc you 
 6y, Already ? Alas, good heart ; if 
 hee had died before his upper Lip 
 had fprouted, I (hould not have 
 wondredat this word : but, Sifter, 
 he lived aln&oft to gray haires ; you 
 could not begge a longer Leafeof 
 your owae lite, in modefty, than 
 
 God 
 
Cemfort for the death of 
 
 God gave him here amongft the 
 living. If wee kept our daies in 
 number, wee would thinkc kwa 
 yeeres many; andia thofeyeeres 
 he came to a ripe age. Takeheedc, 
 left whiles you looke atthiityou 
 have nor, you forget the Lords 
 bounty, which is already received, 
 in his fo long continuance with 
 you. Wf*ci you fay. He is rooted 
 out; Itakeit, you ufe this phrafe 
 chicfcly,becaufe hec is dead with- 
 out heires male: bat that bee hath 
 hcircs fera.ile, k is a gifc of grac^ 
 which wee defcrve not ; neither 
 will his.naroe behead, while his 
 Brother livcth. A id what 3s the 
 Name? Is it none of our things 
 which cannot be ihakcn ; every 
 Nim* muft at lengch be ixcinfh 
 I muft not heale more in you ihn 
 I find ; left when I fteketocurea 
 wound that is, I make a new one, 
 whichbsfore w^s not. Ico c.ive 
 your meaning no further :bat com- 
 fort y mr felfe in thi«; your beft el- 
 d:ft Brother lirecb, and is by his 
 L 4 Spirit, 
 
as 8 
 
 *n tlder Brother. 
 
 $ 
 
 Spirit* with you to the end ; your 
 Lord lefts, who is not afli jmed to 
 callus Brethren. OSifter, would 
 you provoke your heart to be glad 
 of him* you fliould not forrow ex- 
 crflively for the abfence of any 
 ear- hly Brother : and whatfoever 
 thing is inyour tboughr,yet corfi- 
 der who hath done it- even your 
 loving Husband in Heaven. Ifyour 
 earthly Husband fhould doefbmc 
 (hrewdturne, as unawares breake 
 (bmc Ie well you much fct by$ when 
 you heard that he did it,you would 
 beftaied, though before you were 
 much raoyed. You muft fcy as 
 Chrift faith; Shall I not drinke 
 the Cup my Father puttcth in my 
 hand>That God,that is,Love,doth 
 reach it anto you. If you fee God 
 angry, yet be of good cheare; hee 
 J chat will not Jiave finfull man let 
 the Sunne go downe on his anger, 
 hee will not for ever kecpe anger 
 againftyou ; and a Parent is a Pa- 
 reat, as well frowning, as failing. 
 Judge your felfe, and with a faith- 
 full 
 
Be^aUm ofCjodsgkry.. \ *$9 
 
 full heart, (hew -him his beloved 
 Sonne^n whom he is well pleafc^ 
 and he will 6c better friends with 
 you than ever. Stirrc up your felfe 
 to more zcale of Gods glory^ia fee- 
 king to bring children an J fcrvants 
 to obey him in their fpiritsyis well 
 as ferve your felfe with bodily fub- 
 jeftbt). Oh, thinke.thcennofer- 
 vants for you, .that Will not learne 
 to ferve yoq? Husband in Heaven 
 alfo, Fure an eye over young and 
 oId,th$£*here be no appearance of 
 ihe leeft irreverence inyour duties 
 to God 5 occafion your felfe co 
 challenge your foulc every day for 
 unfruitfalnefT:. Oh, wefhouldin 
 wayoftbankfulnefle, with all out 
 hearts, (bules, and ftrengths,beal- 
 waies in ferviag him : wee muft 
 ftrive to the higheft, and then God 
 will pardon all wee come (hort in, 
 And though you recount varieties 
 of fbrrows which you have found 5 
 yet know 3 that, God fttiketh not 
 j with h;s who! * hand , but fillip petfa 
 I you rather with arfinger : our ble£ 
 1 L 5 - fed 
 
2 *0 
 
 W* *rc not alone affiiftccL 
 
 fedjSaviour hath drunkc the dregs 
 for u% Againe,you are nor alon? : 
 jfac0t,rbargood Pa?riarch,had di- 
 vers affii&ions ; Fli^hcouc of his 
 Countrey- injury from his Father 
 Lsban . frare o r death ac the bands 
 of his Brother Ep"; aCaft-away 5 
 in regard of m rcy* his Children* 
 bloudy Rio • his Wives death; 
 J^/?^/dc(pightfuIl packing irtrd 
 Egjft, &c. And "Peter firth, Wee 
 are madt h^avie with many Ten- 
 rations^ when neede is : Which 
 fhould yet nurt comfort us b:- 
 caufe that thenecellicy ofour efticc 
 doth require that wet (hould have 
 variety of ibrrowes. Indeed, wee 
 muft be forty that our fouUs are 
 Co ficke, that they muft cake Co 
 many thiogs : but muft be thank- 
 full to God, that w, oot weary, 
 but doth follow us win thiogs, 
 odc after another, for our good ; 
 for yw good. All things (hall 
 worke together, to the good of 
 thpfc that love God: Your com- 
 forts muft noc be in this life - 
 
 here 
 
 V 
 
A Cbnfltans cu>j[<smakc bim 
 
 here is not chat Reft for Gods peo- 
 ple : wee will let Viveffet fiiga 
 Requiem to their foules; butwc: 
 Will pray toGodforgrace,that we 
 may carry our crofle,aod tike evill 
 do It fle thankfully than good from 
 his hand : neither muft your com- 
 fort be tacked upon the pretence of 
 a nun ; the Gcd of all confoLti- 
 tn is your Ccmfortery that Spirit 
 which Chrift will fend unto you, 
 frojivhim. Aod let all your for- 
 rowc$ be welcome for thisfruit, 
 which in the end you fnal! findeby 
 them : vix* That your departure 
 from this world (hall be fomuch 
 more eafie when it commeth, by 
 how much yo« are before by fuch 
 crofle encounters killed in your 
 aff.ftion toit. S'icH asmufth^ve 
 a member cut off, they willingly 
 yeeldtohavc it bound, though ic 
 be paliful J 5 becaufe, when it is 
 morcified and deaded with ftraic 
 bindings they (hall en Jure the cut- 
 ting of it off farre more eafily fo 
 (hail wee take our cutting off from 
 
 this 
 
242 
 
 vpillinger to part with the world. 
 
 this World Co much more gently , 
 by how roach more painfull pin- 
 chings wee have endured. Weil, 
 the God which teacheth us to pro- 
 fits Efay faith ; which purgcth us 
 by tftefe meanes, and makah ui 
 more fruicfibll • he make you more 
 fiiritfuU by this his hand, inevery 
 good word and worke. 
 
 Your loving Brother, 
 PjuI Bajne. 
 
 $1, 
 
 LOving Sifter jiiKJIofTes marre 
 agoodTexe : Co my ill con* 
 ftruftion had almoft done by your 
 good Letter. Ycc I am not fbrry 
 that I miffed your meaning ; for ic 
 grieves me not fonweh for to mi£ j 
 conftrueyourphrat,asJtgladdeth J 
 mce, that no fuch, iaordituncy of ! 
 griefccaratnigh€ryau,asl imagi- 
 tied and feared. Thic which you 
 conceived in faying, Akeady, I did 
 coo^'dureiciike.wi^ but did not 
 
 plainly 
 
Faith ~ afovetAignc Ladj, 
 
 24 j 
 
 plainly exprefle it ; becaufe I knew 
 perfonsin griefe rauft be gingerly 
 handled, left wee make a Wound 
 where there is none, or exafperate 
 that which is already fwaged. I 
 thanke you for ray Hnd-kcrcher : 
 Inrccompenceofyourlove,! will 
 comnend unto you a good Mid- 
 wife, if you will fend for her ; it 
 i* my Lady Faich, whoistheSo- 
 vcraigne Lady and Cornmandreffe 
 in ail things which the jaft mm 
 doth, or Thfifcreth, The j 1ft in 
 troubles (hall live by his Faith. 
 That which Hive in the fl.(h, even 
 in refpsft of this eteroall life, 
 World-ward, 1 1 ve ic by faith in 
 theSonof GoiyBiU S.Pj*l y gai.z. 
 Now, this great Worthy doth 
 come to none bat thofe who firft 
 prepare for her, addreflbg them- 
 (elves to her liking 5 (econdly,(end 
 for herj thirdly diet her to her con- 
 tentment : for (hec will quickly bq 
 gone, if you make Qocfuch provi- 
 (ion which is grsttefull uaco her„ 
 For the firft: Sifter^gceatMid wives 
 
 on 
 
 ■ » 
 
*44 
 
 arid the be ft Midwife. 
 
 \ on Earth, they come to great ones, 
 1 where their wages (hall be b:>unti- 
 | ■ full t their gifts libera]!- wnere they 
 I fh^ll have worfhipfull rtfpcft pjc 
 1 upon them, and all thhgsof (he 
 beft fuitiig to their contentment. 
 And they coir e not willingly, bat 
 where there is fome likelihood 
 they miy goe thorow with their 
 bufiatfle. Bucmy'Ladyrequireth 
 no provifion nor qualification in 
 the perfbns fhee vLfi erh, but that 
 rhey be poore in fptri r , snJ fee 
 themftl ves at fuch a pafle^that they 
 k *iow not what to do withou: her. 
 We know not whattodo,butour 
 eyes are towards thee, O Lord; 
 when fen fe,and our owne ft rengt h 
 areat a ftand,thentherei$ficroorac 
 ma^e for Faith to enter. You muft 
 thinke therefore, good Sifter, what 
 a dead lift this ate i*,to which you 
 approach. You fcnow,good Rachd 
 was taken away in \u It is the cba- 
 ftifementofshc great God^ which 
 if he fhou Id not pac under with one 
 hand^ as he (hikes with the other. 
 
 we 
 
Comfortable infyru&tom to a 245 
 
 wc could notindureit : Yea, deli- 
 verance in this cafe (but that is fo 
 ordinary) would ticfcrvedly be 
 counted miraculous. Wherefore 
 you muft not thiake of it a* of a 
 matter of courfe, which you nccde 
 no further to looke about, than to 
 gcthelp,andtheaccuftomed means 
 unto you : No,noj yo;; muft labour 
 to thinkc that* you are in fuch a 
 ftrefle, out of which none can help 
 yoiijbut the ftrong Helpe of Ifraei. 
 Secondly, you muft lend for her: 
 Now fbedwdkthinKeaven>whi- 
 iher you muft difpatch your beany 
 prayer,, faying to the Lord : Thou 
 knoweft, O God$ Uo w my heart is 
 fallen from thee, in the affiince of 
 it, and how prone it istoleancto 
 fach helps of the creature, as I lee 
 before me 5 though thefe, without 
 thee, can doe nothing. O Lord, 
 though I know tfaercisnoRocke 
 befide thee, yet I am fo dead in un* 
 beliefe and fa ! fs confidence, chat I 
 cannot tiuft on thee. Helpe there- 
 fore my uobcliefe, and increaft my 
 
 faith. 
 
2+6 
 
 woman grcAt $f childe. 
 
 
 faith.Now when he doth give you 
 i grace,fccle faith coraming toward 
 you, you muft chetrifti it with 
 fuch food whtreby it groweth : 
 now faich fccdeth oa Gods pro- 
 mife, on experience, and on con- 
 federations which arc deduced out 
 . of Gods Word. Thus you muft 
 thinke : Lord* thou doeft make 
 the Hiades to Cilve ; As thou 
 haft chaftened us with pain in tra- 
 veil, Co thou haft promised that we 
 fhailpaffe the pikes, and bring 
 forth, though with (brrowes. A- 
 gaine 3 you muft thioke, how you 
 have found God faithfull and mer- 
 cifull in this kinde. Finally, you 
 muft reafon thus \ That hee who 
 hath put that mercy into a finfull 
 man, to helpe a Bead in the era- 
 veil of it, when it is hard* will 
 hce faile to give you (a Daugh- 
 ter believing on him ) all the helpe 
 that is good fo? you, anfl which 
 maketh with his glo? y ? Tnelord 
 acquaint yod with himlelfe 3 in.the 
 daily expsnences you hw< of bis 
 
 Mercy 
 
 j 
 
 t \ 
 
G$d doth not correft us 
 
 Mercy and Truth. Thus hopiug j 
 my Midwife commeth not too 
 late, I commit you to God. 
 
 Your loving Brother, 
 Paul Bzynt. 
 
 *47 
 
 32. 
 
 OEarc Sifter,- I doe defire to 
 grieve with you, in your 
 griefe j and to have, in fomc tnea- 
 fure^a glad and thaakef all heart in 
 your rejoycing. It is bar &kz my 
 camming to Towae, that I heard 
 of your bruifed b3dy and diftafed 
 miade i my eyes are caft up to him, 
 who breaketh not a bruited Eleede, 
 that he would eafe your minde 5 to 
 him that tmketh the broken bones 
 to rej )ycc,thathee would returne 
 you your accuftomed health and 
 comfort. 
 
 D^are Sifter, wee muft in all ac- 
 cidents of this nature, remember, 
 that our God doch not chaften, as 
 hiving pleafure,chaftening (imply : 
 
 but I 
 
248 
 
 mm than we have medef. 
 
 but when necde is* hce reireraceth 
 our corf cS ion,«iaking us hca vie at 
 fandrie tiroes 3 and by fundry occa- 
 fioits and maaaers ,accord i ng as our 
 neceffLy requireth : Wc (hall fin Je 
 in the cad,w c could not have lack- 
 ed any one ihing^which in this na- 
 cure hath befallen u*. 
 
 Wherefore wee muft not be too 
 much caft do woe in thefe Corrt &i. 
 ons; but rather admire our hea- 
 veoly Fathers love, who is net 
 weary of nurturing fuch unreach- 
 able children ; who is not weary of 
 following the cure of our incura- 
 ble Diftafes; incurable, were hee 
 not fuch a healing God, who could 
 fiibdue every thing to hunfclfe. 
 Yea, though our Confciences doe 
 know, that there is a caufe why he 
 chafteneih and putceth fuch bitcer 
 Potions into our hands; yea, that 
 befallethus, which isobfervedh 
 unskilfull Patient*, wee miffethe 
 Marke often, when wc con jedure 
 the ground s of our owne glide?.! c 
 is nor wane of love, Sifter, to S. S. 
 
 which 
 
God purges us with tjfltSms §49 
 
 which is any pare of Gods quar- 
 rcll (though wee CMj none of us 5 
 Lve either the begetter, or thole 
 that are begotten,as we ougbf . for 
 all our delight fhould bein thera :) 
 It is (bmc defeftjSifter^nchc day- 
 ly coutfe,and io the frame *»d con- 
 ftitutioa of the heart towards God. 
 When wee doe nor, by imprinting 
 in our hearts the remembrance of 
 our fcarres fbre»palcd, prefervc in 
 ourfoules that lowlinefle and po- 
 Terty of fp T ric which it becorn- 
 meth us to have before God* and 
 which fometimes wee did fesle in 
 confeience of thofe our provocati- 
 on*; then we give him juft occafi- 
 on to meditate on fame new Cor- 
 rections. When our hearts grow 
 a grainc too light- when our wa- 
 ter (as it were) lookcth but a little 
 too high y our heavenly Father, a 
 Phyfician no leffe loving than cun- 
 ning,hedothdi{ccrneit,and quick- 
 ly fi teeth ua whom hee moft tend?- 
 reth, with that which will reduce 
 all to the healthlbme temper of a 
 
 broken 
 
250 
 
 according to our dificmptrf. 
 
 broken fpifit. Alas, Sifter, fuchis 
 the forty in the beft of our hearts, 
 that our beating will no longer 
 dwell with us to purpofe, than the 
 fmart lafteth ; and as that weareth 
 away, (o wee grow into a kinde of 
 lightneffe, fecuricy, and liberty^ 
 which are fore-runners of fomc 
 enfuing rebuke. That God which 
 teacheth his children to proband 
 which giveth wi/edome to us that 
 want if, without upbraiding us; 
 he open our eycs,to fee oar eitates 
 this way f that fo he may furnifh us 
 with true uaderftanding. Well, 
 though theft things come often,y ct 
 be not difmaied • it is Gods pre- 
 venting love, who will have no 
 neaft of ficke matters breed in us, 
 which fhould then difmayus,when 
 we mod of all ftand in ncede of 
 comfort. A body conveniently pur- 
 ged every Spring and Fall, is not fb 
 fubj;& to cotraft matter of deadly 
 fickacfle, as another, which hath 
 long gone, on without help of any 
 fiich evacuation. Wee fay, it is a 
 1 mife- 
 
Sfiritttall Phjfickyd&dits gwd. 251 
 
 inferable life, to live ftillincourfe 
 >f Phyfick**; but wc may turne the 
 pecch in fpiriruall consideration, 
 ind fay, Blefled arc they, who 
 are never without fome bitter 
 thing or other from God, that 
 they may be reftored, and prefer- 
 ved from the fccond Dsath. And 
 for roy (clfe,Siftcr, you have fuper- 
 abounded tome inyourlovf; your 
 aftions and fruits have not bcene 
 fparing, but your affe&ton I did 
 ever perceive cowards me in all fin- 
 cerity.I am forry that I have (hew- 
 ed you no more,and that my health 
 jdoth not give mce leave to vific 
 . you, and come upon you, without 
 • waiting any further invicement. I 
 have long waded in a conflifting 
 ^courle, and I thanke ray God (who 
 h ath wrought in me) the labour of 
 my minde, in fbme regards, hath 
 not beene Hctk^hisrmketh me not 
 able to mioifter to my drare friends ; 
 as other wife I fhoiild. When the 
 . hearts neceffiry rcquirech a eonflo- 
 1 ent Gf blood to iy he haadvSc "uch 
 
 CKteri- 
 
*5* 
 
 Wt *nuftfuppor$0$kerSj as weff,&c. 
 
 exterior members arc lcfr pale and 
 blood Icfle to appearance : you may 
 apply ic ; when fupport of our 
 owne Races calls for out ftrength, 
 we cannot doe tbac abroad, which 
 otherwise were bcboofefbll. N<- 
 verchelcfle, Sifter, ifGodcafcnot 
 your tftinde, that yon can walke in 
 feme tolerable fafhion tinder tbe 
 burthen; and if withal I,you thinkc 
 my pretence might be reliefe to 
 ycu that way, I will for a while 
 adventure to you, if God (part me 
 health in any meafure. If God fo 
 looke upon your (pirir,as that you 
 feelc your felfe in foinefbrtfuffi. 
 ciently ftrengthened, then out of 
 your love forbeare that, which you 
 may otherwise in love command. 
 Thus leaving you to your God, 
 who teacheth us to profit, and 
 giveth hearts as well as correcti- 
 ons j andwifliing you ranch quiet 
 fruit of .righteoufhes in his fcifon, 
 I take my leave,this 30, olQ&obtr. 
 
 Your Chriftian Friend, and 
 loving Brotber,P**J Bajue. 
 
 • 
 
Vt htvt nudi eft be Lords daily aid. 
 
 33- 
 
 MY deare Sifter; the Lord, 
 who hclpcth uswithevery 
 good defire^helpe roc with prayer, 
 which may find favour in your bc- 
 halfe, through Chrift. Should no 
 place hold me, in which I found 
 noteafeandcomenr, I coald not 
 make abode long under the Moon: 
 for though I have fownc the feedc 
 of both, Iknowthatlananotyet 
 to re ape fo mach ts the fit ft fruits 
 of my Hirveft j I hare need of faith 
 and patience, to makemeinherite 
 every promife. The Lord be our 
 ftrong Arme every morning, and 
 teach usfotolookerohinyhatwe 
 may feele our fpirituall flrength 
 rene wed.This I fpeakc not of con- 
 tentment grounded in godltnefle, 
 for I have chit ia my meafure, I 
 t'unkeGod- but in regard of that 
 content which rdultech from the 
 p«eafing rellifh ofc ucwardcircum- 
 ftaac>s. The fweece wates of my 
 
 youth 
 
 2 53 
 
¥ 
 
 2 5 2 I Gidletf wbe rveakjo make usjtrong. 
 
 youch did breed fuch wormes iD 
 my Soule, as that my heavenly Fa- 
 ther will have me yet a while con- 
 tinue my bitter Worme-feede, be- 
 caufe they cannot otherwife be 
 thorowly killed. I write this the 
 rather for your fate; for truely I 
 find>that the cofcience of roy Ihte 
 and need doth helpe mee much to 
 digeft fuch grievances as would 
 goe too much againft ftomacke, 
 had doc God acquainted mee with 
 this ground of pacience. For your 
 AA/eakenefle., Sifter, I hope God 
 will make it end in ftrengch. Ic is 
 kindly for Phyficke to infeeblc a 
 while : Howfoeverjhold the Rock 
 and ftrerg:h of the heart, the 
 Lord Jefus. Hee who healed all 
 Maladies, when hee wasabafedon 
 Earth; He, whofe glory hath not 
 diminished either mercy or ability 
 in him., H^e ltttethus be weake, 
 that bee may make us ftrong : our 
 exiren^itiej is his opportunitie ; 
 where mans helpe endech^ Gods 
 power begins. The Father of mer- 
 cies 
 
Goderrel]rourr6ckeofC om f Jrf » I 2 53 
 
 ciesiti Cftritfylraw you to him,and 
 make you able a litclc to wreftle 
 wuh him forftreng^h, atleaftfor 
 fpirituall comfort : Hcewillbea 
 Rock?,& ftrcngth, when heart and 
 flefti (hall failf;he will give you the 
 Brcft of Confolatioa, and comfort 
 you, when no artificiall Confe&i- 
 ons can exhilarate your fpiric ; hee 
 Will be Anodyne to you, eafing 
 you of all your paioe and griefe, 
 feafonably; a (hadow at the right 
 hand, againft all heat which crou- 
 bleth^ a prtfent reliefe. Our weake 
 mindes creeping ftill below in 
 earthly fuccours^ are much more 
 (oaked with evils than they fhould, 
 could they cry to God, and get 
 chemfclveSjby vertueof his promi- 
 fes, as it were, by certaine fcaling- 
 iaddcrs 5 raounted up unto hica.The 
 raine cannot lye fo long on high 
 m Duntaines, as wee fee it to doc in 
 lower grounds; fo is it in thefe 
 waters of our atfli&ions. For the 
 Fityou expeft^God who worketh 
 above that we can aske 3 or thinke j 
 M hee> 
 
254 
 
 W% mujlfubmitto Gods Yoakfi. 
 
 hee, I hope, will be better to you 
 than you looke for. Sometimes, 
 when we prefume upon freedeme, 
 he doth with-hold it from us : and 
 foflnethnes when wee reckon on no 
 other^but to returns to our yoake, 
 and take up our ccoffe,hc doth dif- 
 mlfle us : but if it doe come 5 and at 
 the good timr^welcome ir,ihough 
 it be a troublefome gueft ; I doubt 
 not but God will make ic pleafe 
 you welac parting.Neither be too 
 much moved at thofe other petty 
 affli&ions: Ifhould rather chufe to 
 have. my houfe Gods Hofpitall, i 
 than a Court of fuch pleafure 
 wherein Gods feare is 3lmoft exi- I 
 led. Bictcr her be$ are better, while 
 they breed good blood, than the; 
 fweeceft raeate which ingcndereih \ 
 bitter vomk 3 and mortall Iicknefle. 
 The Lord give us wife hearts^ 
 which may rather chule afilidions 
 than vanity, which may not think 
 much to dwell in houfc fometime 
 with godly mourning, Wdi Sifter^ 
 you have hadyour fdca&re in god- 
 
 ] y 
 
The affli&edfbaBbe-cimftrted. \ 1 5 5 
 
 Iy forrow, as a fofter-father to the 
 foulc : I doe affure you this bkf 
 
 fing in the Name of the Lord, you 
 (hall receive comfort ; thy latter 
 end (half be peace, thy winding- 
 fhc^t (hall be as Gods handker- 
 chcr, to wipe all teares from thy 
 eyes, through Chrift our Redee- 
 mer. Which [fpeak not,to weaken 
 your Faith touching temporall de- 
 liverance, which God ufeth to 
 (hew th© righteous (when it is 
 good) though they fall into fixe, 
 yea,into (even adverfities: but that 
 your Faith, confirmed in that 
 which is principal), may make you 
 depend on God more confidently 
 for his Redemption from chefe 
 prefent evills (which isacceflory, 
 and lefle principal!) and that fo 
 farre 33 it may (land with his glory. 
 
 Your loving Brother, 
 
 Paul B*ym. 
 
 Ma 34. Loving 
 
256 
 
 Chrifttm admonition. 
 
 34- 
 
 LOvingBrothcr : Theoccafion 
 oiwhitts comminghome,doth 
 move (nc to write fbme few words 
 (070114 partly* for your better fi- 
 tisfa&ion, touching our affaires ; 
 partly, forourChriftian Admoni- 
 tion, which is al ws ics needfull : ac- 
 cording to thar; Admonifh one an- 
 other, wbik ic is called to day., left 
 our hearts be hardened, through 
 the dcceiefulntfle of finne. The 
 gract of God, which faveth us by 
 the forgivennefiB of finne • and the 
 gi^t of adoption, which making us 
 Sonnes, bringeth us to have the 
 Spirit of Chriithere, tbcearneft- 
 penny of that mafic of glory i^ee 
 looke for hereafter : This grscj 
 doth te^ch us, that is, effectu- 
 ally perl wad? , yea, aod conrtraine 
 (as P^a/fpeaketb) the IcveofGod 
 doth co; tiraine us; all fuch as taftc 
 it, doe walke not onely juftly to- 
 wards men,, but godly in the 
 
 duties 
 
 * — lwm 
 
The love of God wiH i»une uf 
 
 duties concerning Godsworfhip, 
 publike and private ; and foberJy, 
 hufingallthe bleflings ard liber- 
 cicg of this prefcnt life, which God 
 of his mercy doth vouch fafe us. 
 Now, many of us are taken tardy, 
 bccaufe, that though wee have 
 care of faire and juft dealings 
 yec, if wee examine our ielves in 
 godlinefle and temperance wee 
 may be pot in thablacke Bill for 
 Non-yr$f,cUtits. For what is god- 
 linefle? An inward devotion of 
 heart to God, which maketh the 
 godly foule both ufe diligently all 
 parts of his worfhip, private and 
 publike, and alfo in every chii^g to 
 feekc bis gbry. So^owalkc tem- 
 perately towards our felves, is to 
 be.foberly aff.fted towards the 
 tilings of chis life,' which wee ufe : 
 as neither ta-phy the Harbengers 
 and Purveyor, ro provide for the 
 lufts of our hearts, before we have 
 them ; nor ; y«t to goe too-deepe-in 
 them, when wee have them; nor 
 finally; to be moved much, if wee 
 M z have 
 
258 
 
 from the love of the World. 
 
 have not this or that which wer 
 defire. If wc have tafted the fwecc 
 grace of God in Chr?ft± you muft 
 needs finds your heart drawne on 
 to care, to pleafe God by holinefle 
 and (bbrkty,and weanedneflefrom 
 the things of this prefect World. 
 Gods loveconftrainethustolove, 
 Cos AmorU Amor : That you fhall 
 fay 3 What have I in heaven but himr 
 in earth in comoari/cn of him ? Wc 
 love h;m 3 becaufe he hath loved as 
 fir ft. And if you have felt the fwcet 
 of his gnce, which is better thsn 
 lifejtt will weane you in feme mea* 
 (ure,and make yoa fober minded in 
 thefe earthly affaires and delights. 
 I count all things droffe and dung 
 in comparison of Chrift and his 
 righccoufnefie.A mans mouth doth 
 not water after homely provifions, 
 when hee hath tafted well of deli- 
 cate fuftenancf ;fo 5 whoft heart hath 
 died into' Gods favour, which is 
 better than the vintage or harveft, 
 than all earthly profits and plea- 
 lures : he whole heart feeleth this, 
 
 can- 
 
Theptmr of godlinefft* 
 
 cannot but be moreweancdlydif- 
 pofed towards things tranficory, 
 than chofe whofe portion is in thefc 
 matters, who know nogreater hap. 
 pinefle: wherefore let race intreat 
 you, as you will aflure your felfe 
 that you are a Scholler, taught by 
 the grace of God ; let me, I fay,in- 
 treat you toftirreupyourfclfero 
 godlioefle, not to the outward na- 
 ked profeffion and (hew of it, but 
 the power of it isGods Image re- 
 newed in the fpkit of your mind, 
 2 TVw. verf.3. 5. Then as your face 
 in a gUffe looketh to your felfe, 
 whofe 6gure it is, fo let your (bule 
 ever be looking towards God, 
 whoft image it beare?; ftir up your 
 fclfe to him : fuch as love not the 
 Lord Jcfus, let him be accurfed. 
 Would notyoubeaftnmed to love 
 another more than yourowne be- 
 trothed wife? Shalwenotblufhto 
 have our afflftion more towards 
 the creature, than G 3d our Creator 
 and Redeemer ? to whom we fmc 
 plight our faith, as being baptized 
 
 M 
 
 10 
 
i6d 
 
 Love God above ati things. 
 
 ! 
 
 io hi j Name • which is likewife cal- 
 led upon us as a mans name upon 
 the w ■ i j with whrmheiscou- 
 pkd? N>w true Ioveiscfficiou3 
 ni d:I:genr, not con:cnred with 
 good workes which are good 
 cheape, but it will conftraine us to 
 doc iff] good ftrvias that are plea- 
 ting to God. The love of God con- 
 ftrawethus, yea, in private, to dot 
 like as Abraham the friend or lover 
 ■of God,G**. 18. 19. Yea, to hate 
 that which is tvill : Yce that love 
 the Lordjtate iniqui ty-,and do feare 
 to offend God, Res eft [illicit i,fkna 
 timorisamor : As itexpelleththat 
 flavifli fcarc, which is more of pu- 
 niflimentthan offence, lore cafteth 
 outfearc; fo,fobcr and watchfull, 
 put on Chrift : Take no care to ful- 
 fill the Ms of theflefti, ufe the 
 World as not abufing it; be marri- 
 ed as if you married nor 5 yea, cut 
 your ffefh {horter in fome things 
 your minde fuperfluoufly defireth, 
 like David. Remember S.Taul, 
 Phil a % 12. who was fo weaned to 
 7 all 
 
 -*-...».. 
 
Wtt mujl not rtfc laxvfulltbings \ 261 
 
 ail things through Chrift, that hee 
 could doc as well in wane of all 
 thing*,asinabundancc.DjenoDa]l 
 I you may doe, left you quickely 
 ■ commie thac you may not doe. All 
 I things arc lawfbll, but I will be 
 fervanc to nothing ; be not unpro- 
 fitable towards God : Trees wkh- 
 out frutt (hall be cut downe; many 
 (hall feeke to enter, and (hall not 
 enter. Shore (hooting lofeth many 
 a game. I call on you, left your 
 thoughts ofmarriage,y our feftivall 
 recreation, your companies, refts, 
 bring you afhepe : An eafic thing 
 when the Candle is forth, and all 
 (till without din/o fall a napping ; 
 which will prove to your c^ft 
 when God (hall fend fori] Sum- 
 mons for (laggards. My wife is 
 I weake, bur God doth bearc her up 
 with meekneiT^thankfuhefl^and 
 bope,in all het affii&ions.We both 
 remember yon,and wi(h yoar heart 
 may not be hardened through the 
 deceicfulnt (Tf of (ia. Blefled is hee 
 thadearcth alwaics, buc hee that 
 M 5 harde- 
 
262 
 
 withnegkB rfgndlincffe. 
 
 hardench his heart, fhUl fall inro 
 evtll. Fare weUjCommcnd us co M r . 
 M; his wife^&CiBr other/emcmber 
 one thing is rcceflary ; what if we 
 could win the World, and lofe our 
 fculcs* Thinkc often that Ch'ift 
 doth denounce wo on the Worlds 
 whom hec tsketh not ifl whore- 
 dome/JrunkenneflVxtoruon.&c. 
 bun whom hee findeih wich tfe ir 
 hearts aflfepe^ in eating and drin- 
 king^building,bargamii g; that is, 
 following law full rhif gs,but whh 
 negkft of godlineflejand therefore 
 unlawfully; Readc the(e places. 
 Yoa have turned the quotation of 
 many a Statute, reade them ajaine 
 and againe. Corporall meat taftetb 
 in themoutbjtheiearefiveetin the 
 belly : A man cannot eatc his Cike 
 and have it.But you may eate thefe 
 words often- and the oftener you 
 feede on them by meditation, the 
 morefweec noariflbmenc you (hall 
 find in them. 
 
 Your loving Brother^ 
 Paul Baine. 
 
Rep ntance the tutichjlone ojrtkgion* \ 263 
 
 35- 
 
 BEIoved Brother,thongh I have 
 taken my -ourfe hicherco,and 
 bcene more indulgent to my (clfe 
 in privacy than heretofore, yet a£ 
 fare your felfe* you arc in roy bsft 
 remembrance daily. My heart doth 
 intend to do you the beft fervias I 
 fhall be able,in way of your foulf ; 
 I hipelfinlUxecmetberaingood 
 time : I would be forry the Sceed 
 ff]3uid fterve while the grafle 
 groweth, as wee we fpeake in the 
 Proverb. Wherefore I do admonifh 
 you, that you would ftir up your 
 hear: to repentance daily, and ihat 
 you would labor to feele that your 
 affe&ions are now let upon God : 
 this is the touchlone by which we 
 may try the truth of our Religion, 
 andofthatFaithwehavetoGods 
 that courfe which is eftranged to 
 ihcl^-is all the country wide of the 
 way to falvation ; this is the way 
 thither, If you wilefcapet lie wrath 
 
 to 
 
 4 
 
264 I Tht exercift of repentance. 
 
 1 
 
 to come 5 recent; and doe workes 
 
 worthy repentance. If you repent 
 
 not,yecflial]pcr!{b» Now the ex- 
 
 ere fe of thls^is thug much : **&j A 
 
 renewed griefe for all unwonhi- 
 
 nefle pa'tt and prefent ^ to ome 
 
 home Bterei &~ necrer to God daily. 
 
 Can wc due eaficrpennance, than 
 
 to kc our hearts fmite us with the 
 
 thoughts of our ignor£ce,otir care- 
 
 lelheffeof God, and ncgle&iog of 
 
 hisfervice? ofour great unprofica- 
 
 bkneffe, which alone is fearefull? 
 
 For the Tree that bringeth not 
 
 forth good fruity is as well cut 
 
 I downeco the fire, as that which is 
 
 ! loaded with bad. We cannot fhif^ 
 
 ; bur grieve rn thefe cohfiderations, 
 
 j if our hearts love God. If we faile 
 
 I a friend in duty of love, u grie vech 
 
 j us^buufwedochimadiiplcafare 
 
 j and trefp*fle, jjftly alienating h ; s 
 
 nitnde from n?,ir doth car urac the 
 
 heart, tbarwee hav* forgoc our 
 
 telvea* fu farre^aad wc befhrew our 
 
 (elves for it : (hill we then take no 
 
 care for the things wee oriiicand 
 
 commit 
 
Wt muft comfound with'Godjto 26$ 
 
 commit againft God > Malice only 
 is carelcffe of fhrewdturnesdone 
 tofuch whom (he malig-ietb. The 
 nature of Love, is to grieve; 
 leaft offence given,thcre where fhc 
 lovech: What if fhee offend him 
 not fo grievoutly, as we fee others, 
 ftull we therefore not be grieved, 
 though wee hold on in a courfc in 
 (bme raeafure offensive > Mm ha-, h 
 right ro a penny as well as a pound, 
 and may be wronged as well Li the 
 one as in the other: And will not 
 the fame rule hold cowards G^d ? 
 You muft the rather heare on this 
 fide, becaufethatthefparfclingof 
 Gods anger myourTowne, was a 
 Summonsftnt forth for us deeper?, 
 that will not awake our felvcs,and 
 prepare to meete our God in hear- 
 ty humiliation. The Famine and 
 Sword, land Plague, you know are 
 the three greateft Arrefts that 
 God fervetb on foch as breake his 
 Covenants impenitently. This, 
 Brother, is the onely way to avoid 
 danger, to iooke unto Godsgrace 
 
 with 
 
t 66 aveydjickeneffe hit Serge Ants. 
 
 j wi* ha forrowfull heart, acknow- 
 ledging, that you have ferved him 
 Joofely and unfruitful!/. If a Crc- 
 di r or fhould lay wait to arreft mee, 
 beligiothe City; though I chan- 
 ged my Chamber from the Temple 
 to Whitc-ChappelljthGugh I cor- 
 rupted the Sergeant with a Fee, all 
 this could nocfrcure roe; for ano- 
 ther Sergeant might be got, or 
 fome new coufe devifcd for mee : 
 but if my Credko* be compound- 
 ed wi?h,l walkeftfely. O Brother 
 and S'fter, thus it is : wee are all of 
 us debtors unto God; Sickeiuffcs 
 are but his Sergeants; there is no 
 way of defe ning,if God do by his 
 hand upon us, but by fuingunro 
 him with faichfull and forrowfuU 
 hearts, that it would pleafe him^ 
 for his Chrift fake, to give us a 
 Qniitus eft, and freely acquit us of 
 all our trefpafles $ which thud till 
 then, as, fo many Debts in his 
 Bookes,uponour beads : thea wee 
 may deep on both ficc^uxl walke 
 at large i the Coaft iicleasr, vich- 
 
 out 
 
Dilay not nfeuunct ; Call 
 
 267 
 
 ouc danger. Wherefore delay not ' 
 this matter; let not company tranC 
 port you, 1st not fearc ofpainful- 
 nsffe^odforgoingdcligStfyouare 
 worte afraid than hurt) let not any 
 indifpoficion and flxhfulnefle hu;- 
 der y ou ; (h ike up your ft lfe, Chriil 
 will helpe ynu/M*d* & m$do n*n 
 habent modttm • the longer you put 
 it off, the longer you may. A man 
 thatgetteth up force time, when 
 his head (eeroeth full of fl;epe, i 
 feelcth no want of if, when hec :s j 
 well wakened ; nay, is often more j 
 Iighcfome, than if hee had conci- j 
 nued (1 Jgg'ng. Wee (hall lofe no j 
 contentment, by offering vio!fl cs • 
 to our £iritullflothfuLvd]e. The! 
 Lord^hattookeL^liogeringjand 
 carried him forth of Sodome, hee \ 
 catch hold of you, andhJpeyou j 
 ia this bufinefle. And when you 
 have found this way, you muft 
 helpe your Wife, and call on her, 
 toreturnewichyou. A good m in 
 caonot tell how to goe to heaven 
 alone s thi Gommuuion of Saints 
 
 tnuS 
 
II 
 
 ^68 other -taw^Uf with G*d* 
 
 mud be a point of pra£Hce,as well 
 as an Article of Bclicffc. One Cm- 
 - die lightech anotherreven fo grace, 
 where it is, will labour to kindie 
 grace where it is nor. We had need 
 to retume; all that live ftrangers 
 from God (hall pcrifh: as forus 
 then,it is good that we drawnecre 
 unto him. Now if you aske how 
 you may walke with God? lan- 
 fweryou; by fetting your heart 
 upon him ; for as we lay, There a 
 man is 3 where his heart is ; neither 
 cm wee have God otherwifefor 
 our Go J, unleflc our hearts be to- 
 wards him; for if our hearts be on 
 any other thing, then that is our 
 Treafure and our God. Now if 
 you wouid find our, w hether God 
 hath your heart, or no, you mull 
 trie it by thefe rules, by examining 
 whetheryour thoughts and af£b&i« 
 ont arc taken up with him. If our 
 hearts be fetup3d z thing, <v*ee 
 thinke on it of en^ and MQft there* 
 on in the flight ftafoo, befog not 
 able-,- meaar-while, to rake-any 
 
 reft 
 
Rules to know whether our 
 
 169 
 
 tcft for it. So, all that feare the 
 \ Lord, muft be thinkers on him : 
 (though hec be not in fight of the 
 J bodily eye, herouftftiil run in our I 
 minds. If we take no thought cfa 
 thing, ic is a tokfntharitisofno j 
 refpeft with us. Brother, God is 
 not Co commonly knowne, but hce 
 i is as rarely thought opon;and mens 
 hearts fmite them not, when they 
 goe day after day, not once calling 
 to minde the powerfull remem- 
 brance of God : though the Scrip- 
 ture 3 when it doth tcrme men all 
 the evill that is, doth ftile them no 
 other than fuch as forget God* A- 
 gaine, as the thoughts muft be 
 niindfull of him, fotheafFe&ions 
 of Iove^joy, feare, and defire, muft 
 be towards him. Examine there- 
 fore, whether you findenot, that 
 your defires are more inclining to 
 earthly things : you feare more 
 often, left men fli«u!d cenftre you, 
 and note you of novelty and pre- 
 cifenefle, for doing duties to God ^ 
 than that hee (hould juftly have a 
 quarrel! | . 
 
27 o heart j be jet on g d y or no. 
 
 quarrell againft yoa, for negle- 
 6tfng his fervice daily. So, if your 
 •heart joy not in the acquaintance 
 you have with this or that man., 
 more than in the knowledge yoa 
 haveof God in Chriftjefus, which 
 isLifeeverlafting : Looke if your 
 heartieft love be not beftowed ra- 
 ther on the creature, thanonrte 
 Creator and gracious lledeemer, 
 Jefas Chrift. Now, if you finde 1 
 affw&ionat!y,how farre your heart 
 is out of fquarc, then you muft 
 not negleft to fecke remedy for 
 this evill; Griefe which is at the 
 heeics thereof is not to be regar- 
 ded. For when the raoft vitall part, 
 ev:n the hcarr, is touched, then 
 wee feeke Cordialls, and beftirre 
 us for the reftoring and prefer* 
 ving of it : If the heart, as the 
 Fouataine of this momentany life, 
 berefpefted • what care muft wee 
 haveof it, aiit is a Fountaine of 
 fpirituall life 5 never to be ended ? 
 There is but one Phyfician that 
 feelsth this heart-pulfe, and is 
 
 able 
 
 
Th$ heart naturally hard. 271 
 
 able to heale ic ; even Chrift Jefus, \ 
 that hath (aid, Hee will take from \ 
 us the heart of ftone, that is, our j 
 fccure, impenitentj and dreadleflTe ( 
 hearts, continually offending our 
 God; and will give us flefhy , 
 that i% tender hearts, ftchasfhall 
 fame us when we trefpafieagainfi 
 him. We had need to cry to him ; 
 for the beft of our hearts; if we! 
 knew theatre {b naught,that they 
 hadneedtobemadeanewthorow- 
 out/or they are paft mending. La- 
 bour to find out this mortall poy- 
 fjn, which ex- inguifheth all life of 
 grace. The love of the World,and 
 the love of the Father, fight like 
 fire and water, they Will not dwell 
 together. Keepe the heart with 
 all diligence, for thence are the it 
 fues of life ; pray to God to change 
 ir, pray to him to kcepe the frame 
 of it: refraine that which increa- 
 feth the finfall diftemper of it ; 
 -acquaintyour ftlfe with fach good 
 rneanes, by which your think, 
 ing upon God, and your hearty 
 
 afifcfti- 
 
27 2 the violent take heaven. 
 
 affedions towards him, may be 
 cherr.fhed and encreafcd. I will 
 (hortly fend you a Letter of fuller 
 dire&ion this way. Ic is better to 
 fcele Gods favour one honre in 
 oar repenting foule*, than to fit 
 whole Ages under the warmeft 
 Sun-fhine this World affordctb. 
 Commend me to my loving Sifter; 
 (he mud thinkeofthis matter too: , 
 not thofe that are cardeffe and 
 flothfull^but the vio!eor>that catch 
 at it by f orce* they carry away the 
 Kiogdome. Many that fceke, (hall 
 not enter : what will become of us, 
 ifwefceke not; in words and pro- 
 ftffion > All Chrifoans looke to 
 Heaven -indeed wee acsall for the 
 Earth : this caketh up ourthougbts 
 and affeftions 3 that wee are like 
 Boat-men, that looke one way , but 
 row another. 
 
 The Lord be with both your 
 (pirics.- Fare-well. 
 
 Your lovifig Brother^ 
 Paul Btjne. 
 
A Letter in^ruElmg *nd comforting i 2j 3 
 
 3 <S. 
 
 ALas,deare Brother,! defire for 
 co condole your chance with 
 you id the fight oi my God, wi(h- 
 ing him ouc or his grace, co enter- 
 lac^ the fefifr of his fweet love 
 with vour bi* t^rtifcom for r,andro 
 give you tbequict fruit of r ghre- 
 oufneffe, fol; wK^in the end of 
 this-yo l -Jt shtfttfemcfit. The Lord 
 doth give rs n<my things, and chat 
 onely so prove u«, that by them 
 we nny be lei into knowledge of 
 otir hearts, either to fee our owr e 
 :ntfie,and chert by reverence 
 aad love the Giver, and foto be 
 comforted when hee takeththem 
 fr ;mu5;ortodifcovt:rbythemche 
 unwea^cdiKfieofouraffftionSjby 
 living in feenricy, andforgetfulnes 
 of- God; that finding fuch things, 
 wee may bs moved to godly (or- 
 row; the end of which Js (alvation. 
 Event, which is one Booke that o- 
 penech Gods fecr^c pleaftre, doth 
 
 now 
 
1 74 
 
 for the death of a Wife. 
 
 now fpeake thus much ; That God 
 did never intend that you fhould 
 long in joy that gift hee gave you ; 
 hee divi it to try vrhat was in you, 
 to make you fee it, either to your 
 conifort,or to your further humili- 
 ation before him.The fpirit of man 
 kno wcth the things of man ; you 
 have a privitie within your fdfe, 
 which can determine one way this 
 cafe, which in it felfe is indifferent. 
 Now to helpe you (as God (hall 
 guide) under this I&nd, youmuft 
 marke what this courfe, on Gods 
 part dothmoft probably tend to ; 
 and in the fecotKi place, what you 
 are to doe, that out of your great 
 lofle^you roay worke to your (elfe 
 true, advantage. For the firft, the 
 Lord dcth point out thus much; 
 that there is corruption flilllyiog 
 in you, thac rruft be purged forth ; 
 and that he out of bis fatherly loue 
 cannot ceafe.but minifter medicine 
 to you, to the end that hee may 
 bring away that which would o- 
 fhci wife hazard your fbulcs health. 
 
 We 
 
God <?jflt£}j none without caujh . 
 
 Wc are not made heavic with ma- 
 ny things unlefle our neede fb re- 
 quire, faith S. Peter, Cb*p.i^ m A 
 wifePhyfician will not give Potion 
 after Ponon, where bad matter u 
 Sufficiently evacuated; much Icffe 
 wiil Gad reiterace Cca ftrotig uur- 
 ges, if he did not ke chit our need 
 did enforce it* Wherefore, d^are 
 Brother, you murtlearne to fee 
 Gods mercy in following of you, 
 and the nt cie your foulc hath chus 
 to be dealt withall 5 you rruit be- 
 thinke you, how that his former 
 blow did not worke fo to purpofc 
 uponyou,as was meet : which doth 
 make him deale like the cunning 
 Phvfician, who when there is not 
 blood enough taken away., doth 
 Rcpetcre vices , open the Veine,and 
 make it bleede afrefti. You muft 
 bethinke you, what fcape did o- 
 vertake you in youth, that your 
 God (hould taike alembiance, 
 as if he thought you not wor- 
 thy efflhe ftabkHfruition of fo 
 1 1 lovely a bkfffog, as is a Chriftian 
 I tradabl e 
 
 275 
 
 1 
 
2 j& How to profit bj Gods visitation. 
 
 M 
 
 
 tra&able loving wife : Happy is he 
 that diggeth into himfelfe, to find 
 the roots of his evills. Motbi nojlri 
 faeilitt* curantHrquam invtnittntw. 
 Pray to God that you may take to 
 he*rt thecaufes ofthings $ then chr 
 >fF:vft* (hall quite ceafe, when tin 
 cauf:s are removed . We that hold J. 
 de-nmrs to found the truth of cau- 
 fes, 2nd who would rather have 
 the judgement of a whoIeCollege 
 ofphyficians/han not find out the 
 ground of a bodily griefe: how 
 fhould weefceke co God, that wee 
 might through his light difcerne 
 what dwells in our fpirits? Which 
 is the ground of his difpleafure. 
 Now for the fecood thing, how 
 you may make the be ft of this vifi- 
 tation ; you maft doe this^be decli- 
 ning that which may hinder, and 
 ufing that which may further the 
 cflkSuall working of this upon 
 you tofalvatlon. O Brother,if you 
 take phyfickc,will you goe out in- 
 to the aire? Wiily©u diftemper 
 your felfc by diet ? Will you hurt 
 
 the 
 
 
Wt tnufl take afflt&ion to heart. 
 
 277 
 
 the working of it in you?(Such ac- 
 cents as thefe,are Gods Phyfickc 
 for your (bule : O be caref ull to let 
 them workcinyouto purpo(e,that 
 your healing(wh? n God fhall fliew 
 ic) may fland a Fall & Spring with 
 you,may becomirsualL IfaPocion 
 flay not with us, but come up a- 
 gaine untimely, what will ic benefit 
 the body ? If a Seate-cloth be put 
 upon us, and wee weary quickely, 
 pull it offagaihe,what profit can it 
 bring us? O Co, when God layeth 
 thefe Plaifters to our hearts,indeed 
 fomewhatfmarting,ifwewillnot 
 let them lie on, but quench that 
 forrowfer fin, by company, and 
 other occafions, not dieting our 
 fbules, as who are Patients ud.-r 
 I Gods hands : Alas, wee {foil be as 
 J readyforancwPurge,asifwehad 
 j never taken any. O Brother,! gtve 
 you no worfe counfell than 1 my 
 felfepra&ife; if I knew anyfafcr^ 
 you fhould have it. The Lord give 
 you wi(dome,that you may be able 
 to looke before you,and delight in. 
 N fuchi 
 
278 Wt art aft to jltight apUion. 
 
 foch things, which though they be 
 tedious for the prefenr, yet they 
 will end fweetly.I know yourdan- 
 ger; Oh, if wee had but our owne 
 fooliftj hearts, wee had enemy e- 
 nough, too mighty for u?, without 
 the belpe of Jef&s Chrift our Lord : 
 But a great many of Syrens fing a- 
 bout you a great many of matters, 
 which will by little and Iittlc,fteale 
 theftvory tnoughc of theie things 
 out of your heart :yea,I would we 
 had not evill fpirits to keepe pofc 
 fcflion in us., with ftch violence, 
 that wee can hardly make entrance 
 for a thought of this aature. Again, 
 it fb fareth with us, that things the 
 fecondtime, ftir us not commonly 
 16 much as at the firft; a9nature,the 
 more fhee is accuftomed to medi- 
 cinc,thelefle (he is moved wkh it : 
 O,yourauft be afraid of this carri- 
 age to your Phyficianjftrong things 
 will poifbtf us if they purge us not. 
 Againe, our hearts are fo hard^that 
 till the Spiritdoe foftea tbcm,thefe 
 affliftions which are Gods ham- 
 mers, 
 
Wc ma ft notfleigbt God t b*nd. 27 9 
 
 mers, bcate cold Iron ; all is boot- 
 lefle. 0,when youfeeleit, cryto 
 him that hath promifed to takea- 
 way this heart of ftone: what need 
 I warnc you how malicious the di- 
 veil is, to dart fuch thoughts tbo- 
 rowus, as if feeing itwili be no 
 better^alh wdlcnough?Your ftate 
 is thus augmented, your credit in- 
 creafed 3 your felfemore capable of 
 further advancements and conteat- 
 mnits in that kind; feeing you lived 
 ki^dlywithher^anditisGodsplea- 
 fore, vvho can undoe that which is 
 done ? The Lord rebuke him for 
 you. O turne from fuch curfed 
 thoughts which tend to this, that 
 you may be kept fl ambering and 
 fleeping, till God fend forth fbme 
 heavier fummons for the awaking 
 of you. Now for your helpe this 
 way J have fern you a letter which 
 I have long intended, but hitherto 
 have been e prevented: The Lord 
 blefle it unto you. There be two 
 extremes under Gods hand : the 
 one is to fit light by itj the other is 
 N * to 
 
280 
 
 The 
 
 mcanetn a 
 
 ip\ 
 
 tton» 
 
 to droope too much under ic. Now 
 you mutt go in the midfl: ; take it to 
 heart^but wicb hopc^nowing that 
 it is good to beare the yoke^ and 
 that it (hall be well witbfuchas 
 wait filently upon the Lord : and 
 therefore fay with Mcha, I mil 
 beare it y becaufe IbdveJinxed.Thirik 
 your heavenly Father, that God 
 that is love it felfe 3 hath put this 
 cup into your hand, and fay with 
 ChtiRySkaBI not drink* the cttf my 
 Father hath put into my hand ? For 
 our bodies good we drinkc things 
 which make us fet many a fowre 
 faceon them ; what (hall wee not 
 welcome for our fbulcs health* Yet 
 asyou muft let it downe, and hum- 
 ble your foule, fo you roufi com- 
 fort your ftlfc another while,there 
 is mercy with him that he maybe 
 feared* It is good to intermeddle 
 reftorativesof/pirituall flrength., 
 which may raile up the foule in 
 true comfort,a s well as other w hile 
 to beate downe our foules in 
 thought which may humble them. 
 
 The 
 
(joi c^tlls to hnrnhh^ and 
 
 The Lord hath given you from 
 time to time pledges of his father- 
 ly care overyouryea/uchby which 
 you may gather, that he will never 
 for fake you ; whom he loveth, hee 
 loveth to the end. Yea, this is his 
 great Iove^and he offereth himfelfe 
 as a Father to you, that he will not 
 let your fpirit goe at randome, but 
 correfteth the thing amifleinir- 
 that he bring you to be partaker ot 
 the qusc fruit of rightcoufaefle, 
 and faue you from being condem- 
 ned with thofe that are of unbro- 
 ken heart,whofe harts never mour- 
 ned for their fin. If you cannot fte 
 this mercy, of this you mufl: not be 
 difmaide ; though it be night, wee 
 (hall have day againe, yea,hi8 love 
 is the fame it was,though our fenfe 
 and feeling is changed . Sit licet in 
 nat0s fades anjitrafarentHm^ Mms 
 tamen <tqna manet. I do affure you 
 in that knowledge of my God,that 
 if you doe but favourably judge 
 your felfe before him, and humble 
 your firlfe iu his fight : if you will a 
 N 3 whije 
 
 281 
 
 • 
 
22% 
 
 then to amfort m. 
 
 while count that ftate beft when 
 you fede your heart devoted to 
 bfm; though the countenance be 
 ckj;& 5 that great God that com- 
 forts the abjcft, and exalteththe 1 
 humble, hcc will exalt you and \ 
 comfort you with true joy and 
 prosperity. Thus inhafte Icom-^ 
 mir you to the Lord. 
 
 Yonr loving Brother, P. E. 
 
 37- 
 
 LOvtngbrother^l know a word 
 or two will be more welcome 
 than continuall filence ^wherefore 
 I will let you underftaod how it is 
 with us. My wifes infirmities doe 
 'continue with her, but fheehath 
 more ftrength, I thanke God, and 
 the violent working of them is e- 
 venpaft, at leaftreflcrh for a (ea- 
 ten. It wen?, when I did write to 
 you firft,exceeding hard with her . 
 but if the Lord give us faith, hee 
 can workeabove all wee can aske 
 or thinke. It is good wee /hould 
 
 have 
 
We are dull and/leepy to Good. j 283 
 
 have falfc fires (hot off fometimes 
 to flart ap our fltambring (bules, 
 which are heavie to fbepe, chough 
 we be never (b wakened. Some- 
 times acoldneflecoraraeth on our 
 fpirit?, which maketh them un- 
 a£Uvc unto good^likeas it is in the 
 body, the heart is*fleepc (bmetime 
 when the eyes are open : fome- 
 time wee cake a nap in the luft of 
 our hearts : fomctime wee winke, 
 by falling into unfruitful! courfes, 
 idle words, pafling good hourcs to 
 no pnrpofe : the Divell hath many 
 waif s to rocke our foules aflcep,by 
 making us rejourne our good pur- 
 po(e*,and take day :fti 11 a little Hum- 
 ber,a little folding of the hands ; \ p . 
 we efcape falling from grace, lufts 
 unfruifulneflecifwe willnot make 
 delaics, buc fet upon good dudes, 
 yet even in thefe,our drowfic hearts 
 make us nod oftentimes through 
 indevotion. 
 
 Acd becaufe I am fallen into this 
 
 TheameJ pray you both take heed 
 
 that your Souks be not thus over- 
 
 M 4 taken, 
 
284 Wt ought toftrive again ft it. 
 
 ■I 
 
 taken, that the firft love, the gra- 
 ces which ac any time you either 
 have had be not leflened. Lookein 
 the 13. of the Revelat. 26. and nof 
 to husband our talents, or increafe 
 them, is the nextfore-xunmr of 
 judgement. Take heed of giving 
 place to lofts, He thatfewtth to hU 
 fle/bfitll reape defiruUmi, Gal,6 t 8. 
 Take heed of unfruttfulnefle : the 
 free that beareth not good fruit, is 
 a tree that fhall be cur downe, as 
 well as the tree that beareth bad 
 fruit, and every idle Word (hall be 
 accounted for: let nottheDivell 
 prevaile with us to put offa good 
 purpofe; quench not the Spirit, 
 iTbef.*}. i9.delaie$,ifany where, 
 here they are dangerous ; let us 
 fliake our felvcs up againft that 
 indevotion and fpirituall fljth 
 which will creepc upon us in doing 
 good : be not flothfull, be fervent 
 in fplrit : curfed is he that doth the 
 bufinefle of God haftingly. Bro- 
 her, we that are the Lords, though 
 wee are not in a dead fleepc with 
 
 the 
 
H?ee neede Summons. 
 
 a8 5 
 
 the World,yet our fouks have the 
 remnants of fuch a lethargic as that 
 wee are often napping in thefe 
 kinds. The Lord hath need to fend 
 oat fammons for us fkepers 3 or wc 
 (hould be in danger by them. A* 
 wake thou that fleepeft, ftand up 
 from the dead, Chrift (hall give 
 thee lighr ; he that is the true light, 
 the quickning Spirit, having our 
 nature glorious with him in the 
 Heaven. The Lord our Redeemer, 
 the quickning Spirit, quicken our 
 foules, and keepe them through 
 faith in his power, to that Salvati- 
 on which is laid up for us in the 
 Heavens. 
 
 Your Iov ; ng Brother, 
 
 3* 
 
 LOvingBrotherJhav* received 
 your letcer,ful of heavie report, 
 but that our neede is fech that vvte 
 muft be made heavie with funihy 
 
 N 5 tempt?- | 
 
 Ti v ■ ■ '■■■ * ■■ "■ ■ ' « ■■ ' V* 
 

 28$ 
 
 The ttfe we are to make of Gods band. 
 
 
 
 
 
 temptations ; our God doth not de- 
 light in beating us, but our necefli- 
 tiesinforceit:Godhatb taken from 
 you an innocent and fweet confort, 
 thenaturall Narfe of your nurfery, 
 a feithfull difpenfer ofyour eftate; 
 in a word, a good wife, who did 
 you good and not evill all her daies. 
 ,Wee are bereft of a Sifter, a Sifter 
 indeede (as S. Taxi (pcaketh of 
 Widovvcs) whoieloffe, though I 
 beare more weanedly, bccaule 1 
 knew her more fpaiiogly ; yec it 
 doth grieve race (he is gone with- 
 out any fruits of my love with her. 
 The Lord teach U3 to be fcrvice- 
 ablc mutually while vve injoy each 
 other, that wee come not to wifb 
 we had dooe (o. Brother, it is my 
 defire,andl will feek at Gods hands 
 with a fafting for you, that hee 
 would give you repentance, and 
 fpeake to your foule, humbled un- 
 der his hand, that he will heale all 
 with advantage. A great breach 
 hath God made in your houfe,bnt 
 his mending is better than bis rna- 
 k king* 
 
Repentance only flop G$ds anger. 
 
 kiog.l doubr nor,bat you know by 
 this, that God doth call you to re- 
 pentance; no bufh will ftop the gap 
 Co wcll^s humbling our foulfs-^nd 
 judging them in this fight: now 
 this is an cxercift that requireth 
 entring into our owne hearts, and 
 confidering what evillshavelhpt 
 in our bofomes 3 efpecialiy in thofe 
 waics which the finger of God 
 doth point out more particularly : 
 c Deutr. 50. i Kings 8. 47. 2. To 
 get a fight and fenfe of Gods hand 
 on us,and yet of his mercy that we 
 are not confumed, 3. From this 
 feeling efpecially of his mercy, 
 which is never taken from us in his 
 chafti(ements,we muft humble our 
 felves by confetTioDi which giveth 
 glory to God, and (hame to our 
 felves, by centring our owne 
 foules: as Ezek*26. 34.YeefhalI 
 judge your felves as worthy to be 
 cut off: by crying for mercies., as 
 Vavid, Tfolm, 5 1 . And thus in hu- 
 miliation come to him, and re- 
 new our covenants with our God. 
 
 no v w \ 
 
j88 
 
 
 
 . 
 
 Wet arefubjett to many temptations. 
 
 x Now of our felves, wee are full of 
 lLdifpoficion to this worke^ild all 
 that convene about you,incompa- 
 rifon, will call you from this pra- 
 &ice,.in which onely is your true 
 peace : and fo you had neede to 
 Loke up to Iefas Cbrift, who is 
 made theLord,thac hath all power 
 in Heaven and in Earth, that hee 
 may gi?e his Ifrscl true repentance 
 andforgiveneffeof/ins, AB.^ 31. 
 Efajf 16. 12. Not thinking much 
 to attend upon him, as cheeyes of 
 a hand-maid on her Miftrefle : For 
 who is like unto our God? and 
 what is more precious, than the 
 Grace of Repentanct > Againe, 
 B'O'hcr, kn n w, that you have no 
 vrifdomt, to carry your £lfe as 
 becc mmeth you under this great 
 hand of God : Fr on both hands 
 the Divell will aflaile you, and rhe 
 folly fou.id t i:i our hearts, doth 
 make his Temptations more dan- 
 gerous; fift, to defpife the Cor- 
 re&ion of God ^frcondIy,to count 
 tc iikefome, cuher to ward the 
 
 /mart 
 
Wee arc aft to freight Gods band. 28 9 
 
 fmart off by impenitent meatus^or 
 to be iwiUowed up with gncfe, 
 and filled with biccemefle^in endu- 
 ring of ic. Now for the firfi . we doe 
 ic partly by inward fuggeftions; 
 perfwading cur klv^s, chat wee 
 (hall w«are the matter forch well 
 enough, tliac wee are once ^g.ine 
 at liber'y, and are in eleftion of 
 fach and inch preferments, (if fuch 
 things happen .net to be i 1 your 
 minde, it is the God of Peace chat 
 keepech them out :) (oinetimes a- 
 gaine, by making this or that way 
 delightful! un*o u?; ftiflkringour 
 (lives to be drawee avvay by idle 
 company 3 which are no better than 
 the Divells whittle, to call us a~ 
 way from alltavory courfes, yea, 
 hisMinftrels,to lull as in our fpiri- 
 uail (1 iffiber.Now take heed here- 
 on • fjr this were co dawbe up the 
 Aall with untempered Mo: tar: 
 Theeafe which i? gptfo n this way, 
 is like the eafement of cold drinke 
 to hoc Agues, ic would make a 
 work thing bieed • for that which 
 
 ftayeth 
 
29° 
 
 The itngtr of deferring humiliation. 
 
 ftayeththe working of mans Phy- 
 ficke,hurrech the body; which we 
 may conceiveby application there- 
 of to the foule, if wee will not 
 imbrace our affrfrions patiently. 
 Now, if you will not liften unto 
 God, when he calleth on this man* 
 ncr, then hec will drench you with 
 forrow, efpecially three waie*. 
 Firft, hee will hide from your eye 
 the remembrance of &cbthings,in 
 which you may take comfort; yea, 
 keeping you from tafling all the 
 mercies of God, with which this 
 correftion is intermeddled. Se- 
 condly, hee will hclpe you wich a 
 Speftacle, and make you fee too 
 b'g,both the prefcnt hand, and all 
 old matters &circumftances, which 
 may make it feeme grievous. 
 Thirdly, hee will hide from your 
 eyes all comfortable hope of Iffue, 
 which Godismoft faithful! to give. 
 Now therefore, deare Brother, the 
 Lord Iefus grant you may fiade fa- 
 vour in his fight, to efcape evill 
 -fiarcs. Make a venue of peceflky: 
 
 be 
 
Tbefrofit of Repentance. 
 
 291 
 
 be doc afraid to fee fiane, and feele 
 the (mart thereof; buc remember 
 withall,what the Law of the Spirit 
 hath done in the courfe of your life: 
 ftrikc your covenant anew, chere 
 is hope with our God ; for all this, 
 read£^rc/;,2. 3. He is faithful! to 
 give Iflue ; yea, though hee mike 
 heavfc, yet he will comfort in the 
 multitude of mercies, Lzment. 3, 
 3 2. Turne from if, as from the D:- 
 velljthat would quench the fparks 
 of your godly fbrrow and abjecti- 
 on before che eyes of your God. 
 Take heed my Sonne, of defpifing 
 and making light-, cr accounting 
 irkc{cme 5 thechafiifementofGod : 
 If yee hcke wifedome, begge ir ; 
 1 will give i r , and not reproach 
 yoUtHeb.ii.^.Iamtsi.iy* Ocry 
 to God, that thus you may be gui- 
 ded. Should you not finde this 
 grace, hee would quickly lay your 
 honour in the duft, and we fhould 
 have caufe to weep in fecrct : Fare- 
 will his Kiogdome, farewell every 
 thing. But if hee give you this, I 
 
 dare 
 
2?2 The more voe !$ve,tbe more we grieve. 
 
 dare aflureyou, all happineffe flull 
 follow you here, and for ever. 
 Seeke his Kingdome,and all things 
 (hall be call upon you, Matth, 6. 
 
 394 
 
 MYdcareS ; fter, whatthankeg 
 doe I owe co ray God, for 
 his Fatherly confolation, where- 
 wi:h hee doth comfort you? The 
 Lord increafe in m?e brotherly 
 love, and that grace, which may 
 make mee fanftifie him in all his 
 mercy and truth, which I fee him 
 (hew any of his children 5 efp&rcial- 
 lyluch,whom his providence hath 
 endeared to me,above others. The 
 increafe of your godly griefe 3 with 
 freedomefromdiftrutt, morechan 
 heretofore, hath nothing in it to 
 be adftircd.' The more wee love, 
 the more wee grieve, that wee 
 have o fired any grievance to thofe 
 whom w£e love. The more wee 
 fetle God* love in forgiving us, 
 
 the 
 
 IW»— — — —<■—■■■ III 1 1 1 l II M l ^ ' 
 
 \l 
 
They that gwaru after grace, 293 
 
 [the more wee love againe : (heel 
 lloveth much-, becaufe (heefindeth ! 
 [much is forgiven her ; much love , 
 [(hewed her firft. Diftruft hiu- 
 (dcrcth us from feeling Gods love : , 
 Gods love is eclipfed from us^ours 
 18 much enfeebled Towards him ; 
 locr love weake, our griefe for 
 offending him , cannot come fb 
 kindly from us., for this is propor- 
 tioned to our lore. Bleffed be God, 
 I who giveth you thofc groanes, af- 
 ter his grace : God acknowledged 
 J that which his Spirit fuggefteth, 
 I When wee bid our children (as 
 j Charity for example) fiy, I pray 
 you,. Mother, give mee this ; we 
 I doe it not, but whs n wee means to 
 give them that which wee teach 
 themtoaske. So it is with God: 
 H^c doth not fend his Spirit 
 to our hearts, to hclpe us with 
 groancs, but when hee meaneth 
 to anfwer our defires : Hee that 
 makcth us fow, will make us reape. 
 Hungric poore foules are glad, 
 when they heare that meate is 
 toward | 
 
294 C^'ft *MJ*tufi* their knging. 
 
 toward them ; glad when they arc 
 invited, though yet their Knife is 
 not laid on boord.Let this comfort 
 you,Sifter ,your Chriit faicb,Come 
 whofo thirftech, and drinke till it 
 ftreameth from you, Iobn 7. And 
 the poore (hall eate, and be fatif- 
 fied, and praife my Name, Thry 
 jhat feeke the Lord, their hearts 
 fhalllive. The Lord re j syce over 
 bisowneWorke, and continue it 
 in you unto the end. Farewell. 
 
 Yoar loving Br other, 
 Paul Baym. 
 
 40. 
 
 DEare Sifter, yourcoufinDw- 
 bam returning, I cannot but in 
 few words anfwer your Letter I 
 received. I doe defire to be thanke- 
 full for Gpds truth and tender mer- 
 cy towards yo j, and for making 
 meea Minifter of your Onfohti- 
 on : Though wee be unfaithfull, 
 yet God will be found faithfull. 
 1 When 
 
Godsfdithfulnefe: 
 
 295 
 
 ben wee through weakenefle, 
 How him, noc challenging him 
 ith reverence* concerning his 
 feood words which hee hath fpo- 
 ken to us; when wee wait not on 
 thcperfoiraance of his proirife*; 
 even then hee preventeth us with 
 his goodneflej and for his Names 
 fake, hee comme'h leaping over 
 thofe Mountainesofitolw,^ all 
 our indifpofition, and unworthi- 
 neffe. He who is thus good to us, 
 fo unbelieving; if we would mend 
 our faith, how would he augment 
 his mercies ? This ftithfulncfle of 
 God (hould makcunbeliefe odious 
 to us,and cauft us to labour agaioft 
 it, by looking to the Auihour and 
 finifher of our faith; even then, 
 when through Gods gracious pre- 
 fencc we feele our felves in beft ta- 
 king.For as a raan,who hath beene 
 handled fore once with the Stone* 
 will labour to keepe it downe,and 
 % cleare himfejfe ofit,when now hee 
 is well,and the Fit over ; fb,in this 
 unbcliefe, having found how it, 
 
 (hakes j 
 
29 6 Itfbould excite w to Faith* 
 
 (hakes u?; whsn wee have the mod 
 releafe from ic, then muftweeftill 
 be dealing with it: for though the 
 Fit is ceafed, yet the fpiritu ill fick- 
 neffeftililurkcth in us. Remem- 
 ber, good Sifter, howthi Divell 
 hath difturbsd your peac? : how 
 lictJe things, not looked to more 
 timely, have bred matter of great 
 grievance. Labour to have ftill in 
 fight that our naturall folly^ which 
 makcth us remember our beating 
 no longer, than the (mart lafteth. 
 Labour to heare your Chrift faying 
 every day to your foule; I am that 
 Saviour,who fave my people from 
 finne, I will bethylalvacion. Fi- 
 nally ^ ftrive to hare a thankful 1 ac- 
 knowledgement of Gods mercy 
 towards you : Then &*I1 your 
 Peace be like the Sunne, which 
 flhiaeth brighter and brighter^ till 
 the height of it be attained. 
 
 My deflre is to doe good to your 
 foule, both in my pretence with 
 you, and abfencc from you. Ifyou 
 could marke your felfe, and let me 
 
 know 
 
Wee muff profit by corretlion. 
 
 now what moft hindereth you; 
 here you finde your fclfe wea- 
 eft, I fhould fie you better with 
 dvice, when God gave me ability 
 o ponder that eftate, I continue, 
 >ifter,bettcrthanfomecimes I have 
 becne, but held under the hand of 
 God : For that painfull weakneflTe 
 in the bottoms of my body, doth 
 (till follow mce* The Lord teach 
 mec to doc his will, and indure his 
 pleasure : And hee that will have 
 finfull men joyne withCorre&i- 
 on, Nurture and Inftru&ion, hee 
 make me profit by all his chaftife- 
 ments. The Lord delight to make 
 us ever with good hearts confefle 
 his truth and mercy towards us. 
 The Lord bteffe you with increafe 
 of comfort, and bleflc all yours, 
 with you. 
 
 Your loving Brother, 
 PaulBaym. 
 
 297 
 
2?8 
 
 
 The bolj Spirit y the beft cemf anion. 
 
 4* 
 
 LOving Sifter, I am glad that 
 God doth adde fomewhat to 
 your health; for I hope it is a 
 pledge of farther favour.The Lord 
 open our eyes, that wee may fee 
 him ro be our life> and the length 
 of our daies.You maft not let want 
 of company make youltffelight- 
 feme : wee u(e nor company well, 
 when wee arenot fitted, by in joy- 
 ing it,the more thankefnlly to for- 
 beareir, whenthepkafureofGod 
 is, that we ftiould be bereaved of it 
 for a while. Your beft Husband, 
 hee is with you ftill, at Bed and 
 Boord, ready to vouch(afe you the 
 (weeteftCommunioD.The Lord of 
 his tender love draw you after 
 him, and fpeake peace and falvati- 
 on to your fpirit. I have kept from 
 you rhe extremity of my Visitati- 
 on • but the Candle hath not gone 
 out by night, fince theThurfday 
 after my cemmiog from you : till 
 
 within 
 
Submit to Gods Rod. 
 
 299 
 
 within thcfe two nights, for a 
 good fpace,I have bcene forced fo 
 have fome watch by mce. Yet, 
 Sifter, theft arc but the begLmi lgs 
 of forrowes, tbefe arc not the fick- 
 ncfles that I have fong looked 
 f r. The Lord make mee preci- 
 ous in his fight, to be made able to 
 fuffcr and doe every thing in his 
 Chrift. My heart followeth God, 
 defirous to be taught of him whol- 
 ly, to endure all his plcafure. I 
 |thanke you for your loving re- 
 fmembrance, which you ftill have 
 of mee. The Lord ftirre up ray 
 heart, that I may remember you to 
 hirn, and that I may be ready to 
 helpe you with whatsoever Office 
 of true love (hall lie in my power. 
 Thus with my lore rcmembred, I 
 commend you, and all my CouQns 
 with you to the gracious prote&i- 
 ion of the Almighty. 
 
 Your loving Brother, 
 Paul Btjint. 
 
*8o 
 
 Wit ought to prove our [elves. 
 
 4*. 
 
 LOvc is athingwemay lawfully 
 owe; and becaufe this is a fruit 
 of love to confider one another, 
 and prcvoke to good workes, to 
 exhort one another,that we be not 
 hardened, through the deceitful- 
 nefle of fin : Therefore I wifti that 
 othet things not neg!efted,my love 
 may be moft fruiif ull in this kinde. 
 Let me then call to your mind the 
 duties you know well., that you 
 may more and more be a praftifer 
 of them. The Scripture, 2 Cor. 13. 
 5. 6. biddethus prove our feives, 
 and tellech us, that if Gbrift be not 
 in u^ wee are counterfeits : 1c be- 
 commeth us therefore to fee on 
 what ground wee ftand, that wee 
 may make fore worke with our 
 God. Iffalfegold walked abroad, 1 
 wee (hould not take a Piece, but 
 trying it ; fo wife wee are, that we 
 may not be deceived in earthly 
 things, when wee hand over head 
 
 admit 
 
We may k*t$w whether rpt bsChriftj* 
 
 admit any thing as currant to th* 
 way of falvation. Now wee may 
 cafily knowifweebeinChrift, or 
 Chi i(t in us : for as where the San 
 {bimth it may be decerned hence, 
 becaufc the darknes doth difperfe, 
 all things are lightfome: Evenfo, 
 where this Sun of Righteoufhefle 
 fliineth, the darke clouds of igno- 
 rance and fionc are fcacrered^ the 1 
 light of knowledge and grace ftii- 
 nerh. I f you be in Cbrift, yoa have 
 crucified the flefh, with the luft of 
 it 3 gal. 5. 24. If you be in Chrift, 
 you are a new creature, 2 Cor. 5. 
 20. Wherefore, Brothcrjbecaafe I 
 know there is little wind abroad 
 todriae this Mill, the Lord by his 
 Spirit worke all things for us. 
 
 /V 
 
 Your ioving Brother, 
 ?*ul Bajnu 
 
 O * 43, Well 
 
 30 i 
 
302 
 
 Grow in grace. 
 
 I 
 
 
 45- 
 
 WEH, you fhculd Ice rrce 
 heare from you^and know 
 how you feele your foule affe&ed ; 
 who can fie a fhooe that knoweth 
 not the foote t how can I fie you 
 with helpfull counfelJ, while you 
 conceale from mee your daily con- 
 dition? You would not willingly 
 have a Fhyficianprefcribe blind- 
 fold, roving in uncertainc wuhou: 
 a marke;but you care not what you 
 put upon my invention. Brother, 
 how do you feele your foulc every 
 day ? doth it grow up inthe life of 
 God? hathitmoredefireof him, 
 thought cocerning him,morc love, 
 repentance, holy fhamc-fcftnsfle? 
 If the body be in an Atrophy, and 
 not like, what mcanes fbver wee 
 ufed,what a griefe would it be un- 
 to us > ftiall wee not grkve if our 
 (bules grow not up in the life of 
 grace ? Doe you fecle feme little 
 good thing more than you have 
 
 done 
 
 
The lift *if grace requires 
 
 done heretofore ? it muft comfort 
 us, and wee muft confeflfe it with 
 thanks, giving to God glory. If we 
 mention by Letter, and blefle God 
 in our bodily health, how much 
 j more mart his kindnefle in oar 
 , fjufcs be acknowledged? I pray 
 I you let me & you fall into Letter- 
 colloquies of this nature. Brother, 
 t he life of Grace in the heart doth 
 | aske darily diligence to maintaine 
 | it. Doe you not fee in nature, Ant- 
 mjtmis cftjuffc vita eft fug* ? Were 
 I it not for the repaire by nutrition* 
 | the natural! life would be (none 
 extinguifhed. So doe you not feele 
 the iife of God in your fbule ? you 
 cannot find any vigor of it (boner, 
 than you (hall feele a fecrct exhau- 
 fturc and decay creepingnpon you. 
 Now as wee take bodily refe&ion 
 daily, and count it not grievon$,(b j 
 wee muft worke upon our hearts I 
 before God, that we may. feele 6y j 
 this means,from him a daily renew- 
 ingofthebeftftrengthinus. The- 
 good God of nature hath put a de- 
 O a light 
 
 ? oj 
 
304 
 
 Daily nourishment 
 
 light in thofe bodily f an ftions, in 
 w <h is the prefer vation of our per- 
 fonsjtfrs makes us not abjeft the : 
 butbecaufe our (bules are to the 
 meatus of grace, as a ficke ftoraack 
 is affe&ed to mcate., becaufc it is 
 paiofbll a little to us/herefore the 
 belt duties are fore-fl wed. The 
 Lord faveusfromthisfljthoffpi- 
 rit,we will eate without appetite : 
 one bic, they hy, will diivedownc 
 another. Let us doe thus with our 
 ibuks^nd we (hallfindt that eaiie 
 which hath fecmed painfull. With- 
 out cracking the (hell, wee cannot 
 eome to the kernelU The Lord 
 kcepe you in his feare and favour, 
 
 44- 
 
 GOod Mifter ZW. I cannot 
 but write unto you, things 
 going as they doe, though other- 
 wife I ftould have uftd force for- 
 bearance^ becaufe of my iraploy- 
 ments; The firft part of your Let- 
 ter did rt Joyce mee, and the latter 
 (^ grieve 
 
The vayce oftbankfglving. 
 
 grieve me : For I deOre to pra&ife 
 the duty of remembring the affli- 
 ftcd y as if my fclfe were affltfted in 
 1>ody; according as wee are com- 
 rnanded, Heir. 13.3. I am glad 
 God hich noc onely kept you bi- 
 thfrto 5 but (hed into your heart his 
 Fatherly love in Chrift : fo that you 
 vow (through his grace) thankful- 
 nefle unto the.end. A voyce taught 
 by Gods Spirit; for you may fee 
 the fame working hi the heart of 
 theProphet, on like experience 
 of Gods goodneffe: P/*/ t 146. 2. 
 IwiBpraife the Lord during my life, 
 4* long as J have &nj being, J will 
 fmg to mj God. It is a feemtly 
 thing to breakc out into thofc 
 voyecs : what (hall wee give the 
 Lord for all his benefits {hewed 
 to us > Deliverance is comfortable, 
 but Gods loving kindnefle is bet- 
 ter than life. Therefore wee muft 
 bow our knees to the Father of 
 our Lord Jefus Chrift, that wee 
 may know more this love of God 
 in Chrift, which paflfeth all koow- 
 O 3 ledge. 
 
^ 
 
 306 I Whorh God loves ence, he loves ever. 
 
 F ; 
 
 y 
 
 1 
 
 1 
 
 ledge. Ic was Gods great mercy to 
 lit you drinke of his favour in any 
 meafure, before hee changed his 
 right band j I meane his dealing 
 with yon : for whom hee once lo- 
 vethjthcre is nothing (hall for ever 
 make a feparation betwixt his love 
 and the party. Neither life* nor 
 deatf^neither any thing prefent,or 
 any thing which may fall out here- 
 after, (Shall be able to feparate us 
 from the love of God inChrift : for 
 all Gods gifts, his love, and the 
 fruits of it, concerning that better 
 life, they are without repentance. 
 You muft then not let your felfc be 
 too much caft downe, but comfort 
 your felfc in the Lord your God. I 
 pray you reade the firft of Sam . the 
 30. Chap, and the 6. vetf I am not 
 ignorant M r « T>owfo»jlm a wife is 
 very neere, and fo a husband to a 
 wife. Iin part confider it,though I 
 cannot weigh itas I ftiould. Againc, 
 I know that even the deare Saints 
 of God have not beene able to 
 bridle this paffion : lacob would 
 
 goe 
 
 Lj 
 
B e not fxe&on earthly thixg*. 
 
 goe weeping to the grave after his 
 fonne, and would not be comfor- 
 ted. Yet wee muft know wh3t is 
 the will of our God : namely, that 
 feeing the faflhion of all earthly 
 things paffrch away , and feeing 
 that diroughChrift he doth cover 
 our fpirirs, and give us hope of a 
 better enduring life : that there- 
 fore wee fhould rtjoyce, as if 
 wee repyced* not; and wcepeas 
 if wee wept not; wee fliould not 
 over-much be affV&ed with rhe 
 poffefling or removal! ofthefe 
 things which are 
 Earthly. 
 
 FINIS. 
 
 o 4 
 
JSOLILOQVIES: 
 
 OR, 
 
 A HOLY HELPER 
 
 in Gods Building, 
 
 Written in a Letter 
 
 byM r . Paul Bayne> ibmctimc 
 
 Preacher of Gods Word at Saint 
 
 Andrwzs in Cambridge. 
 
 EfFedlually inflruding, and 
 carneftly provoking to true Re- 
 
 pe&uncej Love, and new 
 
 Obedience. 
 
 The fourth Edition, inlarge^ b7 a more 
 peifc&Copie. 
 
 LO'N D ON, 
 
 Printed by E. G. for L JV, and arc to be 
 
 fold by Sam.Endcrbym Yopts-Ffekd- 
 
 Alley, at the Signe of ihe Star, 1 637. 
 
. 
 
The Preface to 
 
 M. IORD. 
 
 LOloing Brother, nature 
 her feljisfucbaScbooU 
 miftrcffe-i that fie teacb- 
 etb ber Creatures indufiry in 
 their kinditbe dumb elements 
 are carried ahut ytitb inde- 
 jatigahle motion : The Ant, 
 and other creatures, are ex- 
 ceed'mg induflrieus. As na- 
 ture maketh a man incline to 
 aclion ; fo mfedome maketh j 
 him to choofe bis "toorke, to 
 leave that which ii dead and 
 to lerfe advantage, and to 
 cboofe that which is mofl 
 
 com- 
 

 
 THE PREFACE. 
 
 commodious. Humane wife- 
 dome' unable to go beyond h^r 
 compaffe) can but point us to 
 civil! human yporksjhe fruit 
 T&herofit a good proportion 
 ablejo witytiyilor external 
 The wifedome which is from 
 above and heavenly guideth 
 our hands to a higher plough, 
 and biddeth w exercife our 
 [elves ingodlineffe, meeting 
 God with repentance , flir- 
 ring up our hearts, that they 
 may be affeclioned towards 
 him. And becaufe the "9eorke 
 it tranfcepdent and of higher 
 nature thantbefe (ecular/md 
 "toee are ready totb'mke with 
 Peter Mafier,wedQ thin ana 
 
 
THfc PREFACE. 
 
 L • — m 
 
 tbw t what fodl wee- have { 
 God (that wee might better 
 like the work)dotb mend our 
 xoagesjifjuring m tbatgodh 
 neffe u great gaine ofttfelje^ 
 bringing content ment\yea,be 
 dotbpromij'e us the things of 
 this life, and of that which is 
 to come jf we will leame tbu 
 occupation. Now he that wil 
 increafe grace. and go dlinefjc 
 in his heart) muff labour bu 
 joule this way xt>itb wreflling 
 and contention. It is not eve- 
 ry walking and moving in a 
 Chriftim cottrfe, by which 
 grace is augmen; edmore fen- 
 (ibis 5 butjiming our/elves 
 up, and putting Jo.for.O} the 
 > grace 
 
- 
 
 ! 
 
 THE PREFACE. 
 
 grace wee barpe, that infome 
 fort we fee I the utmofl it will 
 reach to: as natural! ftrengtb 
 u not increafed with eyery 
 fedentary motion^ hat ufuch 
 (lining) as is next to fitting 
 ftill, but With fuch exercije^ 
 which if it be notadCudo 
 teyet is } ad ruhorem,B>£m? 
 it ismoft moderat. Wherfore 
 as you would bat>e thefoule 
 tbrivejreatke it well in me- 
 ditation, and other duties oj 
 demotion. Wee bate indeed 
 ft iffeaking joint s % tbatpaine 
 us to ft ir in this kind: but the 
 more warmth wee get, the 
 more aUgriefe will be abated, 
 Now there is no one branch 
 
 of 
 
THE PREFACE. 
 
 J of devout exercife more fruit* 
 \fiB than that of Soliloquie , 
 I wherein we commune with our 
 i owne foules, and excite them 
 i towards God. Words ferVe not 
 ; onely to make knowne the con- 
 ceptions of ow minds, but to 
 giye glory to God who under- 
 flandeth our thoughts afar off; 
 and to blow up devotion^ and 
 kindle our coolingaffedlions to- 
 wards him. Inordinatpafsions 
 come likefitule weather ^before 
 wee fend for them, they often 
 prevent all atlion of the Witt: 
 but good affeclions are fo oyer- 
 laid withfin which compajfeth 
 m about, that if wee gather not 
 wind under their wing (fo 
 
 ponde- 
 
^ 
 
 
 THE PREFACE. 
 
 ponderous tbeflejhis)they can* 
 not mount up to the purpo/e-for 
 the warrant of this duty , wee 
 have both precept iffpraclice- y 
 take words to your felves,HoU 
 i j . $,Hcb. 3.15. Examples both 
 facredfiiz],^ u.Gcn. 14.49. 
 andEcclefiaflicall ;<**Iuftinf, 
 and many nbers Toleadeyour 
 band in this matter > [give you 
 this letter , which containeth a 
 forme of Soliloquies ferVing to 
 further your daily repentance, 
 and found affeclion towards 
 God , keepe it for your private 
 uje. And the Lord Iefut i the 
 quickning Saviour, be with it 
 vthe end above named. 
 
 Your lo v tng Brother,- . 
 Taut tkjnt. 
 
 
3*7 
 
 HOLY 
 SOLILOQUIES: 
 
 OR, 
 
 A Holy Helper in 
 
 Gods Building- 
 
 EElWeio shelafy 
 and raoft perilous 
 tiracs, in which 
 r he power ot god- 
 lineffeis much de- 
 cayed ;and 3 Love, 
 ^^.24.12. through abundance 
 of iniquity, much cooled. Now, 
 :here is no one thing which more 
 Keedeth this confumption of 
 Sracc 3 and growth of 1 he contrary, 
 han the want of fuch Spirituall 
 ixercifes as awaken grace, and re* 
 lew che .ftrength of it in us, from 
 me degree to another. For as not 
 blowing, [ 
 
3H 
 
 The hem fit of Soliloquies. 
 
 
 
 
 \ 
 
 blowing^ brings the firetobeex- 
 cin6t in time, no lefle than the pro- 
 curing of cold water to be powred 
 upon it : fj the fl nhfull, no: row- 
 fing up themfclveSjkilleth grace,as 
 well as the wilful!, living i.i fame 
 k'lowne fh ; death followcth up3n 
 both. The difference is < one is vio- 
 lent and fpeedy, the other is (as we 
 (peake of Consumptions) gentle, 
 and lingring, but no leffe certaine. 
 Now, though there arc many 
 meanes whereby the foule doth 
 (hake up it felfe, yet there is none 
 more fruitful!, than for a Chrifiian 
 to accuftome himfelfe to Solilr- 
 quit, taking words to our (elves, 
 between God and our owne fouJes. 
 Words ferve not onely to open our 
 minde, that others may conceive 
 our meaning, but to honour God 
 ( who underftandeth us, without 
 them) and arenas it were ? Bellowes 
 to blow up our affe&ions, when 
 their devotion cooleth. Sinful pat 
 fio-js will prevent our wills, and 
 come (as wee fay of foule Wea- 
 
 theO 
 
Solihqn'us <omanded y praQtfed. 
 
 rher) before they are fen t for. But 
 x>r holy affc&ions (fo ponderous 
 is our corruption, which preffeth 
 iowne) unit fie wte Lbour the 
 :hing with our heart?, they will 
 sotrifecoariypurpofein us. God 
 rhercfore hath commanded it un- 
 :o us ; and complaineih, when ic is 
 legletted. Hof.14. 2. Take words 
 :o your telves : None awaketh 
 hirafelfe to lay hold on God:None 
 faith, Jerern. 8. 6. What have I 
 ione> And the moft excellent 
 men of God have abounded in fb- 
 litary Conferences ri;h God and 
 :heir Soules; as both facred and 
 Scclefiafticall Story teach, by the 
 examples of David, and others, 
 Saint tAujlcn, Anfelme^ and J?er- 
 wrd. The fruite of this Exercife, 
 hath made mee ftt downe (for 
 the helpe of Novices, who have 
 not becne exercifed this way) a 
 Forrae of Words, which might 
 :ontaine fie Soliloquies , to further 
 us in found Repentance, and good 
 AfE ftions towards God. Firft, 
 
 therc- 
 
 3*5 
 
jia 
 
 Gods judgements call for repentance* 
 
 therefore, to dcale with you in 
 Repentance; then, to helpe you 
 forward iu Love, and new obe- 
 dience. 
 
 The Lord preacheth Repentance 
 frill unto us. If a Meffenger knock 
 at ourdoore, and anfwerbe retur- 
 ned, he is gone forthwith to thefe 
 that fent him. So, if the Plague, 
 and foch like M lingers., which 
 God lendech to us, had thac which 
 they come f >r,thcy wonld not ftill 
 ring the Bell at our doores, and 
 call upwuv Neirher doth God 
 wait for Repentance onely from 
 the wicked,, but he would have his 
 dearcft Children meete him, con- 
 demning themfclves, Luke 13.5. 
 If yee repent not alfb more and 
 more, when yee fee the exam- 
 ples of Gods wrath, yet (hall alfb 
 perifh. 
 
 Firft, to fhew you what this is, 
 I fhallby this meanes ftirre you up 
 unto it more fruitfully. By Re- 
 pentance,! meane nothing elfe, but 
 godly forrow for Jinm> wherein the 
 
 foule 
 
The Nature of Repexce. 
 
 321 
 
 3ulc humbleth ic i Ifc before God, 
 nd commech home to him. It U 
 oca worldly fortow 5 likc thrirs 
 a HopMj, 14 which roakech us 
 yhinc, becaufe the World is hard ; 
 lor yet a hopelefle griefe/or feare 
 )f puniflimenr : but a griefc for 
 inoe , as ic difpleafech God ; whofe 
 ovc through Chrift, wee have felt 
 ted in our hearts ; whofe mercy 
 wee fee ic if, that wee arc not con* 
 umed; yea,whofe fatherly affl&i- 
 f>n doth feeke to call us hone by 
 oving Corrcftioi\ 
 
 Now in ihsforrow, thefoule 
 ioth humble ic felfe : For this is 
 rhe nature of Repentance; it will 
 nakeus takefhame to our fclves, 
 parcly 3 by feafonable acknowledge- 
 ment of thoft waies, wherein we 
 have moft provoked God; partly, 
 by judging our felves as worthy to 
 be cut off, that we may find grace 
 ia his eyes, and not be con- 
 demned : And together, with grie- 
 ving and abafiog it felfe, the ftray- 
 (oule commech home to God, 
 
 j 
 
 pur 
 
 : 
 
3 i 8 Wt ma ft grieve for our failings. 
 
 purpofing through his ttrength, t< 
 le* ve thofe courts wherein ic had 
 grieved him, and to cleave to bin 
 in all his CommandemerKfi. Look* 
 then, if emring itvo your own< 
 hearts, yee finde, that as much a 
 hath beene ami(Te, by difpenfinj 
 Gods mercy and patience, yea, hi: 
 goodncflr, giving you the Call o 
 his Word, and Gorre&ions ; yc< 
 are grieved, that yee have beene fc 
 unki* -ide and undutifull to fo kind< 
 and carefull a Father. Ifyeefiade 
 that where it is to his glory, ye< 
 love to confefle your unfruitful. 
 nefie,and to cot;demne your fel ve$ 
 and doe with a true purpofe o 
 heart, {hike a new Covenant wit! 
 God ,toforbeare your own e waies 
 to walkc more fruitfully befon 
 him,fo forre as his Grace fhall pre 
 ferve ycu in the one, and ftrengi 
 then you in the other (for all ou: 
 fufficirncy is from him :) if yee fine 
 thefe things in any meafure, thcr 
 rejoyce j for God hath given yot 
 Repentance^ to eternal! life. Bu; 
 
Sofhali God comfort us. 
 
 fyour hearts have negkftedthis 
 xercifcof a broken fpirir, and if 
 'our confcicnce tell you,that there 
 nth beene little or no griefe this 
 vay, then yee muft be i treated, 
 hat whileftit is called to day .that 
 3ods grace doth (till invite you,yee 
 tfould not harden your hearts, but 
 prepare to meets him. Weep^nc: 
 br rnc, but for your fins, faith our 
 Javiour, Luke 23,28. And bkfTed 
 ire they that mourae in this tend : 
 lie Lord carrieth an hand-cheiv 
 thicfe to wipe away thefeteares; 
 pe is nigh to comfort thefehearts : 
 ;he(e April-dewes bring May- 
 lowers ; (uch as (owe in teares, 
 hallreape in joy, h it not better 
 or us, to take the rodde into our 
 )wne hands, and beate our felves 
 ^ently^than force the Lord to cha- 
 ten us, who is a confuming fire > If 
 the Lord fee, that wee are but wil- 
 ing to caft downe out (elves, and 
 o deale with our owne foules, 
 ice will cover our heads in the 
 tvillhoure, whereas his negligent 
 Children 
 
 19 
 
3H 
 
 l)$l-y not t§ repent. 
 
 Children (hall tafteof his tempo- 
 rary difpleafure. Dwlay not this : 
 Our fou ? es,in f ^ervingfrom God^ 
 are lik<? Bones outof pynt; the 
 longer they goc Co> they prove 
 more painfull; if we cake thern be- 
 ime, ihey are fee more eafily, Wc 
 Willcikc Phyfickc,purge,orfweat, 
 to prevent the growing of a difeafe 
 upon our bodies: (hall we not be 
 wife then for our fbules? The vo- 
 mit of the fbule, is the griefe of 
 Repentance : take it bcrimcs,drive 
 it not off, till the Lord be forced 
 to vifir« Now if God give you to 
 defire, that your hearts were bro- 
 ken in his fight, but yet yee finde 
 it will not be, partly for the ha#* 
 ncfle of your hearts, partly for 
 other lets and impediments : I will 
 helpe you a little at this lift; fir!*, 
 giving you rules for the out- wreft- 
 ling of impediments; fecondly,for 
 the blowiLg up of our devotion! 
 in this exercifcj which of all (a* I 
 crifices is (be moft acceptable. 
 Now for hinderances , yee mufti, 
 
 roakif 
 
KJMayty lets to %cfentance. 
 
 5*7 
 
 make account to meet with them, 
 if ye purpofe more feriouily to call 
 your (elves to a more ftraight rec- 
 koning for your wayes. Somtimes 
 inward indifpofition wil grow up- 
 on you : Againe, the Divell will 
 want of his will, but fome finne 
 or other (hall fo clofs with your 
 feules, which will, like aThorne 
 caught in the fbote, hinder your 
 intended journey. If yce efcape 
 thefe,he will tutthet ply you with 
 diftraftions-from things, and per- 
 sons, which are without you; This 
 or that is neceffarily tobeedone; 
 One or other is to fpeake with 
 yoi* Furthermore > if yee looke 
 fcrioufly to this good way of Re- 
 pentance, he will fuggellj What 
 needeth fuchadoe? God is more 
 mercifull, then to require fiich 
 ftrait courfes. Whom doeyou fee 
 to vex thcmfelves in fuch a man- 
 ner ? Yea, fometimes hee makes 
 thecntrancedifficult,andcomfort- 
 leffe, to fee if hee can difmay us 
 from proceeding. Finally, he will 
 P harpe 
 
52« 
 
 ! [ 
 
 
 
 i 
 
 Helpesto orecome the 
 
 barpe much on this firing : Wilt 
 thou bid adue to thy plcafurcs^and 
 .betake thy felfe to fo painfull a 
 courfe? And this is the Loth to 
 depart he fingeth to the fonle that 
 looketh towards God : firft y to 
 fpeake ingenerallto them ; then 
 in particular^ to this laftand main 
 detention, Now > tha: we may 
 fafely pafle thefe Rockes, wc muft 
 firft ferioufly confer the malice 
 of the Devillagainftus> who by I 
 all poffible means he can>oppofetn 
 the comming-acquainted with 
 this exercife. While we are in 
 our own wayes* thecoaft is cleare 
 enough : but when God givech us 
 a good motion and purpofc , the 
 Devill dorh watchit,as one ftould 
 an infant^that he may kill it in the 
 Cradle * yea, fmother it in the 
 Wombe , where it was conceived. 
 Thus* Lord, when thou fendeft by 
 thySpirit,a motion intoour hca ts 
 for our foules healttahe laboureth 
 to make us quench the Spirit* and 
 fb to double our Condemnation. 
 
 Now 
 
fnggeftions of Sat An* 
 
 1*9 
 
 Now then/eeingthe malice of chc 
 Devill , ye muft labour (fecondly) 
 to feele your own weaknefle, that 
 there is no ftrength in you to en- 
 counter with the enemy , and fay 
 thus to your felves : Lord, thou 
 knoweft it, I have no ftrength of 
 myfclfe; nay > I have that which 
 preffeth me downe * which would 
 make me thinke , there is a Lyon 
 in this way* and flip my necke out 
 of this Collar* though there wera 
 no other with-ftanding me y nor 
 ought without mc> that fhould let 
 me: How thai fhould I be able 
 to goeover fomany things, with- 
 out afliftancc ? Tien ye muft) in 
 the third place y looke up unto 
 Chrift by the eye of Faith(finding 
 the Devils oppoficion > and your 
 owne infirmities) who giveth not 
 onely the will to trs^but the deed* 
 and worketh all our works for us J 
 Speake to him y and fay : Lord, 
 thoucanft help me; & as thou haft 
 p:u this into my mind, and taught 
 ii me to know this piece of thy 
 P 2 holy 
 
 i 
 
.1 
 
 3^0. l Rely on Gohto take away the lets. 
 
 \\ 
 
 
 holy will, (b I intreate rhee to ac- 
 cpmplifh it in me : it is not I, but 
 thy grace in me, which muft eft'eft 
 all. Asa Childewho goethwith 
 his Father, led in his hand, if hce 
 come to a Stile, or Bridge, he will 
 cry to him, to take him and lift 
 him over; fo muft we to our hea- 
 venly Father,cry to be taken up, a- 
 boveall thefe hindrances. This is 
 an excellent remedy;when we be- 
 hold Seas before us, mountains on 
 each fide , Armies of enemies be- 
 hindeus, all hindring our going 
 forth of our feives ; and in all,the 
 Devils power : then toftand ftill, 
 andlookefor thefalvation of the 
 Lord. And here it is goodto think 
 on thefe quickning places of Scrip- 
 ture : Enter in at the ftrait Gate , 
 LMatth. 7.1 5*Nay,Striveto enter 
 in ; for many (hall fcek to enter in, 
 and fhall jnot be AleXftks l 3>*4* 
 .Sceke fait Gods Kingdome, and 
 therighteoufnefle thereof, Matth* 
 6*33. One thing is necefTarie,£/^ 
 1 o- 42- What if one could get the 
 
 whole 
 
Be resolute in %eycntance. 
 
 S3 1 
 
 whole world, if bee lole his ovvne 
 Souk? CM*tb.i 5.2(5* Narrow is 
 the gate that leadcm unto lifc,and 
 few chere bee that find it, Mat* j % 
 i^.Laftly.yemuft think,how if ye 
 appoint to bee with this or that 
 man, but for fbme twenty Nobles 
 matter, (in which (perhaps) yee 
 gaine not a Pound clearly)nothing 
 (hall let you : if this or that of lefle 
 moment be out oforden ye fee it> 
 and fee it not i yee have a greater 
 gaine in fight : if any would hold 
 youbacke, yee crave pardon, yee 
 have pointed by fuch an houre, to 
 meetluchanone* Then yeemuft 
 reafon thustShalll be thus refolute 
 in executing my purpofe towards 
 man,when I gaine fome fmall mat- 
 ter,and fhall 1 let any thing hinder 
 me^hen I am to go to God about 
 the gireateft merchandize of my 
 lbulcs health?Is not this to be pen- 
 ny wife, & pound fo©lifh ? This in 
 gcnerall, Now in particular. That 
 ye may then ©ut-grow thefeare of 
 parting with plcafure, and conceit 
 I _/ P 3 of 
 
^m 
 
 \ 312 \ Helps again ft the maim Ut 
 
 of fo much hcavincs in this courfc 
 ofrepentance;ye muft firft know* 
 that this is a jngling of Sata 3 wher- 
 by he holds m^noT in the wayes 
 office to death. He will fhew us 
 nothing but delight inevillco'ir- 
 fes hiding all the after birtemefle 
 of them, which- fhemd b: ing them 
 out of requeft vvith ns : fo in good' 
 wayes tending to life* hewilltell 
 us of nothing but pain>conceaiing 
 all the comfort ofthem,:hat;o he 
 may keep us from entring them to 
 falvation. Secondly, we are worfe 
 affraid then hurt* Foolike as the 
 rifing on: of the foft bed* feemeth 
 beforehand to the fluggard excee- 
 ding tedious, but when he is once 
 up^dothnotdarehimatall: So is 
 the awaking from the deep of fin, 
 and flumbring in the reliques of 
 luftjwhich ttill have dwelling even 
 in thebeft of us.Who ever repen- 
 ted him of repentant griefe?Nay> 
 who rcjoyceth not in God who 
 giveth it> finding it more fweet to 
 his Soule > and more plcafant, 
 
 then 
 
of repentance, worldly fleafnres. I 333 
 
 then the pleafi.rcoffimcj which I 
 foon vanilhech>leaving a-ftingbe- ' 
 hind it ? Thirdly>if we try in a re-; 
 pencant courfc to leave the plea- 
 lures of fins in wch we have lived > 
 they will fhortly have no fuch po- 
 I werore us>as to holJu> thus hard: 
 j For Chrjpjlom doth fitly liken the 
 to little Puppiesi which while we 
 ; play with the,will do nothing but 
 . leape about us > but if w* cudgell 
 I them a little, have no joy to come 
 ; neere us.Fourthly,we ruuft n: t let 
 pafftois blind our judgments ;but 
 ' confider penitent forrow>with the 
 end of it,and impenitent delights 
 with die iflueofche. What is bit- 
 tererthen medicine? Yet health, ro 
 which it bringeth u«,doth make it 
 lovely. What fweeter to our tafte> 
 the manythings we wil no: touch* 
 becaufe we find they love not us, 
 though we love them,we are after- 
 ward the worfe for the.In this r?- 
 fpeffc thcrfore,werc the medicine 
 of repentance grievous to take>y et 
 in regard of the everlafting health 
 I P4 to 
 
^^1 
 
 m 
 
 
 v 
 
 Gods wiiycs not grievous \ 
 
 to which it reftoreth us,\ve (h )uld 
 hkewife men, cake the fower with 
 fhefvveete; yea,choofe it rather, 
 then to feed fweetly o 1 filch meats 
 as pleafechePalateon!y while they 
 are tailed* but caufe at length vo- 
 mits more bit i ct then death.Fifth- 
 Iy;(ay we fhould lofeour delights, 
 (though wc dial part with nothing 
 but ftollen waters)is it not better, 
 as Chrift faith, wcfhould want an 
 eye heercand go to heaven, then 
 having it, to be caft into hell fire? 
 UMfe 1 8. p • 
 
 To conclude, this obie&ion is a 
 Qander railed upon Gods wayes, 
 which are full of profperity and 
 pleafure • and is forcible with us , 
 partly, through flouth, which ma- 
 keth us unwilling to thefe workes 
 (and what is not irkefome to a 
 mind undifpofed ?) partly,from ig- 
 norant fenfuality, which counteth 
 nothing liberty, but licence, no- 
 thing fweet, but what is taken in 
 huggermugger, without Gods al- 
 lowance: like as fome gallants, 
 
 whicfa 
 
Keep reckoning betweene God &usS ? 3 J 
 
 which think no Venifon fo fwect 
 as that which is ftoln. This in par- 
 ticular to the principal impedimct. 
 Now for the furthering ycur de- 
 votion in this exercife, yeemuft 
 know, that there is an art blowing 
 up of every grace of the fpirit,& of 
 this with the reft. Firft therefore, 
 yee muft enter into your owne 
 hearts, considering your owne 
 wayes. We will keepe reckoning 
 whatwerunneon thefcore with 
 men, but rare who thinke how 
 deepely they are in Gods Bookes: 
 fuch ill husbands are wee for our 
 Soules. Now we muft heere mark 
 warily, whether we have rot loft 
 fome graces' we have had(Imcane 
 have themnot fo powerfully as we 
 have felt them) whether we doe 
 not give place to (louth, doing 
 Gods fervice coldly and flightly ; 
 whether we have not forgotter 
 our covenant made with Gcd in 
 Baptifme> ro wit>cf dying to ou 
 own thovghts,vyorcvs & deeds dai- 1 
 ly^and laboring in our whol courfe 1 
 _ Pj th|t| 
 
3 5 6 We nuifi call to mmdeyonr great eft 
 
 that not now we live,but Chriftm 
 us(as Paul fpeakcth)his fpirit tea* 
 ching us to do every thing as be- 
 fore him, and inconfcicnce of his 
 will, to his glory. Hecrcalfoye 
 muft cal tomind the mod grievous 
 finnes which ye at any time have 
 provoked God with.We muft not 
 bid adieu to the remembrance of 
 our finnes patt and pardoned, but 
 muft ever beare them in memory 
 fo far re forth as will he! p us to the 
 working of godly fottow , holy 
 baflifulneflc & lowlineffe of mind; 
 fo far as may be i fpurre to more 
 fruitfull obedience for the time to 
 come > D^*;.Yea this remembring 
 of the finne paft in particular > by 
 which we have chiefly offended 
 Gody and mourning for it, & judg- 
 ing our felves in the remembrance 
 of it,is the evidence of true effec- 
 tual repentancerSo Ifrael acknow- 
 ledged their defiring a King: So 
 David his adultery andmurther: 
 So PahI his perfecting. He who 
 is truely humbled in the fight of 
 
 one 
 
 
fwsy & our dailj fiver V'mgs. 
 
 one capitall finnc,repenecthof all. 
 Even as a capitall difeafe being ta- 
 ke away, which draweth on many 
 another by confcnt,the reft are at 
 once removed alfo.Again,we muft 
 call to minde our daily fwervings 
 and'unfiuitfulnefle. This isaheo- 
 pening and the looking on our 
 wounds, the negloft whereof is 
 iewdcarelefneffe, mortally dan- 
 gerous. It is no news,noryetmi£- 
 liked when you fee a fouldier fhot 
 or wounded : but to fee him go 
 with it,never regard it>never drefs 
 ir, is condemned as defperate fol- 
 ly:So/or us fighting in this world, 
 no newes , if we come by knocks 
 and maimes; but to let them go, 
 2nd ranckle, & fefter in us, is for- 
 lorn negUgencc.Now then.ifthus 
 fitting ttu matter before you, ye 
 find not your hearts pricked with 
 it, then you muft ( as the Prophet 
 fpeaks) take words toiypur (elves, 
 and trouble your own foules , fay- 
 ing, thus ; Shall I think ofmy fins 
 agamftGod , and not grieve for 
 
 them? 
 
3 3 8 I -#/*£ Up the SohU to Repentance. 
 
 , them ? If I have overfhot my Cdfc, 
 fo that men may have a faying to 
 j me,that doch cue me to die heart* 
 I and I am afoamed. If ibmwhat do 
 but crofle my corruprnaturcJ have 
 griefe at wilb and (hall I not now 
 grieve for offending my t^ood 
 God? If I had broken day* &not 
 kept touch with man> I could not 
 look him in the face ; and Tiall it 
 not go neer with me > that I have 
 kept my Covenant no better with 
 God ? if my (ervant have loytc- 
 red his day away >aad not done my 
 work>heb!uiheth;and isaffraidto 
 comobefore me ; and fhall I not 
 change my countenanced be mo- 
 ved 3 that I have bin fo unprofita- 
 ble in the workes of Gad ? By this 
 meanes; as men being in fwoanze* 
 when they are chafe idee cotne a- 
 gaine: fo fnail our foules y while 
 we thus beftirre them > findefbme 
 warmth returning to them. This 
 1.4 k friar* aud furtherance of the 
 grace of Repentance; whereas the 
 waat of thefe Soliloquies, isre. i 
 prooved ( 
 
 
 11 
 
Go to Chrtfi for d relenting heart* I 5 ^ 
 
 prooved as a token of an impeni- 
 tent hear: > Hof 7. 2 . But if yet the 
 heart will not relent* you muft in 
 the thi^d place (feeing your bar- 
 rennefleand inability) turne you 
 toChrift, fpeaking in this wife ; 
 Were it to grieve at earthly occa- 
 sions, or that my felfweredifplca- 
 fed>herc my affections would com 
 to me before I fent for them : but 
 for god y forrovy^none of it grows 
 ib oik gardeas ; our foolifli hearts 
 love not holy mourning ; our hard 
 hearts wil not relent to think how 
 we difpleafe thee* We therefore 
 knowingrfhat there is no ftrength 
 in our fclves> to any thing that is 
 good>looke unto theeahou art the 
 Chrift and Lord > thou givett Re- 
 pentance to thine lfrael > and for- 
 giveneflc of finnes : thou LORD 
 doeft circumcife the hearts thou 
 hammereft and breakeft the ftone 
 by thy Spirits making it flefhy 
 and tender; LORD doe thou 
 turne us, and we (hall be turned*! 
 Lament. 5 >z 1. Thus while ycturnj 
 
 your 
 
 
3¥ 
 
 . 
 
 Thefmoakingflaxc. 
 
 your eyes to Jefus the quickening 
 fpiritjbe will be prefent toquicken 
 this grace in you. But what ifyet 
 your hearts (hould not fo kindly 
 melt within you,as yedefire , yet 
 all is fafe: for this is rhe fmokc of 
 repentance which Christ will 
 not leave till it blaze forth;he will 
 not put out the fmoking week* 
 This defire and labouring after it, 
 is happinefle it felf: for blcffed are 
 they that hunger and thirft after 
 righteoufnestYca ufingthis courfe 
 to confidcr of your wants to chide 
 ( after fome fort) your own foules, 
 and to look after Chrift the giver 
 of repentance ; the ftonc of your 
 hearts(the hardnes)wilcome away 
 by little and little. Yea,and when 
 in bodily wounds the moft aj pro- 
 ved plaifter muft be laid on often; 
 ye muft not thinkethat the r c fpi- 
 rituall evils, fo long growing on 
 usjftionldbegone on a fodden. I 
 do be'eech you therefore , as e- 
 verye will tafte the comforts of 
 God ; as ye will finde cafe in the 
 
 cvill 
 
Cods CovenAnt. 
 
 I 
 
 cvill houre, when nothing but 
 God cm refrefliyou \ yea > as yec 
 love to efcape much worldly tor- 
 row ,which tendeth unto dfeath',fo 
 acquaint ) our felves betimes with 
 this exercife of a broken heart*. 
 Bleffcd are they which ( now ) 
 mourne* for they (hall be comfor- 
 ted* And we know much more 
 earthly forrow then we fhould* 
 became we will not trouble our 
 ownfoulesa little , blowing up 
 that godly forrow which is requi- 
 red at out hand$ # 
 
 Now fblloweth another thing 
 which I propounded, viz,, to 
 ;belpe you forward in new obe- 
 dience , in the faith full keeping 
 of the Covenant* The fummc of 
 the Covenant betweene God 
 and us,isthis ; God in C h r i s r 
 faith, he will take us for his peo- 
 ple : we promifc him , that we 
 will have him for our God. 
 This therefore doth comprize all 
 ourdutietoGoD,thatwe fethim 
 up in our hearts as God. Which 
 
 thing 
 
 34* 
 
54 ^ | How to have God our God. 
 
 thing wc docfirft, when we grow 
 up to know him in all things* Se- 
 condly, when wee make him our 
 truft. Thirdly when we love him 
 above all things. Fourthly, when 
 wefearehim. Fiftiy> when were- 
 joyce in him. Sixthly, wfien our 
 hearts are thankfully affecled to 
 him, waking him their fong and 
 praife.This is to have him for our 
 Godiwhen we know nothiBg>truft 
 in nothing, love, feare, rejoyce 
 in nothing in companfon of him : 
 when our hearts are thaakcfull 
 above all to him. Tofpeak a lit- 
 tle to the feverals. 
 
 We cannot have God our God, 
 till wee come to know him in 
 Chriit. Ignorance doth eftr*nge us 
 fromGod,& knowledge doth ac- 
 quaint us withhirrwThis i\*#/prai- 
 ethforin thebehalfe of his Co-. 
 lo(Iians 3 that they m.iy be filled 
 with the knowledge of God, the 
 fpiritsof their mindsbeing opened 
 to look toward him. Even as our 
 image in the glafle doth iooke to- 
 ^ ward 
 
How wee mafi kn<nv (jod. 
 
 vard usjfromwhom it is refle&ed : 
 
 b God his Image in us doth make 
 
 :he eyes of our minds view him* 
 
 he author of it in us# And as the 
 
 *ye becommeth one with that 
 
 vhichitfeerhbandisafterafort in 
 
 hat light it behcldeth : fo are wee 
 
 >y the vifionof God> which is be- 
 
 ;un inns y one with him> and in 
 
 iim,Now this knowledgconfide- 
 
 eth God three way es; either fim- 
 
 !y apart from all other refpeSs > 
 
 nd thus it containeth the Spiri- 
 
 aal eflfencein refpe<5tof hisproper- 
 
 ies> into which this felfefame na- 
 
 ure is diftinguifhed ; the Father* 
 
 ionne*an^. Holy Ghofoallofchem 
 
 laving the fame fpirituall eflencc : 
 
 sif h and you with fome third 
 
 nam might befuppofed to have all 
 
 >ut one and the felfe fame foule 
 
 nd body > being dift n& per- 
 
 pns.Or elfe it confidereth God^as 
 
 nademanifeft in our nature : for 
 
 r efus the Sonne having the fame 
 
 uture with the Father hathta- 
 
 ;en fuch a foule and body* as wee | 
 
 have i 
 
 343 
 
I 
 
 3 44 Know God in Jefns Chrifi. 
 
 have ( fin onely excepted) to t 
 
 fellowship of his perfon; and tt 
 
 is become £Wr/w^/> God with 
 
 or God manifeft in our nature. 
 
 which humane nature y Godt 
 
 Son fuftered death for mil* wh 
 
 Iikewife hemanifefteth his divi 
 
 power* by raifmg it up> and gle 
 
 fying it in heaven* So that he tl 
 
 was dead in his humane nature 
 
 now alive in it for ever , havj 
 
 fwallowed up death in vi£to 
 
 Laftly, it confidereth God s ira 
 
 fefted in Chrift , as he is becc 
 
 our God by covenant, in regarc 
 
 fuch things as his faithful men 
 
 do work for us. He in Ch 
 
 is our juftifier y our fan£hfier j 
 
 who helpethus in conquering 
 
 remnants of our naturall cori 
 
 tion ;, our Redeemer y who d 
 
 vereth us from all our troubl 
 
 the God that careth fcrus , 
 
 veth us every good gift , blefl 
 
 us in our eftates,feedcth us,gh 
 
 us>and all his beloved,(leepe, 
 
 fendcth us from all evill, keep 
 
We are naturally blinie. 
 
 345 
 
 is by his power unto falvation, is 
 he beginner & ender ofall good 
 [races in us. But howftiortare 
 vc in this point ? We are like In- 
 ants,in a manner,new-bornt they 
 re kept by the loving Parents 
 :om fire and water* they are fed, 
 lid to fleep, made ready and un* 
 eady,and fhifted in their fcapes ; 
 >ut they know not whodochall 
 lis for them: fo doth our heaverc- 
 y Father by us in Chrirt ; but (he 
 tnoweth) little- underftanding 
 uve weof him : For though God 
 >e Light it felfe, a Spirit which 
 >rightly feeth all things in heaven 
 tnd earth, to whofe pure bright- 
 ieffe,the Sunneis darknefle jyet 
 he weaknefle of our fight is fuch, 
 hat we cannot looke againft it r 
 s the Bat and the Owlc cannot 
 •nduretofee the bright Beames 
 >f the Sunne in the Firrrument. 
 
 Ye muft therefore take notice 
 >f your fpirituall Blindnefle , and 
 ome unto him who felleth the 
 iye-falte > which hath the Spirit 
 
 of 
 
 
 i 
 
 
34* 
 
 
 , 
 
 :' 
 
 (jo to God for eyc-fahe. 
 
 of Illumination, who openetbth< 
 Eyes of the blind;cry to him fo 
 mercy. If your eyes were mud 
 bloud-fhot (your eyes whcrcwitl 
 ye fee but one another* Creature 
 like your felves) yee would feek< 
 out forhelpe for them* and waft 
 them with ftrong fmarting Wa 
 ters, but yee would reftore them 
 And will yee not feeke to yom 
 God in Chrift, to reftore the fighi 
 ofyourfpirits, wherewith yemaj 
 fee him, and the things ofyoui 
 peace within the veile, even in the 
 Heavens t Nay, ye muft bee aftia- 
 med, that yee take no more know- 
 ledge of your God in the wholi 
 day. If our chi'dren,whenvvcan 
 befide them^ftiould through rude 
 nefleandcarelcfnes not oncccaf 
 a look at us^as acknowledgiug oil 
 prefcrice; would we take it at thci 
 hands? Might not every one fay, 
 Thefe were better fed than taught 
 which are thus gracelefle ? Let m 
 apply it to our fclves* who ferv< 
 our God and Father little better, 
 
 Now 
 
We mufl truft in God- 
 
 347 
 
 ow that wee may fee upon this 
 lite with the better hope,let us 
 member that God hath promi- 
 d it unto us ; this is his Cove- 
 mt> wo (hall know him,from the 
 reatefttotheleaftofus. But left 
 grow too tedious, 1 come to the 
 cond. 
 
 Wemufttruftin God, having 
 1 our hopes on his mercy and 
 uth towards us ; and thefc two 
 :>e together, MenfometimeSjthe 
 lore we know them>the lefle wee 
 uft them^and that defervedly -.but 
 falme pac Such as know God, 
 lalltruftinhim. 
 
 Who (o rcpofeth all his confi- 
 enceinGod, hee taketh him, in 
 > doing, for his God, As the 
 cripture faith in this refpedh the 
 :>vetous man is an Idolater ; hee 
 iketh his money for his God,be- 
 fcufe he putteth his truft in unccr- 
 *ine riches this wealth is a ftrong 
 'bwer in his conceit? and he tru- 
 ^eth in the Creature>which dn*w- 
 th his heart from God> faith the 
 
 Pro- 
 
34* 
 
 
 We trufi net in (jod as we 
 
 Prophetjjcr.iy.j. Teaching usy 
 that then our hearts arc united to 1 
 God>whenthe affiance of them is 
 fet on him .Now,thogh we fhoulci 
 liveby^he taith oftheSbndfGodj 1 
 trufiing on him for the giving and 
 maintaining of all eur good, both 
 temporal 1 & eternall ; leaning or 
 him for all defences deliverance 
 from evils fpiritualb yea>and cor- 
 porally cafting all our care on him; 
 naving ne confidence in the fleftx 
 but rejoycing in Chrift Jefus 
 though this be our dutie , yet w< 
 are exceeding weake* and fulloj 
 unbeliefc. This will appears by 
 our want of feare at the threate- 
 ning* of Gods* Word, which ma- 
 keth us loofely alfo to looke aftei 
 his promifes.Did webelceve Cud 
 threatnings , If ye live after th< 
 ficfh, ye fhall die? we woulc 
 trcmblcwhe we favour our fehe: 
 inourownwayes: the devils be 
 leeve^and tremble. And fo ; truftinj 
 civilly in any man.? word or bond 
 we do feek them carefully > anc 
 
 ar< 
 
ought ; htncc Hnbelieff. 
 
 349 
 
 re glad when we have gotten j 
 hem; and, as we fay, we write 
 jpon them, that we (nail have fo 
 nuch money at fuch a day,upon a 
 ubftantiall mans word , or bond, 
 
 renus. But God, who promi- 
 cth all good things in this life, as 
 veil as in the life to come , his 
 Seales we feek not after; which is 
 I figne of our great unbeliefe in 
 hem- Secondly i by rcftingour 
 hearts in outward things, and by 
 peing difquieted when we want 
 them ; this alfo is a figne, that our 
 fiearts are unbelieving. 
 
 While we have means, or good 
 akehhood of this, or that, we are 
 )vell ; let thefe faile, we are trou- 
 bled; Which fheweth, that we 
 reft not upon ths Word of God, 
 which is as ftre in the want of all 
 things,as in abundance; but that 
 iwe leaneon fuch things as we fee, 
 'and have in hand* Suppofeaman 
 had Crutches under his armes^but 
 leaneth not at all on the as he go- 
 :eth, take them away, and he wal- 
 
 keth 
 
35° 
 
 LMake Vnbeleefe odi Hs unto yon 
 
 keth as before: So, did wee not] 
 truft, and lean on the things feen, , 
 but on God> who is not fi en, loo- 1 
 king on him by the eye of faittawe 
 i ouldgoeas upright, when all 
 things to fence feeme contrary to 
 that we beleeve, as whenour fee-j 
 ling is fed abundantly ThircHy,didj 
 wee reft in God and trull in him> 
 who is all in all ; we would feek to 
 him for his bleflings , more then 
 for the meanest which by his blefi 
 fing eflfeft this or that;wherea5 w< 
 labour not to make him fure to us 
 but to get the means^and then w< 
 think al is wel with us.iNow th< 
 when yee find your unbcleefe, ye 
 muft make it odieus unro your 
 fclves by fuch likeconfiderations ; 
 Shall I feek after the word of man 
 (bmetimes:to fecurc me but of (bm 
 twenty (hillings matter ? and Ilia 
 I not feek after the preciouspromi 
 (ks of my God?flial I truft to a man 
 promifingthis or that ? and fhaU I 
 not truft my God> who is truth 
 itfelfe* and cannot lye? Will noti 
 
 fuc 
 
 1 
 
How we mnft love Cjod. 
 
 fuchafubftantiall man think much 
 if I take not his bare word ? And 
 (hall not I take my Lords Word, 
 and Seale , and Oath ? He hach 
 fvvornc tobleflfe us, with ail h $ 
 bleflfings in Chrift : fliall vvc not 
 bcleevebim, unlefle he leave us a 
 pawne alio ? Thus then, when yee 
 feele your unbeleeving hearts to 
 trouble you,ye muft looktoChrift, 
 the authour arid finifher of your 
 faith.Speak to him thus: Thou haft 
 begun, and thou muft finifh : I be- 
 leeve ; help my unbeliefe, and en- 
 creafe my faith. 
 
 The third point is, We muft love 
 him. Love (we know) makes a 
 m3n and woman , One ; and the 
 fame doth couple as to God, Here 
 we muft labour to fay from our 
 hearts; Lord, what have we in 
 heaven,bucthee? or in the earth, 
 in companion of thee? Now, 
 though we doe love him, yet our 
 affe&ion is but weak ; and above 
 all things, we had need to mend 
 i in this behalfe. Trie your love,and 
 I OL fb:n 
 
 351 
 
3 J * I Tryyonr love to Cj 9 d> and, 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 • 
 
 
 
 then judge of it. Thofe ye love* 
 doc ye not love to be prefent with 
 them* as ye two one with ano- 
 ther? If one of you be out of 
 Townc, doe ye not thmke long 
 till ye meet againe ? Are not we 
 grieved to hearc them wronged by 
 word or deed,whom we eftceme 
 dcarely of ? Doth it not cut us, if 
 we our fdves do them any harme? 
 Are we not glad of a Letter ( in 
 ab fence ) from thofe we love?Now 
 then examine your fclves; Do ye 
 not finde little joy , in comming 
 privately or publikely into Gods 
 houfe 3 or prefence ? Nay, we are 
 like children, who can play abroad 
 all rhe day long>and never lock in, 
 to their Parents, When do our 
 hearts long to be diffolved, and to 
 be with Chrift ? Though God, 
 throughfundry troubles,doth even 
 fmoake us out of this World , yet 
 \ we will not come away, in our af- 
 ff?6lions. When we heareGods 
 i NitneWa(phcmed,andfeeall wic- 
 i kedncfle committed; doe our eyes 
 I . sufli 
 
be aftamed af the want cfth 353 
 
 gufh out with teares? Or doe vvc 
 not, when our fclves offend him 
 daily,pafle it overtaking too light 
 penance of our felves ? Doe we, 
 withZWf*&deliglic in his Statutes 
 more than in all wealth? His Word 
 is his Letter to us. By fuch like 
 confederations , difcerning your 
 want of love to God > yee rauft 
 fha me your felves. If a woman 
 fhould be dead in the neft , when 
 her husband were before her , but 
 fhould be affe&ionate to every 
 ftranger ; If flie fhould not care 
 how long fhe were abfent from 
 him> but think her felfe-befhwhile 
 they were afunder ; Ifflie cared 
 little how her loving husband 
 were offended, caftingthatat her 
 heeles , which he takes to heart ; 
 were not this fhameles behaviowr 
 in her? And (hall notwcbe afha- 
 med to fhew no more love to thee, 
 to whom our foules are married in 
 Chrift ? Then ye muft goe and 
 confefle that your hearts are full of j 
 Harlotry , and falfe love. Ye can 
 Q^2 love 
 
354 
 
 Concerning love to earthly 
 
 love your felves, ye have affe&ion 
 enough to the things of this world; 
 to the gifts of God , and thofe the 
 meancft,more than to the givers : 
 as Harlots to Rings, Gold, Brace- 
 lets , more than to the fenders. 
 Therefore , befeech him to purge 
 jour hearts of this,and to fill them 
 with the love of himfelfe : for this 
 is the promife; I will circumcife 
 your hearts, and make you love me 
 with all your hearts. Before we 
 pafle from this Head, aQueftion 
 may be moved , common to all 
 thefe afte&ions ; namely ,What we 
 may judge of our feives, feeing our 
 hearts more fhincin lovcfcar, and 
 joy at worldly things , than about 
 God, and the great benefits given 
 us in Chrift ? 
 
 The anfwer is : Firlt , in many 
 earthly things we have a double 
 canfc working in our affe£tions;as 
 in loving the Wife of ones youth, 
 and in bewailing the death of ones 
 Parent : and whereas the motion 
 I of our aflfeiHons, in things fuper- 
 1 naturall 
 
thingsyabove our Uve to Cjod. 
 
 naturall,is purely from Grace, Na- 
 ture fetting no hand to this bufx- 
 nefle. Secondly, afteftion is not to 
 be meafuredby the indeliberate 
 patting motion of it, but according 
 to ihe iettled habit from the judg- 
 ment and e(timation which the 
 mindemakethof this or that ob- 
 jsft. A man laughes at a toy : hee 
 isnotprefentlyfaid to joy in that 
 trifle more than in al other things , 
 becaufe the zSt of his joy is more 
 lively here tha in greater matters. 
 A mans affe&ions more ftirre a. 
 bout a ftranger, in entreating him, 
 than to his Wife, for the time, 
 whom he yet loveth more deare. 
 Thirdly, afte&ions if they be com- 
 paratively confidered in us , are, 
 though leffe in quantity, yet grea- 
 ter in vartue : as Corne , when die 
 Weed ( as Carloe ) is higher and 
 greater,yet this is ftronger, becaufe 
 in time it overgroweth, and killeth 
 the Weed , which farre cxccedcth 
 it : So this love, though little, in 
 comparifonoffelfe-love , love to 
 1 : Qjj the 
 
 35J 
 
55^ 
 
 « u 
 
 Spiritual! love out-grows carnall. 
 
 the creature (the fame being in the 
 other affed^ions)yet in time it fhal 
 lover-grow and kill thisweed.The 
 love of the Spirit is ftronger than 
 the love of the world. If there- 
 fore ye aske , What one fhould 
 thinke* thatfindeth his affeitions 
 thus ? I anfvver , If he find them 
 ftronger , there are two caufes to 
 one ; where Nature and Grace 
 vvorke jointly , he muft not won- 
 der at this matter. Againe^though 
 we feele their working more ftir- 
 ring fometimes to things earthly, 
 yet out of judgement and fettled 
 courfowe that are the Lords > doe 
 moft affoft him. Thirdly ; we know 
 that our affe&ions towards God; 
 though but as a grain of Muftard- 
 (cediftial out-grow all thischoak- 
 vveed of inordinacy* which we feel 
 in this behalfe.In the mean while, 
 the feeling of this diftemper* muft 
 make us ft ill feck the rectifying of 
 iu and the healing of thelamenta- | 
 ble vanity , to which the afte&ion 
 is fiibje&,by reafon of finne. 
 
 . The ' 
 
The feare ive owe to (jod. 
 
 357 
 
 The fourth thing,is the feare of 
 God San&ifie rhe Lord in your 
 hearcs,rmkc him your feare. Feare 
 to offend him,who when the body 
 is killed* can caft the foul into heil 
 fire. We fhould reverence his ex- 
 cellent Majctty, & dread to offend 
 him* becaufehe hath been graci- 
 ous unto usj and hath power to d© 
 with us whatfoever he pleaieth. 
 Were there any from whom we 
 had houfe and ftocke , fo chat he 
 | could turn us one of all at his j lea- 
 fure ; would we not walk very cir- 
 ' cumfpe&ly , fearing to doe that 
 which might alienate his favour ? 
 Againe 3 ifthe Majeftie of a mcrtall 
 man doth affe6t us(as of the King) 
 with reverence-, how much more 
 fhould we be afteited with the 
 moft glorious M.ijefty of the moft 
 high God ? Now ye muft know, 
 your hearts are much void of this. 
 ; Alfo the thing it felfe (peaketh : 
 I Do ye not feele ( when in prayer 
 ye are to ipeake with God ) that 
 there is a reverence in your hearts 
 I Q4 ■**- 
 
3 5 8 UWeditations ftirr'wg hi 
 
 befeeming fo high a Majeftie ? Do 
 yc not feele a want of dread at his 
 | Judgements, which fo long have 
 been upon us,and ftill hover about 
 us ? And what awe is in us , ma- 
 king us fearefull by finne todif- 
 pleafe him? Alas 1 . Preemption, 
 Tecurity, and hardneffe of heart, 
 thefe Weeds grow fo high, that 
 we can fcarce difcernc the Fruit 
 above-named. Nowthenyemuft 
 work this want upon your hearts, 
 as the former ,faying ; If I were in 
 the prefence of fbme great perfb- 
 nage , and fhould cany my felfe 
 rudely, without refpe& , would I 
 not blufli? And fhall I not be afha- 
 med,that Ihave no more reverence 
 when I come be fore thee, O thou 
 God of glory ? So, for want of 
 dread : Shall the Beafts tremble* 
 when the Lyon roareth ? yea,(hall 
 the Devils tremble to thinke on 
 thy Judgements ; and fhall I be 
 fenfeleffei and no whit mooved ? 
 -So, for want of awe, in regard of 
 Gods Lawes : Shall I dare as well 
 
 to 
 
up to fear e God. 
 
 359 
 
 to take a Bcare by the tooth, as to 
 break the Kings Law, cfpecially 
 where he thrcacneth Limbe ,Life 3 
 or Libertie : And fhall I not be a- 
 fraid totrefpafle againft thy Sta 
 tutes ; the breach of which., is pu 
 nifhable with eternall death ? Is 
 there none but thee , whom we 
 may make bold with ? Shall I be 
 fo foolifh, as' to feare iicknefle, 
 povertie, and mens difpleafures : 
 And fhall I not be afraid to break 
 thy Commandementsjif men note 
 me to hit me in the teeth with pre 
 cifenefle? Shall I not be afraid to 
 provoke by finnethy wrath, who 
 art a confuming fire? What is 
 this. but with little children,tobe 
 skarred with a Bug-beare, harme- 
 lefle ; and to be dreadlefie of fire, 
 and water ? Laftly, we mnft lcoke j 
 to God in confeience, how this ai- 
 feftion is perverted in you ; con- 
 feffingtohim , that ye can feare 
 the faces of men, and things that 
 are>or fecm hurtfull to your felvcs; 
 ye can demean your felves reve- 
 Qy rent ly 
 
3 6 :> We m ift rejoyce in the Lord, 
 
 rently toward fuch as are in re-- 
 qucft among m<!n;but toward him, 
 y: find great wane. Pray ye there- 
 fore to him, to put it into your 
 hearts : hehathcovenanted,to put 
 his feare into your hearts , fo that 
 ye fhall not depart from him/ 
 
 The fifth thing is, to rejoyce in 
 God j. and co have him in your 
 hearts; for God bindeth you to 
 rejoycein him: Rejoyce in the 
 Lordalwayes ; againe, I fay> re- 
 joyce. Delight thy felfe in the 
 Lord y and he (hall give thee thy 
 hearts dehre.Let not the rich man 
 rejoyce in wealth , the ftrong man 
 in ftrength, the wife mm in wife- 
 dome* but that heknowethme, 
 laich the Lord. For what we make 
 our chiefejoyjthatis our God :for 
 the heart refleth principally in that 
 with which k is moll delighted, 
 Now what is more equalLtha that 
 we (Hoiild (blace ourfclves in him 
 with joy unfpeakable and glorious f 
 vv'io hath delivered us from death, 
 and finns-j and Satan? (who-, as 
 
 Gods 
 
but doe not as we ought. 
 
 $tfi 
 
 Gods executioner) bath power on 
 finne and death ) In him,who is a 
 Light and a Shield ; that is a Fo • at- 
 tain of all good,and defender of us 
 from all cvill ; able to maintain all 
 the good* both fpirituall and cor- 
 poralLwhich we have, and give us 
 whatfoever is wanting* But if we 
 marks our hearts 3 our joy is m ch 
 depraved^ (To* that Salomon faith 
 not without caufe, that our laugh- 
 ter is become midnefle • ) for our 
 hearts aft not cheery this way. 
 Tell them of the precious benefits 
 which are given hi Chtift ; Pardon 
 of finne; Peace (the beginning of 
 everlafting life) through the work 
 of grace; Hope) through Chrift) 
 of the heavenly Kingdome ; why ? 
 they can heare all this, an \ be fo 
 farre from leaping wkhin us ) that 
 wc can hardly difcerne them to 
 moove. Nay) if we mirke them 
 the better ,we (lull lee, that when 
 we would bold them to the re- 
 membrance of Uich things ; untill 
 they have broleenlo^fe from lis, 
 
 th- v 
 
^6^ 
 
 SolihqHies inciting tu 
 
 * 
 
 L 
 
 they arc not in their kind,and can- 
 no: be lightfome :• as if God were 
 the damper of our mirth , and not 
 the matter of our exulting, and 
 gladnedfe. 
 
 Now when ye cannot obferve 
 any rejoycing in the Lord, ye muft 
 fhame your ielves , by laying to 
 your hearts the cafe in other mat- 
 ters. Iflfeefomc Toy, orheare 
 fome jeft, I cannot containe my 
 felfe : If I heare fome good newes, 
 or meet with fome profperous 
 fuccelfe in my worldly affaires , I 
 cannot be pleafant enough: If I 
 be pafifing-my time away with my 
 friends , at their courteous invite- 
 ments, or if I be at my fports , it 
 goethon merrily; deadnefleand 
 nncomf ortablenefle , I feel them 
 not for the time.I dial have laugh- 
 ter enough at fome merry conceit, 
 or a Feather ,till I tickle againe ; 
 and fhall I notrejoyceattheGof- 
 p«l of God, or good newes from 
 Heaven, touching the falvation of 
 -my fonk? AgainAall I be cheery, \ 
 \ and/ 
 

 - 
 
 to rejojain tht Lord* 
 
 ad laugh with my friends ; and j 
 lall I be all amort , when I draw 
 eere my God ? Shall I be glad of I 
 cquaintance with man,and not be 
 Jadthat I know God inChrift,! 
 /hoisLifeeverlafting? Shall the 
 vicked rejoyce , in fcrving Sinnc, 
 nd Satan ; and fhall I be without 
 nirth> in ferving my God ? Our 
 ejoycing is earthly , little joy of 
 he Holy Ghoft dwelleth in us. 
 We are like fuch as are ficke of 
 >ight Frenzies; they will laugh at 
 their fhadowes,we at our fancies ; 
 they fee not into any point of mo- 
 [mcntjwe diftaftethat which fa vo- 
 Ircth of RighteoufnefTe > and right 
 rcalbn. As therefore againft the 
 former,lb againft this alfo>we muft 
 fight the good fight of Faith ; loo- 
 king to him that hath faid , he will 
 make our hearts glad in his houfe : 
 who hath promifed to fend his 
 Spirituntous, that our joy maybe 
 full ; praying him, that we may 
 feele this Fruit of his Kingdorac 
 take place in us ; that he would 
 
 rc&ific 
 
 3*3 
 
1 1 364 I Wc mufl fraijcGodoHr 
 
 rcciifie this affection inus^making 
 us to take comfort in chat which is 
 matter of true rejoycing. 
 
 Sixtly* Now for praifmg God, 
 and'thankfulnefle unto him> (for 
 this is the laft thing I propound 
 ded)we have this commandement; 
 In all things givethank^ye.bin e- 
 vils : (hall we receive good things 
 from the Lord,and not evil! ? The ; 
 Lord hath given > & the Lord hath 
 taken away, blefled be the Name 
 of the Lord* For (lowlbever it be, 
 yet God is good>even when he pu- 
 j nifheth ; and no wonder* Is it not 
 j fo in bodily things ? Bitter Medi* 
 j ones are as goocLin due icalbn^as 
 the delighcfullefl dainties. And 
 are not our inward and outward 
 crolTes, by Gods grace* made 
 vvholefome Phyfickerff* purge out 
 our corruptions * and to make us 
 partakers of the quiet fruit of 
 RighteoufneiTe* and true Holi-j 
 neflfe ? Yea, our hearts (liould bei 
 ib thankefully affe&edb thar(iike 
 fire ) th.y fhould brcake foorch> j 
 
fehcsiand incite others to it. ) %6 y 
 
 ml inflame others. Wherein we, 
 lave holy "David for an example : 
 Tjal.i o j.hebcgins; My foule^and 
 ill within me > praiic his holy 
 >Jame : In the next Pfaitoejhzteb 
 verfeyhc faith ; Praife ye the Lord. 
 ifftj he ftirres up himfelfe* and 
 :hen provokes others to praife the 
 Lord. As the Cocke,that firft clap- 
 Ding his wings about his owne 
 body, rowzeth up himfeife , and 
 ifter (crowing)awakeneth others. 
 Otherwife j common tearmes of 
 thankefulnefle> without afte&ioib 
 areas Court-ho!y-water> (as we 
 fay) which our God, thatlooketh 
 ■ the heart and reines > doth not 
 refpeft : thefe are good words* 
 l:hat will pay no debt with him. 
 And truely > there is good reafon 
 for this* For whether ye looke at 
 benefits paft>eaten Bread muft not 
 3'e forgotten, thankes muft frill be 
 greener And doth not your par - 
 icular deliverance ( when many 
 : all on each hand of you)binde 
 fou* daily to bee thankefull? 
 
 Or 
 
3 66 I OurTcmporalltncLSfiritHaU 
 
 : 
 
 Or whether ye looke at the things 
 ye enjoy; ye know your tempo- 
 rail blcflings; as tolerable health, 
 good name and reputation, free- 
 dome from fuit and fervicc,ability 
 rather to be helpfull than charge- 
 able, your domefticall peace, your 
 libertie,without fearcof reftraintj 
 all ofthem in their places,no fmall 
 matters. If ye confidcr fpirituall 
 bleffings ; that which ye have 
 downe in hand , is as great a work 
 of his mercy, as the glorious ettate 
 ye looke for hereafter. Is not the 
 Lords worke more admirable, in 
 the firft making and quickening 
 the Infant in the Wombe, than ir 
 feeding it there, bringing it forth 
 and nurfing it up to fiillftaturei 
 So, his begetting us again j whe 
 were dead in finne ( though yet ir 
 the Wombe of our Mother, the 
 Church)to be alive in Chrift Jefus, 
 when we are new- borne babes ir 
 him, is more then the bringing 
 of us to perfeft Manhood. Anc 
 though it feemeftrange, yet iris 
 " onel) 
 
 I 
 
blefftngsfnotivettofrtife (jod. 3 67 
 
 icly in this refpeft , bccaufe we 
 e like Infants ; who live, but yet 
 iow not that they live: fo, we 
 ivinginfmallmeafurethe Spirit, 
 hich teacheth us to know the 
 Ings beftowed upon us , know 
 « how great that grace is,which 
 •ihbeen already (hewed us* Is 
 a final! thing, when we were 
 tad in ignorance* and in Iuftof 
 |irignorance,to be quickned with 
 e life of God, in knowledge, 
 'hteoufneffe, & holinefle? When 
 s were enemies , to be made 
 ends,y ea,fonnes and daughters? 
 le Apoftle doubteth not to rea- 
 hfirom this,to everlafting life,as 
 c hfftTyRom. 5*10. God, when 
 iwere enemies, hath reconciled 
 by his death ; how much more 
 illhsfaveusjwithperfcd^ falva- 
 snoffbule and body>by his life ? 
 at is,by putting forth the power 
 "his Spirit. Now he liveth,to die 
 l> more. 
 Thefe then are great things , as 
 (quitting you from finne , and 
 
 death; 
 
3 6% J Praifp God for his iMercies 
 
 death; for Chrifb your Sureties 
 fake> he fending his Spirit iqi I 
 your hearts* and giving you pa h 
 in the firftRefurre&ion. Befidv. c 
 thefc 3 ye muft remember > wh 1 
 adverlittes he hach holpen )i% 
 in, how he hath eafed the yoal j 
 of your corruptions > which hav \ 
 had more power in yon , the 
 now they have* Yea, what evil 
 he hath put by you. Have ye q|l 
 been tempted in this orthat kint I 
 It isy becaufe God in mercy wou n 
 not lead you into tcntation. Ye 
 this is* in fome ibrt> more to I 
 acknowledged than vi&ory> wh< 
 ye were tempted : for not to I 
 .tempted, is more immediate 
 from God,- and leflfc in ma 
 power, tha to prevaile againft tei 
 rations. For nothing doth ove 
 come us> without our will ; b 
 without our will, Goddoth lea< 
 us into try all : for he knoweth , w 
 would talk title of thefe^if it wo 
 in bur power to be our owneca 
 vers. Ye muft be as thankfull fi 
 
 the 
 
beftovotdtAndprefartd. 
 
 i>fe fihnes which God hath not 
 : yc know, as for thofe he hath 
 
 doned in you> having commit- 
 k d them* 
 
 Whether doe ye thinke* ye are 
 undtopraifeGod more* ifhee 
 ftore you /when fickenefle hath 
 meuponyou;orkeepeyou fc» 
 at you feele noDifeafe? Now, 
 ye confider what things God 
 th prepared for you :> they are 
 :h as eie never faw^nor ever fully 
 itred into the heart of man* 
 Dmpare the eftatc of Princc/fr*- 
 in his Queen Mothers wombe* 
 th his condition ? at full age* in 
 
 the glory of his Fathers Court* 
 [ere is a broad difference* and it 
 lay fitly refemble the difference 
 'our prcfent and future eftate : 
 r< are borne Sonnes and Daugh- 
 •rs of God^heires apparant to the 
 'ngdomeof Heaven ; but while 
 te Church doth here travel of us* 
 2 are pent up in dark Cloyfters* 
 id annoyed with much ftenchof 
 1> both in our felves and others : 
 
 but 
 
 369 
 
37° 
 
 Whertin Thank* falnejfc 
 
 but hereafter our eftate flial be 
 together lightfome,happy, & g 
 rious : fo that we may well faj 
 God, How great is the goodn 
 that thou haft laid up for th 
 that fearethce ?How great thir 
 doeft thou worke for the fcnne: 
 men, for fuch as hope in thee ? 
 fee then,how for things paft , \ 
 fent, and thofealfo which he k£ 
 in ftore for us 9 we are bound tc j 
 thank full. Now, if ye aske wft 
 it is, wherein cur unthankfulntt 
 fiandeth ? I anfvver : firft,in he;i 
 acknowledgement of Gods goL 
 neffe to us in all things, withcii 
 fcience of our owne unworfl 
 nefle, as not worthy of the leaf J 
 all his mercies. Compare Gen\ 
 i o . and 33.5* with 1 . Chron. I 
 14* Secondly , we muft tetai 
 Gods goodnefle,that we may \% 
 rifie him before others* Com* J 
 will tell you, faith David* w| 
 the Lord hath done for my foi& 
 So, Mofes would tell his fat hefl| 
 law what God had done for thai 
 I Thin yj 
 
to Godconjtfts. 
 
 IV 
 
 lirdly, it doth make us caft a 
 >ut , what we may rcturne unto 
 od , by way of thatikefiilncfle: 
 r hat fhall I give unto the Lord, 
 r all his benefits unto me ? Laft- 
 ,it wil make us accufe our felvef , 
 we be backward in duty* Thus 
 z fee, when we receive any fpe- 
 ill kindneffe fromour friends; 
 ft, our inward afteihons do ac- 
 owledge and entertaine it glad- 
 
 ; fecondly>we tell what any one 
 th done for us ; thirdly, we will 
 tnkehowwe may requite him, 
 [ at leaft , teftifie our thankful- 
 ^fle towards him ; fourthly, we 
 be our felves (if we go on,and no 
 fken of good will be returncd)as 
 ach too blame , that we fhould 
 (rgec fo great acourtefie, as was 
 ?ewedtous. 
 
 Now then, that ye have heard 
 hat it is to be thankful, and what 
 tod reaibn we have to enforce 
 ris duty upon us,we muft lay our 
 f r ves to this rule; & we fliallfind, 
 tat we come as fhort herein,as in 
 
 the 
 
IV 
 
 rr* new* vr eny wnjcwnt 
 
 the aforenamed. Oh! wee 
 horribly unthankful!. What gc 
 bleffin^s doe wereceive* not or 
 cafting a looke unto the giver 
 them ? When we are kept in t 
 night>and our houfes from fire^a 
 breaking into; when refrefl 
 with fleepe ; when kept all day 
 our goings out>and commings j 
 when fed: Doe we heartily i 
 knowledge God in all thefe ? Ii 
 he that watehcth , or clfe in va 
 they keepe the Citie : It is he tl 
 rocketh us afleep^and draweth i 
 Curtaine ofthc night about vs; 
 giveth fleepe to his beloved : I 
 he that wardcth about us all t 
 day, keeping us in our wayes :! 
 openeth his hand^and like a gn 
 Houfe-keepen giveth us our da 
 bread. If in earthly things? vvh 
 we fee and tarte > we cannot praj 
 himjwhat taking fhal we be foul 
 imabout heavenly ? When yefol 
 your daily finnes forgiven you * I 
 Chrift; when you are kept fat 
 the finnsof your own heart J 1 1 
 
little hearts jo be thankefiill. 
 
 S7S 
 
 irrupt examples of worldly men; 
 le fpirituall wickednefles which 
 ght againft us ; when ye go in 
 uricuall peace from morning un- 
 1 night? which alone is a gift paf- 
 ng underftanding : Doe ye ac- 
 KwledgeGod, with affection to- 
 ard him , in all thefe ? It is hee 
 at fliifteth us out of the fcapesof 
 sir natural I corruptiomwaftiing us 
 i the blood of his Chrifl^from the 
 tth of our finnes ; he forgiveth us 
 rerydayourtrefpaffes: Ic is his 
 lighten which>as in a Tower* we 
 [e kept fife* againft all the ene- 
 |ies of our falvation: He is the 
 lod of Peace,the Prince of Peace 
 i Chrift > who killeth the accu- 
 ligj and fubducth the rage and 
 iiirpation of finne in us. We are 
 tuch in fault > who have received 
 pod things at Gods hands? & re- 
 layed evill, & fcarce taken notice 
 f any his kindnefles towards us f 
 lod doth carry us on the tender 
 *mes of his mercy ; but (alas ) 
 hie doe we underftand of him. 
 
 In 
 
i 5/+ 
 
 -" &• 
 
 rr,„„, M ,^j f , WV/ , 
 
 In benefits often received/>ur fj 
 rits doe not once looke up to hi 
 but as Swine take the Mafte,fo 
 we our bleffings : Or if we do a 
 thing by way of thankefulnef 
 how fluoberingly do we turne 
 ove^our afte£tios being bent ar 
 ther way,rather than to the thar 
 full pray fing of our God? We fei 
 him,ag little childrej*ferveus;w 
 when they be conqe in to us,fr< 
 their play s and having gotten foi 
 thing of us that they want f aw 
 they goe,without reverence or j 
 fpe&ofus: but if they khow \ 
 will have dutie*then they doe j 
 but in fuch a fa (Won , that we m 
 fee their hearts are on their Gar 
 abroad, more than on their dm 
 So , for fpeaking what our go 
 God hath done for us ( thankef 
 neffe wil not fmother a benefit! 
 ceived)when do we tell him, wi 
 delight of his kindnefle? Wb 
 do e we beat our braines , not h 
 fejing the temples of our head 
 take any reft,til we have given c 
 
 G 
 
to ye Lord, Checked. 
 
 God feme argument of our thar k- 
 fulnefle?AJas! we ufeour God, 
 is if it greatly mattered not how 
 be were dealt with* Now then, 
 :ake words to your felves, codem- 
 ling from your hearts this grie- 
 vous finne* Say, if a man do bid 
 ne to Supper once in a Quarter, I 
 ^hanke bim then ; when I meet 
 him next after, I thank him againe 
 for my laft being with him ; I tell 
 bim, what kind welcome, what 
 good cheere he made me : then I 
 invite him fometime againe y and 
 rhecke my felfe,if I forget it. But 
 f fbme greater mater be beflowed 
 jpon us>how exceeding kindly do 
 ?ve take it ? how do we love to tell 
 Df it : how do we yeeld our felves 
 ip to them thr.t gave it,profefling 
 |mr felves to be at their comands, 
 |o the uttermoft of onr abilitie ? 
 (iShall I thanke him who giveth me 
 k Supper in love,tell of his loving 
 pntercainment,&beafhamed if I 
 bake no neighbourly requitall? 8t 
 ~ al I not be afte&ionately thank- 
 R full 
 
% 7 6 
 
 Thefoxntc ofrnthAnkef^lneJIe 
 
 full to my God,who giveth me all 
 my dayly Bread ? yea,who feedcth 
 myfoule withHmifelfe, in Iefus 
 Ghnft,(here is my body ,& bloud) 
 chat I may live for ever? Shall I 
 not tell of the fined Wines, thofe 
 fat things jeven of my GodAroken 
 in his body&fbule with forrowes, 
 fliedding his moft precious bloud, 
 wherewith my moft unworthie 
 foule hathbeene fed* and feafted ? 
 Shall I , for fo fmall a kindneffe^ 
 thank a man a thoufand times^cd 
 tell him , 1 am his to be comman- 
 ded ; and ftiall I not furrender my 
 fclfc to my God, who hath payed 
 my debt and purchafed me a new 
 Scocke, even the hope of eternal 
 life,with his precious bloud?Shall 
 I blufh at fmall unchanfulnefle to- 
 ward man* and not be afhamed of 
 great want this way .toward God? 
 WhatPflhall I be worfe to my Godj 
 than an Oxe or an A(Te to his ow- 
 ner ? If I ihould fliew one excee- 
 ding great love>and he ftiould not 
 at all regard me,or returne me but 
 
 fome 
 
How to attawea, thanktfull heart . 
 
 feme common countenance;could 
 Iendure it ? Thus then turne your 
 felvcsunto God,and fay; I am be- 
 come worfe unto thee , than the' 
 Whelpes that feedc under my Ta- 
 ble,are unto me:they will,in their 
 kinde , fawne upon me lovingly ; 
 and if any fmite me tfry will pre- 
 fcntly flye at him* But my hard 
 heart hath no power to be thank- 
 full unto thee,and to prayfe thee 
 My zeale is not moved ,when thou 
 art blafphcmed • I can fuft'er thy 
 i reproach with dry eyes , and un- 
 ! troubled fpirit. Oh, thou who re- 
 [ auireft of me in all things to give 
 thee thankes.and haft promifed to 
 write thy Commandements in my 
 I heart, put into my heart a Law of 
 i thankefulneffe* O thouquickning 
 I Spirit,quicken my fbule this way. 
 ! Now finaily/oratTa'ning achank- 
 full heart, ye muft labour for thefe 
 three things rFirft? yemuftquic- 
 1 ken in your felvcs the conicience 
 of your own anworthincs ; for we 
 j cannot praife God to any purpofe, 
 R 2 fur- 
 
 377 
 
37* 
 
 The nxanes tcMtaine 
 
 further then we fee our felves lefle 
 than the leaft of all his mercies. 
 Even as hunger is good favvce, 
 making bitter things fvveet; (o this 
 poverty of fpirit , and conscience 
 ofourowne unworthineflc, doth 
 make every benefit amiably tafted. 
 Secondly, ye muft labour co work 
 upon your felves a fenfe of the 
 worth of thofe things ye enjoy; 
 in which, we greatly faile : which 
 maketh us ufually , that we never 
 know the price and worth of our 
 good blefTings,umil we are depri- 
 ved of them. And this negle&doth , 
 breed a double rrnfehiefejit makes 
 us enjoy things unthankfully.yea, 
 uncomfortably > ( for that which 
 through plenryfeemeth no dainty 
 cannot be fodelightfull unto us*) 
 And when they are taken away, 
 then we come to Had-I-wift; and 
 do fo much more penance;by how 
 much we bave bin morecareleffe. 
 In nv^rrljfomucha^Iefteemcof I 
 a gift beftowed,fofarre forth am I 
 thankfuhNot the having of things 
 
 but 
 
to a Than^c full heart. 
 
 but the having of them in eftima- 
 tion^breedsthankfgiving.Thirdiy, 
 ye muft labour to fee Gods good- 
 nefle to you in all thingsrthe grace 
 ofthegivennotthegiftitfelf, fo 
 much engendreth thankfulnefle j 
 thegift is the Shelljandthis is the 
 Meat,which tailed in the foule , is 
 Tweeter than life , and maketh us 
 breake out into, praifes. Labour 
 forthankFuli hearcs; God asketh 
 nothing elfe bat this 3 as a Rene for 
 | all his bleflings beftowed upon us: 
 I will deliver thee> and thou {halt 
 IpraifemyName. We will not let 
 jgoLcafestomen, for not paying 
 of Rent : neither let us give God 
 caufe to enter and ftrain upon us, 
 & all that we have/or not magni- 
 fying and praifing him. Thus if 
 Godhelpe you ro ftirre up your 
 hearts, (for our affe cftionsjin going 
 this way, are like dull A(les,which 
 go no longer than they are bea- 
 ten; ) if, I fayjic give you grace to 
 ftirupyonr hearts to repentance, 
 & to lurrender your fouls to him, 
 R ? by 
 
 \ 
 
3 8 o | The benefit of Repentance* 
 
 by eying him, t rutting on him, lo- 
 ving himrfejoycing in him>fo ma- 
 king him your feare^prayfing him 
 by (piric, word; and worke; then 
 happieftiallyeberifnew plagues 
 breake forth , ye (hall have your 
 comfort in the hottelt* And if ye 
 labour to fee how far re your hearts 
 are out of frame , in regard of 
 knowledge truft, love>feare r joy> 
 thankfulnefll\and in regard of im- 
 penitent hardnss and impudencie 
 which is in them,(for they cannot 
 blufii for that w hichGod knoweth 
 by them,d)Ough our cares will tin- i 
 gle and glow on our heads, if any : 
 m.'.n know ought reproachfull by ! 
 us; ) if ye labour to finde this out, 
 and then in the fight of your mife- 
 ry look to Gods promife^who hath 
 covenated to give you a new heart , 
 a tender, heart, in which his Com- 
 mandments fhalbe written by the 
 finger of his fpirit;then ye fhall fee 
 that this courfe will let you be nei- 
 ther idle nor unprofitable; yea>it 
 fhall bring you to grow unto per- j 
 
 fe&ion. ' 
 
and new obedience. 
 
 357 
 
 fe<SHon. For as the young body, ( 
 which from wholforoe emptinefle, 
 hath frefh appetite to new fuftc- 
 nance*taketh^ugmentation more 
 and more;ib the foule,which from 
 obferving the heartlefocfle of it 
 felfc , vvaxeth dayly poore in its 
 owne eyes,hungring and thirfting 
 after righteoufnes,receiveth dayl/ 
 fpirituall encreafe from GodAVife 
 men will take the fowre with the 
 Aveeteand nothing in the World 
 is gotten* without paines-taking. 
 Therefore* it* it feeme to have any 
 bitternefle,or to require labour,ye 
 muft not be difmayed* I promife 
 yoa,it is but(fome little) brackifh 
 in the top ; the deeper ye goe, yc 
 fhallfindeitthe fweetcr. Make a 
 vertueof neceflitie. If yewill en- 
 ter into life * this one thingis ne- 
 ceflarie>£*/% 10.42. But there is 
 none that awaketh himfelfe* to lay 
 hold on God. The Lord give you 
 underftanding in all things, 
 
 R 4 Ano- 
 
?82 
 
 jiffltttion bcneficiall 
 
 Another Letter, written by 
 LMafter PaulBayne. 
 
 MYChriftian friend, if i had 
 fooner knowne of yourhea- 
 vinefle,! would before this have 
 written unto you*. For the more 
 arguments we have of love, borne 
 us by Gods children, the more te- 
 ftimonies we have of his favour 
 towards us. It pleafed God > in 
 December laft, to char ge his hand 
 toward you, and to touch you in 
 your wife, whom now he hath a- 
 gaine vifoed , and I hope to both 
 your comforts* Truely our God: 
 (through Jelns Chrift ) is fo mer- 
 cifull>that all things are fan&ified 
 by him unto our good : all affli&i- 
 ons 3 though for the prefent not joy- 
 ous, yet they bring us afterward 
 the quier fruit of righteoufneffe. 
 Thefe evils which here ever and 
 anon are prefent with us, they are 
 fitly compared to wayward and 
 touchy-guefts : which, while they « 
 ftay,watch every officer; but when I 
 
 . theyj 
 
 / 
 
to the SohUj andhoiv. 
 
 they depart 3 they pay freely. So it 
 is with thefe: they oftentimes dif- 
 quiet the frameof the whole foul; 
 but when they go away,they leave 
 'cncrcafeefgrace,of faith, of pati- 
 ! ence^of experience; that the fbule 
 faith^Welljit is good 1 knew thefe 
 things* But the prefent working 
 | offorrows feemeth often farreo- 
 i therwife.-for in ftcad of encreafing 
 in faith, onr faith feemeth to bee 
 fliaken and weakned , rather than 
 otherwife ; and in ftead of bree- 
 ding patience and hoIineflTe 5 onr 
 foules do difcover more impati- 
 ence, rebellion , and more unholi- 
 nefle every way. Now the foule 
 thinketh,when thus it is (haken in 
 beliefe; How doe thefe Croffe* 
 confirme -faith ? and when fuch 
 evilljdwelinginus , doth breake 
 ouc,how(faith the tbule to it felfe) 
 doaffli&ions beget the quiet fruit 
 of righteoufnes?I will anlwer you 
 thefe quettions familiarly: When 
 Faith is fhaken by evils befalling 
 us,you aske how it is confirmed? I 
 R j anlwer 
 
 T 
 
I 384 Temptations Strengthen Faith > 
 
 anfwer you by a double compari 
 fon:When a Linke burnech dim>to 
 helpe the light^we knocke it;being 
 beaten to any thmg> it fecmeth al- 
 moft to goe forth ; yet this beating 
 it, doth caufe it ca(t light far more 
 cleerely* 
 
 Againe > how doth the fhaktng 
 of a tree by ftormy blafts>fettle the 
 root and the tree more firmely, 
 though for a while it threaten the 
 downefall ■? Conceive of thefe> and 
 you may underftand > how faith 
 though it feeme to be calt downe, 
 yettryedbytcntations > itcometh 
 to be firengthened- Now then if 
 you aske,hovv they bring forth cn- 
 creafe of righteoufnefie>ieeing you 
 fee more unrighteoufneffe breake 
 from you by occafion ofthem>then 
 you have obferved in your felfe 
 heretofore : ConGdee that when 
 a veflcllof any liquor > hath mud 
 an J dregs fettled in thebottome; 
 it muft be ftirred 5 that which fee- 
 medpur'e* muft be mademuddie. 
 before ic can be clcanfed : even Co 
 
 -_ hisj 
 
 ~~ ~ " ~ f 
 
and incretfe righteoufnejfe* j 385 
 
 his troubling of us y veffelfull of 
 uncleanneffe > is the way wherby 
 God doth clcanfe u s. Now if God 
 ; he fo tenderly prefentbyus* ask 
 j pleafcd him ere-while to be, it 
 ' falleth fo out* that much sold* ma- 
 ny precious graces are difcerned* 
 which we before could not difco- 
 ver.-and thefe are fuch fweet fowrs* 
 fo pleafantly tempered > that the j 
 greif is not fo bitter* as the work- | 
 ing of grace in us is delightfull. 
 But what way foever,calamity doth 
 not fo hurt us>as fcarre us ; us who 
 are loved of God and called home 
 according to his purpofe* Thus 
 wifliing your peace^and hoping 
 that all (hall turne togoodj 
 thegoodofyouboth^I 
 ceafe to trouble 
 you. 
 
 FINIS 
 
COMFORT 
 
 AND 
 
 INSTRUCTION 
 
 in Affliction. 
 
 A 
 
 Letter full of Divine 
 Comforts ^ and inftru&ions 
 
 unto all, in the time of iicknes, . 
 or any other chaftifements 
 of the Lord* 
 
 Written by Mr. Pay l 
 
 Bayne. 
 
 PSAL.94. 12; I J. 
 
 Blejfedis the man whom thou chaftifeft* 
 OLordi and teacheft him out of thy 
 Law 3 that thou may ft give him reft 
 from the dajes ofadverfoie. 
 LONDON. 
 
 Printed for N. Enderfy and are 
 
 to be fold at his Shop in Popes* 
 
 Head- Alley, at the figac 
 
 '©fthefUrre* 
 
 I 1**7. 
 
■IP 
 
>89 
 
 DOMFORT 
 
 AND 
 
 NSTRVCTION 
 
 in afflidion. 
 
 Oving Sifter, I can- 
 not but write you 
 a word in the love 
 I bcare you* hear- 
 ing that your 
 health dothftand 
 ore weakely with you > then here- 
 fore. I wiih your bodily frailty 
 ight be an occafionto your foule, 
 Returning into it felf, and draw- 
 g moreneerto God inChrift Ie- 
 s.Even as childre love to be play- 
 g abroad, till night approaching 
 *h caufe them return : fo we love 
 >cto dwell at home with God* 
 
 and 
 
590 \joas cbudren better eaoy ajptttoi 
 
 and our own conferences ingodl 
 devotion & meditation this way 
 but to be abroad in fuch courfer 
 as are mod pleafing to our corrup 
 nattircs, till the night of affii&ioi 
 commeth ; in which>unabIeto de 
 light our felves as before > w 
 turnebacke into our owne foules 
 ani come home to ou; heavenlj 
 Father. I wifh you thi* fruit o 
 > our infirmities the rathe^becaufc' 
 not the having of fickneffe , bu 
 profiting by it,is a certaine mark 
 that you are one whom God hatf 
 cifledi according to his heaven!) 
 pmpofeoflife ever lifting :for al. 
 things work to their good onely. 
 vyhojrcthns called of God, and 
 love him,Rom 8. And if you re- 
 ceive corred^ion, lb as to have the 
 qmei fnnc of righteoafnefle by 
 mcanes of it, then you are chil- 
 dren,nothafbrd$; that looke as 
 good metail is difecrned from 
 drofle* not by being in the fire 
 onely^biKby waxing more bright 
 andrefinedbymeanesofit;foare 
 
 Gods! 
 
 
fmv we may profit under Gods hand* ) 39 1 
 
 rods Children defcried fromo- 
 lers, not by being in calamine* 
 thich is common to all, but by 
 rowing thereby more purged 
 •om their corruption , and more 
 lining in the light of grace,to the 
 lory of cheir Father which is in 
 eaven. Wherefore feeing it doth 
 ) much concern you, to find fome 
 >irituall fruits of your vifitatiom 
 wiilac this time teach you* how 
 ou may come to profit by this 
 and of God,which hath followed 
 ,ou of late with more then ordina- 
 / wcakneffe of body. 
 1 Firft,you mtsft labour to appre- 
 hend God, as a Father corre&ing 
 If you by thefe infirmities. 
 Secondly you muft labor to find 
 jt the caufe why , and to what 
 jrpofe God doth follow you in 
 ichkind* And thirdly, you muft 
 eke to him, that he would teach 
 bu to profit, and lead you by his 
 ^race to al that which is pleafing 
 pfore him. Many account o f fick- 
 bs,as a thing which commeth by 
 courfe, a 
 
 h ~ 
 
39* 
 
 In infirmities tvetHftfl 
 
 a tbing(which may well be lookedi 
 for in your yeers) which will wearej 
 away by the grace of God ; onely; 
 as it had a time to grow in > fo id 
 muft have a time to goe in alfoa 
 vamfhing away in fuch thoughtsJ 
 never ©bferving the correcting! 
 hind of their God > in the thing 
 which is upon them. The world as*- 
 it doth not know God in all that; 
 good he doth them,when he fillecb 
 their hearts with joy and gladnes^ 
 being worfe then the oxe and aflq 
 who know their Matters Crib ; fbi 
 againe. beingdiunkenwichignO' 
 ranee, andlufts ofignorance^theij 
 kno,v not who ftrikeththem,whef 
 the punidiing hand of God dot 
 follow them: whereas every child 
 dcth know when it receiveth cor 
 reclion from the earthly Parent 
 yea, the wilds Colt doth knov 
 when, the Dam doih ftrike 
 Wherefore (before a'l things) la 
 bour to fee God^your Fathers han 
 in ill things. Should we beatoi 
 childrenund they (hould fcem n< 
 
 v< 
 
 T 
 
 3 
 
apprehend Cjods htnd. 
 
 r fo much as to heed our ftriking 
 theirs would we not judge their 
 ite forlorne?Againejthis maketh 
 returne repentantly , when we 
 •our beavenlyJatfcercalling us 
 his core e£tion; this maketh us 
 indeavour co be humbled under 
 ids hand when we thinke how 
 :>d our Father is offended with 
 . Finally* this maketh us to con- 
 ive hope* that our vifitation (hall 
 for our good ; the Parents hand 
 rteth not Children. 
 Now for your clearer infpe<5H- 
 hercinto , and for your greater 
 mfort, I will infift fomewhat 
 htly upon that in Daniel , Dan* 
 ij3>34>^. vv here the Prophet 
 iving opened the impieties and 
 rfecutions of that wicked Antio- 
 *f,as likewife what was the ftate 
 ►l:he lew wirhontjwho had not the 
 Hwer of godlines>in the verfebe- 
 *e)doth7n thufe three lay downe 
 fe t ftate of the gpdly,while thefe 
 Iry tryalsindurcd.And 5. hings 
 jr there fet downe : Firft , he de- 
 fcribeth 
 
 393 
 
I" 
 
 3 94 I It is a good mans property 
 
 . 
 
 fcr.beth thofe that were godly. 
 wife, and found-hearted intheiG 
 p:of^(T:on>from thiSi that they did 
 labourxo bring others tofellow- 
 fhip.in the 1 me grace with thent : 
 through inftru&ion , and meaner 
 of that nature.Secondly>he iettert 
 dovncthe variety of evils whicl 
 fliould befall them^rcand fvvord 
 Thirdly.thc cold comfort and flen 
 derheipes which they were like 
 to find.Fourthly,the end of&ll,viz 
 the purging out of all cheir cor 
 ruptions, both of flefh and fpirit 
 Fifthly,the durance of their fuffc* 
 ring,namely,till Gods appoints 
 feafon were expired. From thi 
 (chat the godly-wife are defenbe 
 from hence, thar they inftruiic 
 thers ) obferve firft by the way 
 that a good mans property is , i: 
 will labour to make others go0( 
 he cajwot goc to heaven aIone,a 
 God catcheth him, fo he will pu 
 his neighbour after with him,; 
 'Philip did N&thincel > Ioh.1.4 
 according to that commandmen 
 
 Teac 
 
to edifi others. 
 
 each and cdifieonc another, i, 
 Ti. j.evenasafweetfmelltillerh 
 hefeniesof fuch as are neere it, 
 3 grace afte&eth thofe char con- 
 erf e with it. Now to p*«fwade 
 s to the pra&ice of this, we have 
 lany reaibns^firfty^ods glory.for 
 le glory of a King , faith Salomon 
 andcth in the multitude of his 
 ibje&s ; therefore, when we la- 
 ?ur to increafe the number of the 
 iithfull,we do gain no fmall glo- 
 fto God; as who then increafe 
 K Subje&s^nd enlargehis kin^ 
 ;>me. Secondly, the good of the 
 irty admonifhed ; for as Saint 
 imes faith often, bythismeanes 
 Soule is laved: which is more to 
 m that is converted, then if we 
 it him the pofTeflion of the 
 hole World. Thirdly , for our 
 1 ves,it doth many wayes benefit 
 ; thus to worke upon others ; 
 r , firft. without us , we hence 
 inne our fclves great love in the 
 !artsofotbers.This made Naomi 
 imerefled in the heart of Ruth. 
 This 
 
 391 
 
396 
 
 The g9od mttft htlpc to 
 
 This made Taul fo affe&ed to t W 
 
 Galauans* that they would havij 
 
 given him their eyes ; whereas I 
 
 thisbe wancing>no eie is fufticiet 
 
 and the negled of this , is that 
 
 which often maketh men meet 1 
 
 with fuch trickes and turnes iij 
 
 their deareftfriends^as aregrievroe j 
 
 unto them. Againe* while we do! 
 
 deale with others this way>we in 
 
 creafe our own grace; for it is wit 
 
 | that as our other ftockc>the bette 
 
 it be husbanded* andtheoftner 
 
 I be turned , fo much the more it J 
 
 increafed. Thirdly, in Heaven * 
 
 fhall have fo much more ample n 
 
 ward by how much more we ha* 
 
 beenein this kind more fruit fu 
 
 7)an.i *♦ 5 . This is firft f to rebii 
 
 the vaine complaints of men^ wi 
 
 will cry out^O what an evill woi 
 
 it is ! Whom may a man truft n< 
 
 adaycsPBut yet never goc about 
 
 reclaime a man from any evill w* 
 
 What doeft thou compaine of 
 
 evil worldPlt is the worfe for th< 
 
 When doeft thou admonift an I 
 
 m 
 
make others goodfV^es of it. 
 
 ay j one may be in thy company 
 the yeer, and fcarce hear a good 
 Drd> which tendeth to make fin 
 rcfull,and vertue precious m the 
 counts of others* What tolly is 
 isy to begone that, which thou 
 lit not ttir thy littfe finger to re- 
 efle ? As if a husbandman fhould 
 mplaine^O hereis nothing in my 
 ound>but bryers and nectles^and 
 her weeds! but ftiould never ma- 
 ire it>fow it drcfle it, &c. Every 
 le would condemne it as folly in 
 nbfo it is with us. Sccondly,this 
 puketh fuch as will not be admo- 
 (hedrcome and talke with them, 
 rping upon this ftring, and they 
 ill fay >Wbat have you to do with 
 5 ? looke zo yrui fclfe> > ou fhali 
 fa et for your felfe > and not for 
 : :but we muft have to doe with 
 pxi) and one with another: did 
 |:fee their beaft ready to mifcar- 
 y. under a burden* we are bound 
 fheip it>and they would not mif- 
 ( eit ; much more are we bound 
 \helpone another underthe bur- 
 
 i *» 
 
393 ; Gods beft fervants, tnofl malted. 
 
 den of fin •Secondly, hcrewefee, 
 that thebeft fervice receivcth from 
 the world oftStimes the worft wa- 
 ges. Thefe that made others turne 
 from their evill wayes, and them* 
 felves walked in all godly innocert 
 cy; thefe arc the Butts(as it were] 
 at which the malicious worla 
 chiefely ftiootcthrthus it was wirt 
 Chrift , and the Prophets : whict 
 of them in mannerwere not cruel 
 ly butchered ?The reafo is,firft,b«j 
 caufefuchfruitfullChriftians, th 
 Divell feeleth his head fo trod on 
 by them , that he cannot induri 
 tnem : but will catch chemby thi 
 heele , and mifchiefc them, as k\ 
 as he is able.Let men florifh wit 
 humane wifedome carry then 
 felves for humane moralldifcour 
 and complement 9 incomparabk 
 he ftirreth not at this, for all th 
 while he is but played with, 
 foule is recovered out of his pov 
 er, he is notdifturbed.Agvine, 
 thenaliceof the divell isagair 
 them chiefely, fo the envie of ti 
 
 worl 
 
 4 
 I 
 
fts to be made *f others affli&ions. 
 
 oild $ who cannot but hate fixch 
 
 hofc workes arc better than 
 
 leirowne. Theufeofthisis,that 
 
 e judge not of men according co 
 
 leir afflictions. Oh when wee 
 
 rare one is in troub!e,thcn we (ay 
 
 irely he might have handled the 
 
 attcr with more difcretion $ had 
 
 ? beene wiftr, he might have fa- 
 
 ?d all this trouble. Do we not fire 
 
 :re, that the wifeft that were fa- 
 
 icrs begetting others to wifc- 
 
 )me, this is their portion ? Chrift 
 
 id the Apoftles might thus bee 
 
 Kidemned as fooliflh ; nay, fuch 
 
 jhofc fins doe cafi them into their 
 
 bubles , fuch are foolifh ; but 
 
 hen affli&ions come for a good 
 
 nfeience, then it is quite other- 
 
 ifc. Secondly ,we muft fit downe, 
 
 d caft our accounts befcre hand, 
 
 it we will not bee difcouraged, 
 
 * that meafure wee meet with 
 
 \m the World ^ but comfort our 
 
 (ires in this, that God will judge 
 
 not according to that (ucccfle 
 
 have hadjbut according to that 
 
 S we 
 
 
4po 
 
 The Afftttions §j the godly mufi 
 
 we have done, bee it good or cvilK 
 Thirdly, from this, that tbefe god- 
 ly wife fuffcr in body,as by fire and 
 (word; ingoo<3s,asbyfpoiling;to 
 liberty, as being banifhed and led 
 captive,and that many daies;I pray 
 yon obfcrve,that the Saints of God 
 often fuffer ftrong,many, and long 
 affliftions. Thus Ifraels pofterity 
 endured triall 4oo.yeers. Thus the 
 elder people of God were all led 
 captive (even tyyeeresjfor we need 
 great ones, that our corruption! \ 
 may be fubdued within us. For,as 
 the uotamednefle of fome Colt is 
 fuch,that unleffc he were fore rid- 
 dcn,he would never Be broken, fo 
 is it with our rebellious naturc.Se- 
 condly,little things donotexercifc 
 our faith, & raakeus tofcekc God: 
 for as none for a little head-ach,or 
 for the ranch of a pin, will fecke tc 
 the bodily Pbyfician or Surgeon;fc 
 is it with the fou!e,whik u is trou* 
 bled with like grievances ipiricu- 
 all.. Thirdly, they nmftbee gre; 
 to make place for mercy aboun< 
 
 dan 
 
be grtAte^ divers, and long. 
 
 mm* I ■ ■ » I fc -»— 
 
 dant fromGod co us,and plentifull 
 :hankefgiving from us to God. If 
 :>ne heale a trifling matter, ic nci- 
 :her fo biodcth the Patient, nor 
 rommendeththePhyfician: but if 
 jne heale us of (ome deadly incura- 
 ble thihg,© we fay then,we could 
 lever have met with fuch a Phyfi- 
 rian; not the like in the world a- 
 ;aine!Secondly 3 theyniuftbe many 
 md divers, armies of men^ as lob 
 peaketk 5 becaufe our corruption s 
 ire of divers kinds : and bfcaufe a- 
 jaineasthe body, if it rake one 
 jhing ftill, ic commech to bee lb 
 Inuch leflemoved,by how much it 
 j more familiar; lb icis withcu: 
 >ules,that oneuniforme evil dorh 
 y little & little, through cuftome 
 ccome lefle effe&uall. It faring 
 Wthaman,aswith a horfe ; who 
 ill fpurred in one place , com- 
 kth not tofeelctbefpurre, nor 
 rtend his pace when hee is pric- 
 ?d. As they rouft bee ftrong and 
 i vers, fo they muft bse Iongalfo • 
 ;:cau(c our evils which have 
 S 2 been 
 
 *-* : — - 
 
402 
 
 *tbc tfflitfioru eftbt godly 
 
 bcene long growing upon us, will 
 *not goe away haftily; as ftaines 
 which arelongfetled in adoth,re- 
 quire much fcowring. Now when 
 wee daily fpoc our (elves with fin, 
 we lee it fettle in; and doe not waih 
 our felves by renewing faith and 
 repentance : and 4b make way for 
 the heavier hand of God, when he 
 fhallvifit. Butitmaybeobje&ed, 
 Paul faith, our affli&i :>ns are light 
 and momentany. Aufwer : Not, 
 that abfolutely they are fo, but in 
 comparifon of eternity; Secondly, 
 lighten regard of that which grace 
 maketh them,when (in is repented 
 of,, and Gods favour not hidden • 
 from us. This madeT^/thathcj 
 could not fUcpe for joy, but fang j 
 at mid-night when hce was impri- 1 
 foned and fore handled. This made J! 
 Pe^r,though he was to be brought 
 forth the day after to death, he ne- " 
 ver flcpt better in his life : this wil) 
 make us cut-looke death-, and ai 11° 
 evillsjwhen we have received from { 
 G^d the grace of repentance and ; 
 
 for- 
 
are mary, yet light *tfo. 
 
 forgivenefle of fins^when the light 
 of his countenance is towards us 
 in his beloved For as a plaifter 
 which upon a (ore fltfh caufeth 
 much fmart, upon found flefh ftir- 
 rcch no paine : fo troubles lighiing 
 upon a foulc healed thus, as is a- 
 bovc-faid, are nothr g fo grievous. 
 This muft make us provide our 
 felve? 5 and ar me our hearts with the 
 comfort of the Scriptures, agaiaft 
 we (hall be tried, not being acall 
 difmued at them when they befall 
 us. If wee make account of cold 
 weather entring, then wee will be 
 appointed,& get double clothing ; 
 wee muft be as wife for our foules, 
 as bodies.Secondly,we muft cry to 
 
 \ God, that he would fay to our (pi- 
 
 I rits by his Spirit, that our fins are 
 forgiven; that isj am he that jufti- 
 
 I fieth thee,who can lay any thing to 
 thy charge? and we muft give all 
 diligence to make our calling and 
 elc&ion fure, feeing that inxhele 
 things ftandcth our fweete peace 
 
 | and comfort, when all the world 
 I S 3 be. 
 
 *i 
 
404 i Gods Cbitdnnforftkenef friends 
 
 (hew us no com- 
 
 befides can 
 forr. 
 
 Fourthly, that they have (o 
 (mall helpe, and muchdiflimulati- 
 ori iifcd cowards them • obterve 
 hence, that whea God will try us, 
 men ufii^lly leave us; fo Paul faith 
 in the fecond of Timothy % that all 
 had forfaken him, the firft time of 
 his appearing. Thus when Chrift 
 was ffn ittcn and attached,the Apo- 
 files fhrunke away from him • ac- 
 cording to that, when the Paftor 
 wasfmicten, the (hecpe were fcat- 
 tered.For of thofc that make &cw 
 to be friend s,many are hypocrite*; 
 and therefore they will like fwal- 
 lowes take the Summer-fliine with 
 us, but bid us adieu when winter 
 bloweth. Secondly, many that are 
 found J yec are weake in love ; and 
 therefore not able to beare in 
 |fufferings. Thirdly, many want 
 courage, and therefore fay, I can 
 doe him no good,, I (hall be look- 
 ed into; as good one beare it as 
 moe, when we cannot be eafed : (b 
 ^ ■ thy 
 
in Affticii m : The nfes thereof* J 40 5 
 
 that their diftreffrd brethren may 
 fiake or fwim, while they confult 
 with fuch flifhly reafon.The ufe is, 
 that we would all learne hence not 
 to truft in men, but in the living 
 God ; and to acquaint our (elves 
 with him,in whom there is no fha- 
 dow of change. 
 
 Secondly, wee muftnotbedit 
 maied , if many fluinke from us 
 when they come to the wetting 5 
 (omc of Gods children fuffering 
 inthiskinde, take it to heart and 
 (ay : Oh, if others had done thus 
 and thus, I could haue borne k ; 
 but it goeth to my hearr, to fee 
 fuch ferve me this part ! Why,this 
 is no great newes; doe not the 
 Saints here; did not Chrift J)avid, 
 lob, at his wives hand indure the 
 fame? 
 
 Fifthly, that thefe worthy 
 Saints have fuch ftrong, many and 
 long sffliSions for the purging of 
 them; Obferve hence, that there 
 arc none fo pure, but need fining, 
 j winnowing, and waftiing: even 
 d Sj. ss 
 
4c6 
 
 All troubles werkt together fo 
 
 'or 
 
 as droffe is with filver, offall and 
 care wich corne, foylc with cloth : 
 fbis corruption with our nature, 
 it will never quite bee taken forth, 
 till this body of finne be diflblved; 
 and God will have fuch remain* 
 dcrs that we may be trained in hu* 
 militybythem- They are like the 
 Swans blacke feete, in the whiteft 
 Cbriftian.Secondly,that we wc^ke 
 ones may not be difinayedatthat 
 wefiad, when the beft havctheir 
 remnants of corruption. 
 Sixthly,that God doth give them 
 to fuch crofleSjonly to purge them 
 &c. Note hence, that all troubles 
 are for the benefic of us, who are 
 the Lords,fl r ^.i2.io.For our pro- 
 fit he chaftifeth us; and chat they 
 may worketo chi$J*heedoth tend 
 them by meafure fuch, as may help 
 us, no* oyerwhelme us, J/i.27.8. 
 He doth ftill fit us in our affl ftions 
 for our good, not proportion our 
 evils toourdeferving. Sccond*y,as 
 hedorh fend them inmeafare, fa 
 with his bleffing; which rurnethl 
 
good to Gods children. 
 
 all things that they work together 
 to our good. True It is, that a 
 while there is nofuch thing appa- 
 rent; but in the end when we fee 
 whatGod will u(e thenvall to,theo 
 we rtiallfee that all fuch confpirc 
 to our great profit. la buildings 
 great while there isnocomtlines, 
 but at length when every thing is 
 ficced to the right place^ thereis a 
 goodly correspondence in the 
 whole ;that is 9 a well proportioned 
 anfwering of one part to another : 
 (ointheframeof our foules. And 
 hence we fee,, how wide the wic- 
 ked are in their reckoning, O they 
 think they havefped us, they have 
 prevailed ; when indeed they have 
 done good offices to us : for God 
 makcth them of the Scullery to 
 fco wrc us, Launderers to wafh u$ 3 
 ia the worft things h*e fufifcreth 
 them, or wicked Ipirits over them, 
 to doe unto us. Secondly,feeing all 
 our fuflfcrings are from God, wee 
 rouft look for profit by e^ery trou- 
 ble; anlefle we will make God not 
 S 5 true, 
 
 407 
 
L_ 4 — 
 
 The timt of our Afflittion is in 
 
 true, or our telves not his chii- 
 . dren , truely godly , and loving 
 him : and therefore they arc much 
 to be blamed, that through weak- 
 nefle will Jay, they cannot thinke 
 that ever fucha thing fhall doe 
 them any good; for what cannot 
 he make for our gocd, thar calleth 
 light out of darkneffe , if we will 
 give glory to his Word by refting 
 upon it ? 
 
 Seventhly, that all thefc tribu- 
 lations are to hft but till the ap- 
 pointed time : We obferve hence, 
 that our times of exercife they are 
 onely in the handsof God; even 
 as the Phyfician onely* rouft pre- 
 fcribe how long the courfe of 
 the phyficke or diet drinkesmnft 
 bee continued; fo muft our God 
 J fct the time, for which thefe trou- 
 I blcs (which arethe foules pargati- 
 ! ons) muft be taken,: Wicked men 
 | cannot fet the time^for they would 
 ; never make an end ; nor yet our 
 \ ■fcIves , ;for we would fip but lightly 
 | of f w bitter cups 5 jihls is the Lords 
 
 P pre- 
 — --— — — tr 
 
Gods band: The nfes thereof, j 409 
 
 prerogative royall, toappoiat the 
 ftafons and termes, wherein affli- 
 ctions (hall be continued. Theufe 
 of it is, that wee take heed of pro- 
 voking him, who hath power to 
 hold usunder evils while he pleafe 
 Secondly, wee mud flie to him in 
 prayer, that he would be pleafed 
 to incline mercy towards us, and 
 make haft.Third!y,we muft know 
 that all our continuance in affliiU- 
 onsis full of mercy ,truth and wife- 
 &om$, c \?*Ixcob ftioald have held 
 Tofepbm prifoo, would hee have 
 ht Id him too long > no, no ; much 
 le(Tehc(wboismore merciful than 
 any father, and piuifull than any 
 mother) will hold us overlong: but 
 ordering all his corrections by his 
 I Fatherly providence; will in bis 
 ;. good time make them worke alto- 
 1 gether for good, and not for evill 
 unto us. 
 
 In the fecond place,labour to 
 
 I findc out what finne it is, wbfch 
 
 ofFendcth God. Sinnefull men 
 
 caufe; the 
 
 ftrikc not without a 
 
 h(\ 
 
 J 
 

 tsffflfflions fbould make us 
 
 juft God, when he corre&etb,hath 
 ever juft reafjn : our conferences 
 are like looking- glafles, which be- 
 ing over-fpread with duft^do ihew 
 nothing • but if they bee wiped 
 c!eane ; thcn little things appeare in 
 them clearsly. Wherefore enter 
 into your foul e,confider what ftate 
 you ftand in before God - whether 
 you have that faith toward his 
 grace which doth purifie the heart 
 whether yoii have fb learned 
 Ghrift, that his vertuehath made 
 you put off the old man, that is, 
 deny thofe earthly lufts,wbich doe 
 Jeadc natural! men (as it were) by 
 thenofe ; and live godly, righce- 
 oufly, and with Chriftian fobriety, 
 inufe of thofe liberties which in 
 ehemfelves are lawful!. Many 
 thinkr, that if they knowthe truth 
 and are in jadgment againft Pope- 
 ry; if they like of the prefent Reli- 
 gion , prefenting their bodies on 
 theSabbat%uthepublifcewor(hip 
 I especially, if they have a prayer 
 ! read in thehoiiiC,and fo a forme of 
 
 private ' 
 
ftarcb into 0Hrfpirit*dUejl*te. 
 
 411 
 
 private fervice, theythinkeitise- 
 nougfythough cheynever received 
 that grace from Chrift, which 
 fhouldf fcafon their nature with a 
 divine qualitie, even as the leaven 
 donhtte lump: of dough • andftir 
 upflrifein them againft their own 
 corruption,, -which hindrcth them, 
 that they cannot doe any duty to 
 God,fo as they defiretodo.Wher, 
 as all true Chriftians are Chrift s 
 fouldiers, & find their lives a war- 
 fareythe Spirit of Chriftin them 
 ftriving againft their corrupt na- 
 iure,and their corrupt nature lull- 
 ing againft the grace whichChrifts 
 (Spirit hath wrought in them, fo 
 that they cannot doe the things 
 Ithey would doe. Wherefore look 
 [to this(deare Sifter;) ourbeft free- 
 hold , our fcope of Heaven doth 
 [Hand upon it. Wee muft not thinfce 
 I as many do,w« have not lived thus 
 I long, to call it now in queftion in 
 ^what ftate wee ftand: {uch like 
 jthoughrsthe devil fuggefteth,tbat 
 imen through hardnes of he*rt,and 
 
 blind' 
 
412 
 
 Wet mufi examine eurfeFuts^ f$r 
 
 blind preemption, might fail into 
 cvill. If you find that you ftand in 
 the faving grace of Cbrift,then you 
 muftexamine your felfe, whether 
 you have not provoked God , by 
 negligent and carnall performance 
 of Spirituall duty : as good fluffs 
 may be marred in the making, fo, 
 the beftduties,ifour hearts be not 
 brought into Gods fight,and reve- 
 rently prepared in them, they are 
 marred, being in fiich manner per- 
 formed : yea, they difpleafe God. 
 Curled are fuch who do his work 
 negligently ; who draw necre him 
 with chcir hearts being farre off 
 from him nxiany were ficke, many 
 (mitten with death for receiving 
 the Communion without reve- 
 rence , faith, and repentance, d 
 for.u, Examine your fclfe, whe- 
 ther you have kz your heart to 
 love the Lord Jefus, whom you 
 bcleeve to have fhedde his bloud 
 for you; wee fay. Love de-| 
 fcends, ft doth not afcend. pa-l 
 rents tenderly love Children, but 
 Children' 
 
what jinne God affiifts w. 
 
 Children love not Parents in 
 that degree^Itismofttrue, twixc 
 lis and oar heavenly Father, to 
 whom our hearts beare too too 
 :old love,ifthe beft of them be ex- 
 amined. Yon had more neede to 
 looke to this, it is (b popular a di£ 
 ?a(e,Finaily 3 confidei whether yon 
 have not ufedthe lawfull things of 
 this life incemperately ; whether 
 you have not negle&cd time, 
 which is fo precious- whether you 
 have not bcene carelcffe to fee that 
 chofe who are under your go- 
 vernment, fhouldferveand feare 
 jrhe Lord. Confider, I fay , fuch 
 ike things, that you may find 
 p?hat ic is God would have you 
 imend. Even as a medicine doth j 
 Sirre up naturall hea'e to fight 
 with the ficke humour, which is 
 o bee expelled by ic • (b the me- 
 ticinable forrowes that GOD 
 Joth icinifter to his Children, 
 rloe ftirre up grace, to drive forth 
 "uch corruptions fpiricuall,as God 
 ould have removed by them. 
 
 In 
 
 4*3 
 
414 
 
 IVt nmfigoc to God to teach 
 
 In die third place, fielding what 
 hath been amiffe, you muft know, 
 that you cannot redrcfle it, we can- 
 not thinke a good thought; we can 
 (like children taken in faults) pro- 
 mise to do no raore,and be in them 
 prefently againe. Seeing then ic i* 
 not in our fttength,to take fruit by 
 our crofles/urther than Godf who 
 giyeth will and deed) doth workc 
 itiflU'jwemuftcometohitn, and 
 pray him to make us profit. Hee 
 who will have finifull men joyne 
 inftruftion with correftion ; yea, 
 who putteth into men this regard 
 ofdumbcrcatures, that he will not 
 ftrikea dogge, but hce will make 
 him fee/o well as he can, what it is 
 for which he ftriketh hion-fhall not 
 hecinftruftus, when his hand is 
 now upon us, for want of duty to 
 him Mo vaine fhould cold iron be 
 beaten,did not fire fofcen icrinvain 
 (houlcfafH ftions (which are Gods 
 hammer) ftrike on our hearts, 
 (hould not God by his Spirit), 
 which is compared to fire, both 
 
 foften 
 
 I 
 
m U profit ly afjtitlio*. 
 
 fofren our hearcs^andenlighten us, 
 :o fee our duties towards him. 
 Wherefore good Sifter, (eeke to 
 Sod for this Spirit of Chrift, w eh 
 nay make all forrowes fruitfull 
 into you, andbeareyouup, that 
 ou fake not in them? For as Mad- 
 'ersfwim alofc all waters, while 
 hey are filled with winde, Co doe 
 ree above all affii#ions, while 
 bis Spirit is with «s,to fupport us 
 i them. If Phyficke be given a bc~ 
 p,and it will not worke,i t is an ill 
 gne ; if our infirmities, which are 
 ods potions to our fbules, ifthefe 
 ove not our hearts to turne from 
 ine, and fteke to God for mercy 
 Chrift/u is a fearcfall figne of a 
 :ad fbule, from which the life of 
 od is departed. The Lord give 
 u uaderftanding in all things, 
 aus wifhing you true comfort, 
 »t h inward and outward, I corn- 
 it you to the grace of God in 
 lirift lefus.FarewelL 
 
 Your loving Brother, 
 
 > Paul Bayne, 
 
 4»5 
 
4 1 6 Fiwpcrfirme the greate things 
 
 G 
 
 %/fnotber Lttter. 
 
 OodM. D, I hare receive: 
 your Letters, wherein th 
 death of our friend, which befor 
 was conje&urall, is certainly affit 
 med : as alfo the manner of hi 
 death expreffed. The latter doti 
 miniftercomfort for the bearing c 
 the forrcier.For,death is not a mat 
 tcrofforauchforrowto the god 
 ly,as the giving of repentance uati 
 life everlaftingjs matter of joy aw 
 gladncfle. The Lord grant tha 
 his death, and the great mortal 
 ty which your eies have feen 3 ma 
 bee fuchreall Sermons to us, cbi; 
 we may bcthinke us of our morta 
 lity, andturneour hearts to wiii 
 dome, feckcta gaine the time 
 which wee have heretofore mi 
 (pent, by taking all occafions untt 
 good ; and wee have vowed grea 
 things in baptiGncwe have profd 
 ftd our felvci dead with ChriM 
 that the world is crucified to us 
 and wee unto the life of the work 
 ' Wjhic, 
 
which they frcmife in Baptijme. 
 
 irhich as Saint lohn expoundeth, 
 
 oth (land io the finfull pleasures, 
 
 irofics, and glory which thechil- 1 
 
 ren of the world imbrace as 
 
 heir portion. ButaIas.,infteadof 
 
 ukiigthis profeflion good, wee 
 
 oe live in the World, taking in 1 
 
 X) freely and unweanedly , "the 
 
 leafures of ic, fetting our hearts 
 
 n the profits of it , more than is 
 
 spedienr.We have profefied our 
 
 Ires in Baptifeie,to be alive unto 
 
 iod,(foras the dipping or iprink- 
 
 pg of us,doth fcale our ingrafting 
 
 to Ghrifl dying: fo the coramicg 
 
 rtb,or wiping the water ofl^doth 
 
 lie unto us this grace from God) 
 
 dprofefleit (of our part) before 
 
 ny he Angcls,and the Congrega- 
 
 >n,that we are parted from death 
 
 life, even a life which is unto 
 
 :>d, and ftandeth in knowledge, 
 
 righteoufnefle 3 in hoiineffe, 
 
 that no longer, now wee as 
 
 p old man fhould live,but Chrift 
 
 11s fnould live in us. Now how 
 
 id are wt in regard of this life, 
 
 > who| 
 
 417 j 
 
4 1 8 Gods childrzn may die by the fl*gu 
 
 I 
 
 whain che uft of Gods manifol 
 mercies, hath care to (hew fort 
 thefeareof hisnaoiSj the love c 
 holineffe, to make manifeft, th< 
 now hee is alive with his hea 
 Chrift Jcfus unto God. The cart 
 leffe breaking oF this covenai 
 hath caufed all this (b grievous p: 
 ftilence,yea, the Lord hath fhew< 
 how true that is,even in his owe 
 Children,many of whom hee hai 
 taken away,yet (bcorre&ed then 
 that he would not remove his me 
 ey from them,nor falfifie his trut 
 and therefore he hath given the. 
 repentance. AndifGodktyouf 
 this covenant of yours, and tl 
 maine failing in performance of: 
 you areblefled: Bleflfcd are th< 
 that mourne(faith our Saviour)f< ? 
 they £hall be comforced; bur,W< \ 
 to thofe that goeon laughing, ft 
 they, if they continue, (hall wai, 
 cverlaftingly. 
 
 Your loving Broth* J 
 PAUlBajne. 
 
 Anfth ^ 
 
 . 
 
 B 
 
Ujfwtfrem the Higrhg of the, &c. 
 
 A**tbcr Letter. 
 
 1 Jr,PJcpIca<echGodftnto 
 tVl let his hand hang anv> gft 
 'oil;, though he hath gracioufly a- 
 Mtedhla (troke, yea, very many 
 Jaccs remain infefted^though mi- 
 U d *notofcheinfe&ijn:Jwhkh 
 h^uld teach us both to remember 
 hat which is p-ft, and to feare, in 
 tgard of that which may fallout* 
 "or this is one end why God doth 
 jot ac a chop remove the evills 
 iffhich annoy us,that we might the 
 setter remember our fbrrow paft, 
 ind his goodnefle in our delive- 
 ance. Againe,his hand doth hover 
 :>ften ftili about us, that wee might 
 eare before him, and meete him 
 )y repentance, in the way of his 
 udgcmenrj left if that his patience 
 wait on us in vaine, ourftroke at 
 length be redoubled. Trudy men 
 ire far from this, they thinkethat 
 [there is no feare, \t had a time to 
 !come,and muft have a time to goe, 
 
 and 
 
 __J 
 
420 
 
 Thej that humble tbemfeher 
 
 and the worft is paft ; but God li 
 keth not fuch fecurity, yea hee ol 
 ten caufeth evill to meet it, whe* 
 the heart isblefled that feareth al 
 waies.Wherefore good M2).do 
 you go on in for row, for manifol 1 
 varus of duty towards your Gcx 
 fo gracious, yea, accufeyourfelf 
 now, a* too little humbled undc 
 l is mighty hand, when fu 
 ftrength of his wrath was revealec 
 And inthefe thoughts raifeup you 
 felfe to look unto his frccmercyc 
 Chrift, which reacheth (throug. 
 the merit of that bloud)tothe pai 
 don of all our fins,yea, to make us 
 who are the children of wrad 
 become the children of bleffing 
 yea fuch blcfling as doth follow u 
 in all our waies.O that is a worth; 
 ftntence for all that hare efcapei 
 thishatid, tothinkeon; GoetJfr 
 waies,finneno more, that is, makt 
 not a trade of walking after you 
 owneeics and hearts, left worfc 
 things befall. And this I will tel 
 you, the praftice of theft things 
 • thougl 
 
mder Gods handball be exalted, 
 
 ough it rcftrainc a little mirth, 
 hich the Wift man callech mad- 
 ifTe,yr it (haii bring you to tafte 
 your foule a joy unfpeakeafalc 
 id glorious , fuch a rcjoycing, 
 hich the world cannot take from 
 We 
 
 Your loving friend, 
 Pa*l Bajne. 
 
 FINIS. 
 
 421 
 
 > 
 
THE 
 
 TRIALL 
 
 OF A 
 
 Chriftians Eflate: 
 
 OR, 
 
 I A Difcoveric of the Caufcs, 
 degrees, fignes and differences 
 of the Apoftafie both of 
 
 true Chriftians and falfc : 
 
 In a Sermon preached in London, 
 
 bjMaftcrPAUL Batne, and 
 
 afterward fent in writing to 
 
 
 LONDON, 
 Printed by A 0. for J.N. and are 
 
 to be fold by Stm, Eniithj, at his 
 
 (hop, at the Starre in ropes 
 
 bead Alley. 1*37. 
 
C$* C^f> *%* *%> <%* •$> Cf$* €%* 
 
 To the Reader, 
 
 Hri&ian Rea- 
 der, good Wine 
 needeth no gar- 
 land, it will 
 praife itfelfe:fi(lperjwade 
 my felfe) will this enfuing 
 Sermon, which a learned , 
 %oly andfaithfullfert>ant of 
 \3od formerly viva voce in 
 ptiblique, founded in the 
 'ares of me and many, and 
 tfterwardsju a token of bis 
 A i Chri- 
 
. — -^ ■ 
 
 To the Reader. 
 
 / 
 
 Cbriflian love to mee , be- 
 ftoyoedupon me in wiring, 
 ishicb being fo fruit full and 
 necejfarie a labour, in the\l 
 judgement of the godly and\l j 
 learned that harve jeene itjk 
 and fo jpecially befitting L 
 thefelukcxarme and back- U 
 Jliding times , 1 thought 1\ 
 could not, without prejudice^ 
 to thee,fuffer it to He by mee w 
 for my private inftruclion 
 and benefit alone >and there- 
 fore for thy good, the Kee- 
 ping in precious memory the 
 Preacher thereof yvbom the 
 Lord hath gathered into his 
 borne, and for the glory 
 
 G 
 
 k 
 
 >od 
 
 — I- 
 
 : 
 
To the Reader. 
 
 Godefiecially, I baVe con- 
 fented that it be made more 
 publique and common , by 
 \ comming under the preffe. 
 The Lord grant jthat it may 
 halpe tbatfucceffe in me and 
 tbee t which hee that gave 
 fir ft life antoit infludying, 
 and brought it foortb by 
 preacbingj.ntendedjmd Tin 
 confenting and caufing to 
 hai)e it printed \defire : fo 
 /hall the feeble , IPeake and 
 doubting Chriftianfie taken 
 by theband^ftaiedandcom. 
 forted againtt the fear es of 
 mall backflidingy and ice 
 all /hall be of the number of 
 A 3 them 
 
To the Reader. 
 
 them which follow Jaith to 
 the confer^ nation of our 
 foules : which the Lord for 
 ■Iefiu Cbrift his fake grant. 
 Amen* 
 
 Thine in his beft defoes, 
 W. F. 
 
 1 
 
 Si 
 
 
*,$• *&+ <4> 
 
 THE 
 
 TRIALL 
 
 OF A 
 
 CHRISTIANS 
 
 Eftate. 
 
 Hb Bn.io.verf. 39. 
 But we are not they which with- 
 draw ourfehes into per dittos, 
 but fellow faith unto 1 fa con- 
 servation of the fink. 
 
 }He Apoftle ha- 
 ving in the 
 verfe before re- 
 membered the 
 fcarefull elhte 
 of fuch who 
 " through unbe- 
 liefe are wicbdrawne from God , 
 ; dochin this verfe prevent a fcru- 
 L A 4 pie 
 
Tfa tri*B$fd CbriftUns Zfttte. 
 
 pic which might arife in fometi- 
 morons consciences > doubting 
 whether they were not in this cafe I 
 next before tbrcatned. Hee doth 
 therefore take fuch weake ones by 
 the hand 5 ftresgthning them, by 
 bearing them wicnefle of their 
 condition,manifefted by the fruits 
 above mentionedjverle 52,33.34 | 
 which eftace is let do wne herein 
 this vcrfe : Firft negatively, by dc- 
 aiall of their anbelceving revolt 
 Secondly affirmatively, by avou- 
 ching their perfeverance in faith. 
 Either of thefe properties of uo- 
 belicfeand beliefe,being amplified 
 from the effefts which accompa- 
 nied ^em > w*.deftru<5Hoa of the 
 fbule (for that is to be under flood 
 from the latter claufe) and falvaci- 
 ooofthcfcmc. 
 
 The lumme of the words. Feare 
 oot though I tell you that backfli- 
 dersare,veflels of no delight, for 
 yourfclveswith myfclfc,are nor 
 foch who fteale from our compa- 
 nies; having our militarie profef- 
 
 ficp, 
 
 
TbctriaKofa tfbriflians Ejtatc. 
 
 (ion , which would tame in this 
 life and the life to come co oar fur- 
 cher deftru&ioo ; but we concinue 
 in faith, and put forth our beliefe 
 more and more, as occafionrequi- 
 reth, which bringech us here aad 
 everlaftiagly to fee the Lords fa I- 
 vation. 
 
 Now for the inftr uftions which 
 both the fcops and matter of the Obfirvaui. 
 verft include in them* Firft,chac 
 Paul doth confirms them bybca* 
 ring them wicneflfe of their cftate. 
 It doth teach us, that wee muft 
 ftablifh our weake brethren , by 
 bearing chem record of the graces 
 Wrought in them; wee who have 
 found grace muft confirme others. 
 If any thing more (marc be ucce- 
 red, we muft mollifie it with fuch 
 wife prevention as Phyfirians , if 
 they forefec ought harmefull to 
 thebodie^ they correft it with 
 other ingredients, that ic may 
 wholefjinely be received. If wee 
 faw one ready to trip, wee would 
 reach him a ha-id , and (uftaine him 
 A 5 - from \ 
 
The trisHsfd Cbrifiians Eftdtc. 
 
 from falling : much more muft we 
 (hew this love to the loule (hakiog 
 through frailtie. This wifedomc 
 Ghriftufcd,hee quenched not the 
 fmoaking 9 a xe : thefeafonable te- 
 ftifying to men their good things 
 caufeth them to take increafc : our 
 honour of them, our dutie to the 
 comfort of their lives and to the 
 truth, doth require it. Such there- 
 fore are to bee taxed who wanting 
 this prudence, handle the word in 
 dividing it like him in the Em. 
 blerac, who gave to the Afle a 
 bone, to the dogge ftra w : fich are 
 thofe Paftors who difcourage 
 good devotions, and incourage 
 men carnally minded, like unco 
 them we reade of, E&tcbiel, chap. 
 3 j 3 22.Such again arc chey amongft 
 private Chriltians^ who like Jobs 
 friends are a breaking to them, 
 whom they (hould comfort and 
 confirme. 
 
 Secondly, we roufl be provoked 
 by this example to incourage 
 weake ones when they are doub- 
 
Tie trhHofa Qhri^uns Eflate. 
 
 ring of their eftatcs: for as a timo- 
 rous patient imagining twenty e- 
 vills, when his Phyfitian affureth 
 him that his cafe is nothing (6 7 is 
 well fatiafied : Co here. 
 
 Agaiac, in that he faith, We are 
 not chey that withdraw. Hence we 
 are given tounderftand, that fbme 
 may fall away from the Graces re- 
 ceived.IafomemannerGods owne 
 children aad others are reported to 
 have fallen : Ukvid,Saitl 3 Veter,A- 
 Itxmdtfffrc. But that this may be 
 more diftin&ly opend,three thiogs 
 muftbeconfidered. 
 
 I. Firll^ from what the godly 
 truely fanftificd may fall; how 
 farre others. 
 
 a. Srcondly,from whence falls 
 come, and the difference of them. 
 
 3. ThirdlyjWhatarethcfyrop- 
 tomes or figncs of a ftace decliniog 
 from God. 
 
 To the firft, a man not having 
 
 the true grace of the clc&,raay fall 
 
 from all outward privileges, which 
 
 hee-holdeth as a member of the 
 
 vifible- 
 
 fr ■ . ' ' ' — ma^s^ .... i ni l ■ 
 
7 he triall of a Cbnjl$ant Eftate. 
 
 ravfa ef 
 defeZi'ya. 
 
 vifible Church. Secondly, from the 
 effefts of his Grace in life and con- 
 version. Thirdly, from the very 
 habicuali gifts, which were th* 
 fountain whence his fruits flowed. 
 Thus bee may come to be twice 
 dead* and in worfe cafe than ever. 
 
 The Lordschofen may fail from 
 their outward prerogatives : but 
 that divine nature ftill abideth in 
 them, and it is onely with their 
 graces, as it is with the mindein 
 difttmpcrs of melancholy, and 
 phrenfic 5 with the Sun in eclipfes ; 
 with the tree whea leaves and 
 fruits faile it 5 with the natirfall 
 life when it moveth not, ne yet 
 breatheth fenfibk: which in difea- 
 fes of the Mother is ofcendifecr- 
 ncd. Their faith is an ever failing 
 faith $ their life an etcrnall life 5 
 their feed a feed abiding iq chem* 
 
 Now for the fccond, vi*. what 
 are theeaufes of failing a way, and 
 that (b di,verfl/j this opened will 
 lend a more thorow light to the 
 former. The caufts which worke 
 
 ia 
 
The trull of a Chrifiians Eftate. 
 — »— ^ . — ■ ■ ■'■ ' '»» »' - 
 in withdrawing us arc inward or 
 outward. Bjc the verity of thefe 
 i cimiogs fpriiigechcmefrlyfconi 
 the inward. 
 
 The caufe in ths Lords children 
 is,theftafe of their grac<ywhich is 
 fuchas hath (till rcliqaes of dnnc 
 dwelling with ic. 
 
 The caufe of the others totall 
 
 fall, is an cflentialldefcft in their 
 
 grace, which teacheth not to make 
 
 a true union betwix; Chritl and 
 
 them^ nor yet toproduce true fan- 
 
 ftification. In a word, the caufe of 
 
 the ones perfevering, and the o- 
 
 thers totall deficiency, is not only 
 
 to betaken froai Gods power and 
 
 gracious pleafore, from Chrifl his 
 
 faterceflion, from the ftinting of 
 
 Satan Co the heele of the true 
 
 Chriftian feed : but al(b from the 
 
 eflln ull qualification^ and difpo~ 
 
 Icionof the grace beftowedupon 
 
 utbeT. But this is a difficulty tur- 
 
 her to be cleared ; How wee may 
 
 brmally diftmguifti theft gifts 
 
 prhich are in the Chriftun that 
 
 perfc« 
 
 -■ i.i ■ ■ m r ■ , ,f I 
 
Tbetriallofa ChriftiansEftaU. 
 
 perfevereth from thofcthat are in 
 him that temporifech. The diffe- 
 rence is doable: 
 
 i. Fir ft, in the union which is 
 made by them, 
 
 2. Secondly, ia the different 
 prpduftions which follow upon 
 Co different manners of being uni- 
 ted with Cbrift. 
 
 To open the firft, is fttdowne 
 this conclufion : The fpirituall 
 gift of the temporifer doth meerly 
 enlighten him to fee Chrift, but 
 doth not move his will to go uoto 
 Chrift, as given him ef God, that 
 he might notperifh but have eter- 
 nal! life. His application is an 
 overweening hope, taken vp by 
 his ownc preemption ; it is not a 
 motion which the fpirit doth eli* 
 date and draw our> but fucb as is 
 hisenlightning. 
 
 In the Word of Chrift are two 
 things : firft; the truth of it, a true 
 word : Secondly, the goodnefTc of 
 it, a good word. That may be ap- 
 prehended, God giveth his chofen 
 
 not 
 
 
7 he tri*B of a CbriftUns Eft ate. 
 
 noconely anappreheafion, in che 
 uoderftanding of che truth, and 
 goodnefleof it; but a motion of 
 affiance, which makech the foulc 
 go toand clafp about Chri(t whom 
 it beholdeth. Hence ic is } that com- 
 miog and believing, lob. 1.12. I oh. 
 6.35.37. is apprehending, as when 
 a thing is taken by the handle : and 
 From this property of Faith doth 
 |:ome chat internal! union twixt 
 jthe believer and Chrift, which mi- 
 kech them dwell mutually one in 
 the other. Hence it is that the true 
 believer doth more affeft Chrifr, 
 ipricehim, joy in him, more than 
 the benefits by chem. 
 
 Now the Papifts faith is a meere 
 nlighming, not having any con- 
 idence within the compafle of it, 
 Tor a man may be found in their 
 aicb, and in damnable defpaire at 
 he (ame inftant) and the cempori- 
 ers faich having no more than an 
 ipprehenfioninche underftanding 
 ^f the good word of (alvation joy- 
 wd with prefumptuous pcrfwafi* 
 
 on 
 
io 5 Tbctriallof* ChrifliansBftate. 
 
 on an i tailibit hopes conceived by 
 himfelfc on fihe reckonings the£ 
 cannot linerly unite hfoo wich 
 Chrift • but looke as a Wen ?s fa 
 unircdh the body by the skin in- 
 compaffi'g ic, and fome kindeof 
 continuation with the other mem- 
 bers ; hut bach nor foewes,nerve$ s 
 arteries (hoc into it from head arid 
 heart, as the other parts : to thefe 
 by tbetr common illumination and 
 profeffi »n hare conjun&ion with 
 the body,but want the ioflaence of 
 that more neere ligament of thac 
 affi^aced motion of the will,which 
 oaely flowech from Chrift into his 
 proper members. Aad this is the 
 firft ground of cheir after failing : 
 for looke as ftanding-waters, or 
 never fiich tonrents wnich have no 
 head of living fpring-wners to 
 feed chem, cannot in time but dry 
 up: fo thefe not having Chriihhe 
 Well-head of all grace, whatfoe- 
 vcr i* in them, in time fadeth and 
 ranifheth to nothing. 
 
 Ft om defeft of iiicernall union^ 
 ^ . w^ : fh 
 
The trisHof aCbriftidrts Efitft. 
 
 which is, as ic were,the fountain^ 
 commeth a difference in grace de- 
 rived. Thetemporifrts^beingftch 
 as doth never finely humble him, 
 fach, as is fuperficialljfnfincere : in 
 a word, fuch as doth not truely 
 fan&ifiehiro: by reafooof which 
 defeft, it is not permanent* 
 
 Firft, not being within the gra- 
 cious light of this Sonne of righte- 
 Dufnefl&jthe depth of his wound is 
 never gaged^and chough be know 
 much humiliation,, yec nee is never 
 ffuly humbled* Firft,hee feeth not 
 with humble coafcioufaefie the 
 Safull depravation of his nature: 
 iisdifpleaiureisraoreagain3 the 
 tuits, than rootes whence they i£ 
 |ued. Tsui a Pharifee knew not 
 toncupHcence ; a Papift acknow- 
 edgeth not this as finfuli after hee 
 s once baptifed, whereas this was 
 he higheft pitch ofPj*U and Z>#- 
 fids penicentull exercife. 
 
 Bat -may not the temporifer 
 now and maintaine the truth of 
 his Doftciae, yea > propound ic 
 
 • fruit- 
 
 k 
 
1 2 The triaB §fa Cbriflians EJImu. 
 
 Anft 
 
 *. 
 
 3- 
 
 fruitfully to others? Anfwtr. He 
 may ( by faith infufed ) conceive 
 and affent coir, yea, deliver it to 
 other^ but fo,that the power of it 
 doth not rcfle&on himfelfe, (bas 
 to be humbled in thi s refpeft : but 
 as the Moone giveth us light 
 which is not rooted in t he body of 
 her,for that continueth darkfbme : 
 fo they receive light from Gods 
 Word, and fet it forth to others, 
 but have none in themfelves. Se- 
 condly ,not being within grace^his 
 I confeffion and paffion under fin is 
 not free and voluntary, but extor- 
 ted eithe? from fome evidence of 
 light, or faft evincing him ; as 
 Saul to David confefled • or the 
 racke of Gods terrours inforcing it 
 from him. Whereas the children 
 of God, who now fee, that the 
 more their finne is, the more grace 
 (uperabounded ; that their bafc- 
 neffe is his glory,whofe grace they 
 live under, they frankly, yea, de- 
 lightfully humble themfelves id 
 confeffing their vilenefle. Thirdly, 
 
 pot 
 
 rt 
 
 1: 
 
The trhRof a ChrifiUns Efttte. 
 
 ■ -— ■ — — ■ i 
 
 lot being within the grace of 
 thrift with found affiance,he never 
 *ricveth at finne as it is enmity a- 
 'ainft his God : for Co be contrite 
 tiithis regard, implyeth a love to 
 3od, which cannoc be in him who 
 lath not found God loving him 
 irft : hee is vexed at bis fins in re- 
 Ijpeft of his miferies hee feetfa im- 
 nincn^or only as they are world- 
 ward, ftumefull aberrations from 
 pra&ice of (uch apparent vermes, 
 ^vhich men may repute glorious, 
 tnd much affe&. In a word; hee is 
 lever cruely humbled, which his 
 obedience being partiall doth wic- 
 icfle; for hee will cake and leave 
 3 that which hee heareth at his 
 wne pleafure:yea 3 ifcrofles come, 
 ee is too proud to humble him- 
 slfe under Gods hand ; he is lifted 
 p above others, whom hee out- 
 rippeth in common graces: he is 
 :nforious, without confluence of 
 lat naturall condition under fin, 
 'hich is common to him with o- 
 iers. And from hence it is, that 
 
 at 
 
 13 
 
M 
 
 Tkt triaB $fa ChriflUns Efitti. 
 
 at length his g; ace f < ilcth : for as a 
 houfe buildtd en the finds, with* 
 our a due ground-workc hid • or 
 plants unrooted cannot indarc : To 
 this frame which wanteth the 
 found ation and root of grace(fuch 
 as humility is) cannot perfifh 
 
 Secondly^ Ifayfrorathispjime 
 defe & of inner union, all the tern* 
 porifcrs graces produced arefcper- 
 ficiall, fl Jght, full ol overture : 
 wher as t bote in found believers are 
 fo 1 id,fiibftancial 1 ,not us intrvtjecm 
 J$fe9uefa things which though 
 outwardly they have the appa-j 
 rence, yet are inwardly defe dive. ] 
 Hence it is that Psttl calleth their 
 godlincfle, a figure of godlinefle, 
 %Tim*%.^. their knowledge anex- 
 tcrnall forme of knowledge, Rom$i 
 a. 20. that Chriftmaketh all they 
 have,* fernblance,a feeming onely, 
 1*^8, i8 # for looke as a wilde; 
 hcrbe^though it have but the name 
 and common nature* yet Icdiffe- 
 reth much from one which gro- 
 weth in gardens, better manured 
 
 c ind 
 
TbttrUllif sChrifHans Ejt*t$. 
 
 *5 
 
 nddreflcd: 2nd ai 4 blew, died 
 rich blockwood, though it (eeme 
 ^righ era while, yetisnotfofub- 
 tantiall as thai which is woaded 
 <*nd thtrfore wc fay ic is a trucco. 
 bur :) fo here, though the graces 
 >f the temporlfer have the fame 
 ume and comon nature, (for they 
 ire ioferiour workesof rhefpirit) 
 pea, though they may exceedcin 
 (hew, yet for the truth and fob- 
 ftauce, they are nothing to thofe 
 that are wrought in hone A hearts ; 
 ind from hence come two things, 
 Firft, their graces are (bone 
 growne up; forathiogfaperficiall 
 is done in halfe the time that a fub- 
 ftantiall thing isaworkiog. They 
 get the ftart ; and, w hik many a 
 sue heart before th* m in the Lord, 
 is complaining of wants,and weak- 
 leOeSjfiufull inclinations, uGirpiog 
 n them;they arecarried 1 as it were, 
 ferfiltttm, to their pcrfe&ion. Bat 
 is a true birth, though flowly at 
 t :he firft, yet ftill takcth increafe, 
 irhercis a mole groweth fitter at 
 
 the 
 
itf 
 
 The tria f l of a ffirifliMj Eflatt. 
 
 chcfirft, bat fbonc cc^lcth: and 
 looke as in nature, thingi rhc fbo- 
 nert ripe 3 are thefboncft rotten : So 
 ic fares with thefe leap-Chrirtians. 
 
 Secondly, I fay their graces are 
 infocere, their hearts are never 
 purged from fome fin which they 
 love and like to live in, fbrfiaifter 
 cuds inrertaining the mcflage of] 
 Gods a»crcy,which is not that theyi 
 may reverence him, and ferve hira 
 all their daies without fljv'flunr- 
 rour : but they gladly heare it, as 
 hoping that they have a proceftion 
 by if, though they hold on in their 
 own courfes. For this it is that the 
 clefts faith, which never faileth, 
 is called a faith without by pocri- 
 fie ; that the true believer is oncly! 
 laid to have an honeft heart. 
 
 As God hath made fbme re- 
 medies in nature, fuch as purge 
 university every peccant humor, 
 as the PhyfitiansCatholicon,&c. 
 Someagaine that purge, ct$m de- 
 le&# f thdt expell choler,but meddle 
 not with melancholy ; phlegmc, 
 
 : 
 
n&f tris tt *f a Cbriftians Eftati. 
 
 it ftirre not cholcr ; So this medi- 
 ae of grace, which God infufcth 
 co an honert heart, it is a Catho- 
 jue expeller of all knowne finne, 
 rcat or little. The grace of the 
 mporifer purgeth out the roocof 
 5 fin ; reprtflech the moving aad 
 noxyfmes, as it were, of fbme 
 x>ife fias onley, as in Herod. And 
 :nce it ii that the grace of the 
 imporifer doth not continue : for 
 i come growing up with twitch, 
 riers, thornes, is at length fino- 
 lered; and as wholefome meate 
 i a ftomacke full of flying cboler, 
 i at length vomited : fo reigning 
 a gr owing up with thefe feeming 
 races, doth never ceafe till they 
 p brought up and discharged, 
 *1^8.i2 13, 14. Thus much to 
 eare that difference of graces in 
 pds children and others, which 
 ufech that the falls of the one are 
 
 IV cocall nor finail, which is ind- 
 ent to the condition of the other. 
 k Now taking it as granted, that 
 le Lords children fall, byreafon 
 
 of 
 
 17 
 
 *>sl 
 
T* 
 
 *• 
 
 Th$ triafi of a Cbriftsdnr Eftat*. 
 
 of the reliqucs of fio dwelling ir 
 them J come to name tbeexcenall 
 ok a ;$, which ^fttully brine forth 
 into AvoiUht this inbred ckfcfti- 
 on. Thefe fometimes worke it 
 more violently at once, fometime 
 (ucrcffively, by fome hainot s wa- 
 fting fin, which like a ftrong poi-j 
 fon difparcheth all quickly. O -(Tea 
 repeated, and gradually hcreaiedJ 
 lares of pleafures and profits, unn 
 comforublcnefle, which iccom- 
 panieth by many rocancsCbrifti- 
 an courics, (dead worke is quick- 
 ly given over) examples of the 
 muii.ude, a (trong back-bias, by 
 which the divell fometimes draw- 
 Ctb from perfifting iograce,offeaCi | ( 
 at the firopl cicy, which to eye or? t 
 flefli (iemeth to be in Chriftiaa !r 
 courfet, at difiintion in opinions q 
 amongft men of the fame profefli- v 
 on, at the fins obOrved, and falls <j 
 ooceknowne byfuch, who make 
 profeflion; the ftducl g calls of f c 
 falfcTeachers,the glorious (he wes L 
 ofholinefl*,aod wnatfbcvcr chipgs k, 
 
 of : 
 
The trUU efa CbriftUns Eft ate. 
 
 ofthi8nature 3 by w ch men through 
 SKans working arc wich-drawne. 
 
 Now followech the third thing, 
 the fymptoms or fignes of a decli- 
 ning fbule. This one thing muft be 
 prerailed, left that weake ones 
 fhould caft thefelves further down 
 by miftaking the matter. The pre- 
 tence ofthefe cvils,andfencc of due 
 difpoficions or aft ions, are note. 
 I Til fignes of a dangerous declining 
 ibule^but when they are willingly 
 carried without remorfe, renued 
 defires and endeavours after the 
 contrary : for as one may be with- 
 butGods gracious prelencctohis 
 feeling, and yet not a forftker of 
 God - fo one may be without thefe 
 :hings, and not leaving them, but 
 Irather left of them (Gods wifc- 
 jtonne for many ends fo difpenfing) 
 while by griefe, faith, and renued 
 lefires, he doth follow after them. 
 
 This confideration interlaced 
 Tor the right underftanding of the 
 natter in hand. Let this be the ficft 
 ignc 3 w&« a feeble, livelefle aftion 
 
 B 
 
 eft 
 
 i 
 
2 o I The triaHof a Chriftians EjlAte. 
 
 of grace willingly admitted : y. g. 
 'as when a man can performe a- 
 ny Chriftianduty without all pow- 
 er fpiricuall and good devotion • 
 aeverthelefle doth not chalenge 
 himfclfe^ as if it were ill with him I 
 in that regard. L<tf& ettioncs Ufa* 
 argHuntf*cultates:h% when the eye 
 feeth not as it hath done, wee may 
 prefume the inftrunents or facul- 
 ties are not as they have beene : 
 So here, when we doe not things 
 with the vigour we have done, it is 
 a figne of infirmity, and a faculty 
 inwardly or outwardly hindred: 
 but when wee can thinke well e 
 nough of this ftate, it is a figne 
 of Apoftafie and wilfufl decli- 
 ning ; Iuskifh reaching* are thefics 
 forerunners comonly -Gods people 
 declining have fallen fir ft to thefe 
 formalities, to performance of du- 
 ties in a perfuc£iory fafhior, the 
 heart and raines far from the Lord, . 
 in them. 
 
 The&ccnd figne is a prepefte- 
 rcusappetiteof unwholcfuia food! 
 
 liked J 
 
 
1 'he trUU of a Chriftians Efiatc. 
 
 liked well enough, no way diftur- 
 bant to us : when men can be with- 
 out preaching, or at leaft without 
 any chat raoveth the^r eonfeiencesj 
 when they can extol frothy windy 
 ftuffe, which fiJIeth them, but ne- 
 ver feedeththem^fo as their foules 
 are not the better for it toward 
 God. It is afignethemanis wil- 
 ling tofleepe that draweth the cur- 
 taines about him : It is a preemp- 
 tion, that thefe are willing to nap 
 in their fins, that lovenotfucha 
 light of truth as fhould awaken 
 them. Not bearing the wholefome 
 word is the preamble of Apoftafie ♦ | 
 A Thi'd token isindigeftionof 
 that we heare, borne contentedly ; 
 when the heat of love doth not fo 
 digeft things, that they might after 
 be diftributed into the veincs of 
 every good word and worke: be- 
 caufe they receive not the truth in 
 Jove, &c. 2 Thejf 2. When meate 
 is taken in, and pafleth away not 
 diced by the ftomacke^ it leaveth 
 pe body in an atrophie, that is 5 
 B 2 fuch 
 
22 
 
 The triaHof a Cbriftitns Eftdtt. 
 
 fuch a tafte therein it isnotnou 
 rifted : So here. 
 
 T he fourth figne is an iiord "mate 
 appetite after things hurtful! and 
 noxious: as when a man fedeth 
 no hurt, though hee intermeddle 
 immoderately in the cares of the 
 world ; though hec intemperate ly 
 quaffe in thefe fiofull pleafures 
 which laft but a feafbn : vvhen a 
 man loves to follow the good 
 healths, wee may boldly fay, hee 
 loves to breed ill health. Worldly 
 cares and pleafures arc the things 
 of which the foule is drunken, 
 and fur fetfjand theft are the thornes 
 and weeds with which the feed of 
 gracst never thriveth. 
 
 A fifth figne may be the difcaf. 
 fefting of our brethren^ whom we 
 have acknowledged as begotten 
 ofGod. The Diveli cannot bring a 
 man who hath knowne any good, 
 to confront and defpifc him direft- 
 !y : therefore hee eutreth them 
 with this politicketraine; hcres- 
 cheth them fir ft to be bold and 
 . trample 
 
The trhll of j CbrftiawE/tate. 
 
 trample downe bis Image, and Co 
 ac length bring them to delpife 
 God, 2 Tim. 1.4. "Demds (as it it 
 likdy) turning Apoftate^forfooke 
 the Apoftle. 
 
 The fixch figne is, when there 
 is felt no relaxation in regard of 
 our daily weakntfles&lefferfins, 
 bat they dfgeft with us : if the 
 (bule were not fallen well afl:cpe, 
 ic could not concoft Co well. When 
 nature (things able to provoke ta- 
 ken in) maketh not refiftance, her 
 ftrengch is feeble :So here. Bat whe 
 a man is growneto th!s > tbac he can 
 go on in his impenitency without 
 checke, ic is an evident figne he is 
 downe the wind in a wiifuil decli- 
 nation -yeajthat he is farre gone in 
 ir. Thus you have heard that forae 
 fall from their grace • and for fur- 
 ther declaration you have, feene 
 c!cared,ho w firrc all forts may fal r : 
 whence commeththtir falls, with 
 the difference of them. Thirdly, 
 what are the iadiemts of a foul? 
 declining, 
 
 B) Tfc 
 
 
 . ) 
 
The triaD of 4 Cbiiftians Eftate. 
 
 The ufe of all is; Firft, as to 
 ftirreusup to take comfort in the 
 true worke which God hath be- 
 gun 5 fo to make fure that we have 
 received fucfi grace as (hall not 
 faile : would wee not be loth to 
 reare ftich a frame in a material! 
 building, which fhould after come 
 downe upon cur heads ? We are 
 builders, let us make fare to digge 
 (b deep, and ground our worke Co 
 well, that though it (hould fliake^ 
 (as they &y,firmc houfcs will) yet 
 it may be farre from feare of mine. 
 In taking gold, wee refefe waftied 
 and light golds or clipped, wee 
 weigh them,ring them 3 &c. In re- 
 ceiving grace be not lefle carefull 
 that it be right currant, not wan- 
 ting* graiac of due weight. 
 
 Secondly this, that many fall a- 
 way, muft awaken us to more cir- 
 cumfpeftion ; though it light up- 
 on fome men only, it is every mans , 
 terrour. We have great reafon, for 
 wee live in moft perilous times, 
 whereiq the holy Ghoft hath war- 
 
 neti 
 
Tbetriallofa ChriftiansEftate. 
 
 nedusthac the dampeof ficifhall 
 make the love of many waxe cold : 
 wherein the contagion of Apofta- 
 fie is epidemical! ; is gro wne a po- 
 pular difeafe. For now what luke. 
 warmnefle> what a weak pulfc bea- 
 teth every where ? men care not to 
 dcale wkh themfclves to hold their 
 thoughts to heavenly things, to a- 
 waken their affe&ions, to reaew 
 their faich, to blow up devotion; 
 to live in an holy contention ; nay, 
 this in our daies is counted a fii- 
 perfluous unneceflary courfc, for- 
 ged in the head of fame over-for- 
 ward f cHowes ; it is the undilcreece 
 fervor ofgrecn youth, which ages 
 wifdome wil take up.Ochers more 
 moderately fpoken, thioke that 
 every thing new is dainties., and 
 that prime aflfe&ions cann :>t be re- 
 tained :a fig-kafe^ature, art,grace, 
 go from lefle perfeft to more per- 
 feft. Whether doth a child at eight 
 yeercs or eighteene moft love and 
 joy in his inheritance ? Doeft thou 
 not count thy preatifcs two laft 
 } _ B 4 yeeres 
 
i6 
 
 The triallrf* Chilians Eft Ate. 
 
 y ceres better tbanfoureof his firrt? 
 In ftcad of appetite to the Word, 
 now fbme thiakethe Sabbath may 
 be tolerably fon&ified without a- 
 ny preaching : feme couot it e- 
 nough, if they be where preaching 
 is,, let ir be what it will be; farre 
 from fuch as is able to worke on 
 their foulcs ; as if the orders of the 
 perfbn, not the fiipcrnaturall gifts 
 of knowledge and wifHoroemade 
 the Sermon (but thefe muft not be 
 levered :) force count fuch plaine 
 preaching (as heretofore wai effe- 
 ftuall in them) kflcdiligeatj and 
 leffe learned. Thus the DiveJl not 
 able quite to make them call off 
 the ordinance, perfwades them 
 that change is no robberie ; and 
 that they may flecpe tbe quieter 
 (negle&ing fuch preaching as was 
 powerful! in them) he cafts them 
 this pillow, fuggefting that they 
 leave not that which was ef£6tuaU 
 in them toward God, but that one- 
 ly which was indiligent and un 
 learned. 
 
 ' . Againe,,, 
 
The trhKofa Chrtfiizns Efiatc. 127 
 
 Againe, in Head of working chc 
 Word upon our affe&iont, how 
 many concent themfelvts to excr- 
 cife thdr criuckes,tbis or chat wa* 
 Well fpoken, &c. anc! there is an 
 end ? For the worlds ipcn have 
 their hands in it elbow-deep • yea, 
 many who in chdr times have 
 made fhew of a more heavenly 
 minde, fome are now fo (hie to 
 their brethren, that they w.'ll not 
 looke at them, not meece on the 
 fame fide of che ftreete, not know 
 them. How many, whole hearts 
 wruld have fwiccen them in leffer 
 offences can now commit as great, 
 and ic never upbraids them > nay, 
 efleeme this tenderneffc fcrupu- 
 lous fimplicicy, andmclancholike 
 aufteritiy. The more vulgar then 
 this difeafc is, the more cautelous 
 wee aiuft be. 
 
 Thirdly, wee fee now that who 
 will keepe life and power in his 
 courfc, endeavouring a good con- 
 science in all things, they muft 
 paflc the pikes of tvill tongues I \ 
 
 B 9 which\ V A 
 
2 8 I fhetriallcfsCbriftmsE/tatt. 
 
 Obfer-}. 
 
 which are (hakcnagainft them.For 
 now fuch heare, as if they were 
 humorifts, new~fanglifts, Prccifi- 
 an$,ptoud,GnguIar,fimple, melan- 
 cholike perfbns,what not > Final- 
 ly, the Diveli to make revolts,now 
 refines his wics, and turnes Angell 
 of lighr, hanging out our owne 
 colours, that heemay theeafilier 
 furprize us; and pretending per- 
 fe<5Uons, which we yet want,doth 
 transport many, whom neither 
 crcfies nor allurements would pre* 
 vailcagainft. So that we had need, 
 ifever,to walke warily, look fig to 
 the author and fioiftier of our faith: 
 yea, thankefully, that foineyill 
 times we are kept (though weaken 
 ly) alive in his fight.Thqs much of 
 the fecond doftrine. 
 
 The third followeth ia thefe 
 words - to perdition, viz,. cf the 
 foule, 2 Pei.2> 20. 2i« even as hce | 
 that gocth out of the light, muft 
 taeeds come into darkenefle : fo he i 
 1 that leaveth the living God, the 
 fountaine of blefled lifc,muft needs 
 I fall- 
 
ThetriaHofa C*>r*fli*ns Eft ate. 
 
 29 
 
 fall inco perdition. The rclapfe ia- 
 into any ficknefle is more dange- 
 roas,than the firft entrance inroic : 
 for nature is now more enfeebled, 
 much (pent in her former refiflace; 
 againe, the difeafe is much Streng- 
 thened as a prevailing conqueror : 
 So in thefe declinings from the 
 healchfbme fhceof gracein fome 
 (ore attairted,fin ii Stronger (the di- 
 vell c5rcring with Seven worfe Spi- 
 rits) and our caps cityjof receiving 
 health lefler; we being twice dead, 
 and for the degree more, removed 
 from grace,than ever bcfore,& this 
 end befalls backfliders mod deser- 
 vedly: for chey offcr God the grea- 
 teft indignity, it being better chey 
 had never admitted him, than hi- 
 ving taken him in, to diSIodge him 
 caukhfly. Again,when fuch as for- 
 getting their military Sacrament, 
 fteale from tbeir colours,are juftly 
 
 Eunifhed with temporall dca:h; 
 owdeServedly are theft puniftied 
 witheternall perdition, whore- 
 (pt& not that warfare, to which 
 , the y \ ' _ 
 
 { 
 
30 
 
 the triaB *fa Cbrtfi$ans Eft etc. 
 
 they bound themfelves by Sacra- 
 nnec,who flinch a way,leaviog that 
 difplaid enfigne of a zealous pre- 
 femon 5 under 'which fomtimethey 
 havcfcivcda 
 
 But how can defiru&ion follow 
 on declining conrfts^ when Gods 
 choftn cannot ptu(h;and the other 
 fort wcce never inflate offal vation? \ 
 AnfJhisis faid to be the end of ic, 
 not absolutely without exception, 
 but refpe&ively, if wee by repen- 
 tance take not (height fieps the 
 fooncr, & get our halting healed. 
 
 To the firft it may be aafwered ^ 
 that the Apoftacy of Gods children 
 in it felf cendech to dfcftru£Hoi>it is 
 his mercy that preventeth them in 
 this way,pot the fruit of their back- 
 fliding. Secondly, they after a fort 
 deftroy thefelves^wheo they bring 
 their /pirituall life into a fwoone^ 
 and lea re not themfclve* breath or 
 motiondifcernabk.For the wicked 
 though they ncyer were tborowly 
 Yind:catedor redeemed from de= 
 ftruftion^ yet to the judgemenr of 
 : . . charity 
 
 ; 
 
■ ' ■ ■ 
 
 The triaU of a Cbriflims Eftate. I 3 1 
 
 charity they fecmed fo:now ic is ufa- 
 all to lpeak of things not according 
 ns they are,butas they appcare. Se- 
 condly,they,though they never had 
 that (bund eternal! life,yer they had 
 fuch a life as is in a Wen; md though 
 the rootes of their griefs were not 
 brought away, ycctheeflfe&s were 
 fo reft rained, and for a time fufpen- 
 ded.tbat to their feeraing ihey were 
 made wel!.Thirdly,they are laid to 
 fall into deft: u£ion,though they are 
 in r ; becaufe they by Apoftacy,goe 
 to the heigh: &coofumm«ion oHr- 
 as we are faid by a godly courfe, to 
 go to life e¥erlalUng,which in fome 
 degree wee have already. And tht 
 truth it, that falling away doth 
 bring the untimely judgmeatsjdotfc 
 procure an cffe&uall delivering to 
 Satan, who doth afterwards more 
 folly fill them with his efficacy :For 
 as God maketh thefincereli Saints 
 often of thofe, who have Jbeene the 
 fouleft finners : So here Satan^when 
 i he gets fuch an one,who hath beeoe 
 in (hew an Aogellofligh^ hcedoth 
 
 make 
 
J he triad ^f a Chrijtians Eft ate. 
 
 make of him an incarnate dive!!. In 
 nature the fweetcft thing? whe they 
 t im^become the fowreft.This mor- 
 tal! ficknefle we muft cake heed of; 
 and if our love, zeale^endemefie of 
 conscience be diminifhed, wee muft 
 timely feek oat for remedy. I know 
 men thinke,we are not fo far gone; 
 once beloved ,alwaies beloved ; we 
 have left nothing but meere curiofi- 
 ty, melancholike aufterity, men in 
 many con (iderat ions reproveable- 
 (uch as thofe, v*ho joine not with j 
 theca> we hope may be in Gods fa- 
 vour, and goe to heaven. But never | 
 take fuch paines to deceive your 
 felves; thefc vaine words will not 
 ftill rocke the conscience afl *epe. If 
 thy (pirituall aftions be fallen a- 
 fleep>thy contention againftiheevil 
 dwelling in thee ceafed, thy appe- 
 tite after fincere milke & meat aba* 
 ted,thy tendernes of confeienotim- 
 paired, and thou canft lit nnder all 
 theft things without repentant for- 
 row 5 aflure thy felfe^he end of this 
 (ifthoupreyenteflitaat by.repen- 
 
 tance) 
 
 f 
 
( i l l I ■■ m ■ I 9 ■ 
 
 Tht trisB of a Cbrifiians Eftate. 3 3 
 
 tancc) ftiallbedeftruftion. Lukc- 
 warmnes (thogh men think it a pare 
 ofprudencc)ic is odious with God, 
 and will raakcus be caft up with di£ 
 pleafure : true ic is that Gods wrath 
 is not prefentlyefpiedagainftfach, 
 bat this is onely becaufe wee fee not 
 the fpirituall judgements, where- 
 with they are firicken; and we fee in 
 nature the thing is long bred and 
 conceived, before it is brought 
 forth and manifefted. 
 
 Secondly, wemuft be exhorted 
 here to ft and conftantly in our cour- 
 fes, who doe walke with God in 
 ibme life and power, though not 
 without great weaknefle • let us not 
 give over our labour and holy con- 
 tention, to which the prefence of 
 fin & defeft of righreoudeffe have 
 pricked usttbis work of grace goech 
 againft the ftreame of nature, if we 
 intermit to ply theoare of holy ex- 
 ercifrj wind and tide wH carry us 
 backagaine«Where weceafc to im- 
 prove by good husbandry the gtace 
 received,, there H beginnetb to be 
 
 imoaircd* 
 
 *~ — . * . ^m^;, 1 
 
54- i j The trtaQofa Chtijiians Efiate. 
 
 Obfer.+ 
 
 j impaired. True it is,that tht disking 
 up of oar (elves, refitting (loth* the 
 rcftlefle afpiring after things which 
 we are flill call from whh violence, 
 are in their kinds laborious : butre- 
 member^whicmeo do in their earth- 
 ly warfare; r hry(forpay oftwo (hil- 
 lings a day) march thorow places 
 often full of difficulty, \u (the 
 ground being cheir bcd)in theayre, 
 no covert over cheer ; in their viftu- 
 
 4 alls they are fore ftreightned, of- 
 ten they carry their lives in their 
 hands, and fight in the Cinons 
 mouth : to thfofeeupon this once/is 
 enough to make us afliamed of our 
 fof ntfle and cowardice. But we arc 
 of faith, as we fay, at d men of cou- 
 rage & oifdorae. Butalas^firft who 
 hath theft things? fccondly, who . 
 doth put them forth ? thirdly, who 
 is conftant in holding them, and 
 making (hew of them as occsfion is 
 offered? 
 
 We may obfcrvc this as a fourth 
 inftru&iori, what is the property of 
 a (bond believer or beliefe,*/*. to 
 
 p?r- 
 
 I 
 
The biAft of 4 Cbrtjlians Eft ate. 5 5 
 
 pcrftvcrc when thty arc tried & op- 
 pofed : this faith is a precious, fi > 
 ccie,nevc r failirg faicb; it growech 
 from one degree toanocher^the true 
 believer, hec holdeth the faith a- 
 gainft hell gates thfmfelves,thatis, 
 the powers of hell which oppofe 
 him in it : which that we may more 
 fruitfully u: derftand;we muft know 
 that where found faitfris wrought, 
 rhere the divcll plaicth the affiilant, 
 bending all his force to difcarmc 
 :hem of this divine fliield, by draw- 
 ngthembackcagalne to unbdiefe 
 md frlfe confidences which will 
 lot helpe them. 
 
 To this purpofe hee muftereth 
 :rofles f vomictcth deluges of falfe 
 laaderi;ftirrcs up thencereft friends 
 )f fuch as are now come to G 3d by 
 aithjto perftcute themmoft bitter* 
 j : (bmctime he (heweth thera im- 
 >oflibili:ies, in fenftof feeing that 
 hey defire and believe : (bmecimes 
 le troubles their fcelings,that fo he 
 aay (hake them in their believing : 
 bmetimes hee withdrtweth their 
 
 , faith 
 
 \ 
 
3* 
 
 The triaU $fa Cbrijiians Ejlate. 
 
 faith by falfeobje&s, which he pro- 
 pofeth to them; but if hee cannot 
 break off their belief,ehen he laieth 
 about to reprefle the fervency and 
 the renued exercife of their beliefe. 
 by unfettling us with fome new de- 
 vices, when we are more intent ; by 
 making our exercife painfull, and 
 uncofortable, overcafting the light 
 which was wont to fhinetousia 
 the promifcs; hindriog us from fee- 
 ling the fwect comfort in them; ex- 
 citing the reliques of fl:>th,dea<toc5, 
 inconftiocy that are in us.'fomeiime 
 by caufkfie fears & finfullfliaraefaft- 
 nefle hee withdraweth ns from our 
 holy devout exercife.But this found 
 kich quencheth allthefe fiery darts 
 which are throwne againft k 5 and 
 like as a tree which (haken* rotteth 
 more deeplyjor like as a torch w ch 
 beaten, blazcth more brightly; or 
 like as a ftar, which when the aire is 
 obfcured,fhinethmoftclearely: fbis 
 it with this root^torch,this glorious 
 fhr ; thefe powers of darknefle doe 
 nothing in the eod^but lend ic a more 
 1 . bgaq- 
 
Tl)ctri*Uofa ChrtJliantEJiate. 
 
 37 
 
 beautifull luHre, thai it ever puc 
 forth while it was not v beroundt4 
 with any fach enmities. 
 
 True it is, that the beft faith may 
 hang the whig, bsingwcatherbea- 1 
 ten, and feeme to retire under fome i 
 more vehement delaies orientation: 1 
 but that which flieth to day, figh-| 
 teth againe to morrow ; and like as ! 
 it is with thofe, whofe going backe ! 
 helpeth them to take thsir rife and 
 fetch their lea p more co modiou fly : ' 
 So here, faith (through him that is I 
 the author & ficiiflier of her)by how 
 much fhr gavebackejby Co mach in 
 her renued iadcavours (becomiaeth 
 forward more facceffcfully. From 
 this ground many come to be re- 
 proved : Some there are, who will 
 feeme to follow fincerity & fanfti- 
 fication,whik making (hew of thele 
 things isgainfull^but if crofles come 
 they will hy down their weapons^ 
 and Will provide to fleepe in whole 
 skins, whatfoever become of other 
 matters. Some, if they be delayed 
 beyond their own time,caft up their 
 > hopes, 
 
3§ 
 
 The ttiaU if a ChrifHans EJttte, 
 
 hopes,andare ready proudly to fay, 
 Ic is in vainc to (erve God. Amongft 
 chc Lords children,, how many arc 
 there who follow not faith^ grow- 
 ing up from faith to faitfy encwiog 
 the exercife of it in faftningonthe 
 gracious promifes which are made 
 unto us? Men that will check them* 
 (elves if they omit the aft of mercy, 
 of ceftifying truth, of juftice where 
 occafionis offered;blamenot them- 
 fclves fornegkfting to renew their 
 faith towards God f when hispro- 
 raifcs renewed, or experience of his 
 goodneffc and truth doth call for it 
 from us. 
 
 Some there are,who weakly fore- 
 fpeak things, fignifynig their unbe- 
 belief,by faying,tht y fhall never fee 
 this or that evill mending wkh thejj 
 that ic is but a folly to attempt fur* 1 
 ther, feeing wee ftriye againft thci 
 ftreaaie.But this is not to bs carry ed 
 with full faile of faithfull pcrfwafr 
 on on him who hath fpoken good to 
 u«, but through attending to that 
 fenfe &reafon Ipeaketh, toyeeldw 
 unbeliefe. S?cqnd- 
 
_ — 
 
 The trial! of a Chriftians EJttte. 3 9 
 
 Secondly, we may hence here gather 
 le truth of our beliefe. Hath ic ftood 
 irongh help of Gods grace in tentati- 
 n> Chrift lettech us fee that hee was 
 ur fnpporrcr,it is a true figne of grace 
 ever failing : buildings which ftaad 
 vhen winds and ftorms beat on them, 
 re prefumed to bs fore grounded, 
 phcrcas the paper- walls andpainccd 
 aftks of chefe who have not unfained 
 ;race, cannorindure any (bund afliulc 
 vhich is m ?de againft them. 
 
 The laft thing to be markedi^what oM-.f, 
 t is that doth bring us to fee ftlvation 
 iere and everlaftingly, it is ourbe- 
 hfe^i PrM. 5. Gods pleafure of wor- 
 ding this or that forus,isfirft made 
 cnowne by his Word revealing it. S 
 :ond!y, ic is delayed for a triall of 
 hem to whom it is given. Thirdly 3 it 
 3 executed. Now the revelation of 
 [his future pleafureeacly faith appn- 
 len^eih; the delay (wherein many 00 
 :urrences are incidc it) fpeaking chc 
 pntrary this faith beareih, by clea- 
 
 ing to that which formerly it heard 
 icom God. When the thing is execu- 
 ted, 
 'J 
 
4 o 
 
 The triall of a fflriftiam Efiate. 
 
 ttd 3 then faith is changed with Gght ; 
 fo chat it isplaine, that faith bringeth 
 ustofeefalvatioo, for it never giveth 
 over till the thing be in prefent; jc 
 doth kcepc us within the tower of 
 Gods impregnable ftrength for the 
 prefent, which is our fafety agtinft all 
 enemies; ic doth bring us out oi all 
 troubles by holding Gods gracious 
 Word ; as a man eommeth from a 
 deepe dungeon, by climbing a fcaling 
 ladder caftto him 3 or fitting upon an 
 Eagles wing which would mount up 
 with him. 
 
 In the Chapter following there is a 
 catalogue of glorious believers^ the 
 end of their faith being like wife re* 
 corded. Whence we may firft fee that 
 errour of Papifts, who though they 
 afcribe our firft forgivenefle of our 
 finnes to frith; yet our after-rightc- 
 oulhefle and falvation they referre to 
 good workcSj penall fatisfa&ionSj 
 application of the* Churches crca- 
 furie^ &c. withdrawing themfelves 
 from faiths when now they are 
 brought to be in date of grace ; baj 
 
 faith 
 
I 
 
 The trlall of a Chrifiia?is Ejlzte. 
 
 ith is never to ceafe till the thing be- 
 eved be now in fight, neither will 
 le fame thing be got both by faith 
 nd workes ; for thefe are fuch as will 
 iotbe compounded, theApoftlebe- 
 ng witnefle. 
 
 Againe, hence we fee how wofull a 
 ;hiog ic is to call away our confidence, 
 we fling away the plaifter that (hould 
 hcaleus • for whatfoever evillswere 
 upon us, yet holding our faith on the 
 truth and mercy of God in Chrift^ 
 they (hould variifli away as (hewers, 
 whichonourgarmgnts,dryuph time 
 and come tonothirg, Ye;,their dan- 
 ger is hence difcovercd, who though 
 thtymake conference of amrcher, a- 
 dultery, in jaftrce ; ye: care not to life 
 in unbeliefe, which is of all finals the 
 meft dangerous, for the other (hould 
 not hurt us deadly, were it not for 
 this; that wee will not by kith take 
 i that medicine which (hould healeus, 
 
 Srcondly,this r--nft incour age us to 
 p^rfevere in our fauh : as Ghrift ! jok- 
 edtothe end of the Craffej (j muft 
 we looke to the end of our fauh, that 
 
 we 
 
4* | The triaU of a C^fi'**" EJlate. jf 
 
 1 ' ■ ' — ■ — - — — — ■ — — j — | 
 
 ] we may indure all difficulties the bet- 
 ter, with which wee are encouwrcdi 
 True ic is, that mei are of:cn moft de- 
 ceived, where they truft moft; but 
 leaning on the Lord, and waiting on 
 him, thou (hall never be deceived, nor 
 miflfc of his promifed falvation. 
 objeti. But in temporary evills wee canno 
 
 aflure ourfelves of deliverance. 
 ^»/»- f Anfo. The truth is, wc fee not de- 
 liverance, becaufe wee exercife not 
 faith ia particular promifes (b ftrreas 
 we might. Secondly, wemuft ever be 
 affurcd of iflue, (uch as is joyned with 
 falvation. Thirdly,though it keepe us 
 not out of the fire, yet faith will 
 keepe us from burning, or taking hurt! 
 in our moft fiery crialls ; whereforci 
 let us renew our faith in Gods preci- 
 ous promifeSj afluring our felves thai 
 the end of it (hall be falvation of foult 
 and body in the day of our Ler< 
 Jefus Chrift. To whom with the Fa 
 cherandSpirit,&c. tAmcn. 
 
 L 
 
 FINIS. 
 
v 
 
 \m