Seuen treatises containing such direction as is gathered out of the Holie Scriptures, leading and guiding to true happines, both in this life, and in the life to come: and may be called the practise of Christianitie. Profitable for all such as heartily desire the same: in the which, more particularly true Christians may learne how to leade a godly and comfortable life euery day. Penned by Richard Rogers, preacher of the word of God at Wethersfield in Essex.

CHAP. 12. Of the keeping of the heart once purged, in it good plight afterward.

NOw I hauing shewed how God maketh the heart new, and changeth it, before it be fit to be imployed in well doing, and in bringing forth fruites of amendment; and also how it being changed, renounceth euill both inward and outward: we must know how to keepe it in good plight af∣terward; that so we may be able from time to time, to con∣tinue [ I] that course which by the first change was begun, and so to doe any such duties as we are bound to performe: which otherwise cannot be. For as ves∣sels, which haue been vnsauourie, are not only once seasoned, but kept sweete afterwards, that they may be fit for vse; and as men vse to purge their springs from that which might stoppe them: so are our hearts to be preserued in the same sort, that they become not bitter and corrupt, as of themselues natural∣lie they are prone to be. For the best haue neede of this helpe whiles they carrie flesh about them, therefore much more young beginners. It is the Lords commaundement, that when our hearts are once clensed, we should keepe them so with all diligence, that is, watch, trie, and purge them from all de∣filements, [ K] whereby they are wont to be tainted, and poysoned. We must watch them, least we should, for want thereof, be deceiued with the baites of sinne: we must examine and trie them, seeing no man can watch so carefully, but that much euill will creepe in: and we must purge out that filthie drosse of concupiscence which we find by examining, that it set not our will on fire to satisfie, and performe the desires thereof.

[ A] And the man of God, who was best acquainted with the heart among many thousands, both how euill it is, and how it is in the best manner to be looked vnto and preserued, he hath taught the same: that the seruant of God, who hath by his mercie his former life purged by the forgiuenes of his sinnes, must keepe it from new infections hereafter, by taking heede, and loo∣king to the same, according to Gods word.

This is plaine to them that haue experience in the Christian life, that men walking among so many snares of the diuell, baites of the world, and meeting with so infinite rebellions, and lusts of their owne hearts, as cannot be expressed, but as we finde them out by obseruing them, are not without [ B] continuall danger and hurt, if they be not acquainted with this holie watch and ward, that their knowledge may be as a light to them in this dark world, and their prouident care as a preseruatiue from the infection of sinne, which in all their dealings will meete with them: yea and (that I say nothing of them, who are without Christ in it) euen the beleeuers themselues (I meane) doe find much annoyance, and discomfort in their liues, which neither they needed to feare, neither should finde, if this counsell of the Prophet were pretious to them.

And to this end, that they who haue their hearts thus clensed, as I haue said, may continue them so still, they must know that it is no idle occupation thus [ C] to doe: but they must be content and glad to weane their hearts from many vnprofitable, and wandring thoughts and desires, which hold them here be∣low, and with the which others are caried away, as with a whirlewinde: and to season them with holie and heauenly meditations, as namely, of Gods goodnes, of their own frailties, and of their duties; that by the helpe of these, they may the better containe themselues within their bounds, and breake not foorth into dangerous euils. These are especiall helpes for the well or∣dering of their hearts still, who haue at any time brought them in order al∣readie: this being added, that their reading priuately, their hearing publike∣ly, with their oft and earnest prayers, and Christian conferences bee wisely, [ D] and at due times adioyned hereunto: of the which here is no fit place to giue any rules more particularly, because I haue appointed to direct men how to vse these, when I shall come to speake of the helpes and meanes which are to be vsed for the well gouerning of their hearts and liues, in the next treatise.

And thus the heart being renued and kept, it is easie to renounce euill, which otherwise is impossible: for euery one that listeth may see, both by Scripture, Psalm. 32.4, 5, 6. Hebr. 10.38. and by experience (notwithstanding our affections are strong, vnruly, and most hardly subdued) with what ease we may renounce and forsake them, and haue power ouer our will and ap∣petites, [ E] when our hearts bee thus renued and kept mastered: That is to say, when first they are purged, and our corrupt nature changed into a better by beleeuing the forgiuenes of our sins, and a partaking of the graces of Christ, and after, watched ouer and obserued that they continue so: who doth not see that the stubbornnest & wilfullest heart which hath most rebelled against good instruction and reformation, yet when it is thus looked vnto, will be ta∣med? And to speake more particularly (for the weake christians sake) when a

man hath once felt damnation, the iust reward of such a course; and on the [ F] other side full deliuerance from the same to be freely giuen him of God: and thus hath his heart humblie turned towards God againe to loue, and delight in him: who doth not see (I say) that such a man daily hauing in remem∣brance this vnspeakable kindnes of God towards him, and the wofull estate that he was in otherwise; that he will be loath to displease this his so gracious God? Who doth not see, but that his heart also hauing sustained so many checkes from God, for the disorders of it, and accusations, for the manifold euils of it, and that he weaning it daily from the old lusts thereof, and seaso∣ning it with grace by faith receiued daily, which vanquisheth them, and inu∣ring it with the helpes that may nourish it from time to time; but that it shall [ G] with great ease serue God in this life, and haue nothing the toyle and labour that others haue, in the going about any good dutie, or resisting any sinne? Let men say what they will, it is the euill gouerning of the heart, and letting it loose to follie, wandrings, and needlesse phantasies, that causeth it to be sur∣feited with all manner of iniquitie; and the most know not their hearts how deceitfull, corrupt, and vnholie they be: I speake not onely of the wicked of the world, as the reader may see, I am faine often to put him in minde, but euen of those whom God hath separated from the prophane sort to serue him. And although, according to that which they know of the will of God, they haue some care to auoide offences; yet doe not many of them seeke, nor [ H] set themselues to know that which they might, of God, nor of their owne du∣ties: neither to grow forward in many good things, as they might doe, belee∣uing assuredly that God will supplie their wants, and helpe their infirmities, as he would they should; but rather doe many things to the great offence of others, and al for that they are so little acquainted with their hearts (which (in many) are tuchie, froward, wilfull, worldly in a daungerous manner) nor with Gods minde and will: by meanes whereof, some maintaine dangerous opinions: As that the law, in no wise, is to be preached; that Papists and Pro∣testants disagreeing in fundamentall points of religion, may yet agree toge∣ther, and be saued, and such like. Many also waxe secure and slouthfull, and [ I] that in no common sort, and otherwise blemished daungerously more then with common frailties: and are not, for the most part, roused vp, but by some of Gods sharpe chastisements, as in taking away their deare friends from them: afflicting their owne bodies with some sore sicknes, diease, and feare of death, their minds with darknes and ignorance, feare of Gods wrath and heauines, which they thought sometime should neuer haue taken hold of them. The vse of the which being learned by the word, they are much check∣ed and humbled to remember their boldnes, pride, and other faults: and somewhat quickened by a liuely hope, that God will againe bee intreated: also their hearts bee brought to stoope and bow to the will of God, more [ K] meekly and readily, and not so stifly to stand in their owne conceit, as before they did. After this manner, God is forced to call backe many of his: but had it not been better for them, without these sharpe corrections, to haue made it their meate and drinke before, to please him in all things? But thus, their hearts being inlarged and inlightened, they see themselues readilie to withstand sundrie temptations, which before they did so hardly resist and

[ A] gainsay, that they found it a continuall irkesomnes and toyle to goe about it: or (that which was worse) through hardning of their hearts, they would not see them at all, which was a sore blemish vnto them.

Now these and such like, will any say, outstrayings in them, till God by chastisements call them backe againe, that they be not the fruites of an ill or∣dered heart? euen as I said before, it is the ill gouerning of the heart, that cau∣seth such excrements to come from it, and such disguising of the person, in whom it breaketh out so offensiuely; the which therefore had need to bee looked vnto with all holie and religious care: which is the point now in hand. And although it bee the exceeding fauour of God, to correct such [ B] faults in his children, and to purge them out and amend them by some fa∣therly afflictions, rather then they should remaine to the vtter ruine of the persons: yet had it not been much better, that they should neuer haue giuen occasion thereof? and that they had been carefull to keepe themselues with∣in compasse, as some other of their brethren doe? Who though they be not (no not the best of others) exempt from the common frailties of Gods elect, yet doe they so labour to espie, hinder, and hold their corruptions vnder, in secret sifting them, and suing vnto God with groanes and requests; that they breake not foorth openly to the iust offence of others, at least rarely: so that it may bee seene, they keepe their hearts with all obseruation and diligence, more [ C] then the other doe.

And yet for all that hath been said, I denie not, but that the dearest chil∣dren of God may possiblie, nay easilie, as we haue seene, and are at sometime holden vnder this bondage by Sathans subtiltie, some more then others: so that for a time they shall be more drowned in the loue of earthly things, or be caried away by those which are sinfull, then obtaine a delight in heauen∣ly. But by the spirituall armour of Christians, if they be once well exercised in it, they may and doe thus farre preuaile, that they recouer themselues a∣gaine, and get superioritie ouer their hearts, and finde and feele that God is chiefe, and all in all with them, to delight and ioy in him (as I doe not see [ D] why it should bee otherwise with any such as haue truly tasted how good the Lord is) and then they shall cut off numbers of such earthly and noysome pleasures, as they were wont to solace themselues with amisse, before they considered more aduisedly of it. But will any gather, that I doe make so light a matter of sinne (whiles I thus speake) as though I thought, it might be sha∣ken off as a burre hanging on our garment; which the holie Ghost saith, clea∣ueth fast to vs, and is euer about vs? For I know sinne is raging, and the diuell is strong as a lion in his suggestions and assaults, and hardly gainsaid, shewing himselfe as an Angell of light, and wee seelie to discerne, and weake to resist: yet this I must say, that the mightie Lion of the tribe of Iuda is stronger, and [ E] Christ giueth wisedome to finde out his subtilties: and greater is the spirit of God which is in vs, if wee confidently beleeue and trust thereto, then the sin which deceiueth and inticeth vs to the same.

But we haue not this grace (ye will say) and therefore what is it to vs? we haue had it (I say againe, so many as I speake of) and haue been taught, and haue a promise to ouercome by faith: and therefore we may doe so still: and that better and better euery day, the more experience wee haue. And al∣though,

I graunt that these things are hard to such as are not throughly seaso∣ned [ F] with the knowledge of this doctrine, nor instructed oft, and made famili∣arly acquainted with the wil and louing kindnes of God (whose case is much to be pitied, and their growings cannot be great) yet it is most certaine, that where these things are often taught, and vnderstood, it shall goe farre better with them then with others. And they shall with ease get victorie ouer their speciall corruptions, as slouth, distrust, and such like: where as they, who are not acquainted and seasoned with them, shall not haue experience of Gods power in helping them to ouercome the same; but be seruants vnto them, which they might otherwise haue maistered. Examples hereof, as we haue many; so that of Dauid doth declare it, when he was constrained to cry out of [ G] it, saying: Against thee (O Lord) I offended, and did this great euill: as if he shoull haue said; my sinne had neuer broke out openly in the sight of men, if I had not let loose my heart first, in the sight of God.

Such gouernment therefore, as euery of Gods seruants according to the measure of their knowledge, may haue ouer their hearts, I wish might be kept and continued: which doubtles, although it ouercome not all tempta∣tions; yet should it weaken them very much, and diminish their strength, so that the cursed fruites of them should not so easily, nor so often breake fourth to annoy them. The good treasurie of the heart if it were carefully kept, would bring foorth better things. If ye aske what; my meaning is, not, that onely in [ H] the exercises of religion, as prayer, reading and hearing, we should haue helpe and furtherance thereby, to worship God feruently (which commo∣dity were not small) but in our common actions, affaires, and busines, we should reape the benefit thereof. For though it be no common thing to be found in the world; yet if men had a continuall care ouer their hearts, to keepe them well ordered, they should shew it in their talke and dealings: at the market, in their buyings and sellings, in their families, and among their neighbours, as well as among strangers, and in all things about which they may lawfully be occupied. In all these, I say, men should behaue themselues plainely and simply; iustly, peaceably, patiently, meekely, kindly, gently, [ I] faithfully, temperatly, and humbly, (of what state and degree so euer they be, and yet without any disgrace to them; nay the greatest honour and cre∣dit) yea and mercifully also, as occasion should be offered: which (I thinke) if they were found in christians (as, where else are they to be looked for?) they would no lesse ioy the hearts of them who should behold them, then adorne and beautifie them, who should be paterns of them. And who can say otherwise, but that it were a little heauen, to deale with, and liue among such? Euen as we see it is a peece of hell, to dwell with them that are of the contrarie disposition: As Iacob must haue been constrained to abide with Esau, and as Gods people in their captiuitie, did with the Edomits. God of [ K] his singular loue (I confesse) restraineth many from the excesse of euill, that they would otherwise doe: seeing otherwise, none could be able to liue by them: But whereas some are thus bridled by good lawes, and some for shame and vaine glory, doe depart from much iniquitie; and thus patch vp a kinde of life among men: yet know they, that without religion (that is, a feare of breaking out of christian bounds) which onely is to be found in an

[ A] heart well gouerned) they shall neuer please God, nor haue fauour nor ap∣probation, no not euen of common men. But of this we may complaine and cry out, till we haue worne our tongues to the stump, without redresse. For the fowle staines, and shamefull blots which are contrary to the forementi∣oned vertues, are still vsuall (as they haue been) almost euery where, both in many of the ministery and people, and so will bee; as though godlinesse were tied to the Church walles, and to the pulpit. And for a further illu∣stration and proofe of the benefit of the well guiding of the heart, this I haue said.

Thus we may see that the heart being well ordered, will neither suffer the [ B] affections to stray farre, nor willingly harbour euill lusts: and though they may creepe in by stealth; yet by examination, we shall finde out many of them, and shall be readie, when they are found, to purge them out, and expell them also, before they shall (being so nestled in vs) be able to poison our liues. Oh gaine vnualuable! for who can say lesse of it? that by the benefit of a well ordered heart, we may conquer many daungerous sinnes, which o∣thers (for want of it) doe vsually commit, with shame and much sorrow ac∣companying them. Now when we see the fruite of this well seasoning and keeping of our hearts, in frame, what should be in more account with vs? yea, what should hinder it from being so? or what should we thinke more [ C] needefull to be done, then the labouring for it, when we see it so great a trea∣sure; and such fearefull bondage for want of it, to come vpon vs? But, alas, this looking to our hearts by fittes, now and then, when the good moode taketh vs, as it is too common, so it is most daungerous; and suffereth not christians to see, much lesse to inioy one halfe of the sweetenes, which God bequeatheth to them: I meane, if we gouerne and looke to them, but as men in the world commonly looke to their outward seruing of God: that is, to pray when night commeth, goe to the Church when the Sabboth com∣meth, to fast when Lent commeth, and repent when death commeth. And so the wisedome of the flesh counselleth vs to looke to our hearts sometime: [ D] but that we resolue and arme our selues that the heart bee thus looked to in all that we doe (as frailty will permit) and care had ouer it, that it follow the light of knowledge going before it, oh that is thought too heauie a burthen, and an estate too vncomfortable! To reioyce alwayes, to pray continually, in all things to be thankefull: as the Apostle commaundeth, 1. Ephes. 5.16. Day and night to be meditating on the word of God, and the varietie of the infinit good things contained in it, and aiming at it, as at a marke, how we may walke after it: oh that is counted tediousnes, and bondage intolerable! And yet none of all these precepts can be vnderstoode of the outward actions of our life, the eare, and tongue cannot doe these things alwayes: but the heart may medi∣tate, [ E] reioyce, praise, and pray at all seasons, and vpon all occasions, if once it hath gotten a pleasure in them, for it shall neuer want occasion. And if we can obtaine to haue God in our remembrance more vsually then we were wont, or then others desire to doe, and spend our thoughts and set our de∣light on him: shall we thinke any thing too good for him? should we not constantly take vp our hearts in heauenly cogitations, as we are willed, Col. 3.2. when we see, that all other are but vanitie and vexation of spirit? If it

pleaseth him to aske our hearts, as he doth, when he saith, My sonne giue me [ F] thine heart: should we not thinke our selues happie that he will take any thing at our hands, when Dauid being a King, wished that he had any thing that would please him? This taking vp of our delight in the looking to our hearts, as we are able, should the more be sought after of vs, if it were but for this cause, that if wee haue not rule ouer them in our common actions thorough our life, we cannot haue them at commaundement in the chiefe seruices of God. And from hence it is, that christians of good hope, doe com∣plaine, and that oftentimes with bitternes, that their hearts are so swarming vsually with vaine thoughts, euen whiles they are in hearing and praying: the reason is, because at other times they are vsually so occupied throughout [ G] the day, feeding vpon their delights, that God is almost wholy out of their remembrance, especially to direct and leade their hearts: and therefore also their actions, and speeches are much offensiue in lightnes, rashnes, and vn∣reuerence: The which being common with them in the daily course of their life, they cannot possibly haue them otherwise at hearing or praying. All which yet are contrarily done, when the strength of concupisence, I meane, the corruption of the heart (which is without measure euill) is mortified and as∣swaged first; and then still subdued after and restrained, and daily seasoned with good meditations, and watched ouer, that it may be kept cleane, and fit to dutie. [ H]

And thus I conclude; that the onely way to curbe vp, and hold in our in∣temperate lusts, and euill desires, that they breake not out into further vngod∣lines, is, that our hearts be first purified through beleeuing that our sinnes are forgiuen vs, and wee made partakers of Christ his grace; and so our consci∣ences appeased: and that they bee continued in the same good order after∣wards.

And they, who wil not see and follow after this, but thinke to abstaine from sinfull temptations, and serue God in an honest and godly life, howsoeuer the heart be little looked after, shall reape a sleight fruite of their trauaile; nei∣ther leade the life which is approued of God (as hath been said) nor finde the [ I] comfort which they imagine they shall haue, at leastwise which they heare, to be graunted by the Lord. But it commeth to passe, as it is written, that as they serue him, so he serueth them: for as they serue not God in heart, and deed, but in word; so their peace is not in heart and deed, but in word: their ioy, not in soule, but in countenance: a false comfort (and that appeareth in time of neede) as they gaue to him a false worship. It is profitable for vs to weigh this: for such as crie out of vs, as of Precisians, for teaching and vrging this, doe proue, to their cost and shame oftentimes, that they had been happy if they could haue receiued this our doctrine, howsoeuer they reproch and speake ill of our liuing. Who should not haue branded themselues with [ K] sinnes, that they could neuer after weare out the staine of them any more; if they had been as the strictest Precisians before.

It hath been shewed, how the heart being kept pure and cleane, the vnruly desires and appetites which arise from thence, shall be kept vnder in vs, and the power of them shaken and weakened: this is thus to be vnderstoode: that euen as, if our hearts were altogether pure, all our thoughts and desires

[ A] should be altogether holy, and none of them vncleane: so our hearts being purified and clensed, but vnperfectlie, and in part, our desires therefore can∣not be (in the perfectest and best Christians) altogether good and pleasing to God, but vnperfit: that is to say, many of them euill, and many which are holy, yet mixed with euill and corruption. Whereby it commeth to passe, that the holiest seruants of God, both carrie about them the noisome rem∣nants of sinne whilest they liue, as loathsome ragges (for they cleaue fast vnto them) and also they complaine and grone vnder them as heauie burthens, saying, Oh wretched men that we are, who shall deliuer vs? And againe, If thou, O Lord, shouldest looke streightlie what is done amisse, who should be able to abide it? [ B] This (I say) is the perfection of the best: that they, who charge vs to chal∣lenge a puritie to our selues, may be ashamed. But yet least wicked and vn∣godly men should thinke this a small gift and priuiledge, that Gods seruants haue in this, that they be in part renued, and so be brought to thinke, that there is no great difference betwixt the godlie and themselues, they are to knowe, that to haue our hearts changed but in measure, so as it be in truth, is a benefit of greater value, then the whole world: and what meruaile if the ouercomming of malice, and reuenge (but one affection) be of greater value, then the winning of a Citie? Prouerb. 16.32. And whereas they thinke there is no difference betwixt the one, and the other, they may vnderstand, that the [ C] meanest person hauing a cleane heart, though not perfect, is by infinite de∣grees happier then the most glosing professor which wanteth it, the one sa∣ued, the other damned: as we reade of the poore Publicane, and the vaine glori∣ous Pharisie.

Notes

• The heart pur∣ged, must so be kept.
• Prouerb. 4.23. How the heart is kept.
• Psal 119.9.
• Luk. 12.35.
• Great labour thus to keepe the heart.
• VVith this heart easie to renounce euill.
• An ill gouer∣ned hart cause of all disorder.
• Little acquain∣tance with our hearts brings great bondage.
• An high grace to liue well, without the whip.
• The faithfull in part thus kept downe.
• Sinne is not shaken off as a burre. Heb. 12.1.
• 2. Cor. 2.11.
• Grace to van∣quish sinne. This may be ob∣tained, and more and more from day to day.
• Psal. 51.5.
• Luk. 6.45.
• Gal. 5.22.
• A peece of hea∣uen to liue with such as keepe their hearts well. Psal. 120.5.6.
• VVithout it nothing sauory.
• Fruite of a well ordered heart.
• Good moode.
• Psalm. 1.2.
• Psal. 119.15. Heart may al∣wayes be looke to.
• Pro. 23.26.
• Psalm. 116.12.
• Another cause why the heart should be lookt to, other wise it will not be rea∣die to any duty.
• Note.
• How we may be fit to pray and meditate.
• The onely way to curbe our lusts, is to looke to our hearts.
• Without this small fruite or comfort.
• Matth. 19.29.
• Matth. 6.6. & 15.7.
• Note.
• This clensing of the heart is not perfect.
• Hebr. 12.1.
• Rom. 7.
• Psalm. 130.3.
• This clensing though weake, is a great priui∣ledge.
• Luk. 18.9.10.