The practice of policie in a Christian life taught from the Scriptures / written by I. Saltmarshe ...

POLICIE CXXVII. What you are to doe in affaires in generall.

FIrst consultation is requisite and election of what is to be done, then looke about for cir∣cumstances, as of place, time, persons, humours, dependancies, occurrences which may happen, propose all reasons, suspitions, conjectures, and improve them by a due examination, forecast impediments or what may hin∣der your effecting, and conse∣quences, what may follow and arise from thence, then looke to the conduct of your businesse, how to dispose all, and allow some uncertainty to those events which are independant, for there is an instance of succeeding in which providence reserves and reveales when and to whom shee pleases, There is a time when in their hands there is good successe, Eccl. and sayes Christ, cast the

net on the right side of the ship, and yee shall finde, Joh. 21. 6. there is a right side for fishing, else your net may returne empty.

First see what is to bee done in each particular case.

2. Then enquire prudently the meanes how to compasse it, then observe the just measure and pro∣portion you are to allow the action, that is, weigh the fittings of the circumstance of time, place, and subject, then apply your selfe to the felicity or dex∣terity of arriving where you in∣tend:

Let reason goe before every enterprise and counsell before every action Ecclef. 37. 16.