The true watch Or A direction for the examination of our spirituall estate (according to the word of God, whereby wee must be iudged at the last day) to helpe to preserue vs from apostacie, or decaying in grace, and to further our daily growth in Christ.

Here we are to examine how we indea∣uour to performe all these duties with more conscience.

1. Which may preserue or make this present life more comfortable.

1. Procuring and vsing al helpes ther∣unto, as. holesome diet and clothing 1. Tim. 5. 23.

2. Holy mirth, reioycing in al our la∣bours, and at all times in the Lord. Pro. 14. 30. 15. 15. 17. 22. And this by kee∣ping alway a good conscience which is a continuall feast; for the ioy of the Lord is our strength causing good health, and a principal part of our por∣tion in this life, and of the begining of the kingdome of heauen.

3. Seeking all holy meanes of refuge against all violence and danger, as our Sauiour, especially flying to the Christian Magistrate, as to Gods lieu∣tenant.

4. Helpe of the Phisitian and sur∣geon.

5. Exercise.

2. Auoyding as warily all things hurtfull and perillous] as

1. All contagious diseases.

2. All euill purposes of offering vi∣olence to our selues, or naughtie wish∣es vpon discontentment, and therein flying all prouocations, furtherances and occasions thereof, especiall solita∣rinesse or reasoning with the tempta∣tion, or any way harkening thereun∣to.

3. Rash aduentures without a war∣rantable calling,

4. Worldly grief, which dryeth vp the bones, and causeth death.

5. Anger and enuy which are the rotting of the bones.

6. Surfetting, intemperance, and excesse, which kill more then the sword, being causes of innumerable diseases, and griefes.

7. Prouoking others, to the hurt of

our selues▪ as Iosiah did to the king of Egypt.

2. Concerning the life and comfort of our neighbour.

1. Earnestly seeking peace with all men, so farre as is possible, as Abraham and Dauid.

And to this end labouring to at∣taine to these vertues, which are most auaileable to gaine loue euen from our very enemies, & do much adorne Christianitie.

1. Curtesie without dissimulation, as Abraham to the Hithits.

2. Meekenesse in suffering, forgi∣uing and forgeting wrongs, leauing vengance to God. Rom. 12. 19. Eph. 4. 32.

3. Labouring to ouercome ene∣mies by kindnesse, seeking occasions to gratifie thē, at least praying for thē, that they may obtaine mercye, and haue their hearts changed.

4. Dealing iustly with all, that we

may weare their reproach as a crown, as Iob. Samuel. Iob. 29 31.

5. Abounding in compassion and good workes, as our Sauiour.

6. Aduenturing boldly, for their de∣fence and deliuerance, and much more for the Church of GOD, and our country, as Abraham for Lot, Dauid for Israel.

7. Offering & seeking reconciliatiō, where it may stand with the credit of the Gospell, the saluation of the party and others. Mat. 5. 23. 24.

Notes

• Phil. 4. 4.
• 2. Co. 1. 12. Neh. 8. 10. Eccl. 3. 12. 13.
• Rom. 14. 17.
• Rom. 13. 4. Pro. 22. 3.
• Mat. 9. 12.
• 1. Tim. 5. 23.
• Pro. 22. 3
• 1. Pet. 5. 8. 9
• Iam. 4. 7.
• Gen. 3.
• Mat. 4. 6, 7.
• Pr. 17. 22.
• 2. Cor. 7. 10
• Pr. 14. 30.
• Pro. 23. 29. 30.
• 2. Chr. 35. ••. 20. 21, 22, 23, 24.
• Rom. 12. 20, 21.