A pleasant walk to heaven, through the new and living way, which the Lord Jesus consecrated for us, and his sacred Word reveals unto us. Published by Claudius Gilbert, B.D. minister of the Gospel at Limrick.

A three fold ground moves efficaciously thereto, Ingenuity, Congruity and Expediency.

Ground 1.

INgeuuity is a powerfull Principle, a spiritual Instinct in the new Creature. All things are moved by their peculiar In∣stinct to their proper work for matter and manner answerable to their Being. The true Christian is ennobled with a gene∣rous Spirit, that makes him willing in the day of Christs power, to fulfill after him, as Caleb did. This Ingenuous Spirit can∣not but a•••• them energetically to Ingenuous motions. So far as they live in the Spirit, they must needs walk after the Spirit. Its for want of Grace, that any are found to walk

unworthily. The best know and act graciously, but in part. Regeneration is indeed universal in every part, but not total in any part. The Lords Spirit gradually renews the Spirits of all his, that they may walk in the Spirit, and not fulfill the Lusts of the flesh. The natural Principle of all things moves secretly and sweetly, strongly and sutably, successively and suc∣cessfully. So doth a Christians Spirit, by ingenuous Instincts in each relation and occasion.

Ground 2.

Congruity presses thereto also, that there may be a due Correspondence in a Christians walk, answering his Call. All Bodies natural, artificial and Political, subsist orderly by a con∣gruous disposal and composure of all parts, in their harmoni∣ous Symmetry towards their proper actions. The like appears in the Body of Christ, in his house and Kingdom. Its most con∣gruous that his own members should move in their place, an∣swerably to their Call, that his Children and friends, his ser∣vants and Spouse should duly observe their respective Relati∣ons. Its most rational, just and equitable, that such a Deco∣rum should be duly maintained in a Christian walk. Disor∣derly Christians are most absurd and irrational in their unwor∣thy Walkings. They are 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, without rank and rea∣son, most incongruous in their unsutable, uncomely motions about good and evil. Sin is the Ataxie and Dyscrasie, the Dis∣orderer and Distemperer of all things. So far as any walk sin∣fully, they walk unworthily, Incongruously. The sweet Harmo∣ny and sure stability of things depend upon their congruity, and due composure in station and motion. Is it not congruous, that every Member should walk worthy of his Head; that every part should keep its due proportion, and respect to the whole? He that saith, that he abides in him, ought also to walk, even as he walked. The Apostle would have Christians there∣fore, to be his Followers, as far as he was a follower of Christ. Its most congruous, that Christs Disciples should learn of their Master, and write after him; that his Souldiers should keep close to him, and march after his steps.

Ground 3.

Expediency hath a strong influence into the same, with Reference both to God and Man.

1. WIth Reference to God; a Christians worthy Walk is most expedient for his honor and service. Unworthy walking is most disgracefull and disadvantagious to his name and cause, to his Truth and Grace, to his friends and ways. The Glory of all his Attributes is deeply concern'd in his Peoples walking. He minds them of it still in his Word and Providence. Christiani sancte vixissent, said the Heathen in Dirision, Si Christus sancte docuisset. These are the Peo∣ple of the Lord, that are gone forth out of his Land, said the reproaching Gentiles of the Jews unworthy carriage, in their transplantations. Gods honor should be dearer unto us then our best comforts. We are his workmanship, creat∣ed in Christ Jesus unto good woks, which he before ordained for us to walk in. His Interest requires that all his Children, Servants and Subjects should walk like him, and with him, be∣fore and after him, from him, and for him.

2. With Reference to man; a Christians worthy walk con∣duces wonderfully to the publique Good, and his own Credit and Comfort, very many wayes. Christians should be studi∣ous to maintain good works, as things most profitable to men. They are redeemed by Christ to be a peculiar People, zealous of good works. The welfare of the whole depends very much upon the worthy Demeanor of every part, in its respe∣ctive station and motion. Unworthy walking is the great Obstructer of all publique Interest, civil and sacred. Thereby are the wicked hardned in sin, and the godly grieved and dis∣countenanced. The Cement and Juncture of all societies are Impaired and ruinated by the same. Truth and Peace, Righ∣teousness and Holiness are still affronted, and basely abused thereby. The very props and bases of every common-wealth shake and totter by unworthy courses. God will not own them that will not own him. He walks against such, as walk

against him. With the Upright will he shew himself upright, and against the froward, will he appear froward. Our own personal good is signally engaged therein, in all temporal and spiritual regards. A righteous walking exalts a Nation, but sin is the reproach of any person or people. He that walks uprightly, walks safely and comfortably. All the ways of Wisdom are pleasantness, and all her paths are Peace. He meets him that works righteousness, walking and remembring him in his ways, to direct their steps, who acknowledge him in all their ways. The way of Life is above to the wise, to depart from Hell beneath. Christians unworthy carriage is the blast of all Credit, Comfort and Conscience. Their worthy walk∣ing is most expedient for their own and others good. Many are won to Christ by the good Conversation of the very women, which have long resisted the Spirit and word of God. The Life of Christians is the very Life of their Christianity, making most lively Impressions upon others. Examples are much more efficacious then Precepts, for good against evil, Docemur praeceptis, ducimur exemplis. Christ himself appeared an eminent Pattern, as well as a Principle of holiness, to lead all his people towards happiness.

Notes

• Psal. 110. 3.
• Gal. 3. 25.
• 1 Cor. 13. 12.
• Rom. 17. 15, 16, 18, 19, 21, 23.
• Gal. 5. 16.
• 2 Thess. 3. 2.
• 1 Cor. 12.
• Eph. 4.
• 1 Ioh. 2. 6.
• 1 Cor. 11. 1.
• Mat. 11. 29.
• Ezek. 36. 20.
• Eph. 2. 10.
• Tit. 2. 11, 12, 14.
• Tit. 3. 8, 14.
• Psal. 18. 25, 26.
• Pro. 14. 34.
• Pro. 10. 9.
• Pro. 28. 18.
• Pro. 3. 17.
• Isa. 64. 5.
• Pro. 3. 6.
• Pro. 15. 24.
• 1 Pet. 3. 1, 2.