A guide to godlynesse or a Treatise of a Christian life shewing the duties wherein it consisteth, the helpes inabling & the reasons parswading vnto it ye impediments hindering ye practise of it, and the best meanes to remoue them whereunto are added diuers prayers and a treatise of carnall securitie by Iohn Douname Batcheler in Diuinitie and minister of Gods Word.

CAP. II.

Of worldly impediments which hinder a godly life; and first, such as are publike.

§. Sect. 1 The first pub∣like impedi∣ment arising from euill Magistrates.

VNto the impediments which the diuell himselfe directly v∣seth to hinder our proceeding in Christian duties, wee will now adde those which are cast into our way by the world and the flesh, who ioyne all their forces with him, which are farre more powerfull and preualent then his owne tentati∣ons. The impediments of the world are either publike, or priuate. The former respect superiours, as Magistrates and Ministers; or inferiours, as the people that are vnder their gouernment. The impediments which oppose a godly life, respecting Magistrates, are chiefly two: the first is, their authority and greatnesse abused to impiety, as to the discountenan∣cing of vertue and godlinesse, and the countenancing of vice and sinne, the discouraging of the faithfull in all good courses, and the heartening of the wicked in their impiety and prophanesse. The which is done by their priuate fauours, denyed to the one, and imparted to the other; or by their publike edicts and lawes crying downe the sincerity of Religion, and strengthening the sonnes of Belial in their outragious wickednesse. For the auoyding of which impediments, let vs often consider how much better it is to haue the fauour of God, in which consisteth our life and happinesse, and which being permanent and vnchangeable, will neuer forsake vs, then the fauour of Princes and great men, whose fauours are momentany, seeing (as the Psalmist speaketh) their breath being in their * 1.1 nostrels, they will sooner returne to their dust; and also fickle and mu∣table, being ready to hate to morrow, whom they loue to day; as wee see in the example of Haman, and many others. That it is better to haue the peace of a good conscience which accompanyeth well-doing, then the praise and applause of the greatest Potentates, in our neglect of holy du∣ties. That we shall haue little comfort when we are going to hell, though we carry in our hands their Passe or Patent, affoording vnto vs a quiet passage without checke or disturbance, no though we haue themselues to beare vs company, and countenance vs in the way. Neither let the lawes of euil Magistrates discourage vs in Christian duties, seeing we haue a su∣periour Law of the supreme King of heauen and earth, whereunto both they and we are bound to yeeld obedience; and howsoeuer we are there∣by tyed to be subordinate vnto them, so long as they hold their subordi∣nation vnto God, yet when they leaue him, we must leaue them and their lawes, chusing with the Apostles, to obey God, rather then men, and resolute∣ly * 1.2 sustaining our selues in our Christian obedience, by our inuincible pa∣tience, in suffering with meeknesse, whatsoeuer might and malice can inflict vpon vs, and with our infallible hopes of inioying that eternall happines, which Christ hath promised to all those that suffer persecution * 1.3

for righteousnesse sake. The other impediment is the euill example of great men, which mightily draweth inferiours to imitation, if God stay them not with his Spirit. For seeing likenesse causeth loue, and this in great personages, is the staffe and strength of inferiours hopes, expecting to rise by their meanes, heereof it is, that they conforme themselues to imitate their manners, though neither out of loue to their persons or con∣ditions, but meerly out of selfe-loue, that they may hereby aduance their owne worldly ends. In which regard, as prosperity findeth many friends, so Princes and great men haue many followers, because they are the chiefe dispencers of these worldly preferments. But if we would also leape ouer this blocke, and keepe a constant course in the wayes of godlinesse; wee must liue, not by examples, but by precepts, and not looke what others doe, but what God requireth of vs. And as wee must not follow a multi∣tude, * 1.4 and (as it were) the whole Herd, in doing euill, so neither the migh∣ty (as it were) the Rammes of the flocke, when as, like ill presidents, they mis-leade vs out of the wayes of godlines, into the by-paths of errour and sin. And to this end let vs remember, that greatnesse hath no priuiledge in grace and goodnes, seeing (as the Apostle telleth vs) Not many rich and * 1.5 mighty are called: yea rather (as the experience of all times hath taught vs) they come as farre behind the meanest sort (for the most part) in all grace and goodnesse, as they doe exceed them in glory and greatnesse. And therefore let not these glorious lights dazle our eyes, and like the Ig∣nis fatuus, or fooles fire, bewitch and intice vs to follow them into the ditches and quagmires of vice and sinne, but leauing them where they leaue the light of Gods truth, let vs wholly commit our selues ouer to be guided by it, which will preserue vs from being mis-led by such ill exam∣ples.

§. Sect. 2 Of the impe∣diments which arise from euill Ministers.

The other sort of publike impediments, whereby the world hindreth vs in the wayes of godlinesse, arise from euill Ministers, both in respect of their doctrine, and also their liues and ill examples. In the former respect, the people are much hindred by such insufficient and vnconscionable Mi∣nisters, as either cannot, or will not instruct them in the duties of a godly life, or else doe it not after a right manner. And first, when such blind guides are set ouer them, as cannot see the way of truth, and much lesse leade and direct others in it; for when the blind lead the blind, they must * 1.6 needs both fall into the ditch, as our Sauiour speaketh. Which kind of Mi∣nisters are so farre from deseruing the esteeme of true Pastours, that they are vnworthy the place of the dogs of the flocke, seeing they are dumbe, * 1.7 and cannot barke and giue any warning to the sheepe when the Wolfe commeth. Secondly, when such vnconscionable Ministers haue the charge of soules committed vnto them, as hauing sufficiency of gifts, will not, through negligence and idlenesse, feed them with the Bread of life, and being more cruell then the Ostriches, or the Dragons (as Ieremy * 1.8 speaketh in another case) will not pull out their brests, though full of milk, for the feeding of Gods children committed to them, but let them starue and perish for want of nourishment; herein worse then the other, who hauing dry brests, cannot (though they would) affoord vnto them the sincere milke of the Word. Whereas these are so hard-hearted, that

they can, but will not, chusing rather to let their milke corrupt in their brests, and to dry vp for want of drawing, then to preserue their owne plenty, by communicating to the peoples necessities. And not much bet∣ter are they who preach but very seldome, hauing gifts and strength suffi∣cient, and then not so much out of conscience to performe their duty, as to auoyd the penalty of the Law, or the blemish of ignorance and insuf∣ficiency. Seeing the life of grace in Gods people, cannot ordinarily bee * 1.9 preserued in any vigour by a monethly meale, but needeth frequent nou∣rishment, as the people are able to heare and beare away. And therefore the Apostle layeth a strait charge vpon Timothy, and in him, vpon all Gods Ministers, not onely that they should preach the Word, but also that * 1.10 they should doe it instantly, in season, and out of season, that is, often, and vp∣on all occasions. Fourthly, the worke of grace and godlinesse is much hindred in the people, when as the Ministers preach themselues, and not Christ, chiefly intending to shew their owne gifts, learning and elo∣quence, and not the edification and saluation of the people. When as they doe not preach the Word with power and authority, like our Sauiour * 1.11 Christ, nor in the euidence and demonstration of the Spirit, to their hearts and consciences, that they may cast downe the strong holds of sinne; but come * 1.12 in the inticing speech of mans wisedome, to tickle the eare, and soare aloft in idle and heartlesse speculations, farre out of the reach, and aboue the capa∣city of their hearers, filling their heads with the froth of witty conceits, which haue in them no solid nourishment. Wherein they carry them∣selues contrary to the charge which our Sauiour giueth to the Apostle Peter, and all his faithfull Ministers; namely, that in their teaching they should take care to feed, not onely his sheepe, but also his tender lambes. * 1.13 Finally, the people are much hindred in their growth of godlinesse, when as their Ministers take no paines publikely to catechize and instruct them in the maine principles of Christian Religion, seeing no good building can be erected by them who neglect to lay a sure foundation; or priuate∣ly to resolue their doubts, and to prouoke them by holy conferences, and * 1.14 earnest exhortations and perswasions, to put in practice those duties which they haue learned by their publike ministery. Through which faults and defects in worldly and carelesse Ministers, the people commit∣ted to their charge, are much hindred in the wayes of godlinesse. For where prophecie faileth, there the people must needs perish. Where there is a * 1.15 famine of the Word, what can follow but faintnesse and feeblenesse for want of food? Where the Gospell is not preached, which is the power of * 1.16 God vnto saluation, and the sauour of life vnto life, to all that beleeue: what can ensue hereupon, but impotent weaknesse vnto all good duties, and death and destruction of body and soule? If the Watchmen sleepe, who should giue warning to Gods people, of the approch of enemies, how easily may they surprize and vanquish them? If the Gardener, and Vin∣tager be slothfull and idle in planting and watering, how shall Gods Plants and Vines flourish? And if they busie not themselues in pruning and weeding, how shall the Garden and Vineyard thriue, and not rather be ouer-growne with weeds and thistles? If the lights be put out, or hid vnder a bushell, what can follow but palpable darknesse, through which

the people of God must necessarily erre out of the waies of truth? * 1.17 And if the Gospell of Christ bee not painfully preached, which is the ordinarie meanes of begetting Faith; how should the people come out of the state of infidelity, and beleeue, that they may be saued? And what can follow of all this, but the vtter neglect of all the duties belonging to a godly life, when sauing knowledge and a liuely Faith, the foundations of it, are ouerthrowne?

§. Sect. 3 Of the means whereby the former impe∣diments may be remoued, first, in respect of the Mini∣sters.

For the remouing of which impediments, first, the Ministers are to be exhorted and perswaded to doe their dutie. And in the first place, that none presume to take vpon them this high calling, which God hath neuer called vnto it, being altogether vnfitted and vnfurnished with gifts necessarily required to this high dutie; seeing they pur∣chase their meanes and maintenance with the price of blood, not of the bodies, but of the precious soules of the people, the which shall be required at their hands in that terrible day, when as Christ shall come to iudge both the quicke and the dead. And secondly, those which God hath furnished with gifts, are to be mooued and admoni∣shed in the feare of God, that with all care and good conscience they feed the flocke of Christ committed to their charge, not for filthy lucre, * 1.18 but with a willing minde, chiefely ayming at the glorie of God in the saluation of the people. To which purpose, let them first remember those names and titles giuen them in the Scriptures, implying not on∣ly their dutie, but great and high priuiledges whereby they should be incouraged vnto it. For they are appointed of God to be the Lights of the world; and what sinne and shame is it to hide their Light, * 1.19 and to let the people sit in darkenesse and in the shadow of death? They are the Salt of the earth, appointed not onely to be sauorie in themselues, but also to season others, which salt of Grace and Wis∣dome if they lose, they are good for nothing, but to be cast vpon the dung-hill, and to be troden vnder feete. They are Gods Watchmen, * 1.20 who haue the care of his armies committed vnto them, to giue them warning of the approch of their enemies, which if they neglect, the blood of those which perish through their sloth, shall be required at their hands. They are appointed to be Captaines ouer the people, to * 1.21 goe out and in before them, and to traine and teach them how to fight against the enemies of their saluation. They are Gods Husband∣men, * 1.22 Gardeners and Vintagers, to plant and sow, purge, weede and prune his fields, gardens and vineyards, that they may bring forth fruit * 1.23 in due season. They are Stewards of his family, who must haue in * 1.24 store both new and old, that they may giue a fit portion to all their fellow seruants. They are Gods Ambassadours vnto the people, * 1.25 who represent his owne person, and deliuer vnto them the glad ty∣dings of the Gospell, wherein God offereth vnto them peace and re∣conciliation; and therefore being so highly honoured, they must not be slacke in doing their message. Finally, they are their spirituall Fa∣thers, * 1.26 ordained of God as his instruments, to beget them vnto him∣selfe by the immortall seed of the Word; which if they neglect, the people through their default remaine the children of wrath, and dead

in their sinnes. Secondly, let them remember that heauy woe and dreadfull curse denounced against those who preach not the Gospell, * 1.27 or doe the worke of the Lord negligently. Thirdly, let them haue * 1.28 in minde that fearefull account which those haue to make at the day of Iudgement, that through their sloth, worldlinesse, or vnconsciona∣ble kinde of preaching, are found guilty of destroying the soules which were committed to their charge. Fourthly, let them be in∣couraged to the diligent performance of their dutie, by that inward peace of conscience, and vnspeakable ioy and comfort, which all Gods faithfull Ministers finde and feele in their owne hearts and conscien∣ces, when as by their Ministery they see God glorified in the saluati∣on of his people committed to their charge. Finally, let them in∣courage themselues in their painfull labours, by calling to minde that vnspeakeable recompence of reward, promised to all those who con∣uert others vnto righteousnesse, seeing they shall shine as starres of * 1.29 the firmament in the glory of Gods Kingdome.

§. Sect. 4 Of other meanes re∣specting the people.

Secondly, the people for their part, are to vse all good helpes and meanes for the remouing of this impediment. And first, their care must be to place themselues vnder sufficient, godly, and faithfull Mi∣nisters, who will carefully and conscionably breake vnto them the bread of life. And if in the dayes of their ignorance, they haue sea∣ted themselues vnder blinde guides, ignorant & insufficient Ministers, or if such be imposed vpon them against their wils in those places where their lands and liuings, trades and meanes doe lie, they must not onely sigh and mourne vnder this burthen, but also vse all lawfull meanes to be freed from it as soone as they can, either by procuring some better meanes by their care and charge, or by remouing their habitation (though with some worldly inconuenience) vnto some other place; Esteeming this one thing necessary, to enioy the meanes of their saluation, and with the wise Merchant purchasing this pearle * 1.30 and treasure at the highest rate, rather then be without it. For if wee would be hired with no worldly gaine, to liue in such places as affoord no food for the nourishment of our bodies; let vs be no lesse wise and carefull for our precious soules, and not hazard them to death and de∣struction, by continuing in those places for our worldly aduantage, where there is a continuall famine of the Word, but rather then want it, wee must wander from sea to sea, and from the North to the East, that * 1.31 we may seeke and finde it. But if the Ministers vnder whom God hath placed vs, haue sufficiencie of gifts, and yet through sloth and negli∣gence, worldlinesse or want of care and good conscience, neglect their dutie, we are not so easily to abandon them, before wee haue vsed all good meanes whereby they may be made more painefull and diligent. And first, wee must labour with God by our feruent prayers, that he will sanctifie their gifts, and giue vnto them, such faithfull and honest hearts, as that they may more conscionably set themselues to seeke Gods glory in the saluation of the people committed to their charge, and so imploy their talents which they haue receiued, as that they may be able to make a cheerefull account, when as they shall be called

to giue vp their reckoning. For if those which are most faithfull and diligent in discharge of their dutie, need these helpes, which made the Apostle so often to desire the prayers of the people; how much more doe they need them, who haue so many defects in the worke of their Ministery? Secondly, we must indeuour to draw them on to more di∣ligence by our good counsels and admonitions, in the Spirit of loue and meekenes, without all spleene and bitternes, or any disgrace offred to their persons. Thirdly, we must labour to win and encourage them, not onely by auoyding causelesse wranglings and contentions, but also by paying vnto them iustly and honestly their full due, which * 1.32 by the Lawes of God and men belong vnto them, and not take oc∣casion vpon the neglect of their dutie to neglect ours. Yea, rather with open hearts and hands, wee must carry our selues liberally to∣wards * 1.33 them according to our ability, that gayning their loue, they may become more carefull to seeke our spirituall good, communi∣cating vnto vs their ministeriall gifts, when they see vs willing to communicate vnto them our corporall blessings. Fourthly, we must not vilifie and contemne their Ministery, though there be therein some wants and imperfections, nor runne from them to others, who in our iudgement doe exceed them; but beare with their infirmities, and doe our best to reforme and amend them. Finally, when they preach vnto vs, we are to heare them with all diligence and reuerence, whereby we shall make them more carefull to deliuer things worth our hearing, and more ready to take greater paines, when they see them so much regarded. For as the sucking of the childe draw∣eth downe the mothers milke, and causeth it to come in greater plenty, whereas if the brest be not drawne, all the milke is soone dryed vp; so is it in this case betweene the Minister and the peo∣ple. By all which and the like meanes if wee preuaile nothing, wee are (if possibly wee can) to remooue our selues from vnder their charge, seeing it is not much materiall vnto vs, whether they cannot or will not teach vs the way of saluation, and no lesse necessitie lyeth vpon vs of hearing, then vpon them of preaching the Gospell; nor a lesse woe, if through our owne negligence wee heare it not.

§. Sect. 5 Of the impe∣diment of a godly life, arising from the euill liues of some Mini∣sters.

The last publique impediment respecting the Ministery, is the euill liues of many, who take vpon them to perswade others to the practice of Christian duties. For ordinarily the people imagine, that they goe fast enough in the waies of godlinesse, if they keepe full pace with those which are their Teachers. And though they heare them of∣ten in the Pulpit, vse many arguments to draw them on to more per∣fection; yet they suppose that there is no necessity of seruing God so strictly and sincerely, but that all is spoken for forme and fashion sake; otherwise they who are so earnest in perswading vs, would leade vs the way by their good example. For the remouing of which im∣pediment, we are to know, that howsoeuer Ministers excell others in the common gifts of the Spirit, as knowledge, learning and such like, yet the sauing graces of God are free, & not tyed to any calling or pro∣fession

more then others. And therefore seeing in this regard, the learned hath no priuiledge aboue the vnlearned, the Doctor aboue the Artificer, or the Pharisee before the Fisherman, it is no great mar∣uaile, if the greatest Rabbins in the world bee as small proficients in * 1.34 grace, and in the practice of holy & Christian duties, as those which they scorne for their ignorance and simplicity. But yet so long as they sit in Moses chayre, wee must not onely heare them, but doe as they say, though not as they doe, seeing their speeches are not grounded vpon the authority of their persons or actions, but vpon the Word of God, vnto which wee owe simple and absolute obedience, who∣soeuer bee the Messenger that bringeth it vnto vs. But of this I haue written more largely in the first part of my Warfare, vnto which I referre the Reader, who desireth in this point more full satis∣faction.

§. Sect. 6 Of the publike impediments which respect the people.

The common impediments of a godly life which respect the people, are also diuers. As first, when they content themselues with a forme of profession and Religion, without any desire to finde in themselues the power, efficacy and fruite thereof, for the sanctifying of their hearts, and reforming of their liues. As when they professe Religi∣on, because the State establisheth it; goe to the Church and heare the Word, because the Law requireth it; pray in the Congregation, and goe to the Communion, because it is the custome of the Countrey, and other of their neighbours doe it as well as they. But this is to rest in a shadow without a substance, and in a forme of godlinesse, but denying the power thereof. Which if wee would auoid, our care must * 1.35 bee to serue God in obedience to his Commandements, to wor∣ship him in Spirit and truth, and to ioyne the inward seruice of the heart and soule, with the ourward seruice of the body; and finally, that in all these duties wee propound vnto our selues right ends, namely, to profit by them in knowledge, faith, and the practice of all holy duties of a godly life, that we may glorify God in the fur∣ther assurance of our saluation. The second impediment respecting * 1.36 the people, is the neglect and contempt of the Preaching of Gods Word, as a thing vnnecessary for their saluation. For howsoeuer they suppose, that there is some vse of it for their conuersion vnto God, the inlightening of their mindes with some knowledge of the truth, and the working of faith in some first degrees; yet they hold it a needelesse taske to bee continually tyed to these religious exercises, and that it is sufficient to vse them sometimes at their best leysure. Which impediment if wee would shun, wee must remem∣ber, that as the Word and the ministery thereof, is the immortall seede which begetteth vs to God, so it is the spirituall food of our * 1.37 soules, whereby they must bee continually nourished, that the graces of the Spirit begun, may bee increased and confirmed in vs, vntill we come to a perfect age in Iesus Christ. That it is the sword of the Spi∣rit, whereof we haue daily vse in our spiritual warfare, (which lasteth as long as our liues last) for the repelling of our enemies, & the ouercom∣ming of all their dangerous temptations. That it is the only true light,

which guideth vs in all our waies, whereof if through negligence wee depriue our selues, we shall walke in darkenesse, and sit in the shaddow of death. That it is our counsellor in all our doubts, and our comfor∣ter in all our troubles; the meanes to strengthen and vphold vs when we stand, and to recouer and rayse vs when we are falne; the chiefe helpe we haue to keepe vs in the way of truth, and to recall vs when we erre and goe astray; our food in time of health, and our physicke to cure and restore vs when we are sicke. The third impediment to the * 1.38 life of grace and godlinesse is, when as the people are content to heare the Word, but without any cheerefulnesse and delight, with cloyed stomacks and lost appetites, whereof it is, that this delicious Manna is loathsome to their carnall and surfetted taste, and yeeldeth no whole∣some nourishment, because it is eaten against the stomacke. Which if we would remoue, wee must labour often to quicken our appetite, that wee may with Dauid finde and feele the sweetenesse of Gods * 1.39 Word, farre exceeding the hony and the hony-combe, and earnestly hunger and thirst after it, that we may profit by it, and haue the graces of Gods Spirit nourished and increased in vs. To which end wee must often meditate vpon the excellency, profit and necessity of it, as being a Pearle aboue all price, and the onely chiefe treasure which will make vs truely rich. The fourth impediment, is want of diligence, reuerence * 1.40 and attention in the hearing of the Word, whereby most of this pre∣cious liquor spilleth beside, and is vtterly lost; and want of care to trea∣sure it vp in our memories, or to meditate vpon it afterwards, that we may bring it home to our hearts and consciences, and practise it in our liues. Which if we would remoue, we must consider, that it is not the deede done, which will make Gods ordinances truely profitable, but the right manner of doing them; that God will neuer blesse vnto vs the meanes of our saluation, if wee only bring our lips and eares, and outward man vnto them, and do not performe these religious duties with our heart and spirit. And finally, that for our spirituall nourish∣ment it is not sufficient, that we haue plenty of food set before vs, vn∣lesse we feede on it with good appetites, retaine it in our memories (as it were) in the stomacke; and well digest and apply it to our vse by seri∣ous meditation: which duties if wee neglect, either not feeding vpon the food of our soules, or casting it vp againe as soone as it is eaten, we can neuer attaine vnto any spiritual strength, but must needs grow faint and languish in the life of godlinesse. The last impediment (which I * 1.41 will here speake of) in the people, is too much curiosity, both in their hearing and applying of the Word. For such itching eares haue ma∣ny, that they loath the sincere milke of the Word, and all ordinary points handled in an ordinary manner; and affect nothing but nouel∣ties, idle speculations and curious questions; witty discourses and fro∣thy conceites. But that we may shun this foolish curiosity, let vs know, that as the Ministers are bound to deliuer the sincere truth in the eui∣dence * 1.42 of the Spirit and power, so they no lesse to hunger after it, euen the sincere milke of the Word, that they may grow vp thereby: That * 1.43 as they are bound to teach, so we aboue all things must desire to know

Iesus Christ and him crucified. That they who desire to vnderstand aboue that which is meete, and affect onely nicities and nouelties, doe feede * 1.44 vpon froth and winde, which will puffe them vp, but neuer nourish * 1.45 them; and finally, that hungring after continuall variety, and strange dishes, is a signe of a sicke and weake stomacke, full of grosse humours, which needes to bee purged, before it can bee nourished. The like hinderance curiosity bringeth to our proceedings in godlinesse, in re∣spect of applying the Word; when as men will not bring it home to their owne hearts, but curiously prying into, and examining the liues and manners of others, doe put off all that is spoken from themselues, and apply it vnto them whom they thinke it more neerely concerneth. Which if we would auoid, we must conceiue that God hath purposely sent what we heare as a message vnto vs, that all that is spoken, is for our own learning and vse, as if there were none in the Church besides. That the Word which we heare wil not profit, vnlesse it be mixed with faith, & that there is no faith, where there is no application to our own vse. Finally, that y^e meate only nourisheth vs which our selues feed vpon and disgest, and not that which being carued vnto vs we doe not eate, but put it away from vs, or else lay it vpon another mans trencher.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Psal. 146. 4.
• * 1.2

  Act. 5. 29.
• * 1.3

  Mat. 5. 10, 11.
• * 1.4

  Exod. 23. 2.
• * 1.5

  1. Cor. 1. 26. Math. 11. 25.
• * 1.6

  Math. 15. 4.
• * 1.7

  Esa. 56. 10.
• * 1.8

  Lamen. 4. 3.
• * 1.9

  Esa. 28. 9, 10.
• * 1.10

  2. Tim. 4. 1. Mark. 4. 33. Act. 20. 28.
• * 1.11

  Mat. 7. 29.
• * 1.12

  1. Cor. 2. 4.
• * 1.13

  Joh. 21. 15. Act. 20. 35.
• * 1.14

  Act. 20. 21.
• * 1.15

  Pro. 29. 18. Amos 8. 11.
• * 1.16

  Rom. 1. 16. 2. Cor. 2. 16.
• * 1.17

  Rom. 10. 17.
• * 1.18

  1. Pet. 5. 2, 3.
• * 1.19

  Matth. 5. 13, 14, 15.
• * 1.20

  Ezech. 3. 17. & 33. 7.
• * 1.21

  Matth. 15. 14.
• * 1.22

  1. Cor. 3. 6, 9.
• * 1.23

  1. Cor. 4. 1, 2.
• * 1.24

  Matth. 13. 52.
• * 1.25

  2. Cor. 5. 20, 21.
• * 1.26

  1. Cor. 4. 15.
• * 1.27

  1. Cor. 9. 16.
• * 1.28

  Ier. 48. 10.
• * 1.29

  Dan. 12. 3.
• * 1.30

  Matth. 13. 45.
• * 1.31

  Amos 8. 11, 12.
• * 1.32

  Matth. 10. 10.
• * 1.33

  Gal. 6. 10. 1. Cor 9. 7. Heb. 13. 5. 1. Tim. 5. 17.
• * 1.34

  Matth. 11. 25. 1. Cor. 1. 26. Matth. 23. 2, 3.
• * 1.35

  2. Tim. 3. 5.
• * 1.36

  The second impediment.
• * 1.37

  Ephe. 4. 11, 12, 13.
• * 1.38

  The third im∣pediment.
• * 1.39

  Psal. 19. 10.
• * 1.40

  The fourth impediment.
• * 1.41

  The fifth im∣pediment.
• * 1.42

  1. Cor. 2. 4.
• * 1.43

  1. Pet. 21. 1. Cor. 2. 2.
• * 1.44

  Rom. 12. 3.
• * 1.45

  1. Cor. 8. 1.