§. Sect. 1 That we must conforme our thoughts, words, and actions, accor∣ding to Gods Law.
THe fifth maine duty wherein we are daily to exercise our selues, is, that we rightly dispose of all our thoghts, words, and actions, so as they may in all things be conformable to the Law of God. In respect of our thoughts, our care must be, that we be not earthly minded, like Citizens of the world, nor suffer them to be fixed and fastened vpon earthly and momentany vanities, which profit not; as how we may get or keepe the honours, riches, and pleasures of the world, by carnall and vn∣lawfull meanes, which are too base obiects for them which are of so high and diuine a nature; but that they be chiefly taken vp, and exercised a∣bout spirituall, holy, and heauenly things: as of their excellency, profit, and necessity, by what meanes we may obtaine, or hauing them in some measure, may be more inriched with them; how we may safely keepe them and bee secured from feare of losing them. How wee may bee more and more vnited vnto Christ, and assured that both he and all his benefits doe belong vnto vs. How wee are so to carry our selues, that wee may more sensibly and feelingly apprehend the power and efficacie of his death and resurrection working in vs, and replenishing our hearts with sweete consolations, and ioy in the holy Ghost. How we may be daily more assured of Gods grace and fauour, and feele and discerne the light and warmth of his louing countenance shining vpon vs, and infla∣ming our hearts with his loue. How we may withstand tentations, and get mastery ouer our strongest corruptions; and how wee may daily bee more renewed and strengthened in all grace and goodnesse, that we may increase in bringing foorth more fruits of holinesse and righteousnesse. And with these and such like holy and heauenly meditations, our mindes must chiefly be taken vp; and when wee exercise them about earthly things, and the duties of our callings, it must be, as vpon meanes which tend to these endes, and (like birds) we must vse the earth as a helpe to raise vp our selues, and to gather wing, that wee may soare aloft in heauenly meditations. The which wee shall doe, if we performe the workes of our callings, in faith and a good conscience, in loue and obedience vnto God, as duties of his seruice which hee hath required at our hands, with prayer for good successe and thankesgiuing, when by Gods blessing wee haue obtained it; and when wee vse them as meanes to further our maine ends, namely, the aduancement of Gods glory, and the eternall sal∣uation of our soules.