The virgins pattern, in the exemplary life and lamented death of Mrs. Susanna Perwich, daughter of Mr. Robert Perwich, who departed this life ... July 3, 1661 published at the earn[est] request of divers that knew her well, for the use and benefit of others / by John Batchiler, a neer relation ...

IX. DECAD.

81. Whether it be not better to suffer than to sin? and whether many

do not wish they had done so, when 〈◊〉〈◊〉 is too late? 1 Pet. 4.16. Mat. 27.3, 4, 5.

82. Whether God will thank any man for being so over-careful or bu•••• in providing for the peace of the Church (or his own peace rather) tha•• he is not so careful as he should be for the purity of it? and whether it be 〈◊〉〈◊〉 good way to procure its peace, b•• yeelding to any thing that pollutes it? Ezek. 13.17, to 23.

83. Whether a tender conscience, that fears to offend God in the least thing, especially in matters of his divine Worship, be not less dangerous, than a bold conscience that adven∣tures far, and a large conscience tha•• can swallow any thing for preferment•• sake? and whether a tender consci∣ence be not a better guard upon the purity of Gods holy Ordinances, than a forward compliance with those pre∣cepts of men, which (if Christ himself be worthy of belief) renders the Worship of God vain? Esa. 29.13.

Mat. 15.7, 8, 9. Mark. 7.6, 7, 8, 9.

84. Whether carnal pollicy, love of ••••lf and base fear, have not betrayed ••any a brave Cause? and whether he ••hat steps back, and loseth but one ••oot of his ground, doth not draw his ••dversary the faster and more fiercely ••••n him, till he be quite beaten out of ••he field by him? Gal. 1.16, 17. & ••hap. 2.4, 5.

85. Whether those wounds upon ••he Gospel, be not most gaping, and ••hose gashes in the profession of it, ••he deepest, which are made by men, who being reputed truly godly, do most unworthily renounce, or at least not openly, strenuously and constant∣ly assert, those professed Principles and practices, which with good reason, they formerly, more wayes than one de∣clared for, and maintained, in the face of the whole world? and whether Francis Spira found not the bitter fruit of such a tergiversation from the Truth, when he subscribed to the

Popes Legat? Oh how did he cry out of the shipwrack which he had made of Faith and a good Conscience I how did he torment his own soul, with that dreadful Scripture (Prov. 14.14.) The back-slider in heart shall be fil∣led with his own wayes! which sore judgement the Lord avert (for his mercy sake) and prevent in others.

86. Whether patience under af∣flictions, be not best maintained in a gratious heart, by thinking well of God, and a firm belief that all things shall work together for good? and whether the consideration, that God is a crea∣ting God, and so able to create succours and means of help, when all visible hopes from second causes fail, be not a ground of great consolation to Be∣lievers when most oppressed? Rom. 8.28. Heb. 12.5, 6, 7, 10. Esa. 50.2. & 59.1.

87. Whether God intends any more hurt to his servants, when he puts them into the fire, than the Re∣finer

doth to his pretious mettals, when he puts them into the Furnace? and whether it can reasonably be imagi∣ned, that he means to consume his gold and silver, and so impoverish himself? Mal. 3.2, 3. Zachar. 13.9. 1 Pet. 4.12.

88. Whether Gods actions are not alwayes best, how cross soever they may seem to us, and done upon the highest and best reasons? and whether there be not good reason for us to con∣clude so, though sometimes we un∣derstand them not? Psal. 136.5. Prov. 3.19, 20. Job 36.22, 23.

89. Whether God only be not the most absolute Soveraign, that by a pe∣culiar prerogative, makes his own will the rule of whatsoever he doth, both in Heaven and Earth? and whether any thing can possibly be contingent to him, or happen otherwise (even in any the least circumstance) than he hath before decreed, ordained, and appoin∣ted? or than he orders, permits, and

directs? Job 9.12. Esa. 46.11. Act. 2.23. & 4.28. & 17.26. Rom. 9.15, 18, to 24.

90. Whether God be not greatly to be observed and admired, in all that he doth, not only in his works of Creation, but in the continued course of his renewed Providences? and whe∣ther every thing that proceeds from God, should not lead us to God? Act. 17.26, 27.