The Christian centurians observations, advices, and resolutions containing matters divine and morall / collected according to his owne experience by Philip Skippon ...

The right way to go to work extracted out of S. B. his Sermon on Prov. 16.3.

1. The parts.

• FIrst, an Advice.
• Secondly, a Promise of ••••••∣nesse.

2. The meaning.

Commit the choyce ordering and successe of all thy inten••••∣ons, words, actions to Jehov••••

Doct. 1. Every one ought •••• commit their wayes unto 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Lord. Proofs of this Doctrin•• Psal. 37.5. & 55.22. 1 Pet. 5.•••• Three things in this committi••••.

• First, a sense and acknow∣ledgement of self-insufficient for the worke.

• Secondly, a faithfull depen∣dency on God, for the appoint∣ing and effecting of it.
• Thirdly, an actuall recom∣mending of it unto God by prayer.

3. The explanation of the severals.

First, we must feele our selves unable to under goe the burden, and acknowledg our weaknesse; 〈◊〉〈◊〉 respect, first, of our judge∣ment; secondly, of our wisdom; thirdly, of our power.

• First, in our judgement to choose, Pro. 21.2.25. Eccl. 11.9, 10. Gen: 11.4.
• Secondly, for wisdome in ma∣naging a thing resolved on, 1 Chron. 15.13. Isa. 36.6. Job 5.13, 14. Pro. 5.5. Jer. 10.23.
• Thirdly, for power to accom∣plish any work, though never so well conceived, though means are never so well orde∣red, Lam. 3.37. Joh. 15.5. Deut.

• 8.17. Psal. 44.3. 2 Cor: 3.5. 1 Cor. 3.7. Psal. 127.1. 2 Chron. 20.12.

Of the second act of Faith in de∣pendency on God and his efficiency.

• 1. On his will and allowance.
• 2. On his help and blessing.

For the first, see Judges 1.11. & 20: 18.23.28. 1 Sam. 23.12. & 30.8. Numb. 27.21.

We have no Oracle but Gods Word, therefore we must goe 〈◊〉〈◊〉 that (onely) for warrant, Isa. ••.20. Therefore examine 〈◊〉〈◊〉 what warrant we have here•••• in every thing.

Reas. 1. Gods will is the ru•••• and patterne of holinesse and justice, Rom. 7.12. & 12.2. P•• 119.9. Isa. 8.20.

2. We owe him that respe•••• and obedience, as our Lord, G••∣vernour, Commander, Mal. ••.6. Isa. 55.4. Amos 6.11.

For the second, the act of d••∣pendency,

viz. a resting on God for the ordering of our courses, as for provision of meanes, and for disposing and blessing of them, Mat. 6.25. & 10.19.

Obiect. If I must roule my work on God, then need I not stirre.

Answ. The best meanes must be used, or we commit not our wayes to God aright, as the word, thy works, thy thoughts doe prove.

Further then, the second act of our dependency.

• 1. In respect of our selves.
• 2. Of other meanes.

For both our eyes must be to∣wards him, that he may guide us with his eye, Psal. 32.8. Ezra 5.5.

If our businesse be in speech, as Moses, Exod. 4.11, 12.

If in action, as Gideon, Judg.

6.16. 2 Sam. 15.31. Gen. 24.13, 14.

Reas. 1. Gods wisdome is most exact and infinite, that where he will not worke, he knoweth to hinder, prevent or frustrate all meanes; and where he will, to make all secondary causes to concurre in an admi∣rable harmony, which we out selves cannot doe, Rom. 8.28. Gen. 45 5, 7, 8. & 50.20.

Reas. 2. Gods providence is in every thing that falleth out, Prov. 20.24. & 16.2. Jo••. 14.16.

The third act of dependency is, a resting and waiting o•• God for the successe of our busi∣nesse and endeavours, Psal. 37.5. Acts 14.23. Isa. 49.4. 2 Sam. 10.12. Neh. 1.11. Est. 4.16. Gen. 22.8.

Reas. 1. Because of Gods ab∣solute power, that he is omni∣potent and solipotent, Eccl. 9.11.

Dan. 3.17. 2 Chron. 14.11.

Reas. 2. Because of his de∣cree, all our times are in his hands, yea, all the actions and motions of those times, Psal. 31.15. Pro. 19.21. Isa. 26.12.

Signes of confidence in God.

• 1. It casteth out feare, Isa. 12.2. Rom. 4.18, 19, 20.
• 2. And care, Dan. 3.16.
• 3. And causeth cheerful∣nesse, 1 Sam. 30.6. Psal. 37.4, 5.

The last thing in committing our wayes unto the Lord, is, an actuall recommending of the same to him by prayer, Isa. 37.14.

• Reas. 1. It is Gods will, as in the Text, &c.
• 2. His wisdome invites us hereto.
• 3. Also his power, Pro. 18.10.
• 4. His love, 1 Pet. 5.7. Psal. 113.13. & 57.2. Phil. 4 6.
• 5. His faithfulnesse, he hath promised to give good successe, as in the Text.

The first Use, Exhortation hereunto.

• 1. For our owne affaires.
• 2. For the distressed Chur∣ches.
• 3. For others.

The second Use, Reproofe

• 1. Of such as relie on their owne sufficiency.
• 2. Of such as doe without warrant, Jer. 42.20.
• 3. Of such as dare not de∣pend on God, for meanes or sufficiency, as Moses, Exod. 4.10.13.
• 4. Of such as distrust if such meanes take not, or not at such time, Psal. 78.41.3.
• 5. Of them that rely on thei•• owne procurement of meanes Isa. 31, 1, 2.
• 6. Of such as use ill meanes
• 7. Of such as trust not God with the successe, Ex. 4.1.1 San 27.1.

Lord I desire, cause me right∣ly

to acknowledge, seeke and trust thee, and as thou hast as∣sured, heare, direct and help me, Amen.