Good company: being a collection of various, serious, pious meditations; Christian experiences, sayings, sentences; useful for instruction, consolation and confirmation. / By John Melvin, M.A. preacher of the word at Udimer in Sussex.

Good Company: BEING A Collection of various, serious, pious Meditations: useful for instruction, consolation, and confirmation.

[Assistente Deo: Mart. 18. 1657.]

CENTURY I.

1. BAd times amongst Christi∣ans should have a Christian construction: that the chan∣ges of the time make us not Changelings.

2. It's a glory to behold, amongst men of several opinions, one heart, and one spirit of grace and heavenliness in them all.

3. Bodily misery is to make us sensible of soul-misery: God pulling the rope with∣out,

to make the bell speak within.

4. He that lifts his soul out of sin by halfs, lifts and lets fall again, sinking the soul lower; and so the Divel a little stirred, and not cast out, takes stronger hold.

5. So long as we are sinful, we must be sorrowful: and to be entertained at David's Ordinary is no dishonor: his tears were his meat day and night.

6 As salt water upon sweet wax, extin∣gusiheth the tapour: So brackish tears up∣on the broken heart, puts out the blaze of sin.

7. Grief without cause is madness; and without moderation is hopelesse.

8. God is upon the giving hand, when he gives a new heart.

9. The tear which floweth from the soul of a faithful man, out of the sense of evil, purifieth the conscience, and makes it quiet.

10. Since mans fall, it hath been his sin not to weep, yet too much weeping may be turn'd into sin: For tears as they are the effects of sin, so they may be the actors of sin.

11. Christ alone, who wept in the Garden, can plead our atonement, and by the power of his Passion restore us to comfort.

12. Sin brings in sorrow, but let not sorrow bring in more sin, by causing us to murmure or charge God foolishly.

13. God never delivered any man for his repentance, and yet never any in mercy without repentance, either giving repen∣tance before or with the deliverance.

14. Better troubles then sin continue: to have peace return, and hearts unturned, is worse then war.

15. Better know five words of Scripture by our own experience, then five thousand by anothers Exposition.

16. Such is Gods Sovereignty over us, that he may use us as he pleaseth, and wee must be quiet under his hand.

17. There's no trusting to any creature comforts they be so uncertain.

18. No man is without sin, yet the affli∣ctions of many are not for their fins.

19. True faith is often assaulted, but ne∣ver finally overthrown.

20. God's judgments are often secret, but never unjust.

21. It's not safe judging of our spiritual estate, by God's dealing in our outward estate.

22. No condition so low, but Gods hand can reach us, and save us.

23. A choice blessings, to have a healthful mind in a healthful body: and of the two it's better that the body be sick then the soul.

24. From one sin, there's but a short and easie passage to another.

25. Men who are too greedy to know o∣thers, are too carelesse to know themselvs.

26. True reformation is in abhorring, not absteining, loathing not leaving of sin.

27. A good trial of a sincere heart, when there's sweet proportion and godly harmo∣ny betwixt our actions justifying one ano∣ther.

28. That is a man's God and treasure, wherewith his heart is most affected.

29 And as affection shews the heart, so affliction discovers both corruption and grace.

30. In sin man's deceitful heart abstracts the pain from the pleasure: and in godli∣nesse it severs the crown of glory from the crown of thorns.

31. That any thing is coeternal with the Creator, is repugnant both to Religion and Reason.

32. God from all eternity had the same power of Creation, which in the beginning he put in execution.

33. No man hath cause to brag of him∣self, his beginning was of nothing.

34. Man was created to do the will of the Lord, not his own.

35. God's gradual proceeding in the creation, should occasion man's deliberate meditation.

36. The creature was onely made had by sin, and proves bad to sinners.

37. Man hath no cause to be proud, be∣ing made of that element, on which every creature may set his foot, and lay his dung.

38. Man's rebellion against the Creator, is often punished with the creatures rebel∣lion against himself.

39. God is so far from allowing man to live lawlesse in any estate, that he put him under law in the state of innocency.

40. The fruit we reap of the tree of know∣ledge, is not too much to desire forbidden knowledg.

41. It's the sign of a base mind, to think he can win more credit by his garments then his graces: for a sanctified soul is bet∣ter then a silken suit.

42. He doth not God's will but his own, who doth no more then himself will: yea, such a man takes pains to go to hell.

43. God will find flaws in that for

which wee look for thanks.

44. If to do well cause discontent: wee then offend not against men, but their er∣rours.

45. He that doth no more then he is bound to do, is rather wary then good.

46. Adam, notwithstanding the dignity of his condition, variety and plenty of pro∣vision, was set to work in Paradise.

47. He that strikes deadly, chooseth a sharp weapon: so Satan chooseth the shar∣pest wits for instruments of mischief and se∣ducement.

48. It's not company simply, but good company which is good for man or wo∣man.

49. As it is not safe to be at Satan's mess, though our spoon be never so long: so it is not safe to lend an ear to a seducer.

50. A sinful conscience which seeks to shun Gods presence, discovers as much fol∣ly as faultiness: and is like the fish which swims to the length of the line with the hook in the mouth.

51. Satan can hurt a Saint but in the heel, which is far from the head; and though painful, yet it is not mortal.

52. Sin is the wicket that let death into the world.

53. Fine apparel is a reproach to him that wears it: being as a scarfe to the arme put out of joint.

54. They are profane Niggards, who think any thing too good for the servants and service of God.

55. Wee are loth with Cain to confess our selves our brothers keeper, and too wil∣ling to be his executioner.

56. They that cannot forbear to sin, cannot bear what is due to them for their sin: becoming injurious to God's Mercy by diffidence, and to his Justice by impatience.

57. Self-guiltiness in some, is the chief motive to suspition in others.

58. Wicked men turn divine patience into humane presumption.

59. Generation in the flesh, and regene∣ration in the Spirit, proceed from different principles.

60. Man's head is a mint of evil imagi∣nations, his heart a sink of inordinate affe∣ctions, his memory a closet of sin, full of fancies and impressures.

61. God many times wills a change, yet never changeth his will.

62. God who made man without his help, will not destroy him without his fault.

63. As the Carpenters who built Noahs Ark were not saved in it: so some preach others into the Church, and live themselvs out of it.

64. It's as proper for sin to raise fears in the soul: as for rotten flesh and wood to breed worms.

65. Christians must labour as well to see God in his works, as to believe him in the Scriptures.

66. To break the bruised reed, to trou∣ble the grieved spirit, to strike the breath out of a mans body who is giving up the ghost, is cruelty upon cruelty.

67. It's the duty, piety and humanity of the living, to see their friends and relations fairly interred.

68. Sincerity and safety go together.

69. Gods commands are just in them∣selvs, and justly commanded unto men: no∣thing so great but we are bound to do it, nothing so small that we may be allowed to sleight it.

70. Whatsoever God commands, there's weight and worth in it, to make it regarded.

71. He that obeys not God in all things, but with choice and exception, obeys him not at all.

72. Gods promises how fair or fierce so∣ever,

never fail of an answerable effect: he being immutable in his counsel, unresista∣ble in his power.

73. It's safer to go against the stream with godliness, then to be carried along with ungodlinesse, and overwhelmed in it.

74. Every sin casts another shovel of brimstone upon the sinners soul in hell.

75. The Saints in heaven onely keep ho∣ly day.

76. Every cessation from sin, is not a re∣surrection from sin.

77. They that forget God in their life, forget themselvs in death.

78. He that watches not his first in clina∣tions to sin, but feeds them with the honey and milk of Gods mercy, shall be drawn from presumption to desperation in God's mercy.

79. Sin which comes in forma pauperis, or pretends reason, is very dangerous.

80. Every man hath so many Gods, as he hath habitual sins.

81. Grace is no grace to me, till I know I have, and would have more of it.

82. It's strange God should think man enough for himself, and man should not be satisfied with God.

83. That mans heart is not sincere, who

loves God by the proportion of temporal blessing.

84. It's sin to distrust God in necessary things, and to press him in superfluous things.

85. No man ever lost his faith, but hee that thought it not worth the keeping.

86. It's a powerful Sermon, to see a man leave his ill-gotten goods, and cast off his beloved sin.

87. He that hath least of this world, hath enough to weigh him down from heaven, by an inordinate love of that little: and he that hath most, hath not too much to give for heaven and happinesse.

88. Heaven will cost a rich man more then a poor man, because he hath more to give for it.

89. Rich and poor are alike in this, that they must leave all which retard their pre∣sent and constan•• following of Christ.

90. True repentance is, when the sad soul weeps more blood at more pores, then the weak body sweats drops of water, and that more for the displeasure of God, then the stripes of his displeasure.

91. Not at all to be punished is a great affliction; better be called Satan with Pe∣ter, then friend with Judas.

92. He is an imprudent man, who dis∣poses of years to come, when he is not lord of to morrow.

93. If any thing quenches the heat of sin, the desire of money, or the rise of sin, it's the consideration of death present.

94. In the raging fits of sin, and in the midst of their madnesse, some have physick from God, and are reclaimed.

95. He that defers his repentance because of the thiefs example, deludes his own soul: for he was called at the first call, not at the last; and it is not for our imitation, but to keep us from desperation.

96. If there be any defect of joy in hea∣ven it's this, that we cannot longer express our love by suffering for God.

97. Faith in Christ is a full evidence, yet suffering is a new seal upon that faith.

98. They that neglect the good opinion of others, neglect those virtues which should produce that good opinion.

99. All the world never joined to de∣ceive one man: nor was ever any one man able to deceive the whole world.

100. Better have no being then be with∣out Jesus.

CENTURY 2.

1. ACcustome thy self to affliction before it comes, and it will be no stranger when it comes.

2. As long as I have God by the hand, and feel his loving care of me, I can admit any weight of his hand, any furnace of his heating.

3. To flatter our selvs in any licentious∣nesse, with an opinion of natural corrupt weaknesse, is a spreading deceit.

4. If God at any time, by any means re∣store thee to bodily health: he can as easi∣ly give thee spiritual physick, and soul-health.

5. Praier hath the nature of violence in besieging God, and taking him prisoner, and bringing him to our conditions, and God is as it were glad to be straitned by us in that siege.

6. Little knows the Devil how much good he doth us when he tempts us: exci∣ting us to go to God, who gives the issue with the temptation.

7. God hath as many Antidotes as the

Divel hath poisons, as much mercy as the Divel hath malice.

8. God is glorified in those victories which we by his grace gain over the Divel.

9. An afflicted spirit and wounded soul dwell at the gates of atonement and resti∣tution.

10. A delicate and prosperous life is highly contrary to the hopes of a blessed e∣ternity.

11. He that considers himself well, will find that for a secular joy and wantonnesse of spirit, there are not left many void spaces of his life.

12. Never any charitable man died an evil death; for when other graces shall be useless, this will bear up the soul upon the wings of Cherubims unto eternal bliss.

13. Death to the Godly is the best of all evils, and the end of all troubles.

14. Impatience with a disease doth mis∣chief by its self, and mischief by the disease.

15. They that bear the yoke with indig∣nation and murmure, gall their spirits, fret the skin, and hurt nothing but themselves.

16. Faith is the life of just men, the re∣stitution of dead men; the justification of sinners; the support of the weak; the con∣fidence of the strong; the magazine of pro∣mises,

and the title to eternal happiness.

17. Faith will trust God's goodness, and believe him to be a Father, when the storm rises, and the keels toss till the cordage crack.

18. In all sufferings the cause makes it noble or ignoble, tolerable or intollerable.

19. Ignorant believers are soon swallow∣ed up and rid over, standing in an open field; but understanding believers are in a fenced Town, and have out-works (reasons) to lose before the Town be taken.

20. No soul hath so prostituted her self, but God can make her a Virgin again.

21. In every sin we become prodigals, but in the habit of sin we become bank∣rupts.

22. He that knows not, or takes no know∣ledge of an injury, hath no injury.

23. They that are too inquisitive what other men say of them, disquiet themselvs.

24. God warns before he wounds, com∣ing seldom to that dispatch, a word and a blow, but to a blow without a word, to an execution without warning, never.

25. How many sell heaven and happi∣ness for grains of dust.

26. We are born in the last age of the world, and died in the first.

27. No meditation more serious then the worlds vanity: no consideration more seasonable, then the brevity of life, and un∣certainty of time; no knowledge more wholesom then the diseases of the mind; no contemplation more heavenly, then hu∣mane misery.

28. Poor Infants newly born, not able to speak, yet prophesie; and the contents are lamentations, mournings, and woes by the tears they shed, to fill up the vale of tears they enter.

29. 'Tis a sign of one nobly bred, who first learns to hold his peace, and afterwards to speak.

30. Wise is that man that sets forth to∣wards heaven in the morning of his daies; giving God the first and best part of his time.

31. Many old men at the instant of their dissolution, desire the continuance of life; their flesh being like the Peacocks, which being sod grows raw again; so after mor∣tification by diseases and age, desire to en∣thral themselves in earthly pleasures.

32. No distinction in the grave; all have hollow eier, flat noses, and ghastly looks; and all is but dust.

33. Seeing the fashion of the body is

onely to be altered, and the body to be worn again, it's fit we carefully lay it up in deaths Wardrobe, the grave.

34. On earth we labour for rest, in hea∣ven we rest from our labour.

35. Water your plants at the departure of your dearest friends, but drown them not: for whatsoever we complain of here, they are freed of in heaven.

36. Never any died at London who ne∣ver lived there: so no man ever died in Christ, who never lived in him.

37. God seldom or never makes use of a godly man to be the scourge of his people.

38. As water is powred into a garden-pot at one place, but runneth out at an hun∣dred holes: so one coming into the world, but an hundred waies of going out.

39. It was a wise mans complaint, that every man thought himself qualified either for Magistracy or Ministry (two weighty burthens) but now though in the declining age too many are undertakers of both.

40. Ambition will to the pinacle of the temple, for the glory of the world, though it tumble for it to eternal ruine.

41. Eminency is seldom sudden and permanent: for they which in the dawn of fortune break so gloriously, meet

with a storm at noon, or else a cloud at night.

42. If destruction dog us, wee are to thank our corrupt affections, not blame our Maker; he doth but leave us, and they harden us.

43. A busie prying into the Ark of Gods Predestination is accompanied with inso∣lence, and with danger: to enquire the the cause of Gods will, why this man is ele∣cted and not that, is an act of lunacie, not of judgment, and the question is as guilty of reproof as the author.

44. Make not curiosity the pick-lock of divine secrets, knowing that such mysteries are doubly barred in the Coffers of the Almighty.

45. Man's work is to contemplate God's works, not to sift his mysteries; to admire his goodness, not blur his justice.

46. In God's dark mysteries he that can see no reason; if he see his own infirmity, sees a sufficient reason why he should not see.

47. Worm and no man take heed how thou struglest with thy Maker: let it be thy happiness to be made his Steward, though not his Secretary.

48. O blessed Jesu! though I have com∣mitted

those transgressions, for which thou maist condemne me, yet thou hast not lost those compassions by which thou maist save me.

49. Never a tear dropping in sincerity, is unpitied or unpreserved.

50. Outward percussion of the breast, without inward remorse of conscience, is rather an aggravation of sin, then release.

51. Study to be truly that what we seem to be, and not seem what we are not.

52. Meteors and false fires of Religion by-path the soul into blinded zeal, & leads others into steps of error.

53. We may expect a blessing and an ac∣ceptance, when God's ordinances are used in his order.

54. God fills the hearts of his people ac∣cording to the size and capacity of their vessels.

55. As the Water which made the clean woman fruitful, made the unclean swell and rot: so as the receivers are, so Sacra∣ments prove either for good or hurt.

66. For a man to be stupid and sensless under spiritual afflictions, argues a very ill temper.

57. As all flowers wither when the Sun

withdraws his influence: so do all graces when Christ departs.

58. Conscience kindles a fire upon the breach of integrity, that burns inwardly, and consumes the marrow, and drinks up the spirits.

59. Envie is an everlasting burning, which nothing will satisfie but its own blood.

60. It makes heavie afflictions light, and long short, to look where they end: for the sight of the end shortens the way.

61. Not to be warned by others is a sure presage of ruine: for storms begin in one place, and end in another.

62. The greatest part of ourknowledge is the least part of our ignorance.

63. The more worth is in any man, the lesse self-conceitednesse: and the lower in our own eies, the higher in God's sight.

64. The fire of heaven turns men into Saints, and separates them from sinners.

65. If bread fail, feed on faith, and thou maist make a good living of it: for when meat is taken away God will take away the stomach, and faith fears no famine; it keeps us from diffidence in Gods promises, and makes us possess our souls in patience.

66. Our self-accusations in our confes∣sions

take out the sting and poison of Sa∣tan's malicious accusations.

67. O! the deep sorrow our hearts should be filled withall, when we see Christ bleed∣ing upon the Cross.

68. What soul-wound's so deadly, that cannot or may not be healed, by the death and healing wounds of Christ.

69. The wo••k of faith is to make the soul betake it self to the wounds of Christ, as the Dote to the clefts of the rock for shel∣ter and security against all fears and distres∣ses that wrath and guilt may put the Con∣sidence to.

70. Our whole life is a continual war∣fare, and we must look for the continual hail-shot, of Satanical assaults and suggesti∣ons.

71. Christians fight and faint not, your reward is sure, your armor is of proof, the old serpent hath his head bruised.

72. Many tempt Satan to tempt them by venturing on the occasion of sin, or by in∣consideration and security.

73. A full belly and a foul heart seldom go uncoupled: for in the Anatomy of our bodies the parts of gluttony and lust are lin∣ked together, and so are the sins them∣selvs.

74. Too much eating quite takes away our stomachs from all holy duties.

75. Holiness becoms all men, but best of all publick persons; both for example of good, and liberty of controlling evil.

76. It's a gross dull capacity that cannot or will not distinguish betwixt the work and the instrument; the weakness of the person, and the power of the function.

77. The glory of Israel the Ark was no waies lessened by coming from the Phili∣stins.

78. Far be it from us to think if the sa∣crificer be unclean, that the offering is so.

79. Elias was a holy wise man, yet he re∣jected not his meat, because Ravens brought it.

80. Learning will pine away, if forced to officiate at the Tables end for the tren∣cher.

81. The Pulpit is a place that requires both learning and industry: for Saint Paul found as great want of his books, as his Cloak in winter.

82. He gives twice who gives speedily; for the more speed the more comfort.

83 Many a man's Executor proves the Executioner of his Will and Estate.

84. It's a general complaint, that the

end of our daies out runs the begining of good works.

85. The poor most times may thank the death or disease of rich men, not their cha∣rity.

86. Happy is he who makes his candle go before him, not behind him: for early beneficence hath no danger, many joies.

87. The use of riches is great, if there be qualification in our desires.

88 It's as impossible to expresse the joies of heaven, as put the sea into a bottle.

89. It's but justice, that he who hath sinned out his own eternity, should suffer out God's eternity.

90. The object of repenting sorrow is sin, not punishment: and a good man fears more the committing of the one, then suffer∣ing of the other.

91. Pardoned sin disquiets a repenting heart: and grievs him to have been such a beast, to offend so gracious a God, remem∣bring the sins God hath forgotten.

92. He that sheds a sea o•• tears, and drowns not his sins in that sea, is never the better.

93. He that sighs, prays, and begs for mercy, and lives in sin, deceivs himself, ha∣ving no truth in that repentance.

94. Every grace which brings to heaven, must be a tried grace.

95. A man's wealth and will must both be good: for if his hands be full and the heart empty, he deservs pity more then commendation, having riches, but neither goods nor blessings.

96. It's said of the Divel, he abode not in the truth, because no truth is in him: so Sectaries abide not in Religion, because no Religion is in them.

97. Truth once in the heart, will dwell and rule there.

98. A man may preach soundly, and discourse judiciously, and yet be unsound at heart.

99. A Christian must be careful to a∣void all blemishes, but especially covetous∣ness, as being most contrary to his profes∣sion whose hope is in heaven.

100. God's children have variety of con∣ditions, some more comfortable then o∣thers.

CENTURY 3.

1. THe love of God is constant in the va∣riety of conditions, and there's no shadow of change in God, howsoever the changes of our life be.

2. How rugged the way to heaven be it's no matter, so we come there.

3. A prudent Christian in the variety of conditions, knows how to avoid the sins incident to that condition.

4. Grace is above all conditions, making a man patient in a mean estate, and not proud when he doth abound.

5. He that hath an inheritance in ano∣ther world, sets a light esteem upon all things below.

6. Self-denial is the first lesson in Christs school; learn this, and thou shalt be con∣tent in any condition.

7. He that hath God to be his Father, hath a large portion in any estate.

8. There's poison in every thing without grace, and grace pulls out the sting, and finds good in the worst things.

9. The best things of a Christian are not at the mercy of the world, nor at the mer∣cy of his several conditions.

10. Rising and murmuring of corrupt nature in any condition, becomes not a true Christian.

11. The right use of our daily infirmi∣ties, is to make them the subject of humilia∣tion, and the object of mortification.

12. Customary sins are not sins of infir∣mitie; except the ground of the infirmity be rooted in the heart (as an inclination to be angry) which holy men repent of, and get victory over it at last.

13. He that pleads for sin discovers a false heart; for this is an enormity, not an in∣firmity.

14. Universality of obedience is the tri∣all of a sincere Christian: being a good man in all his relations.

15. Let us not think the good we do in some things, will excuse the bad we do in others.

16. The Gospel requires truth and not perfection: for sincerity is a Christians per∣fection.

17. The want of wisdom and warinesse is the cause of many a Christians fall.

18. A Christian may go very high up∣wards in good works; onely with this ex∣ception, that he never look to be justified by them.

19. The Devill is busie at every good work, either in the beginning to hinder it, or in the end to defile it.

20. No grace stronger then humility: none weaker then the proud.

21. So much faith as a man carries to Christ; so much grace he brings from him.

22. Wicked men may be freed from trou∣ble: onely the godly man hath grace to carry himself well in trouble.

23. Holy men should know the strength of grace in their souls, for confirmation of faith, and bettering their obedience.

24. The more grace, the more a man is sensible of spiritual crosses.

25. The life of grace is known by our spiritual appetites after the means of grace.

26. God will set light by that man's sal∣vation, who sets light by his honour.

27. Grace onely qualifies a man's acti∣ons and affections.

28. Where there is no grace there is either all joy, or all sorrow.

29. Sorrow exceeds when it hinders in our callings, as Christians, and as men.

30. Quietnesse is the stay of the soul to do or receive.

31. Sorrow and sin agree in this, to bring the soul of a poor man downward.

32. The Divel since he cast himself down labours to cast all down.

33. It'•• no wisdom to go to the highest step of the la••de••, to our election, before wee come to the f••ults of it in our sanctification.

34. Some seek too much for comfort in sanctification, when it should be lookt for in justification.

35. It's vain to trouble our selves with the issue of things for the future, and neg∣lect the means for the present.

36. Vanity at one time or another brings vexation of spirit.

37. A godly man in the greatest trouble recovers himself.

38. A godly man who hath laid up store of grace before hand, can remove solitari∣nesse, having God and himself to speak to.

39. Set thy soul in a right frame when trouble comes, and nothing shall hurt thee.

40. Every man hath a Court in himself, to cite, try and condemne himself.

41. He that cites and condemns himself, puts the Divel and tormenting conscience out of office.

42. It's a miserable thing, to desire to know all things, and yet not to know our selves: to look alwaies abroad, and never at home.

43. The best work of the new creature is within, which the world cannot see.

44. Ask sin the reason of this or that: and thou shalt find it most unreasonable.

45. He that believs God will give him everlasting life, will trust him for his daily bread.

46. Faith hath a quieting and comfort∣ing power with it.

47. It's a shame to see Christians live so unquiet and discontented, as if there were no Father in heaven, or providence on earth.

48. A Christian may mourn like a Dove, but not roar like a beast under affliction.

49. It's no matter what the disease be, if God be the Physician.

50. As in a City men account more of their own house, then of all the City biside; so more comfort in this word [My God] then in all the world.

51. He that makes God his God, makes all other things his also.

53. Mercy flows naturally from God, as water flows from a fountain.

54. God shoot's not his judgments as children arrows at randome, but where∣soever they light he hath his aim.

55. Happy man who hath God's mind

with his rod: instruction with correction.

56. It's neither wisdom nor holinesse to allow or defend the least infirmity.

57. It's folly to venture upon fin at any time, for we shall at one time or another hear of it.

58. They that come not to the Father in Christ by the Sacraments, know not his goodness: and they that come irreverent∣ly, know not his greatnesse.

59. God the wise Physician, who loves his patients alike, doth not administer po∣tions to all, but according to the nature of the disease, and exigent of the party.

60. Sick souls make sick bodies, God aiming at the cure of the soul in the touch∣ing of the body.

61. It's better to be God's prisoner on the bed of sicknesse, then sinfully to use health.

62. He that sins with company, must look to be tormented with company.

63. Every stubborn wilfull sinner, is a double murtherer of soul and body.

64. Every man is naturally willing to de∣ceive and be deceived in the state of his soul.

65. Judging of our selvs, prevents God's judging: for things done in one Court can∣not be judged in another by equity.

66. As they who have a Plant which bears venemous fruit, dig it at the root: So if thou wouldst kill sin, go to the heart.

67. It's not the having of corruption which damns men: but the affections they carry to their corruptions.

68. It's our comfort to groan under in∣firmities, looking upon them as enemies and objects of mortification.

69. He that makes no conscience of se∣cret sins, shall fall into open sins.

70. Poison is dangerously taken in sweet gloves, so corruption mingles it self with our best duties.

71. When men regard not the manner of doing holy things: God regards not the matter.

72. The want of sound judgment in some men, makes them lay a plaister on a sound place, and condemne a true man for a traitor.

73. Bless that soul, who labours by good counsel to hinder thee from any sinful course.

74. It's the character of a good heart, to desire to converse with better then it self.

75. It's wisdome to prevent the trouble of sickness, with the trouble of Physick: so to judge our sins by conscience here, that

they bee not judged by God hereafter.

76. Christ is very sweet to that soul, who is excercised in the search of his own heart.

77. It's an ill time to get grace when we should use it.

78. Pardoning mercy and healing mer∣cy go alwaies from God to the godly toge∣ther.

79. When man spares no sin, God spares all.

80. They that are taken from the evil of the world, have aims and ends above the world.

81. Inward affections, where our joy or delight is, are the best discoveries of the state of our souls.

82. There's a concatenation betwixt grace and glory: grace is the gate, and glo∣ry is the reward.

83. All the time a carnal man lives, is but the time betwixt the sentence and exe∣cution.

84. It overcomes many tentations many times, to have a good conceit of God.

85. No flesh without its scum, no garden without its weeds, no Christian without his failings.

86. There's a vaste difference betwixt the broacher and drinker of Error: the

one is possest with obstinacy, the other with facility, lenity, and credulity.

87. Errors are so dangerous and infe∣ctious, that the least error entertain'd, pre∣pares the heart for greater, and disposeth it to reject all truth at last.

88. Seducers arguments are not settling, but startling; keeping men in a wavering condition.

89. Piety and verity, truth and godli∣nesse are like Hippocrates twins, living and dying together.

90. Sectaries lay out their time in exa∣mination of opinions, and not of consci∣ence; looking after the notions of the brain; not the bettering of the heart.

91. The endeavour of the erroneus are for party, not piety, faction, not faith; not considering so much now a man lives, but what doth he hold.

92. Seducers may be known by their crooked expression, uttering truth and er∣ror in one sentence; shadowing their opi∣nions with the Veil of godlinesse, and their mistakes with the flowers of truth.

93. As Physicians give bitter pills in su∣gar sops; so Seducers vent damnable er∣rors in fine expressions.

94. It's no small tentation when men

in high esteem for piety and ability, fall in∣to error.

95. The Seducer changes his opinions as often as he can get customers for his new ones.

96. The Polypus by changing his colour hunts and takes the fishes: so Seducers serve their followers.

97. Seducers arguments are like Spiders webs, catching little flies, simple Christians.

98. Where there's curiosity and wan∣tonness of brain, old truths are rejected as stale meat.

99. It's the Divels policy to reproach true Religion, by sending many false ones into the world.

100. Men's outward conversation should be no protection to their errors; for we are to judge of persons by their faith, and not faith by persons.

Century 4.

1. AS dead Fish are carried along by the stream, so are dead Christians by the times.

2. The new creature is nursed and born under the Ordinances: for faith comes by hearing, and grows by the same.

3. Men commonly who cast off Ordi∣nances, cast off also godlinesse; for Ordi∣nances awe men's consciences, and keep them in a sober modesty, & modest sobriety.

4. He is but a bad Christian that is so by fits and girds, in publick assemblies and not in closets, in hearing and not in practising.

5. All secondary causes are but the rods of affliction in God's hand: therefore we should make our peace with the Judge, and not go to the Serjeant.

6. Error spreads much, by the strange∣ness of people to their spiritual guides.

7. It behoovs us to be wary and circum∣spect: seeing all men may deceive and be deceived, & some errors are so like truths.

8. The clearer the water is, the deeper wee see: so where there's least passion, there's most judgment; for passion muds the under∣standing.

9. Scripture is the great Standard of

truth, unto which all opinions must bee brought.

10. A man may attain much literal scri∣ptural knowledge, and yet the minde of God in the Bible not in the man's heart.

11. Religion at some times without pro∣fession may be profitable: but profession without Religion is alwaies execrable.

12. Whatsoever a man receivs upon the account of dispute or argument, he is bound to disown when he meets with a more sub∣til argument or Sophister.

13. Every head is not big enough to grapple with the depth of some arguments.

14. The arguing of every truth, disputes men out of truth into Atheism.

15. There's a holy sympathie betwixt a regenerate heart, and a precious truth.

16. As Oyle mixeth not with other li∣quors, nor incorporates into no body: so the divine unction like a well-spring of wa∣ter, works out all the filth that's cast into the soul.

17. He that hath light in his understand∣ing, and no honesty in heart; is like a ship with no ballast and a great Sayl, lying open to every wind.

18. Comfort when not found on earth, is very sweet to thy soul from heaven.

19. There's more mercy in God, then can be sin or evil in us.

20. God who requires rather truth of heart then length of time: makes sick souls by a sharp repentance shoot out suddenly, that if taken out of the world, they may be eternally saved.

21. He that is good onely under the Crosse is never good, doing it from the fear of punishment, not hatred of sin.

22. It's hypocrisie when in sicknesse we desire our recovery, not the grace of God.

23. It's the hell of hell to damned souls that they brought themselves thither.

24. God in bringing his children home, sees the furthest way about, is nearest: suf∣fering them to fall in sin, and by sin to shor∣ten their daies, and so occasion their repen∣tance.

25. A Child of God at the worst, is better then a Worldling at the best.

26. We have often more occasion to blesse God for crosses, then for comforts.

27. There's a blessing to the godly hidden in the very worst things.

28. It argues neither grace nor wit, for a man to take occasion to sin, because God will save him: for though God save such a man's soul, he will take such a course with

him, as to make him deeply repent of try∣ing conclusions with God.

29. It requires much wisdom, to manage our profession, to our own comfort and God's glory.

30. Education may civilize but not sub∣due, onely grace makes the new change on the heart.

31. Hee who hath tasted of heavenly comforts, cannot but shew pity to others, which he hath felt from God himself.

32. Deliverance shall come, when wee are fit to receive the greatest comfort, and to render God the greatest glory.

33. Never despair of the Church, for ra∣ther then it shall fail, it shall breed in a Li∣on's den.

34. That which is not enjoied with over∣much pleasure, is parted withall without over-much grief.

35. In great distresse, the Spirit of Prai∣er will difference a sincere heart from an hypocrite.

36. Such is our own inclination, and Satan's temptation; that no lesse then an Almighty power can deliver us from evil.

37. A true Christians desire is, not one∣ly to clear his conscience from the guilt of sin past, but to avoid for it the future.

38. Grief no further yields comfort, then it hath care of prevention.

39. The triall of repentance is when we turn not onely from sin, but to the contra∣ry good.

40. We wrong both the goodnesse and greatnesse of God, in not trusting him for the time to come by the experience of for∣mer favours.

41. Old Christians ought to be strong in faith upon this account: that their old fa∣vours should help them to set upon new.

42. Wicked men have not any bettering deliverance, no preservation, but a reser∣vation to a worse.

43. Doing ill is the cause of all ills: and we may thank our ill in doing, for ill in suffering.

44. The Crosse neither daunts the god∣ly man's courage, nor stains his consci∣ence.

45. A purpose to live in one sin, is e∣nough for the Divel to hold his possession, and in death to claim us for his own.

46. He that hath not a care to prevent sin, never yet truly did repent for sin.

47. It's ridiculous for Duelists to go to praiers, when they intend to fall one upon another.

48. To every good work, we had need of renewed assisting grace.

49 Against every evil we are tempted to we had need of delivering grace.

50. O! how a sudden winde of tempta∣tions trips up the heels of a strong man sometimes.

51. He that is privie to his own soul of good intentions to abstain from evil may presume God will assist him against evil.

52. God not onely delivers from ill, and out of ill, but many times from a greater ill by a lesser.

53. Rather then a man shall miscarry when God hath any work for him to do, he will work a miracle.

54. Death is sometimes a preservation it self, sending a man to heaven, his harbour and rest.

55. It's the fate of Kings many times to out live their glory and Kingdoms.

56. He that keeps heaven for us, keeps us also for heaven.

57. The firm belief and hope of heaven, are effectual for a holy life and conversa∣tion.

58. We must one time or another have those graces on earth, which fits us for hea∣ven.

59. An humble soul is ever thankful for the least measure of grace.

60. Man's imploiment in heaven is sing∣ing of Psalms: and so much as we are given to this exercise are we in heaven.

61. The extent of our desires to God's glory, should be carried to all eternity.

62. A beggarly maintenance makes a contemptible Ministry.

63. A Christians care is, that there be no breaches made upon the Doctrine, sealed by the blood of the Martyrs.

64. An evil Governor is not onely a poison to the State and Church whilst hee he lives, but the mischief of it afterwards.

65. All the good actions of the life meet together, and comfort a man in death.

66. As men cast seed upon seed where the ground is fruitful: so the more good we do, the more opportunities of doing good are still offered.

67. As we are in a perpetual Proficiency in this life, so there's a perpetual necessity of means and Ministry.

68. We may enter upon all the means of saving knowledge, upon this ground, be∣cause Christ our teacher is able and willing to lead us from one degree to another.

69. Christ not onely brings doctrine, but wit and grace to the inward man.

70. After Christ, the Father loves all in Christ, with the same love wherewith he loves Christ.

71. As all heat in the creature is from the Sun: so all piety and goodness flows from God above.

72. The love of God is the spring of all duties and graces, making us not onely good but comfortable, as birds in the Spring.

73. Faith is nothing but the act whereby we apprehend the love of God to us in Christ.

74. They that have Christ for their Re∣deemer, shall have heaven for their inheri∣tance, the Spirit for their guide, the Angels for their attendance.

75. God fills the bellies of many men with inward things, whose hearts he never filled with his love.

76. The sooner a sinner comes into God, it's the easier, and his comfort will be the stronger.

77. To thrive in a course of sin, is a sign of reprobation.

78. The way to keep God's love in us is to be careful to keep our selves under th,

means of salvation, and to look on God as he is presented in the Gospel.

79. Some are kept a little longer under the Law, before they come under Grace.

80. Seasonable afflictions sanctified, are evidences of God's love.

81. Our love to God is sincere, when it comes from the Word and the Spirit, and from good things there manifested to the soul.

82. If we have God's love, no matter what we want, or in what condition we be.

83. As the Sun doth not alwaies shine out, so the love of God is not alwaies ma∣nifested.

84. Rejoice in thy portion lesse or more, whosoever thou be, who finds the love of God in the best things.

85. The want of feeling of God's love to us; causeth the defect of our love to pity, piety, charity, duty.

86. He hath need of much reverence, watchfulnesse, and humility, who will pre∣serve himself in the love of God.

87. God's love is better then life it self: and if we have not this, no matter what we have.

88. All is love and mercie to those who are in Christ the beloved.

89. Christ by his Spirit dwells in all be∣lievers, therefore they should labour all to be one.

90. How excellent were it, if all men had the same thoughts, the same religion, the same aims and affections to good things, a thing to be desired, but not hoped for.

91. If Christ be in the soul, then tumults and fightings also; for nature is long yield∣ing to grace.

92. They that are in Christ, must not think it strange, or be much troubled with inward oppositions.

93. Into whatsoever soul Christ comes, he will scourge out the lusts, and sweep out the filth of that soul.

94. They who entertain Christ onely in the brain; give him as bad entertainment, as they who forced him in a manger.

95. It's to no purpose or comfort, to have Christ in our tongues, and the world in our hearts.

96. If Christ take up the heart and affe∣ction for his rooms: then there flows a base esteem of all worldly excellencies.

97. Christ was in Zacheus's heart before he was in his house: else he had never been so charitable.

98. Sometimes it's needful we trust the

judgment of others better then our own to know who dwells in us.

99. As the Sun-beams are pure still, though shining upon dunghills: so is Christs Spirit, not joining, but wasting and con∣suming corruption.

100. Christ dwells largely in that soul, where the Word is its reason, the Comman∣dements its will, God's glory its joy.

CENTURY 5.

1. A Heart having once entertained Christ, is never content, till it be with Christ in heaven.

2. It's dangerous thrusting our selves into such company, whom we know to grieve the Spirit of God.

3. If the soul apprehend Christ to bee gone, let it observe how it lost him, and recover him by the contrary.

4. Discouragements proceed from carnal outward things: but comforts proceed from the presence of divine things.

5. Afflictions amongst the wise heathens could not hinder the life of reason: and can they among Christians hinder the life of grace.

6. God fits Prophets for persons: giving them teachers sutable to their desires.

7. Where grace is, there will be without doubt mercy.

8. It's sign of life, when a Christian is sensible of inconveniences.

9. God first makes us fit, and then makes use of us for to work.

10. It's a true disposition of a child of God to have a heart tender, soft, and pliable.

11. Nothing so hard as the heart of man: if wrought upon, it must be by an Almighty power.

12. The Adamant is only melted by blood: so is the heart of man by Christ crucified.

13. As water begining to freez, will bear nothing almost, but after a while any thing: so a tender heart at first doth tremble at the least sin or error, but through custome and continuance will bear up any sin or error.

14. The more sensible the soul is of out∣ward things, the lesse 'tis of spiritual things.

15. He that sets his love upon the creature, loseth the very strength of his soul.

16. Wise men when they go about spi∣ritual duties, cut themselves short of the use of the creatures.

17. Conscience hardned in some great sin, makes no stop in fin.

18. A heart will not easily be kept ten∣der

that is not under the means of grace.

19. A Reprobate hath joined with his heart security, insensibleness, obstinacie, and contempt of the means.

20. A Christian may have hardnesse of heart, and yet feels it: as a man that hath the stone, and know it.

21. If God take away the grace a man hath, he becoms worse of himself, then he was by nature.

22. They that are not bettered by Reli∣gion under the means, are so much worse by their use of the means.

23. Spiritual grief for sin, though it be not so vehement as outward grief for losses, yet it is more constant.

24. If there were no weaknesse in us, what need Christ continue making peace for us in heaven.

25. They that have a tender heart from God, have also a tender heart for God.

26. A tender heart is fit to run any er∣rand of God's sending, because its pliable.

27. Tender hearts lay to heart other mens estates: weeping over the misery of the wicked, rejoicing at the good of the godly.

28. A cerimonial hypocrite is more hard to be wrought upon, then Turk or Pagan.

29. It's a disposition not unbefitting the greatest Monarch, to humble himself before the great God.

30. It's the glory of a Christian that he hath got grace to humble himself.

31. Many are humbled who are not humble, and cast down, who have proud hearts.

32. True sorrow cannot speak distinct∣ly: for broken hearts speak but broken words.

33. Justification of God, and self-con∣demnation, go with true humiliation.

34. Hee that thinks highly of himself; robs God of his glory, and makes himself an Idol.

35. An humble heart is a vessel of grace: for so much humility, so much grace.

33. After the measure we empty our selvs, in that measure we are filled with the ful∣nesse of God.

37. All grace flows in upon the humble soul, as water from the hills into the val∣leys, making the soul rich in God.

38. Seeing humble fouls are onely safe and secure, we must either humble our selvs, or God will.

39. God works many times by graceless persons, but he doth not work in them.

40. Thunderclaps over our heads are fea∣red, but not those which are far off: so wicked men fear judgment near, but regard∣less if far off.

41. If humiliation have not faith and hope to raise the soul to some comfort, it turns to desperation.

42. True humility makes a man nothing, and yet fills the soul in God.

43. A wicked man may be sensible of his judgment, but not of the cause.

44. Adversity will never hurt, where there's no iniquity.

45. Outward expressions of sorrow are no further good, then when they come from inward grief and affection: for God must have inward affections, or else he ab∣hors outward actions.

46. It's an easie matter to force tears, but it's hard to afflict the soul.

47. It's the sin of many, in stead of ren∣ting their cloaths in coming before God, come to shew their bravery, and to be seen.

48. That man is falsly humble, and truly proud, who while he afflicts the body, omits the soul.

49. Tears for sin, proceeding from in∣ward

grief, is a temper becoming any Chri∣stian.

50. All expression and manifestation of devotion is little enough, so it be without hypocrisie.

51. Magistrates who are tenderly affect∣ed with the condition of the people: shall have a people carry a tender affection to them.

52. It's great cause of weeping to a gra∣cious heart, that it cannot weep.

53. It's a bad sign when we itch to hear of another man's fall: thinking thereby to hide our own wickednesse.

54. Praier begs blessing from God, and thankfulnesse continues them with man.

55. Many times there's most grief, where there are fewest tears.

56. Spiritual sorrow is a great deal bet∣ter then naturall; for it fats the soul.

57. God puts all his children's tears in a bottle: But wicked men spare him a la∣bour: for they seldom weep, though they have most cause.

58. A broken heart expresseth it self more in sighs and groans, then in words, which the Spirit onely understands.

59. It's our wisdom to observe how God

hears our prayert, that so we may be suit∣ably thankfull.

60. He that prayes with a resolution to fin; goes to God with a petition in one hand, and a dagger in another.

61. Whatsoever the crosses of a good man be, his last end shal be assuredly blessed.

62. God takes notice of every good word and work the godly do, and will reward it.

63. Hypocrites are recompenced, because God will not be in their debt, and it's all their desire.

64. When a Christian lookes onely on the ill that's in him: he robs God of his glory, and himself of comfort.

65. The good are scattered amongst the bad in their life, but in death they shall be gathered to God.

66. He that joins himself in love and af∣fection to wicked men on earth: shall be al∣so joined in torment and destruction in hell.

67. God sometimes reservs men in this life to worse miseries then death it self.

68. One death is better then many, and a sudden sometimes better then a lingring.

69. A man may out-live his happinesse, so that life it self may prove a judge∣ment.

70. Sight of misery works deeper on the soul, then the hearing of it.

71. Death indeed is the King of fears, very terrible: but that which is at the back of death is more terrible, hell and damna∣tion.

72. Some men's death is like Josiahs; a mercy, and a correction.

73. Many times good parents are taken away, that they may not see the ruine of their children.

74. Good Christians like good corn, will sooner be ground to powder; then yield ei∣ther to the rough blasts of persecution, or the smooth flattering gales of error and he∣resie

75. The chief care of the chief Magi∣strate, is for the good of Church and State.

76. Man is freed from the Law as it's his Judge, but not as it's his Counsellor.

77. If a godly man go out of the way he shall smart for it, and be whipt home again.

78. He that hath stuck long in the mire of sin, must be haled and pulled out by vi∣olence: and must not look for peace and comfort presently.

79. Wee walk by faith in this world:

sense and sight is reserv'd for another world.

80. No good is to be done to the soul by praiers and cries: so long as we are care∣lesse of purifying the heart.

81. Despise not the outward Ministry of the Word; for it is accompanied with the internal power of the Spirit.

82. Let not thy affections rove, and the world or Divel can do thee no hurt.

83. He that suppresseth sin at the first motion: shall assuredly find comfort.

84. If we mean to come to heaven, we must not live in any known sin: for it wasts grace.

85. A Christian must mend his pace every day: that grace may shine more and more to the perfect day.

86. Every poor map is not a blessed man; except his bodily poverty bring him to spi∣ritual poverty.

87. He that hath spiritual comforts, hath them cheap, if they cost him many a tear.

88. The heart is never so chearful, as when it powrs out it self in tears and sighs to God.

89. Spiritual mourning secures the soul from hell-mourning.

90. The way to divert too much bleed∣ing, is to open a vein: and the onely way to stop unseasonable grief, Is to turn our tears against our sins.

91. All worldly sorrow must be sorrow∣ed against, but sorrow for sin is a sorrow never to be repented of.

92. The adventure and the return of the stock of Praier is most certain to increase more and more.

93. God forfeits not his Word, but we our Praiers: when we seek things which crosse God's nature, or will; or are hurt∣full, or not necessary in themselves.

94. He that knocks at heavens door one∣ly in death: deservs to have the door knockt against his head.

95. He that would speed in temporal things, must first seek spiritual.

96. He that desires to speed in praier, must go to God with a knowledg and sense of his own insufficiency to succour himself.

97. Cold praiers have cold answers, for how should God hear us, when we hear not our selves.

98. They must look to be denied in their praiers, who deny Christ in his members.

99. The forgetfulnesse of received mer∣cies, makes God to forget us.

100. He that will be sure to have his praiers heard, must make a trade of praier, being constant in it.

CENTURY 6.

1. WE must lay our hand on the plow, and then pray that our endeavours may second our devotion.

2. To ask grace and not to use the meant; is to knock at heavens gate, and pull it to us that it do not open.

3. He that saies, Lord, forgive me my sins, without a desire to leave them; can∣not be heard, except God forfeit his Word.

4. Things inconvenient and unnecessary, are profitably denied us.

5. If heavenly things were soon obtain∣ed, they would be soon forgotten.

6. He that puts in his petition at one door, may willingly go about to another door to have an answer: so let God ap∣point the way and means, and deliverance shall be the more speedy.

7. Nothing more humbls the child of God, then to be buffeted with base temptations.

8. When God laies a plaister to our wound, we cry, take it off: when by hold∣ing it on the cure is done.

9. He hath not lost his praiers, but is doubly paid: who with the crosses of the world, hath his heart driven off from the world.

10. He that hath most grace, bath most work to do, and greatest trials to buckle with.

11. He that lets himself loose to any gross sin, shall be sure to find it in his praier.

12. Some are as unfit to pray, as ever Da∣vid was to march in Saul's armor.

13. The bringing forth of a right praier, is in a manner like the bringing forth of a child with many throws, yet when the child is born there is joy.

14. He that sees not the print of his im∣perfections, is neither humble, patient, nor pitiful; not knowing himself, brother, or God.

15. A Verbal confession of frailty, with∣out humility, mercy, and use of the means, is meer hypocrisie.

16. Man's body in the grace is free from pain, but not dishonor.

17. Uprightnesse may stand with imper∣fection,

beauty with deformity, some light, some darknesse in the best.

18. Our infirmities should be matter of humiliation, not desperation.

19. He that studies not to know himself, will soon grow proud.

20. Though the glory of a Saint be not obvious to every eye: yet they have an ex∣cellencie in them in the midst of all defor∣mities.

21. He that see's not a true Christian to be a glorious creature, hath but a fleshly eye.

22. It neither comes from good; nor works any good, to delight in speaking and hearing other men's enormities.

23. Some people come to the means at first, as children to the School very eagerly: but afterward very hardly drawn to it at all.

24 No company or comfort should put off the thoughts of death.

25. Death will be very terrible to that man, who dies not in his thoughts daily.

26. It's an easie matter to speak of death, but to bring it home to the heart is very hard.

27. Sin unrepented, will bring a sting in

the time of death: filling the heart with sorrow, the soul with amazement, the con∣science with horror.

28. Our eies should be casements to let in fresh air, not corruption.

29. He that laies much upon natures back, will break it: and he that trusts to natural parts shall be disappointed.

30. All carnal pleasures and delights are but poison: if grace in the heart be not an antidote.

31. Peace of conscience makes a man rejoice in sorrow, and live in death.

32. He that sees his own wants and weak∣nesse, will often desire to communicate.

33. An hypocrite shews sometimes a greater measure of profession, then a Chri∣stian: but is like corn on the house tops, that quickly grows, and is quickly down.

34. All the hands and hearts on earth, will do no good upon a resolute sinner.

35. A child of God coming to Christ's Table, eats judgment to avoid condemna∣tion.

36. He that would profit by heavenly mysteries, must be knit to them; not by the brain, but by affection.

37. Christ's prepared medicines minister no comfort, unlesse applied to our soul.

38. We cannot have Christs benefits, un∣lesse we have himself.

39. The signs seal no grace to the soul, where there is no faith.

40. We are very sensible of bodily hun∣ger, but soul hunger is hardly felt.

41. He that will not be broken from sin, shall have no portion in Christ's body broken.

42. Gentlemen-like qualities (pride, pleasure, intemperance) bring souls apace to hell.

43. He that makes a divorce betwixt his soul and corruption, is in the state of grace.

44. 'Tis no presumption but duty, to judge by our calling of our election.

45. To know there is a Christ, and not our interest in him, is rather, a punishment then a comfort.

46. Faith and hope may be distinguish∣ed, but not separated: for faith hath ever hope.

47. A fearful doubting soul lives vext in the suburbs of of hell.

48. A weak and dumb evidence may be true as the strongest.

49. As grace and glory, so sin and shame go alwaies together.

50. The more sanctified affliction on earth, the more weight of glory in heaven.

51. It's all one to Christ thy surety, to pay thy great debts as thy small ones.

52. Upon whom God bestows much cost, there he looks for some answerable fruits.

53. Sin may draw down judgment on a godly man, but it shall not rest on him.

54. The Church hath evermore received more hurt by discord, then open enemies.

55. In all diseases take away the proud and dead flesh, and the plaister will fall off.

56. When the fuel of sin is taken away, Gods fiery wrath ceaseth.

57. Saints by their great falls lose their communion, but not their union with God.

58. Of all burthens, the absence of God's favour is most intollerable.

59. Except healing and pardoning mer∣cy go together, man hath no comfort, and God no glory.

60. It's very ill when small temptations makes us question the truth of God's pro∣mises.

61. It's sad to see carnal men contriving other waies of coming to Christ, then ever he ordained or revealed.

62. We must go to the promises for en∣largement to duty: our service requiring no portion, but meer poverty and empti∣nesse.

63. He that is content Christ should take all from him, and dispose altogether of him: hath a holy frame of heart.

64. It's Satan's policy, either to let us see no sin, or nothing but sin.

65. Never any saved but rebells; nor re∣ceived mercy, but such as opposed mercy.

66. No Scripture saith the greatnesse of man's sin, hinders the greatnesse of God's mercy.

67. It's not properly some men's unwor∣thinesse, but their pride, which hinders them from Christ: desiring something in them∣selves, and not to have all from him.

68. There's no limitation of the riches of God's free grace, but onely in the sin a∣gainst the Holy Ghost.

69. God shews mercy not because wee please him, but because mercy pleaseth him.

70. Whatsoever sight of sin unfits a man for mercy, that sight is sinful.

71. He that depends upon the power and mercy of God in his Ordinances, shall find proportionable succour and success.

72. When all means fail, let the soul look up to God, and out from it self: being the fittest time to meet God, and disappoint Satan.

73. As a tree may want leaves and fruit, not wanting sap or moisture: so a Christi∣an may want sense and feeling, when there is faith.

74. Sometimes some mens souls are like sullen children, refusing their meat, because they have not what they would.

75. It's a bad custome some men have, never to be well, but when judging rashly of their eternal being.

76. Some men in hearing study how to find answers to put by their comforts.

77. He ••hat listens to carnal pleas, sins deeply, and wounds his soul dangerously.

78. He that enters the lists with Satan concerning God's Decrees, will be carried into a wood where no body comes, and no comfort to be had.

79. We must not measure the riches of God's love, nor sweetnesse of his grace by our own conceits.

80. In self-judging observe the good as well as the bad, and do not lie at the catch with thine own soul, to take it at the worst.

81. There's a great deal of evil in that self-willed proud heart, who hath all his objections answered, yet renews them afresh.

82. It's a sin to reject mercy when God offers it, as to kill a man, which he hath for∣bidden.

83. It's better crosse our own humors, then crosse God's Spirit.

84. Stubborn peevish souls, if saved in the end: yet they are as it were in hell up∣on earth.

85. Let souls hold to the Word in their di∣spute with Satan, and he will be weary, and go away.

86. Look from one end of the heavens to the other: and see if ever any man leaning upon God was disappointed.

87. A soul leavs all other things for that which is chief with the soul.

88. Faith gives a kind of being to what∣soever we do or speak.

89. We must not think to bring any good to the promises, but go to them for all good.

90. We must not look for sanctification till we come to the Lord in vocation.

91. O precious faith! which brings all

goodnesse with it, grace here, happinesse hereafter.

92. There would be a sweet mutual peace in God's holy mountain, if every one kept in his own limits, knowing his duty.

93. It's an eminent and infallible mark of regeneration, to have the violence and fierceness of our nature taken away.

94. He that, refuseth works of mercy to those in need, is a murtherer.

95. The doctrine of Christ is preached to many, but the power thereof extended but to few.

96. That man is holy and harmlesse, who when opportunity of doing evill is offered, can abstain.

97. It's a blessed thing when we are pro∣vok'd to forbear to revenge our selves.

98. It's a sign of a woful state, when our tongues flie out in words, and our hearts are set on mischief in small matters.

99 No man can love a saint as a saint, but a saint.

100. Religion and Rebellion are incon∣sistent.

CENTURY 7.

1 NO man is turned unto God, but he loves the society he formerly hated.

2. It's dangerous too much to admire fleshly excellency, for those gifts of good∣ness which are in the same.

3. As there is a cruell justice many times, so there may be a cruel mercy.

4. A heart set upon chafing, brawling, and raging, is void of comfort.

5. He may be assured of the remission of sin, who is released from the bondage of sin.

6. No sin so small, but there's an enmity against God in it, and a dishonour to God.

7. He that would make all comfort sure to himself, let him make this sure first, that his sins are forgiven him.

8. The onely way to quiet our hearts is to hearken what God saies.

9. All God's children must be plowed, and have the clods of their corruption bro∣ken.

10. Misery to the righteous is as a so∣journer: but it rests on the back of the wic∣ked man.

11. The means, time, and measure of af∣flictions, is of God's own appointment.

12. The wounds of a friend with holy reproof are precious: but his wounds by sinful counsel are pernicious.

13. There's another life besides the natu∣ral life, and the root of it is Christ our life.

14. That nothing can suffice man, coms from a divine instinct, to make him seek out another life, wherein consists happinesse.

15. He that finds such an antipathy be∣twixt his spirit and sin, as betwixt him and poison, hath true grace in his heart.

16. We must hate the conversations of such, who hinder us in the growth of spiri∣tual life.

17. As without shedding of blood no forgivenesse of sin: so without the Spirit sealing the promises to our souls, we have no comfort.

18. Christ is the fountain of spiritual life, but faith is the pipe conveying it to us.

19. Better for us to sleep in a house full of Adders and Serpents, then in a state of sin.

20. Happy practice, when with the day we clear the sins of the day, fitting our selvs for life or death.

21. Though pardon of sin be pronoun∣ced, yet God hath the keeping of joy in his own hand.

22. Every falling into sin is not upon all four, a quite falling away.

23. Samson's strength was in his locks, but our strength against sin and errour is in Christ.

24. A believing spirit trembles at any thing which hinders or grievs the Spirits working.

25. Sense of God's love is sometimes withdrawn, to make us mourn for it the more.

26. When afflictions are doubled, it's time to pray hard, believe and apply the promises: and then deliverance will come.

27. In the use of means run alwaies to Christ, that he may work, virtue being one∣ly in him.

28. God's time of helping the poor and needy, is when all other help is at a stand.

29. After faith ends on earth, comes the life of vision in heaven.

30. Redemption in regard of efficacie is no larger then God's Election: for those which the Father gave in Election, Christ by Redemption saves.

31. God's general call in the Church, is to call out his own.

32. God rains the showers of his Ordi∣nances upon all, but Believers have onely the benefit of it.

33. It's no matter what cavills wicked men raise of God's intention and election, seeing more grace and means are offered, then they are willing to entertain.

34. Christ is our husband, faith yields consent, and consent makes the match.

35. Many are in the state of grace rely∣ing on mercy, and wanting the assurance of pardon.

36. Satan applying himself to the distem∣per of a melancholy spirit, keeps it in dark∣nesse.

37. Sincerity is the holy man's perfecti∣on in the use of all means.

38. A man may have excellent parts, and no grace at all, which are given for the good of others: because such neglect faith, hu∣mility, and a broken spirit, which are more then gifts.

39. Parents shew their love most to the weakest child: so God manifests his com∣forts most to weak Christians.

40. Where there is faith, there is praier:

for faith is the parent of praier, and praier is the breath of faith.

41. The living of a happy life consists in the assurance of God's love to our souls.

42. The sense of Christs love in pardon∣ing sin: constrains us to an holy violence in performing of duty.

43. Look upon the love of God, and it will cut the sinews of sin, and distrust in pro∣vidence.

44. Come in and stoop to Christ, in do∣ing thy duty: and thou puts this question out of question, that thou art one of God's Elect.

45. They who have no conflict in their spirit, and no interruption in their estate: may greatly fear their condition.

46. In cases of desertion, and seeming deadness, trie which way soul the goes in its desires.

47. Complain of thy self and sins to Christ, and let sin have no quiet possession.

48. He is a true Christian who lives in no grosse sin, nor allows of no small sin.

49. That man dies comfortably, who believs Christ will have a care of his soul.

50. Some Scriptures are become hard to understand, because of so many, diversities of understanding.

51. Little Scripture is so sincere and in∣demnified, as to please all conjectures, and satisfie all interests and spirits that inquire into them.

52. It's a wilful error to choose to be so∣litary, where there's one Catholick consent and harmony.

53. It's dangerous to take by-paths, where the open road is free and safe.

54. He that chooseth singularity, wil fall into many absurdities and implications.

55. He that dotes upon his own inventi∣on, and proposeth to himself a separate no∣tion, will ravish and wrest the Word by an audacious force.

56. Many things lie yet hid in the Scri∣pture, as full of darknesse as wonder.

57. Some undo a great deal of learning by an extreme ingredient of superstition or novelty.

58. They that are most void of learning and experience, dabble most in dark places.

59. Though many things in Scripture be obscure and profound, yet nothing su∣perfluous.

60. He reads the Scripture with danger of infection: who brings the Plague with him.

61 Carnal pleasures sowr and wither by

using: but spiritual become fresh and de∣lightful.

62. That heart is worse then iron, whom Christs loadstone cannot attract.

63. The graces of Christ are like the eternal springs of the earth, that cannot dry up, but are and shall be diffused, until his whole house be filled.

64. The love of Christians to Christ is no blind precipitate passion, but guided by reason and election.

65. Grace destroies not nature, but per∣fects her by supernatural reliefs.

66. There's special intimacie and kind∣nesse betwixt Christ and those that fear him.

67. Joy breeds from love to its root, and where one is shed abroad, the other trickls after it.

68. The more we mind God by contem∣plation, the more we admire and seek him.

69. Many souls are black through the night of persecution: yet comely in hope and patience.

70. False teachers have many follo••…••…, as wasps have combs, but no honey.

71. Some are Kite-eied, to espy the fil∣thinesse and carrion cast out of their bre∣thren, passing over their graces.

72. Affliction may discolour the Church for a season. but her proper and constant complexion will be beauty for ashes.

73. None so implacable and bitter, as hereticks and Schismaticks; sons of the same mother, the Church; but not of the same Father, God.

74. Get under Christs protection and Government, and he will not suffer thee to lack.

75. He is in greatest danger of erring, who travels alone.

76. Babylon holds many of God's peo∣ple, yet let them not make such places their refuge: much lesse their election.

77. It's truly Christian, for a man to love those who hate him, and do him wrong.

78. It aggravates a man's sinfulnesse to be unholy: wilst he converseth with such as are holy.

79. It brings honour to God and man, to be upright amongst those who are unjust.

80. Perfect holiness is the aim of Saints on earth, it's their reward in heaven.

81. As the salt Sea makes not the fish salt; so no filthiness destroies true grace.

82. Some men can personate Religion: but are not religious persons.

83. He who hath a plain heart, hath al∣so square dealings.

84. If God hath given thee grace, thou hast the best and choicest blessing can be given.

85. Grace may be more eminent in some then in others: yet every man hath every grace, who hath any grace at all.

86. It's a great dishonor to our profes∣sion, not to be upright in our dealings and conversation.

87. Fear being all duty and every grace, if uprightness of dealing be not from it, it's a heathenish virtue, not a Christian grace.

88. The fear of the Lord sweeps the heart, and keeps the life clean.

89. Holy enmity against sin, is the tem∣per of a godly man's heart.

90. He that will avoid sin, must avoid the occasion of sin: and he that will keep from the act, must keep from the way of sin.

91. Children must not be counted bills of changes: for they are greater blessings then any outward thing else.

92. Wo to those parents, whose gain for their children, is the loss of their own souls.

93. Emptiness and poverty presseth hose most, who once were full and rich.

94. Great and good, rich and holy, are happy but rare conjunctions.

95. To be extream poor, or rich, is one extream temptation.

96. That man is rich in grace, who is very poor, but very holy.

97. Temptations are greater and stronger upon the full and rich, then the poor and empty.

98. God never gives any thing evill in it self to those who are good, nor the chief good to those chat are evill.

99. There's fire in all estates ill gotten, which at last will consume them

100. The time we spend in spirituall du∣ties is the time gained for secular: therefore to turn poor, if thou turn godly, fear not.

CENTURY 8.

1. MUtual agreement amongst children is a comfortable blessing to parents.

2. Nothing more uncomely, and unna∣turall, as rents divisions, and brawlings in a family.

3. Prodigality of time is the worst and most dangerous prodigality.

4. Faith is a glutinous monopolizing grace, possessing Christ, and by a close ap∣plication

making him wholly the soul's.

5. The faithfull soul takes sure hold of Christ in the time of darkness and tempta∣tion.

6. Christ lodged in the heart is as a bun∣dle of myrrhe, sweet and bitter at once pre∣serving joy and trembling together.

7. If thy heart swell too high and grow proud, taste and chaw the bitter plant of Christ's death, and it will break the impost∣hume.

8. If thy heart fail thee in any conditon, smell at the sweetnes of Christ, and he will transmit life and comfort.

9. The virtue of Christ's death never dieth, but floweth down to ail ages for ever.

10. God hath appointed that where the crosse is, there also is the cordiall against it.

11. Divine love is the caus of divine beau∣ty, and rejoyceth in it's own work.

12. The beauty of the soul is the holiness of it, being God's Image.

13. Christ hath the truth and essence of beauty, whereas earthly things have it only in estimation.

14. The unquiet brains of men tossed with opinions, rest in the scripture as in a bed.

15. Our sins are thorns, and so are tem∣ptations to sin, and afflictions for sin.

16. Heresies and schisms are worser then the sharpest stings and thorns to the Church.

17. Women lose their good name, not onely by keeping ill company, but by kee∣ping none.

18. As weary travellers seek cool ar∣bours, and delight in them; so doth the wea∣ry soul after, and in Christ.

19. Some men carry a thin shaddow of piety and zeal, but no more.

20. It's neither losse nor dishonour to be vanquished in the field, where Christ is Gene∣ral: for at last we shall be conquerors.

21. A holy soul is sick and weary, and lives not in her self, but in Christ, in whom her life is hid.

22. They are happy beyond expression, who are transfixed with the wounds of Christ's love.

23. It's no waies befitting Christians, to lye down and stretch themselves in sinfull pleasures.

24. It's our duty & comfort to draw near to Christ in affection and conversation.

25. Holy practise makes grace visible, and brings out from the heart to the life.

26. A parent may put money in a childs

purse, but he cannot put grace in his heart.

27. Prayer which requires a holy heart, many times makes a holy heart.

28. None can come at the spirit of ano∣ther, but the Spirit of God.

29. Moderate refreshing and recreation may well become holy men.

30. The care of parents ought to live as long as they and their children live toge¦ther.

31. Children when grown in years, must not think they have out-grown obedience and honour to their parents.

32. The speciall care of a holy father is for the soul of his child.

33. Such parents whose care is onely to make their children great, not good in this world, are themselves the Devils children.

34. Grace is very attractive, it desires to draw others into fellowship.

35. He that doth ill by thy advice, the ill shall be reckoned unto thee.

36. All holy duties call upon us all for a holy preparation.

37. It's seldome the duty sanctifies us, un∣less we be sanctified for the duty.

38. It's very bad to make a preparation, and then to put off or neglect the duty.

39. It's God's due, and our duty to give

God the morning, the first and best part of the day.

40. As the morning is a friend to the Mu∣ses, so to the Graces, it being the best praying time.

41. It's not safe to let sin lie upon our consciences unrepented.

42. He that hath guilt upon his soul, hath a fire in his soul.

43. Prayer is a lifting up of the soul, and elevation of the spirit unto God.

44. By distinguishing the times, many Scrptures are made to agree.

45. He that sacrificed, offered up a beast; but he that obeyeth offereth up himself.

46. God in the Sacrament sees the death of his Son, and that satisfies him: and man sees the death of his Saviour, and that justi∣fies him.

47 Actings of faith, powering, out of prayer, makes Sacraments effectuall to man, acceptable to God.

48. Christ was ever, and is, and shall be the only remedy and cure of sin.

49. Every one is saved by particular act∣ings of his own faith: and therefore every soul must believe for it selfe.

50. We cannot converse in this uncleane

and dirty world, but some uncleanness will fasten upon us.

51. To be without grosse sin is our holi∣ness on earth, to be without any sin, is the holinesse of heaven.

52. A good heart turns suspicious of o∣thers sinning, into intercession that they may be pardoned: not in accusations that they may be defamed.

53. He that repents of those sins which he only fears he hath committed, shall be sure to repent of those he doth commit.

54. It's too easie a matter to sin about holy things: lawfull things often being the occasion of unlawfull.

55. For a man to blesse God in his sin, is a very high strain of wickednesse.

56. Every sin is a turning from God, but few sins are a farewell to God.

57. The heart is to be kept with all man∣ner of keeping, for sinfull thoughts are dan∣gerous sins.

58. The heart of man is so wicked as to sin over one sin a thousand times.

59. Renewed sin, require renewed re∣pentance; and we must give over repenting, when wee have don sining.

60. That which men do out of conscience, they will do it out of peresverance: for na∣ture

may have good moods, but grace is steady.

61. Usually where God gives much grace, he tries grace much.

62. All things in heaven and earth are disposed by the unerring wisdom, and limi∣ted by the Almighty power of God.

63. Sleep is a short death, and death is a long sleep.

64. It should be the voice of every soul: Lord what wilt thou have me doe.

65. No creature but left to it self, but will quickly undo it self.

66. There's no trusting to any estate what∣soever out of Christ.

67. Sin despoils every creature of honour and comfort at once.

68. He that is wicked will be an adver∣sary, no sooner a sinner but a Satan.

69. All opposition of goodness is a spice of the Devil.

70 The height of holines is, not only to do good, but oppose evill.

71, To be a Satan against Satan, is the glory of every Christian.

72. The intention of one spirit is as plain to another, as the voice of one man to an∣other.

73. Though the Devil goe up and down,

he is in a double chain, of Justice and Provi∣dence: Being under the wrath & eye of God.

74. Satan is as full of discontent now as he can be: but not so full of torments as he shall be.

75. They who once depart from God, can never find rest in any creature.

76. It's a joy to some to have compani∣ons in sin and sorow.

77. Cloysters are as open to Satans temp∣tations, as the open fields.

78. Wicked men though never so great, are scarse worth looking upon.

79. Let those look for the hottest assaults, who are most eminent in grace.

80. There's a kind of joy in hell and wick∣ed men, when the godly man sins.

81. As it's our honour to be God's ser∣vant, so he hath servants of all statures and degrees.

82. It's a holy ambition, to labour to ex∣ceed all others in grace and goodness.

83. God will give to every man a testi∣mony according to his utmost worth.

84. No matter if all the world be silent, or slander: if God speak well of us.

85. It's mans duty when God enlightneth and giveth joy, to warble his praises.

86. The great and grievous groanings of

a contrite heart, are musick in Gods ears, and sweet evidences of his spirit in us.

87. There are secure trenches and forti∣fications to desend Gods doves when hunt∣ed and persecuted.

88. God is never more troubled, then as that good Emperour was said to be, when his servant will aske him nothing.

89. The incense of a wicked man is dung, his sweet canes from a farr country are un∣savoury.

90. Never did the Church suffer more from the blindest and maddest heathens, then from hereticks, and schismaticks.

91. Every faithfull soule is Gods garden, and every grace an immarcessible Lilly.

92. Places of rest and sleep are unquiet, without Christs divine presence.

93. The first and last work and whole business of a convert, is to seek Christ.

94. The conversation of saints is in hea∣ven before themselvs.

95. Church men should be valiant for the faith: not like the sword-fish, which carries a weapon but no heart.

96. The sweet peace and tranquility of a calme and pacified conscience excelleth all treasures.

97. The application and tincture of

Christ's blood, is not only our glory, but also our protection.

98. It's a most pregnant testimony of folly and idlness; to consume estate and time in dressing the hair of the head.

99. A faithfull Minister is white and in∣nocent in his reproof; and purged from all blood-thirstiness and ferocity.

100. A Ministers speech must not swell with vain and empty words: nor yet be loose or negligent: but prepared with care and purity.

CENTURY 9.

1. FAith like the neck knits the head and body together, and upholds the soul in persecution.

2. Regeneration is an in tire work of the whole man, and renders him all fair.

3. The purest Christians have some scars and stains, inevitable failings, which do not deface or disessence them.

4. A bashfull blush in a woman, is not only her ornament, but defence also.

5. The wound of love towards us, which Christ had from all eternity, made him neglect all the wounds and reproaches of the Cro••s.

6. A good name is like colours drawn and laid in oyle; not fading, but enduring for ever.

7. A laborious Minister travels through all the gardens of learning, to fill his vessels full of joy and comfort.

8. A lewd woman hath honey in her lips, but no milk: pleasure, but ho profit: and that pleasure short and dangerous.

9. All the world is a wilderness, but the Church a garden full of flowers and fruits.

10. No outward blessing can change the heart, or bring it about to God.

11. the excellencyes of God, and the sweetness of his wayes, are the wayes of his dear servants.

12. God makes many promises to his people, but no bargains, his obey him freely.

13. Politicians serve God for the gain of godliness, not for any delight in godliness.

14. It's no small wickedness to accuse a mans intentions, when his actions are fair.

15. Love excuseth what is ill done, and malice accuseth what it well done.

16. The more outward blessings we re∣ceive,

the more service God looks for at our hands.

17. Satan the father of lyes, and seducers, sometimes speak truth for their owne ad∣vantage.

18. It's very seldom to see any industri∣ous hand, and not a blessing upon it.

19. He that brings up an evill name upon any of Gods ordinances, is a blasphemer.

20. He that quarrels and is angry with providence, reproacheth the wise God.

21. Satan knowes not what is in a mans heart, It's God's peculiar Cabinet.

22. Affliction is the touch stone and great discoverer of sincerity.

23. Some goe a fishing with holiness, and when they have their ends, there's an end of their profession.

24. When religion and prosperity go together, It's hard to say which a man fol∣lows; but when separated, professors shew their mettall.

25. It's not alwaies an argument of God's love, to have our desires granted.

26. Satan, nor none of his instruments, can meddle with the persons or estates of men without God's permission.

27. It stills the soul with unspeakable

joy to remember whilst it suffers, the will of God is doing.

28. That which evill men desire sinfully, God may grant holily, there being a vast disproportion betwixt his end and our in∣tention.

29. It's limited how far every affection shall go, and how far every instrument shall prevail.

30. When a man is brought from ex∣tream joy to extream comfort suddenly, it rather amazeth then comforteth the spirit.

31. The clearest day of outward comfort may be clouded before the evening.

32 Riches makes themselves wings to flee away, when we are making doors and locks to keep them in.

33. A judgment sometimes takers us in the midst of our best and honest endeavours.

34. A wicked man is Sa••ans captive at his will: whilst he rideth tryumphing, doing his own will.

35. Whilst the sword is making itself fat, it hath famine in the belly of it.

36. Sad and grievous are those afflicti∣ons, wherein God appears to be against us.

37. In the worship of God whilst men are upon the knee, their minds ought to be upon the wing.

38. To mourn in our deaths, and laugh in our sleevs, is both sinfull and base.

39. In our straits, consider what we were and shall be ere long, and it will work the soul to contentation.

40. wicked men thrive often, but they are never blessed: their prosperity is their curse.

41 He that blesseth God in his affliction, his affliction shall be a blessing to him.

42. That man is full of grace, who is composed in word and thought under af∣fliction.

43. To be good when we suffer evil, is the height of goodness.

44. Nature teacheth a man to value his life above the world: and grace teacheth to value the soul above the life.

45. It's a woful thing to put off repen∣tance to a pained body: which pain is powerful of it self to disquiet the mind.

46. He lives miserably who lives by me∣dicines: and most miserable who is beyond the help of Physick.

47 It's an holy man's comfort to bee alone: and yet they are never alone, having an invisible friend to visit them.

48. Wicked men think by Satan's per∣swasions,

that death is an end of outward trouble.

49. Satan makes Duellists most willing, when they are most unfit to die.

50. Look upon evil as coming from the hand of God, and it will quiet thy heart in bearing evil.

51. If men did consider, that the milk of the Word is the food of the soul; they would rather their bodies be without souls, then their Churches without Preachers.

52. They who carry away the principal Tithes from the Church, had rather lose their inheritance in heaven, then let Christ have his inheritance on earth:

53: If the buyers and sellers in the Tem∣ple deserv'd whipping: the buyers and sel∣lers of the Temple deserve hanging.

54. Church-robbers on their death-beds or in hell, will see that sacrilege is the worst of thefts and murthers.

55. Church-goods prove as unfortunate to many, as the gold of Tholossae to the fol∣lowers of Scipio.

56. Some men think to go to heaven by giving their Ministers the hearing: which is all they give them.

57. Wit and poverty seldom make up an honest man.

58. That man is never truly thankful to God: who is unthankful to the means.

59. God's glory will make a good man speak, when terrour it self hath comman∣ded silence.

60. Our Pharisees are worse then the Pharisees of old: for they paid Tithes of all they had.

61. Some mens shoo-ties cost them more in a year then their souls.

62. Great is the affection of a Convert to a Minister, who hath been the means of his conversion.

63. The Lord hath committed the souls of Magistrates to their Ministers, but the bo∣dies of Ministers to the Magistrates.

64. Our love to God is best known by our respect to his messengers, and usage of his members.

65. If persons were prized according to what is in them, the world would be right∣ly ranked.

66. The favour of God goes out for no∣thing in man: but the wrath of God goes forth alwaies for something in man.

67. The sins and afflictions of men are swiftly carried upon the wings of same, and posted about by reports.

68. A man then sets his seal to it, that he is a friend, when he willingly shares in his friends affliction.

69. Some friends are like the swallow, to come and sit and sing with us in summer, but when winter comes, they seek for a hot∣ter climate.

70. To visit the sick is not a complement, but a commanded duty.

71. It's good manners to be an unbidden guest at the house of mourning.

72. A suitable end is the grace and beau∣ty of all our undertakings.

73. No sicknesse or affliction can wear out the marks by which Christ knows us.

74. Silent mournings are the sorest, when lifting up the voice vents the sorrow.

75. In great sorrows, the mind is unfit to take in comfort.

76. A talkative comforter is another disease to a sick man.

77. Let sorrow have it's way a while, and it will make way for comfort.

78. Cursing is now made the common weapon of anger: and wrath wishes the e∣vil it cannot work.

79. Eternity the day of glory is one con∣tinued triumph for our birth-day in grace.

80 Grace doth not take away sense: it heightens nature, and doth not abolish it.

81. The comfort of every day depends onely upon the blessing of God.

82. Honor is but an higher unhappiness: ••••ches are golden thorns: and strength a∣bility to bear a heavier burthen.

83. The same creature comfort may prove to us a curse, or a blessing.

84. No man on earth in so sad condi∣tion, but he may be in a worse.

85. Much of the comfort of our lives is brought in by the society of good friend.

86. They who have no treasure in hea∣ven, cannot but be enraged when the hope of their gain is gon upon earth.

87. He that is a knowing christian, can hardly sin without a smart upon consci∣ence.

88. To commit sin against light, is not so great an argument of an evill heart, as to be troubled at the light which rebukes them.

89. That man's damnation sleeps not, who awakes the Devill to shew him sinning opportunities.

90. He that loves wages, will not stick to do that work which brings in wages.

91. In sad times small comforts passe for great merits: and in such times the remo∣ving of small comforts is a great affliction.

92. Disappointment of expectation is no small provocation in the day of trouble.

93. That hell is such a night as never shall see the dawning of the day, hath more torment and pain, then all the pains of hell.

94. If God turn not the key of the womb, the poor infant must lye in prison, making his mothers womb his grave.

95. We should consider there's more of God's power in bringing us into the world, then in bringing us out of any trouble in the world.

96. Every step of life stands in need of a step of mercy.

97. Life is a tempestuous sea-voiage: and death brings us to our harbour.

98. Paul had an ear to hear those word, which his body had no tongue to express.

99. To wish things otherwise out of ten∣derness that God should be offended, is both lawfull and commendable.

100. Secretly to surmise, or openly to complain that the world is not well gover∣ned, is plain blasphemy.

CENTURY 10.

1. IN things which we cannot understand let us adore God's secret Justice and unsearchable wisdom.

2 Powr out your complaints into God's bosome: and let second causes be look't up∣on but in the second place.

3. To bear our crosse is the patience of necessity: but to love to bear it, hath in it the height of affection, and the depth of subjecti∣on to Christ.

4. Men may put riches with them in the grave, but they cannot keep them one mo∣ment out of the grave.

5. They who fall from God by impiety, will quickly fall upon man by cruelty.

6. It's the character of an extream wick∣ed man, to be a troubler of the place and peopl where he lives.

7. He that followeth sin, and serveth pride and ambition, serves a hard master, who will make him toil and sweat, and pay him at last with death.

8. It's no small trouble to possess good things, when we cannot enjoy them.

9. Many afflictions to our sense are som∣times worse then death.

10. As death finds many before they look for it, so some look for death, and cannot find it.

11. It's a great deal better for a man to expect death when it cometh not, then to have death come, when he expects it not.

12. The darkness of affliction it a great increase of our affliction.

13. Holy wisdom and prudence bids us prepare for evill in our good daies.

14. They can ill bear any trouble, who look for nothing but comfort.

15. The more our hearts are loosened from the creatures, the more assurance wee have of enjoying the creatures.

16. The best way of teaching, is out of our own experience and exact disquisi∣tion.

17. Largness of gifts and helps from God, should quicken us unto a more chearful and vigorous study of our duties.

18. It's a great blessing for men to have helps and comforts answerable to their im∣ployments and hearts also to use them.

19 The study of the creature is of ex∣cellent use to lead us to the knowledg of the Creator.

20. The more knowledg a man hath, the more ignorance he discovers in him∣self.

21. The good which satisfies a man, must bear proportion to his heart, and inward man.

22. The right use of pleasure is not to

take up the whole man: but to mitigate the bitterness of severer studies.

23. In things of this world, somtimes they who have least wisdom or goodness, have greatest success.

24. The wise and circumspect are many times frustrated in those courses which were contrived with greatest skill and cunning.

25. It's dangerous Judging of mens wis∣dom or folly, goodness or badness, by out∣ward events.

26. As a little cloud darkens the light of the sun: So a little trouble darkens the content of all our enjoyments.

27. It's the love of God which puts sweet∣ness in all our outward mercies.

28. Power without piety is very apt to degenerate into cruelty.

29. It's the height of impiety, to fetch any power or advantage from any ordinance of God to commit it.

30. Faith looks on the pride and power of wicked men, as a very vain thing, even in the height of their greatness.

31. It's matter of comfort to the oppres∣sed, that their cause shall be judged over a∣gain, and themselvs righted.

32. It's a vain conceit to think content∣ment tied co a small estate, and vexation to

a greater: whereas true content knows as well how to abound, as how to want.

33. It's woful, when men have enough for back and belly, calling and decency of state, but not enough for the eye.

34. Wealth is a great ornament to wis∣dome, and the sinews of action.

35. The more sensible any man is of sin in himself, the more meek and charitable he will be to others.

36. As a little flie corrupts much preti∣ous perfume: so a little folly blemisheth much a wise man's reputation.

37. To a man made up of pride and fol∣ly: other men much wiser then himself, ap∣pear but fools.

38. They who are impatient of rule over them, have mine very near them.

39. Where wisdom is wanting to direct our actions, labour will prove endless.

40. The Politician's pretence may be fine and spiritual, but his ultimate end is gold and greatness.

41. It's very sad to see men quoting Scri∣pture, to palliate their impious actions.

42. Woe to that man who sacrificeth the publick peace to private interest.

43. Nothing so much conceals deformi∣ty, and pretends beauty; as the mask of Re∣ligion on the face of Rebellion.

44. It's policie to say grace to our de∣signs be they never so wicked: and to give thanks for the success, be it never so bad or bloody.

45. No man is more hated of God then an hypocrite: for a counterfeit Religion shall find a real hell.

46. It's common amongst Rebels and Hereticks, to mention old Traitors for new Martyrs.

47. The will of a wicked man is often an offender, when his hands are innocent, the sin being out of his reach.

48. For learned men to have turbulent spirits, is the dishonor of the Gown, and shame of the Pulpit, and somtimes the ruine of their Country.

49. A Politician when he hath made his best use of a seditious Preacher, leavs him to his own wild distemper, directing his thoughts to another end.

50. Few men are able or willing to di∣stinguish God's permission from his appro∣bation.

51. Christ's Kingdome was not of this world, nor yet is a Christian's happinesse.

52. He that asserts temporal happinesse to be a true Index of divine favour: must

not say Mahomet is an Imposter.

53. Fortunate sins are very dangerous temptations.

54. A meer Professor is alwaies of the prevailing Religion, harboring a room in his heart if occasion be, to lodge the con∣trary.

55. The Magistrate who hath no volun∣tary room in the hearts of his people, must use all means to gain a coercive.

56. It's great pity such slender evasions in breaking Oaths, should satisfie Christians, which have been scorned by Heathens.

57. It's no heresie to say, many have been saved by their infidelity, in not believing Politicians pretences.

58. Some men cover wrong with wrong; as if the the commission of a second sin, were enough to justifie the first.

60. Necessity is the common sanctuary for tyrants sinful actions.

61. They who study to be great by any means, must by all means forget to bee good.

62. If all the gay things which men fond∣ly fancy in a Crown, were really to be found, hee pays too dear that pawns his soul for it.

63. It's the humor of many, when they have once rushed into a party or opinion implicitly; to prosecute it as desperately, as if they were under demonstrative convi∣ctions of equity.

64. Soon angry when small injuries are done to our selves; and still patience in great wrongs done to God, shew our hearts to be naught.

65. Our hearts cunningly trip up our heels, when we are to run the race set be∣fore us.

66. There's a mystery of sin lying in the folds of the heart; which we shall never see, except God's Spirit enlighten us.

67. When a Seducer speaks a truth: hee doth set a snare to catch the truth in.

68. Policie in wicked men is more pow∣erful sometimes to restrain their corrupti∣on; then grace in others who are truly re∣ligious.

69. An hypocrite speaks not out of, but contrary to the abundance of the heart.

70. No greater thief then a slanderer, for he robs his brother of his good name, which is above gold or silvers.

71 What a mockery it is when men are carefull to pay their servants their due;

and yet rob God and his Church of their due.

72. Sectaries cry out against Papists per∣secution in Queen Maries time: and yet cease not to vent their malice against the Ministers, in whom the piety and zeal of those holy Martyrs are revived, and do∣ctrine continued.

73. No mans calling must call him from God, or godliness: for particular callings must give place to the generall.

74. The power, command, or example of great men, is no warrant to sin.

75. An unsound conscience is large, and can swallow any thing: but a sincere con∣science is strait, and the least thing sticks in her throat.

76. He that takes custom for a safe rule of his actions: takes a crooked rule, and a blind guide by the hand.

77. The falls of holy men in Scripture, should teach us rather fear, then boldnesse to sin.

78. It denotes a sincere heart, when it grievs for another man's sin.

79". Adversity unites those many times whom prosperity divides.

80. Sectaries cry, Come out of Babylon, and in the mean time fall into her substan∣tial errours, which are both her foundation and frame.

81. It's better many waies to swallow a Ceremony, then rend a Church.

82. Though Sectaries intend it not, yet Antichrist and Hell have no better Agents.

83. Death many times borders upon birth, and the cradle stands in the grave.

84. All the contentments of this life, are as far from sincerity as contentment.

85. O death! if thy pangs be grievous, yet the rest which follows thee is sweet.

86. Let no Christian despise the means of his salvation: when he knows the Au∣thor.

87. The bread of the Sacrament was once the Bakers, now it is God's: the wa∣ter was once every man's, now it is the La∣ver of Regeneration.

88. It is to thee, O God, we must powr out our hearts, who onely can make our bitter waters sweet.

89. Contentation is a rare blessing, be∣cause it ariseth from a full fruition of all comforts, or a not-desiring of some which we have not.

90 No man so bare, as not to have some benefits: none so full, as to want nothing: yea, as not to be full of wants.

91 It is our faithlesness, that in visible means, we see not him who is invisible.

92 Our greatest pleasures on earth, are but pains in their loss.

93 To whine in the midst of abundant riches, is a shameful unthankfulness.

94 When a heart is hardned with pas∣sion, it will endure much e're it will yield to relent.

95 God will be waited on, and will give the consummation of his blessings at his own leisure.

96 Let salvation be never so plentiful, if we bring it not home, and make it ours by faith, we are no whit the better.

97 Nothing so sovereign, which being perverted, may not annoy instead of bene∣fitting us.

98 Man would forget at whose cost hee lives, if he wanted nothing.

99 Lenity is ill-bestowed upon stubborn natures; and it's an injurious senslesness not to feel the wounds of our reputa∣tion.

100 I care not how little or unpleasant a potion I find in this wilderness, if the power and benefit of Christ's precious death season it to my soul.

Trino-uni-soli-Deo gloria.

FINIS.