Self-examination with the likeliest means of conversion and salvation, or, haypy [sic] and welcome advice, if it meets with a soul ingenious : the which being thought (by many) worth the transcribing, at no small charge, is now published for the good of all / by R. Junius.

CHAP. I.

THose that are to paint or print a pitcht field, within the compass of a sheet or two of paper, can make but few Souldiers whole and compleat; but are forced to set down for the most part, their heads onely or their helmets. So I intending to say onely e∣nough of these Subjects, shall be brief, and but select out here and there that which will make most for my purpose, and the Readers benefit.

It is the Abstract of Religion, to imitate and obey him whom we profess to worship: neither are we worthy to be called Christian, except we imitate Christ, and endeavour to frame our lives, according to the Rules which he hath prescribed in his Gospel. And why was the Name Christian at first used, but to denominate the true Disciples and fol∣lowers of Christ, and to distinguish them from the Heathen? as appears, Act. 11.26. But now, (to our shame be it spoken) let any one compare mens lives with Christs life, or those Rules which he hath given us: and he shall be forced to con∣fess, that either the Gospel is none of Christs, or few among us are Christians. And yet there is scarce a man in the Nation, (be he never so vicious and wicked) but he will say he is a Christian, and hopes to be saved by Christ, which alone may move wonder to astonishment! How much more, if we shall compare the numberless number of our great, and grievous abominations, wherewith our land is filled from corner to corner, with the many and great means which God hath af∣forded for our reclaiming.

The principal end for which man was created, after the Image of God, and endowed with gifts and abilities, above all other visible creatures; was, that we might honour, love, and serve our Creator, and enjoy communion and happiness with him for ever. And for the same end also, did the onely Son of God die, when we (by eating the forbidden fruit) had turned that Image of God, into the Image of Satan, being in reason past hope of recovery, even to redeem us, out of the hands of our spiritual enemies; that we might serve our Creator and Redeemer, according to those precepts which he hath given us in his Word; and to set forth the praise of him, who hath done all this for us, Luke 1.73, 74, 75. That we should be holy, and without blame before him: That he might purge us, to be a peculiar people to himself, zealous of good works: That we should deny ungodliness, and worldly lusts: And that we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world. And withal, That we might enjoy everlasting commu∣nion and happiness, with our Blessed Maker and Redeemer, as the Holy Ghost sets it down, Ephes. 1.4. Tit. 2.12, 14. 1 Pet. 2.24. 2 Tim. 2.19. Psal. 116.12, 13, 14.

But alas, most men know no other end of their Creation but Recreation; no other end of their Redemption, but to sa∣tisfie their lusts; to eat, drink, sleep, sin, and make others to sin; to pursue their profit, pleasure, honour. This (as they sup∣pose) is all that Christ expects from them: For this is the sum of their Lords Prayer, Creed, and Ten Commandments. Whence (like men sleeping in a Boat) they are carried down the stream of this World, until they arrive at their Gravesend Death; without once waking to bethink themselves, whe∣ther they are going to Heaven or Hell. So living like Beasts because they think they shall die like Beasts, and never give any account of what they have either acted or left undone. The lusts of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is all the Trinity that most men worship.

As for answering the end of our Redemption, which cost 〈◊〉〈◊〉 less a price than the Blood of Christ. Men do not at all mind it, or if they do, they apply Christs Passion, as a warrant for their licentiousness, not as a remedy; and take his de••••

as a licence to sin his Cross as a Letters Patent to do mischief, so turning the grace of God into wantonness; as if a man should head his drum of rebellion with his pardon. As, O the pride, covetousness, cruelty, damnable hypocrisie, the cur∣sed swearing and cursing, abominable and worse then beast-like drunkenness, adultery, lying, slandering, persecuting, con∣tempt of Religion and all goodness, grinding of faces like edged tools, spilling of blood like water, racking of rents, detension of wages and workmens hire, incredible cruelty to servants, inclosing of Commons, ingrossing of commodities, griping exactions, with straining the advantages of greatness, Unequal levies of legal payments, spiteful suits, griping u∣sury, bribery, perjury, partiality, Treason and Rebellion, Sa∣criledge, simonaical contracts, and soul-murther, scurrility, and prophaneness, cousening in bargains, breaking of promises, per∣fidious underminings, atheism, and a world of the like. In so much, that there is scarce one of an hundred whose know∣ledg, belief, and life, is in any degree answerable to the Go∣spel. And so far are we from loving and serving Christ, that we hate and persecute those that do it, and that, for their so doing.

And (which does exceedingly aggravate our shame and wickedness) we have all vowed in our Baptism, to serve Christ, taken presse-money and great wages of him to that end, given security by Sureties, that we will fight against the World, the Flesh, and the Devil: Yet in a most shameful manner (the most of us) have renounced our Vow made to him, fled from his Standard, and fought for Satan and the World: seeking to win all we could from Christ, by tempting to sin, and by persecuting such as we see better then our selves. Nor does our Vow in Baptism more aggravate our sin, then does the great means that Christ hath used, to bring us out of darkness into light, and from the power of Satan unto God. As why do we in this Land enjoy so much light and means of grace more then other people? Why hath God delivered us from Paganism and Popery, and revealed to us his Word so plainly and fully? Why hath Christ continued his Gospel, (the best of blessings) amongst us, more then an hundred

years? With such supply of able Ministers, that no Nation under Heaven may compare with us. Yea when neither his word, mercies, nor any ordinary means would serve the turn; why hath he at several times, and after sundry manners visi∣ted us with several judgments, to try what they would do: but to invite and call us to repentance, and to mind us of our many engagements.