A True Report of a Conference
Unknown Author
Table of Contents
PREFACE
IN the yeere 1588, there met in a Christian mans house certaine well-minded persons, which dwelt in one towne together, with whom also the Preacher of the place did meete at the same time. These with one consent, fell into communication, how the case stood betwixt God and themselves.
Some accusing and complaining of themselves, that they had not used their long continued peace and liberty of the Gospel to the end for which God did send both, but that they had been dim lights. The rest consenting, and by occasion offered among them all, (well nigh twenty persons,) sundry reasons and proofs were set down, to make their complaints more weighty, and also to show what evil, fruit they did see to proceed from such a dead and unprofitable course of living: and yet the persons spoken of, did as farce exceede the common sort of them that professe the Gospel, as the common professors doe exceede them in religion, which know not the Gospel.
When they proceeded thus fame, it was demanded, whither there were no way to come out of this wearisome and unprofitable life, which (in their owne judgment) did not beseeme such as imbraced the Gospel: If there were any way, what might be the fittest and best remedies to come out of such bondage, for they counted it no better: and betwixt them they agreed upon certaine, with such good liking, after they heard and conceived them, that it might appeare that their heavie hearts were much eased, when they did but see a way how to be delivered from that yoke of bondage, their plentifull tearer being turned into cheerefull countenance. The conclusion was this, they did covenant faithfully, and seriously, to set up these remedies forth with and speedily; thinking that such a weighty matter had neede of no delay: and thereupon, desired. the Preacher to set downe the summe of their conference and communication together, for the better putting of them in remembrance of it to practice it.
Now it may be, ye Tooke to heare what fruite there came of this; surely even this meeting was a great whetting them on to enjoy the publike ministrie more cheerefully and fruitfully afterward: and this meane with others, both publike and private, did knit them in that love, the bond whereof could not be broken, either on their part which now sleepe in the Lord, whiles they heere lived, nor in them which yet remaine, by any adversary power unto this day. And this I set downe to this end, as well that godly conference may be had in account among Christians; as principallie, to show what hindrances there are from a faithfull proceeding in a sound and godly course, and how necessary it is, that all good remedies should be used to continue the same; this was the chiefe end why I did mention it. And some of this covenant I have here set downe in the words following.
REPORT OF a CONFERENCE
WE weighing advisedly, and by due consideration heere of late, the glorious and goodly beauty of a Christian life, as it is commended and set forth in the word of God, bow full of heavenly comfort it is said to be unto all such as make it their treasure, and how amiable, and how fruitfull also it is (in whomsoever it be) unto others which truely know the price and excellency of it, and we so dimly and daddy beholding the image of this in our selves, who yet had hope, and that not small, that we had a part therein: wee saw just cause why we should confesse, that we had been much wanting heerin, and that the patterne of our life was farre unlike this rule, when we compared the one with the other, and therefore complained with bitternesse, that we had fallen into a deepe slumber, being rather readie to thinke our selves in safety, then carefully looking to those testimonies in our selves, which might indeed assure us of it. Whereupon we fell into an heavy and bitter complaint in this manner, with plentie of tearer: Oh, we see now, that we have not walked with the Lord, as by diligent marking the examples of other deare servants of his, we have found that they have done: nor honored our God in the course of our life, according to the mercifull occasions and incouragements which he hath given us. The fervent care and earnest zeale which we see required in the people of God, hath Beene much wanting and cold, in respect of that which we might well have attained unto. And as wee see now more cleerely, that our blockish and unprofitable life was not glorious to God, nor beseeming us, who should have stood forth among the rest of Gods people to give light unto others: so we did many times feare it before, and thinke, that whatsoever unprofitableness and coldnesse is to be seene in many other weake Christians who behold and live with us, it might rightly be imputed to us, from whom and such other, they commonly take example and direction. This and the like we complained of, and lest we should seeme to make it a matter of course, and to show no manifest cause hereof, we considered and called to minde such proofe of the same, as our woful experience yeelded and afforded, in such sort as followeth.
That this complaint therfore may justly be made, we said each to other, it appeareth in all those duties pertaining either to God or man, our selves or other. For in all, we have failed manifoldly, whereas yet by mean or indifferent heed-taking in great part wee might have done better. Concerning God, wee have not purchased such glorie to his name, and showed fourth his looving kindnesse to the sons of men, as wee ought and might have done; neither glorified his Gospell, as, if it should have been taken from us, we would have promised to doe. Further, it may appeare hereby; that we see we have not profited. in the knowledge of the will of God answerably to our time, and to the helper which wee have enjoyed for that purpose. For many of us are as yet but weakly settled in the chiefe points of Christian religion, much lease are we fit hearers, with readie mindes to put in use any doctrine which shall be necessarily, soundly and faithfully delivered unto us. Nay, we must needs confesse to our shame, that the meanes to come by knowledge, have been very negligently used of us: as, seldome reading, and in hearing, not usually preparing our hearts before we came, with casting off the sinnes which might hinder us, and comming with meeknesse; neither in hearing, have been diligently attending and hearkening to the voyce of God, neither after our hearing have usually meditated or communed with other of that which we have heard. So that this hath not been our delight, but with much unreverence (for so holie and heavenly a service) gone a bout. Moreover, wee have not so tamed our corrupt nature, and so set our selves against the same in many particulars, so as we have prevailed over it in our temptations: (for we have thought it too tedious and irkesome for us:) but we have favored exceedingly, and given too much libertie to our selves in our sinnes; not ready to mislik and withstand the same, as either some of us sometime have done, or as wee have seene other of Gods servants to have done, as Joseph (Gen. 39) did in one time; Moses (Heb. 2:24) in another. Yet the meanes which we use sometimes to obtain grace, if they were continued, would bring to pass some effects this, way not to be complained of; therefore seeing wee thus faile herein, we must needes complaine bitterly. And what is like to bee a greater hinderer of true godlinesse in us, then this tender bearing with our selves in our sins, as being hardly brought to offer any violence unto them: when yet we know, that the smallest even of bur evil lusts, doe fight against our souls, are ranke poyson unto us, and have need to be driven out with most strong medicines?
And as concerning the danger of favoring ourselves in our sins, though secret and smaller then many sinnes seeme, these fearfull effects have followed, that having winked at the smaler, we have rushed and beene plunged into greater: and not chasing away light and wandring desires, we have fallen into deeper and more dangerous delighting in them, which having once taken hold of us, could not with ten times so much aloe be removed; yea, by this sleight striving against some, we have been sometime overcome of them and other. Some have taken great hurt by worldlinesse, decaying as fast in grace and goodnesse, as they have gone on with too much intemperancy and excesse in that deceivablenesse: some have growne into great coldness, and in apparent security have not espied their state once to lie changed; but have kept a kind of perswasion, that they have beene in as good case for al this, as ever they were when greatest care was in them: some have beene ready with conceitednesse and froward judging to breake off their course of Christian walking sometime, and their fellowship and communion with their brethren. Oftentimes such an acquaintance hath growne by this favoring of our selves in some one, with falling into many, yea and those very perillous, (as strangnesse betwixt neighbors, hollownes, untrustiness, jarrings, a growing after the common sort, slow growing on in, that which was our profession, with many other such annoyances) that it might well bee said, that fearefull effects have followed this bearing with our selves, even in us who have been thought to be of the forwarder sort. Now when these and such like unsavory fruits have come from us, and that we have in such like manner (as hath been said) walked in the world, what hath beene our estate and condition, but that which might well enough beseeme such as have in no carefull sort bin professors of religion.
Our comfort hath beene flattery, and deceiving of our selves; our fervency and zeale, which ought still to have increased, hath been benummed and turned into senselesse blockishness: our company unprofitable, if not hurtfull and dangerous; and when we have in any manner looked into our selves; wound of conscience and terror hath bin found within us, shame and reproch hath been without; or (which is worse then both) hardnesse of heart for the time, hath overgrowne us. As for the Lord, neither could we, neither durst we have our recourse unto him, and from any besides him, we knew no sound comfort could be attained. To forget this our misery, was impossible; and to be still thinking of it, intollerable: and so betwixt the one and the other, we could not be (when we were at the best in such estate,) but most uncomfortable. But yet we living (through God's goodnesse) under the ministry of the word, could not be so forgetfull of that which had been in us, nor so blockish in remembring and considering of that which had beene taught us, neither all religion so utterly extinguished in us, but that the sparkes of zeale which were in us, must needes be kindled one time or other; by meanes whereof, wee were informed to see a marvelous decay of godlinesse, and a change from that which hath beene in us; and thereby were driven into exceding heavinesse, to behold from what we had fable, and yet utterly unable to recover our selves again for the time. If some time by more earnest stirring up our selves wee could obtaine this of our selves, to humble our hearts before God by prayer, confession of our sinne, &c. (which yet in such a case we were brought to very hardly, when we had greatest need:) yet wee may behold here what a bitter fruit wee reaped (and that also long continuing with us) of our forenamed libertie seeking, and forgiving the beginning of sinne such entertainment within us.
* Rev. 3:5
Another proofe, that this our complaint is just (wee said) is, that we have not so grown in grace and in the fruits of godlinesse, that we have been hereby amiable in the eyes of God and of his good servants, neither have wee taken up our delight in laboring after them as for example. In our afflictions and trials wee have not felt our selves contented, that the Lord should exercise us as it hath beene seen good to him: wee have not overcome impatience in them, much lease rejoyced in bearing them. Wee have not taken occasion by Gods blessings, of libertie, peace, health, fellowship one with another, prosperitie, and such like to be more fruitfull and cheerfull in doing all good duties, as occasion hath beene offered: lowlinesse, meekenesse, kind-heartednesse, faithfullnesse to men, sinceritie to God in the good things which we have done, have oft and much beene wanting; very spary and niggardly in prayer, meditation, triall of our selves, and laboring to know sinne better, and confessing against our selves, that which we know, soone weary of wel-doing, yet sometime not grieved at it; but unwearied in things needlesse, if wee should have given place thereto. Wee so hardly and sleightly saw the necessitie of practicing many duties and precepts, which by doctrine are commended unto us, that we rested in that which hath beene, and coldly rose up to any new or further proceeding. Our crucifying of our selves to the world, that wee might bee content to be despised and of little account in it: or our crucifying of the world unto our selves, that it might not bleare our eyes with the vanitie and deceiveable inticements and baits of it, hath beene very faintly gone about of us: our experience in marking the course of Gods dealings toward us, in comforting us after wel-doing, in letting us feele that hundred fold for the forsaking of any part of our will, also in his chastising of us for our securitie or other defaults, alas it is very small. So that neither may it be sufficient for us to encourage others to a godly life upon our own trial, (our growing being so weake,) neither hath our carriage beene such, as ministreth any great wisedome or direction to our selves to hold on in a good course: and yet how frozen and faint our perswading and encouraging of others is, when wee are not well setled our selves; it may bee considered with griefe enough to him that listeth to weigh it. Our little watching of our whole life, that in our solitarinesse wee might commune with the Lord and our owne hearts; in company be fit to doe good or take good, that evill might be farre from us; may justly shame and feare us to thinke of: our little laboring through love (as our callings have permitted) to bee fruitfull and occupied in that which might increase our peace, and uphold our Christian estate, is lamentable. And thus by this, and such other like, it may easily appeare, that seeing we may charge our selves in this wise, wee have good cause to complain, that it is not with us as it ought and might have been.
And from these accusations ariseth another, that we have taken too liberal an use of lawfull things; never suspecting that any hurt or danger can thereby come unto us; as in diet, apparel, sleepe, the use of mariage, dealings in the world and talking thereof: forgetting that which the Holy Ghost hath taught us; that is, that these lawfull things, namely, pleasures and profits, are called snares, and therefore easily able to intangle men and hold them fast; so as it shall be hard for them to rune the race of Christian duty required of them: and that they are said to presse them downe, that by means of them, they cannot with such cheerfulnesse and fruit live unto God. Wherein to bee directed, they may serve us for a rule, that as every one of us can see what is sufficient, so wee bestow no more time about the world then wee needes must, neither in talke nor other dealings, fearing withall, lest we should be carried to love it too much: wherein the more that every man laboreth to overcome himselfe, that his cheerfulnesse in good duties may not be hindred, so much the more hee shall have to rejoyce, that hee hath Beene content to abridge his owne delight for better things.
Another proofe of this our complaint, is; that wee have had little feeling of the wants and miseries of others. To see how many thousands walke ignorantly, other many, in securitie, hypocrisie, superstition, &c., many to have fallen away utterly, after they had received a taste of the Gospel: Oh, who should not be moved at the beholding of it? and pitie them, as much as in him should lie? and not to bee content, that wee our selves should doe well, whiles we see so many in calamitie? But it cannot bee denied, but that their estate, either of the desolate beyond the seas, in many countries, or of the distressed ones amongst us, cloth little touch or come neere us: whereby as our prayers are weake which are made in their behalfe, so are the other fruits of our compassion small and few. For as liberalitie is cold in respect of the abilitie which many have, so few of us are grieved at their evils, or goe about to call backe and reclaime such as we may: wee have not much set our minder on this, how wee might best prevaile with, and draw our kindred, acquaintance, familiars, families, &c., neither of purpose sought to order our wayes so, as we might by our holy conversation winne either these, or strangers to God, neither to strengthen the weake, and helpe forward such as have beene at a staggering. And that which is more, if we have not done any of these, yet wee have done it more hoverly and coldly, whether with our families, or other with whom wee have had to do that way, not in meeknesse, love, compassion, bearing as there hath beene cause with them, or heartily seeking to winne them unto God.
The cause hereof was no one, but yet chiefely our evil hearts, which for all the taste of holy doctrine, and light which we had of the life to come, yet being cleansed and renewed but in part, were evermore in respect of our corruption prone to evil!, and unapt to goodnesse: so that, not only after good meanes using, they carried us to a forgetfulnesse of that good -which was offered us, either in prayer, conference, or the ministery of the word, and to a sensible desire at least of some declining, but even in the time of our enjoying of them, our hearts deceived us, that we could not make (I speake of the most times) any great use or profit of them at all. But that the evil of the heart may the better appeare, and so the cause of our unprofitablenesse the more cleerely be Beene, it shall be good to set down some of the particular corruptions of it, and how easily they comonly breake foorth and show themselves by the smallest occasions. Now the heart is deceitfull, whereby when we are towards or in the way to great danger, yet we are not willing, or not able to see and decline it. It is hardned in great part, so that it is not easily brought to relenting, nor to be touched, and to melt: and so, good meditation and the fruitfullest doctrine doth hardly affect us. Forwardnesse, which disquieteth and distempereth the whole life; peevishnesse, when we cannot abide any word uttered, but it is taken in ill part, and most ranke poyson gushing out against them that displease us, and impatience and unquietnesse under our afflictions and crosses, are in it with much hypocrisie. It is also idle and slothful' in going about duty, yea and untoward in the same. It is fraught with selfe-love, which is, when we favor our selves too much and please our selves in our sinnes, when the smallest provocations thereto should displease us.
Earthly-mindednesse is another streame running from this fountaine, when wee are drawn to the love of the commodities of this world, and are led with a desire of growing rich, which snareth us, and calleth backe our minder from living holily, and causeth such as wisely resist it not, to have their treasure in the earth. In prayer great coldnesse and wearinesse possesseth (as it were) this heart of ours when by any occasion wee have attempted it; anger, malice, and revengement, in degree one exceeding the other, doe easily appeare to have their abode in this heart. Pride, though sometime privy, is one among the rest, which poysoneth our best actions, and soone ariseth when any good hath beene done of us; the repining at the gifts of others, Both many times assault us; and what barrennesse and emptinesse of Gods grace is too commonly found in us, our wofull experience cloth cause us to remember. Uncleane desires (among the rest) are here; an innumerable rabble of other unsavory, dangerous, and carnal thoughts so swarme in us: and temperancy and moderation is so meanly reached unto, that we can hardly be merry without lightnesse; sad without unfruitful dumpishnesse, beleeving God without presuming, or feare him without some doubtings and inclinings to despairing. These, here set downe, with others many like unto them, having place in our hearts, and long continuance, without any occasion offered doe set themselves aworke in us, but especially by occasions doe fearfully breaks out from us, wee being (if wee could marke it) not long without some one or other of them to provoke us, whatsoever wee goe about. What marvell, though other causes did not goe with them, if by means of these corruptions, we should have our actions blemished, yea poysoned, and our behavior and course of life to be made unholy?
But now, when these shall be let loose in us, when they are not holden in as it were with bit and bridle, when they shall governe us; and not we them; but we become slaves and servants unto them, how can it bee otherwise, but that our lives should give little light unto men and glory to God, and for all our profession of the Gospell and the account that we make of it, yet that the fore-mentioned offenses should be found in us? And this is the second cause why we bring forth no greater fruits of amendment. For when our hearts, which in themselves are too evil, shall wander where they will without Checke, and feede themselves by occasions without controlement, little watching over them, or keeping in of them with diligent care and observing of them, full easily and right Boone is the unsetlednesse and unprofitablenesse, which we complained of, ingendred in us: and so bringeth foorth fruit accordingly, even like unto it selfe, as hath been aside. Now for our owne parts, wee cannot but confesse and remember against our selves, that we have either not known many of these fore-named corruptions, and therefore could not use any violence against them, or if we have Beene them in our selves, yet have wee made light matters of them, dallied with them, and delighted in them; and if time or rather dealings have not brought us into the forgetfulnesse of them, yet with some sudden sighes and weake mislikings, they have been beheld of us; which hath beene no decaying or cutting of of so ranke corruptions, but that they have budded foorth again immediately, and so have sowred our actions with their bitter leaven most dangerously. Wheras, if wee had been jealous over them, if we had first clewed and purged our hearts of them; if we, knowing that the greatest offenses before men, are first nourished in the heart to the provoking of God, and therefore had set our selves against them; we should have scene, that with much comfort to our selves, in sound practice of duty, we should have proceeded in our Christian course, as being hereby at liberty from such bondage to our lusts; according to that which is written; Resist the devil, and he shall flee from you.* And in this estate we have pleased our selves most commonly, because we have sought ease to the flesh, and have Beene loth to take such paines as to abridge and cut off our manifold vain delights and fleshly liberties.
Oh, it hath bin a death to us, when we must be roused out of our luskishnesse, and bee inforced to grant, that such a life as wee lead, hath bin but meere security: and when we must confesse much against our selves, (which hardly we have bin brought unto,) and yet not rest there, till we have also obtained of our selves to cast it up as an unsavory gorge. For when in our decay in grace we have feared secretly, that all hath not been well with us; and yet for all that, because we would feele no smart, it was irksome and tedious to us, to thinke that we must enter into a straighter course: we have lien still in it as long as we could or durst; so truely is it said, That ease is a sweete poyson and slayeth.* We dreamed like the Apostles in their foolishnesse, of an earthly happinesse, that it was the sweetest life of all, to thinke, what riches and treasures we had already, and more hoped to come unto daily; to feede our appetite with thinking on our outward peace, in hoping (though without warrant) that it should be continued: to imagine how we might heere be setled after our hearts desire, though we never perhaps should attain unto it; and not weighing, that although we at any time might, yet how rotten a foundation we had laid in so doing, which could not abide the wind and tempest. This ease it was which would have slaine our soules, and was the cause of our so great loosenesse. An estate of life full of danger, and full of deceit. fulnesse, with which (yet) non have ever so besotted them. selves, (being holden captives of the divell at his pleasure) but they who have escaped the danger of it, have as highly rejoyced; and as from a bottomlesse dungeon, have kept themselves with all care from falling againe into it.
Now we falling into this fond ease, loathed to take such paines in running the race of Christianity, and in laboring to keepe in our selves unto duty. When we had been any time unexercised with crosses and afflictions, it was bitternesse to thinke, that againe we must come under them, (so little did we hope for comfortable or fruitfull use of them,) and when we had been prooved with them, for the most part we were uncomfortable in them. Whereby it appeared, that whatsoever we thought of our selves and of our great profiting, yet that our strength was never great, because wee were found wake in trials. Hitherto it belongeth, that wee were so untoward to the use of any good meanes; I speake not of the loose and negligent using of them, which was a fruit of this untoward, nesse, (for that hath been spoken of before,) but of our great unwillingnesse to breake off our luskish and sottish course of life. As for example: to private prayer utterly unapt, when we should yet have seen much necessity of it, (as being loath to awake our selves out of our spirituall sleep,) and lothiug the painfulnesse of going about it. Against pure doctrin taught in publike meetings we felt sensible rebellings sometimes, as seeing that the loosenes and liberty which we delighted in, must be made odious to us, and our selves, hereby disquieted, we feared, and were in a jealousie of our good brothers company, by reason of an evill conscience, thinking that we must be of one minde with them; and that could not stand with our unsavory liking. And what a slavery is it, that we should bring our selves to such a point, that we must obey our filthy lusts, and become servants to our vile rebellions? What madnesse is it, that wee should deprive our selves of the best thinges, and yet contented to abide so still? And by this it may appeare, how many defaults are like to breake out from our lives, when such dangerous ease and loosenes have their harbor in our hearts.
And yet another cause why so little good hath bin done, we may remember to have been, that we have looked so narrowly to the lives of others, to gather hurt thereby; not remembering that we should follow Christ: of which, some being of the better sort, and others of the common, we have taken exceeding great hurt to them both. For these latter, when we saw how they have many times, continuance in outward peace and prosperity, so that they are merry, and take no thought about providing for the judgment day, neither are withholder from any intemperancie of living; though we become not like unto them, yet as men not so fully perswading our selves of their misery, we began to thinke that it is but vaine for us, to labor greatly after innocencie, and to shine as lights, which (we see) is little regarded. And so we have growne to justifie our owne course of life, as very sufficient, and well likeing to the Lord, yea and besides this, we gathered some rubbish and scurfe from them, by beholding, by dealing, and being so conversant with them. And if of these, some be lease evill then others, and retain some points of honesty, and of better behavior in them; yet what a grosse bewitching of our selves is it, to compare ourselves with those, of whose happinesse we have no perswasion? Now as the lives of this bad sort of men were laid too neere us, and we may see that we were weakened in our course by them: so the lives of the first sort, even right good men, we either little or not at all profited by; or (that which more is) we many times tooke hurt by them.
For as concerning their best actions and most commendable duties, we had them not in reverent admiration, especially if the persons were daily amongst us: but we counted them common things, and meeter for them then for us. Yea, and we thought, that we had some other gifts and parts of our lives comparable to them; so that we could be content to go without those graces, and to lose the benefit of such good examples; which yet for this cause God setteth up as lights amongst us that we might never please our selves in our lives, till we had won this at our owne hands, to frame our selves after their examples, which are most gracious and godly amongst us. And further we thought that even such men have also manifold infirmities in them; though we know them not. But if we did, it was enough to perswade us, that even when many things ought justly to have been removed out of us, yet we were in case good enough, and to be accounted commendable.
And these are the speciall causes, that so much fault may be found in our lives; unto the which briefly these may be added, that we have not bin carefull to be strangers to such companies where we might be easily corrupted, or cooled and discouraged: neither taken occasion to be in good company, or to have made profit of the same when we were in it, but in a common maner spent such times, either in endlesse or needlesse worldly talke, or some other way unprofitably; rather framing our selves to their humors, and to approve of their evill custome, then bethinking ourselves how to stop them by giving better example unto them.
A first cause hath ben, that we have not labored to nourish our delight and joy in the benefit of our redemption often, but diminishing the price of it, as though it were nothing so great and precious as it is of small account and little reckoning in the world, fed upon value and deceiveable pleasures. And so taking part with the world, did also with the world grow unseasoned in grace; whereby, every one after his manner became unprofitable. For when we begin to make a common thing of that assurance of our salvation, (which without comparison is the chiefest and most preoious treasure of all other) and doe not maintain and preserve the preciousnesse of it by all good meaner, we must needs in stead thereof make account of other vain rejoycing, and so the care of godlinesse must needs wax small.
And last of all, we having sometimes felt our selves unfit to be well occupied, have fallen to much idlenesse, and therewith acquainting our selves too far, have (for the time) neither espied it to be a fault, and so resisted it in the beginning, by mislike of the same; neither have betaken our selves to our callings to the hindering and breaking off the same; as being Ministers, to attend to reading; or being private mjen, to labor every man as it hath behooved him. And thus much for the proofe of the justnesse of our complaint, and of the causes thereof.
And now for the
REMEDIES AGAINST THE SAME.
Now forasmuch as in the weighing of the truth of these things, we could not but be grieved heartily, (as who can behold so great depth of corruption and the fruit of the same, so many waies with deadly uncomfortablenesse threatning his confusion, but he must needs seeke and use all possible meanes, speedily to pull himselfe out again?) therefore immediately after the due consideration of our wofull condition, we turned our selves to bethinke us, what remedies we might apply to this fall, if thereby we might possibly recover our selves again: and also make them helpe hereafter, that we may as well continue in a fruitfull and cheerfull course unto the end of our lives; as, to return into the right way again. First, therefore, we thought thus, and tooke order as followeth: that such of us, as did finde our biles to be so great, and our offenses so dangerous, that either for our too great delight in them, or long lying therein we could not by our usual praiers and humiliation, or by help of any ordinary and daily practices of repentance, (as by hearing the word and preparing our selves for the Lords Supper;) come to peace of conscience, by the remission of our sins, and obtain confidence and godly bold.. nes with the Lord; such of us (I say) should humble our selves before him with fasting and praier, without which meanes such dive's are hardly cast out. Especially our put.. pose was in such a case, because we had let go the hold of our faith, and had suffred the same to faile in us; which when it,comming to passe, what can there be in our life but meere unsavourinesse, to speake of the best? Our purpose was (I say) that our fasting should tend to this, that wee might forcibly pray for the recovery of our faith, and deere beholding of Gods loving kindnesse restored to us againe.
That in such maner we being abused in his presence (as there is just cause that such should be) and releeving againe his old accustomed mercy, we might in some good measure be purged from our former unsavorinesse, yea, noisome uncleannesse, and so made fit to renew our covenant with the Lord againe, concerning more holy walking with him. And if we should finde, that our hearts might be brought to unfained displeasure with our selves for our former defaults, without fasting; then wee determined to turne unto the Lord with all our hearts in sincerity without it, so as we might obtaine comfort and release at his hands, as if fasting had been adjoyned thereunto.
After this, our covenant was, to know our hearts better, how evill they are; what falshood, ficklenesse, lightnes, and such like naughtinesse, and varietie of corrupt affections we cary about us; that thereby we be inforced to take more paine to weaken them daily. For we saw, that if we be not diligent to search them out, as by occasion we, shall be moved to do, we shall both walke in continuall unsettlednesse, and in an uncomfortable estate, because we can go about nothing, but some one of these or other shall be espied to carry us some way amisse in the same. And thus we purposed to note and finde them out in us, by a diligent view of, and taking heed unto our wayes, that so we may be in daily combate with them. A worthy worke therefore and commendable we saw it, to take knowledge of them; and not to be content to be blind in the beholding of them; and yet that hee which hideth them shall not prosper: that so wee may behold more filth and venome in them, then we would have thought could have been in us.
And we agreed: that if lee should bee unwilling to discover this packe, that even this willingnesse to hide them, is one of the most dangerous evils among the rest.
Now further, because the knowledge of our hearts, (if we stay here,) I mean, of the manifold evill lusts of them, doth make us the more heady and greedy to fulfill them, when we know them by the law of God to be condemned in us: we have further faithfully determined to watch over them with all diligence, that neither any of those which have already been mentioned, neither any other (as farre as we may know them) may lurke or have their aboade with us with our liking, but that we may purge them out; and not those only which are apparently grosse, but even such as are more secret, being not yet come neere their ripenesse: and therefore whersoever we become, or in whatsoever we have to doe, not to neglect this part of Christian duty; but especially there to be most vigilant, where we suspect or see cause to fears more danger thereby: as in vehement and strong temptations, and grievous and long continuing afflictions, there to stand the more upon our watch, &c. So that whether wee be in company, or alone; in dealings abroad, or matters at home; by one occasion or by other, yet still to have this purpose fixed in us, that as farre as our fraile memory will suffer us to remember it, wee may go forward in the watching and observing of them. Which must the rather bee done, because, as the heart is the fountain of life, and from thence we have it, that we live, so from thence wee must fetch the beginning of well living: fox from an evill and unclean heart, commeth no part of good life, no more then good fruit from an evill tree. But all the abomination of the life, even the most odious and vile, (as adultery, murther, idolatry, heresie, &c.,) they have their beginning there; they are conceived and nourished there, they have their proceeding from thence; and God is long and grievously dishonored there for the most part, before man by the fruit of it can be or is offended.
So that as by the Romans law it was straightly enacted, that their springs should bee carefully preserved from all filth which might attaint and poison them, that their rivers and water-conduits might be sweet and wholesome: so it must necessarily be, that the heart of man being once renewed and made eleane, it should bee kept and continued so; that being a good treasury, good things may be brought out of it continually of all sorts; as occasion shall require. For heere wee take it as granted, that all which shall have their part in this covenant, or have already desired to have, must be renewed in their mind, and have their hearts purged and made cleane by faith in the Sonne of God; whereby their sins may be defaced, and all their old conversation pardoned, their soules through the same with most comfortable and sound peace inlightened, and so their hearts purified, both to will and also to live well and godly. Of the which making cleane and purging the heart, as this is no fit place to speake, so they must have learned it, and have attained to it, who are heere mentioned, that is, such as have covenanted unfainedly to watch and observe the same. Therefore (to returne) seeing the heart is a deeps dungeon and pit, full of uncleane thoughts and yet deceiving men, so that they shall thinke far otherwise, and suspect no such thing; and seeing in all their actions some one corner or other of it is ready to corrupt and staine even the best of them, so that no part of Gods worship can purely and holly bee fulfilled without the carefull holding in of it; it is worthily and for just cause made one part of this whole-some remedy of the well ordering our lives. So that, if any be given to seeke the liberty which God hath not allowed him, to let loose his heart after any folly and vanity; and counted it too great straightnes and precise curiousnes to keep a dominion and a superiority over it, so as he might thereby bring it into subjection; he is justly to be pitied, if he cannot bee-otherwise perswaded; but if he thinke, that way to build up a godly life, untill the Lord call backe his word, (which now standeth for a perfect direction of well living,) he shall never attaine to that which he seeketh.
Now this watching over the heart, that it may bee with the more fruit, must have accompanying it a suspitious and jealous fearer lest at any time it breake forth into such delights as are worldly, carnal!, &c. Of the which feare, for the great good that it doth those who are led by it, the wise man saith, Blessed is the man that feareth alwaies; that, is, his evill heart in one point or other, and therefore taketh the more pain about it. This being so farre to bee understood and practiced, as our weaknesse will give leave, (that is, so as we doe not willingly nourish idlenesse and unprofitable libertie and loosenesse in us) wee are to take view of the fruit which it bringeth us; and to measure by daies, by weekes, and so forward, what ease to our consciences, what cheerfulnesse to our soules, and what better fruit in walking in our callings, more then we were wont, is reaped of us and injoied. And when we shall see that there is no comparison betwixt the one and the other; that is, betwixt a wandering heart, and betwixt a circumspect care, we may more fully be resolved to hold out in this course still: because although much foolish and fleshly licentiousnesse is forgone of us, (which is naturally most desired,) yet it frameth and maketh us fit for the Lord, and weaneth us more and more from the world, and is a meane by which with great ease and readinesse we go on in our Christian course. For this is that we hope for thereby. And there shall be no doubt, but when the meditations of our hearts shall please the Lord, that the words of our mouthes, and the practice of our lives, shall also be acceptable in his sight. To conclude this point, it is againe to bee remembred, that we weave our heart from earthly delights, which oftentimes tickling it with a pleasant sweetnes, doe steak it away from heavenly things, and hold it here below, and so by little and little bring it to finde a contestation here, and breed a wearisomnes in that godly life. And, further, that we be very wary, that our hearts be not stolne from a liking of good wales, neither brought out of frame by loathing our duties, and so deprived of their peace; especially that we bee not hurt nor wounded that way, where there is greatest cause of feare and danger, nor brought into subjection to those sins, to the which by nature we be most inclined, as to the love of the world, uncleannes, breaking off of brotherly affection, &c. And here, if at any time we should be overtaken, (which is not to be doubted of, no not of the most circumspect and best advised,) we resolutely purposed not to sleepe nor slumber in our sinne, neither promise to our selves forgivenesse too easily, but first to awake our selves, to be amazed that we should let go the strength and hold which once we had; and to rebuke and checke our selves sharply, till shame and sorrow for so offending may humble us; and then we may be bold to assure our soules, having an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous, that we are received of him againe.
And to the end that in this worke we may more happily go forward, and this watch be the better kept, our purpose was, to avoid carefully all outward hinderances, and occasions of quenching Gods Spirit in us, as we shall have wisedome to see them: as, too farre entring into dealings or talke about the world, to call our selves back from all excesse that way, also unprofitable and dangrous company and acquaintance, any unnecessary and idle talke, and whatsoever else like unto these. And contrarily, to be carefull to continue with diligence and delight, not only the exercise and use of such holy means of meditation, praier, reading, hearing and conference, &c.; but also to do it with minds to reape fruit by the same; which is not alwayes intended, nor sought for so oft as the things themselves are used. As for example, seeing the readiest and best way to nourish and continue this holy desire, and carefull watching over our hearts, is increase of knowledge, by the helpe of hearing and reading, (for zealous and holy affections are like a flame of fire, which without the adding and putting to of wood, as new matter, will soone be quenched and extinguished; so will our looking to our hearts, and observing of them, be loosely and lightly continued:) it is our purpose to stir up our selves with more earnestness hereunto, because we know that we shall otherwise frustrate and make vaine our whole covenant.
That is to say, as followeth: We doe acknowledge, that our negligence and unreverence in these, have so greatly deprived us of fruit in understanding and judgment, as well as other waies, that before our hearing, we trust we shal prepare our hearts by casting off that which would hinder us: namely, rebellious gain-saying the truth, security, hardnes, worldly affections, &c., that with meeknesse and teachablenesse, wee will bring honest and good hearts to the hearing of the word; and in the action it selfe, be attentive, and marking that which shall be taught, so as it may worke in us, and raise up answerable affections to that which we shall heare; as joy by comfortable doctrine, feare by that which moveth feare: &c., and after we have heard, we will beware that it perish not in us through our owne default or negligence, in minding other matters more then that which we have heard, (whereby we should bury it in forgetfulness:) but carefully seeke opportunity to mute upon it by our selves, or commune of it with others, as our small ability will suffer us; or both. And when we shall have learned to put in use this part of the remedy, we intend to mark how this with the former cloth bring our minds better in frame: that we may both take incouragement (in beholding any fruit) to continue it; and in seeing the contrary, to marke where the fault lieth, that it may be removed.
And to sharpen our desire to heare and reade the more willingly, seeing there is much untowardnesse in our nature to such exercises, and we have strong temptations to perswade us that it is as needlesse, as wee feele it irksome: we have seen it necessary for us to stir up our dulnes, not only by the commandement of God, that we should search the Scriptures (and so reade them) and that we should give care daily to the Apostles doctrine, (and therefore heare the same in season and out of season, that by both the word of God may dwell plentifully in us;) but also to have in fresh memory the power of the Scriptures: which, besides that they are able to save our soules, so they can fill us with goodness and comfort every way, as we shal have need, and have done so often in times past unto us. For many times we have been brought so low in feeling of any present comfort; to such a barrennesse and emptinesse of all good instructions, sometime (which was worst of all) to such an unsavourinesse in the good things of Gods word, and so unapt and untoward to them; that we thought in our weaknesse it would never be otherwise with us: yet when we have come againe to the ministery of the word, the Lord hath scattered our darknesse, raised us out of our deceivable dumps and drowsinesse, and chewed us joy and comfort again; so that we have been taught thereby, that this is the fountains which refresheth us in our unsatiable thirsts, and cooleth the heate of our sin; and finally, giveth greater grace, then Satan for all his subtilities and tyranny can extinguish.
And further, because experience hath taught us that we easily lose that in the world amongst the manifold incombrances, discouragements, and dealings thereof, which we learned of the Lord by any meaner; we have faithfully covenanted for the better keeping of our hearts watchful, and safe from evill, once in the day (if it be possible) to set a part a time from all other lawfull and necessary duties, for meditation and private praier, to the seasoning of our hearts with grace, and to the establishing of them against all temptations, afflictions and other hinderances. Not, to free our selves hereby from other times of communing with the Lord, as occasions shall be offered, and necessity shall require: but because our untoward hearts would otherwise draw us altogether to breake off this duty, if we should not determine of some special' time; therefore one quarter of an houre, or as every one shall finde himselfe able, we have seen meet to appoint hereunto, if we can have good opportunity; that is to say, if God give us minds fitly disposed thereto, and minister profitable and plentifull matter accordingly; or if we faile in both, so much the more to take occasion by our present wants and infirmity, to repairs unto God.
And because the morning when we arise, is both meetest to bee imployed that way, as wherein our minds are best able to thinke upon heavenly matters, when we have not yet bin about our worldly affaires; and for the most people which are at their own hand, the best time that may be spared: therefore we have purposed to allot (as we shall be able) the first part of the day thereunto, with this proviso, that if through necessary occasions we should be hindered from it, we may yet carefully performe it on some other part of the day. And although at the first, we shall see some untoward beginnings herein, by which, discouragement from the continuance hereof might arise, yet we resolved with our selves, that it is some profiting to begin, though in weaknesse; and there is hope that good proceedings, and great shall come, even of small beginnings, being faithfully entred into. And if by these means we should not become better seasoned in our hearts, it is little to bee hoped for, that other meanes should doe us the good that we have need of. But when the day is thus begun, that wisdome communeth with us in the morning, and awaketh us with heavenly salutations, we are for the most part kept more sober, and continent from all out-straying the whole day following: for when good things, either concerning the life to come and the glory of it, or the vanity and change of this present life, are deeply digested and thoroughly thought upon, it is no smal occasion to make us more stranger like to this present world, and to carry about us greater freedome ' from bondage to our secret corruptions.
And because it is hard,, especially for us private persons, to have alwaies matter in a readinesse, which is profitable to meditate upon, (for he that shall be furnished herewithall, must be one which hath a daily observation of his life, without the which grace even the learneder sort shal be to seeke:) therefore we intend for this purpose to draw matter out of the 119 Psalme and other; some points are set downe for those which are least able to help our selves; that by some few of those which are very fit and availeable, wee may set our selves on worke, and by them learn to finde out others like unto them, which doe most neerely tend to the well ordering of the life. By which meanes appointed and found out for our helpe and furtherance, with such like; if yet, unfitnesse of minde and an untoward heart shall hold us Backe, it being troubled with cares of the world, or deceived with dreames of vaine pleasures, (which make the meditation of heavenly matters lothsome:) we are to know, that wee can have no better occasion offered us to the performing of this dutie, then to complaine of, and seeke redresse even against this evill and earthly heart, of which wee presently complaine; and as wee can bring that under, so to proceede, in musing of, and praying for such grace as we shall see most needfull.
Lastly, we concluded to observe, what fruit wee reape by these remedies: what release of our strong and usuall maladies and diseases, what weakening of any such lustes, as sometimes had strongly prevailed against us. Also, what liking wee finde of this manner of dealing with our selves; or contrarily, whether wee feele any watchfulnesse over our hearts throughout the day, since wee entred into this covenant, and whether any bettering of our waies by the same: whether in company we have been more wary of takeing or doing good according to the occasion offred; in our dealings, more carefull not to be found offensive. And weekly and by daies, to marke it, and to communicate our estate with some faithfull brother, with whom we may freely and faithfully open and impart our whole course, as what meanes we use, what we see cause most to complaine of, and what is more required of us, then that which we doe: that thus wee may be set forward, counseled and confirmed; and seeing what course wee ought to take for the bringing of this to passe, wee may bee stablished in a Christian life. For it doth not a little helpe to have this communion with some. Also, that we our selves should be helpers of others, where either any doe require the same duty of us, or through bashfulnes dare not bee bold, or through simplicity cannot doe it: yet we seeing that they stand in need of such counsell and direction, should through love chew them what we can, and what we have learned in this behalfe. And here we purposed for the hope of the great fruit of this communion, to avoid strangenesse, which as it breaketh off all profit betwixt us, so it giveth feare of some secret conceitednes, and that much love is wanting. This direction, if it be read over (as we shall see cause, and as we may doe it conveniently) with a mind desirous as well to see what is amisse in us, as also in faithfulnesse to use these remedies: we may be bold (the Lord working by means) to assure our selves, that we shall not labor herein in vain. And when we have attained hereto, we determined not to rest in that, but to bee directed still by such rules as Gods word cloth minister to us.
Now having set downe remedies, by which we may raise up our selves out of any declinings from a godly life, we added some reasons to perswade us thereto, for as much as we may be sure, that hinderances and discouragements enow shall meet with us to withhold us. First this, that by such a course, and by seeking to walke with God, as the former remedies do direct us unto, we are brought to a most sweet and holy communion with the Lord; in comparison whereof, nothing is to be desired. For it is an honor and prerogative which the world neither knoweth, neither can attaine unto, to get principality over him, who is the prince of the world, that is, the divell; and to obtain grace against our owne evill hearts in well ruling them; which is a greater honor, then to subdue kingdomes. Also that hereby we have libertie, with godly boldnesse to come before the Lord in our complaints and praiers; being assured, that whatsoever we shall aske of him according to his will, it shall bee granted us: and that our peace and comfort hereby is so great, that none who hath but even tasted of it, would change his estate for any other. In this case a man need not feare malitious accusations, because he hath been circumspect in looking to his ways: and therefore (deservedly) evill speches can take no hold of him; seeing hee that is careful to please God, cannot justly incur the rebukes of men. As for evill tidings, he is free from the feare of them, because he hath armed himselfe to Tooke for the hardest. And they who like not this state, (which, all things considered, shall be found to be the richest part and best portion) they must feed themselves with folly, and take their fill in vanity, till their misery overtake them in the midway, and destruction meet with them when they little thinke upon it.
Moreover, howsoever this indevoring after a godly life, hath ever of the world bin little regarded; yet the happiest and men of greatest commendation for godlinesse, have alwaies preferred it, and made it as the flower of their garland, and the crowne of their rejoicing: we have a. cloud of witnesses, and not all in one age, who have walked with God, even from Enoch and thereabout to this day, who testified this daily looking to their lives, to be the best thing of all. Now if by these and such like perswasions we be brought to like of it, we faithfully covenanted with our selves, to use these remedies which have been set downe for continuance, and to make our beginnings sound and substantial); so as they may be able to beare and uphold the waight of all that shall presse us downe. For although our temptations bee strong and many, yet may none of them prevaile thus far, as to make us breake off this our happy covenant: for if we be not strongly armed against this, we shall easily finde that hinderances enow will arise, which will quickly weaken the power of our best purposes, and frustrate all that we have taken in hand. Here will inward lets come in our way; and those, of many sorts: as, to thinke it more then needeth to live thus; also that many who are godly, doe not thus; the inordinate love of some speciall scone may withhold us; and much dulnesse, unprofitablenes and rebellion, may make us utterly unable for the time to hold forth this course. Many outward discouragements also and hinderances will be ready here to stand in our way; as houshold troubles, and disquietnes by them, disorder in servants and children, untowardnes and ill surcease in businesse, want of blessing sometimes where it was hoped for, and losses in stead therof, with sore discouragements to see so happy a course so meanly set by, yea in so great disgrace with many, &c. also much toiling and occupying our selves about these things below, with neglecting of our heavenly and Christian calling. These are some of a great number, and the commonnest, whereby holy duties doe most easily grow out of place and use with us. Let this rule therefore (said we) be well regarded of us, and that which followeth shall be the easier: for many lothsome wearinesses will in short time arise, which (if it be possible) will breake us off from this enterprise.
After this, we said: that if we with diligence continue it, we must beware we make not a common thing of it; so as, though we use it, yet no fruite nor blessing return to us by it. The which, as it falleth out most usually in the doing of good things, so in this the best of others, it is most to be feared. In the first setting upon many duties, some cheerfulnes may bee seen in us, and some time and travell bestowed: but alas, within a very short time, we grow full of them, they become irksome and tedious to us; and though we do not utterly breake them off, yet we may perceive, that without any great sweetnesse and delight we go about them. The reason hereof is, that our fleshly hearts can like of no good thing long. If therefore either of these two waies, we deprive our selves of the benefit of growing forward by these fore-named remedies; that is, by the negligent using of them, or the leaving off of them; yet the fault must bee quickly espied, and not long lien in; for that is more dangerous then can easily be believed.
To the better attaining hereof, we may understand, that we may grow to a commonesse in a good thing two waies: either when we be in prosperity, or when some sore and grievous calamities befall us: in the first estate, it will be very hard to see any great need to use fervencie and zeale in holy duties and services of God, when variety of earthly delights is set before us to injoy; and we without controlment of any person, may take our fill of them. Therefore if in this estate, we perceive any lothsomnesse of well doing to grow upon us, we must charge ourselves with fickleneise, inconstancy,falsbood against God, secret dissembling, unfaithfulnesse, &c. If we should be content thus to fall from the Lord; yea, and if we be not ready without contradiction, to stir up our selves to a fruitfull and cheerfull use of Christian meanes againe: and if we be the worse for God's benefits, we must looke that he will take them from us, and cause us to yield him other manner of fruits by the want of them. Also we must here call to mind, whiles with delight we served the Lord, what comfort and godly boldnesse we found thereby, which now, if we begin to decline from him, we can injoy no more, but may looke for some such recompence as shall be meet for revolters: yea, and we must tell this (we said) to our owne hearts without flattery, that if we wax weary of the Lord at our pleasure, it is to be feared, and that justly, that he will shake us off in our feare and necessity, and we shall not dare to set upon this Christian course againe, if once we be glutted with it; and though we doe, yet shall we not finde it easie for us to go forward, although we set upon it againe, but that one time or other we shall be like to be driven back; which judgment is fearful above many, and next unto despaire. We must thinke that the Lord dealeth tenderly with us, if we may have liberty to glorifie him by manifold incouragements, in outward blessings: whereas many have thought it a singular priviledge and great kindnes of his towards them, that they may do it in imprisonment, in bonds, in poverty, in reproch, &c. And generally, we ought to thinke, that if we thus use his benefits, that we grow more undutiful towards him then many which want them, it is time for him (as hath bin said) to take them from us, and to bestow them upon such as will yeeld and render unto him better fruit of them. And if this should be any occasion of licentiousnesse to us, that many, yea the most of such as have a great portion in earthly commodities, doe delight overmuch in them, and take them not to be given them of God to the end that they should live more holly, or be the fruitfuller in Christian duties by them: we must answer to our selves thus againe, that we never were taught it of God, to follow examples, no not of the beat men, contrary to expresse rules of Scripture; much lease, the evil examples of the multitude, and common sort of such as reject the Scripture.
Now though we fall not this way by meanes of our prosperity, (for that were very grosse) yet if we should more covertly deceive our selves by thinking thus, that we have sufficiently profited by this direction now, or (which is all one) in the practice of duty, and therefore may cease; neglecting to see our wants, dangers, infirmities, and discouragements which are in our way, (as in time past) and so cast off this travell: against these deceivings of our hearts, wee must resolutely be perswaded of the manifold perils outward and, inward, which our lives lie open to, which full soone (if wee grow cold and remisse in a godly life) do begin to take hold of us, and therefore to keep our selves well, whiles we be well. And thus we must behave our selves, as hath now bin set down, that wee may not use the practices of godlinesse after a common manner. But many, whiles the Lord reacheth forth incouragements to them, and filleth their lives with outward blessings, doe accustome themselves to some commendable course: who when God changeth their prosperous estate, doe immediately change with it; that is to say, whiles dangers and great afflictions take hold of their lives, they are so distressed and grieved for them, that they grow froward, impatient, and disquieted thereby, and are utterly unfit to continue such godly meanes as before they used, for the growing forward in a godly life. Hereby is great danger to be feared: therefore if possibly by any of Gods chastisements wee should fall thus farre; yet we must confesse such slips with griefe, and with shame and astonishment behold our falles, and settle no peace in our hearts, till we have returned and recovered our strength, and so come to our first estate spine. Which also most certainly we shall do, if with the servants of God in all ages, (as the Israelites Hester and Mardocheus, Jehoshaphat, and others) we confesse our sins with melting and broken hearts, yea our particular sinner of murmuring, impatience, fretting, and such like; that so we may be received of our heavenly Father for his Christs sake,
to mercy and forgivenesse.
THE END.
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