The golden sceptre held forth to the humble With the Churches dignityThe golden scepter held forth to the humble VVith the Churches dignitie

To such as are strangers from the covenant, for to those I first speak: when thou art given to evil ¹ways, go not about first a reformation in particular, but endeavour to get a general change wrought. It is a rule in Physic, that when a man hath a particular infirmity, the way to cure it, is first to bring the whole body into a good frame and temper, and that will work out the disease: so get the utmost end altered. Therefore humble your selves, and seek Gods face, and leave not till some assurance of Gods favour be gotten, till a new Lord be set up in your hearts, a new end; till the end be changed, no good can be done. Therefore it is in vain to go about the particulars first. The utmost end is as the Rudder to the ship, as the bridle to the horse, which turns all; going about particulars only, is as if one should set his shoulder to the side of the ship, when one touch of the Rudder would do it. Therefore Rehoboam 2 Chron. 10. 14. erred, because his heart was not prepared to seek the Lord; and ⟨p. 233⟩his failing in that particular is ascribed to his want in the general. Job 17. 9. It is said, the righteous shall hold on his way, and he that is of pure hands shall wax stronger and stronger: he that hath his heart once changed, holds on; but till that is done, all is in vain to strive with particulars. As put the case a Gardener takes pains to dress a Thorn, it may have as much pains taken with it, in manuring and pruning it, as any plant in the garden; yet it remains a Thorn still, for all the moulds put to it; So though thou prayest and fastest, and humblest thy self, yet if thy nature be not changed, all will do no good. Cast up a stone a thousand times, it comes down again, because it remains a stone; but if it were turned into a meteor, &c. or the like, it would not. Therefore get a general change of thy heart, and then a change in particular would follow.

To such as are strangers from the covenant, for to those I first speake: when thou art given to evill ¹wayes, goe not about first a reformation in particular, but endeavour to get a general change wrought. It is a rule in Physicke, that when a man hath a particular infirmity, the way to cure it, is first to bring the whole body into a good frame and temper, and that will worke out the disease: so get the utmost end altered. Therefore humble your selves, and seek Gods face, and leave not till some assurance of Gods favour be gotten, till a new Lord be set up in your hearts, a new end; till the end be changed, no good can be done. Therefore it is in vaine to go about the particulars first. The utmost end is as the Rudder to the ship, as the bridle to the horse, which turnes all; going about particulars only, is as if one should set his shoulder to the side of the ship, when one touch of the Rudder would doe it. Therefore Rehoboam