Some general directions for a comfortable walking with God delivered in the lecture at…Some generall directions for a comfortable walking with God deliuered in the lecture at…

2. Secondly, in case of thine own safety; but so, that in so doing, thy sincere heart be not conscious unto it self, of slavish distrust, false fears, prejudice of Gods providence, reliance upon the arm of flesh, &c. but that it apprehend and approve upon good ground, and out of an holy wisdom, the present occasion, whether of invitation or visitation, as a comfortable means offered by Gods good hand to mitigate the malice, and mollify the hearts of those which might do thee a mischief. It was the saying of a wise man, that he would rather have a Dog to fawn upon him, then bark at him; and bark at him only, then bite him. Whereby he intimated thus much, as I conceived; that Gods children should not out of an austere, sour, unwarrantable retiredness, exasperate and enrage unnecessarily the too much already alienated affections of the contrary-minded; but so far as they may, without wound of conscience, stain of their innocency, or imputation of spiritual cowardliness, observe them with such common offices of humanity, which may dis-infierce and keep them, if not hearty friends, yet at least (which in these corruptest and angry times we hold a degree of happiness) moderate and ingenuous enemies. Isaac may be an instance in this second case, who for a more confident securing of himself, and comfortable settling of his peace, invited Abimelech and his followers to a Feast, Gen. 26. 30. To the same purpose, Jacob sent a present to Esau, Genes. 32. 20. and promised to visit him at Seir, Genes. 33. 14. But now at such times, and in such company, thou hadst need put on a great deal of courage and patience, wisdom and watchfulness; and warily decline two obvious errors, & dangerous extremes; furious zeal, and saint-hearted silence; of which see before, pag. 119.

2. Secondly, in case of thine owne safetie; but so, that in so doing, thy sincere heart be not conscious vnto it selfe, of slauish distrust, false feares, preiudice of Gods prouidence, reliance vpon the arme of flesh, &c. but that it apprehend and approoue vpon good ground, and out of an holy wisdome, the present occasion, whether of inuitation or visitation, as a comfortable meanes offered by Gods good hand to mitigate the malice, and mollifie the hearts of those which might doe thee a mischiefe. It was the saying of a wise man, that he would rather haue a Dogge to fawne vpon him, then barke at him; and barke at him onely, then bite him. Whereby hee intimated thus much, as I conceiued; that Gods children should not out of an austere, sowre, vnwarrantable retirednesse, exasperate and enrage vnnecessarily the too much already alienated affections of the contrary-minded; but so farre as they may, without wound of conscience, staine of their innocencie, or imputation of spirituall cowardlinesse, obserue them with such common offices of humanitie, which may dis-infierce and keepe them, if not hearty friends, yet at least (which in these corruptest and angry times we hold a degree of happinesse) moderate and ingenuous enemies. Isaac may be an instance in this second case, who for a more confident securing of himselfe, and comfortable settling of his peace, inuited Abimelech and his followers to a Feast,