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…

But in this point, as I said before, I apologize for none but those, whom their own consciences, and the merciful Tribunal of God do acquit. Let Christians look unto it; the World is very watchful, and greedy with great curiosity and cunning, to apprehend the least shadow of any occasions, for the blaspheming of the ways of God, and the disgracing of his children. And therefore ever and anon you shall hear the spirit of profaneness crying out, and complaining: You see these fellows, which make such show of forwardness and purity, what they are: none so covetous; none so uncharitable; none so unmerciful, and cruel in their dealings as they; none so hard-hearted to the poor, &c. Now although such bitter speeches as these, are often the mere evaporations of pure malice, and •low from no other ⟨p. 289⟩ground in the world, but only from the gall of graceless men: yet let all those which truly fear God, take heed how they give just occasion thereunto. Assuredly it were far better for him, whosoever he be, that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the Sea; then that by the continuance of his cruel and unconscionable dealings in the world, he should minister just occasion to any railing Rabshakeh, to revile the servants of the Living God, or to slander that holy Profession. Me thinks, this one preservative should be powerful enough, to keep the heart of every Christian from doting upon the world, or suffering it to be possessed thereof. It is this: Every Christian by a fruitful faith, may be assured of a Crown of life, either by assurance of adherence, or evidence; or both. Now if but once a day he should take a serious survey of the glory, everlastingness, and unutterable excellencies of that Immortal Crown; me thinks it were able so to dull the edge, and dissolve the drossiness of all earthly desires; that they should never more be able to heat, or harden his heart with immoderate or delightful repose upon the vexing vanities of any worldly thing. I say it again; Me thinks, if a man do but once a day cast the eye of his Faith upon that Crown of life; which our dear Redeemer holds for us in his hand, ready to set upon our heads when we shall be dissolved from this vale of tears;

But in this point, as I said before, I apologize for none but those, whom their owne consciences, and the mercifull Tribunall of God doe acquite. Let Christians looke vnto it; the World is very watchfull, and greedy with great curiositie and cunning, to apprehend the least shadow of any occasions, for the blaspheming of the wayes of God, and the disgracing of his children. And therefore euer and anon you shall heare the spirit of prophanenesse crying out, and complaining: You see these fellowes, which make such show of forwardnesse and puritie, what they are: none so couetous; none so vncharitable; none so vnmercifull, and cruell in their dealings as they; none so hard-hearted to the poore, &c. Now although such bitter speeches as these, are often the meere euaporations of pure malice, and low from no other