Thirdly, I answer, that it is not 1necessary thou shouldest lay all these Rules before thee at once, but mark out certain choice Rules, so many as thou canst well remember, and strive, by daily practise, to bring thy self to some kind of dexterity in observing them. There be some Rules of each kind, which, if thou be a true Christian, thou ⟨p. 446⟩knowest and observest already: These thou mayest continue to observe still, without loading thy memory about them. Now if those be omitted, then consider of the rest that remain, which of them do most concern thee, or would most adorn thy practice and profession, or are such as thou never hitherto didst make conscience of: Extract or mark out so many of those at that time, as thou wouldest in daily practice strive to attain, and when thou hast learned them, then go on, and prescribe to thy self new Lessons. To a carnal mind all the way of godliness is impossible, but to a godly and willing mind, all things, through the power and assistance of God are possible. God will accept thy desire and endeavour, and will add strength and might, and encourage thee in all his ways. By prayer thou mayest form any grace in thee, by reason of the power the Lord ⟨p. 447⟩Jesus hath to prevail for any thing thou dost ask the Father in his name.
Thirdly, I answer, that it is not 1necessarie thou shouldest lay all these Rules before thee at once, but marke out certaine choise Rules, so many as thou canst well remember, and striue, by daily practise, to bring thy selfe to some kinde of dexteritie in obseruing them. There bee some Rules of each kinde, which, if thou bee a true Christian, thou ⟨p. 446⟩knowest and obseruest alreadie: These thou mayest continue to obserue still, without loading thy memory about them. Now if those be omitted, then consider of the rest that remaine, which of them do most concerne thee, or would most adorne thy practice and profession, or are such as thou neuer hitherto didst make conscience of: Extract or marke out so many of those at that time, as thou wouldest in daily practice striue to attaine, and when thou hast learned them, then goe on, and prescibe to thy selfe new Lessons. To a carnall mind all the way of godlinesse is impossible, but to a godly and willing mind, all things, through the power and assistance of God are possible. God will accept thy desire and endeuour, and will adde strength and might, and encourage thee in all his wayes. By prayer thou mayest forme any grace in thee, by reason of the power the Lord ⟨p. 447⟩Iesus hath to preuaile for any thing thou dost aske the Father in his name.
- 1Mark this direction.Marke this direction.
