The marrow of the oracles of God. Or, divers treatisesThe marrovv of the oracles of God. Or, diuers treatises

1 He must examine himself about his faith and repentance; he must be sure he is reconciled to God, and hath truly repented himself of his sins, 2 Cor. 13. 5. For unless he be a new creature, he is no creature, but a dead man, and so utterly unable for the practice of these rules following: And without God we can do nothing; and without God we are till we live by faith. Besides, the pollution of our hearts or lives drawn upon us by the custom of sin past and present, will so infect all we do, that it will be abominable to God, and so lost labour.

1 Hee must examine himselfe about his faith and repentance; he must be sure hee is reconciled to God, and hath truely repented himselfe of his sinnes, 2 Cor. 13. 5. For vnlesse he be a new creature, he is no creature, but a dead man, and so vtterly vnable for the practice of these rules following: And without God wee can doe nothing; and without God wee are till we liue by faith. Besides, the pollution of our hearts or liues drawne vpon vs by the custome of sinne past and present, will so infect all we doe, that it will bee abominable to God, and so lost labour.

This is the first Rule.

2. His next care must be to learn the knowledge of the rules ⟨p. 450⟩of life. We can never practise what we know not; and therefore our next care and pains must be to get the knowledge of Gods ways distinctly and effectually into our heads and hearts. Our direction must not be in our books, but in our heads: and a Christian must have his rules always before him, that so he may walk circumspectly, by line and level,