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

Worthy Ladies,

Worthie Ladies,

Lamentable are •he ruins, into which the natures of men are generally fallen by their sins: which appears especially by the ways men take in the business of their soul. The most men are clean out of the way to heaven, and walk in by ways ⟨image 6⟩of their own, which are called in Scripture, The ways of the wicked; The ways of their own hearts; Perverse ways; Dark and slippery ways; The way of iniquity. All meeting in that broad way that leadeth to destruction, being wholly ignorant of the way of life and peace, yea, the most of them speak evil of the good way of God, and persecute it. Some there are, that are so far enlightened, as not to like the common road way of the multitude; and after some enquiry have found them out ways that seem good in their own eyes; and they are wonderfully well pleased with their course, but the issues of these ways are death too, as well as the former. And the more is this ⟨image 6⟩danger increased upon men, because the way of life is but one, and it is a narrow way, and hard to find, and may be sought by many, and yet not found. Yet this hope is left unto forlorn men, that there is a way to heaven and happiness: A way of righteousness and peace, a way of mercy and truth, a way of wisdom: A way that men may securely and safely walk in; a way, in which Christ will guide them, God the Father will keep them, and the holy Ghost lead them by the hand, and direct them in all the passages thereof. Only it concerneth us to ask the way, with all importunity, of God, and to attend unto the directions of the Word of God, & apply our hearts, and suffer ⟨image 7⟩our selves to be disposed aright, that our eyes may see the salvation of God. And in particular we must look to three things: First, that if the Lord show us that mercy, to direct us in the way, we must take heed that we neglect not, or despise not the care of walking in the way. Secondly, that with all diligence we avoid going about, and make straight stops to our feet. And thirdly, with all fear watch our selves, that we fall not off with the errors of the wicked, from the good way of God, and so our latter end be worse then our beginning.