I answer; that in many of these Treatises the way is not made harder then is required; or in the doctrine of the Church manifested: but rather things are made more plain, and so more easy. Besides, thou knowest already, that the way to heaven is a narrow and straight way, and f•w find it. But especially thou shouldest weigh with thy self the great encouragements and motives to abide the hardship and difficulties of any godly and necessary course. Though the way to Canaan (with the Israelites) were through a solitary wilderness, yet it should comfort thee, that it is but a way of three days, as they say, being about to get out of Egypt, God will keep thee at work but a little time, and therefore thou shouldst not think much of thy pains. And further think of it, that this is a course of wonderful comfort and safety: when a Christian follows ⟨p. 10⟩the evident directions of Gods Word in these most weighty things, he walks safely: He is in the good way, the way of life, the way of peace; he is sure to see the salvation of God. To follow those directions soundly, is to keep our souls. All Gods ways will be mercy and truth to us. God will cause us to hear his loving kindness in the morning. Our way will be full of refreshing: Gods ways are ways of pleasure, and if any man set himself exactly to take notice of Gods will in these things, and will be at pains to store his heart distinctly in such solid truths: it is certain, the Lord will recompense his way upon him, God will not cast away the exact man, till he fill his mouth with laughter, as it is said, Job 8. 20, 21. Sure it is, that in the study of these things lieth the way of eternity, and though thou think the way to be hard and narrow, yet this may somewhat case thee; ⟨p. 11⟩it is a plain way: For the simple may profit by it, as is avouched to be true of all the courses which God by his Word so expressly required, Psal. 119. Isaiah 26. 7. & 52. 16. Prou. 8. And besides thou hast many helps; the word of God will not only show thee what to d•e, but it will beget in thee a secret power to do it; God will teach thee to profit, and the Spirit of God will help thy infirmity: and God will send his Angels to guide thee in thy way: Christ will be the Way and the Life to thee. And thou hast good company; for this is the old way, the way of all Gods servants in the substance of the course.
I answer; that in many of these Treatises the way is not made harder then is required; or in the doctrine of the Church manifested: but rather things are made more plaine, and so more easie. Besides, thou knowest already, that the way to heauen is a narrow and straight way, and f•w find it. But especially thou shouldest weigh with thy selfe the great encouragements and motines to abide the hardship and difficulties of any godly and necessary course. Though the way to Canaan (with the Israelites) were through a solitary wildernesse, yet it should comfort thee, that it is but a way of three dayes, as they say, being about to get out of Egypt, God will keepe thee at worke but a little time, and therefore thou shouldst not thinke much of thy paines. And further thinke of it, that this is a course of wonderful comfort and safety: when a Christian followes ⟨p. 10⟩the euident directions of Gods Word in these most weighty things, he walks safely: He is in the good way, the way of life, the way of peace; he is sure to see the saluation of God. To follow those directions soundly, is to keepe our soules. All Gods waies will be mercy and truth to vs. God will cause vs to heare his louing kindnesse in the morning. Our way will be full of refreshing: Gods waies are wayes of pleasure, and if any man set himselfe exactly to take notice of Gods will in these things, and will be at paines to store his heart distinctly in such solid truths: it is certaine, the Lord will recompence his way vpon him, God will not cast away the exact man, till he fill his mouth with laughter, as it is said, Iob 8. 20, 21. Sure it is, that in the study of these things lyeth the way of eternity, and though thou thinke the way to be hard and narrow, yet this may somewhat case thee; ⟨p. 11⟩it is a plaine way: For the simple may profit by it, as is auouched to bee true of all the courses which God by his Word so expresly required, Psal. 119. Isaiah 26. 7. & 52. 16. Prou. 8. And besides thou hast many helpes; the word of God will not only shew thee what to d•e, but it will beget in thee a secret power to doe it; God will teach thee to profit, and the Spirit of God will helpe thy infirmitie: and God will send his Angels to guide thee in thy way: Christ will be the Way and the Life to thee. And thou hast good company; for this is the old way, the way of all Gods seruants in the substance of the course.
