Divers practical cases of conscience satisfactorily resolved ... to which are added some counsels…

1. That they be done by the right Rule; which is Gods Word; You must not follow the imaginations of your own hearts, Numb. 15. 39. you must not do that which is right in your own eyes: In all sacred actions you must have Gods command to warrant you: you may not offer to God of that, of which you are not able to say, Thou requirest these things at our hands, Isa. 1. 12. In all civil actions you must have Gods allowance: Be sure he will never accept that which his Word condemns; under pains of Gods displeasure, dare not to set your hands to what the Word forbids.

2. That they be done to the right end, which is Gods glory: How damnably did the Pharisees err! How miserably did Jehu miscarry! and both in acts for the matter commanded, for want of aiming at this end.

2. That they be done to the right end, which is Gods glory: How damnably did the Pharisees erre! How miserably did Iehu miscarry! and both in acts for the matter commanded, for want of aiming at this end.

3. That they proceed from right Principles. (1.) Faith, without which it is impossible to please God: Prayer will not avail except it be the prayer of Faith, Heb. 11. 6. We believe, and therefore we speak. (2.) Love: If we should give our goods to the poor, and bodies to the fire, and not from Love, it would profit us nothing. Where the slavish fear of hell only, or of the lashes of conscience, or the love of mans praise, carries men to duties, or where any other carnal principle is predominant in the act, it cannot please God. (3.) Fear: we cannot serve God acceptably, without reverence and godly fear (not slavish fear.) The Lord taketh pleasure in them that fear him, in them that hope in his mercy. Observe the happy mixture, where these two are conjoined; that is, a