Christian directions, showing how to walk with God all the day long drawn up…Christian directions, shewing how to walk with God all the day long drawn up…

IN regard that all men so long as they live here in this world are subject to manifold Losses, Crosses, and Afflictions; therefore it is necessary that I should give you some directions how to carry your selves in reference thereunto.

The Directions are these.

I. Fore-cast what Losses, Crosses, and Afflictions may befall you. When you abound in plenty,¹ think a time may come when your plenty may be turned into penury; when you enjoy health and ease, think a time may come when your health may be turned into sickness, your ease into pain; when you are taking your greatest delight in your Yoke-fellow, Children, or Friends, even then consider they are mortal, and may suddenly be snatched from you; look upon all Creature comforts, as indeed they are, mutable, and moveable; thus did Anaxagoras, ²of whom it is recorded, that when tidings was brought him of the death of his Son▪ he meekly replied, I always looked upon him as mortal. In like manner should we look upon all our Creature comforts as mortal, and moveable. This likewise was Jobs practice, as appears from that expression of his,³ The thing which I greatly feared is come upon me, and that which I was afraid of is come unto me; intimating, that in his greatest prosperity he had thoughts and fears of a change, yea of those losses and crosses wherewith he was now exercised.

I. Fore-cast what Losses, Crosses, and Afflictions may befall you. When you abound in plenty,