First,1 to use the word of God aright: as thou must in all conditions that concern thy soul repair to the Word, so thou must consider thine own uprightness, and what work of grace is in thy soul, that will answer the word, and testify that the work of grace is true: be sure to take thy soul at the best; do not always consider what is the worst part in ⟨p. 86⟩thee, nor thy failings that may accuse thee only, but if there be any uprightness that may speak for thee, hear that also; It is injustice for any Court to hear one side and not another: the Lord doth not lie at catch with his children, but he takes them at the best: as Rom. 4.22. it is said that Abraham believed the promise, and it was imputed to him for righteousness: yet in the 12. of Gen. we see he had some doubtings, but God took him at the best,2 and so records this of his faith. So we see that Sarah is spoken of as a gracious woman, and a pattern for women in calling her husband Lord, ⟨p. 87⟩which was a sign of an humble heart; but yet we read that she derided the message of the Lord by the Angel; yet notwithstanding the Lord buries that, and only mentions the other in the commendations of her. Now as the Lord deals with his servants, so must we deal with our selves, whatsoever is found sincere and upright, observe that as well as the other, nay rather before the other. If a man should have his cause handled in any Court after this fashion, and they should only observe the failings in his cause, the best cause may happily go against a man, therefore ⟨p. 88⟩the Court will hear all read; as if any Bond or Bill come in, or any matter of agreement, they will hear all: If a man have an Indenture, and the Lawyer only opens and reads the failings in it, and that which seems to make against the party, if the Judge only hear that, it must needs go against him, and therefore the man saith, Good my Lord hear all: and when they find it written that such a debt is paid, and the party satisfied, then the cause goes well; whereas if they had heard only the first part, and not the second, he had lost all. So, many bring in great indictments ⟨p. 89⟩against themselves, and say, Oh what pride and stubbornness is in my heart, oh how weak am I, and dull, and dead, and backward to holy duties? How careless of enjoying communion with GOD?
First,1 to use the word of God aright: as thou must in all conditions that concerne thy soule repaire to the Word, so thou must consider thine owne uprightnesse, and what work of grace is in thy soule, that will answer the word, and testifie that the worke of grace is true: be sure to take thy soule at the best; doe not alwayes consider what is the worst part in ⟨p. 86⟩thee, nor thy failings that may accuse thee onely, but if there bee any uprightnesse that may speake for thee, heare that also; It is injustice for any Court to heare one side and not another: the Lord doth not lie at catch with his children, but he takes them at the best: as Rom. 4.22. it is said that Abraham beleeved the promise, and it was imputed to him for righteousnesse: yet in the 12. of Gen. we see he had some doubtings, but God tooke him at the best,2 and so records this of his faith. So we see that Sarah is spoken of as a gracious woman, and a patterne for women in calling her husband Lord, ⟨p. 87⟩which was a signe of an humble heart; but yet we reade that she derided the message of the Lord by the Angell; yet notwithstanding the Lord buries that, and onely mentions the other in the commendations of her. Now as the Lord deales with his servants, so must wee deale with our selves, whatsoever is found sincere and upright, observe that as well as the other, nay rather before the other. If a man should have his cause handled in any Court after this fashion, and they should onely observe the failings in his cause, the best cause may happily go against a man, therefore ⟨p. 88⟩the Court will heare all read; as if any Bond or Bill come in, or any matter of agreement, they will heare all: If a man have an Indenture, and the Lawer onely opens and reads the failings in it, and that which seems to make against the party, if the Judge onely heare that, it must needs goe against him, and therefore the man saith, Good my Lord heare all: and when they finde it written that such a debt is paid, and the party satisfied, then the cause goes well; whereas if they had heard onely the first part, and not the second, hee had lost all. So, many bring in great inditements ⟨p. 89⟩against themselves, and say, Oh what pride and stubbornnesse is in my heart, oh how weake am I, and dull, and dead, and backward to holy duties? How carelesse of injoying communion with GOD?
- 1Rule 1.
- 21 Pet. 3.6. Gen 18.12
