And especially if I add a fourth rule, and that is. That I walk by rule in that work I am called to. I am called to such a business, but I must manage this work that I am called to by rule, I must walk by the word, order my self in this business according to Gods mind so far as I am able, then add this to the other, and then the quiet and peace of that soul may be made even perfect in a kind, when I know it is not the work I •ut my self upon but God hath called me to it, and I walk by ⟨p. 197⟩the rule of the word in it, then let come what will come God he is to take care of me there. It was a speech of a Heathen (saith he) if thou wilt subject all things to thy self, do thou subject thy self to reason and by that thou wilt make all things to be under thee; I may add a little more to it, if you will subject all things under you, subject your self to God, and then the truth is all things are under you; It hath bin that that many times we have hinted, the reason why many of our Gentry have bin so malignant among us is, because they are willing to be slaves themselves under some above them at Court, so they may keep their neighbours under to be slaves to them, for you know any man heretofore that was great at the Court, he could crush any country man that he was angry withal. If there were an Arbitrary-government, then all those that would be willing to be vassals and slaves to the Prince, they can make all others vassals and slaves under them. Now be thou willing to be a vassal to God, to be absolutely under Gods command, and then I say all things in the world are under thee, All are yours (saith the Apostle) Life and death, every thing is yours, and you are Christs, and Christ is Gods: All things in the world are serviceable to that man or woman that is serviceable to God. It is a mighty commendations of Gods service, be thou willing to be serviceable to God and God makes all things in the world to be thy servants, for so they are. You will say how are they my servants, I cannot command them? They are servants in this, that God doth order them all to work for thy good, there's nothing in the world but (faith God) it shall work for thy good, and be serviceable to thee, if thou wilt be serviceable to me; who would not be now Gods servant? Subject thy self to God, and all thing• shall be subjected to thee.
And especially if I adde a fourth rule, and that is. That I walk by rule in that work I am call'd to. I am call'd to such a businesse, but I must mannage this work that I am call'd to by rule, I must walk by the word, order my selfe in this businesse according to Gods mind so far as I am able, then adde this to the other, and then the quiet and peace of that soul may be made even perfect in a kind, when I know it is not the work I •ut my selfe upon but God hath call'd me to it, and I walk by ⟨p. 197⟩the rule of the word in it, then let come what will come God he is to take care of me there. It was a speech of a Heathen (saith he) if thou wilt subject all things to thy selfe, do thou subject thy selfe to reason and by that thou wilt make all things to be under thee; I may adde a little more to it, if you will subject all things under you, subject your selfe to God, and then the truth is all things are under you; It hath bin that that many times we have hinted, the reason why many of our Gentry have bin so malignant among us is, because they are willing to be slaves themselves under some above them at Court, so they may keep their neighbours under to be slaves to them, for you know any man heretofore that was great at the Court, he could crush any country man that he was angry withall. If there were an Arbitrary-government, then all those that would be willing to be vassals and slaves to the Prince, they can make all others vassals and slaves under them. Now be thou willing to be a vassall to God, to be absolutly under Gods command, and then I say all things in the world are under thee, All are yours (saith the Apostle) Life and death, every thing is yours, and you are Christs, and Christ is Gods: All things in the world are serviceable to that man or woman that is serviceable to God. It is a mighty commendations of Gods service, be thou willing to be serviceable to God and God makes all things in the world to be thy servants, for so they are. You will say how are they my servants, I cannot command them? They are servants in this, that God doth order them all to work for thy good, there's nothing in the world but (faith God) it shall work for thy good, and be serviceable to thee, if thou wilt be serviceable to me; who would not be now Gods servant? Subject thy selfe to God, and all thing• shall be subjected to thee.
