Bolton - Houston-Packer Collection BX9339.B65 A2 1641

86 Generalidireí ionsfer a toreclothe the fame thing withdivers formes offpeech, and variety of phrafe. 2. Now in the fecondplace; If thou defireft to converfe with force of thine unconverted kindred,fri ends, neighbors, oldacquaintance,&c. for their fpirituafl good, obferve three three rules : 1. Let there bee good probabilitie proportio- nably , ofmore power of grace, knowledge, fan}ìfïcation, fpirituali wifedome, Chnftian refolution,&c. in thee to con- vert them, then poyfon of unregenerate ltubbornneffe, fen. fuall malice, finnefull wit,worldlywifedome, Satanicall fo- phiftry in them, to pervert thee. 2. See that thy heat bee fincere, and that in the fingleneffe thereof, thou f eke truely their converfion,and not thine owne fecret contentment : for in this point thine owne heart will be ready todeceive thee, Thoumaieft offer thy felfe into fuchcompany,with pretence and purpofe to fol licit them forfalvation, & to prevaile with them about the belt things; and yet before thou bee aware, beeplunged and infnared in the wonted unwarrantable de- lights ofgood fellowfhip, pleafant paflages of wit, idle a.;d impertinent follies and familiarities, which chou waft accu- ltomed to exchange &enioy with them in thy-unregenerate time. So that in lteadof the difèharge of a Chriffian ducie, thoumayeft both hurt thy felfe, and harden them. 3, As Piyficia ;s of the body arme and animate themfelves with ftrong repercuflîves, prefèrvatives, and counterpoyfon, when they vifite contagious and peftilent patients : fo in fuck cafes, bee thouPure to furnifhand fortifie thy felfe be fore hand with prayer, meditation, the fword of the Spirit, fioreofperfwafive matter, firengthOf reafons, and unfhaken refolution, to repell and beate backe all noyfome infinuati- ens offpirituall infe6}ion. 3. In Chrillians company, which thou íhouldeft prize thine onely Paradife and Heaven upon Earth;the veryfßowre and feflivall ofall thy refrefhing time in this vale of teares, ever bring. 1. A cheerefull andlightfome heart. Me thinkes, though thou fhouldeft come amongft the Saintswith a fad heart, and fornething over-call with milts and clouds of heavi.

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