Chap, 2 about the Carer ofthe world, ' enables themwith much wifdom and improvement tomanage fuch an e- ftate,aswould puff up another with pride, fenfuality, fupercilioufneffe , and fórgctfulneffeofGod : Some again are fitted tofome kindof imployments, not fo to others, and in thefe varietiesofslate every; man should pray for that which is móft ftitable CO his difpolition and abilities, which may expofe him to fewell rentations,orat 'call make himmolt ferviceable in the body of C.hrift , andbringmoll glory ro: hisMatter. Hencc,Prov.3o8,9 CiWat 6.11. (jive su oar daily bread. 2. Labour to get Chril} into thy flüp : hewill check every rempft,and calme every vexation that grows upon thee. whenthou confident} that his truth and perfon, and honour is imbarked inthe fame veffel with thee, thoumayefl allure thy fell that either he will be thyPilot in theflip, or thy plank in the lea tocar- ry thee fafe to land; Say, ifI fullerin hiscompany, and as his member, he fullers with me , and thenImay - triumphthat I am any made conformable to Chrilt my head. IfI am weak in body, Ch rift my headwas wounded : If weak inmiede, Cfïril my Head was heavieunto death : if Ifuller in myefface , Chri(} my head was poor : Ifin myname was called Beelzebsr6, 2 Cor. $. g. (Alm-. 12.24. Again, have I a.great eftate? this takes awayall the vexation that I haue Chrift with me: his promìfe to fan&ifie ir, his wifdom to manage it , his Glory by it tobe advanced, his Word by it tobe maintained : his Anointedones by it tobe fupplied hisChurch to be byit repaired: in one word, his poverty to be by it relie.ed. 3. Caft out thy Tonah, every lleeping, and fecure fin th at brings a tempeft on thy flip, and vexation to thyfpirit. Examine thy felt impartially , and when thouhaft found it out , though thy choicelt pleafure , or chiefell profit, yep cal} it out inan humble confelfion unto God ,in an heartyand willing reflitution to men, in openingthy dole and contra&ed bowels to thofe that never yet enjoy- edcomfort fromthem,tlinthall quietneffearife CO thy foul, &c. 4. To removethe vexationof thecreature, keep it from thy, fpirit , fuffer it not to take up thy thoughts and inward man : Thefe things are not thy bufinefs, but thyacceffories,and a mans heart fhould be on the fitti , not on the latter , Pfal.6z.io. when the creature bath raileda tempeftofvexation in your fouls, poure out your corruptions by confeflion, abate your lulls, and the provifions of them, liveby faith,and fay ; It's.the Lord, I:t hem do what feetns good to him : TheLord grveth, theLord taheth, Bleffed be hisName. Thirdly, ore the creatures as vexing things : For which end a. Let not earthly things bear rule over thy affe&ions, leaf} they emafculate all the powers of thy foul : Let grace fit in the Throne,andall earthly things be fubordináte to the wifdom and government ofGods Spirit in thy heart. They are excellentfervants,burpcfniciousmafters: -- -- a. Be armed when thou tcuchelt or medlell with them. Armed againft the ' lulls , and againll the tentations that arife from them. Get faith to place thy heart uponbetter promifes : enter not upon themwithout prayer to God,that fence thouart going amongft fnares, he wouldcarry thee through with wifdom and faithfuineffe , and teach thee how toufe them as his Wettings, and as inf}ru- ments of his glory. Make a Covenant with thy heart, be jealous of it leaf} it be furprized, or bewitched withfinful affe&ions. a. ,Touch them gently : Do not hug them, love, anddote upon them , nor .thornwith adulterous embraces : The love of money is the root of mifchief, ¡ a disentfiity again(} God, i Tim-6.1o. am.4.4. i 3oh.2.i S ;. Ufe them for hedges and fences to relieve the Saints,to make friends of un- righteous Mamrtmon,and to defend theChurch of Chrift. Bynomeans havethem in thy field,but only about it : mingle it not with thycorn,leP it choke all. s. Ufe them as Gideon, for weapons ofjuft revenge again(' the enemies of _..__ ._ .._.. _... ' G 9 2 Gods
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