Chap. ; r . about Circumjpecíion,and circunifpeiwalking. 323 morediligent in the wOrk of them ; för the end of every . thing is of fuch force that the nearer we come to it , wedo with the more courageand diligence ply the means which bring us ro it. Seventhly, in fuch walking there is much comfort , and joy : yea , the plea- fures Of the world are not comparable to it, Pfa1.í3g.5. Jer.6.16. for the com- mandments lead unto rel}, and he that walks in them (hall finde.peace to his foule. Eit,hthly, (inne is the difturber of confcience: the onely make-bare that fers a manat odds with Uod, and at contention with himfelf, thereforewe fhould watch againti it. Ninthly, the relation wherein we Band to God; to Chrift,to the Holy Gliolt, to the Saints, binds us to walk honourably, honeftly, and circumfpeftly, that we may keep our (elves from the pollutions of the fled), and the evil cuitoms of theworld. . Queft. How may we ('irup ourfelves to this circumfpeaien ? tním. Firft, we mutt bewail our former ignorance, rafhneffe, floth, iharrie our felves for it, and labour to make it hareful CO us. Secondly, We mull quicken our felves to more diligence for the time to come. Remember that we havebeen too long in fecurity , indulgent ro our carnal arfe&ions, fooluhly purfued earthlyvanities with double diligence , whiff/ the practice ofpiety and jufticehash been clean forgotten, and aimed buried in oblivion : Now therefore we fhouldawake from fleep , fhake efffloth, confider the feafon, and with fpeciallabour redeeme the opportunities which through carelefnefs have overflrpped us ; The workit felf is eafie , pleafant and ho- nourable , the recompence of reward unfpeakable, and glorious , the wo rhi- nefle, Soverei,nty, andexceeding love of the Commander , the dignity of the work, and excellencyof the reward, do challenge of us the molt exquifite care, pains, and diligence that can bepoffibly imagined: Thirdly, we mutt Elie to God by prayer, intreating him to wd-k our hearts to this holy circumfpeßion at all times. Of our felves we have no pow- er to Rand, or to prcferve any fparkofGods Spirit glowing in our hearts, we Mutt befeech him therefore who hath put, thefe good motions into our mind, to confirme , andeftablifb us therein unto the end. Mr. Balls po,'cr of godlineffe. Queft. what further confiderations may provoke wo to this circumfpet walking ? e4nfm. Firft, in regard offinwhich is exceeding deceitful , H:b. 3. i 3. fiinne never prefents its Pelf in its own colours, but takes upon it the (Tape of fo.ne vertue or other, as fuperftition the dreffeof religion, licentioufneffe ofChrifti- an liberty, covetoufneffeof thriftineffe, &c. and it ever makes force pretence of delight, profit, advancement, &c. that ,gives a man content: as, G:n, 3.6. and 34. 23. cíark, z a.7. Trey. 7. 18. Yea, like Satan, it tranflates rt (elf in- to an Angel of,light; a Corr r.r4. therefore we have need towatch. Sin is of a bewitching nature: It infenfibly foaks into a man, asit did into David, a Sam. t z. a, $zc. and when once it hath poffeffed him, the heart cannot be with- drawn from it, as in Davids example , a Sam. r a; i 3 , 14. And Sampfons, 3udg. s6. ç, &c. Secondly, in regard ofSaran, he is a mortal enemie , implacable, fedulous, reftleffe, and veryterrible, t Tet.s.s. For, is Hisname devildeclares him tobe an accufer, and therein one that feeketh all advantages he can againft us. a. An adverfary, 'iorld t , contralitigator , who will dousall the defpight he can asan adverfary in Law. 3. He is a Lion, firong, ravenous, fierce, andcruel. T a 4. He; VII. IX. II.
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