II. I. Ii. Qeftions,andCafe.%ofConffence Chap. 38 Thirdly, As Phifitians ufe to fortifie themfelves withprefervatives , and coun- terpoifons when they vial contagious, and peflilentiall patients : fobe thou fure tofurnith thy felf before hand with prayer, meditation, the fword of the fpirit, and (tote ofperfwafive matter, ftrength of reafons, and unfhaken refolution to repel! , and beat back all noifome mfinuation of fpirituall infe&ion. Quell. What muff wee doe when we come into Chriflian and good com- pany. Anfw. Prize it as thyonly Paradife,and heaven upon earth : the very flower, and feftivall of all thy refrething time in this vale oftears, and therefore ever bringwith thee. T. A chearfull, and delightfomeheart, and though thou waft formerly fad, and overeat+with clouds ofheavinefs, yet let the prefence, and faces of thofe , whom hereafter thou shaltmeet in heaven, and therewith incomparable joy behold for ever,difperfe , and difpell them all, and infufe comfortable beams of heavenly, and fpiritual joy. Secondly, a fruitful! heart, full with gracious matter to uphold edifying confe- rence, and gracious talk : Being forward, and free without hurtful! bafhfulnefs, or vain-glorious aime, both to communicate to others the hidden treafures of heavenly knowledge whichthou haft gotten out of Gods word, asalfo of moving queftions, and mintltring occafion mutually to draw from them the waters of life for the quickningof the deadnefsof thy own heart. Andherein confifts a Chri- ans wifdome to take notice ofeach others gifts, and feverall endowments, and fo withwife infinuations to provoke them to pour out themfelves in thofe things wherein theyhavebelt experience , andmolt excellency. Some are more skilful! in difcutliing controverted points : Others in refolving cafes ofconfcience : others in difcovering Satans depths Others in comforting afHióted fpirits, &c. Now many worthy difcourfes lye buried in the btefts of underftanding men by reafon of the finfull filence , and barrenneffe of thofe about them. Thirdly,An humble heart, ready, and rejoycing toexchange,andenjoymutual! comforts, and foul-fecret withthe pooreft, and molt neglebted Chriftian. Take heedoffpirituall pride, which will make thee too prodigal, and profufe , and fo engrofs all the talk, which is fotnetimes incident tonew converts,or counterfets: or else too referved, andcurious,to fay no more, thenmay breedan applaufe, and admirationof thy worth: There is no depth of knowledge, no heighth ofzeal,no meafureof grace, but may be further enlarged, more enflamed, and blefíedly encreafed by conference with the pooreft faithful! Chriflian. See 7("m. T. 12. and 15. 24. Mr. Bolton! diretlient fer a comfortable walking with God. Q uefl. What muff wee doe when we came into the company of the wick- ed ? Anfw. Firfi, thou mull vindicate the power, and truth of Religion from the miftakings ofthofe which are ignorant, and undervaluersof it : as for example : Thou art incompanywhere thou hearth amear civil! man, or formal Profeffor commended for his religion, which commendation if he carry away without con- tradiaion, theLeft of the companymay be drawn to refolve not to goo beyond his pitch, feeinghis elate is approvedby wifeand underflandingmen as hopeful!, and comfortable. Now in thiscafe thou, mull, with asmuch wifdome, and chari- ty as thou canfl poftibly, difrobe fuch a fellowofhis undeferved applaufe, and re- putation ofholineffe which henever had , left the by-Randers be hardened, and thepower of Chriflianity be difparaged. Secondly, Be filent from all unfavoury communication., foolifh jelling, &c. which is the known, and proper.language ofthe fons ofBelia4and the fuzfulleva- porationsof wickedwilts, and therefore vnmeetfor the clatldren,of God. Thirdly
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