27g The Gofpel-Myiery Direct. XIII. belt fart is, when the mind is taken off from delights, as in John the Baptift's cafe, Matth. iii. 4. when hea- ven and godly forrow take off the foul, Lech. xii. ro-.. 14. (3) Ufe it in fuch a meafure as may be proper for it's end; without which it is worth nothing. Ifab. ítinence divert your mind, by reafon of a gnawing appetite, then you had better eat fparingly, as Dani. el, in his great fait, chap. X. 2, 3. Some have not enough of fpiritual mindednefs, to give up them- felves to fatting and prayer, without great diffrac- tion: and fuch had better eat, than go beyond their ílreugth in a thing not abfolutely neceffary which produceth only a flavifll aa, as in the cafe of virgini. ty, i Cor. vii. 7, 8, 9, 34, 35, 36. Chrift would not have his weak difciples neceffitated to the duty, Mat. ix. 14, t5. In the.. mean time, fuch fhould ftrive to be fenfible of the weaknefs and carnality that hin- ders their ufe of this excellent help. 9. You may expect here fornething to be fpoken of vows. But I íhall only fay this of them. Think not to bring yourfelves to good by vows and pro. miles, as if the ftrength of your own law could do it when the ftrength of God's law cloth it not, We bring children to make promifes of amendment; but we know how well they keep them. The devil will urge you tovow, and then to break, that he may per. Flex your confcience the more. 18. Another great mean, is, fellowfhip, and com- munion with the faints, Aas ii. 42. FIRST, This mean mutt be ufed diligently. Who. fotver God faveth, fhould be added to fome vifible church, and come into communion of other faints; and, if they have no opportunity for it, their heart fhould be bent towards it. Sometimes the church is in the wildernefs, and hindered fromvi{ibleeomfnti- nion and ordinances: but they that believe in Chrift, are always willing and defirous fo to add and join themfeives' Ac` s ii. 4 tt 44, 47. "And they continu-
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