let the Sun go down upon our Wrath, Ephef. 4. 26. But to put on Bowels of Mercy, Kindness, Meeknefs, Long-suffering, Col. 3. 12. And to let all Bitterness, and Wrath, and Anger, and Clamour, and Evil-speaking, be put away from us, with all Malice, Ephef. 4. 31. THESE two Virtues being deeply ra- Patience. dicated, will naturally produce in us great Temper and Firmnefs of Mind in any grievous Circumftances. God himfelf, though he be provoked every day, is long-fuffering towards us. The Bleffed Jefus endured all the Contradictions of Sinners against himself, Heb. 12. 3. And when he fuffered, he threatned not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously, 1 Pet. 2. 23. And all this, to leave us an Example that we should follow his Steps, 1 Pet. 2. 21. That we fhould poffefs our Souls in Patience, Lak. 21. 19. That we be patient in Tribulations, Rom. 12. 12. That we endure Afflictions, 2 Tim. 4. 5. That we endure to the End, I Pet. 1. 13. And when any fiery Tryal comes, that, we should not wonder, or be troubled, as if fome ftrange thing hapned; but rejoyce, inafmuch as we are partakers of Chrift's Sufferings; that when his Glory fhall be reR. 4 vealed, Mortificazion. Heavenly Minded mels. vealed, we may be glad alfo with exceede $ THIS leads on the flighting of all things here below, when they ftand in competition with the love of God and a good Conscience. Love not the World, neither the things that are in the World; if any Man love the World, the love of the Father is not in him, 1 Joh. 2. 15. Therefore, let your Converfation be with out Covetoufnefs, Heb. 13. 5. Lay not for your felves Treasures upon Earth, Matth. 6. 19. If Riches encreafe, fet not your Heart upon them, P. 62. 10. Neis ther take any (anxious) thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye fhall put on, Matth. 6. 25. But ufe this World, as thofe that use it not, for the Fafhion of this World paffeth away, Heb. 7.31. INSTEAD of this, fet your Affecti on on things above, Col. 3. 2. Seek ye first the Kingdom of God, and his Righ teousnefs, Matth. 6. 33. Let your Con verfation be in Heaven, Phil. 3. 20. Walk worthy of the Vocation where with ye are called; and put off, concerning the former Converfation, the old Man which is corrupt according to the deceitful Lufts; and be renewed 1 1 in the Spirit of your mind, Ephef. 4. 22, FROM this Heavenly-mindedness, naturally springs another great Duty; viz. to be fatisfied with fuch a fhare and Portion of this World, as it thall please God to dispense to us; to be pleafed with fuch things as we have, Heb. 13. 5. And with that Food which God fhall judge convenient for us, Prov. 3. 8. And having Food and Raiment therewith to be content, 1 Tim. 6. 8. Content ment. WHOSOEVER will come after me, Self-deni let him deny himself, faith our Saviour, al. Mark. 8. 34. And these are neceffary Acts of Self-denial; to caft down Imaginations, and every thing that exalteth it felf against the Knowledge of God, and to bring into Captivity every thought to the Obedience of Chrift, 2 Cor. 10. 5. To count all things but lofs, for the Excellency of the Knowledge of Chrift Jefus, Phil. 3. 8. Not to trust in your felves, that ye are Righteous, Luke 18.9. But to renounce your own Righteouf nels, Phil. 3. 9. To deny all Ungodlinefs and Worldly Lufts, Tit. 2. 12. part with a right Hand, and right Eye, Matth. 5. 29, 30. (that is, with every To the Purity Heart. Tempe rance. the dearest and most useful thing, when it is an occafion of Sin, or an hindrance to Virtue) and to forfake Houfes, Lands, Father, Mother, and all that a Man hath for the fake of Chrift, Luke 14.33. TO this, add that other Evangelical Grace, of Purity of Heart: which is, when you mortifie your Members' which are upon the Earth, Fornication, Uncleannefs, inordinate Affection, and evil Concupifcence; and when laying afide all Naughtiness, and all Guile, and all Hypocrifie, as new born Babes you defire the fincere Milk of the Word, that you may grow thereby, 1 Pet. 2. 1, 2. I IN order to this, Temperance is a ve ry neceffary Virtue. Every Man that ftriveth for the Maftery, is Temperate in all things, 1 Cor. 9. 25. And to this purpose are thofe Directions, that we fhould caft off the works of Darkness; that we fhould walk honeftly, as in the Day, not in Rioting and Drunkenness; not in Chambering and Wantonnefs, Rom. 13. 12, 13. Not in Excess of Wine, Revellings, and Banquetings, i Pet. 4. 3. Not to fuffer our Hearts to be overcharged with Surfeiting, Luke 21. 34. But to abstain from fuch Flefhly Lufts, against the Soul, 1 Pet. 2. 11. To add to our Knowledge, Temperance, 2 Pet. as We 2 Pet. 1. 6. To keep under the Body, and bring it into Subjection, 1 Cor. 9. 27. AND for the Improving and perfect- Fortitude. ing of all thefe Virtues, we are to arm our felves with Refolution and Courage; to watch, to ftand faft in the Faith, to quit our felves like Men, to be strong, 1 Cor. 16. 13. To refift the Devil, Jam. 47. To endure Temptation, Jam. 1. 12. Not to fear them which kill the Body, but are not able to kill the Soul; but rather to fear him which is able to deftroy both Soul and Body in Hell, Mat. 10. 28. Finally, to be ftrong in the Lord, and in the Power of his Might; and to put on the whole Armour of God, that we may be able to ftand against the wiles of the Devil; and having done all, to ftand, Ephef. 6.10, 11, 13. AS for thofe Chriftian Virtues which have reference to others, they are of great Variety, according as we ftand related differently unto them. private Fa SOME more immediately concern our Virtues refpective Families: So Husbands are to concerning love their Wives, even as Chrift loved milies. the Church, Ephef. 5. 25. Not to be bitter against them, Col. 3. 19. But to dwell with them according to Knowledge, giving Honour to the Wife, as to the weaker |