SELECT REMAINS, &c. Chapter 1. Containing a variety of devout and ufeful fayings on divers fubjects, digefted under proper heads. MORAL OBSERVATIONS AND INSTRUCTIONS. THOUGH few there be that care to be virtuous, yet fewer there are that would not be counted fo. Nothing but what is God's dishonor fhould be our fhame. We must not walk by example, but by rule. They that drive away time, fpur a free horfe. As often as a man lays out for God, he lays up for himself. We have nothing that we can properly call our own, but what we have reafon to be afhamed of. We are never well informed of the truth, till we are conformed to the truth. A conceit of knowledge is the greatest enemy to knowledge, and the greatest argument of ig norance. We remember many things we fhould forget (as injuries, difappointments, &c.) but forget what we should remember (viz. God and our .fouls.) They that prefume moft in profperity are fooneft fubject to despair in adverfity. Man may commend thee, but God may condemn thee. When God punishes another, he threatens thee; when he wounds another, he warns thee. It is as great a mercy to be preferved in health, as to be delivered from fickness. If you mind nothing but the body, you lofe body and foul too. If you mind nothing but earth, you lofe earth and heaven too. As they, who for every flight infirmity take phyfick to repair their health, do rather impair it; fo they, who for every trifle are eager to vindicate their character, do rather weaken it. Honefty is the belt policy, and innocence the best wisdom. Improve the wit you have bought at a dear rate, and the wisdom you have gained by fad experience. Learn of Chrift, who was fenfible of injuries, yet patient under them. Be lively but not light; folid but not fad. Keep the body under, but the fpirit up. Keep fuch company as God keeps. What can you get by bad company. are truly good they will either taunt you or defpife you. ? If you Take heed of being infected with the breath of a profane heart. Let the body wait upon the Soul, and both wait upon God. Speak not well of yourself, nor ill of others. Speak of peoples' virtues, conceal their infirmities: If you can fay no good, fay no ill of them. To render good for evil is God like; to render good for good is man like; to render evil for evil is beaft like; to render evil for good is devil like. Carry yourself fubmiffively towards your fu periors; friendly towards your equals; condeIcendingly towards your inferiors; generously towards your enemies; and lovingly towards all. OF RELIGION IN GENERAL. It fignifies nothing to fay we will not change our religion, if our religion change not us. If a man lives and dies a meer profeffor, it had been better for him if he had lived and died a meer heathen. The duty of religion flows from a principle of religion. It is not talking, but walking with God, that gives a man the denomination of a christian. Darkness may as well put on the name of light, as a wicked man the name of a chriftian. It is our main business in this world to fecure an intereft in the next. A defire of happiness is natural, a defire of holiness is fupernatural. If God hath done that good for us which he hath denied to the world, we ought to do that for him which is denied him by the world. If we are willing, God will help us; if fincere, God will accept us. A ferious remembrance of God is the fountain of obedience to God. If you forget God when you are young, God may forget you when you are old. When a chriftian confiders the goodness of God's ways, he wonders that all the world doth not walk in them. But when he confiders the blindnels, and depravity, and prejudice of the heart by nature, he wonders that any should enter upon them. Make your calling fure, and your election is fure. Uneven walking, with a neglect of Watching, makes a difconfolate foul. Four things a christian should especially labor after, viz. to be humble and thankful, watchful and cheerful. If we would not fall into things unlawful, we muft fometimes deny ourselves in those that are lawful. Salvation then draws near to man when it is his main care. The ordinances of God are the means of falvation; but the God of ordinances is the author of falvation. Religion must be our business, then it will be our delight. It will coft fomething to be religious, it will coft more not to be fo. A chriftian's life is nothing else but a short trial of his graces. Lukewarmness is the beft natural, but the worft fpiritual temper a man can be in. There are few but are fometimes in a ferious fit; but how few are in a ferious frame, who have an abiding fenfe of God upon their hearts? It is a voluntary cannot that keeps the foul from God. The gate which leads to life is a ftrait gate, therefore we fhould fear; it is an open gate, therefore we fhould hope. Do the Lord's work in the Lord's time; pray whilft God hears; hear whilft God fpeaks; be |