RESOLUTION 1:

 

I am resolved, by the grace of GOD,

 

to honor and obey the King, whom God is pleased to set over me,

 

as well as to expect he should protect me,

 

whom God is pleased to set under him.

 

 The King of Kings, and LORD of LORD’s, the Monarch of all the world, having enacted many gracious laws, is pleased to set over every nation such persons as may put them in execution; so that I cannot but look upon a lawful King, as truly a representative of the Most High GOD as a Parliament is of the people; and am therefore persuaded, that whosoever rebels against him, rebels against God himself; not only in that he rebels against the ordinance of God, and so against the God of that ordinance, but because he rebels against him whom GOD has set up as his Vicegerent, to represent his person, and execute his laws, in such a part of his dominions.

 

 Hence it is that these two precepts, " Fear God, and honor the King," are so often joined together in Holy Writ: for he that fears GOD’s power, cannot but honor his authority; and he that honors not the King, that represents God, cannot be said to fear GOD, who is represented by him. And hence, likewise, it is, that God has been as express in enjoining obedience to our Governors, as to himself: For thus says the Lord of Hosts," Let every soul be subject to the higher powers." Why, Because C' there is no power but of GOD: the powers that be are ordained of GOD." (Rom. 13: 1.)

 

 And he has denounced as great a judgment against such as rebel against the Magistrate, as against those that rebel against himself: "for whosoever resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of GOD; and they that resist, shall receive to themselves damnation." (Ver. 2.) So that the wrath of God shall as certainly fall upon those that rise up against the King, as upon those that fight against GOD. And no wonder that the punishment should be the same, when the fault is the same: for he that fights against the King, fights against GOD himself, who has invested him with that power to govern his people, representing his own glorious Majesty before them.

 

 Upon this ground it is, that I believe the wickedness of a Prince cannot be a sufficient plea for the disobedience of his subjects; for it is not the holiness but the authority of God -he represents, which the most wicked person may be endowed with: And therefore, when the Gospel first began to spread itself over the earth, though there was no Christian King, or Supreme Magistrate, of what title so ever, to cherish and protect it; nay, though the civil powers were then the greatest enemies to it; yet even then were the disciples of CHRIST enjoined to "submit themselves to every ordinance of man for the LORD'S sake."

 

 Insomuch, that did I live amongst the Turks, I should look upon it as my duty to obey the Grand Signior in all his lawful edicts, as well as the most Christian King in the world. For supposing a Prince be ever so wicked, and never so negligent in his duty of protecting me, it doth not follow that I must neglect mine of obeying him.

 

 In such a case, I have another duty 'added to this, and that is, to intercede with God for his conversion: for thus has the King of Kings commanded, that " prayers, supplications, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made," as " for all men," so more particularly, " for Kings, and those that are in authority, that we may live a quiet and peaceable life, in all godliness and honesty." (1 Tim. 2: 1, 2.)

 

 So that whensoever I address to the court of heaven, I must be sure to remember my sovereign on earth, that God would be pleased to enable his servant to reign on earth, as himself doth in heaven, in righteousness and mercy. But especially, in case of any seeming or real default, though I do not think it a subject's duty to judge, or censure his sovereign's actions, I am to be the more earnest in my intercessions for him; but upon no account to fight or rebel against him.

 

 And if I am thus strictly obliged to honor, obey, and pray for, a bad prince, how much more should I pay those duties to one who represents GOD, not only in his authority, but in his holiness too In this case sure, as there is a double engagement to reverence and obedience, so I am doubly punishable, if I neglect to show it, either to the Prince himself, or those that are set under him; for the same obligations that he upon me, for my obedience to the King, bind me likewise to obey his officers and magistrates, that act, under him; and that for this reason, because as he represents GOD, so they represent him: and therefore, whatever they command in his name, I look upon it as much my duty to obey, as if it was commanded by his own mouth; and accordingly do from this moment, by the grace of God, resolve to put this duty in practice. 

 

RESOLUTION 2:

 

I am resolved, by the same divine grace,

 

to be as constant in loving of my wife,

 

as cautious in choosing her.

 

 THOUGH it be not necessary for me to resolve upon marrying, yet it may not be improper to resolve, in case I should, to follow these rules: first, in the choice of a wife; secondly, in the affection that I ought to bear her.

 

 As for the first, I shall always endeavor to make choice of such a woman for my spouse, who has first made choice of CHRIST as a spouse for herself; that none may be made one flesh with me, who is not made one spirit with CHRIST My SAVIOR. For I look upon the image of CHRIST, as the best mark of beauty I can behold in her; and the grace of God, as the best portion I can receive with her.

 

 These seem to be such necessary qualifications, that my heart trembles at the thoughts of ever having a wife without them. What, shall I marry one that is wedded already to her sins; or have possession of her body only, when the Devil has possession of her soul Shall such a one be united to me here, who shall be separated from me for ever hereafter, and condemned to scorch in everlasting burnings No; if ever it be my lot to enter into that state, I beg of God that he would direct me in the choice of such a wife, as will so live and pray, and converse with me upon earth, that, we may both sing, rejoice, and be blessed together for ever in heaven.

 

 That this therefore may be my portion, I firmly resolve, never to set upon such a design, before I have first begged of my heavenly FATHER, to honor me with the partnership of one of his beloved children; and shall afterwards be as careful as I can, never to fix my affections upon any woman for a wife;, until I am thoroughly persuaded of the grounds I have to love her as a true Christian.

 

 If I could thus be happy, so as to meet with a wife of these qualities, it would be impossible for me not to be sincere in my affection towards her: for ' how could I choose but love her who has God for her Father, the Church for her Mother, and heaven for her portion; who loves God, and is beloved of him Especially when I consider, that thus to love her will not only be my duty but my happiness too.

 

RESOLUTION 3:

 

I am resolved, by the grace of GOD,

 

to do my endeavor to give to God

 

whatsoever children he shall be pleased to give me.

 

 I HAVE sometimes wondered at the Providence of GOD, in bringing so many millions of people out of the loins of one man; and cannot but make this use of it, to stir up myself to a double diligence, in bringing up my children in the nurture and admonition of the LORD. For who knows but the salvation of ten thousand souls may depend upon the education of one single child

 

 If I train up my son in' the ways of religion, and teach him what it is to keep a '1 conscience void of offence, towards GOD and man; " he will then not only have an inward sense of his own duty, but take all possible care to instill it into others, whether children or servants, that are committed to his charge: and these again will do the same to theirs, by teaching them to walk in the same path; until, by degrees, the holiness of one man has diffused itself to all succeeding generations.

 

 But, on the other hand, if I neglect the care of my son's education, and suffer the leprosy of sin to corrupt him, it is great odds but the infection may spread itself over all my posterity, and so draw upon me the curses and accusations of ten thousand souls in hell, which might otherwise have been praising GOD for me to all eternity in heaven.

 

 Hence it is that I am resolved to endeavor to be a spiritual as well as a natural father to my children; yea, to take more care to get a portion for their souls-in heaven, than to make provision for their bodies on earth. For if he be worse than an infidel that provides not for his family the sustenance of their bodies, what is. he that suffers his family to neglect the salvation of their souls

 

 That nothing of this, therefore, may be laid to my charge, if ever Providence sees fit to bless me with children of my own, I will take all occasions, and make use of all means, to work the knowledge of GOD into their heads, and the grace of CHRIST into their hearts, by teaching them to " remember their Creator in the days of their youth," by acquainting them with the duties that he expects from them; with the rewards they shall feel if dutiful, and the punishments they shall have if disobedient children; still accommodating my expressions to the shallow capacity of their tender years.

 

 But I must still take care to let them understand, that what I do is from a principle of love, else God may correct me, for correcting them; I may set before my children such an example of indiscreet passion, as they will be apt enough to learn without my teaching them.

 

 On the other hand, it behooves me, if possible, so to order my family, that my children may not see or hear, and so not learn any thing but goodness in it; for commonly, according to what. we learn when young, we practice when we are old.

 

 And it behooves me to take all opportunities of discoursing to them of GOD and CHRIST, of the immortality, of their souls, and the future state, that, according as they grow in years, they may grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our LORD and SAVIOR CHRIST. And when. they come to years of discretion, capable of doing farther service to GOD and their country, by some calling or profession, I must be sure to place them in such a one, as may be no hindrance to that high and heavenly calling, which they have in CHRIST JESUS, but rather promote it; that being like tender plants engrafted into the. true Vine, they may bring forth much fruit to GOD’s glory, to, my comfort, and their own salvation.

 

RESOLUTION 4:

 

I am resolved, by the grace of GOD,

 

to do my duty to my servants,

 

as well as expect they should do theirs to me.

 

 IT was JOSHUA'S, and by GOD’s_ grace, it shall be my resolution," that, I and my house will serve the LORD." I, in the first: place, and then my house; for if I myself do not, I cannot expect that they should. So that for the ordering of my family in, general, I must not only press their duty upon them, but likewise practice my own duty in praying every day I at the least, twice with them:; in expounding the principles of religion to them, and in calling for an. account of' every discourse they hear; either in private or in public, in seeing that they constantly frequent the divine ordinances,: and that they behave themselves so conscientiously therein, that they may be, some way, or other, the better by them. And to these- ends, I think it my duty to allow my servants some time, every day, wherein to serve- Gob, as well as to see they spend their other hours, in serving me; and to make them sensible that they do not serve me only for myself, but ultimately in reference to GOD; their serving me making way for my better serving GOD.

 

 And for this reason, I cannot believe but it is as great a sin to cumber my servants, as myself, with too much worldly business. For how can they spend any time in the service of GOD, when I require all their time in my own And how justly should I be condemned, if by this means I should bring them into a sort of necessity of sinning, either in not obeying GOD, or not obeying me Not that I think it a servant's duty to neglect his Creator to serve his master; on the contrary, he is obliged, in alt cases, where their commands interfere; " to obey God rather than man." But where they do not, there is a strict injunction upon all servants, that they should be "obedient to their masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of heart, as unto CHRIST." (Ephes. 6: 5.) But how with fear and trembling Why fearing lest they should offend GOD, in offending them, and trembling at the thoughts of being disobedient to the divine command, which enjoins them to " be obedient to their masters in all things, not answering again; (Tit. 2: 9;) that is, not repining at their master's lawful commands, as some are apt to do; for it is as great a sin in servants to speak irreverently to their masters, as in masters to speak passionately to their servants.

 

 But how are servants to give obedience to their masters with singleness of heart, as unto CHRIST Why, by obeying them only in obedience unto CHRIST; that is, they are therefore to do their master's will, because it is the LORD'S will they should do it; serving them, " not with eye-service, as men-pleasers, but as the servants of CHRIST, doing the will of GOD from the heart, with good-will doing service, as to the LORD, and not to men." (Ephes. 6: 6,7; Col. 3: 22.)

 

 This is the duty, therefore, that I should be oft inculcating upon my servants, and shall as oft be reflecting upon myself, that what I require for my own service may be always in subordination to GOD’S, who is our common LORD and Master, whose laws are equally obliging to all conditions of men, and in whose sight " there is no respect of persons."

 

RESOLUTION 5:

 

I am resolved, by the grace of GOD,

 

to feed the lock, that GOD shall set me over,

 

with wholesome food; neither starving them by idleness,

 

poisoning them with error, nor puffing them up with impertinencies.

 

 AND here I cannot but declare that ever since I knew what it was to study, I have found, by experience, that spiritual pleasures do as far surpass sensual, as the soul exceeds the body; and for this reason, as I always thought the study of Divinity to be the most agreeable of all others; so I have often wondered, that the greatest persons in the world should not be desirous of devoting themselves to it.

 

 But stay, my soul, let not thy thoughts run only upon the dignity of thy function; but think, likewise, upon the strict account' thou must give of it in another life: the serious consideration of which, as it cannot but be a great comfort to the faithful pastor, who has diligently fed his flock with the sincere milk of GOD’s word; so must it be a great terror to the negligent, who have either carelessly lost, or treacherously deluded, the souls of those committed to their charge, which they must one day answer for, as well as for their own.

 

 And therefore, that nothing of this kind may ever be laid to my charge, I solemnly resolve before God, so to demean myself in the exercise of my ministerial function, as to make the care of souls, especially of those committed to my charge, the business of my life. 

 

 And that without partiality or exception; I must not single out some of the best of my flock, such as I have the highest respect for, or have received the greatest respect from, or have received the greatest obligations from; but minister to every one according to their several necessities; even though I should meet with such as hate to be reformed, and cast my words behind them. And therefore, I shall always endeavor " to strengthen the weak, heal the wounded, and bind up the broken heart; " to call in those that err and go astray, and " to seek and save those that are lost." To these ends; though preaching is, without doubt, a most necessary duty, (especially if it be performed as it ought, with zeal and reverence, and the doctrine applied and pressed home with sincerity of affection,) yet l shall not think it sufficient to instruct my people only from the pulpit, but take all opportunities to instil good principles into their minds in private. I know it is impossible for all Ministers frequently to visit every particular person in their parish, there being in some parishes many thousands. of souls: But, howsoever, if it should please the LORD to call me to such a flock, though I cannot visit all, I shall visit as many as I can; especially those that are sick and infirm, and be sure to feed them with the sincere milk of the word, such as may turn to their spiritual nourishment, and make them grow in grace, and in the. knowledge of our LORD and SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST. I will not fill their heads with speculative notions and niceties in Divinity, but shall instruct them in those necessary truths, which their Christian faith indispensably obliges them to know, and press them to the performance of those duties, without which they cannot be saved; meekly and impartially reproving the particular vices they are most inclined to, and cheerfully encouraging whatever virtuous actions they are, any of them, exemplary in, and whatever good habits or inclinations the divine grace has put into their hearts.

 

 And since love is the great characteristic of our profession, the bond and cement of all other Christian duties, in order to make my ministry the more successful, I resolve in the last place, not only to avoid all differences and disputes with them myself, but amicably to compose all such as may arise among the neighbors. In a word, I shall make it my endeavor, in all things, so to approve myself as a faithful Minister, both in life and doctrine, that at the last day, when the great GOD shall call for my parish and myself to appear before him, I may be fitly prepared to give an account of both; and may, with joy and comfort, pronounce this sentence of my SAVIOR, " Behold I and the children which thou hast given me."

 

RESOLUTION 6:

 

I am resolved, by the, grace of GOD,

 

to be as faithful and constant to nay friend,

 

as I would have my friend to be faithful and constant to me.

 

 HAVING before resolved to be zealous in loving God, I here resolve to be as constant in loving my friend. But why do I resolve upon this P Is it possible to live and not to love d This to me seems as plain a contradiction, as to live, and not to live: For love, in my opinion, is as much the life of the soul, as the soul is the life of the body. So that for my own part, I shall expect to cease to live, at the very moment that I cease to love; nay, I do not look upon love only as my life, but as the joy and comfort of it too. And for this reason, I shall never envy any man his riches, pleasures, or preferments, provided that I can but enjoy the persons my soul delights in, viz., CHRIST in the first place, and my friend in the second.

 

 But then I must have a great care, where, and how, I place this affection; for if I place it wrong, my very loving will be sinning: and therefore, I shall always endeavor to make such only my friends, as are friends to God).

 

 My meaning is, that I will make none my friends, but such as I know to be good men, and good Christians, such as deserve my love in a spiritual, as well as a natural sense: and since I may lawfully love my friend in both these senses, the one is so far from being exclusive, that it is really perfective of the other. And for this reason, as the spiritual good of my friend is always to be preferred before that which is temporal, I am resolved to found the one upon the other. I will always be ready, as oft as he stands in need, to do him all the kind offices I can in his worldly affairs; to promote his interest, vindicate his character from secret aspersions, and defend his person from open assaults; to be faithful and punctual in the performance of my promises to him, as well as in keeping the secrets he has entrusted me with.

 

 But all these things are to be done with a tender regard to the honor of God, so that the services I do him in his temporal concerns, must still be consistent with, and subservient to, the spiritual interest and welfare of his immortal soul, in which I am principally obliged to manifest my friendship towards him. If I see him wander out of the right way, I must immediately take care to advertise him of it, and use the best means I can to bring him back to it. Or if I know him to be guilty of any vices, I must endeavor to convince him of the danger of them, and importune and persuade him to forsake them.

 

And, Lastly, I must be as constant in keeping my friend, as cautious in choosing him; still continuing the heat of my affections towards him, in the day of his affliction, as well as in the height of his prosperity.

 

 These are the rules whereby I resolve to express my friendship unto others, and whereby I would have others to express that friendship unto me.

 

CONCERNING MY TALENTS.

 

 HAVING so solemnly devoted myself to GOD, according to the covenant he has made with me, and the duty I owe to him; not only what I am, and what I do, but likewise what I have, is still to be improved for him. And this I am bound to, not only upon a federal but even a natural account; for whatsoever I have, I received from him, and therefore all the reason in the world, whatsoever I have, should be improved for him. For I look upon myself as, having no other propriety in what I enjoy, than a servant has in what he is entrusted with to improve for his master's use; thus, though I should have ten thousand pounds a year, I should have no more of my own, than if I had but two pence in the world; for it is only committed to my care for a season, to be employed and improved to the best advantage, and will be called for again at the grand audit, when I must answer for the use or abuse of it; so that whatsoever, in a civil sense, I can call my own, that in a spiritual. sense I must esteem as GOD’S. And therefore, it nearly concerns me, to manage all the talents I am entrusted with, as. things I must give a strict account for at the day of judgment. As GOD bestows his mercies upon me, through the greatness of his love, so I am to restore his mercies back again to him, by the holiness of my life and conversation. In a word, whatever I receive from his bounty, I must, some way or other, lay out for his glory, accounting nothing my own, any farther than as I improve it for GOD’s sake, and the spiritual comfort of my own soul.

 

 In order to this, I shall make it my endeavor, by the blessing of God, to put in practice the following resolutions: I am resolved, if possible, to redeem my time past, by using double diligence for the future, to employ and improve all the gifts and endowments, both of body and mind, to the glory and service of my great Creator.

 

 TIM, health, and parts, are three precious talents, generally bestowed upon men, but seldom improved for GOD. To go no farther than myself: How much time and health have I enjoyed, by GOD’s grace And how little of it have I laid out for his honor On the contrary, how oft have I offended, affronted, and provoked him, even when he has been courting me with his favors, and daily pouring forth his benefits upon me This, alas, is a sad truth, which whensoever I seriously reflect upon, I cannot but acknowledge as the greatest instance of GOD’s mercy and goodness, as well as the greatest motive to my gratitude and obedience.

 

 In a due sense, therefore, of the vanities and follies 'of my younger years, I desire to take shame to myself for what is past, and do, this morning, humbly prostrate myself before the-throne of grace, to implore Gon's pardon, and to make solemn promises and resolutions for the future, " to cast off the works of darkness, and put on the armour of light;" and not only so, but to redeem the precious minutes I have squandered away, by husbanding those that remain to the best advantage. I will not trifle or sin away my time in the pleasures of sense, or the impertinencies of business, but shall always employ it in things that are necessary and useful, and proportion it to the weight and importance of the work or business I engage myself in, allotting such a part of it for this business, and such a part for that, so as to leave no intervals for unlawful or unnecessary actions to thrust themselves in, and pollute my life and conversation.

 

 For, since it has pleased God to favor me with the blessing of health, and I am not certain how soon I may be deprived of it, and thrown upon a bed of sickness, which may deprive me of the use of my reason, or make me incapable of any thing else but grappling with my distemper, it highly concerns me to make a due use of this blessing while I have it; to improve these parts and gifts that God has endowed me with, to the manifestation of his glory, the salvation of my soul, and the public good of the community whereof I am a member.

 

 To these ends, it will be requisite for me frequently to consider with myself, which way my weak parts may be the most usefully employed, and to bend them to those studies or actions which they are naturally the most inclined to and delighted in, with the utmost vigor and application; more particularly in spiritual matters, to make use of all opportunities for the convincing others of GOD’s love to them, and their sins against GOD; of their misery by nature, and happiness by CHRIST; and when the truth of GOD happens to be anyway traduced or opposed, to be as valiant in the, defense of it as its enemies are violent in their assaults against it. And as I thus resolve to employ my inward gifts and faculties for the glory and service of GOD, SO,

 

RESOLUTION II

 

I am resolved, by the grace of GOD,

 

to improve the authority GOD gives me over others,

 

to the suppression of vice, and the encouragement of virtue;

 

and so, for the exaltation of God's name on earth, and their souls in heaven.

 

 THAT all power and authority has its origin from God, and that one creature is not over another, but by the providence and will of him who is over all; and by consequence, that all the authority we have over men is to be improved for GOD, is clear, not only from that question, "Who made thee to differ from another And what hast thou which thou didst not receive " (I Cor. 4: 7;) but likewise, and that more clearly, from that positive assertion: " The powers that be are ordained of GOD." (Rom. 13: 1.) That, therefore, I may follow my commission, I must stick close to my present resolution, even in all the power GOD gives me, to behave myself as one invested with that power from above, to restrain vice and encourage virtue, as oft as I have an opportunity so to do, always looking upon myself as one commissioned by him, and acting under him.

 

 For this reason, I must still endeavor to exercise my authority, as if the Most High God was in my place in person, as well as power. I must not follow the dictates of my own carnal reason, much less the humors of my own biased passion, but still keep to the acts which GOD himself has made either in the general statute-book for all the world, the Holy Scriptures, or in the particular laws and statutes of the nation wherein I live.

 

 And questionless, if I discharge this duty as I ought, whatever sphere of authority I hove in, I am capable of doing a great deal of good, not only by my power, but by my influence and example. For common experience teaches us, that even the inclinations and desires of those that are eminent for their quality or station, are more powerful than the very command of God himself; especially among persons an inferior rank and more servile disposition, who are apt to be more wrought upon by the fear of present punishment, or the loss of some temporal advantage, than any thing that is future or spiritual. Hence it is, that ll those whom God has entrusted with this precious talent, have a great advantage and opportunity in their hands, for the suppressing sin, and exalting holiness in the world. A word from their mouth against whoredom, drunkenness, profanation of the Sabbath, or the life; yea, their very example and silent gestures, being able to do more than the threatenings of Almighty God, either pronounced by himself in his word, or by his ministers in his name.

 

 This, therefore, is my resolution: That whatsoever authority the Most High •God shall be pleased to put upon me, -I will look upon it as my duty, and always make it my endeavor, to demolish the kingdom of sin and SATAN, and establish that of CHRIST and holiness in the hearts of all those to whom my commission extends; looking more at the duty God expects from me, than at the practice of other, men. In a word, I will so exercise the power and authority GOD puts into my hands here, that when the particular circuit of my life is ended, and I shall be brought to the General Assize to give an account of this, amongst my other talents, I may give it tip with joy; and so exchange my temporal authority upon earth, for an eternal crown of glory in heaven.

 

RESOLUTION 3:

 

I am resolved, by the divine grace,

 

to improve the affections God stirs up in others towards me,

 

to the stirring up of their affections towards GOD.

 

 IF the authority I have over others, then questionless the affection others have to me, is to be improved for GOD; and that because the affection they bear to me in a natural sense, has a kind of authority in me over them in a Spiritual one. And this I gather from my own experience: for I find none to have a greater command over me, than they that manifest the greatest affection for me. Indeed, it is a truth generally agreed on, that a real and sincere esteem for any person, is always attended with, a fear of displeasing that person; and where there is fear in the subject, there will doubtless be authority in the object; because fear is the ground of authority, as love is, or ought to be, the ground of that fear. The greatest Potentate, if not feared, will not be obeyed; if his subjects stand in no awe of him, he can never strike any awe upon them; nor will that awe have its proper effects in curbing and re Straining them from sin and disobedience, unless it proceeds from, and is joined with, love. 

 

 But how comes this under the notion of a talent received from GOD, and so to be improved for him Why, because it is lie, and he alone, that kindles and blows up the sparks of pure love and affection in us, and that by the breathings of his own SPIRIT. It was the LORD that gave JOSEPH favor "in the sight of the keeper of the prison;" (Gen. xxxix. 21;) and that brought DANIEL into favor and tender love with the a Prince of the

 

eunuchs: “ (Dan. 1: 9:) and so of all others in the world.

 

 For we are told elsewhere, that as GOD "fashioneth the hearts of Men, so he turneth them which way soever he will;" insomuch that I can never see any express of their love to me, but I must express my thankfulness to God for it; nor can I feel in myself any warmth of affection towards others, without considering it as a talent hid in my breast, which I am obliged in duty to improve for him, by stirring up their affections unto him, whose affections himself has stirred up towards me. And this will be the more easy to affect, if I take care, in the first place, to express the zeal and sincerity of my own love to GOD, by making him the chief object of my esteem and adoration, and manifest my aversion to the sins they are guilty of by representing them as most loathsome and abominable, as well as most dangerous and damnable: for wherever there is a true affection to any person, it is apt to bias those that are under the influence of it, to choose the same objects for their love or aversion, that such a person does, 1:e., to love what he loves, and hate what he hates. This, therefore, is the first thing to be done, to stir up the affections of others to love and serve GOD.

 

 Another way of my improving the affections of others to this end is, by setting them a good example; for commonly what a friend does, be. it good or bad, is pleasing to us, because we look not at the goodness of the thing which is' done, but at the loveliness of the person that does it." And if the vices of a friend seem amiable, how much: more will his virtues shine For this reason, therefore; whensoever, I perceive any person to show a respect for, or affection to me, I shall always look upon it as air opportunity put into my hands to serve and glorify my; Creator,' and shall look upon it as a call from heaven, as much ass if I heard the ALMIGHTY say to me, I desire to have this person love me, and therefore have I made him to love thee; do thou but set before him an example of goodness and virtue, and his love to thy person shall' induce and engage him to direct his actions according to it. This, therefore, is the rule that I fully resolve to guide-thyself by, with relation to those who are pleased to allow me-a share in their esteem and affection, which I hope to improve to their advantage in the end; that as they love me, and I love them now, so we may all love God, and GOD love us to all eternity.

 

RESOLUTION 5:

 

I am resolved, by the grace of GOD,

 

to improve every good thought to the producing of good affections in myself,

 

and as good actions with respect to GOD.

 

 WHATSOEVER comes from GOD being a talent to be improved to him, I cannot but think good thoughts to be as precious talents, as it is possible a creature can be blessed with, But let me esteem them as I will, I am sure my Master will reckon them amongst the talents he entrusts me with, and will call me to an account for; and therefore I ought not to neglect them. The Scripture tells me, " I am not sufficient of myself to think any thing, as of myself, but that my sufficiency is of GOD." (2 Cor. 3: 5.) And if I be not sufficient to think any thing, much less am I able of myself to think of that which is good; forasmuch as to good thoughts there must always be supposed a special concurrence of GOD’s SPIRIT; whereas to other thoughts, there is only the general concurrence of his presence. Seeing therefore they come from God, how must I lay them out for him Why, by sublimating good thoughts into good affections. 

 

 Does God vouchsafe to send down into my heart a thought of himself I am to send up this thought to him again, in the fiery chariot of love, desire, and joy. Doth he dart into my soul a thought of holiness and purity I am to dwell and meditate upon it, until it break out into a flame of love and affection for him. Doth he raise up in my spirit a thought of sin, and show me the ugliness and deformity of it I must let it work its desired effect, by making it as loathsome and detestable as that thought represents it to be.

 

 But good thoughts must not only be improved to produce good affections in my heart, but likewise good actions in my life. So that the thoughts of GOD should not only make me more taken with his beauty, but more active for his glory; and the thoughts of sin should not only damp my affection to it, but likewise deter and restrain me from the commission of it.

 

RESOLUTION 6:

 

I am resolved, by the grace of God,

 

to improve every affliction God lays upon me,

 

as an earnest or token of his affection towards me.

 

 EVERY thing that flows from God to his servants, coming under the notion of talents, to be improved for himself, I am sure afflictions, as well as other mercies, must-needs be reckoned amongst those talents GOD is pleased to. vouchsafe. Indeed, it is a talent without which, Should be apt to forget the improvement of all the rest; and which, if well improved, itself " will work out for me a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory." (2 Cor. 4: 7.) It is the non-improvement of an affliction that makes it a curse; whereas, if improved, it is as great a blessing as any God is pleased to scatter amongst the children of men; and therefore it is, that GOD most frequently entrusts this precious talent with his own peculiar people: " You only have I known of all the families of the earth, therefore will I punish you for your iniquities." (Amos 3: 2.)

 

 It is this that shows us the folly and pride of presumption, as well as the vanity and emptiness of all worldly enjoyments, and deters us from provoking him, from whom all our happiness, as well as our afflictions flow. Therefore whatever crosses or calamities befall me, I am still resolved to bear them all, not only with a patient resignation to the divine will, but even to rejoice in them as the greatest blessings. For instance, Am I seized with pain and sickness I shall look upon it as a message from God, sent on purpose to put me in mind of death, and to convince me of the necessity of being always prepared for it by a good life, which a state of uninterrupted health is apt to make us unmindful of. Do I sustain any losses or crosses The true use of these is to make me sensible of the fickleness and inconstancy of this world's blessings, which we can no sooner cast our eye upon, but they immediately "take to themselves wings and fly away "from us. And so, all other afflictions God sees fit to lay upon me, may, in like manner, be some way or other improved for my happiness.

 

 But besides the particular improvements of particular chastisements, the general improvement of all, is the increasing of my love to that GOD, who brings these afflictions upon me. For the furnace of afflictions which GOD is pleased at any time to throw me into, is not heated at the fire of his wrath, but at the flames of his affection to me_ The consideration whereof, as it should more inflame my love to him, so shall it likewise engage me to express a greater degree of gratitude towards him, when he singles me out, not only to suffer from him, but for him, too. For this is an honor, which, if he should be pleased ever to prefer me to, I shall look upon it as upon other afflictions, to be improved for his glory, the good. of others, and the everlasting comfort of my own soul.

 

 Thus I have reckoned up the talents GOD has or may put into my hands, to be improved for his glory. May the same Divine Being that entrusted me with them, and inspired me with these good resolutions concerning them, enable me, by his grace, to make a due use of them, and carefully to put in practice what I have thus religiously resolved upon.

 

END OF VOL. 20: Printed by T. Cordeux, 14, City-Road, London.