Reason In regard of their weakenesse .

1 The wisest man understands not every thing .

2 What wee know , we oftentimes forget .

3 Though we know , and forget not , yet we are unconstant to follow that we know .

4 Though wee know , and remember , and are not unconstant , yet our hearts are not so affected with the truth , as they should . Therefore , for all these causes we have need the best of us , of Counsell and advice ; for what wee know not it may reveale ; what we remember not , it may recall ; what wee consider not , it may helpe ; what we affect not , it may stirre up to , Act. 15.32 . Iudas and Silas exhorted the brethren with many words , and confirmed them , (ⁱ) setled and grounded them better in the faith : Even , Moses had his hands held up . So we stand in need of savoury Counsell .

Vse 1 It reproves the disposition of carnall men , that cast off Counsell , that turne the deafe eare to it , that mock at it , that thinke they have not need of it ; it matters not whether they have it or not . O this is a sturdy Resolution ; what sturdy hearts have men now a dayes , that beat back the meanes of grace , and stand upon their Pantables : that say , let him keepe his breath to informe them that need it : I for my part will have none , wee are too old to be taught : hast thou no need ? the wisest need it , and thou needst it ; because thou sayest thou needs it not .

Ob. But what hath he to do with mee ? to play the Bishop in another mans Diocesse , and to row in another mans Boat , &c.

Answ. Every Saint hath to doe with one another , wee are our Brothers Keepers except we be Cains , and will have Cains wages : therefore hee hath to doe with thee , if hee love thee as he should .

Ob. But he is unfit ; if a grave , wise , learned man should doe it , then it were somewhat : but what ? for such a young upstart to doe it ? he is unfit .

Answ. Wilt thou refuse physick , because it comes in an earthen Pot , and not in a silver Cup ? or refuse a salve , because it sticks on leather , and not on velvet ? so because a weake instrument , though not so grave as others , offers helpe , wilt thou therefore neglect it ? Doe not cast away Counsell , because of the weaknesse of the Instrument , 1 Sam. 2. Old Elies sonnes despised Counsell , and why ? the Text saith , God had a purpose to destroy them . It is an Argument God hath a purpose to destroy a man , when hee refuseth Counsell , Exod. 10.28 . Exod. 10.28 . When Moses had often spoken to Pharaoh , at last he cast him out , and bad him see his face no more , get thee gone , I will have no more of thee . Marke how Moses answers : I will see thy face no more ; hee came no more to counsell him , but God came to plague him : therefore take heed thou that sayest , away with counselling and preaching : Brethren , if that comes not , take heed lest God came with vengeance .

Vse 2 Is Counsell needful for the best ? This then may exhort us willingly to seeke it , and submit to it , when it is offered by God . Nature teacheth lame and blind men to be willing to be led ; wee are all weake , therefore let us leane one upon another ; wee are all blind , let us therefore be guided . A child can happily tell the next way to a Towne , better then a man that is a stranger , now it were a mad thing to say , it was a child that directed me , therefore I will not goe that way , Iohn 4. If the people had not gone to Christ , because a woman told them of Christ , but had said tush , it was a woman that told us of it , therefore we will not goe , they had never seene Christ . Therefore frame your hearts to yeeld to advice , and blesse God that ever hee bestowed it , seeing it is so needfull .

Ob. But if it were not sharpe , I could be content to beare it , but it is so keene and crosse to my nature to have such sharpe reproofe as he gives , that I cannot brooke it .

Answ. Oh it is the better , that Reprehension is best , that stirs most , and sharpe reprehension will most stirre and affect the soule ; that Potion is best , that stirs the stomack , and makes a man most sick : if it stirs not , we say that Physick is naught , & the Physician foolish ; but if it hit the right humour , then it is excellent : so it is best when the word strikes home , and hits the humour , to give such counsel to the Drunkard , that he drinke no more , because he drinkes in Gods vengeance ; oh this is wholsome counsell , therefore consider it , it is the best to have working Physick ; oh blesse God for that reproof that comes home closest to the soule , though happily it be not so toothsome , yet it is wholsome : therefore submit to any reproofe . It is a signe of a good heart that is willing to heare , and stoope to any advice ▪ Even warlike David was counselled by Abigail a woman , and he blessed God for it , and laid downe his weapons : so when thou goest on in a wicked course , though it be a servant o● a child that reproves thee , yet submit : David was above Abigail , and yet he submitted to her counsell , and blessed God .

The Time When : Then ] when Peter spake to withdraw him .

Doctrine . 2 When any persons shall out of carnall respects , labour to with draw a man from God , then spirituall Counsell is most seasonable .

When Peter counselled carnally , then Christ counselled spiritually , Malach. 3.16 . Mal. 3.16 . When proud men spake stoutly , then spake they that ●●ared God , that was a fit opportunity , Gal. 2.5 . Gal. 2 5. When Peter had dissembled , then Paul withstood him , it is with the soule , as it is with the body ; we are most carefull where most danger is : In the plague time , when the aire is infected , we get Antidotes to keep us from the infection of the ayre : therefore let us get Antidotes of wholsome advice and counsell .

Thus much of the Preface .

Now we come to the Duty , which was the second Generall , wherein are these things 1. the Act. In which two things .

So that faithfull walking is a following of Christ . If any man will ] hee leaves it not to any mans liberty , but directs what he should doe : if you follow Christ , you must Resolve on the matter .

Doct. There must be a sound Resolution to follow Christ , before it can be done , and sound●●ctised .

As who should say 〈…〉 ●olve on the matter ? if there bee a so●●esolution , it may bee then it will thrive ; but if not , all is to no purpose , Act. 11.23 . Act. 11.23 . There is a fine passage ; the Text saith , Barnabas was a good man , and exhorted them to cleave unto the Lord , but how ? with a decree of heart , as who should say , make a Decree according to the lawes of the Medes and Persians , never to be revoked , and called back , never to be removed from God , my God I must have , let honour and all stay : pray I must , though the world lye at sixe and seven , I will keepe a good conscience to the worlds end : the Gospel shall prevaile with mee , come what will come : after this Resolution you will buckle to the truth , 1 Pet. 4.1 . 1 Pet. 4.1 . be armed with the same mind , every man must have the same mind that Christ had , what is that ? Psalm . 40.8 . Psal. 40.8 . It is my heart to doe thy will , Christ , though he foreknew the crosses that should come , yet it was his mind to doe his Fathers will , therefore put on this Resolution , as Armour of Proofe , I will doe any thing God bids me ; and I will not doe it by fits and turnes .

For the opening of this point observe two particulars .

1. What this Resolution is .

2. Why we must resolue before we practise ; not to be fly-backs ; oh it is to bee feared , that that man will be as dry leaves in Autumne , and as stubble before the fire , which wants his Resolution .

Quest. Q. 1. What makes up this Resolution , and this Will ?

Answ. Answ. It is made up in two things .

1 The Iudgement must be convinced of the goodnesse of the cause we have in hand ; else if it bee but a humour , it will never hold in trouble ▪ but when sound Arguments , sound Scriptures are alleaged , then the heart should be f●lly swayed ; this is one part of Resolution , when the mind is thus setled , and the understanding thus poized , there is a great part of Resolution 1 Cor. 2.2 . 1 Cor. 2.2 . I determined to know nothing among you , but Iesus Christ , and him crucified ; hee determined , that is , he judged thus , he had an Argument for it , Hebr. 11.25.26 . Heb. 11.25 , 26. Moses judged affliction better then all the treasures of Egypt , his understanding was fully set downe , and convinced of it : therefore get good Arguments , which may beare up the heart .

2 When the understanding is informed , then also the Will must worke to make up a sound Resolution : The Will must say Amen , I will have it ; it ratifies that which reason said , and now Resolution comes according to the nature of Good , and so chosen by the Will , the best thing is most resolved upon ▪ Now Christ is the best , therefore to be most resolved on . It is best to suffer for God , saith the Vnderstanding , is it not ▪ yes saith the Heart , it is better to have Christ in a Prison , or at the stake , then to be without him , say Heart , is it so Heart ? then saith the Will , I will have it , come what will come to the contrary . The Vnderstanding saith , the wayes of God are peace and pleasantnesse , I will therefore have them ; and when the Vnderstanding saith this , the Will also saith the same ; this makes up a Resolution , Ruth . 1. Ruth 1 . 1● . Naomi reasons with Ruth to perswade her to returne , now shee went for God , and for Religion ; and therefore all things to the contrary , being propounded verse 18. Shee was stedfastly minded to goe ; God and misery was the best , and therefore shee resolved here , this is Resolution . Now it is right , and the failing in any of these two breakes it ; if a man say , I know and doe not Will it , that is folly : If a man say , I will , and have no reason for it , it is obstinacie , and not a sound Resolution . And so when the Vnderstanding is informed , and the Will is not setled on it , it is only Consultation ; but the Will saith , I will not have it thus : A man may be good in Consultation , but not in Resolution : when the Drunkard is convinced , it is an evill to be drunke ; and so the Vsurer , but yet will be so still , and with the Addar turne the deafe eare , and will continue in it still , and the Adulterer is convinced of his sin , when he goes in to the Adulteresse , hee shall never returne , here the Vnderstanding is cleare , but the Will comes not off , and so he will have his sinne still : so when the Persecutor is convinced , that persecuting Gods Saints is a sinne , and hates it , this is cleare to the Vnderstanding , yet the Will will be malicious still : the heaviest part is the Will. As in a Parliament . Consultation , they must propound all to the King , and he must ratifie , and confirme it ; now when the Will saith , I will not ratifie that , I will not leave that sinne , nor take up that duty , now all this while it is not ratified , till the Will come off . Away with these pieced and patched Resolutions and purposes , as to say , it were good , it were so , and I would all would doe so , and I could afford to bee so , but all the world would persecute mee : this is a Halfe-Resolution ; away with these patched Resolutions , to have Reservations at every turne , it is nothing else but hypocrisie , and dissimulation : say therefore ; Is not the sanctification of the Sabbath day , better then the prophanation of it ? say Heart , is not precisenesse in a Christian course better then with the Harlot to wipe the mouth , and say all is well ? and all truth , though the least ) that God reveales , is it not better then all the world ? if it be , Will , doe thou close with it , and say within your selves , here are reasons cleare , let heaven and earth meet together , though al the dust on the earth , and sands on the shore , and spires of grasse in the fields were Devils , I will have that which the word reveales , though I die for it . This is a happy heart ; when the soule sees , the greatest good is holinesse , and resolves to have it , this is a sound Resolution .