THis mournefull prophet , Ieremy , hauing in part described & declared the perplexed and lamentable condition of his countrymen , and both testified and iustified , as wel the righteousnes of God in afflicting them for the multitude of their transgressions , as his mercie in moderating their misery , and preseruing them from a full and finall destruction ; hee doth in these words propound vnto them a very serious and sober exhorta●ion , consisting of three branches . The first is conteined in the three former words , Let vs s●arch . That is to say , let vs diligently inquire after , seeke , and labour to find out . The second is couched in the next wordes , And trie our waies . That is , let vs proue our thoughts , our words & workes , after that by diligent and due searching we haue found them out . The third is comprehended in the last words , And turne again vnto the Lord . That is , after exact inquiry & faithfull examination , let vs relinquish and abandon all that is amisse , repenting of it , and relenting for it , and let vs come home againe vnto our father , and turne backe vnto his waies , from which we haue gone astray like stragling sheepe . Then instructions are many , both excellent and profitable .

Doct. 1. For so much as the holy Ghost doth in the fore-front of this exhortation aduertise vs to search out our waies : I conclude and gather , that this is a duty necessary to bee performed of euery sinner that desireth to make a sound conue●sion of his sinnes . Because it is a dutie so much neglected , I wil vse some arguments to incite and perswade you to the practise of it . In the first place , consider that it is not man but GOD which commandeth vs to make this search . 2. Tim. 3. 16. For the whole Scripture ( whereof this sentence is a part ) is giuen by inspiration from God , and the holy men of God , ( whereof this Prophet was not the last , nor yet the leas● ) did all of them speake and preach as they were carried and directed by the spirit of God . 2. Pet. 1. 21. Homage belongeth to a King , honour to a father , and obedience to a maister . God is our King , our Father , our Lord & Maister . Iam. 4. 12. He is the onely law-giuer , that is onely able to saue and destroy . He exhorteth vs to search our waies : therefore as we respect his grace , & feare his anger , as we would not be reputed & regarded as disloyal subiects , disobedient children , rebellious and refractary seruants , let vs in al humility of heart , and sincerity of soule and conscience submit and obey . Secondly , wee shal not know our waies , what they are , and whither they lead , vnlesse we take some paines in searching of them out . A Prince cannot know the state of his kingdom , a phisitian cannot discern the constitution and habit of a mans body , without some good & competent search and inquisition : so no man can iudge of the condition and state of his soule and body , & know the case and quality of the kingdom of his heart , except by searching he doe labour to attaine thereunto . He that knoweth not his waies , cannot examine them : how then shall he be able to reuert and turne from them if they be not good ? On the contrarie , our searching of them is a very good furtherance & preparatiue to our triall of them , and turning from them ; like the needle , which prepares a way for the threed , which followeth it . For as a man perceiuing himselfe to be wounded or any way diseased , is moued to seeke about for a remedie : euen so when a sinner by ransacking his life and heart , findeth out his spirituall wounds and diseases , hee is by the grace of God prepared & prouoked to seeke for cure , and to be deliuered of his grieuances .

Thirdly , he that intends to build , will search the foundation , whether the ground be sound or sandy , whether fast or false . Saluation is a faire and goodly building . Now he that builds it vpon ignorant conceits , & blind presumptions , deceiueth himselfe , and dishonoureth his Sauiour : therefore it is good for a man to search himselfe , & lay a firme foundation ; the toppe will fare the better for the bottome . If the ground-worke bee not stable , the building cannot stand : and where there is no sure searching , there can be no sure working . Moreour , he that desireth a plentifull Crop , must view his seed , and search it for Chaffe , Cockell , and other noxious and infestant seeds : so he , that desireth to be fruitfull in good works , must search himselfe for the seeds of sin , which ingendreth nothing but stinking weedes .

A discreete and faithfull Magistrate will search his kingdome , for treacherous , rebellious , and other pernitious persons ; specially if hee haue had certaine intelligence of them : Reuel. 1. 6 so wee that are made Kings and spirituall Magistrates by Iesus Christ , should search all the corners of our kingdome for our sins , which lurke within vs like traitors , and are ready to pull the crowne from our heades , and snatch the scepter out of our hands , yea and blowe vp the whole Parliament of our soules . God hath giuen a man reason to be as a Prince to rule him , it being ruled by the line of his Lawe : the supreame faculties of the soule , be the Peeres or Nobles : the senses are the guard and attendants : the outward part are as the Commons : and our Sins , & sinfull Affections , are traitours , rebells , and as factious and infectious persons , which disturbe the peace of the Common-wealth , and being desperate and irreconciliable enimies vnto the State , doe striue to dismount the Prince from her Throne , and vtterly to ruinate and subuert the kingdome , which God by his holy spirit hath begun to plant within vs . Wherefore like politique and faithfull Princes , it behoueth vs to make search in all the parts of our kingdomes , and as it were with Hoe and Crie to pursue our enemies , that by searc●ing hauing found them out , they may be brought to their triall , and at the barre of Conscience receiue sentence as they haue deserued .

Finally , the searching of our waies is a meanes to preuent the iudgements of God ▪ For when men will not search themselues , then God searcheth them out by crosses and afflictions . When men forget to search their waies , then God doth oftentimes put them in minde of this dutie by his rods , and leadeth them ( as it were ) by the lip . When men run headlong on an end in irregular and wretched courses , neuer thinking of their way , hee doth sometimes thrust them forward into desperate and irrecouerable casualties & calamities , yea many times to the losse of their dearest liues : as the diuell did violently driue the the Gadarens swine into the sea . Mar. 5. 13 Sometimes hee thrusts them into the mire of affliction , and maketh them to stumble and fall vpon some stone in their way , or pricketh their feete with the thorne of some sharp and grieuous crosse , and so puts them in minde of their way , and teacheth them to think of their vngodly courses . When men suffer Sathan to ride them , as the Asse did Balaam , Num. 22. and to abuse them to Gods dishonour , then God dooth often cause his Angell ( as I may speake ) to stand in their way with the naked sword of aduersitie , and so hindreth their enormious proceedings . Therefore it is a point of christian wisedome , and wise christianitie , to cal our selues in time to a reckning , and to make a mature and faithfull inquisition and disquisition of all our waies . Search your selues ( saith Zephany ) euen search you , Zep. ● . 1● . O nation not worthy to be loued , before the decree come forth , and yee be as chaffe that passeth in a day , and before the fierce wrath of the Lord come vpon you .

The consideration of these things serueth to conuince and condemne the common custome of most men , Vse . 1. who walk on securely in ignorance and other vngodlinesse , and either sildome or neuer take true notice of their waies ; as if a man did not greatly care whither hee trauells , or how hee trauells , whether right or wrong , whether in dirt or drie waies , by light or night , so that he do trauell . Yea many are so farre from searching their waies themselues , as that they w●l not willingly suffer others ; like the foolish and vnpatien● Pa●●ent , which will not lette the S●rgeon searche his woundes ; or to the man that hath stolen goods about him , who cannot abide to heare of searching . If the Minister shal set open their gates of craft and cunning carriage , and shall cut downe or breake open these thi●k and ●igh hedges of their deepe hypocrisie , whereby they hide their waies ( as much as may be ) from the eyes of men , and shall by that meanes or any other discouer their waies , and make them see the filthines of their steps , then they stamp ▪ they storm , they strike priuily with their teeth like Bores , and they bite like serpents : and if their counsell serued , and the times permitted , they would openly shewe their ma●ice , and vnchaine their hatred . All which conuinceth them of gri●u●us impen●tencie and carnall securitie . Is it not strange that men should search & censure other men , and forget themselues ? Is it not strange that all men naturally shuld affect , & delight in searching , some for riches , some for renowne , one for profites , an other for pleasures , a third sort for promotion , and yet few , or almost none in comparison , should search after their waies , that if right , they might mend their pace and haste an ende ; if wrong , they might in time retire , & fetch a straiter compasse vnto newe Ierusalem , where there is renowne without enuie , promotion without pride , wealth and no woe , pleasures but no paines , yea all the good that either thought can thinke , or will can wish ? Moreouer , is it not strange that men should bee blowne euery way with the blast of an earthly Prince , as to turne Turke at his command , or to buckle and bende the kneee to his pleasure in any thing ; like the bird called Cepphos , which is carried euery way with the winde , and yet to stand like stockes at Gods command , to mooue nothing at all , or at the least not to remoue ? Is it not strange that many , which dare no more withstand the word of a king , then the shippe , Act. 27. 15. that Paul was in , could ( antophthalmein ) outlooke or withstand the stormie winde Euroclydon , antipiptete yet are nothing afraid with browes of brasse to outface and resist , yea to rush against the Spirit of GOD in the ministery of his Prophets , Act. 7. 51. as Saint Steuen said the rebellious Iewes did . A King saith to his subiect , For the breach of euery commandement and exhortation is eternal death search , or thou diest for it : he searcheth . The King of Kings saith to all his subiects , search or yee die , yea the death of soule and body : verie few regard what he saith , as if either he iested with them , or as thogh the mouth of his mercie were so wide , that it both could and would swallow vp his iustice for a little of their lip-labour , in a fit of sicknesse , or when they are to shake handes with the worlde ; which argueth a fearefull distemper in their soules , euen a spirituall Apoplexy , which hath depriued them of all true sense and motion , as if they were possessed with the spirits of those , whom Isaiah saith , Isa. 28. 1● had made a couenant with Death , and an agreement with hell : or at the least , cast in the same mould with many desolute and vngracious youths , who hauing exceeding kinde and affectionate parents or friendes , doe play vpon them in hope of pardon , abusing their leuitie to the satisfaction of their owne Iust , presuming vpon their milde & gentle disposition . Vse 2. Gal. 1. 4. Rom. 12. 2

But we ( beloued ) being redeemed out of the world , must not fashion our selues vnto the world . Wouldst thou know thy selfe ? then search thy selfe . Wouldst thou try thy waies ? then search thy waies . The Iustice cannot examine a fellon , till hee be found . A man cannot weigh a thing in the ballance , except he haue the thing . Wouldst thou repent of thy sinnes and turne from them ? then labour to know them , striue to finde them out . Mat. 8. 9. Shall the Centurion in the Gospell ( being a man vnder the authoritie of an other , and hauing souldiers vnder himselfe ) command one to goe , and he goeth : an other to come , and he commeth : an other to doe this or that , and he doeth it ? And shal the Lord , ( who is ouer all , and vnder none ) commaund vs to doe this or that , and shall we refuse ? Shall he bid vs search ? or shall hee say by his Embassadour , Let vs search , and shall wee not search ? Know ye not , Math. 12 50. 1. Thess. 4. 3. that he , which doeth the wil of God , is the brother , the sister , yea and the mother of Christ Iesus ? Christ himselfe did speake it . But as the Apostle saith , this is the will of God , euen your sanstification : so say I , this is the wil of God , euen the searching of your waies . God doth will it , then let not vs nill it . God doth affect it , therefore let vs effect it . Shall the wicked hunt after the godlye as a Partrich vpon the mountaines ? 2. Sam. 26 7. 2. Shall wicked Saul seeke , for Dauid to kill him , so soone as he had intelligence whe●e he had hid himselfe , notwithstanding the Lord had forbidden murther ? Shall cruel Herod bid the wise men search diligently for our Lorde with a secret intention to m●rther him ? Math. 2. 8 and sh●ll not wee seeke and search diligently for our sinnes , that we might sac●ifice & slaughter them , 2. King . 25 as Iohn did the Priests of Baal ? They had no commaun●emen● , we are ●omma●nded . T●ey were forbidden , ( I speake not o● Iehu ) wee are bidden and exhorted . He which desireth to haue ei●her good Bees , or good by his B●es , must search their Hiues , for spiders , waspes , drones , and mise : So if we would haue the graces of God to florish and swarm within vs , we must search the Hiue of our hearts for sinnes , which are as waspes and spiders . Brush down the spinner-webs of couetousnesse : kill the drones of lazinesse : driue away infidelitie & inordinate cares , which robbe God of his honour : ( which should be performed in the temple of our spirits ) and troubleth the spirit of God , which as a Bee worketh within vs , building , breeding & refining . If the king should not view and search his Ports , neither by himselfe nor by his Ministers , they might come to be as well harbours for Pyrates , as hauens for honest Merchants : so if we wil not search and suruey our hearts , they wil be rather hog-sties for sinne & Sathan , then houses for the holy Ghost . If the chanell of the hauen bee not sometimes searcht , and if straight passages amongst Syres and Sands be not sounded and well obserued , there will bee many shipwrackes and losses , which with wisdome and labour might haue bene preuented : euen so , if wee doe not search our hearts , and sound them with the line of Gods lawe , and the plummet of his word , with a faithfull heart , a painefull hand , and a diligent care , and if we doe not obserue and note our course and compasse , all our rodes , & all our waies , the shippe of our conscience will be so torne and crazed , that it will eyther not at all , or very hardly bee brought into the hauen . Let vs therfore , as we respect the voyce of the cryer , as wee regard the fauour of God , as wee either tender our welfare , or feare the shipwracke of consciences , yea the euerlasting losse of our soules and bodies : let vs in the feare of God , make conscience of this duty . There is no dallying with edged tooles , there is no iesting with God . Be not deceiued , God is not mocked , neither will hee be abused . Gal. 6. 7 And so much for this first lesson : a second followeth .

It is not sufficient for vs to search our waies , Doct. 2. but wee must search them narrowly . For the word Search , signifieth to search by vncouering and making things naked , that are secret & hidden ; as if a man should search for golde , in the mine , being in the bowells of the earth , where there is much earth , but little golde oare . Thereby shewing , that sinne is crept into corners , and lieth close in the marow , and lurketh like a serpent in the bones , and that our waies ( being many ) are not easily discerned ; like the way of a bird in the aire , of a fish in the water , or a moule in the earth . This made Dauid cry out in the 19. Psalme , Ps. 19. 12. Who can vnderstand his faults ? clense mee from my secret sinnes . And Salomon saith , Ec. 7. 31. that God made man righteous , but they haue found out Many Inuentions ; euen so many deuises , & so many waies , as exceed in number the haires of their heads , and the starres of the heauen . Therfore hee that would know and try his waies aright , and repent as hee ought , must very diligently search and view them , prying into all the corners of his heart , and obseruing all the courses of his life . There be foure strong reasons , which should moue vs to performe this duty . First , mans heart is a mine of deceit , and a sea of subtilty , and therefore vnlesse he dig deepe into it , and diue low , or sound it to the bottome , he is very like to beguile himselfe , thinking all is wel , when nothing is wel . Many mens heartes are like many Quag-mires , which are rotten ground within , and yet seeme solid earth aboue : and like the painted sepulchres , Matt. 23. 17. which our Sauiour speakes of , faire without , but foule within ; therefore if we looke but on the outside of our hearts , we may be deceiued . Secondly , the times are so corrupt and vicious , and sinne is growne so shamelesse ( like a strumpet ) and yet so subtill ( like a serpent or sophister ) as that if we search not very circumspectly and iudiciously , we shall passe by many vices , which lie close couered vnder the names of vertues ; like some young hunters that bauke the hare , thinking they saw nothing but a clot . Couetousnesse is counted good husbandrie : drunkennesse goes for good fellowship : pride is counted cleanlinesse : Machiauilianisme is reputed policie : vsury of many is thought but thrift : painting of faces is pleaded for : Plaies ( though lasciuious ) are defended : swaggering and swearing are made the markes of noble spirits : yea what sin is so vile , which is not eyther made of or minsed ? yea there be many works that men doe , which are good as concerning their outward substance , and glorious in appearance , and yet euill in the doer , being done without faith and for sinister respects , and therefore abhominable in the eies of God ; something like the fruite which groweth neare to the Dead Sea , Mare m●rtuum . which being ripe , maketh a faire shew , but within is full of cinders or ashes , as some do write . Wherefore if wee search but superficially and not throughly , we shall take and embrace euill for good , as Ixion did the cloud for Iuno . And because sinne is become so wily , as that it presents it selfe vnto vs in the habit of the harmlesse sheepe , beeing in heart a wolfe , we must desire God to open our eyes , and take away the web of ignorance . For if we want the eye of the mind ( which is knowledge ) as Izhak wanted the eyes of his body : surely , Gen. 27. as he bestowed his blessing vpon the younger in stead of the elder , vppon Iacob in stead of Esau , so wee shall set our heart amisse , and bestow our blessing wrong , taking vice for vertue , because it comes disguised .

Thirdly , we had need search our waies very surely , because the seede of all sinnes is sowen in our hearts & there hath taken roote , and shall not till wee die be altogether consumed . Now if our hearts be polluted , our waies cannot bee pure . For if the fountaine be bitter , the brooke cannot be very sweete : and if the roote be corrupted , the branches fare the worse . When men call to minde the murther of Caine , the churlishnes of Nabal , the vnnaturall ambition of Absolon , the wickednesse of Haman , the cruelty of Herod , the malice of the Iewes , the treason of Iudas , the blasphemies of Iulian , & the barbaritie of those sauage Romanists that would haue blowne vp the Parliament house , An. 1605. they do condemne and accuse them to the pit of hell from whence they came . Beloued , there is in vs by nature an inclination vnto all these sinnes , and a thousand other ; therefore we must obserue our waies very narrowly , least wee should be ouertaken , or if we finde pollution in them , that wee may in time redresse them . If a king knew certainly that there were traytours in all the quarters of his kingdome , which plotted his death and the destruction of his Kingdome , hee would bee very wary how or where he walked , and he would be as industrious in searching out his enemies . If a man knew the●e were some in his house that would ( if they could ) cut his throate and robbe him , he would be very circumspect . If a Cittie had certaine intelligence that there were some in the towne , that would either fire it ouer theyr heads , or betray it ( if it were possible ) to their enemies , surely they would not be secure , but would vse all meanes possible to finde them out . Verily ( beloued ) we are pestered with enemies . Our waies are many , our workes are many , and not one of all these , no not the best , but it is polluted with some sinne or other . So many sinnes as a man hath , so many enemies he hath to the saluation of his soule : Ro. 6. 23. for the waies of sinne is death . But our hearts , our heads , our hands , yea all the powers of our soules , are tainted with sinnes , all which conspire against vs with Sathan , to worke the eternall destruction of our soules & bodies . Therfore it stands vs vpon to vse all diligence to find them out .

Fourthly , wee are by God commaunded to keepe our hearts With all diligence , Pro. 4. 23 which wee can neuer doe , vnlesse we view them throughly , and search our waies with exceeding care . How can a Gouernor of a Cittie keepe and defend it in the time of warre , when the enemies do begirt it , vnles he haue a narrow eye vnto all the in-rodes and out-rodes of his souldiers , and to the behauiour of the townes-men . So we shal neuer defende the Castles of our soules , and preserue them from battery , and being taken , hauing so many enemies within vs , without vs ; before and behinde , yea on euery side , vnlesse we doe well obserue the in-rodes of our senses , the out-rodes of our affections , the flight of our thoughtes , the cries of our consciences , the workes of our handes , and the waies of our feete , Otherwise we may as soone keepe a foe to molest vs , as a friend to maintaine vs : a Iudas to betray vs , as a Ioseph to befriend vs : a false-hearted Dalila , as a faithfull Ionathan . Wherefore ( brethren ) as we either respect the glory of God , or desire our own peace and prosperitie , let vs make conscience of this dutie . Shal many men take paines to commit wickednesse , Ier. 9. 5. and shall not wee take paines to please God by dooing of his will ? 1. Pet. 2. 15. But as Peter saith , This is the will of God , that by well doing yee may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men . So I say , this is the will of God , that by diligent searching of your waies , ye may be prepared to repent of your ignorance , and to forsake all your follies , and so to stop the mouth of your accusing consciences , and silence those that condemne your profession for your notorious vices . Know ye not that all the duties of Christianitie must bee performed with zeale and diligence ? Hee that requires a sound conuersion , cannot away with slack and slothfull searching . Wee must striue to enter in at the strait gate , Mat. 7. 13 if wee will be partakers of heauenly glorie : euen so wee must striue to finde out our waies , if we desire eyther to walke aright in the way of life , or to change our waies if they tend to death . Prou. 27. 23. Must men ( as Salomon aduiseth ) bee diligent to know the state of their flockes , and must they take heede to their heards ? and doth it beseeme vs to neglect the knowledge of our waies , and to be carelesse in keeping of our hearts ? Shall we roll euery stone , and vse the vtmost meanes to raise our selues in this world ; and shall wee not vse this first meanes , that wee may be reclaimed to God in this world , and may bee raised by him in the worlde to come ? No pardon , no peace : no penitencie , no pardon : no repentance , no remission . And doe we thinke to repent of our waies before wee know them ? And is it possible to know them without faithfull searching of them ? What is the cause men turne so much , and returne so little ? Mouent non pro mouent . What is the reason , that men moue so fast , but moue not forward ? Surely , one reason is , because they do not vnderstand their state aright , which no man can attaine vnto , without accurate and faithfull searching of his waies . Hee that would know the cause why his corne thriueth not , why his vines flourish not , and why his trees prosper not , must search diligently for weedes , for superfluous branches , and other annoyances . So he that would know , why hee groweth not in grace , and thriueth not in knowledge : why he doth either goe backward , as the shadow did in the diall of Ahaz , Isa. 38. 8. Ios. 10. 13 Psa. 19. 5. or stand still as Ioshuas , sunne did , and not goe forwardes as Dauids did , which commeth forth as a bridegrooms out of his chamber , and roioyceeh like a mighty man to run his race , hee must diligently ransacke his heart , and search his waies , and so he shall perceiue the reason , and discerne the lets . Therefore ( beloued ) as wee desire the grounds of our harts should bee fertill , the vine of Gods graces should spread , and the tree of our soules should flourish : as wee desire the peace of conscience , and that we should returne to God , and God to vs , let vs with all fidelitie , search and finde out our waies . For though it be no cause to worke it , no merit to deserue it , yet is it by the blessing of God , a notable furtherance and preparation ; euen the first stone towards our spirituall building , and the first step to the true conuersion of our hearts and mindes vnto God . And this shall suffice for the first branch of the Prophets exhortation . The second followeth . And trie our waies . Doct. 3. The originall worde of that which is translated ( Trie ) signifieth to search out , trie , or examine to the ground or bottom of a thing . Whence I conclude , that wee ought to the vtmost examine and proue all our waies ▪ whether they be foule or faire , right or wrong . And here I will first shewe why wee ought to make this triall , and then by what . For the first ; this triall is a meanes of thankfulnesse . For if after serious examination , wee doe finde them good , we shall be stirred vp to magnifie the name of God , for directing our ●eete aright in the paths of his precepts , and for preseruing vs from falling downe and wandring out . If we finde them euill , yet then we shall be prouoked to praise him for sparing of vs , and not taking vs away in our sins , as we did deserue , A seruant or child cannot but commend his maisters , and his father● leuitie , that with patience doth bear his offences , and forbeare to punish him , as he hath transgressed . So we , that are the sonnes and seruants of the Lord , cannot ( if there bee but one graine of grace within vs ) but extoll his loue and long-suffring towards vs , in bearing with our sinnes , and sparing of his iudgements , farre otherwise , then by triall of our waies , we finde that wee could either merit or expect . And as the man , that considereth by day what daungers hee did escape by darke , is occasioned to giue thankes to God for preseruing of him : so when we shall duly consider , how near we were to the pit of destruction , by reason of our sinnes , and yet how fauourable God hath bene vnto vs ( euen then when we could not see to walke aright ) as that hee did not confound vs in our waies , wee are occasioned and prouoked also to glorifie the name of God for moderating his iustice towards vs ▪

Secondly , the true triall of our waies will be a meanes to further our seeking of God , and his grace . For when a man after triall perceiueth his tickle estate by sinne , hee is prepared ( if not prouoked ) to seeke out for safe deliuerance . As a man perceiuing the danger of his disease seeketh to the skilfull Phisitian for a remedie : so when a man by diligent and faithfull searching and examination of his waies , shall discerne his defectes , and the daungerous diseases of his soule , hee is incited to seeke to Christ the only true Phisitian of our soules for cure . And as the swallow perceiuing her selfe almost blinde , presently seeketh out the hearbe Celandine , and the Hart feeling himselfe shot with arrow , doth ( as some say ) by & by run to the hearb Ditany , or Dictandor : so when a man findes himselfe by trial almost blind with sinne , and his soule stricken with the dartes of iniquitie , he is prepared ( if not perswaded ) to seeke out to Christ our Celandine , our Dictander , yea our Panacaea , which healeth all our spirituall maladies and diseases ; the Plethory of pride , th● Consumption of enuy , the Dropsie of Couetousnesse , the Phrensie of anger , the Crampe of fearefulnesse , the Lethargie of forgetfulnesse , the Apoplexy of a dead and flinty spirite . Furthermore , as the King of some countrey , seeing the multititude of his enemies , both forrein and domesticall , and perceiuing his inabilitie to withstand or ouercome them ( as it were ) constrained to seeke for helpe to his neighbors abroad : so when the true Christian man by trying of his heart and waies , shall perceiue his enemies to be both mighty and many , and himselfe vnsufficient to conquer and subdue them , he is mooued to seeke abroad to his neighbour and elder brother Christ Iesus , that so by the vertue of his death , and operation of his spirite , they may bee quelled and subdued .

Thirdly , this triall is a meanes to prepare a man for the worke of repentance , & returning from finne . Also the phisitian by one receit prepares a way for an other : and as the Carpenter or Ioyner by one of his tooles procureth a way for an other : so the Phisitian of our soules , and the great Carpenter of our spirituall building , by causing vs to proue our waies , prepareth vs to redresse them , and fitteth vs for further workes . The traueller perceiuing himselfe to be out of his right way , doth presently bethinke with himselfe , how hee may come into it againe : so we that are trauellers and wayfaring men , perceiuing by true triall , that wee are not in our right way , are therevpon forthwith disquieted , and moued to goe backe againe or search it out . When a bird perceiues the daunger of the snare or net , she seekes to flye away : so when the childe of God seeth what damage hee is like to sustaine by reason of his sinfull courses , which hee hath found out by faithfull examination , and what a net of vengance he is like to haue cast ouer him , hee dooth seeke to scape and get away .

Fourthly , God hath two fannes : the one of his lawe , the other of his iudgements . God hath two fires : one of his worde , an other of his wrath . Hee that would not be fanned with the fan of his iudgements , mus● fanne himselfe with the fanne of his law : and hee that would not bee burnt vppe with the fire of his wrath , must proue himselfe in time with the fire of his word . Hee that trieth his waies , whether they bee good or euill , is very like to escape all danger : whereas he that ploddeth on , and neuer regardeth them , is like to stumble on the stones of vengeance , & fall vpon the stakes of Gods indignation , which are euery where laid and set in those waies , which are not strait and good . Pro. 16. 2. & 21. 2. To conclude this first point , All the waies of man ( saith Salomon ) are cleane and right in his owne eyes : Pro. 30. 12 and there is ( as Agur affirmeth ) a generation that are pure in their owne conceit , and yet there is no man liuing voide of sinne . For as there is no mettall without some drosse , and no body without some corruption : Eccl 7. 22 so there is no soule without some sinne , and no man so pure who hath not som pollution in him . Wherefore , seeing men are naturally giuen to sooth vp themselues , & to thinke better of their estate then reason requireth ( for by nature the whole frame of our heartes is Onely euill continually , Gen. 6. 5. and grace in this life doth but waste and weaken nature , and not wholly consume it ) it is a thing both conuenient , Rom. 7. 18. 23. commendable , and necessary to try our selues to the vtmost ; as also all our waies , least we doe deceiue our selues , thinking our condition safe and sound , being in deede and truth ( whatsoeuer in appearance ) corrupt and wretched ; like a fuzball ( it may bee ) which seemeth solid , but beeing broken or trod vpon , doth straightway vanish like a leame of lightning . And thus much concerning the reasons which should make vs try our waies . It remaineth now to shew by what wee ought to make our triall . For if a man measure with a wrong wand , and weigh with false weights , or a deceitfull ballance , hee shall delude himselfe , and make but bad worke . If thou wouldest try thy waies by humane learning , it cannot truly tell thee what the nature and desert of sinne is in all respects : yea it maketh that sometimes a vertue , which God esteemeth but a vice . Secondly , if a man will bee tried by his companions , vndoubtedly ( if they weare the cognisance of the world , and bee of her stamping ) they will perswade him his state is good , and that hee is a right good companion , though his case in deed be very vile and lamentable . If thou consult with thine own flesh , it will make thee beleeue all is well . It , like an vnruly iade cannot indure the reignes ; and like many malecontent and froward malefactours , cannot away with triall ; therefore if it be iudge , it will neuer be condemned . If we will be tried by the church of Rome , she wil teach vs that many mortall sinnes are but veniall and trifles : she will perswade vs that murthering of Princes , rebellion , equiuocating ( o● lying ) and many other horrible sinnes , are in some case lawfull and laudable . Fiftly , if wee will try our waies by the waies of the world , & her children , then wee shall approue that as good which God de●esteth as most wicked , & condemne that as euil , which is very good and acceptable in the sight of God . For the world is blind , and her iudgement is corrupt and partiall : her scoales are false , and her weights vnequall . Whence it is , that vertue oftentimes walkes on foote vpon the ground , when vice dooth ride vpon the horse , and is reiected when that is receiued . Yea wee see the world like an Alcumist , hath made a vice of vertue , & turned vice into a vertue ; so as that the profession of vertue , is reputed ignominious , and derided of the world ; therefore she can be no competent iudge . Sixtly , if wee will try our estate by the Diuell , Who is a lyar , Ioh. 8. 44. hee will eyther perswade vs that our case is desperate , when yet there is hope in respect of Gods mercy , and Christs merits : or else he will whisper in our eares , that all is well , when in truth our condition is very pitifull , and with teares to be deplored . And this Lullabee hee singeth vsually to the witch , till she come to the stake , and to the carnall man , till hee come to his graue , and so rockes them fast a sleepe in the cradle of sensuall security . He speakes all for his owne aduantage , and therefore his sentence is to bee reiected and exploded . By what then must wee trie our waies ? euen by the commandements and ordinances of the Lord . For they declare vnto vs the will of God , and shew vs what wee are to will , and what to nill : what to loue , and what to leaue : what to perform , and what to passe by . These will teach vs , when and howe to walke : when we are to sit , & when to stand : when to rest , and when to rise and run . These will guide vs aright , and shew vs when wee are wrong . For the statutes of the Lord are right , & his commandements giue light vnto the eyes . Psal. 19. 8. 11. Psal. 119. 104 , 105. Psal. 119. 144 , 151. By them are his seruants made circumspect , and purchase vnderstanding . Thy word ( saith Dauid ) is a lanterne vnto my feete , and a light vnto my paths , the righteousnesse of thy testimonies is euerlasting , and all thy commandements are true . Gods precepts must be our practise ▪ and his law must bee the line of our obedience . His word must bee the rule of our workes , and the determiner of all our waies . All is not gold which glisters : all coine that hath Caesars image vpon it , is not currant , but sometimes counterfet : neither is all good corne , that so seemeth . Wee must therefore take vnto vs the Touch-stone of Gods word , and the Fanne of his law , and make our triall by them ; and so wee shall discerne which is gold , & which is gilded copper ; which is of Gods owne stamping ▪ and which hath come from the Mint-house of our flesh , and from the forge of the diuell , and which is good and cleane wheate , and which corrupt and chaffie .