Vol 01 - Chapter 10 - Of a Christian Life.

Chapter 10 - Of a Christian Life
1. NOT the Christian name, but a Christian life, showes a true Christian; for in him CHRIST is manifested, and made visible to others, by charity, humility, and benignity of nature. In whom, therefore, CHRIST lives not, he, of consequence, is not a Christian. And this life having fixed its root within, in the very spirit and heart of a man, must spring from this inward principle, as an apple from the internal virtue of the tree. Yea, it is necessary our life should be directed by the Spirit of CHRIST, and fashioned after his example; according to that of the apostle, "As many as are led by the Spirit of GOD, they are the sons of God. Now if any man have not the Spirit of CHRIST, he is none of his." For all life proceeds from spirit; but such as is the spirit that inwardly acts, and governs in any, such will he outwardly appear to be. From whence it is evident, how necessary the Holy Spirit is to a truly Christian life; which, therefore, CHRIST has commanded us importunately to pray for, by which we are quickened in CHRIST, unto a uev-, spiritual., and heavenly life. And from the life and never dying power of this Spirit must spring every Christian virtue, " And righteousness must flourish as the palm-tree, and like the cedar of Lebanon, which the Lord has planted."
2. Whence it follows, that a man must be first internally renewed in the spirit of his mind after the image of GOD, so that his desires arid aihctions, being conformed unto CHRIST, may produce a suitable life; and that the outward life of a man may be nothing but a constant expressing of that vital principle within. Yea, seeing God " searcheth the heart and reins," it is surely most reasonable that a man should possess, in the secret of his heart, even more than appears in his outward life visible to all. This inward principle must renew our body, soul, and spirit, and clothe us with an holy life. And this life must yet daily wax more and more vigorous, and further increase in CHRIST. Now so much does any one grow in CHRIST, as he maketh progress in faith, by virtue and a Christian life, and advanceth in holiness. In a word, so far he profiteth as CHRIST liveth in him.
3. A Christian ought to be daily renewed in tending heavenwards, to strengthen himself every day with fresh purposes of walking suitably to his new name, and with unwearied endeavors to avoid a false and counterfeit Christianity, no otherwise than if he had this day been first initiated in the principles of true religion. For as one that enters into an office has nothing more at heart than to acquit himself therein with applause; so also should we do, who are called unto CHRIST "with an holy calling." This holy purpose, if it be not most deeply rooted in our minds, no amendment of life will ensue, no vigour in piety, no increase in CHRIST. Yea, the very quickening Spirit of CHRIST is wanting., For such a resolution of doing well is the first work of the Holy Spirit, and that preventing grace that allureth, inviteth, and moveth all men. Happy, therefore, is the man, who with his heart is attentive and obedient to him, and hearkeneth to the voice of the wisdom of GOD, "uttering her voice in the streets;" who duly considereth, that all things he vieweth with his eyes, are so many memorials of their Creator, by which he endeavoreth to draw mankind to the love of himself.
4. Which Divine drawing, so soon as ever we perceive, we should immediately put our hand to the work, and take care that so precious a moment do not slip away. If this be neglected, other days may possibly succeed, in which we cannot think, hear, speak, or do good: which being foreseen by the eternal Wisdom, she every where calls on us, that by our carelessness we lose not the time, and neglect not the opportunity presented.
5. Call to mind, O man, the shortness of life! Seriously consider how many opportunities you have neglected! One half of thy life liath possibly been consumed in sleeping, and the other in eating and drinking, and other natural actions; so that when you comest to the brink of the grave, you may be found scarcely to have entered upon a Christian life. Every one ought so to live as he would wish to die. If you art afraid to die wickedly, lead a pious life: if you desirest to leave the world as a Christian, endeavor to be one in thy life and actions. Now he liveth as a Christian, that so demeaneth himself, as if he were every day to die; well knowing that a good servant will at all times be ready at the call of his master. And God by death, as his officer, summons us all before him.
6. " Blessed therefore is that servant, whom the Lord, when he comes, shall find watching." And who is he that watcheth, but he that suffers not himself to be seduced by the world, or its adorers You wilt therefore do well to avoid the familiarity of worldly men. It is ever best with the soul, when it is at rest in its own habitation and resting-place, which is God. For whenever it wanders forth from this, thither it must return, if it will enjoy true repose. Wander wheresoever you wilt, you shall find no rest any where but in him.; no hiherty bill in hint: nn power also but in him alone, alone. But thy soul shall attain in him to the true liberty and power, and you shall find certainly that rest which the world cannot take from thee.
7. Wherefore be sure not to scatter thyself, abroad. It is never worse with the soul, than when it gaddeth from home: it is never better with the soul than when it is at home; that is, resting in GOD, its true original. For since it is God's offspring, needs must it return to God again, and live in God as in its true element; if it desire to he quiet, and meet with lasting satisfaction. Return, O return to the Fountain of thy being, for here will be thy rest: here you wilt live in thy own element; here, and here only, will happiness of life be found for thee.
8. Nothing is more dangerous than the familiarity with the world, and worldly persons, to the life of a Christian. He that allows a liberty of gadding abroad to his sons and daughters, creates mischief to himself; and he that, by giving loose reins to his tongue and thoughts, suffers them to run at large through all the transactions of men, as so many circles of vanity, is sure to bring down much evil upon himself. But assure thyself you wilt decline many grievous- inconveniencies, if you endeavor to confine them within the bounds of thy own breast.
9. Whatever does not promote the repose of the heart, and continual renovation of the mind, should neither be heard, nor spoken, nor read, nor so much as entertained in thought, by a disciple of CHRIST;' who will avoid many inconveniencies, by keeping within his heart what ought not to be promulged abroad. Thus, in the tents of the Lord his GOD, he flourishes as a goodly plant, spreading forth his branches as the cedar of Lebanon'. Whatever then does not further the quietness of the heart, let it be far from thine ears, thy mouth, thine eyes, and thy thoughts. For the trees of the Lord do attend to nothing but how to grow and profit in CHRIST. Now, Christians are those trees of GOD, that should daily grow and take deeper root in CHRIST. Hence St. Paul witnesses of himself, that besides " CHRIST, and him crucified," he desired to " know nothing." And this has been the general method of all the saints of GOD, who have, to the utmost of their power, endeavored, by carefully cherishing this blessed tranquility of mind, to imitate those holy and heavenly spirits, who, retreating under the pavilions of the Most High, do rest in him alone. Wherefore they strive with all diligence to hide themselves in God alone, as in the only centre of their souls.
10. He that will speak well, let him first learn to be silent; for to talk much is not eloquence, but prating. He that desireth peace and serenity of mind, let him keep watch over his tongue, and endeavor to maintain a good conscience. For an evil one is like the troubled sea; yet shall it find rest, if it return unto CHRIST by repentance. The dove which Noah sent out of the ark, not finding any place of rest, returned thither again; so You, in like manner, remember to do: as oft as, floating in a sea of worldly business, you findest thyself in danger, retire immediately into thy heart to CHRIST, lest, by being too much tossed on the billows of the world, you art altogether deprived of tranquility of mind. Whilst you converses amongst men, and dealest in affairs of the world, see you always do it with fear and with humility. Persuade thyself it is no less unsafe trusting to the world, than to the sea. The external joy of the world, howsoever,for a time it may sooth a man, and may.seem to promise every thing prosperous and agreeable, yet, as the sea by tempest, it may soon be disturbed, leaving behind nought but the sting of an evil conscience.
11. But because the Lord is "a God that hideth himself," let the soul approach him in a manner secret and remote from the noise of the world, that she may the more readily participate of his Divine communications; and being hidden with him, let her, according to the Psalmist, say, "
1 will hear what the Lord will speak in me. " Thus the further our souls retire from the world, the more familiar they become to God: even as the patriarch Jacob, when separated from his children and kinsfolk, conversed with God and angels. For it cannot be expressed in words, how much an holy soul, that is sequestered from the friendship and fellowship of the world, is loved by God and his angels; seeing they continually delight in the company of such a Christian.