Page:A Treatise of the Covenant of Grace (John Ball).djvu/99

 Rh into the nature of the word, and every power of soul is brought into subjection by an unfained, soveraigne, well-rooted faith, it is entire in parts, though imperfect in degrees. Herein all diligence and paines must be taken by preparation, hearing, meditation, and observation of all unexpected occasions of griefe, sorrow, feare, joy, or such like, to bring the word into the affections, that it may sweeten their disposition, and governe their motion.

3. In all endeavours we must include prayer to God in the name of Christ, as a chiefe associate: for God ordinarily lets in sanctifying grace at the same gate, at which honest hearted prayers goe out.

4. The fourth meanes is, for a man alwayes to possesse his heart with the apprehension of Gods presence, and so to keepe it in his feare continually; to walke with God, as being in his eye, and seeing him that is invisible. This remembrance of Gods all-seeing presence, will make men study to approve themselves before God in all their courses, and to sticke unto him with their whole hearts. Could the eye of a jealous husband prie into every privy corner of his wives heart, she would be afraid to hide any strange lover in her secret affection. If but a man, nay if but a child could looke into our hearts, we durst not deale doubly and deceitfully. What? God seeth us, and shall we dare to dally with him? Shall I give him part of my heart, and reserve another part for the world, for pleasure, for sin? How should not God find this out? for he searcheth the heart and reynes, and understandeth the secret cogitations of every soul.

5. Another meanes is diligently to review all works of obedience, and our affections in the doing of them: and to observe what discomfort and trouble follows the maimed and defective performance of good duties. And withall when we take our selves tardy, in an holy indignation to take revenge of our selves, judging and condemning our selves before God. The very thinking of the after reckonings we must come unto, when we have done our work, will make us take heed how we doe it. The remembrance of the losse and punishment they shall sustaine, whose works are not perfect before the Lord, will stirre up respect to every Commandment. For who is there that useth for all his actions, at the dayes end to call himselfe to a severe examination, as the hard