1. Notwithstanding any difficulties that may hinder us in performing our Duty, I Cor. xvi. 9.

2. Notwithstanding the uncertainty of fuccefs in what we undertake, Dan. i. 12, 13, 18. Dan. iii. 16, 17, 18. 2. In undergoing whatsoever is laid upon us, Heb. xi. 35, 36, 37. 2 Tim. ii, 1, 2, 4. 3. In doing and fuffering this for GOD and Goodness fake, 1 Pet. iii. 14 and iv. 14,

16.

2. How may we attain to fuch Virtue and Courage?

1. Be fenfible of your own weakness and infirmity, Rom. v. 6. 2 Cor. iii. 5.

I

2. Confider that it is GOD that commands any Duty from you, or lays any affliction upon you; he requireth Virtue and Valour from you, 1 Chron. xxviii. 9, 10. 3. Truft on GOD for his affiftance of you, Eph. vi. 10. Phil. iv 13. Pfal lxxiii. 26. 4. Stedfaftly believe that GOD will be prefent with you, and affift you in whatsoever he lays upon you, or requireth from you, Deut. xx. 3, 4. 2 Kings vi. 15,16, 17. Pfal. xxvii. 1.

5. Confider and firmly believe that Chrift hath already gotten the Victory for us, and that nothing is now required of us, but that believing and adhering to him we may be Victors too, John xvi. 33. Rom. viii. 17.

6. Look ftill to the Recompence of Reward, and the Glory that attends true Virtue, and fpiritual Courage and Refolution, Heb. xii. 2. 1 Cor. xv. 58.

I.

2 PET. i.

And to virtue, knowledge.

Hat is here meant by Knowledge? A right understanding of the things that belong to our eternal Salvation. Here is, 1. The general Nature of it; it is a right understanding. That is,

1. Clear and diftinct, Rom. i. 21. Jer. iv.

22. I Cor. xiv. 20.

2. Practical and Experimental, Heb. v. 14. Pfal. xxxiv. 8. 1 Pet. ii. 3.

3. Sound and Orthodox, contrary to that ψευδώνυμο γνῶσις, η Tim. vi. 20. μόρο ¿wols & grárews, Rom. ii. 20. Such as the Jews, and Gnofticks, and Hercticks pretend to, Jud. 3. 2 Pet. ii. 1.

2. The Object, things neceffary to our Salvation, Luke xix. 41, 42.

1. Negatively.

1. Not fuch things as GOD hath hid from us, Deut. xxix. 29. A&s i. 6, 7.

2. Not fuch things as only concern others, 1 Theff. iv. II.

3. Not things impertinent and unneceffary, 2 Tim. ii. 23. Tit. iii. 9.

4. Not fuch things as are above our Capacities, as the Trinity, Incarnation,&c. of which it is fufficient that we know them to be revealed, and fo believe them.

2. Pofitively. We fhould know fuch things as are neceffary to make us holy and happy, 1 Tim. vi. 3, 4.

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1. GOD whom we ought to ferve, 1 Chron. xxviii. 9.

I. His Effence, Exod. iii. 14.

2. His Properties, Exod. xxxiv. 6.
3. His Works.

1. Creation.

2. Providence,

2. Chrift, by whom alone we can ferve him, John xvii. 3. 1 Cor. i 2.

3. The Scriptures, Mat. xxii. 29.

4. Our Duty contained in them, the whole Moral Law.

The Sacrament of the Lord's Supper.

II. How may we attain true Knowledge? In order thereunto,

1. Be fenfible of your own ignorance, and by confequence careful not to conceit your felves to be wife, and knowing People, Prov. xxvi. 12. 1 Cor. iii. 18.

2. Avoid carnal Pleafures and fenfual Delights, Eph. iv. 18.

3. Devote your felves to Holiness and a Pious Life, Pfal. cxix. 99, 100. John xiv. 21. Pfal. xxv. 14.

4. Be lowly and humble in your own Eyes, not only in respect of Knowledge, but also of Grace and Virtue, Rom, xii. 3. otherwise you will not be qualifyed for it, 1 Pet. V. 5. Being by these means qualifyed for true Chriftian Knowledge, ufe the means appointed.. 1. Pray for it, Fam. i. 5. Pfal. cxix. 18. 1 Kings iii. 9, 12.

2. Read and hear the Word of GOD, 2 Tim. iii. 16, 17.

To which may be added, Catechifing and Me

ditation.

3. Practice what you know, and that is the way to know more, John xiii. 17.

III. Why fhould you labour after so much Knowledge?

I. Without Knowledge ye are like brute Beasts, Pfal. xxxii. 9. yea worse, Ifa. i. 2, 3.

2. Ignorance is the caufe of Error and Herefie, Mat. xxii. 29.

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3. It is the cause of fin too, 1 Cor. ii. 8. Pf. cxix. 33, 34.

4. And of Deftruction, Hof. iv. 6.

5. Without Knowledge you can do no good Work, Rom. x. 2, 3.

6. Nor ever get to Heav'n, Luke xi. 52. Hence fee the Neceffity of Catechifing. Teach your Children at home, and fend them hither.

2 PET.

I.

2 PET, i. 6.

And to knowledge temperance.

Hat is Temperance?

W Hat

1. GOD hath made feveral Objects pleafing to Man's Senfes.

2. The Affections of the Soul are apt to follow the Senses of the Body.

3. Hence fenfual Pleafures are apt to draw us

into Vice.

4. It is our great Duty and Intereft to moderate our Affections to fenfual Plea

fures.

5. Herein confifteth the true Nature of Temperance, not in deftroying the Affections.

More particularly it confifteth,

1. In keeping our Affections fubject to Reafon and Religion, and fo denying them what is unlawful, Tit. ii. 12.

2. In abftaining efpecially from fuch Lufts, as by our Calling, Condition or Conftitution, we are moft fubject to, 1 Pet. iv. 2,3,4

3.

In abstaining from the inward Defires, as well as the outward Acts of Intemperance, Col. iii. 5. Rom. viii. 13. Mat. v. 28.

4. In not being too much lift up with the Increase, nor caft down with the Lofs of fenfual Pleafures, 1 Cor. vii. 29, 30, 31. 2 Cor. vi. 10.