(_DIRECTIONS FOR CHRISTIAN CONDUCT._)
WORTHY AND DEARLY BELOVED IN THE LORD,--Grace, mercy, and peace be
unto you. I received your letter. I wish that I could satisfy your
desire in drawing up, and framing for you, a Christian directory. But
the learned have done it before me, more judiciously than I can;
especially Mr. Rogers,[241] Greenham,[242] and Perkins.[243]
Notwithstanding, I shall show you what I would have been at myself;
howbeit I came always short of my purpose.
[241] Dr. Daniel Rogers, a Puritan divine, author of a treatise called
"David's Cost; or, What it will cost to serve God aright," "Naaman the
Syrian," and others. He was born in 1573, educated at Cambridge,
suffered from the persecution of Laud, and died in 1652 at the age of
eighty. He was a man of great talents, deep humility and devotion, but
of a temper so bold that a friend said of him, "He had grace enough
for _two_ men, but not enough for himself."
[242] Richard Greenham, a Puritan, who was born in 1531, and died of
the plague 1591. He was the author of several sermons and practical
treatises. (See Brooke's "Lives of the Puritans," vol. ii.)
[243] Dr. Wm. Perkins, an English divine, who lived in the end of the
sixteenth century, and was the author of several practical and
doctrinal treatises; among others, the one here referred to, "A Case
of Conscience, and Thirteen Principles of Religion," published after
his death. He was a strict Calvinist, and took part in the controversy
against Arminianism. He used so to apply the terrors of the law to the
conscience, that oftentimes his hearers fell down before him. It was
also said that he pronounced the word "_Damnation_" with such an
emphasis and pathos as left a doleful echo in the ear long after. He
wrote on all his books, "Thou art a minister of the Word: mind thy
business."
1. That hours of the day, less or more time, for the word and prayer,
be given to God; not sparing the twelfth hour, or mid-day, howbeit it
should then be the shorter time.
2. In the midst of worldly employments, there should be some thoughts
of sin, death, judgment, and eternity, with at least a word or two of
ejaculatory prayer to God.