But now it may be, that some of my readers may have a desire to know, who these just persons are which need no repentance; why my readers, I suppose that it hath been said, or thought by some, that they are self-righteous persons, who think themselves righteous enough, and that, through their own good works; so that they need no repentance. But this is not my opinion of it, neither do I see that it tallies with the word of God; for we all stand in need of repentance, whether we feel it or not: and, Except ye repent, saith our Lord, ye shall all likewise perish. But now, according to my judgment, these just persons which our Lord speaks of, which need no repentance; are some of those holy angels, which are of the high orders of heaven, who are in a sanctified state, and never fail in their watches; but stand before the Throne, saying, Holy, Holy is the Lord, our God; and these, never transgress his holy commandments, therefore, now they need no repentance.

And again mark the Prodigal Son, who went astray from his father's house, and wasted his substance with riotous living, and when he had spent all, he began to be in want, but he found none that would give him any real help, or satisfy him in his distress, but when he considered that his father's servants, had bread enough, and to spare, and he, perishing with hunger; he said, I will arise, and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, and am no more worthy, to be called thy son; but make me as one of thy hired servants. And he arose and came to his father: but when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son. But through his repentance and humility, his father forgave him all, and embraced him, and received him joyfully. O then let us come unto thee, thou Holy Jesus, confessing our sins, and feeling our want and need of thee, and imploring thy mercy, and heavenly favours; for thou hast bread enough and to spare. O then, why should we perish with hunger, and as the Prodigal Son returned unto his earthly father, so let us return unto our Heavenly Father, and to our God, for he will have mercy upon us, and he will embrace us in his arms of love, for ever more for likewise I say unto you, There is joy in the presence of the Angels of God, over one sinner that

repenteth. (Luke xv.) And now my fellow sinners, seeing that there is such ample love provided for us, let us therefore, turn in with the offers of his love and mercy, and repent, that our sins may be blotted out; for great is the mercy of our God, through the righteous merits of our blessed Lord and Saviour. For, behold the condescending compliance, and voluntary humiliation, of our meek and lowly Saviour. Behold, saith he, I stand at the door and knock; if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. And again, To him that overcometh, saith our Lord, will I grant to sit with me on my throne, even as I also overcome, and am set down with my Father on his throne. Therefore, seeing that these things are so, and that there is a throne of grace erected; why then my brethren should we indulge an enemy within, which will lead us into hell and destruction?

Therefore, by the help of God, let us all rightly consider, and repent and follow after the example of Christ, which you will find in my next Book; which is worthy of our imitation. And may it please Almighty God, that these my Books, may prove beneficial, and a comfort to all your souls, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

END OF THE TWELFTH BOOK,

BY EDWARD CROOK.

BOOK THE THIRTEENTH.

The Examples of Christ.

This Book contains good examples and good observations, and it is very interesting, and it is a great support to the tried souls of the children of men. It hath some

easy and clear explanations thereto, and it is adapted very suitable and plain, to the lowest capacity of mind and understanding.

Now my dear friends, and all you that read this Book; I hope, by God's grace, through Christ, you may find it very profitable to your souls. Now, if you will embrace the day of God's grace, and so fall in with the overture of his mercy, and pray unto him for repentance, and pardon through Christ; and search the Scriptures, and those little Books that are taken from it, then, 1 can almost say, My life for your life, if you do not find Jesus, precious to your souls. And fear not, but come unto him, for he is righteous and good, and willing, and able to save your souls, for all power is given unto the Son of God. And thus it is written, For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called, Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. (Isaiah ix. 6.) And again, he saith himself, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. (Matt. xxviii. 18.) For he is Lord of lords, and King of kings. (Rev. xvii. 14.-chap. xix. 16.) Therefore we plainly see, and you may see if you look through all my little Books, that Jesus, is a sufficient Saviour, to save your souls. And now if you would wish to be a follower of your blessed Lord, observe and behold his examples. Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God is one Lord. And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy

soul, and with all thy might. And these words which I command thee this day shall be in thine heart. And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. (Deut. vi. 4, 5, 6, 7.) And so let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. (Matt. v. 16.) O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together. I sought the Lord, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears. (Psalm xxxiv. 3, 4.) O love the Lord, all ye his saints: for the Lord preserveth the faithful, and plentefully rewardeth the proud doer. Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the Lord. (Psalm xxxi. 23, 24.) And hear what our blessed Lord saith, And if men persecute you because you fear the Lord, rejoice rather, and be glad, for great is your reward in heaven; for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you. (Matt. v. 11, 12.)

And it is well to know this one thing, that we love the Lord as superior above all things, therefore our Lord saith, If thy right eye offend thee, or do cause thee to offend, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell. (Matt. v. 21.) Now my friends, such words as these and the like, have an important meaning to them, and that is to say, if any sin which we have indulged, seems to be to us, almost as dear as a right eye, or a right hand, or a right foot; we must pray to God through Christ, that this sin may be plucked from us: for it is better for us, to enter into Heaven void of sin, than having our sins, to be cast into hell-fire. Now, there are many sins that we must forsake, but I shall only name but a few. Beware of pride, and of the lust of the flesh, and see my little Book called Whoredom, and there you may see something of the nature, and the result of this great evil, and the thousands in which it hath slain; for, I think it is one of the greatest sins under the whole heavens. And again, beware of the vanities of this world, for they are the devil's snares for to catch our souls, and if we are taken in them too much in our youthful days, it may be that we shall find it hard work to get out in our old age. Again, beware of riches, and covetousness, for this is a snare; for a man's life consisteth not in the

abundance of the things which he possesseth. And the rich man said within his soul, Soul eat, drink, and be merry. But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then, whose things shall those be which thou hast provided? So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich towards God. (Luke xii. 19, 20, 21.) Or what shall it profit a man if he gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what would a man give in exchange for his soul? (Mark viii. 36, 37.) Be ye therefore ready, our Lord saith for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not. (Luke xii. 40.) Therefore, may God Almighty help us to lay up our treasure in Christ, and then we may depend npon life, riches, and glory, for evermore.

And so let your conversation be without covetousness, and be content with such things as ye have, for he hath said, I will never leave thee nor forsake thee. (Heb. xiii. 5.) But we oftentimes ask, and receive not, because we ask amiss, that we may consume it upon our lust. (James iv. 3.) We are exhorted by our blessed Lord, to seek first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto us. (Matt. vi. 33.) That is, all things that God seeth is best for us, and for our soul's salvation. And when we do, or give alms, we are not to do it for the praise of men only, but in love, and with a single eye towards God. And the same when we pray we are not to use vain repetitions, but we are to pray to our heavenly Father in secret, as well as in public, that we may have a full reward: and then our heavenly Father which seeth in secret will reward us openly. (Matt. vi.) Neither are we to fast as the hypocrite : but we are to do all to the glory of God. No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. (Matt. vi. 24.) Neither are we to judge others with rash judgment; for we cannot tell how to judge or convince others, except we first have the holy spirit of God implanted in our souls. (Matt. vii.) Neither are we always to be forcing holy things upon men's minds, who will always be abusing it; for when the Holy Spirit works, and is not accepted, it returns unto its rest again, and unto God that gave it; for the Lord hath said, My spirit shall not always strive with man. (Gen. vi.3-Matt.vii.6-x.13) But to have a right understanding in all things, what we should do, and how to be directed through this sinful world, we are