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The English Puritan Minister defines 'Waling With God' as-"A sincere endeavor,punctually and precisely to manage,conduct,and dispose all our affairs,thoughts,words and deeds... in reverence and fear... under the all seeing eye of the invisible God." He begins by noting that Noah and his family,in the old world,were the only true worshippers of God in all the earth.All the world,besides them,were steeped in idolatry and paganism and thus God judged that world by opening the flood gates of heaven.The Lord calls His people to make conscience of 'The Divine Commands' which Bolton asserts-"...the greatest part of men...are so far from taking to heart." As to the negative side of sanctification,if you will,God calls those that are His to-"...differ from a world of wicked men,by a sincere singularity of abstinence from the course of this world... ".In Pastor Bolton's portrait of 'Biblical Christianity' there appear to be relatively few that truly walk with God.To those who would question(How can this be?)his response is-"...worldly wisdom should rather wonder that any one is won unto God."In my view any book that helps 'The Believer' to be more godly is a work that should be valued.There is much in Robert Boton's book that can help in that regard.Here is wise 'Biblical Counsel'(with respect to sin)-"look that thou livest not in any one known sin against thy conscience." "Every Christian should carry in his heart a constant and resolute purpose not to sin in anything." The Apostle Paul,in God's inspired book wrote-'The just shall live by faith.' God's people are led by His Spirit.To purpose to sin and to live by faith are in opposition one to the other.In the section 'Guard Against Worldliness' there is help for any struggling in this area.A worldly disposition is opposed to godliness.-"All earthly minded men ordinarily,howsoever they may be outwardly restrained and reserved,are secret deriders of the power of godliness." Our thoughts and desires must be renewed and conform to God's Word,not the standards of 'The World'.A thorough familiarity with 'The Word Of God' will help believers to guard against 'A Worldly Mindset'.Psalm 119:15 'I will meditate in thy precepts,and have respect unto thy ways.'The section 'Guarding The Heart' is full of sanctified wisdom.A guiding principle that Bolton gives is-conform "...the thoughts and imaginations of thy heart to the Sovereignty and rules of grace." The God who formed us,not only will judge all of our thoughts but He has the right to do so.This should be strong motivation 'To Guard The Thought Life'-"that thou must be accountable and answerable for every wandering thought." Our desire should be to glorify 'Our God' in all the thoughts and intents of our hearts.God's children need to exercise a constant guard over their heart.One reason the Puritan Pastor gives is-"It is like a city liable every moment both to inward commotion and outward assault." Our remaining corruption,the ungodly influence of 'This World' and our adversary 'The Devil' are in continual opposition to godly living.The Puritan's,in general,had so much wisdom in so many areas of life.On 'The Value Of Time' Bolton has many thoughts and considerable light-"The time present is our only time,we have no power and command over the time to come than over the time past."For those who desire to walk more closely with their God and King,Robert Bolton's 'General Directions For A Comfortable Walking With God' has much help to attain that end.
