THE GUIDE OF A Christian Directing him to Such Things as are BY HIM To be Believed Practised Feared and Hoped for There are added at the End PRAYERS to be used upon Several Occasions The Second Edition Corrected London Printed for John Everingham at the Star in Ludgate-street 1697 TO THE READER THis little Book was written especially for the use of such as have meaner Capacities and weaker Memories less time and less money than others The designed smallness of the Volume would not admit of the printing at large all the places of Scripture which are quoted in it But it is to be hoped that the Reader will some time or other look them out That will employ him well and fix those places upon his mind Let him not be Inquisitive about the Author who would not be known but consider rather what is written than by whom May our good God give such success to it as may redound to his Glory and the Benefit of those who shall read it with attention of mind and Honesty of Heart Amen THE Guide of a Christian CHAP. I. Of the Faith of a Christian and the things to be believed by him SECT I. A Christian when he gives either to himself or others an Account of his Faith resolves these two Questions 1. How he comes to have that Faith or Belief of the Doctrine of the Gospel 2. What are the particular points of Doctrine which he thinks most necessary to be believed In Answer to these Questions 1. He shews that he comes to be a Believer in some degree by thinking on this manner Every one does naturally desire the continuance of his Being and the greatest happiness of it that may be whilst it continues But he cannot have the End without the means The means to Happiness is Religion which consists in the true knowledge and service of God For if there be a Creator a Reasonable Creature depending wholly upon him cannot be happy without doing his Will so far as he can know it The means to know it are Reason and Revelation The Light of Natural Reason is but an imperfect Guide and could never of it self have discovered the Mysteries of God's Love in Christ for the Redemption of Mankind 1 Cor. 2.6 7 8. Colos 1.26 27. However It shews us That there is a God from the consideration of his works Rom. 1.20 It concludes with the Apostle Heb. 3.4 That as every House is built by some Man so he who made all things is God or the first Cause who is Infinite in Power Wisdom Goodness and Justice And that such a Builder can't but take care of so Glorious a Structure Neh. 9.6 Right Reason doth also in some measure teach Men what Worship and Service is agreeable to such a God He engraved a Law upon their Hearts Rom. 2.14 15. before he wrote his Will upon Tables of Stone and in Holy Books But the Posterity of Fallen Adam forsook the Paths shewed to them by the true Light of Nature and reasoned not aright and were led away by the corrupt Imaginations of their hearts Gen. 6.5 12. Insomuch that they would have wandered for ever in darkness if God had not in great mercy revealed his Will to them in the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testament which are to be our Rule of Faith and Manners to the end of the World Gal. 1.8 9. Jude 3. The Old Testament was all the Scripture of the Jewish Church written by Moses and the Prophets who therein foretold of the coming of Christ And Christ did recommend it as a Book of Divine Authority Joh. 5.39 Luke 24.27 He proved his Doctrine by his miraculous Works Joh. 5.36 and 10.25 38. Him God owned as his only Son by raising him from the dead and shewing him to many 1 Cor. 15.3 to v. 9. Witnesses divers of which sealed that Truth with their Blood and their Testimony is handed down to us by the joint Consent of the Christian Church in the several Ages of it Much of the New Testament was written by the Apostles of Christ viz. S. Matthew S. John S. James S. Peter S. Jude who were Eye and Ear-witnesses of what he did and said 1 John 1.1 2 3. and knew that he arose from the dead and they wrought Miracles in his Name and foretold many things which have been plainly accomplished Also they well knew that if Christ was not risen and that if they had hopes only in this Life they of all men were most miserable 1 Cor. 15.19 Yet they ran the hazard of all things dear to flesh and blood in testifying the Truth of what they had heard and seen for which also many of them laid down their lives As for St. Mark he has written in short what St. Matthew delivered more at large and the Ancients say that he was the Disciple of St. Peter S. Luke wrote such things as were delivered Luk. 1.2 to him by those who from the beginning were Eye-witnesses and Ministers of the Word and he was conversant in a particular manner with St. Paul with whom he travelled Act. 28.16 2 Tim. 4.11 To St. Paul being a Jew and a Persecutor Christ appeared in his way to Damascus and converted him by Miracles Acts 9.3 c. 1 Cor. 15.8 and enabled him to do Miracles 2 Cor. 12.12 and to speak and write with wonderful power And indeed the Scriptures are to be distinguisht from all other Books by an extraordinary Spirit discernible in them by Pious and Attentive Readers and Hearers Rom. 10.17 And the more a Man studies the Scriptures and considers what is in them and how worthy of a Governour and Saviour of the VVorld all the Doctrines Commands and Promises are which they contain and prays to God to enlighten his Understanding and to help his weak Belief and has a will to do God's will John 7.17 and uses the means which God hath put in his power the greater will be his Knowledge and the firmer his Faith After some such manner as this a Man comes to believe that the Scriptures are of divine Authority But though a man is never so firm in this Faith and stedfastly believes every thing that is said in the Bible to be true and to come from God yet he thinks some things more necessary to be believed than others in order to God's Glory and his own Obedience and Salvation and the Good of Mankind He therefore either frames to himself out of the Scriptures a Form of sound Words 2 Tim. 1.13 or takes that Summ of Faith for his use which has long been and is still confessed by those who call themselves Christians Such a Form is that which is commonly called the Apostles Creed containing the Apostles Doctrine and composed for the main in or nigh their Days and continued in Christ's Church to this time and this he explains or gets explained out of the Scriptures This brings on the Second Question namely 2. What are the particular Points of Doctrine which
is both a punisher of evil doers Rom. 2.9 and a rewarder of those that diligently seek him Heb. 11.6 God hath threatned the Disobedient with fearful Judgments of all kinds outweighing all the short and brutal Pleasures of Sin Deut. 28.15 to v. 68. Psal 11.6 Rom. 2.9 and will at last say to the impenitent Depart from me ye cursed into everlasting Fire prepared for the Devil and his Angels Mat. 25.41 He hath also encouraged all his Servants with Promises of very great Rewards Mark 10.30 Rom. 2.7 10. to which they may have an Eye Heb. 11.26 as being assured to them thro the Merits of his Son Rom. 8.17 1 John 5.11 And as he was gracious in making his Promises so he will be just in the performing of them To the Righteous he will deny no good thing Ps 84.11 Godliness hath the promise both of this Life and that which is to come 1 Tim. 4.8 1 John 2.25 In this life God hath promised to true Christians Mercies both temporal and spiritual as for temporal Mercies he giveth them to his Children so far as they are convenient for them that they may be Blessings to them and not Snares and he hath assured those who love him that all things shall work together for good to them Rom. 8.28 He also blesseth them Eph. 1.3 with Spiritual Blessings in Christ. By his holy Spirit going along with the means of the Gospel and the sincere endeavours of Men he enlightens the Mind and heals the Will and moderates the Affections and sanctifies the whole Man He prevents evil he brings good out of it he gives grace to repent he vouchsafes pardon he works in us to will and to do whilst we work out our Salvation with fear and trembling Phil. 2.12 13. He supports in trouble He sanctifies affliction He makes us able to resist temptation He sends deliverance in his time and way He gives that Peace which the World can neither give nor take away He makes a Man happy both in Life and Death After Death he delivers him from the insupportable Miseries of Hell and rewards his mean and temporary Services with Life everlasting 1 John 2.25 He giveth not only Grace but Glory even the eternal Glory of Heaven Eph. 4.7 1 Thes 2.12 He receiveth the Souls of the Faithful into Joy and Felicity after they are delivered from the burthen of the Flesh 2 Cor. 5.8 Phil. 1.23 And at the great day of Judgment he raiseth this Mortal Body and maketh it like to Christs Glorious Body Phil. 3.21 and uniteth it to the Soul and causeth the whole Person to be entirely happy for ever and ever Eye hath not seen 1 Cor. 2.9 neither hath Ear heard nor hath it entered into the heart of Man fully to conceive the things which God hath prepared for those that love him and all this for performing but a reasonable Service Rom. 12.1 in which God also assists him Seeing now that the goodness of the End doth naturally quicken Man in the way and that God hath encouraged the Obedience of a Christian with such exceeding great and precious promises 2 Pet. 1.4 it behoves him to abstain from all filthiness of Flesh and Spirit and to perfect holiness in the fear of God 2 Cor. 7.1 And then after he has had his Fruit unto holiness his End will be everlasting Life Rom. 6.22 through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen CHAP. IV. Certain Forms of Devotion to be used either in a Family or in the Closet of a Christian A Prayer to be used at any time of the day especially in the Morning and Evening When this Prayer or any of the rest is used in a Family there needs only the change of the Person as We must be put instead of I Vs instead of Me Our instead of My Are instead of Am c. O Most Holy and Blessed Lord God the Great Creator of Heaven and Earth and the most merciful and gracious Father of Mankind in thy Son Christ Jesus It is of thy great Condescension that the Sons of Men may approach thy Presence who art Infinite in Majesty and Power and canst do what thou pleasest every where I that am miserable Dust and Ashes do humbly acknowledge the Duty which I owe thee both as I am thy Creature and as I am made a Member of the Body of thy Son I am ashamed when I call to mind my forgetfulness of thee and my Ingratitude to thee who have so often and so grievously sinned against thee in Thought Word and Deed by Ignorance Error and Presumption for which thou mightest justly cast me off for ever But Lord I repent be pleased to accept of my Repentance Lord I believe help my weak Belief Pardon all my sins that are past for the Merits of my dear Saviour and preserve me by thy Grace from offending thee for the time to come And when thou hast dealt thus graciously with my Soul be pleased to extend thy mercy to my Body also and give me such a supply of all things necessary for the support of it as thou in thy Wisdom shalt see most convenient And grant that I may use the Comforts of this Life with such Moderation and Sobriety that I may never forfeit the hopes of a better when this my Earthly Tabernacle shall be dissolved Remove far from me all Evil especially that great Evil of Sin And wheresoever thou seest me apt to fall thro' the weakness of my Corrupt Nature there let thy Strength be most graciously seen in my Preservation O Lord I beseech thee let not thine Anger Rise against me to punish me in this World Or if my sins have so far provoked thee that thou wilt not spare me altogether thy VVill be done only this I humbly beg by all the meritorious sufferings of thy dear Son that thou wilt deliver me from thy VVrath and from Everlasting Damnation and of thy great Goodness bring me to Life Eternal through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen Extend thy Goodness not only to me a miserable sinner but to all mankind Let thy VVays be known upon Earth thy saving health among all Nations Be gracious to Christ's Vniversal Church more especially bless these Kingdoms and that part of thy Church which is planted in them And herein be particularly gracious to our Soveraign Lord the King Prolong his Days and prosper his Government over us Bless the Princess and all the Royal Family Give thy Grace to all the Nobility and Gentry and to all that are in Authority that Justice Mercy and Truth may flourish amongst us and there may be no Complaining in our Streets Bless all our Pastors and Teachers and prosper their Endeavours for the good of Souls Look down in Mercy upon all that are in Affliction give them an entire Resignation to thy holy Will and in thy due time send a happy End to all their Troubles Let it be good for them that they have been under thy Discipline Strengthen the Good
the World and all the fading Vanities of it Give me unfeigned Repentance for all the Errors of my Life past and seal my Pardon in Heaven before I go hence and be no more seen O lift up thy Countenance upon me and in all the pains of my Body in all the Agonies of my Spirit let thy Comforts refresh my Soul And when the time of my departure is come receive me into those Heavenly Habitations where the Souls of them that sleep in the Lord Jesus enjoy perpetual rest and felicity Grant this O Lord for the Merits of the same Jesus Christ thy only Son and our only Saviour and Redeemer Amen A Prayer to be said by one whose Friend is dead O Righteous Lord I acknowledge thy wisdom and goodness in all thy Dispensations towards the Children of Men and do therefore submit my self and all I have to thy Dispâ—sal who knowest best what is fit for us It was of thâ— Mercy that I so long enjoyed the comfort of my Friend whom thou hast now taken from me The Lord gave and the Lord hath taken away Blessed be the Name of the Lord. From Thee all good things do come and thou canst repair this loss to me by adding to the number of my Friends But however thou shalt deal with me in that particular yet this one thing I most humbly beg be thou my God and my Friend and it is enough In thee shall be mâ— trust as long as I live and when thou shalt call me hence receive me into Heaven where I hope my Friend is that we may there joyn with all thy Holy Angels and Saints to sing thy Praises for ever and ever Grant this for Jesus Christ his sake Amen A Prayer to be said for one who has lost a Friend O Father of Mercies and God of all Comforts who in a more especial manner hast always shewed thy self a helper of the Friendless and a Father of the Fatherless and a Husband to the Widow look down with an Eye of Pity and Compassion upon thy Servant now in great grief and bitterness of heart for the loss of his dear Friend and give him grace to consider that it was thy doing who dost not afflict willingly nor grieve the Children of Men. And let this teach him to moderate all his Passions and to bear his Affliction with an humble meek and patient Spirit Free him from all discontented and distrustiul Thoughts and help him to cast all his care upon Thee who carest for him and canst do infinitely more for him than the most tender and faithful Friend on Earth Lift up his Thoughts towards that blessed Place where thou his God and Saviour art and so assist him with thy grace to follow thâ— blessed Son in purity of living during his Pilgrimage upon Earth that he may hereafter enter into his joy and with all those who are departed in thy fear be made Partaker of everlasting Glory through the same Lord Jesus Amen A Grace before Meat LOrd pardon all our Sins give us grace to make a temperate and discreet use of thy Creatures which thou hast now provided for us that whether we eat or drink or whatsoever we do we may do all to thy Glory through Jesus Christ our Lord Amen After Meat WE praise thâ— Holy Name O Lord for all thy Mercies and especially for this refreshment which thou hast now given us Enable us thereby to do thee further Service Bless thy Holy Church preserve our King the Royal Family and these Realms grant us Peace and Truth here and make us Partakers of thy Glory hereafter through Jesus Christ our Lord Amen A Table of the Contents A. OF Adoration Page 41 Of Moderateness in Apparel Page 71 B. Of Baptism Page 24 50 61 Of Blasphemies Page 38 Not to hurt the Bodies of our Neighbours Page 85 C. Of Charity Page 76 77 Of Diligence in our Callings Page 62 Of Chastity Page 63 Duty of Children 81 Of Consideration Page 59 Arguments for Contentment Page 51 to 58 Duty of Creditors Page 83 The Creed Explained Page 13 D. Of Death Page 32 Duty of Debtors Page 83 Of Secret Devotion Page 46 Certain Forms of Devotion either in a Family of Closet Page 93 Ways of Dishonouring God Page 38 Of Temperance in Drinks Page 66 F. Of the Faith of a Christian Page 5 How he comes to have that Faith Page 6 Of Fasting Page 33 Of the Fear of God Page 29 Things to be Feared Page 89 Duty of Friends Page 82 G. Of Duties towards God Page 27 Not to hurt our Neighbour as to his Goods Page 86 Grace before Meat Page 115 Grace after Meat Page 116 H. Of Honouring God Page 34 Of things to be Hoped for page 89 Of Humility Page 61 Duty of Husbands Page 81 J. Of Justice in dealings Page 74 L. Of the Love of God Page 27 Lords day Page 40 41 M. Duty of Magistrates and Ministers Page 78 Duty of Masters Page 83 Of the Matrimonial Vow Page 81 Of Temporance in Meats Page 65 Of Divine Meditation Page 35 The Benefits of It Page 36 Of Moderateness Page 65 Of Murder Page 85 N. Duties towards our Neighbours Page 73 O. Of Oaths Page 38 P. Duty of Parents Page 79 Of Perjury Page 39 Of things to be Practised by a Christian Page 27 Of Prayer and its Parts Page 42 Morning and Evening Prayer for a Family or single Person Page 93 Paraphrase on the Lords Prayer Page 100 Prayer before Church Page 102 Prayer after Church Page 103 Prayer before Confirmation Page 105 Prayer before the Sacrament Page 106 Prayer at the Sacrament Page 108 Prayer after the Sacrament Page 109 Prayer by with or for a sick Person Page 111 Prayer When a Friend is dead Page 113 Prayer For one who has lost a Friend Page 114 Of singing of Psaims Page 45 R. Of Moderateness in Recreations Page 70 Of Repentance and turning to God Page 30 The Danger of delaying It Page 32 Of Reproof Pae 76 Of Resolution page 60 Against Revenge Page 88 S. Authority of Scriptures Page 8 Duties towards our Selves Page 59 Duty of Servants Page 84 Of Moderateness in Sleep Page 70 Of the Duty of Subjects Page 78 Of the Lord's Supper Page 47 Against hurting the Soul of our Neighbour 84 T. Of Temperance Page 65 66 Of Thanksgiving Page 45 Particularly after Meals Page 37 Of Trusting in God Page 50 Of speaking Truth page 73 W. Duty of Wives Page 81 Against hurting our Neighbour as to his Wife Page 86 Of Worshipping God Page 41 FINIS