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Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
book_n	believe_v	prove_v	scripture_n	3,079	5	6.9180	4	true

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ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A67047	A word in season. Or Three great duties of Christians in the worst of times viz. abiding in Christ, thirsting after his institutions, and submission to his providences. The first opened, from 1 John 2.28. The second from Psal. 42.1,2. The third from Jer. 14.19. By a servant of Christs in the work of his Gospel. To which is added, by way of appendix, the advice of some ministers to their people for the reviving the power and practice of godliness in their families.	Servant of Christ in the work of his Gospel.	1668 (1668)	Wing W3548A; ESTC R204145	100,163	272

to Christ walking in your uprightness in an exact obedience to his blessed will both in matters of Worship and Homage towards God and in matters of Holiness Justice equity and Mercy towards men 1. 1. Br. Abide in the faith of Christ that is in a firm and fixed perswasion of the truth of those propositions of truth which Christ hath in his Gospel revealed This is the least of a Christian and that which distinguisheth him from a Jew wh●● believeth the Old Testament but not th● New and from a Pagan who believeth neither A man may go to he● who hath it for the devils also believe and tremble they could say Thou an● Christ the Son of the living God but n● man can go to heaven without it It is ●he foundation of justifying faith it hath an influence upon all our practice How shall men call on him on whom they ●ave not believed Therefore the Apostle ●eaking of some Apostates joyns both ●hese phrases together Having made ●ipwrack of faith and of a good conscience Without reliance on Christ none can ●e saved who will trust and rely and ●dhere to a Saviour who doth not ●now him or is not perswaded of him ●● his circumstances of sufficiency Think not therefore light of this The propositions of the Gospel are various the Scriptures are as full of them ●s the Heavens are of Stars but as one ●ar differeth from another in glory ●● it is with these Propositions All are ●ot of equal weight glory and influence Divines have usually distinguished ●hem into Fundamentals and such as ●e no Fundamentals But what are Fun●amentals is not yet agreed nor I think ●er will I shall not undertake to de●●de the controversie But in short I think Propositions of truth may be illed Fundamental 1. With reference to others So those truths are Fundamental which are the bases and foundations of all others from whence the● flow by way of just consequence o● inference 2. With reference to our salvation and so those are fundamental upon which our salvation depends And 〈◊〉 these 1. There are some that must be explicitly known and assented to or we can not be saved I think truly the number of these is not great though I durst n●● undertake to define them 2. Others there are of which 〈◊〉 cannot say that an explicit disting knowledge of them is necessary to salvation but some knowledge of the● and assent to them is necessary especially to persons living under the light of the Gospel I shall not pretend ●●give you a strict account of all that f●● under either notion but some I shall more especially commend to you 1. That the holy Scriptures are 〈◊〉 Word of God and the only rule of fai●● and life This is the principle of 〈◊〉 Christian Religion and the proof of from Scripture is not to be expected Take heed you fail not in this yea and take heed upon what argument you receive the Scripture as such The Socinian will tell you there are arguments enough from reason but the greater is not blessed by the less The Papists will tell you the Tradition of the Church is enough If you take the Scriptures upon either of these evidences as sufficient the devil hath a fair advantage to tell you That both these are but humane testimonies and humane testimony can beget but an humane faith and if an humane faith be sufficient for the Scriptures in general It is sufficient for every proposition of faith revealed in them Our Saviour ●lessed Peter for believing what flesh and ●loud revealed not to him The old Doctrine of Protestants was That nothing ●ut the impression of the holy Spirit work●●g by and with reason and the self-●vidence of those holy books can be enough ●old there or you lose all Do the ●apists bid you Prove the Spirit you pre●nd to perswade to Bid them prove their Church whose traditions they obtrude upon you and you are even with them They must certainly prove it by the Scriptures or not all and i● so I hope the Scriptures may as we●● be allowed to shine in their own light as in the light of the Church which hath no light but what it must borrow from the Scriptures 2. That the Lord Jesus Christ th● Eternal Son of God prophesied and prefigured of old in the fulness of time assume our nature and as God-Man died ●● our sins and rose again for our justification being our only Saviour Mediator and Intercessor and he whom God hath appointed to judge the world The Socinian or Vnitarians as they call themselves deny the eternal existence of the Son God and so call you to believe in a insufficient Saviour they deny his M●rits or the Satisfaction of them The Papists tell you of other Mediators and Intercessors hence their invocation 〈◊〉 Saints they teach you to trust in you● own merits take heed of these the shake the foundations The Apost calls Christ God over all blessed for ev●● It tells you Rom. 9 5.4.25 Rom. 4.25 He was ●● livered for our offences 1 Tim. 2.5 and rose again for our justification It tells you that there is but one Mediator between God and man even Christ That he liveth to make intercession for us Heb. 9. Acts 4.12 That there is no other name under heaven by which we can be saved neither is there salvation in any other Let this be a second 3. That there is none righteous no not one No Infant Rom. 3.10.5.15 17 18 19. The Scripture tells you Ephes 2.3 We are all by nature children of wrath Psal 51.4 That our mother hath conceived us in sin That by one mans disobedience many were made sinners No grown person either legally righteous 1 King 8.46 For there is none who liveth and sinneth not Jam. 3.2 Ja. 2.10 Eccles 7.20 There is not a just man that liveth and sinneth not Nor yet Evangelically righteous from any righteousness of his own But of this more by and by 4. That the righteous Lord loveth righteousness And without righteousness no man can stand before God but will certainly be accursed to all eternity The Psalmist tells you The righteous Lord lovth righteousness The Law is Gal. 3.10 Cursed be he that continueth not in every little of the Law to do it The Gospel dispenseth not with that curse it only allows of our Sureties fulfilling the Law for us and our fulfilling of it in him according to that of the Apostle In him you a●● complete 5. That there is no righteousness when in any poor creature in the great day 〈◊〉 the Lord can stand before a righteous God but the alone righteousness of the Lord Jesus Christ that is his active and pass●● obedienee imputed and made over unto ●● Nor is there any deliverance from wrath but by this righteousness of Christ imputed This point is the very hinge of the Gospel Luther called it The Article of banding or falling Church it is the Article of a

reducible to four heads 1. Reading in the Book of the Lord. 2. Prayer 3. Praise 4. Instruction 1. For reading the holy Scriptures That this is a family-duty doth appear from that of Moses Deut. 6.6 9. where we are commanded to have the Law of God wrote upon our posts and the gates of our house From that of the Apostle Col. 3.16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you a Metaphor drawn from members of Families which dwell together For the further proof of this duty we commend you to an excellent Book called Family Religion further revived by Mr. Philip Goodwin Printed at London 1655. and to a Book of Mr. Whites for the profitable reading of the Scriptures Chap. 9. 2. For Prayer We are commanded to pray alwayes and who so considereth that the Law of God requireth it of single persons and of the first and least society that of a man and his Wife 1 Pet. 3.7 cannot think 1 Pet. 3.7 that a man is excused from it with his children and servants It is the blessing with which the Superiours in families ought to bless their infeririours 3. For Praise by singing of Psalms As praising of God is a natural duty so the doing of it by Psalms Hymns and Spiritual Songs which are the three titles of the Psalms of David is commanded by the Apostle In the same place where God saith I will be the God of all the families of Israel Col. 3.16 and they shall be my people Jer. 31.1 2. he also ver 7. saith O shout with joy and sing amongst the Nations 4. Instruction is a general duty God commendeth Abraham for it Gen. 18.17 For the matter of it in our present discourse it is In the things of God Now this may be done several wayes 1. By Catechizing which is by experience found the most plain and familiar way of teaching and that by which the Papists confess the Protestant Religion hath been highly advantaged in the world We therefore urge this in a more especial manner upon all the heads of families as the nearest way to bring those under their roof to the knowledge of God and the establishing of them against the errors of the sinful times wherein they live 2. By repeating of Sermons to them an antient and profitable duty wherein every Christian is a fellow-worker with and a preparer of the work of the Holy Spirit of God Joh. 14.26 whose work it is saith our Saviour To bring to remembrance the things we have heard of God By opening the word of God read unto our families which though it be not a work to which every private Christian is fit yet may be profitably performed if any Christian will but take the pains to spend a little time before duty in fitting himself for it by reading the Annotations upon the Chapter or any of those profitable Notes wrote by Mr. Ainsworth on the five Books of Moses Mr. Jackson upon all the Historical Books of Scripture Mr. Dickson upon the Psalms Mr. Calvin on Job and Deuteronomy and Daniel Dr. Willet on Genesis Exodus and Leviticus Mr. Hutchinson on the small Prophets Mr. Dickson on Matthew Mr. Hutchinson on John Mr. Fergusson on Galatians Ephesians Philippians Colossians and many others 4. By occasional discourses of Religion and applying Scripture unto our relations according to the Precept Deut. 6.6 7 8 9. 5. By examining their children and servants what they remember upon hearing Chapters read or Sermons preached or repeated 2. Particularly we commend unto Christians A more extraordinary care to inform their families concerning the true Nature of Worship in general concerning the several acts of Gospel Worship and the right way and method of performing of them as well the external as internal manner by which means they will not only be armed against temptations to Superstition and Will-Worship which is abomination to the Lord but also kept from a formal and perfunctory slighty service of the great and living God And the better to enable Christians to do this we do by the blessing of God intend to contribute our pains to the utmost in some exercises of this nature 3. If any one ask us how often these duties are to be performed We answer that we have in this no stated rule but as we are sure they cannot be too often and reason teacheth that they should be so often as to reach their ends So the Scripture doth not obscurely hint some kind of Instruction and Prayer to be used Morning and Evening Deut. 6. We are commanded to talk to our children of the Law of the Lord when we lye down and when we rise up God of old required a Morning and Evening Sacrifice David Psal 55.17 and Daniel Chap. 6. v. 10. prayed thrice a day which possibly may hint to us that those who have more leisure from the world than others ought to spend more time than others in this worship But we should press upon our Brethren 1. That none of them would omit praying and reading the Scriptures or some other way of instructing their families twice each day viz. in the morning and evening The morning is an excellent time 1. Because no excuse can be for the omitting it It may be done and is fittest to be done before the world calleth us off 2. It is the time when our spirits are most refreshed and fit for duty when worldly occasions have not seized on our thoughts 3. We are bid to say Prosper thou the works of our hands upon us and that is the time when the works of our hands begin 4. It is commended to us by many Scriptures Psal 5.3 Psal 59.16 Psal 88.13 Psal 92.2 Psal 119.147 The Evening is also a proper time 1. To beg pardon for the sins of the day and to give thanks for the mercies of the day and to beg the Protection and sleep of the night 2. The work of our hands is done and it is reasonable to beg Gods blessing upon it 3. Our sleep is the image of death and many never rise from their beds it is reasonable we should therefore commend our spirits and the spirits our of relations to the Lord. 4. It is commended in Scripture Psal 141.2 Psal 55.17 2. That if possible these constant duties may be performed before we be disadvantaged for them Either 1. By intermedling with the world or 2. By inclinations to rest and sleep which usually make the performance of religious duty late at night or after supper a very slightly perfunctory serving of God 3. We commend the Reading of the Scripture repeating a Sermon or singing of a Psalm before prayer not only as duties in themselves but as excellent means to call home the thoughts prepare the heart and fix the mind to a more steddy contemplation of God and devotion toward him in prayer 4. We commend to our brethren the repeating of Sermons and Catechizing to be at least once performed every week besides on the Lords Day 5. For

And to love their enemies to do good to them that hate them c. So more especially to be careful of it in these times That whereas men speak evil of them 1 Pet. 3.16 as evil doers they may be ashamed that falsly accuse their good conversation in Christ 1 Pet. 2.12 yea they may by your good works which they shall behold glorifie God in the day of visitation 3. That above all even to the worst men They render their dues fear to whom fear honour to whom honour owing no man any thing but to love one another and remembring that Love worketh no ill to his neighbour according to that of the Apostle Rom. 13.7 8. 4. That they do not give holy things to Dogs nor cast pearls before Swine but wisely watch all advantages where they may meekly and acceptably and seasonably apply any word to their neighbour to convince him of any sin or duty forbearing it where they see any in any madness of passion or the like 5. That if God calleth them to suffer any thing in the doing of his will they remember to do it with meekness and patience and also with Christian courage and boldness committing themselves to him that created them and who will judge righteously 6. That they Remember their Brethren who are in bonds as if they were bound with them considering that themselves also are in the body Heb. 13.3 Hebrews 10.34 Coloss 4.18 Phil. 1.7 7. That if they discern any of their Brethren overtaken in a fault they would endeavour to restore such a one in the Spirit of meekness considering themselves also lest they be tempted according to that Gal. 6.1 and if need be they further acquaint some godly Ministers with it 8. That especially at such a time as this is they cover and conceal the weaknesses of each others and avoid all manner of exceptions one against another or reproaches of each other for any particular differences of perswasion in the things of Religion as to such who are agreed in the two main things 1. The Doctrine of faith 2. A joint study to promove practical Godliness 9. That they take especial heed that no particular provocations from any of their brethren upon civil accounts be a temptation to them to turn Persecutors of them i.e. to seek a revenge upon them for matters concerning their God it being certain that none can deserve a persecution from his Neighbour These things our dearly beloved Brethren are all which at present we shall commend to you The nature and reasonableness of them is such as we are assured they have an evidence to all your consciences either as necessary or highly useful only as we are prone to make excuses in any duty and especially where the revival of it may seem to condemn our former neglect so we are afraid least as to that part which relates to the order and worship of families we should hear some excusing themselves Either 1. From want of time or 2. From want of fit matter in their families or 3. From want of parts and abilities or 4. From the want in the world of servants that will be brought under such discipline 1. As to the first we know there is a great difference of men as to leisure and therefore as we said before we believe more of this nature is required from a Daniel or a David than from a private person but 1. This cannot be pleaded as to Sabbath Dayes Service 2. It cannot be pleaded as to Morning duties there the time may and ought if need be be redeemed from sleep 3. So that all the dispute is about one half hour at night and we leave it to every Christian that is serious and conscientious to think whether this plea will not argue a greater want of a good heart Besides if this duty be necessary we hope that our brethren who let their trade and business be what it will will find a time to dine and sup because they are naturally necessary will also find a time for these duties which are spiritually necessary 2. As to those who complain that their families neither do nor can consist of fit matter for these duties It only reacheth to Catechism and that too only as to servants for surely Parents can command their children As to them we say Servants are either Apprentices or hired by the year or by the day for the latter sort they are not properly members of our families For the former doubtless Masters have a great power over them and though if they be stubborn they cannot directly force them to this yet they may keep them to such a strictness in labour that they will be glad to purchase some relaxation there by a complying in this with the desires and endeavours of Governours for the good of their souls For yearly servants it is true they are but transient members of our family but for their hired time Governours have the same power over them as over Apprentices and there is no question but better may be provided if they will not comply Besides Servants that shall thus refuse must be 1. Either such as have some particular different Perswasion in religion who it may be understand much of the Principles of Religion or 2. Such stubborn refractory pers●ns as will be kept under no better Civil Government than Religious and so unfit to be continued in our houses But we are verily perswaded that they are very few who by fair and gentle treating with them might not be brought to this order however as to children the duties may proceed 3. For those who complain for want of parts to discharge this work The plea only holds as to prayer and set discourses on Scripture We should therefore commend to Christians 1. That no heads of families be patient till they have learned to read the want of this being a most inexcusable sin in these dayes wherein are so many means for it 2. That as many as possible would learn to write and practice writing and as many as can would learn to write Characters writing by Characters being of infinite use in this work 3. Though we cannot commend Christians tying themselves to forms of prayers made by others Yet rather than not pray at all that Christians would read a Prayer Morning and Evening to their families out of some good Book such as the Practice of Piety c. at least at first setting up such a Reformation 4. That no Christian would rest here but being assured that the gift of prayer is attainable by any Christian that will take pains that they would use all means to attain unto it and to that end we shall not only be ready our selves to give such as come to us Directions but we earnestly commend unto them the reading and study of Dr. Wilkin's Book concerning the gift of prayer 5. As to opening the Scriptures and from them speaking to people Though we could wish that as many as have time and leisure would apply themselves to get such knowledge as might enable themselves by study to find out the sense of a Text. Yet in regard that all cannot do that we have before commended to our Brethren some such English Books as may in this be helpful to them And in regard every one hath not an ability to purchase such Books we shall only offer it to our Brethren whether four or five might not joyn together in buying such an English Library as they shall be advised to each sharing in it that so the whole number may be amongst them all and ready to be mutually Aent and if they please they may so agree as when any one dyeth the others may purchase his share at a certain rate The most of these things Brethren especially which concern the Worship of God in their families and the private Sanctification of the Sabbath though we believe them to be in a great measure the practice of many of you and from your Parents you have been instructed in the practice of them yet considering the great moment the reviving of Religion in families is of at such a time as this and the great neglect in many families occasioned possibly for that some had not such good examples in the families of their education we have thought good to use the Apostle Peters expression 2 Pet. 3.1 To stir up your minds by way of remembrance Thus we conceive God may be glorified our own souls and the souls of all under our charges highly advantaged Religion would be revived preserved and propagated and much of the glory of the Professors of England recovered and the Adversaries of Religion and Godliness would gnash their teeth to see every family become a Church and the Nursery of that Religion and lively practice of Godliness which by so much profane scoffing they endeavour to discourage and by so much activity they labour wholly to extirpate FINIS