Family is call'd Levitical The Law relating to the discharge of the Priests Office is called the Levitical Law and upon that account That Book of Moses which more especially treats of the Holy Rites and Services in which these Priests were by their Office imployed is very fitly from the Subject Matter of it call'd Leviticus Numbers This Book is call'd Numbers from the Subject Matter which it begins withal viz. An Account of the Number of the People of Israel Deuteronomy This Book is very fitly called Deuteronomy which in the Greek Tongue imports a Repetition of the Law There being in this Divine Book a Repetition not only of many Facts which had passed before but of many Laws also which were mentioned before Joshua This Book is so called because it containeth the History of His Acts in his Government Conquests dividing the Land and setling of the State and Commonwealth of Israel and because as it is most probable it was Penned by Joshua following here in the Example of Moses his Predecessor Howsoever some Passages could not be Penned by himself as containing some thinks which were done after his Death but were afterward inserted by some Holy Men of God inspired by the Spirit Judges This Book which seemeth to have been gathered by some Prophet out of the Publick Records containeth the History of the chief things which happened to the People of God after the Death of Joshua until the days of Eli the High Priest Ruth This Book is an Addition to the Book of Judges and is call'd the Book of Ruth because she is the chief Subject of this Story the main Scope is to continue and declare the Genealogy of our Saviour Christ descended of Boaz a Jew and of Ruth a Moabitish Gentile to shew that He should bring Salvation to all of every Nation I. Samuel This Book was entituled with the Name of Samuel not that he was the Author of it but because the first Eight Chapters chiefly respect him and the things done under his Government and was written by one of his Disciples a Son of the Prophets who in honour of his Master call'd it by his Name And it is called The First Book of the Kings because it containeth a Relation of such things as happened under the first King's Government II. Samuel This Book is a Continuation of the History of God's People from Saul's Death to the End of David's Reign and is the History of 40 Years I. Kings This Book was made by one or more Prophets and continueth the Sacred History of Kings from the End of David's Reign to the End of Jehosaphat's Reign The Division of the Twelve Tribes into Two Kingdoms The Reign of the first Four Kings of Judah and Eight of Israel after the Division II. Kings This Book continueth the History of the Kings of Israel and Judah to the Captivity of them both These Two Books of the Kings are distinguished not as if they contained Histories of different Matters but because if all the History of both Books had been Compiled in one Book it would have seemed too great a Volume I. Chronicles This word Chronicle is a Register of Acts done time after time These Two Books were of old Compiled in One and contain an History of 3457 Years at least from Adam to the Return of the Israelites from the Babylonish Captivity 2 Chr. 36. 22. And the Genealogy of David's Posterity 1 Chr. 2. 19. The Penman of these Two Books the same with that of Ezra by which it appears they were Penned after the Captivity The Greek Title is Remainders which has relation to the Book of Kings as if These had gathered up what They had left out In the Book of Kings there are References to the Book of Chronicles But These Sacred Books of Chronicles cannot be there meant because They were not then Penned and many things referred to the Books of Chronicles are not found in these Books Ezra This Book is called Ezra either because a great part of it contains Memorable Acts of His or as is supposed Ezra the Priest was the Penman after the Babylonish Captivity Nehemiah This Book is called Nehemiah because He and his Acts are the chief Subject of the Book and as is supposed Penned by Ezra Esther This Title of Esther is given to this Book in Memory of that Prudent and Pious Queen who was an Instrument of great good to the Church of God yet throughout the whole Book not one Tittle of God is once set down Job In the time of the Ancient Patriarchs before the giving of the Law of Moses there lived in Arabia a Person of great Eminence whose Name was Job The Scope of the Book is to establish the great Article of Providence and thereby to preserve us from Errour in thinking that God's Knowledge or his Intention Providence and Government is like ours which Foundation being laid nothing will seem hard to a Man whatsoever happens Psalms The Book of Psalms or Praises so call'd from the Major part and they are called David's Psalms because he made most of them for there were several other Authors by whom some of them were composed Proverbs King Solomon was the Author of this Book The word Proverbs in the Hebrew denotes only any acute and excellent Saying which is as worthy to be known by all and to be in every ones Mouth as common Proverbs are And in Holy Scripture the word is used for an eloquent Speech or a pithy Sentence in a few words expressing much Sense A Profitable Instruction Ecclesiastes The word Ecclesiastes signifies the Preacher and this Book which bears this Name was written by King Solomon in his declining Age to signifie his Repentance The Song of Songs This Book is called the Canticles which signifies a Song and was composed by King Solomon in the beginning of his Reign Of the Prophets These Holy Men inspired by God are so termed because they did foretel future Events by Divine Revelation and These whose Monuments we have severally booked in Holy Scripture are Sixteen whereof the Four former are called the Greater in regard of the largeness of their Prophecies The latter Twelve are called the Lesser in regard of the shortness of their Prophecies Isaiah This name Isaiah is taken from the Hebrew but our Ancient Versions speaking in English forms to English ears following the Greek do not amiss render it Esay the word signifies God's Salvation no unfit Title for him who so clearly and largely prophesied of Christ This Prophet as in Place and Rank so in order of time is without question the First of the four Larger or great Prophets He is by the Ancients not undeservedly term'd An Evangelical Prophet Jeremiah Jeremiah was a Priest which some of the other Prophets were not before his entrance upon this extraordinary Employment of Prophecy Lamentations This Book was composed by Jeremiah in the time of the Babylonian Captivity Ezekiel Ezekiel of the Priestly Race composed this Prophecy in
Offices A. Since St. Luke leaves it out it is omitted some time when the Office is not matter of Praise If you desire a further Explanation it is already excellently performed in this Method by several Learned and Reverend Persons to which I referr you viz. The Oxford Explanation of the Church Catechism Dr. William's Exposition of the same And once for all so is the Creed and the Ten Commandments and the whole Church Catechism And if you have Skill and Leisure you will do well in reading the Reverend and Learned Dr. Hammond's Practical Catechism a Tract never to be highly enough valued and the Right Reverend Bishop Pearson on the Creed and the Reverend Dr. Comber with many other Worthies Of the Responses Quest WHY are they so called Answ Because the People answer the Priest Q. What Reason for this Custom A. In conformity to the Primitive Practice 2. Hereby the Consent of the Congregation is declared to what we pray for and it is the Unity of Mind and Voice and this Agreement in Prayer which hath the Promise of prevailing 3. This grateful Variety and different manner of Address serves to quicken the People's Devotion 4. It engageth their Attention and since they have their share of Duty they must expect till their Turn come and give heed to do it right and prepare for their next Response Whereas when the Minister doth all the People naturally grow sleepy and heedless as if wholly unconcern'd let us therefore gratefully embrace this Privilege and make our Responses gravely and with an audible Voice which we shall find to be a great Help to our Devotion Q. What do these Responses consist of A. The two first of Prayers taken out of David's Psalms the great Storehouse of Primitive Devotion Q. Why are they placed here A. The First O Lord open thou our c. is fitly placed here with respect to those Sins we lately confessed and if we be fully sensible of our guilt as we ought to be it will be needful for us to beg such Evidences of our Pardon as may free us from the Terrors which seal up our Lips and then we shall be fit to praise God heartily in the Psalms which follow The Second O God make speed c. is the Paraphrase of that remarkable Supplication viz. Hosannah which signifies Save now Lord we beseech thee When we look back to those innumerable Evils that have taken hold on us we cry to God to save us speedily from them by his Mercy and when we look forward to the Duties we are about to do we pray that he will make hast to help us by his Grace without which we cannot do any acceptable Service Q What do the other two Responses consist of A. Of Praises First Glory be to the Father c. Q. Why do we rise up at Glory be to the Father c. A. Upon Supposition that our Pardon is granted we rise up with joy to sing Glory be to the c. which is a Paraphrase upon the Song of the Seraphims Holy Holy Holy and gives equal Glory to every Person of the Trinity because each Person is Very God 2. We rise up to shew how resolved we are to stand fast in the Faith of the Holy Trinity Q. Why is it added As it was in the Beginning A. To shew that this was the Primitive Faith against the Arrians who had introduced a new Form of Doxology so that now it serves for two Uses First as a shorter Creed and Secondly for a Hymn of Praise And to quicken us herein we declare it was so in the Beginning For the Angels sung the Praises of the Trinity in the Morning of the Creation Job 38. 7. Q. What doth the Word Doxology signifie A. A Song of Praise Q. Which is the second Response of Praise A. Praise the Lord Which is no other than the English of Hallelujah Q. Why is this short Hymn placed here A. As a return to Glory be to the Father c. For as in that we worshipped the Trinity so in this we do the Unity 2. As a triumphant Hymn upon the joyful News of our Absolution and the overthrow of our spiritual Enemies for which saith the Priest Praise the Lord And the People readily obey him replying The Lord's name be praised 3. It is a proper Preface to the Psalms called in the Hebrew the Book of Praises Of the XCV Psalm Quest WHY do we begin with this Psalm A. It is a very proper Preparatory to the following Duties and is called the Invitatory Psalm and contains a threefold Exhortation 1. First To praise God shewing the Manner how externally and internally v. 1 2. And the Reason why v. 3 4 5. 2. The Second Exhortation is to pray to this mighty God for the Manner humbly giving the Reason v. 6 7. 3. The third Exhortation is to hear his Word directing us to the Manner speedily willingly v. 8. and warning us by the Example of the Jews and their Punishment that we may not destroy our Souls by despising and distrusting God's Word as they did Q. Why are the Psalms ordered to be read monthly A. In conformity to the ancient Practice 2. That they may be made the more familiar to the People being of all Scripture the fullest of Devotion so that without difficulty every Man may apply them to his own Case either directly or by way of Accommodation Q. Why are the Psalms read standing A. By the Erection of our Bodies we express the Elevation or lifting up our Souls to God and Standing is one of the Postures of Supplicants and the Psalms do chiefly consist of Prayer and Praise Q. That we may be devout in this holy Exercise pray inform us how we may sort every Psalm A. Some are of Instruction explaining the Creation Ps 8. 104 c. or the Providence Ps 37. 139 147. c. or the Passion Ps 22. 69. or the Resurrection and Ascension of Christ as Ps 2. 16. 90. c. or his last coming to judgment Ps 50. 97. 2. Some Psalms are of Exhortation stirring us up to some Acts of moral Vertues as Ps 15. 101. or Positive Religion viz. to study God's Law or call on his name Ps 1. 34. 119. c. or warning us against Sin Ps 7. 11. 58. 64. c. especially by Punishments inflicted on his own People Ps 78. 105. 106 c. 3. Others are Psalms of Supplication for Pardon Ps 25. 51. 143. c. for Peace Ps 4. 42. 63. for Patience Ps 10. 23. 39. c. and for Deliverance Ps 55. 59. 71. for others Ps 21. 72. c. for the King for the Church Ps 68. 79. 80. c. 4. Others are Psalms of Praise and Thanksgiving for God's Mercies Ps 103. 136. 145. for Health as Ps 116. 130. for Plenty and Wealth Ps 65. 144. Victory over our Enemies Ps 18. 149. for mercy to our Souls Ps 66. 111. 118. Q. Which are those Psalms that are call'd The Seven
who come to the House of Prayer Q. Why is the Time generally in the Night A. The first Christians were forced so to Bury and later Ages imitated them only adding divers Lights to shew their Hope of the Party 's being gone to Light everlasting Q. Why do Friends follow the Corps to the Grave A. To mind them that they must shortly follow the deceased in the same Path of Death Q. Why doth the Priest meet at the Church gate in his Surplice A. To allay the Sorrow which naturally seizeth on us when we follow a dear Friend to the Grave the Priest meets us in white the Colour of Joy in imitation of the Angels who go out in white Garments to receive the Soul so doth he to receive the body of the faithful A. 2. This is the Attire which is appointed for the Minister in the Performance of all his Publick offices Q. Why are those Sentences said in the Way A. To excite the Company to Faith Patience and Thankfulness Q. Why is the Body brought into the Church A. To shew the Party died in the Communion thereof Q. What is the meaning of those words in sure and certain hope of the Resurrection to Eternal Life A. This is not spoken of the Party deceased but of the belief of the Standers by of this Article themselves and therefore we say afterward who shall change our vile body and not of the Party deceased Q. Why are Prayers said at the Grave A. Since the sight of that Place and of the Corps now ready to be put into it is wont to make great Impressions on us the Church takes this occasion to fit us with Devotions at the Grave 2. To shew the peculiar hope of the Church of the Resurrection of the Dead In the manner of dumb Funerals what one thing is there whereby the World may perceive we are Christians there being in those dumb Shows nothing but what Heathens and Pagans do Of the Churching of Women Quest WHY is the Woman ordered to come to Church and offer up her publick Praises Answ The Birth of Man is little less than a Miracle and lest the Frequency should diminish our Sense of it the Woman who hath received this wonderful Mercy is ordered to come to Church and offer up her publick Praises Q. What Reason for this Command of the Church A. The Original is from the Law of Moses Levit. 12. which commands all Women after they had born a Child to come to the House of God within a certain number of days and with a Sacrifice to praise God for this great Mercy and although the Ceremonial Reason be ceased yet the Obligation to make a publick Acknowledgment of so eminent a Favour remains still and in all Ages Christian Mothers have observed this holy Rite Q. Why is the Church the Place appointed to do this in A. It must be done thus publickly 1. For God's Honour 2. To satisfy the Womans Duty who is bound to let God's Goodness be shewed forth that others may learn to trust in him 3. By this means many are brought to join in God's Praises for so publick a Mercy and therefore to do this in a private House is absurd and contrary to the main end of the Office Of the Commination Quest WHAT was the Reason and Occasion of composing this Office A. To supply the want of Primitive Discipline that every Man may judge himself since the Church now judgeth so few Offenders Q. Why are those Sentences of God's Cursing against impenitent Sinners read A. In Imitation of the Jews who were appointed by God yearly to observe this Office Q. Doth not he that says Amen wish a Curse to himself A. It is no Adverb of Wishing it signifies no more than an Assent to the truth of that to which it is added Q. What Vse may we make of this Office A. It may be useful to make us flee such Vices and repent of them which here are mentioned since we acknowledge the Curse and Vengeance of God doth deservedly follow such Sins and Sinners Q. What Days in the Week are set apart for Publick Worship throughout the World A. Sunday or the Lord's Day is observ'd by Christians Monday by the Grecians Tuesday by the Persians Wednesday by the Assyrians Thursday by the Egyptians Friday by the Turks Saturday by the Jews An Account of the Titles of all the Books of the Old and New Testament and why they are stil'd Canonical and the meaning of the Word Apocryphal which Title is given to those Books which are not Received into the Canon Of the Old Testament or Covenant THE Books in Holy Scripture are call'd Canonical because according to Rule and Order they have been received into the Canon that is into the Number of those Writings which are unquestionably acknowledged to be the Writings of the Prophets and Holy Men inspired in the Old Testament or Covenant And of the Apostles and Disciples of Christ in the New Testament or Covenant The Word in Greek which is translated Testament signifies both a Covenant and a Testament Both the Words in the Title of the Holy Bible may be used 1. That of Covenant as being most agreeable to the use of the Word in the Sacred Dialect and most agreeable to the Nature of the Gospel which is the Law of Faith 2. That Word of a Testament also wherein the Christian's Inheritance is sealed to him as to a Son and Heir of God's and wherein the Death of Christ as of a Testator is set down at large by way of Story and as it is applicable to our Benefit Of the Pentateuch THE Five first Books in the beginning of the Holy Bible viz. Genesis Exodus Leviticus Numbers Deuteronomy were Penned by Moses and called the Pentateuch which word signifies a Volume of Five Books Of Genesis This First Book of Moses contains the History of the Creation of the World particularly of the Making of Man with which it begins and the Genealogy of the Patriarchs down to the Death of Joseph where it ends with relation whereunto it is very fitly called Genesis that Greek word very properly expressing the Original or first Formation of these things It comprehends an History of 2369 Years or thereabout in the Judgment of many Learned Writers Exodus This Book hath its Name from the Principal Subject of it viz. The Departure of the Children of Israel out of Egypt For so the Greek word signifies Going out or Departing from one place to another It contains an History of about 145 Years from the Death of Joseph to the Building of the Tabernacle for it treats of several things which went before their departure and which followed after it but they all Relate to that and depend upon it Leviticus Levi was the Third Son of Jacob from him his Posterity had the Name of Levites Aaron who with his Sons was called to the Priesthood was from him called a Levite and the Priesthood that was setled in that