Selected quad for the lemma: book_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
book_n	holy_a	read_v	scripture_n	8,342	5	5.9261	4	true

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A51047	Christian advice both to old and young, rich and poor which may serve as a directory at hand, ready to direct all persons almost in every state and condition. Under XXVII general useful heads.	Mocket, Thomas, 1602-1670?; Cross, Thomas, fl. 1632-1682, engraver.	1671 (1671)	Wing M2303A; ESTC R217853	68,834	211

own devices It is true indeed one sinner we read of the good Thief on the Cross repented at his last hour and found mercy but we do not read of any more in the whole Bible that did so and his conversion was miraculous and extraordinary to confirm the truth of Christs doctrine calling and authority to be the Messiah and Saviour one that none who through ignorance or neglect have put off repentance might despair and yet but one that none might presume as Augustine well observed 5. Consider how absurd how unjust and unreasonable it is that any should give the first best of their days wit parts and strength to the service of sin the world and the Devil as all natural unregenerate and impenitent men and women do and the last and worst of their parts and abilities to God when they can do little or nothing for God who in all reason and upon everlasting obligations should have the first best last and all the time and abilities they have It is our duty to give all to him and his due upon most weighty considerations as of his creating us of nothing preserving sustaining with food rayment in health peace and also by our solemn engagement at Baptisme to be the Lords renewed at the Lords supper vows in our sicknesses weaknesses streights and dangers would any of us be willing to be so served by any one that hath his dependance and all he hath from us 6. I beseech you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ and as you tender the everlasting good of your soules and bodies if any of you have neglected this great and most necessary work to use all the good means appointed of God with all speed and seriousness for the getting and increasing of sound knowledg saving faith true repentance sincere love real obedience and holiness of heart and life of which I shall speak more in the general considerations and advices immediately following which I hope may be of some use to all sorts and ranks of men And now my dear friends and acquaintance let me in the bowels of Jesus Christ be your Remembrancer to put you in minde of and quicken you in the practice of these few following profitable necessary and comfortable Christian exercises though you do know them already and are established in them as the Apostle Peter did his beloved Christians 2 Pet. 1.12 13. I will not be negligent to put you alwayes in remembrance of these things though you know them and be established in the present truth Yea I think it meet as long as I am in this Tabernacle to stir you up by putting you in remembrance knowing that shortly I must put off this my tabernacle even as our Lord Jesus Christ hath shewed me And here I will mind you of no other thing then what I my self desire really sincerely and constantly to practice and Oh that the good Lord would inable me by his grace and that you would help me by your prayers for I assure you I desire to think of you alwayes and to minde you in my approaches unto God Oh my friends my heart is inlarged towards you and for you be you also enlarged to God for me I have great need of your prayers 1. Read the holy Scriptures daily especially the Gospels the Epistles of the Apostles and the book of Psalms and let such as cannot read themselves get them read as often as they can Even Kings notwithstanding their many other great and weighty imployments for the publick good must have a copy of the holy Scriptures by them and read therein all the dayes that is every day of their lives that they may learn to fear the Lord their God and to keep all the words of the Law and the Statutes and do them Deut. 17.18 19. For blessed is the man that delighteth in the Law of the Lord and in his Law doth meditate day and night Psal 1.2 And in reading the holy Scriptures observe as well as you can 1. What sins are forbidden condemned or punished to avoid them 2. What duties commanded commended or approved to observe and doe them 3. What promises are made and to whom and believe them apply them rest on them for your encouragement in well doing or avoiding evil 4. What threatnings there are against any sin or judgements of God or man on sinners to avoid the sins And 5. what blessings are on the godly or good things he has done for any to comfort and encourage you in well doing There are also many other excellent books and treatises on several parts of the holy Scripture also on particular necessary Christian duties of singular use to instruct and direct a Christian in every duty of his general and particular calling also in every particular state condition and relation which are worth your reading and serious perusal which you shall do very well to redeem what time you can conveniently to read and meditate on them I shall for their sakes that know not name a few choice books as the Practice of Piety Mr. Scudders daily walk with God Mr. Balls Catechism with the exposition and treatise of living by faith Mr. Baxters call to the unconverted also his book intituled Now or Never Dr. Gouge of Domestical duties Mr. Thomas Gouge his word to Sinners and Saints Mr. Dod on the Ten Commandments Mr. Burroughs Jewel of contentment Mr. Gurnass whole armour of God on Eph. 6. in three parts Mr. Fenner of Repentance and Gods alarum to drousy Saints Mr. Dyke of Conscience also of the Sacrament Dr. Prestons of Gods all-sufficiency Watsons Cordial Mr. Brooks of Jereboams son for young men Mr. Church Christian daily Monitor There are many other excellent works of Mr. Perkins Mr. Boulton Dr. Preston Dr. Sibbes Mr. W. Fernner Mr. Obadiah Sedgwick Mr. Hooker Dr. Reynolds Mr. Burroughs Mr. Caryl on Job Dr. Goodwin Mr. Calamy Mr. Bridges Mr. Swinnock which I have seen with very many more that come not now into my minde and would be too too tedious to write and read but these few for direction to them that know not and desire some help herein 2. Take and improve the opportunity of hearing the word preached especially on the Lords day by able and sound men in Office others have no warrant nor call of God Jam. 1.18 Be swift to hear He that hath an ear to hear let him hear said our blessed Saviour Mat. 11.15 and 13.41 For it is the onely ordinary means appointed of God for to beget and work also to preserve and increase saving knowledge faith repentance and every saving grace Rom. 10.14 17. Faith comes by hearing and that of men in Office v. 14. It is the power of God unto salvation Rom. 1.16 17. The savour of life unto life to them that do believe 2 Cor. 2.16 Prov. 8.34 Blessed is the man that heareth me saith wisdom waiting daily at my gates waiting at the posts of my doors He that willingly neglects hearing neglects his

oftentimes fall into the sins also which he should not and 't is like would not to his shame and sorrow when too late to repent them therefore 1 Thes 5.22 says the Apostle Abstain from all appearances of evil 4. And where occasions cannot be avoided there especially arm your selves by prayer meditation on the word power justice and goodness of God and by holy resolution constantly and resolutely to oppose the evil the motions of sin temptations of Satan and the allurements of the world looking unto God and relying on him for assistance strength and wisdom to withstand and overcome them Jam. 4 7. 1 Pet. 5.9 Mat. 26.41 Watch and pray always that ye enter not into temptation And we have great reason so to do to be watchful if we consider what enemies we have viz. the Devil the world and the flesh 1. The Devil a most cunning malicious subtil vigilant and diligent and deceitful adversary to tempt and draw us to sin and destruction See 1 Pet. 5.8 one that is invisible a spirit and so can be present and see us outwardly inwardly that knows our nature temper and disposition by his great knowledge and thousands of years diligent observation and can and doth sute his temptations accordingly and press them home again and often and not be seen nor discerned of us because a spirit and invisible 2. The World another great enemy both the men of the world and worldly things The men of the world earthly carnal sensual men and men of corrupt judgments and evil conversations that will be tempting and drawing to sin by their counsel promises threatnings fair and foul usage hard dealings by their examples habits carriage and the like Therefore there are so many warnings given us by the Lord in his word as Pro. 1.10 My son if sinners intice thee consent thou not Prov. 4.14 Enter not into the path of the wicked c. Mat. 10.16 17 18. Beware of men Mat. 7.15 Beware of false Prophets that come unto you in sheeps clothing but inwardly are ravening wolves i. e. with fair pretences but with foul malicious devouring hearts Phil. 3 2. 1 Cor. 15.32 Evil words corrupt good manners 2 Tim. 2.17 Their words do eat as doth a canker One man is oftentimes a wolf a devil to another and yet many discern it not Also the things of the world as profit pleasure preferment ease liberty credit and the like are great snares many times to draw into sin Who is not many times ensnared by them or too much taken up with them therefore great cause we have to be watchful 3. The flesh within us is as bad an enemy or worse than either of the other because within us natural to us born and bred up alwayes up with us as near to us as a right hand or a right eye that is always present with us and ready to open to Satan who is not always present therefore be watchful And thus labour to walk circumspectly 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 exactly precisely for so the word most properly signifies not as fools but as wise redeeming the time because the days are evil Ephes 5.15 16. from pleasures recreations idle words and frivolous discourses which are apt to steal away and swallow up much time though not evil in themselves also from vain thoughts and unprofitable musings which are very apt to steal in upon us in the bed at night in the morning and at other times at home and abroad walking and journeying also from sight frothy and amorous Books Romances and the like very unfit for Christians professing Godliness to read or hear for they steal much precious time move the affections in vain corrupt youth and take their affections off from and disrelish the spiritual appetite to the Holy Scriptures and other divine Treatises very necessary to be read frequently and seriously thought of Also redeem the time from unnecessary journeys visits yea even from sleep and worldly businesses for spiritual exercises to get and grow in knowledge grace and holiness to make sure of Gods favour pardon of sin interest in Christ and eternal life and to be useful in your generation that you may be able to to say with the Apostle Phil. 3.20 Our conversation is in Heaven from whence we look for the Saviour the Lord Jesus Christ who shall change our vile bodies c. 11. As God gives and according to your abilities be ready to be good to and relieve them that are sick weak in want or other affliction Gal. 6.10 As we have opportunity let us do good to all men especially unto them that are of the houshold of faith i. e. that are of the same Religion with us especially such as are Godly Heb. 13.16 To do good and to communicate forget not for with such sacrifice God is well pleased It is an odour of a sweet savour a sacrifice acceptable well-pleasing to God Phil. 4.18 And do it chearfully and liberally not grudgingly and sparingly for God loveth a cheerful giver and will plentifully require them in full measure pressed down and running over Luk. 6.38 It is compared to a sowing-seed 2 Cor. 9.6 He that sows sparingly shall reap sparingly and he that soweth bountifully shall reap bountifully Liberality supplieth the want of the necessitous giving occasion of much thanksgiving and of glory to God doth adorn the Christian Religion honor the Gospel of Christ stop the mouths of worldly men but opens the mouths and hearts of them that are relieved refreshed and comforted to praise God for you speak wel of you pray to God for you and doth as I may in some sense say engage God to deal liberally with you for your liberal distribution to others though our good works do not merit in the least degree and to inrich you with every good thing to all bountifulness 2 Cor. 6.7 8. and 9.8 to the end The Holy Ghost often presseth this duty Read Eccles 11.1 2. Cast thy bread upon the waters though it seem in the eye of natural reason as bread cast into the River quite lost yet saith he after many days thou shalt find it again yea with much advantage as the husband-man doth his corn cast into the earth and long buried yet after many moneths he receives it again many for one many times ten twelve yea more for one bushel Ver. 2. Give a portion to seven and also to eight for thou knowest not what evil shall be on the earth that is what plundering times or casualties may come when all may be taken away or consumed and then it will not repent you that you were liberal and charitable whilst you had it to poor Christians and other prous uses that is so given is sure and safe but that which is not given but taken away or consumed is quite gone lost unless lost for Christs sake But remember as to give cheerfully and liberally to also for Christs sake love to God and obedience to his command

that power over her Also she ought to declare her reverence to him by an inward wife-like fear of offending him and outwardly by her mild courteous loving and modest speech to him and of him behaviour before him and respective obedience to him as her husband 3. To nourish and cherish him and provide things needful and convenient for him most especially in time of sickness weakness and the like as for her self Ephes 5.29 4. To go soberly modestly and gravely and after a seemly manner in her apparel as becomes godliness not garish flanting and fantastick 1 Tim. 2.9 I will that women adorn themselves with modest apparel modest apparel then is an ornament as well as garish rich and fine or costly apparel and in some respects much more and doth more win the the affections of all sober persons with shamefastness and sobriety and which becometh godliness with good works 1 Pet. 3.4 5. whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair and of wearing of of gold or of putting on of apparel but let it be the hidden man of the heart in that which is not corruptible even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit which in the sight of God is of a great price For after this manner in old time the holy women who trusted in God adorned themselves being in subjection to their own husbands 5. To look to the house and the affairs of it and to preserve the goods of it as her own and order them for the best advantage also the children and maid-servants this is expresly commanded in terms 1 Tim. 5.14 6. To advise with her husband ask and learn of him in private 1 Tim. 2.11 7. But especially to be a true helper to her husband in the things of God that concern their spiritual good according to her power And it is a great advantage the wife hath by reason of her interest in her husband and children and the frequent being with him and them to instruct the children mind him of his duty lovingly and meekly advise comfort and encourage him to every good work as well as he her one great end of Marriage Gen. 2.19 20 21. 23. Parents you whom God hath given the honour to be fathers and mothers of children Let me mind you of the particular duties God requireth of you in reference to your children I need not advise you to have care of their bodies and to provide for them in due season all things needful for them Nature teacheth that and he is worse than an infidel or Heathen that doth not provide for his own house 1 Tim. 5.8 but do not mind them more than God but their spiritual good I chiefly aim at 1. Teach and instruct your children in the grounds and Principles of Religion as soon as they are capable of retaining any thing though they do not for the present understand it yet children do many times understand more than we think they do teach them a little at once as they are capable the most easie and fundamental truths first Deut. 6.6 7. These words which I command thee this day shall be in thy heart and thou shalt teach them thy children diligently The word signifies to whet or sharpen as a man sharpens his knife by degrees often drawing it to and fro so should parents teach their children and mark what follows and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thy house and when thou walkest by the way and when thou liest down when thou risest up Eph. 6.4 Ye fathers provoke not your children to anger but bring them up in the nourture and admonition of the Lord. A good Catechisme is of great use to this end amongst others Mr. Perkins Catechisme Mr. John Balls and the Exposition also and the Assemblies are all of singular use learned by heart more especially with the proofs the shortest and easiest way to furnish children with the main grounds of Religion and to fit them to hear Sermons 2. Pray often with them and for them 3. Read the Holy Scriptures to them and other good Books as you have opportunity 4. Teach them to read betimes and to read well and hear them read daily 5. See that they attend reverently in time of Religious duties and on the publike Ministry also Exod. 20.8 9 10. 6. Repeat the Sermons unto them or the heads as well as you can and God will help you 7. Examine what they remember what they have heard or read otherwise they will not mind and so not profit by hearing and reading 8. Commend and encourage them when they do well Reprove them when they do evil Correct them also when need requires not in passion a sinful thing and doth little good yet too common and which is worse some foolish Parents presently after correction are ready to take them into their bosom this is of evil consequence and besides it shews they did not correct them in love and judgment but only vent their sinful passion but correct them wisely in meekness and love and let them see you are angry with them for their Souls good till they melt kindly for their faults and humble themselves and beg your pardon Consider well Prov. 19.18 and 22.15 and 23.13 Ephes 6.4 but provoke them not to anger Col. 3.21 Use not threatnings nor many words lest when they see they are but words they slight them and regard not your words nor commands nor your selves neither in a while as I have often seen 9. Give them always a good example in word and deed carry your selves gravely meekly religiously and after a seemly manner towards them evil examples will do them more hurt than all your good instructions will do them good Children have a great conceit of all the Parent doth though bad or untrue and are wonderful apt to imitate them Col. 4.6 Let your speech be always seasoned with salt that is discretion and prudence that it may rellish savour and season others well Avoid all corrupt communication foolish and scurrilous words and jesting Ephes 4.29 And the rather you have great reason thus to do and to endeavour their regeneration and salvation because you have been instruments of their corrupt sinful miserable and damnable estate by natural generation If you be instruments under God of begetting them again as furthering a new spiritual birth and life in them and so of their salvation it will add much to your comfort and crown at the day of your account But if they miscarry and perish through your evil example or neglect of due educating them they shall die in their sins but your Souls must answer to God for them at the day of death and judgment and that may be very soon and will be very sad for you 10. Busie them in some honest and fit imployment as soon as they are capable teach them to be good husbands and house-wives Skill diligence and providence are alone a good portion and livelihood and many times