otherwise cannot be brought to passe An instance hereof is rendred by our Savioâ— Christ in the case of some possession by tâ—â— Devill See Mark 9.29 This kinde can 〈◊〉 forth by nothing but by prayer and fasting OBSERV A putting on sackcloth 〈◊〉 ashes a renting of clothes a falling dowâ— to the ground on the face c. used by soâ—â— in their fastings were such customes 〈◊〉 fashions as some people in some countreâ—â— in former ages did many times use to 〈◊〉 presse their greife by but were no way peculiar to Gods worship nor yet appropriated thereunto See 2 King 5.7 8. chaâ— 11.14 And therefore Christians in thâ—â— daies of the Gospel are in no sort boundâ— the use thereof who yet are bound to exâ—â—cise fasting and prayer according to ocâ—â—sion sith it is a divine ordinance aswell 〈◊〉 the new Testament as it was for the old XLII PROPOSITION Religious fasting being such aâ— excellent and quickning helpe 〈◊〉 devotion as hath beene decâ—â—red in the former Proposition may and ought therefore to bâ— exercised by godly families and sometimes with their assistant as hath beene shewed likewise formerly according to the extraordinary causes and occasions â—hat doe move call thereunto PROOF Queene Esther as is seemeth was very well instructed and grounded in the â—nowledge of this practicall point of docâ—rine as appeareth by her prudent and religious direction and charge she gave to her â—ncle Mordecai touching the same See Esther 4.16 Goe gather together all the Jews that are present in Shusan and fast yee for me and neither eate nor drinke three daies night or day I also and my maidens will fast likewise and so I will goe in unto the King which is not according to the law and if I perish I perish I. REAS. Because if heavy judgments overflowing calamities doe invade and take hold on a nation countrey or family â—hrough a generall neglect of being seriously humbled and seeking the Lord as being â—he meanes of preventing or removing the â—aid judgments and calamities yet notwithstanding godly Christians that doe walke in their families religiously mournfull as becommeth them shall have the mourners mark set on their foreheads consequently shall prevaile for the sparing of their famâ—â—â— and friends or at least for their owne deâ—â—verance See Ezek. 9.4 And the Lâ—â—â— said unto him Goe through the midâ—â—â— of the citie through the midst of Jerâ—â—â—lem and set a marke upon the forehâ—â—â— of the men that sigh that cry for all 〈◊〉 abominations that are done in the 〈◊〉 thereof This may be seene in a few inâ—â—â—â—ces of some blessed effects of such coâ—â—â—â— I. Noah walking with God in evill timeâ— he and his family was saved from perishâ—â—â— in the universall deluge Gen. 7.1 〈◊〉 II. Lot with his was spared in that feaâ—â—â— destruction of Sodome 2 Pet. 2.7 8. throâ—â—â— the intercession of his friend Abraham 〈◊〉 Gen. 19.29 III. Baruch walking mouâ—â—â— fully had his life given him for a prey inâ—â—â— places where he should come Jerem. 4â— â—â— II. REAS. Because if families professâ—â—â— godlinesse doe not humble themselves 〈◊〉 the sinnes of the times and for judgmeâ—â—â— which are the fruit of sinnes then they 〈◊〉 in great danger to partake of the puniâ—â—ments and to receive of the plagues wheâ— with transgressors are wont to be scourgeâ— as may appeare at large Amos 6.1 2 3 â— 5 6. Woe to them that are at ease in Zion c. 〈◊〉 they are not greived for the affliction of Ioseâ—â— that is to say Such in the Church as 〈◊〉 â—â—t to heart so as to walke mournfully â—e sinnes of the Church and miseries overâ—king it shal be exposed to woe and judgâ—ent OBSERV It seemeth to be more then â—obable that there were so many Jews in â—â—usan See Esther 9.15 as could not â—â—semble or gather together in any one place â—ccording to Esthers appointment Esth 4. 〈◊〉 6. specially considering the danger that in â—â—l likelihoode might have ensued at that â—â—me matters standing as they then did But â—ther their meeting was private in some â—onvenient houses or families where least â—otice might be taken of them and yet that â—â—ere were competent numbers assembled â—â—gether both to excite and also to assist one â—â—other in that weighty and serious exercise â—â—f religious fasting and humiliation XLIII PROPOSITION Extraordinary causes and occasions of more solemne seeking of God by prayer and fasting and of being more seriously humbled before him are either I. When â—ome notorious wickednesse and grosse sinne is committed in the land or family II. Or when soâ—â— fearfull and greivous judgment 〈◊〉 imminent and ready to surpriseâ— III. Or when some heavy calamity is already inflicted and executed IV. Or when some important and weighty affaires aâ—â— to be taken in hand and goâ—â— about V. Or when some choyâ—â— and speciall blessings are desired 〈◊〉 and sought after PROOF I. The notorious and odioâ—â— sinne of the Jews in making strange manâ—ges after their returne from the Baby lâ—nish captivity was a cause and occasionâ— Ezra his approved solemne humiliation 〈◊〉 he himselfe professeth Ezra 9.3 5 â— When I heard this thing I rent my gâ—â—ment and my mantle c. I fell on 〈◊〉 knees and spread out my hands unto thâ— Lord my God And said O my God 〈◊〉 am ashamed c. II. The good King Jehoshapat saw speciall cause of an extraordinary seeking thâ— Lord by prayer and fasting when he heaâ—â— of certaine potent enimies that were conâ—â—derate and came against Judah See 2 Chron. 20.2 3. Then there came some that told Jehoshaphat saying There commeth a great multitude against thee from beyond the sea on this side Syria and behold they be in Hazazon-Tamar which is Engedi And Jehoshaphat feared and set himselfe to seeke the Lord and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah c. III. God complaineth of the Israelites againe and againe sundry times that he haâ—ing executed judgment after judgment â—pon them even famine drought mildew wormes pestilence sword fire c. yet they were not deeply humbled See Amos 4.6 8 9 10 11. Yet ye have not returned to me saith the Lord. IV. Upon occasion of weighty affaires there is ground for such course as these instances doe shew First Ezra going from Babylon to Jerusalem to reedify the Temple which was an important businesse proclaimed a fast See Ezra 8.21 Then I proclaimed a fast there at the river Ahava that we â—ight afflict our selves before our God to seeke of â—im a right way for us and for our little ones and for all our substance Secondly when the great worke of the ministery was to be specially gone about See Act. 13.2 3. The holy Ghost â—aid Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the worke whereunto I have called them And 〈◊〉 they had fasted and prayed and laid their hâ—â—â— on them they sent them away V. Gracious hannah the wife of Elâ—â—nah in the want of a speciall blessing whâ—â— she much desired even a sonne it
Isa 58.13 Calling the Sabbath a delight the holy of the Lord honourable and honouring him not doing their owne waies nor finding their owne pleasure nor speaking their owne words c. True it is the generality both of the Ministers People in England have conceited too meanly and unbeseemingly of the Lords day as is palpably argued by the common neglect and contempt of preaching and by the unwarrantable liberties given and taken on that day Yea there have beene found some in England like those of (q) Act. 6.9 the Synagogue of Libertines that coÌ„tradicted the blessed martyr StepheÌ„ who have imployed both their witts tongues pennes to plead against the necessary and strict keeping holy the Sabbath day But albeit the more number-some and greater sort doe (r) Hos 11.12 compasse God about with lyes deceit yet the better more pious people doe rule with God and are faithfull with the Saints being heartily (Å¿) Ezek. 9.4 greived for the abominations done in the midst of the land on the Sabbath day Secondly the sincere respects of the people of God in England to Lectures appeare both by their great (t) 2 Sam. 24.24 costs to uphold and establish them where maintenance hath beene wanting otherwise and likewise by the fulnesse of the assemblies not only in London and greater cities but also in other parts of the countrey where they are used Oh how my spirits are revived and cheered and my heart (v) Psal 122.1 2. comforted within me when I call to minde the great concourse of well-affected Christians in severall parts of Lancashire and Cheshire where sometimes I had my station who have resorted to Lectures and monethly exercises as (x) Isa 60.8 doves fly to their windows going from strength to strength many miles round about till they appeared before God in the assembly of Saints Such their course seemed to be a reall experimentall commentary on the 84 Psalme True it is there hath beene speciall opposition against Lectures in England I tremble to mention it through the absurd unreasonablenesse of some seeking (y) 2 Thess 3.2 to hinder the free course of the Gospell But such their (z) 2 Tim. 3 8 9. folly and madnesse in resisting the trueth is made manifest to all men Thirdly the respective performance of religious family-duties by the people of God in England crowneth their keeping of the Sabbath and attendance on Lectures sith thereby it is demonstrated that their (a) Deut. 6.6 7. Christian profession is to purpose turning words into works and attaining a power of godlinesse aswell as the forme of it True it is that some professing themselves to be the people of God notwithstanding that family-duties are (b) Hos 8.12 of the great things of the law yet doe count them as a strange thing Not unlike those ignorant baptized (c) Act. 19.2 disciples at Ephesus who being asked whether they had received the holy Ghost since they had beleeved said They had not so much as heard whether there be any holy Ghost But (d) Hebr. 13.22 I beseech such to suffer the words of instruction and exhortation in the discourse ensuing True it is also there are some (e) Gen. 21.9 Gal. 4.29 scoffing Ismaels and (f) 2 Sam. 6.16 20. giering Micals who doe despise in their hearts and persecute what in them lieth the families that call upon Gods Name for their performance of family-duties But let such know that godly families are not wont to be daunted by (g) Hebr. 11.36 the tryall of cruell mockings as being resolved in their measure with David to be (h) 2 Sam. 6.22 yet more vile then thus if this be to be vile and with Joshua that however it may seeme evill to others to serve the Lord Yet (i) Josh 24.15 as for them their houses they will serve the Lord. Now forasmuch as many of the Lords approved workmeÌ„ have taken in hand to set forth their well studied labours to defend and promote the religious observation oâ— the Lords day and to justify and encourage effectuall preaching and fruitfull hearing of the word It seemed good to me also knowing that I am (k) Philip. 1.17 set for the cause of the Gospel to put forth my slender talent in composing an Essay touching the necessity nature and manner of performance of religious family-duties if so I may give an (l) Math. 25.19 Hebr. 13.17 Luk. 16.2 Neh. 13.22 account of my stewardship with joy and be spared according to the greatnesse of Gods tender mercies when I shal be summoned to a reckoning in that day And this I have attempted the rather (m) Psal 122.8 for my brethren companions sakes whose spiritual good and prosperity I unfeignedly desire and seeke after partly to stirre up and helpe forward the sincere and zealous devotions of such as desire to (n) Psal 10.2 walke within their houses with a perfect heart partly likewise to provoke such as are of greater abilities to contribute our of their (o) Math. 13.52 old and new store into our Lords treasury who standeth (p) Mark 12.41 to behold and observe and will graciously accept and commend the liberality of offerers be the gift never so meane It is undoubtedly (q) Math. 25.22.23 well done of Gods good and faithfull servants the godly-zealous preachers in England that in their sermons and treatises they doe most seriously call for and frequently inculcate an exercise and practise of religious family-duties but yet me thinks it may seeme to be some upbraiding of the reformed times that there is no peculiar treatise bestowed on this subject at least that I have either seene or ever heard of The blessing of God (r) Ephes 3.14 15. the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ of whom the whole family in heaven and on earth is named and (Å¿) Jerem. 31.1 the God of all the families of the English Israel goe along graciously with this poore and weake endeavour for the glory of his great Name and the spirituall welfare of my most endeared countreâ— men Even so prayeth his Lord unworthy servant and humble pâ—â—titioner at the throne of grace THOMAS PAGE A Series or order of the severall Propositions in the ensuing Demonstration 1. IT is a grand concernment to know and beleeve that the Lord is God 2. Such as know and beleeve that the Lord is God ought to worship and serve him 3. God ought to be worshipped and served according to his owne appointment 4. The word of God is the rule of the worship and service which God hath appointed 5. The rule directed in the Word is not only expressed in doctrinall precepts but also is implied in the promises threatnings and examples 6. One cheife direction is that God be served every day in some religious exercises 7. A religious sanctifying of the Sabbath day doeth not exempt any from religious duties on the working daies 8. The
one and the other joyning together in duty See Judg. 4.8 9. 2 Chron. 30.15 XXXVII PROPOSITION If the Governour of the family be froward and refractary and neither will observe nor allow nor permit the exercise and practise of religious duties in the presence of the whole family joyntly and together Then the severall members of the family that feare God ought to redeem some times thereto apart bâ— themselves with as good conveniency as possibly they can PROOF Queene Esther albeit she coâ—â— not expect that King Ahashuerus woâ—â— allow openly in his house a setting upon 〈◊〉 religious exercise of prayer and fasting according to occasion but rather that 〈◊〉 would be wholly averse thereunto yet 〈◊〉 resolved that she would not be wantiâ—â— therein in her owne particular nor wheâ— she had any power See Esth 4.16 I 〈◊〉 and my maidens will fast c. Good Obadâ—â— the servant of King Ahab in another case considering what was meet to be done 〈◊〉 the evill times in which he lived approve himselfe as became him notwithstanding Ahab the King and Jezebel the Queen were averse and contrary minded Sâ—â— 1 King 18.13 Prudent Abigail the wife 〈◊〉 Nabal did in another case as became he although her husband was a froward aâ—â— foolish profane man even a sonne of Beliâ—â— as it appeareth 1 Sam. 25.23 24 25 26 c. I. REAS. Because every one ought to a prove his owne waies to God See Gal. 6.4 Let every one prove his owne works c. Foâ— there is a possibility for Christians that are discreet and zealous to walke as becommeth Saints even in wicked families There were Saints in that tyrannous persecuting Emperour Nero his house See Philip. 4.22 II. REAS. Because it may come to passe through Gods abundant mercy and gracious dispensation that the whole family may fare better for their sakes who doe behave and demeane themselves therein religiously walking in all the waies of God Even as the Lord blessed the house of Potiphar the Egyptian for pious Joseph his sake See Gen. 39.5 OBSERV It need not seeme strange that the reasonable service of God as it is styled Rom. 12.1 doeth sometimes meet with opposition from unreasonable wicked men fith all men have not faith as it is implied 2 Thess 3.2 But yet in such cases the worke of God ought to be put forward notwithstanding See this Act. 4.19 20. chap. 5.20 21. XXXVIII PROPOSITION Every member of a Christian family who feareth God notwithstanding his partaking and joyning in the family-exercises both morning and evening every day ought to performe some religious duty unto God daily iâ— secret and alone as occasion offereth and opportunity will moâ—â— conveniently permit so to doe PROOF This is implied in the direction given by our Saviour Christ Math. 6. â—â— When thou prayest enter into thy closet c. thaâ— is to say When thou prayest privately aâ—â— doest not joyne with others in prayer thâ— enter into thy closet or take some secrâ—â— place thereunto c. And answerable here unto was Christs owne practise redeeming some time to private prayer See Mark 1. vers 35. I. REAS. Because every Christian maâ— ought to doe something himselfe for the stirring up of the gift of God that is in him 2 Timoth. 1.6 sith he is to live by his owâ—â— faith Hab. 2.4 and must have his joy iâ— himselfe alone and not in another Gal. 6.4 See 1 Cor. 11.28 Let a man examine himselfe c. II. REAS. Because every member of the family may have some particular cases or speciall occasions of their owne which peradventure either are not knowne or else it may be are not meet to be mentioned by him that uttereth the requests and supplications of the family for so it seemeth it was in Hannah her case sith it had not beene convenient that Elkanah her husband in the presence of Peninnah and the rest of the family should have uttered her petition at that time Neither did Eli the priest understand or know what her condition was See 1 Sam. 1.10 c. OBSERV A performance of religious duties by particular persons in secret and apart Zach. 12.12 13 14. tendeth notably to good evidence and comfortable assurance which requireth speciall diligence to be given unto it 2 Pet. 1.10 of the trueth and sincerity of their hearts and that there is no guile nor hypocrisie in their spirits as it is intimated in our Saviour Christ his directions and encouragements unto secret prayer and fasting c. See Math. 6.6 18. XXXIX PROPOSITION Albeit morning and evening every day being the fittest seasons for the performance of family-duties as hath beene already shewed ought therefore to be observed as likewise some tiâ—â— ought to be redeemed to a privaâ—â— course yet upon extraordinarâ— occasions and as opportuniâ—â— serveth thereunto Christian families or persons may yea anâ— ought to exercise themselves iâ— prayer and in the word anâ— other Spirituall duties severaâ— times on a day and somtime whole daies together PROOF Thus David professeth of himselfe See Psa 55.17 Evening and morning 〈◊〉 noone will I pray and cry aloud and he shall heaâ—â— my voice Psal 119.164 Seven times a day 〈◊〉 I prayse thee because of thy righteous judgment Daniel the Prophet a man greatly beloved did thus approve himselfe on the extraordinary occasions of evill times See Dan. 6.10 Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed he went into his house and his windowes being open in his chambeâ— toward Jerusalem he kneeled upon his knees three times a day and prayed and gave thanks before his God as he did aforetime And when he understood by reading in the booke of the Prophet Jeremiah the number of the yeeres determined touching the desolations of Jerusalem he prayed a whole day continuing therein even to the evening See Dan. 9.2 3 21. I. REAS. Because extraordinary causes and occasions doe require and call for extraordinary services of prayer and exercise in the word See Isaia 22.1 12. when there was a burden of the valley of vision In that day the Lord called to sutable demeaning of themselves And thus the godly brethren have beene wont to order their course See Act. 12.5 When Peter was kept in prison Prayer was made of the Church unto God without ceasing for him II. REAS. Because otherwise God will have a controversy with his people sith it is some sleighting contempt controlement of his infinite wisdome and other his divine attributes according to his diverse manner of working when a proportioned and answerable deportment is not observed For so the Lord God professeth himselfe Isaia 22.14 Surely this inquity of unsutable walking shall not be purged till ye dye saith the Lord of hosts OBSERV The people of God ought to be are in their measure zealously affected Tit. 2.14 Revel 3.19 John 2.17 2 Cor. 7.11 that is to say such whose affections and pâ—â—tises are enlarged and increased according just objects and occasions