4 Paines 5 Pain in the farewell and parting with it He hath cut off his right hand and pluckt out his right eye with this one hand and cast it from him too 4 He carefully and continually searcheth himselfe and goes down with light into his heart 5 He is jealous of his owne heart for 't is deceitfull and fears it for 't is desperate and therefore goes not with it without a sword the word he will not trust it in holiest practices and most heavenly perswasions 6 He doubts of none but of himself suspects most his own graces and the witnesse of his own spirit lest Satan shine like an Angel of light and say 't is the testimony of Gods Spirit with ours 7 He walks daily with God humbly and heavenly wishing that none saw his good but God and men his evill he cares not if Christ loves him how he appears 8 He eats and drinks as if Christ sate at the Table his bodily food is sweetned and seasoned with some heavenly meditations or holy discourses his speech is powdered with salt he feeds not heartily but riseth hungry till then 9 He is verily afraid of indifferent things and avoids all appearance of evill 10 He is carefull of his Calling onely in love to Gods Command with feare of the world 11 He buyes and sells not to gain but to godlinesse they are but poor professors that live no better then they bargain they trade as all at the best as most doe and is not this the broad way where many goe You shall know a Christian as by his Church so by his shop 12 His dayes of Humiliation are his Holi-dayes his delights are Christians Sabbaths and society of Saints not only publick but in private he fears many times he is not one but desires ever and is earnest to be one of the excellent ones the secret ones and sincere ones 13 He is open hearted and open handed to all he can no more keep sin close then his Coin he can give well and lend as well as borrow and can take as well a reproof as a kind nesse he is simple in evill he cannot cover or excuse it in the Lords work he is carefull and cleanly and a good workman but in the Devils work he is a very bungler he cannot bandsomely sin or excuse it 14 He is content to have his spirituall estate tryed by any not only by a searching Minister in publick but by a private friend he opens his heart freely for others to ask and gives Answer of his hope with meeknesse and fear 15 His thoughts are bound in with a holy compasse and his words are not idle he speaks not to spend the time in impertinent powerlesse or discoverlesse things but to minister grace to men glory to God and to doe good or receive good his life is a light and leads and provokes to goods works 16 He doth not a good duty in grace but he goes to the utmost of it he aimes not at the Butt but at the midst of the white he is zealous in good works fervent in spirit serving the Lord pressing hard to the price of the high Calling perfecting holinesse in fear 17 He hath heard no more then he practiceth and prayes not only in fear of Gods Command and his own conscience but in love to have a communion with God in Christ by the Spirit 18 His ears are open to the whole word he believes the threats and trembles he fears also the Promises lest he come short 19 He hath a respect to every Command such a respect I say as a man hath to his betters his heart stands in awe to every Commandement 20 He prayes in the holy Ghost his Petitions and intercessions are made by the Spirit and sent up with sighes by the intercession of Christ unto God the father the Spirit cries before he cries he speaks not first and then he looks for the Spirit to quicken his words but his words follow the Spirit with much affection fervency faith and fear 21 He hath found out the Hell of his heart and feels the flames of it in secret self-love hidden hypocrisie horrible blasphemy c. and somtimes pride possessed with the whole damned Crew mentioned 2 Tim. 3.2 3 4 5. and elswhere In a word he hath found an emptinesse and an enmity to all good 22 He sets his face against the body of sin and every member of it he seeks and receives some power daily from Christs Crosse to crucifie every lust and he watcheth the Sepulchre lest it rise again 23 He daily desires the virtue of Christs Resurrection and he is risen and walks in new obedience in holinesse and heavenly mindednesse 24 He is ever poor in spirit and is known 1 By his continuall complaints 2 B importunate Prayers 3 By uncessant paines for righteousnesse 25 He is never found in his own but if he can be in Christs Righteousnesse all the rest is dung 26 He ever forgets others sins and his own graces observes others graces and his own sins 27 He not only loves the Saints but honours the excellent ones and rejoyceth at Gods glory and at any good done by others as done by himself 28 He mourns in secret for his 1 Owne sins 2 Others 3 For the dishonor of God 4 For the danger of the Gospel 5 For the disgrace of Gods people 29 He walks humbly with God lying ever at his feet looking up ar the Throne of grace to the Lord in Jesus Christ 30 He lives by faith eats and drinks and sells and buyes in Christ In a word he will not receive any earthly Creature a spirituall Crosse nor a heavenly grace and blessing but by the hand of Christ 31 He looks for and longs and loves the appearing of Christ he hastens his coming Amen even so Lord Jesus come quickly 2 Tim. 4.5 2 Pet. 3.12 Rev. 22.28 A Christian CATECHISM Opening the first Principles and most fundamentall points of RELIGION As they are expressed in the BELIEF Question WHat is the Belief Answer It is a profession of our Christian faith Question Is it a Prayer Answer No. Question How doth a profession of faith differ from a Prayer Answer Prayer is a speech directed to God wherein we desire that something may be given or forgiven us but a profession of faith is a speech directed usually to men wherein we expresse to them what we do believe Question Why doth every one in particular say I believe I believe Answer Because every man must in particular know what he himselfe doth believe and so be ready to declare what is his faith upon which he groundeth his hope of eternall life Question What doe you mean when when you say I believe in God In God Answer I mean that I know and am assured that God is such a one as he hath in his word declared himself to be and that I doe trust in him Jer. 31.34 Isa 26.4 Question What is that word
to wit Naboths Vineyard which he should have forsaken because Jezabel his wise provoked him 1 Kings 21.7.25 3 We must meditate often of the vanity of worldly pomps which is such as that they become men to be laught at for their folly that will forsake God rather than them Ps 52.5 6 7. 4 We ought to be earnest in prayer to God that the profits and vanities and pomps of this world may never so prevaile over us as to draw us from Gods word or way or make us to sin against him and walk in an evill way Psal 119.36 37. 141.4 Question 46. How shall I know when I have forsaken the world Answer I have then forsaken it when I have forsaken the pomps and vanities of it and make no reckoning of them in respect of the keeping of a good conscience towards God Gal. 6.14 Question 47. What was there else promised in Baptism besides the forsaking of the Devil and the world Answer To forsake the sinfull lusts of the flesh Question 48. What are these lusts of the flesh Answer Such inward stirrings and sinfull motions as arise from corrupt Nature which is called flesh John 3.6 and tend to the sanctifying of it in the fleshly desires thereof Rom. 13.14 Question 49. But are there not some particular heads by which we may better understand and under which we may place these fleshly lusts Answer Yes the Apostle hath brought them to three heads Rom. 13.13 Surfeiting and drankenes Chambering and wantones Strife and envying whereby it appears that all belly Gods wanton and unclean persons all proud malicious and quarrelsome persons doe in a speciall manner walk after the flesh Question 50. Is it absolutely unlawfull then to desire meats drinks marriage Answer Not so for the desires of the created Creature are not unlawfull but of corrupted nature onely and it is not altogether unlawfull to make provision for the flesh so it be not to fullfill the lusts that is the sinfull lusts thereof Rom. 13.14 Question 51. But is it enough that the outward works of the flesh be forsaken Answer No we must forsake those inward and secret lusts that be sinfull nor is it enough to forsake some of them but we must forsake them all Question 52. What Reasons and helps can you give to perswade and enable us to forsake these works of the flesh Answer 1 Because God in his word beseecheth us to abstaine from them 1 Pet. 2.11 and who would not doe any thing at Gods intreaty 2 Because these lusts be fleshly lusts and Christians be spirituall men 2 Cor. 6.17 3 Because they be sinfull lusts to wit which the word of God speaks against 1 Thess 4.5 And the Spirit of God lusts and strives against 1 Pet. 1.11 Gal. 5.17 And how can we then keep with us how can we nourish within us such great wickednesses and sin against God Gen. 39.9 4 Because we be Pilgrims and strangers and therefore should moderate our selves in those delights of nature that we meet withall in our way and should much more forsake and abandon those things that tend onely to the satisfying of corruptnesse and wherein worldly men that are at home and must never look for any other comfort then that they have here doe sport and glut themselves 5 Because these lusts fight against our soules and shall we keep in our bosomes and cherish in our hearts enemies that fight not onely against our bodies and states and names but even against our soules also 6 Because they fight against the souls of others with whom we live Christians that satisfie the flesh keep Heathens from the faith and men unconverted loath the very profession of Religion by reason of the dishonest conversation of those that doe professe it whereas their honest conversation might prevaile very much for the winning of others to Religion 1 Pet. 2.11 7 Because if we walk after the flesh we shall dye but if we mortifie the deeds of the body by the Spirit we shall live Rom. 8.13 Question 53. How ought we to forsake all the forenamed things that we have vowed against to wit the Devil the world and the flesh Answer We must forsake them all 1 In our Judgements disliking them John 1.24 2 In our hearts and â—ffections distasting and loathing them Psal 97.10 3 In purpose resolving firmly against them Hos 14.8 4 In practice having nothing to doe with them but putting them quite away Ephes 4.24 5 With prayer to God that we may have strength to doe all these effectually Psal 141.4 Question 54. Hitherto of the first thing that Christian Children promise in Baptism to wit to forsake the Devil the world and the flesh But is that all Answer No it is not enough to forsake that which is evill but there must be also a cleaving unto that which is good and therefore the second thing promised is to believe all the Articles of the Christian faith Question 55. What is the Christian faith Answer It is the Doctrine of Faith contained in the whole Scripture but most clearly revealed in the Gospel which is called The word of Faith Rom 10.8 Question 56. But why is this Doctrine called the Christian faith Answer It may be so called 1 Because it speaks of Christ 1 Cor. 1.25 2 Tim. 2.8 2 Because it was spoken and preached by Christ Heb. 1.1 Mark 1.14 15. 3 Because it is a Doctrine for Christ that is advancing and setting up Jesus Christ 1 John 17.3 both against Heathens that never knew God in Christ and against the Jewes that rested on their own righteousnesse with the refusing and slighting of Jesus Christ and that righteousnesse of his the flying whereunto is the maine matter of our Christian Faith Rom. 10.3 4. 4 Because it is a Doctrine received by those that were first called Christians Acts 11.26 and acknowledged ever since by those that by Baptism come within the number of Christians 5 Because it is a Doctrine that makes people Christians The Apostles went forth and taught all Nations and by that means they became Christians and were Baptized Mat. 28.19 Question 57. But what doe you mean by the Articles of the Christian faith Answer The twelve Articles of the Creed wherein is comprized the whole Doctrine of the Christian faith Question 58. Why are they named Articles Answer They may be so called for these Reasons 1 Because they be brief heads of Christian Religion as Articles are a brief draught of businesses between man and man 2 Because they are the condition of our Covenant unto which all are tyed that will have a part in Christ as men by Articles are tyed each to other 3 Because as Articles are things agreed upon between man and man so these Articles are things agreed upon between Jesus Christ and the Church Catholick yea they are therefore said to be framed that the Christian Church every where dispersed might be united in the faith by the help of these Articles which all of
businesse or from thy sleep rise the earlier that thou and thy family may pray together in the morning Mark 1.35 work the harder that businesse being dispatcht thou and thy Family may have a time to read and to pray together in the evening Question 116. What Help or Motive is there for the establishing of a course of prayer in private Families notwithstanding all worldly businesses Answer There are these two helps 1 Have serious thoughts of God Take a time to hear and pray for God can tell very well what time thou hast yea make a time dispatch businesse out of the way for God can tell very well what time thou mayest have and whether it be thy worldly busines that hinders thee or an abominable lothnesse to be about any spirituall businesse 2 Have reverend thoughts of prayer Men have base and Atheisticall thoughts of Religious exercises to wit that so much time is lost in them without any good at all to be expected from them Hence it is that they are so willing rather to loose a prayer then a penny but look upon prayer as a familiar communing with the most glorious God Gen. 18. last as the supplyer of all our wants Luke 11.9 10. as a shelter from all danger Ezra 8.21 22. as the setler sanctifier prosperer of all businesse Gen. 24.12.15.27 I say conceive thus of it and neglect it if thou canst Worthy thoughts of better things will devise wayes to enjoy them but infidelity abandons duty Mal. 3.4 Question 117. Is not a speciall time also to be taken as there shall be occasion for speciall and extraordinary exercises Answer By all means come to fasting and humiliation from any work from any content Joel 2.16 1 Cor. 7.5 Be more willing to loose a day than a duty then such a duty although a day is no more lost in such a service than that day is lost that a man spares to get a thousand pound debt struck out or to get a pardon for his life Such godlinesse is great gaine Question 118. Hitherto of the applying of Gods word unto the duties of our generall calling shew me now what directions we may have from it as concerning our particular calling Answer Concerning that the word of God directs us three wayes 1 It shewes that every man must have a Calling 2 It guides a man for the choosing of his Calling 3 It teaches him how to behave himself in it Question 119. How doth it appear that every man is to have some calling or other Answer The first Adam and the second the two only innocent men that ever lived upon the earth had both of them a calling Adam drest the Garden and Christ was a Minister of the Circumcision Gen. 2.15 Rom. 15.8 And that all men generally ought to have a Calling appears by these three things 1 We be Christians and therefore must not live disorderly 2 Thess 3.10 12. but abide in a Calling 1 Cor. 7.20 2 We be Servants and therefore must not live idlely and licentiously that Christ our Master should find us sleeping or drinking 1 Thess 5.3 6 7. Mat. 24. end but waiting and working doing and so doing as belongs to us in our places Luke 12.36.43 3 We be Stewards and therefore must not live carelesly or improvidently for we must give an account of our stewardship Talents we have to Trade withall and from them yea if we have but one of them advantage is expected Neither will our Master be content to receive his own again but he must receive his own with usury Mat. 25.27 And in ill case are idle persons whether Beggars or Gentlemen yea in a damnable condition because God wil take not onely the abominable but the unprofitable Servant and cast him into outer darknesse and that most justly nothing being more unreasonable than that a man should be a Servant and that of God himself and doe no work Question 120. How may a man judge according to Scripture what Calling to make choise of Answer A man may judge of that two wayes 1 By his own gifts and disposition For we shall still find in Scripture that God either chose or made men fit for those employments to which he called them David that was to be a victorious King had courage and might 1 Sam. 17.26.32 2 Sam. 17.10 Solemon that was to be a glorious King had wisdome and a large heart Jehu was apparently a man fit to be what God called him to be a through Executioner 2 Kings 9.20 and Timothy was in sight a man fit to make a Minister of 1 Tim. 1.18 2 By Gods calling and disposing to wit by ordinary lawfull means and the motions and desires of men in the society wherein we live who taking notice of our gifts accordingly take order to dispose of us as Gen. 47.6 1 Kings 11.28 Question 121. May not a man in some cases change his Calling Answer A man may change his Calling in three cases 1 If there be a mistake and a man by his owne error or others over-ruling be fallen upon a Calling unsuitable to his gifts and crosse to his naturall inclination The reason of this is because all outward calls must be regulated by the inward Mans call must be corrected by Gods call and a mans employments should be sooner or later sutable to his Talent and endowments 2 Though a man be apt for the Calling wherein he is yet if he be able also for a greater he may for the publick good change a meaner for a more excellent Calling 3 When a mans Calling cannot maintain himselfe and his family he is inforced to change it for some other profit able Calling which he is able to manage out of respect to his own necessity But for a man to change his Calling for another below his gifts because he loves his ease and profit Or for another that is above his gifts because he desires a greater gaine and affects an estimation above his worth this is unlawfull and unjustifiable Question 122. How must a man be conversant about his Calling Answer 1 Providently Prov. 27.23 c. 2 Kings 20.23 Boaz had one to oversee his servants yet he comes to the field to oversee them and the overseers too Ruth 2.4 5. 2 Diligently Pro. 27.23 Lazinesse is next to idlenesse and doing sluggishly to doing nothing what a man undertakes he should doe it with all his power Eccles 9.10 with Genesis 31.6.40 3 Faithfully not trusting to our own toiling as if it were in our owne power to get wealth Deut. 8.18 but building upon Gods blessing Pro. 10.22 4 Moderately that is 1 Not hindring our selves in the exercises of Religion Luke 10.39 40. To be so busie as that the six dayes will not serve as to have no leisure for private and family prayer to have so much to doe with the world as to shut out God that he can say nothing to us nor we to him this is to be peny wise and to labour after the food
as our hearts be over charged and put out of frame for the duties of our Callings and the expectation of the day of Judgement Luke 21.34 3 Not if any of the company that is tied to drink the health be distempered by it for is not the health a work of darknesse Ephes 5.11 if it cause distemper and have not I fellowship with it if I be a worker in it yea and moreover a binder to it for every man that is in it doth not only drink the health but bind the health if not in words yet in deed because by his joyning a greater distast and shame rests upon any man that shall offer to shrink Now whether this Healthing be for the glory of God and so carried as that he that drinks it is not over charged himself nor any of his company let every mans conscience judge as in the sight of God and thereby decide to himself the lawfullnesse or unlawfullnesse of this course To which add 4 Not if it be open and observed and so countenance the course of God and bid God speed to the fashion of drinking healths wherein ordinarily and for the generality there is so much abuse John 2 Epist v. 11. and this meets with the most moderate and eminsed Healthings for though to eat and drink to feast is a thing needfull and requisite yet there 's no need of Healthing Now though a man drink but a little or no hurt yet how can it be lawfull for them to doe a needlesse act when it is an occasion of stumbling to others and a hardning of them in a most sinfull practice see Deut. 32.26 27. Question 144. Hitherto of meats and drinks shew me now what Rules are to be observed for Apparrell Answer 1 Let not thy Apparell be above thy place For Gods mind is that men should so appear outwardly in their port and attendance and so in their Apparel as to maintaine that difference of degrees that he hath established among them Eccles 10.6 7. 2 Let it not be above thy means for that 's against the Commandement Thou shalt not steale while as Absolom stole away the heart of the people from David their rightfull King 2 Sam. 15.6 so vanity of Apparel steales away a man or womans estate from those necessary occasions wherein of right it should be bestowed 3 Conform not to the world in it against the good and acceptable and perfect will of God Rom. 12.2 that is against those generall Rules of godlinesse comelinesse sobriety modesty and moderation which the word of God sets before us which have a binding power in those particulars which are too low for the Scripture to name and which Christians that reverence their generall Rules need not to have named See 1 Tim. 1.10 Phil. 4.8 1 Tim. 1.9 4 Imitate in thy Apparell holy and faithfull men and women 1 Pet. 3 5. Modest and sober Sarah is a fit pattern for those of her sex who are more apt to exceed in this kind and not Jezabel 2 Kings 9.30 Now the example of holy persons layes down the Rule of restraint in this particular So to cloth our selves as that all the world may see we count our graces our Ornaments rather then our Garments a meek spirit rather then a curious habit 1 Pet. 3.3 4. with Psal 73.6 5 For this reason let those that be professors of Religion and those that would be reckoned holy Christians watchfully and above others restrain themselves this way keeping still and yet without uncomelinesse the safer and sober siâ—e and leaning to the word rather then the world for how shall they be examples to others that exceed themselves and what a pity and misery is it that there should be so few holy men and women out of the fashion to be a pattern to the residue of the world that so affect fashions Question 145. Since you speak of fashions tell me what is to be thought concerning new fashions in Attire Answer 1 To speak generally all affectation and offence in the form and fashion of our Apparell is to be avoided that is we must not apparell our selves so as to shew we have a mind to be in the fashion nor so as to encourage those that be vainer and grieve the better party Phil. 4.8 2 To speak more particularly observe these Rules 1 Such fashions of Apparel as clearly and at first sight crosse the Rules of Christian modesty as the attire of women whereby nakednesse is in part covered but in a great part discovered are to be rejected as abominable It 's strange that honest women will not give Harlots leave to have such an Attire as may be properly called the Attire of an Harlot Prov. 7.10 to wit as unbeseeming the modesty of a sober woman 2 Other fashions there be tolerable rather then laudable and that they may be tolerable it belongs to the wisedom and sobriety of Christians to observe these two Rules 1 Not to enter into them suddenly so as to keep even pace with the most forward fashionist 2 Not to use them exactly and in the utmost extremity The former of these argues levity the later curiosity and want of worth both pride and vanity 3 Any fashion used out of pride and vanity of mind is absolutely sinfull Onely for some better Reason some more liberty may be given and taken viz. in these regards 1 To avoid the imputation and offence of fingularity and that it may appear that Christians doe not affect to be unlightly nor put the stresse of Religion upon these lessen things 2 In case of duty both of Children to parents and of wives to husbands whom the clearnesse of the duty to give content makes these things more disputable and gives occasion for dispensing with them at least in some degrees But there 's a wide difference between these two to wit when such or such are in the fashion out of a mind and affectation and when their appearing in the fashion enforced by the imperiousnesse of vain and unkind and ungodly Superiours in their trouble and affliction Question 146. But is not Apparell an indifferent thing why then should there be so much scruple about it Answer I Answer 1 It 's true that the Apparelling of our selves this or that way is a thing indifferent in the generality but pride luxury vanity of mind are not things indifferent but absolutely sinfull and so are those particular fashions that spring from and manifestly savour of these corrupt roots 2 Though such things be in a sort indifferent and left to our liberty it being a shame that Christians that have so many Rules pressing to modesty and sobriety in the general should need to be taught particularly how to dresse themselves every day yet let us not for shame so carry our selves as that God should repent he hath left them indifferent liberty is the triall of ingenuity and tendernesse of conscience 3 I Answer with a Holy Father in a like case That 's the very
3 Works of charity as visiting the sick administring to laying up for the necessities of those that be in distresse 1 Cor. 16.2 5 Much adoe there is about a Sabbath day and Sabbath duties and they that account fellowship with God a heavy burden are glad they have this to say that learned men differ that so they may better take leave to doe what they list and be far from God without the condemnation of men but they that love that life that we shall lead in heaven will be glad to live with God one day in a week here at least in some degree as they look to live with him every day hereafter RULES FOR A Christian Carriage EVERY DAY 1 A Wake with God giving him thanks in thy first thoughts for the rest of the night and craving his presence for the occasions of the day Parents look their Children should doe their duty to them in the morning when they see them first so when we are first awakened and look up God that is ever before us and whom whensoever our eyes be open we should think we see ought to be reverently and dutifully acknowledged 2 If there be much busines let not prayer be omitted that the businesse may be dispatched that is as if a man having a long journey to goe should hasten out a foot and not stay to make ready his Horse for it is God that must carry us along in all our businesses but rise the sooner that the duty of prayer may first be performed rather out of sleep then put off prayer Mark 1.35 for all prosperity comes from this I am with thee Gen. 39.5 And how shall God be obtained if he be not sought Luke 11.9 3 Betake thy self to thy private prayers before thou enter upon the world for thy heart will hardly be with God wholly and fully if thy worldly occasions have taken possession of it formerly 4 Let Family exercises be performed either the first time thou canst take or the fittest time thou canst choose 5 As for worldly employment 1 See thou have a Calling it being not enough that thou be about some work or some good work but this also being required that thou be about that good work which God committeth to thee to doe John 17.4 for God gives to every servant of his his work Mark 13.34 2 Thy works and occasions being such as thou art called to Be about them 1 diligently a good Christian should not be a bad husband Prov. 27.23 Eph. 4.28 2 Justly and conscionably A good husband should not be a bad Christian nor any way defraud or over-reach his brother 1 Thes 4.6 3 Discreetly for he that handleth a matter wisely shall find good Prov. 16.20 Eccles 9.10 4 Faithfully and with a dependance upon God notwithstanding all thy wit and care for he that trusteth in the Lord happy is he Prov. 16.20 6. When thou art alone hate vaine thoughts Psal 119.113 when thou art in company let thy communication be such as if Jesus Christ were at thy heels ready to overtake thee and to ask what communications are these that ye have one with another while ye wake together Luke 24.17 and whether thou be alone or in company let thy carriage be ordered with such respect unto that God in whose presence thou art that thy tongue and thy doings may not be against him to provoke the eyes of his glory Isa 3.8 Generally be such in company as that thou maist with comfort remember thy carriage when thou art alone and such alone as that thou mayest with credit declare thy carriage when thou art in company 7 Take a view at night of the passages of the day which would best be done by putting them down in writing particularly in that view consider thy dealing and Gods dealing 1 Thy dealing and in what 1 Thy sins and any evill thou hast done as carefull men write down every debt that they may mind it and pay it so do tender Christians take notice and rather then faile a note of their sins that they may not be out of their remembrance and that they may take the next opportunity for repentance wherein be thou so far from deferring as to resolve for every evill of the day that upon the review smites thy heart and clogs thy conscience to judge thy selfe before thou sleepest that if thou shouldst never awake till the day of Judgement yet at that day thou mayest not be condemned of the Lord thou having before hand judged and condemned thy selfe 1 Cor. 11.31 2 Thy good deeds for as thou art to recount thy sin because thou art a debtor in it so any good deed because thou art a debtor for it and God without whom thou canst doe nothing John 15.5 should not want the due praise of thy well doing Howbeit it is fit also that thou shouldst observe that good that is in thee that thou maist not want the comfort of it but maist support thy selfe with it when thy heart is sad with sin and vert with Satan 2 Gods dealing what God by his providence reproves in thee one day rush not upon it the next and in that which thou findest God according to his word to countenance be thou constant let the affâ—ictions of the day make thee more carefull and fearfull of sin and the mercies more chearfull and forward in service COUNSELL FOR A Christian Carriage TAsk thy selfe in businesse Stint thy selfe in pleasure Take heed that these two never meet together A loose life and a light heart but when the carriage is loose let the heart be laden When thou differest from others in thy education see that thou differ from them in thy conversation that being so much holier then they as thy education hath been better The mind is the guid of the tongue therefore consider before thou speak The tongue is the messenger of the heart therefore as oft as thou speakst without meditation going before so oft the messenger runs without errand Let not pleasure steal away the mind from businesse but let businesse win and wean the mind from pleasure After good education take heed of the first errors lest the virginity and tendernesse of conscience being taken away it grow bold and impudent in evill FINIS A Table of the chief Heads handled in the foregoing Tract WOrks of the Devill p. 21 Pride 23 Anger Envy Malice 24 Anger 25 Filthy and unclean thoughts 26 Swearing and cursing 28 Helps against swearing and cursing 30 Lying a work of the Devill 34 In what cases lying is to be watcht against especially 36 Helps against the works of the Devil 38 Opposing the truth of God a work of the Devill 40 Opposing the children of God a work of the Devill 42 Generall helps to free men from the works of the Devill 44 Pomps and vanities of the world 46 Helps against them 48 The sinfull lusts of the flesh 50 Reasons of forsaking the works of the flesh 52 In what manner we must forsake the Devill the world and the flesh 54 Of the Christian faith 56 What it is to believe the Articles of Christian faith 58 Helps for the applying Christ to our own soules 62 The use of our believing the Articles of the Christian faith 64 What Gods will is and what to keep it 66 What to keep Gods will and commandement 68 The use of Gods word c. and how it must be heard 70 The manner of the right receiving of the Lords Supper 72 The manner how to pray and to fast aright 74 Vowing 78 Rules for vowing 79 The duty of simpathising 82 Rules for Edifying 84 Almes giving 85 Almes giving and mourning for the sins of the times 86 Helps to mourn for the Sins of the times 88 Of the Sabbath and morality thereof 90 Of the Sabbath and the duties thereof 94 Helps for sanctifying the Sabbath 96 Christian duties to be done in the week dayes 100 Rules of Resolution concerning 6 dayes Sermons 102 Opportunities of hearing discovered by conscience 104 Opportunities of hearing discovered by providence 106 Of reading and Christan conference 108 Of christian conference and daily payer 110 Of prayer in the family 112 Helps to establish a course of family prayer 114 Every one must have a calling 118 What calling to chuse 121 Whether a man may change his calling 122 How to be conversant about a mans calling 124 Recreation allowed and how far 126 Rules for Recreation 128 Of playing for money 130 Of our carriage alone 134 Helps against vile thoughts when we be alone 136 How to take care of our carriage in company 138 Rules for company 140 Duties to Superiours 142 Duties to superiours and inferiors 144 Of our carriage towards equalls 146 Of our carriage towards friends 148 Of our carriage toward enemies and strangers 150 Rules for our carriage in regard of our selves 152 Rules concerning meats and drinks 154 Whether lawfull to drink healths 156 Rules for apparell 160 Of fashions of attire 162 Against pride and vanity in apparell 164 Rules for a good carriage in prosperity 168 Rules for a good carrage in adversity 172 Directions for a good carriage in spirituall afflictions 174 Helps for our carriage in temptations 176 A comfort in all afflictions 178 Common breaches of the 1 Commandement 180 Common breaches of the 2 Com. 182 Common breaches of the 3 Com. 186 Common breaches of the 4 Com. 188 Common breaches of the 5 Com. 192 Common breaches of the 6 Com. 198 Common breaches of the 7 Com. 202 Common breaches of the 8 Com. 206 Common breaches of the 9 Com. 212 Common breaches of the last Com. 217 Infallible signes of a sincere heart 223 The first principles and most fundamentall points of Religion opened 234 Rules for a Christian way 299 Rules for the Sabbath-day 305 Rules for a christian carriage every day 310 Counsell for a christian carriage 317. FINIS