c. And thankes to God for the beleeuing Thessalonians 1 Thess 2.13 For this cause also thanke wee God c. Cornelius his profession of readiness Acts 10.33 Now therefore are wee all here present before God c. And Wisdomes encouragement to attendance Prou. 8.32.34 Heare instruction and be wise and refuse it not blessed is the man that heareth me c. All seruing abundantly to stirre vp and direct vs hereabout According to which grounds there is a little Booke translated into English written by Zepperus intituled the Art of hearing Sermons which prescribeth Rules both for praecedent Praeparation present Attention and after vse for profit as doe many other Treatises so sufficiently in this behalfe that I need to adde no more but onely counsel to take care that our obedience of heart and life doe so continually follow accompany this our hearing Ioh. 13.17 Iam. 1.25 that we may be blessed in our doing and so build on the Rocke Math. 7.24 that wee may remayne vnmoueable in times of triall And this also touching Hearing R. THE commendations giuen a Gen. 5.24 Henoch and condition of the Couenant made with b Gen. 17.1 Abraham in the Old Testament and counsell for wise and euen * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 precise walking with God giuen by the c Epes 5.15 Apostle in the New enforcing vpon vs a continuall wachfullnesse ouer our hearts and wayes doe necessarily bind vs to a prouident d Verse 16 Redeeming the time and therefore to an earnest seeking vnto God which wee may be guided vnto by that pithie Prayer made to that very purpose by Moses the man of God PSAL. 90.12 Teach vs O Lord so to number our dayes that we may apply our hearts to wisdome According whereunto that our Practise may be framed these short Rules may be obserued 1 For the time past euery one so to come back to his own hart saying a Ier. 8.6 What haue I done As that it may abundantly suffice vs as b 1 Pet. 4.3 Saint Peter warneth to haue mispent the time past according to the lusts of sensual men Vers 2. and resolue for the space remaining wholly to conforme our heart and wayes vnto the Will of God 2 For the time to come so wisely euery one to consider our latter ende Deu. 32.29 forecasting the vncertaine shortnesse of our life a Vapour quickly vanishing Iam 4.14 and the stricktnes of our account when euer we shall be called hence to Iudgement 1 Cor. 5.11 that we neuer sing to our soules the rich mans Requiem Luke 12.19 but rather with the Fiue wise Virgins Math. 25.4 continually nourish in our selues a watchfull expectation of the Bridgroomes comming 3 For the time present so euery one of vs with all diligence to improue our opportunities Gal. 6.10 Mat. 25.16 and employ our Talents as that we may doe the worke of him that hath called vs in that day which he giueth vs Ioh. 9.4 thereby preuenting our Sauiours teares and making proofe both to our selues and others that we are taught to know in this our day Luk. 19 41 42. those things that belong vnto our peace And now for a familiar helpe vnto this heauenly skill especially to those of younger yeares whose hearts God shall touch Eccles 12.1 to remember their Creator in the dayes of youth and to endeauour with that noble Courtier Obadiah 1. Reg. 18.3 12. by fearing God timely to feare him greatly Let me adde to aduise as a profitable course if hauing skill to write they be enabled thereunto the keeping of a Diarie or Journall a booke I meane of daily remembrance for spirituall reckonings such as are their owne failings in duty towards God needing humbling and Gods benefits whether publique or personall requiring thankes Which course though I vrge not on all as necessarie yet for them whose disposition and leasure suteth with it and who shall be prouidently carefull onely of setting down matters of secrecie with such abreuiations or characters of their owne framing as that themselues onely may be priuie to them it will be found I doubt not singularly profitable as sometimes it was to a young Noble-man of this Land The late Lord Harington testified in his Funeral Sermon made by M. R. S. and Printed anno 1614. whose example and gaine thereby may recommend it to all others for daily obseruation and right ordering of their wayes and especially for weekely preparation to Sabbath-exercises and furnishing themselues principally for priuate extraordinary humiliations Moreouer to the end that our whole time may be better bestowed and we our selues against all oppositions and impediments may be at all times better armed it shall not bee amisse to adnex for conclusion these two directions 1. For munition to see we be euer armed with the Panoplie or compleat armour of a Christian described by St. Paul Ephes 6 Eph. 6 13. in the seuerall pieces but marke no backe-piece to learne vs neuer to turne backe from our enemies such as are the girdle of truth Iam. 4.7 the breast-plate of righteousnesse the helmet of saluation the shield of faith and the rest M. Gouge M. Dounham Eph. 6.13 which hauing beene by diuers largely opened vnto vs I exhort onely with the Apostle that by feruent prayer they may bee daily buckled and girded vpon vs. 2. For meditation concerning which being the studie or serious musing of the minde and so a chiefe furtherance either to good or euill actions according to the obiects whereon it is exercised leauing the rules thereof to such as haue exactly Doctor Hall and at large discouered that Art vnto vs I will onely adde as generall heads whereon profitably to set on worke our vacant thoughts in such exercise sixe questions all found in seuerall places of Scripture in the very words wherein they are expressed viZ. 1. What is man Psa 8.4 ViZ. That hee should be so highly aduanced 2. Who am I 2. Sam. 7.18 ViZ. That I should be so greatly regarded 3. What haue I done Ierem 8.6 ViZ. For which I should be humbled 4. What shall I doe Act. 16.30 Viz That yet I may be saued 5. Whither shall I flee Psa 139.7 Viz. If sinne be committed 6. What shall I render Psa 116.12 ViZ. For benefits receiued And thus farre concerning the continuall Christian watch or everyday-eueryday-Sabbath which they certainly obserue best who are carefullest to keepe the Lords day as they should doe S. TOuching the which Lords day being to vs Christians in place of the former seauenth day or Sabbath the ordinary Sabbath or weekely day of holy rest founded on our Sauiours glorious resurrection Ioh. 20.1 Act 20.7 1 Cor. 16.2 and from the Apostles practise recorded in holy Scripture commended to the Church I see not why wee may not to raise vp our selues to the highest pitch of holy deuotion therein set before our eyes that religious
by God to renew and confirme vnto his comfort the couenant made betwixt Christ and him in Baptisme 4. Q. What is that couenant A. That Christ will vndoubtedly saue vs if wee with a liuely faith working by loue shall cleaue vnto him 5. Q. If there be such gaine in comming what makes many so vnwilling to repaire often hereunto A. This is either for that being grosly ignorant they conceiue not rightly of the benefit or else being carnall and carelesse they are loath to take paines to fit themselues to come in that maner as Christ would haue them 6. Q. To passe then to the second consideration How would the Lord haue vs to come A. Not for fashion or custome as it may be feared many doe but in great reuerence and with a due preparation that wee may come worthily 7. Q. What preparation are we to vse that we may so come A. Euery one ought seriously to examine his owne soule whether he can finde in himselfe the graces by God required in worthy Communicants 8. Q What be those graces which God chiefely requireth A. 1. A true faith grounded vpon the knowledge of God and this holy Sacrament 2. Sound repentance accompanied with Christian loue both to God and man 9. Q. How should a man examine or trie his faith An. By well vnderstanding the Articles of the Creede with the doctrine of the Lords Supper set down by St. Paul 1. Cor. 11. he may come to know what hee should beleeue concerning God and this holy Sacrament which hee must labour to bring his heart vnto and withall heartily begge of God whose gift it is to worke and encrease this true faith in him 10. Q How is hee to trie his repentance and charity An. Labouring to finde out and bewaile his sinnes past and want of charity with earnest prayer to God for pardon and grace he is to resolue and purpose to leaue off his sinnes and henceforth to liue in obedience to all Gods commandements and in loue and charity with all men 11. Q. Being thus prepared how ought a Christian to come vnto the LORDS Table A. With great reuerence and a feeling remembrance of the Lords death for redeeming of his soule he ought in all thankfulnesse to resigne and giue vp himselfe wholly and for euer vnto the Lord. 12. Q. After so communicating at Christs Table what farther remaineth by a Christian to be performed A. His endeauour must bee to keepe still in a ioyfull memorie the promises so renewed and by Christs blood sealed betwixt him and the Lord in the holy Sacrament hereby to strengthen himselfe against sinne and to encrease faith and other graces in his soule vntill God please to call him to the like againe Adde here onely how for triall of our faith required in the ninth Question as wee are to haue recourse to the Doctrine of the Sacrament before set downe so it will be expedient to young beginners for the farther vnderstanding of the common Creede to acquaint themselues with the two other namely the Nicene Creede beginning thus I beleeue in one God c. And that of Athanasius Whosoeuer will be saued c. In which latter the two great mysteries of the blessed Trinitie and our Sauiours holy Incarnation are most excellently set forth and expressed E. THe forme and force of Religious fasting together with a briefe Instruction for farther explication and Christian practise IOEL 2. 12. Therefore also now saith the Lord Turne ye euen vnto mee with all your heart and with fasting and with weeping and with mourning 13. And rent your hearts and not your garments and turne vnto the Lord your God for hee is gracious and mercifull slow to anger and of great kindnesse and repenteth him of the euill 14. Who knoweth if hee will returne and repent and leaue a blessing behinde him euen a meate offering and a drinke offering vnto the Lord our God THe Instruction concerning Fasting deliuered also in Twelue short Questions 1. Quest What doth the Scripture teach concerning Fasting A. Religious Fasting for furtherance of Piety is found commanded by God and commended vnto vs by the frequent vse of the best of Gods seruants in the holy Scriptures 2. Q. What difference is there to be put betweene Prayer and Fasting A. Prayer is of daily and ordinary vse as the washing of plate or vessell continually to keepe them cleane but Fasting is a thing lesse ordinarie and at times onely to be vndertaken as the scowring of such plate or vessell sometimes to make them bright 3. Qu. When are Christians enioyned to Fast A. The Gospell hath not prescribed any set dayes or times for this exercise but then are Christians to betake themselues thereunto when either they are enioyned by lawfull authority or when God shall by the occasions of extraordinarie humiliation as by his owne voyce call and sammon them so to doe 4. Qu. What occasions be there of so humbling our selues before God A. Either 1. When as for sinne wee feare or begin to feele Gods iudgements falling on vs Or 2. When we desire or expect to receiue some speciall and extraordinarie good at the hands of God as when wee come to the holy Sacrament to renew our couenant with the Lord. 5. Qu. Who are bound to the performance of this duty A. First if the Fast for publique occasions bee by authority enioyned it concerneth all except in case of necessity to haue a due respect thereof Secondly for priuate Fasting it ought to be by well-taught Christians vndertaken as they haue warrant from the practise of the best of Gods holy seruants still vpon the like particular occasions 6. Qu. How are Christians rightly to performe this duty A. As in the fourth Commandement touching the Sabbath there are two things enioyned 1. Rest from labour 2. Sanctifying of that Rest euen so in this worke of Fasting two things also are required 1. The one outward respecting the body 2. The other inward or spirituall vnto which the outward is to be referred 7. Qu. What is the outward thing required in Fasting A. 1. Abstinence from foode either altogether or as farre as may be with preseruation of health as also from other delights and outward comforts for humbling of the flesh 2. Rest from labour so far as with conueniencie wee may during that time of abstinence that wee may the better intend the inward duty required in Fasting 8. Quest What is the inward substance chiefely required A. An extraordinary humbling of our soule Ezr. 8.21 and seeking after God by earnest Prayer and in the serious practise of true repentance 9. Qu. How should wee in the day of fasting exercise our selues in the serious practise of true repentance An. By diligent examination of our hearts and liues by the rule of Gods Law the ten Commandements our labour must be to get a thorow sight of our sinnes and sinfull corruptions displeasing God and deseruing wrath for which therefore we must desire and
and spirituall obseruation of the Sabbath wherevnto as one maine branch of piety in those times put for the whole the Iewes were inuited by promise of rich reward from God ISAI 58. 13 If thou turne away thy foot froÌ„ the Sabbath that is as the words following shew from prophaning it whereto by corrupt nature all are carried from doing thy will on my holy day and shalt call the Sabbath a delight the holy of the Lord honorable and shalt honour him not doing thine owne wayes nor seeking thine owne pleasure nor speaking thine owne words 14 Then shalt thou delight thy selfe in the Lord and I will cause thee to ride vpon the high places of the earth and feede thee with the heritage of Iacob thy Father for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it Some haue sought to antiquate and quite abolish now vnder the Gospell the authority of the fourth Commaundement as the Papists in their Catechismes expunge the second And Athiests and Blasphemers would as gladly haue the first and third â—azed out But both the deuotion and doctrine of our Church still directing vs to our ten Comandements * The same which God spake in Exod. 20. As see â—n our Church Catechisme and booke of Common Prayer viz in the Communion ministration of Baptisme and in particular to this * In the Homily of the time and place of Prayer sober minded Christians ought and will haue a due respect therâ—unto and as we celebrate in steede of the passeouer the Eucharist as the new Sâ—crament of the Gospell called for distinction from the former by St. Paul the a 1 Cor. 11.20 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Lords Supper So likewise to obserue in place of the Sabbath this first day of the weeke as our Christian Sabbath and sanctified day of rest for holy worship called for like distinction by Saint Iohn b Reu. 1.10 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Lords day In which as that blessed Apostle then in banishment was rauished in the spirit and saw heauenly visions and reuelations So should we also labour who haue receiued the spirit to be in what we may that day wholy spirituall and heauenly minded so withdrawing our mindes and hearts as farre as wee are able except in cases of more vrgent necessities from all distracting whatsoeuer businesses or delights as that wee deuote our selues and be wholy taken vp in publique more priuate seruices of Gods holy worship Psa 92.1 2 heauâ—nly contemplations and workes of Christian charity as in an holy festiuall of reioycing before the Lord. Of which particulars so much hauing been written In the Homily fore-alledged of the time place of prayer and in the Practise of Pietie c. Exod. 20.8 Nehe. 13.22 I spare to adde more but onely exhort that without either superstition or prophanenesse wee so remember before hand to prepare for it euer when it commeth as God would haue vs to keepe it holy that God may remember vs in mercy and we receiue the blessing And thus also briefely for the obseruation of the Lords day the more solemne Christian Sabbath or day of holy rest T. NExt for direction touching Charitie that common and perpetuall Debt of Christians Rom. 13 8 1 Pet. 1 22. Rom. 12.10 owed generally to all but with tender and brotherly affection to true Beleeuers professing and giuing proofe of their precious Faith and walking in Truth which St. Paul termeth the More excellent way 1 Cor. 12.31 Col. 31 4 Rom. 13.10 Ephes 4.4 Ioh. 13.34 Vers 35. the Bond of perfectnesse and fulfilling of the Law tying vs thereto by so many bondes which our Sauiour himself stileth his New Commandement maketh knowne as the chiefe cognizance of his Disciples take notice of the fifteene properties hereof set downe 1 COR. 13. 4 CHARITIE or Loue suffereth long and is kinde or bountifull Charity enuieth not 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 charitie vaunteth not it selte or is not thwarting 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or doing frowardly it is not puffed vp 5 It doth not behaue it selfe vnseemely it seeketh not her owne things it is not easily prouoked it thinketh none euill 6 It reioyceth not in iniquity but reioyceth in the truth 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 7 It beareth or couereth all things it beleeueth all things it hopeth all things it endureth all things By which properties the meaning well apprehended shall we try our hearts and liues as we may doe also in the mutuall good offices of the bodily members 1 Cor. 12.26 it may bee feared we shall finde in vs much want of Charity which since it argueth by Saint Johns rule weakenesse 1 Ioh 4.20 at least in our loue to God wee had the more neede to pray that God who is Charity it selfe Ver. 16. would by his spirit of loue bestow vpon vs and more and more heate and enflame in vs this quickning and working Grace V. FVrther yet the exercise and excellency of this grace of Charitie being most obseruable in Christians carriage about their speciall Callings rules in Scripture are not wanting shall men consult with these Counsellers to guide Christians in such personall duties according to that generall charge Psal 119.24 as the maine and speciall foundation laid by grace of good order in humane societie 1 COR. 7.20 24. Let euery man in the same vocation wherein hee is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 therein abide with God that is doing duties to men therein out of Conscience towards God More speciall directions of which kind applyed to those Domesticall subordinations wherein Families are established Ephes 5.21 that Each may submit to other in the feare of God according to his will we shall find 1 Of Husbands and Wiues the summe whereof comprised Coloss 3.18.19 And more vnfolded Ephes 5. and 1 Peter 3. consisting of feruent and faithfull loue in the Husband and due subiection and reuerence in the Wife is vsefully read by order of our Church in Marriage Solemnities to make both parties and their Neighbours also more mindefull of their duties 2 Of Parents and Children the summe whereof grounded on the fifth Commandement being in Children Honour and thankefull Obedience to their Parents In Parents wise and due care for nurture and education of their Children and euery way towards them Loue and tender kindnesse is by the same Apostle also both in Coloss 3.20 21 briefely touched and Ephes 6.1 2 3 4. more fully opened and by the Legall Promise annexed to the Praecept powerfully perswaded 3 Of Masters and Seruants the summe of the Masters duty which is to doe that which is iust and equal to their Seruants Knowing that they also haue a Master in heauen that regardeth euery mans carriage and respecteth no mans person being deliuered Ephes 6.9 and Coloss 4.1 But more expressely and at large the duty of Seruants as needing in those times most to bee remembred set downe as in
or robberie to our selues or others and godly without either blaspheming Gods name prophaning his Sabbath or hindering our selues and others from his sacred seruice All which inferre mens consciences being witnesse to them in this particular a iust condemnation of this luxutious age and may serue withall for the setling Christians in a rightfull vse of their Christian liberty hereabout And thus farre for the present touching the abuse and vse of sports Y. TO touch briefely ere we leaue one other euill where vnder in this last and luxurious age our Land groaneth for which amongst other our many fearefull sinnes we may well feare the Lord is angry with vs the idle and base humour of drunkennesse and excessiue drinking if not alwayes to depriuation of sense and reason yet to distemper and beyond the bounds of Christian sobriety remaineth iustly to bee reproued our blessed Sauiour hauing giuen vs warning there against LVKE 21.34 Take heede to your selues lest at any time your hearts bee oppressed with surfetting and Drunkennesse and cares of this life and lest that day come on you at vnawares For surely an Heathenish lust this is and worke of darknesse 1 Pet. 4.3 Rom. 13.13 Gal. 5.21 1 Cor. 6.20 ill beseeming Christians yea a worke of the flesh and one chiefe point of that vnrighteousnesse that excludeth quite from all portion of inheritance in Gods Kingdome And yet how many of all conditions may bee seene euery where wilfully throwing themselues into this Quagmire or whirlepoole which some haue likened to the pit of hell out of which there is no redemption while some in a base loue of loytring very idlenesse and others in an ouer-fond humour of shewing their good nature or rather foolish kindenesse yea many in a vaine-glorious proud conceit and brauery to proue their brutish valour and withall wicked hellish lust in aduenturing themselues to deforme Gods image in others Hab. 2.15 and turne them into beasts all certainely for the want of grace Psal 36.1 and the holy feare of God addict themselues so long to such bibbing and bezelling courses and company till the wine and strong drink which Solomon termeth a mocker Pro. 20.1 and raging Hos 4.11 depriueth them of their heart and maketh them like NebuchadneZZar Dan 4. brutish and very sots and swine so enslaued to the pot and giuen ouer vnto their lust that hardliest of all other offenders and not without a strong hand of grace are such reformed This I heartily wish that younger people of themselues inclineable if Gods grace or at least good education stay them not to such riotous courses and who shall not want elder ones to draw them forward would timely thinke vpon and labour by Gods word stored in their hearts as before they haue beene directed and a continuall growth in sound knowledge Psal 119 9 2 Pet. 3.17 and sanctifying grace to strengthen themselues Vers 1 6. that they be not caried away with such error of the wicked As for such as being hardned in euill wayes regard not the terrours of Gods word so they may satiate their sensuall lusts howsoeuer they feare not either ragges and ruine to their state Pro. 23.21 Vers 29. or diseases and deformities breeding in their bodies neither finally dread the danger of Gods wrath and endlesse destruction Math. 24.49 50. ready when Christ shall come how soone they know not and finde their hearts oppressed and them vnprepared to sease vpon their soules and euerlastingly to torment both body and soule in hell Psal 9 16 Luk. 16.24 where they shall not finde so much as one drop of water to coole their enflamed tongues Yet oh that some respect to their name and credit which hath preuailed with meere naturall men to restraine them from grosser wickednesse might worke on them in this behalfe so farre at least that they leaue not their name to rot vpon the earth as their bodies in the graue that as Iudas is still knowne by the name of Iudas the Traytour Luk. 6.16 Act. 8.9 and Simon Magus by the name of Simon the Sorcerer so they remaine not to the shame of themselues and their posterity branded in the mouthes and memories of them that suruiue with that reproach of such an one a very Swine a Beast a drunken companion And let this suffice also for the present for a checke to this beastly sinne of the reasonable creature viz. drunkennesse and excessiue drinking Z. ANd now making stop for the present from farther particulars that we may end with the iust number of our Letters to presse to an heedfull regard of all deliuered let mee beseech vs all to haue our eye fixed with Moses on the recompence of reward Heb. 11.26 yea on the difference of rewards by God proposed according to that proclamation ISA. 3. 10 Say ye surely it shall bee well with the righteous for they shall eate the fruit of their doings 11 But woe to the wicked it shall be ill with him for the reward of his hands shall be giuen him A more full expression of which summe wee may reade in those two notable Chapters of Blessings and Curses Leuit. 26. Leuit. 26 and Deut. 28. Deut. 28 And agreeing hereunto shall wee finde the constant tenour of the Law and Gospell which both turne vpon the same hinges Onely with this maine difference that the Law in it selfe considered pressing to the first couenant of workes promiseth the rewards of Blessednesse to the personall Rom. 10.5 full and exact obseruance without administring any the least strength towards the performance Gal 3.10 Deu. 27.26 withall threatning wrath and the curse for the least failing or disobedience But in the Gospell which bringeth in the latter Couenant established on better promises Heb 7.19 Gal. 3.22 God offereth more Grace and first accepting in Christ Jesus 1 Cor. 1.30 2 Cor. 5.21 and for his alone righteousnesse the person of the Beleeuer as truely iustified and so perfectly righteous in his sight doth therby so both take away the curse Gal. 3.13 and qualifie the rigor of the Law 1 Iohn 5.3 Psa 119.32 and withall supply through the holy Spirit a strength of Grace to furnish to the worke That euen the Law it it selfe doth become to such a perfect law of Libertie and Iam. 1.25.2.12 as it were a Gospell and both Law and Gospell ioine to promise and assure a reward and Crowne of righteousnesse both for the present and more fully hereafter to sincere though weake and imperfect indeuour after righteousness according to the * Aliud est reddere secundum opera aliud reddere propter opera c. In Psal 142 measure though not for the merit as Saint Gregory well distinguisheth of euery Christians well doing In which respect it is auouched concerning true Godliness consisting in the power 2 Tim. 3.5 and not the bare shape or shadow of Religion