speaking â—… him should be customary and dead and like thâ— Thoughts and talk of Common things and in some degree of Taking of Gods Name in vain CHAP. XXXVII Of the Fourth Commandement Qu. 1. WHat are the Words of the fourth Commandement A. Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy six daies shalt thou Labour and do all thy work But the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God in it thou shalt not do any work thou nor thy Son nor thy Daughâ—er thy Man-Servant nor thy Maid-Servant nor thy Cattel nor thy Stranger that is within thy Gates For in six daies the Lord made Heaven and Earth the Sea and all that in them â—s and rested the seventh day Wherefore â—he Lord blessed the Sabbath day and â—allowed it Q. 2. Why doth Deut. 5. repeat it in so different Words A. Because the words are but for the sence and â—hey being kept in the Ark as written in Stone and safe from alteration Moses in Deut. 5. gave them the sence and added some of his own explication And nothing is altered to obscure the sence Q. 3. Which day is it which was called the Sabbath in this Commandement A. The seventh commonly called from the Heathen Custom Saturday Q. 4. Why was that day made the Sabbath A. God having made the world in six daies space seeing all Good and very Good rested in his own complacency and appointed the seventh day every week to be separated as Holy to worship and praise him the Great Creator as his Glorious perfections shine forth in his works Q. 5. What is meant by Gods resting from his work A. Not that he had been at any labour or weaâ—iness therein but 1. That he finished the Creation 2. That he was pleased in it as Good 3. And that he would have it be a day of holy pleasant Rest to man Q. 6. What is meant by keeping Holy the Sabbath day A. Separating it to the Holy Worship and praise of the Creator and Resting to that end from unnecessary bodily labour Q. 7. What doth the word Remember signifie A. First it is an awakening Caveat to bid us take special care that we break not this Commandement 2. And then that we must prepare before it comes to avoid the things that would hinder us in the duty and to be fit for it's performance Q. 8. Why is Remember put before this more than before the rest of the Commandements A. Because 1. Being but of Positive institution and not naturally known to man as other duties are they had need of a positive excitation and Remembrance And 2. It is of great importance to the constant and acceptable worship and the avoiding of impediments to keep close to the due Time which God hath appointed for it And to violate it tendeth to Atheistical ungodliness Q. 9. Why is it called The Sabbath of the Lord thy God A. Because 1. God did institute and separate it 2. And it is separated to the honour and Worship of God Q. 10. When and how did God institute and separate it A. Fundamentally by his own Resting from the work of Creation But immediately by his declaring to Adam his Will for the sanctifying of that day which is expressed Gen. 2. 3. Q. 11. Some think that the Sabbath was not instituted till man had sinned and Christ was promised and so God Rested in Christ A. When the text adjoineth it close to the Creation and giveth that only as the reason of it that God ended his works which he had made and rested from them this is humane corrupting presumption Q. 12. But some think the Sabbath was first instituted in the Wilderness when they were forbid to gather Manna A. It is not there mentioned as newly instituted and it is mentioned Gen. 2. 2 3. and then instituted with the reason of it And God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it because in it he rested from all his works which God created and made And the same reason is repeated in the Fourth Commandement Q. 13. Is this Commandement of the Law of Nature as are the rest A. It was more of the Law of Nature to Adam than to us his nature knowing otherwise than ours both when God ended his works and how beautiful they were before the Curse It is now of the Law of Nature that is known by Natural light without other Revelation 1. That God should be worshipped 2. That Societies should assemble to do it together 3. That some set Time should be separated statedly to that use 4. That it should be done with the whole heart without worldly diversions or distractions But I know nothing in Nature alone from whence a man can prove that 1. It must be either just one day in seven 2. Or just what day of the seven it must be 3. Nor just what degree of Rest is necessary Though reason may discern that one day in seven is a very convenient proportion Q. 14. Are the words Six dayes shalt thou labour c. a Command or onely a License A. They are not only a License but a Command to man to live in an ordinary calling or Lawful course of Labour according to each ones ability and place and diligently to exercise it and not spend time in Idleness And the ordinary time is here assigned thereto Q. 15. Then how can it be lawful to spend any of the week-dayes in Religious Exercises any more than to spend any part of the Sabbath day in Labour A. All Labours are to be done as the Service of God and as a means to holy and Everlasting ends and therefore it is implyed still that God be sought and remembred and honoured in all As our Eating and drinking is our duty but to be done to the Glory of God and therefore with the seeking of his blessing and returning him our thanks Q. 16. But is it lawful then to separate whole dayes either weekly or monthly or yearly to Religious Exercises when God hath commanded us to labour on them A. As Gods command of Resting on the Sabbath is but the Stating of the Ordinary Time supposing an exception of extraordinary Cases as in time of War of Fire of dispersing Plagues of hot Persecution c. As Circumcision was omitted in the Wilderness forty years so this Command to Labour six dayes doth state our ordinary time but with supposed exception of extraordinary occasions for dayes of Humiliation and Thanksgiving And all Gods Commands suppose that when two dutyes meet together and cannot both be then done the greater must ever be preferred And therefore saving the Life of a Man or a Beast yea feeding and watering beasts labouring in Temple Service c. were to be preferred before the Rest of the Sabbath And so when our necessity or profit make Religions exercises more to oâ—r good and so a greater duty as Lectures Fasts c. we must preferre them to our ordinary Labour For as the Sabbath was made
for man and not man for the Sabbath so were the other dayes Q. 17. May not Rich men that have no need forbear the six dayes Labour A. No if they are able It is part of Gods Service and Riches are his gift And to whom he giveth much from them he expecteth not less but more Shall servants work less because they have more wages It is not only for their own supplyes that God commandeth men to Labour but also for the publick good and the benefit or relief of others and the health of their Bodies and the suitable employment of their minds and that none of their short precious time be lost in sinful idleness Q. 18. But it will seem sordid for Lords and Knights and Ladies to labour A. It is swinish and sinful not to Labour But they must do it in works that are suitable to their places As Physicians School-masters and Church-Ministers labour not in the same kind of imployment as Plow-men and Tradesmen do so Magistrates have their proper Labour in Government and Rich Persons have Families Children and Servants to oversee their poor Neighbours and Tenants to visit encourage and relieve and their equals so to converse with as tendeth to the greatest good But none must live idly Q. 19. Was Rest on the Sabbath absolutely commanded A. It was alwayes a duty to break it when a greater duty came in which required it As Christ hath told the Pharisees in the Case of feeding Man or Beast healing the sick and doing such necessary good For God preferreth Morals before Rituals and his rule is I will have mercy and not Sacrifice Q. 20. Why then was bodily Rest Commanded A. That body and mind might be free from diversion weariness and distraction and fit with pleasure wholly to serve God in the religious dutyes of his Worship Q. 21. Why doth God mention not only Servants but Beasts A. As he would not have Servants enslaved and abused by such Labour as should unfit them for Sabbath-work and Comfort so he would have man exercise the clemency of his Nature even towards the Brutes and Beasts cannot labour but man will be put to some Labour or diversion by it And God would have the whole place where we dwell and all that we have to do with to bear an open signification of our obedience to his Command and our reverence to his sanctified Day and Worship Q. 22. Is this Commandement now in force to Christians A. So much of it materially is in force as is of the Law of Nature or of Christ by supernatural Revelation and no more Therefore the Seventh day Sabbath of Corporal Rest is changed by Christ into the Lords day appointed for Christian Worship Q. 23. Was not all that was written in stone of perpetual obligation A. No Nor any as such For as it was written on those stones it was the Law of Moses for the Iews and bound no other Nations and is done away by the dissolving of their Republick and by Christ. Q 24. How prove you all this A. 1. As Moses was Ruler or Mediator to none but the Iews and the words of the Decalogue are appropriate to them as redeemed from Egyptian bondage so the Tables were delivered to no other and a Law cannot bind any without promulgation All the world was not bound to send to the Iews for Revelation nor to be their Proselytes 2. The Scripture expresly affirmeth the change 2 Cor. 3. 3 7 11. If the ministration of death written and engraven in stones was glorious so that the Children of Israel could not stedfastly behold the face of Moses for the Glory of his Countenance which was to be or is done away c. For if that which is done away was Glorious or By Glory much more that which remaineth is Glorious or In glory Here it is evident that it is the Law written on Stone that is mentioned and that it is not as some say the Glory only of Moses Face or the flaming mount which is done away for that was done away in a few dayes But it is the Law which is called Glorious that is said to be done away The words can bear no other sence It 's too tedious to cite all The Texts following fully prove it Heb. 7. 11 12. 18. 9. 18 19. Eph. 2. 15. Ioh. 1. 17. Luk. 16. 16. Rom. 2. 12 14 15 16. 3. 19 20 21 27 28 31. 4. 13 14 15 16. 5. 13 20. 7. 4 5 6 7 8 16. 9. 4 31 32. 10. 5. Gal. 2. 15 16 19 21. 3. 2 10 11 12 13 19 21 24. 4. 21. 5. 3 4 14 23. 6. 13. Phil. 3. 6 9. 1 Cor. 9. 21. 3. And the Sabbath it self is expresly said to be â—eased with the rest Col. 2. 16. Let no man judge â—ou in meat or in drink or in respect of an Holy day or Feast or of the New Moon or of the Sabbaths which are a shadow of things to come but the body is of Christ. It was the weekly Sabbath that was the thief of Sabbaths and therefore included in the pluâ—…al name there being no exception of it 4. And to put all out of doubt Christ who commandeth not two weekly Sabbaths hath appointed and sanctified the First day of the week instead of â—he seventh-Seventh-day Sabbath not calling it The Sabbath but the Lords day Q. 25. How prove you that A. If you will search the Scripture you shall see â—â—proved by these degrees I. Christ commissioned â—is Apostles to teach the Churches all his Doctrines Commands and Orders and so to settle and guide them Luk. 6. 13. Mat. 28. 18 19 20. Ioh. 20. 21. Luk. 10. 16. Mat. 10. 40. Act. 26. 17. 1 Cor. 15. â— 11. 23. 4. 1 2. Gal. 1. 11 12. Ioh. 21. 5 16 17. Mat. 16. 19. Ioh. 17. 18. 13. 16 â—0 Act. 1. 2 24 25. 2. 42. 10. 5. Gal. â— 1. Eph. 4. 11 to 16. 1 Cor. 12. 28 29. Eph. â— 20. 2 Pet. 3. 2. II. Christ promised his Spirit to them to enable them to perform their Commission and lead them into all truth and to bring all to their remembrance and to Guide them as his Churches Guides and so as the promulgators of his Commands For this see Ier. 3. 15. Isa. 44. 3. Ioel 2. 28 29 c. And Luk. 24. 49. Ioh. 15. 26 27. 16. 7 12 13 14 15 17. 18. Mat. 28. 20. Act. 1. 4 8. III. Christ performed this promise and gave them the infallible Spirit accordingly to perform their Commissioned work See Heb. 10. 23. Tit. 1. 2. 1 Ioh. 5. 10. Ioh. 20. 22. Act. 2. 15. 28. Heb. 2. 4. 1 Pet. 1. 12. Rom. 15. 19 20 c. IV. Christ himself laid the Foundation by Rising that day as God did of the Sabbath by ceasing from his Work He appeared to his disciples Congregate on that day He sent down the Holy Ghosâ— his Agent
Books which may be read in another place If any say that I speak against that which I want my self I only desire that it may not be those who cast by my Catholick Theologie Methodus Theologiae c. with no other Accusation but because they are too Scholastical Accurate and hard for them I here bewail it as my great sin against God that in the Youth of my Ministry Pride made me often blush with shame for want of Academical Degrees but usually God will not have us bring our own humane honour to his Service but setch honour from him in faithful serving him Fringes and Laces must be last set on when the Garment is made and not be the ground or Stamen of it There have been men that have desired their Sons to learn all the Oriental Tongues and the rare Antiquities and critical applaudâ—d sort of Learning not for its own worth but that they might Preach the Gospel with the advantage of a greater name and honour And this course hath so taken up and formed such Students into the quality of their Studies when their Souls should have been taken up with Faith and Love and Heavenly Desires and Hopes that it hath overthrown the end to which it was intended and rendred such Students unfit for the Sacred Ministry and caused them to turn to other things When others who as Usher Bochart Blondel c. have first taken in a digested Body of saving Truth have after added these Critical Studies at full maturity have become rare Blessings to the Church Let those that think all this digressive or unmeet for the Preface to a Catechism Pardon that which the Worlds Miscarriages and Necessities bespeak If at least Masters of Families by such helps diligently used will keep up Knowledge and Religion in their Houses it is not publick failings in Ministers nor the want of what is desirable in the Assemblies that will root out Religion from the Land But if the faithful prove few they must be content with their Personal Comforts and Rewards there is nothing amiss in the heavenly Society and the World which we are entering into Come Lord Iesus Come quickly Amen Lond. Octob. 3. 1682. The CONTENTS Chap. 1. THE Introduction About Catechizing and Learning pag. 1 Chap. 2. How to know our selves by Nature p. 6 Chap. 3. Of the natural Knowledge of God and Heaven p. 9 Chap. 4. Of Gods Kingdom and Government of Man and Providence p. 13 Chap. 5. Of Gods Law of Nature and Natural Officers p. 19 Chap. 6. Of supernatural Revelation of Gods Will to Man and of the Holy Scriptures p. 27 Chap. 7. Of the Christian Religion what it is and of the Creed p. 27 Chap. 8. Of Believing what it signifieth in the Creed p. 70 Chap. 9. Of the first Article I Believe in God the Father almighty maker of Heaven and Earth p. 82 Chap. 10. Of Gods Almightiness and Creation p. 88 Chap. 11. Of the Person of Jesus Christ the only Son of God p. 92 Chap. 12. How Christ was Conceived by the Holy Ghost and Born of the Virgin Mary 97 Chap. 13. Suffered under Pontius Pilate was Crucified Dead and Buried he descended into Hell p. 101 Chap. 14. The third day he rose again from the Dead p. 109 Chap. 15. He ascended into Heaven and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father c. p. 113 Chap. 16. From thence he shall come to Judge the Quick and the Dead p. 116 Chap. 17. I Believe in the Holy Ghost p. 123 Chap. 18. The holy Catholick Church p. 130 Chap. 19. The Communion of Saints p. 136 Chap. 20. The Forgiveness of Sins p. 144 Chap. 21. The Resurrection of the Body p. 154 Chap. 22. The Life everlasting p. 165 Chap. 23. What is the true Use of the Lords Prayer p. 173 Chap. 24. Our Father which art in Heaven Expounded p. 177 Chap. 25. Hallowed be thy Name p. 182 Chap. 26. Thy Kingdom come p. 198 Chap. 27. Thy Will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven p. 209 Chap. 28. Give us this day our daily Bread p. 213 Chap. 29. Forgive us our Trespasses as we forgive c. p. 219 Chap. 30. Lead us not into Temptation but deliver us from evil p. 224 Chap. 31. For thine is the Kingdom the Power and the Glory for ever Amen p. 227 Chap. 32. Of the Ten Commmandments in general p. 229 Chap. 33. Of the Preface to the Decalogue p. 233 Chap. 34. Of the first Commandement p. 239 Chap. 35. Of the second Commandement p. 251 Chap. 36. Of the third Commandement p. 262 Chap. 37. Of the fourth Commandement p. 273 Chap. 38. Of the fifth Commandement p. 290 Chap. 39. Of the sixth Commandement p. 314 Chap. 40. Of the seventh Commandement p. 324 Chap. 41. Of the eighth Commandement p. 337 Chap. 42. Of the ninth Commandement p. 353 Chap. 43. Of the tenth Commandement p. 365 Chap. 44. Of the Sacred Ministry Church and Worship p. 380 Chap. 45. Of Baptism p. 392 Chap. 46. Of the Sacrament of Christs sacrificed Body and Blood p. 412 Chap. 47. How to prepare for a safe and Comfortable Death p. 432 Amend these misprintings with your Pens PAge 31. line 21. for the read that p. 58. l. 24. r. maketh p. 95. l. 21. for least r. last p. 99. l. 6. for light r. sight p. 166. l. 3. blot out with Henoch p. 200. l. 10. for were r. where p. 202. l. 8. r. every p. 208. l. 6. blot out for p. 374. l. 31. for any r. my In some places the same things are repeated the occasions being divers and the Author having not strength and time to correct the Copy Books of Mr. Baxter's sold by T. Parkhurst at the Bible and three Crowns at the lower end of Cheapside near Mercers-Chappel 1. CHristian Directory or Body of Practical Divinity 2. Catholick Theologie in three Parts 1. Pacifying Principles 2. Pacifying Practices 3. Pacifying Disputations fol. 3. Life of Faith in three parts 1. Sermon on Heb. 11. Preached before his Majesty publisht by his Command 2. Instructions for Confirming Believers in the Christian Faith 3. Directions to live by Faith Quarto 4. Disputations of Original Sin Octav. 5. An Apology for the Nonconformists Ministry Quarto 6. Which is the True Church A Defence of Protestantism against Popery 7. An Answer to Mr. Dodwell confuting an Universal Church-Supremacy and defending Dr. Isaac Barrow against it 8. True History of Councels Inlarged and Defended against a Pretended Vindicator of the Primitive Church To which is added Diocesan Churches not yet Discovered in the Primitive times or A Defence of the Answer to Dr. Stillingfleets Allegations out of Antiquity for such Churches THE CATECHIZING OF FAMILIES OR A TEACHER of HOUSHOLDERS How to Teach their Housholds Useful also to School-Masters and Tutors of Youth The Questions are the Learners and the Answers the Teachers CHAP. I. The Introduction Qu. 1. WHat is it which must be Taught and Learned Ans. All