Selected quad for the lemma: duty_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
duty_n	child_n	parent_n	precept_n	1,086	5	9.3339	5	false

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ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A17419	The light of faith: and, way of holinesse Shewing what to belieue, and for what to striue together, earnestly contend, and suffer for in this contending age. And how to liue in all estates, conditions, and degrees of relation, according to this faith. In both, deliuering (as neere as might be, in the life of Scripture phrase:) only things necessary, as we meane to be saued, and auoiding vtterly things arbitrary, that distract, rather then direct a Christian. Collected out of holy Scripture by an vnworthy labourer in Gods vineyard, Richard Bifield pastor in Long-Ditton, in Surrey.	Byfield, Richard, 1598?-1664.	1630 (1630)	STC 4239; ESTC S107158	133,233	536

In the education of children both for nursing them and for instructing them vnder her husband Pro. 6. 20. and 31. 1. indeed her husbands authority excludes her from sole instruction in the family but vnder him it rests chiefely on her in their infancy and childhood then shall her children rise vp and call her blessed her husband also and hee praiseth her Pro. 31. 28. 2 In his temporall estate and the commodities of this present life and so there is required of her 1 That she be diligent in labour 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for him and the good of the family shewed three waies In Getting laboring with her hands Pro 31. 16. not eating the bread of Idlenesse vers 27 Sarah kneaded dow Gen. 18 6 Rebecca skilfull in Cookery Gen. 27. 14. and Thamar Dauid● daughter 2 Sam. 13. Much more then ought our Nobles and Gentlemen be some way Employed when as the weaker sexe is thus charged And truely she is deepely charged what euer our dainty dames doe weene as 1 To seeke imployment and Prou. 31. not tary til imployment find her and som●thing fall out shee cold find to doe vers 13. 2 To take to any labour fit for her sexe as spinning verse 13 19. 3 To doe it willingly vers 13. 4 To rise ea●ly to it verse 15. 18. 5 To be constant not changing from worke to worke but strengthening her armes 6 To spend her time in profitable worke not in fine worke good for nothing but to shew skill as Carpets vers 22. Sheets vers 24. The cloathing of her family husband and children vers 21. 23. I know n●t which is better the bread of Idlenesse or the bread of Curiosity In guiding both what she hath got and her family what shee hath got not locking it vp in a chest not laying it out on trifles but in necessaries she considers a field and buyes it Pro. 31. verse 16. and guiding the family giuing their portion of meat to the whole houshold of worke to the Maides verse 15. Ouerseeing the waies of her houshold verse 27. In preseruing what her husband prouides so that his heart rests in her hee shall haue no spoile by her verse 11. She must not bee wastfull this is to pull downe the house with her owne hands and euer the more closely done the more sinfully Pro. 14. 1. She must not spend without consent much lesse entertainement of such as be suspected or disliked by the Husband 2 That she be carefull to aduance her Husbands reputation In adorning him in seemely and fit apparell verse 23. In seeing to his children and seruants eu●n to the meanest of the house for their conuenient cloathing and handsomnesse verse 21. In keeping her feet within her owne house Pro. 7 11. In couering his infirmities 3 In his spirituall estate shee must bee an helpe as being an heire with him of the grace of life 1 Pet. 3. 7. By furthering all good duties as Prayer Thankesgiuing Repetition of Sermons Conference by being a comfort to him in afflictions in diseases By admonishing him wisely and submissiuely Gen. 21. 12. For shee is not bound to conceale his drunkennesse whoredoomes and the like Thus haue you a draught of a Wife and of an helpe meet for her Husband here may all married women see their duties and their failes These are the particular duties of man and wife 4 The fourth sort are such as 4 Such a● a●ise of these arise of these and they are the honour loue of one anothers friends mutually which much vniteth affections and preuenteth causes of dissentions Thus of the first couple in a family The second relation is that of Parents and Children §. IIII. Of Parents and Children THe duties of Parents and Parents and childrens duties Children are of two sorts Mutuaell and Seuerall and these either the duties of Parents both together and each apart Or of Children The mutuall duties of Parents Which are ● Mutuall and Children which both owe one towards the other are two 1 Naturall affection called by the Greekes 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 It is a loue which none can feele but they It hath in it the yerning of the bowels ouer the party lo●ed it is heathenish and more then bruitish to be without naturall affections Rom. 1. 2 Prayer for each other The duty of both Parents is 2 Seuerall Parents duty 1 Education both in religion and the true feare of God Ephes 6. 4. And in some honest trade of life and for this cause must they obserue the inclination of their children and accordingly dispose of them Prou. 20. 11. 22. 6. 2 Prouision for their estates and marriage for their estates it is their parts to lay vp for them as God shall blesse them 2 Cor. 12. 14. yet here remember that thou with-hold not thy hand from workes of charity because thou hast many children nay for this very cause let thy hand be more liberall thou hast the m●re to intreate the Lord for the more sinnes to be broken ●ff the more consciences to bee purged the more soules to hee d●liuered thus Iob offered sacrifices for his children and reckoned that as layed vp Dauid saith the righteous is euer mercifull and le●d●th and his seed is blessed Psal 37. 26. I● thou study more for an earth●● then an heauenly patrimony for them saith Cyprian which is to commend thy Cyprian de op●re E●eēmosynis children to the Deuill rather then to Christ thou art in a double fault both that thou prouidest not the succour of God the Father for thy children and that thou teachest thy children to loue their patrimony more then Christ Secondly they must leaue them what they haue receiued of their Ancestors Pro. 19 14. Thirdly they must set their houses in order by Will respecting therein the first borne vnlesse by some grieuous crim● he hath otherwise deserued as did Reuben Gen. 49. 3. 4. Deut. 21 17. 2 King 20. 1. 1 Tim. 5 8. If hee haue and doe deserue disinheritance the Father or Mother as I take it may not doe it in that state which descended from his Ancients for God hath there made him heire and to meddle with it for time after their life is to put forth the hand to that which is not theirs but his and be it that he is like to be the ruine of the house and family yet this none knoweth and if God will ruine it thus who shall let it the way to vphold it if any is prayer good instruction reformation of our selues and the maintenance of Gods house and worship that he may say as he did of Dauid I will build thee an house 2 Sam. 7. 11. In lands of our owne purchase and all other goods th●● a●e our owne to dispose as well as to inioy we ought to respect the deseruing children This for their estat●s their marriage is also to bee looked vnto by the Parents as they see their i●clination and necessity

the wa●t of care herein is the cause of mi 〈…〉 of many youth 3 M●d●rate due correction by word Pro. 13. 24 by rod Pro. 22. 25. 19. S● 23 13. 14. 29 25. In giuing correction this must be obs●ru●d for the māner 1 We must admo●●sh 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of Gods word conuincing them of their faults without bitternesse of spirit Col. 3. 21. 2 Wee must not prouoke them to wrath which is two waies done I By words when wee burthen them with vniust things in the whole or in p●rt or lade them with vniust and vnmeete and vnbeseming precepts True this latter sort of Commandements ought to bee obeyed by the children yet through corruption it hath in it I know not what matter of prouocation and Parents should auoide them or else when wee pursue them with ●epr●chfull words euer chiding and rating them 2 By d●eds in indiscreet and violent passion while we● correct in the kind● of corre●●ion th●r●d is a● p●inted and not such as may indang●r health in the number of stripes no● so long that thy brother should seeme vile in t 〈…〉 eyes This may at the be●t inforce but neuer teach And lastly in partiality immoderately louing one aboue the rest which doth greatly exasperate and prouoke as wee see in Ios●phs brethren in this S. Ambrose blameth Iacob who should wisely haue concealed his affections Gen. 37. 3. 4. The duty of each apart is The duty of the Mother to nurse her children if she be able the barren wombe and dry breast is a heauy curse Hos 9. 14. Nature teacheth it to all women which giueth with the fruitfull wombe a moistened breast There are onely two cases wherin she is exempted from this duty 1 In deficiency of nature when she hath not milke 2 In da●ger of life through weakenesse But pride is vsually that which causeth them to put off nature The duties of children to their Childrens duty Parents are these fiue 1 Honour both inward in an holy esteeme of them tendernesse of respect and obseruance towards them And Outward in reuerend behauiour in speech and gesture 2 Obedience in speciall at some times as in the choise of their 〈…〉 lings In the election and disposing of their marriages Thus did Isaac Gen 24. Thus euen Ishmael Gen. 21. 21. and Iacob Gen. 27. 46. This power hath euery Father ouer his Virgin 1 Cor. 7. 36. 37. More generally at all times so they must obey for the matter in all t●ings that are not si●full Col. 3. 20. Ephes 6. 1. And for the manner 1 With readinesse to heare and receiue instruction Pro. 1 8 2 With ind●auour to fulfill their desires by labour or otherwise 3 With submission to their rebukes Pro. 13. 1. R●stra●nts in dy●t apparell and recreations and to their corrections 4 With all meekenesse expressed by obeying w●th ●ut inquiring murmuring or contendi●g 5 Without respect of profit else it is base and mercenary 3 Feare to displease Leuit. 19. 3. 4 A couering of their i●firmit●es ●ulpable or miserable onely as of age body or mi●de The contrary to this was Chams sin Gen. 9. 21. 22. which first brought in the curse of seruitude 5 Thankefull requitall of their l●ue and care which is three waies chi●fly performed 1 By our good behauiour being a crowne to our Pa●ents and not sonnes that cause shame Pro. 17. 6. 2 By aiding and rel●euing them if they be in need 1 Tim. 5. 4. after the example of Ioseph this is called in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to remunetate and requite a benefit receiued deriued of ●●● Arist Hist anim l. 8. c. 8 pi●ta●is cultrix vicissim againe and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which signifieth a Storke for this instruction is read vs in natures schoole the Storke when her damme is old and labours of age that she cannot flee shee beareth her on her owne wings into the meadowes and places where they feed and when shee hath fed she carrieth her backe to the nest againe 3 By care for their honour in life in death and after their death by celebration of their funerals payment of their debts as farre as ability will reach and fulfilling their will in paying legacies or otherwise Here note that the bond of relieuing our Parents pa●le●h vpon the heires of the children or Executors or Administrators for this bur●en is ioyned with the goods of the childe and therefore is passed ouer with them and ●n●a●l●d to them All this thou owest Though thou be come to high place or gifts so did Ioseph to Iacob and Solomon to his mother 1 King 2. 19. and our Sauiour to his parents Luk. 1. 51. Though they require things that may discredit thee in the world Consider Gods ordination or be they disordered persons or foolish pray for them despise them not God that knoweth what is best for thee hath set thee in this condition or be they thy step parents Ruth obeyed Naomi Yea be they but thy tutors or guardians with whom thou art left in trust Hester obeyed Mordecay So farre of Parents and Children §. V. Of the Master and Seruant THe third relation in the familie The duty of Masters is that of Master and Seruant to forme them it pleaseth the Holy Ghost to be at much paines with great plainenesse in the New testament to shew that the subiection of seruants is a morall and perpetuall ordinance a seruant may be Christs freeman as the freeman is Christs seruant seruice of me● will stand with liberty of Christians and to assure both Master and seruant that God in speciall requires they make conscience of their dealing as they desire to be no hypocrites in religion and to haue the family established Psal 101. 2. Pro. 14. 3. The Masters duty is 1 To doe that which is iust and equall to their seruants Col. 3. 1. iustice is shewed when they require not vniust things of them when they giue iust and due things to them both in maintenance giuing them the portion of food conuenient for them Pro. 31. 15. and in wages Iam. 5. 4. that it be proportionable to their worke in due time and with out defrauding them of any part of it and if they continue with them long that they send them not out empty Equality is shewed in not imposing more worke on them then they haue st●ength to doe in keeping them in their sicknesse and in not despising their cause but hearing their iust defence Iob. 31. 13. 14. In giuing them li●●●ty on the Lords d●y for their s●●ules good and in n●t giuing care to euery word that ●●n say of them or the 〈◊〉 Eccle● 7. 27. 2 To giue due correction for it is an euill which the earth cannot beare a Seruant when he ruleth Pro. 30. 21. 22. nor is it meet to bring vp a seruant delicately 3 To know the waies of their houshold not leauing their callings and the whole care of their busines to their seruants Pro.

him § 5. To worship him § 6. To serue him With our persons where Generall Rules of preparation and execution of all outward worship § 7. The perticuler precepts that guide in the vse of seuerall ordinances Of hearing the word read and preach § 8. Of receiuing of the Sacrament of Christs body and blood § 9. Of Baptisme § 10. Of Prayer § 11 Of Feasting and solemne thankesgiuing § 12. Of Fasting § 13. Of Singing of Psalmes § 14. Of Reading or meditation § 15. Of Vowes and swearing § 16. Of Seruing God with our good § 17. Of Keeping the Lords day where are discussed The authority and The duties of the day § 18. To men and these looke To all men for iustice and mercy For iustice in The right disposition of the heart towards them § 19. The frame of the Conuersation § 20. The gouernment of the tongue more specially § 21. The innocency of the hand § 22 For mercy § 23. To some men as the godly and the wicked where The loue of the godly § 24. Our Carriage to the godly in particuler cases § 25. The wisedome of our behauiour towards the wicked § 26. To our selues teaching how to abide with God In our callings § 27. In our Christian profession § 28. In the changes of life as In our wealth In afflictions generally considered In pouerty In sicknesse In persecutions § 29 In our death teaching The cure of diseases The care of necessary duties § 30. Thus of the precepts which ly in common for all times The precepts for the passing of euery day § 31. THE PATHES OF HOLY LIFE THAT GVIDE CHRISTIANS IN SVCH A CONDITION Where The order and vse hereof § 1. The speciall rules which concerne The more eminent relations Of Magistrate and Subiect The Magistrate both The supreme and gouernors sent of him The subiect in generall The Courtyer The Ambassador The Counsellor of state § 2. Of the Husband and wife § 3. Of Parents and chiidren § 4. Of Masters and Seruant § 5. Of Pastor and flocke § 6. Rules for the more priuate estate as Of Neighborhood § 7. Of Friendship § 8. Of Enmity § 9. Rules for those of meere priuacy as Of the aged § 10. Of the youth § 11. Of the Virgin and widdow § 12. THE PREFACE shewing the occasion order and vse of this Treatise CAsting in my The Holy dayes in the yeeres 1625. and 1626. thoghts which way I might most profitably spend this time of Assembling our selues together on those dayes set apart by our Church both for the discharge of my duty and for your edification it came into my minde to vndertake the exposition of the Scriptures but then the Lord directed my heart to resolue first to propose briefly the sum of fayth and holy life which might be both as a key to open the doore of true exposition for prophesie ought to be according to the Analogie of fayth and also a rule which you might haue alway by you nay with you according to which you might walke that peace might bee vpon you and mercy though I should no● accomplish among you my former intended taske We will then the good hand of our God being vpon vs proceed in this order viz. Giue 1. The summ● of fayth 2. The pathes of holy life that guide men As they are Christians which pathes as they are Christians in such a condition lie in common for all times are applied in peculiar for the passing of euery day of relation to other as Magistrate Subiect Pastor Flocke Husbnad and wife Parent and child● Master and seruant Of priuate state as Neighbour friend fo● the aged the youth the single person both maid and widow Out of these euery one may and must take to so many as may serue his owne condition and so haue before him Gods will concerning him which will we are all bound to know Ephes 4. 16. And without which we can neuer order our conuersation aright and therfore haue not the promise to see the saluation of God Psal 50. 23. This setting an order in fayth and life is the onely way to walke as wise and vnderstanding Christians to walke vprightly and so surely to walke worthy the Lord in all pleasing to liue profitably and so comfortably Which while people are called vpon to doe by the Ministers yet it is left vndone by the hearers or set vpon with little heart and oft times with lesse profit euen for want of direction You Beloued God assisting shall haue it drawen out to your hands that you may euery one come to this garden and gather so many flowers as may make vp your posie suteable to your seuerall smells yea plant your heades and heartes with them and thereby refresh your spirits and keepe in you the good sau●ur and sweet sent of a well-watered Garden where your beloued may take his pleasure THE FIRST PART §. 1. THe summe of faith or what it is in the profession whereof we are to liue dye respecteth the Articles the seales of Gods couenant The Articles are briefly comprized in the Creed commonly called the Apostles Creed where we consider 1 The substance of Christian doctrine which concerneth God the Father in the 1. Article God the Sonne in the 6. following God the holy Ghost in the 8. The Church in her qualities the 9. in her prerogatiues in this life the 10. in the life to come the 11. and 12. 2 The answere of a good conscience to all that God reuealeth and promiseth in the word I beleeue which is carried to euery parcell of the Creed The seales of this couenant are two Baptisme The Supper of the Lord. For the substance of Christian ●1 doctrine to be beleeued as euer we would be saued and for which faith we must lay downe our liues if God call for it I will lay it downe in words of Scripture according to the order and meaning of the Articles saue that these Articles presuppose we haue receiued the Bible for the word of God as being an abridgement of faith giuen to beleeuers not to Infidels Wee must see there what God commandeth we should bl●eue and hold concerning the Scripture out of which the Creed was taken then what of himselfe and of his Church Credenda God commandeth that I and euery one doe beleeue in our hearts and professe with our mouthes and be ready to seale it with our dearest bloud That all Scripture is by inspiration 1 Of the Scriptures 2 Tim. 3. 16. 17. Their authority or the imbreathing of God namely the bookes of the old Testament as of Moses and the Prophets and the Bookes of the New Testament and is profitable for doctrine for reproofe for correction for instruction in righteousnesse that the man of God may 2 Pet. 1. 18. 19. 20. Vse be perfect throughly furnished vnto all good workes A more sure word for vs to take heed vnto then a voyce from heauen Further that no man

Cor. 11. 29. 2 By feeling remembrance of thy particular sins which by examination were found most burdensome and preuailing to ●ate this true Paschall Lambe with the sowre hearbs of godly sorrow Exod. 12. 8. 3 By the effectuall remembrance of the death of the Lord Iesus which ought to be shewed foorth by this action till his comming again with thanksgiuing recording his grieuous sufferings for vs the breaking of the bread and powring out of the wine doeth represent this Luc. 22. 19. 1 Cor. 11. 26. 4 By loue to Gods people and hearty communion with them as being one bread and one body for they all are partakers of one bread and haue all drunke into one spirit 1 Cor. 10. 16. 17. 12. 12. 13. And after Communicating we must manifest the vertue is in Christs body and bloud to nourish and cheare vs to life eternall 1 By keeping the feast in the vnleauened bread of sincerity truth auoyding all our daies all malice wickednesse and hypocrisie and society of scandalous brethren as leauen that swells and sowres all our actions and vertues before God and men 1 Cor. 5. 8. 2 By fleeing Idolatry the society of Idolaters and Idolatrous seruice 1 Cor. 10. 14 16 17. § X. The third Baptisme where rules for the vse thereof BAptisme is the washing of regeneration Of Baptisme Tit. 3. 5. the Sacramēt of our new-birth which is not to be reiterated or oft receiued as that other but once only as it sufficeth to life to be often fed but once borne Yet the vertue and vse of Baptisme is of force to our liues and speaking therefore to men already initiated by Baptisme the rules of direction respect ours and our owne Baptisme Ours For our children are not vncleane 1. Cor. 7. 14. To whom also the promise is made to a thousand generations heere our duety is to present them to the Font In due time testifying thereby our high esteeme of Gods mercy to our seed and our earnest desire to haue his couenant scaled to them lest the Lord should strike vs as he did Moses for a like neglect Exod. 4. 24. 25. 26. With fayth in Gods couenant which is that hee will be our God and the God of our seed with thankefulnesse accounting the benefit of this admission greater then if a king had adopted our childe heyre apparant Our owne Baptisme which we are to make vse of all our life long both as Gods se●le as our vow 1. As i● is g●●●n of God by the ou● 〈◊〉 washing of the Minister in the name of the Father Sonne and holy Ghost to signifie as by signe to assure as by seale to conuey as by instrument Christ Iesus and all benefits spirituall with him such as are 1 Receiuing into Couenant with the Father Sonne and holy Ghost and adoption as son and daughter into his houshold and family Gal. 3. 27. 2 Ingrafting into Christ and communion with him as a member of his body Rom. 6. 5. 3 Deliuerance from the seas of Gods wrath 1 Pet 3. 17. 18. Mat. 3. 7. 4 The imputation of Christs righteousnesse and remission of sinnes Ephes 5. 26. 1. Ioh. 1. 7. Gal. 3. 27. 5 Regeneration Tit. 3. 5. which hath two parts mortification Rom. 6. 3. 4. vi●ification Rom. 6. 4. 5. of both Col. 2. 13. 6 Communion with all Saints 1 Cor. 12. 15. 7 The resurrection of our bodies 1 Cor. 15. 29. Rom. 6. 8. Now thus we must make vse of it in diuers cases as in case 1 Of doubting of forgiuenes of sinnes and of saluation behold baptisme saueth that is effectually assures saluation it saueth as a figure now wee offend not in trusting to Gods promises made in his word and figured and sealed in baptisme 1 Pet. 3. 18. Reason then hath not God prouided the Arke of baptisme to preserue mee from the seas of his wrath Againe hath hee not cleansed away my sinnes by his sonnes bloud and presented this vnto mee in baptisme The very for me of baptisme sheweth that therein the Lord giueth the Christian right and title to himselfe heere also remember that the Father Son and holy Ghost are one in couenant making and in working thy saluation 2 Of doubting of perseuerance and of our resurrection For if Christ be raysed in vs he can die no more in himselfe or in vs Rom. 6. 9. 10. Gal. 3. 27. 28. Mark 16. 16. 1. Cor. 15. 29. Yea all the holinesse and happinesse of a Christian is sealed by three 1 Ioh. 5 7. 3 Of oppositions for in baptisme thou hast put on Christ who is a couert from the storm Esa 4. 5. 4 Of temptation to sin for debate it thus I haue the name of the Father Sonne and holy Ghost named on me shall not I walke worthy and answerable to this dignitie My baptisme is the baptisme of repentance and do I yet liue in sinne Act. 13. 14. Matt. 3. 11. I was baptized into Christes death and resurrection and therein assured of the vertue of both to kill sin in me and quicken me to holinesse shall I not beleeue the operation of God in that Sacrament Col. 2. 12. If I be dead to sinne can I liue any longer therein if aliue to God how is it I want life in the work of God Are my corruptions preuayling and shall I not seeke the strength and life of Christ Rom. 6. 1. 3. In thy security thou couldst say with the Church in the Canticles ch 5. v. 3. I haue put off my coat how shall I put it on I haue washed my feete how shall I defile them Now much more take vp this saying I haue put on the Lord Christ how should I put him off I am washed in his most precious bloud and shall I now defile my selfe I haue put on the robe of his righteousnesse it is now no time to vncouer my nakednesse and to take to the rotten ragges of the old man Rom. 13. 14. I will neuer more make prouision to fulfill the lustes of the flesh 5 Of temptation to presumption and security in rest●●g vpon the outward washing say with thy selfe am I not taught that baptism● which saueth is not the washing away of the filth of the flesh but the answer of a good conscience 1 Pet. 3. 21. It is the bapti●me of repentance the washing of the new-birth which new-birth is by water and the sanctifying of the holy Ghost through the word Ioh. 3. 3. Ephes 5. 26. And if we bring not forth fruits worthy amendment God will rather take of these stones and rayse vp children vnto Abraham then owne a viperous generation Matt. 3. 8. The baptisme of the Minister is little auayleable where Christs baptisme is not receyued who baptizeth with the holy Ghost and with fire Trueth hee that beleeueth and is baptized shall be saued but hee that beleeueth not though hee be baptized as was Simon Magus also shall bee damned Marc. 16. 16. 2 Againe we are to make vse of our

is the fast which the Lord hath chosen when thus we cry hee will say here I am his worke also shall be as forward as his word for then shall our light breake forth as the morning and our health shall sp●ing forth speedily our righteousnesse shall goe before vs and the glory of the Lord shall bee our rereward to gather vs vp §. XIIII The seuenth singing of Psalmes FOr the right manner of singing Of singing of Psalmes of Psalmes the approued mirth of a true Christian Iam. 5. 13. The Apostle giueth rules in two places to the same effect Ephes 5. 19. Col. 3. 16. 1 Wee must make vse to our instruction and mutuall edification of the matter con●eiued in the Psalmes hymnes and spirituall songs we sing remembring these songs are Gods statutes Psal 119. 54. 2 Wee must sing with the heart 1. both with the vnderstanding and with the affections lifted vp as well as with the voice Psal 25. 1. 3 With grace in the heart 1. imploying the graces of Gods spirit as our faith hope delight in Gods loue c. 4 Our melody must be directed to the Lord and his glory not vsed as a ciuill employment but as Gods seruice nor as a meane to cleare the pipes and preserue bodily health but as a meanes to cleare the soule of obstructiue humours and promote our eternall saluation §. XV. The eight Reading of Scripture or meditation THis is a duty of no small benefit Of reading or meditation to the godly life of a Christian for by it wordly cares are moderated and sanctified worldly pleasures dulled and extinguished the minde furnished with pure imaginations the iudgement inlightned and enlarged the memory relieued the heart perswaded the affections moued the whole man secretly yet sweetly drawn aboue the world aboue himselfe this is part of the benefit comes hereby and the comfort is no lesse when thou shalt know that this is one of the three duties that make vs happy Reu. 1. 3. Blessed is hee that heareth and readeth and keepeth the words of this prophesie and those things that are written therein This duty I expresse by two words reading and meditation 1. because this duty pressed in the old Testament is set downe in two words which signifie to speake with the mouth and with the heart to reade and to meditate too 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Ge. 24 63. Psal 1. 2. Therefore it is vsually translated to meditate Iosh 1. 8. Psal 1. 2 2 Because the reading which is the duty is not a running ouer a Chapter vttering the words like a childe at schoole without regard of the matter but this musing thinking on pondering debating of the matters therein with our selues 3 Because many through want of education cannot reade yet the duty to meditate fasteneth vpon all That this is a duty which all are bound vnto that saying of our Sauiour Search the Scripture Ioh 5. 39 doth abundantly testifie and that command layd vpon Kings of daily reading notwithstanding their great employment of state Deut. 17. 18. 19. Besides the holy Scripture is called in the Neh. 8. 9. word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the reading because it ought to be read About your reading these things must necessarily bee obserued 1 That it be daily the time such as wee can best alotte from our worldly affaires but in euery day some time must be redeemed to this worke Deut. 17. 19. He shall reade therein all the dayes of his life Iosh 1. 8. Thou shalt meditate therein night and day Psal 1. 2. 2 That we meditate vpon it or ponder what we reade storing our hearts with good thoughts liuely consolations and holy precepts by that which we reade this will helpe to direct vs all the day after and season the heart in some good measure that it be not drowned in the va●ities of the world and the sinnes of the time Psal 1. 2. This is to search and digg● for wisedome and hath the promise Pro. 2. 1. 2. 3. 5. 6. 7. 3 That we wisely apply what we reade to our selues seeing all Scripture is written for our instruction and comfort and tends to make the ma● of God perfect and furnished to euery good worke Rom 15. 4 We ought to perswade our selues that all precepts of duty and good life are left recorded to direct vs not others onely that all the promises are to be beleeued by vs and wee finde the grace or state of life to which they are made in vs. All the threats denounced against vs as we are found in the transgressions all reproofes checke vs for faults escaped all exhortations and admonitions quicken our coldnesse deadnesse drowsinesse and lukewarmenesse 4 That wee bring a speciall and renewed delight to this worke else we shall never hold out but by fits and snatches at the best take it vp Psal 1. 2. Blessed is the man whose delight is in the law of the Lord to meditate therein day and night 5 That we hide in our hearts the Commandements promises threats for direction and vse in our liues indowed with Dauids spirit who said I haue hid thy commandements in mine heart that I might not sinne against thee Psal 119. 11. that wee obseru● to doe as the command runnes in Iosh 1. 8. §. XVI The ninth vowes and swearing A Vow is a religious promise Of a vowe of things lawfull conducing to the exciting of our hearts to Gods worship and holy duties and that for such things as God hath promised made with prayer and payed with thankesgiuing such was Iacobs vow Gen. 28. 20. This is a duty wee owe by verrue of that command Psa 76. 11. Vow and pay vnto the Lord your God Vowes are of two sorts necessary or arbitrary Necessary which euery Christian must promise to the Lord vpon all blessings he asketh and in all suits he maketh either expresly or at least in the deuotion of his heart they are 1. The sacrifice of himselfe foule and body to God Rom. 12. 1. 2. The renewing of his couenant for reformation of sinnes which prouoked God Ier. 50. 5 3. Contribution to the maintenance of Gods worship 4. Charity to our neighbours Neh. 10. 29. 30. 32. An heart prepared to these foure should euer be with vs but the arbitrary is the vow wee speake of and here these rules must be obserued 1 Thy vow must be of things lawfull 2 It must be of things in thine owne power for if thou vow chastity when thou knowest not whether thou hast the gift of continency and whether thou haue power ouer thine owne will thou off●ndest 1 Cor. 7. Be not rash with thy mouth and be not hasty to vtter any thing before God Eccles 5. 2. 3 It must be some way conducing to the lawfull worship of God and such as m●y helpe thy repentance sobriety chastity abstinence meditations patience with the like Thus it must haue a right end the glory of God and the furthering of thy heart to

THE LIGHT OF FAITH AND WAY OF HOLINESSE Shewing What to belieue and for what to striue together earnestly contend and suffer for in this contending age And how to liue in all estates conditions and degrees of relation according to this faith In both deliuering as neere as might be in the life of Scripture phrase only things necessary as we meane to be saued and auoiding vtterly things arbitrary that distract rather then direct a Christian Collected out of holy Scripture by an vnworthy labourer i● Gods vineyard RICHARD BIFIELD Pastor in Long-Di●ton in Surrey Esa 35. 8. And an high way shall be there and a way and it shall be called the way of Holinesse the vncleane shall not passe ouer it but it sh●ll be for those the way fa●●ng men though so●les shall n●● 〈◊〉 therein London Printed by T. H. for Ph. Stephens and Ch. Meredith 1630. TO THE RIGHT Worshipfull and religious Knight my most bountifull Patrone St. Thomas Euelin and to the vertuous Lady the Lady Anne his Wife R. B. wisheth Grace here and Glory hereafter Right Worshipfull AFter prayer to GOD that these first fruits of my labours in this kinde offered to the glory of his Name for the good of his Church may be acceptable to him being sanctified by the Holy Ghost I present this ensuing Treatise to your worthy selues as to a most excellent Theophilus and an elect Lady It had indeed its birth in another place but its polishing if yet it may bee tearmed polished vnder your supportation I would therefore it should in the entrance acknowledge for it selfe and for mee those large fauours both I and it doe enioy But while it speakes let none impute the folly of flattery or acceptation of mans person for should I so doe my Maker would soone take me away Three things shall make your name your memory sweet and sauory in the Church of Christ and among the Saints First your free bestowing of that ecclesiasticall preserment the Lord intrusted you with without so much as suite or seeking on my part or any on my behalfe who yet was a stranger to your Noble selfe family and kindred respecting nothing but the discharge of your conscience the good of the people and the glory of the Lord Christ which was abundantly shewed when your Worship was pleased to require at my hands these three things alone residence like paines as I had bestowed where bands of duty were lesse and plaine teaching with the pressing of the law throughly to prepare for the Cordials of surpassing grace discouered in the Gospell What Christian that knoweth this will not say Remember him O my God for good concerning this and wipe not out this good deed which he hath done for the house of his God Secondly your vnwearied attendance on the ordinances of Christ with reuerence on the Lords day and on the weeke dayes entring the assemblies with the first abiding there with the last so that your deeds speake effectually in Iacobs phrase surely Gen. 28. 16. 17. the Lord is in this place How dreadful is this place This is none other but the house of God and this is the gate of heauen The Lord the God of Iacob the Father of our Lord Iesus Christ shew you in that place for euer Iacobs Ladder and the Angels of God ascending and descending on it and himselfe standing aboue it and giuing Oracles from the top of it Thirdly your life led in this wanton proud age in such a way as is free from all the vices of our times Others of our Gentry spend their dayes in Hawking Hunting Bowling in Carding Dicing Bowzing while you seeme alone among many to haue learnt that which God hath made the calling of a Gentleman Goe on still Noble Sir to make a further escape from the corruptions that are in the world through lusts it shall be your immortall praise to distinguish in deedes betweene Gentility and effeminatenesse Generosity and prophanenesse frugality and couetousnesse l●berality and prodigality grauity and van●ty power and shew of godl●nesse Speake I this to exalt you in your thoughts aboue measure or speake I it not to mooue the hearts of our Gentry to consider it In as much as God hath set me thus in my place I magnifie my calling if by any meanes I might prouoke all Patrones to emulation and might saue them from their iniurious practises and ill offices done thereby to the house of God By whose Gehizing hands Symonizing Wolues prey vpon themselues and make a prey for Sathan thousands of soules But what seeke I herein to my selfe surely this that as oft as I looke on these lines I might fetch a renewed strength for the improuement of my Talent to the good of your godly family of this people ouer which the Lord hath placed me though vnworthy an ouerseer and of the whole Church according to my line and measure And that if I should bee negligent I might haue many say to mee that which Paul charged the Church of Colosse Col. 4. 17 to say to Archippus Take heede to the Ministery which thou hast receiued in the Lord that thou fulfill it For the Treatise it selfe you shall haue matter but words are not to bee expected from him who professeth not himselfe a master of speech The matter is intended for the through furnishing of a Christian in onely necessary things to all turnes at all times large I confesse is the promise what is performed reade and see I shall the meane while pray for both your Worships increase in grace and all gifts of the spirit with length of dayes to see your sweet Children the Lords reward your chiefe riches flourishing and spreading into families with grace and fauour from GOD and man that the few dayes of my pilgrimage ma also bee made thereby the more comfortable and happy who am Your Worships in the seruice of your faith humbly deuoted Richard By field The Contents of this Treatise in an Analiticall Table The Preface to the whole The Parts which are three THE DOCTRINE OF FAITH Or what it is in the profession whereof we are to liue and die this respects The Articles of Gods Couenant conteining the substance of Christian truth which concernes The Scripture § 1. God the Father § 2. God the Sonne § 3. God the Holy Ghost § 4. The Church § 5. The seales of the Couenant Baptisme and the Lords Supper § 6. The answere of a good Conscience § 7. THE PATHES OF HOLY LIFE THAT GVIDE MEN AS THEY ARE CHRISTIANS The order § 1. The Precepts which are Precepts which lie in common for all times Precepts for the passing of euery day The Precepts which ly in common for all times are Generall and concerne The qualifying of the person that would lead a Godly life § 2. The Gates of righteousnesse that open vpon these pathes § 3. The enliuing qualities of all holy duties § 4. Perticuler and they order vs. To God and so To know