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	provoke_v	1,966	5	10.4177	5	true

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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.

offer vp soule and body to God a whole burnt offering and yeeld thy selfe vnto him as one aliue from the dead and thy members weapons of righteousnesse to holinesse consecrating thy selfe as a couenant seruant to righteousnesse euen as euer thou didst or any man doth yeeld himselfe and his members as ●eruants to vncleannesse and to inquity vnto iniquity so shalt thou haue thy fruit vnto holinesse Rom. 12. 1. and 6. 13. 19. 22. In speciall Looke you doe all 1 With vprightnesse Psal 18. 22. Euen with a perfect heart 1 Chro. 28. 9. which is expressed 1 In the sincerity and truth of the heart this is that vnleauened bread wherewith we must all our daies keepe our Christian Passeouer 1 Cor. 5. 8. The contrary to this is hypocrisie and guile of spirit when men aduance a profession of religion for 〈…〉 nall ends that they might seeme onely but God hates a powerlesse shew let thy holinesse bee holinesse of truth Ephes 4. 24. 2 In giuing the whole of the heart without diuision entirely cleauing to all the workes of righteousnesse without halting without expostulating 3 In doing all to the glory of God 1 Cor. 10. 31. 4 In vniuersall obedience To all Gods commandements not putting any of his statutes from vs nor hiding our eyes from them Say not in the words of Lot is it not a little one nor in the words of Naaman the Syrian onely in this the Lord be mercifull vnto mee but without ifs and ands reseruations and exceptions giue thy selfe with Dauid to doe all the wils of God and resolue Act. 3. 22. vpon the forsaking of all sinne At all times in aduersity as well as prosperity In all places obeying absent from their Ministers as well as present In euery company as well as in any company Phil. 2. 12. 2 With ioy and cheerefulnesse accounting ourselues happy when the Lord openeth a dore and giueth any strength for holy duties louing to be his seruants Esa 56. 6. Lex voluntarios quaerit Ambros in Psal 1. Gods people are all voluntaries they cast off those foule vices of procrastination and security 3 With feruency not slothfull in businesse but glowing in spirit seruing the Lord Rom. 12. 11. doing all we put our hands vnto with all our might Eccles 9. 10. with all diligence 2 Cor. 8. 7. We must be all zealots for cursed is hee that doth the Lords worke negligently Ier. 48. 10. 4 With feare 1 Pet. 1. 17. Blessed is the man that feareth alway Pro. 28. 14. There is a feare to be expressed in all parts of holy life and it is that reuerence tendernesse modesty and carefulnesse should be in all our waies fearing Gods presence who should be euer set before vs be●ring reuerence to the Angels to Gods Minist●rs fearing our deceitfull hearts and the off●nce of the godly the infection of the wicked and the ruine of those whom we might helpe fearing lest the day of Christ should come vpon vs before we are prepared and thus working out our saluation with feare and trembling all wretchlesnesse rudenesse rashnesse precipitation conceitednesse and pride laid aside with all hardning of the heart in euil no no feare and depart from euill 5 With faith for what so is not of faith is sinne Rom. 14. This takes Gods will for the warrant of our actions raiseth vp the heart to beleeue Gods assistance trusts God for the succe●●e rests on the promise for acceptation makes vs neglect the scornes and oppositions of the world keepes vs from being iust ouermuch conceiting too highly of our selues for what wee doe or wicked ouer much in thinking too vilely of Gods worke in vs Eccles 7. This cuts off all carnall feares as the feare of men and the superstitious feare of Gods displeasure for breaking mens traditions or the commandements of our owne hearts 6 With simplicity and godly purenesse 2 Cor. 1. 12. 11. 3. expressed in these things 1 A faithfull retaining of the pure word of God without mixtures looking onely thereto for the formes of holinesse and happinesse no way lending eare to false teachers that would impose more vpon vs then God requires as doe the Papists 2 An ignorance of the depths of Sathan simple concerning euill Rom. 16. 19. not skilled in wily distinctions excuses to maintaine sinne 3 Godly integrity opposed to fleshly wisedome and fraud which is when in plainenesse of heart wee desire to doe what God requires though it bee neuer so much derided in the world Ambros in locum without man-pleasing or respect to our owne lucre 4 The loue of holinesse for it selfe and the hatred of sinne as it is sinne 5 The desire to be what euer wee are in the sight of God making Caluin in locum his allowance our glory 7 Precisenesse circumspectnesse accuratenesse Eph. 5. 15. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Making conscience of lesser sinnes as well as greater auoiding the appearance of euill and the occasions as well as the euill it self obseruing the circumstances of time ●●ace and persons in doing duty 8 Meekenesse of wisedome Iam. 3. 13. which consisteth in these particulars 1 A calmenesse of heart from turbulent and violent passions out of which springs gentlenesse of carriage so th●t a man is not easily prouoked 2 A sense of our owne vilenesse which maketh vs not wise in our selues and to doe good in the deepe apprehension of our vnworthinesse to doe any seruice to God ●r man and to auoid bit 〈…〉 s 〈…〉 ifes and enuyings Iam. 3. 3 Easiness● to be intreated Iam. 3. 17. 4 Corrigiblenesse teachablenesse 9 A Conuersation in heauen which is so to be in the world as to let our hearts runne still vpon God and his kingdome and righteousnesse hauing God in all our thoughts and waies and directing all our actions some way to further our holinesse here and hope of happinesse to come Phil. 3. 20. Earthly men may haue earthly minds but heauenly mindednesse beseemes Christian men whose God Sauiour and happinesse is aboue 10 Patient continuance and perseuerance in wel-doing Abounding in good workes filled with the fruit of all righteousnesse Perfecting holinesse and hauing our works full before God Increasing so that our last workes may be better then our first Doing all without wearinesse Gal. 69. Without dismayednesse and faintings Heb. 12. 12. 13. Notwithstanding all impediments That so we may escape fearefull Apostacie both inward that our hearts cast not off the care of godlinesse the feare to offend nor restraine prayer Outward that we relapse not to the violent co●rses of the world nor liue in grosse sinne Both totall in falling from all godlinesse partiall in falling from some ordinances of God or to some transgressions Such are the generall precepts of an holy life §. V. Of our duty towards God and first of the knowledge of God NOw when thou art rightly qualified by faith and repentance and hast set foote within the gates of righteousnesse and art fully resolued

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